Improvements in Presses for Printing or Embossing.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1899
Complete Specification Left. 17th May. 1900-Accepted. 30th June, 1900
Date of Application, 19th July, 199
Complete Specification Left. 17th May. 1900—Accepted, 30th June, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Presses for Printing or Embossing.
I, JOSEPH YARDLEY JOHNSTON, of 22, Bride Lane, in the City of London,
Manufacturer of Steel Die and Plate Presses, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to presses intended to print or emboss paper or
other material from female or intaglio, engraved or other surfaces (hereinafter
called dies) which for printing are charged with ink, colour or other substance.
For this class of work I have found it important to provide more effectually
than heretofore usual, for ensuring that after the die has struck the material
to be printed or embossed and has once left the same, the die shall not return
thereto until the proper time for its next stroke as otherwise the work is liable
to be spoilt.
In such presses the die is actuated by the downward stroke of a plunger
which after causing the die to strike the material to be printed or embossed re-
bounds, and my present invention has reference to means whereby the plunger
is arrested and is locked and so prevented from making another downward or
operative stroke until the proper time for printing or embossing a fresh impres-
sion, energy being stored during the upward stroke of the plunger which is
subsequently expended in promoting the downward or operative stroke of the
plunger.
For this purpose, according to one arrangement, in combination with the
screw plunger, its fly wheel or equivalent, and mechanism for intermittently
raising and releasing the plunger, I provide means such as a pinion fixed on
the plunger and in gear with a couple of oppositely arranged racks which
during a portion of the upward movement of the plunger due partly to rebound
but mainly to the action of the driving mechanism of the press are moved in
opposition to springs capable of adjustment, or to equivalent means adapted to
store energy, the arrangement being such that the plunger is brought to rest,
and also a locking arrangement comprising a couple of curved racks inclined to
compensate for the longitudinal movement of the plunger, which racks during
the upward stroke slip over suitable pawls, but are thereby prevented moving
in. the reverse direction, thus locking the plunger on the conclusion of its
rebound movement and until it is released and moved further up by the driving
mechanism of the press, after which it is again locked by improved locking
mechanism hereinafter described, until released at the proper time for com-
mencing its next downward or operative stroke, which stroke is effected partly
by energy stored as aforesaid during its upward stroke and partly by the action
of gravity.
Apparatus according to this invention may be variously constructed and
arranged. Some of my improvements may be employed independently of others
and in some cases means other than those described may be employed for storing
energy to be afterwards utilized in driving the plunger down.

page_text: Furthermore, apparatus constructed to operate on the principle of my present
invention may be applied in presses of various constructions in which a plunger
is employed to operate a die or printing surface for printing or embossing
purposes.
Apparatus such as herein referred to is particularly applicable in presses of
the class forming the subject of Letters Patent granted to me and numbered
respectively 16704 of 1893 and 14664 of 1894.
I will now describe a convenient arrangement for operating and controlling
a press plunger according to my present invention, premising that as here de-
scribed my improved apparatus is applied in a press which (for convenience of
description) I will assume is to be used for printing and which is so arranged
that an arm adapted to revolve in a horizontal plane and carrying the die at
its end, first passes over apparatus which charges the die with ink or other
printing matter (herein referred to as ink), then over a wiping apparatus
which removes all superfluous ink leaving only the female part of the die
charged, and is then brought to rest and locked over a counter, force, male
plate or other part, between which and the die the impression is to take place.
the impression being then given by a blow of the die caused by the release and
descent of the screw plunger from the raised position in which it had been
locked during the preceding cycle of operations.
After each impression, the arm is again started and the same cycle of opera-
tions is repeated, the whole being automatically performed except that the
attendant has to place the paper or other material to be printed or embossed in
position to receive the impression and has afterwards to remove it.
The mechanism for giving the impression blow is constructed as follows:-
Bolted, or otherwise firmly secured on the top of the press frame, is a cylin
drical casting open at the top, the centre of the said casting being in a vertical
line with the axis of the shank of the die block when the latter is in registra-
tion. The screw plunger is a strong steel spindle having a quick pitched square
thread screw cut on its lower part. This screw is preferably triple threaded,
and works in a long nut of suitable material such as gun metal seated and
secured by studs and nuts, or other like contrivances within the upper part of
the press frame.
Above the screw portion of the plunger is a spur pinion which may advan-
tageously be integral with the plunger. The top of the plunger has a screw
thread cut thereon, below which is a polygonal portion; the part between this
portion and the pinion is of plain cylindrical form.
Above the pinion there is an arm secured to the plunger, and above this arm
there is a spur wheel free to rotate on the plunger. On the polygonal part
of the plunger a fly wheel is fixed. In practice, in order to avoid slackness in
the fit, the polygonal part of the plunger and the corresponding hole in the fly
wheel are made with a slight taper, and the fly wheel is conveniently secured
by a nut and washer. When it is desired to increase the momentum and
force of the blow delivered by the screw plunger, one, two or more balance
wheels may be added as required. They are suitably secured to the fly wheel.
