Improvements in Printing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Sept., 1890-Accepted, 25th Oct., 1890
Improvements in Printing Machines.
I, JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been communi-
cated to me from abroad by Joseph Didrich Dames of Cincinnati Ohio, in the
United States of America) and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-―
This invention has for its object to construct a platen printing press which shall
have greater capacity and capabilities than the presses of that character now in vogue,
and it is embodied in a duplex machine, carrying two forms, opposite to which work
two platens, and provided with duplicate inking devices, and driving mechanisms, the
machine being adapted to print at the same time the same or different jobs from the
two forms, or to print upon opposite sides of the same sheet, the paper being taken
from a roll or rolls and automatically fed and cut into sheets.
The machine which is the emboliment of this invention is particularly adapted for
job work, and whilst it is duplex in its construction, yet it will be understood that
many of its features are adapted for use in single machines.
In order that this invention may be well understood, I have illustrated it in the
accompanying drawings, some of the parts being out of proportion for clearer
illustration.
Figure 1 is a front side view of a duplex machine, embodying this invention, parts
being broken away.
Figure 2 is a top plan view, one-half the machine being in horizontal section on
the line 2, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a rear side view of one half of the machine.
Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 Figure 2.
Figure 5 is an end view.
Figure 6 is a vertical section of a portion of one end of the machine, showing the
platen turned over for adjustment.
Figure 7 is a detail view of the knife.
The main framework of the machine, which is stationarily supported and upon
which are mounted the various operative parts, is formed to have a horizontally
entending and comparatively low portion at each end, upon which are supported the
reciprocating sliding frame which carries the platens, and the paper feeding and
cutting devices, and these portions are indicated, generally by the letter A.
Between the end portions of the frame is an elevated portion represented by A¹, in
and upon which are mounted and supported the chases carrying the forms, the inking
devices, and most of the shafts and operating connections for imparting motion to the
various parts of the apparatus; while below the portion A¹ the framework here
represented by A supports certain of the connecting parts of the apparatus.
с
B is the main power shaft, provided with fast and loose pulleys bb, and if desirable,
with a hand wheel, B', and journaled at its inner end in a bearing situated centrally in
the upper central portion A' of the frame, and at its outer end in a bearing 2,
supported on a bracket C, projecting laterally from the main frame.
The power for driving the various moving parts of the machine is taken from this
single shaft which is provided with a gear pinion, D, with which engage two large
gear wheels, E E, arranged upon opposite sides of the pinion D and mounted upon
transverse shafts E' supported in the upper central portion of the framework.
As the construction of the framework and the arrangement and disposition of the
operative parts are duplicated upon the opposite sides of the central shaft B, it will be
necessary, in the main, to describe only one end of the machine.
The beds F, in which the chases are supported are at the ends of the upper central
n.

page_text: portion, A' of the framework, which at these points, has expanded side plates 3, the
edges 4, of which form the tracks upon which run the inking rollers for the form.
The bed F, is arranged between the lower, straight and preferably vertical portions
of the track 4, while between the upper curved portions thereof is placed an ink-
distributing plate, 5.
The chase may be locked in the bed in any preferred manner, a spring catch
device, being shown for the purpose.
The ink fountain or fountains 7, from which the ink is takon for the forms at the
opposite ends of the machine is situated centrally upon, and preferably above, the top
bars of the upper central portion, A', of the frame, and may be of any usual or
preferred construction.
From the fountain the ink is taken by a roller, 8, mounted in a swinging frame, and
deliver to a larger roller, 9, which has a reciprocating motion, in a direction parallel
with its axis, imparted to it, in order better to break up and spread the ink.
The roller 8, which is reciprocated so as to be alternately brought into contact with
the roller 10 of the fountain and the large ink-roller 9, is mounted so as to be free to
turn with whichever roller it is brought into contact, in the arms 11 of rocking frames
mounted upon the opposite hars, 6 of the framework. One of these rocking-frames
(preferable the one on the front side of the machine) is provided with an arm 14,
carrying at its end an anti-friction roller, 13, which ridos upon a cam, 12, on the
shaft E, the end of the arm, 14, boing constantly drawn towards the cam by a
spring, 15. The cam, 12, may be (and preferably is) formed on, or secured to, the
rear face of the wheel E.
