US3295438A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jams, 1967v Filed April 19, 1963 E. C. WEBB ETAL PRINTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l fhel'r ATTORNEY Jan 3, 1967 E. c. WEBB ETAL h 3,295,435

PRINT I NG APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 19. 1963 Num oz @2.5.52 HMI u 252Mo 92:32 U mv om* ot .65200 19.0: mzwmll 0 NNK OQ OQ $132.6 Il 1 l :m

lNvENToRs. ERNEST C.WEBB ond BY EVERETT K. MENTZER their ATTORNEY Jam 3, 1967 E. c. WEBB ETAL 3,295,438

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet E ERNEST C WEBB und Fig. BY.' EvERT KMENTZER fheir ATTORNEY Jan. 3, 1967 E. c. WEBB ETAL 3,295,438

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1963 5 sheets-sheet 4 94%# Si@ KBS 58 se 74 los loe :o4 `:o2

INVENTORS. ERNEST C. WEBB and EVERE T' K MENTZER Fi g. l 2. mear ATTORNEY E. c. WEBB ETAL 3,295,438

PRINTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets- Sheet 5 Jan. 3, 1967V Filed April 19. 1963 m S. d Z E QUE R T m B N N B E T VC E M. N A. m W. K n 52.6 MIM. m .5528 wzizn. UNH u nu.. oz oz15p HMI m NE 62:35@ 92232 HMT 4 Fl V. B

NQ om .83, wm. a l I l l I l I I l .Y r 0.2/ ..0528 m2o: dim dw d. d m d am 5N j. mmw 1:; I l l l l l l l 1 uf; n Nt f Y Nm. om. Nm. mz/ 141@ $1330Y NN .6528 m05: vv zzz @z xmoz @z zoiaoa \L z United States Patent O 3,295,438 PRINTING APPARATUS Ernest C. Webb, Bay Village, and Everett K. Mentzer,

Struthers, Ohio, assignors to Cleveland Trust Company, Cleveland, Ohio Filed Apr. 19, 1963, Ser. No. 274,167 3 Claims. (Cl. 101-93) This invention relates to stationary printing apparatus adapted to produce printed characters at any one of a plurality of places over the surface of a sheet material which is movable from a viewing position to a printing position and back to the viewing position, and more particularly to apparatus for printing the ball results and score on a bowling game score sheet.

Although not limited thereto, the present invention is particularly adapted for use in automatically printing the score on a bowling game score sheet and, in this respect, is usable with an automatic scoring, totalizing and printing system such as that shown in copending application Serial No. 38,091, filed July 7, 1960 and assigned to the assignees of the present invention. As is known, the bowling score is usually recorded on charts or blank forms provided by proprietors or operators of bowling alleys. Such a score sheet is divided into player lines, one for each player in a game, with each line being divided into ten frame spaces. After each ball is rolled, the pinfall results of that ball are entered in a box provided in the upper right-hand corner of the frame space being played. In most cases, after each frame is played, the frame score is entered in the appropriate place in a frame space adjacent the name of each player. If a bowler should make, for example, nine pins in a frame, the number 9 will be headed in the space provided for that frame adjacent his name. If, on the other hand, a strike or spare is made on the rst or second ball,re spectively, of a frame, a symbol well known in the bowling game is placed in the box in the upper right-hand corner of the frame space representing the frame being played to indicate the results of the pinfall by a particular ball in the case of a strike, or two balls in the case of a spare. In the case of a strike, two balls must be rolled before appropriate scores in preceding spaces can be entered. In the case of a spare, scoring is delayed until the next or iirst ball of the next frame is rolled; whereas, in the case of two normal balls knocking down less than ten pins, the frame score can be immediately added and the play to that point totalized.

In order to automatically print the ball results and frame-to-frame on a score sheet, either the printing apparatus itself must be movable over the entire surface of the sheet, or the sheet must be movable relative to the printing apparatus. In order to print the score on the upper surface of the score sheet, the printing apparatus must be positioned above the score sheet. Furthermore, the apparatus must be positioned in such a manner so as not to obstmct the View of the scores entered on the score sheet.

Accordingly, the primary objects of the present invention include:

To provide new and improved printing apparatus which prints the scores and ball results of a bowling game on the surface of a sheet material;

To provide printing apparatus for printing the score and ball results on the surface of a sheet material wherein the sheet material is moved from a viewing position to a printing position within the printing apparatus and back to the viewing position; and

To provide printing apparatus for a bowling game score sheet or the like wherein the printing apparatus itself does not obstruct the view of the printed material entered on the score sheet.

