Improvements in Machines for Making Printing Plates.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 27th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Making Printing Plates.
I, JOSEPH SMITH DUNCAN, Manufacturer, of No. 173, Canal Street, Chicago,
Illinois, one of the United States of North America, 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:
My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in machines for
producing printing plates which are used largely in suitable machines for
addressing envelopes, and for many other purposes. These plates are preferably
made of metal and one or more lines of type characters are impressed thereon in
relief, from which the impression is made on the envelope, &c. Each plate
generally contains a complete address, although this is not important as far as
my invention is concerned and it will be understood that the plates are not
restricted to this particular use, nor is the machine confined to the production of
printing plates containing addresses only.
The prime object of this invention is to provide a machine for producing
printing plates which shall be positive in character and in the movement of its
various operative parts, simple in construction and adapted to be manipulated
rapidly and with accuracy to produce a printing plate having a superior printing
surface thereon.
Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character
constructed in such a manner that the operator may employ both hands to
manipulate the keys, after the manner of an ordinary type-writer.
A further object is to provide for automatically applying the power and
operating the machine immediately after the key is struck; and for disengaging
the impression devices from the plate after the impression is made, returning said
devices to their normal positions and resetting the machine.
A further object is to provide a carriage for the plate which is automatically
fed along to space the character impressions properly on the plate, and which
can be moved to adjust the plate for two or more lines of impressions.
My invention has many other objects of equal importance in view which I
will fully point out hereinafter in the detailed description of the machine and
its various parts.
--
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a side view of my improved machine, showing all the parts in
operative position with the exception of the carriage, and the impression devices,
which are omitted.
Figures 1 and 1 are enlarged top and side views, respectively, of the bent
end of the trip rod.
Figure 2 is a front view of the machine, with the impression devices and the
carriage omitted.
Figure 3 is a plan view, partly in section, on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the impression devices and the way in
which they operate.
Figure 5 is a detail view of one pair of the impression devices.
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the key board, on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

page_text: Figure is a top plan view looking down on the main shaft and its various
parts.
Figures 8 and 9 are detail views taken on the lines 8--8 and 9-9 of Figure 7.
Figure 10 is a similar view on the line 10-10 of Figure 7.
Figure 11 is a sectional view showing the clutch bolt and the collar fixed on
the main shaft.
Figure 12 is an enlarged view in side elevation showing the carriage, the
guide, throw-out arms, tripper and their connections, the carriage being partly
in section.
Figure 13 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a top plan view of the carriage.
Figure 15 is a side elevation of the carriage.
Figure 16 is an end elevation of the carriage, the track being shown in section.
Figure 17 is a view of the printing plate.
Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals of reference denote corre-
sponding parts in all of the figures, the frame 1 of the machine may be of any
desired form and the power shaft 2, carrying the belt wheel 3, is journaled in
suitable bearings 4 on said frame. This shaft carries the actuating cams which
will be described in connection with the different groups of devices and
mechanisms.
I employ a double set of type bars, arranged one above the other with the
bars in each set normally pointing in opposite directions. The lower type bars 5
carry the punches 6 and the upper type bars 7 carrying the dies 8, and I will
therefore call them the punch and die bars hereinafter. The punch bars are
pivotally mounted on a circular rack 9 secured to the frame, and the die bars
are similarly mounted on a corresponding rack 10 located above the other rack,
the two racks constituting together the support for the impression devices. In
the preferred construction illustrated in the drawings (Figs. 4, 5,) each punch
bar is pivoted to a bracket 11 fastened to the rack 9 and, correspondingly, each
die bar is pivoted on a bracket 12 fastened on the rack 10, this arrangement
being desirable for the purpose hereinafter described. Each punch bar is pro-
vided with a projecting heel 13 at its pivot and each die bar
is extended beyond its pivot, and a link 14 connects the heel 13
to the end 15 of the die bar. A rod 16 connects the heel of each punch bar with
the rear end of a key bar 17, and the construction is such that when a key is
struck the rear end of the key bar will be elevated to raise the connecting rod
and cause the punch and die bars having the character corresponding to that
on the key to swing on their pivots and bring the punch and die carried on their
ends into operative position on opposite sides of the plate.
This is the preferred manner of constructing and operating the impression
devices, but I am aware that variations in the details may be made which would
not depart from the broad scope of the invention, and without stopping to
describe the different modifications that could be made I hereby reserve the
night to make all such changes in the impression devices, as well as all the other
devices and mechanisms of the machine, which properly can be construed to come
within the scope and spirit of the invention.
