IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES OR PRESSES FOR LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Primerose Howard Vaughan, F.C.S., of 67,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES OR PRESSES FOR LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING."
A communication from abroad by John Whitfield Harland, James Marmaduke
Langdale, and John Gatliff, all of Paris, in the Republic of France.
Sealed the 16th September 1879, and dated the 5th April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Primerose Howard
Vaughan at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th April
1879.
EDWARD PRIMEROSE HOWARD VAUGHAN, F.C.S., of 67, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES OR PRESSES
FOR LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING." A communication from abroad by John Whitfield
Harland, James Marmaduke Langdale, and John Gatliff, all of Paris, in the Republic
of France.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and arrange-
ment of various parts of hand presses or power machines for lithographic printing,
the main objects of such improvements being,-
(1stly.) To reduce the space usually occupied by machines of this description.
(2dly.) To permit the simultaneous employment of two stones of either equal or
different sizes, so as to obtain double the number of impressions at the same working
speed, one stone being printed from whilst the other is being inked, and whilst the
paper is being set in position, and vice-versa.
3dly. To permit of constant tension of the leathern or other membrane of the
tympans, and of increased accuracy in register of the sheets carried by the
latter.
4thly. To provide a means of removing from the stones the superfluous moisture
left thereon by the dampers.
5thly. To facilitate the setting in position of the stones; and,
6thly. To provide for the due pressure of the scrapers by mounting the latter on

page_text: a swivel at an angle to the stones, and by rendering such angle more or less obtuse
according to the greater or lesser degree of pressure required.
The execution of this Invention may be effected as follows:-
A strong cast iron frame supports a strong plateau or table bolted together, and
having on each side a planed and surfaced slide, on which traverse two supports.
A double scraper box turns on a common axis, so adapted as to carry the requisite
gearing for the following separate and distinct motions, each of which is automati-
cally performed by the same rotary motion of the main shaft, driven by hand or
power, as the case may be.
The first motion consists in actuating the scrapers by means of a rack on each
side of the machine attached to the supports, in which turn the pivots of the double
scraper box.
These racks are moved by two pinions of equal size keyed on the extremity of
the same shaft, and by means of a wheel on a rocking shaft actuated by a crank,
perform a reciprocal motion, that is, advance and retire with the scrapers, which, by
a simple contrivance, are made to touch in turn the backs of the tympans in
advancing, and to swivel clear of both in retiring.
The second motion, that of the inking rollers, including the damping operation,
necessitates two chains formed of the journals for the roller axles linked together,
which are moved to and fro, and thus bring the ink from the inking table on to the
stones, the first roller, that is, the one nearest the centre, being the damper,
followed by an india rubber scraper, which, in its turn, is followed by the inking
rollers.
In returning, the damping rollers and rubber scrapers are prevented from touching
the stone, the inkers only being in contact. At the end of each stroke before
returning, the dampers of each stone touch an endless band of moleskin or other
analogous fabric moving over a roller in the centre of the machine into a water
well below, which effectually keeps them moist. The two inking tables obtain their
supply of ink from two oscillating rollers worked by eccentrics on the cylinder
shaft, which travel between the ink "ductor" rollers and themselves.
The "ductors" obtain the ink from the troughs or fountains in the ordinary
way, but the position of the fountains is beneath the cylinder, and thus free from
dust, while permitting their removal for cleansing like ordinary drawers. A series
of levers, moved by a roller attached to a wheel on the crank shaft, actuates the
whole of the inking process and the damping also.
The third motion, that of the combined tympans and grippers, is as follows:-
As soon as the paper is placed in the grippers the tympan frame descends auto-
matically from a vertical to a horizontal position, and the gripper hitherto held open
by a frog on its fulcrum or hinge, closes by means of a spring, the change of position
merely removing the pressure exerted by the frog.
The tympan leather is fixed at one end round three sides of a strong bar, and at
the other to a roller provided with a ratchet, pawl, and square head, by means of
which the roller can be turned, so as to take up the slack and sufficiently stretch
the tympan leather to the required degree of tension.
The form, dimensions, and general details of construction of the apparatus, as
also the mode of applying certain of its detached parts to existing machines or
presses, may be varied according to circumstances.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Primerose Howard Vaughan in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 1st October 1879.
