AUTOMATIC SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR FEEDING, AND DELIVERING SHEETS OF PAPER TO AND FROM THAT CLASS OF PRINTING MACHINE KNOWN AS THE PLATEN"
Year: 1883

page_text: AN.
LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Godfrey of New Reddish near Stockport in the
County of Lancaster Mechanical Draughtsman for an Invention of
AUTOMATIC SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR FEEDING, AND DELIVERING SHEETS
OF PAPER TO AND FROM THAT CLASS OF PRINTING MACHINE KNOWN AS THE
PLATEN"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Godfrey at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th March 1883.
ALFRED GODFREY of New Reddish near Stockport in the County of Lancaster
AN AUTOMATIC SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND DELIVERING SHEETS
OF PAPER TO AND FROM THAT CLASS OF PRINTING MACHINE. KNOWN AS THE
"PLATEN "
The Invention relates to that class of printing Machine known as the "Platen"
and is designed for the purpose of enabling such machine to print separate sheets
of paper with greater facility and expedition than hitherto by the application
thereto of a novel arrangement of apparatus which will automatically feed the
sheets of paper separately to the printing surface of the type for receiving the
printed subject matter and for withdrawing or taking off the paper when printed.
from the type surface and delivering such paper sheet by sheet on to a receiving
board or table The Platen printing Machine I prefer and to which the Invention
is particularly applicable is that in which the Platen does not vibrate on a centre
but moves to and from the type surface in a horizontal direction motion being
transmitted thereto from the driving shaft through the medium of gearing and
rods in connection with a sliding block to which the Platen is attached the
impression of the type on the paper being given with each forward movement of
the said block and "Platen
In order that the sheets of paper receiving the impression shall be successively
presented to the printing surface of the type and withdrawn therefrom auto-
matically with facility and expedition I adapt to the said Platen Machine the
following arrangement of apparatus.
•

page_text: The axis or centre of the sliding block forming the point of its connection with
the rod through which it receives motion provided with four equi-distant
projecting arms the boss of which is loose upon such axis. These arms at their
extremity from the boss form fulcra or supports which carry levers, one lever to
each arm, the short arm of each one of these levers has pressure exerted against
it by a coiled spring placed in a position radial to the supporting axis and their
opposite or longer arms are provided with runners or wheels in connection with
gripper jaws kept closed by the action of a spring, the opening and closing of
which for the purpose of taking hold of the sheets of paper presented to them,
and again releasing the same at the right time is effected by suitably arranged
tappets hereinafter described.
The function of the coiled springs acting against the short arms of the levers
provided with the grippers is to exert a pressure which will force the runners on
their longer arms into positive contact with the periphery of a fixed cam the
combined influences of which viz: the pressure exerted by the coiled springs and
the periphery of the fixed cam which form the path for the runners of the gripper
levers, maintains such levers in their true position relative to and for the work they
assist in performing when being carried round their supporting axis in manner as
hereinafter described.
The central axis of the sliding block before mentioned carries a ratchet wheel
which is connected with and forms part of the four projecting arins before
mentioned, there being one ratchet tooth to each arm and a recess or its equivalent
is formed in the root of each ratchet tooth for steading or locking its position
after each separate movement as hereinafter described
A loose collar or ring on the axis of the sliding block supporting the ratchet
forms a base or support for the fulcrum of a lever, one arm of this lever forms a
pawl provided with a projecting tooth which fits the recess formed in the root of
each ratchet. The opposite arm of this lever pawl is connected through the
medium of rods and a bell crank lever with a crank receiving motion through
gearing direct from the driving shaft or as an equivalent such lever pawl can be
actuated direct from the driving shaft by means of an eccentric having an adjustable
throw which is effected by carrying its shaft through an elongated hole forined in
the eccentric block and clamping such block in the position required by means of
bolts passing through such block and collars or discs forming part of or fixed to
the shaft giving motion to the eccentric. The adjustment of the eccentric block
from its minimum to its maximum throw being effected by set screws s-acting
against the central or driving shaft The crank, bell crank, and connecting rods or
the alternative adjustable eccentric arrangement transmit an oscillatory motion to
the loose collar carrying the lever pawl. This loose collar is provided with a fixed
pin or stop so placed that it will allow a slight play or loss of motion to the said
lever pawl with each movement in either direction, that is, when descending
before taking up the positive action or thrust of the said pawl and again when
ascending just before coming into contact with the pin or stop of the oscillating
collar.
This loss of motion gives a slight oscillation to the lever pawl before actual
performance, sufficient when ascending to withdraw, or when descending to insert
the tooth of the pawl from or into the recess formed in the root of each ratchet
tooth, the object of which steadies or locks the position of the ratchet with each
movement. This locking and steadying of the ratchet when dwelling may be
further supplemented by a second pawl or catch placed on the opposite side of
such ratchet supported by a pin fixed to the sliding block, this said pawl is
provided with a lever tappet which as the block slides is caused at the proper
.and required time when motion is being transmitted to such ratchet to be acted
upon by a swell or rise on the framing and so removed to allow the ratchet
freely to revolve.
4.
'It will be understood that the projecting arms carrying the gripper levers

