US1769138A

US1769138A - Printing machine

Info

Publication number: US1769138A
Application number: US166061A
Authority: US
Inventors: John E Johnson
Original assignee: SPEEDAUMAT Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: SPEEDAUMAT MANUFACTURING Co
Priority date: 1927-02-05
Filing date: 1927-02-05
Publication date: 1930-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 1947-07-01

Description

July 1, 1930. J. E. JOHNSON PRINTING MACHINE AFilled Feb. 5, 1927 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 July 1, 1930. '.1. E. JoHNsoN PRINTING MACHINEA 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1927 11 ,Sheetsf-Sheet 3 lllllllll l.

July 1, 1930. J. E. JoHNsoN PRINTING MACHINE med Feb. 5, 1927 wl *y July 1, 1930. g, E, JOHNSN 1,769,138

PRINTING uAcHINE 11.SheetS-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 5, 1927 July 1, 1930. J. E. JOHNSON v 1,769,138

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5. 1927 uisheets-sheet 5 July l', 1930. .1. E. JOHNSON' PRINTING' MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1927 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 July 1, 1930. .1.a JOHNSON PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1927 llsheets-Sheet T July 1, 1930. J. E. JOHNSON 1,769,138

PRINTING MACHINE Filed'Feb. 5l 1927 11 sheets-sheet 8 July 1, 1930.

. l J. E. .JoHNsoN PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5. 1927 1l Sheets-Sheet 9 'MI-Wmw M1 @25.

I July l, 1930f J. E. JOHNSON 1,769,138

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1927 1'1Sh6etS-Sheeb 10 5. w -|\I// PM I w 1\ Z W w Y 0 m L Z Q Hu. wpd 7N ,9 L L1 L l FLP 1. m 5 wm w 0 x| l r|(| Z Z J f@ m m Z w Z Z A y/ L m 0 w w/ al M w W- 4% Q y WW lr n n v g Z l Z W 2 Z 2 IMLI" l l w July 1, 1930. 1 E, JOHNSON 1,769,138

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5. 1927 11 sheets-sheet 11 ffl 225 :M2/3 2/2 777 www" js'rarss `UNH'I'E Mean PATENT oi-Fie JOI-IN E. JOHNSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T SPEEDAUMAT MANUFACTUR- IN G COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE Application filed February 5, 1927. Serial No.r166,0'51.

rl`his invention relates to printing machines7 particularly to machines for printing successively changing printing matter such, for example, as nam-es and addresses; and aims to provide al simple and improved machine of this character.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to one apparatus embodying the invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings: i

Fig. 1 is a .plan view of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the' line 3*8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of a detail of the mechanism taken along line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an ink supplying mechanism. i

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation thereof, taken approximately along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

F ig. 8 is a plan view of the mechanismfor repeating any desired printing operation.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 10 is a plan View of the mechanism for counting the number of impressions. i

Fig. 11 is an elevation vof the mechanism for altering the predetermined sequence `of printing impressions by skipping any desired printing plate.

F ig..12 is a bottom plan view thereof. y l

Fig. 13 is a plan View of the mechanism for automatically printing a predetermined number oftimes from each printing plate. Fig. 14 is a side elevation thereo Fig. 15 is an elevation of an element which determines the number of impressions made from each plate.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a device for automatically recording on a single sheet or strip a succession of printed impressions.

Fig. 17 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 18 is a perspective of a device for guiding or positioning the sheet on which the impression is made. Y

Fig. 19 is a plan view of a device for automatically winding a strip or the like bearing the succession. of printed impressions.

Fig. 20 is an elevation thereof.

- Fig. 21 isa side elevation thereof, showing alsol a side elevation of a device for rewinding the strip to reverse the order'of printedvimpressions (as the roll is unwound) to correspond with the order in which they were made by the machine. v Y

' Fig. 22 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21 showing details of the clutch mechanism for winding the strip;

And Fig. 23 is a plan view of the rewinding device.

The present embodiment of the invention is designed so that it may selectively perform, if desired, a variety of operations. That is, the machine may be equipped to perform at will operations other than simply printing' from successively changing printing. plates. For example, depending upon the requirements of the purchaser, the machine may be equipped to perform some or all of thek following operations :printing directly from the printing characters instead of through an interposed ribbon or other printing medium, thereby securing anv extremely clear and clean cut impression; printing at will more than one time from a given 'printing plate, thereby interrupting temporarily the successive printing from successive plates; printing automatically a predetermined number of times (more than a single time) from each of a succession of printing plates; skipping any desired plate or plates in the succession of printing operations; recording a selected series of impressions successively and in predeterf mined position on avsingle sheet or'thelike;

the purchaser may require, thereby reducing sales resistance because the purchaser appreciates that he is paying only for what he wants and not also for mechanisms or capacities which he does not want and does not need,

` but which if they were on the machine, would require a substantial increase in purccase price. At the same time the purchaser has the assurance that when he buys a machine for performing certain operations, such machine is not rendered obsolete (with a resultant loss) should it develop that a machine for performing other or additional operations is essential. The only outlay to remedy such a situation, is the purchase price for the ad* ditional accessory mechanisms which may be applied to the machine at any time by the user and without the exercise of special skill.

