US2251162A - Signal and locking means for printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 29, 1941. w. B. PAYNE- SIGNAL AND LOCKING MEANS FOR PRINTING APPARATUS s sheets-sheet 1 Filed July 25, 1938 INVENTOR y 29, 1941- v w. B. PAYNE 2,251,162

SIGNAL AND LOCKING MEANS FOR PRINTING APPARATUS Filed *July 23, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 3 B Pay/2e 4:5 ATTORNEY W. B. PAYNE Jul 29, 1941.

SIGNAL AND LOCKING MEANS FOR PRINTING APPARATUS Filed July 23, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet,3

INVENT OR.

M B Pay/26 BY fills ATTORNEY.

Patented July 29, 1941 SIGNAL LOCKING MEANS FOR PRINTING APPARATUS Walter B. Payne,'Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Todd Company, Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a, corporation of New York Application July 23, 1938, Serial No. 222,960

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improvement in a signal and locking means for a printing apparatus which is controlled by a ribbon transfer member so as to indicate to an operator when the supply of ribbon is exhausted from the supply means as Well as totemporarily lock the operating mechanism against further actuation, that is, until the ribbon is replaced or partially replenished on the supply spool, either by a rewinding operation or insertion of a new supply spool. This invention is adapted for a variety of machines but is particularly adapted for machines being commonly known in the art as check writing or signing machines which are somewhat dependent upon the quality of the inking medium to produce a protective im pression.

' An object of the invention is the provision of a generally improved and more satisfactory ribbon controlled signal and locking means for machines of the above nature which may be constructed economically, which is sensitive as well as flexible and of simple design and not likely to get out of order.

Another object is the provision, particularly for a check Writing or signing machine, of a ribbon controlled signal and-locking means which will assure proper inking in this class of machine which depends somewhat upon the quality of the inking medium for producing a protective impression.

A still further object is the provision of a signal and locking means so designed that the ribbon may be rewound from the winding spool to the supplyspool without manipulation of the signal and locking means and without possibility of strain or injury to any of the other operating parts. 7 V V i A further object is the provision of a ribbon controlled signal and locking means so designed that evenin the event the ribbon is exhausted from the supply spool and the machine locked, the operating mechanism may be temporarily released and, actuated to produce additional imprints if desired. a

A further object is the provision of a sensitive control mechanism for normally rendering ineffective a locking means to prevent actuation of the operating means and a signal for indicating that the supply of ribbon is exhausted from the supply spool, but adapted to be rendered effective immediately upon the exhaustion of the ribbon transfer member from the supply spool.

A still further object is the provision of a ribbon controlled signal and locking means improved 7;;

in many difierent details and respects as will be apparent from the following description.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novelfeatures being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a printing device in which one form of my invention is embodied.

Fig.2 is a fragmentary side elevation-of the machine shown in Fig. 1 with the casing partially broken away, showing my invention in normal position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the side plate of the machine broken away to show the ribbon supply spool, and in this view the parts are shown in the actuated position assumed when the ribbon is exhausted from the supply spool.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of machine with certain parts omitted, showing certain of the parts forming my invention in their normal position by the full lines and in dotted lines for the operative position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the electrical switch mechanism embodied in the modified machine shown in Fig. 4, illustrating particularly the details of the switch closing mechanism in normal position by full lines and in dotted lines for the operative position.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

Prior attempts have been made to provide printing devices with locking means under the control of the ribbon transfer member, such, for

example, as the mechanism shown and described in my Patent No. 2,092,852, granted September 14, 1937. The arrangement shown in my prior,

patent was of such a nature that as the ribbon was unwoundfrom the supply spool-theoperating parts were gradually moved to a position to render the locking means for the operating mechanism effective. As the supply of ribbon began to become exhausted from the supply spool the locking means was gradually actuated to locking position until it eventually actuallyv prevented further operation of the operating mechanism of the printing machine. However, in view of the necessity and practice of advancing the ribbon only enough to partially present-a fresh portion of ribbon at the printing line of -a machine, the locking means was rendered efiiective gradually by small degrees, thereby permitting the machine to lock prematurely or not providing for locking at the proper interval to impart the normal operation of the machine.

Furthermore, in my prior machine, when the operating mechanism was prevented from operation because of the ribbon being exhausted from the supply means, there was no signal or means provided to definitely indicate to the operator the condition of the machine, that is, the operator was not warned that the inoperativeness was because of the condition of the ribbon and not other mechanical trouble in connection with the operating mechanism.

