US908195A - Mail-distributing apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

W. BARRY. mm. DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DBO.20. 1898. I

-- flxtented Dec. 29, 1908.

an cantor,

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1/05. l'neoam W. BARRY.

MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

A PPLICATION I'IL ED 1030.20, 1898.

Patented Dec. 2 911908.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2 4 g z w W. BARRY. MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEGU'ZO, 1898.

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. BARRY. MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

908,195. mm m Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

lnveufoz W. BARRY. MAIL mswmn rme AIPARATUS.

AEPLIUATION FILED DEC. 20, 1898.

908,195. I v Patented Dec.29,1908.

8 SHEBT8-8HEET 5.

W 1 TN ESS/fS A Horne V f WQ-BARRY.

MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEOEO, 1898 Patented Dec.- 29,

8 SHEBTSSHEET'8.

I hwgwzgf W, BARRY MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20, 1898.

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

'3 3 3) lVfT/VESSES f7 1 INVENTOR j M/416W @Ui/ iji A 110F116) v Patented Dec. 29 1908.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

IV/TNESSES a I INVENTOR 1 teclcs.

WILLIAM IVLQHPB Apollo-ration Bcuemse To all whom may concern:

Be it known that l, WiLL'IAM BARRY, citi zen of the United States, resid'mg at. Oswego, in the county of Osrvcgo and tote of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MaiLDistributing Apparatile; and I do hereby declare the following to be a. full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it epper'teins to make and use the some. I

This invention relates to mechanism distributing mail matter, and the oh'ects and nature of the invention will be readily under stood and a parent from the following description of 5 16 construction set forth as one eiromple out of many Within the scope of this invention.

The invention comprises eripnrstus for re ceiving mail matter and the like from a common source and sorting the se'porete pieces and distributing the same to predeterminmf points of destination, such as boxes or recep- In the accompanying drawings which merely illustrate one e2: .nple out of many within scope of" my invention: Figure 1, is o partial vertical longitudinal sectional view of an apparatus for carrying out the object of myinvention, one of the controlling levers being shown de ressed and the letter conveyor or traveler 'eing shown at on 1ntermediate point in its path of movement.

Fig. 2, is e side elevation of the op )erotus oi Fig. 1, looking at the opposite s1 e thereof, the parts being shown in the same relative positions as in Fig. 1. Fig. 3, is a top plan view of the op eretus, the parts being shown in the some re oti've positions as in the foregoing figures. Fi 4, is a detail sectional view, somewhat enlarged of the front portion of the machine, showing only the first IOW' Of the series of receptacles, a. difierent its being shown depressed from that shown in t foregoing figures, and consequently it different I box or receptacle being shown to receive the piece of mail matter, a difierent construction of letter guiding devices being shown in the box case. Fig. 5,.is a. vertical sectional view taken in the planes of the line 55, Fig. 2. Fig. 6, is a sectional planview taken on the line 6-45, Fig. 4. Fig. 7, is e vertical detailed view taken on the plane of the line 77, Fiq. 4, all the levers however being shown in their normal positions. Fig. 8,'is av cross section on line 88, Fig. 1. Fig. 9, is s, detail'top plan .r not mechanism i3ets being shown the dogs have Janis-ms have -9, is e detail per illustrate how the cs tein rock. sir-nits. the lower 'eeder arm showing the hurrying needle onel "'JlEW oi' the token. vertically re e common practice in post-oificco to distribute i iorning outgoing mail by hand to postel destination of each Thesorting hoses are arranged in cases, can 7 slorge sum or of re}, s oortein postal roe" end all pieces of mail m" "or s certain route or scedin th. senlehorr. n are re- Il labeled, we stand .in mine mail 1 to lliififii' and then throw orplece seriting such route. This hand 111:" .rod lsoorious, competeti'rely s w or very to result in errors in sorting, and rnhermore requires considerable locis eet: end numerous clerks. The mail met er is usually canceled, post marked or heck-o before distribution. My invention contemplates the production of apparatus o eheniom comprising sort ing or oi. rib" devices unthe control of th opsmto or distributing or sortin the pieces of mail matter into oredeterinino .1 boxes, receptacles or yoints o delivery, and wherein the apparatus can receive the ieces of mail matter at a common source on convey each piece therefrom to a particular receptecle or delivery point desired by the op orator, o

for sorting or distributing mail matter to ress of or mincits nos each piece in her words, to providemechon l c the place of hand distribution now in rapgemesits produce apparatus fo'i Sofiing; Lil-d,

III mail matter.

shown. This case m supplies with ieitrs.

.30 indicated by N, B, 0 and n or dispensed with in sash lilac-bins as esirmi. 11; same 0st oifices the ofimmia ma y pretax $0 employ t. e separate mas} may. 21g devmes 81 maqhmes there in use, for marking the 111 as! 5 beforeit is dehverqd t0 the diairbuting mm chine, while in other offices ihc Y may paler to use marking deviw as attac meme; m or in connegstion with $132 distributing 11115101152112,

Manny and varied tonstmctimss and 211* Of sorting distrikvuting d8- vices can be m'plojmd carry 001$ he 07? jects and Within the spirit mid scape 0?. my mvention, as l beiieve that 1 11 the sbecificmustruciicxz si'msvn in drawings fin" .the purpuse 0f :iescribing tits road gqncepfiiom and futures 0f my inven tion, :1 tier Drums of bmz'es or recaptmrles is aaptac-Les is am mi vertically and suppm'tsed and. carrieai by s; suitable fram work, such as a. Tim recap" \tacies' are arranged in holzonmi z'ews ism vertical series,'as the rgacepwcl am: 30:34"-

' a! el and arranged one above the other in wax;-

ticail series, as W015 as one beside. film biker in horizontal $81188. Each box 15 armngvgii hon- I zontally and closedf preferabfijy, (22% md,

" and; 0 n at the ob ll 's thalmha 19 mm: in

'30 each 102; can be secm'ad togetl'zer @126. m-

.movedin a bumiie when desired.

The boxes, in ighe specific wmmpbe mus traced, are arranged. in amiss, and way or passage is prsvided. in: wall sages opemto or comm'unicata wiizh a general 01' main letter way or assage alang W1 '0" E11 the 'le'ktars pass and firs-m which #3 I moves 0? is directed mm the gz'slpsr box 0:-

le tser is di rated into the pmper 210x.

