US3738261A

US3738261A - Paint wheel setting arrangement in duplicating print drums with punch control means

Info

Publication number: US3738261A
Application number: US00137404A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Ritzerfeld
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-04-27
Filing date: 1971-04-26
Publication date: 1973-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-12
Also published as: AT327962B; ATA166571A; GB1314153A; BE766356A; CA919003A; NL7103345A; ES195180U; ES195180Y; CH528981A; DE2021992A1; SE383293B; DE2021992C3; FR2089905A5; DE2021992B2

Abstract

The printing drum of a duplicating machine has a cavity in which an ordinal set of stamping wheels is mounted for making additional imprints on a copy sheet. A casing, which supports a set of manual setting levers, has an operative position in which the setting levers are connected with the stamping wheels, respectively, by meshing gears in the cavity so that the small stamping wheels can be set by the conveniently large setting levers. The casing with the setting levers can be retracted from the printing drum so that the gears are separated, and printing operations can be carried out by the printing drum without obstruction by the casing and setting levers.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Ritzerfeld June 12, 1973 i 1 PAINT WHEEL SETTING ARRANGEMENT IN DUPLICATING PRINT DRUMS WITH PUNCH CONTROL MEANS [76] Inventor: Gerhard Ritzerfeld, Schorlemer Allee 14, 1000 Berlin 33 (Dahlem), Germany [22] Filed: Apr. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 137,404

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 27, 1970 Germany P 20 21 992.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1955 Hansonetal ..l0l/1l0 9/1956 Knauer 101/110 Primary ExaminerWilliam B. Penn Attorney-Michael S. Stiker [57] ABSTRACT The printing drum of a duplicating machine has a cavity in which an ordinal set of stamping wheels is mounted for making additional imprints on a copy sheet. A casing, which supports a set of manual setting levers, has an operative position in which the setting levers are connected with the stamping wheels, respectively, by meshing gears in the cavity so that the small stamping wheels can be set by the conveniently large setting levers. The casing with the setting levers can be retracted from the printing drum so that the gears are separated, and printing operations can be carried out by the printing drum without obstruction by the casing and setting levers.

20 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJW 2 i375 summers m nta/.- 6 um) W119 45 4117 4 mmm Jum 2192s SHEET3HF9 PATENTED m1 2 ma HfEMQF Wmfar: 6600M!) RI 'I 3,.

PAINT WHEEL SETTING ARRANGEMENT IN DUPLICATING PRINT DRUMS WITI-I PUNCH CONTROL MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to mount in a cavity of printing drum of a rotary duplicator, an ordinal set of stamping wheels which make imprints on a copy sheet together with the imprints of the master sheet which is mounted on the printing roller. A line of alphanumerical characters, or only of digits, can thus be imprinted on a card on which other information is printed by duplicating operations.

The stamping wheels are comparatively small, and are manually set by an implement which is inserted into recesses which are provided adjacent the digital types of the stamping wheels. This setting operation is very time consuming, and the recesses are worn off by the frequently inserted implement, and do not properly hold the same so that setting errors occur.

It is also known to provide a setting device which is disposed outside of the printing drum, but which does not permit the mounting and removal of a master sheet on the printing drum. Furthermore, the stamping wheels are not reliably arrested when the setting device is lifted off, so that a correct setting is not assured. Nevertheless, the use of an implement inserted into digital recesses is still required. When the printed cards are to be punched at the same time, it is necessary to set the numbers first on the stamping wheels and then in the punching device, independently of each other, which is a cause of errors, and may result in printing of different information by the stamping wheels, than is punched by the punching device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of known setting devices, and to provide a setting device which is convenient for manual operation, does not interfere with printing operations of the printing drum, and assures the accurate setting of the stamping wheels.

Another object of the invention is to control the storage means of a punching device by electric sensing means which sense the positions of the setting means of the setting device, so that the punched information is identical with the stamped information.

Another object of the invention is to indicate the positions of the stamping wheels by indicia on the larger setting means so that the set information can be easily read by the operator of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to electrically display the numerical indicia to which the stamping .wheels are set.

' rorsystem for reflecting the indicia indicating the stamped information toward the eyes of the operator of the machine.

