Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov., 1391-Accepted, 19th Dec., 1891
Fig. 5, an enlarged plan view, in detail, of the distributing plate finger-
supporting rods.
Fig. 6, a front end view of my improved press.
Fig. 7, a perspective view in detail, of the skeleton bed showing a form plate
partially inserted therein.
Fig. 8, a plan view, in detail, of two inking plates supported on one arm, and
Fig 9, a detail sectional view showing the manner of pivoting one of the inking
disks.
The frame of my press is of the general oblong form consisting of the feet 2,
sides 3 and ends 4. The sides of the frame are provided at opposite points,
approximately at the centre of its length, with upwardly extending and rearwardly
inclined arms 5. Extending transversely between the sides of the frame and
rigidly connected therewith is a stationary, vertical bed-plate 6, the upper end of
which is opposite the bases of the arms 5. The front face of the bed-plate is
formed with a depression 7 which receives a form plate 8, the rear portion of the
latter having on its under side a projecting tongue which engages a corre-
spondingly shaped notch in the bottom of the bed-plate as shown at 9. The form
plate 8 is provided with projecting printing faces 10. 11 designates my improved
skeleton or travelling bed-plate which consists of a vertical chase frame 12, the
upper end of which is open and the side arms provided on their inner surfaces with
suitable vertical grooves adapted to receive the correspondingly shaped edges of
the skeleton form plate 13, which has openings as at 94 corresponding in size and
position with, and adapted to receive the printing projections 10 of the form S.
The upper portion of the skeleton bed-plate has a flanged or enlarged base of
slightly greater length than the base proper of the chase frame, from the pro-
jecting ends of which extend upwardly, side arms or plates 14 of about half the
height of the vertical chase frame arms. The upper ends of the side arms 14
have secured upon their outer sides, or integral therewith, projecting bearing
blocks 15 preferably tongue formed as shown, from each of which and near the
forward end thereof, projects a pin 16.
The skeleton-bed thus formed, is movably supported between the side walls of
the press frame by having its bearing blocks 15 projecting and sliding within
oppositely located horizontal slots 17 formed in the upper portion of the frame

page_text: sides 3 in front of the arms 5. The form 13 is thus supported in front of and
opposite the form 8.
In the centre of the width of the arms 5 and extending nearly to their outer
ends is a slot or guideway 18, which is continued vertically downward in front of
the stationary bed 6 to a point about the centre of the height of the press frame.
19 designates the main shaft which is journaled in the frame at a point in the rear
of the lower end of the stationary bed-plate 6. One end of the shaft projects
without one side of the frame (which for distinction I will term the gear side) and
carries, as at 20, and near the press-frame, a pinion wheel. Outside of this wheel
is a fly-wheel 21 and loose and tight belt-pulleys 22 and 23. 24 indicates a
transverse shaft journaled in the upper and rear half of the frame, and in
horizontal alignment with the centre of the slot 17. This shaft carries, on the
gear side of the machine, a gear-wheel 25 and on the opposite side a cam-disk 26.
Both the gear-wheel and disk are provided on their inner faces with a
continuous cam-way or groove formed by the connection of concentric and eccentric
grooves 27 and 28. The upper portion of the side frames is provided, near their
rear ends, and opposite the rear half of the gear-wheel and cam-disk, with
oppositely located longitudinal guide-ways 29, while similar guide-ways 30 are
formed in said portions of the upper frame, in line with and in front of said guide-
ways 29 and opposite the forward half of the gear and cam-wheel. 31 designates
cross-heads or blocks which fit and slide in the rear frame guide-ways 29. These
cross-heads are carried by a transverse shaft or rod 32.
Projecting outwardly from the outer sides of the cross-heads are idlers 33 which
project loosely within the cam-ways of the gear-wheel and disk. Fitting and
sliding within the frame guide-ways 30 are cross-heads 34, the inner sides of which
are connected by a transverse shaft or rod 35. The outer sides of the cross-
heads 34 carry projecting idlers or pins 36, which extend within cam-ways of the
gear-wheel and cam-disk at points horizontally opposite the idlers 33. Said
pins 36 are connected on the outer side of the frame with the projecting pins 16 of
the bearing blocks or heads of the travelling bed-plate by arms 83.
