An Improved Stamping Apparatus, more especially intended for Stamping Amounts on Bills or Invoices and for the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 15th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Stamping Apparatus, more especially intended for
Stamping Amounts on Bills or Invoices and for the like.
I, JOHN PHILLIPS OLDROYD of 240 Regent Street in the County of
Middlesex, Accountant do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has for its object to provide a stamping apparatus more especially
intended for use for stamping at cashiers' desks the amount paid on bills for
delivery to customers so as to prevent fraudulent alteration, of the bills, but
applicable also for analogous purposes such as for inarking loose sheets with figures
or the like but I will explain the apparatus as used for stamping amounts on bills
from which its other applications will also be readily understood.
According to my invention I arrange type wheels bearing figures respectively
for pounds shillings and pence and fractions of pence. Each of these wheels is
capable of being brought into position to stamp either of the figures on its
periphery and this is effected from a key board having series of keys marked with
figures corresponding to those on the wheels, a series of keys being used for each
wheel. The same degree of movement by the operation of either key must of
course give the necessary variable degree of movement in each case to the type
wheels to bring the figures to be stamped into position and this may be effected by
causing the keys of each series to act upon a lever at different distances from its
fulcrum so that each key gives to the said lever the necessary amount of movement
to enable it through a quadrant and pinion or equivalent arrangement to rotate the
type wheel to the necessary extent to bring the type corresponding to the key
operated into position for stamping. There is also provided a table or platform
upon which the paper to be stamped is placed and after the wheels have been
brought to their stamping position this platform with the paper on it is brought
into contact with the type wheels and receives the impression of the types brought
into position by the operation of the keys as aforesaid. This platform may be
operated by a key acting on a lever which through an eccentric or other device
moves the platform to bring it in contact with the type wheels. I may use a
slotted plate above the platform which will pass over the projecting types as the
platform is moved and so ensure the correct position of the types for stamping.
This slotted plate may carry any device to be stamped on the bill or the like at the
same time that the impression is received from the types projecting through the
said plate.
I also prefer that the keys when depressed shall be held in their depressed
position so that the operator can see the amount which the wheels will stamp is
correct before he actually stamps. This may be done by passing the key spindles
through slots in a sliding spring plate which returns and holds the keys after they
are depressed but it is moved back on the stamping key being operated so as to
allow the keys to return to their normal position. The return of the whole of the
parts to their normal position and of the type wheels to zero may be effected by
any suitable arrangement of springs. I may use a duplicate set of type wheels
operated by the same keys so as to stamp the same amounts on a strip in the
apparatus which is moved forward (for receiving the stamped amounts in proper
order) at each operation of the machine.
D

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Stamping Apparatus, more especially intended for
Stamping Amounts on Bills or Invoices and for the like.
I JOHN PHILLIPS OLDROYD of 240 Regent Street in the County of Middlesex
Accountant 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 :-
My invention has for its object to provide a stamping apparatus more especially
intended for use for stamping at cashiers' desks the amount paid on bills for
delivery to customers to prevent fraudulent alteration of the bills but applicable
also for analogous purposes such as for marking loose sheets with figures or the like
but I will explain the apparatus as used for stamping amounts on bills from which
its other applications will also be readily understood.
According to my invention arrange type wheels bearing figures respectively
denoting pounds shillings and pence and fractions of pence. Each of these wheels is
capable of being brought into position to stamp either of the figures on its periphery
and this is effected from a key board having series of keys marked with figures
corresponding to those on the wheels, a series of keys being used for each wheel.
The operation of either key must of course give the necessary variable degree of
movement in each case to the type wheels to bring the figures to be stamped into
position for stamping and this is effected by causing the keys of each series to act
upon a lever at different distances from its fulcrum so that each key gives to the
said lever the necessary amount of movement to enable it through a quadrant and
pinion or equivalent arrangement to rotate the type wheel to the necessary extent
to bring the type corresponding to the key operated, into position for stamping.
