provements in or in connection with the Inking Apparatus of Printing Machinery.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 14th June, 1894-Accepted, 14th July, 1894
PROVISIONAL DILUITIVATION
Improvements in or in connection with the Inking Apparatus of
Printing Machinery.
We ARTHUR WATKINSON and FREDERICK WILLIAM MUSGRAVE both of The
Bremner Machine Company Limited Otley in the County of York, Printing
Machine Makers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
Our invention refers more particularly to that class of inking apparatus for
printing machinery, in which the ink is transferred from the inking cylinder to a
distribution drum and from the latter by means of a carrying roller to the
inking" rollers or sets of inking rollers, which transfer the ink to the printing.
forms; but our invention is also applicable to other forms or arrangements of
inking apparatus.
Our invention in the first place refers to the method and means for transferring
the ink from the distributing drum to the first roller or rollers of the set or sets
of inking rollers (i.e. the top "rider" rollers); and has for its object to ensure a
much more uniform distribution of the ink on the inking rollers, and consequently
on to the printing form. For this purpose we make the oscillating carrying roller,
(which hitherto has been made sinaller), larger in diameter than the inking rider
rollers, and mount it so that it comes in contact simultaneously with two of
the top inking "rider" rollers. These "riders " may distribute the ink to
one or more set of inking rollers, but the arrangement is such, that half the ink
" and the
on the carrying roller is transferred to one of the aforesaid "riders
other half of the ink to the second of the said two "riders." The rotation of
the rollers is such, that the ink is transferred equally towards both sides of the set
or set of inking rollers, which come in contact with the printing forms. It is
owing to the larger size, which we give to the carrying roller, as well as to
causing the same to come in contact simultaneously with the two top "riders," that
practically each of two separate halves of the circumference of the freshly inked
carrying roller comes in contact, the one half with the one, and the other half
with the other of the two top riders, thereby ensuring that the ink is equally
distributed towards both ends of the set or sets of inking rollers, which come in
contact with the printing form.
With the present arrangements where the carrying roller is smaller in diameter
than the rider rollers with which it comes in contact, or comes in contact with one
rider roller only, the greater part of the ink is sent down towards one or other
side of the set or sets of inking rollers, and thus unevenly on to the type.
Our invention in the second place refers to the method of raising the inking
rollers from the printing form or slab when the machine is at rest, and we further
arrange that the inking and rider rollers are at the same time raised and drawn
clear off each other. Further the arrangement is such, that where geared rollers
are employed, the axles of the latter are held down in position when working.
The object of our method is to avoid any pressure between the rider and the
inking rollers, or between these and the printing form or slab, when the machine
is at rest. The disadvantage in the latter case is, that flat places are liable to be
formed on the periphery of the rollers, or that the rollers are distorted. Our
method of obviating this disadvantage consists in successively raising the upper
rollers clear off those upon which they rest, and lastly the bottom rollers clear off
the printing form or slab. For this purpose we form the supports for raising the
rollers with slot holes for the lifting pins, the said slot holes giving respectively

page_text: such play to the respective pins, that these latter raise the rollers in succession
commencing with the topmost rollers.
We do not desire to limit ourselves to the method or means of raising the pins,
which are most conveniently raised simultaneously. The nature of this part of
our invention is not altered if the pins are rigidly attached to the supports or rods
for lifting the rollers, whilst the slot holes are formed in the lifting plates or levers
or other mechanism whereby the lifting motion is imparted.
If the motion of the lifting plates be horizontal, the slot holes may be formed
inclined with horizontal extensions at the ends.
Our invention in the third place refers to means for locking and releasing the
ink distributing apparatus in and from position, so that in the latter case it can be
readily withdrawn the said means at the time of release also raising the aforesaid
carrying roller clear off the rider rollers, for the withdrawal of the carrying
roller with the rest of the inking apparatus. For this purpose the front part of
the inking apparatus frame is arranged to abut against a stop on the printing
machine frame, whilst a hinged lever or a pair of levers are arranged on a shaft
so that when turned into position, the lever (or levers) abuts against a stop on the
printing machine at the other side or back of the inking apparatus. A lever on
the last mentioned shaft is arranged to engage with a lever on the axis about
which the oscillating carrying roller is oscillated, in such a manner that when the
one lever is raised to unlock or release the inking apparatus from the back stop,
the other raises and keeps raised the arms carrying the carrying roller.
