US2605701A

US2605701A - Cylinder mounting means for rotary printing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2605701A
Application number: US109306A
Authority: US
Inventors: William C Huebner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-08-09
Filing date: 1949-08-09
Publication date: 1952-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 1969-08-05

Description

Allg. 5, 1952 W- C, HUEBNER 2,605,701

CYLINDER MOUNTING MEANS FOR ROTARY PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 1949 2 SHEETS- SHEET l WqLLmM DHUEBNER..

BY-zm,

HTTCIFNE S Aug. 5, 1952 w. fa. HUEBNER 2,605,701

CYLINDER MOUNTING UEANS FOR ROTARY PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Y Patented Aug. 5, 1952 CYLINDER MOUNTING MEANS RoR ROTARYv PRINTING APPARATUS William C. Huebner, New York, N. Y.

Application August 9, 1949, Serial No. 109,306

Claims. (Cl. lOl-216) This invention relates to a printing or coating press and, more particularly, yto constructions thereof for facilitating removal therefromlfof a printing or coating element such as printing, inking, or like cylinders or drumsrthis applica-tion being Ain part a division of my copending application S. N. 689,490 filed vAugust 9,1946, now Patent No. 2,557,381 dated June 19, 1951, and also including a modication of theA divided subject` matter.

My above-identified copending application `discloses4 a universal press which is readily adapted for printing by different methods and/or in diff ferent colors. In such a press it is desirable that the printing elements such as the printing, inking, or like cylinders or drums be readily removable from the pressto permit-cleaning and also to facilitate replacing the cylinders withv'others having different surface characteristics when the mode of printing or the image or color to be printed is to lbe changed. Y

An object of this invention is the provision in Ya printing or coating press of an improved means for mounting an element or elements, such'as printing, inking, `or like, cylindersV orl drums, whereby the elements or drum'sfmay'be readily removed from the press for cleaning or forl replacement by a Vdifferentfdru'rn or element, the removal and replacement being 'effected without dismantling the press; y v

Another object of theinvention is the provision of an improved means for mounting cylindrical elements ina ,printing or coating vpress wherein the said elements comprise cylindrical shells which are engaged and rotatably mounted in the pressby end members having a sliding Afit within the ends of said cylinders, at least one of said end members being axially movable with respect to the other end member to. lfacilitate removal of said shell.- c

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved means for mounting cylindrical elements in a printing or coating"V press wherein `the sa'idelements comprise cylindrical shells the ends of Vwhich are -closed'bydisklike members to form hollow drums, the saiddrums beingrotatably mounted in the pressby bearing members, at least one of which is axially movable to facilitate removal ofthe drum from the press.

A still further object of the invention-is the provision of improved means for mounting fa printing or coating element in a press 'as deiined in the two preceding objects and wherein means are provided for facilitating algnrnentand support of said element during removal and place'f mentthereof. Y' f 'A An additional object of the invention is the provision in a printing or coating press of an improved hollow element and improved rotatable mounting means therefor wherein the said element is adapted to have liquid supplied to the interior thereoffor effecting a printing or coating operation and the element is adapted to be readily placed in and removed from the press by axial movement of at least one of the mounting means, characterized in that the said element and movable mounting means have cooperating valve means which are automatically opened to permit supply of liquid therethrough to the interior of the drum When the latter is in place in the press, the said valve means automatically closing when the drum is removed from the press. The invention further resides in certain novel features of construction and combination and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages thereof.v willbe apparent to those skilled in the artto which it pertains from the following description ofthe present preferred embodiment thereoand certain modifications, described with respect tothe accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters represent corresponding partsin the several views'and in which: Fig. l is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through a printing press provided with a cylindrical printingv element constructed and mounted in accordance with this invention, this figure being identica1 with Fig. 9 of my aforementioned copending application S. N. 689,490 except that the reference characters have been changed;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view as seen from a location corresponding with the line 2-2 of Fig. l showing a means for eifecting correct circumferential `positioning of the printing element, this iigure being identical with Fig. 9b of my aforementioned copending application except that the reference characters have been changed; Fig.'4 3 is. a fragmentary transverse sectional Viewl through a printing press provided with the present preferred embodiment of a cylindrical printing element incorporating the features of this invention; p 1

