CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATEN PRINTING PRESSES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Godfrey, of 28, Median Road, Lower Clapton,..
in the County of Middlesex, Machinist, for an Invention of " CERTAIN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Godfrey at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th April 1881.
ALFRED GODFREY, of 28, Median Road, Lower Clapton, in the County of
Middlesex, Machinist. " CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
PLATEN PRINTING PRESSES,"
The Invention relates to certain improvements in the printing press known as
the "platen," and is designed for the purpose of simplifying certain parts of the
construction of such machines, the object of which will make the press more
effective in its action, easier to work, and also enable it to be produced at a cost
much less than hitherto..
The portion of the press known as the "platen" beam as now arranged is
actuated by cranks and connecting rods in such a manner that the angle of fall
given to the platen for the purpose of feeding the sheets to be printed is not
sufficient, and therefore cramps the action of the operator; in order to obviate this
and enable the sheets to be placed in position and taken off with facility, it is
necessary that a greater vibration should be given to the semi-rotating platen, and
it is obvious that an increased throw of crank would do this; but to obtain the
desired result by such a means would create an evil which would more than
counterbalance the advantage gained (viz.), considerably weaken the action of the
platen; the object of the first part of this Invention is to secure the advantage of
an increased throw of the "platen" beam without disturbing the present throw
of crank, and at the same time give the platen an effectiveness of action not
hitherto obtained. In carrying out this part of my Invention I proceed as
follows:-
I construct a second joint or supplementary axis in the arms supporting the
platen-beam at a point between the primary axis and the said beam, and in a line
with the face of the "platen," On the frame of the machine and in the space of

page_text: action covered by the supporting arms I place projecting studs in such a position
that when the platen beam has moved a certain distance those portions of the
supporting arins below their second joints or axis will come into contact with such
projections, and form stops which will prevent the further movement in that
direction of such portion of the supporting arms, at which time the continued
semi-rotation of the platen beam is taken up by the arms projecting from the
second axis, which, being much nearer the centre of motion imparted by the cranks,
causes the platen to open out to a position nearly at right-angles to the face of the
type, which could not possibly take place with the same effectiveness if allowed
to vibrate on one axis only. In order to prevent the platen beam whilst vibrating
rotating on the second axis before its appointed time, I file a flat on each side of
the shaft forming the primery axis, which during the first forward movement of
the platen enters a slot or opening in the supporting arms in which it becomes
locked during the continued action of the platen completing the throw, and is
again relieved as the platen falls back.
In order to give a slight dwell or rest to the platen when open, at the time
when the paper is being placed in position for being printed upon, I provide the
rods transmitting motion to the platen through the medium of the supporting arms
before mentioned with slots, which carry the journals connecting such rods with
the crank pins; these journals at the commencement of each throw of the cranks
are caused to slide in their slots, during which a dwell or rest is given to the
platen for the purpose described.
Secondly. In order to make the "frisket" fingers more perfect in their action,
and also enable them to be depressed on to the platen for adjustment in any
position of the said platen, I cause the bar or axis of such fingers to rotate on the
same axis as the second or supplementary axis of the supporting arms before
mentioned, such fingers or their axis being governed in their movements by
springs, one of which is made to coil round the said axis and then project under a
fixed stud, its projecting end being connected with a spiral spring secured to the
frame of the machine; the action of these two springs on the "frisket" fingers
during the time the platen vibrates is such that the stronger one first removes the
paper from the type, and the weaker one simply brings the "frisket" fingers into
the right position for feeding.
