IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR PRINTING
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Josiah Wade, of Halifax, in the County of York,
Printing Machine Maker, for the Invention of “IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINES FOR PRINTING."
Sealed the 17th June 1878, and dated the 20th December 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Josiah Wade at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
20th December 1872.
I, JOSIAH WADE, of Halifax, in the County of York, Printing Machine
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR PRINTING," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to that class of such printing machines com-
monly known as "platen" machines, and more particularly to those
worked by treddle or pulley and strap driven by steam or other motive
power, and wherein the platen is caused to oscillate into one position to
receive the feed of paper or other material to be printed, and then into
another position for it to receive the impression from the type also,

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again.
The improvements consist,-
Firstly. In the application of a pair of rollers spiked so as to hold
the blanket and parchment to the platen, one being on each opposite
side, capable of being turned on their axes and held by catches and
ratchet, so as to stretch the said blanket and release it at pleasure, or
as required, or a loose..rod or grippers at one side and a roller with
ratchet and catch at the other side.
Secondly. In the construction and application to the platen of swivel-
ling guides which are capable of being set to any required position
thereon; such guides being proved with a series of holes to receive pins
for holding the sheets of paper or other material to the platen during
the process of printing, the said guides being attached by means of a
wing nut bolt, or screw to a lug on the side of the platen.
:
Thirdly. In the application of a spring finger to the ordinary frisket,
adjustable thercon by set screw or wedge, and extending at right angles
theroto over the platen to hold the slicets of paper or other material to
its surface during the process of printing, and whereby the said spring
finger may be moved to any position along the platen. The spring
finger may be adjusted to the position required by means of a groove
(and cotter or wedge) cut along the shaft on which the said finger is
secured, the required motion of such shaft for operating the finger being
obtained by means of a connecting rod and swivel stud.
.
Fourthly. In the application and use of a segment wheel operated by
a shaft, to which partial rotary motion is given by means of a lever
attached to the said shaft; the other end of this lever is connected
with a cam groove. The segment operates a pinion wheel on the shaft
or barrel of the platen and so causes the partial rotation of the platen
-shaft and platen, the. latter being thus brought to a suitable position or
angle for receiving the impression.
Fifthly. In 'the application to the type frame of an eccentric shaft or
bush and adjusting screw for connecting the rods which give motion
from the ordinary cranks to the type frame by means of which eccentric

page_text: shaft or bush and adjusting screw the type can be readily set .or
adjusted to the platen, or removed from the platen in order to secure a
more perfect distribution of ink. The type may also be readily removed
from contact with the platen by means of a rod supported in bearings
and having a collar or stop piece thereon; one end of this rod is passed
through a stud fixed to a crank arm working on the eccentric shaft so
that as the type frame oscillates on the rod and collar or stop piece
being slided or moved nearer the type frame, the stop piece comes. in
contact with the stud of the crank on the eccentric shaft and partially
reverses the said shaft and so prevents the type reaching or coming in
contact with the platen.
Sixthly. In the application and use of an eccentric to the crank shaft
to which is attached the rod connected with the ink rollers' frame,
instead of the fixed bracket now used for that purpose, by which an
independent motion is given to the said ink rollers' frame in addition to
that caused by the motion of the type bed frame so as to adjust the times
of motions of the several parts respectively.
Seventhly. In the application of a sliding stud and lever, or pin and
hole, or catch and catch wheel, the unlocking of which allows the
rollers and frame to remain on the ink disc clear of the type for the
purpose of affording more space, and facilitating placing the "forme" in
the type frame and taking first impression and for other adjustments.
Eighthly. In the application of leather or other suitable material to
either the type frame bearers or the runners on the ink rollers, to pro-
duce more adhesion, and thereby to ensure the rotation of the said
rollers when passing over the inking table and the type form.
Ninthly. In the application of a spring catch lever to the inking
table which is hinged on the axis or bearer thereof, and is operated by
the ordinary lever for turning or giving motion to the table at each
stroke of the machine. The motion of this lever being radial the
catch is always certain to take properly into the ratchet teeth of the
inking table.
Tenthly. In the application of a combined strap guide and break or
brake for quickly stopping the motion of the machine without the
attendant having to apply his hands to the fly wheel as heretofore, I
employ a rocking shaft to which is fixed a lever arm in which is a slot

page_text: hole, one part being at right angles to the other, and into which a pin
on the end of the ordinary strap guide rod is inserted, whereby any
motion given to the rocking shaft moves the strap guide and throws the
pin into one or other part of the slot hole which holds it there until
the attendant operates the rocking shaft, and on this shaft is also another
lever arm to which is attached (by a chain or rod) an ordinary break or
brake which is pressed by the action of the attendant or by a spring or
weight on the rocking shaft against the periphery of the fly wheel
simultaneously with the throwing of the strap upon the loose pulley.
This part of my Invention may be applied to cylinder printing machines
as well as platen machines.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Josiah Wade in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 20th June 1873.
.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSIAH
WADE, of Halifax, in the County of York, Printing Machine Maker,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in
the thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Josiah Wade, Her
special licence that I, the said Josiah Wade, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Josiah Wade, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR PRINTING," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Josiah Wade, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six

