US1450949A - Imprinting machine - Google Patents

Description

lf3-5mm@ 3 sheets sheet 2 L. HOPKINSV 'IMPRINTING MACHINE Fued sept. 25, i921 Apr. 10, 1923.

K wy Apr; 1o, 1923. www

L. HOFrKlNs MPRLNTING' MACHINE Filed sept. 25, 1921 "s sheets-snee@` s Patented Api'. l0, i923.

LAWN@ PATENT LEONARD HOPKINS, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO EATON, CRANE a PIKE COMPANY, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSET'IS.k

IMPRINTING MACHINE.

Application led September 23, 1921. Serial No. 502,650.

To aJZZ whom it may concer/lt Be it known that l, LEONARD HOPKINS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsfield, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful mprovements in Imprinting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to imprinting` niachines more particularly adapted for imprinting a name along the edge of the inturned end liap of an envelope, although it is in no manner restricted to such use.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above described character,

including a motor and interconnected yoperating mechanism, all mounted upon a single base in a compact form such as to render-the machine as a whole self-contained and portable. The advantage of so constructing the machine as to occupy a minimum amount of space, and in such form that it may be readily moved from one room to another or from one desk to another in the same room, will be apparent.

Other important features of the improved machine include a one-way clutch between the die operating mechanism and the speed reducing gearing by which it is driven. This clutch enables the operative to clamp and adjust the operating position of the imprinting dies irrespective of the movements of the motor and immediately connected parts.

Among the important features of the invention may also be mentioned an improved adjusting mechanism for the die operating` mechanism; an improved spring buffer to deaden the shock and return movement of the die carrier; an improved die clamping jai-.v for the movable imprinting die, and an improved envelope guide for facilitating` the positioning of the envelope between the dies.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention- Figure l is a side view of the improved imprinting machine, certain parts being ini dicated in section and other parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine also showing parts in section, and in which certain parts are also broken away.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through a part of' the machine taken along the line 3-3 Fig. 2, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section of the machine along the line 4-4, Fig. l, as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the machine in outline, illustrating its total length as compared with the length of the motor.

Fig. is a view of the lower jaw of the imprinting press illustrating the envelope guide, the positionof an envelope in readiness to .be imprinted being indicated in v broken lines. v

In Figs. l and 3 the upper and lower imprinting dies are designated 20 and 2l. Preferably, the upper die 20 will be constructed of suitable metal as the female die element of the pair. The lower or counter die 2l will preferably be formed of plastic material from the upper die 2O in a mannei' hereinafter described, so as to serve as the male die element of 'the pair.

rlhe die 2O is secured by clamping means, hereinafter described, to an upper jaw or die carrier 22 (Figs. 2 and 3) mounted for reciprocation iii an imprinter head 23 secured by screws or other suitable fastening devices, one of which is indicated at 24 Fig. 3) to the front end of the base or bed plate of the machine, 25.

As a means for reciprocating the die 20,

there is provided a motor 26 secured at the y rearl end of the hase 25, and having a motor shaft 27 connected by gears 28, 29 to a countershaft 30. A worm 31 connected to the shaft 30, and worm wheel 32 connected to a drive shaft 33, serves as a speed reducing connection whereby the shaft 33 is rotated by the shaft 30.

The shaft 30, gears 28 and 29, and worm and worin wheel 3l and 32', may be mounted in a housing 34, suitable bushings `and washers 35, 36 being employed to take up wear and render the machine substantially from the motor thereto.

noiseleSs. This housing may be securely mounted upon the machine base by suitable fastening means such as the screws 36.

The worm wheel 32 is not ixed to the shaft 33, but is journalled thereon and pron vided with a one-way clutch connection which permits rotation of the shaft 33 independent of movement of the shaft 30. This clutch connection, as best illustrated in Fig. 4, comprises a clutch disk 37, fixed lto the shaft 33, and having teeth 38 adapted to engage complementary teeth 39 on the extended face of the worm wheel 32. The drive shaft 33 is slidable endwise in its bearings 40, 41, and is maintained in its normal position with the clutch disk pressed firmly against the worm wheel by means of a spring 42 confined between the inner surface of a gear case cover 43 and a clutch thrust washer 44. If desired, a washer 45, of fibre or other suitable material, may be inserted between the clutch thrust washer and the clutch disk.

The worm wheel 32 may be held in its normal operating relation with the worm 31 by means of a worm wheel thrust washer 46, which may be secured to the worm wheel by suitable fastening devices, as, for example, set screws 47. If desired, bre washers 48, 49 may be inserted between the worm wheel and housing and between the worm wheel thrust washer and the gear case cover. Rotation of the clutch thrust washer 44 may be prevented by means of the screw key 50, the end of which extends into a slot 51 in the washer, thereby permitting lateral movement thereof. The screw key may be firmly held in its engagement with the washer by means of a lock nut 52.

