Improvements in Paper Folding Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 27th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Paper Folding Machines.
LEWIS MUNRO, Printer and Publisher, Castle Street, Dingwall, Ross-shire N.B.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
1
An arrangement for the folding of paper by means of-(a), a gripping feed-gear,
with or without a reciprocating travel; (b), folding grippers, having a reciprocal
travel of both straight and curvilinear motions, and working on folding knives,
which are stationary, though in the case of the first fold the knife may have a
pendulous or reciprocating motion; (c), devices for placing, drawing, or thrusting
the paper under the said knives; and (d), for effecting delivery of folded sheets,
and this at any fold desired, without the necessity of the sheets having to travel
through the entire machine,-all as described below and on the accompanying
drawings;
Figure I is a plan of machine showing double feed gripping arrangement.
Figures IV, VI, VII and VIII are elevations of
and the knives.
Figures IX, X, XI, XII and XIII are elevations or sections of feed gear.
Figures XIV and XV are elevations of the delivery apparatus, or the
"collector."
For feeding the sheets of paper into the machine various devices are used,
according to requirement. Figs. I, II, IX, X, and XI show that for a double-
feed machine. At each end are feeding tables, 32, from which the sheets are
alternately fed. By means of levers, 33, operated by cranks, 34, on discs 35, and
connecting rods, 36 and 37, a travelling gripper arrangement, mounted on small
wheels, and running in rails or grooves, is made to traverse between the feed
tables, 32. This gripper acts on a balance principle, whereby when closing on
one side, it opens on the other, and vice versa. In advancing towards either side
the leading or front set of gripping fingers are open and ready to seize hold of
the front edge of the sheet of paper (previously adjusted on the feed table).
When the gripper reaches its destination, the front fingers close on the sheet, by
receiving a deflecting motion. As a result of this the rear fingers, being poised or
balanced on the same axis, open upwards. (The mechanism for accomplishing this
to be described presently.) The now deflected gripper fingers seize hold of the
sheet of paper, and on their return journey draw it under the folding knife, 6 a.
By the time this takes place the newly-opened gripper fingers have reached the
opposite feeding-table, and, in their balance-like action, in closing on the second
sheet (in the same manner as the first set closed on the first sheet) the first sheet
becomes released from the gripping fingers that have drawn it into position.
Meanwhile the folding gripper shown in Fig. IV, (to be described afterwards)
has advanced under a slot in the first feed table, as is shown in position in Fig. II,
and creased or folded the sheet against the knife 6 a in a similar manner to that
done in the subsequent folding arrangements presently to be described. As the
feed gripper takes sheets alternately from both feed tables, 32, the levers actuating
it travel only once for every twice the levers actuating the folding grippers travel,
and this is arranged by the geared wheel, 35 a being twice the size of the geared
wheel, 39, with which it engages.
Fios IX X and XI. show the double-feed gripping arrangement. 39 is an

page_text: axis passing across between the two side frames of the gripper apparatus.
Attached at their centres to this axis, so as to oscillate with a balance motion are
the gripper fingers, 40, of steel or other flexible material. To the one end is
attached a rigid piece of iron of an expanded V shape, 41, the attachment to the
axis being formed at the point where the two arms of the V meet.
Both ends of
The
the axis move freely in sockets in the small blocks, 42. These blocks run in
grooves along the oblong space of the frames, 43. Attached to this frame on the
inner side is a projection, 44, which is embraced by the arms of the ✓ shaped
piece, 41.
The result is that when the blocks, 42, carrying the axis, 39, and its
gripper and V shaped piece, 41, are pushed along their grooves, the projection, 44,
striking against one of the arms of the V shaped piece, 41, tilts the latter over,
and depresses, the fingers, 40, of the gripper to the one side or to the other, as the
case may be. The ends of the fingers, 40, when pushed down, press on strips of
wood, 45, or other substance, placed longitudinally under the fingers and at their
centres are attached to a rigid bar, 40 a, running across and fixed rigidly at either
end to the blocks, 42, thus making these blocks slide to and fro in unison.
side framing, 43, of the apparatus is similarly held together by a rigid cross
bar 40b, Fig. XI, attached to the bottom of the framing. Between the fingers, 40,
and the strips, 45-at either end alternately-the papers are gripped and drawn
under the folding knife, 6 a. In order to keep the blocks, 42, locked in position,
and thus also keeping the fingers, 40, locked, the blocks have attachments, 46,
Figs. IX. and X., jutting out from both sides, of spring steel, or other suitable
substance, terminating in catches, 47. These catches engage in projections, 48,
from the framing, 43, but they are so placed that only one set of catches, 47, can
engage with the set of projections, 48, at one time. When the catches at one end
are pressed down and disengaged from the projections, the blocks, 42, can be
pushed back from the other end of the grooves, when the second set of spring
catches engage with the corresponding projections at the opposite end. Thus the
blocks being themselves locked at either end, lock also the gripper fingers. To
disengage these catches at the proper time their faces are made inclined planes,
and to the frame of the machine, at either end, suitably placed, are suitable
catches, 49, Fig. II., so that when the gripping apparatus travels to either end the
one set of catches, 47, engages with the other set, 49, the latter drawing down the
former and unlocking them from the projections, 48, and as the connecting rods, 37,
continue to push the gripper frame, 43, to the extreme length of travel, catches, 49,
by impinging on, and bringing to a halt catches, 47, retard also blocks, 42, with
their axis and gripper fingers, the blocks thereby being made to slide along the
oblong groove in framing, 43, until ultimately the catches and projections at the
opposite (rear) end of the gripper engage with and lock each other, the gripper
fingers meanwhile, having, by this operation, released one paper and seized a fresh
On the gripping apparatus next reaching the other end of its travel a
similar process, in the reverse order, is gone through. The V-shaped piece, 41,
and the projection, 44, are so related to each other, in shape and position, that
when the gripper is nearing the end of its travel, and the unlocking of the
catches, 47, has taken place, the blocks, 42, with their fixtures, are brought to a
halt, and before the paper is released there is a sufficient interval for the already
detained gripper to check the forward momentum of the paper, bringing the paper
to a standstill before releasing hold of it.
one.
