US3623430A - Fountain keys for multiple point control of fountain blade - Google Patents

Abstract

A PRINTING PRESS HAVING A PLURALITY OF FOUNTAIN KEYS WITH LARGE CALIBRATED DIALS FIXED THERETO SO THAT ADJACENT DIALS ARE STAFFERED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER. ADDITIONALLY, AN ATTACHMENT KIT FOR A PRINTING PRESS IS DISCLOSED. THE KIT INCLUDES A PLURALITY OF FOUNTAIN KEYS WITH LARGE CALIBRATED DIALS DISPOSED THEREON WITH DIALS ON ADJACENT FOUNTAIN KEYS STAGGERED. THE HOUSING INCLUDES A PLURALITY OF STAGGERED APERTURES. THE HOUSING AND THE FOUNTAIN KEYS COOPERATE SO THAT CALIBRATED DIALS ON EACH OF THE FOUNTAIN KEYS ARE EXPOSED THROUGH THE STAGGERED APERTURES IN THE HOUSING. ALSO A KIT COMPRISING CALIBRATED GRIDS FOR TRANSFERRING FOUNTAIN KEY SETUPS ON A FIRST PRINTING PRESS TO FOUNTAIN KEYS ON A SECOND PRESS WHEREIN THE SPACINGS BETWEEN THE FOUNTAIN KEYS ON EACH OF THE PRESSES ARE DIFFERENT.

Description

Nov. 30, 1971 J. LESSUN 3,623,430

FOUNTAIN KEYS FOR MULTIPLE POINT CONTROL OF FOUNTAIN BLADE Filed July 9, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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Nov. 30, 1971 J. LESSUN 3,623,430

FOUNTAIN KEYS FOR MULTIPLE P'OINT CONTROL OF FOUNTAIN BLADE Filed July 9, 1970 5 Sheets-Sheet S //VVEN7'OR JOSEPH LESSU/V ATTORNE V5 Nov. 36, 1971 J. LESSUN 3,623,430

FOUNTAIN KEYS FOR MULTIPLE POINT CONTROL OF FOUNTAIN BLADE Filed July 9, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /23456789 o 2 ?456789/oII/z/3 F/sa P/aa F/G'. I4

lNl/ENTOR JOSEPH LESSU/V United States Patent Int. Cl. 1341f 31/06 US. Cl. 101-365 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A printing press having a plurality of fountain keys with large calibrated dials fixed thereto so that adjacent dials are staggered with respect to each other. Additionally, an attachment kit for a printing press is disclosed. The kit includes a plurality of fountain keys with large calibrated dials disposed thereon with dials on adjacent fountain keys staggered. The housing includes a plurality of staggered apertures. The housing and the fountain keys cooperate so that calibrated dials on each of the fountain keys are exposed through the staggered apertures in the housing. Also a kit comprising calibrated grids for transferring fountain key setups on a first printing press to fountain keys on a second press wherein the spacings between the fountain keys on each of the presses are different.

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of copending patent application Ser. No. 729,052, filed May 14, 1968, now abandoned.

This invention relates to printing presses and more particularly to means for accurately controlling the amount of ink discharged from a printing press ink fountain to the printing press rolls.

In conventional printing presses fountain keys are utilized to regulate the amount of ink which is discharged from the ink fountain onto the fountain roller. This is achieved because a plurality of fountain keys are disposed along that edge of the fountain blade which lies adjacent the surface of the fountain roller. Normally, the fountain blade is biased radially outwardly from the surface of the roller and the fountain keys are used to overcome that bias to reduce the ink passageway formed between the edge of the fountain blade and the surface of the fountain roller. As the size of the ink passageway increases a greater quantity of ink will be transferred to the ink roller and will appear on the final printed item as a relatively darker color. Conversely, when the ink passageway is reduced to its smallest size virtually no ink is transmitted.

As is Well known in the printing art, the set up of a press in oder to run a printing job may take a number of hours. This is because each of the many fountain keys in a particular printing press will have to be separately calibrated by the pressman before he can determine its correct setting for the job. By this it is meant that at high and low settings of each of the fountain keys the fountain blade remains parallel to the fountain roller. Historically, calibration has been done on a trial and error basis, wherein each key is separately turned and adjusted until the final output is satisfactory to the pressman. The operation is repeated for every key disposed along the fountain blade.

