Patents by Inventor Roland Hirth

Roland Hirth has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7401775
    Abstract: In an apparatus for aligning sheets that are deposited on a sheet stack, there are sheet leading edge stops disposed so as to be vertically displaceable by a common leading edge shaft. An auxiliary stack carrier that is to be introduced into the stack region for nonstop operation causes the leading edge shaft or leading edge stops to be raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Roland Hirth, Rainer Klenk
  • Patent number: 6938544
    Abstract: A belt drive for a machine for printing images on a flat printing material, having a continuous belt revolving during operation, includes a belt guide having stops for two protruding edges of the belt, the edges being oriented in a longitudinal direction of the belt and opposite one another in a transverse direction of the belt; and a machine for printing images on flat printing material having such a belt drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Dieter Bäcker, Roland Hirth, Richard Mack, Ralf Weiser
  • Publication number: 20050184452
    Abstract: In an apparatus for aligning sheets that are deposited on a sheet stack, there are sheet leading edge stops disposed so as to be vertically displaceable by a common leading edge shaft. An auxiliary stack carrier that is to be introduced into the stack region for nonstop operation causes the leading edge shaft or leading edge stops to be raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Roland Hirth, Rainer Klenk
  • Patent number: 6691999
    Abstract: A sheet-braking system and method of operation for a delivery of a sheet-processing machine, includes a braking belt revolving during operation and undergoing periodic decelerating and accelerating phases. The braking belt further includes a braking strand passable over a suction region providing a suction effect passing through the braking strand. The suction region is overlapped throughout the duration of a respective decelerating phase, by a respective sheet deposited on the braking strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Frank Gunshera, Roland Hirth, Sven Kerpe, Richard Mack, Ralf Weiser
  • Patent number: 6641133
    Abstract: A delivery for a sheet-processing machine for keeping the extent thereof required downline from the delivery pile as short as possible, includes a frame and grippers revolvable, during operation, along a gripper path within the frame. The grippers seize sheets at a location on the gripper path and drag the sheet along sections of the gripper path in a transport direction. A first switching element is provided, for defining a first end of a first one of the sections of the gripper path located downline with respect to the transport direction. A second switching element defines a second end of a second section of the gripper path located downline with respect to the end of the first section. The first switching element is provided on the frame, and the second switching element is provided on a guide part fixed to the frame, and serves for determining a section of a course of the gripper path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Mutschall, Bettina Remarque, Martin Buschmann, Roland Hirth
  • Patent number: 6505828
    Abstract: A delivery of a machine for processing sheet-like printing materials, includes sheet grippers passing through a gripper path during operation, an actuating element adjustable from adjustable basic positions into an extreme position and the reverse and, at locations of the gripper path corresponding to the basic positions and the extreme position, serving for shifting the sheet grippers from a closed, sheet-conveying operating state into an open operating state, a linkage mechanism provided for adjusting the actuating element, and an actuating drive for actuating the linkage mechanism, the linkage mechanism being movable between a predeterminable extreme position corresponding to the extreme position of the actuating element, and adjustable starting positions corresponding to one of the adjustable basic positions of the actuating element; and a machine for processing sheet-like printing materials including the delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Seitz, Roland Hirth, Bernhard Maul
  • Patent number: 6443443
    Abstract: A suction belt conveyor for a sheet processing machine includes an operationally revolving endless suction belt having, at an outer side thereof a filigree structure formed by indentations, the suction belt being formed with penetrating bores terminating in the indentations. In a variation of the foregoing, the suction belt conveyor for a sheet processing machine includes an operationally revolving endless suction belt formed with pores distributed in longitudinal and transverse directions of the suction belt, so that the suction belt is air permeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Roland Hirth, Richard Mack, Udo Lautenklos
  • Publication number: 20020109286
    Abstract: In a sheet-processing machine, there is provided a delivery including a frame, grippers revolvable, during operation, along a gripper path within the frame, the grippers serving for seizing a respective one of the sheets at a location on the gripper path and for dragging the sheet along sections of the gripper path in a transport direction, a first switching element, by which a first end of a first one of the sections of the gripper path, disposed downline with respect to the transport direction, is definable, and a second switching element, by which a second end of a second section of the gripper path, disposed downline with respect to the end of the first section, is definable, the first switching element being disposed on the frame, and the second switching element being disposed on a guide part fixed to the frame, and serving for determining a section of a course of the gripper path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Stefan Mutschall, Bettina Remarque, Martin Buschmann, Roland Hirth
  • Patent number: 6354203
    Abstract: A belt drive for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes an endless belt revolving during operation, a roller about which the belt is partially looped, a frame with respect to which the roller is adjustable between a working position, wherein the roller keeps the belt tensioned, and a position moved away from the working position, wherein the belt is untensioned, and a spring device for biasing the roller into the working position thereof. Also included are a double crank by which the roller is articulated with the frame, and a stop which, due to a change in position of the double crank from a position corresponding to the working position of the roller into a position corresponding to the moved-away position of the roller, is carried out to a given extent beyond a dead-center position of the double crank, prevents a change in position beyond the given extent; and a machine for processing flat printing materials, which includes the belt drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Dieter Bäcker, Ralf Weiser, Roland Hirth, Richard Mack
  • Publication number: 20020014738
