IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER-PRESS PRINTING MACHINES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Boyd, of, Ashbocking, in the County of Suffolk,
Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER-PRESS PRINTING
MACHINES."
Sealed the 27th March 1857, and dated the 27th September 1856.
...
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Boyd at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th September
1856..
I, JOHN BOYD, of Ashbocking, in the County of Suffolk, Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER-
PRESS PRINTING MACHINES," to be as follows, that is to say:
4.
My Invention consists in the use of two or more beds, on which the type
forms are placed, and which are worked with a reciprocating motion, fitted
with suitable inking apparatus, which ink may be varied in colour according
to the number of type beds used, which may not in a general way exceed
three. The whole being set in motion by suitable gearing, the top or impress-
ing cylinder is made to revolve once during the time that each type bed is
passing under it. The object of this simple arrangement is that bills, such
as are called posters, &c., may be printed in one or more colours at the
same time.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John. Boyd in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th March 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
BOYD, of Ashbocking, in the County. of Suffolk, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Boyd, Her special license that I, the said John Boyd, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Boyd, my. executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER-PRESS
PRINTING MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
John Boyd, by an instrument in writing under hand and seal, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Boyd, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say) :-
The object of my Invention is to so construct letter-press printing machines
that they shall be capable of printing (by the use of various colored inks
and inking apparatus) any bill, poster, or other matter in as many primitive
and compound colours as there may be inks and inking apparatus applied
to such machines; the description of which will be best understood by referring
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and numbers marked
thereon, observing that the same parts are marked with the same letters of
reference as they occur in each Figure.

page_text: the purpose of avoiding confusion, and for the better exhibition of the various
rollers and the axes on which: they work, as well as the beds on which the
forms are set up or placed, I have omitted to shew in Figure 1 the various
bearings for the rollers, as well as the placing-on and receiving boards or
tables.
A and B are fast and loose pulleys for receiving a band for driving or
working the machine with steam or other power; I prefer steam, but it is
not positively essential that the machine be so worked, as a handle or handles
may be so applied for the convenience of working it by manual labour. The
direction of the driving wheel B is indicated by the direction of the arrow;
and on the shaft which carries this driving wheel a pinion C is fixed, shewn
in Figure 1, which gears into the wheel marked D, D, to which is attached
a connecting rod, marked E, in such a way that it shall be adjustable in the
length of its throw or stroke by a set pin and screw, marked a; on the
under side of this connecting rod, at the other end, a rack or teeth are formed,
which teeth take into a pinion fixed on the shaft that carries the large cog
wheel, marked F, F; and the teeth of this wheel F take into a rack secured
on the under side of the bed, marked G, G; and as the said wheel F makes
an alternate revolution forward and backward by the action of the connecting
rod E, a reciprocating or forward and backward motion is given to the bed.
This rack is only seen underneath that part of the bed that projects beyond
the frame on the right-hand end of the machine, marked O.
On the shaft that carries the cog wheel D, D, are also placed two wheels
(partly shewn full size in a detached view at Figure 3), with teeth radiating
from their peripheries, which teeth take into the links of a chain that works
over them; a few links of which chain are also exhibited full size in
detached side and edge views at Figure 4. One of these wheels is exhibited
in a front view at b, Figure 2, and in an edge view at the same letter,
Figure 1; and on the same shaft a like wheel is placed, marked d, which
by means of the endless chain marked c, c, c, c, gives motion to the same
description of wheel placed at the other end of the machine, and seen only
at d", Figure 2, the gland for supporting the shaft on which works being
removed for the purpose of better exhibiting it. On the inner end of this
shaft another wheel of identically the same size and description is fixed, and
by means of another endless chain, marked e, passing over a wheel immediately
above it, of the like description, marked e¹, gives motion to the roller H,
the axis of which only is seen in Figure 2, and marked with the same
letter. This roller is in relative position to the one marked I at the other

