US3722405A

US3722405A - Print wheel setting and control means in data recorders

Info

Publication number: US3722405A
Application number: US00076938A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Mahoney; J Maul
Original assignee: Multigraphics Inc
Current assignee: DBS Inc
Priority date: 1970-09-30
Filing date: 1970-09-30
Publication date: 1973-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-27
Also published as: GB1363705A; CA934223A; BE771650A; JPS5224450B1

Abstract

A printing machine for imprinting forms with variable data from manually settable print wheels. The machine is provided with a bed for retaining the print wheels and the form, and includes a platen carriage to perform a printing cycle. The print wheels are selectively positioned by keyset levers movable from a reference datum position for rotating each print wheel to a desired peripheral setting. The machine is intended for printing numerical amounts; usually money values for check or money order imprinting. The number value to which each wheel may be set makes a theoretical setting greater than an arbitrary value maximum. In the example given herein, the print wheels have numbers which could be set up to print a value of 299.99 but for the advantages of this invention which limits the value to 200.00. Therefore, the levers, wheels, and associated structure cooperates to lock one another against further rotary positioning of the wheels to greater values whenever a given maximum is reached. Secondly, if the keyset levers are not restored to their reference zero position after an imprint, a second operation is prevented.

Description

United States Patent 91 Mahoney et al.

[ 51 Mar. 27, 1973 PRINT WHEEL SETTING AND 3,606,833 3/1970 Deutsch ..10l/4S CONTROL MEANS 1N DATA RECQRDERS Primary Examiner-William B. Penn 75 Inventors: Donald T. Mahoney, Willoughby; A"mey RSseu and Ray Pyle 321i: A. Maul, Lyndhurst, both of [57] ABSTRACT A printing machine for imprinting forms with variable [73] Asslgnee' Addressograph'Mumgnlph Cordata from manually settable print wheels. The porafion Cleveland Ohm machine is provided with a bed for retaining the print [22] Filed: Sept. 30, 1970 wheels and the form, and includes a platen carriage to perform a printing cycle. The print wheels are selec- [ZH Appl' 76938 tively positioned by keyset levers movable from a reference datum position for rotating each print wheel [52] U.S.Cl ..101/45 to a desired peripheral setting. The machine is in- [51] Int. Cl. ..B41j 29/58, B41f 3/04 tended for printing numerical amounts; usually money [58] Field of Search 101/45, 95, 96, 93 MN, 209, values for check or money order imprinting. The 101/285, 45; 235/101, 103, 130, 131 number value to which each wheel may be set makes a theoretical setting greater than an arbitrary value max- [56] References Cited imum. In the example given herein, the print wheels have numbers which could be set up to print a value UNITED STATES PATENTS of 299.99 but for the advantages of this invention 3,138,091 6/1964 Maul ..101 45 which limits The value to 200m)- Therefofe, the 3,142,243 7/19 4 g m 101/95 levers, wheels, and associated structure cooperates to 3,322,062 5/1967 Maul ..10l/45 lock one another against further rotary positioning of ,5 967 a oney --l0l/4 the wheels to greater values whenever a given max- 3,405,634 Maul 61 a1 is reached 3,469,777 9/1969 Anderson et al. ..235/l0l 3,508,488 4/1970 Maul et al. ..101/45 Secondly, if the k ys t l ers ar n t restored to their 3,570,758 5/1971 Clemons 235/101 reference zero position after an imprint, a second 3,002,686 10/1961 Heil et a1 23 5/l0l operation is prevented, 3,467,006 9/1969 Johnson. ..l0l/95 3,515,060 6/ 1970 Barbour 101/45 3 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures /6 1| 1 M M 1 t o ill PATENTEDHARZYIQB SHEEI 5 BF 7 PRINT WHEEL SETTING AND CONTROL MEANS IN DATA RECORDERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Printing machines of the type referred to as data recorders, are used for printing fixed information from embossed plates, and variable information from rotatable wheels. Usually money or other numerical information is printed by such wheels.

Such a device can be set up to print checks and money orders. Prior to this invention there were no satisfactory means for establishing full variability with an arbitrary maximum. Also, in writing money orders or checks it is often desired to use some non-numerical mark before the first number, regardless of where the first number is located. No machine has heretofore been available to prevent accidental printing of such mark instead of a desired zero within the limits of the actual number.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The data recorder of the present invention is particularly suited to the imprinting of postal money orders and, as such, includes certain modifications of features and features in addition to those of the machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,634, but it does not utilize an embossed printing plate or card. The machine of the present invention provides means for limiting the positioning of the keyset levers, and hence the print wheels, within a fixed predetermined range such that the amount of the money order to be imprinted cannot exceed a fixed limit.

Blocking means including a stop device is also provided to prevent a printing cycle if the keyset levers are not first restored to a reference datum position following a preceding printing operation. The blocking means may be arranged to prevent movement of the platen carriage through a printing cycle or, for example, in the case of a data recorder having a pivotally mounted printing head, to prevent closing of the printing head. To eliminate the possibility that the machine operator may record a new transaction using the information set into the variable dataprint wheels for a previous transaction, blocking means including a stop device is provided and arranged so that the keyset levers must be moved to the reference datum position, and then reset to the desired new setting, before a subsequent impression on the form can be made. I

