US2079704A - Locking system fob a selective de - Google Patents

Description

May 11, 1937. J. Q. FINFROCK ET AL 2,079,704

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINATION REGISTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE I nvenlor:

Jam: (ARM-oak Frank 1? Sager i A nonIey s y 1937. J O. FINFROCK ET AL 2,079,704

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINATION REGISTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 15, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventors John Q. Fz'nfrock Frank P Sager A ttomeys May 11, 1937. J. Q. FINFROCK ET AL 2,079,704

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINATION REGTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE Attorneys LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINATION REGISTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 13, 1954 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 3! 3 J. Q. FINFROCK El AL 2,079,704

bwentors John Q. Fz'nfrock Framr 1? Sager y era/94 Attorney;

J. Q. FINFROCK ET AL LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINATION REGISTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE May 11, 1937.

Filed June 13, 1954 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventors John 0. Fz'nfroc 1:

Frank 1? Sager Attorney; 1

y 1937- .1. Q. FINFROCK ET AL 2,079,704

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINA'IION REGISTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE Attorney;

May 11, 1937. J, NFR ET AL 2,079,704

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINATION REGISTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 15, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 I nvenlors John 0. Fmfrock Frank PSa ger M Attorney 5 I May 11, 1937. J. Q. FINFROCK ET AL 2,079,704

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINATION REGISTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 13, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 S K S M c w m u m 9 a .m 1 m m I. F M 0k H n b m 0 0 "Jr 3 e a 7 6 l 7 I q. H 11 6. I a 1.. H u. a J m a 9 z 8W1 3 5 n 6 x 6 h f M 2 f a J I AU 7 O 7 -I U Z 7 I O 5 3J8 a 1. 1 I 1 S a 4. .r 11 I 7 Z 1 m 1 Z. 7 1 an 2 9 1 \G 7 7 5 1 5 1.3 4 s 1 a I z 6 I |-\M.1 3 a 1 4 5 {A m u 1 r I 9 8 7 Z, r M 0 6 w a "M a a JP 1 May 11, 1937. J. Q. FINFROCK ET AL 2,079,704

. LOCKING SYSTEIWFOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINATION REGISTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 13, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet .9

Inventor Jb/m Q Fz'nfrock Frank R Sager Attorney: I

May 11, J, Q FlNFRocK ET AL LOCKING SYSTEM'FOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINATION REGISTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 13, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet l0 I m'enlors John 0. E'nfroclr Fran/r j? Sager K A tlomey 5 May 11, 1937. J. Q. FINFROCK ET AL 2,079,704

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A SELECTIVE DENOMINATION REGISTERING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 15, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet ll I nvenlors John Q Finfrack Frank E Sager Attorney 5 Patented May 11, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A SELECTIVE DE;- NOMINATION REGISTERING AND PRINT- ING MACHINE Application June 13, 1934, Serial No. 730,402

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a different form of locking system for use in controlling a selective denomination registering and printing machine of the general type illustrated and described in our copending application, Ser. No. 709,796, filed February 5, 1934.

The locking system of this invention, when utilized in the printing machine of our application in place of the system disclosed therein, has in many important advantages, some of which we are setting forth below, while others will be readily appreciated from the specifications and drawings.

One of the principal advantages or objects is to provide a locking system in which the control of the machine may be transferred from the usual money register to a unit form of counter whereby, upon the shifting of the control from the money to the unit mechanism, the machine may be operated a predetermined number of times; also to provide a suitable form of alarm or signal device which will function simultaneously with the change in the control to notify the operative. The sounding of the alarm will indicate to the operative that there remains only a certain number of operations before the locking of the machine takes place. The machine selected for illustration is organized to operate 200 times after the alarm, but it will be appreciated that the machine may be readily organized to operate any number of times after the warning.

It may be desirable to increase the number of operations to say 300 or 500 or even more, or on the other hand, in some instances, it may be pre- 3.", ferable to lock the machine after it has functioned a lesser number of operations after the alarm. After the signal has called attention to the change in control, the operative may select the most important mail matter to be run through the machine thus insuring that at least this mail will not be held for want of postage. In most cases 200 operations is deemed sufficient to fully care for the most important pieces of mail matter found in the usual mailing department.

A further object is to remove the stress and jar of the final locking operation from the money register thus greatly reducing the wear and tear and liability of an inaccurate registration of this register. This is important. On the other hand the more simple unit counter may be made more rugged and even though this counter should fail to operate accurately the amount of postage dispensed will still be accurately registered in the two money registers.

A further object is to provide means for automatically reducing to a predetermined lesser amount the maximum denomination which may be selected for registration during a single operation of the machine, and to also provide means for rendering the selector inoperative to register a higher denomination than said predetermined lesser amount to which the selector means is automatically actuated.

A further object is to provide means for automatically resetting the unit counter and the denomination reducing means during the operation necessary to reset the money register.

The invention resides in the several combinations and associations of elements or groups of elements and/or mechanisms operatively related for attaining the aforesaid objects, and also for attaining other objects and advantages which will become apparent as the nature of the invention is more fully understood from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth what is now considered to be a preferred embodiment. It should be understood, however, that this particular embodiment of the invention is chosen principally for the purpose of exempliflcation, and that variations therefrom in details of construction or arrangement of parts may accordingly be effected and yet remain within the spirit and scope of the invention as the same is set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of the selective denomination printing and registering machine of our co-pending application into which the locking system of this invention has been assembled.

Fig. 2 illustrates a fragmental sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates a fragmental sectional'view taken substantially in the plane of line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 illustrates a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 from which some of the operating elements of the machine have been removed to more clearly show the means for automatically returning the dollar and ten cent levers to zero and for locking them in their zero positions.

Fig. 5 illustrates a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the device released and ready to be swung into operative position for returning the dollar and ten cent levers to zero.

Fig.6 illustrates a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the dollar and ten cent levers locked in their zero positions.