The illustrative machine particularly suits the needs of the small user in that it isarranged for manual operation. Where the machine is given relatively greater or more continuous use it may readily be operated by power with a simple manual control. The base 10 is in this instance a casting of rectanular box-like shape with its open side down (Figs. 1-4). Its size is such that it may be readily handled and may be placed on a table or desk for convenient operation.V For this purpose the rubber cushions 11 are placed at the corners for protection of the surface on which the machine rests. A large part of the mechanism of the machine is advantageously placed Within the hollow space 12 of the base.

, Impressions are made in this instance by a movable, hand operated platen 13 of a slightly resilient material such as hard rubber which is carried in a platen holder 14. The platen supporting arm 15 is mounted for movement on a shaft 16 supported in bearings 17 at the rear edge of the base (and in this instance cast integral with the base). The platen supporting end of the arm 15 is offset relative to its other end (see Fig. 1) to provide a clear space to the rear of the platen for the passage of a long sheet or the like upon which impressions are made. The lower end 18 of arm 15 is advantageously cast integrally with a curved shield 19 extending longitudinally of and covering the shaft from above. At its ends 20 the shield is provided with bearing openings through which shaft 16 passes.r A set screw passing through one of the ends 2O serves to secure the impression arm non-rotatably on shaft 16. The Vplaten and its supporting arm 15 is normally resiliently held 1n an elevated position by spring 21 attached at one end to a pin 22 which projects from the inner side of end 20 and at its other end to pin 23 which projects from and is carried by the rear side of b'ase 10.

The upper surface 24 of base 10 is appropriately recessed as at 25 to provide a stationary platen to cooperate with platen 13 in making impressions. The longitudinal sides 26 a set screw The printing plates 27 are advantageously alike in dimensions and construction, difiering only in the printing data thereon. Each printing device advantageously con'iprises a plate of metal sufficiently ductile and malleable that it may be embossed (and reimbossed if need be to correct errors or make changes) to provide in relief, clear and sharp printing characters, that is characters which will print clearly and sharply. The obverse or intaglio side of the plates exhibits the characters in normal order so that the data maybe read easily. The long sides of the plate carry reinforcement in the form of longitudinal ribs 28 and marginal iinishing beads 29, the plate with round and straight edges. The marginal reinforcement prevents the bending of the relatively soft metal of the token and preserves it in the flat condition desirable when impressions are made therefrom.

The platen recess 25 and its sides 26 are in this instance advantageously extended to form a longitudinal groove or track 30 running across the top 24 of the base from one side to the other, forming a channel or guide along which a succession of printing plates may be moved to and passed from the platen or printing position. The bottom of the track 30 is, in this instance, provided with a relatively thin metal strip 31, sufficiently narrower than the width of the track to provide longitudinal grooves 32 at the sides of the track wherein the beads 29 of the printing plates may travel. Metal gibs or strips 83 are placed along the sides of the track with their edges extending slightly over the track to lie above the edges of the printing plates and preferably closely ad `acent the outer edges of plate beads 28. hus, while the plates are freely slidable in the track (when right side up) they are held against any substantial lateral movement or upward displacement by the grooves 32 and gibs 33. The strip 31 and gibs 32 also prevent the insertion into the track way of a plate in inverted position. The opposite ends of the strip 31 are advantageously curved slightly to lie normally a slight distance above the bottom of the track and thereby exert a slight friction or drag against the endmost plates to hold the succession of plates in the track in endwise contact to insure accurate location of the successive plates in printing position.

The surface of the platen is adjusted into parallelism with the printing surface of the plate at the time ,the impression is made, by what is in eect a three point support comprising in this instance a pair of rods 34 and 35. The rods are secured to the platen holder 14 and pass into openings latter serving to provide the lil() lll) (slightly larger than the diameterof the rods themselves) in the arm y15. The oversize openings in arm 15 permit a sufficient longitudinal tilting of theplaten to make any desired adjustment which is effected by screw plugs 36 threaded into arm 15Jand bearing against the ends of rods 34. A transverse adjustment of the platen is effected by the screw which likewise is screwed through supporting arm 15. The position of screw 35 relative to rods 34 determines the transverse adjustmentof the platen. The platen holder 14 is held against its adjustable three point support by a thumb screw 37 which passes freely through arm 15 and screws into the back of platen holder 14. Beside the above named function, screw 37 also provides a bodily vertical adjustment of the platen holder.V

In the present case the printing plates 27 are successively fed into printing or impression positionby periodic movements, each of which advances the rowV or column of abutting plates through a distance equal to the length of one plate. `This is advantageously effected simply by a moving force exerted upon one'end of the row of plates (in thiskinstance the right hand end as viewed from the front of the machine-see Fig. 1). F or this purpose the present machine is provided with a reciprocating slide or cross-head 38 traveling in alignment with the row of plates at the right hand end of track 30. The slide 38 is supported for `reciprocation between guides 39 in a bracket 40 which in thisinstance is integral withv and projects beyond the end of base 10.

