U.S. patent number 3,722,405 [Application Number 05/076,938] was granted by the patent office on 1973-03-27 for print wheel setting and control means in data recorders.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation. Invention is credited to Donald T. Mahoney, John A. Maul.
United States Patent |
3,722,405 |
Mahoney , et al. |
March 27, 1973 |
PRINT WHEEL SETTING AND CONTROL MEANS IN DATA RECORDERS
Abstract
A printing machine for imprinting forms with variable data from
manually settable print wheels. The machine is provided with a bed
for retaining the print wheels and the form, and includes a platen
carriage to perform a printing cycle. The print wheels are
selectively positioned by keyset levers movable from a reference
datum position for rotating each print wheel to a desired
peripheral setting. The machine is intended for printing numerical
amounts; usually money values for check or money order imprinting.
The number value to which each wheel may be set makes a theoretical
setting greater than an arbitrary value maximum. In the example
given herein, the print wheels have numbers which could be set up
to print a value of 299.99 but for the advantages of this invention
which limits the value to 200.00. Therefore, the levers, wheels,
and associated structure cooperates to lock one another against
further rotary positioning of the wheels to greater values whenever
a given maximum is reached. Secondly, if the keyset levers are not
restored to their reference zero position after an imprint, a
second operation is prevented.
Inventors: |
Mahoney; Donald T. (Willoughby,
OH), Maul; John A. (Lyndhurst, OH) |
Assignee: |
Addressograph-Multigraph
Corporation (Cleveland, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
22135105 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/076,938 |
Filed: |
September 30, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
101/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41L
19/00 (20130101); B41K 3/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B41K
3/00 (20060101); B41K 3/08 (20060101); B41L
19/00 (20060101); B41j 029/58 (); B41f
003/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;101/45,95,96,93MN,209,285,45 ;235/101,103,130,131 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Penn; William B.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A data recorder comprising:
a bed for holding a form to be imprinted;
a platen carriage movable in a path across the bed from a home
position to an actuated position and back to home position to
perform a printing cycle;
a roller platen supported transversely of the path on the platen
carriage;
a plurality of settable print wheels in the bed including a first
print wheel and a secondary group of print wheels located for
printing cooperation with the roller platen;
a first means including a pivotally supported gear segment
drivingly associated with each said print wheel for rotating each
said print wheel to a desired peripheral setting within a fixed
range including a maximum limit position, said first means having a
reference datum position;
control means associated with the print wheels responsive to
positioning of the first print wheel to the maximum limit position
for preventing further positioning of any of the secondary group of
print wheels to any position within the range, and responsive to
positioning of any one of the secondary group of print wheels to
any position within the range for preventing positioning of the
first print wheel to the maximum limit position, said control means
including:
a. a cam disc carried by and movable with each said gear segment,
the periphery of each said cam disc being provided with a notch
positioned at a predetermined angular location;
b. control members supported for pivotal movement in response to
movement of the gear segments;
c. resilient means for maintaining the control members in contact
with each of the cam discs;
d. arresting means provided on each said control member adapted for
movement into and out of the notches in response to motion of the
control member,
whereby movement of the arresting means into the notches is
effective to limit movement of the first means within the fixed
range;
lock-out means operable in response to the motion of the platen
carriage through a printing cycle for preventing subsequent
movement of the platen carriage to the actuated position; and
means responsive to movement of the first means to the reference
datum position for unlocking the lock-out means to permit movement
of the platen carriage to the actuated position.
2. A data recorder comprising:
a bed for holding a form to be imprinted;
a platen carriage movable in a path across the bed from a home
position to an actuated position and back to home position to
perform a printing cycle;
a roller platen supported transversely of the path on the platen
carriage;
a plurality of settable print wheels in the bed including a first
print wheel and a secondary group of print wheels located for
printing cooperation with the roller platen;
a first means including a pivotally supported gear segment
drivingly associated with each said print wheel for rotating each
said print wheel to a desired peripheral setting within a fixed
range including a maximum limit position, said first means having a
reference datum position;
control means associated with the print wheels responsive to
positioning of the first print wheel to the maximum limit position
for preventing further positioning of any of the secondary group of
print wheels to any position within the range, and responsive to
positioning of any one of the secondary group of print wheels to
any position within the range for preventing positioning of the
first print wheel to the maximum limit position, said control means
including:
a. a cam disc carried by and movable with each said gear segment,
the periphery of each said cam disc being provided with a notch
positioned at a predetermined angular location;
b. control members supported for pivotal movement in response to
movement of the gear segments;
c. resilient means for maintaining the control members in contact
with each of the cam discs;
d. arresting means provided on each said control member adapted for
movement into and out of the notches in response to motion of the
control member,
whereby movement of the arresting means into the notches is
effective to limit movement of the first means within the fixed
range.