Fig. 7 illustrates a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line i-1 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 illustrates a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 from which some of the parts have been removed to more clearly show the relation of certain of the parts of the locking system when located in their normal operating positions.

Fig. 9 illustrates a sectional view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the bell striking mechanism and not some of the other mechanisms of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 illustrates a sectional view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the unit counter resetting means in the operation of resetting the counter.

Fig. 11 illustrates a sectional view similar to Fig. 10 but showing the unit counter resetting means actuated to the limit of its travel.

Fig. 12 illustrates a sectional view of the unit counter and is taken substantially in the plane of line i2 i2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 illustrates a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line i3i3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 14 illustrates a fragmental sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line il-il of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 illustrates a fragmental sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line i5l5 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 illustrates a fragmental sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line i6i5 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 17 illustrates a perspective view of the unit counter driving pawl.

Fig. 18 illustrates a section taken similar to that of Fig. 8 and shows a modified form of the locking means.

Fig. 19 illustrates a sectional view of the unit counter taken substantially in the plane of line i9--i9 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 illustrates a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 20-40 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 illustrates a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 2 i2i of Fig. 19.

Fig. 22 illustrates a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 2222 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 23 illustrates a perspective view of the unit counter actuating pawl.

In our co-pending application, previously referred to, a postage printing machine was chosen for the purpose of illustrating and describing our printing and registering machine, and the same general form of the invention will be selected for the same purpose in the present application. It will be understood, however, that the machine may take diiferent forms for different uses or purposes, although the fundamental conception of the invention will remain substantially the same.

The postage printing and registering machine will be referred to as an omni, as in the previous case.

The omni of this invention is substantially identical to the omni of our co-pending application, except for those mechanisms associated with the locking system, the automatic return means for the dollars and tens of cents selector means, and the resetting mechanism. In other words, the locking and resetting mechanisms of our former omni have been replaced with a new form of locking means and resetting mechanism, and to these has been added an automatic return means for the dollars and tens of cents levers. The claims of this case are directed only to these new mechanisms in various combinations and not to the machine in general, and for this reason and, because of the complete description of the remaining portions of the machine in our co-pending application, the description will not be repeated herein, except as to any of the mechanisms and parts which are associated with the new features.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the omni may be detachably mounted upon a power plant unit II in substantially the same manner as described in our co-pending application.

The omni may be manually actuated by the crank handle 32, shown in broken lines in Figure 1, whether connected to the power-plant or removed therefrom.

Locking system 33 One of the most important differences in the locking system 33 of this invention over our pending application is the use of a unit counter 34, shown in detail in several views on sheet 10 of the drawings, which is normally retainedinactive as long as there remains registered in the subtracting register 35 a substantial amount of prepaid postage. When the value of the prepaid postage registered in the subtracting register falls below a predetermined amount, the unit counter i is brought into operation whereby for each operation of the machine this counter will be actuated one unit. The particular unit counter shown is arranged to permit the machine to be actuated 200 times, whereupon the final locking of the machine will take place. This is an important advantage because it removes from the more delicate subtracting register all jar or stress developed during the locking operation, and thus the accuracy of the subtracting register may be more dependably relied upon. It is this subtracting register. together with an 'idding register 36 Ly which the post-office department checks and sets up the amount of postage used and purchased. The counter and two registers are mounted in alignment, as may be noted from Figure 1. This form of locking mechanism has a further important advantage in, first of all, notifying the operative when the unit counter is placed into operation, and, further, from the figure wheels of the unit counter the exact number of remaining impressions or actuations of the machine may be quickly and easily observed. Due to this feature, the operative can more expeditiously handle all important mail matter to insure its receiving the necessary postage indicia before the machine becomes finally locked. Knowing the number of operations remaining in the machine, the mail matter may be sorted to receive a most expeditious handling.

It should be noted that the machine may be operated after the unit counter is placed into operation 200 times independently of the value of the indicia being printed (within certain limits later to be explained), and the amount remaining registered in the subtracting register. In other words. after the unit counter is placed in operation, the subtracting register is relieved of all further connection with the locking mechanism.

The subtracting register is substantially in all respects like that of our co-pending application. with the exception of providing only a single tripping lever 31 pivotally mounted on the register frame, as by means of shaft 38. The forwardly and downwardly extending end portion 39 of the tripping lever is provided with a tooth 40 for the ten dollar numeral wheel and for each numeral wheel of higher order. The ten dollar numeral wheel is provided with a tripping notch 4| located to register with its related tooth 48 when this wheel registers two, while the numeral wheels of higher order are each likewise provided with a tripping notch but differ from the ten dollar wheelby having their notches located in position to register with their related tooth 48 while registering zero. When the ten dollar numeral wheel registers two and all of the numeral wheels of higher order zero, the control of the machine will be transferred from this meter to the unit counter. g

It will be understood that the tripping notches may be differently arranged to bring about the transfer of the control at any other selected value. I

By this arrangement, the tripping lever 31 will be actuated when notch 4| turns into registration with the tripping lever tooth. This may take place at any value between-$29.99 and $20.00% in a machine having a maximum printing and registering capacity of $9.99 Of course, if the maximum value printable by the machine is greater or less than $9.99 it may correspondingly change the range of tripping values.

The tripping lever is provided with a downwardly and forwardly extending lever arm 48, normally urged to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, by spring 41.

The lower end of arm 48 is provided with a roller 48. Arm 48, with its roller 48, serves two important purposes, the first of which is to maintain the teeth 48 of the tripping lever 31 clear of their related numeral wheels during the transfer period of the upward movement of the register, and second, to actuate cam lever 48 for tripping the unit counter and denominationreducing means into operation. For the purpose of accomplishing the first of the above purposes, a cam rail .48a is'provided. As may be observed in Figure 4, roller 48 does not engage the cam rail when in its uppermost position but it brought into engagement with the rail during that portion of the upward stroke of the register during which i the transfer mechanism of the register is operated, thereby liftingteeth of lever 31 clear of the numeral wheels.