In the last place our invention refers to means for doubling the strokes of the
carrying roller, whereby the same quantity of ink carried over in double the strokes
is distributed more evenly, and the printing form is inked from both ends by the
one inking apparatus, instead of two as has heretofore been required for this
purpose. This part of our invention consists in providing a single and double cam,
formed in one piece or equivalently connected together, and arranging the said
single and double cam on a feather or key, capable of sliding sideways on said
feather or key; so that either the single or the double cam can be made to engage
with the cam lever actuating the lever carrying the aforesaid carrying roller.
Or the cam may be fixed, and the runner engaging with the same is made to slide
so that it gears with either the single or the double cam.
Dated this 17th day of October 1893
J. CLARK JEFFERSON,
2, East Parade, Leeds, Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with the Inking Apparatus of
Printing Machinery.
We ARTHUR WATKINSON and FREDERICK WILLIAM MUSGRAVE both of
The Bremner Machine Company Otley in the County of York Printing Machine
Makers, 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 refers more particularly to that class of inking apparatus for
printing machinery, in which the ink is transferred from the inking cylinder to a
distribution drum, and from the latter by means of a carrying roller to the inking
rollers or sets of inking rollers, which transter the ink to the printing forms; but
our invention is also applicable to other forms or arrangements of inking
apparatus.
Our invention in the first place refers to the method and means for transferring
the ink from the distributing drum to the sets or set of inking rollers, and has for
its object to ensure a much more uniform distribution of the ink on the inking

page_text: rollers and consequently on to the printing form. For this purpose we make the
oscillating carrying roller, (which hitherto has been made smaller), larger in
diameter than the inking "rider" rollers, and mount it so that it comes in contact
simultaneously with two of the top inking "rider" rollers; which are placed at
such a distance apart, that when the oscillating carrying roller is in contact with
both the said rider rollers, the centre of the oscillating roller is very nearly on the
line joining the centres of the said rider rollers. These riders may distribute the
ink to one or more sets of inking rollers, but the above arrangement ensures that
half the ink on the carrying roller is transferred to one of the aforesaid riders, and
the other half to the second of the said riders. This is illustrated diagrammatically
in Fig. 1, in which C represents the carrying roller, and R and B the two top rider
rollers placed at such a distance apart that when C is in contact with R and B, the
centre Olies very near the line joining the centres R and B. It will be evident
that the freshly inked arcs a Cd and a cd are approximately equal, and if the
rotation is as indicated by the arrows, then the ink on the arc a Cd is transferred
to the rider B, whilst the ink on the arc acd is transferred to the rider R,
thereby ensuring that the ink is equally distributed towards both ends of the
set of inking rollers, where one set is used, or towards both end sets, where
two or more sets are employed. It will be further evident that owing to the
larger size of the carrying roller the ink is transferred practically to the whole of
the circumference of each rider and not to a part merely. In present arrangements
where the carrying roller is smaller than the rider rollers, as illustrated in Fig. 2,
it will be evident that as the arc aed is much smaller than the arc a Cd a
proportionately smaller part of the ink is transferred to the rider R than to the
rider B, and in both cases covers only a small part of the circumference, in the
case of the rider R covering only the arc afg so that the ink is unequally
distributed, a larger portion going to the right hand side. (as viewed in the figures),
than to the left hand side. Where only one roller comes in contact with the
carrying roller, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the whole of the ink goes down one (the
left hand) side of the inking rollers. These defects whereby the fresh ink is
distributed without uniformity over the forms or type are entirely obviated by this
first part of our invention.