There is also provided a table or platform upon which the paper to be stamped is
placed and after the wheels have been brought to their stamping position this plat-
form with the paper on it is brought into contact with the type wheels and receives
the impression of the types brought into position by the operation of the keys as
aforesaid. This platform may be operated by a key acting on a lever which
through an eccentric or other device moves the platform to bring the paper
thereon into contact with the type wheels. I may use a slotted plate above the
platform which will pass over the projecting types as the platform is moved and so
ensure the correct position of the types for stamping. This slotted plate may carry
any additional matter, or device to be stamped on the bill or the like at the same
time that the impression is received from the types projecting through the said
plate. I also prefer that the keys when depressed shall be held in their depressed
position so that the operator can see the amount which the wheels will stamp is
correct before he actually stamps. This may be done by passing the key spindles
through slots in a sliding spring plate which returns and holds the keys after they
are depressed but is moved back on the stamping being done so as to allow the keys
to return to their normal position. The return of the whole of the parts to their
normal position and of the type wheels to zero may be effected by any suitable
arrangement of springs. I may use a duplicate set of type on the wheels or a
duplicate set of wheels operated by the same keys so as to stamp the same amounts
on a strip in the apparatus which is moved forward (for receiving the stamped
amounts in proper order) at each operation of the machine.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the several
figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a stamping apparatus constructed
according to my invention the section beine along the line
in

page_text: Figure 2 is a plan of the same with the cover or outer casing and the recording
part of the mechanism removed.
Figure 3 is a plan of the recording mechanism and
Figure 4 is a plan of one of the retaining plates hereinafter described for keeping
the keys in the position to which they have been brought to operate the type
wheels.
Figure 5 shews in side elevation a slightly modified arrangement of the mechanism
for operating the inking roller and for pressing the material to be stamped against
the types.
The mechanism is carried by a frame A which may if desired be enclosed
in an outer case to protect the parts from dust and from being tampered with.
B B B B B B are type wheels mounted so as to turn on a rod or spindle C
carried in the frame A. The apparatus illustrated is provided with six type wheels
on the rod C and is intended to be employed for stamping, on invoices and the like,
sums of money received or paid but any other desired number of type wheels may
be provided according to the purpose for which the apparatus is to be employed.
In the arrangement shown the wheel B is fitted with types for stamping the
numerals 1, 2, 3 and 4 representing tens of pounds; the wheel B carries
types 0. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. representing units of pounds: the wheel B
carries only types 1 representing tens of shillings; the wheel B³ carries
types 0. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. representing units of shillings; the wheel B*
carries type 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. representing pence; and the wheel B³
carries the types and representing fractions of a penny. These type wheels
are each provided with or connected to a spur wheel D with which gears a wheel,
or segment of a wheel, E mounted loosely on a rod or spindle F carried in the
frame A. Each wheel or segment E is connected to another wheel G with which
gears a segmental rack H. formed on or attached to a lever 1 having its fulcrum on
a rod mounted in brackets L on the frame A. There is one lever and train of
gearing for each type wheel, so that each wheel may be operated independently of
the others and I have indicated the levers which operate the type wheels by
reference letters having numerals corresponding to those referring to the type
wheels. Each lever is operated by a series of keys M each series containing keys
bearing corresponding numbers to the numbers or characters on the wheel which is
in gear with the lever. The keys comprising a series are arranged at different
distances from the fulcrum K so that if the keys are all the same length and are
depressed to the same extent the key which is nearest to the fulcrum will cause the
lever to be depressed to a greater extent than when it is depressed by the other
keys of the series and consequently will impart to the type wheel through the
gearing H. G. E. Da greater portion of a revolution than is imparted to it by the
other keys. The keys are cach marked with a character corresponding to the type
on the type wheel which by its depression is to be brought into position for stamp-
ing and the types are arranged on the periphery of the type wheel so as to be
brought into correct position for stamping by depressing the keys marked with the
corresponding characters. The levers are raised into and maintained in their
normal positions by springs N and are prevented from rising too high by adjustable
stops o with which the upper ends of the racks EI come into contact. The keys M
are fitted to slide in tubes P depending from the underside of the table Q and are
maintained in their normal elevated position by springs R interposed between
collars S on the stems or shanks of the keys and the top surface of the table Q.
