Improvements in Machines for Feeding Sheets of Paper to Printing Presses and similar Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1896-Accepted, 16th May, 1896
COMPLETE STECIFICATION.
Communicated from abroad by LEWIS BENEDICT, of the City of Chicago, County
of Cook, State of Illinois, United States of America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Machines for Feeding Sheets of Paper to Printing
Presses and similar 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 sanie is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a top or plan view;
Figure 2 is a side elevation showing one side of the machine;
Figure 3 is a side elevation showing the other side of the machine;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section upon line 4-4 of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an enlarged detail, being a view of the pneumatic picker immediately
after the forward edge of the sheet is raised;
Figure 6 is an enlarged detail, being a top or plan view of the pneumatic
picker;
Figure 7 is an enlarged detail, being a vertical longitudinal section upon line 7-7
of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail, being a view of the valve-moving mechanism for
the pneumatic sheet-lifting tube;
Figure 9 is an enlarged detail, being a longitudinal vertical section through the
sheet-holding and lifting devices, upon line 9-9 of Figure 1, showing the pneumatic
roller in its extreme backward position and the sheets lifted against it;
Figure 10 is an enlarged detail, being a section upon the same line as Figure 9,
but showing the pneumatic roller moved backward, tolling up and lifting the rear
end of the sheet, with the sheet-holding devices holding the sheets down below the
lifted one;
Figure 11 is an enlarged detail, being a front view of the sheet-holding device
shown in Figures 9 & 10;
Figure 12 is an enlarged detail, being a view of the pneumatic tube for lifting
the rear ends of the sheets, broken away in the center;
Figure 13 is an enlarged detail, being a view of the mechanism by which the
pneumatic tube is rotated in its forward and backward movements;
Figure 14 is an enlarged detail, being a cross-section upon line 14-14 of
Figure 13;
Figure 15 is an enlarged detail, being a view of the device by which the
mechanism for holding and lifting the rear ends of the sheets is mounted upon the
shaft;
Figure 16 is an enlarged detail, being a section made by a plane passing through
line 16-16 of Figure 15;
Figure 17 is an enlarged detail showing the connection of the connecting rod
with the shaft carrying the devices for lifting and holding down the rear ends of.
the sheets.
This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic machines for feeding sheets
of paper to printing presses and similar machines, and its object is to provide

page_text: mechanism by which sheets of paper may be automatically fed into a printing press
or similar machine.
It has for a further object to provide improvements in pneumatic pickers by
means of which the front end of a sheet of paper may be lifted by pneumatic
pressure from a pile of sheets, carried forward until it engages with the tapes or
other carrying devices of the printing press or similar machine, and automatically
freed and disengaged from said pneumatic pressure at the proper time.
It has for a further object to provide new and improved mechanism by which
the rear end of the sheet upon the top of a pile of paper may be lifted from the
sheets below, whereby the carrying forward of a single sheet by the pneumatic
pickers may he insured.
It has for a further object to provide new and improved mechanism by which
the rear ends of the sheets may be lifted up so as to contact with and be engaged
by a pneumatically-acting roller which engages with and lifts the rear end of a
single sheet from the pile, and to insure the freeing of a single sheet from the pile.
It has for a further object to provide devices by which the rear ends of all the
sheets below the one which it is designed to carry forward may be held down so as
to prevent more than one sheet at a time from being carried forward to the press by
the pneumatic pickers and carriers.
It has for a further object the construction of a new and improved pneumatic
automatically-acting sheet-feeder for printing and similar presses.
It has for a further object the improvements in certain details of construction
hereinafter described.
These objects are accomplished as hereinafter specified and as illustrated in the
drawings. That which is regarded as new will be set forth in the claims.
In the drawings
18 indicates the framework of the feeder, upon which are mounted the devices
hereinafter described.
20 indicates the driving wheel by means of which the mechanism is operated.
21 indicates arms pivoted at their lower ends to the framework 18 and provided
with rollers 22 at suitable distances above the pivots.
23 indicates cams which are keyed to the shaft 24 of the driving wheel 20 and
bear against the rollers 22 upon the arms 21, so as to move them forward as the
cams 23 bear upon them.
