IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR RULING PAPER
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINES FOR RULING PAPER." A communication from abroad by William
Orville Hickok, of Harrisburgh, in the County of Dauphin, State of Penn-
sylvania, United States of America.
Sealed the 2nd August 1878, and dated the 14th June 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE. CLARK, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR RULING PAPER" A
communication from abroad by William Orville Hickok, of Harrisburgh, in the
County of Dauphin, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America.
The first part of the Invention relates to improvements in devices for connecting
two sets or series of the ruling mechanism, so as to produce a double machine, the
object of this part of the Invention being to provide for ruling both sides of a sheet
before depositing it in the drop box.
The second part of the Invention relates to an improved construction of the gate
which arrests the sheet of paper before it passes to the ruling pens, the object of
this part of the Invention being to increase the strength, durability, and efficiency
of the gate, and to provide for adjusting it so as to vary its pressure upon the
apron, as desired.
The third part of the Invention relates to a system of shafts, pulleys, and endless
belts, and also to a means for sustaining the bearings of these shafts and of one of
the apron rollers, the object of this part of the Invention being to convey the ruled
sheets to the drop box, to keep the bearings of the shafts in proper order, to provide
for adjusting the pulleys at proper distances from each other, and for tightening the
apron when desired.

page_text: The fourth part of the Invention relates to improvements in the drop box, which
receives the ruled sheets when finished, the object of this part of the Invention
being to provide for adjusting the box to different angles as desired, and to adjust
the side and end boards to suit sheets of different sized paper.
The fifth part of the Invention relates to an improved construction and arrange-
ment of striking devices, the object of this part of the Invention being to ensure
a perfectly accurate and uniform motion of the gate and the pen beam when raised
to allow the sheet to pass.
In carrying out the Invention I construct the framework of the machine con-
siderably higher than would be required for a machine to rule only one side of the
paper, and
provide additional aprons and rollers for conveying the sheets.
Instead of passing the sheets downward to the drop box after being ruled, as in the
ordinary single machine, after the first side of a sheet has been ruled, it is turned over
and carried upward to another apron, and conveyed under a second pen beam,
which rules it on the opposite side. After being thus ruled on both sides, the
sheet is carried still higher, and deposited in the drop box, which is located at the
upper portion of one end of the frame. This location of the drop box places it
within more convenient reach of the attendant for inspection and removal of the
sheets than when located in the lower part of the machine, as heretofore.
In carrying out the first part of the Invention the gates and pen beams are
operated by cams and strikers, and the shafts which carry the cams are connected
with each other by gearing so arranged as to ensure the proper operation of the
gates at the proper times. The gearing may consist of a series of idlers provided
with bearings on a diagonal bar, and arranged to transmit motion from the lower
shaft to the upper one; or it may consist of bevel gears connected with each other
and with the shafts, and arranged in any suitable manner.
In carrying out the second part of the Invention I connect the gate with its
shaft by means of a series of arms, to the outer ends of which the gate is attached,
and the inner ends of which are formed with rings or eyes for the shaft to pass
through, and provided with set screws passing through said rings, and engaging with
the shaft, so as to hold the gate and shaft firmly in position with relation to each
other. By this construction and arrangement of parts the gate is placed somewhat
forward of its shaft instead of immediately under it, so that the edges of the gate
teeth strike the apron almost vertically, instead of in an inclined position, as in
machines heretofore constructed; and moreover the attendant is enabled to adjust
the gate to yield the required pressure on the apron in much less time and with
greater nicety than by the old method.
In carrying out the third part of the Invention I employ two beams or bars
having tongue and groove bearings in the upper rails of the frame of the machine
near the rear end of said frame, and provided with screw rods engaging with nuts
or internal threads, so that by turning said screw rods the beams may be made to
slide longitudinally in their bearings. These two beams are furnished with bearings
for the journals of a roller, around which the uppermost carrying apron passes.
