US1845872A - Machine for copying documents and the like - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 16, 1932. A H, GLEDHlLL 1,845,872

MACHINE FOR COPYING DOCUMENTS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ.

A! L INVENTOR:

Feb. 16, 1932. A. H. GLEDHI'LL MACHINE FOR COPYING DOCUMENTS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheet-Sheet '2 Filed Oct. '7, 1929 INVENTORE Patented Feb. 16, 1932 ARTHUR HENRY GLEDHILL, OF HALIFAX, ENGLAND MACHINE FOR COPYING DOCUMENTS AND THE LIKE Application filed October 7, 1928, Serial No. 387,942, and in Great Britain December 29, 1928.

This invention relates to machines for producing copies of drawings, documents, and the like, and to that type of machine in which the paper on which the copy is to be made is placed in a travelling feed carriage which lays the paper on to a duplicating composition. This carriage is rovided with a platen feed roller adapted to be lifted out of contact with a tension roller on the carriage to allow a sheet of paper to be fed into the carriage until it comes to rest against a stationary stop on the machine.

In machines of this class it has been customary to hinge the carria e to a slide frame that slides along a guide ar at one side of the machine and to effect the adjustment of the platen roller in relation to the platen by means of a set screw on the carriage which can be adjusted in relation to an abutment on the slide frame to which that end of the carriage is hinged. This construction calls for delicate adjustment to give correct pressure at both ends of the platen roller. The handle for pushing the carriage along the bed has been fived at or near the centre of the hinged frame or carriage which carries the platen roller and at some distance away from the guide rod with the result that any force applied to the handle to move the carriage over the platen tends to strain or distort the carriage and cause the slide frame to bind on the guide rod. Moreover owing to the handle being mounted on a hinged carriage variation in force exerted upon the handle produces variation of pressure between the platen roller and the platen or duplicating composition and these defects produce irregularities and often make it difficult to lay thin sheets of paper on the duplieating composition without producing crinkles.

According to this invention the hinged carriage is dispensed with and replaced by one that is rigidly connected with the slide frame and the handle for pushing the carriage along the platen is fixed to or near the slide frame and the free end of the carriage is supported by a ball or roller bearing adapted to run along a track formed on the side of the machine frame.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect the same is described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is side elevation and Fig. 2 a plan of part of a copying machine constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views to Figs. 1 and 2 with parts of the mechanism removed and showing the handle and platen roller carrier in its inoperative or tilted positon.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the opposite end of the carriage frame, and

Fig. 6 is a section taken through the carriage frame and the laten roller carrier.

A indicates the carriage, B the slide frame, C the handle, and D the roller bearing. In the example shown the carriage A is formed with lugs a which are secured to lugs b on the slide frame B by screws a, the slide frame B being free to slide along a rod B in the usual manner. The handle C is pivotally mounted between lugs a in a portion of the carriage in proximity to the slide rod B and it is formed with a tooth or catch 0 adapted to interlock with a catch 0 on a tumbler lever c that is pivoted between the aforesaid lugs The end of the tumbler lever opposite to the catch 0 is heavier than the latter and normally maintains the catch 0 in a position to engage the tooth or catch 0 to lock the platen roller carrier E in its operative or rolling position. When the carriage arrives at its starting position the catch 0 is automatically disengaged from the catch 0 by the weighted end a riding up an incline or cam surface 0 on the machine frame F to enable the platen roller E to be raised to feed a sheet of paper between the platen roller 6 and the platen presser roller 6 The handle C is connected with the platen roller carrier E by means of a link G having a slot 9 for the passage of a in 9 carried in brackets g fixed on the p aten roller carrier E, the said pin and slot connection allowing the platen roller 6 to accommodate itself to varying surfaces such as variation in the thickness of the reproducing medium. The main carriage A is supported at its free end by a ball or other roller bearing D Fig. 5 having justed position by tightening the clamping screw d. The roller bearing D runs along a track f on a part of the framework 13. The weight of the carriageMA is supported by this roller bearing instead of by the platenroller e and the pressure that the latter exerts upon the platen H, or the sheet of paper thereon is controlled solely by the springs 0 Fig. 6 which cause the presser roller 6 to exert a downward thrust upon the platen roller 6. This pressure cannot be varied by the operator pressing lightly or heavily on the carriage operating handle as when the latter is in its locked position it is entirely independent of the platen roller carrier and as such handle is practically in line with the guide rod B it imparts a direct thrust upon the carriage A and eliminates distortion of the latter. By the invention described the very thinnest sheets of paper can be laiddown with the utmost precision and without any adjustments being made to the carriage, and owing to the operating handle occupying a position at one side'of the machine it is more out of the way and convenient for the operator.

Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is 1. In a multiple copying machine-the combination of a travelling feed carriage, a slide frame made rigid with such carriage, a stationaryguide at one side of the machine on which the slide frame can travel, a track at the other side of the machine and a rotary bearing on the carriage adapted to run-on top of the track and support the free end of the carriage, and a platen roller having a loose connection with the carriage to retain said roller in floating contact with the work.

2. In a multiple copying machine the combination-of a travelling feed carriage, a slide frame made rigid with such carriage, a platen roller having a loose connection with the carriage to retain said roller in floating contact with the work, a stationary guide at one side of the machine on which the slide frame can travel, a handle fixed to the carriage in proximity to the slide frame, a track at the other side of the machine and a rotary bearingon the carriage adapted to run ontop of the track and support the free end of the carriage.

3. Ina multiple copying machine the combination ofa travelling feed carriage, a. slide frame made rigid with such carriage, a'stationary guide at one side of the machine on which the slide frame can travel, a track at the other side of the machine and a rotary bearing on the carriage that always runs on the track and supports the free end of the carriage, a platen roller carrier frame pivotally mounted in the carriage, a spring actuated presser roller which alone exerts a downwardpressure on the platen roller and keeps the latter in Contact with the work, arms pivoted tothe'carriage for supporting the presser roller, a handle pivoted to the carriage in proximity to the slide frame and formed with a tooth or catch, a tumbler lever pivoted to the carriage and formed with a tooth or catch to interlock with the catch on the handle, a link connecting the handle with the platen roller carrier frame througha lost motion connection whereby the handle when in its locked position is entirely independent of the platen roller carrier, and means for automatically disengaging the tooth: or catch on the tumbler lever from the tooth orcatch on the handlewhenthe travelling feed carriage is returnedto the frontgof the machine, a track at the other side of the machine, a rotary bearing on the carriage adapted to run on the top of the track and support the free. end of the carriage, and means forraising-and lowering the free end of the carriage by adjusting the. position of the rotary bearing.

In a multiple copying machine the combination of. a travelling. feed carriage, a slide frame made rigid with such carriage, a sta tionary guide onwhich the slide frame can travel, a platen roller carrier frame pivotally mounted in the carriage, a presser-roller adapted. to exert. a downward-pressure on the platen roller, arms pivoted to the carriage for supporting the presser roller, a handle pivoted to the carriage in proximityto the slide frame and formed with a tooth or catch, a tumbler lever pivoted to -the carriage. and

formed with a tooth or catch to interlock withthecatch on thehandle, a link connecting the handle with the platen roller carrier frame through a pin. and slot connection, means for automatically disengaging the tOOtllaOIi catch on the tumbler lever from the tOOtllEOI catchon the handle when the travelling feed carriage is returned to its starting position, a rotary bearing for supporting the carriage at its free end and means foradjusting the position of. such bearing to adjust theheight ofthe-carriagein relation'to the platen.

In testimony whereof I hereunto'afiix my signature.

ARTHUR HENRY GLEDHI-LL.

Images