Improvements in or connected with Stamping and Numbering Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in or connected with Stamping and Numbering
Machines.
We, JAMES D. HUMPHREY, of 72, Lincoln Street, City of Boston, County of
Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Manufacturer, and
JOSEPH FRENCH, of 72, Lincoln Street, City of Boston, County of Suffolk, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to a power stamping and numbering machine, used for
imprinting on various articles, numbers, letters and other characters, to denote
size, style, kind or class, the date of manufacture, a trade-mark or for the stamping
of any other variety of characters that a hand stamp can be employed to imprint,
either for designating or for cancelling. It is particularly adapted for stamping
the linings of boots and shoes, although by no means confined in its use to that
purpose.
As is customary in such machines, the type characters to be printed are formed
on the peripheries of disks which are arranged in series and mounted loosely
on a shaft.
Our invention consists in improvements in the operative parts by which the
machine is adapted to be driven by any suitable motor, leaving the hands of the
operator free to manipulate the articles to be stamped; in a combined treadle and
clutch mechanism by which the printing mechanism may be thrown in and out
of engagement with the running mechanism and locked from operating in the
construction and arrangement of the type disks and their casing and the manner
of setting and transferring the disks, in the arrangement of the type characters
for printing in the means for operating the type-head to give it an upward and
downward throw; in means for indicating to the operator the particular charac-
ters set or to be set, and also for setting them; in means independent of the other
setting means for adjusting the position of a separate disk bearing a character
out of the regular series; in means for giving the inking pad a swinging parallel
movement under the type disks, and a return movement to the rear of the same;
in the construction of the pad itself; in means for adjusting the contact of the
pad with the type disks; in a yielding and self compensating and adjusting
platen; in the particular means for operating the several parts: in the construc-
tion of an adjustable spring clamp: in modifications of a few of the parts and
in improvements of some minor details, all as more fully hereinafter described and
particularly claimed.
Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is
a plan: Fig. 2, a side elevation partly in section showing the parts in position
when the article is stamped; Fig. 3, a side interior view showing the type head
and pad in position when the type is inked and the cam mechanism for operating
the type head; Fig. 4, a detail side elevation of the clutch mechanism; Fig. 5, a
sectional view of the type head on line 5-5 of Fig. 6: Fig. 6, a longitudinal con-
tral section of the head; Fig. 7, a vertical, upright sectional view of the treadle

page_text: mechanism and platen when lowered: Fig. S, a detail of a spring pawl for holding
a type disk when set Fig. 9, a detail of the type disk detent; Fig. 10,
a modification in detail of means for adjusting the height of the platen:
Fig. 11, a detail section on line 11 of Fig. G with the interior disk slots out of
line with the detent; Fig. 12, a front detail view of the type head showing index
and other characters, and the pointer; Fig. 1B, a partly sectional end view of a
modification of the index pointer on the knob of the type head shaft; Fig. 14, a
detail sectional view of means for regulating the pressure and position of the
inking pad relative to the type disks, and Fig. 15, a front view of the modification
shown in Fig. 13; Fig. 16, a section on line 16-16 of Fig. 6; Fig. 17, a detail
plan of removable type head cover, and Fig. 18, a bottom plan of this cover.
Referring to the drawings A is the frame of the machine adapted to be secured
to a table or other suitable support, and carrying at one end an adjustable
platen, AB is the type head carrying the type disks, on the end of a vibrating
arm, C.
The construction and operation of both the platen and type head
are hereinafter more particularly described. This arm at its inner end is hung
on a short rocking shaft journalled in standards rising from the frame.
The arm C is provided with a rearwardly extending arm which carries a stud,
on the end of which is mounted a roller, . The roller et engages with a cam d
on the inner face of a cam wheel D. As the cam wheel revolves, its action
by the cam, is to give the carrying arm Ċ and type head, an intermittent up
and down plunging movement. At the deepest point of the cam when the type
head arm is at is lowest position it is extended horizontally over the frame and
platen. The cam wheel 1) is keyed on a horizontal shaft, E, mounted in stan-
dards rising from the frame of the machine. F is a large cog wheel also secured
on shaft E, opposite the cam, and meshing with a pinion f', secured on the end
of a rear.horizontal shaft G, which carries at its opposite end a pulley, g', driven by
any suitable power.
H is an inking pad the specific construction of which, as shown, will be herein-
after described, which is carried at the end of an arm, H. The pad is given a
reciprocating movement and is supported and carried in a position at all times
directly parallel with the type head characters when the latter are in position to
be inked and printed. The pad and its arm are connected to type head arm C,
by swinging link arms, እ እ. The link is pivoted at its lower end to a
pin journaled in one side of the arm II, and its upper end is secured to a
short rotating rod, passed through the arm, C. The link is pivoted at its
lower end to a pin, h, mounted in a short arm, 76, extending rearwardly from
the pad. At its upper end the link is formed into a head of the rotating
vod,
From its pivotal connection with the links the arm H' is bent upward and
then extends rearwardly, being formed into a double arm I comprising two
similar, sliding members and 2, the former integral with the type arm and
each having flattened adjacent surfaces to form a close fit, and connected by
a pin and spring-pressed collar at the rear end and a screw rod at the
other end, a slot for the former of these pins in which it is adapted to move
being formed in the member . Near its rear end the member is provided
with a lug to which is secured the end of a coiled spring seated on the
member and in the hollow of member and its opposite end bearing against
a shoulder of the latter member thus tending to force it forward. The screw
rod projects through a hollow boss 6 of the member and a slot of the other
member at a forward angle to both and is provided at its lower end with a head
bearing against the lower side of member and at its upper end with a thumb-
nut bearing against the member A guide key on the upper member s
slides in a slot or groove in the lower member. Member is pivoted at its
rear end to a vertical arm K. Turning up the thumb nut slides back-
ward the member on against the spring, and thus carries slightly forward
and upward the arm H¹ and consequently the swinging pad nearer the type

page_text: disks so as to present a new portion of the inking surface thereto. Turning
the nut in the opposite direction releases the coiled spring which carries forward
the member and the arm back from the type head, the relative movement of.
the members being to lengthen and shorten the double arm I.
