Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 11th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 13th Dec., 1887
I EDOUARD JOSEPH LAMBERT of 49 Rue Vineuse Paris in the Republic of France
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved perfecting printing machine in which the
impression cylinders do not rise and fall being supported by stationary bearings
adjusted at the proper height above formes placed on coffins which are run in and out
under the said cylinders. Moreover the coffins of this machine are connected with
and drive the cylinders independently of one another whence it results that the coffins
and cylinders move at the same rates of speed thus ensuring a good impression. A gradu-
ated motion is also imparted to the coffins being so regulated as to obviate the jerks
which occur as the coffins run in or out in ordinary perfecting machines in which the
cylinders rise and fall in the usual way.
The Invention also comprises various improvements in the details of printing
machines as hereinafter explained.
A perfecting machine constructed according to this Invention is provided with a
base or bed plate on which are arranged two side frames connected at different places
by transverse pieces. The base plate is cast with two tracks on which travel two sets
of coupled rollers supporting an intermediate frame provided on its upper surface
with tracks on which travel rollers supporting the coffins and inking tables. The said
intermediate frame carries a shaft provided on one side of the bearing with a toothed
wheel travelling on a rack fixed to the base plate and on the other with a crank of the
same radius as the wheel.
The two coffins are provided on their under sides with arms connected by jointed
connecting rods with the aforesaid crank. These connecting rods are jointed in the
middle where they are also connected to a link or radius rod hinged to aris projecting
from the intermediate frame.
Motion is imparted to the several parts of the machine by a horizontal driving shaft
carrying two cams acting through a suitable connecting rod on two forked levers
acting on pins projecting from the ends of the impression cylinders as hereinafter

page_text: described. The driving shaft also carries a crank which operates a forked rod con-
nected to two flanged "rollers or wheels on a shaft carrying a spur wheel of the same
diameter as the wheels and gearing with a rack on the intermediate frame. These
two flanged wheels roll upon two tracks formed on the base plate and the said spur
wheel gears with a rack also fixed to the said bed or base plate.
The two coffins are provided on both sides with racks gearing with spur wheels
attached to and revolving with the two impression cylinders. These racks are situated
in different planes. The racks attached to the coffin for the outer.forme and gearing
with the outer forme cylinder occupy two different planes in the direction of their
length and a similar arrangement is adopted in the case of the spur wheels of the
inner forme cylinder. The object of this arrangement is to enable the inner forme
to return whilst the outer forme cylinder is revolving in the contrary direction to the
motion of the coffin. Moreover as the racks corresponding to the outer forme are
required to pass at certain times underneath the inner forme cylinder without touching
it the circumference of this cylinder is depressed at the parts presented vertically over
these racks. The racks attached to the coffin for the outer forme are both in the
same plane and pass at the sides of the racks of the other coffin which are provided
with teeth throughout their length and the spur wheels on the inner forme cylinder
which gear with these racks have certain of their teeth removed in order to allow the
racks to return when the cylinder is stationary, certain teeth on the racks outer forme
on the coffin are removed at the place where these racks change from one plane to
another for the purpose of enabling the coffin to return whilst the cylinder is in motion
in the contrary direction to the direction of motion of the table. Certain of the
teeth of the two spur wheels on the cylinder are removed in like manner at two
different places.
On the axes of the two cylinders which are arranged at the usual distance apart
there are keyed outside the frame two spur wheels of equal diameter which gear
together during one half revolution of the machine. During the other half revolution
the wheel on the shaft of the outer forme cylinder rotates alone whilst the wheel on
the shaft of the inner forme cylinder is stationary a certain portion of the teeth of
one of the wheels being removed. The two cylinders are of equal diameter and the
displacement of the coffins corresponds with the length of their circumference as in
ordinary machines.
At certain times the formes have to pass under the rotating cylinders without
touching them. For this purpose cylinders are not made true the non printing part
corresponding with this movement of the forme being made of shorter diameter than
the other or printing part.
The two coffins are not placed at the same level. The coffin for the outer forme
is slightly higher than the coffin for the inner forme in order that the printing part
of the outer forme cylinder may not come in contact with the inner forme. The two
coffins being in motion when the inner forme cylinder is stationary being held by the
forked lever engaging with the stop this cylinder is provided at its under side with
a depressed or grooved flat surface to admit of the passage of this forme.
The inner forme cylinder working in the same way as the cylinder in an ordinary
machine printing one side only has only one stop pin or tooth on its end but the outer
forme cylinder has two such pins or teeth.
The cylinders are provided with grippers acting in the same manner as in ordinary
perfecting machines with this difference that the support of the grippers on the outer
forme cylinder can at a certain time turn upon axes or bearings as hereinafter
explained in order to deliver the printed sheet from the machine. The grippers of
the cylinders are operated by cams or shapes acting as hereinafter described.
A suitable number of tapes passes under the inner forme cylinder and over a series
of pulleys having their centres of rotation in the side frames of the machine. Another
series of tapes passes under the cylinder and over a corresponding arrangement of
pulleys. Tape rollers are also attached to the underside of the laying on boards or
tables. These rollers or pulleys being attached to the laying on table the upper part
of the impression cylinders can be completely exposed by simply lifting or turning

