US1627240A - Addressing machine - Google Patents

Description

May 3 1927.

5 Sheets-Sheet l J. A. HULT ADDRESSING MACHINE Flled Amll '7 1926 npeuo'c Q 794/5, 54mm@ H Yuur J. A. HULT May 3,1927. 1,627,240

ADDRESS TNG'A MACHINE Filed April v. 192e .5 sheets-sheet 2 atto: #up

May 3,1927.

- l J. A. HULT ADDRESSING MACHINE Filed Avril '7, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q7 @dan ,ff/4

y 1,627,240 May 3, 1927. J. A. HULT ADDREssING MACHINE IFiled April v. 1926 5 sheets-sheet \4 athena/up May 3,1927. 1,627,240

v J. A. HUL'l @DRESSING MACHINE Filed April v. 192e I 5 sneetsfsheet 5 attozmmn Patented May 3, 1927.

.UNITI-:Dl STATES- lmrsur OFFICE.

Y JOHN' A. HUL'r, 0E CLEVELAND, omo, AssIGNoB 'ro THE AMERICAN MUriTIGnArH COMPANY, oF CLEVELAND, omo, A CORPORATION-0E oHIo.

` AnnnEssrNG MACHINE.

Appncnpn mea April 7, 192e. 'smal No. 100,224.

This invention relates to addressing ma-` chines of the type wherein' individual address plates are placed 'successively on a ro' ment in a machine for printing the body and address of an addressed letter, and also the envelope from the address portion only of the form, and one of the features of the invention is the provision of mechanism for accomplishing this by a. rotary, intermit,

tent movement of the carrier.'

In its preferred form, my invention comprises a rotary drum having adjacent its periphery a longitudinal channel leading from one end of the drum, andv theaddress plate is shoved into place en dwise in this channel against a resisting spring; the plate is retained in this position by a suitable latch Auntil after the print-ingv impression, when the latch is operated (either manually or auto1'natically).to release the plate, whereupon the spring partially or entirely ejects it.

One embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the drawings hereof, and is hereinafter more fully explained, and the ,essential novel characteristics are summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, versesection through a rotary printing `machine embodying my invention, this view showing also an automatic paper. feed and a signature printing device, which may be emp lo edif desired; Fgg2 is a plan partly bro en away illustrating particularly that lportion ofthe rotary ldrum which carries theaddress plate;pFig. 3 is a vertical section along the axis of the rotary drum as indicated by the line '3`-3,on Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section near the right hand end of the drum and looking toward the adjacent frame pla-te, as indicated by the line L -4 on Fig. 3; Fig.y 5' is a section horiz ontally through theshaftv of the envelopel lprinting platen, vand radially through the druinasindicated by the line 5755 yonjFi'g..A 1: Figff'is a perspective vvoffline ofjtheI` members .of theclutchj` controllingg'rtheenve- Fg l iS a vertical vtrans-Iv c lotpe printer; F ig'.l 7 is av detail in edge view o the clutch controlling lever; Fig. 8 is a perspectlve of the directing shield for the envelope; Fig. 9 is a detail inthe vertical section illustrating the plate channel on the drum and the retaining latch for holding the address plate therein; Fig. 10 is a perspective of aportion of the address plate and the drum with the lribbon supporting bridge beneath which the plateA is inserted.

As shown in the'drawings, the printing machine proper is of the type of the multigraph and comprises a rotary' drum', 10

mounted on a shaft 11, journalled in end f frame plates 12 and 13 above a roller platen 14 mounted on a shaft 15.` Gearing 16 and 17 and an Oldham coupling 18' connect the drum and platen. Any `suitable means,as for example a crank 19y is provided for ro-v tating the drum and platen. p I

, I have shown mounted'on the drum 'a .means for printing'the body of a form letter, such means comprising a blanket 20 (shown con.- ventionally in'y Fig. l) stretchedl about a segment 21 on the drum and having raised over- 4 hanging pro3ections 22 (Fig. 10) carrying embossed printing strips 23. 'Ihe segment is shown as a semi-Cylinder resting on the end members 28 and 29 of the drui'n and held in place by a spring hook 24 engaging the shaft 11. An inking ribbon 25 is shown as mounted'on spools 27c'arried between-the end membersof. the drum, `such ribbon extending intermediately about the type form.

