Abstract: There is described a numbering device (1) for carrying out numbering in sheet-fed or web-fed numbering presses, the numbering device (1) comprising a numbering unit (6) with rotatable numbering wheels (7) carrying alpha-numerical symbols thereon, which numbering wheels (7) are disposed next to each other and rotate about a common rotation axis (17), the numbering device (1) further comprising electro-mechanical actuation means for setting the position of the numbering wheels (7). The electro-mechanical actuation means are entirely located within the numbering device (1) and are mechanically autonomous, the electro-mechanical actuation means comprising a plurality of independent driving means (15, 18-23; 23*) for actuating a corresponding plurality of the numbering wheels.

Abstract: There is described a numbering system for carrying out numbering in a printing press comprising a numbering cylinder, a rotatable shaft defining a rotation axis, at least one supporting disc mounted on the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, the supporting disc comprising a peripheral mounting ring for mounting of at least one numbering device (1.06; 2.06) on a periphery of the supporting disc, which numbering device (1.06; 2.06) is secured to the peripheral mounting ring (1.43) by means of a clamping mechanism. The peripheral mounting ring (1.43) has a T-shaped cross-section defining a pair of annular mounting grooves (1.43a, 1.43b) on each side of the peripheral mounting ring (1.43). The numbering device (1.06; 2.06) comprises clamping elements (1.50; 2.50) on each side of the numbering device (1.06; 2.06) which are adapted to cooperate with the annular mounting grooves (1.43a, 1.43b) for securing the numbering device (1.06; 2.06) onto the peripheral mounting ring (1.43). The clamping elements (1.50; 2.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a machine having serial-number printing capability and comprising a first plurality of print wheels which are serially indexed for each of a succession of input actuations. An indexing pawl has a second plurality of spaced wheel-indexing pawl elements, one for each of a corresponding second plurality of adjacent print wheels. The number of print wheels is greater than the number of pawl elements, and the pawl is mounted for selective longitudinal placement so as to coact with a desired particular second plurality of adjacent print wheels. The print wheels incorporate the feature of selective removal from printing exposure, so that printing need only involve digit indicia on print wheels requisite to serial-number printing at the selected longitudinal region of pawl action.

Abstract: The type wheels provided on a postage or franking head of a postage meter or franking machine are adjusted in stepwise manner from outside the franking head by means of adjusting push rods, which in each case engage a pinion associated with a type wheel. The engagement and adjusting movement of the adjusting push rod is performed by electromagnets. The engagement movement takes place by pivoting a guide plate carrying the adjusting push rods, on which the rods are displaceable by means of the electromagnet counter to the tension of a tension spring. The electromagnets can be energized on the basis of an electrical pulse, which is simultaneously used for adjusting an electronic display, provided on the franking machine casing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an embossing machine having an indexing mechanism including an indexing wheel carrying a plurality of embossing stamps which are individually rotated into association with an opposing anvil during relative opening motion between a pair of die elements thereby indexing a different embossing stamp to its embossing position and applying different codes to the material passing through the embossing machine, the indexing mechanism further including a spring-biased arm carrying an indexing detent for yieldably holding the indexing wheel in one of a plurality of desired positions, and a pivotally mounted pawl acting against pins of the indexing wheel to rotate the latter and release the indexing detent between successive embossing operations.

Abstract: Stepped-down counting mechanism with number wheels drawn on a locking shaft, with a control disc and with a slotted link. The number wheels and the control disc are moved by a ratchet shaft which is located in the interior of the locking shaft and to which are articulated pawls each acting on one pair of wheels. The switching mode with single or multiple stepping-down can be selected by adjusting the slotted link. The control disc is moved by means of an idle-stroke pawl subjected to the action of the slotted link and, independently thereof, by means of an advancing pawl acting between the control disc and the units wheel.

Abstract: A counting or printing mechanism for consecutive counting or numbering, in which a number or printing wheel is provided for each numerical place and the number or printing wheels are mounted on a common shaft. The number or printing wheels are turned by advancing elements which are connected loosely but so as to transmit force and designed to deflect one another. These advancing elements may, for example, be pawls disposed on an inner ring or coupling discs disposed on a side surface of the number or printing wheels.

Abstract: In a marking head having one or more marking wheels each rotated step-wise by a reciprocating actuating pawl engaged in successive circumferentially arranged recesses on the wheel and secured in marking position by a retainer pawl engaged under a spring bias successively in the recesses, improved structure wherein the recesses and retainer pawl have circumferentially spaced apart interengaged cam surfaces which permit circumferential shifting of the wheel induced by surface irregularities in a workpiece being marked and facilitate spring return of the wheel to centered position after the marking, each recess having a flat bottom engaged by a blunt flat end face of the actuating pawl, each recess having a flat rearwardly facing shoulder adjacent its forward cam surface engaged by a blunt forward face of the actuating pawl.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in numbering a series of successively fed documents with consecutive serial numbers and corresponding check digits, including weighted, non-sequential check digits. The check digits are independently applied by a single, engraved wheel mounted on the periphery of a rotating sleeve and positioned by an eccentrically-mounted electronically-controlled stepping motor, with the consecutive serial numbers being applied by a conventional consecutive decimal numbering head mounted to a separate, rotating shaft. Multiple check digit wheels and/or multiple consecutive decimal numbering heads may be employed.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical marking device for use with various types of apparatus, having a stack sheet feed assembly, includes an open-ended housing adapted to loosely receive and hold interchangeable marking heads in a self-leveling position. The interchangeable marking heads include a resiliently mounted food device which engages the stacked sheets prior to the marking actuated position. The housing includes a solenoid which selectively energizes a drive element to move the element between an at rest position, and an actuated position. The interchangeable marking heads, such as bar-coders, imprinters, marginal word imprinters, daters and numberers, hot die stampers, foil stampers and label affixers, are held in engagement with the drive element to permit the operative movement of the selected interchangeable marking head between the inward at rest position and an outward actuated position.

Abstract: A sequence numbering code marking device includes a rotary drum housing, a stroke actuated sequential numbering printing head operated by a pivotally mounted trip lever which is eccentrically mounted on a center post to trip the counter with each revolution of the drum. Means are provided to positively cause rotation of the drum by each passing article and an improved null return mechanism is provided to cause the drum to stop its rotation at a preselected position after each rotation.