US635972A

US635972A - Printing-machine.

Info

Publication number: US635972A
Application number: US70285399A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas M North
Original assignee: THEODORE H MEAD
Current assignee: THEODORE H MEAD
Priority date: 1899-01-20
Filing date: 1899-01-20
Publication date: 1899-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 1916-10-31

Description

NQ, 635,972. Patented-Oct. 3|, I899. T. M. NORTH.

PRINTING MACHINE.

I .Applination filed Jan. 20, 1899. No Model.) 6 SheelsSheet L K, GOO ennn n H T Ru 0 N M T m ,7 '1 5 3 6 o N Patented D'ct. 3|, I899.

PRINTING MACHINE.

Applicatinm fired Jan. 20, 1899.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ''N0 Model.)

.m: Nnmus versus 00. PNOTOLITHQ. wAsmNmoN. n. c

N0.-635,97:2. Patented Oct. 31, I899.

' T. m. NORTH.

PRINTING MACHINE.

. (Application filed Jan. 20, 1899.) N 0 M 0 d e l 6 Sheets$heet 3,

Patented Oct. 3|, 1 899.

T. NORTH. PRINTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 20, 1899.)

( No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

Pate nte'd Oct. 3|, I899.

T. M. NORTH. PRINTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 20, 1899.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 6.-

(No Model.)

mguonms warms co. PNoTo-ywo', WASHINGTON, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT THOMAS M. NORTH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT HOE, THEO- DORE II. MEAD, AND CHARLES W. CARPENTER, OF SAME PLACE.

PRINTING-MACHINE.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 635,972, dated October 31, 1899.

Application filed January 20,1899. Serial No. 702,853. No model.)

To all whom it may concern: characters of reference indicate the same Be it known that I, THOMAS M. NORTH, a parts, Figure 1 is a side view of a machine subject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireprinting on sheets of thick non-flexible mateland, residing at New York city, county of rial embodying the improvements which form 55 Kings, and. State of New York, have invented the subject of the invention, certain of the certain new and useful Improvements in operating parts of the machine being omitted Printing-Machines, fully described and repfor the sake of clearness. Fig. 2 is a plan resentedin the following specification and the view of the construction shown in Fig. 1, ceraccompanying drawings, forming a part of tain parts being omitted. Fig. 3 is a detail 60 the same. sectional View, on an enlarged scale, illus- This invention relates to certain improvetrating the gripper mechanism in the posiments in machines for printing on metal tion which it occupies after it has seized the plates, boards, and,in general, sheet material sheet of material. Fig. 4 is a front view of which is thick and heavy and therefore is of the construction shown in Fig. 3, the View 65 such a character that it does not possess sufbeing taken looking in the direction in which ficient flexibility to permit it to be bent the sheet of material is moving in Fig. 3. around a cylinder. Fig. 5 is an under side detail plan View of The object of the invention is to produce the gripper mechanism, certain parts being an improved printing-machine, preferably of broken away. Fig. 6 is a section on the'line 7o the transfer type, in which a heavy and non- 6-6 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the flexible sheet of material may be printed and arrow. Fig. 7 is a detail view, partly in secthe sheet so controlled and manipulated that tion, of the mechanism for opening the gripit shall be delivered with its printed side up pers to deliver the sheet, certain parts of the and without allowing the printed side to come delivery devices being also shown. Fig. Sis 75 in contact with any portion of the delivery a detail View in elevation of a part of the conmechanism. 7 struction shown in Fig. 7, the view being A further object of the invention is to protaken in the direction of the arrow 8 in Fig. duce an improved sheet carrying and deliv- 7. Fig. 9 is a side view in elevation of a roery mechanism which shall retain the sheets tary printing-machine constructed'in accord- 8o under perfect control from the time they are ance with the invention, said machine emfirst fed to the printing-surface until they are bodying certain modifications.

delivered and to accomplish the delivery with- Referring to the drawings, and more parout touching the printed side of the sheet of ticularly to Fig. 1, in which is shown a mamaterial. chine containing one embodiment of the in- 85 5 A further object of the invention is to provention, 1 indicates the frame of a bed-andvide an improved gripper mechanism which cylinder machine of the stop-cylinder type, shall seize and feed the sheets to the printand 2 indicates the reciprocating bed thereing-surface and which shall be adjustable for on. The bed may be reciprocated in any sheets of material of differentthickness. usual or desired manner. Preferably, how- 90 0 A further object of the invention is to proever, it will be reciprocated' by a railroadvide in connection with a machine of the gear 3, meshing with a rack 4:, carried by the character described an improved printingbed, the gear being operated through a link couple which may be adjusted to print upon 5 from a power-shaft. (Not shown.)

sheets of different thickness. The bedcarries a printing-surface of any 5 WVith these and other objects in view the desired character. Preferably,however,this invention consists in certain constructions, surface will be a planographic surface. It is parts, improvements, and combinations, as inked by the usual form-rollers and supplied will be hereinafterfully described, and pointwith water from the usual damping devices, ed out in the claims hereunto appended. both of which are diagrammatically indicated too In the accompanying drawings, which form in Fig. 1. i

a part of this specification, and in which like The frame of the machine is provided with the usual standards 6, rising therefrom, the said standards being constructed to form ways for sliding boxes 7, the boxes being raised and lowered and held in position by set-screws 3 and 9, this being a well-known construction.

