Improvements in and relating to Means for Positioning and Feeding Stock to and on the Rotating Cylinder of a Printing Press and of Position also means for Throwing said Rotating Cylinder out when the Proper Feeding of the Stock is Interrupted.
Year: 1899

page_text: ***Date of Application, 30th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1900.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Means for Positioning and Feeding
Stock to and on the Rotating Cylinder of a Printing Press and
of Position
also means for Throwing said Rotating Cylinder out
when the Proper Feeding of the Stock is Interrupted.
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We, CHARLES GRANT HARRIS, Inventor, residing at No. 4, Park Avenue,
Niles; and JOHN FRANKLIN MCNUTT, Inventor, residing at No. 17, West Prospect
Street, Warren, in the County of Trumbull, State of Ohio, United States of
America, do hereby declare the nature of our invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following, statement:-
-
1.
This invention relates to printing presses, and has special reference to means
for automatically feeding the stock to a rapidly-rotated impression cylinder,
and means for throwing such cylinder out of position in the event of failure,
or any irregularity, in the feed supply.
In Letters l'atent No. 4177, of 1897, issued to Charles Grant Harris, was shown
and described means for imparting to the stock about to be printed upon an
accelerated speed, that is, the stock is moved at a speed greater than the speed
of rotation of the impression cylinder until it registers with stops on the cylinder,
whereupon the feed mechanism by which this accelerated speed is obtained,
ceases to act upon the stock.
In so
far as the present improvements have reference to the invention embraced
by the patent above mentioned, the object is to always insure uniformity of fric-
tional engagement between the co-acting feed rolls, as for instance, when paper
entered between two co-acting elements of the feed rolls is of greater thickness
than that between the other co-acting elements, the feed will be uniform. All
the co-acting elements of the feed rolls are held in frictional engagement with
the stock interposed between them, notwithstanding any variance in thickness
in stock.
:
-. The second part of the present improvement relates to means for throwing off
the impression cylinder in the event of failure or any irregularity in feeding
the stock to the feed rolls. This part of the invention is designed as an improve-
ment upon the throw-off mechanism embraced by Letters Patent No. 4176, of
1897, granted to us, and its object is to simplify the construction, promote the
efficiency, and insure accuracy of operation in the throw-off mechanism.
The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out
in the claims.
1
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a portion of a printing press showing
our present improvements. Figure 2 is a front elevation. Figure 3 is a ver-
tical sectional view on line 3-3, Figure 1. Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional
view on line 4-4, Figure 1. Figure 5 is a detail perspective view. Figure 6
shows parts of the throw off mechanism detached from the press.
In the patent first before mentioned, the means shown for obtaining what is
commonly termed " over feed" of the stock, comprised two feed rolls between

page_text: which stock was intermittently grasped and fed to the press at an accelerated
speed. In one form one feed roll was shown as being of uniform diameter and
as designed to co-act with rings or peripheral enlargements on the other feed
roll; while in another form both feed rolls were shown as provided with rings
or peripheral enlargements designed to intermittently co-act in feeding the
stock. In both instances, both feed rolls were extended across the machine and
journaled at their ends, with the result that when two thicknesses of paper were
entered between one set of co-acting elements, as one ring of each roll, and only
one thickness between the other rings, the latter could not always act to feed
the paper. Feed rolls thus constructed require that the rings or peripheral en-
largements be accurately ground to exact diameters in order to insure an even
bearing upon the stock, even when but a single sheet is being fed forward
between both sets of co-acting elements of the feed-rolls.
Referring to the drawings, A designates the frame of a printing press; a the
impression cylinder; a the type-carrying cylinder (shown in dotted lines,
Figure 1;) and a stops or grippers on cylinder a, up to and against which the
stock is fed.
1 is the shaft, and 2 and 3 the rings, of the upper feed rolls, such rings having
hubs secured on the shaft adjacent to its centre.
B designates the shaft, and 4 and 5 the rings of the lower feed rolls, which
rings are designed to periodically co-act with the rings 2 and 3 constituting the
upper feed rolls.
At its ends shaft B has its bearings in the upper ends of ver-
tically-movable standards 6, which are passed through brackets 7 of a frame 8,
supported by a cross-rod 9 mounted at its ends in the sides of frame A. At
their lower ends the standards 6 are pivoted to the rear ends of arms 10 and 11,
which latter are loosely fitted on a shaft 12 mounted in the sides of frame A.
On each of these arms, 10 and 11, are formed upper and lower laterally-projecting
lugs 13 and 14, which extend above and below a lug 16 projecting laterally from
arms 17 and 18, which are adjacent to arms 10 and 11. These arms 17 and 18
are shorter in length than arms 10 and 11, and are rigidly secured on shaft 12.
Between the lugs 16 of arms 17 and 18, and the upper lugs 13 of arms 10 and 11,
are interposed strong spiral springs 19, while in the lower lugs 14. are set
screws 20 which are adapted to be adjusted against the lug 16 so that they will
just slightly clear such lugs, being secured in this position by jamb-nuts 21.
