US4191106A — Printing plate clamping assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 207 words

Apparatus for detachably holding thin flexible printing plates in position on a cylindrically shaped press cylinder comprising: shim means configured to accurately radially position a printing plate with respect to the cylindrical outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder, shim attaching means for attaching said shim means to the press cylinder with respective oppositely circumferentially facing shim edge portions being spaced from one another to form a gap there between, a clamping assembly for releasably clamping a first plate edge portion of said printing plate to said press cylinder with said printing plate engaged against an outwardly facing plate supporting surface of said shim means, and clamping assembly attaching means for detachably attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder, said clamping assembly attaching means being separate from said shim attaching means, said shim means and clamping assembly being dimensioned and configured such that said clamping assembly fits within said gap without protruding radially outwardly beyond the radial outward extent of said shim means when in an operating position clamped to said press cylinder, wherein said clamping assembly includes a base member, and wherein said clamping assembly attaching means includes means for fixedly holding said base member directly against said outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 207 words

Apparatus for detachably holding thin flexible printing plates in position on a cylindrically shaped press cylinder comprising: shim means configured to accurately radially position a printing plate with respect to the cylindrical outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder, shim attaching means for attaching said shim means to the press cylinder with respective oppositely circumferentially facing shim edge portions being spaced from one another to form a gap there between, a clamping assembly for releasably clamping a first plate edge portion of said printing plate to said press cylinder with said printing plate engaged against an outwardly facing plate supporting surface of said shim means, and clamping assembly attaching means for detachably attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder, said clamping assembly attaching means being separate from said shim attaching means, said shim means and clamping assembly being dimensioned and configured such that said clamping assembly fits within said gap without protruding radially outwardly beyond the radial outward extent of said shim means when in an operating position clamped to said press cylinder, wherein said clamping assembly includes a base member, and wherein said clamping assembly attaching means includes means for fixedly holding said base member directly against said outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 51 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first of said shim edge portions is interengageable with a second plate edge portion of said printing plate to anchor the second plate edge portion when said printing plate is clamped in position with said clamping assembly engaged with said first plate edge portion.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 109 words

Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said clamping assembly includes a pair of clamping members which are symmetrically constructed to selectively clamp said first plate edge with said printing plate extending in respective opposite circumferential directions of said press cylinder, and wherein said shim edge portions are symmetrically constructed to anchor said second plate edge with said printing plate extending in respective opposite circumferential directions of said press cylinder, whereby the circumferential direction of the printing plate can be readily reversed to accommodate reversal of the direction of rotation of the press cylinder without requiring removal of either the shim means or the clamping assembly from the press cylinder.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said shim edge portions are uninterrupted by circumferentially extending notches, whereby changes in web width of the printing plate can be accommodated without requiring removal or adjustment of said shim means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said clamping assembly includes alignment clip means engageable with detent means of said second plate edge portin for aligning said second plate edge portion in the direction parallel to the rotational axis of the press cylinder.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 45 words

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said alignment clip means is a spring clip member formed separately of said shim means, and wherein said clamping assembly includes a base member which clamps said spring clip member against said press cylinder when in the operating position.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 36 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said clamping assembly includes a clamping member movably supported at said base member, said clamping member being engageable directly with said first plate edge portion when in a clamped position.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said clamping assembly attaching means includes threaded means for clamping said base member against said press cylinder.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 61 words

Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said clamping assembly includes alignment clip means engageable with detent means of said second plate edge portion for aligning said second plate edge portion in the direction parallel to the rotational axis of the press cylinder, and wherein said alignment clip means is clampingly held in position against said press cylinder by said base member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 84 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said clamping assembly includes: hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said first plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means toward said clamping position.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 36 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said clamp member means includes a smooth lock bar, and wherein said plate detent means is a smooth bent back end portion partially surroundingly engageable with said smooth lock bar.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 44 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said clamp member means includes a pin lock bar having a plurality of protruding pin sections, and wherein said plate detent means includes a plurality of recesses in said plate for accommodating protrusions of said pin sections therethrough.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 43 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising tool means selectively engageable in recess means of said clamp member means for forcibly moving said clamp member means toward said non-clamping position to accommodate engagement of said plate detent means with said clamp member means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said recess means extends substantially radially of said press cylinder when said clamping assembly is in an in-use position, and wherein said recess means is disposed intermediate the axial ends of said clamp member means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said recess means is disposed axially in the middle of said clamp member means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said clamp member means includes a single rigid member which extends substantially across the entire width of a printing plate being clamped thereby.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said clamping assembly includes alignment clip means engageable with detent means of said second plate edge for aligning said second plate edge in the direction parallel to the rotational axis of the press cylinder.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said alignment clip means is clamped between said base member and the circumference of said press cylinder.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said alignment clip means includes respective opposite ends resiliently engaged against the respective facing edge portions of the shim means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said base member includes groove means at the bottom thereof for guidably positioning said alignment clip means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 25 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said clamp member means includes a flat metal bar having protrusions thereon for engaging in said plate detent means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 46 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said clamping assembly attaching means includes threaded members insertable through slots in said base member, said slots being longer than the diameter of said threaded member to accommodate adjustment of the position of said base member on said press cylinder.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 49 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said clamping assembly includes: bearing means separate from said base member and said hinge pin means for attaching said clamp member means to said hinge pin means, and spiral spring means surrounding said hinge pin means and bearing against said clamp member means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 32 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shim edge portions are configured as smooth undercut edges uninterrupted along the length thereof in a direction parallel to the axis of said press cylinder.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 31 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said clamping assembly attaching means includes threaded bolt means for fixedly holding said base member directly against said outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said shim attaching means include threaded bolt means for fixedly holding said shim means directly against said outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shim attaching means include theaded bolt means for fixedly holding said shim means directly against said outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 27 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said clamping assembly is disposed at a spacing from the respective oppositely circumferentially facing shim edge portions wherein said operating position.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 205 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said clamping assembly includes: hinge pin means carried by said base member, clamp member means pivotally movable about said hinge pin means, said clamp member means being directly engageable with said first plate edge portion when in a clamping position, resilient means for resiliently biasing said clamp member means toward its clamping position, tool means selectively engageable in recess means of said clamp member means for forcibly moving said clamp member means toward a non-clamping position to accommodate engagement of said plate detent means with said clamp member means, and aperture means in said base member for accommodating insertion of bolts therethrough to clamp said base member to the surface of said press cylinder, said bolts forming at least part of said clamping assembly attaching means, wherein said clamp member means and said aperture means are disposed such that said clamp member means covers said apertures in the radial outward direction when in a clamping position, and wherein said apertures are uncovered in the radial direction when said clamp member means is in an unclamping position, whereby attaching and detaching of said clamping assembly can be accommodated by movement of said clamp member means to the non-clamping position thereof.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 303 words

Apparatus for detachably holding thin flexible printing plates in position on a cylindrically shaped press cylinder comprising: shim means configured to accurately radially position a printing plate with respect to the cylindrical outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder, shim attaching means for attaching said shim means to the press cylinder with respective oppositely circumferentially facing shim edge portions being spaced from one another to form a gap there between, a clamping assembly for releasably clamping a first plate edge portion of said printing plate to said press cylinder with said printing plate engaged against an outwardly facing plate supporting surface of said shim means, and clamping assembly attaching means for detachably attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder, said clamping assembly attaching means being separate from said shim attaching means, said shim means and clamping assembly being dimensioned and configured such that said clamping assembly fits within said gap without protruding radially outwardly beyond the radial outward extent of said shim means when in an operating position clamped to said press cylinder, wherein said clamping assembly includes: a base member detachably attachable to said press cylinder means, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said first plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means towards said clamping position, and wherein said hinge pin means is constructed as a single hinge pin for supporting two clamp member means which are clampingly pivotal in respective opposite directions to facilitate reversal of the circumferential direction of the printing plate being clamped.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 303 words

