US1274831A - Postage-meter. - Google Patents

Description

|. CLVWOODWARD.

POSTAGE METER. APPLICATION FILED DEC.I

l. C. WOODWARD.

POSTAGE METER.

APPLICATION FILED 050.1, 1913.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918. 4 SHEETSSHEET 2 fiw4 @uml 15th.

Nil

l. C. WOODWARD.

POSTAGE METER. APPLICATION FILED DEC.1

Patented Aug. 6, 191&

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 @901 c. WOYODWARD.

POSTAGE METER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-II I9I3.

'ED STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

IRVING C. WOODWARD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN POSTAGE METER (30.,- A CORPORATION OF ARIZONA.

POSTAGE-METER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 1, 1913. Serial No. 804,103.

1' all whom it may concern:

Meters, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of this invention are to provide an improved detachable printing and accounting device particularly adapted to print postage on mail matter, and so constructed that it may be set to effect a desired predetermined number of impressions and then automatically lock against further op: eration while permitting the machine with which it cooperates to continue to operate for the purpose of performing other work than driving the detachable prlnting and accounting device; to provide an improved de vice of this nature which requires the use of a lock and key in order to be placed in condition for resetting so that it may thereafter effect a new series of impressions, but which can not be manipulated by the user or others,

not holding the required key to print a greater number than that to which it was set by the authorized party; to provide a device of this class which is operative to effect impressions immediately upon being inserted into its cooperating driving machine without requiring the use of a lock and, key by the user of the device; to provide improved mechanism under the control of the detachable device for preventing the operation of a clutch, by which it is connected in driving relation with its cooperating machine, when the detachable printing devicehas effected a predetermined number of impressions; and to provide an arrangement of mechanism whereby the protectin housing which prevents access to the resett ng mechanism may be a compact unitary structure and need occupy but little more space than the contained mechanism. 1

An illustrative embodiment of the above invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Figure l is a plan view of a mail marking machine adapted for receiving and operatingthe detachable printing and accounting Fig. 4 is an elevation of an electrotype adapted to be secured to the detachable dev1ce.

Fig. 5 shows in vertical section the detachable device and cooperating clutch mechamsm.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of mechanism in the detachable device adapted to prevent the operation of the'clutch when the detachable device has effected the predetermined number of impressions for which it is set.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the detachable device.

' Fig. 8 is a lan view. of a locking plunger controlling p ate,

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan View of the detachable device.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional detail of the detachable device and shows a locking pawl by which numbering wheels in the device are temporarily locked while the device is efi'ecting an impression and -while the printing wheels are being inked.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a gear adapted to support the detachable device.

filed Sept. 19, 1912, mail marking machines and postage meters, and is adapted to be driven by an operating mechanism similar to that described in said copending application and also in the patent to Arthur H. Pitney, No. 753,207, mail marking machines.

The machine with which the detachable device cooperates is shown injFig. 1 of the drawings and comprises a suitablesupporting stand 1, a bed plate 2 beneath which are mounted a plurality of. gears, not shown, for driving rotating shafts of the machine,- and in turn receiving motion from a belt driven pulley 3. The specific arrangement of gears and driving mechanism is shown in the beforementioned patent. These gears are arranged to drive feed rollers 4 to 15 inclusivefor the purpose of successively feeding mail matter in single pieces from the receiving Patented Aug. 6, 1918. l

' machine.

lever 26 pivoted by pins 27 to a sleeve 28.

surrounding shaft 21 and integral with a circular plate 29' to whichgear is secured. Lever 26 also carries pins 30 passing through slots 31 in sleeve 28 and into bearings drilled into a hub 32 rigid with the member 24 of the clutch and surrounding shaft 21 inside of sleeve 28. By rocking lever 26 on its pivots 27, the clutch member 24 may through pins 30 be engaged with or disengaged from the clutch member 22. The specific clutch herein described and its operating mechanism is the subject matter of applicants copending application for Patent No. 804,101 filed December-1, 1913. e

