Improvements in Printing Blocks.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1894-Accepted, 18th Aug., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Printing Blocks.
We, FRED I. GETTY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at
No. 512, North 5th Street, Springfield, Sangamon County and State of Illinois,
United States of America Gentleman, and THE NATIONAL CHROMATIC PRINTING
COMPANY, a corporation organised under the laws of said State of Illinois and
having its principal office at Springfield aforesaid 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 improvements in printing blocks, its object being to
provide a practically operated self-inking block, adapted to be set in an ordinary
form of type in the printing-press and to print in the color furnished by its own
inking mechanism which may be entirely different from that furnished to the
remainder of the form by the inking rollers of the press. By the use of such a
device an advertisement or any other matter may be printed in a newspaper, in,
any desired color, while the body of the paper is printed in black in the ordinary
manner. The matter thus printed in color is evidently made much more notice-
able than if it were printed in black and thus secures a prominence which adds
greatly to its attractiveness and value. The invention by means of which I have
attained this object is fully described and explained in this Specification and is
shown in the accompanying drawings, which illustrate two forms of mechanism
embodying the invention, the preferred form being shown in Figures 1 to 8,.
inclusive, and a somewhat modified form in Figures 9 to 15, inclusive.
In these drawings,
Figure 1 is a top plan of the preferred form of block embodying my invention;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the line 2-2, Figure 1, the
actuating bars, B, being in their raised position;
Figure 3 is a similar view with said bars depressed;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through the line 4-4, Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through the line 5-5, Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical section through the broken line 6-6,
Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a transverse vertical section through the broken line 7-7,
Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the printing bars of the device;
In Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, the view is in the direction indicated by the arrow, a,
Figure 1, in Figure 7 the view is in the direction indicated by the arrow a',
Figure 1.
Figure 9 is a top plan of a modified device embodying my invention;
Figure 10 is a vertical section through the line x-x, Figures 9, 11, the view
being in the direction indicated by the arrow, a, in each of said figures and the
side wall, A, being removed to show construction ;
Figure 11 is a vertical section through the line -x¹, Figures 9, 10, the view
being in the direction indicated by the arrow, a', Figures 9, 10;
Figure 12 is a vertical section through the line, Figures 9, 11, the view
being in the direction indicated by the arrow, a, in each of said figures and the
printing-bars being in contact with the inking-pad of the device and not in position
to print;
Figure 13 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 12, except that the printing
bars are in position to print ;

page_text: Figure 14 is a vertical section through the line -³, Figure 9; and
Figure 15 is a vertical section through the broken line -, Figure 9, the
part of the line being through the longitudinal center of one of the printing-
bars and the part, of the line being between two printing-bars.
In Figures 1 to 8, A, A are the side pieces, and A', A' the end pieces of a
metal box having a bottom, A', and E, E are vertical plates parallel with the
sides, A, A, and fastened to them by screws, s, s, Figures 2, 3, which pass through
the side pieces A, and plates, E, and also through cleats, E', lying between the
side pieces and plates and maintaining a suitable space between them. In the
spaces above the cleats, E', are two horizontal operating bars, B, B, connected by
pivots, pl, with T-shaped rocking levers, C, supported by pivots, p, whose ends are
supported in the side pieces, A, A, and plates, E, E. Each of the levers, C, is
provided with a downwardly extending stem, C, and the ends of the stems of the
two levers on each side of the block are connected by a rod, D, Figures 2, 3,
lying below the corresponding cleat, E'. The rod is provided with a shoulder, d,
and is encircled by a washer, d', lying in a slot in the side wall of the box and in
the plate, E, and free to move up and down, but in no other direction. A spring, S,
is coiled about the central portion of the rod and presses in one direction against
the shoulder, e, and in the other direction against the washer, d', and thus tends
to hold the levers, C, C, and bar, B, in the position shown in Figure 4, the
pivot, pl, of each lever being above the pivot, p, and the bar being above the level
of the top of the box. Downward pressure may, however, be applied to the bar
for the purpose of overcoming the resistance of the spring and rocking the
levers, C, C, until they reach the position shown in Figure 3, when the upper edge
of each of the bars, B, B, will be level with the top of the box. It will be seen
from this description and from an examination of the drawings that downward
pressure applied at any point of either of the bars, B, must depress it equally
throughout its entire. length, and that the bar must always be in a horizontal
position.
