IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINERY
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Caspar Kritch and Arthur Greenwood,
both of Leeds, in the County of York, Engineers, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINERY."
Sealed the 26th October 1875, and dated the 30th April 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Kasper Kritch
and Arthur Greenwood at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 30th April 1875.
We, WILLIAM CASPAR KRITCH and ARTHUR GREENWOOD, both of
Leeds, in the County of York, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINERY," to be
as follows:
This Invention of improvements in printing machinery relates to
various improvements in the construction of platten printing machines.
whereby positive mechanical motions as far as practicable are imparted
to the various working parts of the machine instead of employing springs

page_text: as heretofore for effecting some of the motions. By this means we are
enabled to construct a more effective and substantial machine than those
heretofore employed.
The first improvement relates to a novel arrangement of ink fountain
or duct whereby a greater quantity of ink may be contained in the
fountain, and by the constant working of the fountain cylinder a more
perfect supply and distribution of ink is obtained. The fountain is so
arranged and constructed that the supply of ink can be instantly regu-
lated or entirely cut off when required, and this is effected by means of
regulating screws for working the sliding journals which carry the
fountain cylinder. The entire ink fountain is mounted upon a slide, and
can be drawn out of gear by releasing the locking screws which retain it
in its position. The principal cylinders for receiving the ink from the
fountain are supplied by means of an intermediate roller, which runs in
contact with the fountain roller, and thus carries the ink forward. This
roller is driven by friction, and to secure the perfect distribution of ink
a distributing roller is mounted in sliding boxes immediately above the
intermediate roller. An endway sliding motion is imparted to this dis-
tributing roller by means of a cam and lever, so that the ink may be
more properly distributed over the surfaces of the other rollers.
The gearing for imparting the endway motion to the distributing
rollers must be so arranged as to be disconnected easily without stopping
or interfering with the working of the other parts of the machine.
The inking rollers are constructed in the usual manner adopted in this
class of platten machine, and are mounted in a carriage or frame, to
which a vertical motion across the chase is imparted by means of a bell-
crank lever provided with a bowle for working in a cam groove on the
face of the main driving wheel of the machine. This carriage or frame
can be disconnected by means of a lever placed in a convenient position
at the front of the machine from the cam groove of the main driving
wheel. This disconnection is effected in the following manner :- -Upon
the end of the bell-crank lever which works in the cam on the main
'driving wheel is mounted a sliding spindle, and on one end of this spindle
is the friction bowle or runner which works in the cam groove. Upon
the other end is mounted a flanged pulley which rides upon a guide
placed at the end of the disconnecting lever. Where the inking frame

page_text: or carriage is at work this guide lies parallel with the main driving
wheel. When the carriage is required to be disconnected this lever is
moved into such a position that the guide on which the flanged pulley
runs is placed at an angle to the main driving wheel, and consequently
draws the sliding spindle and its bowle gradually out of gear with the
These parts are arranged in such a position that the inking
carriage always stops at rest upon the inking cylinders. By this arrange-
ment it will be seen that the inking frame or carriage can be disconnected
at any moment without interference with the rest of the machine, so
that two in succession can be taken from the form without a second
inking of the type.
cam.
The second part of this Invention relates to an improved mode of
mounting and working the platten, and to the arrangement of some of
the parts for adjusting the pressure on the printing surface.
The bridge to which the platten is connected moves in two horizontal
slides at right angles to the type bed of the machine. A backward and
forward motion is imparted to this bridge by means of cranks placed
at either end of the main shaft and connected by means of links.
The bridge is connected by means of a slotted lever to the frame of
the machine, so that as the bridge is forced by the cranks away from the
type bed the platten will fall into a convenient and almost horizontal
As the cranks draw
position for the operator to feed the paper on to it.
the bridge towards the type bed the slotted lever will draw the platten
into a vertical position exactly parallel to the type bed. This position is
assumed at some distance from the type bed, so that during the latter
part of the forward motion the platten advances in a perfectly straight
or parrallel line towards the type. To secure this parrallel motion flat
surfaces at the under side of the bridge come in contact and slide upon
similar flat surfaces on the frame of the machine. Lips are attached to
the frame and embrace projections attached to the bridge, and thus
secure the firm advance towards the type.
Passing through the centre of the bridge is a shaft, each end of which
is made excentric, and upon these excentric ends the connecting rods from
'the cranks are mounted. This shaft has attached to it a spring lever,
which passes through an opening in the bridge, so that if the operator

