Improvements in Stencil Duplicating Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Stencil Duplicating Machines.
I, HARRY WILMER LOWE, of 1847 N. 17th Street, in the City of Omaha, County
of Douglas, and State of Nebraska, United States of America, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
o
This invention relates to an improvement in Stencil Duplicating Machines, and it
is embodied in the construction and arrangement of parts of the machine illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, and hereinafter described and claimed.
The invention is designed as an improvement on that class of machines wherein a
movable member is employed which member carries a stencil, and is equipped with
means for applying ink to the stencil.
The invention, generally speaking, consists in improved means for carrying the
stencil, means for regulating the extent of the printing interval, improved means for
applying the ink to the stencil, and further, in means mechanisms and features
whereby the machine is rendered perfect, easy and positive in operation.
In the drawings forming a part of the specification, and in which like letters of
reference designate corresponding parts in the different views.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine.
Figure 2 is a front elevation, showing parts in section.
Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section.
Figure 4 is a similar view, showing the machine with its actuating parts in a
position opposite that shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a detail section taken on the line 5-5, Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a detail section on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, and
Figure 7 is a detail section on the line 7-7 of Figure 2, looking to the left.
In the drawings, A designates the base and B B₁ the vertical supporting frames
located on opposite sides of the base. The frames B B₁ are formed with the
horizontal top bars b connected with each other at or near their centres by a shaft or
cylindrical bar C, which is held in any convenient manner, fixedly against rotation.
On the shaft C at opposite ends are loosely mounted the wheels or spiders D D¹,
each having the inwardly extending marginal flanges D2 and being rigidly united or.
connected together by the cross bars d d located at diametrically opposite points at
the periphery of the wheels. The bars d d'have the inwardly extending flangesd² thereon
through which suitable screws are passed into the metal of the wheels, thus forming.
the securing means between the bars and wheels. The bar d¹ is formed with a.
longitudinal channel in its outer face into which the end of a stencil supporting
and carrying plate E is bent which plate extends from bar to bar. d+ designates a
clamping bar located in the channel over the end of the stencil carrying plate. This
bar is by preference removable, and is held in place so that it can be easily detached
by the locking buttons F, one at each end of the bar, each having a flanged peripheryf,
formed with a recess or cut out portion f¹. The buttons are pivoted on the sides
of the wheels by the pins f, and they are arranged directly in line with the channel,
so that when the openings or cut out portions flare opposite the ends of the channel, the,
bar can be forced down below the flanges f¹. The buttons are then turned, bringing

page_text: the flange over the end of the bar, which is thereby securely locked in place. The
purpose of making the bar d removable is to permit of placing the end of the stencil
pad or cloth, and the end of the stencil when desirable, in the channel, and clamping
the same there.
The bar d is formed in a manner similar to that of bar d¹, with the exception of
the channel which is of a width substantially twice that of the channel or bar d¹ for
the purpose of accommodating two clamping bars, which are designated by e e¹. The
bare is clamped in place by the buttons F in a manner similar to the bar d, while
the bar e is secured in place by screws e². By this means the stencil cloth or pad can
be secured by the bar e¹, while the front of the sheet of stencil paper can be
independently secured by the bar e.
The stencil supporting or carrying plate E is conveniently formed of perforated
metal of sufficient strength or stiffness to maintain its shape. It is secured at its
ends by the bars e¹ d as above stated, and preferably along its edges by screws
or other means directly to the wheels. It is, however, to be understood that the
plate can be secured to the wheels in any convenient or desirable manner, it
being necessary only that the same be held firmly on the wheels.
By the
employment of the plate E, a firm even support for the stencil is provided, and on
which a pad or cloth can be placed and held, it being desirable in this class of
machines to have a yielding surface against which the stencil rests, inasmuch as the
stencils are generally very thin, being usually constructed of wax paper. I have not
shown the cloth or pad referred to but have made the reference more particularly
for enlarging on the use and importance of the carrier plate E.
On the inner faces of the wheels D D¹ opposite the carrying plate are the inwardly
extending flanges or ledges G, the same being parallel with the flanges on the
periphery of the wheels, and located a short distance inwardly therefrom. At the
end of the flanges are formed inclined webs g, the inner portions of which are
formed by the inner edges of the bar flanges d². The webs, ledges and flanges
of the wheels form continuous tracks having a concentric and eccentric section for
purposes presently to be explained.