Within the rectangle formed by the plates, E, E, and the ends, A¹, A', of the
box lies a rectangular frame made up of side pieces, G, G, and end pieces, G³, G',
held in place by means of screws, s', Figures 4, 7, the ends of the screws being
seated in the end pieces, G¹, of the frame, and the heads and shanks of the screws
being in suitable recesses in the end pieces of the box. Springs, S³, encircle the
shanks of the screws, s¹, and press downward upon the heads thereof, and
upward against flanges, A³, at the upper ends of the sockets. The pressure of
these springs thus tends to hold the frame down to its lowest possible position.
The side pieces, G, G, of the frame are connected at four points by pivots, p². p³,
with the ends of the rocking levers, C, C, opposite the pivots, p', which connect
said levers with the operating bars, B, B.
The consequence of this connection is
that the rocking of the levers, C, C, in either direction upon their stationary
pivots, p, p, moves the bars, B, B, in one direction, and the frame, G, G', in the
opposite direction, so that when the bare, B, B, are in the raised position shown in
Figure 1, the frame, G, G', is depressed, and when the bars, B, B, are depressed;
the frame is raised.
In the side pieces, G, G, of the frame are journalled a series of prismoidal
printing-bars, H, H, preferably triangular in cross-section, and so placed that when
the frame, G, G', is in its lowest position one face of each of the printing-bars
may rest upon an inking-pad, I, fastened to the bottom of the box. On each end
of each of the bars, H, is formed a triangular plate, H', and these triangular plates
lie in openings, f, formed in vertical plates, F, F, Figure 5, which lie between
the plates, E, E, and the side bars, G, G, of the movable frame. Each of the
triangular plates, H', is provided with pins, P, P, P, placed at its angles, and these
pins lie in openings, e', in the plates, E, E, each of said openings being provided
with upper and lower marginal lugs, L, L'. Each of the lugs, L, L', is approxi- 5
mately at the center of the upper or lower horizontal margin of the opening in
which it lies and each of them is formed with an inclined face adapted to guide

page_text: and deflect the pins, P, P, P, upon the plates. H', as the printing bars move
downward or upward. When the printing bars are in their raised position as
shown in Figure 6 one of the sides of each of the triangular plates, H', is in a
horizontal position, the body of the triangle being below it, and one of the pins, P,
being at the vertex of the lowest angle of the triangle. If now the frame, G, G¹,
and the printing bars be pressed downward, each of these lowermost pins on the
triangles, H', must strike the oblique face of the corresponding lug, L', and be
thereby deflected so that when the printing bars reach their lowest position
indicated in Figure 1, two of the pins of each plate, H', must. lie on opposite sides
of the corresponding lug, L', and one of the faces of each of the corresponding
bars must thereby be held in a horizontal position and must form the lower side or
bottom of the bar. When the frame is again moved upward each bar must be
again partly rotated by the contact of its pins with the lugs, L, at its ends, and
this operation is repeated as often as the frame is depressed or raised, the general
result being a step by step rotation of the printing bars. Each of the plates, F, F,
is connected with a spring, S2, Figure 5, so placed that the complete depression
of the printing bars presses the spring downward from its normal position, and
their complete elevation presses the spring upward from its normal position. The
upper or lower margin of each of the openings, f, in the plates, F, F, is therefore
pressed against the edge of the corresponding plate, H', in either position of the
frame, G, G', and the plate, F, and spring, S', thus assist in perfecting the
adjustment of the printing bars in either of their positions.
The operation of the device thus described, is briefly as follows: The block
being set in a form of type stands in the position shown in Figure 2, the operating
bars, B, B; being above the level of the box, A, A', and the faces of the printing
bars being in contact with the inking-pad. The passage of the yielding inking-
rollers over the edges of the bars, B, B, does not exert sufficient force to depress
them, and the printing-bars, H, H, are therefore not touched by the inking-rollers.
