US1809590A - Billing machine aligner - Google Patents

Description

6 1931- L. F. HAGEMANN I BILLING MACHINE ALIGNER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1'7, 1926 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

' June 9, 1931.

' Filed June 17, 1926 V II! I W! 'il W Hi -W M.

L. F. HAGEMANN BILLING MACHINE ALIGNER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i I N] INVENTOR.

[I W W ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 9, 1931 PATENT OFFICE LOUIS FRED HAGEMAN'N, F NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN SALES BOOK COMPANY, LIMITED, 0]? ONTARIO, CANADA.

Applicationfiled June 17,

1 mechanism for adjusting and aligning the 5 paper record strips used in such machines so as to bring said strips into correct position for the reception of an inscription, andfurthermore to tension the strips for a similar purpose.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved practical mechanism for positioning and aligning one or a plurality of superposed record strips or sheets into correct inscription receiving position on a support or platen, and for relatively aligning the strips where a plurality of superposed strips are employed so as to bring the strips into c rrect superposed registry.

A f irther object is to provide in a machine of the class mentioned, an improved manually operable oscillatable strip engaging aligning member, engageable with the strip or strips to positively adjust them into aligned posi-' tion.

Another object is to provide for machines of the class mentioned, an improved aligning mechanism adapted to engage one or a plurality of superposed record strips at parts spaced longitudinally thereof, and to provide an improved operating mechanism to manually move one of the engaging mechanisms longitudinally with reference to the other, so as to positively move the strips into correct position. I

Still another object is to provide an improved mechanism of the class mentioned which is simple in construction, positive and efiectivc in operation and capable of simple and quick installation on billing or like recording machines of existing construction.

Other objects will be in part pointed out in the following detailed description of an illus trative but preferred embodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious when read in connection therewith.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter TORONTO, CANADA, A CORPORATION OF BILLING MACHINE ALIGNER 1926. Serial No. 116,592

set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more complete disclosure of the nature and objects of the invention, reference is had to the following detailed description, and to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a billing machine of the Hat platen type embodying'the invention, parts being broken away or removed to facilitate disclosure; i

Fig. 2 is a vertical fragmentary longitudinal section taken substantially upon the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the movable or active aligning pins, showing its relation to astrip which is to be aligned; I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in' difi en ent operative positions; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan of one of the record strips such as used in the machine.

The improved aligning and tensioning mechanism may be embodied in writing or like machines of different character, but it is particularly adapted for application to billing machines, and may be applied as an attachment to billing machines of existing construction.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the embodiment of the invention there shown, it will he observed that the improved aligning mechanism is applied to a billing machine of the fiat platen type over which the writing machine proper travels upon supporting rails in order to efiect line spacing.

The supporting frame for'the machine may be of any preferred form, the showing of the drawings being somewhat diagrammatic and fragmentary for convenience of illustration. The main supporting framework or base 10 carrying the operative mechanisms of the machine may be supported in any desired manner as by a pedestal or other form of support (not shown). The framework 11 for supporting the track and the record sheets to be written upon may be supported upon the base 10 and includes two parallel lon tudinal side rails or bars 12 connected i y transverse frame members or cross Years 13.

The typewriting machine employed for writing upon the record strips is diagrammatically shown in dot and dash outline at 14 and is mounted upon the longitudinal side rails for movement back and forth thereon' overa flat writing platen 15 which supports the record sheets or strips S in fiat smooth position for receiving the impact of the type. As willhe understood by those familiar with this art, the general arrangement of the record strips and typewriting machine is such as to permit the type to strike upon different parts of the record strips S to impartprinted impressions thereto, whereby blank bill forms or like forms upon the strips may be filled in with appropriate data. As it is usually desired to make more than'one copy, a pluralit of superposed record strips may be emp oyed as shown in the drawings, carbon sheets or similar transverse material being interposed between the adjacent superposed sheets over the platen. If carbon paper is used to transfer the records, the supply thereof may be supported adjacent the platen in an 0rd strips S may be superposed, one on an other as desired to provide the required number of copies.

