IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES."- A communication from abroad
by Merritt Gally, of Rochester, County of Monroc, and State of
New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 29th March 1870, and dated the 3rd February 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 3rd February 1870.
'
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in printing presses,
and in the manner of operating the same.
The Invention has reference to but one class of presses, but it has
been developed. into various modifications, which are herein-after
separately specified.

page_text: The principal feature of the Invention and the one adhered to in all
the modifications is the supporting of the vibrating plate, whether the
same be used as bed or platen of the press, upon rockers instead of
swinging the same upon pivots, as heretofore. This feature is com-
pletely represented in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying Drawings,
and I will proceed to describe it with particular reference to the said
Figures, although it is also shown in the other part of the Drawings.
Figure 1 represents a side view of the vibrating plate, and Figure 2 a
view of the same inclined backwards; Figure 3 is a side view of the
inking apparatus arranged on the press; Figure 4 is a detail face view of
the gear for operating the inking rollers; Figure 5 is a side view of the
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
press.
B represents the type bed, and O the vibrating plate. Either B or C
may be used as bed or platen, that is to say, when the type is set up on
the plate B the plate C is used for the reception of the paper, and vice
versa.. Instead of swinging the vibrating plate C upon a pivot, as in
other presses, I support the same upon the curved rocker or rockers E, E,
which rest upon the rocker seat or scats P, P. Thus constructed the
plate O may be perfectly balanced by adjusting the rocker seat or
seats P, P, with respect to the centre of gravity of the plate C without
the use of a counterweight. The toggle for making the impression may
be of the following construction :-One arm D is pivoted in a horizontal
position by means of a stop g at its pivoted extremity. Another
arm D is allowed to drop below the arm D after the impression, and
as the plate O moves backward the arm D slides by the arm D", as a
represented in Figure 2. The inking rollers R, R, are carried over the
types by the action of a pulley K and belt or chain M. The pulley K
is moved and also allowed an interval of rest by means of the partial
gear I, J, holding the inking rollers up against the distributing
cylinder L during the impression, after which they are allowed to roll a
down, and are then immediately drawn up to their former position. The
untoothed portion of the gear holds the pulley K in position during its
state of rest.
Figures 6 to 12 represent another form of press, in which the rocking
plate above described is adhered to, while other parts of the machinery 3
are considerably modified. Figuro 6 represents a side elevation of
the entire press; Figure 7 is a side view in two positions of the
changeable ink fountain employed therein; Figure 8 is a detail side

page_text: Pr
chase to the same; Figure 9 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale
of the ink fountain showing the parts in the working position;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the same showing the tank or shell
thrown back from the guage; Figure 11 is a horizontal section of the
entire press; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the platen with the
gripers or frisket fingers.
The plate A is supported on curved supports or rockers R' resting
upon rocker seats a, as in the machine shown in Figuro-1. By properly.
shaping the curves of the supports or rockers R' with respect to the
centre of gravity of the plate A said plate may be made to remain
perfectly self-balanced at every point in its movement without the aid of
springs, guides, counterweights, or any appliance, using force or weight
so long as the rockers remain fixed in position and the curves of the
faces of said supports or rockers remain unchanged. Therefore to
prevent the wearing away or flattening of the curved faces of the
rockers R³ at their points of contact with the rocker seats at the time
the direct impression of the paper is made upon the types by the plate A
I attach a hardened friction roller P' to each rocker, the face of said
friction roller. being slightly flush with the curved faces of the rockers R',
thus preserving the curves of said rockers, and thereby retaining their
proper relation to the centre of gravity of the plate A. While the paper
is being pressed against the types the rockers R' are held in position by
a lever projecting from the said rocker or rockers, which lever is provided
with a friction roller or equivalent lug, stop, or stud P", which comes in
contact with the under surface of a flange V on a. I make the rocker
seat a either plain faced or toothed, or both, or plain faced with a rack
in combination, meshing into a toothed segment on the rocker or
rockers R¹. I make the rocker seat or seats in any of the above
methods, and render the rocker seat or rack or both combined self-
adjusting by the addition of a spring C', which allows. slight. movement
under pressure. Motion is given to the rockers R' and thus to the
plate A for making the impression and carrying the paper to and from
the types by means of cranks or crank wheels F, F, upon a driving shaft
behind the counter plate B acting through connecting rods or draw
bars D', D', as fully shown in Fig. 11. As great power is required'
for the impression the cranks or crank wheels I must necessarily be
made very strong and thick. In printing presses in common use in
.
0

page_text: which similar cranks or crank wheels are used for a like purpose said
cranks or crank wheels are placed so as to extend entirely beyond the
sides of the bed, making the driving shaft of greater length, and
increasing the length of the collar of plato A where the draw bars take
hold to such an extent as to subject both driving shaft and collar to
great strain. To prevent this unnecessary strain I depress the sides of
the bed and framework G behind the face B of said bed, and let in the
crank wheels F, F', Figure 11, in such a manner as to allow but a small
portion of the crank to extend beyond the sides of the bed. This
shortens both driving shaft and collar, and brings the draw bars D', D',
much closer; and as I leave no space for roller levers between the crank
wheels and framework, or between draw bars and cranks, or between
draw bars and platen collar, the draught of the draw bars D', D', is
brought close to the journal bearings of the driving crank shaft, making
the machine much stronger than if constructed in the common manner.
The bed is not weakened by depressing the sides for the crank wheels,
as said depressions are behind that portion of the face of the bed on
which the chase and furniture rest, where no pressure is ever applied.
The cranks F project beyond the bed only enough to allow free passage
for the roller carriage and levers T, T, pivoted behind and in line with
said cranks outside of the body F of the crank wheels, requiring no
space between the crank wheels and bed or framework; said levers T
are so shaped by a curve passing above and partly around the cranks as
to allow them full sweep without contact with said levers. I work the
levers T, T, by an outside cam or traverse on one of the crank wheels.
One of the crank wheels F is enlarged so as to form the large driving
gear wheel g', g*, of the press, and the shaft 40, through which tho
levers T, T, act in unison, passes through the framework behind said
gear wheel, bringing the said gear wheel between one of the levers and
the side of the framework. The end of the lever T may be made to
move in a direct line parallel with the face of the types, or at any angle
from such line, instead of describing an arc of a circle. This I do by
allowing the pivot Z to traverse the slotted fulcrum $ instead of making
it a fixed centre. I balance the inking rollers by using the double lever
and weight II, II', W, which project forward between the sides of the
supporting framework so as not to increase the dimensions of the press.
The spring b, Figure 8, to which is attached a small pin, grasps the
chase Y, holding it against the face of the bed B to prevent its being
forced forward by accident. By pressing the spring upward the catch is

page_text: withdrawn and the chase is relieved. The backward inclination of the
face of the bed B is sufficient for the perfect safety and proper working
of most forms when said inclination varies from a vertical at an angle of
from one to three degrees only, but it may be extended to a much
greater angle without disturbing the self-balancing properties of the
counterplate A; this is done by either one of the two following.
methods:-First, by simply extending the curves of the rockers R'
further forward, which will allow the plate A' to tip further forward
without affecting the equilibrium. The second method is by either
inclining the rocker seats a from a horizontal or varying the curve of
the rockers R', or both. The plate A may be made to preponderate
either forward or backward or vary in preponderance at different points
in its movement, if desired, by varying the curve of the rockers or
inclination of rocker seats without the aid of springs or counterweights,
or the application of any force. In this way a momentum may be
overcome or used at any point of movement, and by making rockers or
rocker seats or both adjustable the momentum of the plate A may he
exactly overcome at any given rate of velocity in its movement. The
plate A may be used either as bed or platen in this as in the former case.
•
I make the part of the ink fountain which supports the guage
separate from the trough or shell that it may be casily thrown backward
or detached from the trough. The trough can then be easily cleaned or.
exchanged for another containing a different kind or color of ink.
Figure 7 represents an end view of the ink fountain, the lower part
showing the samo in position for changing the trough. I work the
frisket fingers by means of a rod and coiled springs t, t, in connection
with a. lever d', which lever is attached to the finger bar s³, as shown in
Figure 12. The rod is furnished with nuts or stops m, m', and also
passes through the swivel eye m" which is attached to the framework of
the press. The spring at t closes the frisket fingers against the platen as
the platen moves forward, and the spring at ♬ opens the same when the
platen moves backward. As previously stated the draw bars D', D', alo.
used to give motion to the plate A in carrying the sheet to be printed to
and from the types, and also to make the impression. It is also desirable
to have a period of rest given to the plate A to allow time for properly
placing the sheet upon it. To accomplish this object I use either of two
methods; first, a slot c³ is made in each of the draw bars D', and as the
diameter of the sweep of the cranks F.is greater than the required

