US3034427A

US3034427A - Control system for printing presses

Info

Publication number: US3034427A
Application number: US840440A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert E Ostwald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-09-16
Filing date: 1959-09-16
Publication date: 1962-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 1979-05-15

Description

May 15, 1962 R. E. OSTWALD CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PRINTING PRESSES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 16, 1959 May 15, 1962 R. E. OSTWALD CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PRINTING PRESSES '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 16, 1959 May 15, 1962 R. E. OSTWALD CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PRINTING PRESSES 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 16, 1959 y 5, 1962 R. E. OSTWALD 3,034,427

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed Sept. 16, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 15, 1962 R. E. OSTWALD 3,034,427

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed Sept. 16, 1959 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 R. E. OSTWALD CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PRINTING PRESSES May 15, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Sept. 16, 1959 United States Patent 3,034,427 CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Robert E. Ostwald, 112 Ramblewood Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. Filed Sept. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 840,440 25 Claims. (Cl. 101-144) This invention relates to printing presses and more particularly to an improved offset printing press and control devices therefor which permit far more satisfactory operation to be achieved.

Printing presses, sometimes called duplicators, of the general type show and described herein are well known and are currently supplied on the market in both manual and automatic forms. Although there are several makes and types of such printing presses the present invention is illustrated as applied to the Multilith model 1250 dupplicator manufactured and sold by the Addressograph- Multigraph Corporation. It will be understood however that the same invention may be applied in some cases without any modification whatsoever to competing machines. In order to avoid undue repetition of conventional printing press structure it is believed not necessary to describe these in detail.

In all of the printing presses of this type currently manufactured and sold there is no means whereby the operation of the press can be made either completely automatic, completely manual or any intermediate combination thereof to best accommodate the particular needs of the job being run. In the prior art machines the printing press if of the automatic variety will run the desired number of sheets through the press and then stop. it is impossible however to continue the automatic operation should it be necessary or desirable to interrupt the same and it is also extremely dir'ficult, if not impossible, to set up the press so that test runs to check the satisfactory printing can be made at any time either before, after or during the run. It is also a feature of the present invention that a given run of impressions may be cut short or extended without interfering in any way with the otherwise automatic features.

As will be explained hereinafter, the control of the various elements in the invention is carefully arranged so that all of the various preliminary operations can be performed with a minimum of difficulty.

The primary object of the invention therefore is to provide an attachment for an offset printing press which enables a much wider range of control to be achieved for any desired type of manual or automatic operation of the press.

A further object is to provide improved electrical circuitry in a control system for a printing press.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved control circuit for a printing press in which manual operation of any one of a number of individual elements of the press is electrically interconnected so that operation of selected parts of the press may be stopped or started simply by actuation of the individual element.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved paper guide for a printing press of the type described.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a printing press of the type described, overriding controls for the various circuits.

A still further object is to provide a visible count down indicator and device capable of controlling the various cycles of the press.

A further object is to provide means for visibly indicating various operating conditions of the press.

Further objects will be apparent from the specification and drawings in which FIG. 1 is a front view partly broken away of a printing press incorporating my invention,

PEG. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the relationship of the important parts of the printing press and the incorporation therewith of the features of the present invention,

PEG. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail showing the control system of my invention attached to the printing press of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail as seen at 4-4 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail as seen at 5-5 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective of the actuating handle shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a perspective of the switch control collar used in conjunction with the structure of FIGS. 5 and 6,

FIG. 8 is a sectional view as seen at 8-8 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 9 shows the structure of FIG. 8 in a moved position,

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional detail showing the switch control collar installed on the ink roller shaft,

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary detail showing the interrelated control for one of the microswitches,

FIG. 12 is a sectional detail as seen at 12-42 of FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional detail as seen at 13-13 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 14 is a sectional view as seen at 14-14 of FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 is a perspective showing the pressure adjusting plate and control handle stop as seen in FEG. 13,

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional detail as seen at 16-16 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 17 is an end view of the structure as seen at 17-17 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 18 is a sectional view as seen at 18-18 of FIG. 17,

FIG. 19 is a perspective with the elements thereof disconnected showing the actuating linkage for the control counter,

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional detail showing details of the motor starting switch for use with accessories such as a dampener attachment and a blanket cleaner,

FIG. 21 is a perspective showing one of the switch actuating elements of FIG. 20,

FIG. 22 is a perspective showing the outside of the control housing suitable for attachment to the printing press of PEG. 1,

FIG. 23 is a perspective showing the inside of the housing of FIG. 22,

FIG. 24 is a perspective of the electrical control box mounted on the frame of the printing press of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 25-28 are wiring diagrams for my improved control system,

FIG. 29 is a side view showing an improved paper guide suitable for use with the printing press of FIG. 1,

FIG. 39 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 29, and

FIG. 31 is a perspective showing the mounting bracket for the guide of FIGS. 29 and 30.

The conventional oifset printing press embodies the principle of applying ink to a master or plate which is carried around the periphery of the master cylinder. An aqueous solution is applied to the master to prevent adherence of ink to any areas of the master where suc h is not desired. Ink from the master is transferred to the blanket which is wrapped around the periphery of the blanket cylinder. The sheets to be printed are then fed automatically between the impression cylinder and the blanket cylinder. Because of this transfer from the master cylinder to the blanket cylinder and then to the 3. paper, this type of press is generally known as an offset printing press. Due to the inherent nature of. such a press, the control of the rollers which supply the ink to the master as well as the rollers which supply the aqueous solution to the master must be perfectly timed and coordinated. Likewise the contact between the master and the blanket is controllable through an operating lever whichswings the master cylinder in to and out of contact'with the periphery of the blanket cylinder. In addition, the feeding means for the paper sheets must be interrelated so that in the present system if the various operating controls are not in their proper positions, the paper feed will be stopped. Conversely, under certain circumstances it may be desirable to continue the feeding of paper or to operate certain of the rollers when other elements of the system are inoperative. tion is directed to the feature of a control counter which is connected to the same drive as the main counter but which is a count down counter provided with a suitable resetting lever and switch which in conjunction with an override switch permits the operator at any time to either run registered or unregistered overs.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a conventional offset printing press such as for example the Addressograph-Multigraph Multilith model 1250 is provided with a base which supports the main press mechanism generally enclosed in a'housing 36 in which access doors or

