US2187444A - Full automatic plate-finishing machine - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 16, 1940. H. c. BEHR ENS FULL AUTOMATIC PLATE FINISHING MACHINE Filed April 19, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 16', 1940. H. c. BEHRENS FULL AUTOMATIC PLATE FINISHING MACHINE Filed April 19, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 16-, 1940. H; c. BEHRENS FULL AUTOMATIC PLATE FINISHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 19. 1937 Jan. 16, 1940. c, BEHRENS FULL AUTOMATIC PLATE FINISHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 19, 1.937

Patented Jan. 16, 1 940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FULL AUTOMATIC PLATE-FINISHING MACHINE Herbert G. Behrens, Battle Creek, Mich, assignor to Duplex Printing Press Company, Battle Creek, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application April 19, 1937, Serial No. 137,863

27 Claims.

H of the automatic features may be eliminated and their'operations performed mechanically by actuation of manually controlled hand levers or the like.

Further objects are to provide a full-automatic plate-finishing machine for receiving tubular plates having projections cast on their tail ends adapted to contact with an adjustable stop'on the machine for automatically properly positioning the pates therein, a plate when thus positioned automatically actuating a switch setting the ma- 2,0 chine in operation; said machine when in motion having means for initially automatically clamping the plate to prevent movement thereof during machining, also means for subsequently automatically operating sets of cutters which cut off the tail pieces at the ends of the clamped plate leaving he correct bevel at each end of the plate body; also means for subsequently bringing the sets of cutters to rest until the cycle is repeated on the next succeeding plate placed in the machine; said machine also having means i for subsequently automatically propelling a carriage axially of and within the plate, said carriage having a set of adjustable revolving cutters thereon-which, when this carriage is at rest, are

folded inwardlyto allow sufficient clearance to permit placing the plate in the machine, but

which cutters, when the carriage is being propolled, are brought into cutting positions to give the plate a predetermined inside diameter; also automatic means for reversing the movement of the carriage when same has completed its cutting stroke; also means during such reversal for automatically unclamping the plates in the machine leaving same free to be removed; also automatic 3 means whereby when the carriage returns to its original position the machine will be stopped; and also means whereby as the carriage is returning to its original position the next succeedingplate to be finished may be placed in the machine, and whereby the above described cycle will be automatically continued as long as a plate is placed in themachine as soon as previous one has-been finished.

I willexplain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts for which protection is desired. 6

In said drawings: Fig. l is a longitudinal section through the machine on the line 1-1, Fig. 7, showing in dotted lines the finished stereotype plate body and the severed tail ends thereof, the plate bor- 10 ing mechanisms being shown in about the midposition of its cutting stroke.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2, Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a reduced elevation of the cast stere- 1 otype tubular plate prior to finishing. Fig. l is an end view of the plate shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5, Fig. 1. I

Figs. 6 and 7 are reduced side and end elevations respectively of the machine.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section through the axis of the plate boring mechanism, de-

tached. l

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 9--9, Fig. 5 showing the movable plate clamp at its operating means.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevation of the clutch operating means. Fig. '11 is a plan view of the clutch arrange- 'inent.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the clutch arrangement showing the clutches engaged.

Fig. 13 is an elevation showing the clutch disengaged.

Figs. 3 and 4. show the rough cast stereotype tubular plate A in the form discharged from a plate casting box, the same having the usual longitudinal split A and having at one tail end 49 A an integral lug A for the purpose of properly positioning the plate in the finishing machine forming the subject-matter of my present invention, which machine operates automatically or otherwise to bore and finish the plate A, cutting off the tail end portions A A of the plate along the dotted lines A and A and leaving the finished body portion A.

Mynovel finishing machine comprises an elongated casing body 5 having a substantially semicylindrical upper portion 2 of somewhat less length than the body, same being open at both ends and or" larger diameter than the stereotype plate A, whereby the latter may be inserted 55 through the portion 2 into the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 1.

