US2231914A

US2231914A - Sheet registering mechanism for printing machines

Info

Publication number: US2231914A
Application number: US166952A
Authority: US
Inventors: William F Huck
Original assignee: R Hoe and Co Inc
Current assignee: R Hoe and Co Inc
Priority date: 1937-10-02
Filing date: 1937-10-02
Publication date: 1941-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1958-02-18

Description

w. F. HUCK 2,231,914

SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Feb. 18, 1941.

Original Filed Oct. 2, 193'! 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR M/L'lljdm fi'l'iucif. BY J g M TORNEY I E 0M1 w. F. HUCK 2,231,914

SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Feb. 18, 1941.

'8 Sheets-Shin 2 Qriginal Filed Oct. 2, 1937 INVENTOR Feb. 18, 19-41. w uK 2,231,914

SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 2, 19m 8 sheets-sheet 3 Feb. 18, 1941. w; E uc 2,231,914

SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 2, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 mmvrox WLLuaJnF uclr.

ATTORNEY W. F. HUCK Feb. 18, 1941.

SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 2, 1937 8 Sheeis-Sheeti W n m William F uclr.

Feb. 18, 1941. w K 2,231,914

SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Origina1 Filed Oct. 2. 1937 '8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENT OR William]? cir- ORNEY w. F. HUCK 2,231,914

SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Feb. 18, 1

8 Sheet s-Sheet 7 Original Filed Oct. 2, 193?! INVENT OR William EHucIr- A; TTORNEY PM Feb. 18,1941 I simmmicrsmm nan-mama ramrmomcnmss William F.- mam nm. is. Y..

to B. Hoe l 00., Ina, notationalNewYol'k m ran, a. 1.1a eor- Application coma-2.10:1. Martians f acclaim. (Crier-i114) r construction, as" well as convenient, practical,

This invention relates to multi-color sheet fed rotary printing machines and more particularly to a sheet feeding and registering mechanism for association and use with such machines whereby the sheets will be more conveniently. expeditiously and accurately registered and fed to the machine.

It is particularly desirable that the sheets be accurately registered upon a sheet carrying device before they are presented tov the printing units of a multi-color printing machine, and to detect and strip from the sheet carrying device any sheets not properly registered. It is alsov desirable to provide means to actuate suitable. printing cylinder control mechanism, to separate the cooperating cylinders of each printing unit, when a sheet has been so stripped from the sheet carrying device and the said device is passing the respective printing unit.

One object of this invention is to provide a sheet feeding mechanism whereby the above mentioned advantages will be obtained.

Another object'is to provide in a sheet feeding mechanism a sheet receiving cylinder adapted to receive the sheets one at a time, and to lo- .cate them thereon in peripheral and axial register.

Another object is to provide means on a sheet receiving cylinder of the above nature to detect misplaced sheets and which is adapted to subsequently strip such sheets from the cylinder.

Still another object is to provide, in association'with a sheet receiving cylinder of the above type, means to set a control means on a sheet gripping device, when no sheet is received thereby, in condition to actuate a printing cylinder tripping mechanism.

A further object is to provide a sheet receiving cylinder with means to hold the received sheet thereon and which is operable to locate the sheet axially thereon, while firmly holding it upon the periphery of the cylinder and mainvide a. sheet feeding and registering mechanism of generally improved construction, whereby the same will be simple, durable, and inexpensive in serviceable and emcient in use.

with the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides ,in the combinations and arrangements of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter describedand claimed.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 4

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic viewof a multicolor printing machine with which the sheet feeding mechanism of this invention may be associated; V v f Figure 2 is a top plan view of a sheet receiving cylinder having the sheet feeding and registering mechanism of therewith; p

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are broken longitudinal sectional views of thecylinder shown in Figure 2, each section being .a continuation of another. Certain parts are shown moved transversely from their true positions to more clearly show their this invention associated longitudinal positions relatively to each other;

Figure 6 is a transverse section of the mechanism looking in the direction of the arrows} in Flzurez;

Figure 8 is an enlarged partial section looking 1 in the direction of the arrows 8 in Figure 4;

. Figure9 is an enlarged partial transverse section of the cylinder looking in the direction of the arrows 9 .in Figure 2; Figure l0 is a transverse section of the mechanism looking in thedirection of the arrows I0 in'Fi'gureZ;

- Figure llis a transverse section of the sheet gripping devicelooking in the direction of the arrows 'l I in Figure 3;

Figure 12 is an enlarged top plan view of one portion of the-sheet holding device; a Figure 13 is a section on line |3i3 of Figure 12; and t Figure 14 is an underneath view of part of the sheet holding device looking in the direction of the arrows in Figure 8. a

The sheet feeding and registering mechanism illustrated in the drawings and which embodies the principles and novel features of this invention includes a conveyorand suitable guides to feed sheets one at a time to the sheet transfer or receiving cylinder, sheet engaging stops on the cylinder to peripherally locate and register the sheets as they are received, means to axially locate and register the sheets on the cylinder, including a stop plate and an air pressure actuated sheet holding device which is adapted to draw the sheets taut and hold them firmly upon the periphery of the cylinder, and a swingable finger adapted to detect the presence of a sheet improperly located. The drawings also illustrate a sheet gripping device, suitable means on the cylinder to locate and register the sheet gripping device, camming means to actuate the sheet gripping device to grip a sheet, cam Imeans acting on the sheet gripping device to insure it being positively located by the locating and registering means, means actuated by the detecting fingers to release a sheet improperly located from the sheet gripping device and to striplit from the cylinder, and means to set a control member associated with the sheet gripping device and adapted to cause the printing cylinders to be tripped as the device is carried thereto by an endless conveyor chain or the like whereby actuation of the printing unit will be prevented when a sheet is not presented thereto. Suitable control and actuating means are also illustrated, whereby all of the above means and devices are actuated substantially automatically during 'the rotative movement of the cylinder and in timed 2|, an impression cylinder 22, and suitable inking relation to each other.

A printing machine, of the oil'set lithographic type, in which mechanism embodying the features of this invention is included, is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1. Herein a sheet supply II is shown from which sheets may be fed one at a time by a suitable sheet'feeding device |2 to a sheet receiving and transfer cylinder I3 over which a plurality of sheet gripping devices are moved by spaced apart endless chains l4 and by which they are carried successively to the printing units l5, l6, l1 and it, each of which may be adapted to print different colored impressions upon the sheets. Each of the printing units includes form and blanket cylinders l9 and and

dampening mechanisms

23 and 24 respective ly. Each printing unit is also provided with a well known form of cylinder tripping mechanism indicated at 25 (in Figure 1), which is adapted to be actuated by the engagement of a part, herein constituted by a roller 26, (shown in Figures 2 and 3, extending from the conveyor chain l4 and disposed in advance of a sheet gripping device), with a control finger 21 forming part of the cylinder tripping mechanism of each printing unit. After passing through the printing units,

,thesheets are removed from the sheet gripping device and delivered to a suitable receiver 28, by a transfer belt or chain 29.

