US1766662A - Marking, printing, and embossing device - Google Patents

Description

June 24; 1930. M. A. G. L UEDTKEi ET Al.A 1,766,662

` MARKING, FRINTING, AND EMBOSSING DEV-ICE Filed Feb. 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l @ffm kfw@ June 24, 1930. M. A. G. LUEDTKEET AL MARKING, PRINTING, AND EMBOSSING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Smm,

4,5 is shown one of the various Vpossi Patented June 24, 1930 Unirse STATES PATENT OFFICE MAX A. G. LUEDTKE, OF WEEHAWKEN, NEIV JERSEY, AND HUGO kH.'OIEE1fl"..A.ll\l"l\l', OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MARKING, PRINTING, AND EMBOSSING DEVICE Application led February 5, 1926. Serial No. 86,314.

This invention relates to marking, print ing and embossing devices.

One ob 'ect of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for branding, embossing or applying plain or lustrous letters, ornamental designs, monograins or legends on articles made of leather, leather substitute, libre, paper, woven textile fabrics, and other materials. 'Y A Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the character described, having a single relatively fixed means for heating all the movable type letters.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved border type inember and positive moving means ther efoi' for automatically bringing said member in alignnient with thetype letters.

Still another object of the invention is the D provision of a device of the Vcharacter described, comprising few and simple parts, Vwhich shall be compact in construction, relatively cheap tomanufacture, easy and simple to manipulate, and practical and eiiicient tpl a high degree. l

Other objects ofthis invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out. Y

Certain features herein shown and de- 0 scribed are shown, described and claimed in our co-pending application Serial No.

7 6,595, filed lin the UnitedStates Patent- 0ffice on the 21st day of--December, 1925, and

matured into Patent No. 1,714,794, issued May '35' 28th, 1929,' and accordingly not claimed herein. Y

With the above exception, the invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and airangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction'hereinafter described and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which le illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying the invention. 'Y

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on A line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

shown is particularly adapted for applying` identification initial nionograins, designs orthe like to sweat bands of hats, to bags, and brief cases, and for like purposes, and is seen to comprise an elongated bed or base 11 having spaced stanchions 12 upstanding at one end thereof, the other end of said'ba'se being' provided with a raised surface or platen k13 on which the article oi' material is rested during the operation of branding, embossing, or printing, as will hereinafter be described.

A frame 14 is pivotally mounted to swing on a shaft 15 which is lixedly supported between the upper ends 12a of said sta-nchions. To retain the frame in a normally rraised position, the pivoted or rear end thereof may be made fork-shaped to accommodate a vsuitable coil Vspring 16 wound on the shaft -15 between the forked portions 14a of said end of the frame. rlhespring 16 is suitably fixed to the shaft 15, preferably at its mid-portion 16a, as by screw 17, with" the free ends 16" thereofextending to the underside ofsaid forked portions 14, as shown inFig. 1.

The spring 16 is setto urge the end 16 aga-inst the forked portions 14a fornornially retaining the frame 14 in a raised position and for automatically returning said frame to the normal position after it has been depressed. I e

Suitable detent means is provided'such as stop 17a projectii'ig'from one ofthe forli porbracing members 14C are disposed. A hollow shaft 18 is rigidly carried by said arms and members to extend transversely of the length of the frame, the members being joined tother by a cross bar letc from which there orwardly extends a handle 19 for swingably depressing the frame.

Mounted for rotation on the shaft 18 between the bracing members 11C may be one or more discs, comprising, in the form shown in the drawing, a set of three, consisting of a center disc C, a right disc R, and a left disc L. The discs R and L are adjustably mounted on the shaft 18 for moven'icnt with respect to the disc C, and each disc carries on the peripherial surface thereof, in uniform spaced relation, suitable die or type elements 20, such as letters of the alphabet, numerals, or other indicia, from which may be set up and formed a wide and varied range of desirable combinations of initials, designs, monograms, or legends, to be applied to the inaterial or article.