The means for supplying the succession of plates is herein represented by a vertical rack or galley 41 supported at its back by an integral bracket 40 just above the normal position of slide 38. Rack 41 is advantageously partly open (as at 42) along its front side to facilitate the insertion of a stack of plates therein, strips 43 serving as plate retaining members. wWhen slide 38 is moved entirely out of the area occupied by the stack of plates, the lowermost plate will drop into the position normally occupied by the slide and in longitudinal alignment therewith and with the plate track. On its return the slide engages the lower plate (thus positioned) and advances it into track 30. In the present case the slide 38 is retracted vto the right to effect the above described operationp A plate 44 covers the slide-wayiandguides in this region, particularly to avoid injury to users and to protect and keep foreign articlesout of the guideway.

By periodic reciprocations of the slide, the plates may be fed successively lfrom the rack into the plate track, the rear plate advancing the column-of plates.

The lslide 38 is in this instance reciprocated by connecting rod 46 `pivotedV adjacent its end to a cross pin in the slide 38. The perforated lug 47 on the rod which is thus pivoted7 is adjustably secured to the connecting rod 46 by nuts 48 screwed to the threaded end of the connecting rod and lying on opposite sides of the lug. The extreme positions' of the slide may thereby be adjusted relative to the connecting rod, the latter havingv in this instance a definite amplitude of reciprocation.

The slide actuating ymechanism is herein represented by rock shaft 49, the rock arm 50 of which is pivotally connected to the bearing 51 at the end of connecting rod 46. The rock shaft is advantageously` 'rocked back and forth once for each upward movement of the impression arm 15, thereby effecting a change of printing plates in printing position for eachimpression of the impression arm.

For Vaccurately locating a plate in printing position for each reciprocation of the plate slide, the distance between the vpoint 52 of extreme advanceof the slide and the vedge 53 ofthe printing position is an exact multiple (or substantially so) of the length of a Vprinting plate. Necessary adjustment of this distance may be eected by shifting the slide connecting lug 47 longitudinally of the e011-, necting rod 46 by means of the adjusting nuts 48.

F or synchronizing the movement of the plate slide with the movement of the impression arm, means represented by the reciprocating rack 54 are employed for transmitting movement from the impression arm to the rock shaft 49. The lower end ofrack 54 meshes with gear segment 55 adjustably fastened to rock shaft 49. The upper end 56 of rack 54 is less in diameterthan the lower cylindrical portion of the rack, thereby providing a shoulder 57 (which serves as a stop against. the base casting) to limit one extremity ofthe travel of the rack and consequently that of the s-lide 38 (Fig. 5). A spring 58 connected at one end to the base 10 (at 59) and the other end to a pin 60 projecting from the bearing 51 on the connecting rod actuates the slide to advance the plate column, whereby the mechanism and plates are protected from injury in the event a plate became jammed for one reason or another. This actuation also insures the complete `advance of the slide regardless of lost motion in the mechanism, through wear or otherwise.

ln the present instance rock arm 5() and gea-r segment 55 are secured in properly adjusted position on rock shaft 49 by means of

set screws

61 and 62.

The plunger rack 56 is periodically actuated, in this machine, by a projection 63 carried on and moved by the impression arm and arranged to strike and depress the plunger 56,`when the arm is lowered to impression position, thereby moving the plate slide 38 to the right to permit the bottom plate to drop down into alignment with the plate track llt) , supply surfaces.

into which it is moved as above described upon the lifting of the impression arm.

After .they pass the impression position, the plates drop successively into a chute or receiver 64 (in this instance formed integral with the base casting), the upper end of which terminates flush with the plate track. The front of the receiver 64 is open except for a marginal plate 65 which holds the plates in stacked condition. The receiver bottom plate 66 is cut away (as at (i7) to provide a linger opening so that a stack of plates may be readily lifted out of the receiver.

The ink supply means is represented in the present case by an inked ribbon G8 which is interposed in printing position between the printing plate and the movable platen l5. A shield 69 covers the ribbon, except in the region where the impression is made, to protect the articles on which the impression is made from harmful contact with the ribbon. In the present case the leading end of the shield is. flanged and enters a slot 70 in the base casting to hold the shield in place. The shield is cut away to provide an opening 71 y(approximately coextensive with the printing areas of the plate) the longitudinal edges of which are slightly elevated to hold the sheet from contact with the ribbon or plates (as the case may be) prior to impression.

The ribbon G8 is advantageously of substantial length whereby it may be shifted from time to time to expose different inl; An automatic shifting of such ribbon is effected herein by automatically unwinding the ribbon from one spool 72 and winding it simultaneously upon another spool 73. These spools are mounted in the present case upon a removable bracket 74 secured to the under side of the base by the screw 7 5 and held accurately in position by a pair of dowel pins 76 which enter appropriate o enings in the under side of the base.

