US1127728A - Laundry-marking machine. - Google Patents

Description

C. A. BUNKER.

LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

12 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES G. A. BUNKER. LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE. APBLIOATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

12 SHEETSSHEET 2.

7' INVE/VTOR (has/$511M WITNESSES:

O. A. BUNKER.

LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

Patented Feb. 9

ATTOREY H 0. A. BUNKER. LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULYZl, 1913.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W/ TIVESSES:

C. A..BUN'KER.

LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

l2 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WI M58858:

G. A. BUNKER. LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

Patented Feb: 9, 1915.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

n m M W WITNESSES.

' ATTONY V G'. A.. BUNKER.

LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

no 1 7 9 T 1 E I, E 0w w 0 b r T Du T N F E W E d H W e S t 2 n 1 6 t a P WITNESSES:

C. A. BUNKER. LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

1 1217328. Patented Feb. 9, 1915;

12 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

INVENTOI? C. A. BUNKER.

LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

1,1273%,- Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

1 r u y I; L: M l ATTORNEY G. A. BUNKER. LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

1,12%7Q8. v Patented Feb.9,1915.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

! fl lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 0. A. BUNKER. LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY21,1913.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 11.

WITNESSES:

U. A! BUNKER.

LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

12 SHEETSSHEET l2.

WITNESSES:

CHARLES A. BUNKER, 'QFJKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TOTHE TRIUMPH MANULFJQCTUPRING'COMPANY, OF KANSAS CITY,

ivnssounr.

MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF LAUNDRY-MARKING MACHINE.

mamas.

T all whom it may-concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. BUNKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of .Missouri,'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in .Iiaundry-Marking Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

My invention relates to a type setting and distributing apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus of that character for marking laundry, or the like, wherein a number of type members are assembled in a carriage and struck against the article to be marked. V

In carrying out my invention I provide an apparatus comprising a number of independently mounted type racks having carriages for containing fonts of type and adapted for movement to bring any particular type character in the font to a feeding position from which the desired character may be transferred and stamped against the article :to be marked. In order to simplify the construc tion I provide a common trip memberfor releasing each of the independently operable type racks, and provide the racks with trip mechanism whereby they are adapted for automatic actuation in proper sequence, so that successive like operations of the tri member will release the racks in proper sequence. In other words, an initial actuation of the trip member will release the first rack,

a subsequent operation the second, etc. ;v resetting of the racks returnin the trip mechanism to its original condition, so that the sequence starts afresh when new matter is to e set.

The invention also comprises mechanism for distributing type from the carriage to the racks, comprising, in a general way, and in combination with means for holding the racks after the type has been-set in the carriage, means for pushing type members out of the carriage and back into their proper places in the racks.

The invention'also consists in. various Specification of Letters Patent.

to a carriage to be inked- Patented Feb. 9, I915.

Application filed. July 21, 1913. .Serial No. 780,209.

details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure I is a perspective View of a laundry marking machine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. II is an elevation of the right hand side of the machine, the casing being in section to show the interior mechanism. Fig. III is a similar view from the left hand side of the machine. Fig. IV is a plan view of the machine, :partsbeing cut away and others removed. Fig. V is a longitudinal section on the line V-V, Fig. IV, illustrating the initial position of the levers and parts. Fig.

I is a section on the line V-V, Fig. IV, showing the parts in printing position. Fig. VII is a vertical cross-section on the line VII-VII, Fig. III.v Fig. VIII is a perspective View of the single key mechanism for tripping the type racks. Fig. IX is an enlarged front elevation of a same. Fig. X is a longitudinal section on the line XX, Fig. IX. Fig. XI is an elevation of the levers for actuating the single key ratchet, the releasing position being shown inidotted lines. Fig. XII is a vertical section of the type racks on the line I .I-I-XII,-Fig. III. Fig. XIII is a perspective view of a portion of a type rack and carriage. Fig. XIV is a section of same on the line XIVXIV, Fig. XIII. Fig.

V is.a :plan section on the line XV-XV, Fig. II showing the mechanism for returning the type elevators to initial position. Fig. is a perspective view of the slide for controlling the type racks, and thelr locking mechanism. Fig. XVII is a perspective view of the rack setting slide. Fig. XVIII is a detail perspective of. the type distributer and carriage resetting parts.

