US2570045A

US2570045A - Means for effecting print roll register in multicolor printing presses

Info

Publication number: US2570045A
Application number: US4184A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert M Bojanower; Richard D Spearman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-01-24
Filing date: 1948-01-24
Publication date: 1951-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1968-10-02

Description

1951 A. M. BOJANOWER EIAL 2,570,045

MEANS FOR EFFECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 24, 1948 R t T NNR 5 mg W 5.6 I m M T r 0 T R R n m ac w Y B 06L 1951 M. BOJANOWER EI'AL 2,570.045

MEANS FOR EFFECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN'MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed Jan. 24, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Elem/w D. JPmR/vrmv.

flrToRA/EYs.

1951 A. M. BOJANOWER ET AL 2,570,045

MEANS FOR EFFECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 24, 1948 IN V EN TORS 1% 55m M 504A MOWER. K/ mm 83. SPEARMAN- 1951 A. M. BOJANOWER ET AL 2, 7

MEANS FOR EFFECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed Jan. 24, 1948 5 Shees-Sheet 4 JVVZUVTORS: ALBERT M aumvowsn R/cwmwD. JPEARMAN.

00L 1951 A M. BOJANOWER ETAL 2,570,045

MEANS FOR EF FECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSES 5 Shee'ts-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 24, 1948 INVENTO [gas/er goumvowne. ICWHRD PEARMHN BY 2 6' T TORNE YS The invention relates A particularly thel aitnfv .mult nleimnressi n o color. printing wherein two or more separate impressions must imprin ed .o ain res steru it another so thatthep ttern w ll eh mcse ua .by echan m .Q fil Patented Oct. 2, 1951 MEANS FOR EFFECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN MUL TICOLOR PRINT- I Albert M. Bojanower andRichard D. Spearman,

i Downey, Calif.

ApplicationJanuary 24, 1 94 8 Seria1 No.4, 184

to thep i tine. t

. Intheart f. Q tinu l1.=Q9l9 p inti alfd ampl an important... s ati n. -is; he. a that after a color has been applied to a continuous strip of. prin n pa ertm Dfintaisur- ,face of the paper must be very careiully handled so that the color appearinglihereon does not smear. This limitation. in the art ofcolor printins necessitates a mechanism for the adjustment ..of...ree trat on ..of u e siv atte ns col whi h W ul notberequirea at...l a tw not hereto be .int itat l de igne as; wqu

be the c e fmro lers could ew ed u onj i printed. surface of ,thegpap ri When a continuous multiple-ooiorfpattern is t he pp ed a. con i uo s strip aper t paper must pass from; one plate cylinder bearing the color to another plate cylinder bearinga different c l wi h b t a shor d inst me b wee thetwo impressions, So that the second iInpression may bein properregister or in alignmentwith the first, two; adjustments must be a a e, Q e n a tra v r e -.dircct o .and on n a longitudinal direction. The mechanism here invo ved s conc nedp th t e ad ustment o s str o n a on itud na r cti n. th a ius w ment in a transve se d e on bein acc mpl e o th scop of e present disclosure.

w a. mumsitusisa rislj'eii ct si d t s norma y. 7 -11.. in accorda c uwitha; I rt i pattern wh ch re eats for. e ch e o utio of the plate cylinder-used to impres s the pattern 1 .11 1 a continuous strip of paper. In -order for an adjustingmeohanism for ,adjustingregistration in adongitudinal direction to be completely successful, ,itshould have a latitude permitting a st th q e o ta y p t n-9 th re ,tern and preferably in eitherdirection so that no matter Whatthe relationship mightbe when s e. Pl t trl nders re fi s pl e bat they may be capable of adjustment The latitude of adjustment has alwaysfbeen such movement '01 tance' less thancth'e' length of a complete pattern,

in'many cases, particularly where the pattern is of any appreciable size.

Interlocking helical "gears have been widely used, but the extent of adjustment of mechanisms using herringbone gears is very definitely limited to the'length of the gear teeth or something less.

The latitude of adjustment of herringbone gear full circumference of systems is many times less than What mayf be conceived as a 360 adjustment throughout the the plate cylinder. Consequently, in using this method as illustrative'of "previous attempts to achieve register, application or the plate cylinders initially to the strip of paper to beprinte'd must be carefully made. An

.initialset-up adjustment must take into consideration the pattern to S u oh an extent that the 1 plate cylinder d must be separately adjusted to bring the different parts of the pattern quite close to registration before such devices as herringbone gears can be registration. 7 I

