An Automatic Machine to Press Books or other Material with a Uniform Amount of Pressure.
Year: 1888

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Automatic Machine to Press Books or other Material with a
Uniform Amount of Pressure.
WILLIAM CROSLAND New Street Miles Platting Manchester I do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention is to bring down the platten of a press by means of one or more.
levers forced down by power at one end & hold down by a spring or weight at the
other, the platten which presses the work is placed under the middle of the lever or
levers, when a certain amount of pressure is obtained the weights or springs rise, &
in rising move a strap-fork or other contrivance which stops the machine, it also
brings into operation a brake or catch which holds the machine in the same position
whilst the motion is suspended & prevents reaction; when the brake is released the
springs or weights start the machine in an opposite direction at a rapid rate, & with
the help of a fly-wheel carries the platten to the top.
Dated this Oth date of Inn 1980

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Automatic Machine to Press Books or other Material with a
Uniform Amount of Pressure.
I, WILLIAM CROSLAND, of New Street, Miles Platting, Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, Machinist, 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.
1-
The object of this invention is to provide a press for pressing books, for baling,
and other purpose, in which a regulated amount of pressure may be imparted to the
materials at each operation.
It consists essentially of a machine in which the platen or movable plate of the
press 18 actuated by one or more levers, at one end of which the power is applied the
other end being held in position by springs or weights, and which, when the power
applied exceeds the resistance of the springs or weight is moved and throws the
machine out of action, a brake at the same time being released to prevent the
reaction of the machine and allow the pressure to be maintained for any required
time.
The invention will be fully described in reference to the annexed drawings,
wherein as an example it is shown as applied to a press in which the power 1s
applied by toothed gearing and cranks, though it may also be applied in conjunction
with hydraulic or other power.
Fig. 1, is a front elevation.
Fig. 2, end elevation at left hand side of machine.
Fig. 3, end elevation at right hand side.
Fig. 4, detail view of strap fork lever, or stop lever L.
The machine is constructed with a framing A of any suitable design to resist the
strain to which it is intended to be subjected and is provided with a stationary table
or platform B. to receive the goods, and a movable platen or plate C, by which the
pressure is brought to bear upon them. The table B, although stationary when in
position, and when the machine is at work, may be fixed at several heights upon
shelves or ledges a forming part of or attached to the framing A. The movable
plate or platen C, moves up and down any required distance guided by the slots D,
and is carried by a shaft E, connected to it by plates or caps c, which are screwed to
the platen
The ends e, of the shaft E, project out through the slots and on each of
these is pivoted a beam or lever F. The lever F, is preferably of the shape and form
shown though it may be pivoted in the centre or otherwise if found more convenient.
To the short end f, of the lever F, the power or force to draw down the plate or
platen C is applied. In the machine shown in the drawings this power is applied by
means of a connecting rod from a crank To the other end f₁, of the lever F,
are applied one, two, or more, springs or weights, which act on that end of the lever
to hold it down and so determine the pressure to be applied by the press. The amount

page_text: of pressure may be regulated by the strength or number of springs or by the weight
applied. For the purpose of equalising the strains I prefer to construct the machine
as shown with two levers F, one at each side connected together at their weighted
ends, but actuated independently at the front ends to allow of the front of the
machine being open and clear To the short end of each of the levers F, is pivoted
a connecting rod G, which is, at its other end, attached to a crank H, rotated by the
spur wheel I. Movement is conveyed to the crank H, from the pulley J, through the
shafts K, and gear wheels k The driving strap is moved from the loose pulley to
the fast pulley J, by the strap fork l, on the flat stop rod L To tho stop rod L is
connected a spring M. at one end attached to the framing A, and at the other to the
pin m,
whose tendency is, when the rod L is free, to move the fork I, and with it the
strap, over or onto the loose pulley A brake N, held down by a spring O, acts
against the periphery of the fast pulley J, when the driving strap is removed from it
and prevents a backward movement in the machine until released. The brake is
pivoted on a stud as shown and is provided with a small anti-friction bowl or runner n,
running on the rod L, and incline 7, by which it is raised from the pulley, when the
strap is thrown onto the fast pulley J. A handle n', is provided to raise the brake from
the pulley at any time when it is required. When the strap has been thrown onto the
pulley J, a catch P, on the other side of the machine, engages with a notch p, in the stop
rod L, and holds it against the spring M, until released R is a lever, pivoted to the
catch P, for raising it, and S is a handle for moving the stop rod L
The two levers F are connected together by the bar or shaft T which passes through
them. To the levers F, or preferably to this shaft are connected a number of springs
or weights; springs U are shown in the drawings one end connected to the shaft T,
and the other to a fixed shaft, eye, stud, or the like at or near the bottom of the
machine. The amount of pressure to be applied is regulated by these springs
When the machine is in operation the crank H, as it comes round draws down
the end, of the lever F, and with it the platen C. As the pressure increases the
end f, of the lever gradually falls below the pivot e, raising the other end, and with it
the springs U. When the pressure to which the springs are adjusted is applied to the
materials in the press, the end f¹, of the lever F is raised against a pin r, in the catch
lever R, which raises the catch P, releasing the stop rod L, and by the action of the
spring M, throwing the strap off the pulley J, and at the same time the incline l¹ is
withdrawn allowing the brake to come into contact with the fast pulley J. The
brake is then held down against the pulley by the spring O and the pressure may be
maintained on the articles in the press for any desired period.
When the brake is removed the springs acting on the levers F and the elasticity of
the material pressing on the platen C, reverse the movement and return the crank H
and platten C to the position shown in the drawings.
The machine shown is intended for a book binder's press, but it is evident that the
invention may be applied to other presses, and that the movable plate or platten may
be arranged to move upwards to effect the pressure The power may also be applied
to the levers F, by a screw or by a hydraulic ram or otherwise, the levers being so
arranged that when the desired amount of pressure had been applied the machine
would be thrown out of action and the further application of pressure stopped.
It will also be understood that the position of the levers F, may be varied such
as above or below the platen C, if desired, but I at present prefer their position at the
side for the class of machine shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same 1s to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A press or machine for pressing books or other materials having one or more
levers resting against the movable plate or platen, to one end of which the power 19
appled, the other end being connected to one, or more, springs or weights, by which
the pressure is adjusted or determined, substantially as and for the purposes
described.

page_text: 2. In a press or machine for pressing books, the use of a lever resting against the
movable plate or platen connected at one end to a crank or its equivalent which
applies the power, and at the other to one or more springs or weights which regulate
the pressure, and which when the desired pressure has been reached rises and throws
the machine out of gear substantially as described.
3. In a machine for pressing books or other material the combination with the
stop rod or crank fork of the incline plane or lever to raise or release the brake as
the machine is set in motion substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. A machine for pressing books or other materials with an uniform amount of
pressure, which is automatically stopped when the required pressure is reached
constructed and arranged substantially as described and shown.
DL: OL
CL 1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester,
Patent Agents.