An Improved Book Finishing Machine.
Year: 1897

page_text: An Improved Book Finishing Machine.
I, DANIEL NITSCHKE, of No. 2067, Franklin Avenue, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A.,
Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of machines in which books are held whilst
their backs are finished off by being imprinted with the number of the volume
and other matter. By these my improvements, the efficiency in the working of
the machines is greatly increased.
My improved machine comprises a suitable stand or support upon which a
longitudinally-extending clamping plate is fixed, and which, in conjunction with
another adjustable plate, serves to retain a book in position between them. The
clamping plates have bearings in which a centering plate is adapted to slide trans-
versely so as to assume at all times a central position relatively to the clamping-
plates. Suitable arms are pivotally connected at their lower ends with the
bearings and they are also connected to a block which is adapted to hold the
type-holder and type. The block is adapted to slide vertically in the centering plate
so that the type can impress the back of the book.
Dated this 10th day of March 1897.
PERCY R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.
I, DANIEL NITSCHKE, of No. 2067 Franklin Avenue, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A., Inventor,
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 to provide a new and improved book-finishing
machine designed for accurately and quickly lettering, filleting and stamping
the back of any sized book with gold leaf or the like.
The invention consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the
same as will be fully described hereinafter, and then pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this
specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improvement. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of
the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section of the same on the line 3-3

page_text: of Fig. 5 with the type-holder removed. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the same
on the line 44 of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the improvement.
Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the same on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a
similar view of the same on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal
section of the same on the line 8--8 of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional
face view of the centreing plate on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a sectional
plan view of the improvement, on the line 10 10 of Fig. 8; and Fig. 11 is an
enlarged cross section of the table and means for clamping same in place; the
section being taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1.
The improved machine is provided with a suitably constructed frame A, in the
standards A of which is fitted to slide vertically a table B, adapted to support
the book C to be operated upon that is to be provided on its back with lettering
or the like in a manner hereinafter more fully described. The free ends of the
cover of the book C rest on the top of the table B, so that the back extends up-
wardly and longitudinally, as indicated in the drawings, and the covers are pressed
by longitudinally extending plates D 1), of which the plate D is a fixed part of
the frame A, and the other plate 11 is fitted to slide transversely in suitable
guide-ways formed in the ends of the frame A.
A screw rod D, extending transversely, is engaged by a wheel nut D³, mounted
to turn in suitable bearings, and the rail A³ of the frame A serves to adjust the
plate 11 laterally, according to the thickness of the book under treatment. The
type E used for lettering the back of the book C, is held in a type-holder 1 of any
approved construction and adapted to engage with a dove tail F¹ (Figs. 5 & 8) a
vertically disposal Slut G. formed in a block (7, held laterally adjustable in a
plate H. adnuted to lock transversely on a guide pit. 1, ato to slide trans
versely as hereinafter more fully described.
On the plate H are arranged a number of longitudinally extending pivot
pins H H³, engaging slots 1' 11", formed in the centreing plate I, said
slots 11 being curved and crossing each other as plainly illustrated in Figs. 3,
4 and 9, and the other slot I being made V-shaped, as will be readily understood
by reference to said figures.
Now it will be seen that the operator by inserting the typeholder F in the
block G can rock the type holder F transversely owing to the pins H¹ H³ H³
travelling in the corresponding grooves I' I2 I³. As the type holder F is vertically
adjustable in the block G the type E can be brought down on the back of the
book, and the transverse movement given to the handle F of said type holder
produces a rocking motion so as to print on the back of the book ('.
In order to hold the middle of the centering plate 1, directly in the middle of
the book C, no matter what the thickness of the latter may be, I provide the
following device: On the face of the centering plate I opposite to that on which
the plate H is located I arrange a vertically disposed bearing J¹, engaged by a
block, pivotally connected by a pivot-pin K2 with the upper ends of arms KK'
extending in opposite directions and pivotally connected at their lower outer end
on hearings LL¹ respectively held longitudinally adjustable on the plates D 1)1
respectively. In bearings LL' is fitted to slide transversely the centreing plate I
so that when the operator moves the transversely adjustable clamping plate I)¹
toward or from the other clamping plate D, according to the thickness of the
book then the arms KK' cause a shifting of the block J in the guide-ways J1
and a transverse movement of the centering plate I in the bearings LL³, so that
the middle of the centreing plate always coincides with the space between the
two plates that is the middle of the book. (See Figs. 4, 6 and 7). By ad-
justing the bearings LL' longitudinally on the clamping plates it brings the
centering device I and parts supported thereby into proper position relatively
to the book so that the type E for the desired lettering can be run across the back
of the book at the desired distance from the upper or lower end of the back of the
book. When the adjustment has been made the bearing L is secured in place
by a set screw L³, clamping said bearing to the plate D.

