US1938106A - Carbon paper container and actuating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 5, 1933. Q JOHNSTON 1,938,106

CARBON PAPER CONTAINER AND ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed May 17, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

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1933- c. L. JOHNSTON 6 CARBON PAPER CONTAINER AND ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed May 17, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TOR.

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Patented Dec. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES CARBON PAPER CONTAINER AND ACTUATING MECHANISM Clarence L. Johnston, Burlingame, Calif. Application May 17, 1933. Serial No. 671,514

5 Claims. (CL 282-49 This invention relates to a carbon paper container and actuating mechanism for autographic registers.

There are several types of autographic registers in general use and practically all machines of this character require stationery commonly referred to as manifold pads or packets, which consist of a series of superposed continuous strips of paper folded in a zigzag manner. Each strip has a succession of forms printed thereon and each sheet is perforated transversely between the forms to permit tearing or separation from the packet.

When a packet of this character is inserted in. an autographic register, the free ends of the superposed strips forming the packetare advanced by manual, or other feeding means, over a writing table, or other suitable surface, where the printed form on the uppermost strip may be filled in bywriting; duplicates being simultane ously obtained on the underlying forms or strips by the interposed carbon sheets. As long as the carbons are fairly new, clear legible duplicates, triplicates, etc., will be obtained but if a machine of this character is in continuous use the carbon sheets will obviously not last very long and as such must be replaced or renewed from time to time. The operation or" replacing or renewing the carbons is in many instances a dirty job, as the fingers and hands usually become smeared with carbon and besides that requires considerable time.

The object of the presentinvention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of carbon paper holding and actuating devices; to provide a carbon paper container and actuating mechanism which may be readily attached to machines of the character described; to provide a carbon paper container and actuating mechanism which is quickly when it is desired to renew the carbon paper and which may be operated without any tendency to soil the fingers or hands; to provide a carbon paper container and actuating mechanism which is adapted to contain rolls of carbon paper of any desired lengthand from which the carbon may be readily removed inlengths as required and then frictionally locked against removal when the carbon paper is being used; and further, to provide a carbon paper container and actuating mechanism which is adapted to be interposed between the strips of paper forming a manifold.

record or pad so thatthe carbon paper may be readily interleaved with the record strips and extend in thesame longitudinal direction, thereby and easily operated avoiding tearing of either the record strips or the carbons and, furthermore, reducing frictional resistance between the carbon and the record sheets to a minimum.

The carbon paper or roll containerv and actuating mechanism is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which' Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an autographic register.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the register shown in Fig. 1, but showing the cover and table lifted to disclose the carbon containers and actuating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the register shown in Fig. .1. 0

Fig. 4 is'an enlarged detail .viewof the stop pin.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the carbon containing tubes rotated to frictionally lock the carbon paper againstremoval.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the carbon containingtubes rotated to permit free removal'of the carbon paper.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view'of one of the carbon containing tubes showing the manner in whicha roll of carbon paper is placed therein. I

The invention forming the subject matter of the present application, to-wit, a carbon paper holder and actuating mechanism, is applicable to different types of autographic registers, but is in this instance shown and described inconjunction with the form of autographic register disclosed in a co-pending application entitled Autographic register and stationery therefor, filed October 26, 1932, Serial' Number 639,613.

The register is best illustrated in the present instance in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and consists of arectangular-shaped casecomprising side sections 22, end'sections 33, and a bottom or base section 4. The upper end of the case is open to permit insertion of a printed form packet generally indicated at A, which will hereinafter be described, but the open end will normally be closed by a plate 5. whichwill hereinafter be referred to'as a writing table and also by a cover plate 6. The writing table and cover plate are pivotally secured to one end of the case,- as at '7, and as such may be swung about the pivots to open the case, as shown in Fig. 2, when apacket is to be inserted andthe. free ends of the strips forming the packet are to be placedin position on thewriting table, etc.

The type of printed form packet employed is preferably thatshown in Fig. 3. It consists of a series of superposed sheets or strips, such as indicated at C, D and E, the uppermost sheet being the original, the second sheet D a duplicate, and the third or lowermost sheet E a triplicate. Each sheet has identical or similar forms printed thereon, and each sheet is transversely perforated between the forms as indicated at 31. The superposed sheets are folded in a zigzag manner to form a packet generally indicated at A, and this packet is placed on the bottom of the case and within the same, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The free ends of the several sheets or strips are passed over the table 5 and sheets of carbon are interleaved therewith for the purpose of obtaining duplicates, triplicates, etc., when the topmost or original sheet is filled in, whether it is done by writing, or otherwise.