As the form passes under the impression cylinder, however, the pressure of the
cylinder upon the bars, B, B, depresses them and raises the printing-bars, H, H,
and, at the same time, rotates them sufficiently to bring one of the faces of each
bar into the horizontal plane of the upper surface of the type in the form. The
characters upon the printing bars leave an impression upon the paper carried by
the cylinder, this impression being in ink of the color furnished by the inking-
pads, I, I, this ink being wholly independent of that furnished to the body of the
form by the inking-rollers. As soon as the impression cylinder has passed over the
bars, B, B, they are pressed upward by the springs, S, S, and the frame, G, G¹,
again drops down carrying with it the printing bars which are partly rotated in
their downward movement so as to present new faces to the inking-pads.
It is evident that a sufficient number of bars may be mounted in the frame, G, G¹,
to extend from one end to the other thereof, or only a part of the space in the
frame may be filled with these movable printing blocks, the remainder of the space
being filled by a stationary block, K, Figures 1, 4, adapted to be inked by the
inking-rollers of the press and to operate the same as any other stationary type.
Figures 9 to 15 inclusive illustrate a modification of my device in which many
elements are the same as those already described, the principal differences between
the two devices being in the means for raising the operating bars which normally
project above the general level of the form and are depressed by the impression
cylinder as the form passes beneath it. In these views, A, A1, A2, are the side and
end walls and bottom of a box corresponding to the similarly lettered box in the
form already described. To each of the end walls is secured a bar, A', of less
height than that of the wall and serving to support the inner ends of the arbors of
the gear-wheels, B2, B3, hereinafter mentioned. Each of the side walls, A, is
bored out or recessed from end to end for the reception of a shaft, M, Figures 10, 15,
reduced in size near its center and having its reduced portion encircled by a
spring, S, one end of which is fastened in the shaft, while the other end enters the
side wall, the spring being so coiled and under such tension as to rotate the shaft.

page_text: in the direction indicated by the arrow thereon in Figures 10, 15. On each end of
the shaft is formed a pinion, M¹, Figures 10, 11, of such length and so placed that
a portion of it engages a rack, B¹, on the corresponding end of a vertically sliding
plate, B, lying in close contact with the side wall of the box, while the remainder
of it engages a gear-wheel, B, set in a recess in the corresponding end wall of the
box. The vertically sliding plates, B, B, project above the edges of the box and
correspond substantially to the operating bars, B, B, in the form already described.
Each of the gear-wheels, B³, is provided with an arm, B³, lying in a recess in the
corresponding plate, A', and as each of the shafts, M, has a pinion at each of its
ends each of the two plates, B, B, is evidently forced upward by pressure, and
each of the four gear-wheels, B³, is rotated in a direction opposite to that indicated
by the arrow on the pinion, M', in Figure 11, the arms, B³, of the gear-wheels
being thereby pressed downward and normally held in the position shown in said
figure. Within the box lies a vertically movable rectangular frame having side
walls, G, G, and end walls, G', G', of metal, the end walls-being of such length as
to project slightly beyond the side on either side leaving recesses for the reception
of plates, E, E, Figures 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, corresponding to the plates, E, E, of
the form shown in Figures 1 to 8, these plates being stationary and secured to the
bottom plate of the box by means of screws, 2, as shown in Figures 12, 15. The
end walls G, G', of the frame lie just within the plates, A, A, of the end walls of
the box, but are provided at their upper edges with horizontal flanges extending
outward and resting normally upon the upper edges of the plates, A*. Suitable
sockets are formed in the plates, A', for the reception of screws, ³, 83, Figures 11, 14,
whose ends enter and engage the overhanging edges of the end walls, G¹, G, of
the frame and springs, S, S', encircling the screws and pressing downward against
the heads thereof and upwards against the ends of the sockets tend to draw the
frame downward and hold the flanges of its end walls in close contact with the
upper edges of the plates, A. The ends of the arms, B³, of the gear-wheels, B³,
lie immediately under and in contact with the flanges of the end walls, G', G', of
the movable frame as shown in Figures 11, 12, 13, and it is evident from the
foregoing description of the relations of the pinions, M', gear-wheels, B³, arms, B³,
plates, B, B, frame, G, G', that if the plates, B, B, be pressed downward with
sufficient force to overcome the resistance of the springs, S³, S, the free ends of
the arms, B³, must be raised and the frame, G, G₁, be pressed upward from the
position shown in Figures 11, 12, to that shown in Figure 13.
