IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PRINTING PRESSES." A communication from abroad by William Hughson
Golding, of the City of Chelsea, in the County of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts,
United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd February 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES." [A communication from
abroad by William. Hughson Golding, of the City of Chelsea, in the County of
Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, United States of America.]
This Invention mainly consists (1) in the special construction of the mechanism
employed for communicating movement from the main shaft to the platen, the
connection of the parts being such that the platen is caused to receive from the
uniform revolution of the main shaft a reciprocating movement, which has an
interval of rest when the platen is in position to receive the sheet; (2) in the
special construction of the mechanism for adjusting the platen to the face of the
bed, and also for throwing off the impression; (3) in the special construction of
the mechanism for giving movement to the ink-frame; (4) in the special con-
struction of the ink-frame; (5) in the special construction of the mechanism for
giving movement to the ink-disc; (6) in the employment of an ink distributer
under the bed; and (7) in the means employed to give the ink distributer a double
movement.
It consists further in certain special details of construction, which in connection
with the foregoing will be fully described hereafter. I will first describe the
mechanism employed for communicating movement from the main shaft to the
platen.
The main shaft is mounted in the side plates of the press frame, and is provided
near one end inside the standards with a crank, and at one end outside of the

page_text: standards with a gear wheel, which gears with a pinion on the end of an auxiliary
shaft above the main shaft, and also provided with a crank. The auxiliary shaft
receives motion from a treadle through a connecting rod having a slot at the lower
end, and a spring clamp or other means of connection with the crank of the
auxiliary shaft at the other. Another shaft also mounted in the side plates is
provided with arms provided with ends having openings, and a right angled
extension having ends with openings, which is connected by a connecting rod to
the crank of the main shaft. The ends of these arms are connected by rods with
another rod or shaft mounted in the free ends of bars, pivoted at their other ends
to a shaft extending across the machine at the rear upper corner of the same.
former of the two shafts last mentioned is enclosed in a hollow shaft, which is
provided with openings for the projection of the ends of the connecting rods
through it to the inner shaft, and with arms whose ends are jointed to ears at the
underside of the base plate of the platen. This base plate has supporting arms, by
means of which and proper screwing devices it is hinged to the side plates of the
frame. The operation of these parts is substantially as follows:-
.
The
Movement having been communicated to the main shaft in any proper manner,
the platen receives therefrom through the intermediate mechanism described an
oscillating movement. At the end of the return movement of the platen after
making an impression it has an interval of rest. This results mainly from the
construction of the connecting rod, and its arrangement relatively to the crank
of the main shaft. The connecting rod is made nearly of the same length as the
crank of the main shaft, and is so united thereto that when the crank is in its
lowest position, the centre of movement of the upper end of the connecting rod
is nearly coincident with the centre of movement of the main shaft. From this
construction and arrangement it follows, when the parts are in this position, that
the continued movement of the crank will give to the connecting rod simply a
swinging movement upon the pin or bolt which unites it to the right angled
extension above mentioned, without lifting the extension in a vertical direction.
The exact coincidence of the crank and the connecting rod in their movement
continues only while the two lie in the same vertical plane, but as in approaching
and leaving this line the vertical movement of the rod is necessarily small, it follows
that a sufficient interval of rest is obtained for the purpose desired.
The vertical movement of the connecting rod, resulting from the revolution of
the main shaft, is communicated to the extension, and the latter being swung upon
the bearings lifts the shaft supported by the swinging arms as above described. By
the elevation of this shaft, the arms of the hollow shaft which encircles it are
caused to swing back the hinged platen against the bed. The arms and connecting
rods act together in the manner of a toggle joint. By the action of this toggle
movement, the shaft held by the swinging arms is caused to describe the arc of a
circle, and to force backward in its upward movement the hinged platen.