The roller, 9 has imparted to it a rotury motion, its shaft being bolted to a pulloy 16,
on the shaft ; and it is preferably also reciprocated in the direction of its axis, by
a rock shaft 17, which carries at its upper end an arm 18, provided with n roller or
block, 19, seated in a groove in n wheel 20, at the end of the shaft of the roller 9.
The shaft may receive its rocking motion in any preferred or convenient manner.
is shown as being provided with a gear wheel 21, engaging with a rack 22, on the
reciprocating frame carrying the platens.
It
The ink is taken from the large roller, 9, and delivered to the spreading plate 5, by
a roller 23, mounted so as to turn freely in the upper end of the armis 24, of a
swinging frame, I, supported loosely upon a rock-shaft G, mounted in the main
framework.
This shaft has the frames or plates H secured to its ends, from which plates it
receives its motion, they being connected with tho reciprocating frame by links, ŉ so
as to be rocked thereby.
y is a tappet or wiper adjustably supported upon the shaft G, opposite to which is
mounted a contact piece 25, on a cross-plato, 29, of the frame I.
The frame 1, is under the constant influence of a yielding force which tends to rock
it so as to bring the roller 23, into contact with the roller 9, and this force is obtained
from a spring 26, mounted upon a sliding-rod 27, and compressed between some
stationary portion of the frame of the machine, and an arm 28 of the frame [,
although it may be obtained by other means which will readily suggest themsolves to
those skilled in the art.
As the shaft G, is rocked in the direction of the arrow, Figure 4, the tappot gis
brought into contact with the piece 25, and causes the frame I, to rock therewith,
carrying the inking roller 23, ovor the spreading-plate 5, as shown in full lines, and
causing the spring, 26 to be compressed. When the shaft is rocked in the opposito
direction, the frame I follows the tappet, under the influence of the compressed spring,
until the roller 26, is brought against the rollor, 9, whereby it is stopped, while the
tappet may continue its movement further, and independent of the frame, as indicated
in dotted lines, Figure 4.
It is desirable to be able to change the point in the oscillation of the shaft G, at
which the tapper shall make contact with the piece, 25, and bogin to move the frame 1,
in order that the extent to which the roller 23 shall be passed over the plate, and also
the relative duration of its engagement with the roller 9, may be regulatod. This

page_text: adjustment may be secured by making the tappet g, adjustable around its shaft and
providing it with a set screw, 32 or by mounting the contact-piece 25, upon a slotted
plate 30, adjustably secured to the cross-bar 29, of the frame I, by the set screws 31,
both means being illustrated in the drawings.
The ink is taken from the spreading-plate, 5 to the form 33, by the rollers 34,
which are mounted in the outer ends of the spring rods 35, which are held in and take
their motion from the frames or plates, H. The ends of the rollers 34, or whools
mounted on the shafts thereof, run upon the tracks 4, on the side-plates 3, of the
form-bed, the rods or other supports for the rollers being mounted upon the outer sides
of the plates, 3.
The supporting arms 24, for the ink-roller 23, are mounted inside of the plates, 3,
so that they in their movements do not interfere with the rollers 34, or their support-
ing mechanism, and the plate 5, is slotted near its edges as at 36, 36, to permit the
forward movement of the arms as they carry the roller over the plate.
Having thus described the inking devices, I will now describe the platens and the
mechanism whereby they are moved to carry the paper against the forms after they
have been inked.
In a duplex machine of the character which I have shewn the forms are supported
at, or near, the opposite ends of the stationary framework and the platens are moved
toward and from them, preferably with an alternating motion, that is, one platen
approaches its opposing forin as the other platen recedes.
These motions may be secured in different ways and by various mechanisms, that
shewn in the drawings being the one preferred. It consists, in general terms, of a
rectangular frame supporting at its opposite ends the platens, and having a rectilinear
sliding motion on the stationary framework of the machine to carry the platens to and
from the forms.