Apparatus for detachably holding thin flexible printing plates in position on a cylindrically shaped press cylinder comprising: shim means configured to accurately radially position a printing plate with respect to the cylindrical outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder, shim attaching means for attaching said shim means to the press cylinder with respective oppositely circumferentially facing shim edge portions being spaced from one another to form a gap there between, a clamping assembly for releasably clamping a first plate edge portion of said printing plate to said press cylinder with said printing plate engaged against an outwardly facing plate supporting surface of said shim means, and clamping assembly attaching means for detachably attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder, said clamping assembly attaching means being separate from said shim attaching means, said shim means and clamping assembly being dimensioned and configured such that said clamping assembly fits within said gap without protruding radially outwardly beyond the radial outward extent of said shim means when in an operating position clamped to said press cylinder, wherein said clamping assembly includes: a base member detachably attachable to said press cylinder means, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said first plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means towards said clamping position, and wherein said hinge pin means is constructed as a single hinge pin for supporting two clamp member means which are clampingly pivotal in respective opposite directions to facilitate reversal of the circumferential direction of the printing plate being clamped.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 33 words

Apparatus according to claim 30, wherein a single set of spiral spring means is disposed around said hinge pin for resiliently biasing both of said clamp member means towards their respective clamping positions.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 306 words

Apparatus for detachably holding thin flexible printing plates in position on a cylindrically shaped press cylinder comprising: shim means configured to accurately radially position a printing plate with respect to the cylindrical outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder, shim attaching means for attaching said shim means to the press cylinder with respective oppositely circumferentially facing shim edge portions being spaced from one another to form a gap there between, a clamping assembly for releasably clamping a first plate edge portion of said printing plate to said press cylinder with said printing plate engaged against an outwardly facing plate supporting surface of said shim means, and clamping assembly attaching means for detachably attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder, said clamping assembly attaching means being separate from said shim attaching means, said shim means and clamping assembly being dimensioned and configured such that said clamping assembly fits within said gap without protruding radially outwardly beyond the radial outward extent of said shim means when in an operating position clamped to said press cylinder, wherein said clamping assembly includes: a base member detachably attachable to said press cylinder means, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said first plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means towards said clamping position, and wherein said hinge pin means is constructed as a pair of parallel hinge pins for supporting respective separate clamp member means which are clampingly pivotal in respective opposite direction to facilitate reversal of the circumferential directions of the printing plate being clamped.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 306 words

Apparatus for detachably holding thin flexible printing plates in position on a cylindrically shaped press cylinder comprising: shim means configured to accurately radially position a printing plate with respect to the cylindrical outwardly facing surface of the press cylinder, shim attaching means for attaching said shim means to the press cylinder with respective oppositely circumferentially facing shim edge portions being spaced from one another to form a gap there between, a clamping assembly for releasably clamping a first plate edge portion of said printing plate to said press cylinder with said printing plate engaged against an outwardly facing plate supporting surface of said shim means, and clamping assembly attaching means for detachably attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder, said clamping assembly attaching means being separate from said shim attaching means, said shim means and clamping assembly being dimensioned and configured such that said clamping assembly fits within said gap without protruding radially outwardly beyond the radial outward extent of said shim means when in an operating position clamped to said press cylinder, wherein said clamping assembly includes: a base member detachably attachable to said press cylinder means, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said first plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means towards said clamping position, and wherein said hinge pin means is constructed as a pair of parallel hinge pins for supporting respective separate clamp member means which are clampingly pivotal in respective opposite direction to facilitate reversal of the circumferential directions of the printing plate being clamped.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 176 words

