Straight feed press

Claim 2

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; at least one cylinder support, including spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; a printing cylinder journaled between the side members; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder, at least one of said cylinders having a gap formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof to allow passage of a gripper member between said cylinders; means for applying ink to the printing cylinder; continuous flexible sheet transfer means movably extending from the feeder station to the delivery station; means to drive the sheet transfer means at a preselected constant speed; gripper members carried by the sheet transfer means adapted to receive and grip the edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same to the delivery station; carrier guide means adjacent opposite sides of the press to direct the gripper members along a substantially straight path between opposite ends of the press; power transmission means to rotate the said cylinders at a pre-selected constant speed; and synchronizing means secured to the power transmission means and to the means to drive the sheet transfer means to cause the sheet transfer means and the printing cylinder to move in a selected unchanging speed relationship.

Claim 3

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; at least one cylinder support including spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; a plate cylinder journaled between the side members; a printing plate on the plate cylinder; a blanket cylinder journaled between the side members, said blanket cylinder having an axially extending gap formed in the periphery thereof; a blanket on the blanket cylinder in rotative contact with the plate; an impression cylinder adjacent the blanket cylinder, said impression cylinder having an axially extending gap formed in the periphery thereof; means to rotate the said cylinders; means for applying ink to the printing plate; continuous flexible conveyors movably extending in a smooth uninterrupted path along each side of the press from the feeder station through the nip formed by the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder to the delivery station; spaced gripper bars extending between the conveyors and movable from the feeder station to the delivery station; means to secure the gripper bars to the flexible conveyors adjacent the ends of the gripper bars; gripper means on said gripper bars adapted to receive and grip the leading edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same between surfaces of the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder to the delivery station; and means to synchronize the movement of the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder and the gripper bars to cause the axially extending gaps in the blanket and impression cylinders and the gripper bars to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the blanket and impression cylinders rotate, and the gripper bars being so spaced that the gripper bars enter the axially extending gaps and move between the blanket and impression cylinders in non-driving relationship with said blanket and impression cylinders.

Claim 4

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; at least one cylinder support including spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; a plate cylinder journaled between the side members; a printing plate on the plate cylinder; a blanket cylinder journaled between the side members, said blanket cylinder having an axially extending gap formed in the periphery thereof; a blanket on the blanket cylinder in rotative contact with the plate; an impression cylinder adjacent the blanket cylinder, said impression cylinder having an axially extending gap formed in the periphery thereof; means to rotate the said cylinders; means for applying ink to the printing plate; continuous flexible conveyors movably extending in a smooth uninterrupted path along each side of the press from the feeder station through the nip formed by the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder to the delivery station; spaced gripper bars extending between the conveyors and movable from the feeder station to the delivery station; means to secure the gripper bars to the flexible conveyors adjacent the ends of the gripper bars; gripper means on said gripper bars adapted to receive and grip the leading edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same between surfaces of the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder to the delivery station; and means to synchronize the movement of the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder and the gripper bars to cause the axially extending gaps in the blanket and impression cylinders and the gripper bars to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the blanket and impression cylinders rotate, and the gripper bars being so spaced that the gripper bars enter the axially extending gaps and move between the blanket and impression cylinders in non-driving relationship with said blanket and impression cylinders.

Claim 5

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; at least one cylinder support, including spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; a printing cylinder journaled between the side members; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder, at least one of said cylinders having a gap formed therein; means to rotate the said cylinders; means for applying ink to the printing cylinder; flexible conveyors movably extending along each side of the press from the feeder station to the delivery station; spaced elongated sheet engaging means extending between the conveyors and movable from the feeder station to the delivery station, said sheet engaging means being adapted to engage a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same between the surfaces of the printing and impression cylinders to the delivery station; means to secure the sheet engaging means to the flexible conveyors adjacent the ends of the sheet engaging means; and means to synchronize the rotation of the cylinders and the sheet engaging means to cause the gap and the sheet engaging means to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the cylinders rotate, and the sheet engaging means being so spaced that they enter the gap and move between the printing and impression cylinders in non-engaging relationship therewith.

Claim 6

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; at least one cylinder support, including spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; a printing cylinder journaled between the side members; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder, at least one of said cylinders having a gap formed therein; means to rotate the said cylinders; means for applying ink to the printing cylinder; flexible conveyors movably extending along each side of the press from the feeder station to the delivery station; spaced elongated sheet engaging means extending between the conveyors and movable from the feeder station to the delivery station, said sheet engaging means being adapted to engage a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same between the surfaces of the printing and impression cylinders to the delivery station; means to secure the sheet engaging means to the flexible conveyors adjacent the ends of the sheet engaging means; and means to synchronize the rotation of the cylinders and the sheet engaging means to cause the gap and the sheet engaging means to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the cylinders rotate, and the sheet engaging means being so spaced that they enter the gap and move between the printing and impression cylinders in non-engaging relationship therewith.

Claim 7

The combination called for in claim 3 wherein the impression cylinder is a second printing cylinder.

Claim 8

The combination called for in claim 2 wherein the conveyors are continuous flexible members; aligned pairs of guide members adjacent opposite ends of the press about which the flexible members extend; and power means for driving said flexible members.

