Year: 1886

page_text: I, GEORGE WASHINGTON WILLIAMS, gentleman, residing at Maspeth, in the
County, of Queens, and State of New York, one of the United States of America,
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:—
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in machines for
imprinting patterns or designs upon oil cloths and other fabric; and it consists
substantially in the parts as constructed, and in such peculiar arrangements and
combinations thereof as will hereinafter be distinctly described and pointed out in
the claims.
In order that others skilled in the art may understand how to use and construct
the same I would refer to the accompanying sheets of drawing wherein :—
Figure, 1, represents a longitudinal side elevation of an oil cloth printing
machine in which my invention is embodied, &
Figure, la, represents a detail side view of a portion thereof or in other words of
one of the outer reciprocating slides, the same being intended to illustrate more
clearly the devices which serve, when required, to assist the devices which maintain
the dies up out of contact with the inking rollers.
Figure, 2, represents a longitudinal vertical section of the machine to more
clearly indicate the interior disposition or arrangement of parts constituting
the same.
Figure, 3, represents a horizontal plan of the machine by which the construction
and arrangement of the belt controlling devices and the die carrying blocks will be
more clearly understood.
"
Figure, 4, represents a view in perspective (giving the relative arrangement of
parts) of the mechanism for operating the "catch ups" or automatic devices by
which one or more of the blocks inay be caused to remain elevated and make but
one descent upon the fabric to several descents of the remaining blocks thereon.
Figure, 5, represents a perspective view of the mechanism by which the devices
for preventing slipping of the cloth belt are operated, and
Figure, 6, is a detail perspective of the belt operating slides and devices.
Figure, 7, is a detail view.
As explanatory of the general operation of the machine it may be stated that the
fabric is fed through the machine from the rear on endless belts extending from end
to end thereof, and the pullies by which 'such belts are carried are operated intermit-
tently to move the fabric forward the desired'extent, while at each forward movement
df the belts carrying the fabric, "the dies are brought down in a positive manner to

page_text: •
imprint the design, automatically operating rolls and troughs being caused to move
back and forth or reciprocate beneath the dies for the purpose of supplying them
with the mixture employed for the printing.
Further, it is sometimes desired that certain of the dies be caused to make a
greater number of. descents upon the fabric than others, by which solidity of
imprint or design may be had, and for this purpose I resort to certain mechanism
which will be described hereinafter. In this latter operation, in order that the
dies making the least number of descents upon the fabric shall not become clogged
with the mixture contained in their trough it is essential that such dies be elevated
to a height above the supply rollers until such time as it may be desired to have
the said dies descend, and for this purpose I employ certain devices which
effectually perform this function. Further results being accomplished as will
appear from the description following:-
Reference, being had to the several parts by the letters marked thereon;
A, represents the platform upon which the supporting frame-work of the machine
is situated or mounted, such frame-work being indicated in every part by the
letter, a, and journaled in proper bearings, on opposite sides of the base are
anti-friction pulleys, b,, while in suitable upright portions of the frame work are
similar pulleys, c. Located and moving between these two sets of pulleys on each
side of the machine is a reciprocating. slide, B, the same being held together by
rods, d, extending through or across the machine from side to side, which slides
are each formed in their upper edges, and at proper intervals, with notches or
depressions, e, approximately of a V-shape.
Centrally of the machine at the forward end are arranged two auxiliary
reciprocating slides, C, C, which are also held together by the same rods, (d) that
hold or pass through the main slides, B, while at the rear of the machine and in
line with the slides, C, C, are additional auxiliary slides,. D, D¹, the two sets of
auxiliary slides being connected by strips of metal (not shown) secured to the
opening rods, d, which passes through them.