page_text: supported on the axis of the sliding block not only receive an intermittant
revolving motion round such axis when actuated by the rods, levers and pawl in
connection there with in manner as herein described but they also receive a
rectilinear to and fro sliding motion with each traverse of the sliding block as such
block is caused to advance and press the Platen against the type and again retire
therefrom.
Having thus given a general description of the arrangement, construction, and
adaptation of my improved apparatus designed for automatically presenting sheets
of paper in succession to the type of a Platen printing Machine, and again
withdrawing or delivering the same I will now proceed to illustrate its action.
The sheets of paper to be printed are first placed on a table or feeding board
supported in a position which will allow the gripper jaws as they are inter-
mittantly carried round, and successively assume their highest position to take
hold of the paper and remove it sheet by sheet as follows:-
When the sliding block carrying the "Platen" is at its greatest distance from
the type and at the time it is commencing its forward traverse the lever pawl
giving motion to the ratchet and arms carrying the gripper levers is in its highest
position slightly above the abutting face of the ratchet tooth and against the pin.
or stop of its supporting oscillatory collar, the first portion of the downward action
of the said lever pawl forces its projecting tooth into the recess of the ratchet
tooth and against the face thereof which as its descent is continued it forces such
ratchet into its lowest position and with it the lever carrying the gripper arms,
but in order to illustrate the manner in which the sheets of paper are first taken
hold of, and then released it is necessary to understand that when the Machine is
started the first advance of the Platen carries forward the lever arms carrying the
gripper jaws causing that one which is then at the top or highest elevation
immediately on a line with the board supporting the sheets of blank paper, to
advance slightly beyond the edge of the sheet to be taken hold of, this forward
movement brings the tappets with which the grippers are provided, videlicet, the
gripper on the arm then at the highest elevation in a line with the blank sheets
of paper, and that on the opposite side of the axis immediately over the receiving
board to come into contact with ridged cam surfaces, which whilst the tappets are
passing over their non yielding surfaces open the jaws of the grippers and so
enables the top gripper to receive the blank sheet of paper, and the bottom gripper
as it opens to release the printed sheet retained between its closed jaws, the first
portion of the receding or backward movement of the sliding block and gripper
levers cause the tappets of the grippers which are then under their yielding cam
surfaces to close, the top one of which takes hold of the blank sheet of paper and
the bottom nearly closes, having delivered its sheets. During the time the,
receding or backward traverse of the block and Platen is taking place, the ratchet
with its projecting arms and gripper levers receive only their backward sliding
motion simultaneous with which the lever pawl actuated by the mechanism before
mentioned ascends to its highest position, at which time and whilst the Platen is
at its greatest distance from the type surface the first portion of the downward
movement of such lever pawl locks its projecting tooth in the recess formed in the
root of the ratchet and as its descent is continued it carries with it the ratchet
wheel, projecting arms, lever grippers, and the blank sheet of paper, and places
such sheet over and on to the surface of the "Platen" which with the advance of
such Platen is pressed against the inked surface of the type the subject matter of
which is transferred or impressed upon such paper. The grippers in their normal
state being held closed by the action of their spring still retain the sheet of printed
paper whilst those grippers at the top and next in succession are acted on by
the fixed cam for taking hold of the next blank sheet, in manner already described,
whilst those immediately in advance of the grippers retaining the sheet of printed
paper are being opened for the purpose of releasing the paper and allowing it to
fall into the lower receiving board.-Immediately that sheet of printed paper held

page_text: by the grippers has received its impression it is withdrawn from the Platen by the
next downward movement of the lever pawl and ratchet and placed over the
receiving board the blank sheet held by the grippers following being then placed
in position on the Platen for receiving the type impression.
The combined traverse and intermittant revolving action thus given to the arms
and their gripping levers, do through the medium of their connection as herein
described simultaneously with each complete intermittant movement.
First take
hold of the sheet to be printed. Second present the previous sheet so held to the
printing surface of the type, and finally withdraws the one in advance and already
printed upon over a lower table or receiving board and releases the same and
allows it to fall onto such board.

