US652821A - Stamp-canceling machine. - Google Patents

Description

\ Patented my s, |900. E. M. vAlL & G.VP0TTER.

STAMP cANcELmG mAcHlNE.

' (Application led May B, 1899.) v(No Model.) S Sheets-Sheet I.

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A Patented .luly--3, l900. E. M. VAIL & G. POTTER.

STAMP CANCELING MACHINE.

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f o o m 3, ,.W. U 1 d e t n e .I a P. bn. E T T 0 Dl. hw ou L A V M m 8, 2 5 0. N

STAMP CANCELING MACHINE.

s sheets-sheet 3.

(Application filed May B, 1899.)

(No Model.)

Edward v 'zzZean/Easr No. 652,821. Patented July 3, |900. E HM. vAlL as. POTTER.

STAMP cANcELING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 8, 1899.)

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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E. M. VAIL &. G. POTTER. STAMP CANCELINGMAGHINE. (Application med' May s, w99.)

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No; 652,82l.

s sheets-sheet s.'

E M VATL & G POTTERA STAMP CANCELING MACHINE.

(Application filed May B, 1899.)

(No Model.)

UNrTED FST-ALTES:

YATENT OFriCE.

-EDWARD MFVAIL- AND GIDEON POTTER, OF KEVANEE, ILLINOIS.

,STAMP-CANcEniNG MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 652,821, dated July 3, A1900. Application filed May 8, 1899. Serial No. 715,973. (No model.)

and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Stamp-Canceling Machine, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to a postmarking and stamp-canceling machine for use in connecxo tion with letters and other inail-matter requiring the cancellation of stamps andv the designationof the post-office; and the invention consists in an improvement upon the construction shown and described in a former patent, No. 625,861, grantedv to us on the 30th f An object of the present invention isto improve the constructionof the letter-feeding mechanism and the means whereby the letter 2o or other object is grasped and positively advanced during the impression thereof to mark the post-office and cancel the stamp, and particularly in this connection to provide means whereby the letter may be grasped when its z5` body portion` is of a different thickness froi its edge portion. Y j

-A further object of the invention is to provide suchY means for feeding the letters or other objects'asuto enable the relation be- 3o tween the letter-engaging devices and -the printing-faces to be varied, to insure the application ofthe impression to the desired portion of the envelop,and also toadapt the mechanism for operating upon envelops of diiferent sizes.

4o' them transversely from the letter-way to the printing mechanism, and in this connection to provide means whereby the extent of projection of the letter-engaging spurs into the transverse path traversed by the letters may be varied to insure an efficient engagement of the letter.

.d A further object 01";l the invention is to simplify and improve the construction of the seleeting or restraining device, and particu- 50. larly t0 provide such a construction 'of restraining device as to adapt it to yield'when n encountered by a package of unusual thickl ness withoutlosing its restraining eifect upon other packages or objects.

A further object of the invention is to improve the construction of the roller bed or platen, whereby it is adapted for adjustment to secure an even impression of the type upon theV surface of the letter-envelop when the envelop varies in thickness from one edge toward the other.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in connection with the printing mechanism, means for facilitating the change of the type for indicating thel year, month, day, and hour.

Afurther object of the-invention is to provide an improved construction of operating devices and trip mechanism for releasing the same when the last letter has left the letter- 'way.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a postal-card attachment, and in addition thereto to construct the rear or receiving letter-way to adapt it for the reception of letters of different lengths. y

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. j

In the drawings, Figure I is a plan View of a stam p-canceling machine constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a vlongitudinal section on the piane indicated by the line t 4 of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on theplane indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a detail elevation of the bed-roller and adjacent portions, including the face of the printing-roller, to show the position of an envelop duringthe printing operation. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional View of the bed-roller. Fig. 8 is a similar view of the inking-fountain. F-ig. 9 is a similar view of the printing-roller.` Fig. 10 is a horizontal section of theprinting-roller on the plane indicated by the line 10 10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a similar view taken upon the plane indicated by the line 11 l1 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a detail vertical section of the typeholder. Fig. 13 is a detail view in perspective of the envelop-feeding devices and the transverse outlet at the inner end of the letter-way. Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view to show ,the means for securing the transverse letter-guide in its adjusted positions. Figs. 15 and 16 are detail views in perspective, respectively, of the postal-card attachments for the longitudinal and transverse guides of the letter-way.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

A table or bed 1 is supported bya stand 2, of any suitable construction, and arranged longitudinally of the bed at an intermediate point of its width is a wall or guide 3, forming a front letter-way 4, adapted to receive the stack of letters to be canceled and postmarked. In the construction illustrated the guide or wall 3 consists of a strip or strips supported by brackets 5, rising from the table or bed, said guide terminating short of the plane of a transverse wall forming one end of the letter-way- 4 and comprising transverse strips G and 7 and a bracket 8, of which the latter is secured to the table or bed by means of a bolt 9, which serves to allowa slight turning or pivotal movement of the bracket or standard to vary the positions of the strips G and 7 with relation to the extremity of the guide 3.

Mounted adjacent to the transverse letterguide is the letter-feeding mechanism consisting in the construction illustrated of an endless belt or carrier 10, traversing carrierrolls 11 and 12, of which the former is mounted upon a spindle 13, rising from the table. Preferably said spindle 13 is carried by a swinging bracket 14, pivoted upon the table and slotted, as at 15, for engagement by a set screw 16 to secure the bracket at the desired adjust-ment and correspondingly secure the sprocket-wheel or peripherally-toothed drum 11 in the desired position with relation to the cooperating carrier roll or drum 12. At an intermediate point this belt or carrier traverses a pressnre-roll17, mounted in an adjustable bracket 18, held in place by a setscrew 19, engaging a slot 20, whereby said bracket 18 is capable of both pivotal and longitudinal adjustment to vary the position of the pressure-roll with relation to the plane of the transverse letter-guide.

The belt or carrier is provided at intervals with spurred or toothed letter-engaging plates 21, which may be of any preferred construction, but which, as illustrated in the drawings, are detachably secured to the belt or carrier to provide for their replacement when worn. In the construction illustrated the spurred plates are beveled at their opposite edges to fit in seats 22, attached to the belt.

