US3130887A - Machine for accurately dispensing multiple unit strip material - Google Patents

Description

April 28, 1964 J. F. CAMPBELL ETAL 3,

MACHINE FOR ACCURATELY DISPENSING MULTIPLE UNIT STRIP MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 2, 1961 INVENTORS. James E Campbell Jack K. Grimm 35 1 I g o Z RNEY S H Ap 1964 .1. F. CAMPBELL ETAL 3, 3

MACHINE FOR ACCURATELY DISPENSING MULTIPLE UNIT STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 2, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. James E Campbell Jack K. Grimm A TTORNEYS Apr 1964 J. F. CAMPBELL ETAL 3,130,387

MACHINE FOR ACCURATELY DISPENSING MULTIPLE UNIT STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 2. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. James F Campbell ATTORNEYS April 28, 1964 J. F. CAMPBELL ETAL 3,130,837

MACHINE FOR ACCURATELY DISPENSING MULTIPLE UNIT STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 2. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS.

James F Campbell I: Jack K. Grimm ATTORNEYS April 23, 1964 J. F. CAMPBELL ETAL 3,130,887

MACHINE FOR ACCURATELY DISPENSING MULTIPLE UNIT STRIP MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 2, 1961 INVENTORS. James E Campbell I Jack K. Grimm BY R "awn/ RECTIFIER 42 a 43 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,130,887 MACHINE FOR ACCURATELY DISPENSING MULTIPLE UNIT STRIP MATERIAL James F. Campbell, Box 842, Grand Junction, Colo., and Jack K. Grimm, Adams County, Colo. (2500 W. 80th Ave., Denver 21, Colo.)

Filed Mar. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 103,951 2 Claims. (Cl. 226-110) This invention relates to devices for the fully automatic and accurate dispensing of units of strip material according to a predetermined, preselected program; and more particularly to an improved fully automatic machine for accurately dispensing large predetermined numbers of trading stamps and the like from a strip supply thereof.

Various devices and machines have been known heretofore for dispensing stamps, tickets, and other materials from strip supplies such as rolls or folded sheets. In general, the primary aim of these machines has been to provide mechanical drive mechanism that will move a desired number of units from a strip supply through a discharge opening. Some of the drive mechanisms have required pin platen holes, slots, or other undesirable modification of the stamps before they could be used with the machine. In order to make these machines useful for items such as trading stamps or the like it is desirable that all the stamps required for a single transaction be rapidly, easily, and, most important, accurately dispensed by a single machine actuation. In prior devices this has resulted in provision of complicated interconnected mechanisms or multiple electrical control means, with commensurate substantial problems of maintenance and repair. Most of them, particularly those for dispensing trading stamps and the like, have normally required multiple operator movements and manual operation to dispense the desired number of units for a given transaction.

A machine according to our inventive concepts provides a simple, relatively inexpensive and easily operated, fully automatic machine for dispensing all of the stamps required for a given transaction with a single machine actuation.

In carrying out the objects of this invention, in one embodiment thereof, a multiple unit dispensing machine is mounted within a unitary enclosing structure adapted to house the operating apparatus and having a keyboard associated therewith, accessible from without the enclosing structure for ease of operation. The keyboard is comprised of a plurality of separate, manually operable keys arranged in at least two series, one of which is marked with indicia indicative of various dollar values and the other of which is marked with indicia indicative of various cent values. Each of the keys in each of the series is adapted to actuate a microswitch interconnected therewith for the purpose of programming subsequent machine operation to deliver a number of units or stamps commensurate with the dollar and cent values of the selected keys.

The assembly further includes an electric motor which is interconnected with a power source in a circuit which is selectively completed for energization of the motor for operation of the machine according to the previous programming. The power takeoff of the motor is interconnected with a single cycle control cam in operative relation with a commutator-rotary armature assembly. Brake and clutch means are included and are energized by commands from the commutator-rotary armature assembly to selectively cause rotation of one or both of at least a pair of calibrated stamp feeding drums. The brake and clutch means operate to rotate the respective drums during only a portion of the control cam cycle in response to command related to the previously selected program to accurately deliver the number of units or stamps commensurate with the dollar and cent value keys selected. Further details of construction and operation of a machine according to our concepts are discussed in detail hereafter.