When this apron is too loose it may be readily and quickly tightened by turning the
screw rods so as to draw the two beams, and with them the apron roller towards
the end of the frame. The two beams referred to are also furnished with bearings
for a system of shafts and pulleys provided with belts. The shafts and their pulleys
and belts are arranged in two series or sets, one above the other, for the purpose of
receiving the finished ruled sheet from the apron, and conveying it to the drop box.
By arranging the bearings for these shafts in the same beams with the bearings of
the apron roller, the carrying belts always preserve the same position with relation
to the apron, and are sure to receive the sheet therefrom in the proper manner.
The belt pulleys are provided with means for shifting them on their shafts so as
to adjust them nearer to or further from each other in order to accommodate them
to the width of the paper.
L
In carrying out the fourth part of the Invention I arrange the drop box on
trunnions so that it may oscillate, and provide it with means for adjusting it at any

page_text: desired angle of inclination, and holding it firmly in such position. I also provide
the side and end boards of the box with slide attachments to enable them to be
adjusted to suit the size of the paper, and with means for holding them firmly in
place when so adjusted.
In carrying out the fifth part of the Invention I arrange the striker and cam
about midway of the length of the pen beam instead of at the end, as heretofore,
and I provide the cam with a special shaft for carrying it. The striker is arranged
in bearings carried by a plate attached to the pen beam, and is provided with means
for adjusting it at different angles for engagement with cams of different shapes and
sizes, and it is adapted to be readily placed and held out of the way when not in
use without the necessity for removing it from the machine.
The accompanying Drawings will serve to illustrate a mode of carrying out the
Invention,-
Figure 1 is a side view of a machine embodying the improvements; Figure 2 is a
top view of the same.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken in the line x, x, of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a view of the rear end of the machine.
Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section taken in the line y-y, of Figure 2,
looking towards the front end of the machine.
Figure 6 is a detail view of the drop box and its connections.
Figure 7 is a detail view of the improved gate.
Figures 8 to 12 are detail views of the improved striking device and its con
nections.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
The general construction of the frame of the machine, the arrangement of the
aprons, rollers, and cylinders, the arrangement of the gates and pen beams with
relation to each other, and the arrangement and operation of the cams and strikers
are all shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawing. They may be of the same
general character as shown in the double machine illustrated in Figure 11 of the
Drawings accompanying Letters Patent No. 998, dated March 13th 1877, and are
not claimed in this application.
And the manner of applying power to the machine, the arrangement and
operation of the adjustable idler wheel, and the graduated gear wheels for
regulating the speed of the heads to suit the size of paper and style of ruling may
be of the same general character as described in Letters Patent No. 4388, dated
November 22nd 1877, and illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the Drawings
accompanying the same, and they are not claimed in this application.
A mode of transmitting motion from the mechanism operating the lower cams
and strikers to that operating the upper ones is illustrated in Figure 1 of the
Drawing accompanying this Specification, to which I now particularly refer, and in
which A¹ represents a gear wheel on the shaft which receives motion from the
primary power and transmits it to the machine; A2 is an intermediate gear wheel
between A' and A³, which is the adjustable idler above referred to, mounted on a
stud having its bearings in a slotted arm; A is one of the series of graduated gear
wheels above referred to, and it is on the same shaft with a gear wheel A³, which
shaft also carry the cams which operate the lower gate and pen beam. The wheel
A imparts motion to a system of gearing which in turn transmits motion to the
shaft which carries the cains for operating the upper gate and pen beam.
The gearing shown in the Drawing consists of a train of idlers B, having their
bearings attached to a bar B*, which is so arranged as to cause the first of the idlers
to receive motion from the wheel A, and the last one to impart motion to a wheel
C on the shaft of the cylinder which carries the upper cams. The last or uppermost
one of these idlers is held in place on its bearing by means of a screw cap 6, which
may be readily removed, and the wheel withdrawn from engagement with the
wheel C. The object of this arrangement is to facilitate the adjustment of the upper
cams with relation to the lower ones.
