Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1886
Complete Left, 31st Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 30th Dec., 1887
I, HENRY MARTYN NICHOLLS, of 13 Beauchamp Place, Brompton Road, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to
be as follows :—
"
My invention has reference to that class of printing machines which print from
flat formes" of type, stereotype, electros, wood-blocks, or like printing surfaces.
It has for its main object to unite in the same machine the following advan-
tages, viz. :-
The power to print sheets on one side once, and print two for each revolution of
the impression cylinder. Also the power to print the same sheet on the same side as
often as the machine happens to be furnished with "formes," or should it be desired
to "perfect" the sheets, once, or as often as there are pairs of "formes" carried by
the machine, the same may be effected at pleasure.
The foregoing advantages to be obtained with the use of a single impression cylinder,
the same to be geared with the tables which carry the "formes" in such a manner
that both shall have a continuous motion in one direction.
The machine embodying the invention may be described as follows:-
"
A single impression cylinder is suitably supported on two side frames; it is fitted
to receive two "blankets or their equivalent, opposite one another, on its circum-
ference, on which the impressions are alternately received. Between the two blankets
the cylinder is hollowed out, and in each recess so formed a roller is mounted to
receive a reel of "set off" paper, or material employed for the like purpose, which, by
means of gearing, is slowly drawn across the blanket on which the second impression
is given, being unwound from one roller, and rewound on the other, as the cylinder
turns.
A round stay, hereinafter called the "main centre," passes across the machine,
parallel with the said impression cylinder, and underneath the centre of it. The
imain centre serves to unite the side frames in which it is firmly secured, its central
portion is surrounded by a cylinder free to turn on it, which forms a roller, over
which the tables which carry the "formes" roll, while the impression is being given.

page_text: The tables are furnished at the centre of their length with a trunnion at each side,
fitted with a roller at its outer extremity, free to turn in a channel formed on the inner
face of each side frame. These channels for a portion of their length follow a straight
horizontal course, one above, and the other below the main centre, they then unite in
semi-circles on each side of the main centre. Beside the said rollers, and nearer the
sides of the table, fast on each trunnion, and running parallel with each side of the
table, is an endless toothed rack with parallel sides, and rounded ends. These racks
gear with toothed wheels, one on each side of the machine, which wheels run loose on
the main centre, and they are positively geared on each side of the machine by toothed
wheels, with wheels fast on the impression cylinder shaft, so that as the cylinder
revolves the tables travel round underneath it in succession, keeping correct register
with it, and they rest on the before named roller, which is free to turn on the main
centre while the impression is being given.
The tables in rising, and falling, are caused always to maintain a truly horizontal
position, with the face of the "forme" uppermost, as they travel their course round
the said main centre. This is effected by the racks at the sides of the tables which
always remain in gear with the before named wheels at each side of the machine ;
wheels which alternately raise and lower the inner ends of the toothed racks, together
with the tables. In addition arms which are fast on the inner extremities of short
lengths of shaft free to turn in the side frames, the centre of motion of which lengths
of shaft correspond with the centre of the semicircular portion of the channels in the
side frames are employed to lift and lower the tables horizontally. They are geared
positively with the before named wheels which gear with the racks. The outer
extremity of these arms, as they revolve, raise or lower the tables by bearing against
the outer extremities of the trunnions; that is, they bear at the centre of the table,
either to raise, or lower it, and so the tables are raised or lowered by a parallel
motion.
The tables are caused to balance one another across the main centre, as they rise
and fall, in passing round their course, by means of arms extending from the main
centre, the outer extremities of which take hold of the trunnion at each side of the
table. The said arms are free to slide in a socket piece mounted free to turn on the
main centre at each side of the machine. The outer extremities of the arms form
bearings in which the trunnions are free to turn. The upper surfaces of the tables on
which the "forme" rests are flat; the bottoms are flat also, and truly parallel with
the upper surfaces. Between the two, but nearer the bottom, is an opening extending
from back to front, through which passage the ink rollers are drawn by endless chains,
or their equivalent, which pass over, and through the tables. The said endless chains
are kept constantly moving in one direction, and pass over pulleys suitably mounted
at each end of the table. These pulleys are put motion by toothed wheels free to
turn on the trunnions, and mounted on them close into the table, on each side. The
said wheels receive motion from endless toothed racks mounted in a vertical plane,
and fast on the main centre, on each side of the machine; which racks at the pitch
Jine of the teeth have the same form as the channels in the side frames.
