Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02282903 1999-09-24
MONEY ORDER IMPRINTER
Hack4round of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for imprinting
money orders, checks, and the .like.
Known imprinting apparatus, commonly referred to
as check writers or money order printing machines, employ
type segments or printing members having printing characters
thereon which are independently movable to selectively
dispose any of the printing characters on a printing line
preparatory to effecting printing on a blank check, money
order form or analogous instrument. The blank checks or
money order forms in many instances provide for imprinting
of the current date and of indicia identifying the source or
location of printing such as a Post Office, bank or other
source as well as the dollar amount for which the check or
money order is written. The date, and the dollar and cents
amount are imprinted using the movable type segments whereas
a fixed plate bearing indicia identifying the source is used
to print that information. Thus, a special plate must be
provided for each imprinting machine, and if a given machine
is moved to a different location, it must be provided with a
new plate bearing the necessary identifying information.
Existing check writing machines imprint the amount
for which the money order is issued in conventional arabic
characters so as to be easily and readily recognizable by
the individual ordering the money order. As a deterrent to
alterations of the dollar amount printed on the money order
form, a perforating plate or the like is used to provide
serrations in the money order form where the dollar amount
is printed. Processing these money orders or checks
requires manual Handling, including manual data entry on
keypunching to print the dollar and cents amount on the
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CA 02282903 1999-09-24
money order or check in a suitable format for automatic
processing by banking institutions, typically by optical
character recognition apparatus. Thus, it would he
desirable if the information indicating the dollar and cents
amount of the money order or check were imprinted on the
form both in conventional arabic numerals and in characters
which are optically readable by character recognition
apparatus.
Moreover, it would be desireable also to have a
checkwriter, which produces high quality imprinted documents
suitable for use on high speed optical character recognition
equipment and which provide security of the imprinted dollar
amount that is equal to or better than the standard
checkwriter practices acceptable to banking institutions.
Checkwriting machines presently available employ
reel-to-reel inked ribbons for inking the printing wheels.
The inked ribbons must be changed frequently. This .requires
threading the leading portion of the inked ribbon passed the
printing mechanism and winding it onto the take-up reel,
which can be a difficult and messy task. Also, because a
portion of the inked ribbon is exposed within the unit, a
person servicing the machine may accidentally contact the
inked roller with their hand or fingers. Thus, it would be
desirable to have a checkwriter apparatus which eliminates
the inconveniences associated with the use of reel-to-reel
inked ribbons in checkwriters.
A further consideration is that blank instruments
of different sizes are frequently used. Also, in the case
of postal money orders, the size of the money order form is
changed form time to time. Therefore, it would be desirable
to have a checkwriter apparatus which readily adapts to
blank instruments of different sizes and shapes.
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Summarv of the Invention
The present invention provides an imprinting
apparatus for printing money orders and like instruments,
comprising a frame, a plurality of type segment members
supported by the frame and at least certain ones of said
type-segment members having first and second sets of
printing characters, said type segment members being movable
to locate printing characters of said first and second sets
on first and second printing lines, respectively, an inked
ribbon and ribbon support means supporting said ribbon
adjacent to printing characters disposed on the first and
second printing lines, platen means supported by the frame
and including a first platen adapted for cooperation with
printing characters of the first set and a second platen
adapted for cooperation with printing characters of the
second set, actuating means supported by the frame and
including an operating lever having a normal non-printing
position and being movable to a printing position for
effecting a printing operation, means coupled to the
operating lever for moving the first and second platens into
pressure contact with an instrument disposed between the
platen means and printing characters disposed on the
printing lines, said means for moving including a first
mechanism coupled to the first platen for moving same into
pressure contact with the instrument and printing characters
on the first printing line, and a second mechanism coupled
to the second platen and operable independently of the first
mechanism to effect impact movement of said second platen
into pressure contact with the instrument and printing
characters on the second printing line, and said means for
moving the first and second platens being adapted to return
the first and second platens to their normal position i~r the
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return movement of the operating lever to its normal
position.
The invention consists of certain novel features
and structural details hereinafter fully described,
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly
pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that
various changes in the details may be made without departing
from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the
present invention.
Description of r_lie Drawings
For the purpose of facilitating and understanding
the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying
drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection
of which, when considered in connection with the following
description, the invention, its construction and operation,
and many of its advantages will be readily understood and
appreciated.
FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an imprinting
apparatus provided by the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of the
imprinting apparatus with the cover removed;
FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the
imprinting apparatus with the cover removed and partially
broken away to illustrate the printing mechanism;
FIG. 3A is a view similar to FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is a form provided by the present invention
and which is shown imprinted by the imprinting apparatus;
FIG.. 4A is a fragmentary view of the back side of
the form shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the imprinting
apparatus with the frame illustrated in phantom;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a print wheel;
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FIG. 6A is an end view t2ken along the line 6A-6A
of FIG. 6;
FIG. 6B is a fragmentary sectional view taken
along the line 6B-6B of FIG. 6;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the
imprinting apparatus;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are fragmentary sectional views
taken along the lines 7A-7A and 7D-7B of FIG. 7;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of the inked ribbon
for use with the imprinting apparatus;
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the ink cartridge;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the lines
10-10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the ink
cartridge;
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a check tray for the
imprinting apparatus provided by the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line
13-13 of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view
illustrating the operating lever ratchet mechanism;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken
along the line 15-15 of FIG. 5, illustrating the ribbon
reverse mechanism;
FIG. 16 is a simplified side elevational view
illustrating the imprinting apparatus in its idle or non-
imprinting condition;
FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but
illustrates the operating lever moved partly toward its
imprinting position;
CA 02282903 1999-09-24
FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but shows
the operating lever moved a further distance toward its
imprinting position; and
FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but
illustrates the operating lever in its imprinting position.
t~escriotion of a Preferred Embodiment
Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the present invention is
illustrated in combination with an imprinting apparatus
hereinafter referred to as a checkwriter, indicated
generally at 10, which is used for printing checks, money
orders, or other negotiable instruments. By way of
illustration, the checkwriter is described with reference to
an application for imprinting postal money order forms, such
as form 30 illustrated in FIG. 4, with information
including date of issue, issue source or location and the
dollar and cents amount for which the money order is issued.
Briefly, the checkwriter 10 comprises a base 11, a
frame 12 which supports a printing mechanism indicated
generally at 14, a removable top case assembly 15 enclosing
the frame and the printing mechanism, and a manually
operable operating lever 18 which is linked to the printing
mechanism 14 for effecting printing operations. The
printing mechanism 14 includes three groups of type segment
members 21, 22 and 23, and two platens 24 and 25 which
operate independently of one another and define first and
second printing lines for the checkwriter. The base 11
supports an adjustable form guide 19 which locates a money
order form 30 (FIG. 4) to be imprinted in alignment with
print lines defined by the platens of the printing mechanism
14 .
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Preferably, the form is a multiple copy form
including the original check or money order, a voucher, and
a customer copy.
As will be described, the checkwriter 10 imprints
on the form 30 (FIG. 4) date information, issuing source or
location information, such as the zip code, and the dollar
and cents amount for which the money order is drawn in a
format which is readable by optical character recognition
(OCR) apparatus. In addition, the checkwriter apparatus
imprints the dollar and cents amount information on the form
in conventional arabic numerals. As illustrated in FIG. 4,
the date, source or location and OCR dollar amount
information are printed on one line in three fields 31, 32
and 33. The checkwriter amount is imprinted on the form in
arabic numerals in a fourth field 34 located adjacent, to
but on a separate line, from the OCR information 33. The
information is imprinted in all four fields with a single
stroke of the operating lever 18. Referring to FIGS. 1-S
each group of type segment members 21, 22, and 23 includes
six type segment members 21a-21f, 22a-22f and 23a-23f,
respectively, which are individually movable to position
along printing lines of the checkwriter, providing up to six
digits or characters for each set of information. The
information in the three fields 31-33 is imprinted using an
impact mechanism by which a potential energy means stores
energy which is transferred to the platen 24 near the end of
the stroke of the operating lever 18 during a printing .
operation. The impact mechanism assures high qualit~~
optical character recognition on the carbon voucher of the
multiple copy money order form. The platen 25 includes
serrations which perforate the form in imprinting t:he dollar
amount information in field 34.
r
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In accordance with another feature of the
invention, the inked ribbon 41 includes a durable dye-base
ink, on a nylon fabric ribbon to imprint a secure
checkwriter impression in field 34 on the face of the
negotiable document or form. The checkwriter 10 includes a
cartridge 40 containing the inked ribbon 41 (FIGS. 7-9), the
cartridge 40 being insertable into the checkwriter unit and
being guided along a path defined by guide rails 116 and 117
(FIG. 7) to interpose the inked ribbon 41 between the type
segment members 21-23 and the platens 24 and 25, as shown
for example in FIG. 2. For the purpose of providing
security of the imprinted money order dollar amount, the
inked ribbon includes at least in part, a dye-based ink
which permeates the paper form. The inked ribbon includes
segments of conventional pigment-based ink on longitudinal
portions 42 and 43 thereof and a dye-based ink 44 along a
longitudinal portion thereof intermediate portions 42 and
43. The dye- based ink is used in imprinting the digits in
fields 33 and 34 (FIG. 4) indicating the dollar amount on
the form whereas the conventional pigment-based ink is used
in imprinting the digits in fields 31-34 (FIG. 4) indicating
the cents amount and the other information on the form. The
dye-based ink is absorbed into the paper, permeating from
the upper to lower surface of the form, and thus appearing
on the lower surface of the form albeit in mirror image.