The machine also includes a reset means for quickly and accurately restoring all of the keyset levers to the reference datum position, thereby unlocking the printing mechanism to permit a further printing operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a data recorder having variable data print wheels selectively settable under control of keyset levers, including control means associated with arresting means to restrict positioning of the keyset levers within a fixed predetermined range.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel lock-out mechanism to prevent movement of the platen carriage through a printing cycle if the keyset levers are not first restored to the reference datum position following a preceding printing operation, and prior to resetting the keyset levers to a new setting for a subsequent printing cycle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reset means for simultaneously restoring all of the keyset levers to the reference datum position, thereby unlocking the lock-out mechanism and conditioning the machine to permit a further printing operation.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear hereinafter as the description proceeds.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a data recorder embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a variable data printing unit, with the keyboard cover in place, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the variable data printing unit and shows control means for restricting the positioning of the keyset levers within a fixed predetermined range;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane designated by line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a substantially schematic view as if taken along the plane designated by line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane designated by line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an oblique view looking substantially along the plane designated by line 7-7 of FIG. 6, drawn to a larger scale, with portions broken away;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane designated by line 8-8 of FIG. 7, drawn to a larger scale;

FIG. 9 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the plane designated by line 9-9 of FIGS;

FIGS. I0 and 11 are detail with of a drive pawl and cam spacer assembly associated wit the control means shown in a neutral and an actuated position respective- 1/;

FIG. 12 is an explodedview of the drive pawl and cam spacer assembly as viewed from the front in FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 13-17 are schematic views showing the operation of the control means for various settings of the keyset levers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Keyboard and Print Wheels Asshown in FIG. 1, the data recorder comprises a 7 base 10, a .bed 12, a roller platen carriage 14, a keyboard indicated generally at 16, and a series of variable data print wheels indicated as a group generally at 18 and designated individually as P1 to P5. The keyboard includes keyset levers lKl to KS for manually positioning the print wheels Pl-PSrespectively. A fee code print wheel 20 is also provided in alignment with group 18, and is controlled by a fee code lever 22 on the keyboard 16. A reset lever 24 is also mounted on the keyboard for restoring the keyset levers KL-KS and 22 to a zero or reference datum position.

The bed of the data recorder preferably is also provided with additional printing devices including a group 26 of date code wheels, and a station plate 28, which contains fixed information printing characters. A form overll' the

print wheels

18, 20 and 26 and the station plate The form F is properly registered and held in place by

surfaces

30 and 32 and

corner guides

34 and 36.

Refer to FIGS. 3 (sheet 2), (sheet 4) and 13-17 (sheet 7). All of the keyset levers Kl-KS are substantially of the same configuration and each includes a cam disc 38 providing a dwell surface, a lobe surface, and a notch. The notch is positioned at a unique location with respect to the dwell and the lobe. The relationship of the dwell and the lobe to the notch is the same for each of the keyset levers K2-K5, but this relationship is different for the keyset lever K1. Accordingly, for brevity and ease of understanding, since the set of mechanism for each of the keyset levers K2- K5, as well as the corresponding print wheels P2-P5 and associated mechanisms related to each digit are identical in operation, only the sets associated with the keyset levers K1 and K2 will be described hereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the keyset levers Kl-KS and the fee code lever 22 are pivotally supported on a shaft 40. A pair of

side plates

42 and 44, as seen in FIG. 2, extend to the area of shaft 40. Shaft 40 is carried by the side plates. The side plates are mounted to the underside of the bed 12 and extend rearwardly to a position below the keyboard 16. Each of the keyset levers comprises radially extending members designated as finger 46, gear segment 48, and support arm 50. Each of the keyset levers Kl-KS, but not code lever 22, also includes the cam disc 38.

The finger 46 and the support arm 50, in each case, are offset from the plane of the corresponding gear segment 48 by an amount sufficient to spread the control portions of the keyset levers to a workable spacing while the gear segments remain closely spaced to drive the print wheels. FIG. 4 shows offsetting.

See FIG. 5. The finger 46 is provided with an ear 52 for retaining one end of an indicator strip 54, the other end being retained by the support arm 50. Although not shown in the drawings, the indicator strip 54 for each of the keyset levers Kl-KS and 22 is provided with digits 0-9, and the indicator strip for each of the keyset levers Kl-K3 is additionally provided with a symbol in the form of an asterisk or the like at a position immediately preceding the zero digit. The digits and symbols on the indicator strips correspond to the digits and symbols on the print wheels Pl-PS and 20 provide a visual indication, through windows 56, of the digits selected for printing.

A detenting mechanism includes a notched surface seen just under the finger caps of the levers in FIG. 3. While not an unusual arrangement and hence not shown in detail in the drawings, thedetenting means preferably comprises an arcuate member conforming generally in shape to the indicator strip 54, and has a series of notches in one edge thereof corresponding in number to the digits and the symbols on the print wheel. A spring plunger suitably mounted on each of the keyset levers is urged into the notches to retain the keyset lever in the set position. The detenting means atfords an initial coarse setting of the print wheels, the final accurate alignment of the print wheels being effected in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The gear segment 48 of each of the keyset levers Kl-KS and lever 22 is operatively associated with a gear train comprising an idler gear 58, a drive gear 60, and a pinion 62. Pinion 62 is integral with a print wheel, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 8. Each of the print wheels is rotatably supported on a shaft 68 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) such that the character on the selected face of the print wheel extends upwardly through an opening in the bed 12 to lie in a printing plane. Thus, when a keyset lever Kl-KS or 22 is moved to select a desired character to be printed, as viewed through the windows 56, the gear segment 48, the idler gear 58, the drive gear 60, and the pinion 62 cause a corresponding print wheel Pl-PS or 20 to present the selected character on the print wheel in proper printing position.