Bridging the upper sides of the frame arms 5 is a distributing disk-supporting
arm 37, its body being rectangular and having in its opposite sides longitudinal
grooves or key-ways 38. 39 designates a flat inking-plate, which may be square or
oblong and provided with a central disk opening, about the upper end of which
projects inwardly a flange or shoulder 40. The upper side of this inking plate has
a raised rib or arm 41 which bridges the disk-opening in said plate diametrically.
Formed with the centre of rib 41 are two upwardly extending lugs 42 adapted to
embrace loosely, opposite sides of the inking disk-arms 37. Said lugs 42 have set
screws 85, the inner ends of which engage the key-ways 38, and may be tightened
against the inner surface of said key-ways to effect a rigid connection of the
arms 41 and 37.
43 indicates an inking-disk which fits loosely in the circular opening in the
plate 39 and which bears against the shoulder 40 of the latter. The under surface
of this disk is flush with the lower face of the plate 39 within which it turns.
The upper and central portion of the inking-disk has formed thereon a small
ratchet-wheel 44 which extends within a depression on the under side of the
central portion of the rib or arm 41. The inking-disk has the usual central
stem 45, which extends upwardly from the centre of the ratchet 44 and which
passing and projecting through an opening in the centre of the arm 41 is provided
with a flanged head, consisting of a collar 46 connected with the upper end of the
.stem 45 by a transverse pin 47. In this manner, the inking-disk is suspended in a
rotating position within the plate 39.
Extending between the under sides of the frame arms 5, is a disk supporting
arm 48 which corresponds with the arm 37. As prescribed for said upper arm,
this lower arm 48 is connected with an inverted plate 49, corresponding with the
upper plate 39 and as prescribed for the upper disk 44 and lower disk 50 is
supported in a rotating position in said lower plate. It will thus be seen that the

page_text: upper and lower inking-disks are made to face each other on opposite sides of the
frame arms 5.
Rigidly connected with each end of the shaft 32 on the inner side of the cross-
head 31, is the lower end of the upwardly extending and forwardly curved arm 51.
52 designate approximately T shaped cross-heads or sliding pieces the stems of
which bear and slide within the upper portions of the frame-arm slots 18. The
stems of the cross-heads 52 are connected by a transverse rod 53 from which
project outwardly near their ends, rigid lugs 54, to the outer ends of which are
pivotally connected the upper ends of the arms 51.
The ends of the outer top
pieces or heads of the T shaped cross-heads 52 are connected by parallel
rods 55, 56 on each of which is mounted the enlarged end of a pawl or finger 57,
the heads of said pawls being pierced to receive loosely the rods 55, 56 and being
adjustably connected therewith by set screws 58 which pass through the heads
and engage the peripheries of the rods. The forward ends of each of these pawls
is jointly connected with a pawl 59 which engages the teeth of the ratchet 44 of
the upper or lower inking-disk as shown in Fig. 4. This pawl is held in contact
with the ratchet by a spring 60 which covers the joint of the pawl finger and its
head on the outer sides thereof. Extending upwardly from the centre of the
length of the rod or shaft 32 is a short rigid arm 61, the outer end of which
pivoted to the rear end of a forwardly extending rod 62, having its forward end
pivoted to the outer end of a short arm 63, the inner end of which is fixed upon a
shaft 64, which extends transversely between the upper portion of the frame sides.
Said shaft 64 is journaled in and projects through the frame sides and to each of
its projecting ends is journaled the inner end of an ink-roller driving-arm 65.
Each of these arms extends forwardly in close proximity to the outer side of the
press frame and is provided, at about the centre of its length with an angular
bend as indicated in the drawing and their forward end portions have longitudinal
slots 66 which terminate opposite the slot 18 of the frame.