In order that the pad shall not scrape along the surface of the type when
brought in contact therewith the pad box is provided with a spring back of the
pad which permits the pad to yield backward slightly when it strikes the type
in its forward and upward movement. This spring is in the cylinder 210 and
bears against a head on the pad.
The vertical arm K has at its lower end a journal K' mounted on a stud
rigidly secured to the rear extension of arm C. To arm K is secured a rod k
extending rearwardly through an apertured lug kon arm and surrounded:
by a coiled spring held between said lug and the journal. A roller m² mounted
on a stud on arm K is adapted to engage a cam m, forming part of a bracket, m²,
keyed on shaft E by means of which the arm is reciprocated forward and under
the type head to ink the type. The spring serves to throw the pad arm back-
ward and the pad to the rear of the type head, after the type is inked.
The clutch mechanism for throwing the printing and inking mechanism in
and out of connection with the driving means consists of the following means:-
The bracket, m', rigidly secured on shaft E, is provided with an arm m³, and
a short rod m, extending at a right angle from said arm, and on this rod is
hung a clutch-pawl 0, having at one end a toe o and at its opposite or heel
end a clutch pawl o. On the side of the heel the clutch pawl has a pin with
which engages the end of a spring, said spring being extended back and coiled
upon rod m on the bracket arm and its extreme end secured to a smaller pin
on said arm. The action of said spring is to hold the tooth of the clutch pawl
into engagement with a cog F within the face of the larger cog F and rigidly'
secured to or cast on the hub of the latter, whereby when the machine is in
operation, all the type operating parts are in gear with the motive power and
work together.
P' is a rocking lever bar, centrally pivoted on rod, p. One end of the bar
extends under and is adapted to be pressed down by the platen when the latter
is lowered and to be forced up and the opposite end depressed by the
action of a spring secured to the under side of the frame of the machine and
bearing against the bar. The inner end of the bar is provided with a tooth against
which the end of the clutch pawl opposite the tooth is adapted to strike in its
revolution when the platen is depressed and the inner end of the bar up, the
pressure of the bar against this end of the clutch pawl serving to raise the tooth
from engagement with the cog wheel and thus disconnect the gearing with the
cam shaft. When the end of the bar is carried down by its spring then the
tooth of the clutch pawl again engages the cog wheel and the printing and driving
mechanisms are connected. To raise the platen the latter is secured to the top of
a hollow standard R, the latter connected to a cap on a rod by a set screw
which rod in turn is connected to a treadle S. The standard R slides freely
through a sleeve R+ extending down from the base of the machine. The base.
of the platen is also provided with a steady-pin which slides vertically in
the frame.
The standard R is internally provided with a coiled spring 2 and a supporting
rod, within the coil, for the purpose of affording a yielding action to the platen
under the force of the blows of the type head, and to afford to the platen a
self-adjusting or compensating action to accommodate it to the use of a greater "
or less thickness of the article or layers of articles, to be imprinted. The platen
is also provided with an adjustable spring clamp S to hold the articles to be
stamped on the platen in front of the type head, and readily adjustable to many
variations in the dimensions thereof. It is composed of a casing, st, which is
serewed to the under side of the platen, a series of screw holes being provided
through the top of the platen, as shown, whereby it may be adjusted in and

page_text: out to accommodate various sizes of articles to be stamped and has a clamp
finger and thumb piece pivoted to the casing, the heel of the clamp resting.
against the free end of a spring bars, secured within the casing. The action of the
spring is to automatically hold the sheets or layers of articles as they are
increased or diminished in thickness, and its employment permits the free use of
both hands for other purposes. The platen is also provided with a cushion s
fixed on the platen directly beneath the type head to resist the rigidity and force
of blows and to thus preserve the face of the type. We regard this as possessing.
an advantage over those stamps having the cushion in the plunger head; as it
is a more simple and effective arrangement, in that it obviates any special con-
struction of the plunger head for the purpose, and permits the types to be given.
a more positive compression, while at the same time, it cushions the blow, reliev-
ing the types from impact with a solid body. It also to some extent. yields to.
irregular surfaces of some articles to be stamped, thus producing a more perfect
imprint.
Y is an adjustable guage for the work, secured by a thumb screw to the frame
of the platen, and to the rear of the type head, to guage the distance from the
edge of the article to the place of the imprint thereon.
The type head B
provided with a series of ring type disks, t, loosely mounted
on a central hollow shaft T. One end of this shaft outside the head terminates in a
knob for turning the shaft and for the consequent turning of the disks sepa-
rately. Each disk is provided on its periphery with raised letters, figures or other
characters, Between the raised characters each disk is provided with index
characters flush with or below the surface of the disk. A single disk used for
the purpose hereinafter described is provided with merely a single index charac-
ter and a corresponding printing character and plain raised portions and recesses
on the rest of its periphery. Each disk except the one last referred to is also pro-
vided with four interior slots cut through its edge encircling the shaft T. The
purposes of these various features of the disks are hereinafter described. 'At the
back of the type head and hung on a single rod so as to turn loosely thereon,
are a series of spring pawls, one pawl for each disk. The form of these pawls
is shown in detail in Figure 8. These pawls extend down under the type disks.
and engage therewith at their lower sides. Each pawl is provided with a spring
rod which projects above the edge of the type head. Washers are hung on
the pawl supporting rod between the pawls to permit the free and independent
movement of the latter.
One disk is unprovided with the interior slots, having a plain inner periphery.
