US2622527A - Check positioning means for checkwriters - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 23, 1952 'F. J. RODERICK 2,522,527

CHECK POSITIONING MEANS FOR CHECKWRITERS Filed Aug. 31, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l N l/O25 NATIEINAL BANK E; TRLIET EUMF'ANY 0 Warm/19407 52295;? WM %/570 2:2 5 2; 2,5 3:: ar DBL-m5 1386- 1952 F. J. RODERICK CHECK POSITIONING MEANS FOR CHECKWRITERS 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Aug. 31, 1950 23m? 16 J %$& 25%? Patented Dec. 23, 1952 CHECK POSITIONING MEANS FOR CHECKWRITERS Frank J. Roderick, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application August 31, 1950, Serial No. 182,563

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in checkwriters, and is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 59,580, filed November 12, 1948, now abandoned.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a relatively small and compact portable or pocket-size checkwriter that is entirely practical in operation and us and embodies a novel construction and arrangement of parts for properly positioning a check in the device preparatory to writing each succeeding number or character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a checkwriter of the type described which embodies check-perforating elements which are constructed and arranged to deposit a colored ink in and around the edges of the perforations at the top side of the check during initial passage of the perforating elements through the check.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a checkwriter having the novel features and advantages set forth which is of relatively simplified and rugged construction, is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and is entirely foolproof and quite easy to operate and use.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features and details of the construction and operation thereof are hereinafter fully set forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a view in plan of a checkwriter made according to the present invention and showing the same in relation to a check;

' Fig. 2 is an enlarged end elevational view of the checkwriter;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a check illustrating the manner in which a check may be prepared by the checkwriter of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on 4-4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on 5-5, Fig. 1; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged fragmentary perspective views respectively of the guide plate and base members of the checkwriter.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a checkwriter made in accordance with the present invention comprises a base member I of generally rectangular shape and composed, for example, of sheet material such as metal. The forward edge of the base I is turned under to provide an inwardly extending flange 2 which is spaced close to the'main portion of the base member 1. Between the flange 2 and the base I there is removably inserted the outer edge portion of a tray or like member 3 which is removably held in place by means of lip portions 4 pressed out from the base member I and arranged for cooperative engagement with the inner edge of the tray 3. The tray 3 is adapted to contain an ink pad 6 of felt or the like.

Inwardly adjacent the outer flanged edge of the base member I and extending parallel thereto in overlying relation to the pad 6 in the tray 3 is a series of uniformly spaced groups of small openings 1 each arranged in the form or outline of a, predetermined different character, number or the like. Thus, for example, from left to right in order the groups of openings 1 may be arranged in the outline of the following characters and numbers:- 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings.

Overlying the base member I is a guide plate 8 which is rigidly secured to said base member I along their respective inner edge portions, for example, by means of rivets 9. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5 of the drawings, the inner edge portion 8a of the guide plate 8 is downwardly offset with respect tothe remaining portion of said guide plate so that the latter portion normally is spaced above the base member I. The guide plate 8 is substantially coextensive with the base member I and has its outer edge portion extending upwardly at right angles, as indicated at Ill, whence it terminates in an inwardly extending flange H the purpose for which will be described hereinafter. At its outer edge the guide plate 8 is provided with a downwardly offset rib Ina which operates to prevent the main portion of the plate 8 from contacting a check positioned on the base member I when the plate 8 is urged downwardly by actuation of the keys M to write the check. By eliminating contact of the check by the plate 8 blurring of the printing is prevented and a clear, neat imprint on the check is assured.

There is formed in the guide plate 8 along the outer edge thereof a series of uniformly spaced openings 12. Each of these openings l2 overlies one of the groups of openings 1, for example, as shown in Fig. 5. In addition to the openings I! provided in the guide plate 8, there is provided in the space intermediate each adjacent pair of said openings l2 an aperture or window l3, the purpose for which will be described hereinafter.

Overlying the guide plate 8 is a keyboard comprising a unitary structure including a series of relatively parallel flexible arms or keys I4. These arms or keys are spaced apart according to the spacing of the groups of openings 7 and the openings I2 and are integrally connected at their inner ends to a common mounting portion I which is fixedly secured with respect to the guide plate 8 and base member I, for example, by the aforesaid rivets 9. The mounting portion I5 of the socalled keyboard is offset with respect to the projecting arms I4 in the direction of the guide plate portion Ba so that the said arms normally are spaced above the guide plate 8 with their outer ends underlying the inturned edge flange II of the guide plate 8, for example, in the relation shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The flexible arms or keys I4 are provided with suitable check-perforating elements I! comprising, for example, a platen I8 having a group of a plurlity of pins I9 projecting from its underside and arranged in the form or outline of the particular character defined by the group of openings I with which it is associated. The said pins I9 are tapered toward their free ends and are constructed and arranged when a selected arm or key is depressed to pass through the underlying groups of openings in the guide plate 8 and base member I into contact with the inking pad 6, for example, in the manner and relation shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