Other limitations have also existed in the prior used to effect a final perfect tart. Adjusting devices for the most part have been found impossible of manipulationduring operation of the press. Consequently, in setting the press initially for the right registration it, has been found necessary to start and stop. the. press a number of times and to make additional auxiliary; adjustments before the final adjustment is possible. Moreover, the adjusting mechanisms heretofore known could not be counted upon to maintainregistration and havenecessitated constant vigilance on the part of operators and a stopping of the presses whenever inspection reveals poor registration so that a new adjustment can be made. in time to prevent great waste of poorly printed paper. Inadjusting mechanisms heretoforeknown the complications of a technical nature have been such as to very definitely limit the number of plate cylinders for diiferent colors which could be'usedin a single multiple printing operation. v V n i It is, therefore, amongthe objects otourinvention to provide. a new anddmproved multiple impression" printing machine'in which all impressions may be brought into perfect registration;

p t t proved multiple color printing machine. wherein u Another object is to "provide afnew and imany or all of the master patterns used for the application of different colors may be. adjusted throughout the. entire length of thepatt'ern and wherein, further, if ne edbe, the adjustment may be made in either direction longitudinally with respect to a strip of printing paper.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved adjusting mechanism for multiple impression printing wherein any one or all of the patterns may be subjected to adjustment while the press is in full operation, or, if preferred, when the press is at rstjand wherein the adjusting mechanism is not under load during normal operation of the device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved adjusting mechanism for multiple impression printing machines Wherein the registration of the impressions remains fixed once it is properly adjusted.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new andimproved adjusting mechanism for multiple color, continuous printing machines which is positive in operation, delicate of adjustment and easily manipulated by hand to such an extent that the device can be operated by relatively inexperienced operators.

Included, also, among the objects of the invention is to provide an adjusting device of the type hereinabove identified which is adjustable to presses of any size, large or small, and which is likewise applicable to presses wherein a great many different impressions or difierent colors are to be printed upon a single continuous strip of printing paper by used one or more impression cylinders.

The objects contemplate the provision of a mechanism, the parts of which are readily accessible for inspection, servicing and repair and which being operated with relatively light loads renders them capable of maintaining their perfection of adjustment for as long as the press to which they are applied continues to operate.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: 7 Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a printing press incorporating the print roll register mechanism.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view, foreshortened for the purpose of illustration, and

taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of one of the impression rolls taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of one end of one of the impression rolls taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5A--5A of Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of one of the differential mechanisms taken V corporated into a printing press devoted to the purpose of printing a continuous pattern upon one side of a long strip of printing paper. Ordi narily, the particular type of printing press involved is one of relatively large dimensions which 1 is particularly well adapted to printing upon. paper measuring two or three "feet or more in width, although narrower widths of paper may be printed on the same machine.

An important feature of this type of press is that it may run continuously over long periods of time. It is suitable for printing such types of paper as wrapping paper, wall paper or any other type of paper usually handled in rolls upon which is to be printed either a multiple color design or a combination of other patterns or impressions which must be brought into correct register one with another.

In the present embodiment the printing press is one fitted to apply distinct and separate patterns upon a continuous strip of paper. These may 'be of different'colors or may differ otherwise, depending upon the requirements of any particular job which might be run.

For practical operationthe press chosen for the purpose of illustration is equipped with two separate impression rolls, upon each of which is operative a pair of platecylinders. The invention involves, particularly, a means of changing the register of the impressions of the plate cylinders as they are reproduced upon the strip of paper. -As previously noted, it is only the register ina longitudinal direction with respect to the strip of paper with which'this invention is concerned.

'Since there are'ill'ustrated four separate plate cylinders, it isneces'sar'ycnly that three of them be capable of adjustment inasmuch as no adjustment is needed for the initial impression.

Consequently, one of "the plate cylinders can'be into proper relationship with the first.

Another element which is important to con- 'sider in the design and operation of a multiple impression-printing-machine of the type herein 1 described is speed 'of operation. In viewof the costliness of large "machines of this type, they can-be made economically feasible onlywhen run constantly at a relatively high rate of speed.

To improve the economy of operation of this *type of machineit is highly 'desirablethat a setup of plate cylinders ==for a given -'-run may be made just as quickly as possible and also brought into correct 'register asquickly as possible. The 1 last requirement is more advantageously accomplished-when'the adjustments can be'made while 'thepress is inoperation and also-wherein once made the adjustments remain fixed.

In the embodiment herein disclosed there is shown a multiple color -printing'press for printing four different-colors'or patterns-on a single strip of paper, a'n'endview of which appears '-in Figure 1.

cated by the reference character l0, comprises the exterior of the machine. '-In do tted lines there is indicated an-upper im'pression roll H,

A- supporting frame, generally-indi- "a-"lower impression rollH- and-four print rolls or p'latecylinde'rs designated by-the reference i characters I, 2, 3 and, and operable on the {p per inthe numerical sequence indicated.

' The term impression'roll as used herein "means the entire roll including the sundry appurtenances and attachmentsmounted between end plates l3'andl4'of the frame. The impression rolls are those around which'a strip I5 of f paper is carried and against which the plate 1 cylinders press the paper'when ink is transferred from the plate cylinder surfaces to the paper.

