Improvements in Printing Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Improvements in Printing Machines.
1, WILHELM MAX ROCKSTROH, of No. 12 Grenzstrasse, Plauen near Dresden,
Germany, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:
:―
It is of essential importance in printing-machines that the adjustinent of the
parts that co-operate in the formation of the impression should be most exact and
correct and that this exact adjustment should not be injured by the yielding or
springing of the said parts.
The parts chiefly concerned are the cylinder and the bed, for the relative
adjustment of which the bearings of the cylinder have been made adjustable, the
bed being made unadjustable; also a bed adjusting arrangement has been
combined with the cylinder adjusting arrangement. According to the present
invention there are combined in a printing-machine, arrangements which enable
the most exact and correct mutual adjustment of the working parts to be effected
in a very simple manner, and also secure that these parts shall be mutually
unyielding and unalterable. By this means not only are speed and certainty of
action secured to an extraordinary extent in the operation of the machine, but the
exactness and beauty of the printing is increased to an important degree.
The object desired is attained, according to this invention by the combination of a
cylinder carried by stationary bearings and consequently unadjustable; a forme
adjustable parallel to itself and consequently to the cylinder; and a considerably
increased support for the reciprocating forme in its longitudinal and lateral
directions with lateral guiding-devices for preventing deviations of movement on
the part of the box carrying the forme.
As is well known, the adjustment of the cylinder in its two bearings to its proper
position relatively to the forme, has hitherto been one of the most important tasks
of the foreman or other person in charge of the machine, as on this adjustment
depends the exact working of the machine. The accuracy of this adjustment.
depends, however, on the skill of the said foreman or other person and rests very
often more on experiment than on the safer manipulation of mechanism provided
for the purpose. Any inaccuracy in the adjustment, is immediately visible in the
printing, and will necessitate correction. To obviate these objectious, cylinder-
adjusting devices are dispensed with in a printing machine according to this
invention, the cylinder being arranged in immovable bearings.
In order to prevent any yielding of the cylinder whatever over the whole width
thereof it is provided internally with a number of arms or cross shaped frames
which are displaced relatively to one another, and also with helical ribs that cross
one another, so that a rigid cylinder-surface is produced that will not yield at any
point.
As a further consequence of the mounting of the cylinder in stationary bearings,
any necessity for altering the diameter of the cylinder by increasing the thickness
of the blanket thereon, as heretofore usual, is avoided, so that the position of the
cylinder and its peripheral speed, remain constant.
The mounting of the cylinder in stationary bearing also possesses the substantial
advantage that, on account of its unalterable position as regards height, there is

page_text: always the same depth of engagement of its toothed ring with the racks that rotate
it and which are located on the forme carrying box which always remains at
the same height. There is thus avoided the irregularity in the gearing that is
always a consequence of any alteration of the height of the cylinder.
The bed carrying the forme used in combination with a cylinder mounted in
stationary bearings as described, rests by means of ribs, which are wedge-shaped in
the longitudinal direction, on a frame which is provided with corresponding wedges
and is situate, so as to be capable of sliding, on the forme box mounted on the
carriage. The adjustable bed is prevented from shifting horizontally and can only
be raised and lowered. The sliding frame is provided with a screw that is capable
of being rotated by an adjusting wheel but which cannot move endways relatively
to the frame and which engages in a nut fixed to the aforesaid forme carrying box.
By this arrangement the forme can be shifted parallel to itself in accordance with
the divisions of a scale, so that it can be adjusted in height, and consequently in
relation to the periphery of the cylinder with the utmost accuracy, certainty, and
quickness. The points of support of the bed may be as numerous as desired in the
direction of the breadth of the bed. It is desirable that the bed should be
supported in such a manner that the supporting or shifting places should be
directly above the supporting or bearing lines formed by the rows of carriage-
wheels which are arranged one behind another below the aforesaid box.
