US490939A - Ticket-printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2. A. R. ABBOTT. TICKET PRINTING APPARATUS.

No. 490.939. Patented Jan. 31, 1893.

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UNTTnn STATES PATENT Ormes.

.ALBERT R. ABBOTT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TICKET-PRINTING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 490,939, dated January 31, 1893.

Application tiled March 22, 1392. Serial No. 425,919. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom. it muy concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT R. ABBOTT, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Ticket-Printing Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for printing all kinds of tickets, numberingthein consecutively, and counting a totalof all the tickets issued as well as counting aiotal ot each especial kind issued, the apparatus being more especially designed for-user on railroads, in steamboat offices, theater ticket ot'iices ttc., to enable the operator to at once print and issue a ticket for any point along the line or seat in the theater, duc., and to preserve a complete record of all the tickets thus issued.

The invention consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings `forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure I is a front view of the improvement; Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the saine on the line 2-^2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is aseotional tront view of the same on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4: is a sectional plan view of the same on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the consecutive numbering mechanism with parts in section; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the wheels ot the said numbering mechanism; Fig. '7 is a rear tace view of one of the wheels of the consecutive numbering mechanism; and Fig. Sis a transverse section of the consecutive numbering mechanism on the line 8--8 of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is an enlarged side elevation of the consecutive bearing mechanism for the type wheel, part being shown in section; and Fig. l0 is a front view of the same.

The improved ticket printing apparatus is provided with a suitably constucted frame A., in the lower part of which is journaled the transversely extending shaft B, having its front projecting end reaching into a casing O, preferably made circular, With an opening the various seats in the house.

O at the top, as is plainly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4f.

On the end of the shaft B, within the casing C, is secured a type wheel D, provided in its rim with recesses or pockets D', each carrying a set of type E, for printing an especial ticket.

In case the device is used for printing, for instance, railroad tickets, the sets of types E in the type Wheel D contain the necessary subject matter for printing tickets for the various stations along the line. It the device is used, for instance,in theaters, the typeE contains subject matter for printing tickets for It the device is used for other purposes, the sets of types E contain appropriate words and characters according to the especial use for which the tickets are intended.

The wheel D, with its shaft B, is mounted to turn by hand, and for this purpose the eX- treme front end of the shaft B is provided with a gear Wheel B', in mesh with a second gear wheel B2, attached to a shaft B3, journaled in the front plate of the casing C. On the outer end of the shaft B3 is secured a crank arm B47 adapted to be taken hold of by the operator to turn the said wheel D to bring the desired set of type E into the top opening O of the casing O.

In order to at once indicate that the desired type is in the top opening O', the front plate of the casing O is marked, as at O2, to indicate the different sets of types in the wheel D, the crank arm B4 being the pointer to indicate on the said marks that the corresponding set of type is in the top opening O. Forinstance, as shown in Fig. l, the crank arm B4 indicates on the Word Season and the type E of the wheel D standing in the opening O is for subject matter to print a season ticket. Thus if the crank arm B4 is turned to any of the marks O2, a corresponding set of type E of the Wheel D is brought into the opening O. Directly above this opening O and in line with the top set of type E is arranged a platen F, adapted to move up and down and serving to make the proper impression of the type on the paper to be printed, as hereinafter more fully described. This platen F is secured on the lower end of an arm F', extend- IOO ing upward and pivotally connected with a lever G, fulcrumed at G in a casing A, projecting rearward from the frame A. The lever G is pivotally connected near the arm F with a link G2, connected with the treadle G3, under the control of the operators foot, so that when the said treadle is pressed the lever G swings downward, and consequently moves the platen F in the same direction to make the impression on the paper. A return movement of the lever G and the parts connected with it is obtained by a spring G4, pressing on the under side of the said lever and supported on the frame A, see Fig. 2.

