IMPROVEMENTS IN RULING-MACHINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jasper Wetter, of New Wandsworth, Surrey, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RULING-MACHINES." A communication
from abroad by Edward Wakefield Blackhall, of Toronto, Canada.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jasper Wetter at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th August 1881.
JASPER WETTER, of New Wandsworth, Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RULING-
MACHINES." A communication from abroad by Edward Wakefield Blackhall, of
Toronto, Canada.
The object of the Invention is to produce a ruling machine capable of
accomplishing a large range of work more accurately and quickly than any other
machine for the same purpose, and it consists, first, in mechanism by which the
paper to be ruled may be passed through the machine like a continuous web,
thereby saving the space which is usually wasted between each sheet of paper in
machines with ordinary strikers; secondly, in the arrangement of mechanism by
which the pens are suspended above the pen-roller, and only brought into
connection as the paper passes below the pens; thirdly, in arrangement of
nechanism by which the pens can be adjusted to rule various sizes of paper
without losing any space between the sheets; fourthly, in an arrangement of
mechanism by which individual pens may be raised and dropped automatically
without interfering with the others; fifthly, in providing an adjustable gauge for
feeding inaccurate paper regularly into the machine; sixthly, in providing an
improved receiving box to assist the delivery of the paper; seventhly, in a new
form of ruling pen by which the regularity of the lines is ensured, the ink being
delivered from narrow channels cut in the face of a flat piece of brass.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Jasper Wetter in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th February
1882.
JASPER WETTER, of New Wandsworth, Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RULING
MACHINES."
A communication from abroad by Edward Wakefield Blackhall, of
Toronto, Canada.
The object of the Invention is to produce a ruling machine capable of
accomplishing a large range of work more accurately and quickly than any other
machine for the same purpose, and it consists, first, in mechanism by which the
paper to be ruled may be passed through the machine like a continuous web,
thereby saving the space which is usually wasted between each sheet of paper in
machines with ordinary strikers; secondly, in the arrangement of mechanism by
which the pens are suspended above the pen-ruler, and only brought into connection
as the paper passes below the pens; thirdly, in an arrangement of mechanism by
which the pens can be adjusted to rule various sizes of paper without losing any
space between the sheets; fourthly, in an arrangement of mechanism by which
individual pens may be raised and dropped automatically without interfering with
the others; fifthly, in providing an adjustable gauge for feeding inaccurate paper
regularly into the machine; sixthly, in providing an improved receiving box to
assist the delivery of the paper; seventhly, in a new form of ruling pen by which
the regularity of the lines is ensured, the ink being delivered from narrow channels
cut in the face of a flat piece of brass.
In the Drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine, the
supporting cords being shewn by dotted lines; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the
mechanism for performing intermittent work, and operating the stop by which
the paper is fed into the machine in a continuous web; Fig. 3 is a detail plan of
the pen roller shewing mechanism for bringing the pens into action; Fig. 4 is an
end view of Fig. 3 made to a little larger scale; Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are details
of the mechanism shewn in Fig. 2; Fig. 10 is a detail side view of mechanism for
bringing the pens into operation for straight or "one head" ruling; Fig. 11 is a
plan of the same; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the device for raising individual
pens without raising the pen-clamp; Fig. 13 is another view shewing the same
mechanism as applied to a hand machine; Fig. 14 is a perspective detail shewing
the adjustable guide for regulating the feeding of inaccurate paper; Fig. 15 is a
perspective detail of the receiving box; Fig. 16 are details of ruling pen. In
preparing the Drawings to explain the construction of my improved machine,
I have designed the different Figures with the view of shewing clearly the points of
Invention in the particular part the Figure may illustrate without regard to any
general scale, some Figures being made larger than others in order to illustrate
clearly the detail of a particular part, which if drawn to a smaller scale would not
exhibit the Invention as clearly as I think necessary.
In Fig. 1 the general outline of my machine is shewn. In this Figure
A represents a frame constructed in any suitable manner, and of any dimensions
necessary for the particular work the machine is designed to perform; B is the
feeding table, and C are the feeding rollers; D is the pen roller; E is an auxiliary
pen roller provided with mechanism for ruling the opposite side of the paper. The
dotted lines F represent the conveying cords. While I do not claim anything
particular in the construction of the frame A, I may mention that it will be
preferable to make it so that the portion of the frame carrying the auxiliary pen

page_text: roller E may be moved any desired distance from the other portion of the frame
which carries the pen roller D in order that the ink upon the paper may have
ample time to dry before it is turned over to rule on its opposite side. The paper
is fed in by the operator on the feeding table in the ordinary way, but in the case
of inaccurate paper instead of adjusting the entire guide-board and setting it by
the eye as is now done in other machines, I provide an adjustable piece upon the
edge of this guide board, which is clearly shewn in Fig. 14. On reference to this
Figure it will be noticed G is the guide-board; H an adjustable piece connected
to the guide board G by the adjustable screws I, by which the angle of the
adjusting piece H can be accurately regulated to suit inaccurate paper without
affecting the position of the guide-board G; J is a cover hinged to the adjustable
piece H, and covering the space between it and the guide-board G. From this
point the paper passes below the feeding rollers in the ordinary way and is carried
on the conveying cords F to the pen roller D, where it is ruled. As the mechanism
for ruling forms an important feature in my Invention, I shall first explain its
construction in detail and indicate its operation. With this view I will first draw
attention to Fig. 2, in which will be noticed a stop-piece K extending across the
conveying cords and arranged to arrest the movement of each sheet passing below
it, holding the paper till the proper moment arrives for it to pass below the pen.
