US2142440A - Automatic cash registering device for coin-controlled franking apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 3, 1939.

W. FRIEDRICHS AUTOMATIC CASH REGISTERING DEVICE FOR COIN CONTROLLED FRANKING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 50, 1955 Fig.7.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 If 17!: ventor:

Jan. 3, 1939. I w. FRIEDRICHS 2,142,440

AUTOMATIC CASH REGISTERING DEVICE FOR COIN-CONTROLLED FRANKING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 50, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 3, 1939. w. FRIEDRICHS 2,142,440

AUTOMATIC CASH REGISTERING DEVICE FOR COIN-CONTROLLED FRANKING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 30, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mi-iw lllll llllllilllllhl Ill Illlllllllll H IIIIIIIIIIIIII%IIIIIIE Il llll' lll llll l'lllllllll glllllll mum/11114 Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC CASH REGISTERING DEVICE FOR. COIN-CONTROLLED FRANKING AP- PARATUS Wilhelm Friedrichs, Reinickendor f, near Berlin,

' Germany ApplicationJanuai-y 30, 1935, Serial No. 4,174 In Germany November 2, 1932 7 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic cash registering device, more particularly for coincontrolled franking apparatus of the kind in which a feeler member is provided which is 5 moved by a sliding member and on which the coin acts as a motion-limiting stop.

The idea underlying the invention consists in connecting the feeler member and the sliding member of an automatic cash registering device 10 of this kind yieldingly with one another in such a manner that, both when a coin is present and when no coin is present in the coin chute, the

sliding member is able to perform its full motion v but that, when a coin is present, one of the two 15 members causes a control motion to take place,

Fig. 1 shows the essential parts of a hand-- operated, automatic franking apparatus viewed from the side and Fig. 2 shows the device viewed from .the front 30 Fig. 3 shows an electricallyoperated automatic ranking device viewed from the side and Fig'. 4 the same device in section on line -1) of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 shows the section cd of Fig. 4,

35 Fig. 6 the section e-f of Fig. 3,

. Fig. 'l is a view 0! details viewed in the direction of the arrowA in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 3 to 7 only the essential parts of the device are. illustrated.

The examples illustrated relate to ranking apparatus, that is apparatus for stamping letters, postcards and postal matter of this kind. A coin equivalent to the amount of postage re- 45 quired is inserted in the apparatus. By this means the printing device and the whole apparatus is so controlled, as described more particularly hereinafter, that franking corresponding to the value or the coin can be effected and that the article which was unfranked before beingchute, however, the finger 8a will, on the rail 1 mechanism is effected by a proper selection of casing wall a and, after passing through a coin tester I, which is only indicated, passes into the coin chute 2. In the latter it is first arrested by a stop lever 3 which is held in its operative position by a spring 4. The stop 5 is provided 5 for limiting the action of the spring. The lever -3 has a projection 8 which is acted on, as described below, by an arrangement provided for rocking it.

In this .constructional form the feeler member 10 or lever 8 is pivoted on a rail 1. The rail 1 is slidable from the outside. The lever 8 is held by the spring 9 in its normal position according to Fig. 1. A spring ill is provided for holding the rail I in its normal position and for returning it' into the same. When the rail 1 is displaced in opposition to the spring ill in the direction of the arrow, the lever 8 during this displacement retains its normal position with respect to the rail 1 as long as there is no coin G in the coin chute, as an opening Ii (Fig. 2) is provided in the coin chute opposite a feeler finger 8a of the lever 8. Should there be a coin Gin the coin being displaced, strike against the coin G, causing the lever 8 to rock in the counterclockwise direction. It will then strike against a lever l3. pivoted on the device at l2 and will rock it in the clockwise direction. To an arm ll of the lever I3 a link rod [5 is pivotally' attached. To

the link rod are pivoted pawls l6 and H. The pawl l6 engages in a ratchet wheel l8, so that toothed wheels 19 and 20 put one of the type wheels 2| in motion. The pawl I'I engagesin a ratchet wheel 22 which through toothed wheels 23, 24 drives a number wheel of an adding mechanism.

The operative motion of the printing type wheel 2| and of the number wheel of the adding the lengths of the levers and the pitches of the toothed wheels in accordance with the value of the inserted coin.