25 indicates a connecting rod which is pivoted at its rear end in a slot 26 at the
upper end of the arm 21, and at its forward end connected with the carriage for
the pneumatic sheet-pickers hereinafter described.
27 indicates a spiral spring, the forward end of which is connected with the
pneumatic-picker carriage hereinafter described, and the rear end of which is
fastened to the framework 18; the operation of the spring 27 being to move the
carriage backward after it has been pushed forward by the operation of the cam,
and at the same time to throw the lever back again ready to be thrown forward by
the operation of the cam 23.
28 indicates a pneumatic-picker carriage, which is provided with wheels 29 which
move upon tracks 30-30 which are mounted upon the framework 18, as shown in
Figures 2, 3, 4 & 5, the detail of the carriage being best shown in Figure 5.
31 indicates a pneumatic tube which is mounted upon the carriage 28, as best
shown in Figures 5 and 7. The tube 31 is provided with a valve chamber 32, as
best shown in said Figures 5 and 7.
33 indicates a flexible tube of rubber or other suitable material, which is
connected at its lower end with the pneumatic tube 31 and at its upper end connects
with a tube 34 which is connected with a vacuum chamber 35. The vacuum
chamber 35 is provided with a vacuum gauge 36, and has the air exhausted from
it by any suitable air-pump, which-being of any approved form or type-is not
shown in the drawings.
37 indicates a lever by means of which the connection of the vacuum chamber 35

page_text: with the pneumatic devices herein before and hereinafter described may be shut off
or opened at will.
Referring to Figures 5 and 7 (which are details and best show the devices),
38 indicates a telescopic tube or picker, which is mounted upon the lower end of
the pneumatic tube 31. The tube 48 is mounted upon the lower end of the
pneumatic tube 31, so as to slide freely, but air-tight, thereon, and has its bottom
provided with a number of openings, as best shown in Figure 7.
39 indicates a spiral spring which bears between a shoulder 40 below the
carriage 28 and upon the upper end of the telescopic tube or picker 38, and tends
to force the telescopic picker 38 downward.
41 indicates a guide or track which is mounted upon a cross-bar 42 secured to
the frame-work of the machine. The guide 41 extends backward under the
carriage 28, its rear end curving downward, as best shown in Figure 5. The
telescopic picker 38 is provided with a pin 43 extending horizontally outward so as
to bear upon the track or guide 41. As the carriage is moved forward by the
action of the cam 23, lever 21 and connecting rod 25, the pin 43 comes in contact
with the curved-down end of the guide 41, insuring the lifting of the telescopic
picker 38. As the carriage moves back after said pneumatic picker has been
relieved of the sheet, the spring 39 keeps the pin 43 bearing upon the upper
surface of the track 41, thus dropping the picker 38 upon the sheet below it. The
track is so arranged as to cause the telescopic picker 38 to drop upon the sheets
below just as the carriage reaches the rearmast limit of its motion, bringing the
picker over the forward edges of the sheets.
Referring to Figure 7, 44 indicates a valve mounted in the valve chamber 32
and adapted to open or close the pneumatic tube 31 as it is moved forward or
backward.
45 indicates a rod connected with the valve 44 and extending through suitable
packing a suitable distance in front of and to the rear of the valve chamber 32.
46 indicates a cushion or buffer which is adjustably mounted upon the forward
end of the valve rod 45.
47 indicates a hinge or flap valve upon the rear of the telescopic picker 38, and
connected by connecting rods 48-49 to the rear end of the valve rod 45.
.50 indicates a lever which is pivoted at its rear end upon the side of the valve
chamber 32, its forward end being curved downward, as best shown in Figure 5,
and it is provided with a latch 51 at a suitable point between its two ends.
52 indicates a pin mounted upon the valve rod 45, which is adapted to engage
with the latch 51 of the lever 50.
53 indicates spiral springs which are connected at their forward ends with the
pneumatic tube 31 and at their rear ends with the rear end of the valve rod 45,
as best shown in Figure 6. The springs are so arranged that their tension when
left free to operate throws the valve rod 45 forward, opening the valve 44.
54 indicates tapes of the usual form and construction, mounted upon rollers 55-56.
