5512. Boult, A. J., [Thurston, E. L.]. March 15. Postmarking-machines.-Relates to postmarking and cancelling machines for letters, postcards, &c. The matter is placed edgewise and upside down on an inclined table 2, Fig. 4, one edge resting against a guide-bar 2<a>. The pack is held by a metal follower 2<b> mounted on wheels and moved by gravity. Movement of the pack is facilitated by means of two projecting bars 2<d> set in longitudinal grooves in the table and oscillated by means of a rock-shaft 33 and arms 33a engaging notches 2<g> in the bars, the rock-shaft being connected through an arm 33<c> and link 33<b> to a push-rod 7<d>. The upper part of the first letter rests against a plate 3<a>, but the lower part can be bent away from the pack, the other letters being prevented from following by means of pins 4 secured to arms 4<a> on a rock-shaft 4<b>, another arm 4<c> of which is connected to a link 4<d> fitted with a pin 4<e> engaging a cam-groove in a disc 30, Fig. 5. The marking is effected by a pneumatic device comprising a block 5, Figs. 4 and 5, with a recess 5<a> and a smaller marking-plate 5<b> secured to lugs in the recess. The block is mounted on trunnions 5<d>, one of which is tubular and communicates with the recess and through a flexible pipe 6<a> with an air pump 40. The trunnions are carried in depending arms 7<a> of a rock-shaft 7, another arm of which is connected to the pushrod 7<d>. The lower end of the rod 7<d> is forked over a main shaft 10, and fitted with a pin 7<e> engaging a cam-groove in a disc 12 on the shaft. A friction-roller 5<f> on a tail 5<e> of the block 5 bears on a curved track 3<b> on an upright 3 of the frame, the track having a notch 3<c> about midway fron the ends. A rod 5<g>, connected to the tail 5<e> passes through a bracket 3<d>, and is embraced by spring 5<h>, which bears against the bracket and a nut 5<k> on the end of the rod. An inking-belt 8 runs over rollers 8<a>, 8<b>, and under an anvil 8 placed over the part engaged by the printing-plate The belt is supplied by an inking-roller 8<d>, in turn supplied by a roller 8<e> mounted in a swinging frame 8<f> and dipping into an ink trough 8<g>. The frame 8<f> is rocked by the operator, when neces sary. One of the rollers 8<a> is provided with a ratchet 8<k> engaged by a pawl 8<m> on one of two arms 14<a> of a swinging frame 13, so that the bel is moved intermittently. The frame 13 is loosely mounted on a rod 14. An arm 13<g> of the frame 13 carries a pin 13<d> engaging a cam-groove 31<a> in a disc 31 on the shaft 10. The arms 14<a> hang loosely on the axle of the roller 8<a>, and one of the arms has an extension with a pin en gaging another cam-groove in the disc 31 Other arms 13<a> of the frame 13 are con nected to bevelled blocks 9<a> carrying needles to penetrate the lower edge of the first letter, the blocks being pressed towards the pack by springs Simultaneously with this operation the air pump 40 is put into operation and draws the first letter against the marking-plate, and then a valve in the pump is opened to release the letter, which is seized by fingers 15<a>, 15<b> on a movable head 15 One pair of fingers 15<a> is fixed to the head ; the other pair 15<b> is movable, and fixed to a rock-shaft 15<c> mounted on the head and closed against the fixed pair by springs. An arm 15<e> of the rockshaft carries a friction-roller 15<f> engaging a rock ing-block 17 having a tail 17<a> and pin engaging a cam-groove in the disc 30. The letters are left on a table 18 provided with a sliding block 32. The head 15 is linked to arms forming part of a frame 21 loosely mounted on a driving-shaft 22 and linked to a crank on the main shaft. The letters are moved along the table 18 by spring bars 19 fixed at the upper ends and connected by a crossbar at the lower ends and operated by two cams 20 pivoted to the framework and rocked by links 20<a> and an arm 14<h> of the frame 13. A movable plate 23, set in an opening in the plate 3<a>, is provided with spurs 23" adapted to engage the front letter of the unmarked pack, and rests against the rock-shaft 7, which is flattened on one side and connected at its upper end to a link 23<b> moving endwise in guides. This link is connected by an arm 24<b> to a rock-shaft 24, another arm 24<a> of which is connected to a rod 24<e> passing through a bracket 3<h> and pressed downwards by a spring 24<d>. A cam 12<b> on the disc 12 engages a pin 24<g> on the end of the rod 24<c>. The plate 23 is thus moved upwards and downwards. Means are provided for automatically stopping the feed in case a marked letter should not be carried down by the fingers 15<a>, 15<b>. A rock-shaft 35, Figs. 4 and 17, is pivoted under the table 2, and carries curved fingers 35<a> capable of being swung in front of the first letter of the unmarked pack. An arm on the shaft is connected by a link 35<c> to a block 36 formed with notches 36<a>, 36<b> to engage the end of the table. When a letter comes between the fingers 35<a> and the needle arms, the latter push the letter against the fingers, rocking the shaft and pushing the notched block so that the fingers are swung to stop the feed. Sliding bars 37 on the table prevent engagement of the letters and the curved fingers when these are in the downward position. The bars are pushed back, when the fingers are swung up, by the pressure of the letter against their ends, and automatically returned by springs 37<a>. The partial vacuum in the block 5 may be produced by a pump such as that shown iu Figs. 5 and 16, comprising a cylinder 40 with an intake opening connected to the pipe 6<a>, and a piston 40<b> connected by a rod 40<c> to a crank on the main shaft 10. A valve 40<f> is normally held closed by a spring 40<g> over a vertical hole 40<d> in the piston head, the valve stem 40<h> projecting to engage a toe 40<j> on the rod 40<c>. Relief ports 40<k> are placed below the intake port.