With the above conditions in mind, I have created an improved mechanism over that shown in my prior patent. My improved mechanism is especially adapted for printing apparatus of the character provided with textile, paper or similar other ribbon transfer members, such as, ink ribbon, carbon paper or the like, so as to produce an impression on a sheet or web of paper positioned between the members of the printing couple. The present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of printing machines of the above mentioned character and is not restricted or limited to any particular form of machine having a ribbon transfer means as an inking medium.

The illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, is in the nature of an improvement on the printing apparatus shown in my application Serial No. 202,261, filed April 15, 1938. In the drawings of the present machine certain parts of the operating and control mechanisms and other parts have been omitted, the same being fully shown and described in said pending application.

Furthermore, the modified form of my present invention is here disclosed in Fig. 4, for sake of example, in connection with an improvement in a motor driven checkwriter and the like, shown in my application Serial No. 215,964, filed June 27, 1938. In the drawings of the machine of the present disclosure of the modified form of my invention, certain parts of the operating and control mechanism and other parts have been omitted, the same being fully shown and described in my application Serial No. 215,964. The illustrative embodiment of my improvement in the motor drive mechanism shown in my application Serial No. 215,964, as well as the present showing in Fig. 4 is generally in connection with the check writing machine of the type shown in my Patent No. 2,092,852, dated September 14, 1937.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a machine comprising a casing consisting of an upper section II and a base section 12 having a bed surface l3 upon which a sheet is adapted to be positioned in the machine when an impression is to be applied thereto. In the upper section I I there is provided a stationary shaft 43 upon which is supported an oscillatory plate carrier 42. The ends of the shaft 43 are supported by the side frame of the machine, one of which is shown in Fig. 1 by the reference numeral am. The carrier 42 is grooved for the reception of the die or printing plate 4!. The carrier 42 is adapted to be rocked on the shaft 43 by the members 69 and 65 operatively connected to a suitable selecting means, not shown.

The platen member H adjustably supported by the arm 14 mounted on the cross rod 15 is adapted to be moved into cooperative engagement with the printing die 4|. The platen arm 14 is normally engaged by a roller 18 carried by the rocker arm supported on the cross rod 8| having its ends mounted in the base plates 39, one of which is shown in Fig. 1 as arranged substantially in the plane of the side plate 21a. The rocker arm 80 is actuated through its operative connection with the main shaft 86 to which is attached the operating handle 88. The operating connection for the rocker arm 80 comprises a slotted link 84 having its upper end pivoted at 81 to an arm 252 pinned to the main shaft 85. The lower end of the link 84 is provided with the elongated slot 83 which embraces the cross rod 82 carried by the end of the rocker arm 80. Because of the slot 83, the rod 82 and the rocker arm 30 carrying same is not actuated upon the first part of the movement of the main shaft 86 but near the latter part of the clockwise movement of the arm 282 the upper end of the slot 83 comes in contact with the rod 82 and begins to force the rod downward. As the rod 82 moves downward the rocker arm 80 moves the platen arm 14 about its pivot 15 to move the platen ll into cooperative engagement with the printing plate 4 I.

A transfer member, such as a ribbon, is disposed between the members of the printin couple, as generally indicated by the numeral 89. Means is provided to advance the transfer member 89 from the supply spool 90, provided in the front of the machine, to the winding spool 9| located at the rear of the machine, upon each actuation of the main shaft 86.

The ribbon advancing means shown in the present embodiment is substantially of the character shown and described in my Patent No. 2,092,852, dated September 14, 1937, covering a printing apparatus in the form of a check writer. This mechanism generally consists of a structure which comprises an actuating cam 340 rigid with the arm 252 pinned to the main shaft 86. The cam 34!] is shaped, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, having a surface 341 for engagement with a follower roller 342 carried by a lever 343 pivotally supported on the cross rod 125. The lever 343 carries a stud 49l which has a laterally extending eccentric portion in engagement with the bifurcated end of an actuator 490 supported by a ribbon spool stud, not shown, but carried by the rear ribbon supporting bracket 48!), removably mounted adjacent the side plate 2la.

The actuator 45!) has pivoted thereto at 486, a winding pawl 485 which is normally retained in engagement with the teeth 483 of the ratchet carried at one end of the winding spool 9|. The spring 488 having one end carried by the projecting portion 490a of the actuator 490 and the other end carried by the winding pawl 485 normally tends to keep the pawl in engagement with the ratchet teeth 483.