These tapes, heing of the ordinary form and operation and forming no part of my
invention, are not described more fully here. Indeed, the sheet may be taken from
the picker and carried forward by any suitable mechanism.
In the above description of the pneumatic pickers and carriages I have described
those upon one side of the machine; it being understood that the parts are
duplicated, one upon each side of the machine, so as to engage with the sheet
to be lifted upon each side. The description above given applies to both
mechanisms.
The operation of the picking devices is as follows: The connection between the
vacuum chamber and the picking devices being opened by means of the lever 37,
the machine is set in motion. As the carriage moves forward the buffer 46 is
moved forward to its extreme limit by means of the cam 23, lever 21 and con-
necting rod 25. The buffer 46, just before the carriage reaches its extreme
torward limit of motion, comes in contact with the cross-bar 42 and closes the
valve 44. At the same time, the valve 47 will be opened by the rearward motion

page_text: of the valve rod 45 communicated to it through the rods 48-49, thus allowing an
ingress of air through the opening covered by the hinge or flap valve 47 into the
pickers, causing the sheet which has been lifted and carried forward, as hereinafter
described, to be dropped. At the same time, the lever 50 drops so that the
latch 51 engages with the pin 52, holding the valve closed during the return or
backward motion of the carriage, as hereinafter described, until it reaches the
proper point to be opened. The cam 23 being so arranged as to free the roller 22
from its pressure as the carriage 28 reaches the forward limit of its motion, the
spiral spring 27 causes the carriage to move backward, moving with it the lever 21,
as above described. The carriage having moved backward to such a position that
the telescopic pickers 38 are above the forward end of the sheet to be lifted, the
curved forward end of the lever 50 engages along its under surface with the cross-
bar 42, thereby freeing the pins 52 from engagement with the latch 51, whereupon
-by means of the spiral spring 53-the valve 44 is opened. At the same time, by
means of the pins 43 bearing upon the track 41, the telescopic pickers 38, through
the operation of the spring 39, have been lowered upon the forward surface of the
paper, the devices being so regulated that the valve 41 is opened as above
described just at the moment of the contact of said pickers with the sheet below
them. The vacuum thus caused in the pneumatic tubes 31 holds the sheet against
the lower ends of the pickers 38 ready to be carried forward upon the next forward
motion of the carriage 28. The pickers descend with just sufficient force upon the
top sheet to form close connection with it, and as the air is exhausted from the
pickers by means of the vacuum appliances the sheet is held firmly against
the pickers, but the pickers do not hold the top sheet down upon the sheet below
it so closely as to prevent all access of air beneath the top sheet. In practice
it will be found that the pressure of the air below the sheet will be sufficient to at
once raise the telescopic pickers 38 and with them the forward ond of the sheet
without the action of the pins 43 upon the guides 41; but as above described, as
the carriage moves forward the engaging of said pins 43 with the guides 41
insures the lifting of the forward end of the sheet. At the same time that the
valve 44 is opened, as above described, the flap valve 47 is closed by the forward
motion of the valve rod 45. The forward end of the sheet as the carriage is
moved forward is delivered upon the tapes 54, and by them conveyed to the
printing press, ruling or other similar machine.
57 indicates levere which are pivoted at their lower ends upon the framework 18.
58 indicates cams, having cam grooves 59 which engage with rollers 60 mounted
upon the levers 57, as best shown in Figure 4. The cams 58 are keyed upon
the shaft 24, and as said shaft rotates move the levers 57 forward and backward.
61-62 indicate connecting rods which are pivotally mounted upon the levers 57
at a suitable distance above the pivotal point of said levers, and at their forward
ends are connected with the ends of the pneumatic tube hereinafter described.
63 indientes a pneumatic tube, which is provided with a number of openings 64.
The pneumatic tube is mounted upon and carried by the forward ends of the
connecting rods 61-62 in such manner as to be reciprocated backward and
forward as said rods are moved by the movement of the levers 57, and so as to
rotate freely therein, as best shown in Figure 12.
