US1639350A - Machine for printing various denominations of postage on - Google Patents

Description

1 1,639,350 Aug 1927 A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF Filed March 10, 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnvent ore;

Atcorne 1,639,350 7' A. H. PITNEY ET MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF Filed March 10. 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 16 1927. 1,639,350

A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF Filed March 10, 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 lnve'niom By I 1,639,350 1927' A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHiNE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC., AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF Filed March 10. 9 3 '9 Sheets-Sheet 4 ZZCQ:

\nvenions Aug. 16,1927. 1539.350

A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF .Filed March 10 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 16 1927. 7 1,639,350 Aug A. H. PlTNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF Filed March 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet anuentozj 1,639,350 1927 A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE on MAIL MATTER, ETC., AND REGISTERING AMOUNT HEREOF Filed March 0 1 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 31 A 301* 314 315 an 3on \nventors Mim - 1,639,350 1927' A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF Filed March 10. 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Aug. 16, 1927; l

UNITED STATES- 1,639,350 PATENTfOFFICE.

ARTHUR H. PITNEY AND moon w. OGDEN, or STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, assrouons,

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To .PITNEY-BOWES POSTAGE METER comm, or

STAMFORD, CONN EGTICUT, A CORPORATION 01' D ELAWARE.

MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL ETQ, AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF.

I Application filed March 10, 1923. Serial No. 824,228.

' This invention relates to machines for impressing stamps or the like upon envelopes, cards, and the like, and simultaneously registering the amount printed, and is in par- 5 ticular an improvement in' machines of the type shown in the Pitney Patents #1,273,793

dated July 23, 1918; Reissue #14:,916 dated July 13, 1920; and #1,370,668 dated March 8 1921.

Such machines are designed for use by persons, firms, or corporations having large numbers of letters to mail; and enables such user to purchase any desired amount of prepaid postage from the Government, and then 15 print such postage, from time to time, in any denomination desired, until the amount of postage paid for is exhausted, whereupon the machine will become automatically locked so that no further stamps can be printed thereby. I

The object of the present invention Is to provide novel means whereby any one of a plurality of denominations of stamps, or-

the like, may be printed as desired, and the amount of each stamp (of any denomination) be automatically registered .in themachine without requiring the use of a plurality of. interchangeable meters, such as de scribed and required in the above mentioned Pitney patented machines.

More particularly the present invention is designed to print metered mail indicia of different denominations on letters, cards,

etc., and register the amount of postage used' by means of only one printing die and only one meter. The die has a plurality of printing surfaces each representing a different denomination of stamp and any one of such surfaces may be 'operatively positioned at the will of the operator, to receive ink and produce imprints. The turning ofthe die to bring the desired printing surface to operative position through suitable mechanism automatically changes the relation of the gearing between the die and meter, in such a manner that the meter will record in terms of dollars and cents the face value of the imprint produced by that particular surface of the die which is in operative position. The adjusting of the die for different surfaces also automatically changes 7 (through suitable mechanism) the index and ink devices, so that ink of the desired distinctive color corresponding to the denomination engraved on the face of the die will be supplied to that surface when said surface is brought into operative position.

This invention obviates the necessity of the user carrying in stock a number of metered mail meters containing dies of depominations which he infrequently wishes 0 use.

In general, the output and operation of our present machine is substantially the.

while in our present invention only oneprinting member and only one meter is required. The die has a plurality of faces engraved with indicia representing difl'erent denominations; and'the die canbe adjusted so that any one of its faces can be brought into operative position. And the present invention further provides means whereby if desired each different denomination of 1 stamp may be printed in its own distinctive color; and to this end the invention further includes novel means whereby when the die is shifted so that the impression therefrom will give a stamp of a certain denomination, the proper color inking devices will be brought into position to cooperate with the face of the die so that the stem printed thereby will be of its own proper istinctive color.

' The invention further rovides means whereby when the die is ad usted to chan e the denomination of the stamp which will %e printed thereby, the register actuating devices will be'automatically adjusted so that the register will be actuated in exact accordance with the denomination printed by the die, for each operation of the die. For example, if the die is adjusted to print a 195 stamp for each operation of the machine the register would re 'ster only one unit at each'opera-tion; if t e die is adjusted to print a 52 stamp the register would register two units for each operation of the machine; and if the die is shifted to print a 5g stamp the register would register five units for each operation of the machine, etc. The machine is so constructed that it cannot be made to print a stamp of high denom1nation while the registering mechanism re asters a lower denomination, or vice versa, ut the exact amount of each stamp prmted will be registered.

In the present machine all of these adjustments, except that of shifting the die itself (which is manually performed) are automatically performed by mechanisms in the machine.

The machine is further provided with means for automatically preventing operation of the machine unless the meter is in proper position therein; means for automatically stopping the effective operatlon of the machine when a predetermined amount of prepaid postage has been exhausted; and other safety locking means as hereinafter described, as set forth .in the patents above referred to; so that it would be impossible for the user of the machine to cheat the Post Office Department, or for the users employees to etfectively operate the machine without a record of such operations being made by the registering mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth. We will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illus trate one practical embodiment of the invention, and an understanding thereof will enable others to adopt and use the invention for various purposes; however, it is capable of changes in form, construction, and combinations of parts. within the scope of the claims, which set forth the essentials of the invention and the novel features of construction and novel combinations of parts for all of which protection is desired.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is designed to print and register stamps or the like of three denominations, to wit, 1, 20 and 47, and the register actuating gear ratios are calculated accordingly; but other denominations could be used by making a corresponding change in the ratios of the gears controlling the register, so that the invention is not restricted to the specific denominations illustrated. Neither is it restricted to a three-face printing member as such member could be provided with two, four, or more printing faces, the register actuating gears being corresponding changed.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the mechanism embodying the present invention as applied to a postage meter machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a part side elevation and part longitudinal vertical section through Fig. 1.