panels

37, 37 are provided so that various operating parts of the press can be readily serviced. The paper stock 38 is placed in a feeder magazine 39 from which it is transferred to the press, and the stack is posi 'tioned on the feeder magazine 39 by means of' my improved feed guide assembly 40. After passing through the printing press the printed sheets are deposited in the paper receiver 43, all of which is well known in the printing press art. The principal elements of the present invention are generally centralized in or close to the control cover plate or housing 44 shown mounted on the printing press in FIG. 1. The mechanism for supplying the aqueous solution to the master comprises a main dampening attachment 45. The conventional sheet counter 46 is mounted near the top of the main housing 36 and is mechanically interconnected with the control counter 47 as will be more fully described hereinafter. A portion of the ink feed and roller assembly is shown at 48, but this mechanism forms no part of the present invention.

Other than the mechanism mentioned briefly above associated with the control housing 44, the principal feature of the present invention resides in providing a solenoid controlled device for bleeding the suction pump 50. This pump is provided with an intake or suction line 51 leading to the suction head, and a discharge line 52. The suction line 51 is connected to a control box 53 by means of a suction line or conduit 54 and T 55. The other end of suction line 51 connects to the paper feeder or suction foot 57 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. Paper delivered from the feeder magazine 39 is guided over

feed rollers

58 and 59 to a conveyer assembly 60 and under the sheet detector 61. From thence the individual paper sheets feed between the impression cylinder 62 and the blanket cylinder 63. A stripper 64 peels the printed sheets from the periphery of the impression cylinder and, with the aid of

rollers

65 and 66, delivers the sheets into the paper receiver 43. The sheets are deflected into the receiver and properly stacked by means of a springpaper retainer 67.

Ink is deposited, in accordance with standard procedure, in the'ink fountain from whence it is transferred by the ink roller 71 to a series of intermediate'rollers or ink ductors 72, 73, and 74. The ink continues in its path to rollers 75 and 76 which transfer ink to theink spreader 77 and from thence to the

ink form rollers

78 and 79. These ink formrollers are operable to contact the plate or master wrapped around the periphery of the master cylinder 80 which in turnis controllable to contact the V periphery of the blanket cylinder 63.

Particular atten- V The aqueous solution is deposited in a trough or fountain from whence it is picked up by the roller 86 and transferred through ductor roller 87 and spreader roll 88 to the liquid or water applicator roller 89'. Roller 89 is likewise movable to contact or clear the periphery of the master cylinder 80.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the operating knob or control lever 90 for the ink form roller 79 is shown in broken lines in operating or contact position with the periphery of the master cylinder 80. Likewise the control knob 91 for ink form roller 78 isshown in full lines in its operating or contact position. The master cylinder 80 is controlled by means of a handle or lever 93 which moves from the vertical position shown in full lines in FIG. 3 to a substantially 45 position indicated in broken lines. The override and manual control switch 94 is mounted in a most accessible position on the top of housing "44 and is preferably of the momentary, maintained neutral, maintained type produced by Minneapolis Honeywell Regulator Company No. 13 AT3. The possible operating cycles and operating conditions accomplished by the judicious use of the override-manual control switch 94 will be more fully explained in conjunction with the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 25. The dampening roller 89 is controlled in much the same manner as

ink form rollers

78 and 79 through an operating knob or lever 95 so that the dampening roller 89 can be moved to contact the periphery of the master cylinder 80.

The main counter 46 is connected to the control counter 47 by means of linkage 96 one end of which is secured to the actuating shaft 97 of the counter 47 and the other end of which is secured to the actuating shaft 98* of counter 46 through an articulated joint which will be described more fully in conjunction with FIGS. 17'l9. Counter 46 is provided with a knurled resetting knob 99. Control counter 47 is originally set by raising the cover 100 and manually turning the indicating dials (not shown). Control counter 47 also has a rerun or resetting. lever 101 mounted at the left-hand side, seen in FIG. 3, and the housing of counter 47 is provided with a yellow light 102 and a red light 103. The purpose and timing of these lights will also be described more fully in conjunction with the wiring circuits of FIG. 25. The actuating mechanism for the counters insofar as it is necessary to be described herein consist of a pivot actuator arm 105, journaled on a bolt 106, and positioned to operate the

counter shaft

97 and 98 through linkage 96. A cam 107 is keyed to the shaft 108 of blanket cylinder 63 and serves to actuate the arm whenever a sheet of paper passes between the impression cylinder 62-and the blanket cylinder 63. The presence or absence of such a sheet is de-' tected by the conventional mechanism shown schematically at 61 in 'FIG. 2. The detector controls a series of links (not shown) which operatively interconnect cam 107' with arm 105 only when a sheet passes the detector 61. Arm 105 is spring loaded by means of tensionspring 110.