. The rib on spools 72 and 73 have hollow centers and are passed over supporting spindles 77 which project from bracket 74. The ribbon spools are provided respectively with oppositely acting ratchets 7 8 whereby the winding direction of the ribbon may be reversed simply by shifting the winding appliance from one ratchet to the other. Such winding appliance is herein represented by a pawl 79 having a pin 80 at the free end thereof arranged to enter the notches of the ratchets. The pawl is reciprocated by lever 81 pivoted at S2 to the ribbon bracket 74 and provided'with a forked end 83 which straddles an actuating pin 84 carried on and moved by the housing 19 of the impression arm shaft, whereby the ribbon spool is rotated aA fraction of a revolution upon each operation of the impression arm. Pawl 7 9 is pivoted .to lever lSl at a point 85 which 'lies approximately midway between the axes of the ribbon spools, whereby the direction of ribbon travel may be reversed simply by swinging the pawl from engagement with one ratchet into engagement with the other ratchet. The tension of the ribbon may be adjusted (to prevent over-travel, et cetera) ay varying' the frictional pressure between the spool ends and friction washers 8G which lie between the spool ends and the bracket 74. This frictional pressure may be varied by thumb screws 87 at the ends of the shafts 77 which exert a resilient pressure (by means ofthe interposed curved leaf springs 89) against discs 88 contacting with the rolls of ribbon. By theforegoing means, not only the tension on the ribbon may be adjusted but the winding spool may be sufliciently tightened to prevent any tendency for the spool ratchet to oscillate back and forth under the action of the pawl. e

The machine is provided with means, represented by the stop 90 and adjustable guide 91 whereby the impression to be made may be properly centered or located on the imprinted article, an envelope for example. The stop 90 is in the form of a longitudinally extending blade 92 which is supported on rod 93 passing through a holder 94 (in this instance cast integrally with the shaft bearing 17). A thumb set-screw 95 is provided to hold the stop in adjusted position to secure a transverse centering of the impression upon the article. The guide 91 is supported from rod 93 by a swiveled clamp 96 which may be tightened and loosened by the thumb screw 97. The end of the guide is 1ocated in proper position by shifting the rod longitudinally of the clamp and by pivoting the clamp 9b' relative to the clamp 98 which connects it to rod 93,-whereby the guide may be located to center or position the iml pression longitudinally of the article upon which the impression is made.

The machine above described is constructed and arranged to make impressions upon any desired article or articles from successively and automatically positioned printing plates. If the purchaser desires the machine simply for performing this primary function, it need not be equipped or sold to perform any additional functions. )While the machine is originally assembled simply to perform the above mentioned primary function, it is constructed and arranged (by means of inconspicuous and insignificant structural features) to receive or to be equippedv with such accessory mechanisms as are necessary to perform selected additional functions. However, the structural features necessary so kto adapt the machine to receive such selected accessory mechanisms, are themselves relatively insignificant both as regards their cost or conspicuousness and are, therefore, matters of no concern to the purchaser of a machine operating with only the aforesaid primary function. j

`Where it is desired to print directly from the plate upon the envelope or other sheet positioned to receive the impressiony (and without the interposed inking ribbon), the inking ribbon 08 is removed from the position illustrated( in Fig. 3 and means are provided for inking the plates prior to the impression so that the impression maybe made by the plate directly' upon the paper. The impression thus made is unusually Vclear out and appears (as it actually is) to have been printed directly from type, thus avoiding the possibility of letter blurring or -ribbonsmearing.

The means which effects the above mentioned independentJ inking of the plates lis herein represented by a devicevk which applies ink tothe plates inthe Vplatetrack prior to their advance to printing position. This illustrative device (see Figs. 6V and 7) consists of a resilient pressure pad orV platen 9K9 (of hard rubber, for example) which presses an f, ink supplying surface against the printing surface of the characters on the plates. The ink supplying surface is herein represented by an inking ribbon which advantageously may be the same ribbon 68 as was removed from the aforesaid printing position. Platen 99 may (though it does not do'so in the present case) serve to make another series of impressions (through the ribbon) just as platen 13 does in the regular printing position.

The pre-inking position in the present machine is located just beyond the plate magazine, and the machine base isprovided with .a pairof slots 101 (see F ig. 1) through whichl the ribbon Vmay be passed. To thread ribbon through slots 101, it is necessary simply to unwind the ribbon from one `of the fribbon spools 72 0r 7 3, pass it throughthe slots and again secure it to the ribbon spool. The same ribbonl spool bracket 74 may be emi ployed, and this is transferred to pre-inking position simply'by removing screw 75 yandl shifting the bracket-so that the dowel pins 7 6 enter dowel pin holes-102 'in the basey casting. A screw hole 103 is provided to receive screw 75. 'Theforked end 83 of the ribbon feeding lever 81 is in this instance positioned to straddle pin 104 projecting from a lug on7 the impression arm shaft housing 19. The

position. and arrangement of pin `104y islikethat of pin 84 eXceptthat it is longitudinally' spaced therefrom to register with the lever Y 8,1 when the ribbon bracket is supported as i above described in pre-inking position.

rlhe position of the inking pad 99, the ribbon and ribbon bracket in pre-inking `position is shown in dotted lines lin Figs. 1 and 2.

