US643987A

US643987A - Stamp-canceling and postmarking machine.

Info

Publication number: US643987A
Application number: US65699997A
Authority: US
Inventors: George W Schock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1897-11-01
Filing date: 1897-11-01
Publication date: 1900-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1917-02-20

Description

No. 643,987. 1 v

' G. W. SCHOCK.

STAMP GANGELING AND POSTMARKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 1, 1897.)

Patented Feb. 20, I900.

(No Model.)

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witnesses.-

, Geo elflcizocli N0. 643,987. Patented Feb. 20, I900.

G. W. SCHUCK. STAMP CANCELING AND POSTMARKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 1, 1897.)

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(No Model.)

wttnes se THE NcRms PETERS to, Pnm'ca-| |n a.v WASHINGTON, u. c.

No. 643,987. Patented Feb. 20, I900.

G. W. SCHOCK. STAMP CANCELING AND POSTMABKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 1, 1897.)

4Sheets-Sheet 4.

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PATENT GEORGE W. SOHOCK, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

STAMP-CANCELIN'G AND POSTMARKING MACHINE SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,987, dated February 20,

T0 to whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, GEORGE W. SoHooK, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Bend, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Canceling and Postmarking Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a sta m p-cancelin g and postmarking machine of the class wherein the mail-matter is automatically fed to the marking-die; and the object of the invention is to provide a machine which shall be inexpensive, being of few parts, and shall be practically noiseless, the marking-dies having a rotation independent of each other.

The invention consists in improved automatic means for feeding and separating the letters successively from a parcel of letters loosely placed upon the machine and feeding them through the machine,whereby the stamp is canceled and the letters are postmarked,

onto a table ready for distribution or delivery.

The invention further consists in the parts shown in the drawings, described in the specification, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is aplan view of my improved machine embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig.3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the machine. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the same, taken at a point indicated by the line m as, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the machine, taken at a point indicated by the line y y, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the ink-receptacle. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the same. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the upper edge of the ink-receptacle, showing the means for regulating the feed of the ink therefrom. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of one of the rotary heads, illustrating the construction and arrangement and location of the parts thereof. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the feed-screws and feed-weight arranged thereon. Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view of one of the rotary heads of the machine, illustrating a modification of the means for securing the postmark- Application filed November 1, 18 9 '7. Serial No. 6 5 6, 9 9 9. (No model.)

ing-die and type therein. Fig. 12 is a sec-'- tional plan View on the line 2' a, Fig. 2.

In carrying out my invention the frame 1 of the machine is supported upon legs 2, secured to a suitablebase-plate or floor of the building by bolts 3. The frame comprises and supports a table 4, upon which the carrying mechanism for the mail-matter is supported and moves, a table 5, upon which is secured the feeding mechanism for successively separating the individual parts of the mail-matter from a parcel of mail matter placed thereon, and a table 6, which carries the delivery mechanism.

This invention pertains to that class of machines wherein the mailmatter is placed thereon in loose parcels or packages, and the feeding mechanism therefor comprises the means for separating the parts of the parcel or package and placing them upon the carrier,which carries them successively between the marking-dies and upon the delivering mechanism, which in turn carries the mailmatter to a table ready for delivery or transportation.

. J ournaled in suitable bearings 7, arranged upon two of the supporting-legs 2, is a powershaft 8 of the machine, upon one end of which is arranged a pulley 9, over which runs a belt 10, which receives motion from any suitable source of motive power, by which means the shaft 8 has a continuous revolution controlled by a suitable clutch or belt shifting lever located within easy reach of the operator. Secured upon the shaft 8 is a pulley 10, over which and over pulleys 11 and 12, arranged upon

shafts

13 and 14, respectively, j ournaled in suitable bearings arranged in and carried by the frame, runs a belt 15, whichl designate the carrier-belt, the said belt also serving as a means to revolve the several revoluble parts of the machine, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

16 designates an idler journaled upon a bolt or shaft 17, secured in a slot 18 in the frame, said idler having a vertical adjustment, as shown, and acting as a tightener for the carrier-belt.

The feeding mechanism comprises

screwshafts

19 and 20, arranged longitudinally of the table 5 and transversely to the machine,

the screw-shafts being journaled in bearings 21 at one end and resting on half-bearings 22 at the opposite end. Upon the outer ends of said shafts are secured grooved wheels 23, over which and over a similar grooved wheel 24 upon the shaft 13 passesa belt 25, by which means the revolution imparted to the shaft 13 by means of the carrier-belt is transmitted to the

shafts

19 and 20, which have a revolution in the same direction.