Dampening Roller Switch Assembly Referring now to FIG. 4, the structural details of the switch actuator connected with the dampeningroller control knob 95 will be more fully explained. Knob 95 is pinned to the roller shaft on which the dampening roller 89 is journaled by means of bushings 116. An eccentric bushing or sleeve 117 serves to journal the shaft 115 in pivoting trunnions 118 so that upon rotation of knob 95 and shaft 115, through an arc ofapproximately 90, contact between dampening roller 89 and master cylinder 80 is effected. A springloaded detent assembly 119 controls the limits of rotation of the shaft in trunnion 118. Just inside the hub of knob 95, shaft 115 is provided with an arcuate cutout 120 which is axially aligned with a boss 1.21 in the bore of a pivoting switch actuating collar 122. (FIG. 8). Collar 122 is slotted at 123 and retained on the trunnion 118 by means of a shoulder screw 124, so that the collar is free'to pivot around the center of the screw. When the recess 120 and the boss 121 are in registry, as shown in FIG. 9, the collar 122 moves to an upward pivoted position and through the coiled end 125 of switch actuator arm 126, controls normally closed switch 127. When the shaft 115 and consequently recess 120 are turned approximately the collar 122 pivots downwardly as shown in FIG. 8. It thereby moves the actuator arm 126 thus operating the switch 127. As will be described more fully, switch 127 closes a circuit when in the position of FIG. 9 with the knob pointing in a generally horizontal position. When the knob and its shaft are turned to the vertical position of FIG. 8, switch 127 is opened. Actuator arm 126 is pivoted on post 128 and carries an extension 129 which contacts the button 130 of switch 127. Trunnion 118 is adjustably pivoted to shoulder screw 131 to effect proper axial contact between roller 89 and cylinder 80 but this adjustment does not in any way effect operation of switch 127.

The description of the mounting shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 may on some machines be applicable only to the ink roller controls 90 and 91 but has been described herein in connection with the dampener control 95. Repetition of this construction which forms in itself no part of the present invention is omitted in the interest of clarity.

Ink Roller Switch Assembly The construction of the control for the ink roller 79 is quite similar to that just described in conjunction with the dampening roller 89 and may be seen -by referring to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. In a similar manner, the knob 90 is pinned to the ink roller shaft 135 which has a similar eccentric bushing journaled in a trunnion 136 secured to the main housing by means of a shoulder screw 137. A recess 138 on the shaft 135 may be rotated to register with a boss 139 on the switch actuating collar 140 in exactly the same manner shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. When knob 90 is turned to the vertical noncontact position for the ink roller, shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, the recess 138 on shaft 135 is out of registry with boss 139 on collar 140. This displaces the collar 140 upwardly as seen in FIG. 10 thereby pivoting the switch control arm 141 clockwise and opening switch 127. When ink roller control knob 90 is turned approximately 90 to the horizontal or contact position, boss 139 registers with recess 138 and collar 140 is displaced downwardly as seen in FIG. 10 thus pivoting arm 141 counter clockwise on post 142 and thereby closing switch 127. Arm 141 has an L-shaped extension 143 which bears against and encloses the extension 129 on arm 126 thus producing an over center interconnected actuation of switch 127. This interconnection permits spring 144 connected to post 128 to bias both switch

arms

126 and 141. The corresponding parts of ink roller 78 are numbered with primed numbers since they are otherwise identical to the description of the assembly for upper ink roller 79 and the dampener roller 89. Trunnions 1'36 and 136' pivot on their respective shoulder screws 137 and 137 for purposes of obtaining even application of ink to the master. They are interconnected by means of spring 145 which may bias them against a double face cam 146 to properly position the ink rollers as may be required during the operation or nonoperation of the press. This structure is conventional and forms no part of the present invention.

An analysis of the foregoing details of operation indicate that the press operator cannot drop the ink roller to operate the press unless the dampening roller is already down. The interrelated action of the structure (FIG. ll) and particularly

arms

126 and 141 provide an area of less motion if the ink roller is held so that the dampening roller actuation is a prerequisite to press operation by the ink roller. It is to be noted also that the collars 122 can be on either the ink roller, dampening roller, or both. In other words either the ink roller or the dampener roller may be actuated first but both must be in operating position in order to start the press.

Master Cylinder Control Assembly Control of the operating elements of the press by means of an electrical circuit is also achieved by turning the master cylinder lever 93 from a nouprinting (cylinders out of contact) position shown in FIG. 3 to an operating position shown in broken lines. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 13-16, the master cylinder control lever 93 is mounted on the master cylinder shaft 149 and retained thereon by means of a fillister head screw 150. Lever 193 has an eccentric hub 151 which is journaled in a support bracket 152 pivotally secured to the main press frarne 153 by means of a bolt 154. It will thus be understood that when the lever 93 is turned in bracket 152, the master cylinder 81 is swung from a contact to a noncontact position with blanket cylinder 63. The hub 155 of a handle 93 is provided with a spring loaded latch 156 controlled by compression spring 157 and pivoted at 158. The edge of latch 156 engages a notch 159 in the master cylinder pressure adjusting plate 160. This plate is adjustably secured to bracket 152 by means of a bolt 161 extending through an arcuate slot 162 in the plate. Rotation of the plate 16% when bolt 161 is loosened controls the contact pressure between master cylinder 80 and blanket cylinder 63. The clockwise rotation limit stop for handle 93 is determined by a staked-out car 163 in plate 160. it will be apparent that when latch 156 is completely engaged in notch 159, as is the case for normal printing operation of the press, the latch pivots on post 158 to its maximum clockwise position shown in FiGS. 13 and 14. The latch may have a beveled face or other means 164 which permits release and pivoting of the latch when clockwise rotational pressure is applied to handle 93. This pivoting action of latch 156 is important because it is utilized to actuate the master cylinder switch 165 through the agency of a pivoting bail 166 journaled in housing 44 at 167 and 168. Journaling of bail 166 at these two points produces a pivoting action of the extremity 169 of the bail (FIG. 16) so that the button 170 of switch 165 is depressed when bail 166 pivots. Since latch 156 is held in outwardly pivoted position except when it is engaged in notch 159, the bail 166 is always pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 16, whenever latch 156 rides on the surface of adjusting plate thus actuating the double throw switch to a position opposite to that shown in FIG. 25. When, however, handle 93 is turned counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 3 until latch 156 engages notch 159, the end 169 of the bail pivots to release switch button thus closing a circuit as will be described more fully hereinafter. it will be understood that the

switches

165, 127 and bail 166 are all mounted on the inside of cover 44 so that they are readily installed or removed simply by disconnecting the single holding bolt which is inserted through hole 171 in housing 44.

