IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR RULING PAPER AND THE LIKE, PARTS OF WHICH APPARATUS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR SEPARATING SHEETS FROM A PILE IN ORDER TO FEED THEM TO PRINTING, FOLDING, EMBOSSING, ENVELOPE MAKING, AND SIMILAR MACHINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Robert Bird and Charles George Roberton, of
Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineers, for the Invention
of "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR RULING PAPER AND THE LIKE, PARTS OF WHICH
APPARATUS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR SEPARATING SHEETS FROM A PILE IN
ORDER TO FEED THEM TO PRINTING, FOLDING, EMBOSSING, ENVELOPE MAKING,
AND SIMILAR MACHINES."
Sealed the 21st June 1878, and dated the 1st January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Robert Bird and
Charles George Roberton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
1st January 1878.
JOHN ROBERT BIRD and CHARLES GEORGE ROBERTON, of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Engineers. "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR RULING PAPER
AND THE LIKE, PARTS OF WHICH APPARATUS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR SEPARATING
SHEETS FROM A PILE IN ORDER TO FEED THEM TO PRINTING, FOLDING, EMBOSSING,
ENVELOPE MAKING, AND SIMILAR MACHINES."
This Invention relates to the kind of apparatus for ruling paper and the like, in
which automatic mechanism is used for separating the sheets from a pile and
feeding them to the tapes which carry them through the machine, whilst electricity
is employed for rendering the ruling pens alternatively operative and inoperative as
required, the object of the Invention being to improve and render more certain and
satisfactory the action of the parts.
The improved automatic apparatus for separating and feeding the sheets is also
applicable in connection with printing, folding, embossing, envelope making, and
similar machines.
In carrying out the present Invention a roller is employed for separating the
sheets from a pile, and such roller is partially covered with rubber, there being
spaces between or indentations in the rubber surfaces in which the tapes or cords
for carrying forward the separated sheets lie as they pass round the roller.
In some cases the rubber covering of the roller may consist of loose bands

page_text: arranged or guided so that the excess is at the back of the roller and lies partly
on the pile of sheets.
The forward edge of the pile of sheets is borne up against the under side of the
separating roller, and the top sheet is carried by the roller between itself and a
smooth concave surface of metal or other suitable material which guides the paper
in close contact with the separating roller. This concave guiding surface may con-
sist of a number of separate spring blades, and it has combined with it certain
retaining points which are adjusted to prevent more than one sheet from passing at
a time. The pile of sheets is made to rest upon a fixed but adjustable plate or
board, excepting at and near the forward edge, which part is borne by a separate
plate or board.
This plate or board at the forward part is at its ends connected to
springs of metal or rubber arranged to act vertically, and these springs are adjusted
so as to bear the forward part of the pile of sheets up to the separating roller with
the pressure necessary for the action of that roller. The forward part of the pile
of sheets becomes more or less bended, according to the different positions assumed
by the forward or lifting board relatively to the fixed board, and this bending
facilitates the separation of the sheets from each other.
The improved arrangement of separating roller with the concave guides and
retaining points herein-before described may be combined with an inclined board or
plate on which the pile of sheets is placed. This board or plate has connected to
its lower edge, which is nearer the separating roller, a set of curved elastic guides
which approach the under side of the roller. The inclination of the board or plate
is adjustable, and the curved guides are also adjustable to suit paper or sheets of
different kinds.
The tapes or cords which pass round the separating roller carry the sheet onwards
and over an endless blanket which proceeds by preference horizontally under the
ruling pens. The ruling pens are carried by a rocking bar or bars controlled by
one or more electro-magnets, which are by preference arranged so as to lift the pens
out of operation during the time that the circuit is complete. The two ends of the
circuit wire are fixed to separate metal plates which are held on the blanket in such,
a manner that the paper sheets may pass over them. Improved contact apparatus
is employed, which, when arranged so that each sheet may be ruled with the blanks
at the ends, and an intermediate blank comprises three contact pieces, two of
which can be fixed in any required positions within certain limits on a wire or rod
insulated from everything but the two contact pieces, whilst the third contact piece
is adjustable over one of the metal plates on a wire or rod connected to the other
plate. The paper passes between the plates and the contact pieces, and when doing
so prevents the electric current from passing.
