US2639665A - Mail marking machine fob sheets - Google Patents

Description

May '26, 1953 H. 1.. LAMBERT MAIL MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEETS OR TAPES .7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1948 INVENTOR Harry L. Lambert May 26, 1953 H. L. LAMBERT MAIL MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEETS 0R TAPES Filed Feb. 6, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Hal-1 L.Lambert r vs May 26, 1953 H. L. LAMBERT MAIL MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEETS 0R TAPES Filed Feb. 6, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR' Harry Lllameri BY A p TEY5 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 H. L. LAMBERT MAIL MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEETS OR TAPES Air IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII y \\\MMM\ Q? Q u 1mm INVENTOR y LLamEerZ' m ATTJRZZ p QWN v U May 26,. 1 953 Filed Feb. 6, 19.48

ms o May 26, 1953 H. L. LAMBERT 9,

MAIL MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEETS 0R TAPES Filed Feb. 6, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR H 777 L.Lambert BY y 6, 1953 H. LAMBERT 2,639,665

MAI/L MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEETS OR-TAPES 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 6, 1948 0 I 8 5 7 M. O u 9. w m m u 9 w mu m, 7 r 8 9 6 w 8 m h W l ag'yl; L "F May 26, 1953 LLAMBERT 2,639,665

MAIL MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEETS OR TAPES I Filed Feb. 6, 194a 'r Sheets-Sheet '7 Han" L Lambert gagjlazmw w ATTORN Ys Patented May 26, 1953 MAIL MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEETS R TAPES Harry L. Lambert, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Commercial Controls Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application February 6, 1948, Serial No. 6,762

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to mail treating machines, and more specifically to a machine for imprinting postage values either on flat mailing pieces, such as envelopes, or cards, or on gummed tape.

Apparatus of the nature under consideration herein has attained a substantial degree of commercial acceptance. Such machinery is, in many cases, characterized by a conveying device adapted to transport an envelope or post-card into printing register with a printing head which operates to print a pro-selected postage value on the envelope or card. Thereafter the conveying mechanism again operates to eject the printed envelope or card from the machine into a hopper. Such machine also includes mechanism for printing postage value on gummed tape. However, these machines must be preset for either envelope or tape handling before either operation can be effected.

Tape handling mechanism in such machines is 'of a rather complicated and expensive nature necessitating a large number of parts which require careful assembly and adjustment to function properly. This tape handling mechanism furthermore is customarily shiftable between operative and inoperative conditions or positions by means of a manually operable machine or button accessible from the exterior of the machine. Hence it follows that unless such lever or button is properly set prior to operation, the desired result cannot-"be attained. The fact that such tape handling mechanism is shiftable between operative and inoperative conditions or positions adds to the over-all complexity of the mechanism, with the result that this portion of the machine not infrequently requires repair or adjustment.

Certain types of machines capable of printing postage on tape include as a part of the tape handling mechanism apparatus for retracting the tape from rest position into printing register prior to the printing operation, reliance being placed on the operation of the printing mechanism for advancing and ejecting printed tape. These factors further result in structural complexities and operational disadvantages that are reflected in increased procurement and maintenance cost to the user.

It is accordingly among the objects of this invention to provide a mail treating machine of the above nature which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction, and which is capable of extended reliable operation. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In accordance with one form of my invention. the machine comprises a power unit and a meter which may be relatively separable or not, as desired. The power unit includes mechanism for conveying an envelope or postcard into and out of'printing position relative to the printing head of the meter, and also tape conveying mechanism for similarly transporting gummed tape. In accordance with one of the important features of my invention, the tape handling mechanism is always in operative position or condition and imparts unidirectional motion to the 1 tape during the cycle of operation. The meter "ischaracterized by a fixed printing head overlying a platen disposed in the power unit, the

. fplaten being so mounted that it is reciprocable relative to the printing head and accordingly capable of pressing the envelope or tape, as the case may be, against the printing head to be printed thereby.

In the drawing, wherein I have shown one form of my invention,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the machine;

- Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the machine, taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 3; I Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken along the line '33 of Figur 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken trating details of the platen and tape shearing mechanism; and Figure 9 is a rear elevation of the power unit v control mechanism, portions thereof being broken away;

erall'y indicated at 2|.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts'throughout the views of the drawing.

