Improvements in Machines for Printing or Impressing Postal and other Marks on Letters and the like.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 7th Sept., 1889
[Communicated from abroad by THE INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SUPPLY COMPANY,
of 222, Jefferson Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Machines for Printing or Impressing Postal
and other Marks on Letters and the like.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 consists of a machine for automatically and rapidly marking letters,
and it contains mechanism for separating and feeding the letters one by one, a marker
for placing the desired mark upon the letters, and a trip or trigger in the path of the
letters for causing the marker to register with the letters at the desired place, and a
counter for registering the number of letters passed through the machine.
In describing the invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings,
forming a part of this specification, in which, like letters indicate corresponding
parts in all the views.
Figure is an isometric perspective of the machine.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the detached mechanism for separating the letters and
feeding them through the machine.
Figure 3 is an elvation, partly in section, of the parts illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44, Figure 2.
Figure 5 is an end view, partly in section, of the feeding mechanism illustrated in
Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view.
Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view, illustrating the marking mechanism and
the trip or trigger for timing the operation of the same.
Figure S is an elevation, partly in section, of the parts illustrated in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a plan view, partly in section, of the parts illustrated in Figures T
and S.
Figure 10 is a like view to Figure 9, illustrating the trip or trigger in a different
position.
Figure 1 is an enlarged detail view of the device for adjusting the marking
mechanism to a thick letter.
Figure 12 is a transverse section of the marker and the impression roller.
Figure 3 is a detail view, illustrating the counter-operating mechanism.
Figures 14 and 15 are sectional detail views of the type holding device of the
marking mechanism; and
Figure 16 is an enlarged detail of the detached trip or trigger.
A represents a suitable table mounted upon any desirable form or construction of
standards Awhich preferably support the driving shaft-B-having the pulleys-C
-secured thereto. Suitable belting--transmits motion from said pulleys-0-to
the marking mechanism-D.-the trip or trigger-E-and the feeding mechanism-F,
which are supported by the table-A-The driving shaft-B-is here shown as
actuated by a suitable treadle-G-operatively connected thereto by a rod-g‚—but
said shaft may be driven in any other desirable manner.
The feeding mechanism--of this machine consists of a moving belt-H-upon
which the letters are bunched or placed, rollers--—1—1—for feeding the
letiers and separating rollers-L-L-for preventing the feeding of more than one
letter at a time. The belt-H-runs over drums--supported by the table-A-
and suitably connected to the belting-c.

page_text: Above the belt-B-is the letter receptacle, formed by the walls-I-and-1-
rising above the edge of said belt. The wall--is formed with the curving
extremity--terminating in close proximity to one of the series of rollers-JE
JJ The feeding rollers are suitably connected to the belting-c, and are
journaled at one extremity in the table-A, and at the other in a bracket-K-
supported upon standards-K-mounted upon said table. The separating rollers-L
and are mounted on a shaft-1-journaled-in yielding bearings-M-guided
in the boxes N-supported by the standard-K'-and the table-A.
The shaft of the feeding roller-J2-is provided with a wheel-j-loosely
mounted above a shoulder--Above the wheel--is a washer-bearing upon
which is a spring--The extremityof the shaft--projects beyond the spring³,
and provided thereou are the nuts—,—which engage said extremity, and by forcing
downward the spring-,-frictionally secure the wheel-j-to the shaft of said
feeding roller.
Secured to the shaft-1-is the wheel or pulley-0,-which receives motion from
the wheel by means of a spring belt-1.-Beneath the feeding roller-J-is a
like roller--and it will be observed that the separating rollers--and--are
oppositely arranged to said rollers-J2-and-J³with a slight distance between their
adjacent faces. The separating rollers are constantly forced towards the feeding rollers
by springs-m-bearing against the yielding bearings-M.
Guided in a bracket-R is the sliding bearing or box-.-in which is journaled
the idler roller-S-which is arranged at the termination--of the wall--and
constantly forces the letters towards the adjacent feeding roller-J.-The belt-H-
feeds the letters towards the feeding rollers, and the idler-S-insures the contact of
the letters with the adjacent feeding roller―J.
Should more than one letter be drawn between the idler-S-and the adjacent
feeding roller, the extra letter will be contacted by the separating rollers which run
in a reverse direction to the feeding rollers, and will then be forced backwards or held
until the letter adjacent to the feed rollers has been fed away, whereupon the said
letter will then be fed through the machine.