The shaft 33 is provided with a manual operating wheel 53 v (Figs. 2 and 4) connected by means of a suitable spline or key 54, and by means of which the shaft may be shifted laterally and rotated. By means of this hand wheel the shaft may be rotated in an advanced direction, that is, in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. l and 3, without rotating the worm wheel by which it is connected to the motor. During such rota "tion the spring 42 permits the shaft to move to the right, thereby allowing the teeth 38 to snap over the teeth 37. Or, if desired, the hand wheel may first be thrust as far as possible to the right against the opposing effort of the spring 42, after which the drive shaft 33 and connected parts may be rotated rearwardly, that is, in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. l and 3, without rotating the worm wheel and connections The purpose of such manual rotation of the drive shaft will behereinafter explained'.

The 'die carrier 22 is reciprocated on rotation of the drive shaft 33 by mechanism which will now be described. This mechadepress a presser bar 57 slidably mounted between upwardly extending guide arms 58 (Fig. 3) of the die carrier 22. This Clownward movement of the presser bar 57 is com- `niunicated to the die carrier by means of a spring 59 (Fig. 3), which prevents undue pressure being exerted between the dies at the limit of a stroke. The die carrier and presser' bar are maintained in their proper aligned position during relative movement by means of a guide pin 60 extending into opposed sockets in said parts, and secured to the die carrier by suitable fastening means 6l. The extent of relative movement between the die carrier and' presser bar is limited by a pin 62 having its ends headed in the arms 58 ofthe die carrier (Fig. 3), and surrounded by a sleeve 63 in an elliptical opening 64 which traverses the presser bar. The die carrier'presser bar and connected parts are no rmally held in elevated position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, by means of a spring 65, one end of which engages the imprinter head and the other of which engages a lug 66 extending inwardly from the presser bar.

The tappet is slidably mounted in a twopart clamping disk 67, 68 (Figs. 3 and 4) having a sliding connection, as by a spline 69 or other suitable fastening device, with the drive shaft 33. The two parts of the clamping disk may be united by fastening devices such as screws 70, and may have portions which are normally slightly separated where they embrace the tappet, said parts being provided with a clamping screw 71 by which they may be drawn into firm engagement with the tappet. An adjusting screw 72, swivelled in the clamping disk by means of the saddle bolt 73, having a dowel connection with one part of the clamping disk to prevent lateral movement, has a threaded connection with the tappet by means of which its position with respect to the clamping disk may be adjusted. This adjustment is effected by first loosening the clamping nut 71, and then turning the adjusting screw 7 2 until the tappet is brought to its desired position, after which the clamping nut 7l is again tightened.

Motion is transmitted from the tappet 55 to the rock bar 56 through the intermediary of an adjustable strike plate 74 pivotally mounted at 75 in the rock bar. A spring 76, having one end connected to the rock bar and its other end connected to the strike plate, normally tends to maintain said plate in iirm engagement with the end of an adviusting screw 77, having a knurled head 78 by which it may be rotated to vary the position of the strike plate. This adjusting screw is provided with a star wheel 79 adapted to be engaged by a detent 80 secured to the rock bar and thereby heldin any position of adjustment to which it is moved.

To receive and deaden the shock at the end of the return stroke of the die carrier and rock bar when released by the tappet, there is provided a buffer 8l mounted in a. buffer head 82, and having a spring 88 by which it is maintained in a normal position determined by the setting of loci: nuts 84.. a washer 85 being inserted7 if desired, be tween the lock nuts and said head. A plug 86, of ibre or other suitable material, is secured in the lower end of the buffer to receive the impact imparted by the rock bar. rihe die 2O may be secured to the lower end of the die carrier 22 between a stationary jaw 87 extending from said carrier and a jaw 88 at one end of a lever 89, pivoted at 90within bearing elements 91 secured to opposite sides of the die carrier. As a means for rendering the jaw 88 effective and ineffective at will, there is provided an operating member comprisi'ng a disk 92 pivoted at 93 to the die carrier, and having a periphery varying in thickness so as to constitute a cam which lies between the surface of the die carrier and the upper end 9e of the lever 89. A finger piece 95, extending upwardly from the disk 92, serves as mea-ns for rotating said operating member and thereby clamping the jaw 88 against the die.

As a means for accurately positioning an envelope to be imprinted with respect to the dies, there are provided at opposite sides of the imprinter head stop plates 96 (Fig. i) which maybe adjustably secured to said head by means of clamp screws 97.

