US1796327A

US1796327A - Adjustable platen for addressing machines

Info

Publication number: US1796327A
Application number: US347004A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul A Gollnick; Frank W Broderick; Slupkowski Leo Joseph
Original assignee: SELECTOGRAPH Co
Current assignee: SELECTOGRAPH Co
Priority date: 1929-03-14
Filing date: 1929-03-14
Publication date: 1931-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 1948-03-17

Description

ADJUSTABLE PLATENS FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES a Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 14, 1929 framrzfira.

March 7, 1931- 4 P. A] GOLLNICK ETAL 1,796,327

ADJUSTABLE PLATENS FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Filed March 14, 1929- 3 Sheets--Shee'c 2 mllHlIlll March 17, 1931. P. A. GOLLNICK ET AL 1,796,

' ADJUSTABLE PLATE'NS FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES- Filed March 14. 1929 3 Shets-She'et 3 51 A?! is l n l J9 WW IHI: JV

la r a 9mm? X% Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAUL A. GOLLNICK, FRANK W. BRODERICK, AND LEO JOSEPH SLUPKOWSKI, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS, BY IVIIEISNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'IO SELECTOGRAPH COM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS ADJUSTABLE PLATEN FOB ADDRESSING MACHINES Application filed March 14, 1929. Serial No. 347,004.

This invention relates to printing mechanisms and more particularly to addressing machines employing a platen, known as an anvil, for supporting theenvelopes or other action which did not permit any variation in the length of their strokes, that is, they moved a predetermined distance, irrespective of the thickness of the work operated upon,- with the result that the impressions varied with the thickness of the sheets.

In addressing machines, particularly those wherein the envelopes are fed manually, it is preferable to place a stack of envelopes on the platen and then remove the top envelope after each impression, instead of feeding them one by one to the printing position. Inasmuch with the removal of the top envelope after each impression, it is desirable to have a platen which will always exert a uniform pressure irrespective of the thickness of the work operated upon.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of platen; to provide improved means for positively supporting the platen so as to secure it against any yielding action during the printing operation; to'provide improved mechanism for ac tuating said supporting means to move said platen toward the impression means; and to provide improved means for yieldingly connecting said actuating mechanism with said supporting means so as to permit automatic variation of the platens stroke to compensate for work of different thicknesses.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of an addressing machine to which an improved platen is applied, the view being taken on the line 1'1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2'.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the platen in its raised position.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1, with the platen removed.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the platen.

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the friction plate which connects the platen supporting means with the actuating mechanism.

Platens embodying this invention may be applied to power driven and hand operated addressing machines. The common form of addressing machine to which this invention may be applied includes a horizontal guide- Way along which the stencils are moved to a printing position between an impression element and a platen. The impression element is generally located above the guideway and the platen is usually located below the guideway for lifting the envelopes or other sheets i into contact with the stencil. as the stack of envelopes diminishes in size Inasmuch as this invention relates particularly to the platen and its operating mechanism, only part of an addressing machine believed necessary to a complete understanding of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 7

In the construction shown, the addressing machine includes a horizontal table 1 which is adapted to support a stack of envelopes 2 beneath a horizontal guideway 3 which is adapted to support stencils 4 which are movable step-by-step to a printing position between a vertically reciprocable impression element 5 and the improved platen mechanism 6.

In the embodiment illustrated, the improved platen mechanism 6 includes a vertically reciprocable platen or anvil 7 supported on a horizontally reciprocable wedge 8, which is slidable in a frame 9 under the action of improved actuating mechanism 10.

i The platen 7 is movable upwardly through an opening 11 in the table 1 for engagement with the envelopes. In the form illustrated,

the platen 7 comprises a hollow casting having a substantially flat bearing surface 12 adapted to support the envlopes or other sheet material. The top of the platen is recessed, as shown at 13, so as to clear the inner rail of the guideway 3.

The platen 7 is guided in its vertical movement by an arm 14 having one end thereof pivotally secured to a lug 15 on the underside of the table 1. The opposite end of the arm 14 is pivotally secured to lugs 16 formed on the platen, so as to permit vertical movement of the platen while securing the platen against appreciable endwise movement during the operation of the wedge 8.

Formed at the bottom of the platen 7, is a pair of inclined outwardly projecting rails 17 which slidably engage the wedge 8, whereby a horizontal reciprocation of the wedge 8 effects a vertical movement, of the platen.

In the embodiment shown, the wedge 8 comprises a single casting which is formed to provide a pair of

side walls

18 and 19 connected together by a base part 20. Formed in the upper edges of the

walls

18 and 19, are inclined guideways 21 which slidably support the rails 17 of the platen. The guideways 21 serve as cams for effecting the desired lifting of the platen.

Formed 011 the lower side of the base part 20, is a guideway 22 for slidably supporting apart of the actuating mechanism, as hereinafter described.

Extending outwardly from opposite sides of the base part 20, is a pair of rails 23, which slidably engage the frame 9.