The upper surface of the passage through the tables is utilised for distributing the
ink, or color, and at each side of the passage curved rails act on pulleys attached to
the ink rollers, as they pass through the table, and give them a certain amount of
lateral motion which it
waves "the ink, or color, on the upper surface of the said
passage.
Each table carries its own supply of ink, or color, at one end, where a tank is
formed in which is a suitably mounted "ductor" roller, and the usual means of
regulating the supply of ink, or color, on its surface. From the upper surface of the
ductor roller each of the ink rollers can take a supply as it passes over it, and down
round the end of the table, and into the passage through it where the ink, or color, is
"
distributed in the manner aforesaid.
The feeding of the sheets into the machine, and their delivery when printed, is
effected as follows :-the "feed" board is placed at one side of the cylinder, and the
delivery" board at the opposite side, both being low down, but at some distance

page_text: above the surface of the "formes," as they pass underneath the cylinder to give the
impression.
Two grippers are made use of, one in connection with feeding the sheet into the
machine, and carrying it forward from one blanket to the other, and turning it (when
the sheets are being perfected); the other gripper is employed to deliver the printed
sheets on to the delivery board, after they have received the required number of
impressions.
When the machine is employed to print one side of the sheets once, and they are
then delivered, the operation is thus effected :-The edge of the unprinted sheet having
been stroked up to a front "lay" attached to the feed board the feed gripper, as it
passes the front of the feed board, is caused to close on the front edge of the sheet,
draw it off the board, and carry it towards the cylinder. Fittings at each end of the
cylinder overtake the gripper, which is caused to move round the cylinder, and just
clear of its surface; and thus the cylinder carries the gripper with it while the printing
is going on, and until the head of the sheet reaches a point on the ascending side of
the cylinder corresponding with the greatest length of sheet the machine is constructed
to print, measured from the point of contact between the cylinder and formne;' here
the gripper is caused, by the action of a cam, to move the head of the sheet away
from the surface of the cylinder, when the jaws of the delivery gripper.are caused to
close behind the head of the sheet, and secure it; the feed gripper now opens, and the
delivery gripper carries the head of the sheet down on the board, and leaves it there.
The delivery gripper is actuated by a crank movement.
A crank movement also now actuates the feed gripper, carrying it onward away
from the fittings attached to the cylinder, and hurrying it forward round the cylinder;
in passing the front of the feed board it takes up another sheet and carries it towards
the cylinder in time to meet the leading edge of the next forme; and so the process
is continued.
When a second impression is to be given on the same side, the sheet is not delivered
after the first impression has been received, the delivery gripper not being allowed to
act except on alternate sheets, but the before named crank action hurries the sheets
forward so as to meet the leading edge of the next forme,' when it receives a second
impression, and, if two impressions only are to be given, it is delivered as already
explained.
When "perfecting," after the sheet has received the first impression, and while the
gripper is carrying it over the upper surface of the cylinder, the feed gripper, together
with the sheet, is caused to turn, so as to reverse the sheet, which, when the head of it
reaches the point of contact between the cylinder and 'forme,' is then printed on the
opposite, or inside.
1 sometimes employ an artificial draught of air, to help in turning the sheet, as it
passes over the cylinder, when perfecting.
سفر
D
1004

page_text: Improvements in Printing Machines.
I, HENRY MARTYN NICHOLLS, of 13 Beauchamp Place, Brompton Road, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Having in my Provisional Specification described the nature and object of my said
invention, I will now proceed inore particularly to describe and ascertain the manner
in which the same is to be performed, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine, the near side frame being shewn removed,
and some parts being shewn in section.
Fig. 2 is a front view, partly in section.
Fig. 3 is a plan, also partly in section.
Figs. 4 5 and 6 are views (on a larger scale) of the gripper for feeding the sheets
into the machine, and conveying them round the cylinder when they are to receive
more than one impression on the same or opposite sides.