Thirdly. The Invention relates to the inking apparatus, which may be described
as follows:
The platen printing machine usually prints but in one color; but as it is often
desirable to print in several colors at one time I provide such machine or press
with a novel form of inking apparatus, which will enable the press to print in one
or more colors as required. In carrying out this portion of my Invention I remove
the ordinary ink box or "duct" which is used for one color only, and place under
the ordinary "duct" roller a separate and distinct roller and "duct," which is
subdivided into as many divisions as there are colors to be printed; between the
first duct roller and the second or multi color "duct" roller I place a vibrating
distributor; in contact with both rollers I also place a second distributor on the
carriage of the "form" rollers in such a position that it comes into contact with
the top duct roller, and so serves as a feeder and distributor to the ink plate,
and also a reservoir of ink for the "form" rollers, but does not come into contact
with the ink plate and "form" rollers at the same time, as that would be
undesirable. This action of the distributor on the ink plate at the times required
is obtained by causing its carrier wheels to run or ride on guide rails, the surfaces
of which during the traverse of the said wheels over them places such distributor
into or out of contact with the ink plate and form rollers. Instead of composing
the said wheels and the rails upon which they run of metal only, I prefer to
compose them of metal and wood, so arranged in alternate layers that whilst their
frictional contact is improved so as to prevent dragging their durability is
considerably increased.
When printing in several colors at the same time it is necessary that the ink

page_text: plate should remain stationery; but when printing in one color only it is necessary
that such plate should rotate in order more effectually to distribute the ink which
is usual. But in lieu of making such plate rotate in the ordinary manner by ratchet
and pawl I simplify the motion as follows:--I make the ink duct adjustable to
any angle with the axis of the ink plate, and the distributor I compose of some
elastic material, such as india rubber or "form" roller composition. The "duct"
roller being in frictional contact with the ink plate causes such plate during the
time the duct roller is rotating intermittantly to revolve, and so effect thorough
distribution of the ink through the simple action of the duct roller without
separate driving mechanism as is usual.
Lastly. In lieu of fixing the bottom blanket stretcher by means of a swivel'
clamp, which allows the blanket when the machine is in use to drag and get loose,
I retain such blanket firmly in position by the novel use of a screw clamp, the
action of which readily allows the blanket to be removed or adjusted; but when
once fixed and clamped in position such blanket becomes a fixture impossible to
remove so long as the jaw of the clamp retains it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alfred Godfrey in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th October
1881.
ALFRED GODFREY, of 28, Median Road, Lower Clapton, in the County of
Middlesex, Machinist. "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
'PLATEN PRINTING PRESSES."
"
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the printing press known as
the "platen," and is designed for the purpose of simplifying certain parts of the
construction of such machines, the object of which will make the "platen
printing press more effective in its action, easier to work, produce prints in
colors, and also enable the machine to be manufactured at a cost much less than
hitherto.
First. The Invention relates to an improved arrangement of mechanism in
connection with the "platen," the object of which is to increase the throw of the
said platen for the purpose of feeding and taking off without altering the present
throw of the crank.
Second. Improved spring arrangement in connection with the "frisket" fingers,
which will allow them greater freedom of action and enable them to be lowered on
to the platen for the purpose of adjustment.
Third. Improvements in connection with the inking apparatus, whereby several
colors can be printed at one and the same time.
Fourth. Improvements in the method of driving the circular ink plate by means
of the "duct "roller when printing in black or in one color only, and

page_text: Lastly. Improved arrangement of securing the blanket to the face of the platen
which will firmly retain it in position, and also allow of its ready adjustment.
In order that the Invention may be readily understood and explained in detail,
I have hereunto annexed a Sheet of Drawings, upon which letters of reference are
marked on corresponding parts on all the Figures alike.
marked on corresponding parts on all the Figures alike.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a large size platen printing press, having
the various improvements applied thereto, viz., for extending the throw of the
"platen," for color printing, and for clamping the blanket to the face of the
platen.
Figs. 2 and 3 represent respectively a transverse section and a back elevation
of the color printing apparatus; and
"
Fig. 4 represents the side elevation of the upper portion of a small size "platen
printing press, in which the improvements in connection with the circular ink
plate and frisket fingers are shewn.