The contact pieces may, as already stated, be adjusted in various positions, but
if in a case taken as an example, the two on the insulated wire are set far apart, the
third being between them, then the paper first enters between the first plate and
one outer contact piece, but does not completely disconnect the plates until it passes
under the intermediate contact piece. As the paper passes under the intermediate
contact piece the break of circuit causes the pens to act until the back edge of the
sheet pass the first outer contact piece, because that contact piece then connects
the first plate through itself, the wire carrying it and the second outer contact
piece with the second plate. This causes a blank in the ruling to extend until the
front edge of the paper reaches the second outer contact piece, and then the circuit
becoming again broken, the ruling recommences. This second ruling continues
until the back edge of the paper leaves the intermediate contact piece, causing the
circuit to be re-established through that piece. When more than one blank is
required between the ruled portions on each sheet the number of adjustable contact
pieces must be increased.
The contact pieces are by preference formed each with a number of contact points
made to extend over different lengths in different cases, or made adjustable as to
length, the blanks at the ends of the sheets being dependent on the effective
lengths of the contact pieces, and on the positions of the pens relatively to the

page_text: contact pieces. The extending of the space controlled by the contact pieces also
prevents errors in ruling being caused by the sheets following each other too closely.
In one modification the points of the contact pieces are formed of thin elastic metal
strips which yield easily to the paper passing under them, and yet act with certainty
in forming contact with the metal plates when the paper is not between.
In a second modification pins or wires with curved bottoms to admit the paper
edge easily under them are fitted to the contact pieces so as to rise and fall suffi-
ciently for the purpose, either with sliding or with angular motion.
In a third modification the contact piece is fitted with a series of very small disc
wheels which allow the paper to pass freely under them, and which may be set
obliquely to admit of their being placed the closer together.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Robert Bird and Charles George Roberton in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 1st July 1878.
JOHN ROBERT BIRD and CHARLES GEORGE ROBERTON, of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Engineers. "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR RULING PAPER
AND THE LIKE, PARTS OF WHICH APPARATUS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR SEPARATING
SHEETS FROM A PILE IN ORDER TO FEED THEM TO PRINTING, FOLDING, EMBOSSING,
ENVELOPE MAKING, AND SIMILAR MACHINES."
Our said Invention relates to the kind of apparatus for ruling paper and the like,
in which automatic mechanism is used for separating the sheets from a pile, and
feeding them to the tapes or other parts which carry them through the machine,
whilst electricity is employed for rendering the ruling pens alternately operative
and inoperative, as required, the object of our Invention being to improve and
render more certain and satisfactory the action of the parts.
Our improved automatic apparatus for separating and feeding the sheets is also
applicable in connection with printing, folding, embossing, envelope making, and
similar machines.
In carrying out our present Invention a roller is employed for separating the
sheets froin a pile, and such roller is, according to one modification, partially covered
with rubber, there being spaces between, or indentations in the rubber surfaces in
which the tapes or cords for carrying forward the separated sheets lie as they pass
round the roller.
In some cases the rubber covering of the roller may consist of loose bands, arranged
or guided so that the excess is at the back of the roller, and lies partly on the pile
of sheets.
In another modification the roller is wholly or partially covered with rubber, but
has no tapes or cords passing round it, the separated sheets being led or carried
forward from it in a manner herein-after explained.
The forward edge of the pile of sheets is borne up against the under side of the

page_text: separating roller, and the top sheet is carried by the roller between itself and a
smooth concave surface of metal or other suitable material which guides the paper
in close contact with the separating roller. This concave guiding surface may
consist of a number of separate spring blades, and it has combined with it certain
retaining points which are adjusted to prevent more than one sheet from passing at
a time.