The plate cylinder or printroll, as customarily referred to in the "printing"trade,' maybe dearte ies scribed as a cylindrical "roll which bears on its surface a curved rubber dfz'in'c plate or other type of plate upon which is acontinuous ar rangement of either patterns, figures ,or type, or

technique well-known in the printing art, and details will consequently be omitted here other than the disclosure of inking rolls I 6 and I! for "each plate cylinder.

In normal operation the strip of paper I is passed over an idler roll I8 which presses it against the upper impression roll II.

While pressed against the roll the plate cylinder I makes a first impression which may be one color. The paper then passes downwardly into contact with the lower impression roll I2 and there receives the impression from the second plate cylinder 2. While still in contact with the lower impression roll the third cylinder 3 transfers its impression to the paper on the same surface as the impressions from cylinders I and 2. Then the strip of paper leaves the last mentioned impression paper and passes again into contact with the upper impression cylinder II and there receives the impression from the cylinder 4, after which the printed strip of paper leaves the machine in the approximate direction indicated by the reference character I5.

This invention relates to a device for shifting the relative rotational position of the plate cylinders with respect to each other so that the impressions which they transfer to the surface of the paper I5 will be in register one with another. The means resorted to in the present disclosure consists of a mechanism commonly known as a differential controlled mechanism.

For driving the machine power is received from a drive shaft 20 from which it is transmitted directly to a counter-shaft 2|. Both impression rolls are geared to the counter-shaft and driven thereby, and the impression rolls in turn are geared to the plate cylinders and ink rolls through a suitable system of gearing so that all of the plate cylinders and impression rolls operate in synchronism.

In the present arrangement plate cylinder 2 is made fixed in its adjustment with respect to impression roll I2. Therefore, the adjusting mechanism comprising a large part of the subject matter of the present invention is made operative -upon only the plate cylinders I, 3 and 4. In accordance with this selected design of the operating parts, powerfrom the drive shaft 20 will, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 3, be transmitted to a casing 22 comprising in

part discs

23 and 24, the first being keyed to the drive shaft 20 and the second being keyed to the counter-shaft 2|.

Upon the counter-shaft 2| is keyed a collar 25 having integrally secured thereto a gear 26,

shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, which meshes with a gear 21 of relatively large diameter. The gear 2? is non-rotatably attached to a short sleeve 28 comprising a part of the impression roll I2. It will thus be apparent that the impression roll I2 and particularly the portion thereof in contact with the plate cylinder 2 has a positive drive connection from the counter-shaft.

, Furthermore, as is particularly apparent in Figure 2, from the gear 2! there is a positive drive connection to a pinion 29 on the plate cylinder 2, and the pinion 29 meshes with a gear 3p'onthe ink roll I6 which in this instance, is

the impression transmitted grouped with the plate cylinder 2. The gear 3 0 in't'urn meshes with agear 3| of the corresponding'ink roll II. It will, therefore, become apparent that the plate cylinder 2 and the impression roll I2are both positively driven from the shaft 20 and have a fixed rotational arrangement one with respect to the other.

Since in the operation of the device it has been found most advantageous to adjust the register of the plate cylinder I with respect .to the plate cylinder 2 before the register of the platecylinders 3'and 4 are adjusted, a description of the precise mechanism for the adjustment of the plate cylinder I is felt will contribute more quickly to an understanding of the structural features involved in the adjusting mechanism. This involves an adjustment of the impression roll II whichoperates in' conjunction with the plate cylinder I.

In order to make possible an adjustment of that portion of the impression roll I I which is in contact with the plate cylinder I, same device may be provided for momentarily changing the speed of rotation of the impression roll II with respect to the speed of rotation of the impression cylinder I2 so as, in effect, to throw them slightly out of step with each other.

' The invention herein disclosed relates to a mechanism which is capable of either momentarily increasing the speed or decreasing the speed of the impression roll II with respect tothe imipression roll I2 so that the alignment of the pattern printed upon the paper by the plate cylinder I may be advanced or retarded with respect to by the plate cylinder 2 to bring about a perfect register of the two. This adjustment is accomplished in part by a differential mechanism contained largely within a differential housing 35 which cooperates with a gear train arrangement contained chiefly within the casing 22 previously referred to.

The mechanism for adjusting the register'of both plate cylinders 3 and 4 is controlled by differential mechanisms of the same kind, and a description of one, as illustrated in detail in Figure 6, will suffice for all three so far as this portion of the adjustment is concerned.

The differential housing 35, as illustrated in Figure 3, is located centrally with respect to the sides of the end plate 30 and below the axis of the counter-shaft 2!, as is apparent in Figure 2.