Fig-. 1 y is a fragmentary viewpartly in end elevation andpartlyin section taken substantially on the line 4 4 -ofFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 5,-5 ofY Fig. 4; and, Figs; 6 andv'l, taken together, comprise an enlarged fragmentary View of the lefthand portion of Fig. 1 principally in elevation but with parts broken away and others shown in section to illustrate the 'operation of thecylinder mounting and ing rails I I and I2 on which the tiers are movabiy mounted by having the lowermembier I3 thereof provided with rollers I4 supported on channels or ways such as I5 and cooperatingwith the rails II and I2 for movement longtiudinally there-A along. The tiers are secured infa selected, predetermined position by suitable means such as a locating pin I6 which may pass through aligned holes in one of the rails and a portion of the member I3.

Supported upon-the member I3 are one or more frame members or-units -I 'l only one of which is shown indetail herein, these members being castings which extend transversely of the base and are each pro-vided on the under side withvkeyways t8 and on its upper side with keys I9. The keyways I3-of the lowermost unit-ITI interi-lt with the keys29 of the supporting member I3 and the keys I9 at the top of unit I1 intert with corresponding keyways in the next unit thereabove or with a cap 'membennot shown. The units yI'I are ordinarilyconnected together and to the supporting member I3 by suitable securing means such fas bolts 12| thereby constituting a .rigid frame. Y

Supported within the frame member vI-'I is a printing element or drum, generally designated 22, whichlincludes rota-table spaced apart flanged disks T23 'and 24. The disk 23 is rotatably supported-in an-eccentricbushing-Z which-is inturn mounted Yin an eccentric sleeve 26. The other disk 24 is Alikewise supported in an eccentric sleeve, -as will presently appear, and'thereiore the -axis of -the element `or drum 22 may be adjusted vindirections at right angles Ato its axis by rotation-cf vthe-eccentric sleeves. The sleeve 426 may be locked -in an adjusted position by means of ascrew 26a which extends through a slot in the flange ofthe sleeve and is threaded into the frame I-. The sleeve 26 is provided with -a -key or Vpin A 2'! which extends into a keyway 28 in the bushing 25 so that the bushing together With the bearing portion ofthe disk 23 can have-endwise movement relative to the sleeve 326. For this purpose, the bushing 42,5 is-externally threaded and supports a Vgear nut 29 located between the flangeof the sleeve 2t and a retainer plate rigidly secured'to the frame. `A pinion 3| meshes with the -teeth of the nut 29 and is xedfto a shaft 321which is rotatablysup- 'ported'by the 4frame memberI'l and by the plate 30, the outer end of shaft 32 having its outer end -provided with a portion '-to which a removable operating handle or crank 33 may be Sattached. -It .will-be apparentfrom theieonstruction vjust described that, when the pinion 3| is rotated by the handle 33, `the-'nut Y29 -willturn andthread upon Athe bushing causingthelatter to V.move axially inwardly or outwardly depending 'upon the ldirection of the r-"otation vof .the Lhandle 33. Since the outer end of .bearing portion of disk 23 has aLplate 23a secured thereto with a portion of the bushingr l25 'receivedbe- 4tween `this vplate .and 'an `integral shoulderfon" the bearing portion of the disk, the axial movement of bushing 25 carries the disk 23 therewith.

The disk 24 has a reduced diameter bearing portion thereon rotatably mounted in an eccentric bearing sleeve 34, this sleeve having a flange portion which is adjustably secured to the frame I'l by a screw or the like 35 to retain the circumferential adjustment ofv the sleeve and prevent axial displacement thereof. A sleeve 36 is xed to a reduced diameter of the bearing portion of the disk 24, intermediate the latter and "the eccentric bearing sleeve 34, and has a shoulder engaging the outer end of the bearing sleeve B4. 'This sleeve 36 has a gear 31 formed thereon, `which will be referred to hereinafter, the outer face of which gear engages a boss on a gear cover or .casing 38 to prevent endwise displacement.

