IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOGRAPH STAMPS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTS OF WHICH APPARATUS MAY BE EMPLOYED FOR NUMBERING
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to The Honorable John Hay, commonly called Lord
John Hay, of St. James' Place, Middlesex, a Post Captain in Her
Majesty's Navy, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOGRAPH
STAMPS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTS OF WHICH APPARATUS
MAY BE EMPLOYED FOR NUMBERING."
Sealed the 19th June 1865, and dated the 23rd December 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Honorable John Hay at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd December 1864.
I, The Honorable JOHN HAY, commonly called Lord JOHN HAY, of
St. James' Place, Middlesex, a Post Captain in Her Majesty's Navy, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AUTOGRAPH STAMPS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE WITH, PARTS OF WHICH
APPARATUS MAY BE EMPLOYED FOR NUMBERING," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements upon and modifications of
the autograph stamp and apparatus connected therewith for which I obtained
Letters Patent, bearing date the 24th day of June 1864, No. 1595, and
also to a mode of printing or preparing the permutation chart intended to
accompany such stamps.
According to the first part of my present Invention I propose to combine
in the same case or holder with my improved autograph stamp a self-acting
registering or numbering apparatus of any convenient or well-known con-

page_text: struction, whereby each change in the stamp will at the same time be indicated
by the registering apparatus, which will show a number corresponding to the
number in the chart opposite to the combination produced.
The apparatus which I prefer to use for this purpose consists of two axles
or spindles, which I shall designate as A and B, the axle A carrying, say, five
or any other number of toothed wheels, and the axle B carrying two or any
other proportionate number of toothed wheels. For convenience, I shall
refer to the wheels on the axle A as numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and to those
on axle B as numbers 6 and 7. The wheels 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 on the
axle A are close together, but a space is left between the sides of 1 and 2 and
between 3 and 4 by a bush on the shaft equal in length to the distance
between the sides of the wheels. The standards or framing on each end of
the axle being close to the outer sides of the wheels 1 and 5, the whole are
maintained in the required position. The wheels 6 and 7 on the axle B are
also maintained in their proper position by similar means. The whole of the
wheels are free to revolve loosely on their axles, but are not permitted to
move endway, and it is immaterial whether the axles revolve or otherwise.
The axle A is placed in such a position that the periphery of each of the
wheels mounted upon it are in close contact with one of the sides of the case,
in which a slot is cut in the plane of the axle of a length equal to the distance
between the outer sides of the wheels 1 and 5, but the axle B may be placed
in any convenient position. The teeth of the wheels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the
axle A are thicker than those of the wheels 6 and 7 on the axle B, in order
that the teeth on them may be sufficiently large to contain the figures. The
whole of the wheels on both axles have each ten teeth, and the points of the
teeth of the wheels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the axle A are each stamped with
numbers from 0 to. 9, one of which figures on each wheel may be seen
through the slot in the case. The teeth on all the wheels. are of a length and
configuration suitable to ensure their gearing with one another for exactly
one-tenth of a revolution; and the wheel 1 has. a. ratchet of ten divisions
attached to it, which is. moved through one division at a time by the vibration
of a suitable lever. In the present instance. the detent which locks. the. first
spindle of the autograph stamp herein-before referred to is prolonged beyond
the pivot, and the end. of the part prolonged is made with the requisite amount
of spring, and gears into the ratchet wheel attached to 1. The wheels 1 and
3 on the axle A, and the wheels 6 and 7 on the axle B, have each one of
their ten cogs broader than the remainder, and projecting over the side of the
wheel; and the wheels 2, 4, and 5 on the axle A have all their teeth of equal
breadth and smooth sides. When the 0 on each of the wheels which have