General description .With reference to Figure 1, the machine comprisesla meter generally indicated at 20, which is supported on and driven by a power unit gen- I The power unit is conveniently provided with a door 22, for the access opening of the power unit housing 23. The top of the housing conveniently provides a platform or'support for pieces of mail such as envelopes It might here be noted that iii certain re spects, meter 25 may resemble that shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 732,982, filed March 7, 1947, meter differing, however, in one important respect, in that it employs a stationary printing head rather than the rotary printing head on the meter in said application.

Letter printing operation When envelope E (Figure 2) is hand-fed into opening with the rear edge of the envelope in engagement with the rear edge of the opening, the leading edge of the envelope engages a finger 2'1 fastened to and extending upwardly from an arm 28 securedto a shaft 29. This shaft is under the constant counterclockwisebias of a spring 30 which accordingly tends .tomaintain the arm and finger in its solid line position. However, as envelope E is slid along-the top of housing 23 within opening 25, it rocks finger 2'1 and accordingly arm 28 to the broken line position, thus rocking shaft 29 clockwise. This-movement of the shaft trips the driving mechanism of the machine, causing a preselected postage value to be printed on the envelope. Thereafter the conveying mechanism is automatically ac tuated to convey the stamped envelope out-of the machine, all as will now be described.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 3, shaft 29 extends from the front to the rear of the machine. On'the rear end of shaft 29 is fastened. a cam 3i (see Figure 9) which carries a. pin 32. Cam. 3| coacts with a cam roller 33 mounted. on a bar 34 carried by a headed pin 35, extending through a slot 35 in the bar. Pin 35 is threaded into a plate 57 and accordingly mounts bar 34 for vertical movement as well as pivotal movement about the axis of the pin. The upper end of bar at is constantly pulled against a cam 33 by a spring 39, one end of which is fastened to the bar, and the other end of which is conveniently fastened to a bracket 49 secured to the back plate of the machine. It may now .be seen that when finger 2'? and arm 28 (Figure 2) are rocked to the dotted line position by thEll'lSF3ltion of envelope E, cam 3| is rocked countenclockwise as viewed in Figure 9 to raise bar 3,4

vertically.

Finger Ell (Figure 2) in addition to acting as a trip for the driving mechanism'of the "machine, also acts as a stop properly to positionenvelope E in printing register with printing head 25a of the meter. To this end, pin'32 (Figure 9) on cam 3| is so positioned relative to the hooked end it of a lever 4| pivotally mounted on plate 31, as to engage the hooked end when finger 27 reaches its dotted line, Figure 2, position, wherein it acts as a stop for envelope E. During the printing operation, lever 4| (Figural?) is rocked clockwise, in a manner to be described, against the bias of a spring 42, so that its hooked end 40 swings upwardly away-from pin 32. This permits continued counterclockwise movement of cam 3 l, and accordingly permits finger 21 (Figure 2) to continue its clockwise movement, thus to clear the path of envelope E as it is conveyed out of the machine after being stamped.

When bar 34 (Figure 9) is raised, as described, a shoulder 340: on the bar which underlies a pivoted latch 43, raises the latch sufficiently to clear a roller 44 carrie fd on the end 45 of an L-shaped arm 45. This arm is pivotally mounted on a headed pin 47, and is constantly biased clockwise by a spring 48. The upper end 49 of arm 46 -mounts ,a, roller 50 adapted to engage over and.

hold down a lever 5|. This lever is fastened to a stud shaft 52, which also carries a pawl 53, as well as a pin '54, stud shaft 52 being pivotally mounted on the driven element of a one revolution clutch, generally indicated at 553. One end Ora-spring 51 is fastened to clutch element the other end of this spring being secured to pin 54, thus to bias stud shaft 52 and accordingly lever 5| and pawl 53 counterclockwise. It may now be seen that whenL-shaped lever 46 is rocked clockwise, as described, roller 56 is drawn away from lever 5|, thus freeing the lever and permitting spring 51 to rock it, together with pawl 53, counterclockwise until pawl 53 engages ratchet 58 comprising a portion of the driving element of clutch 5B. Thus when the pawl and ratchet engaga-a shaft 59 fastened to driven element 55 is rotated.

