Improvements in Feeding Apparatus for Printing, Ruling, and other like Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 18th June, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Feeding Apparatus for Printing, Ruling, and other
like Machines.
I, ROBERT MONTGOMERY DONALDSON, a Citizen of the United States, of Green-
wich, Fairfield County, Connecticut, U.S.A., 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:→
The invention relates to that class of paper feeding machines designed to
separate and feed successive sheets from a pile to a printing machine, ruling
machine, or other machine operating upon the paper.
The invention relates firstly, to means for rolling or stripping the successive
sheets from the pile, separating and starting the sheet at one edge of the pile and
rolling it over toward the opposite edge of the pile. To accomplish this a traveling,
rotatable feeder-roll is provided, having means for engaging a sheet at one edge
and adapted to travel and rotate toward the opposite edge for rolling or stripping
the sheet from the pile and delivering it to suitable feeding off mechanism. The
feeder-roll is preferably in the form of a pneumatic separator-roll, having means
for exhausting the air from it, and a co-operating auxiliary feed-roll, working in
peripheral contact with the separator-roll to assist the feeding action."
The invention relates secondly, to the novel form of pneumatic separating and
feeding roll, the roll being constructed with a suction chamber or compartment
having valved communication with the interior of the roll, and also valved
communication with the exterior atmosphere, suitable devices being arranged to
co-operate with the roll for operating the valves at the proper moments to produce
the desired results.
The invention relates thirdly to improvements in a traveling sheet support,
which is adapted to receive the sheets from the separating feed-roll and transfer
them to endless tapes or belts which carry them off from the feeder and deliver
them to the printing press or other machine which is ready to receive them.
The invention relates fourthly, to improved mechanism for effecting the com-
bined reciprocating and rotating motion of the feed-roll, such mechanism com-
prising differential gears secured to the feed-roll and stationary and movable rack-
bars meshing with the respective gears upon the feed-roll.
The invention relates lastly, to suitable automatically controlled table-elevating
mechanism whereby the height of the pile of paper being fed is always kept at the
proper level for the most effective operation of the feeder. This mechanism
includes a ratchet and pawl in combination with a mechanical feeler or gauge
which is so connected with the pawl that it will hold it out of operative engage-
ment with the pawl operating devices except at such times when the surface of
the paper is below the proper level.
In order that the invention may be fully understood it will first be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then the novelty pointed out
with more uarticularity in the annexed claims.

page_text: L
In said drawings:
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 3ª are diagrammatic views representing the feeding action
of the improved machine.
Figure 4 is an end elevation of the improved machine.
Figure 5 is a sectional, plan view of one side of the machine.
Figure 6 is a sectional plan view of the opposite side of the machine, the view
being reversed with reference to Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an inside sectional elevation, taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a similar view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.
Figures 9 and 10 are detail sectional views showing the separating feed-roll
and suction controlling valves in several positions.
Figure 11 is an end elevation of the separator feed-roll.
Figure 12 is a detail longitudinal sectional-view of the feed-roll, taken on
the line 12-12 of Figure 11.
Figure 12 is a detail plan view of one of the suction openings of the feed-roll.
Figure 13 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of Figure 14.
Figure 14 is a detail longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 14-14 of
Figure 13.
Figure 15 is a detail side elevation of the automatically controlled paper-
elevating mechanism.
Figure 16 is a detail of part of the same.
:
It will be observed that only the parts of the feeding machine are shown and
that it has not been undertaken to show its connection with the printing press
or other machine to which the sheets are to be fed, but it will be understood that
the improved feeder may be built to form a part of a printing press or other
machine, or may be built as a separate machine.
.
1 is a vertically adjustable pile-supporting table or platform, mounted in the
usual way between the upright standards 2, 2. The platform or table 1, has
secured to it threaded lugs or nuts in which operate the vertical table-elevating
screws 3,3 which are journaled in the standards 2, in any suitable manner, and
have keyed to their upper ends the beveled gears 4 (represented by dotted lines).
Extending across the top of the standards 2, is a rotary shaft 5, carrying beveled
gears 6, which mesh with the gears 4 on the screws 3. These parts are also shown
by dotted lines.
