Patents by Inventor Karl-Heinz Helmstadter

Karl-Heinz Helmstadter 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: 8042465
    Abstract: A method and a device for converting a mode of operation from straight printing to perfecting in a sheet-processing machine, includes a cam/follower control for operating a gripper system, in which cam followers are maintained in a position in which they are disengaged from control cams before a conversion of the mode of operation is performed. The method and the device convert a gripper system of a reversing drum between a straight or one-sided printing mode and a perfecting or recto-verso printing mode, by controlling pivoting and opening movements of grippers of the gripper system with a control cam. Initially, a cam follower is locked in a position in which it is disengaged from the control cam. Subsequently, a further cam follower is locked in a position in which it is disengaged from a further control cam. Then the gripper system is converted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Ernst-Christian Maschler
  • Patent number: 7849794
    Abstract: A device for transporting sheets in recto or verso printing operation has tongs grippers each with upper and lower grippers. The upper gripper, or rigid gripper, that forms the gripper pad can be locked directly or indirectly in recto printing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Olaf Lorenz, Sonja Kaufmann, Wilhelm Lefken, Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7574958
    Abstract: In a sheet gripper, a dimensionally stable base material and an elastic clamping surface material are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner. The elastic clamping surface material functions as a clamping surface of the sheet gripper. This forms a sheet gripper having a long service life and is easy manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jens Forche, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Hans-Peter Hiltwein, Dieter Stephan, Volker Weyde
  • Patent number: 7484610
    Abstract: In an apparatus for clamping and releasing a gearwheel rim with respect to a main gearwheel that bears the gearwheel rim, a clamping apparatus includes an axially guided, displaceable clamping plate clamping the gearwheel rim between the plate and the main gearwheel. Antifatigue bolts are used for such a purpose. The bolts are expanded by an actuator for releasing the clamped gearwheel rim to an extent that cancels the clamping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
    Inventors: Jens Friedrichs, Christian Görbing, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Markus Möhringer, Thomas Schmidt, Martin Seipel
  • Patent number: 7481429
    Abstract: A method for cyclically conveying sheets through a printing-technological machine adjusts a sheet position with high accuracy. The sheets following one another are in each case held at the front edge in grippers of a gripper system during the conveyance, and wherein the sheet position is adjusted in that a pneumatic apparatus is actuated by a control device which processes signals from at least one fixed-location sensor for the sheet position, as at least one sheet runs past, a large number of measured position values of the sheet are determined successively by using at least one sensor, from the measured position values a characteristic value for the sheet position being determined in the control device, the characteristic value as actual value being compared with a setpoint, and the pneumatic apparatus being set for a following sheet as a function of the comparison in each case between the actual and intended value of the preceding sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Eckart, Michael Füner, Peter Hachmann, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Andreas Detloff
  • Publication number: 20080313878
    Abstract: In a method for producing a pivotable bearing between a gripper and a gripper tube bearing the latter or between a gripper shaft and a gripper tube enclosing the latter coaxially, provision is made for all the components to be mounted on the gripper tube to be fixed before a sliding bearing formed as a resin-hardener system is introduced between the respectively pivotably connected parts. In this manner, deformations brought about by the fixing of the components can be compensated for.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Helmstadter, Olaf Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7412927
    Abstract: A process provides for the safe operation of a printing machine. The printing machine has a first cylinder driven by a first motor, and a second cylinder driven by a second motor. The first cylinder accepts sheets of paper from the second cylinder or delivers them to the second cylinder by a gripper system. In the case of a deviation in the synchronized running between the cylinders, the gripper system is retracted at least in part far enough into the first cylinder that the possibility of a collision of the gripper system with the second cylinder is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Hendrik Frank, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Jochen Bechtler, Stefan Maier, Matthias Nöll
  • Patent number: 7412925
    Abstract: In a device for changing over a gripper control in a turning configuration of a sheet-processing machine, there is provided a slide to be guided axially displaceably by radial stops. The device changes over a gripper control from recto printing to verso printing on a transfer device such as a drum or a cylinder of a turning configuration in a sheet-processing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Ernst-Christian Maschler, Thomas Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080092607
    Abstract: A method and a device for converting a mode of operation from straight printing to perfecting in a sheet-processing machine, includes a cam/follower control for operating a gripper system, in which cam followers are maintained in a position in which they are disengaged from control cams before a conversion of the mode of operation is performed. The method and the device convert a gripper system of a reversing drum between a straight or one-sided printing mode and a perfecting or recto-verso printing mode, by controlling pivoting and opening movements of grippers of the gripper system with a control cam. Initially, a cam follower is locked in a position in which it is disengaged from the control cam. Subsequently, a further cam follower is locked in a position in which it is disengaged from a further control cam. Then the gripper system is converted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Karl-Heinz Helmstadter, Ernst-Christian Maschler
