New or Improved Machinery for Addressing Envelopes, Circulars, and Papers, applicable also to other and similar purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 24:h Oct., 1893-Accepted, 25th Nov.,
1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Machinery for Addressing Envelopes, Circulars,
and Papers, applicable also to other and similar purposes.
I, GEORGE CLARK of Haltwhistle in the County of Northumberland, Land
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
This invention relates to new or improved machinery for addressing envelopes
circulars and papers applicable also to other and similar purposes and is designed in
cases where numbers of letters circulars etc. are frequently sent to the same addresses
and in analogous cases to facilitate such work by the substitution of machinery
specially adapted for the purpose in lieu of ordinary clerk's work.
To effect my object by one arrangement I may use a pair of cheek discs or wheels
of suitable diameter which may be mounted on an axle; near the peripheries of the
discs a ring or series of holes suitably spaced is provided which are intended to act
as bearings for certain type-plate-carrying cylinders. Each cylinder, may have as
many cants thereon more or less as it is intended it shall carry type plates the
latter being secured to the cylinders by screws recesses clamps adhesion or
otherwise.
The ends of the cylinders will rest on the disc bearings aforesaid so that the
cylinders may revolve with the discs but the cylinders are designed to be operated
independently of the discs for the purpose of causing any one of them in succession
to be revolved to a certain extent on its bearing so as to alter the cant presented
for stamping or printing. This may be effected by the provision between the discs
and mounted if need be on the same axle of another guide disc or automatic turner
weighted or otherwise prevented or stopped from revolving with the discs.
A sliding spring stop fitted in a portion of the margin of the stationary disc will
be situated relatively to the cylinders aforesaid so that it comes in contact with a
catch recess or projection arranged or situated in each of the secondary cants where
such are employed in each cylinder at each complete revolution of the latter by
which device each cylinder will be revolved the extent of one cant at each revolution
so as to be able to present a new type plate to the stamper or pressure pad. At the
printing surface a curved steel or other cover plate somewhat resilient in action with
an opening therein may be provided. Through such opening a cant containing a
type plate will be presented to the stamper which to effect its function may have to
somewhat depress the curved plate aforesaid. Situate for example on the disc axle
or in an equivalent position may be a circular rack or toothed wheel or equivalent
mechanism designed for the purpose of rotating the discs carrying the cylinders a
distance at each operation equal to the distance between the cylinders. This may
be operated in conjunction with the stamper by a system of more or less inter-
dependent levers whereof the main actuating lever may be conveniently situated
and fulcrummed underneath the discs. A secondary lever carrying a paul or
equivalent catch or push mechanism can thus act on the rack or equivalent mechanism
aforesaid while another lever timed in its action can be likewise actuated to operate
the stamper lever. Thus a motion of the main lever can partially revolve the
cylinder discs effect a partial revolution of a cylinder and stamp a cylinder type
plate each of these actions being mechanically adjusted as to time and duration of
action.
An ink pad is of course arranged in a convenient position to effect the smearing
of the requisite surface at the requisite time. For effecting the motions aforesaid
modifications may be effected in various ways: thus to effect the intermittent
revolutions of the cylinders in their bearings instead of the arrangement described a
spring or other stop or catch device may be arranged and secured between the

page_text: cylinders or each of them and the disc framing or casing so that at a certain point
in each complete revolution of the cylinder discs each cylinder shall be caused to
engage itself temporarily with such stop or catch device which can thus be made
to effect the partial revolution of each cylinder necessary for the proper operation
of the machine.
The motive power may be transmitted by foot or by hand and may be applied at
the main actuating lever aforesaid or at the stamper or by a pulley and gearing or
auxiliary power lever according to the size and requirements of each particular
machine.
The stamped articles may be automatically thrown or drawn off the stamping place
at each operation by any simple catch or spring device dependent for its function
on the movements of the main machine as above described.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1893.
A. CRAWHALL CHAPMAN,
3, St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Machinery for Addressing Envelopes, Circulars,
and Papers, applicable also to other and similar purposes.
I, GEORGE CLARK of Haltwhistle in the County of Northumberland, Land
Agent, 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 new or improved machinery for addressing envelopes,
circulars and papers applicable also to other and similar purposes and is designed,
in cases where numbers of letters, circulars etc. are frequently sent to the same
addresses and in analogous cases, to facilitate such work by the substitution of
machinery specially adapted for the purpose in lieu of ordinary clerk's work.
I will proceed at once to fully describe my invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 shows a general side view of the machine partly in elevational view
and partly in sectional elevational view, Figure 2 being an half plan and half sectional
plan view of the same;
.
Figure 3 shows a vertical transverse section of the machine;
Figure 4 is a cross section of a type-plate-carrying-cylinder;
Figure 5 is a cross section of a secondary-canted device or tumbler, Figure 6
being an end view of the same shown partly in section and partly in elevation and
in the following description like letters or marks of reference are meant to designate
like or corresponding parts.