The upper screw of the plunger may be made of sufficient length to take such
balance wheels, and to avoid injury to the said screw in removing or placing
them in position, loose bushes fitting the bore of the wheels may be first
slipped over the screw so that on then tightening up the nut and bolts the whole
becomes practically one wheel.
Arms and weights might be employed in lieu of a fly wheel, but the latter
is preferable: it obviates the liability to accident such as may result if an
attendant should get within range of weighted arms whilst in motion.
The cylinder is closed by a cover suitably fastened thereto.
Surrounding the plunger between the fly wheel and spur wheel there is a
sleeve which whilst leaving the spur wheel free to rotate on the plunger, pre-
vents end motion thereon.

page_text: The said sleeve fits a central aperture in the cover and thus provides a sliding
bearing for the upper end of the plunger, which tends to prevent vibration of
the plunger and fly wheel and side strain and wear between the screw and nut:
The pinion gears with a pair of racks sliding in guides on the cylinder parallel
to each other, and the teeth of the pinion are made deeper than those of the
racks to ensure that at all times those rack teeth for the time being engaged
with the pinion shall be in complete contact notwithstanding variations in the
vertical position of the pinion due to rotation and consequent endwise move-
ment of the plunger. The ends of the racks terminate in discs or heads, which
enter horizontal tubular boxes bolted on opposite sides of the cylinder. These
boxes contain strong helical springs and are closed by caps screwed on
otherwise firmly attached to their outer ends.
or
Each cap is provided with a screw spindle having an end piece, a handle and
lock nut; by screwing these spindles in or out the compression of the springs
can be varied in amount as desired.
When the plunger is rotated in a direction to raise it, the racks move out-
wards, and when the first portion of their stroke is completed, their heads engage
with the springs, and the remainder of the stroke compresses the springs
against the end pieces, the amount of such compression depending, as above
indicated, on the position of the regulating screws. On the release of the
plunger from the raised position, the springs start it quickly into motion, but
do not follow the racks for the whole of their return stroke, thus leaving the
plunger free to rebound quickly after the impression blow is delivered.
The raising locking and releasing of the plunger are accomplished as follows:-
On the main shaft there is keyed a mitre wheel which drives another mitre
wheel that is keyed on a vertical shaft suitably journalled. On this shaft is a
spur pinion that drives the spur wheel on the plunger, so that said spur wheel
is in constant rotation on the plunger. The teeth of the pinion are made
deeper than those of the spur wheel to a sufficient extent to ensure the latter
being always fully in gear with the pinion, notwithstanding variations in the
vertical position of the spur wheel, due to rotation and consequent endwise
movement of the plunger. A connector, resembling an arm, which may be
constructed of a couple of connected plates, is pivoted at one end to the arm that
is fixed to the plunger, and at the other end is furnished with two small rollers
(which may be of hardened steel) arranged in a common plane and with a third
similar but larger roller occupying a higher position, these three rollers being
so arranged that their disposition as seen in plan, is triangular with the larger
roller at the end of the connector.
Seated upon a ledge within the cylinder and suitably secured thereto, is a
guide inclined at its upper part and against which the outer of the two smaller
rollers is adapted to travel. Fixed to the hub of the spur wheel carried by the
plunger is a cam which, as the said wheel rotates, comes in contact with the
inner of the two smaller rollers and so carries along with it the connector and
the arm fixed to the plunger, thus rotating and raising the plunger and com-
pressing the energy storing springs. As the connector is moved round, its
outer small roller travels along the guide path until it comes opposite a recess
or stop adapted to hold it at the end of the inclined guide, and the larger roller
on the connector comes in contact with a fixed cam plate so shaped that it
deflects the free end of the connector outwardly, so as to cause the outer small
roller to enter or come opposite to the recess or stop. Afterwards the rearward
part of the cam on the spur wheel which is formed as part of a circle struck
from the centre of the plunger, acts upon the inner small roller of the con-
nector, and forces its outer small roller well home in the recess or against the
stop so that the roller is retained by the recess or stop after the cam has passed,
thus locking the plunger in the raised position, with the springs com-
pressed ready to give the impression blow on release. The portion of the inner
surface of the guide adjacent to the recess has a curved formation struck from

page_text: the centre of the pivot of the connector so that the roller is guided easily into
or out of locking position at the end of the guide and yet is securely held to
the recess or stop by the pull of the springs backlash or return movement being
obviated.
The release of the plunger is effected by a cam or tripping piece carried by the
plunger spur wheel in such position that, at the proper time it comes in con-
lact with the larger roller of the connector and so causes the outer roller to roll
clear of the recess or stop; the plunger being thus freed, the springs immedi-
ately start it in rotation and it descends and gives the impression blow, the
amount of the same being determinable, as before explained, by the degree
of compression of the springs, and the weight on the fly wheel.
The lower end of the plunger is provided with a hardened steel button or
disc suitably attached, and a cavity is formed in the top of the shank of the
die holder to receive a loose hardened steel cylindrical piece. The impact and
pressure of the plunger are received by these parts, which are readily renew-
able when worn. By varying the thickness of the cylindrical piece the length
of stroke of the plunger can be conveniently regulated.
