US3528335A

US3528335A - Stencil cutting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3528335A
Application number: US720918A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rudolph A Andolsek
Original assignee: Diagraph Bradley Industries Inc
Current assignee: Diagraph Bradley Industries Inc
Priority date: 1968-04-12
Filing date: 1968-04-12
Publication date: 1970-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 1987-09-15

Description

United States Patent Rudolph A. Andolsek Marion, Illinois [21] Appl. No. 720,918

[22] Filed April 12, 1968 [45] Patented Sept. 15, 1970 [73] Assignee Diagraph Bradley Industries, Inc. I-Ierrin, Illinois a corporation of Missouri [72] Inventor [54] STENCIL CUTTING APPARATUS 17 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 83/416,

74/527, 83/241, 83/510,101/260 [51] Int. Cl. B26d 7/06 [50] Field of Search 83/510,

261, 241, 566, 245, 416; 101/256, 26OX; 226/132X, 176; 74/527X l 13,s2s,335

Primary ExaminerAndrew R. Juhasz Attorney-Keenig, Senniger, Powers and Leavitt ABSTRACT: A machine for cutting one or two lines of three to six inch stencil characters in a sheet of stencil material. The machine comprises a table having an opening therein with a feed mechanism adjacent the opening for intermittent feeding of a sheet of stencil material across the opening. A die holder is carried by the table over the opening for receiving in stencilcutting position any one of a plurality of individual dies each having a cutting edge corresponding to a character to be cut, with the cutting edge of the die facing downward over the opening. A hardened steel roller is mounted for movement transverse to its axis in a generallyhorizontal plane by an air cylinder and rack and pinion drive, with the top of the roller extending in the opening for rolling contact with the sheet to press it upward against the cutting edge of the die to cut the character in the sheet. After the character is cut, the die is replaced with a die corresponding to the next character to be cut and the sheet is advanced one character width by rotation of knurled rollers in the sheet feeding mechanism, this process being repeated until all of the stencil characters have been cut.

. Sheet x M 9, 9v \J My 7 4 4 7 4 W 5 W m "W 00. O O 9 7 4 3 7 K Patented Sept. 15, 1970 She et NOE Sheet m ol Patented Sept. 15, 1970 Sheet v OE XWNY \O 4 //v/// V .7 mi. s Q W MN 7 w w s m B w m m,

WM\ g fly L SQ Amu\\ mm Patented Sept. 15,1910 Y 3,528,335-

Sheet 5 of 6 I 0 n! g;

Patented Sept. 15, 1910 I 3,528,335

Sheet 6 of6 FIG. 6

STENCIL CUTTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION pressing a punch or die, frequently a so-called steelrule die,

against the surface of a sheet of stencil material in a punch press or the like developing sufficient force to cut through the sheet. Since the entire cutting edge of the die contacts the sheet throughout the cutting operation, the force exerted by the punch press must necessarily be high (2.3., 4000 lbs.), with the result that die life is relatively short.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of stencil cutting apparatus of the class above described in which die life is substantially increased; the provision of such apparatus in which the sheet of stencil material is firmly pressed against the cutting edge of the die so as to insure a smooth and accurate cut, while substantially reducing the force required to make the cut; the provision of such apparatus which is readily adapted for cutting stencil characters of different sizes; the provision of apparatus as above described in which more than one line of characters may be cut in the stencil; the provision of such apparatus in which positive feed of the stencil material is effected for accurate spacing of the characters, while preventing damage to the stencil during such feeding; the provision of such apparatus in which the scrap material cut from the stencil is automatically stripped from the die and discharged from the apparatus; and the provision of apparatus as above described which is simple to operate and economical to manufacture.