Apparatus for releasably clamping a plate edge portion of a thin flexible printing plate to press cylinder means with said printing plate supported in an in-use printing position on a circumferential surface of said press cylinder means; said apparatus including: a base member attachable to a radially outwardly facing surface of a press cylinder, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means toward said clamping position wherein said hinge pin means is constructed as a single hinge pin for supporting two clamp members which are clampingly pivotal in respective opposite directions to facilitate reversal of the circumferential direction of the printing plate being clamped, said clamp members being separately movable with respect to one another.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 176 words

Apparatus for releasably clamping a plate edge portion of a thin flexible printing plate to press cylinder means with said printing plate supported in an in-use printing position on a circumferential surface of said press cylinder means; said apparatus including: a base member attachable to a radially outwardly facing surface of a press cylinder, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means toward said clamping position wherein said hinge pin means is constructed as a single hinge pin for supporting two clamp members which are clampingly pivotal in respective opposite directions to facilitate reversal of the circumferential direction of the printing plate being clamped, said clamp members being separately movable with respect to one another.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said clamp members are smooth lock bars, and wherein said plate detent means is a smooth bent back end portion partially surroundingly engageable with respective ones of said smooth lock bars.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said clamp members are pin lock bars having a plurality of protruding pin sections, and wherein said plate detent means includes a plurality of recesses in said plate for accommodating protrusions of said pin sections therethrough.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 43 words

Apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising tool means selectively engageable in recess means of said clamp members for forcibly moving respective ones of said clamp members toward said non-clamping position to accommodate engagement of said plate detent means with said clamp members.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said recess means extends substantially radially of said press cylinder when said clamping assembly is in an in-use position, and wherein said recess means are disposed intermediate the axial ends of said clamp members.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said recess means are disposed axially in the middle of said clamp members.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said clamp members are each constructed as single rigid members constituting a lock bar which extends substantially across the entire width of a printing plate being clamped thereby.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said clamping assembly includes alignment clip means engageable with detent means of a second plate edge of said plate opposite said first-mentioned plate edge for aligning said second plate edge in the lateral direction.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said base member includes groove means at the bottom thereof for guidably positioning said alignment clip means.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said clamp members are flat metal bars in the form of lock bars having protrusions thereon for engaging in said plate detent means.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 47 words

Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein clamping assembly attaching means including threaded members insertable through slots in said base member are provided, said slots being longer than the diameter of said threaded member to accommodate adjustment of the position of said base member on said press cylinder.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 49 words

Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said clamping assembly includes: bearing means separate from said base member and said hinge pin means for attaching said clamp member means to said hinge pin means, and spiral spring means surrounding said hinge pin means and bearing against said clamp member means.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 68 words

Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said clamp members are symmetrically constructed to selectively clamp said first-mentioned plate edge with said printing plate extending in respective opposite circumferential directions of said press cylinder, whereby the circumferential direction of the printing plate can be readily reversed to accommodate reversal of the direction of rotation of the press cylinder without requiring removal of the clamping assembly from the press cylinder.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 87 words

Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said press cylinder means includes facing edge portions which define a gap therebetween for accommodating said base member and clamp member means, said facing edge portions being engageable with one edge of said printing plate when it is being clamped by engagement at an opposite edge by one of said clamp members, and wherein rigid detent pins are provided which extend from said facing edge portions for engagement through apertures in said printing plate to aid in anchoring said printing plate.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 327 words

Apparatus for detachably holding thin flexible printing plates in position on a cylindrically shaped press cylinder comprising: a clamping assembly for releasably clamping a first plate edge portion of said printing plate to said press cylinder with said printing plate engaged against an outwardly facing plate supporting surface at the press cylinder, and clamping assembly attaching means for detachably attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder, said clamping assembly and clamping assembly attaching means being dimensioned and configured such that they fit completely within a gap at said press cylinder having a radial height corresponding to the difference in thickness of the thin flexible printing plate and earlier used lead stereotype plates; whereby said clamping assembly can be attached directly to the outer cylindrical surface of a press cylinder having shim means without requiring additional groove means at the press cylinder or can be attached directly to a press cylinder in a groove of the press cylinder, which groove has a radial dimension corresponding to the thickness of such shim means, wherein said clamping assembly includes: a base member detachably attachable to said press cylinder, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamping member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said first plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means towards said clamping position, wherein said hinge pin means is constructed as a single hinge pin for supporting two clamp member means which are clampingly pivotal in respective opposite directions to facilitate reversal of the circumferential direction of the printing plate being clamped, and wherein a single set of spiral spring means surrounding said hinge pin serves to resiliently bias both of said clamp member means towards their respective clamping positions.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 327 words