page_text: back the table which is a great convenience in making ready. A rod or bar supports
a series of small levers which in turn support small pulleys over which the tapes are
carried in order to enable the moveable support of the grippers of the outer forme
cylinder to pass when raised for taking off the printed sheet. Notches or recessos
are made in the moveable support at the parts opposite to these levers in order to
enable them to pass.
Two series of tapes (an upper and a lower) travel over the tape pulleys being
arranged in such a manner that they form a V for the reception of the sheets. The
paper is prevented by suitable curved guides from falling on to the laying on table
for the set off when the outer forme cylinder is in motion. Underneath the laying
on table there is a registering device for the perfecting operating in the usual way.
The paper table and the laying on table which can be raised by turning it on the axis
are supported by the side frames. In order to put the formes in position it suffices
to remove the receiving or taking off table and to turn up the table for the set off
sheets whereby the tables and coffin are completely exposed. The laying on board
or table for the set off sheets is arranged below the outer forme cylinder. This table
is hinged and acts in the usual manner.
The action is as follows:-
I will describe the successive stages of the working for one revolution of the
driving shaft the same movements being repeated at each revolution of the said
shaft.
The cylinders receive their motion from the coffins whose motion is governed by the
geometric principle that a point on a circle rolling on a straight line describes a
cycloid. The speed or motion of a point on a circle rolling on a straight line is
absolutely nul at the moments when this point touches the straight line on which the
circle rolls but at all other periods the relative speeds of the point are junctions of
the rate of motion of the rolling circle. Hence it is evident that if the circle be
caused to roll upon the straight line when the point is connected to any object this
object will be stationary or cease to move every time that the circle completes a
revolution in rolling over the straight line. Starting from the position wherein the
point is diametrically opposite to the point of contact between the circle and the line
this point will describe two semicycloids with a point marking momentary cessation
of motion in the middle of its travel. Now suppose that the centre of the rolling
circle is connected by a connecting rod with a crank turning upon a fixed centre and
of a length equal to the length of half the circumference of the rolling circle. When
the crank is in either of the two extreme positions or dead points the motion of the
circle and consequently that of the point will be momentarily arrested. It has already
been explained that the motion of the point is suspended at another point and conse-
quently the relative motion of this point will be arrested at five different positions in
the course of one complete revolution of the crank that is to say at the starting
position, at the central position, at the position where the direction of motion changes,
again at the middle position and then at the return to the starting point.
It is evident that similar effects may be produced by epicycloids and hypocycloids.
This principle is applied in the improved machine as next hereinafter explained.
The crank on the driving shaft causes the spur wheel to roll or travel along the rack
fixed to the base plate. This wheel also gears with the rack on the intermediate
travelling frame, so that motion is imparted to the frame and to the spur wheel which
it carries as herein before explained and to the centres of oscillation of the radius
links connected to the rods operating the coffins and which are attached to the said
frame. The spur
wheel on the frame being in gear with the rack fixed to the base
plate is caused to rotate and imparts motion to the crank which is fixed on the same
shaft. This crank which is connected to the two coffins by jointed connecting rods
causes the said coffins to move relatively to one another shifting them further apart
whilst the pivots or points of connection of the two parts of the jointed connecting
rods owing to the action of the radius bars describe arcs having the points at which
the said radius bars are attached to the frame as centres. The coffins in addition to
their movement in opposite directions relatively to one another also move relatively to

page_text: the intermediate frame by rolling upon the rollers travelling upon this frame. The
object of the separation of the two coffins is to enable the outer forme to pass com-
pletely under the non printing part of the inner forme cylinder. When the forme
has passed, the printing part of the outer forme cylinder comes opposite the gap
between the two formes afterwards passing over the inner forme without touching it
this forme being at a lower level than the other.
When the crank operating the coffins is in its highest position the motion of the
two coffins momentarily ceases. As the crank continues its motion the coffins resume
their motion drawing nearer io one another and stopping when close together. In
moving from the lowest position to the highest position of the crank the two coffins
return moving in the opposite direction to the last described motion so as to separate
and stop when at the extreme distance apart. Subsequently in moving from this
position to the lowest position of the crank the coffins travel in the opposite
direction approaching one another and finally stopping when close together as
before.
I will next describe the action of the racks and of the spur wheels on the cylinders.
When the two pins on the ends of the cylinders are engaged with the corresponding
levers they maintain the cylinders stationary. In passing from the lowest position
of the crank operating the coffins to the highest position the two levers of the stop
pins are caused to act upon the spur wheels on the cylinders. The lever corresponding
with the inner forme cylinder acts so as to put the rack of the inner forme in gear with
the spur wheel on the inner forme cylinder.
The lever corresponding with the outer forme cylinder puts the wheel on this
cylinder in gear with the wheel on the inner forme cylinder.
The inner forme then actuates the inner forme cylinder which in turn actuates the
outer forme cylinder.
The outer forme cylinder now rotates in an opposite direction to the outer forme
but as already explained this cylinder is made of shorter radius at the non printing
part (which is presented to the forme at this moment) so that it cannot touch the
forme. The teeth of the wheels on this cylinder are not in contact with the racks on
the corresponding coffin at the moment. A portion of the teeth of these wheels and
racks are in one plane and another portion of the teeth are in another plane separated
from the first by a little more than the thickness of a tooth. A few teeth are cut away
at the place where they change from one plane to another in order to facilitate the
motion at this part.
As the two coffins approach one another the inner forme cylinder operated by the
racks on the inner forme rotates as well as the outer forme cylinder and now a
different set of teeth on the wheel of this cylinder come opposite the teeth on the rack
of the outer forme. The printing part of the cylinder passes during this stage over
the inner forme and the corresponding part of the outer forme cylinder at the same
time passes first over the gap between the two formes and then over the inner forme
but without touching it the outer forme being at a higher level than the inner
forme.
Just before the formes come together again the two forked levers of the stop pins
come into action and hold the cylinders at the moment when the tables stop as in
ordinary machines printing one side only. On the other hand the cylinders are
operated at the proper moments by the corresponding forked levers in such a manner
as to cause the spur wheels on the end of the cylinder to engage with the corre-
sponding racks. Portions of the teeth being cut away at certain parts in
order to render the said wheels and racks inoperative at certain stages of the
operation.
The movements of the grippers are governed by cams or shapes in the usual
manner. In the position indicated the cams or shapes of the inner forme cylinder hold
the grippers of this cylinder open during half a revolution of the machine as in single
cylinder machines. This cam is provided with a tail which at a certain movement
comes in contact with the coffin which closes the grippers after which the cylinder
resumes its motion carrying the white sheet with it.