Each of the

disks

23, 24 has the inner face thereof secured to a supporting

plate

39 and 40, respectively, which are preferably formed of insulating material, :these plates being provided at their circumference with vinternal and external circular'shoulders -such as 4I and 42.v The supporting

plates

39 and 40 lare adapted to support various types of hollow cylinders or cylindrical Vshells 44 with the opposite ends-of the -latter bearing upon the shoulders, such as 42, or upon spacing ringspsuh as v43, interposed between the said-shoulders vand the cylindrical shells 44, these cylindrical shells being clamped between the anges of the

disk ymembers

23, 24 and of the vplates 39 and 4i) when spaced apart a predetermined distance.

The disk '23 'is provided centrally with a recess facing towards the disk 24 and Ain which is mounted a bearing 45 adapted to support a stationary tube 46 which extends through central openings inthe plates 39 and40 with a substantial clearance. The tube 46 extends -slightly into a central bore in the disk 24 and the end of the tube is detachably connected vby interlocking relationship, such as by a tongue and groove connection, with a fixed tube 47. The tube41 vis stationarily mounted in :the frame and extends 'through the bore of the-bearing portion of the rotatabledisk 24`Witha clearance, the tube 47 extendng'into 'afsupporting boss Vforme'din'the wall of the gear casing 38 and held stationarily with respect thereto by means of a screw 48 or `the like.

, Let it "be assumed .that the disksl23, 24 are positioned in cylinder supporting relationship, that a cylinder Y.is mounted on thecylindrical shoulders of the

plates

39, 40 or `on .the rings Y43,`and that the .tube 46`is in positionasshown in Fig. 1 and isconnected tothe tube-41 It will-be apparent AthatrotationV of the disk-24h51 means of gear V3! will cause-the entire drum, including the cylinder 44 and the disk 23, to rotate while the-tubes 46, -41 remain stationary. Now assuming that it is desired to remove the cylinder 44, the operatorapplies the handle 33 to 'the outer end'of the shaft .32 and rotates this shaft to causethe bushing 25 'and kthe ldisk n 23 to rmove axially .out. wardly, as previously explained, away from-the disk *.24 with the result, 'that the circular shoulders on the .plates 39, 4I! are spaced apart a greaterdistance `than-the length of the A'cylinder 44, it`-beingunderstood thatfthe disk 23 can move outwardly vuntil `it contacts the wallv of the. unit I1. The -outward movement ofthe disk 23 also causes ldisengagement of the left-hand end of 1the tube; 46 lfrom 'the `bearing 4 5 'So that boththe cylinder and Y.the tube-46 will be free Vfor removal from the unit. This removal is eiected 'byax- "iafll-y moving the'cylinder'44 and tube 46 suffi-- p lcie'ntly to disengag'e them from plate 46 and tube '41, respectively, whereupon the cylinder is mo'ved out ofthe frame at right angles to the normal axis of the drumor element.

and with the `bearing 45 'toifacilitate' proper po,-

'sitioning `ofthe tube. The'opening 49a andthe endl of thetoolengaging therein preferably have cooperating polygonal shapes to permitrotation of -thetube46 and thereby eiect interlocking engagement ofA the ltongue andA groove joint ofthe tube vwith tube 41. The cylinder 44 is provided -with a. notch.56(see Fig. 2) in its right-hand endthereof which is adaptedto be aligned'with and receivea key or projection .5I carried by the diskk 24. This facilitates positioning the cylinder l44 rcircumferentially Withrespect to .the-driving mechanism thereforso that the images .pro- 4duced thereby will be properly correlated with those previously or subsequently produced .by other rcylinders of thepress. Withv the cylinder and tubes thus positioned,. the operator then `turns thev handle or crank 33 to cause the disk 23 to move inwardly towards the disk 24 until Ythe cylinder 44 is vtightly clamped on the circular shoulders of theplates 39, 4D or on the rings 43 and between the flanges thereof, the left-hand end of the tube 46 being positioned in the'bear- `ing45 and the right-hand end of .this tube interengaged withA the left-hand .portion of the lllbe 41.., i