This disk carries the character "1" in index and printing type. Secured to this
disk is a lever U2 adapted to rotate the disk on its shaft. A spiral spring
connects a projection from the disk (8 with a rod of one of the spring pawls. The
pawl of the disk adjacent to disk has a pin engaging an elongated
aperture in the pawl of the latter disk so that when the adjacent pawl is pressed
back by its disk, the pawl of disk 18 will also be carried back and out of engagement
with said disk. The pawl corresponding to the disk is made shorter than the
other pawls and is provided with a single abrupt projecting tooth at the end to
engage the disk, the middle projection found in the other pawls being dispensed
with, whereby the disk 18 is held firmly from being drawn backward by its
retracting spring when one of its teeth has engaged the pawl tooth, and
the disk is held in position for printing.
is the top or cover of the type head and is provided on its under surface
with a rod which when the cover is screwed in place bears against and presses
back the spring pawl-rods, thus forcing the pawls into engagement with the
disks. The top is slotted to allow the lever U to pass through and be moved to
and fro while at its rear end it is provided with a projection having a pin on
which slides a slotted lever U. This lever slides in a slot in the cover and is
provided with a pin u¹ to keep it therein. It also has a tooth at its front
part to engage the teeth of the disk adjacent to the disk to, and having the pawl

page_text: provided with pin u Attached to the lever U2 is a curved- spring the rear
end of which bears against the link journals of the type head and forces the
lever out to the end of the slot. The tooth of each pawl rests normally in the
recess or space between two raised characters.
Vis a sliding barrel mounted in hollow shaft T and is given its sliding move-
ment by means of a handle V1 which is secured to the barrel by means of screw, 2.
The screw passes into the outer end of a rod and the rod is held in place in
the barrel by a collar engaging with a lug in the inner end of said rod. A
sleeve surrounds the rod between the end of the barrel and a collar of the rod
on its outer end. The handle is provided with a pointer. The barrel near
the end opposite to that on which the handle is hung is provided with a slot In
this slot is placed a detent (shown in detail in Fig. 9) having at one end a
A flat downwardly
tooth and at the opposite end a small curved cross head lo
extending spring is secured to the under side of the detent and bears against the
bottom of the slot. The tooth of the detent protrudes above the surface of the
barrel through the slot and the cross head rests in a cross.groove, and is flush
with the surface of the barrel, being held in its seat by the wall of the hollow
shaft T. The detent tooth is exactly opposite the pointer and hence engages
the same disk to which the pointer points. The shaft T is provided with a
longitudinal slot which registers with the slot in the enclosed barrel and
through which the tooth of the spring pressed detent also protrudes.' The object
of the detent is to engage with the nearest slot in a type disk and to rotate it.
when the barrel and disk shaft are rotated by the knob. It is not necessary that
the slots in the several disks should register for this purpose, and the disks may
be provided with as many slots as may be desired for convenience and rapid work.
Four slots. being a convenient number, the disks are illustrated with that many.
but they have one or more.. The relative positions of the various parts above
described in connection with the type disks are shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 11.
There is a modification of both the type disks and their operation and of the
adjusting means for the platen, but before their description, the operation of the
above arrangements will be given.
Let it be assumed that the following characters are to be stamped
lining: 10 E-57678.
on a show
index
Before beginning the operation, the type disks are held from turning by their
spring pawls. The pointer 8 is set opposite a disk having an
figure 1, and raised figure 1 upon it. In the arrangement mentioned, this is the
first disk next to the knob. The placing of the pointer in this position
will also carry the detent to the same disk. The disk shaft by means of the thumb.
nut is then rotated carrying the detent barrel with it until the tooth of the
spring pressed detent engages a slot in the disk, whereupon the detent rotates
the disk as the turning continues. The turning is continued until the index
figure is under the pointer. When the first index figure is thus properly
placed the corresponding raised figure, 1 will be in a proper position at the
bottom of the type head to be stamped. The pointer is then slid back to the next
disk, carrying back the barrel, and the detent to that disk, when the above
operation is repeated until the figure 0 is reached and set in place. When the
barrel is drawn along under the smooth portions of the peripheries of the disks
the detent will be pressed down into the slot. To bring the character "into
printing position the lever U is moved forward to the end of its slot which
turns the disk carrying the index character to the front and the
type to its printing position at the bottom of the type head, in which
position the disk will be held by the abrupt tooth of its engaging pawl.
The remaining characters are adjusted as described in the case of the first two
numerals To restore the disk 18 with the "1" character to its normal position
the lever having the tooth adapted to engage the disk adjacent to the disk
is moved back which carries back its engaging disk. The pawl of this disk is

page_text: thus forced back and by means of its pin engaging the apertured pawl
forces back the latter pawl and releases the tooth of the same from engagement
with disk which is thereupon automatically. retracted by the spiral spring.
The aperture of pawl is elongated to permit of the free movement therein of
the pin of the adjacent pawl when it is desired to independently adjust the
disk of the said adjacent pawl.
The character is mounted on a disk of different style from the other
characters and provided with a separate setting device because it is the character
most frequently used and the separate disk and setting means therefore
permit it to be set in co-operation with any other character, with rapidity and con-
venience and without necessitating the careful rotation and adjustment of a disk
bearing several characters.
A modification of the type head disks, and the pointer is illustrated in
Fig. 13. Instead of arranging the index characters on the peripheries of
the disks they are placed in circular rows on and around the surface of the knob &,
employed as already described to rotate the disk shaft and detent barrel. In
this arrangement an additional pointer is employed fixed to the frame above
the knob. The other pointer on the detent barrel handle is now employed only
to indicate the proper disk having the raised characters to be used. But of
course, the detent is carried with it to that disk as before. The index characters
on the knob are arranged in circular rows each corresponding to one of the circular
sets of characters on the respective disks. Therefore in setting a character or row
of characters by the respective pointers there must be but one slot formed in each
disk, so that when the pointer over the knob and the detent and detent pointer
are set to the same character on a particular disk, the tooth of the detent must
register with and enter the slot in the disk in order to rotate the disk and bring
that character to its proper position at the bottom of the type head for printing.