page_text: lateral motion of the draw bars D' in moving plate A forward or back,
the crank pins d³ are allowed to traverse the slots during a part of the
time of the sweep of the cranks, thus giving a period of rest to the
plate A; the second method is by slotting the opposite ends of the
draw bars D', D', and allowing said draw bars to slide during a part of
their lateral movement upon the pins or journals do. In the first method
the draw bars D', D¹, havo no lateral movement during the time of rest
of the plate A; in the second method the draw bars D', D', have a
constant lateral motion during the time of rest of the plate A, but are
allowed to slido upon the pins or journals dº.
In the apparatus illustrated in Figures 13 to 20 the same feature of
using a rocking platen is shown, but the other parts are essentially
different in the same. Figure 13 represents a side elevation of the press
showing the construction and relative arrangement of the ways of
pulleys or guides which give direction to the roller carriage; Figure 14:
is a longitudinal vertical section of the same showing the construction
of the type bed, arrangement of distributing cylinders, and combination
of levers used for giving motion to the inking rollers; Figuro 15 is a
perspective view of portions of the same; Figure 16 is a detached view of
a portion of the draw bar, together with the reversed cap cam; Figure 17:
is a horizontal section of the entire press showing all the parts;
Figure 18 is a side elevation of the same showing the method of
working the ink fountain and the vibrating feed roller by a common
mechanism; Figure 19 is a perspective view of the set latch for setting
the degree of the impression; Figure 20 is a longitudinal section of the
same; Figure 21 is a perspective view of the ink fountain, tank, or
shell coated or lined with porcelain; Figures 22, 23, 24, and 25 are end
elevations of the impression adjusted and thrown off; Figure 26 is a
perspective view of the impression adjusted when the the two wedges or
sleeves are connected by a bar; Figure 27 is a longitudinal and trans-
verse view of the partitions of the chambered shell forming the type bed;
Figure 28 is a view of the gripper or frisket finger perforated for the uso
of guides; Figure 29, a view of the elastic cut-off for the ink fountains,
and Figure 30 is a cross section on an enlarged scale of the device
shown in Figure 29. Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts.
The characteristic features of the devices herein described arc,—

page_text: inking rollers, such ways bearing such relation to the ink distributing
cylinders as to ensure an easy movement to said rollers, and at the same.
time raise them free from the distributing cylinders on approaching or
leaving the same, and thus avoiding the tearing of rollers so frequent in
presses where the former are drawn over the distributing cylinders; such
construction allowing an arrangement of the distributing cylinders, which
secures the removal of the inking rollers from the plane of the face of
the types while in process of distribution, permitting the printing of
sheets larger than the platen, or with margin extending: beyond the
platen, without danger of such sheets coming in contact with said inking
rollers or cylinders.
2nd. The construction and use of cams which govern the movements
of the draw bars in connection with the driving cranks.
3rd. A compound lever for giving motion to the inking rollers, one of
the single levers of which always has a positive motion at the time of
inking the types, while the other parts may be disconnected if desired,.
leaving the inking rollers upon the distributing cylinder or cylinders for
a longer distribution. When the simple levers forming the compound.
lever are connected and act together, said inking rollers have a positive
motion in both directions over the types, never being allowed to run
down by their own weight.
4th. A device for disconnecting the single levers of which such
compound lever is made up, and rendering one portion of the same;
together with the inking rollers inoperative, while the remaining lever
continues in the positive motion above described.
5th. A catch for preventing the said disconnecting device from being
released at any other time than when the single levers composing the
compound lever are in proper position for connection.
6th. Curved wedges or sleeves placed between the pins, trunnions, or
journals which sustain the thrust or draft of the impression of a printing.
press, and the bearings of such pins or journals for changing the degree.
of the impression.
7th. A set latch for adjusting the degree of the impression in connection
with the curved wedges or sleeves above referred to.
8th. A device for working the ink fountain and vibrating feed rollers
huone and the same movement
:

page_text: 9th. The coating or lining the metallic shell or tank of an ink fountain
with porcelain or other substance non-corrosive by ink.
10th. Constructing the bed of a press in the form of a shell, divided
into apartments by longitudinal and transverse braces, which convergo
to a common bearing or line of resistance, when all of said braces unito
in sustaining any pressure that may be brought on the face of the bed.
11th. Springs, india-rubber packing, or other clastic material to take
the positive pressure off the ink fountain set screws so as to prevent the
binding of the guage or cut-off upon the surface of the roller which
feeds the ink from the trough or tank.
12th. The making of holes through the grippers or frisket fingers which
hold the sheet in place upon the tympan or platen, said holes allowing
the placing of guides on the tympan shect in line with said grippers.
13th. The placing of a lug upon the lever projection of the platen
rocker, which in connection with a flango or stop on the framework
holds the platen in position during the impression.
14th. Imparting a backward inclination to the typo bed when used
with a rocking, rolling, vibrating, or oscillating platen for the purpose of
fastening the form to the face of the bed by its own gravity, preventing
loose type from working out and the form "bagging."
In the Drawings the way a¹, a³, a³, a', which governs the direction of
the rollers 1, 2, 3, has a straight part in line with the face of the types,
and a series of curves at that part nearest the ink distributing cylinder or
cylinders. This series of curves may be varied for different numbers of
inking rollers. In Figure 13 three inking rollers are represented, 1, 2, 3,
as resting upon the distributing cylinders 4, 5. The direction of move-
ment of the pulleys 7, 8, determines the direction of the inking rollers as
they leave and approach the distributing cylinders. Roller 1 simply
comes in contact with cylinder 5, and leaves it directly, passing toward
cylinder 4; at the same time the rollers 2 and 3 are lifted off from
cylinder 4 without being drawn over its surface. This is done by the
Diovement of the pulley 8 into the curve a². As roller 1 nears cylinder 4
it also is raised clear of said cylinder by the passage of pulley 7 into
curve a³. The pulleys 7 and 8 then both pass through curve a³ into the
straight part a*. It will be seen that the passage of the pulley 7, 8,
through the series of curves a¹, a³, a³, into the straight way a' will
give an easy undulating motion to the rollers, and at the same time
prevent the composition of the rollers 1, 2, 3, from being torn as it is