`An alternative ,way of mounting the, cylinder in position is to remove the

plates

39, 40 and assemble'the cylinder 44 on the shoulders of the plates Ywith or without the rings 43` interposed therebetween, depending upon the characteristics of the cylinder, and then insert the tube 46 ,through the central openings 'of the plates. This assembly can then be mounted atone end on the :disk 24 ywhile its o-ther end is supported by a tool in ,the opening 49, with a polygonal end thereon engaging the correspondingly shaped socket 49a .inthe endr of the tube 46. The tube 46 is thus 4centered and can be rotated to engage the tongue .andvgroove connection between it and the tube 41nwhereupon the disk 23 is moved into supporting relationship with its cooperating disk r24 by means ofcrank 33. Y The gear 31 of each element is driven in a vmanner fully described in the aforementioned copending application S. N. 689,490. As disclosed therein, the press is provided with a motor which drives the shaft 52 through suitable connections, not here illustrated. The shaft 52 extends longitudinallyof the base l and passes through the 'gear housing or guard 38 of the frameunit l1. `Within a portion of the gear housing 38 the shaft v52.is provided with a spiral gear pinion 53which f is splined to the shaftto lrotate therewith and "is adapted to mesh with al spiral gear 54 fixed to "a shaft 55, the latter being rotatably supported in the housing 38. TheV shaft 55 has fixed to its inner'encl a gear 56 which meshes with the gear '931 and this gear inturn meshes with an idler The cylinders. such forms, as, for example, they may be simply web- =gear 51 supported on an adjustable bearing. shaft v58 which can be'adjusted 'and clamped jin iadjusted position by 'means' of a screw' or screws 59. This idler 51 4drives a gear, similar to gear 31, on the next unit ofthefprinting apparatus, as is fullyl described in my aforementioned copending application;

as 44 may take various supporting cylinders formed of impervious sheet metal or they 'may be pervious to .permitY a liquid lto pass therethrough for effecting a printing or coating operation. Thetube 46within the cylinder. is adapted to havei an lelectrode .supported .thereon for use as one.l element in an electrostatic printing couple, the electrical .connections for which .may extend throughl suitable openings within the tubes 46 and 41. When the cylinder 44 is to be. used'with a liquid contained therein, this yliquid may likewise be suppliedthrough the tubes 46 and 41 to facilitate such utilizations of the device. The tube 46 is therefore provided with a partition 60 which divides the tube into twol separate compartments, one of which may contain the electrical connections for the electrode and theother of which may-serve as a conduit for the liquid which is supplied therefrom tothe openings in the. surface of the cylinder in a manner described in my aforementioned application. The connections of the electrical and liquid conduits tov thel separate compartments within the tube 46 may be effected by disconnect couplings carried by theclosed end of tube 46 and cooperating with conduits extending through the tube 41 as illustrated and described in my copending .application to which reference is had for the de- 6I is formed of a cylindrical outer surface or shell 62 which is pervious, being formed with suitable openings therethrough in any desired manner. The ends of the outer shell or cylinder 62 are removably supported upon circular shoulders 63 and 64 formed upon

flanged disks

65 and 66, sealing means 61 and 68 being interposed between the outer shell and the circular shoulders upon the disks.

Interiorly of the outer shell 62, the element 6l is provided with a second or inner cylindrical shell 69 the ends of which are removably supported upon a circular shoulder 16, on the disk 66, and upon a circular shoulder 1|, on .an end plate 12, sealing means 13 and 14 being.' provided between the inner 'shell 69 and the circular shoulders on which it is supported. The end plate 12 is spaced inwardly from the disk 65 and is preferably provided with an integral circular Iboss 15 on the face thereof adjacent the disk 65 which circular boss is received ina corresponding circularrecess inthe disk 6I to locate the end plate 12 and the inner shell 69 thereby maintaining the latter concentric with the outer shell The end plate 12 is connected with the disk 65 by screws 16.

VThe 4spindle 'Vl is rotatably journalled in a.A frame member '19, which may be similar tothe frame member |'l :in Fig. 1 or may be any suitable printing press framelstructure. The rotatable mounting ofthe spindle '|I within the frame Imember is'effectedby means ofspaced thrust bearings 8 and 8| of the conventional inclinedltapered-rolle'r construction, the details of which need notbe described. These bearings 'are spaced by a suitable spacing ring 82 and are retained from axial .displacement by retaining members 83 and 84 connected with the frame member 19 on either -side thereof as by means of screws' 85 and 86.

