IMPROVEMENTS IN LITHOGRAPHIC, ZINCOGRAPHIC, AND TYPOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Henry Gardner, of West Harding Street,
in the City of London, Printing Machine Manufacturer, and
Joseph Bickerton, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LITHOGRAPHIC,
ZINCOGRAPHIC, AND TYPOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES."
Sealed the 2nd October 1868, and dated the 6th April 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Henry
Gardner and Joseph Bickerton at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 6th April 1868.
We, CHARLES HENRY GARDNER, of West Harding Street, in the
City of London, Printing Machine Manufacturer, and JOSEPH
BICKERTON, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LITHOGRAPHIC,
ZINCOGRAPHIC, AND TYPOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES,' to be as follows:-
One object of our Invention is to elevate and depress the table so
as to adapt it to various thicknesses of stone or printing surface. For
this
purpose we use a block or plate having an inclined surface worked
to and fro by a screw, and acting against a corresponding inclined
surface on the under part of the table, whereby the table is raised and
[Price 8d.]

page_text: depressed and its elevation regulated. There is generally one such
arrangement at each angle of the bottom of the table; these can be
worked separately, or they may be connected and worked together.
Our next object is to cause the registering point to work in a steady
and uniform manner and to strike through the feeding board to the
same extent whatever its position with respect to it. For this purpose
we suspend or attach a frame to the feeding board by pins or studs
furnished with springs. This frame consists of slotted arms with
slotted cross piece in which is the bracket which holds the registering
point. The cross piece is adjustable in the side frame bars, and the
frame is always parallel to the feeder. Under the frame bars is an
arm or lever or a cam or tappet by which the whole frame is raised or
depressed as required and its position adjusted, the registering point
always traversing the feeder board to the same extent.
Our next object is to obtain a proper lay of the paper or other material
for receiving impressions so as to get regularity of adjustment at the edge
and uniformity of margin. For this object we employ a spring slide or
spring stop capable of rising and falling in guide ways mounted in a
frame. This slide or stop is so placed that the edges of the paper or
other material on the feeder board can be fed to or brought close up to it.
The slide or stop is depressed by the gripper as it approaches the paper
or material on the feeder board, and when released therefrom it is
forced up again by its spring so as to be again ready for action. The
guide ways of the slide arc adjusted in their frame by screw or
otherwise. There may be one or more such spring slides or stops.
The object of the next part of our Invention is to actuate the ink
roller simply and effectively, also to cause it in each revolution to be
touched twice by the ductor roller. For this purpose we employ a
pitch chain or endless chain carried over chain pulleys to transmit
motion to the ink roller. The lower pulley which is preferably of half
the diameter of the upper is actuated by gearing from a motion shaft, and
the upper one is on, or on the axis of, the ink roller, on which is also
a double cam or double-ended cam which we employ instead of the
single cam hitherto used to work the levers or arms by which the ductor
roller is actuated, so that the latter is brought twice in contact with
the ink roller for every one revolution of the latter.
Next our object is to raise the ink rollers free of the slab effectively.
For this purpose we use shafts or rods, one under each pivot or axis of