Claim 9

The combination called for in claim 3 wherein the flexible conveyors are flat tapes.

Claim 10

The combination called for in claim 2 with the addition of guide means at the ends of the gripper bars and extending longitudinally of said press for supporting and guiding said gripper bars, said guide means being positioned to guide the gripper bars along a substantially straight path.

Claim 11

The combination called for in claim 7 wherein the guide means includes tracks, at least one said track extending along each side of the press; and guide members, each gripper bar having at least one said guide member mounted at each end thereof movably engaged with said track.

Claim 12

The combination called for in claim 8 wherein the guide members are rollers.

Claim 13

The combination called for in claim 8 with the addition of a rail along at least one of said tracks; and a guide surface on at least one of the guide members adapted to engage the rail of the track to provide lateral alignment for said bar.

Claim 14

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; at least one cylinder support, including spaced side members intermediate feeder and delivery stations; a plate cylinder journaled between the side members; a printing plate on the plate cylinder; a blanket cylinder journaled between the side members, said blanket cylinder having a gap formed therein; a blanket on the blanket cylinder in rotative contact with the plate; an impression cylinder adjacent the blanket cylinder, said impression cylinder having a gap formed therein; means to rotate the said cylinders; means for applying ink to the printing plate; continuous flat, flexible tapes movably extending along each side of the press from the feeder station to the delivery station; aligned pairs of guide members adjacent opposite ends of the press about which the tapes extend; power means for driving said tapes; spaced gripper bars extending between the tapes and movable from the feeder station to the delivery station, each of said gripper bars comprising a support bar extending between said tapes, a plurality of spaced back-up plate supports rigidly connected to said support bar, a back-up plate rigidly secured to each said back-up plate support, an actuator shaft rotatably journaled in said back-up plate supports, gripper fingers secured to said actuator shaft, resilient means connected between the said actuator shaft and the back-up plate supports for rotating the actuator shaft urging the gripper fingers on the actuator shaft toward the back-up plate to receive and grip the leading edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same between surfaces of the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder to the delivery station; means to secure the gripper bars to the tapes adjacent the ends of the gripper bars; and means to synchronize the rotation of the cylinders to cause the gap in the blanket cylinder and the gap in the impression cylinder to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship to each other as the cylinders rotate, and the gripper bars being so spaced and synchronized with relation to the cylinder that the gripper bars enter the coinciding gaps and move between the blanket and impression cylinders without engaging said blanket and impression cylinders.

Claim 15

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; at least one cylinder support, including spaced side members intermediate feeder and delivery stations; a plate cylinder journaled between the side members; a printing plate on the plate cylinder; a blanket cylinder journaled between the side members, said blanket cylinder having a gap formed therein; a blanket on the blanket cylinder in rotative contact with the plate; an impression cylinder adjacent the blanket cylinder, said impression cylinder having a gap formed therein; means to rotate the said cylinders; means for applying ink to the printing plate; continuous flat, flexible tapes movably extending along each side of the press from the feeder station to the delivery station; aligned pairs of guide members adjacent opposite ends of the press about which the tapes extend; power means for driving said tapes; spaced gripper bars extending between the tapes and movable from the feeder station to the delivery station, each of said gripper bars comprising a support bar extending between said tapes, a plurality of spaced back-up plate supports rigidly connected to said support bar, a back-up plate rigidly secured to each said back-up plate support, an actuator shaft rotatably journaled in said back-up plate supports, gripper fingers secured to said actuator shaft, resilient means connected between the said actuator shaft and the back-up plate supports for rotating the actuator shaft urging the gripper fingers on the actuator shaft toward the back-up plate to receive and grip the leading edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same between surfaces of the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder to the delivery station; means to secure the gripper bars to the tapes adjacent the ends of the gripper bars; and means to synchronize the rotation of the cylinders to cause the gap in the blanket cylinder and the gap in the impression cylinder to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship to each other as the cylinders rotate, and the gripper bars being so spaced and synchronized with relation to the cylinder that the gripper bars enter the coinciding gaps and move between the blanket and impression cylinders without engaging said blanket and impression cylinders.

Claim 16

The combination called for in claim 11 with the addition of a cam follower connected to said actuator shaft; and a cam secured to said guide members, said follower and cam being positioned such that interaction between the cam follower and the cam will rotate the actuator shaft to pivot the gripper fingers away from the back-up plate.

Claim 17

A printing press comprising, spaced aligned sheet transfer carrier guide members adjacent each end of the press; continuous flexible sheet transfer carriers extending about the carrier guide members at each side of the press; means to drive the carriers; a plurality of spaced gripper bars secured adjacent opposite ends of said bars to said carriers; at least one gripper member mounted on each gripper bar for gripping the edge of a sheet; carrier guide means secured to sides of the press guidably supporting the carriers, said gUide means having uninterrupted guide surfaces arranged to direct the gripper bars from one end of the press to the other along a path having no abrupt changes in direction such that dynamic forces transferred by a gripper bar to the carriers as a gripper bar is moved longitudinally from one end of the press to the other is substantially constant; cylinder supports at each side of the press; a printing cylinder extending between said supports and having ends rotatably supported thereby; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder to urge the sheet into pressure contact with the printing cylinder, at least one of said cylinders having a gap formed therein to allow passage of gripper bars between said cylinders such that tension in the said carriers is unchanged as each gripper bar moves toward, through, and out of said gap; means to actuate the gripper members to engage the edge of the sheet at one end of the press; and means to actuate the gripper members to release the sheet at the other end of the press.