Within portion 2 is a fixed cylinder 3 of internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of stereotype plate A, said cylinder being of length somewhat less than the body A of the plate A between the trim lines A A Fig. 3. Cylinder 3 is split as at 3a (Fig. along its lower periphery leaving a gap for the entry therein of the standard 24 of the reciprocable plate boring mechanism (hereinafter referred to). One side of cylinder 3, at the gap 30,, is seated in the bosom of an angle iron 4 (Fig. 5) forming a fixed plate clamp, while the cylinder at the other side of the gap is mounted upon the fixed support 5 of a movable plate clamp 6 which I clamp has an upstanding flange 3a along its inner edge disposed opposite and parallel with the upstanding leg of the angle iron 4. Clamp 6 is slidably mounted in a fixed support 5, as shown in Figs. 5 and 9. The standard 24 of the plate boring mechanism enters cylinder 3 between the fixed and movable plate clamps 4 and 6, as shown in Figs. 5 and 9. Around the cylinder 3 within portion 2 are a series of annular ribs 20. (three being shown) for preventing radial expansion of cylinder 3. I

The split A in stereotype plate A is of narrower width than the gap 3a in cylinder 3 so that when plate A is placed in the machine, one side of the gap A abuts against the upstanding leg of fixed clamp 4, while the other side of the gap abuts against the flange 6a of the movable clamp 6, whereby when clamp 6 is shifted, as hereinafter described, plate A will be expanded to securely bind within cylinder 3.

Within portion 2 adjacent each end of cylinder 3 is an annular cutting frame I having an annular peripheral groove In (Fig. 1) receiving ball or roller bearings 8 journaled within the portion 2 (three such bearings 8 being shown for each frame I spaced substantially 120 apart in Fig. 2), said bearings 8 permitting rotation of frames I while preventing lateral or axial movement thereof. Each frame I is also provided with'an external ring gear lb whereby the frame may be rotated as hereinafter explained.

. Journaled within the rim of each cutter frame 'I is a shaft 3 (Fig. l) disposed parallel with the axis of cylinder 3, said shaft having a wheel II? mounted thereon provided with four radially disposed equal spaced pins Ilia. adapted to successively contact with a striker block I I as the frame TI rotates, thereby revolving the shaft 9 onequarter revolution upon each rotation of the frame. Each shaft 3 also carries an eccentric 9a 'upon which is journaled one end of a tool post I2 pivoted as at I2a (Fig. 2) on the side of the cutter frame, said tool post I2 carrying a beveled cutting tool I212 on its outer end for the purpose of cutting stereotype plate A circumferentially along the cutting lines A A of Fig. 3. The normal position of tool I21) is as shown in Fig. 2 in which the outer end of the tool is retracted sufficiently to permit insertion of the tubular plate in the cylinder 3. The drive for the ring'gears lb of the cutter frames will be hereinafter extop of casing I having an arm projecting above the casing adapted to be depressed (as in Fig. 1) by the tail piece A of stereotype tubular plate A when inserted in the cylinder 3, the switch automatically opening when the tail piece A is removed from the machine. The motor circuit also includes a reversing switch 48 adapted to be actuated by the standard 24 of the plate boring mechanism when the latter is at the end of its cutting stroke; also a stop switch 50 adapted to be actuated by the standard 24 each time the plate boring mechanism is returned to starting position to cut off the motor I1 until the starting switch I8 is again actuated.

The plate boring mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 5, and comprises a pair of spaced members 24 forming the standard of a carriage extending upwardly between the fixed and movable plate clamps 4-3 into cylinder 3, said members 24 having bifurcated lower ends 24a spanning the top of cylinder gear I4, the outer ends of the bifurcations slidably engaging horizontal guides Is in casing I at opposite sides of gear I4. The outer ends of the bifurcations 24a are provided with threaded. bores for the reception of lead screws 25 journaled in bearings 25a (Fig. 1) 'at opposite sides of cylinder gear I4 whereby as screws 25 are rotated carriage 24 will be moved axially of cylinder 3. Journaled in the carriage standard, at the crotch of bifurcations 24a is a small gear 26 meshing with cylinder gear I4, and above gear 26 is a second idler gear 21 meshing with said gear 26 and with a large tool drive gear 26 coaxial with cylinder'3, gear 28 being mounted on a hollow shaft 29 journaled in bearings 25a in carriage 24.