The sheet feeding device [2, illustrated in Figures 1 and 10, includes endless belts or tapes 3| running about

suitable rollers

32 and 33 which are driven from a sheet separating device (not shown) but which is associated with the feeding device and with it is driven by the press drive.

Chains (not shown) are provided, having spaced apart guiding members 40 thereon (see Figure 10) and these chains are arranged to be driven at a speed slightly less than the tapes 3| and to run parallel therewith. The purpose of the mem- 'bers 40 is to engage the front edge of the sheet separated from the pile and maintain it square on the tapes 3|. From the endless tapes 3|, the

sheets are directed onto a guide plate 4|.

I The guide plate 4| is adapted to 'direct the sheets upwardly and in under a plurality of endless belts or tapes 42. and between them and the cylinder l4. Both the tapes ll and the tapes- 42 are driven at surface speed slightly faster than the peripheral surface speed of the cylinder l3 whereby the forward edge of the sheets being fed is pushed firmly against a series of stops 4! (see Figures 3, 4, 5 and 9) extending outwardly from the periphery of the cylinder i3 andwhich are spaced apart at regular intervals lengthwise of the cylinder .(see Figure 2). The tapes 42 are driven from the large gear 36 by the pinions 34 and 44 (see Figure 6) secured on the shafts of the rollers 48 and 41 respectively, over which the belts 42 are led. The large gear 35 is connected to the shaft 24 of the cylinder II which is driven from a vertical shaft 31 (see Figure 5) through bevel gears 34 and It, the shaft 31 being understood to be drivingly connected to a common source of powerfor the printing units and driven in timed relation thereto.

The engagement of the forward edge of the sheet with the stops 4! locates each of the sheets on the cylinder It in a predetermined position on its periphery as they are fed thereto by the tapes 3|; the tapes 42, due to running slightly faster than the cylinder firmly holding the sheets against the stops 42 after they have passed away from the influence of the pusher members 40.

A pair of oppositely directed and axially aligned bars 48 and 4! are slidably mounted between a pair of gibs ii and 52 secured in a longitudinally directed slot provided in and extending the length of the cylinder l3 and suitably spaced rearwardly of the stops 43 in respect to the rotating direction of the cylinder ll (see Figures 2, 12 and 13). Each bar 48 and 49 is mounted upon and secured to a slide 83 which slides are slidably mounted,

the cylinder to permit it sliding in either direction, plates II being provided at each end of the slides 53 to retain the bearing balls 54 in place.

The bars 48 and 49 are each provided with a v plurality of counterboard openings 56 in which spring pressed rotatable valve stems 51 are disposed. The valve stems 51 have an enlarged headed end between which and the shoulder 59, formed by the counterbore portion of the opening 54, a coiled spring 6| reacts to maintain the head end I. firmly against the upper surface of the slide 54. Each valve stem has a central bore 62 extending downwardly toward its headed end I8 and which is stopped short of the extreme lower end of the stem and is adapted to be connected to a longitudinally extending groove 63 formed in the slide 53 by an opening or port 64 angularly disposed in respect to the axis of the bore 2. A tool receiving slot 65 is provided in the upper end of each valve stem by which the respective stem may be rotated to connect or disconnect the opening 64 with the groove 63 in the slide 53.

The grooves 63, in each slide, terminate at the opposing ends of the slides 53 and have a tube 66 extending therefrom into a sleeve 81 (see Figure 4). The sleeve 81 is secured to. an adjacent and centrally disposed cylinder part 12, herein comprising one of a plurality of axially spaced apart inwardly into connection with an opening 18 extending inwardly from a face of the disc. A base block 19 of a valve, secured to the face of the disc 12, is provided with a port M in connection with the opening 18 and with an arcuate recess 82 formed in the face of the block 19 adjacent the disc 12. Another arcuate recess 83 in opposed relation to the recess 82 is provided in the face of the block 19 adjacent the disc 12 and is suitably connected, as by a pipe 84 to a bore 85 formed in the cylinder shaft 38 (see Figure 3).

. and 94 provided in the face of the valve plate adjacent the block 19 are adapted to bridge the

openings

81 and 88 to connect the

recesses

82 and 83 whereby the vacuum-pump (not shown) may be connected to the openings 52 in the stems 51 (see Figure 12),'disposed in the bars 48 and 49, to cause the sheets to be firmly held on the cylinder' in the position they have been located by the stops 43. I 7

An arm 95 (see Figures 9 and 10) is provided on the plate 89 and has a roller 96 journaled in .its free endadapted to be engaged between the the cylinder I3 after spaced portions of the bifurcated end of an arm 91. The arm 91 is secured to a rock shaft 98 which extends. from its bearing in the disc 13 to and beyond the left hand end of the cylinder as 'viewed in Figures 3 and 4.

A arm 99 is secured upon the outer end of the shaft 98 (see Figures 3 and 6). A roller II is journaled to the free end of the arm 99 and rides upon the periphery of a plate cam I82 whereby the rock shaft will be rocked at predetermined intervals. The cam I82 is secured as by bolts to one of "a pair of spaced apart supporting frame members I83 and I84 in which the cylinder shaft 35 is journaled as .by ball bearings I85. Rotation of the cylinder I3 upon its bearings I 85 will'cause the shaft 98 to be rocked by the cam I82 which is properly formed to cause the above described actuation of the valve parts to hold a sheet upon it has been-engaged against the stops 43.

Spaced apart arms I88 and I81, one being located on either side of the arm 91, are secured to the rock shaft 98' (see Figures 4, 8 and 14).

' The arms I86 and I81 carry cam members I88,

I89. on their respective free ends. The camming edges III and H2 of the members I88 and I89 I camming edges III and H2 are oppositely formed whereby rocking movement of the shaft 98 will ,cause the slides 53 to be oppositely moved away from each other. 7

Due to their unequal overlap, the valve mem-- bergs will be slightly moved before the valve ports are completely opened. As soon as the valve has established a connection between a source of vacuum such as a vacuum pump and the movable slides 53, the sheet will be pressed by atmospheric pressure against the peripheral surface 'of'the cylinder. By having fewer openings open or active, the sheet moving force of one bar, 48 or 49, will overbalance that of the other, and the counteracting force'of the bar having the least number of openings 82 active, will impose a strain on the sheet and cause it to be straightened and stretched taut when the camming members I88 and I89 are actuated.

