Patent GB-190404382-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Printing Addresses, and for other analogous purposes.
Filed: 1904-02-22
Granted: 1904-04-21
Abstract: 4382. Addressograph, Ltd., [Addressograph Co.]. Feb. 22. Addressing-machines; platen presses.-Relates to machines for printing series of addresses or other matter, from a series of printing-surfaces. The printing-surfaces, Fig. 29, are provided with index cards, and may be arranged in a tray in accordance with, and forming part of, a cardindex system. This tray 20, Fig. 5, receives the printing-surfaces after they have been printed from, and by its aid they may be placed in the magazine 4 to be again printed from. The magazine 4 is provided with lugs 7 by which it is pivoted at 6 on the bed frame 2. The stack of printing-surfaces or holders 5 is held in the magazine by the hinged front 10, and the edges of the holders are engaged by vertical ribs 11 on the magazine, between which is a space to receive the index tongues M of the holders. The bottom one rests on the projections 8, and on the rear end of the bed 9 over which they are fed for inking and printing from. The bottom printing- surfaces are fed forward from the stack, and in a series of steps, along the bed, by means of a series of pivoted pawls 44, and a pair of hooks 26 on the side bars of a reciprocating carrier 21, Fig. 6, arranged under the bed. Rollers 25 on the rear end of the carrier run under, and support, the stack of printing-surfaces 5 above the hooks 26, while the hooks engage and feed off the bottom carrier one step forward from the magazine. The front ends of the pawls 44 are held raised by gravity, and springs 45 may also be provided. The carrier runs on rollers 23, 24, and is reciprocated by a connection from a foot-lever rocked by the operator. The foot lever is connected by a rod to a shaft 32 carried by arms on a shaft 35, and this shaft 32 is pulled by a spring to move the carrier forward after it has been moved to the rear by the operation of the foot-lever. On the shaft 35 is an arm 37 carrying a roller 137 engaging a cam arm 38 pivoted at 49 and connected by a link 40 to the lugs 41 of the carrier. The arm 38 is held in engagement with the roller 137 by a spring 39. The printing-surfaces are inked twice, during intervals of rest on the bed, by pads 50 on a carrier 53 pivoted on arms of rock-shafts 51. The shafts 51 are rocked to move the pads to and from the supply-pads 52 and the bed, by links connecting arms thereon to arms on the shaft 35. The envelope &c. to be printed is supported by a pivoted plate 55 having an opening 57 through which the envelope &c. is pressed on to the printing-surface by means of the platen. A sliding pad 58 is carried by a rod 59 on the underside of the plate 55, and is arranged to engage the forme which is in printing position and to distribute the ink evenly upon it, but may also be used as an additional inking-pad. The plate 55 is rocked to raise and lower its front end and the pad 38 by means of rocking arms 62 having curved upper ends or heels 63 engaging rollers 65 on the plate. The arms 62 are on the shaft 49 and are operated from the shaft 35. The pad 58 is moved backwards and forwards by means of an arm 69 rocked by a lever on the shaft 35 in a manner similar to that in which the arm 38 is operated by the arm 37. A supplemental plate 77 pivoted at 78 forms a continuation of the plate 55 and is recessed for the fingers of the operator when feeding the envelopes. A spring holds the plate 77 down in the operative position shown, or raised on its pivot 78 so as to permit of the removal of a printing-surface. The platen is carried by an arm pivoted on the framing, and is operated to make the impressions by links 87 connected to .arms 86 on a shaft 85 rocked by a rod connected to the foot-lever. A means is provided by which a complete movement of the foot lever, in either direction, is ensured. This consists of an arm or dog pivoted on the upper end of the lever and in line with it, and held in normal central position by a -spring. The upper end of this dog is bevelled in opposite directions, and moves under a fixed plate, the spring permitting it to yield in either direction. When the dog moves completely across and off the plate, the foot-lever may be returned freely, but if its return is attempted before its end is moved off the plate, it jams and binds against the plate, preventing the movement of the lever except in the original direction. The tray 20 for receiving the printing-surfaces is placed on a pivoted support 92 held in an inclined position by a pivoted arm 93, 94 engaging the cross-bar 99. In the tray is a follower 96 which supports the printing-surfaces on edge. This follower is held up to the receiving end of the tray, while the latter is being placed in position, by an arm 98 pivoted on an arch 97 fixed on the holder 92, and as the end of the tray is raised into position the arm 98 is moved from engagement with the follower by a stop on the framing. The printing-surfaces are moved along the tray as they drop into it, by a packer. 105 rocked by a rod 107 connecting it to one of the arms 62. Guide flanges and friction devices engage the edges of the printing-surface) as they move along the bed 9, and these operate to support the one which is being discharged, after printing from, in horizontal position until its forward end engages the heel 205 of the packer 105, whereupon it is caused to slide down the incline 48 into the tray 20. A means for dating the impressions may be provided, consisting of a printing-forme carried by a bracket clamped on the cross-rod 3, so that it may be placed in or out of operative position. In order that two or more impressions may be taken from each forme, a rotary cam device or governor is provided, moved by a connection from one of the arms 62, and operating a stop arm by which the rearward movement of the carrier may be prevented except at every second operation of the foot-lever. The governor may be adjusted by hand for printing an indefinite number of impressions from each forme. The machine is applicable for printing addresses and other matter on envelopes, bills, &c.