Sheet registration on feed table of printing press

Claim 2

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent to the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of a sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, anti-friction means for mounting the suction head for free play from a reference position in the direction of feeding movement so that the sheet is free to settle against the front stop as it is shifted by the head toward the side stop, and means timed with the return of the head for restoring it to reference position thereby to insure that the full amount of play is available for the next sheet.

Claim 3

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a top surface including a set of openings, means mounting the suction head for movement parallel to the surface of the table with the top surface of the head being maintained flush with the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of the sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a local source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, an auxiliary nozzle mounted for discharge below said openings, a local source of air pressure, and second valve means coupling the nozzle to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the openings timed with completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table.

Claim 4

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a top surface including a set of openings, means mounting the suction head for movement parallel to the surface of the table with the top surface of the head being maintained flush with the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of the sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a local source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, an auxiliary nozzle mounted for discharge below said openings, a local source of air pressure, and second valve means coupling the nozzle to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the openings timed with completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table.

Claim 5

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of a sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, anti-friction means for mounting the suction head for free play from a reference position in the direction of feeding movement of the sheet so that the sheet is free to settle against the front stop as it is shifted by the head toward the side stop, a source of air pressure, second valve means coupled to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the head timed with completion of the shifting means to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table, and means timed with the return of the head for restoring it to reference position thereby to insure that the full amount of play is available for the next sheet.

Claim 6

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of a sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, anti-friction means for mounting the suction head for free play from a reference position in the direction of feeding movement of the sheet so that the sheet is free to settle against the front stop as it is shifted by the head toward the side stop, a source of air pressure, second valve means coupled to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the head timed with completion of the shifting means to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table, and means timed with the return of the head for restoring it to reference position thereby to insure that the full amount of play is available for the next sheet.

Claim 7

The combination as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 3 in which the head is mounted so as to be freely rockable through at least a limited angle about a central axis perpendicular to the surface of the table to accommodate slight changes in the angle of movement of the sheet as it moves into its final registered position.

Claim 8

The combination as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 3 in which the head is in the form of a hollow capsule having an air conduit in communication therewith, the air conduit having a lost motion type connection with respect to the head for permitting free play of the head in the direction of feeding movement.

Claim 9

The combination as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 3 in which the head is in the form of a hollow cylindrical capsule, the reciprocating means including a slide supporting the head, means extending between the slide and the head for mechanically coupling the same to impart lateral reciprocating movement to the head while permitting lost motion in a direction perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating movement to accommodate residual feeding movement of the sheet, the air conduit having provision for lost motion in the same perpendicular direction, and an anti-friction bearing interposed between the head and the slide for insuring that the lost motion occurs freely.

Claim 10

The combination as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 3 in which the head is in the form of a hollow cylindrical capsule having a central axis, the reciprocating means including a slide supporting the head, means for mechanically coupling the same to impart reciprocating movement to the head while permitting lost motion in a direction perpendicular thereto, means including an air conduit extending from the slide axially into the head, the air conduit having a slip joint permitting relative rocking of the head about its central axis and permitting lost motion in the same perpendicular direction, and a circular coaxially arranged anti-friction bearing interposed between the head and the slide for facilitating both the lost motion and the rocking movement.

Claim 11

The combination as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 3 in which the reciprocating means includes a slide, a stationary horizontally arranged hollow tube mounting the slide for reciprocating movement toward and away from the side stop, the suction head being mounted on the slide for reciprocating movement therewith, the valve means being connected to supply the tube so that the tube serves as an air conduit, and a sliding joint interposed between the tube and the head forming an air connection in all positions of movement of the slide.

Claim 12

The combination as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 3 in which the valve means includes a ported disc mounted on a drive shaft, the shaft being coupled to the press drive, the reciprocating means including a slide, and a cam and cam follower interposed between the shaft and the slide for reciprocating the latter synchronized with the operation of the valve means.

Claim 13

The combination as claimed in claim 3 in which the means for applying a short puff of air to the head includes an auxiliary tube for conducting air under pressure to a position below the openings in the head.

Claim 14

The combination as claimed in claim 3 in which the first and second valve means are in the form of ported discs mounted upon a drive shaft coupled to the press drive, the discs having adjacent annular chambers for evacuated air and pressurized air, respectively.

Claim 15

The combination as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 3 in which the means for restoring the head to reference position is in the form of a centering means actuated automatically during the lateral return stroke of the head.

Claim 16

The combination as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 3 in which the reciprocating means is in the form of a slide, a spring for imparting shifting movement to the slide, means including a cam and cam follower interposed between the press drive and the slide for returning the slide from its shifted position, and means including an adjustable stop arranged in the path of shifting movement of the slide for adjusting the length of the shifting stroke of the head.

