US1904638A - Means for preventing taking of fraudulent impressions from postage - Google Patents

Description

A nl 18, 1933. w. H. WHEELER, JR., ET AL MEANS FOR PREVENTING TAKING OF FRAUDULENT IMPRESSIONS FROM POSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Nov. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 imtmm Apnl 18, 1933. w. H. WHEELER, JR, ET AL 1,904,638

MEANS FOR PREVENTING TAKING OF FRAUDULENT *PRESSIONS FROM POSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Nov. 6, 1930 SSheets-Sheet 2 April 8, 1933 w. H. WHEELER, JR., Er AL ,9 4,638

MEANS FOR PREVENTING TAKING OF FRAUDULENT IMPRESSIONS FROM POSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Nov. 6, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ttorneg 5 Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER H. WHEELER, JR, AND JACOB W. OGDEN, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, AS-

SIGNORS TO PITNEY-BOWES POSTAGE METER 00., OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, A

CORPORATION OF DELAWARE MEANS FOR PREVENTING TAKING 0F FRAUDULENT IMPRESSIONS FROM POSTAGE METER MACHINES Application filed November The particular object of this invention is to provide novel means for preventing fraudulent impressions being taken from flat printing dies by curved or rocking impression means; or from curved printing dies such as are used on postage meters and the like as shown for example in the so-called Model H machine as described in our companion application (case 7614) filed March 8, 1929, Serial No. 345,515. In such Model H machine a curved segmental printing die is mounted in the periphery of a rotatable drum or support and comes into operative relation once for and during each rotation of the drum with the paper or envelope to be imprinted; a cylindric roller usually cooperating with the die to take an impression. If the drum was stopped when the die was exposed fraudulent imprints might be taken therefrom by simulating the action of the pressure roller and the present invention provides means whereby the taking of fraudulent impressions are prevented.

To prevent securing of more than one impression from the die without a complete revolution of the drum, which is necessary to obtain accurate registration, the die was housed in the drum and drum casing so that only a very small portion of the periphery of the die was exposed at the printing point at one time, so that it would be necessary to complete a revolution of the drum to secure a complete impression (the rotation of the drum being non-reversible). This however is objectionable especially when rather long dies are used (as in the Model H machine) as the housing has to be so close to the printing face of the envelope going through the machine that it drags and retards the progress of the envelope and presents an edge or lip on which the envelope is likely to catch.

Our invention provides what we term a protector for the die whereby an impression can only be obtained by causing the drum to rotate and move the die relatively to impression means, so that the impression will be taken successively from the front end of the die back to the rear end thereof, and an impression cannot be taken from all points of the die simultaneously. This protector 6, 1930. Serial No. 493,896.

can be mounted in the drum or die support printed by the die. The term die is also intended to include any suitable kind or make of printing surface.

In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated some practicalembodiments of the invention which we will hereinafter describe to enable others skilled in the art to adapt and use the same, the several modifications referred to merely showing the possibility of embodying the invention in various mechanical forms, and not as limiting the in vention to any specific construction shown. In the claims we have set forth the essentials of the invention, and also certain novel features and combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation partly in section of part of the printing drum and die of a Model H postage meter equipped with our novel die protector and one means for operating same. Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 protector assembled. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing another means for operating the protector. Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 4c, partly in section. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the drum and protector device shown in Fig. 4 showing the parts in another position. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail plan and side views of the die. Figs. 9 and 10 are detail plan and side views of the protector frame detached and Figs. 11 and 12 are detail plan and side views of the protector applied to the die. I

In the Model H machine, as described in our aforesaid application, the value printing die 2 is mounted at or in an opening in the periphery of a rotatable cylinder or drum 1, and the printing is performed by r0- tating the drum on its axis; and once during is a plan view of the die and each revolution of the drum the die cooperates with an impression roller 101 to make an imprint on an envelope passed between them.

The value printing die 2 has an approximately rectangular body 20, and a curved printing surface 2?) (see Figs. 7 and 8). The die protector is an approximately rectangular frame having side members 3, an end member 3?) and adjacent the opposite end a cross tie rod 3d (see Figs. 9 and 10). The

protector practically encloses the body of the die 2 (see Figs. 11 and 12) and its sides are pivoted at 3a to the body of the die so the protector can rock upon such pivots. The ends 3?) and 3c are adapted to project be yond the printing surface of the die. Either end member 3?) or 30 can be caused to project beyond the surface of the die. In the construction shown by rocking the protector either, the end 3?) (or 30) may be pressed inward flush with the surface of the side and the other end simultaneously projected beyond the surface of the die (and vice versa) and when so positioned the surface of the inwardly pressed member conforms to the curvatureof the die. The curved surfaces of the ends 36, 30 may if desired virtually form parts of the die and are preferably engraved with some part of the indicia, it is desired to print, thus making them serve as parts of the die.