Fig. 7 is a view of the gearing for causing the said gripper to move round the
cylinder, also the gear for giving the necessary lateral motion to the saddle c³, so as to
bring the cams n, and o*, into gear in lieu of the cams a³, and g³.
Fig. S shews the gearing for opening the jaws of the gripper for delivering the
sheets when printed. They are kept shut by springs. The feeding gripper is here
also shown in the act of delivering a sheet to the delivery gripper which latter has
just snapped on it. Here also is shewn one of the pawls p³, in gear with the key q³, in
the gripper frame y.
Fig. 9 is a side view of the feeding gripper in the act of securing a sheet, the lay a¹,
is depressed for the moment, and until the sheet is secured, when it will be permitted to
rise again.
Fig. 10 shews a side and front view of the double acting cam pt, for giving the
lateral motion to the saddle c'. This cam together with those on the saddles c', and '5,
are all on the same principle. Those marked respectively a³, n, s, and y, are double
acting, the cams g³, and os, only are single acting, the jaws of the feed gripper being
closed by springs.
Fig. 11 shews views of the parallel motion for lifting the tables, also one of the
toothed racks p³, at each side of the table.

page_text: 1st. Giving and receiving the impression.
2nd. Inking, or coloring the forme,' and
3rd. Feeding and delivering the sheets.
The principal parts of which the first combination consists, are as follows:-
The formes, each in a chase a, the tables & having an opening made through them to
allow of the passage of the ink rollers c. The trunnions d, fixed in the sides of the
tables and carrying the rollers e, to run in the channels f, in the side frames
and h,
which side frames are united by the cross frame &, the stays k, and the main centre 1,
the last being made secure in the bosses in, which project inwards from the side
frames g and h. The roller n, free to turn on the main centre 1. The impression
cylinder p, fast on the shaft q, supported in the bearings r in the side frames. The
toothed, and other positive gear for uniting the tables with the impression cylinder,
and giving both the required continuous motion in one direction.
Also the gear
connected with balancing the tables across the main centre 1, and that for raising
the tables in succession from the lower to the higher level.
for
The second combination consists of the following principal parts :-The tank s, for
holding the supply of ink, or color. The ductor roller t, the steel blades
adjusting the supply of ink or color on the ductor roller. The ink rollers c. The
slab v, on which the ink or color is distributed. In the cylinder p, are the rollers w,
for carrying the "set-off" paper which is drawn across the blanket on which
the second impression is given when "perfecting." The gear for moving the ink
rollers over the forme, and through the table, also the gear for giving motion to the
ductor roller, and that for moving the "set-off" rollers.
and
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The principal parts of which the third combination consists are as follows:-The
gripper which feeds the sheets into, and conveys them through the machine
the frame y, to which it is attached, and by means of which it is carried round the
cylinder p. The feed board z, furnished with the "lays" a¹, on which the sheets to
be printed are laid. The gear for causing. the gripper frame to revolve round the
cylinder, and that for connecting the gripper to the cylinder while the impression is
being given. That for causing the gripper to assume any required angle with the
surface of the cylinder. That for causing the jaw of the gripper to open at the
required time against the action of springs. The gear for causing the gripper to turn
end over end round the spindle 6', when the machine is "perfecting." Also that for
locking the gripper in position, and the gear for giving a lateral motion to the saddle c',
and that for preventing the sheet from being delivered when the sheet is to receive a
second impression.
The gripper for delivering the sheets on the table d¹, the gear for giving the
delivery gripper a vibratory motion, also the gear for causing the jaws of the delivery
gripper to open against the action of springs which tend constantly to shut then.
And that for preventing the jaws from snapping on the sheet when it is to receive a
second impression before being delivered.