XIX isa horizontal section of a portion of the same on the line XIX.-XIX, ig. III. Fig. XX is a plan View of the printing mechanism and inker. Fig. is a detail perspective of the type carriage. ig. XXII is a longitudinal sectlon of the printing mechanism showing the type carriage and inker, the action of the nking device being shown in dotted lines. Fig. XXIII is, a perspective view of the cam member for actuating the inker. Fig. XXIV is an opposite perspective view of the inker cam and arm, parts being broken away for better illustration. Fig. XXV 1s portion of the a perspective view of the type carriage clamp in closed position. Fig. XXVI is a similar view of same in open position. Fig. XXVII is a perspective view of one of the dogs for stopping the type carriage lever in set position. Fig. XXVIII is a detail per spective of one of the type members.

Referring more in detail to the parts :-1 designates the casing of the machine, which may be "of any desired shape and size and has a top plate 2 extending over its forward pin 17 projected beneath portion, the rear of the casing being provided with a removable cover 3 through which access may be hadto the type racks. Suspended from the top plate, and extending longitudinally within the casing, are vertically disposed plates 4 upon which most of the operative parts of the machine are mounted.

Pivotally mounted on a rod 5, which is carried by and extends between plates 4 at the rear of the machine are frames 6, corresponding in number to the fonts of type with which the machine is equipped, and having up-turned flanges 7 (Fig. XII) at their lower edges, forming track grooves 8 within which the type racks 9 are adapted for longitudinal travel independently of the pivotal movement of the frames. ach frame has a laterally turned car 10 at each end for spacing it from an adjacent frame and stopping its type rack, and each is connected, by independent mechanism (presently described) with a common trip lever 11, whereby the frames are released, so that they may be automatically lifted to a position from which the type may be moved from the racks to a carriage.

Each of racks 9 comprises a rail 12 (Fig. XIII) -having upturned ends 13, provided with legs 14 which project into the track grooves 8 of the frames 6 to slidably support their rack, and with laterally turned ears 15 which bear against the upper portion of the supporting frame to space the rack therefrom; each end of the rack being also provided with a depending car 16, having a the frame and adapted to slide therealong. It is apparent that the type racks are thus slidable longitudinally on the frames, but are prevented from lateral or vertical movement independently thereof.

In order to assemble. the above named parts, I provide the frame flanges 7 with slots 18 through which the rack legs 14 may be inserted.

Mounted on endand in alphabetical or numerical order in each rack 9 is a font of rectangular type members 19, each having a different character, 20, on one end, and having the edges of the other end beveled, as at 21, the front edge of each type member hav-- ing a transverse groove 22 provided with the curved edges 23.

In order to move the type racks longitudinally to bring the proper type into position for feeding into the carriage, I provide a slide 24 (Fig. XVII) which is adapted for longitudinal travel in grooves 25 in the plates 4, and comprises a U-shaped member 26 having its sides located within the grooves. Pivotally mounted on the sides 26 are trap plates 30 which extend upwardly and inwardly toward the center of the slide and are held in their inclined position by a spring 31 which engages the lower edge of each trap plate and holds the lower edges.

thereof in contact with the bottom of the slide, in which position the upper edges are spaced to form a mouth 32 into which the depending ear 16 of each of the type racks is adapted to project, so that, when it is in place, movement of the slide in either direction will carry the rack therewith.

Fixed to one side of the slide 24 is a bar 33 which is adapted for travel between the spaced shelves 34 that project laterally from one of the plates 4 and 35, within which pins 36 on the bar are adapted to travel to retain the bar between the shelves while perm'tting freelongitudinal movement thereof.

Projecting laterally from the rear end of bar 33 is -a stub shaft 37(Fig. II) and pivotally mounted on shaft 37 is a link 38,

which is connected with an arm 39 on a shaft 40 that is journaled in bearings in the and projects erally projecting finger 44 overlying an arch rises from the casin and carries 45, which that correa strip 46 bearing characters 4 have track grooves spond with the characters in the fonts of type, the slide 24 and its connections with the handle lever being such that when the finger 44 overlies a particular character on the arch, corresponding typemembers in the racks will be in a feeding position. The link 38 carries a spring 48 which is anchored to the side of the casing and is adapted for automatically throwing the slide 24 and *handle'lever 41 to the rearward limit of their travel when all'of the type racks are released from the slide, in order that a single forward movement of the handle may cause the slide to pick up all of the racks, as will presently be more fully described.