The plunger, after giving the impression blow, immediately rebounds, up-
wards, and as some time elapses before the cam on the plunger spur wheel
again comes into position to engage with the connector, the plunger would be
liable to descend and give a second blow unless means were provided to lock it
on the rebound.
An arrangement for this purpose according to my present invention com-
prises a couple of racks fixed to the fly wheel, and having their toothed under-
sides inclined to the general form of part of a screw path of the same pitch as
that of the screw of the plunger, so that, as they are carried round, their
teeth are always in position to engage, correctly, with pawls keyed to spindles
journalled in fixed positions at opposite sides of the cylinder. Each pawl is
loaded by spring or weight tending to retain the pawl with its nose upward.
The action is as follows:-As the plunger is raised, the rack teeth slip over the
pawls, and simultaneously with the plunger reaching its top position and being
locked, the last tooth of each rack passes over its pawl, leaving the pawl free
to assume a vertical position under the influence of its load.
When the plunger descends, the ends of the racks coming in contact with the
pawls, push them over backwards so that the rack teeth, though meeting the
pawls, are able to slip over them and as the other ends of the racks pass the
pawls before the blow is struck, the pawls again assume a vertical attitude
and the racks, returning on the rebound, push the pawls forward and are
caught by them and locked at the end of the rebound, thus preventing a second
blow being delivered.
The outer end of each pawl spindle is formed to receive a key, whereby the
pawl can be turned into a position clear of the rack teeth, its end abutting
against a stop. Means are provided whereby the pawl can be locked in such
position.
The provision for fixing the pawls out of contact with the racks enables the
plunger to he lowered by hand when it is locked on the rebound, and also
enables the attendant to throw up a counter quickly by operating the flywheel
by hand, while the press is not running.
The plunger, in its descent, forces the die holder down against the resistance
of the die supporting springs, and following immediately on the rebound of the
plunger, these springs lift the die clear of the paper before the die carrying
arm is again started.
With the above described impression mechanism, comprising the connector
with rollers and the specially formed guide path, with recess or stop, there is
practically an absence of friction in these parts when raising, locking and re-
leasing the screw plunger, as also in the return motion after release.
The described arrangement for storing energy enables the blow of the die

page_text: to be regulated by varying the extent of compression of the springs, whilst the
quick free blow which is struck ensures the die completing its operative stroke
and yielding a good impression, notwithstanding give, or variation of the
counter or equivalent device arising from constant use, or variations in thick-
ness of paper or other material to be printed or impressed.
Another advantage of the quick free rebound blow is, that when the machine
is used for printing, the ink is freely delivered upon the paper, or other
material whilst leaving the edges of the engraving or other device that is
printed sharp and clear, whereas with a positive or dwell blow, especially where
soft paper or material is printed upon, the ink is liable to spit or run; further-
more the quick rebound blow, when using soft paper or material, also has the
effect of calendering the surface simultaneously with the printing of the
impression.
As will be evident the details of construction may be varied without depar-
ture from the characteristic features of my invention, and apparatus according
thereto for locking the plunger on the termination of its rebound movement,
as also my improved apparatus for locking the plunger in its highest position
and releasing it to commence its operative stroke, may each be employed in-
dependently of the other, and in presses provided with plunger operating
mechanism differing from that hereinabove described.
Improvements in Presses for Printing or Embossing.
I, JOSEPH YARDLEY JOHNSTON, of 22, Bride Lane, in the City of London,
Manufacturer of Steel Die and Plate Presses, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
-
My invention has reference to presses intended to print or emboss paper or
other material from female or intaglio, engraved or other surfaces (hereinafter
called dies) which for printing are charged with ink, colour or other substance.
For this class of work I have found it important to provide more effectually
than heretofore usual for ensuring that after the die has struck the material
to be printed or embossed and has once left the same, the die shall not return
thereto until the proper time for its next stroke as otherwise the work is liable
to be spoilt.
In such presses the die is actuated by the downward stroke of a plunger
which after causing the die to strike the material to be printed or embossed re-
bounds, and my present invention has reference to means whereby the plunger
is arrested and is locked and so prevented from making another downward cr
operative stroke until the proper time for printing or embossing a fresh impres-
sion, energy being stored during the upward stroke of the plunger which is
subsequently expended in promoting the downward or operative stroke of the
plunger.
For this purpose, according to one arrangement, in combination with the
screw plunger, its fly wheel. or equivalent, and mechanism for intermittently
raising and releasing the plunger, I provide means such as a
pinion fixed ou

page_text: the plunger and in gear with a couple of oppositely arranged racks which
during a portion of the upward movement of the plunger due partly to rebound
but mainly to the action of the driving mechanism of the press are moved in
opposition to springs capable of adjustment, or to equivalent means adapted to
store energy, the arrangement being such that the plunger is brought to rest,
and also a locking arrangement comprising a couple of curved racks inclined to
compensate for the longitudinal movement of the plunger, which racks during
the upward stroke slip over suitable pawls, but are thereby prevented moving
in the, reverse direction, thus locking the plunger on the conclusion of its
rebound movement and until it is released and moved further up by the driving
mechanism of the press, after which it is again locked by improved locking
mechanism hereinafter described, until released at the proper time for com-
mencing its next downward or operative stroke, which stroke is effected partly
by energy stored as aforesaid during its upward stroke and partly by the action
of gravity.
