Improvements in Numbering Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 9th July, 1895-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1895
[Communicated from abroad by FRANCIS MEISEL, of Boston, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Numbering Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
My invention has for its object to improve the construction of numbering
attachments for rotary or cylinder printing machines, and my invention consists in
the construction and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.
In the drawings forming a part of this Specification,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cylinder printing machine having my improved
numbering attachment applied thereto.
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same, looking from the left hand side of
Figure 1 toward the right.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line, 3, 3, of Figure 2, looking
in the direction of the arrow 10.
Figure 4 is a similar section on the line, 4, 4, of Figure 3, looking in the
direction of the arrow 12.
Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of the ratchet and pawl mechanism which actuates
the numbering wheels.
Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of the inking apparatus for inking the numbering
wheels.
In the said drawings, A represents the framework of a cylinder printing-machine,
B is the type or plate cylinder to which the forms or plates are secured in the usual
manner, and C is the impression cylinder. D represents the mechanism for inking
the type-forms on the cylinder, B, which mechanism is of the usual construction
and will therefore require no further description. The cylinders, B, C, are
mounted on shafts, b, c, which are connected so as to rotate together with the same
surface velocity by gears, d, e, the shaft, h, having secured to it, outside of the
framework, the driving pulley E.
To a horizontal shaft, G, parallel with the shafts, b, c, and having its bearings in
the framework, are rigidly secured the numbering or type-wheels, H, H, having
around their peripheries a series of projections, f, as shown in Figure 5, the faces
of which are provided with consecutive numbers up to any desired limit, for
instance fifty or one hundred, to correspond with the numbers desired to be printed
on the series of sales-slips or other articles passing through the machine. The
number of printing wheels, H, on the shaft, G, will correspond to the number of
separate series of sales-slips or other articles extending across the width of the web
or sheet of paper I, there being one or more printing wheels for each series.
The web of paper, I, to be printed is taken from a roll, K, mounted on a
horizontal shaft, 15, supported in suitable bearings in uprights, 16, the paper
thence passing under a guide roll, 18, over a guide roll, 20, thence up between the
numbering wheels, H, and the impression cylinder, C, and between the latter and
the type-cylinder, B, to the take up roll, L, upon which it is wound after being
numbered and printed.

page_text: I will now describe the manner in which the printing wheels, H, are rotated
intermittingly to bring the numbers on their peripheries consecutively into contact
with the web or sheet of paper, I, as it passes up between said wheels, H, and the
impression cylinder, C, before receiving the impressions from the forms on the type-
cylinder B.
To the shaft, G, outside of the framework is secured a ratchet-wheel, M, which
is actuated by a pawl, g, pivoted to the outer end of an arm, h, which is pivoted
loosely upon the shaft, G, the pawl being kept in contact with the teeth of the
wheel, M, by a spring i. To the arm, h, is pivoted an arm, k, which is bifurcated
at its lower end and embraces a shaft, m, to which is secured a cam, N, which acts
upon a roller, n, mounted upon a stud projecting from the arm, k, a spring, p,
being secured to the lower end of the arm, k, and to a pin projecting from the
framework, whereby.as the cam, N, is rotated, the ratchet-wheel and with it the
shaft, G, and numbering wheels, H, are rotated a distance equal to that between
two consecutive numbers. on said wheels at each complete revolution of said cam ;
the numbering wheels being left at the completion of each movement with the
projections, f, out of contact with the impression cylinder, as shown in Figure 5.
The latter being thus free to continuously revolve independently of the numbering
wheels, and in connection with the type-cylinder, B, draw the paper up through
the space
thus left between the wheels, H, and the cylinder, C, until it is desired
to print the next number, when the wheels, H, are: again moved by the ratchet and
pawl mechanism just described to bring the next consecutive numbers into contact
with the paper and press the same against the surface of the cylinder, C, to
produce the impressions as required. The cam-shaft, m, is provided with a
pinion, g, Figure 4, which is connected by a train of intermediate gears, r, s, with
a gear, w, on the shaft, c, whereby as the latter is rotated, motion is communicated
to the cam-shaft, m, and thence to the cam and the ratchet: and pawl mechanism
above described.
By changing the size of the pinions, q, on the cam-shaft, m, the number of
revolutions of the latter may be made to correspond to the number of forms
extending in a single line or series around the circumference of the type-
cylinder, B, thus rendering the machine adjustable to suit the requirements of the
case, a number being printed at each complete revolution of the cam, N. The
above described mechanism for intermittingly rotating the numbering wheels, H, is
so constructed and timed that it will positively move said numbering wheels with
the same surface velocity as that of the impression cylinder, C, during the time
that the types on said wheels, H, are in contact with the paper, thereby effectually
preventing any blurring or rubbing of the impressions and insuring the production
of perfect work.