In printing machines as heretofore constructed, there has been arranged a track
or travelling-way on which the carriage, with its two rows of wheels, ran after the
manner of railway-vehicles. The support of the forme was, in this arrangement of
the machine restricted in the longitudinal direction to the necessary distance apart
of the carriage axles-i.e. to the wheel-base, and in the direction of its breadth
to the breadth of the single track provided. This is, however, recognized as
inadequate. The arrangement is supplemented, in a machine according to this
invention, by a second travelling way or track, whereby the support of the forme
in the direction of the width of the machine is increased fourfold, whilst an
important closing up or contraction of the supporting-lines in the longitudinal
direction of the machine is effected by the distribution or displacement, between
the wheels of the first travelling-way, of the wheels that roll on the second
travelling-way.
In addition to this very much increased support of the forme, provision is made
against its shifting laterally and upwardly, by means of a prismatic guidance of the
box, there being arranged for this purpose, at the sides of the box, outwardly and
downwardly inclined surfaces located between adjustable rollers.
By the combined arrangements herein before set forth, a stiffening, which extends
from the base-frame upwards, is produced due to the increase of the number, and
the decrease of the distance apart, of the axles, in the longitudinal direction of the
machine; to the increase of the number, and the displacement, relative to one
another, of the wheels, in the direction of the width of the machine; to the
mounting on these multiplied supporting-points of the forme-foundation and
the supporting thereon of the forme; and to the mounting of the cylinder, which
is itself stiffened, in stationary bearings. Between these several parts only the
bed, with the forme, is capable of being very slightly adjusted as regards height
with its firm support nevertheless maintained, the bed and forme being secured
against any lateral deviation and any improper upward motion, by the prismatic
roller-guidance of the box.
The accompanying drawings show by way of example a printing-machine
constructed according to this invention.
In these drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine, with the foundation-box, the adjustable
wedge-frame mounted thereon and the forme-bed resting on the wedge frame, in
section;
Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line of Fig. 1 :

page_text: and
4 19 a view of the printing-cylinder nail in elevation anu nait in section;
Fig. 4 is an end view of the cylinder to a smaller scale, showing the means
employed for strengthening it.
The remaining figures are hereinafter referred to.
From the bed a of the machine rise the side frames 6 6', carrying fixed bearings
in which the cylinder c is mounted to rotate. On the bed a there are formed or
arranged four ways d¹ d² ³ d'; on the outer ways d'd run the wheels of the
axles, e, 3 and on the inner ones viz. 2 d³, the wheels of the axles f¹ƒ³.
With one of the latter axles there engages the driving rod by means of which
the carriage comprising the frame and the wheels and axles connected thereto,
are caused to move to and fro. The inner wheels are so arranged with regard to
the outer ones that there are only the smallest practicable distances between the
wheel-axles e', f¹, e², f, e³ whilst there are at the same time only short distances
between the places where support is afforded in the breadth of the forme by the
four rows of wheels; all the wheels are provided with rings of teeth in gear with
racks fixed to the bed a and to the forme-carrying box a¹.
This box a', which bears on the carriage below as shown, is provided over each
row of wheels, with longitudinal rails or ways g¹ g² g³ g on which wedges h¹, h², h³, h*
which are connected together to form a frame h (Fig. 1), rest and can slide, whilst
on these wedges rest the oppositely arranged wedges of the bed k, which
carries the forme (not shown).
The frame is provided with an adjusting-screw / which is so mounted that it
can be rotated but cannot move endways relatively to the frame and which enters
a nut m fixed on the box a¹; the arrangement being such that by rotating the
screw by means of the hand wheel thereon, the frame can be screwed in or out,
whereby the bed k, and with it the forme resting thereon, can be accurately, easily,
securely, and quickly brought, in accordance with a suitable scale to the desired
position as regards height in relation to the cylinder c.
The box a¹ has at n n', downwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces against
which rollers o, o¹, which are adjustable in the machine-frame, lie and form a
prismatic guide; which prevents the box from moving laterally or rising.
The cylinder c (Figs. 4 and 4^) is provided internally with cross-arms c¹ c² c³,
which are displaced relatively to one another, and with helical strengthening
ribs c and c which cross each other as shown.