The mode of operation in the case of a machine on this principle, and printing from
one pair of formes, is as follows:-
Power is applied to turn the shaft e', which through the train of wheels marked
respectively g, h, and i¹, gives motion to the sleeve k', on which are fixed the
arms l', in each of which is fitted a pawl m', which gears with the ratchet wheels n',
cast in the interior of the toothed wheels o', which are loose on the bosses m,—these
wheels gear with the toothed racks p¹, fast on the trunnions d, in the tables; and thus
the tables are caused to move round the main centre l. Each table in succession is
raised by means of a parallel motion formed by the arms , which are fitted at their
outer extremity with a round boss q', which is formed to gear with a semi-circular
fitting, on the outside of the racks p', and the arms s', attached to the face of the
stud wheels ; which arms at the right time gear with the fittings u¹, on the
trunnions d. The said stud wheels t¹, are kept in continuous motion by the pinions v¹,

page_text: which gear
them with the wheels w¹, fast on the sleeve ¹. In this manner the tables
carry the formes under the cylinder. The bottom of the table rests on the roller n, which
supports it while the impression is being given, the roller n, turning on the main
centre 1, whichjas stated is a fixture.
*
"
to
As soon as the tables commence to move round the main centre the fixed racks a¹,
cause the wheels y', (loose on the trunnions d.) to revolve, and through the carrier
wheels and a², the spindles 62, also, on which are the chain wheels c², which drive the
endless chains d², to which the spindles e², of the ink rollers c, are attached; and the
ink rollers are caused to move over the forme, touching, as they leave it, the ductor
roller t, and carrying the ink or color into the opening in the tables where they
distribute it on the surface of the slab v, the side edges of which cause the ink rollers
move, two to the right and two to the left, and so wave the ink or color. The ink
rollers are on tubes or sleeves which can slide sideways on the spindles e², the small
rollers, are attached to the said tubes, and enter the channels g², which control them.
The ductor roller t, receives motion in the direction indicated by the arrow from
pin in the side of the chain pulleys 2, which pin acts on the pin wheel, and the pinion
fast on the same spindle. This pinion drives the toothed wheel 12, fast on the spindle m²,
of the ductor roller t. Each revolution the impression cylinder makes the roller.,
mounted in it, and to which one end of a length of "set-off" paper is attached is caused
to turn and draw a small amount of paper off the second roller, w, across the blanket
on which the second impression is received. The eccentric n², which is attached to
the gripper frame y, as the gripper is carried round the cylinder at a higher
speed actuates the ratchet motion shewn, consisting of the lever o², and the lever p²,
and pawl, which latter gears with the ratchet wheel ², fast on the spindle of the
roller z.
In order more clearly to describe the action of the gripping mechanism for feeding the
sheets into, and conveying them through the machine, and also that for delivering
the sheets when printed: In the first instance the machine is supposed to print one
side of each sheet only, and then deliver it. The eccentrics, as the shaft t, revolves
act through the toothed quadrants u², to cause the wheels 2, (loose on the cylinder
shaft) to revolve, first in one direction and then in the opposite. The pawls w², attached
to these wheels, gear with a tooth ², projecting from the boss y², of the gripper
frame y, on each side of the cylinder, and cause the gripper frame to revolve round the
cylinder at a higher speed than that at which the cylinder revolves. As the gripper
approaches the front of the feed board z, the lower jaw z², is caused to open and clear
the front of the sheet which has been laid correctly to the lays a¹. On passing the
sheet the jaw snaps back on the front edge securing it along its entire width.
motion of the gripper outwards from the surface of the cylinder and the opening of
the jaw is effected thus:-The double acting cam a³, through the intervention of the
roller carriage 63, with the toothed quadrant c³, attached, is mounted free to turn on
the stud d³, and causes the wheel e³, fast on the hollow spindle f³, to turn, and so give
any required angle to the gripper, while the single acting cam g³, through the roller
carriage, and toothed quadrant ³, which are also free to turn on the stud d³, causes
the wheel ³, fast on the outer end of the tube 1³, to turn. This tube 13, passes up the
left side of the hollow spindle f, and acts by means of teeth m³, on similar teeth n³,
projecting from the inner tube o³, to which the lower jaw 2, of the gripper is attached.
The jaw, is kept shut by springs.