Journaled in the sliding boxes 7 is a shaft 10, 011 which is mounted the transfer-cylinder 11. This cylinder carries an operatinggear 12, which meshes with a rack 13 on the bed, the cylinder being driven through this gear from said rack. The gear is cut away, and the cylinder is provided at the cut-away part with a single tooth 14, which is engaged by a rocking bar 15, pivoted on a stud 16, which may be secured to the frame or supported in any usual way. The rocking bar 15 is operated by a link 17, which is in turn operated by a cam on the main shaft. (Not shown.) The construction thus described forms a type of stopping and starting mechanism which is commonly used with stopcylinder printing-machines. While it is a convenient and desirable form, any other form of stopping and starting 1n eehanism may be substituted therefor, or in case the improvements are applied to a different type of machine the stopping and starting mechanism may be omitted altogether.

The cylinder 11 is provided with any suitable transfer printing-surface, as B, said surface being of such a character as to take the design from the surface of the reciprocating bed 2 and transfer it to the material to be printed upon. A sheet of rubber forms an excellent surface; but any other suitable material may be used.

Secured to the top of the standards ('ris a casting or frame 18, the casting being held to the top of the standards by suitable bolts 19 or in any other suitable manner. The upper part of the frame or casting is formed to provide ways for sliding boxes 20, said boxes being controlled by screws 21 and 22 in the usual manner. The frame or casting is also provided with extensions 23, which serve to support a feed-table 24c, and with projections 25 26, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. Mounted in the sliding boxes 20 is a shaft 27, which serves to support and carry an impression-cylinder 23.

Various means may be provided for rotating the impression-cylinder so that it will move in unison with the transfer printingcylinder. Preferably, however, the shaft 10 is provided with a gear 29, which meshes with an intermediate 30, suitably mounted on a stud which is supported in the frame of the machine or in any other suitable part. The intermediate meshes with a second intermediate 31, which is also mounted on a suitable supporting-stud, and this intermediate 31 meshes with a gear 32, which is suitably supported on the impression-cylinder.

It is desirable that the machine be so constructed that the impression-cylinder may be adjusted toward and away from the printingenables the desired adjustment to be made without disturbing the engagement of the gear 32 with the intermediate 31 and also permits an angular adjustment of the cylinder with respect to the gear 32, so as to bring the impression-surface and the gripper mechanism, hereinafter to be described, always in the proper position to take and act upon the sheet of material. In case it be desired to adjust the impression-cylinder upward in order to permit the introduction of a thick sheet of material the screws 21 are loosened and the screws 22 forced inward, carrying the j ournalboxes 20 and the shaft 27 upward. This movement of the shaft and impression-cylinder causes the gear 32 and also the impressioncyliuder, to which it is connected, to rotate in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, this rotation being a result of the engagement of the gear 32 with the intermediate 31. Vhen the impressioneylinder has been adjusted upward to the desired extent, the screws 21 are tightened and the bolts 33 are loosened. The impressioneylinder,with its shaft and the gripper-chainguiding wheels, to be hereinafter described, can now be turned in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, so as to bring the im pression-surface and the gripper mechanism to the proper point to receive and act upon the sheet of material, after which the bolts 33 are again tightened.

Various means may be provided for supporting and guiding the traveling gripper mechanism which forms a feature of the invention. Preferably the means which will now be described will be used.

Loosely mounted on each side of the cylinder 28 and preferably, though not necessarily, on the shaft 27 are arms 35, having extensions 36. These arms 35are provided with elongated slots 37, which slots afford a bearing for a stationary shaft or rod 38, said shaft or rod being held in position in the bearings by means ofjam-nuts 39. Screws are tapped through the arms 35 and serve to adjust the rod 38 in the elongated slots in an obvious manner.

The gripper mechanism is mounted on a flexible carrier which may be and preferably is in the form of a sprocket-chain 43. Guiding and supporting devices for the chain are also provided, which, while they may be of various forms, are preferably as follows: A pair of sprocket-wheels 41 are preferably mounted on the impression-cylinder, and the rod 38 carries another pair of sprocket-wheels 42. The chain 43 passes around the sprocketwheels and serves to support and carry the gripper mechanism. The elongated slots 37 and the screws enable the chain to be tightened or loosened, as the circumstances of the case may require. The arms 35 are loosely mounted on the shaft 27 in order that they may be thrown back, carrying with them the sprocket-wheel and delivery mechanism, so that free access may be had to the printingsurface on the bed 2. The arms 35 are limited in their downward movement by means of threaded stops 44, which are carried in the projections 26 of the frame 18.

It is necessary to provide in machines of the character described a gripper mechanism which will have sufficient strength to support and carry heavy sheets of material which areintended to be printed by the machine, and the grippers are preferably made adjustable, so that they can properly seize and hold sheets of varying thickness. 'While, however, it is desirable to have the grippers adjustable, as stated, it is also desirable that that jaw of the gripper mechanism which is ordinarily known as a stationary jaw should at the time of taking the sheet of material always be'in the same position with respect to the surface of the impression cylinder in order that the grippers may properly take the sheet from the feed-table.