This technique of calibration includes Working and reworking every fountain key along the fountain blade because there are internal stresses in the fountain blade which must be worked out by the pressman before the fountain blade can be set to run proper ink flow. These stresses comprise torques and strains in the fountain blade resulting from the ink being forced through the passageway between the fountain blade and the fountain roller. This is done by working the keys to flex and unfiex the fountain blade so that the blade is finally relieved of all stresses and a uniform thickness of ink is transmitted to the fountain roller. As indicated, a great deal of time may be expended in properly setting the fountain keys for a particular run. Since total movement of any key will only be about 0.0035 inch only a very slight movement of the keys is necessary in order to obtain the desired flow of ink.

However, when a job is interrupted, it is necessary to take down the fountain keys set up which has been so carefully and laboriously achieved in order to set up for a new run. Again it is necessary to set all the keys by trial and error. As indicated above, this may take a number of hours. Finally, after the intermediate job is completed, the first run must be continued. Again, a great deal of time is expended in resetting the fountain keys in order to produce a run identical to the first run. This is done on a trial and error basis wherein only the subjective eye of the pressman is the judge.

Additionally, it is desirable to be able to set up a printing job on a second press, wherein the fountain keys on the second press are spaced a different distance apart than those fountain keys upon the press which is already set up. There is no way for the pressman to releate the fountain key arrangement on the first press to the fountain key arrangement on the second press. One reason for this is that the keys are spaced at different distances along the fountain plate. A second reason is that there is no guide as to how mush each of the second fountain keys must be r0- tated in order to get ink transfer that corresponds to the first fountain keys. Thus, the pressman must set the fountain keys on the second printing press without being able to take advantage of any of the knowledge acquired by the settings of the fountain keys on the first printing press. It

is essentially a brand new job as to that second printing press.

Thus, it would be advantageous to have a means for facilitating the setting of the fountain blades to relieve to internal stresses therein prior to running a job. Additionally, it would be advantageous to have a means which would permit a job to be reset after it has once been set up and then removed so that the subjective eye of the pressman can be eliminated. Further, it would be advantageous to provide a means for permitting the setting of the fountain keys of a first printing press to be trans ferred to a second printing press having a different spacing of fountain keys so that a job which is run on the second printing press will be identical to that which is run on the first printing press.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art with respect to fountain keys for printing presses.

It is another object of this invention to provide fountain keys with calibrated dials for a printing press.

It is another object of this invention to provide fountain keys with calibrated dials for a printing press where the dials have an approximate visual check means.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide fountain keys with large, finely calibrated dials in staggered relationship in adjacent keys.

It is a further object of this invention to provide pointer means to cooperate with calibrated dials on printing press fountain keys in order to permit accurate repositioning of the fountain keys.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide fountain keys for a printing press which have calibrated dials secured thereto wherein charts may be established for particular runs so that the fountain keys may be immediately turned to the proper position.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a kit which can be connected to a conventional printing press so that it can have all of the advantages of the calibrated dials set forth herein.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a kit for a printing press that includes a plurality of calibrated dials in staggered relationship within a cover having a plurality of staggered apertures.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a kit for attachment to a printing press that comprises a plurality of fountain keys in a housing which is to be mounted to a printing press and a calibrating means for correlating the positions between the various fountain keys and the points on a printed sheet.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a kit that includes means that enable predetermined fountain key settings on a first printing press to be transferred to the fountain keys of a second printing press so that the second printing press can run the same job as the first printing press.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear herein.

Generally, the present invention is related to fountain keys having finely calibrated dials secured thereto. Charts may be provided so that it is merely necessary to turn each fountain key to a predetermined setting to provide a desired ink flow to the fountain roller and thereafter to the ink ductor. Charts may be prepared so that the keys may be set in their proper position if any repeat runs of the same job occur. The provisions of the calibrated dials greatly minimize downtime of the presses and will permit unskilled workers to set the fountain keys for repeat runs.

A color code may be provided on the calibrated dials to permit visual checks in order to determine whether the fountain keys are set at approximately the proper positions. The dials are finely calibrated and have large diameters so that accurate adjustment of the fountain keys may be obtained. The dials may be staggered along adjacent fountain keys so that their large diameters may be accommodated.

Furthermore, the invention includes a kit which is to be attached to a printing press that comprises an elongated housing and a plurality of fountain keys cooperable therewith to accurately position a fountain blade with respect to a fountain roller. Additionally, a calibrated bar may be provided with indicia thereon which correspond to the distances between various fountain keys on the printing press.