The endeavour to reduce the adjustment of the machine to the smallest amount
and to the least number of adjusting devices, is completed by a disengaging-
arrangement which is provided for the purpose of removing the inking-rollers
and distributing rollers from the ink-transferring cylinder, represented in side
elevation in Fig. 5 and in cross sectional elevation in Fig. 6 and by a gripper-
arrangement and blanket-clamping arrangement represented in end view in Fig. 7
and in side elevation, partly in section, in Fig. 8. The left and right hand
portions of Fig. 6, are sections on the lines Z Z, and Z¹ Z' respectively of
Fig. 5.
It is important that both the inking-rollers p p', which transfer the ink to the
forme, and also the distributing rollers q q', to which the ink is transferred from
the ink-box, should be capable of being moved away from the large ink cylinder r
that lies between these pairs of rollers, when the machine is to stand still for any
length of time, for the resting-lines formed between the paste-rollers and the
iron cylinder when the machine is allowed to rest for a time, are injurious to good
contact-surfaces.
:-
,
To enable this moving away of the whole of the rollers from the cylinder r to
be effected quickly and easily by the rotation of a single part, the following
arrangement is provided - On a shaft s³, on which is a lever s, there are arranged
two eccentrics ss, the straps of which are connected by links and links so so, that
form toggles, with the bearings $78 of the inking rollers pp', which bearings are
located in horizontal sliding-ways. By turning over the levers the links ss are

page_text: raised and push the bearings away from each other in opposition to the
pressure of springs s which, when engagement is to be effected by the turning
back of the lever s, carry the bearings, with the rollers, back into the working
position. Likewise, by turning the lever s, eccentrics t't, also fixed on the shaft s¹,
are rotated, whereby elbow-levers t³ t are raised and cause bolts to, to press with
their heads against the ends of the adjusting-screws of the bearings t', t8 of the
rollers 9, q', and thereby so raise the bearings that the rubbing-rollers q qare
lifted off the cylinder r. The bearings t, t can also slide back under spring-
pressure into their working-positions upon the lever s being turned back.
There is provided for the said rollers p p and q q¹ a bearing-arrangement,
which is shown in the right-hand side of Fig. 6, according to which the bearings s
and t consist of bolts u that are capable of being slidden back and are provided
with bearing-boxes and which can be pushed back, against spring-pressure, into
cases to enable the ends of the roller axles to be readily removed from the
bearings.
The grippers and clamping-in arrangements for the blanket on the cylinder,
shown in end view in Fig. 7 and in longitudinal view in Fig. 8, are to be considered
as essential auxiliaries in this printing-machine, for preventing the machine-
foreman from neglecting the machine.
As to the grippers, it is well known that the machine foreman has often to adjust
the grippers, which is done by striking them, so as to make them act correctly and
all grip each sheet of paper exactly when the same is fed thereto. Any adjust-
ment is obviated by the gripper-arrangement now to be described, an essential
feature of which is that the axis of rotation of the gripper-bar is arranged as
near as possible to the periphery of the cylinder and each gripper is independently
rotatably mounted, the end of the gripper that projects backwardly with regard
to this axis of rotation being subject to spring-pressure in order always to
press the fore end of the gripper down upon the cylinder so as to secure a
proper grip.
In the recess in the periphery of the cylinder shown in Fig. 7 there is arranged,
with its pivots ¹ as far out as possible, the bar v that carries the grippers and
which extends from end to end of the cylinder. The periodical rotation of this
axle for operating the grippers takes place in a known manner through the
action of cam surfaces and spring-pressure, the grippers v² being rotatably
mounted in small brackets v3 on the bar v. Each gripper has, as usual, a long free
end for gripping the sheet; it is however, lengthened backwards beyond the axis
of rotation on the bracket v³ and this end is subject to the pressure of a spring v
provided under it. From this arrangement it follows that the gripper, besides
possessing the ordinary motion for seizing a sheet, (which movement, when the
drag-bar is moved, acts as near as possible to the periphery of the cylinder in such
a manner that the gripper never moves the sheet but always comes down upon it
from above) acts under all circumstances with additional gripping by reason of
the spring-pressure and thus requires no further help, or adjustment by the
machine-foreman.
