Patent GB-313454-A (GB)
Abstract: 313,454. Anders, P. June 11, 1928, [Convention date]. Franking - machines; stopping- arrangements.-In franking-machines of the kind comprising locking- mechanism for locking the franking- mechanism at the end of a period of operation during which a predetermined number of impressions is printed, counting-mechanism for counting the number or value of the impressions, and printing-mechanism for recording the totals, the franking- mechanism, after becoming locked at the end of a period, can only be unlocked when a detachable member is in position in the machine, this detachable member carrying a record web of paper which is intermittently advanced and on which at a given step in the operation of the machine, the total is automatically recorded. As shown, the machine comprises a printing-roller 5, Figs. 1, 3, fixed on a driving shaft 4<1> mounted in a casing 1 provided with an opening 13 to receive an unlocking- device 14, which carries a box 23, Fig. 5, in which is arranged a record strip 26<a> passing from a roll 26 over a platen 27 to a rewinding-shaft 24. The box 23 enters a casing 12 inside the machine casing 1 so that the platen 27 is opposite to totalprinting wheels 16 driven by counting- mechanism. When the prepaid limit is reached, a cam-shaft 31 is rotated and rocks an arm 32 about a pivot 33 so as to remove an integral arm 34 from the path of an arm 35 fixed on a shaft 7, which thereupon swings round under the influence of a spring 36 connected to an arm 37 fixed to the shaft 7. A pin 38 on the arm 37 by engaging one arm 39<a> of a three-armed lever 39 removes a catch from a notch in a locking- disc 41 on a shaft 6 and a catch 43 connected by a rod 42 to the arm 39<a> simultaneously moves into a notch 44 in a disc on the shaft 4<1> and locks the printing-roller against rotation. To prevent fraud by locking the catch in its notch by pressing on a handle fixed on the shaft 6, a projection 51 on this shaft engages a hook 52 normally lying in its path. The shaft 6 is now rotated and cams 18 thereon engage arms 17 extending from the casing 12 which is thereby rocked about a pivot 11 so that the strip 26<a> is moved into engagement with the type-wheels 16 which print through a colour slide 29. The third arm 39b of the lever 39 is locked in the release position of the catch by means of a shoulder 49<a> on a pivoted lever 49 the movement of which causes an arm 56 to raise an arm 60 out of the path of a projection on a shaft 61. The customer is provided with a key with which the shaft 61 may now be turned to reset the machine for a further number of operations, a cam 63 thereby rocking the lever 49 and releasing the member 39 which is moved by a spring 48 back into locking engagement with the disc 41 and simultaneously releases the catch 43 from the notch 44. The machine is set originally by means of an official key device 68, Fig. 8, comprising a key-shaft 69 adapted to be released for rotation when the device is inserted in the machine. By rotating the shaft 69 a shaft 77, Fig. 6, inside the device 14 is rotated and, by means of a tooth 78, rotates a gear 79 according to the number of settings to be allowed, the number being indicated by a visible dial, and also on a counter 76, Fig. 8. The customer's key rotates a shaft 89, Fig. 6, and graduallv turns the wheel 79 back to zero where it is locked, the number of turns of the key being registered on a counter. The rewinding shaft 24 for the strip 26<a> is rotated by the shaft 89. The box 23 and the opening for the official key are protected by a sealed cover.