IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND ARRANGE- MENTS FOR PRINTING FROM STENCILS, TO ENABLE BOTH SIDES OF A SHEET TO BE PRINTED AT ONE OPERATION, APPLICABLE ALSO IN PART FOR PRINTING FROM OTHER SURFACES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Thomas, of New Cross, in the County of
Kent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND ARRANGE-
MENTS FOR PRINTING FROM STENCILS, TO ENABLE BOTH SIDES OF A SHEET
TO BE PRINTED AT ONE OPERATION, APPLICABLE ALSO IN PART FOR PRINTING
FROM OTHER SURFACES."
Sealed the 31st October 1879, and dated the 12th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Thomas at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th June 1879.
"1MPROVE-
WILLIAM HENRY THOMAS, of New Cross, in the County of Kent.
MENTS IN APPARATUS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRINTING FROM STENCILS, TO
ENABLE BOTH SIDES OF A SHEET TO BE PRINTED AT ONE OPERATION, APPLICABLE
ALSO IN PART FOR PRINTING FROM OTHER SURFACES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the press or apparatus and
arrangements used in printing from stencils, whereby I am enabled to print on both
sides of a sheet of paper or other suitable material at one operation, and thus
produce a much more rapid result than has hitherto been obtained by the apparatus
or arrangements in use for this purpose, and which Invention is also applicable in
part for printing from other surfaces.
The apparatus, when a reciprocating movement of the parts is employed, consists
of two curved surfaces, varying from about a quarter to half a circle or so in extent,
and of a suitable length at right angles thereto (and of a size proportional to the
stencil to be used), which are or may be mounted on a suitable framework, and
arranged to vibrate or oscillate in bearings or centres at each extremity, and travel
over and approach each other in the act of printing by means of suitable gearing
on operating the handle or lever, and separate on the release of the operating or
actuating part on the printing being completed. Suitable means are provided for
adjusting and regulating the pressure of the two parts on the paper or material to
be printed, which passes between them and springs, or their equivalent are provided
where needed to assist in the correct working of the apparatus.
The body of each or both of the parts is or may be formed or composed of metal
or other suitable material, or combination of the same, provided with suitable
divisions or strengthening webs, and the curved surface is made of suitable porous
materials or material, or perforated or woven metals, or combination of the same,
which will allow the ink or colouring material used in printing to pass through it
or them from the hollow body (which forms a reservoir), and pass through the
perforations in the stencil on to the surface or surfaces to be printed.
By means of suitable arrangements of an adjustable nature, the pressure which

page_text: regulates the quantity of ink or colouring matter required to pass through the
stencil for the printing, can be regulated and adjusted as desired, and a suitable
opening or openings is or are provided in each body or part to allow of access to the
interior and the admission of the ink or colouring matter.
The stencils to be printed from are placed so as to extend over the curved surface
or body, or both of them, and may be retained in their proper position by means of
springs, clips, pointed projections, or other suitable means, capable of allowing them
to be readily placed on or detached from the curved surface or surfaces, and retained
firmly in their proper positions when so placed.
In some cases, I apply a self feeding arrangement actuated by the apparatus in
or by the act of printing to supply the paper to the apparatus at the proper moment,
and so avoid the necessity of feeding by hand, and thus ensure greater regularity in.
the work.
I may also arrange this apparatus so as to print from the stencils at each vibra-
tion or oscillation, both backwards and forwards, instead of in one vibration only,
and the self feeding arrangement may be adapted to this double acting plan, as well
as to that hereinbefore described.
By modifying this reciprocating arrangement, and the curved portions of the
same to suit the requirements of the case, curved metal stereos or elastic forms,"
or stereos of india rubber or other suitable material or matter set with flexible type
may be attached to the vibrating or oscillating curved surface or surfaces, and the
said surfaces may be placed right and left of the vertical line, and by causing the
material to be printed on to be placed on a firm rigid travelling surface passing
under or between the curved surfaces, or by the curved surface or surfaces acting on a
firm fixed surface or surfaces, one or both sides of the same may be printed at one
operation, and by a suitable arrangement of inking parts in the shape of rollers or
their equivalents, the " forms or stereos may be properly inked, and the self feeding
arrangement hereinbefore described may be applied to the apparatus if desired.
