IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughts-
man, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES,"
A communication.
Sealed the 13th March 1857, and dated the 16th December 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
16th December 1856.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates, firstly, to the application to the impression cylinders,
or some other part of Napier or other similar flat-bed printing presses, or to
type-revolving presses, of fingers, constructed and operated in such a manner,
that the sheet of paper, after being carried through the machine to receive the
impression of the first form, will be seized and returned to the types a second
time in order to print the other side. By this means the sheet is perfected at
a single operation, and without checking or interfering with the regular and
usual motions of the press in all and any of its parts.
The Invention relates, secondly, to the introduction of an extra or second
cylinder for seizing the sheet after the first impression has been made, the
said extra or second cylinder being placed behind, or at any other convenient
point in proximity to the impression cylinder. These fingers are so operated
that the sheet will be drawn around a part of the circumference of the second
Price 8d1

page_text: or extra cylinder and re-delivered by tapes to the impression cylinder to
receive a second impression.
The upper and under fingers which grip the paper are attached to in-
dependent rock shafts, which are capable of receiving motion alternately or
simultaneously. When they are used to receive the paper in the first instance,
and also to turn it, they are constructed in pairs, and are kept open by springs,
and closed by the pressure of cams, or their equivalent, the upper ones only in
that case moving, but for the turning of the sheet it is requisite to turn over
the fingers and bring the under fingers uppermost. This is done without
stopping the machine, or reversing the direction of rotation of any of the
parts, but simply by the action of tappets. The fingers or grippers are kept
closed by the pressure of bowles, or their equivalent, upon cam projections
formed on the finger or gripper shafts.
If an opportunity is desirable to dry the ink between the first and second
impressions, the sheet may be diverted from the course described, and conveyed
around cylinders, heated or cold, or through air, by tapes, and afterwards
returned to the impression cylinder.
While this is being done, a second, or third, or a greater number of sheets,
according to the time required for drying the ink, may be introduced upon the
impression cylinder to be printed on the first side, each of them to take its
turn after the first sheet in being printed on the second side.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newton, in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 16th June 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON; of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special license that 1, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Alfred Vincent Newtou, ny 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

page_text: 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES," being a communication
from abroad, upon the coudition (amongst others) that I, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what mauuer 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 I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked theroon (that is to say) :-
This Invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent,
relates, firstly, to the application to the impression cylinders, or some, other
part of Napier or other similar flat-bed printing presses, or to type-revolving
presses, of fingers, constructed and operated in such a manner, that the sheet
of paper,after being carried through the machine to receive the impress of the
first form, will be seized and returned to the types a second time in order to
print the other side. By this means the sheet is perfected at a single operation,
and without checking or interfering with the regular and usual motions of the
press in all or any of its parts.
The Invention relates, secondly, to the providing of an extra or second
cylinder, which is furnished with fingers for seizing the sheet, and in placing
said extra or second cylinder behind, or at any other convenient point in
proximity to the impression cylinder, the arrangement being such that the
sheet will be drawn around a part of the circumference of the second or extra
cylinder, and delivered to the impressioncylinder to receive a second impression.
The Invention relates, thirdly, to the peculiar construction of the fingers
for seizing the sheet.
In the accompanying Drawings, Sheet I. shews the improvement as applied
directly to the impression cylinder, in which case it is necessary that the
circumference of the cylinder should be adapted to the size of the paper to be
printed. And Sheet II. shews the manner of employing a second or extra
cylinder,placed at any convenient distance from the first or impression cylinder,
whereby the sheet is returned to the impression cylinder for a second impres-
sion. This arrangement permits of the printing upon both sides of different
sized sheets by varying the distance between the two cylinders, or by introducing

page_text: extra tape rollers and conducting the sheet around them, by either of which
modes a travelling distance adapted to the size of the sheet may be obtained
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, Sheet I., represent vertical sections of the cylinder
(through the red line Z, Z, Fig. 5); showing the manner in which the sheet is
seized at one end and drawn into the press (see Fig. 1), and allowed to pass
out (see Fig. 2) in the first instance, and while being thus printed on the first
side, seized at the opposite or tail end (see Fig. 3), and by the revolution of
the cylinder drawn in again (see Fig. 4), printed on the second side, and then
discharged completed. Single red lines in these Figures show the different
positions of the paper while passing through and returning, a number of
parallel straight blue lines in each Figure indicating the position of the form
of types on a Napier or other similar flat-bed press, and parallel curved red
lines that of the former on a type-revolving press.
Fig.5 is an elevation (the feed board and finger-crank shieldsbeing removed),
showing the positions assumed by the various parts while passing from the
position indicated in Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3; Figures 6, 7, and 9 represent
the inside of one of the side frames N, with the various wheels at the positions
necessary in producing the motions indicated in Figures 1, 2, and 4; and
Fig. 8, the inside of the other side frame O, corresponding in the same way
with Fig. 3. All the wheels and other mechanical parts shewn in these four
Figures are connected with the side frames on which they are represented,
excepting only the centre cog wheels d and e, which belong to the main shaft
P, and the finger crauks Kand L, which belong to the finger shafts F and G,
and move with the cylinder.
In these several Figures, A is the cylinder; B, the feed board (an inclined
shelf, from which the sheets are first placed within reach of the fingers); and
C, tape pullies, connected by endless tapes (the use of which is to press the
sheet against the cylinder), the line of motion here, as elsewhere in the draw.
ings, being indicated by arrows. D and E are twin fingers, attached to twin
A detached view of
shafts Fand G, which are placed one within the other.
these fingers and their attachment to the shafts is given at Figures 1 and 2*
of Fig. 1. The shaft G is three-quarters cut away at the point where the
fingers E are attached, to allow the necessary motion to the fingers D. Hare
friction rollers, connected together by a shaft passing through and near the
face side of the fingers D; they are pressed by spiral springs I in the fingers D
(acting on the shaft which connects them) upon the cams J. These cams,
which are cut into and form part of the twin shaft G, are of such shape as
when acted upon by the rollers H, connected with the other twin shaft F, to
cause the twin fingers D and E to hug together when placed near each other,

page_text: and to spread open, as far as their shaft connections will admit when opened
apart, more than ninety degrees.
The dotted lines a show the recesses in the cylinder for receiving the fingers
when laid back. K is a crank, placed on one end of the twin shaft F on
one end of the cylinder, and L is a similar crank on the shaft G on the other
eud of the cylinder. These cranks are made with tripping points b, the
crank K being also provided with a small button c.
Parts 3 and 4, Fig. 5, are detached representations of these cranks, shewing
their connections with the twin shafts F and G, and with the twin fingers D
and E. M are the bearings of the twin shafts F, G; N and O are the two
side frames; P, the main shaft of the cylinder, to which the motive power is
applied, and fixed to which are the cog wheels and e; Q is a stationary
shield or guard, projecting from the side frame N. over the button c on finger
crank K, to prevent the fingers from "jumping" or leaving their proper
positions. This shield is provided with a sloty, into which the button cis
thrown at every third revolution of the cylinder by the cam g, which is fixed
to the cog wheel R, that wheel being moved by the main shaft cog wheel d.
The revolution of the cylinder while the button is in this slot produces the
finger motion seen in Figures 1. To prevent the fingers E from rising to
meet the fingers D(Figures 1 and 6), a stationary shield (S, Fig. 8,) is fixed to
the frame O, which projects over the finger crank L, and retains it in its place.
T is a moveable tripping pin, held in place by and sliding through the side
frame N. It is projected on the inside sufficiently to catch the tripping
point b of the finger crank K (and produce the motion iudicated in Figures 2
and 7) by the spiral spring h, and when not required for that purpose is
pressed back through the frame by the cam i on the inside of cog wheel U,
acting upon and in connection with the lever j.
Here, as in Figures 1 and 6, it becomes necessary to prevent the fingers E
from rising with the fingers D, and this is effected by a moveable shield V
(Fig. 8), worked the same as the tripping pin, by two spiral springs and a
lever in connection with the cam 7 on the inside of cog wheel W, which
when needed is made to project over the finger crank L while it recedes, and
allows the crank and fingers to turn by the power applied to the crank K to
effect the motion required in Figures 4 and 9. The next motion, seizing the
tail end of the sheet (Fig. 3), is produced at the other end of the cylinder,
as shewn in Fig. 8, by another tripping pin X, similar to the pin T, acted
apon by a spiral spring m and lever n, the lever being moved by the cam
on the inside of cog wheel Y.
The motion indicated in Figures 4 and 9 is produced by the button con

page_text: 2
The finger crank K catching into and travelling through the moving slot or
track pwhich is fixed to the outside of cog wheel U. This cog wheel receiving
its motion from the main shaft cog wheel d through the gearing wheels
and 7.
In this instance, the fingers E being left at liberty by the recession
of the moving shield V, hug to the fingers D, and the tail end of the paper
thus retained is male to assume the position originally held by the first or
head end, and the sheet is carried around the second time with the reversed
side to the type, after which it is finally discharged, as seen in Figures 2
and 7.
In Sheet II., Fig. 1 represents a vertical section of the two cylinders and
their appliances through the line a, a, Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is the same vertical
section of the extra or second cylinder with the working parts attached;
Fig. 3 is the right or near end of the same extra or second cylinder with its
gearing wheel attached, the finger motion projecting through the wheel, as
shewn.; Fig. 4 is a vertical or plan view of both cylinders and their appliances;
and Fig. 5is a vertical view of the extra or second cylinder, shewing the
construction of the improved fingers.
In these several Figures, A is the impression cylinder of the printing press
and its point of contact with the form of types, supposing it be a type-
revolving press, is represented by the red lines b, and if it be a Napier or
other flat-bed printing press by the red lines c. B is a second or extra
cylinder, placed behind, and geared to run with the impression cylinder A by
the cog wheels d; C is the feed board of the impression cylinder, the blue
lines upon it indicating sheets of paper ready for use. A reel of paper with
an apparatus for cutting off sheets, as needed, may however be substituted for
the feed board and pile of sheets if desired. D is the finger shaft of the
impression cylinder, and e are the fingers connected with it; E is a crank,
also connected with finger shaft D, one end of which forms a tripping point,
while on the opposite end is placed a button or spindle g; F is a double cam
placed upon and extending nearly across the diameter of the cog wheel h
This cog wheel is, sunk into the side frame (, and receives it motion from
a cog wheel keyed to the main shaft of the impression cylinder A.
stationary slot attached to the side frame G; a shelf or support
spiral spring is fixed on the inside of the impression cylinder A.
spring acting upon the crank serves to keep the fingers open or closed when
those positions have been given them, as indicated by the black and red lines
in Fig. 1.
H is a
for the
This
The operation of the impression cylinder with its fingers, as shewn in
Fig. 1, is as follows: A sheet having been taken from the pile and laid at

page_text: the proper point, the revolution of the cylinder brings the button g of the
finger shaft crank E in contact with the cam F (shown in its first position in
Fig. 1) by which it is thrown up into the stationary slot H, and the continued
motion of the cylinder impels it upwards in the slot until the finger crank
shaft D has passed the mouth of the slot, after which it descends. This
motion of the button g being accompanied by a corresponding motion of the
fiugers e, the ends of those fingers catch upon the sheet of paper,in the manner
indicated in the second position, shewn by red lines in Fig. 1. The cylinder A
having made about one half of one revolution while the fingers e are pressed
upon the paper by the spring (thus drawing the paper from the pile and
around the cylinder), the tripping point catches against the tripping pin I,
which is fixed to the frame G, and being pressed against it by the continued
revolution of the cylinder, the fingers e are forced open and finally thrown
back, allowing the paper to be carried off between the endless tapes m,
between which it is now held, to the second or extra cylinder B. The second
or extra cylinder B is provided with twin fingers, twin finger shafts, and twin
cranks. The twin fingers J are connected with the outer twin shaft k, and
that with the twin crank L, while the twin fingers M are connected with the
inner twin shaft N, and that with the twin crank O. Each of these finger
shaft cranks is provided with tripping points n and o and crank buttons or
spindles p and q. The twin fingers M are also provided with cam rollers P,
acted upon by spiral springs bearing upon the shaft r, which connects them.
These rollers by their action upon the cams Q (which are cut into the finger
shaft k) serve to maintain the twin fingers open, and wide apart or close, and
hugged together, whichever of these positions is given them; when not in
service the open position is given them, and they revolve unobstructed with
the cylinder B. They move in this way while the sheet which comes from
the impression cylinder, as above described, is passing under the cylinder B
and out loose behind it; but when the last or tail end of the sheet presents
itself, in thus passing the tripping point n, by coming in contact with its
The
tripping pin s, throws over crank L and with it the twin fingers J.
paper is thus caught and held between the two pairs of twin fingers, as seen
in Fig. 2. The tripping pin s by which this motion is effected is placed upon
rocking plate R centred at X, and is brought into position for use by the
lever S, connected at one end with the rocking plate R, and acted upon at
the other end by a cam T on the cog wheel h. t, is a counter lever with
a spiral spring, which serve to bring back the lever S and rock plate R when
the cain T has ceased to act. This last motion brings the tripping pins close
to the shaft of the cylinder B, and out of the reach of the tripping point n.
24

page_text: Connected by a link with the rock plate R is a slide plate U, in which is cut
a double slot u, v, to receive and guide the button p. The slide plate U is
guided in its motion back and forth by the shields or guide pieces W, which
also serve as guides to the button p before it enters and after it leaves the
double slot u, v; a similar shield X is provided on the other side frame Y for
crank button q, and for tripping pointo a tripping pin y is provided and fixed
upon the side frame Y.
When the tail end of the sheet has been caught by the twin fingers, as
already described, the button p enters the slot u, which by the motion of the
rock plate Ris now brought forward. Having entered this slot, and been
impelled to its extremity, while the twin finger shafts K and N are passing
the slide plate U, the continued motion of the cylinder B causes the button to
return by the opposite branch of the slot V to the position indicated by the
dotted lines in Fig. 2. The wire springs w, by pressing slightly upon the
under side of the finger shaft K, prevent the crank button p from falling into
and catching in the slot u by the weight of the two pairs of twin fingers,
instead of returning, as it should do, through the slot V. By the motion here
described it will be seen that the tail end of the sheet held fast by the twin
fingers J and M is brought back and carried between the tapes on the upper
side of cylinder B. The tripping point o (connected with the crank O
and twin fingers M) now comes in contact with its tripping pin y, as shewn
in Fig. 3, and the fingers M are thus thrown open, leaving the sheet at liberty
to follow the tapes. (The twin fingers now occupy the position represented in
Fig. 5, and so revolve with the cylinder B until the tail end of a new sheet is
presented for their action).
At this point the rollers V, by pressing upon the paper as it passes over the
cylinder B, prevent it from slipping, and ensure its return under the feed
board to the cylinder A, where it is seized by the fingers e, in the same way
and by the same oporation as that first described for seizing the head or first
end of the sheet. The tail end of the sheet now passes first around the
impression cylinder, the head end following it; the second side of the paper is
thus presented to the types, and the sheet thus printed on both sides leaves
both cylinders, and passes off to the flying machine or to the fly boards. If
a flying machine is used, however, it is necessary temporarily to separate the
tapes which convey the sheet to it by cam or wedge motion, or by any con-
venient contrivance, so as to allow the sheet to be returned for the second
impression without obstruction.
This Invention may be used in a modified form by placing the second
cylinder provided with single instead of twin fingers (or some other con-

page_text: trivance to effect the same purpose) at the end of the fly board in such a way
that the back or tail end of the sheet will be thrown by the fly machine in
a position to be secured and drawn off the board by the fingers on the second
cylinder, and so returned to the impression cylinder to receive the second im-
pression, after which it would pass off from the machine entirely. If an
opportunity is desirable to permit the whole or partial drying of the ink
between the first and second impressions, the sheet may be diverted from the
course described, and conveyed around cylinders heated or cold, or through air
by tapes, and afterwards returned to the impression cylinder. While this is
being done, a second, a third, or a greater number of sheets, according to the
time required for drying the ink, may be introduced upon the impression
cylinder to be printed on the first side, each of them to take its turn after the
first sheet in being printed on the second side.
Having described the nature of the Invention of "improvements in printing
presses, as cominunicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and explained
the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that
under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,-
First, seizing the back or tail end of the sheet and returning it to the types
for a second impression by means of twin fingers, or their equivalents, located
upon the impression cylinder, substantially as set forth.
Secondly, turning the sheet and delivering it to the impression cylinder for
a second impression by means of an extra or second cylinder, or its equivalent,
substantially as described.
Thirdly, the arrangement and construction of the twin fingers for seizing
the sheet, operating substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
30 Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)