page_text: figures stamped upon them is opposite the slot in the case, those teeth of the
wheels 1, 3, 6, and 7 which project over the sides of the wheels beyond the
others are in such a position that nine impulses must be given to each wheel
before the projecting tooth obtains contact with the several wheels which are
driven by them.
The mode of operation is as follows:-All the wheels with figures stamped
on them are placed on the axle with the 0 opposite the slot in the case, and
the wheels 6 and 7 are so situated that nine impulses are given to them
before the projecting tooth on each can gear with the wheels which are driven
by those teeth. When the end of the lever is lifted out of the locking plate
by the key, the other end which engages the ratchet wheel is drawn back
through a distance equal to the pitch of the ratchet wheel, where it is held by
the periphery of the locking plate against the other end of the lever until the
key has moved the axle far enough to carry the next notch in the locking
plate opposite to the end of the lever, when as that end of the lever falls into
the notch the other carries the ratchet wheel and the unit wheel 1 to which it
is attached through one division, and shows the figure 1 opposite the slot in
the case.
On the tenth vibration of the lever that tooth of the wheel 1 which
projects beyond the remainder engages the wheel 6 on the axle B, which
having one part of its breadth gearing continuously with the wheel 2 on the
axle B, the motion which it receives from the wheel 1 is transferred to tho
wheel 2, and the figure 1 which is stamped on the wheel 2 is carried opposite
the slot, at the same moment the 0 on the wheel 1 is returned to its
initial position opposite the slot, the two wheels thus indicating 10. One
tooth of the wheel 6 projects beyond the remainder, and gears into the
wheel 3 at each tenth movement. In like manner the wheel 3 has one
projecting tooth, which at every tenth impulse engages the wheel 7; part of
the breadth of the wheel 7 gears continuously with the wheel 4, transferring
the motion of the wheel 3 to the wheel 4. The wheel 7 has also one pro-
jecting tooth which at every tenth impulse engages the wheel 5. The wheels
6 and 7 on the axle B are simply carrier wheels, which by revolving in an
opposite direction to the wheels on the axle A are enabled to transfer the
motion to one wheel direct, and to another in the same ratio divided by ten.
By the addition of carrier wheels on the axle B, and of stamped wheels on
the axle A, any higher number may be registered. The wheels 1, 3, and 5
on the axle A, and the wheels 6 and 7 on the axle B, have locking springs
fitted to engage the points of the teeth, or the spaces between the teeth, in
order to prevent any accidental or other movement, excepting such as may be
communicated to them through the lever and the other intermediate wheels

page_text: of the series. By raising the figures on the points of the teeth the above
arrangement is applicable as a numbering machine equally with that of
registering for the purpose specified. A spring detent with two claws engaging
into the notches of the locking plate is fitted in connection with the locking
plate of the spindle 1 of the stamp. One of the claws prevents the key from
communicating motion to that spindle except in the proper direction, and the
other prevents the registering apparatus from registering any change until
such change has been actually effected. In the event of any accidental
derangement of the autograph stamp occurring, the fact can be ascertained by
arranging the end of the ratchet spring which moves the registering apparatus
on the end of the same lever which locks the first spindle, and combining the
direction of its motion with the ratchet wheel of the registering apparatus in
such a manner that the end which moves the ratchet wheel is held back by
the periphery of the locking plate until the key has moved the spindle suffi-
ciently to bring the next notch in the locking plate opposite to the other end
of the lever or ratchet spring, and the motion of that end of the lever which
locks the moveable letters of the autograph in their new position is the same
as that which registers the number of that particular combination. The
printing of the permutation chart may be effected by a stamp constructed on
precisely the same principle as the autograph stamp herein-before referred to,
each spindle having in lieu of the eccentric pin a raised circle and radiating
mark made on the end thereof, the position of which will be turned or varied
in the order required by turning the first spindle of the series, and may then
be used to give the impression required. Or the printing of the charts may
be effected by having the circles and marks made in raised characters on the
points of the teeth of wheels, constructed and combined together on the same
principle as that adopted for the registering apparatus herein-before described.
It is proposed to use an improved key for making the various changes in the
letters of the autograph and in the numbers of the registering apparatus, such
key being provided with a double cam, whereby the spindle to which it is
applied may be reversed, the cam acting so as to release the detent when
turning in either direction. When it is required, however, to turn the spindles
in their reverse direction, the two engaging claws herein-before referred to
must be removed. This cam is made on the end of, but does not project
beyond, the periphery of the outer portion of the key, so that the key may be
inserted into a round hole in the case just large enough to receive it. In lieu
of a spiral spring for bringing back the inner or moveable portion of the key
to its original position, I propose to use a flat blade spring acting by torsion,
one end of such spring being fitted in the main body of the key, and the other

