Improvements in Feeding Apparatus for Printing, Ruling, and Folding Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 13th Dec., 1897- Accepted, 15th Jan., 1898
MODIONAL DIMCIFICATION.
Improvements in Feeding Apparatus for Printing, Ruling, and
Folding Machines.
I, EDWARD THOMAS CLEATHERO, of 16, Tollington Place, London, N., Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to an apparatus for feeding sheets of paper successively
from a pile into printing, ruling, folding or other machines where single sheets
require to be fed automatically, and relates to improvements upon the subject-
matter of British Letters Patent No. 15678 of 1893, granted to me.
My invention has for its object to render the various operations that are necessary
for effecting the automatic feeding more positive in action, so that any sort or
thickness of paper may be used, and the action rendered in all cases accurate
and certain.
My invention consists in and comprises, a presser foot applicable to the back edge of
the pile of paper whose pressure may be adjusted; a corner presser foot which is
caused to descend upon the pile of paper immediately upon the fluffing or rucking
of the corners of the top sheet; a horizontal vibrating Huffing arm which may be
caused to effect its return movement uplifted and released only when the forward
stroke is to be commenced; a feeding arm which on reaching its extreme forward
position is caused to engage with a pawl, so that upon the return movement of the
carrying lever the feeding arm is uplifted out of contact with the paper and is only
released upon the carrying lever reaching its extreme back position, ready for again
carrying forward the top sheet of paper; a spring pressure foot which is caused to
be depressed upon the pile where and when the top sheet is fluffed or rucked;
mechanism for operating finger smoothers which are arranged upon a vibrating
shaft at the extreme edge of the feed board which causes the finger smoothers to
remain in contact with the board, while the sheet is carried into register by the
carrying tapes and side fingers and which causes the finger smoothers to rise with
the feed board, when the feed board is provided with a rise and fall motion, and
to uplift out of contact with the paper and feed board when the sheet is ready to
be taken away by the grippers of the printing cylinder or by folding knives; a
back stop or series of back stops arranged upon the front edge of the feed board
having inclined surfaces in the direction of movement of the paper but having
abutted ends which prevent the rebound of the sheet immediately it is carried into
position upon the board; a feed board arranged with depressions upon its surface
which allow air between the board and the sheet and so facilitate the ready removal
of the paper without any possibility of the sheet being held to the board by the
absence of a layer of air between the surfaces in contact; and in the application
to a folding machine an arrangement for effecting the register of the sheet consist-
ing of a side stop which is caused to move inwards immediately the sheet is
covered into position by the tapes, a fixed corresponding side stop being provided
upon the opposite end of the board, and an end stop provided which is made adjust-
able by thumb screws upon longitudinal rods secured at the top and bottom of the

page_text: board, and the sheets and tapes passing under such longitudinal rods; and an
arrangement of inclined feed boards of a number dependent upon the number of
folds required, such inclined boards being preferably disposed under the first feed
board and being similarly provided with end and side stops whereby the use of
carrying tapes is obviated except upon the first horizontal board whereby only
contact with the under side of the sheet is necessitated.
In carrying my invention into effect I provide a presser foot or presser feet applic-
able to the back edge of the pile, each of which consists of a foot lever which is
pivotted at the extremity of a carrying arm, which is in turn secured upon one of
the tie-rods which support the fluffing mechanism. The foot lever is provided
with a hook or eyelet with which engages a spiral spring that effects the depression
of the foot upon the edge of the pile. The other end of the spiral spring is engaged
by a booked extremity of an adjustable plate, which is made adjustable upon a
screwed stud upon the carrying arm. Upon unscrewing and releasing the stud
the plate may be adjusted and thereby the tension of the spring, so that the pressure
upon the back edge of the pile may be regulated so as to keep the pile solidly in
position, while at the same time not exerting a sufficient pressure to preclude the
topmost sheet from being readily carried forward.
I arrange a corner presser foot upon the respective corners of either the front or
back of the pile, which is caused to descend upon the pile periodically immediately
after the corners of the topmost sheet are Huffed or rucked, so that additional
pressure is put upon the rest of the pile and the derangement of the pile positively
obviated on the carrying forward of the topmost sheet. For this purpose I arrange
a pin upon a crank arm fixed to a vibrating cross shaft super-posed across the back
table, which carries the pile so that the pin describes an arc of a circle and in so
describing that are uplifts the corner presser foot by means of contact with a cam
boss fixed at the upper extremity of the corner presser foot which is held in posi-
tion within a boss provided upon a bracket or carriage.
