Abstract: A mounting device is provided for an ink duct of a printing press wherein the ink duct is supported primarily on the press frame so as to be pivotally movable with respect to a ductor roller. The ink duct carries a first guide roller which engages the ductor roller in substantially the same plane as the ink metering elements disposed in the ink duct and the ink duct carries a second guide roller which engages the ductor roller substantially vertically above its center line. A link pivoted to the ink duct carries a third guide roller which is normally biased into engagement with the ductor roller at a position disposed from the first guide roller by at least 180.degree. measured peripherally around the ductor roller through the second guide roller. An unlocking mechanism swings the third guide roller out of engagement with the ductor roller so as to permit pivotal movement of the ink duct and guide rollers away from the ductor roller.

Abstract: Adjustment means for engaging, disengaging and adjusting inking and damping rollers are provided in the inking and damping units of offset printing machines. The printing machine includes inking rollers supported on cam rollers which bear on cam discs situated axially parallel to the plate cylinder inside an arcuate housing. The cam discs are interconnected in such manner that they can be adjusted individually and they are also connected to the housing so as to be adjustable jointly. The housing is also pivotally connected to an adjustment drive by means of which it can be moved peripherally relative to the plate cylinder bearing to effectuate the engagement and disengagement position of the inking rollers.

Abstract: A protective device for a printing press having a hinged protective cover with an automatic mechanical interlocking mechanism, which includes a fixed pawl on the press frame and a cooperating interlocking element which, by shifting its center of gravity, automatically engages in and disengages from a recess in the pawl as the cover is successively raised and lowered with respect to a latched open position.

Abstract: The amount of travel and the phase of axial reciprocation for sets of distributing rollers provided on each of at least two inking units of a rotary printing unit are independently adjustable from a central location. For each of the inking units, one eccentric drive adjustable in reciprocating phase and in the stroke or amount of travel is connected to the end portion of an impression cylinder twice the size of associated plate cylinders so that the axial reciprocating movements of the distributing rollers are derived in synchronism with the rotation of the impression cylinder and in a ratio of 1:2 to the rotation of the associated plate cylinders. In one embodiment, a single bolt clamps the two eccentric drives one on top of the other to the end portion of the impression cylinder. In another embodiment, the two eccentrics drives are concentrically arranged in ring-fashion to permit separate clamping and unclamping of each of the four independent adjustments of the amount of travel and phase of reciprocation.

Abstract: An inking unit for a rotary offset press wherein transfer and applicator rolls are normally externally accessible only after pivoting around one or more non-displaceable transfer rolls, or after the removal of such rolls, including at least two applicator rolls mounted in pivoted levers and having provision for engaging and disengaging companion transfer rolls, the pivoted levers of the applicator rolls being mounted on eccentric bushings having provision for adjusting the pivoted levers relative to engaging the companion non-displaceable transfer roll, characterized by a first transfer roll engaging a pair of inner applicator rolls and all the other displaceable transfer rolls being mounted for engagement with the non-displaceable transfer rolls in a single mounting arm, with the mounting arm being mounted on an eccentric collar disposed centrally on the axis of the non-displaceable transfer roll, and with the arm being pivotable through 180.degree.

Abstract: A pile changing device for a printing press delivery mechanism which includes a first conveyor for delivering sheets from the press seriatim to a piling space, the sheets being accumulated on a pile board in the form of a skid. A track extends from the piling space to a second conveyor. A fork lift mechanism is provided having a carriage which is shiftable on the track. Control means, which is automatically triggered when the skid becomes full, causes the fork lift mechanism to remove the skid from the piling space and to deposit it on the second conveyor. Upon removal of the full skid from the piling space the control means causes feeding of an empty skid via a third conveyor from a skid magazine into a precise sheet-receiving position. an auxiliary pile board is interposed on the path of the delivered sheets during the brief interval when there is no skid in sheet-receiving position.

