US689862A

US689862A - Paper-folding machine.

Info

Publication number: US689862A
Application number: US5190101A
Authority: US
Inventors: David I Eckerson
Original assignee: JULIAS T HADSELL; PORTER R HADSELL
Current assignee: JULIAS T HADSELL; PORTER R HADSELL
Priority date: 1901-03-19
Filing date: 1901-03-19
Publication date: 1901-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1918-12-31

Description

Patented Dec. 3|; l90l.

D. |.-ECKEBSUN.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 19, 1901.)

(No Model.)

, Nu.- 689,862. Patented Dec. 30, 190i.

D. l. ECKEBSON. PAPER FOLDING MACHINE. (A pplicntion filed Mar. 19, 1901.) (No Modl.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 689,862. Patented Dec; 31, 190.

D. l. ECKERSON.-

PAF'ER FOLDING MACHINE.

(Applicgtion filedMar. 19, 1901.) (No Model.) 7'-She'ets Sheet 3.

I hwenfoz MQM m: nonms PETERS co. mru-mjrm, wunmc'rou, n. c.

7 Patented Dec. 3|, I901. D. I. EGKERSON.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 19 I901.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

witnesses mils FETERS 00.. PmTo-umm. WASHINGTON, n or No. 689,862. Patented Dee. 3|, I90l.

D. I. EGKERSDN. f

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 19, 1901.) (H Modal.) 7 Shois-Sheet s.

@vihwooeo Patented Dec. 3|, 190i. D. l. ECK'ERSON'.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

A lication filed Mar. 19, 1901.

7 Sheets-*Shee 7.-

(No Model.)

I ll |ll .llllllrplllll 1 I v 1 914; means rn'e nonms runs 00.. Puo'mufnm wAsnmmu. n. c.

" UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID I. E-OKERSON, OF WORCESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JULIAS T. I-IADSELL AND PORTER R. HADSELL, OF IVOROESTER, NEW YORK.

PAPER FOLDING l VIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 689,862, dated December 31, 1901.

7 Application filed March 19, 1901. Serial No. 51,901. (No model) T Mil wh0m/ i m y OOTbOeWI/s' detail view showing the cam for vibrating the Be it known that I, DAVID I. ECKERSON, a folding-blade. Fig. 7 is an elevation showcitizen of the United States, and a resident ing the feeding-in end of the machine. In l of Worcester, in the county of Otsego and this view the feed-table is not shown for the StateofNewYork, have invented certain new sake of clearness. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal 55 and useful Improvements in Machines for sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 1. Fig. Folding Paper, of which the following is a 9 is a detail view showing the housing for full, clear, and exact description, such as will the bearings of the shafts of the grippingenable those skilled in the art'to which it aprolls. Fig. 10 shows plan views of a sheet of 10 pertains to make and use the same, reference paper as it appears during the several steps 60 being had to the accompanying drawings, in the folding process. Fig. 11 shows the forming a part of this specification. shunt-table in conjunction with the gripping- This invention relates to improvements in rolls for making the third fold. Fig. 12 is a paper-folding machines of thatclass in which sectional view on the line 12 12 of Fig. 8.

the sheets are folded by being successively Fig. 13 is adetail sectional view showing the 65 passed between gripping-rolls, into the bite of controller interposed between the grippingwhich they are forced by vibratory blades. rolls and the table of the fourth folding It relates more particularly to such machines mechanism and the shunt table, the conin which the use of tapes is dispensed with. troller being in position to divert the paper In machines of this character as ordinarily to the table of the folding mechanism. Fig. 70 constructed a comparatively high rate of 14 is a similarview showing the controllerin speed cannot be obtained principally owing a position to divert the paper to the shuntto the construction and relative arrangement table. Fig. 15 is a plan view of the table and of the folding mechanisms, which are such its adjuncts of the second folding mechanthatthe sheet in passing from one folding ism. Figs. 16 and 17, respectively, are simi- 75 mechanism to the succeeding one often lar views of the third and fourth folding leaves its proper path of traveLthrough the mechanisms. Fig. 18 is a detail view showmachine. In theinvention in the presentining the cutters for severing the leaves after stance it is proposed to avoid this objectionthe paper has been folded.

