Patent GB-190525399-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to Printing Machines.
Inventor: BLAISDELL FREDERICK ELIJAH
Filed: 1905-12-06
Granted: 1906-12-06
Abstract: 25,399. Blaisdell, F. E. Dec. 5. Delivery apparatus; feeding sheets. -Delivery apparatus is arranged to deliver the sheets in one or several piles, and may also separate and deliver a set-off sheet with each printed sheet. In the machine shown in side elevation in Fig. 1, the sheets are delivered, printed side up, from the impression cylinder a on to tapes b<1>, b<2>, from which they are taken by a carrier reciprocating in guides in jointed cantilevers g, h, one at each side of the machine, and delivered in a series of piles on to tables or shelves j<1>, j<2>, j<3>, j<4> secured to and projecting from the frame j. The inner arms g of the cantilever are pivoted at c<1>, one on each side of the machine, and are rocked by segments g<1> &c. so as to raise the outer arms h successively into various positions for delivering the sheets on to the different tables j<1>, j<2>, &c. The segments g<1> are attached to the arms g and are moved by chains g<2> carrying balance weights g<4> and gearing with wheels o<2> on a shaft o<1>, rotated alternately in opposite directions by a pinion o and a rack-bar n, connected to a lever m rocked by a cam k driven by the gears f<1>, f <2>; f<3>, f<4>, the first of which is on a driven cross shaft. The cam k is so formed with inclines and dwells as to move the arms from one table to another and hold them stationary at the different tables while a sheet is delivered thereon. In the cantilever are guides for the sheet carrier, which comprises a series of cross-spindles p<2> (see also Fig. 3), having on their ends rollers running in the guides and connected by chains of links p<3>. The carrier is reciprocated in the guides by pairs of chains connecting its opposite ends to pulleys p on a transverse shaft, actuated by chains passing round the pulleys d<3>, d<2>, d', the last of which are on a shaft driven alternately in opposite directions by a pinion gearing with a segment c, operated by a rackbar e<1> connected to a crank-pin f on the wheel f<1>. On the carrier are arranged transversely adjustable suckers for engaging the margins of the sheets to be delivered. A transverse section of one of these suckers q is shown in Fig. 5, and a longitudinal section in Fig. 3, the suction openings q<5> being on its underside and connected with a longitudinal passage q<2>, connected by transverse passages q<3> with a passage q<1> connected to the. vacuum device by means of transverse telescopic tubes which permit of the transverse adjustment of the suckers. The tubes are connected with, and disconnected from, the vacuum apparatus by a valve. The sheets are retained at the delivery boards by devices which take hold of them and hold them while the carrier returns towards the cylinder a. As shown, these comprise suckers s<o> adjustable transversely over each delivery table. Telescopic tube connexions with the vacuum apparatus permit of the transverse adjustment of the suckers, a valve s<4> being provided, operated by the carrier, for opening the passage to the vacuum. Instead of delivering the sheets successively on separate piles, a set-off sheet may be delivered with each sheet. In this case, the rod n may be connected to a fixed point, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, rendering the arms g, h stationary, or a single delivery table may be provided as shown in Fig. 3. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, the pile of set-off sheets t is arranged over the arms g, the sheets being picked up singly and presented to suckers u, Fig. 5, on the carrier. The openings in the suckers u are upwards, and the sheet is separated from the printed sheet while on the carrier. The sheetseparating device comprises suction nozzles v on a transverse tube v<2>, guided in slotted levers v' on a shaft v<5>, oscillated by a rod v<9> &c. so as to move the nozzles to and from the pile and the carrier. The tube v<2> is connected with a tube v<3>, connected by flexible tubes, through a suitably-operated valve, with the vacuum apparatus. The tubes v<2>, v<3> are guided in their movements by rods v<6> on a shaft controlled by an arm v<12> engaging a cam on the shaft v<5>. The lever v<4> is connected with its shaft v<5> by a helical spring which tends to force the nozzles into yielding contact with the sheets. To prevent the lifting of more than one sheet, a set of weighted detaining-fingers, having inclined upper ends or claws projecting over the front edge of the pile, is arranged to slide in guides at the front of the pile.