US2480373A - Plate locking clip assembly - Google Patents

Description

E. P. LACURE PLATE LOCKING CLIP ASSEMBLY Aug. 3 1949.

4 Sheets-Sheet l mww HUM Filed June 13, 1946 Aug. 30,1949.

E. P. LACURE PLATE LOCKING CLIP ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 16, 1946 Aug. 30, 1949 E. P. LACURE PLATE LOCKING CLIP ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June l3, 1946 E. P. LACURE PLATE LOCKING CLIP ASSEMBLY Aug. 30, 1949.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 Filed June 13, 1946 Patented Aug. 30, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF IQE PLATE ROCKING CLIP ASSEMBLY Earl P; Lacure, Battle Creek, Mich, assignor, by mesne assignments; to Goss Printing Press Company, Chicago, '-Ill., a corporation Illinois Mpiication'June 13, 1946, Serial 'No. 676,532 V (01. 101-378) Ti'claims. I

This invention is a novel improvement in Plate locking clip assemblies, and the principal object thereof is to provide a simple, novlandefidicrit plate lockin clip assemblyffor locking a pair of stereotype tubular printing. plates onto a printing cylinder, my invention including a novel center clip assembly, end assembly, and 'end clamp assembly, eachv assembly cooperating with the others to lock thepair of plates onto the-cylinder.

Other. minorobiec'ts or the invention will he hereinafter set itorth.

I will explain the invention with reterence 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 dea tures of construction, and novel eombinations of parts, for which protectioniis desh ed.

.In said drawings: 7

Figures .1 and la show an elevation, partly in section, --of .a plate cylinder otsa printing press or theslike provided withfmy vi'iol'vel center clip assembly, end ring-assembly, and end clamp-assembly, for locking a hair o'frsteneotypetubularplates thereon.

Rig. ,2 :is an enlarged detail sectiomthroughthe end ?-ring- -assembly.

Fig. 3 one. enlarged vertical section through the center clip assembly. I F1Fig]. 4 is a top plan view-ofrtheapartsshown in Fig. :5 is a top plan view of a holdingblock for a center clip, :shown Figs. 3.481Hd =4, :detached.

.6 is aside elevation of the holding rblock Fig. r3 is a side elevation of fthe 'center eu ring, shown i-n'Fi'g. 1 2'; and

Fig. *14 is 'a topp'lan viewer the center clip ring shown in Fig. 12.

As shown in Figures '1 and 1a.,11the plate cylinder Ais adaptedm hold a-pair'or stereotype tubu- 2. lar printing plates B andJC, each plate having its ends beveled as at B and C respectively.

At one endof cylinder A is an end ring 1 (Figures 1 and 72) making a sliding 1% upon said cylinder, ring I having its "inner end beveled as at Ia. to engage the leading beveled .end 'B' of printing plate B. Endrin'g l is also provided with a plurality of slots lb extending longitudinally from its inner end 'ior the purpose hereinafter described. 7 V

The outer end of the bore of :end ring 1 is enlarged at lc for the reception of a stop ring 2, the underlapping portion of which is adapted to fill the enlarged portion lo of the bore of rin I, said step ring having at its outer end an internal. annular .fiange 2a "adapted to seat in one of a series of annular g'roove's' A; A2 or A3 in cylinderxA soias to'preyent axial movement of end ring I on cylinder A- Stop ring 2 is made in. two semi-"circular halves so as to be readily insertablc and removable :from the grooves A, A2 and A8. It is held from removal from the par'ticularfgrome A, A2 and A3 in which it is inserted by means of 'the'end ring. .By placing the stop ring '2 in any of the series of grooves A, A2. or A3, a greater orless number of which may be provided, theposit'ion of end ring l. on the cylinder maybe adjusted to take care of different lengths of tubular plates B and-C.

