US1461934A - Register for postage marking machines - Google Patents

Description

A. H. PITNEY ET AL REGISTER FOR POSTAGE MARKING MACHINES July 17, 1923.

Filed June '7, 1922 2 Sheets$heet 1 4 Sawwtoza July 17, 1923. 1,461,934

A. H. PITNEY ET AL REGISTER FOR POSTAGE MARKING MACHINES Filed June '7, 1922 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 Patented July 17', 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR H. PITNEY AND JACOB UV. OGDEN, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNORS TO UNIVERSAL POSTAL MACHINES CORPORATION, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT,

A CORPORATION OF DIEIIAJNAB.E.

REGISTER FOR POSTAGE-MARKING MACHINES.

Application filed June 7,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR H. PITNEY and JACOB lV. Goons, citizens of the United States, residing at Stamford, in the county t Fairlield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Registers for Postage-Marking Machines; and we hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is a novel improvement in postage meters and mail marking machines of the type shown in the Pitney Patents #l,273,793 of July 23rd, 1918, Reissue #14,- 916 dated July 13, 1920, and #l,3T(l,668, granted March 8th, 1921.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple counting mechanism or register, to be attached to mail marking or sealing machines, for the purpose of printing postage stamps directly on mail matter and registering the number of pieces so printed. It is designed for use by merchants, manufacturers, and corporations whose daily mailings do not justify the use of the more elaborately constructed postage meters such as shown in said patents.

The invention provides a novel and practical device for printing such required in dicia on mail matter as will obviate applying ordinary postage stamps thereto. and the present necessity of verifying the mailers count on each batch of mail and at the same time, with the aid of two ordinary commercial counters, afi'ord ample and adequate protection to the Postoffice Department; and will make it possible for a larger number of patrons to avail themselves of postage per- Init privileges, and thereby assist in increasing the efficiency of the department by eliminating a great deal of time consuming labor after the mail reaches the posto'flice.

The present invention also is adapted to be used in connection with machines of the general type shown in Patent 291,370,668, and is to be substituted therein in place of the so-called meter shown and described in the aforesaid patent and when so placed in said machine will be operated by the mechanism of said machine and record the 1922. Serial No. 566,593.

total amount of the stamps applied by the machine; and also the number of times the machine is operated after each setting.

The novel register consists of two counters or sets of consecutive numeral wheels each of which is connected by gearing to the spindle which carries the revolving printing die. One of these counters is continuous in its action recording each revolution of the die until its limit (say 9,999,999) is reached, and then commences again at 0. This counter records the total amount of stamps applied. The other counter is capable of being cleared or set back to zero at any time and is used to keep a record of the number of impressions made. The key by which the clearingof the latter counter is accomplished is held by the post oiiice by which the permit is granted.

In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated one form of mechanism embodying our invention, and an understanding thereof will enable others to adopt and use the invention, but we do not consider the invention restricted to the specific devices shown as changes may be made therein within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims; to which we refer for summaries of the essentials of the invention and novel combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the detachable printer and register.

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3-3, Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line ll Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 55 Fig. 4.

In the construction shown the register consists of a hollow base member 1 closed by a bottom plate 1 and having formed with or securely attached thereto a standard 1 having an arm 1 on its upper end in which is formed an upper bearing 1 for the spindle 2"" of the printer 2 hereinafter referred to and in the upper plate of the base is formed a lower bearing i for said spindle. The lower side and one end of the base is closed by a slide plate 1 which engages suitable guide grooves in the side Walls of the base plate 1 and which when pushed into its proper place is locked in position by r1 1 actuated pawl 1 which is pivoted on t. I verse rod 1 in the base and is pressed engagement with a notch in the plate spring 1 as shown in Fig. l. therel tually locking the plate against re The said latch is inaccessible when the l is slid home and can only be disen by making a hole through the plate .1 by either destroying it or evidencing tan ing therewith.