This in addition to the perforated image of the dollar
amount information serves as a deterrent to alteration of
the dollar amount imprinted on a money order form. In
accordance with a further feature of the invention, the form
30 (FIG. 4) is a multiple copy form, including sheets 30a,
30b, 30c, for example, at least the top sheet 30a of which
is made of an absorbing type paper which enhances the
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CA 02282903 1999-09-24
permeation of the dye based ink from the upper to lower
surfaces of the form top sheet.
Considering the checkwriter 10 in more detail with
reference to FIGS. 1-5, the frame 12 includes upstanding
side plates 50 and 51 secured together in parallel spaced
relation by cross rods 52 in a known manner. The side
plates 50 and 51 are of irregular polygonal shape and are
provided with forwardly extending base elements which define
with the upper portions the rearwardly extending slot 17
which receives the postal money order form 30, blank or
analogous instrument to be printed upon, as is known. The
enclosing top case assembly 15 is conventionally adapted to
be secured to the checkwriter frame 12 in a suitable manner.
The casing assembly 15 which encloses the frame structure
12 and working elements of the checkwriter, includes a face
plate 48 and a cover 49. The lower portion of the cover 49
encloses the side plate portions above the slot 17 and the
base which defines a support platform on which the form
guide 19 is mounted (FIG. 3) to support the forms 30 during
insertion into the slot for printing. The base 11 is
equipped with suction cups 53 or the equivalent so that the
unit is stable when used.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 5, a cross-shaft 54 is
mounted on and between the spaced side plates 50 and 51 by
means of reduced studs (not shown) at its opposite ends
providing shoulders abutting the inner faces of the side
plates and restraining the cross-shaft against endwise
movement. The type segment members 21a-21f, 22a-22f, and
23a-23f are mounted upon the cross-shaft 54 for individual
rotation or turning movement thereon and are maintained in
spaced relation on the shaft by suitable spacing collars in
a known manner. The type segment members of groups 21 and
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22 each include a disc shaped element, such as element 55
for type segment 21a shown in FIG. 6, with an arcuate-type
bar, such as type bar 56 for type segment member 21a having
upon its peripheral edge or printing face 57 a series of
printing characters 59 selectively positionable through a
finger grip 60, carried by an extension 61, in the manner
known in the art, operatively associated with the type
segment member, and extending through a slot 62 in the face
plate 48, to position the printing characters on a printing
line of the checkwriter as will be more fully described
hereinbelow. Similarly, the type segment members of set 23
include an arcuate type bar (not shown) having upon its
peripheral printing face a series of printing characters
selectively positionable through extensions 64 accessible
through a removable access door 76 secured to the face plate
48 by screws 77.
Referring to FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B, the type segment
member 2la.comprises a circular support element 55 having
the arcuate type bar 56 secured to the peripheral edge 58 of
the support member and having a printing face 57 with two
sets 71, 72 of type characters spaced therealong. The
characters of one set 71 of type characters are interposed
in pairs between characters of the other character set 72.
The character set 72 includes numbers in a conventional
arabic checkwriting format and other indicia such as dollar
signs ($) and asterisks (*). The other set of type
characters 71 includes numbers in a format readable by
optical character recognition apparatus. As shown in FIG.
6A, each pair of OCR number characters precedes its pair of
conventional serrated arabic checkwriter number characters.
That is, the OCR type for numbers 3,4 are interposed between
numbers 1,2 and 3,4 in conventional arabic format. Next,
CA 02282903 1999-09-24
OCR numbers 5,6 are disposed between checkwriter numbers 5,6
and 7,8 etc. This results in a two-line spacing between
each OCR number and its corresponding checkwriter number as
imprinted on a form. With this arrangement, the same manual
setting of the OCR amount characters simultaneously sets the
checkwriter amount characters.
The type bar 21a includes laterally projecting
segments 74 adjacent to the type characters in conventional
checkwriter format which carry the dollar sign type ($) for
indicia to be imprinted on the instrument.
Referring to FIG. 1, the rightmost group 21 of six
type segment members comprise the dollar and cents printing
characters, while the leftmost group 22 of type segment
members comprise printing characters for printing date
information. The intermediate group 23 of type segments
provide information for printing the source or location
identifying serial number or like information on the form.
In the exemplary embodiment, wherein the form to be
imprinted is a postal money order, the identifying serial
number is the zip code. The number of type segment members
selected for use in the checkwriter 10 may be varied as
desired, the number of type segment members employed having
no bearing upon the present invention.
The finger grips 63 used to position the date
segments 22 extend through the face plate 48 of the
checkwriter and are quickly referenced to locating digits 68
on the face plate 48. Fully adjustable type segments 23
accomplish the zip code plus 1 digit registration. The zip
code type segments 23 are located under the face of the
checkwriter concealed by an access door 76 which can easily
be opened by removing tile two screws 77. This allows
checkwriters in accordance with the present invention to be
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shipped to and ready for immediate operation at any facility
without the delay of producing, delivering, and installing a
separate zip code identification plate.