While the gripper mechanism may be constructed in various ways, the preferred form of mechanism which has been devised to fulfil the requirements above stated will now be described. The machine shown is provided with two pairs of grippers; but a greater or less number may of course be used, if desired.

Extending across between the pair of chains 43, which constitutes the carrier, is a bar or plate 45. (See Fig. 5.) This bar or plate carries trunnions 46, which are preferably integral with the plate. These trunnions extend through the links of the chain to which they are adjacent, taking the place of one of the bolts which hold the links together, and are preferably provided with rollers 47, so as to permit the plate to swing easily with respect to the chain. The plate carries arms 48, which are preferably formed integral therewith. Located in bearings 49 in the arms 48 is a rock-shaft 50, which extends parallel with the bar or plate 45. Mounted on the rockshaft 50 and secured thereto by means of suitable screws are arms 51, connected by a web or bar 52. This web or bar is merely added for the purpose of strength and may be omitted if thought desirable. The arms 51 have hearings in their outer ends, and in these bearings is supported a gripper-shaft 53, the arms and shaft forming a support, to which the lower gripper-jaws 54 are connected in any suitable manner. Preferably these jaws will be formed with split bearings, as shown in Fig. 6,the said bearings being clamped around the shaft 53 by means of screws 55. The shaft 53 is provided with a pair of spiral springs 56, the office of which is to rock the shaft in one direction and hold the gripperjaws closed. The plate 45 carries the upper gripperjaw 57, which is preferably in the form of an integral downward projection.

The plate also has an upward projection 58,-

preferably integral therewith for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The arms 51 have upward projections 59, which are also preferably integral with them. Through these projections are tapped screws 60, these screws bearing against the plate 45. Screws 61 are tapped through the plate 45 and bear against the arms 51, which carry the gripper-shaft 53. When it is desired to adjust the gripper mechanism so as to take a thicker sheet of material, the screws are screwed outward and the'screwsfil are screwed inward. This rocks the shaft 50 and moves the arm 51, carrying the shaft 53 and the lowergrippers 54 away from the upper gripper 57, which is preferably a part of the plate 45. This adj ustment therefore enables the grippers to be adjusted so as to take athicker sheet of material, but does not disturb the position of the plate 45 and its gripper portion 57, which therefore always remains in the same position with reference to the surface of the impression-cylinder and the sheet of material to be introduced between the grippers.

The grippers may be caused to open to receive the sheet of material by various mech anisms. Preferably, however, the grippershaft 53 is provided with an arm 64, which at the time the grippers are to be opened to recieve the sheet lies in the path of a tappet 65, mounted on a rock-shaft G6, suitably supported in the transfer-cylinder. The tappet 65 has a rearward projection 67, to which is secured a rod 68, which passes loosely through an eye (not shown) in the transfer-cylinder and is surrounded bya spring 69. This springrod construction is of the ordinary type, and its purpose is to keep the tappet 65 away from the arm 64 except when the grippers are to be opened. The rock-shaft 66 is provided with an arm 70, (see dotted lines in Fig. 3,) which arm 70 lies in the path of the tappet 71, carried on a rod 72, which at its upper end passes loosely through an eye 73, suitably mounted on the frame, and at its lower end is formed into a fork which embraces a way cam-shaft 74, suitably supported in the frame of the machine. This way cam-shaft 74 is provided with a cam 75, which bears upon a roller 76, (see dotted lines in Fig. 1,) which is mounted on the rod 72. When the grippers are to be opened to receive a sheet, the cam 75 raises the rod 72 and causes the tappet 71 to strike the arm 70 on the rock-shaft 66. This causes the tappet 65 to strike the arm 64 and rocks the shaft 53, opening the grippers and allowing the sheet of material to be inserted into the bite of the grippers.

In order to control the distance that the sheet may be inserted into the bite of the grippers, the grippers are provided with a pair of angular stops 77, the position of which is controlled by screws 78. (See Fig. 5 and dotted lines in Fig. 3.) As the sheet of material is inserted into the grippers its front edge strikes the depending portion of the angular stops, which thus control the inward movement of the sheet.

In order to prevent the gripper mechanism from rocking downward, so as to bring the jaw 57 of the plate 45 outside of the circumference of the impression-cylinder and so cause it to be improperly positioned with relation to the feed-table or other sheet-delivery device, the impression-cylinder is provided with an angular stop 79, secured thereto by a bolt 80. This stop 79 is positioned so as to bear against the upward projection 58 of the plate 45 when the grippers are in their receiving position, and therefore controls the amount of axial downward movement of the grippers at the time when the sheet of material is presented thereto.