I provide the vibrating fluffing finger spindle which operates upon the respective
sides of either the front or back of the pile, with a cam finger which engages with a
cam plate fixed to the carriage or bracket, so that on the forward motion of the fluffing
finger in the action of fluffing or rucking, the finger is uplifted at the end of the
stroke after the pressure foot has passed on to the pile. A toothed boss is pro-
vided at the opposite extremity of the fluffing finger spindle, which upon the
fluffing finger being uplifted is engaged by a pawl fixed to the bracket by which
the spindle is carried, so that on the return movement of the fluffing finger spindle,
the spindle being held by means of the pawl, the descent is prevented until the
extreme back position is reached, where the opposite end of the retaining pawl
comes in contact with a stop plate by which it is released and the fluffing finger
descends upon the paper and again commences the forward fluffing movement.
I provide a feeding arm or arms at the extremity of which is mounted a roller
provided with an india-rubber type or cover, such feeding arm or arms being
pivotally secured to the carrying lever or levers fixed upon a vibrating shaft super-
posed above the pile of paper to which is communicated the necessary vibration for
effecting the periodic carrying forward of feeding of the topmost sheet. The feed-
ing arm has provided thereupon a transverse upwardly projecting finger which
upon the carrying lever reaching its foremost, position collides with a lateral tie-
rod and so uplifts the feeding arm out of contact with the paper and into such a
position that a pawl which is secured upon the carrying lever engages with the
extremity of the transverse finger and holds the finger while the backward move-
ment is effected, so that the roller passes into its back position without contact
with the pile. Upon reaching its back position a tail-piece which is provided upon
the pawl, is depressed and the extremity of the transverse finger of the feeding arm
is released, and, the roller thereupon descends upon the pile ready again for effect-
ing the carrying forward or feeding of the topmost sheet.
I provide a vibrating presser foot at each side of the back or front of the pile,
whose vibration is caused by the raising of the vertical spindle carrying the foot

page_text: through the medium of a pin secured thereto acting within a suitably shaped cam
slot formed upon the carrying boss or bracket, of the carriage. The upper extremity
of the vertical spindle carrying the foot is provided with a bracket to which is
secured vertical links which embrace and pivotally hold a pawl; this pawl engages
with a tooth formed upon a boss which is secured upon a vibrating spindle which
operates the fluffing spindle, suitable arrangements being provided for this purpose,
such as are specified in the specification of Letters Patent before referred to.
Upon the upward vibration of the shaft the pawl engages with the
tooth formed upon the boss carriage thereon and raises the vertical
spindle together with the foot secured at its lower extremity, the foot
being turned
up and out of contact with the pile. Upon its upper
position being attained a tail-piece secured to the pawl engages with a
stop, suitably provided, and effects the disengagement of the toothed extremity of
the pawl, thereby allowing of the descent of the vertical spindle and the foot, the
descent being accelerated and the pressure increased by such means as flat springs
vertically disposed and secured to the boss carrying the spindle. The foot is pro-
vided with a nozzle through which air may be forced to form a layer between the
topmost sheet and the pile and so facilitate the carrying forward of the top sheet.
The air is supplied by means of a flexible tube from a pump or fan, as described in
the specification to Patent No. 15678 of 1893 granted to me.
Upon the longitudinal edge of the tape board I mount a vibrating shaft within
suitable side brackets and provide thereupon at intervals finger smoothers which
are so adjusted as to keep contact with the face or edge of the board as the sheet
of paper is fed into position, so that a certain amount of friction is caused by the
passage of the sheet into position, and thereby the edge of the sheet is not injured
by force of contact with the end stops, but allowed to travel to the end stops when
the sheet is released and is then laid to register. The vibrating shaft has motion
communicated to it by means of links and levers communicating motion from a
suitably shaped cam. Upon feeding the sheet into position upon the board the
front stops fall, after the finger smoothers have descended again and maintain the
sheet in position, and the smoothers rise with the board until the grippers take hold
of the edge of the sheet, when the vibrating shaft is caused to move so as to raise
the finger smoothers entirely out of contact, so that the sheet may be readily and
rapidly taken from the board. Suitable arrangements may be made for the
periodicity of contact of the finger smoothers to suit the application to a folding
or other machine as may be required.