The knife, 6a, may be a fixed stationary knife, but in order to secure the
advantage of bringing it down as closely as possible on the folding table, it may be
made to swing pendulously upward to one side, or, to both sides, as indicated by
the dotted lines, Fig. 11., so as to get out of the way of the feed gripper when
travelling underneath it. This knife may be pivoted at 50, on suitable bearings
on the sides of the frame, and actuated by a cam, or crank-and-slot motion, or,
preferably by the gripper itself, by suitable projections (not shown) tilting the
knife upwards as it passes to and fro underneath. To bring the knife to the
perpendicular position, a weighted arm may be attached to the axis, 50, or

page_text: the arm may be held in position by means of a spring. Or, alternately, the knife
may be made to rise and fall perpendicularly, and without oscillation, by means of
suitable mechanism.
For single feed machines the feeding arrangement is different. Fig. XII. shows
a device whereby oscillating arms, 51, pivoted at 52, and bearing the knife, 53,
working in unison with the folding gripper, Fig. IV. (yet to be described, but
working with this knife, practically, as shown in the case of knife, 6 a, Fig. II,
and folding gripper arrangement), effects the first fold. In this case the sheet of
paper to be folded is suitably placed on the first horizontal table, 32 a, Figs. II, XII,
and XIII, while the vibrating arm, 51, is held aloft. On the descent of this arm,
which is actuated by lever, 55, and connecting rod, 55 a, worked from a cam placed
on the main, or other, shaft of the machine, the knife, 53, falls to a level on the
upper surface of the paper, whereby, by the combined actions of the knife and of
the folding gripper, Fig. IV., which meet each other through a narrow slot, 32 b,
Figs. 1 and XII, the paper receives its first fold. To prevent the folding gripper
pulling the knife downwards after it, the knife arm is furnished with projecting
and supporting studs, that rest, while the folding gripper is withdrawing itself, on
suitable attachments on the frame or table, thus relieving the knife arm of
unnecessary strain.
Alternately the knife may be constructed on the razor-opening and closing
principle, Fig. XIII. with its oscillating pivot opposite the person feeding, the
knife-blade being in line with the slot, 32 b, Fig. XII, on table, 32 a and the
mouth of the folding gripper, Fig. IV. Or, instead of an oscillating movement,
the knife may be constructed parallel with the surface of the feeding table, 32 a,
and be made to vibrate perpendicularly. In order to prevent risk of accident to
the person feeding these oscillating knives, Figs, XII. and XIII, are so pivoted
or attached to the levers operating them, that the downward motion of the knives
proper is caused solely by gravity, so that in case of obstruction their downward
motion would cease, and they could be readily lifted upwards to relieve the
obstruction.
Fig. IV. shows the apparatus described as a folding gripper. It slides, or runs
on a carriage supported by small wheels, 1, along grooved, or other rails, fixed
to the frame of the machine, as shown, 2, Figs. II. and III. These rails run
straight for part of their course, but, as they approach the knives, they curve,
preferably upwards, so that the folding grippers, being pushed forward by their
levers, 3, and connecting rods, 3 a, actuated in turn by their crauks, 4, are, when
passing round the curves, tiited upwards, the mouths, 5, of the grippers coming
thus directly under the folding knives, 6 and 6 a. The jaws, 7 and 8 of the
folding gripper, Fig. IV. are pivoted at 9, and its mouth, 5, is held close by the
action of spring, 10. Mounted on the gripper is a small hooked lever, 11, pivoted
at 12, and pressed or drawn by a spring, 13, so that when the jaws, 7 and 8 open,
the hook of the pivoted lever slips forward over the stud or projection, 14, thus
keeping the jaws apart, until the gripper is about to engage with the knife. When
this takes place, the stud, 15, suitably fixed to the frame, is struck by the face of
lever, 11, the lever being thus pushed back against the spring, 13, and relieving
the stud 14 from the hooked lever, with the result that the gripper now impinging
on the sheet of paper (which has previously been made to travel along a horizontal
table, 16, Figs. II, and III, and been spread with the part or line to be creased
underneath the folding knife-the knife driving the now creased sheet inwards a
short distance between the open and advancing jaws) seizes it between its jaws.
The jaws of the gripper (which may have for purposes of friction, and the giving
of a sharper fold to the paper, an inner lining of india-rubber or other flexible
material) having thus pressed, or folded, and seized hold of the sheet of paper
over the edge of the folding knife, the gripper retires along the grooved rails,
drawing the folded paper after it, and through a suitable slot or narrow passage
in the table, 16, (as in 32 a, Fig. 11.) laying the paper horizontally on a platform, 17.
The lever, 11, and its mechanism, instead of being placed where shown, may be

page_text: fixed on the other side of the hinge, 9, and near the mouth of the gripper, in
which case the lever might have no hook, but its upper end would slip under a
stud or projection equivalent to 14, to be struck and disengaged by a stud equivalent
to 15.
