US2396199A - Controller attachment for addressing machines - Google Patents

Description

March 5, 1946. w. c. PFEIFFER CONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Filed Feb. 12, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet l March 5, 1946. w. c. PFEIFFER CONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Filed Feb. 12, 1940 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 March 5, 1946. r w. c. PFEIFFER CONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR-ADDRESSING MACHINES Filed Feb. 12 1940 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 Jam-m lzlamC.

FY n

March 5, 1946. w. c. PFEIFFER ONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Filed Feb. 12, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Will/11am aRfczlfjar,

1 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I. l|l||lllll1ll ilillllltlll illlllllllll v March 5, 1946. w. c. PFEIQFFER CONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Filed Feb. 12, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mimi WibI/ia/m/ 6. efiffen March 5, 1946. w. c. PFEIFFER CONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Filed Feb. .12, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 6' N 7 WuLl/ua,

March 5, 1946. w. c. PFEIFFER CONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES ll Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Feb. 12, 1940 JmyWm-v' 111111601 1 6'. jczj qr.

March 5, 1946. w. Q'PF-EIFFER CONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR ADDRESSING. MACHINES Filed Feb. 12, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 .Wzlbba'am G. P 'fjer,

W. C. PFEIFFER CONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES March 5, 1946.

Filed Feb; 12, 1940 11 Sheets-Shet m mu mmmm Mum vmm mMELH ill/13am C R/Eamh 59%. w. c, PFElFF ER CONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Feb. 12, 1940 Patented Mar. 5, 1946 CONTROLLER ATTACHMENT FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES William C. Pfeiffer, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Egry Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application February 12, 1940, Serial No. 318,404

2 Claims.

This invention relatesto attachments for addressing machines or similar devices, and more particularly to an automatic controller mechanism adapted to be attached to address printing machines for automatically feeding the continuous sheet forms through the machine.

It is an object of this invention to provide an attachment for address printing machines, commonly referred to as Addressographs, comprising an electric automatic controller for feeding the paper sheets to be addressed through the machine and to further increase the versatility of this type of machine, making it more efficient and adapted for a greater number of uses.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved attachment for address printing machines of this type which permits the use of multiple copy continuous forms without using one-time pre-inserted carbons.

Another object is to provide an attachment for printing machines of this character having interleaving carbons between continuous forms by means of a simple mechanism that automatically advances carbons with each impression, so that no two impressions come on exactly the same spot, producing clear, sharp copies, and utilizes the complete surface of the carbon sheets.

Another object is to devise an auxiliary attachment for address printing machines whereby the carbon sheets are held in position by carbon holders and are moved between the copy sheets and over the printing plate automatically so that the entire surface of the carbon paper is used.

Another object is to provide an improved mechanism for feeding multiple copy continuous forms to a printing machine wherein the carbon sheets are floated between the forms and automatically shifted so as to present new carbon surfaces after each printing operation and wherein simplified means is provided for install- 'ing new paper during use.

Another object is to provide an automatic controller attachment for printing machines of this type for feeding continuous forms into the machine and holding the copy forms in perfect registration irrespective of the number of copies used and the speed of operating the machine.

Still another object is to provide an automatic feeder attachment for address printing machines which will operate in synchronism with the operation of the printing machine and automatically feeds a continuous strip of paper or multiple copy forms from a fan-folded pack through the machine whereby the forms are printed upon and thereafter restacked in a fan-folded pack.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following description taken in connection with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an address printing machine provided with the automatic feeding attachment of this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the address printing machine showing the feeder mechanism in detached position;

Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary side elevation views illustrating the different operating positions of the reciprocating tripping arm mechanism for initiating engagement of the clutch to bring about operation of the continuous form feeding mechanism;

Figure '7 is a plan view of the mechanism for engaging and moving the continuous sheet forms through the machine;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure '7 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 9 is a detail elevation view of the latch mechanism for removably attaching the auxiliary form feeding attachment to the addressing machine;

