US472497A

US472497A - Postmarking aid stamp canceling machine

Info

Publication number: US472497A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1892-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 1909-04-05

Description

(No Model.)

\ 9 SheetsSheet 1. W. GROTH; POSTMARKING AND STAMP GANGELING MACHINE. No. 472,497. Patented Apr 5,1892.

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Shet W. GROTH.

POSTMARKING AND STAMP OANOELING MACHINE.

Patented Apr.5,1892.

(No Model.) I 9 Sheets-Sheet 3.

, W. GRQTH. POSTMARKING AND STAMP GANGELING MACHINE.

No. 472,497. Patented Apr. 5, 1892.

(No Model.)

W. GROTH.

9 Sheets-Sheet POSTMARKING AND STAMP GANGBLING MACHINE.

PatentedApr. 5, 1892.

( -J 9 Sheets-Sheet 5.

W. GROTH.

POSTIMARKING AND STAMP GANGELING MACHINE. No. 472,497. I PatentedApr. 5,1892.

li'waz 1,60 1' (No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 6.

W GRQTH. 7 POSTMARKI-NG AND STAMP GANGELING MACHINE.

No. 472,497. Patented A r. 5, 1892.

"(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 7.

W. GROTH.

POBTMARKING AND STAMP GANGELING MACHINE.

M W; Patented Apr 5, 1892,

wg m $032M 9 Sheet-Eheem 8;

(N0 Model.)

W GROTH POSTMARKI'NG AND 'EAMP G-ANGELING MACHINE.

No; 472 491 Fatented Apr. 5 1892;

MWWJW 9 Shees-Sheet 9.

(No Model.)

. W GROTH. POSTMARKING AND STAMP GANGELING MACHINE:

No. 472,497. Patented Apr. 5, 1892 UNITED. STATES retest WILLIAM GROTH, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, ASSIGN OR OF FIVE-SIXTH TO THOMAS S. CONSTANTINE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

POSTMARKING AND Sm OACEMNG ACHIINE.

SPECIFICATION formic: pm?- of Letters Patent No. 472.497, April 5, 1892.

Application iiiod January 5, 1891.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM GROTH, a citizen oi the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Iniprovements in Postmarking and Stamp-Qanceling Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertaius to make and use the same.

In a patent granted to me January 7, 1890, No. 419,014, for postmarking and stamp-canceling machines I have described, shown, and claimed certain novel parts and combinations of parts wherein a pneumatic device is operated in a. way to take up letters from separate packages and carry them by a free over movement to and deposit them by a vertical drop upon an intermittentiyrmoving endless apron at the point where they are to receive the dating and canceling impression. For such operation the organization of the machine,as shown in said patent,embraced,among other things, a series ofcompartments for containing separate and distinct packages of letters, a stamping and canceling device having its impressingstamps arranged separately in regist ring relation to said separate lettercontaining compartments, an intermittentlyoperating pneumatic letter-transferring device having suction-tuii0s in correlative arrangement and number with the letter-containing compartments and the stamping and canceling devices, and an intermittently-operating endless apron for conveying the lettern in separate and distinct parallel lines from the stamping and canceling device. In such organization it will be seen that the capacity of the machine for the needs of the postal service is determined by the number of the stamps and their co-operating devices which may be used. It will also be seen that the operation of the said patented machine requiresthat all the letter-containing compartments must be kept supplied with letters to be taken up and carried to receive the impression oi! the stamps in order to prevent inking the apron by the stamps, and that in the event of the non-supply or the giving out of such snpplycl' anyone or more of thecom Serial no. 876.782- (Wo model.)

partments the stamp or stamps registering with such compartment or compartments having no letters would make an impression on and thus deposit ink upon the surface of the apron, inasmuch as all the stamps operate in such patented machine whether there be let ters to receive their impression or not. This inking of the apron was found objectionable, because letters which were subsequently deposited upon the inked apron would thereby be smeared with the ink under the action of the stamps.