The elastic flexible stereos and the flexible type may be made out of similar
material to that used by the makers of the india rubber endorsing stamps, and
suitable clips, screws, or adjusting and retaining wedges may be employed for
securing the stereos or "forms" to the curved oscillating or vibrating surface or
surfaces. When a revolving or rotatory motion of the curved surface or surfaces is
employed, the same may consist of one or two rollers when both sides are to be
printed at one operation, constructed as a modification of the vibrating or oscillating
arrangement herein before described, on or to which the stencil or stencils is or are
attached as hereinbefore described, and the material to be printed on is passed
between them, the rollers being provided with suitable gearing to ensure the rate of
travel of each being maintained and controlled, and means of adjusting the pressure
between the two rollers so as to ensure and obtain the necessary amount of ink or
colouring matter for the printing is provided. The self feeding arrangement or a
suitable modification of the same may be employed if desired.
hi
"
When the rotary motion is employed for printing from the metal or clastic stereos
or forms hereinbefore described in regard to the vibrating or oscillating arrange-
ment, the same may be made in parts so as to be readily placed on and removed
from the rollers and secured in a similar manner, each roller on or against a firm
fixed or moveable surface during the time the material to be printed on is passing
between it and the fixed or moveable surface. Suitable inking rollers are placed so
as to ink cach "form" or stereo before it passes over the material to be printed on,
and suitable guides and feeding arrangements are provided to enable the material
to be printed on to be fed on to each roller at the proper moment. and the roller
and other parts may be attached to or carried by a suitable and convenient framing
the necessary means of adjustment of the various parts being provided where
needed.
All these arrangements and modifications may be actuated by hand, foot, or
other convenient power as desired or required

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Henry Thomas in the Great Seal Patent Office on tho
12th December 1879.
WILLIAM HENRY THOMAS, of New Cross, in the County of Kent. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRINTING FROM STENCILS, TO
ENABLE BOTH SIDES OF A SHEET TO BE PRINTED AT ONE OPERATION, APPLICABLE
ALSO IN PART FOR PRINTING FROM OTHER SURFACES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the press or apparatus and
arrangements used in printing from stencils, whereby I am enabled to print on
both sides of a sheet of paper or other suitable material at one operation, and thus
produce a much more rapid result than has hitherto been obtained by the apparatus
or arrangements in use for this purpose, and which Invention is also applicable in
part for printing from other surfaces.
The apparatus, when a reciprocating movement of the parts is employed, consists
of two curved surfaces, varying from about a quarter to half a circle or so in extent
and of a similar length at right angles thereto (and of a size proportional to the
stencil to be used), which are or may be mounted on a suitable framework, and
arranged to vibrate or oscillate in bearings or centres at each extremity, and travel
over and approach each other in the act of printing by means of suitable gearing
on operating the handle or lever, and separate on the release of the operating or
actuating part on the printing being completed. Suitable means are provided for
adjusting and regulating the pressure of the two parts on the paper or material to
be printed which passes between them, and springs or their equivalent are provided
where needed to assist in the correct working of the apparatus, and a balance
weight or spring or their equivalent may be applied to the lower segment to keep
it from overrunning the movement of the upper one.
The body of each or both of the parts is or may be formed or composed of metal
or other suitable material, or combination of the same provided with suitable
divisions or strengthening webs. and the curved surface is made of suitable porous
materials or material, or perforated or woven metals, or combination of the same,
which will allow the ink or coloring material used in printing to pass through it
or them from the hollow body (which forms a reservoir) and pass through the
perforations in the stencil on to the surface or surfaces to be printed.
