Patent GB-198393-A (GB)
Abstract: 198,393. Guhl, R. Jan. 30, 1922. Franking-machines; rotary machines; number - printing apparatus. - In a franking. machine comprising one or more printing-rollers adjustable to print stamps of different values and mounted in a drum which is adapted to be rolled over the surface to be stamped and which drives a visible counting. device indicating the total value of stamps printed, one or more printing-counters are mounted in the drum for printing on the surface to be stamped, the total value and the device for adjusting the stamp value is adapted simultaneously to adjust all the actuating devices for the . counters. Devices for preventing interference with the parts of the machine, for locking the drum at a limiting value of stamps printed, and for regulating the rotation of the drum, are also described. Adjustment of value stamp printer and total printing and indicating counters. In one construction. Fig. 1<a>, a printing- roller e of prismatic or cylindrical form bearing printing-surfaces for stamps of different value is mounted on a spindle b carried in a drum a rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft c, the latter being carried in supports f adapted to be lowered by means of a toggle lever i to bring the member e into printing position through a slot in an outer casing A. A sleeve h mounted on the shaft c carries two pinions h<1>, h<2> the former being normally coupled to a disc u on which rolls the wheel s<1> of a counter s serving to print the total value of the stamps at each impression. The total value is simultaneously registered on a visible counter actuated by a similar arrangement of sleeve o<1> pinion p, and actuating disc o carried by a shaft n<1> driven by gears n, n<2> from the drum a. In order to change the stamp a knob B is withdrawn against a spring k to release arms m<1> carried thereby from notches in an indicating disc m on the side of the casing' A. Incidentally, the pinion h<1> is uncoupled from the disc u and engaged with a pinion d on the spindle b while displacing a locking pawl g, and the pinion h<2> is engaged with the pinion p and uncouples it from the disc o by striking against its flanges x. Rotation of the knob B alters the printing face of the roller e and rotates the pinions h<1>, p and with them segments q, Fig. 4<a>, whereby pins v, w are projected from the discs u, o respectively, the number of pins corresponding to the new value and actuating the counters accordingly. In a modification of this form, the movement of the pinions h<1>, h<2> is effected from a pivoted lever embracing the sleeves h, o<1> and the rotational adjustment from a ring mounted on the sleeve o<1>. Modified construction for adjustment of valueprinting device and totalizing-counters. In a second form the device is enclosed in a two-part casing x, y, Figs. 1 and 4, the mechanism being carried by the latter part. The printing-member consists of a drum d<1> rotatably mounted on an axle 49 carried in supports 31. 31'. Figs. 1 and 2, connected by a plate 32. Enclosed in the drum d<1> are two rollers 91, Fig. 5, adjustable to print stamps of different value and two rollers 61 for printing at each impression the total value of stamps printed. Each roller 91 is carried by an axle 92, Fig. 6<c>, the rotation of which is braked by a spring and on which is keyed a pinion 94 adapted to be engaged by a toothed member 82 carried by a sleeve 80 fixed to an external knob 124<1>, Fig. 3, a pointer 124<11> of which normally engages in notches of an indicating disc 126 fixed on the outside of the casing. Prior to effecting an adjustment of the roller 91 by rotating the knob 124', the latter is withdrawn to release the pointer and to intermesh the members 82 and 94, the same movement releasing from the latter locking- claws 97<1> on arms 97 extending from a slidable ring rotatable with the drum. A double cam 79, Fig. 6<b>, fixed on the sleeve 80 is simultaneously adjusted to project through slots in a casing 71 a selected number of a series of teeth 77 linked together to form a chain, pinions 110 for actuating the counters 61 being driven by these teeth. Each pinion 110 is mounted on an axle 109 provided with a flattened part on which are slidably mounted pinions 111, 112, Fig. 6<c>, of different size adapted to be engaged alternately with pinions 65, 66 on the shaft 62 of the counter. The ratio of operation of the counter is determined by the pair of pinions in mesh, the adjustment corresponding to consecutive groups of stamping-surfaces on the roller 91, the value of one group being multiples of the values of the preceding group. The adjustment of the pinions 111, 112 is effected