page_text: should desire to throw the impression surface out of work instantly he
can do so whilst the machine is at work by simply moving the spring
lever on its centre of motion. This will partially rotate the excentric
shaft and draw the platten a certain distance away from the type. When
an impression is to be made this spring lever is forced into a slot in a
bracket fixed on the bridge, and is thus secured in its proper position.
This eccentric shaft is also made use of to adjust and indicate the amount
of pressure. This is effected by means of the adjustment of the slot in
the bracket, into which the spring lever is forced when the shaft is in
the position for taking the impressions.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Kasper Kritch and Arthur Greenwood
in the Great Scal Patent Office on the 30th October 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
CASPAR KRITCH and ARTHUR GREENWOOD, both of Leeds, in the
County of York, Engineers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said William Caspar Kritch and Arthur
Greenwood, Her special license that we, the said William Caspar Kritch
and Arthur Greenwood, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as we, the said William Caspar Kritch and Arthur Green-
wood, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term 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 PRINTING MACHINERY," upon the condition (amongst
others) that we, the said William Caspar Kritch and Arthur Greenwood,
our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly

page_text: describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and 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 Arthur Greenwood, on behalf of
myself and of the said William Caspar Kritch, do hereby declare the
nature of our said Invention, 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 Drawing hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thercon (that is to
say):
This Invention of "Improvements in Printing Machinery" relates to
various improvements in the construction of platten printing machines
whereby positive mechanical motions as far as practicable are imparted
to the various working parts of the machine instead of employing springs
as heretofore for effecting some of the motions. By this means we
are enabled to construct a more effective and substantial machine than
those heretofore employed..
The first improvement relates to a novel arrangement of ink fountain
or duct whereby a greater quantity of ink may be contained in the
fountain, and by the constant working of the fountain cylinder a more
perfect supply and distribution of ink is obtained. The fountain is so
arranged and constructed that the supply of ink can be instantly regu-
lated or entirely cut off when required, and this is effected by means of
regulating screws for working the sliding journals which carry the
fountain cylinder. The entire ink fountain is mounted upon a slide, and
can be drawn out of gear by releasing the locking screws which retain
it in its position. The principal cylinders for receiving the ink from the
fountain are supplied by means of intermediate rollers, which run in
contact with the fountain roller, and thus carry the ink forward. These
rollers are driven by friction, and to secure the perfect distribution of ink
one of the distributing rollers is mounted in sliding boxes immediately
above the intermediate roller. An endway sliding motion is imparted to
this distributing roller by means of a cam and lever, so that the ink
may be more properly distributed over the surfaces of the other
rollers.

page_text: The gearing for imparting the endway motion to the distributing
rollers must be so arranged as to be disconnected easily without stopping
or interfering with the working of the other parts of the machine.
The inking rollers are constructed in the usual manner adopted in this
class of platten machine, and are mounted in a carriage or frame, to
which a vertical motion across the chase is imparted by means of a bell-
crank lever provided with a bowl or pin for working in a cam groove on
the face of the main driving wheel of the machine. This carriage or
frame can be disconnected by means of a lever placed in a convenient
position at the front of the machine from the cam groove of the main ]
driving wheel.
The second part of this Invention relates to an improved mode of
mounting and working the platten and to the arrangement of some of
the parts for adjusting the pressure on the printing surface.
The bridge to which the platten is connected moves in two horizontal ]
A backward and
slides at right angles to the type bed of the machine.
forward motion is imparted to this bridge by means of cranks placed at
either end of the main shaft and connected by means of links.
The bridge is connected by means of a slotted link to the frame of the
machine, so that as the bridge is forced by the cranks away from the 2
type bed the platten will be tipped into a convenient and almost hori-
zontal position for the operator to feed the paper on to it and remove the
printed sheet therefrom. As the cranks draw the bridge towards the
type bed the slotted link will force the platten to assume a vertical
position exactly parallel to the type bed. This position is assumed at a 2
short distance from the type bed, so that during the latter part of the
forward motion the platten will advance in a perfectly straight or parallel
line towards the type. To secure this parallel motion flat surfaces at the
under side of the bridge come in contact with and slide upon similar flat
surfaces on the frame of the 'machine. Lips are attached to the frame 3
and embrace the projecting flat surfaces attached to the bridge, and thus
secure the steady advance of the platten towards the type.
Passing through the centre of the bridge is a shaft, each end of which

