IMPROVEMENTS IN LITHOGRAPHIC AND ZINCOGRAPHIC PRINTING
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Tannahill, of Glasgow, in the County. of
Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LITHOGRAPHIC AND ZINCOGRAPHIC PRINTING."
Sealed the 28th July 1854, and dated the 17th April 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Tannahill at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
17th April 1854.
I, DAVID TANNAHILL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE
MENTS IN LITHOGRAPHIC AND ZINCOGRAPHIC PRINTING" to be as follows —
This Invention relates to a system of printing from lithographic stones or
zinc plates upon woven fabrics, paper, or other material, in the form of a
continuous web, and is carried out by the employment of a machine of the
following general construction:-The stone or zinc plate is laid upon a table
carried by a strong rectangular or other conveniently shaped iron frame, which
table is made to rise and fall by mechanism to be herein-after described, whilst
it has no horizontal or longitudinal movement. The printing pressure is given
by a wrought iron roller held in bearings in a frame, which traverses back and

page_text: forward over the stone or zinc plate. For this purpose the traversing frame is
formed with V grooves, corresponding to V slides formed on each side of the
table framing, and anti-friction or counter-pressure rollers are carried by the
traversnig frame to act on the under sides of the slide rails on the table
framing. The pressure frame is made to traverse by means of two screws,
placed horizontally and longitudinally under the table, and passing through a
pair of nuts carried by the pressure frame. The screws are worked by bevil
gear on a transverse shaft, carried in bearings at one end of the table framing,
which shaft has a set of fast and loose. pulleys upon it, and receives motion
from an overhead shaft by means of open and crossed belts. The reversing
mechanism is self-acting, the belts being shifted by forks worked by bell
crank levers, a rod from which passes along the side of the table framing, and
has adjustable catch pieces upon it, so as to cause the rod to be drawn in either
direction by a stop upon the traversing pressure frame. These catch pieces on
the reversing rod can be set at any distance apart, to suit the size of stone or
plate which is being printed from. The printing action takes place during
the traverse of the pressure frame in one direction only, the table being at a
lower level during the return traverse. The rise and fall of the table is effected
by means of a serious of cams carried on transverse spindles. These cams
have tails projecting downwards, and catches or stops on the traversing frame,
and which can be set to suit the length of traverse required, acting upon these
cams at each traverse, cause them to raise and lower the table, as is required.
An endless cloth or belt is passed under the pressure roller round two guide
rollers on each side of it, and over a tension roller some distance above the
pressure roller, these rollers being carried in suitable bearings in the traversing
frame. Above the highest roller is another roller upon which the web is
wound as it is printed; the spindles of this roller are held in vertical slots in
the sides of the traversing frame, and the roller resting upon the tension roller
beneath revolves by frictional contact with it, taking up the printed web and
rising in its 'slots as it increases in diameter. The web to be printed is taken
off a roller at one end of the machine, a sufficient tension being put upon it to
keep it stretched; it is passed under the pressure roller, then-upwards in con-
tact with the endless cloth,-and-between the upper tensión roller of the latter
and the beaming roller, upon which last it is wound. The feeding action takes
place as follows: The traversing frame being at the end of the machine at
which the web to be printed is placed, the table with the stone or zinc plate is
at its lower level, and the traversing frame passes to the other end, drawing a
length of web over the stone or plate. The table with the stone or plate is

page_text: then raised, and the pressure frame traverses in the other direction. This
action gives the printing impression, the pressure roller rolling over the stone
or plate, carrying round with it the endless belt, and causing the upper tension
roller to revolve as well as the beaming roller above, which thus takes up the
web as it is printed. On the frame reaching the end of this traverse the
table with its stone or plate sinks; the succeeding traverse of the frame draws
out a fresh length of web, and so the operation proceeds. The damping and
inking operations may be performed by hand, or by additional self-acting
mechanism, arranged in various ways, the following being one modification
thereof: The damping apparatus may consist of a trough placed across the
table. Into a slit or opening along the bottom of this trough are fixed a
number of folds or plies of flannel or other suitable material, and the slit is
made capable of contraction or enlargement by means of screws, so that the
flannel may be more or less tightly held, in order that more or less water may
pass through from the trough for the purpose of moistening the lower pro-
truding ends of the plies of flannel, which reach down to such a level as will
enable them to communicate moisture to the stone or plate in passing over it.
The inking apparatus may consist of one or two rollers revolving in contract
with the stone or plate, and receiving ink from a supplying roller above, which
may itself be fed in a variety of ways. The damping and inking mechanisni
is carried by and traverses with the traversing frame, and may be made to
operate either whilst the table is at its lower level, that is, when the traversing
frame is drawing the web over it, or when the table is at its highest level,
that is, when the printing impression is being given by the traversing frame; or
again, the apparatus may be made to damp and ink during both the back and
forward movement of the traversing frame. If the first plan is adopted, the
damping and inking details are brought down to the level of the table at the
proper time by suitable mechanism, and again raised at the end of the traverse.
If the second plan is used, the damping and inking details may be kept con-
stantly at one level, the operation being performed as a preceding impression
is being taken off, whilst during the return traverse the table is at a lower
level and out of contact. If it is wished to damp and ink during both traverses,
the details are at the same level as the impression roller during the impression
traverse, whilst they are made to descend correspondingly with the table during
the return traverse. In the latter case damping apparatus may be placed on
both sides of the inking roller, or not, as may be found expedient, whilst in the
two plans first described the damping action is made to act in advance of the
inking process. According to another modification of this printing apparatus,