After the tail of the printed sheet passes from between the impression and transfer cylinders from which it receives its imprint and the grippers carrying the sheet between them start to move forward the gripper mechanism swings-on its trunnions toward the interior of the chain. The sheet of material is held by the grippers only at its forward edge, its rear edge being free to drop, and if the sheet of material is of anyeonsiderable length after it leaves the transfer-cylinder its lower edge, if not suitably supported, would drop down upon the bed 2. To prevent the sheet from dropping down upon the bed 2, there is preferably provided aseries of bars 82. These bars rest at one end on a bar S3, which is supported in the bracket-arms 25, extending from the frame 18. At their opposite ends these bars 82 are preferably hooked around a rockshaft 84, which is supported in bearings at the ends of the arms 36. The bars 82 are preferably curved, as shown, in order to facilitate the movement of the sheet. I11 case short sheets of material are being printed the bars 82 will be unnecessary and may, if desired, be omitted.

The machine is constructed to deliver the printed sheets of material with the printed side up. Means are therefore preferably provided which act against the unprinted side of the sheet while it is held by the grippers and as the grippers are moving upward around the guide-wheels 4-2. These means position and may partially support the sheet, and while they thus assist in the delivery the freshly-printed surface of the sheet is not touched. The means for thus positioning the sheets and assisting in the delivery may be widely varied. Preferably, however, the wheels 42 are provided with one or more crossbars 85, which extend between them. In the machine shown these bars are two in number, and two or more will preferably be used. One bar might, however, be used, if desired. The bars 85 preferably carry cross-bars 86, the bars 85 86 forming a grid-like structure. These bars are so positioned on the wheels 42 and the wheels are made of such diameter that as the grippers carrying the printed sheet begin to travel upward around the outer circumference of the wheel 42 the bars come behind the sheet of material and, acting on its unprinted side, support and position it. As the sheet of material travels upward toward the point where the gripgers are opened and the sheet is released it is therefore supported at its leading end by the grippers and on its back by the bars 85 86. Itis apparent that the bars 86 might be omitted, if desired; but the structure shown is an effective one and is deemed preferable.

In order to open the grippers at the proper time and enable them to deliver the sheets, the following mechanism is preferably provided, though any suitable mechanism may be used: The arms 35 carry upward projections 35, andin these projections is journaled a rock-shaft 87, which is provided with tappets 88. This rock-shaft has an arm 89, (see dotted lines in Fig. 1,) to which is connected a rod 90 which at its lower end is formed into a fork which straddles the way cam-shaft '74. This shaft is provided with a cam 92, which engages a roller 91, carried on the shaft 90. Vhen the sheets of material have been brought by the mechanisms heretofore described into position to be delivered, the cam 92 operates against the roller 91, raises the rod 90, rocks the shaft 87, and causes the tappets 88 to strike the rock-arms (i l on the grip per-shaft 53, thus rocking the shaft, the grippers at this time being in inverted position. (See Fig. '7.) This opens the grippers and allows the sheet to slide off thcgrid composed of the bars 85 86 down upon the receivingtable. The receiving-table is preferably composed of a series of bars 93, which are connected to a cross-bar 9t, which is mounted in bearings on the upper ends of upwardly-projecting arms 95. The inner ends of these bars 93 are hooked over the rock-shaft 84-. These bars 93 are preferably curved, so as to present a concave upper surface in order that the sheet of material may the more readily slide into position. As the parts are shown in Fig. 1, the grippers have just been opened, and the sheet being released thereby has slid down the grid composed of the bars 85 80 onto the receiving-table, from which it is removed by hand or in any other convenient manner.

It is sometimes desirable to leave a considerable space between the ends of the bars 86 and the ends of the bars 93, which form the receiving-table. In order in such cases to surely and accurately direct the sheet of material from the grid 85 89 onto the receivingtable, the shaft 84 is preferably provided with a series of lingers 96. This shaft also has an arm 97, which is connected to a rod 98. This rod 98 carries a cam-roll 99, and at its lower end is forked to straddle the way cam-shaft 74. This way cam-shaft is provided with a cam 100, which operates in connection with the roll 99 and swings the arms 96 upward at the proper time, so as to cause them to I necessary.

properly direct the sheet of material onto the receiving-table 93. These fingers 96 may in many cases be omitted, and a construction in which they are not used is shown in Fig. It may sometimes happen in opening the grippers that when the tappet 88 strikes the rock-arm 64 instead of rocking the grippershaft and opening the grippers it will turn the entire gripper mechanism on its trunnions and fail to release the sheet. In order to prevent this and insure the opening of the grippers at the proper time, the wheels 42 are preferably provided with a pair of springlatches 101, (see Fig. 7,) which engage with projections 102 on the plate 45. These latches are so located that they will engage the projections 102 on the plate 45 just before the tappet 8S strikes the arm 64. The plate 45 being held against movement by the latches, the tappet 88 will be sure to rock the grippershaft 53 and move the gripper-jaws 54 awayv from the jaws 57, permitting the sheets of material S to escape therefrom.

The sheet of rubber R or other material which forms the transfer-surface may be held to the surface of the transfer-cylinder in any suitable way. Preferably, however, it is held by arms 103, which are mounted on a shaft 104. This shaft has the usual spring, (not shown,) by which means the arms 103 are held up to their duty.