This platen carrying frame is composed of two plates K, having expanded end-
portions k, by the narrow bar portions k¹. The opposite expanded portions k, of the
frame-pieces K, are connected by cross-bars 37, which form pivoted supports upon
which the platens are hung between the plates, k.
38, 38, are ways on the end-portions A, of the main frame-work upon which the
platen-frame slides, the bearing surfaces which ride upon these ways being situated on
the end parts k, of the platen frame directly below the platens, thus supporting the
frame directly beneath the only portions thereof which carry any considerable amount
of weight, thereby permitting the connecting bars k', to be made light.
The platen frame is driven from the shafts E' E, the wheels E, being provided with
wrist-pins e which are connected by the pitmen L L with lugs upon the platen fraine.
The shafts are provided at their rear ends with crank or wrist-wheels M each
connected by a pitman L with the platen frame.
It is preferred to employ these four connections between the shafts E' and the
platen frame as thereby a more steady motion is imparted to the latter, and a better
distribution of power is effected; but it will be understood that a single driving
connection between the platen frame and some moving part of the apparatus would
answer the purpose.
40, 40, are the standards for receiving the rolls of paper 41 supported adjustably
upon the upper sides of the end portions of the platen frame above the platens;
and 42 are adjustable outward extending arms supported from the sides of the
standards 40 and carrying at their ends rollers or turning shafts 43, which are used
when the paper is being printed on both sides.
The platen consists of a block or plate of metal N the cheeks or side pieces n of
which are perforated and hung upon the shaft 37 so as to turn thereon. To this plate
or block is secured in any suitable manner (for instance by the bolts 39,) the bed or
plate which forms the platen proper, and which may be of any preferred
construction.
"7
By hanging the platen upon the shaft 37, so as, under proper circumstances, to be
free to turn thereon into the position shown in Fig. 6, the work of "making ready
the platen, that is, adjusting the yielding face thereof so as to secure a good impression,

page_text: is rendered easy, since it is not necessary to work in the contracted space between the
platen and the form as would be the case were the platen fixed immoveably in its
frame. It is to be understood that in a machine constructed and proportioned ns
shawn, the roll of paper is to be removed, and its standards slid, or turned out of the
way before the platen can be turned up.
In order that the platen may be always stopped in exactly the proper working
position when turned down, it is provided with a stop, consisting of a lug or plato 14
projecting from the plate N and bearing against a fixed abutment, such as the cross-
bar or piece 45 between the plates & of the platen frame.
nnare perforated lugs carried respectively by the plate N of the platen and the
platen frame and adapted when the platen is turned into working position, to have
their perforations register to receive a key pin bolt or other locking device 47 for
holding the platen in position.
By arranging the beds for the forms at the ends of the main or central part of the
machine and the platens outside thereof the latter are the more accessible for the
purpose of making ready" and the like, than in machines wherein the platens
reciprocate between the beds which face inward toward each other.
I will now describe the device whereby the paper is fed through the machine, is out
and is delivered in printer sheets.
These paper feeding and piling devices are arranged substantially horizontally so
that the sheets as they are severed and delivered lie flat and may be conveniently piled
one upon another, as they are by the fly delivery mechanism now in common use, but
by a mechanism occupying less space, and operating with less friction and noise.
From the roll, 41, the paper passes downward in front of the platen between it and
the form from which it receives an impression at each reciprocation of the platen.
After being printed upon, the paper passes to a paper carrying or feeding device
situated below the platen in the end portion of the main framework.
The paper feeding and piling devices consist of two sliding frames, connected to be
moved in the same direction, and at substantially the same time, and provided with
gripping devices which grasp the paper; and a cutting and paper clamping device is
situated between the said sliding frames.
The sliding frame to which the paper is first delivered, after passing the turning
slinft or roll 16 is represented generally by the letter P. It consists of two enl
pieces 49, sliding in ways 48, on the stationary frame, and connected by a cross
plate 50, adjacent to which the paper passes and against which it is clamped by
nippers 51, secured to a transverse shaft 52 mounted in the end pieces 49.