The arrangement shown is such that fewer openings 82 are in connection with the source of vacuum in the bar 49 than are so connected in the bar 48, this being made possible by the structure of the stems 51 as above described, so that the sheet moving force of the bar 48 will overbalance that of the bar 49, whereby the separating movement of these bars by the cam members I88 and I89 will cause the sheet to be slipped laterally, or lengthwise along the cylinder. I3, up against a stop bar II5 (see Figures 2, 3, 7 and 12). The bar 5' is secured, as by screws, in a predetermined position upon and extended between a pair of spaced apart inverted T shaped bars H8 and H1 (Figures 12 and 13) slidably mounted in suitable slots I28, in gibs 52 and 5I respectively, one T shaped bar being disposed on either side of the bar 48. Similar inverted T shaped bars H8 and H9 are provided in the gibs 5i and 52 (see Figure 2) and disposed one on either side of the bar 49 should it be desirable to stop the sheet in an opposite direction against a stop bar associated with the bar 49; A plurality of spaced screw receiving threaded openings I2I are provided in all of the T shaped bars and these openings are properly disposed to permit the location of the stop bar H5 in proper position to transversely centralize the sheet upon the cylinder I3 and to laterally register it with the impressions to be printed thereon.

The slides 53, with the respective brackets II4 secured thereto, are each constantly urged in a direction to insure constant contact of the roller II3, journaled in each bracket against the respective cam member I88 and I89 by a spring I22 (see Figure 4). Each spring reacts between the respective bracket II4 and a plate I23 secured to each of the supporting discs II and 13. The inverted T shaped'bars H8, H9 are constantly urged outwardly toward the respective end of the cylinder by springs I24, one reacting between the inner end of each T bar and the end of the respective slot I28 in the gibs 5| and 52 (see Figure 12).

While the adjustment of the stop bar II 5 along the cylinder I3 is roughly made by use of the screw receiving threaded openings I2I a fine adjustment is made possible by the provision 'of a threaded rod I 25 in cooperation with a threaded opening in the outer ends of each T shaped bar H8, H9 (see Figures '7 and 12). The outer ends of each of the rods I25 has a pinion I26 secured thereto and theteeth of these pinions are in mesh with the teeth of a gear I21 journaled to an end plate I28. A tool engaging member or nut I29 is secured to each gear I 21 whereby it may be rotated to actuate the rods I 25 and thereby simultaneously slide the T shaped bars H8 and H1 or ill and H9 against the springs I 24 to delicately position the stop bar II 5 connected thereto.

Sheet gripping device and carrier Each of the sheetgripper devices provided on holders I32 and I33, one holder being suitably 1| connected to each of the chains, which in turn are led over and driven by a sprocket I34 secured to the shaft 38 at each end of the cylinder I3 (see Figures. 2, 3, 4 and5). A smaller diameter tube I35 (see Figures 9 and 10)'is disposed concentrically to, and in,the tube -I3I and also extends across the cylinder I3. The tube I351: arranged to be rotatable relatively to the tube I 3|. A plurality of fingers I38 are secured to the outer tube I31 and are spaced apart lengthwise thereof to agree with spaced apart fingers I31 secured to the inner tube I38. The fingers I31 pass through. suitable openings I38 in the outer tube and are constantly urged into closed engaging position with the fingers I38 by springs I3 Each of the holders I32 and I33 are provided with a pair of rollers I and I42, the roller I being joumaled in and between spaced apart links I43 which are pivoted to the holders I32 and I33 at I44, and the roller I42 being journaled to the respective holder at I45 (see Figures 6 and 10). Another roller I48, herein shown of larger diameter than the rollers HI and I42, is journaled to the holders I32 and I33 substantially midway between the rollers HI and I42. The rollers I 48 are adapted to ride on arcuately shaped two piece guides, portions I41 and I48 constituting one guide and located at one end of the cylinder I3 and portions I49 and I5I constituting the other guide and being located at the other end of thecylinder. Each of the portions I41 and I48 of one guide are pivoted on eccentric studs I52 and I53 respectively to the adjacent machine frame I 83 and the portions I49 and I5I are pivoted on similar eccentric studs I52 and I53 respectively to the adjacent machine frame I04.

The guide portions I 41 and I49 are adjustable toward and away from the axis of the cylinder I3 by means of ,their eccentric pivot stud I52 and by an adjusting screw I54, shown only in connection with guide I49, secured in the adjacent frame and being adapted to engage the free end of each-portion. The'guide portions I48 and I5I are resiliently positioned by springs I55 which react between a shoulder formed at the free end of each guide portion and a screw I58 adjustably secured in the adjacent frame. Stop screws I51 adjustably secured to the adjacent frame limit the inward movement of the guide portions I48 and I5I and the engagement of interengaglng abutting ends of the guide portions I41 and I48 and I49 and I5I between the eccentric studs I52 and I53 limit the inward movement of the portions I41 and I49.

The arrangement of the above parts is such that the rollers I48 on each holder I32 and I33 cooperates with the guides I41, I48, I49 and I 5| respectively, the said guides extending more than 180 and being substantially concentric with the axis of the cylinder I3 and disposed above the same, to press the sheet gripping devices inwardly to cause engagement of the rollers I and I42 on each holder I32 and I33 with the ends of a pair of plates I58 and I59 respectively. The plates I58 and I59 are secured to the inner face of each of the sprockets I34, that is, the faces thereof adjacent the cylinder end, one plate I58 of each pair being provided with a square end and the end of the other plate I59 of each pair being formed to provide aseat to receive the engaging roller. One of the plates I 58 is provided with an arcuate seat I8I while the other has a V shaped seat I82. The plate I88 having the v shaped seat I82 also has the edges of the v seat beveled as at I83 to fit a V shaped groove I84 provided in the periphery of the cooperating 'roller' I42 (see Figure 3). This arrangement insures both peripheral and transverse register of the sheet gripping devices with the cylinder I3, each device as it approaches the cylinder being pressed into a suitable recess formed by cutting away the outer shell 18 of the cylinder-and sections of each

disc

88, 88 and 1I--15 to permit entrance of the device therein. Suitably formed plates I85 (see Figures 4 and 9) are provided and secured to each of the intermediate discs H and 13 to sup- Port roller, I18. adapted to engage the outer tube I3I and cause deflection of the tube outwardly so that the deflection due to centrifugal force will be anticipated and the tube be held steady.

