Improvements in Coin-controlled Registering Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1895-Accepted, 25'h Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coin-controlled Registering Machines.
I, DETALMO DI BRAZZA SAVORGNAN, Civil Engineer, of 361 Broadway
New York City, in the County and State of New York, United States of America,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what nanner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The object of my invention is to construct a simple and effective registering
machine which may be used for various purposes, but which is more especially
designed for registering letters, the machine to be placed at convenient points so
that letters can be registered where they are mailed, thereby obviating the necessity
of going to the post office in person.
My invention consists in a locked registering table and letter-receiving box
capable of being unlocked by a coin dropped into coin-operated mechanism, and in
incchanism for weighing and numbering the letter or package, dating, numbering
and delivering the receipt, and dropping the letter into the letter box. It also
consists in a device for forming the paper baud into a book, which becomes the
letter register. It also consists in devices for preventing the machine from being
operated when the supply of record paper is exhausted, also in mechanism for
controlling the different movements and operations so that they must occur in
regular sequence.
It also consists in various other details of construction, as
hereinafter more fully described.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the views.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the relation of various parts;
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 2-2 in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an enlarged detail side sectional elevation of the record-printing and
record-filing apparatus, the section being taken on line 3-3 in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section taken on live 4-4 in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a detail side sectional elevation of a part of the coin-discharging
mechanism, the section being taken on line 5-5 in Figure 6;
Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 6-6 in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 7-7 in Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 8-8 in Figure 1;
Figure 9 is a detail side elevation of a part of the letter box door opening
mechanism, showing the device in readiness for operating the door ;
Figure 10 is a similar view showing the device about to release the door to allow
it to close;
Figure 1 is an enlarged side sectional elevation of the letter or package
numbering mechanism, showing portions of the letter weighing mechanism;
Figure 12 is a partial plan view of the weighing and weight recording
mechanism;
Figure 13 is an enlarged front elevation, partly in section, of a portion of the
weighing mechanism and letter or package-numbering mechanism;
Figure 14 is an enlarged front elevation of a portion of the machine, showing
the numbering mechanism, with a portion of the weighing mechanism partly in
section;
Figure 15 is a detail side elevation of the numbering mechanism :

page_text: Figure 16 is a vertical transverse section of a portion of the weighing
mechanism;
Figure 17 is a similar view showing the parts in different relation to each
other;
Figure 18 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the coin-receiving devices and
locking and releasing mechanism;
Figure 19 is a sectional plan view of the automatic cut-off for preventing the
insertion of coins when paper is exhausted from the machine;
Figure 20 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the printing mechanism, the
section being taken on line 20-20 in Figure 21 ;
Figure 21 is a front sectional elevation of the same, the section being taken on
line 21-21 in Figure 20;
Figure 22 is a sectional side elevation of the dating mechanism, the section being
taken on line 22-22 in Figure 23 ;
Figure 23 is a plan view of a portion of the mechanism for handling the paper
record strip;
Figure 24 is a vertical longitudinal section of the receipt-delivering device, taken
on line 24-24 in Figure 25;
Figure 25 is a vertical transverse section of the same, taken on line 25-25 in
Figure 24;
Figure 26 is a partial front elevation, partly in section, of the cam roller
mechanism for imparting motion to the numbering mechanism and inking
ribbon ;
Figure 27 is an end elevation of the same, showing parts in section ;
Figure 28 is a detail view of one of the cam rollers developed on a plane showing
the latch mechanism;
Figure 29 is a plan view of the knife-carrying slide ;
Figure 30 is a side elevation of the same;
Figure 31 is an end elevation of the knife-carrying slide and knife, showing the
relation of the same to the record-receiving reel and record wound thereon;
Figure 32 is a side elevation of the safety device and alarm bell;
Figure 33 is a detail inverted plan view of one of the double pawls ;
Figure 34 is a front elevation of the safety device;
Figure 35 is a longitudinal section of the air cylinder for modifying the motion of
the operating lever;
Figure 36 represents a modification showing the letter receptacle and mechanism
connected therewith; and
Figures 37 and 38 represent the letter receptacle and a safety device for
preventing the delivery of the receipt when the letter is absent from the letter
receptacle.
The top of the casing 1 is provided with apertures 2, 3 and 4, having covers 5, 6
and 7, respectively. The covers 5 and 6 are secured to a rod 8 journaled in bearings
on the top of the casing, so that both covers must be opened or closed simul-
taneously. The cover 7 is designed to be opened only when repairs or adjustment
are required.
Below the aperture 3 is supported a table 9, over which extends an endless inking
ribbon 10, which is guided and supported by the rollers 11, 12, 13, 14 (Figure 3).
Over the table and inking ribbon extends a paper strip 15, which is unwound
from the roller 16 (Figure 1), and after passing over the diagonal roller 17 to
change its direction, passes under the guide roller 18, and over the guide
roller 19, thence over the inking ribbon 10 and table 9, over the die 20, over
the feed rollers 21, and between feed rollers 21 and 22. It will thus be seen that
the paper strip 15 extends lengthwise of the casing 1, in its passage through the
main portion of the machine.
A paper strip 26 (Figure 3), extending crosswise of the table 9, and over the
strip 15 and inking ribbon 10, at right angles to the strip 15, is stored on the
roller 27, and passes over the guide rollers 28, 29, 30, being pressed on

page_text: the roller 29 by a small roller 31. The strip 26 after passing over the table 9,
passes over the guide rollers 32, 33, and is finally wound on the reel 34,
supported on the shaft 35 journaled in the casing 1, and provided with a
sprocket wheel 36, to which motion is imparted in the manner presently to be
described.