As represented in detail in Figure 6, the differential consists of the-housing 35, a differential input shaft 36, a differential output shaft 31 and oppositely disposed

bevel gears

38 and 39 mounted rotatably upon their respective axes within the rotatable housing which mesh with bevel gears 40 and 4|, respectively, on the input shaft and theoutput shaft. A gear 42 on the input shaft 36 meshes with a pinion 43 which is keyed upon the counter-shaft 2I. As a result of this arrangement, the counter-shaft is in positive driving relationship with the input shaft 36 of the differential, and this in turn drives the output shaft 37, normally at the same rate of speed as the input shaft.

By reference to Figure 1 it will be foundthat the output shaft 311is located centerablyand below the axis of the counter-shaft, itself located mid-way between the axis of the upper and lower impression rolls II and I2. Keyed to the output shaft is a sprocket 45 connected by a chain 46 to a smaller sprocket 41. The smaller sprocket is keyed to acentral shaft 48 which .hand wheel 14.

\ tion.

7 is rotatably mounted within the counter-shaft 2i as will be apparent in Figure 7. This means that the central shaft 48 is driven through the differential.

Figure '7 illustrates the gear train by means of which power traveling from the differential through the central shaft 48 is transmitted to and enabled to rotate the impression roll ll. As a result of this inter-connection of transmitting gears, it will become apparent that the speed of rotation of the impression cylinder ll may be controlled to some extent and varied by manipulation of the differential just described. This change in speed, it Will be appreciated, is only momentary but is sufiicient to change the register of impressions from the plate. cylinders a sufficient amount to register any circumferential patterns on the surfaces of the plate cylinders; that is to say, in this instance plate cylinders l and 2.

Specifically, the central shaft 48 is connected by means of a pair of bevel gears 49, 50 to a stub shaft journaled upon

brackets

52 and 53 which extend inwardly from the disc 24 in the casing 22. The stub shaft 5|, as illustrated, is at right angles to the axis of the counter-shaft, and the axes of the two shafts5l and 48 intersect.

Also located upon the'stub shaft 5| is a worm wheel 54', and meshing with the worm wheel is a worm gear 55 which is, in turn, mounted upon a second stub shaft 56 extending through the 'disc 2'4 and eccentrically located relative to the center of the disc. At the other end of the stub shaft 56 is a gear 51 which meshes with an internal gear 58 located within a pocket 59 formed on the hollow interior surface of a geared or friction head 6|].

The geared head 60 is provided, also, with an external gear, in this instance embodied in a gear or pinion 6| keyed to an extension 62 of the geared head 60. r The pinion 5 I, as illustrated best in Figure 3, meshes with a large ringgear 63 which is an integral portion of the impression roll H. Consequently, the impression roll H is connected by means of the gear train just described'through the differential to the countershaft as contrasted with the positive gear drive from the counter-shaft through the gears 26 and l3 and has keyed to its outer enda worm gear 69. This construction is well illustrated in Figure 6.

In Figures 1 and 3 the worm gear 69 is shown meshing with a worm wheel 10, and the worm wheel in turn'is mounted upon an adjusting rod ll journaled in brackets 12 and I3 onthe outside face of the end plate I3 and provided with a It is, therefore, apparent that by rotating thehand wheel 14 the differential housing 35 is also rotated a corresponding amount, and this rotation may be in either direc- V Rotation of the differential housing 35 makes effective a change of speed of the output shaft 31 with respect to the input shaft 36; hence, anyrotating mechanism controlledbythe output -shaft will experience 'achange in speed with relation to the counter-shaft as a result of rotation of the differential housing. This means that since the impression roll I2 is positively driven by the counter-shaft and since the impression roll H is controlled through the differential, the impression roll H may be adjusted with respect to the impression roll l2; 7

The result of adjustment of the impression rolls with respect to each other is an adjustment of the register of impressions from the plate cylinders upon the paper. It will be clear, also, from the foregoing description that the impression rolls may be adjusted relative to each other while the machine is in operation or when the machine is static. The advance or retardationof speed of one with respect to the other is merely momentary and not of great magnitude.

A careful examination of the structure shown in Figure 7 will reveal that the geared head 60' is permitted to rotate with respect to the casing 22, and this is necessary in order to achieve the adjustment abovedescribed. The geared head 60 is shown bearing upon a friction ring 75 which is received within a recess it of the disc 24. For pressing'the' geared head into frictional engagement there are provided a series of coiled springs ll retained by plugs '58 in suitable apertures 19 spaced 'circumferentially about the collar 25. These springs press in an axial direction against the geared head with a very considerable amount of force. The collar 25 is, in turn, fixed with relation to the counter-shaft 2|.

Normally, the geared head and the casing 22 rotate together, but when the differential housing is rotated, the geared head is rotated slightly relative to the casing 25 against the force of friction which is constantly present. The plugs 18 provide an adjustment for the tension effect of the springs'il. Screws 39 make possible removal of the disc 2 from the casing 22.

