CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR LETTER PRESS OR SURFACE PRINTING
Year: 1845

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1, WILLIAM
SCHNEBLY, of Lambeth, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-first day of January, in the eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Schnebly, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said William Schnebly, my exors, adñiors, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said William Schnebly, my exors, admors,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned, should and
lawfully night make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and
the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and
Plantations abroad, and in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark,
and Man, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR LETTER
PRESS OR SURFACE PRINTING;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso obliging me, the said William Schnebly, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my
said Invention. and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause
the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
bad, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Schnebly, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of Improvements in Letter-pressor Surface Printing relates to
that description of press or printing machine in which the impression is made
by means of a flat surface or platan instead of by means of a cylinder, as is
ordinarily the case in printing machines that are actuated by steam or other
motive power. In my improved printing machine the form of type is placed
on a table immediately beneath the platan, which stationary: and in order
to make the impression the form is raised up by a knee or toggle joint against
the under surface of the platan. The inking operation is performed by carry-
ing the inking rollers over the form of type, which always remains beneath
the platan. But in order that my Invention may be fully understood, I
have shewn in the accompanying Drawings various views of my improved
machine.
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of the machine complete. Fig. 2
is a plan view, as seen from above, the board (on which the paper to be
printed on is placed) being removed so that the parts below may be more
clearly seen. Fig. 3 representsa transverse section of the machine, and Fig. 4
some of the parts detached. The framework of the machine is made of cast
iron, and is shewn at a,u,a,a, and is the main driving shaft, on which the
large ink roller or cylinder c, c, is mounted. This shaft also carries the driving
pinion d and fly wheel e, e, and the machine is actuated either by steam power
driving a band wheel or pulley on the main shaft, or by means of a winch
handle attached to the fly wheel, as seen in the Drawing. A large toothed
wheel is mounted in bearings attached to the framework, and is driven by
the pinion d. The wheel has an eccentric groove y: g, formed thereon or
attached thereto, and by means of the large vibrating levers and i commu-
nicates motion to various working parts of the machine. The form of type is
placed on a table j, shewn by dots in Fig. 1, and which has grooves made on
its under side, and is mounted on an elevating frame furnished with rails k,k,le,
on which the grooves of the table slide, and whereby the latter, with the form
of type thereon, may be easily moved into or out of the machine at the side
thereof when required. The tympan frame is attached to the under side of the
platan, and supported by cars, which allow of its being slidden in and out
of the machine in a similar manner to the table. By thus being enabled to

page_text: remove the table with the form of type out of the side of the machine, I
obtain great facility in getting at the type for alterations or corrections, a point
that is a grand desideratum among printers. I therefore consider this an
important improvement. The elevating frame k, k, is raised by means of the
knee or toggle joint 1, 1, which is connected at one end to the said elevating
frame k, k, and at the lower end to a cross piece, which forms part of the
fraining, as seen in Fig. 3. In order that the frame and table may be raised
in a perfectly horizontal position, vertical rods m, m, are connected to the
under part of the elevating fraine, and made to slide up and down the
bearings m*, *, m*, m*, which are firmly bolted to the framing, as seen in
Fig. 3. The platan n, n, in this machine is stationary, and is firmly fixed on
the top of four columns or supports n*, n*, n*, n°, which rise from near the
centre part of the framing, and it is further secured by cross braces n¹, n',
below. The paper to be printed is placed on the inclined board o, o, Fig. 1,
immediately above the platan, and is fed in by a boy who brings it forward
sheet by sheet in the ordinary manner. The edge of each sheet is placed
between the jaws of the nippers p, p, Figures 1, 2 and 4, which are mounted on
a rod, as seen in the plan view. This rod is connected at both ends to endless
bands 4, 7, on each side of the machine, and which pass over the roller rand
pullies s, s, whereby the band is kept distended. The endless band 2, 7, passes
under the platan, and by means of the nippers before mentioned it carries in
the sheet of paper, which is supported against the under side of the platan by
means of strings or tapes, as is well understood, and is shown in the detached
view, Fig. 4. The endless bands q, q, and strings or tapes for supporting the
paper, are actuated by the travelling frame t, t, t. 7, which is shewn detached
at Fig. 4. The frame t, t, runs upon and between antifriction rollers, which
are fixed to the framing, as seen in Fig. 3, and by dots in Fig. 1, and carries
the two inking rollers u, u, which supply the form with ink. The endless
bands 9, 9, are connected to each side of the travelling frame by the arms t*,
Figs. 1 and 4, which consequently cause the band, with the nippers affixed
thereto, to travel to and fro under the platan.
In Figs. 5 I have shown another mode of constructing and arranging this
part of the machine, whereby the paper is introduced into the machine without
being doubled back or bent far out of the straight line. In this figure the
board o, o, instead of being placed above the platan, as in Fig. 1, is situated
over one end of the framing, as shewn in the detached view, Fig. 5 The
sheet of paper is pushed forward by the boy or attendant to a certain inark.
where it is laid hold of by a system of nippers or jaws connected to the
travelling frame t, t. A horizontal rod extends across the machine, and is
P