Secured to opposite sides of the frame-work at the proper points are guides, f
in which the vertical bars or strips, E, slide or reciprocate by means of grooved
guide pulleys, f¹, as shown. These opposite vertically reciprocating bars serve
between them to carry the die-blocks, F, and at their lower ends are provided with
small rolls, g. In the reciprocation of the slides, B, whenever the notches, e, thereof
come beneath the lower ends of the vertical slides, E, the slides will be caused to
descend by virtue of the notches, and thus will the dies be brought down firmly
on the fabric.'
•
To insure no slipping or blurring action of the blocks I provide brackets, h, on
the inner side of the main slides at each notch, the same having a V-shaped
projection, h¹, between which and the edge of the notches the rolls, g, of the
vertical slides, E, are received, thus causing a sufficient binding to effect the object
Bought. The slides, B, are each formed or provided at their rear portions with a
sinuous or irregular slot, i, and pivoted to a portion of the framing as at, l, is a
crank, G, whose upper end extends slightly above the top of the machine, as
shown, and by an arm or portion of which is carried a roll, k, which moves in the
slot, i, of the main slides.
The projecting upper ends of these cranks, G, are pivotally attached or connected
to the rear ends of reciprocating rods, H, which latter are connected at their
forward ends to the troughs, I, in which is contained the printing mixture. It is
evident that as the slides, B, are caused to move forward, the cranks, G, will
operate to move the troughs forward simultaneously therewith, and as the slides
return the cranks will be operated in a reverse manner, thereby bringing the
troughs back also, these movements being due to the slot, i, in the slides.
Simultaneously with the elevation and descent of the dies, the hinged strips, J,
are caused to rise and fall, (see dotted lines figure, 1) their purpose being to hold
the fabric in place upon the belts, and preliminary to movement of the devices to
be described for actuating the belt pulleys; the said strips will rise as indicated to.
t

page_text: permit passage of the belts and immediately descend when the belts have moved
forward with the fabric to the extent permitted, such rise and fall being about
simultaneous with the elevation and descent of the dies as stated, and the
effectiveness of the result will be apparent. The operation thereof is obtained
through the medium of a shaft, K, loosely supported in bearings, 2, on the frame,
the same having on each end an arm, l, and is provided with a curved arm, m,
carrying at its end a roll, m', which works in the slot, m¹, of one of the rear
auxiliary slides, such slot, m", being of substantially the form indicated in
figure, 5.
Pivotally connected to each of the arms, ", is a lever, n, which projects up
through the top of the machine, as shown, and is provided with a slot, n¹, which
is entered by a pin, n", projecting from the sides of the strips, J, (see figure, 1,).
It will be apparent that as the auxiliary slides, D, D¹, are reciprocated, the peculiar
shape of the slot, m, in this one of such slides, will cause the end of arm, m, to
vibrate, thereby rocking the shaft, K; and giving the levers, n, a vertically
reciprocating movement through the medium of connections, 1, and thus raise
and lower the strips, J, as explained. It is sometimes desirable to disconnect the
ends of strips, J, from the levers, l, for the purpose of better arranging the
fabric upon the belts, and to effect this it is simply necessary to force the same
back thereby to free the slot, n₁, of the pin, n, whereupon the strips may be
folded entirely back. When the connection is desired however it is properly
maintained by the springs, o, o, whose tendency is to hold the levers in proper
contact with the pins of the strips. The endless fabric carrying belts, p, are
carried by pulleys, q, located in bearings on opposite sides of the machine at each
end, (as shown) the same being rigid upon the shafts, r, and, carried upon the
shaft,, at the forward end of the machine are two loose pinions, 8, 8, each carrying
a pivoted pawl, 8, so arranged with respect to each other as to alternately engage
with the lips of a cam or ratchet, t, rigid upon the same shaft.
The pinions mesh or engage with vertical alternately reciprocating racks, u,
which move in suitable guides provided for them, and at the lower end of each
rack is carried a roll, y, (see dotted lines figure, 2,) which move in the slots, w,
&w, respectively, of the two forward auxiliary reciprocating slides, C. The slots
of these auxiliary slides are of substantially the shape or form shown and are
arranged reversely to each other, so that when one of the pinions with its rack has
been operated by its respective slide, C, to move the belts forward, the other
pinion and rack will be operated in such manner as to be in readiness to operate
likewise.