It will be observed by reference to Figure-4-of the drawing, that the shaft-1-
is composed of two parts, the upper of which is rigidly secured in the bracket-K,
and is secured to the yielding lower part by means of the universal joint—T.—
This joint, which may be of any suitable construction, preferably consists of a double
yoke having pivot points--secured therein.
These points-engage a disk or plate--pivoted at-u-to the upper and
lower portions of said shaft-1.-It will thus be seen that letters of varying thickness
can readily pass through the feeding mechanism by reason of the yielding separator
rollers.
When a very thick letter is passing between the feeding and separating rollers.
the resistance of the friction rollers is increased, causing an increased strain on their
driving belt. This strain overcomes the resistance of the friction device securing
the wheel-j-to its actuating shaft whereupon, the said wheel turns loosely and does
not actuate the pulley-0,-and the friction rollers.
After leaving the separating rollers. al roller--and it roller S-mounted
respectively upon the shafts-1-and-7-feed the letter towards the trip-E-
which operates the marking roller to register with the letter at the desired point.
The marking or printing roller-14-preferably consists of an
upper drum
portion-15-secured by a set screw-16-to the shaft-13-and the die or
marker-18-which consists of any suitable printing surface and preferably of the
postmarking portion-19-and the cancelling portion-20.
Opposite the printing roller, is the impression cylinder-12-formed or provided
with a facing of rubber or other elastic material and journaled in an arm or
arms-11-secured to a rod-4-pivoted upon the frame-A-of the machine.
A spring-55-bears against the arm-11--and constantly forces the roller—12
towards the printing roller-14.-The shaft-7-of the feeding roller-8-previously
mentioned, is supported by a bracket or arm-C-preferably formed upon a sleeve-5

page_text: -loosely mounted on the rod-4.-This roller-8-is constantly forced towards the
feeding roller-3-by means of a spring-9-secured to the frame-11-and bearing
against the drum-6.
The marking portion-18-of the printing roller-14-is loosely mounted upon
the shaft-13, and is secured to the constantly rotating drum-15-by any suitable
clutch mechanism loosely mounted on the shaft-13.
-
Provided upon the clutch mechanism is a pin or lug-23,—which is engaged by a
suitable pawl 22-mounted upon a table-2-supported upon the main frame-Â·
above the feeding roller-3.-This table-2-forms a guide for the letters and
arranged oppositely therewith is the guide-10-secured to the arm-G-mounted on
the rod-4.
Connected to the pawl-22-by the link-24.-is the trip or trigger-E,-the
free extremity of which projects into the letter path, and preferably into a groove-26
in the guide piece-10.-The body portion-27-of the trip-E.-is pivoted to
the link 24, and is pivoted to the table at-28.-One side of the contacted extremity
of the body portion-27-is rounded off and mounted upon the other side is the
sliding bar or plate-30-which is secured by means of suitable screws-31-
passing through slots provided in said har or plate.
The free extremity-32-of the portion-30-is preferably cut away in order to
furnish a good bearing surface for the letter, and by means of a spring-3--bearing
thereupon, this extremity is caused to project beyond the edge of the table, and
preferably into the recess-26-of the plate 10. A spring-34,-preferably
adjustable to the table-2,-is secured to the portion-30-of the trip-E.-and
draws the same info operative position against a stop-36.-The latter, fed by the
rolls 3-and-8.-engages the cut-out 32-and rocks the trip into the position
shown in Figure 10, whereupon the trip is rocked out of engagement with the letter.
The pressure of the spring-33-is then momentarily removed from the sliding
portion-30-to the main body-27,-and the spring-34-then draws the sliding
portion of the trip towards the pivot-38.-This spring-34-is preferably stronger
than the spring-33.-and it immediately retracts the trip to the stop-36-with
the extremity of said trip forced against the adjacent surface of the passing letter.
by reason of the pressure of the spring-33.-Immediately after the passage of
the letter the spring-33-forces forward the extremity-32-into the position
illustrated in Figure 9. where it remains until again operated by a passing letter.
When the trip is rocked by the passing letter, as described, the pawl-22-is
drawn from engagement with the stop-23-secured to the clutch mechanism, and
immediately the clutch causes the rotation of the letter marker. In order to aid the
letter in operating the trip, the distance from the extremity-32-to the pivot-28-
is made greater than the distance from said to the pivot pivot point of the
link-24, thus giving the letter a leverage.
