IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jeptha Avery Wilkinson, of Brooklyn, in the State
of New York, in the United States of America, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH."
Sealed the 20th December 1859, and dated the 30th June 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jeptha Avery Wilkinson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 30th June 1859.
I, JEPTHA AVERY WILKINSON, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH,'
to be as follows:-
My types, blockings, quods, and other devices used in composing &
form for printing, are made so as to set on to the surface of a cylinder by
being tapering on two sides, and parallel on the other sides. These are set
up, and a proof taken and corrected by a device called the proof cylinder and
correcting stand,constructed in a peculiar manner for these cylindrical forms
of types. The types are so attached to the main cylinders of the press, that
portions can be removed when desired while the cylinders are in the press or
removed therefrom. The cylinders when dirty are revolved in an alkaline or

page_text: other solution that removes the ink from the types. The press itself receives
two type cylinders that act one above the paper, the other below, the paper
is supplied from a reel or endless web, on to an apron, passes over arched
bearings between the cylinders, beneath an endless tympan sheet or apron in
receiving the second impression, thence is delivered intoa revolving shear that
cuts the sheets off against an inclined or curved surface. The types are inked
by a peculiar arrangement of rollers, cylinders, workers, and ink troughs, and
these ink rollers are arranged to be brought to the types, and adjusted thereto
by moving frames and screws. The impression is thrown off by lifting part of
the frame. The printed and cut sheets are thrown off by an arrangement of
bands, aud-packed one above the other, and a belt may convey them away.
A series of counting disks denote the number of impressions thrown off.
All the foregoing parts are used in my printing operation, but some may
be used for other purposes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Jeptha Avery Wilkinson iu the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th December 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, J, JEPTHA
AVERY WILKINSON, of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings, and State of
New York, in the United States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of June, A.D. One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Jeptha Avery Wilkinson, Her special license that 1, the said Jeptha Avery
Wilkinson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Jeptha Avery Wilkinson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter 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 PRESSES, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE-
WITH," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Jeptha Avery
Wilkinson, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly 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

page_text: Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
fter the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Jeptha Avery Wilkinson, do hereby
leclare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
o be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
ollowing statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
nd to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
Fig. 1 is a side view of the proof cylinder; and,
"
2 is a plan of the same.
"
3 is a side view and plan of the "demi-grab."
"
4 is a side view and plan of the compositors shield.
"
5 is a plan of the trough for washing the types.
""
"
7 is a longitudinal section; and,
6 is a side view of the proof cylinder and table.
"
8 is a side view of a portion of the type cylinder.
25
9 is a plan of the press complete.
"
10 is a side elevation of the same; and,
"
11 is a vertical longitudinal section.
The first eight Figures are in larger size to represent the parts more
clearly and similar marks of reference denote the same parts in all the Figs.
These improvements naturallydivide themselves into the followingpoints:-
First, the means for composing the types and taking proofs therefrom;
second, the construction of the cylinder receiving the types; third, the
nanner of leading the paper into and through the press; fourth, the
nanner of mounting said cylinders, and controlling the impression; fifth,
the tympan or impression sheet; sixth, the arrangement and manner of
applying the inking rollers and parts connected therewith; seventh, the
nanner of cutting off the printed sheets; and eighth, the means for receiv-
ng and packing said sheets; niuth, a counter or endless register to denote
the number of sheets printed; tenth, the means for dampening an endless
sheet or roll of paper before printing thereon.
1st. My types having notches and projections are set up in a composing
stick that is made with a. curved bottom plate receiving said types, and
when the required amount of matter has been thus set up, the "demi-
grab" shewn in Figs. 3 & 4 is made use of to transfer the types to a composing
and proof cylinder B, Figs. 1 & 2, for taking a proof as hereafter detailed.
My said demi-grab is formed of a piece of metal c, of a curve correspond-
ng to the surface of the proof cylinder and types as composed, and 5 is a
ip on said grab, and 6 is a sliding clamp formed with a thumb or grasping