Additionally, the invention includes a kit for transferring a predetermined fountain key setting from a first printing press to the fountain keys of a second printing press so that the second printing press can run the same job as the first printing press.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an ink fountain of a printing press having fountain keys constructed in accordance with a preferred form of the invention shown there- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fountain key constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of an ink fountain of a printing press having a fountain key kit attacher thereto;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a calibrated bar for use with the fountain keys;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a front view of a fountain roller, fountain blade and fountain keys;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, however, showing a different size fountain roller, a different size fountain plate and a different spacing between the fountain keys;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8, however, showing a still different size fountain roller, and fountain plate with a still different spacing between the fountain keys;

FIGS. l1, l2 and 13 show grids that correspond to each of the fountain rollers and fountain keys illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10; and

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an overlay for use in connection with the grids shown in FIGS. 11, i2 and 13.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows an ink fountain of the type which may form a portion of a conventional printing press.

The ink fountain may include a fountain roller 12 which normally rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A. The fountain roller 12 may be supported by a shaft 14 which is suitably journaled in the side plates which form a part of the frame of the printing press. The fountain roller 12 cooperates with an ink ductor 16 which is reciprocated into and out of contact with fountain roller 12 in a conventional manner. The ductor 16 is supported on a shaft 18 which may be journaled in a suitable rocker arm assembly adjacent the side frames of the press. The construction of the printing press itself is conventional and thus will not be shown in detail.

The ink fountain 10 has a predetermined quantity of ink 20 supplied thereto. As is conventional, a fountain blade 22 is provided for cooperating with the fountain roller 12. The flow of ink 20 onto the fountain roller 12 is determined by the position of the fountain blade 22 which is usually composed of spring steel and is biased radially outwardly from fountain roller 12. Fastening members such as screws 24 may secure the fountain blade 22 to plate 26. The plate may be supported by the frame of the printing press.

A plurality of fountain keys 28 which are disposed along the fountain blade cooperate with the fountain blade in order to control the amount of ink transferred to the fountain roller 12. Each of the fountain keys 28 may have flat heads 30 for facilitating their rotation and have threaded shafts 38 which cooperate with threaded openings in plate 26. The fountain keys 28 may be advanced into the plate 26 to urge the fountain blade to bear against the fountain roller to thereby prevent ink from being transmitted to ductor 16. Conversely, as the fountain keys are retracted, the fountain blade moves away from the roller 12 to permit a quantity of ink 20 to be picked up by the fountain roller 12 and transfer to ductor 16 and then to the various press rollers.

Each of the fountain keys is substantially identical, and accordingly, the fountain key illustrated in FIG. 3 will be discussed in detail; that discussion being suflicient to describe all of the other keys. Key 28 has a dial 32 thereon. The dial 32 may be provided with a plurality of fine calibrations 34 so that the degree of rotation of each of the keys, and thus their amount of advancement into the plate, for each run of the machine may be accurately noted. Preferably the peripheral surface of the dial should be divided into about 100 increments. Dials 32 are normally in their zero position when the fountain blade 22 contacts the fountain roller 12.

The outer face 35 of each dial 32 may be provided with a plurality of distinct markings 36 to provide a rough visual check as to the approximate rotative disposition of each of the fountain keys 28. Accordingly, the outer face 35 of the dial 32 may be provided with different colors between the various markings 36 to further facilitate the visual approximate indication of the rotative disposition of each key 28.

An indicator 40 is provided for cooperation with each of the dials 32. Each indicator 40 may be suitably secured to plate 36. The indicators are varying lengths in correspondence with the distance of their respective dials from plate 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the dials 32 are provided in a staggered relationship so that large, finely calibrated dials may be utilized without interference between adjacent dials. Thus, it is apparent that if the dials were not staggered their diameters would have to be substantially reduced. This would reduce the accuracy of the settings available by virtue of the calibrations 34 thereon. In FIG. 2, various keys are shown retracted various distances in order to permit the desired quantity of ink to flow to the ink ductor. The displacement of the fountain keys and fountain blade in FIG. 2 is enlarged for purposes of clarity, although as noted above, the total movement of blade 22 may be approximately only 0.0035 of an inch.

As indicated above the displacement of the fountain blade along the fountain roller may be non-parallel for a number of reasons. The most prevalent reason is that lighter and darker shades of ink are required. Additionally, the blade may be uneven itself. Thus, it is necessary to move the worn portions of blade closer to the fountain roller than the unworn portions so that a unifor flow of ink will be transferred to the fountain roller. Also, as will be more fully explained herein there may be a failure of the press rollers to properly transfer the ink to the object to be printed because of uneveness between adjacent rollers (FIG. 6) and thus, it is necessary to increase the amount of ink flowing at a corresponding portion of the fountain roller in order to compensate for the unevenness.