Before the gripper reaches the termination of its receding travel, the arched
pieces, 18, attached to the upper jaw of the gripper, come under a friction wheel or
wheels, 19, fixed by slotted and shiftable bearings, 20, Figs. II. and III., the result
being that the arched pieces are deflected, thus opening the jaws sufficiently wide
for the spring, 13, to push the hook of lever 11, over the stud, 14, the jaws being
thus held open and in position for seizing the next sheet. In order to ensure, at
the first fold; that the tails of the sheet are laid evenly, and without crease, on
platform 17, the sheet may be made to pass under a smoothing-out rack, 17 a, which
rises and falls on its pivot, 17 b, by the action of the advancing and retiring folding
gripper. To the axis on which the friction wheels, 19, are fixed, there are attached
tongues, or fingers, of steel or wood, or other suitable substance, 21, the points of
which, when deflected by the friction rollers, 19, running on arched picces, 18, strike
the paper at point 22, Figs. II., III. and IV., against the platform, 17, thereby
ensuring the withdrawal of the paper from the newly-opened jaws of the gripper.
When the arched pieces, 18, pass from under the friction wheels, 19, the tongues
or fingers, 21, rise to their normal position, by the action of a slight spring or
counterpoise, or by the friction of wheels, 19, on arched pieces, 18, on the return travel.
Attached by suitable connecting rods, 23, to the mechanism giving the recipro-
cating motion to the grippers, is an adjustable sliding pushing bar, 24, Figs. 11.
and III., which has practically the same length of travel as the gripper to
which it is attached, but moving in a straight line. The pushing bars have their
ends running in rails, 24 b, attached to the framing of the machine, and they have
suitable projections, 24 a, fitting into longitudinal grooves in the surfaces of
platforms 17 and tables 16.
When the folding gripper has released its hold of the paper under friction
roller, 19, as described, the already partially folded paper is made to fall in front
of the pushing bar, 24, or is made to remain stationary till the pushing bar, gets
behind its folded edge. On the return motion of the gripper and pushing bar the
latter pushes the sheet before it under the stationary knife, 6. The sheet being
now again under another-presumably the second-folding knife, at a lower level
than the first knife, the folding gripper just described is free to similarly engage
with another sheet, while the second folding gripper, similar in design and action,
engages presently with the first sheet, giving it an additional fold, and its accom-
panying pushing bar having passed the sheet onwards to another folding gripper,
it, in turn, passes the paper onward to similarly constructed apparatus, till the sheet
has been folded into the desired number of folds.
In order to allow of variation in the sizes of paper being folded, the connecting
rods attaching the pushing bars to the gripping levers or connecting rods are
adjustable by screws, 24 b, Fig. II., so that they may be lengthened or shortened
at will, thus giving the paper a shorter or further thrust as desired. The pushing
bar may, if required, be made to fall below the surface table in the receding travel,
and to rise above the table surface when thrusting the paper. In order to facilitate
the further shifting of the apparatus to suit varying sizes, the brackets, 20, holding
the friction rollers, are made moveable, by having the holes, through which they
are screwed to the frame, slotted.
For a less expensive class of machine the folding gripper may be constructed
without the pivoted lever, 11, with its accompanying spring, 13, and stud, 14.
In this case the opening of the gripper mouth to seize the paper will be
accomplished by the pressure of the bevelled or rounded edges of the lips against
the knife.
An alternative style of folding gripper may be used when it
all friction of the paper between the knife and the grippers.
apparatus under the knife and when about to seize the paper.
is desired to avoid
Fig. V. shows the
Fig. VI. shows it

page_text: after it has released the paper, and Fig. VII. is a view of it horizontally and
showing slight protuberances, 26, on parts of the roller surfaces, by means of which
friction is avoided in taking the sheet off the folding knife, 6 b. 25 are rollers or
segments of rollers, geared together, or otherwise related to each other, so that
they revolve, in unison, to and fro about a quarter of their circumference. 27 a is
a spring by which the arms, 27, holding the rollers are pressed together. This
arrangement is carried on a carriage, running on wheels in grooves, partly in a
straight line and partly curvilinear, all as the folding gripper formerly described
(Fig. IV.). When under the folding knife, as in Fig. V. the rollers, 25, are made
(by coming in contact with a projection either on the knife or on the frame and
while travelling forward) to rotate sufficiently over the edge of the folding knife
as to give them a firm hold of the paper. During the latter part of this rotation,
the protuberances, 26, are made to meet, or knuckle, against each other, through
slots cut in the knife, Fig. VII., 26 a. The gripping rollers, rigidly fixed on their
axes are now prevented from rotating either way, by a suitable locking arrange-
ment, the result being that the folding sheet is gripped between the protuberances, 26,
through slots, 26 a, in the knife, the rollers being thereby borne or shouldered off
the knife blade. On retiring. with the paper, and while travelling on the horizontal
plane, a suitable piece of adjustable mechanism unlocks the rollers, and makes them
unwind, as shown by arrows in Fig. VI. In doing so the paper is ejected on the
platform, 17, Figs. 11. and III., and the newly-made fold or crease gets a final
press, in the way-going, at the point, 28, Fig. VI., the rollers being brought into
close contact by the action of the spring, 27 a. When the paper is laid on
platform, 17, the pushing bar, 24, Figs. II. and III. acts identically as stated in
description of the mechanism and function in connection with the preceding style
of folding gripper.
