US2589789A

US2589789A - Bed and platen duplicating machine

Info

Publication number: US2589789A
Application number: US62040A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ford Ronald Max
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-12-04
Filing date: 1948-11-26
Publication date: 1952-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 1969-03-18

Description

March 18, 1952 R. M. FORD BED AND PLATEN DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 26, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

18, 1952 R FORD BED AND PLATEN DUPLICATING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 26. 1948 INVENTOK I I I I I I I I I 11569 March 18, 1952 R FORD 2,589,789

BED AND PLATEN DUFLICATING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 26, 1948 INVEN O QZ Arrylr March 18, 1952 R. M. FORD 2,589,789

BED AND PLATEN DUFLICATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 26, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 18, 1952 R, FORD 2,589,789

BED AND PLATEN DUPLICATING MACHINE JNYENTOQ.

A rryls Patented Mar. 18, 1952 BED AND PLATEN DUPLICATING MACHINE Ronald Max Ford, Birmingham, England Application November 26, 1948, Serial No. 62,040 In Great Britain December 4, 1947 '7 Claims.

This invention relates to duplicating machines of the kind in which a master sheet is used on which the matter to be reproduced appears in reverse, and in which the copy, sheets are moistened and brought into pressure contact with the said matter. The present invention is particularly applicable to machines for use in posting ledger sheets from a master sheet having marked thereon a plurality of items arranged in lines. The machine is constructed so that one or more lines may be reproduced at a single operation.

According to the present invention the copy sheets are moved from a feed position into register but out of contact with the matter to be reproduced on the master sheet and the copy sheets are moistened, and one of the sheets, i. e. the copy sheet or the master, is moved into pressure contact with the other and then separated, after which the copy sheet is moved away from the master sheet either by returning it to the feed position or otherwise. The movement of the copy sheets into and out of the position at which the copying is effected may be in the plane of the copy sheet.

For instance the master sheet may be disposed above a printing table and the copy sheets may be moved one by one on to the table from a feed position to a position under the portion of the matter on the master sheet which is to be repro-.

duced, and then the portion of the master sheet bearing the matter to be reproduced is moved transversely to the surface of the table into pressure contact with the copy sheet; then the said portion of the master sheet is moved away from the surface of the copy sheet, and finally the copy sheet is moved to the side of the table either by returning it to the feed position or otherwise.

The machine may incorporate a suitable support incorporating two or more spaced parallel rollers for the master sheet, these rollers being carried on an arm or bracket above a table, and a reciprocating clip may be provided for moving the copy sheet in and out under the master sheet in a direction parallel to the axes of the rollers. Moistening may be effected by drawing the copy sheet under and in contact with a moistening member and the latter may have an automatic up and down motion to allow the clip holding the copy sheet to pass under it and back again.

The pressure member which presses a portion of the master sheet down on to the surface of the copy sheet may be operated by an automatic toggle action.

, An automatic feed may be provided for the equal to the spacing of the lines thereon after each operation. Preferably this automatic feed is capable of being placed out of action so that the master sheet may be moved by hand if and when desired.

The machine may incorporate a power unit, a

clutch and a camshaft upon which are mounted cams for operating mechanism producing the automatic motion of the moistener, the pressure member and the feed of the master, or any of these motions in the required succession. The reciprocating motion of the clip which carries the copy sheets in and out of the moistening position may be as nearly as possible at uniform speed, and it may be driven through suitable gearing on the power-operated camshaft.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view in side elevation showing the check device for the camshaft;

Figure 4 is a section on the linev 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the separate parts of the moistening device;

Figure 7 is a view in end elevation showing the means employed for moving the master sheet;

Figure. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a sectional view in side elevation showing the means for moving the copy sheets and Figure 10 is a sectional view in side elevation showing one of the rollers upon which the master support. The feed table It] is mounted on the horizontal flanges of the angles I4.

The feed table It) is provided with an opening l5 in which is located a, longitudinal .bar It of.

inverted channel form. This member is fixed at its ends to the frame members I3 and it serves to support a printing table. On its outer side 3 this channel I5 is provided with guide grooves ll forming guides for rollers l8 of a carriage I9, which is moved automatically forwards and backwards along the channel Hi.

The carriage i9 is for the purpose of drawing the copy sheets, one of which is indicated at 29, forwardly over the top surface of the inverted channel It, and for returning the sheets to the end portionZl of the feed table.