The supply of blank record strips is preferably arranged in the form of a zigzag supply pack or pad S which may be supported and housed upon or adjacent to the machine in any convenient manner. Each of the record strips may be provided with apertures S therein which are preferably arranged in two longitudinal series on each strip providing pairs of apertures disposed upon transverse lines of the strips as shown in the drawings. These apertures are utilized for cooperation with strip aligning and tensioning mechanism described below, the pairs of transverse ly disposed apertures respectively bearing a definite relation to blank forms which may be printed ina longitudinal series upon each of the strips. Also it is desirable that adjacent blank forms on each of the strips be separated by transverse perforated or similarly weakened lines, thus dividing each of the strips into a series of form leaves. These weakened transverse lines aid in severance of the form leaves from the strips after a record has been entered thereon.

In order to retain the record strips in correct position on the platen for reception of an entry or inscription thereon, and to assist in effecting alignment of the strips with reference to each other and to the writing platen, a front strip control device is provided in the vicinity of the platen. This device or strip retaining means may be of different preferred forms that shown being in the form of transverse strip keeper or clamping bar :16 positioned to rest against a cross plate 17 mounted in forwardly inclined position at the front of the machine upon one of the preferred known manner. As many recneoeeeo cross frame members 13. This cross plate is removably clamped in position by means of clamps 18 engaging lugs 19 upon the cross plate and appropriate lugs on the frame of the machine as shown. The cross plate 17 is provided with a pair. of upstanding pins or posts 20 preferably flattened or elliptical in cross-section and positioned to enter the apertures formed in the record strips S, and apertures 21 of the clamping bar 16. The major axes of the pins 20 are aligned transversely .of the frame and the longitudinally disposed minor axes are considerably shorter than the diameters of the apertures 21, per mitting longitudinal adjustment of the cross plate 17 relatively to the clamping bar 16. Also the minor axes of the elliptical pins 20 are considerably shorter than the diameter of the strip apertures so as to permit longitudinal adjustment of the strips when impaled by the aligning pins 20. In the illustrative embodiment disclosed, the pins 20 are rigid and stationary with reference to the cross bar 1'7 and with reference to the frame of the machine. The clamping bar 16 may serve as a severin edge at the straight forward part thereof for tearing off the form sheets from the supply strips, and the pin supporting cross plate 17 underlying the clamping bar is cut away at its forward edge to provide a recess to facilitate grasping of the forward edges of the strip.

Movement of the strip keeper, or clamping bar 16 to and away from the cross plate 17 to grip and release the underlying record strips may be provided for as shown in the drawings by means of a system of levers controlled by a rod or link 23 connected to a manual operating member, as a pedal 24: pivoted to asupporting standard or column 25 depending from and mounted upon the base plate 10. As shown the clamping bar 16 at its opposite ends is connected to and supported-by levers 26 pivoted to the side rails 12 by means of a transverse rod 27 extending through the levers and attached at its opposite ends to the side rails. Each of thelevers 26 is furthermore articulated to the adjacent side rail by means of a link 28 loosely pivoted to the lever 26 at 29, and pivoted to the adjacent side rail at 30. The rock arms or levers 26 are biased to hold the clamping bar in gripping position by means of one or a plurality of tensioning springs 31 anchored to the frame and to the lugs 32 depending from the rock arms. Ushaped operating lever or yoke 33 is pivoted through its opposite legs to the adjacent links 28 by means of a pivotal rod 34:, the legs of the yoke extending beyond this pivotal rod to underlie and contact with the rod 27 which thus acts as an abutment or fulcrum for the legs of the U-lever when it is rocked by the pedal to operate the clamping rod. The pedal rod 23 may be connected by means of nsoaaeo a hook at its upper end to the U-lever 33. By means of this mounting the clamping bar 16 and the operating connections therefor; it will be seen that depression of the pedal will raise the clamping bar to release its grip upon the strips, while the bar is returned to gripping position by operation of the springs 31 when pressure upon the pedal is released;