The cam roller 48 is prevented from. actuating cam lever v48 as longas there remains in the register a value exceeding 2999 as in this event one or more of the teeth 48 will engage the periphery of their numeral wheels and thus prevent the tripping lever from swinging sufficiently to actuate lever 49. If, however, the ten dollar wheelregisters 2 and all wheels of higher order register zero, the additional swing of tripping lever 31, permitted by the teeth 48 swinging into their related numeral wheel notches 4|, will cause roller 48 of arm 46 to engage and actuate cam lever 49, thereby tripping the unit. counter and denomination reducing means into operation.

As may be observed in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, the roller 48 will rise sufficiently above the upper end ofcam rail 48a to permit this additional motion of the tripping lever 31. These figures also show that the upper end of the cam rail 48a is sufficiently tapered or rounded off whereby roller 48 may nicely ride upon cam rail 48a during the succeeding operations of the machine.

To accomplish this "tripping action, the cam lever 48 is fastened upon cross shaft 58, which shaft has likewise fastened thereon in spaced relation to the cam lever a latch member 52 having tooth 53. which normally overlies the transversely projecting finger 54 of the sliding link 55. The forward end of this link is supported upon a'suitable roller 56, while the rear end thereof is pivotally connected to the lower arm 51 of hell crank lever 58. Against one face of the forward oflset portion 58 of the sliding link acts the spring 58a to push the link rearwardly when released from the latch member 52. This rearward motion of the sliding link is made use of for actuating an alarm bell and for placing the unit counter into operation, as well as for bringing the denomination reducing means into operation.

Alarm and actuating means therefor An alarm bell 68 may be of any suitable type and supported upon the omni frame 6| by pin 52.

The alarm is sounded simultaneously with the placing of the unit counter into operation.

The means which are actuated by the sliding link 55 for sounding the alarm may include providing the bell crank lever 58 with an angular arm 63, from which there is formed a transversely extending projection 84. The lower end of link 85 is provided with a hooked portion 65a adapted to hook over" the projection 64, while at its opposite end is pivotally connected to the arm 86 of the bell clapper 61. The clapper is pivotally mounted upon the omni frame 81, as by a pin means 88. A spring 68 acts at all times tourge link 85 upwardly and forwardly. When the subtracting meter tripping lever 81 functions to release the sliding link, this link will be 'moved rearwardly due to the action of its spring 58a and to thereby rock bell crank lever 58 to in turn permit the hooked link 65 to move upwardly and forwardly under the influence of its spring means 88 and to thereby swing the bell clapper into ringing engagement with the bell (Fig. 9).

As may be observed in Fig. 9, the arm projection 84 of bell crank 58 moves away from the hooked portion 55a of link 85 for two reasons, namely, to allow the full movement of the sliding link 55 and associated parts, and for permlttingthe bell clapper to give the bell a single smart blow. Due to the location of spring 88 with relation to the pivotal center of link 65, thehook-shaped end 85a of the link will be maintained in position'to be reengaged by projection 54 when the parts are returned to their initial positions. I The means for placing the unit counter into action The means for placing the unit counter into action is most clearly shown in Figs. 2, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 14, and may. include any suitable means ior rendering the unitcounter driving pawl 18 active, which pawl is normally maintained inactive. The means herein disclosed may include a rocking lever 1| pivotally mounted on shaft 12. The lower forward face of this lever is provided with a cam surface 13 adapted to engage the rear face of the offset portion 58 of the sliding link 55 (Fig. 2)... By this arrangement,

the rocking lever will be rotated in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) when the sliding link is released in themanner previously described. This surface 80 (Fig. 14), which normally underlies the arm 8| to retain the pawl elevated sufficiently to maintain ratchet tooth 02 thereof free of the unit counter ratchet wheel 03. The operation of this portion of the mechanism may be summarized briefly as follows:

When the subtracting register turns to present to the window the figure for all value wheels above the tens of dollars wheel, and this wheel is turned to show the figure 2" representing $20.00, the tripping lever 31 will function to release the sliding link 55. It will be appreciated that the amount indicated by the value wheels below the tens of dollars wheel has no bearing upon the tripping function.

As soon as the sliding link is released. it moves rearwardly, imparting motion to the rocking lever which through link I6 rotates the disc cam ll, thereby swinging the cam surface 00 free from the arm 8| of the unit counter driving pawl I0. In Figs. 2, 4, 8, and 14 the unit counter pawl releasing means is shown in position to retain the pawl in its inoperative position, while in Figs. 5, 6, and 9 this means is shown in its pawl releasing position.

Unit counter 34 The means for actuating the unit ,counter driving pawl will be described following the description of the counter.

The unit counter 34 is suitably mounted within the omni casing so as to be in alignment with the substracting and adding registers when the latter are in their positions of rest, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. However, the unit counter need not be so arranged, but with the counter and two registers in alignment it gives the machine a more pleasing appearance.

Several detailed views of the unit counter are given on Sheet 10 of the drawings wherein it may be noted that the unit counter shaft 15 has one end turned down for securely riveting the shaft at this end to a supporting bracket 04, which bracket may be secured to the omni frame 8| in any approved manner. The opposite end of shaft 15 may be provided with a head 80 to retain the several devices journaled thereon in proper position. A sleeve 86 is journaled on shaft I0, and at one end is provided with a driving pinion 01 and between this pinion and the bracket member I may be mounted a washer 08. There are several elements journaled on the sleeve, which elements (Fig. 12) starting from the pinion end of the sleeve include an arm 09 of the driving pawl support, a cam disc I4, 8. unit wheel 90, a tens wheel 9|, and a hundreds wheel 02. A ratchet wheel 83 is fastened upon the hub of the unit wheel 90, and it is this ratchet wheel with which the unit counter driving pawl 10 engages when released to turn the unit wheel one-tenth of a revolution for each operation of the machine.