It will now be seen that when the operating shaft 86 is moved in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1, the cam 340 will rock the lever 343 to move the actuator 49!] to advance the ribbon a predetermined distance in the first part of the cycle of operation of the machine. On the return stroke of the machine, the winding pawl 485 will merely pass over the teeth 483 of the ratchet. The holding dog 495 pivoted at 496 to the bracket 4B9, normally engages the ratchet teeth 483 to prevent displacement or reverse rotation thereof and the winding spool 9|.

Means is provided for latching the holding dog 495 out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 483 and also to displace the winding pawl 485 from engagement with the teeth 483 when it is desired to manually rewind the ribbon from the winding spool 9I back to the supply spool 90 by a crank or other suitable means, not shown. The means for disabling the winding pawl and the holding dog comprises a lever 500 pivoted at 56I to the bracket 480. The lever 500 is provided with a recess 502 in the lower end thereof which is adapted to be engaged by a stud 503 extending laterally from the holding dog 495. The holding dog 495 is provided with a projection 505 extending through a slot in the casing II of the machine, not shown. The holding dog 495 is also provided with a projecting portion 506 which is adapted to be moved to engage a laterally projecting ear 591 on the winding pawl 485.

By manually depressing the projection 505 downward, the holding pawl 495 is rocked counter-clockwise about its pivot 496 against the tension of a spring 491. It will be seen that the movement of the holding pawl 495 will bring the stud 563 into engagement with the recess 502 of the lever 500 so as to latch the holding pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 483. The movement of the holding pawl 495 will cause its projecting portion 506 to engage the ear 501 of the winding pawl 485 to withdraw it from engagement with the teeth 483 of the ratchet. It will now be seen that the ratchet 483 and the winding spool 9I are free and permitted to move in a reverse rotation so that the ribbon may be rewound to the supply spool 90 by any suitable means. The lever 560 may be tripped manually or by the operating mechanism so as to release the holding pawl 495 and the winding pawl 465 to their respective operative positions.

The supply spool 90 is readily removable so that a new supply of ribbon may be easily placed in the machine. The supply spool is retained in position by brackets 32 positioned adjacent the side plates of the upper casing of the machine. The latch 466, controlled by the lever 465, normally retains the spool 90 in proper position in the slots formed in the supporting plates 32. The front portion of the casing I I normally holds the lever 465 in a position to permit the latch 460 to retain the ribbon supply spool 90 in the end of the slots of the supporting plates 32.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that the plate 30! is positioned on the main shaft 66 adjacent the side plate 2Ia. The plate 30! is rigid with the cam 340 and the arm 252 fast to the shaft 86 and moves therewith upon each operation of the shaft. The plate 30I is provided with a laterally projecting pin I61 which engages with a portion I66 of the latch I64 pivoted on the stud I65 when the parts are in the normal position shown in Fig. 1. The spring I tends to rock the latch I64 counter-clockwise but this movement is normally prohibited by the stud I61 when the parts are in normal position. However, in normal position, as the plate 30I moves clockwise in the initial operation of the machine, the stud I61 moves away from the portion I66 of the latch I64 thereby permitting the latch I64 to be rocked by the spring I10 until the ear I 64a engages a stud I64b' on the side plate 2Ia.

A pin I50 projecting through the elongated angular slot I53 of the side plate 2| a is adapted to be moved in the path of the hook shaped portion I69 of the latch I64 in a manner to be hereinafter described. It will be seen from Figs. 1 and 3 that when the stud I50 is moved over the top of the portion I69 of the latch I64, the latch is prevented from rocking about its pivot I65.

Therefore, when the plate 30I is rotated a short distance, the portion I68 thereof will come into engagement with the hook shaped portion I69 and further movement thereof and of the operating shaft 86 will be prevented.

