US1217387A - Stamp-affixer. - Google Patents

Description

J. H. BARHOW.

STAMP AFFIXER.

APPucATmN FILED JAN. 19. |914.

Patented Feb.27,1917.

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JOHN 'HERBERT BARROW, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.'

STAMP-AFFIXER.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 27, 1917.

Application filed January 19, 1914. Serial No. S13,43.

To aZZ whom t may concern Beit known that Joi-IN'HERBERT BAR- izow, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Aflixers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mechanical means for aiiixing stamps, labels and the like, and more particularly to hand operated devices adapted for feeding stamps from a spool or roll carried thereby and aflixing them to mail matter. I

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of stamp alfixer of the above character adapted either to be carried in the hand, or to be mounted operatively Y upon a suitabler support, preferably of a rigid nature and adapted to remain stationary in use; to provide reciprocatory clamping means adapted for manual operation for feeding` the stampv strip forward the length of one stamp at a time; to provide means operatively connected with the feed means for detaching the stamps successively from the strip; to provide means also operatively connected with the feed means foil` moistenmg the receiving surface immediately in advance of attaching the stamp; to provide for removing and moistening a series of stamps at one time when desired; to

provide means for preventing accidental' breaking of the stamp strip or detachment of stamps otherwise than by the means above indicated; to provide automatic controlling means for restoring the feed clamp,

cutter and moistener after each operation;

to provide automatic means for collecting the used portion of a ribbon separated from the stamp strip as the stamps are fed forward; to provide for the prevention of pilfering; and to provide a mounting adapted to pivotally supportfthe stamp afiixer whenever desired, in a manner adapted for attaching stamps successively to envelops or the like arranged in suitable stacks of variable height. Y

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the aiflxei and pivotal support with the afiixer cover removed.

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinalvertical section taken substantially on the line A-A of Fig. 1. l v Y Fig. '3 is a fragmentary cross-section taken on the line B-B of Fig. 2, and shows the mechanism of the ribbon collecting spool.

Fig. il is a fragmentary cross-section taken on the line C C of Fig. 2, and'shows the feed clamp and supporting means therefor.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the thumb rest.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the reciprocatory feed clamp member.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross-section showing the locking means.

Fig. S is a longitudinal vertical section of a removable moistener attachment.

Fig. 9sis a side elevation of the pivot bolt for the' collecting spool. I Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the blade. Tn the construction shown, the hand stamp afiixer 1 is shown mounted .pivotally on a frame 2, adapted to rest upon a table or bench (not shown) yto which'it may be secured if desired by any suitable means as screws 3, for the purpose of supporting the large roll-housing end of the afiixer. The mounting frame 2 is lprovided with a pair of upright arms or supports 4tv adapted to pivotally receive the aflixer 1, as by means of an axial shaft 5 by which the aiiixer is oscillatively supported.

The stamp afixer.v proper comprises a housing or frame 6 preferably formed somewhat pointed at the'forward end and having` an enlarged rear portion adaptedto receive a stamp reel 7 or roll 8 of stamps, labels, o-r the like to be affixed. The said frame is provided with a cover member 9 preferably adapted to be hinged as at the point 12 so as to give access to the interior of the device. Locking means for the Ycover are provided as illustrated at 13.

The supporting axis 5a for the stamp spool or roll is hollow to receive the crank which is carried movably by a forwardly projecting spring member' 22, which may be integral with and may constitute the top of the feed frame. Said frame 18 is guided by coacting means as pins or screws 23 on the clamp frame and longitudinal guide slots 24 in the sides of the aifixer frame. The frame 18 is held normally in its rearward position, as shown, by any suitable yielding means as a restoring spring 25. The cushion 25:L on the under side of spring 22 assists in feeding the stamps. The range of movement of the feed frame 18 may be adjusted to correspond with the length of a stamp whereby the stamp strip is advanced the exact length of a stamp by each forward movement of the feed frame 18. For this purpose a thumb screw 26 is adjustably mounted to variably limit the forward strokel of the frame 18, said screw being` accessible for adjustment with the thumb and finger through the opening 27 in the under side of the frame 6.