The reel 34 has two equal arms 37 projecting in opposite directions from its
shaft, and two projections 38 extending from opposite sides of the shaft at right
angles to the arms 37. The ends of the arms 37 are grooved to receive the
followers 39, which are guided by rods 40, and pressed outwardly by spiral springs
surrounding the rods. The followers 39 are each provided with a longitudinal
groove 41, to allow space for the knife edge while the paper is being cut, and
to allow the binding twine to pass through. A knife 42 is attached to a spring-
pressed arm 43, carried by a slide 44, arranged to move on a guide 45 supported
in a fixed position in the casing 1. The slide 44 is furnished with a handle 46, by
means of which it is drawo back and forth during the operation of cutting the
paper.
The paper strip 26 consists of a strip of paper doubled upon itself and containing
between the folds thereof a strip of impression paper. This arrangement insures
the exact duplication on the lower part of the strip of the writing on the upper
part of the strip, and forms the receipt which is to be detached and sent to the
recipient of the letter, for signature.
In the table 9 there are two apertures 45, 46, and below the table is supported
a frame 91 in which are secured horizontal rods 47, 48. On the rod 47, are
loosely placed dating wheels 49, 50, which are respectively provided with spur
wheels 51, 52, fixed to them. In one side of the frame 91 is journaled one end of a
shaft 53, the middle portion of which extends through a sleeve 54 journaled in the
opposite side of the frame 9¹.
On the shaft 53 is secured a spur wheel 55, which
engages the spur wheel 52, and on the sleeve 54 is secured a spur wheel 56, which
engages the spur wheel 51. The sleeve 54 is furnished with a bevel wheel 57,
which is engaged by a bevel wheel 58 on the shaft 59, extending through the side
of the casing 1. The outer portion of the shaft 53 revolves in a journal bearing 60.
and carries at its outer end a bevel wheel 61, which is engaged by the bevel
wheel 62 on the shaft 63, extending through the side of the casing 1. Casing 1 is
provided with a recess 64, (Figure 18) containing dials 65, through which the ends
of the shafts 59 and 63 project. On the end of the shaft 59 is secured an index 66,
the said index serving to adjust the wheel 49 carrying on its periphery figures for
printing the day of the month, while the index 67 on the shaft 63 serves for
adjusting the wheel 50, which carries characters or abbreviations representing the
month. In a recess 68 in the table 9 are placed blocks 69 on which are engraved
figures representing the year, and also figures representing the number of the
machine.
On the rod 48 is placed a series of number wheels 70, the first of the series being
provided with a spur wheel 71, which is fixed to it, and meshes into the inter-
inediate spur wheel 72, the said intermediate spur wheel 72 being engaged by a
spur wheel 73 on the shaft 74, and shaft 74 carries a spur wheel 75 which takes
motion from a spur wheel 76 on the shaft 77.
In the top of the casing 1, under the cover 6, are journaled two rock shafts 78, 79,
which extend across the path of the paper strip 26, at right angles thereto. The
rock shaft 78 is provided at opposite ends with right angled levers 80, whose
longer arms project downwardly into the casing, while their shorter arms reach
over the table 9, and are attached to the ends of a platen bar 81, which extends
over the date wheels 49, 50, and over the type block 69. Similarly the rock
shaft 79 is provided with right angled levers 80 having long arms projecting down
into the casing, and shorter arms projecting over the table 9, and provided with a
platen bar 81 which extends over the number wheels 70. It will be observed that
the levers 80, 80 are oppositely arranged with respect to each other.
In the frame 9', and in cross bars in the casing 1, is journaled a rock shaft 82, on

page_text: which are secured two cross arms 83, 831. Opposite ends of the cross arm 83 are
connected by connecting rods 84, 84', with the longer arms of the levers 80, 80¹
at one side of the table 9, and the cross arm 83 is connected by connecting
rods 84, 84, with the longer arms of the levers 80, 80', at the opposite side of the
table 9. Shaft 82 is provided with a crank arm 85. to which is pivoted one end of
the connecting rod 86, the other end of which slides in a guide 87 attached to
a fixed portion of the machine, and the extreme end of the rod 86 is furnished
with a toe 88, engaged by the dog 89 pivoted to the side of an arm 90 secured to
the main or operating rock shaft 91 (Figure 4). The dog is pressed by a spring 92
against a lug 93 projecting from the side of the arm 90.
The main rock shaft 91 is journaled in the casing 1, and serves to operate most
of the movable parts of the machine. It is provided with an arm 94, to which
is jointed one end of the connecting rod 95, the other end of which is pivoted
to the arm 96 secured to the inner end of the short rock shaft 97, which is
journaled in the end wall of the casing 1, and carries on its outer end the hand
lever 98.
The numbering mechanism having the number wheels 70, receives its motion
through a bevel wheel 99 on the shaft 74, a bevel pinion 100 meshing into the
bevel wheel and carried by the short shaft 101, a spur wheel 102 mounted on this
shaft, and a pinion 103 mounted on the shaft 104 of the cam roller 105, the said
pinion 103 engaging the spur wheel 102.
The cam roller 105 is journaled in bearings in the main frame of the machine,
and is arranged parallel with and below a grooved guide 106 supported by the
frame of the machine. Above the guide 106, and parallel with it, is journaled a
cam roller 107. The cam roller 107 carries a mitre wheel 108, which engages a
mitre wheel 109 on the shaft 33 of the roller 33. Shaft 33' carries a sprocket
wheel 11, which receives the chain 111 passing around the sprocket wheel 36 on
the shaft 35 of the reel 34.
