IMPROVEMENTS IN RECIPROCATING CYLINDER PRINTING PRESSES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sydney Pitt of Sutton in the county of Surrey for
an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RECIPROCATING CYLINDER PRINTING
PRESSES." Communicated to him from abroad by William G. Walker of
the City of Madison and state of Wisconsin United states of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Sydney Pitt at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th November 1882.
SYDNEY PITT of Sutton in the County of Surrey-
RECIPROCATING CYLINDER PRINTING PRESSES
"
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
Communicated to me from abroad
by William G. Walker of the City of Madison and State of Wisconsin United
States of America.
The improvements relate to reciprocating cylinder presses which by means
of the improvements are adapted for a great variety of work, and for printing
large or small sheets, from the size of a card to that of a poster with equal
facility.
In general character the improved press is similar to others; that is to say there
is a main frame, upon which a rotating cylinder (to which the paper to be printed
is fed) is caused to reciprocate by suitable mechanism over an adjustable type-bed,
which is raised and lowered at the proper times to make the impression, and then
to get out of the way for the return of the cylinder. There is also an ink-fountain
and reciprocating inking-rollers for inking the type &c; but in the new press are
provided improved means for gripping the paper, improved means for guiding and
securing the cylinder during reciprocation, improved means for raising and lowering
the type-bed, improved means for securing the blanket to the cylinder, improved
means for inking, improved means for holding the paper on the cylinder, and
improved means for delivering the printed sheets, whereby tapes and fliers are
dispensed with, all of which I will now proceed to describe in detail by reference
to the letters on the accompanying drawings and then to specify succinctly in
my claims.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved press, showing the parts in
position, with the cylinder about midway over the type-bed. Figure 2 is an

page_text: opposite side elevation of the same, partly in section. Figure 3 is a transverse
section through the main frame, showing a face view of the cylinder and one end
of the type-bed. Figure 4 is a section through the cylinder on line 4. 4 of Figure 3;
and Figure 4 is a similar view, showing the grippers in reversed position. Figure 5
is an enlarged section of a part of the cylinder shown in Figure 4 for better
illustration. Figure 6 is a transverse section of the cylinder on the line 6. G. of
Figure 3. Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of the cylinder on the lines 7.7.
of Figures 3 and 6. Figure 8 is a transverse section of the inking-fountain on
the line 8. 8. of Figure 9 and Figure 9 is a side elevation of the same, partly in
section.
A indicates the main frame, provided with strong side rails B for the support
of the reciprocating parts. At one end of the frame is placed at suitable elevation
the usual inclined feed-table C, upon which the blank sheets to be printed are laid
ready to be seized, one at a time, by the cylinder D. This cylinder is reciprocated
by carriages which move in ways along the rails B and carry with them the
inking-rollers. The ink fountain E is located upon the same end of the frame
with the feed table C, and underneath that table. The reciprocating mechanism
consists of the main driving-wheel F, the pitman-rod G, the rock shaft H, the
levers I, the links K, the arm L, and the rod M, and their minor connections;
but I do not confine myself to this particular reciprocating mechanism, as..it may
be varied.
From this general outline of the organization of the parts it will be understood
that the sheets upon the feed-table are seized, one at a time by the grippers of
the cylinder wound around it, and carried over the printing-bed and printed and
then released and dropped away. When the type is inked by the rolls the return
reciprocation is made, and the operation thus continued indefinitely.
Referring now more particularly to the details of the parts constituting the
improvements and their operation.
First. As to the improved gripping mechanism, N indicates a lug which projects
from the longitudinal cylinder opening out close to one end of the cylinder.
This lug by its shoulders O is secured to two slide-rods P-which-pass-through
-the yoke Q and straddle the cylinder-shaft R and are surrounded by the coil.
springs S, which tend to press the lug outward. The lug N is connected with a
short crank T by means of a pin U, working in an elongated slot V in the crank,
and the latter is secured to a rock-shaft W from which project the grippers X.
In suitable positions upon each end of the frame are the projecting arms or cams Y
for the purpose of striking and depressing the lug N as the cylinder moves up to
the table to receive a blank sheet and as it nears the end of its opposite movement
to deposit a printed sheet. As the lug N is depressed the crank T causes the rock
shaft W to rock, which operates the grippers in one case to grip a blank sheet and
in the other to release a printed sheet. As soon as the lug N is withdrawn from
the pressure of the cams Y, it is thrown out by the springs S and the grippors
assume the position of gripping after a sheet has been fed, and the open or
releasing position after a sheet has been printed, so as to release the printed sheet
and be ready to receive a blank sheet. This movement is owing to the fact that
the cains Y strike the lug N from opposite sides and tend to press it not only
inward but also to push it or tilt it a little in opposite directions, and the
clongation of the crank-slot V permits the lug and its supporting-frame to tilt,
so that in one case the lug is sprung out by the springs S on one side of the rock-
shaft W and then on the other alternately, thus opening or closing the grippers as
above explained. This movement is well illustrated in Figures 4, 4a.
Second. As to the improved means for firmly and steadily carrying the cylinder
and inking-rollers in their reciprocations over the type-bed, a indicates outward
projections from the sides of the rails B, having grooves b underneath them.
c indicates carriages provided with friction-rollers, which run in the overhanging
grooves b. These carriages are provided with tubular sockets d, the lower pro-
jections of which bear against the outside flanges of the rails B at the points e.