1,ese,esso

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the register driving gears. I

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the gearing between the die and meter.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line 6 6 Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the device for raising the ink roller carrier.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section through the printing member, and the means for connecting it with the indexing gears.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 9-9 Fig. 8. 4

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the tripping mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a side view of mechanism.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view of the meter and machine locking devices.

Fig. 13 is a detail section on line 1313 Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of meter with top of case broken away.

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal vertical section through the meter on line 1515, Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a transverse section through the meter on line 16-16 Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a detail arrangement of part of the register locking devices.

Fig. 18 is a detail view of register locking devices.

The machine to which the invention is applied is preferably constructed (except as to the parts hereinafter referred to) as described in Pitneys Patent #1,370,668, dated March 8, 1921, and has a feed table, envelope sealing devices, and feed rollers (not shown herein) for directing the letters to and past the rollers 21, 22. Fig. 1, by which the envelopes are directed on past the impression roller 137 and the printing member 238, hereinafter referred to, and the letters after being postmarked are discharged between the rollers 108, 109, in front of astacker wheel (not shown) by which they are stacked in the usual manner on a table or rack, not shown, but as described in the aforesaid Pitney patent. The rollers 21, 22, 137, 108, 109, shown in Fig. 1, employed for permitting the printing member to operate once for each letter fed through the machine may be constructed and operated substantially as described in said patent, and form no particular part'of the present invention. Thercfore we have not deemed it necessary to illustrate nor describe same in detail herein.

We have herein called the object being operated upon a letter, by which we in tend to include any object such as checks, cards, small packages, etc., upon which the machine is adapted to operate, as we do not intend to limit the invention to machines for operating on mail matter only. We also part of the such tripping ,printing member, but use the word Stamp? merely as a descriptive term, and not as limiting the printing member to any particular kin or denomination of postage. stamp, as the printing member might be readily a apted for printing tickets, vouchers, etc., of various kinds and denominations, and by the use of the word Stamp we do not intend to restrict the invention to use on mail matter only.

In the present. invention the printing member 238 carries an adjustable printing die 240 having a plurality of printing faces,

and adjacent to the printing member is'an inking member preferably carrying a set of inking devices, and which is automatically ladjusted so asto supply the proper color of ink to the related printing surface of the die b and with the adjustment of the printing ie on the after explained.

Also adjacent the printing member 238 is an adjustable register actuating mechanism which, at each operation of the printing die, operates the register, and devices areprovided by which the extent of operation of the register is automatically controlled and adjusted by the adjustment of the printing die surface; so that the register will be operated in accordance with the. denomination of the stamp actually printed by the die at the printingpoint. Also, a removable meter is preferably provided containing the registering mechanism; and suitable safety controlling devices are employed whereby the machine cannot be operated unless the removable meter is properly positioned in the machine and whereby, after a predetermined number of stamps has been printed, the meter is prevented from being effectively operated; and other minor safety devices are provided, as hereinafter referred to.

The adjustable printing member. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9, the

printing member, comprises a revolvablecasting having a disk-like portion 238, and a hub 238 by which it is connected to the upper end of a vertical shaft 237 which eX- tends through box 201 mounted on the table top 200 of the stand, carrying sealing. printing, and stacking mechanism similar to that shown in our aforesaid Pitney patent. The upper end of the shaft 237 is journaled in an overhead bearing plate 203 secured to the top of the box 201 by bolts 204" extending through spacing sleeves 204. This shaft 237 extends into and practically through the box 201 and its lower end is journaled in a bearing 201 and connected by a suitable clutch hereafter described with the driving mechanism below the top 200, as hereafter explained.

printing member, as herein-.

The printing die 240 is mounted on a stud shaft 241, parallel with the hub-238, and journaled at the lower end in art 238 of disk 238 and an arm 238 pro ecting from .hub 238 above the disk. The die 240 is approximately triangular in cross section, Fig. 9, and its side faces are curvedmstead of planes. The die can be turned on its axis so as to bring any one of its curved faces The die 240 is provided with key ways 241 engaging keys on shaft 241 (Figs. 8 and 9) so that the die 240 is caused to re- -volve with shaft 241, but said shaft may be moved axially of the die. A cupped bushing 241 (Fig. 8) is slidably fitted on the upper end of shaft 241 so that it can turn with shaft 241 while permitting axial movement of the shaft. A knurled knob 242 is secured by means of pin 242 to the upper end of bushing 241. A spring 241 is placed between the bushing 241 and the knob 242 around the shaft 241, and tends to force the shaft 241 upwardly and normally hold it raised as in Fig. 8.

On the lower end of shaft 241 isa disk,

243 adapted to fit into a recess in the lower part of printing member 238, said disk being provided with a tubular extension or hub 243 extending upwardly therefrom upon the lower end of which is loosely mounted a plate 244. Above disk 244, and around the upper end of hub 243 and shaft 241, and contacting with the walls of the recess. is a sleeve 245 pinned to shaft 241 and extending over the hub 243 of the disk 243, serving to hold the plate 244 in place on the disk 243 and causing said plate 244 to move axially with the shaft 241 though said plate 'does not revolve with shaft 241.

From the lower face of disk 243 project three pins 243 which are equally spaced apart on a circle whose center is the center of the shaft 241, said pins being firmly pinned to the disk .243.

Plate 244 has a free running fit on the hub 243 and to this plate 244 are fastened three upwardly projecting pins 244 which are equally spaced apart and equi-distant from the center of shaft 241. These pins 244 pass entirely through the disk 238 and project a short distance above it, and are adapted to engage three similarly located holes in the bottom of the die 240 (see Figs. 8, 9) to hold the die in adjusted position during the printing operations.

Shaft 247 (Fig. 8) is journaled in the top plate 201 of the box 201 directly in line with the shaft '241 when the latter is in rest or normal position. On the upper end of shaft 247 is fastened a disk 246; and to its lower end is fastened a gear 248.