To prevent the ratchet wheel 00 from rotating in a clockwise direction. as viewed in Fig. 15. a pawl 94 is journaled upon a suitable cross shaft 95 and is yieldingly urged into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel by means of spring 96. It will be understood that on each of the numeral wheels there is engraved a series of consecutive numerals from "0" to "9".

There is also mounted upon the hub 'of the units wheel 90 a Geneva driver 01 (note Fig. 10). This driver is provided with two teeth 90 which. upon revolution of the units wheel, engage and rotate the Geneva pinion 09. The pinion 00 is made sufiiciently broad so as to engage the teeth of gear I00 of the tens wheel. This arrangement of parts is commonly referred to as a transfer mechanism and for each revolution of the units wheel causes the tens wheel to be moved one tenth of a revolution. It will be understood that the gear I00 is suitably fastened to the tens wheel so that any motion of this gear is transmitted to the wheel.

The Geneva pinion 00 is iournaled on a short shaft IOI, which is suitably mounted upon the forward end of the re-setting lever I02. The resetting lever and its associate parts will be more fully described later.

Joumaled beside the Geneva pinion 90 is a second Geneva pinion I03, and it is this second Geneva pinion which transfers the motion from the tens wheel to the hundreds wheel in a similar manner to that of the units and tens wheels. In this connection. it will be pointed out that the tens wheel 9| has suitably fastened thereto a Geneva plate I04, having two teeth adapted to engage and rotate the Geneva pinion I03 after each full revolution of the tens wheel, while the hundreds wheel is provided with a gear I which is at all times in mesh with the Geneva pinion. By this arrangement, each revolution of the tens wheel 0| will cause the hundreds wheel to rotate one tenth of a revolution.

It may be observed from Fig. 12 that each of the numeral wheels has been counter-bored to receive a re-setting pawl I06. One of these pawls I06 is clearly shown in Fig. 15, and it will be understood that the construction and arrangement of all of the pawls are identical. The pawl Ill, shown In Fig. 15, is pivotally connected to the units wheel 90 by means of a suitable pivot pin I01 and is yieldingly urged into engagement with a ratchet groove I 00 formed longitudinally of the sleeve member 80 by a suitable spring means I00.

The purpose of the pawls I06 is for re-setting the numeral wheel to "0 when a new amount of postage purchased is being set up in the subtracting register. This operation is taken care of automatically by means later to be described.

Unit counter driving mechanism A driving mechanism is provided for reciproeating the unit counter actuating pawl III each time the machine is operated, but through the means previously described the actuating pawl is normally maintained above the teeth of the units wheel ratchet 03. However, when the disc cam 14 is rotated, the cam surface 00 thereof will be carried from under the arm 0| of the driving pawl I0, thus permitting the pawl to swing into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 83. A spring 0 yieldingly urges the pawl in the direction of the ratchet wheel, as may be clearly observed in Fig. 15.

The driving pawl I0 is pivotally iournaled on a short shaft III carried by the spaced pawl supporting arms 00 and H2 (Fig. 12).

The pawl supporting arm 00 is Journaled on the sleeve 00 adjacent the pinion 01 thereof, while the pawl supporting arm II! is journaled directly upon the unit counter-shaft 15 ad iacent the head 00 thereof.

As is most clearly shown in Fig. 13, arms 80 and II! may be connected by a bridge piece III or the arms and bridge piece III may be formed of a single member.

The short shaft III is carried by these two arms adjacent the bridge piece III, and it is upon this shaft which the driving pawl 10 is journaled by means of three spaced bearing lugs II4.

One end of spring IIO which acts to force the driving pawl 10 into engagement with its ratchet wheel is carried by a cap member II suitably fastened to the bridge piece II3 (note Figs. 13 and 15).

By supporting the short shaft III on arms 09 and H2 and by journaling these two arms concentric with a unit counter shaft I5, the pawl may be oscillated back and forth in concentric relationship to the periphery of the ratchet wheel 83. The means for oscillating the driving pawl may include a link IIB with one end journaled on the short shaft between two of the driving pawl bearing lugs II4 (note especially Fig. 13), while the other end of this link may be pivotally connected to the upper end of the bell crank lever III by a suitable pin H0, while the bell crank member may be in turn journaled upon a suitable pin or shaft I I9. The lower arm of the bell crank lever is pivotally connected to one end of link I20 by a suitable pin means I2I, while the other end of link I20 is pivotally connected to the swing frame I22 of the substracting register 35, by a suitable pivot pin I23.

By this arrangement with each oscillation of the subtracting meter swing frame I22 the unit counter driving pawl will be given a sufficient stroke to advance the ratchet wheel 03 to the extent of one full tooth. It will be appreciated that the ratchet wheel 03 is provided with ten equally spaced ratchet teeth whereby upon each action of the machine the units numeral wheel 90 will be rotated by the ratchet one tenth of a revolution, and to thereby bring to view before the casing window I24 the next succeeding numeral engraved on the periphery thereof.

The meter swing frame I22 is pivotally mounted at its upper end upon pivot shaft I22a, Figure 3. A driving link l22b is pivotally connected to the lower end of frame I22. The driving link is bifurcated to straddle shaft I43 and to be supported thereby. A cam roller I220 plays in cam groove I22d of the cam wheel I16. Due to this arrangement, with each operation of the machine the swing frame will be swung forwardly from its position as illustrated in Figure 2 and later returned to its initial starting position. a

The register swing frame I22 provides a convenient source of motion for the unit counter actuating pawl. It is to be understood, however, that the motion for driving the unit counter actuating pawl may be taken from any of the other suitable moving parts of the omni driving mechanism.

When the subtracting counter shows a value registered therein well above the tripping point for the unit counter, the unit counter driving pawl will be held out of engagement by the cam disc 14, as previously described, and while so held by this disc the arm 3| of the pawl will ride back and forth on the cam surface 80 of the disc during each operation of the machine, and in this way the ratchet tooth 82 of the pawl will be held out of engagement with the teeth of the units wheel driving ratchet 03.