, The spindle member 'H has a shoulder AE37 en- ;gaging vthe inner race of the bearing 8| while a anged member 88 is interposed between the inner race of the bearing 88 and a collar memer 89 vconnected by a `screw o1' screws S0 to the outer end of the spindle member. Consequently, the spindle member-is prevented from axial. displacement relative to the .press framework 7B. Mounted upon the hanged member 88 and connected thereto by means of screws 9|, or the like. is` a driving gear 92 which may be connected withsuitable rotating means, for example, similar to those shown for Vdriving the gear 31 in Fig. 1, whereby the element 6| may be rotated.

The disk B5 at the `left--hand end portion of the element 6| (as viewed in Fig. 3) has an integral boss 93 which is received in la cylindrical opening in the enlarged outer end of Aa spindle member 94. The spindle member S4 is rotatably journalled in aportion 9'5 of the press framework by means of tapered roller thrust bearings 95 and Y9?., the rinner raceof'the bearing 98 engaging a shoulder on the spindle 94 while the inner `race of the bearing 97 engages a ange member 98 which is connected to the 'outer end of the spindle member 94 by :screws such as 99. Intermediate :the outerraces of the bearings S6 and 97 is provided a spacing 'ring |03 and the outer race vfor the bearing 96 Iis engaged by aretaining memlber l! suitably secured to the adjacent end of a sleeve |62 in which the :spindle and bearings are mounted. This sleeve has a shoulder engaging th-e outer race of the bearing 91 -so that bearings S6, 91 fand spindle 5M are held from relative axial displacement. The outer surface of the sleeve |02 is provided with an acme type screw-thread extending inwardly from the left-.hand end thereof for-a 'considerable distance upon which is threadably supported a nut member |03, the outer periphery o'f which is provided with gear teeth. The nut member |93 Vis prevented from axial displace-ment relative to the frame by means of a retaining plate |04 which is secured to the frame member 95 in spaced relation thereto, as by means of bushings |05 and bolts BS (see Figs. 4 and 5').

The gear |93 mesh-es with a vpini-on |01k which is keyed or otherwise connected to a shaft |08 .journalled in the frame member 95 and in a poraxial movement thereof 'by means o-f'a keyway llt-formed therein and in which is received the reduced inner end of a vs tud H2 secured inV a stationary bearing boss of the frame member-95.

Liquid is supplied to the interior of the element 6| through a conduit I3 having a threadedconneotion with anose member |4 which is secured to the outer,end of the sleeve member -|2 rby means of vscrews orthe like v| I5. 'Ihe interior-of the nose member Ill is provided with a 4sealing ring H6 which, in turn,.carries a sealing ring Ill cooperatingwith the spindle member 94 to prevent the liquidifrom passing into thebearings '9S and VSl. The spindle-member 94 is provided with-a central opening or passageway 94 there-- through aligned with the opening through the l pipe |3 and'with a central opening in the memment 5| intermediate shells 'E2 and Y69..

lber S8; The inner end of this opening or pas sageway in the spindle 94 is enlarged to form a -valve chamber in whichaplug type -valve H8 is supported. The valve member HB has its outer end frusto-conical in shape for cooperation Awith a valve-seat `in a member I |'9 mounted within the cylindrical opening yof the spindle 94,the valve |8 being'normally urged't-o Vseating relationship by `a compressionfspring |2i. The opening througlfrthe member `l i9 is alignedwitha valve seatV opening in the boss Vportion of the disk `65 ywhich'coim'nunicates with a valve chamber'int'he said boss intermediate the end of this boss and the enlarged portion i the plate 72. The lastf'mentione'd chamber'communicates with the opening between the Yplate Y'l2 and disk 'B5 4through suitable grooves or openings 15a in the portion 75, and the opening vor space between vplate 12 and disk 65 in turnlcommunicates with the annular space Abetween the inner and outershells 59 and 82. Within the above-mentioned valve chamber provided in the boss S3 'of disk 65 is 'a plug-type valve member |2| which has a frustoconical `portion cooperating with a correspondingly shaped valve seat portion, the valve being normally urged to rseating position by a 'compression spring |22. A sealing means |23 is provided in the forward face of the boss .93fo'r cooperation with theA memberor plate ||9 toprevent leakage of liquid therebetween.

