US687268A - Printing-machine. - Google Patents

Description

m b 6 2 V 0 N d e t n e t a P D A F on F GW 00 6 7 oo 6 0 N Rmmme MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 17, 1900. ,l

5 SheetsSheet I.

(No Model.)

m: uoams PETERS co.v PNOULLITHOH wnsmucwu. n. c.

I No. 687,268.

(No Model.)

. Patented Nov. 26, [90L G. F. READ.

PRINTING MACHINE.

{Application filed Dec. 17, 1900.;

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 w &? J

Patented NOV. 26, I90l.

G. F. READ. PRINTING MACHINE. (Ap pficat i on filed I380. 17, 1900.

fi s he ets Sheet 3,

(No Model.)

THE "cams PETERS cov. Pnm'uumu, WASHINGTON, n. c.

Patented NOV. 26, mm. a. F. READ. PRINTING MACHINE.

(Application and Dec. 17, 1900.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

H P II F01 3 vm m 6 2 o N d e n e t a P D A E on F nm 3 6 7 no 6 0 N PRINTING MACHINE.

(Application'filed Dec. 17, 1900.)

5 Shets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

THE Norms PETERi 0a.,mo1'uuma, WASHINGTQN, n. c

' pages, including the cover-sheet.

IT E STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. READ, OF NEW YORK, Y., ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT HOE, OF

NEW YORK, N. Y. r

PRINTING-MACHINE.

srnorrrca'rron forming part of Letters 1? atent no. 687,268, dated November 26, 1901.

Application filed December 17. 1900. Serial No. 40,072. (No model.)

To all whlom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, GEORGE F. READ, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Machines, fullydescribed and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements-in rotary printing-machines.

In printing weekly papers and other similar periodicals which consist of a considerable number of pages it is frequently desirable to vary the nurnbe'r'of pages andto provide the periodical with a cover which shall be applied thereto before the paper issues from the printing-machine. Such periodicals rarely consist of less than sixteen pages in number and seldom more than forty-eight Between these limits,-.however, the number of pages varies considerably, according to theamount of advertising matter to be printed or because of the issue of special editions or for other reasons. It is desirable, therefore, that the machines upon which such periodicals are printed be so constructed that the product may be varied within Wide limits and that at the same time a cover-sheet may-be printed and associated with the product.

One of the objects of this invention is to produce a printing-machine the output of which shall be capable of being varied within wide limits, in which a cover may be printed and applied to the product, and in which a great variety of products may be produced, each of said products including a cover which is printed and applied thereto in the machine.

' A further object of the invention is to produce improvements in the arrangement of the parts and details of construction, all of which will clearly appear from the description hereinafter given.

As a full understanding of the improvements constituting the present invention can best be given by an illustration and a detailed description of an organization embodying the same, such a description will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is aplan view, of the machine shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the associating mechanism on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation, the plane of section being indicated by the lined 4 in Fig. 1, the View being on an enlarged scale and showing the associating, cutting, and collecting mechanism. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of a part of the cutting, collecting, and delivery mechanism, the upper set of cutting and collecting cylinders being removed. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation on the line 6 6 of'Fig. 5'.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, 1

indicates a'framewhich may be of any suitable material and configuration. The frame supports four printing-couples A B O D, each of these couples consisting of a formcylinder 2 and an impression-cylinder 3, these cylinders being suitably journaled in the frame. In the machine shown each formcylinder carries a plurality of plates 5, these plates being so arranged that the two pages which are to be printed on the same'side of a single sheet will follow each other around the cylinder. As plates are usually made this will necessitate placing them so that the columns on the plates are parallel to the axis of the cylinder, and they are there fore so illustrated. The important point is, however, that whether the columns run one way or the other of the cylinder the pages follow each other, as stated, so that after the web is slit the portion of the web which carries any given two pages will be only as wide as the length of a page and not as wide as the width of two pages, which would be the case were the forms arranged so that the two pages for each sheet would be sideby side on the cylinder instead of following eachother around the cylinder. The couples are preferably arranged so that all the cylinders are parallel with each other, two of the couples, as A and B, being arranged on one side of the frame and the other two couples, as O and D, being arranged on the other side of the frame, the associating and delivery mechanism to be hereinafter described being arranged between the couples. In the construction shown the form and impression cylinders of the couple B are arranged over the form and impression cylinders of the couple A. In the same manner the form and impression cylinders of the couple C are arranged over those of the couples D. Preferably, also, the form-cylinders will be arranged outside the impression-cylinders, as this enables the impression-cylinders to be readily got-ten at for the purpose of making ready.