Each of the dials 32 may be locked to its respective fountain key 28 by a set screw or an Allen nut 42. This permits the dials to be adjusted to indicate Zero after the fountain keys have moved the blade to its closed position. Each of dials 32 has a central opening 43 therein so that the. dial may be mounted on the fountain key 28 and if desired, the openings 43 may be provided with internal threads to cooperate with threads on the fountain keys 28, to facilitate positioning of the dials 32 thereon.

As an alternative to the construction set forth above, the calibrated dials could be embedded in or fixedly secured to the ink fountain and the fountain keys provided with pointers secured thereto. Each of the pointers on each of the fountain keys would cooperate with its associated calibrated dial in the same manner as herein set forth wherein each dial is secured to its fountain key and the pointer is secured to plate 26.

A further alternate embodiment of the subject invention is disclosed in FIGS. 4-7 wherein the printing press described herein is characteried by a kit which is employed in modifying existing printing presses. In FIG. 4 the kit is shown attached to a conventional printing ress.

p The arrangement of the ink fountain, fountain roller and fountain blade are generally the same as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this regard an ink fountain 50 is shown in association with a fountain roller 52 which is rotatably supported on shaft 54. The ink fountain 50 includes an ink fountain blade 56 which is connected to a plate 60. The fountain blade 56 may be connected to plate 60 by suitable fastening means.

The fountain roller 52 is shown in contact with ductor 62 which is moveable into and out of engagement therewith along the arc defined by arrows 64 and 65. The duetor 62 can move into engagement with press roller 68 which is in turn in contact with a second press roller 70. Each of the press rollers and the ductor is mounted for rotation about its own axis. The ductor is attached to suitable ductor arms for movement between press rollers 68 and the fountain roller 52 as is well known.

A portion of the printing press frame 72 is shown to have a ledge 74 extending parallel to the fountain roller 52. The ledge 74 is provided with a plurality of threaded 6 openings 76. The openings are disposed in linear, closely spaced array along the entire length of the ledge.

A plurality of fountain keys are usually arranged so that each one is threadingly received into one of the threaded openings 76. However, these fountain keys are generally not calibrated in any manner and are often difficult to handle in that the handles thereon are staggered and otherwise inconveniently situated.

In this aspect of the invention a kit is provided which avoids all of the inconveniences of the fountain keys known heretofore in the prior art, and which incorporates all of the advantages of the fountain keys in the printing press described above. The kit includes a housing which is an elongated hollow member which may be generally trapezoidal in shape. The housing includes a top wall 82, a bottom wall 84, a front wall 86 and a rear wall 88. The housing may be connected to the printing press by screws or rivets 90, which are disposed at either end thereof.

Front wall 88 bears against the ledge 74 in order to assure that the housing is properly positioned thereon. As will be made apparent herein, bottom wall 80 is optional and need not be provided.

The top wall 82 as shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a plurality of regularly spaced alternately staggered apertures, arranged so that a first group of apertures 92 are relatively close to front wall 86 and the second group of apertures 94 are intermediate the first group and rear wall 88. Each aperture is provided with an indexing mark 96 which is used for reading the calibrations on the dials. Additionally, each aperture and fountain key may be identified by a number or letter 97.

A plurality of fountain keys 98 similar to those which have been described above are provided. In this regard each of the fountain keys includes an elongated threaded shaft having an enlarged generally cylindrical calibrated dail 102 fixed to it. The dials are held in position on each of the threaded shafts by virtue of a suitable set screw or Allen nut as described above. The dials on adjacent threaded shafts are staggered so that adjacent dials are displaced axially with respect to each other. By virtue of this arrangement each of the dials 102 corresponds to one of the aforementioned apertures 92 and 94 in the top plate of housing 80 and its periphery is visible therethrough. Preferably the periphery of the dials extend through the apertures to permit the calibrations thereon to be read against the indexing marks 96. Additionally, because the dials are staggered, adjacent dials may be substantially larger than those dials known heretofore. As is apparent from the illustration, each dial can have a radius which is equivalent to substantially the distance between adjacent threaded shafts. By virtue of this arrangement much greater accuracy in the calibration markings on the dials than has ever been achieved before can be accomplished. Also magnifying lenses can be placed over each of the apertures 94 to further enhance the accuracy of dial settings.

It is to be noted that each of the threaded shafts is substantially longer than the transverse distance of the housing 80. Accordingly, suitable apertures are provided in front wall 86 and rear wall 88 so that the shaft can be accommodated therethrough. Further, if bottom wall is ommitted the apertures in the front and rear walls may be replaced by notches or recesses. Also, it can be seen that the end of each of the threaded shafts is provided with a knurled handle 104 to permit the respective fountain keys to be turned.