I will now describe the mechanism for adjusting the platen to the face of the
bed, and also for throwing off the impression. The base plate of the platen before
referred to has walls located on the sides of the inner face, and walls located near
the top and bottom of the same. The latter walls have ledges on the outside which
are provided with end portions inclined, and a projection at the middle. Wedge
blocks, having above a horizontal bearing face, and below an inclined bearing face,
are adapted to rest upon the inclined end portion of said ledge. By means of an
adjusting screw located at the proper point in the side wall, the wedge block may
be advanced upon its inclined seat when it is desired to elevate its horizontal
bearing face. A spring is interposed between the inner end of the wedge block
and the projection before mentioned, or another projection upon the lower side of a
bar adapted in form and size to rest upon the horizontal bearing faces of the wedge
blocks, and provided on the upper side at each end with an inclined bearing face.
This bar may, by means of a screw, be moved independently of the other parts in
order that the platen may be adjusted at the top and bottom when desired for the
purpose of regulating the impression. Another bar precisely like the bar just

page_text: described (excepting that it is without the projection) when in position lies with
its inclined bearing faces in contact with the corresponding faces of the first bar.
A shaft held by proper bearings upon one of the side walls of the base plate is
provided with crank arms having links secured to the outer ends of the bars. This
shaft is, by means of a crank handle, partially revolved when desired for the
purpose of giving longitudinal movement to the bars, as will be bereinafter
described. By means of a spring latch the shaft and the attached bars may be
locked in their normal position when desired.
The impression is thrown off by forcing down the crank handle, the spring latch
having first been disengaged, by which means the shaft is partially revolved, and
the inclined faces of the bars attached thereto are drawn down those of the other
bars, and the face plate of the platen is drawn nearer to the base plate by a spring,
so that it will not come in contact with the type upon the bed when swung
backward, and hence no impression will be made. By a reverse movement of the
shaft the platen is moved out from its base plate far enough to come in contact
with the type for the purpose of receiving an impression therefrom. Right angled
plates project from the base plate, and have bearing faces which, when the face
plate is in place, bear against walls on the inner side of the face plate of the platen,
whereby the lateral and longitudinal position of the face plate relatively to the
base plate is accurately determined. The inner side of the face plate of the platen
is also provided with a threaded socket piece and bearing ribs, the outer ones of
which latter are provided with a flange. A screw extends through the base plate
into the socket piece of the face plate, and carries an intermediate spring bearing
at one end against the head of the screw, and at the other against a bracket plate
attached to the base plate. The wedge blocks and parts are properly covered by a
face plate.
The operation of these parts is readily understood.
The manner of adjusting the platen is as follows:-The face plate of the platen
is adjusted to the face of the bed by simply turning any one of or all of the screws
by which each wedge block is either moved up the inclined portions by the
direct action of the screw, or is moved down the incline by the reaction of the
spring.
After the platen is adjusted so that it is perfectly true with the face of the bed,
it is seldom necessary to change the position of the wedge blocks. The two hand
screws controlling the movement of the double wedge blocks are used to regulate
the amount of impression on the paper. By these connected wedges the top and
bottom lines of the platen are kept perfectly parallel with the bed, and the
impression can thereby be changed quickly for small or large forms, and the
varying thickness of paper and cardboard. From this action it follows that the
face plate of the platen is moved either to or from the base plate, according to
the circumstances of the case.
I will now describe the ink frame and the mechanism for giving movement to
the same.
The ink frame has a bearing opening enclosing the fixed bearing hubs or journal
projecting from the side plates, and its rear ends are united by an intermediate
connecting bar.
An arm projects from the frame, and is connected by a rod to a
crank pin upon the main gear wheel. Side bars rise from the base portion of the
frame, and are united above by a cross bar. Hollow studs rise from the base
portion, the openings into which are in line below openings in the cross bar. The
upper ends of the hook rods for holding the rollers in place extend through the
openings in the cross bar, and the lower ends extend into the openings of the studs.
There is a collar or shoulder upon the lower end of each rod and a spring enclosing
the rod, the lower end of which bears upon the collar. These collars or shoulders
have guide projections which move in proper pockets or recesses, by means of
which construction the rods are absolutely held from turning out of place. A bar
having openings at its ends through which extend two of the hook rods is attached

page_text: by an auxiliary spring to the base portion of the frame, and there is a similar bar
provided in addition with an extension projecting over the first bar.