Figure 10 is a detail fragmentary view illustrating the manner of fastening the support for the fan-folded stack of continuous sheets in position to be fed into the address printing machine;

Figure 11 is a plan view of one form of carbon paper feeding mechanism, partly in section, with certain associated parts of the machine being broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction of the mechanism;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary elevation view taken substantially on the line 'l2-|2 of Figure 11,

showing the gear train utilized for operating the carbon feeding mechanism shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a detail view of the ratchet and pawl means on the carbon feeding mechanism taken substantially on the line l3-l3 of Figure 11, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 14 is a plan view, partly in section,

showing the interleaved arrangement of the continuous forms and carbon sheets with associated mechanism;

Figure is a vertical sectional view taken through the carbon sheet feeding mechanism illustrated in Figure 14 and taken substantially on the line l5l5 of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a detail sectional view taken on the line Iii-16 of Figure 14 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 17 is a side elevation view of the frame and associated parts for supporting the carbon sheet rolls;

Figure 18 is a similar front elevation view of the carbon sheet roll support showing the spring pressed retarding means associated therewith;

Figure 19 is a detail perspective view illustrating the arrangement of the carbon feeding mechanism including the ratchet and pawl mechanism;

Figure 20 is a view in perspective illustrating the positioning of the carbon sheets interleaved between the continuous paper printed forms and the electrical conducting members associated therewith;

Figure 21 is a vertical sectional view of the carbon sheet feeding mechanism adjacent the knurled carbon feeding rollers and taken substantially on the line 2 l-ZI of Figure 14;

Figure 22 is a detail view showing the construction for securing the carbon paper feed rolls in place;

Figures 23 and 24 are side elevation views of the clutch mechanism illustrating the tripping means for initiating operation of the clutch and actuation of the feeding mechanism whereby the continuous sheet forms are advanced a prededetermined distance through the machine;

Figure 25 is an elevation view, partly in section, of the address printing press means showing the address printing plate and interleaved paper sheet forms in position for printing;

Figure 26 shows a portion of a typical continuous sheet after having been advanced through the address printing machine and having an address printed in the proper place thereupon;

Figure 27 represents a typical address plate for printing upon the sheet forms with attached printed index card;

Figure 28 represents a plan View, partly in section, of a modified screw type carbon sheet holder and feeding mechanism for use with continuous sheet forms which comprise a lengthwise folded section;

Figure 29 is a sectional view taken substantially 0n the line 29-49 of Figure 28 showing the manner of floating carbon paper between the copy sheet forms;

Figure 30 is a detail elevation view of the screw type carbon feeding mechanism illustrated in Figure 28;

Figure 31 is a fragmentary detail view of mechanism for attaching the carbon sheet holder means to the supporting side screws;

Figure 32 is a sectional View taken on-the line 32-32 of Figure 1 and showing the structural arrangement of the carbon holder and transverse feeding means;

Figure 33 is a similar sectional view as Figure 32 showing the structural details of the carbon holder and arrangement for disconnecting the carbon holder members from the screw shaft for resetting the carbon feeding mechanism.

In general, it has been the practice to supply names, addresses and other constant informathe reciprocating lever 46.

tion on continuous forms, invoices, statements, payroll checks, etc., by the use of printing machines utilizing printing plates or the like having the desired subject matter embossed or otherwise formed thereon. By the use of such machines printed impressions may be made at the rate of ninety to one hundred per minute. Heretofore, however, it has been necessary in the making of multiple copies to interleave the carbon sheets by hand and to use one-time pre-inserted carbon duplicating means.