3o able feature to a considerable extent by so In several of the views some parts of the -80 constructing the folding mechanisms and so mechanism are not shown for the sake of placing them relatively to each other as to clearness. Such omissions are obvious and cause the sheet to keep in its proper path of need not be particularly referred to. Also travel. as several features of the machine are com- The invention consists in. the novel con-v mon to the four different foldingmechan- 85 struction, combination, and arrangement of isms they will be specifically described only parts, such as will be hereinafter fully dein one instance and briefly alluded to in the scribed, pointed out in the'appended claims, others. and illustrated in the accompanying draw- 7 The frame supporting the several opera-' 4o ings. tive parts of the machine and their adjuncts 0 In the accompanyingdrawings, in which may be of any description suitable in the similar reference characters designate correpremises. In the presentinstance it consists sponding parts, Figure l is a plan view of a of the uprights A and the cross-pieces A, folding-machine embodying the invention. suitably joined together. To the feeding-in Fig.2is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is an enend of the machine is hinged the table A larged detail sectional view on the line 3 8 and when it is raised its free-endissupportof Fig. 1, showing the feed-rolls in contact. ed by the movable standard A On this ta- Fig. a isa similar view showing the feed-rolls ble the sheets of' paper are placed preparaseparated. Fig. 5 is an elevation showing tory to being fed into the machine.

the delivery end of the machine. Fig. 6isa The inclined table B of the first folding to:

mechanism is secured in the upper part of the frame with its highest edge adjacent to the feed-table A". It is divided by the opening or slot B, extending through its length. Through this opening slightly project the gripping-rolls B carried by the shafts B One of the latter is journaled at its ends in the fixed bearings B and the other is journaled at its ends in the movable bearings Both the fixed and movable bearings are mounted in the housing 13. The adjustment of the movable bearings relatively to the fixed ones is regulated by the rods 13, passing through the same and connected with the housings, and the nuts B turned onto the ends of the rods outside of the bearings. Interposed between the movable bearings and the housings and surrounding the rods are the coiled springs B normally pressing the movable bearings toward the fixed ones. The shaft journaled in the fixed bearings is driven by the bevel-gears i3, connecting it with the main driving-shaft S, and motion is conveyed to the shaft journaled in the movable bearings by the gears B connecting the two shafts. The latter gears have elongated teeth to permit the separation of the rolls to the required extent.

Cooperating with the gripping-rolls is the folding-blade C, secured to the rods 0, fitting in the sockets C of the arms C Setscrews are provided for securing the rods in the sockets. By means of this connection with the arms the blade can be adjusted relatively to the rolls. The arms C are mounted on the rock-shaft C and are oscillated by the cam C on the auxiliar shaft C en agin b P7 with the lever C secured on the shaft 0'. (See Figs. 5 and 6.) A friction-roll C is interposed between the cam and the lever. The auxiliaryshaft C is rotated by the gears C", connecting the same with the shaft 13 journaled in the fixed bearings. The gripping-rolls are relatively adjustable to accommodate them to the thickness of the paper that is to be passed between them. In order to secure a proper registration of the foldingblade with the rolls, the former is adjusted on its arms so that when it descends it will enter between the rolls at the proper place.

In front of the inclined table 13 and interposed between it and the hinged table A are the rolls D and D, respectively. The rolls D are mounted on the main driving-shaft S, and the rolls D are carried by the shaft D above the rolls D. The shaft D is journaled in the free ends of the arms D carried by the rockshaft D", journaled in the brackets D, attached to the frame. An arm D", secured to the rock-shaft, forming with one of the arms D a bell-crank, carries a friction-roll D with which engages the cam D key ed on the shaft I)". The latter is rotated by the gears D connecting it with the main,driving-shaft S. (See Figs. 3, 4, and 7.) By means ofthe cam and the intervening mechanism the rolls D are intermittently raised and lowered while the machine is in operation.