EDWARD PRIMEROSE HOWARD VAUGHAN, F.CS., of 67, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES OR PRESSES
FOR LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING." A communication from abroad by John Whitfield
Harland, James Marmaduke Langdale, and John Gatliff, all of Paris, in the Republic
of France.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and arrange-
ment of various parts of hand presses or power machines for lithographic printing,
the main objects of such improvements being,―
(1st.) To reduce the space usually occupied by machines of this description.
(2ndly.) To permit the simultaneous employment of two stones, of either equal
or different sizes, so as to obtain double the number of impressions at same working
speed, one stone being printed from whilst the other is being inked, and whilst the
paper is being set in position, and vice versa.
(3rdly.) To permit of constant tension of the leathern or other membrane of the
tympans, and of perfect accuracy in register of the sheets carried by the latter.
(4thly.) To provide a means of removing from the stones the superfluous moisture
left thereon by the dampers.
(5thly.) To facilitate the setting in position of the stone; and,
(6thly.) To provide for the pressure of the scrapers by mounting the latter on a
swivel at an angle to the stones, and by rendering such angle more or less obtuse,
according to the greater or lesser degree of pressure required.
In the execution of this Invention I proceed as follows, reference being had to
the accompanying Drawings, in which,-
Figure 1 is a plan of a lithographic hand press, comprising the improvements
above referred to.
Figures 2, 3, and 4 are side and end elevations of the same.
scale of 1.
In these Figures the press is shown on a scale of 1 size for in 4to. stones.
Figure 5 is a section of the tympan to a scale of 1/2.
Figures 6 and 7 are front and side views of the tympan drawn to
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the machine, showing the manner of placing
the paper in the gripper attached to the tympan.
Figure 9 is a section of part of the machine, in order to show more clearly the
position of the stones 8, 8, water well and roller I, damping apparatus R, T, the
inotion of the tympan framės b, b, and the slide bar and pawl that work them, and
the scraper box C, and scrapers F, F.
In these Figures, A, A, is a strong cast iron frame, supporting a strong plateau or
table, bolted together, and having on each side a planed and surfaced slide A¹, A¹, on
which traverse the two supports B, B; C is the double scraper box, turning on a
common axis D, so adapted as to carry the requisite gearing for the following
separate and distinct movements, each of which is automatically performed by the
same rotary motion of the main shaft E, driven by hand or power, as the case
may be.
1st MOTION. Consists in actuating the scrapers F, F, by means of a rack G, G, on
each side of the machine attached to the supports, in which turn the pivots of the
double scraper box. These racks are moved by two pinions of equal size H, H,
keyed on the two extremities of the same shaft K, and actuated by a pinion H2,
geared with a wheel on a rocking shaft L, actuated by a crank M, perform a
reciprocal motion, that is, advance and retire with the scrapers, which, by a simple
contrivance, are made to touch the backs of the tympans in turn in advancing and
to swivel clear of both in retiring. This contrivance consists of a circular plate P
attached to the axle or swivel D of the scraper box C, to which plate are hung two

page_text: levers J, J, provided with slots, and attached to it also is a small galley, which
galley, during the course given to the scraper box by the racks G, G, comes in contact
with the upright bar W, and from its form is forced to turn the axle of the scraper
box until the scraper is pressed against the tympan. At the end of the stroke the
foot of the lever J comes in contact with the small inclined plane E, and in
mounting to the top of it turns the scraper box into a level position ready for its
return and subsequent swivelling by means of the same upright bar W, to give
pressure to the other stone. The bar W is fixed on a stud, and is adjustable by
means of a pressure screw on either side, so as to regulate the angle at which the
scrapers touch the tympan backs, and thus give less or more pressure, as may be
required.
2nd MOTION. That of inking rollers, including the damping operations, consists of
two chains N, N, formed of the journals for the roller axles linked together, which
are moved to and fro, and thus bring the ink from the inking tables Q, Q, (in this
case cylindrical ones) on to the stones S, S, the first roller, that is, the one nearest
the centre, being the damper R, followed by the india-rubber scraper T, which in
its turn is followed by the inking rollers 0, 0, 0.