The printer 2 may be of any suitable construction, and is neferably such as de' scribed in my aforesaid patent. is mounted upon the spindle 2 and rotated thereby. The spindle t l (l-QPGDClr; lite the base and has on its lower end. i iin the hollow base 1 a gear 9 h mg; a hub :2" provided with a notch 2 which notch is ada'p ed to be engaged by a tooth 66" on a lever 66 pivoted on a pin 6? in the base. at one side or the gear, said lever havii an elongated slot through ii'hich the hub of the gear 2 passes. The -tree end Oil leve 66 is adapted to he engaged by a sp ring; 6; a pin 69 mounted. in the casing and nor sly pressed outwardly to hold the tooth 6G in engagement with the notch the outer end of the pin 69 lying inside the end Wall of the base 1, as indicated in Fig. 3. This latch 66 is adapted to locl the spind. e again t rotation Wren the regir :er is removed :lfi marching but when the register is placed in a machine like that shown in li -y laid patent a pin on the machine (not shown in the drawings) engages the pin and pushes it back suiliciently to osc late latch. lever 66 and disengage tooth (56' Join gear 2 thus freeing the spindle in the manner in which the printer is released. as etspleii ed. in my aforesaid patent.

To the lower end of the spindle 2 is at tached a coupling member all haw inp; a tongue 47 to engage av corresponding: slot in a. coupling member on the drive shaft of the printing machine to which lhe device attached, as shown in my Patent l 370.667., so that the spindle will be rotated once for each printing operation of said machine. as explained 1n said patent. A bloclc 12 1t lastened by screws to the bottom of the base ft to receive the lower end. of the spindle and.

also act as an end stop to the plate l as in said patent.

hilounted upon the base 1 at the side of bracket 1 opposite the spindle is a cash l. which is preferably made oi metal and is closed at top sides and outer end... and its end is closed by the vertical portion of the bracket 1, adjacent the printer. This ing is fastened by screws 3 to the base. 1 and as these. screw are only ac Within the base ll. and thiii:etrx

cannot he l r1 place and has two l ter the plate 1. is put ribed. The cas- A and 3 in its the nuu'icrals appearing .cr or coupler 5. nd subu be rcspii-ir i sly sla n.

o-totalinn counter (l 3 an end er-1- t l 10. i

lci'isii'iii G which is closely. 'l'ted into a small ope" u outer end Mall of the c; sing f; r rnii (3 to b biz-sorted into he cyluu r ol or barrel of the sub l counter. u icrcoy the numeral WhQGlS we counter i may be wt to were when de- 5 am t3 ma; be of any suite ructio ustrated ill purchased with nucoin in the hiari rchi iiicriil Wheels and from one wheel manner. The co sible and is oi? operations. rotations. of the The counter (i can be reset at the person he i i! 1 ll e proper liey (3,

m loci-z and. l islcr o is adapt- .II' or ind i beixornied b) the :iiachine for l fill u 11d of 1 i 1 o and b lilfilldttlti on a Within l cas ng: 2. an to t plate 1, the not l. ble after place. The counters are 2 devices :l rom llw spindle are comil'crs ore riqiiill'ane by the means illustrated in i As shown. the i'llliillf 7 has a worm gear 5" on its halt. icsliimr with a worm 5" mounted on a spini c 53 iol rnaled in the frame 7 lo lhe inside oi the -.vorin 5, and spindle 5 has :1 pinion 3" on its lower end i slllllg' with a gear 7 mounted on a spindle journaled in the base i. 'lhe shaft oi the coimi'cr (i has a worm gear 6" meshing with a worm 6 on. a spindle G journaled in the ilramc i to the inside of the \i'ori'u gear and spindle ll" has a pin on on ils ldwrl' ci'ul meshing with the near The spindle 7 extends iulo the ase i. and has a. gear 1' on its lower end meshing with an. intermediate grew 1. iouri. tied on. a, stud Q in the base i. said. internedlate near 5% directly incshinc with the ratcl'ie'l'. l.

eased paw F3" to prevent the counturned backward anv adapted lo rcgii-iter the total.