10 is a paper supporting truck, having wheels 11, and 12 represents the pile of
sheets upon the truck 10. 13 represents tracks upon the table or platform 1, upon
which the truck 10 is run into position beneath the feeding mechanism which will
now be described.
15 and 16 are horizontally extending side frames, suitably secured to the
standards 2 and rigidly braced by means of the transverse rods and shafts of the
feeder, hereinafter referred to.
The inner faces of the said frames 15. and 16 are formed with dove-tailed guide
ways or tracks, 17, in which slide the dovetailed side frames 18 and 19 of the
carriage. 20 represents shims or gibs engaging the side frames 18 and 19, and
adjustably held in place by means of the tap-bolts 21. 22 is a port or opening
in side frame 16, and 23 is a suction pipe leading from the port 22 to a suitable
air exhausting pump (not shown).
The inner face of the side frame 19 of the carriage, is hollowed out to form
exhaust cavity 25, which is adapted to register with exhaust port 22 during a
portion of the stroke of the carriage, for the purpose hereinafter explained.
30 is the improved pneumatic separating feed-roll, formed with a solid journal 31
and the hollow journal 32, which are respectively journaled in the side frames 18
and 19 of the carriage. It will be observed that the hollow journal 32, is in open
communication with the cavity 25 of the side frame 19.
The separating feed-roll constitutes an exhaust chamber formed with a suction
compartment 35, within its periphery and extending from end to end. The
suction compartment 35, communicates with the exhaust chamber or interior of
the feed-roll through a port or vassage 36, which is controlled by a flap or plate

page_text: valve 37, pivoted at 38 to one side of the port or passage. 39, are armis projecting
up from the sides of the port or passage 36, and 40 is a rock-shaft journaled on
the arms 39, and in the bearing 41 formed in the head of the separator-roll. The.
rock-shaft 40, extends from one end of the roll to a point a little past its longi-
tudinal center. 45 is a rock-arm keyed to the rock-shaft 40, between arms 39,
and having journaled in its lower end an anti-friction roll 46, which is adapted
to hear upon the top of the valve-plate 37, for closing the valve and holding it
in closed position. It will be observed that the rock-shaft 40 is journaled above
the edge of valve-plate 37, opposite to the point of pivot 38, in order to permit the
suction to open the valve and properly effect the closing of the valve by the engage-
ment roll 46 of arm 45.
The suction compartment 35, of the feed-roll has a port or passage, 50 leading
from one end to the exterior atmosphere, which port or passage is controlled by
a rotary damper valve 51, provided with a spiral spring, 52, surrounding its
central pivot pin 54, for confining it to its seat. By the opening of valve 51, air
is admitted to the exhaust chamber 35, and the suction upon the paper is broken:
In a longitudinal line in the periphery of the feed-roll and bottom of the suction
compartment is formed a series of suction cups or recesses, which communicate
with the interior of the suction compartment. These suction cups are shown
at 55, having an edging 56, of soft rubber, leather, or other compressible material,
and an opening 57, communicating with the suction compartment. It will be
observed that the opening 57 is of smaller area than the suction cup or recess for
the purpose of creating a more effective suction.
60 is a curved rock-arm secured to the end of the rock-shaft 40, and curving
around the hollow journal 32, of the roll, and formed with a bifurcated or forked
lower end Gi, one arm of which forked or bifurcated end is longer than the other
for the purpose which will appear. 62 is a pin projecting from the face of the
rotary valve-plate 51, in. proper position to be engaged by the bifurcated lower
end of rock-arm 60. By rocking the shaft 40, arm 60 will cause the valve 51 to
be opened and closed. The opening and closing action of the valve 51 is clearly
represented in Figures 9, .10 and 11, the pin 62, remaining in engagement with
the bifurcated end of rock-arm 60, long enough to give the required rotation to
the valve when the shorter arm of the bifurcated end 61, slips past the pin 62,
and allows the rock arm 60 to move freely, without interfering with the move-
ment of the rock-shaft 40, in effecting the opening of the valve 37. Valve 37
is forced open by the rush of air from the suction compartment 35, into the
interior of the roll. When the rock-shaft 40 is moved in the opposite direction
for causing the closing of valve 37, the longer arm of the forked end 61 of rock-
arm 60, will be brought into engagement with pin 62 and cause the rotation of
valve 51 into open position. Valve 51 is represented in open position in
Figure 11.
