US1948032A - Strip aligning and tensioning device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 20, 1934. HAGEMANN Q 1,948,032

STRIP ALIGNING AND TENSIONING DEVICE Filed May 27; 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l FJLE n m..- Q 4, u

l v ATTORNEYS.

BY WWW L. F. HAGEMANN STRIP. AL'IGNING AND TENSIONING' DEVICE Feb. 20, 1934.:

' Filed May 27, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 20, 1934'.

'L. F. HAGEMANN STRIP ALIGNING AND TENSIONING DEVICE Filed May 27 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 55 'INVENTOR. ,6 l

A TTORNEYS.

UNITED. STA

Patented Feb. 20, 1934 4 1,948,032 STRIP ALIGNING-AND TENSIONING DEVICE Louis Fred Hage'mann, Niagara Falls, N. Y., as-

signor .to v American Sales Book Company, Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a corporation of Ontario Application May 27, 1927. Serial No. 194:,765

45 Claims. (Cl. 197133) This invention relates to devices for controlling the record supplies of billing machines, typewriting machines, and the like, and, with respect to its more specific features, to devices of the 5 character referred ,to for effecting registration, with each other, of superposed printed forms printed on a large number of long paper record strips. I

One of the main objects of the invention is the provision of a practical device of the character referred to wherewith successive accurate registration of superposed printed forms may be effected safely, positively and quickly, especially when a large number of relatively superposed record strips are utilized.

Another object "of the invention is the provision of. an efiicient and simple device of the character referred to by which accurate registration of a large number of superposed printed forms may be effected and displacement of the strips from registration relative to each other positively corrected.

Other objects of the invention will in part be' obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

2 g The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements 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 fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying. drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of a billing machine equipped with the invention, the typewriting machine'being removed for clear disclosure of other parts.

Fig. 2' is a plan -of superposed paper .strips showing part lengths thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal central sectional view, broken away, of the front of the machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a substantially central vertical longitudinal sectional view of the rear of the machine of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail of a portion of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view partly broken away. of a modified rear portion of the machine.

Figs. 7 and 8 are longitudinal vertical sections of portions of Fig. 6, showing the parts in differ ent positions.

Fig. 9 showsa detail.

'55 Referring now more specifically tothe drawings, the numerals 1 indicate paper record strips suitable for manifolding use. These strips may be supplied from a packet 2 composed of a plurality of strips 1 folded zigzag along weakened lines 3 in each strip. Each strip 115 provided 5 with a longitudinal series of printed forms 4. To bring the strips in position for inscription the foremost printed forms on superposed strips are registered with each other in superposed relation, with the interposition of transfer material, such as separate carbon sheets, between superposed strips, 'so that an inscription made on the topmost printed form will be duplicated in the same relative position on the underlying forms regis -tering therewith. For each printed form two pairs of transversely alignedcircular form-registering apertures 5 are provided in each strip, the apertures and forms being in such relation to each other in each of the strips that, when the pairs of apertures of the strips are in superposed registry, the adjacent superposed forms are also in registry.

The numerals 6 indicate two front strip-aligning pins or hooks, providing a strip aligning device mounted on the frame of the billing maso chine adjacent the front end of the platen. These pins are preferably oval in cross section and smaller in cross section than the apertures 5 inthe strips 1. The numeral '7 indicates a suitably apertured clamping jaw, or plate, movable into or out of position to clamp strips 1,

which have their apertures 5 in engagement with th pins 6. Movement of theplate 7 to and from gripping position may be effected as hereinafter described. The upper side frames of the billing machine are indicated at 8, and the platen 9 may be supported thereby. It will be understood that the advance ends of superposed record strips 1 are'gripped together by the operator and lifted from the pins 6 after the plate '1 has been raised, the strips then being simultaneously advanced, fed, or pulled by the operator until the next set of superposed apertures 5 is placed in engagement with the pins 6, whereupon the plate 7 may be restored to clamping position to hold 10 the strips adjacent the pins 6. Over the platen 9 may travel a typewriting machine for making the direct inscription on the topmost record strip, as well understood.

Detachably mounted between the two side frame members 8 forming supports or supporting arms extending rearwardly of the platen 9, is Y a rigidmetal carriage support or auxiliary supporting frame which may be composed of the two oppositely disposed side members 10 and 11,

held, together by the cross pieces 12 and 13, in turn longitudinally braced by the plates 14 and 15 joining the frame members 12 and 13. The carriage support may be securely stationarily held on the frame by the four clamp jaws 16 and thumb screws 17, the latter of which may pass through openings in the frame members 10 and 11. The carriage or auxiliary supporting frame is thus demountably held in place, and it may be readily lowered into position or raised therefrom.

Mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement on the carriage support is a strip drawing frame or carriage providing a longitudinally oscillatable supporting slide composed of the two side plates 18 and 19, between which extend a number of parallel strip guide bars 20, each of which bars is rotatively mounted in the side plates 18 and 19. As will be perceived hereinafter, the bars 20 are adapted to act as gripper jaws. The numerals 21 indicate gripper fingers carried by respective bars 20. In the embodiment illustrated three gripper fingers are carried by each jaw, each gripper finger being a thin metal blade or plate fixed to the intermediate fiat under surface 22 of the bar 20, and projecting from one bar 20 into lapping relation with the next adjacent bar. The plates 21 together with the bars 20 and associated parts thus constitute a friction plate device for alignment and control of the record strips, embodying a pile or assembly of friction plates for individual cooperation with the record strips r as later more fully described. On each of the gripper carrying bars 20 is a radially extending ,bar rotating pin 23, these pins being disposed at opposite ends of alternate bars 20.

Carried by each of the side plates 10 and 11 are the transversely projecting trips, or trip pins, 24, against which the bar rotating pins 23 are adapted to contact as the carriage is reciprocated, the trip pins being disposed in the path of the bar rotating pins 23 and being spaced from each other along the line of reciprocation of the carriage. For rotating each of the bars 20 in one direction, springs are provided, these springs being indicated by the numeral 25, one end of each spring being anchored to holding pins 26 projecting from the plates 18 and 19, respectively, the opposite end of each spring having an eye engaging the base of the bar rotating pin 23, each spring partially encircling its bar 20, and the stress of the springs being adapted tocause the fingers 21 to exert a gripping elfect in cooperation with an adjacent bar 20. For supporting the drawing frame or slide for reciprocal movement, upper and lower sets of rollers 27, carried by the frame members 10 and 11, may be utilized. In

' this wise easy movement of the drawing frame is made possible. Each plate 18 and 19 thus forms a slide or slide member. The strip guide bars 20 are journaled in these slide members.

For reciprocating the drawing frame or carriage a pedal 28 fulcrumed at 29, and having an adjustable connecting rod 30 may be employed. The upper end of the connecting rod 30 is pivoted to an arm 31 of a rock shaft 32, said shaft being journalled in the supporting frame members 10 and 11 beneath the drawing frame, and having at its opposite'ends cranks 33, the outer ends of which have slots 34 (see Fig. 5) engaging the foremost of the bars 20. .In one of the side frames 10 or 11 of the carriage support is an aperture through which may project an upholding pin 35 outwardly pressed by a leaf-spring 36. The carriage support, including the side frames 10 and 11, may be pivotally mounted on the frame members 8 near its front end. This pivotal mounting may be effected by having the front screws 17 serve as pivots, and by providing a slot 37 in each of the carriage support members 10 and 11, so that the carriage support may be upwardly rotated on the forward screws 17, whereupon the pin 35 will be projected by its spring into position to engage the upper surface of a side frame 8, and thus uphold the carriage frame in convenient position for threading the record strips in relation to the several grippers of the drawing frame.

For actuating the clamping jaw 7, it is operatively connected to a lever 39 consisting of a yoke fulcrumed on an axis 40, in a system of levers, the two arms of the yoke being operatively connected to the jaw 7, through the system of levers, to raise and lower said jaw. To the cross piece 41 of the yoke is connected a depending link 42, the lower end of which is pivoted to the treadle 28 at 43, said treadle being fulcrumed at 29 on a depending stationary bracket 44. The axis is a shaft having its opposite ends in a pivotal connection with the levers 45, which are fulcrumed on the side frames 8 at 46. To the ends of levers 45 are pivoted the levers 47, fulcrumed on a cross rod 48 supported by the side frames 8, the ends of levers 47 being bent upwardly and having the clamping jaw 7 fixed thereto. On lever 47 is an arm 49, to which is connected one end of a strong spring 50, the other end of spring 50 being fixed, as to the fulcrum 46. The spring 50 causes clamping jaw 7 to descend and clamp the record strips adjacent the aligning pins 6,'and it acts in opposition to depression of the treadle, or foot pedal, 28. It will also be noted that said spring 50 acts as an operating member and, through the link 42, pedal 28, connecting rod 30, rock shaft 32, and rock arms 33, not only lifts the pedal 28, but participates in effecting strip drawing movement of the gripper carriage, and thereby effects simultaneous drawing movement of all the grippers with substantially equal force. The spring, or resilient device 50 also moves the carriage or slide rearwardly to separate the finger actuating members 23 from the trips 24 so as to permitthe individual springs 25 to effect closing of the several grippers, and also yieldingly holds the slide in retracted position.