Referring to the drawings a a are a pair of cheek discs or wheels mounted on an
axle a¹. Near the peripheries of these discs and in suitable bearings therein
provided are mounted a series of type-plate-carrying-cylinders c each of which
cylinders is shown as having 10 cants thereon. Each cylinder c may be formed
with gudgeon axles c¹ thereon which rest in the peripheral bearings of the discs a
aforesaid.
Each cant of each cylinder may have a brass plate 2 screwed to it to which plate
the rubber type plate or electro 3 is secured by cement of a suitable nature or by
screws or otherwise or the type plate may be secured direct to the cylinder without
the intervening plate 2.
Each type plate 3 will have on it a name and address.
It will be observed that one gudgeon axle c¹ of each cylinder c is extended past
the cheek-wheel a to carry a secondary canted device or tumbler wheel 4.
It will also be observed that the axle carrying the wheels a is mounted on an
external frame casting 5 and that a circular flange 5" is provided on this casting

page_text: on or against which flange the tumblers 4 in their revolutions are designed to work
or slide. At a point in the circumference of this flange there is formed a slight dip
or depression D into which a stud S is screwed so that the head of the stud shall
project somewhat above the ordinary level of the flange surface.
This stud-head has to perform the operation of turning each type-plate-carrying-
cylinder one tenth of a revolution as each cylinder in its revolution with the wheel a
passes the stud.
This motion is effected by the ends of the grooves G in the secondary canted
devices or tumblers 4 coming successively into contact with the stud-head aforesaid
as the wheel a is revolved and the depression D aforesaid is made of sufficient
length to allow clearance for the cants on the tumblers to turn the required tenth
of a revolution.
The cants on the tumblers 4 simply slide on the flange 5 while the wheel a
is revolving thus preventing the cylinders c from turning but as soon as a groove G
in a tumbler comes against the stud head that tumbler is then turned to the extent
of one cant or one tenth of a revolution and as the tumblers are fixed on the extended
axles of the cylinders c it follows that as each cylinder passes the stud S it must be
also turned one tenth of a revolution.
The mechanism for turning the disc wheels a consists of a wheel-rack R cast on
one of the cheeks of the wheel; a lever L (worked from a rocking bar L' mounted
on an axle A which is operated or rocked by treadle levers A₁) gears with the
teeth of the wheel-rack R to push round the wheels a a and from the opposite end
of the rocking bar L' a rod r leads to a paul L2 which acting synchronously with
lever L ensures the wheel-rack R being turned at each stroke of the treadle exactly
the required tenth of a revolution and no more.
"
R is a spring for keeping lever L in gear with the teeth of the wheel-rack
and P is a catch-paul to prevent any back motion of the wheels or discs a a.
Pivotted at an intermediate point on the lever L' is a rod 2 which leads, thence
to one end of a short lever 6 mounted on an axle 6* working in a bearing secured
to the lid N of the main framing or casing of the apparatus; on the same axle 6"
is also mounted a curved rod terminating in a flange to which an india
rubber or other equivalent pressure pad is secured in any convenient manner.
In the lid N and at its central point a light steel resilient plate M is secured of a
convex form, the convexity being opposed to the pad and a slit is cut in the plate M
corresponding in size to the dimensions of the pad and the area of the plate or
stereo containing the name and address.
H is a receptacle for containing an inking sponge or pad and its lower surface is
arranged so that as each type-plate-carrying-cylinder in its revolution with the
wheels a passes the inking pad, the type on the cant exposed to the pad become
smeared with ink preparatory to passing under the pressure pad r³.
The treadle levers A¹ need not necessarily be arranged on both sides of the
machine as a double treadle to be worked by both the heel and toe might be
arranged on one side only, and if necessary or desirable the pressure of the foot
may be used to effect only one motion or direction of the treadle the return motion
or stroke of the treadle being effected by the re-action of a spring which may have
been compressed or extended as the case may be during a former motion of the
treadle.
The whole machine may be constructed in very thin metal and the type-cylinders
can be cast hollow to preserve lightness.
-
The capability of the machine above described with 25 type cylinders, each
cylinder having 10 cants and each cant carrying a separate name and address
is obviously to address 250 separate envelopes with separate addresses at one
revolution of the disc-wheels and the operation of the machine is as follows:-
The operator sits at one end of the machine with his feet on the treadles,
where two of these are employed, as shown in the drawing. Both his hands are
then free to manipulate the envelopes at the addressing point; having placed a
envelope over the slit in the plate M he operates one treadle with his foot: then
an

page_text: through the medium of axle A rocking bar L'and lever L, wheel-rack R is turned
one tenth of a revolution, pawls L' and P¹ checking the exact extent of this
motion at the same time a type-cylinder is of course brought round so as to
come under the slit in plate M with its type freshly ink-smeared by having been
recently rubbed against inking pad at H while it was passing this point; the same
motion of the treadle will have also simultaneously lifted rod through its
connection by lever 6 and rod to rocking bar L'. The machine will now be in
position for mechanically addressing an envelope..