Sheet Counters As previously noted, the main sheet counter 46 is actuated whenever a sheet passes between the blanket cylinder 63 and the impression cylinder 62. Should no sheet be fed between these two cylinders, the detecting device shown schematically at 61 interrupts action of counter 46 in the standard manner. The count down control counter 47 is mounted on housing 44 and is provided with means for actuating a switch 175 so that when counter 47 is satisfied by reaching 0, the switch is automatically thrown to open and close various press circuits to be more fully described later. Control counter 47 has a manual lever 101 which may be used to reset the counter. Should the operator desire to prevent actuation of the indicating dials, seen through window 176, he may manually hold down the linkage 96 located between counter 46 and counter 47 which is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 17-19. A control counter suitable for this purpose is manufactured and sold by Trumeter Co., Ltd. Manchester, England, and known as pro-determined counter model SPMR1837. The shaft 98 of counter 46 has an actuating arm 177 clamped thereto by means of a bolt 178. A pin 179 on arm 177 provides a pivoting connection for a link 180 which carries an override arm 18]. that permits the link 180 to be pivoted in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 17, without affecting the position of shaft 98. Link 180 also has a round collar 182 against which a right angle extension 183 of actuator 105 impinges. Connecting rod 184 is journaled to the other end of lever 180 and also to a pin 185on the control counter lever 186 in turn secured to shaft 97 by means of a clamp screw 187.

It will thus be apparent that whenever the shaft 98 of counter 46 is actuated, shaft 97 of counter 47 is likewise actuated, but it is possible to retain shaft 97 stationary and still permit normal actuation of shaft 98 by holding down rod 184. The upper part of the control counter housing mounts the two

indicator lights

102 and 103. Except when the press is operated in a completely manual fashion, i.e., when starting and stopping of all the press functions must be individually controlled by the operator, either light 102 or 103 will be lit. Light 102 has an orange bulb, whereas light 103 has a red bulb. As long as the machine is set for automatic operation, the orange light 102 is lit. When,.however, the counter 47 is satisfied, red light 103 automatically lights and also a chime 188 (FIG. 26) sounds. The control counter 47 may be dismounted from housing 44 by removing

screws

189, 189 and disconnecting a junction block assembly 190. Manual setting of the indicating dials of counter 46 is accomplished by the knurled knob 99 so that counter 46, set at at the beginning of the run, indicates the total number of sheets passing through the press whether properly or improperly printed. Counter 47, on the other hand, always indicates the remaining number of sheets to be run for a particular job and this permits the operator to gage the time that may be utilized to prepare material for the next run. A most important feature of the control counter 47 resides in the fact that it permits the operator to run test sheets through the press at any time be fore, during, or after the run without affecting the automatic shut off when the proper number of good copies have been run. This is accomplished simply by moving the counter control lever 101. Should it be desired or necessary to permit additional ink build-up on the blanket, the sheets may be observed by the operator while holding the leveruntil good copies are printed. As soon as the proper ink build-up has been accomplished, the operator releases lever 101 and the press automatically stops when the preset figure on counter 47 is reached.

In the event that there is some unsatisfactory printing during the run such as lack of paper stock, feed jam, or accidental moving of a control, the operator can run whatever number of make-up sheets required by actuating switch 94 and without affecting the setting of counter 47. Furthermore, if any overs need to be run, this is also accomplished by over-riding the automatic shutofi feature of the counter.

Blanket Cleaner and Auxiliary D ampening Attachments Many offset printing presses are equipped with accessories such as a blanket cleaner shown and described fully in US. Patent 2,791,177 and auxiliary dampener for the master cylinder 80 as shown and'described in US. Patent 2,798,426. In order to incorporate these accessories in my improved control system, I utilize a switch 195 mounted on the inside of housing'44 as shown clearly in FIGS. 20 and 23. This switch is normally closed and is capable of being controlled from three diiferent sources. The first manner of actuating the sm'tch 195 is by means of operating lever 196 for the blanket cleaner. Operation of lever 196 to start the blanket cleaner also moves a plunger 197 to the right in FIG. 20 to strike ear 198 secured to rocker arm 199 pivoted at 200. The opposite end of plunger 197 surrounds an eccentric 201 to provide the required movement of plunger 197 and the boss 202 8 in the housing is countersunk at 203 to permit the hoses sary canting of plunger 197.

The auxiliary dampening attachment is likewise controlled by means of a lever 204 which is provided with a cam 205 that actuates a spring loaded plunger 206 mounted in the upper flange of housing 44. Spring 207 maintains the plunger 286 in contact with the hub of lever 204 through a collar 208. It will be noted that both lever 204 on the auxiliary dampening attachment and lever 196 for the blanket cleaner correspond to the levers bearing the reference numeral 50 in the respective patents referred to above. Rocker arm 199 is biased against the button 209 of switch by a compression spring 210 anchored on post 211. Actuation of plunger 206 also pivots rocker arm 199 to throw switch 195. Pivoting the lever 204 in counterclockwise direction closes switch 195, and the same is true for counterclockwise pivoting of lever 196.