I provide a tape board or other board upon which the sheets are fed from the
pile with depressions which may be arranged as longitudinal grooves or otherwise,
so that air may be provided between the board and the under-surface of the sheet
of paper so as to facilitate ready and rapid withdrawal or upheaval of the sheet
which in plane surface boards is in some cases difficult to effect by reason of the
absence of an intermediate layer of air.
In the adaptation of the feed board to a folding machine I arrange for effecting
the side register by means of a lateral reciprocating plate which is outwardly
curved at one end to guide the sheets into position, and has imparted to it a recipro-
cating movement from an underlying lateral shaft which is secured in bearings
mounted upon the underside of the board. Reciprocating motion is imparted to
the shaft from a vibrating lever, motion being derived from a cam arranged upon
the cross shaft of the feeding apparatus.
At the opposite side of the board a fixed stop may be mounted; an end stop may
be provided in such cases as a folding machine by securing two or more longi-
tudinal rods respectively to the top and bottom of the board and rendering them
capable of adjustment thereon.
When arranging inclined boards in a folding machine the same arrangement
of stops may be provided, rollers being arranged at the centre of each board and
folding knives operating upon the face of each board in the usual way.
The action of the apparatus is the same as that described in the Letters Patent

page_text: No. 15678 of 1893 previously referred to, and the sequence of action of the respective
parts and mechanism may be readily understood on reference to such specification.
Dated this 11th day of February 1897
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
Improvements in Feeding Apparatus for Printing, Ruling, and
Folding Machines.
I, EDWARD THOMAS CLEATHERO, late of No. 16, Tollington Place, London, N.,
but now of The Hollies, Barrington Road, Altrincham, in the County of Chester,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The present invention relates to improvements upon the apparatus described in
the specifications of Letters Patent 15678 of 1893 and 22243 of 1895 for feeding
sheets of paper successively from a pile thereof into printing, ruling, folding, or
other machines, to or in which single sheets are required to be fed automatically.
The object of it is to render the various operations that are necessary for effecting
the automatic feeding, more positive in action in feeding any sort or thickness of
paper which may be used, and that action rendered accurate and certain in all
cases.
Referring to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as part of this
specification and read therewith:-
Figure 1 is an end elevation partly in section, taken from the feeding end of the
machine.
Figure 2, is a side elevation, partly in section, corresponding with Figure 1.
Figure 3, a plan of Figure 2.
Figure 4, a side elevation, partly in section.
Figure 5, a front elevation corresponding with Figure 4.
Figure 6, a plan of the presser foot illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, in each of its
two terminal positions.
Figure 7, a plan of the fluffer finger of Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 8, a side elevation of a feeding arm and the mechanism for actuating it.
Figure 9, a side elevation of a modified feeding arm and actuating mechanism.
Figure 10, a side elevation of a feed board with its improved smoothers.
Figure 11, a plan of the feed board of Figure 10.
Figure 12, a side elevation of table and adjustable side stop and front register
stop; and
Figure 13, is a plan corresponding with Figure 12.
The first part of the invention relates to improvements in presser feet applicable
to or near the back or other edge of the pile of paper, the improvement consisting
in a device by which the pressure of that foot may be adjusted as may be required
in order that the pile may be kept solidly in position, without the said foot exerting
sufficient pressure to preclude the top sheet of the pile being readily carried forward.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3 a is the back board and b is the pile of paper lying
thereon. c is the presser foot fast to, and projecting horizontally to the front from
the bottom end of a foot lever d pivotted on the bottom end of a carrying arme by
a transverse and horizontal pivot. The carrying arm e is carried by f one of the
tie rods which supports the fluffing mechanism. 9 is an eye fast to the top end of
.