- The inking pad holding arm 105 is pivotallyv supported.A at 106 to a removable base 107 screwedv by screws 108 to the machine base. For this purpose themachine base is proably supported upon the base bracket 112 i (integral with thebase 107 by an eccentric bearing pin 4113. Pawl is connected with the impression arm 15 by a pin 114 .j

projecting from the impression arm and through a hole adjacent the end of the pawl. The other end of the pawl is provided with a ratchet pin or lroll 115 which engages the -ratchet recesses. The pawl is held in operativegengagement with the Vratchet by a spring 116 connected at one end through pin 117 with bracket y112 and at the other end through pin 118 with the `pawl itself. Operative movements ofthe impressionv arm `15 cause the pawl to rotate the ratchet cam 111, the teeth 119 of which successively engage the camv roll 120 projecting from arm 105 to depress the latter and cause the inking pad to carry the inking ribbon into-inking contact with the underlying printing plate. As the operating` tooth 119clears the cam roll 120, the inking arm 105 springs up (independently of impression arm 15) under the action of compression spring 121 which is seated in recesses in the arm 105 and base 107. The degree of pressure exerted by the inking platen against the plate to ink the latter maybe varied or adj usted' by rotating the eccentric-pin 113 whose bearing surface in the bracket 112 iseccentric to the bearing sur-` face on which the cam ratchet 111 is mounted. The eccentric pin is tightened in adjusted position by a nut 122 which exerts pressure.

After being pre-inked as above described, the linked `plates are carried in successionV along the plate track to printing position, where the impressionis made directly from the printing characters.

In adapting the machineto receive the appliances for pre-inking, it is necessary to provide merely the three tapped holes 109 on the upper side of the base, the two dowel holes 102, the screw hole 103 for the ribbon bracket 74, and the pin 104 for actuating the ribbon lever` 81. A machine sold to the customer cartered if desired .by an appliance which may` be actuated to interrupt as occasion demands,

The opposite end 129 of the lever is the shifting or changing of the printing plates with each koperation of the printing arm. For example, where it is desired to make more than one impression from a single yprinting plate, the impression arm and pawl 63 'so that the latter will notV depress the plunger r56. This relat-ive's'hifting is advantageously effected by pivoting the pawl 63 at 1.43 on the impression arm (see Figs. 3 and 9) whereby if the pawl is shifted on its pivot, the impression arm may he lowered without any operative contact with plunger 56 (as shown, for example, in Fig. 9). The pawl 63- is advantageously controlled by a lever 124, onel end of which extends into convenient proximity with the operating handle of thecompression arm (Fig. 3). rllhe lever 124 is pivoted to the impression arm by a pivot shaft 126 carried in bearing lugs 127 projecting above the impression arm. A set screw 128 connects the pivot shaft with the leverv thereby preventing the 'shaft from moving longitudinally and slipping out of a bearing. operatively conneeted with the pawl 63 by'a b ell crank lever 130 pivoted to a pin 131 pro] ecting lfrom the impression arm and provided with a transverselv ro ectine finger 132`which enu t3 J gages the lever. rlhe other end 133 of the bell crank lever engages a transverse pin 134fon pawl 63, whereby upon a depression of the handle of lever 124, the pawl is moved out of operative alignment with plunger 56. So long as the lever handle is thus depressed, the

f impression arm may be actuated without effecting any change of the printing` plates. Thus any number of impressions may be made from a single plate. )When it is desired to resume the successiveV changing of the printing plates, the lever is simply re# leased, whereuponv leaf spring 135 returns the pawl to operative alignment with plunger 56.

For adapting the machine to receive the above described repeating device, it is merely necessary, in this case, to provide the machine with the pivot pin 131 and the bearing lugs 127. VThese elements are inconspicuous on the machine and represent only a negligible addition to the cost of the machine. The re peating device requires no skill for its application and involves simply the tightening of the single screw 128 to attach it thereto. 1n this connection it will be noted that the engagement of the lever end 129 with bell crank 130 prevents the lat-ter from slipping ofi' of its pivot pin 131.

If desired the machine may be equipped with acounting device 136 which is screwed by screws 137 to the base 10 of the machine (see Fig. 10). The counter actuating arm 138 is operated by a lever 139 which is screwed to the end of the impression arm shaft 16. The lever 139 accordingly rocks with the movements of the impression arm, which are registered in the connter136, thereby making it possible to record the number of impressions made by the impression arm. This is advantageous in order to ascertain the number of envelopes or the like which are imprinted by successive operations of the impression arm.A To adapt the machine toreceive a counting device of this character which may or may not be desired by a customer, the base is provided with four threaded holes for screws 137 and the end of the shaft 116 has .a threaded hole by means of which the lever 139 is secured to the shaft.

