US3101046A

US3101046A - Machine for printing addresses including means for selecting the lines to be stamped off different printing plates

Info

Publication number: US3101046A
Application number: US47028A
Authority: US
Inventors: Spiazzi Ivo
Original assignee: FABBRICA ITALIANA MACCHINE AZIENDALI
Current assignee: FABBRICA ITALIANA MACCHINE AZIENDALI
Priority date: 1959-08-04
Filing date: 1960-08-02
Publication date: 1963-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 1980-08-20

Description

Aug. 20, 1963 l. SPIAZZI 3,101,046

MACHINE FOR PRINTING ADDRESSES INCLUDING MEANS FOR SELECTING THE LINES TO BE STAMPED OFF DIFFERENT PRINTING PLATES Filed Aug. 2, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 20, 1963 l. SPIAZZI 3,101,046

MACHINE FOR PRINTING ADDRESSES INCLUDING MEANS FOR SELECTING THE LINES TO BE STAMPED OFF DIFFERENT PRINTING PLATES Filed Aug. 2, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnven'fiar:

l vo ,sfiaLzzd J lffornu Aug. 20, 1963 I l MACHINE FOR PRINTING ADDRESSES INCLUDING MEANS FOR SELECTING THE LINES TO BE STAMPED OFF DIFFERENT PRINTING PLATES Filed Aug. 2, 1960 1 SP AZZI 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 fi 26 M 1e cPc 2736/F Home OLOGNA cPc 2736/F B 1 s iazzi Aug. 20, 1963 I. SPIAZZ] MACHINE FOR PRINTING ADDRESSES INCLUDING MEANS FOR SELECTING THE LINES TO BE STAMPED OFF DIFFERENT IPRINTING PLATES Filed Aug. 2, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 In wanker.- j 519131.21; J

Aug. 20, 1963 sp 3,101,046

MACHINE FOR PRINTING ADDRESSES INCLUDING MEANS FOR SELECTING THE LINES TO BE STAMPED OFF DIFFERENT PRINTING PLATES Filed Aug. 2, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 I l I I I I I I I I I I I l l I inven orfya s iazzi 1. SPIAZZI 3,101,046

SELECTING PLATES l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Aug. 20, 1963 MACHINE FOR PRINTING ADDRESSES INCLUDING MEANS FOR THE LINES TO BE STAMPED OFF DIFFERENT PRINTING 2. 1960 Filed Aug.

inven r jy Aug. 20, 1963 l. SPIAZZI 3,101,046

MACHINE FOR PRINTING ADDRESSES INCLUDINI'. MEANS FOR SELECTING THE LINES TO BE STAMPED OFF DIFFEREN PRINTING PLATES I Filed Aug. 2, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 In warrior.-

Aug. 20, 1963 l. SPIAZZI 3,101,046

MACHINE FOR PRINTING ADDRESSES INCLUDING MEANS FOR SELECTING THE LINES To BE STAMPED OFF DIFFERENT PRINTING PLATES Filed Aug. 2, 1960 1O Sheets-Sheet 8 in yurka r:

1 y sfiazzi 3 Attaky Aug. 20, 1963 MAC 1. SPlAZZl 3,101,046 HINE FOR PRINTING ADDRESSES INCLUDING MEANS FOR SELECTING IFFERENT PRINTING PLATES THE LINES TO BE STAMPED OFF D Filed Aug. 2, 1960 l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 how 1963 l. SPIAZZI 3,

MACHINE FOR PRINTING ADDRESSES INCLUDING MEANS FOR SELECTING THE LINEs TO BE STAMPED OFF DIFFERENT PRINTING PLATES Filed Aug. 2. 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 United States Patent 3,1tl1,046 MACEME FQR PRHNTENG ADDRESSES INQLUD- HQG MEANS FOR SELEQTING THE LINES T6 BE STAMPED GFF DiFFERENT PRINTING PLATEQ Ivo Spiazzi, Milan, Italy, assignor to Fahhrica Itaiiana Macchine Aziendali, Milan, ltaly, a company of ltaly Filed Aug. 2, ram, Ser. No. 47,62t Claims priority, application Italy Aug. 4, 1959 11 Claims. (Cl. 161-57) Machines are already known for the printing 'of addresses in which use is made of small plates carrying projecting letters forming said addresses.

In some of said machines, the printing is executed by means of a rubber pad engaging the sheet of carbon which is to be printed and underneath which is arranged first the inking ribbon and, further, underneath the latter, the printing letters raised on the plate. In machines of said type including such a pad, the pressure is exerted in a substantially static manner, i.e., there is no shock exerted on the material to be printed as is the case, in contradistinction, with the usual typewriters.

in the case of another type of address-printing machine, instead of a pad having a flat surface covering the whole area of the plate from which the printing is to be obtained, there is used a cylindrical roller pressing through a generating line on the material to be printed.

Said roller rolling and progressing over the small printing plate is held permanently in contact with the surface on which it is applied along successive generating lines.

Said second type of machine for the printing of addresses shows an advantage with reference to the first abovementioned type of machineQconsisting in that the material which serves for the printing is not subjected at the same moment to the totality of the force required for the printing of the entire plate; and, in fact, the force to be exerted at each moment for the printing is only that force required for the printing of a single line.

It is possible therefore to reduce the weight of the carrier structure providing the printing reaction. However, the known machines of this latter type also show certain drawbacks due, for instance, to the major complexity of the movement ofthe presser roller, which movement is, as mentioned hereinabove, a simultaneous rotary and translational movement.

In the comparatively frequent cases where it is desired to print only a fraction of the letter press carried by the plate, the roller is cut out in registry with the fraction of the cylindrical surface which is in registry with that "area of the small plate which is not to be printed. The determination of said area to be removed is not an easy matter; and, furthermore, the lost motion normally employed in the means controlling the rubber roller produces a de formation of the area which is not to be printed and this leads to the risk of an inaccurate printing.

From the above, it is apparent that each of the two methods provided hitherto for printing in address-printing machines shows serious drawbacks.