The pile of sheets is made to rest upon a fixed but adjustable plate or board,
excepting at and near the forward edge, which part is borne by a separate plate or
board. This plate or board at the forward part is pressed upwards by springs which
are adjustable, so as to give the precise pressure, found best in practice. Modifica-
tions of parts of our improved sheet-feeding apparatus are herein-after described.
Our improved electrically-controlled ruling apparatus will be most readily under-
stood with the aid of explanatory Drawings, as herein-after described.
And in order that our said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, we hereunto append two Sheets of explanatory
Drawings, to be herein-after to, and representing various modifications of our
improved apparatus. In these Drawings the same reference numerals are used to
mark the same or like parts wherever they are repented.
Figures 1 and 2, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, are respectively a
plan and a side elevation of a paper-ruling machine, as fitted with one modification
of our improved automatic sheet-feeding apparatus. The other Figures on Sheet 1,
and those on Sheet 2, will be more conveniently designated in the course of the
following description.
At the entering end of the machine, which is at the right-hand parts of Figures 1
and 2, the main side frames 1 are formed with brackets 2 which carry parts of the
feeding apparatus. These brackets 2 carry a stationary or fixed table 3, extending
from their outer ends to a point 4, and from this point inwards the table is continued
in a movable part 5, herein-after termed the forward or movable table. The fixed
table 3 carries a vertical fence piece 6, which is transversely adjustable by transverse
screw spindles having hand wheels 7, 8, on their ends, and also connected together
by a longitudinal shaft and bevil wheels inside the bracket 2, whilst a clutch,
movable by a bandle 9, is provided for disengaging the two screw spindles, so that
one may be worked independently of the other, to give an inclination to the fence
piece 6 when required. The pile of paper sheets to be fed is placed on the table 2,
between the fence and the framing, but with its forward part lying on the movable
table 5; and to guide the pile at the part on the movable table 5, rods 10 are applied
at the sides, being held loosely, so as to rise and fall with the movable table in
brackets 11 fixed one to the framing and the other to the fence piece 6; these rods 10
may however be dispensed with in many cases. The forward movable table 5 is
carried by lever arms 12 centered at the outer ends of the brackets 2, and borne up
by long blade springs 13 fixed to the main framing 1.
In order to obtain the necessary delicate, and at the same time convenient
adjustability of the action of the springs 13, they are arranged to act on the lever
arms 12 through antifriction rollers 14, capable of being moved along the lever arms
by screw spindles 15 having hand wheels 16 on their outer ends, and connected to
each other by a transverse shaft and bevil wheels to obtain equality of adjustment.
The separating roller 17 is immediately over the forward part of the movable
table 5, and is also shown in Figures 3 and 4, which are respectively a vertical
longitudinal section and a back elevation; it may be covered with rubber uniformly
from end to end, or the rubber covering may be in sections, as shown in Figure 4.
This rubber-covered separating roller 17 acts very effectively in carrying forward
the top sheet of the pile, but delicately adjustable parts are required to prevent the
top sheet from moving the second one along with it. For this latter purpose there
is fixed beneath the forward half of the separating roller 17 a transverse frame
bar 18, carrying a number of guide strips. 19 of thin smooth brass or other suitable
metal, which are curved concavely, so as to guide the sheet up round the roller, and
at their lower ends bent down parts of them are held by small plates screwed to

page_text: the bar 18. The upper ends of the guide strips 19 are fixed to vertical rods 20,
which are adjustable by bevilled parts of screws tapped into the bar 18, whilst
smaller rods similarly adjustable are provided for pressing up the lower parts of the
strips when required. Between the guide strips 19 there are retaining points or
surfaces 21, shown in Figure 5, which is a section of the bar 18, at one of the parts
where the retaining points 21 occur, and which also shows the rod and bevilled
screw by which each point 21 can be adjusted. We believe cork to be the best
material of which to make the acting surfaces of the retaining points 21, but any
other suitable and similarly acting substance may be substituted.
