Patent GB-213695-A (GB)
Abstract: 213,695. Kinnard, E. H., and Universal Postal Frankers, Ltd. Jan. 11, 1923. Postmarking-machines. - In postmarking- machines having a detachable meter for setting by the postal authority, the meter is detachable independently of the stamp drum or any other part of the machine. The meter is intended for use in machines having a number of dies selectively brought into operative position, the meter being moved at each operation proportionately to the value of the franking-die employed. A shaft 107, Fig. 2, is rotated in unison with the stamp dies and has a clutch member 109 adapted, when the meter is in position, to engage a clutch member 110 forming part of the meter and carried by a spindle 112, which actuates a train for successively adding up amounts corresponding to successive operation of the franking-dies. A second train successively subtracts the amounts and radiallv returns to zero. This zeroizing train is driven from a spur wheel 113 on the spindle which meshes with a similar wheel in the zeroizing train. On the spindle 112 is mounted a pence dial 121 and a notched cam 124, Figs. 2 and 6. The notched cam has a laterally projecting pin 125 engaging once in a revolution with a ratchet wheel 126 fast on a spindle 127 also carrying a unit-shilling dial plate 128. A notched disc 129 engaging the periphery of the notched cam 125 is carried on the spindle 127, on which is also mounted a notched cam 130 with a pin 131 engaging a ratchet wheel 129 on a spindle 132. Spindles 132 - - 135 actuate corresponding dial plates 136 - - 139 indicating tens of shillings, unit pounds, groups of ú10, and groups of ú100. A masking-plate 123 shows through windows the various denominations. The spindles 132 - - 135 are provided with their respective notched discs, ratchet wheels, and, with exception of spindle 135, with notched cams. Each pin moves a ratchet wheel once in a revolution, the spindles being held normally inoperative by engagement of circular portions of notched cams with one of the notches on the periphery of the notched discs. The zeroizing- mechanism is operated equally and oppositely to the totalizing-mechanism and consists of similar spindles, notched cams, discs, and' ratchet wheels. Hand-operated clutches are employed to set indicating dials to the prepaid amount. There is a step-by-step locking mechanism comprising a series of peaked cams 201 - - 206, Fig. 1, which in succession raise plungers 207 - - 212, to operate spring-pressed plungers 214 - - 219 which are in sockets in a. bar 220 and also in sockets in the plungers 207 - - 212. The sockets in the bar 220 are wider than the plungers 214 - - 219 which normally lock the bar to the framework. When the plungers are raised, a slight movement of the bar results under the action of a spring 222 and the plungers cannot re-enter their locking positions. When the plungers have all been raised and the zeroizing mechanism is at zero, the bar 220 is completely freed and moves abruptly under the action of the spring 222, removing a step on the bar from the path of a spring-pressed plunger to release the locking-mechanism and render the machine inoperative by closing electrical contacts similar to those described in Specification 213,693. The machine is reset by manually moving the bar 220 longitudinally when the spring-pressed plunger last mentioned is operated by a key to remove a lug thereon from the path of the stop on the bar 220.