EP4210951A1

EP4210951A1 - Clamping fixation of numbering units

Info

Publication number: EP4210951A1
Application number: EP21799169.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Oliver KOSTENBADER
Original assignee: Zeiser GmbH
Current assignee: Zeiser GmbH
Priority date: 2020-09-10
Filing date: 2021-09-10
Publication date: 2023-07-19
Also published as: WO2022053109A1; JP2023540635A; DE112021004764A5; DE202021104906U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping fixation of numbering units (1), in particular mechanical numbering units but also electromechanical numbering units (1). Specifically, the invention relates to a numbering unit (1) comprising an upper part (2) and a lower part (3), wherein a clamping fixation is provided between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3); to an upper part (2) and a lower part (3) for such a numbering unit (1); and to a numbering machine comprising such a numbering unit (1). The invention allows numbering units (1) to be replaced and positioned in a simple, reliable, error-free and exact manner. While replacing the upper part (2), the lower part (3), which is already correctly positioned, remains on the holding ring (4) of a numbering machine.

Description

T i t e l

CLAMP FIXATION OF NUMBERING UNITS

Description

The present invention relates to the clamping fixation of numbering machines, in particular of mechanical, but also of electromechanical numbering machines.

Specifically, the invention relates to a numbering unit according to the preamble of claim 1, according to which the numbering unit comprises an upper part and a lower part. Furthermore, the invention relates to an upper part for such a numbering unit according to claim 23, a lower part for such a numbering unit according to claim 24, and a numbering machine with such a numbering unit according to claim 25.

The numbering units mentioned at the outset are known, inter alia, from EP 0 718 112 A1, DE 295 01 349 A1, DE 44 46 273 A1, DE 10 2006 052 183 A1 and DE 10 2011 100 847 A1.

Such numbering machines serve in particular to apply, and in particular to print, a security feature on security documents. In this context, the numbering unit can also be referred to as a numbering printing unit or printing unit.

In particular, known numbering machines are used to apply serial numbers to security documents, in particular to banknotes.

In a common arrangement, a numbering unit is arranged on a retaining ring of a numbering machine (printing machine) in a reversible manner, ie firmly but detachably again as desired. The numbering mechanism sits on the outside of the retaining ring, and the type wheels of the movement are arranged on the side facing away from the retaining ring. The retaining ring is generally arranged on a numbering shaft of the numbering machine. Furthermore, the numbering units are located on the outside of the retaining ring. The sheet to be printed (in particular a sheet of paper with banknotes to be numbered) is then fed to the numbering machine. In the numbering machine, the retaining ring with the numbering units fixed on the outside of the ring rolls on the sheet to be printed, the individual security documents being provided with a security feature, in particular a serial number, by the individual numbering units. In general, a plurality of retaining rings per numbering shaft and a plurality of numbering units per retaining ring, namely distributed over the circumference of the retaining ring, are provided. This is known per se and is not the subject of the present invention.

In general, numbering machines also have a mechanism that advances the set serial number by one unit at a desired position of the number after each printing process or with each revolution of the mechanism including the retaining ring, so that the next document has a free or empty number. following serial number can be printed. To do this, the relevant daisy wheel of the numbering machine is usually rotated by one position. This is known per se and is not the subject of the present invention.

The numbering unit can be divided into two and have an upper and a lower part (upper part and lower part). In this case, the lower part can be fixed firmly, but releasably, in particular by means of a clamp on the retaining ring.

The upper part of the numbering machine generally has the daisy wheels and the entire numbering mechanism, which is known in itself. In general, these parts must be designed so that they can be quickly removed from the retaining ring so that the numbering machine does not stop for too long if the numbering mechanism needs to be changed, e.g. in the event of defects, wear or a change in the print job.

The lower part of the numbering machine can remain on the retaining ring and only the upper part can be removed and replaced if necessary. This means that the position of the numbering box on the retaining ring remains unchanged and the clamp between the numbering box and the retaining ring does not have to be released.

However, removing the lower part from the retaining ring for the purpose of replacing a numbering unit is disadvantageous and should be avoided because the positioning of the lower part on the retaining ring has to be done with the smallest tolerances. In this respect, replacing the entire numbering machine would require an unacceptable amount of time.