Severing means for detaching the foremost stamp are provided comprising a sta tionary shear member 28 and a movable blade member 29 of suitable form attached to the forward portion of the clamp spring 22. The edge of said blade is preferably serrated to correspond with the perforations between adjacent stamps.

For the purpose of shifting the forward stamp 17 when detached ahead and sliding it onto the envelop or other body (not shown) to be stamped, a resilient cushion member 31 is provided on the under side of the forward portion of the clamp spring 22 in advance of said blade. Y

The housing 6 is provided with a for wardly projecting part 6.1 which serves as a bearing plate for the cushion 31 and which is adapted to receive the stamps as they are severed from the strip.

Improved non-gumming means are provided for moistening the receiving surface, comprising a reservoir 35 carried on the forward extremity of the feed spring 22, and provided with a downward outlet preferv ably equipped with a wick 37 adapted to provide a suitable amount of moisture to accomplish the purpose desired, the moisture being applied directly in front of the stamp attaching cushion 31 as the feed mechanism is depressed and advanced.

n order to assist the feeding of the stamp strip from the spool or roll to the cutter 28, and more especially to prevent tearing or breaking of the strip especially when stamps are used having the usual series of closeset perforations, a ribbon 40 is provided, said ribbon being wound upon the spool with the stamps and passing through the feed clamp with the stamps. Normally the ribbon passes with the stamps to a point adjacent to the cutter where it is arranged for the ribbon to turn downward over a roller Ll2 and thence backward to a receiving spool 43 mounted on a pivot axis 44C where the used ribbon is collected and saved for subsequent use.

rlhe said collecting spool is operated by any suitable means adapted to promptly take up the ribbon as fast as itis fed through the said clamp. To this end the collecting spool is associated preferably with a ratchet wheel f5 and an oscillatory arm l-G carrying a ratchet 47 adapted to engage the teeth on said ratchet wheel. The said arm is operated by means of a link i8 connected to the oscillatory feed frame 18 whereby the said ratchet wheel is given a definite positive turn for each forward movement of the feed clamp. l/Vith this construction the diameter of the core of the collecting spool 43 is such that the rotary movement imparted thereto by said ratchet will be sufficient at all times to take up the ribbon as fast as it passes through the feed mechanism, and moreover will impart a substantial tension thereto.

ln order to compensate for the gradual increase in the diameter of the roll of ribbon as it winds upon the collecting spool, connecting means of a yielding nature are provided adapted to permit the rotation of the spool to lag sul'liciently behind that of the ratchet wheel to avoid too much tension on the ribbon, said equalizing means preferably operating by friction, and may comprise a friction member 50 disposed between the ratchet wheel l5 and one flange or head of the spool 48. The friction member is preferably carried by the ratchet wheel and may comprise a plurality of distributed parts as shown. Means are provided for adjusting the tension on said friction means, as by means -of a thumb screw 52 and a spring w asher 53 coaxial with the spool 43. A spacing bushing' 54 holds the spool away from the wall 6. 1n case it is desired not to collect the ribbon, the same may be torn from time to time as it emerges from the feed clamp, in which case it will not pass around the roller .l2 but will depend directly from the forward edge of the lower jaw 19 which may be provided with a sharp edge or corner adapted to facilitate tearing away the free end of the ribbon. 1When thus used the waste ribbon may escape through the opening 27 in the bottom of the housing G.

Means are provided to prevent the stamps from moving backward through the feed clamp when the latter is released, a spring 57 preferably being provided therefor. Braking means, as a spring 58, is also arranged to bear upon the spool or roll 8, preferably transaxially, to retard and steady the unwinding thereof, said means serving for various sizes and shapes of rolls.