The table 5 is located slightly above the table 4, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the table 4 having

flanges

26 and 27 extending upwardly therefrom, which forms a channel extending from beneath the end of the table 5 to the marking-dies. Arranged upon one side of the table 5 and projecting upwardly therefrom is aflange 28, which is of a similar height to the

flanges

26 and 27, which serves as an end guide to the mail-matter placed upon the feeding mechanism, as will be hereinafter more fully described. Secured to the flange 27 opposite the end of the table 5 is a hanger 29, having vertical arms 30, in which is j on rnaled a shaft 31, having secured thereon a roller 32, between the arms 30 of the hanger and a grooved pulley 33, arranged upon the outer end of said shaft. Secured in a vertical slot 34, arranged in one of the legs 2, is a hanger 35, in which is journaled a shaft 36, upon which is secured a pulley 37, against which the carrier-belt 15 has a frictional engagement whereby the pulley 37 is revolved, and a grooved wheel 38, over which and over the grooved pulley 33 passes a belt 39, by which means the shaft 31,and consequently the roller 32, is revolved. The roller 32'is provided with a series of longitudinally-arranged pins 40, extending along the entire length of the roller, and a peripheral row of pins 41, arranged upon the forward end thereof.

When it is desired to place a parcel of mailmatter upon the machine, the matter is placed to rest with its lower edge upon the

screwshafts

19 and 20 and to incline as shown in Fig. 5,the upperedge resting against the roller 32. Resting upon the screw-shafts are the ends 42 of a gravity feed-bar 43, the ends 42 being screw-threaded upon their under sides and bearing upon the screw-

threads

19 and 20, whereby they are simultaneously moved forward by the revolution of the SC16W-Sl121fi3S. Projecting upwardly from the bar 43 at a point midway its length is a projection 44, which is adapted to bear against the outer side of the parcel and to exert a pressure thereon to feed the same forwardly toward the roller 32.

Secured at each end of the flange 28, heretofore described, is a wire 45, the one edge of which is bent upwardly, as at 46, Fig. 5, to a point adjacent to the inner end of the roller 32, said rod forming a stop for the letters while they are supported upon the

screwshafts

19 and 20. Screw-shaft 20 is slightly longer than the shaft 19, whereby the mailmatter is released by the screw-shaft 19 prior to its release by the screw-shaft 20, the object being to release the letter in such a manner from the screw-shaft that the frictional engagement of the roller 32 will be such as to force the letter downwardly upon the carrierbelt 15, the forward end being the lowest, whereby the danger of the forward end abutting against the wire 46 when released by the screw shafts and clogging the machine is avoided, a pin 45, extending across the carrier-belt slightly above the same at a point below and at one side of the shaft 20, serving as a medium to catch the rear end of the mailmatter,whereby only the forward end can contact with the carrier-belt to receive the initial movement imparted thereby.

The operation of the feeding mechanism is as follows: The carrier-belt being in motion, revolution is imparted to the screw-shafts, andlthe feed-bar 43 is impelled forward toward the roller 32. The mail-matter is there'- fore fed thereby and is forced downward by the roller 32 upon the carrier-belt, it being understood that the speed of revolution of the screw-shafts and the number of threads upon the screw-shafts are proportionate to the size of the mail-matter fed thereby.

The canceling and postmarking mechanism comprises a revoluble impression member and marking die, arranged oppositely to each other, and the carrying mechanism interposed between the same and the feeding mechan ism, and is constructed and arranged as follows: The table 4 is formed with

side flanges

47 and 48, and in the side flange 47 is an orifice having a depending annular side wall 49 integral with the flange 47, in which is placed a lining of Babbitt or brass 50, which forms a bearing for the upper end of a shaft 51.

Secured between two of the supporting-legs of the machine is a brace 52, having orifices 53, through one of which extends a box 54, in which the lower end of the shaft 51 is journaled, the box being supported in said orifices 53, being secured to the brace 52 by means of screw-bolts 55, passing through depending lugs 56 upon the brace 52 and bearing in side orifices in the hearing, as shown more specifically in Figs. 2 and 12.