Positioned rearwardly of the platen is another strip engaging mechanism which is active in positioning and aligning the strips. This mechanism includes a rock shaft 35 extending transversely of the frame of the machine and connected to be rotated in strip aligning direction by raising of the pedal. These operating connections include a crank arm 36 secured to the rock shaft 35 and connected by a link or pin coupling member 37 with one arm of a bell-crank lever 38 pivoted 'to a bracket 39 which may be detachably attached to one of the cross frame members 13. The opposite arm of the bell-crank lever 38 is positioned to lie in a notch or aperture 40 formed in a connecting block or link 41 which is clamped in position upon the bow of the U-shaped lever or yoke 33. The rod or link 37 is preferably connected to the crank 36 by means of a crank pin 42 rotatably mounted in an aperture in the crank and held therein by a cotterpin or similar securing means. The end of the operating link are tends slidably through an opening in'the head 43 of the crank pin and is secured by lock nuts 44 on the link at one side only of the crank pin head so as to permit the connecting link to slide through the crank pin, thus providing a lost motion connection between the pedal and the rock shaft 35. At

its opposite end the operating link 37 is securely connected to-a crank pin 45 on the bell-crank lever 38, being similarv to crank pin 42 and the link being secured against longitudinal sliding movement through the crank pin by nuts LS-threaded on the link and positioned at both sides of the crank pin. 1

The rock shaft 35 is preferably mounted at its opposite ends in supporting plates or brackets 47 spaced apart so as to lie with their outer faces against the inner faces of the side bars 12. These supporting brackets are ztrranged to be clamped and supported in position on the machine frame by clamps 48 preferably attached to the brackets and spanning the lower edges of the side rails and secured to said side rails by set screws or similar securing means. Secured also to the supporting brackets 47 and extending transversely of the machine frame are structural tie bars 49 and 50 Which'may also function as strip guiding and supporting rods, and an additional strip guiding and supporting rod 51 having edge guiding flanges 52 thereon for positioning the strips edgewise as they pass onto the bed of the machine from the supply pad. A unitary guiding and aligning member is thus provided by the bracket plates 47 and parts supported thereby which may readily be placed upon or re moved from the billing machine. It will be seen from the above description that the entire strip aligning and tensioning attachment together with operating connections therefor may readily be applied to billing or like machines of existing construction with a minimum of labor and efiort and without alteration or impairment to the machine construction and without interruption to the normal operative functions of the machine.

A second strip control device is disposed in rear of the front strip control device, this rear device comprising a pair of rigid strip aligning pins 53 both of similar construction and rigidly mounted upon the rock shaft 35 normally standing in an upright position above the shaft so as to contact with the under surface of the record strips and to enter the aligning apertures therein the pins 35 being thus pivotally, oscillatably shiftable toward and from the front strip control as well as in and'out of the ath of the strip. Each aligning pin is provi ed at its outer end with a rigid strip engaging nose or extension 54 of decreased cross-sectional area and flattened in a direction longitudinal of the machine so as to facilitate entry into the strip aligning apertures. The aligning pin extensions cal surfaces so as to contact with an arc of considerable extent of the strip aligning apertures, providing a large contact surface. A shoulder 55 is formed on the pin at the base of the extension 54 to function as a rest or stop to limit penetrationv of the pin extension through "the apertures of the strips.

The rock shaft 35 is preferably biased for rotation to move the aligning pins forwardly in the direction of movement of the record strips, this biasing function bein accom plished in the embodiment shown y means of a weight 56 mounted upon an arm attached to the shaft 35 as shown. The aligning pins may thus be yieldingly. rocked in one gaging direction, by this gravity means, while they are rocked in the opposite or strip aligning direction by positive aligning action of the pedal mechanism.