page_text: -
liable to be when said rollers are drawn over the surfaces of the cylinders
in the usual manner. It will also be seen that this arrangement so
removes the inking rollers and distributing cylinders from the plane of
the face of the types as to allow the printing of sheets larger than the
face of the platen or with margins extending beyond the face of the
platen and thus prevents the contact of said sheets with the ink upon said
rollers and cylinders. In Figure 16 the traverso cam C³ in connection.
with stud or pulley G' governs the movement of draw bar D' while the
crank pin e is passing through the slot d. During a part of the sweep of
the crank pin e it acts in unison with the stud or pulley G!, that part of
the traverse through which the stud or pulley is passing being concentric.
with the crank pin. The remainder of the traverse being eccentric to
the crank pin allows the said movement of the latter in the slot d, at the
same time holding the draw bar quiet so as to impart a time of perfect
rest to the plate A. The traverse may either be a cap, as represented, to
be attached to the crank pin outside of the the draw bar, or it may form
part of the crank wheel inside of the draw bar. The combination of
levers for giving motion to the inking rollers is arranged as follows :-
H', Figures 13 and 14, is a shaft to which roller arms. I', Figure 13 are
attached, through which by any means of connection motion is given to
the inking rollers of a press. To the shaft H* I attach a lever K', which
may be entirely separate from the roller arms or levers above mentioned
or may form part of one of them. I also pivot another lever L' at Hª,
said lever having a positive vibrating motion at the time for moving the
inking rollers over the types and back again to their position on the
distributing cylinders, such positive motion being imparted by a stud or
pulley O working in positive traverse cam C³, to which traverse cam
motion is communicated by the driving shaft E'. I connect the lovers
L' and K¹ by means of a hook connection M³ pivoted to one of said levers
and booked upon a stud or pin attached to the other. It will be scen
that when levers L' and K' are in the position shown in Figure 15 by
raising the hook M' from the stud E the lever I will be allowed its
positive movement without motion of the lever K³, and whenever the
hook M' is hooked upon the stud E' both levers L' and K' will have a
positive motion, acting as a connected compound lever. As lever L' acts
through the shaft H' to which roller arms or roller levers are attached it will
be seen that the inking rollers when moved in either direction over tho
types will have a positive motion, or that said rollers may be retained any
length of time upon the inking cylinders for distribution by disconnecting

page_text: the levers L'and K' when in the position represented in Figure 15. For
disconnecting said levers I use the lever N with short arms 9¹, said lever
being pivoted at f. It will be seen in Figure 15 that by working the
lever N the short arm g² will raise the hook M¹ and disconnect the levers
L, K When the hook M' is lifted from the stud E the end of short
arm g¹ of lever N moves to a position in front of a projecting portion i of
lever K', which portion acts as a stop to prevent any movement of the
lever K¹ during a complete vibration or a number of vibrations of the
lever L'. A drop hook or latch P³, Figure 14, drops into a connection
with a mortice in the end of the short arm g¹ and prevents lever N
from being worked except when the levers L and K' are in juxta-
position. The latch P³ is relieved from the mortise in the end of the
short arm g¹ by a projection & driving against a projection of said
latch. It will be seen that as soon as the lever L' moves away from the
lever K' the latch P³ will fall into position and prevent the working of
the lever N at the wrong time, thereby also the dropping of the hook
connection M.
Upon the pins, trunnions, or journals I², Figures 22, 23, 24, and 25,
which sustain the force or draught of impression of a printing press,
I place curved wedges or sleeves or i, the concave face of said wedges
or sleeves being concentric and in contact with said pins, trunnions, or
journals I³, said wedges or sleeves being placed between said pins,
trunnions, or journals and their journal boxes or bearings. The convex or
outside face of cach wedge or sleeve is concentric with and in contact with
a part or whole of the concave or inner face of said box or bearing M³, tho
latter being made either movable or stationary in connection with the
framework, type bed, or platen; said framework, bed, or platen being
constructed in suitable manner, whether the face of said type bed or
plate for receiving the sheet is planc, cylindrical, segmental, or of any
other construction, or whether the outside box or bearing M (either
movable or stationary) is used either in connection with impression bars,
connection rods, draw bars, or their equivalents, or forms a part of the
same. By turning the sleeve wedge i, ³, to different positions about
the trunnion pin or journal I the impression may be changed to any
degree from zero to the strongest power of the press according as the 3
position of said trummiou pin or journal is thus changed with respect to
the box or bearing M*. As the surface of the piu or journal 1ª and
concave face of the wedge or sleeve, i, are concentric with each other,

page_text: and the outside face of said wedge or sleeve, and the face of the box or
bearing are concentric with each other, said outside and inside faces of
said wedge or sleeve being only slightly eccentric with each other, it
will be seen by referring to Figures 23 and 24 that the tendency of the
wedge or sleeve to turn under draught or pressure when set in any
position is very slight. In Figure 23 the wedge is represented as a
complete crescent, and in Figure 24 it is increased to a sleeve. It will
be seen that when under pressure or draught one half of said wedge or
sleeve tends to move in one direction, and the other half in an opposite
direction, as shown by the direction of the arrows in Figures 23 and 24.
As but little difference in the positions of said wedge-or-sleeves-is
necessary for any change, required in impression the variation between
the tendencies to turn in either direction will be slight, and more
than overcome by the friction of the surfaces under pressure draught.
No device therefore is necessary for holding the wedge or sleeve in
position while under pressure or draught; some device is however
necessary for moving and setting said wedge or sleeve to the degree
of impression required, and where two or more of said wedges or sleeves
act in unison some device is required for connecting them together.
In the latter case I use the connecting bar T', Figure 26, or an equivalent.
As the friction of the bearing surfaces in Figures 23 and 24 more than
overcomes the tendency of the crescent to turn under pressure or
draught the position of the crescent cannot be changed when desired
with ease when any great amount of pressure or draught remains
continuous. In such a case I cut one limb of the crescent away moro
or less, thus destroying the equipoise of the two limbs, as shown in
Figure 22, or cut one limb of the crescent entirely away, forming the
curved wedge of Figure 25. In that part of the press A³, Figure 19,
which contains or supports the pin, trunnion, or journal with which
said wedge or sleeve comes in contact I place a conical headed screw I³,
the head of which forms a V shaped catch for the catch hook W' in
whatever position the screw L may be turned. In Figure 13, T
represents a projection upon the sleeve or wedge i, 1º, or a bar con-
necting two or more wedges or sleeves when more than one are required.
Upon the projection or bar T is a handle of the following construction :
-Through the socket U passes a rod with ball or handle V; upon said
rod is a socket spring a³, Figure 20, and attached to the end of the rod
opposite handle V is the catch hook W'. By pressing upon the ball or
handle V the hook W' will be. released from the catch L³, and the wedge

page_text: .
or sleeve may be turned at will_to_any_position-within-scope-of-its-
movement. To set the impression to any particular degree desired it
will only be necessary to move the cone L by turning the screw to
which it is attached out or farther into the supporting part-A³ and
bringing the hook W¹ and cone L³ into connection. This will vary thic
position of bar or projection T", and thus vary the position of wedge or
sleeve. In combination with the spring catch described in Figures 6-12
I use a wedge-shaped key , Figure 21, which works in a groove at the
top of the bed B under said spring catch. The key being driven
under the spring K the chase ³ will remain relieved from the catchi 1
any length of time desired, and as bed B'inclines backward so that the
chase always rests against it by its own weight, any number of trial
immpressions may be taken while underlaying the form without fastening.
the chase in place and unfastening the same for each trial.sheet.
'
The manner of working the ink fountain and vibrating feed roller is 1
represented in Figure 18. The crooked lever V* works the pawl Vs by:
contact with a cam V on the crank wheel F. The ink is fed from the
fountain roller ³ on to the vibrating roller Ve while rollers n³ and Ve
are in contact, such feeding being effected by the working of the
pawl Vs and ratchet n³, and the same movement of said pawl being 2
continued forces the vibrating feed roller V against the distributing
cylinder 4, said pawl pressing against the vibrating yoke Vs. This'
requires but one movement for feeding the ink from the fountain on to'
the vibrating feed roller, and also for working the vibrating feed 'roller
to and from the distributing cylinder. I coat or line the tank or shell., 2
Figure 21, which contains the ink of an ink fountain with porcelain or
other substance non-corrosive to ink to prevent the metallic substanco
of said tank or shell from corroding or discoloring the ink.
The construction of the. bed B is shown in Figure 27, showing an cnd
view and a longitudinal plane section. The face of the bed is represented 30
by B, the longitudinal braces are represented by , and the transverse
braco by 1. The cone points or vent holes made in casting are represented
by F, F, the several braces of the bed converge to a common bearing
line E', which corresponds with the driving shaft E' of Figure 14. The
bed constructed as above described may be made together with the 35
supporting framework in one picco. In such case said franiework will.
form the end braces the bed still remaining a hollow chambered.
shell, the cone points making the openings or vent holes F, F, through,