It also is of substantial importance to note that the number of copies obtainable with the above-disclosed methods is limited.

A further drawback resides in the fact that, since the printing action in both cases is obtained, as already mentioned, by a static pressure, it is not possible to resort to the conventional carbon papers which are used with typewriters; and, still less, to those carbon papers sold under the name Monocarbon which are, on the other hand, in use for the continuous printing material serving for printing in tabulating machines operating with perforated cards. This last type of paper is comparatively 2. cheap and serves only for one printing operation, after which it is destroyed.

The address-printing machines may, for the kind of work which they are frequently caused to execute, use conveniently continuous printing material, since it is often required to stamp in succession the indications carried by a succession of printing plates.

The continuous printing material has furthermore for its advantage the possibility of a preliminary typographic execution, so that the data to be printed subsequently by the printing plate fall into predetermined prepared spaces.

If it is desired to obtain copies with continuous printing material, the carbon sheets required will be expensive and increase substantially the cost of operation.

The present invention has for its object chiefly to remove the drawbacks of the above-mentioned machines.

The machine for printing addresses according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the different lines of a printing plate are printed singly oil the corresponding plate by means of a series of pads independent of each other, means being provided for the control of the printing of the successive pads, while further means may be provided for selecting those pads which are to act on a given plate, whereby all the lines of said plate or only selected lines are printed.

With the printing machine forming the object of the invention, these different dnawbacks of prior printing 7 methods are removed. It will appear, from the reading of the present disclosure, that the printing obtained has a gradual character similar to that obtained with a printing roller; and the instantaneous printing pressure is therefore limited. This allows an extremely easy cutting out of the areas of a plate which are not to be printed, in contradistinction with the method operating with a roller, since the printing pressure is obtained by means of fiat surfaces 'which are set in contact with the successive lines formed on the printing plate. In contradistinction with both above-mentioned methods, the pressure defining the prin ing action is obtained by a shock. This affords the possibility of producing a comparatively high number of copies by resorting to carbon paper of the monocarbon type which is comparatively cheap, as already mentioned.

The following description of certain examples is given without any intention of unnecessarily limiting the scope of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above and from the front of the actual machine.

a FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine after removal of certain covering parts, so as to aliow an easier inspection of the printing section.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the printing head, the cross-section passing through line ill-ill of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-section of the printing head.

FIG. 5 shows the component parts of the printing head in its printing position, said figure forming a detail crosssection.

FIG. 6 shows a punched plate of the type employed in this machine.

FIG. 7 shows the printed paper obtained with said plate.

FIG. 8 shows the printing head in position providing for partial printing of the letter press from the plate, said FIG. 8 being a cross-section through line VHI-VIII of FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-section of the printing head shown in the position corresponding to FIG. 8.

'FIG. 10 shows a punched plate with a number of sliders thereon. p 7

' FIG. 11 shows a partly printed paper obtained through a printing plate carrying indicator sliders.

7 conventional manner.

6 FIG. 12 is a wiring diagram of the control means for the printing head.

FIG. 13 is a graph corresponding to said wiring diagram.

FIG. 14 shows the printing head with control means cutting out the printing of certain parts, in a case where the control of the different lines to be printed or to be omitted may be obtained by hand.

FIG. 15 shows the control means forming part of the head in FIG. 14, in a position allowing the printing operation.

FIG. 16 shows a modified embodiment of the printing head.

FIG. 17 is a view from above ofthe modification illustrated in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an elevational view of the printing head made according to FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 shows a further modification of the printing head.

'FIG. 20 is a view from below of the printing machine as a whole.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the selecting mechanism.

FIG. 22 shows a detailed relating to a selector slider associated with a printing plate.

Turning to FIG. 1, the machine shown in perspective view includes a container for the printing plates, as shown at 3, the different plates being designated by 26. FIG. 1 also shows a slideway bounded by two lateral guides 6 and 7. At the end of said 'slideway, there is provided a chamber forremoving the plates, as shown at 4.

The intermediate area between the two said containers 3 and 4 is that in which the selection and the printing of the plates or of predetermined lines on the latter are performed, as disclosed hereinafter. For such operations, there is provided an arrangement contained in a printing arm 2, secured in overhanging relationship, as shown in FIG. 1, over the horizontal plane 1 of the printing machine. The inside of said arm 2 may be reached after raising of the cover 17 of said arm 2.

In said FIG. 1 are also shown an inking ribbon over which the paper to be printed is passed, and two

removable plates

11 and 12, which are taken away when the inking ribbon is to be removed and are replaced after insertion of a fresh ribbon.

FIG. 1 also shows at 8 a location for the selection sliders. Furthermore, there are shown three

push buttons

14, and 16 controlling, respectively the operative steps, to wit: the printing, the progression of the printing plates and progressing with'the printing. Said push buttons act on the switches 14/1, 15/1 and '16/1 shown in the wiring diagram of FIG. 12 to be described hereinafter.

In FIG. 2 are also shown, from above, the members executing the printing, which members are housed inside the arm 2. A motor 13 is provided with a speed reducer 19, the slowly rotating output shaft of which controls a one-cycle clutch operating during one revolution in a Said clutch is controlled for the execution of the printing by means of an elect-romagnet 22 (FIG; 12). The one-cycle clutch is adapted to connect a continuous rotary shaft with the controlled shaft, so as to make the latter execute a single revolution through 360, after which it is automatically disconnected.

The difierent printing operations are executed by means of a mechanical arrangement subjected, either for a selection of the plates which it is desired to print, or for a selection of the linesto be printed off a given plate, to the action of an electric system described hereinafter.

The mechanical arrangement includes the shaft 23 driven by the shaft 20 through the clutch 21. The shaft 23 carries a series of eight cams designated by the reference numerals 25/1 to 25/8 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), which are keyed to the shaft 23 by a key 24/1. Said cams correspondeach to one of the eight embossed lines of print (FIG. 6) provided on any of the plates 26 and to one of the lines of the conventional sterotype lines provided in addressing machines before and behind the printing plates. In the accompanying drawings, said sterotype lines are not shown for sake of simplicity, but it should be understood that they are subject to the general considerations governing the invention, since they show no particular characteristic features relating to the lines of a printing plate.

