US1678705A - Printing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

w. F. MULLER PRINTING MECHANISM July 31, 1928.

Filed July 28, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 31, 1928.

1,678,705 w. F. MULLER PRINTING MECHANI SM Filed July 28, 1922 'T Sheets-Sheet 2 July 31, 1928. 1,678,705

' w. F. MULLER PRINTING MECHANI SM Filed July 28, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 31, 1928.

1,678,705 W. F. MULLER PRINTING MECHANISM Filed July 28, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q Q g Q Q Q m .1 1mg; o, Him I July 31, 1928. 1,678,705

W. F. MULLER PRINTING MECHANISM Filed July 28. 1 2 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 31, 1928. 1,678,705 w. F. MULLER PRINTING MECHANISM Filed July 28, 1922 'Z Sheets-Sheet 6 July 31, 1928.

w. F. MULLER PRINTING MECHANISM Filed July 28, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented July 3-1, 1928.

UNETED STATES 1,678,765 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. MULLER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TOTI-IE INTERNATIONAL PQSTAL SUPPLY COMPANY on NEW men on NEW YORK.

YORK, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORA- PRINTING IviECHANISM.

Application filed July 28, 1922. Serial No. 578,272.

This invention relates to printing mecha nism of that general class wherein a normally inactive element is rendered operative by the presence of the article being operated upon, such for instance as that disclosed in Patent No. 861,367, granted to Frederick G. Jahn on July th, 1907.

(.i-enerically considered, the present invention provides means for automatically controlling the effective operation of the normally inactive element of the mechanism and limiting the period of such effective operation, said means being rendered active for the performance of such function solely by reason of the presence of the paper sheet which is operated upon by the machine.

In one embodiment of the present improvements I provide a movable trolling 'the operation of the printing roller of a printing couple and a pivoted finger operatively connected to said stop and normally disposed in the path of movement of a paper slip or check so that as the paper slip is fed to the printing couple it will strike said finger and initiate the movement of the stop towards its released position. The printing cylinder is then rotated through the medium of a friction clutch, connecting said cylinder to a driven spindle, said clutch carrying a cam roller which continues the movement of the stop and moves said finger independently of the paper slip until the cam roller has passed. beyond the stop when the latter is returned to its normal position by a spring. When the cam roller again strikes the stop, the rotation of the printing cylinder ceases, such rotation being limited to a single revolution of the cylinder for each paper slip or check passing through the machine.

It is also an additional object of my invention to simplify and improve the feeding mechanism for the paper checks or slips as shown in the patent above referred to, to thereby render the same more positive and reliable in its operation. \Vith the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in the improved printing mechanism and in the form, construction and relative arrangement of the several parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claim.

stop con- In the drawings wherein I have illustrated one satisfactory and practical embodiment of the invention and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View;

Fig.3 is a horizontal section through the machine frame taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 5, illustrating the operating gearing for the several instrumentalities;

Fig. 4 is a section, taken on the line l4: of Fig. 3; I

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig, 2; Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7-'7 of Fig. 6;

. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through the drive clutch for the printing cylinder spin-' dle. and 1 Fig. 9 isa detail sectional view showing the relative positions of the parts after the initial movement of the automatic stop and also, illustrating in dotted lines the manner in which the counter is operated.

For purposes of illustration, in the accompanying drawings I have shown a cancelling or marking machine for checks, certificates, envelopes or the like, in which the several novel features of my present improvements are embodied.

As shown, this machine is electrically controlled in its operation and includes side frame plates 5 spaced from each other by suitable tie-rods 6 mounted upon a base 7 Between these frame plates, the motor and operating gearing for the several instrumein talities 'tobe hereinafter referred to, is arranged andsupported, said gearing being covered and protected by a suitable housing or casing 8, as indicated in Figures 3 and 5.

The operating parts of the machine include a printing couple consisting of a cylindrical type carrying die '9 which is removably secured upon one end of a driving spindle 10 which projects beyond one of the side plates 5. Beneath the spindle 10 a shaft or spindle 11 is rotatably supported in a bracket- 12 which is fixed upon a rockshaft l3 journaled at itsopposite ends in the side frame plates 5,-"the supporting and guiding.

