US3633246A

US3633246A - Cylinder cover fastening devices

Info

Publication number: US3633246A
Application number: US9609A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan D Kirkpatrick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-02-09
Filing date: 1970-02-09
Publication date: 1972-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-11

Abstract

A fastening device for releasably securing a cover on a cylinder is provided. In one embodiment the device is adapted to fit snugly in a slot milled in a cylinder. In yet another embodiment the fastening device is adapted to be mounted on the periphery of the cylinder, thereby permitting the cover to freewheel around the cylinder circumference.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Alan D. Kirkpatrick 5 Warren Place R. D. #4, Newfoundland, NJ. 07435 Appl. No. 9,609

Filed Feb. 9, 1970 Patented Jan. 11, 1972 CYLINDER COVER FASTENING DEVICES 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 24/19, 101 [415.1

Int. Cl B4li 1/28 Field ofSearch 10l/4l5.l;

83/509; 24/243 K, 243 N, 243 M, 19

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1900 Venen 24/243 M 2/1924 Eng1ish.. 101/415.1 6/1953 Boyajean... l0l/415.l 7/1962 Gurin.... 10l/415.l

Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Att0rney.loseph J. Dvorak ABSTRACT: A fastening device for releasably securing a cover on a cylinder is provided. In one embodiment the device is adapted to fit snugly in a slot milled in a cylinder. In yet another embodiment the fastening device is adapted to be mounted on the periphery of the cylinder, thereby permitting the cover to freewheel around the cylinder circumference.

PATENIEU JAN] 1 1972 31633248 sum 1 or 2 INVENTOR.

ALAN D. KIRKPATRICK ATTORNEY PATENTEU .mu 1 m2 3 L533 ,24

} SHEET 2' OF 2 INVENI'OR. 5 ALAN D. KIRKPATRICK ATTORNEY 1 CYLINDER COVER FASTENING DEVICES BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention relates generally to fastening devices. More specifically, this invention relates to positive-locking, releasable-fastening devices for mounting split-ring annular band members around cylinders. Even more specifically, this invention relates to a novel fastening device which is particularly well adapted for releasably securing a covering or blanket," as that term will hereinafter be described, around impression receiving cylinders such as those employed on rotary diecutting machines, printer-slotter mechanisms, and the like.

2. Description of Prior Art With the growth in complexity of modern industrial machinery, there has been an ever growing demand for new and improved methods for positively fastening together various types of workpieces, including machinery parts and similar articles. Veryl'requently fastening devices are required which can be disengaged simply without damage to workpieces fastened by the device. Also, fastening devices which permit installation of new machinery parts relatively quickly, thus avoiding long shutdown time of expensive machines, are in exceptionally great demand.

The present commercial practice of fastening composition covers on impression-receiving cylinders such as those found on rotary diecutting'and printer-slotter machinery is illustrative of the acute need for new and improved fastening devices.

Rotary diecutting machines are utilized in the corrugated box industry, for example, to score and/or cut the heavy corrugated paperboard into various shapes, sizes, and patterns so that the board can be formed into end-use configurations, such as, boxes and shipping containers. These machines are equipped with metal cylinders which support the board at the point where the cutting or scoring element makes its impression. In effect, the cylinder acts as an anvil.

In order to protect the cutting element of rotary diecutting machines from excessive wear and possible damage, however, the metal cylinder supporting the corrugated board is fitted with a cover or blanket which has an outer surface or layer of a composite or polymeric material. The outer surface of the blanket is sufficiently rigid to give adequate support to the paperboard, yet soft enough so that the cutting element will not wear or be damaged upon impact with the cylinder. Obviously, no metal parts which might come in contact with the cutting element can remain exposed after the cylinder is fitted with the cover or blanket.

A typical blanket or cylinder cover can be described essentially as a split-ring annular band member and generally comprises a thin, -inch wide and 60-inch long metal backing strip on which is cast a polyurethane polymeric material.

