The present invention relates to an apparatus for imprinting checks, money orders, and other negotiable instruments.
Existing apparatus for imprinting negotiable instruments, employ moveable independent type segments, which when punctuation indicia is desirable, that is, periods, commas, or foreign currency symbols, such apparatus requires several internal and external components to be modified, redesigned, and retooled to accommodate such punctuation indicia. Additionally, existing check writers or apparatus for imprinting negotiable instruments employ an independently sliding prefix plate which allows the elimination of a space or series of easily altered symbols to be imprinted in front of the dollar amount. This prefix plate commonly imprints THE SUM tightly in front of the dollar amount, thus minimizing the opportunity for criminal alteration of the dollar amount. However, due to the various dollar amount capacity check writers manufactured, which may include anywhere from between five (5) to thirteen (13) independent type segments, several different sizes and configurations of these prefix plates must be produced to fit the various capacity check writers produced. Accordingly, this variation in size and configuration of prefix plates causes confusion in the ordering of replacement prefix plates as well as operational problems due to the incorrectly sized and dimensioned prefix plate malfunctioning in the check writer. Also, the present cross-sectional configuration of the prefix plate has proven to create oscillation inconsistencies and poor imprint quality.
At present, available manual check writers or apparatus for imprinting negotiable instruments use one of two common inking methods. The first method includes use of an ink roller or ink pad device. This method requires the operator to periodically reink the device which produces inconsistent imprints and presents a messy inconvenience to the operator. The second method includes the use of an inked fabric ribbon. This inking method also requires the operator to periodically change the internal ribbon, an operation which has proven to be a difficult and messy procedure. For this reason, maximum security dye based inks are not commonly used in the manufacture of the ribbon fabric of such ink ribbon assemblies for check writing machines. Another problem encountered with the use of an ink ribbon assembly in check writers involves the self-reversing mechanism used with such ink ribbon assemblies. Because the self-reversing mechanism is a tension driven application, successful activation of the mechanism requires that proper tension be maintained at all times on both the ribbon and take-up spools, a result which is difficult to control and to maintain with such replacement ink ribbon assemblies.