Improvements in Apparatus for Affixing Postage Stamps, Labels, Tickets, and the like.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1889
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Affixing Postage Stamps, Labels,
Tickets, and the like.
I, WENTWORTH GRENVILLE BOWYER, of 6 Montague Street Portman Square
London, Middlesex, Captain in the Royal Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This my invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in that class of
apparatus used for affixing postage stamps, labels, tickets, and the like, and it has for
its object, to provide means whereby stanips and the like-especially when used in
large quantities may be quickly and easily affixed to envelopes, circulars etc., in a neat,
simple and efficacious manner, hereinafter described.
I now proceed to describe my said invention, reference being had to the accom-
panying drawings and to the Figures and letters of reference marked thereon, like
letters referring to like parts throughout all the views.
Fig. 1. is a perspective elevation of one form of my invention. Fig. 2. is a detail
sectional view of a portion of the damping device; and Fig. 3. is a part side elevation
of this form of my invention on a reduced scale. Fig. 4. is a sectional elevation of
another form of my invention; Fig. 5 is a plan thereof; Fig. 6. is a detail sectional
elevation of the damping device taken on line ; Fig. 7. is a detail sectional eleva-
tion of the suction tube and stamp raising device, taken on the line 2; Fig. 8. is a
sectional elevation through the supporting plate and guides. Fig. 9. is a sectional
elevation of another form of my invention; Fig. 10 is a sectional plan thereof, taken
on line y y; Fig. 11. is a detail view of the plate on the lower part of the stamping
device. Fig. 12 is an elevation of the damping device. Fig. 13. is a sectional side
elevation of another form of my invention; Fig. 14 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 15
is a sectional end elevation thereof; and Fig. 16 is a detail view of part thereof.
With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, A represents a suitable wooden or other bed-
plate or stand, in which is secured a water receptacle B, and a stamp, label or ticket
receptacle C, both of which preferably consist of metal or other boxes; the latter
having a lid c, capable of being locked by a padlock or other device as desired.
In the water receptacle B I find it convenient to place a piece of felt, sponge or
other absorbent material which, although retaining sufficient moisture, will prevent
the water from splashing when the damper comes in contact therewith.
Suitable metal or other rods or small pillars Dare secured in any suitable way to the
base-plate or stand A, and which carry two horizontal and parallel steel or other
bars E.
Upon the bars or guides E are fitted two sleeves F which are formed integral with
or carry two curved lever arms f, which at their extremities are suitably pivoted at g
to the suction tube G, and the damping device H.
A bulb or hollow ball of india-rubber or other flexible material I, is fitted in any.
suitable way to the upper ends of the suction tube G and the damping device H, and
is stayed or strengthened by small strips of metal or other suitable material i, which are
rivetted or otherwise secured to suitable metal bands j as shown. The bulb or ball I
is further supported by a strip of metal or other suitable material J which is rivetted
or otherwise secured to the two lower stay-pieces i, or may extend entirely around the
bulb I, as desired.
The suction tube G, is preferably constructed of thin metal; the lower end thereof
being formed integral with or secured to a rectangular piece of metal, ebonite or
other suitable material K shown in section in Figs. 7 and 9.
If desired I may,-in.
order that this part of the suction device may hold the stamps, and the like more
firmly-enlarge the aperture which passes through the interior thereof as shown, and

page_text: affix thereto in any suitable way-such as by screws,-a metal or other plate of the
shape shown in Fig. 11. The part K should be approximately the same size as the
stamps, labels, or tickets which are being used and it should be tapered as shown at k
to prevent the edges thereof, which may become slightly wet, from coming into
contact with the sides of the stamp receptacle C. This is important, inasmuch as a
slight accumulation of moisture in the stamp receptacle would cause them to stick
together.
The damping device consists of a metal rod which is secured at its upper end to
the india-rubber or other bulb I and is formed with a cap or socket 7 (see Fig. 2) into
which is screwed the upper end of a hollow sleeve L. The damper itself consists of a
rectangular piece of metal or hard material M, which should be approximately the
same size as the part K of the stamp raising device, and to which is suitably secured
a piece of felt m or other soft and absorbent material. The damper M is formed
integral with or secured to a metal rod N, having a head n, adapted to slide in the
interior of the sleeve L and to retain the rod N in place. The stamping device and
damping device may be rigidly stayed by a piece of metal O, as shown. A stout
piece of wire P, bent as shown is secured to the stand A and provides that the lever-
arms cannot fall to allow the damping device and stamping device to descend unless
they are exactly in the proper position, as will be understood.