An embodiment of a stamping wheel setting arrangement according to the invention comprises a printing drum mounted on the frame of a rotary duplicating machine for rotation, and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of the printing drum; a set of stamping wheels'rotatably mounted in the cavity of the printing drum, each stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions; a support in the form of a casing having an inoperative position retracted from the printing drum,

and an operative position located adjacent the peripheral surface of the printing drum and also adjacent the cavity in one position of the printing drum; a set of manual setting means, preferably levers with handle portions, mounted on the support casing for movement with the same between the inoperative and operative positions, and also for setting movement relative to the same; and a set of transmissions for connecting the setting means with the stamping means, respectively, in the operative position.

Each transmission includes a first transmission member such as a first gear secured to the respective stamping wheel for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member, such as a gear segment connected with the respective setting lever.

The stamping wheel can be manually set by the setting levers from outside of the cavity and peripheral surface, while the support casing is in the operative position. In the inoperative position of the support casing, the gear segment portions of the setting levers are spaced from the cavity and the driving connection between the setting levers and the stamping wheels is interrupted so that the printing drum can perform a printing operation.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each transmission includes a gear segment means mounted in the cavity on the printing drum for angular movement, and having a gear segment meshing with the respective setting gear of a stamping wheel, and another gear segment meshing with the gear segment portion of the respective setting lever in the operative position of the supporting cases, and being separated from the same in the inoperative position of the supporting casing.

Preferably, the setting levers are double-armed and are mounted on the supporting casing for angular movement about a common axis. Each of the levers has a longer manually operated arm, and a shorter arm having a gear segment portion. Means are provided on the supporting casing for indicating the angular positions of the longer arms in the operative and inoperative positions of the supporting casing. Preferably, a number segment having numerical indicia is secured to each layer, and the row of indicia indicating the positions of the stamping wheels, can be viewed through a slot in the supporting casing in both positions of the casing.

It is advantageous to provide the setting levers with handle portions, and to arrange the handle portions of alternate levers so that they are spaced at least 45 whereby more space for the operator's finger is available, and no implement has to be used for the setting operation.

The supporting casing is preferably mounted on a stationary shaft for angular movement, and the inoperative and operative positions are preferably spaced an angle greater than 30".

It is advantageous to provide arresting means for the gear segment portions of the setting levers which become immediately effective when the supporting casing is turned out of its operative position, and the meshing gears of the transmissions separate.

In the preferred embodiment, the supporting casing with the setting levers is automatically locked in the retracted inoperative position, and is unlocked by an electromagnetic means only if the printing drum is in an angular position in which its cavity with the stamping wheels therein, is properly located to cooperate with the setting means in the supporting casing when the same is moved to the operative position. A switch connected in series with the electromagnetic means, and operated by a cam on the printing drum obtains this result.

Another safety measure is to prevent operation of the starting lever of the printing machine, as long as the supporting casing with the setting means is in the operative position, and the transmission gears mesh. A switch connected in series with a blocking magnet for the starting lever, and being operated by the supporting casing, obtains this result.

It is advantageous to provide additional arresting means for manually arresting the supporting casing in the operative, as well as in the inoperative position.

In the preferred embodiment a mirror system is used for reflecting numerical indicia representing the selected types of the stamping wheels, toward the eyes of the operator.

In the preferred embodiment a set of contact plates is fixedly mounted on the supporting casing adjacent the setting levers, respectively, and each setting lever supports a brush sliding over the contacts of the correlated contact plate during setting movement. An electric circuit connects the brushes and contacts with a storage device so that information regarding the set types is stored, and can be used for controlling a conventional punch.

The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a stamp wheel setting device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and particularly illustrating a locking device for locking the supporting casing in the inoperative position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the supporting casing with the manual setting levers and an arresting device for arresting the setting levers during movement to and from the inoperative position, and releasing the setting levers for the setting operation only in the operative position of the supporting casing;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the electric circuit of safety devices preventing improper operation of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating circuit plates cooperating with the setting levers for sensing the positions of the same, and of the set stamping wheels;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary schematic view illustrating a punching device whose storage is controlled by the sensing means of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7a is a side view illustrating adetail of the punching device shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an electric circuit for interrogation of the storage of the punching device during successive punching of the card, andalso illustrating the operation of lamps displaying the set numerals;