It willioe seen'that in the construction described, when the drum is rotated, as vby means of the crank, paperfed between the drum and platen may be printed'by the type Characters through the ribbon. The paper may be fed by hand or in some lautomatic Y manner if desired. Fig. 1 .illustrates an automatic feed which maybe employed and comprises briefly an upright holder 30, 31 for a block of paper 32, a bottom support 33 and a roller 35 adapted to feed the front sheet of paper intothe printingI machine. Reference may be made. to Patent' No. 1,051.,- 726 of Harry C. Gammeter for a fuller description of such a paper feed.

Fig. 1 shows also at the rear'of the machine, a signature printing attachment compri 'ng an eccentrically mounted ysignature 'rol er 40',`a rotary platen 41, anfinking device '@gend/cammechanism A43' geared with the y Allen for a fuller description of such signature attachment.

In Fig. 1, the address plate, designated A, is mounted adjacent to the body form as hereinafter more fully explained. When a sheet of paper'coming from the automatic feed passes between the drum and platen, the address and the body are printed on such sheet and then while the sheet is passing through the signature printer the same address plate coacts with an envelope laten 80 at the rear of the drum to print t e envelo e.

Tllie automatic feed and the signature attachment are shown in Fig. 1 for the purpose of completeness and to illustrate an embodiment producing on each rotation, a printed, addressed and signatured sheet and a correspondingly addressed envelope. The operator may grasp the crank with one hand and turn the drum while with his other hand he positions the envelope and thereafter receives the used address plate, and effects the insertion of a fresh plate.

The body of the drum adjacent one edge of the segment 2l is shown as provided with a longitudinal channel 50 for the reception of the address lplate A. This plate may be of the form shown in Fig. 10 having an arcuate intermediate region with longitudinal overhanging projections a* and depressed edge portions a2. under-curled on themselves for strength. The projections may carry embossed printing strips a. The channel 50 of the drum provides a support A52 for the intermediate portion of the plate and two side recesses for the edge flanges, these recesses being beneath overhanging strips 54 on the drum which retain the address plate thereon when it is shoved endwise into place.

When the address plate is pushed into its channel its forward end abuts a slide 55 pressed by a'spring 56 toward the en d of the machine, and forces it inwardly, compressing the spring until a suitable latch carried by the drum engages the trailing end of the plate and holds it in place. The spring 56 is of considerable length so that it may be compressed various amounts to accommodate address plates of various lengths.

The latch 60 is shown as comprising an arm pivoted at 61 to the end of the segment 21 and having an overhanging lip 63 which rests on a compression spring 64 seated in a socket in the segment. The spring normally holds the free end of the arm projecting beyond the address plate when mounted in the guideway and thus holds that late in place against the -ejecting action of t e spring 56. An inward pressure on the lip 63 however, withdraws the latch from the engagement with the plate and allows the spring to par tially or wholl eject it. This inward pressure may be e ected manually by the .operators thumb or if desired, automatically as hereinafter explained.

To enable the plate to be readily shoved into place, I form the two grooves 50 which the edges of the plate occupy withflaring extensions 51 in the segment adjacent the end of the drum, as shown in Fig. 10. The extreme end of this latch is beveled as indicated in Figs. 9 and 10 so that it may be frced down by the act of inserting the p ate.

To enable the plate to pass readily under the ribbon, I may employ a bridge 65 extending across the channel and supporting the ribbon adjacent its edge. This bridge, which preferably comprises a flat piece .of spring metal curved corresponding t'o the address plate and having depressed'portions resting on the segment, is specifically the invention of Victor H. Kline and covered in his application, Serial No. 100,246, filed- April 7, 1926, and assigned to my assignee The American Multigraph Com any. I have shown the bridge with one of) the end portions 66 occupying a recess in the segment bar 54 and secured by a screw 67. The other end 68 is shown as restiner onthe sur. face of the blanket 20 'mounted on the se ment. The surface of the platen 14 termij no nates short of the path of rotation ofthe bridge 65 so that such bridge cannot make any impression on the platen.