- Kn 2311a dmwmgs, each Yew- 309 serias of bnxes is pz ovided with its own lame? passag' same,"

Thuaf intlm example 3 own in 1T, twenty films iettea' boxes 02. recsnmclszs 22m Shawn. and six vertical series of ame-Sigrid six flea-1 letter passagas 01' ways, 0mm 1 Thes a Batter Ways me'imhcated by 3, 2, 3, 4, 5, (:2, $5M the ems (if-the first veriiqaissrias are mdichted by E, C D; as they beiong m pa-swge way A, and

5.51%9 x'emsining "vertical sense 0f bc-m an; (202* 't'flsp'ondingiy zdicai ed by ama of zneiermme ietters with the .azuzafimz indicating the parfiicuia-r hatter passage ways beion mg thareto, thus the; s-ecuml series sf 11011281111:

the uagper ends of tbs vettin isfmiger Ways 0pm thmugn or teammate at said main Way. The Eattm's move along said main way on t and trgmwezsaiy thereof, and Q 4 gatas, steps, 01' stvippers are pro- .dedat the box 01: branch pzgssagas t0 dlxeci {he iez'ztezf bum-aims as $0 prevent enhance 0f firm iefiter themfi-s and. permit its movement :0 same; pa-Ema beyond. if desired, the 5300;? 11 am way wan 13s farmed E237 said 2, 3 5:, 5, mad each gate can 130mms'ia 0; crank shaft 8,, horiapps? @2141 m? particular 316x m assa' d eap ymg a SQI'EES a? fin.

:Zhs lei'x zfirs 111.9% 011 {The main way. T115542 A 0f sack M? are heated a distance 1, iie zabmzi hardy-021M33 so aaid filagima extend ifi 't-ha same dirmnd the "flugera of one gate rest on a i mlgamant gate is the from The 16 5mm move over $18 floor of {2:11.- 0.31 is Without obstruc- I y ma Qmes Ma app 1: 2115* 9r branch pasgageare 3; w shmm, to filt the Wham a0 1615mm can easliy sllde a vertical pesitien a pazz'biwiar gate '2 eievaiad. 6331i branch ar-bux passage and 3. 279 dG E-IB therein in a, "v'ericai pOsition m Eawer einda 0?. said ways 1, 2,

bnxaas D, 1), 2202195 $1 ve "mil flwszqg s 23% fiat/$9121. int-'31 $33155 bot-tom boxes wich in the xpccjfia www.10- tiim 251mm do 7) N gaiask. M34} in or M1 55 massage 6. @f 5x08315105; nead'a confirming i-mi a saaiiaper or wide '6, $10 dimai; iaM/am. whim i fiche Ezungth of tha main Way int; said.

25 is? each 150x, ezzme sting he 7, Times gale/ are pvsfembiy bu; ah mdm 52d :1; the drawn 3 dia ram mfareme characters identify each gat e with 1% particular passage and box, thus each gate ES mdmafiedby the number or it:

1 and ihe ietts of its box, and hene gates 30 all the 11 1:02:91; are 2A. 3A,

5A, indicned warming the same system, 2-11 002133.56, defiestm' mgg uia'ieg as shown in the specific exun p'le shom; the genera 0311mm letter way or 601' veyer 7 1s fm'nwi on the are pf a circle above the harms; and. m;

,the mp of the case, the floor fl'ieleuf b ngi' c -amprises a izcrizomai shaft 1, (0r 2, 2* 42%., according m't'ha *Lwuiargate) mounted M .stwwirged by the fx'zune-wm'k of tile mass.

'firznt's massif mi at we lowar and of $51 m ie: mm iahe box, wzth imgars w; v g 1 iimrei'i'em 2 0 class Bald ppsmzsg specific csmsizrucamn shewn the 3. 1s? branch nounmd in the Wm'k a: fine than 3am; 23min the r 1i! the mmaining zzox gates scales and normally rest out of the downward path of the letters in the passage, and having the lower curved or deflecting ends so that when gate is rocked said fingers will extend across the way and catch the lower edge of the falling letter and deflect the letter from the way through the box. opening, and said lower curved ends will guide the letter so that.

the same falls flat onto the bottom of the box or onto letters already therein. site inner wall of each ho be provided with shoulders, corrugations, or catches 9, which will engage the opposite side edge of the letter and retard the same and hence tend to cause the letter to drop or fall with a fiat face down and prevent the letter drop pingwithin. the box in a vertically or edgewise position. However various arrange *ments of gates and'boxes can be employed and the letters can fall free by ravity alone b to each box or forcible or conveym conl particular and predetermined box. In the specific construction shown, each gate shaft of the main way and branch passage ates has an extended end and providedwitli a crank and these cranks are operatively connected with certain operating and controlling means. The same system of reference charactors is employed in indicating said crank arms. The main gate way crank arms are l, 2", 3, 4", 5, and the branch passage ates are l 2" 8" etc. or accordiw to the D l l 7 C) particular passage andbox. All of these cranks are preferably arranged at the back of the case of boxes as more clearly shown in Fig.

The frame of the apparatus is extended forwardly from the. box case and at the top extends downwardly and forwardly to foiun one main .letterway beyond the said gates of way and. '2. the same'arcor curvature as the remainder of said way. At the lower front end of the main ways a letter hopper,

-' support or receptacle is provided for the bundle of mired letters. l

Various constructions and devices can be provided for this purpose if it be desired to provide a holder for the common pile or. bun die of letters, though in the specific form shown in the drawings a support, table or floor 10, is provided on which the letters are piled with their addressed faces upwardly and their inner side edges resting against the lower portion of the floor of said main way.

The oppoly pre-' This table is vertically movable ad is maintained in a horizontal position, and is carried by the pair of parallel links 11, ii at the upper front ends pivotally joined to a noise tion from saidtable and at their lower rear ends pivotally joined to the frame work so that as the follower moves upwardly it noproximately follows the curvature of H5 main way. The said table is yieldingly pressed upwardly to constantly press or move the body of letters upwardly as their number decreases, by any suitable means such as a. weight 12, connected with the table or a link by means of a cord passing over a pulls It I will be observed that the table can be pressed down at anytime to receive a fresh bundle of letters? The top letter of the bundle or pile is constantly pressed upwardly or against a suitable movable feeder arranged and constructed to carry the topmost letter laterall from the pile at the willof the operator an when the proper operating devices are set in motion by the operator.

flhe specific feeder shown in the drawings comprises a depending swinging arm 13, er

ranged above the pile of letters and at its upper end secured to the rock shaft l lfarranged transversely a distance above the main way and pile of letters and mounted on rigid arms 15, extending from the frame work beyond the side edges of the main way.