The fraure P, and the nippers 51 receive their motions from a cam or eccentric Q
on the shaft which operates upon a roller on the end of a lever R. fulcrumed at
on a standard r. The lever R is connected by a rod S with an arm 53, secured to the
shaft carrying the nippors 51 so that when the rod is forced forward in the direction
of the arrow (Figure 4) it first causes the shaft 52 to be rocked bringing the nippers
against the under face of the cross piece 50 and thereby clamping the paper. The
engagement of the nippers with the piece 50 stops the rotation of the shaft. 52, but
the rod S continuing to move oporates to carry forward the frame P and with it the
paper which is tightly grasped. The frame I moves in the ways with sufficiant
friction to insure that the shaft shall be rocked and the paper positively grasped before
it begins its forward motion, otherwise the feeding would be irregular, since the frame
might be moved without the nippers operating at all.
Tho paper feeding frame P is brought back to the position shown in Figure 4 by a
spring T coiled around the rod S between a collars thereon, and a stationary
abutment carried by the framework of the machine which spring likewise holds tho
end of the lever R towards the eccentric Q.
In order to regulate the extent of movement of the feeding frame, so that a greater
or less amount of paper shall be fed thereby at each reciprocation, so as to suit the
size of the job boing worked off, an adjustable stop 54 is provided, adapted to bu
moved into the path of the lever R so as to hold the free end thereof away from the
eccentric Q for a greater or lesser extent of its revolution.

page_text: U is a second frame, for delivering and piling the sheets of paper, constructed
substantially like the frame P and also carrying a set of nippers, and sliding in the
ways 48 in front of the frame P. The nippers 55 of this frame U are mounted upon
a shaft 56 and are brought to bear against the cross plate 58 by the rocking of the
shaft which is provided with crank arins 57 connected by the links V with the
frame P.
The nippers 55 operate (as also do the nippers 51) to catch the paper before their
frame commences its forward movement and since the forward frame U takes its
motion from the rear one it follows that the paper is fed forward a certain distance by
the frame P before it is caught by nippers of the frame U.
The reason for this arrangement and operation is to cause the paper to be fed
forward by the rear sot of nippers a short distance beyond a knife which severs the
printed paper into sheets, so that its edge will project sufficiently far beyond the same
to be caught by the nippers of the delivering frame.
The links V are slotted at vso that the connection between the two frames P and U
is adjustable, permitting the outer frame to be moved toward, or from, the inner one
into the position best suited for the work being dono.
The nipper shafts 52 and 56 are provided with suitable stops to limit the amount of
motion which may be imparted thereto.
The knife or cutter, which severs the paper into shoots, is situated between the
frames P and U, and consists of a stationary blade or plate w, carried by a cross
bar 60 of their main framework, and a moveable blade W supported by a vertically
reciprocated carrier X.
The knife blade carrier X is supported upon guide pins or rods 61 on the main
framework and is forced towards the stationary blade w by the springs 62 which
encircle the rods 61.
The said carrier X is provided with brackets a which carry rollers 63 beneath which
wedge bars are adapted to slide which lift the carrier X against the action of the
springs 62 and separate the knife blades.
The lifting wedges 64 (best seen in Figure 6) are carried by a frame supported so
as to slide upon the ways 65 on the main framework beneath the platen. This sliding
framo preferably consists of a lower plate 66 which carries at its front edge the
wedge 64 an upper plate 67 provided at its opposite ends with abutments 68 and a
cross connecting bar situated between the said plates.
69 are lugs or projections extending downward from the platen frame between
the abutments 68 on the sliding wedge frames with which they are adapted to
engage at the extremes of the movement of the platen frame to effect a sliding of
the wedge bars to operate the knife.
The relative positions of the abutments on the wedge frame and the projection
on the platen frame and the timing of the various operative connections is such
that the carrier X is elevated and the knife blades separated during the time the
paper is being fed forward, but is lowered immediately they begin their backward
movement.