Apparatus according to this invention may be variously constructed and
arranged. Some of my improvements may be employed independently of others
and in some cases means other than those described may be employed for storing
energy to be afterwards utilized in driving the plunger down.
Furthermore, apparatus constructed to operate on the principle of my present
invention may be applied in presses of various constructions in which a plunger
is employed to operate a die or printing surface for printing or embossing
purposes.
Apparatus such as herein referred to is particularly applicable in presses of
the class forming the subject of Letters Patent granted to me and numbered
respectively 16704 of 1893 and 14664 of 1894.
The accompanying drawings illustrate a convenient arrangement of impression
mechanism according to my present invention, which I will now describe, pre-
mising, that, as here described, my improved apparatus is applied in a press
which (for convenience of description) I will assume is to be used for printing
and which is so arranged that an arm adapted to revolve in a horizontal plane
and carrying the die at its end, first passes over apparatus which charges the
die with ink, then over a wiping apparatus which removes all superfluous ink
leaving only the female part of the die charged, and is then brought to rest
and locked in register over a counter, force, male plate or other part between
which and the die the impression is to take place, the impression being then
given by a blow of the die caused by the release and descent of the plunger
from the raised position to which it had been carried and in which it had been
locked during the preceding cycle of operations. After each impression, the
arm is again started and the same cycle of operations is repeated, the whole
being automatically performed except that the attendant has to place the paper
or other material to be printed or embossed in position to receive the impression
and has afterwards to remove it.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the upper part of a press provided with my
improved mechanism for giving the impression blow, the plunger being shown
in its lowest position.
Figs. 2 and 3 show the said mechanism respectively in vertical and a hori-
zontal section (with certain portions in elevation) the plunger being shown in
its highest position.
Fig. 4 is a sectional plan showing certain fixed parts only of said mechanism.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line A A, Fig. 4.
Figs. 6 to 11 inclusive are diagrammatic plans, and Figs. 12 and 13 are dia-
grammatic sections through Figs. 9 and 10 illustrating the action of certain
parts of the mechanism for raising, locking and releasing the plunger.
Bolted or otherwise firmly secured on the top of the press frame is a cylinder
or casing b, the centre or axis of which is in line with that of the shank of the
The screw
block carrying the die d when the latter is in registration.

page_text: plunger e, which is a strong steel spindle having a quick pitched triple-
threaded screw f cut on its lower part, extends centrally through the cylinder
or casing and works in a long gun-metal nut secured within the press
frame. is a deep spur pinion, which may advantageously be integral with
the plunger, and is an arm secured above said pinion; is a spur wheel
which is free to rotate on the plunger above said arm. The plunger e is
weighted by means of a fly wheel that is fixed by a nut upon a polygonal
part of the plunger; in order to avoid slackness, the polygonal part of the
plunger and the corresponding hole in the fly-wheel are made slightly tapering.
When it is desired to increase the force of the blow delivered by the screw
plunger one or more balance wheels or rings may be, secured to the fly wheel.
m is a sleeve between the fly wheel k and the spur wheel j for preventing end
motion of the latter: thus owing to the wheel being compelled to move up
and down with the plunger e, the weight of the fly wheel may be reduced and
shock, caused by the plunger overrunning the wheel ; while descending and
meeting it during the rebound, will be, avoided.
The cylinder or casing is provided with a cover formed with a central
aperture which forms a bearing for the sleeve m and tends to prevent vibration
of the plunger and fly wheel and side strain and wear between the screw
and nut.
The pinion gears with a pair of sliding racks o working in guides (shown
in Figs. 1 and 2 only) secured in the cylinder parallel to each other; the
racks o and the guides may be formed with reversely arranged ribs and grooves,
the ribs being made a sliding fit in the grooves, as shown. The
terminate in heads
0
racks
which work in tubular boxes r
bolted on opposite sides of the cylinder b. These boxes contain springs and
are closed by caps screwed on or otherwise firmly attached to their outer ends.
Each cap is fitted with a screw spindle having an adjustable abutment or end
piece, a hand wheel and lock-nut r: by screwing the spindles in or
out, the extent to which the springs s are compressed prior to the release of
the plunger can be varied so as to regulate the force of the impression blow,
as desired.
When the plunger is rotated so as to raise it from its lowest posi-
tion, the racks o move outwards freely during the first portion of their stroke,
then their heads abut against the springs which, during the remainder of
the stroke, are compressed against the end pieces, the amount of such com-
pression depending on the position of spindles . On the release of the
plunger, the springs s quickly start it into motion, but will have expanded
to their full length before the racks have completed their return strokes, thus
relieving them and the plunger to which they are geared from pressure, so that
the latter may deliver its blow freely and may be free to rebound quickly after
the impression blow is delivered.