page_text: into the moveable part thereof. The pin and slot are dispensed with, and in
lieu. thereof I make the inner moveable portion of such a shape as to be
capable of turning only a quarter of a revolution inside the main body of
the key.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Honorable John. Hay in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 23rd June 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, The
Honorable JoHN HAY, commonly called Lord JOHN HAY, of St. James' Place,
Middlesex, a Post Captain in Her Majesty's Navy,, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth
year of Her reign; did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said John Hay, Her special license that I, the said
John Hay, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said John Hay, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOGRAPH STAMPS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH, PARTS OF WHICH APPARATUS MAY BE EMPLOYED FOR NUMBERING," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Hay, my executors
and administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Hay, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:
My said Invention relates to certain improvements upon and modifications
of the autograph stamp and apparatus connected therewith for which I

page_text: obtained Letters Patent bearing date the Twenty-fourth of June One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-four, No. 1595, and also to a mode of printing or
preparing the permutation chart intended to accompany such stamps, and
consists,―
Firstly, in combining in the same case or holder with my improved
autograph stamp a self-acting registering or numbering apparatus of any
convenient or well-known construction, whereby each change in the stamp
will at the same time be indicated by the registering or numbering apparatus,
which will show a number corresponding to the number in the chart opposite
to the combination produced.
Secondly, of a peculiar construction and arrangement of self-acting regis-
tering or numbering apparatus, which may either be used in combination
with my improved autographic stamp, or separately as a counting or number-
ing apparatus for other purposes to which it is applicable, or it may be used
as a stamp for printing the permutation charts which accompany my improved
autographic stamp.
Thirdly, in the application and use of a slightly modified form of my
autographic stamp for printing the said permutation charts.
And, lastly, of a peculiar form and construction of key to be employed in
effecting the changes in my said autographic stamp.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall
refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the same
letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding
Figures.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 of my Drawings represents an end elevation, partly in
section, of my improved autographic stamp, having combined therewith a
self-acting registering or numbering apparatus for registering or indicating
cach change in the autograph; Figure 2 is a corresponding plan of the same;
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of my peculiar registering or numbering
apparatus; Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section of the same; Figure 5 is
a plan thereof; and Figure 6 is a detail of the actuating ratchet and pall.
Although I have in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 illustrated my registering or
numbering apparatus in a form suitable for use as a counter for indicating or
numbering the revolutions of engines, the same apparatus is equally applicable
to my improved autograph stamp, and is shewn on a smaller scale so applied
in Figures 1 and 2. This apparatus consists of two axles or spindles A and B,
the axle A carrying, say, seven or any other number of toothed wheels, and the
axle B carrying three or any other proportionate number of toothed wheels.

page_text: For convenience I shall refer to the wheels on the axle A as numbers 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, and 7 (in the stamp (Figures 1 and 2) only five wheels are shewn),
and to those on axle B as numbers 8, 9, and 10 (two wheels only being
shewn in the stamp). The several wheels on the two spindles are kept at
equal distances apart by means of suitable hollow bosses a and b, formed
thereon. The standards or framing c, c, at each end of the axle A, are close
to the outer sides of the bosses of the wheels 1 and 7, so that the whole are
maintained in the required position. The wheels 8, 9, and 10, on the axle B,
may be also maintained in their proper position by similar means. The
wheels 1 and 8 may be fixed to their respective axles, whilst the rest are free
to revolve loosely thereon, but are not permitted to move endways; it is
immaterial, however, whether the axles revolve or not, as the whole of the
wheels niay be loose thereon if desired. The axle A is placed in such a
position that the periphery of each of the wheels mounted upon it is in close
contact with one of the sides of the case d of the autographic stamp (as shewn
in Figures 1 and 2), or with the case & of the engine counter (as in Figures
3, 4, and 5), in which. case da slot e, e, is cut in the plane of the axle A of
a length equal to the distance between the outer sides of the wheels 1 and 7,
but the axle B may be placed in any convenient position. The teeth f, f, of
the wheels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 on the axle A are thicker than the teeth
g, g, of the wheels 8, 9, and 10 on the axle B, with which they gear con-
tinuously, in order that the teeth ƒ may be sufficiently large to contain the
figures required for numbering. The whole of the wheels on both axles have
each ten teeth, and the points of the teeth of the wheels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and
7 on the axle A are each stamped with numbers from 0 to 9, one of which
numbers on each wheel may be seen through the slot or openings in the case
d. The teeth on all the wheels are of a length and configuration suitable to
ensure their gearing with one another for exactly one-tenth of a revolution,
and the wheel 1 has a ratchet h of ten divisions attached to it, which is
moved when the apparatus is applied as an engine counter through one
division at a time by the vibration of a lever i and spring pall k (Figure 6).
I prefer to curve the pall k over the periphery of the ratchet wheel in such a
manner that it may be supported to a certain extent thereon, and be prevented
from straightening and so losing the hold of the teeth, as shown in Figure 6.
But when this apparatus is applied to my autographic stamp, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2, the detent k, which locks the first spindle 1 of the auto-
graphic stamp herein-before referred to, is prolonged at ¹ beyond the pivot,
and the end of the part so prolonged is made with the requisite amount of
spring to pass over and gear into the teeth of the ratchet wheel h, attached

