Patent GB-220653-A (GB)
Abstract: 220,653. Conti, J. T. F., and Tiranty, P. H. L. Aug. 18, 1923, [Convention date]. Franking-machines. - Relates to franking-machines of the type comprising a closed casing 1 adapted to be moved bodily over the surface to be printed, a printing roller 4 mounted in the casing and arranged to project through an opening 3 therein, inking rollers 22 - - 25, means for preventing reverse rotation of the roller 4, and counting mechanism actuated at each printing operation. The spindle of the roller 4 is provided with a ratchet cooperating with a pawl or pawls to prevent reverse rotation of the roller, which always projects through the opening in the casing, and the inking roller 22 is of the same diameter as the roller 4 and is geared thereto to cause recesses in the former to register with plain portions on the latter so that such portions are never inked but produce an impression if printing is attempted by interposing carbon paper. The inking rollers are in a removable box 26, the slots in the casing for the rollers 4 and 22 being arranged to expose only non-printing parts of the roller 4 when inoperative. Mechanism is also described for releasing the roller 4, which is normally locked against rotation, when the device is laid on the envelope and for locking the roller after a predetermined number of operations. Rotary machines.-Printing may be effected by rolling the casing 1 by hand over the envelope; or, as shown in Fig. 12, the casing may be suspended in the fork of a lever 31 pivoted at 32 to an arm 33 pivoted at 34 to a standard 35 carrying an operating lever 37 connected by a link 36 to the lever 31. On depressing the lever 37 the casing descends and then rolls over the envelope, until the printing roller is locked against rotation. Backward movement of the casing 1 is prevented until it is raised off the envelope by a pawl 39 on the lever 33, this pawl engaging a rack 31<a> on the lever 31 and being released therefrom when the lever 37 is raised by meeting a stop 40. In a modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. 12, the link 36 is in two telescopic spring- separated parts and is operated by a flywheel and erank-pin. Counting-apparatus.-The counter drums are mounted on a shaft 10<b>, Fig. 2, and the operating wheels on a parallel shaft 9, both shafts being driven by gearing from the printing roller 4. Stopping-arrangements.-The printing roller 4 is normally held against rotation by a catch 14, Fig. 16, engaging either of two stops 12, 13 fixed on the roller. A lever 16, pivoted at 17, is provided with an arm 15 protruding below the casing 1, whereby, when the device is laid on the envelope, the lever 16 is oscillated so that an extension 18 thereof releases the catch 14. The stop 12, in passing the part 18, pushes it to one side, thus releasing the catch 14 which falls into the path of the stop 13 and locks the roller 4 after a single stamp is printed. To lock the apparatus at a predetermined limit, an arm 48 pivoted on the counter shaft 10<b> carries a screw 49 adapted to engage a hole in the appropriate counter drum, locking being effected by the arm 48 abutting against an extension 46 of the lever 16. Access to the locking mechanism is allowed through a door 50 secured by a pin 51 and lead seal.