By using the fountain keys described herein, calibration of a fountain blade to a particular fountain roller and press roller with which it is associated becomes a relatively straight forward matter. In order to calibrate the fountain blade and fountain roller the pressman rotates one of the fountain keys until it presses the fountain blade against the fountain roller while ink is in the fountain. In this position theoretically no ink should flow.

Then, by use of the calibrated dials in the subject invention which have approximately 90400 increments on their periphery, the dial is backed off about increments so that a visible trace of ink is transferred to the ductor 62. The remaining fountain keys are then adjusted so that the thickness of ink which they permit the fountain blade to transfer is the same thickness as that which is transferred by the first key. Normally this is a visual procedure by the pressman. After a uniform thickness of ink is transferred, all of the remaining dials are set to that marking which was set on the first dial. Then, all of the keys are backed out a distance from the fountain blade, a distance equivalent to a rotation of about another increments. This permits some of the aforementioned stresses in the fountain blade to be relieved.

In order to determine the extent of remaining stresses the fountain keys are then advanced so that each of the calibrated dials is at the same reading. If an uneven quantity of ink is transmitted to the ductor, then those fountain keys adjacent the non-conforming ink patterns are either advanced or withdrawn in order to properly position the fountain blade. As indicated above, in addition to uneven ink resulting from stress in the blade, it may also result from uneveness in the blade or in the fountain roller. This also is compensated for by this adjustment. All of the fountain keys are then backed off and tightened a number of times until all of the stresses are worked out of the blade and it distributes an ink thickness which is uniform across the ductor when all of the fountain keys are set at either the same high or the same low dial setting.

As is apparent, the facility with which the fountain keys can be returned to their previous positions and to which adjacent fountain keys can be adjusted with respect to each other is implemented and made possible to a large extent by virtue of the calibrated dials. Furthermore, because of the large diameters of these dials and the relative number of markings that can be put on the periphery thereof, precise accuracy in the positioning of the fountain keys can be achieved. It is to be noted for example, that on fountain keys of the type employed in this device there are generally about 28 threads per inch. Thus, one full rotation of the dial will advance the fountain blade about 3.68 10 inches. Furthermore, because of the calibrations on the the dials, the amount of advancement of each of the fountain keys can be controlled to approximately of that or 3.6X10 inches.

After all of the stresses are worked out of the fountain blade, it may be set to deliver the desired quantity of ink at each of the various stations along its length. Since the fountain dials have been calibrated previously, now each of the dials will be set at a different value corresponding to the amount of ink desired. The pressman merely makes a notation of these values as they correspond to each of the fountain keys, so that if the fountain keys have to be reset, once the fountain blade is calibrated with all stresses removed it is merely necessary to return each of the fountain keys to its predetermined dial position to set up the press run as before.

Additionally, as often occurs, a discrepancy in ink transfer is located at a substantial distance from the fountain roller and fountain keys. This may be because there is unevenness in the rollers such as illustrated by the gap 106 between rollers 68 and 70 (FIG. 6). Normally, the task of locating those fountain keys which control the amount of ink being transferred to that portion of the roller is located by trial and error. However, the subject kit is provided with a device which is calibrated to the positions of the various fountain keys on the printing press in order to greatly facilitate the solution of this problem.

Calibrated bar 108 (FIG. 7) may be a hollow elongated member that is at least as long as the distance between the fountain keys at each end of the fountain roller. If desired, the calibrated bar may be solid or of any convenient configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. '7, a preferred form of the calibrated bar may have a beveled front wall with a pinrality of spaced indicia 112 thereon. Each of the indicia 112. may be identified by a number or letter 113 which is the same as the corresponding number or letter 97 on the housing 80. The distance between adjacent indicia 112 on the calibrated bar 108 is the same as the distance between adjacent fountain keys 98.

The calibrated bar is used in connection with the fountain keys to facilitate the adjustment of the fountain blade. In this regard, the pressman merely has to run a sample sheet. The calibrated bar is arranged transversely of the sheet. Those portions of the sheet which demonstrate uneven or undesirable printing characteristics are identified with the particular fountain key associated therewith by virtue of the correspondence of the indicia on the calibrated bar and the various fountain keys. Then the pressman merely has to adjust the particular fountain key that corresponds to that indicia mark in order to correct the ink flow.

Thus, the calibrated bar makes it relatively simple for a pressman to determine which of the fountain keys must be adjusted in order to correct the ink flow.

Additionally, it should be noted that the calibrated bar described and illustrated in FIG. 7 can also be used in conjunction with the fountain keys and printing press illustrated in FIGS. 1 3.