The disk 246 is seated in a suitable recess in the top plate 201 so that its upper face is flush with the top of said plate (Fig. 8). Disk 246 is provided with three holes 246 which are exactly opposite the three pins 243 of the disk 243 (when the parts are in normal position) so that if shaft 241 be indicated at 240 in Fig. 9..

pushed down by pressing on the knob 242,

the three pins 243 will enter the related holes 246 in disk 246. v l

Three shouldered pins '249 are mounted in the, top plate 201 of box 201 below the disk 246, the pins 249 being exactly in line withpins 243 and holes 246 when the die is in normal rest position. The pins 249 are normally pushed upward by springs 249 held in place by screws 249 (as shown inFig. 8) and when pins 249 engage the holes 246 in disk 246, they prevent any turning of the disk 246, shaft 247 and gear 248; and will also prevent any turning of shaft 241 on its own axis but will not prevent rotation of the printing member 238.

By pressing down on the knob 242 the shaft 241, disks 244, and 243, can be moved downward, and the pins 244* withdrawn from the holes in the die 240, which can then be turned with shaft 241 to bring any desired printing surfaces of the die to the position When shaft 241 is depressed as described, th pins 243 of disk-243 will enter the holes 246 in disk 246 and push ahead of them the three pins 249, until the tops of pins 249 are clear'of the under side of disk 246, and the lower ends of the pins 243* are flush with the under side of disk 246, which disk 246 is then free to be revolved with and by the turning of the knob 242 on shaft 241. After the turning has progressed a short distance, the downward pressure on knob 242 may be relaxed as the holes in the die 240 will then be out of register with pins 244 and no up ward movement of the shaft 241 can take place until they again register. When the die 240 has been turned through 120 degrees however, the holes and pins will again register and the spring 241 aided by the springs 249 willraise the whole unit, shaft 241 and parts carried thereby, and the pins 244 will again enter holes in die 240, and the pins 243 withdrawing from the holes 246 in disk 246 are followed up by the pins 249. Thus, die 240 and gear 248 are both locked in the newadjusted position.

Knob 242 can only be pushed down when the die shaft 241 is directly in line with shaft 247, as at any other part of its revolution the pins 243* would encounter the top of the disk 246.

of box 201.

a hub 124 and three radial arms 124 on each of which is mounted a felt inking roller 123. As shown, each inking roller is mounted on a spindle 123 which is supported on an adjustable member 123' which is pivoted on the arm 124 by a'pin 123, which extends through the arm 124 and has a disk-like head 123 on its lower end which is adapted to ride on an annular boss 201 formed in the top 201 of box 200 directly under the path of the ink rollers, said boss being provided with three equally spaced depressions 201 into which the heads 123" of the ink roller pivot pins 123 are allowed to drop at each indexing of the bracket 124. This seatingof; the pivot heads 124 in the depressions of the box 201" absorb the shock of the impact of the die 240 against the ink rollers 123 and protect the gear train inside the box from undue strain. The individual inking roller and 'its support, with the exceptions explained, may be constructed and o erated substantially as explained in the a oresaid Pitney patent and as we do not claim the particular construction of the inking mechanism herein we think it is unnecessary to describe the same more in detail. Each of the ink rollers 123 is charged with ink of a distinctive color to suit the denomination of the postage stamp indicia engraved on the several faces of the die 240.

The hub 124 of the printing member is 'splined on a vertical shaft 255, the upper end of which shaft is journaled in the plate 203 and the lower end in the top plate 201* '(see Fig. 7) of the box 201, shaft 255 being parallel with the shaft 237.

The shaft 255 is provided with two keys, running its entire length and on its lower end is a gear 254, said gear 254 and bracket 124 being further secured by set screws, as

shown in Fig. 7. The upper-end of shaft 255.

is provided with a sleeve 255, which enclosing the key acts as journal for the shaft in the overhead bearing plate 203, the lower end of shaft 255 being fast tothe hub of a gear 254 which hub is journaled in the top A spring 255 is placed around the shaft 255, and between the top of hub bracket 124 and sleeve 255" revolve with shaft 255, the spring 255 is not affected by the turning of member 124. The .spur gear 254 on the lower end of shaft 255 operates the inking member 124 and is geared to the spur gear 248 on the shaft 237 operating the printing member by means of a series of intermediate spur gears 253 and 250 (see Fig. 5) which are mounted on studs 253 and 250 attached to a frame 205 secured in the box 201.

' These gears are so arranged that when the shaft 241 is turned to adjust the rinting faces of the die 240 (as above descri ed) the gear 248 is turned by and with shaft 241 and .consequently through the intermediate gears 250, 253, gear 254 and shaft 255 may be turned operating the inking member 124 so that the proper inking roller 123 will be broughtinto position to coact with that die surface which is brought into operative posi tion and tlius will supply the distinctively colored ink to its related die surface.

At each setting or adjustment of the die 240, the ink roller bracket 124, and pivot -heads 123 must be lifted clear of thedepressions 201in the boss 201", in order that it can be revolved. For this purpose a lever 256, Fig. 7, is introduced in the interior of the box 201. Lever 256 is pivoted at its cen- I which ter in the stud 257, one end extending under the lower extremity of shaft'255, the other extending an equal distance in the, opposite direction, terminates under a plunger 258, passes through the top of box 201 and is provided with a knob 259 on its upper end.

. By pressing down on the knob 259 the ink roller bracket 124 is lifted against the thrust of the spring 255 Fig. 3, releasing the pivot heads 123 from engagement with the depressions in boss 201 and allowing the bracket to be turned. The gear 254 is made with an extra wide face so that this lifting operation will not carry it out of mesh with the gear 253 of the index gear train.