Claim 18

A printing press comprising, spaced aligned sheet transfer carrier guide members adjacent each end of the press; continuous flexible sheet transfer carriers extending about the carrier guide members at each side of the press; means to drive the carriers; a plurality of spaced gripper bars secured adjacent opposite ends of said bars to said carriers; at least one gripper member mounted on each gripper bar for gripping the edge of a sheet; carrier guide means secured to sides of the press guidably supporting the carriers, said gUide means having uninterrupted guide surfaces arranged to direct the gripper bars from one end of the press to the other along a path having no abrupt changes in direction such that dynamic forces transferred by a gripper bar to the carriers as a gripper bar is moved longitudinally from one end of the press to the other is substantially constant; cylinder supports at each side of the press; a printing cylinder extending between said supports and having ends rotatably supported thereby; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder to urge the sheet into pressure contact with the printing cylinder, at least one of said cylinders having a gap formed therein to allow passage of gripper bars between said cylinders such that tension in the said carriers is unchanged as each gripper bar moves toward, through, and out of said gap; means to actuate the gripper members to engage the edge of the sheet at one end of the press; and means to actuate the gripper members to release the sheet at the other end of the press.

Claim 19

A printing press comprising, spaced aligned sheet transfer carrier guide members rotatably journaled adjacent each end of the press; means to drive at least one of the guide members; continuous flexible sheet transfer carriers extending about the carrier guide members at each side of the press and being rotatable with the guide members; indexing means mounted in spaced apart peripheral relation on at least one of the guide members; surfaces spaced longitudinally of the carriers engageable with the indexing means; a plurality of spaced gripper bars secured adjacent opposite ends of said bars to said carriers; at least one gripper member mounted on each gripper bar for gripping the edge of a sheet; carrier guide means secured to sides of the press guidably supporting the carriers, said guide means having uninterrupted guide surfaces arranged to direct the gripper bars from one end of the press to the other along a path having no abrupt changes in direction such that dynamic forces transferred by a gripper bar to the carriers as a gripper bar is moved longitudinally from one end of the press to the other is substantially constant; cylinder supports at each side of the press; a printing cylinder extending between said supports and having ends rotatably supported thereby; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder to urge the sheet into pressure contact with the printing cylinder, at least one of said cylinders having a gap formed therein to allow passage of gripper bars between said cylinders such that tension in the said carriers is unchanged as each gripper bar moves toward, through, and out of said gap; means to actuate the gripper members to engage an edge of the sheet at one end of the press; means to actuate the gripper members to release the sheet at the other end of the press; and synchronizing means connected between the printing cylinder and the guide members to cause same to move in a selected unchanging speed relationship.

Claim 20

A printing press comprising, spaced aligned sheet transfer carrier guide members rotatably journaled adjacent each end of the press; means to drive at least one of the guide members; continuous flexible sheet transfer carriers extending about the carrier guide members at each side of the press and being rotatable with the guide members; indexing means mounted in spaced apart peripheral relation on at least one of the guide members; surfaces spaced longitudinally of the carriers engageable with the indexing means; a plurality of spaced gripper bars secured adjacent opposite ends of said bars to said carriers; at least one gripper member mounted on each gripper bar for gripping the edge of a sheet; carrier guide means secured to sides of the press guidably supporting the carriers, said guide means having uninterrupted guide surfaces arranged to direct the gripper bars from one end of the press to the other along a path having no abrupt changes in direction such that dynamic forces transferred by a gripper bar to the carriers as a gripper bar is moved longitudinally from one end of the press to the other is substantially constant; cylinder supports at each side of the press; a printing cylinder extending between said supports and having ends rotatably supported thereby; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder to urge the sheet into pressure contact with the printing cylinder, at least one of said cylinders having a gap formed therein to allow passage of gripper bars between said cylinders such that tension in the said carriers is unchanged as each gripper bar moves toward, through, and out of said gap; means to actuate the gripper members to engage an edge of the sheet at one end of the press; means to actuate the gripper members to release the sheet at the other end of the press; and synchronizing means connected between the printing cylinder and the guide members to cause same to move in a selected unchanging speed relationship.

Claim 21

A printing press comprising, spaced aligned sheet transfer carrier guide members rotatably journaled adjacent each side of the press; continuous flexible sheet transfer carriers extending about the carrier guide members at each side of the press; slotted blocks mounted in spaced apart peripheral relationship on the guide members; a plurality of spaced gripper bars secured adjacent opposite ends of said bars to said carriers; surfaces on each of the gripper bars engageable with the slots in the blocks to cause the carriers to rotate with the guide members; at least one gripper mounted on each gripper bar for gripping the leading edge of a sheet; cylinder supports at each side of the press; a printing cylinder extending between said supports and having ends rotatably supported thereby; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder to urge the sheet into the pressure contact with the printing cylinder; means on the press and engageable with the gripper bars to cause said gripper bars to move in a straight path thrOugh the nip formed by adjacent surfaces of the printing cylinder and the impression cylinder; means to actuate the gripper members to engage the leading edge of the sheet at one end of the press; and means to actuate the gripper members to release the sheet at the other end of the press.