The frame 9 include-s a pair of

brackets

24 and 25, which are suspended from the table 1 by bolts 26 or other suitable fastening means. Formed on the lower edges of the

brackets

24 and 25 are horizontal guideways 27 for slidably supporting the rails 23 of the wedge 8.

A portion of the bracket 24 is hollow so as to form a housing 28 for a pair of adjustable stops arranged to engage a lug 29 formed on the wedge wall 19 for limiting the movement of the wedge 8.

Each of the adju-stable'stops includes a resilient pad 30 seated in a socket 31 mounted on the inner end of a screw 32 which is threaded in the housing 28.

Formed on the bracket 25, is an extension which provides abearing for part of the actuating mechanism.

In the construction shown, the actuating mechanism 10 includes a friction plate 34, which is supported in the guideway 22 for frictional engagement with the wedge 8. Formed in the plate 34, is a longitudinally extending slot 35 which receives a stud 36 threaded in a boss 37 formed on the base part 20 of the wedge. I

The plate 34 is clamped between the base part 20 and a bearing plate 38 supported on the stud 36. Embracing the stud 36, is a spring 39 for effecting the desired pressure upon the plate 34. The tension of the spring 39 may be varied by means of a nut 40 on the lower end of the stud.

Supported on the rear end of the friction plate 34, is a pivot pin 41 which is connected to one end of a link 42. The other end of the link 42 is connected to a crank 43 fixed on a shaft 44, which is journaled in the bearing part 33 of the bracket 25 and in a hanger 45 suspended from the table 1.

Fixed on the shaft 44, is a pinion 46 mesh ing with a pinion 47 of a shaft 48 which is geared to a drive shaft 49.

In operation, the friction plate 34 is reciprocated with aconstant stroke through the action of the link 42, crank 43 and

shafts

44, 48 and 49.

Under the action, of the friction plate 34, the wedge 8 is reciprocated to effect the desired lifting of the platen 7. Upon each return stroke of the wedge 8, the platen drops by gravity.

lVhen the platen has been raised a sufficient distance to. bring the top envelope into firm contact with the stencil, the wedge 8 stops and any continued movement of the actuating mechanism 10 merely causes the friction plate 34 to slide relative to the base part 20 and the bearing plate 3.8.

With this improved construction and arrangement of parts, a variable movement is imparted to the platen to accommodate envelopes of different thicknesses so that the impressions are always uniform, irrespective of the number of envelopes or sheets supported between the platen and the stencil. The platen is positively supported at every position in its stroke so as to be secured against any yielding action during the printing.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

lVe claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movable platen, means for positively supporting said platen in any position of its stroke, said means being movable horizontally for raising said platen, actuating mechanism for said means, and a friction connection between said means and mechanism, said friction connection being adapted to yield when the resistance encountered by said platen exceeds a predetermined amount.

2. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movable platen, means for positively supporting said platen in any position of its stroke, said means being movable horizontally for raising said platen, and actuating mechanism frictionally engaging said supporting means for shifting said platen.

3. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movable platen, means for positively supporting said platen in any poment and being arranged to drive said supporting means, said mechanism frictionally engaging said means to permit a variable movement of said platen.

5. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movable platen, means for positively supporting said platen in any position of its stroke, said means being movable horizontally for raising said platen, actuating mechanism having a constant movement and being frictionally connected to said supporting means, and an adjusting element arranged to vary the friction between said mechanism and said means.

6. A device of the class described comprising a vertically reciprocable platen, means for positively supporting said platen in any position of its stroke, said means being reciprocable horizontally for shifting said platen, and mechanism for actuating said means, said mechanism frictionally engaging said means to permit a variable stroke of said platen.

7. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movable platen, means for positively supporting said platen in any position of its stroke, said means being movable horizontally for shifting said platen, actuating mechanism frictionally connected to said supporting means for shifting said platen, and means for limiting the movement of said supporting means.

8. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movable platen, means for positively supporting said platen in any position of its stroke, said means being movable horizontally for raising said platen, actuating mechanism frictionally connected to said supporting means for shifting said platen, and a pair of adjustable stops for limiting the movement of said supporting means.

9. A device of the class described comprising a vertically reciprocable platen, a Wedge for positively supporting said platen in any position of its stroke, said Wedge being reciprocable horizontally for shifting said platen,

actuating mechanism including a horizontally movable plate frictionally engaging said wedge, and a spring urging said plate into frictional contact with said Wedge.

10. A device of the class described comprising a vertically reciprocable platen, a

' Wedge for positively supporting said platen in any position of its stroke, said wedge being reciprocable horizontally for shifting said platen, actuating mechanism including a slotted plate contacting with said Wedge, a stud mounted on said Wedge and extending through said plate, a spring embracing said stud for urging said plate into frictional engagement with said Wedge, and a nut on said stud for varying the tension of said spring.

Signed at Chicago this 9th day of March,

PAUL A. GOLLNIGK. FRANK W. BRODERICK. LEO JOSEPH SLUPKOWSKI.