Improvements in Platen Printing Presses.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 6th Aug., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Platen Printing Presses.
We, FREDERICK JOHN HARBRIDGE, Printer, and CHARLES MICKLE, Lumben
Merchant, both of the Town of Gravenhurst, in the District of Muskoka, in the
Province of Ontario, Canada, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in platen presses and the object of
the invention is to provide a simple and very quickly operated platen press,
which will take and deliver the sheets in continuous succession without the
necessity of handling each sheet after it is once fed and it consists essentially of a
platen press provided with the upper feeding table and combined platen and
delivery table situated normally beneath the feeding table and designed to be
operated through a systein of levers to throw the sheet against the type and to
remove such sheet from the type and deliver it in the manner hereinafter more
particularly explained.
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of a machine constructed in accordance with our
invention, all the parts being omitted which are not essential to show our
improved construction.
Fig. 2, is a longitudinal section through the machine showing in full lines
the normal position and in dotted lines the position which the platen is caused
to assume when printing.
Fig. 3, is a detail of the guiding rib bar for controlling the grippers.
In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each
figure.
A is the main frame of the machine provided at its rear end with a cross shaft B.
C is the bed-plate for the type, which is formed in any suitable manner and
connected to the rear portion of the frame. D) is the feeding table, which is
supported at the front end on the studs d extending into the jaws at the side
of the table. The feeding table D is supported at the centre by a lug e forming
part of one of the side bars EE.
The side bars EE are pivotally connected to the studs dat one end and to
the arms FF at the opposite end. GG are supporting bars pivotally connected
to the studs d at the front upper end and to studs at the front of the
base A
His a cross shaft journalled in the ends of the curved arms I I pivotally con-
nected at the lower end to studs JJ secured in the sides of the frame of the
machine.
KK are links pivotally secured to the end of the shaft B and to pins kk on the
arms F. The upper end of one arm F has an extension F, thus converting
such arm into an operating lever.
Lis the combined platen and delivery table, which is provided with hangers /
suitably secured on the shaft H. M is an arc-shaped jaw extending from under-
neath the platen when it is in its normal position shown in the drawing. The

page_text: jaw M normally straddles the pin n secured in the upper end of the arm N, which
is secured at the bottom to a cross bar N¹ forming part of the frame of the
machine. The arm N has a lateral extension n', which is designed to form a
stop for the cross shaft to control the forward downward movement of the platen,
when the nippers have been brought into position as hereinafter described.
O is a cross bar provided with downwardly forwardly and inwardly extending
bent ends, which are journalled in the staples o in the stationary portion of the
table D. P is a flap provided with teeth y. The flap P is connected to the
table at its rear end by hinges and is supported normally by the underlying
flat springs 2. O¹ are stop fingers suitably set on the rod O and designed to
come in close proximity to the ends of the flat teeth p.
Qis the nipper rod, which is provided with a series of teeth or nippers q. The
nipper rod is pivoted in the end of the arm L' attached to or forming part of
the platen L, the end of the nipper rod being bent at each end as shown. Q¹
is an L-shaped arm attached to or forming part of the rod Q. The arm Q' is
designed to co-act with the ribs r and r¹ forming part of the arm R, which is
pivoted at 2 on the side bars E.
Sis a spiral spring connecting one end arm of the nipping bar to a suitable
portion of the platen. T is the gripper rod, which is suitably journalled in the
arms L and is provided with the grippers T, which are formed with U-shaped
lower ends enlarged at the extremity, so as to allow of the rod passing through
them. The extremity of the gripper is fastened to the gripping rod T by suitable
set screws. The upper end of the grippers are also preferably curved. T2 is a
spiral spring connected at one end to an arm on the gripping rod and on the
opposite end to the upper portion of the jaw M.
Vare stops located at the bottom of the platen and designed to come in
contact with corresponding stops I on the arms I.
W is an arc-shaped link pivoted at one side A' at J and rigidly connected at
its upper end to a grooved bar X provided with the long upper-are-shaped
groove open at its upper end and the lower short arc-shaped groove r¹ forming
a continuation of the upper arc-shaped groover.
a² is a stop formed on the side of the frame A and designed to normally support
the bottom end of the grooved bar.
Y is a spiral spring designed to normally hold the bottom end of the grooved
bar X down upon the stop a².
The gripper bar T is provided at one end with a crank end t, the end of which
is designed to pass into the groove of the bar, when the machine is operated as
hereinafter described.
Having now described the principal parts involved in our invention we shall
briefly describe the operation of our press. The sheet of paper to be printed is
placed on the feeding table against the stops 01. The operafing lever Fis
first thrown in the direction indicated by arrow, thereby throwing the platen
shaft II in the direction indicated by arrow (see Fig. 2) slightly tilting the platen
towards the feeding table, so that the nippers come between the teeth on the end
of the feeding table and grip the paper thereon, carrying the edge of the paper
onto the platen and holding it thereon, the action of the nippers being controlled
by the crank Q¹.
