US845865A - Coin-freed apparatus for registering letters and the like. - Google Patents

Description

LAJA. AA A'sAiJA AA; g

PATENTBD' MAR. 5, 1907.

APO-D RA; A. BUKY. 00m BREED APPARATUS 'FORREGISTBRING LETTERS AND THE- LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1H5 uamus Pxrsns cm, WASHINGTON, b. c.

Alex 845,865. PATBNTED MAR. 5, 1907.

A. FODOR & A. BUKY. COIN FREED APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING LETTERS AND THE LIKE;

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2;, 1905. A

' 4' SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

' aazwvjaaaoii;

THE NORRIS PETERS ca, WASHINGTON, 0. c4

PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

A. FODOR & A. BUKY.

COIN FRBED APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING LETTERS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1905.

4 SHEETSSH-EEI 3.

III II II rnl NORRIS IITIIJ cm, wAsmuarmv, n. c.

PAIENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

I A. FODOR & A. fiKY. 00m FREED APPARATUS FORYREGISTBRING LETTERS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1905- 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

THE NORRIS PETERS cc WASHINGTON, B4 c,

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFTGE.

ANTON FODOR AND AUREL BUKY, OF BUDAPEST, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

COlN-FREED APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING LETTERS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 5, 1907.

Application filed June 24. 1905. Serial No. 266,847-

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, -ANTON F 01303, mechanical engineer, and AUREL BTL'IKY, employee, both in Budapest, subjects of the King of Hungary, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Freed Apparatus for Registering Letters and the Like; and we hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to mailing apparatus designed for use in connection with registered mail, and has for its object the provision of such apparatus designed to receive mail-matter, to stamp the same, and to return to the sender a stamped receipt for the matter deposited.

The invention may be operated in connection with a coin or check controlled or other controlling device.

The invention consists in the provision of a stamping-receptacle into which the mailing-matter is received and stamping mechan ism and a presser device adapted to operate in connection with said receptacle for stamping the mail.

The invention consists, further, in the provision of a receptacle for blank receipts, together with means for advancing said receipts one at a time to receive stamping mechanism, from which the stamped receipt is delivered to the sender.

Actuating means is provided for the several mechanisms, together with improved devices designed to prevent the operation of certain of said mechanisms except upon compliance with predetermined conditions hereinafter set forth.

The invention will be more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings and will be more particularly pointed out and ascertained in and by the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan, view of the device of our invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Figs. 41 and 5 are sectional views on line E F of Fig. 1, showing the parts in normal or rest and stamping positions. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8 8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig.

10 is a detail View of one of the parts shown casing 2 of the apparatus, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, and is manually operated by means of a crank 11. The shaft 12 is adapted to perform its function-namely, to effect the stamping of a package, the printing and delivery of a receipt, and other operations auxiliarythereto -in one complete revolution, and in order to lock the cam-shaft in its initial or starting position and toprevent movement of the same prior to compliance on the part of the operator with certain prescribed conditions, such as the payment or deposit of a coin, and to further prevent its movement beyond a single revolution the following device is provided:

