IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR PRINTING
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred John Parker, of No. 27, Queen Margaret's
Grove, Mildmay Park, in the County of Middlesex, Printer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR PRINTING."
Sealed the 11th July 1873, and dated the 13th February 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred John Parker
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 13th February 1873.
I, ALFRED JOHN Parker, of No. 27, Queen Margaret's Grove, Mild-
may Park, in the County of Middlesex, Printer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR PRINTING,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the general construction and arrangement of
what are termed treadle platten machines; also to improvements in the
O details thereof, whereby the printing is effected in a more expeditious
manner with less wear and tear of the working parts, a more perfect

page_text: inking of the type is effected, and a better impression is obtained than
is usual.
The frame of the machine may be of square, rectangular, or any other
suitable shape, and has a fixed bed or type carrier arranged in a vertical
position between the side frames, against which type the paper to be
printed is brought by a platten and tympan, both of which vibrate upon
the same centre when moved over by discs and connecting rods by or
with the crank or other shaft. The platten and platten frame are so
arranged that the platten can have a motion to a greater distance than
the frame which bears against stops on the side frames when the im-
pression has to be obtained, the pressure of which platten can be
regulated to the greatest nicety by circular or straight wedges actuated
by a set screw, and the impression may be instantaneously thrown off
by other wedges attached to a lever at the back of the platten. To the
bottom of the platten or to the tympan a bar is arranged for carrying
the grippers for clearing the sheets off the type, the movement of the
bar being effected by slotted levers at the sides, these being kept to
their work by springs or their equivalents.
The axles or journals of the platten also work in slots in their supports,
and springs are employed to keep the journals against one end of
the slots, the springs being compressed in the backward action, thus
allowing a little play for releasing the platten horizontally after each
impression; or the horizontal movement may be effected by means of
cams.
The inking roller or rollers works up and down the face of the type
on chains which pass over flanged drums, the chains being connected
to discs driven by levers from or by the main shaft. The inking rollers
receive their supply of ink from a ductor arranged above the framing,
and before arriving at the bottom of their course they come in contact
with an inking cylinder, by means of which the superfluous ink gets
re-distributed thereby in the upward travel, insuring a superior inking for
the forme than heretofore obtained.
For heavy work an additional ductor may be employed at the bottom
inking cylinder.
The chains carry small rollers which ride in vertical guides fixed upon 3
the frame, and these serve to steady them and the rollers during the

page_text: movement up and down for the inking of the type. The roller sockets
are acted upon by springs to keep the rollers in contact and have clips
working on a joint to keep the rollers in place.
During the rotation of the main shaft the discs which are actuated
by a sector and rack or a chain worked by a connecting rod, one
of which is upon each side, give alternately a double motion to the
inking roller, or other discs or wheels are employed for giving a
forward and backward motion to the platten and tympan, the halt
of the latter being timed sufficiently for an attendant to remove the
printed sheet and to "lay" another blank in position or "register" for
the next impression.
.
The fore part of the frame carries brackets which have adjustable
tops upon which the tympan bears for releasing the printed sheet, the
grippers having opened out by the action of their levers in the meantime.
By this means the impressed sheet is free to be removed and a fresh
blank inserted.
In some cases the platten is enclosed round the edges by a frame
for supporting it, the frame having stops for abutting against the side
frame of the machine. The platten can also be drawn to and fro when
in a vertical position by cams.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
1
filed by the said Alfred John Parker in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 13th August 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, Alfred
JOHN PARKER, of No. 27, Queen Margaret's Grove, Mildmay Park, in
the County of Middlesex, Printer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alfred John Parker, Her special licence
that I, the said Alfred John Parker, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred John Parker, my executors,

