US1362638A - Automatic scraper control for rotogravure-printing presses - Google Patents

Description

a, s. PRITCHARD. AUTOMATIC SCRAPER CONTROL FOR ROTOGRAVURE PRINTING PRESSES.

, APPLICATION.FILED MAY29,1917. 1,362,638, 7 Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

n" 'l "i I II II I'll V. 1/ avwemtoi c. G. PRITCHARUQ AUTOMATIC SCRAPER CONTROL FORROTOGRAVURE PRINTING PRESSES.

APPUCATION FILE D M-AY29,'1917. 1,362,638, Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

2 -SHEETS-SHEET 2.

f a v %14 attozwz 'fr A T S G G. IPMTCHARD, 0F WARREN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE HARRIS AUTOMATIC PRESS COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPQRATION OF OHIO.

AUT@MQ TIC SGRAPER CONTROL FOR ROTOGRAVUREJPRINTING- PRESSES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Z PatentedDec. 21, 3920.

Application filed May 29, 1917. Serial no. 171,613.

To all whom it may concern: j

Be it known that ll, CARL Gr. PRITOHARD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Warren, in the county of Trumbull and State of @hio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Automatic eration, either by throwing off the impression, or by disconnecting the press as a whole from the driving source of power. In printing-presses of this type the printing operation is performed by a copper plate or shell suitably secured to the form cyllnder or tngraved, such etched or engraved ortions 'being adapted to contaln the mk, while the smooth portions of the plate are free from ink. The ink is fed to the form cylinder in relatively large quantities from the ink fountain, and a sharp scraper knlfe is arranged tangentially to the clrcular etched plate and used to remove all surplus ink from the outermost'surfaces of. the plate. The edge of the knife is also arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the form cylinder and the surplus ink falls back into the fountain as the cylinder is rotated. lln presses of this type, it is necessary to employ devices to lift the scraper knife from the surface of the copper plate upon" the stoppage of the printing operation, lest the sharp edge. of the knife cut into and ruin the etched surface of the copper plate by any reverse movement of the press, thereby rendering the plate useless for further printing. I

The objects of my invention are, amon other things, to provide a simple and e fective automatic scraper control mechanisrn, which may be actuated simultaneously either with the throwing-off of the impression or with the stoppage of the press, controlled either by the operator or automatically by a sheet detector device and I tripping mechanism which operate upon the outer surface of which is etchedthe failure of the feed of a sheet to the press. i 4

.i attain this result. by the mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved control showing so much of a rotary press as isnecessary to illustrate my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a part of the press shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end view partly in cross-section, of the tripping mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4i is a side elevation of a modified form of my invention the same being shown in connection with the clutch throw-off of the ress;

Fig. 5 is a plan view, similar to Fig. 2, only taken of the modified form of my invention shown in Fig. 4:; and

Fig. 6 is'an end view, partly in crosssection of the tripping mechanism shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Similar numerals referredto similar parts throughout the several figures.

Referring more particularly to the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs.

1, 2V and 3, the frame 7 supports the bearings for the plate cylinder 8, carrying the etched copper plate 9, and the impression 7 1e gears whose pitch-diameter coincides i with the periphery of the respective cylinders, These gears intermesh and form the driving mechanism to secure the proper rotation for the cylinders. The power is derived from the belt 13 passing around the pulley 14 on the shaft 15 journaled in the frame 7; the 'shaft 15 carrles the pinion 16 which intermeshes with the pinion 17 mounted on the shaft 12. Since these are common forms of printing-press construction and are well-known in the art, they are. not shown in'detail in the drawings.

The shaft 11 carr ing theplate cylinder 8 is mounted at botli ends in the eccentric bearings 18, one of which has the arm19 projecting-on the outside of the frame 7 as shown more particularly inrFi'gs. land 2.

50 'plate 9, and simultaneously therewith the the lever 20 being journaled to the outer.