page_text: end braces.
In applying the spring material to the ink fountain guage to prevent
the binding of the knife or cut-off f³, Figure 29, on the ink feed roller So,
Figure 29, I use the following method as one of the most convenient in
manufacturing and durable for use:-I place a piece or pieces of rubber
packing or other elastic material ³ upon the knife or cut off f³, said
material being removed far enough from the edge of said knife as to
avoid contact with the ink. I then place upon this elastic material a
thin bearing plate or slips f" to receive the direct pressure or friction of
the set screws m³. The pressure of said set screws is conveyed indirectly
to the cut-off fs, but prevented from being a positive irresistible pressuro
by the intermediate elastic material h³, so that the flow of ink can be
entirely cut off on any part of the length of the roller So without binding
or setting said roller. The guage thus constructed is made movable so
that it may be cleaned separately from the roller S. The holes u, 2,
Figure 28, in the frisket finger are made large enough for small feed
guides to be placed under them on the tympan sheet. These holes have
two prominent advantages over notches cut into the side of the finger,
1st, the finger is much stronger having material left on all sides of the
hole; and 2nd, the entire edge of the finger is left for clamping the sheet,
holding it in place more firmly, also preventing tearing or wearing frail
sheets by contact with the corners made by notching the fingers. S',
Figures 13 and 17, is the lug placed on the lever projection of the platen
support or rocker R³ which draws upon the flange or lug Y¹ for the
purpose of firmly holding the platen in position during the time for
taking the impression. The bed B, Figures 13 and 14, is made to incline
backward at any angle between 45° and the vertical in order that the
type may rest upon the face of said bed by its own gravity, preventing
the loose type from working out of the form and the latter from
'bagging." I am aware that an inclined bed has already been used in
connection with a cylinder and also in connection with a reciprocating
platen inclined parallel to the bed; but never yet has a back-
wardly inclined bed been used together with a vibrating, oscillating, or
rocking platen on account of the necessarily extended sweep of the
platen. By constructing a platen of the general nature of the one here
shown, the sweep is materially shortened, thus allowing the use of such
bed.
"

page_text: In Figures 31 to 34 is represented a press constructed on somewhat
different principles from those herein-before specified. Figure 31
represents a side view of the press; Figure 32 is a detail sectional view
of the roller carriage; Figure 33 is a side view on an enlarged scale of
the operating rack and pinion for reversing the platen; Figure 31 is a
perspective view of part of the roller carriage. Similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts. The chief characteristic of this
press consists in the provision of a rotary flat platen which prints
alternately with opposite faces, so that one face may be used for printing
while the other receives the paper. The platen A' is made with two
faces which alternate in their impressions upon the form, so that one
sheet placed upon one face of said platen may be printed while another
sheet is being placed upon the opposite face. The faces are made to
change places with respect to- cach other by the working of the rack R°
in connection with the pinion W. The platen is supported and turned
upon journals or trunnions which project from each end of said platen
midway between the two faces, and the pinion W is allowed to turn
freely in one direction upon one of said journals, but is printed from
turning in the opposite direction upon the journal by a common clutch Nº,
Figure 33, one-half of said clutch forming a part of the body of
pinion W³, while the other half of said clutch slides on a feather bedded
into the journal 8, Figure 33. The spring 9 holds the clutch in working
position. The rack R' in its upward movement (caused by the cam C'
below) together with a downward movement of the platen turns said
platen and interchanges the faces of the same, the rack R' leaving the
pinion W after one-half revolution of said pinion, after which an
impression is made. On the other hand when the platen rises from the
impression and the rack R' is allowed to move downward the pinion W
turns freely in the opposite direction without turning the platen, allowing
the platen to remain in position for feeding the sheet next to be printed.
Figure 31 represents and end view of the roller carriage containing
the inking rollers, which are held in journal boxes 1, 1, . Said journal
boxes are allowed tɔ slide up and down or back and forth upon rods which
are made fast to the body of the roller carriage and project from said
carriage on the "roller side." Said rods are bent in form of an inverted ;
letter U, and upon said rods are placed coiled springs S' against which
the journal boxes tact when moved upon the yokes or bent rods upon
which they slide. The rollers are set (as to their impression on the
types) by changing the position of their journal boxes P, P, P, by means

page_text: of the nuts nº, nº, nº, and the tension of the springs S", S, S', is regulated
by the nuts, nº, n. The object of bending the springs and rods
S⁹, Sº, S', in the yoke form represented is to allow the use of a long spring
with slight extension from the roller carriage proper or body of carriage.
Although in this last form of press the platen is operated on principles
entirely different from those specified in the main point of the description,
it will be noticed that the roller carriage part of the press is equally
applicable to the rocker press. Figure 13 shows its application to the
press with the rocking platen.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 26th July 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS. Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-third
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special licence
that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, 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,” a communication to me from abroad by Merritt Gally,
of Rochester, County of Monroe, and State of New York, United States
of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Alexander Melville Clark, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent. .

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the three Sheets of
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thercon (that is to say)
This Invention relates to certain improvements in printing presses
and in the manner of operating the same.
The Invention has reference to but one class of presses, but it has been
developed into various modifications, which are herein-after separately
specified.
The principal feature of the Invention and the one adhered to in all
modifications is the supporting of the vibrating plate, whether the same
be used as bed or platen of the press, upon rockers instead of swinging
the same upon pivots as heretofore. This feature is completely
represented in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying Drawings, and I will
proceed to describe it with particular reference to the said Figures
although it is also shown in the other part of the Drawing.
Figure 1 represents a side view of the vibrating plate, and Figure 2 a
view of the same inclined backwards; Figure 3 is a side view of the
inking apparatus arranged on the press; Figure 4 is a detail face view
of the gear for operating the inking rollers; Figure 5 is a side view
of the press. Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
rocker or
B represents the type bed, and C the vibrating plate. Either B or C
may be used as bed or platen, that is to say, when the type is set up on
the plate B the plate O is used for the reception of the paper, and vice
versa. Instead of swinging the vibrating plate O upon a pivot as in
other presses
I support the same upon the curved
rockers E, E, which rest upon the rocker seat or scats P, P. Thus con-
structed the plate C may be perfectly balanced by adjusting the rocker
scat or seats P, P, with respect to the centre of gravity of the plate C
without the use of a counterweight. The toggle for making the impression
may be of the following construction:--One arm D is pivoted in a
horizontal position by means of a stop g at its pivoted extremity.
Another arm D² is allowed to drop below the arm 1 after the impression,
and as the plate U moves backward the armn D slides by the arm D³ as
represented in Figure 2. The inking rollers R, R, are carried over the
types by the action of a pulley K and belt or chain M. The pulley K