The objects and nature of the invention having been set forth and an illustrative embodiment having been disclosed in detail, operation of the invention will now be understood, and for emphasis and. clearness may be summarized as follows.-

The pedal of the machine being depressed to raise the clamping bar 16 and to permit the aligning pins to be rocked forwardly under the influence of the weight 56, the strips may then be threaded over the guide bar 51, over the writing platen, and under the clampdirection, that is forwardly in strip disening bar where the forward aligning apertures of the strips are entered by the stationary aligning pins 20. Pressure upon the pedal is then released when the operating elements are positively returned to normal position under the influence of the spring 31 which is relatively heavy and of sufiicient strength to positively force the connected operative elements into final position. During this action, the rock shaft is rocked rearwardly to positively rock the aligning pins in strip aligning direction, causing the ends of the rigid pin projection 5 1 to wipe or slide over the underface of the record strips as shown in Fig. 3. VJ hen the strip aligning apertures are reached, the pin extensions are thus caused to enter the apertures, the roundcd or cylindrical rearward sides of the extension then contacting with the rearward sides of the apertures. Continued rearward movement of the aligning pin extensions positively pulls the strips rearwardly to tension them and to bring them into correct position on the writing platen. If the strips chance to be slightly relatively disalig'neol longitudi nally, this action of the aligning pins is effective also to align the strips longitudinally relatively to each other to bring the blank forms thereon into correct superposed registry. M

It will be seen that as the operating elements of the mechanism move from the position shown in Fig. l to the position of Fig. 2 the bell crank lever 38 will he rocked in a clockwise direction by engagement of the forwardly extending arm thereof with the upper edge of the cam lug 40. As the movement progresses the said lever arm is withdrawn from the slot l0 and the end thereof comes into contact with the adjacent side or face of the cam lug 40 as shown in 2. The efi'ect of this action is to positively look the pin through the rigid operating connections described to engage the acent strip aligning apertures S and thus efi'ect positive alignment at the strips, The pin furthermore is positively locked final trip aligning position because the fact that the lug &0 contacts with the end of the adjacent hell crank lever arm so as to obstruct the hell crank lever against counterclockwise rocking movement. As mentioned,.tl1e spring Ell is a heavy spring and of su Ticic-nt strength to move the operating mechanism of the anachine to normal position and the paper strips S are ordinarily in practice of insuficient strength to effect forwardroclring movement of the aligning pins even when the parts are in intermediate position with the horizontal arm of the bell crank lever projecting into the slot 40. In other words, the walls of the aligning apertures 52 are ordinarily of insuillcient strength to pull the aligning pins forwardly against the resistance of the operating spring 31. As above stated the aligning pins are reoaeeo adjusted upon the shaft 35, this lug 5! may therefore be adjusted to diilerent limiting positions.

The aligning pins are in final aligning position when the end of thehorizontal arm of the bell cranlr lever comes into contact with the face of the cam lug 450 and no further movement is imparted to the aligning pins or the operating connections therefor, alt iough the clamping loar 16 and the bracket 4- continue to move with movement of the pedal until the clamping bar is in final. clamping position, the end of the bell cranlr lever arm sliding idly over the face of the cam lug 40% This provides a convenient arrangement to effect alignment of the strips prior to the clamping thereof by the clamping her 16, thus permitting the free and unobstructed aligning movement of the strips. During this aligning'ao tion of the, aligning pins 53, it'will be understood that the strips are impaled at forward parts thereof upon the stationary pins 20, but the strip aligning; apertures being of greater diameter than the minor axes of the pins 20, relative longitudinal movement of the strips is permitted while at the same time the forward ends of the strips are restrained within certain limits. When the clamping bar isset into clamping position on the strips, the strips are positively held in correct smooth tensioned position over the platen for entry of a record thereupon. lt will he understood that the record made upon the top record strip is transferred to the underlying strips by means of transfer sheets interposed hetween adjacent record sheets in a manner well known in the art; for convenience of illustra-- tion, these transfer or carbon sheets are not shown in the drawing&