The toggle levers 'iand 21 connect the outer end of the arm 19 to the frame 7,

impression, or to manually operate the impression throw-off and scraper control. The shaft 25 is held in the position shown in Fig. 1 by thelat'ch 29 secured to the rockshaft 30 journaled in the bracket 31 inthe frame 7, which latch 29 engages a notch 32 in the sleeve 33 mounted on the shaft 25 as this roll is rotated by shown in detail in- Fig. 2. Secured to the frame 7 is the horizontal ink fountain vat 34 to contain the ink to be applied to the plate 9 b the inking roll 35 as fieing in contact with the outer surface of the plate. Mounted on the rock-shaf t 36 which is journaled in the frame '7 is the hub 37 of the scraperknife 38 which preferably is removably secured to the hub 31 by set screws (not shown). "The edge of the knife 38 normally bears on the outer surface of the plate 9, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, through the actionfof' 'the gravity weight 39 secured to the outer end of the arm 40 mounted on the sleeve 41 aflixed to the rock-shaft 36 outside the frame 7 as shown in Fig. 2. The sleeve 41 has also sesecured to the sleeve 33, when the parts are Fig. 1. When the in the position shown in rod 43 is shifted toward the left, either through the lifting of the hand-lever 27 or through the counter-clock-wise rotation of the shaft 25 by the release of the latch '29, the edge of the scra er knife 38 is renioved from contact with t eoute'r isii'r'fiices of'the toggle levers 20 and 21 will be broken in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1 through the .movement of the link 23 to throw off the impression.

Preferably this latch 29 would be released automatical y through trip mechanism on I the feeder, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, 46 designates thefeed table, and in Fig. 3, 47 indicates the sheet of stock that is being fed to the press. Extending transversely, above the feed table 46 and journaled-to projections in the frame 7 is the shaft 48 which carries the arm 49 connected by the rod 50 pivoted to.

the pin 51 ongthe impresison cylinder shaft 1.2, so as to impart tothe shaft 48 an oscillat-' ing movement during the operation of the press. 52, 52'designate two grooved collars rigidlysecured to the shaft 48 and adjacent each grooved collar 52 is the disk 53 of substantially the same diameter as the collars 52, which disk is afiixed to the inner end of the tubular shaft 54 which is loosely sleeved on, and incloses a portion of the shaft 48, as shown in Fig. 3. The shaft 54 carries the arm 55 the outer end of which bears against the arm 56 mounted on theh'lock 57 aflixed to the rock-shaft 30. 58 indicates the triplever pivoted at 59 between the parallel sides of the grooved collars 52, so that its larger the disk 53, are formed cut- outs 62 and 63 respectively. Ordinarily the tooth 61 rests against, or is in proximity to, the periphery of the disk 53; it can engage with the cutout 62 of the collars 52 only when it can fall into the cut-out 63 of the disk 53. When this occurs, the disk 53 and its shaft 54, which are normally at rest,,are locked to and turn with the oscillatin shaft 48. The entrance of this tooth 61 into locking engagement with the disk 53 will occur upon the failure or interruption in the feed supply. Where the stock 47 is in proper position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the curved longer arm of the trip-lever 58 will engage therewith and will be supportedthereby so as to be prevented .from'loweri'ng into the opening 60, and from turning sufficiently to interlock with the disk 53. If the stock 47 should, at any time, be interrupted or absent, the lon er arm of the trip-lever 58 will fall of its own weight into the opening 60, thereby causing the tooth 61 to interlock with the cut-out 63 in the-disk 53. Thus the tubular shaft 54 will be caused to oscillate with the shaft 48 so as to cause the arm 55 to lift the arm 56 to release the latch 29 engagin the notch 32 in the sleeve 33 on the sha t 25. Through the movement of this hereindescribed mechanism, the spring-impelled shaft 25. is partially rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to swing the eccentric bearings 18 to throw off the impression by separating the plate cylinder 8 from the impression cylinder 10, and at the same time lift the edge of the scra er knife 38 from the outer surface of the p ate 9, all-controlled by the stock.