The carriage comprises a rectangular bottom plate 23 to which are attached four upwardlyprojecting posts 24, there being two posts at each side of the channel i6, and the bottom plate extending under the channel. Each of the posts 24 is shouldered at 25, and mounted on each post is a roller It, the rollers being supported on the shoulders 25. The pairs of posts 24 at each side of the channel 16 are connected by top plates 22 secured to the post by screws 25. The top'plates 22 are provided with longitudinal slots 2'1, and adjustably mounted in these slots are the square stems 28 of studs 23. The stems 28 are provided with threaded end portionsupon which nuts 3i: are secured, and the studs can be adjusted along the slots 21 and secured by the nuts 35. Extending across the top of the channel it is a top plate 3|. This plate at its ends rests upon shoulders 39 on the studs 29, and the plate BI is secured in position by screws 35. The plate 3i is cranked upwardly at one of its edges and then extended, as shown at 33, and hinged to the plate 3| at 32 is a gripper plate 32. This gripper plate is acted upon by two compression springs 3? which engage at their lower ends projections 54 upon plates 38 clamped in position between shoulders 55 on the studs 29 and the plate 22. The

plates

33 and 34 form a gripper for the copy sheet 20. The carriage I9 moves forwardly and backwardly along the channel It, and in Figure 2 it is shown at the backward extremity of its movement; .The spring-loaded plate 3 3 when the carriage is in thisposition engages a downwardly-projecting lip 39 of the table it so that the clip is automatically opened, allowing the leading edge of the copy sheet 2% to be pushed between the

plates

33 and 35. When the carriage is moved forwardly the spring-loaded plate 34 moves away from the part 39, causing the plate 34 to pivot upwardly and to grip the leading edge of the copy sheet and pull it along over the top of the channel I6.

The top of the channel It is provided with an elongated rectangular slot in which is mounted a' strip of rubber or other yielding material, this a strip resting upon a plate l! which can slide up and down upon pins 42. The plate is acted upon by a compression spring 63 which resists resiliently any downward movement of the rubber strip 40. The sprin s 53 engage nuts 45 on the pins 42. The members 43, 4! form a printing table.

At a suitable position the upper surface of the channel I6 is provided'with a transverse recess in which is mounted a pad 45 of rubber or other yielding material, which may be mounted in a metal carrier 46. It is at this position that the copy sheet is acted upon on its upper side by a Hi and may be attached to the channel It. The remainder of the bracket 18 at its lower side 49 is spaced above and parallel to the channel it. The bracket (,8 is further provided with

transverse plates

50, 51 which are spaced apart and serve to support the spindles of two

rollers

52, 53.

The plate 59 is provided with two screwthreaded holes in which are screwed tubular bearing members 55 upon which are mounted nuts 51. One of these bearing members 53 supports a spindle 58 for one tubular roller 52, and the other bearing member 53 supports the spindle 58 for one end of the other tubular roller 53. Each of the spindles 58 has a portion which enters one end of the hollow roller and carries a transverse pin 59 the ends of which engage in a longitudinal slot 69 in the end of the roller. The spindles 58 are shouldered at 64 and have portions 52 of reduced diameter which en age the bearing members 55 and 63. end 62 of each spindle 58 projects from the side of the plate 50 and has fixed to it a head 64 the flange of which is knurled to allow the spindle 58, and consequently the roller associated therewith, to be turned on its axis. Further, operating between the shoulder 6i and a shoulder 65 within the bearing, member 5'5 is a spring 66. The spindles 53 can be withdrawn from the ends of the

rollers

52 and 53 by pulling the heads 84.

The other plate 5| is provided with two flanged bearing bushes 61 arranged coaxially with the bearing members 56, and mounted in each of these bearing bushes Bl is a spindle 68, these two spindles having portions 69 which engage in the opposite ends of the rollers'liz and 53. Each portion 69 is provided with a transverse pin Iii the ends of which engage in longitudinal slots H in the rollers. The spindles 68 have fixed on their .outer ends heads '52 the flanges of which are knurled so that the

rollers

52 and 53 can be turned thereby.

The master strip 13 is wound at its ends on these

twp rollers

52 and 53 and can be caused to travel from one to the other either automatically or by turning the spindle 58 or 63 by hand.

