IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO LETTER-PRESS PRINTING MACHINES, AND IN THE PRODUCTION OF STEREOTYPES TO BE USED THEREWITH.
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund Squire Norcombe, of Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE
TO LETTER-PRESS PRINTING MACHINES, AND IN THE PRODUCTION OF STEREOTYPES
TO BE USED THEREWITH.
"
Sealed the 14th February 1871, and dated the 19th September 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmund Squire
Norcombe at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 19th September 1870.
I, EDMUND SQUIRE NORCOMBE, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for “Iм-
PROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO LETTER-PRESS PRINTING MACHINES, AND IN THE PRO-
DUCTION OF STEREOTYPES TO BE USED THEREWITH," to be as follows (that is to
say) :-
This Invention is chiefly applicable to the class of machines used for
the printing of newspapers either with horizontal tables or cylindrical

page_text: "forms," either for printing on detached sheets or from paper in the
web, and consists in certain improvements in the delivery or receiving
apparatus, in a means of applying powdered chalk or other dust to the
tympanum sheet on the impressing cylinder to prevent the adhesion of
the printed sheet thereto.
An improved arrangement for the cutting knives for dividing the
paper as delivered from "web machines."
Casting stereotypes with a blank or opening having undercut sides for
the insertion of section plates of stereotype having a coinciding face with
the principal stereotype plate and bevelled edges, also coinciding with
the undercut edges on the chief plate in such a way that on being in-
troduced into the opening from the back of the main plate it is securely
held in position on the printing cylinder or table of the machine. The
object of this portion of the Invention is to enable a small stereotype
plate for a second edition, or other purpose, to be introduced into the
form," without recasting the whole of the "matter," as now practised.
Removing the "git" from stereotypes when in a fluid state by means
of a blade or its mechanical equivalent in place of allowing the metal
to cool and then cutting it off with a saw, as now practised.
"
The first part of this Invention which relates to the application of
powdered chalk or other dust to the tympanum sheet of the impressing
cylinder may be accomplished by means of an endless apron travelling
over a pair of rollers in close proximity to the impressing cylinder, and
a third roller placed at a little distance therefrom, so as to carry the
under portion of the endless apron in an oblique direction over a trough 2
or box, in which revolves a cylindrical brush, or its mechanical equivalent,
which throws the powdered chalk or other dust on to the face of the
apron by which it is carried on to the impressing cylinder, a portion of
the surface of which it encompasses between the two first described
rollers over which it travels.
3
The second part of these improvements which relates to the receiving
and delivery apparatus consists in dispensing with the vibrating "fly"
now used for throwing down the sheets and substituting therefor a
"fly" which works horizontally and which may consist of, say, a
rectangular frame, carrying a number of wires or their mechanical 3
equivalent, the ends of which wires are turned to a right angle, and are
secured at each end to the under side of the frame which is mounted
immediately above the receiving table and actuated through an upright

page_text: reciprocating shaft or shafts working through stationary guides actuated
by a camb and lever. The flyer frame is connected to the vertical
reciprocating shaft or shafts by tube or socket kept down by means of
an india-rubber or other spring, so that although the vertical reciprocating
shaft has a definite travel the spring gives way to allow for the increasing
height of the pile of printed sheets as they accumulate on the receiving
table. The sheets in this arrangement immediately on their delivery
from the cylinders are received between endless band tapes, as now
commonly practised, but when the printed sheet is perfectly clear of the
cylinders, the under tapes, except the two side ones, do not extend
further than the edge of the receiving table nearest to the place of
delivery, the sheets being simply sustained by its outer edges between the
outer tapes and rollers on which they travel. Either the upper or lower
set of rollers or pulleys on which the outer tapes travel are mounted on
a frame which is capable of being depressed or elevated as the case may
be by the action of the fly frame's descent over the delivery table, thus
releasing the sheet and allowing it to be deposited on the delivery table.
The reciprocating pulley frame works in guides, and may be elevated or
depressed as the case may be by the action of springs, weighted lever, or
their mechanical equivalent. Two or more receiving tables may be
arranged in line, the sheets being carried over and deposited alternately
on the several tables, all of which are fitted with a like arrangement of
flyer frame and so forth as herein-before described arranged to act
alternately, throwing down the sheets on the several tables at the desired
time. Or the sheets as delivered from the printing cylinder may be
received between sets of endless band tapes, the outer sets of rollers
over which the tapes travel having an up-and-down motion imparted
thereto so as alternately to prevent the outer edge of the sheets as
delivered to an upper and lower set of double endless bands, which
travel over delivery tables placed one above the other, which are fitted in
like manner with flyer frames, so that the sheets as delivered may be
deposited alternately on the upper and lower tables. Or in place of
mounting the endless tape pulleys on the reciprocating frame for the
purpose of releasing the sheets when they arrive over the receiving
table, they may be released by forming the perifery of the pulleys.
with a short flat surface so that at the required point of revolution. the
upper and lower rollers will not be in contact, thus releasing, the sheet at
the desired moment. In place of using the vertical reciprocating fly
frame for throwing down the sheets on the receiving, table a series of