3. A printing device comprising:
a plurality of settable value printing elements including a first
print element and a secondary group of print elements located for
printing cooperation with a document to be imprinted;
positioning means including a pivotally supported member drivingly
associated with each said print element for selectively positioning
each said print element at a desired setting within a fixed range
including a maximum limit position and a reference datum
position;
control means including a first cam disc carried by and movable
with the member associated with the first print element, and a
secondary group of cam discs each carried by and movable with the
members associated with the secondary group of print elements, the
periphery of each of the cam discs being provided with a radial cam
portion and a radially opening arresting notch;
a first control member having a first cam follower arranged to
coact with the cam portion of said first cam disc and a first
blocking finger coactable with the notches in the secondary group
of cam discs when aligned;
a second control member having a second cam follower arranged to
coact with the cam portion of any cam disc of said secondary group
of cam discs and a second blocking finger coactable with the notch
in the first cam disc;
means urging the control members in a direction to move their cam
followers into engagement with the cam portion or portions of the
respective cam disc or discs;
said cam portions and urging means acting on the control members to
project the blocking fingers into notch entering position or
retract them into notch clearing position;
said first cam disc having a configuration such that its cam
portion will cause the first blocking finger to move to projected
position when the first print element is in the maximum limit
position and allow the finger to move to retracted position when
the first print element is in any other position;
the cam discs of the secondary group each having a configuration
such that its cam portion will cause the second blocking finger to
move to projected position when the corresponding print element is
in other than a value printing position and, if acting
independently, will allow the finger to move to retracted position
for any position of the print element not representing a value
print.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Printing machines of the type referred to as data recorders, are
used for printing fixed information from embossed plates, and
variable information from rotatable wheels. Usually money or other
numerical information is printed by such wheels.
Such a device can be set up to print checks and money orders. Prior
to this invention there were no satisfactory means for establishing
full variability with an arbitrary maximum. Also, in writing money
orders or checks it is often desired to use some non-numerical mark
before the first number, regardless of where the first number is
located. No machine has heretofore been available to prevent
accidental printing of such mark instead of a desired zero within
the limits of the actual number.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The data recorder of the present invention is particularly suited
to the imprinting of postal money orders and, as such, includes
certain modifications of features and features in addition to those
of the machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,634, but it does
not utilize an embossed printing plate or card. The machine of the
present invention provides means for limiting the positioning of
the keyset levers, and hence the print wheels, within a fixed
predetermined range such that the amount of the money order to be
imprinted cannot exceed a fixed limit.
Blocking means including a stop device is also provided to prevent
a printing cycle if the keyset levers are not first restored to a
reference datum position following a preceding printing operation.
The blocking means may be arranged to prevent movement of the
platen carriage through a printing cycle or, for example, in the
case of a data recorder having a pivotally mounted printing head,
to prevent closing of the printing head. To eliminate the
possibility that the machine operator may record a new transaction
using the information set into the variable data print wheels for a
previous transaction, blocking means including a stop device is
provided and arranged so that the keyset levers must be moved to
the reference datum position, and then reset to the desired new
setting, before a subsequent impression on the form can be
made.
The machine also includes a reset means for quickly and accurately
restoring all of the keyset levers to the reference datum position,
thereby unlocking the printing mechanism to permit a further
printing operation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a data recorder
having variable data print wheels selectively settable under
control of keyset levers, including control means associated with
arresting means to restrict positioning of the keyset levers within
a fixed predetermined range.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel lock-out
mechanism to prevent movement of the platen carriage through a
printing cycle if the keyset levers are not first restored to the
reference datum position following a preceding printing operation,
and prior to resetting the keyset levers to a new setting for a
subsequent printing cycle.
Another object of the invention is to provide a reset means for
simultaneously restoring all of the keyset levers to the reference
datum position, thereby unlocking the lock-out mechanism and
conditioning the machine to permit a further printing
operation.
Other objects, features and advantages will appear hereinafter as
the description proceeds.
IN THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a data recorder embodying the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a variable data printing unit, with the
keyboard cover in place, constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the variable data printing unit and
shows control means for restricting the positioning of the keyset
levers within a fixed predetermined range;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane
designated by line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a substantially schematic view as if taken along the
plane designated by line 5--5 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane
designated by line 6--6 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is an oblique view looking substantially along the plane
designated by line 7--7 of FIG. 6, drawn to a larger scale, with
portions broken away;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane
designated by line 8--8 of FIG. 7, drawn to a larger scale;
FIG. 9 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the
plane designated by line 9--9 of FIG. 8;
FIGS. 10 and 11 are detail with of a drive pawl and cam spacer
assembly associated wit the control means shown in a neutral and an
actuated position respectively;
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the drive pawl and cam spacer
assembly as viewed from the front in FIG. 4; and
FIGS. 13-17 are schematic views showing the operation of the
control means for various settings of the keyset levers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Keyboard and Print Wheels
As shown in FIG. 1, the data recorder comprises a base 10, a bed
12, a roller platen carriage 14, a keyboard indicated generally at
16, and a series of variable data print wheels indicated as a group
generally at 18 and designated individually as P1 to P5. The
keyboard includes keyset levers K1 to K5 for manually positioning
the print wheels P1-P5 respectively. A fee code print wheel 20 is
also provided in alignment with group 18, and is controlled by a
fee code lever 22 on the keyboard 16. A reset lever 24 is also
mounted on the keyboard for restoring the keyset levers K1-K5 and
22 to a zero or reference datum position.
The bed of the data recorder preferably is also provided with
additional printing devices including a group 26 of date code
wheels, and a station plate 28, which contains fixed information
printing characters. A form to be imprinted is positioned on the
bed 12 (shown in phantom outline and indicated by reference F) and
overlies the print wheels 18, 20 and 26 and the station plate 28.
The form F is properly registered and held in place by surfaces 30
and 32 and corner guides 34 and 36.