In registry with said series of cams, there are shown a corresponding number of platens designated by the references ranging between 23/1 and 28/8. More accurately, each of the platens 28/1 to 28/8 is carried substantially in the plane of the corresponding cam 25/1 to 25/8 and is provided with a large opening surrounding its cor-responding cam.

Each platen carries at its lower end a pad-carrying member provided in its turn at its lower end with a rubber pad. Said pad carriers are designatedxby the references 44/1 to 44/8 and the corresponding pads secured to said carriers are designated by the references 51/1 to 51/ 2.

Each platen 28/1'to 28/8 engages at its lower end a U-shaped seat cut in the corresponding pad carrier 44/1 to 44/8, which latter is connected at opposite ends thereof with the platen through the agency of two springs 47/1 and 48/ 1. Each of said spring is connected at its upper end with the platen and at its lower end with the corresponding pad carrier. The securing points of the springs to the platen are designated by the reference numerals 4-5/1 and 46/1. This arrangement allows an easy replacement, when required, of the actual pad carried.

The pad carrier, furthermore, cannot execute any longitudinal sliding with reference to the corresponding platen because of the presence of two pins 49/1 and 59/1 which are housed in corresponding recesses formed in opposite ends of the corresponding platen.

Each of the above-described platens is adapted to be shifted vertically and is guided to this end by four combshaped structures that are 2-9, 30, 31 and 32. Said combshaped structures adapted to guide the different platens are secured to four uprights having a square cross-section and designated respectively by the

reference numerals

38, 39, 40 and 41. Said uprights are in their turn secured to two

lateral shoulders

42 and 43 rigid with the abovementioned arm 2 (FIG. 2). In order to provide for the H downward shifting of each platen 28/1 to 2 8/ 8, there are provided for each platen two springs 52/1 and 52 1, the upper ends of which are secured to the corresponding platen, while their lower ends are secured respectively to the uprights 4-1 and 40. Said springs are constantly tensioned so as to urge the platens downwardly.

Furthermore, each of the platens is provided with a catch such as 55/1. Each of the eight catches is mounted loose on a shaft 56 secured to the arm 2 and is subjected to the action of a spring 59/ 1, and said spring is secured at one end to the corresponding catch and at its other end to a small auxiliary plate 60 rigid with the upright 38.

wise when seen from the side illustrated in FIG. 3. The catch is guided by a comb-shaped member 57 secured to a rod 58 having a square cross-section and rigid with said

shoulders

42 and 43.

The reference numerals 63/ 1' to 63/ 8 designate eight electromagnets, each of which corresponds with one of the catches 55/1. Eachof said electromagnets 63/1 to 63/8 carries an armature 62/1 connected through a rod 61/1 with the corresponding catch 55/ 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8, the electromagnets 63/1 to 63/8 are located in staggered formation with reference to one another and are carried by a step in the shoulder 42.'

Each of the catches 55/ 1 is adapted to enter, as clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, a recess 53/ 1, in the corresponding platen, such as 23/11. Said catch may engage at its lower end said. platen through the agency of a tooth 54/1 on the latter. The electromagnet 63/1 corresponding Said spring urges the corresponding catch to rock clockto the platen 28/1 is adapted to release it from the catch.

Each of the platens 28/1 to 28/8 carries a projection 65/11 adapted to engage, as shown in FIG. 3, the section of the corresponding cam 25/1 having the larger radius.

The eight cams 25/1 to 25/8 are angularly shifted with reference to one another, so that, as described hereinafter, it is possible to produce the printing of the corresponding lines at successive moments. I

As to the operation of thearrangement described hereinabove, it should be observed that, during the rotation of the shaft 23, the various cams 25/1 to 25/8 release in succession their projections 65/1 to 65/8 on the corresponding platens 28/1 to 28/ 8. 1

Consequently, the platens 28/1 to 28/8 which have een precedingly released with reference to the corresponding catch 55/ 1 begin moving downwardly under the action of the corresponding spring 52/1 and 52 /11 to produce the printing of the corresponding lines.

In the example illustrated and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lines of each plate and, consequently, the lines to be printed are eight in number, and correspond to the eight pads 51/1 to 51/8 carried by the eight platens 28/1 to 28/8.

During the rotation of said shaft 23, those platens which have remained, on the contnary, engaged by the corresponding catches 55/1 remain in theh' raised posiinking ribbon already illustrated in FIG. 1, the movement of which is pro duced in a conventional manner, for instance as illustrated through the agency of a connecting rod 95, connected to an eccentric member 97 keyed to a shaft 8. The movement of shaft 98 is produced by a motor and speed-reducing gear 181 through the agency of the bevel wheels 99 and 109.

The shaft 98, which rotates continuously, controls through the two cams 136 and 131 the closing and the opening of the switches 1138/1 and 151/1, the closing periods of which are illustrated in FIG. 13, as explained hereinafter. The purpose of said switches consists in ensuring synchronism between the progresssion of the printing plates and the printing operation, as described hereinafter.

The same shaft 98 transmits its movement through the eccentric member 148 to the group of selecting sliders 8.

Consequently, and as shown in FIG. 20, the inking ribbon i 110 land the selecting slider group 8 are subjected to progression at each revolution of the reducing gear 1&1. Said speed-reducing gear 181 controls, through the agency of a one-cycle clutch 182 and under the control of an electromagnet 183, the rotation of an eccentric memher 184 secured to the shaft 158. Said eccentric memher 184 produces, through the agency of the connecting rod 105, a reciprocating movement of the spindle 186,

which in its turn and through thegears 107 and 188 produces the forward and rearward shifting of the lever 109 connected with the sliding member :110 providing for the progression of the printing plates. To the shaft 168 are secured furthermore the

cams

78, 88 and 132 (see is designated by 76, a second series of twenty-four sockets being designated by the references 85/11 to 88/24, a third series also of twenty-four sockets being designated by the references 811 /31 to 88 /24, and a fourth series of sockets including in its turn four groups. Said last four groups are constituted respectively by a group of eight sockets 82/1 to 82/8, by a group of sockets designated by the letter N, by a third group designated by the letter P and a fourth group of eight sockets designated by the references 83/1 to 83/8. The sockets of the first series 75 may receive current from the positive terminal of a transformer and rectifier group 77 through the switch 78/ 1, the opening and closing of which are controlled by a cam 78, as described hereinafter. Said sockets 76 may be electrically connected with the corresponding sockets 88/1 to 80/24 by means of connecting jacks operable by hand. in FIG. 12, one of said jacks is illustrated by way of exampic at 161.