Means may be provided for moving the master sheet by a distance equal to the space between two lines of writing thereon, which lines are arranged parallel to the rollers on which the master is mounted. This action may take place after each copy has been made and before the next copy is made. Such means are shown in Figures 1 and 1, wherein a pulley 8? isshovvn fixed on the head of the spindle 58 of the roller 52. This pulley is connected by a driving band 88 to a pulley 89 mounted on the end of the rod 14 rotatably mounted in the

plates

56 and 5|. The rod M has fixed on it a ratchet wheel 9| with which cooper-' ates a pawl 92, pivotedat can) a lever 94 mounted for oscillation about the axis of the rod id. The lever 9G- is oscillated by a link 95, pivoted at 95 to the oscillating lever t5, and pivoted at 91 to an arm 98 of a bellcrank lever pivoted at 99 to a lug H36 on the bracket dB. The other arm IEH of this bellcrank lever has a slot Hi2, and engaging in this slot is a pin I83 carried by a link HM connected at its opposite end by a pin H95 engaging in a lever H35 which projectsthrough a slot l0! in the table It. The pin Hi3 can be adjusted along the slot Hi2 so as to vary the extent of the angular movement applied to the rod 74. The rotation of the rod 74 moves the master sheet, and the roller 53 is driven simultaneously with it so as to prevent slack developing between the The reduced rod I4 and the roller 53. The roller 53 cannot conveniently be used for travelling the master sheet because the diameter of the part of the master on this roller is not a constant amount.

Extending between and having their ends mounted in the

plates

50 and 5| are two rods I4, I5, on each of which is provided knurled flanges I6 engaging the upper side of that portion of the master I3 which extends between the rollers.

Opposed to the flanges "I6 and engaging the underside of the master sheet are short lengths of rubber tube 11. These members 11 are mounted upon rods I8 which are free to rotate.

The rods I8 at one end are each carried by a. lever I9 pivoted at 80 to one side of the plate 50. At the other end of each of the rods I8 the rod passes through a slot 8| in the plate 5| and is attached to one arm 82 of a bellcrank lever pivoted at 83 on the side of the plate 5|. The arm 82 of the bellcrank lever is acted upon by a tension spring 84 connected to a pin 85 on the plate 5|. Each of the bellcrank levers has a second arm 86. Both the rods I8 therefore are normally springloaded in an upward direction. That part of the master sheet which is disposed between the

rollers

52 and 53 and immediately above the member 40 is adapted to be pressed downwardly, by means hereinafter described, on to the upper, surface of the copy sheet, and when this occurs the rods I8 move downwardly against spring pressure. However, they do not at this time move downwardly sufficiently far for the springs 84 to pass across the dead-centre position. If however it is desired to take out the master sheet and put in a fresh one, the arms 86 of the bellcrank levers can be moved by hand to move the rods I8 to the lower ends of the slots 8|. In doing this the springs 84 pass across the dead-centre position so that the rollers 11 on the rods I8 will remain in their lowest position until the lever arms 86 are again operated.

Fixed in the bracket 48 are two pins I88. These pins are spaced apart, and mounted on each is a distance tube I09 and an upper toggle lever III]. The ends of the pins I88 are of reduced diameter and nuts III are screwed on to them. A pair of lower toggle levers I I2 are pivoted on each of the pins II3 which pass through the lower end of each upper toggle lever I I8. The lower end of the lower toggle levers I I2 are connected by horizontal pins II4 to a slide H5. The lower part II6 of this slide is of angle section and oneside of it slides on the side face of the plate 48. At one end this slide engages the plate 5| and is guided thereby, and at the other end it engages under a guide plate I I1 which is fixed to the side of the bracket 48. The toggle mechanism is operated 'by a push rod II8 mounted on the pins 3 and located between the side of the bracket 48 and the adjacent sides of two of the levers H2. The push rod passes through a slot in the plate 58. The pins |I4 have reduced ends upon which are screwed nuts H9. The heads of the nuts II I and II!) are enlarged, as shown at I20, and the two pairs of nuts are connected by tension springs I2I so that if the push rod H8 is moved in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2, the slide H5 is displaced bodily downwardly, and when the push rod I I8 is released the springs I2| operate to raise the slide II5.

Fixed in the angle I I6 are a plurality of strips I22. These may be made of plastics material and may be held in position by providing them with holes and placing them on pins I23 secured to the angle II6, the strips I22 being secured in position by wing nuts I24 screwing on to the threaded ends of the pins I23. Any number of these strips may be used to build up the necessary width of presser member for the purpose of pressing the master sheet against the copy sheet to reproduce one, two or more lines.

