US1584483A - Method of and apparatus for making printing plates - Google Patents

Description

May 11 1926.

' L. SMITH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES e Shets-Sheet 1 Filed August 4., 1921 May 11 1926.

L. SMITH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PR INTING PLATES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 11 1926.

L. SMITH" METHOD 'OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 QC CECHILCC CCECCCJLEECCECCCCEE m-EFM L EPPEFE EEE Filed August 4. 1921 May 11 1926.

L. SMITH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES Filed August 4. 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 4 May 11 1926.

L. SMITH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES Filed A g 4. 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Z/c/ZW 67225172 L. SMITH METHODIOF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES May 11 1926.

* Illlllllll l Patented May 11, 1926. I

UNITED STATES PATENT o FicE.

LOUIS SMITH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM L. HALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES.

Application filed August 4, 1921. Serial No. 489,710.

This invention relates to a novel method of producing printing elements, such as offset printing plates and lithograph printing plates and the like for printing in one or in different colors, and made from printing forms, such as plates, rules, types, or cuts, and to a novel machine or practicing the method.

The method herein shown is disclosed in my prior U. S. Reissue Letters Patent N 0. 15,481, dated October 31, 1922, to which reference may be had for a general exposition of said method.

In accordance with my novel method of making printing elements, such as offset, lithographic printing plates, and the" like, from printing forms of the character described, I employ a printing form element, a proof element to prove and register the printing forms, a printing plate element, and a transfer element, which latter rolls with its surface in contact with and picks up the impression from the proved and registered printing form element, and by rolling movement of the transfer element carries or transfers the impressions to the printing plate element to produce, after subsequent known treatments of the plate, an offset or lithographic printing plate, and I adjust one of said printing forms or print-- ing elements relatively to the transfer element to enable the impressions of the printing form element to be duplicated or printed in predetermined relation on the final printing element; or the objects of the printing form can, by suitable spaced arrangement of theprinting forms, relatively to the transfer element, be made to be superimposed on the printing element or plate for producing color printing elements or plates, or for producing superimposed impressions of the same color on the printing element or plate. Further, the said impressions, after they have been picked up from the printing form element may, by the use of a secondary transfer element, be reversed and imprinted on the printing element, so that the impressions appear thereon in reverse way as on the printing form element; that is, if the printing form element is negative the impressions delivered on the printing element by the secondary transfer element may be positive, and vice versa. Further, the printing element may be made to be moved relatively to the transfer element by which the press for impressions are transferred to the printing element, .so that the printing element can be made to receive impressions from the transfer element at different areas of the printing element and also a printing element longer than the transfer element can be made.

When beginning the method, the first printing form is proved and registered by a proving cylinder. It is locked preferably at a corner of an adjustable bed and can constitute a key form by which other forms may be proved and registered. If the bedbe a double bed and adapted to support two different kinds of objects with respect to their lines which are to be printed on the ultimate printing element in superimposed relation, the printing forms will be locked on the bed at spacedintervals, relatively to the effective contact surfaces of the proof and transfer elements, so that after a key form is proved and registered another printing form can, by its guidance, be proved andregistered in such position that the impressions of both forms will appear in super-' imposed relation on the proof and transfer elements and will, by the transfer element, be transferred in superposed relation on the printing element; and any practical number of such impressions may be superimposed. After the forms have once been proved and registered, proper manipulation of the supporting bed for the forms and of the transfer elements over the forms enables the transfer elements to be filled throughout the entire or less than all of the area thereof, both longitudinally and circumferentially, and theimpressions so transferred may in one operation of the transfer element transfer all the impressions thereon to the printing element, either directly, or

through the cooperation of a secondary transfer element.

The machine embodying my invention follows the general construction of the machine illustrated in my aforesaid prior patent, the details of operating the transfer elements or cylinders with respect to their travel along the printing forms and plates, with respect to means for causing them to travel out of contact with said forms, plates, and with respect to the means for reversing the impressions and the means to transfer the impression on plates longer than the transfer elements being broadly the same. 7

to claims wherein details of the disclosure are specifically set forth and as imposed by the prior art.

As shown in the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of the proof end of the press, with parts omitted.

Figure 2 is a plan view, showing the transfor end of the press, with parts omitted,

which, combined with Figure 1, shows a plan view ofthe entire press.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the proof end of the press. a

Figure 4 is a section indicated on the line 44 of Figure 7.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the transfer end of the press.

Figure 6 is a section indicated on the general line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a transverse section on the line 7-7 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the proof roller, its mounting, and gears for operat- 111%113. V F igure 9 is a section on the line 99 of re 8. igure 10 is a section on the line 1010 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a horizontal section on the line 1111 of Figure 8.