rlhe paper II, to be printed is arranged in a roll held on astud A2 secured in the casing A. The paper unwinding from the roll extends horizontally and forward and between two feed rollers I and I', preferably having serrated peripheries to positively move or feed the paper. The uppermost feed roller I is provided, on one of its faces, with a gear wheel I2, in mesh with a larger gear wheel I2, journaled in the casing A and carrying, on one face, a ratchet wheel I4, engaged by a pawl IG, held on an arm I5, journaled loosely on the shaft of the gear wheel I3. The arm I5 is also pivotally connected by a link llwith the lever G, so that when the latter is moved downward the pawl I glides over the teeth of the ratchet wheel I4, while on the return movement of the said lever G, the pawl IG turns the ratchet wheel Il, and consequently the gear wheel I3 which, by meshing into the Agear wheel I2, imparts a rotary motion to the feed roller I', so that the paper II is fed forward the proper distance. The paper, after leaving the feed rollers I and I, passes under a roller I2, and then extends upward and through a slot J in a paperholder J, mounted to slide vertically in suitable guideways in the casing A. A spring J2, presses on the under side of the paper holderJ to hold the same in a normal, uppermost position, as is plainly shown in Fig. 2. The top of the holder J is adapted to be engaged by an arm F, projecting from the platen F, at the rear end thereof, so that when the said platen moves downward the holder J is carried with it, thus moving the paper held in the said holderin a like direction.

It will be seen by reference to Fig. 2, that when the holder J is in its normal, uppermost position, part of the paper extends to the front of the said holder, and this part will form the next ticket when the mechanism is actuated, as hereinafter more fully described. It will be seen that this ticket part Il, of the paper extends about midway between the top surface of the type E and the platen F, and when the latter moves downward and actuates the holder J, the latter carries this ticket part II down over the type E so thata proper impression is made by the platen F. It will further be seen that when the holder J is in this position and the paper is fed forward by the feed rollers I and I, then the front end of the paper can readily pass into the empty space between the typeE and platen F, so that a proper unobstructed feeding is obtained.

At the rear face of the type wheel D is arranged a consecutive numbering mechanism K, adapted to print consecutive numbers on the ticket part I-I of the paper directlyin the rear of the type E. This consecutive numbering device K is supported on the main frame A, and is provided with a series of numbering wheels K K2, K3, K4, K5 and K6, each formed on its periphery with raised numerals arranged consecutively from O to 9. The top numerals of the several wheels are arranged to extend to the same height as does the type E of the uppermost set of type in the type wheel D. The several wheels K, I2, K3, Ki, K5 and K6, are mounted to turn loosely on a shaft K7, mounted to turn in suitable bearings arranged in the main frame A. 'lhe numbering wheel K is the units wheel, I2 the tens wheel, K3 the hundreds wheel, K1 the thousands wheel, K5 the tens of thousands, and KG the hundreds of thousands. It will be readily understood that the number of wheels may be increased to print millions and higher numerals.

On the outer face of the units wheel K is lformed or secured a ratchet wheel K2, en-

gaged by a spring pawl N, attached to a bar N', mounted to slide vertically in suitable bearings arranged on the main framev A, see Figs. 2 and 5. On the lower end of the bar N presses a spring N2, to hold the said bar in an uppermost position. The upper end of the said bar is in the path of a lug F2, projecting from the under side of the platen F, so that when the latter moves downward its lug F2 presses the bar N in the same direction, whereby the pawl N glides over the next tooth of the ratchet wheel KS, and when the platen F moves upward the spring N2 forces the bar N in the same direction, whereby the pawl N moves the ratchet wheel the distance of one tooth, thus shifting the units wheel K to the next numeral.

In order to operate the tens from the units wheel, and the hundreds wheel from the tens wheel, and so on with the several wheels, at every revolution of the preceding wheel, the following device is providedg-On the inner face of each of the wheels is secured a radially extending spring arm O, formed at its upper end with a V-shaped tooth O', adapted to engage a toothed wheel K", formed on the opposite face of the next following wheel. The spring arm O is adapted to travel during ninetenths of the revolution of the wheel, which carries it on a segmental rim Olof a wheel O2, secured on the shaft K7. The remaining onetenth part of the said wheel, between the ends of the rim O", forms a recess O2, into which drops the upper end of the spring arm O, so that its tooth O can engage teeth on the wheel K. Thus, during nine-tenths of the revolution of the units wheel, for instance, the spring armO is held with its tooth O out ICO IIO