The type rack frames are normally inclined downwardly at the front of the apparatus, but when a type member is to be transferred from itsrack to the carriage the frame is swung upwardly to release the particular rack in which the desired character is located from the setting slide and bring the type in the rack into-feeding position,

\ the movement of all of the frames being .memae effected from a common setting lever and from like mechanisms, one of which will be described in detail, with the understandin that such description relates equally to all.

Pivotally mounted on a rod that, is carried by and extends between the side plates 4, is-a right-angled lever 51, one arm, 52, of which extends forwardly and is pivotally connected with the forward end of frame 6 by .a link 53 so that when the forward end of the right-angled lever is raised, the type frame connected therewith will be lifted, and vice versa, the upward movement of the frame being sufficient to release the ear 16 of the type rack from the slide 24 and to brlng a tooth 54 on the upper end of the rack into any one of a plurality of sockets 55 corresponding in number to the type in the rack, and being beveled in order to automatically position the rack, so that the type characters will fit properly beneath the feeding port in the top of the apparatus. The rear arm 57 of the lever 51 extends upwardly and has a forwardly directed latch 58 pivotally connected therewith, the front end of the latch being provided'with a head 59, which projects beneath a cross-bar 60 that is carried by and extends between the side plates 4 and is held against the bar by a spring 61 which is connected with the base of the latch and tends to yieldingly lift the head 59. The upper edge of the head 59 is beveled outwardly in order that it may slide along the bar, and the lower edge thereof is parallel with the upper edge in order that the head may travel snugly but smoothly between the bar and a buffer 63 which is carried by the side plates 4 and further serves as a stop for the right-angled levers 51 livotally connected with the rear arm 57 of the right-angled lever 51 are bars 64, which extend rearwardly beneath the type frames and have bifurcatedrear ends adapted for support on a-plate 65, which is secured to and extends between the side plates 4, the lower leg of the bifurcated bar being longer than the upper end,'for a purpose presently set forth. v

Pivotally mounted on studs 66 at the front of the apparatus, and extending rearwardly therefrom at the outside of plates 4, are levers 67 and bars 67 the former having their rear ends turned downwardly adjacent the ends of the bars 64 to form the heads 68, the upper endsof which are connected by a rod 69 and the lowerends thereof by a rod 70, the rod 69 being extended through an inverted U-shaped opening 71 in the side plates 4 and across the pro ecting leg of the bar 64.

Pivotally mounted on the rod is a rocker bed 72 (Fig. XVIII) having pins 73 projecting laterally therefrom and adapted for engagement with the forwardly facing edges of the recessed part 71 of "the plates 4,

into which the pin 73 I pass on the upward travel of the bed, the

tact with the edges of the recess.

pins 76 on cars 77,

Pivotally mounted on from the rear edges which project forwardly of the recessed portions of the plates 4, are arms 78, each of which has a lip 79 overlying the edge of the recessed portion and held yieldingly thereagainst' by a spring 80 which connects the arm with a pin 81 on the corresponding plate 4, the forward projection of the ears 77 resulting in an inclined position of each lip 79, so that the upper edge only of the lip contacts the edge of the plate 4, to provide a mouth at the lower end of the lip on the rocker bed ma upper ends of the lips being also beveled so that after the rocker bed pins have passed up beneath the ears, they will be conducted over the outer faces of the lips'on downward travel of the bed, and thereby force the bed forwardly, so that the head 82 on the loose end of the bed is forced into contact with the ends of the long legs on the bars 64, to move said bars forwardly and reset the latches 58, or as many of them as have been tripped. One of the arms 78 is provided withan-extension 83 which is pivotally connected with a forwardly directed slide arm 84,-having an inwardly offset tip 85 projected into the groove 25 wherein the type carriage slide is adapted for travel, in order to push the slide backwardly when the latter is at the rearward limit of its travel, and under conditions of operation which will be presently described.