page_text: furnished with a number of fixed fingers or nippers; and p* is another hori-
zontal rod, which turns on a centre, and is also furnished with fingers which
turn with it. At each end of the rod p is situated a small lever p², which, as
the travelling frame t, t, is drawn out of the machine, comes in contact with a
stud or inclined piece p³, and thereby opens the jaws to receive the blank sheet
of paper; and by the frame t, 1, continuing to advance, the levers p will pass
the under side of the stud 3, and the fingersornippers will consequently close
upon the sheet of paper; and when the travelling frame, t, enters the
machine, the lever p² will pass over the stud 3, and the nippers will carry in
the sheet of paper with them. 7.9, is a system of cords or strings attached to
the travelling frame, for the purpose of supporting and carrying in the sheet.
These cords pass over pullies, ; and when the travelling frame comes out
of the machine with the printed sheet, this latter passes under the board o,
over the pullies, r, and on to the endless cords S, S, from which it is trans-
ferred on to the vibrating frame. It will be understood that when the
frame, with its printed sheet, comes out of the machine, the sheet is
liberated by the jaws p, p, being opened by the lever p coming into contact
with the stud p³, before mentioned. The travelling frame t, 4, is actuated by
the vibrating lever a, to which it is attached by a connecting rod, as shewn in
the Drawing. The fulcrum of the lever is at the centre of the horizontal
shaft w, which carries at its end a short lever w This lever is actuated by
the large vibrating lever h, through the intervention of the connecting rod a
The lever, and also the lever i, carry at their upper ends antifriction rollers,
which work in the groove g, g, of the large wheel,, as has been already
mentioned; and as this wheel rotates, and carries with it the excentric
groove g, g, the levers and are caused to vibrate on their fulcrums. It will
now be evident that when the smaller radius of the groove comes round it will
draw back the upper end of the lever, pulling with it the levers v and w*,
and by that means force inwards the travelling frame t, t. While the tra-
velling frame t, t, is moving, the table, with the form of type thereon is in its
lowest position, and remains stationary, while the frame t, t, carries the inking
or distributing rollers u, u, over the face of the type; and while the sheet of
paper is being brought under the platan, then, by the wheel, with its groove,
continuing to revolve, the upper end of the lever i will be drawn back, and,
by means of the connecting rod y, carry with it the upper end of the lever z, z.
This lever is mounted on the end of a shaft, which carries at is centre another
lever 1, which is connected by means of a rod 2 to the toggle or knee joint l, l,
shewn behind the centre support of the framing by dots in Fig. 1, and in
elevation at Fig. 3. The lower end of this joint is supported on the beam 4,