•
The carriage formed by the construction described is free to rotate on the shaft or
bar C and to provide a convenient means for rotating the same, I preferably mount a
hort shaft h in a bearing at the front end of the top bar of frame B. On the outer
end of this shaft is keyed a handle h¹ and on the inner end is keyed or otherwise
fixedly secured the pinion h², which meshes with a gear H, adjustably secured to the
outer face of the wheel D, the same being loosely supported on the shaft C. In the
gear H is formed a curved elongated slot H¹ through which a screw bolt h³ is passed,
the latter engaging in a threaded chamber of a lug h on wheel D. By tightening
the screw h the wheel H is tightly held against the lug and wheel.
A series of blocks or lugs h may be employed to form rests for the opposite or other
portions of the gear when tightened.
Fixedly secured on the hub of the gear H is a cam K, the active face of which is
proportioned in length so that it will act for a period equal or substantially equal to
that of one third of the movement of the carrier. On the inner face of the gear is
secured a pointer H³ which extends out to or near the periphery of the carrier, and
is designed to indicate the position of the heading on the stencil.
L designates the inking roll located within the carrier and mounted on a shaft
which carries at its opposite ends the rolls or wheel ¹ located adjacent to the carrier
wheels D D¹, and arranged to travel on the tracks formed on the wheels, as the
carrier is rotated.
As the inking roll engages the inner face of the perforated plate, it serves the
dual purpose of distributing the ink, as well as positively forcing the ink through the
perforations.
The inking roll is by preference held from outward movement by the wheels [1
engaging the track, and from inward movement by the yieldingly supported rods m
which have forked outer ends fitting over the roll shaft. These rods m pass through
arms o formed on brackets O, which are adjustably secured on the shaft C against
"
:

page_text: rotation, by set screws o². On the rods m are the coiled springs their lower ends
being fixedly secured to arms o while their upper ends pass through the arms o¹ and
are in any convenient manner loosely secured to nuts n¹ threaded on the ends of the
rods, so that as the nuts are adjusted up or down on the rods, the tension of the
springs will be correspondingly varied.
.
The inking roll, as shewn in the drawings, is located at the bottom of the carriage,
but it is often found desirable to apply the ink at points above or to one side of the...
centre, and it is also often necessary to have the roller at an exposed point beyond the
stencil, when applying the ink thereto. By making the brackets O adjustable
the position of the roll can be readily changed.
Below the carriage is located the feeding and impression roll P, mounted on a
shaft p which has its ends journalled in semi-circular grooves p₁ formed in the upper
edges of the swinging arms P¹ P2, which are pivoted at their rear ends to the
frames B B¹. The arms P¹ P2 extend forward to a point adjacent to the front of the
machine, and they have their forward ends bifurcated at p². The cross bar q of a
crank shaft passes through the bifurcations of the arms. The shaft Q'is journalled
at opposite ends in the frames and at one end is provided with a handle q'.
R designates coiled springs connected to the forward portion of the arins ·P1 P2 and
having their upper ends secured to screws p3, which pass through, brackets p¹ on the
frame and are capped by nuts p. By this means, it will be readily understood that.
the tension of the springs may be varied.
On the upper edge of the arm P¹ at or near its centre is formed the upwardly.
projecting lug R¹, having a forwardly extending end located directly over the
bearing for the roll P. On the forwardly extending end is secured a projection R¹¹.
having a vertical opening therein and a set, screw passing longitudinally through
its end. In the opening r is placed the lower end of a link R2, the same being
secured and held, but capable of adjustment by the set screw. The upper end of
the link carries a block S the same being held thereon by set screws 8. On the block
is formed a short shaft (shown in dotted lines Figure 5) which carried an antifriction
roll 82 arranged in the path of the cam K, and with which the same engages, during
rotation.
To guide the link R2, a post T is formed on the frame B, which has a flange at its
upper end through which the link passes.