The third control means for rocker arm 199 and switch 195 is provided by an angle bracket 212 which is bolted to the main press frame 153 as shown in FIG. 17. In the Multilith printing press described herein, the housing 44 is secured to an ink roller saddle or subframe 213 which pivots on the main frame 153 at bolt 214 (FIG. 3). This pivoting action is controlled by means of the master cylinder lever 93 since bracket 152 is jour naled to the main frame 153 by bolt 154. Switch 195 is secured to' the inside of housing 44 by means of

screws

215, 215 so that it is actuated when the master cylinder and the saddle 213 are rocked towards and away from blanket cylinder 63. The ink roll saddle 213, the housing 44 as well as the elements fastened thereto rock as a unit. However, angle bracket 212 is secured to the stationary main frame 153 so that it is utilized to provide the third control for switch 195 when the master cylinder is moved by partial turning of lever 93. It will thus be seen that there are three independent means of actuating switch 195; first, lever 196; second, lever 204; and third, lever 93.

Electrical System The electrical control elements, other than the switches already described, are contained in a box or housing 53 which is mounted on a cross member 221 of the main press (FIG. 1). The control housing 53 contains a solenoid actuated normally closed bleeder or relief valve 222 for the paper feed suction line 54 and also contains the various relays for the main press motor 223. A multilead conduit 224 terminates in a female junction block 225 that may be disconnected and connected with the male junction block 226 (FIG. 23). The power line 227 feeds into housing 53 as shown in FIG. 24 and terminates in junction block 228 connected to the main press switch 229. v

The interrelated electrical connections for the various switches already described will'be more fully understood by referring to FIGS. 25-28. The primary elements of the electrical control circuit comprise the solenoid actuated valve 222 for the paper feed which is connected through the three-position toggle switch 94, the master cylinder switch 165, and the control counter switch 175. The auxiliary parts of this circuit constitute the chime circuit 188 (FIG. 26), and an attachment for a time totalizer indicator or recording device (FIG. 28). The chief elements of the press motor circuit comprise the press motor 223, and the press motor relay 230; the combination blanket cleaner, auxiliary dampener, the master cylinder switch 195; the ink roller switch 127; and an additional relay 231 in the motor circuit which may be connected through a plug 232 to the blanket cleaner motor (not shown).

The operation of my improved control system can perhaps best be understood if explained in conjunction with the circuitry shown in FIG. 25. Power is derived from the main supply 233 and is carried through the main manual switch 229. Leads from switch 229 connect to the control box 53 through a connector 228. From thence 9 one side 234 of the line is carried through a fuse 235 to

junction block elements

225 and 226 and to terminal 236 of switch 94. The other side 237 of the main power line connects directly to motor 223 through plug 238. A take-oil lead 239 connects lead 237 to one side of the armature of relay 239. The other side 240 of the relay armature connects to terminal 241 of switch 94 through

junction block elements

225 and 226.

Switches

94, 127 and 195 are connected in parallel across leads 234 and 240 so that when either of these switches is closed, relay 230 is energized to close the circuit to motor 223 through lead 234, relay contacts 242, lead 243, plug 238, and motor leads 244. It will be noticed also that closing of any of the switches between

leads

234 and 240 may in certain types of presses be used to energize relay 231 to close the circuit to a blanket cleaner motor through

leads

245 and 246. As stated previously, switch 94 has two maintained positions and one momentary position which must be held. The left-hand lever position in FIG. 25 is the momentary position, whereas the middle and right-hand positions are maintained. In the righthand position with the switch blade 247 connecting

switch terminals

236 and 241, the press is operating in manual so that the press motor, paper feed, and auxiliaries are running whenever the main switch 229 is closed. In this manual setting, switch blade 248 remains connected to switch terminals 249 and 250 as shown in FIG. 25. The complete control by switch 229 when switch 94 is in the manual position will be clear from the fact that relay 230 is energized whenever

terminals

236 and 241 are connected. Simultaneously with the connection between

terminals

236 and 241, circuits to all press accessories remain, or are thereby made open.

When the switch lever of switch 94 is thrown to the middle position, with the switch blades as shown in FIG. 25, the press is on automatic. Relay 230 then will be energized to start the press motor 223 whenever the ink roller switch 127 is closed by pivoting ink roller knob 90 to a horizontal position. Likewise switch 127 will be closed it the dampening roller knob 95 is turned to the horizontal position as previously explained. Motor 223 may also be started through switch 195 in any of three ways: (1) When the master cylinder lever 93 is turned part way toward the operating position thereby tilting the ink roller saddle 213 to close switch 195 through the agency of the stationary angle member 212; (2) Counterclockwise movement of the blanket cleaner lever 196; (3) Counterclockwise movement of the auxiliary dampening attachment lever 204. These last two movements would be clockwise if viewed in FIG. 1 since FIG. 21 is actually seen from the other side of the press. Of course, it is understood that starting and stopping of motor 223 cannot be effected by either switch 127 or switch 195 if the other one has already been closed in any of the ways indicated above.

Assuming now that the press is running with switch 94 in the automatic position and with either

switch

127, 195 or both closed, the paper feed now remains under control of two switches namely 165 (actuated by the master cylinder lever 93) and control counter switch 175. Valve 222 is normally closed to seal the vacuum in line 51 of the paper feeder. When, however, the armature 255 of valve 222 is energized, the valve is opened thereby breaking the suction line 51 thus stopping the paper feed. One side of armature 255 is connected to the main line 239 by lead 256. The other side of armature 255 is carried to terminal 249 of switch 94 through

blocks

225, 226, and lead 257. In the automatic position switch blade 248 connects

terminals

249 and 25% so that the armature 255 is connected to opposite sides of

switches

165 and 175 by means of

leads

258 and 259. The terminal 260 of switch 94 which is connected to terminal 236 through blade 247 is also connected to switch 165 through lead 261 and through switch 165 and block 190 to switch 175 through lead 262. With the press operating normally in automatic, the position of switch will be as indicated in FIG. 25 but switch will be reversed so that the circuit is open between