While any desirable or suitable form of clutch may be used to operate the letter
marker, the preferable construction as illustrated, consists of a pair of pivoted friction
pawls-37-pivoted to the printing cylinder and connected to operate in unison by
a bar-38-loosely mounted on the shaft-13.
The short end of the pawls is connected to a suitable spring-39-which constantly
forces the friction face-40-of said pawls against the inside periphery-17-of the
constantly rotating disk or drum-15-normally locked to the said shaft-13.-The
pawl-22-engaging the shoulder-23-tensions the springs-39-and normally
prevents them from forcing the friction faces of the pawls-37-against the
disk-14.
Immediately upon the disengagement of the lug-23-and pawl-22.—the
springs 39-rock the pawls-37-on their pivots, forcing their bearing faces against
the adjacent periphery-17-of the drum-15,-and immediately revolving the
printing cylinder secured to said pawls. Immediately after the operation of the
trip-D-the spring-34, as previously described, retracts said trip to its normal
position and causes the pawl-22-to be in position to engage the pin or lug—2—
as soon as the printing cylinder shall complete its revolution.

page_text: It will be noted that these springs-39-cause the pawls-37-to engage the
disk—15—with a constantly increasing pressure, and by preventing a jar upon the
parts when the stop-23-collides with the pawl-22-insures great durability in wear.
In order to prevent the backward movement of the marking or printing cylinder
and the disengagement of the pin or lug-23-from the pawl-22,-there is provided
a pawl 42, which engages a pin-41-formed or provided upon the printing
cylinder. This pawl is provided with a face-45-against which the said pin rides.
thus forcing said pawl outwards against the action of a spring-43,-and tensioning
the pawl towards the printing roller.
Immediately after the pin-23-comes into engagement with the pawl-22,-the
pin 41-reaches the end of the face-45-and a notch at said point is engaged with
the pin 41, by the spring-43.-Should there be a slight backward movement of
the printing cylinder after the engagement of the lug-23-and the pawl-22-the
shoulder 44 will prevent the printing cylinder from a sufficient movement to
disengage the said lug and pin.
It will be observed that the friction of the pin-41-upon the face-45,―serves
to aid the clutch in stopping the rotation of the printing cylinder.
The pawl 42-is preferably formed with a projecting arm, which engages one
arm of a bell crank lever-46.-The opposite arm of said lever is provided with a
dog-47-engaging a ratchet wheel-48-secured or otherwise connected to the
shaft 49 of a suitable counter-W,-which may be of any suitable construction
and form. As this pawl-42-is operated with each operation of the printing cylinder,
the lever 46 will be operated to register the correct number of letters marked.
When an extra thick letter passes through the machine, the impression roller is
first forced away from the marking or printing roller-14.-by means of a controller
best illustrated in Figure-11.-The shaft-7-of the roller-8-projects below said
roller, and collides with one arm of a bell crank lever-50.-The other arm of said
lever is, by a link-51,-connected to a pivoted lever-52, having a roller-53—
provided thereon and bearing against a cam face-54-of the bracket-11.-When
a thick letter is fed through the machine, the roller-8-is forced away from the
roller and the bell crank lever-50—is rocked, causing the lever-52-to force
backwards the bearing-11-of the roll-12-against the action of the spring-55.
These parts are so arranged that no motion is transmitted to the bell crank lever
when a letter of ordinary thickness is passing, and this lever is only operated when a
thick letter is fed, which would be liable to stop when the marking or printing
cylinder and the impression roller were reached. By this means the printing
cylinder and impression roller can be made of less diameter than would otherwise be
possible.
It will be understood that the distance which the roll-12-is forced away from
the printing cylinder—14—is slightly less than the thickness of the letter, in order
that the spring 55-may force the printing cylinder-14-with some force against
the said leiter.
56 represents the stationary portion of the marker or die-D, which carries the
type adapted to impress the name of the City or Town, and also the year, and—57—
represents the removable portion of the die which carries the type adapted to give
the impression of the month, day of the month, hours of mailing, &c. As shown
in Figure 1, the portion-57-consists of a wedge shaped case, and bearing
against the inner face thereof is a spring-60,-which constantly tends to force
outwards said case.