page_text: and its upper end is connected to the bed plate or elevating frame on which
the form of type is placed; and consequently when the toggle or knee joint is
straightened, it forces the form of type on the bed plate up against the under
side of the platen, and thereby gives the impression. The several parts in
Fig. I are represented in the position they would assume just at the moment
the impression is being given. As the larger radius of the groove comes round
the pressure is relaxed, and the knee or toggle joint is bent, and assumes the
position shown by dots at 5, Fig. 1. The small rollers 6, 6, in Fig. 4, repre-
sent the rollers to which the tapes or strings which carry the paper are
fastened. The two small rollers 7, 7, are fastened to the framing, and are
caused to rotate by the friction of contact of the tapes when the frame t,, is
run in and out. When the impression has been given to the paper, and the
travelling frame goes in to supply the type with ink and draw in another
sheet, it carries back the endless bandy, and the nippers connected thereto,
and at the same time it carries back the tapes that support the printed sheet,
and which are attached to the pullies 6, 6. When the printed sheet issues
from the machine in passes over the pullies 7, 7, Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, and is
deposited upon a light framing 8, 8, consisting of a number of lathes and a
series of pullies, with endless tapes dist ended across them. It should be
understood that all the while that the sheet is in the machine, and under the
platan, the nippers of the endless band g keep hold of one edge of it; but
when it is carried out of the machine the jaws of the nippers, as they pass
along, are opened by a stud or trigger affixed to the framework, and which
act against the end of the rod which carries them. The printed sheet is then
released and allowed to fall on to the pulley framing 8, 8, before mentioned. In
Figures 1 and 2 this vibrating frame 12, 12, is represented as having deposited
one printed sheet on the pile onthe table 9, and as about to return for another.
This framing is mounted on a centre in bearings at 10, and describes an arc,
as shewn by dots in Figs. 1 and 5, when delivering a sheet. It is actuated by
a sector rack 11, which gears into wheel 10, mounted on the end of a hori-
zontal shaft, which carries or is furnished with a number of long light laths or
fingers 12, 12, as seen best in the plan view, Fig. 2, and on to which the
sheet is delivered, as before mentioned. A vibrating or reciprocating motion
is communicated to the sector rack, and consequently the wheel 10, and its
fraining 12, 12, by means of the lever, z, to the upper end of which
the sector rack is connected, as seen in Figs. 1 and 5. The framing 8, 8,
consists of a series of pullies, mounted loosely on shafts at each end;
and over these pullies endless bands, straps, or tapes are distended, and
are set in motion by means of a band passing from a rigger on the

page_text: main axle, or any other convenient part of the machine, over a small
driving pulley on the axle of the framing. It will now be understood that
in order to receive the printed sheet of paper from the machine, the
vibrating frame 12, 12, is brought over,as before mentioned, into the position
shewn by dots in the Drawing, and that while the printed sheet is issuing from
the machine on to the framing, the tapes of the framing S, 8, are kept in
motion, and carry the sheet forward to a stop piece 8, at the other end of the
vibrating frame 12. This frame is then turned over by the mechanical
arrangements above described,and the printed sheet is accurately piled on the
table with the printed surface upwards. The table 9, on which the printed
sheets are piled, is mounted on a screwed shaft 3, which passes through a
horizontal block 13, to the under side of which a ratchet wheel is attached, as
seen in Fig. 1. This table is kept steady and in a perfectly horizontal
position by the guide rods 15, 15, and the ratchet wheel 13 is pushed round
by means of a rod 1-4, connected to the lever, and every time this lever is
forced back into the position shewn by dots in Fig. 1 it forces round the
ratchet wheel 13, and by that means causes the table to descend a suflicient
space, according to the thickness of the paper. By this means I am enabled
to dispense with the assistance of any person to receive and pile the printed
sheets, as it may be performed as regularly and accurately by the machine as
it is possible for an attendant to do. When a certain number, or the required
number, of sheets have been printed, they are removed from the table, which
is then wound up by the handle 16 to its greatest elevation to receive a fresh
supply. The inking apparatus is worked by an excentric 17, on the axle of
the large wheel ff, as seen in the plan view, Fig. 2. This excentric is con-
nected to the inking apparatus by the rod 18, one end of which is jointed to
the elbow lever 19, at the upper end of the vertical shaft 20, which turns in
bearings fixed in the framework. The ink trough or reservoir is seen at 21,
Fig. 1. It is furnished with a supplying roller, which is partially immersed
in the ink, and on the axle of which a ratchet wheel 22 is mounted. This
wheel is caused to revolve by the pall or click 23, which is jointed to the end
of a lever or arm extending from the vertical rod 20. It will therefore be
obvious that when this shaft 20 is made to turn horizontally on its axis it
will, by means of the pall 23, force round the ratchet wheel 22, and thereby
cause the supplying roller to turn slowly on its axis. A distributing roller is
mounted at the end of a vibrating lever 24, which turns on a centre, as shewn
by dots in the Drawing, and is worked by the excentric 17, or in any other
convenient manner, whereby it is alternately brought into contact first with
the supplying roller in the trough, and then with the under side of the large