The general contour and dimensions of the frame 15 of the machine may be of any suitable form to give support to the various elements and to the bearings for the cylinders hereinafter described. The frame is shown as embracing side members 16 connected' by cross members 16', and legs 17.

Said frame supports a bed, designated as a whole by 18, for the printing forms A and also a bed 19 for printing elements B to be made, in a manner which will hereinafter more fully appear, the said beds being spaced longitudinally of the frame. The printing element bed 19, which is disposed transversely of the frame 15, is longer'than the width of the frame, and is supported to be shifted laterally relative to the length ofthe frame, for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

At this int it may be observed that said printing e ement bed 19 can be shifted transversely of the frame 15 on a transverse extension frame 20 by pinions 24, 24, WhlCll are fixed to and driven by a shaft 25 that has hearings in members of the frame 20 which latter members are recessed to receive the bed 19. The shaft 25 has a hand wheel 28 by which to turn it to act through the PIDIOIIS The.

24 and downwardly facing racks 29 on the underside of the printing element bed.

The bed 18 is an adjustable bed in that it is supported for adjustment both laterally and longitudinally of the frame and the transfer cylinder or cylinders, as will hereinafter more fully appear, and in the general manner illustrated in my aforesaid United States patent. The bed receives and supports in'any suitable manner chases 31 for the printing forms A. The said bed 18 is also a double bed, in that it is adapted to support two spaced printing forms in such relation relatively to a transfer element that impressions from both forms can be proved in superimposed relation by a proof cylinder and can be transferred in separate or superimposed relation on a transfer element, and by said transfer element be imprinted on a printing element to produce an offset or lithograph printing plate. Said bed is centrally divided by a transverse ridge or rail 32, and is supported on a carriage 35 v of any suitable form that is adjustable longitudinally on the frame, and on which carriage and a lateral extension 36 thereof said bed is adapted to be adjusted laterally. Thus the lateral adjustment of the bed 18 on the carriage and the longitudinal adjustment of the carriage on the frame, carrying with it said bed, imparts both lateral and longitudinal adjustment movements to the double part bed relatively to the main frame and the transfer and proof cylinders.

The means shown for shifting the bed laterally on said carriage 35 comprises a threaded shaft 38 that is threaded through a nut 39 which is fixed to and depends from said bed. Said shaft has rotative bearing at 40 inthe side carriage rail 41 but is axially fixed in its bearing. It is adapted to be operated by a hand wheel 42 at one side of the machine frame. The means shown for giving movement to the carriage longitudinally of the frame comprises a rotative shaft 43 that extends between, and has rotative bearings at 44 in, the side members 16 of thevframe, and said shaft is provided with pinions 45 that mesh with the.

teeth of the downwardly facing racks 44 on the side rails 41 of the carnage. Said shaft 43 is adapted to be rotated by a hand wheel 46. Suitably constructed and connected micrometer mechanisms 48, 49 can be connected, respectively, to the shafts 38 and 43 to determine accurate and delicate adjustments on the bed.

55 designates a proof cylinder that is adapted to normally occupy a space forwardly beyond the printing bed and adapted to roll over and in proof contact with the printing forms supported on said bed, by means hereinafter to be described.

56, 5'7 designate what may be termed primary andsecondary transfer cylinders. The

- the upwardly transfer cylinders are so supported and can be manipulated. in such a way that if the impressions are to be transferred from the printing forms to the printin element B, one of said transfer cylinders 18 adapted to be rolled or otherwise shifted directly to the printing element 01' plate, and the transfer imprinted directly thereon. If the impressions of the printing forms are to be reversed on the printing element 13, the transfer cylinder 56, after beingmoved away from the printing forms, can be. rotated in peripheral ink transfer contact with the cylinder 57, after which the latter "cylinder is rolled bodily over and in ink transference contact with the printing element or plateB.

All of the cylinders 55, 56, and 57 will be provided with the usual longitudinal clearance recesses (as indicated, for instance in the dotted line in Figure 10) to receive the. grippers for the proof paper and the blankets ofthe respective cylinders, and in the present construction of the press these recesses serve, in connection with stationary or marking parts on the frame, as the end and central rails of the bed 18 and the marginal rails of the bed 18, and incooperation with the cylinder driving means, as means to maintain the registry of the cylinders relatively to the printing forms and the printing elements and also for bringing the cylinders 56, 57 in contact along the proper line for mutual transference of the impressions from one to the other when said cylinders are rolled in peripheral contact, as will hereinafter appear.

