US1338165A

US1338165A - Printing-machine

Info

Publication number: US1338165A
Application number: US228368A
Authority: US
Inventors: William M Bacon
Original assignee: ENAMELED STEEL SIGN Co
Current assignee: ENAMELED STEEL SIGN Co
Priority date: 1918-04-13
Filing date: 1918-04-13
Publication date: 1920-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 1937-04-27

Description

w. M.. BACON. 1

PRINTING MACHINE Armenia! FILED APR. 13. 19.18.

Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

'2 suns-SHEET 1.

IWVENTOR.

H15 .4 TTORNEYS WITNESS.

W. M. BACON. PRINTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR.13. 191s.

Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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INVENTORQ Maw BY ,7

E25 ATTORNEYS.

TINTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. BACON, OF CHICAGO, 'ILLINOIS,'ASSIGNOR T0 ENAMELED STEEL SIGN COMPANY, OF GHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS:

PRINTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. 27, 1920.

Application med April 1a, 1918. seriainazaase.

by a continuous bed, thereby permitting application of multiple colors from the separate forms and in one movement through the machine.

Another object of: the invention is to.

provide a printing machine with a novel form of impression bed adapted to move continuously in one directlon to bring the material operated upon into printing position below the type or form cylinders supported above the bed.

Another object of the invention is to equip a printing machine including an endless bed for supporting the work operated upon, with form cylinders mounted above the bed, and coordinated driving mechanism for operating the bed :and cylinders synchronously. p I

Another object of theinvention is tolproflvide a printing-machine including an endless work supporting bed with means for automatically feeding the work to the bed and providing in connection with the bed automatically operated gripping devices for holding the lwork in position on the-bed to receive imprints from the form cylinders of the machine. I Additional features and advantages attainable from the invention will be readily recognized without specific mention from the following detailed disclosureftaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in whicha Figure 1 is a sideelevation of a complete printing machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the lower frame of the machine with the bed removed, showing particularly the driving connections whereby the bed is operated and the form cylinders rotated.

Fig. 3 is a cross section through the machine takensubstantially on the'line 3-3 of Fig. 1.- i

Fig.14'is a detailed view of a section of the bed l-illustrating particularly" the con struction'of the gripping means for holding the .work in position on thebed, and the manner in which the'same is'operated.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the main frame of the machine is shown as constructed from" side plates 1 which: are supported upon standards or legs 2 at each end with an intermediate supporting base 3. There are a number of transverse supports 4 in the form of I-beams disposedlat' intervals throughout the length of the frame. On each of the side members and integrally formed therewith is an endless track or rail comprising upper and lower sections 5 and 6 respectively, which sections extend through.- out the length of the frame and are connected at their ends by curved portions 7 These tracks or rails constitute supports for the endless bed upon which the work arranged near each edge of the. bed, the

connection" between the plates 8 and the chains being effected through ears or brackets 10 attached at each side to the bottom of the plates 8 and connecting with the pins of the sprocket chains. The plates 8 are; provided at each side with brackets 11 which support rollers 12, the rollers 12 operating "on the rails or tracks at the side of the frame. Additional supporting devices foradjustably supporting the surface of the bed include jack screws 13 mounted 011 the transverse supporting members 4 which screws have V-shaped extremities 14 which extend underV-shaped rail sections 15 formed on the under surfaces' of the plates 8. The adjustable supports permit the surface of the bed to be adjusted according to the thickness of the work operated upon and to the degree of impression required.

Large sprocket wheels 16 are mounted on a transverse shaft 17 at one end of the frame and sprockets 18 are mounted on a shaft 19 at the opposite end of the frame of the machine. The sprockets 16 and 18 mesh with the sprocket chains 9 of the bed section. The shaft 17 is journaled at each end in an adjustable bearing 20 equipped with manipulating screws 21, whereby the shaft may be moved in and out from the end of the frame for tightening the chains of the bed section.

