US2219956A - Strip advancing device for autographic registers - Google Patents

Description

06t- 29. 1940. w GOCHNAUER 2,219,956

STRIP ADVANCING DEVICE FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Filed May 26, 1939 2 sheeis-sneex 1 g; y-W

Oct. 29. 1940. w. E. GOCHNAUER STRIP ADVANCING DEVICE FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Filed May 26, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 h l ulullllllllll Invenior;

Wa/ier Goc/mauer Patented Oct.l29, 1940 STRIP ADVANCING DEVICE FOR AUTO GRAPHIC REGISTERS Walter E. Gochnauer, Dover, N. H., assignor to American Sales Book Company, Inc., Niagara Falls, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 26, 1939, S erial No. 275,933

15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in'strlp feeding mechanism for feeding record strips and the like in writing machines such as billing machines, typewriters, autographc registers and the like. More particularly the invention relates to an improved strip advancing mechanism operating to advance the record strips in machines of the class mentioned to an extent less than a complete form length of the record strips so that the forward ends of said strips can be grasped and pulled forwardly to bring the next succeeding form length into writing position.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved strip advancing mechanism for ma- 5 chines of the class mentioned which willlfunction with certainty to advance or jog the strips forwardly and to keep the strips in correct alignment, at the same time being of a comparatively simple structure and capable of economical man'- ufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strip advancing mechanism for machines of the class mentioned provided with an improved arrangement for retracting the strip advancing pins at the end of strip advancing movement thereof, and to set the pinsagain into position for engagement with successive strip apertures.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a strip advancing mechanism for machines of the class mentioned embodied in an improved manner in a unitary assemblage that can be quickly and. easily installed in an autographic register or similar machine, and similarly quickly and easily removed therefrom.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosure of an illustrative but preferred embodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious as the disclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises thefeatures of construction, combination of elements,

and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference is had to the following detailed description and to theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a portable autographic register having the improved strip advancing mechanism installed therein;

Fig. 2 is a substantially central, longitudinal, vertical section of the register of Fig. 1, the section through the feeding mechanism being taken substantially along the broken line 2-2 of Fig. 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the register casing showing parts of the assemblage in plan;

Fig. 4 is'a fragmentary plan view of the strip i feeding or advancing mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan of the strip advancing mechanism, parts being in horizontal section; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view M taken substantially on the line 6-45 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings for a detailed description thereof, the improved strip advancing A mechanism is there disclosed as being installed in an autographic register of the portable type having a casing I0 provided with a cover I I hinged as at I! to one end of the casing so it can be raised, and provided with a spring latch l3 for holding it 2 in closed position. The cover II is formed with an opening l4 through which the record strips are exposed for receiving inscriptions thereon, and a writing palten or plate I5 is positioned directly beneath the writing opening for supporting the record strips in writing position. The platen l5 may be attached. in the register in any desired manner. As shown, it may be supported upon longitudinal upright plates one of which is shown at It, these plates rising above the bottom I! of 80 the compartment which receives the record supply.

A compartment is provided beneath the horizontal partition I! and above the bottom of the v casing in which drawer l8 for receiving loose rec- 85 0rd sheets is slidably mounted. The drawer I8 is slidably mounted for opening and closing movements within the lower casing compartment and may be provided with a spring motor l9 operatively connected thereto for effecting automatic 40 projection into open position upon release of the drawer latch l8. Since the drawer and its operative mechanism do not particularly form a part of the present invention, a detailed description thereof is unnecessary.

Record strips S of the long continuous traveler type are led from the supply compartment above the horizontal partition I'I over the rear end of the platen into Writing position beneath the writ-q ing opening l4. There may be a single long con tinuous record strip, or two or more maybe interleaved in transfer relation with each other. The supply of strips is preferably folded along transverse lines at longitudinally spaced intervals in zigzag fashion into a zigzag folded supply pack S housed within the supply compartment. Blank forms S for receiving the inscriptions are arranged at longitudinally spaced intervals along the record strips S while transverse weakened severance lines S are arranged between adjacent blank forms thus dividing each record strip into a longitudinal series of form sheets. Feed controlling apertures S are also provided in each form sheet of the. strips, being arranged in longitudinal series. One or more of these series of apertures may be provided in a record strip, two such series being shown for cooperation with the two pins of the strip advancing mechanism described below.

