Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1887
Specification Accepted, 16th Dec., 1887
[Communicated from abroad by JOSEPH CHARLES FOWLER, Mechanic, and EDWARD
ANDERSON HENKLE, Printer, of Washington, in the District of Columbia,
United States of America.]
I, OLIVER IMRAY of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane in the County
of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents 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 :-
My invention relates to printing presses of that kind in which the formes are flat
moving in an elliptical orbit beneath an impression cylinder, their movement being
positively effected by toothed wheels within the orbit gearing with racks upon the beds
which carry the formes.
I arrange the mechanism of presses of this class so that they may print upon a
continuous band ribbon or strip of paper with formes of various widths, each separate
impression being detached by shears to which the paper strip is fed by the travel of
the formes under the impression cylinder.
I also provide automatic mechanism whereby the marginal space surrounding each
impression may be varied in width, and in order to automatically adjust the width of
the margin, and at the same time to provide for the great speed at which the
impressions succeed each other I provide mechanism for imparting a continuous
unreeling movement to the paper so that there is a certain amount of slack between
the reel and the margin regulator, or draw-back.
I also combine with the press interchangeable mechanism which may be easily and
quickly substituted for the margin regulating devices and co-operate with them for
the purpose of feeding to the press single cut cards, instead of a continuous strip for
printing. I also provide stripping rods which can be laterally adjusted to accom-
modate cards of different widths.

page_text: I combine with the printing mechanism novel shearing devices for separating the
successive impressions, these devices having intermittent action between successive
periods of rest, and being driven by continuously rotating gear. These shearing
devices are so arranged that the wear of the blades is automatically taken up and a
sharp cutting edge always presented, both blades with their supporting boxes being
adjusted to and from the impression cylinder.
I also arrange the ink distributing devices so that the quantity of ink supplied to
the forme rollers is regulated with great accuracy and delicacy to give uniform inking
exactly to the extent required for the impression, and all danger of offset is avoided
and the press is adapted for printing matter in book or newspaper form from a
continuous web. I also arrange the parts so that the front roll, the "ductor," the
vibrating roll, the distributing and forme rollers can be disconnected from the press
and operated separately to prepare them for use, thus avoiding the wear and tear and
loss of paper involved in the preliminary inking on presses where the ink distributing
mechanism and printing mechanisin are inseparable.
Thus my invention consists in providing a rotary, flat bed press, capable of printing
upon a continuous web and cutting, or feeding and printing, separate sheets;
combining therewith an adjustable automatic margin regulator with simplified feed
mechanism rendering the press wholly automatic and capable of operating con-
tinously at very high speed; adapted for printing as many different styles and
widths of cards as there are different beds employed, cutting each to its proper width
and margin, the arrangement of parts being such that as one card is passed from the
form, the card, of the same pattern previously produced is detached by the shears,
the feed of the web to the cutting devices being effected by the travel of the paper
while it is being printed and each card cut being fed to the shears by the succeeding
impression of the same pattern. All the cards of the same kind or pattern have equal
length and width.
I will describe my invention referring to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a press according to my invention.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section about the middle.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of the delivery end.
Fig. 4 shews the gearing at the left side of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a plan of the machine, the paper reel and its support being removed.
Fig. 6 is an elevation of one of the press-beds, the gear driving it and the marginal
feed bars.
Fig. 7 is a central vertical section of fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a plan of the parts shewn in fig. 6, without the press bed and gear.
Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the stacker for feeding single cards.
Fig. 10 is a central, vertical section of Fig. 9, with the antomatic feed attached.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the feel plate and carrying bar.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the shearing devices.
1 is the frame of the machine, from which project arms 2, having vertical slots 3,
to receive the shaft or core 4, upon which the paper is reeled.
core 4, are washers that can be tightened by set nuts 5 so as
part of the slot.
Upon the ends of the
to set the core at any
From the reel the continuous paper web 6, is carried over a guide roll 7, journaled
in a frame 8. The plates constituting the frame 8 may form part of the inclined feed
table 9.
Projecting from the end of the inclined table, are brackets 10, carrying standards 11,
in which are journaled a pair of feed rolls 12 and 12 a, the latter being adjustable in
slots in the standards by adjusting screws 13 by turning which the grip of the rolls
upon the paper can be varied.
