Patent GB-191029651-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Franking or Stamping Mail Matter.
Inventor: WRIGHT ARTHUR HARRY
IPC: B65C11/02
Filed: 1910-12-21
Granted: 1911-11-16
Abstract: 29,651. Wright, A. H., and McNab, N. S. Dec. 21. Postmarking - machines; inking - apparatus; counting and number-printing apparatus.-A machine for impressing stamp and other marks on mail matter is constructed to print stamps &c. of different values, to record the total values and the separate values, to print numbers, to lock the device when stamps of a certain value have been printed, or to lock it by a bolt independently of the prints taken, and to prevent tampering with the machines. The operating-levers are provided with springs for actuating the plungers carrying the printing- surfaces. A cam on the main operating-shaft operates travelling inking-rollers which move under surfaces supplied from an ink reservoir, or reservoirs in the case of several colours being employed. The value of each mark is also recorded on a band which passes beneath an opening in the casing allowing the band to be written on. The letters &c. are inserted through an aperture 6, Fig. 4, on to a pad 87, which is raised to force the letter against the sides 94<a> of the die-aperture 94 by a bell-crank lever 88 actuated by a cam 30 on the operating- shaft 29. During the printing operation, the pad 87 prevents fraudulent access to the dies, and these dies are normally protected by a frame 71<a> in which the ink - rollers 70 are mounted. Access to the dies during the operation may also be prevented by projections on a bifurcated piece which connects a pointer 11 to the die-holder 18. The shaft 29 is operated by means of a handle 14, Fig. 2, in the path of which is an adjustable spring stop 13, Fig. 14, which may be put out of action when desired, by depressing it against the action of a spring 13<a> and rotating it until a projection 13<c> on it is engaged by a part 13<d>. A die-carriage 18, in which a series of markers 17 with spring- raised plungers 15 is mounted, is moved laterally between guide plates 20, 21 and by means of a pointer 11 and a scale 10 the required marker is brought into operative position under a spring 35 carried by a lever 31, which is operated by a crank 30 on the shaft 29. The carriage 18 is locked in position during the marking of the letter by means of a projection 28 on the lever 31 which engages a rack 27 fixed to the carriage. The markers co-operate with a numbering - device 126 which is automatically changed at each actuation by a pawl, which is actuated by engaging an abutment on the dies 17. The device 126 is mounted in an arm 127 fixed in position and so mounted that the various markers may slide past it. Some of the disks of the numbering-device may print letters or other characters in place of numerals. The spring 35 engages an arm 128 pivoted to the arm 127, and first depresses this arm, and then the marker 17. The total value of stamps printed by the apparatus is recorded by a totalizing-counter 55, which is actuated by a cylindrical sector 41 which is pivoted to the carriage 18, and is connected to the lever 31 by a cleat 40, and a roller 39 which permits the sector to slide relatively to the lever. A series of bars 46 ... 51, of different lengths, oscillate a lever 51 which operates the counter 55. The number of bars which actuate the lever 51 depends on the value to which the marker has been set. In connexion with the " thousands " wheel of the counter is a pawl 60, Fig. 6, which releases a spring-controlled pawl 64 from the action of an arm 62 on the same shaft as the pawl 60, and the pawl 64 engages a ratchet 65 on the shaft 29 and so prevents the apparatus from being used after stamps of a certain value have been marked. The apparatus may be re-set by releasing a bolt 9, Fig. 4, which permits the front 4 of the casing to be taken out. The apparatus may also be locked by means of a bolt 68, Fig. 6, which engages a projection 69 on the ratchet 65. A series of separate counting-devices may be employed to register the number of stamps printed from each marked, the levers of the counters being actuated by a projection on the sector 40. A record of each impression made may be produced on a strip 95, Fig. 8, which passes beneath a slot 115 in the casing to allow the strip to be written on. A printing-stamp 106 is set to bring a type corresponding to the value of the stamp printed into printing position by means of a cord 107 attached to the holder 18, and the stamp 106 is actuated to make the record on the strip by a lever 104 actuated by a cam on the shaft 29. Gearing 97, 98 serves to wind up the record strip. The markers are inked by rollers 70 which are moved from the markers before they descend to print by means of lever-and-link mechanism 73, 75, 76, actuated by a pin 77 on the lever 31. The rollers 70 are moved into contact with a pad supplied with ink from a reservoir or with inks of different colours from several reservoirs. A spring presses the rollers 70 against the markers when they return to normal position. Marks other than stamp marks may be printed by the markers.