page_text: the foot lever d and h is a hook standing over the eye g. i is a tension spring con-
nected by its ends to the hook hand the eye respectively, and pulling upon the
latter from the former for the purpose of depressing the presser foot c upon the
pile . The above mentioned adjustability is secured by the hook / being fast to,
or a part of, a plate which is held by a screw threaded bolt and nut j¹ to the
carrying arm e in such a way as to be moveable upon the said bolt as upon an axis,
as indicated by the dot and dash lines in Figure 2. The tension or pull of the
spring i is strengthened or weakened by slacking the bolt and turning the plate j
up or down accordingly.
The second part of the invention relates to improvements in the fluffing
mechanism. One modification of it is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. Referring
thereto, is the vibrating fluffing shaft driving the fluffing spindle through a
pair of mitre gears 1. is a horizontal arm turning in bearings fast to the
spindle, and, therefore, vibrating with it. 14 is a finger fast to the arm 3 and
upstanding thereupon. 15 is a tooth likewise fast on the arm 13. 16 is a swinging
lever pivotted upon the side of the spindle near the bottom end of the latter.
17, 18, are two abutments fast to and depending from the carriage 11 91 is the
fluffer finger carried on the outer end of an arin fast on the end of the arm 13,
and heavy enough to keep in its working position. The action of the modification
just described is as follows. The spindle turns upon its axis in the direction
indicated by the arrows in Figures 1 and 2, the fluffer finger being then down
en the pile b, far enough to make that finger fluff the corner of the top sheet. At
the moment when that corner has been Huffed enough, the finger comes into
contact with the abutment 18, and the arm is rocked in the direction indicated,
and carries the fluffer finger up off the pile b. The motion of the spindle
is continued until the tooth on the end of the arm 13, is engaged by the depending
nose of the swinging lever . This engagement suffices to lock the fluffer finger 191
in its last described position. The spindle then commences its return motion,
and at the end thereof, the top end of the lever engages the abutment 17, whereby
the arm and fluffer finger 91 are together unlocked, whereupon the latter drops
down upon the pile b again.
A second modification of the same part of the invention is illustrated in
Figures 4, 5 and 7. Referring thereto, the shaft of the fluffing mechanism has
a continuous, instead of a vibrating, motion. 13 is a cam fast thereupon, and 14,
a cam groove in its periphery. 115 is an arm fast upon the top of the spindle ¹.
716 is a lever having its fulcrum at 17. It engages the opposite and outer end of
the arm by a slot and stud device 18, and is controlled by the cam groove (14
through a stud fast to the said levers and standing up in that groove. 120 is
a curved bar spring fast by one end as illustrated, and holding its free end in the
direction of the curve bent back and under the end of a screw 2 which serves as an
adjustable abutment for the spring and especially for its bent back end to be com-
pressed against. is a spring finger pivotted or otherwise mounted upon the bear-
ings in which the arm turns. It serves as an abutment for the finger . The
action of the modification just described is as follows. The fluffer finger 11 is
rocked up by the contact of the finger with the abutment 78. On the return
motion of the arm, the finger having passed the nose (23, bears against the
latter, and rubbing over the convex spring surface thereof, returns the fluffer
finger down on to the pile b. The distance that the spring 120 projects into the
path of the finger +, is adjusted by the screws 21 according to the pressure required
for fluffing various thicknesses of paper.
The third part of the invention relates to improvements in and connected with
vibrating presser feet adapted to descend upon the pile ; and these improvements
consist in means by which a presser foot is adapted to work with a reciprocating
vertical and a reciprocating circular motion. There is one or more at each side of the
said pile near either the front or the back edge of it and acting in combination with
the respective fluffer. One modification of the said part is illustrated in Figures 1
to 3 and 6. is one such foot. is the spindle to the bottom end of which the

page_text: foot is made fast. The top end of that spindle carries a boss from which
project a pair of lugs, between which is pivotted a link The top and
opposite end of this link, is pivotted between a pair of lugs, projecting from a
collar loose on the boss of the mitre wheel fast on the shaft of the fluffing
mechanism. is a pawl pivotted upon one of the lugs, being adapted thereby
to engage with a tooth formed upon a sleeve secured on the boss of the mitre
wheel above mentioned and with which it is kept in contact by a spring 12. 10 is
a tail piece or continuation of the pawl, and I is a stop to co-operate with that
tail piece. is a spring pulling on the boss from a fixed point in the
carriage, 15 are respectively a pin and serpentine slot, one on the spindle k
and the other in the carriage, their co-operation sufficing to impart the necessary
vibrating motion to the said spindle k and its foot. The action of the modifica-
tion just described is as follows. As the shaft is rocked in the direction indicated
by the arrow in Figure 2, the pawl 7 engages with the tooth and raises the
spindle . The latter is turned about its axis as much as is necessary to provide
for the toe of the presser foot & turning in and out under the fluffed portion
the top sheet. When the said spindle and the foot are at the top of their
stroke, the tail piece engages with the stop 1, and thereby effects the dis-
engagement of the pawl from the tooth, so leaving both spindle and foot k
free to drop. This drop is accelerated by the action of the spring 13 which also
serves to increase the pressure of the foot k upon the pile b.