page_text: stationary pipes may be substituted therefor, which pipes are perforated
on the under side with a series of holes, which holes it is preferred should
be larger at the ends nearest the printing cylinder and gradually diminish
towards the reverse end. Immediately below each row of holes in each
pipe is suspended a curved spout with the concave or trough side
upwards, so that when a current of air which it is proposed to blow
through the pipes escapes through the holes on the under side thereof
strikes the interior of the spout, it is thrown at an angle in an upwards
direction. On removing the swinging spouts to one side the streams of
air escaping through the holes in the bottoms of the pipes act against
the sheet and blows it down on to the receiving table.
The improvements in the arrangements for the cutting knives used for
dividing the web consists in fixing the cutting blades, which may be in
one or any convenient number of pieces placed in a straight line or
"spirally, between a pair of cheek plates secured together and held in
jaws on the end of radial arms springing from a nave keyed on to a
rotating shaft, the knife edges being brought up to the desired line by
set screws passing through the back of the jaw fork and the cheek plates
are held in position by set screws passing through the sides of the forks of
the jaws. There are two or more of these radial arms springing from the
centre boss which are likewise fitted with knives and so forth in the
same manner, the object being should any accident occur to one of the
knives or cutting edges the same may be removed and another brought
into play with very little delay, whereas now when any accident happens
to the cutting blade the machinery has to be stopped whilst a new knife
is substituted, which is the cause of much detention.
The improvements in casting the stereotypes consist first in forming
them with a hole or holes of any given size, the sides of which are under
cut and are used to receive stereotype plates having bevelled edges
coinciding with the undercut sides of the hole into which they are to fit,
so then when inserted therein from the back of the plate and the
principal plate secured to the printing cylinder or to the table of the
printing machine it is held firmly in position, but can be removed and
replaced by any other like stereotype plate which may be used for the
insertion of second editions or any other purpose. And cutting off or
removing the "git" of stereotypes, when the metal is in a liquid or
molten state by a knife or its mechanical equivalent in place of allowing
the metal forming the "git" to cool and then cutting it off with a saw

page_text: as now practised. In some cases it is proposed to use a current or
currents of air applied to the under side ofthe printed sheet as delivered
from the printing cylinder so as to support the same in contact with the
endless tape bands on the upper surface until it arrives over the receiving
5 table.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edmund Squire Norcombe in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 18th March 1871,
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDMUND
SQUIRE NORCOMBE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Edmund Squire Norcombe, Her special
licence that I, the said Edmund Squire Norcombe, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edmund Squire
Norcombe, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO LETTER-PRESS PRINTING MACHINES, AND IN
THE PRODUCTION OF STEREOTYPES TO BE USED THEREWITH," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Edmund Squire Norcombe, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edmund Squire Norcombe, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner

page_text: the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement (that is to say) :-
"
:-
This Invention is chiefly applicable to the class of machines used for
the printing of newspapers either with horizontal tables or cylindrical
forms," either for printing on detached sheets or from paper in the
web, and consists in certain improvements in the delivering or receiving
apparatus, in a means of applying powdered chalk or other dust to the
tympanum sheet on the impressing cylinders to prevent the set-off or
adhesion of the printed sheet thereto.
An improved arrangement for the cutting knives for dividing the
paper as delivered from "web machines.
Casting stereotypes with a blank or opening having under cut sides
for the insertion of section plates of stereotypes having a coinciding face
with the principal stereotype plate and bevelled edges, also coinciding
with the under cut edges on the chief plate in such a way that on
being introduced into the opening from the back of the main plate it is
security held in position on the printing cylinder or table of the machine.
The object of this portion of the Invention is to enable a small sterco-
type plate for a second edition or other purpose to be introduced into
the "form without recasting the whole of the "matter as now
practised. Removing the "git" from stereotypes when in a fluid state
by means of a blade on its mechanical equivalent in place of allowing
the metal to cool and then cutting it off with a saw as now practised.
"
The first part of this Invention which relates to the application of
powdered chalk or other dust to the tympanum sheet of the impressing
cylinder may be accomplised by means of an endless apron travelling over
a pair of rollers in close proximity to the impressing cylinder and a third
roller placed at a little distance therefrom, so as to carry the under
portion of the endless apron in an obligue direction over a trough or
box, in which revolves a cylindrical bush or its machanical equivalent
which throws the powdered chalk or other dust on to the face of the
apron by which it is carried on to the impressing cylinder, a portion of
the surface of which it incompasses between the two first-described
rollers over which it travels.
"
The second part of these improvements which relates to the receiving
and delivery apparatus, consists in dispensing with the vibrating "fly
now used for throwing down the sheets and substituting therefor a
'fly" which works horizontally and which may consist of, say, a
tr

page_text: rectangular frame carrying a number of wires, or their machanical
equivalent, the ends of which wires are turned to a right angle and are
secured at each end to the under side of the frame which is mounted
immediately above the receiving table and actuated through an upright
reciprocating shaft or shafts, working through stationary guides actuated
by a camb and lever. The flyer frame is connected to the vertical
reciprocating shaft or shafts by a tube or socket kept down by means
of an india-rubber or other spring, so that although the vertical recipro-
cating shaft has a definite travel the spring gives way to allow for the
increasing heighth of the pile of printed sheets as they accumulate on
the receiving table. The sheets in this arrangement immediately on their
delivery from the cylinders are received between endless band tapes,
as now commonly practised, but when the printed sheet is perfectly
clear of the clyinders the under tapes, except the two side ones, do not
extend further than the edge of the receiving table nearest to the place
of delivery, the sheets being simply sustained by its outer edges between
the outer tapes and rollers on which they travel. Either the upper or
lower set of rollers or pullys on which the outer tapes travel are
mounted on a frame which is capable of being depressed or elevated,
as the case may be, by the action of the fly frame's descent over the
delivery tables, thus releasing the sheet and allowing it to be deposited
on the delivery table. The reciprocating pulley frame works in guides
and may be elevated or depressed, as the case may be, by the action of
springs, weighted lever, or their machanical equivalent. Two or more
receiving tables may be arranged in line, the sheets being carried over
and deposited alternately on the several tables, all of which are fitted
with a like arrangement of flyer frame, and so forth, as herein-before
described, arranged to act alternately, throwing down the sheets on the
several tables at the desired time, or the sheets as delivered from the
printing cylinder may be received between sets of endless bands tapes,
the outer sets of rollers over which the tapes travel having an up-and-
down motion imparted thereto, so as alternately to present the outer
edge of the sheets as delivered to an upper and lower set of double
endless bands which travel over delivery tables placed one above the
other which are fitted in like manner with flyer frames, so that the
sheets as delivered may be deposited alternately on the upper and lower
tables. Or in place of mounting the endless tape pulleys on a recipro-
cating frame for the purpose of releasing the sheets when they arrive
over the receiving table, they may be released by forming the periphery

