A New or Improved Mail Marking Machine.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 13th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 12th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 26th June, 1897
A New or Improved Mail Marking Machine.
We, MARTIN VAN BUREN ETHRIDGE, of Everett, County of Middlesex, and State
of Massachusetts, United States of America, and JOHN BROOKS YOUNG, of the City of
Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to machines for stamp-cancelling and post marking mail
matter, wherein the mail matter is deposited piece by piece in a suitably formed
hopper and thence fed automatically to marking devices, and after being marked, is
stacked in regular order automatically.
There are certain recognized essentials to a successfully operating machine of this
character. There must be a feed which will so time the mail pieces in their escape from
the hopper as to positively ensure a uniformity in their presentation to the marking
devices so that each piece will receive the cancelling marks at the same place. Again
coaction of the marking devices to mark an interposed piece, must be controlled by
the approaching piece so as to avoid the possibility of these marking devices coming
into co-operative relation in the absence of interposed matter which would result in
deposit of ink from the marking die on to the impression surface, or backing and
subsequent smooching of the backs of letters. The stacking mechanism should always
be ready to receive a marked letter and immediately add it to the stack :-and to
absolutely ensure the stacking of the letters in the order in which they are marked,
there should be provision for holding up the stack while the new piece is received.
Finally to secure a perfect operation of the machine as a whole all its moving parts
should be relatively timed with great accuracy. These things are of special importance
from the fact that these mail-marking machines to be profitable must be capable of
high speed.
All points above enumerated have been taken into consideration in evolving the
present invention, and a complete machine is here shown and described which fulfils
every requirement as to speed, accuracy, and cleanliness.
Of the accompanying drawings which illustrate the machine and form part of this
specification,
Figure 1 shows a plan view of the complete machine.
Figure 2 shows a front elevation.
Figure 3 shows an end elevation on linea in Figure 1 looking to the right.
Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the printing cylinder and impression roll, the
clamp open and the notch in the printing cylinder at a position to adimit the letter to
be printed.
Figure 5 shows a full sized plan of the lever F, and the cam F 4.
Figure 6 shows the impression roll C1, the disk F7, the cam F4, slot F 9, and
roll F5 in the shank of said cam. Also the fixed shaft F 3 in the lever F 1.
The letter a, designates a horizontal table having a longitudinal opening occupied by
the horizontal upper stretch of a conveyer belt b, forming the bottom of the hopper,
the sides 61, and 62, of which are erected on the table a. At some distance from the
discharge end of the hopper, the printing and impression cylinders c, and c 1, shown
in Figure 3, are located. The former being in fixed bearings, and the latter in
bearings on a pivoted spring pressed frame c 2, shown in Figure 3.

page_text: These cylinders are connected by gearing so as to have a fixed relation of movement.
Near to the printing cylinder is a rigid arm e 3, pivoted on hopper & 2, at c 4. This
arm is moved forward by a cam c 5, and drawn backward by a spring c 6. Opposite
this arm is a stiff flat spring c 7, which is limited in its movement towards the arm c 3.
By the inward movement of the arm c 3, it comes in contact with the spring c7, and
forms a stop for the letter and holds the same until the notch d in the printing cylinder
arrives at the proper position to form an opening between the two cylinders e, and e1-
then the arm 3 moves towards the cam c5. Drawn by the spring c6, the flat
spring e 7 is not allowed to follow the movement of the arm e 3, thus an opening is
made and the letter moves forward into the notch d, and against a flexible stop c 8,
ready to be caught by the cylinders c and c 1, and properly cancelled, postmarked, and
delivered to the packing disk d 1. In case the letter fails to start quick enough to
get into the notch of the cylinders c and c 1, a vertical belt d 2, and a roller d 3 loosely
mounted to an arm d4, shown in Figure 2, and vibrated by a cam d 5, shown in
Figure 2. As soon as the arm moves away from the letter and releases it, the
roller d 3 is pressed against the letter and causes friction on the letter and the belt d 2
which is carried by the cylinder e 1, shown in Figure 3.
