IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINES FOR FOLDING SHEETS OF PAPER
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Martyn Nicholls, of 35, Kirby Street, Hatton
Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINES FOR FOLDING SHEETS OF PAPER.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Martyn Nicholls
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th February 1882.
HENRY MARTYN NICHOLLS of 35 Kirby Street Hatton Garden in the County of
Middlesex Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR FOLDING SHEETS
PAPER
"
OF
My invention relates to improvements in the folding machine described in the
Specification of a patent granted to me and bearing date 25th June 1878 No 2534,
and consists in the further development or extension of the folding process as
described for giving the first fold in such machine and the adaptation of the
machine for use either in combination with an apparatus for cutting continuous
paper into sheets as therein described, or as a folding machine only.
In my present invention a modified form of the grippers described in the
Specification above referred to is adapted and applied to the machine not only to
draw the sheet between the rollers as therein described but to continue to draw it
until it is caused to pass clear of them, when they are stopped and the sheet so
folded is delivered to a second similar set of grippers, which close on the top and
bottom edges of the folded sheet in the centre thereof, and draw the sheet between
a second similar pair of rollers mounted at right angles to the said first pair,
whereby the sheet receives a second fold.
When the first set of grippers have delivered the sheet to the second set in the
manner described, the frame to which they are connected is caused to raise them
to their original position at the upper surface of the table, when they are made to
close on another sheet just laid thereon, and so the process of folding is continued
as required.
The reciprocating frames which carry the grippers are actuated by a crank
which controls their motion.

page_text: The rollers which give the fold to the sheet are also under the control of the
said crank, and receive their revolving from it alternately in opposite directions.
When the last fold has been given, as there are no more grippers arranged to
receive the sheet, on the last pair relaxing their hold thereon it is allowed to drop
from the machine with its required number of folds formed in it.
The opening and closing of the grippers at the required intervals are completely
under the control of the crank and take place as the crank passes the top and
bottom centres.
If it be desired to fold two or more sheets and deliver them folded one inside
another, the grippers which give the first fold are prevented from shutting until
the required number of sheets are laid on the table, when they are allowed or
caused to shut and carry the several sheets down through or between the rollers,
in order to receive the first fold in the same manner in which it is given to one
sheet alone.
The folding machine as above described being complete in itself may be used as
a hand fed machine, and be employed for folding either one or more sheets of
paper as described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Martyn Nicholls in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th August 1882.
HENRY MARTYN NICHOLLS of 35 Kirby Street Hatton Garden in the County of
Middlesex Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR FOLDING SHEETS OF
PAPER"
My Invention relates to improvements in the folding machine described in the
Specification of a Patent granted to me and bearing date twenty fifth June Ono
thousand eight hundred and seventy eight No 2534 and consists in the further
development or extension of the folding process as described for giving the first
fold in such machine and the adaptation of the machine for use either in combi-
nation with an apparatus for cutting continuous paper into sheets as therein
described or as a folding machine only.
In my present Invention a modified form of the grippers described in the
Specification above referred to, is adapted and applied to the machine, not only to
draw the sheet between the rollers as therein described, but to continue to draw it
until it is caused to pass clear of them, when they are stopped; and the sheet so
folded is delivered to a second similar set of grippers which close on the top and
bottom edges of the folded sheet in the centre thereof, and draw the sheet between
a second similar pair of rollers, mounted at right angles to the said first pair,
whereby the sheet receives a second fold.
When the first set of grippers have delivered the sheet to the second set in the
manner described the frame to which they are connected is caused to raise them
to their original position at the upper surface of the table, when they are made
to close on another sheet just laid thereon, and so the process of folding is continued
as required.
The reciprocating frames which carry the grippers are actuated by a crank
which controls their motion.
The rollers which give the fold to the sheet are also under the control of the
said crank, and receive their revolving motion from it alternately in opposite
directions.
When the last fold has been given, as there are no more grippers arranged to
receive the sheet, on the last pair relaxing their hold thereon it is allowed to drop
from the machine with its required number of folds formed in it.
The opening and closing of the grippers at the required intervals are completely
under the control of the crank and take place as the crank passes the top and
bottom centres.
If it be desired to fold two or more sheets and deliver them folded one inside
another, the grippers which give the first fold are prevented from shutting until the
required number of sheets are laid on the table, when they are allowed or caused
to shut and carry the several sheets down through or between the rollers, in order
to receive the first fold in the same manner in which it was given to one sheet
alone.
The folding machine as above described being complete in itself may be used as
a hand fed machine and be employed for folding either one or more sheets of paper
as described.
Having thus stated the nature of the said invention I will proceed to describe
more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed by the aid of the