Arranged upon the shaft 8 in alinemont with the shaft 51 is a band-wheel 57, over which and over a like wheel 58, arranged upon the shaft 51, passes a belt 59, by which motion is imparted to the shaft 51. Secured upon the upper end of the shaft 51, above the table 4, is a marking-die 60, secured thereon to revolve therewith by means of the set-screws 61. Arranged in parallel relation with the shaft 51, upon opposite sides of the table 4, is a shaft 62, journaled at its upper end in a sliding block 63, arranged in an elongated opening 64 in the side flange 48 of the table 4 and at its lower end in a box 65, pivotally secured in the brace 52 by means of the bolts 66, as has heretofore been described in reference to the box 54. Arranged upon the lower end of the

shafts

51 and 62 are gear-

wheels

67 and 68, which mesh together, and by which means motion is transmitted from the shaft 51 to the shaft 62 to cause the shafts to revolve in opposite direction.

Secured upon the upper end of the shaft 62 is an impression member 69, which is of similar form and construction to the marking-die and operates in conjunction therewith to cancel a stamp and place the postmark upon mail-matter passed between the same, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Pivotally secured between lugs projecting outwardly from the

flanges

26 and 27, extending upwardly from the table 4:, are levers and 71, .which are normally held in the position shown in Fig. 3 by means of coil-springs 72 and 73, which are interposed between the

flanges

26 and 27, respectively, and the outer ends of the levers,.the springs being coiled around

rods

74 and 75, which are secured at one end to the

flanges

26 and 27, respectively, and passed through orifices in the outer ends of the

levers

70 and 71, the rods serving the purpose to form a guide for the rear end of the levers and also for a support for the springs. The inner end ofthe lever is provided with an angled projection76, and the lever 7 0 at its inner end is of a snflicient width to project above the lever 71, as shown more specifically in Fig. 9. The inner ends of the levers abut against each other and form a stopfor the mail-matter as it is successively fed by the feeding mechanism heretofore described and carried forward by the carrierbelt 15, the mail-matter being held by the levers until the levers are separated and the mail-matter is grasped and carried forward by the coaction of the impression member and the printing-die and the mechanism carried thereby. The general outlines and construction of the impression member and printing-die being the same a description of one will suffice for the other. The impression. member and printing-die comprise a body 77, having a segmental lug 78, the outer periphery of which is concentric to the axis of the body 77.

79 and 80 designate flanges extending outwardly from the upper side of the body, upon opposite sides thereof, and arranged above the flange 79 and pivotally secured thereto at its outer end by means of the pivot-bolt S1 is a clamping-dog 82, having a serrated clam pingsurface 83 upon its outer end, the under side of said dog having a downwardly-projecting lug portion 84.: The clamping-dogs are designed to grasp the letter and to frictionally carry it forward simultaneously with the operation of the opening of the levers 70, which is accomplished by the shoulder 84 upon the clamping-dog carried by the marking die abutting against and forcing the inner end of the lever 70 outwardly and the mail-matter beyond the projection 76. The pressure exerted by the clamping-dog is regulated by the coiled spring 82 ,interposed between the same and a lug 83 upon the marking-die, a rod 84 and nut 84c adjusting the tension of the spring;

Arranged beneath the projection 80 and secured thereto by means of a nut 85 is a tubular socket 86, through which passes a rod 87,

carrying on its outer end a bearing 88 for an auxiliary inking-wheel 89, normally held in an outward position, as shown in Fig. 9, by means of a coil-sprin g 90, interposed between the bearing and the head of the socket 86, a nut 91, screwed upon the rear end of the rod 87 and bearing against the socket, determining the outward movement of the inking-wheel.

The impression member and printing-die having a revolution in opposite directions, as has been heretofore described, the segmental portions 78 are timed tocoincide with each other upon each revolution of the same, the movable bearing 63 for the impression member being adjusted positively outward for this purpose. To accomplish this adjustment, the inner side of the box 63 is inclined, as shown at 92, Fig. 4, as is also the outer face of the table at, as shown at 93, and between these inclined surfaces is arranged a wedge-shaped block 94, having a depending stem 95, which passes through the eye of an eyebolt 96, carried by the frame, the rod and wedge-shaped head being adjusted vertically by means of nuts 97, screwed upon the stem above and below the eyebolt 96.

In order to allow of an outward movement of the impression-cylinder, and consequently the shaft 62 and the bearing. 63, the outer flange of the extension 48 of the table 4 is provided with a screw-threaded orifice, in which is screwed a sleeve 98, between the inner end of which and the bearing-63 is interposed a coilspring 99, the sleeve being capable of being screwed in and out to adjust the tension of the spring, ajam-nut 100, screwing upon the sleeve and bearing against the metal of the extension 48, holding the sleeve in an adjusted position. The sleeve is provided with a central longitudinal orifice, through which extends a stem 101, secured to and carried by the bearing 63,a nut 102,screwing upon the outer end of the stem and bearing against the sleeve, serving as a means by which the sleeve can be adjusted prior to the adjustment by the wedge 94:, and thus leave the tension of the spring 99 between the sleeve 98 and the bearing 63 unchanged. The impression memberand the printing-dieare thus held apart at any required distance to suit the thickness of the mail-matter to be canceled, the pressure of the printing-die upon the mail-matter being also kept uniform or of a required pressure by means of the spring 99 and the means for adjusting it above described.