page_text: the table carrying the stone or plate is absolutely fixed whilst the impression
roller is made to rise and fall for the different traverses. In this case the
various details are modified to suit this arrangement.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said David Tannahill, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th October 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
TANNAHILL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said David Tannahill, Her special license that I, the said David
Tannahill, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said David Tannahill, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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
LITHOGRAPHIC AND ZINCOGRAPHIC PRINTING," upon the condition (amongst other
things) that I, the said David Tannahill, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Tannahill, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and-by the following
-statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:
My said Invention relates to a system of printing from lithographic stones or
zinc plates upon woven fabrics, paper, or other material, in the form of a con-
tinuous web, and is carried out by the employment of a machine of the following
general construction:-The stone or zinc plate is laid upon a table carried by

page_text: a strong rectangular or other conveniently shaped iron frame, which table is
made to rise and fall by mechanism, to be herein-after described, whilst it has
no horizontal or longitudinal movement. The printing pressure is given by a
wrought-iron roller, held in bearings in a frame, which traverses back and
forward over the stone or zinc plate. For this purpose the traversing frame is
formed with V grooves, corresponding to V slides, formed on each side of the
table framing, and anti-friction or counter-pressing rollers are carried by the
traversing frame to act on the under sides of the slide rails on the table framing.
The pressure frame is made to traverse by means of two screws placed hori-
zontally and longitudinally under the table, and passing through a pair of nuts
carried by the pressure frame. The screws are worked by bevil gear on a
transverse shaft, carried in bearings at one end of the table framing, which shaft
has a set of fast and loose pulleys upon it, and receives motion from an over-
head shaft by means of open and crossed belts. The reversing mechanism is
self-acting, the belts being shifted by forks worked by bell crank levers, a rod
from which passes along the side of the table framing, and has adjustable catch
pieces upon it, so as to cause the rod to be drawn in either direction by a stop
upon the traversing pressure frame. These catch pieces on the reversing rod
can be set at any distance apart, to suit the size of stone or plate which is being
printed from. The printing action takes place during the traverse of the
pressure frame in one direction only, the table being at a lower level during
the return traverse. The rise and fall of the table is effected by means of
a series of cams carried on transverse spindles; these cams have tails pro-
jecting downwards, and catches or stops on the traversing frame, and which
can be set to suit the length of traverse required, acting upon these cams at
each traverse, cause them to raise and lower the table, as is required. An
endless cloth or belt, which acts as the tympan, is passed under the pressure
roller round two guide rollers on each side of it, and over a tension roller some
distance above the pressure roller, these rollers being carried in suitable bearings
in the traversing frame. Above the highest roller is another roller, upon which
the web is wound as it is printed. The spindles of this roller are held in ver-
tical slots in the sides of the traversing frame, and the roller resting upon the
tension roller beneath revolves by frictional contact with it, taking up the printed
web and rising in its slots, as it increases in diameter. The web to be printed*
is taken off a roller at one end of the machine, sufficient tension being put upon
it to keep it stretched. It is passed under the pressure roller, then upwards in
contact with the endless cloth, and between the upper tension roller of the
latter and the beaming roller, upon which last it is wound. The feeding action