I have found that by employing the bridge described beneath the ribbon, the

flaring plate, latch, the plate may be readily shoved into 'place manually during a very short cessation in the rotation of the drum. Moreover, a slmple inward pressure on the latch serves to releasethe plate and cause its ejection by the spring to a point where the opera-tor may receive it in his hand.

If desired I may mount onthe segment a suitable printing form on the opposite side of the address plate channel from the main bodyform. This provides for instance for pr'lntlng a location and date on the letter above the region of the address. As shown 1n Fig. 2, I have provided asmalL metal plate 70 which is secured on the segment by means of edge anges on the plate and this plate has upstanding projections 71 carrying suitable embossed strips 72.

As soon as the plate has been mounted on the drum, the latter is ready for printing and the rotation of the drum is resumed, as by means of the crank, carrying the address plate into coaction with the platen 14 and thereafter the body form into such coaction, thus printinfr the dated and addressed letter. Then the plate may print an envelope by guide for the edges of the address and the beveled end of the retaining' means of the platen 80 to be hereinafter de'- scribed. p

If it is desired to eject the plate automatically, I mount on the upper part of the frame member 11 an overhanging depending stationary cam 75 which is-in position to engage and depress the latch lip,63 just before the 'plate comes into proper position for dischar e. This cam 75 depresses the latch 60 an thus releases the address late y so that the spring 56 will either partial y or entirely discharge the same.

I may allow a region of several inches in width between the point of engagement of the cam and latch and the place where ltheend frame overhangs the plate channel, and at some intermediate point in this region (depending on the speed of rotation) and the point of restof the movement, the

' released late is shoved by lthe spring either plate. )Vith a little practice, he may deposit the used plate in a suitable receptacle and take a fresh plate from that receptacle and insert it in the channel in a very short space of time. Ifthe machine is power driven, it. preferably stops itself automatlcally at the end of the each rotation, and then the operavvtor, -faftert'he installation of a fresh plate,

simply re-engages the power. If it is de- -sired to control the discharge of the plate manually, the cam 7 5 is simply omitted and the operator actuates the catch after the machine has stopped'or just as it is stopping. It will be understood that the machine may be hand driven or power driven; that the discharge may occur at a fixed point in rotation or be somewhat varied, and that it may be effected automatically orjmanually l as desired.

The mechanism described enables the simultaneous printing of the body and address of an addressed letter through an inking ribbon with comparative rapidity. To enable the envelope to be printed from the address plate while in its position on the drum, I `provide mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 which will now be described.

The envelope-printing platen designated is a rotary member adjacent the drum, at the rear thereof on an axis parallel therewith and having such arcuate extent as will coact with the address portion only of the address plate and not engage the salutation, should there be one on the plate. This platen/80 is normally idle but is arranged at 'the pro er time to rotate in cooperatlon y with the a dess plate at the same peripheral speed.

To the above end, I provide the platen 80 loose on a shaft 81, and driven by a gear 82 meshin ywith the ear '17 on the drum. 'lhe platen 1s connecta le for rotation with the gear 82 by a single rotation clutch designated 84 as a whole.

The clutch is best shown in Fig. 5. 'That figure shows the gear 82 `journalled on a stud 120 mounted in a frame bracket 121 secured to or forming a part of the end plate 13. One member of the clutch consists of a disk rigid with this gear 82 and shown as pinned to a hub on the gear; another member consists of a disk 91 rigid with the platen; a thirdv member comprises anrintermediate disk 92 having radial ribs 93 occupying corresponding grooves in the disk 91 (after the manner of an Oldham coupling), and the final member comprises a locking pin 95 adapted to lock the members 90 and 92 together. This locking pin is slidably mounted in the member 90 and may engage a notch 96'in the member 92. It is normally held withdrawn by a lever 100 positioned by a spring 101 but operated at the proper time by a cam on the drum engaginga roller 102 on the lever.

As the address plate on the drum is coniing into position adjacent the platen 80 the cam 105 en ages the roller 102 and operates the trip lever 100 to free the pin. Thereupon the spring 103 seats the pin in the' notch 96, engaging the clutch. The platen 80 now makes one'complete rotation at the san-xe peripheral speed as the drum, so that the address may be printed on an envelope or other paper between the drum and platen 80. This same printing action operates to feed the envelope upwardly and discharge it in printed form. At the end of the rotation the head 97 on the pin engages the beveled end 104 (Fig. 7) vof the lever and withdraws itself, thus opening the clutch.