plates 5. Upon the end of said shaft 11 which projects exteriorly of the frame, a rubber covered impression roller 14 is secured. The shaft 11 and one of the bearings forsaid shaft on the bracket 12 are vertically movable in a slot 15 provided in the side or cylinder a sleeve 19 is loosely mounted and is provided at one of its ends with a gear-20. The opposite end faces of this sleeve are recessed. to receive friction discs 21. With one of these discs the opposed end of a second sleeve 22 fixed to the spindle 10 is engaged. At the opposite end of the sleeve 19 a collar 23 is disposed upon said spindle and has a diametrically extending pin 24 disposed through the slot 25 in the spindle. The spindle end is axially bored as at 26 to receive the pin 27, hearing at one of its ends against the pin 24. A coil spring 28 arranged in the bore 26 engages the other end of pin 27, the tension of this spring being suitably adjusted by means of the screw pin 29 threaded into the end of the bore 26. This collar 23 is thus caused to exert any desired pressure against the frietion disc 21 to which said collar is opposed and by the transmission of longitudinal pressure to the loose sleeve 19 provides for the requisite frictional contact between the other .of the discs 21 and the sleeve 22 fixed on the spindle. Accordinglyit will be apparent that when resistance is applied to the rotation of the sleeve 22, the spindle 10 will also be held against rotation while the sleeve 1.9 will rotate loosely on said spindle. This means for controlling the operation of the driving spindle 1O forthe printing die or cylinder will be presently described in detail.

Upon a vertically adjustable bracket 30 mountedupon the outer side of one of the plate 31 for a stack of paper checks or slips, is secured. This plate is provided. with an opening 32 through which the upper portion of the primary feeding wheel 33 extends.

. This wheel is fixed upon one end of the sh aft ,34 ournaled 1n the side plates 5, said shaft v motor shaft 37.

upon said shaft and meshes wlth the pinion having a beveled gear 35 fixed thereon'and engaged by the beveled pinion 36 on the Apnnon 38 is also fixed 3'9 i'nountedupon a stud shaft fixedupon the frame plate 5, whlch in turn, 13 engaged with never/or) a large gear wheel 40 fixed upon a transverse shaft 41 journaled in the frame plates said shaft 41 having a relatively large feeding wheel 42 fixed upon one end thereof in line with the wheel 33. The shaft 41 is also provided with a pinion 43meshing with a gear 44. This gear is fixed upon a shaft connecting the arms 45 and 46 to each other- The arm 45 is loosely mounted on the shaft 41, while the other arm 46 is loosely engaged upon a shaft 47 journaled in the bearing 48 on one end of the arm 49, the other end of said arm being fixed to a rockshaft 50 mounted in the side plates 5. The gear 44 meshing with the gear 51 on the shaft 47 rotates said latter shaft in the same direction as the rotation of the shaft 41.

0n the end of the shaft 47, above and peripherally spaced from the feed wheel 42, afriction surfaocd disc or wheel 52 lS '5- cured. This wheel operates in a slot. 54 formed in a presser foot 53. The bearing 48 for the shaft 47 is movable in a vertical slot 55 in the frame plate and. in the outer end of this hearing a vertical rod 56 is loosely engaged, the lower end of said rod being fixed to the presser foot 53. A nut 57 is mounted in the vertical extension of the bearing 48 and has threaded engagement upon the upper end of the rod 56. A spring pressed pin 58 is adapted to engage spaced recesses in this nut to hold the same against ill) casualv movement from its adjusted position. i

It will thus be seen that the relative positions of the presser foot 53 and the wheel 52 may be adjusted as desired. The presser foot and wheel are urged downwardly to a normal position with relation to the feeling wheel 42 by means of a coil spring 59 surrounding the rod 60 which extends loosely through an car 61 on the frame plate 5 and is preferably connectcd at its lower end to the hearing 48. By adjustment of the nut (32 threaded on the upper end of said rod against the ear 61, the presser foot and the wheel 52 may be raised or lowered as a unit with respect to the feed wheel42. v

The gear wheel 40 also meshes with the pinion 63 mounted on a stud shaft projecti e from frame plate 5, said pinion being en od with a pinion 64 fixed on the shaft 65. On the end of this shaft projecting from. one of the plates 5, a pair of spaced metal rollers 66 are fixed over which. the paper checkor slip moves as it is fed to the printing couple. Above these metal rollers a pair of spaced rubber surfaced rollers 67 are mounted upon a shaft loosely pivoted intermediate of its ends between the arms of a yoke 69 formed l. (in

spring acts to yieldingly hold the friction rollers 67 in engagement upon the metal rollers 66.

A second gear 7 6 fixed upon the shaft 65 meshes with the reversing gear 77 loosely mounted on a stud shaft fixed on the plate 5., said gear engaging one end of a relatively wide pinion 78 mounted upon a second stud shaft 79 fixed upon the frame plate. The other portion of this wide pinion 78 engages the teeth of the gear 20 on the end of the loosely mounted clutch sleeve 19.