page_text: of the pulleys with a short flab surface, so that at the required point of
revolution the upper and lower rollers will not be in contact, thus
releasing the sheet at the desired moment.
In place of using the vertical reciprocating fly frame for throwing
down the sheets on to the receiving table a series of stationary pipes
may be substituted therefor, which pipes are perforated on the under
side with a series of holes, which holes it is preferred should be larger at
the ends nearest the prinding cylinder, and gradually diminish towards
the reverse end. Immediately below each row of holes in each pipe is
suspended a curved spout with the concave or trough sides upwards, so
that when a current of air which it is proposed to blow through the
pipes escapes through the holes on the under side thereof it strikes the
interior of the spout, and is thrown at an angle in an upward direction.
On removing the swinging spouts to one side the streams of air escaping
through the holes in the bottoms of the pipes act against the sheet and
blow it down on to the receiving table.
The improvements in the arrangements for the cutting knives used
for dividing the web consist in fixing the cutting blades, which may
be in one or any convenient number of pieces in a straight line, or
spirally between a pair of cheek plates, screwed together and held in
jaws on the end of radial arms springing from a nave keyed on to a
rocking shaft, the knive edges being brought up to the desired line by
set screws passing through the back of the jaw fork, and the check
plates are held in position by set screws passing through the sides of
the forks of the jaws. There are two or more of these radial arms
springing from the centre boss, which are likewise fitted with knives,
and so forth in the same manner, the object being, should any accident
occur to one of the knives or cutting edges the same may be removed
and another brought into play with very little delay, whereas, now
when accident happens to the cutting the machinery has to be stopped
whilst a new knife is substituted, which is the cause of much detention.
In place of the plane cutting blades ordinary saw or perforating blades
may be used. In cutting the sheets on the web of paper longitudinally
as delivered, I prefer to keep the adjustable cutting roller against the
sister roller by means of a helical spring, in place of adjustable set:
screws, as now practised. I would here mention that I prefer to place
the ink trough on the inside of the inking roller in place of the outside,
as now practised, by which means I am enabled to drive the inking.

page_text: roller in the same direction as the reciprocation or doctor roller, and
which allows the latter to travel always in the same direction.
The improvements in casting the stereotypes consist, first, in forming
them with a hole or holes of any given size, the sides of which are
under cut, and are used to receive stereotype having bevelled edges
coinciding with the under cut sides of the holes into which they are
to fit, so that when inserted therein from the back of the plates and
the principal plate secured to the printing cylinder or to the table of the
printing machine it is held securely in position, but can be removed and
replaced by any other like stereotype plate which may be used for the
insertion of second editions, or any other purpose. And cutting off or
removing the "git" of stereotypes when the metal is in a liquid or
molten state by a knife, or its mechanical equivalent, in place of
allowing the metal forming the "git" to cool, and then cutting it off
with a saw, as now practised. In some cases it is proposed to use a
current or currents of air applied to the under side of the printed sheet
as delivered from the printing cylinder, so as to support the same in
contact with the endless tape bands on the upper surface until it arrives
over the receiving table.
That this my said Invention may be the more conveniently carried
out, I have hereunto annexed Drawings, shewing the comparative
relative positions of so much of the several parts of my improvements.
with such of the details therewith connected as will readily enable
persons acquainted with the art to carry the same into practical effect;
like letters and figures marked on the Drawings being used to denominate
similar parts.
Figure 1 is a partial sectional outline elevation shewing the general
arrangements of the application as applied to an ordinary sized newspaper
machine of my Invention drawn on a scale of one inch to the foot;
Figure 2 is a detached sectional elevation of the delivery portion of the
machine, which is shewn as applied to the ordinary reciprocating table
cylinder machine; Figure 3 is a top view or plan of the same.
Figure 4 is an elevation of the self-adjusting flyer or depress; Figure 5
is an end view of the flyer or depresser.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of a set of tape-carrying rollers, which are
used to grip the sides or edges of the printed sheets for a given time,
and then release the same, thus effected the same object as Figure 2;
and Figure 7 is another modification of the same.