In order to tilt the folding gripper from the horizontal to the vertical position,
when under the folding knife, curved grooves or rails, 29, Figs. II. and III., are
used, in which the small wheels, 1, Fig. IV. run, or a suitably adjusted inclined
plane may be used; but an alternative plan is shown in Fig. VIII., where the
folding gripper, while having a straight reciprocal motion, may be hinged, 30, on a
platform on the carriage, and the tilting of the gripper is accomplished by making
a projection, 31, engage with a stud, 31 a, whereby the mouth is swivelled up to the
folding-knife, 6 c.
The drawings show a machine constructed to give three folds, but the number of
folds may be increased by increasing the sets of folding apparatus. Should a less
number of folds be desired than the maximum number the machine is
constructed to give, the paper may be drawn from the machine by lowering the
outermost end of platform, 17, Figs. II. and III., which is hinged for the purpose
at 17 c, and giving it a slope as indicated by the dotted lines, 17 d, Figs. II. and III.
By this arrangement, whenever the fingers, 21, release the paper after having with-
drawn it from the folding gripper, the paper slides down the inclined plane-folded
edge front into a suitable receptacle. At the last fold the machine is fitted to
give, the platform, 17, may be permanently fixed at this angle.
Delivery of papers may be made by allowing them to accumulate on the top of
each other, after sliding down any of the sloping platforms, 17 d; or an ordinary
"flyer" may be used. For a better class of machine, however, the delivery
apparatus, which may be called the "collector" is used, as shown in Figs. XIV.
and XV. This collector is moveable and attachable to the machine at any point
where the sloping platforms, 17 d, Figs. II., &c. end. It is driven by gearing from
shafts suitably fixed on the frame of the folding machine, working, as may be most
suitable, in any of the toothed wheels, 56, 57, 58, Figs. 14 and 15. The folded
paper, in sliding down the inclined platform, 17 d, Fig. II., &c., strikes-folded edge
front--between smooth surfaced pressing rollers, (on same axis as pinions 56 and 57),
which bear upon each other, the pressure being regulated by springs or otherwise.
In passing between these rollers the paper is suitably squeezed, and emerges on the
fingers of the sloping flyer, 59, Fig. XV. down which it slides, till it strikes

page_text: against the moveable stop or support 60. The geared wheel, 58-revolving in the
direction of the arrows-by means of the pin, 61, fixed near its periphery, so acts on
the lever, 62, and the partly rotating pulleys, 63 and 64 (geared together by leather
straps or pitch-chains, made fast to both pulleys at points 65 and 66, Fig. XIV.
respectively, so as to make them act in unison, but allowing them free to partially
rotate to and fro) that the flyer 59, which is rigidly attached to the same axis as
pulley 64, is thrust forward, as indicated by the dotted line, carrying the paper with
it, which it places against the moveable stop, 60, as seen in Fig. XIV. On this
occurring another smaller wicket, 67, (hanging downwards, and the fingers of which
are so set on their axis, 68, that they pass through, or between, but without touching,
the fingers of the flyer, 59,) descends as shown by dotted lines, Figs. XIV
and XV., behind the paper just laid against moveable stop, 60. By this means the
paper is held in upright position, even when the support of the flyer, 59, is with-
drawn, which occurs when the pin, 61, becomes disengaged with the lever, 62, as is
shown just about to happen in Fig. XIV. Whenever this disengagement takes
place, a spring or counterpoise, acting on the lever, 62, or any of its connections,
makes the apparatus at once to move back to the positions shown in Fig. XV.,
and is thus in readiness for receiving the next paper. A second paper having slid
down the face of the flyer, 59, Fig. XV. it again begins to advance forward, while
at the same time the wicket, 67, begins to ascend, and before the flyer, 59, comes
quite close to it, is sufficiently high to prevent its fingers fouling the paper carried
forward by the flyer, 59. The second paper being deposited against the face of the
moveable stop, 60, as shown in Fig. XIV, the stop 60 slightly recedes-as pushed
by the flyer the wicket again descends, as already described, secures the second
paper in its position against the first, and so on with subsequent numbers. The
upwards movement of the wicket, 67, is effected by the pulley, 64, being attached to
pulley, 69, by leather straps or a pitch-chain, similar to the manner in which pulleys 63
and 64 are attached to each other. Pulley 69 works freely on the axis to which
the wicket 67 is rigidly attached, but on its inner side is a ratchet which engages
with a pawl on the axis, 68 (or vice versa) the forward movement causing the
pulley, 68 to lift the wicket to position shown in Fig. XIV. At this point the
pawl is lifted out of gear with the ratchet, by a projection on the frame, and
the wicket at once falls down. On pulley, 68, returning to its original position the
ratchet again engages the pawl, and the wicket is again lifted to repeat the same
course. (The ratchet and pawl and disengaging projection are not shown.)
The knives, grippers, &c., of this machine are generally placed at right angles
to each other, and are so shown in the drawings; but they may be placed parallel
to each other, if desired. In this case or in any other, in which it might be
advantageous the folding grippers (Fig. IV.) may be made to travel under the
folding knives (instead of away from them as shown) thus directly laying the sheets
into position for being folded without the intervention of the pushing bar, or
with such modification of it, and of the other apparatus, as would be necessary
in the circumstances.
Dated this 97th day of March 1905
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Paper Folding Machines.
I, LEWIS MUNRO, Printer and Publisher, Castle Street, Dingwall, Ross-
shire, N.B., 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 improvements in paper folding machines are illustrated by the drawings
annexed to my Provisional Specification.

page_text: and provided with a double feeding apparatus.
Figure II is a side elevation, and
Figure III is an end elevation of the machine.
Figures IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII are elevations or sections of the folding
grippers and the knives.