The carrier-drum 12, which is peripherally toothed, forms one member of a printingroller which is carried by a vertical shaft 23, mounted in suitable bearings in the frame and adapted to receive motion from operating mechanism, of which the construction is hereinafter fully explained. Said printing roller comprises a peripherally-milled disk 24, arranged near the front of the bed or table-top, a printing-drum 25, superposed upon said disk 24, the above-described carrierdrum 12, in turn arranged upon said printing-drum, and a cap 26, threaded upon the upper end of the shaft 23'to hold the said parts 24, 25, and 12 in place thereon. Also extending through the cap and said parts 25 and 12 and threaded into the disk 24 is a locking-pin 27, adapted to hold the parts of the printing-roller against independent rotation, and thus allow the shaft 23 to turn the printing-drum and advance the letter-feed belt regularly and proportionately to said printing-drum. At a suitable point in its periphery the printing-drum is provided with a recess or seat 28 for the reception of the postmarking type-roller, which consists of a box 29, fitted with a removable cap-plate 30, the exposed portions of the box and cap-plate being adapted to form type-faces for indicating the place ofthe post-oiiice, and within this holder are arranged type 31, having a suitable interlockingeonnectionjwith the holder to prevent accidentaldisplacement. In theconstruction illustrated the cap-plate is held in place by means of studs or pins 32, projecting upward from the walls of the box, and the cap-plate and the bottom of the box are provided with transverse ribs 33 for engagement with transf ".-jr verse'notches 1n the type. t 1111s type-holder is fitted for radial movement in the cavity or recessformed in the printing-drum ,and seated in the inner wall of said recess or cavity are displacing-springs 34, bearing against the inner end of the type-holder and adapted to project the same from the seat when released. Also mounted upon the printing-drum is a retaining-catch 35, consisting of a spring having a shoulder 36 for engagement with a shoulder or notch 37 in the cap-plate of the holder. lVhen the holder is placed in the cavity or recess of the printing-drum and is pressed inward against the tension of the displacing-springs 34, the catch will engage the holder and maintain it in its operative position. On the other hand, by disengaging the catch from the holder the latter will be projected to enable the operator to readily grasp the same when it is necessary lto change the type. In the constructionillustrated an operating-rod 37 extends upward from the catch IOO IOS

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through suitably-alined openings in the UOOLhed drum 12 and the cap-plate 2G.

It will be understood that to insure the". proper operation of the mechanism it is necesto the printing-drum to insure the desired cooperation of the parts. Also attached to the periphery of the printing-drum is the cancel-y ing element 39.

For holding the transverse letter-guide at the desired adjustment with relation to the letter-feed belt, (which is arranged in a horizontal plane between the upper and lower strips 6 and 7 of said guide,) we employ studs 40, extending inward from the strips and fitted in guide-openings in a standard 41, said standard also having set-screws 42, adapted to engage the studs or pins 40, and the variation of the letter-guide with relation to the plane of the belt is such as 4to cause the projection of the spurs on the feed-plates to a greater or less extent beyond the plane of the outer surface of said letter-guide. Also by varying the adjustment of the bracket which supports the pressure-roll the tension of the feed-belt may be varied, and the point at which the spurred feed-plates are brought into operative relation with the, letters in the letter-way may be varied. The adjustment of the bracket which supports the idle beltcarrying drum 1l also serves to take up'looseness of the feed-belt and insures an operative relation between theV elements of' the feed mechanism.

.Arranged adjacent to the outer side of the vtransverse letter-guide and in coperative relation with the printing-roller is a `bed-roller -termediate point with a circumferentiallycushioned bearing-surface of annular construction arranged in thev horizontal plane of the printing-drum and consisting of' a ring 44, of hard rubber or equivalent material, Within' which is arranged a concentric cushion-ring 45, of' soft rubber, fitted around a sleeve 46, which extends upward from and may be formed integral with a peripherally-milled letter-engaging disk 47, said letter-engaging disk being arranged in the plane of and adapted to coperate with the .milled disk 24 ot' the printing-roller, whereby the lower edge of a letter is engaged to insure the positive advance of the letter during the contact with the surface thereof of theprinting elements. The described members of the bed-roller are 1 held in place by a cap-.plate 48, threaded upon vwhich forms theh ub of the bed-roller, is fitted the upper end of the sleeve 46, and the sleeve,

' for revoluble movement upon a pin 49, connecting the upper and lower arms of a yoke 50, Vconsisting of the forked inner end of a plunger 51, mounted in a guide-frame having spaced guide- standards 52 and 53. Preferably the lower end of the pin which forms an axis of the bed-roller is fitted in a bearing in the lower arm of said yoke, while the upper end thereof yis fitted in a bearing in a yielding bearing-block 54, fitted for longitudinal Sliding movement in a guide formed in .thev

upper arm of said yoke, and yieldinglyheld cushion spring 55. The lower end of the v pivot-pin 49 fits with Vsufficient looseness in the opening or bearing in the lower arm of the yoke to allow the inward and outer movement of the upper end of said pin, due to a corresponding movement of the bearingblock 54, when pressure sufficient to repress the spring 55 is applied to the bed-roller. The bearing-ring of the bed-roller is adapted to yield to insure a sharp impression of the type-faces upon a letter interposed between the printing-drum and said bed-roller; but should the letterV vary in thickness between its body portion and that edge which is engaged by the milled disks 24 and 47 the bearing-block 54 is adapted to yield to cause the efficient contact of the printing elements with the object. Also to accommodate varying thicknesses of packages, such as letters or other objects, in their passage between the printing-roller and the bed-roller the plunger, which is capable of longitudinal movement in the guides 52 and 53, is yieldingly held in itsinwardly-advanced position by aspring 56, coiled upon a longitudinal pin 57, arranged in a longitudinal slot in the shaft of the plunger, one end of' said springbearing against thewall, closing one end of the slot, and the otherend of said spring bearing against a washer-plate 5S, arranged in contact with the guide-standard 53. Also the inward movement of the plunger under the tension of its actuating-spring 56 is limited by an .adjustable Ystop 59, consisting in the construction illustrated of a nut threaded upon a longitudinal pin GO, extending outward from the guide-bracket 53 and securely held at the desired adjustment by means of alock-nut 6l. Itis obvious that the adjustment of this stop may be varied to suit the average thicknesses of the articles of mail-matter which are to pass through the machine.