The lower free end of this swinging arm is provided with a swinging finger or toe 16, having its lower free end provided with sevcral needle points rigid therewith. The toe and its needle points press down into engagement with the top most letter-of the pile, and

the toe is so inclined that the finger can swing outwardly without moving the letter All that direction, the needle points sliding over the face of the letter, but so that when the finger is swung in the opposite direction the needle points will bite and gripthelettcr and lift and move the individual letter inwardly and upwardly from the pile and against the lower curved end of the guiding spring finger 17, and over the separating or retarding rib or obstruction 18, on the floor of the way. I 5

The spring fingers 17, cooperate with the separator 18, in holding back the nextletter and in preventing the passage of more than one letter at a time from the pile. Usually "several feeder armsare employed and also several spring fingers 17, can be used, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. A spring finger 19, is preferably, provided to engage the outer edge portion of the top-most letter beneath the feeder and thereby hold the letters in place and steady the letters of the pile and prevent the pile of letters tilting up at the outer edge. These spring fingers 1 and 19 can be adjustably and removably secured to cross bars between the uprights 20, rigid I with she frame work and arranged beyond the edges of the letter way 2i, is s horizontally disposed roll, which ii desired can. be used as an irnnression roller rim ed transverselysnd Wit iin the floor of ssir main letter Way at a point just above the pile of letters and is mounted on s shaft 22 jburneled in the sides of the frame work just. beneath the floor of said way.

23 is s roll which if desired can be used as e printing roll arranged. above and cooperating with said impression roll and i'ieving' its sl sfi niounsed in the free ends oi'veriioelly swinging rock arms 2-1, st their upper ends loosely mounted on or connected to the rigid uprights The printing roll can thus move toward and irom' ohe impression roll and if desired a spring device eon be eniployedyto yieidingiy hold i-he. printing roll toward the impressioniroli end to insure the proper impression on the letters.

Any suitable inking mechanism can he provided [or the printing roll. The printing roli .is forn'ied with ciroumfereni'inl grooves, permitting passage of the spring 17, end also to permit passage thereshrough of the fingers o5 the'letter conveyor hereinafter re ferred to end the impression roll is also formed with registering grooves. The roll '23 con he provided with the usual printing characters and stamp canceling mark or dies, which it is mi necessary to here show and can also he provided with a removable priming character, (not here shown) which will impress on each letter theprivate inerliof the particular operator to serve as s-oheclr in determining the person responsible for errors in the distribution of the mail matter.

26 is edrive shaft the machine arranged transversely in the lower part thereof and rovidediwith beveled gearing 26, between said shaft and the upright connecting shaft 27, mounted in suitablehearings in the frame work of the machine and st its opoer end oonneore'd with the impression roll shaft 22, by beveled gearing 28, so that the impression roll she-ft is drivo'n'in the "proper direction from said main shaft. 29 and 30 are ear wheels from the pression roil sharia to o ilriving gear 31, moiinted .on the some on which the arms rock. The gear 31, meshes with and drives a gear '32 on the printing roll shaft. The printing roll is thus properly rotated with respect to the impression roll irrsspeetive'of ii's vertical position as ihe gears 31 and 31? are oonstoxitly in mesh. The driving mechanism. is so arranged-thirt- .the power driven ports of the machine are nom nated on periodically and when a letter inrfill i is presented for treetmentend movement.

33 is the driving gear for the shaft 25. This gear runs'loose on is rigid sleeve or hearing sorroim igin and concentric with she drive shift. as driven continuously through the medium of suitable gearing conneeted with the proper I power. The gear is rigid with. a ratchet Wheel 34.- A iziteral arm 35, rigid with the normally i11- suiive drive shaft 25, is arranged beside the ratchet wires and at its outer end. carries pivoi sliy dog 36 havin s shoulderedfend to sh with the ratoiet teeth of said wheei 34. The opposite free end 05 thedog is curved and arranged. to be normally engaged by suitable means holding the d0 out oiengegement .iviili the ratchet whee and hence maintaining the drive shaft out of gesr with its driver. The dog is so formed or controlled thirton release from ssid stop its shouldered end will drori-inio engagement with the ratchet wheel end thereby i'liiZ'OW she size-it into gear with the gear 33, and sense revolution of the ports together during a complete rotation when the said resr end of she dog wild he engaged snddepressed by she stop the dog re leased from the rsioliiei wiieei leaving the dog in its norrnsi position. as shown. is dotted. lines in if 'lne-shsfi; 25 thus makes one complete remission st each operation. and the gesring and shaft 27., therefrom to the rolls of the printing mechanism ere sfranged' to slso turn sir-id 'roiis one complete whenever a key lever is depressed, es. ineiter mentioned.

Thestop, or trip mechanism mentioned. is sl'iown'in the drawings as s. rook. shaft 3? with an arm 42 having its lower free end forming the stop which can he swung to reegain Latch, his and hoid ,iiie dog. The said rook sheix; and trip are shown eontrolled by a lift rod 38, exizendin upwardly st onesidc of she machine and at its iir per end connectod to control "rhe'feeder before described. which carries eeoii retirinso the; rintingr mechanism. The means s iecii' really disclosed for'ihis purpose comprise a .bell'era'nir 3?: iulcrmned. at its angle to the frame arm 15 Wiiii ine lift rod 38, pivotslly joined in its lsiorelly extending arm and raving its o nvsrdlv extending orm arranged to swing out the Feeder arms to notch and feed forward a letiieowhen seii lift rod is moved up to throw the drive shsi'tir. gear and thereby cause rotation of the irinting rolls. The said upper free endof i i 39, is llGZIQSliOWH engaging a, laierslsrm &0, depending and rigid. with the roofs shaftoa'rrying' the swingmgffeeders, to swing said arm 49 ouiwzirdly and thereby sorry the feeders outwardly to grasp the as before desoribed. r