page_text: is moved and also allowed an interval of rest by means of the partial
gear I, J, holding the inking rollers up against the distributing
cylinder L during the impression, after which they are allowed to roll
down, and are then immediately drawn up to their former position.
The untoothed portion of the gear holds the pulley K in position during
its state of rest.
Figures 6 to 12 represent another form of press in which the rocking
plate above described is adhered to, while other parts of the machinery
are considerably modified. Figure 6 represents a side elevation of the
entire press; Figure 7 is a side view in-two positions of the changeable
ink fountain employed therein; Figure 8 is a detail side view of the
upper end of the bed showing the manner of securing the chase to the
same; Figure 9 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the ink
fountain showing the parts in the working position; Figure 10 is a
perspective view of the same showing the guage thrown back from the
tank or shell; Figure 11 is a horizontal section of the entire press;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the platen with the gripers or frisket
fingers.
The plate A is supported on curved supports or rockers R' resting
upon rocker seats a as in the machine shown in Figure 1. By properly
shaping the curves of the supports or rockers R' with respect to the
centre of gravity of the plate A said plate may be made to remain
perfectly self-balanced at every point in its movement without the aid of
springs, guides, counterweights, or any appliance using force or weight, so
long as the rockers remain fixed in position and the curves of the faces of
said supports or rockers remain unchanged. Therefore to prevent the
wearing away or flattening of the curved faces of the rockers R' at their
points of contact with the rocker seats at the time the direct impression of
the paper is made upon the types by the plate A I attach a hardened
friction roller P₁to each rocker, the face of said friction roller being
slightly flush with the curved faces of the rockers R', thus preserving the
curves of said rockers, and thereby retaining their proper relation to the
centre of gravity of the plate A. While the paper is being pressed against
the types the rockers R' are held in position by a lever projecting from
said rocker or rockers, which lever is provided with a friction roller or
equivalent lug, stop, or stud P³ which comes in contact with the under
surface of a flange V on a. I make the rocker seat a cither plain faced
or toothed, or both, or plain faced with a rack in combination meshing
B

page_text: scat or seats in any of the above methods, and render the rocker scat or
rack or both combined self-adjusting by the addition of a spring C¹ which
allows slight movement under pressure. Motion is given to the rockers R¹
and thus to the plate A, for making the impression and carrying' the
paper to and from the types by means of cranks or crank wheels F, F,
upon a driving shaft behind the counter plate B acting through connection
rods or draw bars D', D', as fully shown in Figure 11. As great power
is required for the impression the cranks or crank wheels F must
necessarily be made very strong and thick.
On printing presses in common use on which similar cranks or crank
wheels are used for a like purpose said cranks or crank wheels are placed
so as to extend entirely beyond the sides of the bed, making the driving
shaft of greater-length and increasing the length of the collar of the
plate A where the draw bars take hold to such an extent as to subject
both driving shaft and collar to great strain. To prevent this unnecessary.
strain I depress the sides of the bed and framework G behind the face B
of said bed, and let in the crank wheels F, F, Figure 11, in such a
manner as to allow but a small portion of the crank to extend beyond
the sides of the bed. This shortens both driving shaft and collar, and
brings the draw bars D', D', much closer, and as I leave no space for
roller levers between the crank wheels and framework, or between draw
bars and cranks, or between draw bars and platen collar, the draught of
the draw bars D³, D', is brought close to the journal bearings of the
.driving crank shaft, making the machine much stronger than if con-
structed in the common manner. The bed is not weakened by depressing
the sides for the crank wheels, as said depressions are behind that portion
of-the-face-of-the bed on which the chase and furniture rest, and where
no pressure is ever applied. The cranks F project beyond the bed only
far enough to allow free passage for the roller carriage, and levers T; T,
are pívoted behind and in line with said cranks outside of the body F
of the crank wheels requiring no space between the crank wheels and bed'
or framework. Said levers T are so shaped by a curve passing above and
partly around the cranks, as to allow them full sweep without contact
- with said levers: I work the levers T, T; by an outside cam or traverse on
one of the crank wheels. One of the crank wheels is enlarged so as
to form the large driving gear wheel 'gg; of the press, and the shaft 40
through which the levers T, T, act in unison, passes. through the frame-

page_text: work behind said gear wheel, bringing the said gear wheel between one
of the levers and the side of the framework. The end h of the lever T
may be made to move in a direct line parallel with the face of the types,.
or at any angle from such line instead of describing an arc of a circle.
This I do by allowing the pivot Z to traverse the slotted fulcrum S
instead of making it a fixed centre. I balance the inking rollers by using
the double lever and weight H, H', W, which project forward between the
sides of the supporting framework, so as not to increase the dimensions,
of the press. The spring b, Figure 8 to which is attached a small pin
grasps the chase Y holding it against the face of the bed B to prevent its
being forced forward by accident. By pressing the spring upward the.
catch is withdrawn and the chase is relieved. The backward inclination
of the face of the bed B is sufficient for the perfect safety and proper
working of most forms when said inclination varies from a vertical at an.
angle of from one to three degrees only, but it may be extended to a much
greater angle without disturbing the self-balancing properties of the.
counter plate A.. This is done by either one of the two following
methods: First, by simply extending the curves of the rockers R¹
further forward which will allow the plate A to tip further forward with-
out affecting the equilibrum. The second method is by either inclining
the rocker seats a from a horizontal, or varying the curve of the rockers
R' or both. The plate A may be made to preponderate either forward
or backward or vary in preponderance at different points in its move-
ment if desired by varying the curve of the rockers or inclination of
rocker seats without the aid of springs or counterweights or the
application of any force. In this way a momentum may be overcome
or used at any point of movement, and by making rockers or rocker seats,
or both, adjustable the momentum of the plate A may be exactly
overcome at any given rate of velocity in its movement.. The plate A
may be used either as bed or platen. In this as in the former case I
make the part of the ink fountain which supports the guage separate
from the trough or shell that it may be easily thrown backward or be
detached from the trough. The troughh can then be easily cleaned or
exchanged for another containing a different kind or color of ink.
Figure. 7 represents an end view of the ink fountain, the lower part
showing the same in position for changing the trough. I work the
frisket fingers by means of a rod and coiled springs t, t', in connection
with a lever d', which lever is attached to the finger bar S, as shown in
Figure 12. The rod is furnished with nuts or stops m, m³, and also passes

page_text: through the swivel eye m³ which is attached to the framework of the
press. The spring at t closes the frisket fingers against the platen as the
platen moves forward, and the spring at opens the same when the
platen moves backward. As previously stated the draw bars D', D¹, are
used to give motion to the plate A in carrying the sheet to be printed
to and from the types and also to make the impression. It is also
desirable to have a period of rest given to the plate A to allow time for
properly placing the sheet upon it. To accomplish this object I use
either of two methods: first, a slot c³ is made in each of the draw
bars D', and as the diameter of the sweep of the cranks F is greater than
the required lateral motion of the draw bars D in moving plate A
forward or back the crank pins & are allowed to traverse the slots during
a part of the time of the sweep of the cranks, thus giving a period of
rest to the plate A; the second method is by slotting the opposite ends
of the draw bars D¹, D', and allowing said draw bars to slide during a
part of their lateral movement upon the pins or journals ³. In tho
first method the draw bars D', D¹, have no lateral movement during the
time of rest of the plate A; in the second method the draw bars D', D',
have a constant lateral motion during the time of rest of the plate A,
but are allowed to slide upon the pins or journals dº.
•
In the apparatus illustrated in Figures 13-20, the same feature of
using a rocking platen is shown, but the other parts are essentially
different in the same. Figure 13 represents a side elevation of
the press showing the construction and relative arrangement of the
ways of pulleys or guides which give direction to the roller carriage ;
Figure 14 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same showing the
construction of the type bed arrangement of distributing cylinders and
combination of levers used for giving motion to the inking rollers;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of portions of the same; Figure 16 is a
detached view of a portion of the draw bar together with the reversed
cap cam; Figure 17 is a horizontal section of the entire press showing all
the parts; Figure 18 is a side elevation of the same showing the method
of working the ink fountain and the vibrating feed roller by a common
mechanism; Figure 19 is a perspective view of the set latch for setting
the degree of the impression; Figure 20 is a longitudinal section of the
same; Figure 21 is a perspective view of the ink fountain tank or
shell coated or lined with porcelain; Figures 22, 23, 21, and 25 arc
end elevations of the impression adjusted and thrown off; Figure 26

