US1199810A

US1199810A - Stamp-affixing device.

Info

Publication number: US1199810A
Application number: US70048612A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard A Mount
Original assignee: GRACE L SPERRY
Current assignee: GRACE L SPERRY
Priority date: 1912-05-29
Filing date: 1912-05-29
Publication date: 1916-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 1933-10-03

Description

' H. A. MOUNT. STAMP AFFIXlNG DEVICE.

APPLICATION mm MAY 29. 1912.

Pafented 001. 3,1916.

HOWARD A. MOUNT, or WASHINGTON, nrsrnrc'r or COLUMBIA, ssmnon o GRACE L. SPERRY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT or COLUMBIA.

STAMP-AFFIXING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

I Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

Application filed May 29, 1912. Serial N 0. 700,486.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD A. MOUNT, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vashingto-n, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Afiixing Devices, of the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to provide an electric stamp affixing machine in which the feed means for the stamps is driven by an electric motor, and the affixing plunger actuated by an electromagnet.

This machine is confined in its use to a tape of stamps in which each stamp is separated from its neighbor by an electro-conductive substance or a perforation or series of perforations, and the gist of my present inventionbroadlystated resides in so arranging the el'ectro-magnet circuit that the circuit remains open until the conductive substance or the above mentioned perfora-i tions during the feed of saidtape, arrive at a certain point whereupon said circuit is,

closed and the magnet energized thereby ac- I tuating the affixing plunger, further movement'of the tape again breaking sald c1rcu1t..-

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application I have shown the'gfi common form of av coiled tape of stamps,g; each stamp being separated by a tranversetfseries of perforations, although it is perductive. 7

Referring now to the drawings; Figure is a side elevation of my entire invention Fig. 2 is a detached horizontal section ex tending from between the feed rolls to th :I left of the device as shown inFig. 1 with a letter in stamp afiiXing position; Fig. 3

ventional tension device engaging the coil;

which fectly obvious that my machine will act just: as well upon a tape of stamps in which any electro-conductive substance takes the place of the perforations, the body proper of the f; stamps in both cases being non-electroconother case the resiliency of the sheet metal Fig. 4; is a modified form of contact brushp tape is directly over cutter E, which is arranged at the end of a trough shaped guide plate extending from near the feed rolls :to said knife and continued back of the feed rolls to guide roll B. Arranged between rolls C, C and B is contact brush F which may consist ofa resilient sheet metal member slotted at its free end to form fingers which are inclined in the diretcion of the feed and so spaced as to engage the perforations between individual stamps during the feed of said tape. This brush is transversely slotted and screwed to a wooden support which in turn is longitudinally, slotted and secured-to across piece F of the supporting, frame. By this arrangement the brush ma be adjusted longitudinally or transverse y. Opposite the finger tips of said brush and normally separated therefrom by the stamps proper is a metal plate H arranged in the bottom of the guide trough, which latter must be of non-conductive material preferably wood.

If desired the brush shown in Fig. 4 may be substituted for the sheet metal affair above described. In this modified brush the metallic contact pins K are shown as loosely and slidably mounted in substantially vertical guide openings in metallic block K.

These pins should be rounded at their lower ends so as not to tear the stamps when leaving the perforations. The mounting and operation of these pins are the same as described in connection with the sheet metal brush except that the pins fall bygravity into the tape perforations, whereas in the causes the fingers to project into said perforationsand thereby close the magnet circuitof the plunger actuating magnet. In both formsof brush the contact members leave the perforations in the tape without l tearing the stamps. an end view of the stamp. coil showing a conif} p i ably though not necessarily provided with intermeshing gears.