The valve construction just described is such that when the cylindrical printin'ge'lement 6| is positioned within the vprinting press, as shown in the drawings, the valve IIS 'in the spindle abuts the 'valve l2! lin the printing element'and this abutting relationship causes `both valvei'members lt'obe unse'ate'd against the force of their respective springs |28, "|22 tof-provide'a passageway for a liquid therep'ast and to the interior of the ele- When, however, 'the crank member is rotated in a direction causing the nut member |793 to axially move the sleeve |82 and spindle 91| to *the left, as viewed in'Fi'g. 3, the abutting relationship of the val-ves i8 and I2 Ijis terminated so that each 'valve i-s seated Vunder the force of itsrespective spring |20, |22 thereby preventing loss of liquid from theV passageway 94 through the spindle member and also loss of liquid fromwithin'the .printing element El so that the latter may be readily removed and/or replaced without the spilling of liquid. The position of the parts when thespindle Mis retracted to thus effect removal of'theelementland the corresponding closed position of the valves is shown in-Figs and'7.

To facilitate support'and axial alignment of the printing element lil` Wir-thin the press, the

interior face of the inner plate 12 is providedl with. a cylindricall recess in'which positioned a ball bearing |24, the latter in turnreceiving the reduced diameter portion of a cap member=|25 positioned within a hollow tube |26. The tube |26 is preferably formed of insulating material andis adapted to support one electrode of an' electrostatic couple Vfor effecting Va printing or a reduced end portion'- thereof received'in-anopening provided in a gear housingV |29, the outer end of the tube being provided with a collar |30 which, together lwith anintegral shoulder on the tube, cooperate with the housing |29 tofhold the tube stationary and prevent axial displacement thereof." Adjacent the inner endvof the tube |21 there isgprovided a thrust bearing |3|, preferably of the tapered collar type, by which thetube |21 is supported withinr the spindle 11 lin a manner permitting rotationof the latter relative to the former.

Let it be assumed that the apparatus is positioned'as shown in Fig. 3 yand that it is desired to remove the element 6| from the apparatus for cleaning and/or for replacement by another element. The operator rotates thecrank I9 -in a direction causing the nut |03 to move the sleeve |02 and the spindle 94 axially to the left,V as viewed in the drawings, until these parts reach substantially the position shown in Fig. 6. From this gure, and the companion Fig. '1, itwill be seen that the enlarged endof the spindle 94 is now spacedV from the boss 93 of thel disk 65 and the valves |I8'and |2I are both closed. The disk 65, together with the attached end plate 12, and

the innervand outer shells 69, 62 may then be moved axially with respect to the disk 66 until separated therefrom and at this time the tube |26 will likewise move axially with respect to the tube |21 separating at the tongue and groove connection therebetween. When the inner and outer shells and the tubev |26 haveV thus been separated from the cooperating disk` 66 and the tube |21,` the'element 6| may then be moved laterally from between the frame members 19' 10 10 of the disk 66. Ihis'likewise moves the tube |26 into the recess provided therefor in the outer end `of the tube |21, the tube |26'being rotated, if-necessary, by means of thetool engaged in the recess |a, to effect interengagement of the tongue and groove connection |28 and of a positioningr means for the shells similarto that shown in Fig. 2. v'Ifhe crank ||0 may then be further rotated to clamp the shells 62 and 69 between the flanges of the end members or disks and thereby seat the boss 93 against the valve plate I|9 with the two valve members ||8 and V|2| in abutting relationshipl and holding each other in open position. as shown in Fig. 3.

As an alternative mode of disassembling and Y assembling the printing element shown in Fig. 3,

erations. vThat is to say, theY` plate 12 is united y with the disk by the screws l16 and the inner and louter shells 69,V 62 are mounted upon the circular shoulders1l and 63 respectively. The tube |26 is then assembled with its cap member |25 and the outer end of the latter inserted in theV bearing |24. The element 6| is then moved between the

frame members

19, 95 and a rod or tool' inserted through the hollow interiors of this element can be caused to move with the spindle 94 when the latter is moved axially by operation of vthe crank. In such' a case the disk 66 maybe held stationary as before so that separation occurs rst between the shells 62, 69 and thedisk 66. Alternatively, the disk 66 may be free to move with the shells vrelative to the spindle member 11. In either case, the disk 65 may then be subsequently disengaged from the spindle 94 and the element removed from the press. .AssemblyV of the element and positioning it in the press may be effected by reverse operations, circumferential positioning of the tube |26 being VVeffected by a tool'inserted through the tubes |26 and |21 and engaged inthe'recess |25a.