Refer to FIGS. 3 (sheet 2), 5 (sheet 4) and 13-17 (sheet 7). All of
the keyset levers K1-K5 are substantially of the same configuration
and each includes a cam disc 38 providing a dwell surface, a lobe
surface, and a notch. The notch is positioned at a unique location
with respect to the dwell and the lobe. The relationship of the
dwell and the lobe to the notch is the same for each of the keyset
levers K2-K5, but this relationship is different for the keyset
lever K1. Accordingly, for brevity and ease of understanding, since
the set of mechanism for each of the keyset levers K2-K5, as well
as the corresponding print wheels P2-P5 and associated mechanisms
related to each digit are identical in operation, only the sets
associated with the keyset levers K1 and K2 will be described
hereinafter.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the keyset levers K1-K5 and the fee code
lever 22 are pivotally supported on a shaft 40. A pair of side
plates 42 and 44, as seen in FIG. 2, extend to the area of shaft
40. Shaft 40 is carried by the side plates. The side plates are
mounted to the underside of the bed 12 and extend rearwardly to a
position below the keyboard 16. Each of the keyset levers comprises
radially extending members designated as finger 46, gear segment
48, and support arm 50. Each of the keyset levers K1-K5, but not
code lever 22, also includes the cam disc 38.
The finger 46 and the support arm 50, in each case, are offset from
the plane of the corresponding gear segment 48 by an amount
sufficient to spread the control portions of the keyset levers to a
workable spacing while the gear segments remain closely spaced to
drive the print wheels. FIG. 4 shows offsetting.
See FIG. 5. The finger 46 is provided with an ear 52 for retaining
one end of an indicator strip 54, the other end being retained by
the support arm 50. Although not shown in the drawings, the
indicator strip 54 for each of the keyset levers K1-K5 and 22 is
provided with digits 0-9, and the indicator strip for each of the
keyset levers K1-K3 is additionally provided with a symbol in the
form of an asterisk or the like at a position immediately preceding
the zero digit. The digits and symbols on the indicator strips
correspond to the digits and symbols on the print wheels P1-P5 and
20 provide a visual indication, through windows 56, of the digits
selected for printing.
A detenting mechanism includes a notched surface seen just under
the finger caps of the levers in FIG. 3. While not an unusual
arrangement and hence not shown in detail in the drawings, the
detenting means preferably comprises an arcuate member conforming
generally in shape to the indicator strip 54, and has a series of
notches in one edge thereof corresponding in number to the digits
and the symbols on the print wheel. A spring plunger suitably
mounted on each of the keyset levers is urged into the notches to
retain the keyset lever in the set position. The detenting means
affords an initial coarse setting of the print wheels, the final
accurate alignment of the print wheels being effected in a manner
to be described hereinafter.
The gear segment 48 of each of the keyset levers K1-K5 and lever 22
is operatively associated with a gear train comprising an idler
gear 58, a drive gear 60, and a pinion 62. Pinion 62 is integral
with a print wheel, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 8. Each of the
print wheels is rotatably supported on a shaft 68 (see FIGS. 3 and
6) such that the character on the selected face of the print wheel
extends upwardly through an opening in the bed 12 to lie in a
printing plane. Thus, when a keyset lever K1-K5 or 22 is moved to
select a desired character to be printed, as viewed through the
windows 56, the gear segment 48, the idler gear 58, the drive gear
60, and the pinion 62 cause a corresponding print wheel P1-P5 or 20
to present the selected character on the print wheel in proper
printing position.
Print Wheel Alignment
As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, in order to accurately position the
print wheels P1-P5 and 20, and to hold them against moving during
an imprinting operation, the machine is provided with a pair of
pawls 70 and 72 adapted to engage and align the drive gears 60 and
the print wheels 18 respectively. The pawl 70 is pivotally mounted
on a shaft 76 and is biased by a pair of springs 78 and 80 (see
FIG. 7) in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8 so as
to urge a nose 82 of the pawl 70 into engagement with the teeth of
the drive gears 60 when the roller platen carriage 14 is moved
through a printing operation. The pawl nose 82 has a sharp edge and
the teeth on the drive gears are formed with a sharp pointed shape.
This provides assurance that proper aligning engagement of the pawl
with the gear teeth can be achieved even in cases of fairly severe
initial misalignment when, for example, the detenting means
described above has failed to perform fully in the manner
intended.
The pawl 72 is mounted on a rocker member 84 pivoted on a shaft 86.
Print wheels 18 each have a series of location fixing notches 74.
Pawl 72 is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the
notches 74 in the peripheries of the print wheels. As seen best in
FIG. 8, rocker 84 has a leg 90 carrying a roller 92 adapted to
coact with the pawl 70.
With the roller platen carriage 14 in a home position as shown in
the drawings, the rocker 84 and the pawls 70 and 72 are in the
positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. However, when the roller platen
carriage is moved through a printing stroke to an actuated
position, from left to right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 7, the rocker
84 is caused to pivot about the shaft 86 in a clockwise direction
as viewed in FIG. 6, thereby moving the roller 92 of the rocker out
of contact engagement with the pawl 70, to permit the pawl to pivot
and to move the nose 82 of the pawl between adjacent teeth of the
drive gears 60, and moving the pawl 72 into engagement with the
notches 74 in the print wheels as shown in FIG. 8.
