Improved Clamp Block for Holding Stereotype Plates.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Apr., 1894-Accepted, 2nd June, 1894
Improved Clamp Block for Holding Stereotype Plates.
I, JAMES HILL of 105 Causewayside, Edinburgh, in the County of Midlothian,
North Britain, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention which relates to an improved clamp block for holding stereotype
plates, has for its object to simplify the work of imposing, and after the said blocks
have been set up in form, the said blocks, owing to their construction allow of any
of the plates, or any part of them, or of any part of one of them being removed
without taking down the form.
In carrying out my said invention I construct a block or frame, preferably of
cast iron, though I may use any other suitable metal or material; this block or
frame is so constructed as to carry a pair of side catches, end catch, rods, sliding
plate, screw, and pins all or any of which may be made of iron, steel, brass, or any
other suitable metal or material, the whole being so mounted or arranged that it
forms a powerful clamp block, for holding the stereotype plates, while at the same
time owing to its construction it can grip or clamp half plates, or parts of plates, as
well as whole plates, and is also capable of taking in various sizes of plates (within
a certain limit) though the blocks may be made to take in any desired size or sizes
of plates. By the simultaneous movement of the various catches the stereotype
plate is brought to the centre of the block, and the margins of the printed matter
are thus kept equal.
In order that my said invention may be properly understood and readily carried
into effect I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom-
panying drawings, in which the same reference figures are used in the various
figures.
Figure 1, is a plan of my clamp block.
Figure 2, is an end elevation of same.
Figure 3, is an under plan of same.
Figure 4, is a sectional end elevation. And
Figure 5, is a sectional side elevation on centre line.
Referring to the said figures, A, represents a block or frame which may be made
of cast iron, or any other suitable metal or material and which is finished or planed
to gauge, so as to be easily fitted into the ordinary printers' chase and secured by
the ordinary furniture. The said forms being provided with the necessary number
of these blocks according to requirements. This block or frame A is so constructed
as to carry a pair of side catches or clamps B. B', which are preferably made of
steel plate, though I may use any other metal or material, and of a section as is
shown more particularly at b, in Figures 2 and 4, so as to enable then to grip
plates, either having bevelled or straight edges. These clamps or catches B B
are mounted in such a manner in the frame, that they are capable of being easily
and quickly drawn towards each other or pushed from each other, or in other
words simultaneously to and from the centre of the block or frame A. The said
simultaneous movement of the said catches B B', being obtained by means of
operating the screw C (by means of an ordinary screw key or its equivalent)
which is preferably mounted (as shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 5) in
the recessed part a, of the end of the frame. The said screw is held firmly in its
position by means of the pin and groove a', and works in a corresponding screwed
nut d, which is formed on or attached to the one end of a sliding plate D, which
has two or more sets of angled ribs or projections d', d, formed on or attached to
[Price d

page_text: it for the purpose of engaging in the slots e e', of the two or more sets of sliding
rods E, E, which are capable of moving outwards and inwards in suitable paps or
recesses e³, formed in the main frame, and thus moving the side catches B. B' by.
reason of their being secured in a suitable manner such as by screwing or otherwise,
to the ends of sets of sliding rods E E', and if desired I may provide or form on
the said side catches B. B', suitable thickening pieces, corresponding recesses being
formed in the sides of the frame for their being fitted into where the ends of the
sliding rods are attached. Thus it will be seen that the said side catches act in a
very quick and efficient manner through the medium of the combined screw and
wedge arrangement, that is the screw C, sliding plate D, angled ribs d' d, and
slide bars E. E', the speed of which may be varied by means of the screw C. being
made either single, double or triple threaded, and also the varying of the angles of
the ribs or projections d' d².
In order to allow of the said blocks taking in plates of slightly varying lengths
I mount by screws for otherwise, an end catch F, which may be made of cast iron,
steel, brass or any other suitable metal or material, this catch F when desired may
be screwed outwards from the block, and the vacancy between the two may be
filled up with ekes or other suitable furniture.
It is to be understood that I may make my clamp blocks any desired size, so as
to enable them to be adapted to the various sizes of stereotype plates.
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.
First. The general arrangement, combination, and construction of the various
parts, constituting my improved clamp block for holding stereotype plates, all
substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Second. In clamp blocks for holding stereotype plates, the employment of the
combined wedge and screw arrangement, consisting of the screw C, sliding plate D,
angled ribs d', d, and sliding rods E E', all substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of Anvil 1904
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.