Improvements in Folding Machinery, applicable to Printing Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Aug., 1894-Accepted, 8th Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by Messieurs R. HOE & Co., of 504, Grand Street,
in the City of New York, United States of America, Printing Machine
Manufacturers.]
Improvements in Folding Machinery, applicable to Printing
Machines.
I, HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of The Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of London Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of folding mechanisms which operate to impart
a longitudinal fold to material passing over or through them on the run, and more
particularly to such as are provided with a pair of converging internal folding
guides or formers, in passing over which the material has its sides carried toward
each, so as to be doubled or folded longitudinally.
In such longitudinal folders adapted to fold sheets, tapes have commonly been
used for advancing the sheets over the guides, series of internal and external tapes
being employed, or a series of external tapes coacting with an internal plate. The
construction thus formed, however, is not entirely satisfactory in operation, as it is
difficult to secure and maintain, by tapes, the proper tension at all points of the
sheet, to insure its proper feed and accurate folding; the construction requires
careful attention and frequent readjustment, to secure the best results, and there is
danger of offset, as the desired certainty of action cannot be secured by marginal
tapes alone.
The special object of this invention is to provide an improved longitudinal folder
by which these objections may be avoided, and sheets fed positively and with
certainty, and the requisite tension at all points of the sheet secured and main-
tained at high rates of speed, and this object is attained by the use of gripping or
pressing devices which nip or seize the sheet on opposite sides, and advance it
positively over the folder, these devices being moved in paths converging from the
internal guides at opposite sides of the folder, so as to bring the opposite sides of
the sheet together to form a longitudinal fold.
The devices above referred to may consist of grippers of any suitable construction,
and any suitable means may be used for moving the grippers in their converging
paths, and for closing and opening the grippers to grip and release the sheets, or
the devices may consist of internal and external tapes converging from the internal
guides at the opposite sides of the folder, and arranged to seize the opposite sides
of the sheet, and bring them together to form the longitudinal fold, combined with
pressing devices by which the tapes are held pressed together to secure a positive
grip upon the sheet.
The grippers, when used, may consist of a sinall plate pivoted to a larger plate
secured upon the face of a belt. The grippers are closed to seize the sheet by a
coiled spring pressing the gripper normally against its supporting plate upon the
belt, and the gripper is provided with an arm by which it may be rocked against
the tension of the spring, opened, and held open until the sheet is in position to be
seized by means of a stationary cam placed opposite each of the belt rolls or
pulleys. The grippers are closed at the time the sheet is to be seized by the arm
of the gripper passing off the cam, and released at the fold-laying device by other
cams similar construction.

page_text: To secure a positive feed of the sheets as they are released by the grippers,
special feeding rolls are employed, mounted in a position so that the sheets are
gripped by them and the ordinary feeding rolls just before the sheets are released
by the grippers.
Any suitable feeding devices may be used for securing the proper advance of the
sheet over the top plate of the folder and bending it about the internal guides, so
as to carry the leading edges into position to be seized by the grippers.
Marginal tapes may be led from the upper feed roll over the upper end of the
internal guides, then around the guides, and downward around the belt pulleys,―
returning over adjustable tension pulleys, & between the marginal tapes; two or
more middle tapes may be employed.
The grippers, instead of being carried by belts, may be mounted and actuated
so as to reciprocate between the points of receipt and delivery of the sheets, the
grippers being carried by oscillating arms actuated by cains.
The larger gripper plates are secured to carriers, mounted to slide in stationary
grooved guides converging from the internal folding guides to the feed rolls. The
carriers are carried by extensible arms reciprocated between the points of receipt
and delivery of the sheets by crank arms and connecting rods operated from the
grooves of a cam disc.
Stationary cams are provided on opposite sides of the folder, to engage the arms
of the grippers, these cams having a straight portion extending substantially
through the length of movement of the grippers, and above and below which the
arms travel, the grippers being opened against the spring pressure when the arms
are moving on the lower surfaces, and closed by spring pressure when released, to
permit them to be thrown to and travel upon the opposite or upper surfaces.
When the devices consist of marginal tapes with pressing devices, two sets of
tapes or belts are arranged respectively inside and outside of the path of the sheet
as it passes over the folder.
The external tapes or belts are carried by belt pulleys at their upper ends next
the internal guides, and by the fold-laying rolls at their lower ends, and the internal
tapes or belts are carried by belt pulleys at their upper and lower ends respectively,
the upper belt pulleys being placed directly opposite each other, and the lower
belt pulleys opposite to the fold-laying rolls, so as to secure a positive grip between
the belts at the points at which the sheet is taken and delivered, and to hold the
leading end of the sheet as nearly as possible up to the point where it is delivered
between the fold-laying rolls.