When an entry has been completed upon the record strips positioned as described above, the pedal is depressed and the operative elements of the machine move the position shown in Fig. to that shown in 4-, the clamping loar 16 being first released to free the strips and the lug .46 subs .ently contactin with the arm oi? the hen era l lever 38 til slide or project the connecting rod 3? idly through the crank pin head of the crank arm 36. This operation frees the rock shaft and aligning pins 5-3 to all restraint to forward movement thereofi The pins may actually he moved either by the feeding movement of the strips or lay the yielding or impositive action of the weight 56 which tends to rock the pins forwardly to strip disengaging position. Due to this yielding opneoaeeo eration of the aligning pins,.tearing or other damage to the strips is avoided, which otherwise might occur if the pins were positively fluence of the weight 56, aided also by the strip advancement, whereby theyare gradu-' ally and smoothly disengage-d from the strip apertures, pulling or undue stress upon the walls of the aligning apertures and consequent damage to the strips being thus avoided. The next successive strip aligning apertures being placed over the stationary pins 20, the pressure on the pedal is released and the cycle of operations as above described isrepeated. The forwardly fed inscribed ends of the record sheets may then be severed from the strips across the forward edge of the clamping bar 16.

It will be noticed that the normal position of the strips S in their path to the platen is substantially tangential to the arc of the swinging movement of aligning pin 54. This tangential relation enables the aligning pin in its strip aligning movement to slide along the under surface of the record strip, thus to seek strip apertures and enter them when coming into alignment therewith. Continued movement of the pin will effect strip alignment in the manner described. Also, by virtue of this tangential relation, thealigning pin is enabled to be withdrawn from aperture engaging position when moved oppositely to strip aligning direction after being released to free movement in this direction by actuation of the operating mechanism as described.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, 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.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a front strip control device, a rear strip control device, said rear device being shiftable toward and from the other, and manually actuatable mechanism operable to impart shift movement to said shiftable device, said shiftable device including a strip aligning pin adapted to engage apertures in the strip and pivotally oscillatable in a path intersecting thatof the strip and toward and from said front strip control device, said mechanism including a pm coupling member movable in one direction positively to shift said pin "from sald front device, and movable relative to said pin in the opposite direction.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a front strip control device, a rear'strip control device, said rear device being shiftable toward and from the other, and manuallv actuatable mechanism operable .to impart shift movement to said shiftable device, said shiftable device ineluding a stripaligning pin adapted to engage apertures 1n the strip and pivotally oscillatable in a path intersecting that of the strip and toward and from said front strip control device, said mechanism including a pin coupling member movable in one direction positively to shift said pin from said front device,- and movable relative to said pin in the opposite direction, said pin being biased for pivotal shift movement toward said front device and away fromthe path of the strip.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a front strip control device, arear strip control device, said rear device being shiftable toward and from the other, and manually actuatable mechanism operable to impart shift movement to said shiftable device, said shiftable device including a strip aligning pin adapted to-engage apertures 1n the stnp and pivotally oscillatable in a path intersecting that of the strip and toward and from said front strip control device, said mechanism including a pin coupling member movable in one directionpositively to shift said pin from said front device, and movable relative to said pin in the opposite direction, said pin having a weight-arm biasing it for pivotal. shift movement in an aperture-disengaging direction. v I

4, In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a front strip control device, a rear strip control device,'said rear device being shiftable toward and from the other, and manually actuatable mechanism operable to impart shift movement to said shiftable device, said shiftable device including a strip aligning pin adapted to engage apertures in the strip and pivotally oscillatable in a path intersecting that of the strip and toward and from saidfront strip control device, said mechanism including a pin coupling member movable in one direction positively to shift said pin from said front device, and movable relative to said pin in the opposite direction, said front strip control device including a fixed aligning pin adapted to engage apertures in the strip, and