Roller 12, which is one of the set for supplying the inking ribbon 10, is provided
with a sprocket wheel 112, for receiving the chain 113 which is carried by the
sprocket wheel 114 on the shaft 33¹. Motion is imparted to the inking ribbon 10
by this mechanism. The roller 21 receives motion through mitre wheels 21', the
shaft 21, and mitre wheels 21³ from the shaft 33¹.
The cam rollers 105 and 107 are alike with the exception of having spiral
grooves extending in opposite directions around them. These rollers are developed
on a plane surface in Figure 28. In this figure the spiral groove 115 which
extends once around the roller, communicates at its ends with a straight groove 116,
extending the entire length of the roller. At the junction of the ends of the spiral
groove with the straight groove are pivoted latches 117, 118, having spring ends
which extend into recesses in the side of the roller, and have their bearings in slots
at the ends of the recesses. The said latches in their normal position are closed
against the walls of the slots.
In the guide 106 is placed a slide 119, which carries two studs 120, 121, each
provided with a roller which fits in the grooves 115, 116. The stud 120 projects
into the groove in the cam roller 107, and the stud 121 projects downwardly into
the groove in the cam toller 105. When the slide 119 moves in one direction the
studs slide over the latches into the spiral grooves, turning the cam rollers in the
direction indicated by the arrows, and in passing out of the spiral grooves into
the straight grooves the studs pass the latches 118, which confine them in the
straight grooves, thus preventing the turning of the cam rollers on the return
stroke of the slide 119. On returning to the point of starting, the studs carried
by the slide 119 pass the latches 117, and are again in position for another outward
movement through the spiral grooves 115.
The numbering apparatus is of the usual construction, being provided with a
series of number wheels and with carrying mechanism.
Slide 119 is connected by a link 122 with an arm 123 secured to the shaft 93, so
that whenever the said shatt is oscillated the slide will move forward and return,

page_text: thereby causing the cam rollers 105, 107, to revolve in opposite directions as
already described.
'
On the knife edge 124 supported in a fixed position in the casing is poised the
scale beam 125, the shorter arm of which is provided with an auxiliary lateral
arm 126, which is bent at right angles at its extremity, and the short arm and
auxiliary lateral arm are each provided with a V-shape I notch to receive the knife
dges projecting from the ends of the letter receiver 127. The letter receiver is
thus suspended below the opening 2 in the top of the casing, so that letters may be
dropped through the said opening into the receiver when the cover 5 is opened.
The bottom 128 of the letter receiver 127 is hinged and provided with a counter-
weight 129 for holding it normally closed. It has also an arm 130 for swinging
open the bottom and discharging the letter into the letter box 131, in the manner
presently to be described. The frame of the machine is provided with a stop 132,
for limiting the swinging movement of the letter receiver.
In the casing 1, parallel with the scale beam is secured the bar 133, on which is
placed a slide 134 capable of moving freely along the length of the said bar.
The slide 134 has an upward projection 135 to which is pivoted a jointed arm 136,
which is movable on its pirot, but held in the position of use by friction. To one
end of this aim is pivotally connected one end of the rod 137, the other end of
which is feiked to receive the weight roller 138, which turns on a pin extending
through the arms of the fork and through the weight roller 138. Slide 134 is
connected by a link 139 with an arm 140 carried by the shaft 91 (Figure 7). The
jointed arm 136 is moved in one direction or the other when it is desired to change
the adjustment of the scale weight 138.
In the casing 1, parallel with bar 133, is journaled a cylinder 141, having in
its surface a spiral groove 142 (Figure 12) extending from one end to the other
nd making one turn around the cylinder. The said cylinder 141 is also provided
with a series of longitudinal grooves 143, extending from the side of the groove 142
to the end of the cylinder. The side of the groove 142 opposite the side commu-
nicating with the grooves 143 is provided with a flange 144, which projects beyond
the periphery of the cylinder, and acts as a guard to prevent the dog 145 from
jumping out of the groove 142 in which it works, when it returns from the
longitudinal groove to the spiral groove.
The
The dog 145 is pivoted delicately on points 146, 147, carried by the slide 134,
and is capable of swinging freely in a plane at right angles to the bar 133.
end of the dog 145 which is prolonged beyond the pivotal point extends over the
bar 133 and under the scale beam 125, so that when the longer arm of the scale
beam preponderates, the dog 145 will be lifted out of the groove 142, as shown in
Figure 16, but its upward movement is limited by the striking of the dog on the
bar 133, so that when the dog is moved lengthwise of the cylinder 141, the teeth
on the end of the dog will enter the grooves 143 in the cylinder, and while the
slide 134 and dog 145 can move lengthwise of the cylinder 141, the cylinder is
prevented from turning by the dog.
The shaft of the cylinder 141 carries a mitre wheel 148, which engages a mitre
wheel 149 on the shaft 150 extending parallel with the letter receiver 127 and
journaled in the frame 151 of the letter stamping mechanism. Shaft 77, which is
journaled in the frame 91, and receives motion from shaft 74, which operates the
numbering mechanism already described, is also journaled in the frame 151.
On the shaft 150 within the frame 151, is secured a spur wheel 152, which
meshes into a spur wheel 153 of the same diameter mounted loosely on the shaft 77,
and carrying a number wheel 154, having engraved on its periphery whole and
fractional numbers representing the weights of letters as determined by the scale
in the manner to be hereinafter described.