The object of my present invention is to render it unnecessary to supply all the compartments with letters and to provide for rendering such stamp or stamps of the series as may not be supplied with a letter to receive its impression shunted out as to its stamping function while descending upon the apron, and thus prevent it from being carried in contact with the apron, while at the same time not interfering with the stamping function of the stamps which may be supplied with letters in the operation of the machine or with the operation of the device which carries all the stamps. In effecting these results I provide for shunting or cutting out any one or more of the series of stamps from action during the continu ous operation of the machine and of the continuous function of the stamp operating mechanism, whereby such stamp or stamps as may not be supplied with letters to receive the impressions will be prevented from touching the apron, while the stamp-carrying device is not interrupted in its regular move ment toward the apron. For efiecting this operation I provide each stamp proper of; the series with a. rook-shaft crank devicepwhic'h under the descending movement of the stem is caused to strike and pr hard upon the immovable apromwhich, not yielding under such pressure, serves to arrest the descent of the stamp proper, so it cannot come down on the apron when no letter has been placed under the stamp. For this purpose the apron must be at a standstill and the stampcarrier must fully descend for the proper action of the other stamps, and as the movement of the other apron is not to carry the letters to the stamps it is thereforetimed to be without movement while the letters are being stamped upon the apron, so that the latter serves as a fixed base to resist the downward preseurenf the cranked device caused by the descent of stamp i elf. in this way each stamp is pro vidcrl with its own shunting device whereby to render it inoperative to prevent the inltin g of the apron when the latter contains no lettcr to receive the impression, while the ma chine in every particular is operating to postmark and to starnp-canccl letters by stamps in which the shuntingdcvicc is made inoperative. 'lo render this stamp-shunting device inoperative, or, as it were, taken away from the stam so as to leave the latter under the free and sole control of the continuous stampopcrating mechanism, I provide each stamp proper of the series with a plunger device and connect it with oncof the cranks of said rock-shaft. in such a manner as to shunt or turn and hold up the crank, so that it can have no function, and thereby isolate or take away from the stamp the very device which act to wrest its descent, as stated. This function of the plunger-rod is rendered active by the descending movemcutof the stamp so as to bring it down under pressure upon the letter to be stamped. In such function of the plunger-rod the letter forms a fixed base to arrest it, and thereby rock the crank-shaft to shunt ontof action its crank-arm. 'lheoffice of this plunger device therefore is not to raise ortoprcventitsdesccnt,but,derivingitsfnnction from the rlcsccntof the stampancl bystriking upon the letter, serves only and solely to shuntout of action the rock-shaftcrankcd dcvice. in the cooperation of thesetwo stamped devices it will be seen that they both depend primarily for their function upon the intermittcnt. action of the endless apron to all'ord an abutting element to resist. the downward movements of such devices to render their function operative or inoperative for the purposcstatcd. To etfec' this co-operation, therefore, it is essential that the normal positions of the stamps, the normal positions of the stamp cranked device, and the normal positions of the stamp plunger-rod must be out of'thc path of the movement of the mail-mattcr-that is to say, above or away from the letter-supporting apron-in orderthat hot it of these devices shall be subject to the control of the stamp itself, in order that one of them will be rendered inoperative by the other, to the curl and sole purpose of preventing the inking of thcnpron. To render the plttugcrrod of any one of the stamps inoperative, I provide the endless apron with openings. preferably by forming separate aprons for each stamp, so as to leave spaces between them which register with the plunger-rods to allow the latterto plunge or pass down freely below the apron and thereby allow the crankirate? arm to descend upon the apron to shunt the stamp out of action when there is no letter to receive its impression. It will therefore be seen that an essential requirement of the action of the stamp and for its non-action, for the action of the stamp crank-rod, and for the action of the stamp plungcr-rod and for itsnou-action is that the movement of the endless apron must be intermittent, that it must: be without movement when the imrensiou is made upon the letter-,thatitmust e without movement to render the crankrod operative to shunt out the action of the stamp when there is no letter in position to receive the impression, and that it must be without movement to render the plunger-rod operative to shunt out of action the crank-rod of the stamp. These provisions and their mode of operation also require that the letter, after being placed to receive the impression of the stamp, must be without movement, at a standstill on its supporting-bed, and that thercforc thcactiou or non-action of the stamp is not and cannot be effected by the movement of the letter upon the apron with it or independent of it.

In the accompanying drawingsl have illustrated, substantially, my said patented machine, and prefer to use all the features of my present invention and improvements in said organization in total combination, as such reconstructed machine has been found to be effective and not. easy to get out of order in the expeditious work required for the postal service.

In the draw lugs, Figure 1 represents in clevation the left side of a machine for postmnrking and canceling letters embracing my invention; Fig. 2, the opposite or right side of the machine. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitndinal section of the machine, showing the pneumatic device in the position it occupies at the moment of dropping a letter in position upon the apron to receive the impression of the stamp and the stamping device in its highest position. Fig. 4 is a similar section of the upper part of the machine, showing the pneumatic device in the position it occupies at the moment of taking up a letter and the stamping device in position to make the impression on a letter. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing,' the mechanism for operating the inking-roll and the stamp-carrier. Fig. 6 is a detail top view of the stamp-car ricr, showing its connection with the vertical cnd slides. Fig. 7 is a detail vertical scotional view sh 'nviug the operating connections of the stamp-carrier. Fig. 8 is a top view of thrccof the letter-supporting aprons, showing the open spaces between them and the holes in their bod-support to allow the stamp plunger-rod to pass below the apron when its connected stamp is impressing the letter. Fig. J is a horizontal section of the same, showing the grooves and apron-ribs for maintaining the separated relation of the aprons. Fig. 10 is a top view of one of the letter-supplyingcompartrnents. Fig. 1 Sheet 1, is a detail view of the ratchet device for intermittently operating the endless apron. Fig. 1" are views of the tappet-shaf t crank-pin and its slotted plate connection foroperating .the letter-supporting followers. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, shows the valved air suction and exhaust cylinder in section; Fig. 4, Sheet 4, is a vertical sectional detail of the ratchet device for feeding the followers and the letters thereon to the suction take-up tubes. Fig. 4" is a detail sectional view of the suction take-up tube. Fig. 11, Sheet 7, is a side elevation of one of the stamping devices, showing the stamp-box in partial section and the shunting-plunger down. Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the same, showing the shunting-plunger up. Fig. 13 is a partial horizontal section through the type-wheel of the stamp, showing the manner of adjustably securing it to the stamp-shank. Fig. 14 shows the stamping and impression made of the stamp. Fig. 15 shows in top view the slotted portion of the stamp-head. Fig. 16 is a vertical cross-section ofthe same on the line :0, and Fig. 17 is a similar section on the line 3' of Fig. 15. Fig. 18 is a front elevation of the stamp, the typewheel being in face view, and a section of the endless apron and its supporting-bed, showing the shunting device in position to shunt the stamp in its descent out of action. Fig.