One very desirable feature of our invention, not found in prior art arrangements, is that operator accidents or carelessness in programming may be corrected before the dispensing operation begins.

It is another feature and object of this invention to provide an improved stamp dispensing machine of relatively simple construction which is reliable, accurate, and easy to operate; and which is fully automatic to dispense all of the stamp units necessary for a given transaction in a single machine actuation.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved stamp dispensing machine constructed and arranged so that an operator may rapidly and easily program it for subsequent operation to dispense stamps from single and multi-stamp supplies in a single machine actuation to secure the required number of stamps for a given transaction. And it is also an object of this invention to provide a machine which is easily operated by unskilled persons with a minimum of instruction.

Many other objects and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the appended exemplary drawings. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view on a reduced scale of a machine according to our invention within its unitary housing and illustrating the outside accessibility of the keyboard;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 1 with the cover removed and showing the relationship between parts;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the assembly of FIG. 2 with the keyboard removed, further showing the relationship of operating parts of the assembly;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation on an enlarged scale of the limit switch-commutator arm assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation in partial section taken along the line 5-5 of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation in partial section taken along the line 66 of FIG. 3, and is indicative of a novel commutator distributor which we prefer to use;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation, in partial section and on an enlarged scale, of key-microswitch units usable with the keyboard;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation in partial section of one of the key-microswitch units and related structure taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the calibrated feed drum and supply assembly of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation taken generally along the line 1010 of the apparatus of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic wiring diagram of the circuit by which the apparatus of FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 operates to dispense a given number of stamps according to a predetermined selected program.

Before describing the drawings in detail we wish it understood that they are schematic in many respects and but exemplary of assembly and operation according to our inventive concepts and that the spirit and scope of our invention is to be as defined in the hereafter set forth claims.

We prefer to provide a streamlined unitary housing for the operating assembly, such as that shown in FIG. 1, which is comprised of a lower or base portion 20 and a forwardly sloping, complementary cover 2 1. Centrally of sloping section 22 of the cover is an elongated,

generally rectangular aperture 23 allowing access to the keyboard 24 from without the housing. The keyboard is comprised of a plurality of keys 25 arranged in a group of series, such as the dollar value series 26 and the cent value series 27. Preferably, a third series is also provided for multiple dollar values, such as $10, $20, etc., indicated by reference numeral 28. The lower key29 of each of the series is a clearing key to deactuate the other keys of the respective series andtheir associated key switches, as described later. The remaining key 30 is a machine actuating key. A feed or delivery chute 35 opens from the base portion for delivery of stamps. It is to be understood that thechute may be otherwise located as desired, although we prefer to have it facing an operator. Snap latches 36 or the like are provided to maintain the upper and lower housing sections 20 and 21 as a'unitary assembly. A lock may be provided for the housing sections to prevent pilferage, etc., when desired, although such has not been shown in the drawings for purposes of simplicity. An off-on switch 37 and fuse housing 38 are located on the base section 20 in a position readily accessible to an operator. And we have schematically shown at 39 a cord or conduit for supplying power to the apparatus.

In FIG. 2 the cover 21 has been removed, and in FIG. 3 the keyboard 24 has been removed from its supporting brackets 91 and 92 to provide a view of the relationship between the keyboard and the other operating parts of the apparatus. Although a schematic terminal strip 90 is shown in FIG. 3, wiring, etc., has not been shown in detail in either FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 for purposes of simplicity and an easier understanding of the apparatus therein shown. The schematic wiring diagram of FIG. 11 is thought to provide sufiicient disclosure of wiring and electrical interconnection between parts, and the other drawings are intended to show possible mechanical and spatial relationship between parts.

Briefly describing the interaction between parts, by suitable manipulation of the switch 37, power is Supplied through conduit 39 to transformer 40 which is in circuit with the two rectifiers 42 and 43. Rectifiers 42 and 43 provide direct-pulsating current from the alternating current supplied therethrough for machine operation. The rectifiers operate continuously and in concert, independent of machine programming; and rectifier 43 is the rectifier for cent value dispensing and rectifier 42 for dollar value dispensing. Of course, suitable vacuum tubes, etc., or a single rectifier, can be provided as the rectifying means if desired. The rectifier 42 (FIG. 3), with power from the transformer 40 supplied therethrough, is adapted to energize a dollar value brake and clutch assembly 45; and rectifier 43, in a similar manner, is adapted to energize the cent value brake and clutch assembly 46.