Claim 22

A printing press comprising, spaced aligned sheet transfer carrier guide members rotatably journaled adjacent each side of the press; continuous flexible sheet transfer carriers extending about the carrier guide members at each side of the press; slotted blocks mounted in spaced apart peripheral relationship on the guide members; a plurality of spaced gripper bars secured adjacent opposite ends of said bars to said carriers; surfaces on each of the gripper bars engageable with the slots in the blocks to cause the carriers to rotate with the guide members; at least one gripper mounted on each gripper bar for gripping the leading edge of a sheet; cylinder supports at each side of the press; a printing cylinder extending between said supports and having ends rotatably supported thereby; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder to urge the sheet into the pressure contact with the printing cylinder; means on the press and engageable with the gripper bars to cause said gripper bars to move in a straight path thrOugh the nip formed by adjacent surfaces of the printing cylinder and the impression cylinder; means to actuate the gripper members to engage the leading edge of the sheet at one end of the press; and means to actuate the gripper members to release the sheet at the other end of the press.

Claim 23

The combination called for in claim 15 with the addition of means for adjusting the peripheral position of each slotted block relative to the guide member, wherein each guide member is a tape wheel.

Claim 24

The combination called for in claim 16 wherein the means for adjusting the position of each slotted block includes holes in the tape wheel, elongated holes in the slotted block, bolts extending through the holes in the slotted blocks and the tape wheel, a support block rigidly connected to the tape wheel having a threaded hole therethrough, and an adjusting screw threadedly engaging the threaded hole in the support block extending therethrough to engage an edge of the slotted block.

Claim 25

The combination called for in claim 17 with the addition of a key on the slotted block and a keyway in the tape wheel wherein the key extends into the keyway.

Claim 26

The combination called for in claim 16 wherein each pair of wheels is rigidly connected to an axle, one of said axles being rotatably journaled at the opposite ends thereof at opposite sides of the press, axle hangers adjustably suspended from each side of the press, the other wheel axle being rotatably journaled at the opposite ends thereof in said hangers, and means mounted on opposite sides of the press for moving said hangers for adjusting tension in the flexible members.

Claim 27

The combination called for in claim 19 wherein the means for moving the hangers includes a resilient member to absorb shock and to compensate for dimensional change of the flexible members.

Claim 28

The combination called for in claim 20 wherein the means for moving the hangers comprises a collar rotatably journaled on the axle, an adjusting bolt pivotally connected to said collar, a stationary block rigidly connected to a side of the press, a movable block, resilient means securing said movable block to the stationary block, the adjusting bolt being secured to the movable block whereby the resilient means absorbs shock.

Claim 29

The combination called for in claim 21 with the addition of an adjusting nut on said bolts, a hole in said movable block adapted to slideably engage the bolt, whereby adjustment of the nut on the bolt pivots the hanger to adjust tension in the flexible member.

Claim 30

The combination called for in claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of cylinder supports with associated cylinders between the feeder and delivery stations, whereby a sheet is successively and continuously conveyed by the transfer means between the printing and impression cylinders in the supports.

Claim 31

The combination called for in claim 23 wherein the cylinder support is adapted to maintain the tangent points between the printing and impression cylinders on a common plane.

Claim 32

The combination called for in claim 24 wherein there is a cusp area on each side of the tangent points of the printing and impression cylinders in the supports and the transfer means and the sheet carried thereby substantially bisects the cusp areas upon passing between said cylinders.

Claim 33

The combination called for in claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of cylinder supports with associated printing cylinders, and the drive means includes a motor mounted adjacent each support; independent power transmission means driven by each said motor and drivably connected to each printing cylinder and ink applying means; and synchronizing means connecting each transmission means to cause each printing cylinder to run at substantially the same surface speed.

Claim 34

In a sheet fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; a plurality of cylinder supports, each said support comprising spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; a plate cylinder Journaled between the side members; a printing plate on the plate cylinder; a blanket cylinder journaled between the side members; a blanket on the blanket cylinder in rotative contact with the printing plate; an impression cylinder adjacent the blanket cylinder; means for applying ink to the printing plate; a motor mounted adjacent each cylinder support; independent power transmission means driven by each said motor and drivably connected to each plate cylinder, blanket cylinder and ink applying means; pivoted links connecting each independent power transmission means, said links being operably connected to and extending between the blanket cylinders of adjacent cylinder supports to cause said blanket cylinders to rotate at substantially the same speed; continuous sheet transfer means movably extending from the feeder station to the delivery station; gripper means carried by the sheet transfer means adapted to receive and grip the leading edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same along a substantially straight path between the surfaces of the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder to the delivery station.