In operation the several record strips coming from the zigzag folded supply 2 (see Fig. 4) are threaded between the respective gripper fingers 21 and the next adjacent forward bar 20, this preferably being effected most conveniently when the carriage supporting frame is held in an elevated position by the pin 35. When the carriage support is swung upwardly about its pivot 17, it will be observed that the link 30 becomes operative to move the carriage forwardly, thus separating aligning pins 6. If now it.be assumed that the next succeeding set of superposed printed forms is to be advanced to position over the platen, the

foot pedal 28 is depressed. This results in simultaneous advance movement of the plurality -of pair's of strip grippers, each pair being composed of a se t of the blades 21 and the next adjacent bar 20. T his approaching movement between the drawin \g grippers and the aligning pins 6 will evenrtu: ally bring the bar rotating pins 23, practicallyr simultaneously, into contact with the trip pins 24, with the result that simultaneous opening moveeme mt of the grippers will occur, and the several strips thus he. released from substantial drawing engagement. of the grippers with the strips. The gripping: effect on the strips having been reliieved, the. superposed strips may readily beadvanced by hand. simultaneously, free of substantiial gripping eifect,.and the next succeeding set of apertures engaged with the pins 6. Therleupon, on release of the foot pedal 28, the spring 50, through its connections hlereinbefore referred to, will cause rearward movement of the gripper carriage, and the grippers being in yielding frictional engagement with the respective strips will draw each ofthe strips; into aligning position, with. the forward edges of the apertures 5 in engagement with the front faces of the stripaligning pins 6. When the gripper carriage thus moves rearwardly the operating pins 23 will disengage the respective trip lugs 24 whereupon the movable gripper fingers or blades 21 will be moved into yielding engagement with the respective companion gripping members or bars 20 by operation of the tensioned springs 25.. The several strip grippers thus move. together as a unit or group in strip aligning direction, the grippers individually engaging with the. several strips so as to effect independent. or individual alignment thereof. It will be noted that, although the drawing movements: of the grippers are simultaneous. the strips are separately, yieldingly or frictionally engaged by the plates 21 so that, should the aperture edges of one strip reach the front face of pin 6 before the aperture-edges of other strips, these latter WllLllBVGI'tITiBlBSS; be drawn into aligning position against said pins, the grip engagement on the already aligned strips yielding to permit the others to be drawn into alignment. In this wise strips drawn to aligned position against the pins 6 may stop, while other strips may subsequently be moved to aligning position. Thus means are provided for positively drawing each strip into aligning; position in respect to the pins 6 and without danger of tearing the strips or the edges of the aligning apertures therein; Inasmuch as the strips are separately gripped, they will be individually aligned by the action described, and it will beobvious that this aligning action of the strips takes place while the apertures thereof are engaged by the pins 6, but while the bar 7 is slightly raised in released position so as to permit free aligning action of the stripsupon the pins after which aligning action the bar 7 may descend into contact with the strips. It will accordingly be seen that the device provides a very simple means for-aligning and registering printed superposed forms on a grea-t number of strips. No difficulty is encountered in aligning and'registering as many as twelve relatively superposed contiguous strips, and more or less may be employed if desired.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, a somewhat modified construction is shown. In this modified construction the outer side pieces 10 and 11 have flanges and 61, providing stationary frame members which are slotted at intervals, as illustrated at 62. The slots 62 may be formed by slitting the flange and striking down the slitted part so as to form a projecconstruction and different embodiments of the tion, or trip 63, the material of the flange at the opposite side of the slot forming a second-trip 64, the under face 6.5 of the flange providing a keeper track, said track and the trips being thus integralparts of the respective frame members 60 and 61. Also, in this modified form, the gripper fingers, corresponding to thefingers 21 of the previously described form, each has a facing cushion 66 of soft material, such as a felt pad. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the pad 66 may be held on the bar 20 by a metal backing 6'7, which backing may be spot-welded to the bar 20, the backing 67 having struck-up, bendable clips 68 adapted to penetrate the cushion 66 and retain the cushion on the back 67. The cushions 66 are preferably relatively thick and have some individual resiliency, although they are soft. The bar-rotating pins are indicated at 69, and in this modified form have beveled endsas shown. In Fig. '7 the carriage is illustrated in its rearward position. When the treadle 28 is depressed, the bar-rotating fingers 69 are moved to the left, and their beveled ends or cam surfaces come into contact with the corresponding cam surfaces of the trips 63, whereupon continued leftward movement of the carriage causes the ends of the fingers .69 to enter between the sets of trips 63 and 64, thus effecting rotation of the bars 20 and causing the gripper fingers to release, or relieve, their grip on the strips, the last position of the fingers being illustrated in Fig. 8. Upon releasing the treadle 28, the carriage will be moved to the right from the position illustrated in Fig. 8. At the beginning of the movement to the right the trips 64 at the ends of the tracks will cause fingers 69 to rotate anti-clockwise, and thereby cause the gripper fingers to move to position to grip the record strips. Continued movement of the carriage. to the right will draw the fingers 69 beneath the keeper tracks 65, which tracks will thereafter limit clockwise movement of the gripper fingers. A yielding and a somewhat resilient grip on the strips will nevertheless be maintained. on account of the cushions 66 which are somewhat compressible. Thus in this modified construction, the movements of the gripper fingers. are effected. practically in a positive manner with the use of fewer and stronger separate parts than in the form previously described.