The machine can be built to provide for any desired number of characters,
and for every character there will be a key and key bar, a connecting rod, a
punch bar and punch and a die bar and die. The key bars 17 are all arranged
on a table 18 supported on the frame in a convenient position at the front of
the machine so that the operator may sit comfortably and manipulate the keys
with either hand, or both. Each key bar is pivotally supported on a key rack 118
on the table and owing to the disposition of the punch and die bars around a
circular support and the number of key bars required I have found it desirable
to provide a number of the key racks 118 (as shown in Figure 6) each of which
forms the pivot or fulcrum for certain key bars. The disposition of the key
racks and the number of key bars each accomodates, as well as the character

page_text: of the key bars, will depend entirely upon the size and character of the machine
and the variety of keys provided, and will consequently vary in different machines
to secure the best results. A key 19 is arranged on the end of each key bar and
I prefer, as far as possible, to preserve the general characteristics of the universal
key board commonly employed on typewriters,. for convenience.
The punches and dies are made out of steel and each is mounted in the follow-
ing manner: A holder 20 (Fig. 5) consisting of a split sleeve, is pivotally
secured to the end of the bar 4 or 7, and suitable stops 21 are provided to limit
the swinging movement of the holder when the bar is operated. The punch or
die is provided with a shoulder to rest against the holder and is held in the
holder by tightening screws 22. For the purpose of securing a proper adjust-
ment of the punches and dies I provide each holder with an adjusting screw 23
having a suitable head. When the punch and die bars are in their normal
upright position the headed ends 24 of the adjusting screws engage the circular
rests 25, 26, which are faced with leather or other soft material to relieve the
shock consequent upon the screws striking the rests.
The connection of the punch bars with the die bars is such that it requires but
a very light stroke on the key to cause the punch and die bars to swing towards
each other and bring the punch and die into operative position. To facilitate
the return of these bars to their normal position a coiled spring 27 is preferably
connected to the die bar and to the support, and when the punch and die are
separated, as hereinafter described, the spring will return them to their position
against the rests.
The punch and die, in operation, enter the openings 28 in a guide comprising
the upper and lower jaws 29, 30 respectively, which are carried by a bracket 31
secured on the standard 32 of the frame. The lower jaw 30 is provided with two
parallel ribs 33 extending throughout its length to form a support for the plate
along the line of type impressions therein.
The carriage which carries the plate is supported on the bracket 34 and pro-
jects sufficiently between the jaws of the holder to bring the plate into proper
position between the jaws and the punch and die operating through openings
therein.
When the key has been depressed and the corresponding punch and die have.
approached each other and fit in the openings in the jaws of the guide they
are struck by the upper and lower plungers, 35, 36, which are automatically
operated from the main or power shaft. The upper plunger 35 is mounted in
brackets 37 on the frame and it is connected by one of the toggle arms 38 with a
link 39 on the bell crank 40. The other arm of this bell crank is
connected to a rod 41 guided in the bracket 42 on the frame and
carrying at its lower end a forked arm 43 projecting horizontally and embracing
the actuating cam 44 on the power shaft. The lower plunger is connected by
one of the toggle arms 45 to a link 46 pivoted to a wrist pin 47 on the cam disk 48
secured on the end of the main or power shaft. The plunger actuating cams 44,
48, are constructed and timed so that the plungers will approach each other
and make the desired impression at the proper time. The plungers engage the
headed ends of the adjusting screws 23 and for this purpose I prefer to have the
headed ends of conical shape to fit in the corresponding recesses 49 in the ends
of the plungers.
To throw the machine into operation I provide a tripper adapted to be operated
by the punch and die and comprising twe fingers 50, 51, in the form of bell
cranks arranged respectively above and below the punch and die guide and pro-
vided with corresponding openings therein. These fingers are pivoted at 52
to the frame and the ends of their short members 53 are pivoted together and to
the trip rod 54 (Figs. 1, 12). The other end of the trip rod is bent in the formi
of a hook 55 and supported by a hanging link 56 on the frame. The end of this
hook rests upon the upper end of a clutch rod 57 operating in brackets 58 on:
the frame.

