Improved Method of and Apparatus for Stamping Letters for Postage.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Oct.,
1889
Complete Specification Left, 26th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 25th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Stamping Letters for
Postage.
We, DANIEL SINCLAIR of Royal Exchange Buildings, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, Electrical Engineer, JOHN CLARK DOBBIE of 25 Clyde Place Glasgow,
aforesaid, Nautical Instrument Maker, and WILLIAM AITKEN MALCOLM, 9 Mincing
Lane, Middlesex, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object to provide apparatus which shall be capable of being
used to supply a fixed number of stamps of any given value or for impressing stamps
upon a fixed number of letters and then ceasing to act, and by the use of which
apparatus the application of adhesive stamps by hand may be dispensed with.
The apparatus may consist of an impressing stamp adapted to give only a fixed
number of impressions or having a geared or other index to record the number of
impressions applied or it may be arranged to tear off from a ribbon or the like an
impressed stamp upon actuating a movable piece of the apparatus, the apparatus being
designed to be issued by the postal authorities at the money value of the stamps or
stamp impressions with which it is charged or is capable of yielding.
Under one of the modifications of which the invention is susceptible the stamping
apparatus is made in the form of any of the well known stamping devices for dating
or stamping consecutive numbers upon tickets or the like the stamping die or plunger
being arranged to operate a recording index on the instrument and the apparatus may
either be operated by hand or when used for stamping a large number of letters it may
be provided with an electro-magnet or solenoid and core attached to the plunger or
other electric or mechanical means for reciprocating or rotating the stamping die.
For use in public offices railway stations pillar boxes and like situations the apparatus
may be combined with automatic coin-freeing mechanism of any known type by means
of which stamp impressions of any required value may be obtained the operation of the
impressing stamp or die being effected either by hand or by electric or mechanical
means on its being freed by the insertion of coin. The apparatus may be fitted to
supply stamps or stamp impressions of several different values.
Dated this Twenty-fifth day of October 1889.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Stamping Letters for
Postage.
We, DANIEL. SINCLAIR of Royal Exchange Buildings, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark. Electrical Engineer, JOHN CLARK DOBBIE, of 25 Clyde Place, Glasgow,
aforesaid, Nautical Instrument Maker, and WILLIAM AITKEN MALCOLM, 9 Mincing
Lane, Middlesex, Merchant, 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 has for its object to provide apparatus which shall be capable of being
used to supplya fixed number of stamp impressions of anygiven value or for impressing
stamps upon a fixed number of letters and then ceasing to act, and by the use of which
apparatus the application of adhesive stamps by hand may be dispensed with.

page_text: The apparatus may consist of an impressing stamp adapted to give only a fixed
number of impressions or having a geared or other index to record the number of
impressions applied, the apparatus being designed to be issued bythe postal authorities
at the money value of the stamp impressions which it is capable of yielding.
Under one of the modifications of which the invention is susceptible the stamping
apparatus is made in the form of any of the well known stamping devices for dating
or stamping consecutive numbers upon tickets or the like the stamping die or plunger
being arranged to operate a recording index on the instrument or the numbers stamped
serving as an automatic record; and the apparatus may either be operated by hand or
when used for stamping a large number of letters it may be provided with an electro-
magnet or solenoid and attached to the plunger or other electric or mechanical means
for reciprocating or rotating the stamping die.
The apparatus may be fitted to supply stamp impressions of several different
values.
One form of the apparatus is shewn in the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a vertical section,
Figure 2 is a front elevation the outer case being in section and
Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 1, shewing the stamping die depressed to
make an impression.
The die consists of a frame A, carrying a spindle B, on which a fixed stamp C, and
a set of numbering wheels D, are arranged and is operated by depressing the handle E,
which is connected to the frame A, by a rod F, the whole being returned to the normal
position of rest indicated at Figure 1, by the helical spring f, surrounding the rod F.
The die is guided to work in a vertical direction by the ends of the spindle B, which
project into vertical slots g, formed in the side of a fixed frame G, and by the rod F
passing through an orifice in the top of said frame. The numbering wheels D, are
similar to what are used in engine counters and similar apparatus for displaying con-
secutive numbers and operate in the usual way the value of the number brought to
the lower side of the die and used for stamping being increased by a unit at each
operation of depressing and raising the die, the change of number being effected by
the lever d, coming in contact with the rod g', and the stop, carried by the fixed
frame G. The stamp is supplied with ink by a pad H, carried in a frame H', hinged
on the rod g', and actuated to clear the stamp in printing by a rod h, working in a
slot ', in the frame H. The numbering wheels D, are locked by means of a har i,
arranged to come in contact with the printing row of type projections on said wheels
the bar i, being carried on one end of a lever I. centred on the frame A, at ¹, the
other end having a pin 2, working in a slot 3, in the fixed frame G. The slot, has
a part shaped so that the pin 2, in rising moves the lever I and bar i, to clear the
wheels D, and allows the numbers to be changed between each impression. In order
to stop the machine after a fixed number of impressions have been stamped a pin k, is
fixed to the side of the highest numbering wheel J), so that when said wheel has turned
to the position to print the highest number-say 90000-said pin k, when the die is
depressed will come in contact with the end of a stop pin l, and prevent operation of
the machine. Other like devices may be employed to prevent the action of the
stamping die when a given number of impressions have been stamped or the use of
such devices may be dispensed with and the consecutive numbering wheels alone
The
employed as a check upon the stamp impressions given by the apparatus.
mechanism is enclosed in a suitable case M, and the stamp C, and numbers on the
wheels D, print through an opening m, in said case, the letter to be stamped being
held up to said opening by a rubber or other pad N, supported by a spring n, in the
base of the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is

page_text: impressions or to record the number of impressions stamped substantially as
described.
2. A self registering apparatus for stamping letters for postage constructed and
arranged to operate substantially as described.
Dated this Twenty-fifth day of August 1890.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.