'a strip keeper movable, by operation of said actuating mechanism, into and out of strip shiftable device, said rear device including a strip-aligning pin adapted to engage apertures in the strip and pivotally oscillatable in a path intersecting that of the strip and toward and from said front strip control device, said front strip control device including an aligning pin and a keeper having movement relative to each other to engage and release the strip, said actuating mechanism including devices for imparting shift movement to said rear pin and for effecting said relative movement between said keeper and said front aligning pin, said last mentioned devices including a coupling rod movable in one direction positively to shift said rear pin from said front device, and movable relative to said rear pin in the opposite direction, and means adapted positively to effect movement of said coupling rod in each direction.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a front strip control device, a rear strip control device, said rear device being shiftable toward and from the other, and manually actuatable mechanism operable to impart shift movement to said shiftable device, said rear device including a strip-aligning pin adapted to engage apertures inthe strip and pivotally oscillatable in a path intersecting, that of the strip and toward and from said front strip control device, said front control device including an aligning pin and a keeper having movement relative to each other to engage and release the strip, said actuating mechanism including devices for imparting shift movement to said 'rear pin and for effecting said relative movement between said keeper and said front aliigning pin, said last mentioned devices inclu mg a coupling rod movable in one direction positively to shift said rear pin from said front device, and movable relative to said rear pin in the opposite direction, and

means adapted positively to effect .movement of said coupling rod in each direction,

. said last mentioned means including a reciprocal cam-lug having a slot, and a bell crank, coupled to said rod, and actuated by said cam-lug. J

7 In a strip aligning device for billing machines or the like, in combination, a platen for supporting one or a plurality of record strips in inscription receiving position, a pair of rigid strip aligning pins posi tioned' at the rear of said platen, mechanism 1 for mounting said aligning pins for rocking movement longitudinally of the strip and in a plane disposed at an angle tothe face of said strip, a manual operating mechanism connected to said pin mounting mechanism to positively rock said pins rearwardly into engaging position with apertures in the record strip to effect rearward longitudinal strip aligning movement, and yieldable operating mechanism to yieldingly rock said pins forwardly to disengage the strip.

8. In a strip aligning device for billing machines or the like, in combinatiom'a platen for supporting one or a plurality of record strips in inscription receiving position, a pair of rigid strip aligning pins positioned at the rear of said platen, mechanism for mounting said aligning pins for rocking .move'ment longitudinally of the strip and in a plane disposed at an angle to the face of said strip, a manual operating mechanism connected to said pin mounting mechanism to positively rock said pins rearwardly into engaging position with apertures in the record strip to efiect rearward longitudinal strip aligning movement, yieldable operating mechanism to yieldingly rock said pins forwardly to disengage the strip, a strip clamping device positioned forwardly of said aligning pins, and operating connections for said clamping device controlled by said manual operating mechanism so, as to set said clamping device subsequently to strip aligning action of said pins while said pins are held in final aligning position by said operating mechanism.

9. In a strip aligning device for billing machines or the like, in combination, a platen for supporting one or a plurality of record strips in inscription receiving position, a-pair longitudinally of the strip and in a plane disposed at an angle to the face of said strip, a manualoperating mechanism connected to said pin mounting mechanism to positively rock said pins rearwardly into engaging position witi apertures in the record strip to effect rearward longitudinal strip aligning movement, means independent of said manual operating mechanism to rock said pins forwardly to. disengage the strip, a pair of strip engaging pins positioned forwardly of said platen for engagement with the apertures in the strip during strip aligning action of said rocking aligning pins, a strip clamping device positioned adjacent said second mentioned strip aligning pins, and operating connections for said clamping device controlled by said manual operating mechanism so as to set said clamping device subsequently to strip aligning. action of said rocking pins. I .10. In a strip alignin device, incombination, a'rigid carrier-an a rigid strip aligning pin rigidly connected thereto and carried thereby and adapted to enter apertures in a strip in effecting strip ali. nment, means for mounting said carrier or oscillatory movement, actuating means for controlling oscillatory movement of said carrier and operating connections between said carrier and said actuating means totransmit positive movement to said pin in strip aligning direction to admit strip alignment" and to positively hold said pin in final strip aligning position, said connections including means to permit free opposite pin movement into strip disengaging position independently of the movement of said actuating means.