Shaft 29 carries a tool post bracket 3| provided with diametrically f opposed tool posts 32-33 pivotally mounted thereon as at 320., 33a, respectively, the inner ends of the posts being longitudinally slotted as at 32b, 33b with the slotted ends overlapping. The outer ends of tool posts 32, 33 carry the tools 320, 330 (Fig. 5) adapted to engage the inner wall of stereotype tubular plate A when the tool posts are projected outwardly and bore theplate A, the tools 320, 33c rotating with gear 28. The leading tool 320 (or 330) may be a roughing tool, making a preliminary cut, while the trailing tool 330 (or 320) may be a finishing tool.

Within the hollow shaft 29 is a tube 30 extending beyond each end of said shaft, and on the right hand end of the tube 30 (Figs. 1 and 8) is fixedly mounted a collar 34 having an eccentric annular groove in its periphery in which is mounted a crank 35 carrying a pin 35a. passing through the overlapping slotted portions 32b, 33b of the tool posts, the crank when rotated with respect to the tool post bracket 3I causing the tool posts 32, 33 to pivot and project or retract the tools 32c, 33c with respect to the stereotype plate A, the normal position of the crank 35 being as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 8 in which the tools are retracted. The collar 34 carries a pawl 3401. pivoted as at 3412 in a recess in the collar, said pawl being normally urged by spring 340 into engagement with a ratchet tooth on tool post carrier 3 I, whereby the collar 34 normally rotates with the carrier. Within the slot in. the collar 34 is pivoted a pawl release lever 36 carrying a rod 3'! extending beyond the .opposite end of tube 36 and adapted when shifted axially towards the right (Fig. 8) to release pawl 34a and permit the collar 34 to remain stationary while the carrier 3| continues to rotate.

"right hand limitof its movement (Fig. l) to en'- gage, clutch teeth? 380 in a fixed bracket 38 v mounted on the axis of cylinder 3 at the starting position.

2,187,444 on the' outer face of collar 34 are clutch teeth.

34d adapted when carriage 24 is inxthe extreme ing positionof the carriageto prevent rotation of collar 34; At the sametime the outer bent end. of pawl 34a engages striking face 380;. of bracket 38 and tilts the pawl out of contact with the ratchet tooth of .ca1rier 3l thereby permitting the carrier 3! to rotate independentlyof collar 34: fll'hisposition of the carrier 24 is its start- Ontthe opposite end of tube 30 is a collar 301; having. teeth 39c adapted to engage clutch teeth -39c in a fixed bracket 39 at the extreme left hand .limit of movement ofcarriage 24 (Fig. 1) While at the same time pawl release rod 31 engages striking face 39a of bracket 38 and releases pawl 3 la ,permitting the collar v3-l to remain stationary while the carrier 3l rotates.

. Eachleajd screw 25 is threaded throughout the v entire limit of travel of the legsMaof carriage 2'4 but has a reduced end 252) extending .beyond the .limit:of travel ofthe .carriageat the endof the screw adjacent bracketfBtjsaid' reduced por- .tion 25bhavingiorward-drive threads 25c exvtend-inga portion of its length adjacent the'main threadedlportion; and a forward-drive gear 43 is mounted on said reduced portion 25b and adapted when in engagement with the shoulder atthcinner'endof. portion 25b to rotate lead screw .25 in a direction to move carriage 24 towardsthe left. (Fig. l), the gear Mlmeshing constantly with the cylinder gear 14.

Atithe opposite end of shaft 25 is a similar reduced portion Zlidprovided fora portion of its length with reverse-drive threads 25c, and a re-.

verse-drive gear.4| is mounted on the. portion lly'idpand when gear 4! abuts against theshoulderat the inner end of said reduced portion, 7

gear M will rotate lea-dfscrew 25 in the reverse dir e ction if the cylinder gear I4-is rotated in the reverse direction.