page_text: each roller. All these shafts or rods may be connected and actuated
together so that the rollers may be lifted free at both. ends
simultaneously. On each shaft or rod is a pin or stud engaging in an
excentric slot or cam path in a piece worked by a lever or arm or cam,
so that when the lever arm or cam is moved the slot travels with it,
and when the stud or pin is at the higher part thereof it and therefore
its shaft or rod will be raised, and when the stud or pin is at the lower
part the shaft or rod will be depressed.
Our object next relates to the enagement and disengagement of the
cylinder and the rack which drives it. For this purpose we work the
slide by which such engagement and disengagement are effected by
forming a stud thereon which is acted on by an excentric in which is
a recess. When the excentric is turned by a lever or cam so that the
stud arrives at and drops into the recess therein, the slide drops and the
lower end engages with the rack, but when the excentric is turned so
as to free the stud from the recess, the slide is held up by the excentric
and the cylinder is disengaged from the rack.
Lastly, our object is to retard or check the speed of the cylinder when
approaching the termination of its travel. For this purpose we employ
an arm or bar carrying or lined with a pad, buffer, friction or break
surface at its upper end, and its lower end has an inclined part or
surface. The bar or arm is pivoted, jointed, mounted, or centered so
as to be capable of vibrating, rocking, or oscillating on its frame. A'
stop or stud is placed adjustably on the table in such situation that
when the table is approaching the end of its travel this stud comes in
contact with the incline and pushes the upper end of the arm or bar
inward, causing its pad, friction, or break surface to come against the
cylinder and retard its motion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Henry Gardner and Joseph Bickerton in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th October 1868..
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, CHARLES
HENRY GARDNER, of West Harding Street, in the City of London,
Printing Machine Manufacturer, and. JOSEPH BICKERTON, of Oldham,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-cight, in the thirty-first
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto us, the said Charles Henry Gardner and Joseph Bickerton,
Her special licence that we, the said Charles Henry Gardner and Joseph
Bickerton, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such other's as
we, the said Charles Henry Gardner and Joseph Bickerton, our
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 "In-
PROVEMENTS IN LITHOGRAPHIC. ZINCOGRAPHIC, AND TYPOGRAPHIC PRINTING
MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
we, the said
Charles Henry Gardner and Joseph Bickerton, our executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, 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 calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Charles Henry Gardnerd
Joseph Bickerton, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters
and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
Our Invention relates to improvements in lithographic, zincographic,
and typographic printing machines of the description called cylinder
printing machines (in which a cylinder or cylinders and a table or tables
are used).
One object of our Invention is to elevate and depress the table so as
to adapt it to various thicknesses of stone or printing surface. For
this purpose we use a block or plate having an inclined surface worked
to and fro by a screw, and acting against a corresponding inclined surface
on the under part of the table, whereby the table is raised and depressed
and its elevation regulated. There is generally one such arrangement

page_text: at each angle of the bottom of the table; these can be worked separately,
or they may be connected and worked together.
Our next object is to cause the registering points to work in a steady
and uniform manner, and to strike through the feeding board to the
same extent whatever their position with respect to it. For this
purpose we suspend or attach a frame to the feeding board or to its
brackets by pins or studs furnished with springs. This frame consists
of slotted arms with a slotted cross piece, in which is the bracket which
holds the registering points. The cross piece is adjustable in the frame
bars, and the frame is always parallel to the feeder. Under the frame is
an arm or lever or a cam or tappet by which the whole frame is raised
or depressed as required and its position adjusted, the registering point
always traversing the feeder board to the same extent.
Our next object is to obtain a proper lay of the paper or other
material for receiving impressions so as to get regularity of adjustment
at the edge and uniformity of margin. For this object we employ a
spring slide or spring stop capable of rising and falling in guide ways
and mounted in a frame. This slide or stop is so placed that the edges
of the paper or other material on the feeder board can be fed to or
brought close up to it. The slide or stop is depressed by the gripper
as it approaches the paper or material on the feeder board, and when
released therefrom it is forced up again by its spring so as to be again
ready for action. The guide ways of the slide are adjusted in their
frame by screw or otherwise. There may be one or more such slides
or stops.
The object of the next part of our Invention is to actuate the ink
roller simply and effectively, also to cause it in each revolution to be
touched twice by the ductor roller. For this purpose we employ a pitch
chain or endless chain carried over chain pulleys to transmit motion to
the ink roller. The lower pulley which is preferably of half the diameter
of the upper is actuated by gearing from a motion shaft, and the upper
one is on, or on the axis of, the ink roller, on which is also a double
cam or double-ended cam which we employ instead of the single cam
hitherto used to work the levers or arms by which the ductor roller is
actuated, so that the latter is brought twice in contact with the ink
roller for every one revolution of the latter.
Next our object is to raise the ink rollers free of the slab effectively.
For this purpose we use shafts or rods which lift the rollers on cach

