Abstract: Herein disclosed is a printing device for printing bar codes, or the like. The printing device includes a printing head which is adapted to be received in the body of the printing device for printing and which can be removed for selecting the bar codes to be printed. The printing head includes a plurality of bar code type rings axially aligned with one another such that they can be manually separated axially so that they can rotate independently of one another for selecting the bar code to be printed. The bar code type rings are moved together for printing. Separation of the type rings causes a stopper to protrude out of the casing of the printing head to engage the frame of the printing device in such a manner as to prevent substantial movement of the printing head, such movement being a necessary part of the printing operation. Bringing the type rings together to their printing position retracts the stopper, which permits printing movement of the printing head.

Abstract: A duplication printer has a movable base slidably accommodated in a frame case and provided with a cushioning layer on which a relief plate bearing a relief pattern on top is placed, and then, on the relief plate, are stacked successively from bottom to top a paper sheet, a transfer sheet having a lower surface of an ink layer facing the paper sheet, a tacky sheet with a tacky layer on its upper surface, and a display sheet having light transmitting characteristic. The movable base is positioned within the frame case and is drawn outwardly from the frame case, a pressure bar passes relatively over the stack of sheets, whereupon the relief pattern is printed via the ink layer on the paper sheet and, simultaneously, the image of the pattern is displayed on the display sheet. Thus, the pattern on the display sheet can be observed by an operator without removing the paper sheet from the printer.

Abstract: Mechanism for selectively inhibiting automatic advancement of the print wheels of a value printing mechanism, such as a postage register printing system having a rotatable printing head, whereby a previously printed value may be repeated on the next, or succeeding, printing cycle. Mechanism for cancelling the inhibiting mode, including an electro-mechanical latch, are provided.

Abstract: A variable data imprinting machine having an elongated flat printing bed section providing a document supporting surface and having a print wheel pack formed of closely adjacent peripherally notched print wheels, an imprinting carriage movable through advance and return strokes longitudinally along the document support surface and an elongated rack case section perpendicular to the printing bed section subjacent the wheel pack having a number-bearing rack control panel projecting therefrom and including a plurality of flexible band-like toothed racks coarse manually adjusted longitudinally in the rack case to rotatably index the print wheels to number-printing positions. The rack case includes serpentine elongated guide slot trackways sized to receive and guide the toothed racks for their longitudinal wheel-indexing movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for printing games such as poker hands on two-piece frustoconical containers with four cards up and one down on the container sidewall and a hole card or draw card on the bottom of the container. The sidewalls are formed from blanks printed in a sequence by four, five, six and seven-around printing cylinders, all of which impress one card identity indicia on each printed cup blank on a strip of stock passed through the array of cylinders. A strip of bottom blanks each bearing a single card identity are printed in sequence by an eleven-around printing cylinder and the sidewall blanks and bottom blanks are assembled in the printed sequence to provide at least 4,620 cups all bearing poker hands with no two cups bearing identical hands. None of the card identity indicia on the several rolls is repeated. A total of thirty-three different indicia is used in the present method and apparatus.

Abstract: A printing control system includes a printing mechanism having settable print members. A gear is rotatably mounted and operably connected for selectively setting the print members. The gear is connected to control inhibiting the printing mechanism from being energized to print. The gear may also be connected to control inhibiting the selective setting of the print members.

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: Apparatus for embossing and imprinting information on credit card sales slips in a manner compatible with fully automatic data processing, including a movable magnetic read head mounted to an embossing mechanism for reading the customer information from a magnetic stripe on the credit card during the embossing operation, and means for temporarily storing the information. An impact printer movably mounted below the sales slip pack is positioned to imprint the complete transaction information in a form compatible with existing automatic character recognization apparatus. The reverse side of the credit card issuer's copy of the credit card sales slip is printed with scannable print font setting forth the customer's identification, merchant's identification, sale amount, transaction date, etc., so as to be automatically readable by existing optical character recognition (OCR) or magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) apparatus.

Abstract: An imprinting machine has a surface for receiving an embossed card and a form to be imprinted and a carriage having a roller which is movable over the surface to effect an imprinting operation. The machine is capable of being mounted with the surface substantially vertical, and has a groove for retaining one edge of the form and for retaining the card to prevent them falling away from the surface when the machine is disposed vertically. The other edge of the form is preferably located by a guide and the bottom edge of the form by a stop on the surface.