The contacting feed rolls C, C are prefer- Mounted on the shaft for the stamps; Fig. 5 is a modified form of"? of one of these'feed rolls or if desired upon make and break for the magnet circuit; Figt an independent shaft with driving connec-- 6 is a magnetic brake for the motor shaft, v

plan of the preferred formThe brake F shown in Fig. 6 consists of a piece of softiron pivoted at one end to a of contact brus The tape of stamps is taken from coil A] p under guide roll B'between feed rolls 0, C"? with a. semi-c rcular openlng to partially and carried forward until the end of tip tions with the roll shaft is electric motor D.

stationary part of the frame and provided motor shaft T. The brake is normally held free of the shaft by a contractile spring and is only applied to said shaft when an electro-magnet Y placed near the free end of said brake is energized.

The. aflixing plunger L is suitably supported and guided in the main frame of the machine so as to reciprocate in a vertical. plane but held from rotation, and has at its lower end a rectangular or square head L of soft iron. A suitable spring T interposed between a collar on the top of the plunger and the main frame normally holds the plunger above the line of feed of the stamps soias not to interfere with the insertion or removal of a letter or the feed of the stamps.

At Q I have shown an electro-magnet for actuating the plunger and this magnet may be arranged at any convenient place so as to act upon a soft iron member placed at any desired point on the plunger. As shown the magnet forms the bottom of the slot for inserting the letter and the soft iron mem her is the head L on the bottom of the plunger.

At M in the magnet circuit Y is shown an electromagnet which when energized attracts a suitable make and break member in the motor circuit X against the action of a spring which tends normally to keep the motor circuit closed at this point; thus when magnet M is energized the motor circuit is broken.

At M in the magnet circuit and at M in the motor circuit are shown conventional make and break devices, both of said devices being normally held in the open position by springs.

At M (Fig. 5) I have shown an alternative form of circuit maker and breaker for the magnet circuit but in this case the maker and breaker consists of a pivoted member which swings in a horizontal plane and is moved to the open position by an inclined member P suitably arranged'on the plunger near the bottom. In this last named construction the magnet circuit is automatically opened when the plunger has practically reached the limit of its downward movement by said member P crowding lever N into the envelop and producing a slight dent in sai envelop sufficient to permit the necessary movement of levers h 3 and N incidental to breaking the magnet circuit by projection P, the magnet circuit being again closed when a letter has been pushed against one end of lever N arranged near the end of the letter receiving slot. The other end of lever N is thus moved into contact with member M and moves the same to closed position.

The operation of my machine is briefly stated as follows; A letter is pushed into the receiving slot one corner thereof being rubbed against a moistening sponge placed above said slot until the end of the letter has moved lever N against the action of spring R sulficiently to close first the motor circuit and immediately thereafter the magnet circuit at M and M respectively. The motor operates the feed rolls until the brush fingers pass through the first series of perforations, whereupon said fingers by contact with metal plate H, which is in the magnet circuit, close the magnet circuit and thereby energize magnet M, which in turn attracts the make and break device in the motor circuit at this point and opens the motor circuit. Simultaneously with the closing of the main magnet circuit and opening of the motor circuit as above described the magnetic brake shown in Fig. 6 is drawn to braking position by its electromagnet which is energized by the main magnet circuit. The main magnet 0 being energized attracts the soft iron member L on the plunger L thereby causing the plunger to descend and cut off the end stamp projecting ove knife E and the letter, and presses the stamp upon the moistened corner of the letter. After the aifixing operation it is necessary that the main magnet circuit should be instantly broken so that the plunger may be drawn by its spring free of the letter and in position to receive a new letter. lVith the make and break device shown at M in Fig. 5, this break in the main magnet circuit occurs automatically, but with the make and break shown at M it is necessary to withdraw the letter against the action of the plunger sufiiciently to allow spring R to pull lever N away from contact with the make and break de vice M whereupon a contractile spring connected to the device M pulls said device to open position, thereby opening the main magnet circuit and allowing the spring to return the plunger L to normal position. The letter with the stamp applied thereto is now withdrawn from the device and the machine is now ready for a second letter.

The cycle ofoperations above described may be automatically repeated if desired by holding, either manually or by any suitable latch, the lever N in such position that the magnet and motor circuits are closed at this point.

The speed of operation is controlled by properly adjusting rheostats S, S in the motor and magnet circuits.