Print Wheel Alignment As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, in order to accurately position the print wheels Pl-PS and 20, and to hold them against moving during an imprinting operation, the machine is provided with a pair of

pawls

70 and 72 adapted to engage and align the drive gears 60 and the print wheels 18 respectively. The pawl 70 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 76 and is biased by apair of springs 78 and 80 (see FIG. 7) in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8 so as to urge a nose 82 of the pawl 70 into engagement with the teeth of the drive gears 60 when the roller platen carriage 14 is moved through a printing operation. The pawl nose 82 has a sharp edge and the teeth on the drive gears are formed with a sharp pointed shape. This provides assurance that proper aligning engagement of the pawl with the gear teeth can be achieved even in cases of fairly severe initial misalignment when, for example, the detenting means described above has failed to perform fully in the manner intended.

The pawl 72 is mounted on a rocker member 84 pivoted on a shaft 86. Print wheels 18 each have a series of location fixing notches 74. Pawl 72 is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the notches 74 in the peripheries of the print wheels. As seen best in FIG. 8, rocker 84 has a leg carrying a roller 92 adapted to coact with the pawl 70.

With the roller platen carriage 14 in a home position as shown in the drawings, the rocker 84 and the

pawls

70 and 72 are in the positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. However, when the roller platen carriage is moved through a printing stroke to an actuated position, from left to right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 7, the rocker 84 is caused to pivot about the shaft 86 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6, thereby moving the roller 92 of the rocker out of contact engagement with the pawl 70, to permit the pawl to pivot and to move the nose 82 of the pawl between adjacent teeth of the drive gears 60, and moving the pawl 72 into engagement with the notches 74 in the print wheels as shown in FIG. 8.

The rocker 84 is biased in a clockwise direction by a pair of

springs

94 and 96, seen in FIG. 7. Spring 94 is seen in FIG. 8. The springs are connected to a pair of

pins

98 and 100, the pin 98 being fixed in the rocker 84 and extending outwardly through clearance openings 102 in the

side plates

42 and 44, and the pin 100 being fixed in the

side plates

42 and 44. The parts are so designed that the

pawls

70 and 72 engage in sequence. First the nose 82 of the pawl 70 penetrates between the teeth of the drive gear 60 until stops, designated 104, strike upon the

side plates

42 and 44. Thereafter, the

roller 92 moves out of contact with the pawl 70 and continued motion of the rocker 84 produces final locating and alignment of the print wheels by driving the pawl 72 into the print wheel notches 74.

Means for lmparting Pivotal Movement to the Rocker 84 An actuator lever 106 extends across the front of the machine generally parallel to the platen carriage travel.

See FIG. 7. Lever 106 is pivotally mounted on a pin 108 provided in a mounting bracket 110 affixed to the underside of the bed 12, and is biased by a weak spring (not shown in the drawings) in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7. As best seen in FIG. 7, an upper cen tral portion of the actuator lever provides an arcuate camming surface 114, and terminates in a straight section 116. The upper central portion and section 116 extend as a lateral flange from the pivot area of lever 106. The camming surface 114 and the straight section 116 are adapted to contact the upper surface of an actuating roller 118 carried by carriage 14 when the platen carriage 14 is in its home position.

The other end of the actuator lever 106 extends towards the rocker 84 and terminates in a flat ear 120 which coacts with the rocker. The

springs

94 and 96, acting through the rocker 84 on the ear 120, tend to rock the actuator lever in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7.

Operation of Rocker 84 From the description thus far, it will be seen that movement of the roller platen carriage 14 to its actuated position, from left to right as viewed in FIG. 7,

causes the actuating roller 118 to ride out from under the straight section 116 of the actuator lever 106 and into rolling contact with the camming surface 114 of the actuator lever, thereby allowing the actuator lever to pivot about the pin 108 in a counterclockwise direction. Because the portion 114 is a lateral flange, roller 118 is positioned in a path which will move past the pin 108. Lever 106 drops free of roller 118 after the roller 118 passes the end of the flange 114. This motion allows the rocker 84 to be pivoted by the

springs

94 and 96 in a clockwise direction asviewed in FIGS. 6 and 8, to properly position the

pawls

70 and 72 respectively, in working relation with the teeth of the drive gears 60 and the notches 74 in the print wheels Pl-PS and 20. At the same time that the

pawls

70 and 72 are fully engaged with the drive gears and the notches to securely retain the print wheels against movement, the pivotal movement of the rocker 84 and of the actuator lever 106 are terminated, and the roller 118 runs beyond the end of the camming surface 114. The actuator lever 106 then is in the position shown in phantom in FIG. 7. Further movement of the roller platen carriage to the right completes the printing stroke. The return movement of the platen carriage first brings the roller 118 back beneath the camming surface 114, and further movement to its home position restores the mechanism to the full line positions shown in the drawings.

PRINT WHEEL CONTROLS The present invention also provides an arrangement to restrict positioning of the print wheels 18 within a Pl-PS are arranged to imprint amounts as follows:

Keyset lever Print Wheel Amount K1 P1 hundreds (l00.) K2 P2 tens 10.)

K3 P3 units (1.) 7

K4 P4 tenths (.10)

K5 P5 hundredths (.01)

As shown in FIG. 2, the keyset lever K1 is movable from an asterisk position through digit 1 to the digit 2. The keyset levers K2 and K3 are each movable in a range from an asterisk position to the digit 9. The

keyset levers K4 and K5 are each movable from a zero position to the digit 9.

lnterrelated Control The control feature of this invention, to prevent setting more than a selected maximum numerical value into the wheels Pl-PS is best seen in FIG. 5. A pair of

control members

124 and 126 are pivotally supported on a pin 128. The control member 124 is provided with a cam follower pin 130 adapted to coact with the cam disc 38 of all of the keyset levers K2-K5, see FIG. 4, and also includes an arresting means in the form of a blocking finger 132 adapted to coact with a notch in the cam disc 38 of only the keyset lever K1. The control member 126 is similar to the control member 124 and comprises a cam follower pin 134 for coaction only with the cam disc 38 of the keyset lever K1, and also includes an arresting means comprising a blocking finger 136 adapted to coact with a notch in the cam disc 38 of all of the keyset levers K2-K5. The

control members

124 and 126 are urged by

springs

138 and 140 respectively, in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, to maintain the

pins

130 and 134 in contact engagement with the cam discs 38, and the blocking

fingers

132 and 136 out of engagement withthe notches in the cam discs. Movement of the keyset levers. from the reference datum position to-position the corresponding print wheels to a desired value printing printing position causes the cam discs 38 to act against the

pins

130 and 134, thereby pivoting the

control members

124 and 126 against the action of the

springs

138 and 140 and moving the blocking

fingers

132 and 136 into the notches provided in the peripheries of the cam discs.