The operator may then depress the treadle in the reverse direction which has
the effect of bringing down the pressure pad on the envelope and by slightly
depressing the resilient plate M the envelope is pressed against the ink-besmeared
type on the cant presented at the opening in the plate M. The envelope thus
receives its address. The same motion of the treadle will have synchronously
drawn back lever I into a position ready to again push round the wheel-rack and
disc-wheels when the treadle is again operated as at first.
It will be observed that while lever L is thus making its backstroke, paul L'
has entered the rack teeth to prevent any further forward motion of the rack
while paul P is acting in like manner to prevent any retrograde motion.
Immediately after the envelope has been addressed the operator will again
depress his treadle which will cause the parts to re-assume the positions herein-
above described but it will be seen that immediately the pressure pad is raised
from the envelope, the resilience of the convex plate M lifts the envelope just
clear of the cant on the type-plate-carrying-cylinder and this is very necessary or
otherwise the revolution of the disc wheels would cause the address to be smudged
or spoiled. For this purpose the relative motions of the lever L and rod
operating rod are timed as to their actions to ensure that the pad shall rise
from the envelope before lever L acts on the wheel-rack to turn the discs and
type-plate-carrying-cylinders.
In this manner therefore is each addressing performed and after one revolution
of the disc wheels 25 envelopes will have been addressed but before any one
cylinder returns to the addressing point it is clear that it must be turned in order
to present a new cant and address to the pressure pad. This is effected as above
described by the contact of the groove G in cach tumbler of each cylinder coming
successively against the stud head S projecting from the depression D in the
circular flange 5. Each cylinder is thus turned one tenth of a revolution just
prior to being inked at the pad H which operation is just prior to that inked
surface being used for addressing.
In the machine described after 10 complete revolutions of the dise-wheels
250 envelopes will have been addressed and in like manner the machine could be
enlarged or reduced in size to operate on a larger or smaller number of envelopes
or other papers.
It will be obvious that the machine described is capable of great variation in
detail and that mechanical equivalents may be substituted for various parts or
combinations of parts as hereinabove described without departing from the purpose
and spirit of the actual apparatus and therefore
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
I. The improved machinery for addressing envelopes circulars and papers
consisting in the combination with a pair of mounted cheek-discs or wheels having
canted type-plate-carrying-cylinders arranged in peripheral bearings therein of
means for revolving the said cheek-discs or wheel in circumferential units or steps
so as to bring each successive cant on each successive type-plate-carrying-cylinder
under a stamping lever and of means for turning each successive type-plate-
carrying-cylinder through a partial revolution at each complete revolution of
cheek-discs or wheels and of means for effecting the inking of the type plates

page_text: prior to their coming under the stamping lever aforesaid these several parts and
motions being arranged and combined to act together substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth.
II. In machinery for addressing envelopes, circulars and papers the means for
preventing the smudging of the newly addressed envelope consisting in the use of a
curved resilient plate adapted to bend down under the pressure of the stamping
lever so as to make contact with the type-plate and to automatically re-assume its
normal position after the pressure of the stamping lever has been removed sub-
stantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
III. In machinery for addressing envelopes circulars and papers the means for
automatically causing each type-plate-carrying-cylinder to be successively rotated®
to a certain extent on its bearing so as to alter at each complete revolution of the
cheek-discs the cant presented for stamping or printing consisting in the provision
on the machine framing or casing of a stationary disc or flange whereon canted
extensions of each type-plate-carrying-cylinder work or slide as the cheek-discs
revolve and whereby at each complete revolution of the cheek-discs each type-
plate-carrying-cylinder is partially rotated by means of the contact of a recess in
the canted extension aforesaid with a fixed stop or stud head in the stationary disc
or flange aforesaid substantially as herein set forth.
IV. In machinery for addressing envelopes circulars and papers the combination
of parts whereby by a double or complete stroke of the actuating treadle or
treadles the main cheek-discs or wheels are revolved a portion of a revolution
while simultaneously one type-plate-carrying-cylinder is rotated a portion of a
revolution and one type-plate is smeared with ink while another type-plate is
through the action of the pressure pad addressed, each of the parts for performing
these several functions being arranged and adapted to operate substantially as
herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
V. The general arrangement construction or combination of parts forming
apparatus for mechanically addressing envelopes circulars and papers substantially
as herein described and illustrated.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1893
A. CRA WHALL CHAPMAN,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Patent Agent.