This operation causes the letter to move quickly with the belt d 2 for about one
inch into the notch or opening between the printing cylinder.
Within the circle of cylinder e 1, is a lever d 6 the high part of which is pressed
out of the circle of the cylinder e 1 by a closed spring e 7, and the lever d 8.
This lever and spring arm is loosely journaled to a shaft which is solid to the
post d9. The two are connected together by a spiral spring 5, shown in Figure 2,
wound around said shaft with one end fastened to the post d 9, and the other to the
lever d 8.
Nominally, they move together, but when the post is locked in notch of lever,
the lever d 8 can be pressed further and prevent tearing the letter with the lever d 6.
The levers F and F 1 are pivoted at F 2. Lever F1 has a fixed shaft F3, and
on said shaft a cam F4 is loosely mounted. Lever F surrounds this cam and
carries a roll F 5 which is kept in contact with the cam F 4 by a spring F 6. Cam F4
has a shank that drops out of lever F on to the disk F 7 and is rotated by said disk
which is fast to the impression roll shaft F 8 in Figure 3.
This cam shank has a slot in it, a roll studded to the disk F 7.
The slotted shank F9 of the cam rests on the disk with the roll in the
slot and the cam and disk move together as shown in Figure 3. The slot in the
shank of the cam provides for independent movements between the disk and
the cam centre or fulcrum. The lever F1 has a connecting rod G and an adjusting
nut G 1. This rod is joined to a walking beam G 2 shown in Figure 3. This beam
is fulcrumed off its centre to an arm G 3, Figure 1, which is studded at G4 to the
frame a, and is free to move on said stud. On each end of beam g2 there are
swiveled joints g 5 and 9 6. Connected with g 6 is a rod g 7 pivoted to the swinging
frame e2 shown in Figure 3, which carries the impression roll e 1 and disk F7
and cam F4 which is on a fixed shaft in lever F 1. Lever G 3 has a round rod 99
pinned to its end on which beam g2 in Figure 3 is fulcrumed. This rod has an
adjustable stop H. Said stop is for the purpose of striking the frame and controling
the movement of the spring H1 which is fastened to the frame. Lever F 1 also has
a round rod H 2 pinned to its end and a spring H 3 is fastened to the end of said
rod and to the frame a. Stop H4 set in the frame limits the movement of
lever F 1.
The feed belt & is constantly traveling towards the printing cylinders e and 1.
The cylinders are also turning in the direction shown by the arrows, as are also the
packing disks d 1.
When no letter is in the hopper to work the machinery, the levers d 6, d 8, and the
post d9 remain in the position shown in Figure 1.
The lever F1 is held to its inward limit towards the printing cylinder by the
spring H 8. By adjusting the nut G1 which has a right and a left thread, the rod G
is made to locate the impression roll e 1 through the beam, g 2, and rod g 7. By

page_text: moved double the distance.
The impression roll c 1, is moved away from the printing cylinder c and keeps the
pad from taking ink from the marking die, thus the cylinder.revolves apart.
One sixteenth of an inch is all that is required.
While the machine is thus running without letters, the arm c 3 is moving to and
from the spring e 7 at each revolution of the printing cylinder.
The end of the arm c3 is forkel so it passes over the high part of lever d 6 and
does not move it or the post d 9 impression roll c 1, the disc F 7 are turning the cam F 4.
On the face of the said cam there is a depression which imparts a movement to the
lever F, said cam being in contact with the roll F 5 located on said lever. Lever F 1
being held by spring H 3.
All the movements produced by the cam F4 must be made by the notch end of
lever F.
This movement takes place at every revolution of the printing cylinder.
We will now explain what takes place when a letter is dropped into the
hopper:-
The letter moves towards the printing cylinders.