In operating the modification let it be supposed that the character A is desired
to be set and printed. The detent pointer is slid first to the disk having that
character, thus carrying the detent to that disk then the knob is turned until the
same character appears thereon under the pointer on the frame, whereupon the
corresponding printing character will be turned to the proper position at the
bottom of the disk and the same operation is continued with the other characters
desired to be printed.
A modification of means for automatically adjusting the platen and engaging
the machine with the clutch and thereby dispensing with the treadle and spring
in a standard below the platen, is shown in Fig. 10. It consists of a spring Q
coiled around the same standard K (or another shorter standard may be employed)
and confined between the frame and the bottom of the platen as shown in the
same figure, and in the employment of a flexible wire rod connected to the
end of the lever bar 1. The lower end of the wire rod may be connected
to any suitable foot piece or treadle. The normal action of the spring Q will be
to hold the platen up, but it renders the platen elastic, and self-adjusting as in
the other form. It constitutes only a somewhat more simple means than the
other device...
The operation of the whole machine is as follows:-
The driving mechanism being set in motion by a connection of the pulley
wheel with suitable power, the type to print the characters desired are set in
the manner herein before described and the double arm to which are attached the
swinging links of the inking pad adjusted to the required throw. The platen is
then raised by pressure on the treadle and the outer end of arm P being released
from the pressure of the platen is forced up by its spring, raising the opposite
end of the bar. The inner end of the bar normally contacts with the heel of
the clutch plate and prevents its engagement with the cog wheel of the driving
mechanism but when such contact is removed by the lowering of the end of the
bar, the clutch again engages the cogs and the shafts on which the clutch is
mounted is turned by such engagement. Rotating this shaft turns the cams

page_text: mounted thereon, the large cam reciprocating the type head arm up and down and
printing on the articles clamped on the platen at each stroke, while the smaller
cam intermittently throws the pad forward to ink the type just before the descent
of the arm. "When it is desired to reset the type characters or to replace the
articles stamped with a new supply, the platon is lowered whereby the printing
and driving mechanisms are disconnected the latter however continuing in
'motion.
For the Applicants,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech. E.
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
Improvements in or connected with Stamping and Numbering
Machines.
-We, JAMES D. HUMPHREY, of 12, Lincoln Street, City of Boston, County of
Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Manufacturer, and
JOSEPH FRENCH, of same address and same place, Mechanic, 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:-
Our invention relates to a power stamping and numbering machine, used for
imprinting on various articles, numbers, letters and other characters to denote
size, style kind or class, the date of manufacture, a trade-mark or for the stamping
of any other variety of characters that a hand stamp can be employed to imprint,
either for designating or for cancelling. It is particularly adapted for stamping
boots and shoes, although by no means confined in its use to that purpose.
As is customary in such machines, the type characters to be printed are formed
on the peripheries of disks which are arranged in series and mounted loosely
on a shaft.
in the
Our invention consists in improvements in the operative parts by which the
machine is adapted to be driven by any suitable motor, leaving the hands of the
operator free to manipulate the articles to be stamped; in a combined treadle and
clutch mechanism by which the printing mechanism may be thrown in and out
of engagement with the running mechanism and locked from operating
construction and arrangement of the type disks and their casing and the manner
of setting and transferring the disks, in the arrangement of the type characters
for printing in the means for operating the type head to give it an upward and
downward throw; in means for indicating to the operator the particular charac-
ters set or to be set, and also for setting them; in means independent of the other
setting means for adjusting the position of a separate disk bearing a character
out of the regular series; in means for giving the inking pad a swinging parallel
movement under the type disks, and a return movement to the rear of the same:
in the construction of the pad itself: in means for adjusting the contact of the
pad with the type disks: in a yielding and self compensating and adjusting
platen in the particular means for operating the several parts; in the construc-
tion of an adjustable spring clamp: in modifications of a few of the parts and
in improvements of some minor details, all as more fully hereinafter described and
particularly claimed.
Our invention is illustrated in the drawings left with our Provisional Specifica-

page_text: tion in which Fig. 1 is a plan; Fig. 2, a side elevation partly in section showing
the parts in position when the article is stamped, Fig. 3, a side interior view show-
ing the type head and pad in position when the type is inked and the cam
mechanisni for operating the type head: Fig. 4, a detail side elevation of the
clutch mechanism; Fig. 5, a sectional view of the type head on line 5-5 of
Fig. 6 Eig. 6, a longitudinal central section of the head; Fig. 7, a vertical
upright, sectional view of the treadle mechanism and plates when lowered: Fig 8.
a detail of a spring pawl for holding a type disk when set; Fig. 9, a detail of the
type disk detent: Fig. 10, a modification in detail of means for adjusting the
height of the platen; Fig. 11, a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 6, showing the
lever controlled type disk; Fig. 12, a front detail view of the type head showing
index and other characters, and the pointer; Fig. 13, a partly sectional end view
of a modification of the index pointer on the knob of the type head shaft; Fig. 14,
a detail sectional view of means for regulating the pressure and position of the
inking pad relative to the type disks, and Fig. 15, a front view of the modification
shown in Fig. 13; Fig. 16, a section on line 16-16 of Fig. 6; Fig. 17, a detail
plan of removable type head cover, and Fig. 18. bottom plan of this cover, and
Fig. 19 a detail section of inking pad and pad holder.
arm C.
Referring to the drawings A is the frame of the machine adapted to be secured
to a table or other suitable support, and carrying at one end an adjustable
platen AB is the type head carrying the type disks, on the end of a vibrating
The construction and operation of both the platen and type head
are hereinafter more particularly described. This arm at its inner end is hung
on a short rocking shaft journalled in standards rising from the frame.
