US3291045A - Lithographic press with reciprocating bed and pressure member interrupter - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 13, 1966 0. BRAND 3,

LITHOGRAPHIC PRESS WITH RECIPROCATING BED AND PRESSURE MEMBER INTERRUPTER Flled Jan 21 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 67/491 [5 5534/1 13 BY AT ORNEY Dec. 13, 1966 c. BRAN 3,291,045

LITHOGRAPHIC PRESS WIT ECIPROCATING BED AND PRESSURE MEMBER INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 21, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWIM INVENTOR AT ORNEY Dec. 13, 1966 c. BRA 3,291,045

LITHOGRAPHIG PRESS WITH RECIPROGATING BED AND PRESSURE MEMBER INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 21, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet :5

52 0 5 5 .26 WAKqkYl FL ,1.:.. 50;" 7353.1" :2? 4 L 5 I u i I I126 I l| /0 I I i I 57 ATTORN EY United States Patent 3,291,045 LITHQGRAPHIC RRESS WITH REQIPRQCATING BED AND PRESSURE MEMBER INTERRUPTER Charles Brand, 1603 Macomhs Road, New York, N.Y. Filed Jan. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 426,904 3 Claims. (Cl. 101-146) This invention relates generally to the graphic arts, and is especially concerned with a unique highly improved construction of lithographic press.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lithographic press which is of increased accuracy and reliability in operation, wherein movement of the table plate or bed is maintained coplanar and substantially dead straight, and wherein pressure of the pressure member or scraper may be repeatably controlled with precise accuracy.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lithographic press of the type described which is extremely safe in use, the table plate or bed locking in its inoperative position, and which is more easily and conveniently operated, as by power or hand crank, including a pull-pin clutch in the transmission mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lithographic press having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is neater and cleaner in operation, and which is extremely simple in construction, durable and reliable throughout a long useful life.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view showing a lithographic press constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken general-1y along the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional elevational view similar to FIGURE 3, but showing the pressure member in raised position.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 66 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view similar to FIGURE 6, with the table plate broken away.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 88 of FIGURE 7, and illustrating an alternate position in dot-and-dash outline.

FIGURE 9 is a partial sectional elevational view taken genera-11y along the line 99 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 10 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 10-10 of FIGURE 6, but with the table plate shifted rightward.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line Ill-11 of FIGURE 10.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1 thereof, a lithographic press is there generally designated and may include a base or stand 21 having a plurality of generally rectangularly arranged, upstanding or vertical legs 22. At their upper ends, the legs may be connected together by a pair of laterally extending, transverse end members 23, and by a pair of longitudinally extending side members 24.

Fixedly secured and upstanding from the side members 24 are a pair of elongate, parallel spaced support or frame members 26 and 27. The support members 26 and 27 may each be of angle stock and arranged with upstanding walls in parallel, generally vertical planes, each extending longitudinally along and upstanding from a respective horizontal frame member 24, being fixedly secured thereto, as by welding or other suitable means. Additional rigidifying struts and braces may be employed, if desired.

The support members 26 and 27 are substantially coextensive longitudinally; and, a main support roller or pressure roller 30 extends laterally between the support members 26 and 27 at a medial region thereof. The main or pressure roller 30 is disposed generally horizontal, having stub shafts 31 and 32 projecting axially from its opposite ends and respectively journaled in bearings 33 and 34 fixed to adjacent support members 26 and 27. The main or pressure roller 30 is thus located substantially in the space between support members 26 and 27, extending normal thereto and mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The bearings 33 and 34 are selfaligning ball bearings.

On opposite sides of the main or pressure roller 30 there are provided between the supports 26 and 27 auxiliary rollers in aligned pairs generally parallel to the main roller. For example, as seen in FIGURE 6- an aligned pair of auxiliary rollers 36 and 37 are mounted on a generally horizontal shaft 38 extending normal to and between the support members 26 and 27 adjacent to a medial region thereof. Leftward of the auxiliary rollers 36 and 37 is an additional pair of aligned auxiliary rollers 32 and 40 mounted on a horizontal shaft 41 extending between the supports 26 and 27; and leftward of the rollers 39 and 40, there is an additional pair of aligned auxiliary rollers 42 and 43 carried by a generally horizontal shaft 44 extending between and normal to the supports 26 and 27. Rightward of the auxiliary rollers 36 and 37, and of the main roller 30, is an additional pair of aligned auxiliary rollers 45 and 46, mounted on a horizontal shaft 47 extending normal and between the side supports 26 and 27, while another aligned pair of auxiliary rollers 48 and 49 carried by a horizontal shaft 50 extending normal to and between the supports 26 and 27 is located rightward of the aligned auxiliary rollers 45 and 46. The main or pressure roller 30, and the auxiliary rollers 36, 37, 39, 40, 42, 43, 45, 46, 48 and 49 all have their uppermost surfaces tangent to a common plane, as may be seen in FIGURE 2.