By utilizing the calibrated dials of the type disclosed herein it is possible, with a suitable kit described herein; to enable the fountain key positions which have been set up on a first printing press to be transferred to a second printing press wherein the spacing between the various fountain keys on both printing presses is different. A critical element in achieving this result is that the rotational position of each of the fountain keys for a particular job can be precisely determined by the fountain dials. The kit for achieving this transfer is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 8-44.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show fountain rollers 120, and 140, fountain blades :122, 132 and 142 and fountain keys 123, 133 and 143. Each of the fountain key sets includes calibrated dials 126, 136 and 146 of the type disclosed herein and end fountain keys 124, 134 and 144. The arrangement of fountain roller 120, fountain blade 122 and fountain keys 123 is designated as A in FIG. 8. The arrangement of fountain roller 130, fountain blade 132 and fountain keys 133 in FIG. 9 is designated by B. The arrangement of fountain roller 140, fountain blade 142 and fountain keys 143 in FIG. 10 is designated as C.

it should be observed with regard to arrangements A and B that each of the fountain rollers is of the same length and each of the fountain blades is engaged by a different number of fountain keys. Furthermore, it should be noted that with regard to arrangements A and C the fountain rollers are of different lengths and there are different spacings between the fountain keys. For example, as illustrated, arrangement A shows a setup of ten fountain keys, arrangement B shows a set up of thirteen fountain keys, while arrangement C shows a set up of sixteen fountain keys.

The transfer kit which is described hereinafter enables a fountain key setup on the apparatus comprising arrangement A to be simply and easily transferred to the fountain keys in arrangements B or C.

The kit comprises a plurality of members that define grids 148, 158 and 168. The members may be comprised of any suitable and convenient material, Additionally, a substantially transparent member 180 is provided.

Grid 148 which corresponds to arrangement A includes suitable means which may define an ordinate 150 and an abscissa 152 (FIG. 11). Suitable means 154 are provided for dividing abscissa 152 into a plurality of spaced intervals. Each of these intervals correspond to the spaces between adjacent keys 123 on arrangement A. Additionally, a suitable marking device 156 is provided in order to locate that point which would correspond to the midpoint between the end fountain keys 124.

Grid 158 corresponds to the fountain key positions on arrangement B. In this regard FIG. 12 shows means defining an ordinate 160 and an abscissa 162. In a manner similar to that described above abscissa 4162 is divided by suitable means 164 into a plurality of intervals so that each of the intervals corresponds to the distance between adjacent fountain keys 133 in arrangement B. Additionally, a suitable marking device 166 is provided in order to locate that point which would correspond to the midpoint between the end fountain keys 134.

Thus, it should be noted that the intervals on abscissa 152 are related to the intervals on abscissa 162 by the same factor or proportion that relates the spacing between adjacent keys 123 to adjacent keys 133. If the distances between the end fountain keys in arrangements A and B are the same then the length of abscissas 152 and 162 should be the same.

Grid 168 (FIG. 13) includes means defining an ordinate 170 and an abscissa 172. Additionally, suitable means 174 are provided for dividing the ordinate 172 into a number of intervals that correspond to the spacing between adjacent keys 143 in arrangement C. Finally, a suitable marking member 176 is provided to locate that point which corresponds to the midpoint between the end fountain keys '146 in arrangement C.

Since the distance between the end fountain keys 146 in arrangement C is greater than the distance between the end fountain keys 126 in arrangement A, abscissa 172 will be longer than abscissa 156 by a factor or proportion that is the same as the ratio of the distances between the end fountain keys in each arrangement. For example, if the distance bet-ween end fountain keys 146 is three times the distance between end fountain keys 126, then abscissa 172 would be three times as long as abscissa 152, Similarly if the distance between end fountain keys 146 is less than the distance between end fountain keys 126, i.e. fountain roller 140 is shorter than fountain roller 120, then abscissa 172 would be 10% shorted than abscissa 152.

The substantially transparent member 180 is provided with means thereon defining an abscissa 182, and a second means 184 thereon for defining the midportion of that abscissa.

The technique for utilizing this transfer kit can be described initially by referring to arrangements A and B. Arrangement A has its fountain keys set to run a particular job in accordance with the techniques described above. After the fountain blade 122 has been calibrated each of the fountain keys 124 are advanced or withdrawn in order to provide the desired ink transfer onto the fountain roller and ductor.

As indicated earlier, now each of the dials 126 on each of the fountain keys 123 will be at a different setting. The settings correspond to the distance of the fountain blade 122 from the fountain roller 120 so that a higher setting will correspond to a greater amount of ink transfer and a lower number will correspond to a reduced amount of ink transfer. Each of these dial readings are transferred to grid 148. As is apparent each of the dividing means 154 corresponds to a fountain key position for one of the fountain keys 124. The distance measured upwardly along each of the dividing means 154 corresponds to the amount of rotation of each dial. A suitable scale may be provided along ordinate 150 to simplify this procedure.

