Patents Assigned to Heidelberg-Harris
  • Patent number: 5678485
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a cylinder within a processing unit is provided, the cylinder having a releasable end portion and a removably sleeve mounted thereon. A counterpoise assembly is assigned to one end of the cylinder. The cylinder is supported on both ends by support housings. One of the support housings is supported, during throw-off of the cylinder, by a horizontally movable supporting device. A sliding device is assigned to the supporting device on the respective side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn A. Guaraldi
  • Patent number: 5678487
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for mounting a printing plate on a printing unit cylinder, with the printing unit cylinder having an opening in a clamping area. A lock-up bar is slidably mounted in the opening of the printing unit cylinder, the lock-up bar having an element for retaining at least one edge of a printing plate. A tucking device substantially extends on the clamping area, the tucking device being provided with a protection element and with a plurality of tucking elements arranged over the clamping area and over the width of the printing unit cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberg Harris Inc., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Glenn Alan Guaraldi, Warren Hess Jarrard, Edward E. Urquhart
  • Patent number: 5671636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for preventing circumferential separation between the meshing teeth of a first gear and a second gear of a gear train. Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a first torque transmitting gear coaxially fixed to the first gear, a second torque transmitting gear in meshing engagement with the first torque transmitting gear, a third torque transmitting gear in meshing engagement with the second torque transmitting gear, and being rotatable about a shaft fixedly connected to a fourth torque transmitting gear which in turn is in meshing engagement with the second gear. The third torque transmitting gear is drivingly connected to the shaft via a pre-loaded resilient element formed by a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring. In an exemplary embodiment, the torsion springs are arranged such that windings of the first torsion spring are located within spaces formed between adjacent windings of the second torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberg Harris Inc., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Gagne, Bryan Charles Dustin
  • Patent number: 5653428
    Abstract: A phase control system for a fan blade assembly of a folder is provided which includes a fan blade assembly, a folded product transport assembly, and a control system. The fan blade assembly includes a first and second rotating fan blade assembly. The first rotating fan blade assembly has a plurality of first fan blades and has a first circumference. The second rotating fan blade assembly includes a plurality of second fan blades and has a second circumference. A product receiving area is defined at an intersection of the first and second circumferences such that only one of the first and second fan blades can occupy the product receiving area at any instant. The folded product transport assembly is provided for delivering folded products to the product receiving area. The control system includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a fan blade assembly motor actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Henry Dufour, Paul Raymond Bolduc
  • Patent number: 5651314
    Abstract: In a rotary printing press, an apparatus for adjusting the lateral and circumferential position of the plate cylinder is provided. The apparatus includes a sleeve having an inner surface with threads disposed thereon; a shaft disposed within the sleeve, and connected to the machine element such that when the shaft moves laterally the machine element is moved laterally, the shaft having an outer surface with threads disposed thereon which engage the threads disposed on the inner surface of the shaft; a gear assembly coupled to the sleeve, such that a rotational movement of the sleeve causes a circumferential movement of the machine element; a first drive for rotating the shaft, such that when the shaft is rotated, the shaft moves the machine element laterally; and a second drive for rotating the sleeve, such that when the sleeve is rotated, the sleeve moves the gear, and the gear rotates the machine element circumferentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberg Harris, Inc., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Brian Joseph Gentle
  • Patent number: 5647586
    Abstract: A device for delivering flat products, such as signatures or the like, having a plurality of fan wheels rotatably mounted on a fan wheel shaft. The fan wheels each have a plurality of fan pockets for receiving signatures emerging from a transporting device, the fan wheels being mounted on the fan wheel shaft in spaced relation to one another in an axial direction. Adjustably mounted deceleration devices, each having a curvature for diving between the spaced-apart fan wheels, allow for a desired deceleration of the signatures upon rotation of the fan wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberg Harris Inc., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Michael A. Novick, Charles H. Dufour
  • Patent number: 5615878
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus, such as a folder apparatus of a web-fed printing press, having a printed product delivery with two fan wheel arrangements overlapping each other. An exemplary embodiment includes a mechanism for continuously conveying flat products. The mechanism has devices attached thereto in a timed arrangement for positioning each flat product to be delivered, in its entirety, off a centerline of the fan wheel arrangements prior to the entry of the flat product into a pocket of the fan wheel arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberg Harris Inc., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Roger R. Belanger, Michael A. Novick
  • Patent number: 5611530
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the delivery of products out of fans for forming a shingled product stream. The invention uses at least one endless chain lead around a drive shaft of a fan arrangement. The chain links of the chain are equally spaced from one another. The fan arrangement uses multiple fans disposed on a drive shaft in spaced relation. The invention has at least one endless chain, having chain links with a projection, and which chain is arranged between the fans. The projections of the chain links touch and guide the front edges of printed products in the pockets and, during common movement of the fans and chain, change the position of the products in the pockets of the fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Maresse, Philippe Robin, Didier Romanyszyn
  • Patent number: 5607146
    Abstract: A device for diverting signatures into pockets of at least two slow-down devices is provided. The device includes a set of high-speed tapes (3) arranged downstream of a pair of cutting cylinders (2). A set of diverting belts (6) comprises raised surface portions (6.3) and non-raised surface portions (6.4). The set of high-speed tapes (3) is assigned to the diverting belts (6) to ride on the raised and non-raised surface portions (6.3, 6.4) thereof, thus, periodically altering a signature conveying path (1) of signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Novick, Roger R. Belanger
  • Patent number: 5605267
    Abstract: A device for automatically advancing the end of a web in a priming press. The device is particularly useful for advancing the web end over a former and into a folder unit in a press. The device includes at least one endless belt which moves from a retracted position to an engaged position, to thereby grip the web end and, upon rotation of the endless belt, advance the web end to the desired location in the press. The device of the present invention can also be used to advance a web end over a former roll, as well as over an angle roll, in a printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Whitten