By pulling the operating lever in the direction indicated by arrow (see Fig. 1),
the paper is carried off from the feeding table as the platen is caused to move
rearwardly and the platen shaft H also rearwardly on the arc of a circle of which
the studs J are the centre that is to say upon the arms I. During this movement
the fulcrum of the links K moves slightly upward as the shaft H is travers-
ing the are hereinbefore referred to. The face of the platen also has a peculiar
movement as the jaw M straddling the pin n forms a centre of constantly in-
creasing radius upon which the platen turns or more properly by which the
front of the platen is retarded, so that the face of the platen turns as the
shaft II is traversing the are hereinbefore described, thus causing the platen as

page_text: it approaches the bed-plate of the type to assume a position substantially parallel
with the same, so that when the lever has reached the limit of the stroke indicated
by arrow in Fig. 1, the face of the platen with the sheet of paper is 'brought
against the type and receives the impression.
In the movement of the lever in the reverse direction exactly the reverse move-
ment of the platen takes place until the cross shaft H is brought forwardly
against the stop arm N.
The position in which the platen is shown in the drawing is that which the
shaft and platen assume after starting and at the period when the nippers are
about to move into the position to grasp the paper between the teeth on the end
of the feeding table.
The nippers as they pass towards the feeding table are controlled by the crank Q¹,
which ascends upon the outside of the outer rib r as the crank of the platen moves
downwardly and when it has reached the position level with the top of the
feeding table, the end of the crank Q' simultaneously passes over the upper end
of the rib r and is drawn down by the spring S upon the paper securely gripping
it upon the edge of the platen. As the platen is caused to move rearwardly as
herein before premised the crank end t, of the gripper bar rod T journalled in
the arms L forming part of the platen frame, passes into the grooved bar X,
thereby as the platen moves rearwardly throwing the grippers T₁ down upon the
surface and thus holding the sheet of paper securely in position as it moves forward
to the type.
When the lever F¹ is thrown in the opposite direction the platen has exactly
the reverse movement and the crank end t as it moves out of the grooved bar X
allows of the spring F2 to restore the grippers T¹ to their normal position, so as
to release the sheet on the platen. The crank Q₁ passing up over the rib r also
serves to release the nippers of their grip upon the sheet of paper, which thereby
being free is thrown by the platen into any suitable receptacle, which may be
provided at the front of the machine.
In the use of our press it will be seen from the peculiar construction herein-
before described, that as the platen is being caused to move upwardly and rear-
wardly that the feeding table D will be caused to move downwardly and forwardly
as indicated by dotted lines as the lever F is tilted on its adjustably held fulcrum
on the ends of the links K, thereby serving to bring the platen and feeding
table close together, so that the nippers may project over the table and act in
connection with the fingers at the feeding end of the table and the sheet may be
removed to the platen from the feeding table.
The arm X of course in the forward movement of the platen would assume
the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, when the platen is being brought
against the type and would be restored to its normal position by the spring Y
as the platen is caused to recede from the type.
In case it is desired to use our press for colored work where great accuracy
is required the upper feeding table D together with its co-acting mechanism and
supporting bars G and E may be removed and the arm N swung to one side, so
as to relieve the pin n from the jaw M. The face of the platen in this instance
would be swung down to substantially a vertical position and the crank end of
the gripping arm t would be then in the lower groover of the grooved arm X
and at the upper end of the lower groove. The platen would then of course be
comparatively close to the face of the type and it would be again necessary to
move the lever the same distance to bring the sheet on the platen on to the type.
The sheet in this case would be fastened on the platen by any suitable secure
means whereby printing in two colors might be effected. The groove r¹ in the
arm X would also serve to act upon the crank end of the gripping rod T, so as to
throw the grippers down upon the sheet as they are being moved forward to be
printed and such grippers would be relieved from the platen by the spring T²
similiarly to the manner herein before described.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In a platen printing press, in combination the type plate or form, the
platen, means for bringing the platen forwards and backwards to and from the
type form, the feeding table supported with its delivery end normally above
the platen and means for transferring the sheet from the feeding table on to the
platen whereby it may be held thereon and carried forward as and for the purpose
specified.
2. In a platen printing press, in combination the type plate or form, the
platen, the cross shaft and bracket supporting the platen upon the shaft, the arms
suitably pivoted at the bottom on the frame and through which the cross shaft
extends, the upwardly extending arms from the cross shaft and the links connected
to the rear cross shaft of the frame and to the arms above the moving cross shaft,
one of such arms being extended into the form of a lever for the purpose of
manipulation as and for the purpose specified.