page_text: •
Sheet 1 Fig 1 represents a side elevation of my improved Platen Printing
Machine and Sheet 1 Fig 2 represents a front elevation of Fig 1 parts of which
shewing details of fitting are shewn in Section
"
Sheet 2 Fig 4 represents a side elevation of the general arrangement of
mechanism actuating the grippers of the two feed machine for feeding the sheets
taking off" and
of paper to the printing surface of the type and also for
depositing the same on to a receiving board. Fig 3 (Sheet 2) represents a similar
view to that shewn at Fig: 4 with this exception that the grippers are arranged as
adapted to a Single feed Machine Fig 4º (Sheet 2) represents a detached view of
the catch keeping the gripper arms locked and in position during the time the
Platen is giving the impression
In these Figs a is the framing of the machine b the type surface c the Platen
d the inking apparatus f the frisket fingers and e the driving shaft all being old
and well known parts of a Platen Printing Machine
In order that the sheets of paper receiving the impression shall be successively
presented to the printed surface of the type and withdrawn therefrom automatically
with facility and expedition I adapt to the said Platen Machine the following
arrangement of apparatus
The axis or centre 1 of the sliding block 2 connected by the rod 3 through which
it receives motion from the crank 4 is provided with four equi distant projecting
arm's 5 the boss of which is loose upon the axis 1 These arms 5 at their extremity
form fulcra or supports which, carry the levers 7 one lever to each arm the short
arm of each one of these levers 7 has pressure exerted against it by a spring 8
placed in a position radial to the supporting axis 1 and their opposite or longer
arms are provided with runners or wheels 9 in connection with the gripper jaws 10
which are kept in their normal closed position by springs the opening of such jaws
at the right time for taking hold of the sheets of paper presented to them for
feeding to the type surface and again releasing the same so as to deposit the printed
sheet on to a receiving board is effected by suitably arranged tappets 12 hereinafter
described.

page_text: The function of the coiled springs 8 acting against the short arms of the levers 7
provided with the grippers 10 is to exert a pressure which will force the runners or
wheels 9 on their longer arms into positive contact with the periphery or edge
surface of the fixed path or cam 13 the combined influences of which (viz) the
pressure exerted by the coiled springs 8 and the path or periphery of the fixed
cam 13 which form the path or race for the runners 9 of the gripper levers
maintains such levers in their true positions relative to and for the work they assist
in performing when being carried round their supporting axis in manner as herein-
after described.
The central axis 1 of the sliding blocks 2 before mentioned carries a ratchet
wheel 14 which is connected, with and forms part of the four projecting arms 5.
carrying the levers 7 there being one ratchet tooth to each arm and a recess 15 or
its equivalent formed in the root of each ratchet tooth is designed for. steadying or
locking the position of its connecting arms after each separate movement in manner
as hereinafter described.
A collar or ring 16 running loose on the ends of the Platen beam 28 forms a
base or support for the fulcrum of the lever 17 one arm of this lever forms a
pawl 18 provided with a projecting tooth. The opposite arm of the lever pawl 17
is connected through the medium of the rods 20 and levers 21 with the crank 22
receiving motion through gear direct from the first motion shaft e¹
The crank 23 lever 21 and connecting rods 20 transmit an oscillatory motion to
the loose collar or ring 16 carrying the lever pawl 17.
"
1.
This loose collar 16 is provided with a fixed pin or stop 23 so placed that it will
allow a slight play or loss of motion to the said lever pawl-17 with each movement
in either direction, that is when descending before taking up the positive action or
thrust of the said pawl and again. when, ascending just before coming into contact
with the pin or stop 23 of the oscillating collar 16. This loss of motion gives a
slight oscillation to the lever pawl before actual performance sufficient when
ascending to withdraw or when descending to insert the tooth of the pawl 17 fron
or into the recess 15 formed in the root of each ratchet tooth of the wheel 14. The
object of this steadies or locks the position of the ratcliet 14 with each complete
movement or quarter turn. This locking and steadying of the ratchet when
dwelling as the pawl 17 is ascending may be further supplemented by a. second
pawl or catch 24 placed on the opposite side of such ratchet 14 fixed by a pin to
the sliding block 2, this said pawl or catch 24 is provided with a lever tappet 25
which as the block 2 slides is caused at the proper and required time when motion
is being transmitted to such ratchet to be acted upon by a fixed swell. 26 of the
framing a which raises or removes such pawl or catch and so allows the ratchet 14
to freely revolve.
It will be understood that the projecting arms 5 carrying the gripper levers 74
supported on the axis 1 of the sliding block 2 not only receive an intermittent
revolving motion round such axis when actuated by the rods levers and pawls
in connection therewith in manner as herein described, but they also receive a
rectilinear to and fro sliding motion with each traverse of the sliding block 2 as
such block is caused to advance and press the Platen c against the type and again 4
retire therefrom.
Having thus given a general description of the arrangement construction and
adaptation of the various parts forming the subject of my Invention designed for
automatically presenting sheets of paper in succession to the type of a Platen
Printing Machine and again withdrawing and delivering the same I will now 5
proceed to illustrate its action.
The sheets of paper to be printed are laid by an attendant one by one on the
tables or boards 26 and 27 in a position which will allow the gripper jaws 10 a 10ª
as they are intermittently, carried round and. assume successively their highest
positions take hold of their respective sheets and feed them to the type surface in
manner as follows:-
When the sliding block 2 carrying the Platen c is at its greatest distance from'
5