An arm I88 secured to the inner tube I35 extends outwardly through an opening I81 provided in,the holder I33 and has a roller I88 jourv naled therein (see Figures 5, 9 and 10). The roller I88 is adapted to engage the inner edge of an arcuate plate cam I89 supported on brackets I" to the adjacent frame member I84. The arm 188 when engaged by the cam plate I89 rocks the tube I and opens thegripper fingers bycausing swinging movement of the fingers I31 away from the fingers I38. The cam plate I89 is also disposed generally concentric with the axis of the cylinder I3 and extends somewhat less than 180 thereover. The camming edge I12 of the cam plate I89 is formed to gradually open and close the fingers I38 and I 31 and to insure that they are fully open substantially over the middle portion of the plate I83. The plate is so disposed relatively to the cylinder I3 that the fingers I38 and I31 will be fully closed upon a sheet carried by the cylinder' before the chains I4 carrying the gripping devices ride of! of the respective sprockets I34 and before the rollers I48 are released from the action of the guide portions I41 and I49 to insure that the sheet, now in register on the cylinder, will be transferred therefrom by the chain I4 and along with the gripping devices, to and in perfect register with, the printing units I5-I8 inclusive.

Misplaced or absent sheet detecting able position by the detection of a sheet being misplaced or absent from the cylinder I3 by levers I13 and I 14, a pair of which are herein shown in Figure 4 spaced apart lengthwise of the-cylinder I3 and disposed one adjacent the disc H and the other adjacent the disc 13. The

stops 43 are replaced at these points with a pair of elongated stops I15 and I18, one of which is disposed on either side of each of the levers I13 and I14.

The levers I13 and I14 (see Figures 4 and 9) are formed with a narrow body portion I11 having a substantially wider head portion I18 at its outer end and has a cross bar I19 secured to its inner end. The levers I13 and I14 have a spindle I 8I secured to their body portions I11, which spindle has its ends Journaled in the stops I15 and I18. The levers I13 and I14 are preferably formed from sheet metal so as to be as light in weight as possible and both the cross bar I18 and the spindle I8I are brazed or similarly secured thereto. The wider outer end, or head portion I18, is adapted to freely pass between the outer ends of the stops I15 and I18 and is urged beyond the surface of these stops I15 and I16, and of the stops 43 toward the sheet bein fed onto the cylinder, by a small leaf spring I82, a sumcient amount to be engaged by the edge of this sheet before it engages the said stops. The leaf spring I82 has one of its ends secured to the cylinder I3 while its other end engages the respective lever I13 or I14.

Normally each of the cross bars I19 are maintained by the springs I82 in the path of a stop plate I 83 secured upon the free end of each of a pair of arms I84, which are secured to a rock shaft I85 (see Figure 9). The shaft I35 extends from the lever I13 through the discs 1|, 12, 13, 14 and 15 to the right hand end of the cylinder I3.

When a sheet has been fed onto the cylinder into proper engagement with the stops 43, I15 and I16, the levers I13 and I14 are swung into alignment with these stops against the tension of the springs I 82, whereby the cross bars I19 are moved out of the path of the plates I33 thereby permitting movement of the arms I84, and consequently rocking movement of the shaft I85. Thus the proper disposition of a sheet upon the cylinder I3 and against the stops 43, I15 and I16 is detected. Any sheet which is misplaced on the cylinder, whereby its forward edge is not in engagement with all of the stops 43, I15 and I16 will be detected, as in such cases one or the other of the levers I13 and I14 will not be swung to carry the cross-bar I19 thereon out of the path of one of the stop plates I83, and thus rocking movement of the shaft I85 is prevented. In like manner, absence of a sheet from the cylinder will cause failure of both of the levers I 13 and I14 to swing to carry the cross-bars I19 out of the path of the plates I83.

When the shaft I85 is prevented from rocking, due to the failure of either or both of the crossbars I19 to be moved out of the path of the plates I83,- a roller I86, joumaled in the free end of an arm I81 which is secured to the end of the shaft I85 adjacent the right hand end of the cylinder I3 and disposed beyond the sprocket I34 thereat, is prevented from following down the camming edge I 88 of a plate cam I89 which is secured, as by screws, to the frame I84 (see Figure Another roller I9 I, also carried by the arm I81, is therefore prevented from moving out of the path of a long arm I92 of a cam lever I93 which is pivoted at I94 (see Figure 18) to the frame I84 and engages the lever to rock it on its pivot I94 as the cylinder I3 rotates. The short arm I95 of the lever I93 (see Figure is connected by a link I96 to an arm I91 pivoted at I98 to an arm I99 secured to a rock shaft 28I. The shaft 28I extends from one frame I83 to the other frame I84, being joumaled at each end in each frame. The shaft I85 is constantly urged to rock in the proper direction to cause the roller I86 to follow the cam edge I88 by a spring I88, which reacts between an arm I98 on the shaft I85 and a stud 288 (see Figures 5 and 9) secured to the disc 14. A coiled spring 282 (see Figure 10) is provided to normally maintain the lever I53 in its roller "I engaging position by reacting between a lug 283 on the frame I84 and a stud 284 pivoted on the free end of the lever short arm I95.

The spring 282 acting on the lever short arm I 95 also maintains a catch pin 285, provided on the free end of the arm I91 out of proper posiition to be engaged by a catch 286 carried by a bifurcated arm 281 secured upon one end of a shortsshaft 288 journaled in the frame I84 (see Figures 5 and 18). Another arm 288, secured upon the other end of the shaft 288, carries a roller 2I8 which rides upon the camming edge 2I2 of a plate cam 2I3. upon the hub 2 of the large bevel gear 38, se-

cured upon the end of the cylinder shaft 36. A coiled spring 2I5 reacting between an arm 2I6 secured on the shaft 288 and a stud 2" connected to the frame I84 maintains the roller 2I8 in constant contact with the cam 2I3 whereby the shaft 288 is being continuously rocked to swing the catch 286 to and fro. The catch 286 will engage the pin 285 when the latter is lowered, due to the downward swinging of the arm I91 through the link I96 by swinging movement of the lever I93 induced by the engagement of the roller I9I with the long arm I92 of said lever. Engagement of the pin 285 by the catch 286 will, through the arm I91, cause the arm I 99 to be rocked to rock the shaft 28I.

Rocking movement of the arm I99 as herein shown, toward the cylinder I3 (see Figure 10) will, as above described, rock the shaft 28I whereby an arm 2I8 secured upon the end of said shaft adjacent the frame I84 will be rocked to present a cam block 2I9 carried thereby in position to be engaged by the roller I68, carried by the holder I33, whereby the sheet gripping fingers I36 and I31 will be opened to release a sheet, should one be gripped thereby. At the same time the fingers I36 and I31 open, a plurality of stripper fingers 22I of a form as shown in Figure 2 and in dotted lines in Figure 10 and which are spaced apart along the shaft 28I and connected thereto, as by screws at their lower ends, are swung toward the cylinder I3 to become disposed beneath the sheet, if any, being carried by said fingers to strip such sheet from both the fingers and the cylinder. The rocked shaft 28I, the arm I99, the cam block 2I9 and the stripper fingers 22 I are returned after actuation as above described and are normally maintained, unless so actuated, by coiled springs 222 reacting between 9. lug 223 on the frames I83 and I84 and arms 224 secured to the shaft 28I.