The lever l3 has a second arm 25 to which a push bar 28 is pivoted; The latter with its fork 21 engages over a pin 28 on a lever 29. An arm 30 of the lever 29 lies, when in the position of rest, in the path of a'pin 3| on the printing drum 32 supporting the printing type, which is capable of being rotated in the direction of the arrow by a hand crank, not shown. Rotation in the other direction is made impossible by a detent mechanism, also not shown. Through the lever l3 rocking in the clockwise direction the 5 push bar 26 is moved to the left in Fig. 1 and thereby rocks the lever 29, 36 in the counterclockwise direction. This motion causes the arm 38 to move out of the path of the pin 3|, so that the printing drum becomes free. In this position, even when the lever I 3 returns into its normal position before the printing drum 32 is turned, the lever 29, 36 is held by a detent 33, which, on the lever 29, 30 rocking aside, has engaged in the lower of the two notches 34. Only when, through the rotation of the printing drum 32, a pin 35 on it strikes against the arm 36 of the detent 33, will the latter be disengaged from the lower notch 34, so that under the action of a spring 31 the lever 29, 30 is returned into its normal position shown in Fig. l and locks the printing drum after it has performed a revolution.

With the lever 29 is rigidly connected an arm 38 which in its normal position prevents the opening of a flap 39 provided for closing the aperture for the insertion of letters. Through the above-mentioned rocking aside of the lever 29 in the counterclockwise direction the flap 39 is released.

For returning the type wheel into the zero position the following arrangement is provided:

With the printing drum is rigidly connected a. cam disc 40, on the periphery of which. runs a roller 42 mounted on a lever 4|. The lever M is provided with an arm 43 which during the first part of the revolution of the printing drum is kept by the cam disc 40 out of engagement with pins 44, which are fixed diametrically opposite one another to the ratchet wheel l8. During the second part of the revolution of the printing drum the lever 4| rocks, owing to the shape of the cam disc, under the action of a spring 45 in the counterclockwise direction, that is towards the centre of the ratchet wheel, so that the arm 43 passes into the path of one of the two pins 44 and thus, by arresting the ratchet wheel during the continued rotation of the printing drum, sets the type wheel back.

The arrangement referred to above for rocking aside the stop lever 3 is constructed as follows:

Below the rail 1 a. rail 46 is slidably guided in the frame of the device, which is provided with pins 41, between which extends a projection 48 of the rail 1. On the rail 1 being displaced, the rail 46 is at first not influenced. As soon however as the projection 48 strikes the right-hand pin 41, the rail 46 is carried along and forces with its right-hand end the projection 6 with the stop lever 3 in front of it, so that the lever 3 passes out of the path of the coin G. On the rail 1 returning, the finger 8a of the lever 8 releases the coin G before the lever 3 has returned into the position in which it bears against the stop, so that the coin G can fall into the cashbox. For preventing the setting arrangement from being used in a fraudulent manner by the rail 1 being repeatedly moved to and fro, the following locking mechanism is provided:

The rail I embraces with its forked projection 49 the pin 58 of a locking segment 62 which is pivoted on the pin 5|. On the rail I being displaced in the direction of the arrow a pawl 54 which is influenced by a spring 53 engages in the teeth of the locking segment 52, the pawl 54 being rocked over in the clockwise direction. This pawl prevents the return swing of the locking segment 52 as long as it is in engagement with the letter, that is up to the moment in which the pawl 54 slides ofi the right-hand end of the locking segment. Consequently a return motion of the rail 1 is prevented before it has completed its path in the direction of the arrow.

In the electricallyoperated device according to Figs. 3-7 the feeler member or lever 8 which bears against the coin G is moved to and fro in a regular manner by a motor 55. For the rest the action of the lever B is in principle the same as in the hand operated arrangement according to Figs. 1 and 2. The motor 55 is started automatically through the insertion of a coin. The arrangement for this purpose is described hereinafter. a

In this constructional arrangement for holding the coin in the path of the feeler finger 8a of the lever B a lever 56 is provided which is capable of rocking about a pin 51. The lever 8 is pivoted on the lever 56 by means of the pin 58. An arm 59 of the lever 56 bears against the periphery of a cam disc 60 driven by the motor 65 and is rocked to and fro by the cam disc along with the lever B. A pin 6| on an arm 8b of the lever 8 engages in the forked end 62 of a bar 63 and is forced by a spring 64 against the bottom of the fork. When during the rocking motion of the lever 8 produced by.the cam disc 60 the finger 8a strikes against a coin G, the lever B is rocked in the clockwise direction and by means of the spring 64 draws the bar 63 to the right, so that a pawl 66 which is pivotally attached at 65 to the bar 63 is rocked over in the clockwise direction about its pivot pin 61 and releases the lug 68 of a coupling device which shall now be described. p

The coupling device consists of a bow H which is pivoted by means of a pin 69 on the coupling disc 10 and against which a spring loaded pawl 12 bears. When the lug 68 has been released, the bow H is lowered, so thatthe pawl I2 engages in a ratchet wheel 13. This ratchet wheel is continuously driven by the motor.

To the coupling disc 18 a disc M is connected, which has a number of teeth 15, corresponding to the value of the coin. These teeth 15 engage in a toothed wheel I6 which is in operative connection with an associated type wheel ll (Fig. 5). Through the disc I4 being turned the type wheel is set to the value of 'the coin. Furthermore, the teeth 15 of the disc 14 coact with a second toothed wheel 18 (Fig. 3) which is in operative connection with a counting disc of an adding mechanism.