Our invention in the second place refers to the method of raising the inking
rollers from the printing forms or slab when the machine is at rest; and. we further
arrange that the inking and rider rollers are at the same time raised and drawn
clear of each other. Further our arrangement is such, that where geared rollers
are used, the axles of the latter are held down in position when working. The
object of this second part of our invention is to avoid any pressure between the
rider rollers and the inking rollers, or between these and the printing form or slab,
when the machine is at rest. The disadvantage in the latter case is, that flat faces
are liable to be formed on the periphery of the rollers, or that the rollers are
distorted. Our method of obviating this disadvantage consists in successively
raising the upper rollers clear off those upon which they rest, and lastly the bottom
rollers clear off the printing form or slab. One arrangement for performing this
operation consists in forming the supports for raising the rollers with slot holes for
the lifting pins, the said slot holes giving respectively such play to the respective
pins, that these latter raise the rollers in succession, commencing with the topmost
rollers, the lifting pins being supposed to be raised simultaneously. The nature of
this part of our invention is not altered if the pins are rigidly attached to the
supports or rods for lifting the inking rollers, whilst the slot holes are formed in
the lifting plates or levers or other mechanism whereby the lifting motion is
imparted; in which case of course the pins are lifted in succession. Such an
arrangement is illustrated in side elevation in Fig. 6.
A mechanically equivalent arrangement consists in attaching to the lifting rod,
instead of the pins above mentioned, cross pieces which rise and fall beneath the
roller shafts or the bearings or the supports for the roller shafts; the vertical
distances between the upper surfaces of successive cross pieces varying as the play

page_text: respectively allowed by the slot holes above mentioned. Or if it is found more
convenient to give a horizontal motion to the lifting plates, the slot holes may be
formed inclined with horizontal extensions.
We do not desire to limit ourselves to the mechanism whereby the lifting
motion is imparted from any convenient part of the printing machine, which may
naturally vary according to the type or arrangement of other portions of the
printing machine. Further the above described arrangements for obtaining a
differential lift may be placed not close to the rollers as we have above described,
but in any other convenient part of the printing machine, as for example near the
bottom, the motion being communicated by connecting rods or levers, or both if
necessary.
In the case of geared rollers the axles are held down by the upper ends of the
slot holes, when working.
Our invention in the third place refers to means for locking and releasing the
ink distributing apparatus in and from position, so that in the latter case it can be
readily withdrawn; the said means at the time of release also raising the aforesaid
carrying roller clear off the rider rollers for the withdrawal of the carrying roller
with the rest of the ink distributing apparatus. For this purpose the front part of
the inking apparatus frame is arranged to abut against a stop on the printing
machine frame, whilst a hinged lever or a pair of levers are arranged on a shaft, so,
that when turned into position, the lever (or levers) abuts against a stop on the
printing machine at the other side or back of the inking apparatus. A lever on
the last mentioned shaft is arranged to engage with a lever on the axis about
which the oscillating carrying roller is oscillated, in such a manner, that when the
one lever is raised to unlock or release the inking apparatus from the back stop,
the other raises and keeps raised the arms carrying the carrying roller.
In the last place our invention refers to means for doubling the strokes of the
carrying roller, whereby the same quantity of ink carried over in double the
strokes is distributed more evenly; and in combination with the apparatus or
arrangements referred to under the first part of our invention, ensures that the
printing form is inked from both ends by the one inking apparatus, instead of
as heretofore requiring two for this purpose. This part of our invention consists
in providing a single and double cam formed in one piece or equivalently connected
together, and arranging the said single and double cam on a feather or key and
capable of sliding sideways thereon, so that either the single or the double cam
can be made to engage with the cam lever actuating the lever carrying the
carrying roller.
And in order that our invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed may be more readily and clearly understood, reference is given to the
accompanying drawings and to the letters and marks thereon; in which Fig. 4 is a
side elevation of a printing machine to which our invention is applied. Fig. 5 is
a cross section on line A B Fig. 4 about the side frame of the printing machine but
on a larger scale. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of one of the side frames carrying
the ink distributing apparatus; whilst Figs. 1 to 3 are details already referred to.
a is the inking cylinder.
b is the distributing drum.
c is the oscillating ink carrying roller carried by a pair of arms & hinged on the
studs or cross shaft e.
are the inking "rider" rollers.
g are intermediate inking or distributing rollers.
hare the type or form inking rollers, which distribute or transfer the ink on to
the type or form.