With reference to FIGS. 13-17, the operation of the

control members

124 and 126 and the cam discs 38, to limit movement of the keyset levers within a fixed range not to exceed a value of 200., will now be described. The cam disc 38 of the keyset lever K1 comprises a dwell surface 142, a lobe 144 and a notch 146. The cam disc 38 of the keyset lever K2 comprises a dwell surface 148, a lobe and a notch 152. With the keyset lever K1 set at the asterisk position and the keyset levers K2-K5 set at their zero positions, the cam discs and the control members are positioned as indicated in FIG. 13, Le, the

pins

130 and 134 are positioned on the dwells .148 and 142 respectively, and the blocking

fingers

132 and 136 are out of engagement with the

notches

146 and 152 respectively.

Movement of the keyset lever K1 to the digit 1 position (100.) rotates the cam disc 38 of the keyset lever Kl to the position shown in FIG. 14, wherein the dwell 142 is now positioned such that the pin 134 is immediately adjacent the lobe 144. The notch 146, of course, is also moved a corresponding distance although it is still in aligned relationship with the blocking finger 132. All of the other parts remain unchanged from the positions shown in FIG. 13.

Movement of the keyset lever K1 to the digit 2 position (200.) rotates the cam disc 38 of the keyset lever K1 to the position illustrated in FIG. 15. This movement of the cam disc causes the lobe 144 to act against the pin 134 and pivots the control member 126 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 15, against the urging of the spring 140, moving the blocking finger 136, which spans all of the keyset levers K2-K5, into engagement with the aligned notches 152 in each of the cam discs 38 of the keyset levers K2-K5. When so positioned, with the keyset lever Kl moved to its terminal digit 2 position (FIG. 2) and the blocking finger 136 engaged with the notches 152 hence preventing further movement of the keyset levers K2-K5, the unit is conditioned to preclude the possibility of setting the print wheels 18 to imprint an amount in excess of 200.

FIG. 16 shows the arrangement of parts as they would appear when the unit is set for imprinting a value of 10. The positions of the cam disc 38, the notch 146 and the pin 134 associated with the keyset lever K1 are in the same positions as shown in FIG. 13, wherein the hundreds print wheel P1 is positioned to imprint an asterisk ahead of the first significant digit 1 of the 10.

However, movement of the keyset lever K2 to the digit 1 position (10.), which also imparts movement to the keyset lever K3 from the asterisk position to the zero position in a manner to be explained hereinbelow, rotates the cam disc of the keyset lever K2 causing the lobe 150 to act against the pin 130 and pivots the control member 124 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 16, against the urging of the spring 138, moving the blocking finger 132 into engagement with the notch.146 in the cam disc 38 of the keyset lever K1. It will be noted, however, that the blocking finger 132 enters the notch 146 at its leading end in respect to the direction of rotation of the cam disc as indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 13-17. The notch 146 is sufficiently wide to permit subsequent movement of the keyset lever Kl to the digit 1 position (100.), such that the blocking finger 132 is positioned within and against the trailing end of the notch, but the notch 146 is not wide enough to pennit further movement of the keyset lever K6 from the digit 1 position to the digit 2 position as will be further explained.

In the FIG. 16 condition, all of the keyset levers K2-K5 may be moved to their extreme digit 9 positions and could set up to print 99.99. But, because the keyset lever K1 is arrested against movement to the digit 2 position by the blocking finger 132, only the figure 1" can be printed to thereby reach a maximum of 199.99. The print wheels P1-P5 cannot be set for imprinting a numerical value in excess of 199.99.

In FIG. 17, the keyset levers are shown in a position for imprinting a value of 110. Movement of the keyset lever K1 rotates the cam disc 38 such that the dwell 142 is moved to a position wherein the pin 134 is immediately adjacent the lobe 144, and the notch 146 is positioned with its trailing end opposed to but out of engagement with the blocking finger 132. Movement of the keyset lever K2 to the 10. position rotates the cam disc 38 of the keyset lever K2 and causes the lobe 150 to act against the pin 130. This action pivots the control member 124 and moves the blocking finger 132 into engagement with the trailing end of the notch 146. Since this position of the blocking finger 132 with respect to the notch 146 is effective to arrest movement of the keyset lever Kl so that it cannot go beyond the digit 1 position, the print wheels Pl-PS cannot be set for imprinting a value of more than 199.99, regardless of where the other keyset levers K2-K5 may be positioned.

With apparatus as shown and described, movement of the keyset lever K1 operates the control member 124 for simultaneously blocking all of the keyset levers K2-K5 against movement under the described conditions, and movement of any one of the keyset levers K2-K5 operates the control member 126 for effecting a blocking function of the keyset lever K1 beyond the digit 1 position. This novel arrangement provides a reliable means for restricting movement of the keyset levers and their corresponding print wheels within a fixed predetermined range, and may be designed for a range for limiting the imprinting to any maximum amount, within the capacity of the machine, rather than just the 200. unit amount used as an example in the present description.