19 is a similar view showing the type-wheel raised to clear the stamp-head and in position to change its dates; and Fig. 20 is a rear elevation of the stamp, showing the action of the plunger-rod in shunting out of action the stamp-shunting crank device.

The drawings show parts and devices of the said patented machinein the same relation and which have the saine function as in said patented machine, and among which is the row of compartments 1 for supplying the lettors in separate and distinct packages, arranged at the front ot a suitable frame. At the rear of the frame a similar row of compartments 3 is provided, which register with the front compartments for receiving the letters after having been postmarked and their stamp canceled, while between these parts are arranged endless aprons 4, upon which the letters are deposited by the dropping action of the pneumatic transferring device to receive the impressions of the stamps and delivered into the receiving compartments. These parts are arranged at the top of the frame in such relation that theiettcrs are lifted from the front part, carried to and dropped upon the aprons,and delivered at the rear, as stated.

The devices for transferring the letters singly from their supplying-compartments to the endless aprons and also for postmarking and canceling are arranged for operation above the frame, and their operating mechanisms are arranged and disposed at each end of the frame, while the power-shaft 6 is mounted above the front part of the frame.

I will now describe more particularly these separate mechanisms. Each of these lettersupplyiug compartments is provided with a follower 10, upon which the letters are'placed in packages and fed upward, and each follower has a central sustaining-rod 11, which passes through a suitable guide 12 and is raised with an intermittent feed by mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and t and operated from the power-shaft 5 through the action of the tappet rock-shaft 24, whereby the letters of the several packages are fed upward as each mp letter is removed from the package by the sucker-tubes. The device for transferring the letters from the supplying'compartments, in connection with this follower feed, consists of a bar 29, mounted upon crankarms 28, so as to have a movement in the are of a circle. This cross-bar carries sucker-tubes 30 on its under side in registering relation to the letter-supplying compartments and the stamps, and they are maintained in vertical position in every part of the circular sweep of the bar by means'of supplemental crankarms 31, which have a parallel relation to the crank-arms 28, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, whereby the suction-tubes are caused to descend vertically to take up the letters, by suction and to hold them and to carry them to the points where they are dropped by releasing the suction upon the aprons. These suckertubes are provided with suitable valves. 41, which are opened by contact with the letters to be lifted to render the suction active. Snitable air suction and exhaust devices are employedto suck up and hold the letters, so as to close the mouths of the sucker-tubes and to destroy'thevacuum in the latter to drop the letters at the desired points upon the aprons. In this way and by the means shown, while all the sucker-tubes are in com munication with the suction and exhaust devices, each one is rendered independent of the other by its valve, and is thereby made operative in the compartments which may contain letters.

The letter-supporting endless apron s is mounted upon rolls 61, and at a point above the rear roll a cross-bar 62, Figs. 5 and 6, is mounted in the frame and carries the postmarking and canceling stamps, which are vplaced at distances along the length of said bar corresponding to the positions of the lettor-containing compartments, and this bar is operated vertically in guides a, Fig. 6, in the end frames to raise and to depress the stamps in unison with the letter-transferring device and the devices for feeding the letters up in their supply-compartments, as I shall now state. 1