Locking means for the omni driving mechanism When the unit counter has been actuated two hundred times it functions to bring into ac tion means for locking the driving mechanism of the omni, which latter means not only lock the driving mechanism of the omni but may also act to disconnect the driving clutch tripping mechanism of the unit power plant 3| when the machine is mounted thereon.

We will first describe the locking mechanism and, secondly, the means for rendering the power plant clutch tripping mechanism ineffective.

Referring especially to Figs. 2, 12, and 13, the locking means for the omni driving mechanism may include a locking cam I25 fastened to the rear face of the hundreds numeral wheel. The relation of the high point of cam I25 to the hundreds wheel is such that when the numeral representing two hundred appears before the units counter window I24, this portion of the cam will engage the upper end I26 of a bell crank lever I21, which lever may be journaled upon the pivot pin I28 carried by a frame bracket I29 (Fig. 13). The lower end I30 of the bell crank lever is pivotally connected to a connecting rod I3I by a pivot pin I32, while the opposite end of this connecting rod is pivotally connected to 9, depending latch lever I33 (Fig. 2) as by pivot pin I34. The depending latch lever is most clearly illustrated in Figs. 2, 8, and 9, and in these figures it may be observed that the latch lever is pivotally mounted at its upper end to the frame by a suitable pivot pin I35, while at its lower end is provided with a latch tooth I36 normally engaging a pro jecting lug I31 formed on the side face of the locking lever I30, which lever is pivotally mounted on the frame, as at I39.

From the lower edge of the locking lever projects a locking tongue I40 normally retained out of engagement with the locking notch I4I formed in the locking wheel I42, which wheel is securely fastened to the main driving shaft I43 of the omni. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8, the locking tongue I40 is maintained clear of the locking notch I4I, thereby leaving the omni driving mechanism free to rotate.

It will be understood that the locking notch will register with the locking tongue, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8, during the time the machine is at rest, that is, between each operating cycle thereof.

After the unit counter has been operated two hundred times, the locking cam I25 will engage the upper end I26 of the bell crank lever I21 and rotate this crank in a clockwise direction from its position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and through the connecting rod will swing the depending latch lever I33 rearwardly to release the projecting lug I31 from the latch tooth I36, and to thereby permit the locking lever to rotate in a clockwise direction under the influence of spring I44 to swing the locking tongue into locking engagement with the notch I4I.

The relation of these parts when actuated to the locking position is clearly shown in Fig. 9.

By this arrangement, the main driving shaft of the omni is securely locked against rotation and may only be released when a new value of postage has been set up in the subtracting register in a manner later to be described.

A spring means I45 may be provided to yieldingly urge the upper end of the bell crank lever I21 into the path of travel of the locking cam I25, and a suitable spring means I46 may be provided for yieldingly urging the latch lever I33 into latching engagement with a projecting lug I31 of the looking lever.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that the final locking of the omni is brought about by the locking cam I25 of the unit counter and that this locking action is entirely independent of the subtracting register, and the several parts of the locking mechanism may be made sufficiently rugged to withstand for a long period of time the jar and stress upon these parts when actuated to lock the machine against further use.

As the omni is now locked, it will be appreciated that it would be inadvisible to permit the omni driving clutch of the power plant to be brought into operation, and for this reason means are provided which will function simultaneously with the locking action to render the clutch tripping mechanism ineffective to bring the driving clutch into operation, and for this purpose the rear end I41 of the locking lever I36 is sufliciently oflset and extended to overlie the horizontal cam surface .38 of the floating link I.

Interposed between the end I41 of the locking lever and the cam surface I of the floating link there may be provided an anti-friction roller I50. The upper end of the floating link is pivotally carried by the pivot pin I5I in a suitable guide slot I52 formed in the frame of the machine, and this arrangement permits the floating link to be raised or lowered and also allows the lower end to swing freely. The link is normally urged upwardly by a long diagonally extending spring I53 connected to the floating link at one end by a suitable pin means I54 (Fig. 2). The floating link is prevented from moving upwardly during the normal operation of the machine by the contact of its cam surface I48 with the anti-friction roller I 50 of the locking lever I38.

When the locking lever is released to lock the machine, the rear end I41 thereof will swing upwardly into engagement with the projecting pin I55, which extends from the side face of the floating link just above the upper surface of this portion of the locking lever, thereby lifting the floating link to the position shown in Fig, 9.

Acting against a lower surface of the floating link cam portion I46 is a clutch cut-out pin I56. The clutch cut-out pin I56 is normally maintained depressed by the floating link aganist the action of suitable spring means (not shown) which yieldingly urge the pin upwardly. When the locking lever swings into locking position, the floating link is lifted and thereby releases the clutch cut-out pin, permitting it to move upwardly under the influence of its spring means to render the clutch tripping mechanism (not shown) inoperative.

From the above description it will be appreciated that after the unit counter has been actu ated two hundred times the driving mechanism of the omni will be positively locked to prevent further use of the machine until an additional amount of postage has been purchased and the parts returned to their original operative position, and simultaneously with the locking of the machine the power plant clutch tripping mechanism will be rendered inoperative to place the omni driving clutch into operation.

In the present drawings, the locking cam I is located to bring about the .locking action of the machine when the unit counter registers two hundred operations. It will be understood, of course, that the relation of the locking cam to the hundreds wheel may be changed whereby a greater or a less number of operations of the machine may be had before bringing about the locking operation. In some instances, it may be desirable to provide only a single units wheel in the unit counter and to provide this units wheel with a locking cam similar to that of I25 whereby the machine may be locked from one to ten actuations after placing the unit counter in operation.

Means for reducing the maximum denomination which may be printed during a single operation 0/ the machine Before describing the denomination reducing means, a brief description of the denomination selecting means will be given.

As the selector means for each denomination is substantially like the other selector means, the description of the tens 01' cents selector means will suffice for all.