For adjusting the plate cylinders 3 and 4 separate independent differential mechanisms are provided, both located adjacent the end plate I3 and grouped about the differential identified by the housing 35, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. As there shown, a differential identified with a housing operates to adjust the register of plate cylinder a, and a differential identified with a housing 86 is effective in adjusting the register of plate cylinder 3. V 1

Since the mechanical principle involved in each of the last named instances is identical, the structure and operation'of the differential identified with the housing 55 and'its relationship to the plate cylinder 3 only will be described in detail. In this connection, the construction of the impression rolls is important, and for illustration the structure of the impression roll I2 is shown in detail in Figures 4, Band 5A.

In 'Figure 2, for example, there is shown a sprocket {if on the counter-shaft 2 i connected by means of a chain88 to a sprocket 89 mounted upon the input shaft of the differential housing 56. In this instance, the input shaft will be precisely like the input shaft 36' previously de scribed in connection with the differential housing 35 in Figured Theinterior mechanism of the differential housing 86 is likewise similar to that of the differential housing'35 as is also the rotational mounting ofthe differential housing 85 within a ring 66.

The differential housing 86' is provided'with an output shaft Stat the outside end of which is mounted a sprocket 9| connected to a sprocket amp 92 one. shaft 93 by means of a chain 94 in a one-' to-one relation. The [shaft 93 is centrally located I within a hollow shaft 95 which, in turn; supports the "left endof the impression roll I2 within the end plate I3. A corresponding'shaft 96 supports the opposite or right-hand end of the impression roll I2 upon the end plate I4. The left end of the shaft. 96 is visible in Figure 3, but the relationship to the remaining portions of the device is more clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

To make it possible for the adjusting mechanism to work, the impression roll I2 may be constructed in a manner similar in a very general way to the structure shown in Figure 7. This means that what has hereinbefore been designated as the impression r011 I2.in fact consists of an impression cylinder s1 and a geared or friction head 98 held in frictional engagement with the impression cylinder. Ifhese and other work ing parts may be construed as constituting, when assembled as shown,"the impression roll.

More specifically,'the geared headcomprises an internal-external gear having a hollow in-' terior cavity or recess99and an annular edge I bearing frictio'n'ally against an annular ring IoI confined within a recess I02 situated on the face of a"c ircular'plate I I13 attached by screws I'M to theleft'end of the impression cylinder.

Inorder'to hold th geared head in frictional en a em nmhre is provided a collar I shown in"consid'erable detail in Figures 5 and 5A. The

collar has the shape of a split ring having a split lnqa-bn 'one'sius smen permits the collar to be clamped innamrotsudnarengag ment with the hollow shaft 95 by means of fa "screw I01.

Within the eollarfare-a series of four apertures I 08, and in each apertureis {a coiledspring I09 held m place by an adjustable lug 1 In. The

springa -in turn, bear' against a wear plate III on theleft' face of 'th'e geared head '98. Pressure of the springs; which is normally-of considerable force, press'es the geared head into'snug frictional engagement with the circular plate I03 of the impression cylinder.- It will b'e apparent that the geared head is free to rotate relativeto the imp'ressioncylinder when sufficient force is exerted to overcome the frictional resistance between them. 1

The shaft 93 is. provided with a bevel gear I I2 meshing with another bevel gear I I 3' on a stub shaft H4. The stub'shaft; in turn, is journaled upon brackets II5 an'd I l6 forming' parts of the circular plate I113. The axis ofthe stub shaft H4 is. perpendicular to .a'ndrintersects the axis of the 'shaftu93- Keyed to =the=stub shaft H4 is a wormzwheel I I1 shown meshing with a worm gear I I8 inturn keyed toalstub-shaft I I9 eccentrically jourlnaled within the circular plate I 03; A pinion IZILke'yed to.. the other .end of the stub shaft I I9 meshes." with. an internal gear. I2I within the traced in Figuresl i and 5.

Now,.b'y an examination ofthe lower right portion of: Figure 2, it can be observed that an external gearflI22 on-ther geared head 98 meshes For'rotatingthe diiferential housing as there is "provided a; worm "gear I3Il rneshing with *a worm wheel I3I in turn operated by a shaft I 32 towhichis connecteaa hand wheel I33. Rotation of the hand wheel I33 rotates the difieren-- tial housing 86, and this rotation either aIdvances or retards the relative rotational posie tion of the geared head 98 with respect to the position of the impression cylinder 91 and also with respect to the relative rotational position of the impression roll I I and its corresponding geared head I34.- This means that the impression transmitted from .the plate cylinder 3-to the sion transmitted by the plate cylinder I to the sheet of paper.

The same construction in general applies to the mechanism associated with the differential housing 85. In the last instance, a hand wheel I35 acting through a worm wheel I3 6 and worm gear I3'I rotates the differential housing .85. This, in

turn, through a sprocket I38 on a differential output shaft I39 rotates a shaft I40 by means .of a chain II and sprocket I42, thereby causso geared: head: 98. This. gear'train can readily be ing rotation of the geared head I with, re

spect to the impression portion of the plate roll II and with respect to all of the other rotating parts of the press.

