Machinery for Manufacturing Tape Measuring Rolls.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1898
M
1000
Machinery for Manufacturing Tape Measuring Rolls.
We, WALTER WILLIAM COLLEY, Managing Director, and COLLEYS PATENTS
LIMITED, both of 147, Great Saffron Hill, London, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:
This invention has for its object improvements in machinery for printing and
consecutively numbering measures upon strips of textile material, paper, or the
like, to be used in coils suitable for use in checking the number of yards con-
tained in a roll of linen cloth paper or any material that is manufactured in the
roll or piece and for other purposes, and simultaneously reeling such strips into
rolls on cutting series of such strips into any required width and re-reeling into
rolls.
The combined printing, cutting, and reeling apparatus consists of a series of
discs or wheels having round their periphery, in the unit discs, ten numbers 0
to 9, and in the tens of hundreds discs, the required numbers that will print up
to a given number and then change again to the starting point, so that any
number of measures can be printed upon a strip of material and such measures
repeated in consecutive order upon a roll for example if I want 40 yards on a
coil the discs are set so that when the machine has printed the 40 yards the
numbers revert to zero again without stopping the machine and any number
of 40 yards can be reeled on one roll.
These discs are mounted side by side on a cylinder if two of the same number
are required on the strips two sets of discs are mounted at top and bottom of
cylinder when the cylinder revolves the discs are changed by suitable mechanical
fingers or tappets and produce in consecutive order or for duplicate consecutive
order the required numbers or measures upon web or strip of moving material
as same is being unwound from a roll, the cylinder is geared to a second cylinder
called the impression cylinder over which the material is passed during the
process of unwinding for the purpose of receiving the impression from the
numbering or measure cylinder, the cutting and winding cylinder is composed
of a number of disc cutters mounted on a shaft alternately with washers or dis-
tance pieces of smaller diameter, these washers form the body of the cylinder
and hold the knives at the required distance apart; a spindle is held in position
on the cylinder for the purpose of receiving the ends of the paper, such spindles
being revolved by frictional contact with the knives.
Where small quantities of coils are required I pass the strip or strips through
the cylinders without coming in contact with the knives in such case the rolls are
previously cut the required length and width.
The material. is drawn from a roll passed under a tension roller then round the
impression cylinder wound round the spindle which is held in position against
the cutters, whereby the material is printed with the required measures
numbers and cut into strips by the cutters, the strips at the same time-being
or

page_text: wound into coils by the spindle by frictional contact with the cutting and wind-
ing cylinder..
FREDERIC PRINCE,
Agent for Applicants.
Machinery for Manufacturing Tape Measuring Rolls.
We, WALTER WILLIAM COLLEY, Managing Director, and COLLEYS PATENTS,
LIMITED, both of 147, Great Saffron Hill, London, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed. to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to print upon strips of textile fabric, paper,
or other flexible material, a series of consecutive numbers or signs at measured
distances apart, indicating for example measured lengths thereon and to re-roll
such printed strips and divide same longitudinally when required. These flexible
strips, when so treated, may be used for many and varied purposes, such as for
employment in checking, or measuring off, lengths of linen, cloth, paper, or
other materials, manufactured or sold by the length, and put up into rolls or
folds.
The invention particularly refers to the arrangement and combination of parts
composing the machinery, whereby the required operations are carried on con-
tinuously and mechanically.
The invention will be readily understood by the following description with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation, shewing an arrangement of the parts
of a machine constructed according to our invention adapted to draw the web of
flexible material to be treated, hereafter termed paper, from a roll, to print same
as stated, to re-roll same, and to divide the web into strips longitudinally, and
this in a continuous and automatic manner. Fig. 2, is a plan view of a portion
of the mechanism shewn in Fig. 1: Figs. 3 to 6, are detail views, drawn to a
larger scale than Fig. 1, and shewing the general arrangement of the printing
and consecutively numbering drum; Fig. 3, being an end elevation, Fig. 4, a
plan view, Fig. 5, a side elevation, and Fig. 6, a face view of one of the gear
wheels detached: Fig. 7 is a diagram indicating an arrangement of the parts
for treating the flexible strips which have been previously cut.
The roll of paper A, which is to be treated, is carried upon a shaft A', mounted
in bearings on the frame B, of the machine, and fitted with suitable means where-
by the shaft A', may be subjected to a braking action, in order that the web can
be drawn off at a proper tension. The web C, passes from the roll A, around a
guide roller D, and from thence over an impression cylinder E, mounted on a
shaft capable of being rotated in bearings in the frame work. While passing over
the impression cylinder E, the web C, is printed by means of a type printing
and numbering drum F, hereafter described, which latter is revolvable round a
fixed shaft G, carried by the framework and the drum F, is rotated by means
of spur teeth meshing with spur teeth upon the impression cylinder.
