IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER-PRESS PRINTING MACHINES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Murdoch Napier, of the York Road, Lambeth,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER-PRESS PRINTING
MACHINES."
Sealed the 1st April 1858, and dated the 18th December 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Murdoch Napier
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th December 1857.
I, JAMES MURDOCH NAPIER, of the York Road, Lambeth, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER-
PRESS PRINTING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to platten or flat surface machines, that is, machines
in which flat surface pressure is used to obtain the impression from the form
of matter, and more especially to that arrangement of platten machine in
which the type table or tables (as the case may be) have a horizontal motion
imparted to them after an impression is taken, and consists in an arrange-
ment by which the times of rest and motion of the frisket frames which carry
the sheets can be regulated so as to increase the production of the machine.
At the present time the frisket frame is attached to the type table, as in the
common hand press, so that it is obliged to move when the type table moves
and stop when the type table stops; thus, if a certain time of rest is required
for the type table, the frisket frame must have the same times of rest and
motion; this restricts the production of the machine, as the person who lays on

page_text: the sheet has very little time for the operation even when the machine is
working at a moderate speed. My improvements will admit of a longer
period of rest being allowed for the frisket frame than that required by tho
type table, so that the "layer on" will have more time and the machine can
be worked faster.
In machines which havo two forms of matter arranged to pass alternately
under one platten I emply four friskets for carrying the sheets, two serving
for one form of matter and two for the other form of matter. By employing
four friskets alternately carrying sheets to their respectivo forms of matter, I
am enabled materially to extend the period of rest available for laying on the
sheet, which extension of rest will be of great value when the sheet is to be
laid to registering points, as the machine can be worked at a high speed, while
the "layers on" will still have ample time. To increase the production of
machines which are arranged to print from one "form of matter" only,
I cause the table which carries the "form of matter to travel out from under
the platten immediately after the impression is taken, and under inking rollers
by which it is inked, and as soon as it attains to the full extent of its outward
travel to return to its position under the platten, having passed twice under
the inking rollers; the table now pauses under the platten until a fresh
impression is taken and thon travels out and in as before, and I arrange two
or three carrying friskets, if necessary, for supplying sheets to this machine, so
ns to allow sufficient time to lay on the number of sheets required to keep the
machine going when working at its full speed; the friskets will act alternately
in supplying the sheets to be printed where a larger number of impressions is
required to be produced in a given time from one form of matter than can be
attained by tho last-mentioned arrangement. I employ two rising and falling
plattens; the "form of matter" is made to travel from under one platten to a
similar position under the other platten, and vice versa," and to rest for a
given time under each platten at the end of its travel, during which times of rest
impressions are imparted alternately to sheets supplied under each platten.
I prefer to employ four carrying friskets, two to supply the sheets under one
platten and two to supply the sheets under the other platten; the machine
may, however, be worked with two supplying friskets only, one to each
platten; the form is inked in its passage from one platten to the other by the
inking rollers placed for that purpose between the plattens. When two
colors are required to be printed in register upon the same side of the same
sheet of paper, I employ a machine somewhat similar in general principles of
arrangement to that which is now in common use for printing from two
Eeparate forms of matter with one platton, in which the forms of matter pass

