IMPROVEMENTS IN COPYING- PRESSES
Year: 1886

page_text: We, DANIEL EDGAR KEMPSTER (Inventor) and JAMES HERBERT CURRIER
(Insurance Manager) both of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COPYING-
PRESSES" and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement reference being had
to the accompanying drawings making part of this specification, in which Figure 1
is an end elevation of the press-the full lines representing it closed with a book
clamped therein and the dotted lines showing the platen of the press swung down
into a horizontal position.
Figures 2-3 and 4 are longitudinal sections of one of the pressure arms having
an adjustable toothed jaw applied thereto.
Figures 5 and 6 details to be referred to.
The present invention consists in a copying-press, in which the bed is secured
to the side of the wall of a room or other suitable vertical support and the platen
pivoted to said bed in such manner that the former may not only be swung down.
from the latter, but also be capable of being moved to and from the same in a
horizontal plane to accommodate books of different thicknesses the several features
of this invention being herein after fully described and claimed.
In the said drawings a represents the bed of the press attached to the wall or
other vertical support and provided with a water receptacle x at its upper edge and
a cover for the same. b represents the platen of the press hinged to the bed a
so as to have both a pivotal and a sliding or back and forth motion.
A lever e is pivoted at e¹ to each side of the bed, the two levers being connected
at their outer ends by a cross bar f which serves as a handle to operate the press
and also in connection with pin ii in the platen 6 serves as a support or rest for
the platen when it is in a horizontal position, the levers el c¹ being provided on
their inner ends with eccentric bosses jj on which are pivotally mounted the
pressure arms k k.
Across the platen 6 is arranged a spring-bar, the ends of which constitute lugs /
with which the arms kk engage when applying the pressure to the copy-book by
depressing the levers e¹ e¹. When it is desired to release the book, the levers c¹ e¹
are raised by the cross-bar f until the studs e² e² on the inner sides of the levers e¹ e¹
strike and raise the pressure arms kk out of engagement with the lugs on the
platen.

page_text: As heretofore constructed the arms k k were provided with teeth formed integral
therewith, which teeth by constant use were soon broken or worn smooth so as to
permit the arms to fly up out of engagement with the lugs when pressure was
applied.
This defect has been partially obviated by making the teeth on said arms coarser
and consequently stronger; but by so doing the fine adjustment of the platen to
books of different thicknesses has become impaired, and it is frequently found
necessary to use pads to bring the book out to a thickness requisite to receive
enough pressure to obtain the impression.
This is evidently objectionable; but we remedy said objection by making the
pressure arms kk with a movable jaw or slide having a projection for engagement
with the lugs 1. Said jaw k¹ may be adjusted on the arm k to suit any thickness
of book and held in position there on by any suitable device-several of such
devices being shown. We prefer the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which
we provide the pressure arms on their under edge with fine serrations. The movable
jaws are also provided with serrations on their upper edge which permit of a very
fine adjustment, and also prevent any change of said adjustment from any strain
or pressure on them. The movable projections or jaws have upwardly extended
ears on each side of the arm k and between which and pivoted thereto just above
the arm k is a cam or button m which locks the arm k and movable projection k¹
securely together, but yet permits of an easy and quick adjustment. Fig. 3 shows
the movable jaw or projection held by a set screw n instead of a cam.
Fig. 4 shows the same held by a spring o which admits of a very quick adjustment,
as by simply pressing down on the spring o, the jaw or projection may be slid
along and set at any point on the pressure arms desired, and it is automatically
held on releasing the pressure ou the spring. The serrations on the pressure arms
and also on the movable jaws or projections may be dispensed with, if desired, and
depend wholly on the cam m for holding them together. It will be seen that we
are enabled to construct the tooth or projection with a broad surface or bearing
for engagement with the lug thus insuring its durability; and furthermore we
provide means for effectually preventing the arms & from flying up when under
pressure, as we provide a projection * on the arms kk which the studs e on the
levers e¹ come against, when the levers are brought into a vertical or pressure-
applying position thus holding down in place the pressure-arms until said levers are
removed as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.
Instead of the bed and platen being connected as shown in Fig. 1, we prefer to
employ two bifurcated stems r r pivoted to ears 8 8 on the underside of the platen
and sliding in recessed projections t t formed at the bottom of the bed a figs. 5
and 6. Each stem is provided with a slot n¹ into which enters a screw or pin v
to limit the outward sliding movement of the platen and an adjustable clamping
screw w is employed to tighten the parts at the pivotal points of the platen--so as
to create the desired amount of friction and prevent unnecessary play at these
points. Instead of but one ear 8 at each end of the platen, it may be provided
with a pair of ears 88 at each end, for the reception between them of a stem
having a single eye or loop instead of bifurcation as described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
CLAIMS.

page_text: the introduction of the copying-book and to adjust itself thereto when exerting
pressure thereon, and means for pressing the platen toward the bed substantially as
set forth.
3. The bed adapted for attachment to a vertical support, a platen having a sliding
and pivotal connection therewith, levers pivoted to the bed and pressure arms
pivoted to and actuated by the latter, whereby the platen may be pressed toward
the bed as described.
4. In a copying-press, the bed a with its recesses t t and the platen 6 with its
bifurcated stems r r for pivotally connecting them, in combination with a means of
limiting the outward sliding movement of the platen, for the purpose specified.
5. The pivoted pressure arm k in combination with and adjustably secured to the
slide or projection k' for the purpose set forth.
6. In a copying-press, the platen 6 with lugs ll, bed a, pressure arms k k pivoted
thereto and provided with projections ka k², combined with the operating levers e¹ e¹
pivoted to the bed a and provided with studs e² e², said projections and studs
being so constructed and arranged as to prevent the pressure arms k k from
disengaging with the lugs when pressure is being applied, substantially as
described.
7. In a combination, the bed a with its. pressure arms k k pivoted thereto, and
the jaws or projections k¹¹ adjustably connected therewith, in combination with
the platen b provided with lugs as and for the
purpose stated.
L
TH .
1000
DANIEL EDGAR KEMPSTER.
JAMES HERBERT CURRIER.
Boston, February 4th 1886.
Signed in the presence of
NORMAN W. STEARNS,
HERBERT W. STEARNS.
This is the specification referred to in the affidavit of Daniel Edgar Kempster
and James Herbert Currier hereto annexed.