The web C, printed and numbered as required now passes from the impression
cylinder E, to the devices by which it is simultaneously divided longitudinally
into strips, and re-rolled, and the mechanism we employ to effect these operations
is analogous to that employed by us for effecting similar operations, and described
in the Specification of the British Patent dated March 30th 1887 No. 4750. That

page_text: is to say a spindle H, is carried in bearings and fitted with a number of wooden
spools, the circular peripheries of of which latter are in frictional contact with the
periphery of a roller J, carried in bearings on the framework and connected by
toothed gearing with the impression cylinder E, in such manner that when the
shaft carrying roller J, is driven through the pulley J, Fig. 2, by belt from some
prime motor, the roller J, revolves at somewhat greater surface speed than the
surface speed of the impression cylinder E
The roller J, is composed of a number of cylindrical blocks between each pair
of which is a disc cutter J, the cutters being at a distance apart to accord with
the width of the strips into which the web C, is to be divided.
The bearings of the spindle H, are carried at the upper ends of a pair of
slides H', free to move vertically in guides in the framework, and connected at
their lower ends by a shaft carrying weights, in order to draw the slides downwards
and produce a requisite amount of frictional contact between the peripheries of
the spools upon the spindle H, and the peripheries of the roller parts J.
By this arrangement the web C, conducted from the impression cylinder E,
and attached to the spools is wound thereon by frictional contact, is held with
a proper degree of tension upon the impression cylinder, and is divided by the
dise cutters as it becomes wound upon the spools. As the rolls of strips upon the
spools increase in diameter, the slides H¹ rise in their guides.
The printing and consecutively numbering devices will now be described,
with particular reference to Figs. 3 to 6. The cylinder F, as before
stated, is revolved by gearing upon a fixed central shaft G, and mounted
upon the periphery of the said cylinder, there is or
beds F for printing any required matter, while
may be, type
between such type
beds Fat proper distances apart we generally provide engraved figures F, to
print upon the web, the subdivisions of the unit of measurement, and if in yards,
then the said subdivisions may indicate the eighth, quarter, &c.
At one or generally two points in the periphery of the cylinder F, we provide
consecutively numbering devices, that is for example if the unit of measurement
is to be a yard, we might fit two such devices, at about diametrically opposite
points of the periphery, as is indicated at Fig. 3; in this latter case, supposing
the circumference of the cylinder to measure one yard, one of such numbering
devices would operate to print the proper numerals adjacent to a division mark,
to indicate the measurement in yards, while the second of such numbering devices
would print exactly similar and corresponding numerals near, say, the half
yard mark, so that the latter numeral near the half yard mark would.
convey to the person measuring, that it was, for example, the half yard
in the 46th yard of the total length. It will thus be understood that in
one revolution each measuring device prints similar numbers, and therefore it
will only be necessary to describe the construction and action of one of these
numbering devices, for which purpose we select that shewn in full lines on the
drawings of Sheet 2. K is a fixed shaft, extending from end to end of the
cylinder and upon this shaft K, there are loosely mounted, a series of toothed
dises or number wheels K¹ K2, Fig. 4, arranged in pairs, (when numbers limited
to 2 figures are to be printed) and these pairs of numbering wheels K' K, repre-
senting the tens and units respectively, are placed at a distance apart governed
by the size of the characters and the width of the strips, each pair of wheels are
intended to record upon what is, or will be, a separate strip. The type is carried
or formed upon the ends of the teeth of the discs, and the uppermost type pro-
jects through a slot in the periphery of the hollow cylinder F, in order that it
may print upon the web.
Each numbering dise is formed with ten teeth, each carrying its proper type
from 0 to 9.
Located somewhat below, and upon each side of the spindle K, there are two
revolvable spindles L, M. The spindle M, carries affixed thereto and in the
interior of the cylinder a number of spider wheels M', which respectively gear

page_text: with the unit discs K2, loosely mounted upon the fixed shaft K, the shaft L,
similarly has spider wheels L₁, fixed thereto which gear respectively with the
tens dises K¹. It will be understood that at each revolution of the cylinder,
the unit discs K2 must be turned one tooth, while at every tenth revolution the
tens disc K¹ must be turned one tooth, at other times remaining stationery.
To effect this timed relative motion we extend the shafts M, and L, through the
end wall of the cylinder F; upon the end of the shaft M, we fix a toothed wheel M²,
gearing with a toothed wheel K³, loosely mounted on a fixed stud axle N, project-
ing from the end of the cylinder, in such a position that not only does the
wheel K, gear with the wheel M2, but also the teeth pass near to the periphery
of a fixed central boss G¹, of the stationary shaft G.
From the periphery of the said boss G¹, there projects a fixed tappet G2, calcu-
lated to engage the wheel K³, as the cylinder is revolved, and turn the same
through the space of one tooth, whereby the wheel M², is operated and the unit
actuating wheels M', also turned to move the unit type wheels K³, the requisite
distance.