Within each set of the belts is mounted a roller on opposite sides of the portion
of the belts by which the sheet is engaged, to form pressing devices by which
the belts are pressed together, thus insuring their proper feed and accurate folding.
While it is preferable that the internal and external rollers should be placed
opposite each other, they may, if desired, be placed in different positions longitu-
dinally of the belts, so as not to be exactly opposite each other. A series of
external or internal rollers coacting with a continuous plate or a series of plates, or
external and internal plates, may be arranged to press the belts together.
When plates are employed to press the belts together, they are preferably
mounted so that they may be adjusted to and from each other. For this purpose,
they are carried by studs mounted in sleeves adjustable circumferentially, and
secured in position by set screws.
To guide the leading end of the sheet to the feed rolls from the belts, a guide
or rolls coacting with the fold-laying rolls may be used.
Dated this 3rd day of October 1802
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Folding Machinery, applicable to Printing
Machines.
I, HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of The Office for Patents 6 Bream's Buildings
Chancery Lane, in the County of London Patent Agent, 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 :-
This invention relates to that class of folding mechanisms which operate to
impart a longitudinal fold to material passing over or through them on the run,
and more particularly to such as are provided with a pair of converging internal
folding guides or formers, in passing over which, the material has its sides carried
toward each other, so as to be doubled or folded longitudinally.
In such longitudinal folders, adapted to fold sheets, tapes have been commonly
used for advancing the sheets over the guides, series of internal and external tapes
being employed, or a series of external tapes coacting with an internal plate. The
construction thus formed, however, is not entirely satisfactory in operation, as it is
difficult to secure and maintain by tapes the proper tension at all points of the
sheet, to ensure its proper feed and accurate folding; the construction requires
careful attention and frequent readjustment to secure the best results; and there is
danger of offset, as the desired certainty of action cannot be secured by marginal
tapes alone.
The special object of this invention is to provide an improved longitudinal folder
by which these objections may be avoided, and sheets fed positively and with
certainty, and the requisite tension at all points of the sheet secured and maintained
at high rates of speed, and this object is attained by the use of gripping or pressing
devices which nip or seize the sheet on opposite sides, and advance it positively
over the folder, these devices being moved in paths converging from the internal
guides at opposite sides of the folder, so as to bring the opposite sides of the sheet
together, to form a longitudinal fold.
These devices may consist of grippers of any suitable construction, and any
suitable means may be used for moving the grippers in their converging paths, and
for closing and opening the grippers to grip and release the sheets; or the devices
may consist of internal and external tapes converging from the internal guides at
the opposite sides of the folder, and arranged to seize the opposite sides of the
sheet, and bring them together to form the longitudinal fold, combined with pressing
devices by which the tapes are held pressed together to secure a positive grip upon
the sheet. The grippers will preferably be mounted on endless conveying belts
running in converging paths at opposite sides of the folder, and the grippers be
preferably actuated by a cam acting against spring pressure. The cam may actuate
the grippers in either direction, but the grippers will preferably be opened by a-
fixed cam, with which a member controlling the grippers is brought in contact at
the proper time during the movement of the belts, the grippers being closed by
spring action upon their release by the cam; and in order to shorten the cams,
separate cams are preferably used at the points of receipt and delivery of the
sheet, so that the grippers are closed by spring pressure, except as they are opened
for this purpose, although it will be understood that the action of the grippers
between these points is not essential, so long as the grippers are open at the proper
time to receive the sheet, then close and grip the sheet, and again open at the
proper time to deliver the sheets.
For a full understanding of the invention, a detailed description of the
mechanisms embodying the same in its preferred form, and modifications thereof,

page_text: will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of
this Specification, in which :-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a folder of the preferred form, embodying the
invention, grippers being used which are shewn open to receive a sheet.
Fig. 2 is a plan view with the top plate removed.
Fig. 3 is a broken plan view, shewing the position of the paper and grippers as
the sheet is seized.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4 of Fig. 1.
Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged front views, shewing in detail the operation of
opening the grippers to receive the paper, the grippers being shewn in different
positions.
Figs. 7 and 8 are plan views corresponding respectively to Figures 5 and 6.
Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are detail cross sections on respectively the lines 9, 10 and 11
of Figures 5 and 6.
Figure 12 is a broken plan view, shewing a modification of the construction
shewn in the preceding figures, employing grippers.
Figure 13 is a section of the same, similar to Figure 4; and
Figures 14 and 15 are cross sections on the lines 14 and 15 of Figures 12
and 13.