Apparatus for detachably holding thin flexible printing plates in position on a cylindrically shaped press cylinder comprising: a clamping assembly for releasably clamping a first plate edge portion of said printing plate to said press cylinder with said printing plate engaged against an outwardly facing plate supporting surface at the press cylinder, and clamping assembly attaching means for detachably attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder, said clamping assembly and clamping assembly attaching means being dimensioned and configured such that they fit completely within a gap at said press cylinder having a radial height corresponding to the difference in thickness of the thin flexible printing plate and earlier used lead stereotype plates; whereby said clamping assembly can be attached directly to the outer cylindrical surface of a press cylinder having shim means without requiring additional groove means at the press cylinder or can be attached directly to a press cylinder in a groove of the press cylinder, which groove has a radial dimension corresponding to the thickness of such shim means, wherein said clamping assembly includes: a base member detachably attachable to said press cylinder, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamping member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said first plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means towards said clamping position, wherein said hinge pin means is constructed as a single hinge pin for supporting two clamp member means which are clampingly pivotal in respective opposite directions to facilitate reversal of the circumferential direction of the printing plate being clamped, and wherein a single set of spiral spring means surrounding said hinge pin serves to resiliently bias both of said clamp member means towards their respective clamping positions.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 38 words

Apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said clamping assembly attaching means includes means for attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder separately from and at a circumferential spacing from facing edge portions of said plate supporting surface.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 43 words

Apparatus according to claim 51, further comprising tool means selectively engageable in recess means of said clamp member means for forcibly moving said clamp member means toward said non-clamping position to accommodate engagement of said plate detent means with said clamp member means.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 46 words

Apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said clamping assembly attaching means includes threaded members insertable through slots in said base member, said slots being longer than the diameter of said threaded member to accommodate adjustment of the position of said base member on said press cylinder.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 311 words

Apparatus for detachably holding thin flexible printing plates in position on a cylindrically shaped press cylinder comprising: a clamping assembly for releasably clamping a first plate edge portion of said printing plate to said press cylinder with said printing plate engaged against an outwardly facing plate supporting surface at the press cylinder, and clamping assembly attaching means for detachably attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder, said clamping assembly and clamping assembly attaching means being dimensioned and configured such that they fit completely with a gap at said press cylinder having a radial height corresponding to the difference in thickness of the thin flexible printing plate and earlier used lead stereotype plates; whereby said clamping assembly can be attached directly to the outer cylindrical surface of a press cylinder having shim means without requiring additional groove means at the press cylinder or can be attached directly to a press cylinder in a groove of the press cylinder, which groove has a radial dimension corresponding to the thickness of such shim means, wherein said clamping assembly includes: a base member detachably attached to said press cylinder, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said first plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means towards said clamping position, and wherein said clamp assembly includes alignment clip means engageable with detent means of said second plate edge for aligning said second plate edge in the direction parallel to the rotational axis of the press cylinder, said alignment clip means being formed separately of said base member and clamp member means.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 311 words