This stop plate is attached to a rod L, supported in suitable bearings L¹ which is
attached to the rod L in such a manner that it can be adjusted to any required
position. The arm L' is held down by a chain M, connecting it to the vertical
rod M², which is pivoted at its upper end to the frame N, which supports the
revolving cam O. This portion of the mechanism will be better seen on reference to
Fig. 7. As the cam O revolves it comes in contact with a pivoted dog O¹, pushing it
out of its way and causing it to push back the vertical rod M³, closing the stop till the
pawl O becomes clear of this cam, when the spring Pattached to the arm L³, raises
the stop-plate, permitting the paper to pass below it. It will be well at this point
to explain the mechanism by which the cam O is operated. This cam is keyed or
otherwise secured to the spindle Q, which spindle is supported in bearings in the
frame N, and has a series of graduated sized spur-wheels Q'. Immediately below
and running parallel with the spindle Q, a spindle R is supported in suitable
bearings and has keyed to it the spur-wheel R³, and the friction pulley R³ which
rests against the feeding roller C, deriving from it the necessary rotary movement
which it conveys to the spindle R and through the spur wheel R which meshes with
one of the spur-wheels Q. This rotary movement is conveyed to the spindle Qupon
which the cam O is keyed. If the paper to be ruled is small-sized, it will of course be
necessary to work the stop-plate K more quickly than if large sized paper was
being passed through. In order to make the stop work quickly the spur-wheel R
is caused to mesh with the smallest, spur-wheel on the spindle Q, causing the cam
to revolve quickly, and through its connection with the stop-plate operates it more
quickly than if the spur wheel R¹ were caused to mesh with the largest spur-wheel
on the spindle Q, the speed being reduced or increased according to the spur-wheel on
the spindle Q, which the spur-wheel R is caused to mesh with. In order to enable the
different sizes of spur-wheels to mesh with this spur-wheel R¹ the frame N is held
upon a vertical guide-plate secured to the main frame of the machine and is adjusted
on this guide-plate by an adjusting screw N¹. As the paper is permitted to pass the
stop-plate K, it proceeds towards the pen roller D, where it comes in contact with
the arm S which is set in a groove cut in the pen-roller D. This arm S is attached
to a rod T pivoted on the back of the pen clamp U, and is provided with a down-
wardly projecting arm V connected by the rod V₁ to the supporting block V³.
As the paper comes in contact with the arm S it raises it out of the groove level
with the face of the pen-roller, and owing to the connection between this arm and
the supporting block V2, the supporting block is thrown from under the drop-
screw W, permitting the pen-clamp to drop down and allow the pens to come in
contact with the paper passing beneath them. So soon as the sheet of paper has

page_text: passed, the arm S falls back into groove. At this point the mechanism for raising
the pen-clamp comes into action. In Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noticed that the pen-
clamp is provided with a vertical arm, and that this arm is connected by a cord or
wire to the pivoted arm X¹, shewn in detail in Fig. 6. This arm is provided with
a foot which rests on the cam head X2, more clearly shewn in Fig. 5. This cam-
head is arranged to hold cam-blocks, which may be set at different points in its
circumference, so as to come in contact with the foot of the pivoted arm X' and to
thus rock it on its pivoted arm. In certain classes of work it is necessary to raise
certain individual pens without stopping the action of the main body of the pens
held in the pen-clamp. With that view I provide automatic mechanism by which
any pens desired can be raised clear of the work without affecting the position of
the other pens. In Figs. 12 and 13 a detail of this mechanism is shewn, a cam
plate Y connected to the rod Y2 supported in suitable bearings on the back.of the
pen clamp U, and is provided with a projecting arm Y3 which is connected when
the mechanism is to be worked automatically by the wire Y* to the pivoted arm Z,
which is operated in the same manner as the pivoted arm X¹ by cam-blocks
arranged in the cam-head X². This cam-head it may be mentioned here is
keyed or otherwise fastened to the spindle Q. It therefore follows that by
arranging the cam-blocks in the cam-head the cam-plate Y can be caused to slide
forward at any desired point. In order to convey this movement to the pen I set
within a cam plate Y, fingers X³, which extend below any pen it is desired to raise
independently of the others. Any number of these fingers can be introduced
according to the number of pens it is desirable to raise. In order to spring back
the cam plate Y I attach to it two or more spindles a which pass into tubes b
secured to the bottom of the pen clamp U. Within these tubes I place a spiral
spring which acts against the spindle a, and thereby forces back the cam plate Y.