As shown in FIG. 2, the keyset levers Kl-K3 are each provided with an asterisk position immediately ahead of the zero position, and a similar asterisk is provided on each of the corresponding print wheels Pl-P3. Thus, under control of the keyset levers, the print wheels are positionable for imprinting an asterisk in all positions preceding the first significant digit of the number amount to conform with standard practice in the imprinting of checks and/or money orders. Means is also providedfor preventing the imprinting of an asterisk at a position intermediate any of the digits.- Thus, movement of the keyset lever K1 from the asterisk position also results in movement of the keyset levers K2 and K3 (and their corresponding print wheels) from their asterisk to their zero positions, thereby avoiding the possibility of imprinting asterisks by the print wheels P2 and P3 at positions between the hundreds and the tenths digits. Also, movement of the keyset lever K2 is effective to move the keyset lever K3 (and its corresponding print wheel) from its asterisk to its zero position, thereby preventing the imprinting of an asterisk by the print wheel P3 at a position between the tens and the tenths digits.

The manner in which movement of K3 by K2 is accomplished will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 10, 11 and 12. As best shown in FIG. 12, a drive pawl 154 is pivotally mounted at 156 on the keyset lever K1, and the keyset lever K2 is provided with a cam spacer 158 rotatably supported on the shaft 40. The cam spacer is secured to the keyset lever K2 for rotation therewith by means of a square projection 160 on the face of the cam spacer engaging a corresponding opening in the keyset lever K2.

Referring now to FIGS. and 11, the drive pawl 154 comprises a cam surface 162 adapted to coact with a pin 164 fixed in the side plates 42 and 44 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4) a nose 166 for driving the cam spacer 158, a follower portion 168 and a spring 170. The cam spacer includes a lip 172 against which the nose 166 acts and an arcuate surface 174.

With the keyset levers K1-K3 in theirasterisk positions, the drive pawl 154, the cam spacer I58 and the related parts are in a neutral position as seen in FIG. 10. When the keyset lever K1 is moved from the asterisk to the digit 1 position, the nose 166 of the drive pawl acts against the lip 172 of the cam spacer thereby rotating the cam spacer, and moving the keyset lever K2 to which it is secured, from the asterisk to the zero position, in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 3, 10 and 11. As the cam spacer is being rotated, the cam surface 162 of the drive pawl contacts the pin 164 causing the drive pawl to move towards the right as viewed in these Figures, against the bias of the spring 170, so as to urge the nose 166 out of contact engagement with the lip 172 of the cam spacer 158. When the keyset lever Kl reaches its digit 1 position the partsare in an actuated position as seen in FIG. 11, wherein the nose 166 is clear of the lip 172 and the spring 170 urges the cam surface 162 against the pin 164.

Further movement of the keyset lever K1 from the digit 1 to the digit 2 position causes the follower portion 168 of the drive pawl 154 to ride free of the arcuate surface 174, (see FIG. 11) thus avoiding further rotary driving motion of the cam spacer and of the keyset lever K2. Return movement of the keyset lever K1 to its asterisk position restores the drive pawl and the spring from the positions shown in FIG. 11 to the positions shown in FIG. 10 but, because the cam spacer 158 is secured to the keyset lever K2 and the drive pawl 154 is mounted on the keyset lever K1, the cam spacer is not driven during the return movement of the drive pawl, and the keyset lever K2 is not restored from the zero to the asterisk position.

Although only one drive pawl and cam spacer arrangement has been described in detail herein, a similar arrangement is provided for the keyset levers K2 and K3, as shown in FIG. 12. Thus, the keyset lever K2 is provided with a drive pawl and a spring such as 154 and 170 respectively, and the keyset lever K3 is provided with a cam spacer such as 158. Movement of the keyset lever K2 from its asterisk to its zero position, through the drive pawl and the cam spacer, is effective to move the keyset lever K3 from its asterisk to its zero position. In this way, the keyboard 16 can only be set for imprinting asterisks in front of the first significant digit of the numerical amount to be imprinted, and it cannot be inadvertantly set so as to cause imprinting of an asterisk between significant digits of the amount.

Platen Carriage Any suitable platen carriage of known construction may be used to press the printing members for making a printing impression. The illustrated carriage and platen are of the construction and operation as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,725 if further detail is desired.

A roller platen 198 is carried in carriage 14 by a shaft 200. The shaft is eccentric and may be shifted to lift the roller platen at the end of a printing stroke, for the return travel.

A leg 180 of the carriage extends below the surface of the bed 12 and carries the roller 118.

Platen Carriage Lock-Out The machine of the present invention includes a platen carriage lock-out arrangement to prevent opera tion of the data recorder (by blocking the carriage against movement from the home to the actuated position) unless all of the keyset levers are restored to the reference datum position following a preceding printing cycle. However it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to preventing a printing operation by blocking movement of the platen carriage, but is broad enough to embrace prevention by other means of the taking of an impression. Thus, in data recorders having a pivotaily mounted printing head, for example, the taking of a printing impression may be prevented equally well by providing blocking means to prevent closing of the printing head unless all of the keyset levers are restored to the reference datum or zero position following a preceding printing cycle.

In the lower central area of FIG. 8, there is shown an actuator plate 212 pivotally supported on a pin 214. Plate 212 serves the function of a memory in that it is moved into a locking position as a function of platen operatiomand is the key to locking the platen against further operation until the platen is returned to its unlocked first position. The actuator plate includes a notch 216 which receives one end of a U-shaped overcenter spring 218 to retain the actuator plate in a first or a second position. The spring 218 is held in place against the side plate 42 by a holder 220 fastened to the side plate, and the holder is also provided with a notch 222 which receives the other end of the spring 218.