page_text: At the proper moment the shape causes the grippers to open and release the sheet
which passes on to the outer forme cylinder. The cam then closes the grippers to
enable them to pass the laying on table. Lastly it opens them again and keeps them
open during the entire time that the cylinder is stationary.
The shape of the outer forme cylinder works the grippers of this cylinder first
closing them and afterward opening them and holding them open for an instant.
This cam has a tail which is acted on by the coffin as in single cylinder machines so
as to cause the cam to close the grippers suddenly in order to seize the set off sheet
presented at the edge of the laying on table for the set off sheets which is raised in
the usual way. The grippers then open leaving the set off sheet in the tapes of the
cylinders and are ready to take the sheet which has been printed on one side on the
inner forme cylinder after which the cams cease to act upon the grippers which remain
closed holding the set off sheet and the printed sheet until the time when the shape
(which was previously drawn back) returns and opens the grippers gradually from
the point where the tape leaves the cylinder at a tangent. The grippers retain the
sheets on the cylinder by pressing them against the support of the grippers which is
recessed and connected at two extremities to the cylinder by cheeks. A lever is
connected to the support and carries a roller. This roller is not in the same plane as
the gripper roller so that it never comes in contact with the roll on the gripper shape.
On this gripper cam or shape in a plane corresponding with the roller there is fixed
another cam or shape. When the head of the sheet arrives at the tangent point on
the cylinder the tapes pass over pulleys, over the cylinder, and over a drum or roller
the cam then acts upon the lever and causes a part of the support of the grippers to
press upon the tapes in question whilst the grippers open and release the sheets
which are thus held between the gripper support and the tapes. The sheet is thereby
caused to engage in the V formed between the tapes. The shape or cam then allows
the support of the grippers to return to the ordinary position. This support of the
grippers is moved back to this position by a spring.
I have described one method of producing the necessary movement of the coffins
but it is evident that other arrangements capable of producing the same results may
be employed in carrying out the invention in practice.
In a machine arranged as herein before described the coffins are stopped at the
moment when they are separated or moved away from one another in order to allow
the outer forme cylinder to take the set off sheet when stopped thus obtaining a
better laying on or registering than if the sheet were laid on when the parts were in
motion. This arrangement is adopted in order that by a readily effected alteration of
the tapes and gripper shapes the same machine may be arranged to act like two distinct
single cylinder machines working together one having the laying on board above the
cylinder and working with the inner forme cylinder the other with the laying on
board below the cylinder and working with the outer forme cylinder.
The machine may be simplified by so arranging it that the two coffins when run
out do not stop or dwell at this moment. In this case the outer forme cylinder takes
the set off sheet whilst revolving. This arrangement does not prevent the other
cylinder from stopping whilst the machine makes half a revolution. If the machine
be worked under these conditions as two single cylinder machines the outer forme
cylinder takes the sheet when in motion in place of taking it when stationary but the
other cylinder is stationary when the sheet is being laid on or stroked in.
The printed sheet and set off sheet may be delivered from the cylinder by
employing tapes carried round the cylinder which lift the sheets so as to cause them to
engage in the V formed with the other tapes herein before described in place of
employing the support of the grippers for this purpose the said support being
accordingly made stationary. The tapes lifting the sheet are lifted by a bar
arranged inside the throat of the grippers before the pressing action comes into
operation.
This improved perfecting machine presents the following advantages.
The cylinders are not compelled to rise on the return of the formes and as the
bearings of the cylinders in the improved machine are fixtures the impression is much

page_text: more regular and uniform than in an ordinary perfecting machine. The coffins
and the cylinders always travel at the same speed the latter being driven by the
former.
The coffins run in and out with a graduated speed so as to obviate the shocks and
jerks usually produced. The axes of the cam being stationary the control of the
grippers is facilitated and the dwell of the cylinder enables the sheets to be accurately
registered. One side of the machine is completely free and there are no tapes running
under the formes.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agents for the said Edouard Joseph Lambert.

page_text: Improvements in Printing Machines.
I EDOUARD JOSEPH LAMBERT of 49 rue Vineuse Paris in the Republic of France
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This Invention relates to an improved perfecting printing machine in which the
impression cylinders do not rise and fall being supported by stationary bearings
adjusted at the proper height above formes placed on coffins which are run in and out
under the said cylinders. Moreover the coffins of this machine are connected with
and drive the cylinders independently of one another whence it results that the
coffins and cylinders invariably move at the same rates of speed thus ensuring a good
impression. A graduated or variable motion is also imparted to the coffins being so
regulated as to obviate the jerks which occur as the coffins run in or out in ordinary
perfecting machines in which the cylinders rise and fall in the usual way.
The Invention also comprises various improvements in the arrangement and
construction of printing machinery as hereinafter explained.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the several
figures on the annexed sheets of Drawings the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a longitudinal section of a two
cylinder perfecting machine constructed according to this Invention.
Figure 2 represents a transverse section taken along the line 1-2 (Fig. 1) viewed
from the left hand end of the machine in figures 1 and fig. 3 represents a section
taken along the same line but viewed from the opposite end of the machine. Figure 4
represents the machine in plan the laying on boards inking rollers and tables being
omitted in order to show the mechanism underneath.
This machine is provided with a base or bed plate A on which are arranged two
side frames B connected at different places by transverse bars e as indicated in
figure 4. The base plate A is made with two tracks or railways on which travel two
sets of coupled antifriction rollers E (figures 2, 3, and 4) working between the base
plate and a frame H. G. This frame is made in two pieces G connected together by
transverse pieces H (figures 2 and 3) cast in one with the sides G carries a plummer
block or bearing K and two arms L and M figures 1 and 4 which move with the
frame. The bearing K carries a shaft provided on one side of the bearing with a
toothed wheel N figures 1, 2, 4 gearing with a stationary rack D fixed to the base
plate and on the other with a crank P of the same radius as the wheel N and keyed
on the same shaft so as to move therewith. On the frame H G travel four sets of
coupled antifriction rollers F (figures 2 and 3) supporting two distinct or independent
travelling tables or coffins Q and R fig. 1 carrying the formes and the corresponding
inking tables. The two travelling tables or coffins Q and R are provided on their