Figures 6 and 7, on Sheet 2, are a longitudinal vertical section and a back elevation,
showing a slightly different and perhaps preferable modification of the combination
of guide strips 19 and cork-retaining pieces 21, the former being further apart and
the latter larger, and adjustable by vertical screws.
In some cases each sheet of paper as it is separated from the pile by the separating
roller 17 may proceed at once from that roller upon the blanket 22, and with that
blanket round and over the large roller 23, on which the blanket is stretched at
that end of the ruling machine. In many cases however it is preferable to first lead
the sheets outwards upon an endless blanket or apron 24, stretched in an inclined
position, in order to rectify any inclination which any sheet may receive from slight
At the outer end
inequality of action at different parts of the separating roller 17.
of the endless apron 24 the sheets are successively led round a roller 25, and thence
return inwards again in a downwardly inclined direction upon a series of cords 26,
which are arranged obliquely, as seen in Figure 1, so as to bear cach sheet towards
an adjustable guide fence 27 at the side, sufficiently for it to become straightened or
squared by contact with that guide fence by the time it reaches the blanket 22 at
the roller 23.
It is unnecessary to describe in detail the gearing and other arrangements for
driving the various rollers which carry and move the endless blankets or aprons and
the cords or tapes which lead the sheets through the machine, as these arrangements
form no part of the present Invention, whilst they may be modified in various ways
to suit different requirements, and will also depend upon the nature and operation
of the machine to which our improved feeding apparatus is applied, whether it be
for ruling, printing, folding, embossing, or other operation requiring the feeding of
sheets separately from a pile.
Figures 8 and 9, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, show two modified arrangements of
springs in connection with the forward movable table 5. In that shown in Figure 8
spiral springs 28 connect the lever arms 12 to blocks 29, movable by inclined screw
spindles 30, and in that shown in Figure 9 each lever arm 12 consists of a spring
blade, and its action is controlled by a block 31, through which it passes, this block
being fitted to slide on a stationary guide on the framing, and adjustable thereon by
means of a screw spindle 32.
Our improved arrangement of separating roller 17 may be combined, as shown in
longitudinal vertical section in Figure 10, with an inclined board or plate 33, on
which the pilo of sheets is placed. This board or plate 33 is held by one or more
toothed sectors 34, and a pinion 35, by which its inclination can be adjusted to suit
different papers or other sheets, and its lower edge is curved, and has attached to it
a set of curved elastic guides 36, which approach the under side of the roller 17.
This Figure 10 also shows the arrangement of roller 17, herein-before referred to, in
which the rubber band or bands on it is or are loose and slack with the excess lying
partly on the pile of sheets.
Figure 11 is a longitudinal vertical section of a modification combining the main
feature of that shown in Figure 10, with an adaptation thereto of guide strips 19
and retarding pieces 21, substantially the same as what is shown in Figures 3 to 7,
and herein-before described. There is also provision for moving the pile of sheets
towards the separating roller 17 equivalent to the corresponding movement of the
forward movable table 5 of our first modification. The inclined board 33 is arranged
so that the forward edges of the pile of paper rest and move on the inclined bottom

page_text: 37 of a box, the board 33 following the pile in the same direction. To facilitate
this action the inclined board 33 is fixed on a transverse horizontal shaft 38, held
at its opposite ends by frames indicated by dotted lines, and together forming a
carriage which is fitted with wheels to run on inclines in the same plane as a
parallel to the bottom 37 of the box. The guide strips 19 are a combination of a
thin metal sheet, which lines the bottom 37 of the box, and they are continued
beyond the separating roller 17 to guide the separated sheets to a pair of rollers 39,
from which they may be led forward in any convenient way. Retaining or retarding
pieces 21 of cork or other suitable material are fitted between the guide strips 19,
and both are adjustable by screws, as in other modifications. Figure 12 is a front
elevation, showing the arrangement of the guide strips 19 and retarding
pieces 21.
