Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1886.
Complete Left, 29th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 30th Aug., 1887
I, WILLIAM DE LITTLE, of Springfield Place, Nunnery Lane, York in the County
of York, Letter press printer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
25 20
This invention relates to that class of Letter press printer's chases that are usually
employed for "block work," and is particularly applicable for "locking up warped"
skellered" wooden blocks.
ог
Hitherto great difficulty has been experienced in fixing these in the chase so as to
prevent them working loose during the printing operation owing to the under surface
of the block when warped being round, convex, or twisted. When this is the case as
soon as the cylinder of the machine comes in contact with the front edge of the block,
the pressure therefrom depresses that edge and causes the opposite one to rise, thereby
loosening the furniture, which in many cases on becoming displaced causes damage to
the block or machine.
Now this invention is designed to overcome these difficulties, and at the same time
to provide simple and effectual means for securely "locking up straight or level, as
well as :: warped"
or twisted wooden blocks; and it consists in providing one of the
inner edges of the chase with a series of pointed pins, spikes, or projections, and fitting
the chase with three moveable perforated crossbars, one at each end, and on the
"locking up" side-and also in employing a specially constructed quoin.
The pointed pins, projections, or spikes are by preference fixed in or about the centre
of one of the inner edges of the chase, and are arranged at any suitable distance apart,
and project inwards.
The crossbars are provided with suitable tongues, or tenons at each end, which enter
into long grooves or slots formed or cut in the inner edges of the chase a short distance
from each corner,
and at the points where these bars cross each other a recess or

page_text: cavity is formed by cutting away or removing half of their thicknesses. These recesses
are of such a length as will permit of the adjustment and " locking up" of the block.
In addition to these tongues and recesses, each cross bar is perforated along the edges
at or about the centre with a series of holes. These holes are by preference placed
nearer together than the pointed pins or spikes fixed in the inner edge of the chase,
and are made through the cross bars at right angles to their length, that is, through
the width of the bar; and are employed for the reception of the herein after describod
pointed pins or spikes fixed in and to one portion of the quoins.
The quoins I employ for "locking up "the block are inclined and very similar in
shape to those usually used, and are used in pairs. The inner quoin of each pair, or
the one working against or in contact with the cross bar is provided on its horizontal
base with a projecting pin or spike pointed at the end furthest from the base, and of
such a length as to slightly project beyond the cross bar when inserted in the herein
described holes.
"
To "lock up
a badly twisted block the chase is placed upon the carriage of the
machine and fixed in position by ordinary means. The block is then placed within
the chase with one edge against the pins or spikes, then the three cross bars are closed
up against the other side and ends of the blocks, and as many quoins as are thought
desirable are placed in position by inserting the projecting pins or spikes in the
perforations in the cross bars. The block is then ready for levelling, which operation
is performed by bringing the cylinder of the machine onto the front edge of the block,
the pressure of which will level that portion and hold it whilst the chase is being
tightened so as to force the spikes or pins in the inner edge of the chase into the
block. The machine is then turned and the quoins at each end of the block tightened.
Afterwards continue to turn the machine and tighten the quoins one pair at a time
until the ends are * locked up and the cylinder rests on the opposite edge of the
block, when the quoins are tightened along that edge. When this is done the block
will be firmly locked in position, and prevented from rising by the pointed pins in the
chase and on the quoins being forced on all sides into the block, and as the cross bars
are held at their ends in the chase, the block is prevented from rising or springing
during the printing operation.
1 ... 11. JD 1000
W. FAIRBURN HART,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Letter Press Printers' Chases.
I, WILLIAM DE LITTLE, of Springfield Place, Nunnery Lane, York, in the County
of York, Letter press printer, a communication to me from abroad by Robert
Duncan De Little, "Alness" House, Albert Park, Melbourne, in the Colony of
Victoria, Letter Press Printer, 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 that class of Letter Press printer's chases that are usually
employed for block work," and it is particularly applicable for "locking up
warped or "skellered" wooden blocks.
«
:2
Hitherto great difficulty has been experienced in fixing these in the chase so as to
prevent them working loose during the printing operation owing to the under surface
of the block when warped being round, convex, or twisted. When this is the case as
soon as the cylinder of the machine comes in contact with the front edge of the block,
the pressure therefrom depresses that edge and causes the opposite one to rise, thereby
losening the furniture, which in many cases on becoming displaced causes damage to
the block or machine.
"
Now this invention is designed to overcome these difficulties, and at the same time
to provide simple and effectual means for securely "locking up" straight or level, as
well as
warped or twisted wooden blocks; and it consists in providing one of the
inner edges of the chase with a series of pointed pins, spikes, or projections, and
fitting the chase with three moveable perforated cross bars-one at each end, and on
the "locking up" side-and also in employing a specially constructed quoin.
And in order that this invention may be more completely understood reference is
given to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1. is an elevation of a chase constructed according to this invention.
Fig. 2. a transverse section on line .x. fig. 1.
Figs. 3 and 4 are elevations of crossbars drawn at a right angle to those shown
at Fig. 1.
Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a side and end elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the
quoins constructed in accordance with this invention.
Like parts in all the views are marked with the same letters of reference.
A is the frame or chase proper-preferably made of wrought iron-having short
grooves a, a, a, a³, a, a cut or formed in its inner edges at a suitable distance
(about an inch or more) from each corner. For ordinary work cach of these grooves
may be about one fourth or three eighths of an inch in width and depth, and four or
five inches in length, and of any desired shape. In the drawings shaped grooves
are shown, but these, as well as the dimensions given may be varied to suit circum-
stances, and the class of work under operation. When preferred groove as may be
extended as shown in the drawings so as to enable the cross bar to be more readily
withdrawn from the chase.