Apparatus for detachably holding thin flexible printing plates in position on a cylindrically shaped press cylinder comprising: a clamping assembly for releasably clamping a first plate edge portion of said printing plate to said press cylinder with said printing plate engaged against an outwardly facing plate supporting surface at the press cylinder, and clamping assembly attaching means for detachably attaching said clamping assembly to said press cylinder, said clamping assembly and clamping assembly attaching means being dimensioned and configured such that they fit completely with a gap at said press cylinder having a radial height corresponding to the difference in thickness of the thin flexible printing plate and earlier used lead stereotype plates; whereby said clamping assembly can be attached directly to the outer cylindrical surface of a press cylinder having shim means without requiring additional groove means at the press cylinder or can be attached directly to a press cylinder in a groove of the press cylinder, which groove has a radial dimension corresponding to the thickness of such shim means, wherein said clamping assembly includes: a base member detachably attached to said press cylinder, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said first plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means towards said clamping position, and wherein said clamp assembly includes alignment clip means engageable with detent means of said second plate edge for aligning said second plate edge in the direction parallel to the rotational axis of the press cylinder, said alignment clip means being formed separately of said base member and clamp member means.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said alignment clip means is clamped between said base member and the circumference of said press cylinder.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said alignment clip means includes respective opposite ends resiliently engaged against the respective facing edge portions of the shim means.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said base member includes groove means at the bottom thereof for guidably positioning said alignment clip means.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 180 words

Apparatus for releasably clamping a plate edge portion of a thin flexible printing plate to press cylinder means with said printing plate supported in an in-use printing position on a circumferential surface of said press cylinder means; said apparatus including: a base member attachable to a radially outwardly facing surface of a press cylinder, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means toward said clamping position, wherein said clamping assembly includes alignment clip means engageable with detent means of a second plate edge portion of said plate opposite said first-mentioned plate edge portion for aligning said second plate edge portion in the lateral direction, said alignment clip means being formed separately of said base member and clamp member means.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 180 words

Apparatus for releasably clamping a plate edge portion of a thin flexible printing plate to press cylinder means with said printing plate supported in an in-use printing position on a circumferential surface of said press cylinder means; said apparatus including: a base member attachable to a radially outwardly facing surface of a press cylinder, hinge pin means supported at said base member, clamp member means attached to said hinge pin means for pivotal movement about a hinge pin axis between a clamping position with said clamp member means clampingly engaged in plate detent means of said plate edge portion and a non-clamping position out of engagement with said plate detent means, and resilient means for continuously resiliently rotationally biasing said clamp member means toward said clamping position, wherein said clamping assembly includes alignment clip means engageable with detent means of a second plate edge portion of said plate opposite said first-mentioned plate edge portion for aligning said second plate edge portion in the lateral direction, said alignment clip means being formed separately of said base member and clamp member means.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 43 words

Apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said hinge pin means is constructed as a single hinge pin for supporting two clamp members which are clampingly pivotal in respective opposite directions to facilitate reversal of the circumferential direction of the printing plate being clamped.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 47 words

Apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said hinge pin means is constructed as a pair of parallel hinge pins for supporting respective separate clamp member means which are clampingly pivotal in respective opposite directions to facilitate reversal of the circumferential direction of the printing plate being clamped.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said base member includes groove means at the bottom thereof for guidably positioning said alignment clip means.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 32 words

Apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said alignment clip means is configured to be clamped in position in between said base member and the radially outwardly facing surface of said press cylinder.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said base member includes groove means at the bottom thereof for guidably positioning said alignment clip means.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 47 words

Apparatus according to claim 59, wherein shim means are provided for radially supporting the printing plate on the press cylinder means, and wherein said alignment clip means includes respective opposite ends resiliently engaged against respective facing edge portions of the shim means, when in an in-use position.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 108 words

Method of preparing an existing press cylinder designed for utilizing thick lead stereotype printing plates to be used with thin flexible printing plates; said method comprising: attaching shim means directly to the outer cylindrical surface of said press cylinder, and detachably attaching a printing plate clamping assembly directly to the outer cylindrical surface of said press cylinder at a position intermediate facing edge portions of said shim means, said printing plate clamping assembly being separate from said shim means and dimensioned and configured such that said shim means and said printing plate clamping assembly can be attached to and detached from said press cylinder independently of one another.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 108 words