The cover 9 extends forward to a point adjacent to the thumb rest 59, and -is preferably formed with downwardly turned flanges 61 to overlap the sides of the housing 6, and adjacent to the point 13 are embossed slightly to register with corresponding portions of the frame 6, vso that normali the cover will be held closed yieldably, the rame and cover being somewhat resilient, so as to spring or snap together. v

Locking means adapted to secure the cover closed and also prevent feeding of stamps' may comprise a bolt 62 adapted for inserting through perforations 63 in the walls of frame 6 near the point 13, and in the path of the feed frame, said cover having in its ianges perforations arranged in registry with the perforations in the housing walls, and said bolt passing through said registering perforations. The bolt 62 is headed on one end 64 and the opposite end 65 is perforated to receive the bar 67 of a padlock. By cutting ofi' the projecting stamp 17a when through using, and locking the feed member, pilfering of stamps may be prevented.

A slot or opening 66 is provided in the cover adapted to permit feeding a strip of stamps 17b through the feed clamp independently of the supply spool or roll 8 when desired, instead of from the roll..

rlhe forward end of the frame 6 terminates in a pair of lateral members 7 0 adapted to guide the forward end of the feed spring and moistener. These arms 7 0 are preferably pointed in order to facilitate manipulating the envelops, etc., when desired.

The operation of the device is as follows: To insert a spool or roll, the cover member is swung back on its hinge thus enabling the operator to insert the spool or roll into the large end of the frame where it will be rotatively supported. The end of the stamp strip together with the ribbon associated therewith, in case a ribbon is used, is threaded diagonally forward and downward through the feed clamp to the forward end of the frame, the forward stamp being fed outV beneath the cutter and the ribbon downward around the roller 42 and back to the collecting spool to which Vit is secured-ready for winding up the ribbon as it is fed forward. The position of the stamp strip is adjusted so that the perforations register with the position of the blade.

l/Jhen the device is to be carried in the hand, the reciprocating member comprising the clamp cutter, etc., is operated by the thumb and when ready for use the forward end of the afriXer is placed on the surface to receive the stamp. The thumb is pressed down causing the cutter to sever the forward stamp and at the same time close the feed clamp upon the stamp strip and also bringI the forward cushion down upon the severed stamp. The wick of the moistener is thereby brought into contact with the receiving surface. rThe thumb is then moved forward whereby thev wick passes over the receiving surface, and the stamp 17a is slid forward thereon where it is securely aflixed by the downward 4pressure of the front cushion 31. The feed clamp also advances the stamp strip sufficiently to bring the next stamp into position ready for cutting eff by the next downward movement. The forward movement of the stamps is also assisted by the cushion disposed over the forward roller. The ribbon is taken up by the collecting spool and any slackness thereof is prevented. The thumb is then raised, thereby releasing the cutter supporting spring, which immediately rises and the reciprocatory member as a whole is restored diagonally upward and backward by means of the spring 25 ready for a repetition of the operation.

When the stamps are all removed a fresh supply may be provided as follows: The empty spool may be taken out and a loaded spool inserted or the empty spool may be recharged. In either case the cover 9 is opened and one end of a strip of stampsvis inserted under the ribbon whereupon byl turning the crank 71 the ribbon may be wound back from the collecting spool onto the supply spool, together with the new strip of stamps, said strip being formed if desired by tearing ordinary commercial blocks of stamps into strips and sticking them together at the ends. During this charging operation the tension on the friction means associated with the collecting spool may be released sufficiently to permit the ribbon to unwind freely therefrom. If commercial stamp rolls are used the ribbon may be omitted if desired and the rolls or spools freely interchanged.

There are circumstances under which it is preferable to mount the stamp affixer on the supporting frame 2 during the stamping operation. Itl may then be operated as follows: The front portion of the' device is gripped with one hand as by means of the upwardly projecting moistener 35, and the forward end of the affixer raised successively to permit moving the envelops or the like into position successively, one upon another, under the forward end, the stamp feed mechanism being operated by one hand while the envelops or other objects to be stamped are manipulated with the other hand. i