This invention provides an attachment for interleaving carbon between continuous length multiple sheet forms which are to be printed upon at spaced intervals by means of a simple mechanism which automatically moves the carbon sheet after each impression. In this way clear, sharp copies of the printing are made and substantially all the carbon sheet is utilized. By means of this attachment continuous copy sheet forms are automatically fed to the printing position to be imprinted and then advanced into a receiving hopper and fan-folded into a pack. A pack of the continuous sheet forms to be printed upon is placed in the feeding hopper of the address printing machine of the attachment and adjusted so as to be fed through the printing machine. The auxiliary feeding mechanism is so designed and connected that it operates in synchronism with the address printing machine whereby, after each stroke of the printer stamper arm, the continuous sheet forms are automatically advanced to bring the next form in position to receive an impression, and the interleaved carbon sheets are simultaneously moved so as to present a new surface.

By the use of the auxiliary feeding attachment of this invention, the output of the printing machine may be substantially increased, and there heretofore time-consuming, tedious, wasteful manual operations of removing carbon sheets and pre-arranging the aligning copy sheet sheet forms, etc., are eliminated. Furthermore a more efficient and versatile machine which is adapted for a great number of uses is provided.

Referring to the drawings in detail, particularly Figures 1, 2, and 25, the feeder attachment of this invention is shown and described as an auxiliary mechanism for use with address printing machines. It will be appreciated, however, that the automatic feeder mechanism of this in vention may be used as an attachment for various types of printing machines to automatically feed continuous sheet material in position to be printed upon and then advancing the printing sheet into a suitable receiver where it is stacked in a fan-folded pack.

In the drawings a typical address printing machine is illustrated comprising a flat tabletop member 40 which is supported by the frame generally designated 4! having legs 42. A stamper arm 43 carries a roller platen 44 which is arranged to be reciprocated by rod 45 which is attached to When the stamper arm 43 swings forward the roller platen 44 is brought down against the paper sheet generally designated 50 which is to be printed upon, and the roller is reciprocated by the back and forth movement of the member 46.

In the addressing machine shown, multiple copy continuous forms 5! interleave with carbon paper sheets 52 are used. Address plate means 55 is utilized as the printing plate and a ribbon 53 is positioned between the printing plate and paper so as to transfer the imprint on the paper sheet. The printing plate may be made in different styles as required for producing'the desired imprint. As illustrated in Figure 27, the address plate preferably comprises a frame 56 having a removable printing plate 51 carrying the data to be transcribed, and an adjacent section 58 for receiving a card index member 59. The printing plate may be of one-piece construction or made of several pieces.

Extending upward at the back of the platen 44 is a printing plate magazine 60 for holding a stack of printing plates 59 which are advanced from the magazine to printing position beneath the ribbon 53 during operation of the machine. A motor 52 is suitably arranged for driving the machine. Appropriate means, not shown, is also provided for controlling the operation of the printing machine.-

Automatic feeder attachment The feeder attachment, as illustrated in Figure 1, comprises in general a hopper I9 which is adapted to receive the fan-folded pack II of continuous sheet forms to be printed upon. Hopper I is supported over the printing head I2 by means of a bracket I4. Leg members I5 are removably fastened to the inner side of the upright pieces I6 which in turn are secured to the side bars, 11 attached to the feeding mechanism generally designated 80, and extending over the table top 40 at opposite sides of the printing head I2. The extremities of the legs I5 are grooved as at 8| to receive pins 82 on the members 15, as illustrated in Figure 10, to removably lock the pieces together.

On the rear side of the hopper there is provided a guide means 84 over which the sheet of material to be printed upon is drawn and fed forward over the table 40 under the printing head 12. A spring guide means 85 is suitably positioned on the hopper Ill and arranged to frictionally engage upon the surface of the continuous sheet material as it is drawn from the hopper III to bring about an orderly removal of the sheet material from the fan-folded pack I I.

Feeder mechanism The mechanism for feeding the continuous forms in the addressing machine and generally designated 85 comprises an endless chain feeding means 90 having spaced lugs 9| fixed on the chain links which is adapted to engage in similar spaced holes or slots in the continuous sheet 59 being printed, as shown in Figure 8, so as to draw the sheet material through the printing machine. This mechanism is su ported on the frame, generally designated 93, which comprises the legs 94. The leg members may be made adiustable in length so as to properly positioned the feeding mechanism relative to the table 40 of the printing machine. In the lower part of frame 93 a compartment is provided for receiving the imprinted sheet forms which are ejected from the feeding mechanism. Preferably means are utilized, as at 95, for guiding the printed forms so as to restack them in a fan-folded pack, as shown at 96 in Figure 1.