Thus by the above described construction are accomplished, among others, the objects herein before referred to.

Since certain changes may be made in the above 30 invention. could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: I. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination; a strip aligning device and strip drawing means including movable devices adapted separately to grip different strips to draw them to aligning position, said gripping devices including movable gripper fingers having facing cushions of soft material adapted to contact the strips.

2. A strip aligning device including, in combination, strip drawing means, including a plurality of pairs of strip-grippers positioned in different strip paths for individual gripping engagement with each of a plurality of strips, a

mounting device mounting said strip grippers for simultaneous reciprocal movement, one gripper of each pair being pivoted for opening and closing gripping movement relative to the other, means for effecting closing movement of said pivoted grippers, and means adapted to coact with said pivoted grippers, on their movement inone direction of said reciprocal movement, to

effect opening movement of said grippers substaptially simultaneously.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, areciprocal frame having a plurality of parallel rotative bars between which strips pass, gripper fingers projecting from each bar into lapping relation with the next adjacent bar, bar rotating pins on the gripper carrying bars, and trip pins disposed in the path of said bar rotating pins and spaced from each other along the line of reciprocation of said frame.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, strip drawing means comprising a plurality of rotatively mounted strip guide bars, each having a gripper finger adapted to coact with another of said bars yieldingly to grip a strip, and means adapted for manual operation and to impart reciprocal movement to said drawing means.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a reciprocal frame'having a bar and a rotative gripper finger between which the strip passes, and means whereby reciprocal movement of said frame is adapted to cause said finger to move toward and from said bar, said means including a pivoted pin operatively connected to rotate said finger, and two trips between which the end of said pin is adapted to enter, one said trip disposed to rotate said pin in the direction to cause movement of said finger away from said bar as said frame moves in one direction, and the other said trip disposed to rotate said pin in the opposite direction on reverse movement of said frame.

' 6. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a reciprocal frame having a bar and a rotative gripper finger between which the strip 'passes, means whereby reciprocal movement of said frame is adapted to cause said finger to move toward and from said bar, said means including a pivoted pin operatively connected to rotate said finger, and two trips between which the end of said pin is adapted to enter, one said trip disposed to rotate said pin in the direction to cause movement of said finger away from said bar as said frame moves in one direction, and