The sequence of impressions may also be changed relative tothe order of printing plates by omitting an impression from any plate or plates. This is effected in the present machine by actuating the plate feeding device without corresponding actuation of the impression arm. Thus any plate or plates may be assed beyond print-ing positien Vindependently of the operation of the impression arm. Such an arrangement is advantageous where no impression is desired te be made from a given plate or plates.

The plate feeding mechanism is independently actuated for the above purpose by an auxiliary skip lever 140 (see Figs. 11 and 12) which serves to oscillate the slide rock shaft 49 (see Figs. 4 and 5). Lever 140 is pivoted to the machine by means of a bracket 141'- screwed to the under side of the base by screws 142 andy carrying the lever pivot pin 143. Intermediate its ends the lever is off-set to pass underneath the side skirt of the machine base (as illustrated in Fig. 11). The lever is connected through a link 144 with a rock shaft 145 supported at one end in a bearing 146 in bracket 141 and at the other end in a bearing 147 (in the shape of a hole) in the end of rock shaft 49. The opposite ends of the link 144 are bent at right angles thereto to form pivot connections, one with the rock shaft arm 148 and the otherl with the lever 140 through a hole 149. Adjacent on extremity of the rack shaft 145 is an arm 150 carrying `a lateral extension 151 which engages the rock arm 50. A spring 152 connected to the base at 153 and to the operating mechanism through a connection 154 with link 144, holds the lever 140 in elevated position, whereby the plate feeding mechanism may be operated independently of lever 140 and without causing corresponding unnecessary movement of lever 140. ".Vhen it is desired to advance the column to skip a plate as above described, it is merely necessary to depress the lever 140 at the appropriate time once for each-plate to be skipped.

l'ZO

Pf) i Y sides of pawl 63) skipping appliance, comprise a pair of threaded holes in the bosses 155,v the bearing hole 147 in the rock shaft 49 and a hole or any other appropriate means `for attaching one end of spring 152.

The sequence of impressions may also be altered (relative to the arrangement of the Aprinting plates) by automatically making duplicate, triplicate or more impressions from each plate in succession. This may b-e conveniently effected in this instance by controlling pawl 63 to move it automatically into and out of register with plunger 56. For example, if it be desired to make duplicate impressions from each plate in succession, the pawl 63 may be actuated to bring it alternate- Y ly into and out of register with the plunger. For triplicate impressions it is brought into register only once in three downward movements of the impression arm. y

The pawl 63 is thus automatically con trolled by ratchet cam 156 of a design de pending upon the number of impressions it is desired to makev automatically from each plate (Figs. 13-15). As illustrated, ratchetv cam 156 is designed to effect triplicate impressions. The cam is supported by a headed bearing pin 157 carried in a hole inimpres sion arm and secured there by theset screw. Between the cam and the impression arm and secured to the former `by screws or pins 158 is a ratchet 159 which serves to rotate cam 156 intermittently. The periphery of the cam is provided with

recurrino recesses

160 and 161, there being in-this arrangement a pair of adjacent recesses 160 between each recess 169. The recessed periphery of the cam engages pin 134- (which projects from opposite and thereby controls the position of the "latter, depending vupon whether pin 134 moves into a deep recess 161 or a shallow recess 160. In the former instance the pawl is brought into register with .plunger 56 and in the latter instance it is moved and held, out of register. Ratchet 159, which has one tooth and recess foreach of the recesses inthe cam 156, is intermit; tently rotated by a pawl 162 pivotallysup ported in a removable bracket 163' on the machine base. Upon the upward movement of f the impression arm, one ofthe pawl teeth 164 strikes the recess 165 in the end of pawl 162,

thereby effecting a partial rotation of the ratchet and cam through the angular distance separating an adjacent pair of cam recesses. Pawl 162 pivoted at 166 bracket is resiliently held in a definite posi tion by spring 167 which holds the lower part 168 of the pawl in engagement with a stop 169 on the pawlbracket. This resilient mounting'enables thepawl to followthear@ cuate movement of a .ratchet toothy 164 as it travels with the impression arm.

to its supporting both the pivot bracket and into an appropriately threaded` hole in the base. A pair of dowel pins 171 on the bracket and corresponding openings in the skirt of the base, accurately position the bracket.

As stated above, the aforesaid cam 156 is .designed to eii'ect triplicate impressions from each plate. Duplicate impressions may be made by a cam such as that represented by ratchet cam 172 in which the shallow and deep recesses 173 an-d 174 alternate. (Fig. 15.)

The number of these recesses correspond with the number of teeth on ratchet 159, thereby adapting the cam 172 to be used with ratchet 159 to secure duplicate impressions. Obviously by appropriate positioning and arranging of the deep and shallow recesses, quadruplicate or more impressions may bek made. In practice it is not ordinarily desirable to make more than three impressions from each plate.