If desired the upper end of the hook rod may be provided with a non-removable
screw for holding the end of the ink roller, and preventing absolutely its accidental
escape.
The operation of these parts is substantially as follows:-The ink frame as a
whole receives an oscillating movement from the revolution of the main gear wheel
through the intermediate mechanism described. The rollers, by means of the hook,
rods, and springs, are held with an elastic pressure. By means of the bars the
power of the auxiliary spring is added to that of the main spring upon the rod,
and consequently a more uniform tension is obtained.
I will now describe the mechanism for giving movement to the ink disc.
A bracket or standard extends upward and rearward from the upper edge of
the bed, which is provided with a sleeve adapted to receive the central stud of
the ink disc, and having ears in line with the axis of the disc, to which is jointed
a radial arm having a cam projection at one end, and at the other end ears sup-
porting a weighted pawl, and which engages with peripheral ratchet teeth on the
under side of the ink disc.
The operation of these parts is substantially as follows:-The ink frame having
received its oscillating motion in the manner previously described, a curved arm on
the cross bar or shaft forming the axis of the swinging levers before described 'is
caused in its upward movement to come in contact with and oscillate a lever
pivoted to the standard or bracket. By this movement a cam projection on said
lever is caused to come in contact with the cam projection on the radial arm, and
swing the latter so as to cause the pawl to engage with the ratchet teeth of the
disc, and give it a partial revolution. The radial arm being held at an angle is
returned to its normal position by the action of gravitation. The ink disc thus
receives a partial revolution at each oscillation of the ink frame.
I will now describe the ink distributer under the bed, and the mechanism for
giving the same a double movement. A rod or shaft extends across the machine
just behind the bed, and is supported by the side plates. The ink distributer
consists of a curved plate having arms which are loosely secured upon the said
shaft by sleeves or other proper means in such manner as to permit the plate to
oscillate upon the shaft, and also to move in a lateral direction thereon. Upon the
main shaft is a cam, the groove of which is adapted to give a lever pin resting
therein a forward and backward movement, with an interval of rest after each
change. This lever is pivoted to one of the side plates, and in a bent portion of
the short arm of the lever is mounted a spring bolt latch, the upper end of which
extends into a slot cut in the edge of the distribution plate when the parts are in
their normal condition.
The operation of these parts is substantially as follows:-The ink rollers in
completing their downward movement pass over the ink distributer, the latter
being held stationary during this movement by its contact with the bolt. The ink
rollers in starting to return lift the distributer by the friction of contact, and conse-
quently move with the same without revolution for a short distance. By means
of this action the rollers are caused to begin their revolution in return at a different
point relatively to the type than that at which they stopped, and hence a new
roller surface is presented to the type in the return movement.
The distributor also, in addition to the vibratory movement given to it by the
rollers, receives a lateral movement upon its shaft at regular intervals for the
purpose of presenting a fresh surface to the rollers at each downward movement of
the same. This lateral movement is caused by the action of the cam and the
intermediate lever mechanism just described, the cam being turned to move the
distributor first in one direction and then in the other before the passage of
the rollers over it. By depressing the bolt the distributor may be swung backward
out of the way when it is desired to dispense with its use, it being held in this.

page_text: rearward position by contact with the bolt when the same is returned to its normal
position.
Some of the advantages of the foregoing construction are as follows:-
By means of the construction and arrangement of the crank shaft and connecting
rod the platen is given a reciprocating movement with an interval of rest, by means
of which ample time is afforded for feeding the sheet.
or
By means of the mechanism for regulating the impression a perfect adjustment
of the platen may be readily and quickly made.
By means of the mechanism for throwing off the impression the operation may
be instantly performed whenever desired.
By means of this construction also the platen is supported by perfectly solid
bearings having no appreciable wear.
By means of the lower ink distributor a more thorough distribution is obtained,
and a more even application of the ink to the form.
By means of the mechanism for holding the inking rollers an easy movement and
nearly uniform tension is obtained.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 23rd August 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES." A communication from
abroad by William Hughson Golding, of the City of Chelsea, in the County of
Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, United States of America.