page_text: The lower end of the clutch rod carries a shoe 59 beveled off at its end and
operating in a grooved collar GO fastened on the main shaft (Fig. 1) and con-
stituting, in effect, one member of the clutch. A clutch bolt 61 is arranged to
operate horizontally through the grooved collar and is adapted to be projected
forward by the coiled spring 62 into engagement with one of the studs 63 on
the belt pulley to effect the application of power to the main shaft. The
clutch bolt is provided with a recess 64, where it operates through the groove 65
of the collar, to receive the shoe 59. The shoe normally engages the clutch bolt
to hold it away from the studs 63, but when the trip is actuated the hooked end
of the trip rod is moved to free it from engagement with the clutch rod and the
spring 66 thereon raises the rod and releases the shoe from engagement with
the clutch bolt, and the spring 62 thereupon forces the latter forward to engage
a stud 63. The parts remain in this position during almost a complete revolu-
tion of the belt wheel, which is sufficient to effect the operation of all the
different mechanisms and devices, and then the plate 67 on the collar comes
around into engagement with the shoe and forces it down into the groove where
it enters the recess in the clutch bolt and, by the time the revolution of the
belt wheel and its connected parts is complete, the shoe has withdrawn the bolt
from the stud and the machine is again at rest and in its normal position.
To disengage the punch and die from the plate, where they are apt to stick
after the impression has been effected, I provide two throw-out arms 68, 69,
(Fig. 12) which are located between the jaws of the support and the fingers of
the guide. These arms are carried on the levers 70, 71, pivoted back on the
frame, so that when they are operated to disengage the punch and die they will
also assist in giving sufficient momentum to the punch and die bars to return
them to their normal position against the rests, although I do not depend upon
the arms to do this. The upper throw-out arm 50 is connected to a throw-out
rod 72, and this rod carries an arm 73 which engages the cam 74 on the main
shaft. The lower throw-out arm 51 is connected to a throw-out rod 75 which
also carries an arm 76 arranged in engagement with a cam 77. These cams 74
and 77 are so timed that they will operate to actuate the throw-out arms after
the impression has been made on the plate, and these arms will swing apart and
disengage the punch and die from the plate, at the same time opening the
tripper fingers. The punch and die holders 20 are provided with shoulders 78
to engage the tripper fingers so that the holders will not enter the openings in
the fingers and guide with the punch and die. The throw-out arms are returned
to their normal upright position as 'shown in Fig. 1 by a spring 79 on the rod 72,
this spring operating against a pin 80 on said rod and against a collar 81 on
the rod 75.
The carriage travels on a track 82 arranged on the support 34, and the con-
struction of this carriage may be varied greatly without in any way affecting
the other parts of the machine. It is desirable, however, that the carriage should
have an automatic step by step movement to space the character impressions
properly on the plate, and also a line adjusting movement to provide for moving
the plate to accomodate two or more lines of impressions.
I have shown in the drawings a carriage which meets all the requirements of
the invention and it is constructed as follows:-
A frame 83 is supported on the rollers 84 which travel on the track 82, and
this frame carries a rack bar 85 and a rock shaft 86. One end of the rock shaft is
bent to form a crank 87 which is located beneath the end of the lower throw-
out arm 69 and adapted to be engaged thereby to rock the shaft. The other
end of the rock shaft carries a rigid angle arm 88 (Fig. 15) on which the feed
dog 89 and the locking dog 90 are pivotally mounted. These dogs engage the
teeth of the rack bar and when the shaft 86 is rocked the angle arm 88 will
swing upward and the feed dog 89 will move the rack and carriage frame along
the distance of one tooth and the locking dog will prevent the frame from
moving a greater distance. A weight 91 is connected to the carriage frame to

page_text: exert a pull and tension in the direction opposite to its line of feed, but a spring
or equivalent device may be substituted for the weight. By this means the
carriage will be moved along the distance of one tooth on the rack bar at each
operation of the machine and this will carry the plate one type space so that
the impressions in the plate will be properly and evenly and regularly spaced.
The plate 92 is carried on a plate frame 93 which slides in grooves 94 on the
carriage frame, and to hold the plate rigidly in said frame I provide a spring
actuated holding arm 95 (Fig. 14). This plate frame is adapted to be moved
back and forth in the carriage frame to space the lines on the plate and to accom-
plish this movement I provide one or two racks 96 on the sides of the plate
A rock shaft 97 is mounted on the carriage frame and it is provided with
the spring controlled holding pawls 98 which project forward and engage the
racks. This shaft is operated from an arm 99 and when this arm is depressed the
shaft 97 is rocked and the pawls 98 lifted from the racks so that the plate frame
can be moved forward or backward as desired.
frame.