In these Figs, a is the framing of the machine; b, the "platen;" C, the vibrating
arm actuating the inking rollers C¹; d, the arm connecting the crank d¹ with the
"platen;" and e, the frisket fingers, which take the printed paper from the type,
all being old and well known parts of a platen printing press.
"
First. The portion of the press known as the platen beam as now arranged
is actuated by crank and connecting rod in such a manner that the angle of fall
given to the platen for the purpose of feeding the sheets to be printed is not
sufficient and therefore cramps the action of the operator when feeding and taking
off the sheets of paper. In order to obviate this difficulty it is necessary to give a
greater throw or semi-vibration to the platen beam, and it is obvious than an
increased throw of crank would do this, but to obtain the desired result by such
means would create a greater evil (viz.), considerably weaken the action of the
platen. The object of the first part of this Invention is to secure the advantage of
an increased throw of the platen beam without disturbing the present throw of the
crank, and at the same time give the platen beam an effectiveness of action not
hitherto obtained. The improvements under the first head will be understood on
reference to Fig. 1 of the Drawings, and following lettered description of same.
A second joint or supplementary axis f is constructed in the arm g supporting
the platen beam b at a point between the primary axis h and the said beam, and
in a line with the face of the platen; and in order to prevent the planten whilst
vibrating moving on the supplementary axis f before its appointed time, I cause
the primary axis h to project so as to form a fixed stud, which, during the first
forward movement of the platen b towards the type, enters the slot or opening i in
the projecting portion of the arm g, simultaneously with which the arm or lever h¹
vibrating on the primary axis h comes in to contact with the buffer stop o secured
to the framing, and thus locks the axis f so as to complete the throw or closing in
of the platen upon the type, the said axis f being again relieved with the reverse
movement of the platten b, which when falling back is supported by the arm g
projecting from the supplementary axis f, which being much nearer the centre of
motion imparted by the crank d causes the platen 6 to open out to a position
nearly at right angles to the face of the type, which could not take place with the
same effectiveness if allowed to vibrate on one axis only.
Secondly. The improvement in connection with the frisket fingers is designed
to make their action more perfect, and enable them to be depressed on to the
platen for adjustment in whatever portion of the throw the platen may be; this
portion of the improvement will be seen at Fig. 4. The frisket fingers c are
supported by and project from the axis h upon which the platen beam vibrates;
but in the larger machine, shewn at Fig. 1, I cause such fingers to be supported by
and project from the supplementary axis f. I connect with the axis supporting
the frisket finger e a flat spring e', which after passing under the single stud k is

page_text: connected with the spiral spring e² secured to the frame at l. The action of the
combined springs e¹ and e² on the frisket fingers e during the time the platen
beam b vibrates is such that the stronger flat spring e¹ first removes the paper
from the type, and the weaker spring e² simply brings the frisket fingers into the
right position for feeding the paper, the combined springs allow the said fingers to
be forced back against the platen when full open, and at the greatest distance from
the surface of the type.
Thirdly. The improvements relate to a novel arrangement of inking apparatus
which will enable the platen printing press to print in one or more colors at the
same time; the novel construction of parts condusive to this result will be under-
stood on reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The platen printing machine usually prints
but in one color; and as it is often desirable to print in several colors at one time, I
provide such machine or press with a novel form of inking apparatus, which will
enable the press to print in one or more colors. In carrying out this portion of
my Invention I first remove the ordinary ink box or duct which is used for one
color only, and place under the ordinary duct roller m a separate and distinct
roller m², which forms an intermediate roller between the duct roller proper and a
second duct roller or rollers m² supported in the ink boxes or troughs n. The ink
trough and intermediate roller m' are divided into as many divisions as there are
colors to be printed. Against the ordinary duct roller m I place a distributing
roller o,
and also upon the carriage of the forme roller I place a second distributor
in such a position that it comes in contact with the top duct roller, and so serves
as a feeder and distributor to the ink plate, and also a reservoir of ink for the
forme rollers; this distributor does not come into contact with the ink plate
and forme rollers at the same time, as that would not be desirable, and in order
to make the distributor come into contact with the ink plate at the time required,
I mount such distributor on carrier wheels p, which run or ride on the runner
rails p', the surface or path of which are so shaped that during the traverse of the
said wheels over them they raise and lower the distributor rollers into and out of
contact with the ink plate and forme rollers at times suitable for the perfect
inking of the type and distribution of the ink on the inking plate; and in order
to make the runner rails p² durable and improve their frictional surfaces so as to
prevent dragging, I compose such rails of wood laid end ways to the grain, or of
metal and wood arranged in alternate layers.