On the shaft 77 adjoining the spur wheel 153, is secured a number wheel 155
representing units, and adjoining the units wheel are wheels for tens, hundreds and
thousands. The peripheries of these wheels project into an opening 151' in the
side of the letter icceiver 127, a sufficient distance to print on the letter contained

page_text: in the box when the letter is forced forward against the endless ink ribbon 156
passing over the faces of the several number wheels. The ink ribbon 156 passes
around suitable guide rollers and between the rollers 157, 158, by means of which
it is moved forward to present a new surface for printing. The shaft of the
roller 157 is provided with a spur wheel 159, which is engaged by an inter-
mediate spur wheel 160, taking motion from a spur wheel 161 on the shaft 77.
In the letter receiver 127 there are two openings 1511, one near either end, and
there are two sets of wheels for printing the numbers and the weight so as to
insure the printing of the weight and number on the envelope even though it be a
small one.
On the side of the letter receiver opposite that occupied by the
number wheels is arranged a shaft 162, on which are placed two printing arms 163,
for pushing the envelope against the number wheels. As both printing arms are
alike, a description of one will answer for both. The arm 163 has a forked free
end in which are journaled three rollers 164. 165 and 166, and between arins
projecting from the forked end of the lever 163, toward the letter receiver, is
journaled a roller 167.
Above the forked end of the arm 163 is supported the spool 168, on which is
wound the plain paper strip 169, which extends downwardly and passes partly
around and under the roller 164, thence to and partly around the roller 167, thence
to and partly around the roller 165 and between it and the roller 166, thence to
the spool 170, on which it is wound by the weight 171 and cord 172 wound around
and attached to the axis of the spool 170.
The shaft of the roller 165 is provided with a ratchet wheel 173, which is
engaged by a spring pressed pawl 174 pivoted to a fixed support in the casing 1.
Whenever the aim 163 swings back after making an impression, a spring 1641
attached to the arm 163, bears on the paper on the roller 164, and prevents it
from moving by its own momentum. In the letter receiver 127, opposite the
roller 167, there is an opening 175 through which the said roller and its supporting
arms may project.
Shaft 162 is provided with a forked arm 176 (Figure 11) in which is pivoted
the sleeve 177, and in the said sleeve is inserted one end of the rod 178, the other
end of which passes through a guide 179 (Figure 2) pivoted to a fixed part of
the frame of the machine. The end of the rod 178 which projects through the
sleeve 177, is provided with a head, and upon the said 1od a short distance below
the sleeve, is secured a collar 180, between which and the sleeve is placed a spiral
spring 181. The lower end of the rod 178 is provided with a convex head 182
(Figure 7), which is engaged by an arm 183 (practically a prolongation of the
arm 140) on the rock shaft 91. On the rod 178 above the guide 179 is secured a
collar 184, between which and the guide 179 is placed a spiral spring 185.
The bottom 128 of the letter receiver is operated by a rod 186 passing through
gudes 187, 188, attached to the framework of the machine. The end of the
rod 186 which projects through the guide 187, is provided with a head for engaging
the aim 130, and on the said rod near the guide 187, is secured a collar 189,
between which and the guide is placed a spiral spring 190. The opposite end of
the rod 186 is provided with a cam 191, which is engaged by a spring-pressed
dog 192 pivoted to an arm 193 secured to the rock shaft 91. The dog 192 rests
against a lug projecting from the arm 193, while doing its work, but after it has
slipped from the cam, (as it is about to do when in the position shown in
Figure 10) and returned to the point of starting, the dog folds over and escapes
the cam.
In the top of casing 1, and adjoining the die 20, is pivoted an angled lever 194,
one arm of which projects downward into the casing and is pivotally connected
with the upper end of the rod 195. The other aim of the said lever projects over
the die 20, and carries the cutter 196, which fits the die and is capable of cutting
a rectangular piece from the paper strip 15, leaving the perforated strip to be
wound upon the spool 23. The cutter 196 is cut away at the centre to allow one
end of the discharging lever 1962 to project therein and be normally above the

page_text: cutting edges of the cutter. The lever 196 is pivoted to the angled lever 194,
and its shorter arm is pressed downwardly by the spiral spring 1963. When the
cutter 196 passes below the edge of the die 20, the shorter arm of the lever 196*
strikes the fixed finger 196, tilting the said lever so as to insure the detachment
of the receipt from the paper strip and die and cutter. The portion removed from
the strip is the receipt for the letter, and when removed, the receipt drops into the
chute 197 supported in the casing 1, below the die 20. The chute has an open
mouth from which the receipt is removed by the fingers.
The lower end of the rod 195 passes through a guide 196' in the lower part of
the casing, and is provided with a toe 1971, which is engaged by a spring-pressed
dog 198 pivoted to the arm 199 secured to the shaft 91. The dog 198 rests
against a lug projecting from the arm 199 when it is in engagement with the
toe 1971; on its return stroke the dog folds over and escapes the toe.
In the casing 1 is supported a knife edge 200, which forms the fulcrum of the
coin-operated lever 201. The longer arm of the lever 201 is provided with a
pan 202 for receiving the coin, and the casing 1 has a slot 203 in the top thereof
near one end, for the insertion of the coin, and below the said slot is supported a
coin chute 204, which is curved to bring its lower end into position for discharging
the coin dropped through the slot into the pau 202, when the lever 201 carrying
the pan is in an elevated position, this position of the lever being determined by
stop 205.
To the lever 123 carried by the shaft 91 is pivoted a rod 206, which is jointet
to a bar 207, inserted in a moitise in the guide 208, and capable of sliding therein.
In the guide 208 there are two apertures 209. 210, and in the bar 207 there are
corresponding apertures.