As previously stated, the carbon paper holders and actuating mechanism form the subject matter of the present application. The holders and actuating mechanism are best illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. .Byv referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the .table 5 is provided with a pair of rearwardly extending vertically disposed side plates 8 and 8a and that these are punched or drilled to receive the ends of a pair of tubes indicated at 9 and .10. These tubes are slotted from end to end,-as indicated at 11, and a side plate, indicated at 8b, is also slotted, as indicated at 11a, for purposes hereinafter to be described. The end of each tube, indicated at 12, is open and the opposite end of each tube may or may not be open as desired. Each tube has a spur gear 13 secured thereon and these gears intermesh with a spur-gear pinion 14, see Figs. 2 and 3, which is rotatable about a stud shaft 15 secured to the side plate 8. Gear 15 is connected with a turn ing knob 16 by means of a sleeve 17 and this sleeve carries a pin 18, the function of which will later be described.

tive tubes 9 and '10 in the manner shown in Fig. '7; that is, the free end 20 of a roll of carbon is turned upwardly so as to pass through the slot 11 and also the slot indicated at 110., and when the roll 19 is fully inserted, the free end will project through the slot 11 at a point be tween the side plates 8 and 8a. The free projecting end is then interleaved with the strips of the manifolding pad and this is accomplished as follows:

By referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be assumed that a manifold pad, such as indicated at A, has been inserted in the case. When so inserted the strip C is first passed over the inner curved end 5a of the table and pulled forwardly over the same until the forward edge of the free strip engages a stop member generally indicated at 24. The carbon containing tubes are then rotated by means of the turn knob 16 until the slots 11 assume the position shown in Fig. 6; the free end of the carbon contained in the tube 9 is then pulled forwardly over the sheet C until the forward edge reaches within one-half of an inch of the stop 24. The second strip in the manifolding book is then passed around the exterior surface of the tube 9 and over the carbon sheet which extends from the tube. The free end of the carbon sheet contained in the tube 10 is then pulled forwardly the same distance as the first carbon so as to overlie the sheet D and the sheet E is then passed around the outer surface of the tube 10 and pulled forwardly over the table to engage the stops 24. The table is then lowered into horizontal position and the cover 6 is also lowered and closed, thus holding the manifolding strips and the interleaved carbon sheets in a flat position on the table. The operator then presses his fingers downwardly against the form strips at. a point beyond the ends of the carbon sheets, and at the same time rotates the knob 16, so that the tubes 9 and 10 will assume the position shown in Fig. 5. During this rotation of the tubes 9 and 16, the carbon strips are slightly retracted by a portion of each carbon sheet being wound about the exterior surface of each cylinder, as indicated at 25 and 26. This is important as it frictionally looks or secures the carbon sheets against removal from the tubes 9 and 10 when the autographic register is in normal operation; that is, when a set of form strips have been placed in position on the table surface and the uppermost sheet or original is filled in by writing, duplicates and triplicates are at the same time obtained due to the interposed carbon sheets. After the forms have been filled in, they are grasped by the forward edge and vmanually pulled in a forward direction until the next set of forms come into place. The filled in forms are then torn off and the next set of forms may then be filled in. During the advance of the strips to remove the filled in formsand to bring a new set of forms into position there is a tendency to also advance the carbon paper, but as it is partially wrapped about the tubes 9 and 10 the frictional resistance thus produced secures the carbon rolls against unwinding and any danger of the carbon sheets advancing when the form or record strips are advanced is thus avoided. The tubesQ and 1% will either assume the position shown in Fig. 5, or the position shown in Fig. 6, these positions being controlled by stoppin 18, see Figs. 2 and 4, and a secondary stop pin 180.. When the knob 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow a, pin 18 will engage one side of pin 18a and when the knob is rotated in the opposite direction pin 18 will engage the opposite side of pin 18a, it is in this manner that rotation .of the tubes 9 and 10 is limited, and that proper positioning of the slots 11 formed in the tubes is insured.