page_text: under sides with arms Q2 R2_connected by jointed connecting rods S T with the
aforesaid crank P figure 1. These connecting rods are jointed in the middle at S'
where they are also connected to a link or radius rod U hinged to the arms L M
projecting from the intermediate frame G. The frames B carry the bearings of the
two impression cylinders O O¹.
Motion is imparted to the several parts of the machine by a horizontal driving
shaft V figure 4 working in bearings on the base plate. This shaft is driven by
pulleys A and toothed gearing C, B, and carries the following parts namely
-
1. Two cams X and Y acting through suitable connecting rods D2 E2 on two
forked levers D', E' (fig. 1) acting on pins projecting from the ends of the impression
cylinders as hereinafter described and pivotted to the fixed side frames B at F¹ G¹.
2. A crank Z figures 1 and 4 which operates a forked rod H' connected to the
axle of two large Hanged rollers or wheels K'. This axle carries a spur wheel L'
figure 4 which is of the same diameter as the wheels K' and gears with a rack N¹
fig. 1 on the underside of the frame G. H.
These two flanged wheels K' roll upon two tracks formed on the base plate A. and
the said spur wheels also gears with a rack N2 fixed to the said bed or base plate.
By the side of one of the tracks or railways formed on the base plate A for the
reception of the antifriction rollers E there is a rack D figure 2 gearing with the
spur wheel N and the frame G H is provided at one extremity with the rack N'
hereinbefore referred to forming part of the said frame and gearing with the spur
wheel L. The two coffins Q and R are provided on both sides with racks gearing
with spur wheels 02 attached to and revolving with the two impression cylinders 00.
These racks shown in section in figure 2 are situated in different planes. The racks M'
attached to the coffin for the outer forme Q and gearing with the outer forme
cylinder O occupy two different vertical planes in the direction of their length and
a similar arrangement is adopted in the case of the spur wheels of the inner forme
cylinder O. The object of this arrangement is to enable the inner forme R to return
whilst the outer forme cylinder O is revolving in the contrary direction to the motion
of the coffin. Moreover as racks M' corresponding to the outer forme are required to
pass at certain times underneath the inner forme cylinder O without touching it the
diameter of this cylinder is diminished at the parts presented vertically over these
racks. The racks P' attached to the coffin for the outer forme It are both in the
same plane and pass at the sides of the racks of the coffin for the inner forme Q.- The
racks of the table Q are provided with teeth throughout their length and the spur
wheels on the inner forme cylinder O¹ which gear with these racks have certain of
their teeth cut away (figures 11 to 14) in order to allow the racks to return when the
cylinder O is stationary. Certain teeth on the racks M' on the outer forme coffin Q'
are removed at the place where three racks change from one plane to another for the
purpose of enabling the coffin R to return whilst the cylinder O is in motion in
the contrary direction to the direction of motion of the coffin. Certain of the teeth
of the two spur wheels on the cylinder O are removed in like manner at two different
places.
On the axes of the two cylinders 00' which are arranged at the same distance
apart as in ordinary perfecting machines with rising and falling cylinders there
are keyed outside the frame two spur wheels figure 4 of equal diameter which
gear together during one half revolution of the machine. During the other half
revolution the wheel z turns alone whilst the wheel is stationary a certain portion
of the teeth of this wheel ¹ being removed in order to enable the said wheel z to
turn freely (figure 9). The two cylinders are of equal diameter and the displacement
of the coffins corresponds with the length of their circumference as in ordinary
machines. The two feed openings are symmetrically or similarly arranged as shewn
in the drawing. At certain times the formes have to pass under the rotating
cylinders without touching them. For this purpose the non printing part of the
cylinders corresponding with this movement of the formes is made of shorter diameter
than the other or printing part. The two coffins QR are not placed at the same
level the coffin Q for the outer forme being slightly higher than the coffin R for

page_text: the inner forme in order that the printing part of the outer forme cylinder O may not
come in contact with the inner forme on the coffin R. The two coffins being in
motion when the cylinder O¹ is stationary being held by the forked lever E engaging
with the stop this cylinder is provided at its under side with a flat surface to admit
of the passage of this forme.
The cylinder O working in the same way as the cylinder in an ordinary machine
printing one side only has only one stop pin or tooth but the cylinder Ŏ has two
stops or pins marked Q and Q figure 1. The pin Q is similarly situated to the
one on the cylinder O₁ and the pin Q is placed on another diameter as indicated in
the drawing.
The cylinders are provided with grippers and their supports acting in the
same manner as in ordinary perfecting machines (figure 15). The action
of the grippers on the outer forme cylinder 0 and their support is likewise
analogous to that of an ordinary perfecting machine with this difference that the
support of the grippers can at a certain time turn upon axes A figure 15 at the
extremities of the cylinder O. This moveable support of the grippers is employed as
hereinafter explained in order to deliver the printed sheet out of the machine. The
grippers of the cylinders O and 0¹ are operated in the ordinary way by cams acting
as hereinafter described.
A series of tapes passes under the cylinder O and over pulleys deff having their
centres of rotation in the side frames of the machine. Another series of tapes passes
under the cylinder 0 and over pulleys on bars abc. These pulleys or bars a b c
likewise have their centre of rotation in the side frames of the machine. These two
sets of tapes serve to support the sheets as they pass around the cylinders. Tape rollers
g hm and pulleys nfigures 1 and 15 are also attached to the underside of the
laying on boards or tables. These rollers or pulleys being attached to the laying on
table the upper part of the impression cylinders can be completely exposed by simply
lifting or turning back the table which is a great convenience in making ready. A
rod or bar p figure 15 supports a series of small levers which in turn support small
pulleys over which the tapes are carried. The small levers are required to enable
the moveable support of the grippers of the cylinder 0 to pass when it is raised for
taking off the printed sheet. Notches or recesses are made in the moveable support
at the parts opposite to these levers in order to enable them to pass.
Two series of tapes travel over these rollers or tape pulleys and bars. The upper
tapes pass under m, around g under n, around 7, and over the cylinder O. The lower
tapes pass around h under m around and under k. The levers supporting the pulleys
are arranged in such a manner that they hold the lower tapes in a position whereby
they form a V with the upper tapes slightly in advance of the roller m. The rollers
of these two series of tapes are driven by the cylinder O. On the same side as the
laying on table for the set off sheets there are arranged guides corresponding with
the curve of the cylinder and serving to prevent the paper from falling on to
the table when the cylinder O is turning. Underneath the laying on table there is
a registering device or gauge for the perfecting operating in the usual way.
The side frames support the following parts namely
1. The table for the white paper and the table for laying on the sheets turning
on the axis t figure 1.
2. The receiving table.
3. The tables for the set off sheets and for laying on the set off sheets.
4. The two ink troughs arranged in the usual manner.
5. The combs or supports of the distributing rollers and inking rollers.
In order to put the formes in position it suffices to remove the receiving or taking
off board or table and to turn up the board or table for the set off sheets on the axes
and y figure 1 whereby the forme and coffin are completely exposed. The laying on
board or table for the set off sheets is arranged below cylinder O. This table is hinged
at y and acts in the usual manner. All the other parts not described such as register-
ing guides or stops for the sheets inking gear and the like are of any ordinary or
suitable construction.