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the rock-shaft 24, which operates the letter-supporting followers 10, is provided at its left end with a short crank-arm 44, (see Figs. 1 and 1",) which stands toward the rear and has a crank-pin 46, which extendsbeyond the outer side of the end frame and into a slot 46 in a plate 47, mounted upon a beartog ing tpon which it oscillates at n point above the rock'shnit. This slot 46 is concentric with the bcurin of thcplnte and terminates in a deflected or oblique end 4.), so that the crank-pin 45 is rendered inactive by the concentric portion of the slot and isenuscd to be depressed by the deflected end 4! of said slot, whereby it causes the shaft 24 to be rocked, carrying itn tnppets 25-one for each follower-innnrd nguinst the nrms 19 of a ratchet device 1'. 18, end thus relense their engage ment from the ratchet-wheels 17, the function of which and the toothed wheel 16 is to hold the followers, and thus allow the followers to rise by the action of Weights 25! at the momcnt the transferring device is at the limit of its descent to take the letters up. In ordcr that this movement of the transferring device shall be in unison with the seizing action of the-suckcr-tubesl provide the said slotted plate 47 with it. sh rt crank-arm 50 at its pivot-bearing, which arm by n pitmnn 51 connects with the front end of a lever 52, mounted on a bearing of the frame. This end of the lever also connects by the rod oil with acmnkpin 53 on the face of n. gear 5, mounted on a stud of the frame. The other end of this lever 52 has n pin 53', which engages n segmental slot Si in the face of n gear-wheel 55 and has an oblique relation to thcaxis of said ecu-r. Engaging with this gear 55 ise pinion 56 on the end of the ernnknrm 28, which carries the cross-bar 2.) of the sucker-tubes. As the lever 52 is vibrated the action of its pin ,53' within the segmental slot 54. of the gent causes the latter to move through a determined portion of a. revolution alternately w ith n movement each way sutiicient to give a halfevolution of said crank-pinion 56 and thereby control with precision and cxactnessthe sweep of the transferring device to take up and deposit the letters in position for postmnrking and canceling. In this operation the upward movement of the frontnrm of the lever 52 opcrates the said gear-slotdi to effect the frontwnrd sweep of the transferring device, while the downward movement of the said lever 0perntesin the said gear-slot to reverse the gear and effect the rem-ward sweeping movement of the transferring device. in this movement the gennslotfi-t' also serves the purpose of retarding the movement of the transferring deviccnt its taking-up and depositing point, as stated in my said patent. A train of gear (seen in Fig. 1) connects the follow-ens and the lettertrunsmitting devices with an inkingnroll 0, the endless apron 4, and the sinmpenrrying device for conjoint operation, as I will now describe.

Referring to Fig.1,h is rigour-wheel, which carries the crank-pin 52;, that connects with and operates the tippet-crnnlr shaft. 34, and also connects iii. and operates the pinions 56, which are on the crztnk-nrms 2a, whi h carry and operate the letter-trimsfcrring device. 'lhis gear-wheel b engages it gear-wheel c, which hitter engages rt pinion "I on the were? b er-shaft (i, and by means of the intermedinto pinions and f and :t gcnrwvhcel g, which engages a pinion hon the shaft of the inking-cylinder 1', the latter is operated from the power-shaft. A pilmnu-rod connects the gear-wheel c with a lever t), which connects with and intermittently operates the endless aprons by means of n ratchet device, which I will presently dcscribc.

The trnin of gear which I have described givesn positive motion totlte shaft whichcnrrice the inking-roll i forward beneath the stamps when the latter are raised, and this movement is effected as follows: The inkingroll shaft 89 is jOlll'IltLltNl in the lower ends of hanging, armsj, which are pivoted on the inner walls of the end frame, so that the said roll is free to be swung backward in contact with the inking-cylinder t' and frontward under and in contact with the stamps, as I shall presently describe.

'lhe stamps are suitably mounted on and carried by :1. horizontal cross-hm- 62, which is provided at each end with :1. vertical slideplate is, adapted to tit and move between the gnidewnys a, secured on the inner walls of the end frames, as seen in Figs. 0 and 7, whereby a true vertical movement is given to the stmnps, as I will now state. A rock-shaft I, mounted in the end frames, has an arm '77 thereon, (seen in Fig. 6 and in dotted lines in Fig. 7,) which by means of a crank-pin 7G thereon stands and works in n slot in a. plate-bar 73, which is fitted to slide in ways 7-l= on the outer-side of the right end frame. This slide 73 is connected by a rod 72 with a crankpin 71 on a. gear 70, which engages with and is driven bynpiniondon the power'drivcn shaft, which has the pinion d on its other end, so that the-reciprocating motion thus imparted to the slide is transmitted to the slum p-carrying bar 62, as I will now state. On the rockshaft Z, which is operated by this slotted slidebnr 73, there is an arm in at. ench end just on the inner side of the end frames, standing inward and connected at their inner ends to thelower ends of links it, each of which is pivoted to the slides 7; of the said stomp-carrying bar 62, so that the rocking movement of the said slmft I will vibrate the arms in, and thus raise and o\\'cr the slides in to operate the stnmp-cnrrying bar in the wily stntothi Looking at Fig. i. it will be soon that the slot '75 of the slide-bar 7 5 is somewhat L-shnped, so as to have the function of it cnm which as the slide is caused to move forward with the cranlopin 76 in tho frontwnrd horizontal portion of said slot the rockshnft I will he without motion and the stnmp-em'rying bnr will be held in elcvntcd position; butthoinomont tho crnnlrpin 7 nters the rear inclined or "am part of the slot. 7:) thccritnlt-nrm 77 will be dcprcsnetl nnd the shaft Z rocked, bringing down the slittntrm'trnviilg lint to impress the letters. It ill be nndcrstnod that in this position of the stamps and at this insiztnt the transferring lCVltjtis in position to seize and of said slotted slide, which causes the return rotation of said rock-shaft I, which brings the stamps again to their normal elevated position out of the way of thetransferring device. It will also be understood that at the moment of depositing and at the moment of impressing the letters the endless aprons are without movement and that they have a suitable cross-bed support in the line of the action of the stamps. lt \rillalso be understood that the letters which have received the action of the stamps are carried rearward by the apronsand delivered into the receiving-compartments 3 in the same arrangement in which they were placed in the supplyirig-compartmcnts.