v The drum 12 is located at adistance in advance of the letter-guide, so that the feed-belt travels away from the guide as it carries the letter toward the printing mechanism, which will cause the pressure upon the letter to decrease and the points 2l to pass out of contact with the letter by the time it has reached the printing mechanism. The drum is of a smaller diameter than thev milled disk 24, so that as soon as the letteris engaged by the disks it is moved forward at a greater velocity than it was moved by the belt, whereby it is taken out of the way of the succeeding letter. l v

Mounted by means of a transverse fulcrumpin 62 upon the bed or table of the machine is a shifting lever 63, provided with a projection 64 for engagement with a shoulder 65 on the outer end of the shank of the plunger 5l, the relation between the parts being such that when the free end of said shifting lever is depressed the projection 64 will bear against the shoulder G5 and withdraw the bed-roller IOO IIO

roller.

from operative relation with the printing- The shifting leverextends downward through a slot in the bed of the machine and is provided at its lower end with a latch-arm GG, which when the shifting lever is elevated at its free end to the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3 is adapted to engage a spring actuated catch 67, supported by a transverse spindle 08, mounted in suitable bearings below the plane of the bed. Connected with the spindle of the catch 67 is a trip-arm 69, from which extends a connecting-rod 70 to a point near the inner end of the frame, where it is attached to an arm 71 of a rocker 72. This rocker is mounted in bearings in a bracket 73, depending from the bed, and is provided at its front end with a trip-handle 74, adapted to be grasped by the operator to withdraw the catch G7 from engagement with the latch to release the shifting lever. Obviously the weight of thelatcharm GG, supplemented by that of the shifting lever, will tend to swing said parts to the position indicated in full lines in Fig. Ll; butin order that the operation of the shifting lever (when released) may be positive and at the same time in order that the depression of the free end of the shifting lever shall be with sufficient force to displace the bed-roller from operative relation with the printing-roller we preferably connect with the shitting lever a return-spring 75.

Mounted upon a transverse spindle 76, also arranged beneath the bed, is a clutch-shifter 77, connected by a link 78 with the shifting lever and provided with a fork 79, which engages the circumferential groove in a shifting sleeve 80, forming the one element of a driving-clutch, by which a driving pulley or gear 8l may be connected with the driveshaft 82 to communicate motion to the operating mechanism of the machine. It will be understood that this clutch-pulley and connections may be of any preferred construction, forming no part of our present invention, but that the axially-movable member thereof, which is represented in the drawings by the sleeve 80, is feathered upon the driveshaft S2 and is adapted when the shifting lever is raised to the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3 to arrange the clutch members in operative relation to adapt the pulley to comm unieate rotary motion to the drive-shaft. The drive-shaft is connected by intel-meshing bevel-gears 83 and 8a to a vertical countershaft 85, which in turn is connected by intermeshing gears 8G and S7 with the printingroller shaft 23; also, to adapt the mechanism to be driven manually (instead of mechanically, as by a belt traversing the clutch-pulley) we employ a crank-shaft 88, litted at its upper end with a crank-arm 89 and carrying a gear 90, which meshes with a pinion 91 on the shaft 23.

Mounted for cooperation with the printingroller is an inker 92, mounted upon a spindle 93, which is carried by a swinging bracket 94 to provide for adjusting the inker with relation to the printing-roller or for moving the same out of contact therewith when not in use. The inker consists of a cup 95, having a series of annular grooves 96 in its lower end l portion,with which communicate openings 97, extending through the side of the cup and communicating with the interior thereof. A stem 98 rises centrally from the bottom of the cup and receives a cup-shaped cut-off 99, which is slidably mounted thereon and which tits snugly within the cup 95. The lower edge of the cut-olf 99 is beveled to provide a scraping edge to remove ink from the sides of the cup 95; also, a strip or band of felt 100 eneircles the lower portion of the cup and is supplied with ink from the cup to bring it into contact with the printing-surfaces or printing elements when the machine is in operation. -Obviously the supply of ink is regulated by the cut-off 99, which can be adjusted to expose any desired number of openings in the cup 95.

Arranged approximately in transverse alinement with the letter-guide G 7 is a guide 101, which closes the inner end of the rear letter-way 102, said guide 101 being defiected outward slightly from the plane of the letterguide 6 7, whereby as the letters successively leave the printing apparatus they pass between the previously-stamped letters and the guide 101. In cooperation with the guide 101 is arranged a revoluble packer 103, having yieldable arms and adapted to serve as a means for moving the letters and for packing the same within the rear letter-way 102, the shaft of which revoluble packer is connected by a gear 105 with Vthe gear 86 on the countershaft 85, the function of said revoluble packer being to insure the proper stacking of the letters after passing the printing apparatus and cause them to lie in alinement in the receiving letterway 102.

At the rear side of the rear or receiving letter-way is a longitudinal letter-guide 10G, which in the construction illustrated is mounted for transverse adjustment to suit varying lengths of letters or other packages. Said guide is provided with transverse supporting rods or pins 107, mounted in suitable guides below the plane of the bed, and is also provided with a central pin 108, which extends to a point near the front side of the bed, and is fitted with a gravity-latch 109. This latch is constructed to form a grip or handle and is mounted for revoluble movement upon the pin 108, between spaced pins 110; also, said latch is provided with an ear or projection 111, which is terminally arranged in operative relation with a bearing-box 112, in which the pin 108 is fitted. When the letter-guide is adjusted forward to adapt it for guiding letters or packages of the ordinary length, the gravity-latch is arranged with its ear or projection 111 in engagement with the stop formed by the bearing-box 112, and when it is desired to adapt the rear letter-way for let- IOD IOS