The discs are arranged to be releasably interlocked so as to move as a unit when the elements are set in a desired combination. For this purpose, the center disc C is mounted to revolve between the collars 21 xed to the shaft 18, said disc C being provided with one or more pins 22 having the ends 22R and 22L extending outwardly from either side of the disc C and adapted to engage in holes 23R and QSL provided in concentric rows and uniformly spaced on the sides of the discs R and L facing the pin ends 22R and 22L respectively, one hole being provided tocorrespond to each type element carried on the periphery of each disc. The mountings for said discs R and L comprise axially extending hollow shafts 24R and 24L respectively, which are slidably and rotative- 1jr-supported on the shaft 18. The discs R and L nresecured respectively to one end of the hollow shafts 24R and 24L. and said shafts have suitable knobs 25B and 25L fastened at the other ends thereof to facilitate setting said dises, as will hereinafter appear. Suitable springs 26B and 26L are provided between the bracket arms 14" and the knob ends of the hollow shafts 24R and QiL respectively, for normally retaining the discs C, R and L set so as to interlock and abut each other. (See Figs. 1 and 2.)

The ty e elements 20 carried on the peripherial surfiices of each disc may comprise the twenty-six letters of the alphabet uniformly spaced from each other.

To-simplify the construction and decrease the cost of manufacture, said elements 2() are preferably made independently of the discs and are iixedly secured in position in any suitable manner as by providing dovetail grooved spaces o, 1' and Z in each of the discs C, R and L, respectively. If desired. one or more extra grooves may be provided for receiving demountably interchangeable type elements (not shown) in the manner fully described in my aforementioned application.

The type elements 20 may be aligned and set in a desired combination substantially in the lane of the frame 14 as at V, just above the andle 19, so that the operator has unobstructed view of the aligned type elements during the setting operation.

TVith an apparatus 10 having three discs, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a desired combination of type letters, as, for exam ile, ABA, may be set up and aligned as follows: The knob 2.5L is first pulled to the left against the action of spring QGL out of its normal position, thus sliding the hollow shaft 24L and the disc L to disengage the pin ends QQL from the holesQSL in the disc L. The discs C and R are now free and by means of the knob 25B may be rotated until the desired type letter, as, for example, B, on the disc C. appears at V. Before returning the knob 25L to its normal position` it is rotated until another desired type letter, such as A, aligns with the said letter B. On releasing the knob 25L the spring QSL forces the disc L back to its normal abutting position against the disc C, the pin ends QQL re-engaging in the disc holes 23L, thus interlocking disc C and L in the desired combination. The knob 25B, is now pulled against the action of the spring QGR thus sliding the hollow shaft 24R and the disc R to the right, out of their normal abutting position against the disc C, to disengage the pin ends 22R from the disc holes 23R. The disc R is rotated free from the other discs until the third desired type letter, such as A, appears at V in alignment with the type letters already set, completing the sequence of type letters forming the desired combination. Cn releasing the knob 25B, the spring 26B returns the disc R to its normal abutting position against the disc C, and the pins 22R reengage in the disc holes 23R, thus interlocking the discs to form a unit.

To bring the desired combination of aligned type letters, ABA, from their set position at V to brand, emboss, or print the article or material M resting on the raised surface 13 of the base 11, suitable means is provided for rotating said discs as a unit into effective contacting position with said material M, as shown in Fig. Q. Said means is preferably incorporated in the construction of the apparatus 10 to automatically operate on depressing the handle 19. and is seen, from Figs. l, 2 and 3. to comprise a plate 27 secured to rotate with the hollow shaft 241i, said plate being spaced in parallel alignment with the disc L and having a concentric row of uniformly spaced perforations 27" corresponding in number to the holes in the disc L. A pin QS releasably en gages in one of said holes for controlling the movement of the interlocked discs as a unit.