  • Patent number: 5603263
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for removing ink, water and contamination build-up on an ink roller in a printing press. The present invention also relates to a device for scavenging unused ink from an ink roller in a printing press, to allow the return the unused ink to the ink fountain. One embodiment of the invention includes a movable scraper blade having a gap corresponding to the lithographic or printing area of the ink roller. In this embodiment, the blade scrapes ink and/or water off of the ink roller only in the areas adjacent the lithographic or printing area. In another embodiment, a scraper blade is constructed of a series of blade segments, with each blade segment being independently actuatable through an actuator. This embodiment allows the scraping area or areas to be adjusted by simply controlling the appropriate actuators for the blade segments corresponding to the scraping area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Dufour, David C. Pollock
  • Patent number: 5598780
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for holding a printing plate on a plate cylinder in a rotary printing press, and to a rotary printing press including such a device. The printing plate, retained by an anterior edge on the external surface of the plate cylinder, is furthermore retained by fastening a posterior end fold onto a hook which can move, with respect to the plate cylinder between a front limiting position in which it forms a projection on the external surface to allow this posterior end fold to be fastened or unfastened, and a rear limiting position in which it is retracted with respect to this external surface and retains the printing plate in tension, in the wound state on this cylinder. The mounting and dismantling of the printing press are thereby facilitated, and the printing gap is reduced to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberg Harris, S.A., Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Marmin, Joel Bastard
  • Patent number: 5596928
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device with an interchangeable leaf for holding a printing plate on a plate cylinder in a rotary printing press, and to a tool for dismantling the leaf. A leaf for fastening an edge of a printing plate onto the external surface of a plate cylinder penetrates into the latter via a slit and is mounted against a flat of a tension bar housed in the plate cylinder through the use of a passage receiving a end region of the leaf, of stop means for retaining the end region in the passage counter to movements other than the movement for extraction via the slit, and an elastic stop piece locking the end region by elastic clipping counter to such a movement but capable of being actuated by means of a flat tool inserted via the slit to release the end region. The mounting and dismantling of the leaf may thus be performed through the slit, without extracting the tension bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberg Harris S.A., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Marmin, Joel Bastard
  • Patent number: 5595117
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping bending vibration in a group of cylinders in a printing press is provided. In accordance with the method, the frequencies of the fundamental vibration modes are initially determined and then dynamic dampers are disposed so as to damp the vibrations. In accordance with the apparatus, at least one dynamic damper is disposed inside the envelope of a cylinder in the group of cylinders. It may be formed as a mass held elastically inside the envelope and having a vibration frequency that corresponds to the frequency of a fundamental vibration mode of the group of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, S.A.
    Inventor: Jilani Chrigui
  • Patent number: 5568767
    Abstract: A scanner senses the position of the individual images on the web. A cutting cylinder position is monitored by a signal generator, and may be altered by mechanically changing the phase of the cutting cylinders in relation to the image on the web based on commands relating to the image registration error, the first derivative of the image registration error and/or the second derivative of the image registration error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale H. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5558615
    Abstract: A folder apparatus is disclosed which has a removable mounting plate supporting both of the corresponding exit rollers of a single lead-in tape assembly. The modular cartridge formed by the mounting plate and exit rollers allows for easy replacement of these parts in the folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin F. Albert
  • Patent number: 5553546
    Abstract: A web printing press and a method of reducing ink build-up on a printing cylinder of a web printing press are described. The web is moved sideways, either by web guides or by moving a web roll stand, during a printing cylinder wash operation to aid in removing ink build-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard W. Hoff
  • Patent number: 5546859
    Abstract: A device for presetting a cut-off register in a folder of a web-fed printing press, includes a marking device for applying at least one mark in an image-free region between two printed images of a web, a detector for detecting the image-free region on the web, the detector being connected to the marking device for signalling the marking device when the image-free region is detected thereby, the marking device being disposed a defined distance in front of a nip located between cylinders of at least one printing unit, and a device for activating the marking device to apply a mark to the image-free region of the web when a respective output signal of the detector indicates the presence of the image-free region on the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Heidelberg-Harris GmbH
    Inventor: Joel C. Hern
  • Patent number: 5538242
    Abstract: A folder apparatus is disclosed which has at least one lead-in tape mechanism having a left lead-in tape and left exit roller and a corresponding right lead-in tape and right exit roller, the right and left lead-in tapes forming a signature passage for delivery of a signature, and the left exit rollers being at a different height than the right exit rollers. A signature aiming device controls the direction of the signature path by moving one or both sets of exit rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris Inc.
    Inventor: Louis J. Doucet
  • Patent number: 5535675
    Abstract: In a rotary printing press, an apparatus for adjusting the lateral and circumferential position of the plate cylinder is provided. The apparatus includes a sleeve having an inner surface with threads disposed thereon; a shaft disposed within the sleeve, and connected to the machine element such that when the shaft moves laterally the machine element is moved laterally, the shaft having an outer surface with threads disposed thereon which engage the threads disposed on the inner surface of the shaft; a gear assembly coupled to the sleeve, such that a rotational movement of the sleeve causes a circumferential movement of the machine element; a first drive for rotating the shaft, such that when the shaft is rotated, the shaft moves the machine element laterally; and a second drive for rotating the sleeve, such that when the sleeve is rotated, the sleeve moves the gear, and the gear rotates the machine element circumferentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druck Maschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Gentle