The detachable connection between the upper and the lower part of the numbering machine could be made by one or more screw connections.

However, this presents several disadvantages. On the one hand, considerable set-up times are required to unscrew all numbering units, i.e. their respective upper parts, from the lower part of the unit or thus from the retaining ring, and to screw the exchanged upper parts tight again. Tools are also required for replacement. After all, screws can be unintentionally lost during the changeover and fall into the numbering machine, where they can cause considerable damage and thus also considerable downtime.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art.

Furthermore, the object is to achieve a quick, easy, safe, error-free and exact interchangeability and positioning of numbering machines.

This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1 in relation to a numbering machine. Thereafter, a clamp fixation is provided between the upper part and the lower part of the numbering machine.

An upper part according to the invention for such a numbering machine is described with the features of claim 23.

A lower part according to the invention for such a numbering unit is described with the features of claim 24.

Claim 25 specifies a numbering machine according to the invention with such a numbering unit.

Advantageous configurations and developments of the invention are the subject matter of the respective subordinate patent claims. The invention is based on the idea of providing a numbering machine with the possibility of a clamp fixation between an upper part and a lower part of the numbering machine.

The lower part of the numbering unit can preferably be arranged reversibly on a retaining ring of a numbering machine, in particular clamped, and can remain on the retaining ring when the upper part is replaced. This eliminates the need to replace the entire numbering unit, and with it a very time-consuming realignment on the retaining ring. The new upper part is automatically and instantaneously precisely positioned when the clamp fixation is made with the lower part remaining on the retaining ring.

The upper part of the numbering machine can preferably be removed from the lower part by releasing a separate clamp connection. On the other hand, the upper part can preferably be fixed by producing a clamp connection on a lower part, in particular which is arranged on a retaining ring.

The above-described screw connection between the upper part and the lower part can be omitted, whereby the disadvantages described are avoided. An exchange of the respective upper parts of the numbering machines is thus much faster, safer and possibly even without tools.

The aspects according to the invention are discussed further below, for which purpose reference is made in part to non-limiting advantageous configurations and developments of the invention. The features of advantageous developments can be realized individually or in any combination, whereby further advantageous developments of the invention are created.

An embodiment is preferred in which a clamp fixation can be produced or produced between the upper part and the lower part of the numbering machine.

The lower part is preferably fixed to a retaining ring of a numbering machine, but can be fixed in a detachable manner.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the lower part can remain on the retaining ring of a numbering machine if the upper part is exchanged. More preferably, the lower part of the numbering machine is designed in such a way that it can be clamped to a retaining ring of a numbering machine.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the lower part has a clamping lever with an opposite clamping hook, through the mutual bracing of which the lower part can be fixed on a retaining ring of a numbering machine.

More preferably, screws extend through the clamping hook into the lower part.

An embodiment of the numbering unit according to the invention in which the upper part has a numbering mechanism is particularly preferred.

The upper part of the numbering machine preferably has daisy wheels.

Particularly preferably, the upper part can be fixed by establishing a clamp connection on the lower part, in particular which is arranged on a retaining ring of a numbering machine, and can be removed from the lower part by loosening the clamp connection.

Preferably, the upper part can have at least one, preferably two, more preferably two clamping levers lying opposite one another.

It proves to be advantageous if the clamping levers extend, starting from the upper part, into a recess, an undercut, a groove or the like in the lower part, and can thus fix, fix or brace the upper part on the lower part.

As an alternative or in addition, the lower part can also have at least one, preferably two, more preferably two clamping levers located opposite one another.

The clamping levers can preferably extend, starting from the lower part, into a recess, an undercut, a groove or the like in the upper part, and thus fix, fix or brace the upper part on the lower part.

It is advantageous if two diagonally opposite clamping levers are tiltably arranged on the upper part and/or on the lower part. In a further preferred embodiment, a spring is arranged between a clamping lever and the part, i.e. upper part or lower part, to which the clamping lever is assigned, which prestresses the clamping lever and thus prevents the upper part or lower part from being detached from the opposite part (lower part or . Upper part) prevented when the clamping lever is engaged.