leads

262 and 258 which de-energizes armature 255 to feed paper. As long as counter 47 is not satisfied, throwing of switch 165 by lever 93 stops the paper feed because the circuit to armature 255 will be closed through lead 259 to lead 258. With counter 47 satisfied as shown in FIG. 25 and therefore switch 75 thrown to connect

leads

262 and 258, control of paper feed is interrupted. This control of paper feed by lever 93 without stopping press motor 223 is done by turning master cylinder lever 93 slightly to disengage latch 156 and throwing switch 165 to connect lead 259 and lead 261 thus closing the circuit to armature 255 and opening valve 222. This clearly describes how partial actuation of the master cylinder lever 93 in one area controls the paper feed when latch 156 actuates bail 166 and switch 165 and also how operation of the lever 93 in a diiterent area can be utilized to stop and start motor 223 through switch 195. As explained above, this latter partial movement of lever 93 from vertical until latch 156 moves bail 166 also rocks the entire ink roller saddle 213 and the housing 44 through the action of cammed hub 151 in bracket 152 (FIG. 13).

it will thus be understood that with lever 93 in the normal operating position (switch 165 connecting leads 261 and 262) paper will not feed until counter 47 is reset to open

leads

262 and 258. Normally at the end of a run when the control counter 47 is satisfied, switch 175 is thrown and the paper feed stops because the circuit is closed between

leads

262 and 258 thus energizing the armature 255 and opening Valve 222.

Switch 263 in the control counter housing operates lights 192 and 103 which serve to indicate the condition of the press. With switch 94 set in the automatic position, the yellow light 102 will be lighted due to the completion of a circuit through lead 264, connector 190, leads 265, 266, terminals 267 and 268 of switch 263, leads 269 and 261. When the control counter is satisfied thereby throwing switch 175 to stop the paper feed, switch 263 is likewise actuated to connect terminals 267 and 279. This opens the circuit to yellow light 192 and simultaneously closes the circuit to red light 103 and chime 188 through

leads

264, 271, 272, and 269.

The chime 188 (FIG. 26) is also sounded when terminals 267 and 271 of switch 263 are closed. This completes a circuit through lead 273, connector 190,

junction block

225, 226 and

connector elements

275 and 276. Chime 188 is mounted on the control housing 53 (FIG. 15) or it may be located at some more remote position. This is important in the event several presses are running and it may be desirable to have the operator warned as to which press has finished the run.

The same applies to the connector 277 (FIG. 27) which shows how the lights 102a and 193a may be located in a remote position either in addition to the lights in control counter housing 47 or in place of them.

Where a time study may be desirable or for other reasons the time required to complete a certain run should be known, a connector 278 is plugged into connector 275 so that any one or more devices such as the theoretical impression time, make-ready time, and printing time may be indicated or recorded. The red and yellow lights 102 and 193 serve another important function since a glance at these lights always tells the operator the condition of the press. It switch 94 is set in the automatic position, the yellow light indicates that counter 47 is not satisfied, the red light indicates that the run is finished and the counter is satisfied. If there are no lights on at all (assuming main switch 229 is closed) then the operator knows that switch 94 is thrown to the right or manual position.

However, the automatic features controlled ordinarily by control counter 47 and

switch

175 and 165 can be overridden by holding switch 94 in the left-hand positio'n; In this'event switch bar 247 remains connected to

terminals

236, 260 but switch bar 248 is thrown to connect

terminals

249 and 280. Terminal 28.0 is connected to the normally'closed side of switch 175 through lead 281 and connector 190. This simply nullifies the normal action of switch 175 so that the circuit to armature 255 is broken and paper will feed even though the counter may be satisfied. Thus, it is possible for the operator to run extra copies or overs without resetting the counter so long as switch 94 is held. It will, of course, be apparent that the press motor 223 does not stop when the counter is satisfied. It is only the paper feed that stops.

The Paper Guide Referring to FIGS. 29-31 the automatic operation of my improved printing press is greatly enhanced by means of. an, improved paper guide for the feeder magazine 39. The guide permits very simple adjustment and replenishment of the paper stock 38. Furthermore, my improved paper guide eliminates lowering the entire stack should it become necessary to add a few sheets of paper. This can be done whilethe press is operating. In addition, the improved paper guide increases the capacity of the magazine by at least 400 sheets of paper. The conventional printing pressis ordinarily equipped with a double sheet eliminator which is a device to reject the second of two sheets which are improperly picked up by the paper feed. When printing two sides of a single sheet and also when printing in color, it is very important to be able to insert the reverse sheets or the sheets for the second color printing or a rejected double sheet without cranking the feed carriage all the way down. The time saved is extremely important and this feature is of great advantage when used in conjunction with the automatic controls described heretofore.

The guide assembly 40 is adjustably mounted on a cross member 300 by means of a knurled set-screw 301 as seen in'FIG. 29. Cross member 360 is positioned on the front of the printing press which is provided with the conventional elements such as the elevator platform 302 connected to a counterweight 303 by means of a chain 304 running over sprocket 305. Sprocket 395 is rotata ble by means of a spring loaded crank 306. Operation of crank 306 permits the platform 302 to be raised and lowered. The suction head 57 is pivotally actuated by means of a mechanism not shown to pick up the top sheet from the stack 38, deliver it between the upper roller 397 and lower roller 58. Lateral air jets 310 and 311 assist in separating only the top sheet from the stack. Adjustable side guides 312 and 313 may be moved by means of thumb screws 314, 314 in accordance with the width of the sheets of the paper in the stack. This structure of the printing press is entirely conventional and forms no part of the present invention.