Said pin 28 is carried on one end of a link 32, the other end of said link being secured to an arm 33EL of a crank member 33 mounted on the frame 14 for rocking on a pivot shaft 34, journaled in bearing lugs 35 depending from said frame. Said crank member 33 has a cam surface 36b for riding on a fixed cam 36 which is formed on an extended end of a bracket 37 rigidly secured on the bed 11 by bolts 38b adjacent the stanchion 12, as shown in Fig. 3.

rThe traveller 361 is guided to ride on the cam 36 by providing a pin 38 fixed to and projecting from the side of said crank member 33, and a guide piece 38a mounted to extend a spaced distance from said cam 36 for engaging the pin 38, as shown in Fig. 3.

rlhe operation of the means for automatically rotating the discs as a unit from the type letter setting position to their effective position for contacting with the material M will now be apparent. Gn depressing the handle 19, the frame 14 is swung downwardly and the traveler 36D, riding on the cam 36, rocks the crank member on the shaft 34 and moves the link 32 and pin Q8. The pin 28, being in engagement with the plate 27, rotates the interconnected discs as a unit on the shaft 18. Preferably the cam 36 is designed to complete the rotary motion given the discs before the frame 14 reaches its lowermost position, so that the discs are relatively stationary with respect to the frame, just before, and during the time the type letters contact with the article or material M. As shown in Fig. 3, a suitable rest 27a may be provided on the frame 14 for retaining the link 32 in position for re-engaging the pin 28 with the plate 27, after the latter has been disengaged during the setting operation of the discs described above.

Upon releasing the handle 19, the frame will automatically return to its raised position through the action of spring 16, the pin 38 and guide piece 38L being effective to return the link 32 and the dises to their nor mal position for resetting.

ylVhere ordinary or plain printing is to be done by the apparatus lO, a suitable form of ink applying device (not shown) may be used to ink the type elements in any manner well understood in the art. Such device is preferably installed just'below the handle 19 so that the type elements are inked as thediscs are revolved on the shaft 18 during the lowering movement of the frame 14 as described above.

So that the apparatus 10 may be used for branding, embossing, or applying lustrous letters, a suitable heating means for the type elements is provided. Said means may comprise. an electric heater unit 40 of any suitable construction, preferably forming a core andv fitted to extend through the hollow shaft 18, as shown inFig. 2.

Conductor wires 46 connect with the heater unit 40 and are disposed in a. channel groove '14l extending along the frame 14. The ends 46b of said conductor wires may extend through an axial opening 15a provided in the shaft 15 and may be terminated by a receptacle 47a of a detachable fitting 47 having a cap 471 adapted to be connected with a suitable electric power source (not shown) by means of a portable conductor Wire 48.

The discs C, R and L and shaft 18 are preferably made of copper, bronze, brass, aluminum or other material having a relatively high heat conductivity so that the discs are readily heated to the required working temperature by said unit 40.

1n branding or plain embossing an article, or material M, the unit 40 is first connected to the power source for heating the type letters which, after having been set, are forced against the article or material M by applying pressure on the handle 19. Y

' lly interposing a metallic foil or leaf of gold, silver, aluminum, or other metal, or composition, between the heated type letters and the article or material M, lustrous letters may be stamped or printed on the latter. For automatically feeding' such foil in proper operating sequence, a strip feeding mechanism F may be incorporated in the apparatus 10. ln the form shown in the drawings, said mechanism comprises a pair of spools 50 and 51, revolvably mounted on shafts 52 and 53 respectively, which are suitably supported from the frame bracing members 14c by depending frame portions 14e. A supply of strip material 54 is carried on spool 51. Said strip material has one side thereof coated with a metallic foil (not shown) from which the lustrous letters are formed and is fed between the type elements and the platen 13 with the coated side facing down. ,Any suitable strip material or metal foil such 'as is in commercial use may be employed.

Spaced rolls 55 and 56 are supported from a border member 76 preferably so as to extend below the normal level of the type elements for guiding the strip material 54 across the discs and to hold it out of contact therewith when the frame 14 is in raised position, as shown in Fig. 2a.

