FR2520668A1 - Hand operated printing press - uses rollers spanning slides on vertical rails with coupling to pressure screw providing roller gap adjustment - Google Patents

Abstract

The manually operated printing press may apply an engraved plate to paper with rapid adjustment of the gap between the rollers (12,13). One roller (13) is driven by a handwheel and chain and the other is free to rotate, both extending between bearing blocks (19) mounted slidably on vertical rails (3-6). Hand operated screw jacks (15,16) press the top roller onto its counterpart, acting through a slide (39,40) in which its foot is retained whilst free to rotate. The coupling between a slide and the top bearing block allows them to slide nominally relative to each other and may comprise a packing of cardboard shims (36) with tie bolts (41,42). The handwheel is mounted on a third sliding blocks (28) connected to the relevant top bearing block (19) by an adjusting screw (38), the ties (41,42) being connected to the third block.

Description

The present invention relates to a press for printing on a support sheet of paper or cardboard by ink transfer from a material such as a metal plate on which are engraved patterns, engravings or the like.

Such presses traditionally comprise two superimposed horizontal cylinders, movable in rotation along their parallel longitudinal axes. Between these cylinders is likely to move a flat assembly consisting of a rigid plate supporting the matrix consisting of the metal plate and inked on which is placed the sheet of paper or cardboard intended to receive the impression. The displacement of the plane assembly is achieved by the rotation of the upper cylinder, controlled manually by the user.

Printing is made possible by the establishment of a pressing force pressing the cylinders against each other, and therefore the sheet against the engraved metal plate.

However, known presses of this type have the disadvantage of not allowing easy and rapid lifting of the upper cylinder, in order to increase the space between the lower cylinder and the latter, in the case for example where it is desired make prints from matrices of relatively large thickness, such as those used in xylography or lithography.

The present invention overcomes this drawback and relates to a press for printing on a support sheet of paper or cardboard, allowing the rapid lifting of the upper cylinder, having qualities of robustness while being light and removable.

To this end, according to the invention, the printing press of the
type comprising two superimposed horizontal cylinders,
movable in rotation relative to a frame consisting of at least
at least two vertical columns of which they are integral, the upper cylinder being journalled at its two ends on slides mounted on said columns, pressure screws bearing on the latter being provided in order to press the upper cylinder towards the lower cylinder, the one of the cylinders being capable of being rotated by drive means, is characterized in that the lower end of each pressure screw is trapped in an auxiliary carriage, while being able to rotate relative thereto, capable of sliding along the column on which said screw is supported, each auxiliary carriage being linked to the corresponding slide by a link allowing limited relative sliding.

Thus, by simple operation of the pressure screws in the direction of the removal of the pressure, it is possible to lift the upper cylinder and to set up matrices of relatively large thickness such as those used in xylography or lithography.

In order to ensure good stability and easy sliding of the upper cylinder, the frame comprises two pairs of parallel columns, each pair being arranged on two opposite sides of a base forming a stable base of which the columns are secured by their lower ends, the upper ends of the columns of each pair being connected by a spacer on which bears the corresponding pressure screw of the rigid uprights firmly connecting the upper ends of the columns to said base so as to conform to a trapezoid-shaped frame whose base is formed by said basement. The sliding elements, auxiliary carriages and slides thus move rigorously in parallel.

According to an advantageous embodiment, each connection of an auxiliary carriage with the corresponding slide consists of two rods arranged on either side of the columns secured to the slide by one of their ends and passing through the 'carriage so as to allow the relative sliding of the latter, damping members being provided, such as cardboard wedges, between the carriage and the slide, each rod being provided with a head capable of bearing on said carriage, said connection thus allowing on the one hand the approximation of the slide and the carriage by crushing the cardboard shims during the pressurization by the pressure screws, and on the other hand, after a limited relative sliding, the drive in translation of the slide during the maneuver reverse of the pressure screws. Preferably, the maximum possible distance separating the bucket grout from the carriage is equal to the thickness of the cardboard blocks at rest. In this way, when unscrewing the pressure screws, said shims remain in place.

Advantageously, the means for driving the upper cylinder in rotation consist of a core, displaceable along one of the pairs of columns, on which is mounted for rotation a first transmission member, such as a toothed wheel, secured of a gripping member, and cooperating with a second transmission member secured to the axis of rotation of the upper cylinder, said core being connected in translation to said slide by a bar provided with adjustment means making it possible to modify the distance separating the slide of the nucleus.

Thus, it is possible to adjust the distance separating the cooperating transmission members. In the case where they are connected by a chain, the modification of said distance makes it possible to adjust the tension of the latter.

In order to allow the upper cylinder to be lifted along each of the pairs of columns, the carriage is linked to the corresponding slide of the upper cylinder on one pair of columns, while on the other pair of columns, the carriage is linked to the core of the means for driving the upper cylinder.