The oar-table register actuating Mechanism. The machine shown'is designed toprint stamps of varying denominations, and to register the amount or value of any and each stamp printed by it. Therefore we provide means whereby the amount of each stamp will be registered. In the said machine, we use a single register for all the various stamps, and have provided means whereby whenever the die is shifted tochange the denomination of the stamp to be printed, the register actuating devices will be correspondingly. adiusted so that the amount of such stamp will be registered by the register. For this purpose we provide novel justed register actuating mechanism whereby a variable extent of motlon will be imparted to the units wheel of the register in accordance with the particular denomination of the stamp which is to be printed.

automatically ad Shaft 211 is shown as provided with two keys 211" (preferably integral parts. of the shaft) running its whole length and on opposite sides. Sleeves 211", which are key slottedwith a cylindrical outside formv are provided as journals for the shaft 211 at places where it has hearings in the frame 205. The gearing is such that the shaft 211 makes one revolution for each revolution of the shaft 237 and printing member 238.

A shaft 212, Figs. 12, 13, and 5, is arranged beside and parallel with shaft 211, and journaled in the members 205, 205*, and s provided with collars 215 to prevent longltudinal movement of the shaft. Shaft 212 1s preferably provided with short keys 212 about midway between the members 205 and 205 (Fig. 4).

Motion is communicated to shaft 212 from shaft 211 by means of either one of three pairs of gears 216-216, 217217, or 218-218*, Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6. Gears 216, 217, and 218 are slidably mounted on shaft 211 and their mating gears 216, 217, and 218 are slidably mounted on shaft 212.

Each of the gears 216-216", 217-217", 218--218 is key slotted to fit easily over the keys 211 and 212 on their respective shafts so that said gears may be slid axially on their respective shafts.

The keys 212, Fig. 4, are only long enough to engage one of the gears 216*, 217, or 218 on shaft.212, but all the gears 216, 217 and 218 are engaged with the keys 211 on shaft 211. Conse uently, -although all six gears will be revo ved when shaft 211 is turned, only the one gear (218 or 217 or 216) that is engaged with the keys 212 on shaft 212 will impart motion to shaft 212, the other two gears merely turning idly upon it.

Means are. rovided, as hereinafter described, for sliding the entire set of gears axially on the shafts 211 and 212, so as to cause the proper gear 216 or 217", or 218 to drive shaft 212. v

The object of shifting the gears is to vary the extent of rotation of shaft 212 relative to the rotation of shaft 211. The shaft 211 always makes one revolution for each impr nt, regardless of the denomination being printed,

212 which actuates the meter must vary with the denomination of each different stamp imprint. This shaft 212 extends beyond the ut the extent of rotation of shaft wall 205' (Figs. 3 and 12) and: has a coupling member 213 on its end WhlCll PIOJBCtEl through an opening in the outer end wall of the box 201, as in 'cated, and is adapted to engage an opposed clutch member 806 on the register-actuating shaft in the meter 300 hereinafter referred to.

The ratios of the teeth in the three pairs of shifting gears are selected to satisfy such requirements. The drivlng gear 216 in the example shown has half the number of teeth of its mating gear 216 and when gear 216 is engaged with keys 212 on shaft 212, it will cause shaft 212 to make revolution to one revolution of shaft 211. The driving gear 217 has the same number of teeth as its mating gear 217, and when properly positioned over the keys 212 will cause shaft 212 to make one revolution for each revolution of shaft 211. And the driving gear 218 has twice as many teeth as its mating gear 218 and when engaged with keys 212 will cause shaft 212 to make two revolutions to each one of shaft 211.

The meter or registering mechanism is so constructed that it will register one cent for each half turn of the shaft 212; it will therefore register two cents for a full turn; and four cents for two turns of shaft 212.

As shaft 211 always makes one complete revolution for each printing operation, and as shaft 212 is always advanced in multiples of revolution whichever gear is engaged, and as shaft 212 is provided with two keys 212 on opposite sides, and as each gear is provided with two key seats 212 on opposite sides, it follows that the key seats in the gears 216, 217, and 218 will be in alignment ready to slide over the keys 212 at the end of each operation of the machine.

With some variations of denominations of stamps it may be necessary to alter the center distance of shafts 211 and 212, and it may also be necessary to gear the shafts so that the meter will record one unit for some other fraction of a turn of shaft 212; say

' turn or instead of in which case it would be necessary to spline shaft 212 so that it would have four or six keys 212" in order to meet the service conditions; but such changes would be readily made by the designer or mechanic, and would obviously be Within the scope of the invention.

The sets of gears may be slid longitudinally of the shafts 211 and 212 by any suitable means. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, a U- shaped gear shiftin frame 206 is slidably mounted on the sha ts 211 and 212; and is provided with key slotted bushings 206 fitted in the openings in its sides through which the shafts 211 and 212 pass, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 6. The gear shifting frame is of such width that the bushings 206 make a close running fit with the outer ends of the hubs of gears 218, 218, and 216,

of its three faces into 216", so that if the gear shift frame 200 ismoved longitudinally of the shaft, the sets of gears 216-216, 217-217, and 218218 will be moved with the frame 206. One end of a link 252 is pivotally connected to a stud 206 onframe 206 and the other end of said link is pivotally connected to a crank pin 251 on a gear 251 which is journaled on a stud 251 on the frame 205, adjacent the intermediate gear 250 and meshing therewith. The gear 251, as shown in Fig. 5, has the same number of teeth as gear 248, and consequently when the gear 248 is turned by the ad ustment of the printing die 240 (as above explained), the gear 251 will be correspondingly turned. Thus when the die 240 1s turned on its axis to bring any printing position, the gear shifting frame 206 will be moved by link 252 correspondingly to one of its three positions, corresponding to the die faces, and bring the proper gear 216, or 217, or 218 into engagement with the keys 212 on the shaft 212, thereby the correct amount for each stamp printed by the die 240.

The meter.

