Improvements in Numbering Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 5th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Numbering Apparatus.
We, LASCELLES CARR, of The "Western Mail "Offices, Cardiff, in the County
of Glamorgan, Newspaper Proprietor, and GEORGE SOUTHEY, of 156, Richmond
Road, of the same place, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in numbering machines; and consists,
principally, in providing for the numbering discs receiving two motions, one con-
centric and the other eccentric. The concentric motion is used in connection with
printing upon a sheet carried past the disc; and the eccentric motion, for moving
the figures from which impressions are not wanted, away from the sheet.
The figures are changed by means of differential gearing, instead of by the usual
pawl and ratchet gear, in order that such change shall be effected smoothly.
In carrying the invention into effect, we interpose a sleeve between the
numbering discs and their shaft. The discs are loose upon the sleeve .but
provision is made for 'their being held in their several positions by taper nosed
spring bolts.
The sleeve is bored out eccentrically, so that as it revolves, only the figure at
the end of the longest radius can touch the sheet. The end of the sleeve carries
a spur wheel which is fixed on it eccentrically, but in such a way that it is con-
centric with the shaft above mentioned. This wheel gears with another spur wheel
of an equal diameter which has fast to that side of it which nearest to the
numbering discs, another spur wheel which gears into a fourth. This latter has
its bearing upon a short sleeve projecting axially from the spur wheel first
mentioned. The third wheel of the train just described is one tenth larger than
the fourth one, consequently, the ratios of rotation between the first and the fourth
wheels are 1:11. The connection between the fourth wheel and the unit disc is
by means of a pin projecting from the side of the former into a slot in the side of
the latter, or by any other equivalent device. Consequently, the unit disc is
When said disc has made one revolution,
rotated one tenth faster than the sleeve.
a cam, or other equivalent device provided for the purpose, is caused by it to
engage the teus disc and move it for one tenth of a revolution, and so on, through
the series of discs.
Dated this 1st day of February 1893.
'TIAIT
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Numbering Apparatus.
We, LASCELLES CARR and GEORGE SOUTHEY, of The Western Mail Offices,
at present at 56 St. Mary Street, Cardiff, in the County of Glamorgan, Newspaper
Proprietors and Publishers, 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 :-
Our invention relates to improvements in numbering machines and consists.
principally in providing for the numbering annuli receiving two motions, one
concentric and the other eccentric. The concentric motion is used in connection
with printing upon a sheet carried past the annuli; and the eccentric motion, for
moving the figures from which impressions are not wanted, away from the sheet.
ויכ...D

page_text: The eccentric motion will be clearly understood from an inspection of the accom-
panying drawings. The axes of the gear wheels and of the numbering annuli
are not coincident but separated from each other by the distance necessary to secure
the desiderated eccentricity. Consequently, when the annuli are rotated, their
operative characters will be moved nearer to or farther away from the impression
cylinder by the eccentricity of a sleeve upon which they are carried, such sleeve
being fast to the said wheels.
These improvements are adapted for use with a rotary printing machine. The
paper may be, as far as the adoption and application of the improvements are
concerned, passed over either a blanketted roller or that which carries the type.
We prefer to fix the machine directly over the centre of the blanket or impression
cylinder.
The invention is described as constructed to be worked with a decimal notation.
Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the axes of the machine, omitting the spindle
upon which it rotates. It is taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2.
Fig. 2 is a right hand elevation corresponding with Figure 1.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation from the left hand of the unit numbering annulus.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation from the left hand of the second in the series of
numbering annuli.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation from the right hand side of a portion of a numbering
annulus of higher power than the one illustrated in Figure 3.
Fig. 8 is a sectional plan taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.
Fig. 9 is a side elevation from the left hand of the numbering annulus illustrated 2
in Figure 7 and in part in Figure 8.
Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 7.
The invention consists principally of a series of numbering annuli which carry,
as heretofore, their respective numbers or characters upon their peripheries, the
said numbers or characters being cut or formed thereon according to any well a
known or convenient method.
a, b, c, d, e and fare the six numbering annuli. The number of annuli is no part
of the present invention and may be varied as circumstances render desirable.
These annuli are carried by a sleeve g upon which a special seat is turned to
receive them and upon which they can be turned freely. This sleeve is mounted 3
upon a suitable axis in any convenient way provided that it is eccentric to it. The
figures illustrate the sleeve as bored out to receive a spindle. Whether it is made
fast to it, or to revolve freely around it, is a matter of detail.
a', a are the radially projecting characters. These are of the same kind as
heretofore in all respects excepting that those on the unit or first annulus a of the 4
series are, instead of being equidistant from each other, placed at unequal distances
apart, as may be required, these inequalities being governed by the eccentricity of
the sleeve g. This inequality in distance is explained more fully further on.
a³ is the impression cylinder.
is a gear wheel. It is made fast to the sleeve g in any convenient way, e.g., by 4
screws h. Both sleeve y and gear wheel are aligned axially, and for that reason
both are shewn as bored to receive the same spindle already referred to. The
wheel has a concentric annulus 2 which serves as one side of the seat of the
numbering annuli and also as that of the gear wheel i which revolves loosely
upon it.
