Abstract: An imprinter for use with a credit card having fluorescent markings thereon, the imprinter comprising a substantially rectangular bed, a credit card holder for holding the credit card on the bed, a document holder for holding a document on the bed in partially overlapping relationship with the credit card, a carriage containing a print roller for passage over the credit card and document to imprint data from the credit card on the document, an aperture receivable of a credit card formed through said bed and guide means for holding a credit card inserted through the aperture in a predetermined orientation beneath the bed. A credit card validation system is disposed beneath the bed of the imprinter.

Abstract: A data recorder is provided comprising an anvil for supporting an embossed card and a form to be imprinted, a print head supported on a pivot means for movement between an open position and a closed position, and a roller platen movable across the anvil to perform a printing stroke. The anvil is mounted on a resilient pad and the pivot means is mounted in resilient bushing. In response to printing pressure applied by the roller platen in its movement through a printing stroke, the resilient mountings allow for movement of the anvil and the roller platen to adjust the pressure and compensate for the combined variations in the thicknesses of the form and the embossed card.

Abstract: A machine for embossing cards or plates is provided with features which give it the capability of handling and feeding a wide variety of plate sizes both in length and height, and also make it possible to effectively process pieces which are of many unusual non-rectangular shapes. A trackway made up of several segments is arranged to have a rail of each segment readily adjustable towards and away from the other rail. Special hopper and receiver equipment is made available which can accept plates of different lengths by merely adjusting fixed side rails which cooperate with trays which are substantially standardized for the novel system. The plate holding means at the embossing station is so constructed that it can effect its retention function without inhibiting embossment on the margins or other portions of the plate regardless of its unusual size or shape limitations. Slightly modified alternate tray constructions are provided for easily accommodating, feeding and storing plates of more unusual outline.

Abstract: An electrically operated data recorder of generally upstanding configuration, bias hinged near the bottom, a gate or side section permitting swinging movement of the hinged section between an open and a closed position. The hinged section serves as a bed of the machine against which a roller platen is designed to act during imprinting of a form from an embossed credit card placed on the bed. The gate is manually moved to the closed position and latched, which energizes an electric motor, setting the roller platen in motion to effect an imprinting operation. When the roller platen reaches the end of the printing stroke, the gate opens, the motor shuts off and is disconnected from driving attachment with the platen moving means. The released roller platen and its moving means are rapidly returned to home position by a spring, and the driving attachment is then reestablished to ready the device for a subsequent operation.

Abstract: An imprinter having a roller platen assembly movably mounted on a head member for imprinting data from a printing plate such as a credit card onto a form positioned over the plate. The roller platen assembly has a reciprocally driven carriage means containing at least one removably mounted cartridge containing at least one row of roller platens mounted therein in parallel, spaced apart relationship to each other. A plurality of backup rollers are rotatably mounted within said roller platen assembly, each in contact and vertical alignment with each of the platen rollers when the cartridge means is in position within the carriage means. At least one of the roller platens is in contact with the raised printing elements of the printing plate at all times during each printing cycle of the imprinter to thereby lessen any tendency for smudging of the form to occur.

Abstract: An imprinter having a roller platen assembly movably mounted on a head member for imprinting data from a printing plate such as a credit card onto a form positioned over the plate. The roller platen assembly has a reciprocally driven carriage means containing at least one removably mounted cartridge containing at least one row of roller platens mounted therein in parallel, spaced apart relationship to each other. A plurality of backup rollers are rotatably mounted within said roller platen assembly, each in contact and vertical alignment with each of the platen rollers when the cartridge means is in position within the carriage means. At least one of the roller platens is in contact with the raised printing elements of the printing plate at all times during each printing cycle of the imprinter to thereby lessen any tendency for smudging of the form to occur.

Abstract: A data recorder for imprinting credit card data on to paper sales forms for credit card transactions. The recorder includes a printing bed and a platen mounted for movement across the bed, whereby, when the card and form are in position on the bed, a roller on the platen moves over indicia on the card so transferring the data to the form. A lever is pivotally mounted and has two fingers projecting through apertures in the bed. When a card is correctly positioned the lever is pivoted so that the fingers are retracted whereby a form can be correctly positioned without disturbance upon movement of the platen. When the card is not correctly positioned, the lever is biased so that the fingers stand proud of the bed whereby movement of the platen displaces the form.