Shaft 59 carries cam 38 and also a gear 60, meshing with a gear 5| fastened to a shaft 52. This shaft 62 is the main drive shaft for the envelope conveyor, the'tape feeding mechanism and the printing platen, all as will be hereinafter described.

When l..-shaped lever 45 is rocked clockwise, as hereinbefore described, its lower end engages the lower end 63'of a lever pivotally mounted on aheadedpin 65. Lever 64 includes a finger i6 projecting horizontally in a mannerto close microswitch generally indicated'at 61 when lever 64 is rocked clockwise by lever 46. Cl0s ing of switch 6'! completes the circuit to a motor 53(Figure 3) which, by way of suitable reduction'gearing, drives a gear 69 (Figure 9), comprising with ratchet 58, the driving element of clutch 55. Thus itfollows that by the time switch 51 is closed, the clutch is engaged and accordingly effects a driving connection between the motor and the various operating mechanisms of the machine.

After the clutch has been engaged and'the motor energized, clutch element 55 accordingly rotates clockwise and carries with it a pin 10 whichis so located in relation to lever end 19 as to engage roller 50 carried thereby after the clutch element has rotated approximately 180.

When-the pin and roller thus engage, lever .6 is rocked counterclockwise to its Figure 9 position, wherein itis'held by latch 63. Latch 43 is permitted to'drop by virtue of the fact that bar "34 was pivoted clockwise by the action of cam clutch 55, a holding lever (I is provided. This "lever isfpivotally mounted on a headed pin 12 and includes an upper end 13 adapted to engage element 55. The lower end I5 of lever II' is adapted to engage the upper end 8412 of lever 64 when the clutch is engaged. Thus upon engagement of the clutch, its driven element 55 rotates as described, forcing lever end I3 out of notch I4, thus rocking the lever counterclockwise so that its lower end I5 assumes a holding position wherein it maintains lever 64 in its clockwise position, wherein switch 61 is closed. Upon completion of one revolution of the clutch, lever end I3 drops into notch I4 by reason of the bias of a spring I8, thus withdrawing lever end I5 and permitting lever 64 to return to the position shown in Figure 9.

Where an envelope of extraordinary length is to be stamped, it may be desirable to maintain switch 8'! closed, and accordingly motor 68 energized, a somewhat longer time, to assure an extended operation of the letter conveying mechanism. To this end, I have provided a lever 'II pivotally mounted on a headed pin 18. End 11a of this lever is adapted to be engaged and lifted by another cam I9 mounted on shaft 29. When this occurs, lever 11, of course, rocks counterclockwise, causing the other end I'Ib thereof to move into closing position with respect to switch 81 and hold the switch closed as long as cam I9 underrides lever I141. The cam will, of course, stay in this position as long as finger 2! (Figure 2) underrides envelope E passing thereover.

It should be noted that finger 21 cannot be swung beyond its broken line (Figure 2) position by the overriding envelope E until hook 48 (Figure 9) disengages pin 32. The hook disengages the pin, however, shortly after clutch 56 is engaged as cam 38 rocks lever 4I clockwise and accordingly lock lever 4| clockwise, by virtue of its arm 4Ia, which engages the side of the bar.

As the foregoing description of the mechanism shown in Figure 9 forms no part of my present invention, the description thereof is general and for the purpose of describing the manner in which the conveyor mechanism, the tape mechanism and the printing platen are driven. For a more detailed description of the Figure-9 apparatus, reference is made to my aforementioined copending application.

Printing platen As shown in Figure 3, housing 23 includes a front plate 23a, and encloses a partition plate I9 in which plates main drive shaft 62 is journaled. Between these plates shaft 82 carries a gear 88 which meshes with, so as to drive, a gear BI. yoke 82 is rockably mounted on shaft 82 between gear 88 and a boss 83 which carries the forward end of shaft 62. Yoke 82 includes a cross bar 84, to which the upper end of a spring 85 (Figure 4) is secured. The lower end of this spring is connected to a bracket 86 fastened to and extending upwardly from the bottom plate 23!) of housing 23.