Each of said cylinders is mounted to rotate on an axially disposed shaft 59, the

shafts for all of the cylinders being marked with a common reference character. Said shafts are supported, through rollers 60 on horizontal tracks 61, 61 at the sides of the frame, said tracks extending from one end to the other of said frame. The said tracks 61 are formed on a superframe, so to speak which is'designed, in addition to its cylinder supporting function, to guide the cylinders in their travel across printingelements and to properly aligned.

Said superframe embraces lower rail-like members 63 at the sides of the frame and disposed parallel to the members 16, and upper, correspondingly located, guide rails 64, that are connected to the lower rails by end standards 65 at the ends of the frame.

The lower rails 63, in addition to carrying facing track for the rollers 60, are formed to provide exterior thereto upwardly facing parallel racks 66 at the sides of the machine frame laterally exterior to hold the cylinders the tracks 61. lVith said racks mesh pinions 67 that are fixed to the cylinder shafts 59 exterior to the supporting rollers 60 and rails 61. The said cylinders are driven inthe printing forms and.

directly through a gear train from the drivwith said forms and printing elements and this movement may occur at a time when the cylinder clearance recesses are at the bottoms of the-eylinders'and, therefore, out of contact with the-lower, normally coactive surfaces. Other means may be employed to separate the cylinder surfaces from the printing forms and printing element surfaces, such, for instance, as the track elevating means shown in my aforesaid prior pat ent. I

The said cylinder gear driving connections for the cylinders 56, 57 are also such that the drive connections to the rack can be broken when the cylinders are brought, into peripheral contact to transfer the impressions from the cylinder 56 to-the cylinder 57. At this time the cylinders will be locked together and power can be transmitted to rotate both of the cylinders through direct power application to one cylinder, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Thedriving and rotating gear mechanism for all the cylinders are substantially the same and the description of one gear train and the means for manipulating the same will answer as a full description of all, the same reference letters being employed to denote like parts.

Each cylinder has at one' end an internal annular rack or gear 70. 73, 74 designate what may be termed cross heads which are slidable along the rails 63, 64 of the superframe before referred to. The cross head 7 3 is associated with the proof cylinder actuating mechanism. Each cross head 73, 7 4 is of general fork shape. It has at its upper end guide collars 7 5 that are slidable on the rail 64. The fork arms comprise rather broad plates 76. One of said plates 76 of each cross head is provided at its lower end with'a dovetail rib 78 that slides in a longitudinally disposed undercut groove 79- formed on the outer face of the adjacent lower rail 63. Said grooves and the rails 64 extend from end to end of the superframe. The said plates of each cross head are formed with registering openings to receive and support short shafts 83, s4 and the extendedends of the. cylinder shaft 59.

Said fork arms are also pierced to form guide openings to receive a locking pin 86 that engages at its inner end an opening or openings 87 in the adjacent end of the cylinder. An expansion spring 88 serves to normally hold the inner end of said locking pin engaged in the opening 87, so that the cylinder at times can be held from rotation on its shaft 59. When the locking pin is withdrawn against the action of the spring 88, it may be held in an unlocking position by an extension or lug 89 (Figure 11) which normally lies ina recess in the. cross head, and which is adapted, when the pin is withdrawn and rotated on its axis to engage an imperforate part of the cross head and be thereby locked from shooting into cylinder locking position.

Between the arms of the head at the driving end of the cylinder and fixed to the shaft 83 is a pinion 90. To the inner end of said shaft 83, associated with the transfer cylin ders, are fixed two pinions. 93, 94, the latter meshing with the internal gear or rack 7 0 at the adjacent endof the cylinder, and the former adapted for meshing engagement with gears for imparting movement of rotation to the cylinders 56, 57 when they are adjusted to be rotated in ink transferring contact. In the driving mechanism for the proof cylinder no gear corresponding to the gear 93 will be employed, only a single pinion 94 on said proof cylinder being fixed to the shaft 83.

The shaft 84 is mounted in bearing blocks 96 which have longitudinally sliding movement in slots 97 in the fork plates of the cross head. An idler inion 99 is mounted to" rotate freely on said shaft 84 and it is adapted to be meshed with and demeshed from the pinions 67 and 90. When the pinion 99 is meshed with the pinions 67 and 90, the cylinder can be turned by the hand crank 102 which may be fitted to the extended end of the shaft 59 or 83, and the pinion 67 on the shaft 59 operates through the idler pinion 99, the pinion 90, the shaft 83, and pinion 94 and internal gear 70, with the function of both causing the cylinder to travel along the frame and to also cause the cylinder to turn on its axis, with its cylindric surface in ink transferring contact with the printing forms or plates. \Vhen the pinion 99 is demeshed from the pinions 90 and 67, power to rotate the cylinder from the rack will be cut off, but the cylinder may be caused to be moved bodily along the frame through the act-ion of the pinion 67 and rack 66.