Preferably, by actuating the clamping lever against the force of the spring, the clamping lever can be pivoted away from the opposite part, and the upper part and the lower part can thus be removable from one another.

In the event that an actuation of the clamping lever is removed, the clamping lever can preferably pivot into the opposite part and can thus fix and/or clamp the upper part on the lower part.

Advantageously, the clamping levers can each have an operating section for operation by a user and a hook section for engagement with the opposite part.

A clamping lever can preferably engage with its hook section in a lateral recess in the lower part.

In a preferred manner, the clamping levers can be arranged essentially vertically.

In terms of a defined positioning, the underside of the upper part can engage with a lug in a central groove of the lower part.

characters

In addition to or in addition to the advantageous configurations and developments of the teaching already discussed, exemplary embodiments of devices according to the invention illustrated in the scope of FIGS. 1 and 2 are explained in more detail in the drawing. However, the examples discussed with reference to the drawing do not restrict the invention to the examples shown. When discussing the exemplary embodiments based on the drawing, generally preferred refinements and developments of the teaching are also shown.

Developments of the advantageous configurations described above with features of the exemplary embodiments below expressly form further advantageous configurations of the invention, just like developments of the exemplary embodiments described below with features of the configurations described above, and are therefore part of the present disclosure.

Show it:

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a numbering unit according to the invention, which in turn has an upper part and a lower part, and

FIG. 2 shows the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1 in an exploded view, with the upper part and lower part of the numbering machine being shown at a distance from one another.

1 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment of a numbering unit 1 according to the invention. The numbering unit 1 has an upper part 2 and a lower part 3 .

The lower part 3 is reversibly fixed here, for example, on the retaining ring 4 of a numbering machine (not shown). For this purpose, screws 5 extend through the clamping hooks 6A on the front side. Clamping hooks 6A and clamping levers 6B are braced against one another by the opposite clamping lever 6B, as a result of which the lower part 3 is fixed to the retaining ring 4.

In the upper part 2, two diagonally opposite clamping levers 7 are arranged such that they can be tilted. The clamping levers 7 run essentially vertically and have an actuating section 701 for the user at the top and a hook section 702 (cf. FIG. 2) for engaging in the lower part 3 at the bottom. A spring 8 acts between the upper part 2 and the clamping lever 7, which biases the clamping lever 7 in a suitable manner.

In a comparable manner, the clamping lever 6B of the lower part 3, which acts on the retaining ring 4, is prestressed by its own springs. In this respect, a reversible fixation of the lower part 3 on the retaining ring 4 is also given here.

The upper part 2 includes the numbering mechanism 21 with the daisy wheels 22.

Further with respect to the upper part 2, the user can pivot the clamping levers 7 away from the lower part 3 by actuating the clamping levers 7 against the force of the springs 8 and thus remove the upper part 2 from the lower part 3 very quickly. Conversely, the upper part 2 can be brought up to the lower part 3 and arranged or latched on it. By removing the actuating force on the clamping levers 7, these then pivot into the lower part 3, and thus the upper part 2 is fixed and/or clamped on the lower part 3. This production of a connection between the upper part 2 and the lower part 3 can be carried out in a few seconds.

FIG. 2 shows the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1 in an exploded view, the upper part 2 and lower part 3 of the numbering unit 1 being shown at a distance from one another.

It is easy to see here that the underside 201 of the upper part 2 engages in a central groove 301 of the lower part 3 with a lug 202 . The clamping levers 7 , whose lower hook section 702 can be clearly seen here, also engage in further suitable lateral recesses 302 or grooves in the lower part 3 .

Furthermore, both the lug 202 and the middle groove 301 have a mutually corresponding cross shape, i.e. the lug 202 and the middle groove each have portions oriented at right angles to one another. When approaching the lower part 3, this inevitably leads to an exact positioning of the upper part 2 relative to the lower part 3, since there are no longer any degrees of freedom in the positioning of the upper part 2 perpendicular to the underside 201 of the upper part 2.