It is essential that the lever-arms f when lowered to their fullest extent should not
be in a parallel plane with the hed A inasmuch as the curve described by the forward
ends of the levers when raised has a greater tendency to cause the stamp raising
device to impinge upon the edges of the box or receptacle C, than when the pivots o,
are above the pivots p, a distance equal to one half the depth of the stamp
receptacle, plus the distance by which the stamp raising device clears the stand A.
In this latter arrangement, (see Fig. 3) it will be observed that the curve described
by the lever arms will extend and recede an equal amount each way within the
receptacle, thus reducing the liability of the stamp raising device impinging upon
the sides of the receptacle C, to an impossibility.
It will be found convenient to make both the stamp raising device K as well as the
damper M capable of being readily removed and replaced by others of different sizes.
This is readily effected by making the part K screw onto the suction tube G, and the
damper M screw onto the rod N. By forming the stamping receptacles as well as
the water receptacles with a flange of greater or less width, to fit the cavity formed
for their reception in the stand A, the receptacles may be changed to suit the size of
stamp raising device and damper which it may be necessary to use at the time being.
This provision is necessary where stamps, labels or tickets of different sizes are
used.
The operation of this form of my invention is as follows:-The envelope circular or
other article is placed upon the stand A against a bead or ledge a, as indicated by
broken lines b. The stamp raising device K together with the damber M is raised by
lifting the bulb or ball I until the lower lever-armis clear the wire P. The levers,
together with the bulb, stamp raising device and damper are then moved in a hori-
zontal direction along the guides E as far as they will go when they are allowed to
fall; the ball being squeezed at the same time to expel the air. The stamp raising
device will enter the receptacle C and the damper will rest upon the envelope at the
place where the stamp is to be affixed. The rod N will recede into the sleeve La
distance equal to the depth of the box or receptacle C; the depth varying with the
number of stamps contained therein. When the part K of the stamping device is
pressed firmly upon the pile of stamps contained in the receptacle the ball is allowed to
expand and the suction generated thereby will cause the stamp to adhere. When the
stamp raising device K is pressed into the box, the damper M by the same action falls
upon the envelope at the spot where the stamp is to be affixed. The levers are then
raised, carried back along the guide rods E as far as they will go, the stamp is
deposited upon the envelope, and the damper is carried back simultaneously to the
water receptacle B.
In that form of my invention shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 I employ, as in the

page_text: former one, a wooden or other stand A, stamp receptacle C, water receptacle B, india-
rubber bulb or ball I having stay pieces i, suction tube G having the rectangular
piece K attached thereto as shown in Fig. 7, and the damping device H.
In this form of my invention however the aforenamed parts are supported upon a
plate of metal A¹ having two apertures a' through which the damping device and the
suction tube G are adapted to slide freely.
Suitable springs B' are coiled around the suction tube G and the damping device H
as shown, and serve to retain them elevated. A suitable screw cap fitted in the
sleeve L, and a collar c¹ formed upon the upper part of the rectangular piece K of
the suction tube G, prevents the springs lifting the suction tube and damping device
out of the apertures in the plate A¹.
The plate A is carried by suitable guides C which preferably consist of right angled
or T pieces of metal, secured to suitable pillars D¹, by screws d'. The plate A¹ is
held in position upon the guides by suitable pieces of metal E' bent as shown (Fig. 8.)
and secured to the plate A¹ by rivets or small bolts e¹. In Fig. 6, I have shown the
rod N of square section; this being necessary to prevent its turning in the screw cap b¹.
It may however be made of round section and be prevented from turning by a sinall
pin adapted to slide in a suitable groove made in the rod N for that purpose.
In operation, the letter, circular or other article to be stamped is placed upon the
stand A against the beading a, the bulb or ball I is squeezed and pressed downwards
against the pressure of the springs B₁ until the damper M comes into contact with, and
lifts a stamp. The pressure being now released the springs will raise the damping
device and stamping device into their normal position, viz. above the surface
of the stand A. The plate A¹ is now-by means of the bulb I-moved along the
guides as far as it will go, and the stamp having been brought immediately above
the moistened part of the envelope it may be pressed upon it, and will be adhere thereto
if the bulb is slightly squeezed. By the same action the damper will descend into the
water receptacle.
Figs. 9, 10 and 12 illustrate another form of my invention in which, as before,
A represents the wooden or other stand, B the water receptacle, C the stamp, label
or ticket receptacle having a sliding lid c³, M the damper, N a square rod formed
integral with or secured to the damper, n² a head or washer secured to the rod N by
a screw a², K the rectangular part of the stamp, label or ticket raising device and
I the india-rubber bulb or ball.