Before starting the machine the lower cams are adjusted to operate the lower

page_text: gate and pen beam in the proper inanner with relation to the ruling of the first side
of the paper; the machine is then moved slowly until the sheet is carried on the
upper apron to a point near the upper gate, and is then stopped. The cap b is then
unscrewed, and the idler B withdrawn from engagement with the wheel C, the
cam shaft and cylinder turned until the cam is in such a position as to raise the
gate at the exact time required, the idler B again thrown into gear and secured in
place by the cap b and the apparatus is then ready for service as a double machine,
and will rule both sides of the paper while passing once through the machine.
Any desired one of the idlers B may be provided with a screw cap for holding it
on its bearing, so that by removing said wheel and placing the upper gate and pen
beam out of service, the same machine may be used for ruling paper on one side only.
The shafts which carry the cams may be connected so as to operate as above
described by means of crown or bevel gearing at the ends of a shaft arranged
diagonally, or by means of a belt arranged in any suitable manner, and provision
may be made for throwing the parts out of gear either for the purpose of adjusting
the cams or to provide for ruling only one side of the paper.
Referring now particularly to Figure 7, illustrating the improved construction of
the gate, D represents a strip or bar having teeth d on its lower edge, and forming
the gate proper. E represents one of a series of arms, one end of which is flanged,
widened, or spread out so as to form a foot e; the outer end has a ring or eye f
formed on it at right angles to the length of the arm and in a direction parallel
with the length of the gate D, and is provided with a set screw g fitting in a tap
hole in the eye.
H represents the gate shaft, which is similar to those heretofore in use, being
provided at one end with an arm h for engagement with the gate-lifting cam.
The gate D is attached to a number of the arms E by means of screws passing
through the gate and into the flanged ends of the arms. The shaft H is then passed
through the rings or eyes f, the set screws g tightened against the shaft, and the
gate is complete and ready for service. By this construction the gate is placed
forward of the shaft instead of extending downward from it as heretofore, and its
engagement with the apron and the paper is more direct and exact than in the old
method, while its adjustment is effected with less time and trouble and with greater
nicety and exactness, inasmuch as its engagement and pressure are inevitably uniform
throughout its entire length.
In order to adjust the gate to cause it to bear with greater or less pressure upon
the apron the set screws g are loosened, the gate placed as desired, one or more of
the set screws again tightened, and the adjustinent is completed.
Referring now to Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Drawings, I, I, represent two bars
or beams working in tongue and groove bearings or ways in the uppermost longi-
tudinal rails of the frame of the machine; J, J, represent screw rods passing through
the end posts of the frame, and engaging with nuts or internal screw threads in the
tongues i, i, of the beams, and provided with knobs or wheels j, j, for turning them
so as to cause the beams to slide longitudinally in their ways.
In the portion of the beams I nearest the middle of the frame the last roller K of
the uppermost apron K2 has its bearings. When the apron K2 is too loose it is readily
adjusted to the proper tension by turning the screw rods J, J, so as to draw the
roller K further away from the roller at the other end of the apron, and thus tighten
the apron as desired.
In the beam I, I, between the roller K and the rear end of the machine, and
parallel with said roller, four shafts L are journalled; these shafts are arranged in
two horizontal pairs, one pair above the other, one shaft of each pair being near
the roller K, and the other near the outer ends of the beams. Each of the shafts L
carries a series of belt pulleys M, provided with set screws m passing through their
hubs, by means of which they may be shifted longitudinally of the shaft so as to
adjust them nearer to or farther from each other.
Endless belts N pass around the pulleys M of each pair of shafts L.
shafts of the lower pair receives motion from the apron roller K by
One of the
means of a

page_text: belt n, and imparts said motion to the entire lower series of pulleys and belts in the
same direction as that travelled by the apron K2, and the upper series receives
motion by friction from the lower series. As the finished sheets leave the upper
apron K they pass between the two series of pulleys M and belts N, and are carried
thereby to the drop box. By this arrangement of the shafts L and apron roller K
in the beams I, I, the exact distance between the apron and the carrying belts is
preserved at all times.