and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a mirror system for reflecting the indicia representing the set value toward the eyes of an operator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention in which

lateral frame walls

12 and 13 support the shaft 2 of the printing drum 1 of a rotary duplicator. Printing drum 1 has a cavity la in which a shaft means 3, extending parallel to the shaft 2 of the printing drum 1, supports a set of stamping wheels 4 to which gears 5 are secured, respectively. Each stamping wheel 3 has a peripheral set of type portions 4a, one of which is flush with the peripheral surface of printing drum 1, on which a master sheet 1b is mounted. Consequently, during a printing operation, the respective type portions 4a of all stamping wheels 4 are effective to print a line on the copy sheet or card receiving imprints from the master sheet lb.

A set of gear segment means 6 is mounted on shaft 7 in the cavity In, and each gear segment means 6 has a gear segment portion 8 meshing with the respective gear 5, and a staggered gear portion 9 meshing with a gear segment portion 16 of a double-armed setting lever 16a. Alternate setting levers 16a have projecting

finger engaging portions

18 and 19 which are angularly staggered so that more room is available for the finger of an operator pressing either against a finger engaging portion 19 or against a finger engaging portion 18, as best seen in FIG. 4. All setting levers 16, 16a are mounted for independent turning movement on a shaft 17 supported by the lateral wall of a support casing 15 which has a curved top plate 15a.

A support shaft 14 is mounted in the

stationary frame walls

12 and 13, of which only support wall 12 is shown in FIG. 4. Support casing 15 is mounted at one end for angular movement about stationary support shaft 14, and as shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, support casing 15, with shaft 17 and the setting levers 16, 16a, can be turned between the operative position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, and the inoperative position shown in broken lines, an angular distance of at least 30. The

finger engaging portions

18 and 19 of adjacent setting levers 16, 16a are spaced an angle of at least 45.

When support casing with setting

levers

16, 16a is turned to the inoperative position away from the printing drum 1 and the cavity la, the gear segment portion 16 of each setting lever 16a separates from the gear segment portion 9. Gear segment means 6 has an arm 6a with arresting recesses 6b engaged by a spring loaded arresting member 11 which is mounted on the printing drum 1. Consequently, the stamping wheels 4 cannot be accidentally displaced during the separation of the gear segment portion 16 from the gear segment portion 9 or during engagement of the same. A pair of arresting

members

21, 22 is mounted for scissor-like movement on a shaft 20 supported by the side walls of support casing 15, and one pair of end portions of arresting

members

21 and 22 is urged apart by a spring 23, so that the arresting portions 21a and 22a at the other ends of arresting

members

21 and 22 fall into corresponding recesses 24 provided in the fixed support shaft-14, so'that it is not possible to turn support casing a with the setting levers 16a to the inoperative position, unless arresting

members

21 and 22 are manually operated. In the turned inoperative position of support casing 15 with setting levers 160, the arresting portions 21a and 22a engage another pair of arresting recesses 26 due to the action of spring 23, so that support casing 15 is also arrested in the inoperative position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1.

In the operative position of support casing 15, any setting lever 16a can be angularly displaced by the operator engaging either finger engaging portion 18 or finger engaging portion 19 for placing a selected printing portion 4a in the operative position flush with the surface of the printing drum 1. Each setting lever 16a has a segment shaped portion 28 provided with numerical indicia corresponding to the numbers represented by the type portions 4a of each stamping wheel 4. Assuming that the set of stamping wheels 4 has been set by the corresponding setting levers 16a, a row of numerical indications, corresponding to the numerals which will be stamped by the set of stamping wheels 4, is located under a slot 27 of support casing 15 so that the operator can directly read out the position of the stamping wheels 4 by viewing the indicia of the setting portions 28 through slot 27. Since the lever arms with the indicia carrying segments 28 are much longer than the lever arms of the gear segment portions 16, the indicia can be larger and better readable than in constructions in which the indicating number wheels are located in the cavity of the printing drum.

When the setting of the stamping wheels 4 has been completed, the ends of arresting

members

21, 22 are pressed together so that the arresting portions 21a and 22a release the recesses 24 in support shaft 14, and support casing 15 can be turned to the position shown in broken lines. When arresting

members

21, 22 are manually released, spring 23 causes arresting portions 21a, 22a to enter the recesses 26, so that the support casing is locked in the inoperative position shown in broken lines, permitting the attachment of a master sheet lb, and also rotation of the printing drum during a printing operation in which the selected type portions 40 and also the master sheet lb make imprints on a copy sheet.