Between each socket of the series ranging between 80/1 and 88/24 and the corresponding socket of the series 88 1 to 88 /24, say, between the sockets 88/3 and 88 /3, there is provided a switch which may be closed through an indicator slider (described below) on one of the printing plates, say the indicator defining the third line. In the present description, reference will be made hereinafter, by way of example, to the manner of closing such switches by the indicator sliders.

The sockets 811 /1 to /24 form thus the output ends of such switches and they may, in their turn, be connected, through suitable jacks, to be introduced by hand, with the sockets of the groups carrying the references 82/1 to 82/8, N, P and 83/1 to 83/8.

The sockets of the group P are all connected electrically with a terminal of a relay winding 81, the other terminal of which is connected with the negative terminal of the transformer and rectifier group 77 through a resistance 87. Said relay '81 is adapted to close nine switches which carry the references 81/1 to 81/9.

Of these last switches, that designated by the reference numeral 81/11 is adapted to maintain the energization of the relay 81 and even when no current is fed thereto by the sockets P, said energization of the relay is maintained through said switch 81/1 and this is obtained as long as the switch 88/1 controiled by a cam 88 is closed, said cam 88 being keyed, similarly to the cam 73, to the shaft 168 controlling the progression of the printing plates (see FIG. 20). The shaft 161% is synchronous with the shaft 23 carrying the cam 89 described hereinafter (see FIG. 2).

The sockets of the group N are also electrically connected with the relay 81, but through the terminal opposite to that connected with the sockets P. The sockets of the group 83/1 to 83/ 8 are electrically connected with eight relays designated by the reference numerals 84/1 to 84/8. More accurately, each socket 83/ 1, etc. is connected with a terminal of one of the relays 84/ 1, etc. Between each socket 83/ 1, etc. and its corresponding relay 84/1, etc. is inserted a diode 85/1 to 85/8 adapted to prevent any pas sage of current in the opposite direction. The other terminal of each relay 84/1, etc. is connected with the nega tive terminal of the transformer and rectifiying group 77 with the interposition of a resistance 86/1 to 86/8.

, Each of the relays 8-1/1, etc. is adapted to close two switches forming part respectively of two series of switches designated respectively by 84 1 to 84 /1 and by 84 /2 to 84 /2. 1 r

In the example considered, the genenal reference se /s, r is selected as any of the digits 1 to 8, defining the number corresponding to the relays 84/ 1, etc., while s designates the numbers allotted to the said two series of switches, s being equal to 1 or to 2.

For instance, the relay 84/5 corresponds in thetwo series to two switches, respectively 84 /1 and 84 /2.

The switches 84 /1 to 84 /1 serve for maintaining the energization of the eight relays 84/1 to 84/ 8, even when the sockets 83/ 1, 83/8 are not fed with ourrent. Said relays are self-energized during the closing of the switch 88/1 in the same manner as the relay 81 described hereinabove.

The sockets 82/ 1, etc. are also connected with the relays 84/1, etc. but through the terminal opposed to that connected with the sockets 83/ 1, etc.

The wiring diagram shows the eight electromagnets already referred to and designated by 63/ 1, 63/8. As illustrated in FIG. 12, each of said electromagnets may be energized by the closing of two of these precedingly described switches. These switches are those at 81/2 to 81/9, controlled by the relay 81, and the switches 64 /2 to 84 /2 controlled by the relays 84/ 1, etc. V For instance, the electromagnet 63/ 4 may be energized by the closing of the switch 81/5 and of the switch 84 /2. In all cases, the actual energization of any magnet 63/ 1', etc. is obtained only if the switch 89/1 is closed, which latter is actuated by the cam 89 keyed to the shaft 23.

In the same diagram of FIG. 12 is illustrated the clutch winding 22 fed by a circuit passing through the switch If the last-mentioned switch is closed, as already mentioned hereinabove, there is obtained for each operative cycle of the machine, and as already mentioned, an energization of the winding 22 and therethrough a rotation of the shaft 23.

Furthermore, in FIG. 12, there is shown the switch 15/1 which is actuated through the push button 15 and the closing of which energizes the electromagnet 103.

A .switch 16/ 1 controlled by the push button 16 is adapted to provide for the energization of a relay 133 when the switch 131/ 1 is closed by the cam 131. The relay 133 controls three switches 133/ 1, 133/2 and 133/3.

The switch 133/1 maintains the energization of said relay 133 during the closure of the switch 130/1 actuated by the cam 130.

The switch 133/2 allows, through its closing, the energization of the winding .22 during the closing of a switch 132/ 1 controlled by a cam 132 keyed to the shaft 160.

The switch 133/3 allows, when closed, the energization of the winding 103.

In the graph illustrated in FIG. 13, the range between 0 and 360 corresponds to a complete revolution of the shaft 23, said graph showing that the cam 78 closes the switch 78/1 in the range between 170 and 190, the cam 88 maintains the closing of the switch 88/1 between 0 and 160 and between 173 and 360 and the cam 89 closes the switch 89/1 between 110 and 160.

The same graph shows at 90 the successive intervals in the rotation during which the printing of the eight lines of a plate may be executed, i.e. the times required, as drawn clearly in solid lines, for the successive pads 51/ 1, etc. to engage the corresponding lines punched in the plate, the projections 65/1 being released in succession by the cams 25/11, etc. The first of said operations begins at 120 and the last operation ends at 160.