The transmission of pressure forces to the entire cylinder is made possible by the fact that the cylinders each have a continuous longitudinal axis, an envelope attached to two end fittings arranged at the ends and on which said axis is centered, the interior of the envelope being filled with an injectable material such as a resin, capable of solidifying after injection.

In the case where the matrix has inequalities or does not have its two strictly parallel faces, it is advantageous that the ends of the axis of rotation of the upper cylinder are each mounted in a bearing arranged in the corresponding bucket grout, each bearing being likely to allow axial movements of said axis relative to the fixed frame.

The pressure is best transmitted if the ends of the axis of the lower cylinder are secured to slides each bearing on the frame by means of a set of cardboard wedges. This arrangement also makes it possible to absorb differential pressures.

 In order to allow the cardboard or paper sheet to be easily centered, the press comprises a sheet of transparent rigid material, capable of being pressed on a sheet of paper provided with markers to position the plate relative to the format of the sheet. of paper or cardboard to be printed.

It is known that the sheet of paper or cardboard intended to be printed is previously wetted, which presents risks of damaging the cylinders, in particular of the upper cylinder. To avoid this defect, it has a coating layer consisting of a sheet of chromed metal.

In addition, the sheet of transparent rigid material avoids direct contact of the plate with said sheet of wet paper.

The invention will be clearly understood in the light of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the press according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view along a vertical plane of the press of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a front view of a detail of the press showing on an enlarged scale two columns associated with a carriage, the pressure screw, the sliding core and the slide of the upper cylinder.

Figure 4 shows in perspective an alternative embodiment in which the upper cylinder is driven directly without reduction.

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view showing all of the layers of superimposed sheets of material placed between the rolls during the printing process.

FIG. 6 shows in perspective the plate supporting the marking sheet of paper and the sheet of transparent rigid material.

The press 1 according to the invention comprises a frame 2 composed of four columns 3, 4, 5 and 6 arranged in pairs on each side of a base 7 forming a stable base. The lower end of each column 3,4,5,6 is integral with said base 7, while at their upper ends are fixed rigid uprights 8,9,10 and it connected to said base 7.

Two superimposed horizontal cylinders, namely a lower cylinder 12 and an upper cylinder 13 are movable in rotation about their longitudinal axis relative to the frame 2. A rigid plate 14, supporting in particular the matrix on which is engraved the pattern to be reproduced and the cotton or paper sheet intended to receive the printing, is capable of being introduced between the two rotary cylinders 12 and 13.

Pressure screws 15 and 16, bearing on the fixed frame 2, make it possible to press the upper cylinder 13 in the direction of the lower cylinder 12, and thus to ensure effective plating of said sheet of paper on the matrix.

Means for driving the upper cylinder in rotation make it possible to rotate on itself and therefore to cause the movement of the plate 14 between the two cylinders 12, 13.

The cylinders 2.13 are each journalled at their ends on slides 17, 18 and 19, 20 respectively. The slides 17 and 19 can be moved along the columns 5 and 6 while the slides 18 and 20 can move on the columns 3,4.

The pressure screws 15 and 16 each bear on a spacer 21,22 respectively connecting the columns 3,4 and 5,6. Figure 3 shows a spacer 22 consisting of a metal profile provided with two lights through which the corresponding columns and two notches 23 and 24 in- ~ which are likely to penetrate the rigid uprights 10 and Il themselves provided with lights for allow passage to columns 5.6. Thus, by means of a central threaded hole placed in each spacer 21, 22, the pressure screws 15, 16 have a fixed support, and their operation, thanks to the handles 25, 26, makes it possible to exert a vertical bearing force on the upper cylinder 13.

The solidity of the frame 2 is reinforced by a beam 27 parallel to the cylinders, consisting of a metal plate for example, and made integral at its ends with pairs of columns 3,4 and 5,6.

The ends of the said columns are provided with threads with which the nuts cooperate in order to ensure an effective joining of the whole of the frame 2 and to allow its disassembly.

The means for driving the upper cylinder 13 in rotation consist of a core 28 (see FIG. 3) capable of sliding along the pair of columns 5,6 and on which a first wheel is rotatably mounted in a bearing 30 gear 29 which cooperates either directly or via a chain 31 with a second gear 32 secured to the axis of rotation of the upper cylinder 13. The first gear 29 is secured to a flywheel 33.

Thus, the operation of the latter causes the rotation of the upper cylinder 13 with a reduction ratio determined by the respective diameters of the first and second toothed wheels 29 and 32.

The transmission of the thrust force provided by the screws 15 and 16, bearing on the spacers 21, 22 integral with the fixed frame 2, is effected by means of cardboard shims which allow a certain flexibility thanks to the relative compressibility of the carton.