The blanket is featured to the cylinder by first wrapping the blanket around the cylinder so that the ends meet at a slot milled in and running the length of the cylinder. The ends of the blanket are forced into the slot and held in place by a metal bar inserted in the slot over the blanket ends. The bar is then bolted or screwed into the cylinder. Next a precast strip of polyurethane polymeric material is inserted in the cavity over the metal bar. The inserted strip is bonded in place by means of an adhesive, thereby providing a continuous composite cover around the periphery of the cylinder. Often the strip of composite covering which is bonded on the cylinder has to be sanded or worked down so that the cover is completely smooth around the entire cylinder circumference.

In any event, generally about 10 blankets are so mounted around the impression-receiving cylinder of a rotary diecutting machine. All the blankets do not wear equally, however, since most of the cutting operations are centered on the cylinder. Consequently, cutting operations must be stopped frequently to change a worn blanket.

The time the machine is not being used for cutting operations obviously represents an economic loss. Additionally, the labor required in changing a cover is costly. Removal of a LII worn blanket and installation of a new replacement blanket usually requires the efforts of three men.

Sometimes it is desirable to reposition blankets on the cylinder to provide for more uniform wear, and additional costly downtime is encountered.

Also, new trends in printing and slotting paperboard, for example, have created a need for new and improved methods for mounting blankets on cylinders used in printing and slotting paperboard. Today, printer-slotter machines are being adapted to perform other cutting functions such as cutting handle holes in paperboard. Thus, new economical means for releasably mounting covers or blankets on cylinders of printer-slotter machines which have been adapted for cutting functions are in increasing demand.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to this invention there is provided a positive locking, releasable fastening device which is particularly well adapted for use in installing a blanket or covering on a cylinder without leaving a void where the ends of the covering meet. The fastening device of this invention includes a latch element, a fastener housing for receiving said latch element, said latch element being able to move downwardly in said housing, and means for urging and positively locking the latch element in operative engagement with said fastener housing. The positive locking means, upon proper actuation, also will permit disengagement of the latch element and fastener housmg.

The fastener housing is generally U-shaped in cross section, comprising essentially a base and two sidewalls extending upwardly from the base. One sidewall is provided with elements engageable with cooperative members on the latch element. The same sidewall is provided with a projecting member at the top of the sidewall arm and means for connecting one end of the cylinder backing member thereto.

The latch element comprises essentially an arm and a top piece. The arm has members on its outer surface to operatively engage corresponding engageable elements on the inner surface of one arm of the base member. The top piece extends from the arm for a length sufficient to cover the space between the arms of the fastener housing when the latch element is in a locked position. The latch element also is provided with means for connecting the latch element to the terminal part of a cylinder cover.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention, a toggle element is employed to lock the latch element in operative engagement with the fastener housing.

In using my device, a fastener housing is attached at he end of the projecting member of said housing to one end of the split annular band constituting a backing member of a cylinder cover, for example. The latch element is also attached to the backing member of the cylinder cover at the opposite end of the cover. The cover is wrapped around the cylinder, and the latch element is inserted in the fastener housing. Finally, the means for operatively engaging the latch element and fastener housing is actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a fastening device according to this invention shown fully engaged but not locked;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the fastening device shown in FIG. ll fully engaged and locked;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of parts that make up the preferred embodiment of means C illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation partly in perspective of the fastening device of FIG. I with a cylinder cover in which the fastening device is fully disengaged;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a variation of a fastening device according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION l2 depend upon the dimensions of the workpieces that the device must serve to fasten. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the dimensions of the fastener elements are adapted so that fastening device 12 will fit snugly in the slot milled in the rotary die cutting cylinder. Such slots are about I inch wide and one-half inch deep and run the length of the cylinder. Typically, the length of fastener housing A will be equal to the width of the cylinder cover to be fastened to a rotary diecutting cylinder.

Fastener housing A, latch element B, and means C are fabricated from any appropriate material having the requisite mechanical strength for the specific fastening function. Preferably elements A, B, and C are made of aluminum.