Owing to the pivotal mounting of the protector one or the other of the ends 3?), 30 must of necessity project beyond the printing surface, when the other is retracted. This will prevent the simultaneous taking of an impression from the full surface of the die. In the printing operation however the pressure is progressively applied to the die by rolling contact, the entire surface never being under pressure at one and the same time. Therefore when the drum is revolved (in the direction of the arrow Figs. 1, 4, 6), the impression roller 101 first contacts the projecting end 3?) and pushes it inward (until flush with the die surface) thereby rocking the protector and simultaneously projecting the other end 30 beyond the die surface, the end 30 not then having arrived at the printing point. When the projecting end 30 approaches the printing point it will be engaged by the impression roller 101 and pushed in flush with the surface of the die and take its. part in making the impression, while simultaneously the end 3?), which has then passed the printing point will be projected; but this can cause no damage as the impressionfrom the adjacent part of the die has already been made. The same rocking action of the protector with the same negative results will occur when the die is passing over the inking roller 4, for its supply of ink.

As it is necessary to rock the protector 3 ing of an imprint. Various means could be employed to hold the end 30 projected so that a fraudulent impression could not be made, but it is only when the die is exposed so that it could be tampered with that the protector has to function.

In the preferred construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 one end of the rod 303 is extended through a slot in the back wall la of the drum, and carries a roller 36 which engages a race cam slot 10 in the wall 11 of the meter housing in rear of the drum. The cam slot 10 extends around the axis of rotation of the drum, and roller 86 engaging said slot keeps the protector under positive control at all times. The groove 10 has properly shaped deflecting portions at the points where it is necessary to rock the protector to alternately retract and project the members 8b, 30 when passing the impression point or roller, and also when passing the inking roller 4. As the drum is prevented by suitable means (not shown) from being turned in a reverse direction the positive control of the protector is effectual.

Another means for operating the protector is shown in Figs. 4:6. As shown in the printing drum 1 is a dash pot 5 having a piston 5a and rod 56 projected by a spring 58. The outer part of rod 5?) is provided with ratchet teeth 50, and said rod has a stud 5d which projects through aslot in the rear wall 1a of the drum and carries a roller 56 adapted to engage a projecting convolute cam 7 on the inner face of the rear wall 11 of the meter housing 11a or drum casing in rear of the drum.

A pawl 6 is pivoted at 6a in the drum and is adapted to engage the ratchet teeth 50. Said pawl has an arm carrying a stud 6d projecting through a slot in the back wall 1a of drum 1 and having a roller 66 on its rear end adapted to engage a projecting convolute cam 8 on wall 11. A. spring 68 normally urges the pawl 6 intoengagement with the ratchet teeth 50.

The rod 3d of the protector lies directly in the path of travel of the piston rod 56, and if the piston rod 56 is projected out, of

the dash pot '5 it will. engage rod 3d and be held in this position by the pawl 6 and pre- Vent the projector end 30 of the projector being pushed back into the drum. If the piston rod is projected it will be retracted after the die has passed the printing position during the revolution of the drum as the roller 6e will Contact with cam 8 and be thereby caused to move inward toward the center of the drum and disengage pawl 6 from the ratchet teeth 50. Then the roller 56 will contact with cam 7 and be thereby moved inward and retract the piston rod 5?). Both the piston rod and pawl will retain their restored inactive positions until just before the forward end of the die again reaches the printing point. Then both rollers 5e and 6e will disengage their respective cams, and the piston rod is projected toward the rod 3d on the protector. The speed of outward movement of the piston rod is controlled by the dash pot, which is so adjusted that the interval of time required by the dash pot for moving the piston rod to its effective position will be suflicient to permit completing an impression from the die in the normal operation of the machine; instead of the dash pot other suitable means may be used to delay the action of the lock.

lVe do not consider this invention limited to any of the specific mechanisms disclosed above.