Intermittent driving of the chain means 99 is effected by means of a motor 99 which is operatively connected through suitable clutch means 99 and gearing mechanism to advance the continuous sheet forms an accurate predetermined distance after each printing operation. The feeding attachment is provided with latch means lDil on each side of the feeding mechanism 89 which is adapted to engage over the extended rod memher I 02 positioned at the front of the address printing machine, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The latch I00 is constructed as illustrated in Figure 9 and is pivotally attached to the side of the feeding member 80, as at I03, and is normally held in horizontal position by the member I I14 so as to automatically latch the feeding mechanism to the address printing machine when it is moved up against the front of the machine and in position for the latches I00 to engage the bar I02, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. An extending lug I95 is provided on top of the latch I for manually raising the latch member out of engagement with the bar I02 when the feeding attachment is to be disconnected from the address printing machine For initiating the operation of the feeding mechanism an actuating lever, generally designated I08, is provided which is positioned on one side of the feeding mechanism and is supported at the outer end of the feeding mechanism by means of the pin I 89. Adjacent the other end the lever I08 is supported on the side of the bracket portion I5 by means of the pin I I9. Longitudinal movement of the lever H38 relative to the pin means )9 and III) is provided for by means of the slots II2. Adjacent the inner end of the lever I08 a resilient bumper means H4 is provided to engage the forward face of the Stam er arm 43 of the address printing machine, as illustrated in Fi ure 1. Adjustment of the length of the lever I08 is made by means of the slotted bracket member II5 which is fastened to the resilient bumper means I I4.

A coil spring means H6 is attached to the operating lever I98, as at I I1, and at the other end is secured to the pin I II! on the bracket 15. The spring coil means IIB urges the lever I58 to the right and against the stamper arm 43 of the address printing machine so thatit is reciprocated when the stam er arm is moved back and forth during the printing operation.

Clutch actuating mechanism Mounted on the feeder mechanism 89 adjacent the reciprocable feed control lever I98 is a clutch member 99 which functions to bring about rotation of the output shaft 24 which is adapted to drive the sprocket I2I carrying the chain 99 a predetermined amount, such as for example a single revolution. Any suitable mechanism may be utilized for this purpose which. will upon actuation move the chain 98 engaging the continuous sheet forms a predetermined distance intermittently as required. Clutch mechanism, such as shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 258,015, filed February 23, 1939, may be utilized for this purpose, as illustrated in Figures 23 and 24.

This clutch mechanism 99 comprises essentially an. input shaft I23 and an output shaft I24 for driving the endless chain 9i] over the sprocket wheel members I 2I and I22. The output shaft I24 of the clutch mechanism drives the shaft I 2%! 1 of the sprocket wheel I2! by means of the gear train illustrated in Figure 12. The input shaft I23 is continuously driven by the motor 98 during the operation of the machine and rotation of the output shaft I24 is controlled by the movement of the locking plate 525. Movement of the locking plate E25 to the left. referring to Figures 23 and 24. disen ages the step portion I26 from the cam I 2'! which is fastened to the output shaft from the shoulder I28 on the plate I25. Rotation of the output shaft I24 is effected by suitable spring mechanism within the clutch casing so that when the cam I21 is released from the locking plate I25 the clutch operates to rotate the output shaft a predetermined amount such as a complete revolution, as illustrated in Figures 23 and 24.