A device is provided, sshereinhefore de scribed, which lift-s ssid rod 38 we siren trips, whereupon'the rod is returned to its normal positioujsnd the feeder is sworn): in werdly to csrry e letter-ism rho pi lsfimg revolution only at eeoh operation that is lease the dog endfwhioh then drops heel; to

ie, lever 15 letters along the main leii-e 39 he: rod 14:, exteniiing iaterei;

mechanism, 017 a suiteeie sprin z neeheniew iengitwiinaily be one side of t me gsuch for instance as finer Way. This fetter feedei or c011- normeiiy inactive. Various mechcniledon the z feeder and con-shanty feedei's at, their 1 nit toward the printmg mecabie stop or steps we be pm themovement of the pa i said spring device. For in rigid sto. 3'7, t0 iimit the dounwfi'n movement of t e arm or trip centre ling ti1eci0g3 j see Fig. 4;

Any suitable mechanism 01 device vided to move carry 01' pmpei the in e iiie CODSL'EUO JiOnS shown in t e the Imi'meiiy inactive shah; i2 wided "with the rigid crank arm having '15 outer end pivota-ily connected by a pitmam 551, with the lever 43 to eneside of the fulcrum thereof. it will thus be noted that 0 c mpiete revolution cf the shaft 25, will 11 We the letter or eenveyer the iength 50 of he main. ieibiber Way twice. The normal can be switched 0f? into er be iefizer As Lien ef the ieiter feeder 0r conveys? at device Williiik might be em gi ed rm" i ate x5113; ei movement; at. the Yeas 1d 01' the pose, eithoughmyinvenciuim :10? main Setter Way. When the key iever or '26 may particular means for or met-heal of mow emit-ailing meehe'nism, :0 be heremafivez' re- 3 mg, carrying, 01' directing the Ee ferred 30 1s demessed the lift l'fii hereinbe sages ,eommunicat'mg with cert-sin e scribed throws shaft 5 11120 gee]? show a swinging arm 43, arranged '1; O! with iiS gmwer and sets the feeding and printef the madame and fulcrumed at bee mechanism ines action. A. letter is 25 which is approximately the center thereby eeiiiedinto the printing mechanism. which the are 01" circle of the main t the a-me time the crank 50 begins to move ei'truek. This arm "fiends so ape waving the letter cenveyer iQrWe-rd the plane of ihfi m "v 4 feed uni ewin 1g arm is provide Win11 the printing meeium m and. whereugaon the ieeter feeder? e o pesite direction marrying the 1 t e Fear 9 f the Way. For and m e6dE?'iESi1OWH aimosh were! from said rod 44 and me Formed *1 i to 1 pnsmon after depositing a, lei- 35 the c'lowmmzdly prej'eetin sheufiders m tel ii iette? gassage i, intended fer .302: C. catches 4&6, and with beve ied 01' inclined The ietter is depoeited in its proper passage outer feces, so that said fingers l'iiai'm M '5 and file feeder rethms to rest at its normal migim be termed. a. let- 5m wave; 1 or em" position at the sud of the wey. it will I p-eiiieg rake end time 2 Le ever swing be observed that each time the shaft 25, is

tmzzs'verseiy 0i and a (lists-.1191 floor of the main ietter way. ing fingers 45, raised KiOYvIW/ 1 4%; ea rake arms 01 1' J5 wiii extemi thrown inte rear with its driving means W5 I I I 1 i cempiete z'eveiuiion is mede befoz'e the Shfifi: is again threwn out of gear so that e full feedstroke of the iett-ei' cenveyer is insured eec'e ogemtien.

tlmugiz the grceves i1 me gzx'imizgg zpeehamism, permittiz. mere 0: said fingers to sexism be edge 0% the Latte-7; in said If; and wiaem the mevement 0f the i3 veyseil the ieteer Wiii d 2 1-27 31- (We? the T v mechanisms can. be employed to set the venous devises m ac'blon to carry 01 fix" in name beween "giae Wii-Ii each letter, and to set vei'ieus getes to iicnr'ei thee zen: 1e (i e eaeh letzer, taken ,trcm ibhe-cemmon iie v" ifiie 0f t e,

mange 2e iet'ze? W we i-ii' wife 01 imm a common source in a articular l e1? receptacle a. series. In the specific imam. min ez-ianmie shown in the drawing, a key is pro-- 5 are yieidflexed for each box my receptecie. The bank insure :px'eper of keys, is cemposed of series 0 1' keys in 1mm" (hereby, yet so that her equai t0 the number of flexes or recepa I mi $1 ends 0; pm'tinns of moles, end each key is previded with chame- E 1M; 1121' *1 ters m" printed matter the same as, or indieating its particular 002;. Thus in foiiowing sub the system of indicating chamomile zadopied, the twenty three keys correspone-- i 'nty t ree receptacles shown,

" in :eted by the same i 5 ms i'ene'emens of centroiiing and 110 [11. ii a g eye 1w see gates, as my invention is not limited tothe employment of such. although 1 prefer them as at present sclviserl'from practical tests.

In the drawings, the specific means (lisclosed for controlling the gates corn rises a vertical series of transverse rocl shorts Q, B, A, 5 1 3 .3 1 The roclrsh'cftsare mounted at their ends in the sides of the irsme sncl are preferably all located in a vertical plane parallel with and close to the plane of the vertical slides 61, and yet so that each reel: shaft extends transversely of ell the slides. At the side of the machine, each rock shaft hos e creel: srm connected by 2. suitable wire or other connection with cerlsin or" the gate cranks and said connections are shown clearly in Fig. 2, arm-need st the beck of the box case. I prefer in. t s1"- rengemeritcf boxes shown to connect the box or passage gate cranks together in horizontel series es shown in Fig. 2, so that all the A, B, or G, box getes will open and close together. This can be done Without interferiug with the proper placing of the letters, as only one letter in a passage at a time. The creek 1 of rock shaft 1, is connectedby a. wire or the like to crank 1" of gate 1', mad crenlr 2*, of rock shs'lt 2 to crank 2', oil gets 2, and crs-nlr. 3 of reel; shaft 3' to crash 3', of gets 3", and creek 4: of recs shaft 4', to crank 4 of gate 4', and crenlc. 5. of rock sbeft 5 to'crzml: 5 of gate 5. t will thus be observed that these five rock shafts just mentioned control the five moin'letter Way gates. The other three rock shafts ore, respsctively, connected to control the gates of the rows of A, B, end C, boxes. Thus the crenl: A, of rock shaft A, connects to the series of cranks Z 3" 4 5, 6' Thus the rock shsft A, controls the gates or" the A, boxes and must be actuated by each of the five lreys' corresfaonding to said boxes. The

crank B of the-rock shaft l3, in the samewsy connects with the six cranks of the gates ofthe B, boxes, viz: l 2 3 P, 5 6 itlfzfl henee each one of the six keys corresponding to said B, boxes must actuate the rock she-ft B. The crank C, of the rock shell {1, connects with the series of cranks, 1, 2*, 3, 4 5, 6, of the gates of the C, bOKBS? and rcckshsft C, is actuated by all the keys corresponding to the (7, boxes.