In this form of my invention however I employ a metal or other plate A² having
four perforations a slightly larger in diameter than two perpendicular rods of
metal B2 which are secured to the stand in any suitable way, such as by screwing them
in as shown, or by revetting or otherwise securing them to a metal plate which is
screwed down to the wooden stand A, by small screws. The plate A² has apertures (2
and D2 in the former of which is screwed the upper portion of the stamp raising
device K, and in the latter is adapted to slide the rod N of the damping device. In
the centre of the plate A is an aperture in which is firmly secured a sleeve B³ in
which is adapted to slide the enlarged end 2 of the rod F2 which may be secured to
the stand A with a nut as shown, or by means of the metal plate and screws as afore-
described. To the upper end of the sleeve E' is screwed a cup-like piece of metal &²
fitted with a screw-cap 92, having a flange h² and projections and as shown. To
the projection is secured preferably by a binding wire k³, the lower end of the
bulb I, and in a like manner is secured to the projection, one end of a flexible
tube G²; the other end being passed through an aperture 13 and stretched over the
portion m² of the stamp raising device.
The operation of this form of my invention is as follows:-The envelope, circular
or other article to be stamped is placed upon the stand A as indicated at b, and against
the ledge or bead a. The plate A is turned by means of the bulb I until it passes
and slides down the rods B2 with the damper M upon the felt or sponge contained
within the receptacle B. The plate A' is then raised again until it clears the rods B'
when it is turned until the damper falls upon the envelope when the plate is again

page_text: lowered over the studs B². In this position the part K of the stamp raising device
will enter the stamp receptacle C. The bulb I (which is closed at its upper end,)
is now squeezed and when released, a stamp, label or ticket as the case may be
will adhere to the bottom of the part K of the stamp raising device. The plate A²
is now again raised and, is carried around one quarter of a revolution and allowed
to drop over the studs or rods B2, and the stamp is deposited upon the part of
the envelope previously moistened by the damper M, and the damper will enter
the water receptacle by the same action. Suitable stops 02 are formed or secured
upon the underside of the plate A2, and serve to prevent the plate being turned
more than the required distance, by coming into contact with the studs or rods B².
In Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16, I have shown another form of my invention, in which A³
represents the bed-plate or stand preferably made of metal and cast integral with an
upwardly extending piece a³. In the upper part of the upwardly extending piece a³
is mounted a roller B³ made of ebonite, wood or other suitable material, and which is
carried by a square spindle 63 adapted to revolve in square brass pieces 0³ fitted into
rectangular spaces c³, and retained in place by pins d³ drilled half into the brasses C³
and half into the metal composing the piece a³. The upper part of the upwardly
extending piece a² is formed with a cavity or hollow D³ to contain water. Suitable
small spiral springs or pieces of india-rubber E3 are secured in small cavities es and
serve to retain the bearing brasses (3 elevated when in their normal position. Sprung
over the projecting ends of the spindle 63 are secured the arms f³ of the shield F³
consisting for the most part of a flat piece of metal extending over the roller B³ as
shewn clearly in Figs. 14 and 15. An arm g depends from one side of the shield
and is formed with a weighted end G3 and is prevented from oscillating in more than
one direction by a small extending piece of metal 3 which bears against a pin H³
when in its normal position. Two parallel levers J³ pivoted at one end upon studs³
and secured by washers and pins connect the upwardly extending piece of the
stand A³ with the stamp raising device G to which they are pivoted upon studs k³ and
secured in place preferably by a washer and pin as shown. The stamp raising device G
consists essentially of an india rubber or other flexible bub or ball I, stayed with
pieces of metal i as before and secured in any suitable way to hollow arms f³ which
are suitably secured at 13 to a rectangular hollow tube M³ the lower end of which is
fitted with the piece of metal or material, hereinbefore referred to as the part K of
the stamp raising device. To this said piece of metal K is attached a flexible tube N³
by being stretched over a projection o³; the other end of the flexible tube N³ being
secured in a like manner to a perforated stopper P³. The opposite arm L³ is blocked
or stoppered by a piece of wood or metal p³ A plate of metal or other material Q³
having flanges g³, and a lug R³ provided with a slot 23, is adjustably secured by a
thumb-screw S and a screw-stud having a head s³, to the bed-plate or stand A³. By
this arrangement the plate Q3 can be adjusted in a forward direction in order to move
the envelope placed thereon into position to receive a second stamp. A suitable
stamp receptacle or metal box T having a suitable lid t and projecting side flanges t³
is adapted to slide in grooves u formed upon the bed-plate or stand A³. It is essential
that this sliding movement should be provided, in order to allow the receptacle to
adapt itself to the to-and-fro movement described by the radious of the levers J. The
receptacle necessarily not being much larger than the stamp raising device there may
not be sufficient play within the box.