65 is a trip-arm, secured to the outer end of rock-shaft 40, in position to be
engaged by the stationary stops 66 and 67, supported upon the stationary frame
of the machine, and adapted to engage said trip-arm 65 for operating the valves
at proper moments during the rotation of the feed roll. 68 is an adjustable stop-
pin seated in the rock-arm 60 and adapted to engage the hollow journal 32, for
limiting the motion of the rock-arm in one direction..
In addition to being journaled in the traveling carriage, the feed roll 30, is
provided with cog gears 70 and 71, the gear 70 being integral with one head of
the roll, while the gear 71 is keyed to the journal 31. These gears 70 and 71, are
in constant mesh with the rack-bars 72 and 73 which are secured to the inner.
faces of the side frames 15 and 16, and it will be observed that by reason of the
engagement of said gears with the rack-bars the feed-roll is caused to rotate as
it reciprocates or travels over the pile of sheets.
To cause the feed-roll to travel over the surface of the pile of sheets, a gear 75
is provided, upon the journal 31, of smaller diameter than the gear 71, and meshing
with this gear 75 is a reciprocating rack-bar 76, which is secured to a dove-tailed

page_text: slide 77 which reciprocates in the dove-tailed guide groove 78, formed in the inner
face of side frame 15. To effect the reciprocation of the sliding rack 76, a rotary
crank 80 is provided, upon the end of a shaft 81, and connects the crank 80 with
sliding rack 76 by means of a pitman 82. The short shaft 81 is journaled in
suitable bearings 83 and 84 of the machine frame, and is provided between its
bearings with a worm-gear 85, loosely journaled upon the shaft and meshing
with a worm 87, keyed to the upper end of the power shaft 88. 89 is any suitable
form of clutch, adapted to positively clutch the gear 85 upon the shaft 81, for
causing the operation of the feeding mechanism, 90, is the squared end of shaft 81
adapted to receive a crank to enable the operation or change in position of the
machine table and other working, parts without power. 95 are arms extending
up from the carriage side frames 18 and 19. .96 are slots in said arms in which
are adjustably mounted the journal bolts 97 upon which are freely journaled the
rock-arms 98. Secured in the ends of rock-arms 98 and extending from side to
side of the machine is a shaft 99, upon which are freely journaled the co-operating
auxiliary feed-rolls or rollers 100, which operate in peripheral contact with the
feed-roll and assist in the feeding operation. 101 are stationary arms having
inclined forward ends which are adapted to engage beneath shaft 99, as the
carriage nears the rear part of its stroke, and raise the auxiliary feed-rolls 100
out of contact with the feed-roll 30. Extending between the said side frames 18
and 19 of the carriage is a rod or bar 105, upon which is supported a stripping"
plate 106, the edge of which rests very closely to the periphery of the separating
feed-roll and is adapted to direct the edge of the sheet away from the feed-roll to
the traveling sheet support which will now be described.
110 represents a number of parallel cords, wires or tapes, which have their
forward ends secured to the rod or bar 105 and extend therefrom over a guide
roll 111, which is mounted in stationary journals. The ends of the cords or
tapes 110, pass from the guide roll 111 around a winding roll 112, which in turn
is provided with a cord 113, and weight 114. By reason of this construction_it
will be observed that the weight 114 will wind the slack of cords 110, upon the
rod 112, when the carriage is moving toward the guide roll 111, and that said
weight will allow the slack of the cords 110 to be again unwound when the carriage
moves in the opposite direction. This construction is sometimes modified by
doing away with the guide roll 111 as shown in Figure 3. In this form the
cords 110 are wound directly upon a long roll 112ª which is supported in the
position of roll 111 of the form shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, said roll 112ª having
a portion 112b of reduced diameter at one end around which the weighted cord 113
is wound. In this arrangement the cords 110 will be wound and unwound at a
greater speed than the weighted cord and the weight will not move through as
great a space as in the arrangement shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. This is a
very satisfactory arrangement.