of
A second modification is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. 16 is a cam carried by
the rotating shaft 1217 is a roller carried on the end of a bell crank lever kis
having its fulcrum on a stationary stud . The said roller 17 is opposite to
the cam. The opposite end of the said lever 18 is forked and embraces a reduced
portion of the spindle near its top. The operation of the modification just
described is obvious. The continuous rotation of the shaft 12 rocks the bell crank
lever 18 thereby causing it to alternately lift the spindle and allow it to drop.
The fourth part of the invention relates to improvements in and connected with
the injection of an air blast between the top sheet and the undisturbed pile. One
modification of this part is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 6. According to it,
the blast is led through a pipe 20 into a port 1 in the presser foot k; and which
opens out through the sole of the latter near its toc as shown in Figure 6 so as to
deliver the blast towards the centre of the pile. A second modification of the same
part is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. According to it, the port is continued up
the spindle for some distance, opening laterally outwards in a position proper
for registering at the right moment and for the necessary term, with the pipe k20
The fifth part of the invention relates to improvements in and connected with
the feeding arm. It is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 which show two modifications
of it. Referring to the former, m is a vibrating shaft; m¹ a lever fast by one end
thereupon; m², a feeding arm pivotted by one end to the bottom end of the said
lever so as to work in the same plane; and m³, a rubber tyred roller carried on a
transverse axis in the opposite end of the said arm, as heretofore. m is a finger
fast to and projecting upwardly from the arm m³. m³ is a rod of the machine
occupying a permanent position in front of the finger m and acting as a stop.
m is a gravity pawl pivotted upon the lever m³ so as to work in a parallel plane
therewith, m is a hog-backed tail piece or rearward continuation of the pawl;
and m8 is a second tie rod or its equivalent, adapted to swing the nose of the
pawl m upwards. m³ is an upstanding finger on the rear end of the feeding
arm m² adapted, by engaging with the rear edge of the lever m¹, to prevent the
roller m³ dropping too low; and m¹0 is an elastic shackle adjustable up and down
the front and rear edges of the finger m' and the lever m¹ respectively.
The action of the modification just described is as follows. The finger m strikes
against the stop m³ just before the roller m³ reaches the end of its feeding stroke,
so as to rock up the feeding arm m² and engage the top end of the finger m
behind the pawl me. The rearward motion of the said arm m² is accomplished
with its roller m clear of the pile b. As the lever m¹ approaches the end of its

page_text: stroke to the rear, the hog-backed tail piece m³ comes into contact with the rod m³,
which disengages the pawl m from the finger m4 and allows the roller m³ to drop
down upon the pile as indicated by the dotted lines. The function of the
shackle m10 is to regulate the bite of the roller m³ upon the top of the pile b. The
modification illustrated in Figure 9 consists in a constantly revolving cam m¹2
engaging one end of the lever m3 pivotted on a side frame of the machine and
having its opposite end linked to one end of the lever m18 described further on;
a rod m4 having its top end pivotally connected to the lever m¹8 between its
fulcrum and the lever mis and its bottom end pivotally connected with the rear end
of the feeding arm m²; a spring m15 compressed between a fixed abutment m¹6 and
a screw threaded nut m adjustable upon a screwed rod m20 pivotted to the rear
end of the feeding arm m² and a weighted lever m18 pivotted on the rod m¹ and
connected with the rod m¹ so as to counterpoise the weight of the latter. The
object of the modification just described is to make the rising motion of the feeding
arm m² more gradual and the biting action of the roller m³ upon the pile more
gradual also. The action of it is as follows. As the roller m³ reaches the end of
its feeding stroke, the cam m¹ rocks up the adjacent end of the lever m¹³, and the
roller m³ with it, through the rod m¹. As the said roller reaches the end of its
rearward stroke, the eccentricity of the cam m12 having passed the lever m¹³, lets
the spring m¹³ come into action. This action, previously adjusted by the
attendant, pulls the roller m² down upon the pile 6 but no faster or more strongly
than the decline of the cam m¹ permits of. That cam is charged with the double
function of raising the roller m³ off the pile and checking the drop of it down
on to the pile again. The function of the cam m12 being only to rock the
lever m3, it is to be understood that an equivalent device may be substituted in
any part of the machine for it.