For shifting the locking plate I25 to initiate an operating cycle of the clutch a lever I38 which is pivoted as at I3I adjacent the locking plate I25 is provided having one end connected by means of a link I32 with the locking plate I25. A spring I35 attached to the opposite end of the lever I38 tends to actuate the movement of the lever to cause link I32 to swing the locking plate I25 about its pivot to disengage the cam portion I25 from the shoulder I28 and start an operating cycle of the feeding mechanism. Normally the clutch actuating lever I38 is held in the position shown in Figure 23 by the lever I38 which carries a latch portion I39 for engaging a square pin I 48 disposed on the outer end of the lever I38. The spring I82 urges the lever I38 to remain in position to contact the pin I48 when it is returned to its original position, as shown in Figure 23.

Upon rotation of the output shaft and cam member I21 the cam portion I25 contacts the cam surface I42 on the locking plate I25 and forces it to the right moving the shoulder I28 in position to engage the cam portion I26 and stop rotation of the output shaft when it reaches the position shown in Figure 23. At the same time, the clutch tripping lever I38 returns to its nonoperating locked position, as shown in Figure 23, so that it is ready to be released to start another cycle of clutch operation. In this way while the motor shaft rotates the input shaft continuously, the output shaft of the clutch rotates only when the clutch tripping arm I38 is raised to permit the spring I35 to move the lever I38 and connecting link I32 to shift the locking plate I25 so as to start the actuation of the clutch to rotate the output shaft I24 a single complete revolution.

- Clutch tripping mechanism For tripping the lever I38 to bring about operation of the clutch a bell crank member I45 is provided having the arms I46 and I41. This bell crank member is pivoted as at I48 and arranged so that the arm portion I46 engages underneath the extended portion I49 of the lever I38. The other arm portion I41 carries a pin I58 which is positioned to be contacted by the latch means I52 which is carried by the reciprocable feed control lever I88. When the lever is shifted forward by the stamper arm 43 of the address printing machine, the latch I52 engages the pin I58 of the bell crank I45 and upon return of the stamper arm 43 after the printing operation, the lever I88 is shifted longitudinally to the right by the tension of the coil spring H6. This movement rotates the bell crank I45 which raises the lever I38 releasing the clutch tripping lever I38 which initiates the operation of the clutch.

When the printing head 43 swings upward and down a printing operation is effected and the operating lever I88 of the feeding mechanism is placed in the position shown in Figure 4 so that when the printing head 43 returns to its nonprinting position the actuating lever I88 will be moved to the right bringing about a tripping of the clutch lever I38. Actuation of the clutch causes a limited feeding movement of the chain e earse of the tripping mechanism for actuating the clutch is illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Manual feeding adjustment mechanism As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the output shaft I24 of the clutch drives the sprocket shaft I28 through the gear train comprising the mesh gears I55, I55, I51 and I58, By using different sets of gears the feeding mechanism can be changed so that the distance which the sheets being printed upon are advanced after each printing operation can be made to accommodate different sized sheet forms.

Manual movement of the feeding mechanism is provided for by means of the attachment I68 on the gear I56 which permits manual disengagement of the gear I56 with the clutch operating gear I55. Manual adjustment of the feeding mechanism is necessitated when threading the paper or sheets to be printed upon in the machine I preparatory to starting printing operation. The

0 can disengage the gear I56 from gear I55 and rotate the feeding mechanism'forward or backward, as desired, to adjust the position of the paper threaded in the machine. Upon releasing the member I58 the spring I62 forces the gear to slide axially into its normal position in mesh with gears I55 and I51, as shown in Figure 11.

Carbon feeding mechanism The mechanism for feeding the carbon sheet material between the continuous paper sheet forms 58 and 5I is illustrated in Figures 11 to 22 inclusive. This part of the machine consists of a cam plate member I65 which is fixed to rotate with the gear I51 and comprises the spaced cam portions I66. The cam portions I66 are adapted upon rotation of the gear I51 to engage the shoulder I58 on the member I18, as shown in Figures 12 and 19. The lower end of the member I18 is carried around the shaft I28 and is thus guided during its movement in the path of the cam portion I56 on the cam I65. Attached to the upper end of the member I18 is a crank arm I12 which is secured to a sleeve member I13 rotatably mounted on the shaft I15. This shaft is arranged to drive the knurled rollers I11 and I18 which are arranged to draw carbon paper between the continuous moving sheets 5| being printed upon. Axial movement of the sleeve relative to the shaft I15 is prevented by the U-shaped locating pin IBI which is positioned over the sleeve I13 and in engagement with the circular groove in the shaft I15, as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12.