If it approaches them out of time, or after the opening d in the printing cylinder
has passed the centre of the rolls, then the arm c3 will be closed to the spring c 7,
and the letter will be held until the opening in the printing cylinder has revolved
around so as to make an opening between the cylinders. Then the arm c3 is
drawn away from c7 and the letter is released. At this instant the roll d 3 pinches
the letter on to the moving belt d2, and causes the letter to start quickly into the
opening notch or space between the printing cylinders against a flexible stop. This
operation times the letter to the printing device so the cancellation of the stamp will
be assured, and the post-mark in the proper place.
As soon as the letter gets into or between the cylinders, the arm c3 moves to
close with the spring c7 and clamps on to the letter. The letter having got
between the lever d6 and the arm c 3, the lever d6 is pressed back on to d 8 which
causes the post d9 to move into the notch on lever F. The depression on the face
of the cam F4 allows the spring FG to raise the notch on lever F so the post 9
can enter said notch. The post 9 is now in the notch, the high point on cam F4
now comes in contact with the roll on lever F which has its notch end resting on
the post d 9. Now the lever F cannot move so the cam F4 and its support the
lever F1 must move back. F1 being connected with the short end of walking
beam G 2 shown in Figure 3. This movement must tip the beam over the fulcrum G 9
and push the impression roll into contact with the letter and the same be printed
upon.
By this operation, the letter is post-marked, the stamp cancelled, and the letter
stacked by the disk d 1.
If there is no letter carried into the mouth of the printing cylinders at the next
revolution of the same, then the lever d6, and d 8, and post d 9 will resume their
former position, reset by the spring d 7. The post d 9 is out from under the notch in
the lever F, and the lever F goes on with its movements while lover F 1 has been
drawn forward to its normal position by the spring H3.
This movement of lever F1 tips the beam G 2 back, and moves the impression
cylinder away from the marking die when no letter is there to protect it from inking.
and soiling its surface. In the printing cylinder circle c, in Fig. 1, is shown in dotted
lines a square die carrying type. A pin is inserted into said die held in this position
by a lever with a spring at its back, all inside and between the discs or tread of the
cylinder.
When a thick letter comes between the printing rolls, then the long end of the
beam G 2 which is tied to the impression roll frame c2 must move back. This
movement will cause the large spring H 1 to yield and the fulcrum of the beam G 9
will move also on its pivoted end G 4. By this arrangement thick and thin letters
are provided for and properly handled. By the use of the walking beam G 2 and

page_text: the movement of the cam F4 applied to the short end of the beam, the impression
roll is moved away from the printing cylinder a proper distance by the use of a very
small depression on the face of cam F4 which is very desirable. C8 the timing stop
may be made rigid.
Dated this 1911 1
mail.marking
дасп
We, MARTIN VAN BUREN ETHRIDGE, of Everett, County of Middlesex, and
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, and JOHN BROOKS YOUNG, of
21 Debresoles Street Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, Gentlemen, 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 invention relates to machines for post marking and stamp cancelling mail
matter, wherein the mail pieces are dropped one by one into a receiving hopper
on to a carrying belt which carries them to the timing devices, and printing cylinders.
The momentum of the printing cylinders then passes the mail pieces into packing
disks which stacks them in regular order, the stack being supported by a sliding
block which moves back to the extent of the thickness of each mail piece received
into the stack.
A valuable feature of our machine is the simplicity of its construction. It is
durable and capable of taking care of a large variety of work without danger of
defacing or damaging it; it is practically noiseless when in operation, easily cared
for, and can be readily comprehended and repaired by an ordinary mechanic.
In the drawings of which Figs. 1 to 6 were left with our Provisional Specification.
Figure 1 shows a plan view of the complete machine with hopper B 1 shown in
section.
Figure 2 shows a front elevation.
Figure 3 shows a sectional end elevation on line xx in Figure 1 looking to the
right.
Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the printing cylinder and impression
roll, the stop open and the notch in the printing cylinder at a position to adinit the
letter to be printed.
Figure 5 shows a full sized plan of the lever F, and the cam F 4.
Figure 6 shows the impression roll C1, the disc F 7, the cam F 4, slot F 9, and
roll F5 in the shank of said cam also the fixed shaft F 3 in the lever F 1.
