Patent Model of a Flatbed Cylinder Printing Press: Brakes

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed cylinder printing press which was granted patent number 172974. On a cylinder press, a strain was put on the press each time the bed stopped at the end of its tracks while the cylinder continued to turn with its original momentum. This patent dealt with the problem by braking the cylinder at the same time as the bed. Calvert Cottrell (born 1821), press builder, formed a partnership with Nathan Babcock that lasted from 1855 until 1880. He then set up a company with his three sons, C. B. Cottrell & Sons. Cottrell was responsible for several important improvements to the flatbed cylinder press.