page_text: piece c', and c is a similar piece on the grab; as the operator therefore
takes the types in this grab, they are firmly held in place and transferred
to the composing cylinder B, or said demi-grab may be used for handling
the type under any other circumstances. c³ is the compositors shield that
is formed of a curved piece of metal with a handle, so that the types can be
pushed by the same properly into place on the cylinder.
The proof cylinder B is mounted on a centre shaft or gudgeon 1 from
the base A, and the ink roller C is similarly mounted. The types are
secured to the cylinder B by a movable head a and screw bolts, said types
being formed with uotches on one side taking projections on the side of
those adjoining, the end types of the lines taking notches and grooves in
the heads of said proof cylinders, or in column rings placed thereon.
On the gudgeon 2, beneath the inking roller C is a plate a' with a
handle, and a limited motion is allowed by a binding screw 4, in a curved
slot in the bed A. b is a composition roller on a stud in the plate a', and
is a roll of paper, and 3 is a weighted cord guiding the paper around the
impression roller ba, also moving on a stud in the plate a¹. The operation
is as follows:-place ink on the roller b, revolve the rollers C and b until
the ink is thoroughly worked and evenly spread, then turn the plate a
.until the roller 6 comes in contact with the type, there hold it by the
binding screw 4, and revolve the type cylinder B and rollers C, 6, until the
types are inked, then move the plate the other way, so that the roller 62
and paper are in contact with the tyres, clamp the same by the screw 4,
and revolve the type cylinder and print a proof on the paper (b').
The types may be corrected on the cylinder D while standing in a vertical
position, but in order to facilitate correcting the types with those who
prefer that the types lie horizontally, I make use of a stand a² shewn in
Fig. 6, having a horizontal gudgeon a³, over which the proof cylinder B
is placed, and there retained by a clamping nut a4, so that any portion of
the column requiring correction may be brought uppermost, and the whole
cylinder held firmly, while the upper clamping segments d' are released by
the screws 7, so that the upper portions of the types are loosened and can
be corrected, while the lower ones are held firmly. By proceeding succes-
sively in this manner the whole column can he corrected.
When the proofs and types are corrected, the types are to be transferred
to the main cylinder (D or D¹), by means of a cylindrical grab that sets over
and takes the whole column of types, and lifts the same in such a manner that
they can be lowered on to one of the main cylinders or stacked up cylindrically
to be applied to the type cylinders in the proper manner when required.

page_text: 2nd. The type cylinders are so fitted in the press, as hereafter described,
that they can be taken out by a suitable block and fall for the purpose of
changing the forms or washing the types. To perform this washing operation
I make use of a box or trough, seen in Fig. 5, having open journals, into
which the type cylinder is laid,and revolved by a belt slipped around its shaft.
The trough is to be filled with an alkaline solution, and I find practically that
the revolution of the cylinder in such solution removes the ink without the
least injury to the types. The cylinder can then be rinsed off by being
revolved in a trough of clean water, thus the whole operation is performed
without manual labor, and without injury to the types by brushing as now
usual.
I have shewn in Figs. A, B, C, some improved forms of blocking; in
Fig. A the ring is to pass continuously around the cylinder, and be provided
with notches aud projections as aforesaid; and aº are blocks set in between
these rings, having overhanging ends that set up against each other, and where
turned or dressed off to the proper point form a continuous smooth surface to
be engraved upon or otherwise made use of. The Fig. B shews a column
ring a' and part of a block as at the head of a column; and Fig. 6 shews the
manner in which pages of a book may be inverted upon the cylinder in order
that the printed sheets may fold up properly; in this instance aº, aº, are the
rings around the cylinders that are between the respective pages of types;
al and all are intermediate rings, segments, or blocking pieces, formed with
groovesand projections, or with two grooves or two projections upon opposite
sides, according as circumstances require, so that the types are perfectly
secured in place, and that regardless of the fact that the projections stand in
reversed position from the pages being inverted on the form.
For convenience in taking out a portion of the matter while in the press, or
after removed from the same, I provide clamping segments d', Figs. 7 & 8,
acted on by screws 7, that pass through the permanent heads dof the cylinders,
whereby the desired amount of types can be removed where uppermost on the
cylinder by loosening one or more of these seginents d', and sliding the types
sideways by inserting a thin piece of metal. This device is also applicable to
the removal of whole columns, where they run parallel with the axis of the
cylinders.
The printing press itself, Figs. 9, 10, & 11, is mounted in the frame F of
suitable size and shape to receive the parts, and the roll of paper E to be
printed on is, for convenience, mounted in a carriage E', on which it can be
rolled up to place in the press; said paper may be left sufficiently damp for
printing while being made, or may be dampened and rolled up, or it may be

page_text: wetted while passing from the roll to the press, if sufficient length be allowed
for the paper to travel in reaching the impression of type cylinders. G is a
fly wheel or pulley on the shaft S, by which motive power is applied to the
press; I prefer that the cylinder H that surrounds this shaft 8 be fitted as a
shear, so as to cut off the paper when printed, as hereafter described, because
of the power required for this purpose. From the shaft 8 the power is com-
municated through the gear wheel e and pinion e¹ to the wheel e³ on the
shaft 9 of the inking cylinder I, thence the pinion e³ connects to the wheel e
on the shaft 10 of the type cylinder D', which gives the second impression on
the paper as it passes between the types and an impression cylinder K' on a
shaft 15, with a gear el to the wheel o; e is an intermediate gear wheel on a
shaft 11 to the wheel e, on the shaft 12 of the first.impression cylinder K;
elisa gear wheel on the shaft 13 of the first type cylinder D; e³ is a pinion to
the wheel eo on the shaft 14 of the ink cylinder I. The shaft 11 may bo
provided with fast and loose pulleys D², and the power applied at this point
instead of the shaft 8. The cylinders H, I, I', D, D', K, & K', all being of
the same circumference, and having wheels c,e,o, c, e7, eo, and el, of the same
size and number of teeth revolve in perfect uniformity, each making the same
number of revolutions, and the teeth being properly marked when the parts
are set correctly, the press must work with a correct register on the im-
pression, and the paper be cut off at the proper place between the sheets.
The type cylinders D, D', are constructed and receive the types either in
columns running around them or parallel with their axes, or composed into
pages, or receive stereotype plates, engravings, blocks, or other articles now
usually applied with flat forms of types; in all instances the types are locked
together longitudinally of the cylinder, by notches and projections, and each
cylinder is to be of a circumference corresponding with the length of sheet to
be printed and constructed, as shewn in Figs. 7 & 8.
3rd. The cylinder K is provided with an apron or tympan sheet f, passing
also around the cylinder K3 that is set in adjustable bearings 16, so that said
tympan can be kept tight. The continuous sheet of paper travels from the roll
E through the press, as shewn by red lines, passing in on the tympan sheet or
aprouf, thence beneath the first type cylinder D, and then over the second
type cylinder D', and away by the shear cylinder H. If, however, the paper
passed in a straight line between the different points it would buckle, twist,
and run into folds, and the slightest irregularity continuing to increase,
the impressions become spoiled and the press obstructed; this arises mainly
from the paper being damp, and easily diverted from its course. To keep the
paper in a truly correct position I have found that arches or curved bridges