Referring to the drawings, fastener housing A may comprise a bottom part 14, upwardly extending sidewalls l5 and 16, horizontally extending grooves I7, 18, and 19, and projecting member 20, Grooves l7, l8 and 19 are defined by bottom part 14 and

extensions

37, 38, and 39. Projecting member 20 may be provided with groove 21, defined by

extensions

22 and 23 for receiving the workpiece to be fastened. For example, in one embodiment of this invention groove 21 is adapted to receive backing member 53 of the cylinder cover 52 which is held fast in the groove by squeezing

extensions

22 and 23 toward each other and against the workpiece inserted in groove 21. Then an eyelet (not shown) is inserted through

extensions

22, 23, and the backing member, much like a rivet, to permanently retain the backing member as an integral part of fastener housing A.

Bottom part 14 of fastener housing A optionally and preferably has raised portion 24 which functions as a stop for .locking means C, as will be explained in more detail in relation to the functioning ofC.

At the corner of bottom part 14 and sidewall 15, groove 25 is provided to receive one end of means C.

Latch element B comprise arm portion 26 and top portion 27. Top portion 27 is substantially perpendicular to arm portion 26 and is of sufficient length and width so that when B is operatively engaged with A, portion 26 will cover the opening between sidewalls l5 and 16 of housing A.

Optionally, top portion 27 is substantially arcuate in cross section to conform to the approximate curvature of the cylinder.

Arm portion 26 of element B is provided with

tongues

28, 29 and 30 for cooperatively engaging the corresponding grooves of sidewall 16. When said tongues and grooves are in cooperative engagement, vertical movement of element B out of housing A is prevented. Also, arm 26 is provided with cavity 36 for pivotally mounting means C.

Top portion 27 preferably with groove 21b defined by

extensions

22b and 23/; adapted to receive and hold the workpiece to be fastened. For example, the end ofa cylinder cover backing member opposite that which has been attached to fastener housing A can be similarly equipped with latch element B.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, means C, shown in exploded view in FIG. 3, comprises toggle

element having legs

31 and 32, knee 33, and

feet

34 and 35. Knee 33 may comprise any suitable flexible joint, such as, a typical door hinge. Preferably, knee 33 is defined by

rounded end portions

41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 provided, in an alternate fashion for example, at the ends of

legs

31 and 32 adapted to pivot around pin member 40.

Feet

34 and 25 of latch element B and fastener housing A, respectively are arcuate and fit in grooves in sidewall I5 and arm portion 26.

The width of the toggle is such that when

legs

31 and 32 are at a 180 angle, with respect to each other, as shown in FIG. I, latch element B and fastener housing A are in full engagement in a force fit, and B and A consequently remain fully engaged even as knee 33 is forced down further toward base 14. Stop 24, as shown in FIG. 2, prevents toggle

legs

31 and 32 from assuming an angle greater than 187 with respect to each other. There is a slight relief in pressure on the various parts when the toggle mechanism moves through the 180 angle shown by line L drawn byjoining points X Y Z in FIG. I. In passing back from the position shown in FIG. 2 through the FIG. I position, an upward pressure must be exerted on knee 33. However, any lateral pull exerted on latch B will only force leg 32 down against stop 24. Hence, without an external force pushing up against knee 33, fastener 12 remains locked.

In one embodiment of this invention fastener I2 is employed in combination with a split ring annular band member 52 having a fiber or steel backing 53 and a composition or polymeric covering 54. First, latch element B is secured to the steel backing member 53 at one end of the split ring, and housing A is secured to the other end of member 53. Securing A and B to 53 is accomplished by slipping the ends of 53 into the grooves provided in A and B and crimping down with sufficient force to hold 53 firmly in said grooves. An eyelet, rivet, bolt, and even adhesive may be employed to even more securely join A and B to the terminal portions of 53.

Next the polymeric cover 54 is cast on 53 and

portion

20 and 27. Any polymeric material may be used, such as, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and the like. The proper choice of cover material is within the skill of the art and depends in part upon the type of function the cylinder is going to be put to use. After the polymer is cured, the blanket is ready to assemble on a cylinder.

To install the blanket and fastening device, housing A is placed in the slot milled in the cylinder. The blanket is wrapped around the cylinder, and latch element B is inserted in housing A. Then B is moved laterally within A by actuation of means C, which urges A and B in engagement. When the cover is worn, C is actuated to disengage A and B, and the blanket is withdrawn from around the cylinder. When C is a toggle element, C can be hand actuated, or a screwdriver or similar tool can be inserted through the open end to apply the requisite pressure on knee 33.