The raising, locking and releasing of the plunger are accomplished as follows:-
On the main-shaft 1 of the press is keyed a mitre wheel 2 which drives another
mitre wheel 3 keyed on a shaft 4: on the shaft 4 is a deep spur pinion 5 gear-
ing with the spur wheel which is thus kept in continuous rotation. The
pinions and 5 are of such depth as to ensure their proper engagement with
The racks and spur wheel respectively, notwithstanding variations in the
vertical position of the plunger due to rotation and consequent endwise move-
ment. The spur wheel is intermittently connected to the plunger e by
means of a connector comprising a link 6 formed of a couple of connected plates
and pivoted to the arm of the plunger: the link is shown furnished with a
drag roller and a locking roller 8 arranged at the same level, and with a
larger roller 9 occupying a higher position, the three rollers being arranged
triangularwise as seen in plan (Fig. 3) with the roller 9 at the end of the link.
Secured upon a ledge within the cylinder is a guide 10 inclined at its
upper part, and fixed to the spur wheel is a cam 11, the forward edge of
which comes in contact with the drag roller 7 and so drags along with it the

page_text: link 6 which is pivoted to the arm i, thus rotating and raising the plunger,
the springs s being thereby compressed. This part of the action may be followed
by reference to Figs. 6 and 7 which respectively show the position of the parts
referred to when the plunger is at the bottom of its stroke, and when the
plunger has rebounded and the cam 11 has again caught the roller 7. It is
preferred to so form the face of the cam that it makes contact with the roller
at the point at which a line passing through the axes of the roller and of the
pivot of the link 6 cuts the periphery of said roller as will be seen from Fig. 7.
By this means, as the connector is dragged round, the tendency to force the
locking roller 8 against the guide 10 is avoided until the roller 9 is brought
into contact with a fixed cam plate 12 this plate is so shaped that as the
roller 9 moves along it, the free end of the connector is deflected by it, (see
Fig. 8) so as to cause the roller 8 to roll into a recess 13 formed in the end
of the guide 10, the rearward part of the cam 11 as it continues its revolution,
then acting upon the roller and forcing the roller 8 well home in the
recess 13 (see Fig. 9). The formation of the recess 13 is such that the roller 8
is retained therein after the cam 11 has passed, and the plunger e thus locked
in the raised position, with the springs compressed ready to rotate the
plunger in the direction required to give the impression blow, the action of the
springs tending to hold the roller 8 in the recess 13. The rollers 7, 8 and 9,
in addition to performing the functions above mentioned, also serve as anti-
friction rollers. The portion of the inner surface of the guide adjacent to the
recess 13 (that is to say the part 10% of the guide 10) is curved, the curve being
struck from the centre of the pivot of the connector when the latter is in the
locked position (Fig. 9), at which time the centre of the said pivot occupies the
same position as at the time the cam 11 ceases to drag the link round: thus
the roller is guided easily and without backlash into the locked position in the
recess 13 by the outer surface of said cam 11 and yet is securely held in the
recess by the action of the springs s, since, when in that position, a line pass-
ing through the axes of the pivot of the link and of the roller 8 will lie out-
side the part 10% of the guide, (see Fig. 9). The release of the plunger is
effected by a cam or tripping piece 14 fixed to the wheel ; in such position
that, at the proper time, it comes in contact with the cam roller 9 and so causes
the locking roller 8 to roll out of the recess and thus free the plunger (see
Figs. 10 and 11). The springs s thereupon start the plunger rotating in the
direction required to cause its descent but, before the impression blow is de-
livered, the springs will have given out the energy stored in them, the actual
blow being given by the further descent of the plunger owing to the inertia of
the parts carried thereby and the continued action of gravity, the force of the
blow being determinable, as before explained, by the degree of compression of
the springs and the weight of the fly wheel. The upward or return movement
of the plunger is therefore not resisted by the springs s until a considerable part
of the rebound has occurred, thereby enabling the quick rebound so essential
to good results to be obtained.
Instead of forming the end of the guide 10 with a recess 13 in which the
roller 8 is retained after the passage of the cam 11 as hereinbefore described,
the guide 10 may be formed with a stop which prevents the backward move-
ment of the link 6 only so long as the roller 8 is kept in engagement with the
stop by the rearward portion of the cam 11 bearing against the roller 7. In
such an arrangement, the cam or tripping piece 14 may be dispensed with and
the length of the cam 11 increased so that it prevents the release of the roller 8
from the stop for the required time.
The lower end of the plunger has secured to it a hardened steel button or
disc 15 and a cavity 16 is formed in the die holder shank c to receive a loose
hardened steel cylindrical piece 17 (Fig. 1). The impact and friction are borne
by these parts, which are readily renewable when worn. By the use of pieces 17

page_text: of different thickness the length of stroke of the plunger can be conveniently
regulated.
The plunger e, after giving the impression blow, immediately rebounds, up-
wards, and, as some time claspses before the cam 11 again comes into position
to engage with the roller 7, the plunger would be liable to descend and give a
second blow unless means were provided to lock it at the end of its rebound.
Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17 are detail views illustrating an arrangement for this
purpose.