Upon the face of the wheel K³, and near the base of the teeth, we form a
projecting circular flange K+, in which is formed, at one part, a cam recess K,
in front of the wheel K³, and upon the same stud axle N, we loosely mount a
toothed wheel N₁, gearing with a wheel L2, fixed on the projecting end of the
spindle L, carrying the wheels L', governing the tens discs K
At Fig 3, the wheel N', is removed in order to clearly shew the wheel K³,
the face view of the wheel N¹, being shewn detached at Fig. 6.
The stationary boss G₁, is fitted with a tappet plunger 1, capable of sliding in
a direction at right angles to the axis of the shaft G, and caused to project from
the surface of the boss G, by spring action. The plunger P, is formed at its
projecting end with a bearing tongue 1", which comes immediately below, and
is acted upon by the circular flange K, of the wheel I³, when it passes over the
plunger. There is also a laterally projecting tooth P2, on the plunger P, which
engages with the teeth of the wheel N₁, when the tongue P¹, is allowed to rise,
by reason of its entry into the recess K³, of the projecting part K, of the wheel K.
Thus when the tooth P, engages the wheel K³, the latter is operated and the
tens wheels K¹, moved the required distance.
The action of the numbering apparatus is as follows; at each revolution of the
cylinder F, the wheel K³, is carried over the fixed tappet G2, on the boss G¹, and
by engagement with this tappet, the wheel is revolved through the space of one
tooth, and consequently the unit discs K2 are each moved one tooth by the spider
wheels M. The step by step motion of the wheel K is communicated to the
circular flange K so that at the tenth revolution of the cylinder F, the recess K³
in the said flange K, is brought into position to receive the tongue P, of the
plunger 1, and the latter rises. By this action the projecting tooth P2, of the
plunger is brought into engagement with the wheel N', which is turned thereby
one tooth, operating the shaft L, and by the spider wheels L', revolving the
tens dises ', through the space of one tooth. In order to prevent the wheels
M³, L2, from accidental displacement, spring pawls R, are provided as usual.
By the mechanism described it will now be understood that the type will
print consecutively from 00, to 99, but it is obvious that there may be occasions
where it is required to print up to a given number and then change again to the
starting point. To effect this we provide the wheel N', with a laterally projecting
toothed segment N2, Fig. 6, and upon the periphery of the stationary boss G¹,
Fig. 3, we provide a suitable number of teeth G³, so that when the wheel N¹,
has been moved through a certain number of steps the segment N2, will be
brought into engagement with the teeth G³, of the boss G¹, at the next succeed-
ing revolution, and the tens discs K', will be thereby returned to zero.
The type carried by the cylinder F, is supplied with ink in the usual manner.
Where small quantities of coils are required we may in some cases pass the
strip or strips which have been previously cut to the required widths, through the

page_text: apparatus without employing the cutting device, as shown at Fig. 7, where the
strips are fed from the roller A, by guide roller 1), over impression cylinder E,
to be acted upon by numbering cylinder F, and the strips are carried off and re-
wound at *.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed; we declare that what
we claim is:
1. The machine substantially as described, for printing upon a web of textile
fabric, paper, or other flexible material drawn from a roll, a series of consecutive
numbers or signs, at measured distances apart, in addition to other matter,
dividing the web into strips longitudinally, and re-rolling same, all the opera-
tions being effected continuously and mechanically as set forth.
2. In a machine for printing, cutting, and rolling textile fabrics, paper or
other flexible material, the combination of a roller to carry the web, an impres-
sion cylinder over which the web passes, a revolvable spindle mounted in bearings
carried by vertical slides, onto which spindle the web is re-wound, a revolving
cylinder carrying distanced cutting discs, upon the periphery of which cylinder
the material being re-wound bears, and is revolved by friction and simultaneously
divided longitudinally by the cutting discs and a printing cylinder carrying
devices to print a series of consecutive numbers or signs at measured distances
apart upon the travelling web, substantially as described.
3. In a machine for printing a series of numbers, or signs, at measured dis-
tances apart, upon flexible strips the printing cylinder carrying the required type
and one or a series of consecutive numbering devices each consisting of a fixed
shaft running lengthwise of the cylinder a series of numbering discs loosely
mounted on the shaft and projecting through the periphery of the hollow cylinder
in combination with a shaft carrying spider wheels to control the unit dises and
a similar shaft to carry spider wheels to control the tens dises and gearing on the
two countershafts operated by tappets as the numbering machanism is revolved
with the cylinder, substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. In a machine for printing a series of numbers or signs at measured dis-
tances apart upon flexible strips, the combination and arrangement of mechanism
constructed and acting substantially as described with reference to Figs. 3, 4,
and 5.
5. The mechanism for returning the numbering discs to zero after a required
series of figures has been printed, arranged and acting substantially as described
with reference to Figs. 3, 4, 5, & 6 of the accompanying drawings.
6. The particular arrangement and combination of parts comprising our con-
tinuously and mechanically acting machinery for manufacturing strips, having
printed thereon a series of consecutive numbers or signs at measured distances
apart, all constructed and acting substantially as and for the purpose described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated on day or April 1899.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
37, Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane, Agent for Applicants.