"ice

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of a console employing the printing arrangement of the present invention with portions cut away to show details;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating the present printing arrangement and schematically illustrating the control elements thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, illustrating the enclosure for a sheet material;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the printing wheels employed in the present printing apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating a means for moving the sheet material;

FIG. 6 is a plan View, schematically illustrating the printing apparatus and its associated drive and control elements;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 7 7 of FIG. 6, schematically illustrating the printing wheels of the printing apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. S is a cross-sectional View, taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6, schematically illustrating the gearing arrangement of the printing apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional View, taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 6, illustrating the preferred gearing arrangement of eachset of printing wheels;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional View, taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 13, illustrating the electrical contact arrangement for each printing wheel of one set of printing wheels;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 6, illustrating the stop-linger arrangement and indexing mechanism associated with the electrical contact arrangement for each printing wheel of one set of printing wheels;

FIG. l2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 6, illustrating a slip-clutch arrangement associated with the main drive shaft of the printing apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a plan view, as viewed from the line 13-13 of FIG. l1, further illustrating the stop-finger arrangement and indexing mechanism of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a sheet material upon which a bowling game score sheet is imprinted; i

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary isometric View, illustrating an alternative means for moving the sheet material illustrated in FIG. l2; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View, similar to FIG. 2, illustrating an alternative embodiment of `the present printing apparatus.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bowling game score sheet having player lines and frame spaces thereon and which may be comprised of either translucent or opaque sheet material. The score sheet is inserted between a pair of parallel, spaced-apart plates, the top plate being transparent, so that the player lines and frame spaces are visible to the players. The score sheet extends from between the plates, through stationary printing apparatus to a score sheet transferring means. The printing apparatus and the score sheet transferring means are positioned externally of the transparent plate and hidden from View, so that they do not obstruct the View of the player lines and frame spaces of the score sheet.

As specifically illustrated herein, the stationary printing apparatus is adapted to print the scores and ball results on the top face of the score sheet and within the frame spaces. The score sheet transferring means serves to move the score sheet from a viewing position beneath the transparent plate to a printing position within the printing apparatus and back to the viewing position after the ball results and/or the scores have been printed. Means is provided for controlling the distance through which the score sheet moves whereby the appropriate frame space is presented in printing relation with the printing apparatus.

The present printing apparatus preferably comprises a set of coaxially aligned printing wheels which are maintained spaced from the score sheet and positionedirelative thereto whereby as the score sheet is moved, the frame spaces of one player line are successively presented in printing relation with the set of printing wheels. In the present printing apparatus, one set of printing wheels is provided for each player line of the score sheet. The

sets of printing wheels are arranged so that one drive f shaft is employed to drive all of the printing wheels; and a single indexing mechanism is employed to control the rotation of the printing wheels so thatthe proper print character is aligned in printing relation with the score sheet. The printing apparatus alsohas a pair of platens associated with each set of printing Wheels. The platens are adapted for individual movement into and out of engagement with the printing wheels. One platen is employed in printing the score while the other platen is employed in printing the ball results. Means also is provided for actuating the proper platen or platens for printing the ball results and/or the score in the appropriate frame space. When the bowling game is completed, the score sheet is automatically ejected to be received by the player.

As hereinbefore stated, a score sheet is provided having the player lines and frame spaces imprinted thereon. A1.

frame spaces in each player line are two ball results boxes'y 34, while in the tenth frame space three ball results boxes 36 are provided. In this embodiment, a score sheet receiving and discharging opening 39 is defined by the lefthand edges of the opening 28 and the transparent plate 30. The score sheet 32 preferably comprises a singlef sheet which is inserted through the opening 38. The.` outline of the score sheet 32 is indicated by the dash-dot line. The names of the players are entered on the player;

lines prior to inserting the score sheet 32 into the opening detecting, totalizing and printing control circuit.

Referring to FIGS. l, 2 and 3, a second plate 40 is positioned beneath the score sheet 32 and is maintained i parallel with and spaced from the transparent plate 30.l

The second plate 40, preferably comprising an opaque plate, is wider than the transparent plate and includes side walls 42 extending therebetween.` Thus, the transparent plate 30, the second plate 40 and the side walls 42 I cooperate to guide the score sheet 32 through the viewing` section 22 to the printing section 24.