Extending longitudinally of cylinder A is .a keyway A4 (Fig. 1) adapted'to receive a key 3 (Fig. 2)., said key .having an upturned end 3a adapted to contact "the outer end of stop ring 2. In order'to lock the end ring I and the stop ring 2 together and 'to prevent rotation of the rings I andlaround cylinder A, the key3 is provided with a tapped bore 3b (Fig. 2') receiving a cap screw 4 or the like :passing through the end ring I and into the threaded bore 3b, the head of the screw 4 seating in an enlarged recess Id in the outer face of end ring I so that no portion of screw I projects beyondthe periphery of end ring I. When screw '4 is thus engaged, the rings I and 2 as above stated, are locked against rotation around the cylinder A, for the purpose herein'a'ft'er described.

Cylinder A'is provided ad'l'acent "its center with an annular recess A5 (Fig. '1) ofsubstantial depth and width, the :recess underlying the adjacent ends of the printing plates "B and C, said recess A5 housing the center clip assembly shown more particularly in Figs. 1, '3 and 4. The center clip assembly comprises "a center clip ring '5 shown more particularly in Figs.- 1'2, '13 and '14, said ring being substantially cylindrical and made in two semi-cylindrical halves so as to be readily insertable and removable from recess A5. Ring is made of good steel and hardened so that it will stand wear and abuse and is replaceable if necessary. Ring 5 is of length corresponding to the length of recess A5, and is of internal diameter to suit the reduced diameter of the cylinder in way of recess A5, same having a wall thickness corresponding with the depth of the recess A5. Each half of ring 5 is provided with bores 5a adjacent ,their ends, as shown more particularly in Figures 12 and 13, for the reception of cap screws (not shown) which pass through the bores 51]. and enter threaded bores in the cylinder A to retain the halves in the recess A5. Preferably the outer ends of the bores 5a are enlarged to receive the heads of the anchor bolts so that the heads will not project beyond the periphery of the ring 5.

In the periphery of center clip ring 5 is an annular series of longitudinally disposed guideways, each having outer parallel-walled portions 527, and inner parallel-walled enlargements 50, thus forming undercut guide slots, for the pur pose hereinafter described. Adjacent the ends of the slots 51), 5c farthest removed from end ring I are a pair of countersunk bores 5d (Figure 14) for the purpose hereinafter described, while at the end of each slot adjacent the end ring I is a countersunk bore 5e (Figure 1 1) said bores 5d, 5e, being disposed axially of slots 5b, 5c and extending radially outwardly through the bases of the guide slots.

Within each of the guide slots is an operating block 6, shown more particularly in Figures 4, 7 and 8, said block 6 being of less depth and width than its related guide slot 51), 5c and having bores 6a (Figure 3) adapted to receive rivets I (Figure3) which pass through the pair of countersunk bores 5d in' the center clip ring 5 and into the bores 6a of blocks 6 to secure the operating blocks 6 in position therein. As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the blockis mounted adjacent the end of the guide slots 51), 5c farthest removed from end ring I,' and each operating block 6 has an upwardly and outwardly inclined portion 6b extending towards the end ring I, said inclined portions 6b terminating as 'at 60 (Figures 3 and '7) in a plane parallel with the periphery of cylinder A but below the surface thereof, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3.

As shown in Figure 4, each operating block 6 is disposed axially of the guide slot 52), 5c and is of less width than said slot. Slidably mounted with respect to each operating block 6 is a center clip 8, shown more particularly in Figures 3, 9, and 11, said center clip 8 being of substantially inverted U-shape (Figure 10) providing in its under side a slot. 8a of width slightly greater than the width of the operating block 6 upon which the center clip 8 rests, the legs of the clip having enlargements 811 at their lower ends making a sliding fit-within the lower wider portion 50 of the guide slot 5?), 5c, permitting the center clips to be shifted radially inwardly within the guide slots from the operative or projected position shown in full lines in Figures 1 and3, to the retracted position shown in dotted lines in Figiue 1. The end of center clip 8 removed from the end ring I is provided with a connecting bridge 80 seating upon the end So of the operating block 6 when in projected or operative position shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 3, and the inner end of the bridge 80 is beveled upwardly as at 811 on an angle corresponding with the intion 802. The portion of center clip 8 directly above enlargements 8b is of a width and height adapted to make a sliding fit within the outer portion 5b of the guide slot 5b, 5c, and upon the top of bridge is a lug 8e having both ends undercut as at 8 8g to engage the adjacent beveled ends B and C of printing plates B and C when in operative clamping position. The locking lug 8e has its outer face formed arcuately to conform with the curvature of the cylinder A; and preferably the ends of the locking lug 8e project sidewise beyond the sides of the bridge 80, as shown more particularly in Figure 10 to increase the width of the plate gripping face of the lug.

