US59533A - Improvement in railroad-ticket printing-presses - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT Genion.

VALTER H. FORBUSH, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY G. LEISENRING, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN RAILROAD-TICKET PRINTING-PRESSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 59,533, dated November 6, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, WALTER H. FoRBUsH, of the city of Buffalo, in the count-y of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad- Ticket Printing-Presses, and that I have assigned my whole interest in the said invention and improvements to HENRY G. LEISEN- RING, ofthe city of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania; and I do hereby declare that l theA following1 is a full, clear, and exact description of my said invention and improvements, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure I, Sheet I, represents the same in side elevation. Fig. II, Sheet II, is a longitudinal sectional elevation. Fig. III, Sheet III, is a cross-sectional elevation. Fig. IV, Sheet IV, is a plan of feeding mechanism. FigV, Sheet IV, is a detail view of one of the nippers. Fig. VI is a section of the suspension-bolts which connect the platen to the cross-head.

My invention consists in improvements in certain mechanism, herein fully described, for printing railroad-tickets from previously cut sheets of paper or card-board, in two colors, and consecutively numbering the same at one passage of each sheet or ticket through the y press.

l represents thebed-plate, upon which the sheets of paper lie while receiving the impression fromthe type, it resting upon the iianges or shoulders Al on the inside of the side frames A, and being securely bolted thereto. C represents the cross-head, which carries the platen Gl, holding the forms of type UZ U3. This -cross-head reciprocates to and from and at right angles to the bed-plate, moving between jaws A2, which are part of the side frames A.

The platen O1 is connected to the cross-head at its four corners bysuspension-bolts O4, passing up through the platen and through the arms (l5, projecting from the cross-head, or rather through hollow impression-screws C6, screwing through said arms and bearing upon the upper side of the platen. By turning these impression-screws up or down, as occasion requires, (the suspension bolts turning' with them,) the platen may be raised or lowered on the cross-head in a manner to secure a proper impression of the forms on the bed-plate. -A longitudinal groove is made in the platen, into which the cross-head lits, as shown at OT, vertical but no lateral play being allowed, so that when the impression-screws are set the platen and cross-head are joined rigidly together.

D represents the crank-shaft, havin g journalbearings in the side frames below the bedplate and in line with the jaws in which the cross-head moves. This shaft carries crankwheels D1, one on each end thereof, and outside of the side frames A. From the crankpins D2 of these wheels extend the side oo nnecting-rods D3, taking hold of the ends of the cross-head G, which are projected beyond the side frames for that purpose. The revolution of the crank-shaft thus gives the required reciprocating motion to the cross-head and the platen and forms of type connected therewith.

The crank-wheels are made of as large a diameter as possible, and upon the side opposite the crank-pins have countcrbalance-weights D4 attached to or cast in them, sufficient to balance the weight of the cross-head, platen, and forms of type, so that their motion may be steady and without jerk or jar.

E represents the main driving-shaft, having bearings in the side frames, and carrying a pinion, E1, at one end, gearing with cogs cut -in the periphery of one of the crank-wheels,

mits its convenient attachment to or removal from theplaten. The first form contains such portion of the subject-matter of the ticket as is desired to print in a certain color, (say, black,) and the second form such other part of the subject-matter as it is desired to print in some other color, (say, red,) the relative position of the two forms being such that, supposing an impression of the first form to be taken, and the sheet carried directly forward to an impression of the second forni, the double impression will give the whole subject-matter of the ticket properly spaced and. arranged.

In addition to the forms of type, the crosshead carries, by means of extensions C10 of its arms C5, a crossbar,Cl1, to which one or more numbering-wheels, C, may be attached for the purpose of numbering the sheets or tickets as they pass through the press.

The bed-plate B is made wide enough to receive the impression of both forms of type and the numbering-wheels.