The pneumatic tube 63 is provided upon one end with a pinion 6%, which
engages with a rack 66, as best shown in Figure 13. The rack 66 is provided
with a stem 67 which passes through a pin 68, and is adjustably secured thereto by
means of a set-screw 69, as best shown in Figures 13 and 14. The pin 68 is
mounted, as best shown in Figure 14, in ears 70 which are secured to the frame-
work of the machine. As the pneumatic tube 63 is reciprocated by the action of
the connecting rods 61-62, it will be rotated backward and forward by means
of the pinion 63 engaging with the rack 66. The end of the pneumatic tube 63
opposite the end which carries the pinion 65 is rotatably mounted, as best shown in
Figure 12, in a hox 71 which communicates with a vacuum tube 72; and the
vacuum tube 63 opens into the box 71.

page_text: 73 indicates flexible tubes which are connected with the vacuum tube 72 at one
end, and at the other with tubes 74 which connect with the vacuum chamber 35.
Referring to Figure 8, which is a detail, 75 indicates a valve chamber, in which
is located a valve similar to that shown in Figure 7, but which is not shown in
detail here.
76 indicates a valve rod which projects forward for a suitable length through
suitable packing in front of the valve chamber 75.
77 indicates a U-shaped guide which is mounted upon an upright 78 secured to
the framework of the machine. The valve rod 76 passes through said upright and
through the forward end of the guide 77.
79-80 indicate blocks which are adjustably secured to the valve rod 76 within
the guide 77.
81 indicates a spiral spring which is carried upon the valve rod 76 between the
forward end of the guide 77 and the block 79.
82 indicates a spiral spring which is carried upon the valve rod 76 between the
upright 78 and the block 80,
83 indicates a lever which is pivoted at its rear end upon the forward portion of
the valve chamber 75, and passes through a suitable slot in the upright 78. The
lever 83 is provided with a curved bearing shoulder 84 and with a latch 85 upon
its lower side. 86 indicates a pin nounted upon the block 80 and adapted to
engage with the latch 85.
The operation of this portion of the device is as follows:-Assuming, for purposes
of description, that the pneumatic roller is in its forward position, the machine is
set in motion, as above described. By the operation of the cam grooves 59 on the
cams 58 acting upon the rollers 60 of the levers 57, the levers are moved back-
ward, which motion is communicated by means of the connecting rods 61-62, to
the pneumatic tube 63; the valve in the chamber 75 being closed, so as to shut
off the connection between the pneumatic tube 63 and the vacuum chamber 35.
As the tube is carried backward, it is rotated by the operation of the pinion 65 and
rack 66, and the rotation is so timed and adjusted that as the tube reaches the back
limit of its motion the openings 64 in said tube are brought opposite the paper,
which is lifted up against said tube by the devices hereinafter described. At this.
moment, the valve in the valve chamber 75 is opened, as hereinafter described,
whereby a partial vacuum is caused in the vacuum tube 63, causing the upper sheet
of the pile to be held against it by pressure of the air. The operation of the
device is so timed that as soon as the sheet is engaged by means of the air pressure,.
as above described, the vacuum tube starts forward, rotating in the direction of the
arrows in Figure 10, and carrying the sheet around it. The positions of the tubė
at the moment that the sheets are lifted against it and at the forward limit of its
motion are respectively shown in Figures 9 and 10. As the top sheet is lifted and
rolled around the pneumatic tube, as above described, the sheets below are held'
down by the devices hereinafter described. Just before the vacuum tube 63
reaches the forward limit of its motion, the valve in the chamber 75 is closed, as
bereinafter described, allowing the sheet to be freed from the tube 63.
forward motion of the tube 63 and the mechanism which causes it are adjusted to
co-operate with the action of the pneumatic pickers above described, in such a way
that the pneumatic tube reaches the forward limit of its motion and allows the
sheet to be freed just as the pneumatic pickers above described start upon their
forward motion.