page_text: is a perspective view of the impression adjusted when the two wedges
or sleeves are connected by a bar; Figure 27 is a longitudinal and
transverse view of the partitions of the chambered shell forming the type
bed; Figure 28 is a view of the gripper or frisket finger perforated for
the use of guides; Figure 29, a view of the elastic cut-off for ink
fountains; and Figure 30 is a cross section on an enlarged scale of the
device shown in Figure 29. Similar letters of. reference indicate
corresponding parts.
The characteristic features of the devices herein described are,-
1st. An improved construction of the ways which give direction to the
inking rollers, said ways bearing such relation to the ink distributing
cylinders as to ensure an easy movement to said rollers, and at the
same time raise them free from the distributing cylinders, on approaching
or leaving the same, and thus avoiding the tearing of rollers so frequent
in presses when the former are drawn over the distributing cylinders,
such construction allowing an arrangement of the distributing cylinders
which secures the removal of the inking rollers from the plane of the
face of the types while in process of distribution, permitting the printing
of sheets larger than the platen, or with margin extending beyond the
platen without danger of such sheets coming in contact with said inking
rollers or cylinders.
2nd. The construction and use of cams which govern the movements
of the draw bars in connection with the driving cranks.
3rd. A compound lever for giving motion to the inking rollers, one of
the single levers of which always has a positive motion at the time of
inking the types, while the other parts may be disconnected if desired,
leaving the inking rollers upon the distributing cylinder or cylinders
for a longer. distribution. When the simple. levers forming the com-
pound lever are connected and act together said inking rollers have a
positive motion in both directions over the types, never being allowed to
run down by their own weight.
4th. A device for disconnecting the single lever of which such
compound lever is made up, and rendering one portion of the same
together with the inking rollers inoperative, while the remaining lever
continues in the positive motion above:described.
-
-
5th. A catch for preventing the said disconnecting. device from being
released at any other time than when the single-levers.composing the
compound-lever are in proper position for connection.-

page_text: 6th. Curved wedges or sleeves placed between the pins, trunnions, or
journals which sustain the thrust or draft of the impression of a printing
press and the bearings of such pins or journals for changing the degree
of the impression.
7th. A set latch for adjusting the degree of the impression in con-
nection with the curved wedges or sleeves above referred to.
8th. A device for working the ink fountain and vibrating feed rollers
by one and the same movement.
9th. The coating or lining the metallic shell or tank of an ink fountain
with porcelain or other substance non-corrosive by ink.
10th. Constructing the bed of a press in the form of a shell divided
into apartments by longitudinal and transverse braces which converge
to a common bearing or line of resistance, when all of said braces unite
in sustaining any pressure that may be brought on the face of the bed.
11th. Springs, india-rubber packing, or other elastic material to take
the positive pressure off the ink fountain set screws, so as to prevent the
binding of the guage or cut-off upon the surface of the roller which
feeds the ink from the trough or tank:
12th. The making of holes through the grippers or frisket fingers
which hold the sheet in place upon the tympan or platen, said holes 2
allowing the placing of guides on the tympan sheet in line with said
grippers.
13th. The placing of a lug upon the lever projection of the platen
rocker, which in connection with a flange or stop on the framework holds
the platen in position during the impression.
14th. Imparting a backward inclination to the type bed when used
with a rocking roller, vibrating or oscillating platen, for the purpose of
fastening the form to the face of the bed by its own gravity, preventing
loose type from working out and the form "bagging."
2
In the Drawings the way a¹, a², a³, aª, Figure 18, which governs the 3
direction of the rollers 1, 2, 3, has a straight part in line with the face.
of the types, and a series of curves at that part nearest the ink-dis-
tributing cylinder or cylinders. This series of curves may be varied for
different numbers of inking rollers.
In Figure 13 three inking rollers are represented 1, 2, 3, as resting 3
upon the distributing cylinders 4, 5. The direction of movement of the
pulleys 7, 8, determines the direction of the inking rollers as they leave

page_text: and approach the distributing cylinders. Roller 1 simply comes in
contact with cylinder 5, and leaves it directly, passing toward cylinder. 4.
At the same time the rollers 2 and 3 are lifted off from cylinder 4 without
being drawn over its surface. This is done by the movement of the
pulley 8 into the curve a³. As roller 1 nears cylinder 4 it also is raised
clear of said cylinder by the passage of pulley 7 into curve a². -The
pulleys 7 and 8 then both pass through curve a³ into the straight part a*.
It will be seen that the passage of the pulleys 7, 8, through the series of
curves a¹, aª, a³, into the straight way a' will give an easy undulating
motion to the rollers, and at the same time will prevent the composition
of the rollers 1, 2, 3, from being torn as it is liable to be when said
rollers are drawn over the surfaces of the cylinders in the usual manner.
It will also be seen that this arrangement so removes the inking rollers
and distributing cylinders from the plane of the face of the types as to
allow the printing of sheets larger than the face of the platen, or with
margins extending beyond the face of the platen, and thus prevents the
contact of said sheets with the ink upon said rollers and cylinders.
In Figure 16 the traverse cam C² in connection with stud or pulley G'
governs the movement of draw bar D' while the crank pin E is passing
through the slot d. During a part of the sweep of the crank pin E it
acts in unison with the stud or pulley G', that part of the traverse
through which the stud or pulley is passing being concentric with the
crank pin. The remainder of the traverse being eccentric to the crank
pin allows the said movement of the latter in the slot d, at the same
5 time holding the draw bar quiet, so as to impart a time of perfect rest to
the plate A. The traverse may either be a cap, as represented, to be
attached to the crank pin. outside of the draw bar, or it may form part
of the crank wheel inside of the draw bar.
'
The combination of levers for giving motion to the inking rollers is
0 arranged as follows:-H³, Figures 13 and 14, is a shaft to which roller
arms I, Figure 13, are attached, through which by any means of con-
⚫nection motion is given to the inking rollers of a press. To the shaft H³
I attach a lever K³, which may be entirely separate from the roller arms
or levers above mentioned, or may form part of one of them. I also
5 pivot another lever L' at H', said lever having a positive vibrating
motion at the time for moving the inking rollers over the types, and
back again to their position on the distributing cylinders, such positive
motion being imparted by a stud or pulley O working in positive

page_text: traverse cam C³, to which traverse cam motion is communicated by the
driving shaft E'. I connect the levers L' and K' by means of a hook
connection M³ pivoted to one of said levers, and hooked upon a stud
or pin attached to the other. It will be seen that when levers I and K¹
are in the position shown in Figure 15, by raising the hook M' from the
stud E the lever I will be allowed its positive movement without
motion of the lever K', and whenever the hook M' is hooked upon the
stud E' both levers Land K' will have a positive motion, acting as a
connected compound lever. As lever L' acts through the shaft H³ to
which the roller arms or roller levers are attached, it will be seen that 1
the inking rollers when moved in either direction over the types will
have a positive motion, or that said rollers may be retained any length
of time upon the inking cylinders for distribution by disconnecting the
levers I and K' when in. the position represented in Figure 15. For
disconnecting said levers I use the lever N with short arms g', said lever 1
being pivoted at f. It will be seen in Figure 15 that by working the
lever N the short arms g' will raise the hook M¹ and disconnect the
lever L³, K¹. When the hook M' is lifted from the stud E' the end of
short arm g¹ of lever N moves to a position in front of a projecting
portion of lever K', which portion acts as a stop to prevent any 2
movement of the lever K' during a complete vibration or a number of
vibrations of the lever L. A drop hook or latch P³, Figure 14, drops
into a connection with a mortise in the end of the short arm g¹, and
prevents the lever N from being worked except when the levers L' and K'
are in juxtaposition. The latch P³ is relieved from the mortise in the 2
end of the short arm g' by a projection driving against a projection t³
of said latch. It will be seen that as soon as the lever I moves away
from the lever K¹ the latch P³ will fall into position and prevent the
working of the lever N at the wrong time, and thereby also the dropping
of the hook connection M.
Upon the pins, trunnions, or journals I², Figures 22, 23, 24, and 25,
which sustain the force or draught of the impression of a printing press,
I place curved wedges or sleeves or i, the concave face of said wedges
or sleeves being concentric and in contact with said pins, trunnions, or
journals I, said wedges or sleeves being placed between said pins, 3
trunnions, or journals and their journal boxes or bearings. The convex
or outside face of each wedge or sleeve is concentric with and in contact
with a part or whole of the concave or inner face of said box or