page_text: alternately under the platten, each delivering its impress to a separate sheet of
paper; but instead of using two complete forms of matter and feeding a sheet
of paper for every impression given by the machine, I place the two forms of
matter which are to be inked with different colors in the same relative
positions as two ordinary forms might be placed in, and I arrange that part of
the machinery which supplies the sheets in such a manner that each sheet is
caused to remain under the platten until it has received two impressions, one
from each form of matter; the sheet then printed with two colors retires from
under the platten and makes room for the next incoming sheet. Each form
of matter is supplied with ink of the color desired by a separate inking
apparatus placed at each end of the machine; I employ two carrying friskets
to supply the shects. If more than two colors are required to be printed
on each sheet register points should be used, and the sheets can be passed
through the machine again to receive impressions from the other forms which
will occupy the place of those used to print the two first colors. I am enabled
to make the machine above described for printing in two colors also
serviceable for ordinary one color work, by disconnecting that part of the
apparatus which actuates the supplying friskets in the peculiar manner
required for the two-color printing, and providing the means for forming the
necessary connections, so. that the friskets will be actuated in a suitable.
manner to supply sheets to be printed in the ordinary way, that is, one frisket
supplying the sheets to be printed by one form of matter, and the other frisket.
supplying the sheets to be printed by the other form of matter. The ordinary.
worm-barrel movement may be used for actuating the travelling type tables of
the various modifications of platten machinery abovo described, the form of the
worm being modified and suited in each case so as to give the proper times of
rest and motion. The plattens may be actuated in their rising and falling
motions by any of the known methods, but I prefer to employ an arrangement
in which knuckle joints are used, as described in the Provisional Specification
of my Patent, dated the 19th day of August 1857; and as it is of great im-
portance for quick production that tho platten should descend quickly until
nearly down to the level of the type surface, and after the impression has been
obtained, that it should rise quickly to allow of the passing out of the form
and the exchange of the sheets. I have combined another mechanical action
along with the knuckle joints, which will not be in operation at the moment
the great power is required to obtain the impression, which power will
be transmitted through the knuckle joints alone, but the mechanical action
referred to is so arranged as to increase the speed of the platten's descent to a
certain point (nearly its lowest), and after the knuckles have given tho

page_text: required pressure, to ensure the more rapid rising of the platten than would
take place if the knuckle joints were used alone. Instead of frisket frames it
may be found more expeditious for fast priuting to employ feeding tapes, but
where good register is required I prefer using frames for carrying the sheet to
be printed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Murdoch Napier in the Great Seal Patent Oflice on
the 18th June 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
MURDOCH NAPIER, of the York Road, Lambeth, Engineer, sond greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said James Murdoch Napier, Her special licence that I, the said James
Murdoch Napior, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said James Murdoch Napior, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to timo
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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER-PRESS PRINTING MACHINES," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said James Murdoch Napier,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and scals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of tho said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Murdoch Napier, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the samo is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
My Invention relates to platten or flat surface machines, that is, machines
iu which flat surface pressure is used to obtain the impression from the form
of matter, and inore especially to that arrangement of platten machine in

page_text: At
which the type table or tables (as the case may be) have a horizontal motion
imparted to them after an impression is taken, and consists in an arrangement
by which the times of rest and motion of the frisket frames which carry the
sheets can be regulated so as to increase the production of the machine.
the present time the frisket frame is attached to the type table as in the
common hand press, so that it is obliged to move when the type table moves,
and stop when the type table stops; thus, if a certain time of rest is required
for the type table, the frisket frame must have the same times of rest and
motion; this restricts the production of the machine, as the person who lays on
the sheet has very little time for the operation; even when the machine is
working at a moderate speed.
My improvements will admit of a longer period of rest being allowed for
the frisket frame than that required by the type table, so that the "layer-on"
will have more time and the machine can be worked faster.
In machines which have two forms of matter arranged to pass alternately
under one platten I employ four friskets for carrying the sheets, two serving
for one form of matter, and two for the other form of matter. By employing
four friskets alternately carrying sheets to their respective forms of matter, I
am enabled materially to extend the period of rest available for laying on the
sheet, which extension of rest will be. of great value when the sheet is to be
laid to registering points, as the machine can be worked at a high speed, while
the "layers-on" will still have ample time. To increase the production of
machines which are arranged to print from "one form of matter" only, I
cause the table which carries the "form of matter" to travel out from under
the platten immediately after the impression is taken, and under inking rollers
by which it is inked, and as soon as it attains to the full extent of its outward
travel to return to its position under the platten, having passed twice under the
inking rollers; the table now pauses under the platten until a fresh impression
is taken, and then travels out and in as before; and I arrange two or three
carrying friskets, if necessary, for supplying sheets to this machine, so as to
allow sufficient time to lay on the number of sheets required to keep the
machine going when working at its full speed. The friskets will act alternately
in supplying the sheets to be printed; where a larger number of impressions
are required to be produced in a given time from one form of matter than can
be attained by the last-mentioned arrangement, I employ two rising and falling
plattens; the "form of matter is made to travel from under one platten to a
similar position under the other platten, and "vice versa," and to rest for a
given time under each platten at the end of its travel, during which times of
rest impressions are imparted alternately to sheets supplied under each platten.