For supporting in place the plate cylinders,

mounting blocks I50 are used which carry the ends of shafts I5I upon which the plate cylinders may be adjusted in an endwise direction and thus set in proper register in a transverse direction. Locking wheels I53 fix the adjustment once it is made.

Other blocks I54 support the ink rolls, and the blocks I54 together with the blocks I50 ateither end of the plate cylinder may be moved toward and away from the impression roll by manipula tion of a hand Wheel I55. The blocks, in turn, ride upon square shafts I56 located edgewise as illustrated inFigureB. Details of the mountingsand adjusting devices last described are set forth in detail in co-pending application, Serial No. 716,550, filed December 16, 1946, which matured: into Patent 2,542,229. dated February 20, 1951.

In operation of the printing machine involving the present disclosure and the print roll register devices just described the sheet of paper I5 is fed into the machine around the roller I8 and against the impression roll I I as previously noted. The sheet of paper passes. over both im ression rolls as illustrated in Figure 1. Normally, and likewise as heretofore described, the plate cylinder 2 is in fixed relationship to the impression roll I2 and the paper. All ,of the other plate cylinders are adjusted with relation to the plate cylinder 2. In a preferred sequence of adjustment the register of plate cylinder I is next adjusted, and this is accomplished by operation of the hand wheel which, through the differfroi n the gear as at the righ'tend of the plate rollI I as viewed in Figure 3.

Inthe preferred order of adjustment the plate cylinder3 is next set in register with the combineii r s o ate ylind nd 2 his is accomplished by manipulation of the hand h e I33 h n, o e a in upon: th di ferential identified with the differential-housing 86, causes the geared head 98 to be adjusted relative to, the other rotating parts. The plate cyl-, inder '3, being positively driven by the geared head 98, takes its adjustment in this manner and causes the plate cylinder 3 to rotate relative to rotation of plate cylinders I and 2. This is sufficient to bring the impressions of plate cylinders I, 2 and 3 into registration with each other.

Finally, by operation of hand wheel I35 registration of the plate cylinder 4 is effected by manipulation of the differential mechanism of the differential housing 85 in company with rotation of the geared head 134. This is possible because the plate cylinder-4 is positively driven by the geared head I34 and thereby is made to rotate relative to the other three plate cylinders.

What is further significant is the fact that when the press is in operation both impression rolls, all of the plate cylinders and all of the differential gearing, together with the geared heads, operate together and in synchrony. The housings only of

differentials

35, 85 and 86 remain stationary; These move only when they are deliberately moved by manipulation of their respective hand wheels. Because of this intercone nection, the adjustment of register of any one of the plate cylinders may be made at any time. Moreover, the adjustment is unlimited; that is to say, any one of the differential housings may be rotated throughout an arc of 360, once, twice or as many times as need be. depending upon the gear ratios, the diameter of the plate cylin ders and other factors.

The patterns, of course, will not exceed in ex: tent the circumference of the plate cylinder. Sincethere is unlimited rotation of the differential housings, the adjustment may run clear through any pattern. Consequently, when the plate cylinders are set up initially, no morecare need be taken than to place the plate cylinder in contactwith the impression roll to a sufficient extent to make an even impression over the length of the roll. No attention at all need be given to the initial register of the plate cylinder in a longitudinal direction. This can all be taken care of by manipulation of the hand wheels and their respective differential mechanisms.

It isclear, also, that although the impression rolls may be made for the accommodation of strips of paper of relatively great width, narrower strips of paper may be printed in the press since it is necessary to do no more than limit the printing portions of the plate cylinders to a length no greater than that necessary to print paper of correspondingly narrow width.

In a press of the type described the printing may be run just as fast as is in keeping with the type of paper and ink selected. Great speeds can be attained without the rapid operation being detrimental to the printing of multiple colors upon the paper since once adjusted the register is held.

Because of ease in manipulating the adjustment, relatively few attendants are needed for presses of. this kind which results in great economy in their operation. Because of it being possible to easily adjust the register, the printing paper results in very few seconds or poor runs and is consequently productive of an additional saving.

Moreover, because of the fact that the working ease, and in case certain of the parts become worn and need replacement for any reason, the worn or otherwise damaged parts may be removed without it being necessary to dismantle remain- 7 ing portions of the machine.