page_text: .
spring finger may be adjusted to the position required by means of a
groove (and cotter or wedge) cut along the shaft on which the said
finger is secured, the required motion of such shaft for operating
the finger being obtained by means of a connecting rod and swivel
stud.
Fourthly. In the application and use of a segment wheel operated
by a shaft to which partial rotary motion is given by means of a
lever attached to the said shaft; the other end of this lever is connected
with a cam groove. The segment operates a pinion wheel on the shaft
or barrel of the platen and so causes the partial rotation of the platen
shaft and platen, the latter being thus brought to a suitable position
or angle for receiving the impression.
Fifthly. In the application to tho type frame of an eccentric shaft
or bush and adjusting screw for connecting the rods which give motion
from the ordinary cranks to the type frame, by means of which eccentric
shaft or bush and adjusting screw the type can be readily set or
adjusted to the platen or removed from the platen in order to secure
a more perfect distribution of ink. The type may also be readily
removed from contact with the platen by means of a rod supported
in bearings and having a collar or stop piece thereon; one end of this
rod is passed through a stud fixed to a crank arm working on the
cccentric shaft, so that as the type frame oscillates on the rod and collar,
or stop picce being slided or moved nearer the type frame, the stop
piece comes in contact with the stud of the crank on the eccentric
shaft and partially reverses the said shaft, and so prevents the typo
reaching or coming in contact with the platen.
Sixthly. In the application and use of an eccentric to the crank
shaft to which is attached the rod connected with the ink roller's frame
instead of the fixed bracket now used for that purpose, by which an
independent motion is given to the said ink roller's frame in addition
to that caused by the motion of the type bed frame, so as to adjust the
times of motions of the several parts respectively.
Seventhly. In the application of a sliding stud and lever, or pin and
hole, or catch and catch wheel, the unlocking of which allows the rollers
and frame to remain on the ink disc clear of the type for the purpose
of affording more space and facilitating placing the "forme" in the
type frame, and taking first impression, and for other adjustments.

page_text: Eighthly. In the application of leather or other suitable material
to either the type frame bearers or the runners on the ink rollers to
produce more adhesion, and thereby to ensure the rotation of the said
rollers when passing over the inking table and the type forme.
Ninthly. In the application of a spring catch lever to the inking
table, which is hinged on the axis or bearer thereof, and is operated by
the ordinary lever for turning or giving motion to the table at each
stroke of the machine. The motion of this lever being radial, the catch
is always certain to take properly into the ratchet teeth of the inking
table.
Tenthly. In the application of a combined strap guide and break or
brake for quickly stopping the motion of the machine without the
attendant having to apply his hands to the fly wheel, as heretofore. I
employ a rocking shaft to which is fixed a lever arm in which is a slot
hole, one part being at right angles to the other, and into which a pin on
the end of the ordinary strap guide rod is inserted, whereby any motion
given to the rocking shaft moves the strap guide, and throws the pin
into one or other part of the slot hole, which holds it there until the
attendant operates the rocking shaft, and on this shaft is also another
lever arm, to which is attached (by a chain or rod) an ordinary break or
brake which is pressed by the action of the attendant, or by a spring or
weight on the rocking shaft, against the periphery of the fly wheel
simultaneously with the throwing of the strap upon the loose pulley.
This part of my Invention may be applied to cylinder printing machines
as well as platen machines.
Such being the nature of the said Invention, I will now proceed to
explain the same in detail, and have annexed 3 Sheets of Drawings
explanatory thereof.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a side view of a machine having my improvements
attached.
Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a view of the opposite side of the machine, and the
other various Figures are views of parts of the mechanism detached and
enlarged for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the construction
and form thereof.
A pair of rollers 1, spiked so as to hold the parchment and blanket to
the platen, one being on cach opposite side, capable of being turned on
their axes, and held by catches 2 and ratchet 3 so as to stretch the said