By reason of the foregoing construction and arrangement it will be apparent, with a check inserted properly between the base I and plate 8, that a depression of the arms or keys I4 will cause the group of tapered pins I 9 associated therewith to perforate and pass entirely through the check. Furthermore, the tapered shape of the pins operate to form a progressively enlarged opening in the check with the result that the circumscribing paper of the check wipes ink upon the pins thus depositing the ink about the enlarged opening at the top side of the check. Furthermore, by this tapered pin construction, as the pins pass through a check, the small ends of the pins engage the pad Ii, pick up a supply of the ink and then pass upwardly through the larger Openings formed in the check without touching the check paper so that no ink is deposited at or on the underside of the check. Consequently the fresh supply of ink remains on the pins until they are again depressed through the check and the ink wiped therefrom by the check paper on the downward stroke as previously described.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision intermediate the guide plate 8 and base member I of a check positioning bar 2I which is adapted to be predeterminedly set with respect to the groups of openings I in the guide plate in order properly to position a check in the checkwriter. As shown in Figs. 4 and 7 of the drawings the positioning bar 2i extends the entire distance longitudinally of the checkwriter and has its opposite end portions looped or bent upwardly as indicated at'22 so as to project above the base I and plate 8 and then passes downwardly with its ends projected inwardly beneath the base member I as shown. These upwardly looped portions 22 of bar 2| constitute stops against which a check may be engaged to position it properly in the device and prevent the check from passing inwardly beyond the bar 2|. In order that the check positioning bar 2| may be retained securely against accidental displacement in any position to which predeterminedly set, rubber elements 23 are mounted on the opposite ends of the bar 2| and these rubber elements 23 engage firmly with the undersurface of the base member I.

To cooperate with the looped ends 22 in preventing a check from passing beyond the bar 2| when a check is inserted in the checkwriter, the bar 2I is provided at equally spaced intervals therealong with a plurality of ribs or offset portions alternately arranged to project upwardly and downwardly, for example, as indicated at 24 and 25, respectively, in Figs. 4 and 7 of the drawings. These ribs or offset portions 24 and 25 of the check positioning bar 2I are received within elongated slots or recesses formed by pressed-out portions 26 and 27, respectively, in the guide plate 8 and the base member I. By the described construction and arrangement of the bar 2| with its oppositely offset ribs 24 and 25 which engage within the slots or recesses provided by the pressed-out portions 26 and 21, it will be observed that an effective stop is provided throughout the entire length of the checkwriter which prevents a check from being inserted into the checkwriter beyond the positioning bar 2 I.

In using the checkwriter of the present invention, a check with the payees name written thereon is inserted into the checkwriter between the base member I and guide plate 8 and the positioning bar 2| is adjusted or set so that with the inner edge of the check in engagement with said bar 2I the portion of the check on which the amount or sum of money is entered is disposed in alignment or registry with the aforesaid openings in the guide plate 8. The check is then properly positioned longitudinally of the checkwriter and the amount or sum of money which is to be paid by the check is perforated therein by depressing the proper arms IA of the keyboard. In this connection, use is made of the apertures or windows I3 to insure proper positioning of the check longitudinally as succeeding characters are perforated therein. Thus, for example, and in writing a check say, for the sum of $1570.02 as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the arm I4 carrying the character is first depressed. The check is then moved longitudinally to the right until the is visible to the operator through the window I3 just to the left of the arm carrying the sign. With the check thus positioned the sign arm is depressed to perforate that character in the check. Following this the check is again moved to the right until the 3; sign perforated therein is visible to the operator through the window I3 just to the left of the arm bearing the numeral 1. This arm is then depressed to perforate the numeral 1 in the check, the same general procedure being followed in perforating the subsequent numerals until the entire amount or sum of the check has been perforated therein. To properly perforate the desired amount or sum of money in a check it is only necessary to bear in mind that the check must be positioned longitudinally of the checkwriter so that the last number or character perforated therein is visible to the operator through the window I3 which is just to the left of the arm or key to be next actuated to perforate the succeeding number or character in the check. When the amount of the check has been perforated therein as described, the check may be removed from the device and completed and signed in the usual manner.

Each character or number perforated in the check is significantly colored by the deposit of ink upon the edge portions of the check surrounding each perforation by the passage of the tapered pins I9 initially through the check as previously described. The tray 3 may be detached readily from the base I to permit inking of the pad 6 therein, after which the said tray may be replaced.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that the present invention provides a portable or pocket-size check-writer which embodies a novel construction and arrangement of parts for properly positioning a check in the device preparatory to writing each succeeding number or character and wherein novel check perforating elements are employed which deposit a colored ink in and around the edges of the perforations at the top side of the check during initial passage of the perforating elements through the check.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosure, and changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a checkwriter, a base member having therein a plurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced elongated recesses, a guide plate overlying said base and having therein a plurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced elongated recesses arranged alternately with respect to the elongated recesses in said base member, and an adjustable check positioning bar extending longitudinally between said guide plate and base member and having oppositely disposed projections arranged alternately in spaced relation longitudinally thereof and extending respectively into the elongated recesses provided in said guide plate and base member.

2. In a checkwriter, a base member having therein a plurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced elongated recess, a guide plate overlying said base and having therein a plurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced elongated recesses arranged alternately with respect to the elongated recesses in said base member, and an adjustable check positioning bar extending longitudinally between said guide plate and base member and having means at its end portions frictionally engaged with the end edges of the latter to secure the bar frictionally against accidental displacement from any position to which adjusted, said bar having its opposite end portions pro'ected up- Wardly above the base and plate to constitute stops against which a check may be engaged to properly position same.

3. In a checkwriter, a base member having therein a plurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced elongated recesses, a guide plate overlying said base and having therein a plurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced elongated recesses arranged alternately with respect to the elongated recesses in said base member, and an adjustable check positioning bar extending longitudinally between said guide plate and base member and having oppositely disposed projections arranged alternately in spaced relation longitudinally thereof and extending respectively into the elongated recesses provided in said guide plate and base member, said bar having its opposite end portions projected upwardly above the base and plate to constitute stops against which a check may be engaged to properly position same.

FRANK J. RODERICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 687,752 Hewston Dec. 3, 1901 1,039,789 Page Oct. 1, 1912 1,143,556 Sinclair June 15, 1915 1,153,832 Thorson Sept. 14, 1915 1,386,535 Rothe Aug. 2, 1921 1,720,655 Brown July 9, 1929

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