Figure 16 is a side elevation of a folder, such as shewn in Figures 1-15,
illustrating that embodiment of the present invention heretofore referred to, in
which are employed, in place of the grippers of those figures, internal and external
tapes converging from the internal guides, and pressing devices for holding the
tapes pressed together, so as to secure a positive grip upon the sheet.
Figure 17 is a plan view of Figure 16, with the top plate removed.
Figure 18 is a vertical section on the line 18 of Figure 16.
Figure 19 is a plan view similar to Figure 17, shewing a different form of
pressing devices; and,
•
Figure 20 is a section of the same, similar to Figure 18.
Referring now to Figure 1 to 11, it will be understood that the frame A. may be
of any suitable construction, as common in web printing and other machines
employing longitudinal folders of this class. B, C, are the internal guides over
which the sides of the sheets are bent to form the fold,-these internal guides B, C,
being shewn as consisting of bars converging to the apex between a pair of rolls D
forming the fold-laying device, or external guides, and from which the folded sheet
is guided to a pair of feeding rolls E, by converging cords or tapes. The sheet
is advanced to the folder by a pair of feeding rolls F mounted at the top of the
folder. The internal guides B, C, are supported at their upper ends by a bar G,
extending across the top of the folder, and mounted on the shaft of the lower feed
roll F, and at the lower ends by a cross bar H carried by an arm K pivoted on a
bar I extending rearward under the folder, and mounted in a bracket on the
frame A, so as to be adjustable longitudinally, thus securing the proper positioning
of the guides B, C. The folder may be left open at the top, only the internal
guides B, C being used, but a top plate L, extending between the internal guides,
will preferably be used to aid in supporting the middle of the sheet.
mechanism thus far described is that of longitudinal folders now in common use in
printing and other machines, but it will be understood that the present invention
may be applied to other similar arrangements.
The
Referring now to the parts in which the invention is embodied, on each side of
the folder is an endless belt a. These belts are arranged so as to converge at the
fold-laying device, and are preferably mounted so as to engage the margin of the
sheets close to the edge. Each belt carries a gripper b, arranged to grip the paper
against the belt or plate thereon by which the gripper is supported, so as to hold
the sheet, and advance it with the belt, and not engage the printed portion of the
sheet, the grippers engaging the sheet at the corner formed by the head and side
margins, but it will be understood that this position may be varied somewhat.
The belts a are carried at their upper ends by large belt rolls or pulleys 10,

page_text: supported in brackets 11 on the frame A, and at their lower ends are carried by
belt rolls 12 on the inner ends of the shafts of the fold-laying rolls D. In order
to secure absolute uniformity of movement, and prevent slip, the belt rolls or
pulleys 10, 12, are preferably provided with grooves or depressions, and the belts a
carry series of projections on their inner surfaces, which run in said grooves or
depressions, so that the belts are thus positively driven by the rolls.
The grippers may be constructed and secured to the belts in any suitable
manner, and any suitable means may be used for opening and closing the grippers.
As shown, the gripper consists of a small plate pivoted in a larger plate 13,
secured upon the face of the belt in any suitable man ner. The gripper is closed
to seize the sheet by spring pressure, and is opened against the spring pressure by
a cam, and for this purpose a coiled spring 1 is used, pressing the gripper
normally against its supporting plate 13 upon the belt, and the gripper is provided
with an arm 2, by which it may be rocked against the tension of spring 1, and
opened. For the purpose of thus opening the grippers to receive the sheets,
there is placed opposite each of the belt rolls or pulleys 10, a cam c, by which the
grippers are operated through the arms 2, so as to open them at the required
time, and hold them open until the sheet is in position to be seized. These cams c,
as shown in the drawings, are so shaped and positioned, that the arm 2 is engaged
on the under face of the cam as it is carried upward around the pulley 10, and
thus partially opened; then passes from the under face of the cam to the side face
on the incline 14, and then runs around upon the side face of the cam, and is held
open until it passes off the cam at the time the sheet is to be seized, the converging
guides B. C being cut away, as shown, so as to allow the open grippers to pass
them in the proper position.
It is necessary, also, that the grippers should he opened as they reach the
rolls D, to release the sheet as the fold is completed, and for this purpose cams d,
similar in construction and operation to the cams c, are used, these cams engaging
the arms 2 of the grippers, as the grippers approach the rolls D, and holding
the grippers open until they have passed to the underside of the belt pulleys 12,
when they are released by the cams, and the grippers are closed by the springs 1.