Various means can be employed to cause the slides of the key levers to operate certainroclr shafts without operating the remainingrock -shells. This can be conveniently (lone by series of differently arranged projections. Thus the rock shafts are formed with flanges or arms 67, rigid therewith and projecting towsrd the slides 61, emi normally about horizontal. The edges cl said flanges ere slotted or notched to receive the respective slides. Each slide has s cross pin 68, passed therethrough and arranged. on the flange or mm of rock shaft which it is to operate.

lfifil Hence when the slide is forced down it slides througlv the flanges" or arms which it does not operate but the pin. or pins 68 thereof depress the flange or fls nges which it should operate and hence roclrs 'theshsft er shafts thereof and opens the proper gates.

All of the slides connects-cl with the keys representing the boxes, excepting the bottom and end rows, have two pins to operate two rock shafts and hence open thc proper main way gets one branch pnsssgelgate. Hence one of Shirl slides has one pin to depress one of the upper five flanges or srms-fil, Whi'c actuate main way gates, and also pin to. op crate one of the lower three flanges to setuote the 'roper box gate. .The slides (0111" nested vdth keys correspondingto the nottom boxes (excepting box D) have only one in 68, each to o crate on'oneof the upper live flanges whim. control. main way gates. The slide connected with the key corresponding to box D", has no pins, as no otes are actunted thereby. The slides connected with the keys corresponding to boxes A, B, (1, have only orie pin 68, each operating on the three lower flanges, respectively which sctu ate the box gates.

' It will be noted. that the initial feeder is normally held. at its limit of inward. movement by the spring 41., shown particularly in Fig. 5, and that when in key lever is depressed the rod 38 is lifted thereby swinging the initicl feeder outwardly against the tension of spring 41 until the arm 65, slips past the trip 38, whereupon the. feed strclfze actuating spring 41 moves the initial feeder inwardly on its letter feeding stroke. 'll're feeder is hence yieldingly driven on its letter feeding stroke, by the so ting, wherelz-y the feeder car. yield or even g; at any point in its feeding stroke eccordirl the resistance oflcred by the letter, there l y reducing to the minimum the danger of mail matter being niutilst erl by the feeder should the pieces of mail mutter Wedge or refuse to enter the feed rolls. act of depressing it he lever, or the flP- rcss ing movement of the rev lever under t re action of the operators hand orfinger moves or forces the initial feeder on its return stroke, While the :feed stroke spring 41, mo 'the feeder on its feeding stroke. As I must present advised by practice experience, it is preferable to rovizle inserts 'for forcibly guiding and pcssmly moving" or assisting the letters in the branch or boy. s sages. in Fig. l,'the boxes are. shown an 1 their inner sides, open almost entirely, and. with the gstes as before described having; their rock shsfts'at the bottoms of the side openings. The gate fingers are constructor; and arranged so that they can, when open, rest 9. sinst the opposite well of the passage and 3 us form a gradual incline across the passage to the box whereby the letters will engage the same in an upright position and.

The

4o nection or the belts secured thereto.

be guided into the box in an upright position and crowd over the ot ier letters therein, and thus drop with their lower edges on the bottom of the box. Light coiled expansive 5 springs 70, can be located in the boxes to yieldingly hold the letters upright and to be conipicssed as the box fills.

'lravoling belts Tl or'othcr means can be arranged longitudinally of each branch or box passage and curved light springs or spring fingers 72 are shown to press the lettersagainst said downwardly trayeling belts. These belts assist the letters and maintain them in the proper upright osition and.

against tilting or wcdging, whic might oth crwise occur if a letter contained a heavy article in one end, or under some other conditions. These belts also assist in forcing the letters into the boxes. A series of separate 2o belts or plies are'arranged in each assage alternating with the gate fingers whic 1 swing out between the belts.

Various arran ements of bolts and operating means there or can be provided. Thus in Fig. 1, spring rollers 73 are mounted transverscly at the upper ends of the letter passages. The belts of each passe c are secured to and wound on the roller at t .e up or end thereof and the springs within the r crs are arranged to constantiy tcnd. to wind up the belts thereon and thus move the belts up in the passages. Idler pulleys 74,' arc mounted at the lower endso'f the letter passages, and the bolts of all the passages are carried rearwardly over saidpulleys, and secured together at their ends and provided with a single ulling cable or connection 75, extending orwardly beneath the'case. A nlley 76, at

' the roar of the case is provided ibr said opin- 1c cable 75 is secured to winding drum '77, loose on countorshaft 78, mounted beneath the case. A ratchet" wheel 79, is rigid with said drum. 80 is the main drive shaft of the machine having a gear 81,, meshing with 'gear' 82. loose on shaft 78 and which meshes with and drives gear 33, loose on shaft25. The gear 82, has a ratchet wheel 83 V therewith, the tooth of which are arranged oppositel v to those of ratchet wheel 79, rigid wit 1 the drum.'- A ratchet arm 83, is loose on the shaft 78, between the two ratchet wheels, and worries two oppositely arranged dogs 54, 85, for said two ratchet Wheels, respectively. The two dogs are normally held withtheir catch ends out of engagement with-their ratchet Wheels by a single trip 86, engaging the extended rear ends of both dogs or parts rigid with said ends.- 'This tri 86, is a swingingfinger dcpending from t is frame and connected pivotally by a push rod 87, with snother swinging arm 88, so that the two arms will constantly tend to swing back to their north 'mxi-l vertical positions with arm or trip 86,

'.vated by the trip.

