Patent GB-548865-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to machines for affixing and cancelling stamps
IPC: B65C1/02
Filed: 1941-03-17
Abstract: 548,865. Machines for affixing and cancelling stamps. BLOCK & ANDERSON, Ltd., and GERLACH, H. March 17, 1941, No. 3662. [Class 73] The machine can be used for fixing insurance stamps to cards, letters and/or cancelling them. Preferably, the machine uses stamps wound on a reel, from which the stamps are fed to the affixing position. The card is damped, the stamp cut from the strip, and pressed on the card, the presser also cancelling the stamp. The stamped card is then picked up and presented in a position convenient for removal. A ram-like structure 15 is slidable linearly toward and away from the card support 22, the structure being urged upwardly by a spring and pressed downwardly by a handle 18, or by a treadle or by power driving a one-revolution clutch. The ram carries a roll 31 co-operating with a push-rod 33 actuating a counting- mechanism 72 and twisting a rod 35 withdrawing a pin 25 and allowing the pad 22 to rise to the stamp receiving position. The stamps are wound on a reel 39 and are fed by pawls 44, having teeth engaging the perforations between the stamps and moved by a lever 53 actuated by a slide 49 reciprocated by a cam 46 co-operating with a roll on the slide, the cam being pivoted at 47 so that the pawls are withdrawn slightly from the path of a knife 144 carried by the ram as the roll passes over the peak of the cam. The cancelling is performed by concentric rings 69 carrying type co-operating with an inking pad pivoted to the guide for the ram, so that after inking the pad is pushed aside. The card is damped by water from a receptacle 57. A grooved member 65, at the end of a spring 64 secured to the ram, co-operating with a lug on a plunger 61 actuating a lever 58 carrying a pad 66 normally closing apertures directed towards the operative position. Concentric rings carrying type comprise the cancelling means. The card is positioned with the aid of a transverse plate 111 and side plates 112, all adjustable. In a modification, these gauges are substituted by a bar with its ends bent at right angles and these pivoted, side gauges slidable along a rod carried by the bent ends of the bar, and so arranged that all the gauges may be lifted by knobs at the ends of the rod, and are thus out of contact with the base plate while they are moved to a new position. To remove stamped cards a pair of spools 340 similar to those provided for type-writer ribbons, carry adhesive tapes passing under a pad 343. The spools are supported by a slide 332 urged upwardly by a spring 344 and guided by a tube 337, secured to horizontal slides 334 and urged to the left by a spring 345. The slide 49 carries a pin 331 engaging a pin on the slide 334 to move the device to the right, yielding member 336 contacting a member 338 secured to the ram. A pivoted arm 347 of inverted T-shape co-operates with a pin 351 to cause the device to be retracted before rising to its full normal position on its return movement. Exhaustion of the supply of stamps is caused .to lock the ram from descent. A member 302 is pivoted at 303 and supported by the strip of stamps at 304 above an opening in the stamp guide. When the last stamp has been fed this member drops, allowing an arm 306 to swing and release an arm 307, which is moved by a spring 305 to interpose a slide 308 beneath a part 17 of the handle 18. A pivoted plate 75 is moved to the left when it is desired to cut out the feed of stamps. The slide 49 is then swung away from the cam 46, and the spring 64 deflected clear of the plunger 61. The spool of stamps may be in a separate detachable casing, which may be slid into place in the machine. Withdrawal of the casing releases a lever which grips the strip of stamps against a rubber pad.