page_text: I prefer to employ four carrying friskets, two to supply the sheets under one
platten, and two to supply the sheets under the other platten; the machine
may, however, be worked with two supplying friskets only, one to each platten;
the form is inked in its passage from one platten to the other by the inking
rollers placed for that purpose between the plattens. When two colors aro
required to be printed in register upon the same side of the same slicet of
paper, I employ a machine somewhat similar in general principles of arrange-
ment to that which is now in common use for printing from two separate
forms of matter with one platten, in which the forms of matter pass alternately
under the platton, each delivering its impress to a separate sheet of paper; but
instead of using two complete forms of matter and feeding a sheet of paper for
every impression given by the machine, I place the two forms of matter
which aro to be inked with different colors in the same relative positions as
two ordinary forms might be placed in, and I arrange that part of the
machinery which supplies the sheets in such a manner that each sheet is caused
to remain under the platten until it has received two impressions, one from
each form of matter; the sheet then printed with two colors retires from under
the platten and makes room for the next incoming sheet. Ench form of
matter is supplied with iuk of the color desired by a separate inking apparatus
placed at each end of the machine. I employ two carrying friskets to supply
the sheets. If more than two colors are required to be printed on each sheet
register points should be used, and the sheets can be passed through the
machine again to receive impressions from the other forms, which will occupy
the place of those used to print the two first colors. I am enabled to make
the machine abovo described for printing in two colors also serviceable for
ordinary one color work, by disconnecting that part of the apparatus which
actuates the supplying friskets in the peculiar manuer required for the two-
color printing, and providing the means for forming the necessary connections,
so that the friskets will be actuated in a suitable manner to supply the sheets
to be printed in the ordinary way, that is, one frisket supplying the sheets to
be printed by one form of matter, and the other frisket supplying the sheets
to be printed by the other form of matter. The ordinary worm-barrel move-
ment may be used for actuating the travelling type tables of the various
modifications of platten machinery abovo described, the form of the worm
being modified and suited in each case so as to give the proper times of rest
and motion. The plattens may be actuated in their rising and falling.motions
by any of the known methods, but I prefer to employ an arrangement in
which knuckle joints are used, as described in the Provisional Specification of
my l'atent, dated the Nineteenth day of August, One thousand eight hundred

page_text: and fifty-seven; and as it is of great importance for quick production that the
platten should descend quickly until nearly down to the level of the type
surface, and after the impression has been obtained that it should rise quickly
to allow of the passing out of the form and the exchange of the sheets, I
have combined another mechanical action along with the knuckle joints, which
will not be in operation at the moment the great power is required to obtain
the impression, which power will be transmitted through the knuckle joints
alone, but the mechanical action referred to is so arranged as to increase the
speed of the platten's descent to a certain point (nearly its lowest), and after
the knuckles have given the required pressure, to ensure the more rapid rising
of the platten than would take place if the knuckle joints were used alone.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the five Sheets of Drawings
hereunto annexed, in all of which the same letters are used to indicate similar
portions of the machinery and different views of the same parts.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
In the Drawing, on Sheet No. 1, P represents the platten; T, the form of
matter; F, the frisket frame for holding the sheet; C, link for connecting
the type table and the frisket together, the horn II, which supports the centre
upon the link C acts, being fastened to the type table. Position No. 1 shows
the frisket under the platten, and in full connection with the type table by
the hold which the link C takes of the pin p. When the type table moves
out from under the platten it therefore carries the frisket with it in the usual
way until the projecting inclined end of the link comes into contact with the
stop pin s fixed to the inclined bar b; the link is thus disengaged from the
pin p by the time the position indicated by the red lines at r is attained, and
the frisket comes to rest in position No. 2 while the type table continues to
move out until it has accomplished its full travel. To prevent the frisket
sliding down when the link is raised, friction should be applied in a simple
way, either by allowing the frisket to pass under a yielding spring or other
equally apparent and easy means. The blue lines at a shew the likk attach-
ment between the frisket and type table in common use, by which the frisket
would have been propelled higher up the inclined barb to the position marked
in blue lines at c. Thus, by the aid of my improvements, the period of rest
for the frisket is extended by so much time as would be necessary for the
passage of the frisket to the higher position shewn in blue lines at a², affording
therefore more time for changing the sheet in the frisket.
Figures Nos. 1, 2, and 3, Sheet No. 2, represent a machine having two