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ters of greater length it is necessary simply to grasp the gravity-latch, swing the same sufticiently to disen gage the ear or projection 111 thereof from the stop, and move the letter-guide rearwardly, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. j

The rear letter-guide is provided with upper and lower tracks 113 114, upon which is mounted a carriage 115,provided with grooved rolls 115 to traverse said tracks, and mounted upon the carriage in a position to span the letter-way 102 is a follower 116, similar in construction to that shown and described in our former patent above mentioned. As in said former construction, the follower is pivotally mounted upon the carriage, to be displaced rearwardly when not in use or to facilitate the removal of letters from the way 102. The carriage is yieldingly held, with its follower, in position to exert inward pressure upon the letters which are interposed between the same and the guide 101 by a weighted cord or connection 117. The letter-way 102 is longitudinally slotted, as shown at 118, to receive a mutilated feed-screw 119, corresponding in construction to a similar element in our former machine above mentioned and adapted to engage the lower edges of the letters to communicate motion therethrough to the follower 116, and thus move the latter outward as the letters are. advanced from the printing mechanism into the letter-Way 102. Said feed-screw is provided with alternatelyarranged threaded portions and plane or cylindrical portions, whereby the letters are adapted in the intervals between the threaded portions to lie in contact should the threaded portions by reason of the thinness of the letters tend to advance them more rapidly than is necessary. This feed-screw is connected for operation with the spindle of the revoluble packer by means of intermeshing bevel-gears 11)a 119". Furthermore, the follower 116 may have a depending lip 116% adapted to have its edge engage with the threads of the mutilated feed-screw 119, as shown by Fig. 5 of the drawings, to cause a positive advance of said follower to avoid crowding the letters in the receiving-way 102.

The means for inwardly advancing the objects in the letter-way 4 include a carriage 120, mounted below the plane of the bed and provided withgrooved rolls 121 to traverse track-rails'122, and a weighted cord or connection 123, attached to the front end ot' the carriage and adapted to move the same inwardly as the letters are removed from the inner end of the stack. As in the construction illustrated in our former patent above mentioned,afollower 124 is pivotally mounted upon a forward projection 125 of the carriage and overhangs the letter-way 4, with a depending projection 126 operating in a longitudinal slot 127 in said letter-way. Also preferably arranged-upon the bed in the letter-way 4 are parallel letter-supporting ribs 128, which incline downward toward their inner ends to facilitate the movement of the mail-matter in traversing the same.

We have found in practice that the pres.

sure which is applied by the letter-advancing follower of the front carriage should be diminished as the stack which is being advanced becomes diminished, a considerable pressure of the follower being necessary when the letter-way4 is approximately full. Hence in connection with the cord 123 we employ a variable weight consisting of a series of members 129 130 131, of which the former or main weight member, as shown, may be attached to the end of the cord, while the other orauxiliary weight members are supported at intermediate points in the path of the main weight member and are adapted to be taken up successively as the carriage recedes from the transverse letter-guide. In the construction illustrated .the weight members 130 and 131 are terminally fitted-upon a guide 132, and the weight-cord extends through central openings in said auxiliary weight members. By this construction the inward strain which is applied to the carriage increases as the latter recedes from the transverse letter-guide 6 7 and diminishes as the carriage approaches said guide. Also arranged in the path of the carriage 120 is a trip-arm 133 on the rocker 72, and when said carriage reaches a position adjacent to the transverse guide 6 7, whereby the last letter has left the letter-way 4, the contact of the carriage with the trip-arm causes the release of the shifting lever 63 and the checking of the movement of the mechanism.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings we employ an improved selecting or restraining device for preventing a plurality of letters or other objects from being advanced to the printing mechanism simultaneously, the same being arranged upon the front letter-guide 3 and consisting'of a stem or shank 134, fitted near its outer end in a guide 135 on said letter-way 3 and provided at an intermediate point with a swinging guide 136, consisting of a link, whereby as the inner end of the stem or shank is moved outward said inner end also receives a rearward movement. The inner end of the stem or shank carries a shoe 137, which is of deflective or rounded construction, and is provided below its main or body portion with a deflecting projection 138. Adjacent to this shoe the upper slat or strip 6 of Vthe transverse letter-guide is cut away, whereby when the main or body portion of the shoe is adjacent to the plane of said slator strip the detlecting portion of the shoe occupies a position in the cut-away portion of the slat. Thus as a letter which is in contact with the transverse letter-guide 6 7 is carried transversely by the letter-feeding belt its upper edge passes between the body portion of the shoe and the outer surface of the upper strip 6, while the intermediate portion of the letter or object is pressed inward by IOO IIO

said deflecting portion of the shoe to bow the letter longitudinally, as indicated in Fig. 6. This causes the restraining of any other let- -ter or object which may be advanced by the letter-feeding mechanism simultaneously with that letter or object which is engaged by the spurs ofthe feeding-belt. The end ofthe second letter strikes against the front side of the shoe and is thus restrained, while the letter which is positively engaged by the spurs of the belt is carried forward until its lower edge is received between the milled surfaces of the letter-feeding disks carried, respectively, by the printing-roller and bed-roller. Should an unusually thick envelop come in contact with the shoe of the restraining device, the repression of the shoe or the outward movement thereof in a direction tending to separate it from the transverse letter-guide will be accompanied by a rearward swinging movement thereof, due to the guiding-link 13G, and thus when the said thick object or letter passes the return forward and inward movement of the shoe will serve to effectually prevent the premature advance of a second envelop or object which may have been carried forward by that which is engaged positively by the feeding mechanism.

In connection with the mechanism above described we also employ postal-card attachments consisting of a longitudinal guide member 139, having keepers or stirrups 140, which engage one of the slats of said guide 3, and also provided at its front end with a shoe 1-1-1, which may be arranged close to the plane of the transverse letter-guide 6 7, and a transverse guide member 142, which is removably engaged with the upper slat G of the transverse letter-guide, while it is adapted to occupy a position at its rear end adjacent to the shoe at the inner end of the selecting or restraining device. These attachments serve to reduce the width of the throat formed between the adjacent portions of the longitudinal and transverse letter guides, whereby said width is adapted to the thickness of postal-cards.