In order that the center clip 8 may be projected out of its guide slot 5b, 5c, the walls of the outer portions 51) of the slot are increased in width, as at 59 (Figures 13 and 14) to permit the sidewise extending ends of lug 8e to pass into and out of the guide slot when the center. clip is actuated as hereinafter described.

In order that the undercut edges 8 8g of the center clip 8 may better grip the beveled ends B, C of the plates B and C, I preferably provide pins 9 which are passed upwardly through bores 8h in the bridge 80 of the center clip, the bores having their axes substantially bisecting the angles at the lower inner ends of beveled portions 8], 8g, so that the projecting sides of pins 9 will form locking lugs to enter into and grip the soft metal of the beveled ends B, C of the stereo type plates, and thereby ofiset any tendency of the plates B and C to shift laterally with respect to the locking lugs 8e, and to prevent any tendency of the plates B and C to rotate on the cylinder A under operating conditions.

The end of the center clip 8 adjacent end ring I is preferably extended beyond the bridge 80 in the form of parallel side walls, and between the said walls is mounted a block Ill shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, said block being secured by pins or the like I (la, I01) between the parallel walls of center clip 8. The upper face of block I0 is beveled downwardly as at I00 (Figure 3) at an angle conforming with that of the beveled end 8d of bridge 80 and the slope of the under side of the inclined portion 61) of the operating block 6, block I I] thus forming a part of the center clip 8 and moving therewith.

Block I0 is provided on its outer end with an ear Ifld which is perforated as at Ifle (Figure 4) for pivotal connection with an operating rod II for the center clip, said rod I I having an ear I la, Figure 4, which is perforated as at Ilb, a pair of links I2, connecting ears Ila and Ifld, with pins I3 and I4 passing through the links and through the perforated ears, thus causing the center clip to move axially of the guide slot when rod l l is actuated while permitting the clip 8 to shift vertically within the slot 5b, 5c, and enlargement 59.

As shown in Figure 3, the distance between the inclined surfaces I00 and 8d of the clip 8 is slightly greater than the thickness of the inclined portion 6b of the operating block 6. Thus, in the position shown in Figure 3, bridge 80 of the center clip is resting upon the horizontal outer end portion 60 of the operating block 6 and in such position the lug 8e is projected through enlargement 5g out of the guideway 5b, 50, into plateengaging position. When, however, the operating rod II is moved to the right (Figures 1 and 3) the center clip 8 will be shifted therewith until theunder side of the bridge 80 passes beyond the tar end of the horizontal portion =60 or operating block 6, whereupon the center clip 8 will :be guidedrby sliding contact of the inclined 15.111- .face lilo-and. 8d down the inclined portion to of operating block 6 into the retracted position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, at which time the top of locking lug "B6 will have passed wholly into enlargement g and will be housed wholly elow the surface of the cylinder A.

Within each guide slot 5b, at the end adjacent the operating .rod Ill is a holding block I5, shown more particularly in Figures 1, 3, 5 and -6, thersame being of width to seat in the lower widened portion 50 of the guide slot and being secured therein by means of'a rivet It (Figure 3) passing through the countersunk bore 5e jinthe and of the guideslot and into a bore I501. in the block, said block having a downwardly inclined pentra-l portion I 51) adapted to be 'slidably engaged :by the :under side of the block Iil when the center clip is shifted towards the right (Figure 3). Holding block In forms a .support for the adjacent end of center clip 6 when the latter is in protected plate-holding position, as shown in Figure 3.