The dollar and cents amount type segments 21 are
quickly positioned and set by operating the finger grips 60
relative to the locating digits 69 on the face plate 48, and
verified by a full view of the desired amount to be
imprinted iii the dollar and cent windows 79 ideally located
near the top of the checkwriter. Both OCR, and checkwriter
dollar amounts are set in one motion, and the form is
imprinted.with a single pull of the operating lever 18.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, as indicated, the
form 30 defines amount fields including a checkwriter amount
field 34 for receiving indicia in a conventional
checkwriting format and an amount field 33 for receiving
indicia in a format which is recognizable by optical
character recognition apparatus. Fields 33 and 34 or
portions thereof may be of different background colors.
Preferably, the dollar amounts and the cents amounts
imprinted on the form are in different colored inks.
The form 30 is a multicopy form including a
plurality of sheets including a top sheet 30a which is the
original negotiable money order, a bottom sheet 30b which is
the customer receipt, and at least one intermediate sheet
30c, which is the Post Office voucher, bound together along
one edge 35 of the form which includes a perforation 35a to
facilitate removal of the money order and customer receipt
from the multiple copy form. Carbon paper or other transfer
medium 36, is interposed between adjacent sheets of the form
for duplicating on the lower and intermediate sheets an
image imprinted on the top sheet. At least the uppermost
carbon paper sheet in OCR waxed paper to enhance clarity
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CA 02282903 1999-09-24
around the digits imprinted thereon. The top sheet 30a is
made of an absorbing type paper material for absorbing dye
based ink. In the exemplary embodiment, top sheets 30a is
24# OCR bond, sheet 30b is 10# paper stock and sheet 30c is
20# OCR bond. When the form is impacted by the printing
mechanism of the imprinting apparatus, the ink permeates
through the top sheet from its front surface 37 to its back
surface 38.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 12 and 13, the form
positioning guide 19 is removably secured to the base by
suitable fasteners. The form positioning guide 1~ includes
a rectangular base plate 81 and is provided with a
substantially rectangular opening 82 which accommodates
upward movement of the platens 24 and 25 (FIG. 3) incident
to a printing operation. A pair of side rails 83 and 84
extend longitudinally of the base plate 81, each defining a
slot or groove 85 for reception of the top and bottom edges
respectively of the form 30 to be printed upon. The side
rails 83 and 84 are movably mounted on the base plate by
screws 91 which extend through slots 90 in the base plate
and are held in place by nuts 92. As shown in FIG. 12, the
side rails 83 and 84 are L-shaped, with upstanding sides 86
and 87 defining a form receiving guide and the portions 88
and 89 being bent over to extend at approximately a 45
degree angle relative to the base plate 81 defining the
grooves 85 which guide the edges of the form to align the
print fields with the platens.
The guide 19 further includes a stop member 94
which comprises an L-shaped element which has a base portion
95 movably mounted on the base plate 81 and a vertical
portion 96 which provides a stop for the forward edge of the
form as it is being inserted into the checkwriter 10. The
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stop member 94 has slots 97 in its base portion 95 through
which pass screws 98 which are received in tapped holes in
the base plate, permitting adjustment of the position of the
stop member 94 lengthwise of the base plate 91.
As will be understood, the guide 19 accurately
positions the money order or analogous blank in respect to
the printing lines of the checkwriter. The adjustable side
rails 83 and 84, and adjustable stop member 94 permit
variation in the size of the form guide to adapt the guide
to different size forms.
Referring to FIGS. 7-11, the cartridge 40 includes
a housing having an upper housing member 101 and a lower
housing member 102 constructed and arranged to be assembled
and latched together by complementary latch elements 103.
'the upper and lower housing members when assembled together
define a spool receiving chamber 1U4, a ribbon guide portion
105 and a throat portion 106 communicating the chamber 104
with the ribbon guide portion 105. The housing members 101
and 102 each define four rectangular windows 108, 109, 110
and 111 therethrough in the ribbon guide portion 105
thereof. Windows 108-111 are aligned to expose a portion of
the ribbon 41 to the associated platen relative to the type
segments.
The inked ribbon 41 is made of a four mi.l
t:exturized nylon fabric which includes portions 42 and 43
bearing a pigment-based ink, and a portion 44 intermediate
the portions 42 and 43 bearing a dye-based ink. The inked
ribbon includes beat sealed seams 114 formed longitudinally
of the ribbon, separating the first or outer portions 42 and
43 from the intermediate portion 44 to control migration of
the dye-based ink into the ribbon portions bearing the
pigment-based ink. The seams close off the fiber of the
14
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nylon fabric to substantially prevent migration of the dye-
based ink into outer portions 42. and 43. The ribbon is
wound on a spool (not shown) which is contained within the
spool receiving chamber 104. By way of example, op to three
yards of ribbon may be provided for a cartridge, providing
for 3500 to 4000 impacts per spool.