The form-cylinder of each couple is provided with a suitable inking mechanism 6 of any usual form. In the machine shown each inking mechanism is mounted on a sliding frame 7, which is capable of being moved back out of the way when it is desired to get at the form-cylinder for the purpose of putting on the plates.

In the construction shown the couple A prints on one side of the web, the web being perfected by the couple B. In the same manner the couple D prints on one side of the web, said web being perfected by the couple 0. Practically, therefore, couples A and [3, taken together, constitute a set of perfecting-couples, and the couples 0 and D, taken together, also constitute a set of perfecting-couples.

For the purposes of this invention it is desirable that one set of couples be arranged so that it may be driven at full or lesser (preferably half) speed, while the other set of conples will be driven at full speed. The devices by which the couples are driven at the speeds mentioned may be varied within wide limits. In the machine shown the main shaft 8, which is driven by means of a pulley 9 or in anyother suitable manner, is provided with a gear 10, said gear being in mesh with a train of gears 11. This train of gears 11 serves to drive the members of the couples O and D in an ordinary manner. The shaft 8 is further provided with a pair of change-gears 12 and 13, said gears being feathered or secured to the shaft in any suitable manner and being arranged to mesh with a similar pair of gears 1 1 and 15, mounted on a counter-shaft 16, the gear 12 meshing with the gear 15 and the gear 13 meshing with the gear let. The arrangement of the teeth is such that when the gears 13 and 1 1 are in mesh the speed of the counter-shaft 16 is half that which it is when the gears 12 and 15 are in mesh. The countershaft 16 is provided with a gear 17, which meshes with a train of gears 18, which operate to drive the members of the couples A and B.

The webs which are printed by the couples are derived from web-rolls suitably mounted in the frame. In the construction shown the Web TV, which is printed by the couples 0 and D, is derived from a roll mounted in bearings 19 at one end of the frame. When, as

will usually be the ease, the periodical is to be provided with a cover, the couples A and B will be arranged to print on two webs Y and Z, said webs being in parallelism as they pass through the couples, the roll for the web Y being mounted in suitable bearings 20 and the roll for the web Z, which is the cover-web, in suitable bearings 21. After the web N has been printed it is led underaslitter, said slitter consisting of a shaft 22, which in the present machine is provided with three knives 23, 241, and 25. The shaft 22 is driven in any suitable manner-as, for instance, by means of a train of gears 26. (Indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.) The slitter operates to divide the web W into four sections W" 7 W W. It will be remembered that the forms are preferably arranged on the form-cylinders so that two pages are printed side by side. By the operation of the slitter therefore the web W is cut into four webs, each of which carries the pages for the sheets which are thereafter to be cut therefrom, arranged side by side. The web Y after being printed is subjected to the action of a slitter which consists of a shaft 27, carrying arms supporting knives 28 and 29 in contact with a roller 27, which is driven by a train of gears 30. (Indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.) The two knives 28 and 29 divide the web Y intothree webs Y Y Y the pages of which-are arranged in the same manner as those on the webs WV, W W and W'. The web Z or the cover-web may be provided with suitable illustrations and advertising matter, and the pages are arranged on this web in the same manner as on the other webs.