of engagement with the teeth of the wheel K9, so that the tens wheel K2 remains stationary. As soon as the spring arm O passes over the end of the rim O4 into the notch O2 its tooth O' engages the wheel K9, and during one-tenth of the revolution of the units wheel the tens wheel K2 is rotated with it, so that the next numeral is brought on the top of the tens wheel. On the further rotation of the units wheel the spring arm O again travels up the slightly inclined end O5 of the rim O4, so as to move the tooth Oout of mesh with the wheel K5. The above described construction and operation are the same for every one of the Wheels in the series, so that further description is not deemed necessary. As the top numerals of the several wheels K', K2, K2, K4, K5 and K5, stand in line with the top surfaces of the type E in the opening C', a numeral will be printed on the ticket part II' of the paper when the impression is made. On the return movement of the platen F, the consecutive numbering mechanism is actuated as above described, so that the next following numeral is brought on top, and the next ticket printed bears the numeral following that on the preceding ticket. In the rear of this consecutive numbering mechanism K is arranged a dating mechanism L, comprising a number of wheels L', L2, L2 and L4, mounted to turn on a shaft L5, and shifted by the operator so as to bring the wheels in the proper position for printing the 'proper date on the ticket. For this purpose the wheel L' is formed on its periphery with type characters indicating the different months in the year, while the wheel L2 contains, on its periphery, type characters corresponding to the consecutive days in the month, While the wheel L2islikewise provided on its periphery with characters indicating the years, and the front wheel L4 is formed with characters indicating any especial mark desired to be printed on the ticket. As previously mentioned the several wheels L', L2, L3 and L4, are shifted by hand, so as to bring the desired characters on top.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will readily beseen that the dating mechanism L is located in front of the paper holder J and below the rear end of the platen F, so that when the ticket is printed the type E will print the subject matter with the station, seat, or other matter onto the ticket, while the consecutive numbering mechanism K will number the ticket, and the dating mechanism L will print the corresponding date on which the ticket is issued, on the ticket.

In order to count the entire number of tickets issued a counting mechanism P, is provided, similar in construction to the consecutive numbering mechanism K, the said total counting mechanism P being provided with a units, a tens, a hundreds, a thousands wheel, &C.,and also with mechanism for shifting the individual wheels as described above in reference to the consecutive numbering mechanism K, and as illustrated in Figs. 5, G,

7 and 8. The units wheel P of this total counting mechanism is provided with a ratchet wheel P2, engaged by a pawl P3 held on a bar P4, mounted to slide vertically and pivotally connected at its upper end with the lever G, so that when the latter moves down-A ward the bar P4 moves in the same direction and the pawl P2 turns the ratchet wheel P2 to shift the counting mechanism, as is readily understood. The numerals of the wheels P' indicating the total number of tickets issued appear through a slot A2, formed in one side of the casing A', as is indicated in Fig. ai.

In order to properly ink the type E in the top opening of the casing C, as well as the top numerals of the consecutive numbering mechanism K and also the type characters of the wheels L', L2, L5 and L4 of the dating mechanism L, an inking mechanism Q is provided, constructed as followsz-An inking roller Q', is journaled in the ends of an ink fountain Q2, delivering the necessary amount of ink to the said inking roller. The inking roller Q when in its normal position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, rests on the casing C at one side of the opening C', and the said inking roller is adapted to travel to the right over the type, previous to the ticket part H' of the paper I-I passing into a lowermost position,

being carried there by the holder J, as before explained. The roller Q remains in this position ou the right hand side of thel opening C until a second ticket is to be printed. The fountain Q2 is provided with arms Q5, pivotally connected with disks Q4, secured on a transversely extending shaft Q5, mounted to turn in suitable bearings attached to the casing C, as will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 1i. On the shaft Q5 is secured a gear wheel Q5, in mesh with a second gear wheel Q7, also journaled in bearings attached to the casing C. The gear wheel Q7 is engaged by a spring pressed pawl Q5, pivoted on the rod G2 connected with the lever G, so that when the treadle G3 is pressed, as before described, the said pawl Q8 imparts a rotary motion to the gear wheel Q7, whereby the gear wheel Q5 and the shaft Q5 are given one half revolution, thus imparting a like motion to the disks Q4 so that the arms Q3 move the inking roller Q' forward over the type and type characters for one ticket, previous to the paper moving downward as before explained.