With further reference to FIG. 8, a pivoted link 224 located above plate 212, has a nose 228 adapted to coact with an ear 230 provided on the actuator plate 212; The link has a formed end 232 opposite nose 228 and an upwardly projecting arm terminating in a stop surface 234. The link 224, in response to restoring the keyset levers to the reference datum position, is effective to pivot the actuator plate 212 to its first position to thereby unlock the locking means and permit subsequent movement of the platen carriage through a printing stroke.

A blocking member 236 is also-pivotally mounted on the pin 214, adjacent the actuator plate 212, and is lightly biased by a spring 238 in'a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8. The blocking member extends forwardly from the pin 214 and is provided with a recess 240 at its bottom edge adapted to coact with the pin 98.

Still referring to FIG. 8, the actuator plate 212 is also provided with an adjustable pusher member in the form of a screw 242 having an end extending towards an car 244 provided on the pawl 70. Assume the parts who in an unblocking position with the actuator plate swung to its clockwise limit opposite from that shown in FIG. 8. The recess 240 of the blocking member will then be raised slightly above the path of the pin 98. As the carriage 14 is moved forward on a printing stroke, the

rocker 84 is caused to pivot in a clockwise direction (from the FIG. 6 to the FIG. 8 position) withdrawing the roller 92 away from the pawl thereby permitting clockwise direction. Thus, the ear 244 of the pawl 70 contacts the end portion of the screw 242 and pushes the same to cause the actuator plate 212 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction to its first or set position shown in FIG. 8. This pivotal movement of the actuator plate also shifts the position of the overcenter spring 218 such that the end of the spring engaged with the notch 216 in the actuator plate is acting upwardly to maintain the actuator plate in the set position.

In the same action of rocker 84, the pin 98 in the rocker 84 has moved somewhat under a lower surface 246 of the blocking member 236 thereby preventing the blocking member from following the motion of the actuator plate 212. Spring 238 will be slightly stretched. As the carriage 14 is returned to the home position, the rocker 84 is pivoted in the opposite direction withdrawing the pin 98 from beneath the blocking member so that the latter is drawn into an effective blocking position with the recess 240 engaging the pin 98. The actuator plate 212 remains in the set position as a result of the spring 218 biasing the actuator plate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8, so that no interference to return of the blocking member to blocking position is occasioned thereby.

Until such time as the keyset levers of the keyboard 16 are reset to the reference datum position, the actuator plate 212 will remain in the set position. Therefore, it an attempt is made to perform another printing stroke without resetting the keyset levers, the pin 98 in the rocker 84 will be held in the recess 240 of the blocking member and prevent normal pivotal movement of the rocker. The rocker will, therefore, fail to drive the actuator lever 106 through its full normal angle and hence it will fail to follow the actuating roller 118 on the carriage l4.

The actual stop means for preventing travel of the platen carriage 14 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 and comprises a blocking ear 248, formed upwardly from the actuator lever 106, which is adapted to be engaged by a flange 250 provided on the leg 180 of the carriage. The position of the ear 248 is such that the engagement of the pin 98 by the recess 240 of the blocking member 236 prevents the actuator lever 106 from completing its normal counterclockwise pivotal movement, thereby presenting the ear directly in thepath of the flange 250 as the carriage 14 is moved from the home position.

To free the machine for a printing operation, movement of the reset lever 24 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, to restore the keyset levers to the reference datum position, is effective to cause a ledge 25 of the reset lever to strike the end 232 of the link 224 thereby pivoting the link in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8. As the link is pivoted, its nose 228 contacts the ear 230 of the actuator plate 212 and pivots the actuator plate overcenter to its second position where it is held by the spring 218. When the reset lever is moved in the opposite direction, the link 224 is pivotally restored with its stop surface 234 resting on an edge of the side plate 42.

As the actuator plate 212 is moved to its second position, an ear 252 on the actuator plate contacts the blocking member 236 and pivotally rotates the same in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8. In this position, the recess 240 of the blocking member is out of the path of the pin 98. When the pin 98 is thus allowed to swing, the rocker 84 and the actuator lever 106 are allowed to complete their pivotal movement as the laten carriage moves out, thereby allowing the blocking ear 248 on the actuator lever to move downwardly for enough to clear the path of the flange 250.

In addition to the locking arrangement described above, the present device also provides another blocking means to prevent travel of the platen carriage to its actuated position in those instances where the keyset levers have been reset to the reference datum position and subsequently positioned for a printing operation, but at least one of the keyset levers was not properly positioned in exact register with its detent position. In such a case, the nose 82 of the pawl may squarely strike the top of one of the teeth of the drive gears 60 thus leaving the corresponding print wheel in an intermediate position, and the pawl 72 is prevented from moving into the notches 74 of the print wheels. Rather, the pawl72 abuts the face of the print wheel and prevents further pivotal movement of the rocker 82 and the'actuator lever 106 through their complete travel. Thus, the blocking ear 248 is not lowered far enough to clear the path of the flange 250 and prevents travel of the platen carriage to the actuated position.

The design of the pawl 72 and the notches 74 in the print wheels is such that the notches provide a depth related to an appropriate difference in the travel of the pawl 72 in the two situations, and the pawl 72 is so positioned that it strikes or senses the print wheel face at a time when the car 248 has still not entirely cleared the path of the flange 250. Therefore, if the pawl 72 senses the face of the print wheel, and it is not seated to the full depth in the notch, the actuator lever 106 is prevented from complete travel and, hence, the ear 248 is not lowered to a level to clear the path of the flange 250 when the carriage is moved from its home position. The platen carriage is thereby blocked against printing movement until such time as the print wheel setting is corrected.