After the wide webs \V and Y have been slit in the manner described the several resulting webs are associated. This may be effected in any suitable manner and by any suitable mechanism. Preferably, however, an associating mechanism will be provided for the webs W W W IV" and another associatingmechanism for the webs Y Y Y and the cover-web Z. In the construction shown the associating mechanism for the webs 1V \V \V IV consists of a set of diagonally arranged turner-bars, each of which is made independently adjustable in the frame in order to control the sidewise register of thewebs, which may be done without stopping the machine. The associating mechanism for the webs Y Y Y and the coverweb Z consists of a similar set of bars. The several bars over which the webs are led are all alike in construction, so that a description of one of them will serve for all. Each bar preferably consists of a central section 31, having angularly-disposed ends 32 and 33, said ends passing through bearings in framepieces 3and 35. Vvfhile the ends 32 might, if desired, be made integral with the central section, they preferably consist of independent pieces to which the central section is secured. The bearing through which the end 33 passes consists of a hub 36. The end of the piece 33 is threaded, as shown, and is engaged by a hand-wheel 37, which is threaded to engage the threaded end. The hub 36 has secured to it a pair of hooks 38, which take over a collar 39, formed on the hub of the hand-wheel 37. The end 32 of each bar is loose in its hearings in the pieces 3% and 35. With the construction as described it will be seen that when the hand-wheel of any bar is turned in one direction or the other the bar will be moved in or out and the register of the web Which is running over it correspondingly changed. The webs W, W W and W in the machine shown are the webs which are printed on the couples which are always running at full speed, and it is desirable to give these webs as direct a run as possible to the associating mechanism hereinafter described. To this end therefore the turner-bars over which these webs are run are arranged below the bars for the other webs. As each web W WV W W leaves its turner-bar it is carried over a suitable guide 40, mounted in pivoted arms 41, controlled by a threaded rod 42,which is provided witha hand nut or wheel 43. The webs Y Y Y and the cover-web Z come from the couples which are run either at full or half speed, as the case may be, and are led to different collecting mechanisms, according to the speed at which they are printed. In order that these webs may be kept independent'of the W webs, so that they maybe led to different collecting mechanisms, according to the product to be produced and the speed at which the printing mechanisms which print them are being run, the turner-bars for these webs are arranged over the bars for the W webs. It is further desirable that the outside pages of the Z web, which is to form the cover, be printed by the last pair of cylinders. In other words, it is desirable to arrange the run of this Z cover-web and the Ywebs with which it travels so that the first pair of cylinders through which the webs pass will print the inside two pages of the Z web and the last pair of cylinders through which the webs pass will print the outside pages of the cover. The reason for this is that the outside pages of the cover usually contain cuts or illustrations and are therefore much more heavily inked than the inside pages, and if these heavily-printed pages were printed by the first set of cylinders there would be great liability of offset as the web passed between the second pair of cylinders. The turnerbars for the Y and Z webs are arranged to send these webs in the same direction as the W webs-that is, toward the front of the machine. After leaving the bars they are caused to run over pivoted guides 40, mounted and controlled like the guides 40 described in connection with the W' webs, and from these guides are carried to the rear of the machine and over aset of guides 44, which are mounted in the frame of the machine. After leaving the guides 44: these webs pass over a similar set of guide-rollers 45, mounted at the extreme end of the machine. By this lead of the webs and arrangement of the guides the outside pages of the coverare printed by the last pair of cylinders and the cover-web is brought into proper positionnamely, on the outside of the web with which it is to be im mediately associated.

The diagonally-arranged bars over which the webs have been led, as described, have operated to superpose the webs of each set. The association of the webs must therefore be completed by bringing them to aoommon point-as, for instance, by causing them to pass through a set of nipping and drawing rollers by which theyare not onlyassembled, but drawn through the machine. Assuming that both machines are running at the same speed, the set of \V webs and the set of Y webs and the Z web might be associated by being led through a single pair of rollers. It has been found in practice, however, that it is difficult to assemble a large number of webs by leading them through asingle pair of nipping-rollers, for the reason that the outer webs of the set are affected more directly by the rollers than the inner webs. It is difficult, therefore, to maintain the proper tension on the inner webs, and they are apt to get out of register. To avoid this difiiculty, the present machine is provided with two sets of preliminary nipping and drawing rollers, one set for each set of webs. The preliminary nipping and drawing rollers for the .VV webs are marked 48 and 49, and the preliminary set for the Y webs and Z web are marked 50 and 51. Each setof these rollers deliver their associated webs to a third set of nipping and drawing-off rollers 52 53. By this arrangement of rollers the four W webs are associated and the three Y webs and Z web are associated by a preliminary set of rollers. The associated W webs are then associated as a single web with the associated Y webs and Z web. It has been found in practice that by this arrangement the webs arefar less liable to get out of register than if it is attempted to associate all the webs at one time. While the preliminary sets of nipping and drawing rollers 48 49 and 50 51 may be arranged in any suitable or desired position, they are preferably brought close together and arranged at a slight angle to each other that is, so that a plane passing through the axes of the rollers 5O 51 is at an angle to the plane passing through the axes of the rollers 48 49. By thus bringing the rollers together and giving them the angular arrangement specified it is not necessary to partially wrap any web of either set around any of the rollers, as would be the case, for instance, were both sets of rollers arranged in a horizontal plane. The rollers 52 53 may also be arranged in any suitable position; but they are preferably so arranged that the tangent to a common point of the two rollers bisects the angle.

formed by the incoming webs. The W webs are led from their guides 40 to the set of preliminary nipping and drawing rolls 48 49, and it will be seen by inspection of Fig. 4 that IIO with the rolls 48 49 placed at the angle before described the two outside webs are not given any great amount of wrap around either of the rolls. The Y webs and the Z web might also be led directly from the guides 45 to the rollers 50 and 51. Preferably, however, a set of guide-rolls 45' will be provided, over which the Y webs are led, so that these webs may be directed at the proper angle to [O the set of nipping-rolls 50 and 51.