Moistening means for the copy sheets are provided including a-hollow cylindrical vessel I25. This is secured to the side of the bracket 48 and passes through an opening in the plate 5|]. At one end the vessel is provided with a filler opening I26, which can be closed by any suitable means, and at the opposite end the cylindrical vessel passes through an opening in the plate 5| and into a recess I21 in the outer side of the plate 5|. The upper portion of the part of the cylindrical vessel I25 which is situated in the recess I2! is cut away, as shown at I28, and the end of the lower portion of the cylindrical vessel is closed by a plate I29 of segmental shape.

Disposed along the bottom of the vessel I25 is a wick I38, and this wick is submerged by theliquid I3I in the vessel. At the end of the vessel I25, which is fixed in the plate 5|, the wick is bent upwardly and is secured to the lower portion of an absorbent pad'I32, which is placed in the recess I2'I in the plate 5|. This recess isextended laterally, as shown at I33, and the absorbent pad |32 is similarly extended. The side of the pad is flush with the side of the plate 5|.

A cover plate I34 is secured to the plate. 5l and covers the end I29 of the vessel I25, and also covers a part of the pad I32. This cover plate at one edge is bent away from the surface of the plate 5|, as shown at I35, to form a vertical guide, and a second vertical guide I36 is fixed to the plate 5| in a position spaced away from the guide I35. An exposed portion I33 of the absorbent pad (see Figure 6) is disposed between the guides I35 and I36.

A sliding element operates in the guides I35 and I33. This sliding element consists of a boxlike body I31, having laterally-projecting edge portions I38 which slide in the guides I35 and I36, and the box structure further comprises upwardly-projecting spaced sides I38 in which is fixed a pin I46. Further, the face of the boxlike structure which slides on the side of the plate 5| is provided with an opening I4I through which is exposed a portion of a moving absorbent pad I42 contained in the box-like body. This moving absorbent pad has a portion which is exposed through the opening MI and a portion I43 at the bottom which projects through the lower opening of the box-like body I3'I. This body is automatically moved up and down in the guides I35 and I36, and in its raised position (see Figures 2 and 5) the part of the pad I42 which is exposed through the opening MI is out of register with the part I33 of the absorbent pad I32, and in this position the lower end I43 of the pad I l-2 is raised above the plane along which the copy sheet passes as it is moved under the slide I I5. When the box-like structure I3! is lowered however the part of the pad I42 which is exposed through the opening I4I comes into contact with the part I33 of the pad I32, and at the same time the lower end surface of the part I43 of the pad I42 comes into light pressure contact with the copy sheet as it is moved into the printing position. The pad I42 engages the upper surface of the copy sheet as it is being moved along by the

clip

33, 34,.and at the position where the copy sheet is engaged by the pad I 4-2ithe pad is supported upon the soft. and resilient strip 45. J

The exterior of the vessel I serves to guide the master sheet as, it leaves the presser and before it passes to the members ":6, 11.

The carriage I9 is moved under the slide H5, remainsstationary while the slide H5 is moved downwardly to effect the printing, and after the slide is allowed to rise thecarriage Isis moved backwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, and the

clip

33, 34 is automatically opened by reason of the fact that the. plate 35 comes into contact with the lip 39. The opening of the clip allows the printed copy sheet to be removed and another one to be inserted.

The mechanism for reciprocating the carriage I9 comprises a lever I4 2, pivoted at I to a bracket IB on the frame II. This lever is slotted at I41, and engaging in the slot is a pin I53 carried by a fork I49 fixed on a reciprocating rod I59, which slides in a bracket 55! attached to the frame II. The rod I50 is provided with a flange I52, between which flange andthe bracket I5I operates a compression spring I53. The rod I50 is provided witha second fork 554 in which is mounted a roller I engaged by a cam I56 on a camshaft I51, whichforins the driving shaft of the machine.

Fixed to one of the angle bars I5 is a guide pin I58 upon which can slide a sleeve I5?) to which is pivoted at Hill a lever lGI. This lever I6I is cranked intermediate its ends, as shown at I62, and the upper end of this lever is provided with an upwardly-projecting. stud let which engages the bottom plate 23 of the carriage I9. The lever IBIis slotted, as shown at I54, and the lever I44 is connected to the lever 58! by a vertical pin I65 which engages in the slot ltd.