The shaft 212 might be directly connected with the units wheel actuating shaftof the registering mechanism. In the machine shown we prefer to place this registering mechanism in a so-called meter, constructed and adapted to operate substantially as shown and described in the aforesaid Pitney patents, so that the machine can be used for the purposes set forth therein. This meter casing is shown at 300 in the drawings and is removably supported upon a bracket 202 which is secured to the under side of the table 200 and projects beyond the outer end of the box 201, and has side flanges 202, as shown in Fig. 5, on its opposite sides adapted to engage the flanges on the sides of the meter casing 300, substantially as described in our patent.

v The regulating mechanism in the meter consists of two counting units A and S (see Fig. 14) of the geared type, mounted in the frame and driven by the same gears. Counter A, starting at zero, adds one unit for every cent represented by the printed in-. dicia delivered by the machine. Counter S, being set or charged to the highest number in its range, will subtract one unit for every cents worth of impressions used, until the count reaches zero when by actuating certain locking devices it prevents the forward motion of the meter pin 208 (Fig. 3) thereby rendering the machine inoperative, besides locking its own driving mechanism.

The counting units need no description as they are of the well known geared type, the unit wheel being the only directly driven wheel of the series, motion being conveyed assuring the registering of mechanism; and second, the introductionof 305 1,689,350 key operated locking lever 311, see Figs. 16 and 18 wh ch engages cam 308, only when from standard conmeter is removed from the machine. Either from. units to tens, tens to hundreds, etc., by Geneva stops or intermittent gears.

The only departures struction are introduced in the subtracting one of these members (310 or 311) engaging or balance counter S and consist, first, of the cam 308 will effectually prevent the a notched disk 312* secured to the s de f {shaft 305 being turned to operate the meter. each numeral wheel controlling.thelpi mgj On the inner end of shaft 305 isa pinion which meshes with a gear-312, pivoted a ring shield the l '2 Son a stub shaft between the counters and assembling of the parts to hield 1 cover .up temporarily the notch tothis gear .312 is fixed a smaller gear 312 111 the (115k 31)? attached to the numeral which meshes with an idler gear312 meshwheel of greatest denomination, when chargi i 'gear 312a operativelv connected ing the meter, I have been describedand claimed in detail and gear 3121; meshes directly w a 111 Pltneys P P PP P filed y gear 312 operatively connected with the r 7, ltqls unnecessary units wheel of the subtracting counter S t0 further explam 'h (see Figs. 14 and 16). The gearing is such AS Shown, the meter 300 has a hollow that a half revolution of the shaft 305 will metal base g a 15, move the units wheel of both counters one bottom of which is left open until after tenth of a revolution therein and is then A1 4 a in position by an inaccessible catch 303, see teeth a is pivoted to 1 S Eg on The base 1 i adapted to be Shd .counter frame 304. The t eeth 314 are on the bracket 202 untll its back wall touches adapted to Contact with th the front wall of the box 201. The side x flanges on bracket 202 are engaged by nuts gg g zg fig i g g fi wheels 301 on the base 301 and prevent either verfi S rin S 314:, tical or lateral movement of the meter; an y p a lrey operated bolt 320 normally pressed t1 th 1 1 d k(Fig. 15). The no cies in e 0e ring is s 312 are so loto be descubed cated that the related teeth 314 of the comb later, holds the base 301 in. close contact lever glwm engage the notches when the.

with the end Wall of box 201 until the coupling 306 of the register drislrle shaft1305 in the meter is in mesh with t e coup ing Wh I. 1

en all thenumeral wheels lOCklIl the 213 on the drive shaft 212.- A frame 304. meter Show at therlsight p g the containin the two counters A and S and a their geai s is mounted on the .top of the base teethdgfit of com}? lever Wm hifwe 301, and the driving shaft 305 of the re-gis-' gflge t iim the relatgd lockmg can ter passes through a'wa'll 301 at'the back of dlsfks 312.5. a locked reglstfrv lever 4 the base 301' which extends: up above the i mt Spun 314 when the top of m base; A metal casing note es permit. The loc 1n g comb lever 314 ing glazed openings through which the readh P t secured Suite and m ings of the counters can be seen is secured mg W Sald Plate havmg a downwardly related numeral wheels show 0. at the sight opening in the meter case 300.

to the base 301 and encloses the re istering Projecting lug an outwardly P in echanism. This casing 300. is provided 180131113 3' The g 3146 Serves as a handle to depress the lever 314, when charging the meter. The lug-314 depends into the path of lever 315 and acts as a catch to obstruct the movement of the forwardly extendin arm 315 of a crank lever, which is pivot-e at 315 on the base 301 with a hinged door 300 fitted with a lock and seal, the key for which would be held by the post office officials, when the machine is used for postmarking and stamping mail matter. This door must be opened to set or chargethe meter at the post office where it is locked and ea1ed;a,ga,in below the 001111681" f 1'8ime 304. The other The. drive shaft 305 has secured to its Mm 315) 3 Shown lgof bell outer end a coupling member 306 adapted clank l v l" 315 prqects from its pivot toto'enga e the coupling member 213 on shaft rd the f 3 1. 0f h ba e 301 and IS 212. T e ratchet 307 is fast to shaft 305 provided with a head 315 whose outer face and is adapted to be engaged bya pawl 309, see Fig. 14, pivotally mounted on the wall 315. In the head 315 1s a socket 315 301 to prevent the meter drive shaft being which, when the meter is charged 18 in turned in a reverse direction. A cam 308, alignment with the hole 301 'in base 301, see Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 18, on the shaft 305 in which is entered the ,meter pin 208. is adapted to be engaged by a locking pawl hereinafter referred to (Figs. 12, 14, 15, and 310, which automatically engages the cam 17). Onthe arm 315* is a boss 315 (see 308 when the subtracting counter has Figs. 16, 17 and 18) which supports the reached zero, and also to be engaged by a lower arm 310 of the locking pawl 310,

e locking disks 1 The AS h of these feature with the units wheel of the adding counter is curved on an arc concentric with the pivot holding the pawl out of contact with the cam 308 of the drive shaft 305, when the meter is charged.