Fastened to the tens of cents selector lever I61 is a gear segment I51a meshing with the selector rack I61b. Below the gear segment is a pinion 161e, likewise meshing with the selector rack and fastened upon a suitable transverse shaft I61d. A second selector rack I61e is slidably mounted in alignment with the tens of cents numeral wheel gear I61] and is provided with gear teeth upon its front and rear faces. The rear set of gear teeth is in mesh with a driving pinion IBlg, which is directly in back of pinion I610 as viewed in Figure 3. The driving pinion I61g is fastened upon shaft I61d and is turned thereby to raise or lower the second selector rack I610. The front face of this second selector rack is provided with gear teeth I61h which are normally maintained out of range of the tens of cents gear wheel I61}. As the tens of cents selector lever I61 is swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, through the train of mechanism just described, the second selector rack I61e will be lifted the distance of one tooth for each number indexed upon casing 45 adjacent this lever. It will be understood that there is a third selector rack substantially like the second selector rack I616 which is positioned to be engaged by the related numeral wheel gear of the adding register and a third pinion mounted upon shaft "5111 for actuating this rack in the same manner as the second selector rack. In this way the second and third selector racks I61e may be shifted from their initial positions, wherein none of their teeth I 6171 will engage the tens of cents gears I61], to a position wherein from one to nine of their teeth will be in the path of gears I 611, depending upon the positioning of the selector lever. Thus, the positioning of the selector lever I61 adjacent any one of the figures indexed upon the casing will cause a corresponding entry in the adding and subtracting registers during the operating cycle of the machine.

Unless means were provided for reducing the maximum denomination which may be printed during a single operation of the machine, the unit counter would have to be placed into operation at a considerably higher value in order that two hundred impressions of the maximum denomination which may be printed by the machine would not exceed the money value registered in the register at the time the unit counter is placed into action. For example, with the maximum printing value of $9.99 the transfer of the control from the subtracting register to the unit counter would have to take place at practically $2,000.00 to insure the machine against an overdraft. This. of course, in most instances would be undesirable and, therefore,

-we provide means for reducing the printing capacity of the machine to a value not to exceed Qtgc. Multiplying 9 by 200 will give a value of $19.00, this being the point at which the transfer of the control from the subtracting register to the unit counter may take place; however, in the present embodiment of the invention this transfer of the control will take place at the first value below $30.00. In other words, just as soon as the tens of dollars wheel of the subtracting register turns to present the numeral 2 to the window, the transfer will take place independently of the value registered in the numeral wheels of lower order than that of the tens of dollars wheel as, for example, the transfer may take place at any value between $29.99 and $20.00 When the transfer does take place, there should remain in the subtracting register not less than $19.00 to insure against an overdraft.

A denomination reducing means are actuated automatically at the time of the transfer of the control from the subtracting register to the unit counter, and this operation is brought about by a control mechanism actuated by the rearward movement of the sliding link 55, and the bell crank lever 58, which is keyed to the transverse shaft I51 (note Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7).

The transverse shaft I51 extends across the full width of the machine, and there is fastened to the end of this shaft adjacent the right hand side of the machine a crank arm I58 extending upwardly and carrying a locking plate I59 and also a rearwardly extending arm I60, to which is pivotally connected, as by means of pivot pin I6I, a drag link I62, which link is pivotally connected to means for positively swinging the dollar and ten cent denomination selector means from any setting thereof to their zero positions.

We will now describe the mechanical means for positively returning the dollar and ten cent levers from any setting to which they may have been previously actuated to their zero positions.

Referring particularly to Fig. 7, it will be noted therein that the dollar selector lever I63 is fastened to a sleeve I64 journalled upon transverse shaft I65, and has suitably fastened to the end thereof a sectoral gear I66 while the tens of cents selector lever I61 is fastened. to a shorter sleeve I68, which in turn is journaled upon the periphery of the dollar lever sleeve I64 and securely fastened upon the end of this sleeve is the tens of cents sectoral gear I69. The two sectoral gears I66 and I69 are maintained in working engagement by a bushing I10, which is provided between the dollar selector lever and the tens of cents selector lever to maintain these parts in properly spaced relation.

A cent selector lever HI and the half cent selector lever I12 are each independently journaled upon the periphery of the tens of cents selector lever sleeve. Each of the selector levers carries a quadrant gear adapted to mesh with their respective selector racks of the denomination selector means, as is fully described in our co-pending application and need not be repeated here.

In mesh with the dollar sectoral gear I66 is a rack I13, while in mesh with the tens of cents sectoral gear I69 is a similar and independent rack I14 (Fig. 7).

These racks are slidably supported in side by side relation in a groovebearing block I15. In Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 it will be noted that racks I13 and I14 are inclined upwardly and when their respective selector levers are in their zero positions the racks are maintained in their elevated positions. In Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 the tens of cents selector lever is shown in the position it would occupy when printing a 30 indicia,in

other words, at, its 30 position, and in these figures it will be noted that rack I14 has moved downwardly from its upper position.

Means are provided which may be brought into action for returning either or both of the racks to their elevated zero positions simultaneously with the transferring of the control from the subtracting register to the unit counter.

These means may include a cam wheel I16 fastened to the main drive shaft I43 of the omni, and formed in the side face of the cam wheel is a cam groove I11 of appropriate outline to give the cam lever I18 sufficient travel to cause the racks I13 and I14 to be moved'the full extent of their maximum travel.

The cam lever I18 may be pivoted to the machine frame. as at I18, and is provided with a depending arm I80 for the support of a cam roller I8I, which roller is adapted to travel in the cam groove I11. Pivotally connected to the cam lever at I82 is a swing link I83 and this link is provided with an offset arm I84, which is pivotally connected to the drag link I62 of the control mechanism, as by a suitable pivot pin I85.

With each rotation of shaft I43 the cam wheel I16 will make a complete revolution and thus oscillate the cam lever and with it the swing link I83. However, as may be noted in Fig. 3, the drag link I62 will maintain the swing link clear of the ends of racks I13 and I14.