Said graph shows furthermore the closing period for the switch 131/1 under the action of the cam 131, said period extending between 310 and 355. The closing period for the switch 130/1 under the action of the cam 130 extends between 310 and 30 in the next cycle, and, finally, the closing period for the switch 132/ 1 under the action of the cam i132 extends between 5 and 30. Lastly, said graph shows the period of progression of the printing plate between 210 and 360.

Upon actuation of the push button 16 controlling the printing and the progression of the plates, the switch 16/1 is closed and energizes the relay 133 during the closing of the switch 131/ 1.

Said relay 133 closes its switches 133/1, 1.33/2 andv duces,'as long as the switch 132/1 is closed, the energizacomplete plate.

*8 tion of the winding 22 providing for the rotation of the shaft 23 controlling the actual printing operation.

Thus, the progression of the plates and the printing follow each other in accurate phase relationship, as required by the operation of the machine. In the case where it is desired to produce the printing without any progression of the printing plates, it is sufiicient to depress the push button 14 which energizes the winding 22 producing the printing operation without any energization of the solenoid 103 controlling the progression of the printing plates.

in contradistinction, if it is desired to control the progression of the plates without any printing, it is sufiicient to depress the push button 15 which closes the switch 15/1 which energizes the solenoid 103.

A number of operations will now be described, which may be executed with the mechanical and electrical arrangement controlling the printing or absence of printing, as disclosed hereinabove.

Said examples relate to the case of plates carrying eight lines, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 10 and of which it may be desired to produce a complete printing, as illustrated in FIG. 7 or a partial printing limited to certain lines.

Assuming it is desired, for instance, to obtain the printing of a complete plate carrying an indicator slider in its first position, any of the sockets 76 is connected by means of a jack with the socket 80/ 1 and the socket 80 /1 with any of the sockets P.

The plate in its selection position provides for the closing of the connection between the sockets 80/1 and 80 /1. Consequently, when, at the beginning of the period ranging between 170 and 190 (*FIG. 13), the switch 78/1 is closed, current is caused to pass through the relay 81, which latter closes its nine switches 81/1 to 81/9.

Beyond the point corresponding to 180 in FIG. 13,

the current no longer feeds the relay 81 through the socket in the group P, since the switch 78/1 is open, but current is fed to said relay through the agency of the closed switch 81/1 upon closing of the switch 88/11, as illustrated in the graph of FIG. 13.

The relay 81 remains thus energized and, consequently, the switches 81/2 to 81/9 remain closed, which correspond to the eight electromagnets 63/1 to 63/ 8.

During the next cycle and starting from the point at in FIG. 13, the switch 89/1 is closed and, consequently, the eight electromagnets 63/1 to 63/8 are ener- =by reason of the closing of the switches 81/2 to The energization of said eight electromagnets produces through the armatures 62/1 and the rods 61/1 an angular shifting of the eight catches 5-5/1 and thereby the disengagement of the latter with reference to the eight platens 28/ 1.

Immediately thereupon and during the period extending between and there is obtained at successive moments the disengagement of the projections 65/1 from the corresponding cams 25/1, etc., which leads to the downward movement of all the platens 23/1 under the action of the springs 52/ 1 and 28/1. 7

Thus, all the pads 51/1, etc carried by the platens sink onto the eight lines and provide for the printing of the In the example considered, it has been assumed that the .indicator slider was in the first position on the printing plate. If said indicator slider. were located at another position, for instance in a third position with a same connection between a socket 76 and the socket 80/1 and between the socket 80 /i1and a socket of the group P, the energization of the relay 81 could not be obtained and, consequently, the printing plates passing from the selecting position a into the printing position would notbe printed. The indicator slider being in said third position, it is possible to obtain a complete printing of the plate as in the preceding example by providing a preliminary connection by means ofa jack between a'socket of the group 53 76 and the socket 80/3 and between the socket 80 /3 and a socket of the group P.

Assuming it is now desired to execute the printing of a single line, say the first line of a plate, it is necessary, to this end, to firstly position the indicator slider, say in the first position on said plate.

There are then provided through jacks a connection between any socket of the group 76 and the socket 80/1 and the connection between the socket 550 /1 and 83/11. The plate in its selecting position produces, through its indicator slider, the closing of the circuit between said sockets 80/1 and 80 /1.

At the beginning of the period extending from 170 to 190, the cam 78 closes the switch 73/ 1 as in the case of the preceding example and, consequently, current may feed the relay 84/1 and energize the latter. Said relay, when energized, closes the corresponding switches 84 /1 and 84 /2. The relay 84/1 remains energized through its switch 34 /1 throughout the duration of the closing of the switch 88/1 (see FIG. 13). As a result when the printing plate subsequently passes from the selecting position to the printing position, it closes during the next cycle the switch 89/1 at the beginning of the period extending from 110 to 160, so that the electromagnet winding 63/1 is energized; said electromagnet thus releases the platen 28/1 with reference to the catch 55/1 through which the printing of the first line is allowed. As in the preceding example, the printing is executed between 120 and 160 during which period the switch 89/1 is permanently closed.

The printing of several lines off a same plate may be obtained in the same manner through a preliminary adjustment. For instance, if it is desired to print the first and the third lines, it is necessary for the two indicator sliders to be fitted over the plate, say at the third and at the fifth position.

In such a case, it is necessary to execute the connection through a jack between a socket 76 and the socket 811/3 and also between another socket '76 and the socket ss/s. Furthermore, the socket 811 3 is connected with the socket 83/3 and the socket dil with the socket 83/5. This energizes the two relays 84/3 and 34/5, of which the former closes the switches 84 /1 and 84 /2 and the latter closes the switches 84 /1 and 84 /2. The two switches 84 /1 and 84 /1 maintain the two relays in their energized condition during the closing of the switch-83H. This being done; during the closing of the switch 89/1 between 110 and 160, the electromagnets d3/ 3 and 63/ 5 are energized. During the period extending between 120 and 160, the printing of the third and fifth lines is thus executed.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 11 relate to the printing, by way of example, of the second, third and eight lines of the plate illustrated in FIG. 10. Said lines counted from the lower end of the plate are shown as printed in FIG. 11 and their printing is obtained through the platens 28/ 2, 28/3 and 28/8. FIG. 8 shows the platen 28/ 3 in its lowered position, the electromagnet 63/3 being energized, while the platen 28/4 shown in said figure is shown in its raised position, since the electromagnet 63/4 is not energized.