The outer periphery of the segmental portion 78 of the impression-cylinder is perfectly smooth but the outer face of the segmental portion of the marking-die is provided with suitable means for holding the cancelingtype or the usual line-type are placed, which provide a means by which the stamp upon the mail-matter is canceled as it passes between the marking-die and the impressioncylinder, as has heretofore been described. The metal comprising the segmental portion 78 of the marking-die is also cut away, forming a rectangular orifice 103, in which is placed a box 104 to receive the type which prints the postmark upon the mail-matter, the type being held within the holder by means of the top plate 105, which is held in place bya clamping-lever 106, bearing at one end upon the top of the marking-die and at its opposite end upon the top plate 105 with the pressure exerted by a screw 107, the head of which bears against the clamping-plate, the stem of which screws into a correspondingly-shaped orifice in the metal of the mark-- ing-die.

Arranged upon the extension 47 of the table 4 and pivotally secured thereto at 108 is a plate 109, having a flange 110 extending upwardly at the edge thereof except at its forward edge 111, this plate carrying the inkreceptacle 112 and inking-rollers 113 and 114. The ink-receptacle comprises an outer cupshaped box and an inner box 116, each being provided with orifices 117 and 118, respectively, which when they coincide, as shown in Fig. 7, allow the ink to flow therethrough and be transmitted by the inkingrollers 113 and 114 to the marking projections and type upon the marking-die, which contact with the inking-roller 114 upon each revolution of the markingdie. When, however, the orifices in the receptacles 115 and the box 116 are placed out of coincidence the feed of the ink is shut off or can be regulated. To regulate or cut off the feed of the ink, I have provided the receptacle 115 and the box 116 with

projections

119 and 120, respectively, which are in alinement, the projection 119 having a slot 120, in which fits the stem 121 of a thumb-screw 122, there being a nut upon the stem upon each side of the projection 119, by which means the stem is held from longitudinal movement therein. The outer end of the stem is screw-threaded and screws into a threaded orifice in the projection 120, whereby the projections can be brought together or forced apart, which effects a revolution of the receptacle 115 or box 116 with relation to each other, and consequently regulates the size of the feed-orifices or entirely closes the same, according to the direction of revolution of the stem of the thumb-screw 122.

After the mail-matter is passed between the marking-roller and the impression-cylinder, whereby the stamp is canceled and the postmark is placed thereon, it is carried by the impetus given thereto by the carrier-belt onto the table 6 and is forced outwardly in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, by, means of the worm-screw 123,which is mounted upon a shaft 124, journaled in suitable bearings in the frame and arranged parallel to the shaft 14, by which it is driven through the medium of a belt 125, passed over pulleys 126 127, se-' cured upon the

shafts

14 and 124, respectively. In the operation of the machine a parcel or bundle of mail-matter is placed upon the feeding mechanism, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the feed-plate is placed upon the screw-shafts,- the arm 44 abutting against the parcel, and the machineis put into motion,which revolves the screw-shafts and forces the feed-plate forward to cause the individual parts to pass beyond the end of the screw-shafts and to be forced by the rotary drum 32 downward upon the carrier-belt. The carrier-belt having a revolution, as indicated by the arrow, Fig. 3, carries the mail-matter forward and until stopped by the angled end of the lever 71.

The clamping-dogs 82 are timed in their revolution to assume the position shown in Fig. 1 and to grasp the mail-matter and to simultaneously move the inner end of the lever 70 outward, as has been heretofore described, and thereby move the mail-matter forward between the impression-cylinder and the marking-die and cancel the stamp and place the postmark thereon by means of the impression-type heretofore described, which are inked upon each revolution of the marking-die by contact with the inking-roller 114, the mail-matter being released by the impression-cylinder and marking-die or parts carried thereby upon a still further revolution of the same and is carried forward by the carrier-belt and thrown upon the table 6, where it is wormed by the worm-screw 123 in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1.

Should the stamp be placed upon the lefthand corner of the envelop, the markingroller 89 will contact therewith, being previously engaged by contact with the inkingroller 114, and cancel the stamp.

