Patent GB-549477-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to coin-operated franking and other value printing machines
IPC: G07F17/26
Filed: 1941-09-26
Abstract: 549,477. Coin-freed franking and printing machines. PARFETT, F., and UNIVERSAL POSTAL FRANKERS, Ltd. Sept. 26, 1941, Nos. 12482 and 12483. [Class 27] Coin-operated mechanism for selecting one of a series of values on a printing unit comprises means for supporting the coins in edge-to-edge relationship exposing a part of each coin and a setting device associated therewith comprising a helical row of pins or like projections one for each coin, means being provided for moving either the coin supporting means or the setting device, the arrangment being such that one drives the other when the uppermost coin engages its associated pin, the driven element then operating the value printing unit to an extent corresponding to the movement of the driven element and the number of coins inserted. Where more than one denomination of coin is provided for, a separate coin support and helical setting device are provided for each coin denomination. In the construction shown as many coins as are required for the value to be printed are inserted in succession through a slot 1 and drop into a coin-holder 4 in which they form a column. The holder 4 is carried by arms 5 rotatable about a vertical shaft 6, and the holder tends to rotate under the action of a spring 7 until it abuts a stop 8a but is normally held in the position shown by means of a catch 10a which can be released by a push-button 10. When the holder abuts the stop 8a the coins, which are normally supported by the base plate 9, drop through a slot 8. A setting device mounted on the shaft 6 rotates independently of the coin-holder and comprises arms 18 and a cylindrical portion 19 carrying a series of pins 20 arranged in a helical line so that their vertical pitch is equal to the diameter of a coin and their angular pitch (in plan) is equal to or proportional to the pitch of the teeth of a toothed sector 11 fixed to the upper arm 18, so that the said angular pitch represents one unit of movement of a printing wheel 14 driven by the sector 11. When a number of coins have been inserted corresponding to the value it is desired to set the printing wheel 14 the button 10 is pressed to release the coin holder which is then rotated by the spring 7. If the holder is full of coins the top coin will engage the top pin 20 and will act as a driving lug to rotate the setting device 18 and the sector 11. The sector gears with a pinion 12 on the printing wheel shaft 13 and rotates the wheel 14 through a maximum angle and sets it for the highest value. If the coin holder is not full the uppermost pins 20 are not engaged but pass through slots in the holder, which rotates freely until the topmost coin therein engages the corresponding pin 20 and drives the device 18 and sector 11 through a smaller angle corresponding to the number of coins in the holder. The wheel 14 is thus rotated through a smaller angle and set for a corresponding amount. Preferably the pinion 12 drives the shaft 13 through pawls 15 and a ratchet wheel 17 fixed on the shaft, and the shaft is prevented from turning backward by a pawl 30 and ratchet wheel 29. Thus the coin holder can be returned to its normal position immediately the printing wheel has been set, the latter remaining locked by the pawl 30. For this purpose a link 26 connected to some part (not shown) of the machine rocks a lever 22 mounted loosely on the shaft 6 and provided with two arms 23, 25 which engage the arms 18 and sector 11 and rotate them against the tension of the spring 7 until the coin-holder is locked by its catch 10a. When the printing operation has been completed the printing wheel 14 is automatically returned to zero by. means of a lever 39 actuated by a suitable part of the machine to disengage a clutch part 34 on the printing wheel from a corresponding clutch part 31 slidably keyed on the shaft. While the clutch is disengaged a torsion spring 37 returns the printing wheel to zero. When two denominations of coin are provided for a second coin holder 43 and a second setting device 42 are employed, both mounted loosely on the shaft 6. The coin holder 43 is controlled by a spring 7a and is normally held by a catch 47, and the setting device is provided with pins 45 and carries a toothed sector 48 gearing with a pinion 49 connected by pawls 50 to the ratchet wheel, 17 on the shaft 13. In this case when halfpennies (say) are to be inserted in the holder 4 and pennies in the holder 43, the holder 4 is released by the push-button 10 and drives the setting device 18 to set the printing wheel the amount corresponding to the half pennies in 4, after which a pin 46 on an arm 5 of the holder 4 releases the catch 57 and allows the holder 43 to act on its setting device 42 and set the printing wheel by an extra amount corresponding to the pennies in 43, the pawls 15 and 50 each acting independently on the ratchet wheel 17. Modifications are described in which: (1) the setting device can drive the coin holder; (2) the coin holder (or the setting device) can drive the printing wheel until arrested by the setting device (or the coin-holder); (3) the coin holder may be rotated by a manucal lever or an electric drive.