. Printing unit tripping arrangement Referring back to the roller 26 on the gripper device and which as described is adapted when properly set to trip the cylinders of the printing units as it passes thereby, a sleeve 225 is provided which is rotatably mounted upon the outer tube I3I and has a plurality of pairs of spaced apart

ears

226, 221, 228 and 229, and to and between each pair of ears, rollers, 26, 23I, 232 and 233 are respectively disposed and iournaled (see Figures 3, 6 and 11). A spring pressed pin 234 ccoperates with the roller 23I to maintain the sleeve 225 in either of its rotative positions to which it may be moved relatively to the tube II. The rollers 23I and 232 are axially spaced from the

rollers

26 and 233, with the roller 232 disposed to engage a cam block 235 mounted on an arm 235 connected to the shaft 28I.

The arrangement is such that when a gripping device passes the cam block 235 and said cam The cam 2I3 is secured block has been rocked inwardly toward the cylinder I3 due to the rocking movement of the shaft 20I as above described, the sleeve 225 will be rotated about the tube I3I, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 11. The roller 23I will then be diaaosed on the other side of the.pin 234 and the roller 26 will be disposed outwardly a sumcient amount to insure it engaging with the actuating and control finger 21 of the tripping mechanism 25 at each printing unit, to actuate the same to prevent the printing cylinders engaging. After the sheet gripping device, so set, has passed by the sheet receiving device 28 a suitable cam block or the like (not shown) but suitably positioned to engage the roller 233, will reset the sleeve 225 into its normal position wherein it will be maintained by the cooperating pin 234 and the roller 23I. Suitable chain guides 231 are provided at each end of the cylinder I3 to be engaged by and to brace the chain l4 passing thereby, whenever the cam blocks 2 I 9 and 235 are disposed to open the grip er fingers I36 and I31 and to rock the sleeve 225 respectively, as above described.

Provision is made of means to manually actuate the lever I93 to set the printing unit tripping roller 26 and to strip a sheet from the cylinder I3. This means includes a link 238 connected to so the lever I93 at 239 (see Figure and to a lever arm 2 secured to a stud shaft 242, which extends through the frame I04 and has a handle 243 secured thereto. Suitable actuation of the handle 243 will cause the above mentioned actions to take place.

Operation The detail operations of the several portions of the sheet feeding and registering mechanism of 0 this invention have been described in connection with the above description of the parts thereof. The sequence in which these operations are performed by the mechanism is controlled by the controlling and actuating cams I02, I08, I09, I69, 45 I89 and 2I3 together with the gear and chain drives associated with the various parts, the cams being formed and driven in timed relation with the endless chain I4, carrying the sheet gripping mechanisms, and with the drive gears 50 38, 39, 35, 34 and 44. As referred to above, the sheets are fed one at a time by suitable means,

including the endless tapes 3| and cooperating sheet pushing members 40, and are driven slightly faster than the cylinder I3, upon and along 55 the guide plate 4I, which directs the sheets upwardly upon the cylinder I3 beneath the endless tapes 42. The feeding of the sheets upon the cylinder I3 is timed by

suitable gear connections

34, 35 and 44 so that the forward edge of the 60 sheet reaches the cylinder in time to engage against the stops 43, and due to the faster rate of speed of the tapes 42 is constantly urged thereagainst.

As the cylinder I3 is continuously rotating, the 155 sheet edge, firmly pressed against the stops 43, moves forward with the cylinder, and at the same time one of the plurality of sheet gripping devices carried on the endless chain I4 is in the recess provided therefor in the cylinder, and is 7 directly in advance of the stops 43, with the sheet gripping fingers I36 and I31 thereof in open position, the roller controlling the finger I31 having become engaged by the plate cam I69. The sheet gripping devices are also being held in this recess 7 by the engagement of the large rollers I46 with the guides I41, I48, I49 and I5I and being accurately located on the cylinder by the cooperating beveled edges I63 of the V shaped seat I62 and grooves I64 in the plate I59 and the roller I42 respectively. I!

As soon as the cylinder I3 has advanced sufficiently for the sheet to overlie the sheet holding bars 48. and 49, the valve plate 89 is rotated by the cam I02 to connect the openings 56 with the vacuum pump (not shown), the bars 48 and 49 1 slightly subsequent to this action, being started to slide in opposite directions by the camming members I08 and I09. Pressure now being applied to the sheet to hold it upon the bars 48 and 49, more firmly to one than to the other, causes the sheet to be slipped transversely, or axially in respect to the cylinder I3, to engage one of its edges against the stop bar II5. Continued rotation of the cylinder I3 advances the sheet held thereon by the tapes 42 against the stops 43, and by air pressure upon the bars 48 and 49 which in turn, due to their oppositely directed movements have drawn the sheet taut with one edge engaging the stop bar II5, to a position whereat the fingers I31 are released from the opening action of the cam I69 and they close with the fingers I36 to firmly grip a sheet therebetween.

The sheet, now accurately in register, is carried along by the sheet gripping mechanism in timed relation, due to the chain drive I4, which has meanwhile followed over the sprockets I34, and is driven thereby, due to their connection with the bevel gears 38 and 39, to the printing units I5-I8, with which the vertical bevel gear 85 shaft 31 is connected in the usual manner. As the sheets pass through the printing units, impressions in color may be printed thereon with the difi'erent color from each printing unit being accurately in register with the others. After 40 passing the last printing unit I8, the printed sheet may be transferred to the delivery belt or chain 29 and deposited at the receiving device 28.

Should the detector fingers detect the absence 4 of a sheet or the presence of a sheet misplaced, or improperly in engagement with the stops 43, the cams I89, I93 and 2I3 are automatically brought into action to open the fingers I36 and I31, to strip the misplaced sheet from the cylinder I3, and to set the roller 26 in position to trip the mechanism 25 at each printing unit, to prevent the printing cylinders from contacting, while the sheetless sheet gripping mechanism passes thereby, all as above described in the above description of the parts thereof.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and it will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination present in, or possessed by, the mechanism herein disclosed forms a part of the invention included in this application.