Figure 7 shows an enlarged plan view of the printing cylinder C, the impression
cylinder C1, timing stop C8, vibrating arm C3, cam C5, trip d 6, spring C7,
lever d 8, post d 9, and sections of hopper 6.1 and 62.
Figure 8 is a front side elevation, showing printing cylinder C, vibrating arm C3,
trip d 6, lever d 8, section of stop c 8, and part of hopper 62, and frame a.
The letter a designates a horizontal table having a longitudinal opening occupied
by the horizontal upper stretch of a conveyer belt b, forming the bottom of the
hopper, the sides 61, and 62, of which are erected on the table a.
At some distance from the discharge end of the hopper, the printing and impression
cylinders c and c shown in Figure 3, are located, the former being in fixed bearings,
and the latter in bearings on a pivoted spring pressed frame c2, shown in Figure 3.
These cylinders are connected by gearing so as to have a fixed relation of
movement.

page_text: Near to the printing cylinder is a vibrating arm e3 one end pivoted on hopper 2
at e 4, and the other end is slotted so as to pass by the letter trip arm d6 when there
is no letter between them as shown in Figure 7. The vibrating arm c3 with its
slotted end is also shown in Figure 3. This arm c3 is moved forward by a cam c 5, and
drawn backward by a spring c6. Opposite this arm c3 is a stiff flat spring e 7 which
is limited in its movements towards the arm c 3.
с
By the inward movement of the arm c 3, it comes in contact with the spring c7 and
forms a stop for the letter and holds the same until the notch d in the printing
cylinder arrives at a proper position to form an opening between the two cylinders
and c', then the arm c3 moves towards cam c 5 drawn by the spring c 6. The flat
spring 7 is not allowed to follow the movement of the arm e, thus an opening is
made, and the letter released moves forward into the notch d, and against a timing
stop located at or past the centre of the printing cylinder and impression cylinder
ready to be caught by the cylinders c and e', and properly cancelled, postmarked, and
delivered to the packing disks d'. Stope is pivoted to the end of a rigid arme Fig. 1.
One end of said stop projects into the path of the letter and the other end is supported
by a flat spring of one end of which is made fast to the arm e". The normal position
of the right hand face of the timing stop 8 is at right angles with the line of the
hopper and 2. Thus a thick letter may force back the stop by the depression of
the spring cc and prevent tearing such letter. The arm c³ and the flat spring e' forms
a letter retaining and automatic releasing timing stop. In case the letter fails to start
quick enough to got into the notch d of the cylinder e, a vibrating roller is fixed to
one end of a flat spring, and the other end made fast to an arm d' shown in Fig. 2.
Said arm is flexibly pivoted at e to hopper shown in Fig. 1, and vibrated by a
cam d shown in Fig. 2. The roller is pressed on to the letter which is against the
d³
vertical belt d 2, and the letter is moved quickly into the notch d in the cylinder c,
and carried through the cylinder c and c' to the packing disks d'. The roller d³ is a
permanent part of the machine and always in position to act upon the letter in case it
is not advanced quickly enough to reach the notch d in the printing cylinder.
Between cylinder e and disk F is a lever d' the high part of which is pressed out
of the circle of the cylinder el by a closed spring d and the lever d. This lever d³
and the arm which the spring d' is fast to, are loosely journaled to a shaft which is solid
to the post d. The two are connected together by a spiral spring 5 shown in Fig. 2,
wound around said shaft with one end fastened to the post do, and the other to the
lever d. Nominally they move together, but when the post d9 is locked in notch of
lever F, the lever d8 can be pressed further by the vibrating arm e3, when there is a
letter between said arm and trip arm d 6. Lever d 8 being under the influence of
spiral spring 5 (shown in Figure 2) yields to the pressure of trip arm d6, and
prevents tearing the letter.
The levers F and F¹, are pivoted at F 2. Lever F¹ has a fixed shaft F3, and on
said shaft a cam F4 is loosely mounted. Lever F surrounds this cam and carries a
roller F5 which is kept in contact with the cam F 4 by a spring F 6. Cam F4 has a
shank depending from lever F on to the disk F 7 and is rotated by said disk which is
fast to the impression roll shaft F 8 in Figure 3.