A toothed wheel 14 upon the shaft of the lower feed roll, gears with the pinion 15,
which has a mitre wheel 16, gearing with a second mitre wheel 17, the latter being
upon a horizontal shaft 18, journaled in brackets 19 on the side of the frame 1. By
this shaft the driving of which will hereafter be described, constant rotation is given
the paper reel, drawing off a slack which is maintained between the feed rolls and the

page_text: point of impression. The shaft 18 is made of such length as to permit the substitution
of various sizes of wheels instead of the gear wheel 16 to suit the speed of the
unreeling movement.
From the feed rolls the paper passes under a guide roll 20, and thence to the margin
regulator, which will now be described.
In a frame 21 which stands perpendicularly to the inclined table 9 are mounted two
rolls 22 and 23, the upper being adjustable like the upper feed roll 12 a. Down from
the frame 21 extends a foot piece 24, to which is jointed a pitman 25, giving
reciprocation to the frame which has a guide rod 26 moving in guides 27.
The pitman 25 as shewn in Fig. 10 is jointed to a pin in a slide 29, which is
adjustable by a screw 31 in a slot 30, in a disk 28 on the same shaft with the
wheel 15.
From the margin regulator the web passes between the rolls 22 and 23 to the
printing devices. The impression cylinder 32 is on a shaft 33 journaled in boxes 34
which are adjustable by set screws 36 in vertical guides in standards 35.
Beneath the impression cylinder move the press beds 37 each supported by
rollers 38, upon the ends of the bed which move in an elliptical orbit 39. Each bed
consists of an oblong, rectangular metallic plate forming a seat or chase h h in
which the types are held. Each bed has near each end a rack 40 gearing constantly
with one or the other of two similar toothed wheels 41 having equal speed. These
wheels are carried by two shafts 42, two wheels on each shaft.
The racks are made somewhat concave as shewn at 43, Fig. 7 permitting the beds
to move around the curved ends of the orbit, which are concentric with the driving
wheels 41, as well as to move through the other parts of the orbit.
The type may be locked up in forms of any size within the chase. In the chase
at each end of the forme are fixed marginal feed bars 45, which are of the length to
which the paper must be cut for that impression and level with the type surface or a
little higher.
Just inside the marginal feed bars 45, are stripper plates 46, consisting of flattened
somewhat flexible metallic strips with their surfaces not so high as the type, so that
the beds and the impression cylinder are clear of these plates. Their ends are eyes
fixed upon transverse bars 47, by set screws 49 so that they can be adjusted laterally
to formes of varying widths. These stripper plates detach the printed cards from the
formes after each impression thus ensuring their delivery even when there is
considerable adhesion. They are more necessary when cut cards are printed than
when continuous web is used. It will be seen in Fig. 2, that the edge of the inclined
table 9, overlies the stripper plates upon one side and closely approaches the point
where the paper is seized between the bed and the cylinder. At the other side of the
cylinder there is a curved plate 50, which may be conveniently mounted upon the
bar 47. This plate extends from side to side of the press its edge being sunk in
notches in the stripper plates 46.
Upon the top of the left end of the press frame are fixed brackets 52, which receive
bars 53, longitudinally adjustable in the brackets and held at any point by set screws 54.
These bars 53 support a frame 55, Fig. 12 in which there is a cutter plate 56, resting
by projections 57 at its ends in keepers 58. Between this cutter plate and a trans-
verse bar 59, behind it are interposed springs 60 urging the cutter outward, to keep
it always close to the movable cutter 61 with such friction between them as tends to
renew the shearing edges and take up their wear.
The movable cutter 61, is pivotted
on a stud 62, projecting from the end of the frame 55.
A sleeve 63, upon the shear blade 61, fits upon the stud and may be adjusted
thereon into proper relation with the lower shear blade 56.
Upon the transverse bar 59 is fixed an inclined plate 64 supported by brackets 65,
and overlying the bed plate 50, upon which its edge rests. This plate conducts the
paper to the slot 66, through which the paper passes to the cutters. By means of
the set screws 54, the whole cutting apparatus, together with the inclined plate 64,
may be adjusted outward or inward, as required.