In the meantime, that is to say, during the feeding motion of the type wheel and of the number wheel, the stop lever 66 will have released the coin, so that the lever 8 can engage freely through the aperture in the coin chute and consequently the pawl 66 again assumes its normal position, shown in Fig. 3, this being brought about by a spring 66a acting on the pawl. On the completion of a revolution the lug 66 of the bow H will again strike against the pawl 66, causing the coupling to become disengaged.

After the setting of the type wheel and of the adding mechanism a. key "is depressed for printing the value to which the device has been set. The key rocks over a pawl which is rigidly connected to it (Fig. 5), causing the latter to release the lug 6| of a how 82, so that a pawl 83 engages in a ratchet wheel 84 and thereby couples the painting drum with the driving means (the motor In order that the key I3 cannot be depressed during the swinging of thepawl 66 (Fig. 3) belonging to the setting device, an arm 35 is rigidly connected to this pawl 66, the pin 66 on which locks the key I9 in position as long as the pawl 88 is swung over. The key 19 is also provided with an arm 81, the pin 88 on which bears against the pawl 88 as long as the key 19 is depressed, and

. thus prevents the pawl 88 from rocking during the depression of the key. For enabling the lever 8 toswing while it is locked, the spring 84 is provided between its arm 8b and the bar 83.

' The following arrangement is provided for preventing disturbances in case several coins should be present at the same time in the coin chute. The lever 58 has an arm 89, the projection 90 on which, as is shown clearly in Fig. 7, engages, on the lever 58 swinging round, under the last coin but one, G The projection 98 thus prevents the last coin but one from falling down, even when the stop lever 58 swings aside. The last coin but one can onlyfall down when, after the first coin has fallen out, the finger 58 again passes under the coin chute and the projection 90 has therefore again left the coin chute (Fig. 3).

To the pawl 88 is pivotally attached a link member 9| (Fig. 3) which is pivoted to a bell crank 92. The free arm 92a of-this bell crank lies in the path of the end projecting laterally over the cam disc of the roller 59a mounted on the arm 59 of the lever 58, so that, as long as the bell crank 92 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 it is impossible for the lever 58 to swing back in the clockwise directionbeyond the position shown in Fig. 3 and therefore for the bottom coin G to fall out of the coin chute 2. The object of this is to enable the value of the second coin and those following it as well to be transferred correctly to the typing and adding arrangement, even-in the case in which the key 19 has been depressed too soon, that is to say before the second coin and any of the coins which may be following it have had their value transferred to the typing and adding mechanism. It might otherwise occur, that, through the key being actuated too soon, the second coin andthose following it would drop straight into the cashbox without being arrested by the lever 58, that is without having their value transmitted to the typing and adding mechanism, so that the person using the apparatus would sufier loss.

Let it be assumed for instance that inadvertently the second coin is thrown in only after the key 19 has been depressed. The second coin will then remain lying on the stop lever 58. This lever cannot move to the left beyond the position shown in'Fig. 3, that is cannot let the coin G fall, as the lever 58 bears with its arm 59 against the bell crank 92 and cannot therefore move down to the base 80a of the cam disc 80. Such a motion only becomes possible after the bell crank 92 ,has been swung aside through the pawl 88 moving out of the normal position shown in Fig. 3. Such a motion of the pawl 88 cannot take place hdwever when the key 191s in the depressed position, since, as explained above, with the key in its depressed position the pin 88 prevents the pawl 88 from swinging. Hence, with the key in its depressed position it is impossible for the lever 92 to swing and consequently for the stop lever 58 to swing farther to the left out of the position shown inFig. 3. The lever 58 can only move out of this position to the right. This motion results in the lever 8 striking with its finger 8a against the'coin G, causing its arm 8b to rock over. This rocking motion is possible. in spite of the locking of the pawl 88, owing to the pin 8| sliding in the fork 82 of the bar 83, the spring 84 being put under tension. .Thecoin will thus rest on the stop lever 58 until the incorrect actuation of the key 19 ceases. The correct transfer of the second coin as regards its value to the typing and adding mechanism will then take place in the manner already described.

The type wheels are returned into the zero posi tion by an arrangement which in principle operates exactly in the same way as the corresponding arrangement in the hand operated device according to Figs. 1 and 2. The angle piece 43 is provided on' one arm of a two-armed lever 93 which is pressed through the action of a spring 94 against the periphery of a cam disc 95 which is rotated in a positive manner with the printing drum.. The shape of the cam disc is made such that during the second half of the revolution of the printing drum the angle piece 43 is swung inwards out of theposition shown in Fig. 3, so that one of the pins 44 will strike against the angle piece 43, resulting'in a setting back of the type wheels on the printing drum continuing to turn.