The system herein described is particularly effective in that it provides an adjusting device embodied in the differential mechanism which, although rotating in s ynchronism with the operating parts, is not subject to a load durin mal operation of the machine. This is effected by employment of the worm wheel I ll, 54 etc, as the case may be, which blocks the return of power through the differential. This construction promotes minimum wear of the differential parts, use of lighter weight differential parts, a decrease in the power necessary to turn the manual COD; trols and the ability, because of minimization of wear, to hold a closer register.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the. most within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent structures The invention having been herein described, what is claimed and sought to be secured by Letters Patent is;

1. In a continuous printing machine a frame, an impression roll rotatably mounted on the frame, plate cylinders rotatably mounted on the frame in parallel relationship with the impression roll, a drive shaft for the impression roll and plate cylinders, said impression roll comprising an impression cylinder having a positive drive connection to the drive shaft and a portion thereof in rotationally variable contact therewith, one of said plate cylinders having a positive drive connection to the drive shaft, a 'rotatablyvariable connection between the other plate cylinder and the impression cylinder, said variable connection comprising said portion and a change speed mechanism.

2. In a continuous printing machine a frame, an impression roll 'rotatably mounted on the frame, plate cylinders 'rotatably mounted on the frame in parallel relationshipwith the impressanism, the differential mechanism comprising a housing rotatably mounted on the frame, an ins put shaft on the housing positively driven from the drive shaft, an output shaft on the housing, differential gears between said input andsaid output shafts, said outputshaft having a positive drive connection with said portion, a positive drive connection between said portion and said other plate cylinder, and means for adjustably rotating saidhousing whereby to change the ro-Z tational relationship between the plate cylinders.

3.. a cont nu us ieiine mac ine a fram animpression roll rotatably mounted sion roll, ink rollers for said plate cylindersand a hollow countershaft adaptedto-driVe said-impression roll, said impressionroll comprising an" impression cylinder having a fixed gear connection to the countershaft and an internal-external geared head in frictional driving contactw-ith the impression cylinder and adapted to berotated relative thereto, one of saidplate cylinders having a tangential contact with the impression cylinder and a positive drive connection to the' coun tershaft, the other plate cylinder having a rotatably variable relationship with the first plate cylinder and having a rotating connectionwith said impression roll including said geared head and a diiferentialmechanism, the differential mechanism comprising a housing rotatably mounted whereby to change the rotational relationshipbe tween said other plate cylinder and jointly said impressioncylinder andftheffirst plate cylinder.

4. In a continuous printing machine a frame, a plurality of impression rolls rotatably mounted on the frame, a plurality of plate cylinders for each impression roll rotatably mounted on the frame, and a drive shaft member adapted to drive said impressionrolls, theimpression rolls comprising impression cylinders and frictionally engaged rotating portions, said drive shaftmember having positive and impositivedrive connections to the impression cylinders; the, positive drive connection'being' to one only of said impression cylinderssaid impositive drive including an adjustable drive link comprising a rotat ing drum having a frictionally ,engagedrotating portion, a positive drive connection between each said impression roll rotatingp'ortion and Tonen'f said plate,cylindersanother of said plate cyline ders having a positive drive connection with one of said impression cylinders and the last remaining plate cylinder having a positive drive con-' nection with the drive shaft member, and means for varying the rotational relationship between the plate cylinders comprising a variable speed device in each impositive drive connection.

5. In a continuous printing machine a frame, a pair of impression rolls rotatably mounted on the frame, a pair of plate cylinders for each impression roll rotatably mounted. on the frame, and a drive shaft member adapted to drive said impression rolls, the impression rolls comprising each an impression cylinder and an auxiliary portion having a friction drive connection therewith, said drive shaft member having a positive drive connection to one impression cylinder and an adjustable drive connection to another impression cylinder, said last drive connection including a drum having an auxiliary portion in driving engagement with said last impression cylinder, a positive gear connection between each said impression roll auxiliary portion and one of said plate cylinders, another of said plate cylinders having a positive drive connection with one of said impressioncylinders, and the last remaining plate cylinder having a positive drive connection with the drive shaft member, and means for Iltthe frame, plate cylinders rotatablymounted on- -theb frame in parallel relationship =-with the impres varying the-rotational relationship betvv een the 3 plate cylinders comprising an adjustably variable speed device between the drive shaft member and" each said auxiliary-portion. I

6. In a continuous printing machine a frame,

a pair of impression rolls rotatably mounted on the frame, a pair of plate cylinders for each im pression roll rotatably mounted on the frame,--

inking rolls for said plate cylinders anda drive shaft member adapted to drive said impressionrolls,-the impressionrolls comprisingeach an impression cylinder, an internal-externalgeared head at one endof the impression cylinder hav ing a friction drive connection therewith and a fixed gear at the other end of the impression cyl inder, said drive shaft member having a positive gear connection to one impression cylinder, an impositive gear connection to a second impres sion cylinder including a rotating drum co'n'cen trio with said drive shaft member, said drum having an'internal-external gearin driving engage ment with said impositively connected impression" cylinder, a positive gear'connection between each said geared head and one of said plate cylinders,