by a ring 106 having bent arms slidably guided on pins 107 and provided with forked ends 106' embracing bushes fixed to the pinions. The ring 106 bears against a flange on a sleeve 115 mounted on the sleeve 80 between segments 81 thereof, the lateral movement being effected by a cam fixed to the end of the .sleeve 115 engaging a fixed cam on the outside of the casing y. This movement occurs only when the knob 124<1> has been turned so far that each cam 79 leaves one set of teeth and moves round to commence engagement with the other set of teeth in accordance with the new group of stamp values. Unintentional rotation of the number wheels of the counter while in printing position is prevented by wings 75 on the casing 71 engaging polygonal discs 69 on the shafts 62, flat springs 67 bearing dn the faces of the discs being provided to control their rotation. A visible counter 136, Figs. 1 and 2, is driven from the drum d' through the intermediary of toothed wheels 164, 165, carried on the drum and a shaft 151 respectively, and through an adjustable actuating member. The latter comprises a casing 152, Figs. 3 and 10, fixed on the shaft 151 and provided with two slits in each half of its circumference through each of which a chain of teeth may be protruded by a cam 162. Two of the chains have single teeth and the other two double teeth 157<1>, the cam 162 being in two parts situated in different planes so that when the knob 124' is rotated to correspond with a higher group of values the cam is turned through the intermediary of pinions 119, 121, 123, Fig. 1, to engage the double-tooth chains and so increase the ratio of operation of the counter 136. Locking at adjusted limiting value. In connection with the counter, a limiting device is provided consisting of a notched disc 175 rotated from the number wheel of highest denomination and an arm 177<1> held in any required notch of the disc and adapted to engage a pivoted lever 186 connected by.a rod 192 to a pivoted member 195 to press the latter against the flange 198 of the toothed wheel 165 and so lock the apparatus. The arm 177<1> may be adjusted by means of a knob 177<11> to vary the limiting value and a scale may be provided to indicate the arr..ount still remaining to be printed. Regulating operation of printing-drum. A device for allowing one stamp only to be printed each time the apparatus is laid on a surface comprises a carriage 213, Fig. 1<b>, sliding on guides 211 fixed to the inside of the casing ,y and carrying a disc 215 engaging the surface to raise the carriage against the action of a spring 228. On the rotation of the drum d' one of two stops 53 thereon oscillates a lever 217 pivoted on the carriage and normally spring-pressed against a stop 220 and then rotates and locks against a member 224 mounted on a nxed pivot 227, an extension 225 of this member being locked against a lug 217' on the lever 217. The parts are spring- returned to normal position when the device is raised o5 the surface. To prevent adjustment of the stamp value until the drum d' has made a complete rotation, the carriage 213 is so situated that, except in one position of the drum in which the end 214 of a plate fixed to the carriage drops into a notch 32 in the drum, its parts prevent lateral movement of the pinion 119 and therefore of the knob 124<1>. Reverse rotation of the drum d' is prevented by a pawl 246, Fig. 1, engaging the pinion 198. Tampering, preventing. The parts x, y are connected by hooks 21 on the part y and catches on the part f. a rod 23 guided in brackets 22 in the part y and screwing into a nut 9 on the part ?', and by angle brackets on both parts connected by a screw and lead seal. In addition, a bellcrank lever 295, Fig. 4, pivoted to the part x, is provided on one arm with a pin 297 sliding in a slot 297<11> and on the other with a pin 298 adapted when the lever is moved to the right to engage in a. slot 299' in a plate 299 pivotally suspended from arms 301<1> mounted on the axle 151. A curved guard 302, Figs. 3 and 4, carried by arms 302'. pivoted on the axle 49 and sleeve 80, is thus lowered into a position in which it encloses the drum d<1>. a hook 297<1>, eye 15, and padlock 15<1> being provided to lock the lever 295 in the position corresponding to the closed position of the guard. To provide access to the counter 136 without unlocking the parts x, y, a lid 6 is pivoted at 7, Fig. 1. lock 281 provided with a catch 281<11> securing the lid in the closed position. The part of the casing behind the drum may be bevelled to prevent the impression from being blurred, and marks may be provided on the sides and ends of the casing to indicate the position of the stamp.