In a guide 211 adjoining the knife edge 200, is inserted the rod 212, the lower
end of which fits loosely in the aperture 209 in the guide 208, and is capable of
entering the aperture in the bar 207. To the upper end of the rod 212 is
pivoted a bar 213, having a knife edge on its lower end which enters a V-shaped
notch 214 in the shorter arm of the lever 201. The rod 212 has sufficient weight
to slightly overbalance the lever 201 when the pan 202 is empty, and to hold the
longer arm of the said lever normally in contact with the stop 205.
The cover 7 is provided with a catch 215, which is engaged by a hook lever 216
pivoted to a fixed support, and provided with an arm 217 which is connected with
the lever 201 near its fulcrum by a rod 218. On shaft 8 which carries the
covers 5 and 6, is secured a snail 219, and in a guide 220 below the shaft 8 is
inserted the upper end of the rod 221, the lower end of which enters the aperture 210
in the guide 208. On the rod 221 is secured a collar 222, between which and
the guide 208 is placed a spiral spring 223, which keeps the rod 221 in contact
with the snail 219.
The lever 201 when depressed by a coin drops into the position shown in dotted
lines in Figure 18, and then remains until the coin is discharged from the pan 202,
when it is received by the coin receptacle 224.
The pan 202 has two longitudinal slots 225 (Figure 22), and the discharge of
the coin from the pan is effected by a fork 226 carried by a rod 227, and pro-
jecting upward at right angles from the said rod. The rod 227 passes through a
guide 228 located near the coin receptacle 224, and also through an ear 229 on
the guide 208, and extends beyond the said ear and is provided with a head
which is engaged by the lever 230 (Figure 6) pivoted to the bar 207. On the
rod 227 18 secured a collar 231, between which and the guide 228 is placed a
spiral spring 232, which forces the rod 227 back after it has been moved forward
in the operation of discharging a coin from the pan 202. The lever 230 is pivoted
to the bar so as to swing freely on its pivot within certain limits. The rearward
movement of its upper end is limited by the lug 233 projecting from the block 234
attached to the bar 207, (as shown in Figure 5). When the bar 207 moves
forward, it carries the rod 227 forward with it until the lower end of the lever 23
strikes the projection 234¹ on the guide 208, when the lever is tilted sufficiently

page_text: to cause the head on the end of the rod 227 to slip off from the lever, when the
spring 232 returns the rod to the point of starting. During its forward movement
the fork 226 passes through the slots of the pan 202, forcing the coin beyond the
edge of the pan so that it falls into the coin receptacle.
In the upper end of the coin chute 204 there is a slot 235, to which is fitted a
stop 236 formed on one end of the lever 237, the other end of which carries a
roller which rests on the paper strip 26. A spring 238 (Figure 19), draws the
lever end carrying the stop 236 toward the chute, thus causing the toller on the
opposite end to bear upon the paper strip, and so long as the strip extends between
the rollers 29, 28, the stop will be prevented from entering the slot in the coin
chute, but as soon as the paper strip is exhausted the spring causes the stop 236
to enter the slot 235, and close the coin chute so that no more coin can be
inserted.
To guard against tampering, and to insure the proper use of the apparatus,
safety devices are provided, which consist in a dash pot or air check, to prevent
the too rapid movement of the operating lever, a double pawl and ratchet
arrangement to allow only complete strokes of the operating lever, and a bell and
hammer for indicating when the stroke of the operating lever is complete.
To an
ear projecting from the side of the casing is pivoted a pneumatic
cylinder 238, (Figue 32) provided with a piston 239 (Figure 35) having a piston
rod 240 which is jointed to an arm 241 carried by the shaft 91. The cylinder 2381
has in it a smali aperture 212, for the ingress and egress of air.
The resistance
offered by the piston may be vaned by varying the size of the aperture.
To the shaft 91 is secured an arm 243, in the free extremity of which is
journaled a short shaft 244 carrying upon one end the pawl 245 and upon the other
end the pawl 246, these pawls being oppositely arranged with respect to each other.
The shaft 244 also carries an arm 247, having a V-shaped end which extends
downwardly between the springs projecting from the follower 248. The said
follower is held by a guide 249 on the side of the arm 243, and is pressed outwardly
into contact with the end of the V-shaped arm 217.
To a fixed support within the casing 1 is secured a double curved ratchet
bar 250, which is concentric with the shaft 91. The teeth of the two parts of the
ratchet bar are oppositely arranged with respect to each other, and the arm 243
extends between the two parts so that the pawl 245 engages the teeth of one part
and the pawl 246 engages the teeth of the other part. At the ends of the double
ratchet bar are supported fingers 251, 252, for engaging the pawls 245, 246, when
they reach the end of their excursion, and the convex end of the follower, by
engaging the arm 247, causes one or the other of the pawls to engage the ratchet
bar. By means of this construction the arm 243 is prevented from returning to
the point of starting until after it has completed its stroke in one direction or the
other.
To the frame of the machine, at equal distances from the shaft 91, are secured
springs 253, 253', carrying bell hammers 254 at their extremities, and between the
said bell hammers and normally out of contact with them, is supported a bell 255.
Each spring 253 and 253¹ is provided with a spring-pressed dog 256 pivoted thereto
and resting normally against a stop on the spring. To the shaft 91 is secured an
arm 257 which is capable of engaging either dog 256, pressing it forward until it
slips off the arm, when the return of the spring causes the bell hammer to strike
the bell, thus indicating that the stroke of the operating lever is complete. When
the arm 257 returns, it meets no opposition from the dog 256.