By the employment of the link and cam above referred to, it will be seen that as
the cam presses the link down the arm P¹ is pressed down which in turn rocks the
crank shaft Q which causes a simultaneous movement of arm P2, thus lowering the
roll P evenly. It will also be noticed that the radial length of the car K. is such-
that the down movement of the forward ends of the arm P1 P2 is insufficient to, cause
the crank shaft to rock from a horizontal to a vertical position, and thus lock the
arms down, as will be seen by referring to Figure 1, the dotted lines indicating the
throw of the shaft by the cam.
However, the movement of the crank shaft can be timed, so, through the.
adjustment of the link R² that at each revolution of the carrier, the feed or impression.
roll will be locked against up movement.
When the adjustment is as shown in Figure 1, and it is desired to hold the roll P
down out of the path of the stencil, it is only necessary to throw the crank shaft
down to a dead centre, by using the handle thereon.
} "
U designates a tilting and removable feed table resting on a cross bar. a of the
frame, and having finger extensions u at its forward end. The table is held from.
longitudinal movement by having lugs u¹ secured in its opposite sides (shown in,
dotted lines, Figure 3) which work. in U-shaped brackets V cast on the inner face
of the frame. To limit the upward movement of the inner end of the table, set
screws, vv are passed through the tops of the brackets and extend down so that the
lugs u will engage therewith. By this adjustment, the fingers on the inner end of
the table can be properly arranged so that they will be out of contact with the
carrier, as well as in the proper relation to the plane of the upper, face of roll P.
W designates a receiving tray. having an upturned rear end, and lateral hooks w

page_text: at its forward end. These hooks take over U-shaped wire guides W¹ secured to the
base adjacent to the frames. The receiving tray can by this means be moved in as
shown in Figure 3; or out as shown in Figure 1, in which latter position, it is in
proper place to receive the printed copies as they leave the machine.
In operation, when the impression sheet is properly placed on the table and a
stencil has been properly adjusted on the carrying plate, the pointer is then adjusted
by moving the gear, until the former registers with the commencement of the
heading of the stencil sheet. This adjustment moves the cam to a point where it
will act on the link R2, and force the roll P down, retaining it in such a position
until the heading of the stencil immediately between the roll P and inking roll, at
which moment the cam will leave the friction roll of the link R2 and the springs on
arms PP2 will elevate roll P, and cause the impression to be made, without acting
on the plain part of the stencil above the heading. The carrier having turned, the
sheet is printed and it is then deposited in the tray. During the movement of the
carrier the inking roll is first raised by the inclines and ledges on the wheels. It is
then lowered into position by the springs of the rods m and for the rest of the
movement of the carrier, the roll travels on the perforated stencil carrying plate, the
pressure forcing the ink through the perforations.
The plate, as will be seen, acts as a pressure roll thus avoiding the necessity of
employing a separate pressure roll to act in conjunction with the feed roll.
When it is desired to remove the inking roll, it is only necessary to lower the
same and then raise the rods m until their forked ends escape the roll shaft.
When the stencil is attached at one end only, the ink will cause its free end to
adhere to the pad.
It is thought the operation of the other features will be fully understood from the
foregoing description.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a duplicator, the combination with a base, of a rotary open work carrier
thereon, comprising two wheels, bars connecting the wheels, a perforated stencil
carrier and pressure plate fixed to the wheels, and means for applying and forcing
ink to and through the inner face of the plate...
2. In a duplicator, the combination, with a supporting frame, of a rotary open
work-carrier mounted thereon, comprising and supporting members, a segmental
perforated stencil "carrying and pressure plate secured to the supporting members,
and means for securing a stencil on the plate, an inking device within the carrier,
and means for rotating the carrier.
3: In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, consisting of an open
frame, of means for rotating the carrier, a perforated stencil carrier and pressure
plate secured to the carrier and extending around the same a distance substantially
equal to the length of the stencil sheet to be used, and an ink distributing and
forcing device within the carrier.
4. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary frame, of a perforated stencil
carrying and supporting plate on the frame, a pad clamp, and an independent
stencil clamp at the edge of the plate.
5. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary frame comprising end sections
and channelled bars connecting the end sections at different points, of a perforated
stencil carrying and supporting plate on the frame, removable clamping bars located
in the channels, and means for retaining the bars in place.
6. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary frame comprising end sections
and channelled bars connecting the sections, of two independent clamping bars in
one of the channelled bars, and a single clamping bar in the other channelled
bar.
7. In a duplicator, the combination with a feed roll, of a pivoted carrier, a per-
forated or open work stencil supporting section on the carrier, the same serving as a

page_text: compression roll or member acting in conjunction with the feed roll to produce the
impression, and an ink distributing and forcing device within the carrier."
8. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of a gearing for rotating
the same, means for adjusting the gearing, comprising a crank and pinion and means
for securing the gear in adjusted positions, a feed roll, and means associated with the
roll actuated by said gearing to vary the relative positions between the carrier and
roll.
9. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of a feed or impression
roll yieldingly-supported beyond the carrier; a cam carried by the carrier, an
adjustable connection between the cam and roll, means for rotating the carrier, and
means for locking the roll in an inactive position.
10. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of a yieldingly supported
roll beyond the carrier, an adjustable extension on the roll support, a locking device
for holding the roll in an inactive position, and means on the carrier for engaging
said extension for moving the roll outward.
11. In a rotary duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of spring
supported arms below the carrier, a roll carried by the arms, a lock for the arms, a
projection on an arm, a cam on the carrier, and an adjustable extension on the
projection arranged to be engaged by the cam.
12. In a rotary duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of spring supported
arms below the carrier, a roll carried by the arms, a projection on an arm, a cam on
the carrier, an adjustable extension on the projection arranged to be engaged by the
cam, and a crank for simultaneously moving both arms.
13. The combination with the carrier, of the spring actuated arms below the same,
a roll carried by the arms, and a crank loosely engaging the ends of the arms having
a handle thereon.
14. In a rotary duplicator, the combination with the stencil carrier, of arms
pivotally supported below the carrier, springs for maintaining the arms in position,
an extension on one of the arms, a slotted projection on the extension, a link
adjustably secured in the slot, a block on the link, an antifriction roll on the block,
and a cam on the carrier engaging the roll, substantially as described.
15. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, and means for rotating
the same, of a perforated stencil holding plate on the carrier, an impression roll or
device, and an inking roll, a stationary support for the inking roll, and means for
moving the roll out of the path of the holding plate, substantially as described.
16. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier consisting of an open
frame, of means for rotating the carrier, a segmental stencil holder on the carrier, an
impression device and an inking roll stationarily mounted relative to the carrier, means
for adjusting the inking roll to engage the stencil holder at different points, and
means for moving the roll radially, substantially as described.
17. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of a stencil holder
mounted thereon, an impression roll, means for driving the carrier, and an adjustable
yieldingly supported inking device arranged to engage the inner face of the stencil
holder, substantially as described.
18. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of a perforated stencil
holder secured on the carrier, means for securing a stencil on the holder, means for
applying ink to the inner face of the perforated holder comprising a radially adjustable
roll, and an impression roll.
19. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier having a stencil holding
section, of a yielding inking device and a yielding impression device, and means on
the carrier for moving the inking and impression devices out of the path of the
stencil carrier section of the carrier.
20. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a frame, of a rotary carrier,
a stationary shaft on which the carrier is mounted, tracks on the carrier, adjustable
brackets on the shaft, rods yieldingly supported on the brackets, and an inking roll
mounted on a shaft and held in engagement with the tracks by the rods.
21. In a duplicator, the combination with the rotary carrier, of a stationary shaft

page_text: on which the same is mounted, brackets on the shaft, rods slidingly engaging with
the brackets, springs on the brackets engaging the rods, and an inking device carried
by the rods.
22. The combination with the frame, the rotary carrier, and feed roll, of a horizontal
support on the frame in advance of the roll, inverted U-shaped brackets on the frame
in the rear of the support, set screws passing through the brackets, and a table
loosely mounted on the supports and having tranverse pins normally resting on the
brackets.
23. The combination with a carrier, and feed or impression device, of U-shaped
guide rods below the same extending from front to rear of the machine, and a tray
loosely connected to said guides.
Dated this 21st day of June 1897.
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Norfolk House, Victoria Embankment, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.