Patent GB-242390-A (GB)
Abstract: 242,390. Haddan, R., (Postage Meters & Machines Co.). Sept. 16, 1924. Associated counters; counters actuated by revolving mechanism; stop mechanism. - In meters, particularly for use with postmarking and registerjng machines of the type described in Specifications 170,058, [Class 100 (ii), Printing processes &c.], 221,904, and 222,929, means are provided for " resetting " or " charging " one of the counting- mechanisms for a less amount than the total capacity thereof, t'he highest denominational numeral wheel being adjustably connected to its gear pinion for this purpose. Means are also described for locking the counters and the machine when a predetermined number of operations has been made, such means being associated with manually-controlled means for releasing the locking means during a resetting operation. The machine and counters may be rendered inoperative at any time by an authorized person who has access to the interior. As shown, the meter is provided with a " totals " counter and a " balance " counter from which one is subtracted at each effective operation. The units wheel of each counter is actuated by worm gearing 11, 12, Fig. 2, connected through gearing with the spindle of the printing die 2; movement of the units wheel is transmitted to the next higher wheel and so on by means of the usual transfer pinions 51, 51<a>, Fig. 6, each numeral wheel 50 comprising a toothed wheel 50<a>, a single notched disc 50<b>, and a single tooth disc 50<c>. The numeral wheel 60 of highest denomination is of special construction and comprises a gear wheel 53, Figs. 6 and 9, a numbered cylinder 60<a>, and a member 61 rotatably mounted on the spindle 52. The member 61 is slotted at 61<c>. Fig. 7, and has a recess at 61<b> The slot 61<c> receives a projecting pin 62<a> on a slidable and rotatable sleeve 62, this pin being adapted in its inner position to engage one of the notches 53<b> in the gear wheel 53. Bv drawing out the sleeve 62 the wheel 53 can be disengaged and the sleeve rotated to adjust the numeral wbeel 60 with respect to the said gear wheel. A locking-comb and lever similar to those described in the abovementioned Specifications are provided to lock the counter and the machine when all the numeral wheels stand at zero. For this purpose the cylinder 60<a> of the numeral wheel 60 has a slot 60<b> which is adapted to be engaged by the longest tooth 68<a> of the locking comb 68. To prevent the tooth entering the slot when the counter is reset t'o the limit of its capacity an outer sleeve 66 is provided which is under the control of a spring 66
 connected to an extension 66<b> thereof and the sleeve is limited as to its movement by studs 67, 69. In the limit position a lug 60<c> on the cylinder 60<a> engages a lug 66<c> on the sleeve and holds it' in the position shown in Fig. 7 with its slot 66<d> out of alignment with the slots 60<b>, 61b. At the same time an aperture in the sleeve displays the numeral " 1 " at the sight aperture. The first movement of the wheel 53 displaces the slots 60<b>, 61<b> and permits the slot 66<d> to move to a position in the path of movement of the long tooth 68<a>. The locking-comb as shown in Fig. 4 is pivoted at 68<e> and has attached thereto a plate 68<b> with depending lugs 68<c>, 68<d>. The lug 68<c> acts as a catch for the upturned end 6<c> of a locking-lever 6 that corresponds to the lever 53 referred to in Specification 221,904. On the " charging " operation the locking-comb and lever are returned to their normal positions by means of a manually-operated slide-bar 75, Figs. 4 and 13, which is provided with cam surfaces 75b, 75<c> adapted to act upon push-bars 77, 76 so as to engage and restore the lever 6 and locking-comb 68 respectively. The door 10 which closes the casing is provided with bosses 10<a>, 10<b>, Fig. 2, for the purpose of returning the slide-bar 75 and the sleeve 62 to their normal positions. The locking levers associated with the lever 6 for locking the machine are shown in Fig. 15. When the balance counter registers " zero " and the lever 6 is moved to the dotted position 6<x> a link 104 attached thereto rocks a spring-controlled detent 102 so as to lock the intermediate pinion of the transmission gear 100, 101, 11<a> and to displace a lever 103 to the position 103<x> so as to move the socket 103<e> out of the path of movement of the meter pin 200. In order to lock the meter while the " balance " counter is still charged a manually-operated device comprising a disc 105, Figs. 13, 14, and 15, having a pin 105<a> projecting therefrom is adapted to rock the lever 6 to t'he dotted position 6<z> whereupon the detent is effective to lock the transmission pinion 11<a> and the socket of the lever 103 is moved out of the path of movement of the meter pin in a direction opposite to that previously described. The shank of the disc 105 passes through a hole in the base 1 and is attached to a sleeve 105<c> provided with an operating Plate 105<d> adapted to be held in one or other of its set positions by a spring-controlled detent 106 and a pin 75P on the slide-bar 75 respectively.