Considering now a more complicated case wherein, in addition to the connection between the sockets 76 and 80/1 and between the sockets 31 1 and one of the sockets 1, there is provided a further connection between the socket 76 and the socket 80/2 and between the socket 80 /2 and a socket N; and assuming, furthermore, that the plate in its selecting position carries an indicating slider, both in the position 1 and in the position 2, in such a case, during the closing period of the switch 78/ 1, electric energy will be applied both to the socket N and to thesocket P. The relay 81 subjected to equal voltages at both terminals will not be energized and, consequently, neither of the magnets 63/1 to 63/8 will be energized so that said plate is not printed.

This is an example of a negative selection, the practical use of which is comparatively frequent.

If it is now assumed that the printing of a single line of a plate is to be executed, by associating a positive and a negative selection, there is provided a connection between the sockets /1 and tiS/l. There is also provided a connection between the sockets 76 and 819/22 and between the sockets 36 2 and 82/ 1.

Assuming further that a plate located in the selecting position is provided, in addition to the indicator slider in position 1, also with an indicator slider in position 2, there is fed current during the closing period of the switch 78/1, both to the socket 83/1 and to the socket 32/1 and, consequently, to both terminals of the relay 84/ 1. The latter receiving equal voltages across the two terminals of its winding is not energized and, consequently, none of the lines of the plate shifted between the selecting position and the printing position is printed.

Also, this possibility of a combined positive and negative selection is of considerable interest for various practical applications.

As far as the indicating and selecting sliders are concerned, it is possible to provide the printing plates with sliders, each of which may define one or two selecting positions. For instance, the slider 163 of FIG. 22 carries a section corresponding to one selected position, while, of the sliders illustrated in FIG. 10 in different positions, two of them carry a single section, and the third or intermediate slider carries two sections oorresponding to two selected positions. Since the printing plates of the example considered are adapted to carry twelve sliders, it is apparent that twenty-four selected positions are available. In said FIG. 22, thecon-nection between a slider and a printing plate 26 is illustrated in detail.

FIG. 21 shows separately the mechanical arrangement provided for closing the connections to be obtained between corresponding sockets of the series 80/1, 89/24, on the one hand, and of the series 80 /1, dil /24, on the other hand. For each cycle of the machine, the shaft 98 executes one revolution, which produces through the eccentric member 148 and a lever 14 1) the rising and lowering of a blade 141. The latter, in its inoperative posit-ion, engages twenty-four insulating sleeves 142/ k, each of which is rigid with a small rod 143/k, It being any figure ranging between 1 and 24. For each of the twenty-four small rods 143/16, there is provided a spring 144/ku1rging the corresponding rod upwardly.

Furthermore, there is provided in registry with each of said small rods a couple of contact-pieces, to Wit: a contact-piece 151/k carried by a spring 145/ k and a stationary contact-piece 152/ k. The said contact-pieces are connected with the corresponding sockets of the series 80/1, etc. and Sti /1, etc.

The twenty-four small rods 14-3/k correspond to the twenty-four possible selected positions defined by the above-mentioned sections of the sliders. tion of the shaft 98 and rising of the blade 141, the small rod 143/]: impinges against one of said sections, the contact-pieces 151/k and 1S2/k associated therewith remain in their circuit-closing position.

If, on the contrary, said small rod is allowed to rise so that the edge 14 9/]: of the corresponding sleeve 142/k urges upwardly the end of the corresponding spring 146/ k, this produces a separation or spacing of the cooperating contact-pieces 151/]: and 152/k.

According as to whether the contact-pieces considered are spaced apart orotherwise, current will be prevented from passing or will pass, respectively, between the corresponding sockets 89/1, etc. and 86 /1, etc. during the period of closure of the switch 78/1 by the cam 78;

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a modification according to which the selection for printing or non-printing the lines of a printing plate is performed by hand. Since the modification in FIGS. 14 and 15 is similar to the embodi- If, upon rotaferred to hereinabove.

I platen 228/i and the other engages the cam 225/ 1.

ment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, to the extent that a series of eight platens and corresponding catches therefore are employed, only one platen (28/1) and the corresponding latch ('55/1) and controlling lever (121/1) therefore will be described in detail. In said figures, the catch 55/1 is connected with a lever 121/ 1 through a rod 120/1 pivotally secured to said catch at one end and to the lever at the other end 66/1. Above the point where it is connected to the rod end 66/1, the lever 121/ i is pivotally connected to a stationary shaft 67.

At its lower end, the lever 121/1 has two notches 68/1 and 69/1 adapted to be engaged by a blade spring 70/1 secured to a rod 71 having a square cross-section and secured in its turn between the

shoulders

42 and 43 re- The upper end 72/1 of the lever 121/1 projects beyond a guiding comb-shaped member 73 secured to a further rod 74 extending between the

shoulders

42 and 43.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 14, the end of any of the eight springs such as 7tl/i engages the notch 69/i of the corresponding lever 121/1 and, as shown in said FIG. 14, the corresponding platen 28/1 is engaged by the catch '5/1.

Manual shifting of the lever releases, as indicated in FIG. 15, said platen 28/ i from said catch 55/ i, following which, and as soon as the cam 25/1 has rotated so as to release the projection 65/ i, the platen 28/1 may descend and execute the printing of the corresponding line.

It is thus possible to selectively print any of the lines by shifting any one of the eight levers of the type illustrated at 121/1.

It is possible, with the arrangement described hereinabove, to position manually said arrangement in a preliminary manner, with a view to printing or not printing the printing plates of a given series.