frame, G, G', are suspended a series of prismoidal transverse printing bars, H, H,
Within the
corresponding in form and function to the printing bars of the device already
described, each of the printing bars being provided at its ends with triangular
plates, H, lying in openings, e', within the plates, E, E, and the openings being
provided with upper and lower marginal lugs, L, L', corresponding to the similarly
lettered parts in Figures 1 to 8. Metal strips, g, lie along the upper edges of the
side walls, G, G, of the frame and across the ends of the printing-bars and these
strips are drawn downward by means of screws, s, set in sockets in the side
walls, G, G, and encircled by springs which press downward upon the heads of the
screws as shown in Figures 12, 14. When the parts are all in their normal
position as shown in Figures 12, 14, 15, each of the printing-bars has one of its
faces horizontal and in contact with an inking-pad, I, fastened to the bottom of the
box and corresponding to the inking-pad in the device first described. If the
plates, B, B, be pressed downward, the frame, G, G', and the printing-bar suspended
in it must be pressed upward in the manner already explained, and in this upward 5
movement each of the printing bars is not only raised but is partially rotated so as
to bring one of its faces into the horizontal plane of the form of type in which the
block is placed, this position of the printing-bars being shown in Figure 13.
The upward movement of the plates, B, B, is accompanied by a reversal of the
movement of the other parts thus described, and when the plates reach their highest
position, the faces of the printing-bars are again in contact with the inking-pad.
When the printing-bars are in the position shown in Figures 12, 14, each of the

page_text: strips, g, is raised, but when the bars begin to rotate in the upward movement of
the frame, G, G₁, the downward pressure of the strips upon the printing bars
assists in the rotation and tends to bring them speedily and positively into the
position shown in Figure 13, the function of the strips, g, being substantially_the
same as that of the plates, F, F, in the preferred form described above. When
the printing bars reach the position shown in Figure 13 the horizontal upper faces
lie in the plane of the form of type in which the block is set and on the other hand
when the bars are in the position shown in Figures 12, 14, they are sufficiently
below the face of the form to be out of reach of the inking-roller which supplies
ink to the body of the form.
The operation of the printing block thus described is the same as that of the
preferred form already explained. The block being set in a form of type, the
parts are normally in the position shown in Figures 12, 13, 14, the upper edges of
the plates, B, B, being above the face of the form. As the block passes under the
impression cylinder, the plates are pressed down and the printing bars are raised
and partly rotated in the manner already fully explained.
I
It will be observed that in both forms of the device hereinbefore described, each
of the printing bars is rotated in each vertical movement of the frame, G, G¹,
whether downward or upward. This is a necessary feature of the operation of
the device if the printing bars be prisms of uneven numbers of faces since in
that case no two faces of any bar can be parallel and the faces can only be
presented successively to the horizontal inking-pad and the horizontal plane of
the form by partial rotation of each bar in each of its vertical movements.
greatly prefer to use bars of triangular cross-section for the reason that the faces
of such triangular bars may be made of such width as to practically form an
unbroken printing surface while still leaving sufficient space for the bars to rotate
freely without touching each other. This being so the step by step rotation of each
of the bars at each vertical movement of the frame is an important feature of
operation and I desire to claim the construction by which I secure this feature of
operation as distinguished from that in which printing bars are partially rotated.
by the movement of their support in one direction, but are not rotated in the
reverse movement thereof.
We are aware that various details of construction of the device thus described
may be varied as compared with either of the forms shown and we desire therefore
not to limit our invention to such specific forms, but to give it the scope expressed
in the following claims to wit:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :
1-In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable box.
adapted to be set in a printing form, of a vertically reciprocating frame lying
within said box, vertically reciprocating plates also lying within said box
and having their edges above the plane of the face of the form and levers
connected with said plates and with said movable frame whereby downward
movement of said plates raises the frame and brings the printing-face of the bar
into the plane of the face of the form.
2 In a device of the class described the combination with a suitable box,
adapted to be set in a printing-form, of the vertically reciprocating frame
supported in the box, an inking-pad secured within the box, a prismoidal priuting-
bar pivoted in the frame and adapted to be partially rotated at each vertical
movement of the frame and means for raising said frame through pressure applied
to the form whereby the face of said prismoidal bar may be successively pressed
upon said inking-pad and in like succession brought into the plane of the face of
the form.