page_text: to the wheel 1 of the registering or numbering apparatus. The wheels 1, 3,
and 5 in the counter and 1 and 3 in the stamp on the axle A have a single
additional tooth or wiper l, formed on one side thereof or fixed on to the
wheel boss, as shewn more clearly in Figures 3 and 4; and the wheels 8, 9, and
10 on the axle B have each one of their ten cogs broader than the remainder
and projecting over the side of the wheel, as shewn at m, m, or this increased
breadth of tooth may be obtained by having a tappet or wiper m secured to
the wheel boss, as shewn clearly in Figures 3 and 4. The wheels 2, 4, 6, and
7 on the axle A have no additional lateral tooth or wiper, all their teeth
being of equal breadth. All the wheels on the axle A are maintained in
position after each movement by spring detents n, n, fixed to a bar o or other
convenient support, and engaging into notches p, made in a projecting boss on
the side of each wheel. I prefer to make these bosses on the adjoining sides
of the wheels with the exception of wheel 1, so that one spring detent n, split
longitudinally, may operate on both wheels of the pair, as shewn clearly in
Figure 3. The wheel 1 has a separate spring detent of its own. When the
0 on each of the wheels which have figures stamped upon them is opposite the
slot in the case the lateral teeth of the wheels 1, 3, and 5, and the lateral
teeth m of the wheels 8, 9, and 10, which project over the sides of the wheels
beyond the others, are in such a position that nine impulses must be given to
each wheel before the projecting tooth or m obtains contact with the
The additional teeth 1 gear into
several wheels which are driven by them.
special teeth on the wheels 8, 9, and 10, and the additional teeth m gear
into the teeth f, f, of the wheels 3, 5, and 7 on the axle A.
The mode of operation is as follows:-All the wheels with figures stamped
on them being placed on the axle A, with the 0 opposite the slot in the case,
and the wheels on the axle B being so situated that nine impulses must be
given to them before the projecting tooth on each can gear with the wheels
which are driven by those teeth. When the end of the lever or detent k
(Figures 1 and 2) is lifted out of the locking plate i, by the key of the
autographic stamp, the other end k¹ of the lever, which engages with the teeth
of the ratchet wheel h, is drawn back through a distance equal to the pitch of
the ratchet wheel, where it is held by the periphery of the locking plate i,
bearing against the other end of the lever until the key has moved the locking
plåte round far enough to bring the next notch opposite to the end of the
lever or detent k, when as that end of the lever falls into the notch the other
end k' carries the ratchet wheel and the unit wheel 1, to which it is attached,
through one division and shows the figure 1 opposite the slot in the case of
the stamp, such change in the registering apparatus taking place simultaneously