When the machine is to dispense stamps, after keyboard programming, the key 30 is depressed and AC. relay 44 is closed to energize the motor 41; and by rotation of the limit switch cam 47 carried on the power takeofif shaft 75 (see FIG. 4), through suitable gear motor reducing means (not shown), its lobe 48 closes switch 49 at start of cycle, thereby allowing release of key 30 while maintaining a closed circuit (see FIG. 11). The foregoing also partially completes a circuit to coils in the clutch portions 50 and 51 of the respective assemblies 45 and 46. The shaft 75 carries cam 47 and fixed commutator arms 55 with brushes 56 attached thereto and rotates them over the face of the commutator distributor assembly 57 (see FIG. 6, described later). During rotation, the brushes contact progressive segments on the commutator distributor assembly 57. One of the segments has been programmed by key switch operation to energize the dollar value D.C. relay 60 and another to energize the cent value D.C. relay 61. Upon energization of these D.C. relays, the respective brake portions 70 and 71 of assemblies 45 and 46 are released; and the respective clutch portions 50 and 51 are energized to thereby, through suitable gearing (explained below), rotate the dollar value drum 72 ,and/ or cent value drum 73.

Explaining the operation of parts in more detail, when motor 41 has been energized by depressing the operating key 30, the power takeoff" shaft 75 begins rotation of the limit switch cam 47 and gears 76 and 76a fixedly interconnected therewith. Rotation of gears 76 and 76a drives gears 77 and 78 of clutch portions 51 and 50. The gears 77 and 78 commensurately rotate shafts 79 and 80 and clutch discs 79:: and 80a. Coils associated with the respective clutch discs, in response to the above mentioned program, attract the respective armatures 81 and 82. The armatures 81 and 82 drive gears 85 and 86 through shafts 81a and 82a. The gear 85 is adapted to drive the dollar value drum 72 through gear 87x and its shaft 87; and gear 86 similarly drives cent value drum 73 through gear 88x and its shaft 88. The shaft 88 is annular and encompasses shaft 87 so that they are independently operable. After stamp dispensing pursuant to programming, the armatures 81 and 32 are released from the clutch discs 80a and 79a and are attracted to brake portions 70 and 71 to stop rotation of the respective drums.

A suitable multi-unit strip supply 72a feeds the dollar value drum 72 and single unit strip supply 73a similarly feeds the cent value drum 73. Thumb screws 72b and 73b are for the purpose of retaining the strip supplies in position on a common shaft.

Strips of stamps or the like are drawn from the strip supply through the tension and guide assembly 96 onto the calibrated surfaces of the drums, such as the surface 97 of the cent value drum 73, as shown in FIG. 5. Adjacent to the forward or dispensing end of the drum is an assembly 99 to assure frictional feeding contact between the surface 97 and the strip supply 95. Assembly 99 (FIGS. 9 and 10) is comprised essentially of a pair of tension rollers 100 and 101 having a rubber-like surface thereon and which are universally mounted to obtain a two-point friction contact between such as surface 97 and the strip supply 95. There are four such tension rollers mounted in pairs on shafts 102 and 103 (see FIG. 2) to thereby provide a pair on each of the 72 (and 73. The respective opposite ends of the shafts 102 and 103 are pivotally mounted through common plates 104. Centrally of the plate 104- is a link pin 105 supporting that plate in pivotal relation with an end of the intermediate plate 106. The opposite end of intermediate plate 106 is connected through a pivot link pin 107 with a rigid upright support 108. A resilient member or spring 109 is interconnected between the pivot pin 105 and a fixed portion 110 of the apparatus. The foregoing interrelation of plates with the resilient member 109 and rigid supports 108 and. 110 provides a universal-like movement relative to the surface of the respective drums; and provides two-point contact on the strip material 95 to assure a tight friction-a1 driving engagement between the drum surfaces and the strip material when the drums rotate.