The movable plate clampfi carries cranks lib .(Figs. andQ) on its exterior edge rotatably embracingeccentrics 62 on a .shaft 43c which eccentrics when rotated draw the clamp-r3 out wardly in its guide support i to expand the stereotype] plate A and thereby securely bind the lat-- ter in fixed positionwithin the cylinder 3 during the finishing operations. Eccentrics 42 are actuated by a lever 43 (Fig; 9).,mounted on shaft 43a. which is journaled int-he webs 2a of .the portion 2, said lever :13 normally resting. on the reduced portion b and lyingin the path of .a cam surface 411c (Fig. 9) on one axially movable gear 40, whereby when the gear is moved to abut against. the shoulder of its related reduced portion 25b of lead screw Ziithe clamp plate 55 will be shifted outwardly, but when the gear so is shifted onto the unthreaded portion of reduced portion 25b clamp 6 will bemoved inwardly by contraction or" the stereotype plate A.

The driveficr the ring gears lb of the annular cutterirames I is shown in Figs. 10-13, and comprises a pair of pinions l8. fixedly mounted on -a shaft Ha journaled in bearings in the casing, said pinions[constantlymeshing with ring gears lb, Below the ends of shaft Isa, andparallel therewith, are stub shafts 22 (Fig. 12) suitably jou' ledin the casing, said stub shafts carrying sli .ng gears 2i splined thereon, and

having hubs Zia each having annular groove receiving a clutch yoke 23 pivoted as at 23a at gears its lower end in the casing l. Each gear 2| constantly meshes with cylinder gear I4 and is rotated thereby. The two yokes 23 are interconnected by a link 231) so as to shift the sliding gears 2! in unison. The yoke 23 adjacent the starting position of the. carriage 24 (right hand end, Fig. l) is extended as at 23:0 and terminates closely adjacent the outer end of one leg 2 5a of the carriage 24, which leg carries a lug fitx adjacent its leading end adapted to engage the end 23a of the yoke whenever the carge 24 is in starting position as shown in Fig. 2.2 and simultaneously shift both sliding gears El intomesh with the pinions l9 thereby driving the annular cutter frames '1. A second lug Myis pivoted on the leg 24 adjacent its trailing end and adapted to be swung towards the lug 24x, the same'being normally maintained in position to strike yoke'end 23.10 by spring 242;

and when the carriage is moved on its cutting stroke the lug 24y will strike the end 23m and.

shift the yoke into position shown in. Fig. 13

thereby de-clutchingbothgears 2| from their pinions l9 and causing the ring gears 1b to cease rotating. On the return stroke of carriage 24 the 'lug 24y merely pivots'when it strikes yoke V endilsm and thus passes the yoke, the lug 24a:

subsequently engagingthe yoke 23a: and returnthe gears 2! into clutched relation with their pinions Hi (as shownin Fig. 12) when the carriage 24 engagesthe fixed bracket 38 in start- .ing position, thus driving the cutter frames 1 bythe cylinder gear 14.

" In operation The normal position. of the plate boring carriage 24 is to the extreme right (Fig. 1) .so that the. clutch, teeth 34d38c are in engagement and pawl 35a is disengaged from the ratchet tooth in carrier 3|, whereby collar 34 is held agairist rotation independently of carrier 3|. It is from this position that the operating cycle of the machine starts. A stereotype tubular plate now entered into cylinder 3 either by hand or automatically from a plate casting box, the A on said plate contacting with adjustable stop M (Fig. l) onqthe end of portion 2 thereby accurately positioning the plate in the cylinder; and when so positioned the tail piece A of the plate engages starting switch H3 thereby actuating motor l'l and driving cylinder gear l4 through belt Hi. When cylinder gear I l revolves,

which in turn revolves shaft dim rotating eccenit tries 42 thus shifting movable plate clamp 5 outwardly, thereby expanding the stereotype plate in cylinder 3 to firmly clamp same in position during the finishing operations.