The distance to which the keys are permitted to rise is governed by studs or
projections T on the shanks of the keys coming into contact with the upper ends of
slots in the tubes P and the distance to which the keys are to be depressed is
governed by plates U one of which plates is shewn in plan in Figure 4 having
holes V therein through which the lower ends of the shanks of the keys pass there
being one of these plates for each row or series of keys. These plates are fitted to
slide longitudinally in brackets or guides W on the underside of the table Q

page_text: and are by springs X pressed in one direction against the stems or shanks of
the keys.
On the lower end of the shank of each key is a conical collar or tapered
projection Y which when the key is depressed bears against one end of the
perforation or hole in the plate Ŭ through which it passes, and moves the plate
in a longitudinal direction against the counter pressure of the spring X until
the projection has passed through the perforation, whereupon the plate is
returned by the pressure of the spring X so as to cause the plate to engage
with the upper side of the projection and retain the key in its depressed position.
The type wheels rotated by the depressed keys are retained in the position to
which they have been brought by reason of the keys being engaged by the plates U
as described and are released after the stamping has been effected as hereinafter
described by means of pawls Z acting on ratchet wheels b so as to force
detents out of engagement with the ratchet wheels and cause a rod or
bar to press the plates U forward against the power of the springs X and thus
disengage the keys M.
The stamping or marking of the invoice or the like may be effected by simple
pressure of the material against the types so as to impress or perforate the material,
but I prefer to employ means as shewn in the drawing for inking the types so that
the characters will be distinctly marked with ink on the material. The inking of
the types may be effected in any convenient manner for example (as shewn in
Figure 1) an inking roller is traversed to and fro so as to receive a charge of ink
from a pad y and transfer it to the types in the manner hereinafter described. If
it be desired to keep a record of the characters stamped on the invoices or the like
I may provide for such purpose a duplicate set of type on the wheels B or as
shown in the drawings I provide a duplicate set of type wheels ² K² 1³ 1 h³
arranged to be operated simultaneously with the wheels B so as to present in
position to be stamped on a recording strip or band, types corresponding to the
characters stamped or printed on the invoice or the like. These duplicate type
wheels are operated by the segment or wheels E gearing with spur wheels i
connected to the said type wheels and the types may be inked by a roller k
receiving ink from a pad l as hereinafter described. In addition to stamping the
invoice or the like with the character on the type wheels B the date and other
design or device may at the same time be stamped thereon for which purpose I
provide a plate m engraved or otherwise provided with the design to be stamped
and fitted with a removeable piece n carrying the date stamp. The piece n may
also serve to prevent the rotation of the type wheels should the keys be accidentally
released while the stamping is being effected and also act as an adjuster to ensure
the proper position of the types.
The plate m is perforated at the required part or parts to allow the types on the
wheels B to project therethrough onto the material to be stamped.
The part of the invoice or the like to be stamped is introduced through notches
or openings p in plates fitted to slide vertically in guides 2 on opposite sides of
the apparatus which plates are connected together at their lower ends by a cross
piece carrying a padded surface on which the invoice or the like is placed
to receive the impression from the type wheels and also from the plate m if
desired.
The stamping is effected by means of a levert having two arms arranged one on
each side of the apparatus and centred to the framing at u. As the mechanism
operated by the lever is the same on both sides of the apparatus it is only
necessary to refer to the parts on one side. The arms of the lever t are each
connected by a link u to a plate w carrying cam guides a in which travels a friction
bowl y carried on a plate to which the plate m is attached or forms a part. The
plate w is centred at 1 to the frame A of the apparatus and is connected at its
lower end to a spring 2 which by its tension tends to maintain the levert in its
normal position. The lever t is also connected by a link 3 to one arm of a lever 4
centred at 5 to the frame A a portion of which frame is removed in Figure 1 to

page_text: shew the operating mechanism. The opposite end of the lever 4 is connected by A..