The above described manual arresting of support casing 15 with setting levers 16a, permits an erroneous operation in which the support casing is lowered to the operative position while the printing drum 1 rotates, and would also permit starting of the printing drum while the support casing 15 with setting levers 16a is in the operative position. In order to prevent such errors, a locking device is provided for locking support casing 15 in the inoperative position, and this locking device 30 to 35, best seen in FIG. 2, includes an electromagnet 32 mounted on a side wall of support casing 15, a locking member 30 pivotally connected with the armature of electromagnet 32 and being biased by the spring of the same to engage a locking arm 33 which is adjustably mounted on a link connecting fixed shaft 14 with another fixed shaft 34, also mounted on frame wall 13.

In the position of support casing 15 shown in broken lines, locking member 30 engages locking arm 35 due to the action of spring 31, and prevents turning of support casing 15 to the operative position shown in solid lines. However, when electromagnet 32 is energized, locking member 30 releases locking arm 33, and support casing 15 can be turned to the operative position.

FIG. 2 further shows a switch 54 operated by a cam Zn on shaft 2 of the printing drum. The respective circuit is shown in the left portion of FIG. 5 in which the electromagnet 32 is shown to be connected in series with the cam operated switch 54, and a switch 52, see also FIG. 4, which is closed when the starting lever 37 of the duplicating machine is in the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. Electromagnet 32 is energized in the position in which the closed cam operated switch 54 indicates that the cavity 1a is correctly positioned and when the closed switch 52 indicates that the printing machine has not been started.

On the right side of FIG. 5, and also in FIG. 2, a blocking electromagnet 36 is shown which blocks movement of starting lever 37 in the position shown in solid lines when energized upon closing of a switch 55, see FIG. 2, which cooperates with the support housing 15 in the broken line position, and is held open by the same so that blocking electromagnet 36 is deenergized, and permits movement of starting lever 37 out of the solid line position in clockwise direction as viewed in no.2.

After electromagnet 32 has unlocked support casing 15 in the broken line position, and the same is moved towards the solid line position, switch 55 closes automatically, so that blocking electromagnet 36 is energized and its armature moves to a position preventing operation of starting lever 37 so that rotation of the drum cannot be accidentally started while the support casing 15 and the setting levers 16a have been moved to the operative position.

While starting lever 37 is blocked by the magnet 36, and printing drum 1 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, support casing 15 with setting levers 16a can be moved to the operative setting position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in solid lines, so that the stamping wheels 4 can be set.

When the setting operation has been completed, support casing 15 is turned upward to the inoperative position shown in broken lines, so that casing switch 55 opens, and blocking magnet 36 is deenergized, permitting operation of the starting lever 37.

When starting lever 37 is moved in clockwise direction beyond the position shown in solid lines, switch 52 is opened so that the electromagnet 32 is de-energized, and locking member 30 is moved by spring 31 to a position engaging locking arm 33 so that support casing 15 is locked in the upper inoperative position. When printing drum 1 starts to rotate, cam 2a releases switch 54, also disconnecting electromagnet 32 from the source of voltage schematically indicated by plus and minus signs in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate another arresting means for arresting the setting levers 16a, so that the indication under slot 27 cannot be disturbed during movement of support casing 15 between the operative and the inoperative positions. An arresting member 44 is mounted on a shaft 43, which is supported in the support casing 15, for angular movement. Arresting member 44 is urged by springs 45, 46 to a position engaging aligned recesses of the gear segment portion 16, so that all setting levers are arrested when arresting member 44 engages the gear segment portion 16.

Actuating arms 50, 51 are secured to support shaft 14, and engage projections 44a in the operative position of support casing 15, so that springs 45, 46 cannot turn arresting member 44 to the arresting position. Fixed stops 47, 48 are engaged by projecting

portions

50a and 51a of arms 50 and 51, so that arms 50, 51 cannot turn in clockwise direction in the position of FIG. 3.

As shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, arresting means 44 is released by the arms 50, 51 when support casing 15 is turned a very small angle toward the position shown in broken lines so that gear segment portions 16 are immediately arrested when support casing 15 is moved out of the operative position shown in FIG. 3, in which gear segment portions 16 cooperate with gear segment means 6, and gears as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the indicia on the segment portions 28 can be read out by an operator on theright side of the duplicating machine, as viewed in FIG. 2, through the slot 27, which is particularly used during a setting operation when the support casing is in the lower operative position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. However, when the support casing 15 is turned to the inoperative position shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, slot 27 is located rearward of the printing drum, and cannot be viewed properly by the operator. As particularly shown in FIG. 9, a support 38 on the frame means of the printing machine, supports an angular housing 38a in which a lamp 100 is mounted behind a lower mirror 42 which forms an acute angle with a downward facing horizontal mirror 41, which is located along a radius passing through the support housing 15 at 27. The indicia on segments 28, which form a row under slot 27, are reflected by mirror 41 toward mirror 42 and by the same toward the eyes 102 of an operator which stands on the right of the machine, as viewed in FIG. 2. The lamp 100 is positioned to illuminate the indicia through slot 27, but is shielded by mirror 42 so that the lamp 100 is not visible to the operator. The angles of mirrors 41 and 42 may be adjusted in a suitable manner. The mirror image formed by mirror 41 is transformed into a real image by the second mirror 42.

In order to permit the storing and indicating of the information set by setting levers 16a and stamped by stamping wheels 4 at a remote station, a set of contact plates 59 is provided, as shown in FIG. 6, each contact plate 95 being located adjacent a setting lever 16a, and being correlated with the same. Each contact plate 95 carries a printed circuit 95a having contact means 96 respectively associated with a 10 digits, and cooperating with a pair of brushes 97a of a brush holder 97 secured to the respective correlated and adjacent setting lever 16a. The contacts of the printed circuit 95a are arranged in circles having the center in the axis of shaft 17 about which the setting levers 16a turn, so that brushes 97a seccessively slide over the contacts during the setting movement of the respective setting lever 16a, and rest on a contact representing the same digit as the respective setting lever 16a and correlated stamping wheel 4. Connector pieces 98 are connected with each contact of printing circuit 95a, and are connected by wires, to electric display lamps 100, as best seen in FIG. 8 which also shows the connections between contacts 38 and punch controlling magnets 77 of the storing device of a punching apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 7a.

The punching device shown in FIGS. 7 and 7a, and the electrical connections with the same are known, and disclosed in my US. Pat. Nos. 3,502,262, and 3,508,487.

A series of actuator bars 58 is provided, of which only one is visibiel in FIG. 7. A shaft 59 carries a cam 60 and is driven from a drive shaft 61 by a worm gear transmission 62. A cam follower member 63 has a roller 64 cooperating with cam 60, so that cam follower lever 63 is angularly reciprocated about a supporting shaft 66 while springs 72 and 65 are alternately tensioned. When cam follower lever 63 tensions the spring 65 which is secured to a pin 92 on frame of the machine, a transporting link means 68, which is connected with spring 72, and pivotally connected by a pin 67 with cam follower lever 63, is moved in the direction of the arrow C. Pivot means 69 connect transporting link 68 with a guide block 70 which has a slot receiving actuating bar 58, and a coupling pawl 65 mounted on block 70 by means of a pivot, and being biased by spring 76 so that coupling pawl is biased to engage a recess in actuating bar 58. Consequently, actuating bar 58 moves with the respective transporting link 68 in the direction of the arrow C.

A punch control magnet 77 for each actuating bar 58, has an armature 82 for operating a pawl 81 mounted on a stationary pivot and having pointed portion engaging one of ten recesses 83 in the respective actuating bar 58, only one recess 83 being shown for the sake of simplicity.

As shown in FIG. 8, each punch controlling magnet 77 is electrically connected with a brush means 57 operated by a selector lever 16a as described with reference to FIG. 6.

A set of ten switches 79 is provided which are successively actuated by angularly staggered cam lugs 78 secured to shaft 59, as shown in FIG. 7a. Shaft 59 also carries cams 8, as shown in FIG. 7. When switches 79 are successively operated, the punch control magnets 77 are successively energized so that the respective pawl 81 engages one of the 10 recesses 83 in the respective actuating bar 58, as determined by the set position of the respective setting lever 16a and the brushes 97 of the same.