The operation of my improved registering machine is as follows;
The letter to be registered is stamped and otherwise prepared for mailing as if
it were to be dropped into a letter box. The patron of the machine drops into the
coin slot 203 a coin of the required value, and the coin is delivered to the pan 202
by the chute 204. The pan then descends to the position shown in dotted lines in
Figure 18, and in so doing withdraws the rod 212 from the bar 207, and at the
saine time unlocks the cover 6 by tilting the hooked lever 216 so as to discharge it

page_text: from the catch 215 on the cover 7. The cover 7 may now be raised, an 1 by virtue of
the connection of the said cover with the shaft or rod 8, the cover 5 is also raised.
The raising of the cover forces the rod 221 into the aperture in the bar 207, and thus
locks the operating mechanism so that the operating shaft 91 cannot be moved. The
letter to be registered is now dropped into the letter receptacle, and the receipt is
filled out by the sender on the strip 26, by writing with a pencil through the aperture 3
on the strip 26; the covers are closed, this operation allowing the spring 223 to lift
the rod 221 from the hole in the bar 207, thus releasing the shaft. 91, so that the
operating lever 98 may be moved forward, thus moving forward the slide 134 and
rolling the weight 138 along on the scale beam 125. and at the same time carrying
the dog 145 forward in the groove 142 of the cylinder 141, turning the said
cylinder, and by virtue of its connection with the number wheel 154, turning the
number wheel until the position of the weight 138 relative to the scale beam 125,
is such that the weight just counterbalances the letter. The scale beam in its
downward movement presses upon the dog 145 and disengages it from the groove 142
of the cylinder 141, and brings it into the position shown in Figure 16. A further
movement of the slide 134 brings the toothed end of the dog into engagement with the
longitudinal grooves 143 of the cylinder, thus preventing the cylinder from turning,
while permitting the slide 134 to move freely, and allowing the shaft 91 to turn
further. The movement of the operating lever 98 and shaft 91 causes a forward
movement of the slide 119, and operates the mechanism which prints on the
strips 26 and 15, and at the same time it causes the shaft 162 to tilt and carry the
arms 163 forward, causing the letter contained by the receiver 127 to be pressed
against the ink ribbon lying against the weight number wheel and the wheels for
giving the number of the letter, thus producing on the letter an impression of the
weight and number of the letter. As the arm 163 moves forward, weight 171
takes up the slack in the strip 169, and the arm returns to the point of starting.
The paper strip 169 is moved forward one space by the contact of the ratchet
wheel 173 with the pawl 174. The letter is dropped into the letter receptacle by
the tilting of the hinged bottom 128, when rod 186 moves forward as the operating
lever is returned to the point of starting.
If the sender of the letter should fail to place the letter in the receptacle, the
paper strip 169 would receive the impression, thus preserving a record of the fact.
A further movement of the operating handle turns the three sets of number wheels
for the next succeeding record and receipt simultaneously through the mechanism
described, at the same time moving forward the paper strips 26 and 15, the proper
distance for a new record and for the next receipt and thus bringing the receipt
just executed over the die 20, and the final movement of the operating lever forces
the cutter 196 through the die and punches out the receipt, which drops into the
chute 197, where it is accessible to the sender of the letter. The last movement of
the operating lever in the same direction pushes the coin out of the pan 202, and
the rod 212 in dropping into its normal position, raises the pan 202 to the point of
starting and throws the hook lever 216 into position for engaging the catch 215
when the cover 7 is closed, thus leaving the machine in condition for another
operation.
On returning the operating lever to the point of starting, the studs 120 carried
by the slide 119 are made to pass the latches 117, 118, and return to their original
position in the straight groove without turning the cylinders 105, 107, and the
dog 145 follows the longitudinal grooves in the cylinder 141 until it can return to
the spiral groove 142, when it drops into the said groove and returns the cylinder 141
to the point of starting.
In the modification shown in Figure 36, the bottom of the letter receptacle 127
consists of two doors 128 and 128, attached to rods 128, 128, furnished at one
end of the receptacle with crank arms 130, 130, which project inwardly toward
each other, and form an angle of about 45° with the doors with which they are
connected. In a guide on the end of the receptacle 127 is placed a bar 260, the
lower end of which is pivotally connected with the longer arm of the three-arm
B

page_text: lever 129¹, which turns on the pivot 1292. The arm of the lever above the pivot
is engaged by the rod 186, and the arm which projects below the pivot is pressed
by a spring 190¹. The bar 260 has a curved cross arm 261, the under surface of
which is convex on the lower surface which engages the crank arms 130', 130³. To
the rods 1283, 128' are attached arms 262, 263, arranged at right angles to the
doors 128¹, 128. The lower ends of these arms are drawn toward each other by a
spring. When the rod 186 is moved forward by the mechanism already described,
the lever 1291 is tilted, bringing the cross arm 261 into contact with the crank
arins 130, 130, thus opening the doors 1281, 128, as indicated in dotted lines in
Figure 36, allowing the letter to drop vertically into the letter box 131.
In the modification illustrated by Figures 37 and 38, is shown a device for the
prevention of the delivery of the receipt when no letter is deposited in the letter
receptacle. In this case the paper strip 169, shown in Figure 11 is dispensel vith,
and the arm 163 is angled and provided at its free extremity with a pad 264 for
pressing the letter contained in the receptacle 127 against the ink ribbon resting
on the number wheels and on the number plate which designates the number of the
machine, as previously described. A flat spring 265 is attached to the back of the
arm 163 near its fulcrum, and its free angled end projects a short distance beyond
the pad 264.