page_text: inserted between the different parts, give direction to the paper and cause the
same always to draw through in a smooth and even manner; y is the first arch,
beneath the apron or tympan sheet f; g' is the arch between the two type.
cylinders, and g is the arch between the last type cylinder and the shear H..
I prefer that these arches be made of sheet zinc or other metal, and attached
by cross bars or other convenient supports. The arches may be formed as
shewn in Fig. 12, with slightly diverging ribs or grooves, so that the act of,
drawing the paper over the same extends it widthways, carrying out any.
winkles that may have arisen from the dampening or otherwise; the arches.
may all thus be grooved or only the first ones, or an arch of this character
may be applied to straighten out the paper after being dampened or before it
passes on to the apron f, or under any other circumstances wherever available..
It will be apparent that these arches will effectually prevent paper or similar
material buckling or wrinkling while passing from one point to another, and
that these same arches will act without the diverging grooves or ribs, but
with them they tend additionally to straighten out the paper by spreading.
it widthways.
4th. F is an upper frame hinged at 17 to the main frame F, and carrying
the impression cylinder K' in the boxes 19 which are adjusted by keys and set
screws so that said cylinder and its tympan sheet f¹ shall press uniformly.on
the type cylinder D', said frame F' also carries the inking cylinders I and ink
rollers hereafter described, so that upon lifting this frame F¹ up by means of a
suitable fall, the type cylinders D & D', are entirely uncovered and can have,
the types partially altered while in their place, or said cylinders can be entirely.
lifted out of their open journal boxes 18, by a tackle and crane or other
convenient means, and the forms of types changed thercon or washed off. In
order to throw off the impression instantly in case of any obstruction, I provide
a cross shaft h, with eccentrics or cams h', and handles h³ at each end of said
shaft, whereby it can be partially turned, so that said eccentrics will raise. up
bolts 20, under the front end of the frame F' and lift the same, which opera-
tion raises the ink rollers off the type cylinder D, and relieves the pressure
from the cylinder K³, thereby throwing off the second impression; and the
first impression is thrown off simultaneously, for I lower the cylinder K, by
lifting the levers h² as the bolts 20 are raised, which permit the journals of
said impression cylinder to descend. The reverse movement takes place upon
lowering the frame F when the bolts 20 press down the outer ends of the
levers by the weight and leverage of the parts, and raise the cylinder K
again up to its place. Set screws h³ are provided to prevent the bolts 20, and
levers h², giving too much pressure between the cylinders D & K..

page_text: 5th. The tympan sheet f¹ is an endless apron of any
desired length passing
over a roller K³, the object of this being to prevent any off-set from the
tympan on to the upper printed surface of the paper, because the distance that
said tympan moves allows any ink that may have adhered thereto from the
first impression to set or partially dry, and if necessary sheets of paper can be
attached to the tympan to receive such surplus ink, or the tympan can bo
cleaned while in motion by a revolving brush and chalk or powder, or be
conveyed, away a sufficient distance to allow for washing in a trough, and
drying by heated rollers as it passes through between the same.
6th.The means for applying ink to each of the type cylinders D & D¹, are
substantially the same, and consists of the cylinders I & I' aforesaid, to each
of which a worker it, and vibrating roller i are applied, to the latter of which
Eft an endless screw and stationary button to give end motion to said roller i,
to spread the ink evenly on said cylinders (1, 1.) The ink is supplied to the
respective cylinders I & 1', from the troughs that are attached to the frame F
and adjusted by bolts and slots. In each of these troughs is a roller, fitted
in fixed journals, aud is a roller beneath geared to and revolving in the
inki; as sllewn, so that the ink is brought up on the roller l, and a certain
amdunt passed through between the rollers 1 & 2 according to the space
between the said rollers as regulated by the set screws a¹ shewn in Figs. 18 &
14 which are a plan and end view of said ink trough and rollers. The ink is
taken from the roller 12 by means of the rollers 13 & 14; the latter of which I
term the fly roller that is in contact with the cylinder (I or I'), and the former
I term the "mop roller." These rollers 13 & 14 are mounted in journals a³, a³,
that are made with slots and attached by screws to the ink trough, and the
rollers theinselves are adjusted by screws applied to their journals, so that they
do not press on to the roller 12, but revolve by the contact of 14 with the cylinder
I, while the ink rollers and are revolved by a motion applied to the latter,
by a bevel wheel and pinion 22, on a shaft 23, at the other end of which is a
pinion taking a worm on the shaft 11 for one of the ink troughs, and the shaft
9 for the other trough. The rollers 1, P, hence bring up a regulated supply of
ink that is taken on to a surface working at the speed of the types, and the ink
is distributed to, and worked on, the cylinders I & I', and thence passes to
the composition rollers as next set forth. The first type cylinder D is inked
by the composition rollers i, i, i, that are set in adjustable bearings i², on the
inside faces of the frame F¹, and said adjustable bearings each are fitted on to a
rib on said frame and attached by a screw as seen in Figs. 11 and 15, and
each bearing is provided with a sliding journal box and set screws i³, so that
each roller is adjusted to take a proper bearing on the type cylinder. The ink