The sixth part of the invention relates to improvements in the mechanism
which controls the taking away of the sheets from the board. Referring to
Figures 10 and 11, n is the feed board; n¹, n² the tape pulleys; and n³ the front
stop, as heretofore. n is a vibrating shaft and n³ is one of a series of smoothers
fast to and projecting from that shaft. They stand parallel with each other and
are so adjusted as to keep in touch with the face of the board n as the sheet of
paper is fed forward up to them, so that they act as stops to the extent of reducing
its rate of travel sufficiently to prevent its front edge injuring itself when it comes
up to the front stop. The shaft n receives its motion from a cam n6 on the
shaft previously described and which acts upon the top end of a pivotted
lever n the bottom end of which is connected by a link 8 to an arm n³ fast upon
the said shaft. This part of the invention acts as follows. When the sheet of
paper has come along the feed board n nearly up to the front stops ³, it finds the
smoothers down thereupon. The sheet is accordingly stopped. The smoothers
are then raised a little by one of the projecting portions of the cam 6 and the
sheet is next moved up to the front stops. The cam n then allows the
smoothers to drop upon the sheet again and to hold it in position when
the front stops n³ have fallen away and until it is seized to be taken away.
A duplicate set of smoothers is illustrated in Figure 10, both sets as worked from
the same shaft 12 and which duplicate set acts by holding the sheet upon the feed
board n instead of getting in front of it.
Suitable arrangements may be made for the periodicity of contact of the
breaks n to suit the application of this part of the invention to a folding or other
machine, as may be required.
Depressions are formed in the tape board, so as to maintain layers of air between
that and the under surface of the sheet of paper passing over it. The effect of
such layers of air is to prevent the sheet sticking to the board, such prevention
consisting in keeping the sheet more or less afloat. A convenient form of such
depressions is that of grooves 10 parallel with the direction in which the sheets
travel.

page_text: The invention does not confine me to working the smoothers n from the shaft/12
or from cams as no on any shaft of the machine; inasmuch as the rocking motion
necessary in the shaft may be taken from any suitable part of the machine.
The seventh part of the invention relates to the adaptation of the feed board to a
folding machine. It is illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. o is a lateral reciproca-
ting side register standing parallel with the direction which the sheets take, and
having an outwardly flared end o¹ to guide them into position. The register o
receives a reciprocating motion at right angles with the direction of the sheets from
any convenient source, as for example, from a rock shaft o² working in bearings
under the table 'o. This shaft is rocked from any convenient source.
04 is an
arm fast on and standing up from the shaft o² and connecting with the register o
by a depending lug o to which it is suitably connected. o6 is a slot in the table o
to allow of the throw of the lug 05. 07 is a stationary side register having a
similarly flared end to that of the register o. It is adjustable across the table by
set screws 08 working through sockets o fast to the plate and embracing rods ofo
supported at a convenient height above the table.
,, are the first pair of folding rollers.
If an end register stop be desired, rods oll, oll are supported above the level of the
table and an upstanding bar o12 is adapted to slide along the said rods, and to be
adjusted in any position thereon by set screws o¹³ working in sockets o14 fast to the
bar o¹ and embracing the rods o¹i
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:.