Formed or
provided upon the case-57-is the hook-59-engaged by a hook—58.—
preferably mounted upon a spring. When the case-57-is forced to its desired
position compressing the spring-60,-the hook-58-engages the hook-59-and
retains the case in said position.
When desired to remove the case, the hook-58-is pressed out of engagement
with the hook-59-and the spring-60-forces outwards, for a short distance, the
case 57 whereupon it may be readily engaged with the hand.
The types-61,-which are preferably wedge shaped, and arranged so that they

page_text: fill the cell in which they are supported, are retained in their desired position by a
key-62 best shown in Figure 15.-These keys are guided in a way provided in
the case 57, and engage a slot-way in the type holding the same in their desired
position.
The extremity of the keys is provided with a hook-63.-which extends through a
slot-64 in the outside of the case-57.-It will thus be seen that only a portion of
said types may be removed according as the key-62-is withdrawn, and that the
remaining portion of said type is securely held in position by means of said key.
After being operated upon by the marker or printer, the letters are fed into the
guide passage--supported upon a bracket-y-mounted upon the main frame of
the machine. This bracket is provided with an open bottom and the letters fall
therethrough upon the tray-Y, or other support, from whence they may be
gathered when desired.
The operation of this machine is as follows: the letters which are hunched in the
letter receptacle are by the belt-H-fed to the feeding rollers, and the passage of
more than one is prevented by the separating rollers; the letters are then fed one by
one to the trip, whereupon the forward edge thereof engages the notch-32—of the
sliding portion 30,-and rocking the trip into the position iliustrated in Figure-10,—
disengages the pawl-22-from the lug-23.-Immediately the springs-39-lock
the clutch pawls-37-to the rotating drum-15,--and causes the printing cylinder
to rotate and mark the passing letter. As the letter passes, the sliding portion of
the trip bears against the same, and meanwhile the trip is retracted, and as soon as
the rear edge of the letter passes beyond the trip-E,-the sliding portion-30-
thereof is immediately forced to its operative position. As the printing cylinder
reaches the end of its revolution the pawl-42-and lever-46-cause the cuonter to
register the passage of the letter. Immediately after the marking of the letter, the
lug 23 is engaged by the pawl-22-and the rotation of said cylinder is stopped
until the trigger or trip is again operated by the succeeding letter. It will be
understood that the detail construction and arrangement of the parts of this machine
may be considerably varied from that described, hence this invention is not limited to
its precise form and construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is:-
The combination with a letter marker, and feeding mechanism for feeding the
letters to the marker: of an automatic feeding receptacle consisting of a straight
wall, a wall partially curved, and a moving feed belt whereby letters placed in the
receptacle are guided one slightly in advance of the other, and deflected towards the
feeding rollers, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2 The combination with a letter marker, and feeding mechanism for feeding the
letters to the markera letter separator.a feeding roller.and an automatic letter feeding
receptacle consisting of a straight wall, a wall partially curved, and a moving bottom
belt for guiding the moving letters one slightly in advance of the other towards
and into contact with the feeding roller, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
3-The combination of a letter marker, and feeding mechanism for feeding the
letters to the marker: a letter separator. a feeding roller, and an automatic letter
feeding receptacle having a wall partially curved for guiding the letters one
little in advance of the other, and an obliquely moving bottom belt for deflecting
the letters towards the feeding roller, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
4 The combination with a letter marker, of the feeding rollers-J-J-and-J
and the roller-arrangel to interlap between the rollers-2-and-J³,-all of
said rollers rotating in the same direction, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
5-The combination with a letter marker: of a feeding roller, a yielding

page_text: separating roller, and mechanism for feeding the letters from the said feeding and
separating rollers to the letter marker, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
6-The combination with a letter marker: of a stationary journaled feeding
roller, a separating roller journaled in a yielding bearing and connected by a
universal joint to the stationary portion of the driving shaft-1,-the pulleys-j-
and-0, and the spring belt-P-substantially as and for the purpose specified.
7-The combination with a letter marker; of a yielding hindrance or check
for the letters, and a feeding roller, substantially as
and for the purpose
specified.