By means of suitable arrangements of an adjustable nature, the pressure which
regulates the quantity of ink or coloring matter required to pass through the
stencil for the printing can be regulated and adjusted as desired, and a suitable
opening or openings is, are, or may be provided or required in each body or part
to allow of access to the interior and the admission of the ink or coloring
matter.
In some cases I apply a self feeding arrangement actuated by the apparatus in
or by the act of printing to supply the paper to the apparatus at the proper
moment, and so avoid the necessity of feeding by hand and thus ensure greater
regularity in the work.
The stencils to be printed from are placed so as to extend over the curved surface
or body, or both of them, and the stencils may be covered with india muslin or
other suitable fibrous material. and may be retained in their proper position by
means of springs, clips. pointed projections. or other suitable means capable of
allowing them to be readily placed on or detached from the curved surface or
surfaces, and retained firmly in their proper positions when so placed.
I may also arrange this apparatus so as to print from the stencils at each
vibration or oscillation both backwards and forwards instead of on one vibration

page_text: only, and the self feeding arrangement may be adapted to this double acting plan
as well as to that hereinbefore described.
By modifying this reciprocating arrangement and the curved portions of the
same to suit the requirements of the case, curved metal stereos or clastic forms, or
stereo of india rubber or other suitable materials, or matter set with flexible type,
may be attached to the vibrating or oscillating curved surface or surfaces, and the
said surfaces may be placed right and left of the vertical line, and by causing the
material to be printed on to be placed on a firm rigid travelling surface passing
under or between the curved surfaces, or by the curved surface or surfaces
acting on a firm, fixed, or moveable surfaces, one or both sides of the same surface
may be printed at one operation, and by a suitable arrangement of inking parts in
the shape of rollers or their equivalent the forms or stereos may be properly inked
and the self feeding arrangement, hereinbefore described, may be applied to the
apparatus if desired.
The elastic flexible stereos and the flexible type may be made out of similar
material to that used by the makers of the india rubber endorsing stamps, and
suitable clips, screws, or adjusting and retaining wedges may be employed for
securing the stereos or forms to the curved, oscillating, or vibrating surface or
surfaces.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, shows in front view, with the central portion of the apparatus
broken away, as the length of that portion may be varied to suit the conditions of
the case, and Fig. 2 in end view, one arrangement of my improved apparatus
with the vibrating and oscillating movement hereinbefore described arranged
to print on both surfaces at one operation, and on both the forward und
backward movements of the oscillating parts, a self feeding apparatus being
provided to supply the sheet of paper or other material to be printed
at both the front and the back of the apparatus a, a, the top and bottom vibrating
or oscillating parts on or to which the stencils, forms, stereos, or elastic type are
attached, which move with the spindles, axes or shafts b, b, b. b, as shown in bearings
fitted in the framework or standards c. c. being operated by the actuating part d
firmly attached to the axes of the top segment or vibrating part. The requisite
pressure of the two surfaces against each other is obtained by means of the adjust-
able capstan headed screws e placed under each bearing, as shewn, suitable springs
,, being placed as shewn, in order to obtain and secure the correct working of the
apparatus. The actuating or operating handle g at the top of the apparatus, on
being pulled forward in the line of the curved sloth in the framing, the handle
being in the direction shewn by the dotted line, causes the friction wheel i to descend
out of the notch into the curved slot which it has first entered when in the position
shewn in the diagrams, and causes the two segments to approach each other, taking
hold of the paper or other material by its front edge, and on depressing the handle
g the upper segment is caused to vibrate, and by the aid of the crossheads j, j, on
the axes of the top and bottom segments and the connecting rods k, k, which may
be made adjustable and provided with slots in their ends. to allow of lost motion,
transmit the action to the lower segment, causing it to vibrate, also aided by the
friction and pressure of the top segment. which is kept evenly bearing on the lower
segment by means of the cam and friction roller m, which keep in gear until the
actuating handle arrives at the lower end of the curved slot h, when the notch in
the cam rises against the friction roller m, and the top segment rises off the lower
one, at the same time striking against the rod of the feed apparatus 4 (shewn dotted),
and thereby causing the apparatus to act, pulling the sheet of paper or other material
into the space between the segments. On pushing back the actuating handles the
top segment is forced on to the lower one. nipping the paper or material to be
printed between them, and as the segments vibrate the paper or other material, is
drawn through between them by the motion of the segments, and each side, or only
one side if one stencil be used, being in contact with the stencil or stencils, leaves
the surfaces impressed with a copy of what is on the stencil or stencils on the

page_text: acluating part arriving at the end of the curved slot. The notch in the cam comes
under the friction roller, and the springs under the top bearing push the upper
segment, and the friction wheel enters into the notch, allowing the segments to come
apart at the same moment the rise of the upper segment brings it into contact with
the connecting rod of the feed apparatus (4. Figure 1), and causes a fresh part to be
printed to enter between the segments, and so long as the actuating part is operated
and the material to be printed supplied, the operation above described will continue.