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: A printing machine is provided for imprinting forms with fixed data from embossed printing plates and variable data from manually settable print wheels by moving a roller platen from a start position across the printing elements and the form to an actuated position to perform a printing operation and back to the start position to complete a printing cycle. The print wheels are selectively positionable by keyset levers movable from a zero position to a selected printing position for rotating each of the print wheels to a desired peripheral setting. Reset means is provided for restoring each of the keyset levers from the selected printing position to the zero position in response to movement of the roller platen through a printing operation, and lock-out means is provided to inhibit movement of the roller platen through a printing operation following a printing cycle. The roller platen is unlocked for movement in response to movement of at least one of the keyset levers from the zero position to a new setting.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically actuating manually operable selector elements, such as the type which normally are found on a manually operable postage meter. A carriage is provided and is movable between an initial, start position and an end position. Plural actuator elements are coupled to and movable with the carriage. These actuator elements are positioned in operable relation with the selector elements and are selectively energized while the carriage moves between its start and end positions to correspondingly activate the selector elements. When used in the environment of a postage meter, the selective energization of the actuator elements thereby conditions the postage meter to provide a corresponding indication of postage. Reset apparatus resets the carriage following the selective energization of the actuator elements.

Abstract: A data recorder is provided including a removable cartridge which carries both a sales form and an underlying log sheet. The fixed and variable data are imprinted by reciprocation of a platen carriage, with return of the carriage to the home position causing ejection of the credit card and loading of a stored energy mechanism. When the sales form is removed, the stored energy mechanism is released, whereby the log sheet is incrementally advanced to the next position.

Abstract: A credit card imprinter with a base for retaining the printing elements and transaction form. The imprinter includes a platen adapted to be moved from an initial position to an extreme position and back over the printing area on the base. Gear wheels are provided for positioning print wheels, and a stop means is provided to prevent movement of the platen to a movable mode until all the print wheels have been reset by actuation of a reset handle preceding a printing operation.

Abstract: For sequentially setting independently-rotatable spur gears which are coupled to print wheels in a postage meter, a yoke carrying a selectively-driven master gear is shifted along an axis parallel to the common axis of the adjacent gears. A rack attached to the yoke is driven by a pinion gear on a stepping motor shaft. The yoke is spring-biased to a disabled position in which the spur gears are mechanically locked into position by tooth troughs on the yoke surface. A print interlock mechanism permits printing only when the yoke is held in an enabled position against the force of the biasing spring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a printing device of the type having a carriage which supports a printing roll. In order to perform the printing operation, the carriage is pivotally and slidably mounted on a slide rod. An arm of the carriage is mounted in a housing and is provided with a guide roller that is located in the same vertical plane as the printing roll. The guide roller cooperates with a guide means that extends parallel to the slide rod to keep the printing roll in engagement with a printing anvil and to enable the printing roll to swing upwardly into a raised position when arriving at one of the ends of the slide rod.

Abstract: A printing machine in which a series of selectively settable type wheels arranged in the housing of the machine extend with portions thereof through openings in a printing bed fixedly mounted on the machine housing. A credit card supporting plate is mounted on the printing bed adjustable relative thereto and a curved leaf spring, substantially of the same outline as the credit card supporting plate, is placed between the latter and the printing bed to bias the credit card supporting plate in a direction away from the upper surface of the printing bed. A carriage, rotatably carrying a platen roller, is mounted on the printing bed movable across the latter so that a credit card supported on the credit card supporting plate and types on the type wheels may be printed on a sheet placed over the credit card and the type wheels.

Abstract: A setting mechanism for a postage meter for use in a continuous mail sorting and postage imprinting system which automatically weighs and meters each piece of mail. The system is designed to rapidly handle a large quantity of mixed mail. Mixed mail is continuously and synchronously fed in seriatim along a continuous feed path. Unsealed envelopes have their flaps wetted and sealed. All the envelopes are stopped at a weighing station where they are weighed, and the postage corresponding to their particular weight is computed. The determined postage value is used to continuously reset a postage meter which imprints the required postage upon each envelope as it arrives at a metering station. The actuator banks of the meter are controlled by stepper motors. The metering and weighing functions of the system are synchronized such that the postage meter will imprint the proper postage upon each piece of mail, despite the fact that several envelopes may be simultaneously in transit along the feed path.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying printed matter to the rear sides of webs of photographic paper in a copying machine has an upright frame for a vertically reciprocable housing which is lifted by a first rotary electromagnet and retained in raised position and thereupon released by a second rotary electromagnet. The housing is movable up and down with several modules each of which contains a wheel having at its periphery a set of symbols. Selected symbols can be moved to positions at the lowermost points of the respective wheels by remotely controlled electromagnets so that such selected symbols face a ribbon which is located above the rear side of a web of photographic paper. The modules are movable downwardly in the housing against the opposition of separate springs and the frame carries a projection which intercepts the housing, after the housing is released by the second electromagnet and while the housing descends by gravity, before the selected symbols can press the ribbon against the web of photographic paper.