Keyboard Reset With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the means for restoring the keyset levers to the zero or reference datum position, i.e., each of the keyset levers K1-K3 to the asterisk position and the keyset levers K4 and K5 to the zero position, will now be described.

The reset lever 24 comprises a bail member including a pair of depending

side arms

254 and 256 pivotally supported on the shaft 40. A vertical back wall 258 connects the side arms adjacent their lower ends and includes a horizontal rib 260 adapted to strike terminal ends 262 of the gear segments 48 when the reset lever is operated. When the reset lever is at the end of its counterclockwise stroke (as shown in FIG. 3) the ledge 25 of the reset lever contacts the link 224 and pivots the same against the ear 230 of the actuator plate 212.

Movement of the keyset levers from the reference datum position rotates the gear segments 48 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, moving the ends 262 of the gear segments towards the back wall 258 of the reset lever. Subsequently, on completion of a printing operation, the keyset levers are returned to the reference datum position by manually moving the reset lever 24 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. This movement of the reset lever causes the rib 260 of the back wall 258 to strike the ends 262 of the gear segments, thereby rotating the gear segments in the same direction as the reset lever and restoring the keyset levers to the reference datum position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the keyset levers K2 and K3 are required to be moved a greater distance than the keyset levers Kll, K4 and K5 in order to reach the reference datum position, since each of the keyset levers K2 and K3 is provided with an asterisk position ahead of the zero position. Accordingly, the terminal ends 262 of the gear segments 48 associated with the keyset levers K2 and K3 are made to extend beyond the ends 262 of the other gear segments by an amount corresponding to the additional travel required to restore the keyset levers K2 and K3 to the reference datum position in response to operation of the reset lever 24.

The overcenter weighted arrangement of the reset lever 24, resulting from the

side arms

254, 256 and the back wall 258, normally urges the reset lever in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. Therefore, when the reset lever is manually moved to an actuated position to restore the keyset levers to. the reference datum position, on release of the keyset lever by the machine operator the reset lever returns to a start position (FIGS. 2 and 3) under its own weight. An extension spring may, if desired, be provided to further bias the reset lever in a direction to maintain the reset lever in the start position. 7

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the back wall'258 is preferably provided with a pair of

bumpers

264 and 266 which cushion the stopping of the reset. lever against the edges of the

side plates

42 and 44 when the reset lever is returned to the start position.

The fee code lever 22 is provided for positioning the print wheel for imprinted a fee code on the form or money order and is operated independently of the other keyset levers. Therefore, while the lever 22 is returned to its zero position by the reset lever 24 each time the keyset levers Kl-KS are restored to the reference datum position, the lever 22 does not ineludes-the camming andtthe arresting means associated with the other keyset levers. Rather, the gear segment 48 of the lever 22 directly drives the

gear train

58, 60 and 62 to position the fee code print wheel 20.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a compact data recorder for imprinting forms with variabledatafrom selectively positionable print wheelsplt also provides novel means for restricting the positioning of the keyset levers and their corresponding print wheels within a fixed predetermined range, as well as a reset means for restoring the keyset levers to a reference datum position. Additionally, there is provided a platen carriage lock-out mechanism to prevent operation of the machine in those instances where the machine operator fails to reset the keyset levers to the reference datum position following a preceding printing cycle and prior to resetting the keyset levers to a new setting for a subsequent printing cycle. These combined features result in a data recorder that is reliable in operation and substantially free of inadvertant operation due to failure of the operator to reset the print Wheels to a new setting prior to each printing operation.

What is claimed is:

1. A data recorder comprising:

a bed for holding a form to be imprinted;

a platen carriage movable in a path across the bed from ahome position to an actuated position and back to home position to perform a printing cycle;

a roller platen supported transversely of the path on the platen carriage;

a plurality of settable print wheels in the bed including a first print wheel and a secondary group of print wheels located for printing cooperation with the roller platen;

a first means including a pivotally supported gear segment drivingly associated with each said print wheel for rotating each said print wheel to a desired peripheral setting within a fixed range ineluding a maximum limit position, said first means having a reference datum position;

control means associated with the print wheels responsive to positioning of the first print wheel to the maximum limit position for preventing further positioning of any of the secondary group of print wheels to any position within the range, and responsive to positioning of any one of the secondary group of print wheels to any position within the range for preventing positioning of the first print wheel to the maximum limit position, said control means including:

a. a cam disc carried by and movable with each said gear segment, the periphery of each said cam disc being provided with a notch positioned at a predetermined angular location;

. b. control members supported for pivotal movement in response to movement of the gear segments; g

c. resilient means for maintaining the control members in contact with each of the cam discs;

d. arresting means provided on each said control member adapted for movement into and out of the notches in response to motion of the control member,

whereby movement of the arresting means into the notches is effective to limit movement of the first means within the fixed range; 2

lock-out means operable in response to the motion of the platen carriage through a printing cycle for preventing subsequent movement of the platen carriage to the actuated position; and

means responsive to movement of the first means to the reference datum position for unlocking the lock-out means to permit movement of the platen carriage to the actuated position.

2. A data recorder comprising:

a bed for holding a form to be imprinted;

a platen carriage movable in a path across the be from a home position to an actuated position and back to home position to perform a printing cycle;

a roller platen supported transversely of the path on the platen carriage;

a first means including a pivotally supported gear segment drivingly associated with each said print wheel for rotating each said print wheel to a desired peripheral setting within a fixed range including a maximum limit position, said first means having a reference datum position;

b. control members supported for pivotal movement in response to movement of the gear segments;

whereby movement of the arresting means into the 1 notches is effective to limit movement of the first means within the fixed range.