page_text: bearing Me, the latter being made either movable or stationary in con-
nection with the framework, type bed, or platen, said framework; bed,
or platen being constructed in suitable manner, whether the face of said
type bed or the plate for receiving the sheet is plane, cylindrical,
segmental, or of any other construction, or whether the outside box or
bearing MB (either movable or stationary) is used either in connection
with impression bars, connection rods, draw bars, or their equivalents,
or forms a part of the same. By turning the sleeve/or.wedge i, *, to
different positions about the-trunnion, pin, or journal I the impression
may be changed to any degree from zero to the strongest power of the
press according as the position of said trunnion, pin, or journal is thus
changed with respect to the box or bearing M³. As the surface of the
pin or journal I' and concave face of the wedge or sleeve +, i, ‘aro
concentric with each other, and the outside face of said wedge or slceve
and the face of the box or bearing are concentric with each other, said
outside and inside faces of said wedge or sleeve being only slightly
eccentric with each other, it will be seen by referring to Figures 23
and 24 that the tendency of the wedge or sleeve to turn under draught
or pressure when set in any position is very slight. In Figure 23 the
wedge i³ is represented as a complete crescent, and in Figure 24. it is
increased to a sleeve. It will be seen that when under pressure or
draught one half of said wedge or sleeve tends to move in one direction,
and the other half in an opposite direction, as sliown by the direction of
the arrows in Figures 23 and 24. As but little difference in the positions
of said wedge or sleeve is necessary for any change required in the
impression, the variation between the tendencies- to turn in either
direction will be slight and more than overcome by the friction of the
surfaces under pressure or draught. No device therefore is necessary
for holding the wedge or sleeve in position while under pressure or
draught; some device however is necessary for moving and setting said
wedge or sleeve to the degree of impression required, and where two or
more of said wedges or sleeves act in unison some device is required. for
connecting them together. In the latter case I use the connecting
bar T', Figure 26, or an equivalent. As the friction of the bearing
surfaces in Figures 23 and 24 more than overcomes the tendency of the
crescent³ to turn under pressure or draught, the position of the crescent
cannot be changed when desired witli ease when any great amount of
pressure or draught remains continuous. In such a case I cut one limb
of the crescent away more or less, thus destroying the equipoise of the

page_text: .
two limbs, as shown in Figure 22, or cut one limb of the crescent entirely
away, forming the curved wedge of Figure 25. In that part of the
press A, Figure 19, which contains or supports the pin, trunnion, or
journal with which said wedge or sleeve comes in contact I place a
conical-headed screw L³, the head of which forms a V shaped catch for
the catch hook W' in whatever position the screw L³ may be turned.
In Figure 13, T represents a projection upon the sleeve or wedge ³ or a
bar, connecting two or more wedges or sleeves when more than one are
required. Upon the projection or bar T is a handle of the following
construction:-Through the socket U passes a rod with ball or handle V; :
upon said rod is a socket spring a³, Figure 20, and attached to the end
of the rod opposite handle V is the catch hook W. By pressing upon
the ball or handle V the hook W' will be released from the catch I³,
and the wedge or sleeve may be turned at will to any position within-
the scope of its movement. To set the impression to any particular
degree desired it will only be necessary to move the cone L³ by turning
the screw to which it is attached out or farther into the supporting
part A, and bringing the hook W' and cone L' into connection; this
will vary the position of bar or projection T", and thus vary the position
of wedge or sleeve.
"
In combination with the spring catch described in Figures 6-12, I
use a wedge-shaped key K, Figure 21, which works in a groove at the
top of the bed B under said spring catch. The key K' being driven
under the spring K the chase K³ will remain relieved from the catch
any length of time desired, and as bed B inclines backward so that the
chase always rests against it by its own weight any number of trial
impressions may be taken while underlaying the form without fastening
the chase in place and unfastening the same for each trial sheet.
The manner of working the ink fountain and vibrating feed roller is
represented in Figure 18. The crooked lever V* works the pawl V³ by
contact with a cam V' on the crank wheel F. The ink is fed from the
fountain Toller n³ on to the vibrating roller V while rollers n² and Vo are
in contact, such feeding being effected by the working of the pawl V³
and ratchet n³, and the same movement of said pawl being continued
forces the vibrating feed roller Ve against the distributing cylinder 4,
said pawl pressing against the vibrating yoke V. This requires but one
movement for feeding the ink from the fountain on to the vibrating feed
roller, and also for working the vibrating feed roller to and from the

page_text: distributing cylinder. I coat or line the tank or shell n, Figure 21,
which contains the ink of an ink fountain with porcelain or other
¨substancë“non-corrosive to ink, to prevent the metallic substance of said
tank or shell from corroding or discoloring the ink.
The construction of the bed B is shown in Figure 27, showing an
end view and a longitudinal plane section. The face of the bed is
represented by B, the longitudinal braces are represented by ',`F, and
the transverse braces by 1. The cone points or vent holes made in
casting are represented by F, F. The several braces of the bed converge
to a common bearing line E', which corresponds with the driving
shaft E' of Figure 14. The bed, constructed as above described may
be made together with the supporting framework in one piece. In
such casc
said framework will form the end braces P, the bed still
remaining a hollow chambered shell, the cone points making the
3 openings or vent holes F, F³, through the sides of the supporting
framework in those parts which form the end braces. In applying tho
"spring material to the ink fountain guage to prevent the binding of the
knife or cut off f³, Figure 29, on the ink feed roller S, Figure 29, I use
the following method as one of the most convenient in manufacturing,
and durable for use:-I place a piece or pieces of rubber packing or other
elastic material ³ upon the knife or cut off f³, said material being
removed far enough from the edge of said knife as to avoid contact
with the ink I then place upon the elastic material a thin bearing plate
or slips f' to receive the direct pressure or friction of the set scrows m³.
The pressure of said set screws is conveyed indirectly to the cut off f³‚
but prevented from being a positive irresistible pressure by the inter-
mediate elastic material ³, so that the flow of ink-can be entirely cut
off on any part of the length of the roller S* without binding or setting
said roller. The guage thus constructed is made movable so that it
may be cleaned separately from the roller S. The holes U, U, Figure 28
in the frisket finger are made large enough for small feed guides to be
placed under them in the tympan sheet. These holes have two
prominent advantages over notches cut into the side of the finger;
1st, the finger is much stronger having material left on all sides of
the hole; and 2nd, the entire edge of the finger is left for clamping the
sheet, holding it in place more firmly, also preventing tearing or wearing
frail sheets by contact with the corners made by notching the fingers.
S*, Figures 13 and 17, is the lug placed on the lever projection of the
platen support or rocker R², which draws upon the flange or lug.Y'.for
.