It is to be noted that the make and break devices M and M are so arranged with respect to the lever N that when the latter is actuated by the insertion of a letter the make and break device M is closed slightly in advance of the make and break device M By this arrangement the motor D is started and advances or feeds the tape of stamps forward sufficiently to withdraw the brush fingers from the stamp perforation; consequently the magnet circuit is broken at this point (since the stamp proper which is a non-conductor is interposed between the brush fingers and the contact plate H), therefore when lever N has moved the make and break device M to closed position the mag net remains inactive and the plunger L remains in its raised or normal position'and is only actuated when the next series of stamp perforations is engaged by the brush fingers. It will thus be seen that during the feed of the stamps magnet 0 remains inactive and hence plunger L does not interfere with the feed of the stamps, but is only actuated after a stamp has been projected over knife E' and the corner of the letter.

Vhat I claim is;

1. In a stamp affixing machine, the combination of means for supporting a tape of perforated stamps, feed means for said tape, a motor circuit, an electric motor in said circuit to actuate said feed means, a second electric circuit a metallic brush in the second circuit provided with projecting members engaging at all times the tape and adapted to project through the stamp perforations when the perforations come opposite to said members and thereby close the second circuit, an electromagnet in the second circuit adapted when energized to attract a make and break device in the motor circuit and thereby break the motor circuit,

a movable stamp affixing member, and means in the second circuit energized by its current to attract said affixing member there by detaching and affixing the end stamp.

2. In a stamp affixing machinethe combination of means for supporting a tape of perforated stamps, feed means for said tape, a motor circuit, an electric motor in said circuit to actuate said feed means, a second electric circuit, a metallic brush in the 'second circuit provided with projecting mem bers engaging at all times the tape and adapted to project through the stamp .perforations when. the perforations come opposite to said members and thereby close the second circuit, an electromagnet in the second circuit adapted when energized to attract a make and break device in the motor circuit and thereby break the motor circuit, a movable stamp affixing member and an electromagnet in the second circuit energized by its current to attract said affixing member thereby detaching and affixing the end stamp.

3. In a stamp affixing machine the combination of means for supporting a tape of perforated stamps, feed means for said tape, a motor circuit, an electric motor in said circuit to actuate said feed means, a second electric circuit, a metallic brush in the second circuit provided with projecting members engaging at all times the tape and adapted to project through the stamp perforations when the perforations come opposite to said members and thereby close the second circuit, anelectromagnet in the second circuit adapted when energized to attract a make and break device in the motor circuit and'thereby break the motor circuit, a movable stamp affixing member, and an electromagnet in the second circuit energized by its current to attract said affixing member thereby detaching and affixing the end stamp and means for closing the motor circuit and the second circuit.

1. In a stamp affixing machine the combination of means for supporting a tape of perforated stamps, feed means for said tape, a motor circuit, an electric motor in said circuit to actuate said feed means, a second electric circuit, a metallic brush in the second circuit provided with projecting members engaging at all times the tape and adapted to project through the stamp perforations when the perforations come opposite to said members and thereby close the second'circuit, an electromagnet in the sec-- ond circuit adapted when energized to attract a make and break device in the motor circuit and thereby break the motor circuit, a movable stamp afiixing member, an electromagnet in the second circuit energized by its current to attract said affixing member thereby detaching and affixing the end stamp and means'actuated by the insertion of the letter to close the motor circuit and the second circui. V

I 5. In a stamp affixing machine the com bination of means for supporting a tape ofperforated stamps, feed means for said tape, a motor circuit, an electric motor in said circuit to actuate said feed means, a second electric circuit, a metallic brush in the second circuit provided with projecting members engaging at all times the tape and adapted to project through the stamp perforations when the perforations come opposite to said members and therebyv close the second circuit, an electromagnet in the second circuit adapted when energized to attract a make and break device in the motor circuit and thereby break the motor circuit, a movable stamp affixing member, an electro magnet in the second circuit energized by its current to attract said affixing member thereby detaching and affixing the end stamp and means actuated by said affixing member for opening the second circuit.