page_text: takes place as follows:-The traversing frame being at the end of the machine
at which the web to be printed is placed, the table with the stone or zinc plate
is at its lowest level, and the traversing frame passes to the other end, drawing
a length of web over the stone or plate. The table with the stone or plate is
then raised, and the pressure frame traverses in the other direction.. This
action gives the printing impression, the pressure roller rolling over the stone
or plate, carrying round with it the endless belt or tympan, and causing the
upper tension roller to revolve, as well as the beaming roller above, which thus
takes up the web as it is printed. On the frame reaching the end of this
traverse the table with its stone or plate sinks; the succeeding traverse of the
frame draws out a fresh length of web, and so the operation proceeds. The
damping and, inking operations may be performed by hand, or by additional
self-acting mechanism, arranged in various ways, the following being one modi-
fication thereof: The damping apparatus may consist of a trough placed across
the table. Into a slit or opening along the bottom of this trough are fixed a
number of folds or plies of flannel or other suitable material, and the slit is
made capable of contraction or enlargement by means of screws, so that the
flannel may be more or less tightly held, in order that more or less water may
pass through from the trough, for the purpose of moistening the lower protruding
ends of the plies of flannel, which reach down to such a level as will enable
them to communicate moisture to the stone or plate in passing over it. The
inking.apparatus may consist of one or two rollers revolving in contact with
the stone or plate, and receiving ink from a supplying roller above, which may
itself be fed in a variety of ways. The damping and inking mechanism is
carried by and traverses with the traversing frame, and may be made to operate.
either whilst the table is at its lower level, that is, when the traversing frame
is drawing the web over it, or when the table is at its highest level; that is,
when the printing impression is being given by the traversing frame; or again,
the apparatus may be made to damp and ink during both the back and forward
movement of the traversing frame. If the first plan is adopted, the, damping
and inking details are brought down to the level of the table at the proper
If
time-by-suitable mechanism, and again raised at the end of the traverse.
the second plan is used, the damping and inking details may be kept constantly
at one level, the damping and inking operation being performed as a preceeding
impression is being taken off, whilst during the return traverse the table is at a
lower level and out of contact. If it is wished to damp and ink during both
traverses, the details are at the same level as the impression roller during the
impression traverse, whilst they are made to descend correspondingly with the

page_text: table during the return traverse. In this latter case damping apparatus may
be placed on both sides of the inking roller, or not, as may be found expedient,
whilst in the two plans first described the damping action is made to act in
advance of the inking process. According to another modification of this
printing apparatus, the table carrying the stone or plate is stationary, whilst
the impression roller is made to rise and fall for the different traverses.
this case the various details are modified to suit this arrangement.
In
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several explanatory Figures on the Sheet of
Drawings hereunto attached. Figure on the Sheet of Drawings is a
side elevation of one modification of my improved lithographic and zinco-
graphic printing machine; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the machine,
looking on the end at which the driving details are placed; and Figure 3
is a plan corresponding, but with one-half of the table removed to exhibit
the details beneath it; Figure 4 is a side elevation of a portion of the
apparatus as modified to suit the arrangement in which the table is sta-
tionary. This Figure also shews the manner in which each traverse of the
pressure frame may be made to give two impressions. The framing of, the
machine consists of the two rectangular cast-iron side standards A, tied
together by the rods B and by the cross bars C at each end. these cross bars
serving to carry the bearings 1 of the two parallel screw shafts E, by means of
which the impression frame is made to traverse. Double slide rails F are
cast upon the outer top sides of the standards A, and upon these rails the
impression frame G traverses. This impression frame consists of two sub-
stantial castings G, formed with slots to receive the bushes H of the impression
roller I, which is of wrought iron. The pressure of the roller is adjusted by
means of the vertical screw spindles J, which are attached to the bushes H,
and are raised or lowered by nuts, with small worm wheels K formed upon
them. These worm wheels are each in gear with a worm on a horizontal
spindle L, passing across the machine and held in suitable bearings in the
castings G. Hand wheels M are fixed on each extremity of the spindle L,
and by means of them the bushes of the roller are lifted or lowered equally
and simultaneously. A pair of counter-pressure rollers N are carried in suit-
able bearings at the lower part of each of the frame pieces G, these rollers
bearing up against the under sides of the rails F, and being formed with
shaped peripheries to correspond to the rails. A strong cross bar O passing
below the table is fixed to the lowest portions of the frame pieces G, and
carries a pair of screwed bushes P, in which the screw shafts E work, thereby.