Fixed to opposite portions of the fly wheel k are a couple of racks 20 having
toothed undersides inclined or formed as parts of screw paths of the same pitch
as the screw f, so that, as they are carried round, their teeth are always in
position to engage correctly with pawls 21 fixed to spindles 22 journalled at
opposite sides of the cylinder b. Each pawl is loaded by a coiled spring 23, one
end of which is fixed to its spindle and the other end of which is held between
pins 24 so that the spring tends to retain the pawl with its nose upward, (see
Fig. 17). As the plunger rebounds the rack teeth depress the pawls 21 against
the action of their springs 23 and slip over them until the rebound ceases,
whereupon the rack teeth are engaged by them and the plunger thus prevented
from delivering a second blow. Whilst the raising of the plunger is being
completed as previously described the racks 20 again slip over the pawls 21
until, at the moment, the plunger is locked in its uppermost position by the
locking roller 8 entering the recess 13, the racks clear or move beyond the
pawls, which then assume a vertical attitude under the influence of the
springs 23.
When the plunger descends, the racks move in the reverse direction and
their ends come into contact with and push the pawls over backwards (or to
the left) so that the racks 20 are able to slip over them; before the blow is
struck, the other ends of the racks pass the pawls, thus allowing them to again
assume a vertical attitude so that during the rebound, the racks again push them
forward and, at the end of the rebound, are again engaged and locked by them
and a second blow prevented as previously described.
As the arrangement described for preventing a second blow depends for its
action solely on the movements of the plunger and is entirely independent of the
continuously driven wheel j, the plunger is engaged and held at the top or end
of its rebound (notwithstanding that the point at which the rebound terminates
may vary within wide limits) until the cam 11 re-engages the roller in due
course; moreover, the energy stored in the springs s during the latter portion
of the plunger's rebound is conserved, instead of being wasted in assisting pre-
mature partial or complete descent of the plunger, and shock is avoided.
Each pawl can be turned into position clear of the rack teeth by releasing
the end of the spring 23 from the pins 24 and inserting it between pins 25.
When the pawls are thus held in their inoperative attitude, the attendant can,
while the press is not running, form or throw up a counter quickly by operating
by hand the fly wheel which is then free to descend.
The plunger, in its descent, forces the die block or holder down against
the resistance of springs 26 which are connected to the die block or holder and
to the die arm in which it moves and which life the die d clear of the paper
immediately the plunger rebounds and before the said die arm is again started.
In the above described impression mechanism, wherein the connector is
provided with rollers acting in conjunction with a guide 10 with recess or stop 13
friction is considerably reduced during the raising, locking and releasing of
the screw plunger, as also during the return motion, after release.
The quick free blow which is struck when apparatus such as herein before
described is employed ensures the die d completing its operative stroke and
yielding a good impression, notwithstanding give or variation of the counter
or equivalent part arising from constant use, or variations in thickness of paper
or other material to be printed or impressed. Another advantage of the quick

page_text: free rebound blow is, that, when the machine is used for printing, the ink 18
freely delivered upon the paper or other material, whilst leaving the edges of the
engraving or other device that is printed sharp and clear, whereas with a positive
or dwell blow, especially where soft paper or material is printed upon, the ink
is liable to spit or run; furthermore the quick rebound blow, when using soft
paper or material, also has the effect of calendering the. surface simultaneously
with the printing of the impression.
:
T
As will be evident the details of construction may be varied without departure
from the characteristic features' of 'my invention, and apparatus according
thereto, for locking the plunger on the termination of its rebound movement; ras
also my improved apparatus for locking the plunger in its highest position
and releasing it to commence its operative stroke, may each be employed inde-
pendently of the other, and in presses provided with plunger operating
mechanism differing from that hereinabove described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
:-
1. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press the com-
bination of a screw plunger, a link pivotally connected to said plunger, a lock-
ing roller carried by said link, a recess or stop adapted to engage said roller, a
continuously rotating part, and means for engaging and for disengaging said
part and link, substantially as described.
2. In the impression mechanism, of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, a link pivotally connected to said plunger, a lock-
ing-roller and a drag roller both carried by said link a recess or stop adapted
to receive said locking roller, a continuously rotating part, an arm connected
to said part and having a forward face adapted to engage said drag roller and
an outer face adapted to bear against said drag roller when the locking roller is
engaged by said recess or stop substantially as described.
3. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, a link pivotally connected to said plunger, a lock-
ing-roller and a drag-roller both carried by said link, a recess or stop adapted to
engage said locking-roller, a continuously rotating part, an arm connected to
said part and having a forward face adapted to engage said drag-roller and an
outer face adapted to bear against said drag-roller when the locking-roller is
engaged by said recess or stop, and means for disengaging said drag-roller from
said arm, substantially as described.
4. In a printing or embossing press, impression mechanism comprising a
weighted screw plunger, a fixed nut in which said plunger works, a continuously
rotating part mounted on said plunger, means whereby said plunger and rotat-
ing part are intermittently coupled, means whereby said plunger is temporarily
locked in its raised position and whereby it is subsequently released, and springs
which are compressed by the upward movement of the plunger, and subsequently
react thereon so as to cause its rapid descent when released, substantially as
described.
5. In a printing or embossing press, impression mechanism comprising a
weighted screw plunger, a fixed nut in which said plunger works, means
whereby said plunger is successively raised, locked, and released, a rack engag
ing with a pinion formed upon said plunger, and a spring arranged in the path
of said rack and adapted to be compressed thereby during the upward movement
of the plunger, substantially as described.