When constructed and arranged as described all the interior working parts are inaccessible and the attachment can be handled a unit and can be applied to a postage mail marking machine such as shown in my Patent #LB'TQGGS by removingthe meter trom such machine and inserting this attachment in its place. The base 1 ot the attachment should be made to correspond in size and term with the socket or receptacle in the machine to which it is to be applied. in the example shown the base l of the attachment corresponds in shape and size to the base 4.1 of the meter shown in said patent and theretore said attachment can be substituted that machine for the meter shown in said patent; and when so substituted the pin 69 would be pushed inward by the pin on said machine (described and shown as 8 in said patent), thereby releasing the spindle. and at the same time the rib 4-7 on the spindle will engage the re lated coupling member in said machine (described and shown as 20 in said patent). so hat the spindle 2 of the attachment will be operated just as the spindle oi. the printer as described in said patent.

When removed from the machine the spindle 52 is locked automatically against "further rotation by the latch lever 06 entranin ggear 2 and the register cannot be tampered with. hen the meter is in position in the machine the register 6 will show up the operations performed by the machine between one time of inspection and another; while the register 5 will show the total number of operations which are pcrt'ormed by the machine.

Permits to mail matter without stamps atiixed are new granted by the Post Ottice Department, as provided by present section '159 Postal Laws and Regulations. Paragraph .5, section (0,) provides that the postmaster may receive from the mailer a deposit oi money in advance (for which a special. receipt shall be given) suilicient to pay for more than a single mailing. lhe deposit shall be charged with the proper amount oi" each mailing but it the amount in hand is not su'tiic-ient at any time to cover the postage due on the entire mailing. the excess shall be held until an additional deposit is made.

The regulations also provide that all mail matter presented tor mailing: without stamps aihsed. and on which the required indicia has not been printed by a device having mechanism that may he set for designated number o't impressions showing the amount, of postage paid and which. atter the en;- haustion of such number of im 'ircssions, automatically locks itself so that no further impressions can be made. until the mailer has brought the printing or numbering head or meter to the post otiice and has had the postmaster re-set the mechanism for a given number of impressions, the amount of postage to cover the number of such impressions to be paid at the time the device is set-- shall be delivered at a place designated by the postmaster where the mailers count or statement of mailing verified. This can be done with the aid of a cancelling machine, to which a counting device is attached. at or the ink roller has been removed. It a canceilingmachine is not available the matter presented must be counted by hand. As both these methods of verifications require time. and have to be performed usually during the rush hours of the post oflice. it becomes apparent that the use of the so callcd permit privilege. as applied to first class mail. would actually retard instead of e):- pedite its dispatch after reaching the post oiiice. unless suitable means are provided for printing the required indicia on the mail and for registering the total number of operations performed in any given period of time. and for also registering the total. number of operations and adequately protect the Post Office Department. Our invention providcs a very simple means for doing this and assists in increasing the efficiency of that depa rtment by eliminating a great deal of time and labor in preparing the mail after it is deposited in the post oflice.

The method of operation is as follows:

The mailer, after being assigned a permit number, presents his register, to which the die and post-mark are attached. to the postmasterwith check or currency as a deposit against which his daily mailing will be charged, it being assumedthat the amount of the deposit will exceed that of his average daily mailings. 7

Alter rcvreivincthe mono) the postmaster sets the sub-total counter 6 back to Zero, and removes and keeps the key, and hands the register back to the mailer. The register is thcn taken to the mailers ollice and placed on the machine. l lach pieceot mail passing through the machine increases both counters one unit. The total counter 5 will indicate up to 10.000.000 before it automatically clears to zero. The sub-total counter 6 being merely intended to count each mailing. con tiuues to increase until the end of the day. at which time the device is detached from the machine and taken to the post olhce together with the last batch of mail. and a corresponding statement presented to the proper clerk who checks the amount indicated on the counter 43 with the amount indicated on the total register 5 and any slips accompanying; previous mailingtor the day. Everything being: found correct the post otiice othcial takes the key. 6 which the post oiiice retains and sets the counter 6 back to zero; so that the mailer may rc-start counting his mail at zero the following day, sufficient money being deposited with the post oflice by the mailer to cover the next daily mailing before the postal clerlc returns the device to the mailer for further use.

The regulations provide that at any time the amount of prep-' it mail presented. exceeds the amount Ol. money on de posit, the excess quantity shall he held until an additional deposit is made.

ll hile we have described. the invention as applicable to the postage meter machines as shown in the litney pat en's aforesaid, it will he obrioxis that the invention could be rcadil adapted for use with other types of machines, and there-tore we do not consider the invention lEHhTlClTC-jl to use with said patented machines.