` Referring now to FIGS. 1,- 2 and 4, the printing section 24 includes stationary printing apparatus 44 and its associated print positioning means 46; and score sheet transferring means 48 land its associated sheet transferring Y control means 50.

ternatively, a plain sheet may be provided on which the i score and ball results are printed. In this instance, the player lines and frame spaces may be imprinted or scribed into the upper or lower surface of the transparent plate. Thus, when the plain sheet is inserted between the pair of plates, the imprinted player lines and frame spaces are plainly visible.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a supply of the score sheets is provided which comprises a series of the player lines and frame spaces printed on a long sheet. The long sheet is then wound to form a roll of the sheet material whose trailing end extends into the score sheet transferring means, through the printing apparatus and between the pair of plates. When the bowling game is completed, the printed score sheet is automatically ejected from the printing apparatus to be received by the players. the player lines and frame spaces could be imprinted or scribed on the upper or lower surface of the transparent plate. In this case the roll of sheet material would comprise plain sheet material upon which the scores and ball results are printed.

Referring to FIG. l, there is illustrated a console, generally indicated at 20, within which the present printing apparatus is housed. The console 20 will be positioned between the approach areas of adjacent bowling alleys and normally will include therein two printing apparatus to facilitate league play. However, for the purpose of a complete understanding of the invention, the description of a single printing apparatus for one alley will suflice.

The console 20 is divided into a viewing section 22 and a printing section 24. The top 26 of the viewing section 22 comprises a plate having a rectangular opening 28 cut therein. Covering the major right-hand portion of the opening 28 is a transparent plate 30 through which can be seen a bowling game score sheet 32 having a series of player lines each of which is divided into frame spaces numbered 1`through 10. Within the first nine Alternatively,

The stationary printing apparatus 44 comprises a set of printing wheels 52 which are maintained spaced from the score sheet 32 and a pair of platens 54 which cooperate with the printing wheels 52 in the printing opera-V tion.

52 comprise six wheels 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 and 66;` The wheels 56, 58 and 60 serve to print the score in the frame As illustrated in FIG. 4, the set of printing wheels spaces; the wheels 62 and 64 serve to print the ball results in the ball results boxes 34; and the printing wheel. 66 serves to print the result of the bonus ball in the third ball results box 36 of the tenth frame. The printing wheels 56, 58 and 60 include printing characters 68 for` printing the score while the wheels 62, 64 and 66 include printing characters 70 for printing the ball results. Preferably, the printing characters 68 and 70 are contiguous with the periphery of the wheels and comprise solid printing characters. In order to effectively print on the top side of the sheet 32, the platens 54 preferably are formed from a semiresilient material, such as rubber, to produce a seating eiect of the printing ` characters 68 or 70 against the score sheet 36 in the manner analogous to a conventional typewriter. Alternatively, the printing characters 68, 70 may be formed from a semi-resilient material, such as rubber, and secured to the periphery of the printing wheels by any suitable means. In this instance, the platens 54 may be formed from rigid materialsuch as metals.

Where plain sheet material is employed as a score sheet, it may be desirable to employ lines above and/or below each of the printing characters 70 or a square surrounding each of the printing characters 70 in order to easily distinguish them from the printing characters 68.

As hereinbefore stated, one stationary printing apparatus is provided for each player line (see FIG. 1) of the score sheet 32. In FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, there are schematically illustrated live stationary printing apparatus 44.

The first four sets of wheels S2, 4counting from the -top of FIG. 6, are connected to sets of gears 72, one gear for each printing wheel, by means of sets of coaxial shafts 74. The last set of printing'wheels 52 is connected to a set of gears 73,V one gear for each printing wheel, by means of another set of the coaxial shafts 74. The adjacent setsV of gears 72, 73 are connected together by means of idler gears 76 whereby l'all the sets of gears 72,

direction. drive shaft 78 having drive gears 80 mounted thereon each of which is connected to one gear of the first set of gears 72; and a print positioning and indexing mechanism -82 associated with the last set of the gears 73. The fdrive shaft 78 is connected to a first drive means 84 which preferably comprises an electric motor. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the drive gear 80 rotates all of the gears 72, 73 which are :aligned therewith and hence all the printing wheels associated with the gears 72, 73.