It may be observed in Fig. 7 that the swing link I83 is of suflicient width to engage both of these racks when permitted to move into align ment with the ends thereof, but during the normal operation of the machine the swing link I83 will be maintained out of line with the adjacent ends of these racks (Fig. 3). However, when the amount registered in the subtracting register falls below the predetermined value. the control means will function to swing this link I83 into alignment with the adjacent ends of racks I 13 and I14, and should one or both of these racks be actuated due to the setting up of a value by either the dollar or tens of cents selector levers, the link I83 will engage these racks and return them together with their associated selector mechanisms to their zero positions.

After the swing link has functioned to return the selector levers to their zero positions, means are provided for locking the racks and thereby the levers from further operation until the machine has been re-set in a manner later to be described.

Selector locking means The parts so far described are so arranged that during the normal operation of the machine they will remain ineffective but simultaneously with the setting of the unit counter into operation will function to return the dollar and tens of cents levers to their zero positions and. to lock these levers against further use.

The locking means may include the locking plate I59 previously referred to, which is swung from its normal ineffective position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, upon the release of the sliding link 55. as previously described, to its position as shown in Fig. 5, and finally swung to the position as shown in Fig. 6. A latch means I86 is provided to engage and control the swinging motion of locking plate I59 and in this way to bring about first the alignment of the swing link I83 with the adjacent ends of racks I13 and I14, and upon completion of the return movement of these racks to permit the locking plate I59 to swing directly into the path of travel of these racks.

The latch means may be pivoted to the frame by a suitable pivot pin I81 and by spring means I 88 may be yieldingly urged to rotate or swing in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6. Locking plate I59 is provided with a shoulder I89, against which the curved surface I98 of the latch member normally rides. The curved surface I98 is interrupted by a shoulder I9I, and it is against this shoulder that the locking plate is swung upon the releasing of the sliding link 55 (Fig. to rock the swing link I83 into alignment with the ends of racks I13 and I14. The swinging motion of the locking plate I59 is transmitted to swing link I83 through the drag link I82, as previously described, and thereby when the locking plate is swung into engagement with shoulder I9I of the latchmember, the swing link will be maintained in alignment with the selector racks I13 and I14 and during the rotation of the cam wheel I16 will be thrust upwardly to engage and return any of the racks to their normal zero positions, whereupon the shoulder I92 of the swing link will engage the downwardly projecting portion I93 of latch member I85 and lift this member sufliciently to elevate shoulder I9I free of shoulder I89 to thereby release the locking plate which as a result thereof will swing until it engages a second shoulder I94 of latch member I88, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, to thereby permit the locking plate I59 to rock sufficiently to bring the upper end thereof directly below the adjacent ends of racks I13 and I14 and to thus lock the racks and through the racks the selector mechanism against further operation.

The locking of the dollar and tens of cents lever does not affect the cent and half cent levers and their respective selector mechanisms, and, therefore, during the 200 actuations of the machine before it becomes finally locked the cent and half cent selector levers may be actuated to bring about the printing of any denomination postage indicia from to 9 93. This range of values which may be printed will cover the general run of mail matter.

The operation of the denomination reducing and locking mechanism may be briefly stated as follows: When the tens of dollars wheel 42 of the subtracting register turns to bring the notch 4I thereof into registration with the tooth 40 of the tripping lever 31, this lever will be swung in a clockwise direction from its position,

as indicated in Fig. 4 to that indicated in Fig. 5, under the influence of the compression spring 41. This swinging motion of the tripping lever brings the cam roller 48 into engagement with the cam lever 49 to swing the cam lever in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5, against the action of the cam lever spring 5|, with the result that shaft 50 will be rotated and in turn will rotate the latch lever 52 fastened thereon. As the latch lever is rotated from its position, as illustrated in Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 5, the tooth 53 thereof will be lifted clear of the projecting finger 54 of the sliding link 55. This action will release the sliding link which will be urged rearwardly in response to its compression spring 59a. The rearward motion of link 55 will be limited first by the engagement of a locking plate I59 with the latch member shoulder I89, and, secondly, after the locking plate is released from the above shoulder by this plate engaging the second shoulder I94 of the latch. In other words, the rearward motion of the sliding link is interrupted during the return of the dollar and tens of cents selector levers to their zero positions. The locking plate I59 is obviously connected with the sliding link I55 by the bell crank lever 58, to which it is pivotally connected. The bell crank lever 58 is fastened to the transverse shaft I51, and it is upon this shaft that the locking plate is securely fastened. Thus, any motion of the sliding link will be positively communicated to this locking plate.

Upon the release of the sliding link, the parts above enumerated will quickly swing to their positions wherein the upper end of the swing link I83 will be in alignment with the adjacent ends of the selector returning racks I13 and I14, and during the actuation of the main power shaft I43 of the omni the cam lever I18 will be rocked upwardly due to the eccentricity of the cam groove I11. This upward motion of the cam lever I18 will thrust upwardly the swing link I83, the upper end of which will engage either or both of these selector returning racks I13 and I14 which may have been previously actuated to set up a selected denomination for printing and registering, and thus positively return the dollar and tens of cents selector levers and their respective mechanisms to their normal zero positions.

As the swing link I83 reaches the upper limit of its travel, its shoulder I92 will engage the downwardly projecting portion I93 of the latch member I88 and lift this member sutllciently to permit the locking plate I59 to swing into engagement with the latch member shoulder I94. This additional motion of the locking plate is also brought about by the compression spring 59a and will act through the drag link I82 to rock the swing link out of alignment with racks I13I14, and the locking plate, in turn, will move into position directly below the ends of these racks, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 6. Thus, the racks will be locked in their elevated position to prevent the dollar and tens of cents selector levers from actuation.

It will be understood, however, that the machine is not locked at this point but may continue to function in all respects, with the exception of the reduced denomination which may be printed at any one operation of the machine until the machine is finally locked after the unit counter has been actuated 200 times to bring about the locking action in the manner previously described.