After the several webs have been associated in the manner described they are delivered to a collecting mechanism, which will preferably consist of cutting and collecting cylinders. These cutting and collecting cylinders are marked 5t and 55. The cylinder 54: is mounted on the shaft 56, which carries a gear 57, this gear meshing with a gear 58, carried on the end of the shaft 59, on which the cylinder 55 is mounted. The gear 58 is in mesh with and driven by a gear (30, mounted on a shaft 61, also carrying a bevel-gear 62, which meshes with a similar gear 63 on a shaft 64, supported in suitable hearings in the frame, said shaft carrying a gear 65, which is in mesh with a gear (not shown) connected to one of the gears of the train 11. The shaft 56, which carries the cylinder 54, is provided with a gear 66. (Indicated in dotted lines in 0 Fig. 4.) This gear 66 meshes with an idler 67, which in turn meshes with a gear mounted on the nipping-roller Another idler 68, suitably mounted on the frame and driven from a gear on the nipping-roll 53,acts through 5 proper gearing to drive the several rolls 48 49 and 51. The cylinder 54: carries two knives 69, which coact with cutting-blocks 70 on the cylinder 55. The two cylinders are so pro portioned that the cylinder 54: makes a revo- 0 lution and a half while the cylinder makes a complete revolution. The cylinder 55 is provided with any usual form of sheet-taking devices and with any usual form of folding devices. Preferably, however, the sheet-tak- 5 ing devices will consist of pins 71, of which three sets are shown. These pins are mounted in the usual manner on a rod carried by arms 72, mounted on a shaft 73. Each folding device, of which there are three, consists of 50 a blade 74, carried in arms 75, said arms being mounted on a shaft 76. The shaft 76 has an arm 77 extending therefrom, which is connected, by means of a connecting-rod 78, to an arm 79, extending from the shaft 73. The 55 folding-blades and pins are thus connected for a simultaneous operation. The shaft 76 has another arm 80 extending therefrom, said arm carrying a bowl which is operated by a cam Slat the proper time to fold off the sheet, and as the blade is thrown out the pin is thrown in. As the bowl on the arm slips off the cam 81 the blade is returned, and the pin is thrown out by a spring, (not shown,) the construction of which is, however, simi- 65 lar to that commonly used for operating these pins. The folding-blades 74: tuck and fold the sheet into the bite of grippers 82, mounted on a delivery-cylinder 83. This cylinder 83 is mounted on the shaft 84, which carries a gear 85, which meshes with the gear 58 on the cylinder-shaft 59. The delivery-cylinder 83 delivers the sheet onto a set of tapes 86, which are mounted and operated in any usual manner.

The delivery arrangement so far described is used when each set of printing couples is running at full speed and the full plate capacity of each cylinder is utilized. Operated in this manner the machine produces a twenty-eight-page paper with a four-page cover associated therewith, or if the cover be not used it will produce a thirty-two-page paper by increasing the width of the web Y and adding an additional slitter to the shaft 27. In order to vary the product, a different delivery mechanism is used, which will now be described. p

The Y webs and the Z web instead of being led to the rolls 50 and 51 from the guides 45 are led over these guides to a pair of nipping-rollers 87 88, said rollers being mounted below and at the side of the cylinder 54, be fore described. rollers 87 88 deliver the webs to a pair of cutting-cylinders 89 90, the cylinder 89 carrying anyusual form of sheet-taking devices,as pins 91 and being provided with the usual cutting-blocks 92, and the cylinder being provided with cooperating knives 93.

The shaft 61, before described as carrying the bevel-gear 62, carries on its rear end a gear 94, whichgear meshes with an intermediate 95, mounted on a stud 96, located in suitable bearings in the frame. The intermediate 95 meshes with a gear 97, also mounted on a stud in the frame, and'said gear in turn meshes with a gear 98, carried on the cylinder 89. The gear 98 meshes with a gear 99, which is mounted on the cylinder 90. The shaft of the cylinder 90 also carries a gear 100, which through the intermediate 10L drives the nipping and drawing rollers 87 88. This gearing is so proportioned that the cylinders 89 90 make a revolution and a half while the cylinder 55 is making two revolutions.