This Invention consists mainly :-
1st. In the special construction of the mechanism employed for communicating
movement from the main shaft to the platen, the connection of the parts being
such that the platen is caused to receive from the uniform revolution of the main
shaft a reciprocating movement which has an interval of rest when the platen is
in position to receive the sheet.
2nd. In the special construction of the mechanism for adjusting the platen to
the face of the bed, and also for throwing off the impression.
3rd. In the special construction of the mechanism for giving movement to the
ink frame.
4th. In the special construction of the ink frame.
5th. In the special construction of the mechanism for giving movement to the
ink disc.
6th. In the employment of an ink distributor under the bed, and
7th. In the means employed to give the ink distributor a double movement.
It consists further in certain special details of construction, which in connection
with the foregoing will be fully described hereinafter.
In the Drawings Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the improved press;
Figure 2, a vertical sectional elevation of the same; Figure 3, a detached view of
the ink frame on a larger scale; Figure 4, a detached view of the main crank and
its connections; Figure 5, a rear elevation of the press complete; Figures 6, 7 and 8,
detail views of the mechanism for actuating the ink disc; Figures 9, 10 and 11,
detail views of the mechanism for giving the lower ink distributor its longitudinal
movement; Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, various views of the platen; Figure 17,
a transverse sectional elevation of the platen and base plate; Figure 18, a view on
a larger scale of the crank b and connecting rod e; Figure 19, a view on a larger
scale of the shaft E, with its arms e; Figure 20, a view on a larger scale of the
shaft F; Figure 21, an end elevation of the platen; Figure 22, a plan view of the
bar h; Figure 23, an enlarged view of one of the hook rods for holding the ink
rollers; and Figure 24, an enlarged view of the crank mechanism for actuating the
press.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use this improved press I will
now proceed to describe fully its construction and operation. For convenience and
clearness the same will be described under several heads, as follows:-
(1.) The mechanism employed for communicating movement from the main shaft
to the platen.
(2.) The mechanism for adjusting the platen to the face of the bed, and also for
throwing off the impression.
(3.) The ink frame and the mechanism for giving movement to the same.
(4.) The mechanism for giving movement to the ink disc.
(5.) The ink distributer under the bed, and the mechanism for giving the same
a double movement.
(1.) THE MECHANISM EMPLOYED FOR COMMUNICATING MOVEMENT FROM THE
MAT SIT
TA THE PLATEN

page_text: means of the vertical bed plate a, Figures 2 and 5, as shown; B, Figures 1 and 5,
represent the main shaft suitably held by proper bearings in the side plates, which
is provided near one end upon the inner side of the standard with the crank b,
Figure 5, of the usual well known construction, and at one end upon the outer
side of the standard with a gear wheel 61, Figures 1 and 5, as shown; C, Figures
1 and 5, represents an auxiliary shaft suitably held by proper bearings in the side
plates, which is provided upon the inner side of the standards with a crank c,
Figure 24, and upon the outer side of the standard with a pinion c¹, Figure 1,
engaging with the gear wheel b', as shown; D, Figures 2 and 24, represents a treadle
of any proper construction and a connecting rod having a slot at d¹ at one end and
a spring clamp or other proper means of connection at the other. By means of
the connecting rod the treadle is united to the auxiliary shaft for the purpose of
giving movement thereto; E, Figures 2, 4, 5, and 19, represents a shaft suitably
held by proper bearings in the side plates, which is provided with the arms e, e,
extending therefrom as shown; these arms themselves being provided with the
ends e', Figure 19, having openings, as shown; and e², Figure 4, represents a right
angled extension having ends e with openings, as shown; represents a connecting
rod of any proper construction, by means of which the crank of the main shaft is
united to the extension e³, of the arm e, as shown; F, Figures 1, 2, and 20,
represents a rod or shaft suitably held by proper bearings in the free ends of the
bars f, f, Figure 1, which bars are themselves held at their fixed ends by the