As above indicated, to adapt it to receive the automatic attachment above described, the machine need be provided merely with holes for bearing pin 157 and its set screw and screw hole and dowel pin holes for supporting bracket 163. Y

lf it be desired to make the successive impressions on a single sheet, strip of paper or the like, the machine may be equipped with a device for automatically feeding each sheet or strip to bring successive portions thereof into printing position to receive the successive impressions. The feeding attachment is herein represented by a feeding roll 174 (see Figs. 16 and 17) which intermittently is rotated (in a clockwise direction, see Fig. ,17)

in contact with the sheet or strip to advance etween successive yprinting operations.

This periodic rotation is effected, inthis instance, by a connecting rod 175 pivoted at one end to. pin 176 projecting from the impression arm andat its other end (by means ofa pin 177) to the clutch ring 178 of a ball clutch 179 of ordinary design, the inner or clutch member 180 of which is secured to roll shaft'181 by appropriate means such as a set screw,-whereby the roll 174 may be rotated in one direction only. The throw of pivot pin 176is great enough to give the roll 174 adequate rotation to eect the maximum devsired advancement of the sheet. A reduction in this maximum advancement (to secure the desired spacing of they successive impressions) is eected in this instance by providis provided with a sleeve'182 through which pin and the rod pass freely (see Fig. `17 Stops 183and 184, one or both of which arelongitudinally adjustable on the rod, engage sleeve 182 in order to y may most conveniently secure a reciprocation of the rod. By unscrewing stop 184, to permit movement of the sleeve 182 without a corresponding movement of the rod'17 5, the amplitude of'travel of the rod is varied, thereby varying the degree of rotation of roll 174.

Shaft 181 which carries both the clutch and the roll is mounted in suitable bearings in a removable bracket 185 secured to the machine base by a thumb screw 186 which enters a threaded hole in the base. Dowel pins 187 on the bracket enter corresponding dowel pin holes in Athe base to locate the roll bracket accurately.

The feeding roll is advantageously used where it is desired to list any desired sequence of impressions, on a sheet or strip, onel above the other, such, for example, as a payroll. The stop 184 is adjusted so that the impressions will fall in predetermined positions on the sheet. As indicated above, to adapt the machine to receive the feeding or listing mechanism7 it is necessary to pro- `vide the machine simply with pivot pin 17 6,

threaded hole for vrthumb screw 186, and a pair of holes for dowel pins 187.

1f desired to guide the sheet or strip above referred to by mechanical means, this may be done by a paper guide in the form of a longitudinal blade 188 having projecting ngers 189 which slip under the sheet (Fig. 18). The guide is supported upon an adjustable rod 190 passing through a hele in bracket 185 and secured therein in adjusted position by a thumb screw 191. By means of the guide (properly adjusted) the series of impressions may be transversely centered or positioned on the sheet or strip. If the customer desires to purchase a listing mechanism without a guide, he may do so with the assurance that the cost of the listingmechanism contains no item relating to the guide itself. The listing bracket 185 is simply provided with a hole to receive the guide rod 190` thereby adapting it to support a guide if the purchaser desired to use one.

If it be desired to list on one sheet an unusually large number of impressions, the sheetV (properly called a strip in such a case) be supplied in roll form from which it may be fed through the machine by the feeding roll 174 (Figs. 16 and 17)'. For supporting such a roll in operative relation to the listing mechanism, a bracket 1793 havinga transverse roll-supporting shaft 194 may be employed. The roll bracket is conveniently supported by and secured to bracket 185, bymeans of a thumb screw 196 which passes through roll bracket extremity 197 into a threaded hole in the base of` bracket 185. The rod 198 transversely projecting from bracket 193 serves to direct the paperV toward the feed roll 17 4. Adjustable guide plates 199 supported on the roll shaft 194 hold the strip roll properly aligned relative to the impressions to be made thereon. Lateral adjustment of these guide plates is effected by thumb set screws 200. The adjustablecharactcristic of the guide plates also permits the use of strip rolls of varying width. he ends of the guide plates are notched at 201 and straddle rod 198 whereby their rotation with the strip roll is prevented.

A friction drag in the form of a strip of cloth or the like 202 is provided for preventing` over-travel or excessive unwinding of the roll under the impulses of feeding roll 174. rhis friction strip is advantageously supported on a transversely extending rod 203 carried by bracket arm 193, and provides, merely by lying against a portion of the periphery of the strip roll, suiicient friction to prevent objectionable unwinding or overtravel of the roll.

As indicated above the only structural element necessary to adapt the listing mechanism to list upon a roll-ed strip, is the hole in the listing bracket 185 which receives thumb screw 196. The feeding roll mechanism may, therefore, be employed without including a strip roll device.