To secure a positive feed of the sheets as they are released by the grippers b,
feeding rolls 15 are employed, mounted in position so that the sheets are gripped
by them and the rolls D just before the sheets are released by the grippers, these
rolls 15 being carried by arms 16 supported on a bracket 17 carried by a rod 18
mounted in the frame A, the parts being so constructed and arranged, that the
rolls 15 may be adjusted so as to secure their proper position and the requisite
pressure upon the rolls D.
The belts a, and parts co-operating therewith, to complete the fold, may be
driven in any suitable manner. As shown, these parts are driven from gear 19 on
the shaft of one of the rolls E, this gear driving a large intermediate 20 placed
between pulleys 10, 12, by small intermediates 21, and the large intermediate 20
driving pulleys 10, 12, through gears 22, 23, on their respective shafts. The
pulleys 12 and rolls D are geared together by gears 24, and movement is trans-
mitted from one side of the folder to the other by gear 25 on the shaft of the
roll D, corresponding to gear 23, and meshing with an intermediate 26 correspond-
ing to intermediate 20, and from which gear 27 on the shaft of the other belt
pulley 10 is driven.
Any suitable feeding devices may be used for securing the proper advance of the
sheet over the top plate of the folder and bending it about the internal guides B, C,
so as to carry the leading edges into position to be seized by the grippers b. The
construction shown, however, is preferred, because it has been found to form a
simple and efficient means for this purpose, co-acting well with the grippers. In
this construction, a stud 28 is mounted on each side of the folder, just below the
upper ends of the internal guides B, C, and these studs 28 carry belt pulleys 29
and arms 30, adjustable on the shafts of these pulleys. These arms 30 carry belt-
turning pulleys 31, so that by the adjustment of these arms, the marginal tapes f,

page_text: running over the edges of the internal guides B, C, may be adjusted to run as
desired. These marginal tapes are led from the upper feed roll F, over the upper
end of the internal guides B, C, then around the guides, and downward around the
belt pulleys 29, 31, returning over adjustable tension pulleys 32, mounted in
arms 33 on bar 34, supported in the frame at the top of the folder. Between the
marginal tapes, two or more tapes g (two being shown in the present case) are
led from the upper feed roll F over the plate L on the top of the folder, to points
about opposite the upper ends of the guides B, C, and returned over adjustable
tension pulleys 32 on arms 33 on bar 34, as in the case of the tapes f. It will be
understood that the folder may be operated without the middle tapes g, but they
are preferably used to aid in feeding the sheet.
The operation of the construction will be understood from a brief description in
connection with the drawings.
The sheet to be folded is advanced over the folder by the feed rolls F and tapes f, g,
and the leading edge is bent around the internal guides B, C, by the tapes f,
into position to be seized by the grippers b. As the leading edge of the paper
reaches the position shown in Fig. 3, the arms 2 of the grippers b pass off the ends
of the cams c, and the grippers are closed by spring pressure, so as to seize the sheet
on each side at the leading end, and preferably on the margin, as in the construction
shown. The side margins of the leading ends of the sheet are then carried positively
downward to the fold-laying rolls by the grippers b, and as the leading end of the
sheet is brought into position to be grasped by the rolls 15 co-acting with the rolls D,
the arms 2 of the grippers bengage the cams d, and the grippers are opened to
release the sheet. The sheet is then carried onward by the rolls 15, D, and by the
cords, to the feed rolls E, and the fold thus completed, while the grippers bare
carried about the lower belt.rolls 12, and returned to position for seizing another
sheet. It will be seen that one of the grippers ò is placed a little behind the other,
so that they will not engage in passing about the pulleys 12, and that the cams c, d,
are so shaped that they seize and release the sheet simultaneously. It will be seen that
the length of the belts 5, in the arrangement shown, is twice that of a sheet, so that
it is obvious that the belts might deliver two sheets at each complete belt movement,
by adding another gripper b to each belt, the two grippers on each belt being
arranged in proper position to take successive sheets. It will be understood, also,
that it is not material that the belts be only twice the length of the sheets, as shown,
and that longer belts may be used, carrying more grippers, if desired, but the
construction shown, employing one or two grippers on each belt, will be found
efficient.
The
While endless belts are preferred as the means for carrying the grippers, as this
forms a very simple and efficient construction, it is obvious that the grippers may
be mounted and carried by any other suitable means securing the proper movement.