The mechanism for driving the shaft 19 in the embodiment illustrated comprises a motor M supported by the frame, which motor drives a shaft 22 connected with a trans and the lever being accessible for manipulation by the operator at the side of the frame work. A controller box 30 supported on the side of the frame provides means for controlling the motor. The controller boX and the lever 29 are preferably arranged adjacently so that the entire operation. of the machine may be conveniently controlled by the operator standing at the side of the machine.

At the rear end of the machine is a feeding table comprising a frame 31 supporting a table 32 and an inclined table 33 in which is a series of rollers 34. The work is advanced from the table 32 manually onto the rollers 34 from whence it moves by gravity to the face of the endless bed. In order to preserve the work in lateral alinement a side guide 35 is provided for the table 33.

The endless bed is equipped at suitable intervals with gripping devices which include a gripping claw comprising a stem 36 which extends through an opening in the face of the plate 8. The stem 36 has an over-turned gripping arm 37 at its upper end which bears against the face of the bed and impinges the material at vanced to the bed from the table 33. The stem 36 is actuated downwardly by a strong spring 38. A lever 39 is pivoted to the plate 8 at 40 and to the stem 36 at 41. The forward end of the lever 39 carries a roller 42.

Upon the rear and front transverse supports 4 are brackets 43 having cam faces. The rear one of the brackets 43 is so disposed. that when the section of the bed having the gripping device thereon starts its movement in a horizontal lane forward in the'frame, the roller 42 will ride upon the cam face of the bracket-lifting the gripping arm 37 so that the Work advancing from the table 33 will pass therebeneath and, as the bed moves forward, the roller rides from the cam face and the gripping arm holds the work in position until the forward travel of the bed has been completed and the roller 42 comes in contact with the cam face of the forward bracket 43, thereby releasing the work. a receiving belt or carrier 44' is provided, the work passing from the bed onto the carrier being conveyed from the printing ma chine automatically. The belt 44- is operated over a drum or pulley 45 which is driven by a belt connection 46 from the shaft 17.

At each side of the machine are standards 47 in which the form cylinders 48 are mounted. In the embodiment shown two form cylinders are disclosed, but it is obvious that additional form cylinders may be provided if desired. The driving mechanism for the form cylinders comprises a gear 49 attached to the shaft 19. The gear 49 meshes with a gear 50 on the shaft 51 journaled transversely in the frame of the machine. The shaft 51 carries a gear 52 which meshes with a gear 53, the gear 53 sing supported on a pivoted arm 54. The forward end of the arm 54 extends between a pair of adjusting screws 55 so that the same may be raised and lowered to bring it into and out of mesh with a large gear 56 carried on the rear one of the form cylinders 48. The form cylinders 48 are geared together by a pinion 57 meshing at one side with the gear 56 and at the other side with the gear 58 on the forward one of the form cylinders- A yoke 59 disposed between the standards, whereby the form cylinders are supported, constitutes means for sup- At the forward end of the frame porting the form cylinder standards and also, provides a support for the gear 5?. Suitable inking. mechanism 60 of known construction is provided for each of the form cylinders.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the operation of the printing machine is as follows: The work which may be in the form of signs of wood, metal or cloth, and for which the machine is primarily designed, is advanced from the table 32 on to the rollers 34, moving downwardly by gravity to the face of the bed. At this point the gripping device in the bed is raised to receive the work passing therebeneath as the bed moves forward and is clamped in position and is carried beneath the first form cylinder, receiving one impression and then forward beneath the other form cylinder receiving an additional impression, after which the bed advances the work to the forward end of the frame, whereupon the gripping device is released and the work is advanced to the conveyor at the front of the machine. The adjustment of the bed so that the proper distance between the surface of the form cylinders and the surface of the work is maintained is effected through the adjusting devices comprising the jack screws 13 and their connections with the bed sections. I

I am aware that the invention may find expression in other embodiments and I do not limit myself therefore to the construction shown and described, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A printing machine, comprising a main frame, an endless bed mounted to move in the frame, adjustable devices for adjusting the upper surface of the bed, guides at the side of the frame for supporting the edges of the bed, and mechanism for movingthe bed in the frame. 7