page_text: the type and at the time it is commencing its forward traverse the lever pawl 17
giving motion to the ratchet 14 and arms 5 carrying the gripper levers is in its
highest position slightly above the abutting face of the ratchet tooth and against
the pin or stop 23 of its supporting oscillating collar 16 the first portion of the
downward action of the said lever pawl 17 forces its projecting tooth into the
recess of the ratchet tooth and against the face thereof which as its descent is
continued it forces such ratchet one quarter of a turn into its lowest position and
with it through the medium of the radial arms 5 the levers 7 carrying the grippers
10 10 10 10b. But in order to illustrate the manner in which the sheets of
paper are first taken hold of when placed on the boards 26 and 27 and then
released it, is necessary to understand that at the time the Machine is started the
first receding of the Platen carries back the arms 5 supporting the gripper jaws
causing the two grippers 10" 10ª then in their highest position and, immediately
on a line with their respective feeding boards to advance slightly beyond the edges
of the sheets of paper then in register to be taken hold of by the jaws of their
respective grippers. This backward motion brings the tappets 12 with which the
grippers are provided videlicet, the grippers 10ª 10ª at their highest elevation and
the grippers 10b below the axis 1 immediately over the receiving board n to come
into contact with fixed cams which whilst the tappets of the grippers 10° 10° and 10"
are passing over their non yielding surfaces opens the jaws of such grippers and so
enables the top grippers 10° 10° to receive their respective blank sheets and the
bottom gripper 10b as it opens to release the printed sheet hitherto retained between
its closed jaws.
During the time the backward traverse of the block 2 and Platen c is taking
place, the ratchet 14 with its projecting arms 5 and gripper levers receive only
their backward sliding motion simultaneous with which the lever pawl actuated
by the mechanism before mentioned ascends to its highest position at which time
and whilst the Platen is at its greatest distance from the type surface the first
portion of the downward movement of such lever pawl 17 locks its projecting
tooth in the recess formed in the root of the ratchet 14 and as its descent is
continued it carries with it the ratchet wheel 14 projecting arms 5 lever grippers
10 10 10 and 10 the two former 10° 10° carrying with them their respective
sheets of blank paper the first one of which in the direction of motion places such
sheet over and onto the surface of the Platen which with the advance of such
platen is pressed against the inked surface of the type and so transfers its
impression to the paper. The grippers in their normal state are held closed by
the action of their springs and retain the sheet of printed paper whilst those
grippers with their Sheet of paper at the top and next in succession are with the
next throw of the ratchet placed in like manner on the Platen for receiving the
type impression Simultaneous with which the sheet previously printed is with
such throw placed over and deposited on the receiving board n. The two next
grippers in advance of the one in contact with the type surface and that which has
delivered its printed sheet on to the receiving board are being acted upon by their
fixed cam surface which open the gripper jaws of the same preparatory for receiving
their sheets of paper in manner as before described.
In Fig 3. I have shewn as applied to a Platen Machine my improved apparatus
for automatically feeding single sheets to the printing surface of the type. In the
arrangement here shewn the construction and action of the various parts are
similar to those shewn and described in connection with the double feed illustrated
at Figs 1 and 4 with this exception that the paper is fed to the printing surface
in an upward or reverse direction and deposited on to the receiving board n shewn
in dots.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same I wish it to be understood in conclusion that what I claim as
new and as of my Invention is
The employment use and adaptation to that class of printing Machine known
as the Plateu of grippers or a series of grippers which will act singly or in

page_text: continuous succession and take hold of and feed separate sheets of paper
direct from the feeding board or boards of such machines on to the Platen
surface for receiving the type impression and from thence to the receiving
board whereon such sheets as released by the said grippers are deposited in
manner as herein substantially described setforth and illustrated in the
drawings annexed.
witness whereof I the said Alfred Godfrey have hereunto set my hand and
al this the
day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand
ght hundred and eighty three.
itness:
EDWARD, TUDOR Jr
Reddish Iron Works
Reddish
ALFRED. GODFREY (L.S.)