page_text: is carried from the cylinder I to these composition rollers by the rollers and k¹
k¹, ³, that are set in be rings k² that are attached by screws to the frame F¹
in such a manner that by loosening the said screws the boxes will turn and allow
each roller () to settle down with a complete bearing on each side against
the composition rollers i", then by screwing the bearings 2 firmly in place and
slightly turning the screws ³, the rollers are allowed to bear entirely against
each other, but not with too much pressure; a strap 21 passing from one end
of the ink cylinder I, beneath the roller, and over the ends of the rollers k¹
back to the cylinder 1, gives rotation to said rollers and inking rollers, at a
speed corresponding to the surface of the cylinder D. The inking rollers 2³,
and,, that act to ink the type cylinder D', are the same as those for the
cylinder D last-before described, the position and adjustment being such as to
adapt them to work on the under side, as represented; if, however, these
rollers were set in the main frame, great difficulty would exist in their removal
and in cleaning them when necessary. To avoid these difficulties, I provide
side plates m, m, through which the shaft 9 of the ink cylinder 1' passes, and
said side plates carry the journals of the inking rollers aforesaid, and at the
outer end of these side plates m, a cross shaft m² with handles at its ends, and
pinions m³ thereon taking the curved rack m' are provided, so that said pinions
when rotated roll the said plates and rollers up into contact with the cylinder
D', as shewn, or down away therefrom, so as to have access to the rollers.
m are counterbalance weights to the plates and rollers, having cords that
pass over pulleys 24; and 25 is a cross shaft with handles on its ends and
projections on its sides next the plates m, m, so that when the rollers are
up to their place an end motion slides the said projections beneath the
ends of the plates m, and retains them in the proper position.
Having thus described the consecutive parts of the press itself, and
shewn the operation thereof. I remark that it will be apparent that the
whole of the foregoing parts and the operations they perform act in harmony
to produce one perfect result, viz., an impression on the two sides of a con-
tinuous sheet of paper, in which the register is perfect, the inking is uniform,
and the parts move with an uniform almost noiseless rotary motion, uninjured
by the concussion of reciprocating parts as in ordinary presses, and each
type taking its proper bearing and making a true impression on the paper,
and the sheet is delivered in a form ready to be cut off and packed away
by apparatus next to be described.
7th. The manner of cutting off the paper is as follows:-I make use of a
revolving shear or cutter combined with and acting against a stationary surface
which is so formed as gradually to approach the path described by the edge of

page_text: the revolving shear until they coincide, so that there is no space left for the
paper, which is thereby separated in a line corresponding to the shape of the
shear. By this means no impediment is offered to the progress of the advancing
sheet, as is the case with all reciprocating shears, and such rotary shears as
act against a stationary blade; neither is there any wear or concussion by
the metal parts coming into actual contact, because the shear itself revolves in
free
e space without of necessity touching the standing shear, but revolving so
close to the surface thercof, that there is not room for any intervening sub-
stance, which is separated by the fixed surface forcing the paper on to the edge
of the knife. In my rotary printing press, this shear must be straight, and so
positioned as to cut off the paper between the printed sheets or pages, although
said shear might be differently shaped according to the form to be cut out.
On the shaft 8, see Fig. 11, the cylinder H is affixed, carrying the shear -6,
and said cylinder being of the same diameter as the type cylinders acts on the
paper in unison therewith. H' is a head block over the shear cylinder H,
fitted so as to be adjusted, having a curved surface next said cylinder gradually
approaching thereto, until it coincides with the path described by said shear;
and if that point of coincidence be a straight line, as seen at 27, in the inverted
plan of the stationary shear H¹, Fig. 18, the separation is simultaneous across
the wholesheet, because the shear 26 coincidesso closely with the fixed surface
that there is no room for the paper, which thereby is punched or cut off.
Thero is therefore no wear on the shear 26 by coming in contact with metal,
and should there be, from inaccuracy of wormanship, the parts wear to each
other's shape, and are so much more accurate and efficient, and the shear
having no inequalities to obstruct the paper is more reliable under all circum-
stances than any other device I know of; I have, however, found that with
high speed the damp paper is sometimes liable to become clogged between the
cylinder H, and standing shear H', on account of there not being a tension on
the paper to pull it through, I have therefore obviated this difficulty by making
the separation progressively or at two operations, and applying traction rollers
as follows:-n, n, are one, two, or more rollers, which I prefer to be of india-
rubber, each between two metal discs on a shaft 29, the ends of which are
held by and revolve in links 30, and are springs pressing down these links
and the rollers n, n, on to the cylinder H. These rollors pass through openings
or notches in the stationary shear H₁, and can be raised off of the cylinder
when desired to stop the paper being drawn through, or for the
purpose of
entering the sheet by means of cam pieces 31, on levers 32, connected by the
rod 33. The surface of the shear H' is formed so as to commence cutting the
paper against the part 28, see inverted plan, Fig. 17, and as the paper is held