8-The combination with a letter marker; of a letter receptacle, a feeling roller.
a pressure device bearing against the letters, a separating roller, and a marker for
marking the letters, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
9-The combination with a letter marker; of a letter receptacle, a check and
pressure roller, an interlapping feeding roller, and letter-separating rollers,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
10 The combination of a marking roller normally at rest, a continuously
revolving roller mounted on the marking roller shaft, a clutch between the two
rollers, and a trigger in the letter path connected to the clutch, and actuated by
letters fed over the letter supporting bed, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
11 The combination with a marking roller and a revolving roller, both mounted
on a common shaft; of a clutch for connecting the two rollers, and a trigger for
operating the clutch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12 The combination with a marking roller, and a revolving roller, both mounted
on the same shaft and detachably: connected together, of a stop for stopping the
marking roller after it has registered with the letter, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
13 The combination with a marking roller and a feeding roller, both mounted on
a common shaft; of a clutch for connecting the two rollers, a trigger for operating
the clutch, and a stop for stopping the marking roller, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
14 The combination with an intermittently revolving marking roller, a trigger
projecting into the letter path, and a connection between the trigger and the marking
roller, for starting the latter of a stop for engaging and holding said roller at the
proper point for registry with the next letter, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
15 The combination with a trigger consisting of a pivotted adjustable lever.
extending into the letter path and provided with springs for resetting it to its normal
position after the letters have passed its end of a suitable connection for trans-
mitting motion from the letters to the murking roller, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
16 The combination with two rollers mounted on the same shaft, of a pressure
roller against which they rotate, a marking roller normally at rest, a trigger
in the letter path, and means for bringing the marking roller into action when
the letter in transit encounters said trigger, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
17 The combination with a letter bed of a roller having its die normally out
of action to prevent smearing when no letters are passing, a support for said roller.
and a contact finger or trigger in the letter path connected to the support, for
bringing said roller into action by the contact of the letter, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
18-The combination of a feeding roller for feeding the letters, a separating roller
for separating the letters, and a yielding hindrance or check for the letters; with a
marker for marking the letters, and a trip in the letter path for bringing the
marker into registry with the letter. substantially as and for the purpose
specified.

page_text: 19 The combination of a feeding roller for feeding the letters, a yielding
separating roller for separating the letters, and a yielding pressure roller; with a
marker for marking the letters, and a trip in the letter path for bringing
the marker into registry with the letters, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
20 The combination of feeding mechanism for feeding the letters, a marker for
registering with the letters, and a counter for recording the number of letters
marked, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
21 The combination of feeding mechanism for feeding the letters, a marker for
registering with the letters, a trip projecting into the letter path for bringing the
marker into operation, and a counter for registering the letters marked, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
22-The combination with the rotating drum of a marking device, and a clutch
mounted on the marking device and engaging the drum, said clutch consisting of
pawls pivoted to the marking device, a bar connecting the pawls, springs tending to
hold the pawls in engagement with the drum and a lug secured to one of the pawls
whereby they may be released, substantially as described.
23 In a post marking device, the combination of a letter feed, an intermittingly
operating letter marker, a pivoted pawl which stops said letter marker, a pivoted trip
having an arm projecting into the path of the letter and connected with said pawl,
said trip and pawl being movable on their respective pivots to permit the stopping of
the letter marker before the letter has completely passed the arm of the trip,
substantially as described.
24-In a post marking device the combination of a letter feed, an intermittingly
operated letter marker, a pivoted pawl which stops said letter marker, a pivoted trip
connected with said pawl to withdraw it from engagement with the marker and
having a sliding arm permitting the pawl to come into position for stopping the
marking device, before the letter has passed the arm. substantially as described.
25 In a post marking device the combination of a letter feed and intermittingly
operated letter marker, a pivoted pawl which stops the letter marker, a spring which
tends to force said pawl into position to stop the marker, a pivoted trip connected
with said pawl to withdraw it from engagement with the marker having a sliding arm
projecting into the path of the letter, said sliding arm permitting the pawl to be
moved by the spring into position for stopping the marking device before the letter
has passed the arm, substantially as described.
26 In a post marking device the combination of a letter feed, an intermittingly
operating letter marker, a pawl which stops said letter marker, a spring which tends
to force the pawl into position to stop the marker and a trip consisting of a pivoted
portion and
sliding arm secured thereto extending into the path of the letter, said
trip being connected with the pawl, substantially as described.
27 In a post marking device the combination of a letter feed, an intermiftingly
operating letter marker a pivoted pawl which stops the letter marker, a spring which
tends to hold said pawl in position to stop the marker, a trip consisting of a pivofed
portion connected to the pawl, and a sliding portion extending into the path of the
letter and a spring bearing against said sliding portion of the trip to force it into the
path of the letter, substantially as described.