6. In a stamp affixing machine the combination of means for supporting a tape of perforated stamps, feed means for said tape,

a motor circuit, an electric motor in said circuit to actuate said feedtmeans, a second electric circuit, a metallic brush in the sec ond circuit provided with projecting members engaging at all times the tape and adapted to project through the stamp per- &

forations when the perforations come opposite to said members and thereby close the second circuit, an electromagnet in the second circuit adapted when energized to at tract a make and break device in the motor circuit and thereby break the motor circuit, a movable stamp affixing member, an electromagnet in the second circuit energized by its current to attract said affixing member thereby detaching and affixing the end stamp, means actuated by said affixing memher for opening the second circuit and means actuated by the insertion of a letter to close the motor circuit and the second circuit.

7. In a stamp affixing machine the combination of means for supporting a tape of perforated stamps, feed means for said tape, a motor circuit, an electric motor in said circuit to actuate said feed means, a second electric circuit, a metallic brush in the second circuit provided with projecting members engaging at all times the tape and adapted to project through the stamp perforations when the perforations come opposite to said members and thereby close the second circuit, an electromagnet in the second circuit adapted when energized to attract a make and break device in the motor circuit and thereby break the motor circuit, a movable stamp affixing member, an electromagnet in the second circuit energized by its current to attract said affixing member thereby detaching and affixing the end stamp, means actuated by said affixing mem her for opening the second circuit, and means for closing first the motor and then the second circuit.

8. In a stamp affixing machine the combination of means for supporting a tape of erforated stamps, feed means for said tape, a motor circuit, an electric motor in said circuit to actuate said feed means, a second electric circuit, a metallic brush in the second circuit provided with projecting members engaging at all times the tape and adapted to project through the stamp perforations when the perforations come opposite to said members and thereby close the second circuit, an electromagnet in the second circuit adapted when energized to attract a make and break device in the motor circuit and thereby break the motor circuit, a movable stamp affixing member, an electromagnet in the second circuit energized by its current to attract said affixing member thereby detaching and affixing the end stamp, moans actuated by said affixing member for opening the second circuit, and means for cl* ""'ng first the motor and then the second circuit actuated by the insertion of a letter.

9. In a stamp affixing device in combination means for feeding a tape of stamps, a stamp affixing member, having a soft iron portion, an electromagnet for actuating said mem er, and means controlled by the tape of stamps for closing the circuit of said electromagnet after each stamp has been advanced to the stamp affixing member.

10. In a stamp affixing device in combination means for feeding a perforated tape of stamps, a stamp affixing member having a soft iron portion, an electromagnet for actuating said member, an electric circuit for said magnet and means in said circuit adapted to engage the tape of stamps and thereby open said circuit and to project through said perforations during the feed of the tape and thereby close said circuit.

11. In a stamp affixing device the combination of a stamp affixing member, feed means for the stamps, an electric motor for actuating said feed means and means for starting said motor by the insertion of a letter, said letter being held by the hand of the operator during the operation of said device.

12. In a stamp affixing device the combination of feed rollers for the tape of stamps, an electric motor for actuating said rollers means for closing the circuit of .said motor by the insertion of a letter said circuit being adapted to be broken by the removal of a letter, said letter being held by the hand of the operator during the operation of said device.

18. In a stamp affixing device in combination a stamp affixing member feed means for a tape of stamps, an electric motor for actuating said feed means, and means for start ing said motor controlled by a letter, said letter being held by the hand of the operator during the operation of said device.

14. In a stamp affixing device the combination of a stamp affixing member feed rollers for a tape of stamps, an electric motor for actuating said rollers and means for opening and closing the circuit of said motor controlled by a letter, said letter being held by the hand of the operator during the operation of said device.

15. In a stamp aflixing device, the combination of a stamp affixing member, a station ary supporting member for the letter adjacent thereto, feed means for the stamps, an electric motor and means actuated by the manual insertion of a letter to transmit motion to said feed means from said motor.