page_text: end of the machine; deriving its motion in like manner by the same description
of wheel (in this instance placed on the front end of the axis), on which; it
works, marked b; the endless chain-connected with this and the other, small
wheel is marked:g, g.
J, K, are the inking ducts in which the coloured inks that are intended to
be used are placed, and which colored inks are taken up by the rollers-H, I,
and communicated to the inking drums L, L, by the small rolls-M;,M, being
alternately brought in contact, first with the rollers H, I; and next with the
drums L, L; from which drums the inks are communicated to the two small
rollers, marked N N N N, that are placed in suitable journeys, immediately
below them; and from these small rollers, the different colored inks are
communicated to the two type forms; thus the ink in the inking duct K
(which for definement may be of a red color) is communicated by means of
the rollers on the right-hand side of the machine (and the machine put in
motion) to the type form, marked O, and the ink in the inking duct, marked J,
(which may be blue) is; in like manner, by the series of rollers on that side,
communicated to the type form, marked P:
On the same axis that carries the large cog wheel, marked F, F, and
which axis extends from front to back of the machine, are secured the two.
grooved wheels shewn in edge-views at Q, R, Figure 1; Qgives motion to
the inking drum on the left-hand side, marked L, by means of the gut
marked h, h; while the wheel-marked R; in like manner, by means of the.
gut marked i, i, gives motion to the inking drum on the right-hand side,
also marked L. On the front end of the spindle or axis of the inking drum
L, on the right-hand side; a spiral groove marked k is, formed;, and through
the bearing that carries this drum 'a screw pin is inserted, as exhibited at j
Figure 2. The end of this pin projects through into the spiral groove, so
that as the, drum is made to revolve forward and backward it also has a
réciprocating or traversing motion across the machine. The inking drum
on the left-hand side derives the same motion, in like manner; by the spiral
groove in the end of the spindle at 1; this circular, and traversing motion
greatly facilitates the distribution of the inks over the drums
The central cylinder. S is for: receiving the paper on which the typer forms
are to be impressed with the different colored inks; and, as a rule, the
circumference of this, cylinder must be equal to one-half of the traversing
motion of the bed or beds G; G, on which the type forms rest, so that by
the bed G, G; being made to move to the left side into identically, the same
position it now occupies to the right, the cylinder, S, would make two revo-

page_text: lutions,, deriving its motion from a cog wheel placed on its front end, marked
m, the teeth of, which take, into a rack secured on the front top edge of the
bed, extending its whole length, marked.n;-
u!
1.
A sectional view, of the, impressing cylinder S is exhibited at Fig..5, as
taken through the dotted line.r, r, Figure 1, the outer circle representing.
the-blanketing with; which it is covered; the roller itself being made of iron
and cast hollow, having a bar or axis as, at p, going from end to-end of its
interior part, on which the grippers.qwork.. srepresents the main axis, on
which the roller itself works; the grippers are held up. in the direction they.
now assume, by, an elastic, band attached, to a small arm or crank, shewn in.
dotted lines, marked t; and to a tumbler suspended on a pin inside of the
supports that carry, the cylinder. S; one of which supports is shewn at T,
Figure 2, but; for:convenience, as before, observed, is not exhibited at Figure
1, and, therefore, the, tumbler and arm t are omitted, their true places (for.
I propose to use a tumbler and arm at each end) being between the ends of
the cylinder S and the side: bearings.T. The grippers, are for holding the
edge of the paper on which the forms are to be impressed, therefore, it is
necessary that they shall only open before. the impressing cylinder begins to
revolve, or after.it: has made, its two revolutions, for.. the purpose of freeing
the last impression and for receiving a fresh piece of paper. This action of
the grippers is obtained by raising and lowering the impressing cylinder,
which is done by vertical.connecting rods, one of which is shewn at u, u,
Figure 2, fitted with an adjustable coupling, marked v. These connecting
rods are attached at the top to the axes of the impressing, cylinder S, and
at the bottom to. two cranks, the one, that is seen being marked W. These
cranks; are secured; to an axis working.. through the journeys, marked x, x ;
and in like manner; about midway on the same axis,, another 'crank is placed,
of the like throw, which is suitably. united with the connecting rod, partly
shewn, marked U; connected at the other end to the same axis that carries
the large cog wheel; marked! D, D, and which axis is marked.y, over which
à cam is placed by which the connecting rod U.is worked; and as it is
impelled forward it necessarily: lifts (by moving round" the crank marked W)
the connecting rod iu; and with it the' impressing cylinder, which in rising
opens the grippers, and which immediately close on its descent...
A separate view of the connecting rod U, with its connecting crank, and
crank marked Walso a section of the axis y and the cam and friction
rollers z, z, are shewn in a separate view at Fig. 6.
Likewise on the before-mentioned laxis.y, just behind the wheel b, a cam is
fixed, by which the rod a', which works on the fulcrum has been impelled
F