Twilli-en the length of the list strip is unusually long, it may be wound automatically into roll form upon a roll shaft 204 projecting from a supporting bracket 205 (see Figs. 19 to 22). The bracket 205 is secured to the rear skirt of the machine base by a thumbl screw 20G at one end and by a pin 207 which enters the hole in holder 94 and is secured therein by thumb screw 95, the stop rod 93 having previously been removed because its function is unnecessary when impressions are made upon a strip( or the like.

The winding shaft 204 is periodically rotated in synchronism with the movements of the feeding roll 174 by a connection with the impression arm, which likewise actuates the feeding roll. Such connection is in this instance eifected by a link 208 pivoted at its lower end to an arm 209 secured by a thumb screw 210 to the shield 19 above the impression arm shaft. rfhe other extremity of link 208 is connected with a clutch 211 which effects an intermittent rotation of the shaft 204 in a counter-clockwise direction. The clutch in this instance comprises a friction member in the form of a curved wire 212 which frictionally grips a clutch roll 213 connectedto the winding roll 204. Intermedisuiiicient for all purposes )Vhere less Athanmaximum ,rotation is needed, the clutch Wire 212 merely slips over roll 213 vvhenthe strip. pa er becomes taut. l

uide arms

220 and 221 supported from a rod 222 projecting from bracket 205 guide the strip of paperv properly on its Winding roll. Guide 220y extends horizontally just above the surface :of the machine. base and holds the Strip at a preper level.. `Guides 221 guide the st-ripV transversely and are provided VWith setscreivs 223 whereby they may be transversely adjusted on rod 222 to the dimension and position ofthe strip. As indicated in Fig. 21 the strip passes underneath guide 220 and thence around the rollin a counterclockwise direction. The Winding roll is provided with a fastener-in the yform of a Wire 224 which 4lies against the periphery of the roll by means of Which the end of thestrip is fastened tostart Winding. The Wire 224` is removably held in holes 225 and 226 adjacent the ends of the Windingroll (Figs. 20 and 22).

If it be desired to arrange the strip carrying the successive impressions so that When runwound it presents the impressions in the order in which the impressions Were made, it is necessary to rewind the strip from roll 204. To effect this conveniently, a revvinding roll 226 is provided for attachment to Winding roll bracket 205 (Figs. 21 and 22). The rewinding roll 226 is carried by bracket 227 which is fastened by means of a thumb screw 228 tov bracket 205. The revvinding roll is provided with a hand crank Which may be operated to rewindL the roll When the end of the strip has been reached. A fastening Wire 230 similar to fastening Wirey 224 is employed to fasten the end of the strip on the kroll to start Winding. After the rewinding has been completed, the Wire 230 may be removed, thus loosening the roll about the shaft 226 so that Y it maybel readily Withdrawn Without ,the

danger of telescoping the Wound roll.

To apply the Winding bracket 205 to the machine requires merely a threaded hole for thumb screw 206. lf the purchaser-desires merely the Winding roll bracket, he need not be obliged to take with it a rewinding roll.

The above described capacity of the machine yto operate with other functions Without involving any substantial cost so to adapt it (Where the machine is not used or sold to perform any or all of such other functions) contributes materially in simplifying production andin reducing cost of production. The machine need be built and assembled originally only With its` primary mechanism, thus avoiding the expense of building or equipping a machine originally with capacities and operative functions Which the purchaser may not require and which would, therefore, constitute no sales inducement for the purchase cause the latter are absent.

of the machine at a price Whichvvould necessarily include the cost of the undesirable functions. Moreover, the purchaser pays only for What he Wants and paysnothing for t-he features which he Wouldnot Want be-l The ymanufacturer saves by vnot including inthe machine or equipment costly mechanism which in a giveninstance does not or would not` assist in selling the machine. Thus, not only are production costs reduced but the machine has a `substantial sales advantage in that its cost to the'purchaser does not include any surplus or undesired mechanism.- j l kObviously the inventiony is not limited to the detailsv of the illustrativey construction herein shown and described, since 'these may be variously modified. Moreover, it isnot indispensable that all features of the invention be used conj ointly since various features may be advantageously employed in different combinations and sub-combinations- Having described one embodiment of my invention, I claim: l 1 lj. In a machine for making impressions from a series of printing plates'the combinaV- tion comprising an impression device, means for successivelypresentingprinting plates to said impression device, inkingmeans for supplying ink to said plates, and meansV on vsaid machine for operativelysupporting said inking means to ink the plates either at or in advance of impression position, lsaid Vinkiirg means being constructed and arranged to be placed and operated in either of such positions.

from a series of printing plates the combination'comprising an impression device7 means for successively presenting printing plates Vto said impressionfdevice, an inking ribbon for supplying ink to said` plates, and means on said machine for operatively supporting said inking ribbon to ink the plates either at or in advance ofv impression position, said inking ribbon' having supportingmeans. constructed and arranged to enable it to be placed in either of such positions,-Whereby the machine may be operated to make impressions throughy said ribbonor directly from said printing plates.

l3. ln a machine of the character described the Icombination comprising an impression device, mechanism for automatically successively presenting to said impression device av kseries of printing plates from which a suc` l ao