page_text: The block G previously mentioned and carrying the type holder F is fitted to
slide transversely by a tongue and groove connection G¹ with the plate H, and one
end of this block abuts against a sel screw (³, screwing in the front of the plate H
as plainly indicated in Fig. 10. A spring ( is fitted to slide in a bore in the
block G and rests with its outer end on the rear end of the plate H, so that by
adjusting said screw G³ the block G may be adjusted transversely, so as to bring
the type holder F, in proper position relatively to the plate H. When the latter is
in a central position, then the pins H H H engage the grooves I¹ I² I³ respec-
tively in the manner shewn in Fig. 9.
In order to hold the book C in proper position relatively to the typeholder,
I provide a stop N fitted to slide on the clamping plate D and adapted to be
secured thereon by a suitable set screw N¹. The end of the book C is adapted
to abut against this stop N, as will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 3
and 5.
In order to raise and lower the book C, I provide the table B with vertical rack
bars B', in mesh with pinions O, secured on one end of a longitudinally extending
shaft O', mounted to turn in suitable bearings in the standards A'. On the other
end of the shaft O¹ is secured a suitable hand wheel Os adapted to be turned by
the operator to rotate the shaft O' and cause the pinions to move the rack bars B
and consequently the table B up and down, according to the direction in which
the hand wheel 0 is turned.
In order to lock the shaft O' and consequently the table B in position when the
book is between the clamping plates 1 D¹, I provide the device shewn in Figs. 1
and 11, said device consisting of a sleeve P secured on the shaft and engaged
by two brake bands P, engaging at their rear ends a rod P as plainly shewn in
Fig. 11. A clamping screw 1 serves to press the two clamping plates with
more or less force in contact with the sleeve P to lock the shaft O in. place.
In order to accurately space the lines to be printed on the back of the book I
place type Q on the top of the plate D between the bearing L and the stop R and
adapted to be fastened on the plate D by a set screw R (see Figs. 1 and 5).
The types Q are a sort of indicator for the operator to go by to enable him
to see how far the lines shall be apart on the back of the book and what size
of type is to be used for the line. Now by this arrangement the operator can
move the bearings LL' longitudinally according to the space desired between
the lines to be printed on the back of the book said space corresponding to the
distance the type Q are placed apart by suitable quads.
The operation is as follows:-when the several parts are in the position shewn
in Figs. 1 and 2 the book is placed on the table B and the wheel is turned to
raise the table with the book to bring the latter between the clamping plates DD'
so that the back of the book extends a suitable distance above the top edges
of the clamping plates 11), so that the back of the book extends as indicated
in Figs. 3, 6 and 7. The book is now pushed longitudinally until its upper
edge abuts against the stop N, and then the operator turns the nut wheel D³ so
as to move the clamping plate D' firmly against the cover of the book and clamp
the latter securely in place between the two clamping plates 11' the bearings LL
having been previously adjusted on the clamping plates D D to bring the type E
when the type-holder is placed in position on the block G, directly over that
part of the heck of the book on which the line is to be printed.
The operator after inserting the type holder containing the word or other
character to be printed on the back of the book pushes said holder forward to
the starting point and oscillates it laterally to print the desired matter on the
hack of the book.
It is understood that the type holder is the same as the one now used for
lettering the backs of books and is manipulated in the same manner with the
exception that the holder is guided in its transverse movement by the plates above
described so that a perfect straight line is printed on the back of the book the