page_text: administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the time
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN 5
MACHINES FOR PRINTING," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Alfred John Parker, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and 1
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alfred John Parker, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to the general construction and arrangement
of what are termed treadle platten machines; also to improvements in
the details thereof, whereby the printing is effected in a more expeditious
manner with less wear and tear of the working parts, a more perfect
inking of the type is effected, and a better impression is obtained than
is usual.
The frame of the machine may be of square, rectangular, or any other
suitable shape, and has a fixed bed or type carrier arranged in a vertical
position between the side frames, against which type the paper to be
printed is brought by a platten and tympan, both of which vibrate upon
the same centre when moved over by discs and connecting rods by or
with the crank or other shaft. The platten and platten frame are so
arranged that the platten can have a motion to a greater distance than
the frame which bears against stops on the side frames when the im-
pression has to be obtained, the pressure of which platten can be
regulated to the greatest nicety by circular or straight wedges actuated
by a set screw, and the impression may be instantly thrown off by the
wedge attached to lever at the back of the platten. To the bottom of
the platten or to the tympan a bar is arranged for carrying the grippers

page_text: for clearing the sheets of the type, the movement of the bar being
effected by slotted levers at the sides, these being kept to their work by
springs or their equivalents.
The axles or journals of the platten also work in slots in their supports,
and springs are employed to keep the journals against one end of
the slots, the springs being compressed in the backward action, thus
allowing a little play for releasing the platten horizontally after each
impression; or the horizontal movement may be effected by means of
cams.
The inking roller or rollers works up and down the face of the type
on chains or bands which pass over flanged drums, the chains being
connected to discs driven by levers from or by the main shaft. The
inking rollers receive their supply of ink from a ductor arranged above
the framing, and before arriving at the bottom of their course they come
in contact with an inking cylinder, by means of which the superfluous
ink gets re-distributed thereby in the upward travel, ensuring a superior
inking for the forme than heretofore obtained.
For heavy work an additional ductor may be employed at the bottom
inking cylinder.
The chains or bands carry small rollers which ride in vertical
guides fixed upon the frame, and these serve to steady them and
the rollers during the movement up and down for the inking of
the type. The roller sockets are acted upon by springs to keep the
rollers in contact and have clips working on a joint to keep the roller
in place.
During the rotation of the main shaft the discs which are actuated
by a sector and rack or a chain worked by a connecting rod, one of
which is upon each side, give alternately a double motion to the
inking rollers. Other discs or wheels are employed for giving a forward'
and backward motion to the platten and tympan, the halt of the
latter being timed sufficiently for an attendant to remove the printed
sheet, and to "lay" another blank in position or register" for the
next impression.
"
The fore part of the frame carries brackets which have adjustable tops
upon which the tympan bears for releasing the printed sheet; the
grippers having opened out by the action of their levers in the mean-

page_text: time. By this means the impressed sheet is free to be removed and a
fresh blank inserted.
In some cases the platten is enclosed round the edges by a frame
for supporting it, the frame having stops for abutting against the side
frame of the machine. The platten can also be drawn to and fro when
in a vertical position by cams.
י,
The Invention will be well understood by referring to the accompanying
Drawings and to the following description thereof:-
Figure 1 is a side-view of a treadle platten printing press with the
platten close up to the type for obtaing the impression, and Figure 2
is a similar view with the platten and tympan open and ready to receive
a blank sheet to be impressed, Figure 3 being a front view of the
machine.
A, A, are the two side frames of the press in or to which the several
shafts and working portions of the same are held or supported. The
fore part or front of the standards A, A, carries projecting brackets B, B,
on which the platten and tympan frame is free to move in a circular
to-and-fro direction for printing purposes; C is the treadle for imparting
the first movement of the crank shaft D, on one side of which is a
pinion E in gear with a wheel F, fitted with a pin G for connecting the
platten frame therewith through a connecting rod H, one end of which
travels round the wheel axle while the other has only a to-and-fro move-
ment. The side frames A, A, have on their front faces a frame in which
the type forme is arranged in a vertical direction and with the type
faces to the front. I is a roller for distributing the ink received from
the ductor J upon a series of inking rollers which travel up and down
the face of the type at each impression, this movement being governed
by two chains K, K, one on each side, which are caused to travel a fixed
distance through their connection with wheels L, L, or portions of wheels,
the wheels having a reciprocating circular motion imparted to them by
rods M, M, from the platten, so that as the platten and tympan are
opening the inking rollers are caused to descend and ink the type,
and as they are closing again the rollers rise and pass over or nearly
over the distributing roller I and obtain a fresh supply of ink. The
inking rollers N, N, are connected temporarily to the chains by sockets
on the links, and they are kept in contact with the type by springs bearing
upon the caps as shown in the detached view, Figure 4. The caps are kept