page_text: into its present inclined position, carrying with it the connecting rod c, c, and
which rod is connected by a slot and set screw to the arm d, which arm is
secured to a rod or axis, marked e', going from side to side of the machine, on
which axis the arm or lever f¹ is also fixed, with a small roller at the end, as
seen in a top view, Figure 1, marked with the same letters. The use of this
apparatus is obvious, as it has lifted the flap g' of the setting-on table up to
the position here shewn, which otherwise would have rested down in the
angle h,. that part being attached to the under side of the board g¹ by hinges,
as at 2, while the board g' is united to the fixed table k by hinges, as at n².
Before describing the general action of my machine, it may be further
necessary to describe some of the parts connected with the inking apparatus,
and as they are alike at both ends of the machine (with the exception of the
.reversing of some of their positions), the description that applies to one will
apply to both; therefore, I will describe the apparatus on the right-hand side.
m', m', &c. are set screws for adjusting the inking duct to the roller II; o' is
a curved arm, working on the axis p', and at the top end of this arm a steel or
brass friction bearing is placed, marked g', adjusted by means of the screw and
handle. On the outer axis of the roller H, marked with the same letter, is
fixed a cam, marked s', and on the axis p that extends from side to side of the
machine, another arm is fixed (there being one on each side of the machine);
as seen at Figure 1, marked t, t, and form the bearings for the roller M to
work in; and again, on the axis p, two other arms are fixed, as seen at
Figure 1, marked u', u', with a piece of thin iron suspended on a pin at their
ends, marked v', curving outwardly on their top sides, as seen in a detached
view at Figure 7, marked with the same letters and representing the axis p¹ in
section. And it will be observed that the cam s¹ is not now in contact with
the friction bearing 9', the consequence is that the rollers N, N, are not in
contact with the inking cylinder L, but are down ready to ink the type, while
the cylinder L is again being charged by its contact with the roller M.
Now the rollers at the left-hand side of the machine are represented in a con-
trary position, the cam there at this time being passing under the frictional
bearing g', the effect of which is to bring the roller M in contact with the
roller I, while the two rollers N and N are receiving ink from the inking
drum L, to be ready to descend and ink the type when the form P is brought
back under them. The dotted vertical and inclined lines 1, 2, Figure 2, are
simply drawn for the purpose of shewing the different positions of these parts,
as here described.
The connecting rod E with its rack and side plates (as before represented in
Figures 1 and 2) being, somewhat obscure, I have drawn these important

page_text: parts in a side view at Fig. 8, with the plate on this side partly broken, for the
purpose of exhibiting the rack and pinion; the axis on which the pinion is
fixed is shewn in section, and the opening in the side plates being the same
width as the diameter of the axis, it is evident that the rack cannot rise or
move laterally so as to get out of gear.
To facilitate the traversing of the bed or beds, which are of iron, two strong
girders are provided, extending from end to end of the machine, and are.fixed
to the end rails by screws and bolts, as seen on the left-hand side of the
machine in Figure 1, marked A", A", on the top sides of which grooves are
formed, in which a series of friction rollers travel, each series being con-
fined between two flat bars of iron, as seen at B", B", the friction rollers being
marked C, C₁.
Thus, having given a general description of my machine as it is represented,
I think it necessary to assume and describe its further actions. We will sup-
pose that the main impressing cylinder S to have just descended, causing the
grippers to close and hold the piece of paper intended to be printed close
against the side opening, as shewn in the sectional view, Fig. 5, the paper
being laid on the laying-on board, slewn in an edge view at g' and k, Figure 1;
we must also suppose that the type on the form P has been inked in the
return motion of the bed from the other end, and by observing the direction of
the arrows, the course of the various movements will be readily understood,
and that the connecting rod E is just passing over a dead point to be pulled
back from right to left, the rack at its end being long enough to give the
pinion one revolution, and with it the large wheel F, which is secured to the
same axis; and this working into the rack on tlie under side of the beds G, G,
moves it also in the same direction, namely, from right to left, and bringing
the rollers N; N, into use, by their passing over and inking the form marked O,
while the form P is passing under the impressing cylinder, which, by the time
it has completed its duty on this form, would have made one revolution, and
the bed have travelled half-way its course; and now the rollers N, N, on the
right-hand side would begin to rise, and the rollers N, N, on the left-hand side
begin to descend, and as the bed progresses, the type in the form P will be
re-inked, and the form O will be passing under the cylinder, and by the time
the bed has travelled home to the left side, the cylinder S would have com-
pleted its second revolution, when the cam D", D", Figure 6, would have
passed around in an opposite direction; thereby acting on the double crank at
the other end, lifting the cylinder S out of gear with the rack n, thus allowing
the double bed G, G, to return to the position here represented; and the cam
being reversed that acts on on the lever a', connecting rod c', c', and armis de