Claim 35

In a sheet fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; a plurality of cylinder supports, each said support comprising spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; a plate cylinder Journaled between the side members; a printing plate on the plate cylinder; a blanket cylinder journaled between the side members; a blanket on the blanket cylinder in rotative contact with the printing plate; an impression cylinder adjacent the blanket cylinder; means for applying ink to the printing plate; a motor mounted adjacent each cylinder support; independent power transmission means driven by each said motor and drivably connected to each plate cylinder, blanket cylinder and ink applying means; pivoted links connecting each independent power transmission means, said links being operably connected to and extending between the blanket cylinders of adjacent cylinder supports to cause said blanket cylinders to rotate at substantially the same speed; continuous sheet transfer means movably extending from the feeder station to the delivery station; gripper means carried by the sheet transfer means adapted to receive and grip the leading edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same along a substantially straight path between the surfaces of the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder to the delivery station.

Claim 36

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; a plurality of cylinder supports, each of said supports including spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; upper and lower plate cylinders journaled between the side members; a printing plate on at least one of said plate cylinders; upper and lower blanket cylinders journaled between the side members; a blanket on at least one of said blanket cylinders in rotative contact with one of the printing plates; upper and lower plate cylinder gears connected to the upper and lower plate cylinders, upper and lower blanket cylinder gears connected to the blanket cylinders, the upper plate cylinder gear and upper blanket cylinder gear being in meshing relation, and the lower blanket cylinder gear and the lower plate cylinder gear being in meshing relation; first and second idler gears rotatably journaled on a side frame in meshing relation with each other and each of said idler gears being in meshing relation with at least one of said plate cylinder gears; separate motors adjacent each cylinder support to rotate the gears; synchronizing means connecting gears on adjacent supports; means for applying ink to the printing plate; continuous sheet transfer means movably extending from the feeder station to the delivery station; gripper means carried by the sheet transfer means adapted to receive and grip the leading edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same along a substantially straight path between the surfaces of adjacent blanket cylinders to the delivery station.

Claim 37

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; a plurality of cylinder supports, each of said supports including spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; upper and lower plate cylinders journaled between the side members; a printing plate on at least one of said plate cylinders; upper and lower blanket cylinders journaled between the side members; a blanket on at least one of said blanket cylinders in rotative contact with one of the printing plates; upper and lower plate cylinder gears connected to the upper and lower plate cylinders, upper and lower blanket cylinder gears connected to the blanket cylinders, the upper plate cylinder gear and upper blanket cylinder gear being in meshing relation, and the lower blanket cylinder gear and the lower plate cylinder gear being in meshing relation; first and second idler gears rotatably journaled on a side frame in meshing relation with each other and each of said idler gears being in meshing relation with at least one of said plate cylinder gears; separate motors adjacent each cylinder support to rotate the gears; synchronizing means connecting gears on adjacent supports; means for applying ink to the printing plate; continuous sheet transfer means movably extending from the feeder station to the delivery station; gripper means carried by the sheet transfer means adapted to receive and grip the leading edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same along a substantially straight path between the surfaces of adjacent blanket cylinders to the delivery station.

Claim 38

The combination called for in claim 28 wherein the synchronizing means comprises, a crankplate secured to each idler gear, a crankpin extending outwardly from each crankplate, and links rotatably journaled on each crankpin wherein a first link connects crankpins on the first idler gear of each support and a second link connects crankpins on the second idler gear of each support; said links being positioned to cause the plate cylinders and blanket cylinders to rotate at equal surface speeds.

Claim 39

The combination called for in claim 29 with the addition of third and fourth idler gears rotatably journaled on a drive-side side frame, an axle rotatably journaled at the opposite ends thereof in the side frames, spaced tape wheels fixedly secured to said axle, a tape wheel gear fixedly secured to said axle, a drive gear rigidly connected to the fourth idler gear in meshing relation with the tape wheel gear, crankplates adjustably secured to each of said third and fourth gears, crankpins extending outwardly from each crankplate, a link connecting the crankpins on the first and third idler gears and a second link connecting the second and fourth idler gears, thereby synchronizing the speed of the tape wheels and each printing tower motor.

Claim 40

The combination called for in claim 30 with the addition of swing grippers in the feeder station, a cam rigidly connected to the fourth idler gear, and a linkage adapted to be operated by said cam to provide power to the swing grippers.

Claim 41

In a sheet-fed printing press, at least one cylinder support, including spaced side members; a plate cylinder journaled between the side members; a printing plate on the plate cylinder; a blanket cylinder journaled between the side members; a blanket on the blanket cylinder in rotative concept with the plate; an impression cylinder adjacent the blanket cylinder, said blanket cylinder and said impression cylinder being positioned to form cusp areas on opposite sides of the tangent points thereof; a gap formed in at least one of said cylinders; means for applying ink to the plate; continuous flexible sheet conveyor members movably extending along opposite sides of the press; gripper members secured to the conveyor members adapted to receive and continuously grip the edge of a sheet and convey same into the cusp area on one side of the blanket and impression cylinders, between the blanket and impression cylinders, and through the cusp area on the other side of the blanket and impression cylinders; guide means on the press arranged to control the direction of travel of the gripper members and positioned to cause the gripper members to move along a path substantially bisecting the cusp areas between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder; and means to synchronize the movement of the cylinders and the gripper members to cause the gap in the cylinder and the gripper members to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the cylinders rotate, and the gripper members being so spaced that the gripper members enter the gap and move between the blanket and impression cylinders in non-driving relationship with said blanket and impression cylinders.