The operation of the valve-closing mechanism connected with the pneumatic
tube 63 is as follows: As the tube is carried forward, carrying with it the vacuum
tube 72, just before it reaches the forward limit of its motion the spiral spring 81
bears upon the forward end of the guide 77 and upon the block 79, forcing the
valve rod 76 Lackward and closing the valve. At the same time the lever 83 falls,.
allowing the latch 85 to engage with the pin 86 upon the block 80, which holds
the valve in its closed position during the backward movement of the tube 63, until
just before it reaches the extreme limit of its backward motion. At that time the

page_text: sloping curved shoulder 84 upon the under side of the lever 83 comes in contact
with the bottom of the slot in the upright 78 through which the lever 83 extende,
causing the lever to be lifted and freeing it from engagement with the pin 86.
the meanwhile, the spring 81 has been freed from its pressure and the spring 82
compressed, whereby, as soon as the pin 86 is released from engagement with the
latch 85, the spring 82 bearing upou the forward surface of the upright 78 and
upon the block 80 forces the valve rod 76 forward and opens the valve in the
chamber 75.
87 indicates a shaft, which is journaled in the framework of the machine.
88 indicates cranks which are keyed upon the shaft 87, near each en.l, as best
shown in Figure 17, and which are provided with crank pins 89.
90 indicates connecting rods, which are, toward their rear ends, pivotally con-
nected with the arms 57, and at their forward ends with the crank pins 89. The
method of connecting which I prefer is shown in Figure 17. Each of the
connecting rods 90 is provided at its forward end with a slot 91, which engages
with the crank pin 89. 92 indicates a U-shaped casting, the forward ends of
which are journaled on the crank pin 89, the rear of such casting 92 heing
provided with an opening through which the connecting rod 90 passos.
93 indicates spiral springs which bear between the U-shaped castings 92 and
pins 94 mounted in the connecting rods 90, the object of this method of connection
being to allow a slight amount of play between the crank and its connections, in
case of different heights of the pile of paper when borne upon by the holding-down
devices hereinafter described.
95 indicates holders, which are mounted upon the shaft 87. I prefer to make
these holders hollow, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, and of about the shape shown
in Figure 1, and perforate them along their front edges with openings, as shown in
Figure 11, in order to permit air to be blown through them for the purpose of
assisting in lifting the sheet, as hereinafter described. To this end I prefer to
connect them by tubes 96 (indicated in Figure 4) to any suitable device for forcing
air through them. The sheet-holders 95 are adjustably secured to the shaft 87 by
means of a set-screw, as best shown in Figures 9 and 10.
97 indicates lifters, which are mounted upon the shaft 87. The manner in
which these lifters are mounted is best shown in Figures 15 and 16. Referring to
these figures, 98 indicates a ring, which is adjustably secured upon the shaft 87 by
means of a set-screw 99. The ring 98 is provided with a circumferential groove
within which rests an outer ring 100, the outer ring 100 being provided with a
shoulder 101 within which the lifter 97 is adjustably secured by means of a set-
screw 102. The lifter 97 is so constructed as to be somewhat flexible at its
forward end, having stiffness enough to raise the sheets but flexibility enough to
yield slightly as may be needed, as is best shown in Figure 9. The inner ring 98
is provided with a slot 103 extending throughout a portion of its circumference,
as best shown in Figures 15 and 16, and a portion of the ring is cut away below
said slot, as best shown in Figure 16. The outer ring 100 is also provided with a
slot 104, somewhat wider than and located above the slot 103 on the inner ring 98,
and extending throughout a suitable portion of its circumference.
105 indicates screws, having heads 106. The heads 106 are adapted to rest in
the cut-away portion below the slot 103 of the inner ring 98, and to bear against
the upper surface of said cut-away portion, as best shown in Figure 16.