Operating rod II isadapted to be actuated by the leading edge of the plate B when inserted from the end of the cylinder A opposite from end ring 1 into its proper position on the cylinder A. For this purpose each rod II is housed in a corresponding longitudinal slot A6 (Figure 1) in the periphery of cylinder Aoii'set from the keyway A4 for key 3, hereinbefore referred to, and each operating rod I I extends beyond the leading end B of the plate B and beyond the end ring I and stop ring 2, and is provided with a series of tapped bores I I0, as shown in Figure '1, opposite the leading edge of plate B into any one of which an Allen set screw its: is adapted to be placed, said set screw I6:r being inserted through the slot in, hereinbefore referred to, in the endring I as .shown in Figure 1. Thus the set screw Ilia: may be adjusted .on the operating rod II to conform with different lengths of plates B. Operatingtrod I I is slotted adjacent the collar 5 as at Hot rEigure 1) :and a screw I! (Figure 1) is passed through the slot I Id and is tapped into a threaded boretin icylinder A, screw 'I'l serving to guide the inner end :of the operating rod iI while permitting :axial movement .of the operating rod II in its groove A6.

The center clip assembly operates as follows:

TheAllenset screw Ifizc is first adjusted .in tone of the tapped holes He in accordance with the length of the particular plate B. Before the plate B is slipped on the cylinder the operating rod 1H would be moved to the right (Fig. .1) its maximumextent so as to retract the center clip 8 below the periphery of the cylinder A. The plate B would then be slipped over the end of the cylinder opposite from the end ring I and slid towards the end ring assembly I and 2, which latter has previously been properlyvlocated in grooves A, A2, or A3 with respect to the length of the plate B. As the leading edge B of the plate B engages the Allen screw its the operating .rod II will be shifted thereby so that when the leading edge :13 engages the end ring I, as shown in Fig. 1, the center clip 8 will have been shifted therewith from the dotted-line positionshown in Fig. 1 to the full-line position shown in Fig. ,-1 in which latter position the lug 8c is projected into position to engage the trailing end :B' of plate 'Bbut is spaced therefrom until the end clamp, assembly (hereinafter de- 6 scribed llS actuated at the 401313051128 end of the cylinder. The :center clip '8 :moving about l lengthwise pf theacylinderzmoves :to the topsof the operating :hlock 1B and then travels horizontally in the slot 512, 5c the remaining distance into grippingmositien: between the "two printing plates. plateic'wouldthen he slipped over the same end :of the .cylinderiinto theposition shown in Fig.

11 inwhich itsfleadingedge'C' engagesrthe beveled edge ray of scenter clip ;8 since the clip {I has been raised into operative position by the plate B :previously placed upon the v:cylinder A.

The lengthiof -the.slot 'I-bin end ring vI permitsuthezrod II to be further shifted 'totheleft (Fig. 1-) while the :end :clip assembly at the opposite end of the cylinder :isbeing actuated to sesurely lock the plates .Band C on the cylinder.

end clip assembly at the opposite end 'of the :cylinder :A is illustrated in Fig. la, and as shown that end of the cylinder is reduced in :diameter as-iat :A'i, the :reduced portion extending under the trailingedge C of plate C, forming a shoulderAB against-whichis placed a spaceriring 20 which bears squarely against the shoulder 2A8. Spacer ring has a bore'conforming with that of the reduced portion Alof the'cylinder and :an external diameter conforming with that of the main body of cylinder A. Spacer ring 29 has anannular series of bores 25a adjacent :the periphery thereof forming journals ;for the :inner ends of plate clamp screws ZI which have areguced cylindrical ends Z-ta journaled in the bores Ila.