Two sets 34, 35 of cardboard shims are disposed respectively between the slides 17, 18 and the base 7 in order to provide flexible support for the lower cylinder 12, as shown in FIG. 2.

The same is true of the upper cylinder 13 thanks to two sets of cardboard shims 36 and 37.

On the side of the frame where the means for driving the upper cylinder in rotation are arranged, that is to say on the columns 5 and 6, the core 28 is connected in translation to the slide 19 of the upper cylinder by a rigid bar 38 .

In this way, any force exerted on the core 28 is transmitted to the slide 19.

The lower end of each screw 15,16 is trapped in an auxiliary carriage 39,40, sliding on each pair of columns 3,4 and 5,6. The screws 15, 16 are nevertheless liable to rotate with respect to said carriages provided with this effect a central hole and a radial slot in which a key fixed to the screw is trapped.

The carriage 39 is linked to the slide 20 of the cylinder 13, while the carriage 40, due to the presence of the drive means arranged between the screw 16 and the other slide lg, is linked to the core 28 itself connected to the slide 19 .

 The connection of the carriages 39.40 with the slide 20 and the core 28 is such that it allows a limited relative translational movement and includes the sets of cardboard shims 37.36 arranged in the intermediate position.

FIG. 3 shows said connection between the carriage 40 and the core 28 comprising two rods 41, 42 fixed by their lower end to the latter, by a thread for example, and each provided with a head at their other end capable of bearing on said carriage.

FIG. 3 shows said connection, between the carriage 40 and the core 28, comprising two rods 41, 42 fixed by their lower end to the latter, by a thread for example and passing through the carriage on which the heads of their upper extremities.

The connection between the carriage 39 and the slide 20 on the other pair of columns 3,4 is of the same nature. When pressurized, the operator turns the screws 15 and 16 in the screwing direction, causing the downward vertical displacement of the carriages 39 and 40 which compress the sets of shims 37 and 36.

The compression of the latter makes it possible to transmit the force exerted on the slides 19 and 20, either directly or via the core 28. It is noted that the approximation of each carriage 39, 40 and the element to which it is linked (slide 20 or core 28) is possible, during the packing of the cardboard wedges, by the fact that said carriage can slide relative to the rods 41, 42 integral with said element.

Conversely, during the unscrewing movement of the screws 15 and 16, the carriages 39 and 40 are driven in upward vertical translation, and slide along the columns 3,4 and 5,6 but also with respect to the rods 41,42 up to that the heads of the latter abut against said carriages.

At this instant, the unscrewing of the pressure screws being continued, the carriages 39.40 cause, in their translation along the columns, respectively the core 28 and therefore the slide 19 and the slide 20. Thus, the upper cylinder 13 is located translated upwards easily and uniformly at both ends.

This is advantageous since it is possible to lift the upper cylinder in this way effortlessly and without having to carry out tedious shimming. The space between the two cylinders can thus be increased to allow the passage of plates and matrices of relatively large thickness, such as those used in xylography or lithography.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cylinders 12 and 13 each consist of an envelope 43,44 secured to end caps 45,46 and 47,48 respectively crossed by continuous axes 49,50. The interior of said cylinders is filled with solidifiable resin after injection. Thus, the bearing force from the screws 15 and 16 is applied to the slides 19 and 20 and uniformly transmitted over the surface of the corresponding cylinder.

The ends of the axes 49.50 of the cylinders are arranged in bearings integral with the corresponding slides.

The bearings 51, 52 of the upper cylinder 13 are of the type allowing axial movements of the axis 49. This makes it possible to maintain a homogeneous bearing force despite possible inequalities present on the matrix or if the latter does not have two faces strictly parallel horizontal lines.

Advantageously, the bar 38, connecting in translation the core 28 and the slide 19, comprises adjustment means making it possible to vary the distance between them. The bar 38 is provided for example with a thread at each of its opposite pitch ends and each cooperating with a threaded hole disposed in the core 28 and in the slide 19. Thus, the rotation of the bar 38 makes it possible to separate or to bring the core 28 and the slide 19 closer. In the case where the toothed wheels 29, 32 cooperate with a chain 31, this arrangement makes it possible to tension said chain.

The coating of the upper cylinder is preferably made of a chromed metal sheet, in order to protect the latter from the risks of deterioration due to the presence of water in the sheet intended to receive the impression.

When placing the matrix and the sheet of paper on the plate 14, it is advantageous to have a sheet of rigid, transparent or translucent material to allow easy and quick centering, on said sheet.

The diameter of the lower cylinder 12 is greater than that of the upper cylinder 13 in order to allow a preliminary wedging effect during the introduction of the matrix and of the associated sheets between said cylinders.

The base 7 is advantageously made up of two metal sections connected by crosspieces parallel to the cylinders.

This arrangement allows simple and quick disassembly.