shaft f, extending across the machine at the rear upper corner of the same as
shown; f, f2, Figures 2 and 5, represent connecting rods, by means of which the
shaft F is united to the ends of the arms e; f³, Figures 2 and 20, represents a
hollow shaft enclosing the solid shaft F, which is provided first with proper
openings for the projection of the ends of the connecting rods f³ through it to the
shaft F, and, second, with arms f4,f4, Figure 2, having openings in the end, as
shown; G, Figure 12, represents the base plate of the platen having the supporting
arms g, g, by means of which and proper screwing devices it is hinged or pivoted to
the side plates, as shown; g', g', represent ears; and g², g², bolts or pins, by means
of which the arms f, f are pivoted to the platen; 9³ represents a fastening screw,
by means of which the pin 92 is held against accidental displacement. The
operation of these parts is substantially as follows:-
Movement having been communicated to the main shaft in any proper manner the
platen receives therefrom through the intermediate mechanism described an oscillating
movement. At the end of the return movement of the platen, after making an
impression, it has an interval of rest. This results mainly from the construction of
the connecting rod e*, Figure 4, and its arrangement relatively to the crank of the
main shaft. The connecting rod e, it will be observed, is made nearly of the same
length as the crank of the main shaft, and is so united thereto that when the crank
is in its lowest position, as shown in Figures 5 and 18, the centre of movement of
the upper end of the connecting rod is nearly coincident with the centre of move-
ment of the main shaft. From this construction and arrangement it follows when
the parts are in this position that the continued movement of the crank will give
to the connecting rod simply a swinging movement upon the pin or bolt which
unites it to the extension e², as indicated in Figure 4, without lifting the extension
of the shaft E in a vertical direction. The exact coincidence of the crank and the.
connecting rod in their movement continues only while the two lie in the same
vertical plane, but as in approaching and leaving this line the vertical movement
of the rod is necessarily small, it follows that a sufficient interval of rest is obtained
for the purpose desired. The vertical movement of the connecting rod resulting
from the revolution of the main shaft is communicated to the extension of the
shaft E, E, Figure 2, and the latter being swung upon the bearings, the connecting
rods ff, are caused to lift the shaft F supported by the swinging arms f. f, as
shown. By the elevation of the shaft F the arms f of the hollow shaft f2 are
caused to swing back the hinged platen G against the bed. The arms E and

page_text: connecting rods f2 act together in the manner of a toggle joint. By the action of
this toggle movement the shaft F held by the swinging arms f. f, is caused to
describe the arc of a circle, and to force backward in its upward movement the
hinged platen by means of the arms f*.
(2.) THE MECHANISM FOR ADJUSTING THE PLATEN TO THE FACE OF THE BED,
AND ALSO FOR THROWING OFF THE IMPRESSION.
G, Figure 12, represents the base plate of the platen before referred to; g*, gt,
Figure 15, wall located on the sides of the inner face of the base plate, and g³, g³,
walls located near the top and bottom of the same; go, Figure 16, represent ledges
on the outside of the walls 95, which are provided with the end portions g' inclined,
as shown, and the projection gs, as shown; g³, g, represent wedge blocks having
above, a horizontal bearing face, and below an inclined bearing face adapted to rest
upon the end portion g7, as shown; g10 represents an adjusting screw located at the
proper point in the side wall, by means of which the wedge block may be advanced
upon its inclined seat when it is desired to elevate its horizontal bearing face;
g represents a spring interposed between the inner end of the wedge block and
the projection 98 or the projection g¹³, hereinafter referred to; g12 represents a bar
adapted in form and size to rest upon the horizontal bearing faces of the wedge
blocks, as shown, which is provided upon the upper side at each end with. an
inclined bearing face, and upon its lower side with a projection g¹³, as shown;
g also represents a bar precisely like the bar g12, excepting that it is without the
projection gl, which bar when in position lies with its inclined bearing faces in