' the other said trip disposed to'rotate said pin in the Opposite direction on reverse movement of said frame, and means adapted to maintain yielding grip of said finger on said strip during said reverse movement.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a reciprocal frame having a bar and a rotative gripper finger between which the strip passes, and means whereby reciprocal movement of said frame is adapted to cause said finger to move toward and from said bar, said means including a pivoted pin operatively connected to rotate said finger, and two trips between which the end of said pin is adapted to enter, one said trip disposed to rotate said pin in the direction to cause movement of said finger away from said bar as said frame moves in one direction, and the other saidtrip disposed to rotatesid pin in the opposite direction on reverse movement of said frame, and a keeper track with which said pin contacts during said reverse movement.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a reciprocal frame having a bar and a rotative gripper finger between which the strip passes, and means whereby reciprocal movement of said frame is adapted to cause said finger to move toward and from said bar, said means including apivoted pin operatively connected to rotate said finger, and two trips between which the end of said pin is adapted to enter, one said trip disposed to rotate said pin in the direction to cause movement of said finger away from said bar as said frame moves in one direction, and the other said trip disposed to rotate said pin in the opposite direction on reverse movement of said frame, a keeper track with which said pin contacts during said reverse movement, said finger including a facing cushion of relatively soft material.

9. In a manifolding machine, in combination, a platen over which a plurality of relatively superposed record strips may be moved, a strip aligning device including an aligning pin adapted to enter apertures in said strips, a plurality of movably mounted grippers each including companion gripping members cooperating to grip the respective strip therebetween, there being one of said grippers for each of a plurality of said strips, each of said grippers being movably mounted so as to draw the respective strip independently into aligned position upon said pin, and means for effecting collective strip aligning movement of said grippers.

10. In a manifolding machine, in combination,

a platen over which a plurality of relatively superposed record strips may be moved, a strip-aligning device including an aligning pin adapted to enter apertures in said strips, a strip-clamping bar mounted adjacent said aligning pin and movable to and from strip-engaging position, a plurality of movably mounted grippers each including companion gripping members cooperating to grip the respective strip therebetween, there being one of said grippers for each of a plurality of said strips, each of said grippers being movably mounted so as to draw the respective strip independently into aligning position upon said pin, and unitary operating means for simultaneously eflecting strip aligning movement of said grippers and also for moving said clamping bar so as to draw the respective strip into aligned position when the latter is released by said clamping bar.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a reciprocal frame having a plurality of parallel rotative bars between which strips may pass, a gripper finger carried by and projecting from one of said bars into lapping relation with the next adjacent bar and means for automatically rotating said finger carrying bar during reciprocation of said frame.

12. In a manifolding machine, in combination, a platen upon which one or a plurality of record strips may be moved or supported, an aligning pin adapted to enter apertures in the strips and positioned forwardly of the platen, strip clamping means, operating means for controlling said strip clamping means, strip tensioning means spaced longitudinally of the platen from said pin and including a spring retracted strip drawing carriage, and a strip engaging friction plate device mounted on said carriage so as to exert drawing effort on the strips away from said pin.

13. In a manifoldingpiachine, in combination, a platen upon which one or a plurality of record means and said carriage for moving the lattertoward said pin when said clamping means is released.

14. In a manifolding machine, in combination, a platen upon which one or a plurality of record strips may be moved or supported, an aligning pin adapted to enter apertures in the strips and positioned forwardly of the platen, strip clamping means, operating means for controlling said strip clamping means, strip tensioning means spaced. longitudinally of the platen from said pin and including a spring retracted strip drawing carriage, a strip engaging friction plate device mounted on said carriage so as to exert drawing effort on the strips away from said pin, and a carriage support for said drawing carriage detachably connected to the machine to the rearward of the platen.

15. In a manifolding machine, in combination, a platen upon which one or a plurality of record strips may be moved or supported, an aligning pin adapted to enter apertures in the strips and positioned forwardly of the platen, strip clamping means, operating means for controlling said strip clamping means, strip tensioning means spaced longitudinally of the platen from said pin and including a spring retracted strip drawing carriage, a strip engaging friction plate device mounted on said carriage so as to exert drawing effort on the strips away from said pin, an operating connection between said operating means and said carriage for moving the latter toward said pin when said clamping means is released,

having arms extending rearwardly from the platen; an actuator serving to produce relative movement between said platen and web-clamping means to effect unclamping of the webs; and web'- tensioning means comprising a spring-retracted slide mounted between the planes of said arms,

and a friction plate device mounted on said slide adapted to exert retractive force on the webs in the return movement of said slide.

17. A machine as specified in claim 16 having connecting means between said actuator and said slide, whereby said slide will be moved forwardly when said actuator is moved to unclamp the'webs.

18. A machine as specified inclaim 16, in which said slide is mounted on an auxiliary frame demcuntably supported between said arms and capable of being lifted vertically from its normal position.