In order to stop the envelope platen immediately upon the withdrawal of the clutch pin 95 so that the platen will be in proper position. for subsequent engagement, I provide a friction brake constantly acting on the platen. This is best shown in Figs. 2 and 5 and comprises a non-rotatable disk slidably mounted on a supportingstud 122 andv pressed by springs 111 against a leather 4washer 112 between the disk and the adjacent end of the platen. As shown in Fig. 5, the springs 111 are mounted in cavities in screws 114 located in an ear 115 mounted on or forming a part of the end` plate 12. The brake described gives a constant friction sufficient to stop the platen im' mediately when the clutch pin is withdrawn,

'8,5 envelopes, or for printing both the adbut not sutiicient to add any material load to the drive when the clutch is engaged.

To enable the printing pressure of the envelope platen to be readily adjusted, I mount the shaft 81 of this platen eccentrically in the studs 120 and 122 heretofore mentioned. These studs are normally stationary, but may be turned axially to shift the axis of rotation of the shaft 81. Knurled heads 123 are provided on the studs for this purpose. They are shown as locked in place by set screws 124.

Figs. 1 and 8 show at 130 a suitable envelope supporting member adapted to enable its ready positioning between the drum and envelope platen and controlling the proper discharge therefrom. This member 130 is preferably7 a sheet metal plate bent into a U-shape with the center portion 131 removed opposite the platen. Downturned ears 135 on the member may embrace a rod 136 mounted in the frame brackets 115 and 121 and thus support the member.

The envelope is dropped into the trough thus provided and the platen eoacts with the drum through the opening 131 in the trough. The two portions of the trough continue up; wardly above this region of coaction to provide a shield portion 132 adjacent the drum to direct the envelope rearwardly and a supporting portion 133 on the other leg, which supports the envelope as it travels rearwardly and is discharged. The venvelope may be discharged onto the addressed sheet with which the addressed envelope is associated,'or separate receptacles not shown) may be employed if desired.

As heretofore mentioned, the paper may be fed manually or automatically, in either case `the fed sheet preferably comes into the grip of feed rolls 140, Fig. 1, which are geared with the platen as indicated at 141 in Fig. 4. These rolls carry the paper along between the segment 21 and platen 14, after which it is further advanced by the ejecting rolls 145, Fig. 1, coacting' with stripper springs 146. This ejecting roller is shown as being connected by'suitable gearing 147, Fig. '4, with the drum gear 17. The sheet is thus passed between the signature printing roller 40 and the platen 41, if a signature printer is employed, and in any case vis discharged at the rear, face up. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the envelope sliding down the shield 133 drops face up on the sheet and thus each addressed envelope is directly associated with the corresponding addressed sheet.

It will be seen that I have provided a very simple machine adapted for a variety of uses. The machine may be used for ordinary printing or for printing addressesv alone on either circulars or envelopes, 'or for printing addressed circular letters without stall sncli plate. I do not however intend to limit myself to manual insertion.

Having thus described my invention,

claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means for holding a body form, means for supporting an address plate removably mounted adjacent thereto, means tending to discharge such address plate, and a latch to prevent the discharge. Y 2. The combination of a member having a guideway for an address plate, Said'guideway extending in the direction ofthe length of the printing lines on the plate, a spring pressed abutment operating in the guideway, and a vlatch for holding a plate in place when inserted against the abutment.

3. The combination of a rotary drum, means for retaining an address plate thereon, and a spring tending to discharge the plate.

4. The combination of a rotary drum, a longitudinal guideway on the drum, a spring tending to discharge an address plate in the guideway, and a latch for holding the plate in place.

5. The combination of a rotary drum, an address plate, a longitudinal guideway on the drum leading from one end thereof, a spring pressed abutment operating in the guideway, a latch for holding a plate in place when inserted against the abutment., and means for operating the latch.

6. The combination of a member havingea guideway extending from one vedge thereof and adapted to receive a removable plate, a roller platenhaving its axis parallel with said guideway, and a latch adapted to extend across the trailing end of the inserted plate and prevent the removal thereof until the latch is operated.