'Since the carriage M is now occupying the.

starting position, thecarriage has thrown clutch yokes 723 into position shown in Figs. 11-12 so that gears it and ill are in mesh, and cylinder gear i l transmits motion to ring gears-lb thereby rotating cutter frames '1 carrying the bevel tools 12h around the perip. .ery of plate A. While 4% are travelling along forward-drive threaded portions 250 of screws 25 the cutter frames l make four revolutions. On the first revolution of ring gears 11) apin |a on each :wheel Ill willstrike the striker blocks N thereby turning said wheel Ill and revolving eccentric ea in tool posts l2, shoving tool I 212 partly into the stereotype'plate A to make the first bevel cutaround the periphery thereof. On the second revolution the second pin lila strikes the block H and the tool |2b is shifted further inwardly to complete the operation of cutting the bevelin the plate A, leaving the body A of the plate fastened in the cylinder 3 and the tail pieces A A loose at the ends of the machine. On the third revolution the tool posts l2 are shoved still further toward the center of cylinder 3' whereby owing to the bevels of the tools the loose end pieces A A of the plate are shifted outwardly so as to leave spaces for the operation of the cutters 320330 of the plate boring mechanism, the end pieces A A occupying the positions shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1. The fourth revolution of the ring gear lb returns the tool |2b to its normal position.

normal positions.- As gears 4|] start revolving lead screws 25, the reverse threads 25c on the opposite ends of the lead screws shift gears 4| to the position shown in Fig. l in which position they merely revolve idly.

Also, as carriage 24 starts its cutting stroke, under the influence of lead screws 25, tool post carrier 3| of the carriage is revolved by cylinder gear l4 through the gear train 26, 21 and'28. The clutch teeth 330 being initially in engagement with the teeth 34d of collar 34 prevent said collar 34 from rotating with carrier 3|, pawl 34a being held out of engagement with the ratchet tooth of tool post carrier 3| due to same contacting the striking face 38a of bracket 38. Relative rotation of carrier 3| with respect to collar 34 thus causes a change in the position of crank 35. The length of dwell, wherein carriage 24 moves while clutch teeth 34d38c are still in engagement, is sufficient to cause the cutters 32c33c to be projected into cutting position since pin of crank 35 has been rotated thereby pulling the inner slotted ends of tool posts 32 and 33 towards the axis of rotation of carrier 3|. As soon as the clutch teeth 34d38c are disengaged, the pawl 34a being also free from striking face 33a, engages the ratchet tooth on carrier 3| and securely locks the cutter tool posts 3233 in cut ting position. The cutters 32c-33c now revolve while in cutting position and travel lengthwise of the machine with the carriage, thereby boring the inside surface of stereotype plate A to the predetermined diameter for which they have been adjusted. While carriage 24 is travelling along its cutting stroke a conveyor chain 45, which is fastened to the carriage, is pulled over idler sprocket 45 at the end of the casing thereby covering up the opening between the fixed and movableclamps 46 over the cylinder gear l4, and thus catching the chips cut from plate A by cutters 320-330 preventing same from falling into the interior of the casing.

When carriage 24 reaches the outward extrem ity of its cutting stroke, pawl release lever rod 37 strikes the striking face 39a of bracket 39, and

simultaneously the clutch'teeth 300 -490 are engaged. Rod 31 shifts pawl release lever 36 to the right (Fig. 1) which releases pawl 340. from engagement withthe ratchet on tool post carrier 3 thereby freeing collar 34 from the carrier and permitting the carrier to revolve while the collar 34 is held against rotation. By this action cutters 320-330 are retracted from their cutting positions since the crank 35 is again rotated into position shown in Fig. 5, which is the normal position of the crank.

The instant carriage 24 reaches its outward limit of travel, carriage 24 trips the motor reversing switch 48 thereby reversing the direction of rotation of the cylinder gear I4. This reversal of rotation ofgear 4 shifts the gears 4| to the right (Fig. 1) on their screws 25c. bringing said gears against the shoulders on lead screws 25 and thereby reversing direction of rotation of the lead screws 25, and causing return'of carriage 24 to its original starting position.

While gears 4| are moving to the right (Fig. 1) gears 40 at the opposite end of the lead screws 25 are also being shifted to the right along threads 250 to the outer ends of the reduced portions 25b, i

melting pot of the plate casting box.