Operating in conjunction with the movable sheet supports, 110, feeding-off
tapes 115 are provided, which are supported upon suitable pulleys and adapted
to be driven at approximately the same speed as the movement of the feed-roll 30
and sheet supporting cords 110. The sheet supporting cords 110 are termed the
traveling transfer sheet supports, because they transfer the sheets from the feed-
roll to the feeding-off tapes.
The operation of the mechanism so far as above explained will now be described,
and this explanation of the operation will be best understood by referring to
Figures 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10 of the drawings. In Figure 9, the feed-roll is repre-
sented at starting position, at which point the atmospheric valve 51 is closed, while
the suction valve 37 is open causing a strong gripping of the paper by the suction
cups. At this point it will be observed that the carriage is in position to afford
free communication between the air exhausting mechanism and the exhaust
chamber or interior of the roll. The roll being started forward, rolls the forward
.edge of the sheet around it till said edge is carried under the auxiliary feed-
rolls 100, as shown in Figures 1 and 10. At this moment, the stationary stop 67

page_text: engages the trip-arm 65 which causes the closing of valve 37 and opening of
valve 51, thus breaking the suction upon the sheet and allowing the forward edge
to pass free of the roll over the stripping plate 106, and then on to the supporting
cords or tapes 110, as shown in Figure 2. The continued rotation and travel of
the feed-roll toward the rear edge of the sheet causes the sheet to pass on to the
feeding-off tapes 115, as shown in Figure 3. During the movement of the feeder
roll from the forward edge of the sheet towards the opposite end, it will be
observed that the movable rack-bar 76 travels in the same direction as. thé feed-
roll, and this notwithstanding the fact that at the point of starting, the gear 75
of the feed-roll, is at the extreme rear end of the rack-bar. The successive relative
positions of the movable rack-bar, feed-roll and stationary rack-bar, are clearly
represented in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and their particular action is due to the fact
that the gears 71 and 75 are differential gears. Another important point will
be noted, namely, that the guideway or track 17 is inclined slightly from front
to rear, making the track a little further away from the surface of the pile at
the rear than at the front, for the purpose of relieving the sheet from the pressure
of the feed-roll upon the pile just before the delivery of the sheet to the feeding-off
devices. Just prior to the final delivery of the sheet, the auxiliary feed-rolls are
lifted out of engagement with the main feed-roll to allow the feeding-off tapes
to complete the carrying off of the sheet. This action is effected by arms 101
which hold the auxiliary feed rolls out of engagement with the main feed roll
during the moment of rest of the feeder carriage between the end of its rear stroke
and the commencement of its return stroke. As soon as the carriage reaches its
extreme forward position again, the stop 66 engages the trip-arm 65, and again
reverses the positions of the valves, that is to say, closes the atmospheric valve 51
and opens the suction valve 37.
The automatically controlled mechanism for elevating the sheet-supporting
platform or table will now be described in accordance with the requirements of
the feeder.
125 is a rock-shaft journaled at 126 in the side frames 15 and 16, and 127 are
feeler arms keyed to the shaft 125 and adapted to be lifted from the pile, as shown
in Figures 4, 5 and 15, out of the way of separator roll 30 and be brought into
engagement with the surface of the paper after each sheet is removed. 128 is a
ratchet wheel keyed to the outer end of the shaft 5, and 129 is an oscillating arm
journaled upon shaft 5 and supporting the gravity pawl 130, which is in constant
engagement with the ratchet wheel 128. 81 is a rotary shaft having keyed to it
n cam 132. 133 is a rod or bar pivoted upon the journal 134, to the oscillating
arm 129 and carrying a slotted head or plate 135 at its lower end, which strad-
dles the shaft 81, alongside of the cam 132. 136 is an anti-friction roller
journaled upon the head or plate 135, and adapted to be engaged by the cam 132,
for causing the longitudinal movement of rod or bar 133, for effecting the move-
ment of the pawl 130 one stroke.