2. In a printing machine, a frame, a transverse shaft at the front of the frame and at the rear thereof, a pair of sprocket wheels on each of said shafts disposed adjacent to the sides of the frame, flexible sprocket chains mounted over the longitudinal pairs of sprocket wheels, a driving shaft disposed longitudinally in the frame, gear connections between one of said first-named shafts and said longitudinal shaft, a prime mover, driving connections between said longitudinal shaft and said prime mover, a bed for supporting the work, a form cylinder mounted above said bed, and driving connections between the driven transverse shaft and the form cylinder.

3. In a printing machine, a frame, a transverse shaft at the front of the frame and at the rear thereof, a pair of sprocket wheels on each of said shafts disposed adjacent to the sides of the frame, flexible sprocket chains mounted over the longitudinal pairs of sprocket wheels, a driving shaft disposed longitudinally in the frame, gear connections between one of said firstnamed shafts and said longitudinal shaft, a prime mover,

driving connections between said longitudinal shaft and said prime mover, a bed for supporting the work, a form cylinder mounted above said bed, driving connections be tween the driven transverse shaft .and the form cylinder inking mechanism, and driving mechanism for said inking mechanism.

4. In a printing machine, an endless bed adapted to move continuously in one direction, driving mechanism for the bed, form cylinders mounted above the bed, driving connections between the actuating mechanism for the bed and the form cylinders, and means in said last-named connection for disengaging the same from the form cylinders.

5. In a printing machine, an endless work supporting bed having an opening therethrough and being operable to advance the work to positions to receive impressions, a stem extending operatively through said opening, a gripping arm on said stem above the bed for engaging and holding the work on the bed, a spring actuating said stem in a direction to hold the gripping arm yield ingly in position to hold the work on the bed, and a lever pivoted to said stem for moving the same in opposition to said spring as required to move the gripping arm to position to release the work.

6. In a printing machine, a supporting frame, a revoluble drum at each end of the frame, an endless work supporting bed operating around said drums, and having openings therethrough, a stem operatively mounted in each of said openings, a gripping arm in connection with each stem above the bed for clamping the work in position on the bed, springs encircling said stems below the bed for actuating the gripping arms to clamping position, and levers pivotally carried by the under side of the bed and pivoted to said stems for actuating the stems as required to move the gripping arms to position to release the work.

7. In a printing machine, a supporting frame, a revoluble drum at each end of the frame, an endless work supporting bed operating around said drums, clamping arms for clamping the work on the bed, stems in connection with said arms and extending through the bed, springs for holding the clamping arms yieldingly in position to hold the work on the bed, levers pivotally supported by the bed and pivotally connected to said stems, respectively, and cams supported by the frame for moving said levers effectively to actuate the stems and thereby move the clamping arms to posi tions to receive and release the work.

8. In a printing machine, the combination with form cylinders, of an endless work supporting bed located beneath said cylinders, mechanism for moving said bed, supports upon which the bed moves, and means for holding said supports in different positions to support the bed at different distances from the form cylinders to accommodate work of different thickness.

9. In a printing machine, the combination with form cylinders, of a pair of drums operating on parallel axes, an endless work supporting bed operating around said drums beneath the cylinders, devices for clamping the work upon the bed, means for releasing said devices from the work after printing has been completed, and means for supporting the bed between said drums at difierent distances from the cylinders.

10. In a printing machine, a form cylinder, a pair of drums operating on parallel axes, a movable work supporting bed operating around said drums, means for operating said drums to move said bed continuously in one direction below the cylinder, and adjustable supports for supporting the bed between said drums at selected di stances from the cylinder during movement of the bed.

the bed.

12. In a printing machine, a frame, rigid tracks on the frame, a work supporting bed operating on said tracks when supporting work of a predetermined thickness, adjustable supports for supporting the bed inclependently of said tracks to accommodate work of other than the predetermined thick ness, mechanism for operating the bed, clamping devices for holding the work on the bed, and means for releasing the clamping devices from the work automatically and as an incident to movement of the bed.