7. The combination of a rotary drum having a longitudinal guideway thereon extending from one end of the drum, a latch on the drum, a spring tending to move the latch across the end of a plate inserted in theI guideway, and a`li-p on the latch providing means whereby'the latch may be moved to idle position. i

8. The combination of a rotary drum having a longitudinal guideway leading from one end, said guideway having itsr edges inwardly overhanging and thereby adapted to retain a plate with edge portions extending beneath such overhang, a Spring tending to discharge the plate lengthwise of the guide# way, and a -latchv member extending across the opposite end of the plate and adapted to prevent such discharge.

9. The combination of a-rotary member having a longitudinalguideway into which 1n such intercepting position, the outer` face of the end portion of the arm being beveled whereby the insertion of a plate may depress the" arm until the insertion is completed.

10. In an addressing machine, the combination of means for sup orting an address plate, means tending to ischarge it,k means for retaining it on the support against the action of the discharging means, and means acting automatically consequent upon the operation of the machine to release the re-l taining means.

11. The combination of a movable member adapted to hold an address plate, a spring tending to discharge the plate, a latch for holding the plate in place, and means for automatically operating the latch once on each cycle of movement of the member to enable the spring to move thc plate toward discharging position.

12. The combination of a rotary drum, an address plate, a longitudinal guideway on the drum, a spring pressed abutment operating in the guideway, a latch for holding a plate in place. when inserted against the abutment, and means forvautomatically operating the latch oncey on each rotation to enable the' abutment to move the plate toward discharging position.

13. The combination of a rotary printing drum adapted to carry a form for the body of a letter and having a guideway for an address plate adjacent one end of the body forrn,-means for holding a plate shoved into the guideway and means for discharging said plate when released.

14. The combination of a rotary rinting drum having means for carrying t e body portion of a form, a channel extending lengthwise adjacent the edge of the body portion, overhanging ledges on the edges of said channel for holding an address plate in place therein and means for removing the address plate from the channel by movement in the opposite direction to its installing movement.

15. The combination of a member having a channel for an address plate, a spring tending to discharge the plate, a catch for holding it in place, a ribbon overlying the channel and va bridge extending across the channel beneath the ribbon.

16. The combination of a rotary drum, a channel thereinparallel with the drum axes for receiving an address plate, a spring tending to discharge the plate, a catch for holding it in place, a ribbon overlying the channel and a comparatively narrow brid e adjacent the entrance to the channel exten ing across it beneath the ribbon.

17. The combination of a rotary drum having a longitudinal channel, a plate adapted to be inserted in said channel by endwise movement, a bridge extending across the channel adjacent to its entrance, a latch on the outer side of the bridge adapted to engage the end of a plate in the channel extending under thebridge, and a ribbon extendlng over the channel and bridge.

18. The combination of a rotary printing drum, means for carrying thereon a body l form, a guideway thereon for a removable address plate, a ribbon mounted entirely on thel drum and extending across the body form and address plate, a platen adapted to' vcoact with both the body form and address plate through the ribbon, and a second platen adapted to coact with the address plate alone through the same ribbon and while the ribbon and address plate retain the same position relative to the drum.

19. The combination of a rotary printing drum, means for carrying thereon a body form, a guideway thereon for a removable address plate, means for holding the address plate in a fixed position on the drum throughout printing activity of the plate, a y

pair of'. ribbon spools mounted on the drum and carrying a ribbon extending across'the body form and address plate, a platen .adapted to coact with both the body form and address plate through the ribbon, and a second platen adapted to coact with the address plate alone through the same ribbon.

20. The combination of a rotary drum adapted to carry a body form and a removable address plate, an inking ribbon having its ends wound u on two spools which are mounted in the rum, a platen adapted to ycoact with both portions of the form through the ribbon and a segmental platen periodically active and adapted to coact with the address portion-only through the same ribbon. 1 "4 21. The combination of 'a rotary drum adapted to carry a body form and having a longitudinal channel for carrying a removable addre'ss plate, an inking ribbon having its ends wound up on two spoolsvwhich are mounted to the drum, a roller vplaten ada ted to coact with both portions of the orm through the ribbon and a normally idle segmental platen adapted' to coact at a different portiorrof the drum rotation with the address portion only.