Thus, in Figs. 12 to 15, is shown an arrangement in which the grippers b, instead
of being carried by belts, are mounted and actuated so as to reciprocate between
the points of receipt and delivery of the sheets, the grippers being, as shown,
carried by oscillating arms actuated by cams, although it will be understood that
auy other suitable means may be employed for reciprocating the grippers.
general construction of the folder and feeding devices co-operating with the
grippers, may be substantially the same as in the arrangement previously described,
and is thus shown, and the same letters of reference will be applied to corresponding
parts. The grippers are of the same construction as previously described, but
the plates 13, instead of being attached to belts, are secured to, and carried by,
carriers 35, mounted to slide in grooved guides h, carried by brackets 36 on the
frame of the machine, these guides converging from the internal guides B, C, on
opposite sides of the folder to the rolls D, 15, previously described. These
carriers 35 are carried by extensible arms 37, mounted on short rock shafts 38,
which are actuated to reciprocate the arms between the points of receipt and
delivery of the sheets by crank arms 39, and connecting rods 40, provided with
bowis running in cam grooves i on opposite sides of a cam disc M carried by a
b

page_text: shaft 41. It will be seen that the length of the extensible arms 37 varies with their
movenient, so that the speed of the grippers would vary correspondingly, but a
movement of uniform speed is secured for the grippers by the construction of the
cam grooves i, which are arranged to compensate for the variations in the length of
the arms 37.
b
The grippers are spring-pressed, and thus normally closed, and are opened as
follows: Cams k are provided on opposite sides of the folder, engaging the arms 2
on the grippers b, these arms k having a straight portion extending substantially
through the length of movement of the grippers, and above and below which the
arms 2 travel, the grippers being opened against the spring pressure, when the arms.
are moving on the lower surfaces, and closed by spring pressure when released, to
permit them to be thrown to, and travel upon, the opposite or upper surfaces. The
cams are cut away at opposite ends to provide openings through which the arms 2:
may pass, and spring-pressed switches 4 are provided at the opposite ends, for
guiding the arms to the opposite sides of the cams k. .Adjacent to the rolls D, 15,
the cams k are provided with vertically-inclined portions 5, arranged to engage the
arms 2 of the grippers, and force them downwards against the spring pressure, so as
to open the grippers for the delivery of the sheets to the rolls 15, D, these cam
surfaces 5 being of sufficient length, and of suitable construction, to force the
arms 2 downward, until they have passed the point of the lower switches 4, and
allow the latter to be returned to the upper side of the arms 2 by the spring
pressure.
All the parts are shown as driven from the shaft 41, which carries a large
gear 43, driving the rolls E through an intermediate 44, and the rolls D are driven
from the rolls E through an intermediate 45. It will be understood, however, that
any other suitable driving mechanism may be used.
The operation of this arrangement will be understood from a brief description in
connection with the drawings,-it being understood that the sheets are advanced to
the grippers, and delivered therefrom in the same manner as previously described,
and that the operation of the grippers, in respect to the time of receipt and delivery
of the sheets, is the same. Only a description of the special method of carrying
and operating the grippers, therefore, need be given.
With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 13, just before receiving a sheet.
the grippers have just been carried to the limit of their upper movement, and
returned slightly, so as to have a movement of the same speed as the sheet, when
they close to take the latter, the arms 2 are on the undersurface of the cams k, and
the switches 4 have been thrown into the lower position, so as to positively guide
the arms 2 into the openings 3. As the extensible arms 37 are moved downward
and inward towards each other, and as the arms 2 reach the openings 3, the
grippers are closed by the spring pressure, the arms being thus thrown to the
outside of the cams & through openings 3. The grippers then move downward with
the arms upon the upper side of the cams k, as shown in connection with one of
the grippers in dotted lines in Fig. 13, and in Fig. 15. As the grippers reach the
lower ends of the cams k, and approach the point of delivery of the sheet, they are
actuated by cam surfaces 5 engaging the arms 2, and throwing them downward,
and thus the grippers are opened against the spring pressure. The arms 37 and
grippers move downward to such a distance as to carry the arms 2 of the grippers
past the points of the spring-pressed switches 4, and as the sheets are delivered to
the rolls D, 15, these switches 4 are released, and returned to position above the
arms 2 so as to guide them onto the lower surface of the cams k, as the grippers
return to position for taking another sheet. As the arms and grippers return,
therefore, the grippers are kept open by the arms 2 running on the lower surface
of the cams k, and held in such a position as not to interfere with the feeding of the
sheet over the folder. Near the limit of their upward and outward movement, the
arms 2 of the grippers pass below the switches 4, when the switches are returned
under spring pressure to the positions shown in Fig. 13, and thus the operation is
repeated.
b

page_text: The arrangement of the devices, consisting of marginal tapes with pressing
devices, will now be described in connection with Figures 16 to 20.
It will first be stated, that the construction of the longitudinal folder proper of
these figures, is substantially the same as that of Figures 1 to 15.