70 is a plate secured to the rear face of the carrier X, by the screws 71, upon which
it slides, the plate being slotted to permit this movement. A spring 72, carried by
the carrier X, bears upon the upper edge of this plate, and causes its lower edge to
project slightly beyond the edge of the knife-blado W. When the carrier is depressed,
the edge of the plate 70, bears against the cross bar 60, just to the rear of the knife
and serves to hold the edge of the paper after it has been cut, and prevent the inner
feeder from drawing it back with it. It will be understood that when the knife-carrier
is elevated by the wedges, the clamping plate is carried therewith so as to leave a free
space on the cross-bar 60, and knife-blade W for the paper.
As herein before stated, a machine constructed as hereinbefore described and shewn
is adapted to print both sides of a web of paper, and in Figure 1, the course the paper
takes when being so printed is indicated.
The paper from the roll 41, passes to the printing and feeding devices at the right

page_text: hand end of the machine, which operate in the usual in unner, except that the cutting
devices are adjusted so as not to sever the paper, or else are removed from the machine
entirely. After passing the outer foeding fraine the paper turns around the rod or
roller 73, at the end of the frame, and passes back over the top of the machine,
following the course indicated by the dotted lines, and being supported by the rods
or hars, 74, mounted in the upper ends of the removeable standards 75.
From the last rod 74, the web of paper passes to the turning roller or rod 45,
mounted in the arms 42, and thence passes to the printing, feading, cutting and delivering
devices at the left hand and of the machine, where the paper cut into sheets, printed
upon both sides, is piled.
A machine of the character hereinbefore described has almost unlimited capabilities
as to speed, and yet works smoothly and with less jar than is experienced in
rapidly operating the ordinary single platen presses now in vogue.
The machine being once set in motion operates automatically, only requiring the
services of an attendant to see that the parts are properly performing their respectivo
functions.
Each end of the machine having its independent driving and adjusting devices, it
becomes possible to print at the same time upon the opposite forms. johs differing to
any extent (within the capacity of the machine) in size, shape or mater.
It will be understood that many of the parts may be changed in their connection
und arrangement, without departing from the nature of this invention, and therefore I
do not limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a duplex printing machine, the platens and beds for the forins near the ends
of the machine, the inking devices and the operating mechanism arranged between
the beds and platens, the supports for the rolls of paper outside of the platens and beds,
and the paper feeding and piling devices at the extreme ends of the machine,
substantially as hereinbefore duscribed and shewn.
2. In a printing press, the combination with a bed and platen, of the supports for
a roll of paper, a horizontally arranged reciprocating paper feeding frame, a similarly
arranged reciprocating delivering frame, and a paper cutter arranged between the two
frames, substantially as herainbefore described.
3. In a printing machine, the combination with the impression devices, of a paper
foeding frame, operative connections for imparting reciprocating motions to the frame,
which include a lever a cam or eccentric, which operates upon the said lever to move
the said connections, and an adjustable stop engaging with the said lever, and
regulating the extent to which it is moved by the said can or eccentric, substantially
as hereinbefore descrihed.
4. In a reciprocating printing press, the combination with the impression devices, of
a horizontally arranged reciprocating frame, a rock-shaft mounted therein carrying
nippers, a reciprocating rod connected with a crank arm of the rock shaft, a cum or
eccentric for moving the rod in one direction, an adjustable stop which regulates the
amount of motion imparted to the rod by the cam or eccentric, and a spring which
moves the rod in the direction opposito to that in which the cam or eccentric moves it,
substantially as horeinboforo described.
5. In a printing press, the combination with the impression devices of a paper feeding
frame and a paper delivering frame, each provided with a rock-shaft carrying paper
nippers, the rock-shaft of the delivering frame being connected with the feeding frame
by a link which link rocks the said shaft and also moves the frame, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
6. The combination with the impression dovicos, of the sliding frame P, the nippers
supported on a rock-shaft mounted therein, a reciprocating rod connected with an arm
of the shaft to rock it, and also to move the frame, a second sliding frame U, in front

page_text: of the framo P, also provided with nippers supported upon a rock-shaft, and the link,
or links, connecting the frame P, with an arm projecting from the shaft of the
frame U, substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. In a reciprocating printing press, the combination with the impression devices,
of two horizontally arranged reciprocating frames mounted one in front of the other,
and each provided with paper nippers, the paper-cutter mounted between the two
frames, and driving devices, substantially as hereinbefore described, to commence the
movement of the inner frame before the outer framo begins to move, whereby the
paper is, by the first frame, fed beyond the knife to the outer frame before the latter
moves, substantially as hereinbefore described.