107 indicates tubes which are screw-threaded to engage with the screws 105,
and are provided with pins 108 upon their upper ends, by means of which they
may be turned. The screwe 105 may be adjusted at any desired point of the
slot 103 and securely fastened thereto by means of the threaded tubes 107. As
the shaft 87 is rotated backward and forward, it carries with it the ring 98 and
the screws 105 and tubes 107. As these tubes are carried backward or forward
they will bear upon the ends of the slot 104, and when so bearing cause the outer
ring 100 to be rotated backward or forward, raising or lowering the lifters 97
therewith. By the adjustment of the screws 105 at proper positions in the

page_text: slot 103, as above described, the lifters 97 may be given any desired amount of
motion. The movement of the shaft 87, carrying the holders 95 and lifters 97, is
so timed that the lifters 97 are brought upward just before the paeumatic tube 63
reaches the backward limit of its motion, the forward ends of the lifters 97
engaging with the rear ends of the pile of sheets, lifting them up in contact with
the pneumatic tube 63, as shown in Figure 9, the flexible forward enls of the
lifters 97 yiel ling slightly to prevent a sudden or forcible contact. When the
pneumatic roller 63 starts on its forward motion, the lifters 97 are lowere.l from
engagement with the sheet, permitting all the sheets except the top one, which is
engaged with the pneumatic roller as above described, to drop upon the pile. The
bolders 95 are lowered at the same time and are brought to bear upon the upper
surface of the pile of sheets, as shown in Figure 10, said contact being made just
as the sheet is freed from the pneumatic pressure upon the tube 63 and is engaged
by the pneumitic pickers, as above described, taking the position shown in
Figure 10. At the same time a current of air blown through the holders 95,
through the connections above described, energes through the holes in the front in
the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 10 and assists in lifting the upper
sheet and holding it separate from the rest of the pile of sheets. The connections
of the rod 90 with the crank pin 89 above described prevents violent contact of
the holders 95 with the sheets, thus preventing breaking of the parts.
109 indicates brackets located below and secured to the base plate of the.
framework 18.
110 indicates screws which pass through the base plate of the frame 18 and
through the brackets 109.
111 indicates a table, which is supported upon the upper ends of the screws 110.
112 indicates bevel gears which rest upon the brackets 109 and are provided
with screw-threaded openings through which the screws 110 pass.
113-114 indicate bevel gears which mesh with the bevel gears 112. The bevel
gears 113-114 are provided upon their inner sides with sprocket wheels 115, as
best shown in Figure 4, which are connected with a sprocket chain 116. The
bevel gears 113-114 are journaled in the framework of the machine.
117 indicates a ratchet-wheel, which is keyed upon the same shaft with the
bevel gear 114, or in any suitable manner secured thereto so as to rotate
therewith.
118 (see dotted lines in Figure 2) is an eccentric mounted upon the axle 24
al manner.
es a lever pivoted at its lower end to the framework 18 upon the
same axial line as the ratchet wheel 117.
120 indicates the eccentric rod, one end of which is securel to the eccen-
tric 118 and the other pivotally connected to the upper end of the lever 119.
121 indicates a pawl which is pivoted to the lever 119 and adapted to engage
with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 117.
122 indicates a guide which is secured to the framework of the machine, the
forward end projecting upward so as to bear against the pawl 121 when said pawl
is drawn backward, so as to lift said pawl and free it from the ratchet wheel 117.
As the eccentric 118 is revolved by the shaft 24, the lever 119 is moved forward
and backward. In its forward motion, the pawl engages with the ratchet
wheel 117, rotating it and causing the bevel gear 114 to rotate with it. By
means of the sprocket chain 116 the motion is communicated to the bevel gear 113,
thus rotating the bevel gears 112, the threaded openings in which-through which
the screws 110 pass-being so regulated that as they are rotated as above described
the screws 110 are lifted, raising the table 111 with them.
123 indicates a wheel which is journaled upon the forward end of a bent
lever 124. The bent lever 124 is journaled upon one of the uprights of the
framework 18.
125 indicates a lever which is journaled upon one of the uprights of the

page_text: framework 18. The lever 125 at its forward end is pivotally connected with the
rear arm of the bent lever 124.
126 indicates a connecting rod, the upper end of which is pivotally connected
with the rear end of the lever 125, and the rear end pivotally connected with the
pawl 121.
127 indicates a pile of paper sheets placed upon the table 111. The wheel 123
bears upon the top of the pile of sheets of paper 127, and, with the accompanying
levers above described, is so adjusted that while the pile of sheets is at the proper
height to have the top one operated upon by the pneumatic pickers, as above
described, the pawl by means of the levers and connecting rod is lifted out of
engagement with the ratchet wheel 117, thus preventing its rotation and the
consequent movement of the table to a greater height. As the sheets, however,
are removed and the height of the pile diminishes, the wheel 123 falls with them,
which motion, being communicated through the levers and connecting rod above
described, to the pawl 121, lowers it so as to engage with the teeth of the ratchet
wheel 117 as said pawl is moved forward by means of the eccentric, thus rotating
the ratchet wheel and accompanying bevel gears and raising the screws 110 and
with them the table 111. The operation of the table and accompanying devices is
such as to keep the pile of sheets constantly at the proper level for the operation of
the pueumatic pickers, as above described.