page_text: The action of the machine will be understood from the following explanations.
Let B represent a point on a circle rolling on a straight line the relative speed or
motion of B is always absolutely nul at the moments when this point touches the
straight line on which the circle rolls but at all other periods the relative speeds of the
point B are functions of the rate of motion of the rolling circle or in other words of
the circumferential speed of the circle. Hence it is evident that if the circle be caused
to roll upon the straight line when the point B is connected to any object this object
will be stationary or cease to move every time that the circle completes a revolution
in rolling over the straight line. Starting from the position wherein the point B is
diametrically opposite to the point of contact between the circle and the line this point
will describe two semi cycloids with a point marking momentary cessation of motion
in the middle of its travel.
Now suppose that the centre of the rolling circle is moved by a connecting rod
attached to a crank turning upon a fixed centre and of a length equal to the length of
half the circumference of the rolling circle. When the crank is in either of the two
extreme positions or dead points the motion of the circle and consequently that of
the point B will be momentarily arrested. It has already been explained that the
motion of the point B is suspended at another point and consequently the relative
motion of this point will be arrested at five different positions in the course of one
complete revolution of the crank that is to say at the starting position at the central
position, at the position where the direction of motion changes, again at the middle
position and then at the return to the starting point.
Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings is a diagram illustrating the application of
this principle to the improved printing machine showing the parts in the position
which they occupy at the moment when the white sheet is about to be drawn in. The
crank Z on the driving shaft V turning in the position indicated by the arrow figure 5
and proceeding towards the position indicated in figure 6 being connected to the axle
of the spur wheel L' causes the latter to roll or travel along the rack N2 fixed to the
base plate. This wheel L' also gears with the rack N' attached to the underside of
the travelling frame G so that motion is imparted to this frame and to the spur wheel N
and to the centres of oscillation L and M of the radius links U connected to the
jointed rods T S and which are attached to the said frame. The spur wheel N gearing
with the stationary rack D fixed to the base plate as herein before described turns in the
direction indicated by the arrow in figure 6 and carries with it in this rotary motion
the stud or pin B1 of the crank P which is fixed on the same shaft as the wheel N.
The crank pin B' which is connected to the two coffins by the connecting rods ST
then causes the said coffins to move relatively to one another shifting them further
apart whilst the pivot or point of connection of the two parts S and T of the jointed
connecting rods turn owing to the action of the radius bars U about the points Land M.
The coffins QR in addition to their movement in opposite directions relatively to one
another also move relatively to the intermediate frame G by rolling upon the anti-
friction rollers F travelling upon this frame.
The object of the separation of the two coffins is to enable the outer forme on to
pass completely under the non printing part of the cylinder O¹ before the acting or
printing part falls upon this forme (figure 6). When the forme has passed, the
printing part of the outer forme cylinder O comes opposite the gap between the two
formes on the tables or coffins Q and R, then from the position shown in figure 6 to
that in figure 7, it is opposite the coffin R and its forme which it does not touch this
coffin or table being at a lower level than the coffin Q.
In figure 6 the pin B¹ of the crank P has arrived at its highest position being on a
level with the pitch line of the rack D. At this moment for reasons already explained
the motion of the pin B¹ momentarily ceases and consequently that of the two coffins
or tables ceases also. As the crank continues its motion passing from the position in
figure 6 to the position in figure 7 the Coffins Q R resume their motion moving in the
direction indicated by the arrows placed above the type in figure 6 drawing nearer
together and stopping when close together as indicated in figure 7. In moving from
the position in figure 7 to the position in figure 8 the two coffins return moving in the