The operation of renewing the carbon surface is exceedingly simple. time notices that the duplicates, triplicates, etc., are not as clear as they should be all he has to do is to rotate the knob 16 so that the tubes 9 and 10 will assume the position shown in Fig. 6. He at the same time pulls on the superposed form strips placed on the table and as he rotates the tubes and pulls on the form strips at the same time, the carbon sheets will be advanced to a point where they may be grasped by the fingers of the operator, then by continuing the pull the form stripsand the carbonsheets are simultaneously advanced and a complete new section of carbon may be obtained, and this without soiling the hands or fingers as the carbon paper is interposed between the form strips and as such will not come in contact with the operators fingers. distance, for instance if the lines on the form strips are fairly widely separated, it maybe only necessary to advance the carbon sheets a quarter of an inch,,to present a new or fresh carbon surface. When a new surface has been advanced the projecting carbon strips are torn off and thrown away, and the tubes -9 and 10 are-rotated If the operator at any The carbon paper may be advanced any.

in a reverse direction so as to retract a portion of the carbon paper and to insure a frictional look as shown in Fig. 5.

In most autographic registers the carbon sheets are arranged transversely of the form strips. This arrangement causes considerable friction and also danger of tearing not only the carbon sheets but also the form strips. In the present instance the carbon paper is positioned in the same longitudinal direction as the form strips and floats between the same, and when a pull is exerted to bring a new set of forms into writing position little, if any, friction is encountered and as the pull is in the same longitudinal direction danger of tearing either the carbon or the form strips is obviated. By placing the carbon in roll form within the tubes 9 and 10 a large supply is always available and the operation of advancing the carbons to supply a fresh surface is made very simple and quick to accomplish.

-While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically described, I wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims. Similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts employed maybe such as the manufacturer may decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand.

aving thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. lhe combination with a writing table, of an autographic register and means for directing the supe mposed record strips of a manifold packet .e same, of a tube supported at one end of bio disposed crosswise of the same, said adapted to receive and support a roll or car- 'oa er and tube having a slot formed through which the free end of the carbon iects so as to be interleaved and extend longitudinally between record strips placed on the table, and manually actuated means for rotating the tube to bri g the slotted side or" the tube into,

alignment with the record strips and to permit free removal of the carbon paper from the tube, said manual means also adapted to rotate the tube to wind a portion. of the carbon paper about the exterior of t e tube so as to frictionally secure the carbon paper against removal from the tube.

2. The com ination with a writing table, of an 58 autographic ister and means for directing the superimposed record strips of a manifolding pack ct over the same, of a plurality of tubes supported by the table at one end thereof, said tubes :mit individual strips of the manifold.

pers after they have been pulled out of the tubes and interleaved with the record strips.

3. The combination with a writing table, of an autographic register and means for directing the superimposed record strips of a'manifolding packet over the same, of a plurality of tubes supported by the table at one end thereof, said tubes extending crosswise of the table, and being spaced apart to permit individual strips of a manifold packet-to be passed between the same, each tube adapted to receive and support a roll of carbon paper and each tube having a slot formed therein through which the free ends of the carbon paper project so as to be interleaved and extend longitudinally between record strips placed on the table, a gear secured on each tube, a second gear intermeshing with the gears on the tubes, and meansfor rotating the second gear together with the intermeshing gears and the tubes to which they are secured, said means rotating the tubes to bring the slotted sides thereof into alignment with the record strips, and said means also adapted to rotate the tubes so as to wind a portion of the carbon paper about the exterior of the tubes so as to frictionally secure the carbon paper against removal from the respective tubes.

4. The combination with a writing table, of an autographic register and means for directing the superimposed record strips of a manifolding packet over the same, of a tube supported at one end of the table and disposed crosswise of the same, said tube adapted to receive and support a roll of carbon paper and said tube having a slot formed therein through which the free end of the carbon paper projects so as to be interleaved and extend longitudinally between record strips placed on' the table, manually actuated so as to irictionally secure the carbon paper.

against removal from the tube, and a stop member for limiting rotation of the tube in either direction.

5. The combination with a writing table of an autographic register and means directing the superimposed record strips of a manifolding packet over the same, of a tube supported at one end of the table and disposed crosswise of the same, said tube adapted to receive and support a roll of carbon paper and said tube having a slot formed therein through which the free end of the carbon paper projects so as to be interleaved and extend longitudinally between record strips placed on the table, means for partially retracting the carbon paper after it has been pulled out of the tube and placed between the record strips.

CLARENCE L. JOHNSTON.

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