Resetting mechanism It will be appreciated that a machine of this invention may be reset at any time, that is, it is not necessary to wait until the unit counter will have functioned to bring about the locking action of the machine before an additional purchase of postage may be made; in other words, the operative may take the machine to the post office and have set up therein an additional amount of postage irrespectively and independently of the unused balance remaining therein.

When using a machine of this invention, which may operate 200 times after the alarm has sounded notifying the transfer of the control from the subtracting register to the unit counter, it is natural for the operative to rely more or less upon this signal to advise when an additional amount of postage need be set up in the machine.

After the alarm has sounded the machine may be run anywhere from a few to 200 times before the operative would take the machine to the post office for resetting.

As the unit counter may be actuated any number of times up to 200, it is advisable, although not necessary, to provide a resetting means which will act automatically to reset the unit counter to zero each time a new purchase of postage is set up in the subtracting register.

When the invention is applied to a machine in which the unit counter is arranged to permit say ten impressions after the transfer of the control, and in order to make such a machine as simple as possible, the resetting means may. be eliminated therefrom, in which case should the machine be operated until the signal sounded notifying the transfer of the control from the subtracting register to the unit counter, there would remain ten moreimpressions which could be taken from the machine, but, should the operative use only five of these impressions before having the subtracting register recharged, the unit counter would maintain therein a registration of the five impressions previously taken.

As the unit counter was not reset to zero during the resetting operation, therefore, upon the next transfer of control from the subtracting register to the unit counter, the machine could only be run five times instead of ten. This form of control is called a random locking system, and its advantage resides primarily in its simplicity.

It is to be understood, however, that this random system of locking may be used in this embodiment of the invention in which the unit counter actuates 200 times before bringing about the final locking action.

The casing 45 is provided with a door 44 having a key actuated lock 238. This door permits access to the subtracting register and may be opened only by an authorized post oflice official for the purpose of setting up in the subtracting register an amount representing a purchase of postage.

As it is necessary to open the door 44 each time the register is to be reset, it is desirable to connect the means for returning or resetting the locking mechanism and denomination reducing means to the door whereby these mechanisms and means will be automatically returned to their initial positions each time the door is actuated. By so arranging these return means their operation becomes automatic and does not depend upon the person who resets the register.

The means for actuating the return of the unit counter numeral wheels to their original setting may include means for rotating the sleeve 86 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 15, whereby the groove I09 thereof will engage the resetting pawls I08 of each of the unit counter numeral wheels and rotate any of these numeral wheels which may have been previously rotated back to their 0 positions.

The means for rotating the sleeve may include the sleeve pinion 81 (Figs. 12, 13, and 14) and a quadrant gear I95 meshing therewith and arranged during the resetting operation to rotate the sleeve through one complete revolution. The means for rotating the quadrant gear may include a connecting rod I96 having the forward end thereof pivotally connected to the quadrant gear, as by pivot pin I91, and having its rear end pivotally connected to a triangular plate I98, as by pivot pin I99. The triangular plate I98 may be pivotally supported upon the ma ine frame 6|, as by means of a pivot pin 200. This plate I98 may be oscillated by the connecting rod 20I having its upper end pivotally connected thereto by the pivot pin I99 and its lower end pivotally connected to a second triangular plate 202, as by means of a pivot pin 203. This second triangular plate may be pivoted to the machine frame by pivot pin 204. The second triangular plate may in turn be operatively connected to the subtracting meter door 44 by means of the connecting rod 205 having its lower end pivotally connected to the second triangular plate 202 by means of the pivot pin 206 and to a suitable bracket 20! carried by the door 44 adjacent the hinge 208 thereof.

By this arrangement, as the door 44 is swung open, the second triangular plate will first be given a slight counter-clockwise rotation, as may be noted when comparing Figs. 8 and 10, and finally given a considerable amount of rotation in a clockwise direction, as may be noted from a comparison of Figs. 10 and 11. This rotation 'of the second triangular plate is transmitted through the means previously described to turn the quadrant gear through an arc to thereby cause the resetting sleeve 86 to make one full revolution. However, before rotating the resetting sleeve 88 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 15, to reset the unit counter numeral wheels, it is necessary to disconnect the Geneva transfer meansfrom the several numeral wheels, and, therefore, means areprovided for bringing about this disconnection just prior to the resetting rotation of sleeve 88.

The Geneva disconnecting mechanism is clearly shown in Figs. 8 to 11 and may include a resetting lever or swing frame I02 pivoted at its upper end to the machine frame, as by pivot pin 209, while adjacent the lower end of this lever the two sets of Geneva pinions 99 and I03 are freely journaled on short shaft IOI, which is in turn securely fastened to lever I02. By means of spring 2I0 the lever is urged to rotate about its pivot 209 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 8 to 11, and is stopped by fixed pin 2 when the teeth of the Geneva pinions correctly mesh with the other gears and wheels of the Geneva means of the counter wheels.

A latch means 2| 2 may be pivotally mounted to the machine frame by a suitable pin 2I3 and is urged to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 8 to 11, by a suitable spring means 2", whereby the notched portion 2I5 thereof will underlie a transversely projecting lug 2I6 of the resetting lever I02, thus securely retaining the lever against its stop pin 2I I, and in which position the Geneva pinions will mesh with their cooperating gears.

As it is necessary to swing the Geneva pinions clear of the Geneva gears of the counter wheels during the resetting operation, means are provided which will actuate during the initial swing of the door, that is, while the second triangular plate 202 is moving in' a counter-clockwise direction to bring about this disconnection of the pinions.

,Referring to Fig. 10, it will be noted that the subtracting register door 44 has been swung partially open and during this swinging of the door the triangular plate 202 has moved in counterclockwise direction. During the rotation of the second triangular plate in the counter-clockwise direction, the connecting rod I will be moved for a short distance toward the right as viewed in Fig. 10, and this motion is made use of tn

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