An Invention for an Improved Counter or Impression Register for Printing Machines known in the Trade as "Croppers," or Treadle Platens, and Hand Presses.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 14th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 24th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Invention for an Improved Counter or Impression Register for
Printing Machines known in the Trade as "Croppers," or Treadle
Platens, and Hand Presses.
I, THOMAS JONES, of Great Hampton, near Evesham, in the County of Worcester,
Letterpress Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is an improved apparatus for counting or registering
the number of sheets. quires and reams printed or impressions taken on hand-presses,
and on machines known in the trade as Croppers." or treadle platens.
:
The object is effected in the following way: The improved counter or register
consists of an ordinary metal drum pendulum timepiece, having, in lieu of the usual
dial denoting hours and minutes, one bearing numbers indicating sheets, quires, and
reams.
The apparatus is intended to be fixed to any part of the machine or press which is
in direct connection with or controlled by the impression lever, rod, or platen, so that,
when the machine or press is put in motion, and an impression taken, an oscillating
movement is given to the apparatus, which causes the pendulum to swing, thus setting
the clockwork in motion, and the counting or registering proceeds.
The counter will register only when the impression is on. When no impression is
taken by the machine or press, the apparatus is stationary, and the machine or press
may be run for any length of time without any number being registered on the dial,
which is of great importance.
The apparatus is supplied with a stop for suspending the counting while the machine
or press is taking impressions, so that "misses" or "spoilers" may be allowed for if
required.
The apparatus is also furnished with a contrivance for instantaneously bringing the
hands which are loose balance hands-round to zero, or starting point, so as to avoid
the tedious process of turning them round the dial. The contrivance consists of a
metal tube, which takes the place of the ordinary central arbor, with a pin running
right through it, one end of which carries the minute hand, and the other end has
fixed to it a button or push-piece. When this button is pushed home, it releases both
hands simultaneously. A slight pressure will release but one band. The hands can
thus be set to any point desired, by simply holding the apparatus with such point
uppermost, and pressing the button at end of tube or central arbor. When the button
is released from pressure, the hands become fixed by means of two spiral springs. This
button may be placed at either end of central arbor: the result is the same, with this
difference, one needs pressure, the other has to be drawn.
Dated this 18th day of June 1890
THOMAS JONES.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
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An Invention for an Improved Counter or Impression Register for
Printing Machines known in the Trade as Croppers," or Treadle
Platens, and Hand Presses.
I, THOMAS JONES, of Brookside, Great Hampton, near Evesham, in the County of
Worcester, Letterpress Printer, 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 object of this invention is an improved apparatus for counting or registering
the number of sheets, quires and reams of paper, etc., printed or of impressions taken,

page_text: "
on hand presses and on machines known in the trade as 'Croppers' or treadle
platens.
The object is effected in the following way: The improved counter or register
consists of an ordinary metal drum pendulum timepiece, or one of a similar construc-
tion, having, in lieu of the usual dial denoting hours and minutes, one bearing numbers
indicating sheets, quires and reams.
The apparatus is intended to be fixed to or directly connected with that part of the
machine or press which is in direct connection with or controlled by the impression
lever, rod, or platen, so that when the machine or press is put in motion, and an
impression taken, an oscillating movement is given to the apparatus which causes the
pendulum to swing, thus setting the clockwork in motion, and the counting or
registering proceeds. This counter, being intended more particularly for use on
"Cropper" machines and other platens of a similar construction, should be fixed, by
means of a short suspending bracket, on either end of the eccentric shaft behind forme-
bed, which gives the impression. The nut on end of shaft offers a ready means of
securing the counter to shaft.
The apparatus will register only when the impression is on. When no impression
is taken by the machine or press, the counter will remain stationary, and the machine
or press may he run for any length of time without any number being registered on
the dial, which is of great importance.
*
::
The apparatus is supplied with a stop for suspending the counting while the machine
or press is taking impressions, so that "misses or spoilers may be allowed for if
required. This stop A acts direct upon the pendulum A', preventing its swinging.
Connected with this stop is a button, which is placed outside on the top of apparatus,
within easy reach of the hand of the operator at the machine.
The pendulum is supplied with a vibration check B, which swings with it, and is
secured to back plate C.
The apparatus is also furnished with a contrivance for instantaneously bringing the
hands which are loose balance hands with barrel centres-round to zero or starting
point, so as to avoid the tedious process of turning them round the dial. This hand-
setting contrivance consists of a small-bore metal tube D similar to clockmakers'
bushing wire, with pinion attached, and slit for a short distance at dial end to receive
cross-piece E on end of centre pin F, which runs right through it. One end of pin
carries the minute-hand (or long hand) G, and the other end has fixed to it a button
or push-piece H. The pin has also a small button 1 on dial end, which is screwed on
after the hand has been put into position, to grip the hand between it and end of
arbor tube D, by means of the spring J at other end. There is also a cross-piece E
fixed at right angles on dial end of this pin, a short distance from button, which
cross-piece passes into spring cylinder or box K, when slipped on io arbor tube.
This cross-piece is for forcing forward the loose dise I. in front of spring box K,
when it is necessary to release the hour, or short hand M, which is done by
pressing the button H at back end of pin. When this button is pushed home, it
eleases both hands simultaneously A slight pressure will release but one hand G.
The hands can thus be set to any point desired on dial P, by simply holding the
apparatus with such point uppermost and pressing button or push-piece H at back
end of pin F. When the button is quite released from pressure, the hands become
fixed by means of the two spiral springs, one of which is placed round dial end of
arbor tube D, with ends fixed to two flat rings or discs LN, which, by means of the
spring, grip the ends of the short hand M barrel. The spring here referred to is
enclosed in a small cylinder or box K, which acts both as a shield to spring and offers
a smooth surface on which barrel of short hand M may revolve without danger of
sticking." At each end of this cylinder is a flat ring or disc, having centre holes
for arbor tube D to pass through. One of these rings L is loose, the other N is
fastened to back end of cylinder K. To the inner face of this ring N one end o
spiral or coil spring is secured, the hand slipped on to cylinder K, and the loose ring 1
fastened to otlier end of spring, which causes both rings to grip the ends of the hand
16

page_text: barrel. The hand M is thus fixed. The piece is then slipped along arbor tube D and.
screwed on tube of hour hand wheel O, which has been tapped to receive it.
The usual solid central arbor of the time-piece herein before mentioned is
replaced by the arbor tube and pin referred to in the foregoing particulars.
The dial P before referred to is a single dial, bearing tens, hundreds, thousands, and
tens of thousands, also figures denoting quires and reams.
I do not claim to have invented the whole of this apparatus. The clockwork
principle, and the greater part of the materials used therein, are old, and form no part
of my invention otherwise than in combination with those parts which are new, and
which I have already described. I make no claim to any of these old parts, either
collectively or separately. I claim only those parts which are new, and which are
fully described in the foregoing particulars.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said "inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The single dial denoting sheets, quires, and reams.
2. The hollow central arbor and pin for setting the hands, substantially as described.
3. The application and construction of a counting apparatus substantially as herein-
before described.
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