22. The combination of a Arotary drum adapted to lmake successive rotations in one los direction, means for holding thereon a rea cam for controlling the clutch, a roller platen coacting with the drum, and a printing ribbon mounted entirely on the drum and coacting with both platens.

23. The combination of a rotary drum, a guideway therein leading'from the end of the drum and adapted'for a removable address plate, a segmental platen adapted to coact with the address plate in the guideway, mechanism connecting said platen and drum,said mechanism including a normally open clutch and a cam on the drum for controlling the clutch.

24..The combination of a rotary drum adapted to carry a body form, the drum having a longitudinal channel for carr ing a removable address plate, an inking ri b on having` its ends wound up on two spools which are mounted in the drum, a platen adapted to coact with both portions of the form through the ribbon, and a segmental platen adapted to coact with the address portion only through the same ribbon, and driving mechanism for the segmental platen comprising a gear on the drum, a pinion meshing with the gear on the drum, a clutch between -the pinion and platen, and a cam on the drum controlling said clutch.

25. The combination of a rotary drum adapted to carry a body form and a remov` able address form, a platen adapted to coact with both forms, a segmental platen adapted to coact with the address form only, a single rotation clutch connecting the segmental platen with the drum and normally open, and means for automatically closing said clutch when the address form is in position to coact with the segmental platen.

26.In a printing machine, the combina.- tion of a rotary driving member, a rotary driven member, said members lbeing mounted on axes which are parallel but out of alignment, a clutch coaxial with the driving member and coacting with it, and a coupling coacting with both .the clutch and the driven member, said coupling having one member coaxial with the driven member and another member coaxial with the clutch.

27. The combination of a rotary printing ndrum, a segmental platen mounted to turn' on an axle parallel to the axis of the drum, adjustable studs eccentrically carrying said axle, and a combined clutch and variable coupling adapted to control the rotation of the platen while allowing the adjustment.

28. The combination of a rotary drum, means thereon for holding a formfor a body of a circular letter, and a changeable address plate, a segmental platen adapted to coact with the a dress only, and a shield extending between the drum and segmental platen and Ahaving a portion for guiding the printed envelope to discharging'position.

29. The combination 'of a rotary drum, means thereon for holding a form for a body of a circular letter, a. guideway on the drum adapted to hold a, changeable address plate, a pair of ribbon spools on the drum, an inking ribbon thereon extending over the body and address, a segmental platen adapted to coact with the address only, and a shield extending between the drum and segmental platen and having an opening to enable them to coact and having also a portion for guiding the printed envelope to discharging position.

30. The combination of a rotary drum,

' means for carrying thereon the body form of a circular letter, and a removable address plate adjacent the body form, an inking ribbon carried by two spools mounted on the drum and extending intermediately across the body form and address plate, a platen adapted to coact with both the body and address, a second platen adapted to coact with the address only, means for driving the drum and platens, an automatic paper feed for feeding paper between the drum and first mentioned platen, and means for positioning hand-fed lenvelopes between the drum and second platen.

3l. The combination of a rotary drum, means for carrying thereon the body form of a circular letter, a guideway on lthe drum for a removable address plate adjacent the body form, a platen adapted to coact with both the body and address, means for rotating the drum and platen, and an automatic paper feed for feeding paper between them,.

an envelope printing platen adapted to coact with the address plate on the drum, and

a pocket for supporting an envelope be'- tween the drum and envelope platen whereby the operator may print addressed letters and correspondingly addressed envelopes by rotating the drum, changing the address plate and placing the envelopes.

32. The combination of a rotary drum, means for carrying thereon a body form vof a circular letter, means for holding thereon a removable address plate adjacent the body form,l an inking ribbon carried by spools mounted on the drum and extending intermediately across the body form and address plate, a platen below the drum adapted to coact with both the body and address, an envelope printing platen behind the drum adapted to coact with an envelope`printing platen behind the drum adapted to coact with the address plate on the drum wit-hout coacting with the body form, a signature prlnter behind the main platen and below the envelope platen and having its own platen, and means for operating all these a rotary printing drum,

means for carrying thereon a form an inking for a body of a letter, a guideway for-an address plate extending to the end of the drum, a bridge across the guideway adjacent the end of the drum, al pair of ribbon spools mounted on the drum and carrying a ribbon extending across the bridge and guideway, a platen adapted to coact with the body and address, a secon-d platen adapted to coact with the address only, a catch adapted to hold in place a plate inserted beneath the bridge and ribbon until after the body and envelope has been printed, and means whereby said catch may be operated for releasing said platen following the printing of the envelope.