It is also apparent that the o erator, by moving the hand-lever 27 to the eft in Fig. 1 and lifting the latch29 may simultaneously throw off the impression and lift the till lessees scraper knife 38 from the plate 9 by a single movement so that the two throwing-d operations work together and in unison. In practice, it is essential that the scraper knife 38'be restored to its contact positionwitli the plate 9 on the cylinder 8 at least a half revolution of the cylinder 8 in advance of the restoration of the printing relation of the cylinders 8 and 10, so that the outer surface of the plate 9 may be cleaned of surplus ink before beginningto contact with the sheet l7 cylinder with the disconnecting or the power th upon the stoppage of the press.

l Vhen the clutch members are reset upon the starting of the press, the edge. of'the scraper knife is restored to contact with plat-e cylinder, or the ln'iife may be placed in operative position on the cylinder before the press is started.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 5, 6d designates the frame of the press in which the form cylinder carrying the etched plate 88, and the impression cylinder 87 are mounted on the shafts 88and 89 respectively journaled in the frame 64:, the two cylinders 65 and 07 forming a printing couple. The two cylinders are geared together as has been hereinbefore described with reference to the cylinders 8 and 10. Power is transmitted to the impression cylinder 87, from the loose and fixed pulleys and '71 to the driving shaft 7 2 journaled in the frame 0% as shown. 7 3 is the positive clutch member slidably secured to the shaft 7 2 and is adapted to engage the clutch member 7 at mounted onthe shaft 7 5; the clutch 74: carries the miter-=- gear 76 which engages with the miter-gear 7 7 mounted on the impression cylinder shaft 69 to securethe counter-clockwise rotation of the impression cylinder 6?. 78 is a stubshaft secured to the frame (it and 79 is a sleeve jcurnaled on the shaft 78 which sleeve 79 has a depending arm 80 carrying at its lower end the clutch yoke 81 adapted to engage, and coact with, the annular groove 82 formed in the clutch member 78 as shown in Fig. i. Extending upwardly from the sleeve 79 is the arm 88 having the rod 84; pivotally secured to its outer end.

The rod 86lertends forwardly of the press and near outer end carries the lug on under oi is adapted to engage and coact 88 secured to the outer end of arm 87 mounted on the transverse shaft 88 journaled in the'frame 8d. The shaft 88 carries the hub 89 upon which the scraper knife 90 is removably secured in the same manner as the knife 38. 91 is the ink fountain from which ink is supplied to the plate 66 through the rotatable ink roller 92. The shaft 88 carries the arm 93 from which the gravity weights 9d are suspended to normally maintain the edge of the knife 90 in contact with the plate 66. When the rod 84 is moved to the left either by the lifting of the hand-lever 95 or by the action of the automatic sheet-detector device hereafter to be described, the knife 90 will be thrown off from the plate 86 simultaneously with the disconnecting of the clutch members 73'and 74 which stops the press. Preferably the two throw-offs will be controlled and actu ated by the automatic sheet-detector device, shown more particularly in 1F ig, 6.

lin Figs. 4., 5 and 6, 96 indicates the feed table and in Fig. 6, 97 designates the sheet of stock that is being fed to the press. Er:- tending transversely above thp feed-table 96 and journaled to projections in the frame 04: is the rock-shaft 98 which carries the arm 99 connected by the rod 100 which is pivoted to the pin 101 in the impression cylinder shaft 09, so as to impart to the shaft 98 .an