In the casing 1 is journaled a rock shaft 266, to which is secured an arm 267
projecting obliquely into the opening 1511, and lying in the path of the end of the
spring 265, so that if there is no letter in the receptacle 127, the spring will strike
the arm 267 and rock the shaft 266; but if there is a letter in the receptacle the
spring will be prevented from striking the arm 267.
The rock shaft 266 is prolonged to a point near the chute 1971, when it is
provided with an arm 268 which extends upwardly into the chute 1971. According
to this modification, the chute is provided with a plate 269 pivoted on a centre 270,
below the middle of the die 20. This pivoted plate forms a part of the chute, and
will normally rest in the position shown by the full lines in Figure 38, so that the
receipt cut om of the paper strip passing over the die 20, will be delivered to the
front or outer portion of the chute, where it will be accessible to the party
depositing the letter in the letter box. If however, the shaft 266 is rocked in
consequence of the spring 265 striking the arm 267, the arm 268 (which is carried
by the shaft 266) engages a pin 271 projecting from the edge of the plate 269, and
swings the plate on its pivot, so that it takes the position shown in broken lines in
Figure 38, and the catch 272 engages a shoulder 273 on the edge of the concave
plate 27+. Under these conditions, the receipt instead of falling into the chute 197'
where it can be reached, is delivered to an internal receptacle 275, from which it
can be removed only by the person having access to the interior of the casing 1.
The plate 269 remains in the position last described until the machine is agin
operated.
To the shaft 8 is secured an arm 276, which extends downwardly into the
casing 1, and carries at its free end a stud 277, which presses against the plate 269
below its pivot immediately after the disengagement of the catch 272 from the
shoulder 273, by the end of the arm 276 (as indicated in broken lines in Figure 38)
when the shaft 8 is rocked in the operation of opening the covers 5 and 6. The
forward movement of the arm 276 returns the plate 269 to its normal position.
The opening by which the letters are removed may be adapted to receive a mail
pouch, so that the letter gatherer can take up the letters without handling them.
The date wheels are to be set daily by a person having the inspection of the
machines on band, or by some one at the hotel or other place of business at which
the machine is located.
It will thus be seen that the apparatus cannot be opened until a coin of the
proper weight is inserted in the coin slot, also that the several operations must
occur in their regular order on account of the locking and checking devices. It
will also be understood that a record is preserved when a receipt is taken without
depositing the letter in the letter receptacle, and further, a duplicate receipt is

page_text: preserved in the machine in such form that it can be removed from the machine as
a book. This is accomplished by passing a wire through the upper slot 41 of the
reel 34, and then tying it so that it will embrace all of the layers of paper, then
cutting at the bottom the paper wound on the reel, and finally slipping the book
out and attaching the paper to the reel for a new series of records. It will be seen
that the perforated strip 15 from which the receipt is punched contains perforations
equal in number to the number of receipts delivered, therefore the perforated strip
forms a permanent record of the number of receipts delivered, and is a check on the
recording mechanism.
Although my apparatus is especially adapted to the registering of letters and
other mail matter, I do not limit or confine myself to this use, as it may be applied
to analogous uses.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,-
1. In a registering machine, the combination, with a writing and printing
surface, of printing mechanism, a cover and locking device for rendering the
writing and printing surface inaccessible, a coin-operated unlocking device for
releasing the cover, and locking mechanism operatively connected with the
cover, for unlocking the printing mechanism when the cover is open, substantially
as specified.
2. In a registering machine, the combination of a writing table and date and
number-printing mechanism, a paper strip extending over the writing table and
printing types, for receiving a record, a reel for receiving the paper strip,
mechanism for operating the reel, a cover and locking device provided with a
coin-operated releaser for rendering the writing and printing surface inaccessible
except at times when the lock is released by a coin, and locking mechanism
operatively connected with the cover, for locking the printing mechanism when the
cover is open, substantially as specified.
3. In a registering machine, the combination of an apertured table adapted for
receiving a paper strip for writing or printing, date and number wheels having
figured or lettered faces projecting through the table, platens for pressing the
paper down on the date and number wheels, and a double lever for operating the
platens simultaneously, substantially as specified.
4. In a registering machine, the combination of a writing table, two paper strips
extending over the table, devices for producing impressions simultaneously on the
two strips of paper, feeding mechanism for carrying the two strips of paper forward,
a cutter punch for cutting the impressed portion of one strip out of the strip,
leaving the strip perforated but continuous, and means for storing the strips,
substantially as specified.
5. In a registering machine, the combination with the book-forming reel
provided with paper-holding arms having slotted ends, of the movable knife for
cutting the paper on the reel, substantially as specified.
6. In a registering machine, the combination with the letter box, of a weighing
scale provided with a narrow, deep letter receptacle having parallel sides and
furnished with a hinged bottom constructed to discharge the weighed letter into
the letter box, substantially as specified.
7. The combination, with the beam of the letter-weighing scale, of a rolling
weight, and a yielding adjusting arm for moving the weight along the scale beam,
substantially as spec.fied.
8. The combination of a scale, a letter receptacle suspended from the shorter
arm of the scale beam, a rolling weight adapted to roll on the scale beam, a wheel
provided with figures for printing, and means for moving the weight and turning
the printing wheel simultaneously, substantially as specified.
9. In a registering machine, the combination, with the scale, and the weight-

page_text: moving and printing wheel turning devices, of a positive stop formed of a cylinder
having deep and shallow grooves, and a dog fitted to the deep grooves and provided
with teeth for entering the shallow grooves for stopping and holding the printing
wheel as the scale beam drops, substantially as specified.