At one end of the rock-shaft 125, is keyed a guide-arm 140 to which is
journaled a guide-block 141. 142 is a rod pivoted to the head 135, upon a
pin 143, and extending forwardly and passing through the guide-block 141.
144 is a tappet-collar secured to the rod 142 and adapted to engage the block 141,
for rocking the shaft 125 and elevating the paper feeling fingers from the surface
of the pile. The rod 142 also supports an adjustable arm 145 upon which is
formed a triangular dog or detent 146, and keyed to the rock-shaft 125 is a
rock-arm 147, formed with a similar dog or detent 148, and adapted to engage
the detent 146 for regulating the action of the pawl-operating cam.
160 is a rock arm keyed to rock-shaft 125, and 161 is a spring connecting
said rock-arm to the machine frame and acting against the operation of rod 142,
holding the guide block 141 against the tappet 144, and throwing the feeler
fingers 127 into contact with the surface of the pile at the proper time.
The operation of the table elevating mechanism is as follows:
The feeler fingers 127 are constantly rocked into and out of contact with the

page_text: pile of sheets by the operation of cam 132, they being out of contact with the
pile when roll 30 starts the separation of a sheet and in contact when the sheet
passes from the pile and separator roll. When the surface of the pile is at the
proper level the feeler fingers 127 coming into contact with the pile will hold
the dog or detent 148 into engagement with the dog 146 as shown in Figure 16
in full lines, as represented in Figure 15 in dotted lines. This will hold the
rod 142 from moving back as it has a tendency to do by reason of the gravitation
of the head 135 guided upon the shaft 131. When, however, the surface of
the pile falls below the proper level, as indicated in Figure 16, (see dotted lines),
the feeler fingers 127, will follow the surface of the pile and cause the shaft 125
to move sufficiently far to throw the dog 148 out of the path of dog 146, which
will allow the gravitating head 135 to follow the cam 132 and receive a full
forward stroke for imparting an effective stroke to the pawl 130, which will
elevate the pile supporting table slightly. It will therefore be observed that
the mechanical feeling devices hold the pawl operating device out of effective
engagement with the pawl while the surface of the pile is at the proper level,
but allow the same to move into effective engagement when the pile falls below
said level.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a supporting platform
for a pile of sheets, of two traveling feed rolls or rollers rotating in peripheral
contact, one of said rolls having means for engaging a sheet at or near one edge
and adapted to separate and feed the edge of the sheets into the bite of the two
feed rolls or rollers and then release the edges of the shects to allow the sheets
to pass freely from the rolls, whereby the sheets are rolled or stripped from the
pile, substantially as set forth.
2: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a pile supporting plat-
form, of a traveling rotating separator roll adapted to move from end to end
of the platform and having means for engaging a sheet, a co-operating feed roll
working in peripheral contact with the separator feed roll, imeans for recipro-
cating and rotating the separator feed roll, and means for disengaging the sheet
from the separator feed roll at the proper time, whereby a sheet can be separated
from the pile at one edge and fed between the separator roll and co-operating
feed roller and be thereby rolled or stripped from the pile and delivered there-
from at the opposite edge of the pile, substantially as set forth.
3: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a platform for support-
ing a pile of sheets, of a traveling rotatable separator feed roll having means
for engaging a sheet and adapted to roll or strip the sheet from one edge of the
pile toward the opposite edge, the co-operating feed roller or rollers traveling
with the separator feed roll and in peripheral contact with it, means for dis-
engaging the edge of the sheet from the separator feed roll when the sheet is
engaged by the co-operating feed roller or rollers, and means for supporting the
sheet as it passes away from the feed rolls, as set forth.
4: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a supporting platform
for a pile of sheets, of a traveling rotatable feed roll having means for engaging
a sheet at or near one edge and adapted to rotate with the sheet and travel toward
the opposite edge of the pile, thereby rolling or stripping the sheet from the
pile without sliding it on the pile, of a traveling sheet support traveling with
the feed roll and arranged to receive the sheets and support them as they pass
from said feed roll, and traveling conveyor tapes or belts moving at approximately
the same speed as the sheet support and receiving the sheets therefrom, sub-
stantially as set forth.