page_text: the improvements constituting the present Invention and certain details thereof on
a larger scale.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig: 1 represents a front view, Fig. 2 a side elevation and Fig: 3 a plan of the
machine partly in section. In each of these figures certain parts of the framing
are omitted in order more clearly to explain the essential moving parts of the
machine.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.
The machine consists principally of a base plate A, mounted on wheels B. Four
vertical standards CD E F support a top frame G on which rests a table H; on
this table the sheet to be folded is first correctly laid either by the automatic
means described in the Specification of the Patent No. 2534 (1878), or by hand if
the machine is used as a hand fed machine.
Beneath the centre of the table H two rollers J and K are mounted, their upper
surface just flush with the top of the table. One of these rollers K is mounted free
to revolve in bearings, the other is also froe to revolve but is subject to the action
of springs, (see Figures 4 and 5) which press against the roller K from which it
receives motion by contact pressure. The roller K is driven by a chain or band L
which receives motion from the sliding frame M, hereinafter called the gripper
slide, to which the grippers N N are fixed. This frame is capable of sliding freely
on the vertical guide O and receives motion through the rod P from the end of the
lever Q, which is fast on the shaft R. this lever through the rod S is raised and
lowered by the revolution of the crank T on the shaft U, to which shaft the power
is applied to move the machine.
The lever Qis fast as stated on the shaft R, when it movos and causes the shaft
to turn motion is imparted through the toothed segments W and X also fast on the
said shaft to the shafts Y and Z which are furnished with corresponding segments a
and b-The shaft Y carries the lever c at its extremity by which motion is given
to the gripper slide M* by which the sheet is drawn through the rollers & and e to
receive the second fold and the vertical shaft Z which through the lever fƒ gives
motion to the gripper slide M³, by which the sheet is drawn through the rollers g
and h, to receive the third and last fold the machine is designed to give it.
Before proceeding to describe the machine as a whole the motion of the grippers
will be described separately. Figures 6 and 7 represent on a larger scale the
grippers and the gearing which actuates them. A portion of the guide o is shewn
on which the gripper slide M works. The slide consists of a frame which carries
a tube passing through which is the round rod j, the levers k and / on which rod
actuate the grippers themselves. These consist of an upper jaw N. and a lower
jaw . The lower jaw which is formed of a thin metal plate passes between the
rollers as shewn (Fig: 7) while the upper jaw N passes outside the ends of the
rollers; and on the stroke of the gripper slide being completed, owing to the
crauk T reaching the top centre, the upper jaw N is caused to shut on the lower,
by a spring acting constantly in the direction of the arrow m; and so the sheet is
secured by the grippers, and on the reversal of the action of the gripper slide M,
the sheet is drawn through or between the rollers J and K which are put in motion
also by the gripper slide as already stated the same being connected with the chain
or band L, so that the rollers are thereby caused to keep pace with the grippers
the speed of which varies continually according to the action of the crank. The
rollers help to advance the sheet as soon as it gets between them.
The mode in which the grippers are caused to open and shut is as follows. One
of the levers k on the rod j is furnished with an arm fitted with a pin n, this pin
when the grippers are required to shut reaches one extremity of a thin guide plato
or blade o.

page_text: When the spring at m. draws the lever k. in the direction shewn (Fig : 7) and
causes the upper jaws N of the grippers to shut.-The spindle p which carries the
upper jaw of the gripper is formed with a quick threaded screw so that when the
nut q. is moved on it by the lever k, the spindle turns through a quarter of a circle
and brings down the jaw N on the lower jaw l-The grippers will remain shut
until the stroke of the slide is complete in the opposite direction when they are
required to open to deliver the sheet.-This is effected by the pin n moving along
the one side (left hand) of the guide o. until it reaches the spring r this it forces
out of its way until on reaching the extremity of the guide o it loses the support of
the guide and is forced by the spring . to the opposite side of the guide by a
counter action of the spring acting at m: this consequently forces the upper jaws
of the grippers open and leaves the sheet free to be removed by the next
succeeding pair of grippers and the grippers that havo just delivered the sheet
ascend open the pin n moving on the right hand side of the guide o until on
reaching its upper extremity the spring acting at m. again shuts the grippers.
The mode of operation of the machine which in the present instance is designed
to give three folds to the sheet is as follows. The sheet to be folded having been
laid on the table H in correct register, the grippers having arrived at the top of
their stroke as shewn, they shut on the centre of the sheet, and the crank T
continuing its revolution the first set of grippers descend carrying the sheet into
and between the rollers J and K, these being driven by the gripper slide as
explained, draw the sheet between them and send it downwards at the same rate
at which the grippers descend. On the stroke of the gripper slide being completed
the in stroke of the second gripper slide M² will also be completed which will
bring the second set of grippers into the same position relatively to the sheet which
the first set had to it when the sheet was on the table. These grippers will now
shut on the sheet, and when their out stroke commences will draw the sheet
between the rollers d and e to receive the second fold. The first gripper slide M in
the meantime rising towards the table so that the first set of grippers may occupy
their original position in order to receive another sheet.
Following the course of the sheet, when the second set of grippers have arrived
at the termination of their out-stroke the third gripper slide M³ will have finished its
in stroke and brought the third set of grippers to the position in readiness to close
on the sheet which has now received two folds and on the out or back stroke
commencing, will draw the sheet between the third set of rollers g and h, when it
will receive the third and last fold.—On the third set of grippers reaching the
termination of their out stroke and their slide becoming reversed the sheet will bc
released from the grippers and drop out with the required number of folds.
When it is desired to fold one sheet inside another the first set of grippers
are prevented from shutting until the second sheet is laid on the table; this is
effected by virtually prolonging the guide o at its upper extremity so that when
the pin n. reaches that point it cannot pass over to the other side but must
descend with the grippers open.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine
myself to the exact details as herein described, but what I claim is:
First: The combination of parts forming the gripping action whereby the sheet
or sheets is or are taken hold of and drawn into and between the several pairs of
rollers in succession to receive the successive folds in the manner described the
said rollers receiving an intermittent and reverse rotary motion corresponding and
coincident with the intermittent reciprocating motion imparted to the gripping
apparatus each of such motions being derived from the continuous rotation of the
crank which is made to control all the moving parts of the machine in the manner
and for the purpose or purposes substantially as hereinbefore described.
And Secondly: The machine as represented and described adapted for use as a

page_text: folding machine either separately or in combination with an apparatus for cutting
continuous paper into sheets as described in the Specification of my former Patent
No. 2534 (1878).
In witness whereof I the said Henry Martyn Nicholls have hereunto set my
hand and seal the twenty fourth day of August in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness
W. H. SPENCE
8 Quality Court
Chancery Lane
H. M. NICHOLLS. (L.S.)