When the shaft 12 is partially rotated, against the tension of its encircling
spring 22, by the engagement of the raised portion of cam 23 with the roller 24
of the lever 25, the free ends of arms 10 and 11 will be in their highest position.
And through the action of the spiral springs 19 the lower feed rolls 4 and 5
will be pressed against the upper feed-rolls 2 and 3. The screws 20 being prop-
erly adjusted a firm contact of the two sets of feed rolls is insured, and the
resiliency of the springs 19 is utilized for any inequalities of stock between the
feed rolls. It will be observed that at the same time several thicknesses more
of paper may be passed between one set of co-acting rolls than between the other
set, and still the proper frictional engagement between both sets of rolls may
be maintained. In this way we obtain a uniform advancement of the stock fed
to the rolls. The cam 23, by which the partial rotation of shaft 12 is intermit-
tently effected, is located upon the outer end of the shaft 26 of the impression
cylinder a. As this cam revolves, and its raised portion frees the end of lever 25,
such lever will be allowed to return to its normal position, under the action of
spring 22, carrying the lower feed rolls, their shaft, and supports with it, thus
leaving a space, preferably of about one quarter of an inch, between the upper
and lower feed rolls. Upon one end of shaft B is secured one member b of an
universal joint, which is connected to its complementary part 61 by a short
shaft, said part 61 being secured to a shaft carrying a pinion 64, which is
driven by a gear-wheel 65 on shaft 1, which latter has on one end a pinion 66 by
which it is driven by suitable gearing of the press, not shown. By means of this
'universal joint connection between shafts B and 63, the proper motion is trans-

page_text: mitted to the lower feed rolls, and the surface speed of the co-acting feed rolls
will be uniform.
The impression cylinder shaft 26 is mounted in eccentrics 28 fitted in frame A
in such manner that when arms 29 of said eccentrics are raised the shaft 26 is
lowered, after the manner shown and described in Letters Patent No. 4176 of
1897. To control the action of these eccentrics the arms 29 are connected at
their outer ends to rods 30, which latter are pivoted at their lower
ends to cranks 31 fast on a spring held shaft 32 mounted in frame A.
To throw the impression cylinder to its highest point, so that stock thereon will
receive the impression of the type forms of the type carrying cylinder, the
shaft 32 is turned as against the tension of its springs 33, by means of a
handle 34, until the shoulder 35 of the collar 36, fast on said shaft, is engaged
by the hooked end of an arm 37. This arm journaled loosely on shaft 12,
and is provided with a laterally projecting lug 38. Adjacent to arm 37 and fast
on shaft 12 is an arm 39, which carries, at its rear end, a lug or block 40 which
is overhung by the lug 38 of arm 37. If there be nothing interposed between
the lugs 38 and 40, the arm 39 will not, in the partial rotation of shaft 12, in
any way act upon arm 37, and the hooked end of the latter will remain in engage-
ment with the collar 36, retaining the impression cylinder controlling shaft 32
in its proper position.
In the patent last before mentioned, No. 4176 of 1897, we showed and described
an automatic device for effecting the tripping of the impression cylinder control-
ling shaft in the event of the absence or irregularity of position of stock between
the feed rolls. In the present instance, this tripping device C comprises a feeler
lever 41 fulcrumed on bracket 42 carried by one of the standards 6, and engaging
at its lower end the slot 43 of a lever 44 fulcrumed on a screw 45 to a boss 46 of
one of the brackets 7, said screw 45 being passed through a slot 47 in lever 44.
At its lower end lever 44 carries a lug 48 which is designed, during the proper
operation of the press, to be intermittently moved into and out of the space be-
tween the lugs 38 and 40. The upper arm of the feeler lever 41 is located
beneath a grooved wheel 49 on shaft 1 intermediate of the feed rolls 2 and 3.
When stock is properly fed between the upper and lower feed-rolls, this arm of
the feeler lever, when the tripping device C is elevated by the supporting stan-
dard 6, is depressed upon coming in contact with the stock between the feed-
rolls, causing said lever to act upon lever 44 so as to throw the lug 48 thereof
out of the space betwen lugs 38 and 40 of arms 37 and 39, respectively, This
will prevent the swinging arm 39 from having any effect upon the hooked arm 37.
If, however, there be no stock between the feed rolls when they be brought into
contact, then the upper arm of the feeler lever (which is forked at its end) will
move upwardly into the grooved wheel 49 without acting upon lever 44. The
lug 48 being within the space between lugs 38 and 40, when the arm 39 is moved
upward, it will effect the upward movement of arm 37 and its disengagement
with collar 36, permitting the spring impelled shaft 32 to effect the lowering
of the impression cylinder. When the lever 44 is thus not actuated by lever 41,
it is free to be moved upward, under the action of arm 39, by sliding on its ful-
crum screw 45.
The advantages of the present invention are apparent to those skilled in the
art.