l have stated that the inking-roll 80 is suspended so as to be swung under and in cott- {act with the sta mps,and by referring to Figs. 3 and 4 it will be seen that the inking-cylindcrt is mounted in the tram. at the rearof the inking-roll S9 and that the latter is mounted inspring-sustained hearings or boxes titted in guides in the lower ends of the suspendinghangersj. A horizontal rider or bearer u is lixed to each end frame at its inner side, and against the under sides of which the inkinglOlll'itlCt, and the stamp-carrying bar has at each end a depending rider or bearer 0', which in the highest position of the stampcarrying bararc brought in .t egistcring relation to the fixed riders, as in Fig. 3, so that the two riders o n at each side of the frame form the ways on which the inking-roll is carried under the series of stamps to ink them in a horizontal plane permitted by the yielding of its springsustained bearings. The mechanism for opcrating the inkingroll consists of slotted slides 1), one fitted in a guide (1, secured to the inncrsidcof each end frame and connected by a slotted end q with a pin 7' on each of the swinging hangersj, the other end of slotted slide 1) being connected by a pin r with a cam-groove 1 on the face of a gearavhecl 2", mounted on a stud at the inner side of each end frame, whichengages with a pinion s on each end of the shaft of the inkcylinder i, as seen in Fig. 5. The ink cylinder '5 is operated by the pinion h, which engages with the train of gear connecting the power-shaft, as seen inFig. l; and the movements of the slotted slides p of the inking devices are so timed as to carry the inking-roll under and away from the stamp: while they are at rest in their highest position. During the movements of the stamps the inking-roll is swung back in contact with the inking-cylinder, which, constantly revolving, rotates the inking-roll tokeep itinked. The inking-cylinder is covered with suitable felt forholdiug the ink, and the inking-roll is provided with separate sleeves covered with felt for inking the stamps, and these felted sleeves are arranged to register with said stamps.

'lhc intermittent movement of the apron may be effected by anysuitablc means. 'lhttt shown consists ot' the power-shaft, connectinggear, (I c, the rod 79 and the gear 1, and a ratchet-wired 8; on the gear til, which latter is mounted loosely on a stud, so that a pawl 53 on the arm Sttc'ngaging said ratchet-wheel 22, turns the gear 81 intermittently, and this turns the pinion 84 on the roll 01 intermittently, and thus moves the aprons at the time stated. In this arrangement it is necessary to give the proper movement to the aprons that the pawl 8;; shall act on the ratchet 82 only as allowed by a shield'plate t, arranged to partially cover the teeth ot' the ratchet, as

seen in Fig. 1.

I will now describe the construction of the stamps and the provisions whereby any one or more of them are shunted out of action without interrupting the action of the others or of the operation of the machine. The stamps are of identical constructiomaml the stamping part proper is composed of two partsa horizontal stamp-head A, which carries face letters and type, and a vertical wheel 1;, which carries radial type. The stamphead has engraved on its under face the letters indicating the location or place of mailing-and the stamp-canceling lines making the impression, as seen in Fig. 14, and it has two parallel slots, within one of which are fit.- ted type for printing the month and day.