page_text: in place by guide rods O, O, and they can be released for the removal of
the rollers by turning the clip P in the proper direction, as shown by the
dotted lines, when the clips fall over upon the centre pins a, a, and
permit of the inking rollers being removed freely and others placed in
their stead. The portions of the chains that traverse the type forme
have small wheels working within races or guides Q, Q, and prevent
any sagging of the chain between the points of support of the wheels
L, L, and roller I. The wheels have on two of their arms a slotted
frame to allow of the reciprocating action without interfering with the
position or motion of the pinion. A re-distribution of ink can take place
by fitting an additional roller S, as in Figure 1.
The platten is fitted in a frame as before mentioned, and has a distinct
to-and-fro movement imparted to it to make the impression and to
release the pressure from the type, the movement of the platten being
perfectly horizontal after it is brought close up to but not to touch
the type, the journals b, b, of the platten being fitted in bearings.
in the frame in a suitable manner to allow of this being done freely,
the platten frame abutting against stops on the standards as shown in
Figure 1.
The tympan c is hinged to the platten frame at the bottom and has
a "fall to "motion towards the press by side rods d, d, as also the
frisket by other rods e, e, these being acted upon automatically by
springs ff, for the closing operation to hold the paper in place, and by
the motion of the platten arm in the opening operation after the
printing has been effected, the rods being slotted at their free ends g, g,
for that purpose.
The journals of the platten are in a piece with a cross bar h, the inner
face of which has fixed wedges i, i, Figure 5, and these can be acted upon
by other wedges j, j, to regulate the degree of pressure to be exerted
upon the type or to remove the pressure entirely should a faulty sheet
of paper be accidentally inserted into the tympan or from other causes,
and this without stopping the working of the machine. The movable
wedges are attached to a lever within reach of the pressman or the
"taker-off" as the case may be, and he has only to pull the lever to one
side to adjust the pressure or to release it altogether, an advantage of
great importance should the machine be driven by steam or other power
which
by a belt fitting over the fast and loose pullies k, k,
may be done

page_text: in lieu of actuating it by the treadle. The action of the wedges will be
understood from the dotted lines in Figure 3. R is a counterpoise
weight to put the upper portion or platten and its appurtenances into
equilibrio, and to thereby make the machine comparatively easy to
work, the axis being the pivot on which those parts are centred or
hung.
Figure 6 is a view of a modified plan for horizontally moving a fixed
platten to and fro. In this case the eyes of the boss fitting the jour-
nals 1, 1, are lengthened so as to allow of this movement while the
platten is vertical, the throw of the crank being sufficient to overcome
the pressure of the spring m which otherwise keeps the platten back
and clear of the type. The crank shaft D is provided with a cam,
the nose q of which when the pull of the connecting rod H occurs, causes
the rock lever to act upon and draw the lower end of the platten
towards it.
By this means the platten is moved perfectly parallel to the type face,
and a complete and even impression is the result.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim-
Firstly. The general combination, arrangement, and method of working
of the several parts of a treadle platten printing press or machine as
and for the purposes herein-before described and shown.
Secondly. I claim the method of and apparatus for producing a
perfectly parallel pressure upon the type face by the platten in treadle
platten printing machines as described and shown.
Thirdly. I claim the modified method of producing the perfectly
parallel pressure as described with reference to Figure 6 of the
Drawings.
Fourthly. I claim the employment of wedges between the platten and
platten frame of printing machines as herein-before described and shown
for the purposes explained.
Fifthly. I claim the combination of platten and frame each capable of
separate movements as and for the purposes set forth.
Sixthly. I claim the arrangement of appliances for retaining the
inking rollers (which work up and down against the face of type) in
position and for allowing their easy removal as described and shown.

page_text: Seventhly. I claim the employment of a bottom roller in treadle
platten printing machines for producing a re-distribution of ink upon
the inking rollers previous to their upward travel as described and
shown.
Eighthly. I claim the combination and method of action of the
platten, tympan, and frisket, in the manner and for the purposes set
forth.
In witness whereof I, the said Alfred John Parker, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of August One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
ALFRED JOHN PARKER. (L.S.)