The idler pinion 99 may be demeshed from and meshed with the pinions 90 and 67 through any suitable mechanism. As herein shown, this movement is effected by sliding the bearing block 96 in which the shaft for the idler pinion is mounted, as by means of a hand lever 105 that is pivoted at 106 to the cross frame, and is provided between its ends with a slot 107 in which operates a lug 108 that extends outwardly from one of ing forms and mechanism to be rotated in ink transferring contact with the type forms and plates, and to be unlocked from the rack driven gear at a time when the cylinders are brought into position for rotating, the cylinders in ink transference contact with each other and to thereby transfer the impressions picked up by the'cylinder 56 and reverse them on the cylinder 57, to be by the latter cylinder transferred to the printing element reversely from that shown in the printing forms. -A further advantage of thus breakin the cylinder. rotating gear train is to pernnt the cylinders to be moved over the print- (printing elements at times when it is not esired to rotate them. In such case the cylinder is locked from rot-ation by the locking pin 86 or other suitable means, and the pinions 67 can be rotated by a crank'applied to the squared, extended end of the cylinder'shaft 59, so as to cause the pinions to be driven along the racks and to carfiy the cylinder non-rotative.

' cans are provided for positively rotating the cylinders 56, 57 in proper direction to transfer im ressions from one to the other and for loc ing the cylinders to hold them in proper peripheral ink transferring contact. The means for thus rotating the cylinders, when the idler pinions are demeshed,

embrace idler gears 112, 112, which are rota.

tively mounted on stub shafts 113, one carried by each of the cross heads, and which, when the two cylinders 56 and 57 are brought to the position shown in Figure 6 mesh with each other. Each gear 112 is mounted in its own cross head, so as to be-. constantly in mesh with its associated pinion 94. The length of travel of the cylinders bodily along the frame, relatively to their effective circumference is such that the clearance recesses of the cylinders will always be brought into the relatlve position shown in Figure 6 when the cylinders are brought together for mutual impression transfer and rotation of 57 may be rolled forwardly over the printing element to permit its transfer or it may be moved forwardly over the bed while nonrotative and imprint its impression onthe printing element or plates when moving rearwardly. i

The means shown for holding or locking the cylinders 56 and 57 in operative felation during such .rotative transfer contact is made as follows:

115 designates a latch that is hingedly sup shaft 121 which is rockingly mounted in standards 122 that rise from the guide sleeves 75 of the cross heads. The said rock shaft is provided at the driving ends of the cylinders 56, 57 with a hand lever 124 which, when the outerend is depressed, rocks the shaft 121 4 and lifts the hook 116 of the latch 115 away from the pins 117, thereby freeing the latches from the pins 117 and permitting the cylinder 57 to be rotated away from the transfer position toward the printing element or plate B when its driving gear train is again established. The weight. of the parts may permit the latchesto drop by gravity and be held against stop pins 126.

130 designates a set of inking rolls of any suitable form that is adapted to be connected with the proof cylinder to travel therewith. The shafts of said inking rolls are rotatively mounted in triangular plates 131 pivoted by a cross rod 132 to rearward extensions 133 of the cross heads, said rod ex tending beyond the cylinder for bearing support in said rearward extension 133. The said set of inking rolls 130 are adapted to be raised and lowered independently of the inking contact of the proof cylinder with the type'forms. Q

In the present construction the proof cylinder, as well also as the transfer cylinders, are not arranged to be raised and lowered relatively to the type forms and the printing elements, but the proportions of the effective proof and transfer surfacesof said cylinders, with respect to the double bed, the printing forms, and the bed, which supports the printing element, as well also as the parts of the machine intermediate and beyond said beds, is such as to always cause the clearance recesses of the cylinders to register with "given transverse'positions on the beds and frame, which may be termed striking positions. Thus the front and rear ends and the dividing rail of the double bed and the front and rear ends of the printing element bed may be denoted as striking positions for the cylinders, and the positive gear drive between the pinions 67 and racks 66 insures permanency of register of the cylinders to make said striking positions effective. This is true whether the cylinders be rotated on their axes or not, for if a-cylinder be moved without rotation from one striking position to the other, at a time when the gear train is broken, establishment of said gear train will pick up the cylinder for properly striking the same as though'the cylinder had been rotated when moving through the same space. I

