Patent GB-498647-A (GB)
Abstract: 498,647. Postal franking and like machines; counting apparatus. KARLSEN, (nÚe PETTERSSON), I. March 22, 1938, No. 8829. Convention date, March 22, 1937. [Classes 100 (ii) and 100 (iv)] [Also in Group XIX] A machine for printing postal franks or the serial numbers or values of cheques is provided with an adjustable device for locking the machine when an amount previously set on a meter is exhausted, the locking device being provided with a resetting-mombor which must first be moved to zero position before it can become operative for setting the machine for further operation. The device is mounted in a casing from which projects the printing- roller 5 carrying date-printing, value-printing, and serial-number printing devices. The value to be printed is set by means of levers 98- 101, Fig. 1, connected to gear-wheels 86-89 and 90-93 carried on nested shafts supported by a lever 103, Fig. 3. In order that the value-printing device can be changed, a handle connected to a lever 108a is swung over, thereby swinging the lever 103 to release the gearwheels 86-89 from a locking-device, and engage the gear-wheels 86-89 and 90-93 with gear-wheels 49-47 and 136-139 respectively. The lever 103 is formed with a projection 104, which, in the rest position of the roller 5, is opposite a recess 107 in a disc secured to a shaft 126 adapted to be driven from the roller, so that, when the lever is swung for resetting the value-printing device, the roller is locked against actuation ; also the lever can only be swung when the device is in the rest position. The gear-wheels 44-47 are connected to the printing-wheels of the valueprinting device, and the gear-wheels 136-139 actuate devices whereby pins 132, Fig. 11, corresponding in number of the setting of the levers 98-101, are projected beyond the circumference of discs 129 and act as driving- teeth for a counting-device 191. The pins 132 are staggered round the discs 129 so that those representing the units act before those representing the tens. The device 191 comprises a series of number discs 174-178, the discs 174-176 driving gear-wheels 183-185 each of which has one tooth adapted after a complete revolution, or after a part revolution if this corresponds with one unit of the next disc, to rotate the next higher number disc through one step. When the roller 5 commences to rotate, a pin is removed from beneath an aperture in. the roller casing and so locks the printing-wheels against adjustment. In order to sum the amounts of postal franks and cheque values separately, two meters 150, 152 are provided supported on a block 146 pivoted on a spindle 145. The block 146 is adapted to be rocked by an external handle 161, and is held in adjusted position by means of pins which pass through gaps in an arcuate rim surrounding the shaft 126 ; if neither meter is in engagement with the pins 132, the roller 5 is locked against movement. Counters 196, 197 on a shaft 279 sum separately the totals of the rotation of the roller in printing frank or cheque values. These counters are provided with a depending crank 200, 201, Fig. 15, provided with a pin 200a extending into the path of movement of arms 203, 204 carried by a pivoted lever 293. The tails of the arms 203, 204 underlie the block 146 so that when either of the meters 150, 152. is in position to be actuated, the corresponding arm is positioned opposite its pin 200a, and rocking of the lever 293 by a pin 130 on the shaft 126 results in operation of the counter. If the printing-wheels are set to zero, a roller 209 enters depressions in the wheels 86-89 and thereby rocks a bell-crank lever 206 having a shoulder 207 on which the levers 203, 204 rest, this resulting in raising the levers and preventing operation of the counter. The levers, when in lower position., engage a lever 81 which controls the setting of the numberprinting device. If it be desired to print two impressions, but to record the value of one only, e.g. in printing on a cheque and its counterfoil, the roller 5 is provided with duplicate printing-elements, but provision is made to prevent resetting of the value-printing devices when only one impression has been made. Stopping, starting, tripping, and like arrangements.-After the values have been set, and the printing-wheels released by swinging the lever 103 back to normal position by means of the lever 108a, a button 278, Figs. 1 and 18, must be pressed inwards to release the roller 5. The roller is normally held against movement and is prevented from over-running by a lever 280, one end of which, under spring pressure, enters an aperture in the roller. The other end of the lever lies opposite a notched spring-pressed disc 286 and has a offset end against which bears a spring-pressed lever 291. When the button 278 is pressed, the lever 280 is moved by the disc 286 to release the roller and the lever 291 which swings into position to prevent return of the lever 280 until the lever 291 is rocked by the end of the lever 293 ; this also effects rocking of the disc 286 to bring the notch therein opposite the lever 280 which is thus permitted to swing back into position to lock the roller. When the prepaid amount to which the machine has been set has been exhausted, a cam 224, Fig. 21, secured to a shaft 213 permits a lever to swing under spring pressure to rock a lever 292 connected to the disc 286 whereby the notch therein is brought opposite the lever 280 to prevent release of the drum if the button 278 be pressed. The shaft 213 also carries an indicator 224a of the amount of unused balance, and is rotated from the meter 191 when clutch teeth 219, 220 are engaged. The shaft can also be rotated for resetting the indicator 224a and cam 224 by a knob 238 through gearing 237, 228, 227, 222 when clutch teeth 218, 221 are engaged by rocking a clutch lever 243. The resetting can be effected before or after the machine has been locked on the exhaustion of the amount previously set by rotating the knob 238 until an arm 239, Fig. 23, is returned to zero position. This returns an indicator 233 to zero and rotates a disc 247, Fig. 24c, until a notch 248 therein underlies a roller 250 on a lever 249 which carries a pivoted spring- pressed lever 251 tending to depress the roller 250. The lever 251 therefore releases the lever 243 which it normally retains in the position shown in Fig. 21, and permits it to be moved to disengage the teeth 219, 220 and engage the teeth 218, 221 ; at the same time, the tail of the lever 243 locks the shaft 126 against movement. A spring-pressed pin 241 is then inserted in an aperture corresponding to the value to be prepaid, and the knob 238 is rotated until its arm is arrested by the pin 241. the total being indicated on the indicator 233 and added to the balance on the indicator 224a. The lever 243 can then be returned to normal position, the lever 251 oscillating to allow this to be effected. The knob 238 is under the control of an escapement 254 whereby it can only be turned to zero when the lever 243 is in position for permitting the machine to be actuated, or forwards when the machine is unclutched. The knob 238 and lever 243 are normally enclosed and held against movement by a pivoted cover 271 sealed by the authorities, but prevented from closing unless the lever 243 is in correct position for permitting the machine to operate.