67 designate roller bearing blocks supported respectively in positions adjacent
to the inner sides of the frame sides opposite the slots 18, and have outwardly
projecting pins 68 which pass through the slots 18 and carry on their outer ends
friction rollers 69 which bear and travel within the slots 66 of the arms 65. Inking
rollers 70 arranged one above the other have their spindle ends pivoted in the
inner faces of the blocks 67, near the rear end of the latter, while rollers 72 are
similarly pivoted between the forward end portions of said blocks.
The blocks 67 are further connected by transverse rods 71. Fitting and sliding
within the forward portions of the frame slot or guide-way 17 are oppositely
located cross-heads 73, between which extends a platen shaft 74, upon which is
journaled the base or lower portion of a platen 75. Formed with the platen and
extending downwardly from its journal is a central arm 76, rigidly connected at its
lower end with the centre of the length of a transverse rod 77 the ends of which
are journaled in oppositely located, upwardly and forwardly curved slots 78 in the
frame plates 79, which are secured to the inner side of the forward end of the press
frame and extend inwardly on opposite sides of said platen arm. The upper ends
of the plate slots 78 extend horizontally forward a short distance to form shoulders
or off-sets 80.
81 designate horizontal drive arms, the rear ends of which are pivoted eccentrically
to the outer faces of the disk 26 and gear-wheel 25. The forward ends of said arms
are pivotally connected to the outwardly projecting pins 82 which extend outwardly
through the frame from the platen shaft cross-heads 73.
In utilizing the above described press for printing more than one color, the
desired skeleton form is supported in the chase of the skeleton bed-plate as
described, and the form S having the desired printing projections thereon, which
coincide with the openings in the skeleton form, is rigidly supported in the
stationary bed plate; the upper inking disks 43 and plate 39 are provided with
inks of a different color. The roller bearing blocks being in such position as to
cause the rear inking rollers to bear against the lower portion of the form &

page_text: and the forward rollers bearing against the lower portion of the form 13. The
gear-wheel and cam-disk being so turned that the pins 33 project within the
centes of the portions 27 of the cam-ways, the pins 36 projecting within the centres
of the portions of the cam-ways 28 and the platen arin rod 77 being on the lower
end of the slots 78 of the plates 79 as shown in the drawing.
The operation of my device will now be described.
Motion is communicated from the belt pulley 23 on shaft 19 to the pinion and
gear-wheel 25 on shaft 24 and thence to the cam-disk 26 on the opposite side of
the frame. This movement will bring the cross-head pins 33 into frictional contact
with the shoulders of the eccentric groove 27 and thereby drive the cross-heads 31
erward in their guide-ways 29. This rearward movement of the cross-heads 31
and shaft 32 will, through the arm 62; cause a partial rotation rearward of the
lug 63. A consequent upward movement is transmitted by the elevation of the
arms 85 to the roller bearing blocks 67, the pins 68 of the latter travelling
within and following the slots 18 of the frame. The rollers having thus been
carried to the upper portion of the press, it will be seen that the rear pair of rollers
will be made to travel upon the plate 49 and the disk 50, while the forward pair
of rollers will travel against the under side of the upper inking disk 43 and plate 39.
The hereinbefore described movement of the shaft 32 will also result in a rearward
movement of the cross-heads 52 and a consequent corresponding movement of the
ratchet operating finger 57. The spring actuated head of said finger or pawl being
thus drawn back to engage a notch over the ratchet wheel. The inking rollers
having been thus driven to the upper end of the frame, the gear-wheel and cam-disk
will have turned sufficiently to bring the cross-head pins 33 into the portion 28 of
the cam-way, where, owing to said portion being concentric as described, said pins
will remain for a time idle.
The above described movements of the gear-wheel and cam-disk.will, as the
rollers are being driven upwardly as described cause, through the drive-arms 81 a
forward movement of the cross-heads 73 and a consequent rearward movement of
the platen 75 and an upward and forward movement of the platen arm-rod 77.