To yieldingly h old the selecting or restraining device in its operative position with relation to the transverse letter-guide, the shank thereof is fitted with an advancing-spring 143, bearing at its front end againsta suitable shoulder on said shank and at its rear end against the guide 135, and to limit the inward advance movement of said restraining device it is fitted at its rear end with an adjustable stop 144, adapted for contact with the rear side of said guide 135. By adjusting this stop the interval between the shoe at the inner end of the restraining device and the plane of the transverse letter-guide may be varied to suit packages of different average thicknesses.

rl`he operation of the mechanism embodying our present invention, which is analogous to that of the apparatus shown and described in our said former patent, will be readily understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious, furthermore, that various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minordetails of construction within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having described our invention, what we claim is- 1. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way and means for advancing letters therein, and printing mechanism, of a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to an outlet-throat at the inner end of the letter-way and disposed laterally with respect to the .printing mechanism, letterfeeding devices for advancing letters successively through the throat, said transverse letter-guide being adjustable toward and from the plane of the letter-feeding devices and of the printing mechanism, and means for securing said letter-guide in its adjusted positions, substantially as specified.

2. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way and means for advancing letters therein, and printingmcchanism, of a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to an outlet-throat at the inner end of the letter-way, letter-feeding devices for advancing letters successively through the throat, said letter-guide being pivoted for movement toward and from the plane of the letter-feeding devices, and having a guide pin or pins, a guide or guides in which said pins operate, and fastening devices for securing the pin or pins in an adjusted position, substantially as specified.

3. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way and means for advancing letters therein, and printing mechanism, of a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to a lateral outlet-throat at the inner end of the letter-way and disposed laterally with respect to the printing mechanism, an endless letter-feeding belt arranged in operative relation with said transverse letter-guide and provided with spurred elements for successively engaging the letters, and means for adjusting the letter-guide toward and from the plane ot' the active portions of the printing mechanism and the letter-feed belt, substantially as specified.

4. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way and means for advancing letters therein, and printing m echanism, of a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to a lateral outlet-throat at the inner end of the letter-way and disposed laterally with respect to the printing mechanism, an endless letter-feeding belt or carrier arranged in operative relation with said transverse letter-guide and provided with spaced spurred plates for successively engaging the letters, and means for adjusting the letter-guide toward and from the plane of the active portions of the printing mechanism and-the letter-feed belt, substantially as specified.

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5. In a mail-marking machine,the combination With a letter-Way and means for advancing letters therein, and printing mechanism, of a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to a lateralv outlet-throat at the inner end of the letter-Way, an endless letter-feeding belt or carrier provided with spaced seats, spurred plates removably fitted in said seats, andgmeans for operating the belt or carrier, substantially as'speciiied.

6. In a mail-marking machine, the combination With a letter-Way and means for advancing letters therein, and printing mechanism, of a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to a lateral outlet-throat at the inner end of said letter-Way and disposed laterally With relation to the printing mechanism, an endless letter-feeding belt or carrier supported and actuated by vertically-arranged rollers for one lead of said carrier to face the transverse letter-guide, spurred elements secured at intervals to said belt or carrier for successively engaging with m ail-matter to ad- Vance the same through said throat, a pressure-roller engaging with said belt or carrier between its supports and opposite to the letter-guide, and means for adjusting the pressure-roller relative to the belt or carrier and the'letter-guide, whereby the position of the spurred elements on the belt or carrier may be changed relative to a given position of the letter-guide, substantially as described.

7. In a mail-marking machine, the combination With a letter-Way and means for advancing letters therein, and printing mechanism, of a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to a lateral outlet-throat at the inner end of the letter-Way, an endless letter-feeding belt or carrier provided at intervals With spurred elements for successively engaging elements to advance them through said throat, a pressure-roll arranged in contaetwith said belt or carrierat an intermediate point to hold the latter in operative relation with the transverse letter-guide, an adjustable supportingbracket for said pressure-roll, means for securing said bracket in its adjusted positions, and means for operating the belt or carrier, substantially as specified.

8. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-Way and means for advancing letters therein, and printing mechanism, of a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to a lateral outlet-throat at the inner end of the letter-Way, an endless letter-feeding belt or carrier provided at intervals with spurred elements for successively engaging elements to advance them through said throat, a pressure-roll arranged in operative relation with the belt or carrier at an intermediate point to maintain it in operative relation with the transverse letter-guide, a slotted supportin g-bracket for said pressure-roll, set-screwsA for securing said bracket at the desired adjustment, and means for operating the belt or carrier, substantially as specied.

,9. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a'letter-Way and means lfor advancing letters therein, and printing mechanism, oi" a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to a lateral outlet-throat at the inner end of the letter-way, an endless letter-feeding belt or carrier provided at intervals with spurred elements for successively engaging contact of the pressure-roll with the belt or carrier, means for securing said support at the desired adjustment, and operating devices for the belt or carrier, substantially as specilO. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-Way and means for advancing letters therein, and printing mechanism, of a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to a lateral outlet-throat at the inner end of the letter-Way, an endless belt or carrier provided at intervals with spurred elements for successive engagement With letters to advance them through said throat, operating and idle belt-carriers traversed by said belt, means for actuating the operating beltcarrier, an adjustable bracket supporting the idle belt-carrier, and means for securing said bracket in its adj usted positions,substan t-ially as specified.

ll. In a mail-markingmachine, thecombination with a letter-Way and means for advanci ng letters therein, and printing mechanism, of a transverse letter-guide arranged adjacent to a lateral outlet-throat at the inner end of the letter-way, an endless belt or carrier provided at intervals with spurred elements for successive engagement With letters to advance them through said throat, operating and idle belt-carriers traversed by said belt, means for actuating the operating beltcarrier, a pivotal bracket supporting the idle belt carrier, and means for securing said bracket in its adj listed positions,substantially as specied.