Referring now particularly to Figures 16 to 18:-Ön each side of the folder, are
two sets of tapes a', b', arranged respectively inside and outside of the path of the
sheet, as it passes over the folder, these tapes being mounted so that their engaging
surfaces run in the proper plane to advance the sheet from the folder, the angle to
this plane to the guides being accurately adjusted to keep the sheet taut, and to
secure the proper tension at every point. These tapes ab, are preferably mounted
to engage the margin of the sheets close to the edge, so as to hold the corners of
the sheet down; but it will be understood that this position may be varied
somewhat.
The external tapes a' are carried by helt pulleys 50 at their upper ends, next the
internal guides B, C, and by fold-laying rolls D at their lower ends, and the
internal tapes are carried by belt pulleys 51, 52, at their upper and lower ends
respectively, the belt pulleys 50, 51, being placed directly opposite each other, and
the belt pulleys 32 opposite to the rolls Ď, so as to secure a positive grip between
the tapes at the points at which the sheet is taken and delivered, and to hold the
leading end of the sheet as nearly as possible up to the point where it is delivered
between the rolls D. The belt pulleys 50, 51, 52, are shown as mounted on short
shafts 53 carried by a plate 54 extending across the rear of the folder, and carried
by brackets 55 on frame A, but it will be understood that any other suitable
construction for mounting these rolls may be used.
In the plate 54, on each side of the folder, and within each set of the belts a', ',
is mounted a stud 56, these studs carrying arms 57 mounted loosely thereon, so as
to be adjustable circumferentially of the studs, and secured in position by means of
set screws. Each of these arms 57 carries a roller c¹, these rollers being placed on
opposite sides of the portion of the belts a', b', by which the sheet is engaged, so
that these rollers form pressing devices by which the belts are pressed together, so
as to secure a positive grip upon the sheets, thus ensuring their proper feed and
accurate folding. By the adjustment of the arms 57 upon the studs 56, it will be
seen that these rollers c¹ may be accurately positioned, so as to secure just the
required tension.
The tapes a, b and fold-laying rolls D, may be driven by any suitable means,
but are shown as geared as follows:-
The rolls E are geared together, and driven as usual, and the rolls D are driven
from one of the rolls E through an intermediate 58 and a gear 59 on the shaft of
one of the rolls, and gears 60, by which the rolls D are geared together, the tapes
thus being driven. The roll D, carrying gear 59, carries also a third gear 61,
which meshes with a gear 62 on the shaft of belt pulley 52, these gears 61, 62,
being so timed by relative size, as to secure the movement of belt pulley 52 and
belts at exactly the same rate of speed as the rolls D and belts a', and the belt
pulleys 52 are geared together by gears 63, so to secure the same movement of the
other series of belts /'.
The construction and operation of the feeding devices of these figures, for
securing the proper advance of the leading end of the sheet over the guides B, C,
to the tapes a¹, b¹, is substantially the same as in Figures 1 to 15, and therefore
needs no further description here.
While it is preferable that the internal and external rollers c' should be placed
opposite each other, as shown, as a more positive grip by the tapes is secured, it
will be understood that these rollers may be staggered, if desired, that is placed in
different positions longitudinally of the belts, so as not to be exactly opposite each
other. While it is preferable to use rolls as the pressing devices, other devices
may be used for this purpose. Thus, a series of external or internal rollers co-acting
with a continuous plate, or a series of plates, may be used, or external and internal
plates arranged to press the tapes together.

page_text: In Figures 19 and 20, a construction is shown in which plates are used for
pressing the tapes together. In this construction, the tapes are pressed together
by plates d¹ placed in the same position as the rolls c', in the construction of
Figures 16 to 18. These plates d¹ may be supported in any suitable manner, so as
to secure the proper pressure upon the tapes, but are preferably mounted so that
they may be adjusted to and from each other, and in the drawings is shown a simple
construction for this purpose, in which the plates d' are carried by studs 71 mounted
in sleeves 72, adjustable circumferentially on a bar 73, the sleeves 72 being secured
in position on said bar by set screws. The bar 73 is carried by, and adjustable in,
lugs 74, on the plate 54. By this construction, the plates may be readily adjusted,
so as to secure their proper position, and the required pressure between them, by
adjusting the sleeves 72 on the bar 73, only a very slight adjustment being required.
The plates are preferably made slightly convex longitudinally, so as to secure the
proper tension between the belts at all points, it being found, in practice, that this
construction is preferable.