Further modifications of the kinematic system produc :ing the printing of the lines are shown, by way of eX- ample, in FIGS. 16 to 19.

i is shown a spring 94/1 secured to one end of a stationary rod 126 having a square cross-section, while the other end of said spring is secured to the corresponding lever 9 3/1. Said spring has a tendency to urge the lever into counterclockwise rotary movement, as seen in FIG. 16. A catch 92/1 rockably secured to a stationary piv-ot 127 is connected through a rod 128/1 to the armature of an electromagnet 63/ 1. Said catch 92/1 engages, as shown in FIG. -16, the upper end of one of the arms of the lever 93/1.

Ofthe two other arms of the lever, one engages the Rotation of the cam 25/1 in a direction such as will release the corresponding lever arm from the section of major radius'of the cam will cause said lever 93/ i to rock under the action of the spring 94/1, but only when it has been precedinglyreleased with reference to the catch 2/ i under the action of the electromagnet 63/ i. The different electromagnets of the type shown at 63/ i are controlled, in the case considered, by the same means as those described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 12.

In the modified embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19,.there is provided a lever 193/ i for each of the eight platens 228/1, which lever is slightly difierent from that illustrated in the preceding'exarnple and is controlled by a catch 130/1, so as to determine whether a line is to 12 be printed or otherwise, while the other arm of the lever, instead of being controlled by a cam 225/1, is controlled by a lever 95.

The catch 13ii/1 is adapted to rock clockwise when looking at FIG. 19. Thus, when the lever is also rocked in the same direction, platen 228/ i is released and causes the printing of the corresponding line.

What I claim is:

1. In an address-printing machine, operating through printing plates each carrying the same number of lines, a plurality of separate pads each corresponding to the location of one line of thep rinting plates, a series of parallel vertical platens each rigid with one of said pads, elastic means urging said platens downwardly to make the pads print the corresponding line, a series of coaxial cams adapted each to shift the corresponding platen and pad away from the plate, a shaft carrying the cams and adapted to make each cam release the corresponding platen for a predetermined position of said shaft, a catch adapted to engage each platen to hold it against the action of the elastic means, an electromagnetic controlling each catch to shift it into and out of engagement with the corresponding platen, a first series of sockets, a source of electrical energy, a connection between one terminal of said source and said sockets, a cam controlling said connection, means producing simultaneously a progression of the printing plates between a selecting position and a printing position and a rotation of the last-mentioned cam to close said connection while the plate is in its selecting position, a second series of sockets adapted to be connected selectively with sockets of the first series, a third series of sockets, at least one slider carried by each printing plate and corresponding to a predetermined line to be printed and controlling connection between cooperating sockets of the second and third series, a fourth series of sockets adapted to be connected selectively with sockets of the third series, a series ofrelays each of which is connected through one end with a corresponding socket of the fourth series, a resistance connecting the other end of each relay with the other terminal of the source, two switches controlled by each of said relays, of which switches one provides self-energization of the corresponding energized relay, a connection between the first-mom tioned terminal of the source and the first-mentioned ends of the relays, and means controlled by the means controlling .the progression of the plates for closing the lastmentioned connection just prior to the opening of the connection between the source and the first series of sockets, said closing of said last-mentioned connection lasting up to the next printing cycle to ensure the self-energization of the energized relays through the first switches controlled thereby, a plurality of circuits each of which places each electromagnet in parallelism with one of said relays, and each of which is closed by the second switch of said one relay when energized, and a further'switch controlling the electromagnet circuits as a group and which is closed throughout the printing of the selected lines.

of a further series of sockets adapted to be each connected with a socket of the third series and connected with said other end of one of said relays.

3. In a machine as claimed in claim 1, the provision of a further series of sockets adapted to be each connected with a socket of the third series and connected with said other end of one of said relays, a still further group of sockets adapted to be connected with sockets of the third series, a further relay connected through one terminal with said still further group of sockets and through its other terminal with said other terminal of the source, a plurality of switches controlled by said further relay, a further circuit providing for the self-energization of said furtherrelay and controlled by one of the switches of the last-mentioned plurality of switches and by said means 2. In a machine as claimed in claim 1, the provision,

1?: controlled by the means controlling the progression of the plates, and means whereby each of the other switches of said last-mentioned plurality of switches is connected in parallel with one of said second switches of the firstmentioned series of relays to control the electromagnets.

4. In a machine as claimed in claim 1, the provision of a further series of sockets adapted to be each connected with a socket of the third series and connected with said other end of one of said relays, a still further group of sockets adapted to be connected with sockets of the third series, a further relay connected through one terminal with said still further group of sockets and through its other terminal with said other terminal of the source, a plurality of switches controlled by said further relay, a further circuit providing for the self-energization of said further relay and controlled by one of the switches of the last-mentioned plurality of switches and by said means controlled by the means controlling the progression of the plates, means whereby each of the other switches of said last-mentioned plurality of switches are connected in parallel with one of said second switches of the first-mentioned series of relays to control the eleotromagnets, a i

still further series of sockets adapted to be connected with sockets of the third series, and connected with said other terminal of said further relay.

5. In an address'printing machine operating through printing plates each carrying the same number of lines, a plurality of separate pads each corresponding to the location of one line of the printing plates, means adapted to carry the printing plates into registry with the corresponding pads, a series of platens adapted to move vertically in parallel vertical planes and each carrying at its lower end a corresponding one of said pads, springs urging each platen downwardly to produce the printing operation on the corresponding line, a series of earns each adapted to shift, during a predetermined lapse of time, the corresponding platen away from the corresponding printing plate, a common shaft perpendicular to the vertical planes of the platens and carrying said cams in angularly shifted locations, means rotating said shaft to make each cam release the corresponding platen at a predetermined angular position of said shaft, a primary shaft, a clutch operatively interconnecting the primary shaft with the cam-carrying shaft, an electromagnet controlling said clutch to make it operate during one revolution of the primary shaft, a further electromagnet controlling the progression of the successive plates to their printing position in registry with said corresponding pads,

circuits controlling said last-mentioned electromtagnets two hand-operable switches controlling two of said circuits, said first mentioned circuits further including a synchronizing circuit having three switches, three cams controlling said three switches in the synchronizing circuit and of which two are continuously driven and control, respectively, the first two of said three switches, and of which the last cam is controlled by the progression of the printing plates, a third hand-operable switch, a relay controlled by the third hand-operable switch upon energization of one of said first two switches in the synchronizing circuit, means whereby the last-mentioned relay is self-energized during operation of the other of said first two switches in the synchronizing circuit, a switch controlled by said lastmentioned relay energizing the electromagnet providing for the progression of the plates, and a further switch controlled by said last-mentioned relay and controlling the energization of the electromagnet controlling the printing operation through the clutch on the cam-carrying shaft upon closing by the last of the three cams of the corresponding switch in the energizing circuit.

