Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 15th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 16th Aug., 1887.
V
We HENRY SMITH CROPPER and SAMUEL THACKER both of Great Alfred Street in
the Town and County of the Town of Nottingham, Engineers and Machinists do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
Our invention consists of certain improvements in platen printing machines.
Instead of the single platen now in use, we construct a machine containing two or
more platens, but preferably five, which may be used in various ways.
If for example it is thought desirable to use only one of the platens we give it a
reciprocating motion as in existing machines whereas for printing a great number of
copies from one "forme" each platen is "made ready" and in turn revolves over
towards the type-bed, where it receives the impression after which it continues its
revolution step by step after each impression thereby bringing another platen into
operation until the complete circuit is inade when the first mentioned platen is again
ready to receive a blank sheet.
In machines constructed according to our invention, either one or the whole
number of the platens can be used at pleasure.
An important part of our invention is an improvement in the method of inking
the "forme" which improvement is applicable to all printing machines of this class.
Under existing arrangements the inking rollers pass over the "forme" and return to
the ink table or disc in the same line. According to our invention we cause the
rollers to travel over the "forme" in a different line from that taken on their return.
This not only gives better inking, but prevents the rollers on their return journey,
from taking the ink off the "forme" which they had put on in the first motion.
This part of our invention may be carried into effect by various arrangements, but we
prefer the following: a groove cam is cut in, or fixed on the shaft which passes
through the back of the type bed, one half of which groove is at a right angle to the
centre line of the shaft and the other half at such an angle as is necessary to produce
the required motion. In the boss of one of the roller arms we fix a pin to work in
the groove-cam. It will be readily understood that as the roller arms with their
rollers travel over the discs and the type they will do so in a vertical line or with a
lateral movement according to the shape of the groove-cam which is cut on the

page_text: "
surface of the shaft before described. At the moment the impression is given, the
roller arms and the shaft are at the extremity of their backward motion. At
this point the pin in the roller arm stands in the centre of the groove-cam.
When the type bed commences to recede from the impression, the roller arms with
their rollers travel down the ink disc and over a portion of the type "forme the
groove-cam being so arranged as to give to the roller arms a lateral movement.
Having traversed about one fourth of the "forme" the back shaft commences to
rotate in the same direction and at the same velocity as the roller arms, consequently
the groove-cam does not impart a lateral movement to the roller arms whilst the
shaft is in motion. During the first part of the return motion the roller arms move
on the back shaft and the pin moves in the inclined portion of the groove-cam, thus
giving to the roller arms a lateral movement as they pass over the type "formne" after
which the back shaft rotates with the roller arms as before described, and the return
of the roller arius is effected without any lateral movement. It will be seen from
this description that we obtain both a better inking of the "forme" and a better
distribution of ink on the discs. We do not however confine ourselves solely to this
method of imparting the aforesaid lateral movements to the inking rollers nor do we
confine ourselves to the particular motions herein described so long as the said
rollers are caused to traverse in one line when passing over the "forme "
in one
direction, and in a different line when passing over it in the reverse or returr
direction.
H. S. CROPPER.
SAML. THACKER.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton
Agents.
Buildings,

page_text: We, HENRY SMITH CROPPER and SAMUEL THACKER both of Great Alfred Street in
the Town and County of the Town of Nottingham Engineers and Machinists, 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 consists of certain improvements in platen printing machines.
Instead of the single platen now in use we construct a machine containing two or
more platens, but preferably five, which may be used in various ways.
If for example it is thought desirable to use only one of the platens we give it a
reciprocating motion as in existing machines whereas for printing a great number of
copies from one "forme" each platen is "made ready" and in turn revolves over
towards the type bed; where it receives the impression after which it continues its
revolution step by step after each impression thereby bringing another platen into
operation, until the complete circuit is made when the first mentioned platen
ready to receive a blank sheet. In machines constructed according to our invention
either one or the whole number of the platens can be used at pleasure.
again
An important part of our invention is an improvement in the method of inking
the "forme" which improvement is applicable to all printing machines of this class.
Under existing arrangements the working rollers pass over the "forme" and return
to the ink table or disc in the same line. According to our invention we cause the
rollers to travel over the "forme" in a different line from that taken on their return.
This not only gives better inking but prevents the rollers on their return journey
from taking the ink off the "forme" which they had put on in the first motion.
This part of our invention may be carried into effect by various arrangements but we
prefer the following-a groove-cam is cut in or fixed on the shaft which passes
through the back of the type bed, one half of which groove is at a right angle to the
centre line of the shaft and the other half at such an angle as is necessary to produce
the required motion. In the boss of one of the roller arms we fix a pin to work in
the groove-cam. It will be readily understood that as the roller arms with their
rollers travel over the discs and the type they will do so in a vertical line or with a
lateral movement according to the shape of the groove-cam which is cut on the
surface of the shaft before described. At the moment the impression is given the
roller arms and the shaft are at the extremity of their backward motion. At this
point the pin in the roller arm stands in the centre of the groove-cam.