The rocker 84 is biased in a clockwise direction by a pair of
springs 94 and 96, seen in FIG. 7. Spring 94 is seen in FIG. 8. The
springs are connected to a pair of pins 98 and 100, the pin 98
being fixed in the rocker 84 and extending outwardly through
clearance openings 102 in the side plates 42 and 44, and the pin
100 being fixed in the side plates 42 and 44. The parts are so
designed that the pawls 70 and 72 engage in sequence. First the
nose 82 of the pawl 70 penetrates between the teeth of the drive
gear 60 until stops, designated 104, strike upon the side plates 42
and 44. Thereafter, the roller 92 moves out of contact with the
pawl 70 and continued motion of the rocker 84 produces final
locating and alignment of the print wheels by driving the pawl 72
into the print wheel notches 74.
Means for Imparting Pivotal Movement to the Rocker 84
An actuator lever 106 extends across the front of the machine
generally parallel to the platen carriage travel. See FIG. 7. Lever
106 is pivotally mounted on a pin 108 provided in a mounting
bracket 110 affixed to the underside of the bed 12, and is biased
by a weak spring (not shown in the drawings) in a clockwise
direction as viewed in FIG. 7. As best seen in FIG. 7, an upper
central portion of the actuator lever provides an arcuate camming
surface 114, and terminates in a straight section 116. The upper
central portion and section 116 extend as a lateral flange from the
pivot area of lever 106. The camming surface 114 and the straight
section 116 are adapted to contact the upper surface of an
actuating roller 118 carried by carriage 14 when the platen
carriage 14 is in its home position.
The other end of the actuator lever 106 extends towards the rocker
84 and terminates in a flat ear 120 which coacts with the rocker.
The springs 94 and 96, acting through the rocker 84 on the ear 120,
tend to rock the actuator lever in a counterclockwise direction as
viewed in FIG. 7.
Operation of Rocker 84
From the description thus far, it will be seen that movement of the
roller platen carriage 14 to its actuated position, from left to
right as viewed in FIG. 7, causes the actuating roller 118 to ride
out from under the straight section 116 of the actuator lever 106
and into rolling contact with the camming surface 114 of the
actuator lever, thereby allowing the actuator lever to pivot about
the pin 108 in a counterclockwise direction. Because the portion
114 is a lateral flange, roller 118 is positioned in a path which
will move past the pin 108. Lever 106 drops free of roller 118
after the roller 118 passes the end of the flange 114. This motion
allows the rocker 84 to be pivoted by the springs 94 and 96 in a
clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 8, to properly
position the pawls 70 and 72 respectively, in working relation with
the teeth of the drive gears 60 and the notches 74 in the print
wheels P1-P5 and 20. At the same time that the pawls 70 and 72 are
fully engaged with the drive gears and the notches to securely
retain the print wheels against movement, the pivotal movement of
the rocker 84 and of the actuator lever 106 are terminated, and the
roller 118 runs beyond the end of the camming surface 114. The
actuator lever 106 then is in the position shown in phantom in FIG.
7. Further movement of the roller platen carriage to the right
completes the printing stroke. The return movement of the platen
carriage first brings the roller 118 back beneath the camming
surface 114, and further movement to its home position restores the
mechanism to the full line positions shown in the drawings.
PRINT WHEEL CONTROLS
The present invention also provides an arrangement to restrict
positioning of the print wheels 18 within a fixed predetermined
range by means of control and arresting members associated with
each of the keyset levers K1-K5. Although the maximum limit of the
range may be any desired amount within the capacity of the unit,
for purposes of this disclosure the variable amount printing unit
will be described for imprinting numerical amounts up to and
including a maximum of 200. Usually such numbers will represent
money amounts. K1-K5 and their corresponding print wheels P1-P5 are
arranged to imprint amounts as follows:
Keyset lever Print Wheel Amount K1 P1 hundreds (100.) K2 P2 tens
(10.) K3 P3 units (1.) K4 P4 tenths (.10) K5 P5 hundredths
(.01)
As shown in FIG. 2, the keyset lever K1 is movable from an asterisk
position through digit 1 to the digit 2. The keyset levers K2 and
K3 are each movable in a range from an asterisk position to the
digit 9. The keyset levers K4 and K5 are each movable from a zero
position to the digit 9.
Interrelated Control
The control feature of this invention, to prevent setting more than
a selected maximum numerical value into the wheels P1-P5 is best
seen in FIG. 5. A pair of control members 124 and 126 are pivotally
supported on a pin 128. The control member 124 is provided with a
cam follower pin 130 adapted to coact with the cam disc 38 of all
of the keyset levers K2-K5, see FIG. 4, and also includes an
arresting means in the form of a blocking finger 132 adapted to
coact with a notch in the cam disc 38 of only the keyset lever K1.
The control member 126 is similar to the control member 124 and
comprises a cam follower pin 134 for coaction only with the cam
disc 38 of the keyset lever K1, and also includes an arresting
means comprising a blocking finger 136 adapted to coact with a
notch in the cam disc 38 of all of the keyset levers K2-K5. The
control members 124 and 126 are urged by springs 138 and 140
respectively, in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, to
maintain the pins 130 and 134 in contact engagement with the cam
discs 38, and the blocking fingers 132 and 136 out of engagement
with the notches in the cam discs. Movement of the keyset levers
from the reference datum position to position the corresponding
print wheels to a desired value printing printing position causes
the cam discs 38 to act against the pins 130 and 134, thereby
pivoting the control members 124 and 126 against the action of the
springs 138 and 140 and moving the blocking fingers 132 and 136
into the notches provided in the peripheries of the cam discs.