'As the lever I44 is oscillated by the rod 555 it causes oscillation of the lever I54 and thu moves the carriage I9 forwards and backwards, on the channel I6. The stud I53 has a rectilinear reciprocating movement which is permitted by the provision of the pin and slot connection between the levers I44 and ISI, or by the provision of the sliding sleeve I53.

Mounted on the frame which supports the table is a plate I56. This is disposed at right angles to the channel I6, and mounted upon its upper side are three

brackets

61, 35 and i69. These brackets respectively support bearings iii HI and I12. The camshaft i51 is mounted in the bearings I10 and. HI, and the bearing :12 supports a driving shaft I13. on which is a pulley I14 by which rotary motion may be imparted to y it from the shaft of a power unit. lhe shafts I51 and I13 are mounted in alignment, and on the shaft I13 is fixed a clutch element 515. Slidably mounted on the end of the camshaft I5? is a clutchelement I16. This clutch element is urged towards the clutch element H5 by a spring I11 engaging a collar I18 fixed-en the shaft, and engaging the end of. the clutch element 516. The clutch element I16 is provided with a longitudinal slot I13 in which engages a radially-projecting pin I80 on the camshaft.

Mounted in the brackets i555 and 59 and parallel with the shafts I51 and H3 is a spindle I8I on which is an oscillating lever H2. The spindle I8I has fixed to it a lever I83 the end of which has an inclined surface I85 and a transverse shoulder I85. The clutch element I16 is provided with a radially-projecting pin I55 which engages the incline I84 when the'camshaft is at rest. The driving shaft I-13 may be constantly driven. If the. operating lever I&2,is depressed the lever I83 is raised to bring. it clear of thepin l86, thusallowing the spring 111 to move the clutch element I16 into enga ement; with the clutch element I15. The camshaft is then rotated by the driving shaft. Rotation may continue for as long as is required, and if it is desired to stop. the machine at the end of each cycle of operations. the lever I83 is allowed to return to its initial position as soon. as rotation of the camshaft has commenced. Just before the end of the rotation the. pin I86 engages the-incline I84 and the clutch element I16 is then moved axially against the. pressure ofv the spring 11 to disengagethe two clutch elements. 7

Mounted on the camshaft is a checkdevice, which can. be seen in Figures 3 and l. This check. device comprises a lug I85 attachedto the plate I63; to which lug is pivoted a lever I89 whichis acted upon by a compression spring I90. Theend of the lever is provided with a. laterallyprojecting roller I9I, which en ages in a notch;

I52 in the periphery of a disc I53 fixed on the camshaft I51 so that the rotation of the camshaft is checked at the end of each revolution.

The camshaft is further provided with the cam I56 which operates the spindle I59. In addition, the camshaft has fixed to it a cam I94 whichosoillates the lever I06 which operates the automatic master feed.

In addition the camshaft is provided, with a further cam I95 which oscillates a lever I96 which is used to produce the reciprocating motion of the box-like body I31. The lever I96, is connected by a link. I91 to a lever 598 on a pin I59. which extends through the bracket 48, and the pin E95 carries a pair of parallel levers-zilll which engage the ends of the pin I46. The cam I55 producesvthe downward movement of the body I31, while the upward movement thereof may be, produced bya spring, which is not shown. The levers 266 extend through and-are guided by the sides of slots 2M in the plate 5i, and the levers 266 are provided with slots 265-whichengage the ends of the pin I45.

The camshaft is provided with a furtherv cam ZGI which oscillates the lever 202. which engages the end of the push rod I I8 so as to produce the downward movement of the slide H5.

The levers I55, i96'and 252 may all bepivoted to the frame at 263, and these levers may all be provided with rollers at their lower ends, which rollers are engaged by the respective cams.