The drive means have been applied to the rotation of the upper cylinder. We can obviously apply these means to the lower cylinder. In the latter case, the carriage 40 is directly connected to the slide 19.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the upper cylinder is driven directly without reduction. The steering wheel 33 is then secured to the axis 49 and the carriage 40 is directly to the slide 19-.

On the rigid uprights 8, 9, 10 and 11 are arranged linked cross members 53, 54 on which are mounted ball bearings intended to support the plate 14 and the associated sheets in front and behind the cylinders during the translation of this last between said cylinders.

 As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, there is on the metal plate 14, a marking sheet 55 of paper (or cardboard) provided with a first series of marks 57 corresponding to the format of the matrix 58, and a second series of marks 59 corresponding to the format of the sheet of paper or cardboard to be printed 60.

Thus, firstly, the marking sheet 55 is placed, then the transparent rigid sheet 56, then the matrix 58 centered thanks to the marks 57 (through the transparent sheet 56) and finally the sheet 60 of paper intended to be printed. Finally, a sheet 61 of flexible material, such as felt, is added which bears against the upper cylinder 13. This results in a succession of layers shown in FIG. 5, it being understood that this representation is schematic and in particular in that which concerns the respective proportions.

Claims (10)

1.- Printing press of the type comprising two superimposed horizontal cylinders, movable in rotation with respect to a frame consisting of at least two vertical columns of which they are integral, the upper cylinder being journalled at its two ends on slides mounted on said columns, pressure screws bearing on the latter being provided in order to press the upper cylinder in the direction of the lower cylinder, one of the cylinders being capable of being rotated by drive means, characterized in that the lower end of each pressure screw (15,16) is trapped in an auxiliary carriage (39,49), while being able to rotate relative to the latter, capable of sliding along the column (4,5 ) on which said screw rests, each auxiliary carriage (39,40) being linked to the corresponding slide (17,20) by a link allowing limited relative sliding. 2.- Press according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame comprises two pairs of parallel columns (3,4 and 5,6), each pair being arranged on two opposite sides of a base (2) forming a stable seat the columns of which are integral with their lower ends, the upper ends of the columns of each pair being connected by a spacer (22) on which the corresponding pressure screw (16) bears on the rigid uprights (8,9,10,11) firmly connecting the upper ends of the columns (15,16) to said base (2) so as to conform a trapezoidal frame, the base of which is formed by said base. 3.- Press according to claim 2, characterized in that each connection of an auxiliary carriage with the slide (19) corresponding consists of two rods (41,42) arranged on either side of the columns (16) corresponding integral with the slide (19) by one of their ends and passing through the carriage (40) so as to allow the relative sliding of the latter, damping members being provided, such as cardboard wedges (36), - between the carriage (40) and the slide (19), each rod being provided with a head capable of bearing on said carriage (40), said link (41,42) thus allowing on the one hand the approximation of the slide (19) and of the carriage (40) by crushing the cardboard shims (36) during the pressurization by the corresponding pressure screws (16), and on the other hand, after a limited relative sliding, the translation drive of the slide (19) during the reverse operation of the pressure screws (16). 4.- Press according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the means for driving the upper cylinder in rotation consist of a core (28), movable along one of the pairs of columns (5 , 6), on which is rotatably mounted a first transmission member, such as a toothed wheel (29), integral with a gripping member (33), and cooperating with a second transmission member (32) integral with the axis of rotation (49) of the upper cylinder (13), said core (28) being connected in translation to said slide (19) by a bar (38) provided with adjustment means making it possible to modify the distance separating the slide (19 ) of the nucleus (28). 5.- Press according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the carriage (39) is linked to the slide (20) corresponding to the upper cylinder (13) on a pair of columns (3,4), while on the other pair of columns (5,6), the carriage (40) is linked to the core (28) of the drive means of the upper cylinder (13). 6.- Press according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cylinders (12,13) each have a continuous longitudinal axis (49,50), an envelope (43,44) attached to two end fittings (45,46) and (47,48) arranged at the ends and on which said axis (49,50) is centered, the interior of the envelope being filled with an injectable material, such as a resin, likely to solidify after injection. 7.- Press according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the ends of the axis of rotation (49) of the upper cylinder (13) are each mounted in a bearing (51,52) disposed in the corresponding slide (20,19), each bearing being capable of allowing axial movements of said axis (49) relative to the fixed frame.  8.- Press according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the ends of the axis (50) of the lower cylinder (12) are integral with slides (17,18) each bearing on the frame by through a set of cardboard shims ('34, 35>. 9.- Press according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a sheet of transparent rigid material (56), capable of being pressed a marking sheet of paper (56) provided with marks ( 57.59) to position the matrix (58) and the sheet of paper or cardboard (60) intended to be printed. 10.- Press according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the upper cylinder comprises a coating layer consisting of a sheet of chromed metal.