In general, stencil cutting apparatus of this invention comprises means for effecting intermittent feeding of a sheet of stencil material in a predetermined plane for spacing of characters to be cut in the stencil. Means are provided for positioning any one of a plurality of individual dies, each having a cutting edge corresponding to a character to be cut, in stencil cutting position on one side of the plane with the cutting edge facing the sheet. A roller is mounted for movement transverse to its axis on the other side of the plane in position for pressing the sheet against the cutting edge of a positioned die to cut the respective character in the sheet, and means are provided for moving the roller during dwell of the sheet for cutting the character therein. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective of a stencil cutting apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus with certain parts omitted for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a section on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 (sheet 1) is a perspective of the feed mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a section of a portion of the feed mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a section on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a section on line 88 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a perspective of a stencil guide; and

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section of the guide.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, there is indicated at l a table comprising a table top 3 on legs 5. The table top 3 has an opening 7. At 9 is generally indicated means for effecting intermittent feeding of a sheet of stencil material, indicated in phantom at S in FIGS. 2 and 3, over the top of the table in the direction from one side of the table, constituting its right side, toward the other side of the table, constituting its left side. This means functions to feed the sheet material S in the plane of the upper surface of the table top across the opening 7 in predetermined steps or increments for spacing the characters to be cut in the stencil. At 11 is indicated means for positioning any one of a plurality of dies D, each having a cutting edge corresponding to the character to be cut in the sheet, in stencil-cutting position with the cutting edge facing downward toward the sheet of material. This means II is located at the front of the table. At its rear, the table carries two racks 13 for holding a plurality of the dies D to be used in cutting stencils. Generally, for example, there may be forty of such dies for cutting the letters A to Z, numerals 2" to 9", and puncuation marks and symbols 2, &, and I. At 15 is indicated a roller which is mounted for movement transverse to its axis and transverse to the direction of feed of the sheet material S across the cutting edge of the die D positioned in means 11 for pressing the sheet S upward against the cutting edge of the die to cut the respective character in the sheet. At 17 is indicated an air cylinder constituting means for moving the roller during dwell of the sheet for cutting a character in the sheet.

Each die D is of the type known as a steel-rule die, shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 as comprising a plywood block 19, steel rule cutting blades 21 having chisel cutting edges 23, and resilient strippers 25. For purposes of illustration, there is shown a steel-rule die of this type for cutting the character 0. It will be seen that this die is constructed by cutting concentric Os from the center of the plywood block 19 and by'bending two lengths of steel-rule into the shape 0". The steel-rule Os are fitted in the opening in the plywood block and the O-shaped plywood blanks cut from the center of the block are forced into the steel-rule Us to securely wedge them in place. The rubber strippers 25 are then fitted into the steel-rule Us on the bottom of the plywood 19. The strippers extend from the plywood 19 to the chisel cutting edge 23 within the rules 21.

The opening 7 in the table top 3 is of rectangular configuration extending rearward from the front edge of the table. Above this opening and at opposite sides thereof are anglesection members 27, constituting the die holding means 11, arranged with their horizontal legs 28 extending inward toward one another for supporting a die. The arrangement is such that the die D may be inserted between these members bearing on the horizontal legs from the front of the table and readily removed from the front. Side plates 29 extend above and below the table from the front of the table to the rear of the table, with the table top 3 passing through a throat 31 in the plates. A sheet metal cover 33 is fastened to the side plates 29 by screws or the like. The angle members 27 are secured to a bar 35 carried by threaded rods 37 extending upwardly through apertures in a front cross member 39 extending between side plates 29. Nuts are threaded on the rods on both sides of the cross member 39 for locking the rods and angles in vertical adjustment. The bar 35 carrying the angles 27 has a downwardly extending end stop 41 at its rearward end for accurate positioning of the die in the angles.

The feed mechanism 9 at the right side of the machine is comprised of an open rectangular frame 42 hinged on the right side of the cover at 43 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis extending in front-to-rear direction. This frame comprises inner and

outer bars

45 and 47 and front and

rear bars

49 and 51. The-inner bar is hinged to a plate 53 secured to the right side of the cover 33. A feed wheel shaft 55 is journaled in the front and rear bars extending horizontally in front-to'rear direction. This shaft has two knurled feed wheels 57 secured thereon, one adjacent the front bar 49 and the other adjacent the rear bar 51. An air cylinder 59 is pivotally attached to the plate 53 by a pin and clevis 61, and its piston rod 63 is attached to the outer bar 47 of the frame by a pin and clevis 65. A valve 67 having an operating lever 69 is carried on the outside of the outer bar 47 for actuating the air cylinder to pivot the frame 42 about the hinge axis to raise and lower the knurled feed wheels, as will appear.