Carried by the shaft D are the hangers D and to the lower ends of the latter is secured the bar D carrying the stops D. As the rock-shaft D is moved up and down the stops are also moved. When raised, these stops project a short distance above the table B and gage the placement of the paper preparatory to its seizure by the feed-rolls. The stops have inclined sections D, bearing against the angle-plate D so that when they are depressed they will be pressed into the annular recess D in the rolls D, and when the stops are raised they will be moved away from the recesses. The position of the stops is such when they are raised the edge of the sheet of paper placed against them will extend over the lower rolls, so as to be engaged by the upper rolls when the latter descend. The relative movements of the rolls and stops are such that when the rolls are separated the stops will project above the surface of the table B, and when the rolls come together the stops drop below the surface of the table.

Means are provided for guiding and holding the paper on the table B preparatory to its being folded. On the lower end of the table the stops B are adjustably secured to limit the downward movement of the paper. The movement sidewise is limited by the gages B adjustably secured to the stops B B. The inner faces of the gages B are beveled, so as to guide the paper to its proper position as it moves down the table. To prevent the sheet from rebounding after striking the stops B blocks 13 are adj ustably secured to the table near its upper end. These blocks have their upper faces beveled, so as to offer no obstruction to the paper during its downward movement. As all of these severalstops, gages, and blocks are adjustable, the table can be adapted to receive sheets of various sizes.

In passing onto the table if no provision were made to prevent it the edge of the sheet might strike against the upper end of the folding-blade. To avoid this, a guard-block C is adjustably secured on the rock-shaft D. This block is in line and in front of the blade and is interposed between the latter and'the feed-rolls D and D. The movement of the rock-shaft is such that the guard-block moves with the folding-blade. The under side of the block is beveled, so that the edge of the paper on leaving the feed-rolls will pass under the same, and thereby be forced down, so as not to come in contact with the end of the folding-blade. As the guard-block is adjustable on'the rock-shaft, it can be moved when the folding-blade is moved, so as to be in line with the latter. As the feed-rolls D and the guard O are actuated by the same shaft D both will be moved simultaneously. When the rolls are raised to permit the introduction of asheet of paper, the guard is depressed to catch the sheet should it accidentally pass the stops D Fingers O are loosely mounted on the rock-shaft D and also serve to guide the paper and to hold it down upon the table.

Beneath the table B is located the mechanism for making the second fold. (See Figs. 2 and 15.) The table E is secured in the frame with an edge. directly beneath and parallel with the gripping-rolls B of the first folding mechanism. The table is inclined downwardly from this edge, and extending longitudinally through it is the opening E. Through the latter project the gripping-rolls E at right angles to the first pair B Interposed between the gripping-rolls B and the table E is the guide E for turning the paper in the right direction as it leaves the said rolls and passes onto the said table. (See Fig. 12) The rolls E are mounted and operated substantiallyin the same way as the rolls B of the first folding mechanism. They are mounted on the shafts E respectively journaled in fixed and movable bearings. The shaft in the fixed bearing drives the other by the gears E and is driven by the shaft E, with which it is connected by the universal joint E and the shaft E is driven by the shaft E with which it is connected by the bevel-gears E The shaft E is driven by the main shaft S through the bevel-gears E (See Fig. 7.) The rock-shaft E carrying the second folding-blade E is rocked through intervening mechanism, as it is in the first instance, leading from the shaft E of the second pair of gripping-rolls, j on rnaled in the fixed bearings. The inclination of the table E is such that its lowest point is the corner, as at E diagonally opposite the corner, as E, adjacent to the upper end of the gripping-rolls of the first folding mechanism. Consequently when the folded paper passes onto the second table it will drop toward the said lowest corner. To receive the paper and to hold it in place, the adjustable stops E and E are provided. These stops are so adjusted that the paper, which has been folded once, will be in position to be folded a second time. After the paper is in place the second folding blade E decends and creases the paper and forces it between the second set of gripping-rolls,which fold it a second time.

Located beneath the table E of the mechanism for making the second fold is the mechanism for making the third fold. (See Fig. 16.) This latter mechanism is substantially the same as the former ones, except that the table is smaller. The table F of the third folding mechanism is secured in the frame with an edge directly beneath and parallel with the gripping-rolls E Its lowest point is the corner F, and it is provided with the stops F which are the same as those on table E. Its gripping-rolls F are at right angles to the rolls E of the second folding mechanism and are parallel with the rolls of the first folding mechanism. They are mounted and operated the same as the other rolls, and the shaft jour naled in the fixed bearings is driven by the shaft F through the bevel-gears F and the shaft F in turn is rotated by the bevel-gears F connecting it with the shaft E (See Fig. 7.) Interposed between the rolls E and the table F is a guide F similar to the guide E of the second folding mechanism. (See Fig. 12.) The folding-blade F is operated in the same way as in the previous instances.