In order that the wheel 123 may not press upon the sheet as it is being removed
by the pneumatic pickers, and thus tend to prevent it from being freely removed,
the guide 122, as above described, meets the pawl 121 as it is thrown backward and
lifts it, thus raising the rear end of the lever 125 by means of the connecting
rod 126, and lifting the wheel 123 from the pile of paper. This motion is timed so
as to raise the wheel 123 slightly from the paper just as the pneumatic pickers
engage the sheet and draw it forward, the pawl being freed from the guide 122
as said pawl is moved forward in time to permit it to engage with the ratchet
wheel 117, as above described.
In Figures 2 and 3 the printing press or other mechanism to which it is desired
to feed the sheets is merely indicated by the dotted circles 128, which represent
two rollers of such machine, between which the sheets are delivered by the
tapes 54.
The object of having a series of openings in the side of the pneumatic tube 63 is
to enable such an adjustment of the devices as will insure the picking up of the
rear end of only one sheet at a time by said tube, and to adjust such mechanism to
operate upon sheets of different thickness and weight. It is obvious, of course, that
the heavier the sheet the more of such holes 64 will be required to be open,
the vacuum pressure being the same. In order to adjust the device to different
sheets, one or more of said holes 64 may be stopped up by pasting a small piece of
paper over them, or in any other appropriate manner, until a sufficient number
of said holes are left open to insure the lifting of only one sheet. The number of
holes which will be left open will, of course, depend upon the vacuum pressure in
the vacuum chamber, as indicated by the vacuum gauge, and upon the thickness and
weight of the paper to be lifted.
"
In referring to the motions of the parts of the machine I have spoken of forward
and backward motions. It is to be understood that the term "forward motion
refers to motion away from the driving wheel and toward the press, and that the
term "backward motion" refers to motion in the opposite direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention 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. The combination with a carriage, and mechanism for reciprocating said
carriage, of a telescopic pneumatic picker carried by said carriage, a valve
controlling said pneumatic picker, mechanism adapted to automatically open and

page_text: close said valve as said carriage is reciprocated, and guides bearing upon said
pneumatic picker and adapted to raise the same as said carriage moves forward,
substantially as described.
2. The combination with a carriage, supports for said carriage, and mechanism
adapted to reciprocate said carriage in said supports, of a pneumatic tube carried
by said carriage, a valve chamber mounted in said tube, a valve mounted in said
valve chamber and adapted to open and close said tube, mechanism adapted to
automatically open and close said valve as said carriage reciprocates, a vertically
movable picker mounted upon said tube, and guides bearing upon said vertically
movable picker and adapted to raise the same as said carriage moves forward,
substantially as described.
3. The combination with a carriage, supports for said carriage, and mechanism
adapted to reciprocate said carriage in said supports, of a pneumatic' tube carried
by said carriage, a valve chamber mounted in said tube, a valve mounted in said
valve chamber and adapted to open and close said tube, mechanism adapted to
automatically open and close said valve as said carriage reciprocates, a vertically
movable picker mounted upon said tube, guides bearing upon said vertically
movable picker and adapted to raise and lower the same as said carriage
reciprocates, a valve mounted upon said vertically movable picker, and mechanism
connected with said valve and adapted to automatically open and close the same as
said carriage reciprocates, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a carriage, guides supporting said carriage, mechanism
for reciprocating said carriage in said guides, a pneumatic tube mounted on said
carriage, a valve chamber mounted in said pneumatic tube, and a valve located in
said valve chamber, of a valve rod secured to said valve and projecting beyond
said valve chamber at both sides, a stop adapted to close said valve as said carriage
reciprocates, a lever hinged to said valve chamber and provided with a latch
adapted to engage with said valve rod and adapted to be raised out of engagement
with said valve rod as said carriage moves backward, and springs connected with
said pneumatic tube and said valve rod and adapted to open said valve when said
valve rod is disengaged from said latch, substantially as described.