3. A printing device comprising:

a plurality of settable value printing elements including a first print element and a secondary group of print elements located for printing cooperation with a document to be imprinted;

positioning means including a pivotally supported member drivingly associated with each said print element for selectively positioning each said print element at'a desired setting within a fixed range including a maximum limit position and a reference datum position;

control means including a first cam disc carried by and movable with the member associated with the first print element, and a secondary group of cam discs each carried by and movable with the members associated with the secondary group of print elements, the periphery of each of the cam discs being provided with a radial cam portion and a radially opening arresting notch;

a first control member having a first cam follower ar'- ranged to coact with the cam portion of said first cam disc and a first blocking finger coactable with the notches in the secondary group of cam discs when aligned;

a second control member having a second cam follower arranged to coact with the cam portion of any cam disc of said secondary group of cam discs and a second blocking finger coactable with the notch in the first cam disc;

means urging the control members in a direction to move their cam followers into engagement with the cam portion or portions of the respective cam disc or discs;

said cam portions and urging means acting on the control members to project the blocking fingers into notch entering position or retract them into notch clearing position; said first cam disc having a configuration such that its cam portion will cause the first blocking finger to move to projected position when the first print element is in the maximum limit position and allow the finger to move to retracted position when the first print element is in any other position;

the cam discs of the secondary group each having a configuration such that its cam portionwill cause the second blocking finger to, move to projected position when the corresponding print element is in other than a value printing position and, if acting independently, will allow the fingerto move to retracted position for any position of the print element not representing a value print.

i i i i 8

Claims

1. A data recorder comprising: a bed for holding a form to be imprinted; a platen carriage movable in a path across the bed from a home position to an actuated position and back to home position to perform a printing cycle; a roller platen supported transversely of the path on the platen carriage; a plurality of settable print wheels in the bed including a first print wheel and a secondary group of print wheels located for printing cooperation with the roller platen; a first means including a pivotally supported gear segment drivingly associated with each said print wheel for rotating each said print wheel to a desired peripheral setting within a fixed range including a maximum limit position, said first means having a reference datum position; control means associated with the print wheels responsive to positioning of the first print wheel to the maximum limit position for preventing further positioning of any of the secondary group of print wheels to any position within the range, and responsive to positioning of any one of the secondary group of print wheels to any position within the range for preventing positioning of the first print wheel to the maximum limit position, said control means including: a. a cam disc carried by and movable with each said gear segment, the periphery of each said cam disc being provided with a notch positioned at a predetermined angular location; b. control members supported for pivotal movement in response to movement of the gear segments; c. resilient means for maintaining the control members in contact with each of the cam discs; d. arresting means provided on each said control member adapted for movement into and out of the notches in response to motion of the control member, whereby movement of the arresting means into the notches is effective to limit movement of the first means within the fixed range; lock-out means operable in response to the motion of the platen carriage through a printing cycle for preventing subsequent movement of the platen carriage to the actuated position; and means responsive to movement of the first means to the reference datum position for unlocking the lock-out means to permit movement of the platen carriage to the actuated position.

2. A data recorder comprising: a bed for holding a Form to be imprinted; a platen carriage movable in a path across the bed from a home position to an actuated position and back to home position to perform a printing cycle; a roller platen supported transversely of the path on the platen carriage; a plurality of settable print wheels in the bed including a first print wheel and a secondary group of print wheels located for printing cooperation with the roller platen; a first means including a pivotally supported gear segment drivingly associated with each said print wheel for rotating each said print wheel to a desired peripheral setting within a fixed range including a maximum limit position, said first means having a reference datum position; control means associated with the print wheels responsive to positioning of the first print wheel to the maximum limit position for preventing further positioning of any of the secondary group of print wheels to any position within the range, and responsive to positioning of any one of the secondary group of print wheels to any position within the range for preventing positioning of the first print wheel to the maximum limit position, said control means including: a. a cam disc carried by and movable with each said gear segment, the periphery of each said cam disc being provided with a notch positioned at a predetermined angular location; b. control members supported for pivotal movement in response to movement of the gear segments; c. resilient means for maintaining the control members in contact with each of the cam discs; d. arresting means provided on each said control member adapted for movement into and out of the notches in response to motion of the control member, whereby movement of the arresting means into the notches is effective to limit movement of the first means within the fixed range.

3. A printing device comprising: a plurality of settable value printing elements including a first print element and a secondary group of print elements located for printing cooperation with a document to be imprinted; positioning means including a pivotally supported member drivingly associated with each said print element for selectively positioning each said print element at a desired setting within a fixed range including a maximum limit position and a reference datum position; control means including a first cam disc carried by and movable with the member associated with the first print element, and a secondary group of cam discs each carried by and movable with the members associated with the secondary group of print elements, the periphery of each of the cam discs being provided with a radial cam portion and a radially opening arresting notch; a first control member having a first cam follower arranged to coact with the cam portion of said first cam disc and a first blocking finger coactable with the notches in the secondary group of cam discs when aligned; a second control member having a second cam follower arranged to coact with the cam portion of any cam disc of said secondary group of cam discs and a second blocking finger coactable with the notch in the first cam disc; means urging the control members in a direction to move their cam followers into engagement with the cam portion or portions of the respective cam disc or discs; said cam portions and urging means acting on the control members to project the blocking fingers into notch entering position or retract them into notch clearing position; said first cam disc having a configuration such that its cam portion will cause the first blocking finger to move to projected position when the first print element is in the maximum limit position and allow the finger to move to retracted position when the first print element is in any other position; the cam discs of the secondary group each having a configuration such that its cam portion will cause the second blocking finger to move to projected position when the corresponding print element is in other than a value printing position and, if acting independently, will allow the finger to move to retracted position for any position of the print element not representing a value print.