Etching press

Claim 2

An etching press, comprising in combination: a. a machine frame, b. a substantially flat platen having a smooth upper surface mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement in a horizontal plane with respect thereto, c. an upper pressure roller disposed adjacent the upper surface of said platen, d. means for rotatably mounting said pressure roller for freewheeling movement on said frame, e. means for positively advancing said roller downward toward the upper surface of said platen and for positively retracting said roller upward and away from said upper surface, to thereby enable selective engagement of the latter and the roller, and f. adjustable stop means connected with said immediately preceding means to positively limit to predetermined positions the advance of said roller downward toward the upper surface of said platen, g. said means for advancing said roller toward the upper surface of said platen comprising a pair of threaded members affixed to the machine frame and a pair of screws respectively turnable in said threaded members and extending adjacent the ends of the rollers, h. said stop means including threaded barrels carried by the screws and turnably adjustable with respect thereto, and having graduations for indicating their rotary positions.

Claim 3

An etching press, comprising in combination: a. a machine frame, b. a substantially flat platen having a smooth uper surface, said platen being mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement in a horizontal plane with respect thereto, said platen having oppositely disposed longitudinal edges, c. an upper pressure roller rotatably mounted on the frame and engageable with the upper surface of said platen, d. positive drive means including rack elements on said opposite edges of the platen, and including pinions engaged with said rack elements and carried by the frame, for drivingly reciprocating said platen along its path of travel, e. said platen having a substantially smooth lower bearing surface, f. a lower pressure roller rotatably mounted on the machine frame and engaging said lower bearing surface of the platen at a point substantially opposite the upper roller to provide counter pressure to the lower surface of the platen and to reinforce the latter, g. a supplemental support roller rotatably carried by the machine frame at one side of said lower pressure roller and closely juxtaposed thereto, said supplemental roller being in continuous engagement with the smooth lower bearing surface of the platen at a point thereon immediately upstream from the point engaged by the lower pressure roller to assume stresses imposed on the platen and to minimize warping of the latter during the pressing operation, h. a second supplemental support roller rotatably mounted on the machine frame at the other side of said lower pressure roller and closely juxtaposed thereto, said second supplemental roller being in continuous engagement with the smooth lower bearing surface of the platen at a point thereon immediately downstream from the point engaged by the lower pressure roller so as to share with the first supplemental roller the said stresses experienced by the platen, i. said supplemental rollers being spaced inwardly from the said longitudinal edges of the Platen and with said lower pressure roller providing a multi-point support for the platen, portions of which support are over an area located beyond the pressure points imposed by the upper pressure roller whereby warping of the platen is reduced, j. a pair of shafts on the frame, respectively carrying said first and second supplemental rollers, and k. third and fourth supplemental rollers respectively carried by said shafts and positioned to be closely juxtaposed to said lower pressure roller and respectively spaced from said first and second supplemental support rollers,

Claim 4

An etching press, comprising in combination: a. a machine frame, b. a substantially flat platen having a smooth uper surface, said platen being mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement in a horizontal plane with respect thereto, said platen having oppositely disposed longitudinal edges, c. an upper pressure roller rotatably mounted on the frame and engageable with the upper surface of said platen, d. positive drive means including rack elements on said opposite edges of the platen, and including pinions engaged with said rack elements and carried by the frame, for drivingly reciprocating said platen along its path of travel, e. said platen having a substantially smooth lower bearing surface, f. a lower pressure roller rotatably mounted on the machine frame and engaging said lower bearing surface of the platen at a point substantially opposite the upper roller to provide counter pressure to the lower surface of the platen and to reinforce the latter, g. a supplemental support roller rotatably carried by the machine frame at one side of said lower pressure roller and closely juxtaposed thereto, said supplemental roller being in continuous engagement with the smooth lower bearing surface of the platen at a point thereon immediately upstream from the point engaged by the lower pressure roller to assume stresses imposed on the platen and to minimize warping of the latter during the pressing operation, h. a second supplemental support roller rotatably mounted on the machine frame at the other side of said lower pressure roller and closely juxtaposed thereto, said second supplemental roller being in continuous engagement with the smooth lower bearing surface of the platen at a point thereon immediately downstream from the point engaged by the lower pressure roller so as to share with the first supplemental roller the said stresses experienced by the platen, i. said supplemental rollers being spaced inwardly from the said longitudinal edges of the Platen and with said lower pressure roller providing a multi-point support for the platen, portions of which support are over an area located beyond the pressure points imposed by the upper pressure roller whereby warping of the platen is reduced, j. a pair of shafts on the frame, respectively carrying said first and second supplemental rollers, and k. third and fourth supplemental rollers respectively carried by said shafts and positioned to be closely juxtaposed to said lower pressure roller and respectively spaced from said first and second supplemental support rollers,