With the machine operati n g in the manner just described the couples which print the W webs are being run at full speed and the cylinder 55, which was before used simply as a cutting and folding cylinder, is now used to collect, so that it makes two revolutions before folding off. The couples which print the Y webs and Z web are running at halfspeed, so that they produce and deliver to the cutting cylinders 89 9O one-half the number of pages that are delivered to the cylinder 55. Through mechanism hereinafter described the product from the cylinders 89 90 is collected with the product on the cylinder 55, the proportion of the gearing being such that a package of sheets will be taken from the cylinders 89 90 for each two superposed packages of sheets on the cylinder 55.

Any suitable mechanism may be used to take the packages of sheets from the cylin- These nipping and drawing IIO ders 89 90 and deliver and superpose them on the packages of sheets on the cylinder 55. Inasmuch, however, as the surface speed of the cylinders 89 90. is less than the surface speed of the cylinder 55, the mechanism for delivering the packages of sheets from the cylinders 89 90 must take the sheets at the speed of the cylinders 89 90 and bring them up to the surface speed of the cylinder 55. The mechanism preferably employed will be that shown and described in the patent to North, No. 650,543, granted May 29, 1900, ref erence being made to said patent for a full description of the construction. For the purpose of this application, however, it may be said that there is located between thecylinder 89 and the cylinder 55 a'transfer-cylinder 102, which is mounted on a shaft 103, suitably journaled in the frame. The shaft 103 carries on one of its ends an elliptical gear 104, which meshes with an elliptical gear 105, mounted on the stud 96, before referred to. The elliptical gear 105 is fast to the intermediate 95, and consequently rotates with it. The cylinder 102 is provided with the usual pins 106, and the arrangement is such that at the time the pins 106 take the sheets from the cylinder 89 the cylinder 102 is running at the surface speed of the cylinder 89. After the pins 106 have taken the sheets the cylinder 102 is by the gears 10% 105 speeded up, so that at the time the pins 106 on the cylinder 102' deliver the sheets to the pins on the cylinder 55 the cylinder 102 will be running at the surface speed of the cylinder 55.

In order to preventany displacement of the sheets on the cylinder 55, a set of tapes 107 is preferably provided, said tapes running around the cylinders 83 and 102. The surface speed of the-cylinder 83, however, is the same as that of the cylinder 55, from which it is driven, and the tapes preferably run at the speed of this cylinder. Inasmuch, however, as the cylinder 102 hasvariable speeds, devices are preferably provided to permit a slip of the tapes on the cylinder 102 when said cylinder is running at a slower speed than the cylinder 83.v These devices in their preferred form consist of rings 108, mounted in grooves in the cylinder 102, so as to turn loosely therein. By this arrangementv the tapes 107 will always run at the speed of the cylinder 83, no matter what the speed of the cylinder 102 is.

With the machine running as just described and utilizing the full plate capacity of the cylinders, it will be seen that the product produced is a forty-eight-page paper, including a cover-that is to say, the cylinder 55 in this form of delivery acting as a collectingcylinder receives for each sheet-supporting surface two packages of eight sheets or sixteen pages each. To these two packages of sixteen pages, -Which are cut from the WV webs and collected on the cylinder 55, is added another package of sixteen pages, including a four-page cover.

The manner in which a thirty-two page and a forty-eight page paper may be produced on the machine has been clearly stated. It is apparent, however, that the number'of different products which can be produced on the machine may be varied withinwide limits. For instance, when the machine is arranged as last describedthat is, with the couplesprintingontheWwebs runningat full speed and the couples printing on the Y webs and Z web running at half-speedit will be seen that by dropping off one, two, or all of Y webs the products may be reduced to fortyfour, forty, or thirty-six pages, each product having a cover associated therewith. smaller product than thirty-six pages is desired, both sets of couples will be run at full speed, which, as has been said, will produce a thirty-twopage product, including the cover. By omitting webs from this product the number of pages can be reduced by fours for each web down to an eight-page product,

including a cover, or even a single blanketsheet of four pages.

Ifaj

While the construction which has been described illustrates a preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto, as the mechanism by which the various features are carried into effect may be widely varied.

What is claimed isl. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said couples operating on different webs, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for drivingahe other set of couples either at the given or a lesser speed, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the webs from the associating mechanisms of the sets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair of cutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism, and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said couples operating on diflferent webs, slitters for the webs perfected by each set of couples, associating mechanism for each set of couples, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for drivingthe other set of couples either at the given or a lesser speed, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the webs from the associating mechanismsof the sets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair of cutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism, and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, substantially as described.

