Improvements in Printing Machines
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by WELLINGTON PARKER KIDDER, of Boston,
Massachusetts, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer.]
Improvements in Printing Machines,
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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:
The object of my invention is to produce a high-speed printing press adapted to
print different sized sheets within the maximum, that is, sheets varying in size
from a visiting card to a newspaper.
The accompanying drawings show the features of my invention embodied in the
best form now known to me, although it is obvious that they may be embodied in
constructions different from that shown.
Figure 1, is a side elevation of one form of machine embodying my invention.
Figure 2, is a plan of the same.
Figure 3, is an end elevation.
Figure 4, shows an end view and a partial plan of ink-distributing mechanism.
Figure 5, shows a modification of a feed, the motions of which vary in number
in a given interval according to the number of forms carried by the impression
cylinders, and also illustrating impression cylinders carrying a number of forms
each.
Figure 6, shows a modified form of my auxiliary feed, and
Figures 7, and 8, show a modified form of my intermittent feeding device in two
positions.
A is a frame, B, are impression evlinders, and B', form cylinders. D, is an
auxiliary feed, D', an intermittent feed, F, a sheet-severing device, G, a compen-
sating device for converting a continuous feed of the web into an intermittent feed
and keeping unwound paper under tension between roll G', and the intermittent
feed D. G, is a roll from which the web passes to the feeding devices. H, is
the inking apparatus and J, the sheet-delivering apparatus. The impression and
form cylinders will vary in number, as will be plain to all skilled in the art. Each
form carrying cylinder is provided with one or more forms b, each impression
cylinder being formed with an impression surface b₁, corresponding to the forms.
The features of my invention will be most readily understood from a descrip-
tion of the operation of the form of my machine shown in the drawings. The
operation is as follows:-
A web r, is unwound from roll G¹, and carried to the intermittent feed D',
over the rolls d, d', and d³, and is propelled forward by the intermittent feed D¹,.
to the auxiliary feed D), by which a severed sheet is fed to the cylinders. Feed D¹,
is best actuated by a rack, and pinion d', driven by a crank d³, fast on shaft dⓇ,
of a cylinder B¹, and by a pawl d, and ratchet 8. When rack d³, moves in one
direction (see arrow in Figure 1,) the pawl d, engages the ratchet do, on the
shaft d, of the roll do, which is a member of the intermittent feed D', (the other
member being roll (7) and the feed is actuated to draw the web, and to propel
the web through the severing-device F.
The severing device in this case consists of blades f, fl, blade f, being stationary,
and blade f, reciprocated towards and away from blade f, by means of links,
connecting blade f¹ and the bracket D2. One of the links 1, is connected by a
rod f, to a rocker arm ft. fast on rocker-shaft f5 journalled in frame A, and
actuated by another rocker-arm fo, fast on rocker-shaft f³ and connected to a
link, pivoted to a sliding bar f8, provided with a cam-roll f, working with
am ₤1º, on shaft f", of one of the form cylinders B', (see Figures 3, and 1,). The

page_text: The
parts are so timed that just before the sheets are severed from the web, the paper
seized by the auxiliary feed D. An excellent form of this feed is found in the
combination of clamping fingers d's, and a plate d, mounted on frame A.
fingers d, are mounted on a rod d journalled in rocker arms d15, fast on rocker-
shaft de, journalled in frame A. Shaft de, has an arm ", carrying a cam-roll d¹8,
working with cam 1, in a cylinder B, (see Figure 1). The rocker-arms d15, shaft d¹,
and arm d", carrying the cam roll 18, obviously form what I will call a cam
connection, that is, these parts connect the auxiliary feed D, with a cam to actuate
it.
Rod, is provided with a rocker arm 720, fast on it, and this rocker-arm do, is
pivoted at d, to connecting-rod d, pivoted to rocker-arm d³, pivoted in frame A,
at d, and carrying a cam-roll 25, working with a cam 3, on a cylinder B, (see
Figure 1). Cam d, through its connections. with rod d, raises the fingers d¹³,
to receive the sheet, and the rod 1, is then rocked to clamp the paper between
fingers d, and plate 13, by an opposite movement of the cam.