16. In a stamp affixing machine the combination of a stamp affixing member, feed means for a tape of stamps, a motor for actuating said feed means and means engaging the tape of stamps for controlling the operation of said motor.

17. In a stamp affixing device in combination means for feeding a tape of stamps, a stamp affixing member, a soft iron member associated therewith, an electromagnet adapted when energized to attract said soft iron member and thereby actuate the stamp affixing member; an electric circuit for said magnet and means in said circuit adapted to engage the tape'of stamps and successively energize and deenergize said magnet tor feeding a tape of stamps thereto, an

after the passage of each stamp thereby. 18. In a stamp affixing machine, the combination of a stamp affixing member, a stationary supporting member for the letter adjacent thereto, feed means for the stamps, an electric motor for actuating said feed means and means actuated by the manual insertion of a letter to transmit motion from said motor to said feed means, and means to stop the transmission of said mo-' tion actuated by the manual Withdrawal of the letter. 7

19. In a stamp afiix'ing machine thecombination of a stamp affixing member, means for feeding a tape of stamps thereto, a motor for actuating said feed means and means engaging said tape for stopping said motor.

20. In a stamp aflixing machine the combination of a stamp afiixing member, feed means for a tape of stamps,-=an electric motor for actuating said feed means and means engaging the tape of stamps for controlling the circuit of saidmotor.

21. In a stamp afiixingmachine the combination of a stamp affixing member, feed means for a tape of stamps, an electric motor for actuating said feed means and means engaging the tape of stamps for breaking the circuit of said motor.

22. In a stamp aflixing machine the combination of a stamp atfixing member, means for feeding a tape of stamps thereto, a motor for actuating saidfeed means, an electric circuit, a make and break device in said circuit adapted to be actuated by the tape of stamps to open and close saidcircuit at the proper times and means in said circuit to-control the operation of said motor.

23. In a stamp afiixing machine the combination of a stamp affixing member, means for feeding a tape of stamps thereto a motor for actuating said feed means, an electric circuit, a make and break device in said circuit adapted to engage said tape of stamps and to close said circuit when a line of perforations is presented thereto, and means in said circuit adapted when energized to stop said motor.

9A. In a stamp affixing machine the combination of a stamp afiixing member, means for feeding a tape of stamps thereto, an

electric motor for actuating said feed means, an electric circuit for said motor, a normally closed make and break device in said circuit, a second electric circuit, an electromagnet in said second circuit, and adapted when energized to actuate said make and break device in the first named circuit to open the circuit at this point and thereby stop the motor, and a make and break device in said second circuit actuated by the tape of stamps to energize and dee'nergize said electro-magnet.

25. In'a stamp aflixing machine the combination of a stamp aflixing member, means electric motor for actuating said feed means, an electric circuit for said motor, a normally closed make and break device in said circuit, a second electric circuit, an electromagnet in said second circuit, and adapted when energized to actuate said make and break device in the first named circuit to open the circuit at this point and thereby stop the motor, and a make and break device in said'second circuit adapted to engage the tape of stamps and When a line of perforations is presented thereto, to close the said second circuit thereby-energizing said magnet and consequently opening the motor circuit to stop said motor.

2-6. In a stamp 'affixing machine'the com bination of a stationary support for the letter, an affixing member located above said support, means for operating said member located adjacent said support, feed means for the tape of stamps, acontrolling member for said first named means located adjacent said support, and a controlling member for said feed means also located adjacent said support, both of said controlling members being actuated by the insertion of a letter..

27. In a'stamp affixing machine the combination of a stationary support for the let ter, a stamp afiiXing member located above said support, an electro-magnet located below said support, feed means for the tape of stamps, and a make and break device in said magnet circuitlocated adjacent said support and actuated by a letter to control the current in said magnet circuit.