10. In a registering machine, the combination, with the scale provided with a
letter receptacle, of printing mechanism constructed to print on the letter while it
is in the letter receptacle, substantially as specified.
11. In a registering machine, the combination, with the letter-receptacle and
receipt-delivering chute, of mechanism for preventing the delivery of the receipt
in the absence of a letter in the letter receptacle, substantially as specified.
12. In a registering machine, the combination with the registering and weighing
mechanism, of two sets of numbering wheels, and mechanism for setting both
sets simultaneously, one set being constructed for printing on the record
strip and receipt, the other set being for printing upon the letter, substantially
as specified.
13. In a registering machine, the combination, with the covers of the writing
table, letter receptacle and shaft carrying the covers, of the cam carried by the
cover shaft, an operating lever, and locking mechanism operated by the cam on the
cover shaft, whereby the operating mechanism is locked while the covers are open,
substantially as specified.
14. In a registering machine, the combination with the operating shaft, of a
check comprising two fixed ratchet bars oppositely arranged with respect to each
other, and an arm carried by the shaft and provided with pawls for engaging the
ratchet bars, and tripping devices for shifting the pawls, for compelling the
complete movement of the operating shaft in either direction, substantially as
specified.
15. The combination with the operating shaft, of a signal for indicating the
complete movement of the shaft in either direction, substantially as specified.
16. In a registering machine, the combination, with the coin chute and record
strip, of a spring-pressed coin chute-closing lever resting on and controlled by the
record strip, substantially as specified.
17. In a registering machine, the combination, with the slotted coin-receiving
pan, of a sliding coin discharging rod provided with a fork for forcing the coin
out of the pan and delivering it to the coin receptacle, substantially as specified.
18. The combination, with the coin-discharging fork, of a trip lever carried by
the locking bar of the operating shaft, and adapted to move forward and release
the fork-carrying rod, substantially as specified.
19. In a registering machine, the combination, with a movable letter receptacle
having apertured sides, of printing mechanism provided with number wheels, and a
yielding platen constructed to print consecutive numbers on packages of different
thicknesses contained in the receptacle, substantially as specified.
20. The combination, with the devices for printing on a letter, of a surface for
receiving the impressions of the number wheels in the absence of a letter,
substantially as specified.
21. The combination, with a letter box and weighing scales connected with the
box, of a letter receptacle having vertical parallel sides and ends supported by the
weighing scales and having a hinged bottom, and mechanism for opening the said
hinged bottom, substantially as specified.
22. The combination with letter-weighing scales, of a letter receptacle suspended
from the scale beam and having a cover and locking device for the same, a hinged
bottom for retaining the letter temporarily, printing mechanism for printing on the
letter, and mechanism for opening the hinged bottom and discharging the contents
of the letter receptacle after printing, substantially as specified.
23. The combination in a registering machine, of letter-numbering mechanism,
printing mechanism for recording the numbers of the letters, a paper strip for
. receiving the record of the numbers of the letters, mechanism for moving the paper

page_text: strip forward with a step-by-step motion, au automatic storage reel for receiving
the paper strip after it is printed, and mechanism for operating the automatic reel,
substantially as specified.
24. The combination, with the paper record strip, of a take-up for maintaining
the strip under tension and winding it on a storage reel, substantially as
specified.
25. The combination, with the suspended letter receptacle and letter-numbering
mechanism, of a yielding platen for adapting the mechanism to letters and packages
of different thicknesses, substantially as specified.
26. In a registering machine, the combination of the scale having an adjustable
weight, a spirally grooved cylinder provided with straight longitudinal grooves, a
dog movable with the scale weight and adapted to engage the spiral or straight
grooves of the cylinder, and figure wheels connected with the cylinder, substantially
as specified.
27. The combination, with a reel having a transversely grooved extension arm
for receiving the record strip, of a movable knife constructed to project into and
slide through the grooves of the arms, and a knife-carrying guide, substantially as
specified.
28. The combination with the number wheels, of a spirally grooved cylinder
provided with a straight longitudinal groove connecting the ends of the spiral
groove, an actuating slide provided with a stud projecting into the spiral groove,
and latches for compelling the stud to pass from the spiral groove to the
longitudinal groove at one end of the cylinder, and compelling the stud to pass
from the longitudinal groove to the spiral groove at the opposite end of the
cylinder, substantially as specified.
29. In a registering machine, the combination with the record-forming devices,
of an enclosed cutter and die for cutting the receipt from the record strip, leaving
the strip perforated but continuous, mechanism for carrying the strip between the
cutter and die with a step-by-step motion, and a chute for receiving and holding
the receipt, substantially as specified.
30. In a registering machine, the combination, with the operating shaft, of an
arm carrying a double pawl, a double acting spring for compelling the throw of the
pawl in either directior, and a curved ratchet bar provided with two sets of ratchet
teeth oppositely arranged with respect to each other and furnished with two pawl-
tripping fingers, substantially as specified.
31. The combination, with the operating shaft, of an arm carried by the shaft,
pawl and ratchet mechanism, two spring bell hammers provided with dogs for
engagement with the arm after the arm has completed its stroke in either of the
two directions in which it moves, and a bell placed between the hammers, for
giving notice of the completion of the stroke of the operating shaft in either
direction, substantially as specified.
32. The combination, with the operating shaft of the registering mechanism, of
an air check cylinder for preventing rapid oscillations of the shaft, substantially as
specified.
Dated this 30th day of Jul 1895
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.