The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second setof perfecting printing-couples, said couples operating on different webs, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, said mechanism including a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for driving the other set of couples either at the given or a lesser speed, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the webs from the associating mechanisms of the sets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair of cutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collecting andfolding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, substantially as described.

l. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of asecond set of perfecting printing-couples, said couples operating on different webs, slitters for the webs perfected by each set of couples, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, said mechanism including a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for driving the other set of couples either at the given or a lesser speed, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the webs from the associating mechanisms of the sets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair of cutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a set of perfecting printingcouples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said couples operating on different webs, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, said mechanism including a set of diagonallyarranged turner-bars, one set of bars being located above the other set of bars, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for driving the other set of couples either at the given or alessor speed, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the Webs from the associating mechanisms of the sets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair of cuttingcylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said couples operating on different webs, slitters for the webs perfected by each set of couples, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, said mechanism including a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars, one set of bars being located above the other set of bars, means for driving one of the sets of couples ata given speed, means for driving the other set of couples either at the given or a lesser speed, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the webs from the associating mechanisms of the sets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair of cutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting cylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutt-ingcylinders and accelerating mechanism and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said sets of couples being spaced apart and operating on different webs, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, said mechanism including a set of diagonally'arranged turner-bars, the two sets of bars being arranged in the space between the sets of couples, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for driving the other set of couples either at the given or a lesser speed, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the webs from the associating mechanisms of thesets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair ofcutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechan- IIO ism and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, substantially as described. p

8. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said sets of couples being spaced apart and operating on different webs, slitters for the webs perfected by each set of couples, associating mechanism for each set of couples, said mechanism. including a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars, the two sets of bars being arranged in the space between the sets of couples, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for driving the other set of couples either at the given or a lesser speed, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the webs from the associating mechanisms of the sets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pairo'f cutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collectingand folding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, ofa second set oiperfecting printing-couples, said sets of couples being spaced apart and operating on different webs, associating mechanism for each set of conples, saidmechanism including a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars,the two sets of bars being arranged in the space between the sets of couples and one set above the other, means for driving one of the sets of couples ata given speed, means for driving the other set of couples either at the given or a lesser speed, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the webs from the associating mechanisms of the sets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pairof cutting-cydinders,

an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding'mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cuttingcylindersand accelerating mechanism and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said sets of couples being spaced apart and operating on different webs, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, said mechanism including a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars, the bars of each set being substantially parallel and the two sets being arranged between the sets of couples and one set of bars above the other, and a suitable delivery mechanism to which the webs are led, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said sets of couples being spaced apart and operating on different webs, slitters for the webs perfected by each set of couples, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, said mechanism including a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars, the bars of each set being substantially parallel and the-two sets of bars being arranged between the sets of couples and one set above the other, and a suitable delivery mechanism to which the webs are led, substantially as described.

12. The combination with a frame, ofa set of perfecting printing-couples having their axes parallel and mounted on one side of the frame, of a second set of perfecting printingcouples having their axes parallel and mounted on the other side of the frame, two sets of diagonally-arranged turner-bars mounted in the frame and between the sets of couples, each set of turner-bars operating to superpose the webs coming from one set of couples, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed,,means for driving the other set of couples either at the given or a lesser speed, and a suitable delivery mechanism mounted in the frame between the sets of couples and beneath the turner-bars, substantially as described. I

13. The combination with a frame, of a set of perfecting printing-c0uples having their axes parallel and mounted on one side of the frame, of a second set of perfecting printingcouples having their axes parallel and mounted on the other side of the frame, slitters for the webs perfected by each set of couples, two sets of diagonally-arranged turner-bars mounted in the frame and between the sets of couples, each set of. turner-bars operating to superpose webs coming from one set of couples, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for driving the other set of couples either at the given or a lesser speed, and a suitable delivery mechanism mounted in the frame between the sets of couples and beneath the turner-bars, substantially as described.