oscillating movement during the operation of the press. 102', 102 designate two grooved collars rigidly secured to the shaft 98, and adjacent each grooved collar 102 is the disk 103 of substantially the same-dian'ieter as the collars 102 which disk 103 is secured to the inner end of the tubular shaft 1041 which is loosely sleeved on, and incloses a portion of, the shaft 98-, as shown in Fig. 0. The shaft 10% has rigidly secured to itsouter .end' the collar 105 upon which is mounted the arm 106 which, in turn, is con nected to the hand-lever 95 by the link 107. 108 designates the trip-lever pivoted at 109 between the parallel sides of the rooved collars. 109; so that its longer and dieavier arm is held from falling into the opening 110 out in the top of the feed-table 98 by the interposition of the stock 97 as shown in land 0. At'the opposite end the triplever 108 is T-shaped to form the tooth 111, and in the peripheries of the sides of the collars 102, and also in the periphery of the dial; 108 are formed cut-outs 112 and 113 respectively. Ordinarily the tooth 111 rests against, or in proximity to. the periphery of disk 108; it can engage with the cutout .112 of the collars 102 only when it can fall into the cutout 113 of the disk 103. When this occurs the disk 108 with its shaft 104, which are normally at rest, are locked to and turn with the oscillating shaft The entrance of this tooth 111 into locking engagement with the disk 108 w occur upon the failure or interruption one fee l supplyw When the stckw97 is in proper engage therewith and will be supported thereby, so as to be prevented from lowering into the opening 110, and from turning sufficiently to interlock with the disk 103. If

. the stock 97 should, at any time, beinterrupted or absent, the longer arm of the trip-lever 108 willfall of itsown weight into the opening 110, thereby causing the tooth 111 to interlock with the cut-out 113 in the disk 103. Thus the tubular shaft 104 will be caused to oscillate with the shaft 98 so as to cause the arm 106 to lift the handlever 95 through the link 107 'to simultaneously disconnect the clutch members 73 and 74 on the one hand, and to throw the scraper knife 90 off the surface of the plate" 66 on the other. When the clutch is reset the knife 90 is automatically brought at once into contactwith the plate 66 as soon as the press starts, or the knife may be returned to the cylinder before starting by raising the rod 84 out of engagement with the' pin 86.

The foregoing constructions both j embody the principles of my invention as a plied to a two-cylinder'press, but it is o vious that my invention is applicable to other forms of printing-presses, and that other combinations and modgs of operation may be made, the foregoing being sufiicient to disclose the underlying principles and advantages involved.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a printing-press having a plurality of cooperating printing members, inking devices for one of said members,'means for removing surplus ink from said last-mentioned member, means for tripping said printing members, and'means directly act'uated bysaid tripping means for placing said ink-removing means in inoperative position simultaneously with the stoppage of the printing operation,- said last means allowing the ink-removing means to be moved into operative position before the printing relation of said p ting members is resumed.

2. In a printing-press having a plurality of cooperating printing members, inking devices for one of said members, means for removing surplus ink from said last-mentioned member, means for tripping said printing members, and automatic means di-- rectly actuated by said tripping means for placing said ink-removing means in inoperative position simultaneously with the stoppage of the printing operation, said last means allowing the ink-removing means,

to be moved into operative position before the printing relation of said printing members is resumed.

, 3. In a printing-press having a plurality of cooperating printing members, inking devices for one of said members, means for removing surplus ink from said last-mentioned member, means for tripping said printing members, and automatic means directly actuated by said tripping means and controlled by the stock, for placing said ink-removing means in inbperative position simultaneously with the stoppage of the printing operation, said last means allowing the ink-removing means to be moved into operative position before the printing relation of said printing members is resumed. I

4. In a printing-press having a plurality of cooperating printing members, inking devices for one of said members, means for removing surplus ink from said last-mentioned member, means for tripping said printing members, means directly actuated by said tripping means" for placing said ink-removing means in inoperative position when the impression is thrown off, and

for restoring said lnk-removmg' means means into operative position before the impression is thrown on.

5. In a printing-press having a plurality of cooperating printing members, inking devices for one ofsaid members, means for removing surplus ink from said last-mentioned member, means" for tripping said printing members, automatic means directly actuated by said tripping means for placing said ink-removing means in inoperaoif, and means for restoring said ink-removing means into operative position before the impression is thrown on.