With reference to FIGS. 13-17, the operation of the control members
124 and 126 and the cam discs 38, to limit movement of the keyset
levers within a fixed range not to exceed a value of 200., will now
be described. The cam disc 38 of the keyset lever K1 comprises a
dwell surface 142, a lobe 144 and a notch 146. The cam disc 38 of
the keyset lever K2 comprises a dwell surface 148, a lobe 150 and a
notch 152. With the keyset lever K1 set at the asterisk position
and the keyset levers K2-K5 set at their zero positions, the cam
discs and the control members are positioned as indicated in FIG.
13, i.e., the pins 130 and 134 are positioned on the dwells 148 and
142 respectively, and the blocking fingers 132 and 136 are out of
engagement with the notches 146 and 152 respectively.
Movement of the keyset lever K1 to the digit 1 position (100.)
rotates the cam disc 38 of the keyset lever K1 to the position
shown in FIG. 14, wherein the dwell 142 is now positioned such that
the pin 134 is immediately adjacent the lobe 144. The notch 146, of
course, is also moved a corresponding distance although it is still
in aligned relationship with the blocking finger 132. All of the
other parts remain unchanged from the positions shown in FIG.
13.
Movement of the keyset lever K1 to the digit 2 position (200.)
rotates the cam disc 38 of the keyset lever K1 to the position
illustrated in FIG. 15. This movement of the cam disc causes the
lobe 144 to act against the pin 134 and pivots the control member
126 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 15,
against the urging of the spring 140, moving the blocking finger
136, which spans all of the keyset levers K2-K5, into engagement
with the aligned notches 152 in each of the cam discs 38 of the
keyset levers K2-K5. When so positioned, with the keyset lever K1
moved to its terminal digit 2 position (FIG. 2) and the blocking
finger 136 engaged with the notches 152 hence preventing further
movement of the keyset levers K2-K5, the unit is conditioned to
preclude the possibility of setting the print wheels 18 to imprint
an amount in excess of 200.
FIG. 16 shows the arrangement of parts as they would appear when
the unit is set for imprinting a value of 10. The positions of the
cam disc 38, the notch 146 and the pin 134 associated with the
keyset lever K1 are in the same positions as shown in FIG. 13,
wherein the hundreds print wheel P1 is positioned to imprint an
asterisk ahead of the first significant digit 1 of the 10. However,
movement of the keyset lever K2 to the digit 1 position (10.),
which also imparts movement to the keyset lever K3 from the
asterisk position to the zero position in a manner to be explained
hereinbelow, rotates the cam disc of the keyset lever K2 causing
the lobe 150 to act against the pin 130 and pivots the control
member 124 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 3 and
16, against the urging of the spring 138, moving the blocking
finger 132 into engagement with the notch 146 in the cam disc 38 of
the keyset lever K1. It will be noted, however, that the blocking
finger 132 enters the notch 146 at its leading end in respect to
the direction of rotation of the cam disc as indicated by the
arrows in FIGS. 13-17. The notch 146 is sufficiently wide to permit
subsequent movement of the keyset lever K1 to the digit 1 position
(100.), such that the blocking finger 132 is positioned within and
against the trailing end of the notch, but the notch 146 is not
wide enough to permit further movement of the keyset lever K6 from
the digit 1 position to the digit 2 position as will be further
explained.
In the FIG. 16 condition, all of the keyset levers K2-K5 may be
moved to their extreme digit 9 positions and could set up to print
99.99. But, because the keyset lever K1 is arrested against
movement to the digit 2 position by the blocking finger 132, only
the figure "1" can be printed to thereby reach a maximum of 199.99.
The print wheels P1-P5 cannot be set for imprinting a numerical
value in excess of 199.99.
In FIG. 17, the keyset levers are shown in a position for
imprinting a value of 110. Movement of the keyset lever K1 rotates
the cam disc 38 such that the dwell 142 is moved to a position
wherein the pin 134 is immediately adjacent the lobe 144, and the
notch 146 is positioned with its trailing end opposed to but out of
engagement with the blocking finger 132. Movement of the keyset
lever K2 to the 10. position rotates the cam disc 38 of the keyset
lever K2 and causes the lobe 150 to act against the pin 130. This
action pivots the control member 124 and moves the blocking finger
132 into engagement with the trailing end of the notch 146. Since
this position of the blocking finger 132 with respect to the notch
146 is effective to arrest movement of the keyset lever K1 so that
it cannot go beyond the digit 1 position, the print wheels P1-P5
cannot be set for imprinting a value of more than 199.99,
regardless of where the other keyset levers K2-K5 may be
positioned.
With apparatus as shown and described, movement of the keyset lever
K1 operates the control member 124 for simultaneously blocking all
of the keyset levers K2-K5 against movement under the described
conditions, and movement of any one of the keyset levers K2-K5
operates the control member 126 for effecting a blocking function
of the keyset lever K1 beyond the digit "1" position. This novel
arrangement provides a reliable means for restricting movement of
the keyset levers and their corresponding print wheels within a
fixed predetermined range, and may be designed for a range for
limiting the imprinting to any maximum amount, within the capacity
of the machine, rather than just the 200. unit amount used as an
example in the present description.