As above mentioned, the keys 25 program machine operation. Each of the keys is interconnected with a mioroswitch assembly (FIGS. 7 and 8) and are comprised essentially of a head portion 25a and an elongated shaft which pass through an opening 116 in the keyboard 24 and downwardly through the switch assembly and an aperture in lower housing 117. Substantially centrally of each of the series of keys is a common plate 118. Adjacent each of the shafts 115 in the plate 118 is a cam aperture 119 which is adapted to selectively hold the lower bar 120 of the switch in upper and lower programrm'ng positions. The upper bar 121 (best shown in FIG. 8) when in a switch-closed or programmed position, interacts with cam 122 of switch 123 to close contacts 124 thereof. In FIG. 7 the left and rightahand keys and their associated rnicroswi-tches are shown in an open position and the intermediate one in a closed or programmed position. When programmed, the lower end of the shaft 115 is held in a vertical position relative to the lateral portions of the switch by the spheres 125; and is maintained in its programmed position by one of the cam apertures 119. Further, when the lower end of shaft 115 is passed between the spheres 125, no further keys may be depressed in that series Without releasing the previously programmed key, i.e., if another key is depressed it will move the plate 118, allowing upward movement of any other depressed key by action of its resilient member or return spring 126. To clear the keyboard and change the program of subsequent machine operation, the clearing keys 29 (FIG. 1) are depressed to move plates 118 (to the right as shown in FIG. 7) thereby allowing the springs 126 to raise depressed keys to a non-programmed or open position. If desired, a solenoid may be included in the apparatus to automatically move the plate 118 at the end of a given machine operation to clear the keyboard, instead of the keys 29.

When the operator has programmed his keyboard by depressing a key of various of the series of keys, the switches 123 associated therewith, one each, completes a circuit with one of the segmented portions of the above mentioned commutator distributor surface (FIG. 6). The segmented series 130 is the dollar value series and the series 131 is the cent value series. The series 131 is comprised of nine active segments and one dead or inoperative segment 1 31a. The series 130 is comprised of twenty live segments and one dead or inoperative segment 130a. Before operation, brushes 56 are in contact with the dead segments and until rotation of the cam 47 and brushes 56 there will be no circuit completed through the live segments. A .brush 56 is adapted for rotational contact with each of the respective dollar and cent segmented series during rotation of the cam 47, and another of the brushes 56 of each of the sets of brushes carried by the opposed commutator arms 55 is in contact with one of the continuous contact strips 132 and 133. Of course, it is to be understood there could be a single continuous contact strip if so desired. The pair of brushes on each of the opposed arms and insulated from the arms are interconnected as by a conducting wire 66a, shown best in FIG. 3.

The surfaces 97 of the drums 72 and 73 are calibrated or coded to deliver a given number of stamp units per degree of rotation based on the length (or width) of the units; and the angular position of the segments of series 130 and 13 1 (in operative relation to the brushes 56 and cam 47) provide the operating control for the number of degrees of drum rotation. For example, consider segments B and C of FIG. 6 (the dead segments) and segment A as being programmed by the keyboard. Segment A is the ninth segment of the dollar value series 130 and is programmed by the $9.00 key of the dollar series. Upon motor energization as explained above, the cam 47, and thus the commutator arms and brushes, rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6. Assume none of the cent series 13-1 is programmed. Until a brush 56 contacts segment A, the drum 72 will not rotate, and no stamps will be dispensed. However, when segment A is reached, relay 60 is energized (as explained later with reference to the circuit diagram), which completes circui-ts to release the dollar value brake 70, actuate clutch 50 to attract and rotate armature 81, etc., and drive the drum 72. The drum 72 then rotates and will continue to rotate until the dead segment C is again reached, which coincides with opening of the limit switch 49. The opening of limit switch 49 results in deenerg-izing relay 60, opening contact 146 to deenergize the coil of clutch 50', releasing armature 81. Deenergizing relay 60 also closes contact 135' to operate the brake 70 to stop drum rotation. In a similar manner, upon programming, cent value drum 73 cooperates in operation with the segmented series 131.

In operation of a preferred embodiment, our dollar value drum delivers a'double length of multistamp units (live stamps each unit) per 36 of drum rotation, each single multistamp unit being valued at 50; and the cent value drum delivers a single 10 value stamp per 18 of rotation. Of course, other angular relationships may be utilized in the practice of our inventive concepts as desired.