A spring 315 (Figs. 14 and 17) attached to the arm of the bell crank lever 315 pulls it normally toward the left and holds said arm in contact with the downwardly projecting lug 314 of the locking comb 314, and thus normally holds the arm 315 in such position that the socket 315 in its head 315 is in line with hole 301.

The action of the levers just described in looking the meter when its subtracting counter has reached zero is as follows:

iVhen all the numeral wheels representing dollars in the counter S reach zero the notches in the locking disks 312 are all engaged by the teeth .314 of the locking comb lever 314, which then rises (as described in the aforesaid application) to the limit and in so doing moves lug 314 out of the path of the arm of the bell crank lever 315 which is then rocked by the pull of its spring 315', to the position shown in dotted lines 17. This movement of the lever moves boss 315 from under the arm 310, and the locking pawl 310 under the pull of its spring 310 will engage one of the shoulders 308 of the cam 308 on drive shaft 305 at the completion of the operation.

This movement of arm 315 shifts the head 315, so that the socket 315 therein no longer registers with the hole 301 in the wall 301 and thus prevents the re-entry of the meter pin 208.

As the release of lever 315 by the action of the locking comb 314 may occur near the beginning of a printing operation, it will be necessary to defer the rocking of lever 315 until the end of the operation. This is accomplished by the meter pin 208 (Fig. 17 which being engaged in the socket 315 of the lever arm 315 prevents spring 315 rocking lever 315, until at the end of the printing operation, when the pin 208 is withdrawn; but immediately upon its withdrawal the lever 315 is rocked by its spring 315* and the meter pin 208 cannot again enter the meter until the parts have been reset.

zlletms for setting the meter.

)Vhere the machine is used for stamping prepaid postage on letters, when the registering meter is looked as above described the machine cannot be effectively operated until the meter is removed from the machine and the registering mechanism re-set. That is, the subtracting counter in the registering mechanism must be again adjusted to show the total amount of prepaid postage purchased, say for example $1000. For this purpose the meter is removed from the machine and taken to the post office, where the 317 returns thelever in Fig..

post office oflicial breaks the seal and unlocks the door 300 of the meter and re-sets or charges it as follows:

In order to restore the lever arm 315 to its normal position it is necessary to lift the locking pawl 310. To accomplish this a hand operated bell crank lever 317 (Figs. 17 and 18) is pivoted at 317 on the floor of the counter frame 304. When the front arm of this lever is moved to the right (Fig. the end of its rear arm 317 engages a pin 310 (Fig. 18) on the locking pawl 310 and moves the pawl out of engagement with cam 308 and raises its lower arm 310 permitting the lug 315 on-lever 315 to be again moved under said arm 310", to hold the pawl 310 disengaged from the cam 308. A spring 317 to normal position (Fig. 17) after the above operation.

After lever 317 is pushed to the right, releasing pawl 310, as described, lever 315 is then pushed to the right, returning arm 315 supporting pawl 310 to the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 17, and bringing socket 315 into register with opening 301". Comb lever 314 is then pulled down by means of handle 314 and lug 314 holds lever 315 in normalposition (full lines as shown in Fig. 17 The ring shield 313 is then turned to cover the notch in looking disk 312 of the numeral wheel (as described in Pitneys application, Serial No. 574,427 aforesaid) and prevents from rising. This holds the register set, as the comb lever teeth 314 cannot again enter the notch in the last numeral wheel locking disks 312 until all the numeral wheels have again been turned to zero. The shield 313 covering the slot in the locking disk is removed when the related numeral wheel has been turned a fraction of a revolution, permitting the locking comb to lock the nu- .meral wheels the next time that all the wheels read zero at the dial, as described in the aforesaid application.

1|! eans for locking the meter in position.

Secured to the front wall of the box 201 igs. 5, 6 and 12) is a key operated lock enclosed in a casing 223; the function of this lock is to operate a bolt 225 (Fig. 6) which can be pro ected into the space between the wall of the box 201 and a flange 208 on the meter pin 208 to prevent the meter pin being moved outward sufliciently to release the machine for an operation. A cam 224 is secured to the plug 222 of the lock, said cam being in the form of'a Geneva stop and is adapted to shift the bolt 225 to either up or down position. )Vhen in the up position the upper end of the bolt is entered between collar 208 on the pin 208 and the wall of the box 201 and the meter pin 208 is held in its in position locking the machine; when bolt 225 is in its down pothe comb tooth lever sition (Figs. 12 and 17 the meter in 20s is esbelt 322 .when'the meter is in place-on free to -be moved outward and release the a machine. W

The lock is enclosed in the casing-223' which pro'ects from the front wall of the. box 201 (Figs. 3 and 4) into the path of the, meter. .A hole 301, Fig. 15, is bored. into I the back wall 301 of the metal base 301 to v within the base of the meter.-

' A cylindrical plug 31 8, Fig. 15

circular flange. 318 (which flange 1S'I10li accommodate the lock casing 223, so that when the meter 300is slid into operative position on the machine it will enclose the casing 223 and the lock 'will then be entirely concentric. with the plug) is." slidably mounted in the hole 301'? of the base 301, said flange 318 fittin the hole in'the end,

-, wall of the meter a opted to be entered by casing 223, but the! axis of the cylindrical plug 318 is considerably'below the center-of the hole 301. The plug 318: is" slidably supported in an opening. on'fa bracket 319 secured in the ase, 301; A 7 hole 301 is bored in the frontwall of the base. 301 in line with the hole in bracket319,

I ,and enters a hole 318 in plug 318, and has 7 position to close hole 301, the outward move securely fastened toits inner end a key 321.