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. A printing press, comprising a rotary cylinder provided with stops on its
periphery, means for feeding stock on said cylinder against said stops while the
same is in motion, said stock being fed at a speed greater than that at which
the cylinder is rotated, and means for compensating for inequalities in the thick-
ness of the stock being fed, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 2. A printing press having a rotary impression cylinder and means for posi-
tioning or registering stock on said cylinder and causing it to travel at a speed
greater than that at which the cylinder is rotated, comprising two sets of feed
rolls, one of said sets of feed rolls having yielding bearings, and means for.throw-
ing the feed rolls into and out of frictional engagement, as set forth.
19
3. A printing press having a rotary impression cylinder and means for. posi-
tioning or registering stock on said cylinder, and causing it to travel at a speed
greater than that at which the cylinder is rotated, comprising a set of feed rolls
fixedly supported, a second set of feed rolls designed to intermittently co-act
with the former, and a yielding support or bearing for said second set of feed
rolls, as set forth.*
*
4. A printing press having a rotary impression cylinder and means for posi-
tioning or registering stock on said cylinder, and causing it to travel at a speed
greater than that at which the cylinder is rotated, comprising a rotary shaft
having fixed bearings and feed-rolls on said shaft, a second rotary shaft and feed
rolls thereon for co-acting with the former feed rolls, a yielding support or bear-
ing for said second shaft, and means for intermittently placing said feed rolls
in frictional engagement, substantially as set forth.
..
5. "A printing press having a rotary impression cylinder and means for posi-
tioning or registering stock on said cylinder, and causing it to travel at a speed
greater than that at which the cylinder is rotated, comprising a rotary shaft
having fixed bearings and feed rolls on said shaft, a second shaft having feed
rolls for co-acting with the former feed-rolls, standards supporting said second
shaft, means for raising and lowering said standards, and springs. forming inde-
spendent yielding bearings for said standards, substantially as set forth.
6. A printing press having a rotary impression cylinder and means for posi-
tioning or registering stock on said cylinder, and causing it to travel at a speed
greater than that at which the cylinder is rotated, comprising a shaft having feed
rolls; a second shaft also having feed rolls, pivotally mounted bearings for said
second shaft, an intermittently partially rotated shaft having arms, and springs
interposed between said arms and bearings, as set forth.
7. A printing press having a rotary impression cylinder and means for posi-
tioning or registering stock on said cylinder, and causing it to travel at a speed
greater than that at which the cylinder is rotated, comprising a shaft having. feed
rolls, a second shaft also having feed rolls, standards supporting said second
shaft, an intermittently partially rotated shaft, arms loose thereon to which said
'standards are connected, arms fixed on said shaft, and springs interposed between
the latter arms and those to which the standards are connected, substantially
'as set forth.
8. A printing press having a rotary impression cylinder and means for. posi-
tioning or registering stock on said cylinder, and causing it to travel at a. speed
greater than that at which the cylinder is rotated, comprising a shaft having feed
rolls, a second shaft also having feed rolls, standards supporting said: second
shaft, an intermittently partially rotated shaft, arms loose thereon to which
'said standards are connected, said arms having upper and lower lateral lugs,
fixed arms on said shaft having lateral lugs projected between said' upper and
· lower lugs, springs interposed between the lugs of said loose arms, and set screws
in the lower lugs of said loose arm, substantially as set forth.
J
9. A printing press having a rotary impression cylinder and means for posi-
tioning or registering stock on said cylinder, and causing it to travel at a speed
greater than that at which the cylinder is rotated, comprising a. shaft having
fixed bearings, feed-rolls on said shaft, a second shaft having feed rolls thereon,
gearing operated by said first mentioned shaft having an universal connection
with said second shaft, and means for periodically placing the two sets of feed
rolls in frictional engagement, substantially as set forth.
19.10. The combination with the press frame and a cylinder having stops thereon,
of the upper and lower feed rolls, said lower feed rolls having a short shaft,

page_text: standards supporting said shaft, a stationary frame having brackets through
which said standards are passed, an intermittently operated shaft having arms
loose thereon connected to said standards, a second set of arms fast on said shaft,
both sets of arms having lateral lugs and springs between the lugs of the fast
and loose arms, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination with a printing press having a shiftable impression
cylinder and a shaft for shifting said cylinder having a shoulder thereon, of an
intermittently operated shaft, an arm loose on said shaft having a hooked end
for engaging said shoulder and provided with a lateral lug, a second arm fast
on said shaft movable toward and away from said lug, and a device having a
feeler lever designed to engage with the stock being fed to the press, and a sec-
ond lever connected to the former lever having a lug designed to fit in the space
between said second arm and the lug of the loose arm, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination with a printing press having a shiftable impression
cylinder, and a shaft for shifting said cylinder, having a shoulder thereon, of
an intermittently operated shaft, an arm loose on said shaft and having a hooked
end for engaging said shoulder, two sets of feed rolls, one of which sets is raised
and lowered by said intermittently operated shaft, and supports connecting said
set of feed rolls to said shaft, and a device carried by one of said supports having
a feeler lever located between said feed rolls, and having a second lever con-
nected to said former lever and designed to effect the disengagement of said
hooked arm with said cylinder shifting shaft in the event of any irregularity
in the feed to the press, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 20th day of November 1899
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, WC., Patent Agents.