Abstract: A self-oscillating roller assembly (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) with an oscillating shaft (54) mounted on translational bearings (58, 60) to slide along a stationary shaft (48) and with a rotary shaft (55) mounted to the oscillating shaft (54) on rotational bearings (80, 82) to provide rotational movement. A key assembly (62, 63, 64, 66) restrains the relative longitudinal movement between the oscillating shaft (54) and the rotary shaft (55) while a pair of springs (68, 70) provides bias to return the rotary shaft (55) and oscillating shaft (54) to a preselected home position.

Abstract: An imaging system (12) for a printing press (10) having an imaging cylinder (44) having a magnetically addressable outer surface (46), a magnetically permeable film (48), a device (50) for passing the film (48) over at least a portion of the outer surface (46) of the imaging cylinder (44), a device (52) for writing magnetic information through the film (48) onto the outer surface (46) of the imaging cylinder (44), a device (56) for passing a magnetic particulate material (58) onto the film (48) over the magnetic information on the cylinder (44) to form an image (80) of the particulate material (58) on the film (48), and a device (62) for bonding the particulate material (58) onto the film (48).

Abstract: A locking device (12) for a printing press (10) having a cylinder (40) with a slot (46). The device (12) has a slide block (54) slidably received in the slot (46) and being movable inwardly and outwardly in the slot (46). A blanket (68) extends peripherally around the cylinder (40) and has opposed ends secured between the slide block (54) and cylinder (40) with the slide block (40) located at an inner position in the slot (46).

Abstract: An automatic call distributor (10) with a multichannel communication bus, a plurality of bus maintenance units (13, 15), and at least one status and control circuit (11) for preventing erroneous resetting of a bus maintenance unit (13) by a status and control circuit (11).

Abstract: A telephonic switching network (20) having a plurality of multichannel incoming switching circuits, a central control processor (22) for controlling the incoming switching circuits (24, 36) to switch a selected plurality of incoming time division multiplex channels of PCM voice data on incoming lines (42) of a plurality of multichannel receiving circuits (36) to a plurality of selected outgoing channels on ongoing lines (58) of a plurality of multichannel outgoing switching circuits in accordance with messages representative of analysis of signaling data embedded in the PCM voice data by a plurality of relatively lower order processors (78) of said plurality of incoming multichannel switching circuits which are transmitted directly to the central control processor (22).

Abstract: A sealing device (10) for a printing press (11) having a base (12) defining a chamber (24) for retaining ink, a roller (14) mounted on the base (12) over the chamber (24) with the chamber (24) communicating with the roller (14), and a sealing member (20) having a surface (46) for contacting the roller (14), with the sealing member (20) being constructed from a porous material (49) and having a fluid impervious barrier (56 and 58) extending over at least one side (48 and 50) of the sealing member (20) to prevent passage of ink through the sealing member (20).

Abstract: A locking device (12) for a printing press (10) having a cylinder (40) having an outer surface (44) and an elongated slot (46) adjacent the outer surface (44), with the slot (46) having a lower surface (48) and a pair of opposed first and second side surfaces (50 and 52) extending between the lower surface (48) of the slot (46) and the outer surface (44) of the cylinder (40), a slide block (54) having an outer surface (56) and being slidably received in the slot (46), with the slide block (54) being movable between a first inner position with the outer surface (56) of the slide block (54) being flush with the outer surface (44) of the cylinder (40), and a second outer position with the slide block (54) projecting above the outer surface (44) of the cylinder (40), a retaining member (20) rotatably mounted in the slide block (54) and having an elongated groove (22) and a blanket (68) having one end (70) received against the first surface (50) of the slot (46) and a second end (72) received in the groove (22) of

Abstract: A folder (58) of the type having a folding cylinder (16) cooperating with a jaw cylinder (20) to cut and fold a ribbon of paper (14) into a folded product (14') provided with a guide assembly (60) with a guide surface defined by a nonconcentric guide with a convex section (64) and a convex section (74) joined together end-to-end to form a generally S-shaped or approximately cubical parabolic guide surface which conforms to the natural flow shape of the product (14') for minimum interference therewith to reduce the formation of dog-ears.

Abstract: An ultrasonic printing fluid input apparatus and method for use in a lithographic printing press. The system has a rotatable roller 20 having at least an oleophilic and hydrophobic surface and a source 100 of printing fluid. A metering blade 62 for applying a thin film of printing fluid to the surface of the metering roller 20 has at least one device 63 for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to the metering blade 62 such that a thickness of the thin film of printing fluid is a function of the amplitude of ultrasonic vibrations. A control 65 for varying the amplitude of ultrasonic vibrations is connected to the device 63 for imparting ultrasonic vibrations. A fixed end of the metering blade 62 is attached to a stationary support 42 via a decoupling material 65. An printing fluid removal device 73 is also provided for substantially removing a return printing fluid film on the oleophilic and hydrophobic surface of the metering roller 20.

Abstract: A roller 14 for use with a surface-scraping doctor blade to meter a fluid applied to an outer surface of the roller 14. The roller 14 has the following elements: a substantially cylindrical core 101 having a core surface; a coating 105 of a polymer material 102 on the core surface, the coating 105 having a predetermined thickness and having a predetermined percent by volume of substantially hard wear-resistant particles 103, the coating 105 also having a surface which is the outer surface of the roller 14; a plurality of cells 104 in the coating 105, each of the cells 104 having at least one cell wall oriented substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the roller 14 and having an open end at the outer surface of the roller 14. A method for the manufacture of the roller 14 and a method for using the roller 14 are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer is programmed in accordance with an algorithm which allows it to send a series of tentative unique initialization commands to a port which should be connected to a modem for the purpose of establishing what type of modem is connected if any. In accordance with an internal flag setting, an appropriate translation table is then used in any future communications with that modem to convert the basic commands used by the computer operated device to commands that will be recognized by the modem in setting up communications with other modems at the other end of a transmission line and for terminating said communications. The algorithm involved is also able to ascertain whether or not an operable modem is connected to a port by monitoring the response obtained. Thus, modems can be changed and potential technician error is eliminated due to the dynamic selection capabilities of the computer programmed to operate in accordance with the inventive concept algorithm.