In using the device of this invention, the whole operation of changing the cylinder covering can be accomplished rapidly by a single person. Moreover, my device is sufficiently inexpensive that no effort need by expended in attempting to retain parts after use, but rather the blanket and fastening device can be simply discarded.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a variation of my fastening device which is adapted to fit on the periphery of a cylinder rather than being keyed to the cylinder. In this way some freewheeling of the cover around the cylinder is possible, depending of course on the tightness of the fit of the band member and fastener device.

Referring to FIG. 5, fastening device includes means C which comprises a substantially flat piece 77, preferably made of metal, which merely acts like a lever in bringing latch element B vertically downward into fastener housing A and in operative engagement therewith.

Sidewall 16 of housing A is adapted with spring actuated means for operatively engaging arm 26 as will be more fully described. Sidewall 16 is also provided with cavity 75, defined by

extensions

74 and 76, for receiving cylinder backing member 53, for example.

Arm 26 is provided with

extensions

72 and 73 to define a cavity for receiving part 79 which in operative engagement is urged laterally by spring 78.

In the variant of H0. 5, bottom part 14 and top piece 27 of the fastening device are substantially of arcuate cross section to conform to the approximate curvature of the cylinder. Also, that device is substantially thinner than the device shown in FIG. 1, for example.

Any means of course can be used to compress the spring to move part 79 laterally to disengage the latch element and fastener housing. Suitably a long screwdriver or similar tool is simply inserted at the opening at the end of the fastener to carry out that function. A special key be provided also.

Having described by invention in detail, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is:

l. A fastening device for releasably securing a split ring annular member around a cylinder body comprising a fastener housing including a bottom part and two sidewalls, said housing being generally of U-shaped cross section and adapted to fit snugly within a slot provided in a cylinder;

means for attaching said fastener housing to one end of the split ring annular member;

a latch element, said latch element having members to prevent vertical movement of said latch element when in operative engagement;

means for attaching said latch element to the other end of the split ring annular member;

and means for urging said latch element in operative engagement with said fastener housing, one sidewall of said fastener housing having elements engageable with cooperative members on said latch element.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for urging said latch element in operative engagement with said fastener housing is a toggle element.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said latch element members to prevent vertical movement are longitudinal tongues and said sidewall elements for cooperative engagement are longitudinal grooves.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the bottom part of said fastener housing is provided with a stop and wherein the means for urging the latch element in operative engagement with said fastener housing is a toggle element pivotally mounted in said latch element.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said latch element has a top piece of substantially arcuate cross section to conform to the approximate curvature of the cylinder and said latch element has an arm with cavity defining extensions; and wherein one sidewall of said fastener housing is provided with a laterally movable part for operative engagement with said latch arm cavity, and means for urging said part laterally into said arm cavity when said latch element is positioned in said fastener housing, and means for urging said latch element downward into operative engagement with said fastener housmg.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the means for urging said laterally movable part into said arm cavity is a spring and said means for urging said latch element downwardly is a lever.

Claims

1. A fastening device for releasably securing a split ring annular member around a cylinder body comprising a fastener housing including a bottom part and two sidewalls, said housing being generally of U-shaped cross section and adapted to fit snugly within a slot provided in a cylinder; means for attaching said fastener housing to one end of the split ring annular member; a latch element, said latch element having members to prevent vertical movement of said latch element when in operative engagement; means for attaching said latch element to the other end of the split ring annular member; and means for urging said latch element in operative engagement with said fastener housing, one sidewall of said fastener housing having elements engageable with cooperative members on said latch element.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said latch element has a top piece of substantially arcuate cross section to conform to the approximate curvature of the cylinder and said latch element has an arm with cavity defining extensions; and wherein one sidewall of said fastener housing is provided with a laterally movable part for operative engagement with said latch arm cavity, and means for urging said part laterally into said arm cavity when said latch element is positioned in said fastener housing, and means for urging said latch element downward into operative engagement with said fastener housing.