19. A machine as specified in claim 16, in which the slide is mounted on an auxiliary frame removably supported between said arms and. in which camdevices are provided cooperative to relieve the pressure of the friction plate device when the slide is at the forward end of its traverse.

20. In means of the character set forth: a platen; a frame in which said platen is mounted having arms extending rearwardly from the platen; said frame being equipped near the front end of said platen with pins for engaging register perforations in the paper webs led thereto over saidplaten; web holding means and actuating means therefor, and web-tensioning mechanism connected with said actuating means, said mechanism comprising an auxiliary frame supported by said arms, spring-retracted slides mounted in said auxiliary frame, transverse web-guides journalled in said slides and slidably mounted in said auxiliary frame, each of said web-guides being equipped with a gripper-member co-acting with a web-guide in advance thereof, and spring controlled devices for effecting rocking movement of said web-guides during the longitudinal movement of said slides.

21. In means of the character set forth: a platen and co-acting web-clamping means; an actuator for effecting relative movement between the platen and associated clamping means; a frame in which said platen is mounted having arms extending rearwardly from the platen;

holding devices disposed in advance of the platen for engaging register perforations in paper webs led thereto over said platen; and web-tensioning mechanism actuated by said actuator comprising a series of shiftable devices adapted to coact with each other to grip the paper webs -interposed between them and exert retractive force thereon while slipping with relation thereto.

22. In means of the character set forth: a platen; a frame in which said platen is mounted having arms extending rearwardly from the platen, said frame being equipped near the front end of said platen with pins for engaging register perforations in paper webs led thereto over said platen; web-gripping means co-acting with said platen; an actuator adapted to effect separation of said platen and the co-acting web-gripping means; mechanism comprising a series of web-guides pivotally mounted between the planes of said arms and each web-guide adapted to co-act with a web-guide in advance thereof to frictionally grip an interposed web, and said tensioning mechanism connected with and actuated by said actuator.

23. In a machine of the character set forth: a frame equipped with a platen, said frame having arms extending rearwardly from said platen; means for gripping the front portion of webs led over said platen; and a web-tensioning device comprising an auxiliary frame supported between said arms, a pair of slide members mounted in said frame, web-guiding members journaled in said slide members and each provided with a gripper-plate adapted to co-act with a companion over said platen; and a web tensioning mechanism comprising web-guides equipped with grippers, the gripper of each web-guide co-acting with the web-guide in advance thereof to grip an interposed web, means for effecting the shifting of said web-guides and means for rocking said and spring-retracted web-tensioning web-guides to release the webs during the forward shifting action.

25. In a machine of the character set forth, in combination, a frame equipped with a platen, said frame having arms extending rearwardly from the platen, an auxiliary frame supported between said arms, and web-tensioning means including a slide mounted in said auxiliary frame, and a, friction plate device mounted on said slide adapted to exert yielding individual retractive force on the webs in the movement of said slide away from said platen.

26. In a machine of the character set forth, in combination, a frame equipped with a platen, said frame having arms extending rearwardly from the platen, an auxiliary frame supported between said arms, web-tensioning means including a slide mounted in said auxiliary frame, a friction plate device mounted on said slide adaptedto'exert yielding individual retractive force on thewebs in the movement of said slide away from said platen, a web clamp and actuator therefor, a yielding device normally holding said slide in retracted position, and a connection between said actuator and slide to actuate the latter when said actuator is operated to unclamp the webs.

, 27. In a machine of the character set forth, in combination, a frame equipped with a platen, ,said frame having arms extending rearwardly from the platen, an auxiliary frame supported between said arms, web-tensioning means including a slide mounted in said auxiliary frame, a friction plate device mounted on said slide adapted to exert retractive force on the webs in the return movement of said slide, a spring to retract said slide, and means to draw the slide forwardly at will.

28. In a machine of the character set forth, in combination, a frame equipped with a platen, said frame having arms extending rearwardly from the platen, an auxiliary frame supported between said arms, web-tensioning means including a slide mounted in said auxiliary frame, and a friction plate device mounted on said slide adapted to exert retractive forceon the webs in the return movement of said slide, said friction plate device including an assembly of friction plates supported on and coacting with said slide.

29. In a machine of the character set forth, in combination, a frame equipped with a platen, said frame having arms extending rearwardly from the platen, an auxiliary frame supported between said arms, web-tensioning means including a slide mounted in said auxiliary frame, and a friction plate device mounted on said slide adapted to exert retractive force on the webs in the return movement of said slide, said friction plate device including an assembly of movable plates actuated into web cooperative position and supported on and coacting with said slide.