In order to accurately position the sheets in the stack and to retain them in this condition, the paper guide assembly is essential. This assembly comprises a vertically depending arm 320 which is hinged on a guide bracket member 323 at 324 and is spring biased by means of an over center extension spring 325 so that it will be retained in an elevated position against a stop 326, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. The operator can readily flip the arm 320 in either direction to remove or insert sheets from the stack 38. When the platform 302 elevates suificiently due to feeding of the paper stock to contact arm 32!), paper feed is not interrupted because the arm simply pivots outwardly against the pressure of spring 325 but in no way hindering the elevation of the platform and consequently damage the platform 302. The ability to replace limited number of sheets is of considerable importance when printing two sides and two colors because double sheets when picked up in the feed are rejected and must be replaced in the feed to complete the run.

The combination automatic and manual control system described above can in many cases be installed as a unit on the Multilith press and also on other presses with minor adaptations; If for any reason all or any part of the control system fails to function properly, it is still possible to disconnect the plug 228 and connect it directly to the motor by disconnecting motor plug 238 and connecting these two together. This permits direct manual control of the motor 223 from manual switch 229.

To summarize the salient advantages and features of operation of my improved control system, the following features are important.

(1) Easy installation not requiring the drilling of any holes in the existing press structure. Can be attached and detached as a unit by removing a single bolt. This feature is important in facilitating service and avoiding interruption of the press in the event some servicing may be required.

(2) The control counter provides a visible indication of the number of sheets to be run and in addition permits ready resetting to the original or any other desired number of sheets for the remainder of the run. Furthermore the control counter permits interruption of registry at any timeshould such be desired.

(3) The press may be converted from manual to automatic operation and vice versa merely by the flip of a toggle switch. It may be desirable for inexperienced operators to use the manual setting to avoid unnecessary spoilage of sheets. In addition, the press may be converted from manual to automatic operation at any time during the run and the count will be picked'up from the original setting.

(4) The indicator lights always tell at, a glance the condition of the press whether the counter is satisfied, not satisfied, or whether the machine is running in manual.

(5) All of the controls are conveniently located without the necessity of reaching over the press.

(6) The momentary control switch permits additional sheets to be run whenever such is desired.

(7) The individual control of the press motor by means of the master cylinder lever as well as the two dampening attachments and the ink roller provide complete flexibility so that any required operation of the press can be conducted with the maximum efliciency.

(3) It is also possible to run short by kicking off the control counter at any time before the completion of a run.

(9) The paper guide greatly assists in the more effective operation of the press and permits the full value of the automatic features to be realized since the press does not have to be stopped to replenish paper stock or to insert or remove a'few sheets from the top of the stock.

10) In short my improved control system permits the operator to control the press in exactly the manner in which he wishes and does not make the operator a slave to only one method of press operation. The control system is inexpensive, effective, and fool proof.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a control system for a printing press having a frame, paper feed means mounted on said frame, sheet counter means mounted on said frame, an ink roller mounted on said frame, a printing cylinder mounted on said frame, and a blanket cylinder mounted on said frame position to be selectively contacted by said printing cylinder, the improvement that comprises paper feed interrupting means, manual means for moving the printing cylinder from a contact to a noncontact position with respect to said blanket cylinder, and means responsive to the position of the printing cylinder for actuating the paper feed interrupting means.

2. In a control system for a printing press having a frame, paper feed means mounted onsaid frame, sheet counter means mounted on said frame, an ink roller mounted on said frame a printing cylinder mounted on said frame, and a blanket cylinder mounted on said frame position to be selectively contacted by said printing cylinder, the improvement that comprises paper feed interrupting means, manual means for moving the printing cylinder from a contact to a noncontact position with respect to said blanket cylinder, means responsive to the position of the printing cylinder for actuating the paper feed interrupting means, and means operable by the sheet counter for actuating the paper feed interrupting means.

3. In a control system for a printing press having a frame, a press motor mounted on said frame, paper feed means mounted on said frame, sheet counter means mounted on said frame, an ink roller mounted on said frame, a printing cylinder mounted on said frame, and a blanket cylinder mounted on said frame position to be selectively contacted by said printing cylinder, the improvement that comprises motor control means, manual means for moving the ink roller from a contact to a noncontact position, and means responsive to a position with respect to said cylinder of the ink printing roller for actuating the motor control means.

4. In a control system for a printing press having a frame, a press motor mounted on said frame, paper feed means mounted on said frame, sheet counter means mounted on said flame, an ink roller mounted on said frame, a main dampening roller mounted on said frame, a printing cylinder mounted on said frame, and a blanket cylinder mounted on said frame position to be selectively contacted by said printing cylinder, the improvement that comprises motor control means, manual means for moving the dampening roller from a contact to a noncontact position with-respect to said printing cylinder, and means responsive to the position of the dampening roller for actuating the motor control means.

5. In a control system for a printing press having a frame, a press motor mounted on said frame, paper feed means mounted on said frame, sheet counter means mounted on said frame, an ink roller mounted on said frame, a main dampening roller mounted on said frame, an auxiliary dampening roller mounted on said frame, a printing cylinder mounted on said frame, and a blanket cylinder mounted on said frame position to be selectively contacted by said printing cylinder, the improvement that comprises motor control means, manual means for moving the main dampening roller from a contact to a noncontact position with respect to said printing cylinder, manual means for operating the auxiliary dampening roller, means responsive to the position of the main dampening roller for actuating the motor control means, and means responsive to the position of the auxiliary dampening roller operating means for actuating the motor control means.

6. In a control system for a printing press having a frame, a press motor mounted on said frame, paper feed means mounted on said frame, sheet counter means mounted on said frame, an ink roller mounted on said frame, a main dampening roller mounted on said frame, a blanket cleaner mounted on said frame, a printing cylinder mounted on said frame, and a blanket cylinder mounted on said frame position to be selectively contacted by said printing cylinder, the improvement that comprises motor control means, manual means for moving the main dampening roller from a contact to a noncontact position with respect to said printing cylinder, manual means for operating the blanket cleaner, means responsive to the position of the main dampening roller for actuating the motor control means, and means responsive to the position of the blanket cleaner operating means for actuating motor control means.