Figures IX, X, XI, XII, and XIII and XI, XI, XIC XIP and XIE additional
drawings now lodged, are elevations or sections of the feed gear.
Figures XIV and XV are elevations of the delivery apparatus, or the
"collector."
For feeding the sheets of paper into the machine various devices are used,
according to requirement. Figures I II IX X and XI show the arrangements for
a double feed. At each end of the machine are feeding tables 32, from which the
sheets are alternately fed. By means of levers 33, operated by cranks 34, on
discs 35, and connecting rods 36 and 37, a travelling gripper arrangement, mounted
on small wheels, and running in rails or grooves, is made to traverse between the
feed tables 32. The disc 35 is driven continuously in the way clearly indicated in
Figure 1. The gripper when closing on one side, opens on the other. In
advancing towards either feed table 32 the leading or front set of gripping fingers
are open and ready to seize hold of the edge of the sheet of paper presented to it
and previously adjusted on the feed table. When the gripper reaches its
destination, the front fingers close on the sheet, at the same time the rear fingers,
which are on the same axis, open upwards. The gripper fingers having seized
hold of the sheet of paper, proceed on their return journey and draw it under the
folding knife 6 (Figures I and II). By the time this takes place the other
gripper fingers have reached the opposite feeding-table 32 and they close on the
second sheet. Simultaneously the first sheet which is now in position to he operated
on by the folding mechanisin is released from the gripping fingers. Meanwhile the
folding gripper shown in Figure IV (to be described afterwards) has advanced up
to a slot in the feed-table beneath the knife (it is shown in this position in
Figure II), and it creases or folds the sheet against the knife_6". Other sub-
sequent folding operations are performed in a similar manner. The feed gripper
takes sheets alternately from the two feed tables 32 and travels only once whilst the
folding grippers travel twice, this is arranged for by the gear wheel 35° being
twice the size of the gear wheel 39 with which it engages.
Figures IX, X and XI show more fully the double feed gripping arrangement.
39 is an axis passing across between the two side frames of the gripper apparatus.
Attached at their centres to this axis are the gripper fingers 40, of steel or other
flexible material. These parts are more clearly seen in Figure XIA which also
shows the strips against which the fingers 40 close first on one side and then on the
other. To the one end of the axis is attached a rigid V shape piece of iron 41
(see also Figure X1B) the attachment to the axis being formed at the point where
the two arms of the V meet. The axis turns freely in sockets in the small
blocks 42. These blocks can slide in oblong openings in the frames 43. The
block, the frame and the axis are shown separately in Figure XI. Attached to
this frame 43 on the inner side is a projection 44, which is embraced by the arms
of the V shaped piece 41. The result is that when the blocks 42, carrying the
axis 39 and its gripper fingers and V shaped piece 41 are pushed along their
grooves, the projection 44, strikes against one of the arms of the V shaped piece 41,
tilts the latter over, and depresses the fingers 40, of the gripper to the one side, or
to the other, as the case may be. The ends of the fingers 40 when pushed down,
press on strips 45 of wood, or other substance, placed longitudinally under the
fingers. The strips 45 at their centres are attached to a rigid bar 40" (see
Figure XI) which connects the blocks 42 on either side of the machine. The
side frames 43 are similarly held together by a rigid cross bar 40" Figure XI
and XIP. Between the fingers 40, and the strips 45 at either end alternately the
papers are gripped, and drawn under the folding knife 6". In order to keep the

page_text: parts locked in position, the blocks have attachments 46, Figures IX and X,
jutting out from both sides; these attachments which are more clearly seen in
Figs. X1 and XI are of spring steel, or other suitable substance, and terminate
in catches 47. The catches engage in projections 48 from the framing 43, but they
are so placed that only one set at a time of the catches 47 can engage. When the
catches are pressed down and disengaged from the projections as in Figure XID,
the blocks 42 can be pushed from one to the other end of the oblong openings and
when this movement is complete the second set of spring catches engage with the
corresponding projections at the opposite end. Thus the blocks, being themselves
locked, lock also the gripper fingers. To disengage these catches 47 at the proper
time their faces are inclined, and on the frame of the machine, at either end, are
suitable stops 49, Figure II. When the gripping apparatus gets near either end of
its course as seen in Figure XI the catch 47 engages with the stop 49, and the
latter draws down the former and unlocks it from the projection 48. As the
connecting rods 37 continue to push the gripper frame 43 to the extreme length of
travel, the blocks 42 with their axis and gripper fingers, pass along the oblong
groove in the frame 43, until ultimately the catches and projections at the opposite
end of the gripper engage and lock together. The gripper fingers have in this
operation, released one paper and seized a fresh one. On the gripping apparatus
next reaching the other end of its travel similar operations in the reverse order,
are gone through. The V shaped piece 41, and the projection 44, are so related to
each other, in shape and position that when the gripper is nearing the end of its
travel, and the blocks 42 with their fixtures are brought to a halt, there is an
interval for the already detained gripper to check the forward momentum of the
paper before releasing hold of it.
To recapitulate-the connecting rods 37 impart to and fro movement along
horizontal guides to the frames 43 which are connected together across the machine
by the bar 40%. On the frames 43 are fixed the parts 44, 48. The blocks 42 are
connected together across the machine by the bar 40" and they are able to slide a
short distance horizontally in oblong openings in the frames 43. Attached to the
blocks 42 are the parts marked 45, 46, 47.
The blocks 42 also carry the axis 39 on which are the parts 40, 41.
In the position shown in Figure II the gripper fingers 40 to the right of the
axis 39 have just gripped the left edge of a sheet of paper which is presented to
them by hand the sheet being the uppermost of a pile on the adjacent table 32.
