US1426471A - Vacuum means for holding type and music sheets upon printing presses - Google Patents

Description

. G. FUSSELL. VACUUM MEANS FORHOLDING TYPE AND MUSIC SHEETS UPON PRINTING PRESSES I A PPLICATION FILED DEC.2 7', 1920. 1,426,471, Patented Aug. 22, 1922.

. G. FUSSELL. VACUUM MEANS FOR HOLDING TYPE A ND MUSIC sums UPON PRINTING PRESSES.

APPLICATIO N FILED 0156.27, 1920. I

Patented Aug. 22, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- e.- FUSSELL. VACUUM MEANS FOR HOLDING TYPE AND MUSIC SHEETS UPON PRINTING PRESSES I APPLICATION FILED DEC. 27. I920.

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' iren srarss PATENT for-rice.

GEORGE FUSSELL, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIEA.

'VACU'UM MEANS FOR HOLDING-TYPE AND MUSIC SHEETS UPON PRINTING PRESSES.

Application filed December 27, 1920. SerialNo. 433,329.

for attaching and holding the type sheet or type supporting web and music or record sheet upon the printing head and platen, respectively of such machines.

One means employed heretofore for at taching the type sheets to the printinghead of such a machine has been tomake the sheet of greater width than the head and secure it thereto by clamping means. hen such means is employed it is necessary to stretch the sheet as tightly as possible across and in contact with the surface ofthe head, and it not infrequently happens that the sheet bearing the type is torn; also it very frequently is the case that some portion of the type sheet will sag so that as the type is being inked the sagged portion of the sheet is likewise inked, with the result that a splotchis made upon the music sheet and the latter possibly spoiled.

It is the object of my invention to provide means whereby both the type sheets and music sheets or records may be heldat all times close against the surfaces of the type head and platen, respectively.

A furtherobject of my invention isto provide means for producing a vacuum adjacent the rear or underneath sides of the type sheets and music sheets or records whereby the atmospheric pressure upon the outer sides thereof forces the said sheets firmly and closely against the surfaces-of the printing head and of the platen, respective v. a

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby sections of type sheet may be held upon the pr nting head.

This is desirablein-view ofthe .factthat; the

typesheet'may, byreason oftheabsorption of moisture or from some other cause,, expend so that 1ts,1ength would notcor'respend to that of the music sheet ontowhich .the data of whateverecharacter desired is Should this happen, it I to be printed. would be necessary that one. ormorershort sections be removed .from the type sheet (in order to reduce it to;a length correspond mg to that of the music sheetor to theispaee on the music sheet within ,whieh the print ing istobe effected. I,

A stillfurther. object of my invention is toprovide means whereby typesheets and printing sheets of different lengthsmaybe quickly and easily secured in place upon the printing head and platen, respectively.

A further general object of my-invention is to provide means whereby the placing upon the printing head and platen, resp ec- ,tively, of a printing press may be greatly facilitated and the time for 'eflectingithe same greatly reduced v I shall not attempt at thispoint; to set forth all of the various. objectsand-advantages ofand incident tomy invention, but other objects and advantages ofthe Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Ailg. 22,

and securing of the type and music sheets;

same will be pointed out in the detailed -description thereof whichfollows or ,willloe apparent from such description. v

.In order that myinvention maybe more readily understood and its practical advantages fully appreciated, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated one embodiment of the same. However,,it will lbe understood that my inventionis susceptible of embodiment in other forms of construction than that shown and that changes in the details thereof maybe made within the-scope of the claims without departing therefrom.

In the drawings: U 1

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view of ;a printing pressforfprinting music sheets for player pianos and the like embodying my invention; I

.Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of a printing head pad;

Fig. 3s a view partly in.-si'de;elevat ion f and partly in longitudinal section of a portion of a printing head provided with means embodying my invention;

Fig. 4; is a view in perspective and in diagrammatic form showing a printing head and a platen provided with my invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective sectional view of a printing head provided with my invention;

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of a platen provided with means for holdi a music sheet thereon; and

Fig. 7 is a view in elevation of a member constituting a detail of the construction.