Abstract: An ink metering arrangement for a printing press including a fountain roller having a plurality of slides arranged edge-to-edge in respective column positions, each slide being adjustable so that its tip forms a gap with the roller thereby determining the rate of ink flow in the corresponding column position. Each slide has a reversible motor for driving the slide over a limited range of movement with respect to a slide reference position. A potentiometer is connected to the motor for producing an electrical output signal corresponding to the degree of slide displacement, the potentiometer having a stop to establish a reference output condition. A slip clutch is interposed in at least one of the motor connections so that when the motor is energized in a first direction the potentiometer and slide are both driven to their reference positions accompanied by relative slipping movement of the clutch notwithstanding the fact that the tip of the slide may have been shortened by wear against the roller.

Abstract: In a rotary printing machine, an arrangement for mounting an applicator roller and a preceding roller in a fluid feed stream journals the applicator roller and the preceding roller to the printing machine frame with substantial bearing play, and spring loads the applicator roller against the bearing surface away from the plate cylinder.On passing through the cylinder gap the applicator rollers of inking, damping or varnishing units in sheet-fed offset presses are jolted both at the start and end of the gap. The resulting different flattening of the soft applicator rollers causes roller marks, which should be avoided. For this purpose the applicator roller and the preceding roller are braced against each other by springs, so that their bearing play is eliminated and the distance between shafts is constant. This condition is also maintained on passage through the gap. Conveyance of liquid between applicator rollers and the preceding rollers is thus constant.

Abstract: A device for application of lacquer or the like to a sheet in a printing press. The lacquer is applied by an applicator cylinder having an associated applicator roller. Lacquer is fed from a fountain having a fountain roller which is slowly driven, the lacquer being transferred from the fountain roller to the applicator roller either directly or through intermediate rollers to form a nip in which the lacquer tends to build up. The amount of lacquer transferred by the fountain roller per unit time is determined by a metering roller which engages the fountain roller. A sensing device located at the nip senses the level of lacquer buildup and produces an output signal upon departure of the building from an optimum level. In one embodiment of the invention the output signal is utilized to bring about a corrective adjustment in the position of the metering roller so that the buildup at the nip tends to be restored to optimum level.

Abstract: An adjusting and throw-off mechanism for use with an applicator roller and a distributor roller in a printing press. An eccentric sleeve bearing surrounds the shaft of the applicator roller. A plunger having a rack and pinion connection with the sleeve bearing is threaded at its end and engaged by a cylindrical nut. A nut carrier is provided in the form of a cylinder telescoped over the nut, the nut being rotatable with respect to the carrier but axially captive therein. The nut carrier is telescopingly received in a bracket secured to the press frame. A positioning device in the form of a crank is interposed between the carrier and the bracket for moving the carrier and nut into a reference position so that upon turning the nut the plunger is axially moved to adjust the eccentric sleeve bearing thereby to adjust the pressure between the rollers.

Abstract: An assembly for journaling and sealing the shaft of a reciprocated roller in a printing press. Mounted on the shaft adjacent the roller is an anti-friction bearing which reciprocates with the shaft. A supporting sleeve is secured to the outer race of the bearing interposed between the bearing and the wall of the opening in the frame and telescoped over the projecting portion of the shaft, the sleeve being keyed to the frame to prevent relative rotation of the sleeve while permitting reciprocation of the sleeve with the shaft. A sealing ring has a collar which is recessed in the telescoping portion of the sleeve. The collar mounts on an annular lip of impervious resilient material extending therefrom cantilever-fashion and shaped to produce a narrow ring of contact with the projecting portion of the shaft, the lip being encircled by a garter spring so that sealing force is applied radially inwardly around the entire ring of contact.

Abstract: A sheet intercept mechanism for temporarily retaining sheets released by the take-off grippers above a delivery pile at the output of a sheet fed printing press. The mechanism includes a horizontal support member and a clamping member normally in open position but having means for closing to capture the edge of a dropped sheet. A horizontal actuator coupled to the support member advances it to a sheet receiving position above the edge of the pile. Triggering means are provided coupled to the take-off grippers for closing the clamping member phased with the release of a sheet so that the clamping member clamps the dropped sheet preventing it, and any subsequently dropped sheet, from dropping upon the pile so as to permit the pile to be removed and a new pile board inserted. The triggering means is disabled as long as the horizontal support is in its retracted position and enabled only when the support is in sheet receiving position.