page_text: opposite direction to the last described motion so as to separate and stop in the
position indicated in figure 8. Subsequently in moving from this position to that
indicated in figure 5 the tables travel in the opposite direction approaching one
another and finally stopping side by side in the position indicated in figure 5.
I will next describe the action of the racks at the sides of the tables and of the spur
wheels on the cylinders. When the cylinders and tables or formes are in the
position indicated in figure 5 the two pins on the ends of the cylinders are engaged
with the corresponding levers and maintain the cylinders stationary. In passing
from the position in figure 5 to the position in figure 6 the two levers of the stop pins
act upon the spur wheels on the cylinders as follows:-
1. The lever corresponding with the cylinder 0 acts so as to put the rack of the
table R in gear with the spur wheel on the cylinder 0¹.
2. The lever corresponding with the cylinder O puts the wheel in gear with the
wheel figures 1, 2, 3 and 9 (these two wheels being out gear in the position
figure 5.)
"
The table R (inner forme) then actuates the inner forme cylinder 0¹ which in turn
actuates the outer forme cylinder 0 (figure 10 and figure 12). In figure 5 the tables
and spur wheels of the cylinders occupy the same position as that indicated in
figures 9 and 11. The two tables travelling in the same direction as the table Rit
will be readily understood that the cylinder O rotates in an opposite direction to the
table Q. As already explained this cylinder is made of shorter radius at the non
printing part (which is presented to the forme at this moment) so that it cannot
touch the forme on this table. The teeth of the wheels on the cylinder O are not in
contact with the racks on the table Q'. The shaded teeth in figure 11 and figure 12
of these wheels and racks are in one plane and the teeth drawn in outline only are in
another plane separated from the first by a little more than the thickness of a tooth.
Between the position figure 11 and the position figure 12 the wheel teeth shown in
outline only are opposite the shaded teeth on the rack a few teeth are cut away at the
place where they change from one plane to another in the rack and wheel in order to
facilitate the motion at this part. In the position figure 6 the coffin R is stationary
and the two cylinders O and O' figure 10 to 12 are consequently stationary also.
Between the positions figure 6 and figure 7 the two coffins resume their motion in
the same direction as before, the cylinder O¹ being operated by the racks on the
coffin R also resumes its motion as well as the cylinder 0 and now the shaded teeth
on the wheel of the cylinder O come opposite the teeth in outline only on the rack of
the coffin Q. The printing part of the cylinder O passes during this stage over the
forme on the coffin R and the corresponding part of the cylinder O at the same time
passes first over the gap between the two coffins and then over the forme in the
coffin R but without touching it the forme in the coffin Q being at a higher
level than the one in the coffin R so that the cylinder 0 is higher than the
cylinder O'
Just before the parts assume the position indicated in figure 7 the two forked
levers D' E of the stop pins on the cylinders 0 0¹ come into action and hold the
cylinders at the moment when the tables stop as in ordinary machines printing one
side only. The racks and the spur wheels of the cylinders then occupy the position
indicated in figure 13 and the wheels on the cylinder shafts occupy the position shown
in figure 6.
Starting from the position figure 6 and proceeding towards the position figure 8
the two tables Q and R are put in motion. The cylinder Qremains stationary being
held by the forked lever E'. The table R is then able to return under this cylinder
in the same way as in machines printing one side only. On the other hand the
cylinder O is acted on by the corresponding crutch lever D¹ in such a manner as to
cause the spur wheel on the end of the cylinder to engage with the rack of the
table Q the teeth of which drawn in outline only in the drawing are now brought
opposite to the corresponding teeth (not shaded) on the wheel figure 13. The wheel z
on the shaft of this cylinder O does not now gear with the corresponding wheel or
the cylinder O' which whilst maintaining the wheel in one position allows the

page_text: wheel to turn by reason of part of the teeth of the wheel being cut away
(figure 10). The cylinder O is consequently moved by the table Q until it nearly
assumes the position indicated in figure 14. It will be seen that in this position
(figure 14) the part of the rack where the teeth are cut away faces that part of the
spur wheel where the teeth of the said wheel are also cut away so that the cylinder O
is not driven at this moment but the forked or cruich lever D' engaging with the
pin Q on the end of this cylinder after turning the cylinder until the spur wheel
engages with the rack acts upon the pin causing the cylinder to move with the
table and stop for a moment, figures 8 and 14.
Lastly going from the position figure 8 to the position figure 5 the cylinder O¹ is
held by its pin and the table R returns underneath. The fables which had stopped
resume their motion and the lever E¹ gives the cylinder O₁ an impulse so as to put it
in gear with the rack. In the mean time the lever D¹ returns after its preceding action
so as to engage with the pin Q and stop the cylinder O when the two tables stop.
The same operations are then repeated.
The positions of the cams or shapes and of the levers D'E¹ as well as of the
cylinders 00' are shown as follows:-
1. In the position figure 5 by figure 5.
2. Between the positions figure 5 and figure 6 by figure 19.
3. In the position figure 6 by figure 6.
4. Between the positions figure 6 and figure 7 by figure 20.
5. In the position figure 7 by figure 7.
6. Between the positions figure 7 and figure 8 by figure 21,
7. In the position figure 8 by figure 8.
S. Between the positions figure 8 and figure 5 by figure 22.
Having thus described the movements of the cylinders I will now explain the action
of the grippers with reference to figures 15 to 18. These grippers are governed or
worked by cams or shapes in the usual manner.
In the position indicated in figure 15 the cam or shape of the inner forme
cylinder O holds the grippers of this cylinder open during half revolution of the
machine as in single cylinder machines. This cam or shape is provided with a tail 183
which at a certain moment comes in contact with the coffin and closes the grippers
after which the cylinder resumes its motion carrying the white sheet with it. (The
position of the parts in figure 15 correspond with the positions of figure 5.)
From figure 15 to figure 16 and in the position figure 6 the grippers of cylinder 0¹
are maintained closed.
From the position in figure 16 to the position in figure 17 in passing before the line
of the centres of the cylinders O and O the cam or shape of cylinder O causes the
grippers to open and release the sheet to pass it on to the cylinder O. This cam then
closes the grippers to enable them to pass the laying on table. Lastly it opens them
again in the position in figure 17 maintaining them open during the entire time that
the cylinder is stationary.
In the position figure 15 the cam of cylinder 0 acts upon the grippers of this
cylinder first closing them and afterwards opening them and holding them open for
an instant in the position figure 16. This can has a tail B2 which is acted on
by the coffin as in single cylinder machines so as to cause the cam to close
the grippers suddenly in order to seize the set off sheet presented at the edge of the
laying on table for the set off sheets which is raised in the usual way. From the
position figure 16 to the position figure 17 the grippers open leaving the set off
sheet in the tapes of the cylinder and close on the line of the centres of the
cylinders and O' and are ready to take the printed sheet from the cylinder 0¹
after which the cams cease to act upon the grippers.
From figure 17 to figure 18 the grippers remain closed holding the set off sheet
and the printed sheet. Lastly from figure 18 to figure 15 the grippers remain
closed until the time when the shape or (which was previously drawn back) returns
and opens the grippers gradually from the point where the tape leaves the cylinder at
a tangent to the position in figure 15.