As the two forward slides, C, C, move, say for instance, backward, that one of
said slides having the slot, w¹, will cause its rack to be raised or elevated, thereby
partially revolving its corresponding pinion forward, its pawl consequently taking
into the teeth of ratchet, t, and the shaft, r, revolved, carrying with it the belt.
On the return movement of the slides, C, C, i.e. forward, that one of such slides
having slot, w, will act in like manner as its fellow. It should be remarked that
in this operation of one set of these devices to move the belts forward, that is,
while one pawl is engaging the ratchet, the opposite one drops back or over the
teeth thereof to take up the motion at the proper time, and vice versa; the pinions
do not make a full revolution, and after they have been turned forward to the
extent limited by the forward movement of the slides, they are of course always
restored on the return or backward movement, thereof, thereby bringing their
pawls to the proper positions of readiness. It should be understood however that
the auxiliary slides, C, C, do not move separately, but rather move back and forth
together, the alternate operation of the racks and pinions being due to the reversed
formation of the slots, w, and, w². For instance on movement of the slides forward,
one of the racks will partially rotate its pinion, thereby revolving the shaft, r,
by reason of the engagement of one of the pawls with the ratchet thereon, then as
the slides return, the other pinion is brought into such position as to operate in
like manner.

page_text: As a convenient means of causing any particular one of the blocks or dies to
remain at an elevated position and only make one descent upon the fabric to two
descents of its fellows (it being understood that as many dies may be employed as
is desired,) I pivot to the interior frame work at each end of the machine on the
side corresponding to the rear auxiliary slide, D¹, which has as yet received no
specific mention, (or in other words the companion slide to the one which operates
the arm, m, to actuate the shaft, K), .an arm or lever, x, the upper ends of which
are pivotally connected by a strip or rod, M, extending almost the entire length of
the machine, and which is slotted as at, y, at points about adjacent to the line of
movement of the vertically reciprocating bars, E., On the end of the pin or
pivot, z, opposite to that on which the arm, c, at the rear end of the machine is
held, a short rod, x11, is carried, having at its end a small roll, wl, and extending
through the sides of the machine adjacent to the line of movement of the strips or
bars, E, and coincident with the slots, y, of the strip, M, are rods or shafts, N, said
shafts carrying at each end a "catch up" or latch, all, and bearing a weighted
lever, 61, which is keyed or otherwise secured thereto, an arm of such levers
extending through the slots, y, of the strip, M.
"
The auxiliary slide, D¹, by which these devices are operated is slotted out as.
at, d, and has pivoted therein in the manner indicated in figures, 2, and, 4, a
finger, el, the same being pivoted slightly to one side of its center by which its
forward end will rest upon the lower edge of the slot of the slide. The manner of
operation of these devices is as follows: when the dies are down the roll of rod; 11,
will be at the rear end of the slot in, D, as shown, and as the machine operates to
raise the dies the rod, x, will be depressed by virtue of the finger riding over the
same, and thus will arm, x, be moved or vibrated, thereby reciprocating the
strips, M.
It is evident that in the movements thus far, explained with reference to these
devices no movement of the shafts, N; will be had, for the reason that the slots, y,
of strip, M, are of sufficient length to permit of the operation of the strip back and
forth. Now should it be desired to cause one of the dies or blocks, F, to make
but one descent to two of the others, a pin is slipped through the sides of the slot, y,
adjacent to the block to be so operated (holes, y, being provided for the purpose)
by which in the movement of the strip, M, a contact will be had with the arm or
lever, 61, and thus will the shaft N, be rocked or partially rotated, causing the
"catch ups
or latches, a, to take into recesses which are formed in the side of
the bars, E, as shown in figure, 1, and it will be seen that the desired result will
be attained. On the return movement of the strip, M, the weight of the lever, 6111,
will restore the parts to their former positions. This operation may be continued
as long as the pin is retained in the sides of slot,' y.