page_text: forms of matter T', and 1, which pass alternately under the platten P by
the action of the worm barrel W, which may be connected with the
typo tables in the usual way. F, F, F, F, are four frisket frames which
in succession carry the sheets under the platten P, F and F supplying
sheets for form of matter T, and F and F for form of matter T.
Friskets F, F, and Fare shewn in the positions which they occupy when
their sheets are changed. Frisket F is shewn under the platten, and the
impression is being imparted from the form of matter T'. D indicates the
railed supports on which the friskets slide, and by which they are guided
in their passage to their place under the platten and back to their places
of rest for the exchange of the sheet. The section on line a, b, Figure
No. 2, shews the cam E and levers L and 1, which vibrate on the fixed
centres at e, c, c, c, and actuate the friskets F and in the first stage of
their journey after the sheet is charged and in the last stage after the sheet
is printed. Section on line m, n, Figure No. 3, shews the cam E' and levers
L' and ', which vibrate on the fixed centres c', e', c', e', and actuate the friskets
in the two middle stages of their journoy, that is, in passing under and out
from under the platten. Thus, it will be understood that immediately the
cani E has by its lever connection brought a frisket from the position in which
it has received the sheet, and into that position in which it is found to be in
a direct line with the platten, the cam E' by its lever connection pushes a
sliding frame to which the levers L'aro attached, and on which the frisket
rests, so as to bring the frisket under the platten, and after allowing the
proper
time of rest for the impression to be given it withdraws the frisket, which
is again received by the lever L (the forked projection on the frisket passing
over a projecting pin on the lever end) and carried to its first position whero
the sheet is changed.
The gearing for convoying motion to the cams E and E' is so arranged and
proportioned as to cause the cam E to make one turn for every four impres-
sions taken or (which is the same thing) for every four turns of the crank
shaft G. Cam E' makes one turn for two of the crank shaft.
The arrangement of the shafts and gearing for communicating motion to
the cams E and E' will be at once understood by reference to the plans.
The course of transmission is as follows:-From crank shaft G by bevil gear
B to the worm shaft K, on the other end of which are a spur pinion gearing
with a spur wheel fixed to the shaft M, on which cam E is placed, and at
the extreme end of the shaft K a bevil pinion which gears with a bevil wheel
fixed on the long cross shaft S, and on each end of shaft S is a spur pinion
gearing with wheels on the two cam shafts J, J.

page_text: The cranks at each end of the shaft G are intended to be connected by
suitable rods to knuckle joints for raising and lowering the platten P, which
will be supported by rods N at the four corners, in order to allow the friskets
to pass under the platten; Q, Q, indicate the side frames of the machine;
I represents an inking apparatus at each end of the machine, consisting of
ink duct, messenger, roller, distributing cylinder, to which a mouse roller may
be added, and inking rollers, which are placed below, and will be made to rise
and receive ink from the cylinder, and fall into contact with the form of
matter when the form passes under them.
Figures No. 1, 2, and 3, Sheet No. 3, illustrate my improved machine for
printing from one form of matter only, in which two friskets are employed to
feed the sheets under the platten alternately, the type table passing out under
the inking rollers and returning to its position under the platten during the
interval between each impression, and while the change in the position of the
friskets is made. The form of matter T is represented under the platten P,
and the sheet in frisket F' is under the platten, while the frisket F is in its:
outward position at rest for the exchange of sheets. The grooved cams E
and E', with the levers L, l, and connections to the friskets are in their true
positions; a roller or slide piece is attached to each lever at t, and is made
to slide freely in the groove of the cam. The cams are formed so as to give
the necessary rest to the frisket for the impression, and also for changing the
sheet, as well as the necessary inward and outward actions. The shafts M
on which the cams E and E' are fixed revolve once for two revolutions of the
crank shaft G; the motion is transmitted through the bevil gear at B to shaft
K, and again by bevil gear to the long shaft S, which, by a bevil pinion
placed at each end, transmits the motion to the two cam shafts M. The
impression bars N for supporting the platten are placed at two corners of the
platten diagonally, so as to leave a clear space for the play of the friskets
which slide on the bars D. The cranks on shaft G are supposed to be con-
nected by rods to knuckle joints placed in the impression bars N. The wormi
barrel W must be formed so as to allow the proper time of rest for the type
table while the impression is being given, but no rest is allowed when the type
table is in its outward position. The inking apparatus indicated is in common
use, and needs no explanation.
Figures 4, 5, and 6, Sheet No. 3, also represents a machine to print from
one form of matter, but arranged with two rising and falling plattens, P¹
and P2; the worm W is constructed so as to allow a time of rest at each end,
and thus the type table which is actuated by it is made to rest under each
platten during the time necessary for imparting the impression to sheets which