page_text: end. These shafts or rods may be connected and actuated together so
that the rollers may be lifted free at both ends simultaneously. On each
shaft or rod is a pin or stud engaging in an excentric slot or cam path
in a piece worked by a lever or arm or cam so that when the lever
arm or cam is moved the slot travels with it, and when the stud or pin
is at the higher part thereof it and therefore its shaft or rod will be
raised, and when the stud or pin is at the lower part the shaft or rod
will be depressed.
Our object next relates to the engagement and disengagement of the
cylinder and the rack which drives it. For this purpose we work the
slide by which such engagement and disengagement are effected by
forming a stud thereon which is acted on by an excentric in which is a
recess. When the excentric is turned by a lever or cam so that the
stud arrives at and drops into the recess therein the slide drops and the
lower end engages with the rack, but when the excentric is turned so as
to free the stud from the recess the slide is held up by the excentric and
the cylinder is disengaged from the rack.
Lastly, our object is to retard or check the speed of the cylinder when
approaching the termination of its travel. For this purpose we employ
an arm or bar carrying or lined with a pad, buffer, friction or break
surface at its upper end, and its lower end has an inclined part or
surface. The bar or arm is pivoted, jointed, mounted, or centred so as
to be capable of vibrating, rocking, or oscillating on its frame. A stop
or stud is placed adjustably on the table in such situation that when
the table is approaching the end of its travel this stud comes in contact
with the incline and pushes the upper end of the arm or bar inward,
causing its pad, friction, or break surface to come against the cylinder
and retard its motion.
We now proceed to describe the best mode in which our various
improvements may be carried into effect with reference to the accom-
panying Drawings, which refer to a lithographic cylinder printing
machine, the various Figures shewing sufficient and such parts of the
machine as are necessary for representing our improved arrangements
for carrying the objects of our Invention into practical effect.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 relate to our first improvement, Figure 1 being a
longitudinal section, Figure 2 a plan, and Figure 3 a section of a portion
of the machine to which this improvement is applied,

page_text: A is the framework on which are blocks or plates B, each of which has
inclined surfaces b. Each block or plate B has a sliding motion in
guide ways c fixed to the framework A. D is a screw rod threaded right
and left and worked by a handled for actuating the blocks or plates B.
These inclined blocks or plates work against corresponding inclined
surfaces formed on the under part of the table. The table is not shewn,
being removed in order that the working parts may be more clearly
represented. dare bearings for the screw rods. When the blocks or
plates are worked inward or toward the centre of the table of the
machine they work against the inclined surfaces on the table and raise
it, and when they are worked outward or from the centre they depress it.
There may be one rod D to work each block B, or one rod may by
ordinary connections work any number of such rods.
Our next improvement has for its object to cause the registering points
to work steadily and in a uniform manner, and to strike through the
feeding board to the same extent whatever their position with respect to
it. This improvement is illustrated in Figure 4, which is a cross section,
Figure 5 a longitudinal section, and Figure 6 a plan. E is the feeding
board supported on brackets F fixed to the general framework; G are
cross rails bolted to the brackets F. gare pins round which are coiled
springs. ; these pins support a frame I, I. This frame consists of
three slotted bars, whereof two bars I are disposed lengthwise of the
frame, and one bar I* is disposed transverse of the frame. This bar 1*
has a screw pin at either end by which it works in the slots of the
bars I, and may be thereby adjusted therein in the required position.
Jare register points screw threaded and mounted in brackets K
supported on the frame bar I; they are actuated by thumb pieces j,
and they are kept in place by locking nuts k. The upper ends of these
registering points pass through the feeding board E, which is perforated
or slotted for the purpose, or they may pass through the interstices or
intervals of a grid L fitted to the feeding board E. The frame I, I*, is
always parallel to the feeding board whatever be its position in other
respects with regard thereto. Under the frame bars is an arm or
lever M*; N is a shaft supported in bearings attached to the brackets F;
the shaft N is connected with and worked by an arm or rod O worked by
the gripper lever. When this shaft N performs a partial revolution it
actuates the lever M. connected therewith, causing its outer end to rise
and thereby lift a finger i connected with the shaft M, and causing such
с