Claim 17

The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which the reciprocating means includes a slide and a drive shaft with a cam and cam follower interposed inbetween and in which the valve means includes a ported disc mounted upon the shaft having its port cyclically coupled to the source of suction and so phased that suction is admitted to the head during lateral shifting movement of the head toward the side stop.

Claim 18

The combination as claimed in claim 3 in which the reciprocating means includes a slide mounting the head and a drive shaft with a cam and cam follower therebetween, the first valve means including a first ported disc on the shaft phased for cyclically connecting the head to the source of suction during the shifting movement of the head toward the side stop, said second valve means being in the form of a second ported disc on the shaft phased for cyclically connecting the head to the source of air pressure timed with completion of the shifting movement so that application of suction and application of air pressure to the head occur in closely spaced sequence for prompt release of the engaged sheet, the port in the first disc being arcuately longer than the port in the second disc.

Claim 19

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of the sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, a source of air pressure, second valve means coupled to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the head timed with completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table, the head being in the form of a hollow capsule having an air conduit in communication therewith, the air conduit having a lost motion type connection with respect to the head for permitting free play of the head in the direction of feeding movement.

Claim 20

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of the sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, a source of air pressure, second valve means coupled to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the head timed with completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table, the head being in the form of a hollow capsule having an air conduit in communication therewith, the air conduit having a lost motion type connection with respect to the head for permitting free play of the head in the direction of feeding movement.

Claim 21

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of the sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, a source of air pressure, second valve means coupled to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the head timed with completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table, the head being in the form of a hollow cylindrical capsule, the reciprocating means including a slide supporting the head, means extending between the slide and the head for mechanically coupling the same to impart lateral reciprocating movement to the head while permitting lost motion in a direction perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating movement to accommodate residual feeding movement of the sheet, the air conduit having provision for lost motion in the same perpendicular direction, and an anti-friction bearing interposed between the head and the slide for insuring that the lost motion occurs freely.

Claim 22

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of the sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, a source of air pressure, second valve means coupled to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the head timed with completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table, the head being in the form of a hollow cylindrical capsule, the reciprocating means including a slide supporting the head, means extending between the slide and the head for mechanically coupling the same to impart lateral reciprocating movement to the head while permitting lost motion in a direction perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating movement to accommodate residual feeding movement of the sheet, the air conduit having provision for lost motion in the same perpendicular direction, and an anti-friction bearing interposed between the head and the slide for insuring that the lost motion occurs freely.

Claim 23

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of the sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, a source of air pressure, second valve means coupled to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the head timed with completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table, the head being in the form of a hollow cylindrical capsule having a central axis, the reciprocating means including a slide supporting the head, means for mechanically coupling the same to impart reciprocating movement to the head while permitting lost motion in a direction perpendicular thereto, means including an air conduit extending from the slide axially into the head, the air conduit having a slip joint permitting relative rocking of the head about its central axis and permitting lost motion in the same perpendicular direction, and a circular coaxially arranged anti-friction bearing interposed between the head and the slide for facilitating both the lost motion and the rocking movement.

Claim 24

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of the sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, a source of air pressure, second valve means coupled to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the head timed with completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table, the head being in the form of a hollow cylindrical capsule having a central axis, the reciprocating means including a slide supporting the head, means for mechanically coupling the same to impart reciprocating movement to the head while permitting lost motion in a direction perpendicular thereto, means including an air conduit extending from the slide axially into the head, the air conduit having a slip joint permitting relative rocking of the head about its central axis and permitting lost motion in the same perpendicular direction, and a circular coaxially arranged anti-friction bearing interposed between the head and the slide for facilitating both the lost motion and the rocking movement.

Claim 25

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of the sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, a source of air pressure, second valve means coupled to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the head timed with completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table, the reciprocating means being in the form of a slide, a spring for imparting shifting movement to the slide, means including a cam and cam follower interposed between the press drive and the slide for returning the slide from its shifted position, and means including an adjustable stop arranged in the path of shifting movement of the slide for adjusting the length of the shifting stroke of the head.

Claim 26

In a device for registering a sheet against front and side stops on the feed table of a printing press having a press drive and having means for cyclically feeding sheets across the table toward the front stop, the combination comprising a suction head recessed in the table adjacent the side stop and having a set of openings which are flush with the table, the suction head being shiftable parallel to the surface of the table, reciprocating means coupled to the press drive and timed with the arrival of the sheet at the front stop for shifting the head laterally in the direction of the side stop and for returning it, a source of suction, first valve means coupled to the source of suction for admitting suction to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is shifted into contact with the side stop, a source of air pressure, second valve means coupled to the source of air pressure for applying a short puff of air to the head timed with completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table, the reciprocating means being in the form of a slide, a spring for imparting shifting movement to the slide, means including a cam and cam follower interposed between the press drive and the slide for returning the slide from its shifted position, and means including an adjustable stop arranged in the path of shifting movement of the slide for adjusting the length of the shifting stroke of the head.