page_text: against the cylinder H, by the rollers n, n, and is carried through, the shear 26
passes beneath said rollers, and they hold the advancing edge of the next sheet;
during this operation the cutting has been progressing against the diagonal
surfaces between 28 & 27, and when shear 26 arrives at the part 27 of the
shear H', the separation is completed across the remaining portion of the cut,
thus ensuring the correct passage of the paper through between the standing
shear and revolving cylinder and cutter,and making thoseparation progressively
or at two successive operations apon the same straight-edged shear, but upon
different parts of the same shear. Where the paper is taken away by a
packing apparatus, as hereafter set forth, slight filaments of paper may be lett
to ensure the passage of the paper into said apparatus. The circumference of
the cylinder H becomes the measure of the length of paper, but where the
revolving shear is attached by arms instead of the cylinder H, this apparatus
may be used to cut off paper or any other fibrous substance at any length,
according to the speed of the material compared with the revolutions of the
shear, as in paper mills, &c. The shape of the surface left on the inside of the
fixed shear to cause the revolving shear to cut the fibrous substance may be
varied according to the particular purpose required, so long as the rollers n, "
are permitted to act on the advancing sheet before the separation of the previous
one is completed. It will be evident that two or more cutting shears might be
attached to the cylinder II to separate the paper or other substance at the
desired points. It will be seen that a very sharp cutting edge is not required,
as with ordinary sheurs, because the parts do not actually require to come in
contact, but cut the material off by a compression or nipping operation, as
aforesaid, and this shear can be applied to separate any desired substance.
Sth. The device for receiving the sheets as they are separated from a con-
tinuous web or sheet, or receiving printed sheets as delivered from a press,
shown in Figs. 19 & 20. This part of iny said Invention consists in projecting
the sheets through the air in such a manner that they fall in regular succession
on to each other, and are taken away by an endless apron or equivalent device
to be stacked up in reams, or folded ready for use. The cutter H, before
described, is represented to shew the connection of the packing apparatus to
the press. o is an inclined table, on to which the sheet is delivered, and passes
between endless bands pl & 73 formed in ranges of any desired number, and
passing around the rollers and drums p, p², 33 & 31. These rollers and drums
are so located, as seen in Fig. 19, relatively with the table o, that the bands
3 travel on the surface of the table o, and then have an upward direction
given to them as they pass below the drum p and up over the drum p, whence
they return over the roller 34; the endless bands p¹ pass direct from the
is

page_text: drum p around the roller 33. The effect of this part of the packing apparatus
is to receive the sheet between the bands p' & p³ that gradually approach each
other, and then impart to said sheet a slightly upward movement as it is pro-
jected rapidly from between the bands and drums p & p², so that the sheets
fall successively between the vertical sides in the manner represented by red
lines in Fig. 19 on to the table or apron u. In order to prevent the sheets
flying upwards by any curront of air, as projected, I make use of a series of
belts 9 intermediate to the belts p' on the drum p, said belts passing around
a roller or drum r that is set in journal boxes on the vertical sides q². This
roller r, as well as the rollers 1, 2, 3, and r¹ are turned with alternating small
and large parts or pullies, so as to receive the endless bands s in series, as
shewn, and said bands pass from the smaller part of one roller to the larger
part of the next, whereby the speed of the bands is gradually lessened, and if
any sheet travels against these bands, its momentum will be checked until it
finally subsides. The vertical sides 12 give direction to the sheet and keep it
in position widthways, and also carry the rollers (2) and bands (s), forming
thereby a trunk or receiver. The bands 8 are kept tight by the weight 35
with a cord over the pulley 36, to the shaft of the roller that revolves in
slotted journal boxes, and q' is a weighted roller to keep the bands q tight.
I prefer that the bands p' & p³ travel faster than the sheet is delivered, in
order to accelerate its speed and separate one sheet from the next, and to aid
in so doing I employ narrow rollers t, t, of india-rubber on a cross shaft, acting
against the outer and centre bands q, 7, 9, as seen by dotted lines in Fig. 20,
to confine the paper to these bands in passing under the drum p. By giving
motion to the endless apron u, the sheets fall shingling, or one slightly behind
the preceding, so that the handling is greatly facilitated, and said apron may
be conveyed away any desired distance to accommodate folders or packers who
may be located at tables on each side thereof. To give motion to this endless
apron, I use a wheel u³ driven by a band from the shaft of the drum P, and
pinions 37 give motion to the roller u¹, around which said apron passes, and
3 is a roller at the other end of the table over which the apron passes, said
roller being fitted in adjustable bearings for tightening the apron. When
desired to pack the sheets in a pile, or to dispense with the trunk q, I make
use of an air packing apparatus. shewn in Figs. 21 & 22, which are a side
view of the shear cylinder, and a section of the same. 50 is a chamber or
pipe passing in from one end of the cylinder H in front of and parallel to the
shear 26, and 51 is a similar cha uber or pipe passing in from the other end
of the cylinder H, and a row or rows of holes in the surface of the cylinder H,
on each side of and uear the shear 26, open into these chambers 50 and 51