Rotation of the shaft I15 is brought about at intervals, as the cam portions I86 contact the shoulder I68 swinging the member I18 downward and rotating the sleeve I13 through the ratchet and pawl member I88 and I84 associated With the spring actuated member I85. The member I85 is attached to the sleeve I13 and carries the pawl I84 which engages the ratchet I83, and the shaft I15 is suitably fastened by means of the pin I81 to the ratchet I83, Rotation of the shaft I15 and knurled rollers I11 and "His effected by clockwise movement of the member I85 bythe sleeve member I13 which motion is transferred to the shaft I15 by means of the pawl I84 engaging the ratchet I83. Counterclockwise movement of the sleeve I13 and attached member I85, as shown in Figure 19, is effected by the coil I89.

The member I85 is of elongated shape and the end opposite the spring I89 is adapted to contact the bracket member I90 to limit its return movement under the action of the coil spring I89.

The knurled carbon sheet feeding rollers I11 and I18 are suitably arranged in the frame I92 at the side of the continuous sheet forms so as to draw the carbon sheets transversely beneath the continuous forms from the feed rolls I94 arranged on the rack I95 on the opposite side of the machine, as shown in Figure 20. The carbon sheets 52 which are interleaved between the paper forms are carried over the idler roll I96 in the lower portion of the frame I92 and are carried between the knurled rollers I11 and I18, as illustrated in Figures 14 and 20.

Provision is made for disassembling the idler roller I96 by means of the removable shaft I98 by removing the pin 288 engaging over the outer end, as illustrated in Figures 21 and 22. The knurled roller I18 is driven by the lower knurled roller I11 through the gears 282 and 284 on the ends of the knurled roller shafts. Means is provided through the spring pressed members 238 for separating the knurled roller I18 from the lower roller I11 by rotating the shaft 283 by means of the knurled manual operating means 201. The axial shafts of the carbon feed rolls I94 are positioned in slots 2I0 in the supporting end frame pieces I95, as illustrated in Figure 17. Adjustment is provided for positioning of the carbon sheet roller frame I 35 by means of the knurled adjusting screw 2I2 located at the base of the frame, as illustrated in Figure 17. Each of the carbon feed roll members I94 is equipped with spring actuated brake means 2I5 for preventing coasting of the rolls during operation of the machine.

Static electricity control Due to the development of static electricity between the carbon sheets 52 and continuous moving form sheets 58 and which results in a tendency to drag the carbon sheets along with the moving continuous paper sheet forms which are being printed, there is arranged between the sheets the copper strip members 2I8, as shown in Figures 16 and 20. These copper strips or equivalent electrical connecting members are suitably retained on the end posts 220 and a guide strip 222 is arranged across the top of the sheets to maintain the continuous sheet forms in position to be contacted with the metal strips 2I8 as the sheets are moved along under the printing head.

Suitable electrical conducting means is connected to the posts 220 for grounding the electric charge induced by the moving paper sheets.

Modified carbon sheet holding mechanism In Figures 28 to 33 inclusive, there is illustrated a modified mechanism for retaining the carbonsheets interleaved between the continuous sheet forms when use is made of continuous sheet forms which are folded lengthwise, such as indicated by the paper sheets 224 as illustrated in Figure 29. In this instance transverse movement of the carbon sheet is impossible. The sheets of carbon 225 are held on thin bars 226 which are supported on a spindle means 228 which in turn is mounted on the screw bars 229 and 231. The

carbon sheets are pasted or otherwise secured to the members 226 and are floated between the sheets as illustrated in Figure 29.