The arm C is provided with a rearwardly extending arm which carries a stud..
on the end of which is mounted a roller, et. The roller engages with a cam
on the inner face of a cam wheel D. As the cam wheel revolves, its action
by the cam d, is to give to the carrying arm C and type head, and intermittent up
and down movement. At the deepest point of the cam when the type
head arm is at its lowest position it is extended horizontally over the frame and
platen. The cam wheel D is keyed on a horizontal shaft, E, mounted in stan-
dards rising from the frame of the machine. F is a large cog wheel also secured
on shaft E, opposite the cam, and meshing with a pinion f¹, secured on the end
of a rear horizontal shaft G, which carries at its opposite end a pulley, gl driven by
any suitable power.
I is an inking pad the specific construction of which, as shown, will be herein-
after described, which is carried at the end of an arm. H'. The pad is given a
reciprocating movement and is supported and carried in a position at all times
directly parallel with the type head characters when the latter are in position to
be inked and printed. The pad and its arm are connected to type head arm C,
by swinging link arms, 12, 1. The link is pivoted at its lower end to a
pin journalled in one side of the arm II', and its upper end is secured to a
short rotating rod, passed through the arm, C. The link is pivoted at its
lower end to a pin, 5, mounted in a short arm, 76, extending rearwardly from
the pad. At its upper end the link is formed into a bead of the rotating
rod, .
From its pivotal connection with the links the arm H is bent upward and
then extends rearwardly, being formed into a double arm I comprising two
similar, sliding members and 2, the former integral with the type arm and
each having flattened adjacent surfaces to form a close fit, and connected by
a pin and spring-pressed collar at the rear end and a screw rod ♬ at the
other end, a slot for the former of these pins in which it is adapted to move
being formed in the member Near its rear end the member is provided
with a lug (Fig. 14) to which is secured the end of a coiled spring J seated on the
member and in the hollow of member and its opposite end bearing against
a shoulder of the latter member thus tending to force it forward. The screw
· rod 2º projects through a hollow boss of the member 2 and a slot of the other

page_text: .
member at a forward angle to both and is provided at its lower end with a head
bearing against the lower side of member and at its upper end with a thumb-
nut bearing against the member. A guide key on the upper member
slides in a slot or groove ³ in the lower member. Member is pivoted at its
rear end to a vertical arm K. Turning up the thumb nut slides back-
ward the member ou against the spring, and thus carries slightly forward
and upward the arm H¹ and consequently the swinging pad nearer the type
disks so as to present a new portion of the inking surface thereto. Turning
the nut in the opposite direction releases the coiled spring which carries forward
the member and the arm back from the type head, the relative movement of
the members being to lengthen and shorten the double arm I.
In order that the pad shall not scrape along the surface of the type when
brought in contact therewith the pad box is provided with a spring back of the
pad which permits the pad to yield backward slightly when it strikes the type
in its forward and upward movement. This spring is in the cylinder and .
bears against a head on the pad.
The vertical arm K has at its lower end a journal K¹ mounted on a stud
rigidly secured to the rear extension of arm C. To arm K is secured a rod k
extending rearwardly through an apertured lug ¹ on arm C and surrounded
by a coiled spring held between said lug and the journal. A roller m² mounted
on a stud on arm K is adapted to engage a cam m, forming part of a bracket m',
keyed on shaft E by means of which the arm is reciprocated forward and under
the type head to ink the type: The spring serves to throw the pad arm back-
ward and the pad to the rear of the type head, after the type is inked.
The clutch mechanism for throwing the printing and inking mechanism in and
out of connection with the driving mechanism consists of the following means:-
The bracket m¹ rigidly secured on shaft E, is provided with an arm m³, and
a short rod m, extending at a right angle from said arm, and on this rod is
hung a clutch pawl O, (Fig. 4) having at one end a toe o' and at its opposite or heel
end a clutch plate 2. On the side of the heel the clutch pawl has a pin o³ with
which engages the end of a spring of said spring being extended back and coiled
upon rod m on the bracket arm and its extreme end secured to a smaller pin
on said arm. The action of said spring is to hold the tooth of the clutch pawl
into engagement with a cog F within the face of the larger cog F and rigidly
secured to or cast on the hub of the latter, whereby when the machine is in
operation, all the type operating parts are in gear with the motive power and
work together.
P is a rocking lever bar, centrally pivoted on rod p. One end of the bar
extends under and is adapted to be pressed down by the platen when the latter
is lowered (Fig. 2) and to be forced up and the opposite end depressed by the
action of a spring 7 secured to the underside of the frame of the machine and
bearing against the bar. The inner end of the bar is provided with a tooth against
which the end of the clutch pawl opposite the tooth is adapted to strike in its
revolution when the platen is depressed and the inner end of the bar up, the
pressure of the bar against this end of the clutch pawl serving to raise the tooth
from engagement with the cog wheel and thus disconnect the gearing with the
cam shaft. When the end of the bar is carried down by its spring then the
tooth of the clutch pawl again engages the cog wheel and the printing and driving
mechanisms are connected. To raise the platen the latter is secured to the top of
a hollow standard R, the latter connected to a cap, 4 on a rod r¹ by a set screw
which rod in turn is connected to a treadle S. The standard R slides freely
through a sleeve R* extending down from the base of the machine. The base
of the platen is also provided with a steady-pin s¹ which slides vertically in
the frame.