The yoke ends 81 and 88 (Figures 3 and 8) rotatably support the respective ends 89 and 98 of a crank 9| on the throw 92 of which is carried a platen 93 (see also Figure 4). End 89 of the crank also carries gear 8|, referred to hereinabove. A pin 94 is fastened to the inner side of platen 93 and projects therefrom between a pair of vertical guide rails 95 and 98. It may now be seen, with reference to Figure 4, that when gear 88 is driven, meshing gear 8I rotates crank 9I. It follows that the curved surface 930:. of platen 93, when positively driven by crank 9I and guided by pin 94 between rails 85 and 96,

6 successively engages all points of printing head 28a so that a uniform imprint is made on the envelope Or tape, as the case may be. For a more detailed description of this type of rocking platen, reference is made to Kellogg 1,477,128.

When the machine is at rest, platen 93 is spaced from the bottom surface of printing head 28a, as shown in Figure 4, to provide room for the insertion of an envelope or tape between the platen and printing head. I have found it preferable to elevate the envelope or tape to a position immediately adjacent the printing surface of printing head 28a before the printing operation, and to this end I provide a pressure plate, generally indicated at 91. As shown in Figure 8, pressule plate 91 includes a rear wall 98 and a top supporting wall 99, which lies between the printing head and platen. The top wall of the pressure plate is substantially coextensive with opening 25 (Figure 2). As shown in Figure 7, the left-hand end of pressure plate side wall 98 has a pair of extending tabs I88 and NI, which are respectively pivotally connected to links I82 and I83, which links are in turn pivotally mounted within the machine housing. These links accordingly constitute a parallel motion. whereby pressure plate 91 may be driven tothe dotted line position shown in Figure '7.

This movement of the pressure plate is effected by a cam I84 mounted on drive shaft 62 and a follower I carried on the free end of a pivoted arm I86, fastened to the pressure plate and biased clockwise by a spring I8'I. Thus when shaft 82 drives cam I84, the high portion of the cam tends to rock arm I86 counterclockwise. Spring I81, however, resists such movement of the link and accordingly pressure plate is elevated. Thus it may be seen that arm I86 and spring I8I constitute a resilient driving connection between the pressure plate and cam so that envelopes of varying thickness are readily accommodated. In other words, if an envelope of unusual bulkiness is inserted between the top of the pressure plate and the bottom of the printing head, there might be insufficient room for the pressure plate to rise the full amount of the high portion of cam I84. The difference is taken up by counterclockwise rocking of arm I86 relative to the pressure plate and stretching of spring I8'I. To maintain follower I85 in engagement with cam I84, a spring I88 fastened respectively to the pressure plate and to the bottom 23!) of the housing is provided.

Conveyor system As noted hereinbefore, the machine includes an envelope conveying mechanism or system which functions subsequent to the printing operation to eject the envelope from the machine. This conveying mechanism includes a pair of rollers I88 and I89 (Figure 4) the former of which rotates constantly during a complete cycle of operation, and the latter of which rotates during only a portion of the cycle. These two rollers respectively underlie pressure rollers I I8 and I I I, which are spring-biased downwardly to press the envelope against the lower rollers when the envelope lies therebetween.

Roller I88 (Figure 3) is fastened to a shaft II2 journaled in plates 23a and I9, and carries on its inner end a pulley II3. About this pulley is trained a belt II4 which forms a driving connection between pulley H3 and a motor driven pulley I I5. Pulley I I5 is mounted on a shaft 'I I8,

which shaft carries a worm gear III meshing with a worm (not shown) secured to motor shaft 7 H8. Thus it may be seen that. as long as motor 68 runs, roller I08 will rotate.

As noted above, roller I09 (Figure 4) rotates during only a portion of the cycle of operation, and this for the reason that the envelope must, of course, remain stationary beneath the printing head during the printing operation. Accordingly roller I09 is provided with a flat I09a, the surface of which is flush with the surface of the pressure plate top wall 99 while the roller is stationary. This roller I is mounted on a shaft I I 9 (see Figure 3) journaled in plates 23a and 19. Cu the inner end of this shaft is fastened a gear I which comprises the driven end of a gear train including meshing gears I2I and I22 and a mutilated gear I23 (see Figure 6). Gear I23 is mounted on main drive shaft 82, and accordingly rotates therewith when the shaft is driven as described.