In order to disconnect the pawl Q8 from the gear wheel Q7, after the disks Q4 have made a half revolution, the said pawl comes in contact, on its downward motion, with a pin Q9, projecting from an arm secured to the casing A', see Figs. 3 and 1t. Thus, when the half revolution of the disks Q4 has been completed, the pawl Q8 comes in contact on the downward movement of the rod G with the said fixed pin. Q9, and is thus thrown out of mesh with the gear wheel Qlso that a further rotation of the latter, as well as the disks Q5, is prevented. The pawl Q8 now moves farther downward with the rod or link G2, and on the IOO IXO

return movement of the latter glides over the teeth of the gear wheel Q7 to be ready to actuate the inking mechanism at the next downward movement of the rod G2. Then this takes place the roller Q is moved over the type to ink the same and back into the position shown in Fig. 3.

In order to count the number of individual tickets printed by any one set of type E, a counting mechanism R is provided, similar in construction to the numbering mechanism K and the total counting mechanism P. Individual counting mechanisms R are arranged in the wheel D below each corresponding set of type E, and each of these mechanisms (shown in detail in Figs. 9 and l0) is provided with units, tens, hundreds, thousands, die., wheels connected with each other by the mechanism previously described in reference to the consecutive numbering mechanism K and shown in Figs. 5, G, 7 and S. The units wheel R of this counting mechanism is provided with a ratchet wheel R2, engaged by a pawl R3, held on abar R4, mounted to slide in suitabie bearings in the type wheel D. rlhe upper end of each bar R1 is adapted to project into the path of a lug FS, on the platen F whenever the corresponding type E is in the opening C in the top of the casing C. A spring R5, held on the said bar R4 serves to move the latter into an outermost normal position. Now, when the platen F moves downward then the lug F3 engages the bar Rl of that counting mechanism, the type of which is on the top ot' the wheel D, so that the said bar is pressed downward and its pawl R3 glides over the teeth of the ratchet wheel R2. lVhen the platen F moves upward, the spring R5 moves the bar R4 hack into an uppermost position, and by doing so the pawl acts on the ratchet wheel R2 so as to turn the units wheel R and the other mechanism, as the case may be, to count the ticket printed on the corresponding type E.

On the rear end of the platen F is arranged a longitudinally extending knife S, adapted to cut thel ticket H in front of the holder J whenever the platen F makes the impression. The knife S does not extend the entire length across the ticket part H so that the latter is not entirely cut oif from the paper, and consequently the ticket, after being printed, moves upward with the paper in the holderJ so that 4the ticket is carried up away from the type and type characters and is shoved outward to the front by the next forward feeding of the paper H on the upward stroke of the lever G, as previously described.

The operation is as follows z-When the several parts are in the position shown in the drawings and the operator desires to print, for instance, a railroad ticket to the destination Louisville, he first takes hold of the crank arm B4 and moves the same to the mark C2 bearing the name Louisville,7 see Fig. l. ly turning the crank arm B4 the type wheel D is rotated so that the corresponding type E representing the subject matter for a ticket to Louisville is in the top opening C of the casing C. The operator now presses, with his foot, on the treadle Gi", so that the link G2, the lever G, and the plate F move downward, whereby the inking roller Q is first moved forward and backward over the type, after which the paper holder J is pressed downward to move the ticket part II over the type characters, and then, when the platen F isin a lowermost position, the operator strikes a blow on the arm F so that the said platen F causes an impression to be made on the ticket part H', the type E, as well as the dating mechanism L and the consecutive numbering mechanism K, printing their corresponding type characters on the underside of the ticket part II and thus making a ticket. At the same time the knife S cuts the ticket partly oif in front ot' the holder J. The total numbering mechanism P is actuated on the downward movement of the lever G to register the ticket, and in a like manner the counting mechanism R is actuated to register the ticket made by the individual type E from which the body of the ticket was printed. As soon as the operator releases the pressure on the treadle G3 the spring Gr4 moves the lever G and the platen F back to their normal positions, and at the same time the spring J2 returns the holder J to an uppermost position, and the feed rollers I and I feed the paper H forward, so that the printed ticket projects beyond the front of the casing C and can be readily detached from the rest of the paper of which the part H projecting in front of the holder J will form the next ticket to be printed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent:-