Abstract: A time card printer comprising a plurality of type wheels rotatably mounted on a common supporting shaft and a plurality of printing rolls radially aligned with respective type wheels, the printing rolls being mounted on a common drive shaft which rotates in response to insertion of a time card and is parallel to the supporting shaft, each printing roll pressing the inserted time card against the type surface of the corresponding type wheel during rotation of the drive shaft, the printing rolls being moved against the corresponding type wheels one after the other.

Abstract: A variable amount imprinter and a portable transaction-log recorder usable therewith, the imprinter having a pivotally mounted head assembly, upon which is mounted a roller platen assembly for effecting imprinting. Two interlocks are provided to prevent closing of the head assembly until (a) a tray for a printing plate such as a credit card has been latched in place in the recorder and (b) at least one preselected item of the variable amount data has been set to a non-zero value. Releasable latching means lock the head in its closed position until the imprinting stroke of the roller platen assembly has been completed, at which time the head is automatically returned to its open position.Means responsive to movement of the roller platen assembly during the imprinting stroke reset the variable amount data to zero after it has been imprinted. Means are also provided for centralizing the digit wheels of the variable amount assembly prior to the imprinting thereof.

Abstract: A method for recording, at the point of sale, data arising from credit card transactions, makes use of a novel apparatus disclosed in a co-pending Application, entitled APPARATUS FOR RECORDING AND PROCESSING CREDIT TRANSACTION DATA, Ser. No. 132,050. More particularly, the method involves simultaneously recording credit transaction data on both a customer credit receipt and on a single line of data paper. The data paper is advanced after each sale, thereby producing a line by line description of each individual credit transaction. Since the data paper is capable of direct input to a computer, for conversion to separate customer statements, it reduces the amount of manual and machine handling of billing information.

Abstract: A check printer and including a base having an upwardly facing check print surface thereon and a chassis disposed thereover, such chassis cooperating with the base to form a pathway leading from one side to the other of the check print surface. A plurality of printing wheels are mounted in side-by-side relationship from said chassis for disposition over the check print surface. An ink ribbon cartridge is mounted from the chassis and includes a flat frame overlying the print surface with ink ribbon rollers carried therefrom and disposed on opposite sides of such print surface. An actuating handle engages the chassis and is operable upon depression thereof to shift the chassis downwardly to engage the wheels with a check resting on the print surface to print the numbers selected on such individual wheels on such check.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for properly aligning a rotatable indicia carrying member and for locking said rotatable indicia carrying member in place. Both the aligning and locking mechanisms are formed as integral parts of a single frame unit and are operative to perform their respective aligning and locking functions during movement of the frame unit into engagement with the rotatable member.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the recording of credit card transactions at point of sale, and for reporting said transactions to a central accounting and processing activity. The instant invention includes a self contained, compact, portable and lightweight cassette-like transaction log recorder which is adapted to be releasably and operatively engageable with an imprinter mechanism. The recorder contains both an external duplicate sales ticket and an internal continuous form log sheet for the sequential recording of individual transactions at the time various data is applied to successive sales tickets. The recorder is also provided with external receiving means for receiving the customer's credit card at a receiving station, means for translating the card from the receiving station to an imprinting station, means for latching the card immovably at the imprinting station to an external removing station.

Abstract: A printing device for imprinting selected characters from a plurality of type wheels on a record medium is described. Control means are provided for selectively adjusting each of the type wheels to bring selected characters of each of said type wheels into registry with printing positions on the record medium. The control means includes adjusting means for each of said type wheels which are conjointly driven by a common drive means. Means are provided for inhibiting the operation of selected adjusting means when the associated type wheels have reached the selected printing position. Elastic coupling means are provided between the drive means and each adjusting means to permit the continued movement of said drive means independently of an inhibited condition of one or more of said adjusting means. Means are further provided for storing information to program the operation of the control means.

Abstract: A printing device for imprinting selected characters from a plurality of type wheels on a record medium is described. Control means are provided for selectively adjusting each of the type wheels to bring selected characters of each of said type wheels into registry with printing positions on the record medium. The control means includes adjusting or typesetting means for each of said type wheels which are conjointly driven by a common drive means. Means are provided for selectively disengaging the drive means and the adjusting means of any type wheels which have selected characters in registry with the printing position on said record medium. The drive means continues to drive other adjusting means notwithstanding the prior disengagement of other adjusting means from the drive means.

Abstract: A data terminal is disclosed and which is particularly applicable for use in data capture and data readout in a data communication system. The terminal includes means for providing a data output presentation of indicia representative of various information data characters. The presentation of indicia may, for example, include a printing function. The terminal employs a memory which stores information data characters representative of different indicia to be presented. The data characters may be entered into the memory from a data source, such as a keyboard or a central data processor. Circuitry is provided for controlling the presentation of indicia so that the indicia is presented in an orientation determined by the sequence in which the data characters are read from the memory.