With regard to FIG. 2, reference should otherwise be made to the fact that reference symbols already shown in FIG. 1 and explained in this regard above are in part not explained again with reference to FIG. For the explanation of such reference Characters and the associated technical features, to avoid repetition, reference is made in full to the above description of FIG.

Reference List

1 numbering machine

2 upper part, upper part (numbering machine)

21 numbering mechanism (upper part)

22 daisy wheel (upper part)

201 underside (upper part)

202 nose (upper part)

3 lower part, lower part (numbering machine)

301 middle groove (bottom part)

302 lateral recess (lower part)

4 retaining ring (numbering machine)

5 screw (lower part) 6A clamp hook (lower part)

6B clamping lever (lower part)

7 cocking lever

701 operating section (clamping lever)

702 hook section (cocking lever)

8 spring (cocking lever)

Claims

Expectations

1. Numbering machine (1), comprising an upper part (2) and a lower part (3), characterized in that a clamp fixation is provided between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3).

2. Numbering machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) a clamp fixation can be produced or is produced.

3. numbering machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower part (3) on a retaining ring (4) of a numbering machine, but can be fixed again detachably.

4. numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lower part (3) can remain on the retaining ring (4) of a numbering machine in the event of an exchange of the upper part (2).

5. numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower part (3) of the numbering unit (1) to a retaining ring (4) of a numbering machine can be clamped.

6. Numbering machine (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lower part (3) has a clamping lever (6B) with an opposite clamping hook (6A), through the mutual bracing of which the lower part (3) can be mounted on a retaining ring (4 ) of a numbering machine can be fixed.

7. Numbering machine (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that screws (5) extend through the clamping hook (6A) into the lower part (3).

8. numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper part (2) has a numbering mechanism (21).

9. numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the upper part (2) has type wheels (22).

10. Numbering machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the upper part (2) can be fixed by making a clamp connection to the lower part (3), in particular which is arranged on a retaining ring (4) of a numbering machine , and can be removed from the lower part (3) by loosening the clamping connection.

11. Numbering machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the upper part (2) has at least one, preferably two, more preferably two opposite clamping levers (7).

12. Numbering machine (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the clamping levers (7) extend, starting from the upper part (2), into a respective recess (302), into an undercut, a groove or the like in the lower part (3), and thus set, fix or brace the upper part (2) on the lower part (3).

13. Numbering machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lower part (3) has at least one, preferably two, more preferably two, opposite clamping levers (7),

14. Numbering machine (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the clamping levers each extend, starting from the lower part (3), into a recess, into an undercut, a groove or the like in the upper part (2), and thus the upper part (2) can set, fix or brace on the lower part (3).

15. numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that on the upper part (2) and / or on the lower part (3) two diagonally opposite clamping lever (7) are arranged tiltably

16. Numbering unit (1) according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that between a clamping lever (7) and the part (2, 3), namely the upper part (2) or lower part (3) to which the clamping lever (7) is assigned, a spring (8) is arranged, which prestresses the tensioning lever (7), and thus a detachment of the upper part (2) or the lower part (3) from the opposite part (3, 2), namely the lower part (3) or upper part (2), prevented when the clamping lever (7) is engaged.

17. Numbering machine (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that by actuating the clamping lever (7) against the force of the spring (8), the clamping lever (7) from the opposite part (3, 2) is pivotable, and thus the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) are removable from each other.

18. Numbering unit (1) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that due to the removal of an actuation, the clamping lever (7) can pivot into the opposite part (3, 2), and thus the upper part (2) on the lower part (3 ) can be fixed and/or clamped.

19. Numbering machine (1) according to one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the clamping levers (7) each have an actuating section (701) for a user and a hook section (702) for engaging in the opposite part (3, 2) exhibit.

20. Numbering machine (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that a clamping lever (7) engages with its hook section (702) in a lateral recess (302) in the lower part (3).

21. Numbering machine (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 20, characterized in that the clamping lever (7) are arranged substantially vertically.

22. Numbering machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the underside (201) of the upper part (2) engages with a nose (202) in a central groove (301) of the lower part (3).

23. Upper part (2) for a numbering machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 22.

24. Lower part (3) for a numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

25. Numbering machine, characterized by a numbering unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 22.