34:.The combination of a rotary drum, means for holding thereon'a form for printing a body of a letter, means for holding a removable date form parallel with and' spaced from the body form, a slideway between said :forms leading to the end of the drum and means for holding a removable address plate on said slideway.

35. The combination of a rotary drum, means 'for holding thereon a flexible blanket adapted to carry embossed printing strips, a flanged plate adapted to be mounted on the drum beyond the end of the blanket and.

carry an embossed printing strip, a slidew'ay between the blanket and plate leading to the end of the drum, and address plates formed to =carry embossed printing strips and having flanged edges 'whereby they may be guided along said slideway.

36. The combination with a rotary drum carrying a form for printing the body of a letter and having a longitudinal channel adjacent one edge of such body and leading to the end of the drum, overhanging ledges at the sides of said channel 'for holding an address plate therein which may be shoved into place lengthwise, a. spring tending to discharge the address plate, a catch for preventing discharge of the plate, va bridge in the form of a leaf spring extending across the channel, an inking ribbon carried by the drum lying over the channel and bridge, and a roller platen adapted to coact with the ribbon and address form but not with the bridge.

37. The combination of a rotary drum, a

vitlexible printing blanket adapted to be mounted thereon, ay channel in the drum adjacent the end of the blanket a'nd adapted to receive an address plate, a spring bridge secured to the drum some distance from the blanket and extending over the channel, mechanism for ejecting the address plate at least partially by causing outward movement of the plate beneath the bridge, and ribbon overlying the flexible blanket, the address plate and the spring bridge.

38. The combination of a rotary drum, a

channel in the ldrum adapted to receive an address plate, a bridge extending over the channel, mechanism for ejecting the address pla'te at least partially by causing it to travel beneath the bridge, and an inking ribbon overlying the lexible blanket, the address plate and the bridge.

39. A rotary printing drum having a channel parallel with the axis leading to the end of the drum and bounded by overhanging edges, a'n abutment plate slidably mounted in the channel some distance'from its open end, a spring acting on the abutment plate tending to force it toward such open end, and a catch movably mounted on the drum and adapted to overhang and engage the outer endof a'n address plate when the inner end thereon engages the abutment and compresses the spring.`

40. A rotary printing v drum having a the entrance to 'the channel by movement of the plate in-the reverse direction to its positloning movement.

42. The combination of a rotary drum, a longitudinal channel thereon adapted to receive an .address plate moved into place along the channel, a member mounted on the drum and adapted to engage the inner end of said plateA and serving when moved to cause at least the partial ejection of said plate through the entrance t-o the channel by movement of the plate in the reverse direction to i'ts positioning movement, and means for controllingthe movement of said member.

48. The combination of a rotary drum having a longitudinal channel leading 'from one end of the drum and adapted -to receive an address plate moved into place a'long the channel, and a movable slide mounted onthe drum and adapted to engage the inner end of said plate and serving when moved to cause at least the partial ejection of said plate through the entrance to the channel by movement of the plate in the reverse dir ecvtion to its positioning movement.

scribed, the combination of means 'for holding a body form, means for supporting an address p ate removably mounted adjacent thereto, means for preventing inadvertent displacement of the address plate, and means for discharging such address plate through the entrance opening.

45. The combination of a rotary drum, an

address plate, a longitudinal guideway on the drum leading from one end thereof, a latch for holding a plate in place when inserted in the guideway, and means for eject- I ing the plate by movement in the opposite direction.

46. The combination of a rotary drum having a guideway for an address plate, said guideway extending in the direction of the length of the printing lines on the plate, a latch for holding a plate in place when inserted, and a discharging device movable in the opposite direction to the inserting movement ofthe plate to discharge it through the entrance opening.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiix my signature.

JOHN A. HULT.

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