It should be noted however, that on all grids that the transfer kit comprises, identical distances measured along ordinates of different grids correspond to identical degrees of rotation of the respective fountain keys.

In order to transfer the dial settings of keys 124 to the corresponding keys 134 on arrangement B, substantially transparent member 180 is placed over grid 148. Center markers 156 and 184 are aligned as are abscissas 152 and 182. Then, a point corresponding to the dial setting of its 10 respective fountain keys is plotted along each of the di viding means 154.

FIG. 11 shows grid 148 after the plot of fountain dial positions against fountain keys has been drawn on member 180. Thus, it can be seen that more ink is transferred at fountain key position 3 than at fountain key position 2. Similarly, from fountain key positions 5 through 9 the amount of ink being transferred is gradually reduced.

The substantially transparent member can now be removed from grid 148 illustrated in FIG. 11. The substantially transparent member 180, after the plot of fountain key positions has been drawn thereon, is illustrated in FIG. 14 wherein a curve 186 is shown overlying abscissa 182. The curve when positioned on grid 148 is indicated at 186A.

With this basic information, curve 186 on substantially transparent sheet 180, it is possible now to set the fountain dials for either arrangement B or arrangement C in order to run the identical job on those printing presses. Taking first arrangement B, member 180 is placed over grid 158 so that abscissa 182 is aligned with abscissa 162 and center marker 166 is aligned with center marker 184. Curve 1256 on member 180 takes the position illustrated at 1861) in FIG. 12. As indicated above each of the dividing means 164 on grid 158 corresponds to each of the fountain keys 134 in arrangement B. Thus, it is merely necessary to determine where curve 186B crosses each of the dividing means 164 to determine at what setting the fountain key that corresponds to that dividing means should be set at, since identical distances along the ordinates correspond to identical degrees of rotation. Thus, by inspecting the overlay of curve 186B on grid 158 it can be seen that the amount of ink to be transferred increases from fountain keys 2 to 3 and then reduces from foun tain keys 4 to 5. Similarly, the amount of ink to be transferred is steeply reduced from fountain keys 6 through 9 and then gradually reduced from fountain keys 9 to 12.

In like manner curve 186 can be placed over grid 168 so that the center marker 184 and the abscissa 182 on sheet 180 overlie abscissa 172 and center marker 176 on that grid. Curve 186 takes the position illustrated at 186C in FIG. 13. Each of the dividing means 174 in grid 168 corresponds to each of the fountain keys 134 in arrangement C. Thus, it is merely necessary to determine where curve 186C crosses each of the dividing means 174 to determine at what setting the fountain key that corresponds to that dividing means should be set at. The dial settings for each of the fountain keys is read as explained above.

It should be noted that a separate grid would be prepared for every fountain key configuration that is available. Each grid would have proportional spacing between intervals along their abscissas, and, if marked, in advance the intervals along their ordinates will be the same. Thus, once a master curve 186 is drawn, it can be utilized to set up a job on any press having a key configuration for which there is a chart. All that is necessary is that the master curve 186 be placed in aligned overlying relation to the particular grid corresponding to the printing press at hand, and the settings for each of the fountain keys can be read thereoif.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the attachment kit disclosed herein may be used and installed on existent presses. Also, after the dials have been used for a relatively short period of time, it will be possible to more rapidly set the dials for a new run since the pressman will associate various calibrations with desired quantities of ink. Also, by use of the dials in the present invention, a visual check may be made to determine whether each dial is set in approximately the proper color sector, hence, color charts may be provided wherein the proper color for each dial will be indicated on the chart for a particular run so that it is merely necessary to glance at a row of dials to determine whether the proper color is adja- 1 1 cent the indicators. Finally, the transfer kit is completely adaptable to any fountain key arrangement.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many other forms and embodiments thereof will be obvious to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing disclosure. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the foregoing specification, but rather only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for permitting a fountain blade of an ink fountain to be set to a predetermined setting comprising a frame, a fountain roller supported on said frame, a plate supported by said frame, a fountain blade supported by said plate, said blade having an edge in substantially tangent relation to said roller and being biased radially outwardly therefrom to normally define an ink passageway between the surface of said roller and said edge, said plate including a plurality of closely spaced linearly disposed threaded openings in parallel relation to said edge of said blade, a plurality of fountain keys of uniform length, said fountain keys comprising elongated threaded shafts received in said threaded openings, said shafts having one end bearing against said fountain blade so that the advancement of said shafts into said openings reduces the size of said ink passageway and having another end that comprises an operating head, an enlarged dial associated with each of two adjacent threaded shafts, said dials being comprised of substantially cylindrical side walls that are circumferentially calibrated and are fixed to said shafts for rotation therewith, the diameters of said dials being greater than the distance between adjacent shafts, said dials being staggered on said shafts so that they can be accommodated on said shafts in side-by-side relation without adjacent dials interferring, a circumferential portion of said substantially cylindrical side walls of each of said dials having adjacent arcuate portions thereof divided into a plurality of zones, each of said zones being of a different color and like color zones on each of said dials corresponding to the same degree of advancement of the shafts associated with that dial, and a painter associated with each of said dials so that the degree of rotation of the shaft connected thereto may be set to a predetermined setting, said pointers being mounted on said plate and projecting outwardly to cooperate with said calibrations on said substantially cylindrical side walls.