In the aforesaid recess of the cylinder c are also situate the clamping-devices
for the blanket, which, since the cylinder is constructed and mounted as herein-
before described, is subject to no displacement in height, and only very seldom
requires enlarging. The clamping-arrangement is a double one-one part being
for the ordinary blanket and the other for the covering oil-sheet.
The stationary cheek w is formed with a channel w' in which can engage the
semi-cylindrical rib 2 of the cheek w³; the cheek w³ is rotatable about the
axle and is subject to the pull of the springs w³ fastened to the lower ends of
arms in connection with the said cheek w³. The rib w² clamps fast the ends of the
blanket inserted in the hollow channel w¹.
The cheek w is likewise provided with a channel w, in which engages the rib w
of a cheek w³, which is under the pressure of a spring w8. The rib w clamps fast
the end of the oil-sheet inserted in the hollow channel w; in this way the insertion

page_text: of the blanket is greatly facilitated and the secure holding thereof ensured. The
tightening-up of the blankets upon the surface of the cylinder is effected on the
opposite side of the cylinder by means of the ordinary round bars u' u² provided
with check-action.
Dated this 31st day of December 1895.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant..
Improvements in Printing Machines.
I, WILHELM MAX ROCKSTROH, of No. 12 Grenzstrasse, Plauen near Dresden,.
Germany, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
It is of essential importance in printing-machines that the adjustment of the
parts that co-operate in the formation of the impression should be most exact anl
correct and that this exact adjustment should not be injured by the yielding or
springing of the said parts.
The parts chiefly concerned are the cylinder and the bed, for the relative
adjustment of which the bearings of the cylinder have been made adjustable, the
bed being made unadjustable; also a bed adjusting arrangement has been combined
with the cylinder adjusting-arrangement. According to the present invention
there are combined in a printing-machine, arrangements which enable the most.
exact and correct mutual adjustment of the working parts to be effected in a very
simple manner, and also secure that these parts shall be mutually unyielding and
unalterable. By this means not only are speed and certainty of action secured to.
an extraordinary extent in the operation of the machine, but the exactness and.
beauty of the printing is increased to an important degree. The object desired is
attained according to this invention by the combination of a cylinder carried
by stationary bearings and consequently unadjustable; a forme bed with forme.
adjustable parallel to itself and consequently to the cylinder; and a considerably
increased support for the reciprocating forme in its longitudinal and lateral
directions with lateral guiding-devices for preventing deviations of movement.
on the part of the box carrying the forme.
As is well known, the adjustment of the cylinder in its two bearings to its.
proper position relatively to the forme, has hitherto been one of the most important
tasks of the foreman or other person in charge of the machine, as on, this adjust-
ment depends the exact working of the machine. The accuracy of this adjustment
depends, however, on the skill of the said foreman or other person and rests very
often more on experiment than on the safer manipulation of mechanism provided
for the purpose. Any inaccuracy in the adjustment, is immediately visible in the
printing, and will necessitate correction. To obviate these objections, cylinder-
adjusting devices are dispensed with in a printing machine according to this
invention, the cylinder being arranged in immovable bearings.
In order to prevent any yielding of the cylinder whatever over the whole width
thereof, it is provided internally with a number of arms or cross shaped frames
which are displaced relatively to one another, and also with helical ribs that cross
one another, so that a rigid cylinder-surface is produced that will not yield at
any point.
As a further consequence of the mounting of the cylinder in stationary bearings,.
any necessity for altering the diameter of the cylinder by increasing the thickness
of the blanket thereon, as heretofore usual, is avoided, so that the position of the
cylinder and its peripheral speed, remain constant.

page_text: The mounting of the cylinder in stationary bearings also possesses the substantial
advantage that, ou account of its unalterable position as regards height, there is
always the same depth of engagement of its toothed ring with the racks that rotate
it and which are located on the forme carrying box which always remains at the
same height. There is thus avoided the irregularity in the gearing that is always
a consequence of any alteration of the height of the cylinder.