The type a, Fig. 16, are of dovetail form and are held in the dovetail seats of the slot by a removable cap plate r to give convenience for removing and for changing them, which can be done quickly by removing the said cap plate-and using a pick in an inclined hole in the upper end of the type,asseeu in Figs. 1; and 17. This stampdiead has a central shank standing at right angles, which has its upper cud fitted within abore of the box D and is retained therein by a shoulder E, Fig. 11, on its upper end, which shoulder also serves to limit the downward movement of the stamp within its box against the force of a spring 1', inclosed within said box D, and against which spring force the stamping devicets-pcrmittod to yield in stamping the letters. A side feather n, Fig. 30, prevents the turning of the stamp-shank within the box. \Vithin the other head-slot .I' operate the type-arms G of disks which indicate the time of the day, and to obtain the proper indication of thcdivision of the time to denote any hour or halfhour I use three independent disks II, which I calltime-whcels. 'lhesc disksareloosoly mounted on a. stud l, which is secured to the side of the stamp-shank C between its head A and the box 13, so as to be vertically movable for adjustment thereon. A convenientmcans for securing this stud I to the stamp-shank is shown in Fig. 13, and consists in making a. dovetail recess 1/ on the inner end of the stud and fitting itover a dovetail rib or projection g on a tint part of the stamp-shank C and clamping the said stud to this dovetail rib by n thumb-screw J, pnseinn ccntrnlly through n. thrended bore in the stud I, so its to bear against the stamp-shank in a recess Z, Figs, ll and 13, to permit the stud I to he set. higher or lower for n. purpose which I shall presently :t'tnte. The time wheels ll nrc pieced side by nide on the stud between two disks ll, which are fastened to the letter by ncrews, and the typec nre formed upon the ends of circumferential redial arms G, of which the outer wheel has twelve, containing numbers from l to 12, inclusive, to indicate the hours of the day. 'lheinnerwheel has three type-arms hearing the'divisicns of the dny, A. Mt, P. hi, and M.," whilethe intermediate type-wheel has thennmber30 to in dicnte the half-hour. Each of these typewheels hnsa recess on its vert icel face to recei vc a pnwl h and a spring h, bearing upon the pawl, Fig. 18, while the stud-hub I has twelve circumferential grooves t of V shape, into which the pawl of each ty wheel is held by the spring when the whee is properly net, as in Fig. 18. This construction allows the type wheels to be easily and quickly set for use, and when so set,as in Figs. 11, 12, and 18, the type-arms G extend down through the blot a. with their type-feces on n level with the engruved letters of thestamp-head,and the stud is clamped to the stump-shank by the handecrew, the point of which is conical and enters the lower one of two recesses z in the dovetail rib, as seen in dotted lines in Figs. 11 nnd 19. To change the typewhceln, the stud l in unclumped nnd raised so that the hnnd-ncrew J will enter the upperrecees z to hold the type-wheels up free of the slot :1: in the smmp'head to nllow the wheels to be turned to change the dnyorthetime, or both, on ceen in Fig 10, after which the stud is again-net down and clamped to the stamp nhnnk. This mounting of the type-wheels upon n. sliding stud gives the advantage of conveniently handling them to make the required changes and providesnfirni fastening to the shank of the stamp to resist the thrust upon the type-arms. The type-wheels are free to he turned upon the stud, and when so turned they ore held by the engagement of the spring'pewl h with the grooves 1 ot the stud-huh. It will be seen that the cap-plate for the stnmphead slots has a slot 12. corresponding with the slot or mortise :c, through which the type-arms Gpass, and the cnpplatc may be locked, if desired.

In the machine the stamps are arranged in registering relation to the letter-supplying compnrtmcnte 1, and as these compartments may all or only some of them be in use in supplying letters at the same ti me to the transferring device I find it necessary to make the stamp independent in its stamping function of the movement of its carrying-bar, so that, although all the stamps may be operated alike, those having the letters supplied to them will be shunted out of action to prevent such stamps from striking the apron 4 and inking it. For this purpose I provide the shank of each ntnmp with it shunting device, no follows: A horizontal bore is mnde iii the ehnnlr of each fstnnip between itoeianipdicnd and the end of its containing-box to receive it rockehnft ll, hnving on one end ittlepcntlingcrnnkurn: L. long enough to extend below thostuinphend A, and on the other end a shorter nrni l etnndintr at about right angles and fortning it double-cranked rock-shaft.

A bracket M on the stamp-head supporten vertical barrel or tube N at that side of the stamp-shank at which the short-crnnk-nrm I stands, and into this tube at plunger'rod P is titled and retained by n. shoulder P, Fig. 11, which limits its descent at a. point below the stamp-heed. The upper end of this plungerrod is connected by a. pin 10, Figs. 11 and 20, and slot 1. with the short crank-urn: L, and is spring p constantly tends to depress the plunger-rod P, and the spring force so exerted acts through the pin and slotted crank-arm L to maintain the ong crnnlc-nrin L in a vertical position, as soon in Figs. 11, 18, and 19, so that this long crnuk-nrm L and the plunger-rod P will both stand below the face of the stamp. 'lhe bnrrel or tube N has a slot through which the pin p of the plungerrod extends to permit the vertical movement of the plunger-rod to operate the roclc shntft through its slotted arm.