page_text: from the cranks are mounted. This shaft has attached to it a spring
lever, which passes through an opening near the middle of the bridge, so
that if the operator should desire to throw the impression surface out of
work instantly he can do so without stopping the machine by simply
noving the spring lever on its centre of motion. This will partially
otate the excentric shaft and draw the platten a certain distance away
from the tune
In the accompanying Drawing we have shown various views of a
printing machine constructed according to our improvements.

page_text: Gis is effecten by simply turning the excentric snart m, and consequently
withdrawing the platten a short distance from the "forme." This lever n
is held in position by a catch p mounted on a segment q attached to the
bridge j. This catch p is adjustable so as to regulate the amount of
pressure or impression required.
The platten is attached to the bridge j by means of four screws 7,
which enable the platten to be adjusted with accuracy parallel with the
"forme."
6
On the lower side of the bridge j is a lug" or bracket s, shown by
dots in Fig. 1, and which is connected by means of a pin s¹ to the link t.
The other end of this link t is attached by a pin to another "lug" or
bracket u fixed to the framework of the machine. The action of this
link t, connected as it is to the bridge by one end and to the framework
by the other, is to tilt the platten on its backward motion and bring it
to an almost horizontal position so as to enable the operator to place the
paper on and to remove the printed sheet from the platten 7 of the
machine. On the forward motion of the bridge and platten this
link throws the platten into a vertical position, which is assumed just
before the platten comes in contact with the "forme," so that the platten
is perfectly vertical before the impression is made. To secure this
perfectly parallel advance suitable projections or faces are provided at v,
Figures 1 and 2, for the bridge to move forward upon when it comes in
contact therewith, a lip on the lower side passing under suitable pro-
jections on the framework of the machine. Grippers w, which act as a
frisket to hold the paper, are mounted on the lower edge of the platten /
in the usual manner. The object of these grippers is to withdraw the
paper from the type after the impression has been made. They receive
the requisite motion from the link and spring a¹.
Upon suitable flat surfaces at the upper part of the back of frame-
work a is mounted the ink fountain 7 (see Fig. 4). This ink fountain is
held in position by two thumbscrews, so that by loosening these thumb-
screws the ink fountain may be readily slidden back out of gear with the
machine. In this ink fountain is a fountain cylinder a¹ mounted in
bearings, and having a constant rotating motion given to it by suitable
gearing driven from the wheel f, as shewn in the side elevation Fig. 1.
The amount of ink taken up by the fountain cylinder is regulated by a