The detachable printing and accounting device comprises a supporting shaft 33 and a cylindrical housing or casing 34 normally locked against rotation relatively of shaft 33 by a lock shown in Fig. 3, and having a slidable bolt 35 adapted to enter a hole' 36 in shaft 33. Shaft 33 is also provided with a key 37 which by entering notches 38, Fig. 1, in frame 39 prevents rotation of shaft 33 and the housing 34 when the detachable device is Journaled on shaft 33 are a pair of disks 40 and 41having hubs 42 and 43 surrounding the shaft and connected together by a cylindrical casing44. The printing mechanism is contained within casing 44 and is supported on a frame 45 secured to disk 41. litigidly mounted in this frame is a cylinder 46 on which are loosely j ournaled a plurality of type wheels 48. The cylinder is provided with a plurality of notches 50 in which are pivoted spring-pressed retaining pawls 52 for the type wheels. The cylinder 46 is also cut away at 49 to provide space for an. os-

cillating actuating pawl for the type wheels. 2

The actuating and retaining pawls coiiperate with notches 59 in the type wheels.

lPawl 51 is secured to, a shaft 47 journaled within the cylinder 46 and carrying fast at one end an arm 53 having a pivotal connec tion 54 with a link 55. The latter carries at its upper end a roller 56 resting in the; race 57 of cam 58 fixed to the non-rotating shaft 33. Roller 56 is guided in its vertical movement by a fixedgrooved guide 56.1. a 5

With the above arrangement, when the printing device comprising disks 40 and 41,

the casin 44 and contained mechanism is rotated wlthin housing 34, shaft 47 is oscilmanner.

inserted in its driving 'lated once for each rotation of said unit. The oscillation of shaft 47 causes pawl 51 and is thereby permittedon its next oscillation toactuate both this type wheel and the type wheel of next higher order, efiect ing the desired transfer in a well known lit is preferable to operate the numbering wheels in a subtracting direction so that they may be setto represent a certain.

number and then turned toward their zero positions by a step by step movement until all wheels arrive at such zero positions when they are automatically locked against further operation until reset in the manner provided for. The cylindrical housing 34 is provided with openings 60 and 61 through which the type wheels extend when respectively in the printing and inking positions. The casing is for this reason eccentric to shaft 33 so that in the rotation of the printing drum within the casing, the type wheels will normally be wholly within the drum except when efiecting impressions or being inked. To provide against manipulation of the type wheels when invthe- openings 60 or 61, a pawl 62 is pivoted by a pin 63 in frame 45 and has a plurality of prongs 64 for engagement with notched disks 65 rigid with the type wheel's. The pawl also has a shoulder 66 for coiiperating with a fixed cam 67 rigid on shaft 33. While the type wheels are passing the openings760 and 61, cam 67 serves to hold the pawl 62 into engagement with the disks 65 and in this manner prevents rotation of the type wheels but the latter are free to rotate when not in the printing or inking positions during the time that cam 58 actuates the pawl 51. Cam 67, for the above purpose, has a cut awaypart 68. When said cut away part is opposite the "shoulder 66 on pawl; 62, spring 69' extended 1 between the rear end of pawl 62 and a cross bar 70 in frame 45 serves to hold the pawl disengaged from the notched disks 65.