When the motor is energized, as heretofore described, to drive shaft 62, mutilated gear I23 is driven counterclockwise. Thus it may be seen that for a substantial portion of onerevolution of gear I23 it is out of mesh with gear I22, andaccordingly the gear train and roller I09remain motionless. The operation takes place during this portion of the cycle. When, however, the toothed portion of the mutilated gear ultimately meshes with gear I22, the gear train and roller I09 are rotated. The gear train is so designed that roller I09 makes but a single revolution during the operative cycle of the machine. When roller I09 is thus rotated, it revolves clockwise, as viewed in Figure 4, thus to move its fiat I09a from beneath the envelope so that the envelope is engaged at the nip between rollers I09 and I I I. The envelope is accordingly fed to the right until its leading edge is engaged at the nip between rollers I08 and H0, whereupon roller I08 takes over the transporting action and ejects the envelope from the machine into the hopper.

While printing head 20a may be inked in any suitable manner, I illustratively provide an ink ribbon I24 (Figure 4) which may be automatically fed in any suitable manner betweenrollers I25 and I26. The lower run I24a of ribbon I24 accordingly lies flat and tight against the type faces of printing head 20a so that a clean and sharp imprint is made on-the envelope or tape. To guard the envelope against smudgingas it moves beneath and relative to printing head 20a, I have provided a guard plate-I21 (see also Figure 8), having an opening IZ'Ia of preferably slightly greater width than the width of platen surface 93a. Guard plate I21 may be supported in any suitable manner, and thus may have fastened thereto an upwardly extending pin I28 (see Figure 4) which extends through 2. lug I29 secured within the machine housing. A nut I30 is threaded to the top of pin I28 and accordingly limits the downward movement of the. guard. A spring I3I is interposed between the guard and lug I23, and accordingly resiliently resists upward movement of the guard when an envelope is pressed thereagainst by the rising pressure plate 91. As guard opening I2Ia (Figure 8) is of lesser width than the ribbon I24, the ribbon is curled upwardly along the edges of the type face, and printing head 20a when guard I21 is forced up by the envelope. Thus the face of the envelope does not engage ribbon I24 except for that portion thereof which is pressed against the ribbon by the rising platen 93. Hence the envelope may be printed without being smudged. By the same token, guardIZIlies between rib- Icon I24 and the envelope after the pressure plate has dropped and during the ejection of the envelope from the machine. It accordingly follows that the envelope conveying mechanism efficiently transports the envelope through the machine without the necessity of complicated mechanisms and a multiplication of parts.

Printing on tape As noted hereinabove, machines of the nature here under consideration should be capable of printing postage value on gummed tape. To this end, as is shown, in Figure 2, a stationary spindle I32 is mounted within the machine housing and supports a roll of tape I33. From this roll the tape is led between a pair of feed rolls I34 and I35 (Figure 4). into, a tape chute I36 which is carried by pressure plate 91. Tape chute I36 curves at its upper end, as shown, until it is horizontal, this horizontal portion of the chute including lower tracks I31 and I33 (Figure 8). These tracks are secured to the under surface of pressure plate top wall, 99, thus to support the tape beneath an opening 99a in top wall 99. The Iongitudinal edges of this opening overlie tracks I31 and I38, respectively, and accordingly complete, with the tracks, the horizontal portion of the tap chute. The exit end of the tape chute is formed by a transverse strip or portion I39 (Figure 4) of pressure plat top wall 99, the under surface of portion I39 being beveled as at I39a to facilitate passage of the end of the tape beneath this portion. The right-hand lower edge of portion I39 conveniently affords a cutting edge comprising a part of the tape shearing mechanism, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

As shown in Figure 3, tape feed rollers I34 and I35 are mounted respectively on shafts I40 and MI, these shafts being journaled in any suitable manner within the machine housing. The inner end of shaft I40 carries a gear I42 which meshes with a gear I43 carried by shaft II9. This gear I43, together with a ratchet I44, constitutes the driven element of a clutch generally indicated at I45. It should be noted that gear I43 and ratchet I44 are freely rotatable on shaft H9. The driving element of clutch I 45 comprises a hub I46 which i splined to shaft II9 so as to rotate therewith and slide axially thereof. Hub I 46 also includes a ratchet portion I41 adapted to engage ratchet I44 when the clutch is engaged. A spring I48 interposed between the driving and driven elements of the clutch biases the clutch toward disengaged condition. It may now be seen that hub I46, i. e. the driving element of the clutch, rotates with shaft H9 and accordingly drives ratchet I44 and gear I43 when the clutch is engaged. Gear I43 in turn drives gear I42, and accordingly roller I34; this roller, together with roller I35, thus drive tape I33 (Figure 4) to feed it through chute I36.