When employing this construction and arrangement, it is desirable at times to allow the inking rolls to travel in Contact. with certain of the printing forms when theproof cylinder is traveling in rolling contact therewith, and it is desirable at other times for the inking rolls to be lifted off of certain of the printing forms when the proof, cylinder is traveling thereover, but not rotating in proof contact therewith. I have herein shown a construction made as follows for so controlling the inking rolls as to effect these functions 135 (Figures 9 and 11) designates a forwardly extending arm that can be fixed to or made integral with the triangular bearing plate 131. 136 designates a sleeve that constitutes the pivot of the demeshing lever 105 of the gear train for the proof cylinder. Said sleeve 136 has rocking bearing in the plates of the cross head. It extends inwardly beyond the inner plate of the head. 139 designates a shaft that is rockingly mounted in the sleeve 136'. It is provided at its outer end with a hand lever 141 andat its inner end with a cam arm 142 that is adapted to bear on the lever arm l35.

With this construction, it will be observed that when the hand lever 141 is independently depressed, its crank arm 142 will depress the crank arm of the inking roll bearing plate 131 and raise the inking rolls above the level of the printing forms, and the parts can be locked with the inking rolls raised by causing cam to pass dead center. When the'cam is released the weight of the rolls causes them to descend to the level of the printing forms.

The rear end of the framebeyond the. support for the printing element B is made of sufiicient length to receive the transfer cylinder 57, when it'is desired to transfer the impressions directly from the transfer cyl inder 56 to said printing element B and to also receive the transfer cylinder 56 when the latter is passed over the printing element. It is understood that the proportions of the effective transfer and printing surfaces of the transfer cylinders are such, relatively to the travel of the cylinders along the frame to the printin element support as to bring the blanket o the transfer cylinder 56 into proper striking relation to the printing plateor element B. When the lat ter is brought directl back from the printing forms the said cylinder 56 can be looked as it leaves the rear side of the printing forms with its recess downwardlymnd may be thus continued to a point in rear of the printing plate frame where return rotation thereof, when the cylinder 56'is adjusted to turn, will bring the striking parts on the printing element or plate and cylinder in register, the imprinting from the cylinder 56 taking place on the return, turning movement of the cylinder. Thus the meshing of the pinion 67 with the racks can be relied upon to maintain the striking positions in register. When, however, "it is desired to reverse the lines picked up by the transfer cylinder 56, said cylinder will be rotated in peripheral contact with the cylinder 57 at the point indicated in Figure 2, and thereafter the cylinder 57 will be rolled towards and over the plate orelement B to transfer the impressions carried thereby to the printmg plate or element. From the position shown in Figure 2 to the striking position on the plate or element B, the angular travel of rotation of the roller 57 will be approximately 270 degrees. So also the length of the frame from the normal or inoperative.

position of the'proof cylinder, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and i, will besuch that said cylinder will travel about 270 degrees to bring its effective striking surface into striklng position against the type forms.

' In operation, assuming that the printing forms are the up and down lines to produce a cross ruled sheeton the printing plate or element B, the down rule form and cross rule form are placed at the, relative positions on the type form bed, as shown in Figure 1. The down rule form is first proved and registered by running the proof cylinder and inking rollers thereover. This form is located at the near left hand. side of the printing form bed and becomes the key form. Thereafter, the form is proved and registered with respect to the first proved form. It will be noted that the total length of the double bed is twice the effective proving surface of the proof cylinder; in other words, the effective circumferential dimension of the proving surface equals slightly more than one half the length of the bed. The two parts of the bed, divided by the transverse rail, and the travel of the proof cylinder from the position shown in Figure 1, are such that substantially 1 revolutions of the proof cylinder-will bring the clearance recess-thereof at the lower side of the cylinder" in line with said transverse rail. Whenprovin'g-thekey form, the proof roller may be advanced and turned on itsaxis to bring it to the latter position, and thereupon, its drivin train may be disconnectedv and the lock pin 86 connected to the cylinder end, so that by reversing rotation of the crank of the proof cylinder shaft the proof cylinder may be carried backwardly overthe key form without rotation and withouttouchingghe key form. When the proof is found to perfect and in register, the proof cylinder can again be caused to travel over the ke form without rotation and to allow the in ing rollers to be adjusted against the ke form when the proof roller is returne Thereafter, the transfer cylinder 56 can be moved, bodily,forward1y over the printing form, it preferably being held from rotation until it reaches the striking position on the proof form at the exterior front margin thereof, and is thereafter locked and rotated and picks up the impressions from the printing form and is then rolled backwardly away from the printing form bed. Thereafter, the second printing form 33' is in generally like manner proved and registered on the rear part of the double bed. By reason of the fact that the proof cylinder will reach the striking surface of the second form, just after it has passed over the center rail, the impressions of the second form will be superimposed on the proof cylinder on the area occupied by the impressions of the key form on the proof cylinder. When it is found that the lines of the object of the second form are in register with the lines of the object of the key form, then the transfer cylinder 56 can be brought forward to pick up the impressions of the second printing form and superimpose them in proper relation with the impressions of the key proof form theretofore transferred thereto. The two forms are now in perfect register, and the bed supporting the printing forms may be longitudlnally and transversely adjusted through the hand wheels 42 and 46 to separately collate the lines of the objects of the printing forms on different circumferential and lon itudinal areas of the transfer cylin der unti it is filled. Between such collating operations the proof cylinder will be run over the forms in order to assure that the printing forms are in proper register and also to insure that the printing form surfaces are perfect in detail. The inking rolls will be adjusted to travel on the surfaces of the printing forms both ahead of the proof cylinder and ahead of each pass of the transfer cylinder.