Abstract: A cleaning device (10) for a threaded shaft (12) having a cleaning member (34) having a threaded recess (42) received on the shaft (12) and extending partially around the shaft (12) with the threads (44) of the cleaning member (34) meshing with the threads (14) of the shaft (12).

Abstract: A printing blanket cylinder assembly (14', 16') with an exposed edge (60) at the end of an inwardly turned mounting member (30M, 34M) protectively enclosed within a mounting slot (32) within a blanket cylinder (16) while an outer layer (40) of the blanket (34) is protectively wrapped around a leading edge (30D) of a metal backing plate (30) to both protect intermediate layers (44, 48) of the blanket (34) and the bonds therebetween from the deleterious effects of dampening liquid while concurrently providing a gap (56) of preselected size to achieve a stress-free boundary for the blanket (34) on opposite sides of the gap (56) for optimal vibration reduction.

Abstract: A direct-to-press imaging system for use in lithographic printing wherein a master-image printing cylinder is used with separate application of ink and water onto its surface to enable repetitive conveyance of image-formatted ink films onto substrates for printing purposes. The imaging system inlcudes a master-image printing cylinder adapted for receiving a hydrophilic coating layer on its surface and a device for laying down a uniform layer of hydrophilic material on the surface of this cylinder. An apparatus is also provided for applying oleophilic materials in image-formatted patterns on top of the layer of hydrophilic material on the master-image printing cylinder to form a printing structure having separate hydrophilic and oleophilic areas of the format to be printed.

Abstract: An ink metering roller for a keyless inking system which comprises a steel or aluminum roller core and an outer surface of highly wear-resistant hard particles imbedded in an oleophilic and hydrophobic bonding matrix, which matrix is subject to wear by contact with a coacting doctor blade, thereby creating gaps or interstices between the hard particles for conveying fixed amounts of input ink to the rotary press.

Abstract: A rotary ink valve assembly with a plurality of rotary ink valves contained in a housing (10), having a stationary outer portion (16) with first and seconds ends (50, 52) connected by a cylindrical body (54) having at least one bypass aperture (42) adjacent the first end (50) and at least one ink output aperture (40) adjacent the second end (52). A substantially tubular inner portion (18) rotates within the cylindrical interior area (56) of the outer portion (16) with at least one bypass aperture (66) in the side wall (64) adjacent a first closed end (60) and at least one ink output aperture (68) in the side wall (64) adjacent a second open end (62). Ink is supplied to at least the open second end (62) for supplying ink to the inner portion (18) while the inner portion (18) is rotated by means (28, 32, 34) between an open position, a closed position and an intermediate position.

Abstract: A printing press (10) with a roller mounting assembly (14) for mounting a form roller (16) and a transfer roller (22) to an axle (20") of a drum roller (20) to rotate therewith by means of a bracket assembly (44) which oscillates both the form roller (16) and the transfer roller together (22) relative to the drum roller (16) and a plate cylinder (18) while permitting rotation of a form bracket (46) carrying the form roller (16) to adjust the pressure of the form roller (16) against the plate cylinder (18) but locking the transfer roller (22) against such rotary movement by means of a link (66) between the transfer bracket (48) securing together the transfer bracket (48) and an oscillating piston member bracket (52) and a post (62) carried by the oscillating piston bracket (52) restrained to slide within a slot (64) in a base bracket (58) which is fixedly secured against any movement.

Abstract: A flow restrictor (12) for a fluid comprising, an elongated conduit (26) having a lumen (28), and a restriction member (32) snugly received in the lumen (28) of the conduit (26), and having a pair of opposed ends (38) and (40), an entry port (33) adjacent one end (38) of the restriction member (32), and an exit port (35) adjacent the other end (40) of the restriction member (32), and a device (42a-j) and (46a-i) defining a tortuous path (48) between the entry port (33) and exit port (35) to restrict passage of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for a printing press (10) having a shaft (14) having a cylindrical outer surface (36) adjacent one end (28) of the shaft (14 ). The mechanism has a device (15) for rotatably driving the shaft (14) and a drive member (32) having a cylindrical bore (34), with the one end (28) of the shaft (14) being received in the bore (34) of the drive member (32) such that the drive member (32) rotates on the shaft (14), with the drive member (32) having a clutch surface (30). The mechanism has a device (26) and (23) for coupling the shaft (14) with the clutch surface (30) of the drive member (32).

Abstract: A printing fluid circulating device for use in a printing press having a printing fluid container (32) for containing printing fluid and having a rotatable pickup roller (34) partially submerged in the printing fluid in the container (32). The pickup roller (34) has a surface for picking up printing fluid. The printing fluid circulating device has at least one outer ribbon (10, 12) having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined surface area and at least one inner ribbon (14, 16) also having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined surface area. The diameter of the inner ribbon (14, 16) is less than the diameter of the outer ribbon (10, 12) and the surface area of the outer ribbon (10, 12) is less than the surface area of the inner ribbon (14, 16). Each of the outer and inner ribbons (10, 12, 14, 16) has a substantially helix configuration, the helix configuration of the inner ribbon (14, 16) being opposite the helix configuration of the outer ribbon (10, 12).