Patent GB-223141-A (GB)
Abstract: 223,141. Haddan, R., (Postage Meters & Machines Co.). July 4, 1923. Counters actuated by revolving mechanism ; stop mechanism.-Relates to meters for registering the number of operations of machines, and applicable more particularly to postal franking machines such as described in Specification 170,058, [Class 100 (ii), Printing processes &c.], and consists in the provision of key-operated means whereby the meter can be locked on removal from the machine, the latter also being rendered inoperative. Means are also provided for locking the registering mechanism against operation when it has counted a predetermined number. According to the invention, the machine casing 100, Fig. 4, has a projecting lock 101 secured thereto, and adapted to enter a corresponding hole 1<b> in the meter casing 1 when the meter is placed on the machine and means operable by the lock are provided to prevent actuation of the registering mechanism of the meter and to lock the meter in position on the machine. The meter mechanism is mounted in a sealed casing 2, and is actuated by a pinion 9 of a pair of pinions 9, 9<a> fixed to a shaft 7 carrying a coupling member 8 adapted to engage a corresponding member on the operating shaft 102 of the machine. The casing 2 is mounted on a hollow casing 1 closed by a removable base 4 and containing the lock-operating member 16 and associated parts. The rod 16 terminating in a key 18 is slidably mounted on a sleeve 19 that is keyed to the rod and normally pushed outwards by a spring 16
. The rod is eccentrically arranged with regard to the lock 101, and the sleeve 19 carries a cam 19<a> which registers with the hole in the meter casing and enters the hole when the meter is removed to prevent the turning of the rod 16. When the rod is turned to lock the meter in position or to permit of its removal a single-toothed disc 19<b> on the sleeve rocks a lever 12, Fig. 3, in one or other direction so as to free or to hold in operative position a catch 12<a> co-operating with the pinion 9<a>. The lock 101 is provided with a cam 113 adapted to coact with a bolt 110 connected as shown in Fig. 4 with a bolt 111, the arrangement being such that when the meter is in position the bolt 111 engages a hole in the meter casing to hold it in position, and when it is removed the bolt 110 is raised to lie behind the shoulder on a rod 15 to prevent the reciprocation thereof and thus render the machine inoperative, the rod functioning as described in the above-mentioned Specification. The registering mechanism, which is of a wellknown construction has the dollars numeral wheels 52, 54, provided with single notched discs 52<c>, 54<c>, that co-operate with graded projections 14<u>, 14<t>, 14<h> on a pivoted spring-controlled locking member or plate 14. The projections successively enter the notches, and when the three are in engagement lock the respective numeral wheels in their zero position. In the disengaged position a depending extension 14<b> of the member 14 engages a spring-controlled locking lever 6 so as to hold the arm 6<a> thereof in such a position that the hole 6<a> in the end thereof is in alignment with a hole in the casing in which reciprocates a pin 15 associated with the machine. When the member 14 moves to the locking position the lever 6 is rocked to prevent movement of the pin 15 and thereby stop the machine. The member 14 is prevented from re-engaging the numeral wheels after the meter has been reset, as described in Specification 222,929, until after the first succeeding operation. To prevent tampering with the numeral wheels a pawl 10 is provided to prevent backward rotation thereof, and a catch 11 prevents forward rotation when the lever 6 is rocked. The catch 11 can be disengaged on resetting the meter by means of a two-armed lever 13.