Abstract: This invention relates to a driving and braking system for an electronically controlled embossing machine of the type having a rotatable drum that carries embossing dies. A drive motor is provided for rotating the drum and a brake is included for stopping the drum in selected embossing positions. The brake includes a disk and a brake lining which are in slight engagement with one another during rotation of the drum so that when the brake is actuated the parts thereof have a small distance to travel.

Abstract: Machines for writing braille type having two opposing rows of embossing units each with a support holding a punch-forming stamp guidable between an inactive position and a pushed-out embossing position with abutment against a die member disposed opposite the embossing unit. An electromagnet for each unit controls the stamp with a displaceable plunger. The rows of units are arranged for synchronous movement towards and away from each other in a direction substantially at right angles to the path of movement of a sheet for receiving the type. Each opposing support forms coherent die-punch pairs. Each support has a double-armed rocker which with one end abuts an impressing end of the embossing stamp while the other end projects outwards so that on movement of the support towards the path of the sheet, it is guided substantially at right angles towards the end of the plunger of the electromagnet when said plunger is pushed out.

Abstract: A printing mechanism of a line printer for printing Braille characters is disclosed. The printing mechanism comprises a base member having a plurality of printing pins arranged in a row and adapted to be prevented from moving downward in response to the energization of solenoids corresponding to character patterns to be printed, a semicircular printing plate for pressing a paper against the printing pins and a printing plate driving mechanism. During every printing operation, the printing plate is rocked in a lengthwise direction by a pair of rotating disks provided at the ends of the printing plate and each including an eccentric cam groove different in phase with each other, so that the paper is successively pressed against the printing pins in the direction of their arrangement and the raised dots are produced. In another embodiment of the invention, the printing plate is operated by a pair of piston-crank mechanisms provided at the ends of the printing plate.

Abstract: A casting-marking apparatus is adapted for incorporation in a permanent foundry pattern of the type used to produce sand molds for metal casting. The apparatus carries a marking that is impressed in the sand old and subsequently reproduced on a casting. The apparatus is designed and constructed so that the marking that it carries can be altered from a station remote from the pattern. In the apparatus, the alterable marking is carried by a marking body that is rotated by an air actuated piston.

Abstract: Apparatus for stamping articles, especially metal sheets. This apparatus includes at least one stamping unit having independent stamping modules. Each module has a character-support. A preselecting device brings a character from each module into the stamping position, while actuating means associated with the modules bring into the working position the preselected characters, which are printed individually.This device is especially suited for stamping by inking and/or by deformation of metal sheets leaving a rolling facility.

Abstract: An electronically controlled embossing machine for embossing alpha-numeric characters on flexible sheets such as, for example, plastic or metal credit cards or nameplates. Embossing is accomplished by two constantly rotating embossing wheels which carry radially movable embossing molds about their peripheries. One embossing wheel carries male or projecting embossing molds; the second wheel carries matching female or intaglio embossing molds. Selection of a certain character via a keyboard, or by electrical signals from any data source, causes the appropriate male and female molds to be moved radially outwardly on each wheel by mechanical mold cam levers. A flexible sheet, such as a plastic credit card blank, interposed in the bite of the two embossing wheels, is embossed by the radially extended embossing molds in a rolling-squeezing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for permanently marking a metal workpiece. The apparatus comprises a support for supporting the apparatus in contact with the workpiece. A stamp holding means adapted to receive a predetermined number of stamps engages the support and carries the stamps.The method comprises the steps of engaging the stamp holder with the support. Placing the support on the workpiece. Striking the stamps until the characters are at the desired depth and then removing the stamp holder from the workpiece.

Abstract: Automatic card embossing apparatus includes a rotatable embossing wheel carrying about its periphery punch and die pairs for all characters available for embossing. Each character position of the wheel defines an address and the wheel is controlled for rotation to a desired address for embossing the character there-located. Data identifying all embossable characters is processed to derive three control numbers for each character, the first control number identifying the corresponding wheel address for the corresponding punch and die pair, the second number identifying the horizontal position on the card where the character is to be embossed, and the third control number identifying the line number on the card. The data is sorted into ascending order of wheel addresses. In operation, a card is transported to a reference position relative to the embossing wheel and the embossing wheel is rotated to the address of the first control number.