In FIG. 9 there is illustrated, in cross section, one of the stationary printing apparatus 44. Since all of the stationary printing apparatus 44 are identical .in construction, the description of one will be sufficient. As can be seen, the printing wheel 56 is connected through a central shaft 86 to a gear 88 which is keyed or otherwise securely fastened to the shaft 86 for rotation therewith. The printing wheel 58 is connected through a rst tubular shaft 90 to :a gear 92 which is keyed or otherwise securely fastened to the tubular shaft 90 for rotation Itherewith. In a similar manner, the printing wheels 60, 62, 64 and 66 are connected Ithrough second, third, fourth and fth tubular shafts 94, 96, 98 and 100 respectively, to gears 102, 104, 106 and 108, respectively. The shafts 86, 90, 94, 98 and 100 comprise the set of coaxial shafts 74 hereinabove mentioned and are supported from an upper wall 110 of the console 20 by meansV of support bearin-gs 112. As will be understood,` by virtue of the coaxial relationship of the shafts 86, 90, 94, 96, 98 and. 100, each of :the printing wheels 56, 58,60, 62, 64 and 66 may rotate independently of the others.

The independent rotation of each of the printing wheels is made possible by the manner in which the drive gears 80 are mounted on the main drive shaft 78. To this end, reference is directed-to FIG. 12 wherein one of the drive gears 80 is illustrated engaged with the gear 108 which, in turn, is connected to the printing wheel 66. The drive gear 80 is slidably received on the main drive shaft 78. A bushing 114 is secured to the shaft 78; while on the other side of the drive gear 80l is'asecond bushing 116 also secured'to the shaft 78. Between the bushing 116 and the drive gear 80 is a leaf spring 118, the arrangement being such that the spring 118 will urge the drive gear 80 into engagement with the bushing 114 whereby the frictional engagement between the bushing 114 and the drive gear 80 will cause the gear 80 to rota-te when the shaft 78 is rotated, thereby rotating the gear 108 -together with the printing Wheel 66. When, however, the gear 108 is braked or positively stopped, in a manner -to be described, the drive gear 80 will also stop and slide on the shaft 78. That is, the friotional engagement between the drive gear 80 and the bushing 114 is such that it will rotate the gear 108 and the prin-ting wheel 66 only in the absence of any braking applied to the gear 108. In this respect, each of the drive gear mounting assemblies comprises a slip clutch 119.

The print positioning and indexing mechanisms 82 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 8, 10, 1v1 and 13. Referring in particular to FIGS. 6 Land 8, it will be seenthat each gear of the last set of gearsV 73 is providedV with one `of Ithe print positioning and indexing mechanisms 82. The mechanism 82 serves two functions. 'Ihe first function is a print positioning function, that is stopping its gear so that the printing wheel associated therewith will present the proper printing character in printing relation with the score sheet 32. The second function is -an indexing function, that is, again stopping the gear and the printing wheel associated therewith at a predetermined position, Ias for example, with 'a blank type positioned in printing relation with the score sheet 32. Hence, for each printing character, the printing wheel will .always be rotated through the same angle. As for example, since the printing wheel will always be indexed or initially positioned with the blank type adjacent the score sheet 32, each time the printing wheel rotates t-o, say, the numeral4 it will-a1ways rotate through the same angle. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the print 6 positioning and indexing mechanism 82 includes a pair of solenoids 129, 122 having arms 124, 126, respectively.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 13, it will be noted that the gear 108 is provided with -a plurality of drill holes 128 circumferentially spaced around one face, although these may be replaced with projecting lugs if desired. In addition, the gear 108 is provided with a projection 130 extending outwardly from `one face. Each of the gears 88, 92, 102, 104 106 and 108 of the last set of gears 73 is identical in construction, and in this respect it will Vbe appreciated that each gear opera-tes in the same manner. As best seen in FIG. 13, the arm 124 of the solenoid is provided with a detent 132 which is adapted to engage one of the drill holes 128. The arm 126 of the solenoid 122 extends into the path of the projection 130 on the gear 108. As will hereinafter be seen, the cycle of opera-tion of the printing apparatus is initiated by energizing the motor 84 to rotate the sets of gears 72, 73. When the motor 84 is energized, the sets of gears 72, 73 will tend to-rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 8. It will be seen, however, that the projection 130 on each gear of the last set of gears-73 is engaged with the arm 126 to prevent rotation. Accordingly, when the motor 84 is energized, the solenoids 122 are also energized to simultaneously pull out the arms 126 out of the path of travel of their associated projections 130 to permit the sets of gears 72, 73, to rotate. With reference to the gear 108 in FIG. 13, its associated solenoid 120 may be energized at any time during rotation of the gear 108 to pull the detent 132.V into an associated one yof the drill holes 128, thereby stopping the gear 108 of the last set of gears 73, the gears 108 of the other sets of gears 72 and the `drive gea-r 80 on the main drive shaft 78 associated therewith. In this manner, a selected one of the printing characters or type on any one of the printing wheels may be stopped at the bottom of the wheel adjacent the score sheet 32 by energizing appropriate ones of the solenoids 120 in timed relation with respect to the initial energization of solenoids 122.