The block 42 is latched to the frame 43 by the catch 47 to the left of the axis
engaging with the corresponding projection 48.
The frame 43 then travels from right to left until the engaged catch 47 comes
against the inclined stop 49 on the left of the machine. The sheet of paper
carried by the gripper fingers is then in position for folding. The contact with the
stop 49 releases the catch and whilst the block 42 remains at rest the frame 43
travels on a short distance further. In this movement the projection 44 acts
against the V piece 41 and partly rotates the axis 39 with the result that the
gripping fingers on the right are raised and release the sheet of paper of which
they had hold. At the same time the gripping fingers 40 on the left of the axis
close down upon the edge of a sheet of paper presented to them as before but lying
on the pile at the other end of the machine. The fingers nip the edge of the sheet
against the strips 45 and so hold it. Then as the frame 43 arrives at the end of
its course the catch 47 to the right of the axis engages.
The return movement from left to right commences and in this movemennt the
second sheet of paper is in like manner laid in position for folding, and so the
work goes on.
The folding knife 6* may be a fixed stationary knife, but in order to bring it
down as closely as possible on the folding table, it is preferably made to swing
pendulously as indicated by the dotted lines, Figure II, so as to get out of the way
of the feed gripper when travelling underneath it. This knife may be pivotted
at 50 on suitable bearings on the sides of the frame, and actuated by a cam, or

page_text: Figure IV shows the apparatus described as a folding gripper. It slides or runs
beneath the folding table on a carriage supported by small wheels 1, along grooved
or other rails, fixed to the frame of the machine, as shown 2, Figures II and III.
These rails run straight for part of their course, but they curve as they approach
the knife. The folding gripper is pushed forwards by its lever 3, and connecting
rod 3, actuated in turn by the crank 4. When passing round the curves of the
guide rails, the folding gripper is tilted upwards so that the mouth 5 of the gripper -
comes directly under the folding knife. The jaws 7 and 8 of the folding gripper,
Figure IV are pivotted at 9, and the mouth 5 tends to close by the action of the
spring 10. Mounted on the gripper is a small hooked lever 11 pivotted at 12, and
pressed, or drawn forward by a spring 13, so that when the jaws 7 and 8 are made
to open, the hook of the pivotted lever slips forward over a stud or projection 14,.
thus keeping the jaws apart until the gripper is about to engage with the knife and
take the sheet. At this time the stud 15, fixed in proper position on the frame, is
struck by the face of the lever 11, and the lever is thus pushed back releasing the
stud 14, with the result that the gripper closes. At this time the folding blade
has entered between the jaws which impinge on the underside of the paper beneath
the knife. The jaws of the gripper (which may have, for purposes of friction, and
the giving of a sharper fold to the paper, an inner lining of india rubber or other
flexible material) having thus pressed or folded, and seized hold of the sheet of
paper over the edge of the folding knife, the gripper retires along the grooved
rails, drawing the folded paper after it, and through a suitable slot or narrow
passage in the table laying the paper horizontally on a platform 17. The
lever 11, and its mechanism, instead of being placed where shown, may be fixed on
B

page_text: the other side of the hinge 9, and near the mouth of the gripper, in which case the
lever might have no hook, but its upper end would slip under a stud or projection
equivalent to 14, to be struck and disengaged by a stud equivalent to 15.
Before the gripper reaches the termination of its receding travel, the arched
pieces 18 attached to the upper jaw of the gripper, come under friction wheels 19,
fixed in a suitable position on the frame by slotted and shiftable bearings 20,
Figures II and III, the result being that the arched pieces are deflected, thus
opening the jaws to release the paper and sufficiently wide for the spring 13, to
push the hook of lever 11, over the stud 14, the jaws being then held open and in
position for seizing the next sheet. In order to ensure, at the first fold, that the
tails of the sheet are laid evenly and without crease, on the platform 17, the sheet
may be made to pass under a smoothing-out rack 17, which rises and falls on its
pivot 17, by the action of the advancing and retiring folding gripper. To the
axis on which the friction wheels 19 are fixed, tongues, or fingers of steel, or wood,
or other suitable substance 21 are frictionally attached. When the roller 19 runs
on the arched piece 18, the fingers 21 strike the paper at the point 22, and press
it against the platform 17, thereby ensuring the withdrawal of the paper from the
newly-opened jaws of the gripper. When the arched pieces 18 pass in the
contrary direction under the friction wheels 19 the tongues or fingers 21 rise to
their normal position.
Attached by suitable connecting rods 23, to the mechanism giving the
reciprocating motion to the grippers, is an adjustable sliding pushing bar 24,
Figures II and III, which has practically the same length of travel as the gripper
to which it is attached, but it moves in a straight line. The pushing bars have
their ends running in rails 24 b, attached to the framing of the machine, and they
have suitable projections 24 a, fitting into longitudinal grooves in the surfaces of
platforms 17 and tables 16.
When the folding gripper has released its hold of the paper, the already partially
folded paper falls in front of the pushing bar 24, or is made to remain stationary
till the pushing bar gets behind its folded edge. On the return motion of the
gripper and pushing bar, the latter pushes the sheet before it below another folding
knife 6 ready for a second fold to be made by mechanism similar to that already
described. In this way the sheet is passed from one folding table to another until
as many folds as are required have been produced. At each folding table there is
similar mechanism but decreasing in dimensions as the surface of the sheet to be
operated on becomes by folding progressively smaller and smaller.
