US3699886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disconnect arrangement for multi-unit printing press
Assignee: Harris Graphics Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-02
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1991-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A disconnect arrangement for a multi-unit sheet fed press in which the transfer cylinder, together with its grippers, gripper cam and followers, are shifted axially out of mesh with the gears on adjacent impression cylinders thereby interrupting the press drive train and permitting individual operation of the units. The disconnected transfer cylinder is locked in a predetermined angular relationship relative to the adjacent cylinders with the transfer cylinder gaps facing the impression cylinders so that the grippers on the impression cylinders can open into the gaps as the units are individually rotated.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman K Henkel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:23
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F21/00; B41F21/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
In a sheet fed printing press having a plurality of individual intergeared printing units each having an impression cylinder and a printing cylinder, a sheet transfer cylinder between a pair of impression cylinders of adjacent units, said transfer cylinder having a circumference which is an equal multiple, greater than 1, of a cylinder circumference required to print a single sheet, each of said impression cylinders and said transfer cylinder having sets of interdigitating sheet grippers thereon for successively transferring sheets from one printing unit to the next, said transfer cylinder having a plurality of gaps in its periphery in each of which one set of grippers is mounted, the impression cylinders of the adjacent units being angularly spaced about the axis of the transfer cylinder such that a pair of gaps in the transfer cylinder are simultaneously adjacent said impression cylinders of the adjacent units, a train of drive gears for said press, means for disconnecting the transfer cylinder from the gear train, means for locking said disconnected transfer cylinder against rotation in a predetermined angular relationship relative to said adjacent units to position said pair of transfer cylinder gaps to face the adjacent impression cylinders whereby rotation of the impression cylinders can be accomplished while the grippers thereon open into the space of the gaps of the stationary transfer cylinder, and means for driving each unit independently of the other while said transfer cylinder is stationary.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
In a sheet fed printing press having a plurality of individual intergeared printing units each having an impression cylinder and a printing cylinder, a sheet transfer cylinder between a pair of impression cylinders of adjacent units, said transfer cylinder having a circumference which is an equal multiple, greater than 1, of a cylinder circumference required to print a single sheet, each of said impression cylinders and said transfer cylinder having sets of interdigitating sheet grippers thereon for successively transferring sheets from one printing unit to the next, said transfer cylinder having a plurality of gaps in its periphery in each of which one set of grippers is mounted, the impression cylinders of the adjacent units being angularly spaced about the axis of the transfer cylinder such that a pair of gaps in the transfer cylinder are simultaneously adjacent said impression cylinders of the adjacent units, a train of drive gears for said press, means for disconnecting the transfer cylinder from the gear train, means for locking said disconnected transfer cylinder against rotation in a predetermined angular relationship relative to said adjacent units to position said pair of transfer cylinder gaps to face the adjacent impression cylinders whereby rotation of the impression cylinders can be accomplished while the grippers thereon open into the space of the gaps of the stationary transfer cylinder, and means for driving each unit independently of the other while said transfer cylinder is stationary.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The press of claim 1 wherein the drive gear train includes gear means on each of the pairs of impression cylinders and the transfer cylinder with the gear means on said cylinders lying in the same plane and in meshing engagement, said disconnecting means comprising means for shifting the transfer cylinder gear axially out of said plane and therefore out of mesh with the adjacent impression cylinder gears.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The press of claim 2 wherein the transfer cylinder, its gear and grippers are all mounted for axial movement as a unitary assembly upon operation of said disconnecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
The press of claim 3 wherein the transfer cylinder grippers include pivotal shaft means on which the grippers are mounted, cam follower means operatively connected to said shaft means, a non-rotatable cam in the path of movement of said cam follower means for operating said shaft means to open and close said grippers to receive and transfer sheets as required during normal transferring conditions, and means for moving said cam axially with said transfer cylinder when said transfer cylinder gear is disconnected from its adjacent impression cylinder gears whereby said cam and cam follower means remain in operational alignment while so disconnected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |