Improvements in or relating to "Pentagraph" Engraving Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to "Pentagraph" Engraving
Machines.
1, ARTHUR ALBERT CROSSLAND, of the Firm of Lockett, Crossland & Co., of
Moulton Street, Bury New Road, Manchester, Roller Engravers and Machinists,
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
In the engraving of calico printer's rollers and the like for printing textile
fabrics, it is the custom to etch or engrave the transverse features of the pattern to
be printed at a slight angle to the sides, or axis, of the roller, so that the thin or
knife like edge of the "doctor," which is parallel to the roller axis and scrapes
against such roller to remove the ink from the unengraved parts, shall lie across
the roller without protruding into the engraved parts and so be prevented from
scraping, cutting, or tearing away any part of the roller surface.
This "angling" of the pattern on the roller has hitherto been effected by
making a special copy of the original with the transverse features of the pattern
set at an angle, and of then transferring such copy on to the usual zinc pattern
plate and working from such angular pattern in applying it to the roller in the
pentagraph engraving machine.
Now my invention has for its object to dispense with the special angular
copying, and to enable the roller to be engraved direct from the original square or
right-angled pattern (or a zinc transfer plate with the pattern copied thereon
direct from the original) and still produce the desired angular throw of pattern on
the roller.
To effect this I provide means for setting the usual "pentagraph" bar, to which
the pointer or "tracer" is attached, at an angle with its traversing rail, or with the
rail which gives lateral movement to the diamonds or cutters; and I cause such
bar to pass between, or engage with guides or "claws" in or on the front
traversing rail which, by moving in the direction of its length, causes the rotation
of the roller to be engraved upon.
By so arranging the bar the drawing of it out, (or the pushing of it in),
in tracing over the transverse lines or features of the pattern, causing a lateral
movement of the diamonds as heretofore,-will, by reason of the angle of such bar,
simultaneously cause the front traversing rail to move sideways, and thus impart
rotative movement to the roller. By such simultaneous movement of the diamonds
and roller, it will be apparent that the transverse lines or features of a right
angled pattern will when etched on the roller partake of an angular throw.
And in order that my said invention shall be the more readily understood and
carried into practical effect we have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings, and I
will now proceed to describe the same with the assistance of the various figures
and letters of reference marked thereon.
"
Fig. 1 is a front elevation and Fig. 2 a plan of so much of a "pentagraph
engraving machine as is necessary to illustrate my improvements, Figs. 3, 4 and 5
are enlarged detail views.
In accordance with my invention I make the pentagraph bar (A) separate from
the usual traversing rail (B), and only connect it thereto by a link, hinge or swivel
as illustrated more clearly in Fig. 3, and so permitting it to swivel to any angle

page_text: with said rail. In addition to so hinging, I cause this bar to pass between a set of
guides or "claws" (C), mounted upon the underside of the front traversing
rail (D), as seen more clearly in elevation in Figs. 2, 4, and in inverted plan
view Fig. 5. These claws (C) are bolted to a plate (E), which swivels on a
central stud (F), and with the cross-rail (D) moving sideways allows the said
claws to accommodate themselves to any angle of the bar (A). When such bar
has been set at the proper angle (which is the angle corresponding to that to be
given to the pattern), the plate (E) is fixed in position by set screws (G), and thus
the claws being held stationary, cause the bar to always work at a definite angle
between such claws, and to give a definite ratio of movement to the cross rail (D)
according to the desired throw of pattern.
With all other parts constructed as heretofore the engraving of a roller by my
improved machine may be briefly described as follows:-
Assuming that the plate (H) represents a pattern plate with a square or right-
angled pattern, and that such pattern is represented by the right-angled lines (I)
and (1) across it, the "tracer or pointer (K) on being moved forwards or
backwards along any of the lines (I), will cause the carrier and traversing
rail (B), on which the traversing rail (B) rides, to move forward in the direction
of the arrow (L), or backward in the direction of the arrow (M), on the side
carrier rails (N), and under the influence of the slide plate (O), as will be well
understood by those conversant with the construction of a pentagraph engraving
machine, cause the diamond holders (P) to move laterally in the direction of the
arrow (Q), or (R).
Simultaneously with such movement of the "tracer" (K), or drawing-out or
pushing-in of the bar (A), along the lines (I), the traversing rail (D), owing to the
angularity of said bar (A), will be caused to move sideways on its carrier rail (DI),
and as will also be well understood, such movement, by the influence of the slide
plate (S), will cause the slides (T), which carry the roller (U) on friction
discs (V), to move in the direction of the arrows (U¹), or (U), and so rotate
the roller.
To make my improvements clear the slides (T) in Fig. 2 to which the slide
plate (S) is connected (see Fig. 1), are shewn slightly retired from their proper
position which (with the parts as shewn in Fig. 1) is more or less directly over the
rail (D).
With the diamonds or cutters lying in contact with the roller (U) it will be now
seen that when the aforesaid simultaneous movements take place, the rectilinear
transverse features of the pattern on the plate (H) will be engraved on the roller
at an angle with the roller axis as shewn in Fig. 1.
In this way a considerable saving is effected both in time, labor and materials in
transferring a design or pattern to the roller.
In designs for bordered fabrics, my invention effects a double or greater saving,
since it is customary to copy the design a second time for the border, whereas by
my invention the change of angularity to the longitudinal features of the design
(which become transverse features in the border) can be effected by the machine.
By angling the bar (A) to various degrees, the angularity of the pattern varies
to the same extent. To facilitate this angling of the pentagraph bar, we mark the
pin (W) on which it swivels, with one or more suitable divisions (see Fig. 3), and
we also mark similar divisions, or an arrow point, or index-finger on the surrounding
boss (X) of the bar (or vice-versa), so that, by calculating the angles of such
divisions, the desired adjustment of the bar may be readily determined.
After being adjusted, the bar is fixed by nuts (Y) screwing on to bolts (Y)
projecting from the cross rail (B) through elongated and segmental slots (Y).
The bar is held between the claws or guides (C) by anti-friction rollers (Z), as
shewn more clearly in enlarged inverted plan view Fig. 5, which are mounted in
bearings (Z) secured to the swivel plate (E).
Although only shewn for imparting the angle in one direction i.e., from right to
left of roller, the swivelling of the bar (A) to an angle on the opposite side of its

page_text: neutral or right angled position, will permit of the angle being imparted in an
opposite direction, or from left to right of the roller.
The movement of the bar or "tracer" along the lines (J) will only cause the
traversing rails (D) and (B) to move laterally, and so only cause the roller to
rotate; the diamonds being stationary and producing the longitudinal lines (or
features) of the pattern, which, as shewn in Fig. 1, are parallel with the ends of
the roller, or the edges of the fabric to be printed.
The diagonal movements of the "tracer" will by the combined or separate
movements of the diamonds and roller, according as the lines are parallel or other-
wise to the bar (A), effect the diagonal etching or engraving in proper relation to
the transverse and longitudinal lines.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
1st. In a "pentagraph" engraving machine, means for effecting the lateral
movement of the diamonds or cutters, and simultaneous rotative movement of the
roller being engraved, under the rectilinear inward and outward movements of the
pentagraph bar pointer or "tracer," as and for the purposes set forth.
2nd. In pentagraph" engraving machines the use of a "pentagraph" bar (A),
adapted to be connected with its lateral traversing rail (B) at varying angles, and
engaging with guides (C) set at corresponding angles, on, or in, the front traversing
rail (D) as and for the purposes set forth.
3rd. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting my improvements.
in "pentagraph" engraving machines as set forth.
Dated this 4th day of January 1896.
ARTHUR ALBERT CROSSLAND,
By John G. Wilson & Co., Regd. P.A.,
Manchester, Agents.