In order to allow of variation in the sizes of paper being folded, the con-
necting rods attaching the pushing bars to the gripping levers or connecting
rods, are adjustable by screws, 24 b, Figure 11, so that they may be lengthened or
shortened at will, thus giving the paper a shorter or further thrust as desired.
The pushing bar may, if required be made to fall below the table surface in the
receding travel, and to rise above the table surface when thrusting the paper.
order to facilitate the further shifting of the apparatus to suit varying sizes, the
brackets 20, holding the friction rollers, are made moveable, by having the holes,
through which they are screwed to the frame, slotted.
In
Stated shortly the action of the folding gripper is in each case as follows:-the
carriage with the gripping jaws is propelled along the guides 2. 2. at first
horizontally but finally so that the open jaws rise vertically to the folding
knife. As the movement terminates, the trigger hook 11 comes against the
stop 15 and is displaced. The spring 10 then closes the gripper on the fold of
paper which the knife has tucked between the jaws 7 and 8. The folding
gripper then retires and takes the folded sheet down through the slit in the
table 32 on to the platform 17. Then the arched portion 18 of the jaw lever
comes against the stationary roller 19; the jaws are thus forced open and are
caught and held open by the trigger 11. As the roller 19 runs up the arch 18
the spring fingers 21 which are simply held by friction to the axis of the
roller, descend on to the folded sheet and bring it to rest upon the table 17.

page_text: The pusher 24 before the motion is completed, gets behind the folded sheet. On
the next motion the pusher 24 drives the folded sheet before it on to the second
folding table 16. At this table another fold is made by another knife 6 working
in conjunction with another folding gripper as already explained: So in succession
as many folds as required are made, the sheet of paper being passed on from table
to table.
For a less expensive class of machine the folding gripper may be constructed
without the pivoted lever 11, with its accompanying spring 13, and stud 14. In
this case the opening of the gripper mouth to seize the paper will be accomplished
by the pressure of the bevelled or rounded edges of the lips against the knife.
An alternative style of folding gripper may be used when it is desired to avoid
all friction on the paper between the knife and the grippers. Figure V shows the
apparatus under the knife and when about to seize the paper. Figure VI shows it
after it has released the paper and Figure VII is a view of it horizontally. 25 are
rollers, or segments of rollers, geared together, so that they revolve, in. unison, to
and fro about a quarter of their circumference; this movement is imparted to the
rollers by a suitable arm on the axis of cne of the rollers and projections and
locking surfaces on the frame. 27a is a spring by which the arms 27, holding the
rollers are pressed together. This arrangement is carried on a carriage, running
on wheels in grooves, partly in a straight line, and partly curvilinear, all as in the
folding gripper formerly described (Figure IV). When rising to the folding knife,
as in Figure V, the rollers 25 are made to rotate sufficiently over the edge of the
folding knife to give them a firm hold of the paper.
26. 26 are slight protuberances, on parts of the roller surfaces, by means of
which friction is avoided in taking the sheet off the folding knife 66. During the
latter part of this rotation, the protuberances 26 meet, or knuckle against each
other, through slots cut in the knife, Figure VII, 26 a, so the paper is held without
nipping the knife blade.
The gripping rollers are rigidly fixed on their axes and are now prevented from
rotating either way, by the locking arrangement. On retiring with the paper, and
finally while travelling on the horizontal plane, the mechanism unlocks the rollers,
and makes them unwind, as shown by arrows in Figure VI. In doing so the paper
is ejected on the platform 17, Figures II and III, and the newly made fold or
crease gets a final press, in passing the point 28, Figure VI, the rollers being
brought into close contact by the action of spring 27. The paper is laid on the
platform 17-and the pushing bar 24, Figures II and III acts as before described
to transfer the paper to the next folding table or to deliver it out of the
machine.
In order to tilt the folding gripper from the horizontal to the vertical position,
when under the folding knife, curved grooves or rails 29 may be used as represented
in Figures II and III but an alternative plan is shown in Figure VIII. where
the folding gripper is on a carriage which has a straight reciprocal motion, it is
hinged to the carriage at 30 and the tilting of the gripper is accomplished by
making a projection 31 engage with a stud 31 a. whereby the mouth of the gripper
is presented to the folding knife 6 c.
The gripper may be constructed as previously described.
The Drawings II. and III. show a machine constructed to give three folds, but
the number of folds may be increased by increasing the sets of folding apparatus.
Should a less number of folds be desired than the maximum number the machine
is constructed to give, the paper may be drawn from the machine by lowering the
outermost end of platform (17 Figures II and III) which is hinged for the purpose
at 17c and giving it a slope as indicated by the dotted lines 17 d, Figures II
and 111. By this arrangement whenever the fingers 21, release the paper, after
having withdrawn it from the folding gripper, the paper slides down the inclined
plane folded edge front-into a suitable receptacle. At the last fold the machine
is fitted to give, the platform 17 may be permanently fixed at this angle.

page_text: 66
THE COLLECTOR.
in
Delivery of papers may be made by allowing them to accumulate on the top of
each other, after sliding down any of the sloping platforms, 17 d; or an ordinary
flyer may be used. For a better class of machine however, the delivery
apparatus, which may be called the "collector" is used, as shown in Figures XIV
and XV. This collector is moveable and attachable to the machine at any point,
where the sloping platforms 17 d, Figures II &c. end. It is driven by gearing
from shafts suitably fixed on the frame of the folding machine, working as may be
most suitable, in any of the toothed wheels 56, 57, 58 Figures XIV and XV.