As shown in FIG. 2, the keyset levers K1-K3 are each provided with
an asterisk position immediately ahead of the zero position, and a
similar asterisk is provided on each of the corresponding print
wheels P1-P3. Thus, under control of the keyset levers, the print
wheels are positionable for imprinting an asterisk in all positions
preceding the first significant digit of the number amount to
conform with standard practice in the imprinting of checks and/or
money orders. Means is also provided for preventing the imprinting
of an asterisk at a position intermediate any of the digits. Thus,
movement of the keyset lever K1 from the asterisk position also
results in movement of the keyset levers K2 and K3 (and their
corresponding print wheels) from their asterisk to their zero
positions, thereby avoiding the possibility of imprinting asterisks
by the print wheels P2 and P3 at positions between the hundreds and
the tenths digits. Also, movement of the keyset lever K2 is
effective to move the keyset lever K3 (and its corresponding print
wheel) from its asterisk to its zero position, thereby preventing
the imprinting of an asterisk by the print wheel P3 at a position
between the tens and the tenths digits.
The manner in which movement of K3 by K2 is accomplished will now
be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 10, 11 and 12. As best
shown in FIG. 12, a drive pawl 154 is pivotally mounted at 156 on
the keyset lever K1, and the keyset lever K2 is provided with a cam
spacer 158 rotatably supported on the shaft 40. The cam spacer is
secured to the keyset lever K2 for rotation therewith by means of a
square projection 160 on the face of the cam spacer engaging a
corresponding opening in the keyset lever K2.
Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the drive pawl 154 comprises a
cam surface 162 adapted to coact with a pin 164 fixed in the side
plates 42 and 44 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4) a nose 166 for driving
the cam spacer 158, a follower portion 168 and a spring 170. The
cam spacer includes a lip 172 against which the nose 166 acts and
an arcuate surface 174.
With the keyset levers K1-K3 in their asterisk positions, the drive
pawl 154, the cam spacer 158 and the related parts are in a neutral
position as seen in FIG. 10. When the keyset lever K1 is moved from
the asterisk to the digit 1 position, the nose 166 of the drive
pawl 154 acts against the lip 172 of the cam spacer thereby
rotating the cam spacer, and moving the keyset lever K2 to which it
is secured, from the asterisk to the zero position, in a clockwise
direction as viewed in FIGS. 3, 10 and 11. As the cam spacer is
being rotated, the cam surface 162 of the drive pawl contacts the
pin 164 causing the drive pawl to move towards the right as viewed
in these Figures, against the bias of the spring 170, so as to urge
the nose 166 out of contact engagement with the lip 172 of the cam
spacer 158. When the keyset lever K1 reaches its digit 1 position
the parts are in an actuated position as seen in FIG. 11, wherein
the nose 166 is clear of the lip 172 and the spring 170 urges the
cam surface 162 against the pin 164.
Further movement of the keyset lever K1 from the digit 1 to the
digit 2 position causes the follower portion 168 of the drive pawl
154 to ride free of the arcuate surface 174, (see FIG. 11) thus
avoiding further rotary driving motion of the cam spacer and of the
keyset lever K2. Return movement of the keyset lever K1 to its
asterisk position restores the drive pawl and the spring from the
positions shown in FIG. 11 to the positions shown in FIG. 10 but,
because the cam spacer 158 is secured to the keyset lever K2 and
the drive pawl 154 is mounted on the keyset lever K1, the cam
spacer is not driven during the return movement of the drive pawl,
and the keyset lever K2 is not restored from the zero to the
asterisk position.
Although only one drive pawl and cam spacer arrangement has been
described in detail herein, a similar arrangement is provided for
the keyset levers K2 and K3, as shown in FIG. 12. Thus, the keyset
lever K2 is provided with a drive pawl and a spring such as 154 and
170 respectively, and the keyset lever K3 is provided with a cam
spacer such as 158. Movement of the keyset lever K2 from its
asterisk to its zero position, through the drive pawl and the cam
spacer, is effective to move the keyset lever K3 from its asterisk
to its zero position. In this way, the keyboard 16 can only be set
for imprinting asterisks in front of the first significant digit of
the numerical amount to be imprinted, and it cannot be
inadvertantly set so as to cause imprinting of an asterisk between
significant digits of the amount.
Platen Carriage
Any suitable platen carriage of known construction may be used to
press the printing members for making a printing impression. The
illustrated carriage and platen are of the construction and
operation as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,725 if further detail is
desired.
A roller platen 198 is carried in carriage 14 by a shaft 200. The
shaft is eccentric and may be shifted to lift the roller platen at
the end of a printing stroke, for the return travel.
A leg 180 of the carriage extends below the surface of the bed 12
and carries the roller 118.
Platen Carriage Lock-Out
The machine of the present invention includes a platen carriage
lock-out arrangement to prevent operation of the data recorder (by
blocking the carriage against movement from the home to the
actuated position) unless all of the keyset levers are restored to
the reference datum position following a preceding printing cycle.