page_text: with the locking of the autograph in its new combination. On the tenth
vibration of the lever k, k', (Figures 1 and 2,) the lateral tooth 7 of the wheel 1,
projecting beyond the rest, engages the teeth of the wheel 8 on the axle B,
which having one part of its breadth, namely the teeth g, gearing continuously
with the wheel 2 on the axle A, the motion which it receives from the wheel
1 is transferred to the wheel 2, and the figure 1 which is stamped on the
wheel 2 is carried opposite the slot; at the same movement the 0 on the wheel
1 is returned to its initial position opposite the slot, the two wheels thus
indicating 10.
The lateral tooth m of the wheel 8 gears into the wheel 3 at each tenth
movement. In like manner the wheel 3 has one projecting tooth l, which at
every tenth impulse engages the wheel 9; the teeth g of this wheel gear
continuously with the wheel 4, transferring the motion of the wheel 3 to the
wheel 4. The wheel 9 has also a projecting tooth m, which at every tenth
impulse engages the wheel 5, the tooth of which drives the wheel 10, which
gears continuously with the wheel 6, and at every tenth impulse gives motion
by the tooth m to the wheel 7, and so on through any desired number of
wheels. When this apparatus is used as an engine counter or as a "tell-tale"
for doors, the lever i and spring pall k (Figure 6), vibrated from any convenient
moving part of the engine, machine, or door, serve to actuate the counting
wheels. It will be seen that the wheels on the axle B are simply carrier
wheels, which by revolving in an opposite direction to the wheels on the axle
A are enabled to transfer the motion to one wheel direct and to another at
every 10th impulse. By the addition of carrier wheels on the axle B, and of
5 stamped wheels on the axle A, any higher number may be registered. The
detents or locking springs n, n, may be fitted to engage the points of the
teeth themselves or the spaces between the teeth, in order to prevent any
accidental or other movement excepting such as may be communicated to
them through the levers k¹ or i, as the case may be, and the other wheels of
the series, but I prefer the arrangement of locking springs shewn in Figure 4,
and herein-before described. By raising the figures on the points of the teeth
the above arrangement is applicable as a stamping numbering machine equally
with that of registering for the purposes specified above. The printing of the
permutation chart may be effected by a stamp constructed on precisely the
5 same principle as the autographic stamp herein-before referred to, each spindle
having in lieu of the eccentric pin a circle and radiating mark made on the
end thereof, the position of which will be turned or varied in the order required
by turning the first spindle of the series, and may then be used to give the
impression required.

page_text: Figure 7 on Sheet two of my Drawings represents a sectional elevation of
the lower portion of a stamp of this description; and Figure 8 is a plan of the
printing or impressing surface thereof; a is the bottom plate of the stamp,
through which project the lower ends of the several spindles numbered 1 to 10
inclusively. The extremities of these spindles are so formed as to impress
when inked the requisite device employed in the chart, videlicit, a circle and a
radiating line, as shewn in Figure 8; as these circles are required to be.
printed in straight rows, the spindles must be also arranged in a row. The
combinations and changes are produced by precisely the same contrivances as
those which are illustrated and described in my said former Specification. In
order to print these charts in a certain and expeditious manner I prefer to
employ self-acting mechanism, which at each rise of the stamp shall give the
desired change in the combination. But as the spindle 1 has sometimes to
nake only a quarter of a revolution, and at other times a half revolution, I
propose to actuate that spindle by means of the differential gearing illustrated
at Figure 9. On the spindle 1 are fixed the two spurn wheels a and b, which
have teeth only on one-half their circumference. The wheel a gears into
a spur wheel c, fast on an axis d, the teeth of the wheel cextending over two-
thirds of its circumference. On the same axis d there is fixed a larger spur
wheel e, the teeth of which extend over one-fourth of its circumference only,
and gear into the smaller wheel b on the spindle 1 of the stamp. As the
ratio of the wheels a and c is as 4 to 3, and that of the wheels e and 6 is as
3 to 2, it will be seen that by giving a regular intermittant motion to the
axis d, equal to one-third of a revolution, the wheels thereon gearing with
those on the spindle 1 will impart the desired impulses to that spindle; thus
supposing the axis d to be turned one-third of a revolution in the direction of
the arrow, the wheel e will by gearing into the wheel 6 impart a half revolution
to the spindle 1, and at the next movement or third of a revolution the wheel c
by gearing into the wheel a will impart a quarter of a revolution to the
spindle 1, the succeeding third of a revolution of the axis d, which completes
its revolution, completing also the revolution of the spindle 1 by imparting the
last quarter of a revolution thereto. 1 prefer, however, to print the charts
by having the circles and marks made in raised characters on the points of
the teeth of wheels constructed and combined together on the same principle
as that adopted for the registering apparatus herein-before described.
Figure 10 on Sheet 2 of my Drawings represents a sectional elevation of
a self-acting printing apparatus for this purpose; Figure 11 is a corresponding
plan of the same, partly in section; Figure 12 represents two detail views of
the numbering wheels of the apparatus detached; and Figure 13 illustrates.
9