The folded paper, in sliding down the inclined platform 17d, Figure II &c.
strikes folded edge front-between the smooth surfaced pressing rollers (on the
same axes as the pinions 56 and 57) which bear upon each other, the pressure being
regulated by springs or otherwise. In passing between these rollers, the paper is
suitably squeezed, and emerges on the fingers of the sloping flyer 59, Figure XV,
down which it slides till it strikes against the moveable stop 60. The stop is
suitably weighted, and it stands upon a surface or support, along which it slides,
as the pile of folded paper accumulates. Both the flyer 59 and the support for the
stop 60 consist of fingers or lats and as will be seen the lats of the part 60 protrude
between those of the flyer 59. The geared wheel 58, by means of the pin 61,
fixed near its periphery, acts on the lever 62, and partly rotates the pulley 63.
The pulleys 63 and 64, are geared together by leather straps or pitch chains made
fast to both pulleys at points 65 and 66, Figure XIV respectively. The flyer 59
is rigidly attached to the same axis as the pulley 64, and immediately it has
received the folded sheet from the pressing rollers, it is thrust forward carrying
the paper with it, which it places against the moveable stop 60, as seen
Figure XIV. On this occurring, another smaller wicket 67 descends as shown by
Figures XIV and XV, behind the paper just laid against moveable stop 60. The
wicket 67 hangs downwards, and its fingers are so set on their axis 68, that they
pass through or between but without touching the fingers of the flyer 59. By this
means the paper is held in upright position even when the support of the flyer 59
is withdrawn. When the pin 61 becomes disengaged from the lever 62, as is about
to happen in Figure XIV, the flyer 59 returns. Whenever this disengagement
takes place, a spring or counterpoise acting on the lever 62, or any of its
connections, makes the apparatus at once to move back to the position shown in
Figure XV in readiness to receive the next paper. A second paper having slid
down the face of the flyer 59, Figure XV, it again begins to advance forward,
while at the same time the wicket 67 begins to ascend, and before the flyer 59
comes quite close to it, is sufficiently high to prevent its fingers fouling the paper
carried forward by the flyer 59. The second paper being deposited against the
face of the moveable stop 60 as shown in Figure XIV, the stop 60, slightly
recedes, being pushed by the flyer, the wicket 67, again descends, as already
described, and secures the second paper in its position against the first, and so on
with subsequent numbers. The upward movement of the wicket 67, is effected by
the pulley 64, being attached to the pulley 69 by leather straps or a pitch chain,
as the pulleys 63 and 64 are attached to each other. Pulley 69 works freely on the
axis to which the wicket 67 is rigidly attached, and on its inner side is a ratchet
which engages with a pawl on the axis 68, the forward movement of the flyer
causing the pulley 68 to lift the wicket to position shown in Figure XIV.
At this point the pawl is lifted out of gear with the ratchet by a projection
on the frame, and the wicket at once falls down. Ou pulley 68 returning to
its original position, the ratchet again engages the pawl, and the wicket is again
lifted to repeat the same course. The ratchet and pawl and disengaging
projection are not shown. Instead of leather straps, the flyer and wicket may
be operated by levers and connecting rods.

page_text: The knives grippers &c. of this machine are generally placed at right angles
to each other, and are so shown in the drawings, but they may be placed
parallel to each other if desired. In this case or in any other in which it
might be advantageous the folding grippers (Figure IV) may be made to travel
under the folding knives, instead of away from them as shown, thus directly
laying the sheets into position for being again folded, without the intervention
of the pushing bar, or with such modification of it and of the other apparatus,
as would be necessary in the circumstances.
It will be seen that in my folding machine the use of tapes to convey the
sheets of paper is entirely avoided-this simplification is a very important feature.
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. A feeding gripper consisting of a sliding frame and an axis, with gripping
fingers thereon mounted upon the frame and moveable along it and catches
connecting the frame and the axis, and stops releasing the catches, as the sliding
frame approaches the end of its travel; the axis being retained and the paper
brought to a halt whilst the frame completes its movement and in so doing
partially rotates the axis releasing the first sheet and causing the gripping
fingers to close upon another sheet presented to them.
2. A double feeding gripper, substantially as herein described.
3. The combination of the folding gripper and the knife operating substantially
as described, the gripper advancing to the knife, pressing the paper against its
edge having the paper thrust between its jaws, nipping the fold which is thus
produced and conveying away the folded sheet.
4. A. folding gripper which travels to and fro beneath the folding table, and
rises through an opening in the table with its jaws beneath the sheet to be folded,
and a knife which thrusts the sheet into the jaws of the gripper which then retire
and take down the sheet and place it upon another table at a lower level.
5. The combination substantially as described of two or more such folding
tables, grippers and appliances in such manner, that the paper having received a
first fold is again operated on by a folding knife and grippers and is again folded.
6. The roller folding gripper and mechanism in connection therewith, sub-
stantially as described in respect of Figures V. VI and VII.
7. The method of delivering the paper by sliding down an inclined table after
the final fold the machine is fitted to give; also without folding the paper the full
number of times, for which the machine is designed, by hinging the intermediate
receiving table, so that when an intermediate delivery is required the table may be
set in an inclined position, such that the paper slides down it out of the machine,
and escapes the pusher which otherwise would drive the partially folded sheet
forward.
8. A collector substantially as described, in which the folded sheets are carried
forward by a flyer on to a pile resting against a moveable stop and are received
and retained by a wicket which rises as the flyer advances with the sheet and then
as soon as the sheet is passed immediately returns, and following the sheet presses
it on to .the pile.
Dated thin 14th day of December 1895
LEWIS MUNRO.