:
The standard R is internally provided with a coiled spring R² and a supporting
rod, within the coil, for the purpose of affording a yielding action to the platen
under the force of the blows of the type head, and to afford to the platen a

page_text: self-adjusting or compensating action to accommodate it to the use of a greater
or less thickness of the article or layers of articles, to be imprinted. The platen
is also provided with an adjustable spring clamp S3 to hold the articles to be
stamped on the platen in front of the type head, and readily adjustable to many
variations in the dimensions thereof. It is composed of a casing, S which is
screwed to the underside of the platen, a series of screw holes being provided
through the top of the platen, as shown, whereby it may be adjusted in and
out to accommodate various sizes of articles to be stamped and has a clamp
finger and thumb piece s pivoted to the casing, the heel of the clamp resting
against the free end of a spring bar s6, secured within the casing. The action of the
spring is to automatically hold the sheets or layers of articles as they are
increased or diminished in thickness, and its employment permits the free use of
both hands for other purposes. The platen is also provided with a cushion s
fixed on the platen directly beneath the type head to resist the rigidity and force
of blows and to thus preserve the face of the type. We regard this as possessing
an advantage over those stamps having the cushion in the plunger head-as it
is a more simple and effective arrangement, in that it obviates any special con-
struction of the plunger head for the purpose, and permits the types to be given
a more positive compression, while at the same time, it cushions the blow, reliev-
ing the types from impact with a solid body. It also to some extent yields to
irregular surfaces of some articles to be stamped, thus producing a more perfect
imprint.
Yis an adjustable gage for the work, secured by a thumb screw to the frame
of the machine, and to the rear of the type head, the gage the distance from the
edge of the article to the place of the imprint thereon.
one
The type head B is provided with a series of ring type disks t, mounted loosely on.
a central hollow shaft T. One end of this shaft outside the head terminates in a
nob for turning the shaft and for the consequent turning of the disks sepa-
rately. Each disk is provided on its periphery with raised letters, figures or other
characters, Between the raised characters eacli disk is provided with index
characters flush with or below the surface of the disk. A single disk used for
the purpose hereinafter described, is provided with merely a single index charac-
ter and a corresponding printing character and plain raised portions
and recesses on the rest of its periphery. Each disk except the
last referred to, is also provided with four interior slots
through its edge encircling the shaft T. The purposes of these various features
of the disks are hereinafter described. At the back of the type head and hung
on a single rod so as to turn loosely thereon are a series of spring pawls to, one
pawl for each disk. The form of these pawls is shown in detail in Figure 8.
These pawls extend down under the type disks and engage therewith at their
lower sides. Each pawl is provided with a spring rod which projects above
the edge of the type head. Washers are hung on the pawl supporting rod between
the pawls to permit the free and independent movement of the latter.
2
thi
cut
One disk is unprovided with the interior slots, having a plain inner periphery.
This disk carries the character "" in index and printing type. Secured to this
disk is a lever U adapted to rotate the disk on its shaft. A spiral spring t
connects a projection from the disk t with a rod of one of the spring pawls. The
pawl of the disk adjacent to disk has a pin u engaging an elongated
aperture in the pawl of the latter disk so that when the adjacent pawl is pressed
back by its disk, the pawl of disk t8 will also be carried back and out of engagement
with said disk. The pawl to corresponding to the disk 8 is made shorter than the
other pawls and is provided with a single abrupt projecting tooth at the end to
engage the disk, the middle projection found in the other pawls being dispensed
with, whereby the disk 8 is held firmly from being drawn backward by its
retracting spring when one of its teeth has engaged the pawl tooth, and
the disk is held in position for printing.
U is the top or cover of the type head and is provided on its under surfaco

page_text: with a rod u which when the cover is screwed in place bears against and presses
back the spring pawl-rods, thus forcing the pawls into engagement with the
disks. The top is slotted to allow the lever U to pass through and be moved to.
and fro while at its rear end and it is provided with a projection having a pin ou
which slides a slotted lever U². This lever slides in a slot in the cover and is
provided with a pin to keep it therein. It also has a tooth at its front
part to engage the teeth of the disk adjacent to the disk, and having the pawl
provided with pin . Attached to the lever 12 is a curved spring the rear
end of which bears against the link journals of the type head and forces the
lever out to the end of the slot. The tooth of each pawl rests normally in the
recess or space between two raised characters.
V is a sliding barrel placed within the shaft T. It is given its sliding move-
ment by means of a handle V1 which is secured to the barrel by means of a screw, 2.
The screw passes into the outer end of a rod and the rod is held in place in
the barrel by a collar engaging with a lug in the inner end of said rod. A
sleeve surrounds the rod between the end of the barrel and a collar of the rod
on its outer end. The bandle V₁ is provided with a pointer gs. The barrel near
the opposite end to that on which the handle is hung is provided with a slot . In
this slot is placed a detent 28 (shown in detail in Fig. 9) having at one end a
tooth and at the opposite end a small curved cross head 10. A flat downwardly
extending spring all is secured to the underside of the detent and hears against the
bottom of the slot. The tooth of the detent protrudes above the surface of the
barrel through the slot and the cross head rests in a cross groove
and is flush with the surface of the barrel, being held in its
seat by the wall of the hollow shaft T. The detent tooth is
exactly opposite the pointer and hence engages the same disk to which
the pointer points. The shaft T is provided with a longitudinal slot which
registers with the slot in the enclosed barrel and through which the tooth of the
spring pressed detent also protrudes.. The object of the detent is to engage with
the nearest slot in a type disk and to rotate it when the barrel and disk shaft
are rotated by the knob. It is not necessary that the slots in the several disks
should register for this purpose, and the disks may be provided with as many
slots as is desired for convenience and rapid work. Four slots being a con-
venient number the disks are illustrated with that many but they may have one or
more. The relative positions of the various parts above described in connection.
with the type disks are shown in Figs 5, 6 and 11.
There is a modification of both the type disks and their operation and of the
adjusting means for the platen, but before their description, the operation of the
above arrangements will be given.
Let it be assumed that the following characters are to be stamped on a shoe
lining: 10 E-57678.
