Year: 1889

page_text: I, LUTHER CONANT of Oak Park, Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The object of this invention is to produce a device for use in gauging the position
of sheets or blanks to be printed, in which less difficulty and time are required to fix
its position than with the gauges now in use, and in which the necessity of removal
of the gauge from one place to another, resulting in numerous punctures in the
It is also designed
tympan-sheet and the rapid destruction of the latter, is obviated.
to simplify and cheapen such implement to the minimum so far as is consistent with
effectiveness.
In the accompanying drawing, is shown a preferable construction and modifications
thereof of the improved device.
Figure 1, shows a perspective view of a gauge illustrating what 1 consider the
preferable construction.
Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 show several modifications of the same all, however, embodying
a feature in the construction of the first, upon which the importance of my improve-
ment largely depends.
In Figuro 1 the head or gauge portion proper of the device, a, is supplemented by
two lateral bars, b, and 1, and a central guide-bar, c. The bars, and c, are
preferably, as a matter of economy, cut in common with head a, from a single piece
of shoet-brass and the two bars and then changed in position by bending their
shanks of connections with the head so that their breadth is in a plane at right
angles to that of the head. Thus lateral flexibility of said bars is provided. The
ends, d, and d', of the bars 6 and 6, are bent laterally to a right angle with the bar
length and are suitably sharpened at their extremities, with a downward tendency of
the points, so as to readily puncture the tympan-sheet. The central bar c is also so
sharpened at its extremity that it will easily puncture the sheet. The length of bar c
is such as to admit of considerable adjustment, after the point is inserted, in the
direction of the insertion. The desired position may be thus fixed and then by

page_text: pressure inwardly on the bars band b²; and the release of the latter, the reaction of
the bars causes the points to enter the sheet and thereby secure the gauge in
position.
In Figure 2 the same elements are shown with the exception of the omission of
the central bar. In Figure 3 an adjustable feature is shown that will admit of further
adjustment after the body of the implement has been fixed in its position. In this
construction a metal plate or bar, a, is bent to form the two flexible bars and 6',
with sharpened extremities adapted, as with the former examples, to enter the sheet
laterally after the necessary flexion. Two guide bars, c', and, c¹¹, are shown in this
example. A connecting portion of the two bars is provided, having a vertical band, e,
which is screw-threaded to adapt it to suitably engage with a screw,j. The latter also
has a bearing in the part a by which its longitudinal position is maintained. The
head, is designed to furnish the stop portion, the screw being inclined in its
position so that the head presses upon the tympan-sheet when the gauge is in
position for use. In Figure 4, a curved wire w, of suitable flexibility is shown, at
the extremities of which are formed vertically curved portions, u, with pointed lateral
terminals. . The curve w serves as the stop portion of the device, and the points_i
serve in securing the gauge to the sheet. Another form of gauge is shown in Figure 5,
in which a straight coil of wire &, is provided with pointed terminals t, '; corresponding
in direction to the length of the coil. In this construction it is designed that the
coil shall be compressed and the reaction force the points into the sheet, thus securing
the device. One end of the coil in this example serves as the stop. The laterally-
pointed extremities of the flexible bars of the several examples, I have shown directed
outwardly, which is perhaps preferable as the more convenient arrangement, yet they
may be directed inwardly and the bars spread properly to engage the points. In the
several illustrations, an element common to each is shown, which constitutes one of
the chief features of my improvement. This feature is the flexible character of the
bars or parts to which the points that enter the tympan-sheet to fix the position of the
gauge are connected. In applying the gauge, as shown in Figure 1, the central or
gauge-bar c is inserted in the tympan-sheet and after the correct position is determined,
the side bars 6 and 6' are flexed and released to react, by which latter operation, the
points c and d are forced into the sheet, thus fixing the position of the gange. The
same is true of Figures 2 and 3, with the exception that, in the first the central bar
is absent and in the latter there are two. Compression or flexion and release also
serve in the examples as shown in Figures 4 and 5, to insert the fixing points and
secure the gauge in position. Another important feature of my improvement depends
upon the application of a screw for nicely adjusting the stop to a desired position, in
connection with a gauge movable and adapted to be applied to the tympan, as in the
foregoing examples. In this, a two-fold adjustment is obtained in which the applica-
tion of the gauge to the tympan constitutes one and the movement of the screw in its
bearings, the other. An adjusting screw with a bearing permanently attached to
the press, I am aware has been used prior to my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
First. A gauge for printing presses cinbracing, as features thereof, elastic portions
that have attached thereto points wherein, as a reactive force, said points are made to
enter the tympan-sheet to fix the position of the gauge.
Second. A gauge for printing presses, embracing as elements thereof, a movable
or adjustable body adapted to be engaged on the tympan-sheet in any desired
position, with which body is connected a screw, an end or portion of which latter
serves as a blank stop, said screw being adjustable with relation to the gauge body,
substantially as set forth.
Third. In a gauge for printing presses, the combination with the head or stop
portion, a, flexible bars and and laterally-extending points connected with said
bars, substantially as set forth.

page_text: Fourth. In a gauge for printing-presses, the combination of the head or stop a,
side bars and laterally-extending-points d and d¹, and central guide bars c.
substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In a gauge for printing-presses, the combination of the head a, flexible side
bars 6 and 6, laterally-extending points d and d', guide-bars c and c¹, screw-beating e
and screw j, substantially as set forth.
:
Sixth. In a gange for printing-presses, a coiled wire body k and points & and t¹; said
points being directed in a line corresponding to the length of the coil, substantially
as shown and described.
Seventh. In a gauge for printing-presses, a curved elastic wire w, having vertically
curved stop portions and laterally pointed terminals i, all constructed of a single
piece of wire.
Eighth. In a gauge for printing-presses, the combination with mechanism for fixing
the position of the gauge, of one or more bars adapted to puncture the tympan-
sheet and so serve as a guide that the gauge may be secured with relation to the
tympan-sheet at any desired point within the length of said guide har.
000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.