One notch 65.1 in each'of the disks 65 is suitably formed for coperating with a lock- 71 is inefl'ective whenever at least one of the type wheels is not in the zero position because then one of the prongs 73 would rest on the periphery of the t pe wheel and pre vent the other prongs 73 from engaging notches 65.1., The rear end 74 of pawl 71 extends through an o ening 75 in a cam arm 76 pivoted by a pin 7 to said cross bar 70'. The arm 76 is fast on pin 77 and passing through said pin is a lever 78 which also passes through short slots 79 in locking bolts or plungers 80 and 81 slidably mounted in ears 82 and 83 of frame 45. A spring 84 is coiled around plunger 80 and is compressed between a collar 85 fixed to the plunger and ear 82 of frame 45. urges plunger 80 upward and through lever 78 urges plunger 81 in a downward direction and the arm 76 to rock toward the left, Fig. 6. Such movement of th plungers and arm 76 is, however, normally prevented by a shoulder 86 on arm 76 engaging the rear end 74 of pawl 71. When the pawl 71 under the action of its springs 87 enters the deep notches in disks 65 of the type wheels, its rear end clears the shoulder 86 permitting spring 84 to act and thereby forcing plunger 80 upward so that its upper end passes through an opening 88 in a disk 89 rigid with the fixed cam 67, locking the printing drum against further rotation. The upward movement of the lunger 80 rocks lever 78 and its pivot pin 7 thereby causing plunger 81 to lower slightly with its lower end pro jecting through a hole 90 in disk 41. As arm 76 is rigid with pin 77, it also rocks to the left, Fig. 6, from its pivotal connection with cross bar 70, coming to rest with its shoulder 86 above the rear end of pawl 71 and its bottom edge 91 above an opening 92 in disk 41. The shoulder 86, when the arm 76 is in its moved position, serves to posi tively hold pawl 71 in position to lock the type wheels while the lower edge. 91 of arm 76 prevents a pluiiger 93, pivoted by a pin Men the clutch lever 26, from moving upwardly when clutchlever 26 attempts to rock into the clutching position. Arm 76 has a cut away part 95 which, when the arm isin its normal position, is above the opening 92 and permits plunger 93 to move upwardly its full'stroke, and not interfere with the clutching operation of lever 26. v

The locking pawl 71 may be restored to its normal position out of engagement with disks 65 by. pushinginwardly on the end 96 of plunger 81 when the detachable device is removed from the machine. By thus restoring the pawl 71, it is possible to reset the printing wheels 48 to position for printing a new series of stamps, but-the arrangement is such that the pawl 71' can not be restored to normal position except by forcing plunger 81 upward far enough to cause it to enter the cut away part 97 of the fixed disk 89. The lower edge of slot 75 in the arm 76 is curved as shown in Fig. 6 and when The spring normally plunger 81 is pushed upwardly far enough to rock arm 76. to its extreme righthand positlon, the engagement of the curved edge of slot 75 on the rear endof pawl 71 serves to entirely disengage the pawl from the notches in disks 65. In order to retain pawl 71 in its disengaged position, it is necessary to set at least one of the type wheels 48 away from its zero position so that the deep notch in a disk 65 is not opposite the prongs 73 of the pawl. The pawl may then come to rest on the periphery of a disk 65 permitting rotation' of all the type wheels. Normally when plungers 80 and 81 register with the cut away parts 88 and 97 of disk 89, the print- 1ng wheels 48 are not at either the printing opening 60 or the opening 61 through which the type wheels are inked. For this reason,

it is necessary, before the type wheels may be reset, to unlock the housing 34 from shaft 33 by withdrawing bolt 35 from the hole 36 in the shaft, and then to rotate the housing 34 on the shaft until opening 60 is opposite the type wheels.v When the parts of the mechanism are in such relation, it is possible to force plunger 81 upwardly its full stroke so that its upper end enters notch 97 and arm 76 is rocked far enough to the right, Fig. 6,-to cam pawl 71 out of engagement with the deep notches in disks 65. The printing wheels 48 may then be freely rotated to the desired positions to represent the number of impressions it is desired to have the device perform before again be coming automatically locked.