The bed carrying the forme used in combination with a cylinder mounted in
stationary bearings as described, rests by means of ribs, which are wedge-shaped
in the longitudinal direction, on a frame which is provided with corresponding
wedges and is situate, so as to be capable of sliding, on the forme box mounted on
the carriage. The adjustable bed is prevented from shifting horizontally and can
only be raised and lowered. The sliding frame is provided with a screw that is
capable of being rotated by an adjusting-wheel but which cannot move endways
relatively to the frame and which engages in a nut fixed to the aforesaid forme
carrying box. By this arrangement the forme can be shifted parallel to itself in
accordance with the divisions of a scale, so that it can be adjusted in height, and
consequently in relation to the periphery of the cylinder, with the utmost accuracy,
certainty, and quickness. The points of support of the bed may be as numerous
as desired in the direction of the breadth of the bed. It is desirable that the bed
should be supported in such a manner that the supporting or shifting places should
be directly above the supporting or bearing lines formed by the rows of carriage-
wheels which are arranged one behind another below the aforesaid box.
In printing-machines as heretofore constructed, there has been arranged a track
or travelling-way on which the carriage, with its two rows of wheels, ran after the
manner of railway-vehicles. The support of the forme was, in this arrangement
of the machine restricted in the longitudinal direction to the necessary distance
apart of the carriage-axles-i.e. to the wheel-base, and in the direction of its
breadth to the breadth of the single track provided. This is, however, recognized
as inadequate. The arrangement is supplemented, in a machine according to this
invention, by a second travelling-way or track, whereby the support of the forme
in the direction of the width of the machine is increased fourfold, whilst an
important closing up or contraction of the supporting-lines in the longitudinal
direction of the machine is effected by the distribution or displacement, between
the wheels of the first travelling-way, of the wheels that roll on the second
travelling-way.
In addition to this very much increased support of the forme, provision is made
against its shifting laterally and upwardly, by means of a prismatic guidance of
the box, there being arranged for this purpose, at the sides of the box, outwardly
and downwardly inclined surfaces located between adjustable rollers.
By the combined arrangements bereinbefore set forth, a stiffening, which extends
from the base-frame upwards, is produced, due to the increase of the number, and
the decrease of the distance apart, of the axles, in the longitudinal direction of
the machine; to the increase of the number, and the displacement, relative to one
another, of the wheels, in the direction of the width of the machine; to the
mounting on these multiplied supporting-points of the forme-foundation and the
supporting thereon of the forme; and to the mounting of the cylinder, which is
itself stiffened, in stationary bearings. Between these several parts only the bed,
with the forme, is capable of being very slightly adjusted as regards height with
its firm support nevertheless maintained, the bed and forme being secured against
any lateral deviation and any improper upward motion, by the prismatic roller-
guidance of the box.
The drawings filed with my Provisional Specification, show by way of example,
a printing-machine constructed according to this invention. Referring to the
drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine, with the foundation-box, the adjustable
wedge-frame mounted thereon and the forme-bed resting on the wedge frame, in
section.

page_text: Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the carriage-wheels in plan;
Fig. 4 is a view of the printing-cylinder half in elevation and half in section;
and
Fig. 4 is an end view of the cylinder, to a smaller scale, showing the means
employed for strengthening it.
The remaining figures are hereinafter referred to.
From the bed a of the machine rise the side frames 1 carrying fixed bearings
in which the cylinder c is mounted to rotate. On the bed a there are formed or
arranged four ways d'd² d³d; on the outer ways run the wheels of the
axles e, e², e³ and on the inner ones viz. dd, the wheels of the axles ff. With
one of the latter axles there engages the driving-rod by means of which the
carriage comprising the frame f* and the wheels and axles connected thereto, are
caused to move to and fro. The inner wheels are so arranged with regard to the
outer ones that there are only the smallest practicable distances between the wheel-
axles e',,, 12, 3, whilst there are at the same time only short distances between
the places where support is afforded in the breadth of the forme by the four rows
of wheels; all the wheels are provided with rings of teeth in gear with racks fixed
to the bed a and to the forme-carrying box a'.
This box a', which bears on the carriage below as shown, is provided over each
row of wheels, with longitudinal rails or ways g'g² g³g on which wedges h³, h2, h3, h4,
which are connected together to form a frame (Fig. 1), rest and can slide, whilst
on these wedges rest the oppositely arranged wedges of the bed k, which
carries the forme (not shown).
