Improvements in Printing Presses.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Printing Presses.
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (as
communicated to me from abroad by Edwin Charles Nichols and Irving Lee Stone
of Battle Creek, Calhoun County Michigan, Manufacturers) and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention relates to a perfecting press for printing at a high speed sheets
which may be fed from a web roll, but are cut before being printed.
The press according to this invention has (1) two type beds (2) two cylinders,
one for each bed rolled to and fro over the bed (3) sheet transfer mechanism
independent of the cylinders arranged at the ends of the beds and adapted to
receive a sheet from one cylinder and deliver it to the other (4) mechanism for
cutting sheets from a web of paper and (5) mechanism for "delivering" or removing
the perfected sheets.
(1.) Web printing presses with parallel beds and rolling cylinders are old, but
such web presses cannot print sheets while the press according to this invention is
not adapted to print a web.
(2.) Sheet printing presses with beds arranged end to end and rolling cylinders
and in which the sheets are transferred from one cylinder to the other as they
travel are old. In this press the sheets are transferred in a very different manner
by mechanism independent of the cylinder carriage.
(3.) Sheet printing presses with beds arranged at angles one over the other, and
rolling cylinders one of which delivers its sheet directly to the other at one end of
the beds are old; in this press one cylinder does not deliver a sheet to the other
but to independent transfer mechanism.
In construction and mode of operation this press is distinct from previously
known presses which I disclaim desiring to claim only that which is novel in this
invention.
In the accompanying drawings
Figures 1 to 16 illustrate a press with "vibrating' "sheet transferring
mechanism.
Figures 17 to 30 illustrate a modified form with a rotary sheet transfer
mechanisme.
Figure 1 and Figure 1B together represent a longitudinal section of the press,
the frame on the driving side being removed, and the beds broken away to shorten
the figures.
Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse section through the press on line 2-2
of Figure 14.
Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of a "sheet holder" and vibrating transfer
mechanism.
Figures 4. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing various positions of a sheet passing
through the press.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the complete press.
Figure 1 and Figure 1B together represent a longitudinal section of the press,
the frame on the driving side being removed, and the beds broken away to shorten
the figures.
Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse section through the press on line 2-2
of Figure 14.
Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of a "sheet holder" and vibrating transfer
mechanism.
Figures 4. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing various positions of a sheet passing
through the press.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the complete press.

page_text: Figure o is a detan vertical transverse section through the crank-wheels and stue
frames.
Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view of the upper cylinder and the mechanism for
operating the stripping fingers L.
Figure 10 is a detail end view of cylinder B showing the gripper operating
devices.
Figure 11 is a part longitudinal section through Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a detail view of the driving mechanism for shaft K.
Figure 13 is a detail plan of the sheet delivery tapes and carriers, on the frame
and carriage respectively."
Figure 14 is a detail sectional view of the gripper operating devices of the
vibrating sheet transfer mechanism.
Figures 15 and 16 are detail views of parts D. 4 and O. 6 detached.
Referring to Figures 1 to 16 inclusive.
A. A are the lower and upper type beds fixed between the side frames and
preferably horizontal as shewn and one above the other.
B. Bare impression cylinders provided with grippers and operating on the
beds A. A', respectively both journalled in a reciprocating carriage consisting of
sliding cross heads C, which are supported and guided on the side frames and are
moved so as to roll the cylinders to and fro over the beds by means of pitmen C¹
(Fig. 7) connected to crank wheels C C on the main drive shaft C³ at the left
end of the press.
On one end of the upper cylinder B¹ is fixed a wheel which gears with a
stationary rack b' as usual.
On the corresponding end of the lower cylinder B is fixed a wheel 62 which
gears with a rack b4 which is caused to slide longitudinally on the side frame, at
the proper times, by means of a connecting rod 65, crank lever 66 and cam 6 7. on
crank wheel C 2 (Fig. 8). These devices give an additional amount of rotation to
the cylinder B. as hereinafter explained.