The solenoid 120 for each printing wheel is energized by means of an arrangement shown in FIG. 10. Thus, there is associated with each printing wheel an insulating bo-ard 134 carried adjacent to the gear 108. Only that insulating board 134l associated with the gear 108 is shown in FIG. 10, I-t will be noted -that the insulating board 134 carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced electrical contact points 136, each of said contact points being connectedl through an associated lead to a control circuit, schematically illustrated at 138. Carried `on the backside of gear 108 is a circular member 140 having a radially-extending spring finger 142 adapted t'o engage each of the contact points 136 in succession as the gear 108 rotates. The member 140, in turn, is connected through a wiper brush, not shown, and lead 144 to the control circuit 138. Since the gear 108 is connected to the bonus ball results printing wheel 66, it has thirteen contact points connected Ithrough associated leads to the control circuit 138. Nine of the contact points represent the numerals 1-9; one contact represents a blow one a strike (X); one a spare and the last one a foul (F).

The control circuit 138 is fully shown as described in copending application Serial No. 175,865, tiled February 9; 1962, and assigned to the assignees of the present invention. For purposes of the present invention, however, it will 'be sufficient to state that when a bonus ball is rolled in the tenth frame of a game, the number of pins knocked down by that ball will cause an associated one of the contact points 136 to be energized through the control circuit 138. If, for example, six pins were knocked down by rthe last or bonus ball, the number six contact 136 will be energized. Thereafter, when the motor 84 is energized las well las the solenoid 122, the member 140 will rotate u-ntil the radially-extendin-g spring nger 142 engages contact number six. At this point,

a circuit will be completed through lead 144 and the control circui-t 138 to energize the solenoid 120 for gear 108, thereby pulling the arm 124 (see FIG. 13) inwardly toward the outer face of the gear 108 to force the detent 132 into the number six drill hole shown in FIG. 11. At this point, the gears 108 of the sets of gears 72, 73 aswell as the drive gear 80 will stop while the main drive shaft 78 continues to rotate. In this manner, the numeral 6 will be stopped a-t the bottom of the Iprinting wheel 66; and when the platen 54 is elevated upwardly, the numeral 6 will be pressed against the -top of the score sheet 32.

In the practice of the invention, the motor 84 is initially energized, and thereafter the solenoids 122 tare momentarily energized to pull the arms 126 out of the paths of the projections 130, thereby permitting the printing wheel gears to rotate. Each wheel will thereafter be stopped at a predetermined angular position determined by which one of its contacts 136 is energized. If, however, none of the contacts is energized, the prin-ting Wheel will rotate through a complete revolution until the projection 130 again engages the arm 126 to stop the wheel, at which time there is -no characters or type at the bottom of the printing wheel. The control circuit 138 forms part of the automatic detecting and tot'alizing circuit schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 at 146. Thus, when intelligence is fed into the control circuit 138 for each of the printing wheels, each printing Wheel will be positioned at a particular point and ready to print on the score sheet 32 while the score sheet 32 is moved from -a viewing position in the viewing section 22 to -a printing position in the printing section 24 (see FIG. 2) by means of the score sheet transferring ymeans 48.