The
The gripper receiving motion from the eccentrics 53, moves with a varying speed,
and after the sheet is secured, it shuts back against the cylinder, and continues to
draw the sheet off the board z, and when its speed is just approaching that of the
surface of the cylinder it passes a pair of pawls p³, carried by the cylinder, which
pawls after the gripper passes them again overtakes it and engage the keys q³, fixed
in the gripper frame. Then the gripper and cylinder move together. The gripper
now brings the front of the sheet under the cylinder, and at the same moment the
leading edge of the forme coming under the vertical centre of the cylinder, the
impression commences and continues until completed. The gripper still holding

page_text: the front of the sheet reaches the horizontal centre of the cylinder at which point the
cam a³, causes the point of the gripper with the front of the sheet to leave the surface
of the blanket where it was while the impression was being given, and to move
outwards. At the same time the cam g³, causes the lower jaw to open, and set the
sheet free. At this point the delivery gripper is ready to receive the sheet, and the
jaws, snap on the two sides of the sheet just below the upper edge. The delivery
gripper now descends drawing the head of the sheet down with it on the delivery
table d'. The vibrating motion of the delivery gripper is caused by the
eccentric this eccentric acts through the intervention of the arms t³, and u³,
carried by the sleeve ³, which surrounds the shaft e¹, and the connecting rod w³,
which couples the arm u³ with the arm a³, on the sleeve y³, which surrounds the
shaft t. On the sleeve or tube y³, surrounding the shaft 2, the fittings 2³, are mounted
(capable of lateral adjustment to suit different widths of sheet). The fittings ³,
carry the gripper spindles a*, one jaw is attached to the gripper spindle a', and the
other to a sleeve . The spindles and sleeves are geared together in the manner
shewn so that if one jaw open, the other must open also. The spindles at, are
supported by the standards e, fixed in the fittings. On these standards are bevel
wheels d', free to turn, which gear with the toothed quadrants e₁, on the spindle /*,
which is supported free to revolve in the fittings g. The bevel wheels d', give motion
to the spur gear which cause the jaws to open. The spindle, is furnished with a
forked arm, which gears with a double ended lover; one arm, of which carries
the pink, which is actuated by the fixed cam, and as the delivery gripper vibrates
backwards and forwards turning on the shaft (, as a centre of motion the pin k*,
falling off the cam at the point m', allows the jaws of the gripper to snap, and secure
the sheet. The feed gripper meanwhile continues its course round the cylinder but
on passing the point of delivery the eccentrics s', again act on the frame, and carry
the gripper away from the pawls p³, hurrying it forward towards the feed board to
cause another sheet to be secured, and taken under the cylinder in time to meet the
next forme.
I will now suppose the machine is employed to print the sheets twice on the same
side: The process will be the same as that just described except that as soon as the
first impression is given the saddle c', which carries the cams a³, and g³, is caused to
move a small distance sideways which causes the other cams n', and o, (also carried
by the saddle c',) to come into gear with the roller carriages 63 and h³. These cains
prevent the point of the gripper from leaving the surface of the cylinder, or the
jaws opening, but it continues after the first impression is given, to revolve round the
cylinder actuated by the mechanism already described. When the second impression
is completed the saddle c', is caused to return to its original position, and the sheet is
delivered on reaching the horizontal centre of the cylinder or point of delivery having
now received two impressions. The gear for causing the lateral motion in the saddle
consists of the double-acting cam p', attached to the outer face of the wheel h', (left
side of machine) which actuates the saddle c', through the intervention of the gearing
shewn (see Fig. 7.) The cam p³, also prevents the jaws of the delivery gripper from
closing which it effects by means of the gearing shewn, (see Fig. 8,) which causes a
portion ', of the circumference of the cam, attached to the arm, to come into
position, so as to prolong the circumference of the cam when the pin k*, cannot fall
off at the point m', and so the jaws of the delivery gripper return open.
When thirdly, the machine is employed to perfect the sheets, the process of
securing the sheet is the same as already described but another cam is substituted for
the cam, on the saddle c¹, and when the first impression is given the saddle c², is
shifted sideways, and the gripper on passing the point of delivery is caused by the
cam substituted for the cam * to rise off the surface of the cylinder and assume a
suitable angle which angle is retained by the spindle b', while the gripper is caused
to turn end over end which is effected as follows:-The cam s (on the right of the
cylinder) now acts to draw the portion of the clutch t*, towards its counterpart u',
which is fast on the spindle v*. This results in the bolt wo, being withdrawn from

page_text: the extremity of the tube a, to which the jaws of the feed gripper are attached which
is thus set free to turn. This is effected by the gear shewn (see Figs. 4, 5 and 6).