I prefer to provide each stmnp with n separate endless npron, so an to place them apart to leave a. space 42, Fig. 8, between their edges in registering relntion with the plunger-rods, no that the lntter will descend without hindrance below the apron when no letter has been supplied to receive theimpression of the stamp, as seen in Fig. 18. In this event the crnnlc-nrm L will be brought down with the stamp and will strike upon the apron 4, and thus arrest the further descent of the stamp C and prevent it from coming into contact with and inking the apron. In time arresting the descent of this stamp the etnmp-carrier 62, however, is allowed by the spring F in the stamp box to continue its full downward movement, so as not to interfere with the stamping function of the other stamps to which letters may have been supplied. In this way the crank-arm L serves to shunt the stamp C out of action when it is descending, and in such function of the shunting crank-arm the apron 4 serves as n fixed base or abutment. hen, however, a letter is in place to receive the impression of the stamp, this crank-arm L must not be in position to act on a shunt upon the stamp, and for this purpose I provide mennswhercbythis crankurm is shunted outof action. Thieis effected by the plunger-rod P, which, descending with the stump, strikes directly upon the letter Q, which latter thus arrests the further descent of the plunger, (see Fig. 20,) because the letter Q stands as a cover for the opening t in the apron 4, while the stamp, continuing to descend, causes the long cranked arm L to be lit) turned to one side outof the way of the stamp, so that it is free to act-,nssccn in l igs. l2 and "3H.

1 is produced by its pin connection p with the short slotted crank-arm L, which is turned upward, and, rocking the shaft, also turns its lon r'crauk-iirin l. up to raise it above the stamp. As both these shunting devices are carried directly by the stamp, they move with it and are only brought. into action by its descent upon the apron in one case and upon the letter in the other case and at a time when both the apron and the letter are without movement. Otherwise both the apron and the letter would be constantly liable to be cut and torn. I provide for holding the separate aprons in parallel relation by means oi one or more ribs 4 fastened on the under side of each apron, and grooving the rolls to receive these ribs, as shown in Figs. 8 and a. I also provide the cross-bed 85, which supports the aprons under the action of the stamps, with holes 4"", which register with the spaces 4 between the aprons 4 toperinit the plungerrods 1 to pass down between the aprons, as seen in Fig. 18.

The supply-compartments l being filled with letters and the machine started, the pneumatic device brings its sucker-tubes down upon the letters, wliiclropen their valves 41,

and are seized and held thereto by suctiom Then rising, the device carries the letteis over to the rear and drops them upon the endless aprons, as seen in Fig. 8, and instantly rcturns to repeat the seizingof letters. During this return movement the stamp-carrying bar is in its highest position, as seen in Fig. 5, and the inking-roll 89 is caused to move forward to ink the stamp-faces and to move back out of the way. The stamp-carrying bar 02 at once descends to effect the required impressions of the stamps upon the letters. During the interval between the deposit of theletters and the making of the impressions thereon the endless aprons are at rest. The letters having received the impressions of'thc stamps, the latter immediately rise and the endless aprons 4 are moved forward to carry the letters to the recciving-compartments.

The release or dropping of the letters by the sucker-tubes 30 is effected by the reverse stroke of the piston R of the air-cylinder R acting to destroy the vacuum in the suckertubes, as seen in Figs. 2 and 2.

The suction device consists of a cylinder R having a piston R and valve R and connected to the sucker-bar UllbOS 30 by a flexible hose S and pipe 8*, which communicate by suitable channels S Fig. 4, with all the SULkGT'lUbG-S, each one of which is provided with a valve 41, arranged to cut oif the suction should there be no letter in the supplycompartincnt. The ascent of the piston R produces a vacuum in the sucker-tubes 30 when they are brought in contact with the letters, and this vacuum is maintained while 'thc sucker-tubes are transferring the letters This shunting action of tho plunger-rod and is destroyed at the moment the transferring dcvico reaches the point to drop the lottcrs by the reverse stroke of the piston it, which opens the valve '11 to admit the air.

The working of the machine is expeditious and is equally edective in handling long, short, and thick and thin letters without adjustment, and one person can supply a machine having six letter-supplying compartmerits.

As the pressure of the sucker-tubes upon the letters has been found to give the package an outward movement upon the follower, I provide the surface with rubber strips 10', placed in oblique rclation,so as to form holds for the bottom letter of the package, and thus prevent it from slipping; or moving out. (Shown in Fig. i0.)

Having thus described astructu re embodying in preferred form all the several features of myinvcutiou in combination,whatlclaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a postmarking and stamp-canceling machine, the combination, with a suitable yielding impressing-stamp and an intermittontly-operating endless apron, a rock-shaft mounted in the stamp-shank,having a crankarm on each end, and a yielding plunger-rod connected to one of said crank-arms, for operation substantially as described.

2. In a postinarking and stamp-canceling machine, the combination, with a suitable yielding impressing-stamp and an intermittently-operating endless apron, a lO0l(-Sllll-fl) mounted in thestaiiip-sliank,liaving acrankarm on each end at about right angles to each other, one of said crank-arms having a slot, and a yielding plunger-rod connected by a pin in the said slot, one of said crank-arms and the plunger-rod having a length suliicient to extend below the impressing-surface, for operation substantially as described.