It should be understood by inspection of FIG. 6, that, :as in the above example, when the printing wheel 66 is s-topped at the numeral 6 all of the printing wheels 66 of all the sets of wheels 52 will be stopped at the numeral 6. This should be evident since all of the gears 108 are `rot-ated together by means of the idler gears 76 (see FIG. 8). With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, when, as for example, the first players presses the pushbuttonA, the platens 54 associated with his player line are adapted for operation. Thus, when the set of wheels 52 are ready to print, only those platens 54 associated with his player line are activated to press Ithe score sheet into printing engagement with the set of wheels 52.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the second plate 40 extends from the viewing section 22 into the printing section 24 of the console 20 and has provided therein openings 148 and 150. As can best be seen in FIG. 4, the platens 54 extend through the opening 148 and preferably have their upper surfaces at substantially the same level as the upper face of the second plate 40 whereby the platens 54 do not interfere Wi-th the passage of the score sheet 32. As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8, a tape of carbon paper 152 is interposed between the sets of wheels 52 and the score sheet 32. The tape of carbon paper 152 extends between supply and takealp rolls 154 and 156 yand serves to imprint the printing characters 68, 70 (see PIG. 4) on the score sheet 32.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 5, the score sheet transferring means 48 comprises `a main drive roller 158 which is connected in driving rel-ation with an idler roll 160 by means of a plurality of belts 162; and upper idler rollers 164 which are similarly connected together by means of another plurality of belts 166. As can be seen, one of the idler rollers 164 is so positioned whereby its belts 166 are engaged with the belts 162 of the main drive roller 158. Similarly, the other idler roller 164 is so positioned whereby i-ts belts 166 are engaged with the belts 162 of the idler roller 160. Thus, the score sheet 32 passes between the belts 162 and 164 and is clamped therebetween at a plurality of points along its width. The belts 162, 164 preferably are formed from a soft resilient material such as rubber so that no slippage is possible to the ten frame spaces of the score sheet 32.. As for` between the score sheet transferring means 48 and the'` score sheet 32.

As will be understood, the score sheet transferring from a viewing position in the viewing section 22 to aV printing position within the printing section 24 .and backl to the viewing position when the ball results and/or lche score have been printed. The term portion, as used herein, refers to that part of the score sheet upon which the scores and ball results are to be printed. As for example, if the bowling game has progressed to the fourth frame, the fourth frame spaces; in the case of the score sheet 32, would be moved from thel viewing `position within the 'viewing section 22 to the printing position within the printing section 24 and thereafter back to thel viewing position. one upon which the player lines and., frame spaces are not printed, that part of the plain sheet corresponding to the fourth fr-ameras in the above example, would come under" the term portion. Y.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the score sheet transferring means 48 is controlled by the'sheet transferring control.

means 50 which is schematically illustrated as comprising a drive motor 168, motor controland a cam assembly 172. The d-rive motor 168 is connected to the main drive The drive motor 168 is electrically cam assembly 172 is driven by the drive motor4 168 and is electrically connected to the automatic detecting, totalizing and printing control circuit 146.

For a description of the opera-tion of the score sheet transferring means 48 and the sheet transferring control means 50, assume that player B is abou-t to roll the first ball in the sixth frame. Player B lirst depresses the pushbotton B (see FIG. 1) which signals the automatic detecting, totalizing and printing'control circuit 146 to activate the player Bs circuit. After the ball has been rolled, the drive motor 168 is activated to transfer the score sheet 32 from the viewing position in the viewingl section 22 to a printing position in the printing section 24.l

example, a -rst normally closed limit switch associated with the sixth frame space would be `activated to starty the drive motor 168. The first limit switch would .beW

opened to stop the drive `motor 168 when the sixth frame spaces are disposed between the printing wheels 52 and the platen 54. When the results of the ball just rolled have been printed, a second normally closed limit switch associated with the sixth frame spaces of the score sheet 32 would be activated to start the drive Vmotor 168 in a reverse direction. The score sheet 32'then is transferred from the printing position in the printing section 24 to the viewing position in the viewing section 22 whereupon the cam associa-ted with the sixth frame spaces would open the second normally closed limit switch to stop the drive motor 168. It should be understood thatlthe sequence of starting and stopping the drive motor 168 and` the distance through which the score sheet 32 travels is automatically determined by intelligence from the automatic detecting, totalizing and printing control circuit 146'. Furthermore, the hereinabove described printing operation is also automatically determinedand timed with the sheet transferring operation by intelligence from 4the automatic detecting, totalizing and printing control circuit 146.`

Although not specifically illustrated, the stationary printing apparatus 44 with its associated positioning means 46 with its associated sheet transfer control means 50y may be used to print the scores land ball results on the In the'case of a plain sheet, that is l bottom surface of a score sheet in a manner similar to that disclosed in copending application Serial No.