page_text: 66
the purpose of firmly holding the platen in position during the time for
taking the impression. The bed B, Figures 13 and 14 is made to incline
backward at any angle between 45° and the vertical in order that the
type may rest upon the face of said bed, by its own gravity preventing
the loose type from working out of the form and the latter from 5
bagging." I am aware that an inclined bed has already been used in
connection with a cylinder and also in connection with a reciprocating
platen inclined parallel to the bed; but never yet has a backwardly
inclined bed been used together with a vibrating oscillating or rocking
platen on account of the necessarily extended sweep of the platen. By 1
constructing a platen of the general nature of the one here shown the
sweep is materially shortened, thus allowing the use of such a bed.
In Figures 31 to 31 is represented a press constructed on somewhat
different principles from those berein-before specified. Figure 31 repre-
sents a side view of the press; Figure 32 is a detail sectional view of 1
the roller carriage; Figuro 33 is a side view on an enlarged scale of the
operating rack and pinion for reversing the platen; Figure 34 is a per-
spective view of part of the roller carriage. Similar letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts.
The chief characteristic of this press consists in the provision of a 2
rotary flat platen which prints alternately with opposite faces, so that one
face may be used for printing while the other receives the paper. The
platen A° is made with two faces which alternate in their impressions
upon the form, so that one sheet placed upon one face of said-platen may
be printed while another sheet is being placed upon the opposite face. 2
The faces are made to change places with respect to each other by the
working of the rack R' in connection with the pinion W. The platen is
supported and turned upon journals or trunnions which project from
each end of said platen midway between the two faces, and the
pinion W' is allowed to turn freely in one direction upon one of said 3
journals, but is prevented from turning in the opposite direction upon
the journal by a common clutch N°, Figure 33, one half of said clutch
forming a part of the body of pinion W, while the other half of said
clutch slides on a feather bedded into the journal 8, Figure 33. The
spring 9 holds the clutch in working position. The rack R' in its
upward movement (caused by the cam O' below) together with a down-
ward movement of the platen turns said platen and interchanges the
faces of the same, the rack R' leaving the pinion W after one half
revolution of said pinion, after which an impression is made. On the

page_text: other hand when the platen rises from the impression and the-rack R³ is.
allowed to move downward the pinion W turns freely in the opposite:
direction without turning the platen to remain in position for feeding
the sheet next to be printed. Figure 34 represents an end view of the
roller carriage c containing the inking rollers, which are held in journal
boxes P,, ; said journal boxes are allowed to slide up and down or
back and forth upon rods which are made fast to the body of the roller
carriage and project from said carriage on the "roller side." Said rods
are bent in form of an inverted letter U, and upon said rods are placed
coiled springs S, against which the journal boxes Pact when moved
upon the yokes or bent rods upon which they slide. The rollers are set.
(as to their impression on the types) by changing the position of their
journal boxes &º, lº, tº, by means of the nuts n³, nº, nº, and the tension of
the springs S, S', S, is regulated by the nuts n0, 210, n. The object of
bending the springs and rods S, S, S', in the yoke form represented is
to allow the use of a long spring with slight extension from the roller
carriage proper or body of carriage. Although in this last form of press
the platen is operated on principles entirely different from those specified
in the main part of the description, it will be noticed that the roller
carriage part of the press is equally applicable to the rocker press.
Figure 13 shows its application to the press with the rocking platen.
Having described the nature of the Invention; and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,- !
1st. The plate C used either as bed or platen of a printing press when
said plate is supported upon a rocker or rockers and rocker scat or seats
or their equivalents, whether said rocker seat or seats are made fixed or
adjustable, substantially as set forth.
2ndly. The plate A used either as bed or platen of a printing press in
combination with the friction roller or rollers or equivalent studs, stops,
or lugs P³, flange V, or its equivalent, and curved support or rocker R',
substantially as herein described and for the purposes set forth.
3rdly. The spring C³ in combination with a toothed or plain rocker
seat and rack, substantially as herein described and for the
forth.
i •
purpose set
4thly. The supporting framework G or. combined framework and
hed C R when the sides of said framework or combined framework

page_text: and bed are depressed for letting in the cranks or crank wheels F,
substantially as herein described and for the purpose set forth.
5thly. The levers T, T, pivoted behind the cranks or crank wheels
F, F, in line with said cranks, and so curved as to allow full sweep of
the cranks without coming in contact with them, substantially as herein
described and for the purpose set forth.
6thly. The levers T in combination with the slotted fulcra S, sub-
stantially as herein described and for the purpose set forth.
7thly. The levers H and H' and weight W, combined and arranged
substantially as herein described and for the purpose set forth.
8thly. The method herein described for perfectly balancing or varying
the counterpoise of the plate A used either as bed or platen of a printing
press, and for avoiding the use of counterweight springs or the application
of force, as set forth.
9thly. A changeable ink fountain with changeable linings, shells, or
tanks for different kinds or colors of ink, constructed substantially as
herein shown and described.
10tlily. The combination of rod and springs t, t, nuts or stops m, m³,
griper bar S³, with lever d', and swivel eye m³, substantially as herein
described and for the purpose set forth.
11thly. The draw bars D' with slots c³ in combination with the crank
pins d³, all arranged as set forth.
12thly. In a printing press I claim such a construction of the ways in
or upon which the pulleys or guides of the inking rollers run as shall
raise such inking rollers from the distributing cylinder or cylinders when 2
approaching or leaving the same, as set forth.
13thly. So constructing the ways in or upon which the pulleys or
guides of the inking roller carriage run together with such an arrange-
ment of the distributing cylinder or cylinders that such rollers and
cylinders shall be carried out of contact with a sheet of paper larger 3
than the face of the platen or with a margin extending beyond the face
of the platen during the process of impression, as set forth.
14thly. The traverse cam C² whether attached to the crank pin as a
cap or forming part of the crank wheel when used in connection with
the stud or pulley (for the purpose set forth.
3

page_text: 15thly. The positively moving lever L', the lever K', and connection
M', combined for the purpose of giving motion to the inking roller arms
or lever, substantially as described.
16thly. The lever N, 9¹, combined with the connection M' for the
purpose of disconnecting the levers L', K', substantially as set forth.
17thly. The latch P³ combined with the levers L, K³, for the purpose'
of holding the K' and hook connection M' in position for reconnection
and preventing the release of the lever N at an improper time, sub-
stantially as specified.
18thly. The wedge or sleeve i, ³, when used in connection with the.
pin, trunnion, or journal that sustains the force or draft of the impression,
and with the box or bearing wholly or partially enclosing said pin and
wedge, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
19thly. The set latch L', W', combined with a handle V, as and for
the object explained.
20thly. In combination with such set latch I claim the projection or
bar T¹ of the wedge or sleeve i, ³, as and for the end specified.
21stly. The device for working the ink fountain roller n' and vibrating
feed roller V* by a common movement, substantially as set forth.
22ndly. An ink fountain, tank, or shell, when coated or lined with
porcelain or other substance non-corrosive to ink, substantially as
described.
23rdly. The plane faced bed B, whether cast in one piece with the
supporting framework or separate, when made as a hollowed chambered
shell and provided with longitudinal and transverse braces 1, 1, 1ª,
arranged substantially as explained.
24thly. The use of rubber packing or other elastic material for the
purpose of relieving the cut-off of the ink fountain from the direct
pressure of the set screws, substantially as set forth.
25thly. The gripper or frisket finger provided with holes U, substan-
tially as and for the purpose specified.
26thly. The additional lug S placed on the lever projection of the
support R³ in combination with stop Y', as and for the purpose

page_text: 27thly, The type bed inclined backward at any angle between the
vertical and 45° when used in connection with the vibrating, oscillating,
or rocking platen, substantially as herein set forth.
28thly. A roller carriage for printing presses containing the springs ST
on the yoke-shaped rods to operate substantially as herein shown and a
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of July, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
W*. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)