The sides 104a and 104b of the spool receiving
chamber define apertures 118 through which pass the ends of
the shaft 119 of the ribbon spool (not shown). One end of
the shaft 119 includes a gear 120. The upper housing member
lUl and lower housing member 102 are assembled together
after a spool of ribbon has been inserted into the
cartridge. Prior to closing the closing, the free end 122
of the ribbon is drawn off the spool to be located
externally of the cartridge (FIG. 9). The free end 122 of
the ribbon includes a pull tab 123 provided with a pair of
slots 124 which are received on pegs (not shown) of the
ribbon take-up spool 126 (FIG. 7). The take-up spool 126 is
advanced by a lever 130 (FIG. 2) which is coupled to the
operating lever 18 for advancing the inked ribbon 41 with
each actuation of the operating lever during a printing
operation.
For the purpose of mounting the inked ribbon
cartridge 40 to the checkwriter frame the lower housing
member 102 includes a pair of downwardly extending fins 112
each provided with an arcuate cutout 113 dimensioned to
receive a cross shaft 115 (FIG. 5) when the cartridge is
received in the checkwriter. Also one end 119a of spool
shaft 119 is received in an aperture 51a in side plate 51
(FIG. 5). The other end 119b of the shaft 119 is counter
bored and tapped and receives the threaded shaft of a screw
125 which passes through an aperture 50a in side plate 50,
15
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facilitating removable securing of the cartridge to the
checkwriter.
The cartridge locates the ribbon 41 within the
checkwriter apparatus 10 with the dye-based ink located to
imprint Lhe characters representing dollar amount'in both
conventional checkwriter format and OCR format. Tlie other
information including cents amount, date and source or
location is printed on the form by the pigment-based ink.
However, some or all of the other information may be printed
on the form with a dye-based ink.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, S and 7, for the purpose
of positioning the cartridge with the checkwriter, a pair of
cartridge guide rails 116 and 117 are carried by the frame
for supporting the cartridge within the apparatus. The
guide rails 116 and 117 are arranged for guiding the
cartridge into position relative to the printing lines
during insertion and removal of the cartridge from the
checkwriter apparatus 10. That is the windows 108-110 are
located to be in line with platen 24 and window 117 is
located to be in line with platen 25 when the platens are
operated to their printing positions. Also, the dye-based
ink portion 44 is aligned with the dollar amount type
segments disposed along the two printing lines.
Guide rail 116 (FIGS. 2 and 7) is secured to the
inner surface of side plate 50 by lateral projections 116a.
Guide rail 116 comprises an elongated rail member bent at an
obtuse angle, extending from a point just below the
cartridge mounting to a point just before the take-up spool
126. The guide rail 116 defines an inwardly directed groove
116b (FIG..7A) which receives and locates the cartridge
which guides the ribbon along path to the take-up spool 126
as shown in FIG. 7. Guide rail 116 has an inwardly directed
16
CA 02282903 1999-09-24
support flange 129 which supports the free end of the
cartridge.
Referring to FIG. 3, guide rail 117, is secured to
the inner surface of side plate 51, by lateral projections
117a which are recessed in apertures formed in the side
plate 51.. Guide rail 117 defines an inwardly directed
groove 117b (FIG. 7B), complementary to groove 116b, for
locating the cartridge outlet end near the take-up spool.
Guide rail 117 terminates just above the print line for the
platen 24.
Referring to FIGS. 3, S and 7, to replace the
ribbon cartridge 40, first the ribbon is rewound onto the
supply spool by turning the cartridge knob 125. With all of
the ribbon wound to the rear spool, holding the cartridge
knob lightly, the operating lever 18 is advanced to reverse
the imprinter mechanism to its forward position. Then the
cartridge knob is removed from the cartridge, freeing the
cartridge from the frame. Then the leading end of the
ribbon is removed from the take-up spool. The cartridge 40
can then be drawn up and out from the rear of the unit.
The new cartridge 40 is then inserted into the
unit from the rear, the forward end of the cartridge 40
being aligned with the grooves in the guide rails 116, 117
and moved forward until the spool housing 104 drops into its
mounting position. At such position, the leading and of the
ribbon 41 can be drawn from the cartridge and hooked onto
the pins on the take-up spool. The cartridge knob is then
replaced. In use, the housing of the imprinter 10 would
then be mounted in the base, completing the ribbon cartridge
replacement.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 3A and 5, the operating
lever 18 has a conventional handle portion 18a on its outer
17
CA 02282903 1999-09-24
end and a mounting end 18b which is secured in fixed
relation to the outer end of a bushing 130 which is
rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 131 secured to and
projecting outwardly in normal relation from the side plate
51. The operating lever is retained on the bushing through
a capnut 133a and spring washer (not shown). In this
manner, the operating lever 18 may be turned or rotated in a
clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, from a normal
rearward non printing position to a forward printing
position. A drive link 134 is suitably secured to the
bushing in generally normal relation to the axis of rotation
of the bushing such that movement of the operating lever
effects a corresponding movement of the drive link. The
plane of the drive link is spaced outwardly from the outer
surface of the side plate 51.