The cylinder B. (Figs. 10 and 11) is provided with two sets of oppositely
disposed gripper fingers D. d. fixed on shafts D' d' parallel with the axis of the
cylinder on the ends of which are "tee-heads " D 2. d2, connected by links D 4.d4
to arms D 5, d 5, on the ends of shafts D 6. d 6 within the cylinder, on which shafts
are springs d 7 that tend to turn them in one direction so as to hold the gripper
fingers in position. On the shaft of cylinder B just opposite the tee heads is a
loose wheel E to which are secured tumbling pins E' E adapted to engage the
tee-heads d2 D 2. The wheel E gears with a rack e movable longitudinally on
the side frame beside the inking roller rack and this rack e is moved by means of
a rod e¹ (Figs. 14 and 2) connected to cam-lever e 2 and a cam e 3 on a crank
wheel C.
The upper cylinder B is also provided with two adjoining opposite sets of
gripper fingers F, f, fixed on shafts , on the ends of which are tee-hends F 2. f2.
The shafts F are controlled by springs. On the end of the shaft of the
cylinder B' opposite the tee-heads f, is a loose wheel G to which are attached
tumbling pins G' G', respectively adapted to engage the tee heads F2f2.
The wheel G gears with a rack g which is slid at proper times by means of a
connecting rod g cam lever g' and cam Go on shaft C³.
At each side of each impression cylinder is a set of distributing and inking
rollers 1, suitably journaled in the crossheads C so as to reciprocate with the
cylinder to and fro over the beds; ink being supplied thereto from stationary
fountains I'.
At each side of the upper impression cylinder B' and travelling with it is a pair
of parallel shafts J. J', and j. j (Fig. 9) which are journaled in the cross-heads C
above the inking rollers 1. and upon which are fixed tape pulleys. Beside the
shaft J (Figs. 1 and 13) is a shaft J' mounted in the cross-heads C and carrying
radial arms 3 upon each of which arms are mounted tape pulleys J 4 J 5 the
latter J 5 being adjustable to tighten the tapes J 6 which run over them.

page_text: Beside the shaft is a shaft also mounted in the cross-heads C and carrying
radial arms on each of which are mounted tape-pulleys j4. j5 carrying
tapes ; 6.
Bevel wheels J8 and j8 (Fig. 7) are fixed on the outer ends of shafts J. j and
gear with bevel wheels K on a shaft K which is journaled in bearings K' on the
cross heads C and in a bearing Kun the side frame. On the shaft K beside the
bearings K (Fig. 12) is a bevel wheel K gearing with a bevel wheel k mounted
on a shaft ¹ journaled in the side frame and driven by gear wheels k³ from the
feed and cutting cylinder T, hereinafter referred to. The shafts J. j are thus
continuously rotated in one direction so as to cause the upper parts of tapes J*; 6
to travel away from the cylinder B. The shaft K has a to and fro reciprocating
as well as a rotary motion.
On shafts JFigs. 4. 5. 6 and 9 are fixed stripping fingers L which are caused
to rise and fall alternately at the proper times by means of crank arms L' at the
ends of shafts J, having mounted on their ends rollers L' which bear upon the
periphery of one of the bearers of the cylinder B₁ and enter cam grooves L' in
the bearer at the moment when the fingers L are to be lowered.
Overlying each set of tapes Jj6 is a board I fixed to the cross-beads C.
On the main frame heyond the limits of travel of cylinder B and in about the
same plane as shafts Jare mounted shafts M. m. carrying arms M' m', having
tape wheels M³ m³ over which run endless tapes M m³ for leading sheets back to
the folding mechanism at each end of the press. As shewn in Fig. 13 the
wheels M on the arms M¹ are arranged to pass between the wheels J' on the
arms J'so that a sheet of paper coming from the impression cylinder on the tapes J*
passes on to the tapes M³ and is delivered by them to the folding mechanism which
forms no part of the present invention.
The wheels m' on the arms m¹ act in like manner with the tapes.
The sheets are transferred from cylinder B to cylinder B' at each end of the
press by a mechanism arranged on the frame near the ends of the beds to receive a
sheet from the one cylinder and subsequently deliver it to the other cylinder as
hereinafter described. Two modifications of this sheet transfer mechanism are
shewn the one being vibratory and the other rotary in operation.