A modification of our improved electrically-controlled ruling apparatus, shown as
applied to a ruling machine combined with our improved automatic sheet-feeding
apparatus, is represented respectively in plan and elevation in Figures 1 and 2 on
Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings. Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, on
Sheet 2, are enlarged views of various parts. The ruling pens 40, which may be of
any suitable kind, and supplied with ink in any convenient manner, are carried by
a rocking bar 41 centered upon side brackets 42 upon the main framing 1. The
rocking bar 41 is controlled by an electro-magnet 43, which is by preference arranged
so as to lift the pens out of operation during the time that the circuit is complete.
The electro-magnet (shown in dotted lines on the Drawings) is placed upon a
bracket or support fixed underneath a platform or table supported by the frame 1,
and centered upon the bracket of the electro-magnet is a long armed lever, carrying
near its fulcrum the armature of the magnet. One arm of the lever is formed with
an upward extension or vertical joint, resting upon which is a small arm or lever 53
fixed to the pen bar 41. This arm 53 (shown in plan and side elevation in Figures 14
and 15 on Sheet 2 of the Drawings) has at its outer end a small screw for adjusting
the pressure of the pens 40 on the paper. The shorter arm of the armature lever
has an adjustable weight for ensuring the proper action of the magnet. The two
ends of the circuit wire 45 are fixed to separate metal plates 46, 47, which are held
on the blanket 22 in such a manner that the paper sheets may pass over them.
The plate 46 is fixed at one side of the blanket 22, and extends from the roller 23
to a point a little beyond the pens. Separated from the plate 46 by a small space
the second plate 47 extends to near the roller 53.
When it is desired to rule each sheet with blanks at the ends and an intermediate
blank we employ improved contact apparatus, which comprises three contact pieces,
48, 49, 50, two of which can be fixed in any required positions within certain
limits on a wire or rod 51 embedded in a' wooden rail upon the side frame 1, and
insulated from everything but the two contact pieces 48, 50, whilst the third
contact piece 49 is adjustable over the metal plate 46 on a wire or rod 52, likewise
embedded in the wooden rail and connected to the other plate 47.
The paper to be ruled after being led on to the endless blanket 22 in the manner
herein-before described, passes between the plates 46, 47, and the contact pieces
48, 49, 50, and when doing so prevents the electric current from passing.
The contact pieces 48, 49, 50, may, as already stated, be adjusted in various
positions, but if in a case taken as an example the two, 48, 50, on the insulated
wire 51 are set for apart, the third (49) being between them; then the paper first
enters between the first plate 46 and outer contact piece 50, but does not com-
pletely disconnect the plates 46, 47, until it passes under the intermediate contact
piece 49.
As the paper passes under the intermediate contact piece 49 the break
of circuit causes the pens 40 to act until the back edge of the sheet passes the first
outer contact piece 50, that contact piece then connects the first plate 46 through
itself, the wire 51 carrying it and the second outer contact piece 48 with the
second plate 47. This causes a blank in the ruling to extend until the front edge
of the paper reaches the second outer contact piece 48, and then the circuit
becoming again broken, the ruling recommences. This second ruling continues

page_text: until the back edge of the paper leaves the intermediate contact piece 49, causing
the circuit to be re-established through that piece. For each additional blank two
contact pieces are required, each pair being connected by a wire or rod insulated
from everything but themselves.
The contact pieces are by preference formed each with a number of contact
points made to extend over different lengths in different cases, or made adjustable
as to length, the blanks at the ends of the sheets being dependent on the effective
lengths of the contact pieces, and on the positions of the pens relatively to the
contact pieces. In some cases it may be convenient instead of one contact piece
to use two separate contact pieces to control the blanks at the ends of the sheets.
The extending of the space covered by the contact pieces also prevents errors in
ruling being caused by the sheets following each other to closely.
In one modification, shown in end elevation in Figure 13, on Sheet 2 of the
Drawings, the points of the contact piece (50) are formed of thin elastic metal
strips, which yield easily to the paper passing under them, and yet act with
certainty in forming contact with the metal plates 46, 47, when the paper is not
between.