i is the lifting rod actuated from some convenient moving part of the printing
machine, which raises in succession namely first the two rider rollers until these
are clear off the intermediate rollers g; then the rider rollers f and the intermediate
rollers 9 simultaneously, keeping the rider rollers f still separated from the
intermediate rollers 9, until the intermediate rollers g are clear off the form or type

page_text: inking rollers ; and lastly the whole set of rollers simultaneously keeping them as
already separated until the form or type inking rollers are clear off the form or
type. In the illustration shewn the bearings for the axles of the rollers are
attached to the bar j, which is hinged at k. (The bar j however may be attached
direct to the upper end of the lifting rod i.) Immediately the lifting rod i rises,
its upper end catches beneath the bar j and begins to lift the same and the rider
rollers f. The cross piece m attached to the lifting rod i, is provided with slot
holes n, which give sufficient play to ensure that the rollers are lifted quite clear
off the rollers g before the pins o, (which are attached to the vertical stems of the
bearings carrying the rollers g), are caught and raised by the bottom of the slot
holes n.
Lastly in the normal position, i.e. when the machine is at work, the top
of the bar beneath the prolongation of the axes of the rollers h is below the
underside of the said axes by a distance equal to twice the play of the slot holes n,
so that after the bottom of the slot holes n catch the pins o, the rollers
are raised
off the rollers before the latter commence rising off the form or type. The drawing
therefore illustrates two of the above mentioned modifications for lifting the rollers.
in succession.
It will be evident that as the amount of play allowed by the slot holes n is
only sufficient for the above purpose, under normal conditions (i.e. when the machine
is at work), the upper side of the pins o are in contact with and are held down by the
top of the slot holes n, thus locking the bearings and axles of the rollers g in position ;.
which is desirable where the rollers are geared.
pare the side frames carrying the ink distributing apparatus. The front part of
the lower flange of the frame abuts against the stop y cast or fixed to the printing
machine frame. " is a lever or one of a pair of levers (one on each side of the
machine) hinged on the stud or cross shaft s, and which when turned into the lower
position shewn in the drawing abuts against the stop t, cast or fixed to the printing
machine frame, locking the frame pin position. When the lever ris raised by means of
the hand lever u to the upper position, the inking apparatus frame p can be drawn
back. A second lever on the same shaft s occupies the positions and v
When the
respectively corresponding to the positions r and of the lever r.
frame p is locked, this second lever v occupies the position indicated by u, and allows
the lever won the shaft e to rock with the arms d carrying the roller c. On unlocking
the frame p, the lever is turned down into the position v', and prevents the levers 10-
and d and the shaft e from oscillating, and retains the roller c in the raised position
clear off the rollers f.
x Fig. 7 is a cam shaft on which are mounted the cams y, z, which acting on the
lever oscillate the shaft e, on which are mounted the arms d carrying the ink
carrying roller c. is a single cam, i.e. one giving a single to-and-fro motion to
the lever 1 for each revolution of the cam shaft a, and y is a double cam, i.e. one
giving two complete movements of the lever 1 for each revolution of the cam
shaft .
The cams y and are cast in one piece or fastened together and fitted
capable of sliding along a key on the shaft æ. By sliding the cams along the shaft x
one or two to-and-fro movements can be imparted to the ink carrying roller c for
complete revolution of the printing machine, in the latter case each time carrying
only half the ordinary quantity of ink, which is therefore distributed more
uniformly on the type or forms.. The nature of this part of our invention is not
altered if the runner on the lever 1 is fitted on a longer pin and made capable
of being slid on such pin so as to engage with either the single or the double
Nor if the lever 1 is made moveable in a similar manner for the same
cam.
purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that we
claim is :-
1st. The method and means for transferring the ink from the distributing
11 h..
cillating convinge roller having
larger

page_text: diameter than the top or rider rollers and so mounted that it comes in contact with
two top rider rollers simultaneously substantially as and for the purposes herein set
forth.
2nd. The method of and means for successively raising the top (or riding) inking
rollers clear off those upon which they rest and lastly also the bottom inking
rollers clear off the printing form or slab substantially as and for the purpose
herein set forth.
3rd. The means for locking and releasing the side frames carrying the ink
distributing apparatus, which means at the time of release also raises the carrying
roller clear off the top or rider rollers substantially as herein set forth.
4th. The arrangement or combination of levers d and 1 and single and double
cams y and z substantially as herein set forth or illustrated and for the purpose
specified.
5th. The combination of the mechanism referred to under Claims 1 and 4
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Dated this 13th day of June 1894.
J. CLARK JEFFERSON,
2, East Parade, Leeds, Agent for aforesaid Applicants.