Where it is desirable to operate the cam plate Y by hand, I provide a tilting
lever d, which is connected to the projecting arm Y³, and by pressing down the
tilting lever, the same action is produced as that being done by the movement of
the pivoted arm X', as before described. A. set screw d¹ to adjust the length of the
stroke of the tilting-lever d is provided as shewn. As the paper proceeds after
having passed over the pen roller D, it is carried over the conveying cords F to the
auxiliary pen roller E, being turned over during its passage around this roller.
On reference to Fig. 10, the mechanism for doing the one head ruling will be clearly
seen. In this Figure, U is the pen clamp pivoted on the spindle f which is
supported in any suitable bearings. A tail g extends behind the spindle f and is
provided with an adjustable weight or spring to counterbalance the weight of the
pen clamp U on the opposite side of the spindle, and in this manner the pens will
always be held up except when the pen clamp is tilted down. The frame h is
pivoted on the bracket i and is provided with a number of fingers j, which extend
beyond it and rest in grooves cut in the roller E, as shewn. The paper passes
below the fingers j, the frame h is raised, and in rising, the pen on it comes in
contact with a projecting piece k attached to the pen clamp U tilting it up on its
spindle f, and thus causing the pens to come in contact with the surface of the
passing paper below them. As soon as the paper has passed the end of the fingers; they
fall back into the groves in the roller E, and the pens assume their vertical position,
being raised by the weight or spring on the end of the tail attached to the pen-
clamp. When it is desired to allow a heading on the end of the paper I provide
extension fingers I, which rest in the grooves cut in the pen roller E. A bell-crank m
rests upon the top of the finger 1 and is held down by a spiral spring n. When
down the set screw p comes in contact with the projecting piece k, pushing it off
the pin upon which it rests on the frame h, permitting the pen-clamp U to tilt
up and raise the pens from off the surface of the paper. The action of this
mechanism will be as follows:-When the paper passes below the fingers 7 they
are raised out of the grooves in which they are at the time resting, and owing to
their connection with the bell-crank m the set-screw p is pushed away from the

page_text: projecting piece k, permitting it to rest on the pin on the frame h. As the paper
comes in contact with the fingers ; the pens are brought into action, as before
described, but the moment the end of the paper passes the extension fingers / they
might drop into the groove in the roller E, and from their connection with the
projecting piece k, as described, the pens are instantly raised and the balance of
the paper passes through without being ruled. In order to allow of different
depths of heading the fingers are arranged so that they can be made shorter or
longer, and in this way the blank space can be regulated. On reference to Fig. 15
the construction of my improved receiving box will be understood. In this
Figurer represents a cross-bar supported in suitable brackets on the board t. This
bar is on the front of the board where the paper enters the receiving box formed.
by these bars. The adjustable bars y are supported on the bar r and have their
other end on the rod z, which bar is attached to the bars y, so that it can be
adjusted nearer to the bar or farther away from it, according to the size of the
paper the box is intended to receive. The bars y are also adjustable, so that they
can be closed in or widened apart as circumstances require. Small pins may be
placed along the bars and arranged to fit into holes pierced in the board, or an
adjustable plate y can be placed beneath this rod y, as represented. These bars
are set to receive the particular size of paper being ruled, and as the paper enters
the box it is received by the bars y, and as it gets clear of the delivery roller the
centre of the paper sags down between the bars and drops through on to the board
below. The pins y guide it into position during its descent. Having now
described the general construction and operation of the machine as a whole I shall
now proceed to explain the form of the particular pen I prefer using with it. The
object of this portion of the Invention is to provide a pen for a ruling machine
which will not warp, cannot easily be bent, and can always be depended upon to
mark lines of even thickness and parallel to each other, and it consists essentially
of a metal plate of sufficient thickness to permit longitudinal grooves or lines to
be cut in its face, the said plate being connected at one end to the pen clamp by a
spring plate; the other end of the plate rests on the paper and is beveled to form
a surface which will not soon wear away. The longitudinal grooves or lines, which
are cut in the face of the plate, form channels to conduct the ink applied to the
face of the plate by means of a piece of saturated flannel or other suitable
material. Fig. 16 is a side and edge view of a broad pen, and Fig. 16ª a side and
edge view of a narrow pen; 2 is a metal plate of any desired width, but sufficiently
thick to permit a groove or grooves 3 to be cut in its face, as represented; 4 is a
piece of thin sheet metal soldered or otherwise connected to the plate 2 and forming
a flexible connection between it and the pen clamp U. Instead of connecting a
separate piece of thin sheet metal to this plate 2 the end of this plate might be
hammered out thin to form a spring. While I have found it preferable to make
both the plates 2 and 4 of sheet brass I do not however confine myself to this
particular material, as other material may be found equally serviceable. The end
of the plate 2 is beveled, as shewn in the Drawings, forming a surface to rest on
the paper and support the plate. In addition to bevelling this end of the plate it
will sometimes be found advisable to notch it, as represented in Fig. 16, in order
that while the beveled end supports the plate the ink will not be smeared or spread
on the paper.