pin and slot at 6 to the plates 7 carrying the padded surface ". The axis of the
inking roller is fitted to slide in slots in the plates to and is connected to the plate
by springs 7 which draw the roller against the inking pad and against the types
brought into position to be stamped. The inking roller k for the recording
mechanism is carried in one arm 8 of a bell-crank-lever mounted on the axis 1 on
which the plate o turns the other arm 9 of this bell-crank lever being connected by
a pin and slot connection 10 to the lever t so that when this lever is depressed the
roller is caused to travel over the ink pad and convey ink therefrom to the
characters on the type wheels brought into position for printing on the recording
strip or band 11 which band is contained in a trough 12 provided in a frame 13
fitted to slide up and down in guides 14 in the upper part of the frame A. The
band 11 passes through a slot in the trough 12 to beneath a printing pad 15 thence
between a pair of rollers 16 to a roller 17 on which the band with the printed
records thereon is wound. Connected to the frame 13 are toothed racks 18 gearing
with spur wheels 19 carried on studs 20 in the frame A with which wheels also
gear racks 21 formed on or attached to the plates 7 so that when the impression
pad is raised a descending motiou will be simultaneously transmitted through the
racks 21 wheels 19 and racks 18 to the frame 13.
"
I will now describe the operation of the apparatus and will assume for example
that an invoice is to be marked or stamped with the words "Received with thanks
and a date, and also with figures to represent the amount received (for example)
21-15-11. To stamp this amount one key in each series of keys will be
required to be depressed.
The plate m, having thereon in raised characters the words "Received with
thanks and fitted with a date stamp n being fixed in position, the necessary key3
are depressed viz. the key bearing the numeral 2 in the series M, and that having
the numeral 1 in the series M', (to stamp the pounds sterling) one of those marked
with the numeral 1 in the series M², (to stamp the tens of shillings) the type for
the unit of shillings being brought into position by depressing the key bearing the
numeral 5 in the series M³. The key marked 11 in the series M is also depressed
for stamping the pence and also the key marked in the series M³ is depressed for
stamping the farthings. These keys are retained in their depressed positions by
the plates U hereinbefore described but should it be discovered before effecting the
stamping on the invoice that a wrong key had been depressed this may be rectified
by releasing the key by means of a stud 22 projecting from the retaining plate U
of the wrongly depressed key. Each plate U is provided with such a stud or
projection which passes through a slot in the table or key board Q so that by
moving this stud along the slot the plate U is disengaged from the projection Yon
the stem of the depressed key which key will then rise to its normal position under
the action of its spring R. Or if one of the other keys in the same series is
required instead of the one depressed in error-the key thus depressed by mistake
will by the depression of any one of the other keys in the same series be released
by the projection on the stem acting on the engaging plate causing it to move in
the direction to disengage the wrongly depressed key. The proper keys having
been depressed the type wheels B B B B B B will have been turned on their
axes through the levers K and gearing hereinbefore described so as to bring the
types thereon, corresponding to the characters on the key depressed, into position
opposite the perforation provided in the plate m, and at the same time like types
on the duplicate type wheels ' h h h h will also be brought, by the segments E
and wheels i, into position opposite the printing pad 15 of the recording mechanism
carried in the frame 13. The invoice or the like to be stamped is inserted in the
notches in the plates y so that the part thereof to be stamped rests on the pad r.
The lever is then depressed causing first, through the link v, the plates w to turn
on the centres 1 and the friction bowls on the plates carrying the plate m to
travel up the portions 23 of the cam guides . and thereby raise the plate m into
=

page_text: position to be inked. By further depressing the levert the plates w are turned
further on the centres 1 causing the inking roller to roll over and in contact with
the printing plate m and the types on the type wheels which project through the
perforations in the said plate in. Ink is this transferred from the roller to these
printing surfaces and at the same time the types on the type wheels h are also being
inked by the roller & which is, by reason of the connection at 10 of the levert with
the bell crank lever carrying the said roller, caused to roll over and in contact
with the said characters. During the traverse of the rollers and over the
printing devices or characters the friction bowls on the plates z remain in the
concentric portions of the cam guides and the printing pad has not yet
commenced to rise owing to the levers 3 and 4 by which the plates 7 are connected
to the levert being provided with slots in which the connecting pins are free to
slide until the rollers and have passed over the printing surfaces, after which
by the continued descent of the lever acting on the levers 3 and 4 the plates q
carrying the pad are raised so as to bring the invoice placed on the pad into
contact with the printing surfaces, and receive an impression therefrom. At the
same time that the invoice on the pad is.being raised to receive the impression
from the plate m and the type wheels B, the racks 21 on the upper ends of the
plates turn the wheels 19 with which wheels the racks 18 on the frame 13 also