If it be desired to use a third printing form having different object lines of the same color to be superimposed'on the collated impressions of the first two forms, the

second form will be removed from the bed .clearance recesses faced downwardly. Al-

ternatively, tracks may be employed for this separation by actively moving the rollers upwardly, as shown in my aforesaid patent. It will be noted that after the transfer cylinder 56 has been filled, the transfer therefrom, either to the second roller 57 or directly to the element B, can be effected in a single operation or complete travel of the roller the desired distance. When operating on printing forms of lesser dimensions the number of proving and transfer operations will be increased proportionate to the lesser sizes of the printing forms, but, in other respects, the operation will be identically the same. a

If desired, the cross head frames for the cylinders 56 and 57 may be locked to the superframe by set nuts 155 or by other suitable means, in order that it will not be jarred out of place when the cylinder 56 is brought to the cylinder 57 for transferring operation. Furthermore the cross head for the cylinder 56 may carry a pointer 156 adapted to register with a registermark on one of the raiis 64 when said cylinder reaches the outermost position, so that its surface will register with the striking position on the printing element or plate when the said cylinder is returned and is rotating.

In the foregoing described operation of superimposing impressions on the transfer roller, it is assumed that the impressions are for ink of the same color toproduce a single collated impression on the printing form. If 'color plates are to be produced the objects of the printing forms are registered and proved on the bed 18 in the manner before described, but the'imp-ressionsfor plates of different colors will be separately picked and collated by the transfer cylinder and separately printed on the printing plates to produce colorplates. 5

press having a given effective circumferential length of transfer cylinder may be employed for preparing more than one size of offset or lithograph printing plates. This can be effected by the adjustable bed for the printing element B before described. After the impressions from one of the transfer cylinders fill the part of the plate between the frame rails the transversely adjustable bed can be moved, through the medium of the rack and screw mechanism described, under the supervislon of a micrometer. Thus the lengths of the printing plates can be increased two or, more timesto adapt them to offset or lithographic cylinders of difierent sizes. I

In order to originally adjust the cylinders to the proper height, relatively to the printing forms and elements, the superframe may be adjustably connected to the main frame, as by means of the screws 152 threaded into lugged standards of the. superframe and bearing on the main frame. These lifting and lowering screws may be associated with any suitable form of micrometer.

It is to be understood that variations in the structural details of the disclosed embodiment of my invention can be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the claims hereto appended and that it is the intent to claim all of inherent novelty herein disclosed.

I claim as my invention:

1. The methdd of producing printing elements, such as offset plates, lithograph plates, and the like, from printing forms which comprises the steps of proving and registering the forms on a support, rolling a cylindrie transfer surface thereover to receive superimposed impressions from the forms, and finally transferring said superimposed impressions from the transfer surface to produce the desired plates.

2. The method described which comprises the steps of proving and registering two printing forms in a manner to produce a superimposed proof impression of said forms on a cylindric surface, and finally transfer ring the proved and registered forms to a printing plate. Y

3. The method described which comprises the steps of proving and registering two printing forms in a manner to produce a superimposed impression of said forms on a cylindric surface, relatively shifting said forms when so registered and collating the registered impressions to a transfer element.

4. The method described which comprises the steps of proving and registering two printing forms in a manner to produce a superimposed impression of said forms on 1 the surface of a cylinder, relatively shifting said forms when so registered, collating theregistered impressions on a transfer element, and reversing said impressions between the printing forms and said element, so that the impressions will appear reversed on the printing element relatively to said printing forms.