' Key 321 engages a key way 318 in the bore of plug 318' which permits .the'plug 318" to move longitudinally of the rod 320 but forces it to turn with the rod. The outer end of rod 320 is preferably'flattenedas at 320* to form v a handle by which it may be manually turned. A collar 320 secured to the rod 320 inside the base 301 prevents the rod being pulled outward, .An expansion: spring 320 strung on the rod'320 between collar 320 and the plug 318 normally pushes the plug outward and'holds flange 318 inment of the plug being arrested by stop pins 318 which engage bracket 319,, when the outer face of the flange-318fis flushwith the outside of the back wall 301 of the I meter base 301. The plug'has a projection or tooth 318 close to the flangel318", and this tooth and adjacent part of the plug are shaped-to form a Geneva stop as 1ndicated in Fig. 18; which stop is engaged by the lower end "311 of a lever 311 pivoted at 311 and extending downward through an aperture in the base 301, its lower end lying closeto the face of the bracket 319; and machined to gear with the plug 318 and tooth 318, as indicated in Figs. 15 and 18.

' Within the meter base isanother vertical bolt 322 (Figs. 15 and 16) sliding in a. groove119 in bracket 319, and held in place by a pla'te 319. This bolt has a Geneva tooth notch 322 machined in its side and adapted to gear with the tooth 318 on plug 318. The bottom of themetercase 301 is es-= slottedto permit passage of the lower end {having $12. [The meter pin is cylindrical in the bracketas indicated in Fig. 12.

Automatically loclcmg the mecham'sm by the meter.

The control of the printing mechanism by the meter is accomplished through the action ofthe meter in 208. This meter pin 208, as shown in igs. 3,12 and 17,, is 'slidably mounted attbe front-end of the box 201 in an opening 201 the front end wall thereof and an o ing 1n 2: plate 260 fastened to the said wal by-bolts or studs 261, Figs, 3 and ner posit ion. iz'l he meter pm can he slid jback and forthiax'ially, motion being imparted toit-by a rock" arm .207 whose free end ggga'ges the 'pin- 208 betwen the two flanges v 'Thefi'earerfdiof iheter' pin 208 which proand a rod 320 extends through the hole 301 -3."

completion of every revolution of the shaft 211, and prevents shaft 211' from again revolving until and unless pin 208 is first withdrawn from slot 214 bysuitable mechanism, preferably as hereinafter described.

- Before any printing can be done by the .machine it is necessaryto move the meter pin I 208 outward to release the disk 214. When disk 21d begins'to revolve it-holds pin 208 in its out position, .until. at the completion of-its revolution, the slot 214 in the disk again registers with the pin, whereupon the latter will again enter the slot, said disk 214 making one revolution for each complete' 'cycle ofv operations of the machine,- or

each effective printing operation of the machine. r f

The rockerarm 207 is pivoted at 207 (Figs. 6 and 13) and'a rod 8 is pivoted at one end to arm 207 by the pin 207'; said rod 8 extends through holes in the frame 205 and its other end protrudes through an opening in the back wall of the box' 201 (Fig. 3) and contacts with the free end of another rock arm (see Figs. 10 and 11).

. The rocker arm .7 is attached to the upper end of a rod 7 which is journaled in bear ings on thetable 200 of the machine, and extends below said table into'the ear casing and is provided on its lower en with an arm 7 which arm is connected by a link 6,

Figs. 3 and 10, which is connected to one arm '5 of a three armed lever pivoted on a stud 5 in the base adjacent the clutch ll which is adapted to drive the shaft 237. The lever 7 is normally ilnpelled inwardly so as to cause the rodv 8 to swing the arm 207 to move the meter pin 208 outward by means of an expansion spring 9 confined in a casing 9 attached to the top of plate 200 and lever 7 is moved outwardly by the action of the cam 11 on the clutch (see Fig. 10) and at the proper time rocks the three-armed lever 5*, this clutch being constructed and operated substantially as described in the Pitney Patent #1,360,668, above referred to.

A spring 8 Fig. 5, on rod 8 acting between the wall 205 of frame 205 and a collar 8 secured torod 8 pushes rod 8 rearwardly into firm contact with end of rock arm 7. This causes rock arm 207 also to rock to its rear position, carrying with it the meter pin 208, which will thus be urged to enter slot 214:" of disk 214, whenever the slot is in position to receive it, which is always when the machine is at rest. When however under the trip action, the rock arm 7 is released by rod 6, the spring 9 being much the stronger, overcomes the resistance of spring 8 and rocks the arm 7 which pushes rod 8, rocking arm 207, thereby sliding meter pin 208 forward and releasing the printing mechanism.

This forward motion of the meter pin 208 can only be accomplished when the meter is in position on the machine and charged to record the imprints as will be explained later. Any obstruction placed in the way preventing the meter pin 208 from being slid forward will prevent the rock arm 207, the rod 8, the rock arm 7, the rod 6, and the three-armed lever 5 from being moved and as a consequence the clutch 11 will fail to act as a driver for the entire mechanism.

The shaft 237 is rotated by mechanism substantially as described in the aforesaid Pitney patent, for driving the printing member therein, and is controlled by the trip devices such as described in said patent, whichtrip mechanism is released each time a letter passes through the machine, so that the machine will perform one cycle of operation, and make one impression and register the amount of each letter which passes through the machine, the shaft 237 making one revolution for each letter passed through the machine.

Shaft 237 is provided with two keys 237 preferably integral with the shaft, which run its entire length except at the extreme top end where the shaft is journaled in the bushing 237 of the overhead bearing plate 203. A cylindrical piece 237 (Fig. 3) is key slotted and pinned to its lower extremity and constitutes the lower journal bearing in a bracket 201 which is secured to box 201. The piece 237* is machined at the bottom to fit the floating (Oldham) coupling which isin turn connected with one member of the clutch 11 of the machine.

A key slotted sleeve 237 (Fig. 8) surrounds the shaft 237 where it bears inthe bushing 237 at the top of the box 201.