What I claim is:

1. In a sheet feeding and registering mechanism for a printing machine, a continuously rotating cylinder, means to feed a sheet to said cylinder, 9. stop on said cylinder against which the forward edge of the sheet is pressed by said feeding means, a stop bar on said cylinder adjacent one of its ends, sheet holding means slidable axially of said cylinder to press a side edge (6 scrapie I of the sheet against said stop bar,

said fingers are mounted to carry the finger gripped sheet from said cylinder.

2. In a sheet feeding and registering mechanism for a printing machine. a continuously rotating cylinder, means to feed a sheet to said cylinder, 9. stop on said cylinder against which the forward edge of the sheet .is pressed'by said feeding means, a stop bar on said cylinder ads jacent one of its ends, sheet holding meansslidable axially of said cylinder to press a sideedge of the sheet against said stop bar. a sheet gripping and carrying device having sheet gripping I fingers, and members on said cylinder and engageablc by said device to locate it relatively to said cylinder and to the sheet thereon.

3. In a sheet feeding and registering mechanism for a printing machine, a continuously rotating cylinder, means to feed a sheet to said cylinder, a stop on said cylinder against'which the forward edge of the sheet is pressed by said feeding means, a stop bar on said cylinder adjacent one of its ends, sheet holding means slidable axially of said cylinder to press a side edge of the sheet against said stop bar, a misplaced or absent sheet detector associated with said stop, operable sheet gripping fingers, andcooperating members between said fingers and said detector and actuated by said detector to open said fingers. v

4. In asheet feeding and registering mechanism for aprinting machine, a continuously rotating cylinder, means to feed a sheet to said cylinder, a stop on said cylinder against which the forward edge of the sheet is pressed bysaid feeding means, a stop bar on said cylinder adjacent one of its ends, sheet holding means-slidable' axially of said cylinder to press a side edge of the sheet against said stop bar, a sheet printing unit having a control finger, a misplaced -or' absent sheet detector associated with said stop, a sheet gripping and conveying device, and a con trol finger tripping member on said sheet conveying device adapted to be set by said detector,

.to trip said control finger.

5. In a sheet feeding and registering mechanism for a printing machine, a continuously'rotating cylinder, means to feed a sheet to said cylinder, a stop .on said cylinder against which the forward edge of the sheet is pressed by said feeding means, a stop bar on said cylinder adjacent one of its ends, sheet holding means slidable axially of said cylinder to press a side edge of the sheet against said stop bar, a sheet gripping and carrying device having sheet gripping fingers, members on said cylinder and engageable by said device to locate it relatively to said cylin der and to the sheet thereon, a misplaced or absent sheet detector associated with said stop, and cooperating members between said-fingers and said detector and actuated by said detector to opensaid fingers. I

6. Ina sheet feeding and registering mechanism for a printing machine, a continuously rotating cylinder, a sheet stop against which a sheet fed to said cylinder will. engage, a sheet gripping device on said cylinder in advance of said sheet stop, a sheet holding device on said cylinder to the rear of said sheet stop, said sheet holding device including oppositely. movable sheet holding members adapted to move axially of said cylinder, and a continuously running belt to engage a sheet and constantly press it against said a... while said sheet holding device is in operation.

r. m a sheet feeding and registering mechatating cylinder. a sheet stop against which a sheet fed to said cylinder will engage, a sheet n ppin device on said cylinder in advance of said sheet stop, a sheet holding device on said cylinder to V nismfor a printing machine, a continuously ro-.

the rear of said sheet stop. said sheet holdins device including oppositely movable sheet holding members adapted to move axially of said cylinder, a cam to move each sheet holding member to draw a sheet taut axially of said cylinder, a stop bar, adjacent an end of said cylinder, said sheet holding members being adapted to draw an edge of a sheet against said stop bar, and a 'con- .device on said cylinder in advance of said sheet stop, a sheet holding device on said cylinder to the rear of said sheet stop, said sheet holding device including oppositely movable sheet holding members adapted to move axially of said cylinder, a continuously running belt to engage a sheet and constantly press it against said stop while said sheet holding device is in operation, a sheet edge engaging member associated with said stop, and a sheet stripping member adapted to be actuated by said sheet edge engaging member to strip a misplaced sheet from said cylinder.

9. In a sheet registering mechanism, a rotat-. ing cylinder having a sheet edge engaging stop thereon, a running 'belt to press a sheet against the cylinder and an edge of the sheet against said stop, a member operable to strip a sheet from ,said cylinder, and a member to actuate said sheet stop, sheet gripping members associated with said cylinder including closable and openable sheet gripping fingers, a member operable to strip a sheet from said cylinder after it has been gripped by said fingers, and a member to open said fingers and to actuate said sheet stripping member controlled by a sheet pressed toward said stop by said belt.

11. In a sheet registering mechanism, a rotating cylinder having a sheet edge engaging stop thereon, arunning belt to press a sheet against the cylinder and an edge of the sheet against said stop, a stop bar disposed on and adjacent an end of said cylinder, sheet holding members operable to slippingly hold a sheetand to press an edge thereof against said stop bar, sheet gripping members associated with said cylinder including closable and openable sheet gripping fingers, a member operable to strip a sheet from said cylindex after it has been gripped by said fingers, and a member to open said fingers and to actuate said sheet stripping member controlled by a sheet pressed toward said stop by said belt.

12. In a combined sheet transferring and registering cylinder, means to rotate said cylinder,

a stop on said cylinder to engage the forward end of a sheet feed onto said cylinder, a stop bar on and adjacent to one end of said cylinder, sheet holding means associated with said stop bar and adaptedtopressasideedgeofthesheetthereagainst, sheet gripping fingers mounted on a carrier, said carrier being adapted to rotate about the axis of and with said cylinder'a portion of one revolution of said cylinder, and cooperating members associated with said cylinder to register said carrier with said stop while said carrier is rotating with said cylinder.

13. In a combined sheet transferring and registering cylinder, means to rotate said cylinder, 9. stop on said cylinder to engage the forward 'end of a sheet fed onto said cylinder, sheet grip-' ping fingers mounted on a carrier, said carrier being adapted to rotate about the axis of and with said cylinder a portion of one revolution of said cylinder and then to convey a sheet away from said cylinder, and'cooperating members associated with said cylinder to register said carrier with said stop while said carrier'is rotating with said cylinder.

14. In combination, a rotating cylinder, a plurality of stops disposed in alignment axially across said cylinder, a running" belt adapted to feed a sheet onto said cylinder and an edge of the sheet against said stops, a stop bar adjacent one end of said cylinder, oppositely movable sheet holding members adapted to maintain another sheet edge against said stop ban-sheet ripping mechanism adapted to be associated with said cylinder during a portion of one revolution of said cylinder, and cooperating members between said mechanism and said cylinder to register said,

mechanism with the sheet as held .against said stops and said stop bar.