page_text: blanket or release it at pleasure, or as required, or a loose rod 4 or
grippers at one side, and a roller 5 with ratchet 3 and catch 2 at the
other side. One end of the parchment is sewn forming a-loop into which
the loose rod 4 is passed. The rod is then placed in position in the slot
holes, and the other end of the parchment is carried over or across the
platen, and its loose end passed under the looped rod 6, which is then
pressed down into a groove cut in the shaft.5, and the ratchet wheel is
moved until the parchment is stretched or distended sufficiently, whereon
the catch 2 is engaged with the ratchet 3 holding the whole secure.
I construct and apply to the platen 7 the swivelling guides 8, see
Fig. 3, Sheet 3, which are capable of being set to any required position
thereon, such guides being provided with a series of holes to receive
pins 9, see Figs. 4 and 5; Sheet 1, for holding the sheets of paper or other
material to the platen during the process of printing, the said guides
being attached by means of a wing-nut bolt 10 or screw to a lug 11 on
the side of the platen.
12 is a spring finger (Figs. 6 and 7, Sheet 2) applied to the ordinary
frisket 13, adjustable thereon by set screw or wedge, and extending at
right angles thereto over the platen to hold the sheets of paper or other
material to its surface during the process of printing, and whereby the
said spring finger may be moved to any position along the platen. The
spring finger may be adjusted to the position required by means of a
groove (and cotter or wedge) cut along the shaft 14, on which the said finger
is secured, the required motion of such shaft for operating the finger
being obtained by means of a connecting rod 15 and swivel stud 16.
The platen is brought into position for receiving the impression by
the application and use of a segment wheel 17 (Fig. 6) operated by a
shaft 18, to which partial rotary motion is given by means of a lever 19
attached to the said shaft. The other end of this lever is connected with
a cam groove 20 cut in the cam plate 21, see Fig. 1. The segment
operates a pinion wheel 22 on the shaft or barrel of the platen, and so
causes the partial rotation of the platen shaft 23 and platen 7, the latter
being thus brought to a suitable position or angle for receiving the
impression.
I apply to the type frame an eccentric shaft or bush 24 (Fig. 1), and
a rod 25 having an adjusting screw 26 thereon in connection with the

page_text: means of which eccentric shaft or bush and adjusting screw and rod the
type can be readily set or adjusted to the platen, or removed from the
platen.
In order to secure a more perfect distribution of ink the ink rollers 28
may be allowed to pass over the ink disc 29 and type as often as desirable
before taking a succeeding impression. The type may also be readily
removed from or brought into contact with the platen by means of a
rod 25 supported in bearings 30, and having a collar or stop-piece 31
with runner thereon. One end of this rod is passed through a stud 32
fixed to a crank arm 33 working on the eccentric shaft, so that as the
type frame oscillates, the rod and collar or stop piece with runner being
slided or moved nearer the type frame, the stop piece and runner comes
in contact with the stud of the crank 33 on the eccentric shaft, and
partially reverses the said shaft, and so causes the type to be removed
from or brought into contact with the platen. By means of one or more
spiral springs 34 a projection on the eccentric shaft is brought in contact
with a bearing or stop on the type frame, and thus held in position, sec
Figs. 8 and 9.
An eccentric 35 is applied to the crank shaft 23, to which is attached
the rod 36, connected with the ordinary ink rollers and frame instead of
the fixed bracket now used for that purpose, by which an independent
motion is given to the said ink rollers and frame in addition to that
caused by the motion of the type bed frame 37 so as to adjust the times
of motions of the several parts respectively.
1
38 is a sliding stud and 39 a lever, the unlocking of which stud by
means of the lever, see Fig. 10, allows the inking rollers 28 and frame 28
to remain on the ink disc 29 clear of the type for the purpose of
affording more space and facilitating placing the "forme" in the type
frame, and taking first impression, and for other adjustments; or by
means of the pin and collar, as shewn at Fig. 11.
I apply leather 40 or other suitable material to either the type frame
bearers or the runners on the ink rollers, see Figs. 12 and 13, to produce
more adhesion, and thereby to ensure the rotation of the said rollers
when passing over the inking table, and the type forme shewn at Figs. 1
and 2. The screw head 41 is slackened by means of a screwdriver, and
the leather or other material hooked on to the pin thereon, and on the
screw being tightened the leather is stretched tight, the screw head

page_text: being held secure by means of the wing nut 42, the other end of the
leather being fastened by means of a pin 43 to the bottom of the type
frame bearers, see Fig. 1.
A spring catch lever 44, see Figs. 14 and 15, is applied to the inking
table 29 which is hinged on the axis or bearer thereof, and is operated
by the ordinary lever for turning or giving motion to the table at each
stroke of the machine. The motion of this lever being radial the catch
is always certain to take properly into the ratchet teeth of the inking
table.
I apply a combined strap guide 45 and break or brake 46 for quickly :
stopping the motion of the machine without the attendant having to
apply his hands to the fly wheel 47 as heretofore. I employ a rocking
shaft 48 (Fig. 1) to which is fixed a lever arm 49, in which is a slot
hole 50, one part of this slot hole being at right angles to the other, and
into which a pin on the end of the ordinary strap guide rod 45 is inserted, ¨:
whereby any motion given to the rocking shaft moves the strap guide
and throws the pin into one or other part of the slot hole, which holds it
there until the attendant operates the rocking shaft by means of the
lever arm 51, and on the said rocking shaft is also another lever arm 52,
to which is attached (by a chain or rod) an ordinary break or brake 46,
which is applied by the attendant against the periphery of the fly wheel
simultaneously with the throwing of the strap upon the loose pulley.
This part of my Invention may be applied to cylinder printing
machines as well as to platen machines.
In witness whereof, I, the said Josiah Wade, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy-three.
Witness,
•
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Tasker & Brierley,
Halifax & Bradford.
JOSIAH WADE. (L.S.)