Except for changes or modifications hereinafter mentioned the construction of the printing apparatus generally described by way of an example in the present specification is substantially the same as disclosed and described in my application Serial No. 202,261.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the control means for the signal and locking mechanism forming the present invention includes the arms I44 and I51. The arm I44 is rigid with the bushing I 440. loosely pivoted on the stud I45 supported on the side plate 2| a. The arm I51 is pivotally supported adjacent the arm I44 by a reduced portion of the bushing I44a. The arm I51 is resiliently connected by a spring I58 to a second arm I44. The spring I58 carried at one end by the stud I59 on the arm I51 and at the other end'by a stud I60 on the arm I44, normally retains the stud I60 in engagement with the arm I51 so that the arms move together as a unit. The arm I44 has a projecting portion to which is attached a spring I6I having its opposite end carried by the stud I6Ia on the side plate 21a. Through the resilient connection of the arm I44 with the arm I51, the spring I6I normally tends to retain the arm I51 in contact with the outermost convolute of the ribbon transfer medium 89 on the supply spool 90. As the supply of ribbon reduces from the spool 90, the arm I51 will rotate in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot I45, as viewed in Fig. 1, under the tension of the spring I6I, thereby permitting movement of the arm I44.

Pivoted at I39 on the outside face of the side plate 2Ia, Figs. 1 and 2, is a control member I40 having an arcuate portion I4Ia and the angular portion I4I. Normally the portion I 4Ia of the control member I40 rests on a pin I42 projecting laterally from the arm I44, through the slot I43 of the side plate H a. The arcuate portion I 4Ia of the control member I 40 is preferably formed to comprize an arc swung from the pivot point I45, as the parts are in normal position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The angular portion I4I of the control member I40 is so formed to compare substantially to an arc swung from the pivot point I39. It will now be seen from the arrangement of parts that as the ribbon reduces on the supply spool 90, the arm I51 will be moved about its pivot by the spring I6I carrying with it the arm I44. As the arm I44 is moved in a lockwise direction, Fig. 2, the arcuate portion I4Ia of the control member I40 will ride on the stud I42 while the ribbon is unwound from the supply spool.

A three-arm lever I34 is pivoted at I35 intermediate its ends to the side plate 2 la, best shown in Fig. 2. The bifurcated arm I36 of the lever I34 engages a stud I31 carried by the control member I40. The intermediate arm I 46 of the lever I34 has pivoted thereto atI49 the link I48 which carries the previously mentioned stud I50. This stud I50 projects laterally through the opening I53 of the side plate 2Ia and is adapted to be moved in the path of the latch I64. A spring I54 having one end carried by the link I48 tends at all times to move the link to the right and the arm I34 clockwise. The action of the spring I54 on the three-arm lever I34, through the stud I31, normally exerts tension on the control plate I49 to retain the plate in engagement with the stud I42 carried by the arm I44.

A signal or bar member I29, normally disposed within the casing I I, is carried by a link I3I pivoted at I32 to the third arm I53 of the lever I34. The signal I29 may be of any suitable nature but preferably of rectangular cross section so as to provide a bar-like member for the purpose hereinafter set forth. The member I29 may be conspicuously colored and/or provided with suitable wording such as rewind, etc.

The core I62 of the ribbon supply spool 99 is provided with an opening 99a for the reception of a ribbon clip 99b of any suitable character to removably attach the end of the ribbon to the ribbon supply spool core I62. The core IE2 is also provided with an opening I93 in alignment with the plane of the ribbon engaging arm I51. It will be understood that at any time when one or more thicknesses of the ribbon are wound on the core I92 of the supply spool 99, the arm I51 will be in engagement with the outermost convolute of the ribbon and prevented from entering the slot I53 formed in the core I62 of the spool, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. However, as the supply of ribbon is depleted from the core I62 of the spool 99, the arm Il will engage or fall into the slot I83, as shown in Fig. 3.

It will now be seen that when the arm I51 engages the slot I83 of the core I62, its movement will be conveyed to the arm I44 causing the pin I42 to pass beyond the arcuate surface I4Ia of the control member I49. As the arm I5! drops into the slot I93, a rapid movement is conveyed to the pin I42 so that it passes beyond the surface I4Ia to release the control member I49. The control member I49 when released is rocked from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3 under the influence of the spring I54. The portion I4I of the control member I49 readily permits the control member I49 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction when the pin I42 passes beyond the arcuate surface I4Ia. When the control member I49 drops to the position shown in Fig. 3, the rocking movement of the three-arm lever I34 through the stud I31, will move the link I48 to cause the pin I59 to move in the slot I53 to be disposed above the latch I94 for the purpose already described. It will also be seen that the rocking movement of the lever I34 will also move the link I3I upward and raise the signal or bar I29 so that it projects beyond the casing I I. The bar I29 in its raised position will clearly indicate to the operator that the ribbon supply has been exhausted from the supply spool and that the operating mechanism is locked against further operation.