The cams are shaped and disposed onthe came shaft so as to produce the necessary movement of the parts in the correct sequence. The.cycle of operations is as follows. is moved to draw the copy sheet under the slide H5. When the carriage has moved a short distance and the

clip

33, 34 has closed on to'the copy sheet and drawn it a predetermined distance, the body I31 is moved downwardly until the pad I42 presses lightly on the top of the copy sheet. The downward movement of the body I31 takes place during the'first part of the movement of the copy sheet. The carriage then moves to the end of its stroke, so that almost the whole of the upper surface of the'copy sheet is moistened. At the completion of the inward stroke of the carriage the, body I31 is raised and the slide H5. is lowered to press a portion of the master sheet on to themoistened uppersurface of the copy sheet. The slide .I I5 is thenallowed to rise and the carriage commences to move back to its original position. During thereturn move- First the carriage I9 ment of the carriage the lever I06 is moved to cause the ratchet 92 to turn the rod M through an angle sufficient to move the master sheet by a distance to bring the next line of writing thereon under the slide H5. When the carriage has returned to its original position the gripper plate 34 is automatically depressed by engagement with the lip 39 and the copy sheet can be removed from the table and a fresh one placed with its leading edge under the plate 33. Each s roke of the movement of the carriage is continuous but there is a pause during which the carriage is stationary while printing is being-effected by the downward movement of the slide H5. Movement of the master sheet takes place after the slide I 15 has been raised and during the return movement of the carriage. The body I31 of t e moistening device is moved downwardly as soon as the leading part of the copy sheet has moved un er it, and the moistening device stays down until the copy sheet has reached the printing position, when the body I3! is raised.

What I cla m hen is:

1. In a duplicating machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, .a bar supported by the frame and including a flat printing table, guides on said bar, a carriage having means engaging said guides, said carriage having a bottom plate disposed under the bar, posts on he bottom plate, means on the posts engaging the guides, top plates connecting a plurality of posts at opposite sides of the bar, studs on said top plates, a connecting plate extending across the top of the bar and connecting said studs, a clip plate hinged to the connecting plate and cooperating' therewith to form a clip for the copy sheets, spring means for closing said clip automatically when the carriage ismoved along the bar away from a feed position, means for opening said clip automatically when the carriage ret rns to the feed position, means for reciprocating the carriage on said bar into and out of a transfer position in which the copy s eet is between the presser and the printing table, moistening means for the copy sheets including a moistening pad, disposed above the printing table, and means for moving said moistening pad into and out of engagement with a copy sheet during the inward movement of the carriage towards t e trans er position, a bracket supported on said frame and extending over said printing ta le, a presser disposed parallel to but spaced from said'tablel said presser being mounted on said bracket, means for moving the presser towards and away from the printing table, and rollers on the bracket for carrying a flexible master sheet with the portion thereof between the rollers disposed under the presser and over the printing table.

2. In a duplicating machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, a feed table on the frame, said feed table having an opening, a bar supported by the frame and including a flat printing table, said bar being disposed in said opening, guides on said bar, a carriage having'means engaging said guides, said carriage having a bottom plate disposed under the bar, posts on the bottom plate, means on the posts engaging the guides, top plates connecting a plurality of posts at opposite sides of the bar, studs on said top plates, a connecting plate extending across the top of the bar and connecting said studs, a clip plate hinged to the connecting plate and cooperating therewith to form a clip for the copy sheets, spring means for closing saidclip automatically when the carriage is moved along the bar away from a feed position, means for re-; ciprocating the carriage on said bar into and out of a transfer position in which the copy sheet is between the presser and the printing table, means for opening said clip automatically when the carriage returns to the feed position, said means being disposed on the feed table, moistening means for the copy sheets including a moistening pad, disposed above the printing table, and means for moving said moistening pad into and out of engagement with a copy sheet during the inward movement of the carriage towards the transfer position, a bracket supported, on. said frame and extending over said prin ing table, a presser disposed parallel to but spaced from said table, said presser being mounted on said bracket, means for moving the presser towards and away from the printing table, and rollers on the bracket for carrying a flexible master sheet Wil'h l7h portion thereof between the rollers disposed under the presser and over the printing table. ,1

3. In a duplicating machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, a flat printing table mounted on said frame, a bracketsupgported on said frame and extendingover said printing table, a presser disposed parallel to but spaced from said table, said presser being mounted on said bracket, means for moving the presser towards and away from the printing table, rollers .on the bracket for carryinga 'flex'i' ble master sheet with the portion thereof be tween the rollers disposed under the presser and over the printing table, meansfor moving copy sheets along the printing tablednto and'out of position beneath the presser, and. moistening 'means for the copy sheets, said moistening means comprising a hollow container. for.- moisterling liquid, said container having an openingatone end, a wick in the container, an absorbentpad projecting into said opening and contacting the wick, said bracket having a recess infwl'iichjthke end of the container and thepad are located, guides on said bracket, a slide movable, in said guides, said slide being of box-like form and containing an absorbent pad, said slide having an opening in the side nearest the bracket recess through which opening the pad in the slide .Iis exposed, said pad in the slide also being exposed at the end of the slide, means for reciprocating the slide in the guides to move the exposed parts of the pad therein into and out of contact with the pad in the recess and the copy sheets. I