Pivotally mounted between the levers 67 and bars 67' are levers 86 (Fig. 11) which extend upwardly through slots 87 in the cover 2, and are pivotally connected with an operating lever arm 88 which is rigidly fixed on a shaft 89 that is journaled in bearings 90 on the top of the apparatus, and is provided with a head 91 having finger holds 92 by Which'the arm may be manipulated, it being apparent that when the lever arm is revolved to bring the head 91 toward the top plate 2 the lever's 67 and bars 67' will be raised, and that the raising of the levers 67 will lift the rocker bed 72. It is also apparent that when one of the latches 58 has been released to allow a particular type frame to pass to discharging position, its bar 64 is projected backwardly until the short leg thereof overlies the rod 69 on the levers 67 so that when the levers 67 are raised, as described, the'bars64 will be lifted therewith.

Extending transversely across the apparatus between the plates 4, and slidably mounted in apertures 93 in the plates 65,

and in apertures 94 (Fig. XIII) in flanges 7 of the type rack frames, are push bars 96, each ofvwhich has a laterally turned boss 97 projected between the-legs of the bifurcated end of an individual bar 7 4 and adapted for free movement therein, so that when the bar 64 is lifted by the rod 69, as heretofore described, the push bar will be raised to engage one of the type members in a corresponding rack' and push same feeding port 99 in the top of the casing, and into "a type' carriage, which will presently be described.

The type nism, which carriage and printing mecha- I prefer to employ as a part of the apparatus, consists of a frame 100 comprising spaced arms which are rigidly mounted on a shaft 101 which is journaled in bearings=102 on the top plate 2. Fixed to and extending between the ends of the frame arms is a block 103 having forwardly projecting ribs 104 forming compartments 105 over the type racks in line with the port 99 through which type is fed over the racks 6, the head having grooves 106 in its lower edge in line with the ribs 104 into which lips 107 (Fig. XIII) on the type rack frames are adapted to project to center the frames so that the type may be properly projected through the feed port, the lower edge 0 block 103 being beveled ,to assist in directing the type members to the carriage.

Fixed to the block 103 and extending thereacross in front of the compartments 105 is a bar 108 for holding the type members loosely within the compartments after the members have been projected thereinto and prior to the closing of the carriage clamp.

The clamp for holding the type members in the carriage comprises slide bars 109 which are adapted for longitudinal travel along the frame arms 100 and carry a plate 110 having a rib 111 extending longitudinally along its inner face and adapted for projection into the groove 22 of the type -members, and having a bed 112 on its lower edge adapted to pass beneath the bottoms of said members and support same within the carriage, the body of the plate having a recess 113 adapted for receiving the cross-bar 108 when the plate is moved toward the carriage block. The arms 109 are provided with a cross bar 114 and with brackets 115 (Fig. XX) for engagement by cams 121 that are'fixed on the shaft 89 which carries the main lever arm 88, the forward faces of the cams being rounded and the cams being so arranged on the shaft that as the lever arm is raised and thecarriage brought over the type feeding port the rounded faces will contact the brackets riage clamp forwardly to open the carriage for the reception of type, and that as the lever arm is loweredthe cams will engage through a v 115 to move the car-- the cross-bar 114 and move the clamp back to grip the type within the carriage.

Rigidly secured to the end of shaft 101 are disks 122 having peripheral teeth 123 adapted for engagement by racks 124 on the main lever arm 88'so that as said lever arm is turned on its pivotal mounting the racks will engage the tooth disks and cause the shaft 101 to revolve to carry the carriage frame about through the arc of a circle, the lever arm and type carriage being so arranged'that the carriage swings'between' the arms of the lever, and so that type carried in the carriage may be projected through a slot 125 in the head 91 that is carried by the lever arms, a cushion 126 being mounted on a boss 127 at 'the'front of the frame in position for receiving the impact of the type, and upon which articles I to be marked are placed prior to the opera- '85 tion of the type carriage.

In order to hold the clamp 110 to the carriage block 103, while the carriage is moving through its printing swing, I provide the bearings 102 with arcuatile slots 128, and the arms 109 with pins 129 which are adapted for travel through said slots while the carriage frame is traveling through its printing swing and thereby positively holding the clamp to the carriage head.

In order to stiffen the carriage frame I provide same with a cross bar 130 which is rigidly fixed to the arms 100 and projects through slots 130 in the clamp arms so as not to interfere with the longitudinal sliding movement of the clamp arms, and in order to hold the clamp to the carriage before the pins reach their position in the slots I provide springs 131, which are connected with the arms 100 and with the arms 109' and serve to yieldingly hold the clamp against the carriage block prior to the positively locking actuation of the pins 109 in the bearing slots.