Under the table F are located a shunt-table G and the mechanism for making the fourth fold. (See Figs. 13, 1 1, and 17.) Directly beneath the gripping-rolls F of the third folding mechanism is the controller or switch G for diverting the paper to either the shunttable or to the mechanism for making a fourth fold. When three folds are sufficient,the controller can be turned to cause the paper to leave the machine over the shunt-table. A handle G .is provided for turning the controller.

The construction of the mechanism for making the fourth fold is the same as that of the preceding ones. An edge of its table H is located adjacent to and parallel with the gripping-rolls F Its lowest point, and toward which the paper falls, is the corner H. This corner is provided with the usual stops or gages H The shaft of its gripping-rolls H that is journaled in the fixed bearings, is driven by the shaft H with which it is connected by the universal joint H The shaft H is driven in turn by the shaft H through the bevel-gears H and the latter shaft is driven by the shaft E through the gears H (See Fig. 12.)

When the paper reaches the fourth folding mechanism, several of its leaves are connected at their edges. Tosever these leaves, rotary knives H are mounted on the shafts of the rolls H so that when the paper passes between the said rolls the knives will cut the leaves, so that they can be separated. (See Figs. 17 and 18.) The folding-blade H in this instance is operated in the same way as in the preceding ones.

Beneath the mechanism for making the fourth fold is the delivery mechanism. (See Figs. 8 and 12.) Under the rolls H is the receiving-box I, and in the same is the flier I, mounted on the shaft 1 On an end of the shaft 1 is the arm 1 connected by the'pitman I with the crank 1 on the shaft 1 of the gear 1 for driving the cam that operates the folding-blade H When the folded paper drops from the rolls H in front ofthe fiier, it is thrown forward toward the mouth of the box.

The operation of the machine is as follows: It is assumed that the several parts of the machine have been adjusted to accommodate the sheets to be folded and that the machine is in motion and that the feed-rolls D and D. are separated. A sheet, as X, is placed upon the table A with an edge against the stops D The sheets so placed will be in the proper position to be fed into the machine. As the feed-rolls come together the stops drop below &

the table and the paper is gripped by the rolls and is fed into the machine onto the table B of the mechanism for making the first fold. As the sheet travels down the inclined table it takes the position indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 1. When it reaches this position, the blade C descends and creases it along a medial line and forces it between the grippingrolls B which seize it and fold it into two leaves of the comparative size of X, as shown in Fig. 10. As the folded paper leaves the rolls B it is turned by the guide E onto the table E in position to be folded asecond time with four leaves of the comparative size of X This is repeated by the third and fourth folding mechanisms until the sheet has been successively folded into eight leaves of the comparative size of X and finallyinto sixteen leaves of the comparative size of X. It finally passes 'into the box I, from which it can be taken by an attendant. It is to be noted that the several folding mechanisms are so close together and that the receiving-table of a succeeding mechanism is so close to the gripping-rolls of apreceding mechanism that there is but little chance of the paper escaping from its proper path of travel.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a folding-machine, gripping-rolls, a folding-blade cooperating with said rolls, means for feeding a sheet of paper between said blade and said rolls, and a movable guard interposed between said feed mechanism and said blade to preventthe edge of the paper from striking the end of said blade.

2. In a folding-machine, relatively adj ustable gripping-rolls, an adjustable foldingblade cooperating with said rolls, means for vibrating said blade, mechanism for feeding sheets of paper between said blade and said rolls, and an adjustable guard movable with said blade to prevent the edge of the paper from striking against said blade.

3. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by an opening, gripping-rolls registering with said opening, a folding-blade codperating with said grippingrolls, mechanism for feeding sheets of paper between said blade and said rolls, and a guard interposed between said feeding mechanism and said blade to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

4. In a folding-machine, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls, an adjustable foldingblade cooperating with said rolls, mechanism for feeding sheets of paperbetween said blade and said rolls, and an adjustable guard interposed between said feeding mechanism and said blade to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

5. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by an opening, grippingrolls registering with said opening, a foldingblade cooperating with said rolls, stops mounted on the lower end of said table and adjustable longitudinally of the same, gages having beveled inner faces movably seon red to said stops and adjustable transversely of said table, mechanism for feeding sheets of paper onto said table beneath said blade, and a guard interposed between said feeding mechanism and said blade to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

6. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by an opening, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls registering with said opening, an adjustable foldingblade cooperating with said rolls,stops mounted on the lower end of said table and adjustable longitudinally of the same, gages having beveled inner faces inovably secured to said stops and adjustable transversely of said table, mechanism for feeding sheets of paper onto said table beneath said blade, and an adjustable guard interposed between said feed ing mechanism and said blade toprevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

7. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by an opening, gripping-rolls registering with said opening, a folding-blade codperating with said rolls, means for vibrating said blade, stops mounted on the lower end of said table and adjustable longitudinally of the same, gages having beveled inner faces movably secured to said stops and adjustable transversely of said table, mechanism for feeding sheets of paper onto said table beneath said blade, and a movable guard movable with said blade interposed between said feed mechanism and said blade to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

8. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by an opening, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls registering with said opening, an adjustable foldingblade cooperating with said rolls, means for vibrating said blade, stops mounted on the lower end of said table and adjustable longitudinally of the same, gages having beveled inner faces movably secured to said stops and adjustable transversely of said table, mechanism for feeding sheets of paper onto said table beneath said blade, and an adjustable guard movable with said blade to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

9. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by an opening, gripping-rolls registering with said opening, a folding-blade cooperating with said rolls,stops mounted on the lower end of said table and adjustable longitudinally of the same, gages having beveled inner faces movably secured to said stops and adjustable transversely of said table, and means for feeding sheets of paper onto said table beneath said blade.

10. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by an opening, gripping-rolls registering with said opening, a

faces beveled movably secured to said table near its upper 'end and adjustable longitudinally of the same, and means for feeding sheets of paper onto saidtable beneath said blade.

11. In afolding-machine, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls mounted on shafts respectively journaled in fixed and movable bearings, means for rotating the shaft journaled in the fixed bearings, gears connecting the carried by rotatable shafts, means for rotating said shafts, a rock-shaft, arms carried by shafts of the gripping-rolls, a rock-shaft, arms carried by said rock-shaft, a folding-blade adjustably carried by said arms and cooperating with said rolls, a lever secured to said rock-shaft, an auxiliary shaft journaled adjacent to the shaft of the gripping-roll journaled in the fixed bearings, a cam mounted on said auxiliary shaft and engaging with the free end of said lever to oscillate the same, and gears for conveying motion from the shaft of the gripping-roll j ournaled in the fixed hearings to the auxiliary shaft carrying the cam.

12. In a folding-machine, gripping-rolls carried by rotatable shafts, means for rotating said shafts, a rock-shaft, arms carried by said rock-shaft, a folding-blade carried by said'arms and cooperating with said rolls, a lever secured on said rock-shaft, an auxiliary shaft journaled adjacent to the shaft of one of thegripping-rolls, a cam mounted on said auxiliary shaft and engaging with the free end of said lever to oscillate the same, and gears connecting the cam carrying shaft with the shaft of the gripping-roll adjacent to it.

13. In a folding machine, gripping-rolls said rock-shaft, a folding-blade carried by said arms and cooperating with said rolls, a lever secured to said rock-shaft, a cam rotated by the shaft of one of the gripping-rolls and engaging with the free end of said lever to oscillate the same, mechanismvfor feeding a sheet of paper between said blade and said rolls, and a guard interposed between said feed mechanism and said blade to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end 7 of the blade.