4. In a duplicating machine of. the classId'ew scribed, the combination of a frame, a feed table on the frame, said feed table having an opening, a flat printing table disposed in said opening, a bracket supported on said frame and extending over said printing table, a presser disposed parallel to but spaced from said table, said presser being mounted on said bracket, means for moving the presser towards and away from the printing table, rollers on the bracket for carrying a flexible master sheet with the portion thereof between the rollers disposed under the presser and over the printing table, a carriage mounted on and movable along said printing table, said carriage having a clip for receiving the leading end of a copy sheet, means for reciprocating the carriage on said support into and out of a transfer position in which the copy sheet isbetween the presser and the printing table, moistening means for the copy sheets including a moistening pad, disposed above the printing table, and means V c 11 for moving said moistening pad into and out'of engagement with a "copy sheet during the inward movement of the carriage towards the transfer position, bearings on the frame, a camshaft rotatable in the bearings, a cam on the camshaft, a lever pivoted to said carriage, a guide pin on the frame, a sleeve slidable on said guide pin, said lever having pivotal connections at its ends one tothe .carriage and the other to the sleeve, a further lever pivoted to means on the frame and having a sliding pivotal connection with the lever connected to the carriage, and a push rod operated by said cam and having a pivotal connect-ion'to said further lever.

'5. In a duplicating machine of the class described the combination of a frame, a flat printing table mounted on said frame, a bracket supported on said frame and extending over said printing table, a presser disposed parallel to but spaced from said table, means for moving the presser towards and away from the printing table, .rollers on the bracket for carrying a flexible master sheet with the portion thereof between'the rollers disposed under the presser and over .the printing table, two opposed pairs of guide rollers, the rollers of each pair being adapted to engage opposite sides of a master sheet, one pair being disposed between each of v the master-carrying rollers and the presser,

means for driving one of said guide rollers for moving the master sheet, a carriage having means'forgripping a copy sheet, means formoving the'carri'age into and out of a transfer position in which the copy sheet is beneath the presser, and moistening means for the copy sheets, including a moistening pad, disposed above the printing table, and means for moving said moistening pad into and out of engagement with a copy sheet during'the inward movement of the carriage towards the transfer position.

6. Aduplicating machine according to claim 5, wherein one guide roller of each pair .is carried by .a spring-loaded over dead centre lever permitting each of these rollers to be moved away from its'companion roller, said roller remaining in :said position until the lever is again operated.

7. In a duplicating machine of the class described the combination of a frame, a feed table on theframe, said feed table having an opening,

"a fiat printing table disposed in said opening, a

bracket supported on said frame and extending oversaid printing table, a presser disposed parallel to but spaced from said table, said presser beingpmounted on said bracket, means for moving the'presser towards and away'from the'printgame ing table, rollers 'on'the bracket for carrying 'a flexible master sheet With the portion thereof between the rollers disposed under the presser and over the printing table, a carriage mounted on and movable along said printing table, said carriage having a clip for receiving the leading end of a copy sheet, means for reciprocating the carriage on said'support, into and out of a transfer position in which the copy sheet is between the presser and the printing table, moistening means for the copy sheets, said moistening means including a moistening pad disposed above the printing table and movable into and out of moistening position, means for moving the moistening pad into and out of moistening position, during the inward movement of the carriage towards the transfer position, bearings on the frame, a camshaft rotatable in the bearings, cams on the camshaft, means operated by the cams for moving the carriage, the moistening pad and the presser in succession, a bearing on the frame in alignment with the camshaft, a driving shaft in said bearing, clutch elements on the camshaft and on the driving shaft, one

spring tending to move it into engagement with the other clutch element, and manually-operable means normally retaining saidm'ovable clutch element in its disengaged position but movable manually to allow it to engage the other clutch element, said means including an element for returning-said movable clutch element to'its (113* engaged position when each revolution of the camshaft is completed.

RONALD 'MAX FORD.

REF-ERENGE-S CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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