As shown in Figures 1 to 8 the rear transferring mechanism consists of two or
more swinging arms N (Figs. 14 and 3) pivoted at one end to brackets A² on the
rear end of bed A¹ and connected by transverse bars N' N 2 to which are attached
a series of curved fingers N. One arm N is connected by a link N' to a sliding
bar N which is reciprocated at the proper time by a pitman N 6 connected to a
crank arm N' on a shaft N8 journaled in one side frame of the press, and driven
by gears N N from shaft C.
Journaled in the arms N parallel with the bar N¹ is a gripper shaft O carrying
fingers O and a crank O (Fig. 2) to which is connected one end of a rod O
having a boss O on its upper end (Figs. 14 and 144) engaging a slot O' in a
plate 6 attached to the boss of the adjoining arm N and in the boss O' is a pin
that engages a slot O' in one end of a bell crank lever Os (Fig. 14) pivoted to the
side frame and vibrated by means of a pitman 09 connected to a cam lever 010
engaging a cam O" on shaft N8 (see Figures 14 and 14).
These devices open the gripper fingers O' at the proper times and these fingers
are closed by springs O" on the shaft O.
At the opposite end of bed A' is a similar vibrating sheet transferring mechanism
the parts of which n. n' n³ n³ n', o. o¹ 0² 0²º¹0° 06 07 08 09 10 correspond in construction
arrangement and operation with the parts N. N N N N O.'0' 0 0 0 0*0*
0 00 00 above described. The cam lever O10 however is actuated by &
cam O", on a shaft O₁ driven by gears 0" from the cutting roll t¹.
The forward set of transferring devices work reversely to the rear set, as the
arms N rise the arms n descend and conversely.
The transfer arms N n do not deliver the sheets directly to the upper cylinder,
but to superimposed "sheet holders."

page_text: The rear sheet holder is constructed as follows:-
P. P (Figs. 2 and 3) hangers pivoted to cranks P on a transverse shaft P2
journaled in brackets Ps adjustably attached to upper extensions of the side frames
and provided with adjustable bolts P 4. P for stopping the vibrations of the
arms P when the shaft P' is rocked (at the proper times) by pitmen Q connecting
a crank Qon the outer end of the shaft P to a cam lever Q2 operated by a
cam Q on a shaft Q driven by gearing from the shaft C'.
When the shaft P 2 rocks one way the hangers P are raised and when it rocks
the other way they are lowered as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 3.
On the inner sides and lower parts of the hangers P are ribs P that engage
guides P' pivotted at Ps in the sides of brackets P³ as shown in Figure 2 so that
when the hangers P are raised and lowered they are also caused to oscillate sliding
in the guides P'.
On the lower ends of the hangers P is a transverse gripper bar R beside which
is a gripper shaft R' carrying fingers R' which are closed against the bar R by
springs R on the shaft R
On the shaft R' is a short arm R carrying a roller R' which engage with the
inclined lower end of a trip-lever S depending from a horizontal rod S' journaled
in the hangers P. The trip lever S can be drawn backwards so as to force down
the arm R partly turning the shaft R' and opening the fingers R' by means of a
slide S mounted in a guide S attached to the bracket P this carrying a roller S
which engages the trip lever S when the slide S' is drawn back. This slide S' is
reciprocated by a connecting rod S attached to a lever S¹ carrying a roller S
which engages with a cam S' on shaft Qt.
The front sheet holder is arranged constructed and operated similarly to the
rear sheet holder. The parts p, p, p, p³, p², p³, p³, p', p³, q, q², q², q³, r, r², r³ r², ro, ro,
8, 82,
33, a, a, of the front holder respectively corresponding with
parts P, P, P, P, P, P, P, P, P, Q. Q, Q, Q, R R', R' R³, R', R³, R',
S, S¹, S', S', S, S S S of the rear sheet holder. The cam 3 is mounted on the
outer end of a shaft q' journaled in the side frame and driven by gearing q° 9° from
the cutting cylinder t, and the cam s' is also mounted on the shaft q².