A locking-disk 13, rigidly secured to the shaft 12, is provided with a locking-slot 141. A locking-plunger 15, reciprocally mounted in a stationary casing 16, is adapted to be projected into said slot 14: to lock the shaft 12, as clearly shown in Fig. 9. Said plunger 15 is provided with a head 17, between which and the inner end of the casing 16 is interposed a spring 1.8, tending to normally thrust the plunger 15 into an unlocking position. Said plunger 15 is held normally in a locking position and is released therefrom by coin or other controlled apparatus consisting of the following parts: 9 designates a locking-lever pivoted at 8 and provided with a locking-pin 19, adapted to project through the casin 16 and engage a locking-recess 20 in the p unger-head 17. Said lever 9 is held normally in a locking position by a spring 10, the tension of which may be varied by an adjusting device 10. The lower end of the lockinglever 9 is engaged by a coin-lever 7, pivoted at 7 and provided on its lower end with a coin tray 6. 4 designates a coinchute which delivers to said tray 6. VV hen a coin is inserted in the chute, it strikes the inclin- IOO ing tray 6, and the lever 7 is swung inwardly in a manner to thrust the locking-lever 9 outwardly, and thereby withdraw the lockingpin 9 from the recess 20. The spring 18 will now act upon the head 17 and withdraw the plunger 15 from a slot 14, whereupon the shaft 12 may be rotated. 1n order to return or restore the plunger 15 to a locking position at the completion of rotation of said shaft 12 and prevent its further movement, the following device is provided: A lookrestoring member in the form of a cam 23 is provided with a cam-surface 22. The head 17 is provided with an extension 23, which projects through the casing 16 into the path of the cam-surface 22, and the latter is so timed with respect to the locking-disk 1.3 that it will engage the projection 23 and force the plunger 15 into the slot 14 upon the completion of a revolution of the shaft 12.

The means for receiving the mail-matter to be stamped and the devices for controlling ingress and egress to said receiving means will now be described in detail.

24 designates a mail-receptacle in which the mail-matter is received and stamped. In order to prevent the insertion of mail-matter in the receptacle prior to the payment and insertion of a coin in the chute 4, the receiving end of said receptacle 24 is provided with a closure, preferably in the form of a slide 27. The said receptacle is also provided with a closure at its delivery or discharging end in the form of a slide 41, so as to retain the mailing-matter in the receptacle during the stamping operation and to consequently deliver said mailmatter to a suitable receiver, (not shown,) wherefrom it may be collected or delivered to the main oflice. First describing the slide 27, the same, as shown, is mounted in guides 27 a and is connected by a link 28 with an arm 29, which latter is mounted upon a vertically-disposed oscilla tory spindle 30. (Clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 8.) Said spindle 30 is mounted in suitable bearings and is provided near its lower end with a lug 31, adapted to be engaged by spring 32 in a manner to normally open the slide 27. The spindle 30 is acted upon to maintain the slide 27 in a closed position when the main operating-shaft 12 is locked. To this end the extension 23 of the plunger-head 17 is provided with a finger 33, located in engaging proximity to the lug 31, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 8. It will be obvious that as the locking-plunger 15 is thrust into the position shown in Fig. 9, which is in a locking position, that the finger 33 will engage the lug 31 and oscillate the spindle 30 to close the slide 27, and it will be further obvious that when the locking-plunger 1-5 is thrust into an unlocking position the spring 32 will act upon the'lug 31 and maintain the slide 27 in an open position.

Next referring to the slide or closure 41 for controlling the delivery end of the receptacle 24, the same consists of the following operative parts: 34 designates a cam mounted on shaft 12 and adapted to act upon a lever 43, pivotally mounted at 42 upon a standard 44. Said lever is connected with the slide 41 by a link 43 and is held in engagement with the cam 34 by a spring 45. The cam 34 is timed with respect to the locking-disk 13 and is so proportioned that it acts upon the lever 43 and withdraws the slide 41 near the completion of rotation of said shaft 12, and upon completion of rotation of said shaft 12 the cam 34 releases said lever and permits return of the slide 41 to a closed position under the action of spring 45.

The devices for stamping the mail after it has been deposited in the receptacle 24, together with means for engaging the mail to hold it in stamping proximity, will now be described in detail.