It will now be obvious that with the resilient connection comprising the spring I58 between the arm I5! and the arm I44, when the ribbon 89 is rewound by any suitable means upon the core I62 of the supply spool 99, the arm I51 may readily yield against the tension of the spring I58 without returning the rest of the parts of my im proved control means to normal position. This flexible connection provides for rewinding the ribbon without danger of damaging the operating mechanism. In this mode of operation, the arm I44 will be prevented from movement with the arm I51 because of the engagement of the stud I42 with the control member I49 in its released position. It will be seen that even after the ribbon 89 has been entirely or partially rewound on the supply spool 99 the signal or key I29 must be depressed before the control means can be restored to permit actuation of the operating mechanism.

The depression of the member I29 rocks the three-arm lever I34 to move the link I48 so as to withdraw the stud I59 from the above latch I64. The latter movement of the lever I34 by depression of the member I29 also rocks the control member I49 in a clockwise direction so that the stud I42 will again engage the arcuate surface I4Ia of the control member. Once the stud I42 is again in engagement with the arcuate surface I4Ia it will retain the control member I49 in the normal raised position. The tension of the spring I58 causes the arm I44, carrying the stud I42, to move with respect to the arm I51 until the stud I69 again contacts the arm I51. Inasmuch as the control member I49 is retained in its latched normal position by the stud I42, the sig nal I29 will be retained within the casing II and the stud I59 from engagement with the latch I94, thereby again providing for normal operation of the machine.

In the routine operation of certain printing devices, such as check writers or signing machines, it is highly desirable for an operator to be able to temporarily release the operating mechanism of a machine even though the ribbon controlled signal and locking means has been rendered effective. This provision is especially helpful in payroll, dividend, or general disbursement work as it very often happens that the control means will actuate at a time when only one or more checks of a group are to be imprinted. To require an operator at such times to rewind the ribbon before an imprint can be made would unnecessarily delay a payroll or other business transaction. Therefore, my flexible arrangement provides for the operator temporarily releasing the machine for operation without rewinding the ribbon to reset the control means to normal position.

In the event the operator desires to imprint one or more checks after the signal I29 has been rendered visible and the pin I59 is effective to prevent actuation of the operating mechanism, the machine may be temporarily released by depression of the signal or bar I29. The manual depression of the bar I29 rocks the three-arm lever I34 in a counter-clockwise direction from substantially the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 2. The counter-clockwise movement of the lever I34 moves the link I48 to withdraw the pin I59- from the path of the latch I64, thereby permitting the shaft 86 to be rocked to effect actuation of the operating means of the printing machine. While the rocking movement of the lever I 34 will raise the control member I49, the spring I6I will retain the arm I51 in the slot I63 of the core I92 and the spring I58 will retain the stud I69 on the arm I44 in engagement with the arm I51. Therefore, it will be seen that as soon as the signal I29 is released, the spring I54 will again rock the parts so that the pin I59 will be replaced in the path of the latch I64 and the signal I29 projected above the casing II. The release of the signal I29 as above described will also permit the control plate I49 to again drop to the position shown in Fig. 3, inasmuch as the pin I42 has not been moved in the path thereof by rewinding the ribbon to move the arm I51 from the slot I63.

With the arrangement described above, it is a comparatively simple and easy operation to rewind the ribbon upon the supply spool and recondition the machine for normal operation. My improvement not only provides for locking the operating mechanism when the ribbon supply has been exhausted but further provides that a signal be given to the operator that the operating mechanism is inoperative or that the inoperativeness of the machine is the result of the ribbon supply becoming exhausted. It is also apparent that the ribbon may be rewound without conditioning the machine for operation until the rewinding operation is complete, or that one or more imprints may be made by the machine even though the ribbon supply is not immediately replenished.

The modification shown in Fig. 4 embodies improvements applicable to machines, such as shown and described in my previously mentioned application Serial No. 215,964, providing motor driven means for effecting actuation of the operating mechanism. The present disclosure of this modification omits various parts of the prior machine and discloses only such parts as are deemed sulfi'cient to properly illustrate the modified form of the present invention. The improvements, as in the previously described form of the invention, relate to the idea of providing a ribbon controlled mechanism to signal to an operator that the ribbon supply has been exhausted and to lock the operating mechanism when the ribbon supply is exhausted. However, in the modification shown in Fig. 4, the control means is eifective to signal to the operator that the ribbon supply has been'exhausted and to lock the actuating means adapted to effect a connection between the power means and the operating means, such as, a trip mechanism for operating a switch mechanism and efiecting operative engagement of a clutch mechanism to connect the power means with the operating means.