another of said plate cylinders remaining havinga positive drive connection Withthe drive shaft member and beingin fixed rotationaladjustment with one of said impressioncylind'ers; and the last cylinder remaining having a positivedriv" connection with the other of said impression cyl inders,*and means for varying the rotational relationship between each gearedhead connected plate cylinder and said impos itive1y connected impression cylinder respectively to the drive shaft :connected plate cylinder comprising a diiferen tial gear connection between the drive shaft member and respectively said geared'head tennected plate cylinders andsaid impositively connected impression cylinder, said differential gear connection including a rotationally mounted housing, and means for rotating said housing whereby to adjust the register of said plate cyl inders with relation'to each other. H v 7. In a continuous printing machine a frame, a

pair of impression rolls rotatably mounted on the frame, a plate cylinder for each impression roll;

in tangential contact therewith, and a drive shaft for rotating said impression rolls, a positive drive" connection between one of said impressionrolls and the drive shaft, positive drive connections between the plate cylinders and the respective impression rolls, and means adapted to vary the rotational relationship between said plate cylinders whereby to shift the register of plate cyl inder impressions on print paper passing over said impression rolls, said means comprising a manually adjustable variable speed mechanism between the drive shaft and the other of said impression rolls, said mechanism comprising a housing mounted on the frame, manually adjustable means connected to said housing, an input shaft in the housing positively driven from the drive shaft and an output shaft, a drum housing, a friction head thereon, a bevel gear train in the drum housing in rotatable contact with said friction head, and a positive drive connection between said friction head and the other of said impression rolls.

8. In a continuous printing machine a frame, a pair of impression rolls rotatably mounted on the frame, a plate cylinder for each impression roll in tangential contact therewith, and a drive shaft for rotating said impression rolls, a. posito vary the rotational relationship between said impression rolls whereby to shift the register of plate cylinder impressions on print paper passing over said impression rolls comprising a differential mechanism between the drive shaft and the other of said impression rolls, said differential mechanism comprising a housing rotatably mounted on the frame, manually adjustable means for rotating said housing, an input shaft in the housing positively driven from the drive shaft, an output shaft and a concentric shaft within said drive shaft positively driven from said output shaft, an internal-external gear concentrically mounted on the drive shaft, a drum housing in frictional engagement therewith, a bevel and worm gear train mounted in the drum housing and in rotatable contact with said internal-external gear, and a positive gear connection between said internal-external gear and the other of said impression rolls.

9. A mechanism for adjusting the relative rotation of parts of a composite roll, the parts of which include a cylindrical member and another member comprising a hollow head in rotatable frictional engagement with the first member, a frame to support the mechanism, means adapted to hold said members in frictional engagement, a drive shaft, a positive drive connection between the drive shaft and one of said members, and a variable speed mechanism between the drive shaft and the other of said members, said mechanism including a retainer rotatably mounted on the frame, rotational means therein having an input end and an output end, and a positive drive connection between the imput end of the rotational means and the member comprising said hollow head.

10. A mechanism for adjusting the register of plate cylinders bearing insignia intended to cooperate in the'production of a composite pattern comprising a frame, an impression roll having a cylindrical impression surface and a head in rotatable frictional engagement therewith, means adapted to hold said head in frictional engagement with the impression cylinder, a pair of plate cylinders in parallel tangential contact with the impression roll, a drive shaft and a variable speed mechanism, said mechanism including a retainer rotatably mounted on the frame adapted 16 to house the remaining portions of said mechanism, an input shaft positively driven by said drive shaft, an output shaft, a positive drive connection between the output shaft and said head, a

; positive drive connection between the head and one of said plate cylinders, a positive drive connection between the drive shaft and the other of said pair of plate cylinders, and manually actuated means adapted to adjust the rotational position of the retainer.

11. A mechanism for adjusting the register of plate cylinders bearing insignia intended to cooperate in the production of a composite pattern comprising a frame, an impression roll having a cylindrical impression surface and a head in rotatable frictional engagement therewith, means adapted to hold said head in frictional engagement with the impression cylinder, a drive shaft and a variable speed mechanism, said mechanism including a rotating means rotatabl mounted on the frame, a positive drive connection between the rotating means and said head including bevel and worm gears in the impression cylinder, a pinion rotatably mounted in an eccentric location at the end of the impression cylinder and located within said head, an internal gear in the head meshing with the pinion, and a positive drive connection between the head and one of said plate cylinders.

ALBERT M. BOJ AN OWER. RICHARD D. SPEARMAN.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Numher Name Date 805,172 Waldron Nov. 21, 1905 1,027,384 Green May 24, 1912 1,080,978 Johnston Dec. 9, 1913 1,101,951 Oliva June 30, 1914 1,512,994 Marquardt Oct. 28, 1924 1,691,745 Waldron Nov. 13, 1928 1,886,528 Cottrell 1- Nov. 8, 1932 2,151,570 Shoults et al Mar. 21, 1939 2,256,800 Barber Sept. 23, 1941 2,256,801 Barber Sept. 23, 1941 2,416,495 Piazze Feb. 25, 1947