From the foregoing it appears that each sheet must be passed to three successive impressions, viz.: to the iirst and second, which print the subject-matter, and to the third,.

which numbers, the distance between the first and second form and the second form and the numbering-wheels being made, by construction, such that equal progressive movements of the sheet will carry it from one to the other. The following described mechanism accomplishes the result.

Feed/ing mechanism-. -F represents two endless chains passing longitudinally around the` bed-plate near each side thereof, and running over chain-wheels F1, carried in pairs by shafts Fz extending across the ends of the bed-plate, said shafts turningin journal-brasses fitted to jaws projecting from the corners of the bedplate. Grooves are cut in the surface of the bed-plate, which receive the upper stretchers of the chains, so that their upper edge may be iiush with the surface of the bed-plate.

G represents the nipper bars or slats, eX-4 tending across the bed-plate, and connected at their ends to the chains F F, equidistant from and parallel to each other, their distance apart being made just equal to the distance a sheet is required to move in passing from one form to the other, as before mentioned.

Each nipper-bar carries two, four, or more nippers, Gl, each nippcr consisting` of two thin steel plates, the one riveted to the under side of the bar, and projecting backward from its edge a short distance, and the other secured by screws at one end to the upper side of the bar, its free end being bent to a right angle, and nipping tightly on the projecting end of the lower plate. (See Fig. V, Sheet IV.) The downward bend of 'the upper plate of the nipper is notched out, as shown at G2, to permit the opening of the nipper to receive or discharge a sheet, as will hereinafter be described.

An intermittent progressive movement is given to the nipper-bars as follows: A ratchetwheel, H, is keyed on one end of the front chain-wheel shaft F2, into the teeth of which a* pawl, H1, works, said pawl being carried by a loose pinion, H2, on the same shaft as the ratchet, the pinion having a vibrating movement given to it by the reciprocating movement of a rack-bar, H3, receiving its movement from an eccentric, H4, upon the crank-shaft. The pawl lill engages a tooth of the ratchet during the forward vibration of the pinion, and causes theshaft F? to move with it, thus advancing the nipper-bars a certain distance. During the return vibration of the pinion, for

the pawl to take a new hold on the ratchetteeth, the nipper-bars are left in the position to which they were advanced.

The movement of the pinion bears such relation to the size of the chaiirwheels that it will advance the nipper-bars a distance just equal to their distance apart, so that each movement will bring any one of them into the position just before occupied bythe one in advance thereof.

rIhe position of the eccentric with reference to the cranks is such that the cross-head will have begun to rise before the nipper-bars begin to advance, which will insure thembeing.

at rest when the cross-head is down and the impression being taken.

The position of the nip'pers when at rest is such that the sheets which they hold shall be in position tofreceive the impression of the forms. By always locking the forms, whether f large or small.with their front edges to the saine sidefof their respect-ive chases, this atrest position of the nippers never requires to be changed, but accommodates all forms large or small.

The sheets are fed to the iirst set of nippers above the bed-plate, and discharged from the last7 both operations being performed simultaneously, and while the nippers are at rest.

The opening of the nippers to receive the sheet is effected as follows: A rock-shaft, I, extends across the front end of the bed-plate, directly over the at-rest position of the first Dipper-bar, being supported at each end by brackets J bolted to the bed-plate outside of A the chain grooves. rlhis shaft carries the nipper-openers I, corresponding in number and position to the nippers on each bar. The openers are wedges, which by the movement of the rock-shaft I swing into the notches G2 of the nippers, and spring the upper plate thereof upward. A clamp-bar, J1, hinged to the brackets J is thrown down upon the nipper-bar, before the openers enter the nippers, by the action of cams J3 on the rock-shaft I, sothat the nipper-bar is held perfectly rm and rigid during the opening of the nippers. The rock-shaft receives its movement from a cam, K, on the crank-shaft, connecting with a lever-arm, K1, at one end of the rock-shaft by a connecting-rod, K2. The form of this cam and its position upon the crank-'shaft with ref. erence to the feed-eccentric H4 is such that vit gives movement to the rock-shaft to clamp the nipper-bar and open the nippers immediately after they have come to rest, and to raise the clamp-bar and close the nippers before their next forward movement begins.