In cases where more than one record strip is used a carbon sheet or strip C is preferably provided for each additional record strip so as to transfer the inscriptions thereto. The carbon strip or strips may be assembled into a supply roll C housed in an appropriate space in the casing and controlled by a spring pressed plate 20. The carbon strips C extend from the supply roll C across the platen and may be clamped in their operative positions at their free end portions at the opposite edge of the platen by means of a swinging clamping bar 2|.

As particularly shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5 the advancing mechanism for the strips S is mounted in' a frame 22 attached in position within the register casing. This frame embodies upright metallic channel members 23 the forward flanges of which lie adjacent to the forward casing wall and may be attached thereto in any convenient manner by screws, rivets, bolts, and the like. The supporting frame also embodies an upper substantially horizontal supporting plate 24 extending continuously substantially between the channel members 23. The supporting frame plate 24 is preferably integral with the webs of the channel members 23, these frame elements being preferably fabricated from a single metallic plate bent or pressed into shape. The supporting plate 24 as shown lies immediately beneath the platen l5.

Attached to the underside of the frame plate 24 are two longitudinally extending guide plates 25 laterally spaced apart and formed at their inner longitudinal edges with grooves in which a slide plate 26 is confined and mounted for longitudinal sliding movement. This slide plate forms a part of the sliding carriage for supporting the strip advancing pins later described.

At its rear portion the slide plate 26 is provided with supporting lugs 21 to which the pin carrier plate or element 28 is pivotally attached. The carrier plate 28 at its forward part has two oppositely disposed carrier arms 29 on each of which is mounted one of the strip advancing pins 30. Each of these pins is adapted to enter strip apertures S and has rounded surfaces for engaging in the circular apertures.

Detents or detent plates 3| are pivotally mounted at 32 for horizontal swinging movement on the underside of the carrier plate 28. A guide or. keeper plate 33 is attached to the underside of the carrier plate 28 as by welding or riveting, extending transversely over the detents 3| so as to provide a support for said detents. The keeper plate is spaced slightly below the carrier plate 28 providing a space in which the detents 3| move. Operating springs 34 are attached as at 33 to the under side of the carrier plate 28 having their forward upturned end portions in engagement with the outer sides or edges of the detents 3|. These springs 34 are tensioned to urge the detents toward each other into their normal operative positions.

A plate spring 36 is attached near its rearward extremity as at 31 to the slide plate 26 extending through an opening 38 near the rearward end of the carrier plate 28 and engaging near its forward extremity with the lower surface of the keeper plate 33. The plate spring 36 is tensioned so as to tend to swing the carrier plate 28 upwardly on its pivotal mounting 21 and to carry the feed pins upwardly into their normal operative positions.

Attached to the frame plate 24 or integrally formed therewith is a cam plate 39 located in a position to engage at its rearward downwardly inclined cam surface 39' with the forward edge 48 of the carrier plate 28. This cam plate 39, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, has its downwardly inclined part positioned adjacent to the detents 3| that travel forwardly and rearwardly during the longitudinal reciprocation of the carrier plate 28. When the carrier plate is swung downwardly on its pivotal mounting 21 the lower end of the cam plate 39 will engage with the upper surfaces of the detents 3| which are urged inwardly to normal operative position by the springs 34. The forward ends of the detents 3| have inclined cam surfaces 4| positioned adjacent to the cam plate 39 and cooperating with the latter to urge the detents outwardly on their pivots 32 away from their normal operative holding positions, as later more fully described.

For effecting longitudinal reciprocation of the pin carriage manually an operating rock shaft 42 is mounted in appropriate hearings in the channel members 23 of the frame 22. This operating shaft is extended at one end through the casing and is provided with an exterior operating handle 43. A spiral spring '44 surrounds the operating shaft 42, being anchored at one end to the frame 22 and its opposite end to the shaft, and being tensioned so as to normally urge the shaft in reverse direction, tending to move the pins 30 into their rearward or initial position. The connecting crank or plate 45 is firmly attached to the operating shaft 42 and has spaced connecting arms 46 carrying connecting pins 41 engaging in elongated slots 48 provided in connecting lugs 49 that are attached to the forward extremity of the slide plate 26. It will thus be seen that rocking movement of the operating shaft 42 will cause, through these operating connections, longitudinal reciprocation of the slide plate 26 and of the pin carrier plate 28. The slide plate 26, together with the pin carrier plate 28 pivoted thereto form the principal elements of the iongitudinally reciprocating carriage for carrying the pins forwardly and rearwardly in their strip operating movements.