5. The combination with pneumatic mechanism adapted to lift a sheet of paper
at its front edge and move it forward, of a rotating reciprocating pneumatic tube
provided with a series of openings upon its side, mechanism adapted to reciprocate
and rotate said tube, a valve controlling the air inlet into said tube, mechanism
adapted to automatically open and close said valve as said tube reciprocates, and.
mechanism adapted to raise the rear end of the sheet of paper against said
pneumatic tube as the same reciprocates, substantially as described.
6. The combination with a rotating reciprocating pneumatic tube provided with
a series of openings upon its side, and mechanism adapted to rotate and reciprocate
said tube, a vacuum tube connected with and opening into said rotting and
reciprocating pneumatic tube, a valve chamber mounted in said vacuum tube,
a valve mounted in said chamber and controlling said vacuum tube, of a valve rod
connected with said valve, a support for said valve rod, a spring mounted upon said
valve rod and bearing upon said valve rod and said support and adapted to close
said valve as said pneumatic tube is moved forward, a lever hinged to said valve
chamber and provided with a latch adapted to engage with said valve rod when said
valve is closed and adapted to be lifted from said engagement when said pneumatic
tube is moved backward, and a spring mounted upon said valve rod and bearing
upon it and said support and adapted to open said valve as said latch is freed from
engagement, with said valve rod, substantially as described.
7. The combination with a rotating reciprocating pneumatic tube provided with
a series of openings upon one side, and adapted to pneumatically engage with and
lift the rear end of the top sheet of a pile of paper, and mechanisin for rotating and
reciprocating said tube, of a shaft, mechanism for rocking said shaft. and a series of
lifting rods adjustably mounted upon said shaft and adapted to automatically litt
the rear portion of a pile of sheets against said rotating and reciprocating

page_text: pneumatic tube as said tube is moved to its backward position, substantially as
.described.
8. The combination with a rotating reciprocating pneumatic tube provided with
a series of openings upon one side, and adapted to pneumatically engage with and
lift the rear end of the top sheet of a pile of paper, and mechanism for rotating and
reciprocating said tube, of a shaft, mechanism for rocking said shaft, a series
of lifting rods adjustably mounted upon said shaft and adapted to automatically lift
the rear portion of a pile of sheets against the rotating and reciprocating
pneumatic tube as said tube is moved to its backward position, and holders
mounted upon said shaft and adapted to hold down the rear end of a pile of sheets
after the top sheet has been engaged with said pneumatic tube, substantially as
described.
9. The combination with a rotating reciprocating pneumatic tube provided with
a series of openings upon one side, and adapted to pneumatically engage with and
lift the rear end of the top sheet of a pile of paper, and mechanism for rotating and
reciprocating said tube, of a shaft, mechanism for rocking said shaft, a series
of lifting rods adjustably mounted upon said shaft and adapted to automatically lift
the rear portion of a pile of sheets against said rotating and reciprocating
pneumatic tube as said tube is moved to its backward position, hollow holders,
having a series of openings in their front edges and adapted to hold down the rear
end of a pile of sheets after the top sheet has been engaged with said pneumatic
tube, as described, and air-tubes connected with said holders through which
a stream of air may be forced through said holders under said lifted sheet,
.substantially as described.
10. In a pneumatic sheet-delivering device, the combination with a suction
roller, a shaft, and mechanism for rocking said shaft, of a ring adjustably secured
to said shaft and provided with a circumferential groove, a ing mounted in said
circumferential groove, and flexible lifters secured to said last named ring,
substantially as described.
11. In a pneumatic sheet-delivering machine, the combination of a shaft, an inner
ring adjustably mounted upon said shaft and provided with a circunferential
groove and having a slot in said groove extending through a portion of the ring
periphery, an outer ring mounted in said circumferential groove of the inner ring
and provided with a slot throughout a portion of its circumference, screws mounted
in the slot of the inner ring and adapted to engage the ends of the slot in the outer
ring to impart movement to said outer ring or forward and backward rotation of
the shaft and inner ring, a flexible lifting rod mounted upon said outer ring, and a
suction roller, substantially as described.
Dated this 31st day of March 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.