5
jand are two gear wheels meshing respectively with the two wheels h and i
already mentioned. The two wheels; and k are made fast to each other in any suitable
way provided that provision is made for their being adjusted circumferentially in
respect of their respective positions about their common axis. The device illustrated
for holding the wheels together consists of a pair of set screws j, j which pass 5
through arc shaped slots wide enough to pass their shanks which latter are
screwed into the wheel k. The two wheels are mounted upon their axis in any

page_text: convenient way. The figures shew them both as held, the former directly and the
latter indirectly, to a sleeve which in its turn is adapted to rotate about a fixed,
or to be made fast upon a rotating, spindle.
In the above described train of gearing, the wheel is the driver. It receives
its motion by or through any convenient means, such as any conveniently positioned
wheel or spindle of the printing machine. Suitable provision must be made for
carrying the two sleeves g and 7. The wheel and the next wheel jare of the
same diameter but the third wheel k is one-tenth larger than the fourth wheel i.
This proportion, it will be understood, is a result of the system of notation in
vogue.
The object in giving the same velocity-that of the sleeve 9-to the third
wheel and making the latter one-tenth larger than the fourth wheel i, is to make
the last mentioned one move at a correspondingly increased rate, so that the
necessary advance motion may be imparted to the numbering annuli after each
impression. The connection between the wheel i and the unit numbering annulus a
is by means of a stud which projects from the side of the wheel in the direction
of the annuli and enters a slot a² in the annulus. The length of this slot is
determined by the eccentricity of the sleeve. The reason why the characters a
on the unit annulus a are placed at unequal distances apart is as follows. The
driving stud is, at one point of its revolution, nearer to the centre of the annulus
than at any other point. The farther away from that centre it is, the slower will
be the rate at which the characters are moved by the stud. The unequal distances
between the characters compensates for the varying rate at which they are moved,
to the extent of always bringing the operative character into line at the right
moment for printing.
There may arise circumstances which, by requiring that the numbering annuli
should be of a smaller diameter relatively than the one illustrated, will not allow of
the connection between the wheel and the annulus a described in the preceding
paragraph. When there is not room for the slot a², a stud may be fitted to the
side of the annulus and it and the stud ¹ connected by a short link.
m is a
The second or tens annulus is moved by the unit annulus a one character
forward in each of its revolutions by the following well known device.
finger standing parallel with the axis of the annuli. It is fast to the end of a
vibrating arm m which lies and works in a radial groove m² in the side of the unit
annulus. It stands between two of the type on the periphery of the unit annulus
and normally within the plane of the rotation of the latter.
It is caused to engage
with the annulus b once in every revolution of the annulus a by the following means.
n is a push piece adapted to work to and fro in a seating in the gear wheel. This
push piece is parallel with the axis of the wheel and at the same radial distance
therefrom as the finger m. n¹ is a cam on the adjacent face of the wheel / within
the groove n² at the same radial distance from the centre of rotation as the push
piece. The cam therefore passes the push piece once in each revolution. The
push piece is held away from the vibrating arm m' and up to the wheel / by a flat
spring m. When the cam bears upon the push piece, the finger m is pushed
between the radially projecting characters in the unit wheel, between two in the
tens wheel; and overtaking one of them, gives the desiderated advance to the tens
wheel.
The mechanism by which the other annuli c, d, etc., are moved is as follows.
Each annulus from and including the second one 6 upwards (excepting the last
one of the series) has a slot o cut in it. Our invention does not limit us in respect
of the radial position of this slot. We prefer that it shall be near the periphery of
the annulus and parallel with a diameter of it. o' is a short bar standing normally
within the slot to which it is pivotted by a transverse pin o². The object in
setting the pivot transversely to the slot is to provide for the bar standing as
nearly as possible in the direction in which the annulus moves. The leading end
of this bar is inclined from the outer to the inner side of it and towards the
transverse pivot o². This bevelled end forms a push o³ the function of which is

page_text: described further on. The respective end of the slot is bevelled to correspond, so
that it forms a stop as well as a seat for the said push. o' is a stud which projects
from the opposite end of the bar o'. It is on the same side of the bar as the incline
of the push o. The outside dimensions of the bar and stud permit of them both
lying within the slot o when they are to be inoperative. o is a bar spring, which
stands and works within a radial slot o. It is made fast by its foot to the side of
the annulus and is set to press upon the bar between the pivot o² and the incline of
the catch, so as to force the latter away from its seat, and the stud of in the
opposite direction. This tendency of the spring is frustrated by the presence, on
either side of the annulus in question, of its neighbour at all times during its
rotation excepting when it becomes necessary to move the next annulus forward far
enough to bring the next character into line. 7, 7 are arc shaped grooves in the
Each groove
right hand face of each annulus including the last one of the series.
is inclined from the line where it starts to its termination which is abrupt, parallel
with the axis of the sleeve g and radially coincident with the back of a character.