As mentioned above, the tube |26is adapted to receive an electrode for effecting" electrostatic printing, the electrical connections for which may pass through the hollow interior of the tubes |26 and |21 and may be provided with readily disconnectible portions adjacent the outer end of the tube |21 or adjacent the inner end thereof, similar to that indicated in my above-mentioned copending application. y

It will now be apparent that, in accordance with this invention, there isv provided an improved printing element and means for mounting the same by virtue of which the element may be readily assembled or'removed from Vthe printing press without dismantling the latter. Moreover, in the preferred form of the apparatus, 'a' means is provided for introducing liquid into the interior of the element intermediate an inner and 'outer vshell thereof with the passageway for the liquid provided with cooperating valve means which automatically open when the element is in place inthe press and automatically close when the element is being removed from the press, 'thereby preventing loss of liquid both from the supply means and from the printing element. While specic constructional features have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent that variations and alterations may be made by those skilled in the art after having had the advantage of-this disclosure and therefore the specic illustrations and descriptions are intended as representative only of practical embodiments of the invention and not as limitations thereon.

frame and extending axially into an opening in one of saiddisks, a second tubular member loV cated centrally of vsaid cylinder, said tubular members having cooperating,v interlocking Dortions, said second tubular member vbeing ,pro--A vided adjacent the end thereof removed'from saidirst member with a polygonally shaped socket4 adapted to be engaged by a tool-to thereby rock said second tubular member for effecting interengagernent of the interlocking portions of both tubular members, and means carried byA said frame and cooperating withy one of said supporting means to effect'axial movement ,thereof ond tubular member located centrally of said i` cylinder, said tubular members having cooperating interlocking portions, said secondv tubular member being provided-at the end thereof remote from said first member with a tool receiving socket, a central opening in said other disk through which a tool may be inserted and` engaged in saidV socketrto rock said second tubularI member for effecting interengagement of the interlockingV portions of both tubular members, and means `for relatively moving said disks from said Predeter mined spaced relationship toV permit removal of said cylinder and said second tubular member.V

8. In a printing press, a printingelement comprising spaced anged disks and a hollowr pervious cylinder supported on said disks intermediate the flanges thereof, means within said element spaced inwardly of saidk cylinder providing an annular chamber adjacent the interior of-said cylinder, one of said disks being provided with a centrally disposed axially extendingV passage.-r wayV therethrough communicating withlsaidV annular chamber through which liquid may be introduced into said chamber, a supporting frame for said element, supporting means including bearings carried by said' frame and normally engaging portions of said disks to provide aV rotatable support forr said element, means carried by said frame and cooperating with one` of said supporting means to effect axial movement,` thereof relative to said frame and said element to selectively permit removal from or support of said element in said frame, the said one supporting means havingvan vaxially extending passageway therethrough adapted to communicate with the passageway; in said elementwhen the latter isV supported in said frame, and cooperating valve means carried by said one supporting-means and the adjacent one of said disks to close `the said passageways when the element is removed from said frame.

4. In a printing press, a printing element comprising spaced hanged disks and a hollow pervious cylinder supported on said disks intermediate the iianges thereof, means within said element spaced inwardly of said cylinder providing an annular chamber adjacent the interior of said cylinder, one of said disks being provided with a centrally disposed axially extending `passageway therethrough communicating with said annular chamber through which liquid may be introduced into said chamber. a supporting frame for said ele-r ment, supporting means including bearings carried` by said frame and normally engaging portionsot saiddisks `to provide arotatable support for isaid--elementfone or" said supporting means` having an axially extending passageway there-v through communicating With the-passageway in said onedisk when the element is supported in said frame, cooperating valve means in said com,-v

municatinglpassageways continuously urged to closed position` and positioned for interengage ment to move the said valve means to open posi-l tion Iwhen said one supporting means is in element supporting, position', and meansA carried by said frame and cooperating with said one of the supporting means to eiect axial movement thereof relative to saidY frame and said element to selectively permit removal from or support of said element in said` frame.