In order that the carriage may center over the type feeding port I provide the arms 100 with laterally projecting bosses, 132 which are adapted for wiping engagement with blocks 133, that are pivotally mounted on pins 134 carried by the main lever arms and adapted for adjustment by the screws 135 that project through brackets 136 on said lever arms and carry springs 137 whereby the brackets 133 are held yieldingly in adjusted position. y

In order to cushion the printing lever arm when it is lowered at each printing operation, I provide plungers 139 which are adapted for vertical movement in wells 140 that are carried on the top plate of the apparatus andwork against springs (not shown) contained within said wells, the lever arms beirig provided with buttons 141 which are adapted to contact the upper ends of the plungers at about. the time the'lever 1:0

arm reaches-its lowermost position, theplun arm of the lever being connected with a.

spring 147 whereby the bufler roller is yieldingly projected toward position for engagement by the descending end of the type carriage clamp, and being adapted for engagement by astop 148 whereby the bell crank lever is stopped whenthe-roller is in proper position. lhe other arm of the bell crank ever (Fig. H) has a latch 150 pivotally mounted thereon and provided with a pointed end 151 which is adapted to drop into a notch 152 in thebar 33 when said bar is at the outer limit of its travel, in order that the bufier may be manuallymoved back out of the path of the type carriage when it is desired to lower the carriage into receiving position without using the force necessary to drive the louder out of the carriage path.

In order to distribute the type members from the carriage back to the racks after the printing operation,

I provide an ejector 15% comprising an inverted ll-shaped memher, the sides 155 of which lie along opposite sides of the plate 4: with their lower ends projected between the levers 67 and bars 67' said lower ends of the ejector legsbeing' provided with slots 156 through which pins 157 that are carried by the levers 67 and bars 67 are projected, so that the ejector has limited vertical play relative to the levers 6'? and bars '67 and may pivot on the pin 157 Springs 158 are connected with the lower ends of the ejector legs and with the bars 67 and tend to throw the upper end of the ejector to the back limit of its travel Where it will be clear of the type carriage, so that the latter may swing through its pivotal are without interference from the ejector plate, the backward pivotal movement of the e ector throwing notched parts 159 of the'e ector legs against the stop 148 for the buffer 143, and a step 160 that projects from the side plate 4 at the opposite side of the frame, to provide for the backward pivotal movement of the ejector and limit' the rearward travel thereof. In order to bring tiIBGJBCtOI back type carriage, If provide the rocker bed 72 with arms 162 which are pivotallyconnected with the ejector legs through links-163; so that whcnthe levers 67 are lowered and? the 146, which are 169, which is adapted to plns being so to a perpendicular position over the.

pins 73 moved over the lips 7 9 the links serve to pull the ejector forwardly and downwardly along the slots 156 so that an ejector plate 164' will engage the ends of the type members in the type carriage, push same back to their proper positions in the racks, and quickly return a short distance as the pins 7 3 snap 0d the lips 7 9, the lowering of the bars 64 and levers- 67 serving to remove the push bars 96 as the ejector is lowered, to makeway for the type members, the push bars having been retained in the spaces in the type racks left by the type members when the latter are movedinto the carriage,

in order to retain the proper spaces for the typemembers when the latter are moved back'froni-the carriage.

