Patent GB-436834-A (GB)
Abstract: 436,834. Postal franking - machines. DEHN, F. B., 103, Kingsway, London.- (National Postal Meter Co.; 1425, South Flower Street, Los Angeles, U.S.A.) Jan. 23, 1935, No. 2279. [Class 100 (ii)] In a postal franking-machine having a meter which acts to lock the machine after a predetermined number of operations, the printing- die is moved relatively to the platen on rotation of a shaft to which unidirectional intermittent motion is transmitted by a pulley loose on the shaft but adapted to be connected thereto by ratchet-mechanism. The mechanism is enclosed in a housing 160, Fig. 2, locked to a base 11 and adapted for the insertion and removal of a meter 100. The matter to be franked is supported on a platen 50 and a plate 52 which is provided with gauge stops or marks for indicating the correct position for applying one or more franks. Above the platen is mounted a head 68, Fig. 8, carrying a franking-die 77 and a dating-stamp 82. The stamp is formed with grooves 83 to receive ledges formed on the sides of a recess 78 in the head 68, springs 80 acting between the face of the grooves and the ledges serving normally to withdraw the stamp into the recess out of printing-position. The stamp is removable from the head by means of a wrench adapted to be inserted through a door in the housing and to screw into the stamp, a part of the wrench acting on a spring-pressed plate 84 to raise it and release the stamp. On replacing the stamp after setting of the date type, a stock of which are kept in a drawer in the base of the machine, and withdrawing the wrench, the plate 84 drops to secure the stamp in position. The stamp is moved into printing-position by means of a wedge 73 slidable between two plates 71, 72, Fig. 17, on the head and having a projection 75 engaging a slide guided on the wall of the housing and provided with a finger-piece 170 projecting through a slot in the housing. The die and stamp are inked by a pad which is withdrawn from under the head when the printing-operation commences. The head is secured to arms 66, 67 pivoted on a pin 59, Figs. 2 and 17, and normally held in raised position by springs 92. Also pivoted on the pin 59 are arms 60, 61 guided for vertical movement and normally held in raised position by springs 65. The plates 71, 72 are formed with cam slots engaged by a roller 97 on a crank 96 secured to a shaft 95, held against reverse rotation, and carrying a cam 98 actuating the ink pad and gearing 105 for driving the meter. A drum 132, Fig. 15, is rotatably mounted on the shaft 95 and is formed with a ratchet tooth engageable by a pawl 139 on a cam 137 secured to the shaft. The drum is under the influence of a spring and a chain 136. Fig. 17, the free end of which is secured to a rod 128 mounted in arms 127 pivoted on a pin 126 and rocked by levers 124 secured to a shaft 120 provided with a hand lever 121. The shaft 120 is provided with a projection 123, Fig. 2, adapted to rock a lever 151 about a pivot 150, the lever being connected to a rod 157 guided in a bracket 148, Fig. 15, on a lever 145, and carrying a head 158 made of rubber. The lever 145 is urged by a spring 147 so that a roller 146 on the lever is held in contact with the cam 137. In use, the lever 121 is pushed backwards to oscillate the shaft 120 and rock the levers 124 to rotate the shaft 95 through the levers 127, rod 128, and chain 136. The levers 60, 61 are depressed to engage the envelope &c. supported on the platen, the ink pad is withdrawn, and the printing-head is depressed. Just after the printing is effected, the shaft 95 under the influence of the springs 65, 92 is rotated rapidly, and in order to prevent the cam 137 from being carried past the roller 146, the head 158 is positioned between the lever 145 and a lug 34 secured in the casing. After completion of the operation, the lever 121 is released and is returned to normal position to wind up the chain 136. The levers 127 are shaped so that the force necessary to rock the lever 121 is equalized in spite of the fact that an uneven torque is exerted on the shaft 95 due to the action of the roller 97 and cam 98. When more than one frank is to be applied, the envelope is registered against the different gauges, and the stamp 82 is put out of action except during the impression of the final frank. In order to release the machine for operation, a lock must be actuated to remove a projection from the path of one of the levers 124. A moistener 13, Fig. 2, for the sealing flaps of the envelopes is mounted on the front of the machine adjacent the platen 50, the moistener being provided with a spring clip 111 for engagement with lugs 51 projecting from the base of the platen. The moistener consists of a water reservoir 110 formed with a projection on the bottom for retaining a brush 113 in position to project through a slot in a removable cover, and an arcuate plate 116 is secured to the cover so as to contact with the upper end of the brush. In use, the flap of the envelope is passed under the plate 116 to engage the brush 113, the flap is folded, and is finally sealed by the pressure applied during franking.