166,633, filed January 16, 1962 and `assigned to the assignees vof the present invention. In this instance the relative Apositions of the printing wheels 52 and pl-atens 54 would be inverted, that is, as viewed in FIG. 2, the printing wheels S2 would be positioned beneath the score sheet 32 while the platens 54 would be positioned above the score sheet 32. Similarly, the score sheet transferring means 48 would be inverted top-to-bottom. It will be appreciated that in this instance, the score sheet preferably comprises" a translucent sheet through which the printed scores and ball results would be visible. Further, the second plate 40 preferably would comprise an opaque plate having a suitable light color to serves as a background against which the printed scores and ball results would stand out.

V Reference is now directed to FIG. 14 wherein an alternative embodiment of a score sheet is illustrated as comprising a sheet 180 having a plurality of perforations 182 provided therein along each side'edge 184 thereof. The score sheet 180 lalso is provided with the player lines and y'frame spaces as in the score sheet 32.

Illustrated in FIG. l is an alternative embodiment of a score sheet transferring means which is generally indicated by the numeral 186 and which is particularly adapted for transferring the score sheet 180. As can be seen, the score sheet transferring means 186 comprises a main `drive roll 188 and an idler roll 190 engaged therewith. rI"l'i`e main drive roll 188 is provided with a series of projections or teeth 192 which are adapted to extend into corresponding apertures 194 provided in the idler roll 190. The teeth 192 and the corresponding apertures 194 preferably are provided at each edge of the main drive roll 188 .and the idler roll 190, respectively, and are spaced apart by the same distance as the perforations 182 of the score sheet 180. When the score sheet 180 is introduced between the rolls 188 and 190, the teeth 192 of the roll 188 will extend through the perforations 182 into the apertures 194 of the roll 190 to transfer the score sheet 180`in a manner which is analogous to the transfer of movie film. Alternatively, the Ateeth 192 could be =pro vided on the idler roll 190 -and the aperture 194 could be provided in the main drive roll 188.

The score sheet 180 may comprise a translucent or opaque sheet material as hereinabove stated. Further, as stated before, the sheet 180 may be a plain sheet while the player lines and the frame spaces are imprinted or scribed on the upper or lower surface `of the ltransparant plate 30.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 16. Corresponding numerals will be employed to identify corresponding parts already described. In this embodiment a series of player lines and frame spaces are printed on an elongated strip of sheet material which then is wound to form a roll 196 of the score sheet. The roll 196 is carried on a stub shaft 198 within the console 20. A trailing end 200 extends from the roll 196 through the score sheet transferring means 48, between the printing wheels 52 and platens S4, and between the plates 30 and 40. The trailing end 200 will comprise one of the score sheets which is positioned into the viewing section 22 as is the score sheet 32 in FIG. 1. The transparent plate 30 herein is provided with an opening 202 through which the players may enter their names in the appropriate player line.

As the bowling game proceeds, the trailing end 200 is transferred back and forth between the viewing section 22 and the printing section 24 for printing the scores and ball results in a manner similar to that described in connection with the preferred embodiment. As the trailing end 200 is transferred to the printing section 24 it will simply `drape from the idler roller 160 of the score sheet transferring means 48 as indicated in phantom outline at 200'. When the bowling game is completed, the printed 10 trailing end will be ejected through the opening 38 whereupon the printed -trailing end is detached. Notice, however, that as the printed trailing end 200l is ejected, a new trailing end or score sheet is presented in the viewing section 22 for the next game.

It is preferable that a means (not shown) be provided for cutting the printed trailing end so that -an unruffled end is provided. If desired, perforations -rnay be provided in the sheet material of the roll 196 which extends transversely of the sheet. The perforations would be positioned between the player lines and frame spaces of adjacent score sheets and provided `an easy and neat means by which the printed trailing end 200 may be separated from the roll 196.

Alternatively, the roll 196 could comprise blank paper while the player lines and frame spaces may be imprinted or scribed Ion either the upper or lower surface of the transparent plate 30.

'A further alternative, would be to provide the sheet material of roll 196 with the perforations 182 illustrated in FIG. 14. In this instance, the score sheet transferring lmeans 186 of FIG. 15 would be substituted for the score sheet transferring means 48 illustrated in FIG. 16.

Although not specifically illustrated, the cumulative score of the bowling game could be stored on the printing whels 56, 58 and 60 by a simple ratchet indexing mechanism. In this instance, individual drives and print positioning and indexing mechanisms would be provided for the printing wheels 56, 58 and 60 of each set of wheels 52. The printing wheels 62, 64 and 66 which print the b-all results would be driven in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6. This modification would result in -a considerable reduction in the number of memory units in the automatic detecting, -totalizing and printing control circuit 146.