The plate frame is shifted by means of a shifting rock shaft 100 operated by
a shifting lever 101. This shaft is provided at one or both ends with a seg-
ment 102 which meshes with a rack 103 on the under side of the plate frame
(Fig. 16) and when the plate frame is unlocked by lifting the pawls 98 the
lever 101 can be operated to rock the shaft 100 and thereby shift the plate frame
any desired distance for another line of type impressions.
The operation of the machine has been pretty fully described in the fore-
going description. The machine being in its normal position at rest, one of
the keys 19 is depressed and this raises the rear end of the key bar to actuate the
punch and die bars corresponding to the key and cause the punch and die to
swing towards each other and strike the tripper fingers 50, 51, and close them
against the throw-out arms which lie against the guide, as shown in Fig. 1.
When the trip is tripped in this manner by the punch and die, which enter the
openings in the guide, throw-out arms and tripper fingers, the trip rod is moved
rearward to disengage the hooked end thereof from the clutch rod and permit
the spring 66 to raise the clutch rod and disengage the shoe 59 from the clutch
bolt. The spring 62 then forces the clutch bolt into engagement with a stud 63
and this sets the machine in motion, rotating the main shaft and causing the
cams 44, 48, to actuate the plungers, which approach each other and strike the
adjusting screws 23 and effect the desired impression in the plate.
The punch and die holders are pivotally mounted on the punch and die bars
so that they will enter the openings in the guide, tripper and throw-out arms
properly and adjust themselves therein without binding against the walls of
the openings.
The impression being made in the plate the plungers are separated again and
the cams 74, 77, operate to raise the rod 72 and lower the rod 75, thereby opening
the throw-out arms. This opening.of the throw-out arms also opens the tripper
fingers, and also, in a measure, throws the punch and die back to their normal
upright position adjacent to the rests. However, I employ the spring 27 to
insure the return of the punch and die.
The plate 67 on the collar engages the shoc at the proper time and forces it
down into the groove 65, where it enters the recess in the clutch bolt and with-
draws that bolt from the stud 63, causing the machine to come to rest. At the
same time the tripper is operated to draw the hooked end of the trip rod into
position over the clutch rod again to bear thereon and hold the rod down in its
normal position and the shoe in the groove.
When the throw-out arms are opened the lower arm 69 engages the crank 87
and rocks the shaft 86, which swings the angle arm 88. This causes the feed
dog 89 to draw the carriage frame along one tooth, the locking dog sliding over
the next tooth to the one it had been engaging and coming into engagement
with that tooth to lock the frame in place and the plate in position for another
impression. When one line has been printed on the plate the arm 99 may be

page_text: depressed to release the pawls 98 from the racks 96 and the lever 101 operated
to shift the plate frame to, carry the plate into position for another line of
impressions.
The type characters may be of any desired style or kind and any number may
be employed. I also employ a blank key for the purpose of making spaces
between characters or words, and of course the punch and die may be omitted as
the operation of the mechanisms is accomplished by the holder striking the
tripper fingers.
The plate frame projects between the jaws of the guide, as heretofore stated,
and the plate rests upon the ribs 33 on the lower jaw, so that the shock and jar
during the impression operation will not injure the mechanism of the carriage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices for
impressing characters in an interposed plate of means adapted to be actuated
by the impression devices for applying power to the mechanism and setting the
machine in operation, substantially as described.
2. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, of vertically alined plungers
located within the circle of the impression devices when the latter are, at rest
and means for actuating the plungers to engage the impression devices after
they are brought into operative position and effect the impression in the plate,
substantially as described.
3. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of a punch
and die each movable in the arc of a circle and adapted to be swung into operative
position with relation to an interposed plate, plungers arranged above and below
the plate, and means for actuating the plungers to engage the punch and die
and effect the impression in the plate, substantially as described.
4. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of a punch
bar and a die bar pivotally mounted in the frame of the machine, punch carried
by the punch bar and a die carried by the die bar, and means connected with
the bars for actuating them to swing the punch and die into operative position
relative to an interposed plate, substantially as described.
5. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of a series of
keys, a corresponding series of character impression devices connected directly
with the keys and adapted to be actuated thereby to be carried into position for
operating upon an interposed plate, and means adapted to be actuated by the
impression devices to apply the power to the machine, substantially as described.
6. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of a series
of character impression devices comprising dies and punches arranged in circular
rows one above the other and in alined pairs, a key device connected with each
pair of dies and punches for bringing the same into operative position relative
to a plate, and means adapted to be actuated by the impression devices to apply
the power to the machine, substantially as described.
7. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a punch
bar and a die bar pivotally mounted in the frame of the machine, of a punch
carried by the punch bar, a die carried by the die bar, means connected with
the bars for operating them to bring the punch and die into operative position
relative to an interposed plate, and plungers adapted to be operated to engage
the punch and die and effect the impression in the plate, substantially as
described.
8. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a sup-
port, of a number of punch and die bars pivotally mounted on the support and
carrying punches and dies, said punch and die bars being connected together in
pairs, means for swinging said bars on their pivots to bring a punch and die

page_text: into operative relation with an interposed plate, and devices normally parallel
with said bars to operate upon the punch and die when the latter have been
swung into operative position, substantially as described.
9. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a sup-
port, of a number of punch bars pivoted thereon, a corresponding number of die
bars pivoted on the support opposite to the punch bars, links connecting said
punch and die bars in pairs, punches and dies carried by said bars, and means
for swinging said bars on their pivots to bring a punch and die into operative
relation with an interposed plate, substantially as described.
10. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a set
of punch bars carrying punches and a set of die bars carrying dies, said punch
and die bars being pivotally mounted on the frame of the machine and extending
in opposite directions, of means connected with the pivoted ends of one set of
said bars for swinging any pair of punch and die bars on their pivots simul-
taneously to bring the punch and die into operative position relative to an inter-
posed plate, substantially as described.
11. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a
circular support comprising a pair of parallel circular racks, of a set of punch
bars pivoted on one of said racks and extending in one direction, a set of die bars
pivoted on the other rack and extending in the opposite direction, punches and
dies carried by said bars, and means connected with the pivoted ends of said bars
for swinging the punches and dies into operative position relative to an interposed
plate, substantially as described.
12. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a
circular support comprising a pair of circular racks, of a set of punch bars pivoted
on one rack of the support and extending in one direction, a set of die bars
pivoted on the other rack of the support and extending in the opposite direction,
punches and dies carried by said bars, a connection between the pivoted ends
of each pair of punch and die bars, and means connected therewith for swinging
the pair of bars on their pivots to bring the punch and die into operative relation
with an interposed plate centrally located relative to the punches and dies, sub-
stantially as described.
13. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of punch and
die devices for impressing characters in an interposed plate, said devices being
arranged in circular series one above the other, a carriage carrying the plate
and located centrally of the impression devices and between the two series
thereof, and means for swinging the impression devices into operative position
relative to the plate, substantially as described.
14. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of punch
and die devices for impressing characters in an interposed plate, said devices
being arranged in circular series one above the other, a carriage carrying the
plate and located centrally of the impression devices and between the two series
thereof, and means for moving said carriage after each impression in the plate,
substantially as described.
15. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of punch
and die devices for impressing characters in an interposed plate, said devices
being arranged in circular series one above the other, a carriage carrying the
plate and located centrally of the impression devices and between the two series
thereof. means for swinging the impression devices into operative position
relative to the plate, and means for moving said carriage after each impression
in the plate, substantially as described.
16. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of punch and
die devices for impressing characters in an interposed plate, said devices being
arranged in circular series one above the other. a carriage carrying the plate and
located centrally of the impression devices and between the two series thereof,
and means for moving said plate forward or backward on the carriage sub-
stantially as described.

page_text: 17. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of punch and
die devices for impressing characters in the plate, said devices being arranged
in circular series one above the other, a carriage located centrally of the im-
pressing devices and between the two series thereof and carrying the plate,
means for swinging the impression devices into operative relation to the plate,
and means for moving the plate forward or backward on the carriage, sub-
stantially as described.
18. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of punch and
die devices for impressing characters in an interposed plate, said devices being
arranged in circular series one above the other, a carriage located centrally of
the impressing devices and between the two series thereof and carrying the
plate, means for moving said carriage after each impression in the plate, and
means for moving said plate forward or backward on the carriage, substantially
as described.
19. In a machine for producing prnting plates, the combination of punch and
die devices for impressing characters in an interposed plate, said devices being
arranged in circular series one above the other, a carriage located centrally of
the impression devices and between the two series thereof and carrying the
plate, means for swinging the impression devices on their pivots into operatve
relation to the plate, means for moving said carriage after each impression,
and means for moving the plate forward or backward on the carriage, sub-
stantially as described.
20. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a
circular support, of a number of punch and die bars pivotally mounted on the
support, said bars being connected together and carrying punches and dies, a
carriage located centrally of said support and between the punches and the
dies and carrying the plate, and means for swinging said bars on their pivots
to bring the punch and die into operative position on opposite sides of the
plate, substantially as described.
21. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a circular
support, of a carriage located centrally of the support and carrying the plate,
a number of punch and die bars pivotally mounted on the support and extending
in opposite directions, said bars carrying punches and dies on their outer ends
arranged in series above and below the carriage, and having their pivoted ends
connected together, and means for swinging the bars on their pivots to bring
the punch and die into operative relation with the plate, substantially as described.
22. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a
circular support, of a number of punch bars carrying punches pivotally mounted
on said support and extending in one direction, a number of die bars carrying
dies pivoted on the support and extending in the opposite direction, a con-
nection between the pivoted ends of each pair of punch and die bars, a carriage
located centrally of the bars between the punches and dies and carrying the
plate, and means for swinging the bars on their pivots to bring them into
operative relation with the plate, substantially as described.
23. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a circular
support, of a number of punch and die bars carrying punches and dies pivotally
mounted on the support and extending in opposite directions, a connection
between the pivoted ends of each pair of punch and die bars, a carriage located
centrally of the bars and between the punches and dies carrying the plate, a
series of keys, and a connection between each key and its corresponding pair
of bars whereby any pair of punches and dies may be swung into operative
relation with the plate by striking the proper key, substantially as described.
24. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of a carriage
carrying the plate to be operated upon, a circular support arranged around the
carriage, impression devices mounted on said support and comprising a series of bars
pivoted on the support and extending downward and carrying punches below the

page_text: carriage, a corresponding series of bars pivoted to the support and extending
upward and carrying dies above the carriage, and a series of key devices con-
nected with each pair of impression devices for swinging the bars into horizontal
position to bring the punch and die into operative relation to the plate, sub-
stantially as described.
25. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, said devices being arranged in
circular form and normally extending in opposite directions, a carriage carrying
the plate and located centrally of the impression devices, means for swinging
the impression devices inward in pairs to a common center into operative relation
to the plate, and plungers adapted to be operated to engage the impression
devices to effect the impression in the plate, substantially as described.
26. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, of a tripper adapted to be
operated by the impression devices for applying the power to the machine, sub-
stantially, as described.
27. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, of a main shaft, a clutch device
on said shaft, a tripper adapted to be operated by the impression devices, and a
connection between the tripper and said clutch device whereby the tripper
throws and opens the clutch, substantially as described.
28. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, of a tripper adapted to be
operated by the impression devices, and means for returning the tripper to its
normal position, substantially as described.
29. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a series
of swinging impression devices, of a tripper for throwing the actuating mechanism
of the machine into operation arranged in the path of movement of the impression
devices, substantially as described.
30. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a series
of swinging impression devices adapted to be brought into operative relation with
an interposed plate, of a tripper arranged between the plate and said impression
devices and adapted to be operated by said impression devices, substantially as
described.
31. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a series
of swinging impression devices arranged in circular form and adapted to be
brought into operative relation with an interposed plate, of a tripper located
centrally of the impression devices and adapted to be operated thereby, sub-
stantially as described.
32. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a
series of impression devices, of a tripper comprising two fingers located on
opposite sides of the plate and adapted to be operated by the impression devices,
substantially as described.
33. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with swinging
impression devices, of a pivoted tripper adapted to be actuated by said impression
devices, a main shaft, a clutch device on said shaft, and a connection between
said tripper and the clutch device whereby the clutch is thrown when the tripper
is actuated, substantially as described.
34. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with swinging
impression devices, of a tripper adapted to be actuated by said impression devices,
a main shaft, a clutch device on said shaft, a clutch rod adapted to operate the
clutch, and a trip rod connected with the tripper and adapted to actuate the
clutch rod, substantially as described.
35. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with swinging
impression devices, of a tripper adapted to he actuated by said impression
devices, a main shaft, a clutch device on said shaft, a clutch bolt, a clutch rod

page_text: carrying a shoe to operate said bolt, and a trip rod adapted to be actuated by
the tripper to operate said clutch rod and throw the clutch, substantially as
described.
36. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with im-
pression devices, of a tripper adapted to be operated by said impression devices,
à main shaft, a clutch device on said shaft, a clutch bolt, a clutch rod, a shoe
carried by the clutch rod, a trip rod connected with the tripper and provided with
a hooked end normally engaging the clutch rod and holding said rod down and
the shoe in engagement with the clutch bolt to keep the clutch open, sub-
stantially as described.
37. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, of a main shaft, a clutch device
on said shaft, one member of said device being a grooved collar fixed to the
shaft, a spring controlled clutch bolt operating through said collar, a shoe device
normally engaging said bolt to hold the clutch open, and means for operating
said shoe device adapted to be actuated by the impression devices, substantially
as described.
38. In a machine for producing printing plates, 'the combination with devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, of main shaft, a clutch device
on said shaft, one member of said device being a grooved collar fixed to the shaft,
a spring controlled clutch bolt operating through said collar, a shoe device
normally engaging said bolt to hold the clutch open, a tripper adapted to be
actuated by the impression devices, and a connection between said tripper and
the shoe device, substantially as described.
39. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, of a main shaft, a clutch device
on said shaft, one member of said device being a grooved collar fixed to the
shaft, a spring controlled clutch bolt operating through said collar a shoe
device normally engaging said bolt to hold the clutch open a tripper adapted to
be actuated by the impression devices a clutch rod carrying the shoe device and
normally holding the same in engagement with the clutch bolt and a spring on
the clutch rod for raising said rod and releasing the clutch bolt when the tripper
is actuated, substantially as described.
40. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, of a guide for said devices
constructed to receive the plate during the impressing operations, substantially
as described.
41. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, of a bifurcated guide for said
devices located centrally of the devices and adjacent to the plate, substantially
as described.
42. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in an interposed plate, of a guide for the devices com-
prising two jaws adapted to receive the plate between them and provided with
openings for the impression devices, substantially as described.
43. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in the plate, of a guide for said devices comprising two
jaws adapted to receive the plate between them and provided with openings for
the impression devices, the lower jaw having ribs on its upper face to form a
rest for the plate, substantially as described.
44. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in the plate, of a guide for said devices comprising two
jaws, the lower jaw having a rest for the plate, substantially as described.
45. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in the plate, of a bifurcated guide for the impression
devices provided with a rest on the upper face of the lower member thereof to
receive the plate, substantially as described.

page_text: 46. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices.
for impressing characters in the plate, of means located adjacent to the plate and
centrally of the impression devices for disengaging said devices from the plate:
after the impression is made, substantially as described.
47. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a series.
of oppositely disposed swinging punches and dies, each pair of said punches and
dies being adapted to be brought into operative relation with an interposed plate
located centrally of the punches and dies, and means for disengaging the punches
and dies from the plate arranged between the plate and the punches and dies,
substantially as described.
48. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in the plate, of a guide for said devices, arms located
on opposite sides of the guide and means for operating said arms to disengage
the impression devices from the plate after the impression is made, substantially
as described.
49. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in a plate, of a guide, arms pivoted on the frame of
the machine, a main shaft, and cam devices on the main shaft for operating
said arms to disengage the impression devices from the plate after the impression
is made, substantially as described.
50. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in a plate, of a guide arms pivoted on the frame of the
machine, a main shaft, cam devices on said shaft, rods connected to said arms
and adapted to be operated by said cam devices to operate the arms, substantially
as described.
51. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a series
of swinging impression devices, of means operating upon the impression devices
to disengage the same from the plate after each impression is made, substantially
as described.
52. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a
circular series of impression devices, of a carriage located centrally of said
devices, means for feeding said carriage after each impression is made, and
throw-out devices for disengaging the impression devices from the plates and
actuating the feeding means of the carriage, substantially as described.
53. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a circular
series of impression devices traveling to a common center, of a carriage located
centrally of said devices and comprising a carriage frame, a plate
frame on the carriage frame, means for automatically feeding the
carriage frame, after each impression, in one direction SO that the
type space adjacent to the last impression will be adjusted centrally of
the impression devices and means for adjusting the plate frame in a horizontal
direction at an angle to the movement of the carriage frame, substantially as
described.
54. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in the plate, of a tripper adapted to be operated by
said devices to set the machine in action, and means for returning the tripper to
its normal position, substantially as described.
55. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in a plate, of a tripper adapted to be operated by said
impression devices, and arms adapted to be operated to disengage the impression
devices from the plate and return the tripper to its normal position, substantially
as described.
56. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in a plate, of a guide for said impression devices, a
tripper, a throw-out device located between the guide and the tripper for dis-
engaging the impression devices from the plate and returning the tripper to its

page_text: normal position, and means for actuating said throw-out arms after each im-
pression is made, substantially as described.
