Improvements in Stamp-Cancellers and Post-Markers.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1897-Accepted, 28th Aug.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stamp-Cancellers and Post-Markers.
We, SAMUEL BURT HOLMES, Druggist, and JOHN WILLIAM MILAM, Manufacturer,
both of the City of Frankport, County of Franklin, and State of Kentucky,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:--
This invention relates to the cancelling of the stamps of letters, and consists in
a machine for this purpose which can be constructed at an insignificant cost in
comparison to the machines heretofore devised for the same purpose, which is
rapid and efficient in operation and which can be actuated if necessary by hand;
and to this end, the machine is constructed as fully set forth hereinafter, and as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved machine; and
Figure 2, an end view looking in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, and showing
a part of the cancelling device.
The base B, supports upon suitable uprights an elevated bed or table A, and has
standards in which turn two shafts C, D, carrying pulley E, E¹, around which
passes a belt F.
The belt F, is suitably prepared by means of neatsfoot oil or other preparation
so as to have a somewhat adhesive surface but not of such a character as in the
slightest degree to soil the letters, which may be placed upon the belt in a pile,
as illustrated in dotted lines, Fig. 1.
At one side of the table or platform A, is a flange or guard a, against which the
back edges of the letters may be placed.
.
From the rear end of the machine extends an arm H, through which passes a
shaft e, to which is hung a plate or frame I, carrying the printing roller J, which
is inked by means of two suitable inking rolls b, b.
Normally the weight of the frame I, and spring and the parts connected there-
with will keep it in contact with the belt F, the position which it will occupy when
ready for printing, but when it is desired to throw the printing devices out of
operation, a shaft K is turned so as to bring the projecting part of a cam c, below
and to elevate the frame I and hold the printing cylinder out of operation.
Beyond the rear end of the belt F, adjacent to the roller E', is an inclined
table L, and round the shaft e, extends a spring, the ends of which have their
bearings in lugs f, below the frame I, the central part being connected with the
shaft e,
which may be turned by means of a handle N, so as to wind up the spring
and impart a greater tension thereto to throw down the printing end of the frame I
with greater force. A ratchet i, and pawl g, serves as means to hold the shaft e, in
any position to which it may be turned, and it may be further held in place by a
set screw h.
When the stamps upon a series of letters are to be cancelled, the said letters are
collected in a pile and are placed upon the belt F, with their edges against the
guide plate or guard a, and the operator then places his hand upon the pile of
letters with the fingers extending downward between the end of the pile and

page_text: the printing cylinder J. Motion is then imparted to the belt F, in the direction
of its arrow, either by means of a motor, the belt of which passes to a pulley. n, on
the shaft C, or by means of a handle X, upon the shaft D, operated by hand.
As the belt begins its movement, the lower letter of the pile adheres thereto
and is carried forward and between the belt and the cylinder J, and by manipulat-
ing with his fingers, the operator can prevent any other letters passing until the
first has passed entirely beyond the pile when the face of the second letter will
adhere to the belt, and will be carried forward, and then the third, and so on.
By this means, each letter is carried beneath the printing cylinder J, which
rotates continuously in contact with the letters printing: thereon across the entire
length thereof the desired cancelling matter, the date of cancellation, etc., and
the letters after being successively thus printed pass on to the table L.
It has been found that with comparatively little practice an unskilled operator
can with a machine of the character above described, so manipulate the letters that
practically none of the same will pass upon the belt except in regular succession,
one after the other, so that each one of them is certain to receive the impression
from the roller J, and that this can be done with great rapidity, equal to that of
the more expensive machines which are now employed for the same purpose.
It will be evident that a machine of the construction illustrated can be made at
à fraction of the cost of those which have of late actually been introduced into
use for the purpose of cancelling the stamps of letters, and that it is adapted to be
employed in small postoffices where power cannot be readily secured.
While a certain proportion and arrangement and construction of parts have been
shown, it will be evident that in many of its features the machine may be varied
without departing from the main features of the invention.
It will be evident that when the letters are not being stamped, or on the passage
of the belt below the printing cylinder J, when no letters are upon the belt,
the latter will receive ink from the cylinder. This has not proved to be of import-
ance, but where it is desired to avoid any possible smearing of the letters, a pad Y,
may be placed between the base B and the belt so as to cleanse the same from any
ink after passing from the printing roller J and before again reaching the pile of
letters.
The presence of the table A, below the point where the letters rest upon the
belt and of the guard or guide a opposite this point, are important because there
must be a certain pressure with the hand upon the letters to insure the lowermost
letter of the pile taking frictional hold of the belt, and it is necessary to guide the
letters to prevent them from taking an angular course in passing below the
printing cylinder, and also to preserve them in a comparatively compact pile, whịch
results are secured by the arrangement indicated.
It is also desirable that the printing cylinder J shall turn freely and continuously
in one direction in contact with the entire length of each letter, because any
attempt to limit or regulate the movement of the cylinder would result in extreme
complications of the machine, as in others heretofore made, in increased expense
and in reduction of speed.
It is desirable that the shaft or axis of the printing roller J shall be on a
plane at the rear of the vertical plane of the axis of the shaft D. By this means,
there is less tendency of the printing cylinder to be thrown off and away from the
belt than would be the case if it was put further forward.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1st. In a machine. for cancelling stamps, the combination of a table, a con
tinuous travelling belt extending over the table, a printing roller supported to
turn freely and under the action of letters carried by the belt and in contact with
the entire length of each letter, a guard or gauge for supporting and guiding a
pile of letters resting directly on the belt, the surface of the belt adapted to

page_text: frictionally engage and carry the letters, and the whole arranged as set forth to
permit the letters to be carried successively and without stopping from the pile and
beneath the roller, substantially as described.
2nd. The combination of a table, a travelling belt passing over the table, a
gauge or guard at the side of the table, and a pivoted frame carrying a printing
cylinder or roller, the axis of the same being upon a plane at the rear of the axis
of the rear roller around which the travelling belt passes, substantially as described.
3rd. The combination with the table and travelling belt and gauge or guide, of
the pivoted frame I carrying a printing cylinder J, and a spring, and means for
varying the tension of the spring, substantially as set forth.