There are times 'when it is desirable to attach a series of stamps on the same receiving surface, as upon an object to be sent by parcel-post. In order to. facilitate attaching such a strip or series of stamps most conveniently and expeditiously, a separate supplementary moistener 72 carried on arms 73 may be attached at the forward end of the guide arms 70 of the aiiixer frame, adapted for moistening the under side of the strip of stamps, which strip may be drawn forward through the open feed clamp jaws and over the moistening attachment 72 independently of the feed mechanism, by gripping the forward stamp with one hand while the aflixer frame may be held by the other hand. During this operation the thumb-piece 59 is not depressed and a passage for the stamp strip is thereby left between the severing members 28 and 29. At the forward edge of the supplementary moistener a cutting blade 74 is provided by means of which the strip of stamps or labels may be readily severed by pulling down on the strip over the cutting edge. rihe strip of stamps thus removed is attached to the parcel or other" object by hand.- A cross bar 77 extends between the arms 7 3 so as to guide the stamp strip down away from the moistener wick 37. When the afiixer is to be used in the usual way for attaching individual stamps, the supplementary moistener attachment 7 2 may be removed. This attachment may be secured by any convenient means, thumb screws 7 9, one pair on each side, being shown in the present embodiment.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention, as dened by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A stamp afiixer comprising a housing frame, means carried by said frame for supplying a continuous strip of stamps, a step feed member adapted to advance the strip al definite amount for each operation thereof, means for severing the stamps successively after the strip is advanced, means for sliding the severed stamp forward onto a receiving surface, and moistener means carried by the said feed mechanism for moistening the receiving surface in advance of the stamp.

2. A stamp aflixer comprising a housing frame, means therein adapted for mounting a strip of stamps arranged in a roll together with a backing ribbon, step-by-step feed mechanism adapted for operation by the thumb for advancing the stamp strip and ribbon the exact length of a stamp for each operative movement of the thumb, severing means adapted to remove the foremost stamp from the stripat the beginning of and by each operative movement of the thumb, means actuated by each operative movement of the thumb for moistening a receiving surface, means also actuated by each operative movement of the thumb for sliding the detached stamp into place upon the moistened surface, and automatic means for collective winding of the used portion of the ribbon.

3. A stamp afixer comprising a stationary supporting frame in combination with a housing frame oscillatively supported thereon, said housing frame being formed and adapted to receive a strip of stamps in the form of a roll and having feed mechanism adapted to advance the strip successively the exact length of a stamp, means operatively connected to the feed mechanism for severing the stamps, for moistening a receiving surface and for advancing the severed stamps thereupon, the forward end of the stamp aflixer being vertically movable with respect to the frame to receive objects of variable height upon which the stamps are to be affixed.

4L. A stamp aliixer comprising a frame, means carried by said frame for supporting a strip of stamps, a reciprocating carriage for advancing the strip at each operation thereof, a moistening device carried by said carriage and traveling in advance of said strip of stamps, and means for aflixing the stamps.

5. A stamp affixer comprising a housing frame, means for supplying a strip of stamps, feed mechanism carried by said frame for advancing the strip, means carried by said feed mechanism for moistening a receiving surface, means for severing the stamps successively as the strip is advanced, and means for afiixing the severed stamps to the moistened receiving surface.

6. A stamp aifixer comprising a housing frame, means for supplying a strip of stamps, feed mechanism carried by said frame for advancing the strip at each operation thereof, means carried by said feed mechanism for moistening a receiving surface, means for severing the stamps successively as the strip is advanced and comprising a pair of coacting members, one of which is rigidly disposed on one side of the path for the strip, and the other of which is operatively supported on the opposite side of the path for the strip by said feed mechanism, and means for applying the severed stamp to the moistened receiving surface.

7. A stamp afiixer comprising a housing frame, means for supplying a strip of stamps, feed mechanism carried by said frame for advancing the strip at each oper` ation thereof, means carried by said feed mechanism for moistening a receiving surface, means for severing the stamps successively as the strip is advanced and comprising a pair of coacting members, one of which is rigidly disposed on one side of the path for the strip, and the other of which is operatively supported on the opposite side of the path for the strip by said feed mechanism,

one of said severing members having a ser- 8. A stamp afliXer comprising a housing frame, means for supplying a strip of stamps, feed mechanism for said stamps comprising a reciprocatory clamp frame, a spring member carried by said feed mechanism, said spring member being arranged for manual operation for closing the clamp and for moving the clamp frame forward to advance the stamps, means for severing the stamps from the strip and applying them to a receiving surface, and means for automatically restoring the feed mechanism.