Abstract: A portable typewriter for embossing paper or the like according to the Braille code system and other like systems. It consists generally of a base having a matrix of Braille cells, a vertical track which guides a horizontal track upon which a keyboard transverses. The keyboard has six keys as well as bars for tab setting, clearing, and by-passing and bars for spacing and keyboard return. The close spacing of the keys allows two or more keys to be depressed using one or more fingers. This bridging expedites typing speed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for the printing of OCR and bar codes on identification cards, credit cards and the like. The card is conveyed intermediate a plurality of selectively operable print bars and pressure bars. The pressure bars are held in position by biasing means selected to provide regulated backing pressure to the credit card to achieve controlled printing pressure. This combination results in high quality OCR and bar code print out.

Abstract: A labeling device which includes a pair of spaced printing element carrying, rotatable wheels for imprinting characters on a tape. A path of travel for the tape is defined between the wheels and a mechanism is provided for feeding the tape along the path of travel. A mechanism is provided for applying pressure to the deformable arms for causing the desired imprinting of characters. A lever is pivotally mounted for operating the tape feeding mechanism and the pressure applying mechanism. An arm is mounted on and extends from the lever and the arm includes an end portion which is remote from the mounting position thereof on the lever. A guide element is carried on the end portion. A closed track, having an initial portion and a later portion, is provided in the body of the labeling device and is constructed and arranged to receive and guide the guide element therein. The tape feeding mechanism includes a sprocket wheel which drivably engages the tape.

Abstract: A sheet-representing signal is registered by successive shift-register stages in simulation of the travel of a sheet through a printing machine. Signal detectors connected to different register stages actuate moving units which in turn change the state of activation of the functional units of the printing machine. Upon a changeover from one-side to two-side printing, there arises a sheet travel path length change composed of a fixed component determined by machine geometry and a variable component determined by sheet length. Each moving unit moves cyclically and can move the associated functional unit only during a certain portion of the cycle. Upon a printing mode changeover, moving units undergo a phase shift of their cycles of motion and signal detectors are disconnected from certain register stages and reconnected to others, thereby compensating for the variable and fixed components of the sheet travel path length change.

Abstract: Machine for marking objects, such as steel sheets, comprising a frame, a raisable and lowerable holding cylinder being suspended from the frame, and an embossing head being arranged beneath and connected to the holding cylinder. An embossing wheel shaft being arranged in the embossing head, and a plurality of embossing wheels being arranged on the embossing wheel shaft. The embossing wheel shaft is connected to a driving motor, secured to the embossing head at the bottom, said embossing wheel shaft being formed so as the embossing wheels one by one are pressed down towards the object when the embossing wheel shaft is turned by means of the driving motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing discrete embossed consecutively numbered license plates from a continuous length of web or strip of sheet metal comprises a hole punching press, an embossing press, a rimming press, and a blanking press, all of which operate in unison. A feed conveyor is located between the rimming and blanking presses to advance the web in steps through the entire series of presses. The movable platen of the embossing press cooperates with a numerical registering device having an assembly of relatively rotatable decimal rings and each ring has a series of embossed numbers on its obverse side and a corresponding number of holes on its converse side. The registering device also comprises an indexing mechanism to advance the rings in desired sequences and the indexing mechanism comprises a motor driven oscillatory indexing arm movable through a counting stroke to advance one or more rings one step and a return stroke.

Abstract: In an embossing press, a pair of rolls are arranged to be moved toward and away from one another to effect the embossing operation. Each embossing roll includes a number of drums with replaceable indicia plugs on their circumferential peripheries. The drums are detachably coupled to a shaft so that the drums can rotate with the shaft or can be uncoupled while the shaft continues to rotate. A drive system is connected to each of the shafts for rotating them through a predetermined angle of rotation. An arrestor set-up is associated with the drums for uncoupling each drum from its shaft so that a particular indicia plug is located in the operative position of the embossing rolls. A feeder mechanism directs a continuous length of sheet material into the operating position of the rolls and shearing blades, movably connected to the shafts, are arranged to cut the sheet materials into individual sections.

Abstract: A method for the application of data to a workpiece wherein the determination of the data occurs at a testing machine, and the data is transmitted to a marking device and applied by such marking device to the workpiece. According to the invention for the application of the data to the workpiece the workpiece is removed from the testing location of the testing machine and mounted at the marking device and the determined data remains stored after removal of the workpiece from the testing machine. The apparatus for the performance of the aforesaid method aspects is manifested by the features that the marking device is arranged externally of the testing location of the testing machine and a storage stores the data which has been determined at the testing machine.