Mounted on the main or pressure roller 30 and the auxiliary rollers 36, 37, 39, 40, 42, 43, 45, 46, 48 and 49 for reciprocatory movement in a horizontal plane located between the side supports 26 and 27 is a table plate or bed 51. The table plate is advantageously fabricated of stiff, relatively rigid steel and precision-finished to have substantially parallel opposite faces. The table plate is movable between its leftmost position, illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 6, resting on the auxiliary rollers 36, 37, 39, 40, 42 and 43, and a rightmost position resting on rollers 48, 49, 45, 46 and 30. The position of FIGURE 2 may be an intermediate position between the above-described leftand rightmost positions.

In order to assure pure translational movement of the table plate 51, without lateral deviation, close-fitting gibs are secured to respective side supports 26 and 27, as at 53 and 54 for sliding engagement with longitudinal edges of the table plate. The gibs 53 and 54 further provide support to a pair of generally rectangular, relatively light apron sheets disposed in side-by-side relation and extending across the space between supports 26 and 27 having their end margins resting on the gibs. The apron sheets 55 and 56 may be hingedly connected together at their adjacent edges, as by a piano hinge 57; and, the apron sheet 56 adjacent to the table plate 51 may be hingedly connected to the end edge of the latter, as by a piano hinge 58. Thus, when the table plate 51 is drawn leftward beyond the pressure roller 30, the pressure roller and auxiliary rollers 45 and 46 are protectively covered by the apron sheets 55 and 56, for a purpose appearing presently. Upon rightward movement of the table plate 51, the hinged connections at 57 and 58 permit the apron sheets 55 and 56 to swing to a depending position just beyond the auxiliary rollers 48 and 49, the sheet 55 depending in FIGURE 10. This limits overhand upon rightward table-plate movement.

Carried by the underside of table plate 51, adjacent to the side support 26, is an abutment member or block 60. The block 60 is fixedly secured to the table plate 51 by any suitable means, such as fasteners 61, see FIGURE 9. Secured fast on the inner side of the upstanding side support 26, adjacent to opposite ends thereof, are a pair of abutment members or blocks 62 and 63. The abutment members 62 and 63 are fixed to the support 26, as by fasteners 64 and 65, or other suitable means, and are located in the path of movement of abutment member 60 upon reciprocation of table plate 51. Thus, the abutment member 60 is engageable with abutment members 62 and 63 to limit movement of table plate 51 in the leftward and rightward directions, respectively. In both limiting positions of movement, the table plate 51 remains stably supported on its supporting rollers.

In order to prevent accidental or inadvertent movement of the table plate 51, an operating member or handle 67 is carried at one end of the table plate 51, the lefthand end as seen in FIGURES l and 6, and pivotally connected to the table plate, as by pivotal supports 68 and 69 mounting the handle for up-and-down swinging movement about a generally horizontal axis. The operating handle 67 is connected to a locking mechanism, generally designated 70, to automatically lock the table plate upon downward release of the handle, and require upward swinging of the handle to unlock the table plate for free movement between its limiting positions.

More particularly, the locking mechanism 70 includes an arm 71 rigidly connected to and depending from the pivoted region of the handle 67 for swinging movement between the solid and dot-and-dash outline positions shown in FIGURE 8. The arm 71 depends to a level below the undersurface of table plate 51. Spaced longitudinally inward from the arm 71, a pivot pin 72 is fixedly secured to and depends from the underside of the table plate 51. The pin 72 is located adjacent to and spaced inward from the longitudinal side edge of the table plate 51 proximate to the side support 27, and carries a latch member or block 73 for rotation about the generally vertical axis of the pin. The latch member or block 73 may be of elongate configuration having one end formed with a truncated corner or bevel 74, see FIGURE 7. Pivotally connected, as at 75, to the latch end remote from bevel 74, is one end of a flexible link 76. The pin of pivotal connection 75 extends generally vertically, and the other end of link 76 may be connected to the lower end of arm 71 by a generally horizontal pin 77. The link 76 may advantageously be of strip or bar stock having a medial twist 78 to dispose the link end region 79 in a generally vertically plane, and the link end region 80 in a generally horizontal plane. This affords a sufficient degree of bendability to the link 76 in all directions.