The frame is provided with an adjusting-screw which is so mounted that it
can be rotated but cannot move endways relatively to the frame and which enters
a nut m fixed on the box al; the arrangement being such that by rotating the
screw by means of the hand wheel thereon, the frame h can be screwed in or out,
whereby the bed k and with it the forme resting thereon, can be accurately, easily,
securely, and quickly brought, in accordance with a suitable scale to the desired
position as regards height in relation to the cylinder c.
The box a has at nn', downwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces against
which rollers 0, 0, which are adjustable in the machine-frame, lie and form a
prismatic guide, which prevents the box from moving laterally or rising.
The cylinder c (Figs. 4 and 4) is provided internally with cross-arms c¹ c² c³,
which are displaced relatively to one another, and with helical strengthening
ribs and c which cross each other as shown.
The endeavour to reduce the adjustment of the machine to the smallest amount
and to the least number of adjusting-devices, is completed by a disengaging-
arrangement which is provided for the purpose of removing the inking-roliers and
distributing rollers from the ink-transferring cylinder, represented in side elevation
in Fig. 5 and in cross sectional elevation in Fig. 6, and by a gripper-arrangement
and blanket-clamping arrangement represented in end view in Fig. 7 and in side
elevation, partly in section, in Fig. 8. The left and right hand portions of Fig. 6,
are sections on the lines, and respectively of Fig. 5.
It is important that both the inking-rollers pp', which transfer the ink to the
forme, and also the distributing rollers q g', to which the ink is transferred from
the ink-box, should be capable of being moved away from the large ink-cylinder r
that lies between these pairs of rollers, when the machine is to stand still for any
length of time, for the resting-lines formed between the paste-rollers and the iron
cylinder when the machine is allowed to rest for a time, are injurious to good
contact-surfaces.
To enable this moving away of the whole of the rollers from the cylinder r to
be effected quickly and easily by the rotation of a single part, the following
arrangement is provided :-On a shaft s', on which is a lever s, there are arranged
two eccentrics, the straps of which are connected by links & and links s 5º,
that form toggles, with the bearings ss of the inking-rollers p p', which bearings

page_text: are located in horizontal sliding-ways. By turning over the lever s the links $$ $
are raised and push the bearings 7, 8 away from each other in opposition to the
pressure of springs which, when engagement is to be effected by the turning
back of the lever s, carry the bearings, with the rollers, back into the working-
position. Likewise, by turning the levers, eccentrics 12, also fixed on the
shaft s', are rotated, whereby elbow-levers t³, tare raised and cause bolts to, to to
press with their heads against the ends of the adjusting-screws of the bearings t', t8
of the rollers q, q', and thereby so raise the bearings that the rubbing-rollers q q¹
are lifted off the cylinder r. The bearings 7, 8 can also slide back under spring-
pressure into their working-positions upon the levers being turned back.
There is provided for the said rollers p and q a bearing-arrangement,
which is shown in the right-hand side of Fig. 6, and according to which the
bearings and consist of bolts that are capable of being slidden back and
are provided with bearing-boxes and which can be pushed back, against spring-
pressure, into cases to enable the ends of the roller axles to be readily removed
from the bearings.
The grippers and clamping-in arrangements for the blanket on the cylinder,
shown in end view in Fig. 7 and in longitudinal view in Fig. 8, are to be con-
sidered as essential auxiliaries in this printing-machine, for preventing the
machine-foreman from neglecting the machine..
As to the grippers, it is well known that the machine-foreman has often to adjust
the grippers, which is done by striking them, so as to make them act correctly
and all grip each sheet of paper exactly when the same is fed thereto. Any
adjustment is obviated by the gripper-arrangement now to be described, an essential
feature of which is that the axis of rotation of the gripper-bar is arranged as near
as possible to the periphery of the cylinder and each gripper is independently
rotatably mounted, the end of the gripper that projects backwardly with regard
to this axis of rotation being subject to spring-pressure in order always to press
the fore end of the gripper down upon the cylinder so as to secure a proper grip.