5; In aprinting press, a printing` element com-- prising-v spaced hanged disks and a hollow pervious; cylinder supported onesaid disks intermediate the flanges thereof, a flanged plate connected with-the inner face of one of said disksI in spaced relationshipthereto, an impervious cylindrical shell extending coaxially of said hollow cylinder Vinteriorly thereof and spaced there municating with said annular chamberl throughthe space between-said plate and the adjacent disk, a supporting frame for said element, supporting means including bearings carried by said frame andnormally engaging portions of said disks to provide a rotatable support for said element, one of said element supporting means having. an axially extending passagewaytherethrough communicating with the said pas,-r sageway in said onel disk when. the element is supported in thel said frame, means carriedbyY saidV frame andy cooperatingv with saidone of the element supporting means to-eiieot axial movement thereof relative to-said frame for selectively permittingremoval from or support of said element in said frame, separatervalves in said` passageways of said-one disk and the said one supporting means respectively, the said valves being positioned to interengage and thereby hold-each other in open position to provide communication through said pasageways when the said supportingmeansare in element supporting position, and rmeans acting on said valves urging them to closed positions to terminate such communication whensaid one supporting meansis moved from supporting vrelationship lwith said4 element. v i

6. In a press of the typeV described, an element comprising spaced flanged disks'and a cylinder supported on said'disks intermediate the flanges thereof, a supporting' frame for said element, supporting 'means' including bearings carried bysaid frame providing a rotatable support for said element', means carried by said frame'and cooperating with one of said supporting means to effect axial movement of the latter relative to said frame for selectively permitting removal from or support of said element in said frame,

a rst tubular member stationarily supportedl on said frame and extending through.v a central opening in the other of said supporting means and into a centralopening in the adjacent disk of saidelement,y a second tubular member dis-Y posed centrally of said element with one end engaging the adjacent end of said first tubular member in interlocking relationship, and means rotatably supporting the other end of said second tubular member in said element adjacent that end thereof opposite the rst tubular member.

7. In a printing press, a printing element in the form of a drum comprising axially spaced flanged disks and a cylinder supported by the said disks and clamped in position -by the flanges of said disks when the latter are in predetermined spaced relationship, a support for said printing element, means carried by said support and cooperating with one of said disks for moving the said one disk axially relative to said support and the other of said disks to selectively permit removal of said cylinder laterally from said support or to position the said disks in said predetermined relationship and to clamp the said cylinder thereby, a tubular member extending centrally of said element, bearing means intermediate said element and tubular member permitting rotation of said element relative to said member, a second member stationarily mounted upon said support, and a readily disengageable connection between said first and second members whereby engagement of said connection facilitates proper positioning of the element in the said support.

8. In a printing press, a printing element in the form of a drum comprising axially spaced anged disks, flanged plates supported on the adjacent flanged faces of said disks, and a hollow cylinder supported on said plates intermediate the anges thereof so as to be clamped in position by the said disks when the flanges thereof are in predetermined spaced relationship, a support for said printing element, means carried by said support and cooperating with one of said disks for moving the latter axially relative to said support and the other of said disks for selectively permitting removal of the cylinder and the plates as a unit laterally from between the disks or to position the said disks in said predetermined spaced relationship forl clamping the cylinder and plates therebetween, each of said disks and plates having a central opening therein, and a tubular member extending through the central openings of said plates and received in the openings of said disks thereby facilitating the removal of said plates, cylinder and tubular member as a unit'from between the said disks or their insertion and clamping in operative position therebetween.

9. The combination as dened in claim 5 and further comprising an elongated member disposed centrally of said element and interengageable with a stationary member on said supporting frame thereby facilitating placing of said element in supported relationship in said frame, and means for permitting relative rotation between the element and said elongated member.

10. The combination as defined in claim 6 and wherein the said means for eecting axial movement of one of said'supporting means includes an axially extending threaded portion on the latter, a threaded member rotatably supported upon said frame coaxially with said one supporting means and threadably engaged therewith, means for effecting rotation of said threaded member, and means preventing axial movement of said threaded member when rotated.

WILLIAM C. HUEBNER.

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

Ul\TIIED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,008,507` Wheat NOV. 14, 1911 1,167,268 Carrelet et al Jan. 4, 1916 1,200,524 Roesenv Oct. l0, 1916 1,688,077 Hart Oct. 16, 1928 2,460,504 Huebner Feb. 1, 1949