In operation (FIG. 11), the off-on switch 37 is closed, thereby supplying power to the apparatus. When it is desired to dispense a given number and value of stamps from the machine, various of the keys of the keyboard assembly 24 are depressed to program subsequent machine operation. In FIG. 11 the various keys have been shown in two separate schematic groups and given numerical designations indicative of dollar and/ or cent valuations from 10 through in units of 10; and $1.00 through $20.00, inclusive. With the switch 37 in the on position, power is supplied through transformer 49 and the rectifiers 42 and 43 which energize, respectively, dollar brake 70 and cent brake 71 through normally closed contacts 135 and 136, placing the dollar brake 70 and cent brake 71 in drum-lock position. When the operating key 30 is actuated, the A.C. relay 44 is energized to close the relay contacts 137 and 138 and energize the motor 41. After fractional rotation of the motor shaft and cam 47 the limit switch 49 is closed, allowing release of the operating key 30 since switch 49 maintains a closed motor circuit. Commensurate with rotation of the cam 47 the commutator arms 55 and brushes 56 are rotated over the segmented series and 131 and the continuous contact strips 132 and 133. When the brushes riding the segmented series contact a segment programmed by the key microswitch operation, the dollar value and cent value D.C. relays 60 and 61 are energized to open relay contacts 135 and 136 and close relay contacts 146 and 147. This releases the brakes 70 and 71 and engages the clutches 50 and 51. Also, upon energization of the DC. relays 60 and 61 the relay contacts 139 and 140 are closed. Relay contacts 139 and 140 maintain closed circuits after the brushes 56 have passed respective programmed segments. With the foregoing combination of closed relay contacts, the coils of clutches 50 and 51 attract and engage the armatures 81 and 82 to thereby drive the associated gearing above described for rotation of the calibrated dispensing drums 72 and 73.

Upon completion of a single rotation or cycle of the cam 47 the switch 49 is opened, which causes deenergization of the motor relay, i.e. A.C. relay 44. Following deenergization of relay 44 and cessation of motor operation, D.C. relays 60 and 61 are deenergized, relay contacts 137, 138, 139, and 140 are opened, and relay contacts 146 and 147 of the clutches 50 and 51 are opened, while relay contacts 135 and 136 close to operate brakes 7 0 and 71 to stop drum rotation.

It is obvious from the foregoing that the cam 47 must be calibrated or adjusted in relation to both the surfaces of the drums 72 and 73 and to the angular position of the various segments of the segmented series 130 and 131 such that a single rotation or cycle produces drum operation sufiicient for dispensing all of the stamps necessary.

Although we have shown the keyboard 24 as enclosed within the same housing as the operating elements of the device, this is not always necessary. One very attractive arrangement within our concepts has the keyboard positioned distant from the actual dispensing apparatus. Such an arrangement is particularly suited for the modern supermarket operation Where the keyboard is positionable closely adjacent, or interconnected with, a cash register; and a cord or suitable electric conduit is led therefrom to the dispensing assembly, which may be positioned adjacent the loading or packaging station. Thus, the checkout clerk totals the cost of the merchandise, thereby arriving at a dollar and cent value which will actuate a series of switches similar to those above described to thereby program the operation of the machine. And upon depression of an operating key (which might be a key of the cash register), the dispensing portion of the apparatus will issue the required number of stamps for customer removal.

Also, although it has not been shown in the drawings, we may provide a meter with our apparatus which is adapted to maintain a running calculation of the number of stamps dispensed from the machine, thus informing the user of the number of stamps remaining in the machine and indicating the necessity of reloading.

From the foregoing it is believed clear that many changes in design and construction may be made; and equivalent parts may be substituted in the practice of our inventive concepts. Having thus described our invention with suificient particularity and detail as to enable those skilled in the art to practice it, What we desire to have protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A machine for dispensing stamps and the like from strip supplies thereof, comprising an enclosing structure having a stamp delivery opening, at least a pair of rotatable drum members, each engaging a said strip of stamps for moving it toward said opening, a keyboard assembly having a plurality of keys arranged for access exteriorly of said enclosing structure, said keys being arranged in at least two series, one of which is coded in dollar values and the other in cent values, each said key inclusive of switch means adapted for programming subsequent machine operation upon machine actuation to energize and operate an assembly mounted in said housing arranged for selective operation of one and both of said drums, said assembly including an electric motor interconnected with a power source, control means, said motor adapted to operate said control means during its energization, said control means carrying armature brushes arranged in operative relation with a commutator, said commutator inclusive of a plurality of series of spaced lugs and at least one continuous electrical conductor all insulated from each other, the brushes of said control means being arranged in at least two independent circuits, one of said circuits interconnected with the dollar value key switches and the other with the cent value key switches, and one each of each of the pair of brushes being in contact with the continuous conductor during movement of said control means, and the other brush adapted upon contact with one of said lugs in circuit with a previously programmed key switch to energize one of at least a pair of brake and clutch means one each of which is interconnected between said control means and one of said drums, and upon energization, each of said brake and clutch means adapted to rotate a drum a peripheral distance equal to the length of a number of stamps for delivery thereof through said opening as dictated by the previous keyboard program, and means on said keyboard arranged to actuate the machine.