30. In a machine of the character set forth, in combination, a frame equipped with a platen, said frame having arms extending rearwardly from the platen, an auxiliary frame supported between said arms, and web-tensioning means including a slide mounted in said auxiliary frame, a friction plate device mounted on said slide adapted to exert retractive force on the webs in the return movement of said slide, said friction plate device including an assembly of friction plates supported on and coacting with said slide, and means for automatically relieving the pressure of said friction plates when said slide is drawn forwardly.

81. In a machine of the character described,

in combination, a frame mounted for reciprocation longitudinally of the path of a record strip, at least one strip guide mounted on said frame and extending transversely of the strip path, a movably mounted strip-engaging strip-controlling member carried by said frame and engaging the strip to press it against the strip guide to exert frictional strip .control', pivotal mounting means mounting said frame for pivotal movements into normal operative and strip-threading positions, and means for moving said strip- -controlling member respectively into frictional strip controlling position and into strip-releasing strip-threading position upon pivotal movements of said frame in opposite directions on its pivotal mounting.

32. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a frame mounted for reciprocation longitudinally of. the path of a record strip, at least one strip guide mounted on said frame and extending transversely of the strip path, a movably mounted strip-engaging strip-controlling member carried bysaid frame and engaging the strip to press it against'the strip guide to exert frictional strip control, pivotal mounting means mounting said frame for pivotal movements into normal operative and strip-threading positions, and unitary operating means for reciprocating said frame longitudinally in the strip path and for moving said strip-controllingmember respectively into frictional strip-controlling position and into strip-releasing strip-threading position upon pivotal movements of said frame in opposite directions on its pivotal mounting.

33. In a manifolding machine, in combination, a platen for supporting record strips, an aligning pin positioned forwardly of the platen to enter apertures in the strips, strip-tensioning means spaced longitudinally of the platen from said pin and including a reciprocating stripdrawing carriage, and a strip-engaging friction device mounted on said carriage and frictionahy engaging the strips.

34. In a manifolding machine, in combination, a platen for supporting record strips, an aligning pin positioned forwardly of the platen to enter apertures in the strips, strip-tensioning means spaced longitudinally of the platen from said pin and including a reciprocating stripdrawing carriage, a strip-engaging friction device mounted on said carriage and frictionally engaging the strips, means for releasing the frictional III engagement of said friction device on the strips upon movement of. the carriage forwardly toward said pin, and for establishing said frictional engagement on the strips'upon carriage movement rearwardly away from the pin so as to exert smoothing and aligning effort upon the strips.

35. In a manifolding machine, in combination, a platen for supporting record strips, strip-holding means positioned forwardly of the platen and individually engaging each record strip, strip-tensioning means spaced longitudinally of the platen from said holding means and including a reciprocating strip-drawing carriage, and a strip-engaging friction device mounted on said carriage and including companion friction surfaces positioned at opposite faces of each record strip and automatically movable together with 145 carriage movement to exert smoothing and aligning means positioned forwardly of the platen I and individually engaging each record strip, strip-tensioning means spaced longitudinally of the platen from said holding means and including a reciprocating strip -drawing carriage, and a strip-engaging friction device mounted on said carriage and including companion friction surfaces positioned at opposite faces of each record strip and automatically movable together with carriage movement to exert smoothing and aligning effort individually upon each record strip, said friction device including a plurality of serially arranged rotary bars mounted upon said carriage, and a friction plate carried by each of one or more of said bars and projecting from the latter forwardly into cooperative relation with the next adjacent bar.

37. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a reciprocating strip-aligning frame having a strip-guiding bar over which the strip passes, a strip gripper finger mounted for movement toward and from cooperative relation with said'bar, a finger actuating trip relative to which said frame may be reciprocated, means for effecting reciprocation of said frame, and means cooperating with said trip when said aligning frame is reciprocated for actuating said finger with reference to said bar.

38. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a reciprocating strip-aligning frame having a strip-guiding bar over which the strip passes, a strip gripper finger mounted for movement toward and from cooperative relation with said bar, a finger-actuating trip relative to which said frame may be reciprocated, means for effecting reciprocation of said frame, means cooperating with said trip when said aligning frame is moved in one of its reciprocating directions to move said finger away from said bar to release the strip, and means operable upon movement of said framein the other of its reciprocating directions to cause said finger to yieldingly frictionally-engage the strip during frame movement.

39. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for holding each of a plurality of relatively superposed strips, strip-drawing means spaced longitudinally of the strip path from said holding means, said drawing means including a carriage mounted for reciprocating movements longitudinally of the strips, a pair of companion strip gripper jaws for each strip mounted upon said carrier for reciprocating vmovement therewith and having opening and closing movements for releasing and engaging the respective strips, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carriage together with said gripper jaws, and means for closing the jaws upon the respective strips when said carriage is being moved in its reciprocating path away from said strip-holdingmeans so as to tension said strips individually in opposition to said holding means.

' 40. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a pin adapted to enter strip apertures for individually holding each of a plurality of relatively superposed strips, strip-drawing means spaced longitudinally of the strip path from said pins, said drawing means including a carriage mounted for reciprocating movements longitudinally of the strips, a pair of companion strip gripper jaws for each strip mounted upon said carrier for reciprocating movement therewith and havingopening and closing movements for releasing and engaging the respective strips, means for longitudinally reciprocating said carriage together with said gripper jaws, means for closing the jaws upon the respective strips when said carriage is being moved in its reciprocating path away from said pins so as to tension said strips individually in opposition to said pins, and means automatically operated upon movement of said carriage toward said pin to open said jaws and to hold them open when said carriage is in its forward position so as to release the strips to forward movement.

41. In a manifolding machine, in combination, a platen for supporting one or a plurality of record strips, holding means for said record strips, a carriage spaced longitudinally of the platen from said holding means and mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement, a friction device having friction surfaces for engagement with each of the record strips, means for reciprocating said carriage, means for controlling said friction device to release frictional strip engagement upon movement of said carriage toward said holding means, and means operated upon movement of the carriage away from said holding means for causing said friction device to frictionally engage the record strips to exert yielding frictional effort individually on each strip away from said holding means so as to tension and align the strips onthe platen.

42. In a manifolding machine, in combination, a platen for supporting one or a plurality of record strips, holding means for said record strips, a carriage spaced longitudinally of the platen from said holding means and mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement, a friction device having friction elements with friction surfaces for engagement with each of the record strips, one of said friction elements for each strip being mounted for movement toward and away from operative strip-engaging position, a'spring operatively connected to each of said movably mounted friction elements for individually moving each element into strip-engaging position, means for reciprocating said carriage, and means operated upon movement of the carriage toward said holding means for-releasing operative engagement of the friction elements with the respective strips.

43. In a manifolding machine, in combination,

'-a-platen for supporting one or a. plurality of record strips, holding means for said record strips, a carriage spaced longitudinally of the platen from said holding means and mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement, a friction device having friction elements with friction surfaces for engagement with each of the record strips, one of. said friction elements for each strip being mounted for movement toward and away from operative strip-engaging position, a spring operatively connected to each of said movably mounted friction elements for individually moving each element into strip-engaging position, means for reciprocating said carriage, an operating finger operatively connected to each movable friction element, and an operating lug cooperating with each said operating finger when said carriage is being moved toward said holding means to move said frictional elements from strip-engaging position in oppositionto said springs.

44. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a strip-controlling frame having a pivotal mounting for swinging movements into normal strip-controlling position and into stripthreading position, at least one strip-guide mounted on said controlling frame and extending transversely of the strip path, a movably mounted strip-engaging strip-controlling member carried by said frame and engaging the strip to press it against the strip guide to exert frictional strip control during strip advancement, said strip guide being mounted so as to be stationary with reference to said controlling member when the latter is in strip-engaging strip-controlling posi- 1 tion so as to maintain frictional restraint theretransversely of the strip path, a movably mounted strip-engaging strip-controlling member carried by said frame and engaging the strip to press it against the strip guide to exert frictional strip control during strip advancement, said strip guide being mounted so as to be stationary with reference to said controlling member when the latter is in strip-engaging strip-controlling position so as to maintain frictional restraint thereby when the strip is pulled forwardly, and an operating connection permanently connecting said movable strip-controlling member with a part of the machine remote from said pivoted controlling frame so as to move said strip-controlling member into strip-releasing strip-threading position when said frame is swung upwardly on its pivot, and to move the controlling member into frictional strip-controlling position when the frame is swung downwardly into normal operative position.

LOUIS FRED HAGEMANN.

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