While carriage 24 is returning" to its starting position a succeeding plate A to be finished may be shoved into the machine either manually, or mechanically from an automatic casting box. When the new, plate A is placed into the machine it shoves the severed tail piece A outwardly from the machine into a convenient receptacle, and also shoves out the finished section A of the plate into a pre-arranged tubular receptacle (not shown) placed in such position that the severed tail piece A may fall between the machine and said receptacle, while the finished plate A being of greater length will bridge the gap and come to rest within the receptacle.

If another plate A (to be finished) is not inserted in the machine before carriage 24 reaches its starting position so as to again close starting switch I8, carriage 24 will strike the stop switch 50 and automatically shut-off the motor stopping the machine. If a succeeding plate is inserted during the reverse movement of carriage 24, and if such plate should trip starting switch l8, said switch I8 cannot become operative until carriage 24 has reached its normal position and closed the switch 55.

When carriage 24 is returned to its starting position clutch yoke 23 (Fig. 12) is shifted to engage clutch gears 2| with the cutter frame drive pinions l9, whereby the cutterframes 7 will be operative as soon as the working cycle of the machine is repeated.

I claim:

1. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindrical holder adapted to receive the plate, said holder having a longitudinal gap; means at the ends of the holder for severing the ends of the plate; a carriage extending through the gap and reciprocably mounted with respect to.

the holder; plate boring mechanism carried by the carriage means for actuatingthe severing means; means disposed; exterior to the holder for supporting and for moving thecarriage on the cutting stroke of the boring mechanism; and meansat the end of said cutting stroke for reversing the movement of the carriage. T In combination with a machine as set forth in claim 1, means operated by the plate for setting the machine in action by insertion of the plate in the holder. p

3.; In combination with a machine as set forth in claim 1, means for setting the machine in action actuated by a plate when inserted in the holder; means for clamping the plate in the holder during the initial portionof the cutting stroke of the boring mechanism, and means for releasing the plate from the holder during the initial portion of the reverse movement of the boring mechanism to permit withdrawal of said plate and the insertion of a new plate while the boring .mechanism is returning to starting position and means for stopping the machine when the boring mechanism is thus returned in event a new plate has not been inserted in the holder; where-' by the insertion of such new plate will cause repetition of the cycle of operations as soon as the boring mechanism has been thus returned.

I 4. In a machine as set forth in claim 1, rotatable annular frames around the plate carrying the severing means in normal retracted position; and said means for actuating said severing means comprising a main drive shaft; clutch means for causingapredetermined number of revolutions of the frames by the shaft preceding the cutting stroke of the boring mechanism; andmeans for causing the severing means to penetrate deeper the boring mechanism is in starting position;

meansfor retaining the boring mechanism in starting position until after the frames have made a predetermined number of revolutions;

and means for causing the severing means to penetrate deeper into the plate upon each successive rotation of the frames, the severing means being returned to normal retracted position during the last revolution of the frames.

6. In combination with a machine as set forth inelalm 1, a cylinder gear disposed adjacent the gap; said carriage beingsupported by said moving means; a rotatable carrier journaled on said carriage and carrying cutting tools; a gear on said carrier; and a gear train journaled in the carriage meshing. with the carrier gear and cylinder gear to cause rotation of the cutting tools.

7. In combination with a machine as set forth in claim 1, a flexible closure member secured to the carriage and bridging the gap between the carriage and its starting position as the carriage is moved. v

8. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindrical holder adapted to receive the plate and having a'longitudinalgap; means attheends of theholder for severing the ends of the plate; plate boring mechanism entering the gap and reciprocably mounted within the stroke; means for projecting the rotary cutting tools into engagement with the plate; means at the end of said cutting stroke for retracting said rotary cutting tools; and means for reversing the movement of the boring mechanism.

9. In a machine as set forth in claim 8, said means for moving the boring mechanism comprising a lead screw beside the cylinder gear threaded into the boring mechanism; and a pinion on said lead screw meshing with the cylinder gear whereby when the cylinder gear is rotated the mechanism will be moved.

' ii). In a machine as set forth in claim 8, said 7 means for moving the boring mechanism on its cutting stroke comprising a lead screw beside the cylinder gear threaded into the boring mechanism; said lead screw having a reduced portion "at its ends adjacent the starting position pro- I vided with forward drive threads; a pinion threaded on said reduced end and meshing with the cylinder gear whereby when the cylinder gear is rotated in one direction with the carriage in starting position the pinion will make a predetermined number of revolutions in travelling along the forward drive threads before rotating the lead screw to move the boring mechanism.