Before beginning the operation, the type disks are held from turning by their
spring pawls. The pointer g is set opposite a disk having an index
figure 1, and raised figure 1 upon it. In the arrangement mentioned, this is the.
first disk next to the knob. The placing of the pointer in this position
will also carry the detent to the same disk. The disk shaft by means of the thumb
nut is then rotated carrying the detent barrel with it until the tooth of the
spring pressed detent engages a slot in the disk, whereupon the detent rotates
the disk as the turning continues. The turning is continued until the index
figure is under the pointer. When the first index figure is thus properly
placed the corresponding raised figure will be in a proper position at the
bottom of the type head to be stamped. The pointer is then slid back to the next
disk, carrying back the barrel, and the detent to that disk, when the
above operation is repeated until the figure 0 is reached and set in place.
When the barrel is drawn along under the smooth portions of the peri-
pheries of the disks the detent will be pressed down into the slot. To bring
the character "" into printing position the lever U is moved forward to the
2
>
•

page_text: end of its slot, which turns the disk 18 carrying the index character to the front
and the type to its printing position at the bottom of the type head, in which
position the disk will be firmly held by the abrupt tooth of its engaging pawl.
The remaining characters are adjusted as described in the case of the first two
numerals To restore the disk 18 with the "1" character to its normal position
the lever U2 having the tooth adapted to engage the disk adjacent to the disk t
is moved back which carries back its engaging disk. The pawl of this disk
is thus forced back and by means of the pin engaging the apertured pawl £10,
forces back the latter pawl and releases the tooth of the same from engagement
with disk 18 which is thereupon automatically retracted by the spiral spring .
The aperture of pawl 10 is elongated to permit of the free movement therein of
the pin of the adjacent pawl when it is desired to independently adjust the disk
of the said adjacent pawl.
The character "" is mounted on a disk of different style from the other
characters and provided with a separate setting device because it is the character
most frequently used and the separate disk and setting means therefor permit it
to be set in co-operation with any other character, with rapidity and convenience
and without necessitating the careful rotation and adjustment of a disk bearing
several characters.
A modification of the type head disks, and the pointer is illustrated in
Figs. 13 and 15.. Instead of arranging the index characters on the peripheries of
the disks they are placed in circular rows on and around the surface of the knob,
employed as already described to rotate the disk shaft and detent barrel. In
this arrangement an additional pointer n is employed fixed to the frame above
the knob. The other pointer on the detent barrel handle is now employed only
to indicate the proper disk having the raised characters to be used. But of
course the detent is carried with it to that disk as before. The index characters
on the knob are arranged in circular rows each corresponding to one of the circular
sets of characters on the respective disks. The index character on the knob
directly under the pointer indicates the disk character in position for printing.
Since each index character in each row. is in fixed relation with the same
character on the corresponding disk it is clear that if there were several slots in
the disk, the latter might be turned to a different printing character than
that under the knob pointer. Therefore in setting a character or row of
characters by the respective pointers there must be but one slot formed in each
disk, so that when the pointer over the knob and the detent and detent pointer
are set to the same character on a particular disk, the tooth of the detent must
register with and enter the slot in the disk in order to rotate the disk and bring
that character to its proper position at the bottom of the type head for printing.
In operating the modification let it be supposed that the character A is desired
to be set and printed. The detent pointer is slid first to the disk having that
character, thus carrying the detent to that disk, then
the knob
is turned until the same character appears thereon under the pointer on the
frame, whereupon the corresponding printing character will be turned to the
proper position at the bottom of the disk, and the same operation is continued
with the other characters desired to be printed.
A modification of means for automatically adjusting the platen and engaging
the machine with the clutch and thereby dispensing with the treadle and spring
in a standard below the platen, is shown in Fig. 10. It consists of a spring Q
coiled around the same standard R (or another shorter standard may, be employed)
and confined between the frame and the bottom of the platen as shown in the
same figure, and in the employment of a flexible wire rod 5 connected to the
end of the lever bar P. The lower end of the wire rod may be connected.
to any suitable foot piece or treadle. The normal action of the spring Q will be
to hold the platen up, but it renders the platen elastic, and self adjusting as in
the other form. It constitutes, only a somewhat more simple means than the
other device.

page_text: The operation of the whole machine is as follows:-
The driving mechanism being set in motion by connection of the pulley
wheel with suitable power, the type to print the characters desired are set in
the manner herein before described and the double arm to which are attached the
swinging links of the inking pad adjusted to the required throw. The platen is
Then raised by pressure on the treadle and the outer end of arm P being released
from the pressure of the platen is forced up by its spring, raising the opposite
end of the bar. The inner end of the bar normally contacts with the heel of
the clutch plate and prevents its engagement with the cog wheel of the driving
mechanism but when such contact is removed by the lowering of the end of the
bar, the clutch again engages the cogs and the shaft on which the clutch is
mounted is turned by such engagement. Rotating this shaft turns the same
mounted thereon, the large cam reciprocating the type head arm up and down and
printing on the articles clamped on the platen at each stroke, while the smaller
cam intermittently throws the pad forward to ink the type just before the descent
of the arm.
When it is desired to reset the type characters or to replace the
articles stamped with a new supply, the platen is lowered, whereby the printing
and driving mechanisms are disconnected the latter however continuing in
motion..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:--
1. In a stamping and numbering machine, the combination of a plunging
type-carrier, with independently adjustable type, a continuously operating driving
mechanism and means to connect and disconnect said driving means and type-
carrier, substantially as described.
2. In a stamping and numbering machine, the combination with a plunging
type-carrier, of a continuously operating driving mechanism, independently
adjustable type, a single handle for adjusting or setting said type, and means
to connect and disconnect said driving means and type carrier, substantially as
described.
3. In a machine of the class described, in combination with a suitable frame,
printing characters and their holder, a rocking lever-arm having a short arm
and a long arm, said long arm carrying at its end said characters and holder, a
cam engaging the end of said short arm, a shaft carrying the cam, and driving
means connected with said shaft, whereby when said short arm reaches the reduced
portion of said cam, the long arm and characters holder will be thrown forcibly
downward by their own weight and an intermittent plunging movement given
thereto, substantially as described.