15. In combination, a rotating cylinder, a plurality of ,stops disposed in alignment axially across said cylinder, a running belt adapted to feed a sheet onto said cylinder and an edge of the sheet against said stops, a stop bar adja- 40 cent one end of said cylinder, oppositely movable sheetholding members adapted to maintain another sheet edge against said stop bar, sheet gripping mechanism adapted to be associated with said cylinder during a portion ofone revolution 01' said cylinder, said mechanism having a member adapted to be set in position to operate a trip mechanism associated with a printing unit to which said sheet gripping mechanism is carried after leaving said cylinder, means acted upon by the sheet to prevent said member becoming set in trip mechanism actuating position, andcooperating members between said mechanism and said cylinder to register said mechanism with the sheet as held against said stops and said stop bar.

16. In combination, a rotating cylinder, a plurality of stops disposed in alignment axially across said cylinder, a running belt adapted to feed a sheet onto said cylinder and an edge of the sheet against said stops, sheet gripping mechanism adapted to be associated with said cylinder during a portion of one revolution of said cylinder, cooperating members on said cylinder and on said mechanism to register said mechanism with said stops, said mechanism having a 5 member adapted to be set in a position to actuate a trip mechanism at a position remote from said cylinder, means acted upon by the sheet edge against said stops to prevent the setting of said member, and cooperating members between said sheet gripping mechanism and said cylinder to register said sheet ripping mechanism with the sheet as held against said stops and said stop bar.

17. In a printing machine having an impression'cylinder, sheet feeding means including a ceivable in the cylinder opening, means to regisrotatable sheet registering cylinder having an opening in its periphery, sheet gripping mechanism adapted to rotate with said registering cylinder while disposed in the opening therein and to carry the sheet from the cylinder, sheet stops 5 arranged to .be engaged by a sheet fed to said registering cylinder whereby the sheet will be registered in respect to said sheet gripping mechanism, and means to actuate said sheet gripping mechanism after a sheet is against said stops. 1o 18. In combination with a printing machine, sheet feeding means including a rotatable sheet registering cylinder having an opening in its periphery, a plurality oi sheet gripping mechanisms adapted to rotate with said cylinder while being 15 successively disposed in theopening and to carry sheets therefrom to a printing cylinder, sheet stops arranged to be engaged by each sheet fed onto said registering cylinder whereby the sheet will'beregistered in respect to said sheet gripping 20 mechanism, means to actuate each sheet gripping mechanism after a sheet is against said stops, and means to detect the failure of a sheet to engage said stops and to prevent the sheet-being carried from said cylinder by said gripper mechanism. 19. In combination with a printing machine, a flexible sheet conveyor and a rotatable cylinder having an opening in its periphery, sheet gripping mechanism carried by said conveyor and reter and secure said mechanism in the opening whilethe cylinder is rotating, sheet registering stops adapted to be engaged by a sheet received on said cylinder, and sheet feeding means adapted to feed a sheet to said cylinder and hold it 35 against said stops before said sheet gripping mechanism is actuated to grip the sheet.

20. In combination with a printing machine, a flexible sheet conveyor and a rotatable cylinder havingan opening in its periphery, sheet gripping 40 mechanism carried by said conveyor and receivable in the cylinder opening, means to register and secure said mechanism in the opening while the cylinder is rotating, sheet registering stops adapted. to be engaged by a sheet received on said cylinder, sheet feeding means adapted to feed a sheet to said cylinder and hold it against said stops before said sheet gripping mechanism is actuated to grip a sheet, means to actuate said gripping mechanism to release a sheet gripped thereby, and means actuated by a sheet properly disposed against one of said stops to prevent actuation of said gripper mechanism releasing means.

21. A rotatable sheet receivingand registering cylinder adapted for disposition between a sheet feeding mechanism and a printing unit of a printing machine, said cylinder having an opening to receive a sheet gripping mechanism carried thereabout by a conveyor and having means to so register said gripper mechanism thereon, and stops carried by said cylinder to be engaged by a sheet to register it peripherally and axially on said cylinder before said gripper mechanism is actuated to grip the sheet. 65

22. A rotatable sheet receiving and registering cylinder adapted -for disposition between a sheet feeding mechanism and a printing unit of a printing machine, said cylinder having an opening to receive a sheet gripping mechanism carried there-' about by a conveyor and having means to register said gripper mechanism thereon, stop's carried by said cylinder to be engaged byv a sheet to register, it peripherally and axially on said cylinder before said gripper mechanism is actuated to grip a 75 means to feed a sheet to 'said registering cylinder sheet, and a sheet register detector mechanism carried by said cylinder in association with one of said stops and adapted to cause actuation of a device to release a sheet from said gripper mechanism as it leaves said cylinder.

23. In combination with a printing machine having a printing cylinder tripping mechanism.

associated with one of its printing units, a sheet tion to actuate said printing cylinder tripping mechanism as said member approaches the same, means on said cylinder to register a sheet disposed thereon, and a sheet register detecting member on said cylinder actuated by a sheet received thereon to prevent the setting of said tripping member in tripping position.

24. In a printing machine, a rotating cylinder, sheet grippers moving therewith and operable to grip a sheet fed to said cylinder, means to feed a sheet to said cylinder at a higher speed than the peripheral speed thereof, a side registering stop positioned to register aside edge of the sheet on the cylinder, sheet moving means on the cylinder to move the sheet against the stop, and means to actuate the grippers to engage the sheet after the sheet has been moved against thestop.

25. In a printing machine having an impression I cylinder, a sheet registering cylinder having sheet grippers moving therewith and operable to grip a sheet fed to said registering cylinder and to carry the sheet from the registering cylinder,

at a higher speed than the peripheral speed thereof, a plurality of sheet registering stops positioned to register the forward edge of the sheet on the registering cylinder, sheet moving means .operating faster than the peripheral speed of the registering cylinder to move the sheet against the stops, and means to actuate the grippers to engage the sheet after the sheet has been moved against the stops.

26. In a printing machine having an impression cylinder, a sheet registering cylinder having a sheet'gripping member carried by said registering cylinder as it rotates and being operable to grip a sheet disposed on said registering cylinder and to carry the sheet from the registering cylinder, means to feed a sheet to the registering cylinder, a sheet registering stop carried by said registering cylinder, sheet moving means to move the sheet against said stop, and means to actuate said sheet gripping member after a sheet has been moved against the stop.