From the foregoing, it may be seen that it is essential to employ one of the keys 98 for releasing housing 34 from shaft 33 before the type wheels may be reset. When the type wheels are in their normal position exposed through the opening 60, it is im-% possible to rotate them as cam 67 holds locking pawl ,62 in en agement with the notches in disks 65. Sha 33 carries a pin 99 in position to cooperate with shoulders 100 on a boss 101 of housing 34 and limit the relative .movement between casing 34 and shaft 33. Tim: relative movement permitted is such as is required to turn housing 34 far enough to bring the opening 60 opposite the type wheels when the latter are in such position that the ,plungers 80 and 81' register with the cut away parts 88 and 97 of disk 89. A counting device 102 is mounted within housing 34 and may be read through the sight opening 103 in the casing. It is provided with a beveled gear 104 meshing with Journa-led on boss 42 is an idle roller 106 which covers the operating mechanism and which protrudes sli htly through opening for the purpose 0% coperating with feed roller 13, Fig. 1, in feeding mail matter through the machine.

For the purpose of preventing bent edges of envelops passing through the machine from engaging the edges of opening 60 in cylinder 34: guide wires 107, Fig. 12, are extended across said opening.

An electrotype 108 provided with an opening 109 through which the type wheels pro trude is secured to the casing 44 of the printing device. Appropriate lettering,

such as the denomination of the stamp, thename of the post-oflice, and the permitnumber may be placed upon this electrotype.

The operation of the device requires that the type wheels-first be set for the purpose of making some predetermined number of impressions. This may be accomplished by a postoflice ofiicialhaving one of the keys 98, Fig. 3. By unlocking housing 34: from shaft 33, it may be rotated to expose the type wheels through opening 60, when the type wheels are in their normal position with plungers 80 and 81 registering with cut away parts 88 and 97 ofqdisk 89 fast to shaft 33. When the type wheels are in this position, locking pawl 6 is disengaged, its

shoulder 66 resting within the cut away part 68 ofcam 67, Fig. 5. Pawl 71 may also be disengaged from the deep notches in disks by forcing plunger 81 upwardly, thereby rocking lever 78, Fig. 6, .in a left hand direction around its pivot in cross bar 70. Arm 76 is carried with the lever in its rocking movement and the lower curved edge of the. slot in the arm engages the rear end 74 of pawl 71 disengaging the latter from the notched disks 65. The wheels may now be rotated to represent any desired number and are temporarily retained in their set qpositions by retaining pawls 50, Fig. 5. a he housing 34 is then restored to its normal relation with shaft 33 and the printing and accounting mechanism, and is locked in said,

position.

The device may now be inserted in one of the mail marking machines shown in Fig ,-l. This machine is provided with means under the control of mail matter passing therethrough for operating the clutch member 24, Fig. 5, to engage it with the driven clutch member 23 on drive shaft 21. When so engaged, the printing unit and its inclosing cylinder 44 are rotated, the clutch being arranged to automatically release the printing unit at the end of each rotation, the latter being stopped in its normal position by a fixed stop cooperating with clutch lever 26, as explained in applicants said copending application for patent. The rotation of the printing and accounting unit on shaft 33- causes fect the impression while passlng opening 60 in contact with mail matter between the type wheels and the feed and impression roller 13. Further rotation of the printing mechanism causes roller 56, Fig. 2, to pass along the operating portion of race 57 in cam 58. By this means, arm 53 is oscillated causing pawl 51 to engage one of the notches 59 in the type wheel of lowest order rotating said wheel in a backward direction one unit of movement. The printing device is now inoondition for efiecting a second impression but the number of the second stamp printed will be one unit less than the first stamp printed, the operation continuing in the same manner until all of the type wheels arrive at their zeroposition when they become automatically locked by reason of the multi-pronged pawl 71 engagin. all of the deep notches in the disks 65. T be seen occurs as the printing drumapproaches its stopped position after printing the impression bearing the number 1. Such movement of the pawl releases arm 76 as the rear end of the pawl clears the shoulder 86 on said arm. Spring 84 now forces plunger 8O upwardly rocking lever 78 so as to carry arm 76 toward theleft, Fig. 6, and plunger 81 downward. When plunger is in its upper position, it extends through the cut away part 88 in disk 89 fixed to shaft 33 and thereby prevents accidental rotation of the printing unit with respect to said shaft. The clutch is also disabled by thelower end 91 of arm 76 coming above the his it will opening 92 in disk 41 and thereby preventing plunger 93 carried by the clutch operatmg lever 26 from entering said opening. By