9. A stamp affixer comprising a housing frame, means for supplying a strip of stamps, feed mechanism for said stamps comprising a reciprocatory clamp frame formed to close for forward movement and to open for rearward movement, a spring member carried by said feed mechanism, said spring member being arranged for manual operation for closing the clamp and for moving the clamp frame forward to advance the stamps, means for severing the stamps from the strip and applying them to a receiving surface, and means for automatically restoring the feed mechanism.

10. In a stamp afhxer, feed mechanism comprising a reciprocatory clamp frame movable longitudinally of the housing, onev of the clamp jaws being movable, a spring memberl carried by said feed mechanism and supporting the movable jaw, said spring member being adapted for manual operation for closing the clamp and for moving the clamp frame forward to advance the stamps, means for automatically restoring the feed mechanism, said housing and clamp frame being mutually formed and adapted to guide sail feed mechanism in its forward and backward movement, means for severing the stamps from the strip, and means for ailixing the severed stamps to a receiving surface.

11. In a stamp afliXer adapted for using stamps wound upon a roll with a ribbon and comprising a housing frame, a feed mechanism adapted for manual operation, said feed mechanism comprising a reciprocatory clamp adapted to close for forward movement and to open for rearward movement, and a collecting spoo-l adapted to receive the used portion of the ribbon as the stamps are used and separated therefrom, said collecting spool being actuated automatically by connection with the feed mechanism, said collecting spooland actuating means therefor being adapted to provide asuitable degree of tension upon the ribbon as it is wound thereupon, means for severing the stamps from the strip, and means for affiXing the severed stamps to a receiving surface.

12. In a stamp aiiXer adapted for using stamps wound in a roll together with a ribbon, a ribbon collecting spool arranged to receive the ribbon as the stamps are fed forward, a ratchet wheel operated by the feed means, said ratchet wheel being connected to the collecting spool by yielding frictio-n means, said collecting spool and ratchet wheel being adapted to insure a suitable degree of tension on the ribbon and said friction means being adapted to prevent excessive tension on the ribbon, means for severing the stalnps from the strip, and means for affixing the severed stamps to a receiving surface.

13. In a stamp afliXer having a severing member carried on a reciprocating feed arm, an affiXing pad disposed on said arm in advance of the severing member and projecting downward below the same, the aiixer housing having a forwardly projecting bearing plate beneath said pad for receivingthe stamp when severed, said pad being adapted to slide the stamp forward from said bearing plate onto a receiving surface when the said arm is moved forward.

'14. In a stamp alfixer having a reciprocatory stamp feed member, a forwardly projecting arm carried by said feed member, and a moistener attachment carried by and at the forward end of said arm, said moistener being adapted and arranged to contact with the receiving surface for moistening the same when the feed member is moved forward to deliver a stamp.

15. A stamp afHXer comprising a housing frame adapted to carry a strip of stamps, in combination with longitudinally reciprocatory feed means, said means comprising a resilient arm the forward end of which is adapted and arranged to oscillate vertically, said arm being provided with means for severing the stamps successively and for sliding the severed stamps forward onto the receiving surface and a downwardly facing moistener carried on the forward end of said armV in advance of the severing and sliding means adapted to moisten the receiving surface immediately in advance of the stamp as the latter is slid forward into place.

16. A stamp afxing device adapted for feedin stampsforward and alfixing same successively, and also having a forwardly disposed upwardly facing removable attachment adapted for moistening a series of stamps as they are drawn from the aliixer for manually attaching a plurality of stamps in one group.

17. A stamp aiixing device having `means thereover for manuallyattaching a plurality for attaching stamps automatically in sucof stamps in one group. l, cession and also having a removable attach- Signed at Chicago this 15th clay of J anment comprising a moistener having a Wick nary, 19111.

on the under side adapted to meisten the JOHN HERBERT BARROV. receiving surface and also a Wick on the up Witnesses:

per side adapted to meisten the under side FREDM-DAV1S,

of the stamp strip as it is drawn forward WILLIAM E. HANN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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