Operating synchronously with, and forming part of the type carriage mechanism, is aninking deviceeomprising a body bar 165 which lies between the arms-of the type oarriageframe and hasa longitudinal slot 166 through which the crossbar 11 1 is projected, sothatthe body bar of the inking device may slideon the cross-bar 114. end of the body bar has an ofiset' shank 16'? upon. which a pad 168 is rigidly mounted and adapted, through the mechanismpres entlydescribed, for projection to an inking contact with the faces of the type members carried by the carriage and for retreat back of the carriage head to contact with a pad r covering the inkmg pad when the machine is at rest, to prevent same from becoming soiled; The inner end of the body bar 165 is also oitset and projected between cam plates l171 on the rod 130 that is carried by the carriage arms'lllll. The cam plate 170 ,haspins 173 projected laterally therefrom adjacent one edge and adapted for meshing with a c'ircumferential rack 1-74 on the upper edge of the bearing 102, within which the main carriage shaft 101 is journaled, the cams and arranged, however, that when the inking pad is idle the cams-pins would miss the rack'teeth unless'the cam-were pivoted on its shaft in order to throw the teeth inm mesh. 'lo-accomplish the initial pivotal movement of the cam, I provide the plate I'm-with a pawl 175 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 176 which'projeets laterallyfrom the cam plate, and. has a spring 177 whereby it is yieldingly tensioned outwardly against a stop pin 178. When the pawl isidl'e its end rests adjacent one end The outer rack teeth with the cam during the otal movement of'the cam will throw the body bar, and the padwhich is carried thereby, outwardly, lifting the pad from its cushion. and eventually bringing the face of the pad into contact with the faces of the character members carried by the carriage. The pivotal movement of the cam, brought about through the meshing of the pins, produces the inking travel, the return travel of the inker to its rest position being induced by the opposite cam plate 171. The plate 171 has circumferential rack teeth 180 arranged oppositely to the pins on plate 170 and adapted for engaging a segmental rack 181 which is supported on the top of the casing, immediately following the forwarding operation of the inker, contact between the racks 180 and 181 being made before breaking of the contact between pins 173 and 174, so that the cam member is under a constant positive actuation by the oppositely arranged racks entire forward travel of the inker. As the inker reaches its forward limit, and the rack 180 leaves its contact with the rack 181, the cam is thrown back to its original position by a spring 182 which is mounted on the shaft 101 and on a pin I 183 that projects from the face of the cam danger of in ury account of interference by the pad, 1s obengage one of I plate 171, the returning of the cam to its original position throwing the pins 17 3 I out of the path of the rack 174, so that when the type carriage is turned back to its first position the pins will not contact with the rack, and the inking padwill rest in its idle position against the pad 169. The spring 182 also serves to throw the cam, immediately upon release of the rack 180 from the stationary rack 181, so that the inker is thrown quickly away from the type carriage, and

' to the inker orcarriage, on

viated. By providing the V spring illustrated in the drawings it is apparent that the spring will act to retain the cam in idle position at both limits of its travel, or whenever the cam is free from the racks, so that it is necessary for some cam part to positively the rack parts in order to produce operation of the inker.

The single key mechanism for successively releasing the independent type'racks comprises a carriage 185 having supporting bars 186-187 by which it is pivotally mounted :on the side plates 4 so that the carriage may pivot vertically in front of the type rack frame. Depending from the bar 187' are arms 188, each having ears 189 at their lower ends. Pivotally connected withthe ears 189 is a trip lever 190 having an upturned arm 191 at its forward end which is an inturned ear 192 directed cam 193. Pro about the center of 195, and pivothaving a forwardly jectin inwardly from the trip lever 190 is an arm mamas ver, 11 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 203 carried by the adjacent side plate 4, and

link 196 which extends upwardly has a finger 20,5 projected through a slot 206' i in the cover 2, and provided with a button "207 whereby the lever may be lowered against the tension of a spring 208, having its respective. ends connected with a hook 209 on the trip lever and a hook 210 depending from the under face of the cover 2. The trip carriage is yieldingly supported in initial or upper'position by a spring 211 which is connected with the lower end of the forward depending arm 212 on the under face of the top plate 2, so that the spring normally holds the carriage at the upper limit of its travel, but yields to allow the carriage to be forced downwardly on its pivotal mounting when the top of the slotted part 199 of "the bar 198 pin 200 when the trip lever is lowered.

Fixed on the forward ends of the bars 1-86187 is a head 214 having a depressed body portion forming a chamber 215 and mounted on is an apron 217 having above the heads 59 of the latches 58, the end of the push bar being reduced so that when the trip carriage is lowered the bar will contact the particular latch which it overhangs at the time of the lowering of the trip carriage without touching or interfering with any of theother latches,in order to insure the release of but a single type rack at any one time. J ournaled in the ends of the head 214, and extending through the chamber 215, are pins 219220; the latter being adapted for longitudinal slidlng movement in its bearthe rails 216 in'gs, and the central portion of each being provided with notches 221 on its outer face. One'end of the rod 219 has collar 222 which holds it against lon 'tudinal movement in its bearings, and the corresponding end of the rod 220 is provided with a divided collar 223, the members of which lie'on opposite sides of the'cam 193 of the trip lever arm 191, so that when the trip engages the a depending push bar 218 located.

lever is rocked the 188'and with a hook lll rod 220 will be moved longitudinally within its bearings in the head 214.

rod 220 is pushed laterally, upon depression that when the lower I The apron 217 has apertures225-226 in line with the rods -219' 220 and pawls 227.-228 are slidably of the single trip lever, engaged by one of the ratchet teeth 221 on the rod 220 and the apron moved one space along the carriage head. As the apron is moved by the pawl and notch combination, the pawl 227 slides over the notched part of theupper pin 219 and holds. the apron against backward movement, which is induced by a lever 230, connected with the apron by a link 231, and pivotally mounted at 232 on the adjacent side plate 4, a spring 233 being connected with the lower end of the lever and with that there is always a tension tending to return the apron to its initial position.