When the
type bed commences to recede from the impression the roller arms with their
rollers travel down the ink disc and over a portion of the type "forme," the
groove-cam being so arranged as to give to the roller arms a lateral movement.
Having traversed about one fourth of the "forme" the back shaft commences to
rotate in the same direction and at the same velocity as the roller arms consequently
the groove-cam does not impart a lateral movement to the roller arms whilst the
shaft is in motion. During the first part of the return motion the roller arms move
on the back shaft and the pin moves in the inclined portion of the groove cam, thus
giving to the roller arms a lateral movement as they pass over the type "forme "
after which the back shaft rotates with the roller arms as before described, and the
return of the roller arms is effected without any lateral movement.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side view with the fly wheel removed, of parts of a platen printing
machine with our improvements applied thereto. Figure 2 is a plan. Figure 3 is a
horizontal cross section of parts showing part of the platen, the type bed, and some
parts connected therewith. Figure 4 is a vertical section and figure 5 is a sectional
elevation showing the method we prefer for giving motion to a platen. Figure 6 is a
face view of the cam for operating the gripper arms. Figure 7 is an elevation of
parts showing the rock shaft employed for throwing the impression off or on that is
to say for enabling the operator to prevent the type bed coming fully up to the
platen at any desired time or to secure such action in the normal working of the
machine. Figures 8 and 9 are sectional elevations showing part of one of the roller
arms and different positions of the impression motion and Figures 10, 11 and 12
are sectional elevations showing part of one of the roller arms together with the
means for causing the inking rollers to travel over the "forme" for inking
the same in a different line from that taken on their return to the inking table.
In all the figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
a represents the main framing, b the crank axle, and 6 the crank which latter for
convenience is placed on the end of the crank axle 6 outside one of the side frames.
b is the fly wheel which is fixed on one end of shaft b, c is the treadle mounted
on the shaft g* and so formed as to pass from the centre of the machine to the
outside of one of the side frames where it is connected by a link or connecting rod c²
to the crank 6, 63 is a toothed pinion which is fixed on the crank shaft b and gives
motion to the toothed wheel or disc d' and consequently to the shaft d on one end of
which the latter is fixed.
On the other end of the shaft d is fixed a disc d2 and in these discs d', d² are fixed
crank pins d³ which by links e connected thereto and to the eccentric pins f¹¹
formed on the ends of the shaft give motion to the type bed g so as to cause it to
move to and from the platen has is well understood.
The platen has represented in the drawing is a multiple platen having five
working faces or platens formed on one casting each of which is fitted with blanket
irons and with independent grippers i. The multiple platen is mounted loosely on
the shaft or axis d and receives a step by step rotary motion preferably in the
following manner.
At one end of the multiple platen h are a number of chambers ¹ formed in a
boss j fixed to such multiple platen, these chambers have inclined floors and are
open on the outside whilst they are each provided with a ball ; fitting around this
boss is a box which is so formed as to enclose the boss j and thereby close the
chambers on the sides and tops; this box j³ is by a link connected to the upper
end of a lever which at its lower end is mounted on a stud or axis a fixed on the
inner side of one of the side frames; this lever is provided with a truck or
pulley which runs in the groove of a cam j formed in the inner face of the wheel
or disc d'. By these means the cam j is caused to give a rocking motion to the
box which by acting in one direction on the friction balls gives a step by step
rotary motion to the multiple platen h, so as to bring each platen h to the required
position but slips in the contrary motion, we would here remark that although we
prefer to employ this form of friction clutch for giving the required step by step
rotary motion to the multiple platen h, other effective forms of friction or other
clutches or other suitable means may be employed.
When it is desired to use only one of the platens h, then the box is fixed to the
end of the multiple platen h by means of a screw passing through the lug or
projection on the box ³, in which case a mere reciprocating motion will be given to
the particular platen in use.

page_text: "
For the purpose of ensuring the correct adjustment of the platens h in relation to
the forme at the moment of the impression we employ an adjusting frame g¹
fitting closely on each side of the type bed g and mounted at its lower end on the
shaft or axis g*, this adjusting frame g' is acted upon by a spring g² to press it
forward a slight distance in front of the type bed g so that in the event of the
platen being not exactly true with the face of the "forme as these approach
each other, the adjusting frame g¹ being slightly in advance of the "forme" will act
upon the platen and correctly adjust the same and in order still further to secure the
correct adjustment of the platen with the "forme we attach to each side of the
adjusting frame g¹ a projection or bolt g³ which passes into a corresponding socket or
recess formed at each side or end of each of the platens h.