When an actuating bar 58 is blocked by an actuated pawl 81, a portion 85 thereof is also blocked so that a single punch hammer 84, biased by a spring 89 to an upper position, is located directly above one punch 86 of a series of IO punches. In a manner which is not an object of the present invention, the punch actuator 88 is moved downward so that hammer 84 pushes punch 86 with which it is aligned, against the action of the spring 91 to a punching position penetrating the card 57 which rests on a base provided with bores into which the end portion of a selected punch enters after penetrating the card 57.

Since actuating bar 58 is blocked by blocking pawl 81, coupling pawl 75 is pressed out of the recess of actuating bar 58 due to the movement of the block 70. After the punching operation, roller 64 engages a lower portion of the cam track of cam 60, and lever 63, transporting link 68 and block 70 are returned by spring 65 to the initial position. During return movement of block 70, the coupling pawls 75 again engage the respective recesses and transport the actuator bars 58 to the initial positions. The punching operation takes place after turning of shaft 59 through an angle of about 180.

The

actuatorbars

58, 85 together with electromagnet 77 and pawls 81, constitute means for storing the information received from the printed

circuit

95, 95a, 98 due to brushes 97a.

Referring again to FIG. 8 it will be seen that successive closing of the switches 79 by the cam lugs 78 causes successive energization of the punched control magnets 77 so that the respective punch hammer 84 is accordingly set. Diodes 101 between punch control magnets 77, and ground, prevent energization of all punch control magnets 77 simultaneously when one switch 79 is closed and connected to the positive terminal of the voltage.

A display lamp 100 is provided for each setting lever 16a and printed circuit 95a. The cam operated switches 79 successively interrogate the printed circuits 95a of the setting levers 160 so that the respective selected and set digit is illuminated and displayed by each lamp 100. The display lamps 100 are preferably mounted on the support 39 shown in FIG. 2, and can be easily observed by the operator.

From the above description of a preferred embodiment it becomes apparent that digital or other information set in a stamping device in a cavity of a duplicating drum, can be read-out in any position of the printing drum, while the set values are simultaneously transferred to a punching device for punching holes representing the selected and set value into punch cards.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of stamping arrangements for printing machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an arrangement for setting a set of stamping wheels located in a cavity of a printing drum, by a setting device located outside of the printing drum and having means for indicating the set positions of the stamping wheel, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions,'and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent cavity in one position" of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and

for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; and a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member mounted in said cavity secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, a second transmission member rotatably mounted on said support and connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith, and a third transmission member rotatably mounted in said cavity on said printing drum connected with said first transmission member for rotation, and connected for rotation with said second transmission member only in said operative position of said support so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from the outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said operative position from said third transmission member, and from said cavity and peripheral surface whereby the driving connection between said second and third transmission members is interrupted and said printing drum can perform a printing operation.

2. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first transmission members are gears rotatable with said stamping means; and wherein said second transmission members are gear segment portions of said setting means, respectively; and wherein each said setting means is mounted for angular setting movement on said support.

3. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said setting means are manually operated doublearmed levers mounted on said support for angular movement about a common axis; wherein each of said levers has a longer manually operated arm, and a shorter arm having second transmission member; and comprising means for indicating the angular positions of said longer manually operated arms in said operative and inoperative positions of said support.

4. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first transmission members are setting gears rotatable with said stamping means; wherein said setting means are manually operated double-armed levers, each having a manually operated arm, and another arm having a first gear segment forming said second transmission member; and wherein said third transmission member includes a gear segment means mounted in said cavity on said printing drum for angular movement and having a second gear segment meshing with the respective setting gear, and a third gear segment meshing with said first gear segment in said operative position of said support, and being separated from said first gear segment in said inoperative position of said support.

5. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 4 comprising means on said support for indicating the positions of said manually operated arms and thereby the positions of the stamping means set by the same in said inoperative and operative positions of said support.

6. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for mounting said support with said manual setting means on said frame means for angular movement between said inoperative and operative posrtions.

7. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inoperative and operative positions are spaced an angle of at least 30; and wherein said manual setting means are located on one side of said cavity in said operative position of said support; and wherein said support in said inoperative position is located on the other side of said cavity for facilitating setting, and mounting of a master sheet on said peripheral surface, respectively, by an operator on said one side.

8. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively displsed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; said setting means including manually operated levers having transmission portions forming said second transmission members, said levers being mounted on said support for angular movement about a common axis; said support including a casing partly enveloping said levers so that lever portions project from said casing for manual operation and so that said transmission portions project into said cavity in said operative position of said support and casing; and comprising indicating means including a number segment secured to each said lever and having numerical indicia correlated with said type portions; said casing having a slot extending across said number segment and exposing a row of numerical indicia representing the operative type portion of said stamping means.

9. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said projecting manually operated lever portions of alternate levers are spaced at least 45 relative to said number segments of the respective levers whereby alternate lever portions are angularly spaced when the same numerical indicia form said row so that space for the operators finger is available,

10. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 8 and comprising first and second mirrors mounted on said frame means coextensive with said slot in said inoperative position, said first mirror reflecting said numerical indicia of said row exposed by said slot toward said second mirror, and said second mirror reflecting said numerical indicia above said casing toward the eyes of an operator.

11. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first mirror is horizontal and faces downward toward said slot in said inoperative position of said casing; and wherein said second mirror forms an acute angle with said first mirror; comprising means for shielding said mirrors from ambient light; and a lamp disposed behind said second mirror for illuminating said slot and row of numerical indicia without projecting light onto said first and second mirrors and eyes of the operator.

12. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame meansfor rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; said first transmission members being setting gears rotatable with said stamping wheels, said second transmission members being gear portions of said second means, respectively; each second means being mounted for angular movement on said support; arresting means mounted on said support and being spring loaded for arresting said gear portion simultaneously; and fixed actuating means for holding, when said support is in said operative position, said arresting means retracted from said gear portion, and for releasing said arresting means upon movement of said support with said arresting means out of said operative position so that said setting means are arrested in set angular positions during movement with said support to said inoperative position, and also in said inoperative position; and means for indicating the positions of said setting means in said operative and inoperative positions.

13. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting mcans being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; a fixed support shaft on said frame means for mounting said support for angular movement with said setting means between said operative and inoperative positions; and spring-loaded arresting levers mounted on said support for engaging recesses of said support shaft in said inoperative and operative positions of said support for locking the same.

14. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted in said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said set ting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively;-a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; a locking device including spring-loaded locking means for arresting said support in said inoperative position, and electromagnetic means connected with said locking means and unlocking the same, when energized, so that said support can be moved to said operative position; and circuit means connected with said electromagnetic means and including a switch, said printing drum including a cam operating said switch when said printing drum is in said one position whereby said support can be moved to said operative position only when said printing drum is in said one position and said cavity is located under said support.

15. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein said locking device includes a blocking member fixed to said frame and engaged by said springloaded locking means; wherein said locking means and said electromagnetic means are mounted on said support for movement with the same; wherein said circuit means includes another switch connected in series with said electromagnetic means; wherein said printing means include a starting lever opening said switch when moved to a position starting a printing operation.

16. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; said printing means including a manually operated starting lever having a starting position for starting rotation of said printing drum; and a blocking electromagnet for blocking movement of said starting lever to said starting position, and another switch mounted on said frame means and connected in series with said blocking electromagnet, said switch being open by said support moving out of said inoperative position so that said starting lever can only be operated when said support is in said inoperative position.

17. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member'is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; sensing means for sensing the said positions of said stamping means; a storage device; and circuit means connecting said sensing means with said storage device for storing in the same the sensed information representing the positions of said type portions of said stamping means.

18. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; a set of contact plates having a plurality of contacts and being fixedly mounted on said support adjacent said manual setting means, respectively, and being correlated with the same, respectively; each setting means including brush means for successively sliding over said contact of the respective correlated contact plate during setting movement of said setting means; a storage device; and circuit means connecting said brush means; and contacts engaged by the same, with said storage device, so that information regarding the set type portions is stored in the same.

19. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 18 comprising a set of electric display lamps each having a plurality of indicia corresponding to said type portions; and circuit means connecting said brush means, and contacts engaged by the same with said lamps so that information regarding the set type portions is displayed.

20. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; electric sensing means for sensing the set positions of said stamping means and type portions; a punching device including storage means; and circuit means including punch controlling electromagnets and connecting said sensing means with said storage means for storing sensed information representing set positions of said type portions of said stamping means so that the information can be punched into a punch card.

Claims

1. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripherAl surface, and adjacent cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; and a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member mounted in said cavity secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, a second transmission member rotatably mounted on said support and connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith, and a third transmission member rotatably mounted in said cavity on said printing drum connected with said first transmission member for rotation, and connected for rotation with said second transmission member only in said operative position of said support so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from the outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said operative position from said third transmission member, and from said cavity and peripheral surface whereby the driving connection between said second and third transmission members is interrupted and said printing drum can perform a printing operation.

3. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said setting means are manually operated double-armed levers mounted on said support for angular movement about a common axis; wherein each of said levers has a longer manually operated arm, and a shorter arm having second transmission member; and comprising means for indicating the angular positions of said longer manually operated arms in said operative and inoperative positions of said support.

6. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for mounting said support with said manual setting means on said frame means for angular movement between said inoperative and operative positions.

7. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inoperative and operative positions are spaced an angle of at least 30*; and wherein said manual setting means are located on one side of said cavity in said operative position of said support; and wherein said support in said inoperative position is located on the other side of said cavity for facilitating setting, and mounting of a master sheet on said peripheral surface, respectively, by an operator on said one side.

9. Setting arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said projecting manually operated lever portions of alternate levers are spaced at least 45* relative to said number segments of the respective levers whereby alternate lever portions are angularly spaced when the same numerical indicia form said row so that space for the operator''s finger is available.

12. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surfaCe of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; said first transmission members being setting gears rotatable with said stamping wheels, said second transmission members being gear portions of said second means, respectively; each second means being mounted for angular movement on said support; arresting means mounted on said support and being spring loaded for arresting said gear portion simultaneously; and fixed actuating means for holding, when said support is in said operative position, said arresting means retracted from said gear portion, and for releasing said arresting means upon movement of said support with said arresting means out of said operative position so that said setting means are arrested in set angular positions during movement with said support to said inoperative position, and also in said inoperative position; and means for indicating the positions of said setting means in said operative and inoperative positions.

13. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; a fixed support shaft on said frame means for mounting said support for angular movement with said setting means between said operative and inoperative positions; and spring-loaded arresting levers mounted on said support for engaging recesses of said support shaft in said inoperative and operative positions of said support for locking the same.

14. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted in said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; a locking device including spring-loaded locking means for arresting said support in said inoperative position, and electromagnetic means connected with said locking means and unlocking the same, when energized, so that said support can be moved to said operative position; and circuit means connected with said electromagnetic means and including a switch, said printing drum including a cam operating said switch when said printing drum is in said one position whereby said support can be moved to said operative position only when said printing drum is in said one position and said cavity is located under said support.

17. Stamping wheel setting arrangement for a rotary printing machine, comprising: frame means; printing means including a printing drum mounted on said frame means for rotation about an axis and having a cavity forming an opening at the peripheral surface of said printing drum; a set of stamping means rotatably mounted on said printing drum in said cavity, each stamping means including a stamping wheel having a plurality of angular positions, and a plurality of type portions respectively disposed flush with said peripheral surface in said angular positions; a support having an inoperative position retracted from said printing drum, and an operative position located adjacent said peripheral surface, and adjacent said cavity in one position of said printing drum; a set of manual setting means mounted on said support for movement with the same between said inoperative and operative position, and for setting movement relative to the same, said setting means being correlated with said stamping means, respectively; a set of transmissions for connecting said setting means with said stamping means, respectively, in said operative position, each transmission including a first transmission member secured to the respective stamping means for rotation therewith, and a second transmission member connected with the respective setting means for movement therewith so that each stamping means can be manually set by the respective setting means from outside of said cavity while said support is in said operative position, and so that each second transmission member is spaced in said inoperative position from said cavity and peripheral surface and the driving connection between said second and first transmission members is interrupted whereby said printing drum can perform a printing operation; sensing means for sensing the said positions of said stamping means; a storage device; and circuit means connecting said sensing means with said storage device for storing in the same the sensed information representing the positions of said type portions of said stamping means.