Clutch element I46 is slotted as at I49 (see also Figure 5), and this slot receives the ends I50 and I5I of a yoke I52 pivotally attached to a lug I53 secured to and extending from partition plate 19 (see Figure 3). An arm I54 comprises an integral part of yoke I52, and has fastened thereto a post I55 (Figure 5) to the bottom of which is connected one end of an actuating rod I56. As shown in Figure. 3, the other end of this rod carries a push button I51 which extends through an opening in the side wall of the machine housing 23 where it is readily accessible to the operator. It may now be seen that when button I51 is pressed, rod I56 moves to the left, as viewed in Figure 3, to rock yoke I52 counterclockwise. This movementof the yokeengage ratchet I41 with ratchet I 44, thus engaging the clutch to complete a driving connection to the tape feed rollers I34 and I35.

To obviate the necessity and inconvenience of the operators maintaining button I51 depressed during the printing operation, rod I56 (Figure is provided with a pin I58 which, when rod I56 is moved to the left, enters between a pair of resillent fingers I59 and I66. As the pin passes between them, they close in back of the pin and accordingly hold the rod I56 in it clutch engaging position.

To preclude the possibility of undesired successive tape printing operations, shaft I46, which carries one of the tape feed rollers, also carries a cam I6I, the high point I62 of which is adapted to engage a follower I63 carried by a depending portion I66 of rod I56. Thus it may be seen that as the cam rotates, it high portion ultimately engages follower I63, thus forcing rod pin I58 to the right between fingers I59 and I66, and accordingly moving rod I56 to its normal position of rest shown in Figure 5. This automatic return of the rod accordingly effects disengagement of the clutch, which forms the driving connection of the tape feed rolls and thus precludes an undesired successive cycle of overfeeding of the tape. Depression of button I51 is also relied on to effect energization of the motor and tripping of the one revolution clutch shown in Figure 9. To this end rod I56 carries another pin I65 (Figure 5) which is received in a slot I66 formed in one arm I61 of a lever I68. The lower end of the other arm I69 of this lever is located in the vicinity of a pin I16 carried by trip shaft 29. Thus it follows that when rod I56 is moved to the left, lever I68 is rocked counterclockwise so that its lower arm I69 will engage pin I16 and rock the pin and also shaft 29 clockwise. It will be recalled that this movement of shaft 29 effects actuation of the mechanism shown in Figure 9 to energize the motor and trip the clutch.

Through the provision of rod pins I59 and I65 and the parts associated therewith, it will appear that it is impossible to retrip the machine until one operative cycle is completed. Thus undesired successive printing operations are effectively prevented, and the risk of wasting postage is eliminated.

Tape shearing device After the postage value has been printed on the tape, the tape feeding mechanism hereinbefore described functions to feed tape from the supply roll and accordingly eject the printed end of the tape from beneath the printing head. The feed rolls are proportioned to feed just the desired amount of tape so that only the printed portion thereof extends beyond the end of the tape chute. This printed tape end must, of course, be cut off so that it can be ejected from the machine by the ejector roller I68. I have accordingly provided a tape shearing mechanism which includes a blade I1I (Figure 8) pivotally attached, as by a pin I12, to the end of pressure plate 91. Blade I1I is shown in its position of rest in Figure 8, from which it is swung upwardly at the proper time to shear tape I33 against the lower right-hand edge of transverse portion I39 of pressure plate top wall 99 (see Figure 4).

To actuate blade IN, a lever I13 (Figure 3) is pivotally fastened to its free end, this lever being secured to a shaft I14, but freely rotatable 10 relative thereto. Shaft I14 is rotatably carried by the housing wall. Fastened to this shaft, so as to rotate therewith, is a second lever I15, to the lower end of which is pivotally attached an actuating rOd I16. Lever I15 (Figure 8) carries an extended arm I15a. which underrides lever I13 and constitutes the actuating means for lever I13, as will'appear hereinafter. As shown in Figure 2, the left-hand end of this rod is slotted as at I11, this end of the rod also carrying a cam follower I18 adapted to engage the surface of a cam I19 mounted on, so as to rotate with tape, feed. roll shaft I46. Shaft I14 has secured V thereto so as to rock therewith a third lever I86,

to the lower end of which is fastened one end of a spring IBI. The other end of this spring is attached to a pin I82, suitably mounted within the machine housing. Spring I6I thus biases lever I86 and accordingly shaft I14 and lever I15 clockwise, which maintains follower I16 in engagement with cam I19.