A third pinion 80 fixed upon the shaft (35 meshes with a reversing pinion 81 journaled upon a stud shaft 82 which connects the adjacent ends of arms 83 and 84 respectively, to each other. The other end of the arm 88 is mounted loosely on the shaft 65 while the other end of arm 84- isloosely mounted upon the shaft 11. Upon said latter shaft the gear 85 meshing with the pinion 841:, is fixed.

Through the medium of the gearing above described, it will be seen that the several feeding wheels and the impression roller 1% of the printing couple are continuously r0- tated in the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The plate 81 is, of course, also provided with an opening 80 through which the upper portion of the feeding wheel l2 projects and with additional openings to accommodate the rollers 66. Between the latter openings in said plate a slot 87 is provided through wh'1h the upper end of a finger 88 extends.

above the surface of the guide plate and between the friction rollers 67. This finger, as sl'iown,1. curved to extend around the 65 and is fulcrumed intermediate of its ends arm 89 formed. upon one end of a 00 loosely mounted upon the rod 01 suppo on the frame plate 5. This sleeve at its other or inner end is also provided with a downwardly projecting arm 92 to which one end of a contractile spring 93 attached, the other end of said spring being connected to the fixed rod This spring normally holds the arm 92 against a stop 92. The lower end of the finger 88 is connected by the link rod 95 to the crank arm 00 fined on one end of a rockshaft 97 mounted in abracket 98 secured to the frame plate Sand projecting; on opposite es thereof. The inner end of this rockshaft is also provided with a crank arm 09 which is connected by means of lever 100 to one end an arm 101 fulcrumcd intermediate of ends upon the fixed pm 1.02. At the opposite side of said pin said arm is angulariy disposed in a downward direction as at 10 3 and is bifurcated to receive the roller 10% which constitutes a stop and coactswith a cam roller 105 mounted upon the fixed clutch sleeve on the driving spindle 10 for the type die or printingcyiinder 9. The loosely mounted other slips by the feed wheel.

clutch sleeve 19 rotates from left to right on the driving spindle, and normally the cam roller 105 is engaged against the underside of the stop roller 10lbelow the axis thereof, thus applying resistance to the rotation of the driving spindle and the fixed clutch sleeve with the sleeve 19 so that said spindle and the printing cylinder will remain stationary.

The arm 101 carrying the stop roller 104 is yieidingly held in this position by means of the spring 106 which is connected to the opposite end of said arm, such movement of the stop roller to normal position being limited by engagement of the adjustable pin 107 with the lug 108 projecting from the frame plate 5. i

A second arm 109 is also loosely mounted at one of its ends upon the pin 102, said arm having a lower curved edge 110 with which one of the fork arms 111 on the clutch'sleeve 22 upon which roller 105 is mounted, coacts. To the other end of the arm '109 thelower end of a link rod 112 is pivotally connected, the upper end of said link rod being pivoted to an arm 113 which is suitably connected to one end of the actuating spindle 1141 of the counting device 115. This counter may be of any approved construction and is automatically actuated to indicate the number of checks, slips or other articles which have been printed or marked. The edge of the arm 109 is held in yielding contact upon the roller carrying arm 111 by means of the spring 116.

In the operation of the machine above described, the checks or other articles to be operated upon are placed in a pile between the plate 31 andalug 30 projecting over the upper edge of the side flange 31 on said plate. fin adjusting screw 117 is connected to this lug so that the bracket casting 30 and the plate 31 may be vertically adjusted as a unit with respectto the feed wheel 2-38 and thus produce the requisite amount of frictional'pressure of the peripheral face of said wheel upon the lowermost paper slip. When the motor is started in operation, the several feeding wheels are rotated in the directions indicated by the arrows and the lowermost paper slip on the supporting plate 31 is moved towards the right. flhe end of this paper slip is brought beneath the presscr foot and there separated from the 42, the wheel 52 rotating in the slot of the presser foot from rightto left operating to hold back the remaining; slips and prevent the movement of more than one paper slip at a time betweenthe presser foot and the feeding wheeliQ. As the paper slip or sheet, as shown in 0 at S advances; it moves bet-ween the two pairs of rollers 06 and 67, the friction rollers 67 continuing the forward movement of the slip. During this portion of the movement, the paper slip engages the end of the finger 88 projecting upwardly through the slot 87 in the plate 31, thereby rocking said finger relative to the arm 89 upon which it is mounted (see Fig. 9), and through the medium of the connections 95, 96, 99 and 100 rocking the arm 101 to move the same from its normal position shown in Fig. 4 to the position seen in Fig. 9. This. movement of the stop roller 104 carried by the arm 101 is sufiicient to relieve the clutch sleeve 22 and the driving spindle from the restraining influence of said roller, whereupon rotation is instantly imparted to the spindle 10 and the type carrying die or cylinder of the printing couple. During the initial part of this operating movement of the printing die,v the roller 105 rides over the roller 104 and con tinues the rocking movement of the arm 101 carrying said roller so that a further pivotal movement is transmitted to the finger 88 independently of the movement which is imparted thereto by the article S.