An operating link 138 is pivotally connected at
its forward end 138a through pivot pin 140 to the lower
forward portion 141 of the inner side of drive link 134.
'the rearward end 138b of link 138 is pivotally connected to
a cross pintle 144 which forms a part of the printing
mechanism,. indicated generally at 14. A return spring 135,
which is connected between cross pintle 144 and side plate
51 urges the rearward end 138b of link 138 forward and
upwards, biasing the operating lever 18 towards its non
printing position. The travel extent of the operating lever
18 is limited by a stop pins 136 and 136a in side plate 51
which are engaged respectively by drive link 134 in its
normal or rest position and at the end of the printing
stroke.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, 3A, 5 and 7, the
printing mechanism 14 includes two platen assemblies 151 and
152 and an actuating mechanism, indicated generally at 154.
18
CA 02282903 1999-09-24
The platen assembly 151 is supported by the upstanding side
plates 50 and 51 for movement between a first position
spaced from the printing characters positioned on the
printing line and a second position in pressure contact with
an instrument 30 disposed between the platen 24 and the
printing characters positioned on a printing line defined by
platen 24. The platen assembly 151 includes a platen
support bar 156 suitably mounted at the forward ends of two
parallel spaced support arms 157, 158 (only arm 1~8 is shown
in FIG. 3) rockably mounted on a cross shaft 159 extending
between and mounted in the base portions of the upstanding
side plates 50 and 51. The platen 24 is adjustably mounted
on platen bar 156 secured to and between the forward ends of
tl~e arms 157, 158.
Similarly, platen assembly 152 includes a platen
support bar 161 mounted on the forward ends of support arms
162, 163 (only arm 163 of which is shown in FIG. 3A) which
are rockably mounted on the cross shaft 159. Platen 25 is
adjustably mounted on the platen support bar 161 secured to
and between the forward ends of arms 162 and 163.
The actuating mechanism 154 couples the platen
assemblies to the operating lever 18 and is operative to
effect movement of the platens 24 and 25 to a printing
position upon movement of the operating lever 18 from its
rearward non-printing position to its forward printing
position.
More specifically, the pintle shaft 144 is carried
by a toggle yoke 170 and extends transversely of the check
writer with opposite end portions being received within
arcuate slots 171, 172 (FIGS. 2 and 3A) formed in the
upstanding side plates 50 and 51. The toggle yoke 170 is
pivotally supported at its upper end by a cross shaft 115
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secured to and between the upstanding side plates SO and 51.
The arcuate slots 171, 172 are concentric with the pivot
axis of cross shaft to allow rearward pivotal movement of
the pintle shaft 144 upon forward and downward movement of
the operating handle in a known manner.
A pair of toggle links 176, 178 such as toggle
link 178 shown in FIG. 3A, have their upper ends 176a, 178a
pivotally connected to the pintle shaft 144 through
elongated slots which provide limited lost motion
connections between the toggle links and the pintle shaft.
The lower ends 176b, 178b of links 176 and 178 are pivotally
connected to the rearward ends of respective platen support
arms 162 and 163.
A further pair of toggle links 180 and 182 , such
as link 182 shown in FIG. 3, have their upper ends 180a,
182a pivotally connected to the pintle shaft through
elongated slots which provide limited lost motion
connections between the links 180, 182 and the shaft 144.
The links 180 and 182 have bottom ends 180b, 182b offset
inwardly of their top ends as shown in FIG. 5, defining
respective enlarged arcuate mounting portions which are
pivotally connected to the rearward ends of the platen
support arms 157 and 158, respectively, by way of a cross
shaft 190.
The pintle shaft 144 is provided near each end
thereof generally adjacent side plate 51 with a
circumferential groove (not shown) which receives a lock
washer (not shown) for confining the upper end of the
corresponding toggle link between the side edge of the
toggle yoke 170 and an annular spacer (not shown).
The actuating mechanism includes means, indicated
generally at 188, disposed between the pintle shaft 144 in
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the toggle yoke 170 and the rearward ends of the platen
support arms for creating potential energy upon initial
movement of the operating lever 18 toward its printing
position and releasing the potential energy to selectively
effect impact movement of the platen 24 to a printing
position upon movement of the operating lever 18
substantially to its printing position. Such means includes
three coil compression springs 192 disposed about guide pins
194. The guide pins 194 have lower portions slidably
received through suitable bores in cross shaft 190. The
cross shaft 190 has reduced end portions 198 received within
apertures in the corresponding rearward ends of the platen
support arms 157, 158 in a manner to allow rotation of the
cross shaft 190 relative to the platen support arms. The
guide pins 194 are supported in normal relation to the
longitudinal axis of the cross shaft 190 and have upper end
portions suitably secured to the toggle yoke 170 which
supports the pintle shaft 144. The coil compression springs
are selected such that their lengths and spring rates are
sufficient when the springs are assembled between the yoke
head and the cross shaft 190, to continually urge the head
yoke against the pintle shaft 144.