In a second modification pins or wires with curved bottoms to admit the paper
edge easily under them are fitted to the contact pieces, so as to rise and fall
sufficiently for the purpose, either with sliding or with angular motion.
In a third modification the contact piece is fitted with a series of very small disc
wheels, which allow the paper to pass freely under them, and which may be set
obliquely to admit of their being placed the closer together.
According to another modification the contact piece may be in the form of a
comb of fine wires, placed transversely across the metal plates 46, 47, and the
comb may be advantageously combined with the contact piece 50, as shown in
Figures 17 and 18 on Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
In order to avoid confusion we have described our improved electrically controlled
ruling apparatus as constructed with one pon bar, although in the Drawings we
have shown two pen bars with their electrical controlling connections. Two or
more pen bars may be used, each additional pen bar requiring an electro-magnet,
with metal plates and contact pieces similar to those already described.
The paper is guided in its course over the endless blanket 22, which is carried
by rollers or drums 23, 53, at the ends of the ruling machine, by an endless tape
or cord 54 stretched upon rollers 55, 56, carried on brackets upon the frame 1
above the rollers or drums 23, 53. The roller 56 is adjustable for tightening the
tape or cord 54 by means of screws 57, and the paper by another endless tape or
cord 58 passing round the roller 56, arranged with its advancing portion to pass
in a zig-zag manner round three or more rollers 59, is delivered on to the upper of
a series of endless tapes or cords 60. These endless tapes or cords 60 are carried
respectively round three or more pairs of rollers 59 at opposite ends of the frame 1.
Another endless tape or cord 61 passing round a small roller 62, and having its
advancing portion arranged similarly to the endless cord 58, except that it is
passed round an additional roller 63, guides the paper on to the next lower endless
tapes or cords 60 of the series. The passing of the paper alternately from end to
end of the machine ensures the drying of the ink before it is finally delivered by
the roller 63 on to the inclined board 64.
Having thus particularly described our said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, we have to state that we do not restrict ourselves to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what we believe to be novel and
original and claim as the Invention secured to us by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
1. The combination of a roller (17), wholly or partially covered with rubber,
with concave guides (19) and intermediate retaining points or pieces (21), and with
a board (3, 5), which is partly fixed and partly movable, for separating sheets from
a pile in order to feed them into or through machinery to be operated on therein,
all substantially as herein-before described.

page_text: 2. In sheet separating and feeding apparatus the making of the table for the
pile of sheets with a stationary back part and a moveable forward part, the latter
being pressed towards the separating roller by adjustable springs, substantially as
herein-before described.
3. The combination of the separately adjustable guide strips (19) with the
adjustable retaining pieces (21), substantially as and for the purposes herein-before
described.
4. The using of loose bands of rubber on the separating roller, with the excess
lying on the pile of sheets, as herein-before described.
5. The arranging of the pile board (33) in an inclined position with curved
guides (36) at its bottom edge, as herein-before described with reference to Figure 10
of the accompanying Drawings.
6. The combining of parts substantially in the manner and for the purposes
heroin-before described with reference to Figures 11 and 12 of the accompanying
Drawings.
7. The combination consisting of the electro-magnets, the accompanying electric
circuit details, and the permanent contact slips and connections, and the adjustable
contact details, dealing with the paper sheets as non-conductors, all being arranged*
substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described.
8. The combination of the metal plates (46, 47,) and two contact pieces (48, 50,)
adjustable on a wire or rod (51) insulated from everything but themselves, as and
for the purposes herein-before described.
9. The arrangement or construction of thin elastic metal strips and comb of fine
wires, forming a contact piece, as and for the purposes herein-before described, and
shown in Figures 13, 17, and 18, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Robert Bird and Charles George
Roberton, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-eighth day
of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
eight.
JOHN ROBERT BIRD.
(L.S.)
CHARLES GEORGE ROBERTON. (L.S.)