'R-eferring to the drawings: 1 and 2 designate the opposite sides of the printing head and 3 a flooring or sheathing of wooden boards or planks or other suitable material extending between the sides and connected thereto. This flooring constitutes the base or support for the pads 1 of sponge rubber secured thereto, upon which the type sheet 5 of paper or other suitable flexible material is held. A number of these rubber pads are secured to the under side of the base or floor 3 and are arranged end to end entirely covering the said fiooring or sheathing. The said pads are-each of a width of approximately eleven and one-quarter inches and preferably should be from live to six feet long. The abutting ends are permanently secured together by any suitable means, such as rubber cement. Extending transversely of the said pads are shallow narrow grooves 7 which terminate at their opposite ends in relatively deep grooves 8 which are situated adjacent the opposite edges of the pads and which extend lengthwise thereof. Communicating with the outer edges of the grooves 8 are short grooves lO which are separated by portions 11 of the rubber. A series of holes 12 extend through the rubber sheets from the bottom of the grooves 8,the said holes terminating upon the opposite sides of the pad 4 and being in communication with the conduits or passageways 15 extending longitudinally of the opposite sides 1 and 2 of the printing head.

In order to provide for the holding of type sheets 5 of different lengths upon the printing press head and against the lower side or surface of the sponge rubber pads 4:,

the continuity of the conduits 15 may be interrupted by means of closures or stops 1?. Ttis understood that the printing heads for printing music sheets for mechanical musical players such as player pianos in many cases are of relatively great length, being in some cases as much as one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred feet long. This length is required when it is desired to print a music sheet of corresponding length. In many cases, however, the music sheets to be printed are of considerably less length. In such case it is desirable that a printing head such as that above referred to of much greater length may be employed readily for the purpose. It is for this reason that the conduits 15 are interrupted by means ofthe closures or stops 17 For the purpose of withdrawing the air from the conduits 15 I have provided a central pipe or tube 18 provided at intervals with branches 20 in the form of Ts having oppositely projecting portions 21 with which are adapted to be engaged the ends oi rubber tubes 22, the opposite ends of which engage the outer ends of pipes 23 which are in communication with openings or passageways 24 extending down through the sides 1 and 2 of the printing head and the lower ends of which are in communication with the conduits 15. Any suitable means, as for instance a vacuum pump, (not shown) may be employed for exhausting the air from the central pipe or tube 18, and by means of the branch pipes comprising the parts 21, E22, 23 and 24. the air may likewise be exhausted from the conduits 15, creating a partial vacuum therein.

The pipe or tube 18 1s adapted to be closed at intervals n proper relation to the closures or stops 17 in the conduits 18 by means of valves 25. It will be noted upon reference to Fig. 4: that the pipe 18 extends throughout the length of the printing head and that the branch pipes leading therefrom and being in communication with the conduits 15 are connected at intervals thereto. The valves 25 are located half way between these branch pipes within the re gion ot' the closures or stops 17, and as is indicated in Figs. 4 and 6, each valve is in alinement with two opposing closures 01' stops 1?.

Referring to Fig. 4 and assuming that a type sheet or web held upon the printing head terminates at a point a, four valves 25 to the left of such point should be opened, while those to the right thereofshould be closed. Three rows of type 30 are shown as being secured to the type sheet 5, such type bein secured to the said sheet in known manner.

33 designates abutments and guides, consisting preferably of sponge rubber, which are secured to the opposite sides of the printing head frame adjacent the lower edges thereof. The lower edges of these abutments and guides project below the lower edges of the opposite sides 1 and 2 of the head and also below the lower or bot-- tom surface of the printing head pad l. The inner lower edges of the abutments and guides 33 are beveled or flared outwardly as cross section, as is indicated in Fig. ,1 of the posing surface-of theprinting head pad 4, is caused to move toward the said pad. When the type sheet is in place against the underneath or bottom side of the said pad, oppos1te edges thereof contact with the inner member 40 and a couple of sills 41-1 and 4:2,

preferably of wood. These three parts, 4:0, 41 and 42, are secured together by means of bolts 43 in known manner.

Adjacent the opposite edges of the rubber platen 35 I provide bead-like portions 45 which extend from end to end thereof. The distance between these bead-like portions 45 is equal to the width of the music roll to be printed and also of the type sheet 5, so that when either is laid upon the platen, the opposite edges thereof contact with the inner sides of the bead-like portions 45.

When it is desired to print data of whatever character desired upon a musiccsheet the latter is placed in proper position upon the platen and secured in such position in a manner which will be hereinafter de scribed. It may be noted that the bead-like portions 45 are provided at one end or ad jacent one end with a mark to indicate the position in which the music sheet should be placed upon the platen. After a sheet has been placed and secured upon the platen "the type sheet 5 upon which the type have already been'secured is placed in position thereon with the type in the proper position thereon to print the data desired at the proper points and places upon the nusic' sheet.