From the foregoing detailed description the operation of the improved advancing mechanism will now be clear. It will be noted that the pin carriage and pins 30 will be normally urged into their initial or retracted position, shown in Fig. 2, by means of the spring 44 and the operating connections of the shaft 42 with the pin carriage. In this position the pin carrier plate 28 is swung upwardly on its pivot 21 into its normal operative position by the spring 36, and the pins 30 will be engaged in the apertures S of the record strips. The cam plate 39 will be interposed between the detents 3| holding them apart slightly in inoperative positions against the pressure of springs 34.

After the desired inscriptions have been made upon the record strips, it is usually desired to move the inscribed form sheets forwardly from the machine and to sever them along the perforated weakened lines S from the complete strip supply. This-can be quickly and easily accomplished as follows:

Through the operating handle 43 the operating shaft 42 is rocked forwardly in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, thus urging the pin carriage including the pin carrier plate 28 forwardly and advancing the strip so that the forward end portions thereof are projected through the exit opening 50 into position so that the projecting ends can be easily grasped to complete the forward movement of the inscribed form sheets. During the first part of this movement the pins 30 remain in strip engagement, but as advancement proceeds the inclined cam surface 39' of the cam plate 39 engages the forward edge of the carrier plate 28, thus swinging the carrier plate 28 downwardly on its pivot 21 against the resistance of the spring 36 so as to withdraw the pins 30 from the strip apertures. Withdrawal of the pins from the apertures does not occur until the forward ends of the strips have been projected through the opening 50 into position to be grasped. When the pins have thus been withdrawn, the advancement of the inscribed form sheets can be completed manually by grasping the forward ends and pulling them forwardly and severing them along one edge of the opening 50 along the severance lines S When the pins have thus been withdrawn from the apertures, as described, they are prevented from reentering the same apertures by engagement of the lower end of the lug or cam plate 39 with the upper surfaces of the detents 3|. In order to accomplish this the detents 3|, which were previously held apart by interposition of the cam plate 39, are swung inwardly by their springs 34 just as soon as the detents are swung downwardly sufliciently to clear the lower end of the cam plate 39. When the detents are thus moved inwardly the upper adjacent surfaces thereof are engaged by the lower end of the plate 39; both of the adjacent upper marginal parts of the detents are now engaged by the end of plate 39 so as to prevent the carrier plate from immediately swinging back again into its normal operative position. The carrier plate 28 is thus held in its downward or retracted position until the end of the plate 39 slides off the outer ends of the detents. The carrier plate 28 is then immediately returned by its spring 36 to its normal operative position, the upper ends of the pins 30 then resting against the lower surfaces of the record strips rearwardly of the strip apertures from which they have just been withdrawn, and being yield-' ingly urged against the lower strip by action of the spring 36. When the pins are in this position the strips are pulled forwardly by hand without hindrance by the pins, as above described, thus bringing the next successive set of blank forms into writing position. The pins will thus be urged into engagement with the next succeeding pair of strip apertures S as the strip is being pulled out so as to position and align the strips with the blank forms in the correct writing position.

As the carrier plate 23 retracts to move the pins rearwardly, as above described, the detents 3| similarly move rearwardly with their upper adjacent surfaces slidably engaging the lower end of the plate 39. When the holding plate 39 reaches the outer ends of the detents it engages with the inclined cam surfaces I so as to swing the detents outwardly away from each other to their inoperative positions, this movement being effected automatically when the carrier plate 26 is swung upwardly into its normal operative position. The detents are held in operative position by engagement of the inner edges thereof with the plate 39 until the carrier plate 28 is again swung downwardly to withdraw the pins in the next succeeding advancing operation.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the advancing mechanism is operated very quickly and easily by a single stroke of the operating handle 43 to advance the forward ends of the strips from the opening 50. The return movement of the advancing mechanism is effected by means of the spring 44. During the rear- Ill ward movements the pins cannot reengage in the same strip apertures which would interfere with completion of the strip withdrawal. But the pins are automatically returned to their operative position after they have been moved rearwardly out of alignment with the forward strip apertures.