It may now be seen that when cam I19 rotates as it does during the tape feeding portion of the cycle, it drives follower I18 and accordingly rod I16 to the right. This movement of the rod swings levers I15 and I86 counterclockwise, and accordingly tensions spring I8I. As lever I15 swings counterclockwise, its arm I15a drops and lever I13, being freely rotatable on shaft I14, drops with it. Ultimately cam I19 will rotate to the point where follower I16 drops OK the high portion of the cam. When this occurs, spring I8I, whose tension has been substantially increased, rapidly rocks lever I and accordingly lever I15 clockwise. This causes lever arm I15 to snap upwardly and accordingly impart rapid clockwise movement to lever I13. This movement of lever I13 swings blade I1I upwardly with sufficient rapidity that the momentum of the blade carried it past the edge of portion I39 (Figure 4) of the pressure plate top wall, and accordingly shears the tape. The blade returns to its Figure 2 position of rest by gravity.

I claim:

1. In a mail treating machine, in combination, a printing head, an inked ribbon for inking said printing head, guard means underlying a portion of said ribbon and acting to support it in close proximity to said printing head, a platen, means for eifecting relative movement of said printing head and said platen toward and away from one another to print on an article placed therebetween, a support for an article to be printed upon by said printing head, means mounting said support between said printing head and platen for movement relative thereto, means forming a driving connection between said second-mentioned means and said support for moving said support toward said printing head prior to the printing operation, thereby to position the article to be printed in proper printing register relative to said printing head and platen, and means mounting said guard means for movement relative to said printing head and in a position to be engaged by said support when said support moves toward said printing head.

2. In a mail treating machine, in combination, a type face, a platen, means mounting said platen for movement toward and away from said type in a manner to impress a gummed tape to be printed thereagainst, means for effecting said movement of said platen, a supporting plate having an opening therein and including a tape chute extending beneath said opening and adapted to receive and support said tape, said aeaaees plate being disposed between said type face and said platen, means mounting said plate for movement toward and away from said type face, means for effecting said movement of said plate, driving means connected to both of said movement effecting means for first moving said plate toward said type face and then moving said platen toward said type face and then moving both the plate and platen away from said type face, whereby said platen and said plate are moved toward and away from said type face during such printing cycle, a tape feeding mechanism adapted to transport tape ti) and from the printing position relative to said type face, and means forming a driving connection between said driving means and said tape feeding means for effecto eration of said tape feeding means automatica lly subse uent to the printing operation to transport the printed tape from the printing position.

3. In a mail treating machine, in combination, a stationary type face, a platen means mounting said platen including a pivot and a'guide to move toward and away from said type face in a manner to impress an article to be imprinted" thereagainst, means for effecting the movement of said platen, a supporting plate adapted to re- 'ceive and support the article to be printed, said plate being disposed between said type face and saidplaten, means mounting said plate for movement tcward and away from said type face, means for effecting said movement of said plate, and

12 driving means connected to both of said movement effecting means for first moving said plate toward said type face and then moving said platen toward said type face and then moving both the plate and platen away from said type face thereby to carry the article to be printed to a position adjacent said type face wherein said platen may force such article thereagainst, said pivot being associated with said driving means whereby said driving means causes said platen to rock about the axis of said pivot while said guidin means confines movement of the platen toward and away from said type face to a rectilinear movement. I

HARRY L. LAMBERT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,110,723 Spiess Sept. 15, 1914 1,737,878 Gollnick Dec. 3, 1929 1,796,327 Gollnick Mar. 17, 1931 1,829,004 Howard Oct. 27, 1931 1,971,568 Kranz Aug. 28, 1934 2,100,027 Faris Mar. 23, 1937 2,206,743 Elliott July 2, 1940 2,248,403 Elliott July 8, 1941 2,273,295 Strother Feb. 17, 1942 2,377,522 Ryan June 5, 1945 2,396,199 Pfeiffer 1 Mar. 5, 1946 2,444,187 Elliott i June 29, 1948

Images