•
The sheet is guided between the fingers d2, and plate d¹³, of the auxiliary feed D,
by any suitable mechanism, say by supports 7, (which are preferably carrying
tapes as shown) mounted on friction rollers d28, one of the rollers 8, being driven
by a gear, meshing with gear, on shaft . The supports d, are made
adjustable to suit the different distances of the intermittent feed d¹ and gearing
mechanism F, from the cylinder B, by the swinging take-up roll mounted in the
rocker arms t' pivoted on the rocker-shaft 2, which is journalled in the frame of
the intermittent feed mechanism D. Rocker-arms t¹ are fast to rocker shaft *,
the rocker-shaft 2, being partially rotated to raise or lower the take-up roll t to
any desired position, and is made fast by any suitable friction device such as a set-
screw.
The inner end of the sheet being now gripped, the severing mechanism divides
a sheet from the web and the severed sheet is propelled to an impression cylinder
B, provided with some suitable gripper or clamping device, say tapes L and L¹.
The auxiliary feed D, is so timed and constructed as to feed the severed sheet to
the cylinder at a speed equal, or very nearly equal, to the surface speed of the
cylinder and this is its main function and one of the most important features of
my invention. Feed D, is an intermittent feed and the plate 3, has a highly
polished surface and the fingers d2, should be friction tipped. I prefer to form
them with rubber tips. The movement of rocker-arm 5, gives the fingers a push
motion towards the cylinder and the consequence is that the fingers slide the sheet
to the cylinder and owing to the timing of the cam 19, the auxiliary feed D, is
accelerated from start to finish and the sheet reaches the tapes L, and L', at a
speed substantially equal to the surface speed of the cylinder. The great advan-
tage of this feature of my invention is that the sheet is advanced to the clamping
device, tapes or metallic grippers, as the case may be, in such wise that the clamp-
ing device may move gradually to receive the sheet, and this is of the utmost
importance when an intermittent feed is employed in a high speed machine.
It is important that the web be unwound continuously to avoid jerking and
undue strain on the paper in its unwinding from the roll and that this continuous
movement of the web be converted at the severing mechanism into an intermittent
movement so that the paper may be at rest when the severing mechanism acts.
Inasmuch as the feed D¹, is idle part of the time (being intermittent to allow the
severing mechanism to act), it must feed when in service at a speed greater than the
normal speed of the web as the web leaves the roll; and to enable this to be done,
I interpose between the roll G₁, and the feed D', a compensating device G, con-
sisting, in the form shown, of a roll d', pivoted in rocker-arms 9, fast to rocker-
shaft g', pivoted in frame A. Another arm, fast on rocker-shaft g¹, is pivoted
to rod g³, carrying a cam-roll 9*', which engages with cam 95, fast on shaft f", of
a cylinder B'.