Referring now particularly to Figures 2, 4, and 6 of the Drawing, P represents
the drop box provided with trunnions p working in bearings attached to the rear
posts of the frame. One of the trunnions projects beyond its bearing, and carries a
pinion Q. A worm Q² engages with the pinion Q, and is provided with a hand
wheel q for turning it. By means of this worm and pinion the drop box may be
easily and quickly adjusted to any desired angle of inclination by simply turning
the hand wheel.
In the bottom of the drop box are three grooves r of dovetail or similar form
in their cross section, lying at angles to the edges of said bottom. Each of the
boards R, which form the side and end pieces of the box, has attached to its outer
side a brace S, from which extends outward an arm s having formed with or
attached to it a rib or tongue t corresponding in form with the groove in the box.
Through the arms and groover passes a thumbscrew v. By means of these devices
the side and end boards may be readily, quickly, and exactly adjusted nearer to or
farther from the centre of the box, as desired, by sliding them in the tongue and
groove bearings, and securing them with the thumbscrews.
Referring now particularly to Figures 8 and 9, P³ represents an angle plate,
having its upper portion formed into a curved arm with its end forked or divided,
and carrying the bar Q³ pivoted in said forked end.
R³ represents a downwardly curved arm provided with a round shank ³, which
is inserted in a hole in the upper portion of the pivoted bar Q³, and provided with
a set screw q³ for holding it in place, the shank ³ having a groove running around
it for the engagement of the point of the screw so as to allow the arm R³ to swing
laterally.
On one side of the arm R³, near the shank ³, is a recess for engagement with
a boss or projection q' on the bar Q³, so as to allow the arm R³ to swing laterally
in only one direction.
S3, S4, represent two set screws working in tap holes in the upper portion of the
plate P at right angles to each other, and provided with milled heads or knobs for
turning them. One of said milled knobs is arranged so that the shank 23³ will bear
upon it, and the other one so that the lower end of bar Q3 will bear upon it.
The parts constructed and arranged, as above described, constitute the improved
striking device, which is placed in position by screwing the plate P³ to the rear
edge or side of the pen beam about midway of the length thereof.
The cam wheel T³, carried by a shaft t, is arranged in the frame of the machine
in such a manner as to engage with the lower end of the arm R³, as shown in
Figure 8, and depress it in order to raise the pen beam.
The arm R is adjusted to suit cams of different shapes and sizes or to regulate
the amount of depression given to it by turning the set screws S³, S, so as to
cause the bar Q3 to incline more or less from a vertical position.
When the engagement of the cam and striker is for any reason not desired the
arm R³ is turned up out of the way, and held by the set screw q³, as shown in
Figure 9.
Referring now to Figures 10, 11, and 12, P¹ represents a bracket secured to one
of the posts of the frame of the machine, said bracket carrying a small gear wheel B*,
meshing into a larger gear wheel B³, carried by an arm b, which is arranged to
swing on the bearing of the wheel B. The wheel B³ meshes into a gear wheel B
on the shaft t, which carries the cam wheel Ts for operating the striker arm R³.
The gear wheel B* receives motion from the wheel on the main shaft and transmits
it through the wheels B³ and B³ to the shaft &%, which shaft carries a cam T* in

page_text: "
"scroll cam,"
addition to the cam wheel T3. The cain T is of the form known as a
having its face gradually increasing from a point on its periphery entirely round
to the same point, and then terminating in an abrupt radial shoulder. This cam
operates in connection with the gate shown in Figures 10, 11, and 12, and the
working of said gate is the reverse of the working of the gate shown in Figure 7,
that is to say, the gate shown in Figure 7 is held down by a spring and raised by
a cam, and the gate now being described is held down by a cam and raised by a
spring. This latter gate has attached to its shaft an arm R4, the end of which
bears against the face of the scroll cam T* (see Figure 12). The arm R* is of elbow
form, and is attached to the gate shaft by passing said shaft through an eye in its
end and fastening it with a set screw. By this mode of attachment provision is
made for adjusting the arm at the exact angle required, so as to obtain precisely
the desired amount of pressure of the gate.