In returning the damping rollers and rubber scrapers are prevented from touching
the stone, the inkers only being in contact. At the end of each stroke, before
returning, the dampers of each stone touch an endless band of moleskin or other
analogous fabric moving over a roller I in the centre of the machine into a water
well below, which effectually keeps them moist. The two inking tables Q, Q, obtain
their supply of ink from two oscillating rollers U, U, worked by excentrics on the
cylinder shafts, or by levers, shown in the Drawings CE, CE, actuated by a cam on
the crank shaft M, or in any other convenient manner, which travel between the
ink "ductor" rollers V, V, and themselves. The "ductors" obtain the ink from the
trough or fountain in the ordinary way, but the positions of the fountains X, X, is
beneath the cylinder, and thus free from dust, while permitting them to be removed
for cleaning like an ordinary drawer. The chain of roller bearings carrying the
damping and inking rollers are shewn in the Drawings to be actuated by simple
connecting rods attached by a stud to the supports B, B, of the scraper box, but in
machines where it is desirable to have the power of twice inking when necessary,
they should be worked by cams and levers, the cams being placed underneath the
machine upon the shafts which carry the gearing. The cylindrical inking tables
Q, Q, are made to revolve by means of cords, bands, or straps and pulleys, as shewn
in the Drawings, so as to cause their surfaces to pass entirely beneath the inking
rollers at each revolution, in order to ensure perfect distribution of the ink, whilst
the endless band of moleskin is kept in constant motion by means of a cord and
pulleys, and ensure a sufficient supply of moisture for damping from the water well
beneath (see section Figure 9). Y, Y, are supports for two tables Z, Z.
3rd MOTION. That of the combined tympans and grippers is as follows:-As soon
as the paper is placed in the gripper a, the tympan frame b, b, b, b, descends auto-
matically from a vertical to a horizontal position, and the gripper a, hitherto held
open by a frog c on its fulcrum or hinge d, closes by means of a spring e, the change
of position merely removing the pressure exerted by the frog. A slide bar carrying
a pawl t, which comes in contact with the stud in the wheel on the rocking shaft
L, is coupled up to the two tympan frames, and thus produces the movement of each
alternately from a vertical to a horizontal position, and vice versd (see section
Figure 9). The tympan leather f is fixed at one end round three sides of a strong
bar g, and at the other to a roller h, having a ratchet / and pawl 7, with a square m,
by means of which the roller can be turned so as to take up the slack, and suffi-
ciently stretch the tympan leather to the required degree of tension.
These combined tympans and grippers are applicable also to the ordinary hand
press, and to all machines for lithographic printing where pressure is obtained by
means of a scraper, and may be used either to be lowered and raised by hand or
automatically.
Although in the Drawings the rack is shewn moveable, we may substitute therefor

page_text: a fixed rack with a pinion travelling thereon, as a means of producing the required
reciprocal motion, more especially for large sizes of machines.
Having now described the nature of the said improvements, and the manner in
which they are or may be carried into effect, I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the details of form, dimensions, and arrangements herein laid
down, as these may obviously be modified without deviating from the principles or
main features of the Invention, but
What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent are,-
(1st.) The use in lithographic presses or machines of two stationary stones of
equal or different sizes or thicknesses, to be operated on at same time by one con-
tinuous rotation of the driving shaft, the printing from one stone being completed
whilst the other stone is being automatically damped and inked, and whilst the
paper is being placed in position on the free tympan.
(2ndly.) The application of reciprocal motion given to the pressure scrapers F, F,
or pressure cylinders to the inking rollers O, O, O, tympans f, f, and damping appa-
ratus R, I, T, by means of a crank M operating on a rocking shoft L, with inter-
mediate gearing acting upon a rack G and pinion H, and by means of levers and
cams combined with a galley fixed to a wheel on the crank shaft, or any other
mechanical equivalent for the production of the aforesaid reciprocal motion.
(3rdly.) A tympan, as shewn in Figures 5, 6, and 7, composed of the ordinary
leather or other membrane fixed in a frame, provided with a mechanism for tight-
ening or taking up the slack as in h, k, l, m, and further with a mechanism for
securing the accurate register and holding of the paper, as in a, c, d, e, substantially
as above described, the said tympan being applicable to all lithographic scraper
machines and presses of any description, whether driven by hand or power.
(4thly.) The new method of obtaining pressure by causing the scrapers to touch
the tympans at a variable angle more or less acute, instead of forcing them down
perpendicularly as heretofore, such scrapers being set on a swivel, and constructed
and arranged substantially as herein set forth and shewn in B, C, D, F, Figures 1,
2, 3, 4, 8, and 9 of the annexed Drawings.
(5thly.) The use of an india-rubber or other resilient scraper, as in T, for the
purpose of removing the superfluous moisture left on the stone by the damping
rollers, the said arrangement being equally applicable to all known lithographic
printing machines.
(6thly.) The general construction and arrangement of mechanism, substantially
as above described and shewn in the Figures of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Primerose Howard Vaughan, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
E. P. H. VAUGHAN. (L.S.)