The forward end of the feed wheel shaft 55 carries means, indicated at 71, for manual rotation of the feed wheels 57 to feed the sheet stencil material S in steps or increments across the opening 7 in the table 3 for spacing of characters to be cut therein. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, this means comprises a lock disk 73 secured by fasteners 75 to the front bar 49 of the frame 42. The shaft 55 passes through an aperture in the lock disk 73 and is freely rotatable therein. The lock disk 73, as shown in FIG. 7, has outer and inner concentric circular series of recesses extending inward from its front face. There are four outer recesses 77a, 12, c and of spaced at 90 intervals, and six inner recesses 79a, b, c, d, e and f spaced at 60 intervals.

A feed disk 81 is secured to the reduced diameter end of the feed wheel shaft 55 by a bolt 83 and a washer 84. This disk has a threaded aperture 85 receiving a feed knob 87, and a radially extending slot 89 receiving a lock knob 91. The lock knob 91 has a pin 93 extending therefrom for engagement with the recesses 77 and 79 in the lock disk 73. A circumferential groove near the end of the pin carries a snap ring 95. A slotted retainer plate 97 is secured to the feed disk 81 in registry with the slot 89 by a bolt 99. Reacting between the snap ring 95 and the retainer 97 is a conical spring 101 for biasing the pin 93 inward toward engagement with the recesses in the lock disk 73. A bushing 103 is carried on the pin 93 in the slot 89 of the feed disk. The arrangement is such that the end of the pin on the lock knob may be engaged in the recesses 77 or 79 in the lock disk 73 for adjustment of the spacing between adjacent characters to be cut in the stencil S, as will appear.

As shown in FIG. 2, an idler feed wheel 105 is journaled on a shaft 107 extending in front-to-rear direction below the table between front and rear horizontally extending frame members 109. The top of this wheel extends slightly above the upper surface of the table top 3 through an opening 111 for rotation as the sheet stencil material S is fed toward the opening 7 by the upper feed wheels 57.

Below the opening 7 in the table 3, and extending from side to side thereof, is the steel roller 15. This roller is mounted for movement transverse to its axis across the cutting edge 23 of the die D positioned in the angle members 27 for pressing the sheet stencil material S upward against the cutting edge of the die to cut the respective character in the sheet. The roller is moved horizontally in front-to-rear direction (transverse to the direction of feed of sheet S) on a rack and pinion gear mechanism indicated generally at 113. As shown in FIGS. 2- -4 and 8, this mechanism comprises a pair of racks 115 carried at the sides of the opening 7 on the outsides of the side plates 29. The roller 15 has shafts 117 extending from its ends rotatably carried by a yoke 1 19. On the ends of the shafts 117 are pinion gears 121. Each of these gears meshes with an idler gear 123 journaled on a shaft 125 secured to the yoke 119. The idler gears 123 mesh with the racks 115 and their shafts 125 are guided in slots 127 in the side plates 29 for holding the roller against vertical movement. The yoke 119 is secured to the end of a piston rod 129 of the air cylinder 17, the latter being carried on a rear cross-brace 131 by a pin 133. Thus, it will be seen that as the yoke is moved horizontally by means of the air cylinder 17, the lower idler gears 123 will rotate by engagement with the stationary racks 115. Thus, the upper pinions 121 will rotate, causing the roller 15 to do the same as it moves horizontally between a retracted position (FIG. 3) and a forward position (FIG. 4). The air cylinder 17 is of the double-acting type and is actuated by a valve 135 having an operating lever 137.