page_text: Along the edge A' of the frame at or about the centre thereof are arranged a series
of pointed steel pins, projections, or spikes as which are made to project inwards as
shown, and may be arranged at any suitable distance apart. For the general class of
work, these pins should be placed at a distance of about an inch or one and an half
inches apart.
:
The chase is fitted with three adjustable crossbars B, C, and D ;-one at each end
and another at the locking up side E of the chase-which may be made of wrought
iron. These crossbars are provided with tongues or tenons at their respective
ends b, c, c, d, of the same shape or configuration as the grooves into which they
enter and work. At a suitable distance from each end of the bar D and from one end
of the bars B and C a recess or cavity d², d³, 12, c² is formed by cutting away or
removing about one half the thickness of each bar as shown at Figs. 2 and 3 so that
the two short bars B and C may cross over the long bar D and may each work in or
he moveable in the recesses formed in the respective bars. These recesses or cavities
should be about the same length, and in a corresponding position to the grooves that
run parallel to them, that is to say, the recesses, e, in the bars B and C should be
about the same length as the grooves a² a and the same distance from the inner edge
of the chase on the "locking up" side E as the said grooves are from the respective
corners, whilst the recesses 3 should be about the same length as the grooves a³ u
and should be placed in a similar position in the bar 1 as the said grooves are in the
inner edge of the chase. These recesses permit of the adjustment and "locking up
of the block. In addition to the tongues and recesses each bar is perforated along the
edges at or about the centre with a series of holes 63, c, d. These holes are drilled
or otherwise formed at intervals of about an inch apart or they may be the same
distance apart or closer together than the pins a so that the quoins may be placed
closer together when the block has a bad rise. Through these holes-which are made
through the crossbars at right angles to their lengths, that is, through the width of
the bars are passed the spikes or projections of the iron quoins F.
23
The quoins are made of metal, and are used in pairs. The blocks F, F¹ are inclined
and are very similar to those usually employed. The inner quoin F of each pair, or
the one working against or in contact with the crossbar is provided on its horizontal
base with a projecting pin or spike "pointed at the end furthest from the base;
and the pin is made of such a length that it will project about one eighth of an inch
beyond the crossbars when inserted in any of the holes b³, c³, or d as shown at
Fig. 1.
وو
To "lock up
a badly twisted block the chase is placed on the carriage of the
machine with the spiked edge A¹ to the ink slab, and two pairs of Hempel's quoins
are fixed between the chase and the inking slab, or a common sidestick and quoins
may be used in place of Hempel's. Then place the block in the chase and bring it up
to the spikes a and close the crossbars B, C, D up to the other three edges of the
block. Put in the holes 6, 3, d as many quoins F as may be considered necessary.
The quoins at the end of the chase should be placed with the thick ends f³ of the
spiked quoins away from the inking slab. If there is any space between the chase
and the quoins, adjust with ordinary furniture as shown at G fig. 1. The block is then
ready for levelling. To do this, turn the machine until the cylinder rests on the front
edge of the block, the pressure of which will level the front edge and hold it while the
quoins between the chase and inking slab are tightened. This will force the chase
back on the carriage, and drive the front spikes a into the edge of the block. Then
turn the machine a little further and tighten the end quoins where the block is
levelled. Continne turning the machine and tightening the quoins, one pair at a
time until the ends are locked up." The opposite edge of block can then be
locked from the front side of the cylinder when it is resting on that edge of the block.
For completion the quoins should be gone over again to ensure all being fast. The
block is then securely locked in a flat condition, each portion being pressed down to
the carriage while the spiked quoins are driven into the edges of the block to prevent
them rising again during the printing operation.
I would have it understood that I am aware that chases have grooves in their inner

page_text: edges and crossbars with tongues or tenons on their ends are described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to John Brown Ellis the thirtieth day of
January 1886 No. 1350, but to these I do not lay any claim, except when used in
combination with the other parts constituting this Invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The manufacture and use of a letter press printer's chase such as hereindescribed
for "locking up" warped and other blocks having a grooved and spiked frame A,
adjustable, recessed, tenoned, and perforated crossbars B, C, D, and spiked quoins F
all arranged and working together substantially as set forth and illustrated.
2. The combination or arrangement in a letter press printer's chase for "locking
up" warped or other blocks of a grooved and spiked frame such as A with adjustable
crossbars such as B, C, D recessed, tongued, and perforated, substantially as set forth
and illustrated.
3. In a letter press printer's chase, such as those herein described, the quoins armed
with a pointed pin or spike fas and for the purposes set forth.
4. The constructions of or arrangements of parts forming the letter press printer's
chase as a whole, as and for the purposes herein set forth.