As the belts a' do not extend to the fold-laying rolls D, and the leading end of
the sheet is not gripped after it has passed the lower belt pulley 52, and before it
is gripped by the fold-laying rolls D, it is preferable to use a guide e', placed
between the pulleys 52 and rolls D, and operating to guide the leading end of the
sheet to the latter. It will be understood, however, that in place of this guide,
other devices, such as rolls coacting with the fold-laying rolls D, may be used, if
preferred.
The parts may be driven by any suitable means, but are shown as driven from
the rolls E as follows:-
The fold-laying rolls D are driven from one of the rolls E through an inter-
mediate 74 and gears 75 on the shafts of the rolls gearing them together, and the
belt pulleys 52 are driven from, the other roll E through a series of inter-
mediates 76 and gears 77 on the shafts of the belt pulleys, the belt pulleys 52 on
opposite sides of the folder being geared directly together, and the parts are so.
timed that exactly the same speed is obtained on both sides of the folder.
The operation of this construction is substantially the same as those previously
described, and no further description is necessary.
For securing the best results, it is necessary that the pressing devices be placed
both internal and external of the tapes, as shown, so as to press the tapes together
from opposite sides, this construction securing a more positive grip upon the sheet,
but the rolls or plate on one side of the tapes may be omitted, and good results
secured, and such a construction is within the invention broadly considered.
It will be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the exact
form or arrangement of the devices shown, as these have been selected only as
embodying the invention in its preferred form, and it will be understood that
modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention. While
the constructions have been described as applied to folding sheets, it will be
understood that they are applicable also to associating two or more sheets or webs
led over the opposite sides of the folder, the improved constructions shown being
admirably adapted for this use. It will be understood, also, that a slitter, and
other devices in use with the present longitudinal folders, are equally applicable
to folders embodying the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
ne by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides,
of endless belts or tapes on the opposite sides of the folder converging from the
internal guides, and means coacting with said belts or tapes, to secure a positive
grip upon the sheet, substantially as described.
2. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
B

page_text: grippers on the opposite sides of the folder moving in paths converging from the
internal guides, means for operating said grippers, to seize and release the sheet,
and means for advancing the sheet over the guides to the grippers, substantially as
described.
3. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
grippers on the opposite sides of the folder moving in paths converging from the
internal guides, means for operating said grippers to seize and release the sheet,
feeding devices on each side of the folder, receiving the leading edges of the
sheet from the grippers, and means for advancing the sheet over the guides to the
grippers, substantially as described.
4. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides
and a fold-laying device, of grippers on the opposite sides of the folder moving in
paths converging from the internal guides to the fold-laying device, means for
operating said grippers to seize and release the sheet, and means for advancing the
sheet over the guides to the grippers, substantially as described.
5. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides
and fold-laying rolls, of grippers on the opposite sides of the folder moving in
paths converging from the internal guides to the fold-laying rolls, rolls on opposite
sides of the folder co-acting with the fold-laying rolls to receive the edge of the
sheet, means for operating said grippers to seize and release the sheet, and means
for advancing the sheet over the guides to the grippers, substantially as
described.
6. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
endless belts on the opposite sides of the folder converging from the internal guides,
grippers carried by said belts, means for operating said grippers, to seize and
release the sheet, and means for advancing the sheet over the guides to the
grippers, substantially as described.
7. In a longitudinal. folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
endless belts on the opposite sides of the folder converging from the internal
guides, grippers carried by said belts, means for operating said grippers to seize
and release the sheet, feeding devices on each side of the folder receiving the
leading edge of the sheet from the grippers, and means for advancing the sheet
over the guides to the grippers, substantially as described.
8. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
endless belts on the opposite sides of the folder moving in paths converging from
the internal guides, grippers carried by said belts and spring pressed in one
direction, cams by which the grippers are operated in the opposite direction
against the spring pressure, and means for advancing the sheet over the guides to
the grippers, substantially as described.
9. The combination with the converging internal guides B, C, of rolls D₂
grippers b, means for carrying said grippers between the guides and rolls, and
means for operating said grippers, to seize and release the sheet, substantially as
described.
10. The combination with the converging internal guides B, C, of rolls D,
belts a, converging to the rolls D, grippers 6 carried by said belts, and means for
operating said grippers, to seize and release the sheet, substantially as described.
11. The combination with the converging internal guides B, C, of rolls D,
belts a converging to the rolls D, rolls 15 co-acting with said rolls D, grippers b
carried by said belts, means for operating said grippers to seize the sheets and
deliver them to the rolls 15, D, substantially as described.
12. The combination with the converging internal guides B, C, of rolls D,
belts a, converging to the rolls D, rolls 15 coacting with said rolls D, grippers b
carried by said belts and closed by spring pressure, and cams c, d, opening the
grippers to receive and deliver the sheet, substantially as described.