6. In a printing-press having a plurality of cooperating printing members, inking devices for one of saidmembers, means for removing surplus ink from said last-mentioned member, means for tripping said printing members, automatlc means d1- throwing off the impression, means directly actuated by said throw-off means for breaking such contact simultaneously with the impression throw-ofi, and means for restoring such contact before the impression is thrownon.

8. In a printing-press having two impression members to form a printing couple, inking devices for one of said members, means contacting with :aid last-mentioned 'tive position when the impression is thrown rectly actuated by said tripping means and member to remove surplus ink, means for throwing off the impression, automatic member surface, and means for allowing said scraper to lower into contact with said means directly actuated by said throw-off surface before the printing relation of said means for breaking such contact simulta neously with the impression throw-oil", and means for restoring such contact before the impression is thrown on."

9. In a printing-press having two im-.

pression members to form a printing couple,

inking devices for .one of said members, means contacting with said last-mentioned member to remove surplus ink, means for throwin off the impression, automatic means irectly' actuated by said throw-off means and controlled by the stock, for

breaking such contact simultaneously with the impression throw-off, and means for re: storing such contact before the impression is thrown on. i

10. I n a printing-press having printing and impression members combined with means for separating said members at will, a scraper normally contacting with the surface of said printing member, means di-' rectly actuated by said member-separating means for raising said scraper from said surface when said printing and impression members are separated, and means for allowing said scraper to lower to said surface before the printing relation of said members isrestored. I 1

11. In 'a printing-press having printing and impression members combined with automatic means for separating said members, a scraper normally contacting with the surface of-said printin member, means directly actuated by sai member-separating means for raising said scraper from said surface when said printing and impression members are separated, and means forallowing said scraper to lower to said surface before the printing relation of said members isvrestored.

12. In a printing-press having printing and impression members combined with automatic means, controlled by the stock, for separatingsaid members, a scraper norma-lly contacting with the surface of said printing member, means directly actuated by said member, separating means for raising'said scraper from said surface when said printing and'impression members are separated, and means for allowing said scraper to lower to said surface before the printing relation of said members is restored.

13. In a printing-press having printing and impression members combined with means for separating said members, a scraper normally contacting with the surface of said printing member, means directly and simultaneously actuated by said member separating means for raising said scraper out of contact with said printingmembersis restored.

14. In a printing-press having printing and impression members combined, with automa ic means for separating said members, a scraper normally contacting with the surface of said printing member, means directly and simultaneously actuated by said member separating means for raising said scraper out of contact with. said printingmember surface, and means for allowing said scraper to lower into contact with said surface before the prmting relation of said n members is restored.

15. In a printing-press having printing and impression members combined with automatic means, controlled by the stock, for separating said members, a scraper normally contacting with the surface of said printing member, means directly and simultaneously actuated by said member separating means for raising said scraper out of contact with said printing-member surface,

and means for allowing said scra'p'er to lower into contact with said surface before the printing relation of said members is restored.

16. In aprinting-press having a plurality of coiiperating printing members, inking devlces for one of said members, means for removing surplus ink from said .last men-' tioned member, means for tripping said printing members, means directly actuated .by said tripping means for placing said inkremoving means in inoperative position operating said last means, and devices under the control of the operator for also operat ing said means, said devices allowing said ink-removing means to be moved into operative position before the rinting relation I of said members is restore 17. vIn a printing-press having a plurality of coiiperating printing members, inking devices for one of said members, means for removing surplus ink from said last-mentioned member, means for tri ping said printing members, means dlrect y actuate by said tripping means for placing said ink-removing means 1n inoperative position simultaneously with the stoppage of the printing operation, automatic devices, controlled by the stock, for operating said last means, and devices under the control of the operator for also'operating said means, said devices allowing said ink-removing means to be moved into operative position before the printing relation of said members is restored.

CARL G. PRITCHARD.

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