Patent GB-189813922-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Printing Plates, and Machines for Making them.
Inventor: DUNCAN JOSEPH SMITH
Filed: 1898-06-23
Granted: 1898-09-17
Abstract: 13,922. Duncan, J. S. June 23. Type-writers and l i k e. machines.- Zinc, copper, or o t h e r printing- plates h a v e the printing- characters punched upon them by means of a machine shown in vertical section in Fig. 5; the plates are particularly intended for use in addressing-machines, for printing circulars, catalogues, or the like, or for use as stereotype and electrotype matrices, but the machine may also be employed for making slugs, linotype bars, or other printing-forms. Two series of dies and counterparts 6, 9 are mounted to slide within a holder 1, provided with an upper head 4 and lower head 7 ; the two series of dies and counterparts are adapted to impress large and small characters, and they are normally held apart by a double series of pivoted levers 13, which are connected by a spring 14. In order to ensure the action of the levers 13, so as to disengage the dies and counterparts after every punching operation, a mechanism is provided comprising verticallymovable plates 15, 16, which are arranged to strike the outer ends of levers 13, and are connected by levers 18, 18<1> to crossheads 19, 20. The dies and counterparts are operated by means of the crossheads 19, 20, which are respectively connected to the short and long links 24, 23 of a toggle-lever actuated by a rod 27 and cam 25. The holder 1 is carried by horizontally-movable bars mounted on the framing 3 ; these bars can be actuated, so as to throw either set of dies and counterparts into operative positions, by means of a hand-lever connected indirectly to a lever fixed to the shaft 45, and engaging with the bars. A plate 52 is arranged to slide upon the crosshead 19, and carries adjustable pins 53 ; this plate is connected by means of the link 55 to the shaft 45, and is suitably adjusted when the holder 1 is moved. The blows are given to the dies by means of punch stocks 59, 60, Fig. 11, carried by brackets 57, 58, forming part of a carriage 56, adapted to be traversed along the machine framing by means of a hand-lever 65, and provided with locking- levers actuated by key levers described below. Antifriction rollers 61, 62 are mounted upon the brackets and travel along the holder 1. A feed frame 66 is fitted upon the carriage 56, and is arranged to be fed along the carriage, one space at a time, so as to space the letters or characters at their proper intervals. In front of the machine are key levers 72, with keys bearing the letters &c. corresponding to the punches with which they are severally connected; whenever a key lever is depressed, as shown in Fig. 5, it is locked by a rocking bar 74 which acts automatically. After a key lever has been depressed, and the carriage is moved along into its proper position, the mechanism driving the toggle-levers 23, 24 is thrown into action by means of a clutch of special form mounted on the shaft 26, and operated automatically by mechanism connected to a rocking shaft 40. After an impression has been made, the feed-frame 66 is moved forwards by means of a rack bar 89, with which engages a feed-dog mounted upon a rocking shaft 95, Fig. 11 ; the feed-frame is locked in position by a lever pivoted upon the carriage 56 ; the frame 66 may also be moved forwards by means of a hand-lever 100, by which the shaft 95 can be rocked. The zinc, copper, or other sheets to be stamped are secured to a plate frame fitted adjustably to the feedframe, and they are formed with T-shaped projections and suitable recesses such that a number of plates can be hinged together so as to form a flexible band.