    Abstract: A delivery of a machine for processing sheet-like printing materials, includes sheet grippers passing through a gripper path during operation, an actuating element adjustable from adjustable basic positions into an extreme position and the reverse and, at locations of the gripper path corresponding to the basic positions and the extreme position, serving for shifting the sheet grippers from a closed, sheet-conveying operating state into an open operating state, a linkage mechanism provided for adjusting the actuating element, and an actuating drive for actuating the linkage mechanism, the linkage mechanism being movable between a predeterminable extreme position corresponding to the extreme position of the actuating element, and adjustable starting positions corresponding to one of the adjustable basic positions of the actuating element; and a machine for processing sheet-like printing materials including the delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Matthias Seitz, Roland Hirth, Bernhard Maul
  • Publication number: 20010050011
    Abstract: A belt drive for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes an endless belt revolving during operation, a roller about which the belt is partially looped, a frame with respect to which the roller is adjustable between a working position, wherein the roller keeps the belt tensioned, and a position moved away from the working position, wherein the belt is untensioned, and a spring device for biasing the roller into the working position thereof. Also included are a double crank by which the roller is articulated with the frame, and a stop which, due to a change in position of the double crank from a position corresponding to the working position of the roller into a position corresponding to the moved-away position of the roller, is carried out to a given extent beyond a dead-center position of the double crank, prevents a change in position beyond the given extent; and a machine for processing flat printing materials, which includes the belt drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Dieter Backer, Ralf Weiser, Roland Hirth, Richard Mack
  • Patent number: 6315287
    Abstract: A delivery of a sheet-processing printing machine having operationally revolving grippers for transferring processed sheets to a sheet brake in a conveying direction includes sheet guides for acting upon lateral borders of the sheets, as viewed in the conveying direction, and for guiding the sheets as they are transferred to the sheet brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Roland Hirth, Richard Mack
  • Publication number: 20010014243
    Abstract: A belt drive for a machine for printing images on a flat printing material, having a continuous belt revolving during operation, includes a belt guide having stops for two protruding edges of the belt, the edges being oriented in a longitudinal direction of the belt and opposite one another in a transverse direction of the belt; and a machine for printing images on flat printing material having such a belt drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Dieter Backer, Roland Hirth, Richard Mack, Ralf Weiser
  • Publication number: 20010008328
    Abstract: A sheet-braking system and method of operation for a delivery of a sheet-processing machine, includes a braking belt revolving during operation and undergoing periodic decelerating and accelerating phases. The braking belt further includes a braking strand passable over a suction region providing a suction effect passing through the braking strand. The suction region is overlapped throughout the duration of a respective decelerating phase, by a respective sheet deposited on the braking strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: Frank Gunschera, Roland Hirth, Sven Kerpe, Richard Mack, Ralf Weiser
  • Patent number: 6182567
    Abstract: A printing press having an actuator, includes a chamber partly surrounding the actuator and having a pressure prevailing therein that is greater than the pressure in the outer surroundings of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Gunschera, Roland Hirth
  • Patent number: 6142468
    Abstract: A chain conveyor for transporting sheets in a sheet-processing printing press, having chain guide rails which, together with a holder for carrying the guide rails, define an interior having an open long side, and having conveyor chains carrying gripper systems for gripping the sheets. The conveyor chains being guidable by the chain guide rails, being formed by outer tabs and inner tabs joined together swivellably with respect to pivot axes and, on a side thereof, having cover tabs for covering the open long side, includes detent elements on the cover tabs for connecting the cover tabs form-lockingly to a respective outer tab; and a sheet-fed printing press having the foregoing chain conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Gunschera, Roland Hirth
  • Patent number: 6056287
    Abstract: A device for depositing paper sheets, in particular on a sheet pile or stack in a delivery of a printing machine, includes a revolving belt, a drive motor for driving the revolving belt separately from any other drive system, and at least one suction device having a discretely effective suction action, the suction device being disposed on the revolving belt, the revolving belt being constructed as a toothed belt for transmitting torque and synchronicity between the drive motor and the suction device; and a method of operating the depositing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Roland Hirth, Udo Lautenklos, Richard Burkhard Mack, Georg Roessler, Bernhard Wagensommer
  • Patent number: 5823526
    Abstract: Sheet delivery for a sheet-fed printing press having gripper systems arranged on conveyor chains or toothed belts revolvingly guided and driven by guide wheels, the gripper systems being activatable by a locally fixed control member for gripping sheets individually at respective leading edges thereof and for releasing the sheets in vicinity of a sheet pile, and including guideways for slidingly guiding the conveyor chains, includes rollers with roller bearings fastened to the conveyor chains or toothed belts, the rollers, in regions of increased load, being movable into separate roller guides arranged on a frame of the printing press, for transmitting to the printing-press frame forces which act upon the conveyor chains or toothed belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Michael Voge, Roland Hirth, Gerhard Pollich
  • Patent number: 5758576
    Abstract: Gripper bar for a delivery of a printing press, the gripper bar being carried at respective ends thereof by transport chains and having a multiplicity of grippers with gripper fingers for transporting sheets includes a hollow profiled member having a boxlike profile wherein a gripper shaft is receivable, the boxlike profiled member being formed with lateral openings through which the gripper fingers of the grippers extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Richard Mack, Martin Mayer, Michael Voge, Norbert Thunker, Roland Hirth, Bernd Maul
  • Patent number: 5707058
    Abstract: Method of introducing an auxiliary sheet pile carrier above a main sheet pile to be removed, the introduction being effected during uninterrupted feeding of additional sheets above the main sheet pile in a sheet travel direction and in synchronism with the travel of a sheet to be deposited, includes controlling respective drives at a sheet delivery by a control device which determines actual data of a printing press, so that the auxiliary pile carrier traverses a velocity profile identical with a velocity profile of the sheet to be deposited in order to avoid relative movement between the auxiliary pile carrier and the sheet to be deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Roland Hirth, Edmund Klein, Richard Mack