Also it is not essential that the ends of the protector 3b and 30 be engraved to make them part of the indicia, as they may be made to act as plain bars projecting above the printing surface from the sides of the die and depressed below the printing surface when passing the printing point as illustrated in Fig. 12.

We consider the structure shown in Fig. 1 is simpler and just as effective as the dash pot structure shown in Figs. 4 and 6. Ohviously the protector might be used with a fiat die, against which a full impression is taken in sequence by a rocking platen or a reciprocating roller. The essential feature of the invention is that a protecting devicepreferably adjacent the front and rear ends of the die would be operated substantially as described for each proper single impression operation and prevent taking a second or fraudulent impression from the die when the latter is exposed adjacent the printing point.

We claim:

1. In combination with a rotatable printing die; spaced devices adapted to be alternately projected beyond the printing surface of the die to permit taking a progressive impression from the surface of the die, but preventing the taking of a simultaneous impression from all portions of such surface; and means for retracting one device and simultaneously projecting the other while the die is exposed for printing.

2. In combination with a rotary printing die, devices adjacent opposite ends of the die and adapted to be alternately projected beyond the printing surface of the die said devices permitting the taking of a progressive impression from the surface of the die, and preventing the taking of a simultaneous impression from all parts of such surface; and means for retracting one device and simultaneously projecting the other while the die is exposed for printing.

3. In combination with a printing die; a

rocking protectorhaving spaced members adapted to project beyond the impression surface of the die and permit taking aprogressive impression from the surface of the die but prevent obtaining a simultaneous impression from all parts of such surface.

1 4. In. combination with a printing die; a rocking protector having spaced projections on its ends adapted to projectalternately be yond the printing surface'of the die and per mit taking a progressive impression from the surface of the die but to prevent taking a simultaneous impression from all parts of such surface, and means for. operating said protector.

.5. In combination arotary drum, aprinting die mounted in the drum, protector means in thedrum adapted to alternately project beyond the printing surface of the die and permit'taking a progressive impression from the surface of the die but prevent taking a simultaneous impression from all parts of such surface.

6. In combination a rotatable drum, a printing die therein, and protector devices in the drum adjacent opposite ends of the'die adapted to alternately project beyond the printing surface of the die to prevent taking a simultaneous impression from all parts of the printing surface; andmeans forretracting and projecting said. devices during the rotation of the drum.

7. In combination a rotary drum, a printing die therein, protector devices in the drum adjacent opposite ends of the die adapted to project beyond the printing surface-of the die to-prevent taking a simultaneous impression from all parts of the printing surface, and means for retracting one device and simultaneously projecting the other duringthe rotation of the drum. and the taking of an impression from the die.

8. In combination with a printing die; protector means adapted to project beyond the impression surface of the die to prevent the taking of a simultaneous imprint from all portions of the printing surface of the die, and means for operating the protector.

9. In combination with a printing die; protector means adapted to project beyond the impression surface of the die and prevent taking a simultaneous impression from the entire printing surface of the die while permitting taking a progressive impression from such surface, and means for operating the protector.

10. In combination with an orbitally moving printing die; protector means adapted to project beyond the impression surface of the die adjacent the end thereof to prevent taking a simultaneous impression from the entire printing surface of the die while permitting taking a progressive impression from such surface, and means for operating the protector.

11. In combination with a printing die;

spaced protector means adapted to project alternately beyond the printing surface of the die, to prevent taking a simultaneous impression from the entire printing surface of the: die while permitting taking a progressive impression from such surface, an

means for operating the protector.

I 12. In combination with a rotatable printing die; spaced protector devices adjacent opposite ends of the die, adapted. to alternately project beyond the printing surface of the die and permit taking a progressive impression from the surface of the die but prevent the simultaneous taking of an im pression from all parts of such surface, and means for operating the protector.

13. In combination with a printing die; spaced protector devices adapted to be al ternately projected beyond the printing surface of the die to permit taking a progressive impression from the surface of the die but prevent the simultaneous taking of an im-, pression from all parts of such-surface, and means for alternately retracting and projecting such devices.

14. In combination with an orbitally moving printing die; a pivoted protector adapted to project beyond the impression surface of the die to prevent taking an impression simultaneously from the entire printing surface of the die; and means for operating said protector.

1 15. In combination with a printing die; a rocking protector having spaced means adapted to project alternately beyond the printing surface of the die to prevent taking an impression simultaneously from all parts of the printing surface of the die; and means for operating said protector.

W. H. WHEELER, JR.

JACOB W. OGDEN.

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