page_text: As the
straightness of the line not depending on the skill of the o] erator.
holder F is free to slide vertically in the block G it is evident that the operator
can press the type E with more or less force in contact with the back of the
book.
When a large number of like books are to be operated on then the same line
of matter is printed on the backs of the books successively before the bearings LL'
are shifted for the next line in the manner above described.
It is understood that after a line is printed the nut wheel 103 is turned to move
the plate D transversely and release the book and then the latter is lowered by
the operator turning the hand-wheel 02 after which another book is placed in
position on the table B and the above described operation is repeated.
Now it will be seen by the arrangement described, perfect work with a saving
of time and labour, can be done by this machine, the lettering on the back of
the book being automatically centered regardless of the thickness of the book
and without any adjustment. Furthermore absolutely straight lines are pro-
duced and the holder steadies the type, so that it is impossible to give an uneven
bearing on the type an even bearing being essential to good work.
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
1 claim is:-
(1) In a machine of the class described, the combination with a support, of a
platented in icek the support and having guided movement thereon, and
a type dalju tzhly soured to said pine subtilal
(2) In a machine of the class described the combination with a support of a
plate mounted to rock on the support, and having guided movement thereon, and
a vertically and laterally adjustable type holder carried by the said plate, sub-
stantially as described.
(3) In a machine of the class described, the combination with support of a
plate mounted to rock on the support and having guided movement thereon, a
block adjustable on the plate and a type-holder adjustably secured to the said
block substantially as described.
(4) In a machine of the class described, the combination with adjustable clamp-
ing plates, of an adjustable support, a type holder mounted in the support, and
a connection between the support and clamping plates, whereby they will be
simultaneously adjusted, substantially as described.
(5) A machine of the class described comprising two longitudinal clamping
plates, one of which is transversely adjustable, said clamping plates being adapted
to engage the covers of a book and a centering plate fitted to slide transversely and
connected with said clamping plates, so as to assume at all times a central
position relatively to the clamping plates, substantially as shewn and described.
(6) A machine of the class described comprising two longitudinal clamping
plates, one of which is transversely adjustable, said clamping plates being adapted
to engage the covers of a book, a centering plate fitted to slide transversely and
connected with said clamping plates so as to assume at all times a central position
relatively to the clamping plates, and a block adapted to receive the type-holder
and adjustably held in a plate mounted to rock transversely on said centering
plate, substantially as shewn and described.
(7) A machine of the class described comprising clamping plates for engaging
the covers of a book, a centering plate connected with said clamping plates and
held in a central position relatively to said clamping plates, and a block mounted
to rock transversely on said centreing plate substantially as shewn and described.
(8) A machine of the class described comprising longitudinal plates adapted to
clamp a book in position bearings adjustably held on said clamping plates, and
a centering plate fitted to slide transversely in said bearings and connected by
arms with said clamping plates substantially as shewn and described.

page_text: (9) A machine of the class described comprising longitudinal plates adapted
to clamp a book in position, bearings adjustably held on said clamping plates
and a centering plate fitted to slide transversely in said bearings and connected
by arms with said clamping plates said arms being pivotally connected with a
block fittedt to slide vertically on said centreing plate substantially as shewn and
described.
(10) A machine of the class described provided with a centering plate having
two cross slots and a V-shaped slot, a plate having pivot pins engaging said slots,
and a block held on said plate and adapted to receive a type-holder, substantially
as shewn and described.
(11) A machine of the class described provided with a centering plate having
two cross slots and a V-shaped slot, a plate having pivot pins engaging said slots,
a block held on said plate and adapted to receive a type-holder, and means
substantially as described, for adjusting said block on said plate as set forth.
(12) In a machine of the class described, the combination with clamping plates,
and a type-holder mounted to rock in a support fitted to slide on said clamping
plates, of type arranged on the top of one of the clamping plates, said type serving
to indicate the size of type and space the lines are to be apart, substantially as
described.
(13) A machine of the class described, comprising a longitudinally extending
fixed clamping plate a transversely adjustable clamping plate, bearings on said
clamping plates, a centering plate fitted to slide transversely on said bearings,
arms pivotally connected at their lower ends with said bearings, and a block
fitted to slide vertically in said centering plate, and pivotally connected with
the free ends of said arms substantially as shewn and described.
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1000