3. In a platen printing press, in combination the type plate or form, the
platen, the cross shaft, and bracket supporting the platen upon the shaft, the arms
suitably pivoted at the bottom on the frame and through which the cross shaft
extends, the upwardly extending arms from the cross shaft, the links connected
to the rear cross shaft of the frame and to the arms above the moving cross shaft,
one of such arms being extended into the form of a lever for the purpose of
manipulation, the feeding table supported with its delivery end normally above
the platen and means for transferring the sheet from the feeding table on to the
platen whereby it may be held thereon and carried forward as and for the purpose
specified.
4. In a platen printing press, in combination the type plate or form, the
platen, the cross shaft and bracket supporting the platen upon the shaft, the
arms suitably pivoted at the bottom on the frame and through which the cross
shaft extends, the upwardly extending arms from the cross shaft, the links con-
nected to the rear cross shaft of the frame and to the arms above the moving
cross shaft, one of such arms being extended into the form of a lever for the
purpose of manipulation, the feeding table provided with depending front jaws,
the side bars pivotally connected at the forward end to the arms secured on the
end of the movable cross shaft and provided with a supporting block for
the feeding table, the supporting bars pivotally connected to the front ends of the
side bars and to the bottom of the frame, the top connecting bolts of the side
bars and supporting bars forming a support for the depending jaws of the table
and means for transferring the sheet from the feeding table on to the platen
whereby it may be held thereon and carried forward as and for the purpose
specified.
5. In a platen printing press, in combination the type plate or form, the platen,
the cross shaft and bracket supporting the platen upon the shaft, the arms
suitably pivoted at the bottom on the frame and through which the cro-s shaft
extends and means for imparting a tilting movement to the platen so as to throw
its face parallel to the face of the type form as it is being carried forward on the
end of the arms as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a platen printing press, in combination the type plate or form, the platen,
the cross shaft and bracket supporting the platen upon the shaft, the arm
suitably pivoted at the bottom on the frame and through which the cross shaft
extends, means for carrying the cross shaft on the arc of the circle of the arms
towards the type form and depending curvular jaws secured to the bottom of the
platen and a pin secured on a suitable arm of the frame and extending through
the jaw as and for the purpose specified.
7. In a platen printing press, in combination the type plate or form, the
platen, the cross shaft and bracket supporting the platen upon the shaft, the arm
suitably pivoted at the bottom on the frame and through which the cross shaft

page_text: extends, means for carrying the cross shaft on the arc of the circle of the arms,
towards the type form and an arm secured to the frame and provided with an
extension rest for the cross shaft as and for the purpose specified."
8. In a platen printing press, in combination the type plate or form, the platen
and means for manipulating same, the feeding table suitably supported with the
rear or feeding end normally above the platen, the arms secured at the bottom of
the platen at the rear end thereof, the nipper rod and nippers secured thereto,
means for bringing the feeding table close to the platen table as it is being caused
to move towards the type form, and means for imparting a swinging movement
to the nippers over the front of the feeding table as and for the purpose specified.
9. In a platen printing press, in combination the type plate or form, the platen,
the cross shaft and bracket supporting the platen upon the shaft, the arms suitably
pivoted at the bottom on the frame and through which the cross shaft extends,
the upwardly extending arms from the cross shaft and the links connected to the
rear cross shaft of the frame and to the arms above the moving cross shaft, the
feeding table, the side bars thereof pivotally supported to the front and pivotally
connected at the rear to the upwardly extending arms secured on the end of the
movable cross shaft, the arm pivoted on one side bar and provided with inner
curvular ribs, the arms secured in the lower end of the platen, the nipper arm
and nippers and crank arm on the end of the nippers designed to co-act with
the inner ribs on the end of the arm pivoted on the side bar and the spring
connected to the arm of the rod and to a suitable portion of the platen frame as
and for the purpose specified.
10. In combination the platen and means for operating the same, the nipper
rod journalled in arms at the bottom of the platen and the nippers secured to or
forming part of the rod, means for raising and lowering the nippers, the feeding
table located normally above the platen and the teeth formed on the rear feeding
end of the table as and for the purpose specified.
11. In combination the platen and means for operating the same the nipper
rod journalled in arms at the bottom of the platen and the nippers secured to or
forming part of the rod, means for raising and lowering the nippers, the feeding
table located normally above the platen, the rear flap suitably supported and
provided with gauges at its forward end, and the teeth formed on the free edge
of the flap as and for the purpose specified.
12. The combination with the platen and means for throwing the same forward
against the type form and tilting it as it moves forward, of the gripping rod
journalled in arms at the bottom of the platen, the grippers and means for
throwing the grippers down over the platen as it is passing forward to assume a
vertical position to make the impression as and for the purpose specified.
13. The combination the platen and means for throwing the same forward
against the type form and tilting it as it moves forward, of the gripping rod
journalled in arms at the bottom of the platen, the grippers, the crank end
formed on the rod, the grooved bar pivotally supported on the frame and spring-
held and designed to come in contact with the crank end of the gripping rod as
the platen is caused to move forward towards the type form whereby the grippers
are thrown upon the platen to maintain the sheet in place as and for the purpose
specified.