However it should be understood that the present invention is not
limited to preventing a printing operation by blocking movement of
the platen carriage, but is broad enough to embrace prevention by
other means of the taking of an impression. Thus, in data recorders
having a pivotally mounted printing head, for example, the taking
of a printing impression may be prevented equally well by providing
blocking means to prevent closing of the printing head unless all
of the keyset levers are restored to the reference datum or zero
position following a preceding printing cycle.
In the lower central area of FIG. 8, there is shown an actuator
plate 212 pivotally supported on a pin 214. Plate 212 serves the
function of a memory in that it is moved into a locking position as
a function of platen operation, and is the key to locking the
platen against further operation until the platen is returned to
its unlocked first position. The actuator plate includes a notch
216 which receives one end of a U-shaped overcenter spring 218 to
retain the actuator plate in a first or a second position. The
spring 218 is held in place against the side plate 42 by a holder
220 fastened to the side plate, and the holder is also provided
with a notch 222 which receives the other end of the spring
218.
With further reference to FIG. 8, a pivoted link 224 located above
plate 212, has a nose 228 adapted to coact with an ear 230 provided
on the actuator plate 212. The link has a formed end 232 opposite
nose 228 and an upwardly projecting arm terminating in a stop
surface 234. The link 224, in response to restoring the keyset
levers to the reference datum position, is effective to pivot the
actuator plate 212 to its first position to thereby unlock the
locking means and permit subsequent movement of the platen carriage
through a printing stroke.
A blocking member 236 is also pivotally mounted on the pin 214,
adjacent the actuator plate 212, and is lightly biased by a spring
238 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8. The
blocking member extends forwardly from the pin 214 and is provided
with a recess 240 at its bottom edge adapted to coact with the pin
98.
Still referring to FIG. 8, the actuator plate 212 is also provided
with an adjustable pusher member in the form of a screw 242 having
an end extending towards an ear 244 provided on the pawl 70. Assume
the parts to be in an unblocking position with the actuator plate
swung to its clockwise limit opposite from that shown in FIG. 8.
The recess 240 of the blocking member will then be raised slightly
above the path of the pin 98. As the carriage 14 is moved forward
on a printing stroke, the rocker 84 is caused to pivot in a
clockwise direction (from the FIG. 6 to the FIG. 8 position)
withdrawing the roller 92 away from the pawl 70 thereby permitting
the springs 78 and 80 to pivot the pawl 70 in a counterclockwise
direction. Thus, the ear 244 of the pawl 70 contacts the end
portion of the screw 242 and pushes the same to cause the actuator
plate 212 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction to its first or
set position shown in FIG. 8. This pivotal movement of the actuator
plate also shifts the position of the overcenter spring 218 such
that the end of the spring engaged with the notch 216 in the
actuator plate is acting upwardly to maintain the actuator plate in
the set position.
In the same action of rocker 84, the pin 98 in the rocker 84 has
moved somewhat under a lower surface 246 of the blocking member 236
thereby preventing the blocking member from following the motion of
the actuator plate 212. Spring 238 will be slightly stretched. As
the carriage 14 is returned to the home position, the rocker 84 is
pivoted in the opposite direction withdrawing the pin 98 from
beneath the blocking member so that the latter is drawn into an
effective blocking position with the recess 240 engaging the pin
98. The actuator plate 212 remains in the set position as a result
of the spring 218 biasing the actuator plate in a counterclockwise
direction as viewed in FIG. 8, so that no interference to return of
the blocking member to blocking position is occasioned thereby.
Until such time as the keyset levers of the keyboard 16 are reset
to the reference datum position, the actuator plate 212 will remain
in the set position. Therefore, if an attempt is made to perform
another printing stroke without resetting the keyset levers, the
pin 98 in the rocker 84 will be held in the recess 240 of the
blocking member and prevent normal pivotal movement of the rocker.
The rocker will, therefore, fail to drive the actuator lever 106
through its full normal angle and hence it will fail to follow the
actuating roller 118 on the carriage 14.
The actual stop means for preventing travel of the platen carriage
14 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 and comprises a blocking ear 248,
formed upwardly from the actuator lever 106, which is adapted to be
engaged by a flange 250 provided on the leg 180 of the carriage.
The position of the ear 248 is such that the engagement of the pin
98 by the recess 240 of the blocking member 236 prevents the
actuator lever 106 from completing its normal counterclockwise
pivotal movement, thereby presenting the ear directly in the path
of the flange 250 as the carriage 14 is moved from the home
position.
To free the machine for a printing operation, movement of the reset
lever 24 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, to
restore the keyset levers to the reference datum position, is
effective to cause a ledge 25 of the reset lever to strike the end
232 of the link 224 thereby pivoting the link in a counterclockwise
direction as viewed in FIG. 8. As the link is pivoted, its nose 228
contacts the ear 230 of the actuator plate 212 and pivots the
actuator plate overcenter to its second position where it is held
by the spring 218. When the reset lever is moved in the opposite
direction, the link 224 is pivotally restored with its stop surface
234 resting on an edge of the side plate 42.
As the actuator plate 212 is moved to its second position, an ear
252 on the actuator plate contacts the blocking member 236 and
pivotally rotates the same in a clockwise direction as viewed in
FIG. 8. In this position, the recess 240 of the blocking member is
out of the path of the pin 98. When the pin 98 is thus allowed to
swing, the rocker 84 and the actuator lever 106 are allowed to
complete their pivotal movement as the laten carriage moves out,
thereby allowing the blocking ear 248 on the actuator lever to move
downwardly for enough to clear the path of the flange 250.