As the feed-eccentric allows the nippers to remain at rest one-half of the revolution of the crank-shaft, the cam K may be made to give the required movement to the rock-shaft and hold the nippers open one-third (or nearly so) of a revolution, which gives ample time for the introduction of a sheet therein.

rlhe sheets are -fed from a table, K2, the surface of which stands slightly above the lower plate of the nippers, so that the introduction of the sheet is made sure and easy.

The opening of the last set of nippers and the discharge of the printed sheet are effected as follows: A rock-shaft, L, with its openers L1 and clamp-bar L2, is arranged over the last nipper-bar, the same as described for the tirst nipper-bar, its motion bein g obtained from the lever-arm K`L of the rst, through a connecting-rod, K4, reaching to a similar lever-arm, K5, at its end.

After the nippers are opened the sheet is withdrawn from them by a set of fingers, L3,-

attached to a cross-bar, L4.l moved backward and forward by means of the cams L5 on the rock-shaft L. The cross-bar moves in slotted arms L6, which are part of the clamp-bar, so that the fingers are made to partake of theupand-down movement of the clamp-bar, in addition to the backand-forth movement given to them by the cams L5. Hence, as the clam p-bar moves down on the nipper-banthe lingers L2 strike in between the frontedge of the sheet and the nipper-bar, and as the openers enter the nippers and release vthe ticket, the backward movement of the lingers given by the cams withdraws the ticket therefrom. 'The upward movement of the clamp-bar raises the drawont fingers with it, so that the sheet may pass forward under them. The sheet, as it is withdrawn from the nippers, is received on tapes L7, passing from a loose spring-roller, L, around tape-wheels L, secured to the chainwheel shaft and moving therewith, so that at the next movement of the nippers the tapes carry the withdrawn sheet forward and discharge on it a receiving-table, L10.

Inkiag/ mecham'sm..-h/I represent the fountain ink-rollers, arranged one on each side of `the platen, they being supported by arms M',

hinged to the jaws A2 of the side frames.

N represents the form-inking rollers, each of which, starting from contact with its fomitain-roller, moves over the adjacent form and returns, so that by supplying each fountainroller with a difterent-colored ink the forms may be inked in different colors without conlict.

rlhe motion of the inking-rollers is obtained as follows: Nl are rock-shafts, located one on each side of and equidistant from the crankshaft, and having bearings in the side frames. Each shaft carries two long arms or levers, N2, and a short arm,N3, with a stud-roller at its end,

working in a cam, N4, on the crank-shaft, by which a vibrating motion is given to the levers N2. To the vibrating ends of said levers radius-arms N5 are hinged, the free ends of which carry the hiking-rollers N, supported thereon by spring-bearings N6, the vibration of the levers carrying the inkiu g-rollers over the forms, as required.

O are grooved slides, attached to the under side ot' the platen at the ends thereof, and parallel to the face of the forms. Stud-rollers Ol, projecting sidewise from the free ends ofthe radius-arms, run in these slides as the rollers travel over the forms, which causes the radiusarms and the rollers they carry to rise and fall with the platen as they pass in and out over the forms.

The shape of the inking-roller cams N4 is such that they will hold the inking-rollers back against the fountain-rollers during one-half or two-thirds of their revolution, or sufficient to receive a proper quantity of ink therefrom; and their relative position to the cranks giving motion to the platen is such that the iukingrollers will reach the limitof their forward vibration at the same time that the platen reaches the limit of its upward movement, so that both platen and hiking-rollers change the direction of their movement at the same time.