The motor 55 is automatically started up on the first coin being inserted. Into the coin chute 2 there projects above the place where the coin strikes against the stop a lever 98 which rocks downwards under the weight of the coin and thereby withdraws the support from a pivotally mounted mercury contact member 91. The member 91 is therefore swung under the action of its weight and of a spring 98 in such a manner that the mercury makes contact. For automatically putting the motor out of operation after the printing-operation has been completed, a disconnecting lever 99 is provided, which extends into the path of a pin. I00 which rotates positively with the rotary motion of the printing drum. After the pin has struck against onearm of the lever99, the latter is swung upwards in opposition to the pull of a spring I02 which holds it against a stop pin Illl and at the same time the contact member 91 is raised again to such an extent that its supporting arm 91a engages in a notch in the lever 98.

What I claim is:- I

1. In a coin controlled value stamping apparatus, settable value printing members, coin controlled mechanism including a feeler member in a stationary position. to be engaged by said feelermember. said feeler member being mounted for movement relative to said coin locating means, operating means for said feeler member and said coin locating means, said operating means being movable from an initial inoperative position to a second operative position wherein said feeler member engages said coin, said operating means being movable from the first to the second mentioned positions whether the feeler member is engaged with a coin or not, and printing member. actuating means interposed between movable to engage a coin, means to locate a coin members in said drum, a ratchet wheel for setting the printing members, manually operated coin-controlled mechanism, means operated by means, an arm on the locking lever adapted when .in normal position, to prevent opening of said trolled mechanism, means operated by said mechanism for actuating said ratchet wheel, a looking lever connected with said actuating means, an arm on said locking lever adapted, when in normal position, to prevent the opening of said flap, a second arm on sai 1 locking lever operated, in the normal position, tr lock the printing'drum against rotation, a retaining pawl for holding said locking lever in :.ts operative position, and an arm on the retaining pawl disposed in the path of and operable by said pin.

4. In a coin-controlled value stamping apparatus having an opening for the insertion of articles to be stamped, a flap for closing said opening, settable printing members, a printing drum containing the printing members, aratchet wheel for setting the printing members, a cam on said drum, a member controlled by said cam for restoring said printing members to initial position, manually operated coin-controlled mechanism, means operated by said mechanism for actuating said ratchet wheel. a locking lever connected with said actuating means, an arm on said looking lever adapted, in normal position, to prevent opening of said flap, a second arm on said locking lever adapted in normal position, to lock said printing drum against rotation, and pins on said ratchet wheel, said restoring member during the second half of a revolution of the printing drum entering into engagement with one of said pins and being subsequently disengaged therefrom by said cam. i

5. In a coin controlled value stamping apparatus. settable value printing members, coin 0011-. trolled mechanism including a feeler member movable to engage a coin, means to locate a coin in a stationary position to be engaged by said feeler member, said feeler member being mounted for movement relative to said coin locating means, operating means for said feeler member and said coin locating means, said operating means being movable to reciprocate continuously 55 from an initial inoperative position to a second operative position wherein said feeler member engages said coin, and printing member actuating means interposed between the feeler member and printing members and arranged for operation by said feeler member when a coin is engaged thereby, to effect the .successive setting of the printing members for accumulated predetermined amounts.

6. In a coin controlled value stamping apparatus, settable value printing members, coin controlled mechanism including a feeler member movable to engage a coin, means to locate a coin in a stationary position to be engaged by said feeler member, said feeler member being mounted for movement relative to said coin locating means, operating means for said feeler member and said coin locating means, said operating means being movable from an initial inoperative position to a second operative position wherein said feeler member engages said coin, said operating means being movable from the first to the second mentioned positions whether the feeler member is engaged with acoin or not, means to effect continuous motion of said operating means between each of said positions, and printing member actuating means interposed between the feeler member and printing members and arranged for operation by said feeler member when a coin is engaged thereby, to effect the setting of the printing members to the accumulated value of a successive number of coins. r

'7. In a coin controlled value stamping apparatus, a printing drum, settable value printing members within said drum, coin controlled mechanism including a feeler member movable to engage a coin, means to locate a coin in a stationary position to be engaged by said feeler member, said feeler member being mounted for movement relative to said coin locating means, operating means for said feeler member and said coin locating means, said operating means being movable to reciprocate continuously from an initial inoperative position to a second operative position wherein said feeler member engages said coin, printing member actuating means interposed between the feeler member and printing members and arranged for operation by said feeler member when a coin is engaged thereby, to effect the successive setting of the printing members for accumulated predetermined amounts, power driven means to rotate said printing drum after a predetermined amount has been set, and manually controlled means to eifect the drive of the printing drum by the power driven means.

W'ILHELM FRIEDRICHS.

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