page_text: -
Figure 8 is a section, and Figure 9 is a plan of the under side of the
apparatus for blowing down the sheets on to the delivery board, seen
with the wind guards removed.
Figure 10 is an end elevation of one modification of my improved
cutting cylinder; and Figure 11 is a end elevation of the same; Figure 12 5
& 13 are an end and side elevation of the same, adapted to be used
with serrated or perforated knives.
Figure 14 is a side elevation, and Figure 15 a front elevation of a
pair of circular knives for cutting the web of paper longitudinally, and
exhibiting the application of the spiral or helical spring for keeping the 1
edges of the cutting desks in contact.
Figure 16 is a side elevation of the last impressing cylinder with its
rollers and endless band, upon which the powdered chalk or other dust
is thrown to prevent the set-off.
Figure 17 shews a section of a stereotype mould shewing the arrange- 1
ment by which the "git" is separated from the stereotype whilst in the
mould in a fluid state.
Figure 18 represents a section of a cylinder stereotype with the
opening to receive a supplementary stereotype plate.
A is the web of paper, shewn broken off, as passing over b, b', and 62, 2
carrying rollers between B, the first impressing cylinder, and C, the first
printing cylinder; D and E are a pair of cutting desks, seen detached
in Figures 14 and 15, which are used when required for cutting the
paper longitudinally. The web of paper "A" then passes between F,
the second printing cylinder, and G, the second impressing cylinder, 2
thence under H, a small roller, between I and J, transverse cutting
blades, see detached in Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13, whence the web
passes in between the tapes of K, the vibrating frame, thence alternately
between L, L, and M, M, two pairs of tape rollers; the sheets are then
carried by their outer edges between N, N, endless band tapes, until 3
they arrive over P, the delivery table, when the sheets are liberated by
means of the upper set of rollers being elevated, as shewn by the dotted
Jiues in Figure 2, and 6 and 7, being modifications of the same, when
they are thrown on to P, the delivery table, by Q, Q, the adjustable flies
or depresses, or by the pneumatic arrangement, by Figures 8 and 9; 3
R and R are tappit wheels which carry down the depressors, to which
on being released are elevated by S and S, weighted levers; T, arrange-

page_text: ment for preventing the set-off, shewn detached at Figure 16; V and V,
the inking apparatus, which are placed on the reverse side of the inking
roller as to that now commonly practised, to allow the doctor roller to
revolve in unison with the inking roller and inking cylinder; V is the
3 main driving shaft and pulley.
So much of the apparatus as is shewn to the left of a line drawn
vertically from × to × is mounted on a movable frame, which is
capable of being moved backwards and forwards within the stationary
frame of the machine a sufficient distance to form a passage through
the machine for fixing on the stereotype plates on the second printing
cylinder, and for fixing on adjusting the knives, or other purposes.
The reciprocating motion of the cutting, receiving, and delivery portion
of the machine may be accomplised by a screw rack and pinion, or any
other convenient mechanical equivalent.
W, Figure 17, shews the knives fitted in the stereo mould for separating
the "git" from the stereotype plate when in a fluid or semi-fluid state,
which may be advanced and withdrawn by a screw wedge or lever
motion, or their mechanical equivalents.
Y (Figure 18), shews a section of a circular stereotype plate shewing
the under cut opening to receive "y," the small supplementary stereotype.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this my said
Invention, and the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the
same into practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise detailed relative dimension or proportions,
as it will readily be seen by all practical persons that they may be
consideraby varied without departing from the Invention; but what I
claim is,
Firstly. Releasing the printed sheets from between the delivery tapes,
as illustrated by Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before described and set forth.
Secondly. The adjustable delivery fly or depressor, described and
illustrated substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described and set forth.
Thirdly. The use of a continuous current of air, which is made inter-
mitted by reciprocating shields, operated substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before described, set forth, and illustrated by
Figures 8 and 9.

page_text: Fourthly. The use of two or more transverse cutting knives, con-
structed and operated substantially in the manner and for the purposes
berein-before described by Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13..
Fifthly. The peculiar arrangement for keeping the cutting desks face
to face by a spring, as herein-before described and illustrated by Figures.
14 and 15, operated substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein-before set forth.
Sixthly. The apparatus for preventing the set-off, as described and
illustrated, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described and set forth.
Seventhly. The apparatus of the "git" from the stereotype plate
whilst in the mould, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein-before described and set forth.
Eighthly. The casting of stereotype plates with under-cut openings.
to receive supplemental plates, substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein-before described and set forth.
And, lastly. The general arrangements, combination, and mode of
operating the various parts of the improved printing machine, sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described
and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmund Squire Norcombe, have
hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, this Seventeenthi
day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-one.
Witness,
WILLIAM WALKER,
of 44, Castle Street,
Liverpool.
EDMP. S. NORCOMBE. (L.S.)