page_text: In these
similar views of the wheels for printing the circles and marks.
Figures A represents the main framing, and B the first motion shaft, which
carries a pinion C, in gear with a spur wheel D, fast on the second motion
shaft E, the main actuating shaft being rotated by a driving strap and pulleys
worked by any prime mover or by band, as found most convenient. On the
wheel D there is fitted a crank pin F, to which is coupled one end of the con-
necting rod G, the other end of which is connected to the lever H, which is
fast on the rocking shaft I, and receives a vibrating motion from the connect-
ing rod and crank pin above referred to. K, K, are two lover arms secured
one on each end of the rocking shaft I, and connected by means of the
links L, L, with the cross bar M, which thus receives a vertical reciprocating
motion in suitable guides made in the side standards A of the machine.
To the upper end of the vibrating lever Ef, and to a corresponding lever H¹ on
the opposite end of the rocking shaft, there are jointed two links N, which are
also connected at their opposite ends with radius bars or links O, working on
fixed centres P in the side frames. A transverse bar Q, of wood or other
suitable material, is connected to the links N, and is padded or covered on
its under side with felt or other suitable material, to serve as an inking pad
for the printing wheels herein-after referred to. The vertical reciprocating or
sliding bar M is also covered on its under surface with felt or other suitable
material m, to serve as an impressing bed or surface, as herein-after explained.
R is an inking roller, revolving intermittantly in an ink trough S, secured
between the two side frames, the superabundant ink being removed by an ad-
justable "doctor or scraper T, which is fixed in position by the screws
U, U, passing through slots in the scraper. Motion is given to the inking
roller by means of a driving band V, which passes over a pulley W on the
axis of the roller, and over another pulley X on the extreme end of the
shaft Y. Each time the vibrating lever H is moved towards the inking roller
the inking pad Q is simultaneously carried forward and dabbed down upon
the inking roller, as shewn by the dotted lines in Figure 10, and as the lever
moves back again, the pad charged with ink is brought down upon the raised
characters which are uppermost on the printing wheels, as shewn by the full
black lines in the same Figure. The shaft Y is rotated intermittently by means
of the pall Z, carried by the vibrating lever H, and engaging into the teeth
of a small ratchet wheel a, fast on the said shaft. This shaft also carries a
feeding roller b, upon which is pressed by screws, springs, or weights a second
feeding roller c, the paper to be printed being nipped between these rollers
and propelled along step by step as each row of characters in the chart is
printed. The web of paper before being printed is wound on the roller d, the
33

page_text: axis of which is contained in inclined slots made to receive it in the side
frames. At the bottom of these slots there is situate the axis of a second
roller e, upon which the paper, as fast as it is printed, is wound, this roller
receiving a rotatory motion by being in frictional contact with the roller d,
such contact being maintained during the emptying of the one roller and
the filling of the other by a weight and cord f, as shewn in Figure 10. The
paper as it leaves the roller d passes over the tie bar g of the side frames, and
over the upper rounded surface of the vertical sliding cross bar M, and passes
back again under the padded under surface of such bar, over the tie bar h,
thence between the two feeding or propelling rollers b and c, and is finally
wound on to the roller e; i and k are the two axes which carry the wheels of
the printing apparatus, they may either be stationary or allowed to rotate, and
the several wheels are free to revolve loosely thereon. The registering or
numbering apparatus (Figure 12) is precisely the same in its action as that
herein-before described; it is worked by the pall 1, connected to a short
vibrating lever arm n, fast on the rocking shaft I, which pall takes into the
teeth of the ratchet wheel o of the registering apparatus. The only difference
between this and the registering apparatus herein-before described is that
the figures are made in relief upon the ends of the teeth of the wheels, in
order that when inked they may print the number of the combination on
the chart paper simultaneously with the combination itself, as herein-after
explained. The apparatus for printing the circles with radiating marks
(Figure 13) is also constructed in a similar manner to the herein-before
described registering or numbering apparatus, but is slightly modified to suit
the purpose to which it is to be applied. The circles with radiating marks
are formed in raised characters upon the extremity of each tooth, and in lieu
of having ten teeth as before described, the several wheels in the printing
apparatus have only nine teeth each, and are provided with three lateral teeth
in place of only one, so that at every third impulse the adjoining wheel will
be moved one step forward, there being only three different characters
repeated in threes round each of the printing wheels; for example, in the first
character the radial line in the circle will be vertical or in a neutral position,
in the second it will extend horizontally from the centre to the right of the
circle, and in the third it will be in the opposite direction, this order being
repeated in series of three round the wheel. The printing apparatus for the s
circles and marks is actuated by a second pall p, also carried by the short
vibrating lever arın n, and engaging into the ratchet wheel 9 in connection
with the first of the wheels. When the machine is set in motion the inking
pad applys ink to the top row of characters in both series of printing wheels,