the printed paper or material leaving the segments on the under side of the feed
boards or tables. In some cases it may be found that the paper or material when
printed may not readily leave the stencil or other printing surface employed, in
which case, by increasing the length of the curved slot at one or both ends, the
segment may make a greater vibration, and thus aid in the detachment of the
printed material, or a blade, or blades, or other suitable arrangement may be
employed by its or themselves or in conjunction with the increased vibratory move-
ment, care being taken to canse the blade or blades to act in the "taking off"
operation on the part of the paper or material on which there is no printing.
The feed apparatus consists of a portion or part of metal or other suitable
materials, or combination of the same, one of which is placed between the vibrating
parts and the standards on each side, vibrating freely on but not with the lower
axis b. b, as shewn detached in Fig. 3 at 1, which has one long and two short arms.
the end of the long arm, which may be provided with a friction roller, working in
a fork or a pair of jaws formed on the oscillating and travelling gripper 2, as shewn.
the two shorter arms or levers having the lower ends of the two connecting rods
3, 3, attached to them, which rods extend upwards, as shewn, and may be guided to
ensure vertical movement to above the level of the upper vibrating segment, as
shewn. Each opposite connecting rod being attached or connected at its upper end
by the cross bar or rod 4, extending from side to side of the apparatus, so as to
cause the rise of the upper segment to make it come in contact with the said bar.
and so give the required movement to feed in the paper or material at the right
moment. In order that when the gripper 2 has travelled with the paper or
material to within a fraction of the end of its travel, and before the segments come
into contact to take hold of the paper or material, a suitable stud, projection, or
part attached to the standard or other convenient part of the apparatus comes in
contact with the gripper and gives it sufficient movement, in order to cause it to
release the paper or material, and allow it to pass between the segments.
The part on which the grippers rest to take hold of the paper or other material
and travel with it and the paper, and are shown at 5, Fig. 4. Sheet 1, and one of these
is placed at each side of the apparatus on the inside of the framing, which is shewn
in Figs. 2 and 3, with the feed board 6. on which the paper is placed. coming
between them. These moving parts come at the extent of their outward movement
close up to the feed board; the part which comes nearest to the segments or rollers
being formed of sheet metal. as shown in 7. Figs. 3 and 4 in the Diagram, in order
to allow of the part that is printed passing off from the printing surface under the
same. The paper or other material when fed into the machine ready to receive the
action of the gripper is prevented from being pushed too far by the projecting ends
of the springs 8. shewn dotted in Figs. 3 and 4, against which it comes in contact, •
and these springs or projections are depressed or caused to descend below the level
of the feed table or board by the action of the rod 9 attached to the moving part
of the gripper, and which extends from one running part to the other across the
front and back of the apparatus. These springs serve at the same time to retard
the progress of the gripper and moving part of the same until it has been caused to
rip the paper, when both the gripper and moving part impelled by the action of the
long vertical lever draw the material between the segments. The apparatus then
remains still until the contact of the vibrating portion on its arrival at the other
side of the standard with the opposite rod on the ends of the connecting rods on
that side cause it to go back and draw in the material, as before described, and this

page_text: action continues as long as the apparatus is in operation and the material to be
printed supplied. Suitable friction rollers are placed where required for the guiding
of the sliding parts, such as that shewn in Figure 5.