5: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with the sheet supporting
platform, the traveling carriage, the separator feed roll rotatably journaled in

page_text: said carriage and having means for engaging a sheet at or near its edge, a sheet
support extending from and traveling with the carriage adapted to receive the
sheet from the feed roll, and conveyor tapes or belts adapted to receive the sheets
from said support and feed them off from the machine, as set forth.
6: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a platform for support-
ing a pile of sheets, a traveling carriage, a separator feed roll rotatively journaled
in the carriage and having means for engaging a sheet at or near one edge, a
rod or har supported upon the carriage adjacent to the feed roll, a sheet stripping
plate or flange extending from the rod or bar and supported closely to the peri-
phery of the feed roll, and suitable sheet supports extending from the rod or bar
on to which the sheet is fed from the feed roll, as set forth.
7: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a supporting platform
for a pile of sheets, a traveling sheet feeding carriage carrying suitable feeding.
devices, cords or tapes attached to and extending from the carriage toward the
point of deposit of the sheets in position to support the sheets fed from the pile,
and means for holding the cords or tapes taut without interfering with the move-
ment of the carriage, as set forth.
8: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a platform for support-
ing a pile of sheets, a traveling carriage, a feed roll rotatably mounted in the
carriage and adapted to engage a sheet and roll or strip it from the pile, cords
or tapes attached to and extending from the traveling carriage toward the point
of deposit of the sheets in position to support the sheet as it passes from the feed
roll, and means for holding the cords or tapes taut without interfering with the
movement of the carriage as set forth.
9: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a platform for support-
ing a pile of sheets, of a traveling feeder carriage carrying suitable feeding
devices, a stationary guide, cords or tapes attached to the carriage and extending
over or around said guide, and means for holding the cords or tapes yieldingly
taut, substantially as set forth.
10: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a platform for support-
ing a pile of sheets, of a traveling feeder carriage carrying sheet feeding devices;
a stationary guide roll, cords or tapes attached to the carriage and extending
over the guide roll, a winding roll or drum around which the ends of said cords
or tapes are wound, and a cord and weight for keeping the slack of said cords or
tapes wound upon the roll or drum, substantially as set forth.
11: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a supporting platform
for a pile of sheets, of a traveling rotating suction feed roll, means for exhaust-
ing the air from the feed roll means for breaking the suction of the suction roll,
and the co-operating feed roller or rollers traveling with the suction feed roll
and in peripheral contact with it; whereby the sheets can be separated from the
pile at one edge and rolled or stripped therefrom toward the opposite edge and
fed from the pile between the suction roll and co-operating feed roller or rollers,
as set forth.
12: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a supporting platform
for a pile of sheets, of a traveling rotatable suction feed roll having suction
openings, the co-operating feed roller or rollers traveling in peripheral contact
with the suction roll, the suction roll being adapted to separate one edge of the
sheets from the pile and feed the same to the co-operating feed roll, means for
periodically exhausting air from the suction roll, and means for supporting the
sheets when they leave the feed rolls, as set forth.
13: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a supporting platform
for a pile of sheets, of a traveling rotatable suction feed roll having suction
openings, the co-operating feed roller or rollers traveling in peripheral contact
with the suction roll, the suction roll being adapted to separate one edge of the
sheets from the pile and feed the same to the co-operating feed roll, means for
periodically exhausting air from the suction roll, means for supporting the sheets
when they leave the feed rolls, and means for periodically moving the co-operat-

page_text: ing feed roll out of peripheral, engagement with the suction feed roll, as set
forth.
14: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with the sheet supporting
platform, of a traveling feeder carriage, a main feed roll journaled in the carriage
and having means for engaging a sheet, the co-operating auxiliary feed roll.
or roller normally in peripheral engagement with the main feed roll, the rock
arms journaled upon the carriage and supporting a shaft or axle upon which
said auxiliary feed roll or roller is journaled, and an arm or dog stationary with
relation to the carriage adapted to rock the rock-arms on their journals for
moving the auxiliary feed roll or roller out of engagement with the main feed
roll, as set forth.