contact with the corresponding faces of the bar gl2, as shown; g¹³ represents a
shaft held by proper bearings upon one of the side walls of the base plate, which is
provided with crank arms g16, Figures 13 and 16, having links 917, Figure 16, secured
to the outer ends of the bars g14, as shown; g¹s represents a crank handle by means
of which the shaft g15 is partially revolved when desired for the purpose of giving
longitudinal movement to the bars g14, as will be herein-after described;
g1, Figure 16, represents a spring latch, by means of which the shaft g¹s and the
attached bars g14 may be locked in their normal position when desired. 920, 920,
Figure 15, represent right angled plates projecting from the base plate, having
bearing faces 92, 921, as shown; 923, 923, Figure 15, represents a small opening in
the bracket plate 92, which is in line over a larger opening in the base plate, as
shown in Figure 17; 925, Figure 14, represents the face plate of the platen, the
inner side of which is provided with the threaded socket piece g20, the walls 927
and 928, and the bearing ribs 920, the outer ones of which latter are provided with
the flange 930, as shown in Figure 21; g³1, Figure 17, represents a screw which
extends through the base plate into the socket piece of the face plate, as shown;
g32 represents an intermediate spring, bearing at one end against the head of the
screw and at the other upon the bracket plate, as shown. When the face plate
is in place the faces 921, 92%, of the plate 920 bear against the walls g27, 928, by
means of which construction the lateral and longitudinal position of the face
plate relatively to the base plate is accurately determined. 983, Figure 15,
represents a face plate by means of which the wedge blocks and parts are properly
covered; g represents a screw by means of which the bar g12 may be moved
independently of the other parts in order that the platen may be adjusted at the
top and bottom when desired for the purpose of regulating the impression.
The operation of these parts is readily understood. The manner of adjusting the
platen is as follows:-
The face plate of the platen is adjusted to the face of the bed by simply turning
any one of or all of the screws g10 in the proper direction, in consequence of which
each wedge block g³ is either moved up the inclined portions g7 by the direct action
of the screw when the same is moved in a forward direction, or is moved down the
incline by the reaction of the spring gl when the same is moved in a rearward
direction. After the platen is adjusted so that it is perfectly true with the face of

page_text: the bed it is seldom necessary to change the position of the wedge blocks gº. The
two hand screws 932 controlling the movement of the double wedge blocks g¹³ are
used to regulate the amount of impression on the paper. By these connected
wedges the top and bottom lines of the platen are kept perfectly parallel with the
bed, and the impression can thereby be changed quickly for small or large forms
and the varying thickness of paper and cardboard. From this action it follows
that the face plate of the platen is moved either to or from the base plate, according
to the circumstances of the case, this movement being permitted by the yielding of
the spring g, and being caused in the other by the reaction of the same spring
whenever the same is free to act.
The manner of throwing off the impression is substantially as follows:-The
parts being in their normal condition so that the platen occupies the position
shown in dotted lines, Figure 17, the impression is thrown off by forcing down the
crank handle g18, Figure 12, the spring latch 91, Figure 16, having been first
disengaged, by which means the shaft 915 is partially revolved, and the bars g14
attached thereto are drawn along upon the bars g12. The inclined portion of the
bars g¹ being thus moved down the inclined portions of the bars 912 the face plate
of the platen is drawn near to the base plate by the reaction of spring g², Figure 17.
The face plate of the platen having thus been set back it follows that the same will'
not come in.contact with the type upon the bed when swung backward by the
mechanism previously described, and hence no impression will be made.
By a reverse movement of the shaft g the platen is moved out from its base
plate far enough to come in contact with the type upon the bed for the purpose of
receiving an impression therefrom.
(5.) THE INK TRAME AND THE MECHANISM FOR GIVING MOVEBLENI
TO THE SAME.