3. In a postmarking and stamp-canceling machine, the combination, with an impressing-stamp, a carrying-box therefor, and a spring upon said stamp,and an iutorinittently operating endless apron, arock-sliaft mounted in the stamp-shank, having a. crank-arm on each end, a plunger-rod connected to one of said crank-arms, a tube or barrel containing said plunger-rod, and a spring within said barrel upon said plunger-rod, for operation substantially as described.

4. In a postmarking and stamp-canoeling device, a stamp having a spring-sustained shank part C, provided with a slotted impressing-hcad and a vertical side dovetail rib y, in combination with the horizontal stud or hub I, having an end recess 3 for engaging said shank-rib, an armed type-wheel upon said stud or hub, and a screw centrally engaging said stud against said shank-rib, substantially as described.

5. In a postmarking and canceling stamp, it stamping device having a spring-sustainoil impressing part, the head A whereof has two parallel slots, one of which is of dovetail crosssection. type l of cnrrcspoinling form to said slot seated therein and hrn'ing' inclined holes in their lztllli ends. in combination with an armed Zype-whccl nrmngt-d t opernte within the other slot of ranid brad, whereby the type is The month rind the day mat be easily lttitl quickly changed in said head.

6. in n posinmrltingi nnd stnmp-cnncclinn machine, the combination, with n, suitnble y elding itnpressiiigslnmp, of a rock-shnft mounted in the stnmpshnnk, having it cranknrm on each end, a plunger-rod connected to one of said crnnk-arn1s,amlnn intermittentlyopernting endless npron having an opening registering with said plunger-rod, for Opltittion in the way described.

'7. In It postinnrltim: and stnmpcnnceling machine. it. stomping device consisting of n. horizontal cross-bar having a series of vortically-yioldinr: iinpressing-stamps, each contnintngnhorizontal rot2l-nlmftb:t\'ingacraokarm on each end, and n yielding plungenrod connected to each one of said crank-arms, intermittently-operiiting endless aprons corre sponding with said stamps; and having openings registeri ng with said plunger-rods, lettersupplying compartments registering with said aprons and stamps, an intermittently-operating pneumatic letter-transferring device, and suitable mechanism for operating the stampcnrrying bar in unison with the movements of the aprons and oftbe said transferrin device, for operation substantially as descri ed.

8. In a postmnrlting and stamp-canceling machine, the combination, with a. suitable yielding impressingstnmp and an intermittently-operntinn endless npron, ll. horizontal roek-nhnft mounted in bearings in the stamp shank, having; 2. crank-urn". carried in relation to said npron to be brought into contact therewith bythe descent of the stamp to shunt the latter out of notion when descending, in the way and for the purpose described.

9. In H. machine forpostnntrhing mail-mob ter nndcnncoling the postage-stomps thereon, the combination of interniittently-opernting enlesn aprons, n c erics oi lettcnsupply compnrtinentn, and on intermittently-operntod letter-transferring dcvioe,with a horizontal cross bar having verticallyclepending impressing-stomps, 'rerticnl slides connecting the ends of said bar with the end Frames, 2. rocloshai't hnvinp slotted arms connecting said slides, and suimble mechanism loroperatlilflfirtlli rock-shaft.substantially as described.

i in ll, posimnrking and stamp-canceling mitrhino, the combination of intermittentlyopcrnting" endless aprons, n. series of lettersuppijiing compartments, and an intermit- Q lY-operntcd iettor-transferring device, with :1 horizontal cross-bar having verticallydepcnding impressingstetm ps, vertical Slides connecting said bnr with the and frames, is rock-shaft having slotted arms connecting said slides, it sprin sustained inking-roll, horizontal riders or bearers for guiding the inking-roll under the smmpn, and suitable mechanism for opernti in; mild inking-roll find the stamp-carrying bnr, substantially as described.

ii. In a posinntrhiinz nnd stmnpwnncoling machine, the combination of intermittentlyopcmting endless nprone, n series of lettersupplying c'nnpnrtrnents, and tin intermittent y operated letter transferring device, with n verlicnlly-operntod stnmpcarryint: bar having vertical end slides and horizontal riders or bearers registering with horizontal riders or bearers having, fixed relation to the end frames, 3 spring-z sustained inking -roll adapted to move horizontally under said riders when in registering rclntiomnnri mechanism for operating said inkingnoll and the said stump-carrying bar, substantially an de" scribed.

12. In a postmzirking and stamp-annealing machine, the combination of intermittentlyoperating endless aprons and intermittentlyopernting letter-transferring devices having or circular movement over said aprons, n. vertically-reel procnting: stnmpcnrrier, n. horizontnlly-reciproct'tting inking-roll, concting titted nnd movable rider ports for said roll, nod suitnblo nutomnticnlUwvpcrnied mechanism or conjointly operating them in the way doscribed.

In testimony whereof lrtilix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM GRO'IH.

Witnesses:

WILL T. Nonrorz, C. H. Moiiwnn.