This cam shank has a slot in it, and a roll studded to the disk F 7. The slotted
shank F9 of the cam rests on the disk F 7, with the roll in the slot and the cam and
disk move together as shown in Figure 3. The slot in the shank of the cam provides
for independent movement between the disk and the cam centre or fulcrum. The
lever Fi has a connecting rod g and an adjusting nut 9. This rod is joined to a
walking beam g shown in Figure 3. This beam is fulcrumed off its centre to an
arm g³ shown in Figure 1, which is studded at y' to the frame a, and is free to move
on said stud. On each end of beam 92 there are swiveled joints 95 and 96.
Connected with 96 is a rod g 7 pivoted to the swinging frame e 2 shown in Figure 3,
which carries the impression roll c 1 and disk F 7 and cam F4 which is on a fixed
shaft in lever F. Lever 93 has a round rod 99 pinned to its end on which beam 2
in Figure 3 is fulcrumed. This rod has an adjustable stop H. Said stop is for the
purpose of striking the frame so as to maintain the proper position of, the fulcrum of

page_text: the walking beam #2 and limiting the action of the spring H1 which is fast to the
frame. Lever F' also has a 'round rod H 2 pinned to its end and a spring H3 is
fastened to the end of said rod and to the frame a. Stop H4 set in the frame limits
the movement of lever F'.
The feed belt, is constantly travelling towards the printing cylinders and c 1.
The cylinders are also turning in the direction shown by the arrows, as are also the
packing disks d 1. When no letter is in the hopper to work the machinery, the
lever d 6, and lever d8, and post d 9 remain in the position shown in Figure 1.
By
The lever F1 is held to its inward limit towards the printing cylinder by a
spring H3. By adjusting the nut g' which has a right and a left thread, the rod g is
made to locate the impression roll c through the beam g2, and rod 7.
shortening the rod g, a thirty second of an inch, the long end of beam g 2 is moved
nearly double the distance. The impression roll c', is moved away from the printing
cylinder e and keeps the pad from taking ink from the marking die, thus the cylinders
revolve apart.
While the machine is thus running without letters, the arm c3 is moving to and
from the spring c7, at each revolution of the printing cylinder.
The end of the arm c 3 is forked so that it passes over the high part of the lever d
and does not move it or the post d 9. Impression roll c1, and the disk F7 are
turning the cam F4. On the face of the said cam there is a depression which imparts
a movement to the lever F. Said cam being in contact with the roll F 5 located on
said lever, lever F 1 being held by spring H3. All the movements produced by the
cam F4 must be made by the notch end of lever F. This movement takes place at
every revolution of the printing cylinders.
We will now explain what takes place when a letter is dropped into the hopper
The letter moves towards the printing cylinders. If it approaches them out of
time, or after the opening d, in the printing cylinder has passed the centre of the
impression cylinder, then the arm c3 will be closed to the spring c7 and the letter
will be held until the opening in the printing cylinder has revolved around so as to
make an opening between the cylinders. Then the arm e3 is drawn away from c 7
by the spring c 6, and the letter is released. At this instant the intermittent roll d 3.
pinches the letter on to the moving belt d 2 and causes the letter to start quickly into
the opening notch or space between the printing cylinders against a timing stop e 8.
This operation times the letter to the printing device so the cancellation of the stamp
will be assured and the post-mark in the proper place.
As soon as the letter gets into or between the cylinders, then the arm c 3 moves to
close with the spring c7 and clamps on to the letter. The letter having got between.
the lever d6 and the arm c 3, the lever d 6 is pressed back on to d 8 which causes the
post 9 to move into the notch on lever F. The depression on the face of the
cam F 4, allows the spring F6 to raise the notch on lever F, so the post d9 can
enter said notch. The post d9 is now in the notch. The high point on cam F4
now comes in contact with the roll on lever F which has its notch end resting on the
post d 9. Now the lever F cannot move, so the cam F 4 and its support the lever F1
inust move back. F1 being connected with the short end of walking beam G 2
shown in Figure 3. This movement must tip the beam over the fulcrum G 9 and
pushes the impression roll into contact with the letter and the same be printed upon.