11. In a strip aligning device for billing machines, in combination, a strip aligning element for engaging in apertures in the strip, manual operating means for positively moving said element in strip aligning direction, a lost motion connection between said operating means and said aligning element permitting movement of the latter in the opposite direction independently of said operatlng means, and yieldable operating means for yieldingly moving said element in said opposite direction-into strip disengaging position.

12. In a strip aligningdevice for billing machines, in combination, a rock shaft having rigidly mounted thereon a rigid aligning pin for entering apertures in the strip, actuating means, positive connections in. said actuating means for positively moving said shaft to effect stripfaligning movement of said pin, and separate means for moving said shaft in the opposite direction, said connections including a lost motion device to permit pin movement by said separatemow, ing means independently of said actuating' means. 1 .7

13. In a strip aligning device for billing machines, in c mbination, a rock shaft having rigidly m unted thereon a rigid aligning pin for entering apertures in the strip, manual operating means having a lost motion connection with said rock shaft to effect strip aligning movement'of said pin, and gravity mechanism for operating said shaft in the opposite direction to move the aligning pin into strip-disengaging position.

14. In a strip aligning device, in combination, an aligning pin mounted for movement to engage a strip, operating mechanism connected to'said pin to move the same to effect strip alignment, means operatively controlled by said operating mechanism to free the pin to independent movement from strip aligning position, and biasing means to move said aligning pin from strip aligning posisaid clamp, a rigid alignin alignment of the stri tion independently of said operating mechamsm.

15. In a'strip aligning device,.in combination, means for restrainlng'a strip against feeding movement, operating mechanism for said strip'restraining means, a movable aligning pin mounted for engagement with the strip to efiect alignment thereof, operating connections connected to transmit energy from said operating mechanism formoving the pin to efi'ect strip alignment, saidoperating connectionsincluding a part permitting free movement of the pin fromstrip aligningpositionindependentlyof-operationofsaid operating mechanism, and biasing means to move said aligning pin oppositely to strip aligning movement thereof from strip aligning position independently of concurrent operatlon of said operating mechanism. V

16. In a strip aligning device, incombination, a clamp for restraining a strip against feeding movement, operating mechanism for said clamp, a rigid alignin pin movably mounted for engagement wit the strip, operating connections connected to transmit energy from said operating mechanism for positively moving said pin to efiect positive align ment of the strip, and an operating connection between said operating mechanism and said operating connections for permitting clamping movement of said clam after the aligning pin has reached fina aligning movement while continuing to hold said pin in final ali'gning position.

17. In a strip aligning device, in combina tion, a clamp for restraining a stripfagainst feeding movement, operating mechanism for mounted for engagement wit the strip, operating connections connected totransmit energy from said operating mechanism for positively moving said pin to effect positive and a controlling connection between said operating mechanism and said operating connections for permitting clamping movement of. said clamp after the aligning pin has reached final aligning movement while continuing to'hold said pin in final aligning position, said pin operating connections including means to free said pin to independent movement from final align ng position when said operating mechanism is operated to release said clamp.

18. In'a strip aligning device, in combination, a clamp for restraininga strip against feeding movement, operating mechanism for said clam a rigid aligning pinmovably.

pin movably mounted or engagement withthe strip, op-" I erating connections connected to transmit energy from said operatlng mechanism for positively moving said pin to effect positive alignment of the strip, a controlling connection between said operating mechanism and said operating connections for permitting clamping movement of said clamp after; the aligning pin has reached final aligning movement while continuing to hold said pin in final aligning position, and separate means for biasing the aligning pin for movement oppo-= sitely to strip aligning movement thereof from final aligning position,

19. In a strip aligning device, in combination, a clamp for restraining a strip against feeding movement, operating mechanism for said clamp, a rigid aligning pin movably mounted for engagement with the strip, operating connections to said operating mechanism for positively moving said pin to effect positive alignment of the strip, a controlling connection between said operating mechanism and said operating connections for permitting clamping movement of said clamp after the aligning pin has reached final aligning movement while continuing to hold said pin in final aligning position, said pin operating connections including means to free said pin to independent movement from final aligning position when said operating mechanism is operated to release said clamp, and separate means for biasing the aligning pin for movement oppositely to strip aligning movement thereof from final aligning position when free to independent movement.