The front and back sheet holder however are to reversed hands.
The lower cylinder is fed at each end of its travel with sheets Ww supplied
from web rolls.
At the rear end of the press the web W is led to two cutting cylinders T. T
the one cylinder T being driven by a train of gearing T from the shaft C and
serving also as a feed cylinder in conjunction with a set of tapes T' and tape
rollers T.
From the cylinders T. T' the sheet cut from the web passes between tapes T
and guides T on to adjustable fingers T, whereby its edge is presented in position
to be caught by the grippers d on cylinder B when the latter is at the end of its
back stroke.
At the front end of the press the web is fed in by a pair of similar cylinders.
the feed tapes to and the tapes and guides t t to fingere t by which the sheets are
presented in position to be caught by fingers D on cylinder B when it is at the
front end of its stroke.
The cylinders T. T¹ and t. t are geared together, the cylinder t' being driven
from the cylinder T¹ by a bevel wheel T on the end of the cylinder T gearing
with a bevel wheel T' on a horizontal shaft T which is journaled on the driving
side of the frame and extends back to the rear cutting cylinder, a bevel wheel
on the shaft T gearing with a bevel wheel to on the cylinder t'. Thus the action
of the feed mechanism at both ends of the press is properly timed.
The cutting rollers make one revolution for each revolution of the main crank
shaft C; and shaft N also revolves once for each revolution of the shaft C³
thereby shifting the bar N horizontally and causing the front and rear sheet
transferring devices to rise and fall and fall and rise respectively.
As shewn in Fig. 4 the rear transfer arms N take a sheet from the lower

page_text: impression cylinder B when it is at the rear end of its stroke and deliver it to the
holders P when impression cylinders are at front end of the stroke as shewn in
Figure 6 and the holders P surrender the sheet to the upper impression cylinder B¹
when it is at the rear end of stroke as shewn in Fig. 4.
The front transfer arms n take a sheet of paper from the lower impression
cylinder B when it is at front end of its stroke, see Figure 6, and transfer the
sheet to the holders p. when impression cylinders are at rear end of stroke, see Fig. 4,
and the holders p surrender the sheet to the upper cylinder B¹ when it is at the
front end of the stroke, see Figure 6.
As both impression cylinders B. B' travel lineally the same distance both would
therefore rotate to the same extent but as the grippers on the cylinder B which
carry a sheet must be advanced further to deliver that sheet to the transfer arms
this requires an additional extent of rotation which is given by the sliding rack &*
as above described.
This extra rotation of the cylinder B takes place after a sheet has been printe:
and before the cylinder has reached the end of its stroke, at the ends of both the
rear and front strokes and the cylinder B is rotated back to its position proper for
printing after having delivered one sheet and taken on a new one.
The whole operation of the press shown in Figures 1 to 16 may be described as
follows:-
From the roll of paper at the crank end of press the web W is led over the
idler roll W 1 around the one cutting cylinder T, thence between the cutting
cylinders T and T¹ and thus a sheet of paper is nearly but not quite severed from
the web. The sheet is then directed by the carrier tapes Ts to the lower impression
cylinder B.
The grippers d then close on its edge and as the impression cylinder B starts its
forward stroke (Figure 4) the sheet is severed from the web and carried round by
the impression cylinder passing over the forme and printing one side.
The impression cylinder B on reaching the forward end of its stroke (Figure 6)
transfers the sheet just printed to the transfer arms n, which are then in their lowest
position. This transfer is effected by the cylinder grippers d opening and the
gripper o 1 of the arms n closing on the shect."
The impression cylinder B then starts on its back stroke (Figure 6) its opposite
grippers D closing upon a sheet of paper at the front feeding fingers and during
the back stroke of cylinders the transfer arms n
rise to their upper position
(Figure 4).
In this position the transfer arms n surrender the sheet to the holders p and at
the same time the impression cylinder B is transferring the sheet of paper taken
from the front web to the transfer arms N.