To further facilitate the accurate adjustment of an envelope to be imprinted between the imprinter dies, the invention includes a separable envelope guide 98 (Fig. 3) which may be attached to the front of the lower imprinter. jaw by means of dowel pins or other suitable fastening devices 99. rl`his guide comprises a nose piece forming an extension of the stationary jaw, and having upper and lower surfaces converging to a thin front edge 100 adapted to receive the envelope. The upper surface is preferably elet/ated slightly above the level of the part of the stationary jaw which supports they lower printing die 2l7 thereby facilitating the guiding of the part of the envelope which is to be printed over the type on said die. The guide may have one or both ends bevelled, as indicated at lOl, 102 (Fig. `6), at an angle corresponding with that between the end of an envelope and the exposed edge of its inturned end iiap. llhe envelope to be imprinted is slipped over the guide with the inturned flap uppermost until the edge of said flap abuts against the stop plates 9G. The bodyportion and enclosing flap of the envelope will be passed below the imprinter guide, so that the guide and forward edge of the stationary jaw will extend between the body portion and the flap to be imprinted. The position of the name to be im' printed along the edge of the inturned end flap may be gauged by moving the envelope edgewise until its end comes in Contact with the beveled end of the envelope guide, illustrated in Fig. 6.

it will be apparent that a device of this character is adapted to imprint envelopes irrespective of their size, and by making the envelope guide detachable the machine is adapted to imprint envelopes in which the angle between the exposed edge of the inturnod flap and the end of the envelope varies from that illustrated in Fig. 6. All that is required to adapt the machine for the imprinting of envelopes in which the inturned flap has an edge of different inclination, is to remove the envelope guide and substitute therefor another guide having its end bevelled at the proper angle.

Although the beveling of the ends of the envelope guide to conform with the angle between the envelope end and the exposed edge of the inturned end flap is a desirable feature it is7 of course7 not essential. Envelopes having end flaps of different angularity might be imprinted without changing` the guide and without the use of a` guide having a beveled end.

lt is usual to rst prepare a die 2O of metal, having the letters of the name to beimprinted depressed therein so that this die forms the female element of the pair. This die is then used as a matrix from which the counter die 2l may be formed. To this end a piece of plastic material of approximately the same surface area as the die 2O is placed in contact with said die. after first being reduced to a plastic condition by heating. The contacting` die and plastic material are then placed in a small press and subjected to sufficient pressure to form the raised letters upon the counter die. rlhe plastic element is then trimmed to more nearly the same area as the female die, and a coating of glue is applied to its under surface. The two elements, while still in contact, are then placed under the die carrier', and the carrier is lowered so as to rmly press the two die elements against the lower jaw. This is effected. irrespective of the position of the motor shaft, by turning the hand wheel. 53 in a manner heretofore explained. The female die is then clamped to the die carrier by partial rotation of the finger piece 95'. llllhen the glue has had suiiicient time to set the die carrier 22 may be elevated, thereby separating the male and female die elements 20, 2l. and the machine will then be in readiness fcr operation.

Although any suitable plastic material may be used for the construction of the counter die 2l, l have found that a material Well adapted for such purpose is employed in the construction of phonograph records `in common use. its a matter of economy, therefore, it has been practicable to use pieces of old phonogrzuah records as the material from which toA construct the counter die.

The normal elevated position. of the die carrier may be adjusted by varying the position of the buffer Sl and its plug 86. T his adjustment may be effected by properly positioning the lock nuts Sii on the buffer.

rllhe extent te which the die carrier will he depressed, and the pressure which will be exerted between the imprinting dies, may be roughly adjusted by varying the position of the tappet as hcreinbefore described. A final adjustment of the pressure between the printing dies may be effected by rotating the knurled head 78, and thereby varying the position of the strike 74 in t-he rock arm 56.

lt will be apparent from the foregoing description that the ii'nproved imprinting machine herein. disclosed comprises a compact, self-contained, portable device, which is economical of space and is. at the same time, adapted for accurate adjust-ment. lt is also adapted for a varied use in the printing of envelopes Widely differing in size, thickness and shape.

riilthough the invention has herein been illustrated and described in its preferred form, it will be understood that it is not intended to he restricted to the particular form disclosed, but that the same may be modified to suit the taste and skill of the designer Within the .scope of 'the appended claims.

l. A compact, self-contained, portable, im-

Vprinting machine comprising a reciprocating die carrier, a drive shaft, an operating connection between said shaft and said carrier, a motor, and a speed reducing driving connection from said motor to said. shaft, said parts being mounted upon a single base with the motor shaft and tie drive shaft disposed at right angles to each other and at substantially thel same level, the speed reducing connections being geared to the `motor shaft and disposed in parallel relation therewith, and having a worm and Worm Wheel connection with the drive shaft, whereby the relation of parts is such that the space occupied by the entire machine, including said motor, is not materially greater than twice that occupied by the motor alone. Y

2. A machine, as speciiied in claim l, having the motor positioned at the rear of the die carrier, and all parts of the machine including the motor confined within a space not materially exceeding the motor in height and Width, and not materially more than tivice as long.