2. The machine of claim 1 in which the control means includes a rotary cam driven by said motor and adapted 'to cause deenergization of said motor after one cam rotation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,806,693 Seeley Sept. 17, 1957 2,937,554 Nathan May 24, 1960 3,006,538 Deutsch Oct. 31, 1961

Claims (1)

1. A MACHINE FOR DISPENSING STAMPS AND THE LIKE FROM STRIP SUPPLIES THEREOF, COMPRISING AN ENCLOSING STRUCTURE HAVING A STAMP DELIVERY OPENING, AT LEAST A PAIR OF ROTATABLE DRUM MEMBERS, EACH ENGAGING A SAID STRIP OF STAMPS FOR MOVING IT TOWARD SAID OPENING, A KEYBOARD ASSEMBLY HAVING A PLURALITY OF KEYS ARRANGED FOR ACCESS EXTERIORLY OF SAID ENCLOSING STRUCTURE, SAID KEYS BEING ARRANGED IN AT LEAST TWO SERIES, ONE OF WHICH IS CODED IN DOLLAR VALUES AND THE OTHER IN CENT VALUES, EACH SAID KEY INCLUSIVE OF SWITCH MEANS ADAPTED FOR PROGRAMMING SUBSEQUENT MACHINE OPERATION UPON MACHINE ACTUATION TO ENERGIZE AND OPERATE AN ASSEMBLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING ARRANGED FOR SELECTIVE OPERATION OF ONE AND BOTH OF SAID DRUMS, SAID ASSEMBLY INCLUDING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR INTERCONNECTED WITH A POWER SOURCE, CONTROL MEANS, SAID MOTOR ADAPTED TO OPERATE SAID CONTROL MEANS DURING ITS ENERGIZATION, SAID CONTROL MEANS CARRYING ARMATURE BRUSHES ARRANGED IN OPERATIVE RELATION WITH A COMMUTATOR, SAID COMMUTATOR INCLUSIVE OF A PLURALITY OF SERIES OF SPACED LUGS AND AT LEAST ONE CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR ALL INSULATED FROM EACH OTHER, THE BRUSHES OF SAID CONTROL MEANS BEING ARRANGED IN AT LEAST TWO INDEPENDENT CIRCUITS, ONE OF SAID CIRCUITS INTERCONNECTED WITH THE DOLLAR VALUE KEY SWITCHES AND THE OTHER WITH THE CENT VALUE KEY SWITCHES, AND ONE EACH OF EACH OF THE PAIR OF BRUSHES BEING IN CONTACT WITH THE CONTINUOUS CONDUCTOR DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID CONTROL MEANS, AND THE OTHER BRUSH ADAPTED UPON CONTACT WITH ONE OF SAID LUGS IN CIRCUIT WITH A PREVIOUSLY PROGRAMMED KEY SWITCH TO ENERGIZE ONE OF AT LEAST A PAIR OF BRAKE AND CLUTCH MEANS ONE EACH OF WHICH IS INTERCONNECTED BETWEEN SAID CONTROL MEANS AND ONE OF SAID DRUMS, AND UPON ENERGIZATION, EACH OF SAID BRAKE AND CLUTCH MEANS ADAPTED TO ROTATE A DRUM A PERIPHERAL DISTANCE EQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF A NUMBER OF STAMPS FOR DELIVERY THEREOF THROUGH SAID OPENING AS DICTATED BY THE PREVIOUS KEYBOARD PROGRAM, AND MEANS ON SAID KEYBOARD ARRANGED TO ACTUATE THE MACHINE.

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