To prevent the numbering wheels from being carried by their own momentum
further than is due to the motion of the actuating pawl, g, 1 employ a friction
device consisting of a brake, P, which is kept constantly set up in contact with the
periphery of a bearer wheel, Q, secured to the shaft, G, of the numbering wheels.
This brake, P, is mounted upon an eccentric stud, y, projecting from a horizontal
arm, R, extending out from the framework, said stud having a square end, 21, as
shown in Figure 4, by which it may be turned to keep the brake firmly up to the
wheel, Q, with the desired amount of pressure as the surfaces in contact become
worn away.
a¹ is a set screw by which the stud, y, is clamped in position after the brake has
been set up with the required amount of pressure.
I will now describe the inking apparatus or mechanism by means of which the
numbering wheels, H, are supplied with ink. The two numbering wheels, H, are
both inked by a single form-roller, S, the shaft of which is supported at its
opposite ends in boxes 25, fitted to slide in slots, 26, at the lower ends of two
arms, T, T, loosely mounted on the numbering wheel shaft, G, and connected
together by a tie-rod, V, the whole forming a vibrating supporting frame for the
form-roller, to the shaft of which is secured at its opposite ends, two small friction

page_text: wheels, ',, which are adapted when the form-roller is in contact with the
numbering-wheels to bear, one against the periphery of the bearer wheel, Q, and
the other against the periphery of a similar bearer wheel, W, also secured to the
numbering wheel shaft, G, whereby as the numbering wheels, H, are moved, the
form-roller will be rotated in contact therewith and with the same surface velocity
to ink the same as required.
X is the metal ink-distributing cylinder by which the form-roller is supplied
with ink and by which the latter is rotated by frictional contact when not in
contact with the numbering wheels.
The cylinder, X, is mounted on a shaft, c', having its bearings in the framework
and carrying at one end a grooved pulley, d, Figure 2, which is driven by a cross-
belt, e', from a grooved pulley, f', on the shaft, c, of the impression cylinder, C, the
cylinder, X, taking ink from the roller, 35, with which it is always in contact and
being also vibrated in the usual manner by means of a cam-wheel, g', Figure 2, on
its shaft co-operating with the roller, h', mounted on a stationary stud projecting
from the framework.
It will be obvious that if the form-roller, S, derived its motion wholly or at all
times from the cylinder, X, it would, on account of the speed of the latter, have a
surface velocity greatly exceeding that of the numbering wheels, H, and hence the
types thereon would tear and injure the form-roller, and the latter would also only
imperfectly ink the types; it is therefore desirable to give the form-roller the same
surface velocity as the numbering wheels when inking the same. This I
accomplish by moving the form-roller away from the cylinder, X, and simultaneously
bringing it into contact with the numbering-wheels and at the same time bringing
the friction wheels, &', into contact with the bearer-wheels, Q, W, which are of the.
proper diameter and arranged to revolve the form-roller with the same surface
velocity as the numbering wheels while in contact therewith.
The arms, T, are rocked to move the form-roller toward and away from the
cylinder, X, by a lever, A¹, connected with one of the arms, T, by a link, 30,
Figure 6, said lever, A', being fulcrumed on a stud projecting from the framework
and carrying at its upper end a cam-roller, 32, which is acted upon by a cam, B', on
the shaft, c, of the impression cylinder, C, which cam moves the lever, A¹, against
the resistance of a spring, i, which encircles a rod, k¹, pivoted to the lever, A', aud
sliding through a stationary guide, m', the spring bearing at one end against said.
guide, m', and at the opposite end against a fixed collar 40 on the rod, k¹.
Over each of the boxes, 25, of the form-roller shaft is a cam or incline, q', shown
in Figure 6, formed at the end of a stationary arm, r', secured to the framework,
each box 25 being kept in contact with its cam, g', by a spiral spring, s', placed
beneath it in a recess, 26, and consequently as the arms, T, are rocked outward by
the action of the spring, ¹, and cam, B', to disconnect the form-roller S, from the
inking cylinder, X, the boxes, 25, will follow the inclined surface of the cams, q',
thus allowing the springs, s', to force the form-roller, S, upward into contact with
the numbering wheels, H, to ink the same, the friction wheels, b1, being at the same
time brought into contact with the bearer wheels, Q, W, which then instantly
cause the form-roller to rotate with the same surface speed as the numbering-
wheels, the arms, T, as they continue to move outward causing the form-roller to
ink one or more of the types on each numbering wheel, whether said wheel is in
motion or at rest. The arms, T, are then swung downward by the cam, B', to
bring the form-roller again into contact with the ink cylinder, X, which causes the
boxes, 25, to follow the inclined cams, g¹, against the resistance of the springs, s¹,
thus withdrawing the form-rollers, S, out of contact with the numbering wheels, H,
as required, leaving it free to be rotated at a much faster rate of speed by frictional
contact with the ink cylinder X.