page_text: scraper ¹, Fig. 4, which may be adjusted to bear heavily or lightly upon
it by means of the thumbscrews c¹. This fountain cylinder a¹ runs in
contact with an intermediate roller d', which is driven by friction of
contact from the principal inking cylinder . This cylinder is driven
by gearing from the wheel f, and is supplied with ink by the inter-
mediate roller d¹.
To secure perfect distribution of ink upon the cylinders a distributing
cylinder f is mounted immediately over the roller d', and is driven by
friction of contact with it. This distributing cylinder f¹ receives an
endwise reciprocating motion by means of a lever g', Fig. 1, and motion
is imparted to this lever by means of a grooved cam and runner /¹
driven by gearing from the wheel f. The end of the lever g¹ works
between collars at the end of the distributing cylinder f¹, as shewn at
Fig. 2, and thus imparts to it the reciprocating motion given by the
cam ². The ink now passes from the principal ink cylinder on to the
roller, Fig. 4, and from that to the roller j. Both these rollers are
driven by friction of contact, and carry the ink on to the inking rollers /¹,
which are mounted in sliding bushes in the frame m³, and are kept in
contact with the ink cylinder by means of springs. The sliding
frame m¹ receives a vertical or up-and-down motion over the face of the
39
forme o through the levers n', n', (one on each side of the machine)
and their connections, motion being communicated to these parts by a
scroll cam groove f* cut in the inner face of the wheel f, as shewn at
Fig. 1.
66
On the shaft n* on which the bent levers n³, Fig. 1, arc mounted is
,keyed a lever n², which is connected by a link n³ to a bell-crank lever n*;
which has its centre of motion in a bearing n³ fixed to the framing of
the machine. This bell-crank lever n carries a pin p', which works in
the cam groove f* of the wheelf, which therefore rocks the bell-crank
lever n, and through it and its link n³ actuates the bent lever n¹ and
works the vertical frame m' up and down. The inking rollers k³ are thus
moved by the action of the machine across the face of the "forme "
after cach impression, and will transfer the ink to it from the inking
cylinder e¹. A weight o', which has its centre of motion at o*, is con-
nected by a link of to another lever on the shaft n*, and therefore acts
with the levers n' to counterbalance the frame m¹.

page_text: To enable the operator to stop the up-and-down motion of the inking
rollers ¹ whilst the machine is at work an arrangement is provided to
withdraw the pin p² of the bell-crank lever n from the cam groove of
the wheelf. The pin p¹ is capable of a lateral motion in a suitable
bearing in one end of the bell-crank lever n³, so that it may be drawn
out of the cam groove in the wheel. This pin p' is surrounded by a
coiled spring, the tendency of which is to withdraw the pin from the
cam groove. If this action of the spring on the pin p¹ were not con-
trolled when the machine is at work the inking carriage would remain
standing with the inking rollers at the top of the stroke, i.e., in contact
with the inking cylinder l'.
When the inking rollers k' are required to move across the type and
supply the form with ink a lever q¹ placed conveniently in front of the
machine is forced down. This lever is connected to another lever ¹ by
the links'. The further extremity of the lever 21 is provided with an
inclined edge, which when brought against a runner at the end of the
pin p¹ forces the latter into the cam groove in the wheel f, and so long
as this lever ¹ is allowed to remain in this position the inking rollers k¹
will continue to work across the type after every impression; but when
the lever q¹ is raised the lever 7 will be moved out of the way of the
end of the pin p' which thus becomes free and the pin will be forced by
the spring out of the cam groove. The wheelf will then rotate without
acting on the inking apparatus. The lever 21 is arranged in such a
position that this can only take place when the inking rollers k² are at
the top of the stroke.
Having now described our Invention of "Improvements in Printing
Machinery," and having explained the manner of carrying the same into
effect, we claim as the Invention secured to us by Letters Patent as
aforesaid,-
First. Constructing, arranging, and operating the inking mechanism
as and for the purposes herein set forth. We also claim the arrange-
ment of mechanism herein shown and described, or any merc modification
thereof, for throwing the inking apparatus temporarily out of action,
while the rest of the machine continues in motion.
Second. The mode of constructing, mounting, and operating the
platten or impression surface as and for the purposes herein set forth,

page_text: We claim particularly the arrangement and combination of parts whereby
the impression surface can be accurately adjusted and made to advance
to the face of the type in a perfectly parallel line, and when withdrawn
is thrown down into a horizontal position. We also claim the com-
bination of the lever n and excentric shaft m for the purpose of throwing
the impression surface back from the type, as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Greenwood, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Twenty-ninth day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five.
ARTHUR GREENWOOD. (L.S.)