For driving the spool shaft 52, a bevel pinv ing pivotallyV mounted on the adjacent bracing member 14C. As seen from Figs. 1 and 3, the feeding mechanism F will be effective to advance the strip 54 only on the return 5 motion of the frame 14 to its raised position, when the pawl 68 and ratchet 64 will interlock the wheel 61. On the downward travel of said frame, the pawl 69 will retain the ratchet 65 against accidental reverse rotation while the pawl 68 slips over the ratchet 64, as will be readily understood.

In using the invention, the portable conductor 48 is connected to an electric power source to heat the type elements on the discs.

By mani ulating the knobs 25B, 25L, as described a ove, the discs are set so that the desired combination of letters or other devices of the type elements appears at V. A brief case or other article M is then positioned on the platen 13 and the handle 19 depressed,

thus causing the discs to be rotated as a unit to the printing position, that is, facing the platen 13. As the frame 14 descends, the type elements engage the strip material 54 to press the foil or coated side thereof against the material M. The heat from the type elements causes the foil to adhere to the material in outline to correspond to the shape or design of the type or other characters on the type elements.

To provide a border design for the type letters, there is preferably provlded a separate member 7 0, which is supported for limited movement between the bracing members 85 14 in any suitable manner as by-means of screws 71 threaded into the depending frame'` portions 14, said screws being slidably fitted through slots 70C, provided in flanges 7 0J extended outwardly from said member 70, see

As seen from Figs. Q and 3, the member 70 normally rests on the heads 71a of the screws 71, when the frame 14 is in a raised position, and the border type 70, type letters 20, and the strip material are in a nonaligned position with respect to each other.

On the downward movement of the frame 14, the border type 70 would make first contact with material M; further movement of frame 14 would project the type 20 through opening 70d in the border 70, until the flanges 70b abutted the lower sides of the depending frame portions 14, thus alignlng the border type 70 with the type letters 20, which thereafter are applied in unison to said ma- 00 teral M with the strip material.

My making border member 70 and the parts of the frame supporting same of relatively good heat conducting material with large and heavy contacting surfaces, suflicient heat will be transmitted to said member from the heater unit 40, and when the member 70 contacts with the foil, a lustrous border design will be produced on the article or material M, simultaneously with the application of the letters from the type elements. lVhen the frame 14 is again raised. the border member will drop down into its normal position, as shown in Fig. 3.

In order to positively control the movement of the border member 70 in coordination with the raising and lowering of the frame 14 so that said border will not contact the material M before it has been positioned properly relative to type letters 20, there may be provided a fork lever 80, having tines at one end thereof, said tines being disposed to engage the border member 70 between the flanges 70" thereof and outwardly projecting stop pins 70, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The other end 80b of said lever 80 may be bifurcated, and is pivoted to freely swing on a shaft 81 fixedly supported from the stationary bracket 37. A finger piece 82 is mounted by one end 82 thereof, on the shaft 81 between the bifurcated portions of the lever end 80", said piece being normally held in position shown in full lines on Fig. 3 by a suitable spring 83. The free end 82" of said piece 82 is positioned to engage lever 80 when frame 14 is lowered to bring said lever from the dotted line position of Fig. 3 to the dot and dash line position shown on said figure. Said finger, thereupon pressing against the underside of the lever 80, moves the border member 70 into its uppermost position before the printing operation takes place, and retains it in this position so long as the frame 14 is depressed for printing, permitting the border member 70 to freely drop down when the frame 14 is raised.

106 It will be seen that finger 82 will become inactive and lever 80 will become operative to move the border member 70 away from type 20 before pin 38 will have come into engagement with guide piece 38, so that the foil strip 54 will have been moved out of contact with type 20 and separated therefrom, so that there will be no possibility of sticking to said type when ratchet 64 and its associated pawl 68 become active to move said strip. It thus appears that there will be no tendency for said strip to be torn due to clinging to the type after being pressed into contact with heated type.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. An apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of sets of type elements, means for heating said elements, said means and each set of elements being mounted for individual relative rotary movement, at least one of said sets being slidably supported With respect to the other sets, and means for holding the last mentioned set While rotating the other sets to align the type elements in a desired sequence.