Upon thejreduced portion A? beyond .the:s pa.cer ring -29 is a plate clamp ring .22 of length to extendbeyond the trailing .end of'plateC, clamp :ring 22 havingfa bore slidably fitting the reduced portion A"! of :cylinder Aand having an external diameter slightly less than that of "the main body of cylinder A. Plate clampring 22 is provided with longitudinally disposed peripheral slots 22a in which the plate clamp screws 2i are housed, and'jalateclamp ring 22 is secured to the cylinder A-bylmeans-of bolts 23 having heads itsadisposed in bones 22c extending inwardly from the outer end of ring 22., said bolts being threaded into tapped :hores .Ae'in the shoulder A8 of the cylinder A, whereby the :plate clamp ring 22 is securelyimounted on the cylinder preventing same from aerial 01 rotary :movement thereon.

At thezouter end 1Qf=the plate clamp :ring 22 is an end plate 24 :of -less diameter than the cylinder A, said end plate first :being secured to ring 22 :or cylinder :A any desired manner, said end plate haying bearings '24s .for the outer .ends of the plate clamp screws :21, said screws having collars 21h engaging the end plate 24 to prevent axial movzeznent of the :screws 2!. The outer ends of thenczews 2.! extend through the end plate 2d and are-provided-withnon-circular outer ends'ZiIc for engagement with .a wrench or the like, whereby the screws 2.=I may be readily rotated.

Within each slot :2 2a in the plate 'clamp'ring 22 is a :plate :clamp :25 "threaded upon the related operatingscrew-ZI .and having an undercut looking lug .25a:adapted toengage the trailing end C of platefl, the locking lug25a whenin the operative position shown in Fig. 1a projecting out of the :slot 2 2a and hence above the diameter of the major portion of-cylinder A. :Each slot .ZZaihas at its :outer ends :a recess 22d (Fig. 1a) :of such depth thatwhen the screw 2 isrotated to bring theclamp 2'5 apposite the recess 22d, the :clamp may 2135 rotated on the screw so as to bring the lochineslugfifiawithin the recess 2201.111 which :po-

sition no portion of the clamp 25 or operating screw will lie beyond the periphery of the major portion of the cylinder A, whereby the plates B and C may be slipped over the end clamp assembly.

Obviously, when the screw 2| is rotated to shift the clamp 25 towards the plate C, the plates B and C with the interposed center clips 8 will be shifted to bring the leading edge B of plate B into firm engagement with the end ring I at the opposite end of the cylinder and the parts will be securely locked in position.

While I have illustrated but one of the center clips 8 with its operating rod II, and only one of the end clamps 25 with its operating mechanism, obviously as many clamps and clips may be provided in an annular series as may be desired around the periphery of the cylinder, each of the said assemblies operating in the same manner herein described.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. Means for looking a pair of substantially tubular printing plates or the like onto a cylinder, comprising an end ring assembly including an end ring adapted to engage the leading edge of the first plate, said ring being mounted adjacent one end of the cylinder and adapted to be locked in adjusted position thereon; a center clip assembly including center clips disposed between adjacent edges of the first and second plates adapted to be projected beyond the periphery of the cylinder and then parallel to same when in operative position and to be retracted within the periphery of the cylinder in another position thereof; means for projecting the center clips actuated by the placing of the first plate on the cylinder into substantially normal position; and an end clamp assembly at the opposite end of the cylinder including a grooved sleeve with end clamps in the grooves adapted to engage the trailing edge of the second plate and adapted to be shifted to compress the pair of plates with the interposed center clips together and against the end ring.

2. In means as set forth in claim 1, said end ring being disposed around the cylinder and having an enlarged internal recess in its outer end; said end ring assembly also including a pair of semi-circular stop ring sections adapted to fill the enlarged recess in the end ring and to encircle the cylinder, said stop ring sections having internal annular shoulders adapted to engage one of a series of spaced annular grooves in the cylinder.

3. In means as set forth in claim 1, said end ring being disposed around the cylinder and having an enlarged internal recess in its outer end; said end ring assembly also including a pair of semi-circular stop ring sections adapted to fill the enlarged recess in the end ring and to encircle the cylinder, said stop ring sections having internal annular shoulders adapted to engage one of a series of spaced annular grooves in the cylinder; said cylinder having a longitudinal keyway under said end ring assembly; a key in said keyway underlying the end ring and stop ring, said key having an upturned flange contacting the outer face of the stop ring; and a screw transfixing the end ring and the said key.