8. In a printing press, the combination of the two beds for the forms at the
opposite ends, or sides, of the machine, the two platens arranged outside of the two
beds, the driving shaft situated between the two beds, and connections between the said
shaft and the platens for reciprocating them toward and from the beds, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
9. A printing press having the main frame with the central portion A' provided
at its ends with the bods for the forms and with the end portions A having the ways
or slides for the platen frames, the platens, mounted in frames arranged outside of,
and opposite to, the said beds, and the mechanism for reciprocating the platon frame
mounted upon the central portion A¹ of the frame, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
10. In a printing press, the combination of the two beds at the opposite ends of the
stationary framework, the frame carrying the two plutens, the two shafts E
mounted in the stationary framework between the beds and provided with crank
or wrist wheels, and the pitmen connecting the wrists of the wheels with the
opposite ends of the platen frame, substantially as herein before described.
11. In a platen printing press, the combination of the reciprocating paper-feeding
devices, a knife operated by springs, and means, operated by the platon, for moving
the knife against the action of the springs to permit the feeding of the paper past the
knife, substantially as hereinbefore described."
12. In a printing press, the combination of the paper feeding device, a knife, the
springs which move the knife in one direction, and a sliding frame carrying a wedge-
block, or blocks, which moves or move the knife against the action of the springs
substantially as hereinbefore described.
13. In a platen printing press, the combination of the paper feeding device, the knife,
and a sliding frame moved by the platen frame, for operating the knife, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
14. In a platen printing press, the combination of the paper-feeding device, the
knife sliding across the path of the paper, upon supports on the stationary framework
of the press, the reciprocating platen frame, and sliding wedges operated by the
platen frame, for moving the knife, substantially as hereinbefore described.
15. The combination of the paper-feeding devices, the reciprocating spring pressed
knife, the wedges 64, for moving the knife against the action of the springs, the
sliding plate 67, provided with the abutments 68, and connected with the wedges,
and a lug carried by the platen frame, and movable between the abutments 68, with
which it engages to give motion to the wedges, substantially as bereinbefore described.
16. In a printing press, the combination of the main framework, having the side
pieces 3, between which are supported the bed for the form and an ink plate,
independent ink rollers for delivering the ink to the plate and for taking it therefrom
to the form, and independently operated swinging frames in which the said rollers
are mounted, one of the frames moving upon the outside of the side-pieces 3, and
the other upon the inside, substantially as herein before described.
17. In a duplex platen printing press, the combination of the main framework, the
inking devices mounted on the top of the main framework, the beds for the forms at
the ends thereof, and the curved spreading plates 5, on the main framework
between the top and end portions thereof, substantially as hereinbefore described.
18. The combination with the ink-plate of the roller 23, the swinging frame in

page_text: which the roller is mounted, having an adjustable contact piece 25, and an arın 28,
a cam mounted upon a shaft therefor, and arranged to hear upon the said contact
piece, to move the frame in one direction, and a spring bearing upon the arm 28,
to move the frame, substantially as herein before described.
19. Ina printing press, the combination with an ink-roller free to move longitudinally,
and the reciprocating platen frame of a rock-shaft having an arm connected to
move the roller, a gear wheel on the rock-shaft and a rack on the platen framo,
engaging with the gear-wheel, substantially as herein before described.
20. A duplex platen printing machine, having two sets of impression devices,
independant paper feeding devices adjacent to each set of impression devices,
standards for supporting a roll of paper in position to be fed to one set of impression
devices, and paper guides arranged to direct the paper from the last said set of
impression devices to the other impression devices, substantially as hereinbofore
described.