page_text: respectively; 52 and 53 are stationary casings surrounding the shaft 8, and
setting air-tight to the ends of the cylinder H; 54, 54, are pipes from these
casings 2 & 53 to the respective end of the air-pump 55. This air-pump
is given a reciprocation each revolution of the cylinder H by a properly placed
eccentric 56, or other suitable mechanism, from the shaft 8, or other prime
mover, so that a current of air is alternately drawn into and expelled from the
chambers 50 and 51 through the rows of holes at each side of the shear. The
operation is as follows:-The sheet is separated on the shear 26, and air forced
into the pipe 1 blows the advancing edge of the uncut sheet up against the
belts pl, while the opposite suction in the pipe 50, causes the rear end of the
preceding and cut sheet to adhere on to the cylinder H close to the shear that
has separated it, and thereby its momentum is checked until brought down to
the dead point or radial line, the air meanwhile blowing from 51 in between
the advancing ancut sheet and the separated and subsiding sheet, keeping one
up to the belts p!, and forcing the other down until the rotation of the cylinder
H has stopped the forward movement of the separated sheet and begins to
draw it back beneath it, at which moment the pump begins to act the other
way, and blows out through 50, releasing the sheet, which subsides on the pile,
or on to a belt, and draws in through 51 to replenish the pump ready for
acting on the next sheet, and laying it down as before set forth, the sheet;
being carried over cach other with unerring precision, and subsiding exactly
into their place.
9th. My index or endless register consists in an arrangement of circular
dials or discs that are provided with a screw thread or worm around the
periphery taking teeth on the next dial, whereby all the discs have a move-
ment that is rapidly decreased, so that if the screv around the periphery of
one disc be a single thread, and its matching gear have one hundred teeth,
the first disc must revolve one hundred times to give one revolution to the
next and so ou. This Invention was originally devised for determining the
number of impressions thrown off from a printing press, but can be applied
to any other purpose wherever available.
In Figs. 23 & 24, which are a plan and side view of my register, vis n
standard attached to any suitable support, carrying brackets 41, to one of
which a small shaft v', from the article itself, whose revolutions are to be
counted or connected to such article by any known mechanism, and this prime
mover is fitted with a screw or worm pinion ², gearing with the teeth 42
of the dial or disc v³. Around the edge of the disc is a worin 43,
taking the teeth 42 of the next dise, that stand at right angles to v³,
this in turn moves vo, and so on. 44 is an index to each dial. It will now be

page_text: and that will turn once for every
20
"
"
"
27
33
"
"
10,000
"
"
1,000,000
100,000,000
10,000,000,000
31
"
"
"
"
وو
"
مرد
"
"
In all instances the previous number of revolutions is multiplied by one
hundred, or by the number of teeth (42) on each disc.
In printing it is often important to run off a certain number of impressions
for a given edition, and to compute this number by adding the same to the
number indicated by the register would involve some trouble, I therefore
provide a loose wheel on the shaft v³, that can be turned around until its
nonious corresponds with the index, and then clamped firmly to the shaft by
the nut 40, this will indicate up to 100 impressions, and the wheel l⁰ and
its index 44 will count the hundred impressions up to 10,000. In order to
place this wheel at the nonious, I fit its bracket (41) so as to lift up off
a key or feather, so that 9 & 10 are disengaged, and the latter can be turned
around as required. The other wheels v³, v, v7, & v8, being geared together,
continue their register of the total number of revolutions of the press or other
mechanism, in.lependent of this portion for job work.
in com-
paper
I also use an
10th. My apparatus for dampening paper consists in a series of rollers
arranged in such a manner as to apply water to dampen the
bination with curved bridges, over which the paper travels.
elastic roller to bring the paper intimately into contact with the dampening
roller, and so arrange my curved bridges that the paper can be lifted off the
dampening roller when required. My Invention also relates to the manner of
winding up the dampened paper, whereby great uniformity and compactness
are given to the roll, and all creases or wrinkles are effectually removed from
the paper.
Fig. 25 is a section, and Fig. 26 is a plan of my dampening apparatus.
o is a suitable frame of wood or metal receiving upon the shaft w¹ the roll of
dry paper as inade at the paper mills; and to steady the same upon said
shaft w while being unwound, I introduce around the shaft and within the
ends of the roll tapering hollow plugs w2 of wood or other material, and a
strap 60, and weight hanging over the paper produce the friction necessary
to prevent unwinding too fast. The paper is led beneath the rollers x,
passing intermediately over the rollers a³, r, & 25, and from the
roller the paper passes over a curved shield or bridge y to the wetting
apparatus. The rollers a, a, x2, 23, 24, & 5, tend to give direction to the
apper and maintain a correct and uniform movement of said paper, and the
and
.21,