While in contact with the fountain-rollers the inking-rollers are supported by the studrollers Ol of the radius-arms resting upon permanent bearings 02 bolted to the side frames, which, when the platen is at a certain point of its upward or downward movement, form extensions of the under lip or iianges of the grooved slides O. v This alignment ,of the bearers O2 with the grooved slides O during the upward movement of the platen, takes place just as the inking-rollers in their forward movement reach the grooved slides, so that they pass fairly from the bearers into the slides. It occurs again during the downward movement of the platen, just as the inkingrollers in their return movement reach the bearers, so that they pass fairly from the slides on to the bearers.

rlhe slides O being parallel to the face of theforms, the inking-rollers must necessarily move parallel thereto, although their movement is compounded with the movement of the platen. A perfect rolling of the form is the result of this parallel movement.

Motion is given to the fountain ink-rollers to supply the 'form ink-rollers, as follows: P represents gearsegments, supported by studs Pl projecting from the right-hand-side frame, said segments gearing with pinions P2 on the ends of the fountain-roller shafts. A vibrating motion is given to the segments from the crank-pin D2 on that side through the connecting-rods P2. rEhe vibration of the segments gives an alternately-reversed rotary motion to the fountain-rollers, which distributes the ink to the form-rollers while the same are in contact therewith, as before stated.

Each fountain-roller is provided with a distributing-roller, P4, Which'is held in close contact therewith by springs P5 pressing upon its bearing-boxes, so that it may turn with the fountain-roller, it having a screw-thread, P6, cut at one end and Working through a boxnut, which causes it to vibrate longitudinally upon the fountain-roller.

Smmnao'g/ of movements-The first sheet, after making two of its progressive movements, reaches its position to receive the impression of the first form. The next progressive movement carries it to theimpression of the second form and brings the second sheet forward to the impression of the iirst form. The next progressive movement carries the first sheet to the impression of numbering-wheels, the second sheet to the impression of the second form, and the third sheet to th'e impression of the iirst, this impression on the three sheets being given by same downward movement ot' the platen, and completing the print-in g of the first sheet. The next downward movement of the platen completes the printing of the second sheet, which has been properly progressed by the movement of the nippers, the first being withdrawn from the nippers and lying` upon the discharge-tapes, so that at the next progressive movement itis discharged onto the receiving-table. From this time a completed sheet is discharged at each impression of thel platen.

After each impression the hiking-rollers pass over their respective forms and supply them with ink for their hext impression.

Although the feeding mechanism, as described, is calculated to carry a sheet to three successive impressions, yet it is evident that it may be modified to carry the sheet to only one impression, or extended to carry it to more than three, without changing th'enature of the devices used.

It is evident, also, that the inking mechanism may be used in a press having only one form to ink.

Having thus described my improved printing-press, what I claim therein as new, and desire .to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination of the wedge-openers I', or their equivalent, with the nippers G, having an intermittent feed movement, constructed and operating substantially as described.

2. The draw-out fingers L3, operating, in connection with the wedge-openers, to remove the sheets from the nippers G1, substantially as set forth.

3. The grooved slides O, attached to the platen parallel to the face of the form, and carrying the inking roller or rollers over the form, in the manner and for the purpose sub stantially as described.

4. rlhe arrangement of the inking roller cams N4, radius-arms N5, supported upon the vibrating levers N2, and carrying the formin king rollers N, combined with the grooved slides 0 and permanent bearers O2, so that the inking-rollers will reach the limit of their forward vibration at the saine time the platen reaches the limit of its upward movement, and so that both platen .and inking-rollers change the direction of their movement at the same time, substantially as described.

5. The fountain ink-rollers, in combination with segments P, which receive their motion from one of the cranks D2, for the purpose and substantially as set forth.

6. Attachingpthe platen to the cross-head by the combined suspension-bolts C4 and impression-screws CG, in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

7. The clamp-bars J1 and L4, (either or both,.) arranged and operating substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

WALTER H. FORBUSH.

vWitnesses:

P. T. DODGE, N. G. DODGE.

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