, 2. In an apparatus of the character described., a plurality of discs parallelly mounted for movement relative to each other, 'type elements carried by each disc, an end disc being slidably and rotatably mounted for releasablyl interlocking with a nonsslidably mounted intermediate disc to align the elements in a desired sequence.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of discs mounted for movement relative to each other, type ele ments carried by each disc, means to slide and rotate some of said disc for releasably interlocking said discs with said elements aligned in a desired sequence, and means carried independent of the discs for heating said elements, and means for feeding a foil strip past the aligned elements.

fi. in an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of discs parallelly mounted for movement relative to each other, type elements carried on the peripheral surface of each disc, an end disc being slidably and rotatably mounted for releasably interlocking With' a non-slidably mounted intermediate disc to align'in a desired sequence, and means carried independent of the discs for heating said elements. 4

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of discs parallelly mounted for movement relative to each other, type elements carriedby each disc, a border member for outlining the said elements movably mounted with respect to the later, means foir slidably and rotatably mounting'some of said discs to releasably interlock said discs aligned in a desi-red sequence, means for feeding a strip over said border member and aligned elements, means Within said mounting means for heating said discs.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a 'plurality of discs parallelly 1nount. ed for 'movement relative Vto each other, type elements carried by each disc, means for aligning said elements, means for releasably interlock-ing said discs with said elements aligned in a setting position, means for actuating said aligned elements as a unit from the setting position to a printing position and a single iiXed means for heating said discs.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of discs, means for parallelly mounting said discs for movement relative to each other, type elements carried by each disc, means for aligning said elements, means for releasably interlocking said discs with said elements aligned in a setting position, a border type member for outlining said elements mounted at a spaced distance from said setting position, means for actuating said interlocked discs for moving the elements as a unit from the setting position to align with said member for printing, said mounting means comprising a hollow shaft and a heating unit Within said shaft.

8. In an apparatus of the character de-V scribed, a plurality of discs, means for parallelly mounting said discs for movement relative to each other, type elements carried by each disc, means for aligning said elements, means for releasably interlocking said discs With said elements aligned in a setting position, means for actuating said aligned elements as a unit from the setting position to a printing position, means for feeding a strip of foil over the aligned elements` and a heating unit mounted in said mounting means.

9. in an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of discs parallelly mounted for movement relative to each other, type elements carried by each disc, means for aligning said elements, means for releasably interlocking said discs with said element aligned in a setting position, means for actuating said aligned elements as a unit from the setting position to a printing position, means intermittently driven by said actuating means for feeding a strip of foil over the aligned elements, and means independent of said discs for heating said foil.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of discs parallelly mounted for movement relative to each otner, type elements carried by each disc, means for aligning said elements, means for releasably interlocking said discs with said elements aligned in a setting position, a border type member for outlining said elements mounted at a spaced distance from said setting position, means for actuating said interlocked discs for moving the elements as a unit from the setting position to align with said member for printing, means for feeding a strip of foil over the outlined elements, and means independent of said discs for heating said foil;

1l. An apparatus of the character described comprising a shaft, a` plurality of discs mounted thereon for rotation relative to each other. and type elements carried on the peripherial surface of each disc, at least one of said discs being slidably mounted on said shaft, means for manipulating said slidable disc for vreleasably interlocking said discs Withsaid elements alignedin a desired seqiience, and means supported independent of said discs for heating the elements.

1Q. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of discs, a hollow shaft mounting said discs for movement relative to each other, type elements carried on the peripherial surface of each disc and means for slidingl and rotatably1 manipulating some of the discs for releasably interlocking said discs with said elements aligned in a desired sequence.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of discs parallelly mounted for movement relative to each other, type elements removably carried on the peripherial surface of each disc, a border member for outlining said elements on the discs movably mounted with respect thereto, and single means for heating said elements and border member.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of discs parallelly mounted for movement relative to each other, type elements carried on the peripherial surface of each disc, a border member for outlining said elements on the discs niovably mounted with respect thereto, means for heating said elements and border member, means spaced from said elements and border adapted to support an article. and means for bringing the border and elements in alignment and in contact with the article as and for the purpose described and specified.