this =means the clutch is disabled, clutch is lockedagainst operation until the type wheels are reset as when plunger 81 is moved upwardly far enough to disengage locking pawl 71 itengages disk 89 at cut away part 97 preventing operation of the printing mechanism until released.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:. v 1. A device of the class described, comprising a' rotatable member, accounting mechanism supported thereon, a casing surrounding said accounting mechanism and i ,nism, said mechanism must be reset as pre- .vlously described. The printingmechanism "ment of said casing when in unlocked condition. 4

2. A device of the class described, comprising a normally stationary member, a

printing mechanism rotatably mounted With respect to said member and including a lurality of type carriers, a casing surroun ing said printing mechanism in locked relation with said member, said casing having an opening therein, locking means for the type carriers arranged to permit adjustment of the latter when not exposed through said opening, and means for releasing said casing from said stationary member whereby the casing may be rotated with respect to said stationary member to expose the type car-' riers when in adjustable condition.

3. A detachable device of the class de-' scribed, comprising "a normally stationary member, a printing mechanism rotatably mounted with respect to, said member and including a plurality of type carriers, a

housing surrounding said printing mechanism in locked relation with said member,

said housing having an opening therein,-

locking means for the type carriers arranged to permit adjustment of the latter when not exposed through said opening, and means for releasing said housing from vsaid stationary member whereby the housing may be rotated with respect to said stationary mm her to expose the type carriers wheninadjustable condition, in combination with mechanism for rotating said printing mechtatable printing mechanism, a stationary member having shoulders, a locking and a releasingplunger' slidably mounted on said -printing mechanism, means whereby said locking, plungep is projected into engaging relation with a shoulder of said stationary member to lock the printing mechanism after a predetermined number of impressions have been made, said releasing plunger ;being adapted to be manually shifted and connected to said locking'plunger to restore the same to normal position, and means.

whereby the locking plunger cannot-be effectively restored except by projecting said releasing plunger into engaging relation with a shoulder of'sa-id fixed member. a

' 5. In a device of the classdescribed, a ro-v tatable printing mechanism-including a plurality of adjustable type carriers, means for locking said type carriers against, adjustment after a predetermined number of im- .of the printing mechanism during resetting pressions, a stationary member, a locking and a releasing plunger slidably mounted on said printing mechanism, means whereby said locking plunger is caused to cooperate with said stationary member to disable the printing mechanismwhen the type carriers are locked, said releasing plunger being adapted to restore said locking plunger and said means for locking the type carriers.

6. In a device of the class described, a rotatable printing mechanism including a plurality of adjustable type carriers, means for locking said type carriers against adjustment after a predeterminednumber of impressions, a supporting frame for the printing mechanism, a plunger slidably mounted on said printing mechanism, a lever pivoted on said supporting frame and having a pivotal connection With said plunger, a cam arm rigid with said lever adapted to restore to normal position said means for locking the type carriers, said plunger cobperating with said supporting frame to prevent or permit operation of the printing mechanism arm.

7. In a device of the class described, a rotatable printing mechanisniin'cluding' a plurality of adjustable type carriers, means for locking said type carriers against adjustment after a predetermined number of impressions, and means operative to release the type carriers for the purpose of permitting H resetting thereof, said last mentioned means having connections for preventing operation operations of the type carriers.

8. A printing device comprising a sup porting shaft, a plurality of numbering wheels, acasing surrounding said-numbering wheels and having an opening therein through which said numbering wheels may be exposed to effect impressions, operating devices for the numbering wheels, means whereby said operatingdevices are actuated during a relative rotation between said shaft and the numbering wheels as a body, means for effecting such relative rotation, devices for locking said numbering wheels when ex-' posed through said opening and releas ing the wheels when, inaccessible in sald casm and a lock: for saidcasing to normally preive'nt exposure of the type wheels when re-' leased from said locking devices.

