GB1287430A - Improvements in stamping or franking machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1287430 Franking machines HASLER AG 4 Nov 1969 [4 Nov 1968] 54033/69 Heading B6D A franking machine of the kind in which a meter is controlled by a card bearing a predetermined value indication and which is locked against further use when the value is reached or exceeded is provided with a meter locking device which, following insertion of the card into the meter, provides the card with a notch to prevent re-use, the meter being unlocked by insertion of an unnotched card. The meter having counting and impression rollers 1, Fig. 1, which impress the value on the card 2, is provided with a card frame 7, Fig. 3, into which is inserted a card slide 8 bearing an unnotched card 2 the upper edge of the card 2, Fig. 1, pivoting a locking lever 3 in a counterclockwise direction to move a locking pawl 3a out of the path of a pin 9a on a spindle 9 which is then rotated counter-clockwise to move a printing carriage 12, bearing a printing roller 13, to the right in Fig. 1, whereupon a pawl 16 is actuated to notch the card and lock the meter in that the carriage 12 can only be moved from left to right since a lug 3a on the locking lever has been caused to enter the notch (2a, Fig. 2) in the card and the locking pawl 3a caused to obturate the path of the pin 9a in consequence of which the spindle 9 can only be rotated in a clockwise direction to displace the carriage 12 to the left to impress the value on the card when the counter wheels have been locked as a result of the meter reaching or exceeding the predetermined value. Following impression of the value on the card the latter is removed and the locking device opened by the insertion of a fresh unnotched card.