11. In a machine as set forth in claim 8, said means for moving the boringmechanism on its cutting stroke comprising a lead screw beside the cylinder gear threaded into the mechanism; said lead screw having a reduced portion at its end adjacent the starting position provided with forward drive threads; a forward drive pinion threaded on said reduced end and meshing with the cylinder gear; and said meansfor reversing the movement of the boring mechanism comprising means whereby when the boring mechanism reaches the end of its cutting stroke the rotation of the cylinder gear is reversed; said lead screw having a reduced portion at its other end provided with reverse drive threads; a reversing pinion threaded on said reduced end and meshing with the cylinder gear whereby when 1 the cylinder gear is rotated in either direction one of the pinions will make a predetermined numoer of revolutions in travelling along the drive threads before rotating the lead screw; and said reduced portions each having unthreaded outer ends whereby when the lead screw is rotated in either directionone of the pinions will be moved to rotate idly on its related unthreaded portion.

; 12. In a machine as set forth in claim 8, said boring mechanism including a carrier having opposed posts carrying the rotary cutting tools;

the rotary cutting tools comprising a sleeve coaxial with the carrier and extending beyond the ends thereof and having clutch teeth at each end; means for normally locking the sleeve to the carrier; a member on the sleeve maintaining vfixed positions of the posts on the carrier when the locking means is engaged; fixed members at the ends of the stroke of the boring mechanism; and means on the fixed members for engaging fi and said means for pro ecting and retracting the clutch teeth and for unlocking the locking means to permit relative rotation of the carrier with respect to the sleeve, thereby shifting the posts on the carrier.

13. In combination with a machine as set forth in claim 8, a fixed clamp extending through the gap into the holder; a movable plate clamp extending through the gap into the holder; said fixed and movable clamps respectively engaging the Walls of the split in the stereotype plate; and means actuated when the cylinder gear is rotated and until the boring mechanism starts its reverse stroke for shifting the movable clamp to expand the plate within the holder.

A; In a machine as set forth in claim 8, rotatable annular frames carrying the severing means in normal retracted position; and said means for actuating said severing means in-. cluding ring gears on the frames; clutch gears adaptedto mesh with the ring gears and cylinder gear; clutch means for meshing the gears when the boring mechanism is in starting position; means for retaining the boring mechanism in starting position until after the annular frames have made'a predetermined number of revolutions; and means for causing the severing means to penetrate deeper into the plate upon each successive rotation of the frames, the severing means being returned to normal retracted position during the last revolution of the frames.

15. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindrical holder adapted to receive the plate; means at the ends of the holder for severing the ends of the plate; plate boring mechanism reciprocably mounted within the holder; means for actuating the severing means; means for reciprocating the boring mechanism; means operated by a plate when inserted in the holder-for setting the machine in action to actuate the severing and reciprocating means whereby successive insertions of new plates will cause repetitions of the cycles, and means for rendering the machine inactive when the boring mechanism reaches its starting position in event no new plate is inserted in the holder.

16. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindrical holder adapted to receive the plate; means at the ends of the holder for severing the ends of the plate; a plate boring mechanism reciprocably mounted within the holder; means operated by a plate when inserted in the holder for setting the machine for action; means for initially clamping the plate in the section when the machine is set in action; means for actuating the severing means after the plate is clamped; means for moving the boring mechanism on its cutting stroke after the severing operation; means at the end of said cutting stroke for reversing the movement of the boring mechanism; and means for releasing the plate in the holder when the boring mechanism starts its reverse movement to permit Withdrawal of the plate and insertion of a new plate in the section while the boring mechanism is returning to starting position, whereby the foregoing cycle of operations will be immediately repeated each time anew plate is thus inserted in the machine; and means for rendering the machine inactive when the boring mechanism reaches its starting position if a new plate has not been inserted in the holder.

17. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindrical holder receiving the plate and having a longitudinal gap, a fixed clamp extending through the gap into the holder; a movaction; means actuated when the machine is in action for shifting the movable clamp to expand the plate within the holder; and means for releasing the clamp while the machine is in action to permit withdrawal of the finished plate and insertion of a new plate in the holder.

18. In a machine as set forth in claim 1'7, said means for shifting the movable clamp comprising a rock shaft; an eccentric on said rock shaft operatively connected with the movable clamp; an arm on said rock shaft; a movable member; and cam means on the movable member for shifting the arm. I

19. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindrical holder receiving the plate,-annular frames around the plate at the ends of the holder carrying cutters in normal retracted position; a main drive shaft; clutch means adapted to cause the shaft to rotate the annular frames a predetermined number of revoiutions; means for de-clutching said clutch at the end of said revolutions; and means where by when the annular frames are rotating the cutters will penetrate the plate, the cutters being returned to normal retracted position during the last revolution of the frames.

20. In a machine as set forth in claim 19, said cutter penetrating means comprising stub shafts journaled in the annular frames parallel with the axis of the plate and having eccentric portions; tool posts pivoted on the frames carrying the cuttersand having portions journaled on the eccentric portions; members on the stub shafts having radially disposed projections corresponding with the desired number of revolutions of the annular frames to effect penetration; and striker members disposed in the path of the projections and adapted to shift the members upon each revolution of the frames.

21. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindrical holder adapted to receive the plate and having a longitudinal gap; a. cylinder gear disposed adjacent the gap; plate boring mechanism entering the gap; means for ism meshing with the carrier gear and cylinder gear to cause rotation of the cutting tools while the carriageis reciprocated. I

22. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindrical holder receiving the plate and having a longitudinal gap; plate boring mechanism including a carriage entering the gap; means for reciprocating the carriage; and a flexible closure member secured to the carriage and closing the gap between the carriage and its starting position as the carriage'is reciprocated.

23. In a machine as set forth in claim 22, said flexible member having one run disposed across the gap; and a weighted member on the outer end of the flexible member gravitally acting to maintain the run taut.

24. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindrical holder receiving the plate and having a longitudinal gap; a cylinder gear disposed adjacent the gap; plate boring mechanism including a carriage entering the gap; .a rotatable icarrier on said carriage carrying retary cutting tools and having a gear; and a gear in the carriage meshing with the carrier gear and cylinder gear to cause rotation of the cutwill be reciprocated.

25. In a machine as setforth in claim 24; said lead screw having a reduced portion at its ends adjacent the starting position of the carriage provided with forward drive threads, and said pinion being threaded on said reduced end whereby when the cylinder gear is rotated and the carriage is in starting position the pinion will make a predetermined number of revolutions in travelling along the forward threads before rotating the lead screw to move the carriage,

-26. In a machine as set forth in claim 24, said lead screw having a reduced portion at its end adjacent the starting position of the carriage provided with forward drive threads and having said pinion threaded thereon whereby when the cylinder gear is rotated and the carriage is in starting position the pinion will make a predetermined number of revolutions in travelling along the forward threads before rotating the lead screw to move the carriage on its cutting stroke;

meansfor reversing the rotation of the cylinder gear at the end of the cutting stroke; said lead screw having a reduced portion at its other end provided with reverse drive threads; a reverse drive pinion threaded thereon and meshing with thecylinder gear; and said reduced portions each having unthreaded outer ends whereby when 1 the lead screw is rotated in either direction one pinion will be moved to rotate idly on its related unthreaded portions.

2'7. In combination with a machine as set forth in claim 24, said cutting tools of the carrier being mounted on opposed tool posts normally retracted from the plate; and means for projecting and retracting the tools comprising a sleeve coaxial with the carrierand extending beyond the ends thereof and having clutch teeth at each end; means for normally locking the sleeve to the carrier; a member on the sleeve maintaining a fixed position of the posts on the carrier when the locking means is engaged; fixed brackets extending into the path of the boring mechanism at each end of the stroke; and means on the brackets for engaging the clutch teeth and for shifting the locking means to permit relative rotation of the carrier with respect to the sleeve,

' thereby shifting the posts.

HERBERT c. BEHRENS.

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