As set forth above, the sheet feeding mechanism 9 is pivoted about a horizontal axis extending through the hinge 43 by the single-acting air cylinder 59, and the roller 15 is moved horizontally in front-to-rear direction (and rotatably driven) by the double-acting air cylinder 17. A pneumatic circuit for operating these cylinders is shown in FIG. 3. This circuit comprises an input line 139 adapted to be connected to a suitable source of compressed air (not shown). A pressure gauge 141 and filter 143 are provided in this line. A line 145 is connected between the input line 139 and the feed mechanism valve 67 via T-

fittings

147 and 149 and a line 151. The valve67 is connected to the feed mechanism cylinder 59 via a line 153. When the valve 67 is operated in one direction, compressed air is admitted to the front of the cylinder 59 to retract the piston therein and raise the feed mechanism 9. When the lever 69 is operated in the other direction, the cylinder 59 is vented through a bleed port (not shown) for perrnitting slow gravity return of the feed rollers from their raised (FIG. 2 full-line) to their lowered (FIG. 2 dotted-line) position.

The double-acting roller air cylinder 17 is actuated through a pair of lines and 157 connected to its forward and rearward ends, the lines being in communication with the input line 139 via a pilot valve 159. The pilot valve normally maintains communication between lines 139 and 155 and is operated by the roller valve 135 through lines 161 and 163 communicating respectively with the T-fitting 149 and the valve 135. Thus, when the roller valve 135 is actuated by depressing lever 137, communication is established between lines 161 and 163 for operation of the pilot valve 159 to connect the lines 139 and 157 to move the piston forward in the cylinder. When the lever 137 is released, the air supply in line 163 is terminated thereby reestablishing communication between lines 139 and 155 to provide compressed air to the forward end of the cylinder to retract the piston and roller.

As also shown in FIG. 3, a pair of guides 165 are recessed in the upper surface of the table top 3, one adjacent the right edge of the table and the other adjacent the left edge of the opening 7. The guides each comprise a long and narrow plate 167 (FIGS. 9 and 10) fastened in a recess in the table top 3 by screws 169. Each plate has two rows of pairs of apertures therein. The first row is constituted by four pairs of equally spaced apertures 171a, b, c and d extending rearward from near the front end of the plate, and the second row isconstituted by four pairs of apertures 173a, b, c and d near the rear end of the plate. Each pair of apertures is adapted to receive a holder 175 for guiding the upper'edge of the sheet of stencil material S. The holder 175 comprises a plate 177 having a pair of pins 179 extending downward therefrom for insertion in one of the pairs of apertures in the plate 167. The table top 3 is drilled beneath each of the apertures in the plate 167 for receiving these pins, as indicated at 181. The front edge of the holder has a groove 183 therein for receipt of the sheet of stencil material S. When received in one of the pairs of apertures 171 in the first row in the plates 167, the holders 175 guide the sheet stencil material for cutting a character of a given height. For example, the first pair of apertures 171a toward the front of the plate may position the sheet stencil material in front-to-rear direction for cutting three inch high characters, the second pair 171b for cutting four inch characters, the third pair 17lc for cutting five inch characters, and the fourth pair 171d for cutting six inch characters. When received in one of the pairs of apertures 173 in the second row in the plates 167, the holders 175 guide the sheet material for cutting a second line of characters beneath the first line. Thus, these apertures control the spacing between the first and second lines of characters. For example, the first pair of apertures 173a in the second row space the three inch high characters in the second line, the second pair 173b space the four inch characters in the second line, the third pair 1730 space the five inch characters in the second line, and the fourth pair 173d space the six inch characters in the second line.

0 Operation is asfollows:

To operate the stencil cutting apparatus of this invention, the input line 139 is connected to a suitable source of compressed air, for example 100 psi. The input air pressure may be ascertained by means of the gauge 14]. It should be understood that the machine may be operated either pneumatically or hydraulically.