They all stand at the same radial distance from the axis of the sleeve g and in the
path of the push o³. There are nine of these grooves in each annulus. A. tenth
one is merged in the slot o. ' is an arc-shaped notch in the left hand side of the
annulus a. In point of contour, it corresponds with the notches g already described,
and as to radial position, it stands in the path of the respective stud of. In respect
of angular position, it is adapted to receive the stud of as and when it becomes
necessary for the catch o³ to be received into one of the notches g.
With reference to the construction of the tens annulus b and that of the highest
power, f, it is to be noted that the latter requires the arc shaped grooves q but need
not have the pivotted bar o', and that the former requires the bar but not the
grooves.
=
22
The numbering annuli are changed in proper succession in the following way.
From what has been said above, it is clear that g, h, j and k each make a revolution
in equal times but that the wheel i makes one and a tenth in the same time and
takes the unit annulus a with it. It is this constant acceleration in the rate of the
annulus a that provides for the substitution in the printing line of a higher number
for the one lower, e.g., 4 for 3. By the time that the annulus has printed 9, its
acceleration nine tenths of a revolution, or, in other words, the wheel i has
overtaken the wheel by that amount, with the result that the cam n' engages the
head of the stud n and pushes the finger m between 0 and 1 on the tens annulus
thereby bringing the latter type into the printing line at the same time that 0 on
the annulus a is brought thereinto. Such is the collaboration between the unit
and tens annuli. That between the latter and the hundreds annulus c is by
means of the pivotted bar o in the tens annulus b. At a certain point during
the rotation following the printing of 99, the notch q in the annulus c, the bar o¹ in
the annulus band the notch in the annulus a are side by side, with the result
that the spring o' forces the nose o³ into the notch q, the stud of finding room for
itself in the notch q'. The higher number annuli are engaged in succession in the
same way, their studs of respectively finding room for themselves in the cavities o
of the lower value annuli.
The next part of our invention relates to a novel construction of the driving gear
already referred to and the object of it is to provide for the duly aligned characters
to be stopped a little before and a little after the moment of printing in order that.
the risk of slurring the impression may be obviated. In carrying this part of our
invention into effect, the wheels and i and the greater portions of the peripheries
of the wheels j and k are pitched alike, but the remaining portion-relatively
small of the two last mentioned wheels are pitched differently. The degree of
differentiation in respect of pitch which we have found to meet the requirements of
the case is not a large one. The wheel has 63 teeth, and a normal pitch of 34.
7 of its teeth have a pitch of 34
323 or one twentieth less than the normal.
The wheel has out of a total of 66 teeth likewise 7 teeth of a different pitch from
.34
20
=

page_text: the normal, but in this case it is *34 +
normal.
+34
20
*357 or one twentieth greater than the
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. The combination of a series of numbering annuli, and a sleeve or its equivalent,
the former adapted to be rotated concentrically about the latter while it is being
eccentrically rotated about its own axis.
2. The combination of the first or unit annulus of a series of numbering annuli
with a train of gearing the last member of which is driven at a rate, with reference
to that of the series of annuli, accelerated according to the system of notation for
which the numbering machine is made.
3. The combination of a series of numbering annuli and a train of gearing for
rotating the same, some members of which are differentiated in respect of the
pitches of their teeth, as and for the purpose set forth.
4. The combination of a series of numbering annuli and a train of gearing for
rotating the same, the said train being differentiated in respect of diameter
for the purpose of providing for the advance of an annulus before its neighbour,
and in respect of pitch, to prevent a slurred impression, as set forth.
5. The combination in a series of numbering annuli, of an unit annulus having
the characters set out thereon at unequal distances, as set forth.
6. The combination of a series of numbering annuli and a train of gearing for
rotating the same, the said train being differentiated in respect of diameter for the
purpose of providing for the advance of any annulus of the series before its
neighbour and in respect of pitch to prevent a slurred impression, as set forth.
7. The combination with a series of numbering annuli, a sleeve or its equivalent
about which the former are adapted to rotate concentrically while it is being
eccentrically rotated about its own axis, of a finger held between two of the type
in the periphery of the tens annulus, a push piece adapted to work to and fro
through one of the wheels of the train of gearing by which the numbering annuli
are rotated, in a line parallel with the axis of the said wheel and at the same
radial distance from the said axis as the finger above mentioned, a cam on the
adjacent face of a second wheel of the said train working by the side of the former
and adapted to engage the said push piece once during each revolution and to cause
it to push the said finger between the type on the adjoining numbering annulus and
a spring adapted to return the said push piece, as set forth.
8. The combination with a series of numbering annuli, a sleeve or its equivalent
about which the former are adapted to rotate concentrically while it is being
eccentrically rotated about its own axis, of a pivotted catch normally standing in
the plane of each of the series above the first, notches and cavities to provide for
the swinging of the notches out of their planes and engaging the respectively
higher annuli, as set forth.
9. The combination with a printing machine of a numbering machine constructed
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
1000
.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.