The walls 26 and 26 of the receptacle 24 are provided with presser and stamp openings and 66, respectively. In order to bring the mail deposited in the receptacle adjacent said openings, a spring 125 is provided, the free end of which is adapted to engage the mail-matter and thrust the same into a stamped position or toward said open ings in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 11. The spring 125 is mounted upon a shaft 127, provided with an arm 127 Said arm is connected with a lever 129, pivoted at 128 and adapted to engage a cam-surface 130, formed on the locking-disk 13. The cam-surface 130 and the lever 129 are respectively timed and located in a manner to rotate the shaft 127 and engage the spring 1.25 with the deposited mail-matter prior to actuation of the presser-plate 55. A presser-plate 55, adapted to normally occupy the position shown in Fig. 4, is mounted upon a presserrod 54 carrying on its outer end a locking-follower 56. Said presser-plate is operated by means of a presser-plunger consisting, as shown, of a cylindrical portion 52, provided with a rearwardly-extending arm 50, operated by a cam 35 through the medium of a lever 47. The outer end of said lever is preferably provided with an antifriction-roller 46, adapted to directly engage said cam, and is pivotally mounted between its ends to arms 49. Said arms 49 are formed integral with a bearing-block 48, in which the presserplunger is guided. A spring 67, secured at its opposite ends to pins 52 and 67, serves to normally retain the presser-plunger in a retracted position and maintain the roller 46 in engagement with the cam 35. The presser-plate 55 and the presser-plunger are loosely connected, for purposes which will hereinafter more fully appear, the rod 54 extending axially through said plunger and bel'lO ing rigidly connected, as hereinbefore stated, to the follower 56. The arm 50 of said plunger is grooved at 53 to permit relative movement of said rod and plunger, and said arm 50 is also recessed at 58, which recess extends from the outer end of the plunger to a point beyond the follower 56 when the parts are in a normal position, as shown in Fig. 4. Said plunger is provided with a locking member- 51, which is flush with the follower 56. A spring 57 is interposed between the presserplate 55 and the part 52 of said plunger and normally retains the follower 56 in engagement with the locking member 51. When mail has been deposited in the receptacle 24, the cam 35, acting through lever 17, acts upon the presser-plunger and presscr-plate as a unit and thrusts the same forwardly into the position shown in Fig. 5, wherein the presser 55 engages the mail-matter and presses the same tightly in engagement with the wall 26 in a stamping position. The extent of movement imparted to the plunger by the cam is sufficient to thrust the presser-plate 55 into or through the opening 66, and in the absence of mail-matter in the receptacle 24 both the presser-plate and the plunger would be reciprocated an equal distance and the locking-follower 56 would be held in engagement with the locking member 51 by spring 57, as shown in Fig. 4. However, when mail-matter has been inserted, as

shown in Fig. 5, movement of the presser-- plate 55, rod 5 1, and follower 56 will be arrested, whereasthe plunger will travel to its extreme inner limit, compressing the spring 57 and-separating the follower 56 from the member 51 of the plunger, as shown in Fig. 5. The object of this construction is to prevent surreptitious operation of the receipt stamping and feeding mechanisms and prevent issuance of a receipt when no mail-matter has been deposited. It will be obvious that in the absence of such preventive means a receipt could be issued to a sender who had previously deposited a coin in the chute without depositing mail, which receipt would permit the fraudulent sender to recover for alleged loss of mail.

The means for preventing operation of the receipt printing and feeding devices will now be described in detail.

59 designates a locking-bar, one end of which is adapted to project through the bearing-block 48 and is provided. with a shoulder 168, adapted to engage the flush faces of the locking-follower 56 and the lock ing member 51 of the presser-plunger. A spring 60, connected. at one end with said locking-bar and at its other end with any suitable stationary part, normally maintains said locking-bar in a position to engage the shoulder 168 with the parts 51 and 56. When no mail-matter has been deposited and the presser-plate and presser-plunger are each reciprocated to the limit of their movement, the locking-bar will be retained in the position as shown in Fig. 6 but when mail-matter has been deposited and the presser-plate 55 is prevented from moving to its extreme inner limit of travel, as shown in Fig. 5, a gap is formed between the follower 56 and the part 51, and the spring 60 retracts the locking-bar, the shoulder 168 passing through the recess 58. The result of this operation of the locking-bar and the manner in which it performs its function in connection with the receipt stamping and feeding devices will now be described in connection with said devices.