The upper shear blade 61, is extended at its free end as shewn in Fig. 3, sufficiently

page_text: to receive a semi-circular slot 67, in which plays a crank pin 68, having on it an
anti-friction roller 69. This crank pin is upon the face of a wheel 70, upon the end
of the horizontal shaft 18 which wheel gears with a wheel 71 on a shaft 72 which is
journaled in brackets 73, projecting from the machine frame. Upon the same
shaft 72 is a bevil pinion 74 gearing with a larger bevil wheel 75 on an extension of
one of the shafts 42, which carry the wheels 41 for driving the press beds.
shear blade 61 is thus caused to reciprocate completely during one half of each
revolution of the wheel 70, and during the other half revolution the shear remains
at rest.
The
The gearing is so proportioned and set that the shears act between the impressions
and before the margin regulator begins its retrograde movement.
The press is driven from a main shaft which is one of the shafts 42, whence the
motion is transmitted through a wheel 76, to the wheel 77, of the impression
cylinder. Upon the main shaft inside the wheel 76, is a wheel 78, of the same
diameter with the wheels 41 that gear with the racks of the press beds. A second
wheel 79, of equal diameter, is on the end of the other shaft 42, and an intermediate
wheel 80, communicates motion from the one to the other.
Outside the wheel 79, is a wheel 81, on the same shaft gearing with an intermediate
wheel 82, which is journaled on a stud 83 projecting from the press frame and which
gears with a pinion 84 on the shaft 85 which communicates motion to the inking
devices, presently to be described. It will readily be seen how in the manner
described motion is given from the shaft 42, through the wheels 75 and 74, 71
and 70, to the shaft 18, and to the paper feeding and margin regulating apparatus.
The inking mechanism is arranged in the lower portion of the press frame, as
shewn in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. It consists essentially of a font 86, within which a font
roller 87, has an intermittent revolution, as will be presently described, with an
adjustable scraper 88, to regulate the amount of ink taken up by the roll and to
spread it uniformly over it. Upon the ends of the shaft of the font roller 87 are
ratchets 89, with which engage pawls 90, carried on pitmen 91, reciprocated by the
ring 92, of an eccentric 93, on the shaft 85. The end of the pitman 91 has a
slot 94 receiving a screw 95, projecting from the end of the plate 96 that supports
the font.
The same ring 92, works a second pitman 97, having an eye 98, which receives the
journal of a shaft 99. On this shaft is the "ductor" roller 100. The journals of
this shaft slide in slots 101, formed in a plate 102, pivoted at one end on the press
frame and at the other end having a slot 103, through which passes a set screw 104
by which the plate 102 can be adjusted. The parts described, appearing in Fig. 1
on the one side of the press, are duplicated on the other side.
Upon a stationary shaft 105, rotates an evening roll 106, which besides its rotary
motion receives a longitudinal reciprocation in the usual way being in constant
contact with the distributing roller 107, on the shaft 85.
The inking rollers 108 rest upon the distributing roller 107 each of them being
journaled in plates 109, the notched ends of which rest on the shaft 85. Each of
the plates 109 has a tranverse slot, shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 1, which receives
a bolt 110, having a set nut 111, whereby the plates can be adjusted towards or
from each other. The upper end of each plate 109 is forked and to one branch of
each fork is pivoted a keeper 112, the other end of which may be secured by a
screw to the other branch of the fork. The journal of each inking form roller is
dropped into the fork of the plate 109 and the keeper is turned over it and fastened.
By slightly separating the form rollers 108, they will have less contact pressure on
the type and vice versa.
Upon the shaft 85, is a squared end 113, to which a crank handle may be
applied as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and then by slipping the intermediate
wheel 82, off its stud 83, the inking mechanism being wholly disconnected from
the printing mechanism, the shaft 85 can be turned by the crank moving the
inking apparatus until a sufficient amount of ink is spread upon the inking rollers.
By lowering the ends of the slotted plates 102, the "ductor" roller is caused to

page_text: press more closely on the font roller. By this and the other adjustments of the
inking mechanism the quantity of ink spread at each passage of the type may be
regulated with great accuracy, so that the type shall receive exactly the quantity
of ink that is taken up by the paper and be left perfectly clean after each
impression thus avoiding danger of offset. Thus sharp, clearly defined impressions
of a perfect character are obtained, both the type and the freshly printed surface
being, the one so free from ink and the other with the ink so perfectly taken up
that a white handkerchief may be passed over both without being soiled.