5. The method of producing printing elements, such as offset plates, lithograph plates, and the like, which comprises the steps of proving and registering the forms on a support, rolling a cylindric transfer surface over'and to receive superimposed lmpressions from the from printing forms forms, giving relative movement to said forms and said transfer surface to superimpose said impressions at different longitudinal and circumferential surfaces of the area of the cylindric transfer surface, and imprinting the transferred impressions from said transfer surface to a printing plate.

6. The method of making plates from printing forms which comprises the steps of proving and registering forms on a flat support, rolling a cylindrie transfer surface thereover to receive impressions from said forms, with the forms spaced to place the objects of the forms in superimposed registered relation on the transfer surface, giving relative movement to the form support and the transfer surface to dispose said superimposed transfers longitudinally and cir eumferentially'of the transfer surface, and applying the transfer of said surface to a plate to produce the printing plate.

7. The method of making plates from printing forms which comprises the steps of proving and registering forms on a flat support, rolling a cylindric transfer surface thereover to receive impressions from said forms, with the forms spaced to place the objects of the forms in superimposed registered relation on the transfer surface, giving relative movement to the-form support and the transfer surface to dispose said superimposed transfers longitudinally and circumferentially' of the transfer surface, applying the transfer of said surface to a plate to produce the printing plate, and transferring the impressions from said transfer surface to a second cylindric trans for surface to reverse the object impressions on a final printing plate.

8. The method of producing printing elements, such as offset, lithograph plates, and the like, from printing forms which comprises the steps of proving and registering the forms on a. support, rolling a cylindric transfer surface over and to receive impressions from the forms, imparting relative movement to said forms and said transfer surface to transfer said impressions at different longitudinal surfaces of the area of the cylindric transfer surface, effecting relative separation of the effective area of the transfer surface and the printing forms, and imprinting the transferred impressions on the printing plate.

9. The method of making plates from proved and registered printing forms which con'lprises the steps of passing a rotary transfer surface in transfer contact with a form containing an object to be transferred, and by continued rotation passing it" in printing contact with a plate, and imparting relative movement of said transfer surface and of said form or plate to imprint the transfer on' said plate in desired relative position on the printing plate.

10. The method of producing printing plates by the use of two transfer surfaces, which comprises the steps of directly transferring the object to one of said surfaces, transferring the object from the first to the second transfer surface to reverse the object, and imprinting the reversed object on a printing plate.

11. The inethod of producing printing plates by the use of two rotary transfer surfaces, which comprises the steps of rolling one of the surfaces over a printing form to receive atransfer, rolling the first surface peripherally against a second surface to reverse the object and afterwards rolling the second transfer surface over a plate to imprint the reversed object directly thereon to produce the printing plate.

121 The method of making; plates from proved and registered printing forms which comprises the steps of'passing a rotary transfer surface in transfer contact with a form containing an object to be trans ferred, reversing the lines of the object between the position from which it is taken from the form and the position at which it is imprinted on a printing element, and imparting relative movement of the transfer surface and of said form or plate to imprint the surface in a desired relation on the printing plate.

13. The method of producing printing elements, such. as offset plates, litho raph plates, and the like, from printing orms, which comprises the steps of proving and registering the forms on a support, rolling a cylindric transfer surface over and to receive impressions from the forms, giving relative movement to said forms and said .transfer surface to transfer said impressions at different longitudinal and circumferential surfaces of the area of the eylindric transfer surface, effecting relative separation of the effective area of the transfer surface and the printing forms and plate, and maintaining the eylindric rolling surface in register wlth the printing forms and printing plate.

14. The method described which comprises the steps of first registering and proving a key form on a support, thereafter registering and proving another form through the guidance of said key form, and finally transferring the impressions from said forms to printing plates.

15. The method described which 'comprises the steps of first registering and prov ing a key form on a support, thereafter registering and proving another form through the guidance of said key. form, imparting relative movement to the registered forms and the proving and registering medium, and transferring the impressions from said forms to printing plates.

16. The method described which comprises the steps of first registering and proving a key form on a support, thereafter registering and proving another form through the guidance of said key form, rolling a cylindric transfer surface over the registered forms to pick up impressions therefrom, imparting relative movement between the forms and transfer surface to transfer said impressions to different longitudinal and circumferential areas of the transfer surface, and imprinting said transfer impressions on a plate.

17. A press for the purpose set forth comprising a frame, a printing form bed thereon, a transfer cylinder travelable over said bed to receive transfers from an object supported on the bed, a support for a printing plate over which the said transfer cylinder is adapted to roll to imprint the transfer impressions on a plate carried by the latter l support, gear means on said cylinder and frame and Wholly above the plane of a plate on said plate support to cause said cylinder to rotate and travel, and means to transversely adjust said plate support relatively to the transfer rpller.