page_text: which may consist of any desired number according to the number of different
combinations required. The pad then returns to the inking roller for a fresh
supply of ink, and during this period the bar M is brought down by the
action of the links L and levers K, and presses the paper down upon the inked
numbers and characters, which consequently print the first or neutral combina-
tion, the registering or numbering apparatus simultaneously printing the
number 1. The bar M then rises, the paper is drawn forward slightly by the
feed rollers, and the printing wheels having been moved so as to produce the
second combination and the register number 2, the pad is again applied and
the paper brought down as before, thus printing the second row of characters,
and the corresponding number opposite to the same, and so on throughout the
whole of the changes or combinations of which the apparatus is susceptible.
The printing wheels are maintained steady in their proper positions by the
series of spring detents r, shewn more clearly in Figure 10. The improved
key for making the various changes in the letters of the autographic stamp
herein-before referred to, and simultaneously in the numbers of the registering
apparatus connected therewith, is illustrated by Figures 14, 15, 16, and 17
of my Drawings. This key is provided with a double cam a, whereby
the spindle to which it is applied may be reversed, the cam acting so as to
release the detent when turning in either direction, so as to be capable of
reversing the apparatus and going back to any previously used combination.
This cam a is made on the end of, but does not project beyond, the periphery
of the outer portion 6 of the key, so that the key may be inserted into a round
hole in the case just large enough to receive it. A spiral spring is used for
bringing back the inner or moveable portion c of the key to its original
position. The pin and slot previously employed by me are dispensed with, and
in lieu thereof I make the inner moveable portion of such a shape as to be
capable of turning only a quarter of a revolution inside the inner body of the
key, for which purpose I make the upper part of such moveable portion c in
the form of a square with its opposite diagonal corners rounded of, as shewn
in the section (Figure 15) taken through 1-2 in Figure 14, there being just
sufficient space left in the body of the key b to allow of the moveable part
making one-quarter of a revolution. The lower portion of the moveable part c
is cylindrical, as shewn by the section (Figure 16) taken along the line 3-4,
and fits accurately within the lower part of the hollow stem of the key; the
moveable part c may be inserted from the top and held down in its place by a
screwed cap d:
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried

page_text: into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, combining in the same case or holder with my improved autographic
stamp a registering or numbering apparatus for the purpose herein-before
described.
Second, the peculiar construction and arrangement of self-acting registering
or numbering apparatus, and its application either as a simple register or as a
stamp, or as a counter for numbering the revolutions or movements of parts.
of machinery, as herein-before described and illustrated. by my Drawings.
Third, the application and use to and in the printing of the permutation
charts accompanying my said autographic stamp of a modification of my
improved registering or numbering apparatus, constructed and operating
substantially in the manner herein-before described and illustrated by my
Drawings.
Fourth, the application and use to and in the printing of the said permuta-
tion charts of a modification of my autographic stamp arranged substantially
as herein-before described.
Fifth, the peculiar construction of key for my said autographic stamp pro-
vided with a double cam as and for the purpose herein-before described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hay, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventeeth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-five.