Once more the impression cylinders B and B¹ travel forwards then the following
operations take place (see Figure 6):-
(1) The sheet of paper held by holders p is transferred to the upper impression
cylinder B. (2) The sheet of paper held by transfer arms N is surrendered to
the holders P and (3) The sheet of paper held by the lower impression cylinder B
is surrendered to the transfer arms n. An instant later when lower impression
cylinder B has started on its backward stroke a new sheet is taken by it from the
front feed fingers t°. As a sheet is taken from opposite ends of the press at every
revolution of the crank wheels a perfected sheet is produced every time the
impression cylinders pass over the formes.
While the impression cylinders are about the middle of their back stroke when
the advanced edge of the sheet which is being printed upon the upper cylinder B
is just above the stripping fingers L, the grippers F open and the sheet is switched
out upon the delivery tapes J 6.
When the cylinders are again at the rear end of their stroke, the following
transfers take place (see Figure 4):-
(1) The sheet of paper on the delivery tapes J6 is transferred to the folder
tapes M. (2) The sheet of paper held by the holder P is surrendered to
.

page_text: cylinder B. (3) The sheet of paper held by transfer arms is transferred to
upper holder and (4) The sheet of paper on lower impression cylinder B is
surrendered to transfer arms N.
During the next forward stroke of the cylinders the sheet on the upper impression
cylinder B' is switched on to tapes j6 (Figure 6) and at the end of the forward
stroke the sheet lying on tapes 6 is transferred to folder tapes m³ while all other
sheets in the press are transferred as previously described.
Practically the grippers on the cylinder B₁ are not open, as shewn in Figures 4
and 6, except when taking or delivering a sheet, as it is not necessary practically
for any grippers to tumble over, except those on the lower impression cylinder, but
in the diagram the grippers are shown tumbled over for clearness of illustratiou.
A modified form of the above press is shown in Figures 17 to 30.
Figure 17 is a side elevation.
Figure 18 is a longitudinal central vertical section.
Figure 19 is a detail transverse section on line 3-3 of Figure 18.
Figure 20 is a part transverse section.
Figures 21. 22. 23 shew details of the mechanism for operating the cylinder
grippers.
Figure 24 is a detail.
Figures 25. 26. 27. 28. 29 and 30 are diagrams showing how a sheet of paper is
operated on by this modified press.
The side frames A. A support two parallel type beds B. B' the one above the
other. The bed B is stationary but the bed B¹ can be reciprocated longitudinally
by any suitable means. As shown bars b connected to the sides of the bed B, and
extending backwards carry cam rollers 6 engaging cams 6 on the main shaft e..
Over each bed rolls a gripper cylinder D. D the shafts of which are journaled
in sliding cross heads E which are reciprocated to and fro by pitmen E' connected
to crank wheels e on the main shaft e¹. The wheels e may be driven by pinions e
on a driving shaft e².
At each side of each cylinder is a system of distributing and forme inking
rollers I, which receive ink from fountains i, at each end of each bed.
F. F are two rotary-sheet-transfer-reels arranged one above the other near the
front ends of beds in such position that when the cylinders D. D¹ are at the end of
their forward stroke the recls F. F¹ lic exactly between them.
f. are a similar pair of transfer reels lying between the cylinders D D¹ when
they are at the end of their back stroke.
The reels F. F' and f. f', make one revolution for each complete reciprocation
of the cylinders D. D'. The reels F. F are geared together by wheels F³ and
the reels ff, are geared together by wheels f2.
The reels may be driven in any suitable manner. As shown a pinion G on the
shaft of the reel F1 gears with an intermediate pinion G' which gears with a
pinion G³ on the shaft of the one cutting cylinder H', which is driven by gearing
from the other cutting cylinder H, the latter driven by bevel gear h. ¹, counter-
shaft and bevel gear 3 and h, from a horizontal shaft J which extends backwards
and is driven by bevel gear j. j', and a train of gear ³, from a wheel * on the
main shaft e¹.
A pinion g on the shaft of the reel f', gears with an intermediate pinion g'driven
by a pinion g on the shaft of the one cutting cylinder K' driven from the other
cutting cylinder K, the latter driven by bevel gear k. k³, counter shaft k and bevel
gear from the shaft J.