The actuating mechanism further includes a pair of
holding or control links 202 pivotally supported by shafts
115. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, each of the control links
202 includes two parallel members 203 and 204 which leave
their upper ends spaced apart a distance corresponding to
the width of the mounting portions of the toggle yoke 170,
allowing the ends to straddle the yoke mounting ends. The
outer member 203 has its lower end offset inwardly to be
joined with the lower end of the companion member 204. Each
of the control links includes an upper arm portion 208 to
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which is attached a tension coil spring 210. The tension
springs leave their opposite ends attached to the
corresponding side plates 50 and 51 as through an end
portion of each spring being received in an aperture in a
projection (not shown) on the inner wall of the
corresponding side plate. The tension springs 210 urge the
corresponding control links 202 in clockwise directions
about their pivot axes as considered in FIG. 3. Each of the
control links 202 includes a lower hook portion 212 adapted
to underlying a roller or annular sleeve 214 suitably
supported on cross shaft 216 which is secured to and between
the rearward end portions of the platen support arms 157 and
158. The cross shaft 216 has reduced end portions which
form shoulders which abut the inner surfaces of the pJ.aten
support arms 157, 158 to maintain them in spaced relation.
Annular sleeves are received over the reduced diameter end
portions of the cross shaft and serve to maintain the
corresponding rollers 214 in outward spaced relation from
the associated platen support arms. Means such as snap
rings 220 are provided on the outermost ends of the shaft
end portions to maintain the associated rollers 214 thereon.
The control links 202 have profile configurations
such that when the control links 202 are positioned in their
extreme counterclockwise positions with the arm portions
abutting the stops, a forward lower edge portion 222 will be
spaced rearwardly from the corresponding roller 214. The
forward edge portion 222 of each of the control links 202
overlies the corresponding arcuate slot 171, 172 adjacent
the inner surface of the associated upstanding side plates
50 and 51 so as to be in the path of travel of the
corresponding outer end portion of the pintle shaft 144 when
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the pintle shaft is moved substantially its full rearward
path of travel within the elongated slots.
Referring to FIG. 14, the purpose of insuring that
the operating lever 18 is moved completely through its
printing stroke i.e., that member 134 is pivoted to engage
stop pin 136a, there is provided an operating lever ratchet
mechanism 280. The operating lever ratchet mechanism 280
includes a cam 282 with teeth 283, and a pawl 284. The cam
282 is connected to drive link 134 and rotatable therewith
with operation of the operating lever 18 between its non-
printing and printing positions. The pawl 284 is rotatably
mounted on side plate 51 with a finger portion 285
positioned to be engaged by the cam teeth 283 as cam 282
rotates counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 14, rotating pawl
284 clockwise against the force of spring 286. This
mechanism insures that during a printing operation, the
operator will continue moving the operating lever 18 toward
its printing position after hearing the sound made by the
impacting platen mechanism 151, so that the pressure platen
mechanism 152 is moved into firm pressure contact with the
print characters to imprint the serrated dollar amount in
field 34.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, for the purpose of
advancing the inked ribbon 41 with each printing operation,
there is provided a follower link 230 which is pivotally
mounted on the outer surface of said wall 50 by a pivot
member 231. The follower link 230 defines a generally L-
shaped slot 232 which extends rearwardly and then downwardly
from a point near the pivotal attachment of link 230 to the
side wall 50, and adjacent to the arcuate slot 171 which
defines the path of travel for the pintle shaft 144. The
follower link 230 is pivoted clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 2,
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by and as the pintle shaft 144 is driven rearwardly during a
printing cycle.
The forward end 238 of the follower link 230 is
pivotally connected to one end 242a of a toggle link 242
which is pivotally mounted on the side plate 50 by pivot
member 244. The other end 242b of the toggle link 242 is
pivotally connected to a toggle link 246 which is pivotally
mounted in the inner surface of side plate 50 and which
couples a toothed drive member 250 (FIG. 15) to drive gear
252 (FIG. 7) of the take-up spool 126 and a toothed drive
member 250a to the drive gear 120 of the cartridge spool 104
(FIG. 9). Upon reaching maximum front or rear directional
tension resistance, the member 250 reverses to the opposite
direction of travel to engage either the 120 drive gear of
the cartridge or the 252 drive gear of the take-up spool.
Reversal ribbon drive mechanism of the type are known in the
art. The checkwriter apparatus may include a clear
mechanism (not shown) to reset the printing segments to zero
settings automatically at the end of each printing stroke as
is known in the art.
Referring to FIGS. 1,5 and 7 in conjunction with
FIGS. 16-19 which illustrate the relative positions of
operating lever 18, and platen assembly during a printing
cycle, the operation of checkwriter 10 will now be briefly
described.