Fourthly. The improvements relate to a novel arrangement of parts in connection
with the distribution and driving of the circular ink plate on platen printing
presses using one color only. This portion of my Invention is shewn at Fig. 4.
When printing in several colors at the same time it is necessary that the inking
plate should remain stationery, as described in connection with Fig. 1; but when
printing in one color only it is necessary that such plate should revolve in order more
effectually to distribute the ink, which is usual, but in lieu of making such plate
rotate in the ordinary manner by ratchet and pawl, I simplify the motion as
follows: The duct roller q and ink trough q¹ I support on the bracket r in such a
manner that the duct roller q is allowed to bear upon the circular ink plate 8 at any
angle to the axis upon which such ink plate revolves; the ink distributing roller I
compose of elastic material or forme roller composition; the duct roller q is driven
by the tappet, bell crank lever, and ratchet t, and as such roller bears upon the
ink plate 8, it not only feeds such plate with ink, but at the same time gives an
intermittant revolution thereto which uniformly distributes the ink over its surface
with each traverse of the forme rollers; thus the feeding of ink to and driving of
the ink plate is effected through the simple action of the duct roller without
separate driving mechanism, as is usual.
Lastly. The improvements relate to the fixing of the blanket upon the platen b,
the novel arrangement of which is shewn at Fig. 1 of the Drawings. In lieu of
fixing the bottom blanket stretcher by means of swivel clamps, as is usual, and
which allows the blanket when the machine is in use to drag and get loose, I retain
such blanket firmly in position by the novel use and application to the platen of

page_text: the screw-jaw u, the action of which, by setting up the screw u¹ or releasing it
readily, allows the blanket to be removed or adjusted, and when once in position
and fixed by the jaw u, such blanket becomes a fixture impossible to remove so
long as the jaw is closed in by means of the set screw ul.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, together with the
manner of performing the same, I wish it to be understood in conclusion that what
I claim as new and as of my Invention is,―
First. The novel arrangement, construction, and adaptation to the platen beam
of the machine known as the "platen printing press," of mechanism which will
increase the throw of the platen beam in the manner and for the purpose as herein
substantially described, set forth, and illustrated at Fig. 1 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
Second. The novel arrangement and adaptation to the "frisket" fingers of springs
which will allow them freedom of action, and enable them to be lowered onto the
platen for the purpose of adjustment in the manner as herein substantially described
and illustrated at Fig. 4 of the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Third. The novel arrangement, construction, and adaptation to the platen
printing press of the color box and ducts marked m' in the Drawings, together
with the mechanism connected therewith, whereby such machines can print one or
more colors at the same time in the manner as herein substantially described,
set forth, and fully illustrated at Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
Fourth. The novel arrangement and adaptation to the rotating circular ink
plate 8 of one color platen printing presses, of the duct roller g, and ink trough q',
whereby such ink plate is driven in the manner and for the purpose as herein
substantially described, set forth, and illustrated at Fig. 4 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and
Lastly. The novel employment and adaptation to the platen of the jaw u and
set screw u¹ for firmly securing the blanket to the face of the platen in the manner
as herein substantially described and illustrated on Fig. 1 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Godfrey, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
:
Witness to the signature,
THO. WRIGLEY,
75, Chancery Lane,
W.C.
ALFRED GODFREY. (L.S.)