13. The combination with the converging internal guides B, C, of the rolls D,
belts a, converging to the rolls D, rolls 15, co-acting with said rolls D, grippers b

page_text: carried by said belts, means for opening and closing said grippers, to seize and
release the sheet, and marginal tapes fadvancing the sheet over the guides to the
grippers, substantially as described.
14. The combination with the converging internal guides B, C, of the rolls D,.
belts a, converging to the rolls D, rolls 15 co-acting with said rolls D, grippers b
carried by said belts, means for opening and closing said grippers to seize and.
release the sheet, marginal tapes advancing the sheet over the guides to the
grippers, plate L, and tapes between said marginal tapes co-acting with said
plate, substantially as described.
15. The combination with the converging internal guides B, C, of rolls D,.
arms 37 reciprocating between the guides and rolls, grippers b carried by said arms,
and cams for operating the grippers, to seize and release the sheet, substantially as
described.
16. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
endless tapes on the opposite sides of the folder converging from the internal guide,.
pressing devices intermediate of the tape pulleys, for pressing said tapes together,
and means for advancing the sheet over the internal guides to the tapes,
substantially as described.
17. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
endless tapes, on the opposite sides of the folder, converging from the internal
guides, adjustable pressing devices intermediate of the tape pulleys, for pressing
said tapes together, and means for advancing the sheet over the internal guides to
the tapes, substantially as described.
18. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides.
and a fold-laying device, of endless tapes on the opposite sides of the folder
converging from the internal guides to the fold-laying device, pressing devices
intermediate of the tape pulleys, for pressing said tapes together, and means for
advancing the sheet over the internal guides to the tapes, substantially as
described.
19. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
endless tapes on the opposite sides of the folder converging from the internal guides,
internal and external pressing devices intermediate of the tape pulleys, for pressing
Baid tapes together, and means for advancing the sheet over the internal guides to
the tapes, substantially as described.
20. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides
and a fold-laying device, of endless tapes on the opposite sides of the folder
converging from the internal guides to the fold-laying device internal and external
pressing devices intermediate of the tape pulleys, for pressing said tapes together,
and means for advancing the sheet over the internal guides to the tapes, substan-
tially as described.
21. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
endless tapes on the opposite sides of the folder converging from the internal guides,
pressure rollers arranged intermediate of the tape pulleys, for pressing said tapes
together, and means for advancing the sheet over the internal guides to the tapes,"
substantially as described.
22. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
endless tapes on the opposite sides of the folder converging from the internal
guides, internal and external pressure rollers arranged intermediate of the tape
pulleys, for pressing said tapes together, and means for advancing the sheet over
the internal guides to the tapes, substantially as described.
23. In a longitudinal folder, the combination with converging internal guides, of
endless tapes on the opposite sides of the folder converging from the internal guides,
internal and external pressure rollers arranged intermediate of the tape pulleys,
and opposite each other, for pressing said tapes together, and means for advancing
the sheet over the internal guides to the tapes, substantially as described.
24. The combination with converging internal guides B, C, and fold-laying
rolls D, of internal and external tapes a', 6', converging from the guides B, C, to

page_text: the rolls D, internal and external pressure devices, as c¹ or d', pressing said tapes
together between the belt pulleys, and means for advancing the sheet over the
internal guides to the tapes, substantially as described.
25. The combination with the converging internal guides B, C, and fold-laying
rolls D, of external tapes al carried by said fold-laying rolls D, and converging
thereto from the internal guides, internal tapes b' co-acting with said tapes a', and
converging from the internal guides to pulleys 52 adjacent to rolls D, pressing
devices, as c or d², pressing said tapes together between their pulleys, and means
for advancing the sheet over the internal guides to the tapes, substantially as
described.
26. The combination with the converging internal guides B, C, and fold-laying
rolls D, of external tapes a¹ carried by said fold-laying rolls D, and converging
thereto from the internal guides, internal tapes b', co-acting with said tapes a', and
converging from the internal guides to pulleys 52 adjacent to rolls D, internal and
external pressure rollers c¹ pressing said tapes together between their pulleys,
and means for advancing the sheet over the internal guides to the tapes substantially
as described.
to
27. The combination with converging internal guides B, C, the fold-laying
rolls D, of internal and external tapes a¹ b', converging from the guides B, C,
the rolls D, studs 56 within said tapes, and internal and external pressure rollers c¹
carried by arms 57 adjustable on said studs, substantially as described.
Dated this 1st day of August. 1894
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.