Thus both sets of feed rolls cutting cylinders and rotary transfer reels are
operated synchronously from the main shaft e¹.
The sheets pass from the cutting rolls H. H', through curved guides L into
position to be seized by the gripping fingers of the cylinder D at the proper times.
Similar guides L' are provided for the cutting rolls K. K
The cylinders D. Dt make about two complete revolutions for each stroke and
always stop with their gripping fingers uppermost.

page_text: The cylinder D is provided with two sets of oppositely acting gripping
fingers M. m. arranged in the same recess.
The grippers M take the sheets from the guides L, and grippers m take sheets
from guides L'. These grippers are operated when the cylinder is at the end of
its stroke, by means of pinions N. n. loosely mounted on the shaft of cylinder D
and gearing with longitudinally movable sliding racks N¹ n'.
A pin M' attached to the pinion N engages with the tee-head M' on the end of
the shaft of grippers M; consequently by moving or rotating the pinion N
independently of the cylinder D the grippers M can be opened or closed.
Similarly, grippers m can be operated independently of the movement of
cylinder D by menus of a pin m 2 on pinion n engaging a tee-head m' on the end of
the shaft of grippers m.
Ordinarily the pinions N. n. travel along with the cylinder and at equal speed;
but when the cylinder D stops, the racks N¹ n¹ are shifted longitudinally thereby
giving an additional independent rotary movement to the pinions N. n. and causing
them to operate the grippers as required.
The racks N' ', may be operated by means of crank arms on rock shafts N**
which are rocked by pitmen N having rollers N engaging a cam N³ on the
shaft e'. The cams are so shaped that the racks N¹ n' are only shifted when the
cylinder is at the end of its stroke in either direction.
Each of the reels F. F¹ f. f, has a set of gripping fingers which can be operated
by the usual well known means such as tee-heads on the gripper shafts and
stationary pins on the side frames). These cylinders rotate continuously and
therefore their gripper mechanisms need no detailed description.
The cylinder D has two oppositely working sets of gripper fingers O, o, working
in the same recess.
On the shaft of the cylinder are loose P. p gearing with the longitudinally
sliding racks Ppl worked by bell crank levers P 2 and pitmen P 3, from the
cams P4 P5 on the main shaft e these cams being so shaped as to shift the.
racks P p and pinions P. p, at the proper times independently of the cylinder D¹.
The racks P¹ p¹ do not operate simultaneously for reasons hereinafter explained.
The operation of this modified form of press is as follows:-
Starting with the cylinders D. D¹, at the front end (Figure 25) and while they
are momentarily stationary, or reversing the racks Nn', are shifted longitudinally
so as to close the fingers m upon the edge of the sheet of paper (1) lying in
guides L and to open the fingers M. The cylinders then move back and the
sheet (1) is printed on one side on the bed B the cylinder D passing clear of the
bed after making about one revolution and a half and stopping, after making two
revolutions with the grippers uppermost, bringing the edge of sheet (1) into position
to be nipped by the grippers on reel f
As the cylinder D stops the racks N' n', are shifted again, thereby causing the
grippers m to release the sheet (1) just as the grippers of reel f. close upon it and
at the same time the grippers M are closed upon the edge of the sheet (2) lying
in guides L (Figure 26). Then as the cylinders make their forward stroke
sheet (1) is pulled off the cylinder D by the reel and the sheet (2) is drawn in
sliding under sheet (1) and is printed. At the end of the forward stroke sheet (2)
is nipped by the grippers of reel F and simultaneously released by the grippers M,
while grippers m are closed upon another sheet (3) lying in the guide L, about
the same time sheet (1) is transferred from reel f. to reel f' (Figure 27).
On the next back stroke sheet (3) is printed by the forme on bed B and at the
end of the stroke is delivered to reel f. while another sheet (4) on the guide L is
caught by the grippers M (Figure 28). At the same time sheet (1) is brought by
reel into position to be caught by the grippers O on cylinder D¹ and while the
cylinders are reversing, the rack PI is shifted so as to close the grippers O upon
sheet (1). Meanwhile sheet (2) is being transferred from reel F to reel F¹.