As, during its period of motion, the intermittent feed D', carries the paper at a
greater speed than the normal speed of the web while it is unwinding from the

page_text: roll, and as, during the periods of rest of iced D', the motion or the roll,
continues, it follows that such regular continuous movement of roll G', as is essen-
tial to prevent breaking the web cannot satisfy the demands of the intermittent
feed, and, therefore, I provide a surplus of unwound paper to be drawn from the
intermittent feed independently of the normal resistance to the pull of feed D¹,
occasioned by the weight of roll G¹, and this surface of paper so freed very largely
from resistance to the pull of feed D', is found in the loop of the web which is
formed by passing the paper around the rolls d, d, d. Roll d', is a dancing roll,
so called, and lies in loop a¹, of web r, and is given a downward movement during
the idle periods of the intermittent feed to lengthen the loop ¹, to correspond to
the flow of paper from roll G. When the intermittent feed moves the paper, the
dancing roll, rises (see dotted lines in Figure 1) the position of the dancing
roll, and its lever g, depending, of course, on the size of sheet to be severed,
surrendering the surface of paper in the lengthened loop and thereby making up
to the intermittent feed D', the deficiency of the unwinding of roll G¹. Care
must be taken in timing the motion of cam g³, which actuates the dancing roll d¹,
through connecting rod g³, lever g, rocker-shaft g', and 'lever g, in order that the
unwinding of roll G¹, be uniform and without material variation in respect of
tension. The throw of the roll 1, is variable by means of the slotted lever g², and
the adjustable connecting rod g³, to adapt the machine for sheets of different
lengths. The length of paper fed at each movement of the intermittent feed
depends on the amount of rotation given by rack d³, to rolls d¹º, d. The throw
of rack 3, is adjusted by varying its points of connection with the adjustable
crank. The bracket D2, in which rolls do, d, are mounted, slides freely. on
tracks a, in this form of my machine, carrying with it the severing device F, and
is actuated by screws a', provided with bevelled gears a², which mesh with
bevelled gears on shaft a³, which receives a crank (commonly a hand crank) and is
rotated to drive the screws a¹, simultaneously. The screws a¹, pass through nuts a*,
mounted on extensions a³, of bracket D².
By adjusting the sheet severing mechanism F, it is plain that the front end of
the sheets may be brought always the auxiliary feed regardless of the size of the
sheets, and this is a radical novelty with me. By feeding the front end of the
sheets always to the same point they reach the position in which they were seized
by the auxiliary feed and from which they are advanced by the auxiliary feed
to the cylinders.
The severing mechanism F, is solely for convenience, mounted on the same
bracket D2, which supports the feed D₁ but may be quite independent of it if
desired. The rotation of the intermittent feed D₁ is adjusted by varying the
throw of rack, this being a convenient construction for adjusting the rotation
of the intermittent feed.
The forms b, are secured on their cylinders in any suitable manner, and are
inked by any suitable mechanism H, which will be readily understood by all
skilled in the art, without particular description. From the auxiliary feed D,
the sheet is carried between the cylinders in a manner too well known to require
description, and is received from the cylinders by any suitable delivering mech-
anism J, in this case provided with grippers j, mounted on band j', running over
pulleys, which are driven by gears 3, meshing with gears j', on a cylinder B.
It is convenient to use a fly J in connection with delivering mechanism J, and
to provide a table Je, to receive the sheets if the sheets are not to be discharged
into a folding machine.
Offset web K is wound from roll k, to roll , by a friction pulley, driven, say,
by a belt the pulley being coupled to a friction flange +, fast on shaft 5 of
roll. In order to prevent the friction winding, which is controlled by adjusting
the friction pulley, k, say by a screw 40, mounted in a bracket k7, on frame A,
from pulling the web K, from the cylinders at a rate of speed greater than the
surface speed of the cylinders, that is, to keep the web K, travelling at a speed equal
to the surface speed of the cylinders, I provide grip rolls 8, 9, roll 8, being

page_text: mounted in bearings in frame A, and exerting a pressure against roll, which is
mounted in bearings in frame A, and driven by its gears 10 meshing with gear,
on a cylinder B, and drives roll, at a speed equal to the surface speed of its
cylinder B.
The offset web K, is held against the cylinder B, so as to have a speed sub-
stantially the same as the surface speed of the cylinder by the tapes L, L', which,
serving as clamps, not only receive the severed sheet but also serve to hold the
offset web against the cylinder as stated.
The sheets are carried through the machine, preferably, by tapes L, L', the
operation of which will be readily understood by all skilled in the art without
particular description. The parts unlettered will be readily understood by those
skilled in the art, without description.