18. A press for the purpose set forth comprising a frame, a printing form bed thereon, a transfer cylinder travelable over said bed to receive transfers from an object supported on the bed, a support for a printing plate over which the said transfer cylinder is adapted to roll to imprint the transfer impressions on a plate supported on the latter bed, said plate support being disposed transversely of said frame and the printing form bed, gear driving means for said cylinder wholly above the plane of said support, and means to adjust the said plate support transversely with respect to said frame to enable printing plates of greater length than the transfer cylinder to be made by successive operations of the cylinder.

19. A press for the purpose set forth comprising a frame, a printing form bed thereon, a proof cylinder movable over said bed to prove printing forms thereon, a transfer cylinder travelable over said bed to receive transfers from anvobject supported on the bed, a support for a printing plate over which the said transfer cylinder is adapted to roll to imprint the transfer impressions on a plate supported on the latter bed, said support extending laterally from both sides of the frame to support a plural plate element, driving means for said cylinder whol- 1y above the plane of a printing plate sustained on said support, and means to adjust said plate bed rela 'vely to the transfer roller.

20. A press for the purpose set forthcom prising a frame, a printing form bed thereon, a proof cylinder movable over said bed to prote printing forms thereon, means to adjust said bed relatively to said proof cylinder, a transfer cylinder travelable over said bed to receive. transfers from an object supported on the bed, internal driving inder, a support for a printing plate over,

which the said transfer cylinder is adapted to roll to imprint the transfer impressions;

on a plate supported on the latter bed, and means to adjust said plate bed relatively to the transfer roller.

21. A proof and'transfer press for making printing plates, such as offset and lithograph plates, comprising a frame, spaced printing form and printing element beds supported thereon, a proof cylinder travelable over the printirfi form bed, a transfer cylinder travelable over said printing form bed and over said printing element, top guided cross heads movable along guides on said frames .in which said cylinders. are

mounted, racks extending longitudinally of said frame, and a train of gears for each cylinder carried by its cross head for connecting said racks to said cylinder to give traveling movement of the cylinder relatively to; said frame.

22. A proof and transfer press for making printing plates, such as offset and lithograph plates, comprising a frame, spaced printing form and printing element bed supported thereon, a proof cylinder-travelable over the printingtform bed, a transfer cylinder travelable over said printing form bed and over said printing element, top guided cross heads movable along guides on said frame in which said cylinders are mounted, racks extending longitudinally of said frame, and .atrain of gears for each cylinder carried by its cross head for connecting said racks to said cylinder to give traveling movement of the cylinder relatively to said frame, said gear train being constructed to cause the cylinders to roll during travel and also to allow them to travel while non-rotative on their axes.

23. A proof and transfer press? for making printing plates, such as offset and lithograph plates, comprising a frame, a spaced printingv form and printing element bed supported thereon, a proof cylinder travelable over the printing formbed, a transfer cylinder travelable over said printing form bed and over said printing element, cross heads movable along. guides on said frame in which said cylinders are mounted, racks extending longitudinally of said frame, and a train'of gears foreach cylinder carried by its cross head for connecting said racks to said cylinder to give traveliiig movement of the cylinder relatively to said frame, said gear trains having terminal pinions to mesh with said racks, and gears on the cylinder with which the other terminal pinions of the train mesh.

24;. A proof and transfer press for making printing plates, such as offset and lithograph plates, comprising a frame, spaced printing form and printing element beds supported thereon, able over the printing form bed, a transfer cylinder travelable over said printing form bed and over said printing element, cross heads movable along guides on said" frame in which said cylinders are mounted, racks extending longitudinally of said frame, and a train of gears for each cylinder carried by its cross head for connecting said racks to said cylinder to give traveling movement of the cylinder relatively to said frame, said gear trains having terminal pinions to mesh with said racks, gears on the cylinder with which the other terminal pinions of the train mesh, and the gear trains each embracing a demeshing pinion to break the train from the rack to the cylinder gear.

a proof cylinder travel-.

' of August, 1921.

25. A proof and transfer press comprising a frame, a printing form bed supported thereon, with means to prove and register printing forms on said bed, a transfer cylinder to receive impressions from the printing forms, an internal driving gear for said cylinder to cause it to rotate on its axis and to travel along said frame, a bed over which said cylinder rolls to support a plate wholly beneath said internal driving gear, whic plate receives transfer impressions from said transfer cylinder, and means for adjusting the latter support laterally relatively to the frame.

In testimony whereof I claim the foregoing as my invention, I hereunto append my signature at Chicago, Illinois,

LOUIS SMITH.

this 3 day

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