' 9. The combination of a rotary member having an "opening in one side, a series of numbering wheels mounted in said opening, mechanism for operating said numbering wheels through the rotation of said member, a housing surrounding said member-[ and having therein an opening'adapted to register with the opening in said member when said housing and member occupy certain angular positions, means normally in accessible from the outside of said housing I tatably mounted on said supportingmemshifted when said first named. locking means adapted to lock said numbering wheels against operationiwhen said openings are in registration, and said housing being cona trolled by a keyfor permitting the release of said locking means when said openings "are in registering positions.

respect to said shaft and adapted to lock said number-in wheels .against operation when said openings are in registration, and to release said wheels during the operation ofsaid operating mechanism,-said housing and shaft being adapted to be relatively' are released whereby-said openings may be brought into registration when said num boring wheels 'are named is:

11. In a machine of the class described, a printing} device, comprising a supporting member, an adjustable numbering device rober, a housing surrounding said numbering device and rotatably mounted on said supporting member,an opening insaid housing for exposing said numberirfig device during rotation "thereof, locking eans for said numbering device arrangedto releasev the numbering device when not exposed through said ram; and a key controlled lock for normally preventing rotation of saidliiousber whereby a key isrequired' to release said ing with root to-said Supporting memhousing for the purpose .ofro'tating the same to expose the numbering device through the opening thereof when the num boring device is to be adjusted.- j l2. lln a machine of the class described, a printing device, comprising a supporting member, an adjustable numbering device rotatably mounted on said supporting memher, a housing surrounding said numbering device androtatably mounted on said supporting member, an opening insaid housing for exposing said numberingdevice dur mg rotation thereofl'locking means for said numbering device arranged to release the numbering device when not exposed through said opening, a key controlled lock for normally preventing rotation of I said housing.

argest with respect to said supporting member whereby a key is required to release said housing for the purpose of rotating the same to expose the numbering device through the opening thereof when the num' boring device is to be adjusted, and I a counter inclosed Within said housingarranged to count therotations of the numbering devices with respect to said support- 7 ing member.

13.111 a postage meter, the combination of a printing drum having an opening in one side, numbering wheels mounted therein and exposedthrough said opening, a housing surrounding said printing drum and having an opening therein adapted to register with the opening in said printing drum when said drum and housing are in certainrelative angular positions, amember in said printing'drum, ,a lock for normally securing said member and housing in'fixed relation to each other, locking means controlled by said member for. normally lock-l ing said numberingwheels against operation when exposed through the opening in said housing, a locking pawl mounted in said drum and controlled; by said numbermg wheels for automatically locking said drum against rotation-relative to-said mom ber, mechanism adapted to be actuated from the outside of said drum for restoring said pawl and. simultaneously retracting .said

locking element said mechanism including a second element adapted to locksaid drum and member against relative rotation 'dur ing the act of restoring said pawl, and

thereby preventingfthe efi'ective restoring of said pawl except when said member and housingare unlocked to permit said numtoo boring wheels to be operated. when exposed through said opening.

14:. In a device of the class. described, a. rotatable printing mechanism including a plurality of adjustable. type carriers, means for locking. said type carriers against adjustment after a predetermined number of impressions, means operative to releasethe :type carriersfor the purpose ofpermittinlgresetting thereof, said last mentioned: means having "connections for preventing opera.

tion of the printing mechanism during reare setting operations-entire. type carriers, and

means for countingthe operation's' o f said n5,

P g mechanism;

Signed a i ago thiseo p a 1 am vember,-1913,.

Witnesses: 1-

EUGENE A. Remnant, I M, llnnnn Hiorcnrnes.

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