The spring pressed hinged screw follower 230 is hinged as at 23I on the supporting block 232 which is attached to the spindle 228 carrying the carbon bars 226. One or more of the carbon heet retaining bars 226 may be positioned in the spindle member 228 and clamped into position so as to hold the carbon sheet in between the folded continuous sheet forms, as illustrated in Figure 29. This clip is adapted to be swung in engagement with the screw threads 233 on the shaft 229 and upon rotation of the screw shaft 229 the block 232 and associated spindle carrying the carbon sheet forms are moved longitudinally along the shaft. In this instance the screw shaft 229 replaces the shaft I in the mechanism illustrated in Figure 19.

Duplicate carbon holding mechanism, as illustrated in Figures 31, 32 and 33, is provided on the opposite sides of the moving sheet forms as illustrated in Figure 28, and the gear 235 is arranged on the screw shaft 229 which drives-the opposite screw shaft 231 by means of the chain and sprocket 238 and 239, respectively. Paper side guide means 240 is provided on the spindle 228 of the carbon sheet holders for maintaining the paper sheet forms in alignment as they pass along.

When the carbon sheet holders 226 have been moved along by the supporting block member 232 to the end of the screw portions 233 on the rod members 229 and 231 the operator will manually reset the carbon sheets at the other end of the screw shaft by raising the hinged clip 230 which engages the screw threads 233 of the rod so as to allow the spring pressed plunger 242 to hold the hinged clip 238 out of engagement with the screw threads. After the carbon sheet holders are positioned at the opposite end of the screw thread the hinged screw follower 230 will be reset to engage the screw and permit repeated movement of the carbon sheets. The member 228 which supports the carbon sheet rod mem- 5 bers 226 is suitably guided on the rod 244, as

shown in Figure 30.

Operation In the operation of the machine as illustrated, the address printing machine is synchronized with the movement of the automatic feeding control mechanism so that by means of the attachment continuous copy sheet forms are automatically fed to the printing. position and thereafter printed uponandthenthe trippingmechanism on the feeding attachment actuates the clutch to bring about a predetermined accurate movement of the continuous sheet forms so as to advance them out of the printing machine and at the same time 0 actuate the carbon sheet feeding mechanism so as to move the carbon sheets to present new surface. In the automatic feeder mechanism illustrated the continuous sheet forms are withdrawn from a fan-folded pack and moved beneath the printing mechanism and thereafter ejected into a compartment and fan-folded into a finished pack form.

It will be understood that different types of forms, continuous sheet or otherwise, may be used with this invention and that printing mechanism other than addressograph machines may be employed with the auxiliary feeding attachment of this invention.

. It will be understood also that this invention is not limited to the exact detail of construccontinuously driven in association with said printing machine for controlling the movement of sadi endless member, whereby said forms are advanced a predetermined distance and positioned in register for imprinting thereon; carbon sheet material interleaved with said continuous sheet forms; means in association with said endless member for moving said carbon sheet in synchronism with the movement of said forms, said carbon sheet moving in opposite direction to said continuous sheet forms and a predetermined distance lesser than the distance traveled by said sheet forms; and means for restacking the printed continuous sheet forms in a fan-folded pack.

2. In combination with a printing machine, an auxiliary attachment operable in synchronism therewith through separate driving means wherein continuous strip fan-folded stationery receives at longitudinally spaced intervals imprinted legends comprising: feeding'means adapted for differentially advancing in opposite directions superimposed strips of fan-folded stationery material and carbon sheet material past an imprinting positionin register with each other; a prime mover adapted to drive said feeding means separate from the prime mover of said printing machine in synchronism therewith; means adapted to move said carbon sheet material longitudinally and in opposite direction to the movement of said stationery'material after each imprinting operation, said carbon sheet material being moved a distance lesser than the distance said stationery material is moved; and means adapted intermittently to associate the driving means of said printing machine and said auxiliary attachment whereby the movement of said stationery material, carbon sheet material, and printing machine is brought into operative synchronism.

WILLIAM C. PFEIFFER.

Images