As herein shown, the mail and receipt stamping mechanisms are of similar construction and are operated simultaneously by a single cam from the cam-shaft 12. There fore both mechanisms will be described together.

72 designates the mail-stamp, which, as shown, is mounted upon one side of a slide 82, adapted to be reciprocated in ways 82, which slide also carries the receipt-stamp 7 3. The mail-stamp 72 is adapted to register with the opening 66 in the wall 26 of the mailreceptacle in a manner to engage the mail matter 25 when the latter is held in position by the presser-plate 55. The receipt-stamp 73 is adapted to engage the blank receipts 110 as the same are severally thrust into stamping positions by means hereinafter described. The exact construction of the stamp need not be described in detail, as the same forms no p art in the present invention. Said stamp is provided with spindles 84 and 84, which have bearings in upright portion 82 of the guide and are provided with cotter-pins, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, by means of which relative movement of the stamps with respect to the guide 82 is limited in one direction. Sleeves 85 are loosely mounted on said spindles and are centraliy connected with a lever 81, pivoted at 81 Springs 86 and 86 are interposed between said sleeves 85 and the stamps 72 and 73 and are preferably wound about said spindles. WVhen the lever 81 is swung forwardly, said springs serve to compensate for inaccurate adjustments, and the movement of the lever 81 is such that an eflicient printing engagement is effected between the stamp 72 and the mailing-matter and the stamp 73 and the receipts to insure a distinct impression thereon.

The means for operating the lever 81 consists of the following parts: A link 80 connects the lever 81 with a bell-crank arm 77, which is pivotally mounted upon a stand ard. 77 a and is provided with an arm 7 7 Said arm 7 7 carries a cam-lever 62, pivotally mounted at 7 9 and adapted to engage a cam 37, secured to the shaft 12. Said return or &

restoring lever 78, pivotally mounted to the standard 77 is adapted for engagement with a restoring-cam 38, mounted on shaft 12. Said return-lever 78 is provided with a lug 87, adapted to engage the bell-crank arm 77. A spring 83, secured to lever 81 at one end and at its other end to a suitable stationary part, normaly retains the bellcrank 77 and cam-lever 62 in a position shown in Fig. 7, so that the lever 62 will at all times be retained in such vertical position as to enable it to be engaged by the cam 37. Normally the lever 62 is swung laterally out of engaging proximity with the cam 37 in order to. prevent operation of the stamp mechanism except when mail-matter has been deposited, and the bar 59 is for this purpose bifurcated at 61 to engage said lever 62. When said bar 59 is in the position shown in Fig. 6, the lever 62 will be held out of engaging proximity to the cam 37, and when mail-matter has been deposited and the bar 59 is retracted by spring the lever 62 will be swung into engaging proximity with the cam 37. After the cam-37 has effected an impression on the mail-matter and receipt the cam 38, acting through the restoring-lever 78 and the bell-crank 77,re stores the stamp to the position shown in Fig. 7.

The means for severally advancing the blank receipts from the trough 111 into a 'printing position will now be described in detail.