29
The mechanism for putting the impression on and off is of the ordinary
construction and is as follows. On one end of the shaft is fixed a lever 2 provided
with a stud which in the forward motion of the type bed g comes against the
hook of the rod so as to partially rotate the shaft and thereby throw the
eccentric pins f¹, "into the position shown at Figures 1 and 8 for causing
the impression to be given but when it is desired to throw off the impression the
rod is partially rotated in its bearings so as to place the hook k¹ above and out of
the way of the stud 3 when in the forward motion of the type bed g, the lever f
and the eccentric pins f¹ fl will be allowed to remain in the position shown in
Figure 9 in which position they were placed in the backward motion of the type
bed g by the rotary motion of the inking roller arms causing the segmental boss b',
fixed to one of such arms to act against the stud fixed in the shaft and thereby
give partial rotary motion to such shaft so as to carry the, eccentric pins f, f¹ into
the position shown at Figure 9. The eccentric pins ff will thus at every backward
motion of the type bed g be placed in the position for taking off the impression but
in the forward motion of the type bed they will be placed in position for giving
the impression whenever the hook of the rod k is in position to act on the
stud f3.
to
Each platen his provided with gripper arms mounted on a shaft or axis
each of which is fixed a lever arm which is acted upon by a cam ³ fixed to the
interior of one of the side frames.
The inking roller arms are as usual caused partially to rotate around the axis f by
means of the connecting rod 12, one end of which is pin jointed to the projection a¹
on one of the side frames whilst the other is pin jointed to the projection 13 on one of
the arms l
m. m are the inking rollers which are carried by the arms 1, and are caused to
travel over the ink table or disc n and "forme" by the rotation of the arms around
the axis as is usual: in order however to cause the inking rollers to travel over the
"forme" in a different line from that taken on their return we preferably adopt the
following arrangement. A groove cam f is cut in or it may be fixed to the shaft f
one half of which groove is in a plane at a right angle to the centre line of the shaft
and the other half at such an angle thereto as is necessary to produce the required
motion. In the boss of one of the roller arms l, we fix a pin % to work in the cam
grooves, thus in the combined motions of the roller arms and the shaft the
inking rollers m are caused to travel over the ink disc n and the "forme" in a
vertical line or with a lateral motion according to the shape of the groove cam f³
acting in combination with the pin 1.
At the moment the impression is given the roller arms and the shaft f are at the
extremity of their backward rotary motion when the parts 1, 1, 1, 1, ƒ ƒ¹‚ƒ³, ƒ³‚ ƒ^
and will be in the position shown at Figures 8 and 11 at this point the pin 1³
stands in the centre of the groove cam f³. When the type bed a commences to
recede from the platen the inking rollers m. m. travel down the ink disc n and over a
portion of the type "forme the pin moves at such time in the inclined portion of
the cam groove which gives a lateral motion to the roller arms and consequently to
the inking rollers. When the inking rollers have passed over about one fourth
of the "forme" the shaft commences to rotate in the same direction and at the

page_text: same velocity as the roller arms by the action of the segmental boss l, on the pin f
consequently the groove cam f³ does not impart a lateral motion to the arms whilst
the shaft is in motion and during the completion of the downward travel of the
rollers m, m over the "forme."
"
During the first part of the return motion at the commencement of which the
parts are in the position shewn at Figures 9 and 12 the roller arms move on the
shaft without giving rotary motion thereto and the pin moves in the inclined
portion of the cam groove thus giving to the roller arms and inking rollers m, m
à later motion as the inking rollers pass upwards over the type forme after
which the shaft is caused to rotate with the roller arms by the hook k¹ of the
impression rod k striking against the pin on the lever and the completion
of the return motion of the roller arms is effected without any lateral movement.
The straight portion of the cam groove is used when the impression is off because
then the shaft remains fixed during the whole time of the return motion of the
inking rollers and therefore the pin travels further along the straight part of the
groove in the cam which is extended as shown in order to prevent the pin 15
striking against the end of the cam and thus putting the impression on.
It will be seen from the above description that we obtain both a better inking of
the "forme" and a better distribution of the ink on the discs. We do not however
confine ourselves solely to this method of imparting the aforesaid lateral movements
to the inking rollers nor do we confine ourselves to the particular motions herein
described so long as the said rollers are caused to traverse in one line when passing
over the "forme" in one direction and in a different line when passing over it in the
reverse or return direction.
We would here remark that in carrying the first part of our invention into effect
the multiple platen may be constructed with other numbers of platens or working
faces than that shown and described in which case the motive apparatus will require
to be modified to suit but we prefer to employ five working faces or platens as
such construction causes each platen in succession to be brought into convenient
position for inaking ready and for feeding.
We would also remark that the arrangement of grippers in combination with the
platens and the mode of giving motion to such grippers combined with the step
by step rotary motion of the multiple platen causes the machine automatically to
deliver the printed sheets from the platens.
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 platen printing machines the employment of a multiple platen substantially
as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
"
2. In platen printing machines causing the inking rollers to travel over the
"forme
in one direction in a different line from that traversed by them when
travelling in the contrary direction substantially as herein shown and described and
for the purpose stated.