The handle 67 falls to its lower, solid-line position of FIGURES 7 and 8 gravitationally and swings the latch member 73 to the solid-line position extending generally normal to the direction of table-plate reciprocation, the beveled latch-member end projecting a substantial distance beneath the adjacent gib 54. A stop member or block 82 is fixed to the underside of table plate 51, as by fasteners 4- 83, in position to engage the latch member 73 and limit continued downward swinging movement of the handle 67. Thus, the normal or released position of latch member 73 is that illustrated in solid lines in FIGURES 7 and 8, as limited by engagement of the latch member with stop member 82. Upon upward swinging movement of the handle 67 the link 76 is shifted longitudinally outward and the latch member 73 swung to its phantom, dot-and-dash-outline position, best seen in FIGURE 7. This is an opposite, extreme position of latch-member movement, as limited by engagement of the latch member with the adjacent corner of stop member 82. Upon raising of the handle 67, the latch member 73 is swung longitudinally inward, away from the adjacent side support 27.

Carried by the side support 27 in the region of the latch member 73 when the table plate 51 is shifted to its leftward limiting position, as seen in FIGURE 6, is an additional stop member or cam 85. The cam or stop member 85 is fixedly secured, as by fasteners 86, on the inner side of side support 27 below the adjacent gib 54 and projects inward into the path of movement of latch member 73 with the table plate 51 when the latch member is in its outwardly extending, solid-line position. Throughout the large part of movement of table plate 51, between engagement of abutment member 60 with abutment members 63 and 62, the latch member 73 may project outward toward the side support 27 without obstruction. However, as the table plate 51 closely approaches its leftward limiting position the latch-member surface 74 engages the stop member 85 to swing the latch member inward. The latch member 73 may then ride over the stop member 85 to a position leftward thereof, as seen in FIGURE 7, when the abutment 60 engages the abutment 62. The latch member 73 may then be turned to its outwardly extending position; and, the longitudinally outer end of stop member 85 may be provided with a generally oblique or cammed surface 87 engageable with the outer end of the latch member to urge the latter toward its limiting outwardly extending position. This action positively locks the table plate 51 against rightward movement, unless the handle 67 is raised to swing the latch member 73 inward to clear the stop member 85.

Medially of the side supports 26 and 27 are provided upstanding slideways or guides 90 and 91. That is, the upstanding slideway or guide 90 is secured by any suitable means to the outer side of support 26, and the slideway or guide 91 is secured by any suitable means to the outer side of support 27. The guides 90 and 91 extend generally vertically upward beyond the plane of movement of table plate 51, and are respectively provided with vertically elongated openings or slots 92 and 93. A transversely extending mounting member or bridge 94 is disposed generally horizontally over the plane of movement of table plate 51 and has its opposite ends fixedly secured by any suitable means to the upper ends of respective guides 90 and 91.

Disposed beneath the mounting bridge 94 is a laterally extending carrier member or bar 96, having its opposite ends received in respective slots or slidew- ays 92 and 93 for constrained vertical sliding therein. A limit member or bar 97 may be fixed to the carrier 96 adjacent to and inward of the guide 90, for sliding engagement with the latter to limit outward movement of the carrier relative to the guide. Adjacent to and inward of the guide 91, a journal bearing 98 may be fixed to the carrier 96 and slidably engageable with the guide 91 to limit carrier movement outward through the latter. Within the respective slots 92 and 93 of guides 90 and 91, beneath the carrier 96, are mounted vertically extending coil compression springs 99 and 100. The spring 99 is supported at its lower end by a mounting bar 101 carrying an adjustment screw, and at its upper end engages the underside of carrier 96; whilethe spring 100 is supported at its lower end by a mounting bar 102 carrying an adjustment screw, and at its upper end supports the adjacent end of carrier 96. The carrier is thus effectively limited to vertical or up-and-down movement in its horizontal position, and resiliently supported for such movement by the resilient means or springs 99 and 100.

The underside of the carrier 96 may be formed with a downwardly opening groove 105, see FIGURES 2-4, extending longitudinally of the carrier. Received in the groove and projecting there-from beneath the carrier 96 may be a bar 106 having on its underside a scraper or squeegee 107, conventionally fabricated of rubber or other suitable material. Releasable securing means, such as a winged setscrew 108, may be threaded through the carrier 96 for holding engagement with the bar 106.