In order to insure that the opposite edges of the type sheet will enter within the lower flared inner edge portions of the ahutm'ents and guides 33 when the type sheet is resting upon the platen and when the printing head is lowered into adjacent relation or position with respect thereto, I place cords 48 or similar means upon the top of the platen or upon a music sheet which maybe thereon adjacent the inner sides of the bead-like portions 45. WVhen the type sheet is laid upon the said platen the opposite edgeportions thereof rest upon these cords so that the said sheet will present a bowed appearance in drawings. The result of this is to decrease the distance between the opposite edgesof enter between the opposite edgeportions of .the members 33 which constitute guides and abutments as'above described. As soon as .thetype sheets 5 have been pressed up against the under side of the pad 4 by the removed. These cords or similar devices are used or employed only in connection Wlth'tlle attachment or securlng of a type the typesheet and thus insure that they will action of the atmosphere the cords l5f are sheet to the printing head, as above described.

In the operationofplacing a music sheet upon the platen of the machine preferably two persons'should be employed, one at what may be termed the'front ofthe machine, andthe other at'theopposite end or end portion thereof. The person at the front of the machine places the sheet in proper position as determined by'the mark or guide upon some portion of the platen structure, as for instance upon either or both'of the bead-like portions 45 or some other portion of the said platen structure. The person at the opposite end or end'p'ortion of the machine takes hold of the opposite ends of-the musicsheet and pullsthe same out straight and'fiat, in which position it should be secured. "As a means for securing andhol'ding the music sheet sta- 'tionarily upon the platen, I provide vacu- I ums or partial vacuums at intervals upon the under side of the music sheet. One of these vacuums as indicated in Fig. 6 should be adjacent one end of the platen, while such'vacuum may be produced at a number of places at the opposite endportion of the said platen, the said places or points being situated in proper relation to-the stops or closures 17 in the conduits 15. For the putpose of providing these vacuums or partial vacuums I have provided a pipe 50 having connection with the vacuum pump or other vacuum; producing means previously referred to (the said connection and vacuum pump or other vacuum producing means not being shown). The pipe 50 may be connected to the pipe'or tube 1'8,the conneotion however not being shown. The"'exh'austing of'the air from thepipe '50 is con trolled by means ofa valve" 51 situated adpipe 50 is. provided with a laterally projecting branch tube 52 which by meansof a length of rubber hose 53'is placed in'com munication with the lower end ofa i ers, the upper end of whichtermin'ates in a flat circular nozzle 55 having holes "56" in its jacent the front end of the platen. The' upperside, as shown. This nozzle i s'seatedf 'in an openingl57 formed 'within'the rubber platen 35. The top surface of the nozzle is flush with the top surface ofthe'riibber platen 35. The salesman" rests upon the upper side of a sponge rubber pad'60seated in an opening 61 in the flooring or sheath I 36 of the platen structure. The purpose oi supporting the nozzle 55 upon the sponge rubber pad 60 is chat dur'ng the printing operation and when the printing head is moved down into position upon the music sheet to print thereon the nozzle will yield in the same way as the rubber platen 35 Will yield.

At the opposite or rear end portion of the platen structure similar nozzles are provided, as indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawings to which the rear end of the pipe 50 isadapted to be connected by means of a rubber or similar hose 65. This rubber hose can be connected to any one of a number of these nozzles as may be necessary to accommodate or corresponc to the different lengths of music sheets which are being printed. r

In Fig. 4- the rubber hose is shown as connected to a nozzle in position to create a vacuum or partial vacuum underneath the music sheet 66 adjacent its rear end por tion, the said sheet terminating a distance from the end of the platen structure. as is indicated insaid figure. The moment that the sheet is in proper position upon the platen the operative at the front of the platen turns the valve 51 to permit the creation of a vacuum or partial vacuum within the pipe 50 and in the branches lead ing therefrom so as to create vacuums or partial vacuums. at a couple of points at least intermediate the top surface of the rubber platen and the bottom surface of the music sheet resting thereon. The music sheet will be held in position until the vacuum or partial vacuum is destroyed by closins the valve 51.

The purpose of employing sections of flexible tubing for connecting; the pipe or tube 18 with the pipes 20, the lower ends of which. are supported within the passageways Zt through the opposite sides 1 and 2 of the printing head structure. is to permit limited yielding movement of the pipe 18 toward one. side or the other, due to vibra tlon, without affectlng the printing head structure and without putting unnecessary stress or strain upon the pipes 20. In other.

words the presence of the fl. tible rubber hose sections or connections 22 prevents unnecessary strain and injury upon. and to the parts of the machine due to the vibration which is present during the use of the machine or press in the printing operation.

