Patent GB-206909-A (GB)
Abstract: 206,909. Friedrichs, W. Aug. 14, 1922. Index type-wheel machines. - A franking- machine adapted to be unlocked by means of a ticket or token and to be re-locked after a predetermined cycle, comprises selective frankprinting mechanism constructed as described below. In the machine shown in Figs. 1, 1<a>, and 2, a drum D, consisting of plates 1, 2, 16 secured to a shaft 17, carries shafts 37 on which are freely mounted frank-printing rollers 3 geared to shafts 7, also carried by the drum. The frank-printing rollers are operated selectively by the mechanism described below. The shafts 7 each carry one or more pinions 8 having one or more teeth for operating the pinions 9 of a totalizer 10. The shafts 7 are normally locked by the engagement of curved shoes 22 thereon with a stationary disc 23. When the shaft 17 is turned, by means of a hand-wheel 19, to bring one of the printing-rollers into printing position, the shoe of the associated shaft 7 passes over a flat on the disc, and can then be rotated by means of a coupling 24 geared to the shaft 35. The coupling is controlled by a feeler 40 operated by the letters to be franked, as they pass between feed-discs 38, 39, the discs 38 being secured to the shafts 37 and being operated by a pin 36a on the shaft 35. The coupling comprises a disc 24 which is formed with a curved rib 26 for engaging a groove 27 in the shoes, and is provided with a pivoted member 28 normally out of the path of an abutment 32 on a disc 30 geared to the shaft 35. A detent 33, engaging a notch in the member 28, is connected by a link 52 to a lever 50 engaging a lever 43 which carries the feeler 40. The feeler is connected to a spring 45 and engages an incline 44. A detent 54, engaging a notch in the disc 24, is pivoted on the detent 33 and is supported by a lever 57 connected to a spring 55. The feeler, when engaged by a letter, is displaced and the detent 33 is released, thereby permitting a spring 63 to move the member 28 into the path of an abutment 32, the disc 24 being thereupon coupled to the shaft 35, and the selected printing-roller being rotated for impression. In turning, the disc displaces the. detents, the detent 54 being moved laterally by an incline 54a then riding on the disc, and the detent 33 being caught beneath a pin 59. When the disc has almost completed a revolution, the feeler is released bv the letter, and the detent 33 enters the path of the member 28 and releases it from the abutment 32, thereby arresting the disc. Each shaft 7 carries a member 12 for printing or embossing the individual amounts on a checkstrip 12<a>, or the members 12 may each have a perforating-pin arranged so that the series of pins make perforations in different columns on the strip. The shafts 7 are each geared to a totalizer 15 for displaying the total amounts printed by the individual printing-roller. The ticket is placed in a drawer 67 which is mounted in guides 68 and when pushed in is locked by a catch 70. When the drawer is pulled out, rollers print on the ticket a serial number and the number of the machine. The rollers are carried by levers 98, 98a engaging the drawer, and have a ratchet wheel adapted, when the drawer is pulled out, to engage a pawl. In the modified selective frank-printing apparatus shown in Fig. 17, a revoluble drum B, geared to a driving-shaft K by means of pinions H, I, supports a type-wheel W which can be turned, to bring a selected type to the periphery of the drum, by turning a disc R. The type-wheel is geared to a shaft C which passes through the shaft A of the drum and is provided with a pinion gearing with a pinion 0<1> loose on the shaft K. An arm L secured to the shaft K supports connected planet-pinions M, M<1>, the pinion M gearing with a pinion 0 connected to the pinion 0<1>, and the pinion M gearing through an idler P with a pinion Q loose on the shaft K. The setting-disc R is connected to a pinion S gearing with the pinion Q. The transmission ratio of the pinions S, Q and the pinions D, O<1> is two to one, so that the pinion D normally turns at the same speed as the drum, and the type-wheel and drum can turn as a unit. To adjust the type-wheel, a detent X is raised and the setting-disc is turned, the movement being transmitted through the abovedescribed gearing. The letters operate a feeler connected to a link V adapted to couple the shaft K to a motor, and release a detent U from a notched disc T on the shaft. Platen-impression arrangements.-For printing the total on the ticket, a drawer 211, Fig. 15, may be employed having a vertically-movable box 224 for moving the rocker 231 into contact with totaltypes. The box is moved by means of rocking arms 221, 228 connected to an arm 222 engaging a pin 229 on a disc 230 connected to a pinion 213 which gears with a rack 215. The drawer is normally locked by a dog 234 controlled by a cam 225. On rocking a crank 214, the arm 222 causes the box to rise, the movement continuing until the pin 229 slides off the arm 222. Thereupon, the rack, by engaging a projection 218 on the arm 222, depresses the box, and when the box returns to the normal position, the dog 234 is released, and the rack moves the drawer outwards. On returning the crank, the rack engages a lug 217 on the drawer, and moves the drawer inwards.