Method of preparing an existing press cylinder designed for utilizing thick lead stereotype printing plates to be used with thin flexible printing plates; said method comprising: attaching shim means directly to the outer cylindrical surface of said press cylinder, and detachably attaching a printing plate clamping assembly directly to the outer cylindrical surface of said press cylinder at a position intermediate facing edge portions of said shim means, said printing plate clamping assembly being separate from said shim means and dimensioned and configured such that said shim means and said printing plate clamping assembly can be attached to and detached from said press cylinder independently of one another.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 27 words

Method according to claim 62, wherein said attaching of said shim means includes bolting said shim means directly to the outer cylindrical surface of said press cylinder.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 35 words

Method according to claim 62, wherein said attaching of said printing plate clamping assembly includes bolting a base member of said printing plate clamping assembly directly to the outer cylindrical surface of said press cylinder.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 35 words

Method according to claim 63, wherein said attaching of said printing plate clamping assembly includes bolting a base member of said printing plate clamping assembly directly to the outer cylindrical surface of said press cylinder.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 70 words

Method according to claim 62, wherein said attaching of said printing plate clamping assembly includes clamping a resilient alignment clip means between a base member of said printing plate clamping assembly and said press cylinder, said alignment clip means being engageable with detent means of one plate edge portion of said printing plate when the other edge portion of said printing plate is clamped by said printing plate clamping assembly.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 39 words

Method according to claim 66, wherein said alignment clip means includes respective opposite ends resiliently engaged against the respective facing edge portions of the shim means when said shim means and said clamping assembly are in an operative position.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 240 words

Apparatus for releasably clamping a plate edge portion of a thin flexible printing plate to press cylinder means with said printing plate supported in an in-use printing position on a circumferential surface of said press cylinder means; said apparatus including: a base member, hinge pin means carried by said base member, clamp member means pivotally movable about said hinge pin means, said clamp member means being directly engageable with said first plate edge portion when in a clamping position, resilient means for resiliently biasing said clamp member means towards its clamping position, tool means selectively engageable in recess means of said clamp member means for forcibly moving said clamp member means toward a non-clamping position to accommodate engagement of said plate detent means with said clamp member means, and aperture means in said base member for accommodating insertion of bolts therethrough to clamp said base member to the surface of said press cylinder, said bolts forming at least part of said clamping assembly attaching means, wherein said clamp member means and said aperture means are disposed such that said clamp member means covers said aperture means in the radial outward direction when in a clamping position, and wherein said aperture means are uncovered in the radial direction when said clamp member means is in an unclamping position, whereby attaching and detaching of said clamping assembly can be accommodated by movement of said clamp member means to the non-clamping position thereof.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 240 words

Apparatus for releasably clamping a plate edge portion of a thin flexible printing plate to press cylinder means with said printing plate supported in an in-use printing position on a circumferential surface of said press cylinder means; said apparatus including: a base member, hinge pin means carried by said base member, clamp member means pivotally movable about said hinge pin means, said clamp member means being directly engageable with said first plate edge portion when in a clamping position, resilient means for resiliently biasing said clamp member means towards its clamping position, tool means selectively engageable in recess means of said clamp member means for forcibly moving said clamp member means toward a non-clamping position to accommodate engagement of said plate detent means with said clamp member means, and aperture means in said base member for accommodating insertion of bolts therethrough to clamp said base member to the surface of said press cylinder, said bolts forming at least part of said clamping assembly attaching means, wherein said clamp member means and said aperture means are disposed such that said clamp member means covers said aperture means in the radial outward direction when in a clamping position, and wherein said aperture means are uncovered in the radial direction when said clamp member means is in an unclamping position, whereby attaching and detaching of said clamping assembly can be accommodated by movement of said clamp member means to the non-clamping position thereof.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1983-03-04	1983-09-03	1984-03-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1987-03-04	1987-09-03	1988-03-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1991-03-04	1991-09-03	1992-03-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Printing plate clamping assembly

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