A wall or partition 107 extends from the receptacle 24 across the casing and forms a printing-back for the blank receipts which are advanced to the stamp 73 and also an end wall for a receipt-trough 111. A follower 112 is provided for said trough and automatically advances the blank receipts 110 toward the wall 107 and is to this end provided with cables 112, adapted to carry weights at their lower ends or like means for effecting forward movement of the follower. T he inner wall 1 11 of the trough is cut away at 111 a sufficient distance to permit one of the blank receipts 110 to be shifted laterally from said trough into a stamping position in front of the stamp 73. A shifting or feeding plate 113, desirably of awidth equal to one of the blank receipts, is slidably mounted on the partition 107 and is adapted to endwise engage the foremost receipt-card and shift it laterally in front of the stamp 73. The shifting movement of said plate 113 is effected in the following manner: A lever 115, pivoted at 114, is connected, by means of a link 117, with the plate 113. The outer endl 1 6 of said lever is provided with a cam-engaging lever 63, pivotally secured at 118 in the manner'to permit said lever 63 to swing in a vertical plane, the said pivotal mounting serving to impart movement to the lever 115 when the lever 63 is moved in a horizontal plane. A 65 grooved cam 10, mounted on shaft 12, serves by its engagement with the lever 63 to swing the lever 15 and impart the desired move ment to shifting plate 1 13. As before stated, it is desirable that the receipt-shifting device should be normally disconnected from its cam, for reasons hereinb efore set forth in connection with the device for operating the stamping mechanism. To this end the locking-bar 59 extends rearwardly and beneath the lever 63 and serves to normally support the same in the position shown in fig. 3. Said bar 59 is provided with a cam-surface 64, which serves to raise the lever 63 into engagement with the cam 40 when said bar 59 is retracted. After the operation of stamping the mail, shifting and printing the receipts and other operations have been carried out and when the shaft 12 has substantially completed a revolution it is necessary to re turn the locking-bar 59 to the position shown in 1* ig. 6 in order to again throw the printing and receipt-shifting mechanisms out of operative relation with their respective cams, and to this end the locking-bar 59 is provided with a projection 68, adapted for engagement with a restoring-cam surface 69 on the cam 40. It will be understood that the cams 35 and 10 are so timed that the lockingbar 59 will be restored to the posit-ion shown in Fig. 6 just prior to the engagement of the parts 51 and 56.

After the mail-matter has been stamped and the receipts printed it is necessary to deliver the latter to the sender,.and to this end there is provided a chute 109, located adjacent a slot 108, which is disposed in front of the receipt-stamping mechanism 73 and immediately below the receipts when in their stamping positions. A receipt supporting and releasing slide 106 projects beneath the wall 107 in a manner to cover the slot 108 and form a support for the blank receipts shifted from the trough 111 to printing positions in front of the stamp 73. The slide 106 is connected to a bell-crank lever and prefer ably directly to the ,arm 103 thereof. Said lever is pivoted at 104 and is provided with an arm 102, adapted for engagement with a cam 39 upon the cam-shaft 12. A spring 105 serves to retain the arm 102 in engagement with the cam 39. After the receipt has been printed the cam 39, acting through the bellcrank lever, serves to withdraw the supportingslide 106, so as to permit the printed receipt to descend by gravity into the chute 109, as will be clearly obvious by reference to Fig. 2. The chute 109 extends, as shown in Fig. 1, to a point outside the casing, delivering the receipts to a point accessible to the sender.

It is desirable when the receipts 110 have been exhausted to prevent further operation of the apparatus, and to this end the following mechanism is provided, reference being had to Figs. 1, 2, and 8. A rock-shaft 120 is pivotally mounted upon the partition 107 and extends laterally past the printingreceptacle 24 to the lateral side wall of the boX 2. An arm 121, Figs. 1, 2, and 8, rigidly mounted on the rock-shaft 120, is adapted for engagement with a spring-catch 119, which normally holds said arm 121 in the position shown in Fig; 2. On the opposite end of said rock-shaft 120 there is pivotally mounted a slide-operating arm 122, which is connected with a slide 123. A spring 90, en gaging said lever 122, normally acts to thrust the slide 123 in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 8, to close the coin-slot 4; but said slide 123 is held normally in an open position by the spring-catch 119 engaging said arm 121. The follower 112 is provided with a catch-engaging pin 124, located in a manner to engage the inclined face of the catch 119. When the receipts 110 are exhausted and when the follower 112 advances sufficiently to bring the pin 124 into engagement with the catch 119, the latter is sprung out of engage ment with the lever 121, and the spring 90, acting through arm 122, thrusts the slide 123 forwardly in the direction of the arrow and closes the coin-slot 4, thereby preventing operation of the apparatus.