oosws holding up the dogs. If desired a spring can he provided to return said arms and a stop acting against the spring, see Fig. 1. The rod 87, has a )l'OjGGtlOD 87, in the path of a projection 87 on the crank arm operated y ratchet wheel 34. It will thus be observed that when the key is depressed and the movable parts of the machine are set in o oration thereby that the pin 87", engages pin 87, and thereby moves rod 87, endwise andswings trip 86, from the two dogs held thereby. drop into their respective ratchet wheels and. hence the arm 83, is swing with the gear 82,

and thereby carries ardund the drum and winds up 13 cable 75, thereon, and hence rapidly pulls down all the belts in the Va rious passages, and starts this operation before a letter could possibly enter any of said passages. The said belts continue to move down a short space of time after the main way feeder has passed-the last opening to the end passage 6, so as to carry a letter which might be in said passage to the last boxthereof. This is accomplished and possible because the pins 87 and 87 do not engage and,conscquently thetwo dogs 84, 85,. are-not tri pod until a short space of time after the s aft 25, operating the feeder lever 43, has been thrown in gean-and as the drum and parts connected therewith make a complete revolution before the trip 86, againengages and rides upon the extended ends of the two dogs andraises their catch ends from the ratchet whcelsand thus throws the drum out of gear. inent of the belts is also attained by reasiin of the fact that gear 82-, actuating the winding drum is of greater diameter than gear 33, directly drivingthe shaft actuating the main letter way convc or. As soon as released the drum reboun s under the impulse of the spring rollers which thereby return the belts to their normal positions wound on the spring rollers. Vi/henthe The catch ends of these dogs then The continued m ve-- drum rebounds the dog thereof, is hold ele- It should be noted that irrthis specific construction the drum malies but one coinplete'rotationwhether winding or unwinding.

As has been hereinbefore stated various means can be provided to carry the letters successively from the common source or pile topassagos or various boxes and the term which I employ oi main letter way or conveyer is indicated to broadly or generically describe any such arrangement and it might also be noted that the branch or box pas. sage can sup'ply'or communicate with one or more bozgcs.

Spring: devices are usually employed to return the box .atcs to their normal posi-- tions, and to hold thc'samo yield ingly closed, sis shown in F 2. As the main wa gates swing up in opening, gravity is usual y suffidEVlCGEl, such myself to be the 84 and 85 lo render them quick iii a cient to close them, althouglz splice can be employed 1i desirable. Spuoge are preferably PYOVMlQCl lor the various In Fig. l, the spring for dog-35, is indi As examples of devicee which ployed for moving {he pieces of mail 11 to their various poinl'sof clesbloat-ion do. .51 the sorting process, I show an'aogemeli'le of oscillatory or reciprocatory letter moving clevices and feed. belle although I do not thereby svish to limit ine19 broad features of Ir veolaion to any parliculai' construol' m for or method of moving, carrying or 1" cling the pieces'of mail om a common source to various boxes or other race i aclee, or $0 passages communicating wit-l1 boxes or poinie of delivczy; Within the broad. lures of my 1* eotion, intermittingly 1ooval'ole letter moving; oi propelling devices need n01; be employed, nor, under said broad features is it oeceesar to employ clutch or make and break mechanism, nor an initial feeder li'i fact, any suitable letter feeding as commonly employed in mail marking machines, might be used for initial feeding; Again, it is neecssazy'czctler the bIDdfilfBfitllYB-E of my invention, that a support for the common pile of letters be employed to suoceeeively display the ad dressed face of each let-lei: the View of 11, operator.

Ally suicalole meol'ienicm can be employed to convey the letlers successively or Gi li wisc'from the common. source co yci'ious p'aseagee to various; iclzeptaolee box s, and the term I empl v main letter Way or conveyor .l v ed Lo broadly 01 generically indicaic E arrangement, and it mightolso be noted; c l111ebra5ool1 or box passages Q3. Ways aol'l eopply or oommueiccle with one or more boxes or re oeptaclee, and many other langemenis and constructions miglil; be employed l believe first to gi'odoce device, Whatever its ococuroctiom for distributing mail matter, and, co at ,preeen'b advised, intend thal; all conseructioilsior accomplicl1- ing such giorpose shall fall loitllin -l;l1e spirit and scope of my invention, Whether or not a general Way or conveyor be employed hole which the letters are distributed or Whether or not branch Ways or conveyors .l'Je employed.

It should ie noted tllal the termfletters employed herein refers generally to mail matter of any sort, kind or comlitiooxvhicli any apparatus, adthlo the spirit and scope of my invention, is adapted to. receive and handle. It should also be noted that various mechanisms can beadded to the a paratue illustrated, Qr'ccnbo-taken from tdeappa ratus illustrated without departingfz om the spirit and scope of my -mve-11tioo which Fig. 11, can be 5 common source and distributing the same to various predetermined points.

The invention is not limited. no a case or series of boxes, as the letters can be delivered to various predetermined points or locations, Whether such various locations be in the form of compartmenie, receptacles, boxes, reposi tories or holders f0? the letters or otherwise.

If so desired provided with an suitable means in the boxes to hold t e letters ogelvlieir and upright, such as springs shown in dotled lines in some of the ooxee, or as shown in full lines in Fl 1. letter moving devices of the letters flat face down the boxes.

the sake of making clear the broad features of invention involved in this case, I have specifioallydescribed details of conscz-oclion in lhe examples shown, but my inention is not thereby limited. and I do not Wish. to limit myself to such examples as shown but consider myself broadly entitled to all other structures falling Within the and scope of my invention, as I believe myself to be the first to produce an apparatus f r soiling or distributing mail matter and broadly claim apparatus for attaining such object.

What I claim is:

1. lo. an apparatus of the character described, a case or series of boxes having letter receiving openings thereinto, in combination with a main letter way or conveyor arran ed elaove the case of boxes and arranged to iscl'lerge lowerethereto, means for individudistcibuciaig the mail matter and mail long mechanism arranged to deliver clie l ll-is separately to said main letter Wit-y, sooeeantially as closer-flied.

2. in combination, series of boxes or re ceietacles, mail matter individual sorting and moving means, and. gates, deflectors, or of pp-ere controlling the letters and directing eoo' dividual piece of matter on its articular course, substantially as described? En combination, aletter Way, an up warclly moving support arranged to carry a pile-of faced up mail matter and to display the addreeecd face of the letters successively to the view of the operator, a feeder arranged to successively remove the letters from the top of the pile and'pass the same on toward said Way, means for individually distributing the letters and letter conveying mechanism, substantially as described.