To cut a stencil, the feed mechanism 9 is first raised so as to enable insertion of the sheet of stencil material S between the feed rollers 57 and the table top 3. This is accomplished by operating lever 69 of valve 67. When operated in one direction, this valve supplies air under pressure to the right side (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the cylinder 59 via

lines

145, 151 and 153. This retracts the piston in the cylinder (toward the left in FIGS. 2 and 3) and pivots the open rectangular frame 42 carrying rollers 57 upwardly about the hinge axis 43 to the full line position in FIG. 2. I

The guides 165 are then adjusted for setting the upper margin on the sheet of stencil material S in accordance with the height of the characters to be cut therein. For a a ajtthr s, in h a t r e. to b wtim hs shee of stencil material, the pins 179 of the holders 175 are inserted in the first pair of apertures 171a in the guide plates 167. For four inch characters the holder 175 is inserted in the second pair of apertures 171b, for five inch in the third pair of apertures 171a, and for six inch in the fourth pair of apertures 171d. In FIG. 3 the holders 175 are positioned for cutting a first line of four inch characters. When the holders are properly positioned in the guide plates 167, a sheet of stencil material S of the proper width is inserted in the grooves 183 of the holders 175 on the table top 3. The sheet S thus extends between the upper and lower feed wheels 57 and 105 and across the opening 7 in the table beneath the die holders 27. The upper feed wheels 57 are then lowered to their dotted line positions in FIG. 2 so as to engage the upper surface of the stencil material S for feeding purposes. This is accomplished by operation of the lever 69 of valve 67 to vent the cylinder 59 through the line 153. A bleed port (not shown) of predetermined size is provided (in the valve, for example) for venting of the cylinder 59. The size of this port is determined such that the upper feed wheels 57 lower slowly from their raised to their lowered positions so as to avoid damaging the stencil material. 7

The feed means 71 is then adjusted for feeding the sheet of stencil material across the opening 7 in steps in accordance with the width of the characters to be cut therein. In this regard, it should be noted that three and four inch characters may be equally spaced and five and six inch characters may be equally spaced. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, if three or four inch characters are to be cut in the stencil, thepin 93 in the spacer knob 91 is inserted in one of the recesses 790, b, c, d, e or f in the inner circle of recesses 79 in the disk 73, and if five or six inch characters are to be cut in the stencil, the pin 93 is inserted in one of the recesses 77a, b, c, or din the outer circle of recesses 77. Thus, the knob 91 is retracted against the bias of spring 101 and is moved radially in the slot 89 in feed disk 81 into registry with either the inner or the outer circle of recesses in the spacer disk 73 for respectively cutting either three or four inch characters or five or six inch characters. As will be seen, since the recesses in the inner circle of recesses 79 are spaced at 60 intervals and the recesses in the outer circle of recesses 77 are spaced at 90 intervals, engagement of the pin 93 with successive recesses in the outer circle of recesses 77 will permit a greater length of stencil material to be fed across the opening 7 on rotation of disk 81 than will successive engagement with the recesses in the inner circle ofrecesses 79. W

with the sheet holders 175 properly positioned in the guide plates 167, the sheet of stencil material S aligned on the table in the holders 175, and the pin 93 of the knob 91 disposed in the proper circle of recesses in the spacer disk 73, the machine is ready to cut a stencil. This is done by selecting the first character to be cut from the steel-rule dies D in the die racks 13 and inserting that die in the angle members 27 bearing on their horizontal legs, with the cutting edge 23 of the die D facing downward toward the sheet of stencil material S. The roller valve 135 is then actuated by depressing the lever 137 and holding it depressed until full forward movement of the roller is complete. The lever is then released and the roller is retracted to its rearward position. When the valve lever 137 is depressed, compressed air is supplied via lines 145, 161 and 163 to the pilot valve 159. This establishes communication between the input line 139 and the line 157 at the rear of the cylinder 17 and forces the piston forward in the cylinder. This moves the roller 15 forward through the piston rod 129 and the yoke 119 and also causes the roller to rotate about its axis as it moves transversely thereof. The roller 15 is rotated because of engagement between the stationary racks 115 and the idler gears 123 which drive the gears 121 fixed on the ends of the roller shafts 117. As is shown in FIG. 2, the top of the roller is contiguous with the cutting edge 23 of the steel-rule die D as the roller is moved thereacross. Thus, on the forward stroke of the roller, the sheet of stencil material S is pressed upward against the cutting edge 23 of the die to cut the respective character therein. When the valve lever 137 is released, the supply of compressed air to pilot valve 159 via line 163 is terminated thereby placing input line 139 in communication with line 155 at the forward end of the cylinder 17. This causes the roller to move rearward and to rotate about its axis thereby again pressing the sheet of stencil material S upward against the cutting edge of the die D to insure a smooth and accurate cut. To cut the next character in the stencil, the die is removed from the angle members 27 and is returned to the rack 13 and the next die is selected and inserted, cutting edge down, in the angle members. The feed means 71 is then operated to feed the stencil material one step or increment to the left for spacing of the next character to be cut. This is accomplished by grasping the feed and