14:. The combination with aframe, of a set of perfecting printing-couples having their axes parallel and mounted on one side of the frame, of a second set of perfecting printingcouples havingtheir axes parallel and mounted on the other side of the frame, two sets of diagonally-arranged turner-bars mounted in the frame and between the sets of couples, each set of turner-bars operating to super pose the webs coming from one set of conples, means for driving one of the sets of conples at a given speed, means for driving the other set of couples at said given speed or a lesser speed, cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the web from the turner-bars of the sets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair of cutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism and thence to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism and the cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism being located between the sets of couples and beneath the sets of bars, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a frame, ofa set of printing-couples located on one side of the frame, a set of printing-couples located on the other side of the frame, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, one of said associating mechanisms being located above the other, and cutting, collecting and folding mechanism in the space between the couples and located beneath the associating mechanisms, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a frame, of a set of printing-couples located on one side of the frame, a set of printing-couples located on the other side of the frame, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, one of said associating mechanisms being located above the other, sets of preliminary nipping-rolls, one for each set of associating mechanisms, said sets of nipping-rolls being located in the space between the couples and beneath the associating mechanisms, a set of nippingrolls beneath the preliminary nipping-rolls and cutting and folding cylinders located beneath the nipping-rolls, substantially as described.

17. The combination with a frame, of a set of printing-couples located on one side of the frame, a set of printing-couples located on the other side of the frame, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, said associating mechanism including a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars, one set of bars being arranged above the other, and cutting, collecting and folding mechanism in the space between the couples and located beneath the associating mechanisms, substantially as described.

18. The combination with a frame, of aset of printing-couples located on one side of the frame, a set of printing-couples located on the other side of the frame, an associating mechanism for each set of couples, said mechanism including a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars, one set of bars being arranged above the other, sets of preliminary nippingrolls, one for each set of bars, said sets of nipping-rolls being located in the space between the couples and beneath the bars, a set of nipping-rolls beneath the preliminary nipping' rolls and cutting and folding cylinders located beneath the nipping-rolls, substantially as described 19. The combination with a frame, of a set of perfecting printing-couples having their axes substantially parallel and mounted on one side of the frame, the impression-cylinders of said couples being located inside the form-cylinders, a second set of perfecting printing couples having their axes substantially parallel and mounted on the other side of the frame, the impression-cylinders of said couples being located inside the form-cylinders, an associating mechanism including a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars for each set of couples, said sets of turner-bars being arranged in the space between the sets of couples, and one set of bars above the other, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for driving the other set of couples at said speed or at a lesser speed, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, means for leading the webs from the turner-bars of both sets of couples directly to said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair of cutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, and means forleading the product from one set of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism and thence to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed; said cutting, collecting and folding mechanism and the cutting cylinders and accelerating mechanism being located between the sets of couples and beneath the sets of bars, substantially as described.

20. The combination with means for advancing a plurality of Webs, of a set of diagonallyarranged turner-bars for superposing said webs, and means for giving each of the bars of the set a sidewise adjustment, substantially as described.

21. The combination with means for advancing sets of webs, each set consisting of a plurality of webs, of a set of diagonally-a1 ranged turner-bars for superposing the Webs of each set, the bars of each set being substantially parallel to each other substantially as described.

22. The combination with means for advancing sets of webs, each set consisting of a plurality of webs, of a set of diagonally-arranged turner-bars for superposing the Webs of each set, the bars of each set being substantially parallel to each other and one set of turner-bars being arranged above the other set, and a common delivery mechanism to which the webs are led from tho turnerbars, substantially as described.

23. The combination with means for advancing sets of webs, each set consisting of a plurality of webs, of a set of diagonally-an ranged turner-bars for superposing the webs of each set, one set of turner-bars being arranged above the other set, a common delivery mechanism to which the webs are led from the turner-bars, and means for giving the turner-bars of each set a sidewise adjustment, substantially as described.

24. A turner-bar consisting of a central secis mounted, and means connected with the second support for positioning the bar and holding it in position, substantially as described.

26. The combination with means for advancing a plurality of sets of unfolded superposed webs, of a pair of preliminary nipping and drawing rolls for the webs of each set, and a pair of nipping and drawing rolls for all the sets to which the webs are led from the pairs of preliminary rolls, substantially as described.

27. The combination with means for advancing a plurality of sets of superposed Webs, of a pair of preliminary nipping and drawing rolls for the webs of each set, said pairs of rolls being so mounted as to avoid giving any of the webs a partial wrap around them, and a pair of nipping and drawing rolls for all the sets of webs towhich the webs are led from the pairs of preliminary rolls, substantiallyas described.

28. The combination with means for advancing two sets of superposed webs, of a pair of preliminary nipping and drawing rolls for each set of webs, a pair of nipping and drawing rolls for both sets to which the webs are led from the pairs of preliminary rolls, the

, pairs of rolls being arranged in a triangle with the pair for all the webs at the apex thereof, substantially as described.