4. In means as set forth in claim 1, said center clip assembly comprising a pair of collar sections secured in an annular recess in the cylinder underlying the adjacent ends of the pair of plates; said collar sections having longitudinal guidways in their peripheries provided with enlargements at their lower ends; operating blocks of less width, depth, and length than the guideways axially mounted within the slots at the ends thereof removed from the end ring, said blocks each having outwardly inclined portions extending towards the end rings; and said center clips having slots in their lower ends seating upon the upper faces of the inclined portions of their related blocks and having portions adapted to engage the undersides of the said inclined portions of the operating blocks.

5. In means as set forth in claim 1, said projecting means comprising rods housed in longitudinal peripheral slots in the cylinder, said rods each having one end pivotally connected with their related center clip and its other end adapted to be engaged by the leading edge of the first plate, whereby movement of said plate will shift the center clips from retracted position into projected position when the first plate is shifted into substantially normal position on the cylinder.

6. In means as set forth in claim 1, said center clip assembly comprising a pair of collar sections secured in an annular recess in the cylinder underlying the adjacent ends of the pair of plates; said collar sections having longitudinal guideways in their peripheries provided with enlargements at their lower ends; operating blocks of less width, depth, and length than the guideways axially mounted within the slots at the ends thereof removed from the end ring, said blocks each having outwardly inclined portions extending towards the end rings; said center clips having slots in their lower ends seating upon the upper faces of the inclined portions of their related blocks and having portions adapted to engage the undersides of the said inclined portions; and said projecting means comprising rods housed in slots in the cylinder, said rods each having one end pivotally connected with their related center clip and its other end adapted to be engaged by the leading edge of the first plate, whereby movement of said plate will shift the center clips from retracted position into projected position when the first plate is shifted into substantially normal position on the cylinder.

7. In means as set forth in claim 1, the end of the cylinder in way of the end clamp assembly being reduced in diameter; and said end clamp assembly also including a plate clamp ring on the reduced end underlying the trailing end of the second plate and having longitudinally disposed slots in its periphery, said slots having recesses at their outer ends; means for securing the clamp ring to the cylinder; screw shafts journaled in bearings in each of the slots; said end clamps being mounted on said screw shafts and having lugs adapted to engage the trailing edge of the second plate; and said end clamps being rotatable on the screw shafts, whereby when positioned above the recesses the lugs may be retracted therein so as to lie within the periphery of the cylinder.

8. In means as set forth in claim 1, the end of the cylinder in way of the end clamp assembly being reduced in diameter; and said end clamp assembly also including a spacer collar on the reduced end within the trailing end of the second plate and provided with an annular series of bores adjacent its periphery; a plate clamp ring on the reduced end beyond the spacer collar and underlying the trailing end of the second plate and having longitudinally disposed slots in its periphery aligned with said bores in the spacer collar, said slots having recesses at their outer ends; an end gnome plate on the reduced end beyond the clamp ring having bores aligned with the slots; means for securing the spacer collar, clamp ring, and end plate to the cylinder; screw shafts in each of the slots journaled in the bores in the spacer collar and end plate; said end clamps being mounted on said screw shafts and having lugs adapted to engage the trailing edge of the second plate; and said end clamps being rotatable on the screw shafts, whereby when positioned above the recesses the lugs may be retracted therein so as to lie within the periphery of the cylinder.

9. A center clip assembly for looking a pair of substantially tubular printing plates or the like onto a cylinder, comprising longitudinal guideways in the cylinder periphery underlying the adjacent ends of the pair of plates, said guideways having enlargements at their lower ends; operating blocks of less width, depth, and length than the guideways axially mounted within the slots at the ends, said blocks having outwardly inclined portions extending in the direction of movement of the first plate into position onto the cylinder; and center clips in said guideways having slots in their lower ends seating upon the upper faces of the inclined portions of their related blocks and having portions adapted to engage the undersides of the said inclined portions; and means for shifting the clips axially of the guideways.

10. In an assembly as set forth in claim 9, said center clips having transverse locking lugs on their upper faces of greater width than the outer portions of the guideways; and the walls of the guideways being recessed in way of the lugs to permit the lugs to pass into and out of the guideways.

11. In an assembly as set forth in claim 9, said center clips having transverse locking lugs on their upper faces undercut to engage the adjacent ends of the pair of plates; and pins mounted in bores in the lugs disposed substantially normal to the surface of the cylinder at substantially the lower ends of said undercut portions and adapted to enter into the metal of the plates when clamped by the lugs.

12. In an assembly as set forth in claim 9, the upper ends of the outwardly inclined portions of the operating blocks terminating in planes parallel with but below the periphery of the cylinder, thereby permitting horizontal movement of the clips in the guideways after being projected into operative position out of the guideways.

13. A center clip assembly for looking a pair of substantially tubular printing plates or the like onto a cylinder, comprising a pair of collar sections secured in an annular recess in the cylinder underlying the adjacent ends of the pair of plates; said collar sections having longitudinal guideways in their peripheries, said guideways being provided with enlargements at their inner portions; operating blocks of less width, depth, and length than the guideways axially mounted within the slots at the ends, said blocks having outwardly inclined portions extending in the direction of movement of the first plate into position onto the cylinder; and center clips in said guideways having slots in their lower ends seating upon the upper faces of the inclined portions of their related blocks and having portions adapted to engage the undersides of the said inclined portions; and means for shifting the clips axially of the guideways.

14. In means for locking a pair of substantially tubular printing plates onto a cylinder, comprising an end ring on the cylinder adjacent one end thereof adapted to be engaged by the leading edge of the first plate; a center clip assembly includin center clips disposed between adjacent edges of the pair of plates adapted to be projected beyond the periphery of the cylinder and the parallel to same when in operative position and to be retracted within the periphery of the cylinder in another position thereof; and means for projecting the center clips actuated by the placing of the first plate on the cylinder into substantially normal position.

15. In means as set forth in claim 14, said projecting means comprising rods housed in longitudinal peripheral slots in the cylinder, said rods each having one end pivotally connected with their related center clip and its other end adapted to be engaged by the leading edge of the first plate, whereby movement of said plate will shift the center clips from retracted position into projected position when the first plate is shifted into substantially normal position on the cylinder.

16. In means as set forth in claim 14, said end ring having longitudinal slots in its plate engaging edge; and said projecting means comprising rods housed in longitudinal slots in the cylinder below the slots in the end ring, said rods each having one end pivotally connected with its related center clip and its other end underlying the end ring, a set screw insertable into one of a series of tapped pores in the rod underlying the end ring and leading edge of the first plate, said set screw being adapted to be engaged by the leading edge of the first plate, whereby movement of said plate will shift the center clip from retracted position into projected position when the first plate is shifted into substantially normal position on the cylinder.

17. An end clamp assembly for looking a tubular printing plate onto a cylinder having a reduced end, comprising a spacer collar on the reduced end within the trailing end of the plate and provided with an annular series of bores adjacent its periphery; a plate clamp ring on the reduced end beyond the spacer collar and underlying the trailing end of the second plate and having longitudinally disposed slots in its periphery aligned with said bores in the spacer collar, said slots having recesses at their outer ends; and end plate on the reduced end beyond the clamp ring having bores aligned with the slots; means for securing the spacer collar, clamp ring, and end plate to the cylinder; screw shafts in each of the slots journaled in the bores in the spacer collar and end plate; and end clamps mounted on said screw shafts and having lugs adapted to engage the trailing edge of the plate; and said end clamps being rotatable on the screw shafts whereby when positioned above the recesses the lug may be retracted therein so as to lie within the periphery of the cylinder.

EARL P. LACURE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,511,716 Bechman Oct. 14, 1924 2,104,854 Dean et a1, Jan. 11, 1938

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