The machine generally shown in this modification, by way of an example, is similar to the check writing machine described in my Patent No. 2,092,856, but provided with a motor driven mechanism for operating the main shaft thereof. The machine shown in Fig. 4 embodies a printing couple comprising type members 200 adapted to be selectively positioned at the printing line of the machine and a platen 20! adapted .to be moved into cooperative engagement with the type 200 in making an impression. The motor 202 is supported by brackets 203 carried on the frames 204 rigid with the side plates 205 provided on each side of the machine. The motor 202 is adapted to drive the clutch shaft 201 by suitable gear or mechanism, .not shown, for rotating the clutch ratchet 200 fixed to the clutch shaft 201. The clutch disc 208 loose on the shaft 201 carries a clutch dog 209 adapted to engage. the teeth of the ratchet 200 to efiect driving connection between the motordriven clutch shaft 201 and the clutch disc 208. Suitable operative connections, not shown, are provided with the clutch disc 208 to actuate the type setting means. and the platen 20l so as to selectively imprint numerals and other data at the printing line of the machine. The clutch dog 209 is normally held from engagement with the clutch ratchet 206 by the latch 2|! fixed on the rock shaft H2. The clutch dog 209 is controlled by the arm 2l0 pivoted to the clutch disc 208 and operatively connected to the dog 209. The latch 21 I normally engages an ofiset positionof the am. 210 to hold the clutch dog 209 from engagement with theteeth of the clutch ratchet .206. Rigid on the rock shaft 212 there is provided an arm 2! 3 having a pin 214 which projects through an opening 2I5 in the frame 204. The end of the pin 2l4lays in the path of a link 2I6 supported at one end by a stud 2|! carried by the frame 204. The other end of the link 2|6, provided with the elongated slot 2 I 8, is supported by a stud 2l9 on the bell crank lever .220 pivoted at 22! to the side plate 205. The loose end of thelink 2l6 is retained on the stud 211 by a spring 222 having one end carried by the link 2&6 and the other end by a stud 223 on the frame 204. A trip bar 224 is supported by the bell crank levers 220 and 221 connected together by the link 228 so as to provide a parallel motion to the bar when depressed. A spring 229 tends to retain the trip bar in the position shown in Fig. 4, that is, with the trip bar 224 in a raised position and the end of the link 2l6 disposed away from the stud M4 on the arm 2l3.

A switch control mechanism, shown in a frag-v mentary manner by Fig. 5 is supported between the side frames 204. The structural details of this mechanism do not form a part of the present invention and will only be generally described so that their part in the present combination may be understood. The details of this mechanism are fully disclosed and described in my pending application Serial No. 215,964.,

The switch 230 of the conventional plunger type, is provided in the electric circuit so that the motor 202 may be energized through a predetermined interval in the cycle of operation of the machine. A second latch arm 23| is fixed on the rock shaft 2l2 and normally retains the actuating finger 232 for the switch 230 inefiective. The switch 230, controlled by the plunger 238 which, when pressed in, closes the circuit and starts the motor, and when pressure is released, an associated spring thrusts the plunger outwardly again to open the switch. For the purpose of this disclosure, it may be generally stated that finger 232 is pivoted to an arm 233 supported loosely on the rod 234. A dog 235 is also supported, adjacent the arm 233, by the rod 234. A spring (not shown) retains a stud 231 carried by the arm 233, in engagement with a portion of the dog 235 so that the parts are yieldingly but operatively connected together. A spring 230 tends at all times to rock the arm 233 and the dog 235 clockwise about the rod 234 so as to cause the finger 232 to actuate the switch plunger 208 to close the circuit. However, the latch 23| is normally in the full line position shown in Fig. 5 and adapted to retain finger 232 out of engagement with the switch plunger 238.

It will now be seen that the depression of the trip bar 224 will rock the crank arms 22'! and 220 to cause the stud 2|9 in the first part of its movement to move through the slot 2| 8. The continued depression of the trip bar 224 causes the pin 2|9, carried on the lever 220, to contact the. end of the slot 2l8 and move the link 2|6 to the right from the positionshown in Fig. 4. The end of the link 2l6, resting on the stud 2H, will move into engagement with the stud 2l4 on the arm 2l3 to rotate the rock shaft 2I2 clockwise. The movement of the rock shaft 212 will cause the pawl 2H to disengage from th clutch control arm 2l0 and permit the clutch dog 209, under spring tension, to engage one of the teeth of the ratchet 206, thereby connecting the power means with the operating mechanism.