page_text: The delivery of the printed sheet and set off sheet is effected as follows :—
In changing from the position indicated in figure 18 to that represented in figure 15
the grippers on the cylinder being closed at the commencement as hereinbefore
explained are caused to retain the sheets on the cylinder by pressing them against
the support of the grippers which is recessed and connected at its two extremities to
the cylinder O by two cheeks attached at X. A lever Rx is fixed on the axis X
and carries a roller at R. This roller R is not in the same plane as the gripper
roller so that it never comes in contact with the gripper shape but is operated by a
special cam or shape attached to the side of the gripper shape in a plane corresponding
with the roller R. When the head of the sheet arrives at the tangent point on the
cylinder the tapes pass over pulleys over the cylinder O and over a drum or
roller m the special cam acts upon the roller and causes the part a figure 15 of
the support of the grippers to press upon the tapes in question whilst the grippers
open and release the sheets which are thus held between the gripper support and the
tapes. The sheets are thereby caused to engage in the V formed between the
preceeding tapes and the tapes passing over the drum m the pulleys and the bar k.
Figure 15 shows the position of the support of the grippers when the sheet is engaged
in the V of the tapes. From figure 15 to figure 16 the shape or cam allows the
support of the grippers to return to the ordinary or normal position. This support
of the grippers is moved back to this position by a helical spring S figure 15 attached
to the cylinder at and to the gripper support at y. The stops of the gripper support
which retain it in the position it requires to occupy for the laying on are indicated by
the dotted lines at =.
Figures 5 to 8 illustrate three different stages of the progress of the sheet and
set off.
In figure 5 the white sheet indicated by a thick line 1 is laid on the laying on
board and the laying on of the set off sheet is finished. From the position figure 5
to the position figure 6 the sheet to be printed on indicated at 1 is drawn on by the
cylinder O until it reaches the position shown in figure 6 where the cylinders being
stopped the cylinder O takes the set off sheet 2 which has been laid on. From the
position figure 6 to the position figure 7 the sheet 1 passes over the forme on the
coffin R and receives the impression whilst the set off sheet 2 passes under
the cylinder O without touching the forme. The heads of the printed sheet and of
the set off sheet come opposite to one another on a line with the centres of the
cylinders 00. The grippers of the cylinder O take the sheet 1 from the cylinder O¹
and the grippers of the latter open to transfer the sheet to the cylinder O. The two
sheets 1 and 2 thus arrive together one over the other on the cylinder in the
position figure 7 and are held by the grippers on this cylinder. From the position
indicated in figure 7 to the position indicated in figure 8 the two sheets are retained
on the cylinder O. From the position figure 8 to the position figure 5 the sheet to
be printed on which lies upon the set off sheet on the cylinder O passes over the
forme on the coffin Q and receives the impression. The two sheets then arrive at
the position indicated in figure 5 where they are caused by the support of the grippers
to engage in the V of the tapes. Finally, as a fresh sheet i entering the machine
the cylinder O which by its rotation operates the tapes which receive the printed
sheet and set off causes these sheets to be delivered together on to the taking off
board the printed sheet being delivered on the top of the set off.
I have described one method of producing the necessary movement of the coffins
but it is evident that other arrangements capable of producing the same results may
be employed in carrying out the invention in practice.
In a machine arranged as hereinbefore described the coffins are stopped in the
position figure 6 and figure 8 at the moment when they separated or moved away
from one another in order to allow the cylinder O to take the set of sheet when
stopped thus obtaining a better laying on or registering than if the sheet were laid on
when the parts were in motion. This arrangement is adopted in order that by a
readily effected alteration of the tapes and gripper shapes the same machine may be
arranged to act in a similar manner to two distinct single cylinder machines working

page_text: together one having the laying on board above the cylinder and working with the
cylinder 0 and coffin R; the other with the laying on board below the cylinder and
working with the cylinder O and coffin Q.
The machine may be simplified by so arranging it that the two coffins QR when
separated (figures 6 and 8) do not stop or dwell at this moment. In this case the
cylinder Otakes the set off sheet whilst revolving. This arrangement does not
prevent the cylinder 0 from stopping whilst the machine makes half a revolution.
If the machine be worked under these conditions as two single cylinder machines the
cylinder O takes the sheet when in motion in place of taking it when stationary but
the cylinder Ois stationary when the sheet is laid on or stroked in.
The printed sheet and set off sheet may be delivered from the cylinder Oby
employing a system of tapes carried round the cylinder O which lift the sheets so as
to cause them to engage in the V formed with the other tapes herein before described
in place of employing the support of the grippers for this purpose the said support
being accordingly made stationary. The tapes lifting the sheet are lifted by a bar
arranged inside the throat of the grippers before the pressing action comes into
operation.
The stop motion of the coffins herein before described is applicable to all descriptions
of machines employed in printing or producing similar impressions. These machines
may work with either one or two coffins.
In place of the cycloidal motion hereinbefore described I may employ the following
motions namely.
1. An epicycloidal motion that is to say a movement produced by a travelling
or moveable roller or wheel rolling externally on a fixed or stationary wheel or circle.
2. A hypocycloidal motion or a movement produced by a travelling or moveable
roller or wheel rolling internally within a fixed or stationary wheel or circle.
These two movements can be employed for stopping either one or two coffins at
one or more points. The rolling wheel can be operated directly by a connecting rod
and crank the said wheel being caused to produce a cycloid an epicycloid or a
hypocycloid according to circumstances. The point of attachment of the connecting
rod operating the wheel moving the coffin is fixed to this wheel and the connecting
rod in this case performs the same functions as the connecting rod which works the
coffin of an ordinary single acting machine with rollers.
This improved perfecting machine presents the following advantages.
1. Immovability of the cylinders. The cylinders are not compelled to rise on the
return of the formes as in ordinary perfecting machines thus dispensing with the
parts required to produce this motion, which owing to the great pressure which is
frequently necessary are liable to wear out rapidly. Morcover as the bearings of
the cylinders in the improved machine are fixtures the impression is much more
regular and uniform than in an ordinary perfecting machine.
2. The coffins and the cylinders always travel at the same speed the latter being
always driven by the former. In ordinary perfecting machines the cylinders and
coffins are driven separately the cylinders being driven by toothed gearing operated
from the driving shaft of the machine running at a uniform rate of speed whilst the
coffins receive their motion from a pinion imparting to the coffin a periodical or
irregular motion which consequently does not coincide with the uniform or regular
movement of the cylinders.
3. An alternately accelerated and diminished speed is imparted (under advan-
tageous kinematic conditions) to the coffins in their reciprocating motion this being
the reverse of what takes place in ordinary perfecting machines in which the stoppages
at the end of the stroke or travel of the coffin are very sudden and impose great
strain on the machine.
4. The cylinders not being lifted the gripper cams or shapes of the cylinders which
are placed on their axes or shafts always act in the same manner which facilitates the
laying on and ensures the accurate register of the sheets.
5. The cylinder on which the sheet is to be laid on is stopped thus enabling the
sheet to be readily laid on in the proper position relatively to the cylinder.