The impression-cylinder is at all times held from engagement with any part of the body of the marking-die by the wedge 94, as has been heretofore described, and has an outward movement against the tension of the spring 99 to compensate for different thicknesses of mail-matter passed between the same and the marking-die.

128 and 129 represent tables suitably supported upon the frame which form extensions of the tables 4 and 5, respectively, the table 128 having a hinged portion 130, which can be folded back, as shown in Fig. 1, to expose the impression -cylinder and its adjusting mechanism when it is desired to adjust or repair the same.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a modification of the type-holder which consists in forming in the face of the segmental portion 78 of the marking-die an orifice in which fits a typeholder 131, having a recess 132 upon its upper side, near the forward end thereof, and an inclined rear face 133. The interior of the type-holder is provided with an orifice 134 to receive the type 135, which are formed with a recess 136 in the side thereof, in which a pin 137 fits, carried by one side of the type-holder,

it being understood that the type-holder is formed of two sections held together in an alined position by the said pin 137.

138 designates a lever pivoted centrally of its length at 139 to a lug projecting upwardly from the upper face of the marking-die, the forward end 140 of said lever extending through an orificein the marking-die and normally resting in the recess 132 in the typeholder. The opposite end of the lever 133 is provided with a depending projection 141, inclined upon its inner face, the spring 142 arranged thereon and interposed between the marking-die and the body of the lever serving to hold the rear end of the lever in a raised position.

The operation is as follows: W hen the rear end of the lever is depressed, the portion 140 of the lever is disengaged from the recess 132, the rear end being depressed and pressing against the inclined rear face 133 of the typeholder forces the same outward, whereby it can be grasped by the operator and entirely removed and separated for the removal of the type contained therein and for the insertion of new ones.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, the combination with a revoluble impression member and marking-die,of means for separating and feeding the mailmatter progressively comprising revoluble screw feed-shafts upon which the mail-matter rests and is separated'one by one in its forward movement, means for revolving the same, and an auxiliary feed-plate adapted to move coincidently with the feed movement of the screw-shafts, substantially as described.

2. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, in combination with a revoluble impression member and marking-die,of means for separating and feeding the mail-matter successively from aparcel or bundle of mailmatter, comprising revoluble screw-shafts, a gravity feed-plate resting upon the screwshafts, and means for revolving the screwshafts, substantially as described.

3. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, in combination with a revoluble impression member and marking die, of screwshafts and means for revolving the same, a feed-plate resting upon the shafts, the outer screw-shaft being of greater length than the opposite shaft, substantially as described.

41:. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, in combination with a revoluble impression member and marking-die, of a table supporting the feeding mechanism, screwshafts each journaled at one end in bearings carried by the table, an upwardly-projecting flange upon the inner side of the table, a stop secured thereto and projecting above the ends of the screw-shafts, a feeding-plate propelled by the screw-shafts, and means for revolving the screw-shafts, substantially as described.

In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine in combination with a revoluble impression member and marking-die of a feed mechanism, and the canceling and marking mechanism, a revoluble drum having longitudinally-arranged pins and a peripheral row of pins upon the forward end thereof, substantially as described.

6. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, a frame having a revoluble printing-die journaled in fixed bearings thereon, a revoluble impression member, a journalbox, and means for adjusting the same located between the said box and frame, a stem extending outwardly from the box, a sleeve screwed into an outer bracket extension of the frame through which the stem passes, a spiral spring upon the stem to pass between the box and sleeve and a nut adjustable upon the same to bear against the outer end of the sleeve, substantially as described.

'7. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, in combination with a revoluble impression member and marking-die, a carrierbelt and means for continuously feeding mailmatter thereon, a stop for the mail-matter arranged in front of the canceling and postmarking mechanism comprising levers against which the mail-matter abuts, dogs carried by the impression member and marking-die respectively adapted to grasp the mail-matter held by the levers, the dog upon the marking die simultaneously abutting against and positively separating the levers, substantially as described.

8. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, the combination of a revoluble impression member and marking-die and means for feeding mail-matter thereto, dogs carried by the impression member and printing-die normally held in a projected position, and an inking-wheel carried by the marking-die normally held in a projected position, substantially as described.

9. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, the combination of a revoluble impression member and marking-die and means for feeding mail-matter thereto, of an ink-receptacle comprising an inner and an outer casing, each having perforations in horizontal alinement, lugs upon the casings and a screw-bolt connecting the lugs, whereby the casings are revolved with reference to each other, and inking-rollers having a peripheral contact with the periphery of the ink-receptacle, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. GEORGE W. SOHOOK.

Witnesses:

B. KRUEPER, B. FERSTL.