.
L
57. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in a plate, of a plate carriage, means for disengaging the
impression devices from the plate after each impression, and a device auto-
matically operated by the disengaging means to cause the carriage to move a
step and bring the plate in position for another character, substantially as
described.
58. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with devices
for impressing characters in a plate, of a plate carriage, a throw-out device to
disengage the impression devices from the plate, said throw-out device being
arranged to engage the carriage and cause the same to move a step after each
impression is made, substantially as described.
59. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a circular
series of impression devices traveling to a common center, of a carriage located
centrally of said devices and comprising a carriage frame and a plate frame
secured on the carriage frame and adapted to be moved forwardly and horizontally
to bring the plate into position centrally of the impression devices for receiving
impressions on different lines, substantially as described.
60. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of a holder
comprising a split sleeve, an impression device in one end of said sleeve and
an adjusting screw in the other end, and means for securing the impression
device and screw in the sleeve, substantially as described.
61. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of series of
swinging punches and dies arranged in circular rows of co-acting pairs, the
members of each pair being independently movable toward and from each other,
means for operating said dies and punches, and means for adjusting a plate in
position centrally of the punches and dies to receive a number of successive
impressions properly spaced and alined, substantially as described.
62. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of a series of
swinging punches and dies arranged in circular form in rows of co-acting pairs
with the acting faces of the pairs normally separated, of a plate carrier adapted to
support the plate centrally of the punches and dies and in position to be acted
upon thereby, and means for feeding said plate to receive a number of successive
impressions properly spaced and alined, substantially as described.
63. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a tripper
device and means connected therewith for throwing the machine into operation,
of impression devices mounted to travel in the arc of a circle and adapted to
engage and operate said tripper, substantially as described.
64. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a carriage
carrying a plate, of a series of circularly disposed impression devices around the
carriage, all of said impression devices being mounted to swing inwardly to a
common center, and a tripper device located between the plate and the impression
devices and adapted to be engaged by the latter when thrown into position for
operation upon the plate, substantially as described.
65. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a
carriage carrying a plate, of a circular support around the carriage, two series of
arms pivotally mounted on said support and extending in opposite directions and
carrying punches and dies respectively, said punch and die arms being con-
nected together for simultaneous operation in pairs, and a tripper device adapted
to be operated by any pair of said arms on their travel into position for effecting
an impression in the plate, substantially as described.
66. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination of a series
of circularly disposed punches and dies mounted to travel in pairs in arcs of a
circle to a common center, a carriage carrying a plate, and devices for dis-
engaging the punch and die from the plate and returning them to their normal
position after each impression in the plate, substantially as described.

page_text: 67. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a
carriage carrying a plate, of a series of circularly disposed impression devices
adapted to be operated in pairs to act on the plate, a tripper device arranged in
the path of the impression devices and operated thereby, and plungers above
and below the tripper to operate upon the impression devices after a pair thereof
have been brought into position for operation on the plate, substantially as
described.
GS. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a
carriage carrying a plate, of a series of circularly disposed impression devices
adapted to be operated in pairs to act on the plate, a tripper device arranged in
the path of the impression devices to be engaged by each member of the pair of
impression devices, plungers above and below the tripper to operate upon the
impression devices to effect an impression in the plate, and devices for opening
the tripper and disengaging the impression devices from the plate, substantially
as described.
69. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a series
of impression devices, of a carriage carrying a plate, means for disengaging the
impression devices from the plate after each impression, a rack and a feed dog
engaging the rack and operated by said disengaging means to feed the carriage
after each impression, substantially as described.
70. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a series
of impression devices, of a carriage carrying a plate, means for disengaging the
impression devices from the plate after each impression, a rack, a feed dog and
a locking dog engaging the rack, and means operated by said disengaging means
for operating the dogs after each impression to feed and lock the carriage, sub-
stantially as described.
71. In a machine for producing printing plates, the combination with a double
series of supporting devices pivotally mounted and extending in opposite direc-
tions, one series of said devices carrying punches and the other series carrying
dies, a carriage carrying the plate located centrally of the punch and die sup-
porting devices and in substantially the same plane with the pivots of said
devices, and means for actuating said punches and dies in pairs to swing
inwardly to a common center on opposite sides of said plate and in alinement
with each other, substantially as described.
Dated this 28th day of November 1899.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to the Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.