The bed which carries the printing-surface by which the design is communicated to the transfer-surface need not necessarily be a flat bed. In the modification shown in Fig. 9 the printing-surface is shown as carried upon a cylinder 105. In this modification the transfer-cylinder 11 is, as before, a stop-cylinder and is provided with rolls 106 107. The cylinder 105 is provided with starting and stopping levers 108 109, these levers being controlled by a stationary cam 110, as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 9. The operation of these stopping and starting levers is obvious, and as no claim is herein made to this construction an extended description is not deemed In this modification the arms 96, which close the gap between the receivingtable and the grid 85 86, are omitted, the bars 86 being shown long enough to accurately deliver the sheet to the receiving-table.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The parts being in the position shown in Fig.

-1 and the gripper mechanism being open a sheet of material S is inserted between the jaws of the grippers to the extent permitted by the angular stop 77. The cam 75 now allows the rod 72 to drop, moving the tappetarm 71 away from the arm 70 and permitting the spring 69 to rock the tappet away from the arm Get. The springs 56 operate to close the gripper-jaws 54 against the jaws 57 and at the same time the starter mechanism (the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 1) operates to start the transfer-cylinder 11 and bring its rack 12 into mesh with the rack 13 on the bed. The chains 43, to which the the dotted lines in Fig. 1.

gripper mechanism is attached, now operate to carry the sheet of material to be printed between the

cylinders

11 and 28, the cylinders themselves of course assisting in the feeding action, and the design which has been placed upon the surface R of the transfercylinder is offset onto the under side of' the sheet S. After the entire sheet of material has been printed its rear edge passes from between the cylinders and drops into contact with the bars 82, by which it is supported. The continued rotation of the wheels 42 and the travel of the chains 43 causes the sheet to travel along the bars 82, the sheets successively assuming the positions indicated by grippers in their upward travel around the circumference of the wheel 42 lift the sheet clear from the supporting-bars 82 the grid composed of the bars 85 86 comes into position behind the sheet of material and positions and supports it during its upward travel. When the grippers reach the point to which the sheet is to be delivered, which is preferably when the printing-cylinders have made a complete rotation and are stopped in order that a second sheet may be fed to the second pair of grippers carried by the chain, the cam 92 operates through the several connections to cause the tappet 88 to strike the arm 64 and open the grippers, allowing the sheet to slide off from the grid 85 86 and along the arms 96, which have been swung up into position to properly guide the sheet onto the receiving-table 93. By the time the sheet has been delivered the new sheet has been placed in position to be seized by the second pair of grippers and the operations just described are repeated.

Many modifications may be made in the va-' -rious constructions by which the invention is carried into effect, and such modifications will readily suggest themselves to skilled mechanics. So, too, while the invention is particularly adapted for use with machines of the stop-cylinder type it is adapted for use with other styles of machines. While, also, the machine has been especially designed for printing on non-flexible material from a transfer-surface, it can be successfully used for printing on other kinds of material and with other descriptions of printing-surfaces. It is also possible to use certain parts of the invention without using other parts, and such use is contemplated. It is to be understood,

therefore, that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details of construction herein shown and described, nor to the particular use described, but that the invention is generic in its nature and covers all modifications and changes which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims hereunto appended.

What is claimed is 1. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of means independent of the couple for transferring a sheet of material by its leading end from the couple to the delivery-point, said means permitting the sheet to change its position so that it may be delivered printed side up, substantially as described.

2. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of means independent of the couple for transferring a sheet of material by its leading end from the couple to the delivery-point, said means permitting the sheet to change its position so that it may be delivered printed side up, and means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet to additionally support and position it for delivery, substantially as described.

In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of a gripper mechanism supporting the sheet by its leading end and permitting the sheet to change its position so that it may be delivered printed side up, means whereby the gripper mechanism is supported independently of the couple, and means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet to additionally support and position it for delivery, substantially as described.

4. Ina printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of a traveling gripper mechanism independent of the couple supporting the sheet by its leading end and permitting the sheet to change its position so that it may be delivered printed side up, and means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet to additionally support and position it for delivery, substantially as described.

5. In a printing-machine, the combination witha printing-couple, of a rotating support, a flexible carrier traveling over said support, gripper mechanism mounted on and free to turn with respect to the carrier, said gripper mechanism acting to support a sheet by its leading end, whereby the sheet is permitted to change its position between the printing and delivery points, and means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet to support the sheet and position it for delivery, substantially as described.

6. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of a delivery mechanism, said mechanism including a rotating support independent of the members of a couple, means acting in conjunction with the support by which the sheet is held at its leading end, and means carried by the support for supporting the sheet on its unprinted side, substantially as described.

'7. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of devices independent of the couple for delivering a sheet with the printed side up, said devices including means whereby the position of the sheet is partially reversed, and means for supporting the sheet prior to and at the time of delivery on its unprinted side, substantially as described.

S. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of a traveling gripper mechanism acting to support a sheet by its vices located at another point in the travel of the grippers causing them to open to deliver a sheet, the travel of the grippers being such that the sheet changes its position between the seizing and delivery points, and means acting in conjunction with the grippers to support the sheet on its unprinted side, said means being brought into operation after the sheet changes its position and while it is held by the grippers, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a gripper mechanism, of a traveling flexible carrier, a pair of wheels over which the flexible carrier runs, and means carried by the wheels and acting in conjunction with the gripper mechanism to support a sheet held by the grippers, substantially as described.

11. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple havinga rotatingmemher, a shaft on which the rotating member is mounted, a pair of arms mounted on the shaft, a pair of wheels mounted in the arms, a flexible carrier running over the wheels, a gripper mechanism mounted on the carrier, and means carried by the wheels and acting in conjunction with the gripper mechanism to support a sheet, substantially as described.

12. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple having a rotating member, a shaft on which the rotating member is mounted, a pair of arms loosely mounted on the shaft, a pair of wheels mounted in the arms, a flexible carrier running over the Wheels, a gripper mechanism mounted on the carrier, and means carried by the wheels and acting in conjunction with the gripper mechanism to support a sheet, substantially as described.

13. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple having a rotating member, of a shaft on which the member ismounted, a pair of sprocket-wheels mounted on the shaft, a pair of arms mounted on the shaft, a second pair of sprocket-wheels supported in the arms, sprocket-chains running over the Wheels, a gripper mechanism carried by the chains, and means carried by the second pair of wheels and acting in conjunction with the gripper mechanism to support a sheet, substantially as described.

14.. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple having a rotating member, of ashaftin which said memberis mounted, a pair of arms mounted on the shaft, said arms having projections, wheels supported in the arms, a traveling gripper mechanism having pivotally-mounted grippers and running over said wheels, and means supported by the projections for opening the grippers, substantially as described.

15. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple having a rotating member, of a shaft in which said member is mounted, a pair of arms mounted on the shaft, said arms having projections, wheels supported in the arms, a traveling gripper mechanism having pivotally-mounted grippers and running over said wheels, means supported by the projections for opening the grippers, and means carried by the wheels for supporting a sheet held in the grippers, substantially as described.

16. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a set of pivotally-mounted traveling grippers for supporting a sheet at one end only, of a suitable support over which the grippers run, means for receiving the delivered sheet from the grippers and means acting on the sheet while it is held by the grippers to position it for delivery, said means being independent of the receiving means, substantially as described.

17. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a set of pivotallymounted traveling grippers for supporting a sheet atone end only, of a pair of wheels over which the grippers run, and means carried by the wheels and acting in conjunction with the grippers to support a sheet, substantially as described.

18. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a set of pivotally-mounted traveling grippers acting to support a sheet at one end only, of a pair of wheels over which the grippers run, and means carried by the wheels and acting in conjunction with the grippers to support a sheet, said means consisting of a platform extending between the wheels, substantially as described.

19. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a set of pivotally-mounted traveling grippers acting to support a sheet at one end only, of a pair of wheels over which the grippers run, and means carried by the wheels and acting in conjunction with the grippers to support a sheet, said means consisting of a set of bars forming a platform, substantially as described.

20. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple having a rotating member, of a shaft on which the member is mounted, a pair of wheels carried by the shaft, a pair of arms, a second pair of wheels carried by the arms, flexible. supports running over the wheels, grippers pivotally mounted on the supports, means for causing the grippers to seize a sheet, extensions on the arms, means carried by the extensions for opening the grippers to deliver the sheet, and a platform carried by the second pair of wheels and acting in conjunction with the grippers to support a sheet, substantially as described.

21. In a traveling gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of pivotally-mounted grippers, of a flexible carrier on which the grippers are' pivoted, supports including a pair of wheels over which the flexible carrier runs, means located near the wheels and acting upon one jaw of the grippers to open the same, and means engaging the other jaw for preventing its movement, substantiallyas described.

22. In a traveling gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of pivotally-mounted grippers, of a flexible carrier on which the grippers are pivoted, means including apair of Wheels over which the carrier runs, means located near the wheels and acting upon one jaw of the grippers to open the same, and a latch carried on one of the wheels and engaging the other jaw, substantially as described.

23. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of opening and closing jaws, of means whereby they are supported, means for adjusting one of the jaws away from the other to determine the size of the opening between the jaws, and means whereby the jaws may be opened, whereby the jaws are adapted to seize material of varying thickness, substantially as described.

24. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with the jaws, of means whereby they are supported, means for varying the distance between the jaws, and means for opening and closing the jaws, substantially as described.

25. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with the jaws, of means whereby each jaw is supported, devices for varying the distance between the jaw-supports, and means for opening and closing the jaws, substantially as described.

26. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a gripper-jaw, of a second jaw, means for supporting the second jaw, devices for adjusting said supporting means toward and away from the first jaw, and means for opening and closing the jaws, substantially as described.

27. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a gripper-jaw, of a gripper-shaft, a gripper-jaw thereon, means for supporting the gripper-shaft, means for adjusting the shaft toward and away from the first-named jaw, and means for rocking the shaft, substantially as described.

28. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carrying a jaw, a second jaw pivoted to the first-named jaw, and means carried by each jaw and engaging the other for adjusting the jaws with relation to each other, and means whereby the jaws may be opened, substantially as described.

29. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carrying a jaw, of a jawsupport pivoted to the plate and also carrying a jaw, a projection on the jaw-support, a screw passing through said projection and bearing against the plate, a screw passing through the plate and bearing against the IIO jaw-support, and means whereby the jaws may be opened and closed, substantially as described.

30. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate formed to provide a jaw, of a pair of arms pivoted to said plate, a set of jaws pivoted in the arms, a projection on one of the arms, means acting between the projection and the plate for forcing the jaws toward each other, and m cans whereby the jaws may be opened and closed, substantially as described.

31. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carryinga jaw, of a jaw-support pivoted thereto, a second jaw pivoted to the support, means between the plate and the support for forcing the support away from the plate, and means for opening and closing the jaws, substantially as described.

32. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carrying a jaw, of bearings carried by the plate, a rock-shaft pivoted in the bearings, a gripper-shaft connected to the rock-shaft, a projection moving with the rockshaft, and a screw tapped through one of the projections and bearing against the plate,substantially as described.

33. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carrying a gripper-jaw and having bearings connected thereto, of a rockshaft in the bearings, a projection by which the movement of the rock-shaft may be contro1led,a screw passing through the projection and bearing against the plate, arms mounted on the rock-shaft, a pivoted gripper carried in the arms, means for opening the grippers, and a screw tapped through the plate and controlling the movement of the gripper-carrying arms toward the plate, substantially as described.

34. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with means for opening and closing the grippers, of an adjustable stop for limiting the distance to which a sheet may be inserted between the grippers, substantially as described.

35. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of gripper-jaws, of means for opening and closing the jaws, means for adj usting the jaws with relation to each other in order to control the amount of the opening between the jaws when they are open, and a stop for determining the distance to which a sheet of material may be inserted between the jaws, substantially as described.

36. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of jaws, of means for opening and closing the jaws, means for adjusting the jaws with relation to each other in order to control the amount of the opening between the jaws when they are open, and an adjustable stop carried by one of the jaws for determining the distance to which a sheet of material may be inserted between the jaws, substantially as described.

37. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carrying a gripper-jaw, of a jaw-support pivoted thereto, asecond jaw carried by the support, means for adjusting the jaw-support away from the first jaw, means for opening and closing the jaws, and an adjustable stop carried by the plate and limiting the distance to which a sheet of material can be inserted between the jaws, substantially as described.

38. The combination with a cylinder, of a traveling gripper mechanism cooperating therewith, said gripper mechanism including a set of pivotally-mounted grippers,and means operating in connection with one of the grippers for limiting the axial movement of the grippers at the sheet-taking point, substantially as described.

39. The combination with a support, of a traveling gripper mechanism cooperating therewith, said gripper mechanism including aset of pivotally-mounted grippers,and means on the support for limiting the axial movement of the grippers at the sheet-taking point, substantially as described.

40. In a prin ting-machine, the combination with a traveling gripper mechanism, including a pair of pivotally-mounted grippers, of a support around which the gripper mechanism travels, and a stop carried by the support and acting on the gripper mechanism to prevent any movement of the gripper mechanism on its pivot at the time of taking the sheet, substantially as described.

41. In aprintingmachine, the combination with a flexible carrier, of a gripper mechanism pivoted to the carrier, a support over which the carrier travels, a projection on the gripper mechanism, and a stop carried by the support and coacting with the projection on the gripper mechanism to prevent the mechanism from turning on its pivot at the time of taking the sheet,substantially as described.

42. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for forwarding a sheet at its leading end, of means for supporting the sheet at its opposite edge as it is being forwarded, substantially as described.

43. In a printing-machine, the combination with a traveling gripper mechanism including a pair of pivotally-mounted grippers acting to supporta sheet at one end, and means acting to support the opposite edge of the sheet, substantially as described.

H. In aprinting-machine, the combination with a traveling gripper mechanism, of a flexible carrier on which the gripper mechanism is pivotally mounted, said gripper mechanism acting to support a sheet at one end, means for supporting and guiding the flexible carrier, and means for supporting the opposite edge of the sheet, substantially as described.

45. The combination with a flexible carrier, of means for supporting and guiding the carrier,a gripper mechanism pivotally mounted in the carrier and acting to support a sheet at one end, whereby the sheet is free to change its position as it is forwarded, means for supporting the opposite edge of the sheet, the sheet being lifted away from said means during the travel of the gripper mechanism, and means actingon a side of the sheet after it leaves the edge-supporting devices to position it for delivery, substantially as described.

46. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple having a rotary member, of a pair of wheels supported in proximity thereto, an endless flexible carriertraveling around the rotary member of the printing mechanism and the pair of wheels, a gripper mechanism pivotally mounted on the flexible carrier, said mechanism acting to support a sheet by its leading end and to cause it to change its position in its travel from the print ingcouple to the delivery-point, a device for supporting the sheet at its opposite edge, the sheet being lifted away from said device prior to its delivery, and means carried by the wheels and acting to support the sheet on its under side after it has been lifted clear from the edge-supporting device, substantially as described.

47. In aprinting-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of means for supportin g and forwarding a sheet by its leading end after it has been acted on by the couple, and means for supporting the opposite edge of the sheet, said means consisting of a series of removably-mounted bars located beneath the path of travel of the forwarding means, substantially as described.