Fixed on one end of each of the rods 219220 is a lever 235, the outer end of which connects with a rod 236 having a hooked end 237 engaged in a slot 238 in a bell crank lever 239 that is pivotally mounted on one of the side plates 4. The opposite arm of the bell crank lever has a slotted bar 240 projected over a post 241 on the adjacent bar 67 so that after type has been set in the type carriage, and the main printing lever is lowered to remove the ejector from the carriage head, upward movement of the bar 6'8" will rock the bell crank lever, which in turn rocks the links 236 to revolve the pins 2l9220 so that the notched parts move beneath their pawls and are released therefrom, with the result that the apron is automatically returned to its initial position, thepawls sliding over the smooth portions of the pins during the back travel of the apron.

In order to lock the trip lever mechanism and prevent the release of a type rack except when the carriage is in position to properly receivethe type members, ll provide a lock bar 242 which is pivotally mounted on bell crank levers 243 and provided with a spring 244- whereby it is yieldingly held in elevatedposition. The bell crank levers are connected by a link 245 so that actuation of one of the levers will actuate both in order that the ends of the lockbar may move evenly, and one of said levers is connected through a link 246, with an car 24? on the trip lever arm 198, so that when the trip lever is lowered the bell cranks are rocked to lower the lock bar 242. The bar 242 is, however, provided with a laterally directed pin 248- which is adapted for engagement with an arm 249 that is pivotally mounted on the link 86 and adapted for loose travel over a sleeve 149 to which the rear end of the trip lever arm 187 is secured, when the arm is elevated by the downward actuation of the main printing lever. When the printing carriage is in receiving position over the type racks and the bar 96, and connected parts, are in their lowered positions, the arm 249 will be spaced from the lock bar so that the latter the pawl 228 will bea part of the casing, so 7 lug 16 on the rear end may lower and allow thetrip lever and its releasing parts to operate to release the type racks-successively. The lower edge of the lock bar 242 is provided with teeth 250 which are adapted for engagement with a tooth 251 on the slide 24, so that when the slide is in any of its various positions, and the lock bar is lowered, the teeth 250 will engageopposite sides of the slide teeth and hold the slide firmly in position.

In using the apparatus, presuming the parts to be constructed and assembled as described, and it is desired to mark laundry with the-initials A B C, the printing lever arm 88 is moved to the vertical position (Fig; Ill) so that the type carriage will be over the port 99 and the ejector plate within the carriage, the carriage proper being held open by the cams 121. With'the' carriage in place, the pointer arm is moved over the arch until the pointer overlies the letter A. By having the pointer arm connected with the slide bar 28, as described, and by having all of the type racks connected with the slide 24 through the rocker plates, when the pointer arm is moved ineither direction the slide travels relatively thereto and moves all of t e type racks forwardly or back, so that when the pointer overlies an indicated character on the arch a like character in all of the type racks will be in position beneath the-feeding-port that underlies the carriage. When the pointer is in proper position, and the racks set as described, the trip lever 11 is pushed downwardly to release the first type reek, the releasing operation being as follows: Downward movement of the trip lever lowers the slotter arm 198 and rocks the bar 190 so that the lower sliding rod 220 moves laterally along the head 214 until the finger 218-is directly over the head of the latch 58'controlling the first type rack frame, and the pawl 227 moving over the upper rod 219 until it engages the first notch 221 therein, and the lower pawl 228 engages a corresponding notch in the lower rod 220. Continued depression of the trip lever causes the upper end of the slotted part of the bar 198 to engage the post 200, and rock the trip carriage comprising the bars 186-187 downwardly, the lowering of the trip carriage causing the finger 218 to push the latch 58 oil" of the bar '51 so that the spring 56 can draw the latch and the angle lever 57, on which the latch is mounted, backwardly, thereby lifting the first type frame to bring the type members in the rack carried by that frame into close relation When the frame is lifted as described, the of the rack is lifted out of the rocker bars in the slide 24so that particular rack is and the point 54 at the top of the rack projects into a notch in the under face of the top cover to properly register the type memto the feeding port.