20. In a strip aligning device, in combination, an aligning pin mounted for movement to enter an aligning aperture in a strip, means to operate said pin to exert an aligning ini'lnence on the strip oppositely to the direction of strip advancement, and means effective when the pin is in engagement with an ali "ning aperture for rendering said pin incapa is of exerting restraint onthe strip oppositely to direction of travel thereof, Y

21. In a strip aligning device, in combination, a rockable member, a rigid aligning pin mounted adjacent said roclrable member and operatively connected thereto for movement thereby, and operating mechanism for said rockable member to rock the pin in one direction' and includinga lost motion connection so as to be incapable of moving the rockable member in the opposite direction.

22. In a strip aligning device, in combination, an aligning pin movahly mounted for engagement with astrip, operating mecha nism connected to said aligning pin to move the same to efi'ect strip alignment and a ri id locking mechanism for locking said aligning pin in final strip aligning position.

23., In a strip aligning device, in combination, an aligning pin movab-ly mounted for engagement with a strip, operating mechanism connected to said aligning pin to move the same to effect strip alignment, locking mechanism for locking said aligning pin in final strip aligning position, and means controlled by said operating mechanism for setting said locking mechanism when said pin reaches said final aligning position.

24, Ina strip aligning device, in combina= tion, an aligning pin movably mounted for engagement with a strip, operating mechanism connected to said aligning pin for moving the same to eiiect strip alignment, said operating mechanism including a reciprocal cam lug and a lever having a lost motion operative connection with said cam lug,

25. In a strip aligning device, in combination, an aligning pin movably mounted for engagement with a strip, operating mechanism connected to said aligning pin for moving the same to effect strip alignment, said operating mechanism including a lever and connections for positively moving said, lever in opposite directions, said connections including a reciprocal cam lug slidably contac ing with said lever so as to block movement of the latter in one direction.

26. In a strip adjusting device for machines of the class mentioned, in combination, an adjusting pin mounted for movement to engage a strip, operating mechanism connected to said pin to move it to eiiect strip adjustment and means operatively controlled by said operating mechanism to release the pin to free movement independently of the operating mechanism reversely of strip aligning movement from strip aligning position.

27. In a strip adjusting device for machines of the character described, in" combination, a strip adjusting pin, mounting means for supporting and positioning said pin for oscillation in tangential relation. to the path oi the strip so as to move said pin into strip adjusting position and to adjust the strip, operating means controlling movement of said pin to engage and adj ust'the strip and means controlled by said operating means to release said pin to movement independently of the operating means reversely to its strip alignmg movement.

28, In a strip adjusting device for machines of the character described, in combination, a

platen for supporting one or a plurality of apertured record strips in inscription receiving position, a strip holding device positioned relatively forward of said platen, a strip controlling device positioned relatively rearwardly of said platen and including a swingable carrier on which a rigid aligning pinis rigidly mounted for unitary movement therewith in forward and reverse directions, said pin and the record strip being positioned in tangential relation with each other whereby said swin ing movement of said carrier away from said strip holding device moves the aligning pin into engagement with a strip aperture and efiects strip alignment and a. unitary operating means for controlling said holding action of said holding device and for controllin the strip adjusting movement of said swings le carrier.

29. In a mechanism of the character described, a table to support a plurality of superimposed apertured webs, a device pivot hm L0 5 FRED HAG ally mounted at one end of said table for movement about an axis substantiall garallel with said table and adapted to exten t rough the apertures in said websand to adjust sald 5 webs with relation to each other, and a device for imparting pivotal movement to said adjusting device and for holding the adjusted webs against movement.

In testimon whereof I aflix m%: signature. MANN.

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