At one end of the gate shaft is an arm (see Figure 11), to which is attached
one end of a spring 8, the other end of which is attached to the frame of the
machine. This spring pulling downward on the arm has a tendency to raise the
gate, while the cam T', bearing against the arm R', has a tendency to hold it down,
and the parts are so arranged with relation to each other that they operate alter-
nately. The cam T as it revolves in contact with the arm R' presses down and
holds down the gate until the abrupt shoulder on its face reaches the end of the
arm, whereupon the arm slips over said shoulder and the spring 8 instantly
contracts pulling the arm 7 downward, and raising the gate so as to allow the
sheet to pass under it. While the sheet is passing under the gate the scroll cam
gradually depresses the gate, and when the sheet has entirely passed the gate the
greatest diameter of the scroll cam has reached the end of the arm, and the gate is
then held down until the proper time for the next sheet to pass, when the gate
again rises, as before described.
When it is desired to allow the shaft t3 to remain stationary, so that the cam
wheel T3 and scroll cam T✶ will not raise the pen beam and the gate, then the
arm b is raised so as to swing upward on its pivot and throw the wheel B' out of
gear and prevent it from transmitting motion to the wheel Bo.
Having described the Invention, and the manner of performing the same, I desire
it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise devices herein shown,
but reserve the right to employ any equivalent means for accomplishing the same
results, and that what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is, ―
1st. In a paper ruling machine, adapted to rule both sides of a sheet during one
passage through the machine, the combination with the primary and secondary
systems of gates, pen beams, strikers, and cam shafts or cylinders of gearing, or
mechanism for connecting said systems and ensuring the proper motions thereof at
the proper times, substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
2nd. A gate connected to its shaft by arms extending rearward and nearly hori-
zontal, and provided with rings or eyes for engagement with said shaft and clamps
or set screws for holding the parts firmly in position, substantially as herein
described.
3rd. A system of carrying belts, arranged in two pairs in connection with the
upper apron, for conveying the sheets from the apron to the drop box, substantially
as herein described.
4th. The combination with the upper apron roller K and apron K² of the sliding
beams I, I, carrying the journals of said roller, and the screw rods J, J, engaging
with said beams for adjusting the roller to tighten the apron, substantially as herein
described.
5th. The combination and arrangement of the sliding beams I, I, screw rods J, J,
apron roller K and shafts L, whereby the distance between said apron roller and the
carrying belts is preserved at all times, substantially as herein described.
6th. The combination of the shafts L, pulleys M, and set screws m, whereby
provision is made for adjustment of said pulleys, substantially as herein described.
7th. A drop box provided with trunnions, and arranged to oscillate, and having

page_text: a worm and pinion operating in connection therewith for adjusting and holding it
at any desired angle, substantially as herein described.
8th. The combination of the drop box P, having grooves r in its bottom, the side
or end board R, brace S, having the arms and rib or tongue t and the thumb-
screw v for adjustment of said side or end board, substantially as herein described.
9th. The improved striking device, consisting of an arm R³ and its shank 2³,
having its bearing in a bar carried by a plate attached to the pen beam and pro-
vided with means for adjusting its angle of inclination to suit the face of the cam,
substantially as and for the purpose herein described.
10th. The combination with the plate P and its forked upper portion, and the
bar Q pivoted therein, and carrying the arm R³ and its shank of the set
screws S³, S, arranged and operating as shown and described for the purpose
specified.
11th. The combination with the arm R and its shank of the bar Q³ and set
screw 9, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.
12th. In a paper ruling machine the combination with the gear wheel Be on the
cam shaft of the gear wheel B³, carried by a swinging arm b, as described,
whereby said wheel may be thrown in and out of gear, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
13th. The scroll cam T, on the shaft 3, in combination with a gate, provided
with an arm R for engagement with said scroll cam to hold the gate down, and
also provided with an arm and spring 8* to raise the gate when released by the
cam, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)