page_text: inking cylinder, as is well understood, and is usual in these cases, and there-
fore constitutes no part of my improvements. When a sufficient quantity of
ink has been by this means supplied to the large cylinder, it must be equally
distributed over its surface, and this object is effected by means of the dis-
tributing roller 25, which is mounted in bearings in the framework, and is
caused to revolve by its contact with the large ink cylinder. In order that the
ink may be properly distributed, and prevented from accumulating on those
parts of the inking rollers which do not come in contact with the type of the
form, I find it necessary to impart a lateral motion to the distributing
roller 25, which I effect by means of an arm 26,extending horizontally from
the other end of the vertical shaft 20, and as this latter is forced round it
shogs or forces sideways the distributing roller 25. Shogging the distributing
rollers sideways, for the purpose of effecting a more equal distribution of the
ink, has been long known and in use; but I consider the above described mode
a preferable one to any of those now in use..
Having now described the Invention which forms the subject of my Letters
Patent, I will now proceed to point out what I consider new, and therefore
wish to claim and secure to myself. I claim,-
First, the arrangement or disposition of the various parts of the machine,
as shewn in the Drawings, whereby I am enabled to place all those parts
which effect the several movements of the machine on one side.
Second, I claim the employment of a grooved wheel similar to the wheel f
in conjunction with the levers and i, whereby I effect the operation of
pressing and reciprocating movement of the travelling frame, and by
the employment of which grooved wheel the machine may be driven in
either direction, and will produce the same results without any liability to
derangement. I also claim the employment of antifriction rollers, on which
the travelling frame is made to run.
Third, I claim the peculiar mode of mounting the bed plate on the elevating
frame, whereby the said bed plate, with the form of type thereon, 'may be
easily drawn sideways out of the machine when required.
Fourth, I claim carrying in the sheet of paper (to be printed) by means of
nippers or holders connected with chains or straps as above described, and
also the employment of the cords or tapes connected to the travelling frame,
and which bear up the paper from the form of type independant of the frisket,
and carry the printed sheet out of the machine on to the receiving frame 8, S.
I also claim the method of carrying the paper into the machine from a board
situated over the end of the frame, as shewn in Fig. 5.
Fifth, I claim the mode of and apparatus forreceiving and piling the printed

page_text: sheets on a self-adjusting table, as shewn. I claim the exclusive right to use
a self-adjusting table, in whatever way the same may be actuated, and also the
mode of working the same.
Sixth, I claim the peculiar arrangement of the inking apparatus.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Schnebly, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same 'Twenty-first day of July,
in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid William Schnebly came before
our Lady the Queen in her Chancery, and acknowledge the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of
the Statute in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the same Twenty-first day of July, in the year above written.
Inrolled the same Twenty-first day of July, in the year above written.