The cam, B', here shown is constructed to operate the form-roller arms, T, three
times during a single revolution of the impression cylinder, C, but it may be made
to operate said arms only once, or as many times as may be desired during said.
revolution of the impression cylinder C.

page_text: tare rods provided at their upper ends with heads, 36, and encircled by the
springs, 1, which take a bearing ou said heads and against the lower ends of the
recesses 26 in the arms T. These rods are provided at their lower ends with finger
eyes, u, by which said springs may be pulled down and held when it is desired to
remove the form-roller from its supporting frame or replace it therein.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination with a numbering or printing wheel, of a form-roller mounted
to rotate freely in a movable bearing in a vibrating frame, mechanism for swinging
said frame, wheels for driving the form-roller from the axis of said numbering
wheel and at the same surface velocity therewith, means for actuating the form-
roller bearings to throw the form-roller into and out of operative connection with
the numbering wheel when the frame is vibrated, and a driven ink supplying
cylinder with which said form-roller contacts and by which it is rotated when out
of contact with the numbering wheel, substantially as set forth.
2. In a cylinder printing machine, the combination with the impression cylinder
having a continuous rotary motion, of an intermittingly rotated numbering wheel,
parallel and co-operating therewith and having the same surface velocity as the
impression cylinder during the time that it is printing the numbers on the paper in
contact with said cylinder, a ratchet and pawl mechanism for intermittingly
rotating the numbering wheel, and a rotary cam for actuating the ratchet and pawl
mechanism, substantially as set forth.
3. In a cylinder printing machine, the combination with the impression cylinder
having a continuous rotary motion, of an intermittingly rotated numbering wheel
mounted on a shaft, provided with fixed bearings, said wheels having projections
provided on their faces with numbering types, said numbering wheel having the
same surface velocity as the impression cylinder during the time that it is printing
the numbers on the paper, a ratchet and pawl mechanism for intermittingly
rotating the numbering wheel, and a cam and spring for actuating the ratchet and
pawl mechanism, said cam being mounted on a shaft connected by gears with the
shaft of the impression cylinder, substantially as described.
4. In a cylinder printing machine, the combination with the impression cylinder
having a continuous rotary motion, and an intermittingly rotated numbering wheel
co-operating therewith and having the same surface velocity as said cylinder during
the time it is printing the numbers on the paper, of a form roller supported in a
vibrating frame, means for alternately throwing the form roller into and out of
contact with the numbering wheel, and driving it from said numbering wheel and at
the same surface velocity therewith, and a driven ink supplying cylinder, into
contact with which said form roller is thrown, and by which it is rotated when not
in contact with said numbering wheel, substantially as set forth.
5. In a cylinder printing-machine, the combination with the impression cylinder
and an intermittingly rotated numbering wheel co-operating therewith, of the
form-roller, S, mounted in a vibrating frame and having its shaft provided with
friction wheels, b', the bearer wheels, Q, W, on the shaft of the numbering wheel
adapted to rotate the form-roller with the same surface velocity as the numbering
wheel, by frictional contact with said wheels, b', means for vibrating the form
roller supporting frame, and the cams, q', and springs, s', whereby the form-roller
is alternately brought into contact with the numbering wheel and the ink supplying
cylinder, X, as the form roller frame is vibrated, substantially as set forth..
6. In a cylinder printing-machine, the combination of the impression cylinder, an
intermittingly rotated numbering wheel, a form-roller mounted in a vibrating
supporting frame and adapted to be brought into contact with the numbering wheel,
means for rotating the form-roller with the same surface velocity as the numbering
wheel, the ink supplying cylinder, X, adapted to rotate the form-roller at an
increased speed by frictional contact therewith, when said form roller is not in

page_text: contact with the numbering wheel, the cam, g', springs, ¹, and the mechanism for
vibrating the form-roller frame consisting of the cam, B', lever, A', link, 30, and
spring,, all constructed to operate substantially as set forth.
Dated this 9th day of July 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.