Patent GB-190022851-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Electrically Collecting and Conveying Letters and other Postal Matter.
Inventor: GORDON EDWARD LEON
Filed: 1900-12-14
Granted: 1901-06-15
Abstract: 22,851. Gordon, E. L. Dec. 14. Electric despatch apparatus.-Relates to electrical &c. apparatus for automatically collecting and conveying letters and other postal matter. Fig. 2 shows a pillar having a door Z to allow a receptacle E and letter cases D to be examined. The base has side doors S to facilitate inspection of a motor G and cog-wheels j<11>, j<1>, and allow letters, which have slipped out of the cases D and fallen into a box H, to be recovered. Letters inserted at an opening u are conveyed and guided to the receptacle E by the cases D and movable plates B on an endless band A passing over rollers a, a<1>, and W and operated by the motor G. Iron cross-bars M and a plate T are provided below the ground line. Each pillar is numbered, and its number is indicated at the central post office, when a collecting-trolley passes, through a counter and controller such as Deschieu's. The motion of the plates B on their pivots is limited by supports c. Each case D is formed of two iron plates d and e hinged together so as to open and close automatically. The plate D is folded at its lower edge, and has a central elongation to limit the motion of the plate e ; a similar projection preventing complete closing. The letters &c. are automatically removed from the receptacle E by a trolley F, and carried to the general distribution office. The interior of the receptacle E contains a diagonal inclined plate, to which is hinged a rectangular sheet-iron plate. This plate has a hook carrying a weight which causes it normally to engage the bottom of another inclined plate and close the receptacle E. A pivoted lever having a hook keeps the plate closed. The receptacle is attached to the pillar by a plate g, serving as a guide and having a rubber strip g<1> stretched across its upper edge. The frictional brushes of the motor G should be of carbon and automatically regulated. A rheostat is placed in the circuit. The cylinders a and a<1> are made of hard wood, and have grooves to allow the passage of the bolts attaching the cases D. Thin iron directing-plates m are hinged below the opening u, and have projections to limit their fall. The motor G receives the current from an aÙrial copper wire suspended from iron poles by iron suspension brackets. The apparatus for recording the passage of a trolley is fixed outside the receptacle E, and consists of a hard rubber plate from which are suspended two movable brass slabs, one of which is connected by a small wire to a wire M<111> leading to the power house, the second slab being connected to the negative conductor. A thin flexible steel rod, fixed between the two slabs, prevents a second contact between the two slabs after the passage of the trolley. An iron bar t on the trolley causes the contact to be made, and also releases the catch and operates the plate closing the receptacle E. The trolley runs along a galvanized iron cable R, stretched between the poles and pillars of the system, and is suspended by two iron bars p carrying grooved wheels m<11> covered by hook-shaped extensions. The trolley is divided into four sections. The first section contains a motor q<1>, which imparts motion, through toothed and chain gearing, to the wheel m<11>. The second section contains a storage battery. The letters &c. are dropped through the third section into the fourth section, which consists of an inverted leather mail pouch attached to the trolley by bolts and locked by padlocks. Rain is prevented from entering the fourth section by a zinc gutter z" leading to the outside of the trolley and arranged along the base of the wire netting z<1>. The cable R may convey a current to drive the motor q<1>. Wire netting w is placed under the receptacle E as shown.