page_text: >
shaft to perform a partial revolution, and by means of fingers n' at the
ends of the shaft to lift the bars 1, I, towards the feeding board and
bring the register points J to the required extent through the board, at
the same time compressing the springs . When the gripper lever.
releases the shaft the springs extend to their normal position and the
frame returns to its original position. Sometimes, instead of suspending
the frame 1, I*, to the cross rails G on the brackets F, we suspend it to
the feeding board itself and work it in a similar manner except that the
rails G are dispensed with and the pins g are attached to the feeding
board E.
The next part of our Invention relates to arrangements for obtaining a
proper lay of the paper or other material for receiving impressions so as
to get regularity of adjustment at the edge and uniformity of margin.
These arrangements are shewn in Figure 7, which is a transverse
section through the cylinder P which has a part cut away as usual
at Q for the gripper Q to act. R is a frame screwed on a bar r passing
through the recess Q and mounted in the sides thereof. This frame
carries a slide S round which is a spring s abutting at one end
against a collar on the frame R and at the other end against the
flange which forms part of the slide S. The slide or stop S is in
such position that the edge of the paper on the feeder board E is
brought up close to it. The slide in its frame R is adjustable by means
of a screw to accommodate it to various widths of margin. When
the gripper descends on the paper it depresses the slide S, thereby
compressing the spring, and when the gripper rises it releases the slide,
and the spring forces it up again ready for action.
Figure 8 shews a modification in which instead of a spring being
used to restore the slide to position, this is effected by a pin s connected
at one end with the slide S, and at the other end with the gripper Q,
so that the gripper on its return motion restores the slide to position.
P, cylinder; Q, gripper; Q. recess; R, frame for the slide S.
Figures 9, 10, 11, relate to our improved arrangements for actuating
the ink roller, and for causing it to be touched twice by the ductor
roller in each revolution.
Figure 9 is a side elevation, and Figure 10 an edge view. A, the
framework; t, axis of the ink roller; T', T2, pulleys over which passes
a pitch chain T. The lower pulley T¹ is actuated by gearing U from
a motion shaft U*. The lower wheel or pulley T' is by preference
half the diameter of the upper chain wheel or pulley T². This wheel

page_text: or pulley is on the axis t of the ink roller.
in Figure 11, carries a double-ended cam
The ink roller, as shown
which actuates the lever
or arm V employed for working the ductor roller which is mounted
as usual; the cam t being double-ended causes the lever or arm V
to move twice, and bring the ductor roller twice in contact with the
ink roller for every one revolution of the latter.
stone).
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate our improved arrangements for raising
the ink rollers free of the slab (or
W is a frame supporting
the ink rollers w, w, at one end. A similar frame W supports the
rollers at the opposite end. X is a shaft or rod stepped at bottom in a
bracket X' bolted on the framework A, and passing at its upper end into
a socket forming the bottom of the lifting bar W on which rest the
rollers wat one end. There is a similar arrangement W, W, X, at
the opposite end of the rollers. On each shaft or rod X is a pin or
stud Xengaged in an excentric slot or cam path X³ formed in a
piece X actuated by a lever or arm X centred at ". When the
piece X' is so moved that the pin or stud X is at the highest part of
its slot or path X' the shaft X and lifting bar W will be raised, thus
raising all the ink rollers w which rest thereon and which rise and
fall in guide grooves in the frame W. The lever X' is connected by the
shaft with a similar arrangement X, W, W, on the opposite side
of the machine, so that by the one motion both shafts. X are raised
together, and the rollers raised simultaneously at each side or end of
the machine.
The next Figures relate to our improved arrangements for engaging
and disengaging the cylinder and its driving rack.
Figure 14 is a longitudinal view, and Figure 15 an end view of the
cylinder P, which as usual is driven by a rack Y engaging the toothed
flange or wheel p, being put into and out of gear therewith by the
slide Z. " is a stud formed or fixed on the slide Z; z is an eccentric
or cam in which is a recessed part. The cam 2 works on an axis z
and is actuated by a handle 2 when the cam is so turned that the stud g
drops into the recess in the cam z³. The cam lifts the slide Z and
holds it up by the stud resting in its recess, but when the cam is
turned so as to disengage the slide from the recess, the slide drops (its
descent being accelerated by a spring m) placed inside the stud, and
when thus freed or depressed it comes in contact with the rack Y
and engages therewith so as to be driven by the same.