gear, so that the said frame is caused to descend and press the recording strip or
band 11 carried thereby against the inked types on the type wheels corresponding
to the impression printed on the invoice. By the final depression of the levert to
effect the printing as described the rollers and are traversed over the inking
pads and and receive a fresh supply of ink therefrom for the next inking
operation. The depression of the lever is effected against the opposing power of
the spring 2 which becomes thus extended so that when pressure is removed from
the levert it and the parts operated thereby are returned to their normal positions
by the retractive power of the springs 3 the parts returning to their normal
positions in the reverse order to the order of movements occasioned by the
depression of the lever. When the lever returns to its normal position the
pawls on the plates to come into contact with the teeth of ratchet wheels b and
impart a partial rotation thereto thereby causing the detents 72 to be moved out
of engagement with the said wheels and the bar by which the detents are
connected together, to press the plates U in a longitudinal direction against the
resistance of the springs X thereby automatically releasing the depressed keys,
which are then returned to their normal elevated positions by the springs R. The
depressed keys may if desired be all simultaneously released by hand, by means of
a sliding slotted plate 25 engaging the studs 22 projecting from the plates U so
that by sliding this plate 25 all the plates U may be simultaneously moved against
the resisting power of the springs X ro as to release all the depressed keys. The
levers I which are operated by the keys are provided with adjustable surfaces 26
on which the ends of the stems of the keys act so that wear of the contact surfaces
may be compensated for by adjusting the height of the said surfaces_26.
adjustable screws may be screwed longitudinally through the stems of the keys and
caused to project more or less as required from the lower ends of the stems to
regulate the movements of the type wheels and to compensate for wear.
Or
Instead of imparting vertical motions to the pad r plate m and the recording
mechanism, as described and shewn in Figure 1 they may be arranged to oscillate
on centres as shewn in Figure 5 in which figure the mechanism for operating these
parts are marked with reference letters corresponding to those used in Figure 1
and will be readily understood without further description.
Having now described the nature of my invention and the manner in which it
may be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the
precise details described and illustrated, as they may be considerably varied
without departing from my invention. For example, I may use the type wheels B
without the plate m; the inking mechanism may be dispensed with and the

page_text: material be impressed or perforated without using ink, and also the recording
mechanism may be omitted if desired, but what I claim is
--
1. In a stamping apparatus for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned a wheel
carrying stainping or printing types rotated by gearing operated by means of a
lever and push rods or keys arranged to act on the lever at different distances from
its fulcrum so that by operating one or other of these push rods or keys the type
on the type wheel corresponding to the key operated is brought into position for
stamping substantially as herein before described.
2. In stamping apparatus for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned, the com-
bination of wheels carrying stamping or printing types, levers and gearing for
rotating the type wheels, push rods or keys arranged to act on the levers at
different distances from their filcra so as to bring into position for stamping any
desired types on the type wheels, and means for retaining the type wheels in the
positions to which they are brought substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. A stamping apparatus in which types on wheels are brought into position
for stamping by means of push rods or keys operating on levers at different
distances from their fulcra and passing through perforations or holes in sliding
plates which are caused to engage with the push rods or keys so as to retain them
in their depressed positions substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
4. In apparatus for stamping on invoices and the like sums received or paid the
combination of type wheels rotated by gearing and lovers operated by keys or
push rods arranged to act at different distances from the fulcra of the levers
perforated plates for retaining the keys or push rods in their depressed positions
and means for releasing the keys either by hand or automatically after the
stamping has been effected substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
5. The combination with the subject matter of the last preceding claiming clause
of an additional set of type wheels for stamping (as a record) on a strip or band
characters similar to those stamped on the invoice or the like the additional type
wheels being rotated by the same means and at the same time as the type wheels
are rotated for bringing the required types into position for stamping on the
invoice or the like substantially as herein before described.
6. In combination with the subject of either of the preceding claims means for
inking the stamping or printing surfaces substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7. The combination of parts constituting a stamping apparatus for stamping on
invoices or the like sums received or paid or for other like purposes substantially
as described and illustrated by the drawing whether the recording and the inking
mechanisms be combined therewith or not.
Dated this 15th day of September 1891.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.