page_text: are furnished under platten P' by friskets F and F alternately, and under
platten P by friskets F and F alternately; the cams E', E, E, and E
actuate the friskets by levers much in the same manner as in the machine
last described; the cams in this machine revolve once for every four
revolutions of the crak shaft G, or once every four impressions, and the
gearing for conveying tho motion to them is arranged accordingly. The form
of the cams is regulated so as to allow the proper rest for frisket during the
impressions as well as during the change of the sheet. The plattens aro
shewn in their raised position, but it would be more correct and in accordance
with the positions of the other parts to shew them in their lowest position,
the platten P pressing the sheet held in frisket F¹ on the form of matter under
it; the plattens may be worked in their rising and falling by knuckle joints in
cach of the impression bars N, the crank on each side of the machine being
connected by rods to two sets of knuckles. The inking apparatus at 1 is
similar to that referred to in my description of tho machine shewn on
Sheet No. 2.
Figures No. 1 and 2, Sheet No. 4, represent longitudinal and cross sections
of an ordinary double platten machine for printing from two forms of matter
with one platten and two feeding friskets; but I have made certain additions
which enable me to print two colors in register on the same side of the
same sheet, and for this purpose instead of attaching the friskets F by the
connecting links C to the type tables in the usual way, I attach them to
the two sliding bars 7 placed one on each side of the machine. The outer
ends of these bars are attached by connecting rods to levers L vibrating on
centre at e, and at the lower end connected with lever 1, which vibrates on
centre at e; this lever has a slido at t passing into the groove in cam E,
which, by wheel and pinion connection with crank shaft G, is made to revolve
once while shaft G revolves four times. By this arrangement, and tho form
of the cam being properly suited, the time of rest allowed to each frisket while
under the platten is sufficient for two impressions to be taken, one from each
form of matter, on the same sheet. The Diagrams on Sheet No. 4 show the
forms of matter and friskets in the four positions which they relatively occupy
during one revolution of the cam E. When it is desired to do onc-color
work on the machine in the ordinary way, the wheel and pinion which connect
the shaft G with the cam shaft should be thrown out of gear, and the con-
necting link C should be disengaged from the sliding bars 9 and attached to
the type tables in the ordinary way.
Figures Nos. 1, 2, and 3, Sheet No. 5, represent the knuckle joint applied
to a platten machine, as described in my Patent, dated Nineteenth August,

page_text: One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven; but I have added the short
limb Y, the connecting rod T, and lever U, which vibrates on centre P, and at
the upper end is provided with a sliding piece to fit the groove in the cam O
which is fastened on the crank shaft G. The cam is so constructed that the
inclined parts of the groove a¹ and a³ serve to hasten the descent of the platten
until it is nearly at its lowest point, and to raise it quickly after the crank and
knuckles have given the great pressure; the short concentric part a' represents
a³
the time of the great pressure, and the large concentric part a' shews the time
during which the crank and knuckles alone act to raise and lower the platten
while the short limb Y remains at rest.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Murdoch Napier, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
FRED HARRIS.
JAMES M. NAPIER. (L.S.)