It willalso be seen that as the rock shaft M2 is moved clockwise, the switch latch 23l will be rocked to the dotted line position, Fig. 5, so asto release the dog 235. The spring 236 effecting movement to the released dog 235 and the arm 233 causes the finger 232 to depress the plunger 238 to close the electrical circuit to the motor 292. The motor energized, results in rotation of the clutch ratchet 206, and with the clutch dog engaged, the operating mechanism is driven through a normal cycle of operation. The cam 239 is effective at a predetermined part of the cycle of operation to restore the latch 235, so that it may properly be retained in normal position.

A locking member 248 pivoted at 2 to the side plate 205, and operatively connected to the link [4811, is normally in the full line position shown in Fig. 4, ineffective to prevent actuation of the trip bar 224. However, the member 240 is automatically movedto the dotted line position when the ribbon transfer member is exhausted from the supply spool 90 so as to be effective to prevent actuation of the trip bar 224 for closing the switch 230 and releasing the clutch dog 209.

The control means for the locking member 240 as well as for the signal or bar 129a of the present modification is similar to that already described in connection with the disclosure in Figs. 1 to 3. The control means includes the arm [51a normally engaging the ribbon 89 on the supply spool 90 and is adapted to control the movement of the second arm 144a carrying the stud 142a. The stud l42a normally retains the control member Hilla in the raised position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. When the control member MM is retained in this position the locking member 249 is ineffective and the signal bar [29a is positioned within the casing of the machine. However, when the supply of ribbon is exhausted from the supply spool 90, the arms [51a and 144a are moved in the same manner as previously described in connection with the arms I51 and I44, Figs. 1 to 3. As the stud 142a releases the control member 148a, the member MM is moved to a position similar to that shown in Fig. 3, and the signal bar I29a. and locking member 240 are rendered effective. The member 240 is operatively connected to the control member l lla, through the three-arm lever 134a and the link l48a. When the member 240 is moved by the tension of the spring l54a to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4, the hook portion 242 is positioned in the path of the extending ear 220a of the bell crank lever 220. Therefore, it will be seen that with the member 240 in the latter position, the trip bar 224 will be restrained from depression so as to prevent the closing of the switch 230 or release of the clutch dog 209. It will be understood that the signal bar l29ct carried by the link l3la is also operatively connected to the lever 134a and the control member 140a.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is therefore not tobe limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a printing machine, the combination of a casing, a printing couple, a ribbon supply spool, ribbon advancing means, operating means for said printing couple and said ribbon advancing means, normally ineffective locking means for said operating means, a signal bar normally held inconspicuously within said casing but adapted and arranged to be projected therefrom to indicate when the supply of ribbon is exhausted from said spool and when said locking means is effective to prevent actuation of said operating means, control mechanism for said locking means and said signal bar including a pair of resilientlyconnected arms and a control plate, said locking means and said signal bar being operatively connected to said control plate, one of said arms normally engaging the surface of the ribbon carried by said spool and the other of said arms normally holding said control plate in a position to retain said locking means in said ineffective position and said signal bar within said casing, said arms being arranged and adapted upon exhaustion of the ribbon from said spool to move so as to swing said holding arm out of the path of and to release said control plate for movement to a second position, whereby said locking means is moved to eiiective position and said signal bar is moved from within said casing, and spring means for moving said control plate to said second position when released by said arms, said resilient connection between said arms being adapted to permit said ribbon engaging arm to move independently of said other arm when the ribbon is rewound on said spool so that said locking means is effective until the ribbon is replenished on said spool.

2. In a check imprinting machine, the combination of a printing couple, of a ribbon supply spool from which an ink ribbon is advanced between the members of the printing couple, an operating means for said printing couple and for advancing said ribbon, a normally ineffective locking means for said operating means, releasable means for transmitting movement to said locking means from inefiective position to effective position, a shiftable arm for holding said transmitting means from movement, a member engaging the ribbon carried by said spool but adapted to be shifted when the ribbon is exhausted therefrom, tension means for constantly moving said member in the direction of said spool, means connecting said holding arm and said engaging member whereby said holding arm is shifted with said engaging member when the ribbon is exhausted from the spool so as to swing free of said transmitting means to release same for movement to position said locking means in effective position, and means for moving said transmitting means when released by said holding arm.