6. In an address-printing machine operating with printing plates which are successively movable into a printing position, and each of which carries a plurality of lines, a plurality of separate pads, each of which is aligned with and is selectively movable into operative position relative to one line of a plate when the plate is disposed in said printing position, means urging each pad toward said plate and into operative position to effect printing of the associated line of said plate, a rotatable shaft, a series of identical cams secured on said shaft in rangularly shifted positions relative to one another, each of said cams being operatively connected to one of said pads, said cams being operative upon rotation of said shaft to successively move operative pads away from said plate and out of operative positions at predetermined angular positions of said shaft.

7. In an address-printing machine operating with printing plates which are successively movable into a printing position, and each of which carries a plurality of lines, a plurality of separate pads each of which is aligned with and is selectively movable into operative position relative to one line of a plate when the plate is disposed in said printing position, a series of platens disposed above said printing position and adapted to move vertically in parallel vertical planes, each of said platens carrying at its lower end one of said pads, springs urging each of said platens downwardly tomove its corresponding pad to its operative position to effect printing of the associated line of said plate, a shaft extending perpendicular to the vertical planes of said platens, a series of identical cams secured on said shaft in angularly shifted positions relative to one another, each of said cams being operatively connected to one of said platens, and means for rotating said shaft, each of said cams being operative during a predetermined interval of time to move its corresponding platen upwardly and away from said printing plate, and being operative at a predetermined angular position of said shaft to permit its corresponding platen to be moved downwardly toward said plate by said springs.

8. In an :addressprinting machine operating with printing plates which are successively movable into a printing position, and each of which carries a plurality of lines, a plurality of separate pads each ofwhich is aligned with and is selectively movable into operative position relative to one line of a plate when the plate is disposed in said printing position, a series of vertically movable platens each of which has an opening therethrough and which carries at its lower end one of said pads, springs urging each of said platens downwardly to move its corresponding pad toward said plate and into operative position relative to its associated line to cause the printing of the latter, a horizontal shaft extending through the openings in said platens, a series of identical cams each of which is disposed inside the opening of a respective platen, and each of which is secured to said shaft in angularly shifted positions, relative to one another, means for rotating said shaft, said cams being operative for dif ferent, predetermined angular positions of said shaft, respectively, to permit said platens to remain in their operative positions, and to movesaid platens upwardly away from said plates, and means for selectively retaining each of said platens in an inactive position away from said plates to prevent the printing of the line associated with the platen and the pad carried thereby.

9. In an addressprinting machine operating with printing plates which are successively movable into a printing position, and each of which carries a plurality of lines, a plurality of separate pads each of which is aligned with and is selectively movable into operative position relative to one line of a plate when the plate is disposed in said print-ing position, a series of platens disposed above said printing position and adapted to move vertically in parallel vertical planes, each of said platens carrying at its lower end one of said pads, springs urging each of said platens downwardly to move its corresponding pad toward said plate and into its operative position relative to its associated line to cause the printing thereof, a shaft extending perpendicular to the vertical planes of said platens, a series of identical cams secured on said shaft in angularly shifted positions relative to one another, each 15 of said cams being operatively connected to one of said platens, means for rotating said shaft, said cams being operative for different, predetermined angular positions of said shaft, respectively, to permit said platens to remain in their down position, and to move said platens upwardly away from said plate, said platens each having a notch in the edge thereof, a plurality of catches each of which is adapted to engage in the notch of a respective platen upon movement of said platen away from said plate thereby to prevent said platen from moving downwardly under the action of said springs, and means for selectively disengaging individual catches from their respective platens to permit certain of said platens to move downwardly to perform a printing operation.

10. In an address-printing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a plurality of hand-operable levers, each of which controls one of said catches, and each of which is adapted to be set in two positions, in one of which it causes its catch to engage the corresponding platen to prevent its downward movement, and in the other of which it causes its catch to release the corresponding platen to permit the latter to execute a printing operation.

1h 1 11. In an address-printing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a plurality of electromagnets, each of which has an armature mechanically connected to one of said catches, and means for selectively energizing each of said electromagnets, each of said e'lectromagnets upon being energized being operative to disengage its corresponding catch from a respective platen to permit the latter to perform a printing operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS awa e-

Claims

6. IN AN ADDRESS-PRINTING MACHINE OPERATING WITH PRINTING PLATES WHICH ARE SUCCESSIVELY MOVABLE INTO A PRINTING POSITION, AND EACH OF WHICH CARRIES A PLURALITY OF LINES, A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE PADS, EACH OF WHICH IS ALIGNED WITH AND IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE INTO OPERATIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO ONE LINE OF A PLATE WHEN THE PLATE IS DISPOSED IN SAID PRINTING POSITION, MEANS URGING EACH PAD TOWARD SAID PLATE AND INTO OPERATIVE POSITION TO EFFECT PRINTING OF THE ASSOCIATED LINE OF SAID PLATE, A ROTATABLE SHAFT, A SERIES OF IDENTICAL CAMS SECURED ON SAID SHAFT IN ANGULARLY SHIFTED POSITIONS RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER, EACH OF SAID CAMS BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID PADS, SAID CAMS BEING OPERATIVE UPON ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT TO SUCCESSIVELY MOVE OPERATIVE PADS AWAY FROM SAID PLATE AND OUT OF OPERATIVE POSITIONS AT PREDETERMINED ANGULAR POSITIONS OF SAID SHAFT.