In printing from a continuous roll, sufficient tension is imparted to the rolls 22
and 23, to enable them to draw the paper back against the slight resistance offered
by it when the beds are not in engagement with the impression cylinder. It being
first determined how much margin is required, the throw of the pitman 25 is adjusted
by means of the screw 31 and the press is started. After each impression the paper
which is carried further than the length of the marginal feed strips, is drawn back
just before the shears operate by the retrograde movement of the margin regulator,
thereby avoiding any waste of paper and cutting all the cards of the same kind to
the same width.
Should it be desired to print a page containing enough matter for several formes,
it can be readily accomplished by distributing the type between the several beds and
adjusting the margin regulator to the proper movement. If desired, the matter set
up in the several beds can be printed in a solid column, in this way, and in like
manner, by increasing the size or length of the beds, an entire newspaper could be
printed.
When however it is desired to print cut cards, the frame 21, with its rolls 22
and 23, is removed, and upon the inclined table 9, in front of the base 21", is placed
a stacker 114, Figs. 9 and 10. This consists of a plate 115 perpendicular to the
table 9, with side pieces 116 laterally adjustable by means of set screws 117 passing
through slots 118, in side lugs 119 of the pieces 116. Lateral arms 120, serve to
fix the stacker in its place.
In the plate 115, is placed a central rod 121, having its upper end swiveled in a
set screw 122, screwed into the upper end of the plate. The lower end of the rod is
attached to an adjustable plate or bar 123, moving upon the lower portion of the
plate 115, in an opening in the plate. By means of the screw 122, this bar or plate
may be set at such height as to allow the exact space necessary for the passage of a
card beneath its end. Upon the front face of the plate 115, is mounted a transverse
bar 124, having fixed on it a downwardly and forwardly extending elastic metal
plate 125. In the vertical portion of this elastic plate 125 are vertical slots 127,
through which set screws 128, pass into the plate 115, to adjust vertically the
plate 125. Behind the stacker are vertical rods 129 which prevent the cards from
moving backward.
These rods pass through slots 131, in the table 9, and are held
by set screws 130, by which they are adjusted for cards of different widths.
Upon the base 21a, of the margin regulator is fixed a feed plate 132, which
moves on the table between the rods 129 its edge engaging the edge of the lowest
card. As the pitman 25 moves the base 21ª forward, the card 21 is pushed out
under the bar 123, and under the spring plate 125, which bears upon it with just
enough force to hold it in place until it passes into the grasp of the bed and
impression cylinder, as indicated in Fig. 10. For feeding cut cards, the pitman 25
is adjusted to its greatest throw and the shears are removed, a suitable receiver
being provided to receive the cards as they come from the press.
In Fig. 2, is shewn a modified form of margin regulator, where instead of rolls 22
and 23, there is a bar 133, having a convex surface bearing upon the paper which
passes between it and the base. This bar has apertures which receive screwed
studs 134, Fig. 11, with springs 135 and nuts 136, by which any desired pressure or
grip may be obtained.
When printing from a continuous web, it is desirable to use side guides 137,
Fig. 5, to carry the web accurately to the press. These guides have slotted foot
pieces 138, with set screws 139, for adjusting them.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a printing press having a series of press beds travelling in an elliptical
orbit under an impression cylinder, a margin regulator consisting of a pair of
rolls having adjustable grip of the continuous web, caused to reciprocate by a
pitman worked by a crank of aljustable throw, substantially as described.
2. In combination with the cylinder and press beds the stripper plates laterally
adjustable to such formes of varying sizes and a bent plate resting on the stripper
plates, substantially as described.
3. In combination with the press beds the marginal feed bars locked in the chase
outside the ends of the formes and a margin regulator reciprocating upon the press
table between the reel and the impression cylinder, substantially as described.
4. In combination with the press adapted to print upon a continuous web the
shearing apparatus having a shearing blade intermittently worked by a crank pin con-
tinuously revolving in a semicircular slot in the shear blade, substantially as described.
5. In combination with the printing mechanism inking mechanism such as is herein
described driven through an intermediate wheel that can be removed to disconnect
the inking from the printing mechanism, the shaft of the distributing roller being
arranged to receive a crank for driving the inking mechanism independently, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a printing press in combination with the impression cylinder a series of
press beds travelling in an orbit beneath it each bed having toothed concave racks
gearing with wheels rotating within the orbit concentric with the curved ends of the
orbit, substantially as described.
7. For adapting the press for printing separate cut cards, the combination therewith
of feed apparatus constructed and operating substantially as described with reference
to Figs. 9 and 10.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.