3. fr compact, self-contained, portable, imprinting machine comprising a reciprocating die carrier, a drive shaft, an operating connection bet-Ween said shaft and said carrier, a motor, speed reducing driving connection from said motor to said shaft, a clutch between said driving connection and said operating connection, and manually controlled means for disconnecting said clutch and rotating said driving shaft independently of said motor and speed reducing driving connection.

t. A compact, self-contained, portable, imprinting machine comprising a reciprocating die carrier, a drive shaft, an operating connection between said shaft and said carrier, a motona worm having a driving connec tion from said motor, a Worm Wheel journaled on said driving shaft, a clutch connecting said worm Wheel with said shaft, and manually controlled means for disconnecting said clutch and rotating said driving shaft independently of said motor and connected worm and Worm wheel. v

An imprinting machine comprising al reciprocating die carrier, a drive shaft, and a quick return operating connection between said shaft and said car 1ier, said operating connection comprising a rock bar having one end so positioned that it may engage and depress said carrier, a strike mounted in the other end of `said bar, a. tappet mounted on said shaft in a position such that it may engage said strike and thereby rock said bar, and means for adjusting the. position of said strike in said bar so as to vary the effect of said tappet on said carrier.

6. An imprinting machine, as defined in claim 5, having means for effecting an adjustment of the tappet in its mounting on the drive shaft, whereby may be edected an approximate adiustment of the operating connectionbetiveen said shaft and the carrier` the means for adjusting the position of the strike in the rock bar serving as means for effecting the final adjustment of said operating connection.

'a'. in imprinting` machine, as defined in claim in which the strike is pivotally mounted in one end of the rock bar and is provided with a spring normally tending to move it to its least effective position With respect to the tappet, a set-screw being provided to engage and move said strike against the effort or said spring` to the desired position of adjustment.

8. in imprinting machine, as defined in claim 5in Which the strike is pivotally mounted in one end of the rock bar and is provided Witha spring normally tending to move it to its least effective position with respect to the tappet, a set-screw being provided to engage and move said strilre against the effort of said spring to the desired position of adjustment, said set-screw being provided with a head whereby it may be rotated and with springdetent means normally tending to maintain it in any position of adjustment to which it is used.

9. An imprinting machine comprising a reciprocating die carrier7 a drive shaft, and a quick return operating connection between said shaft and said carrier. said operating connection comprising a rock bar having one end so positioned that it may engage and depress said carrier, a tappet mounted on said shaft in a position such that it may first engage the other end of said bar and rock the same and then move clear ot said bar so as to release it, a spring to ett'ect a quick return of said carrier and rock bar when released by said tappet, and a spring bu'er to receive and ease the blow imparted by said parts at the ends of their return movements.

10. An imprinting machine, as specitied'in claim 9, having means for adjusting the normal position of the buffer, and thereby varying the normal position of the carrier and rock bar.

11. ln an imprinting machine7 a reciprocating die carrier having a xed diereceiving jaw, a lever pivoted to said carrier having at one end a movable die receiving jaw, said jaws cooperating to form a die clamp, and an operating member pivoted to said carrier, said operating member having a cam portion and means whereby Said cam portion may be forced between the other end of said lever and said carrier and therehy move said jaw to clamping position.

12. ln an imprinting machine, the die clamping means specified in claim 11, in which the operating member comprises a pivoted disc having a periphery of gradually varying thiclrness to form the cam portion, and a laterally extending finger piece whereby said disc may be rotated.

13. In an envelope imprinting machine, a. press comprising a reciprocating jaw, constituting a carrier for one member of a pair of dies, a stationary jaw forming a support for the counter die of the pair, a pair of stop plates-adjustably secured at opposite ends of said stationary jaw, and an envelope guide comprising a nose piece forming an extension of said stationary j aw, said nose piece having upper and lower surfaces converging to a thin front edge and having an end bevelled at an angle corresponding with that between the end of an envelope and the eX* posed edge of its inturned end nap.

14. ln an envelope imprinting machine, the envelope positioning and printing means speciied in claim 13,- in which both ends of the envelope guide are bevelled.

15. In an envelope imprinting machine, the envelope positioning and printing means specilied in claim 13, in which the envelop guide is readily detachable from the jaw of which it forms an extension.

In witness whereof, l have hereunto signed my name.

LEONARD HOPKINS.

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