After each stamping operation it is necessary to supply the stamps 72 and 73 with a suitable printing or stamping fluid, and to this end the following devices are provided: Inking-rollers and 71 are mounted on a slide 76, which operates in ways 89, mounted upon the partition 107. Said inking-rollers, as shown in Fig. 2, are disposed in a manner to engage the printing-surfaces of the stamp 72 and 7 3 when the latter are in retracted positions, the said rollers 70 and 71 being displaced out of engaging proximity with said stamps when the latter are advanced to a stamping position. As shown, said inkingrollers are operated by a lever 75, which is connected with said slide 76 and is adapted to be engaged and operated by a cam 36. Said lever is pivotally mounted at 7 4, and is held in engagement with the cam 36 by a spring 95.

We claim 1. In combination, a stamping-receptacle for mail matter provided with stamping and presser-plate openings, stamping mechanism for said receptacle, means for operating said mechanism, a presser-plate adapted for holding said maiLmatter in a' stamping position, a rod for said. presser-plate, a locking-follower for said rod, a resser-plunger operatively connected with said rod and follower, said plunger being provided with a locking member adapted to cooperate with said follower, a spring normally retaining said locking member and follower in looking positions, a bearingblock guiding said plunger, a spring normally holding said plunger in a retracted position, a cam-shaft, a plungencam therefor operatively connected with said plunger, and a locking-bar adapted to be locked and released by said locking member and follower, said means being controlled by said lockingbar and held in an inoperative position when said bar is locked and restored to an operative position when said bar is released.

2. In combination, a stamping-receptacle for mail-matter provided with stamping and presser-plate openings, stamping mechanism for said receptacle, means for operating said mechanism, receipt-feeding mechanism, means for operating said feeding mechanism, a presser-plate for holding said mail-matter in a stamping position, a rod for said presserplate, a locking-follower for said rod, a presser-plunger operatively connected with said rod and follower, said plunger being provided with a locking member adapted to cooperate with said follower, a spring normally retaining said locking member and follower in looking positions, a bearing-block guiding said plunger, a spring normally holding said plunger in a retracted position, a cam-shaft, a plunger-cam therefor operatively connected with said plunger, and a locking-bar adapted to be locked and released by said locking-plunger and follower, both of said operating means being controlled by said locking-bar and held in inoperative positions when said bar is locked and restored to operative positions when said bar is released.

3. In combination, a stamping-receptacle for mail-matter, stamping mechanism for said receptacle, means for operating said mechanism, a presser-plate adapted to hold said mail-matter in a stamping position, a locking-follower for said presser-plate, a presser-plunger operatively connected with said plate, said plunger being provided with. a locking member adapted to cooperate with said follower, a bearing-blockguiding said plunger, a cam-shaft, a plunger-cam therefor operatively connected with said plunger, and a locking-bar adapted to be locked and released by said locking member and follower, said operating means being controlled by said locking-bar and held in an inoperative position when said bar is locked and restored to an operative position when said bar is released.

4. In combination, a stamp-receptacle for mail-matter, stamping mechanism for said receptacle, means for operating said mechanism, receipt-feeding mechanism, means for operating said mechanism, a presserplate adapted to hold said mail-matter in a stamping position, a locking-follower for said presser-plate, a presser-plunger operatively connected with said plate, said plunger being IIO provided with a locking member adapted to cooperate with said follower, a bearingblock guiding said plunger, a cam-shaft, a plunger-cam therefor operatively connected with said plunger, and a locking-bar adapted to be locked and released by said locking member and follower, both of said means being controlled by said locking-bar and held in an inoperative position when said bar is locked and restored to an operative position when said bar is released.

5. In combination, a stamping-receptacle for mail-matter, stamping mechanism for said receptacle, means for operating said mechanism, a presser-plate adapted to hold said mail-matter in a stamping position, a locking-follower for said presser-plate, a presser-plunger operatively connected with said plate, said plunger being provided with a locking member adapted to cooperate with said follower, means for operating said plunger, and a locking-bar adapted to be locked and released by said locking member and follower, said stamp-operating means being controlled by said locking-bar and held in an inoperative position when said bar is locked and restored to an operative position when said bar is released.