28 In,a post marking device, the combination of a letter feed, an intermittingly
operating letter marker, a pivoted pawl which stops the letter marker, a trip having a
pivoted portion connected to said pawl and a sliding arm projecting into the path of
the letter, a spring connected to the sliding portion of the trip and tending to force
the pawl into position to stop the marker, and another spring bearing against the end
of the sliding arm and tending to force it into the path of the letter, substantially as
set forth.
29 In a post marking device, the combination of a letter feed, a continuously
rotating shaft, a letter marking cylinder loosely mounted thereon, a clutch interpose
between said shaft and cylinder having friction faces, a spring which tends to force

page_text: .
said friction faces into engagement with the opposing bearing faces, a stopping pawl
adapted to engage with a projection carried by the clutch to compress said spring and
release the frictional faces and a trip operated by the letters for withdrawing the pawl,
substantially as described.
30 The tripping device consisting of a pivoted pawl, a lever connected to the
pawl a sliding arm mounted on the lever a spring bearing upon the end of the lever
and a spring connected to the sliding arm, substantially as described.
31 In a letter marking device the combination of a letter feed, a continuously
rotating shaft and intermittingly rotated printing cylinder mounted thereon, a clutch
between the shaft and printing cylinder, a stop projecting from said cylinder and a
catch pawl with which said stop engages after the cylinder has been released from
said shaft, substantially as described.
32In a post marking device the combination of a letter feed. a continuously
rotating shaft, a marking cylinder mounted thereon a clutch device interposed between
the shaft and cylinder, a pin carried by the cylinder a catch pawl with which said pin
engages after the cylinder is released from the clutch and a spring which forces said
pawl into the path of the pin, substantially as described.
33 In a letter feeding device for a letter marker, a movable frame provided with a
feed roller, a guide plate carried by said frame, and a trip having an arm resting
adjacent to said guide plate, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
34 In a feed for a letter marking device, a movable frame provided with a feed
roller, a guide plate carried by said frame, and having formed therein a groove, in
combination with a letter trip having an arm resting in said groove, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
35-The combination with separable feed rollers, of a printing and pressure roller
separable from each other, and a controller between the feed rollers and the printing
and pressure roller, whereby the relative distance between the printing and pressure
rollers is adjusted by the amount of separation of the feed rollers, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
36-The combination of a marker, and a yielding pressure roller adjacent to said
marker of a yielding feeding roller, for feeding the letters, and a controller between
the yielding feeding roller and pressure roller, whereby the yielding movement of
the feeding rollers brings about the yielding movement of the pressure roller.
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
87 The combination with a marking roller, an impression roller having spring
actuated journals, and a feed roller journaled in a swinging spring actuated frame.
of a lever actuated by the swinging feed roller, and another lever connected thereto
and arranged between said lever and the impression roller for pressing the latter
back from the marking roller, as the feed roller swings aside, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
38-In a letter marking device, the combination of a printing roller and impression
roller held toward the printing roller by a spring, feeding rollers, a lever adapted to
be operated when the feeding rollers are unusually separated, as by a letter of
unusual thickness, another lever bearing against the support of the impression roller
and a link connecting said levers whereby the printing and impression rollers are
separated by the separation of the feeding rollers.
39-In a letter marking device the combination of the stationary portion of the
printing surface the removable portion seated in the stationary part, a catch for
confining said removable portion in its seat and a spring under compression when the
removable portion is in place and tending to force it out of its seat when released,
substantially as described.
40-A removable type holder having a type cell. the inner wall of the type cell
being grooved and the side wall being perforated and a key seated in said groove
and in corresponding grooves in the types and having an end projecting through said
aperture by which it may be easily withdrawn, substantially as described.
41-In a letter marking machine for automatically marking letters, a separator

page_text: for separating the letters, a marker for marking the letters, and a counter for
registering and indicating the number of letters passed through the machine,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
1
42 In a letter marking machine, in combination with the mechanism for feeding
the letters, a marking device and registering counter connected to operate in connection
with each other, and actuated by a trip or trigger located in the path of the letter
to encounter the letter as it is fed to the marking roller, substantially as described.
and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 6th day of August 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co..
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.