page_text: Figure 16 is an end view, Figure 17 a longitudinal view exemplifying
our arrangements for retarding or checking the speed of the cylinder P
when approaching the termination of its travel. A is the framework,
and the cylinder as before; f is an arm oscillating or vibrating on a
centre ff. This arm has on its inner surface a pad fat the upper
end. On the lower end of such bar is an inclined surface f'. There
is a stud or stop g on the table Q. This stud or stop is mounted
adjustably by slot and screw on the table so that its position may be
regulated as required. When the table approaches the end of its
travel the stud q comes in contact with the incline and works the
lever f, moving it inward so as to cause the pad, buffer, or break
surface to act against the cylinder and check its motion.
Figure 19 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 20 an end view of a
modification of this arrangement. fis an arm or bar having at its
upper end a pad, buffer, or friction surface /*. This bar is centred at
f on a portion of the framework so as to have a vibrating motion. I',
cylinder as before; Q is the ink table on which is a stud or finger q
adjustable as required by slot and screw q". When the table approaches
the end of its travel, the finger q presses upon a projection q on a
pin on which is a spring q' and thereby releases it from a recess
in a bar jointed at one end to the break arm /. On this bar 1*
being on the
is a spring lying between two collars or flanges, one
fixed frame A and the other f' being on the pin itself, so that when
the pin q is depressed by the finger q it releases the spring and
allows it to push the bar in such direction as to bring the pad or
buffer against the cylinder and check its motion.
Although we have described the Invention in reference to the
Drawings as applied to lithographic printing machines, it may be
applied in like manner to typographic and zincographic printing
machines.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same may be performed, we declare that we claim,-
First. The employment of one or more blocks or plates, each having
an inclined surface and actuated by means of a screw so that it works
against a corresponding inclined surface on the table, for the purpose
of elevating and depressing the table and regulating it so as to adapt
it to various thicknesses of stone or printing surface, substantially as
described.

page_text: Second. The employment of a frame carrying the registering points
and lifted by levers, such frame being arranged substantially as
described for causing such points to work in a steady and uniform
manner through the feeding board.
Third. The employment of a rising and falling slide or stop actuated
by the gripper and effecting an improved lay and more regular
adjustment, arranged and acting as described.
Fourth. The employment of a pitch chain or endless chain carried
over chain pulleys or wheels for actuating the ink roller, substantially
as described.
Fifth. The employment of a double-ended cam, substantially as
described, for the purpose of causing the ink roller to be touched
twice by the ductor roller.
°
Sixth. The employment of a shaft or rod carrying a pin or stud
engaging in an excentric slot or cam path, the parts being arranged,
combined, and worked substantially as described.
Seventh. The employment of a stud on the slide by means of which
the engagement and disengagement of the cylinder with the driving
rack are effected, such stud being acted upon by an excentric, sub-
stantially as described for the purpose set forth.
Eighth. The employment of an arm or bar carrying or lined with a
pad, buffer, friction or break surface and actuated, substantially as
described for the purpose of retarding or checking the velocity of the
cylinder when approaching the end of its travel.
In witness whereof, we, the said Charles Henry Gardner and
Joseph Bickerton, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this
Sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
cight hundred and sixty-cight.
Witness to both signatures,
M. HENRY.
C. H. GARDNER.
(L.S.)
JOSEPH BICKERTON. (L.S;)