Interposed between the bridge 94 and carrier 96 is an operating mechanism, generally designated 110. The operating mechanism may include a journal block 111 fixed on the upper side of carrier 96 medially between the ends thereof. The journal block 111 may be formed with a generally rectangular, vertical passageway 11 2 opening upwardly toward the bridge 94. In addition, on opposite sides of the journal block 111 there may be formed a pair of generally vertical slots 113 and 114 extending downwardly from the upper end of the journal block and terminating in closed ends substantially level with the bottom wall 115 of the passageway 112. A cam block 116 is slidably engaged in the passageway 112 having its undersurface 117 facing downwardly toward the bottom wall 115 of the passageway.

A shaft 120 extends rotatably through the journal bearing 98 having its inner region extending through and rotatably received in the lower ends of slots 113 and 114. Carried by the inner region of shaft 120, within the passageway 112 of block 111, is a cam 121. The outer end of shaft 120 is provided with a transverse arm 122 for manual actuation.

A threaded adjustment pin 124 extends in threaded engagement vertically through the bridge 94 having its lower end depending into abutting engagement with the upper side of cam block 11 6. Secured on the underside of the bridge 94, surrounding the pin 124 is a bearing or washer 125 spaced from the bridge by a resilient spacer 126, say of rubber or the like. Secured on the upper end of threaded pin 124 may be a manual turning arm 127, and threadedly engaged on the pin just above the bridge 94 may be a lock nut 128 having a manual turning arm 129.

Connected to the main or pressure roller 30 for effecting positive driven rotation thereof may be a drive mechanism, generally designated 130, see FIGURE 1. The drive mechanism includes a clutch 131 driven by a. chain 132 and selectively engageable with and dis-engageable from the roller 30, as by clutch button 133. The clutch 131 is, of course, connected to one of the shafts of roller 30, say shaft 32. The drive mechanism 130 may be motorized, if desired.

Mounted on side support 27 may be a gear box 134 containing a gear train, and having a manually actuable rotary handle or crank 135. The chain 132 is connected by suitable means to the gearing in box 134, so that rotation of crank 135 is adapted to selectively effect rotation of roller 30, dependent upon engagement or disengagement of clutch 131.

Shown on table plate 51 is a lithographic stone 137, and a sheet 138 adapted to be imprinted.

After release of the locking mechanism 70, as by raising of the operating handle :67, the table plate 51 may be shifted out of its locked position to a position resting on the main roller 30. The drive crank 135 may then be rotated to effect reciprocatory motion of the table plate on its supporting rollers and constrained against lateral movement by gibs 53 and 54. With the carrier 96 lowered, as by swinging of the arm 122 to rotate cam 121 from its position of FIGURE 4 to its position of FIG- URE 3, and with the pressure member or squeegee 167 properly lubricated or greased, the stone 137 is moved beneath the pressure member and the latter assures proper contact of the sheet 138 with the stone. By the configuration of cam 121, as best seen in FIGURE 3, it will be observed that the cam is in an over-center, stable condition when the pressure member 107 is lowered. This lowered position may be adjusted by vertical shifting of the threaded pin 124. At the end of use, the table plate 51 may be shifted leftwand to its locked position, as described hereinbefore, in which condition the apron sheets 55 and 56 overlie the rollers 45, 46 and 34 to protect the latter from dirt and grease.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a lithographic press which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, maintenance and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A lithographic press comprising a base, a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced supports fixed to said base, a generally horizontal main roller extending laterally between intermediate regions of said supports and rotatably carried thereby at a [fixed and constant elevation, auxiliary rollers between said supports on opposite sides of said main roller and rotatable about axes generally parallel to that of said main roller, a pressure member directly above said main roller, mounting means mounting said pressure member for vertical movement toward and away from said main roller, and a table plate resting on said main and auxiliary rollers for reciprocatory movement thereon in a constant plane beneath and on opposite sides of said pressure member, drive means for effecting reciprocatory movement of said table plate on said rollers, said mounting means comprising upstanding guideways on said supports, a mounting bridge extending spacedly over the path of movement of said table plate and fixed to said guideways, a carrier extending between said guideways and mounted therein for upward movement toward said bridge and downward movement toward the plane of said table, said pressure member being carried on the underside of said carrier, operating means for effecting up-and-down movement of said pressure member and carrier, said operating means comprising a cam block fixed relative to said bridge and facing downwardly toward said carrier, a cam mounted on said carrier for vertical movement therewith and rotation relative thereto, said cam being engageable with said block upon cam rotation to lower said carrier, resilient means engageable with said carrier to urge the latter upward, lockable adjusting means for selectively raising and lowering said cam block, and an actuating lever connected to said cam for swinging the latter into and out of a stable position beyond dead center lowering said carrier.