Abstract: An improvement in a device for tipping an embossed workpiece, such as a credit card, the device being of the type having a frame supporting a stationary bed for receiving the workpiece and a heated platen reciprocally driven through a cycle toward and away from the bed in response to insertion of the workpiece. The improvement comprises a removably mounted holder containing a ribbon having a treated surface thereon, the ribbon extends unsupported a distance between a supply spool and a driven takeup spool mounted within the holder. Only the unsupported portion of the ribbon is positioned intermediate the platen and stationary bed when the holder is in place and is forced into engagement with the workpiece during movement of the platen toward the stationary bed.

Abstract: Imprinters for making printed impressions from tokens such as credit cards are provided in which the carriage which traverses the bed of the imprinter includes two independent roller platen mechanisms. Translation means responsive to travel of the platen along the bed at certain points causes the platen rollers to be raised to nonprinting position or lowered to printing position. The mechanism also includes a transition device which makes it possible to convert the imprinter from a condition in which the platen rollers are raised and lowered in concert to one in which the raised condition of one roller occurs when the other is lowered and vice versa. In the illustrated form the translation devices include interacting cam members, one set for each platen roller, and the transition device is shown as being one of the cam members which can occupy alternate positions in the assembly.

Abstract: An imprinter comprising a unitary, extruded base with an elongated receptacle extending along the upper length thereof and a molded plastic print bed inserted within the receptacle. An elongated recess in the print bed may also be provided so that a portion of a credit card or the like overlying the recess can be depressed therein to raise the remainder of the card and permit easy removal thereof.

Abstract: An improved portable cassette recorder for use in an imprinter or the like, the recorder being adapted to process fan-folded transaction log sheets or the like. Each sheet incorporates a plurality of transaction data entry blocks disposed along the length thereof and a plurality of registration holes respectively associated with the data entry blocks. The recorder includes a sensing pin mechanism which senses the registration holes in the log sheets to ensure that each data entry block is in registry with the recorder imprinting station. In order to advance the log sheet from one entry block to the next, the sensing pin is first lowered beneath the log sheet and awaits the next registration hole. When it arrives, the pin is urged upwardly through the hole. At the same time, a brake engaging mechanism is actuated to brake the take-up spool and thus maintain the data entry blocks in registry with the imprinting station.

Abstract: A portable cassette recorder for use in an imprinter or the like, the recorder including a supply cartridge, a take-up spool and a brake for the take-up spool and a document holder. The take-up spool has incorporated thereon a leader to which the transaction log sheets may be easily attached in alignment with the take-up spool. The brake for the take-up spool includes a first gear rotatable with the spool, a second gear in engagement with the first gear and a pivotally mounted third gear in normal engagement with both said first and second gears to engage the brake for the take-up spool, the brake being disengaged by pivoting the third gear out of contact with the first gear. The document holder includes a support surface of preferably ferromagnetic material disposed in the upper surface of the recorder upon which a document such as an invoice is positioned.

Abstract: An improved portable cassette recorder for use in an imprinter or the like, the recorder being adapted to process fanfolded transaction log sheets or the like. The recorder includes a sensing pin mechanism which senses registration holes in the log sheets to ensure that data entry blocks in the log sheet are in registry with the recorder imprinting station. In order to advance the log sheet from one entry block to the next, the sensing pin is first lowered beneath the log sheet and awaits the next registration hole, the pin being so shaped as to ensure positioning thereof beneath the log sheet. When the next registration hole arrives, the pin is urged upwardly through the hole. At the same time, a brake engaging mechanism is actuated to brake the take-up spool through a bell crank and push rod mechanism and thus maintain the data entry blocks in registry with the imprinting station.

Abstract: The invention concerns apparatus and method to provide timing imprints on a sheet or sheets. The imprints are characteristically provided in association with other imprints provided by a card having indicia thereon.