If desired, the lowermost set of wheels 52 of FIG. 6 could be used to print the total team score for each bowling game. Only the first four wheels would be utilized since with ve players, the maximum tot-al team score possible is 1500.

Alternatively, ia sixth set of printing wheels `may be provided adjacent the lowermost set o f wheels 52 for the purpose of printing the total team score. In this instance, only four of the printing wheels would be required since with ve players the maximum total team score possible is 1500. The sixth set of printing wheels preferably would be `driven by means of the single ratchet indexing mechanism mentioned above.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with certain specific embodiments, it will `be readily apparent to those skilled in the 4art that vari-ous changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit Irequirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. Apparatus for printing on one side of an individual sheet, comprising in combination: support means for supporting said sheet in a viewing position a transparent plate above said support means and through which said one side is visible; means for supporting said individual sheet at a printing position; printing apparatus at said printing Iposition and adapted to produce printed characters on said one side of said individual sheet which can be viewed through said transparent plate; said individual sheet terminating at one end in a first transverse edge remote from said printing appar-atus and at its opposite in a second transverse edge; and means engaged with said second edge of said individual sheet for moving said individual sheet from said viewing position to said printing position and vice versa.

2. Apparatus for printing on one side of a sheet material, comprising in combination: a supply roll of said sheet material having a longitudinal trailing end portion terminating in a transverse edge; means for supporting said trailing end portion in a viewing position; printing apparatus positioned adjacent to said sheet material between said supply roll and said support means and adapted to produce printed characters on said one side lof said trailing end portion; means engaged with said sheet material for moving said trailing end portion from said viewing position into printing relation with said printing apparatus and back to said viewing position; and means operable at the completion of a series of printing operations for discharging the non-printed trailing end portion from said support means -and for positioning a fresh portion of said sheet material in said support means, the printed trailing end portion being detached whereby said fresh portion'of said sheet material comprises a new trailing end portion; v

3. Apparatus for printing the score on one side of a bowling game score sheet having a plurality of rows of frame spaces, comprising in combination: a transparent plate positioned adjacent to said one side of said score sheet and parallel thereto; a second plate positioned adjacent to the other side of said score sheet and parallel thereto; printing apparatus positioned adjacent tovsaid one side of said score sheet and adapted to produce printed characters in each frame space -of each of said rows of frame spaces which can be viewed through said trans-v parent plate; said score sheet extending away from said printing apparatus, between said transparent and second lar plates and terminating therebetween in a transverse edge;- drive means fork moving said score sheet back -and forth` between a viewing position beneath said transparent plateV and a printing position adjacent said printing apparatus; and means for controlling said drive means whereby each, Vof said frame spaces of said score sheet is at some time positioned in printing relation withsaid printingapparatus.

vReferences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,722,446 7/1929 Thistlewaite 10i-96 1,747,397 2/1930 Shipley lOl-96 1,818,338 8/1931 Kropt 101-96 1,849,921 3/1932 `Green 101--96 1,950,373 3/1934 Depenbrock l01-407 2,080,649 5/ 1937 Breitling 101--96 2,492,263 12/1945 Boyden v lOl-96 2,649,732 8,/1953 Klaar 101-93 l 2,800,854 7/1957y Werner et al. 10h-93 3,124,355 3/1964 Mentzer et al, lOl-100 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR PRINTING ON ONE SIDE OF AN INDIVIDUAL SHEET, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: SUPPORT MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID SHEET IN A VIEWING POSITION A TRANSPARENT PLATE ABOVE SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND THROUGH WHICH SAID ONE SIDE IS VISIBLE; MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID INDIVIDUAL SHEET AT A PRINTING POSITION; PRINTING APPARATUS AT SAID PRINTING POSITION AND ADAPTED TO PRODUCE PRINTED CHARACTERS ON SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID INDIVIDUAL SHEET WHICH CAN BE VIEWED THROUGH SAID TRANSPARENT PLATE; SAID INDIVIDUAL SHEET TERMINATING AT ONE END IN A FIRST TRANSVERSE EDGE REMOTE FROM SAID PRINTING APPARATUS AND AT ITS OPPOSITE IN A SECOND TRANSVERSE EDGE; AND MEANS ENGAGED WITH SAID SECOND EDGE OF SAID INDIVIDUAL SHEET FOR MOVING SAID INDIVIDUAL SHEET FROM SAID VIEWING POSITION TO SAID PRINTING POSITION AND VICE VERSA.

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