27. In a printing machine, a rotatable cylinder, a sheet gripping member carried by said cylinder as it rotates and being operable to grip a sheet disposed on said cylinder and to carry the sheet from the cylinder, means to feed a sheet to the .cylinder, a sheet registering stop carried by said cylinder for engaging the forward edge of the sheet, a sheet side registering stop carried by saidcylinder, means to move the sheet forwardly against the forward stop and transversely against the side stop, and means to actuate said sheet gripping member to grip a sheet positioned against said stops.

28. In combination, a sheet registering cylinder and a sheet feeding member rotatable therewith,

operable sheet gripping fingers carried by said member, means to strip a sheet from said feeding member, and means to open said fingers and actuate said sheet stripping means when a sheet is misplaced in respect to said sheet feeding member. 29. In a sheet feeding mechanism, a sheet registering cylinder, releasable sheet engaging means rotatable with the cylinder and adapted to feed a sheet, and means to engage a sheet improperly disposed in respect to said sheet engaging means and to remove it from said mechanism. 30. In a sheet feeding mechanism, a sheet registering cylinder, releasable sheet engaging means rotatable with the cylinder and adapted to feed a sheet, means to engage a sheet improperly disposed in respect to said sheet engaging means and to remove it from said mechanism, and means actuated by a sheet properly disposed to prevent operation of said sheet removing means.

31. In a printing machine having a plurality of printing cylinders and means for tripping them on" and 01! impression, a sheet feeder, a flexible sheet conveyor having a pluralityof relatively spaced sheet carriers each adapted to receive a sheet, a rotating member about which the sheet conveyor runs and which is arranged to guide each sheet carrier successively past a position where it may receive a sheet from the feeder, said conveyor being arranged to convey the sheets sucessively past each printing cylinder, a sheet detector in the path of sheets presented to'the sheet carriers and operable by a misregistered sheet, and means on the conveyor operated by said detector to actuate the tripping mechanism of each of the printing cylinders in succession, on the approach'of a sheet carrier to which a misregistered sheet was presented.

32. In a printing machine having a plurality of printing cylinders and means for tripping themon and o impression, a sheet feeder, a flexiwhere it may receive a sheet from the feeder, said conveyor being arranged to convey the sheets successively past each printing cylinder, a sheet detector associated with the said rotating member and operable by a misregistered sheet, and means on the conveyor operated-by said detector to actuate the tripping mechanism of each of the printing cylinders in succession, on the approach of a sheet carrier to which a misregistered sheet was presented.

33. In a printing machine having a plurality of printing couples and means for tripping them on" and off" impression, a sheet feeder, a

flexible sheet conveyor having a plurality of relatively spaced sheet carriers each adapted to receive a sheet, a rotating member about which the sheet'conveyor runs and which is arranged to guide each sheet carrier successively past a position where it may receive a sheet from the feeder; said conveyor being arranged to convey the sheets successively through each printing couple, a sheet detector associated with the rotating member and movable to a first position in the presence of a misregistered sheet and to a second position by a properly registered sheet, and means on the conveyor operated by said detector when in the first position to actuate the registered sheet was last presented, and to actuate the tripping mechanism to trip "on the impression of each of the printing couples in succession, on the approach of a sheet carrier to which a'properly registered sheet was last presented.

34. In a printing machine having a plurality of printing couples, asheet feeder, a flexible path, a sheet detector in the path of sheets presented to the sheet carriers and operable by a misregistered sheet, and means on the conveyor operated by said detector to operate the stripping device, on the approach of a sheet carrier to which a misregistered sheet was presented.

35. In a sheet registering mechanism for a printing machine, a continuously rotating cylinder adapted to receive sheets, and means to register a sheet received by the said cylinder, including a sheetgholding device carried by the cylinder and said-holding device consisting of a member acting to hold the front edge of the sheet in frontregistry and adapted to move axially of the cylinder to adjust the sheet thereon, and to act as a retarding device to resist such movement of the sheet.

36. In a sheet registering mechanism for a printing machine, a continuously rotating cylinder adapted to receive sheets, and means to register a sheet received by the said cylinder, including a sheet holding device carried by the cylinder, the sheet holding device including oppositely movable sheet holding members adapted to pull unequally upon the sheet held thereby to 'move it in one direction axially on said cylinder while maintaining it taut.

37. In a printing machine having an impression cylinder, a sheet feeding device, a continuously rotating sheet receiving cylinder adjacent the sheet feeding device but spaced from the impression cylinder and adapted to receive a sheet from the sheet feeding device, sheet regis tering means on the sheet receiving cylinder, and a sheet engaging and transferring mechanism to remove the registered sheet from the sheet receiving cylinder and carry it to the impression cylinder.'

' 38. In a printing'machine having an impression cylinder, 9, sheet feeding device, a continuously rotating sheet receiving cylinder adjacent the sheet feeding device but spaced from the impression cylinder and adapted to receive a sheet from the sheet feeding device, sheet registering means on the sheet receiving cylinder, and a sheet engaging and transferring mechanism to remove the registered sheet from the sheet receiving cylinder and carry it to the impression cylinder, the sheet engaging mechanism including a flexible carrier device wrapped about the sheet receiving cylinder and directed to the impression cylinder and having means to engage a registered sheet and transfer it from the sheet receiving cylinder to the impression cylinder.

39. In a sheet registering and transfer mechanism, a sheet receiving cylinder having sheet registering means thereon, and a sheet transfer device movable with and away from the cylinder and having a sheet gripping member adapted to grip a sheet registered on the sheet receiving cylinder and transfer it therefrom.

40. In a printing machine, a printing unit, a sheet-receiving cylinder having a sheet registering stop thereon and being spaced from the printing unit, means carried by the sheet receiving cylinder to move a sheet axially'thereon to position an edge of the sheet against the stop, and a sheet transferring device having'a sheet engaging member thereon to transfer a registered sheet from the sheet rec'eivingcylinder to the printing unit.

41. In a sheet registering mechanism for a printing machine, a continuously rotatinglcylinder adapted to receive sheets, and means to register a sheet received by the cylinder, including a sheet holding device carried by the cylinder, the sheet holding device including a member'extending longitudinally of the cylinder and acting to hold the front edge of the sheet in front registered position and being movable axially on the cylinder and having a series of openings therein in connection with a source of vacuum whereby a sheet will be held downwardly against the cylinder by atmospheric pressure and in front and side registry by said member.

42. In a sheet registering mechanism for a printing machine, a continuously rotating cylinder adapted to receive sheets, and means to register a sheet received by the said cylinder, including a sheet holding device carried by the cylinder, the sheet holding device including members oppositely extending and movable axially on the cylinder, each of the members having a series of openings therein in connection with a source of vacuum, whereby a sheet will be heldagainst the cylinder by atmospheric pressure, and means to vary the number of openings