Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Feeding Sheets of Paper to Printing Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1892
CODILUID DIBUITIVATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Feeding Sheets of
Paper to Printing Machines.
I, EDUARD PAESLER of 61 Josephstrasse Hanover in the German Empire,
Mechanical Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to apparatus for automatically feeding sheets of paper to
printing machines.
The construction of an apparatus constructed according to these improvements,
and which can readily be fitted or adapted to existing machines, is illustrated by the
accompanying drawings to which reference will hereinafter be made. In these
drawings―
Figure 1 represents a side elevation ;
Figure 2 a plan, and
Figures 3 and 4 are diagrammatic representations of the moving parts of the
apparatus in different positions.
Figures 1A and 1B shew some of the details on an enlarged scale.
In the frame M there is mounted the shaft c' which has an intermittent rotary
motion derived from any similarly moving and suitable gearing of the machine.
An
open-topped paper box K is mounted by the bearings L in an inclined position and
in such a manner that the box may be turned or rocked upon the bearings. The
longer sides of the box have the ends of two counter-weighted levers / h secured
to them, the counter-weights G G being adjustably secured upon the free ends of
the levers. The same sides of the box have secured to their lower ends the two
guide brackets S S, the upper surfaces of which slope towards the shaft c'. The
lower end or front of the box is formed or covered with a rough surface which may
consist of felt, bristles, and the like, the object being to provide such an amount of
resistance to the passage of the paper over the end of the box as to prevent more
than one sheet being fed at once. In addition to this rough surface, a cleansing
cushion R is fixed between the guide brackets S S flush with the top of the box,
with the object of cleansing the suction feets when they pass over the cushion
empty on each return journey.
The gripper cylinder C is fixed upon the shaft c' and is provided with the curved
grippers gg.
The brackets L which are fixed to the machine frame M carry the guide
rods F F at an inclination parallel with the plane of the box K. On these guide
rods there are fixed the two slides H, one upon each rod, firmly connected with
each other by means of the cross-bar T. These slides are provided with rollers r
in such positions that they will come into contact with the upper faces of the guide
brackets S when in motion. To the cross bar T there are secured a number of
holders & fitted with the suction feet s. These feet may be made or faced with a
gelatinous composition and be hollowed on their acting surfaces, and will exert a
strong suction upon the paper with which they are brought into contact.
The shaft chas fitted upon it a crank k which is connected with the two
levers A. A by means of the connecting rod V, both of the levers A being mounted-
upon a common shaft or fulcrum W having its bearings in the frame M. The
motion of the levers A is transmitted through the ropes Z Z¹ to the counter-
weights G and to the slides H respectively.
When the apparatus is set to work, the box K is first filled with the sheets of
paper to be printed and the shaft c' is put in motion as before described. At the
commencement, the cross-bar T is directly above the lower part of the box K

page_text: (Figure 4). Owing to the movements of the levers A to the right, the weights G
drop, and the box K is strongly jerked upwards. By this motion the upper of the
sheets of paper is brought into contact with the sucker feets to which the top
sheet adheres. The continued motion moves the slides H downward, and the
adherent sheet is therefore carried onward to the cylinder C, (Figure 3). At the
moment when the leading edge of the paper arrives at the cylinder grippers, it is
arranged that the cylinder is at rest with the grippers open so as to receive it.
When the paper
has thus been delivered to the cylinder, the latter re-commences
its motion and delivers the sheet to the printing machine. During this further
motion of the cylinder, the slides are again drawn upwards by the cords Z' and the
sucker feet are brought back to seize another sheet of paper. The cycle of move-
ments is repeated for every sheet of paper fed to the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,―
1. An apparatus for feeding sheets of paper to printing machines, constructed
arranged and operating substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by
the accompanying drawings.
2. In an apparatus for feeding sheets of paper to a printing machine, the com-
bination and arrangement with a counter-weighted rocking paper box, of slides
carrying sucker feet for seizing the paper, a crank connecting rod and levers
operating the counter-weights and slides through cords, guide brackets for the
slides, and a gripper cylinder; substantially as herein before described and as
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
3. In an apparatus for feeding sheets of paper to a printing machine in which the
sheets of paper are delivered one by one by sucker feet, a cleaning cushion
arranged in the path of the sucker feet in such a manner as to clean the feet when
they pass over the cushion on their return from the gripper cylinder, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 3rd day of December A.D. 1891.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.