page_text: 6. Great facility is afforded for making ready as the upper part of the cylinders is
quite clear when the laying on table is lifted.
7. The whole of one side of the machine is completely clear.
8. The delivery of the sheets is such as to enable the tapes passing under the formes
to be entirely dispensed with.
In conclusion I wish to draw attention to the following special features of the
improved machine hercinbefore described namely:
-
1. That the invention is based mainly on the combining together of two ordinary
single acting and perfecting distinct machines each machine being provided with its
special necessary parts and one machine being arranged for laying on from above
with stoppage of the cylinder whilst the other is arranged for laying on from below or
otherwise with or without stopping the cylinder. These two machines being
connected by a common base and two side frames or cheeks so as to act as one
machine.
2. That each of these two single acting machines has functions which are peculiar
to itself and are independent of the other machine thus enabling a sheet to be printed
on one side only on either or both of the said machines quite independently of the
other thus constituting a single acting machine printing one sheet on one side only
or a double acting machine printing two sheets on one side only.
3. That owing to the peculiar position of the two machines relatively to one another
and their co-operation as hereinbefore explained facility is afforded for printing on
both sides of one sheet by causing it to pass from one machine to the other.
4. That each of the two single acting machines is distinguished by special parts;
that each machine has a separate table and coffin with racks, a separate cylinder with
toothed wheels connected therewith corresponding with the respective coffins, each
cylinder being carried by stationary but adjustable supports as is usual in single acting
machines that each machine has its special coffin operated by a separate connecting
rod and running on a track with coupled antifriction rollers, stop lever, grippers,
gripper shapes, inking roller distributers etc. -Lastly that the cylinder of each
of these machines printing one side only moves and stops as in ordinary machines
of this description and that the coffins and antifriction rollers are supported by the
frame G H (figure 1) acting as a base or bed plate for each of the machines this
base being made moveable relatively to the base A carrying the combined machine
in order to facilitate the action of the latter.
5. That owing to the combined arrangement of the two single acting machines the
printing cylinder of the second single acting machine is capable of acting as the
delivery cylinder of the first machine (for the period during which it should be
stopped) at the same time acting as the printing cylinder of the second machine.
6. That in order to enable the double or combined machine to be worked more
advantageously one of the twin single acting machines taken as a whole is placed at a
higher level than the other.
7. That owing to the proximity of the cylinders of the two machines the said
cylinders are made excentric or depressed at the non printing portion of their
circumference in order that they may operate without interfering with one another.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of this Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I claim is :-
First In a perfecting printing machine the improved combination and arrange-
iment of parts whereby the two coffins being independent of one another are enabled
to separate or move away from one another at the commencement of the printing
operation according to the requirements of the machine being afterwards drawn
together and brought side to side at the end of the operation with or without stopping
the said Coffins at the moment when they are separated or at one or more points in
their travel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Second-The improved arrangement of parts whereby a difference of level is given
to the coffins and consequently to the cylinders in order to enable the printing part of

page_text: one of the cylinders to pass without touching the forme on the return of the latter
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Third: In machines of the type referred to the arrangement whereby the bearings
of the cylinders are enabled to be maintained stationary during the working after
having been adjusted in the proper position substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fourth-The arrangement whereby the laying on of the sheet is enabled to be
performed with a cylinder which is temporarily stationary during the travel of the
coffins in order to obtain an accurate register substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fifth The method of passing the sheet through the machine with or without
stoppage of one of the cylinders for the purpose of laying on the set off substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
:-
Sixth The improved combination of parts enabling the sheets to be delivered by
means of gripper-supports oscillating on an axis fixed on the cylinder and pressing
the sheets to be delivered against tapes placed upon the cylinder in such a manner as
to cause them to enter the V formed by the preceding tapes and other tapes which
act in concert to carry the sheet to the delivery board substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings this improved arrangement
for delivering the sheets without the employment of the delivery cylinders or rollers
ordinarily employed being applicable to all descriptions of typographic lithographic
and other printing machines.
Seventh
The arrangement consisting in employing tape pulleys rollers or bars
and tapes for delivering the sheets connected to the laying on table so as to enable the
two printing cylinders to be completely exposed and rendered accessible by raising
the said table substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
Eighth In a printing machine the arrangement or combination of parts based on
the application of the principle of the properties of the cycloid and enabling two
coffins to be stopped at one or more points in their travel substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Ninth In a printing machine the arrangement or combination of parts based on
the application of the principle of epicycloidal and hypocycloidal movements enabling
two coffins of a printing machine to be stopped at one or more points in their
travel substantially as hereinbefore described.
Tenth In a printing machine the direct method of driving or imparting motion
to the coffins whereby the said coffins are enabled to be stopped at a certain point or
points in their travel by the application of a cycloidal or an epicycloidal or a hypo-
cycloidal motion substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Dated this 14th day of November 1887.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agents.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agents.