page_text: causing the frame G to traverse from end to end of the machine. The screw
shafts E have each a bevil wheel Q fast on one extremity, and the two bevil
wheels are in gear with bevil wheels R on a transverse horizontal shaft S,
which is the first motion shaft of the machine, and is carried in bearings T
formed in bracket-shaped projections, cast on the ends of the side standards A.
The shaft S carries a series of fast and loose pulleys U, which are connected
to an over-head or other revolving shaft by a pair of belts, one of which is open,
the other being crossed. Immediately over the pulleys U is carried in suitable
brackets V a rod W, on which are two forks X for shifting the belts; and the
pulleys U are so arranged, that on reversing the motion, one belt is first passed
upon a loose pulley before the other belt passes upon a fast pulley. The rod
W, upon which the forks X are fixed, is shifted by a lever Y, oscillating
on a stud Z, carried by a transverse bar a, to which the brackets V are
attached. The other end of the lever Y is connected by a rod b to a crank
lever c, carried by a bracket d, also fixed on the bar a, and the lever c is jointed
at its other end to a rod e running along the side of the machine to the
opposite end. The rode has adjustable stop pieces f fixed upon it, and a
catch g is fixed upon the frame G, so as to embrace the rod e and come in
contact with the stops f as it traverses back and forward. As the frame with
its catch g reaches either stop f, it shifts the rod e, and thereby causes the
motion of the machine to be reversed. The machine may also be reversed or
stopped by hand,, when necessary, the rod e being formed with a handle h at
the end, and being connected by a gab to a spring hand lever i, which vibrates
on a centre at j, and is provided with a catch plate . The table 7, upon which
the stone or plate to be printed from is fixed, is a strong and massive block or
platform of wood or other suitable material. It fits easily between the top
sides of the standards A, and is supported by three transverse shafts m, carried
in bearings in brackets n, cast upon the insides of the side standards, these
brackets also serving as guides for the table 7 to prevent-its-moving longitudi-
nally. The table has bearer pieces o fitted upon its under side immediately
Over cams p upon the shafts m, these shafts each being two such cams. The
cams p are so shaped as to raise the table by bringing their prominences
under the bearer picces o, or to let the table sink a slight distance on the
reverse action taking place. The cams p on one side of the machine are
formed with short tails or levers q, the ends of these levers being jointed to a
horizontal bar r, so that by shifting this bar the cams p may be turned equally
and simultaneously. Adjustable stop pieces s, t, are carried by the bar r,
these stops being arranged so as to be acted upon by catches on the bottom

page_text: cross bar O of the impression frame G. Thus, when the frame G reaches the
driving end of the machine, the stop s is acted upon and the camis p are shifted,
so as to raise the table into contact with the impression roller I, and on
reaching the other end of its traverse the frame G acts on the stop t, so as to
cause the cams p to turn in such a manner as to allow the table 7 to sink again.
An endless cloth or belt u is made to act as the tympan, and passes under the
impression roller I, round a pair of guide rollers v, and over an upper roller w,
carried in slots-in upright pillar pieces on the top of the frame pieces G.
The fabric or material y to be printed upon is drawn off a roller placed towards
the point z, or is fed to the machine in any convenient manner, being carefully
stretched to prevent creases. It is passed under the impression roller I, and
proceeding along with the tympan v in the direction of the arrow, is finally
beamed or wound upon a roller 1, placed above and resting upon the roller w,
from which it receives motion by frictional contact rising in the slots of the
pillars, as its diameter increases from the accession of printed fabric. The
several rollers w, v, and I, and the tympan u, are all driven by the frictional
action of the roller I as it is traversed in contact with the printing surface of
the stone or plate beneath. As the impression frame G traverses towards' the
driving end of the machine, the table is at a lower level and not in contact
with the roller I, and the frame draws the fabric y over the stone or plate
which is fixed upon the table 7. On the return traverse the table is elevated, and
the roller I rolls along the printing surface, rolling up the fabric as it is being
printed. The damping and inking operations may be performed by hand, or
they may be effected by self-acting apparatus, of which various forms may be
adopted. I have, however, indicated in Figure 1 the modification of damping
and inking apparatus which I prefer. The damping consists of a water trough 2,
which is fixed across the impression frame G; this trough being formed with a
slot along its bottom from end to end, in which slot a number of folds or plies
of flannel or other suitable material 3 are fitted, and serve to communicate the
requisite moisture to the stone. or plate when traversing in contact with its
surface. The slit in the bottom of the trough 2 is made adjustable as to width
by means of screws, so that the amount of moisture transmitted by the flannel
may be regulated. The under surface of the damper 3 is at the same level as
the impression roller I, and as this last rolls over the stone or plate in the act
of taking an impression, the damper follows it, preparing the stone or plate
to be inked for a succeeding impression. The inking apparatus consists of an ink
trough 4, and a pair of inking rollers 5 and 6, which are carried by an oscillating
frame 7, which depresses them, so as to act on the stone or plate at the proper