page_text: Within these sockets are bearing posts ƒ made adjustable vertically within the
sockets by means of the check nuts g. The ends of the cylinder shaft are mounted
in suitable bearings at the tops of the bearing-posts. The frame of inking-rollers h
is connected to the carriages by means of a bracket i or in any suitable manner,
so as to reciprocate with the cylinder. By means of the check-nuts g the carriages
can be drawn up so that their friction-rollers will bear against the bottoms of the
grooves 6 while the cylinder bears firmly upon its tracks ; on the upper surfaces
of the rails. Thus a strong and firm guide and support are formed for the
cylinder during its reciprocations, preventing its being raised, and insuring its
movement to and fro always exactly in the same plane by the reciprocating
mechanism. Gear wheels are provided on opposite onds of the cylinder and
rack-bars upon the rails, not so much for the purpose of giving rotary motion to
the cylinder as to prevent any liability to slip when in operation.
Third. As to the improved means for raising and lowering the type-bed, m
indicates two rock-shafts, supported upon brackets n underneath the rails B.
Passing through these rock-shafts are four screw-posts o adjustable vertically by
means of the check-nuts p. These screw-posts have large semi-circular caps at
their tops, which fit in correspondingly-shaped sockets in the bottom of the type
bed. Projecting downward from one of the rock-shafts is a lug q slotted at its
lower end in two places for the passage of spring buffer-rods M and r. The
operation of these parts for raising and lowering the type-bed is as follows: In
the first place, the check-nuts and screw-posts serve to accurately adjust the type
bed in the true position for printing. Supposing the type-bed to be thus adjusted,
the gearing and connections are such and the movements of the parts are so timed
that when the cylinder comes to position to take a blank sheet of paper the rod M
has passed forward through its slot in the lug q so that its spring-buffer s strikes
the lug g and pushes it to a perpendicular position. This operates both of the
rock-shafts and carries the screw posts which support the type-bed also to a
perpendicular position and elevates the type bed, so that the cylinder, as it moves
away from the feed-table with the blank sheet of paper will impinge against the
type and print the sheet and immediately afterward the inking-rollers will freshly
ink the type. After the printing has been done, and when the cylinder has nearly
renched the delivery end of the press, the collar t upon the end of the rod M will
strike the opposite side of the lug q, throw it out of perpendicular, and operate the
rock-shafts and screw-posts so as to lower the type-bed and permit the cylinder to
pass back for a fresh sheet without striking the type. The spring-buffer u upon
the rod is merely for the purpose of preventing shock and easing the dropping
of the bed.
Fourth. As to the improved means for securing the blanket to the cylinder, v
indicates a bar extending nearly the whole length of the cylinder in its interior on
the margin of the longitudinal gripper-opening. This bar is provided with small
brads, about four inches apart, which project into corresponding holes win the
cylinder; or the brads may be set in the cylinder to project inward, and the holes
may be made in the bar to receive them. Passing through the wall of the cylinder,
near each end are two screws which enter the bar and serve to hold it in
place. On the side of this bar is another bar y secured in place by the clamp-
screws. The purpose of this mechanism is to secure one margin of the blanket
and tympan as clearly illustrated in Figure 6 where it will be seen the brads are
set through the edge of the blanket, which is then clamped securely by means of
the screws and bar and then the blanket is drawn outward around the cylinder.
The tympan is secured between the two bars and clamped by the screws and
drawn around the cylinder in like manner over the blanket. The blanket and
tympan, being wound firmly around the cylinder to the opposite side of the gripper-
opening are drawn into the interior of the cylinder and hooked onto a row of
brads a projecting inwardly from a bar b². This bar is adjustable radially by
means of screws c passing through it and entering the cylinder shaft as clearly

page_text: Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to securo
by Letters Patent is:-
First. The combination, with the cylinder and cylinder-shaft, of the lug N, the
reciprocating frame supporting the lug and provided with springs S, the slotted
crank T, the rock shaft W and the grippers substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Second. The combination of the rails B provided with the projections and
grooves a b, the carriages c provided with friction rollers running in the over-
hanging grooves b, the tubular sockets & bearing against the flanges of the rails at
the points e, and the adjustable bearing-posts f substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Third. The combination, with the type-bed, of the rock-shafts m, the adjustable
scrow-posts o, the slotted lug 9, and the spring buffer rods M 7 substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination, with the cylinder, of the bars vand y, the blanket-
securing brads, and the screws x and ≈ substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Fifth. The combination, with the cylinder and its axis, of the adjustable bar b³
its brads, and the screws c³, directly entering the axis, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Sixth. The combination of the adjustable and removable lug with the rail B
and the lug N upon the cylinder, whereby the printing and delivering of short
sheets of variable length is provided for, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. The combination, with the cylinder, the printing-bed and the rails of
the receptacle between the ends of the rails and the table or bottom k for
receiving the printed sheets directly from the cylinder, substantially as described.

page_text: Eighth. The combination with the inking roller e³ and knife f₁ of the set
screws passing through the plate h³ and the pins passing loosely through
the knife and provided with collars substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Ninth. The combination with the cylinder of the rock-shaft a³ pivoted to the
supports a at its ends, the strips or tongues 63 adapted to bear lightly over the
paper and hold it on to the cylinder, the cam lever and the pin projecting
from the arm Y for rocking the shaft and releasing the paper, substantially as
set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Sydney Pitt have hereunto set my hand
and seal this eighth day of November in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.