The action of the clutch 11 (Figs. 3, 10 and 11) acting in conjunction with a tripping mechanism is such that only one complete revolution of shaft 237 and die holder 238 can be made for each piece of mail fed to the machine, the revolving parts bein brought to a definite stop at the same place each time a piece is printed. The impression roller 137 however is continually in motion and as the rinted piece must be moved along after the printing is done, an idler roller 239 is mounted on the die holder 238, Figs. 3 and 9, in such a position that it will make contact with and be frictionally driven by the impression roller 137 during the periods when the die holder 238 is at rest. The idler roller 239 is fastened to a short spindle 239 which revolves in'the arms 238 and 238 of the die holder 238, Figs. 3 and 9. It is cut away in the central portion of its periphery at 239 to avoid contact with the inking roller when die holder 238 is revolved.

Tha trip mechanism.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 10 and 11, rollers 21 and 22 are a pair of rollers commonly called trip rollers, between which the letters are successively passed from the feed table. The trip roller 22 is preferably 1ournaled in a swingable support and guard 15, and is normally yieldingly pressed toward the roller 21 by a suitable spring, as indicated in Fig. 1. The shaft of the roller 21 is mounted in fixed bearings opposite the roller 22 and guard 15, and a fence or guide 16 is arranged beside and between the rollers 21 and 22, but is slotted to accommodate the rollers 21 and 22 so as not to interfere with their contact with a letter passing between them.

A trip finger 1 is pivoted on a spindle 27 and has a curved head or end 1 which projects in the path of a letter passing between rollers 21 and 22, so that such a letter will strike this trip finger and will oscillate spindle 27. To spindle 27 is pinned an arm '2, and the trip finger 1 and arm 2 oscillate or move as one piece. The trip finger is normally held in letter engaging position by a suitable spring, such as indicated at 28, (Fig. 11) arm 2 being arrested by a stop pin 29 when the trip finger is in normal position.

The arm 2 is adapted to engage the curved and notched end 3" of a trip link 3 which end is supported and guided in a grooved member 13 having upper and lower disk like portions 13 which guide the end of the normally held against a stop 18 by means-of I a spring 19, and thus holds the trip link normally retracted.

The stop lever 4 (Fig. 10) has an arm 4 which normally projects into the path of the arm 5 ofthe three-armedlever pivoted.

on a stud 5, adjacent clutch 11, and when innormal position a roller on the arm 5 contacts with a roller on the arm-4 and arrests the movement of the arm 5, whichis normally pressed toward the arm 4" by means of the link 6 under action of the spring 9.

The triple lever, of which arm 5 forms a part, has an arm 5" which normally projects intothe path of the finger 11 of the clutch release member of clutch 11 mounted on a shaft 30, which shaft is below and in alignment with shaft 237, and constantly driven by a gear 30 fixed thereon and meshing with the usual train of driving caring in the machine (not shown) so as to e constantly rotated when the machine is in operation; such gearing being well known it is not necessary to show or describe same herein. The clutch 11 is preferably a so-called roller clutch, of known construction and it is unnecessary to describe the same herein except in its particular relation to the working of this machine; the finger 11' of the clutch release member protrudes from the body of the clutch in position to be engaged by arm 5 A stop 11 on the clutch casing is also adapted to engage arm 5 and take up the shock of the stoppage of the clutch and parts affected thereby.

The clutch 11 is normally disengaged from the shaft 30 by contact of its controlling finger 11 with the arm 5", and the triple lever is held in this disengaging position so long as arm 4 arrests the movement of arm 5. When the part 11 is moved back toward 11 it renders the clutch inoperative. The lug 11 relieves the comparatively light piece 11' from every other duty except releasing the clutch rollers. The triple lever (having arms 5, 5") also has an arm 5 carrying a roller adapted to engage a cam 11 on the clutch case; which cam engages the arm 5 and returns the triple lever to its original position so that arm 5 will stop the clutch after it has com leted one revolution. Rebound of the clutc and parts connected therewith is preventedby a pawi12.

As stated, the foregoing clutch and trip devices are constructed and operated substantially asdescribed and disclosed in the Pit-ney Patent #1,370,668 and are not claimed herein, and therefore do not' need.

any more detailed explanation or, illustration herein.

Summam of operation. Assuming that the parts are in operative position, as indicated in the drawings,%and

the'meter pro erly set.,-if a letter passes between the ro 1ers21 and 22 it engages the trip finger 1,rotating shaft 27, causing finger 2 to operate link 3 and oscillate lever 4 and move arm 4 (Fig. 10) out of the path of the arm 5 of the triple lever which, under the action of spring 9, 1s oscillated to release the outer ortion-of the clutch 11 which is immediate y revolved through. the influence of' the continuously running ear 30, and

this imparts through the descri ed clutch devices one complete'rotationto the shaft 237 and printer carrier 238, but the movement of the shaft 237 is arrested at the completion of one revolution by reason of the arm 5 of the triple lever having been returned to 7 position to eng e and arrest the moving member of the c utch by the action of the [cam 11, as above described. During the rotation of shaft 237 the printer carrier 238 is caused to make'one revolution and an impression is made from the outermost face 240". of the die 240 upon the letter as it passes the im ression roller 137. This rotation of the shaft 237 imparts like rotation to shaft-211 "and shaft 211, through the described gearing imparts rotation to the shaft 212 in accordance with the denomination of the printing face of the die, as above described, so that the registers in the meter are caused to shift a number of units corresponding to the denomination of the stamp on the printing face of the die.

If the operator desires to change the denomination of the stamp to be printed he stops the machine and then by depressing knob 242 and shaft 241 heturns die 24:0

shaft 247- is also turned and through the train of gears 248, 250, 253, 254, shifts the inking mechanism so that the ink supply, corresponding in color to the denomination ofstamp to be printed, is brought into position to ink the die printing such stamp. Also by the same movement through the gears 250, 251 and link 252, the gear shift 206 is moved longitudinally of shafts 212,

211, thereby bringing the proper set of gears A 218-218, or 217-'217 or 216-216.* into

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