"
In the remarks applying to figures, 4, and, 5, it should be explained that such
views are perspective of the parts taken from the opposite side of the machine to
that shown in figure, 1. On the inner sides of the slides, B, at opposite sides of
the notches therein I have provided small pieces of metal, f", which project
slightly above the upper edge of the slides and are loose upon small pivots, as
shown, the same being for the purpose of slightly lifting the bars, E, on each move-
inent of the slides by which, in the operation of the catch up devices, the dies will
be elevated sufficiently to be carried out of contact with the rollers which supply
them with the printing mixture.
<
The said pieces, f", are restored to their operative positions of their own weight,
they being so pivoted as to gravitate back after contact with the lower end of the
bars, E. O, represents a crank shaft borne about centrally of the machine, and, P,
indicates a pitman which connects with such shaft and the rear of the auxiliary
slides, C, at the front of the machine; Q, designates the belt wheel, and, Q¹, the
balance wheel, and it will be apparent that in imparting motion to the machine the
several parts will be operated in the manner described.
It should be remarked that in practice I prefer to use bands of tempered steel on
which 'the fabric is carried through the machine for the reason that a more even or

page_text: "
uniform wear is had than when a simple metallic band is used. It is desirable
when, this machine is not in operation, that the die blocks be permanently
maintained at an elevated position so as to keep them from contact with the pads
upon which they descend as the cloth is passing over, and for this purpose I employ
in conjunction with the vertically moving bars and the "catch ups the small
device shown by the detail view figure, 7. From the foregoing description it is
thought that the operation of the machine will be thoroughly understood, and it is
evident that in the practice of my invention a most perfect result is had, the
number of parts being reduced to a minimum, and much of the mechanism
heretofore employed in machines of a like character dispensed with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination of the reciprocating slides, B, having notches, e, and provided
with the pivoted pieces, f", the vertically sliding bars, E, and the mechanism by
which such bars are temporarily retained in an elevated position, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
2. The combination of the main reciprocating slides, constructed as described,
the vertically sliding bars, the shafts, N, having latches, -a¹¹¹, and weighted
levers, 61, the slotted strip, M, arm, x, rod, x¹¹, and the auxiliary slide, D¹, having
the pivoted finger, 61, and means for operating the parts substantially in the
manner described.
3. The combination of the reciprocating slides, B, the vertically sliding bars, E,
the fabric carrying belts, and the means by which the same are operated, the hinged
strips, J, for holding the fabric to the belts having pins, n¹¹, the auxiliary slide, D,
the loosely supported shaft, K, having an arm, l, at each end, and provided with a
curved arm, m, and the.levers, n, having a slot, n², in which the pins of the hinged
strips are received, substantially as shown and described.
4. The combination with the vertically sliding bars, E, and the means for
operating the same, of the strip, M, having a slot, y, the shaft, N, carrying the
lever, B, and latches, a¹¹, the arm, z, and rod, 21, and the auxiliary slide, D¹,
having the pivoted finger; e¹¹, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the vertically sliding bars carrying the dies and moving
in suitable guides and the reciprocating trough carriers having supply rolls, of the
reciprocating slides, B, provided with the pivoted pieces, f", by which the dies are
lifted above the rolls, substantially as described.
6. The combination with the fabric carrying belts, the auxiliary slide, D, and
devices for operating the two, of the hinged strips, J, the loosely supported shaft, K,
having an arm, l, at each end, the curved arm, m, held by such shaft, the levers, n,
and the springs, o, maintaining the levers in connection with the hinged strips,
substantially as shown for the purpose described.
7. The combination with the fabric belts carried by pulleys at each end of the
machine, and, the racks and pinions and pivoted pawls of the forward auxiliary
alides, C, C, having reversely shaped slots therein in which a roll works carried by
the racks, substantially as and for the purpose described.