The felt and wire or parts used to form the surface of the segments a, a, are
suitably formed in a mould, so as to be given the required form before being put on
the segments, and are retained in their place and held firmly by the frame n, n,
Figure 1, which may be continuous all round the edge in one piece, or composed of
two or more, as most convenient, and by the screws shown in the diagram the
whole is held firmly on the segment.
The segment with clips, felt, wire, or other under-surface, as hereinbefore
described, is shewn in cross-section in Figure 6. The bars or frame-work for
supporting the felt and leaving the space to hold the ink or coloring matter below
the felt are shewn by o, o, and the semicircular indentations are the spaces in each
to allow the ink or coloring material to be equally distributed over the interior of
the segment, so as to pass evenly through the felt on pressure being applied.
Figure shows an arrangement for supplying the ink or coloring material to the
reservoir in the segment through the small pipe shown (which is connected with
the reservoir) on forcing down the piston. This arrangement may be attached to
the segment. so as to move with them, and then maintain the supply whilst
working.
The clips or parts for holding the stencil on the segments or vibrating portions
are shewn at p, p, Figures 2 and 6, and consist of a part or parts of metal or other
suitable material, formed as shewn, and mounted on suitable bearings at each end
of the vibrating portions, both on the back and front of the same, on which they
vibrate sufficiently to allow of their moving off and on to the surface of the
segments, so as to permit the stencil to be put in place and removed, and a spring
or springs is or are applied to cause the same to press and hold the stencil firmly
and evenly in its place.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, shews in front elevation the centre broken out, as the length
may be suited to what is required, and Figure 2 an end view of a modification of
my Invention suited for printing with a rotary motion, as hereinbefore described,
the path of the motion being indicated by the arrows.
a, a, the top rotating portion, to which the stereo type or stencil is secured in
any suitable or convenient manner; b, b, the lower fixed or moving surface, which
enables the pressure required to be obtained, and both a and b, or one only, may be
arranged to be adjustable for this purpose, c and d, and the lower rotating and
fixed or moving part, which may be adjustable, as is described with reference
10 a and b. The framework or standards are shewn at e. e, and gearing for actuating
the rotating parts is shewn at 1, f, and may be driven by a pulley at g. The guide
for the paper or other material from the top printing surface to the lower one is
shewn at h. The inking apparatus i may consist of two or more rollers of the
usual kind, to one or more of which the usual endless motion is given, and the
same may be placed as shewn and actuated by the apparatus. The feed table is
shewn at j, and the plate or surface at receives the printed portion when passing
from the lower printing surface.
The rotating parts a. a, and c, c, are suitably geared to each other, so as to ensure
the correct position of the material to be printed on the lower printing surface, to
ensure a correct register.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and the manner in which
the same is to or may be performed or carried into practical use. I desire to state
that I do not limit or confine myself to the precise details shewn in the two
accompanying Sheets of Diagrams, as the same may be varied without departing
from the nature of my Invention, nor do I claim as of my Invention the use of
stencils, stereos, or other surfaces for printing from, as these have been used before.
nor do I claim the use of machinery for printing, as this is not novel, nor any of
the parts individually as new, except when combined together and acting in the

page_text: manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described, but what I do claim as my
Invention and desire to have protected by Letters Patent is, the combinations and
arrangements of the parts hereinbefore described in the manner and for the purposes
hereinbefore described and as shewn.
In witness whereof, 1, the said William Henry Thomas, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
WILLIAM HENRY THOMAS. (L.S.)