First, the user sets the print segment members 21
and 22 to the appropriate positions to provide printing of
the current date and the dollar amount for which the check
or money order is to be drawn. It is assumed that print
segment members 23 have been preset to provide the proper
source identification information to be imprinted on the
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form. The form 30 is then inserted into the form guide 19
until the forward end of the form engages the stop member.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 16-19 in
conjunction with FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, for the operation of the
platen assemblies 151 and 152 in effecting corresponding
upward movement of tl~e platens 24 and 25 during printing of
an instrument 30 disposed within the form guide 19 of the
checkwriter.
In the non-printing position (FIG. 16), return
spring 135 biases pintle 144 forwardly whereby the toggle
yoke 170 raises the rearward ends of the platen support arms
maintaining their forward ends and the platens 24 and 25
carried thereby in a downward non printing position (FIG.
16). In the non printing position, the compression springs
192 of the potential energy creating means are in generally
extended, but slightly compressed states.
Initial movement of the operating lever 18 toward
a forward printing position rotates the drive link 134
clockwise driving the operating link 138 rearwardly.
As the operating lever 18 is moved forwardly to
the position illustrated in FIG. 17, the operating link 138
effects rearward movement of the pintle shaft 144 within the
arcuate slots 171, 172. Such rearward movement of the
pintle shaft 144 begins to drive the toggle links 176, 178
and 180, 182 rearwardly and downwardly. As noted above, the
elongated slots in the links provide lost motion for the
pintle shaft 144 during initial rearward movement of the
pintle shaft and therefore do not initially effect pivotal
movement of the links about their pivot axis.
As the pintle shaft 144 is moved further
rearwardly within the arcuate slots 171, 172 upon continued
forward movement of the operating lever 18, the toggle links
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effect downward or counter-clockwise rotation of the platen
support arms about their pivot axis, as viewed in FIG. 17,
to raise their forward ends above their initial or non-
printing positions. Such movement of the inner platen
support arms 157, 158 of platen assembly 151 is limited
through engagement of the rollers with the hook portions 212
of the control links 202. After the rollers 214 have
engaged Clie hook portions 212 of the control llnks 202, the
compression springs 192 begin to be compressed with a
corresponding increase in the potential energy created
therein.
However, as the cross pintle 144 is driven
rearwardly, the links 168 and 169 are driven downwardly and
rearwardly, pivoting the platen support arms 162 and 163 of
platen assembly 152 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 17,
pivoting the platen 25 upwardly.
With further rearward movement of the operating lever
18 toward the position illustrated in FIG. 19, the outer end
portions of the pintle shaft 144 engage the forward edge
portions 222 of the control links 202 and move the control
links in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3,
to release the hook portions 212 from below the rollers 214
on the platen control arms. The configuration of the
control links 202 is such that the control links are not
released from their positions underlying the rollers 214
until the compression springs 192 have been substantially
compressed.
Thereafter, further rearward movement of the
pintle shaft 144 through completion of forward movement of
the operating lever to the position illustrated in FIG. 19
(with member 134 engaging stop 136a, FIG. 3) will effect
release of the control links 202 from their underlying
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positions relative to the rollers 214 and allow the
compression springs 192 to release their potential energy in
an expansion movement and effect downward movement of the
rearward ends of the platen support arms 162 and 163 whereby
to effect upward impact movement of the platen 24 into
pressure contact with a form located in the checkwriter.
Pressure contact of the platen 24 against the under surface
of the blank instrument effects printing on the upper
surface of the instrument through the printing characters
positioned on the printing line of the checkwriter defined
by platen 24.
Also, when the operating lever 18 reaches its
printing position, illustrated in FIG. 19, the platen 25 is
driven into pressure contact with the inked ribbon, the form
and the type characters disposed on the print line such that
its serrated print head perforates the form while imprinting
the dollar and cents amount on the form 30 in field 34
thereof. In addition, the linkage including follower link
230 (FIG. 2) and toggle link 244 advances the inked ribbon
41 by driving the ribbon take-up spool.
Upon such impact movement of the platen 24 into
pressure contact with the blank instrument 30 to effect
printing thereon and release of the operating lever by the
user, the operating lever 18 is moved upwardly and
rearwardly, returning to its non printing position, shown in
FIG. 16, under the force of restoring spring 135. Such
rearward movement of the operating lever causes the pintle
shaft 144 to be returned to its initial position within the
arcuate slots with simultaneous counterclockwise movement of
both sets of the platen support arms 157, 158 and 162, 163
about their pivot axis due to the toggle links 176, 178 and
180, 182, effecting counterclockwise pivotal movement of the
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links to force the forward ends of the platen support arms
downwardly. With the pintle shaft 144 being returned to its
normal non printing position in the arcuate slots,
the tension springs return the control links to their normal
positions preparatory to a subsequent printing operation.
28