14. In a folding-machine, gripping-rollsa movableguard interposed between said feed mechanism and said blade and movable with the latter to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

15. In a folding-machine, relatively at.-

justable grippi'ng-roll's' mounted on shafts respectively journaled in fixed and movable bearings, means for rotating said, shafts, a rock-shaft, arms carried by said rock-shaft,

a folding-blade adjustably carried by said arms and cooperating with-said rolls, a lever securedto said rock-shaft, a cam rotated by the shaft of the gripping-roll journaled in the fixedbearings and engaging with the free end of said lever to oscillate the same, mechanism for feeding a'sheet of paper between said blade and said rolls, and an adjustable guard interposed between said feed mechanism and said blade to prevent the edge of paper from striking the end of the blade.

16. In a folding-machine, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls mounted on shafts respectively journaled in fixed and movable bearings,means for rotating theshaft of the roll journaled in the fixed bearings, gears connecting the shafts of the gripping-rolls, a

rock-shaft, arms carried by said rock-shaft,

a folding-blade adj ustably carried by said arms and cooperating with said rolls, means for vibrating said blade, a lever secured to said rock-shaft, an auxiliary shaft journaled adjacent to the shaft of the roll j ournaled in the fixed bearings, a cam mounted on said auxiliary shaft and engaging with the free end of said lever to oscillate the same, gears for conveying motion from the shaft of the roll journaled in the fixed bearings to the shaft carrying the cam, mechanism for feeding a sheet of paper between said rolls and said blade, and an adjustable guard movable with said blade to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

17. In a folding-machine, gripping-rolls, afolding-blade cooperating with said rolls,fixed and movable feed-rolls for feeding paper be- IIO tween said gripping-rolls and said foldingblade, and a guard movable with'the movable feed-roll to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of said blade.

18. In a'folding-machine, gripping-rolls, a

folding-blade cooperating with said rolls, relatively movable feed-rolls for feeding paper between said gripping-rolls and said foldingblade, a movable stop cooperating with said feed-rolls to limitthe introduction of the paper between said feed-rolls, means for moving said feed-rolls together and simultaneously moving said stop out of the path of the paper, and a movable guard interposed between said feed-rolls and said folding-blade to prevent the paper from striking the end of the blade. l

19. In a folding-machine, gripping-rolls, a

folding-blade cooperating with said rolls,fix ed and movable feed-rolls for feeding paper between said gripping-rolls and said foldingblade, a movable stop cooperating with said feed-rolls to limit the introduction of the paper between said feed-rolls, a movable guard interposed between said feed-rolls and said folding-blade to prevent the paper from striking the end of the blade, and means for simultaneously moving said movable feed-roll, said stop and said guard.

20. In a folding-machine, a fixed feed-roll, a rock-shaft, arms secured at one end to said rock-shaft, a shaft journaled in the free ends of said arms, movable feed-rolls mounted on said shaft journaled in the free ends of the arms and cooperating with said fixed feedrolls, gripping-rolls, a folding-blade cooperating with said gripping-rolls, a guard secured on said rock-shaft and interposed between said feed-rolls and said folding-blade to prevent paper from striking the end of the blade, and means for partially rotating said rockshaft.

21. In a folding-machine, a fixed feed-roll, v

a rock-shaft, arms secured at one end to said rock-shaft, a shaft journaled in the free ends of said arms, movable feed-rolls mounted on said shaft journaled in the free ends of the arms and cooperating with said fixed feedroll, gripping-rolls, a folding-blade cooperating with said gripping-rolls, a guard secured on said rock-shaft and interposed between said feed-rolls and said folding-blade to prevent the paper from striking the end of the blade, means for partially rotating said rockshaft, hangers attached to said shaft journaled in the free ends of the arms, and stops carried by said hangers for limiting the introduction of the paper between said feedrolls.

22. In a folding-machine, aseries of folding mechanisms each comprising a table divided longitudinally by an opening, gripping-rolls registering with said opening and carried by rotatable shafts, means for rotating said shafts, a rock-shaft, arms carried by said rockshaft, a folding-blade carried by said arms and cooperating with said gripping-rolls, a lever secured on said rock-shaft, and a cam rotated by the shaft of one of the gripping rolls and engaging with the free end of said lever to oscillate the same, the said folding mechanisms being successively arranged with their tables relativelyinclined and placed one below another with the upper edge of the table of a succeeding folding mechanism adjacent to and parallel with the gripping-rolls of a preceding folding mechanism.