48. In a transfer printing-machine,a designcarrying member, a member to which the design is transferred, an impression member, a traveling mechanism for supporting the sheet at its leading end, the path of travel of said mechanism being over the design-carrying member, means for supporting said traveling mechanism, and means for supporting the opposite edge of the sheet,the traveling mechanism and the edge-supporting means being so mounted as to be swung away to give access to the design-carrying member, substantially as described.

49. In a transfer printing-machine,the combination with a design-carrying member, of a printing member, a rotary impression member, a pair of pivoted arms, guiding devices carried by the arms, aflexible carrier passing around the wheels, a gripper mechanism pivoted to the carrier and acting to support the sheet at its leading end, extensions on the arms, and means connected to the extensions for supporting the opposite edge of the sheet, substantially as described.

50. In a printing-machine the combination with a printing-couple, of a pair of arms, guiding devices supported in said arms, a traveling sheet-carrying mechanism moving around the guiding devices and operating to hold a sheet by one end, means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet while it is held by the carrying mechanism to position it for delivery, means for causing the carrying mechanism to release the sheet, and means intermittently moved into position to receive the sheet printed side up after it is released, substantially as described.

51. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of a pair of arms, guiding devices supported in the arms, a traveling sheet-carryin g mechanism moving around the guiding devices and acting to support a sheet at one end, means carried by the guiding devices for supporting a sheet on its unprinted side, means for causing the sheet-carrying mechanism to release the sheet while it is resting upon the supporting means, and means intermittently moved into position to receive and guide the sheet after it slides from the supporting means, substantially as described.

52. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of a pair of arms, guiding devices supported by the arms, a traveling sheet-carrying mechanism moving around the guiding devices and acting to support the sheet at one end, means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet while it is held by the carrying mechanism to position it for delivery, means for causing the sheet-carrying mechanism to release the sheet, a receiving table, and means intermittently moved into position to guide the sheet to the table, substantially as described.

53. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of means for transferring the sheet from the printing to the delivery point, said means permitting the sheet to change its position so that it may be delivered printed side up,means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet and brought into operation after the sheet changes its position and while it is held by the transferring means to position it for delivery, means for causing the transferring means to release the sheet, and means intermittently thrown into position for guiding the sheet after it is released, substantially as described.

54. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of a traveling gripper mechanism acting to forward a sheet by its leading end and permitting the sheetto change its position so that it may be delivered printed side up, means for causing the gripper mechanism to release the sheet in order that it may be delivered, means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet and brought into operation prior to the release of the sheet by the gripper mechanism for positioning the sheet for delivery, and a receiving-table, substantially as described.

55. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of a pair of arms, guiding devices supported in the arms, a gripper mechanism traveling around the guiding devices and acting to support a sheet by its leading end, means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet to position it for delivery, gripperreleasing devices, extensions on the arms, a rock-shaft mounted in theextensions, means for rocking the shaft, and guiding means mounted on the shaft and rocked into position to receive the sheet as it is released, substantially as described.

56. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple having a rotating impression member, of a shaft in which said member is mounted, a pair of sprocket-wheels mounted on said shaft, a second pair of sprocket-wheels, a pair of sprocket-chains passing around the pairs of wheels, a gripper mechanism carried by the chains, a gear adjustably connected to the rotating member, means for giving the rotating member and gear a vertical adjustment, and gearing by which the gear is rotated, the adjustable connection between the gear and the rotating member permitting the member to be turned to bring its impression surface and gripper into proper position without disturbing the relation of the gearing, substantially as described.

57. In a printing machine, the combination with a rotating printing-couple, of means for stopping the rotation of the design-carrying member of the couple, gearing between the design-carrying member and the impression member, a traveling gripper mechanism operated from the impression member and provided with a plurality of sets of grippers, a set of gripper-operating deviceslocated at the sheet-taking point and operating to open the grippers to receive a sheet as the couple is stopped, and a second set of gripper-operating devices so located that they operate to release the sheet when the couple is stopped, substantially as described.

58. In a printing-machine the combination with a printing-couple, of a traveling gripper m eehanism, means for adjusting one member of the printing-couple toward and away from the other member to provide for printing on material of varying thickness, means for adjusting the jaws of the gripper mechanism so as to vary the distance between them when open, and means for opening and closing the grippers, substantially as described.

59. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of a traveling gripper mechanism including a pair of suitably-supported jaws, means for adjusting one member of the couple toward and awayfrom the other member to provide for printing on material of varying thickness, means for varying the relation of the gripperjaw supports, and means for opening and closing the grippers, substantially as described.

60. In aprinting-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of a traveling gripper mechanism, means for adjusting one member of the printing-couple toward and away from the other member to provide for printing 011 material of varying thickness, means for adj usting the jaws of the gripper mechanism so as to Vary the distance between them when open, means for opening and closing the grippers, and a stop for limiting the distance which a sheet of material can beinserted into the grippers, substantially as described.

61. In a machine for printing on non-flexible material, the combination with a printingcouple and with means for forwarding and delivering a sheet, of a receiving-table having a concave upper surface, the trough formed by said concave surface extending crosswise of the machine, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS M. NORTH.

\Vitnesses:

WILFRID HECTOR, F. W. H. CRANE.