spacer knobs

87 and 91 and by withdrawing the spacer knob against the bias of spring 101 until the pin 93 is clear of the recess in the spacer disk 73. The feed disk 81 is then rotated by the feed knob 87 and the lock knob 91 is released. When the pin 93 on the lock knob comes into registry with the next recess in the circle of recesses it will snap into that recess under the bias of spring 101 and prevent further rotation of the feed disk 81. Rotation of the feed disk 81 rotates the feed shaft 55 thereby rotating the knurled feed rollers 57. Since these rollers are in contact with the sheet of stencil material S, the material is fed to the left to space the next character to be cut therein. The lower idler feed wheel 105 reduces the sliding friction of the stencil on the table for ease of feed. The next character may then be cut by depressing the roller valve lever 137 in the same manner as described above. This process is repeated for each character to be cut until the entire line of characters is cut.

If it is desired to cut a second line of characters in the sheet of stencil material, the feed mechanism 9 is raised by actuation of the valve 67 in the manner described above, and the sheet holders 175 are moved to a rear pair of apertures 173 corresponding to the size of the characters to be cut. The sheet of stencil material S is then inserted in the grooves 183 of the holders and the feed mechanism 9 is lowered. The second line of characters is then cut in the same manner as described above for the first line. When the second line of characters has been completed, the feed mechanism is raised and the stencil is removed from the machine for use.

It will be noted that since the roller 15 presses the sheet of stencil material upwardly against only a small area of the cutting edge of the die at any given time, the force exerted by the roller may be significantly less than that required in press type machines which press the stencil material against the entire cutting edge of the die at one time. Thus, die life is substantially increased. Since the roller makes two passes across the die and since the roller is positively driven in both rotation and translation, a smooth and accurate cut is assured. The machine is readily adapted for cutting stencil characters of different sizes by mere adjustment of the sheet holders 175 in the guide plates 167, and the pin 93 in either the outer or inner circle of recesses in the spacer plate 73. Also, as described above, the machine is capable of cutting either one or two lines of characters in the sheet of stencil material, and the stencil material is positively fed across the opening 7 in the table for effecting accurate spacing of the characters cut therein, while damage to the stencil material is prevented by the slow downward motion of the feed mechanism 9. It will also be noted that the scrap material cut from the stencil is automatically stripped from the die by the rubber strippers 25 and is discharged from the machine by gravity since the cutting edge of the die faces downward i v A in view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Stencil cutting apparatus comprising means for effecting intermittent feeding of a sheet of stencil material in a predetermined plane in increments corresponding to the spacing of characters, including letters and numerals, to be cut in the stencil, means incorporated in said feeding means for varying the increment of feed for cutting characters of different sizes requiring different spacings, means for the removable insertion of any one of a plurality of individual dies each having a cutting edge corresponding to a character to be cut in stencilcutting position on one side of said plane with the cutting edge facing the sheet, a roller mounted for movement transverse to its axis on the other side of said plane in position for pressing the sheet against the cutting edge of a positioned die to cut the respective character in the sheet, and means for moving the roller during dwell of the sheet for cutting a character therein.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the roller is mounted for movement transverse to the direction of feed of the sheet and further comprising means for rotating the roller about its axis as it moves transverse to its axis and transverse to the direction of feed of the sheet.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said intermittent feeding means comprises a rotatable feed wheel engageable with the sheet of stencil material to feed the same.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 comprising means for raising said feed wheel out of contact with the sheet of stencil material for inserting or removing the sheet, and for lowering it into contact with the sheet for feeding the sheet.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said raising and lowering means comprises a frame mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, said feed wheel being journaled in said frame for rotation about a horizontal axis, and means for pivoting said frame,

