Patent GB-513436-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to franking machines
IPC: G07F17/26
Filed: 1938-04-07
Abstract: 513,436. Coin-freed franking-machines. SOPER, H. N., and UNIVERSAL POSTAL FRANKERS, Ltd. April 7, 1938, No. 10651. [Class 27] In a coin-freed franking-machine a door through which letters are inserted is unlocked and opened after the insertion of the required coin or coins and the opening of the door renders the franking mechanism operative. In the apparatus shown, a letter receiving pocket communicating with an inner opening 30 through which the letter is passed to the printing member 35, is normally closed by a sliding shutter 3 which opens automatically upon insertion of a .coin or coins and frees an actuating shaft 14. Either or both of two coins, e.g., a penny and a halfpenny, can be inserted, the printing member 35 having printing faces 36 for three different values and being adjusted accordingly. The coin or coins are inserted through a slot 5 and sorted according to value into two shoots 16 where they trip pins 18 on a pallet lever 8 carried by a pivoted catch 6 locking the shutter 3. The catch 6 consequently unlocks the door which opens under the action of a spring 10 and by means of a projection 24, rocks a pivoted catch 27 out of locking engagement with a step 2'1 in a cam 22 on the actuating shaft 14, freeing it for rotation by a handle 4. The coin or coins, after tripping pins 18, come to rest in appropriate compartments 40 in a pocket 39, slidable on pins 39a on a sliding carrier 33 for the printing member 35. The appropriate printing face 36 of the printing member is brought into operative position facing a stationary impression member 34 by rotation about a pivoted connection 43 with its carrier 33 for which purpose it is connected by links 42 with rods 41 adapted to enter the two compartments 40. During the initial rotation of the actuating shaft 14, a cam 44 thereon, through a resilient plunger 46, forces back the coin pocket 39 on the pins 39a. If only one compartment 40 is occupied by a coin, the engagement of the coin with either rod 41 rocks the printing member 35 to bring one of its outside printing faces into operative position, the other rod 41 passing freely through the unoccupied, compartment. If there are coins in both compartments, the printing member remains in its normal position shown with its central printing face corresponding to the highest value in operative position. As the rotation of the actuating shaft 14 continues, cams 57 displace rods 58 which, through springs 60, 62 move forward the carrier 33 and printing member 35 to frank the letter inserted through opening 30 between the printing member and the impression member 34. The movement of the carrier is, however, at first checked by a locking pawl 64, which is released by a cam 67 on shaft 14 when the springs 60, 62 have been put under compression. A rapid forward movement of the printing member 35 is thus ensured. Meanwhile the shutter is moved back to its closed position, in which it is relocked by the catch 6, by rack and pinion gearing from a cam 70 on the actuating shaft, and, at the conclusion of the printing operation, the projection 24 on the door displaces a platform 32 on which the letter is supported to release the letter into the mailing box below. The platform is restored to its operative position by a spring when the door opens at the next operation. The inner insertion opening 30, is bounded by the inner edges of the walls 28 and 29 of the receiving pockets and forms a gauge to limit the thickness of letters (or packages) which may be inserted. The inner edge of wall 29, is carried on pivoted links 86 and the outer edge 88 co-operates with a projection 89, on the shutter so that as the shutter closes the width of the opening 30, is increased to release an over thick letter which may have been forced through the opening. An inking ribbon .51 for the printing member is drawn off a spool 52, by a take-up spool 54, rotated step-wise by ratchet 55 and pawl 56 from the carrier 33. A date stamp 90 is also mounted on the carrier 33.