As soon as the two halves of the clutch t, and , are in goar with one another, the
double acting cam y, on the right of the cylinder acts through the toothed quadrant,
on the bevel wheel as, to cause the spindle , to turn, and with it the crank b the
connecting rod c attached to which causes the toothed rack d³, to turn the toothed
wheel e, fast on the spindle 6, and with it the gripper, which is also fast on the same
spindle. This takes place as the gripper is passing with the sheet secured in it over
the upper surface of the cylinder. On the completion of the half revolution by the
gripper the cam y', ceases to act on the quadrant, and the cam s, withdraws
the clutch out of gear, and the bolt w, is put into gear with the opposite extremity of
the tube, which has now been brought in front of it. The can a³, (on the left of
the cylinder) now brings the gripper down upon the blanket, and the sheet having
by this means (aided by the action of the atmosphere) been caused to turn, is next
printed on the opposite side, or perfected. The gripper is in this process turned
upside down, as well as end over end.
In order not to interfere with the continuity of the description I have left un-
described the gear for balancing the tables across the main centre 1. The bars g³,
engage the trunnions d, leaving them free to turn in suitable bearings, these bars are
mounted free to slide in the socket pieces 5, which are free to turn on the bosses of
the toothed racks and so the sliding of the bars allows of the tables following
the course of the channels f, in the side frames g, and h, while the tables still balance
one another across the main centre l.
In the case of the fixed cam 1, which acts to cause the jaws of the delivery gripper
to open.
When the arm, and pink, fall at the point m*, and the jaws 3, snap
on the sheet, the pin ', travels back with the back or down stroke of the gripper
along the lower surface, till reaching the point ³, it again passes out on the outer
circumference of the cam, lifting the portion 1, of the cam which is hinged at m³,
which again falls, so that when the pin k, returns with the upstroke of the gripper
it is compelled to keep on the outer circumference of the cam till it again reaches
the point m', when if the shoot is to be delivered it again falls to the lower level 1, or
if another impression is to be given it returns on the outer surface and the jaws ³,
descend open.
When the machine is designed to print from two pairs or more than two pairs of
formes, and therefore can be caused to perfect the sheets more than once, two set
of rollers are mounted in the impression cylinder and both blankets are protected
from "set-off."
Where the machine is designed to print from two pairs or more than two pairs of
formes the racks p', of each pair of tables are caused to gear with an independent
pair of wheels answering to the wheels marked o¹, in the machine just described.
In case it is rendered necessary by the quality or condition of the sheets, to make
use of an artificial draught of air, to supplement the action of the atmosphere on the
sheet to cause it to turn (when perfecting) the air (supplied from any convenient
source) is directed from nozzles at a tangent to the surface of the cylinder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details hereinbefore described,
and I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The manufacture and use of printing machines, in which a single-impression
cylinder is geared with one pair or more than one pair of tables, whereby the formes
carried by the tables are brought with a continuous motion, and balancing one
another, under the impression cylinder, and each gives an impression in correct
register with the preceding, substantially as herein before described, and shewn on the
drawings.
2. In combination with printing machines as aforesaid, the method and means of

page_text: supplying, adjusting, and distributing the ink, or color, and rolling the formes, the
rollers having a continuous motion over and through the table, passing over the forme
twice for each impression, and taking up fresh ink or color before each rolling,
substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn on the drawings.
3. In combination with printing machines as aforesaid, the means by which the
sheets are fed into, and conveyed through the machine, whether one side only of each
sheet is printed once, or oftener, or they are printed on both sides (perfected) and the
means in combination with the same of delivering the sheets when printed; and this
whether the machine is designed to print from one pair of formes, or more than one
pair, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn on the drawings.
4. The general constructions, combinations and arrangements of the several and
respective parts, together constituting my improvements in printing machines,
substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn on the drawings.
H. M. NICHOLLS.