It will be noticed that there is a piece of metal left intact between each line, or
where the lines are close together, on their outside, forming a broad support. Where
fine lining is required the importance of having all the lines made from one plate
will be appreciated, as their accuracy is absolute, and cannot be disturbed by
warping or shifting of the pens, as is the case with the pen now commonly used.
It therefore follows that my pen will not require the skill now necessary to operate
the pen in common use. It will also be seen that pens made according to this
design will last for years, and the accuracy of the work can always be depended
upon.

page_text: CLAIMS.
1. In a ruling machine having a guide-board to direct the paper into the machine,
the combination of an adjustable piece E connected to the guide board G by the
adjusting screws I, and having a cover J arranged substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
2. In a ruling machine provided with conveying cords F arranged to carry the
paper over the pen-roller D, the combination of the stop-piece K operated by
automatic mechanism in such a manner that each sheet of paper is stopped before
passing below the pen roller till the proper moment arrives for it to pass below the
roller, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. In a ruling machine provided with conveying cords F arranged to carry the
paper over the pen roller D, the stop-plate K attached to the rod L, having an
arm Lª connected to the vertical rod M' by the chain M and to the main frame of
the machine by the spiral spring P, in combination with the cam O keyed to the
spindle Q, and operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. In a ruling machine a spindle Q supported in bearings in an adjustable frame,
and having keyed to it a nest of graduated sized spur wheels Q1, in combination
with a spindle R supported in suitable bearings, and having keyed to it the spur
wheel R¹ meshing with the spur wheels Q¹, and the friction pulley R³ which rests
on the feeding roller C for the purpose of deriving a rotary movement therefrom,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. In a ruling machine provided with conveying cords for carrying the paper
below the pen clamp, an arm S resting in a groove in the pen roller Ď and attached
to the rod T, which is pivoted on the back of the pen-clamp U, and is provided with
a downwardly projecting arm V, in combination with the rod V¹ and supporting
block V for operating the pen clamp U, substantially as and for the purposе
specified.
:
6. In a ruling machine having a pen clamp provided with a vertical arm con-
nected to the pivoted arm X¹ by a cord or wire, the combination of cam blocks
arranged in the periphery of the cam head X³, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
7. In a ruling machine a cam plate Y connected to the rod Y' carried in bearings
on the back of the cam-plate, and having a projecting arm Y³ connected by the
wire Y' to the pivoted arm X, in combination with cam-blocks arranged in the
periphery of the cam head X2, which cam head is keyed to the spindle Q, as and
for the purpose specified.
8. In a ruling machine the pivoted pen clamp U, having a tail g with an
adjustable weight arranged upon it to counterbalance the weight of the pen-clamp,
in combination with the fingers j resting in grooves in the roller E, and arranged
to tilt the pen-clamp, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
9. In a ruling machine having a pivoted pen clamp U, the extension fingers
resting in grooves in the roller E, and supporting one end of the bell crank m,
which is held down by the spring n, in combination with the projecting piece k
arranged to tilt the clamp U, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
10. In a ruling machine a receiving box composed of a board in combination
with a rectangular adjustable frame made of the bars r, y, z, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
11. As a pen for a ruling machine a sheet metal plate of sufficient thickness to
permit longitudinal grooves or lines to be cut in its face, and having a thin spring
plate soldered or otherwise fastened to one end of it for the purpose of connecting
it to the pen clamp, its other end being beveled to rest on the paper and support
the plate as it delivers the ink on the paper from the grooves supplied with ink
from a piece of saturated flannel or other suitable material, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
•

page_text: 12. As a pen for a ruling machine a sheet metal plate having longitudinal
grooves or lines cut in its face, and being of sufficient width to leave a metal
support on each side of the said lines, the said plate being flexibly connected to
the pen clamp, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jasper Wetter, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty fourth day of February, A.D. 1882.
T WYNED