Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for threading web material along a selected one of a plurality of paths of web feed through a web-fed rotary printing press comprising: a finite length, flexible conveyor means, said conveyor means including first and second conveyor sections and at least one intermediate conveyor, said intermediate conveyor being one of a plurality of intermediate conveyor sections, each of said intermediate conveyor sections extending through the press along one of said paths of web feed, each said intermediate conveyor section having means for fastening the web to be threaded, and each said conveyor section further having joints for selectively connecting conveyor sections to each other; first and second storage means for said first and second conveyor sections, respectively, said first and second storage means being positioned at the start and end of the paths of web threading; and, first and second drive means cooperating with said first and second storage means to move said conveyor means between said storage means whereby the web secured to said conveyor means is threaded through the press along the selected path of web feed defined by the intermediate conveyor section selected and joined to said first and second conveyor sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for threading web material along a selected one of a plurality of paths of web feed through a web-fed rotary printing press comprising: a finite length, flexible conveyor means, said conveyor means including first and second conveyor sections and at least one intermediate conveyor, said intermediate conveyor being one of a plurality of intermediate conveyor sections, each of said intermediate conveyor sections extending through the press along one of said paths of web feed, each said intermediate conveyor section having means for fastening the web to be threaded, and each said conveyor section further having joints for selectively connecting conveyor sections to each other; first and second storage means for said first and second conveyor sections, respectively, said first and second storage means being positioned at the start and end of the paths of web threading; and, first and second drive means cooperating with said first and second storage means to move said conveyor means between said storage means whereby the web secured to said conveyor means is threaded through the press along the selected path of web feed defined by the intermediate conveyor section selected and joined to said first and second conveyor sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a third driving means for said conveying means engages said conveying means between said first and second drive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said third driving means is driven by a feed roller of the rotary press and includes a driving roller which engages said conveyor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one pressure roller is coordinated with said driving roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a coupling is positioned between said driving roller and the feed roller which drives it.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said coupling is variable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein all of said plurality of intermediate conveyor sections other than the one joined to said first and second conveyor sections are retained in place by tensioning means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said storage means is a reel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conveyor means is guided along the path of web threading by a plurality of guide means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said guide means are rollers attached to the press frame.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for threading a web along a selected one of a plurality of paths of web feed through a web-fed rotary printing press comprising: positioning a finite length flexible conveyor means on the press, said conveyor means including first and second conveyor sections and at least one intermediate conveyor, said intermediate conveyor being one of a plurality of intermediate conveyor sections, each of said intermediate conveyor sections extending through the press along one of said paths of web feed, each said conveyor section further having joints for selectively connecting conveyor sections to each other; securing the ends of said conveyor means to first and second storage means; connecting first and second drive means to said first and second storage means; securing a web of material to be threaded to said conveying means; and activating said drive means between the first and second storage means whereby said conveyor means is moved from an initial position out of said first storage means along a selected one of said paths of web threading to said second storage means to carry the web along the selected path of web feed defined by the intermediate conveyor section selected and joined to said first and second conveyor sections, and further wherein said drive means are reversed to return said conveyor means to said initial position.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for threading a web along a selected one of a plurality of paths of web feed through a web-fed rotary printing press comprising: positioning a finite length flexible conveyor means on the press, said conveyor means including first and second conveyor sections and at least one intermediate conveyor, said intermediate conveyor being one of a plurality of intermediate conveyor sections, each of said intermediate conveyor sections extending through the press along one of said paths of web feed, each said conveyor section further having joints for selectively connecting conveyor sections to each other; securing the ends of said conveyor means to first and second storage means; connecting first and second drive means to said first and second storage means; securing a web of material to be threaded to said conveying means; and activating said drive means between the first and second storage means whereby said conveyor means is moved from an initial position out of said first storage means along a selected one of said paths of web threading to said second storage means to carry the web along the selected path of web feed defined by the intermediate conveyor section selected and joined to said first and second conveyor sections, and further wherein said drive means are reversed to return said conveyor means to said initial position.