page_text: roller being allowed a vertical movement in its journal boxes, and kept
down by weights 61, acts to pull out any folds or transverse wrinkles in the
paper. The curved shield or bridge yis made of sheet metal, attached to end
piecessor segments that are bolted or attached on to the journal bearings y¹.y',
so that said shield is free to accommodate itself to the movement of the paper.
y is the wetting roller in the trough 62 containing water, and y3 is the pressing
roller of india-rubber. The roller y is set on a shaft in long or pipe bearings
in yl, and rotated by competent power applied to the pulley y', and the
roller is set in bearings shewn sectionally in Fig. 27, and endways in
Fig. 28, and has a screw 63 over cach journal, wheroby the pressure on the
paper can be regulated. 6 is a spring under each journal, whereby the
elastic roller y³ is lifted when the screws 63 are slackened, so that the paper is
raised off the roller y², which prevents injury to the paper by rust when the parts
are not in motion if said roller y be of iron; z is a roller set in bearings in y',
that can be pressed against roller y² by the screws 65, to press off whatever
surplus water might be raised on the roller y in its revolutions. ¹ is a curved
bridge or shield of metal, with or without diverging grooves or corrugations
on its surface (the same as shewn in Fig. 12), and sustained by side pieces,
which extend in the form of eyes C6 around the journals of the roller y³, so
that the end next the roller y³ will be lifted with said roller by the screws 63,
and raise the paper off the roller y. The outer end of this shield can describe
the arc of a circle, as shewn by the dotted line. I prefer that a portion of
the surface of this shield or bridge z¹ be composed of rollers 73, as shewn, to
prevent too much friction in passing the wetted paper over its surface. These
rollers should be wound with string, cominencing at the middle, so as to form
diverging lines, as shewn, to spread the paper widthways. The paper passes
from between the rollers y and y3 over this shield or curved bridge z¹, to the
roller z², on which it is wound by the means hereafter described, and as the
size of the roll increases, the outer end of this curved bridge z' rises. In all
positions the paper travels over the bridge, and becomes perfectly straight, and
all wrinkles are taken out, and it passes off at the upper edge of the bridge,
while the under edge of said bridge rests on the roll of paper that is being
wound, so that the thin end of this metallic bridge causes a perfect and solid
roll of paper to be formed, because it not only acts to iron or compress the
paper down into place, but also prevents air passing in between the paper as
wound up, because the paper is so closely in contact on both sides of said
metal, which metal occupies the apex where the paper comes together. ³ is
a roll resting on the roll of paper as wound, to sustain the bridge z', and
prevent the thin metal springing under the strain from the paper. The

page_text: winding roller is to be revolved by suitable means; I, however, prefer friction
applied from a roller on to the surface of the roll of paper, and for this purpose
I apply an elastic or rubber roller 24, set in slings z", 5, that have the journal
boxes of the roller y³ as their centres of motion, and a yoke piece 2º, and a
cord and weight 67, tend to keep the roller e in contact by the desired force
with the roll of paper 23. This roller z is revolved by pulleys 65 on the ends
of its shaft, driven by crossed belts 69, from pulleys 70, on the shaft of the
roller 2, so that the said roller will be revolved, and the belt kept at an
uniform tightness, irrespective of the size of the roll of paper, and the con-
sequent position of the roller 24, and slings 25, 25. 71 is a roller on an
adjustable plate, by which each belt 69 can be tightened. Similar belts and
pulleys are shewn as applied on both sides of the slings,. The operation
will be apparent, for when the paper is passed through the machine, and the
end attached to the roller s³, and the parts revolved, the roller 24, being timed
to travel slightly faster than the paper, is drawn through by the rollers y²
and y³, revolves the roller, rolling up the paper, and keeping a slighttension
on the same, and, as the roll increases, the roller & descends, and the outer
end of the curved bridge is raised. The weight of the roll of paper is taken
partially on the roller 4, and the friction of the roller 2 in its bearings
relieved. I prefer that this roller z be formed of a metallic pipe, set on
conical bearings attached to its shaft, one of which bearings is removable, so
that the said shaft can be drawn out of the pipe when the roll is removed from
the machine, and for this purpose the fixed bearings 72 are provided with an
open mouth, into which the shaft 2 is laid, and wedges secure the same in
place. The roller z may be driven by a shaft on the slings 25 with bevel gears
at the ends, instead of the belts 69, and said roller 2*, always revolving a little
faster than the paper ensures a proper traction on the same, and winds the
roll perfectly tight and even.
What I claim as my Invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,―
First, the curved demi-grab c, with the sliding clamp 6 and lip 5, for the
purposes, and as specified.
Second, I claim the curved compositors shield c³, for the purposes and as
specified.
Third, I claim the arrangement of the proof cylinder B, and rollers C, b,
for inking the type on the proof cylinder, as described and shown.
Fourth, I claim the plate a¹ and roller 62, for giving pressure in taking a
proof from the type on the cylinder B, as set forth.
Fifth, 1 claim the horizontal gudgeon and binding screw to receive the
proof cylinder, and facilitate the correcting of the types, as set forth.