--
1. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination of
presser foot adjustable in respect of its pressure and device for adjusting that
pressure as and for the purpose described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
2. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination with
the vibrating fluffing arm; of tooth on the latter; abutments; and swinging lever;
as and for the purpose described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the
ing drawings.
accompany-
3. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination of
rotary fluffing mechanism shaft; fluffing spindle and cam and lever device inter-
posed between them to vibrate the said spindle; as set forth with reference to
Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination of
vibrating fluffing spindle; fluffing arm and finger; finger upstanding on the
fluffing arm; abutment; curved spring and adjustable screw abutment; as and for
the purpose set forth with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination of
rotary fluffing mechanism shaft; fluffing spindle; cam and lever device interposed
between them to vibrate the said spindle; vibrating fluffing arm; fluffing finger;
spring finger; curved spring and adjustable abutment; as and for the purpose set
forth with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
of
6. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination
presser foot adapted to work with a vertical reciprocating and a vibratory circular
motion, and mechanisms for imparting those motions thereto; as set forth.
7. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination of
vibrating tooth; pawl; tail piece and stop; connecting link from pawl to presser
foot spindle; accelerating spring; and pin and slot. device to vibrate the said
presser foot spindle about its axis; as and for the purpose described with reference
to Figures 1 to 3.
8. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination of
constantly rotating cam; bell crank lever; presser foot spindle; and pin and slot

page_text: device to vibrate the said presser foot spindle; as and for the purpose described
with reference to the accompanying Figures 4 and 5.
9. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the improved presser
foot having an air port therein adapted to deliver an air blast when the said foot
is under the top sheet; as set forth.
10. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination of
presser foot, air port through the same; and means for supplying an air blast to
the said port; as described with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 3
and 6.
11. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination of
presser foot; presser foot spindle, air port through both; and means for supplying
an air blast to the said port: as and for the purpose described with reference to the
accompanying Figures 4 and 5.
12. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination
with vibrating shaft, lever fast thereon, and feeding arm pivotted on the bottom
end of the latter; of upstanding finger; stop; pawl and tail piece; device for dis-
engaging the pawl; and elastic shackle: as and for the purpose set forth with
reference to the accompanying Figure 8.
'
13. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination
with vibrating shaft; lever fast thereon, and feeding arm pivotted on the bottom
end of the latter; of constantly rotating cam or its equivalent; lever; rod con-
necting the latter and the feeding lever; and pressure spring; as and for the pur-
pose described with reference to Figure 9.
14. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination
with the feed board, of a series of smoothers and mechanism to bring them down
upon the feed board in front of the sheet, to bring them down upon, it again when
it has reached the front stop, and to hold it in position ready to be taken away,
and to then rise; as set forth with reference to Figures 10 and 11.
15. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination
with the feed board of depressions therein adapted to maintain layers of air between
it and the sheets fed over it, as set forth with reference to Figure 11.
16. In feeding apparatus of machines of the class specified; the combination
with the feed board, of grooves therein parallel with the direction in which the
sheets travel; as and for the purpose set forth with reference to Figure 1.1.
17. The combination with the feed board of a folding machine; of lateral recip-
rocating side register; mechanism for reciprocating it; a stationary side register
adjustable to and from the reciprocating side register; and adjustable end register
stop; as set forth with reference to Figures 12 and 13.
18. The combination in a feeding apparatus of the class specified, of the first
part of the invention with either of the modifications of the second part of the
invention, as severally claimed above.
19. The combination in a feeding apparatus of the class specified, of the first
part of the invention, either modification of the second part of the invention and
either modification of the third part of the invention as severally claimed above.
20. The combination in a feeding apparatus of the class specified, of the first
part of the invention either modification of the second part of the invention;
either modification of the third part of the invention; and either modification of
the fourth part of the invention, as severally claimed above.
21. The combination in a feeding apparatus of the class specified, of the first
part of the invention; either modification of the second part; either modification
of the third part; either modification of the fourth part; and either modification
of the fifth part, as severally claimed above.
22. The combination in a feeding apparatus of the class specified of the respec-
tive subject matters of claims 14 and 15 hereof.
23. The combination in a feeding apparatus of the class specified of the respec-
tive subject matters of claims 14, 15 and 17 hereof.
24. The combination in a feeding apparatus of the class specified, of the
P

page_text: respective subject matters of claims 14, 15 and 17 hereof with any or all of the
first, second (either modification) third (either modification) fourth (either modifi-
cation) and fifth parts (either modification) of the invention.
Dated this 13th day of December 1897.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.