6. In a printing or embossing press, impression mechanism comprising a
weighted screw plunger, a fixed nut in which said plunger works, a pinion
secured to said plunger, a rack engaging said pinion, an abutment, a spring
arranged between said rack and abutment so as to be compressed as the rack
is moved by the rise of the plunger, a connector secured to said plunger, a

page_text: continuously rotating part loosely mounted on said plunger and adapted to in-
termittently engage said connector, a fixed cam adapted to cause the disengage-
ment at the required time of the said connector and part, a locking device
adapted to engage said connector after its disengagement from said rotating part
and a connector releasing cam carried by said continuously rotating part, sub-
stantially as described.
7. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a weighted screw plunger, a link pivotally connected to said plunger,
a locking-roller carried by said link, a guide formed with a recess adapted to
receive and hold said roller, a continuously rotating part, means for engaging
said part to said link, means for disengaging said part and link and for caus-
ing said roller to roll into said recess, and means for causing said roller to roll
out of said recess, all at the required times, substantially as described.
8. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a weighted screw plunger, a link pivotally connected to said plunger
a locking-roller carried by said link, a guide formed with a recess adapted to
receive and hold said roller, and the entry to which is curved, the curve being
struck from the centre of the pivot of said link, a continuously rotating part,
means for engaging said part to said link, means for disengaging said part and
link and for causing said roller to roll into said recess, and means for causing
said roller to roll out of said recess all at the required times, substantially as
described.
9. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a weighted screw plunger, a link pivotally connected to said
plunger, a locking-roller carried by said link, a guide formed with a recess
adapted to receive and hold said roller, a continuously rotating part, a drag-
roller carried by said link, a cam-arm carried by said part and having its for-
ward face so formed as to make contact with the drag-roller at the point at
which a line, passing through the axis of said drag roller and the axis of the
pivot of the link, cuts the periphery of the drag-roller, means for disengaging
said cam-arm and drag-roller and for causing the locking roller to roll into and
out of said locking recess at the required times, substantially as described.
10. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a weighted screw plunger, a link pivotally connected to said
plunger, a locking roller carried by said link, a guide formed with a recess
adapted to receive and hold said roller, and the entry to which is curved, the
curve being struck from the centre of the pivot of said link, a continuously
rotating part, a drag-roller carried by said link, a cam-arm carried by said part
and having its forward face so formed as to make contact with the drag roller
at the point at which a line, passing through the axis of said drag-roller and
the axis of the pivot of the link, cuts the periphery of the drag-roller, means
for disengaging said cam-arm and drag-roller and for causing the locking roller
to roll into and out of said locking recess at the required times, substantially as
described.
11. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a weighted screw plunger, a continuously rotating part mounted
thereon, a cam-arm and a tripping cam carried by said part, a link pivotally
connected to said plunger, a drag-roller carried by said link and adapted to be
engaged by said cam-arm, a locking roller carried by said link, a guide formed
with a recess adapted to receive and hold said locking roller means for disengag-
ing said drag-roller from said cam-arm and means for causing said locking
roller to roll into and to roll out of said recess at the required times, substantially
as described.
12. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a weighted screw plunger, a continuously rotating part mounted
thereon, a cam-arm and a tripping cam carried by said part, a link pivotally

page_text: connected to said plunger, a drag-roller carried by said link and adapted to be
engaged by said cam-arm, a locking-roller carried by said link, a guide formed
with a recess adapted to receive and hold said locking-roller, a cam-roller carried
by said link and adapted to be operated by said trapping-cam at the required
time and a canı-plate so arranged that said cam-roller will be brought into con-
tact therewith and the lockingroller caused to become engaged with the guide at
the required time, substantially as described.
13. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a fixed cylinder or casing, a fixed nut in line therewith, a screw
plunger working in said nut and extending through said cylinder or casing, a
continuously driven spur wheel free to rotate on said plunger, a link pivotally
connected to said plunger, a drag-roller, a locking-roller and a cam-roller
mounted on said link, a guide with recess and a cam-plate both carried by said
cylinder or casing and a cam-arm and tripping device both carried by said
spur wheel substantially as described.
14. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a fixed cylinder or casing, a fixed nut in line therewith, a screw
plunger working in said nut and extending through said cylinder or casing, a
continuously driven spur wheel free to rotate on said plunger, a link pivotally
connected to said plunger, a drag roller, a locking roller and a cam-roller
mounted on said link, a guide with recess and a cam-plate both carried by said
cylinder or casing and a cam arm and tripping device both carried by said
spur wheel, a pinion fixed to said plunger, a pair of sliding racks extending to-
wards abutments, and springs arranged between said racks and abutments, the
parts being adapted to operate so as to cause the raising, locking, releasing and
descent of the plunger substantially as described.
15. In the impression mechanism of a printing or. embossing press, the com-
bination with a weighted screw plunger of a continuously rotating part loosely
mounted on said plunger, means for connecting and disconnecting said plunger
and part at the required times, and means for preventing longitudinal movement
of said rotating part along said plunger, substantially as described.