15: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a pile supporting plat-
form, of a traveling rotatable pneumatic feed roll formed with a longitudinally
extending suction compartment having paper gripping suction openings, a port
or passage communicating between said compartment and the interior of the
roll, a port or passage at the end of the suction compartment communicating
with the exterior atmosphere, valves controlling said ports or passages, and a
valve actuating device suitably connected with both valves for operating them,
as set forth.
16: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a supporting platform
for a pile of sheets, of a pneumatic feed roll formed with a suction compartment
having paper gripping suction openings, a port or passage communicating
between the suction compartment and the interior of the roll, a pivoted flap
valve closing said port or passage, a rock-arm engaging the valve for closing
and holding it closed, and means for automatically operating the rock arm, as
set forth.
°
17: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a supporting platform
for a pile of sheets, of a pneumatic feed roll formed with a suction compartment
having paper gripping suction openings, a port or passage communicating
between the suction compartment and the interior of the roll, a flap or plate
valve pivoted to one side of said port or passage in position to close it, a rock-arm
pivoted above the port or passage opposite to the pivoted side of the valve, said
rock-arm engaging the top of the valve, and means for automatically operating
the rock-arm, as set forth.
18: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a platform for a pile
of sheets, of a pneumatic feed roll having a suction chamber and paper gripping
suction openings, a port or passage communicating between said chamber and
the exterior atmosphère, a rotary valve controlling said port or passage, a rock-
shaft, a rock-arm keyed to said shaft and engaging said valve, a trip rock-arm
also keyed to said shaft, and a tripping dog adapted to engage said trip rock-arm
as set forth.
19: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a platform for a pile
of sheets, of a pneumatic feed roll having a suction chamber and paper gripping
suction openings, a port or passage communicating between said chamber and
the exterior atmosphere, a rotary valve controlling said port or passage, a pin
or lug upon said valve, a rock-arm having a bifurcated or forked end adapted
to engage said pin, and means for operating the rock-arm for opening and
closing the valve.
20: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a platform for a pile
of sheets, of a pneumatic feed roll having a suction chamber and paper gripping
suction openings, a port or passage communicating between said chamber and
the exterior atmosphere, a rotary valve controlling said port or passage, a pin
or lug on said valve, a rock shaft journaled in the roll, a rock-arm on the rock-
shaft having a bifurcated or forked end, one of the arms of the bifurcated
or forked end being longer than the other, a stop for limiting the movement of
the rock-arm and a trip-arm also on the rock-shaft, as set forth.
21: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a platform for a pilo

page_text: i
3.
of sheets, of a pneumatic feed roll having a suction chamber and paper gripping
suction openings, a port or passage communicating between said chamber and
the exterior atmosphere, a valve controlling said port or passage, an air, pipe
extending from the pneumatic roll and communicating with air exhausting
mechanism, a rock-shaft journaled in the roll, a trip arm keyed to the rock-
shaft, a curved rock-arm also keyed to the rock-shaft and adapted to. project
around the air pipe and engage the valve, and a stop carried by said curved rock-
arm adapted to engage the air pipe for limiting the movement of the rock-armı
and controlled valve, as set forth...
.
22: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a pile supporting plat-
form, of a pneumatic 'feed roll formed with a suction chamber or compartment
having paper gripping suction openings and communicating, with the interior.
of the roll through a suitable port or passage, a port or passage communicating
between the suction chamber and the exterior atmosphere, valves controlling
communications between the suction chamber and interior of roll and the suction
chamber and exterior atmosphere, a rock-shaft journaled in the roll, rock-arms
upon the rock-shaft engaging said valves, and a trip-arm also on said rock-shaft
for operating the valves simultaneously, as set forth.
