Patent GB-521225-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in a coin operated postal-franking machine
IPC: G07B17/00
Filed: 1938-11-12
Abstract: 521,225. Franking-machines. PITNEY-BOWES POSTAGE METER CO. Nov. 12, 1938, No. 32996. Convention date, Dec. 2, 1937.. [Class 100 (ii)] [Also in Group XVIII]  In a coin-controlled postal-franking machine coins of several denominations, e.g., 1, 5, and 10 cents, are first inserted and then a handle is actuated to set the mechanism for a cycle of operations, a letter being subsequently inserted to trip the mechanism and start the cycle. The operative cycle comprises the setting of value type members in a printing device in accordance with the value of the coins inserted, the setting up of said value in a registering device, the conveying of the letter to a printing position, the printing of the stamp impression thereon, the depositing of the letter within 'a receptacle inside the machine casing and the returning of the type members to zero after the printing is effected. Exhibiting coins; returning coins.-The coins are inserted through slots 56, Fig.5, and pass through testers 64 to shoots 65 where they rest on a shelf 66 and are visible through a window to permit a check to be made. The shelf 66 extends from a pivoted member 67 which can be rocked by a push-button 59 to allow the coins to drop down a return shoot before starting a cycle of operations, if an error has been made. Any coins inserted, after the pre-setting handle has been actuated.- are also returned-owing-to-- the testers 64 being rocked about pivots 515 by links 516 actuated by pulling the handle. Pre-setting mechanism ; coin action, mechanical-connection.-The pre-setting lever 61, Fig. 10, is mounted on. a shaft 102 and is pulled to rock through linkage 98, 99 a shaft 95, the shaft being latched in rocked position against the action of a spring 146 by a latch 125 engaging the head 135 of a lever 134 carried by the shaft. A dashpot 150 controls the speed of actuation of the shaft 95. An arm 94 on the shaft is connected by a rod 93 to a bell-crank lever 85 to rotate a vertical shaft 79, Fig. 5. having arms 78 carrying the shoots 65. The shoots are thereby moved to carry the coins off the shelf 66 to coin guides down which they drop to three vertical passages 326, Fig. 6, arranged. behind one another and where they rest in their operating position on actuating members 83. At least one coin must be present in a shoot 65 before the actuation of the lever 61 can.be completed. This coin engages a finger.101, Fig. 5, to rock a shaft 105 connected to a stop lever for a lower extension 121 of the lever 61. If a coin is present, the stop lever is withdrawn after a short movement of the hand lever. A pawl and ratchet full stroke device is provided.to ensure complete forward and return movements of the hand lever, which is returned by a spring 113 and latched until the cycle of operation is completed. Movement of the lever 61 also causes a shutter 171, Fig. 16, to be rocked to open the insertion slot for the letter. Trip mechanism.-When the letter is inserted it engages fingers 225 which are pressed back and cause a rod 227 extending from a bracket carrying the fingers to trip the latch 125, allowing the shaft 95 to be returned to its initial position. This causes an arm 136, Fig. 10, on the shaft through a link 138, arm 137 and previously set latch mechanism to rock a shaft 139 thereby rocking a mercury switch and closing the circuit of an electric motor 168, Fig. 6, which by a belt 262 drives a shaft 261. Letter feed.-The letter is fed into the machine by conveyer belts 236, Figs. 10 and 16, which are moved into receiving position, Fig. 10, by actuation of the lever 61 and into the conveying position, Fig. 16, by actuation of the trip mechanism, the front rollers of the conveyer belts being carried by bell-crank levers 251. Driving mechanism.-The shaft 261 through worm gearing drives a shaft 266 having two ratchet clutches which are brought into action successively. The first controls the operation of the coin actuated mechanism, the setting of the value printing wheels, and the setting of registering mechanism. The second controls the printing operation and the restoring of the printing wheels to their zero positions. A timing mechanism is provided which disengages the first clutch after three revolutions and then allows one driving revolution of the second clutch after which the circuit is broken to stop  the motor 168. Printing mechanism; setting printing wheels.- The printing mechanism, an adding and subtracting register, and devices for preventing insertion of coins when the subtracting register shows a predetermined low value are provided in a removable meter unit. The printing mechanism comprisesa printing cylinder 302, Figs. 16 and 18, having an indicia die 307 within which are the units and tens type wheels 309 with transfer .wheel 325. The first clutch member causes six revolutions of a shaft 277, Fig. 6, from which the three actuating members 83 are operated. The members 83 sweep the coins from the shoots 326 to discharge shoots 331, the coins in their passage actuating levers 345 which through links 362 and levers 356 move pinions 351a, 352a, 353a into engagement respectively with mutilated wheels 351, 352 353 on the shaft 277. The wheels 351, 352, 353 have one, five and ten teeth respectively corresponding with one, five, and ten cent coins and the pinions 351a, 352a, 353a which are on a spline shaft 354 are arranged to be driven in succession. The shaft 354 is then driven an amount corresponding to the coins inserted and has a key 365 engaging a coupling 321, Fig. 18, in the meter unit. From the coupling, the rotation of the spline shaft is transmitted to the units type wheel through a pinion 318, gear 317, shaft 314, and wheels 313, 312. A shaft 385 in the meter unit is then driven through a. coupling from the second clutch member, this shaft having a mutilated gear 387 meshing with a gear 388 on one end of the printing drum 302. The drum is thus rotated with two dwell periods to print the letter and move it into the machine. During the first dwell,  the pinion 318 is moved out of gear with wheel 317 by a swivel lever 392, Fig. 20, and actuated by a cam 398 on shaft 385. The trip fingers 225 are also removed from the path of the letter by means of a lever 402 connected by a link 403 to the trip fingers supporting lever 229. The drum 302 then begins to rotate and moves the type wheels past an inking roll 411 to post mark the letters against an ;impression roll 242. The rotation of the drum 302 drives the conveyer belts 236 and feed rolls mounted over the leading , ends of the belts. During printing, the type wheels 309 are locked by a detent 425 on a member 417 having a roller engaging a cam 422 fixed to one wall of the meter casing. The printing occurs during the first half revolution of the drum 302. During the second half revolution, the type wheels 309 are restored to zero by a stop 437 on the lever 434, Fig. 20, being moved to engage a projection 431 on a disc 428 associated with the driving gears for the type wheels. These are brought to rest and the type gears 312 are rotated in planetary fashion by the drum 302 to return the type wheels to zero. Registering.-The meter unit contains a total register 450 and a subtracting register 451 driven through gears 456, 457 from the type wheel drive gear 318. These gears are normally locked by a detent '461 which is unlocked by operation of the presetting lever 61. A plunger rod 469 carried by the detent 461 also locks the printing drum drive shaft, 385. When the register 451 indicates a predetermined low value,. a projection on a lever 488, Fig. 162, pivoted at 489 enters a slot 494 in the hub of the register wheels. This causes a plunger rod to be raised. to rock a shaft 506, Fig. 6, having a cam member 77 which rocks the coin shelf 66, Fig. 5, so that any further coins inserted are returned. The lever 488 also removes a lock allowing the meter unit to be removed for resetting.