In Figure 5, I show a modification, the cylinders B being provided each with
two or more forms b, and combined with a multiplied intermittent feed D¹, and a
mutiplied auxiliary feed D, rack ³, in this case being driven by a gear 1, meshing
with gear 2, on a cylinder B. The severing mechanism F, is, of course, multiplied
in its operation to correspond to the movements of feed D¹. The auxiliary feed D,
is also multiplied, say, by cam d, on cylinder B, working with cam-roll d¹8, on
rocker arm, fast to rocker-shaft 16, carrying arms 15, supporting fingers d
as herein-before described. Cam 26, in this case is formed to give શ multiplied
motion to fingers. By this construction I am enabled to print a number of
sheets at each revolution of the cylinder, which may, of course, vary in number
from two upwards.
In Figure 6, a modification of the auxiliary feed D, is shown. In this
construction a pair of grip rolls 3, 4, are used in place of fingers d¹. Grip roll 3,
is actuated by friction contact with roll 4, and roll 4, is driven by gear 5, meshing
with segment 6, pivoted to frame A, at 7, and having an arm 8, with a cam-roll 9,
engaging cam 10, on a cylinder B. When segment 6, is in the position shown in
full lines in the drawings, grip-roll 3, is in position to be raised by lever 11,
pivoted on frame A, at 12, and provided at its other end with cam-roll 13,
engaging cam 14, on cylinder B. When roll 3, is raised a sheet is fed between
the rolls by the intermittent feed D¹, and movement of cam 14, allows lever 11, to
drop, gripping the sheet between rolls 3, and 4. Cam 10, now actuates segment 6,
to bring it to the position shown in dotted lines, thus feeding the sheet to the
cylinder with the equivalent of the push motion obtained by the fingers 1.
The segment 6, pivoted to frame A, at 7, and having an arm 8, carrying the
cam-roll 9, is the equivalent of the parts which I have herein before termed a
connection."
cam
In Figures 7 and 8, a modification of the intermittent feed above referred to is
shown, the two figures illustrating the parts in different positions. In this con-
struction, reciprocating grippers 15, seize the inner end of the sheet, and these
grippers are actuated by racks 16, which are driven by gears d³, at each side of
the machine. Grippers 15, clamp the web against a bearing 17, and are actuated
to do this by coming in contact with a stop 18, being opened to receive the web
by the stop 19, and kept open by spring 20, until it is returned against the stop 18.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a printing press, the combination of a cylinder, its clamp, an auxiliary
feed, a sheet severing device, and an adjustable intermittent feed with a support
maintained in a fixed plane and supporting a sheet from the severing device to
the cylinder and clamp, the auxiliary feed and adjustable intermittent feed being
independent one of the other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a printing press, the combination of a cylinder, its clamp, an auxiliary
feed, a sheet severing device and an adjustable intermittent feed, the auxiliary
feed surrendering the sheet to the cylinder and clamp at a speed corresponding
to the surface speed of the cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 3. In a printing press, the combination of a cylinder, its lamps, an auxiliary
feed, a sheet severing device and an intermittent feed, with a paper roll support and
a compensating device, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a printing press, the combination of a cylinder, its clamps, a feed, and
means, substantially such as described, for example, a cam and a cam connection
connecting the cam and the feed to accelerate the speed of the feed to cause the
feed to surrender a sheet to the cylinder and clamp at the surface speed of the
cylinder, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a printing press, the combination of an adjustable intermittent feed D',
severing mechanism F, independent auxiliary feed D, and adjustable carrier d;
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a printing press, the combination of the intermittent feed D', with dancing
roll and its cam g, and means, substantially such as described, for example,
adjustable crank &, arms g, rocker-shaft g', lever g, having a slot, links g³, a
link g³, having a pin working in a slot in lever g², to vary the stroke of the dancing
roll according to the adjustment of the intermittent feed, all substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
7. In a printing press, the combination of a cylinder B, intermittent feed D',
auxiliary feed D, and means, substantially such as described for example, arms d¹5,
rocker-shaft, lever 17, cam roll 18, and cam", for actuating the auxiliary
feed to deliver a sheet to the cylinder at a speed corresponding to the surface speed
of the cylinder, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 5th day of July 1890
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.