29. The combination with-a sheet-carrying cylinder, of a set of tapes operating to hold the sheets against the cylinder, a roll driven at a constant speed for supporting the tapes at one end, a roll driven at varying speeds for supporting the tapes at the other end, and means for cansin g the tapes to run at the speed of the constantly-driven roll, substantially as described.

30. The combination with a sheet-carrying cylinder, of a set of tapes operating to hold the sheets against the cylinder, a roll driven at a constant speed for supporting the tapes at one end, a roll driven at varying speeds for supporting-the tapes at the other end, and.

loose rings mounted on said roll, saidtapes passing around said rings, substantially as described.

31. The combination with a pair of sheet cutting andcollecting cylinders, of an accelerating mechanism including a cylinder which runs at variable speeds, a delivery-cylinder operating in connection with one of the cutting andcollecting cylinders, a set of tapes for holding thesheets against one of the cutting and collecting cylinders, said tapes being supported at one end 011 the delivery-cylinder and at the other end on the variablespeed cylinder of the accelerating mechanism, and means carried by said variable-speed cylinder for permitting the tapes to run at the speed of the delivery-cylinder, substantial] y as described. I

32. The combination with a pairof sheet cutting-and collecting cylinders, of an accelerating mechanism including a cylinder which runs at-variable speeds, a delivery-cylinder operating in connection with one of the cutting and collecting cylinders, a set of tapes for holding the sheets against one of the cutting and collecting cylinders, said tapes be ing supported at one end on-the delivery-cylinder and at the other end on the variablespeed cylinder of the accelerating mechan-' ism, and loose rings mounted on said variablespeed cylinder, said tapes passing around said rings, substantially as described.

33. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said couples operating on different webs, a set of angularly-arranged turner-bars for each set of couples operating to superpose the webs coming from that set of couples, one set of bars being located above the other, a pair of preliminary nipping and drawing rolls for each set of webs, suitable guides between the turner-bars and the pairs of rolls, a pair of nipping and drawing rolls receiving all the webs from the preliminary rolls, and a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism to which the webs are led from the pair of rolls for all the Webs, substantially as described.

34:. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said sets of couples being spaced apartand operating on difierent webs, a set of angularly-arranged turner-bars for each set of couples operating to superpose the webs coming from that set of couples, said sets of bars being located in the space between the sets of couples and one set above the other, a pair of preliminary nipping and drawing rolls for each set of Webs, suitable guides between the turner-bars and said pairs of rolls,

a pair of nipping and drawing rolls receiving all the webs from the preliminary rolls, and a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism to which the webs are led from the pair of rolls for all the webs the several pairs of nipping and drawing rolls, the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism and the cuttingcylinders and the accelerating mechanism being located in the space between the couples and beneath the sets of bars, substantially as described.

35. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said couples operating on difierent webs, a set of angularly-arranged turner-bars for each set of couples operating to superpose the webs coming from that set of couples, one set of bars being located above the other, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for driving the other set of couples either at the same or a lesser speed, a pair of preliminary nipping and drawing rolls for each 'set of superposed webs, a pair of nipping and drawing rolls for all the webs, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism to which all the webs are led from the nipping and drawing rolls for all the webs when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair of cutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cutting-cylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, substantially as described.

36. The combination with a set of perfecting printing-couples, of a second set of perfecting printing-couples, said sets of couples being spaced apart and operating on diiferent webs, a set of angularly-arranged turnerbars for each set of couples operating to superpose the webs coming from that set of couples,

said sets of bars being located in the space between the sets of couples and one set above the other, means for driving one of the sets of couples at a given speed, means for driving the other set of couples either at the same or a lesser speed, a pair of preliminary nipping and drawing rolls for each set of superposed webs, a pair of nipping and drawing rolls for all the webs, a cutting, collecting and folding mechanism to which all the webs are led from the nipping and drawing rolls for all the Webs when the couples are running at the same speed, a pair of cutting-cylinders, an accelerating mechanism between the cuttingcylinders and the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism, and means for leading the product from one of the sets of couples to said cutting-cylinders and accelerating mechanism and then to the cutting, collecting and folding mechanism when said set of couples is running at the lesser speed, the several pairs of nipping and drawing rolls, the cutting collecting and folding mechanism, the cutting-cylinders, and the accelerating mechanism being located in the space between the couples and beneath the sets of turner-bars, substantially as described.

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

GEORGE F. READ.

Witnesses:

J. A. GRAVES, A. A. V. BOURKE.

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