On the next forward stroke sheet (4) is printed on bed B by cylinder D and
sheet (1) is printed on bed B¹ by cylinder D', and delivered as in the press

page_text: previously described before cylinder D₁ reaches the end of its forward stroke
(Figure 29).
When the cylinders reach the end of their forward stroke sheet (2) is nipped by
grippers o of cylinder D¹; sheet (3) is transferred from reel f to reel f¹ sheet (4)
is transferred from cylinder D to reel F, and another sheet (5) is taken hold of by
cylinder D.
Sheet (2) is perfected by the next back stroke of the cylinder D', and delivered,
and succeeding are similarly dealt with.
The cylinder D¹ takes the sheets when the grippers are lowest but to deliver
them conveniently should be done when the grippers are uppermost. In order that
this may be done when rotary transfers are used and yet not have cylinder D'
travel further or faster thau cylinder D, it is necessary to shift bed B¹ for
cylinder D will present a sheet to the type in a half revolution. Therefore in this
modified press the bed B¹ is movable and the cams 6 are so constructed that as
soon as the cylinder D' moving in either direction, has completed an impression,
the bed is shifted in the opposite direction toward the other end of the press. This
movement of the bed contrary to the movement of the cylinder takes place in the
interval between two successive impressions, so that the cylinder D' receives the
necessary extent of rotation before it comes in contact with the forme.
To provide for this unusual point of delivery the racks P' p', are shifted at
different times.
For convenience the gear P and rack PI operate grippers O; and the gear p.
and rack pl operate grippers o. After grippers O have closed upon a sheet from
reel and the cylinder D' has made about a revolution and a half backward, the
sheet is at least half printed and the grippers O come uppermost as indicated in
Figure 24, at this point the grippers of a delivery cylinder R close upon the
edge of the sheet, and simultaneously rack P¹ is shifted so as to open the grippers O
and release the sheet.
The sheets may be delivered from this modified press as in that first described
but as shown a delivery cylinder R is journaled in bearings in the cross-heads E
directly over cylinder D', and travels therewith, and thus the delivery of the sheet
can begin before its printing is completed. From the cylinder R the sheets are
transferred by suitable tapes, or other delivery mechanism of any known kind.
The transfer cylinder R has a second set of gripping fingers (Figs. 29 & 30)
which take the sheets from the cylinder D' when the fingers o release it these being
operated at the proper time by the shifting of the racks p'.
The grippers r,, may be operated by any suitable means well known to press
mechanics.
The peripheries of the transfer teels run close together and close to the
peripheries of the cylinders when the latter come in approximation thereto, and if
it should be found desirable the reels F, f may be slightly raised to give clearance
for the grippers M, m, which must open as the grippers, of reels F, f, close upon
the sheets on cylinder. This raising and lowering can be accomplished by various
means. In Figure 24 a small cam is made on the edge of the reels so that at the
moment of taking sheets from the cylinder D' the reels will be slightly elevated.
It will be observed that in both presses two sets of web feeding rolls are provided
so as to feed sheets cut from webs at each end of press as indicated in the
drawings, thus making an entirely automatic machine, but for cheaper presses the
automatic feeds may be dispensed with and previously cut sheets be fed by hand.
If desired the cylinders could be arranged to print on only one stroke, in which
case but one feed and transfer mechanism would be used, but the double-acting
perfecting presses are preferable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. A perfecting printing press comprising a pair of type beds, a pair of recipro-

page_text: cating impression cylinders travelling over the beds, and mechanism for cutting
and feeding sheets to one cylinder and transferring the sheets to the other; and
delivering the printed sheets substantially as described with reference to Figures 1^
to 16 inclusive.
2. In a press such as is above referred to, the combination of a vibratory sheet
holder at each end of the upper bel; a vibrating sheet-transferring-mechanism at
each end of the lower bed and guiding and delivery tapes, arranged and operating
substantially as described.
3. The modified form of perfecting press arranged and operating substantially as
described with reference to Figures 17 to 30 iuclusive.
Dated this 6th day of October 1896.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.