23: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a pile supporting plat-
form, a pneumatic feed roll formed with a suction chamber, or compartment
having paper gripping suction.. openings, ports or passages communicating
between the suction chamber and interior of the feed roll and the suction cham-
ber and exterior atmosphere, valves controlling said ports or passages, valve
operating mechanism and stationary dogs or stops adapted to actuate the valve
operating mechanism for opening and closing the valves when the roll is brought
into position by the movement of the roll, as set forth.
"24: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a pile supporting plat-
form, a frame having a track or guide-way, an air exhausting mechanism in
communication with a port or passage in the track frame, a a traveling carriage
mounted to run in the track or guideway, and formed with a slide-valve block
having a cavity in one face adapted to, register with the port or passage, in the
track frame, and a pneumatic feed roll journaled in the carriage and having a
hollow journal in communication with the cavity of the slide-valve block, as
set forth.
25 In a sheet feeding
eding machine, the combination of a pile supporting plat-
form; a frame having a track or guideway extending the length of the platform,
an air exhausting mechanism communicating with a port in the track or guide-
way, a carriage frame sliding. in. the guideway, and formed with an exhaust
cavity in one face adapted to register with the exhaust port of the track, a
pneumatic feed roll journaled in the carriage and having a hollow journal
communicating with the exhaust cavity of the carriage, and means for simul-
taneously rotating the feed roll and moving the carriage, substantially as set
forth.
26: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a pile supporting plat-
form, a reciprocating rotatable feed roll provided with means for engaging
sheets, a stationary rack-bar, a movable rack-bar, and gears carried by the roll
and meshing with said rack-bars, whereby the roll is caused to rotate and travel
over the pile of sheets, substantially as set forth.
27: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a pile supporting plat-
form, a reciprocating pneumatic separating and feeding roll, means for exhaust-
ing air from the roll, differential gears on the roll, a stationary rack-bar meshing
with one of the gears, a movable rack-bar meshing with the other gear and
means for operating the movable rack-bar, substantially as set forth.
28: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a pile supporting plat-
form, a reciprocating rotatable feed roll journaled in the carriage and having
means for engaging sheets, differential gears carried upon the roll, a stationary

page_text: rack-bar meshing with the larger gear, and a reciprocating rack-bar meshing
with the smaller gear, substantially as set forth."
29: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a pile supporting plat-
form, a stationary rack-bar secured to a suitable frame, a traveling rotatable
feed roll having means for engaging sheets, a gear on the roll meshing with
said stationary rack-bar, a reciprocating rack-bar supported in a suitable guide-
way in the frame, a smaller gear on the feed roll meshing with said reciprocating
rack-bar, and means for operating the reciprocating rack-bar, as set forth.
30: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a pile supporting plat-
form, a feeder supporting frame, a traveling rotatable feed roll provided with
differential gears, a stationary rack-bar mounted on the feeder frame with which
the larger of the differential gears of the feed roll is in mesh, and a reciprocating
rack-bar movably supported upon the feeder frame and meshing with the smaller
of the differential gears and adapted to cause the feed roll to travel in the same
direction with it at an increased speed, substantially as set forth.
31: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of an adjustable pile sup-
porting table, a table elevating mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl, a
pawl operating device, a pawl controlling rod or bar suitably connected with
the pawl and adapted to hold the pawl out of operative engagement with its
operating device, a detent or dog on the controlling rod or bar, and an oscillating
mechanical feeler comprising a rock-shaft, a pile gaging arm on the rock-shaft
and a regulating rock-arm on the rock-shaft having a dog or detent adapted to
engage the dog or detent of the controlling ruil, as set forth.
32: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of an adjustable pile sup-
porting table, a table elevating mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl, a
pawl operating device, a pawl controlling rod or bar suitably connected with the
pawl and adapted to hold the pawl out of operative engagement with its operating
device, a detent or dog on the controlling rod or bar, and an oscillating mechani-
cal feeler comprising a rock-shaft, a pile gaging arm, a detent or dog adapted
to engage the detent of the controlling rod, and a journaled guide through
which the controlling arm extends, as set forth.
1000
way
OBOT
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings; London, W.C.,
Agents.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings; London, W.C.,
Agents.