By this operation the letter is-post-marked, the stamp cancelled, and the letter
stacked by the disc d 1.
If there is no letter carried into the printing cylinders at the next revolution of the
same, then the lever d 6, and d 8, and post 9, will resume their former position,
reset by the spring d 7. The post d 9 is out from under the notch in the lever F,
and the lever F goes on with its movements while lever F 1 has been drawn forward
to its normal position by the spring H 3.
This movement of lever F1 tips the beam G 2 back, and moves the impression
cylinder away from the marking die when no letter is there to protect it from inking
and soiling its surface. In the printing cylinder circle c, in Figure 1, is shown in
dotted lines a square die K 0, carrying type. A pin K, is inserted into said die held

page_text: in this position by a lever K1 with a spring K 2 at its back. A spiral spring K 3 is
shown at the back of die K0 which pushes the die K0 out when the pin K is drawn
out of the die Ko-all inside and between the disks or tread of the cylinder. When
a thick letter comes between the printing rolls, then the long end of the beam G 2 which.
is tied to the impression roll frame c 2 must move back. This movement will cause
the large spring H 1 to yield and the fulcrum of the beam 9 will move also on its
pivoted end y.
By this arrangement, thick and thin letters are provided for and properly handled.
By the use of the walking beam 2 and the movement of the cam 4 applied to the
short end of the beam 92, the impression roll is moved away from the printing
cylinder a proper distance by the use of a very small depression on the face of cam F 4,
which is very desirable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1st. In a mail marking machine, the combination of a hopper, a horizontal and a
vertical carrying belt therein, a vibrating arm c3 one end of which is pivoted to a
rigid support and the other end is slotted and located so as to permit it to vibrate into
the circle of the printing cylinder and above said cylinder, means for vibrating said
arm, a timing stop, a letter trip and post connected to each other, an impression
cylinder, a cam and connections for vibrating said cylinder, a continuously rotating
printing cylinder having a portion of its periphery cut away in advance of the
cancelling marker.
2nd. In a mail marking machine, the combination of a hopper, a horizontal and a
vertical carrying belt therein, a vibrating arm c3 one end of which is pivoted to a
rigid support and the other end is slotted and located so as to permit it to vibrato into
the circle of the printing cylinder and above said cylinder, means for vibrating said
arm, a timing stop, a letter trip and post connected together, an impression cylinder,
a cam and connections for vibrating said cylinder, a continuously rotating printing
cylinder having a portion of its periphery cut away in advance of the cancelling
marker, an intermittently vibrating roll for clamping the letter on to the vertical
belt to force the letter up to the stop, and means for vibrating said roll.
3rd. In a mail marking machine, the combination of a hopper, a horizontal and a
vertical carrying belt therein, a vibrating arm c3 one end of which is pivoted to a
rigid support and the other end is slotted and located so as to permit to vibrate into
the circle of the printing cylinder and above said cylinder, means for vibrating said
arm, a timing stop, a letter trip and post connected together, an impression cylinder
having three treads, a cam and connections for vibrating said cylinder, a continuously
rotating printing cylinder having three treads and a portion of its periphery cut
away in advance of the cancelling marker, an interinittently vibrating roll for
clamping the letter on to the vertical belt to force the letter up to the stop, means for
vibrating said roll.
4th. In a mail marking machine, the combination of a hopper, carrying belts
therein, a letter retaining and automatic releasing timing stop and means for
operating said stop, a printing cylinder, an impression cylinder, a walking beam
pivotted off its centre and flexibly connected at one end with the impression cylinder,
and flexibly connected at the other end with an arm which is loosely pivoted to the
frame, a cam on the impression cylinder shaft which vibrates said impression cylinder
to and from the printing cylinder, as shown and described.
D
1005
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, Agents to Applicants.