Claim 42

In a sheet-fed printing press, at least one cylinder support, including spaced side members; a plate cylinder journaled between the side members; a printing plate on the plate cylinder; a blanket cylinder journaled between the side members; a blanket on the blanket cylinder in rotative concept with the plate; an impression cylinder adjacent the blanket cylinder, said blanket cylinder and said impression cylinder being positioned to form cusp areas on opposite sides of the tangent points thereof; a gap formed in at least one of said cylinders; means for applying ink to the plate; continuous flexible sheet conveyor members movably extending along opposite sides of the press; gripper members secured to the conveyor members adapted to receive and continuously grip the edge of a sheet and convey same into the cusp area on one side of the blanket and impression cylinders, between the blanket and impression cylinders, and through the cusp area on the other side of the blanket and impression cylinders; guide means on the press arranged to control the direction of travel of the gripper members and positioned to cause the gripper members to move along a path substantially bisecting the cusp areas between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder; and means to synchronize the movement of the cylinders and the gripper members to cause the gap in the cylinder and the gripper members to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the cylinders rotate, and the gripper members being so spaced that the gripper members enter the gap and move between the blanket and impression cylinders in non-driving relationship with said blanket and impression cylinders.

Claim 43

The combination called for in claim 32 wherein there are a plurality of supports and associated cylinders, and the flexible conveyors and grippers thereon are so positioned on the press as to continuously convey the sheet between the cusp areas on opposite sides of the blanket and impression cylinders in each support.

Claim 44

The combination called for in claim 33 wherein the tangent points between the blanket and impression cylinders in the respective supports are on a common plane and the conveyor members move along said common plane to substantially bisect the cusp areas on opposite sides of the adjacent blanket and impression cylinders.

Claim 45

The combination called for in claim 34 wherein the impression cylinders are second blanket cylinders with blankets thereon and with the addition of another plate cylinder in each support having a plate thereon in rotative contact with the blanket on the second blanket cylinder.

Claim 46

In a sheet-fed printing press, cylinder supports on each side of the press; a pair of printing cylinders rotatably journaled in the supports forming a printing nip therebetween and adapted to print images on opposite sides of sheets passed through said nip, each of said printing cylinders having an axially extending gap formed in the periphery thereof; aligned tape wheels rotatably journaled adjacent opposite ends of the press; means to rotate the tape wheels; endless flat flexible tapes engaging said tape wheels and extending along opposite sides of the press, said tapes extending between said printing cylinders adjacent opposite ends thereof; gripper members adapted to receive and grip the edge of a sheet adjacent one end of the press and continuously convey same to other end of the press; means to secure the tapes to the gripper members adjacent opposite ends of the gripper members; guide means extending along opposite sides of the press to cause the gripper members to move in a substantially straight uninterrupted path through the printing nip from one end of the press to the other; means to rotate the printing cylinders; and means to synchronize the movement of the printing cylinders and the gripper members to cause the axially extending gaps in the printing cylinders and the gripper members to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the cylinders rotate, and the gripper members being so spaced that the gripper members enter the axially extending gaps and move between the printing cylinders in non-driving relationship with said printing cylinders.

Claim 47

In a sheet-fed printing press, cylinder supports on each side of the press; a pair of printing cylinders rotatably journaled in the supports forming a printing nip therebetween and adapted to print images on opposite sides of sheets passed through said nip, each of said printing cylinders having an axially extending gap formed in the periphery thereof; aligned tape wheels rotatably journaled adjacent opposite ends of the press; means to rotate the tape wheels; endless flat flexible tapes engaging said tape wheels and extending along opposite sides of the press, said tapes extending between said printing cylinders adjacent opposite ends thereof; gripper members adapted to receive and grip the edge of a sheet adjacent one end of the press and continuously convey same to other end of the press; means to secure the tapes to the gripper members adjacent opposite ends of the gripper members; guide means extending along opposite sides of the press to cause the gripper members to move in a substantially straight uninterrupted path through the printing nip from one end of the press to the other; means to rotate the printing cylinders; and means to synchronize the movement of the printing cylinders and the gripper members to cause the axially extending gaps in the printing cylinders and the gripper members to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the cylinders rotate, and the gripper members being so spaced that the gripper members enter the axially extending gaps and move between the printing cylinders in non-driving relationship with said printing cylinders.

Claim 48

The combination called for in claim 36 wherein each printing cylinder has a resilient surface.

Claim 49

The combination called for in claim 36 wherein the means to rotate the tape wheels comprises coacting means operably connected to at least one of the printing cylinders and to at least one of the tape wheels, said coacting means being adapted to cause the tape wheel and the printing cylinder to rotate at a speed such that a sheet carried by the gripper means and the printing cylinders move at equal surface speeds.