7. In a control system for a printing press having a frame, a press motor mounted on said frame, paper feed means mounted on Said frame, sheet counter means mounted on said frame, an ink roller mounted on said frame, a main dampening roller mounted on said frame, an auxiliary dampening roller mounted on said frame, a blanket cleaner mounted on said frame a printing cylinder,

and a blanket cylinder mounted on said frame position to be selectively contacted by said printing cylinder, the improvement that comprises motor control means, manual means for moving the main dampening roller from a contact to a noncontact position with respect to said printing cylinder, manual means for operating the auxiliary dampening roller, manual means for operating the blanket cleaner, means responsive to the position of the main dampening roller for actuating the motor control means, and means responsive to the positions of the auxiliary dampening roller and the blanket cleaner operating means for actuating the motor control means.

8. A control system in accordance with claim 1 having a switch controllable by the sheet counter means, a switch controllable by the ink roller, a switch controllable by the printing cylinder, a motor for operating the press, and electrical circuits connecting said switches and motor.

9. A control system in accordance with claim 2 having a switch controllable by the sheet counter means, a switch controllable by the ink roller, a switch controllable by the printing cylinder, a motor for operating the press, and electrical circuits connecting said switches and motor.

10. A control system in accordance with claim 3 having a switch controllable by the sheet counter means, a switch controllable by the ink roller, a witch controllable by the printing cylinder, and electrical circuits connecting said switches and the press motor.

1 1. A control system in accordance with claim 4 having a switch controllable by the sheet counter means, a switch controllable by the ink roller, a switch controllable by the printing cylinder, and electrical circuits connecting said switches and the press motor.

12. A control system in accordance with claim 5 having a switch controllable by the sheet counter means, a switch controllable by the ink roller, a switch controllable by the printing cylinder, and electrical circuits connecting said switches and the pres motor.

13. A control system in accordance with claim 6 having a switch controllable by the sheet counter means, a switch controllable by the ink roller, a switch controllable by the printing cylinder, and electrical circuits connecting said switches and the press motor.

14. A control system in accordance with claim 1 having a switch for the sheet counter, a switch operable by the ink roller, a switch operable by the printing cylinder, a main press motor, suction means for feeding the paper, a solenoid valve for bleeding said suction means, and electrical circuits connecting at least some of said switches and the solenoid valve and the motor.

15. A control system in accordance with claim 2 having a switch for the sheet counter, a switch operable by the ink roller, a switch operable by the printing cylinder, a main press motor suction means for feeding the paper, a solenoid valve for bleeding said suction means, and electrical circuits connecting at least some of said switches and the solenoid valve and the motor.

16. A control system in accordance with claim 3 having a switch for the sheet counter, a switch operable by the ink roller, a switch operable by the printing cylinder, a main press motor suction means for feeding the paper, a solenoid valve for bleeding said suction means, and electrical circuits connecting at least some of said switches and the solenoid valve and the motor.

17. A control system in accordance with claim 4 having a switch for the sheet counter, a switch operable by the ink roller, a switch operable by the printing cylinder, a main press motor suction means for feeding the paper, a solenoid valve for bleeding said suction means, and electrical circuits connecting at least some of said switches and the solenoid valve and the motor.

18. A control system in accordance with claim 5 having a switch for the sheet counter, a switch operable by the ink roller, a switch operable by the printing cylinder, a main press motor suction means for feeding the paper, a solenoid valve for bleeding said suction means, and elec- 1 5 trical circuits connect-ing at least some of said switches and the solenoid valve and the motor.

19. A control system in accordance with claim 6 havingtrical circuits connecting at least some of said switches and the solenoid valve and the motor.

20. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the paper feed interrupting means comprise a solenoid actuated bleed valve.

21. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the paper feed means comprises a suction motor, a suction pump feed head, a suction line connecting the motor to the head and a solenoid actuated bleed valve in said suction line. A

22. In a control system for a unitary printing press having a frame, paper feed means mounted on said frame, sheet counter means mounted on said frame, an ink roller mounted on said frame, a main dampening roller mounted on said frame, an auxiliary dampening roller mounted on said frame, a printing cylinder mounted on said frame, a main press motor mounted on said frame, a switch operatively associated with the ink roller and a switch operatively associated with the main dampening roller, the subcom bination which comprises a collar for actuating each of said switches, a shaft for each of said rollers, a movable element surrounding each of said shafts, a recess on the periphery of each of said shafts, a boss in the bore of said collar positioned to displace the collar and thereby 1e actuate each of said switches when either of said shafts is rotated to a position in which the boss registers with the recess. V

23. Apparatus in accordance with claim 22 having a paper feed magazine, means for elevating said paper feed magazine in accordance with the feeding of paper delivery to the printing cylinder, and a pivoting yoke positioned above the magazine to retain a stack of paper on the magazine in proper feeding alignment.

24. Apparatus in accordance with claim 23 having a toggle pivot, and an over-center spring for retaining the guide in an operative or an inoperative position.

25. Apparatus in accordance with claim 24 in which the lower extremity of the guide flares outwardly beyond the aligned edge of the magazine.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 References Cited in the file of this patent 1,968,849 Morse Aug. 7, 1934 2,306,044 Davidson Dec. 22, 1942 2,358,284 Davidson et al Sept. 12, 1944 2,542,073 Aberle Feb. 20, 1951 2,550,160 Monk Apr. 24, 1951 2,660,113 Gullixson et al Nov. 24, 1953 2,716,942 Timson et al Sept. 6, 1955 2,753,795 =Bruns July 10, 1956 2,756,672 George July 31, 1956 2,813,484 Pratt Nov. 19, 1957 2,826,412 Haberland Mar. '11, 1958 2,916,988 Cragg Dec. 15, 1959