2. In a printing press of the type having a fountain roller and a fountain blade wherein the fountain blade is biased away from the surface of the roller and the printing press frame has a plurality of linearly disposed threaded openings along said fountain blade, the improvement of a kit attachable to said printing press comprising an elongated housing to be mounted to said frame and a plurality of linearly disposed fountain keys cooperable therewith to accurately position said fountain blade with respect to said fountain roller, means for mounting said housing on said frame, said fountain keys including elongated threaded shafts of substantially uniform length to be received in said threaded openings to bear against said fountain blade, a substantially cylindrical calibrated dial fixed to each of said threaded shafts intermediate its ends for rotation therewith, the diameter of each of said dials being greater than the distance between adjacent threaded shafts, said dials on adjacent threaded shafts being staggered along their respective shafts with respect to each other, and said housing includes a top wall in overlying relation to said fountain keys, said top wall having a plurality of apertures disposed longitudinally thereof with alternate apertures being staggered to correspond to said staggered dials, and

a portion of each of said dials is exposed through each of said apertures.

3. A kit as defined in claim 2 including an elongated bar, said bar being at least as long as the distance between the end keys of said fountain keys, said bar having a plurality of indicia thereon, and each of said indicia corresponds to one of said fountain keys.

4. A kit as defined in claim 3- wherein the distance be tween each of said indicia in said bar is the same as the distance between corresponding fountain keys.

5. A kit as defined in claim 4 wherein the radius of each of said dials is substantially the same as the distance between adjacent threaded shafts.

6. A kit as defined in claim 5 wherein the substantially cylindrical surface of each of said dials is in substantially the same plane as said top wall, said cylindrical surface includes first indicia, said top wall having second indicia adjacent each of said apertures so that said first and second indicia can be compared to determine the amount of rotation of each of said keys.

7. A kit as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said keys has a handle at its end remote from said fountain blade, said elongated housing has a front wall with a plurality of recesse therein and said fountain keys extend through said recess so that said dials are within said housing and said handles are exposed,

8. An ink control mechanism for a printing press comprising support means, a fountain roller supported for rotation by said support means, a fountain blade carried by said support means, said blade having an edge that is disposed adjacent the surface of said fountain roller, said blade being biased radially outwardly from said fountain roller to normally define an ink passageway between the surface of said fountain roller and said edge, said support means including a plurality of closely spaced linearly disposed threaded openings disposed adjacent said edge of said fountain blade, an elongated housing supported by said support means adjacent said threaded openings, said housing having a top wall with a plurality of apertures disposed longitudinally thereof with alternate apertures being staggered, a plurality of fountain keys including elongated threaded shafts of substantially uniform length threadingly received in said threaded openings, a substantially cylindrical calibrated dial fixed to each of said threaded shafts intermediate its ends for rotation therewith, said dials in adjacent threaded shafts being staggered along their respective shafts with respect to each other so that a portion of each of said dials is exposed through each of said apertures, and the radius of each of said dials is substantially the same as the distance between adjacent threaded shafts.

9. An ink control mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein said elongated housing has a front wall with a plurality of recesses formed therein, each of said recesses being aligned with one of said apertures so that said fountain keys extend therethrough, and each of said fountain keys has a handle at its end remote from said fountain blade so that said dials are within said housing and said handles are exposed.

10. An ink control mechnism as defined in claim 9 wherein a magnifying lens is positioned over each of said staggered apertures in said housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,112,412 9/1914 Adam 101365 1,272,396 7/1918 Dixon et al. ll6l29 E 2,161,943 6/1939 Baue 10l365 3,185,088 5/1965 Norton 101365 X J. REED FISHER, Primary Examiner

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