Patent GB-382234-A (GB)
Abstract: 382,234. Franking - machines. HAWKINS, C. R., 66, Berry Street, North Beach, near Christchurch, New Zealand. May 9, 1932, No. 13313. Convention date, May 29, 1931. [Class 100 (ii).] In a postal franking-machine, dies adapted to print franks of different values are arranged peripherally on a rotary drum and are movable radially in the drum to printing or inoperative position, and the dies are provided with segments having teeth varying in number according to the value of the frank to be printed, the teeth engaging, in the printing position of the dies, with a pinion actuating the counting mechanism. The machine comprises a base 1 to which is secured a plate 3 forming part of the casing, the remainder of the casing being detachable to give access to the mechanism. Mounted in uprights is a shaft 5 provided with an external handle 8, the shaft 5 being in two portions at right-angles to one another and connected by bevel gearing 6. The shaft carries the printing drum 5 on which the dies 12 are arranged peripherally. The dies are carried by plungers 12a slidable radially in the drum, the plungers being formed with inclined ends co-operating with the corresponding shaped ends of plungers 12b slidable axially in the drum and provided with keys 12c projecting from the end of the drum, which itself projects through the plate 3. The plungers are returned to inoperative positions by a spring 16. In a modification, the inner ends of the plungers 12a, 12b are connected by a pivoted link to give a positive operation. The value-printing dies are provided with toothed segments 12d which may be rigidly connected to or integral with the dies, or may themselves be capable of sliding radially in the drum and be connected to the corresponding dies. When the dies are moved to printing position, the segments are moved into position to engage a pinion 26 which actuates the counting mechanism 19. Rotation of the drum causes the dies in operative position to engage an inking roller 27 and then to be impressed on to the matter inserted in the opening 28, an impression roller 31 carried in the base of the machine being raised at the correct time to co-operate with the dies. In order to prevent the dies from being changed during the rotation of the drum, the plungers 12b are provided with projections 12e extending through slots in the drum and adapted to engage on one side or the other of a fixed plate 32. A cam plate operable by a handle outside the machine is provided, the plate in one position being arranged to engage the projections 12e to reset the dies in inoperative position. The shaft 5 is prevented from backward rotation by pawl-and-ratchet mechanism, and a stop 45 is provided for limiting the rotation. To permit access to the cancelling die or the die for printing advertising or like matter, a sliding door 37 is provided adapted to be moved by means of a rod 40 sliding in the casing. The door, in closed position, is interposed between the wall of the casing and the open side of a fixed shield 38 in which these dies lie when at rest. The door, when opened, engages a finger 41a of a catch 41 pivoted at 42 and having an eccentric portion which enters a slot in a disc secured to the shaft 5 so that the mechanism is locked against movement. The slot in the disc is only in position for engagement by the catch when the machine is in its rest position.