Claim 50

In a printing press, spaced cylinder supports positioned at each side of the press; at least one printing cylinder having ends rotatably secured to the supports, said printing cylinder having a relieved area formed therein extending along the length thereof and areas of reduced diameter adjacent each end of said printing cylinder; means adjacent the printing cylinder to urge a sheet into pressure engagement with the printing cylinder; drive means operably connected to the printing cylinder; drive members adjacent each side at each end of the press; endless flexible conveyors extending along each side of the press; means to drivingly secure the conveyors to the drive members adjacent opposite ends of the press; an elongated gripper member spanning the axial length of said printing cylinder, said gripper member being adapted to grip an edge of a sheet; means to secure the gripper member to the conveyors adjacent opposite ends of the gripper member; synchronizing means operably connected between the printing cylinder and at least one of the drive members to cause the gripper member and the relieved area in the printing cylinder to move at equal linear speeds, said relieved area being formed to allow the gripper member to move freely therethrough without engaging the gripper member, and said reduced diameter areas being formed to receive and allow free movement of the conveyors therethrough such that the linear velocity of the gripper member is substantially constant as it is moved by the conveyor from one end of the press to the other.

Claim 51

In a printing press, spaced cylinder supports positioned at each side of the press; at least one printing cylinder having ends rotatably secured to the supports, said printing cylinder having a relieved area formed therein extending along the length thereof and areas of reduced diameter adjacent each end of said printing cylinder; means adjacent the printing cylinder to urge a sheet into pressure engagement with the printing cylinder; drive means operably connected to the printing cylinder; drive members adjacent each side at each end of the press; endless flexible conveyors extending along each side of the press; means to drivingly secure the conveyors to the drive members adjacent opposite ends of the press; an elongated gripper member spanning the axial length of said printing cylinder, said gripper member being adapted to grip an edge of a sheet; means to secure the gripper member to the conveyors adjacent opposite ends of the gripper member; synchronizing means operably connected between the printing cylinder and at least one of the drive members to cause the gripper member and the relieved area in the printing cylinder to move at equal linear speeds, said relieved area being formed to allow the gripper member to move freely therethrough without engaging the gripper member, and said reduced diameter areas being formed to receive and allow free movement of the conveyors therethrough such that the linear velocity of the gripper member is substantially constant as it is moved by the conveyor from one end of the press to the other.

Claim 52

The combination called for in claim 39 wherein the means to urge a sheet into pressure engagement with the printing cylinder is an impression cylinder having a relieved area formed therein extending longitudinally thereof and reduced diameter areas at each end portion thereof, said reduced diameter areas on the printing cylinder and the impression cylinder being positioned to form unobstructed openings between said cylinders at opposite ends thereof to receive the conveyors, said conveyors being arranged to move freely through said openings without driving engagement therewith.

Claim 53

In a sheet-fed printing press the combination of, spaced side frames at each side of the press; a printing cylinder having ends rotatably secured to the side frames; an impression cylinder having ends rotatably secured to the side frames; the surfaces of said printing cylinder and said impression cylinder having substantially equal resilience; means for applying printing fluid to at least one of said surfaces; sheet transfer means in non-engaging relationship to the cylinder adapted to continuously grip a sheet and move same without interruption from one end of the press to the other; guide means at opposite sides of the press to direct the sheet transfer means between the printing cylinder and the impression cylinder; said cylinders having recessed areas formed therein, the recessed areas on each of said cylinders being positioned relative to recessed areas on the other of said cylinders to form an unobstructed passage between said cylinders; means adjacent an end of the press to move the sheet transfer means through said unobstructed passage between said cylinders, the sheet transfer means moving free of engagement with the cylinder; and means secured between the printing and impression cylinders and the means to move the sheet transfer means to cause same to move in a constantly registered relationship.

Claim 54

In a sheet-fed printing press the combination of, spaced side frames at each side of the press; a printing cylinder having ends rotatably secured to the side frames; an impression cylinder having ends rotatably secured to the side frames; the surfaces of said printing cylinder and said impression cylinder having substantially equal resilience; means for applying printing fluid to at least one of said surfaces; sheet transfer means in non-engaging relationship to the cylinder adapted to continuously grip a sheet and move same without interruption from one end of the press to the other; guide means at opposite sides of the press to direct the sheet transfer means between the printing cylinder and the impression cylinder; said cylinders having recessed areas formed therein, the recessed areas on each of said cylinders being positioned relative to recessed areas on the other of said cylinders to form an unobstructed passage between said cylinders; means adjacent an end of the press to move the sheet transfer means through said unobstructed passage between said cylinders, the sheet transfer means moving free of engagement with the cylinder; and means secured between the printing and impression cylinders and the means to move the sheet transfer means to cause same to move in a constantly registered relationship.

Claim 55

The combination called for in claim 41 wherein the guide means comprises stationary tracks extending longitudinally of the press and adapted to guide the sheet transfer means along a substantially straight path from one end of the press to the other.

Claim 56

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; at least one cylinder support, including spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; a printing cylinder journaled between the side members; said printing cylinder having a gap formed therein; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder, said impression cylinder having a gap formed therein; means to rotate the said cylinders; means for applying ink to the printing cylinder; flexible conveyors movably extending along each side of the press from the feeder station to the delivery station; spaced elongated gripper bars extending between the conveyors and movable from the feeder station to the delivery station; means to secure the gripper bars to the flexible conveyors adjacent the ends of the gripper bars; gripper means on said gripper bars adapted to receive and grip the leading edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same between the surfaces of the printing cylinder and impression cylinder to the delivery station; and means to synchronize the rotation of the cylinders to cause the gap in the printing cylinder and the gap in the impression cylinder to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the cylinders rotate, and the gripper bars being so spaced that the gripper bars enter the coinciding gaps and move between the printing and impression cylinders in non-driving relationship with said printing and impression cylinders.