Thus the improved mechanism is quick and sim- Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a

strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement and for movement to and from aperture engaging position, means for moving said carriage forwardly to advance the strips, automatic means for retracting said pin from aperture engagement at the forward part of the forward movement thereof, a pair of detents mounted side by side for swinging movements toward and away from each other to holding and releasing positions and positioned for holding said pin in retracted aperture disengaging position, means for automatically swinging said detents together into pin-holding position upon retraction of the pin from aperture engagement, and means operative during reverse movement of said pin carriage for releasing said detents and retaining them in their separated inoperative positions.

2. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described; in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement and for movement to and from aperture engaging position, means for moving said pin carriage forwardly to advance the strips, automatic means for retracting said pin from aperture engagement at the forward part of the forward movement thereof, a detent movably mounted on said carriage for movement therewith, a holding lug slidably engaging said detent during rearward movement of said carriage for holding said pin retracted in aperture disengaging position, and means for setting said detent in position for cooperative engagement with said holding lug.

3. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a, movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement and for movement to and from aperture engaging position, means for moving said carriage forwardly to advance the strips, automatic means for retracting said pin from aperture engagement at the forward part of the forward movement thereof, a detent movably mounted on said carriage for movement therewith, a holding lug slidably engaging said detent during rearward movement of said carriage for holding said pin retracted in aperture disengaging position, means for setting said detent in position for cooperative engagement with said holding lug, said detent being positioned to slide out of holding engagement with said holding lug during rearward movement of said carriage, and means for moving said carriage to bring said pin again into aperture engaging position.

4. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement and for movement to and from aperture engaging position, means for moving said carriage forwardly to advance the strips, automatic means for retracting said pin from aperture engagement at the forward part of the forward movement thereof, a detent movably mounted on said carriage for movement therewith, a holding lug slidably engaging said detent during rearward movement of said carriage and pin for holding said pin retracted in aperture disengaging position, means for setting said detent in position for cooperative engagement with said holding lug, said detent being positioned to slide out of holding engagement with said holding lug during rearward movement of said carriage, means for moving said carriage to bring said pin again into aperture engaging position, and automatic means for setting said detent in its inoperative position upon said last mentioned movement of said carriage.

5. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement, said carriage including a slide and a pin carrier element swingably mounted thereon for carrying the pin upwardly and downwardly to and from aperture engagement, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carriage and carrier element to effect strip advancement during the forward stroke thereof, and a cam member cooperating with said carrier element to swing it downwardly on said slide near the extremity of its strip advancing movement and retracting said pin from aperture engagement.

6. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement, said carriage including a slide and a pin carrier element swingably mounted thereon for carrying the pin upwardly and downwardly to and from aperture engagement, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carriage and carrier element to effect strip advancement during the forward stroke thereof, means for swinging said carrier element downwardly near the extremity of its strip advancing movement and retracting said pin from aperture engagement, means for retaining said carrier element in its downward position at the return stroke of the carriage while the pin is carried rearwardly out of aperture alignment, and means for subsequently returning said carrier element and pin to bring said pin again into position for engagement with a succeeding strip aperture.

7. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement, said carriage including a slide and a pin carrier element swingably mounted thereon for carrying the pin to and from aperture engagement, means for 1on- -gitudinally reciprocating said carriage and carrier element to effect strip advancement during the forward stroke thereof, a cam member cooperating with said carrier element to swing it downwardly on said slide near the extremity of its strip advancing movement and retracting said pin from aperture engagement, means for retaining said carrier element in its downward position at the return stroke thereof while the pin is carried rearwardly out of aperture alignment, and means for subsequently returning said carrier element and pin to bring said pin again into position for engagement with a succeeding strip aperture.

8. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement, said carriage including a slide and a pin carrier element swingably mounted thereon for carrying the pin to and from aperture engagement, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carriage and carrier element to effect strip advancement during the forward stroke thereof, means for swingingsaid carrier element away from the strip near the forward extremity of its strip advancing movement and retracting said pin from aperture engagement, a movably mounted detent for holding said pin in retracted aperature disengaging position, and means for automatically setting said detent in pin-holding position upon retraction of the pin from aperture engagement.

9. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement, said carriage including a slide and a pin carrier element swingably mounted thereon for carrying the pin to and from aperture engagement, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carriage and carrier element to eifect strip advancement during the forward stroke thereof, means for swinging said carrier element away from the strip near the extremity of its strip advancing movement and retracting said pin from aperture engagement, a movably mounted detent for holding said pin in retracted aperture disengaging position, means for automatically setting said detent in pin-holding position upon retraction of the pin from aperture engagement, and means operative during reverse movement of said pin for releasing said detent and returning it to its inoperative position.

10. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures. a

movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement, said carriage including a slide and a pin carrier element swingably mounted thereon for carrying the pin to and from aperture engagement, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carriage to effect strip advancement during its forward stroke, means for swinging said carrier element near the extremity of its strip advancing movement and retracting said pin from aperture engagement, a detent movably mounted on said carriage for movement therewith, a holding lug slidably engaging said detent during rearward movement of said carriage for holding said carrier element and pin retracted in aperture disengaging position, and means for setting said detent in position for cooperative engagement with said holding lug.

11. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement, said carriage including a slide and a pin carrier element swingably mounted thereon for carrying the pin to and from aperture engagement, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carriage to effect strip advancement during its forward stroke, means for swinging said carrier element near the forward extremity of its strip advancing movement and retracting said pin from aperture engagement, a detent movably mounted on said carriage for movement therewith, a holding lug slidably engaging said detent during rearward movement of said carriage for holding said carrier element and pin retracted in aperture disengaging position, means for setting said detent in position for cooperativeengagement with said holding lug, said detent being positioned to slide out of holding engagement with said holding lug during rearward movement of said carriage, and means for moving said carrier element to bring said pin again into aperture engaging position.

12. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement, said carriage including a slide and a pin carrier element swingably mounted thereon for carrying the pin to andfrom aperture engagement, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carriage to eifect strip advancement during its forward stroke, means forswinging said carrier element near the forward extremity of its strip advancing movement and retracting said pin from aperture engagement, a detent movably mounted on said carriage for movement therewith, a holding lug slidably engaging said detent during rearward movement of said carriage for holding said carrier element and pin retracted in aperture disengaging position, means for setting said detent in position for 00- operative engagement with said holding lug, said detent being positioned to slide out of holding engagement with said holding lug during rearward movement of said carriage, means for moving said carrier" element to bring said pin again into aperture engaging position, and means for automatically setting said detent in its inoperative position upon said last mentioned movement of said carriage.

13. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement, said carriage including a slide and a pin carrier element swingably mounted thereon for carrying the pin to and from aperture engagement, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carrier elementto effect strip advancement during its forward stroke, means normally urging said carrier element into its normal operative position, a downwardly inclined cam plate cooperating with said carrier element to swing it downwardly near the forward extremity of its strip advancing movement and to retract said pin from aperture engagement, a pair of detents mounted side by side on said carrier element for movement toward and from each other, said cam plate being positioned adjacent to said detents and forming a holding lug slidably engaging therewith to hold said carrier element and pin retracted in aperture disengaging position, and automatic means for moving said detents together into position for engagement with said lug so as to retain said carrier element in its retracted position.

14. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a movable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancing movement, said carriage including a slide and a pin carrier element swingably mounted thereon for carrying the pin to and from aperture engagement, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carrier element to effect strip advancement during its forward stroke, means normally u rging said carrier element into its normal operative position, a downwardly inclined cam plate cooperating with said carrier element to swing it downwardly near the forward extremity of its strip advancing movement and to retract said pin from aperture engagement, a pair of detents mounted side by side on said carrier element for movement toward and from each other, said cam plate being positioned adjacent to said detents and forming a holding lug slidably engaging therewith to hold said carrier element and pin retracted in aperture disengaging position, and automatic means for moving said detents together into position for engagement with said lug so as to retain said carrier element in its retracted position, said holding lug being positioned to slide along said detents out of engagement therewith during rearward movement with said carrier'element and to automatically set said detents in inoperative position.

15. In strip advancing mechanism for machines of the character described, in combination, a strip advancing pin for engaging in strip apertures, a longitudinally slidable pin carriage mounting said pin for strip advancingmovement and for movement to and from aperture engaging Position, means for longitudinally sliding said carriage forwardly to advance the strips, automatic means for retracting said pins from aperture engagement at the forward part of the advancing movement thereof, a unitary frame including a horizontally disposed frame plate supporting said pin carriage in operative position, upright flanged supporting frame members integral with said horizontal frame plate, and attaching devices connecting said 7 frame members to the machine'for removal or in-

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