4. l1: combination, an upwardly pressing support, an initial swinging feeder to successively move the topmost letters therelrom, a. printingmecl'zapism receiving said letcez'o, and conveyor or'. letter move 1 re-: celviag lotter'o fionisaid printing mechig. 11, can do osit or horizontal y in the arrangement shown in v If desired the anism, and mechanism for periodically actuating said feeder and printing mechanism together, substantially described. 5. In an apparatus of the character ale-- scribed, a holder for the comnmnv pile of mixed mail matter, an initial feeder to successivelyremove letters therefrom, a print ing mechanism, a main way letter feeder or conveyor, letter boxes having branch passagesfrom said Way, letter (liri. .-;;ti'iig or guidingmcans, a series of key levers indi eating and corresponding to the boxes and connected with and controlling'said direct ing means, actuating mechanism, and connecting devices controlled by said hey lovers, whereby the initial. feeder and the printing mechanism are operatively coupled. with the actuating means Whenever a key lever is depressed.

6. In combination, frame, a vertically movable horizontally disposed table provided with means yieldingly pressing or moving the same upwardly, a rigid wall extending up beside and above the table against which the edges of letters on the table ,can aline, and a feeder to take the letters successively from the pile, and individual letter distributing and dirccting mechanisms, substantially as described.

7. In combination, a vertically movable horizontally disposed holder arranged. to receive a pile of mixed letters and corstructed to successively expose the a ldressed face of each letter to the view of the operator, moans yieldingly pressing said holder u'p- Wardly, and feeding mechanism successively removing the letters therefrom, and individual letter distributing and directing mechanisms, substantially as described.

, 8. In combination, a holder arranged to receive the pieces of mail matter, and means to move the holder, a spring exerting downward pressure on the letters in the holder, a feeder successively taking the letters from the holder, and individual letter distributing and directing mechanisms, substantially as described.

9. In combination, a movable holder arrangil to constantly press and move a pile of letters, swinging aims connected to said holder to move and maintain the holder in planes parallel with ach other, means for yieldiiigly movnjg said parts to fccdlhe pile of letters, an initial feeder, and letter moving and directing devices for distributing the letters to various predetermined points, substantially as descril'ied ii). In combination, side guide or Wall against which the edges of a pile of letters can he aiined, a holder and mover for the pile V of letters, a; curved spring TG:tlllg on the I coarse livers the letters, letter moving means taking the letters from said marker, and directing and controlling means for delivering the"let ters at various predetermined points, substantially as decribed.

1]. In combination, means to receive and hold the letlers, a wall or guide along which the letters are moved therefrom, a separator on said guide, a curved guiding spring opposite the letters and pressing toward the separator, a feeder to carry the letters against said. spring and over or past the separator, a letter marker to which said feeder successi\ ely delivers the letters, letter moving means taking the letters from aaidmarker, and directing and controlling means for delix ering the letters at various predetermined points, substantially as described.

12. The feeder comprising a swinging arm at its free end carrying a pivoted toe provided uith sharp points, a letter marker to which said feeder successively delivers the letters, letter moving means taking the lettersfrom s aid markenand directing and controlling means for delix ering the letters at various predetermined points, substantially ai deicri red.

13. The feeder comprising a depending swinging arm arranged above the letters with the pivoted toe on its lower end having sharp points to partially lift the letter and move the rains laterally, a letter marker to which said feeder successively delivers the letters, letter moving means taking the letrein-i from said marker, and directing and controlling means for delivering the letters at various predetermined points, substantially described.

14-. Means to hold and press up the letters, and a feeder arranged above the same and constructed to partially lift'and move the topmost letters laterally and successively from the pile, a guiding spring for the inner end of each letter being fed, a letter marker to which 2 aid feeder successiv ely delivers the letters, letter mming means taking the let-' lters from said marker, and directing and 'controlling means for delivering the letters at various predetermined points substantially dcrcribed.

i 15. A. feeder co'mprii-ing a movable carrier prm ided u ith a winging toe at one end pivoted to the carrier so that its free end can to be moved, said free end of the toe having a letter gripping surface, said toe arranged at an angle to the flat face of the letter to be 1 moved, and arranged to grip and move the 1 letter u'hen the carrier is moved in one direction and to :lide freely over the face of a letter \i'hen the carrier is moved in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

l l6. il'iecha'iism for receixing and feeding a pile of mail matter or sheets upwardly, in l combination with a swinging carrier movsu ing ton ard and from the face of the letter Zebove the Way,

nation with a swinging :u'm arranged ever the pi. spring (,lfi'vlfiQ for moving the arm in dil'GCHOli, the eetueimg means c0111- pniin trip mechanism to me've the arm againstthe spring and then release the seine and permit quick movement tlieree'fundei' the impulee of the spring, and a, feeding ;ie-

vice carried by the free end of the arm, sul

stm'itielly described.

18. Mechanism for carrying and moving e body. 0f letters and means for individually marking and dietributing said letters in com binetion. with the feeder arranged to cerry' the letters successively and lelemlly fi'em the pile, spring meebmi' actuating said feeder in one direction, pos tively actuating meclie ism fee moving the feeder in the ep. poiite divest-i011 end tripping device to release the feeder 53mm the eczilieting media-nism. and permit the q-iiielsi feei sti'elie un cler the action e1 the spring meelienism.

19. In combination a main. letl er way, e le atei" nmrking meelmnism comm-L g roll? eye eh said m the letter feeding (lemme over the may carry the letters to the printing meeheniem, end. amain feeder to the letters the may from file painting meelmnism end to cliicherge the ei nee ah various points along the way, substantially es described.

20. mainv let'lei' Way, leans et 0 -e end thereof to support a, i10lf-70fl:fi"" extending up-fii'om lZlM-B- vi my, in cerz ied by such supports, e, piiim anal a Illfi'ii mever 0; ei'zztijng ever the \my and diselmz ging lei-ten; at "various points iheiethe 22. in an appamtus of the diameter described,- e main way from which the letters are eliscilereted a t Various paints in Cambium tum.- Fill/l1 the letter moying rake reciprocat frem, enlist-en ts said suppores, and positive (leii iiig beck and feitli the length 0f" zilie way, substantially as desezibed';

v2.3. In combination, in a mail dist-ribuiing apparatus means for individually sorting the letters or mail matter a, floor 01 Way lmving a depending end pprtion, a letter holder alt the lewer end thereof, an initial letter feeder, eQ I'int-ing' mechanism on the Wey, tl1e way extending direct-i reerwerdly from the print in mechanism, substantially as (leserlbed.