h
H, Figure 3, represents the ink frame, having a bearing opening / enclosing the
fixed bearing hubs or journal h¹ projecting from the side plates, as shown;
h2 represents an arm projecting from the frame, and h³, Figure 1, a connecting rod,
by means of which this arm is united to a crank pin h¹ upon the main gear wheel;
ho, Figures 3 and 5, represents an intermediate connecting bar, by means of which
the rear ends of the ink frame are united together; ho, ho, Figure 3, represent sido
bars rising from the base portion of the frame, which are united above by the
cross bar h', as shown; h³, h³, represent hollow studs rising from the base portion,
the openings into which are in line below certain openings h³, Figure 22, in the
cross bar h, as shown; h10, h10, represent the hook rods for holding the rollers in
place, the upper ends of which extend through the openings he in the cross bar h³,
and the lower ends of which extend into the openings of the studs h³, h³, as shown;
1 represents a collar or shoulder upon the lower end of each rod h¹0, and h¹², a
spring enclosing the rod, the lower end of which bears upon the collar h¹¹, as
shown. These collars or shoulders have guide projections, as shown in Figure 23,
which move in proper pockets or recesses, by means of which construction the rods
are absolutely held from turning out of place. ¹³ represents a bar having openings
at its ends, through which extend the hook rods, as shown, which bar is provided
with a central eye h¼ or other proper means for securing the upper end of the
spring h¹, the lower end of which is secured to the base portion of the frame, as
shown; 16 represents a similar bar, which is provided in addition with an
extension projecting over the bar h¹³, as shown. If desired the upper end of
the hook rod may be provided with a non-removable screw, as shown in
Figure 23, for holding the end of the ink roller and preventing absolutely its
accidental escape.
The operation of these parts is substantially as follows:-The ink frame as a
whole receives an oscillating movement from the revolution of the main gear
wheel through the intermediate mechanism described. The rollers by means of

page_text: the hook rods and springs are held with an elastic pressure. By means of the
bars hand he the power of the auxiliary spring h¹s is added to that of the main
spring h¹³, and consequently a more uniform tension is obtained.
(4.) THE MECHANISM FOR GIVING MOVEMENT TO THE INK DISC.
I, Figure 2, represents a bracket or standard extending upward and rearward
from the upper edge of the base plate, which is provided, first, with a sleeve ¿¹
adapted to receive and hold the central stud or pin of the ink disc; second, with
the extension i, Figure 8, having ears 2 with openings through them; and, third,
with an extension 3, with an opening through the same. 4, Figure 6, represents
an arm, provided at one end with ears 5, 3, having openings through them and
cam projection 2, as shown, and at the other end with ears 7 supporting the
weighted pawl is, as shown. A pin extends through the openings in the ears ³, 1³,
for the purpose of uniting the arm to the bracket I, Figures 2 and 8, as shown.
29, Figures 7 and 8, represents an arm having at one end a proper opening adapted
to receive a bolt or pin, by means of which it is united to the ear 23, Figure 8, of
the standard I, an arm 2¹0, and a cam projection ¹, as shown; 12, Figure 5,
represents an ink disc having on its lower face a central stud or pin fitting into the
sleeve (Figure 2) of bracket I and peripheral ratchet teeth, Figures 2 and 5, as
shown; ¿¹³ represents an arm upon the cross bar h³ of the ink frame.
ナ
The operation of these parts is substantially as follows:-The ink frame having
received its oscillating motion in the manner previously described, the arm 2¹³ of its
cross bar is caused in its upward movement to come in contact with the arm i³ and
rock or oscillate the same upon its bolt. By means of this movement its cam
projection is caused to come in contact with the cam projection is of the arm **
and give the latter a partial revolution on its axle pin. By this movement the
pawl is caused to engage with the ratchet teeth of the disc and give it a partial
revolution. The arm being held at an angle is returned to its normal position by
the action of gravitation when the arm is permitted to return by the backward
movement of the arm i¹³ upon the bar 5. From this it will be understood that
the ink disc receives a partial revolution at each oscillation of the ink frame.
(5.) THE INK DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THE BED, AND THE MECHANISM FOR GIVING
THE SAME A DOUBLE MOVEMENT.
J, Figure 2 represents a rod or shaft extending across the machine, which is
supported by the side plates as shown. j represents the ink-distributor, consisting
of a curved plate, having arms which are loosely secured upon the shaft J by sleeves
or other proper means, in such manner as to permit the plate to oscillate upon the
shaft and also to move in a lateral direction thereon. ³, Figures 9 and 10 repre-
sents a cam upon the main shaft, the groove of which is adapted to give a lever pin
resting therein a forward and backward movement, with an interval of rest after
each change. 2 represents a lever pivoted in any proper bearings upon one of the
side plates, the pin of which rests in the groove of the cam as shown. represents
a bent portion of the short arm of the lever, and ja spring bolt latch, suitably
held therein. j³ represents a slot cut in the edge of the distribution plate, into
which extends the upper end of the spring bolt when the parts are in their normal
condition.
