Improvements in Mounting Stereotype Plates in for Printing.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 11th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 21st Dec, 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mounting Stereotype Plates in
for Printing.
"Formes
"
We, HENRY STEPHEN STATHAM, of 15 Arliss Road, Lavender Hill, in the County
of Surrey, Printer's Assistant, and ADOLPHUS ORCHARD CHUDLEIGH, of Jersey Villa,
Richmond Gardens, Upton, in the County of Essex, Printer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows :-
In printing books and other publications having numerous pages from electrotype
or stereotype plates, it is usual to mount each such plate upon a block of wood, or
upon a number of metal blocks known as "French furniture ;" and, having arranged
the several blocks in their requisite positions and at suitable distances from one
another, to fill in the intervening spaces with other blocks of wood or metal, the
whole being then firmly secured by means of wedges within an iron frame, known as
a "chase," the same being then fixed upon the bed of the printing machine. This
process occupies much time and material, and necessitates caro in setting out the
blocks carrying the stereotype plates in their proper relative positions.
The objects of our invention are to enable the use of such wooden or metal blocks,
both for mounting the stereotype plates and for filling the intervening spaces, to be
dispensed with; and further to afford means whereby the several stereotype plates
may be placed in their proper relative positions without measurements being taken or
special attention devoted to this part of the work; economy in time and material being
hereby effected.
"
In mounting a series of electrotype or stereotype plates according to our improved
method and producing a forme adapted for printers' purposes, we employ a bed,
preferably of metal, and having in its face a number of grooves, of 1 or equivalent
shape, arranged longitudinally and transversely. Each point of intersection of the
grooves corresponds with the centre of one of the stereotype plates. The edges of
the latter are bevelled or chamfered, and have a small nick made at the centre of each
edge. The grooves in the bed are fitted with sliding blocks, each of which is provided
with a pin or projection suitably formed for entering the nick in the edge of the

page_text: stereotype plate; each block also carrying a catch which engages with the bevelled
or chamfered edge of the said plate. By these means, the stereotype plates are secured
to the grooved bed, and their positions are at the same time accurately determined
by reason of the nicks in their edges having to be entered by the pins or projections
appertaining to the sliding blocks. The pins or projections carried by the blocks
prevent lateral movement of the stereotype plates; whilst the catches, also carried by
the blocks, hold the plates down to the grooved bed. In order to prevent the sliding
blocks slacking back, a strong steel clip is inserted in the groove in the bed; or, if
preferred, a strip of wood or metal of suitable length may be dropped into each of the
vacant portions of the grooves between the back of one block and the back of another.
Other means may, however, be employed for securing the blocks and catches in their
engaging positions; as, for example, a pin inserted in a hole formed in the base of
the groove immediately behind each block.
For stereotype plates of moderate size, we regard it as sufficient to employ two
grooves and four holding blocks and catches; but for large plates, we deem it pre-
ferable to employ three grooves, one running longitudinally beneath the plate, and
two transversely. Under such circumstances, each stereotype plate is secured in
position by means of six holding blocks and catches.
The series of stereotype plates having been secured to the grooved bed in the manner
described, the latter is transferred to the bed of the printing machine and secured
thereto in the usual or any convenient manner.
1
" T
1207
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mounting Stereotype Plates in
for Printing.
"Formes "
We, HENRY STEPHEN STATHAM, of 15, Arliss Road, Lavender Hill, in the. County
of Surrey, Printer's Assistant, and ADOLPHUS ORCHARD CHUDLEIGH, of Jersey Villa,
Richmond Gardens, Upton, in the County of Essex, 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:-
In printing books, and other publications having numerous pages, from electrotype
or stereotype plates, it is usual to mount cach such plate upon a block of wood, or
upon a number of metal blocks known as "French furniture," and, having arranged
the several blocks in their requisite positions and at suitable distances from one
another, to fill in the intervening spaces with other blocks of wood or metal, the
whole being then firmly secured by means of wedges within an iron frame known as
chase," the same being then fixed upon the bed of the printing machine. This
process occupies much time and material, and necessitates care in setting out the
blocks carrying the stereotype plates in their proper relative positions.
The objects of our invention are to enable the use of such wooden or metal blocks,
both for mounting the stereotype plates and for filling the intervening spaces, to be
dispensed with; and, further, to afford means whereby the several stereotype plates
may be placed in their proper relative positions without measurements being taken
or special attention devoted to this part of the work; economy in time and material
being hereby effected.
"
In order that our invention may be fully understood, we will proceed to describe
the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereof Fig. 1 represents
in plan a bed adapted for the reception of a series of electrotype or stereotype
plates mounted according to our improved method and constituting a
"forme
suitable for printers' purposes. Parallel with the edges of the bed are arranged a
number of grooves in which are fitted movable blocks furnished with catches for
engaging with and securing the stereotype plates. Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate, to an
enlarged scale, in side and end elevation, and Fig. 4 in plan, one of the movable
blocks above referred to Fig. 5 being an elevation of a part of the bed shewing
one of the grooves therein lined with its clip or spring for maintaining the block
in position. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 represent, in longitudinal and transverse section and
in plan, an alternative mode of constructing the sliding block and the means for
holding the same in position in its groove. Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate further
modifications hereinafter more particularly described.
The bed a is preferably constructed of metal or metal mounted upon "papier
maché or other material of a nature adapted to maintain its normal dimensions
under the varying conditions to which it may in use become exposed. In its face,
a number of grooves a¹ of 1 or equivalent shape, arranged longitudinally and
transversely, are provided; the number of these grooves varying according to
circumstances. Each point of intersection of the grooves may correspond with the