page_text: and will allow the placing on table to drop down, that the printed impression
may be now, removed from the cylinder; the grippers.being at this time open
or free from the edge, of the cylinder,..to be closed.simultaneously with the
descent of the roller Sinto gear with the racken, and the rising of the.laying:
on board g¹ to the position shown in the Drawings.
It is a marked feature with, this machine that the cylinder: S only revolves
in one,direction, and by the grippers holding the paper secured to: the cylinder
during its, both -revolutions; or, in other words,;; during the time the red
and blue coloured 'fornis are passing under it, ca perfect: register is always
maintained...
Having thus described 'the, two-coloured machine represented in the Draw-
ings, I wish it understood that I do not propose confining myself 'simply to the
use of two colours, as it is evident, that by constructing this, description, of
press, longer, in proportion to the additional number of inking apparatus
employed, cany.moderate additional number of coloured or of compound
coloured inks may be used, observing at all times that, the impressing cylinder
described as S in the Drawings must be so regulated in its circumference that
it.shall make one revolution during the time that each type-form is passing
underiit, that is to say, that supposing three-coloured sinking apparatus. are
applied, three. bedsi will. 'be also required; their united length; being nine feet;
in that case the impressing cylinder would require to: be about one foot in
diaineter, so that its tliree revolutions would be equivalent to the length of the
three.beds.
In some instances.I propose to divide one or more of the. ink ducts: into two
or more compartments, or perliaps three would be more consistent; as in that
case the three primitive: colours may be used; red, yellow, and 'blue.;..the
traversing: motion described as given to the inking, drum L,would have the
effect of beautifully blending these colours together, if. it: was desirable, or they
may be kept distinct and separate if preferred.:
Having, thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner. in
which the same may be carried into effect; Iwish it to be understood that I
do not proposé confining myself to all the exact details herein described, or to
the size or shape of the various parts, exhibited in the Drawings, as the whole
is capable of considerable modification; but what I doi claim as my Invention
is, the general construction, of. letter-press printing machines for printing.in
varioust colours, as herein, described, and exhibited in the Drawings hereunto
annexed; that is to say,
..Lclaim, firstly, the constructing of such presses that the impressing cylinder
shall make one, revolution during the time that each forin of: type: shall be

page_text: passing under it in its course, to impart its impression to the paper intended
to be printed, without any regard to the number of coloured inks or inking
apparatus applied to such machines.
Secondly, I claim the arrangement of the laying-on board marked g', and
angle piece marked h', for laying-to, with the cam and various actions and
movements in connection with the same.
Thirdly, I claim the use, as applied to letter-press printing machines, of star
wheels and chains, as exhibited in the Drawings, for working the inking
apparatus or apparatuses.
And, lastly, I claim the application, to letter-press printing machines, of slide
plates, as applied to the connecting rod marked E, for keeping its rack in.gear
with the pinion to which it gives motion, as exhibited in Figure 2, and in a
detached view at Figure 8.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Boyd, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.