In addition to the locking arrangement described above, the present
device also provides another blocking means to prevent travel of
the platen carriage to its actuated position in those instances
where the keyset levers have been reset to the reference datum
position and subsequently positioned for a printing operation, but
at least one of the keyset levers was not properly positioned in
exact register with its detent position. In such a case, the nose
82 of the pawl 70 may squarely strike the top of one of the teeth
of the drive gears 60 thus leaving the corresponding print wheel in
an intermediate position, and the pawl 72 is prevented from moving
into the notches 74 of the print wheels. Rather, the pawl 72 abuts
the face of the print wheel and prevents further pivotal movement
of the rocker 82 and the actuator lever 106 through their complete
travel. Thus, the blocking ear 248 is not lowered far enough to
clear the path of the flange 250 and prevents travel of the platen
carriage to the actuated position.
The design of the pawl 72 and the notches 74 in the print wheels is
such that the notches provide a depth related to an appropriate
difference in the travel of the pawl 72 in the two situations, and
the pawl 72 is so positioned that it strikes or senses the print
wheel face at a time when the ear 248 has still not entirely
cleared the path of the flange 250. Therefore, if the pawl 72
senses the face of the print wheel, and it is not seated to the
full depth in the notch, the actuator lever 106 is prevented from
complete travel and, hence, the ear 248 is not lowered to a level
to clear the path of the flange 250 when the carriage is moved from
its home position. The platen carriage is thereby blocked against
printing movement until such time as the print wheel setting is
corrected.
Keyboard Reset
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the means for restoring the keyset
levers to the zero or reference datum position, i.e., each of the
keyset levers K1-K3 to the asterisk position and the keyset levers
K4 and K5 to the zero position, will now be described.
The reset lever 24 comprises a bail member including a pair of
depending side arms 254 and 256 pivotally supported on the shaft
40. A vertical back wall 258 connects the side arms adjacent their
lower ends and includes a horizontal rib 260 adapted to strike
terminal ends 262 of the gear segments 48 when the reset lever is
operated. When the reset lever is at the end of its
counterclockwise stroke (as shown in FIG. 3) the ledge 25 of the
reset lever contacts the link 224 and pivots the same against the
ear 230 of the actuator plate 212.
Movement of the keyset levers from the reference datum position
rotates the gear segments 48 in a clockwise direction as viewed in
FIG. 3, moving the ends 262 of the gear segments towards the back
wall 258 of the reset lever. Subsequently, on completion of a
printing operation, the keyset levers are returned to the reference
datum position by manually moving the reset lever 24 in a
counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. This movement of
the reset lever causes the rib 260 of the back wall 258 to strike
the ends 262 of the gear segments, thereby rotating the gear
segments in the same direction as the reset lever and restoring the
keyset levers to the reference datum position.
As shown in FIG. 2, the keyset levers K2 and K3 are required to be
moved a greater distance than the keyset levers K1, K4 and K5 in
order to reach the reference datum position, since each of the
keyset levers K2 and K3 is provided with an asterisk position ahead
of the zero position. Accordingly, the terminal ends 262 of the
gear segments 48 associated with the keyset levers K2 and K3 are
made to extend beyond the ends 262 of the other gear segments by an
amount corresponding to the additional travel required to restore
the keyset levers K2 and K3 to the reference datum position in
response to operation of the reset lever 24.
The overcenter weighted arrangement of the reset lever 24,
resulting from the side arms 254, 256 and the back wall 258,
normally urges the reset lever in a clockwise direction as viewed
in FIG. 3. Therefore, when the reset lever is manually moved to an
actuated position to restore the keyset levers to the reference
datum position, on release of the keyset lever by the machine
operator the reset lever returns to a start position (FIGS. 2 and
3) under its own weight. An extension spring may, if desired, be
provided to further bias the reset lever in a direction to maintain
the reset lever in the start position.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the back wall 258 is preferably provided
with a pair of bumpers 264 and 266 which cushion the stopping of
the reset lever against the edges of the side plates 42 and 44 when
the reset lever is returned to the start position.
The fee code lever 22 is provided for positioning the print wheel
20 for imprinted a fee code on the form or money order and is
operated independently of the other keyset levers. Therefore, while
the lever 22 is returned to its zero position by the reset lever 24
each time the keyset levers K1-K5 are restored to the reference
datum position, the lever 22 does not includes the camming and the
arresting means associated with the other keyset levers. Rather,
the gear segment 48 of the lever 22 directly drives the gear train
58, 60 and 62 to position the fee code print wheel 20.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present
invention provides a compact data recorder for imprinting forms
with variable data from selectively positionable print wheels. It
also provides novel means for restricting the positioning of the
keyset levers and their corresponding print wheels within a fixed
predetermined range, as well as a reset means for restoring the
keyset levers to a reference datum position. Additionally, there is
provided a platen carriage lock-out mechanism to prevent operation
of the machine in those instances where the machine operator fails
to reset the keyset levers to the reference datum position
following a preceding printing cycle and prior to resetting the
keyset levers to a new setting for a subsequent printing cycle.
These combined features result in a data recorder that is reliable
in operation and substantially free of inadvertant operation due to
failure of the operator to reset the print wheels to a new setting
prior to each printing operation.
* * * * *