The operation of this form of my invention is as follows:-
The envelope, circular or other article to be stamped is placed upon the plate Q
The bulb or ball I is squeezed and the part K of the stamp raising device is allowed
to enter the receptacle T when a stamp, label or ticket as the case may be will adhere
thereto due to suction. The levers J are then raised by means of the bulb I and the
part K, of the stamping device coming into contact with a small tumbler cam V placed
upon the shield F3 will cause the shield to be pushed back at the same time lifting
the weight G³. The stamp is also at the same time moistened upon the roller B³, and
the levers being carried further round the stamp is deposited upon the envelope or

page_text: other article. In the return movement, the part K of the stamping device will come
into contact with the shield F3 which is prevented from being pushed back owing to
the pin H³ coming into contact with the piece of metal h³ of the weighted lever g³.
Under the pressure of the stamping device coming into contact with the shield, the
springs E3 will be depressed and the tumbler cam V turning over, will allow the
stamping device to be returned to the receptacle T without coming into contact with
the roller B3 and thereby becoming moistened upon its under surface.
If desired, I may dispense with the roller B³ and spring bearings, and substitute
therefor a revolving brush having hair around a portion of its diameter only. This
said brush may be conveniently rotated by a segment rack mounted upon one of the
pivots, adapted to turn with the levers J³, and to gear into a pinion fixed to the
spindle carrying the brush. By this means the segmental rack is so arranged as to
bring the hair of the brush into contact with the stamp as it passes over it, and in the
return movement the plain part of the brush is uppermost and clears the stamping
device without wetting it.
If desired, a simple ratchet and pawl conveniently arranged in combination with
the levers and segment rack, may be employed to cause the brush to turn so as to
bring the hair into contact with the stamping device during the forward movement
only of the levers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1.) An apparatus for affixing postage stamps, labels, tickets and the like, consisting
of a stand or bed-plate A, stamp, label or ticket receptacle C, water receptacle B,
adapted to contain an absorbent material, a damping device H, flexible bulb or ball I,
levers guides E, and stamp, ticket or label raising device consisting of the
suction tube G and rectangular piece of metal or other material K, all arranged in
combination, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth and illustrated
in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
2.) An apparatus for affixing postage stamps, labels, tickets and the like, consisting
of a stand A, stamp, label or ticket receptacle C, water receptacle B adapted to
contain an absorbent material, guides C¹, supporting plate A¹, stamp label, or ticket
raising device consisting of the suction tube G and rectangular or other shaped piece
of metal or material K, damping device H, and springs B', all arranged in combination
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in Figs. 4
to 8 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
3.) An apparatus for affixing postage stamps, labels, tickets and the like, consisting
of a bed-plate or stand A, stamp, label or ticket receptacle C, water receptacle B
adapted to contain an absorbent material, studs or rods B², stud or guide rod F2,
circular or other shaped metal plate A², stamp ticket or label raising device K,
damper M, sleeve or tube E2, the cup shaped piece of metal e², screw cap g², flexible
bulb or ball I and flexible tube G², all arranged in combination, substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore set forth, and illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 of the drawings
hereunto annexed.
4.) An apparatus for affixing postage stamps, labels or tickets and the like, consisting
of a bed-plate A³ having an upwardly extending piece a³, roller B³, spring bearings
consisting of metal pieces (³ and springs E³, shield F³, levers J³, stamp raising
device G, flexible bulb or ball I, flexible tube N³, stamp ticket or label receptacle T
and adjustable stamping plate Q³, all arranged in combination substantially as and
for the purposes herein before set forth and illustrated in Figs. 13 to 16 of the drawings
hereunto annexed.
5.) In an apparatus for affixing postage stamps, labels, tickets and the like herein-
before described with reference to Figs. 13 to 16 of the drawings hereunto annexed,
a segment rack, pinion and brush, arranged and adapted to work in combination with
the levers J, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

page_text: 6.) In an apparatus for affixing postage stamps, labels, tickets and the like, herein-
before described with reference to Figs. 13 to 16 of the drawings hereunto annexed,
a segment rack, pinion, brush, and pawl and ratchet device, all arranged and adapted
to work in combination with the levers J³, substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore set forth.