12. In a inail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-Way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of a vertical printing-roller having coaXially-arranged printing and carrier drums engaging laterally one with the other, a letter-feeding belt or carrier traversing said carrier-drum and provided at intervals With spurred elements for successively engaging letters to advance them through said throat, said drums being capable of relative angular adjustment, means forlaterally clamping said drums together' and holding them in their adjusted relative positions, and operating mechanism for the printing-drum, substantially as speciiied.

13. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-Way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of a printing-roller having coaxiallyarranged -printing and carrier drums, a common shaft carrying said drums, said printingdrum being fast with the shaft and the carrier-drum being` loose on the shaft and angularly adjustable with relation to the print-- ing-drum, means for laterally clamping said drums together and holding the printingdrum in its adjusted position with relation to the other, operating devices for said shaft, and an endless feed belt or carrier traversing the carrier-drum and provided at intervals with spurred elements for successively engaging letters to advance them through said throat, substantially as specified.

14. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-wayprovided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of a printing-drum, a shaft carrying the printingdrum, a peripherally-spurred carrier-drum fitted loosely upon the shaft of the printing-drum and provided with a segmental slot for angular adjustment with relation to the latter, a clamping-bolt through Said slot for securing the carrier-drum in its adjusted positions with relation to the printing-drum, operating devices for the said shaft, and an endless letter-feeding belt or carrier traversing said carrier-drum and provided at intervals with spurred elements for successively engaging letters to advance them through said throat, substantially as specified.

15. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way provided at its inner end with a late 1al throat for the passage of letters, of a printing-drum, a shaft carrying the printing-drum, a segmentally-slotted carrier-drum mounted upon said shaft coaxially with the printing-drum, a cap-plate carried by said shaft, a locking-pin connecting said cap-plate and printing-drum and extending through the slot of the carrier-drum for securing the latter at the desired adjustment, means for operating said shaft, and an endless letter-feeding belt or carrier traversing said carrier-drum and provided at intervals with spurred elements for successively engaging elements to advance them through said throat, substantially as specified.

I6. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way provided at its inner cud with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of a printing-drum, a shaft carrying the prin ting-drum, a segmentally-slotted carrier-drum mounted upon said shaft coaxially with the printing-drum, a cap-plate threaded upon said shaft, a locking-pin engaging registering openings in said cap-plate and printing-drum, and extending through the segmental slot of the carrier-drum to secure the latter at the desired adjustment, means for operating said shaft, and an endless letterfeeding belt or carrier traversing said carrierdrum and provided at intervals with spurred elements for successively engaging elements to advance them through said throat, substantially as specified.

17. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of a letter-marking drum and means for operating the same, letter-feeding mechanism cooperating with said drum for advancing letters through the throat, a letter-engaging disk carried by the marking-drum, and a bed-roller in opposition to the printing-drum and carrying a letter-engaging disk arranged to cooperate with the similar disk of said printing-drum, said bed-roller being yieldably mounted for deflection laterally with respect to the face of the printing-drum, and for the axis of the bed-roller to assume an inclined position relative to the axis of the printing roller, whereby the faces of the printing-drum and the bed-roller may be separated while the letter-engaging disks remain in their operative relations, substantially as described.

18. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of a letter-marking drum and means for rotating the same, letter-feeding mechanism coperating with said drum for advancing letters through the throat, a letter-engaging disk carried by the marking-drum, and a peripherally and axially variable bed-roller arranged in opposition to the printing-drum and carrying a letter-engaging disk for coperation with the similar disk of said printingdrum, said bed-roller provided with a yieldable impression-surface in the plane of the marking characters on said printing-drum and the bed-roller being also yieldably mounted for deflection laterally to an inclined position relative to the printing-drum, whereby the bed-rollers may be inclined to the drum and the letter-engaging disks remain in operative relation one to the other, substantially as described.

19. In a mail-marking machine, a printingdrum provided with a peripheral seat or cavity, a type-holder having an open top and fitted in said seat-or cavity, a cap-plate fitted removably on said type-holder, and a catch attached to the printing-drum and having interlockin g connection with the cap-plate, said type-holder and the cap-plate each provided with means for securing interlocking connection between said elements individually with interposed type, substantially as described.

20. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-Way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, and letter-feeding mechanism for successively advancing letters through said throat, of printing mechanism having a printin g-dru 1n provided with a peripheral seat or cavity, a type-holder having an open side and the studs, a shouldered perforated cap-plate engaging with said studs on the type-holder, and a catch attached to the drum and engag- IOO IIO

IIS

ing With the shoulder of the cap-plate, said type-holder and cap-plate having ribs for interlocking with type in the holder and also provided on their exposed edges with printing characters, substantially as described.

2l. Ina mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-Way provided at its inner end With a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of letter-feeding mechanism for successively advancing letters through said throat, and printing mechanism having the coaXially-arranged printing and carrier drums, said carrier-drum engaging With the Vletterfeed mechanism and provided with a latchrod slot, and said printing-drum provided' with a seat or cavity, a type-holder in said seat, displacingsprings for unseating the type-holder, a catch between the carrier-drum and the printing-drum for engaging and maintaining t-he type-holder in opposition to said displacing-springs, and a terminally-exposed latch-operating rod extending through the latch-'slot in the latch-drum, substantially as described.

22. In a mail-marking machine, the'combination with a letter-Way provided at its in ner endrwith a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of printing mechanism having a printing-drum and a cooperating revoluble letterengaging disk, feeding mechanism for successively advancing letters through said throat to the printing mechanism, operating meehanism for the printing-dri] m, and a bed-roller having a letter-engaging disk for cooperation with the similar disk of the printing-drum, said bed-roller being also provided With an elastic cushion-core and a relatively-hard friction-surface, the latter being seated on the yieldable core and arranged in cooperative relation With the type-surface on the printing-drum, substantially as described.