Then the roller 105 passes above the roller 104, the spring 106 acts to instantly return the arm 101 and roller 104 to the normal position seen in Fig. 4. In this movement of the stop roller, as the finger 88 cannot pass upwardly through the slot 87, it will strike the underside of the paper slip and will be forced downwardly. This vertical move ment of the finger is permissible owing to the mounting of said finger upon the sleeve 90, which sleeve will rock upon the pin 91, thereby moving the arm 92 away from the stop lu 92, the connecting link rod 95 swinging downwardly to an angular position duringthis vertical movement of the finger. This latter position of the parts I have shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

In the continued forward movement of the paper slip it passes between the printing die and the impression roll of the printing couple and the said slip is printed or marked.

A single impression is made in each revolution of the printing die, and upon the com pletion of the printing operation the roller 105 again comes into engagement with the underside of the stop roller 104 as seen in Fig. 4, so that a restraining influence is again applied to the clutch sleeve 22 and the driving spindle 10. Vhen the paper check or slip passes entirely beyond the printing couple it is discharged into asuitable basket or receptacle indicated at 118. The spring 93 acts to rock the sleeve 90 until the arm 92 thereof engages the stop 92, thus returning the finger 88 to its normal position with its upper end projecting through the slot 87 in position to be engaged by the next paper slip as it is fed to'the printing couple. In this manner it will be seen that the operation of the printing cylinder of the couple is automatically controlled in a direct and positive manner by the article itself so as to limit each operation to a single revolution of the printing cylinder and thus insure the making of only a single print or impression upon the paper slip. It will also be'observed that this new automatic control means for the printing couple is muchsimpler than that disclosed in the patent above referred to wherein the paper slip or article acts only to set a stop actuating part in position to be engaged and operated at a subsequent time by a tappet lug carried by a part of'the feed mechanism.

Any preferred means might be provided for the purpose of inking the die or printing cylinder, but for this purpose I have herein shown an inking roller 118 of any preferred form rotatably mounted upon a spindle 119 carried by the arm 120 pivotally mounted upon one of the plates 5 as at 121. To this pivoted end of said arm suitable adjusting means 122 is connected whereby the pressure of the inking roller upon the surface of the printing cylinder may be regulated as desired.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and manner of operation of my improved printing mechanism will be clearly understood. It will be seen that I have materially simplified the con struction of the prior patented machine, and have thereby rendered its operation more positive and reliable. lVhile I prefer to use a mechanism for singly feeding the paper slips or other articles to the printing couple as herein disclosed, it is to be understood that my invention is not necessarily limited to this specific feed mechanismbut is adaptable for use in connection with various other alternative feeding devices which might be employed. Likewise, I have herein referred to an arrangement of the drive gearing for the several elements of the feed mechanism and the printing couple as preferably provided in the practical embodiment of. my invention. Nevertheless, in this respect also, the machine is susceptible, of considerable modification.

Accordingly, it is to'b-e understood that while I have herein shown and described a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of my present invention, the same may be exemplified by numerous alternative structures and I accordingly reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes in the form, proportion and relative arrangements of the several parts as may befairly considered within the spirit invention as claimed.

I claimz. p In a printing mechanism, a pair of feed rolls for receiving and advancing paper strips, a printing couple disposed beyond the and scope of the j feed rolls for receiving said strips and havstantially in the direction of the path of the ing a die roll disposed at one side of the strip from the other end of said strip enpath 01" the strip, a shaft connected to the die gaging lever, a second link extending transroll of the printing couple, means tar fricversely of the plane of the path of the strip tionally driving the shaft, said shatt having from the pivotedstop, and a shaft and rocker an arm thereon, a pivoted stop normally enarm structure connected between the links gaging the arm to hold the shaft from turnfor transmitting movements between the ing, a strip engaging lever having an end strip engaging lever and the pivoted stop. extending into the path of the strip adjacent In testimony that I claim the foregoing as to one of the feed rolls and at the opposite my invention, I have signed my name hereside of the path of the strip from that of the under. i

die roll, a yieldable pivoted support for said strip engaging lever, a link extending sub- WILLIAM F. MULLER.

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