13. In a printing machine, a frame, an endless bed mounted in the frame and arranged to move continuously in one direction, form cylinders supported above the bed, a prime mover, driving connections between the prime mover and the bed, connections between the driving mechanism and the form cylinders for operating the bed and the form cylinders concurrently, and means for supporting the bed at different distances from the form cylinders to accommodate work of different thickness.

14. In a printing machine, side frames; an endless track supported by each side frame including upper and lower horizontal portions, and curved portions connecting the ends thereof; an endless bed; rollers in connection with the bed operating on said track; means for operating the bed to carry the work to position to receive impressions; and adjustable supports for supporting the upper portion of the bed independently of said track.

15. In a printing machine, side frames; an endless track supported by each side frame including upper and lower horizontal portions, and curved portions connecting the ends thereof; an endless bed; rollers in connection with the bed operating on said track; optionally adjustable supports for supporting the upper portion of the bed independently of said track; means for operating the bed to carry the work to position to receive impressions; and means for holding the work on the bed during operation.

16. In a printing machine, side frames; an endless track in connection with each side frame composed of upper and lower horizontal portions; and curved portions connecting the ends of the horizontal portions; an endless bed; rollers in connection with the endless bed operating on the tracks; optionally adjustable supports for supporting the upper portion of the bed independently of said track; form cylinders above the bed; mechanism for revolving the form cylinders and operating the bed to carry the work to the form cylinders; and gripping devices for holding the work on the bed.

17. In a printing machine, side frames; an endless track in connection with each side frame composed of upper and lower horizontal portions; and curved portions connecting the ends of the horizontal portions; an endless bed; rollers in connection with the endless bed operating on the tracks; form cylinders above the bed; mechanism for revolving the form cylinders and operating the bed to carry the work to the form cylinders; gripping devices for holding the work on the bed; and meansfor supporting the bedat different distances from the form cylinders.

18. In a printing machine, a pair of drums supported on parallel Xes, an endless bed operated by said drums, tracks for supporting the bed between the drums, option ally adjustable supports for supporting the bed between the drums, mechanism for revolving said drums to operate the bed on said tracks in whatever adjustment the bed may be, form cylinders above the bed for printing on the work on the bed, a table inclining downwardly toward the inwardly moving upper portion of the bed, an inclined series of rollers carried by said table for supporting the work during its movement to the bed, and gripping devices carried by the'bed for engaging the work passing on the bed from said rollers.

19. In a printing machine, a frame, an endless bed supported within the frame, a rigid track for supporting the bed, adj ustable devices for adjusting the upper portion of the bed, and mechanism for moving the bed within the frame. 7

20. In a printing machine, a main frame, an endless bed mounted in the frame, form cylinders supported above the bed, devices for adjusting the upper portion of the bed relative to the form cylinders, mechanism for operating the bed and the cylinders, gripping devices for holding the work on the bed, means for operating the gripping devices to engage the work at one end of the machine, and means for operating the gripping devices to disengage the work at the opposite end of the machine.

21. In a printing machine, a pair of drums supported on parallel axes, an endless bed operated by said drums, means for supporting the bed between the drums for operation in different adjusted positions, mechanism for revolving said drums to operate the bed in any of said adjusted positions, form cylinders above the bed, a table inclining downwardly toward the inwardly moving upper portion of the bed, an inoperating said levers to move the gripping clined series of rollers carried by said table devices to release the Work.

for supporting the Work during its move- In Witness whereof I have signed this ment to the bed, gripping devices carried by specification in the presence of two subscrib- 5 the bed for engaging the Work passing on ing Witnesses.

the bed from said rollers, levers for operatv WILLIAM M- BACON. mg the gripping devlces to posltlons to receive and to release the Work, means for ac- W1tnesses:

tuating said levers to move the gripping L. G, KINGSLAND,

10 devices to receive the Work, and means for N. G. BUTLER.