In the recess in the periphery of the cylinder shown in Fig. 7 there is arranged,
with its pivots as far out as possible, the bar that carries the grippers and
which extends from end to end of the cylinder. The periodical rotation of this
axle for operating the grippers v² takes place in a known manner through the
action of cam surfaces and spring-pressure, the grippers v² being rotatably mounted
in small brackets v³ on the bar v. Each gripper has, as usual, a long free end for
gripping the sheet; it is, however, lengthened backwards beyond the axis of
rotation on the bracket and this end is subject to the pressure of a spring v*
provided under it.
From this arrangement it follows that the gripper, besides
possessing the ordinary motion for seizing a sheet, (which movement when the
drag-bar is moved, acts as near as possible to the periphery of the cylinder in such
a manner that the gripper never moves the sheet but always comes down upon
it from above)-acts under all circumstances with additional gripping by reason
of the spring-pressure and thus requires no further help, or adjustment by the
machine-foreman.
In the aforesaid recess of the cylinder c are also situate the clamping-devices
for the blanket, which, since the cylinder is constructed and mounted as herein-
before described, is subject to no displacement in height and only very seldom
requires enlarging. The clamping-arrangement is a double one-one part being
for the ordinary blanket and the other for the covering oil-sheet.
The stationary cheek w is formed with channel win which can engage the
semi-cylindrical rib w² of the cheek w; the cheek w³ is rotatable about the axle w¹
and is subject to the pull of the springs to fastened to the lower ends of arms in
connection with the said cheek w³. The rib w² clamps fast the ends of the blanket
inserted in the hollow channel w¹.
The cheek to is likewise provided with a channel w6, in which engages the
rib w of a cheek w, which is under the pressure of a spring w8. The rib 207
clamps fast the end of the oil-sheet inserted in the hollow channel w; in this way

page_text: the insertion of the blanket is greatly facilitated and the secure holding thereof
ensured. The tightening-up of the blankets upon the surface of the cylinder is
effected on the opposite side of the cylinder by means of the ordinary round
bars u u² provided with check-action.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
clain is:
1. In a printing-machine the combination of a printing-cylinder mounted to
rotate in stationary or non-adjustable bearings, a forme-bed adjustable parallel to
itself by means of an adjusting-screw and the foundation cr box of which is
prismatically guided; and a carriage rolling on three or more ways, the axles of
the wheels that roll on different ways being arranged as near as practicable to one
another the arrangement being such that the forme, which is supported in the
direction of its length and breadth at many places by the foundation and the
carriage, can be adjusted in height according to a scale, substantially as herein
described.
2. A printing-machine of the kind specified in the preceding claim in which the
cylinder is stiffened internally by helical ribs that cross one another, and is
provided with grippers, each of which is arranged on a bar rotatable as near as
possible to the periphery of the cylinder, is mounted so as to be independently
rotatable, and is subject to a spring-pressure which ensures its seizing a sheet of
paper fed to it and with clamping devices for the blankets wherein the clamping
is effected by cheeks which are subject to spring-pressure and are provided with
hollow channels and ribs that engages in one another for receiving the blanket-ends
substantially as described.
3. A printing-machine of the kind herein referred to wherein the distributing
and inking-rollers, which are in rolling contact with the large ink-cylinder when
the machine is in use, are mounted in bearings that are adapted, by the turning of
a single part, to be operated in such a manner that the said rollers can be moved
out of or into contact with the said cylinder at will, substantially as herein
described.
4. In a printing-machine, the improved construction and arrangement of printing
cylinder, forme bed wedge frame foundation-box and carriage herein before described
with reference to and shown in the drawings herein referred to for the purpose
specified.
5. In a printing-machine, the improved printing cylinder with strengthening ribs,
grippers, and clamping devices constructed and arranged as herein before described
with reference to and shown in the drawings herein referred to.
6. A printing-machine in which the bearings of the inking and distributing
rollers and the means for operating them, are constructed and arranged as herein-
before described with reference to and shown. in the drawings herein referred to
for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 16th day of January 1896.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.