The branch pipes or connections between the central main exhaust pipe 18 and the conduits 15 are located at intervals as shown in order that the air may be exhausted uniformly from the said conduits 15 to thereby insure the holding of the type sheets closely against the underneath surface of the printing head sponge rubber pad at all points the length thereof. This in- ;gainst sa 'ging of the type sheet away .1 1 pr head pad. It is necesto prevent sagging of the type sheet in order to prevent contact thereof with the inking pad. 1f the said type sheet should and should contact with the inking pad it is not only possible but'probable that an ink splotch would be tormed upon the music sheet in the printing operation and the letter be thus injured or perhaps rendered useless.

apparent that by the employment producing means for holdinfl th 2 upon the underneath side of the ove, the said type sheet may iced into sections, if necessary "be adjacent ends ot the said placed in abutting; relation. i is may b "cane necessary in case the type hould expand and become too long son of the absorption of moisture or any other cause. In such a case a on the lat er at the parties-- 7 d and as may be ".cd that the printing divided into two or more see y be operated together or in head. or each of the said be operated independently of ln such case the exhaust pipe 18 likewise be divided into sections and fillllQCtQCl by means of flexible to permit relative movement bepipe or tube sections. en tram the I OI'PQOlTI d a unitary prided that l rinting); press l means whereby the lrly pl .ed in p i i c o 'ii'lnting' the air same by ure. and also whereby the music sheet may be quickly and readily attached. and held to or upon the platen of such press.

1t 1 I have provided a will also be seen structure having means whereby type sheets of dill'erent long: hs may be readily attached to and held upon the printing head and also wl reby music sheets of different lengths be readily attachedto and held upon the printing press platen.

Having; thus described my invention. whet claim and desire to secure by letters Patent, is: l

1. In a printing' press. the combination of a hinting head having a t pe sheet supportin surface abutn ents s1 .uatcd at the OT)- pcsite lower edges of said head and projectingbelow the type sheet supporting surface,

a type sheet, and means for holding the said sheet against said surface with itsopposite edges in abutting relation to said abutme'nts.

2. Ina printing press, tile combination of a printing head havinga type sheet supporting surface, abutments situated at the opposite lower edges of said head and projecting below the type sheet supporting sur-.

face, atype sheet, and pneurn ti means fo holding said sheet against the said type sheet supporting surface with its opposite edges in contact with said abutments.

3. In aprinting press, the combination of a printing head having a cushion upon its lower side against which a type sheet is adapted to be supported, said cushion having transversely extending grooves in its lower surface which terminate in grooves adjacent the opposite edges of said cushion, a type sheet adapted to be supported upon said cushion over the said grooves, and means for exhausting the air from the said grooves whereby the saidtype sheet is held in place upon the said cushion by atmospheric pres sure. i

4. In a printing press, the combination of a printing head, the lower surface of which is provided with transversely extending grooves and with longitudinally extending grooves, the latter being situated adjacent the opposite edges of saidhead and the transverse grooves terminating therein, and the said head having longitudinally extending conduits therein whiz-hare in communication at intervals with the said longitudinally extending grooves,a type sheet adapted to be supported upon the lower side of said head over transversely and longitudinally extending grooves, and an air exhaust pipe for, exhausting air from the said. conduits and grooves whereby said type sheet is held in place by atmospheric pressure.

5. In a printing press, the combination of a printing head, the said head being provided with groups of transversely and longitudinally extending grooves upon its lower surface, the longitudinally extending grooves being situated adjacent the lower opposite edges of the said head, and the said transversely extending grooves terminating therein, conduits extending longitudir nally of the, said head, the said conduits being in communication with the said longitudinally extending grooves, a-type sheet adapted to be supported upon the lower side of the said head over the said grooves, and means for exhausting the air from both the transversely and longitudinally extending grooves.