l. In a ticket printing apparatus, the combination with a type wheel carrying in its periphery sets of type for printing various tickets and a counting mechanism arranged one for each set of type in the said wheel, to count the individual sets of tickets printed by each set of type, of a platen moving toward and from the said sets ot type to make the impression and to actuate the said counting mechanism, a spring-pressed paper holder mounted to slide and formed with a slot through which passes the paper,the said holder being actuated by and moving with the said platen to bring the paper over the said type previous to the platen making the impression, an inking mechanism for inking the type previous to the downward movement of the said paper holder, and a paper feeding mechanism for moving the paper through the slot in the said holder and into the space between the type and platen, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a printing mechanism, the combination with a type wheel carrying in its periphery sets of type for printing the various tickets, and counting mechanisms arranged one IOO IIO

for each set of type in the said Wheel to count the individual sets of tickets printed by each set of type, of a consecutive numbering and printing mechanism arranged neXt to the said wheel and having its uppermost type in line 4with the uppermost set of type in the said wheel, a platen moving toward and from the said sets ot type to make the impression, the said platenbein g also arranged to actuate the said consecutive numbering mechanisms and the said counting mechanisms, a springpressed paper holder mounted to slide and formed with a slot through which passes the paper, the said holder being actuated by and moving with the said platen to bring the paper over the said type previous to the platen making the impression, an inking mechanism for inking the said type and the consecutive numbering mechanism previous to the downward movement of the said paper holder, and a paper feeding mechanism for moving the paper through the slot in the said holder and into the space between the platen and the type and consecutive numbering and printing mechanism, substantially as shown and described. y

3. A ticket printing apparatus provided with a platen and a paper holder formed with a slot through which passes the paper, the said holder being pressed by a spring and mounted to slide and actuated from the platen, substantially as shown and described.

4t. In a ticket printing apparatus, the combination with a movable platen, and a type Wheel containing sets of type on which the platen makes an impression, of a paper holder formed with a slot through which passes the paper, the said holder being spring pressed and mounted to slide and adapted to be pressed by the said platen at the time the latter moves downward to make the impression, substantially'as shown and described.

5. In a ticket printing apparatus, a type wheel provided with sets of type, a plate adapted to be moved toward and from the said type, a lever carrying the said plate, a link connected with a treadle and with the said lever for actuating the latter, in combination with an inking mechanism comprising a roller adapted to travel over the type in the said type Wheel, arms carrying the said roller, disks pivotally connected with the said arms, a shaft carrying the said disks, gear wheels for rotating the said shaft, a pawl engaging onefof the said gear wheels and pivoted on the said link, and a fixed pin adapted to engage the said pawl to throw the latter out of engagement with the corresponding gear wheel, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a ticket printing apparatus, an inking device comprising a roller for inking the type, arms in which the said roller is journaled, crank' disks pivotally connected with the said arms, a shaft carrying the said disks and provided with a gear wheel, a second gear Wheel in mesh with the said first named gear Wheel, and a spring pressed paWl mounted to travel and engaging the said second gear wheel, substantially as shown and described.

7. In a ticket printing apparatus, an inking device comprising a roller for inking the type, arms in which the said roller is journaled, crank disks pivotally connected with the said arms, a shaft carrying the said disks and provided with a gear wheel, a second gear wheel in mesh with the said iirst named gear wheel, a spring pressed pawl mounted to travel and engaging the said second gear Wheel, and a liked pin for throwing the said pawl out of mesh with the said second gear wheel, substantially as shown and described.

ALBERT R. ABBOTT.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH FULLER, Trios. H. HASKELL.

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