6. In combination, a stamping-receptacle for mail-matter, stamping mechanism for said receptacle, means for operating the same, receipt-feeding mechanism, means for operating the same, a presser-plate adapted to hold said mail-matter in a stamping position, a locking-follower for said presser-plate, a presser-plunger operatively connected with said plate, said plunger being provided with a locking member adapted to cooperate with said follower, means for operating said plunger, and a locking-bar adapted to be locked and released by said locking member and follower, both of said stamp and receipt op erating means being controlled by said locking-bar and held in inoperative positions when saidbar is locked and restored to operative positions when said bar is released.

7. In combination, a stamping-receptacle for mail-matter, stamping mechanism for said receptacle, means for operating said mechanism, a presser member for holding said mail-matterin a stamping position, a lockingiollower for said presser member, a presser-plunger operatively connected with said presser member, said presser member being provided with a locking member adapted to cooperate with said follower, and a locking element adapted to be locked and released by sa1d locking member and follower, said means being held in an inoperative position when said element is locked and restored to an operative position when said element is released.

8. In combination, stamping mechanism for mail matter, combined ,;.presser and locking mechanism adapted to hold said mail-matter in stamping positions, a locking element adapted to be locked and released by said locking mechanism, and means for operating said stamping mechanism, said means being held in an inoperative position by said locking element when locked and re stored to an operative position by said element when the same is released.

9. In combination, a receptacle for mailmatter provided with receiving and discharge openings, receiving and discharging closures for said openings, a main operating device adapted to be locked at the completion of each operation, and mechanisms associated with said main operating device and said closures for opening and closing the same during a single operation of said main operating device.

10. In combination, a receptacle for mailmatter provided with a receiving-opening, a closure therefor, an oscillating spindle connected with said closure and provided with a lug, a spring engaging said lug and normally acting through said spindle to open saidclosure, a cam-shaft, arestoring-cam therefor, and locking mechanism for said cam-shaft adapted to operate said spindle and closure.

11. In combination, a receptacle for mailmatter provided with a receiving-opening, a closure therefor, a main operating device, locking mechanism for said main operating device, and means associated with said closure and locking mechanism for closing said receptacle when said main operating device is locked.

12. In combination, a receptacle for mailmatter provided with a receiving-opening, a closure therefor, an oscillating spindle for operating said closure, a main operating-shaft, and locking mechanism therefor cooperating with said spindle to close said receptacle.

13. In combination, a receptacle for mailmatter provided wlth a receiving-opening, a closure for said opening, an oscillating spindle connected with said closure, means engaging said spindle to normally open said closure, a cam-shaft, locking mechanism therefor op eratively related with said spindle, and a cam for said shaft operating said locking mechanism.

14. In combination, a main operating camshaft, a slotted locking-disk therefor, a locking-plunger adapted to enter said slot and. lock said disk, a spring normally holding said plunger in an unlocking position, means hold.- ing said plunger in a locking position, and a cam for said shaft operatively related with said plunger to restore the same from an unlocking to a locking position.

1 5. In combination, a main operating camshaft, a locking element therefor, locking mechanism adapted to cooperate with said element, yieldinglyacting means for normally holding said mechanism in an unlocking position, means for holding said. mechanism in a locked position, and means associated with said shaft for restoring said mechanism from an unlocking to a locking position.

16. In combination, a stamping-receptacle for mail-matter, a spring adapted to thrust said matter into a stamplng position, a rockshaft for said spring, a main operating camshaft, a cam for said shaft, and levers connected with said rocleshaft and adapted to be operated by said cam.

