Patent GB-251338-A (GB)
Abstract: 251,338. Langdon, F. E., and Pedersen's Gauges, Ltd. Jan. 29, 1925. Postmarking, stamp-cancelling, and franking machines ; printing-surfaces.-A rotary printing- drum is provided over which an article to be printed in passed, said drum operating in conjunction with inking-mechanism and a registering device all of which are removable as a unit from a, supporting framework or, alternatively, in conjunction with a registering device, a pressure roller driven from the drum, means allowing the pressure roller to rise and fall in accordance with the thickness of the article, and means enabling mail matter to be printed irrespective of its surface area. Other improvements include letter-controlled mechanism for driving the drum, a device for tripping the cancelling &c. dies when more than one stamp is to be printed on one letter, means for locking the machine against operation, and an auxiliary die for defacing a print fraudulently obtained. (1) The printing &c. devices are carried by a base-plate 1 adapted to be positioned in a, support 2 and are operated either by a hand-crank 49 or an electric motor 58. Stamping, cancelling, and advertisement dies 6, 7 and 8 respectively are arranged on a drum 5, Fig. 3, mounted on a shaft 4 below the plate 1, an impression roller 12 co-operating with the drum. Reverse rotation of the drum is prevented by a free-wheel device. The mechanism is enclosed by a cover 76 which is cut away at one side to allow letters of any surface area to be inserted. When required to be driven by the crank 49, this is moved axially and is coupled to the shaft 4. A shaft 57, Fig. 7, the end of which normally lies in the path of the crank and prevents its rotation, is then withdrawn by turning a trip-lever 54 carrying a cam 55 engaging a flange on the shaft. When motor driven, the shaft 4 is coupled to a shaft 75 on which is loosely mounted a worm-wheel 61 rotated by a worm 60 on the shaft 59 of the motor. The shaft 75 is coupled to the worm-wheel 61 by a one-revolution clutch comprising a disc 63 which is mounted on a screw-threaded sleeve 66 on the shaft and, when released, is thrown into frictional engagement with pins 61a in the worm-wheel by a spring 65. Normally, a roller 73, Fig. 6, on an arm 72 lies in the path of a stop 74 on the disc 63 but is moved to release the disc when a passing letter strikes against a trip 67 connected to the arm 74 by links 70, 71. A cam 63a on the disc returns the arm to locking position. (2) The impression roller 12 is mounted in an arm 13, Fig. 1, pivoted at 14 and yieldable under the control of a spring 18 and is driven from the drum 5 which carries a spur-wheel 20 engaging pins 19 on the roller such that the drive is not disturbed by the movement of the roller. A lever 22 pivoted on the axle of the roller 12 and carrying a. roller 24 resting on the base-plate 1 is provided for lifting the roller 12 when blocked by a letter of abnormal thickness. (3) To provide for repeat impressions of the franking-die, the cancelling die 7 is provided with a stem 35, Fig. 3, mounted in a socket 36 in the drum 5 and pressed outwardly by a spring 37. When more than one stamp is to be printed on one letter, a lever 29 pivoted to the plate 1 at 30 is moved downwardly whereby a boss 31 on its inner end pushes a spring-pressed plunger 33 laterally out of locking engagement with the stem 35 so that on further movement of the lever its end engages a pin 38 fixed to the stem and the die is moved into an inoperative position where it is again locked. Release is effected by a fixed ramp acting on the plunger 33 or by reverse movement of the lever. The advertisement die 8 is similarly tripped. (4) To lock the machine against unauthorized use a key is inserted in a lock and is turned so as to move a stud into a slot in the drum 5. Removal of a unit from the supporting framework releases a spring-pressed pin which forces a locking-bar against the spur-wheel 20 on the drum 5. (5) To prevent fraudulent use of the apparatus, a die for printing the word FRAUD is arranged on the drum 5 so that an impression produced by interposing carbon paper is defaced. The die may be out of the range of the inking- roller or the latter may be tripped so as to avoid inking the die. (6) A counter 25, Fig. 1, which may lock at a prepaid limit, is actuated from the shaft 4 by an eccentric rod 26. A visible, sealed indicator mav be fixed to the cover 76 to show the number paid for. Inking-apparatus.-This comprises an inking- roller 47, Fig. 3, a duct roller 46 and a container 45, the whole being mounted in a frame 41 pivoted at 40 and arranged to be tripped by a cam 44 on the drum 5.