3-In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable box
adapted to be set in a printing form of a vertically reciprocating frame lying

page_text: within said box, mechanism projecting above the face of the form and adapted
when pressed downward to raise said frame, an inking-pad secured within the box
and a series of prismoidal printing bars journalled in the frame and adapted to be
partially rotated at each vertical movement thereof, whereby the faces of each bar
may be successively presented to the inking-pad and successively brought into the
plane of the face of the form.
4-In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable box
adapted to be set in a printing form of a vertically reciprocating frame lying
within said box, mechanism projecting above the face of the form and adapted
when pressed downward to raise said frame, an inking-pad secured within the box,
and a series of prismoidal printing-bars triangular in cross-section journalled in the
frame and adapted to be partially rotated at each vertical movement thereof,
whereby the faces of each bar may be successively presented to the inking-pads
and successively brought into the plane of the face of the form.
5-The combination with the box, A, A', the vertically reciprocating frame, G, G'
and means substantially as shown and described for raising and lowering the frame,
of the rotating printing bars, H, H, pivoted in the frame, the stationary plates, E,
secured within the box and outside the frame and the pins, P, projecting from the
ends of the printing-bars and lying in openings in the plates, E, said openings
being formed with marginal faces adapted to deflect said pins in the vertical
movement of the frame and thereby to cause step by step rotation of the bars;
substantially as shown and described.
6--The combination with the box, the frame carrying the printing-bars and
means substantially as shown and described for raising the frame, of screws, s¹,
lying in sockets in the walls of the box and having their ends in engagement
with the frame, and springs, S', encircling said screws and pressing downward upon
the heads thereof, whereby the frame is normally in its lowest position.
7-The combination with the box, A, A, the reciprocating frame, G, G,
and the rotating prismoidal printing bars journalled in said frame, of vertically
moving horizontal strips crossing the ends of said bars and actuating springs
pressing said strips upon the faces of the bars whereby the rotation of the bars
is assisted and their adjustment at the close of each rotation is perfected.
8-In a device of the class described, the combination with a box adapted to be
set in a form, of a vertically moving frame lying within the box, prismoidal
printing bars pivoted in said frame, means substantially as shown and described
for imparting step by step rotation to said printing-bars, vertically movable
operating bars lying between the walls of the box and the walls of the frame
and oscillating levers pivoted to the box and each having one of its ends pivoted
to said movable frame and its opposite end pivoted to one of said operating bars
whereby depression of said bars rocks said levers and thereby raises said frame
and printing bars.
9 In a device of the class described the combination with a box adapted to be
set in a form, of the vertically movable frame lying within the box, printing bars
supported by said frame and moving with it, vertically movable operating bars lying
between the walls of the box and the walls of the frame and oscillating levers
also lying between the walls of the box and the walls of the frame and pivoted to
the box, said levers being placed at opposite ends of said operating bars,
respectively, and each lever having one of its ends pivoted to said movable
fraine and its other end pivoted to the corresponding end of one of said
operating bars whereby depression of the bars rocks all of said levers simul-
taneously and equally and thereby raises said frame symmetrically substantially as
shown and described.
10 The combination with the box, A, A', the vertically moving bars, B, B,
and the frame, G, G', lying within the box and between said bars, of printing
bars, H, H, pivcted in the said frame, rocking levers, C, C, having exten-
sions, C, C', the rods, D, D, joining said extensions and the springs, S, S, pressing
said rods longitudinally, each of the levers, C, C, being pivoted at its centre to

page_text: the box and having its opposite ends pivoted respectively to the frame, G, G¹, and
to one of the bars, B, whereby the pressure of the spring, S, S, rocks the
levers, C, C, in one direction and tends to hold the bars in their raised position
and to depress the frame; substantially as shown and described.
11 The combination with the box, A, A', frame G, G', printing bars, H, H,
means substantially as shown and described for raising and lowering said frame and
for effecting step by step rotation of said printing bars, of the triangular plates, H³,
formed on said printing bars and vertically moving plates, F, F, formed with
openings, f, enclosing said triangular plates and the springs, S3, adapted to resist
either upward or downward movement of the plates, F, F, and thereby to perfect
the adjustment of the printing bars; substantially as shown and described.
1004
FRED I. GETTY.
H. B. Barlow & Gillett,
Manchester, Agents for Applicants.
FRED I. GETTY.
H. B. Barlow & Gillett,
Manchester, Agents for Applicants.