2. A lithographic press according to claim 1, said table plate being movable in one direction beyond said main roller, a pair of gibs secured to respective side supports for sliding engagement with longitudinal edges of said table plate, a pair of generally rectangular relatively light apron sheets disposed in side-by side relation and extending across the space between the side supports and having their margins resting and riding on said gibs, said sheets being hingedly connected together at their adjacent edges by a hinge, and one of said apron sheets being hingedly connected to one end of said table plate for movement therewith on all said rollers in said one direction to a horizontal position over said main roller and in the other direction to a depending position beyond the auxiliary rollers, said hinged connections facilitating articulation of said sheets to swing to a depending position by gravity when the sheets pass beyond the auxiliary rollers.

3. A lithographic press according to claim 1, in combination with locking means for 'locking said table plate in an inoperative position, said locking means comprising a pair of abutments respectively fixed relative to said supports and table plate and limiting movement of the latter to an extreme position in one direction, a stop fixed relative to said supports, a latch pivotally mounted on said table plate for movement therewith into engagement with said stop upon table-plate movement in said one direction, and releasable operating means for pivoting said latch to avoid engagement thereof with said stop upon table movement to said extreme position, release of said operating imeans returning said latch for engagement with said stop to lock said table plate in said extreme position, said operating means comprising an actuating member pivoted to said table plate for up-and-down swinging movement, said latch being pivoted to said table plate about a generally vertical axis, and a flexible linkage connected between said actuating member and latch for swinging the latter to avoid engagement upon raising of said actuating member and for making engagement upon release of said actuating member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 216,397 6/1879 Hamilton 101282 956,807 5/1910 Kirk 101-458 1,380,469 6/1921 Droitcour 101-284 1,842,086 1/1932 Hartley 101-269 2,871,782 2/1959 Buttner 10l282 X 3,067,676 12/1962 Dickerson 101-146 X FOREIGN PATENTS 978,526 12/1964 Great Britain.

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

20 J. R. FISHER, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A LITHOGRAPHIC PRESS COMPRISING A BASE, A PAIR OF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING LATERALLY SPACED SUPPORTS FIXED TO SAID BASE, A GENEALLY HORIZONTAL MAIN ROLLER EXTENDING LATERALLY BETWEEN INTERMEDIATE REGIONS OF SAID SUPPORTS AND ROTATABLY CARRIED THEREBY AT A FIXED AND CONSTANT ELEVATION, AUXILIARY ROLLERS BETWEEN SAID SUPPORTS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID MAIN ROLLER AND ROTATABLE ABOUT AXES GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THAT OF SAID MAIN ROLLER, A PRESSURE MEMBER DIRECTLY ABOVE SAID MAIN ROLLER, A PRESSURE MOUNTING SAID PRESSURE MEMBER FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID MAIN ROLLER, AND A TABLE PLATE RESTING ON SAID MAIN AND AUXILIARY ROLLERS FOR RECIPROCATORY MOVEMENT THEREON IN A CONSTANT PLANE BENEATH AND ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PRESSURE MEMBER, DRIVE MEANS FOR EFFECTING RECIRPOCTORY MOVEMENT OF SAID TABLE PLATE ON SAID ROLLERS, SAID MOUNTING MEANS COMPRISING UPSTANDING GUIDEWAYS ON SAID SUPPORTS, A MOUNTING BRIDGE EXTENDING SPACEDLY OVER THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID TABLE PLATE AND FIXED TO SAID GUIDEWAYS, A CARRIER EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID GUIDEWAYS AND MOUNTED THEREIN FOR UPWARD MOVEMENT TOWARD SAID BRIDGE AND DOWNWARDLY MOVEMENT TOWARD THE PLANE OF SAID TABLE, SAID PRESSURE MEMBER BEING CARRIED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID CARRIER, OPERATING MEANS FORE EFFECTING UP-AND-DOWN MOVEMENT OF SAID PRESSURE MEMBER AND CARRIER, SAID OPERATING MEANS COMPRISING A CAM BLOCK FIXED RELATIVE TO SIAD BRIDGE AND FACING DOWNWARDLY TOWARD SAID CARRIER, A CAM MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIER FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT THEREWITH AND ROTATION RELATIVE THERETO, SAID CAM BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID BLOCK UPON CAM ROTATION TO LOWER SAID CARRIER, RESILIENT MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CARRIER TO URGE THE LATTER UPWARD, LOCKABLE ADJUSTING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY RAISING AND LOWERING SAID CAM BLOCK, AND AN ACTUATING LEVER CONNECTED TO SAID CAM FOR SWINGING THE LATTER INTO AND OUT OF A STABLE POSITION BEYOND DEAD CENTER LOWERING SAID CARRIER.

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