page_text: centre of one of the stereotype or electrotype plates. The edges of the latter are
bevelled or chamfered, and have a small nick made at the centre of each edge.
The grooves a¹ are fitted with sliding blocks b, which may be pushed into any
desired position; each block being provided with a pin or projection suitably
formed for entering the nick in one of the edges of the stereotype or electroypo
plate. A series e of pins or projections e pivotted to the block b, and which, in
their normal position, are depressed and out of action, is employed in order to
permit the plates to be set out, upon the appropriate pins or projections being raised
and thus brought into action, at different distances from each other, according to the
width of margin required. Each block also carries a catch d, which engages with
one of the bevelled or chamfered edges of one of the plates aforesaid. By these
means, the electrotype or stereotype plates are secured to the grooved bed, and, their
positions are at the same time accurately determined by reason of the nicks in their
edges having to be entered by the pins or projections c. The pins or projections c
also prevent lateral movement of the stereotype or other plates, whilst the catches d
hold the said plates down to the bed a. In order to prevent the sliding blocks b
slacking back, a strong spring-clip a² (Fig. 5) is inserted in each groove a¹.
means may, however, he employed for securing the blocks with the catches carried
thereby in their engaging positions; as, for example, a pin inserted in a hole formed
in the base of each groove immediately behind each block.
Other
According to the alternative method of construction illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8,
the block is maintained in its operative position by means of two transverse pins e
mounted in the body thereof and which are projected laterally and forced against
the sides of the groove by means of a wedge carried by a lever f, which may
be either rigid or slightly flexible. The lever is pivotted at one extremity
to the block; the other extremity being formed with a boss 2 through which
an adjusting stud screws. By turning the latter, the lever f¹ may be raised and
the pins e forced outwards to the required extent. In this instance, the catch d forms
part of a spring, the tail end of which is supported by the boss f². As the pins e
are forced outwards and the boss f lifted, the pressure applied to the catch d and
thus to the stereotype plate is increased. In addition to a resilient catch, such as
described, readily engaging with plates having differently shaped edges, as each
stereotype or other plate becomes worn or indented at the point of engagement, the
slack is automatically taken up apart from the means of adjustment afforded by the
screw. In this construction, the catch d can be folded down so as not to project
above the level of the bed when it is desired to employ stereotype plates of such sizes
as to permit of the use of certain of the blocks, being dispensed with; the necessity
for withdrawing these blocks from the grooves upon such occasions being hereby
avoided. In Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the parts are arranged to permit the catch d to be
bodily removed when requisite. The type of block shewn in these figures is in Fig. 9
provoided with a wire spring b, which may be employed in addition to or in
substitution for the spring-clip a² previously described. The pins e (Figs. 7 and 8)
may be actuated by means of a conical body k mounted in the block b, as indicated in
Fig. 10, to slide longitudinally but not rotatively on a square shaft L. When the
shaft by means of a suitable key applied to the head is turned, the conical
body is carried round therewith and, owing to the base thereof lying in a plane
at an angle to the axis of the shaft and being in contact with the block, it is
caused to slide upon the shaft and to force out the pins e (indicated in the present
figure by dotted lines). The body k may also be arranged to engage with the tail d²
of the catch d and to turn same about its pivot; the grip on the stereotype plate
being thereby regulated as required. In the present illustration, the catch d and the
projection c are formed in one piece.
For stereotype or other plates of moderate size, we regard it as sufficient to employ
two grooves and four holding blocks and catches; but for large plates we deem it
preferable to employ three grooves, one running longitudinally beneath the plate and
two transversely. Under such circumstances, each stereotype or other plate is secured
in position by means of six holding blocks and the catches appertaining thereto.

page_text: The series of stereotype or other plates having been secured to the grooved bed in
the manner described, the latter is transferred to the bed of the printing machine
and secured thereto in the usual or in any convenient manner.
The bed a may be divided into equal parts, each part representing the surface
covered by a single page, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. These divisions
may be made exact counterparts of one another; and, being placed close together in
such a manner that the extra margin allowed for trimming on each single page is
placed alternatively left and right, form a complete bed. This admits of plates and
movable types, making up a sheet, being worked together.
This invention effects a great saving in time in cases where the work is, being
printed in more than one colour; for, the plates bearing the different colours being
set out upon the saine centre line, accuracy of register is readily attainable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim :-
1. The improved method of mounting stereotype and similar plates in "formes" for
printing, substantially as herein described.
2. The improved means, substantially as herein described, for mounting stereotype
and similar plates in "formes" for printing; the same comprising a bed provided
with longitudinal and transverse grooves adapted for the reception of sliding blocks
which carry catches for engaging with and holding the said plates.
3. In mounting stereotype and similar plates in "formes" for printing, the
employment, in conjunction with a grooved bed, of sliding blocks provided with
catches for engaging with the edges of the plate and fastening the same to the bed
and furnished with pins or projections for engaging in nicks or notches in the said
edges, whereby lateral movement of the plate is prevented and accuracy of register
ensured.
4. In mounting stereotype and similar plates in "formes" for printing, the
employment, in conjunction with sliding blocks which serve to secure the plates to a
grooved bed, of spring-clips formed as linings to the grooves; such linings operating
to grip and hold the sliding blocks and, by protecting the sides of the grooves from
wear, to enable "papier maché" or other light material to be used for the substance
of the bed-plate.
1000
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.