23. In a mail-marking machine, the combination With a letter-Way provided atr its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of printing mechanism having a printing-drum and a coperating revoluble letterengaging disk, feeding mechanism for successively advancing letters through said throat to the printing mechanism, operatingmechanism for the printing-drum, and a bed-roller having a letter-engagin g disk for cooperation with that which is actuated by the printingdrum, and also provided with a relativelyhard pressure-ring arranged in opposition to the type characters on the printing-drum and encircling the yieldable cushion-core which is concentric with theaXis of the bed-roller, said bed-roller being yieldably mounted relative to the printing-drum to assume an inclined position thereto for spreading the surfaces of the drum and the roller Without disalining the letter-engaging disks, substantially as specified. p

. 24. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-Way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of printing mechanism having a printing-drum and a coperating revoluble letter-engaging disk, feeding mechanism for successively advancing letters through said throat to the printing mechanism, operating mechanism for the printing-drum, and a bedroller having a central spindle, a letter-engaging disk having a sleeve mounted upon said spindle, a cushioned bearing-ring iitted upon said sleeve in the plane of the printingdrum, and a vcap threaded upon the sleeve to maintain said bearing-ring in operative Aposition thereon, substantially as Specified. 25.V In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-Way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of printing mechanism havinga printing-drum and means for communicating rotary motion thereto, feed mechanism for successively advancing letters through said throat, and abcd-roller, provided in the plane of said printing-drum with a cushioned bearing-ring for contact with the opposite side of a letter fromthe printing-drum, and an idle spindle on which the bed-roller is mounted, said spindlebeing yieldably held at one end for'the bed-roller to move laterally and assume an inclined relation to the face of the printing-drum, substantially as specified.

26. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-Way provided With a lateral throat, a revoluble printing-drum, and feed mechanism for advancingletters through `said throat, of a yoke yieldably mounted for reciprocating play toward and from Said printing-drum, and a bed-roller mounted fortiltablemovement in said reciprocatory yoke, said bed-roller movable With the yoke relatively to the printing-drum and capable of a tiltable movement independent of the reciprocatory yoke', substantially as described.

' 27. In a mail-marking machine, the combination With a printing-drum, and feed mechanism for advancing letters thereto, of a yoke movable With respect to the printing-drum, a bed-roller having an arbor fitted loosely'at one end in said yoke, a spring-actuated bearing confined in the yoke and supporting the other end of the bed-roller arbor, and means for normally holding the yoke and the bedroller in Vcooperative relation to the printingdrum, said bed-roller being movable bodily with the yoke toward or from the printingdrum and also capable of a tiltable movement laterally with respect to the printingdrinn and independently of its travel with the yoke, substantially as described.

' 28. In a mail-marking machine,the combination With a letter-Way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of printing mechanismhaving a printing-drum and means for communicating rotary motion thereto, feed mechanism for successively advancing letters through said throat, an armed yoke, a bed-rollerhaving a cushioned bearing-surface arranged in the plane of and in opposition to the printingdrum, and bearing-boxes in the arms of said ICO IIO

yoke for the extremities of the spindle of the bed-roller, one of said bearing-boxes being mounted for outward yielding movement and provided with actuating or cushion springs, substantially as specified.

29. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of printing mechanism having a printing-drum and means for communicating rotary motion thereto, feed mechanism for successively advancing letters through said throat, a bed-roller having a cushioned bearing-surface arranged in the plane of and in opposition to the printing-drum, an idle tiltable spindleon which said roller is mounted, means for yieldably holding the idle spindle and the bed-roller normally in parallel relation to the printing-drum, and adjustable devices for changing the spindle and bedroller to varying positions relative to the printing-drum, substantially as specified.

30. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of printing mechanism having a printing-drum and means for communicating rotary motion thereto, feed mechanism for successively advancing letters through said throat, a yielding plunger having a forked inner end, the arms of the fork being provided respectively with upper and lower spin- (lle-bearings, of which the former is yieldingly mounted for movement toward and from the transverse plane of the axis of the printing-drum, and is spring-actuated to maintain it in its normal position, and a bed-roller having its spindle mounted in said bearings and provided with a cushioned bearing-surface arranged in the plane of the printing-drum, substantially as specified.

31. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way provided at its inner end with a lateral throat for the passage of letters, of printing mechanism having a printing-drum and means for communicating rotary motion thereto, feed mechanism for successively advancing letters through said throat, a yielding spring-actuated plunger mounted for longitudinal movement toward and from the transverse plane of the axis of the printing-drum, a bed-roller mounted in said plunger for cooperation with the printing-drum, an adjustable stop mounted upon the plunger for coperation with a fixed stop in the path thereof, a shifting lever arranged in operative relation with a shoulder on the plunger, and having a latch-arm, and a yielding catch for engagement with said latch-arm to maintain the shifting lever in its normal position, substantially as specified.

32. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a drive-shaft, a letter-Way having a transverse outlet-throat at its innerend, and feeding and printing mechanisms operatively connected with said drive-shaft, of a driving-clutch having one of its members feathered upon said drive-shaft, a bed-roller arranged in operative relation with the printing mechanism and carried by a reci procatory plunger, a shifting lever arranged in operative relation with a shoulder on the plunger, a latch-arm carried bythe shifting lever, a catch yieldin gl y held in the path of said latcharm, a shifting rocker operatively connected with one member of said clutch, and having connection with said shifting lever,and means for actuating the catch to disengage thelatcharm, substantially as specified.

33. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way having a lateral feedthroat, and letter-feed devices for advancing letters through. said way and through the feed-throat, of a printing mechanism having a movable letter-pressure element coperating therewith, means for driving the printing mechanism and the letter-feed devices, a shifting lever in operative relation to the letter-pressure element of the printing mechanism, and trip devices in the path of the letter-feed device in said letterway and operable to automatically arrest the driving mechanism and to act through the shifting lever in repressing the letter-pressure element from operative relation to the printing mechanism, as set forth.

34. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way, a letter-advancing carriage movable parallel with said letterway, and printing and feed mechanism, of a variable feeding device for said carriage consisting of a weight-cord, a plurality of weight members each successively increasing in width and loosely threaded on said weightcord, and a vertical fixed weight-guide frame having its side bars gradually widened from the bottom toward the top and forming a series of seats which are spaced at variable distances apart in different horizontal planes, said Weight members slidably engaging the Weight-guide frame and adapted to be successively applied to the weight-cord as the carriage recedes from one cnd of the letterwayand to be successively relieved from the weight-cord as the carriage approaches the other end of said letter-way, substantially as described.

35. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way, a letter-advancing carriage movable parallel therewith, and printing and feeding mechanism, ot` a variable feeding device for the carriage consisting of a weight-cord, a series of main and auxiliary weight members, and a tapered and shouldered weight-guide frame provided with stops for respectively limiting the movement of the Weight members as the carriage approaches the end ot' the letter-Way, said weight members successively increasing in Width and engaging slidably with the shouldered side bars of the weight-guide frame, substantially as described.

36. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of feeding and receiving letter-ways ICO having frontand rear guides respectively parallel with said ways, the rear guide being provided with transverse pins under the bed of the machine and mounted for transverse adjustment, means for securing said rear guide in its adjusted positions, a letter-ad'- a vancing follower for traversing the feed letter-way, means for actuating said follower, printing and feeding mechanisms arranged at the inner end of the feed letter-way, and a second follower arranged for operation in the receiving letter-way and having a carriage mounted upon tracks carried by said rear guide, substantially as specified.

37. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of feeding and receiving letter-ways having front and rear guides respectively parallel with said ways, the rear guide being mounted for transverse adjustment, a transverse pin extending forward from the rear guide, a rotary gravity-latch mounted upon said pin and adapted for coperation with a stop on the machine to limit the rearward adj ustment of said guide, followers for respectively traversing said letter-ways, and Tprinting and letter-feeding mechanisms arranged adjacent to the inner end of the feed letterway, substantially as specified.

38. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way, a transverse letterguide at the inner end of said letter-way, and printing and feed mechanisms adjacent to said letter-guide, of a separating or restraining shoe arranged in coperative relation to the transverse letter-guide, said shoe movable toward or from the letter-guide and also movable laterally in a path rearwardly from said letter-guide, a sliding and swinging carrier for said shoe, means for impelling said shoecarrier toward the letter-guide and normally holding the shoe in operative relation thereto, and means for limiting the shoe-carrier, on the repression of the shoe, to lateral movement away from the letterguide, substantially as described.

39. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way provided at its inner end with a transverse letter-guide, means for advancing letters in the letter-way, and printing and feed mechanisms arranged adjacent to the inner end of the letter-way, of a letter separating or restraining device having a shouldered shoe arranged adjacent to said transverse letter-guide, and provided with a stem or shank mounted for longitudinal and swinging movements, whereby said shoe is adapted for outward and rearward deflection, substantially as specied.

40. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way provided at its inner end with a transverse letter-guide, means for advancingletters in the letter-Way, and printing and feed mechanisms arranged adjacent to the inner end of the letter-way, of a letter separating or restraining device having a terminally-deliected shoe and provided with a shank or stem tted near its outer end for longitudinal movement in a ii'xed guide, a

swinging link connected withsaid stem or shank at an intermediate point, and a spring l for yieldingly holding said shank or stemv in its normal position,substantially as specified.

4l. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-way provided at its inner end with a transverse letter-guide, means for advancing letters in the letter-way, and printing and feed mechanisms arranged adjacent to the inner end of the letter-way, of a letter separating or restraining device having aterminally-deilected shoe and provided with a shank or stem fitted near its outer'end for longitudinal movement in a fixed guide, a swinging link connected with said stem or shank at an intermediate point, a spring for yieldingly holding the shank or stem in its normal position, `and an adjustable stop for limiting the inward advance movement of the shank or stern, substantially as speciiied.

' 42. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of a letter-way provided at its inner end with a transverse outlet-throat, a transverse letter-guide forming vone side of said throat and having an upper strip cutaway nation with a letter-way having a parallel longitudinal letterguide and a transverse letterguide at the inner end of the letterway, means for advancing letters in the letter-way,

feeding and printing mechanisms, and postal-card attachments having members for engagement respectively with said longitudinal and transverse letter-guides for reducing the width of the throat therebetween, substantially as specified.

44. In a mail-marking machine provided with a letter-way, and printing mechanism adjacent to the outlet thereof, the combination of a letter-guide projecting across the outlet of the letter-way and arranged laterally with respect to the printing mechanism, a Afeeding device coperating with said letterguide for conveying letters along the guide from the letter-Way to the printing mechanism, and means for adjusting the letter-guide laterally with respect to the feeding device, substantially as described. j

45.v In a mail-marking machine provided with a letter-way, and printing mechanism adjacent to the outlet thereof, the combination of an adjustable letter-guide projecting across the outlet of the letter-wayl and arranged laterally with respect to the printing mechanism, and an endless feeding device IOO IIO

arranged in cooperative relation to the letterguide for conveying the letters along said guide from the letter-way to the printing mechanism, substantially as described.

4G. In a mail-marking machine provided with a letter-Way, and printing mechanism adjacent to the outlet thereof, the combination of a letter-guide projecting across the outlet of the letter-way and arranged laterally with respect to the printing mechanism, and an endless feeding device cooperating with the letter-guide and diverging laterally therefrom toward both ends, substantially as described.

47. In a inail-marking machine provided with a letter-way, and printing mechanism adjacent the outlet thereof, the combination of a letter-guide projecting across the outlet of the letter-way and arranged laterally with respect to the printing mechanism, an endless letter-feeding device in cooperative relation to the letter-guide, and means for adjusting said letter-guide and the endless feeding device laterally and independently of each other, substantially as described.

4S. In a inail-marking machine provided with a letter-way and printing mechanism adjacent to the outlet thereof, the combination with a letter-guide in front of said outlet,of an endless feeding device and means for adjusting the initial contact-point of the feeding device toward and from said outlet, and laterally across the saine.

49. In a inail-marking machine provided with a letter-way and printing mechanism adjacent to the outlet thereof, the combination with two drums, an endless belt thereon, a pressure-roller intermediate said drums, and means for adjusting the position of said roller laterally and longitudinally relatively to the letter-Way.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto aflixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

EDVARD M. VAIL. GIDEON POTTER.

XVitnesses:

Il. J. PETERSON, Ins. K. BLIsI-r.

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