4. In combination with a swinging type head, a platen to receive the impres-
sions of said type head, a vertically-adjustable standard supporting said platen,
a spring for giving said platen and standard an automatic self adjustment in
either position of said standard, a driving mechanism, a clutch intermediate said
type head and driving mechanism and connections between said platen and clutch,
whereby the vertical adjustment of the platen will control the operation of the
clutch, substantially as described.
5. In a machine of the class described the platen. provided with an adjustable
jointed clamp for holding thereon articles of varying dimensions and a spring for
said clamp adjustable therewith, said platen having a stamping surface to receive
articles to be stamped, substantially as described.
G. In combination with a platen, printing characters and their support, and
means for giving the said characters intermittent blows upon the platen, said
platen provided with a cushion of resilient material located directly beneath said
characters to receive the impact of said blows, a standard on which said platen is
mounted, and a yielding spring supporting said standard, substantially as
described.

page_text: 7. A type disk provided on its periphery with separate raised characters and in
the spaces between said characters with characters serving as an index for said
raised characters, a pointer to indicate such index characters and means to engage
said disk to rotate the same, substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. In a stamping and numbering machine, in combination with a series of type
disks, said disks having raised printing characters and recesses formed between
said characters, a rotatable setting shaft on which the disks are loosely mounted,
a thumb piece for turning said shaft, a sliding detent in said shaft, interior recesses
in said disks with which said detent is adapted to engage, a separate spring pressed
retaining pawl for each disk, the tooth of said pawl having double ends and
adapted to engage the exterior recesses of the disk, whereby when the disk is
turned by the shaft the pawl-tooth will ride over the characters and when the
disk is at rest will be forced into the recesses to hold the disk in place, substan-
tially as described.
9. In a stamping and numbering machine, in combination with a series of type
disks, a hollow shaft on which they are mounted a rotatable and longitudinally
sliding barrel within said shaft, a spring pressed detent in said barrel, means
of engagement between said detent and disks,. a rod on which said barrel is
rotatably carried and a pointer secured to said rod and extending over the disks,
substantially as described.
10. The type head and its carrying arm, in combination with the inking pad
and an extensible carrying arm therefor, connections between said. arms and
means for lengthening and shortening said pad arm to adjust it to and from
the type characters and in line with the type head carrying arm, substantially
as described.
11. In combination with a platen, a rocking lever bar, a drive gear, a spring
controlled clutch pawl held on said gear and with which pawl said lever bar is
adapted to engage, the operating shaft to which said clutch is connected, means
of connection between the lever bar and the platen and means for raising said
platen, whereby when the platen is raised the said rocking lever will be released
from the clutch pawl and the driving and printing mechanisms connected, sub-
stantially as described.
12. In combination with a gear wheel, a spring pressed clutch pawl adapted to
engage said wheel, a rocking lever adapted to engage said clutch to effect the
disengagement of said clutch and gear wheel, means to rock said lever, a con-
tinuously operating driving mechanism connected with said gear wheel, a print-
ing mechanism, said clutch adapted to connect said driving and printing mechan-
isms, substantially as described.
13. The swinging and reciprocating inking pad and its carrying arm in com-
bination with the plunging arm of the type head, and the pivoted links con-
meeting the said arm of the type head and the arm of the pad, a shaft, cams on said
shaft to engage said plunging arm and type head and driving means engaging
said shaft to rotate the same, substantially as described. .
14. In combination with the slotted shaft, disks mounted loosely on said
shaft and provided with printing characters on their peripheries, a pointer to
indicate said character disks, a knob to turn said shaft, said knob provided with
index characters denoting the same characters as are on said disks, a pointer on
the machine over said knob, each of said disks provided with a single interior
slot, a barrel sliding in said shaft, said barrel provided with a spring pressed
detent engaging the slot in the said shaft and the slot in the disk, whereby on
turning the knob to a certain index character, a disk will he turned to present
the same character for printing, substantially as described.
15. In combination with type disks, spring-pressed pawls engaging therewith,
means of engagement between two adjacent pawls, said otlier pawls independent
of each other, substantially as described.
16. In combination with type disks and their support, means to adjust said
disks, one of said disks provided with a single type and an adjusting lever

page_text: secured to said disk and independent of said other adjusting means, substantially
as described.
17. The combination with a type disk, of a spring-pressed pawl engaging there-
with, a lever secured to said disk, a spring connected with said lever, and means
to effect the disengagement of said disk and pawl, substantially as described.
JS. In combination with a type disk, provided with a single type, a spring
pressed pawl engaging therewith, means for giving said disk a limited rotation,
an adjacent disk and its pawl, means of engagement between the two pawls, a
sliding lever mounted in the frame of the machine and adapted to engage said
latter disk, and spring secured to said lever, substantially as described.
19. The combination of the type disks having the raised printing characters and
the spaces between said characters, with the detaining-pawls adapted to engage
said disks, spring rods secured to said pawls, means to bring pressure on said rods,
a rotatable setting shaft on which said disks are mounted and means for engaging
one of said disks with said shaft, substantially as described.
20: The type head in combination with the type disks and type thereon,
the pawls engaging said disks at the bottom of the head, spring-rods secured to
said pawls, the removable cover for said head, a bar secured to said cover and
adapted to press against said pins, substantially as described.
21. The combination of the type head and its pivoted arm, the inking pad and
its arm, the latter pivoted at its rear part to said type head arm and having its
front part pivotally connected by swinging links thereto, the gear wheel, the shaft
on which said gear wheel is mounted, a cam wheel on said shaft and cam carried
thereby to engage the type head arm, and the cam mounted on said shaft to engage
the pivoted pad arm, motive power and connections between said motive power
and the gear wheel, substantially as described.
22. In combination with the type disks, the forwardly swinging inking pad, a
holder for said pad, a cushion spring in said holder directly behind and bearing
against said pad, substantially as described.