28. In a stamp aflixing machinethe com-- binationof a stationary support for the letter, astamp afiixing member above said support, means for operating said member 10-:

cated adjacent said support and adapted to be brought into action by the insertion of a letter, feed means for the tape of stamps, an electric motor for actuating the same and a make and'break device for the motor circuit located adjacent said support and brought into action to close said circuit by the insertion of a letter.

29. In a stamp allixing machine the combination of a stationary support for the letter, a stamp'afliXing member'located above said support, an electro-magnet located beloW said support, feed means for the tape of stamps, and a make and break device in said magnet. circuit located adjacent said support and actuated by a letter to close the current in said magnet circuit.

30. In a stamp affixing machine the combination of a stamp affixing member, a stationary support for the letter, a moistening device arranged above said support and adapted to moisten the stamp receiving portion of said letter 'as the letter is inserted stamps, a motor for actuating said feec means, means for actuating said ailixing member and a member adapted to be moved by the letter to control said motor and said stamp aflixing member.

31 In a stamp affixing machine the com bination of a stamp affixing member, a electro-magnet for actuating said member means for feeding a tape of stamps to sai member and means in the circuit of magnet adapted to be energized thereby and to control the feeding means for the tape of stamps so that When the affixing member is actuated the feed means is inactive.

32. In a stamp aflixing machine the combination of a stamp affixing member, an electro-magnet for actuating said member, means for feeding a tape of stamps to said member and means in the circuit of said magnet adaptel to be energized thereby and to stop the feeding means for the tape of stamps so that When the affixing member is actuated the feed means is inactive.

33. In a stamp affixing machine the combination of a stamp affixing member, an electro-magnet for actuating said member, means for feeding a tape of stamps to said member and an electro-magnet in the circuit of said first named electro-magnet adapted to be energized thereby and to control the feeding means for the tape of stamps so that When the affixing member is actuated the feed means is inactive.

34. In a stamp affixing machine the combination of a stamp aflixing member, an electro-magnet for actuating said member, means for feeding a tape of stamps to said member and an electro-magnet in the circuit of said magnet adapted to be energized thereby and to stop the feeding means for the tape of stamps so that When the aflixing member is actuated the feed means is inactive. 7

35. In a stamp afiiXing machine the combination of a stamp afliXing member, an electro-magnet for actuating said member, a circuit for said electro-magnet, a second electro-magnet in said circuit, feed means for a tape of stamps, an electric motor for actuating said feed means, a circuit for said motor,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for said";

a normally closed make-and break device in said motor circuit adapted to be opened by said second named electro-magnet whereby the motor is stopped simultaneously with the energization of the magnet that operates the afiixing member.

36. In a stamp affixing machine the comination of a stamp aflixing member, and .electro-magnet for actuating said member,

A feed means for the tape of stamps, a motor .for actuating said feed means, a circuit for said electro-magnet, a brake for the motor and means in said magnet circuit for actuating said brake.

87. In a stamp afiixing machine the combination of a stamp ailixing member, an electro-magnet for actuating said member, a circnit for said electro-magnet, feed means for the tape of stamps, a motor for actuating said feed means, a brake for said motor, means in said circuit adapted to stop said motor at the proper time and means in said circuit adapted simultaneously to apply said brake.

38. In a stamp aflixing machine the combination of a stamp aflixing member, an eiectro-magnet for actuating said member, a circuit for said electro-magnet, feed means for the tape of stamps, a motor for actuating said feed means, a brake for said motor, an electro-magnet in said circuit adapted to stop said motor at the proper time and an electro-magnet in said circuit adapted simultaneously to apply said brake.

In a stamp afiiXing machine the combination of a stamp afliXing member, feed means for a tape of stamps, a motor for actuating said feed means, a brake for said motor, means for actuating said aiiixing member, means associated With said last named means to apply said brake to said motor after the feed of each stamp, and means for simultaneously stopping the operation of said motor. I

In testimony whereof I a'HiX my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

HOWARD A. MOUNT.

Witnesses:

JOHN R. SPERRY, E. E. RAMEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.