23. In a folding-machine, a series of folding mechanisms each comprising a table divided longitudinally by an opening, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls registering with said opening and carried by rotatable shafts respectively journaled in fixed and movable bearings, means for driving said shafts, a rock-shaft, arms carried by said rock-shaf t, a folding-blade adjustably carried by said arms and cooperating with said rolls, a lever secured on said rock-shaft, and a cam rotated by the shaft of the gripping-roll journaled in the fixed bearing and engaging with said 1ever to oscillate the same,the said folding mechanisms being successively arranged with their tables relatively inclined and placed one below another with the upper edge of the table of a succeeding folding mechanism adjacent to and parallel with the gripping-rolls of the preceding folding mechanism.

24. In afolding-machine, a series of folding mechanisms each comprising a table divided by a longitudinal opening, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls registering with said opening and carried by rotatable shafts respectively journaled in fixed and movable bearings, means for rotating the shaft of the roll journaled in the fixed bearings,'gears connecting the shafts of the gripping-rolls, a rockshaft, arms carried by said rock-shaft, a folding-blade adjustably carried by said arms and cooperating with said gripping-rolls, a lever secured to said rock-shaft, an auxiliary shaft journaled adjacent to the shaft of the roll journaled in the fixed bearings, a cam mounted on said auxiliary shaft and engaging with said lever to oscillate the same, and gears for conveying motion from the shaft of the roll journaled in the fixed hearings to the auxiliary shaft carrying the cam, the said folding mechanisms being successively arranged with the tables relatively inclined one below another with the upper edge of the table of a succeeding folding mechanism adjacent to and parallel with the gripping-rolls of the preceding folding mechanism.

25. In a folding-machine, a series of folding mechanisms each comprising a table divided longitudinally by an opening, gripping-rolls registering with said opening and carried by rotatable shafts, means for rotating said shafts, a rock-shaft,arms carried by said rockshaft, a folding-blade carried by said arms and cooperating with said gripping-rolls, a lever secured on said rock-shaft, an auxiliary shaft journaled adjacent to one of the shafts of the gripping-rolls, a cam mounted on said auxiliary shaft and engaging with the free end of said lever to oscillate the same, and gears connecting said auxiliary shaft to the shaft of the gripping-roll adjacent to it, the said folding mechanisms being successively arranged with their tables relatively inclined and below one another with the upper edge of the table of a succeeding folding mechanism adjacent to and parallel with the gripping-rolls of the preceding folding mechanism, and a guide interposed between the gripping-rolls of a preceding folding mechanism and the table of a succeeding mechanism.

26. In a folding-machine, a pair of inclined gripping-rolls, a table with an edge adjacent to and parallel with said gripping-rolls and with the opposite edge depressed below said rolls so that said table is inclined in two directions from the horizontal, and stops on the lower part of said table to hold in place the paper fed onto said table by said rolls.

27. In a folding-machine, a pair of inclined gripping-rolls, a table with an edge adjacent to and parallel with said gripping-rolls and V with the opposite edge depressed below said rolls so that said table is inclined in two directions from the horizontal, and stops at right angles to each other adj ustably mounted on the lower part of said table to receive the corner of the paper-fed onto said table by said rolls and to hold the same in place.

28. In a folding-machine, a pair of inclined gripping-rolls, a table with an edge adjacent to and parallel with said gripping-rolls and with the opposite edge depressed below said rolls so that said table is inclined in two directions from the horizontal, relatively adjnstable gripping-rolls registering with an opening in said table extending at right angles to the first-mentioned rolls, an adjustable folding-blade cooperating with said adj ustable gripping-rolls, and stops on the lower part of said table to hold in place the paper fed by the first-mentioned rolls onto said table between said blade and said adjustable grippingrolls.

29. In a folding-machine, a pair of inclined gripping-rolls, a table with an edge adjacent to and parallel with said gripping-rolls and with the opposite edge depressed below said rolls so that said table is inclined in two directions from the horizontal, relatively adlower part of said table to receive the corner of the paper fed by the first-mentioned rolls onto said table between said blade and said gripping-rolls to hold the paper in place.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DAVID I. EOKERSON. Witnesses:

BIRNEY GOODENOUGH, J. S. WATERMAN.