page_text: periods. The ink trough 4 is triangular, and the ink issues by a slit along the
bottom of the trough, the supply being regulated by screws, by means of which
the width of the opening is adjusted. The ink is first communicated to the
upper roller 5, which imparts it to the lower roller 6, and the roller 5 is con-
nected by a pitch chain-10, with the impression roller I, so that the rotation-of
the last causes that of the rollers 5 and 6, thereby effecting the uniform spread-
ing of the ink. The frame 7 oscillates on a transverse shaft 11, one of the
brackets of which the frame consists being a crank lever with a pendant armi
12. The arm 12 is acted upon by an eccentric piece 13, which is formed with
a tail or short lever 14, so arranged as to come in contact with the stops fon
the reversing rod e, these stops having projections suitable for the purpose, or
adjustable stops may be put upon the stationary framing for this purpose.
The lever 12 is also acted upon by a spring 15, which causes the rollers to be
depressed upon the stone or plate when the eccentric 13 is in such a posi-.
tion as to allow of this. When the impression frame G. traverses towards
the driving end of the machine, the rollers 5 and 6 are depressed and ink
the stone or plate, until the lever 14 comes in contact with the stop, when the
excentric 13 turns, so as to elevate the rollers. On the return traverse, the
lever 14 comes in contact with the stop at the other end of the machine, and
the eccentric 13 turns, so as to allow the spring 15 to depress the rollers on
the stone or plate. In Figure 4 on the Sheet of Drawings is represented the
modification of arrangements which I employ in connection with a stationary
table. In the first place, the table A, which I may remark may be made
much lighter than in the modification herein-before described, as it can be
supported at a great number of points, is rendered adjustable as to height by
means of ratchet or compound wedges B, which rest upon a corresponding
series of inclined surfaces C. The elevation or depression of the table A is
effected by shifting the supporting wedge pieces B longitudinally, this movement
being effected by screws D, or in any other convenient manner. The depres-
sion of the impression roller E is effected by means of cams F on transverse
shafts, and which act on frames or box pieces G, embracing the bushes-H-of
the roller. The cams Fact directly on projections I, formed on the lower part
of the boxes G, these projections being inclined at one side. The cam shaft
bas fixed upon it a lever J, arranged to come in contact with a stop on the
reversing rod, or on the stationary framing. The roller E¹ is represented in
its depressed position. When the lever J is shifted, the cains F slip off the
projections I, and allow powerful springs K to elevate the impression roller;
and on the return traverse, when the cams are again shifted, they force the
"

page_text: projections I beneath them, and thereby bring down the impression roller. I
find in practice that one inking of the stone or plate is sufficient for two or
more impressions, greater pressure being used in obtaining the second or later
impressions, and in consequence I find it advantageous to render the impression
mechanism duplex. Thus I fit up in the impression frame L, which is cast of
suitable dimensions and form, two impression rollers E, each provided with a
tympan M with its accompanying details, and a beaming roller N, so that two
pieces of fabric O may be printed simultaneously, these pieces of fabric being
conveniently fed from rollers P carried upon the frame L. This duplex
arrangement cannot be conveniently carried out in my first described modifica-
tion of machine, wherein the impression roller remains at the same level
throughout, as each impression roller requires to be in contact with the printing
surface before or after the other roller. In the modification represented in
Figure 4, however, the two rollers are quite independent of each other, and
by suitably arranging the stops which act on the levers J, can each be shifted
into and out of contact with the printing surface at the precise moments
suited to each.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not coufine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of my Invention; but what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,
First, the general arrangement and construction of ithographic and zinco-
graphic printing machines, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of causing the impression rollers of lithographic
and zincographic printing machines to traverse over the printing surface, this
printing surface having no longitudinal motion, as herein-before described.
Third, the system or mode of causing the impression roller or rollers of
lithographic and zincographic printing machines to traverse from end to end
of the machine, by means of screw shafts disposed longitudinally and acting
on the frame which carries the impression roller or rollers, as herein-before
described.
Fourth, the system or mode or raising and lowering the tables or rollers of
lithographic and zincographic printing machines which have traversing impres-
sion rollers, by means of cams actuated by the traverse movement of the frames
carrying the impression rollers, as herein-before described.

page_text: Fifth, the system or mode of arranging two impression rollers with their´
accompanying details in a single traversing frame in lithographic and zinco-
graphic printing machines, so that two pieces of fabric or two impressions
may be printed at once, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Tannahill, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of October, in the year of our
Lord, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
his mark