The operation of these parts is substantially as follows:-The ink rollers in
completing their downward movement pass over the ink distributor, the latter being
held stationary during this movement by its contact with the bolt . The ink
rollers in starting to return lift the distributor by the friction of contact and
consequently move with the same without revolution for a short distance. By
means of this action the rollers are caused to begin their revolution in return at a
different point relatively to the type than that at which they stopped, and hence a
new roller surface is presented to the type in the return movement. The distributor

page_text: also in addition to the vibratory movement given to it by the rollers, receives a
lateral movement upon the shaft at regular intervals for the purpose of presenting
a fresh surface to the rollers at each downward movement of the same. This
lateral movement is caused by the action of the cam, and the intermediate lever
mechanism described, the cam being turned to move the distributor, first in one
direction and then in the other, before the passage of the rollers over it. By
depressing the bolt the distributor may be swung backward out of the way when it
is desired to dispense with the use of the same, it being held in this rearward
position by contact with the bolt when the same is returned to its normal position.
Some of the advantages of the foregoing construction are as follows:-
By means of the construction and arrangement of the crank shaft and connecting
rod the platen is given a reciprocating movement with an interval of rest, by means
of which ample time is afforded for feeding the sheet.
By means of the mechanism for regulating the impression a perfect adjustment of
the platen may be readily and quickly made.
By means of the mechanism for throwing off the impression the operation may
be instantly performed whenever desired.
By means of this construction also the platen is supported by perfectly solid
bearings having no appreciable wear.
By means of the lower ink distributor a more thorough distribution is obtained
and a more even application of the ink to the form.
By means of the mechanism for holding the inking rollers an easy movement and
nearly uniform tension is obtained.
Having thus fully described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what claim as the Invention to be protected
by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. In combination with the main shaft and crank a connecting rod with inter-
mediate connecting devices, substantially as described, for uniting the connecting
rod to the platen, substantially as described, the centre of movement of the upper
end of the connecting rod being nearly coincident with the centre of movement of
the main shaft, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2nd. In a printing press the combination of the crank b with the connecting
rod e, the length of the crank and the connecting rod being nearly equal, as and
for the purpose set forth.
3rd. In combination with the base plate of the platen, the face plate, and the
intermediate wedge blocks and inclined portions.
4th. In combination with the bar g¹² and the blocks g³ for adjusting the same,
the movable bar g₁, as set forth:
5th. In combination with the platen the bar 912, the bar g14, and mechanism,
substantially as described, for instantly lowering the face plate of the platen.
6th. In combination with the base plate and face plate of the platen, the
ledgers 9, 96, wedge blocks g, springs gl, and bars g12, g14.
7th. In combination with the face plate and base plate of the platen mechanism,
substantially as described, for adjusting the platen and mechanism, substantially as
described, for throwing off the impression.
8th. In combination with the hook rods 10 and the springs h¹², the hollow studs h³,
having slots for guiding the rods as described.
9th. In combination with the hook rod having the springs 12, the bar h¹³, and
spring his
10th. In combination with the hook rod and the roller end the non-removable
set screw 18 as described.
11th. In combination with the arm i pivoted upon the central stud which
supports the ink disc and carrying the pawl 8, the arm 2, and arm 2¹³, as
described.
12th. In combination with the arm having the cam surface 6, the arm i having
the cam projection ", the construction being such that the former is actuated by
the latter without being directly connected thereto, as described.

page_text: 13th. In combination with the ink distributor j adapted to swing upon a pivotal
rod as described, the inking rollers, the combination being such that the former
receives a vibration by the upward movement of the latter, as described.
14th. In combination with an ink distributor located below the bed mechanism,
substantially as described for giving it a lateral vibration, and mechanism,
substantially as described, for giving a swinging movement.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty third day of August, A.D. 1881.
A M CLARK (I.S)