3. In a check imprinting machine, the combination of a printing couple, of a ribbon supply spool from which an ink ribbon is advanced between the members of the printing couple, an operating means for said printing couple and for advancing said ribbon, normally inefiective latch means to prevent actuation of said operating means, control mechanism releasable for cooperation with said latch means to render said latch means eflective, a shiftable arm for holding said control mechanism from movement, a member engaging the ribbon carried by said spool but adapted to be shifted with relation to the spool when the ribbon is exhausted therefrom, means connecting said holding arm and said engaging member, tension means for moving said arm and said member toward said ribbon spool, said arm being adapted to move with said member to a non-holding position when said member is shifted upon exhaustion of the ribbon from said spool so as to release said control mechanism for movement into cooperation with said latch means to render same efiective, and selectively operable means connected to said control mechanism for moving same from cooperation with said latch means so that said latch means is ineffective, said tension means being effective to retain said holding arm in said non-holding position until the ribbon is replenished on said spool.

4. In a checkwriter, the combination of a printing couple, of a ribbon supply spool from which an ink ribbon is advanced between the members of the printing couple, operating means for said printing couple and for advancing said ribbon, power means including a motor, switch means and a clutch means for eifecting connection of said power means with said operating means, a manually depressible trip means for said switch means and said clutch means, normally ineifective means for latching said trip means to prevent actuation thereof, releasable means for transmitting movement to said latch means from ineffective position to effective position, means for holding said transmitting means from movement, a ribbon engaging means resiliently connected to said holding means for shifting said holding means when the ribbon is exhausted from said spool to release said transmitting means for movement to position said latch means in efiective position, and selectively operable means to reset said transmitting means to position said latching means in ineffective position.

5. In a check imprinting machine, the combination of a printing couple, of a ribbon supply spool from which an ink ribbon is advanced between the members of the printing couple, an operating means for said printing couple and for advancing said ribbonjnormally ineffective latch means for said operating means, releasable means for transmitting movement to said latch means from ineffective position to effective position, a shiftable arm for holding said transmitting means from movement, tension means for moving said transmitting means when released by said holding arm, a member engaging the ribbon carried by said spool but adapted to be shifted when the ribbon is exhausted therefrom, spring means for moving said member in the direction of said spool, resilient means connecting said holding arm and said ribbon engaging member whereby said holding arm is shifted with said engaging member when the ribbon is exhausted from said spool so as to release said transmitting means for movement to position the latch means in effective position, said resilient connection between said arm and said member being adapted to permit said member to move relative to said arm while the ribbon is being replenished on said spool so that said latch means may be efiective while the ribbon is being replenished on said spool.

6. The combination in a printing machine, a printingcouple, a supply spool from which an ink ribbon is advanced between the members of said printing couple, operating means for said printing couple and for advancing said ribbon, normally ineffective means for latching said operating means to block movement thereof, releasable means for transmitting movement to said latch means from inefiective position to effective position, a shiftable arm arranged to normally hold said transmitting means from movement, a ribbon spool engaging means resiliently connected to said holding arm for moving said arm with relation to said transmitting means'as the ribbon is unwound from said spool but adapted to shift said arm when the ribbon is exhausted from said spool so as to release said transmitting means for movement to position said latching means in eiiective position, and manually operable means connected to said transmitting means for moving same to temporarily reset said latching means to ineffective position so as to permit an actuation of said operating means.

7. The combination of a printing couple, a supply spool from which an ink ribbon is advanced between the members of said printing couple, operating means for said printing couple and for advancing the ribbon, normally ineffective means movable for blocking the actuation of said operating means, normally restrained means for transmitting movement of said blocking means from ineffective position to effective position, shiftable means for holding said transmitting means from movement, ribbon spool engaging means resiliently connected to said holding means for shifting said holding means when the ribbon is exhausted from said spool so as to release said transmitting means for movement to position said blocking means in effective position, manual operable means connected to said transmitting means for temporarily resetting said blocking means to ineffective position to permit actuation of said operating means, and means for shifting said holding means and said engaging means when the ribbon is exhausted from said spool, said shifting means being eiiective to retain said holding means in said shifted position when said transmitting means is temporarily reset by said manual means at the time the ribbon is exhausted from said spool.

WALTER B. PAYNE.

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