15. In an apparatus o'tl the character described, a plurality of discs parallelly mounted for movement relative to each other, t pe elements carried on the pei-ipherial sur ace of each disc, a border member for outlining said elements on the discs movably mounted with respect thereto, means for heating said elements and border member, means spaced from said elements and border adapted to support an article, means for bringing the border and elements in alignment, means for interposing a foil between the outlined elements and the article, and means for bringing the outlined elements, foil and article in contact as and for the purpose described and specilied.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of discs parallelly mounted for movement relative to each other, type elements carried on the peripherial surface of each disc, a border member for outlining said elements on the discs movably inouiited with respect thereto, means spaced from said elements and border to support an article, means for bringing the border and elements in alignment, means for interposing a foil between the outlined elements and the article, and means for heating the elements and border mounted independent of the discs.

17. In a machine of the character described having a base, a head movable relative to said base, said head carrying printing means including a border printing device having a lost motion connection to said head, and means for automatically positioning said border printing device relative toi the printing means upon moving said printing means into position for printing.

18. In a machine of the character described, a base, a head movable relative to said base, printing means on said head, means for automatically varying the relative position of said printing means and said head, said means comprising a cam member, a border printing element mounted on said head, and means mounted on said cam for automatically moving said border printing element into relation with said printing means after said varying means has positoned said printing means in printing position.

19. In a machine of the character described, a base, a head movable relative to said base, printing means on said head, means for automatically varying the relative position of said printing means and said head, said means comprising a cam member, a border printing element mounted on said head, and means mounted on said cam for automatically moving said border printing element into relation with said printing means after said varying means has positoned said printing means in printing position, and before the printing operation.

2Q. In a machine of the type described, having a base, a printing means supported inspaced relation to said base, a border printin element normally separated from said printing means by gravity, and means iormoving said printing means to printing position, said printing element bein thereiipon movable for coacting with sai printing means.

21. In a machine of the ty e described, printing means, a border type aving a lost motion connection with said printing means, means for actuating said printing means to print, said type being normally maintained out of printing relation with said printing means. by gravity, and a device for correlating said type and printing means before said printing means has been fully actuated to print.

22. In a machine of the type described, printing means, a border type, means for actuating said printing means to print, said type being normally out of printin relation with said printing means, and a evice for correlating said type and printing means before said printing means has been fully actuated to print, so that said printing means and type will simultaneously contact the part to be printed, said device being unattached to and movable relatively to said border type.

23. In a machine of the character de scribed, printing means, and a border type mounted relative to said means and normally retained separated from said printing means by gravity and means for correlating said border type to selected portions of said printing means.

24. In a machine of the character described, printing means, and a border type mounted relative to said means and normally retained separated from said printing means by gravity, and means for moving said type into correlative position to said printing means for the printing operation.

25. In a machine of the character described, printing means, a border type associated with said means and mounted to print simultaneously With said printing means, a strip printing medium mounted relative to said type and said means, said type being provided With -means to separate said medium and said printing means.

Q6. ln a machine oit the character described, printing means, a border type associated with said means, and mounted to print simuitaneously with said printing means, and a strip printing medium mounted for movement relative to said type and said means, said type being movable relative to said printing means to separate said meliurn and said means.

27. in a machine of the character described, printing means, means for actuating said means to and from printing position, a border type associated With saidl means and mounted to print simultaneouslyk Wit-h said printing means, and a strip printing medium mounted for movement relative to said type and said means, said type'having means for holding said medium While said printing means is actuated from printing position to separate said medium and said means.

28. In a machine of the character described, printing means, a device, for automatically setting said printing means in position, a border type associated with said means and mounted to print simultaneously With said printing means, and a strip printing medium mounted relative to said type and said means, said type being automatically movable relative to said printing means to separate said medium and said taining said strip out of contact With said printing means, and When said printing means is not in the printing position.

In testimony whereof We aiiix our signatures.

MAX A. G. LUEDTKE. HUGO HOFFMANN.

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