entirely free of the slide,

her with the feeding port. As the trip lever is moved downwardly the rack bar 242 is moved downwardly through its bell crank mounting and link connections with the slotted'bar 198, so that the teeth on the rack lie at opposite sides of the tooth 251 on the slide to hold the slide steady while the type rack is being removed therefrom. As soon as pressure is removed from the trip lever the spring 212 pulls the lever back into initial position, the trip carriage returning to upper position and the lower bar moving back to the left, its notched face sliding under the lower pawl 228, the apron being held, however, in its advanced position over the first type rack latch by engagement of the upper pawl 227 with the first notch in the upper vrod 221.

Having set the first type rack, the pointer arm is moved to bring the pointer over the letter B on the arch, such movement carrying all of the typeracks, except the first, longitudinally until the B characters are beneath the feeding port 90. The trip lever is then again lowered with the result that the second notch of the lower rod 221 engages the lower apron pawl and moves the apron to position over the second type rack latch, and continued downward movethe slide operated 85 ment of the trip lever pushes the latch to release the said second type rack frame as described relative to the first frame. The second type rack frame is then released and to bring the remaining type rack frames into position with the 0 characters beneath the feeding port'and the push lever is again operated to release the third frame. As eachof the type rack frames is thrown upwardly to its set position by elevation of the forward arin 52 of the angled'lever 51, the rear arm 57 of said lever is thrown backwardly, moving the upper leg the pin 69 on the bar 6 1, so that when all of the characters are set the upper legs of the bifurcated parts overlie said pin. With the parts soarrangedI-the printing leverarm is pulled backwardly so that it lifts the bars 67 and 67 and through them lifts the ejector frame 155 to remove the tongue 164: from the type carriage in order to make room for the type characters. Simultaneously with the lifting of the bars 67 and 67' and the ejector frame, the pin 69 lifts the bars 64: whichhave the upper legs of their bifurcated portions overlying said pin, the upward movement of said bars lifting the relative push bars 96 so that the upper ends of the bars push against the lower ends of the type characters inrelative racks which are located thereabove, and push said characters out of their racks into the type carriage, the upper ends of the push bars remaining" in the spaces left by the ejected type members m order to prevent adjacent members of its bifurcated rear portion over 126. As the printing bers, so that said members are held rigidly .within the type carriage, the cams coming to rest against the bar 11-1 to hold the clamp positively in place. Further downward movement of the printing frame brings the racks 124: into contact with the circumferential racks 122 on the shaft 101 to which the carriage frame is fixed, so that downward pressure on the printing frame will tend to revolve the shaft and the carriage frame which is fixed thereon. As the carriage frame starts to revolve, the pins that project laterally from thesides of the inking cam plate 170 are brought into prox-' imity to the segmental rack 104 and the first teeth of said rack engages the pawl 17 5 and pushes the inking cam against the tension of spring 182 until the rack teeth on said plate mesh with the teeth of the segmental rack 104. When the teeth mesh, continued movement of the carriage frame causes the cam plate to revolve, and, owing to the offset arrangement of the pad arms 165, projects the pad outwardly and causes it to contact with the face of the type members that are carried by the carriage. Immediately after the inking contact the pins on plate 170 leave their contact with the segmental rack 174:, and the rack 180 on the plate 170 is thrown into mesh with the internal rack 181 so that the connecting cam is positively moved backwardly to withdraw.

the inking pad from the face of the carriage, the connection of the cam plate with the internal rack being maintained until the plate has passed a center relative to the spring 182 when the plate leaves its contact with the internal rack and the spring acts to throw the cam plate forwardly, quickly withdraw the inking arms their limit and insure the clearing of the pad prior to the striking contact of the type carriage. After the inking operation, downward movement of the printing frame causes the carriage frame to lower, and the type carriage is eventually brought into close'proximity with the head of the printing frame, so that of the type members strike through the aperture 81 in the an article to be marked (not shown) which has previously been placed over the CllSlllOIl frame is lowered, the

and thereby the exposed ends head of the frame and against

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