What we claim is:

1. An attachment for the purpose specified, comprising a base, a rotatable printer mounted thereon; a casino; on the base beside the printer; 2 total counter ands sub-total counter in the casing; gear l t .oe .ween the printer and said counters whereby each counter is turned one unit for each rotation oi? the printer; and means "tor lockirm the printer against rotation when the aiaclr ment is removed from the r chine whereby it is operated and tor roles the printer when the attachment placed in the machine.

2. In an attachment for h. in claim 1, key controlled means whereby the suhtotal counter may be reset without 0 aching the case.

3. In an attachment as set forth in claim 1 a spindle in the'casing: for driving; each counter; a driving pgea r simultaneously meshboth spindles; and grooming tor operating said driving gear from the printer.

4-. In an attachment as set 'lorth in claim 1. each counter raving); a worm gear on its smrtt: a worm spindle engaging" such ogear; a gear simultaneously both spindles: and gearing between said and the printer. substmitially as described.

An attachment tor the purpose specified. comprising a hollow base: a casino; mounted thereon; a total counter and. a sub total counter arranged side by side in said. casing: a spindle journaled on said. base hes de the casin a printer carried by said spindle; gear-i .g; between said spindle and each ct the said crn nters: and means whereby the spindle is automatica ly locked when. the device is removed from the machine which operates it and auttunatically released when it is replac d in the no chine.

6. In an attachmcn, set thirlh in claim. 5 key controlled i'oeans whereby the suhtotal counter may be reset.

7. Tu apparatus set to th in claim 1, a spindle in the casin tor driru: each counter: a driving; near fumultnucously tu eratlngg both spindles: and searing for operating; said driving" gear the ax-urine:

8. In apparatus as set forth in claim 5, each counte having a worm gear on its shat"- aworm spindle engaging such gear; a driving: gear simultaneously operating both spin til and gearing in the hollow base between the driving gear and the printer spindle, substantally as descrbed.

9. n attachment for the purpose specified; comprising a base; a rotatable printer; casing on the base; a pair of counters in the casing; a worm gear on each counter shait; a worm spindle engaging each worm gear; a driving: gear in the'cnsin; simultaeously operating both spindles; and gearing in the base for actuating said driving; gear from the printer spindle.v substantially as described.

1.0. In an attachment as set forth in claim 9, key controlled means whereby one of the counters may be reset.

11. In an attachment as set forth in claim 9, a plate for closing the hollow base and preventing access to the gearing or casing; and means for indctachably securing said t late in closed position.

1S2. ln attachment for the purpose specified, comprising; a base.v a rotatable member mounted thereon; a total counter and a subtotal counter; means whereby each counter is turned one unit for each rotation of the member: and JGHIIS for locking the member against rotation when the attachment is removed from. the machine whereby it is operated. and for releasing the member when the attachment is placed in the machine.

1 In an attachment as set forth in claim 12 hey controlled means whereby the subtotal. counte may be reset without opening the case 14 In an attachment as set forth in claim '12. a spindle in the casing for driving each counter; a driving gear simultaneously meshing both spindles; and gearing for operating said driving gear from the said member.

15. In an attachment as set forth in claim 12, each counter having a worm gear on its shaft; a worm spindle engaging such gear; a gear simultaneously operating both spindles; and rearing between said gear and the member, substantially as described.

16. An attachment for the purpose specilled. comprising a rotatable printer; a total counter and a sub-total counter; means i hereby each counter is turned one unit for each rotation of the printer; and means for 18. In an attachment as set forth in claim 16, a spindle in the casing for driving each counter; a driving gear simultaneously meshing both spindles; and gearing for 5 operating said driving gear from the printer. 19. In an attachment as set forth in claim 16, each counter having a worm gear on its shaft; a worm spindle engaging such gear;

ARTHUR H. PITNEY. JACOB W. OGDEN.

a gear simultaneously operating both spindles; and gearing between said gear and the In testimony that we claim the foregoing

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