17. In combination, a stamping-receptacle for mail-matter, a spring adapted to thrust said mail-matter into a stamping position, a main operating device, and means associating said spring with said main operating device whereby said spring is engaged with and withdrawn from said mail-matter.

18. In combination, stamping mechanism, a main operating cam-shaft, a cam for said shaft, a bell-crank lever operated by said cam and connected with said stamping mechanism to operate the same in one direction, a restoring-cam for said shaft, and a restoringlever operated by said restoringcam and cooperating with said bell-crank lever to operate said stamping mechanism in a reverse direction.

19. In combination, a slidably-mounted stamping mechanism, a bell-crank lever connected therewith and provided with a movable cam-lever, a earn-shaft provided with a cam adapted to engage said cam-lever and move said stamping mechanism into a stamping position, means engaging said camlever and serving to normally hold the same in an inoperative position and serving upon compliance with predetermined conditions to throw the same into an operative position.

20. In combination, a slidably-mounted stamping mechanism, a bell-crank lever con-- nected therewith and provided with a movable cam-lever, a cam-shaft provided with a cam adapted to engage said cam-lever and move said stamping mechanism into a stamping position, means engaging said cam-lever and serving to normally hold the same in an inoperative position and serving upon compliance with predetermined conditions to throw the same into an operative position, a second cam for said shaft, and a restoringlever cooperating with said second camand said bell-crank lever.

21. In combination, receipt-stamping mechanism, a trough for the receipts, means for advancing said receipts in said trough, means for feeding said receipts singularly into a stamping position, a main operating device for operating said means, and locking mechanism controlling said means and normally holding the same in an inoperative position and serving upon compliance with predetermined conditions to restore said means to an operative position with respect to said main operating device.

22. In combination, receipt stamping mechanism, a trough for the receipts, means for advancing said receipts in said trough, means for preventing the starting of operation of the machine, a catch holding said means in an inoperative position, said receipt-advancing means serving to cooperate with said catch to throw said means in an operative position to prevent starting of operation of the machine.

23. In combination, a trough for receipts, a follower advancing said receipts to a feeding position, means for preventing the starting of the 'machine, and a catch normally holding said means in an inoperative position, said follower serving to cooperate with said catch to throw said means into an operative position.

24. In combinatlon, receipt-stamping device, a trough for said receipts, a follower for said trough advancing said receipts to a feeding position, a slide engaging said receipts singly and advancing the same to a printing position, means for operating said slide, a main operating device, and locking mechanism normally holding said slide-op erating means in an inoperative position and serving upon compliance with predetermined conditions to restore said means to an operative position with respect to said main operating device.

25. In combination, receipt stamping mechanism, a receipt-trough, means for advancing said receipts in said trough to a feedmg position, a slide advancing said receipts singly to a rinting position, a lever for operating said slide provided with a cam-engaging lever, a cam for operating said lever, and a locking bar normally supporting said cam-engaging lever in an inoperative posi, tion and serving upon compliance with predetermined conditions to restore said lever to an operative position with respect to said cam.

26. In combination, a main operating device, a receptacle for mail adapted to be stamped provided with receiving and discharging openings, closures for said openings connected with said main operating device, yieldingly-acting means for said receptacle advancing the mail-matter to a stamping position, said means being operated by said main operating device, presser mechanism engaging and holding said mail-matter in a stamping position and actuated by said main operating device, a locking device associated with said presser mechanism, a combined mail and receipt stamping mechanism actuated by said main operating device, inking devices for said stamping mechanism operated by said main operating de- ICC vice, and means for advancing receipts to a I In testimony whereof We have hereunto to stamplng position, said means being act-uset our hands 1n the presence of the two subated by said main operating devlce, said scribing Wltnesses.

locking device cooperating with said stain F T ing and receipt-feed-operating means aii ol serving to normally maintain the same inopl J erati've and upon compliance with predeter- Witnesses: mined conditions to render said stamping: JAHN GERGENTRO,

and feeding mechanism operative. LOUIS VANDORY.

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