A mail distributing epperetueemm prising, letter conveying end guiilizig mecl1- enisme, eomrelling means thei'eier, .e letter floor, and means Whei'e by ihe addressee; feee of eecii piece nail matter disclosed t0 the operator in combination with supieerie extending; up therei'mm, nprinting me ism comprising ene roll in ii iii the way and the other COfi'flCillZlQ' roll e eeve the and provided with moi-able 18.25?!" P for both rolls, eubsteiit-ielly e e alescr: heel.

'25. In a mail distributing eppa-m combination, of a case 0? letter zei J having passages tliereio, e main lei'ler communicating with all of said peeeagee, swinging arm carryinga letiei" mevei' ire l over said we end let actuating mechanism, subeteneielly (fie scribed;

26 In e mail distributing eppe; eembinetion of a series 9i letter: i'eLepm-e curved main letter We el the 59 1328 eommuniceting wit-b. ilie verieue reeep' an oscillating armswiieging from eeiiiei and carrying letfiez' eereveyer movable ale 0 said Way, eontrolling means and eei-uemng devices, smbstaii'ielly described,

27. The combination of means; for indi 'vicluallyl-eistributing mail matter, e letter feeder comprising e tre isve 'se red havinglaterally projeeting with catch 01' shouldered ends, 2111 esei eting" arm ea Frying the same and actuating mechanism, substen tielly ae eecribecl.

28. A 5001 or way; LL

feeder ceriiprising heed provided with operating; means and arranged transversely of said finer with yielding letter engaging and tnerenem to SllClQ moving fingers projecting the letter along the floor, series of l8ili8l re cepta eles' communicating with said wey, iecoer guiding meme, and contrelling mechanisms, substantially described.

29. A emve-d lettezwvey er liner, in mmbinetien with e swi zing emi extenslirw; up beside the Floor and eii'its free end ea Tying a letijer mover meonvey t-lle letters alone; the iwey, series; of leeizer reL-eplaeles beneath and er: cenlreluiig anal us. the

combination with a eemmuxiicetiieg with seid'way, guiding end controlling mechanisms, substenliielly as de scribed.v

' 30 Aeaseor seriee of sexes, letter peer sages communicating with the beetege main letter way communicating with the passages, a mail marking mechanism and gates between the passages and Way forming the floor of the way, substantially as described.-

31. Series of boxes, letter passages coinmuni atanr therewi h, swinging gates normally closing ccrtrinboxes and arranged to direct letters thcre nto when opened, a mail marking mechanism a letter conveyer ar ranged to discharg ash letter into any parstantially as described. ticular passage, and controlling means, sub- A case or series of letter receiving boxes or'reccptacles, letter passages commr- 'Licating with the boxes, swinging gates at the receiving ends of the passages, a mail marking device and a letter mover or conveyer common to all said passages and so formed that any gate can swing out through the same and deflect the letter therefrom into the particular passage, substantially as desc ibed.

655. The vertical series of boxes, each series having its own vertical letter passage, means in'each passage to direct-a letter into any particular box, and prevent entrance of the same into other boxes, mechanism for delivering each letter into a particular passage and preventing entrance thereof into other passages, "letter moving and marking mechanisms and controlling devices, substantially as do scribed.

34. In combination, normally inactive mailinarking mechanism, a normally inactive feeder for supplying letters successively thereto, driving means, actuating mechanism for moving; the feeder one feeding stroke and driving the printing mechanism, and a key lever connected to throw the actuating mechanism into gear with said driving means, substantially as described.

35. In a machine of the character described, series of boxes or receptacles, letter moving and directing devices arranged to deliver cach letter into any particular box, a normally inactive mail fiiarlren'a normally inactive letter conveyor, series of key levers, corresponding to said. boxes andcontrolling said letter directing devices each lever ar ranged to throw said normally inactive parts into gear with driving means, substantially as described.

36. Series of boxes having a passage communicating therewith, letter forcing belts longitudinally of the passage and spring fingers cooperating with the belts, substantially as described.

37. In an apparatus oi the character described, sevcral series of boxes, letter passages for the series, respectively, each passage opening into boxes of the series, reciprocating letter forcing belts in each passage, driving means, all the'belts connected trolling guides or gates, series of crank shafts having connections to .various gates and series of lrey levers, certain key levers connected to actuate certain crank shafts, and

a trip mechanism controlled by all the key levers substantially as described.

30. In an apparatus of the character described, normally inactive letter feeding and mail marking mechanisms, driving means, mechanisms to connect the driving means with said normally inactive mechanisms, series of boxes, series of letter directin gates or guides and series of key levers, al said levers connected to actuate said mechanism to operate said normally inactive parts and certain of said hey .levers' connected to actuate certain of said gates, substantially as described.

40. The combination of series of slides or plates, series of separate manually operated devices, such as Key levers, each connected to a slide, so that each key lever o' crates a particular slide,'boxes, series of letter directing means, certain slides controlling and actuating certain letter directing means, periodically operating letter mo ing devices', and means whereby said slides throw said letter moving devices into and out oi operation substantially as described.

41. In an apparatus of the character described, series of mailreceptacles, a series of manually operated slides corresponding thereto, letter directing means each slide controllin r said means to direct the letter to a particu ar box, actuating mechanism,

driving means, trip mechanism normally holding. said actuating mechanism out of gear, each slide connected to operatesaid trip to throw the actuating mechanism in gear with said driving means, substantially as described.

42. In an apparatus of the character .described, series of letter directing means, a series of rock shafts, each rock shaft controlling certain letter directing means, actuating means,- a trip mechanism and series of keys, each key arranged to rock a certain shaft or shafts, the remaining shafts remain-- ing inactive, substantially as described.

43. In an apparatus of the character described, a series of rock shafts having cranks, a series of manuallybperated slides, said slides having means to engage and rock oer.- tain shaft or shafts and move independently of the remaining shafts. and a trip mechanism actuated by each slide subst'antiallyas described.

44. Letter moving trip mechanism normally holding said letter with the driving means and actuated to l moving mechanism out of gear with said mechanism, a driver,

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