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said pivoting means comprises a cylinder secured to said frame for pivoting it about said axis to raise the feed wheel off of the sheet of stencil material, and for permitting slow gravity return of said feed wheel into contact with said sheet.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the means for varying the increment of feed comprises a fixed spacer plate having a first circle of recesses extending inward from its face and a second circle of recesses extending inward from its face concentric with said first circle, the recesses in said first and second circles being spaced at different intervals, and rotatable means for successive engagement with the recesses in either circle, said rotatable means being connected to said feed wheel.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said rotatable means comprises a feed disk having a radially extending slot therein, and a pin biased inward through said slot and movable radially in said slot for engagement with the recesses in either of said circles of recesses.

9. Stencil cutting apparatus comprising a table having an opening therein, means for intermittent feeding of a sheet of stencil material over the opening in increments corresponding to the spacing of characters, including letters and numerals, to be cut in the stencil, means incorporated in said feeding means for varying the increment of feed for cutting characters of different sizes requiring different spacing, means carried by the table for the removable insertion into stencil-cutting position of any one of a plurality of individual dies each having a cutting edge corresponding to a character to be cut with the cutting edge facing downward over the opening, a roller mounted for movement transverse to its axis and transverse to the direction of feed of the sheet in a generally horizontal plane with the top of the roller in the opening adapted for pressure contact with the sheet to press it upward against the cutting edge of an inserted die to cut the respective characterin the sheet, and means for moving the roller away from a retracted position with respect to the sheet for said rolling pressure contact with the sheet and then returning it to retracted position for subsequent feed of the sheet into position for cutting of a subsequent character.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said intermittent feeding means comprises a feed wheel rotatably carried at one side of said opening, said feed wheel engaging a sheet of stencil material on said table for feeding it over said opening, and means for rotating said feed wheel.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said feed wheel is mounted for movement away from said table for insertion and removal of the sheet stencil material and toward said table for feeding of the material.

I 1 2: Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said feed wheel is fixed on a shaft journaled for rotation in an open rectangular frame, said frame being pivotally carried by said table, said pivoting means comprising a cylinder. 13 A'b aia'ffls as set forth in claim 10 wherein said rotating means comprises a fixed spacer disk having first and second concentric circles of recesses extending inward from one of its faces, a rotatable feed disk adjacent and parallel to said spacer disk, said feed disk being secured to said feed wheel and having a radial slot therein, and a pin extending through said slot and biased inward toward engagement with the recesses in said spacer disk, said pin being movable radially in said slot for successive engagement with the recesses in either the first or second circle of recesses for respectively feeding first and second lengths of said sheet stencil material over said opening when said feed disk is rotated.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means carried by the table for the removable insertion of the dies comprises an angle member above and at each side of the opening, said members having horizontal legs extending inward toward one another upon which the dies are carried.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 having rack and pinion gear mechanism for effecting rotation of said roller as it is moved toward and away from its retracted position comprising a rack gear fixed at each side of the opening, a pinion gear fixed to a shaft on each side of the roller, an idler gear in meshing engagement with each rack and pinion gear, a yoke rotatably carrying said pinion and idler gears, and a cylinder having a piston rod connected to said yoke, said cylinder constituting said means for moving the roller.

16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 further comprising guides on the table for guiding the sheet stencil material, each of said guides comprising a plate having a row of apertures therein, and a sheet holder having a pin extending therefrom adapted to be received in one of the apertures in said plate.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said plate has two rows of apertures therein, one for guiding the sheet for cutting a first line of characters and the other for guiding the sheet for cutting a second line of characters, the pin on said holder being adapted to be received in one of the apertures in either the first or second row of apertures.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate of Correction September 15, 1970 Patent No. 3,528,335

Rudolph A. Andolsek It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below.

Cancel the representative drawing figure illustrated on the title page and insert the following: a

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of February 1971.

Attest:

EDwAan M. FLETCHER, JR, WILLIAM E. SGHUYLER, Jm, Attestmg Oficer. Oomm'iasio'ner of Patents.