6. In a printing press, the combination of a type head provided upon its lower surface with groups of transversely and longitudinally extending grooves, the latter being situated adjacent the opposite lower edges of the said head, and the transversely extending grooves term nat ng. therein,

atype' sheet adapted tobe supported upon the lower side of the said head over the said grooves,an air exhaust pipe, andmeans for establishing communication between the said exhaust pipe and the said grooves, the said means being situated at intervals whereby air may befexhausted from" the said grooves when a type sheet is in position thereover. 4

7. In aprinting press, the combination of a printing head provi'ded'with a plurality yielding pads upon its lower'side, the said pads being. arranged end to end, each pad being provided with transversely and longitudinallyextending grooves, the latter being situated adjacent the opposite edges and the transversely extendinggrooves terminating therein, longitudinally "extending conduits situated within the opposite side portion of saidhead, the said conduits being I in communication with the longitudinally extending grooves in the said pads, af'type sheet adapted to be supported upon the said padsover the said grooves, and means for exhausting air from the said conduits and from the said grooves whereby the said, type sheet is held in place upon the said pads by external air pressure. j

8. In a printi g press, the combination of a printing head. having transversely and longitudinally extending grooves its lower surface, the longitudinally extending grooves being situated adjacent the opposite edges of the said head and the, transversely extending grooves terminating therein, conduits extending longitudinally of the said head, said conduits having communicating connection at intervalswith the said longitudinally extending grooves, a type sheet adapted to be supported upon the lower side of said head ovcrthe saidgrooves, a relatively stationary air exhaust pipe supported upon said head, and flexible connections between the said air exhaust pipe and thesaid conduits for exhausting air from the latter and from the said transversely and longiQ tudinally extending grooves whereby the said type sheets are held 'upon' the said head by atmospheric pressure.

9. In a printing press, the. combination of a printing head having abut-merits ,of yielding m terial secured to the opposite sides thereof, the lower inner sidesof said abutments being flared outwardly, a type sheet adapted to be supported upon the lower side of said head, and means for holding said type sheet against the lower side of said head with its opposite edges in sealing contact with the opposite outwardly flared lower edge portions of the said abutments.

10. A printing press, comp-rising a printing head having vacuum producing'means for holding type sheets of different lengths upon the said head, the said vacuum means including conduits, portions of which are provided with closures to divide the said conduits into non-communicating sections.

11. In a printing press, the combination of a printing head having one or more conduits extending longitudinally thereof, an air exhaust passageway in communication at intervals with the said conduits, and means for closing the said conduits to divide the same into sections whereby type sheets of different lengths may be held upon the said printing head.

12. In a printing press, the combination of a printing head having one or more conduits extending longitudinally thereof, and the said printing head being also provided with passageways leading from the bottom surface thereof to the said conduits, an air exhaust passageway, including passageways situated at intervals and connecting the said air exhaust passageway with the said conduits or conduits, and means for closing both the said passageway and the said conduits at corresponding points to regulate the portions of the said conduit from which air shall be exhausted, substantially as described.

13. In a printing press, the combination of a printing head having typesheet abutment and guiding members secured to the lower opposite side portions thereof, the lower edges of the said members projecting below the lower side of the said printing head and thelower inner side portions of said members being flared outwardly, a platen with which the said printing head is adapted to co-operate, cords adapted to be placed on the said platen the opposite edges thereof, a type sheet adapted to be laid upon the said platen with the op posi to edges thereof supported in elevated position upon the said cords,the distance between the said opposite edges being thereby decreased whereby, as the printing head is lowered toward and upon the platen, the opposite edges of the said type sheet will enter the space between the said abutment and guiding members, and means for effecting movement of the said type sheet toward and for holding it in position against the bottom surface of the said printing head.

14:. In a printing press, the combination which the printing is to be effected, and

pneumatic means for attaching and holding the type sheet and the said last mentioned sheet upon the printing head and platen respectively.

15. In a printing press, the combination of a printing head, a type sheet adapted to be attached to and held upon the said printing head, a platen with which the sait printing head is adapted to co-operate, said platen being adapted to support a sheet which is to be printed upon, means for cre ating vacuums between the type sheet and the printing head and between the platen and the said second named sheet whereby the said sheets are held in place upon the head and platen respectively by atmospheric pressure.

16. In a printing press for printing music sheets for player pianos, the combination of a printing head, a type sheet adapted to be supported upon the said head, a platen adapted to support a music sheet for player pianos, and vacuum producing means for holding type and music sheets of different lengths upon the said printing head and platen respectively.

17. A printing press for printing music sheets for player pianos, comprising a platen adapted to support a music sheet for player pianos, an air exhaust pipe, means having connect-ion with the said air exhaust pipe whereby a vacuum may be created between the said platen and the music sheet thereon adjacent the front end portion of the said platen, and a plurality of means toward the opposite end portion of the said platen, any one of which is adapted to be connected to the said air exhaust pipe whereby a vacuum may be created between the said platen and the rear endv portion of a music sheet thereon, whereby music sheets I of different lengths may be secured and held upon said platen.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 22nd day of December, A. D.,

GEORGE FUSSELL.

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