Claim 57

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; at least one cylinder support, including spaced side members intermediate the feeder and delivery stations; a printing cylinder journaled between the side members; said printing cylinder having a gap formed therein; an impression cylinder adjacent the printing cylinder, said impression cylinder having a gap formed therein; means to rotate the said cylinders; means for applying ink to the printing cylinder; flexible conveyors movably extending along each side of the press from the feeder station to the delivery station; spaced elongated gripper bars extending between the conveyors and movable from the feeder station to the delivery station; means to secure the gripper bars to the flexible conveyors adjacent the ends of the gripper bars; gripper means on said gripper bars adapted to receive and grip the leading edge of a sheet at the feeder station and continuously convey same between the surfaces of the printing cylinder and impression cylinder to the delivery station; and means to synchronize the rotation of the cylinders to cause the gap in the printing cylinder and the gap in the impression cylinder to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the cylinders rotate, and the gripper bars being so spaced that the gripper bars enter the coinciding gaps and move between the printing and impression cylinders in non-driving relationship with said printing and impression cylinders.

Claim 58

In a sheet-fed printing press, a plurality of pairs of spaced cylinder supports at opposite sides of the press intermediate ends of the press; at least one printing cylinder rotatably secured between each pair of supports; an impression cylinder rotatably secured between each pair of supports to urge a sheet into pressure engagement with each printing cylinder, at least one of said cylinders having a gap formed therein; aligned drive members adjacent opposite ends of the press; flexible conveyors extending along opposite sides of the press in driven engagement with at least one of said drive members; stationary guide members secured relative to opposite sides of the press and extending in a substantially straight line from one end of the press to the other; sheet engaging means secured to the conveyors and arranged to engage said guide means, said sheet engaging means being adapted to engage the leading edge of a sheet; and means to rotate the drive members and cylinders to move the sheet engaging means at a constant velocity from one end of the press to the other; and means to synchronize movement of the gap in the cylinder and the sheet engaging means to cause the gap and the sheet engaging means to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the cylinders rotate to pass the sheet engaging means through the gap in the cylinder in non-driving relationship therewith.

Claim 59

In a sheet-fed printing press, a plurality of pairs of spaced cylinder supports at opposite sides of the press intermediate ends of the press; at least one printing cylinder rotatably secured between each pair of supports; an impression cylinder rotatably secured between each pair of supports to urge a sheet into pressure engagement with each printing cylinder, at least one of said cylinders having a gap formed therein; aligned drive members adjacent opposite ends of the press; flexible conveyors extending along opposite sides of the press in driven engagement with at least one of said drive members; stationary guide members secured relative to opposite sides of the press and extending in a substantially straight line from one end of the press to the other; sheet engaging means secured to the conveyors and arranged to engage said guide means, said sheet engaging means being adapted to engage the leading edge of a sheet; and means to rotate the drive members and cylinders to move the sheet engaging means at a constant velocity from one end of the press to the other; and means to synchronize movement of the gap in the cylinder and the sheet engaging means to cause the gap and the sheet engaging means to be simultaneously moved into coinciding relationship relative to each other as the cylinders rotate to pass the sheet engaging means through the gap in the cylinder in non-driving relationship therewith.

Claim 60

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; cylinder support members at each side of the press; a printing cylinder journaled between the support members; an impression cylinder journaled between the support members; flexible conveyors movably extending along each side of the press; elongated sheet engaging elements axially aligned with saId cylinders; means to secure the sheet engaging elements to the flexible conveyors, said sheet engaging elements being adapted to carry a sheet; guide means adjacent each side of the press, said sheet engaging elements being movably engageable with said guide means; cylinder drive means to rotate the printing cylinder and the impression cylinder; conveyor drive means to move the flexible conveyors longitudinally of the press, said printing cylinder and said impression cylinder being adapted to pass the flexible conveyors and the sheet engaging elements therebetween in non-interengaging relationship to said cylinders; and synchronizing means between the cylinder drive means and the conveyor drive means arranged to cause the flexible conveyors and the cylinders to move at equal linear surface speeds as the conveyors move between said cylinders.

Claim 61

In a sheet-fed printing press, a feeder station; a delivery station; cylinder support members at each side of the press; a printing cylinder journaled between the support members; an impression cylinder journaled between the support members; flexible conveyors movably extending along each side of the press; elongated sheet engaging elements axially aligned with saId cylinders; means to secure the sheet engaging elements to the flexible conveyors, said sheet engaging elements being adapted to carry a sheet; guide means adjacent each side of the press, said sheet engaging elements being movably engageable with said guide means; cylinder drive means to rotate the printing cylinder and the impression cylinder; conveyor drive means to move the flexible conveyors longitudinally of the press, said printing cylinder and said impression cylinder being adapted to pass the flexible conveyors and the sheet engaging elements therebetween in non-interengaging relationship to said cylinders; and synchronizing means between the cylinder drive means and the conveyor drive means arranged to cause the flexible conveyors and the cylinders to move at equal linear surface speeds as the conveyors move between said cylinders.