16. In the impression mechanism of a printing, or embossing press, the com-
bination with a screw plunger of a fly wheel secured thereto, a continuously
rotating part loosely mounted on said plunger, means for connecting and dis-
connecting said plunger and part at the required times, a sleeve fitting said
plunger and extending between said fly wheel and part, substantially as
described.
17. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination with a screw plunger of a fly wheel secured thereto, a continuously
rotating part loosely mounted on said plunger, means for connecting and dis-
connecting said plunger and part at the required times, a sleeve fitting said
plunger and extending between said fly wheel and part, and a bearing in which
said sleeve is journalled, substantially as described.
18. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination with a screw plunger of automatic means whereby it is prevented from
descending on the completion of its rebound until it has again been raised to
the top of its stroke which means are independent of the plunger raising
mechanism, substantially as described.
19. In the impression mechanism of a printing, or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
cylinder or casing surrounding said means, and a cover to said cylinder or casing
said cover being formed with a central aperture or bearing through which said
plunger extends, substantially as described.
20. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
pinion secured to said plunger, a pair of sliding racks gearing therewith, rack

page_text: guides, fixed boxes into which said racks extend, caps closing the ends of said
boxes, and coiled springs located in said boxes, substantially as described.
21. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
pinion secured to said plunger, a pair of sliding racks gearing therewith, rack
guides, fixed boxes into which said racks extend, caps closing the ends of said
boxes, and coiled springs located in said boxes, said springs being of such length
that they will not exert pressure on the racks and plunger when the latter is at
the end of its impression stroke, substantially as described.
22. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
pinion secured to said plunger, a pair of sliding racks gearing therewith, rack
guides, fixed boxes into which said racks extend, caps closing the ends of said
boxes, coiled springs located in said boxes, and spring adjusting screws, sub-
stantially as described.
23. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
pinion secured to said plunger, a pair of sliding racks gearing therewith, rack
guides, fixed boxes into which said racks extend, caps closing the ends of said
boxes, and coiled springs located in said boxes, screw threaded apertures through
said cap nuts, screw spindles with heads and hand wheels and working through
said apertures, and lock nuts, substantially as described.
a
24. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means
device which is not positively driven but is adapted to automatically engage
said plunger at the end of its rebound until it has again been raised and locked
substantially as described.
25. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, and
a rack and a pawl, said rack and pawl being connected, the one to the plunger
the other to a fixed part of the press, and adapted to engage at the required
time and prevent the descent of the plunger, substantially as described.
26. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
rack carried by said plunger, and a pawl pivoted in fixed bearings, so as to
engage with said rack at the required time, substantially as described.
27. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
rack carried by said plunger and having its toothed surface formed as part of a
screw path and a pawl pivoted in fixed bearings so as to engage with said rack
at the required time, substantially as described.
28. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
rack carried by said plunger and having its toothed surface formed as part of a
screw path and a pawl pivoted in fixed bearings so as to engage with said rack
at the required time, the length of the rack being such that it will clear or
move beyond the said pawl at the ends of both the impression and return strokes
of the plunger, substantially as described.
29. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and relasing means, a
rack carried by said plunger and having its toothed surface formed as part of a
screw path and a pawl pivoted in fixed bearings so as to engage with said rack.
at the required time, and so loaded as to point lengthwise of the plunger, sub-
stantially as described.
30. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
fly wheel secured to the upper part of said plunger, racks secured thereto and

page_text: having toothed undersides formed as parts of screw paths, pawls fixed to spindles
journailed in fixed bearings so as to be capable of being turned in either direc
tion, springs connected to said spindles and tending to retain said pawls point-
ing upwardly, the length of the said racks being such that they will clear o
move beyond their respective pawls at the ends of both the impression and
return strokes of the plunger, substantially as described.
31. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
fly wheel secured to the upper part of said plunger, racks secured thereto and
having toothed undersides formed as parts of screw paths, pawls fixed to spindles
journalled in fixed bearings so as to be capable of being turned in either direc-
tion, helical springs, one of which is attached by its inner convolution fo. each
pawl spindle, means for detachably securing the outer end of each spring in
either of two positions, in one of which the pawl will be operative, in the other
inoperative, substantially as described.
32. In the impression mechanism of a printing or embossing press, the com-
bination of a screw plunger, plunger raising, locking and releasing means, a
fly wheel secured to the upper part of said plunger, racks secured thereto and
having toothed undersides formed as parts of screw paths, pawls fixed to spindles
journalled in fixed bearings so as to be capable of being turned in either direc-
tion, springs connected to said spindles and tending to retain said pawls point-
ing upwardly, the length of the said racks being such that they will clear or
move beyond their respective pawls at the ends of both the impression and
return strokes of die plunger, permitting said pawls to assume a vertical attitude
at such times and pushing said pawls into an operative position at the com-
mencement of the ascent of the plunger and into a reverse or inoperative posi-
tion at the commencement of its descent to give the impression, substantially
as described.
33. Impression mechanism constructed, arranged and operating substantially
as described with reference to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated This 17th day of May 1900.
Dated THIS 7th day of May 1900.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.