page_text: Sixth, I claim the movable clamping segments d' at athe heads of the
type or proof cylinders, to secure the types in place, and also allow for the
removal of portions thereof, as specified.
Seventh, I claim revolving the type cylinders in a trough containing
alkaline or other suitable liquid for washing the types, as specified.
Eighth, I claim the apron f, for leading the paper into the press, and on
which said paper lies while receiving the first impression against the
cylinder K, thereby said feeding apron be. omes also the tympan sheet, as
set forth.
Ninth, I claim a curved arch or bridge, over which the paper or fibrous
material passes, to give direction thereto, and prevent buckling or twisting,
as described and shewn,
Tenth, I claim corrugating or forming ribs on said curved bridge in diverg
ing lines, so as to spread the paper width ways as the same passes over the
bridge, as specified.
Eleventh, I claim the auxiliary frame F', hinged on to the main frame F,
and carrying the upper inking apparatus, by the elevating of which both type
cylinders are exposed to view, or can be lifted out of their place, for varying
the composition or otherwise, as set forth.
Twelfth, I claim the manner herein-specified of throwing off both impres-
sions by raising the auxiliary frame F', and lowering the impression roller K,
for the purposes and substantially as described and shewn.
Thirteenth, I claim in a rotary printing press an endless tympan sheet, led
off a sufficient distance, and so fitted that the off-set from the ink of the first
impression does not again reach the paper until removed or sufficiently dry
so as not to produce blurring or off-set on the paper, as specified.
Fourteenth, I claim the arrangement of the ink rollers 1, 12, 13, & 14, in the
manner and for the purposes set forth, whereby the rollers,, act to supply
the required amount of ink to the rollers 3 & 14, that supply and work the ink
on the cylinder (I or I¹), as specified.
Fifteenth, I claim the arrangement of the ink rollers (¹) and workers (k,k¹,)
in their adjustable bearings (2, 2) substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
Sixteenth, I claim the arrangement of the side plates m, m, pinions m²,
rack m, and latch 25, for permitting access to the lower inking rollers, as
described and shewn.
Seventeenth,Iclaim separating paper orother material bythe joint operation
of a revolving shear and a stationary surface, when said stationary surface is
so formed and placed as gradually to approach the path described by the shear

page_text: in its revolution, and compress the said paper or other material on to the
edge of said revolving shear, in the manner and substantially as specified.
Eighteenth, I claim the elastic roller or rollers n, n, in combination with
the stationary shear H³ and revolving shear 26 on the cylinder H,whereby
the paper is passed through and separated progressively, or at two opera-
tions, as set forth.
Nineteenth, I claim the arrangement of the shaft carrying the rollers n, n,
the springs n¹, and cams 31, for elevating the rollers and preventing traction
on the paper, as set forth.
Twentieth, I claim the accelerating bands pl, p3, and table o, arranged and
acting as set forth, to project the sheets of paper successively over each other
as they subside in the air; and in combination with the foregoing parts I
claim the endless apron receiving such sheet, as specified.
Twenty-first, I claim the retarding bands q and s, s, and trunk q, in com-
bination with the delivering bands p', p³, for the purposes and as specified.
'Twenty-second, I claim arresting the movement of the sheet of paper as
delivered from the printing press by atmospheric pressure, induced by suction
in the chamber 50, acting on the rear end of the sheet, as set forth.
Twenty-third, Iclaim projecting the advancing end of the sheet away from
the cutting cylinder, and also pressing down the previous separated sheet
of paper by currents of air forced out from the chamber 51, as described
and shewn.
Twenty-fourth, I claim a series of counting discs,standing at right angles
or nearly so to each other, and each formed with a thread or worm around its
periphery,taking teeth on the next counting disc, in the manner and for the
purposes specified.
Twenty-fifth, I claim the arrangement of the counting discs v9 and v10 in
the manner specified, whereby they can be disconnected, and set to commence
counting when required, as and for the purposes described and shewn.
Twenty-sixth, I claim dampening a sheet of paper by passing the same
through between two rollers, one or both of which are covered with india-
rubber or other elastic material, the water being supplied to one of the rollers
from a trough, as specified.
Twenty-seventh, I claim the curved bridge y, in combination with the
dampening rollers y³, y³, and guiding rollers (r,) substantially as set forth. 3
Twenty-eighth, I claim a curved bridge z' (either with or without the
rollers 73), to pass the sheet of paper from the dampening apparatus to
the roll on which it is wound, as described and shewn.
Twenty-ninth, I claim revolving the roll of paper to wind on the sheet, by a

page_text: roller acting against the surface of the paper and pressed thereto by suitable
weight, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jeptha Avery Wilkinson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of November, A.D.
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
JEPTHA A. WILKINSON. (L.S.)
Witnesses,
LEMUEL W. SERRELL,
121, Nassau St., New York.
THO, GEO. HAROLD.
121, Nassau St., New York.