As the cross-head pins 33 enter the portions 28 of the cam-way, the pins 36 enter
the eccentric portion 27 of said cam-way which will result, through the contact of
said pins 36 and the shoulders of the cam-way portions 27 in a rear sliding move-
ment of the cross-heads 34. This movement of the cross-heads will result, through
the connection therewith of the pins 36 and travelling skeleton bed-plate pins 16,
in a rearward movement of said travelling bed-plate and the movement of the latter
will operate to drive the skeleton form 13 against the form 8 allowing the printing
faces of the latter to enter the mortises of the former and bring the front faces
of said printing projections flush with the front face of said skeleton form.
While the inking rollers are at rest at the top of the press, the rearward motion
of the platen is continued until it presses the paper supported thereon, and to be
printed upon, firmly against the faces of the forms to produce the impression. It
will be observed that at this time, the ends of the platen arm rod 77 are supported
in the short horizontal portions 80 of the slots 78 which will insure a direct forward
and rearward movement of the platen.
A partial revolution of the gear-wheels having been completed, the arms S1 will
force the platen back to its former position, the shaft pins or idlers 33, 36 will shift
into different positions of the cam-way and the cross-heads 31, 34 will successively
return to the first described position. This will cause a forward movement of the
travelling bed-plate and its skeleton form and the downward movement of the
rollers to the position first described. The upper and lower disk containing
different colors of ink, it will be seen that the movement of the rollers over the
two forms will result in supplying them with ink of different colors. If desired, it
is obvious that by my construction, each of the arms of the inking disk supporting-
arms 37 and 48 may be provided with two or more inking disks and plates
corresponding with those herein shown, and each of said inking disks may be
provided with a separate color of ink thus imparting to each set of rollers,

page_text: more than one color of ink and thereby impart to the printing faces a number of
different colors.
It is observed that the forward movement of the cross-heads 31 will result in
a forward sliding movement of the cross-heads 52, which in turn will result,
through the fingers of the pawls 57 and their engagement with the ratchet
wheels of the inking disks, in a partial rotation of the latter.
In using my improved press for printing in one color, it is obvious that the
skeleton form may be removed from the travelling bed-plate and only the lower
inking-disk and plate be utilized. In view of the construction shown and described,
it will readily be seen that the slotted plates 79 will afford a support for the platen
which will result in the latter being carried in the desired arc of a circle during
its movement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:
1. In a printing press, the combination with the frame and travelling inking-
rollers, of one or more ink plates supported adjacent to the path of said rollers, a
central opening in said plate and an inking-disk supported and adapted to be rotated
within said plate opening, substantially as specified.
2. In a printing-press, the combination with the main frame, frame arms 5
projecting therefrom, arms 37 bridging said frame arms and key-ways 35 therein,
of an inking-plate 39 having a central opening, an arm 41 bridging said opening
and having central lugs 42, set-screws 85 passing through said lugs and engaging
with said key-ways of the arms 37 and rotating ink-disk suspended from arm 37
within the inking plate opening, substantially as specified.
3. In a printing-press, the combination with the frame, parallel frame arms 5,
having slots 18 as described, fixed vertical bed-plate 6 between said frame sides,
the movable printing plate connected roller bearing, bearing blocks 67 opposite
said slots 18, pins 68 projecting loosely through said slots, inking-rollers pivoted
between said roller bearing blocks, an inking plate or disk for each set of rollers
and a ratchet wheel formed therewith, of the rotating gear-wheel 25 and disk 26,
cam-ways therein formed as described of concentric and eccentric grooves, cross-
heads, 34, 31, sliding in slots 29 and 30 of the press frame and connected by
shafts 35, 32, arms 51 extending from shaft 32, T shaped bodies 52 jointedly
connected with arms 51 and sliding in frame grooves 18, rods 55, 56, connecting
the outer arms of bodies 52, pawls or fingers 57 supported from said rods and
engaging with the teeth of the inking-disk ratchet-wheel, lug or arm 61 projecting
therefrom, rod 62 connecting said lugs 61, 63, and slotted arms 65 connecting the
shaft 64 and roller bearing block pins 68, substantially as described.
Dated this 17th day of November 1891.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.