  • Publication number: 20080092760
    Abstract: A reversing gripper system of a sheet-processing machine includes respective drive motors for driving cooperating fixed grippers and spring-loaded grippers to create pivoting and opening movements. The motors may be stationary or may be disposed inside the periphery of a reversing drum. A transmission between a drive motor and the gripper system preferably includes a belt drive. A reversing drum, a printing press and a method of automated electronic adjustment of a gripper position and of gripper opening and closing times, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Helmstadter, Thomas Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080042341
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a gripper, in particular a tongs-type gripper in a sheet processing machine, includes a radial cam for controlling a pivoting movement and an axial cam for controlling opening and closing movements of the gripper independently thereof, during a turning operation. A sheet-fed printing press having the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Karl-Heinz Helmstadter
  • Patent number: 7325493
    Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary printing press for selective recto printing and recto and verso printing includes a three-drum reversing device having three cylinders cooperatively disposed behind one another between respective impression cylinders of two adjacent printing units. The three cylinders include one at least double-size transfer cylinder, one at least double-size storage drum, and one at least single-size reversing drum. Grippers prescribe a circular periphery of the transfer cylinder. The transfer cylinder has an outer contour smaller than the circular periphery prescribed by the grippers of the transfer cylinder. Other grippers prescribe a circular periphery of the reversing drum. The reversing drum has an outer contour smaller than the circular periphery prescribed by the grippers of the reversing drum. A method of operating the three-drum reversing device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Hans Peter Boguhn, Hans-Peter Hiltwein, Günter Stephan
  • Patent number: 7320281
    Abstract: A method of varying a drum profile of a vario drum for transporting printing material sheets, in which shell segments of the vario drum are pivoted inward and outward. Sheet supporting elements assigned to the shell segments are reversibly deformed by pivoting the shell segments. A vario drum suitable for implementing the method and a machine containing the vario drum for processing printing material sheets contain the shell segments and the associated sheet supporting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Willi Becker, Daniel Conzelmann, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Thorsten Eckart, Christian Görbing, Hans-Peter Hiltwein, Olaf Lorenz, Stefan Mutschall, Peter Thoma
  • Patent number: 7287750
    Abstract: A machine for processing printing material sheets, in particular a sheet-fed printing press, has a sheet transport drum for transporting the printing material sheets and at least one sheet supporting element. The sheet supporting element, which is formed with a sheet supporting surface, is compatible with the sheet transport drum, for supporting the printing material sheets in a first operating mode. When the machine is operated in the first operating mode the sheet supporting element is held attached to the sheet transport drum, and when the machine is operated in a second operating mode the sheet supporting element is stored in the machine detached from the sheet transport drum. A corresponding printing material processing machine is suitable for carrying out the novel method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Hans Peter Boguhn, Jens Friedrichs, Andrea Martha Haupenthal, legal representative, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Hans-Peter Hiltwein, Olaf Lorenz, Günter Stephan, Peter Thoma, Rudi Haupenthal, deceased
  • Patent number: 7219889
    Abstract: A sheet-processing machine, particularly a rotary printing press, includes a blast-air supply system and a pneumatic sheet-guiding device connected thereto. The sheet-guiding device has a sheet-guiding surface formed with air passage openings and serves for having the sheets dragged thereover in a sheet travel direction. The air passage openings serve for expelling sheet-carrying air flows during operation. The sheet-guiding device further includes flow ducts for aligning sheet-carrying air flows. The air passage openings in the sheet guiding surface form opening cross-sections of the flow ducts in the form of slots having a length which is many times greater than the width thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Peter Hachmann, Christian Hieb, Sven Kerpe, Günter Stephan, Ralf Weiser, Thorsten Eckart, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter
  • Patent number: 7207265
    Abstract: Devices for turning sheets in a rotary printing machine are described. The devices have a storage drum for handling sheets, which are each held by a holding device, and a turning drum is disposed downstream of the storage drum and has a holding device for engaging a rear edge of the sheet to be turned. An operation of detaching the sheet to be turned from the storage drum and carrying it along by the turning drum leads to the formation of a pressure reduction in an area formed between the sheet to be turned, the storage drum and the turning drum. The pressure reduction is compensated for by supplying ambient air, blast air and/or compressed air. The turning device has a channel and/or a passage orifice connected to an inner chamber of the turning drum. Via the channel and/or passage orifice air can be sucked and/or blown into the reduced-pressure area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Helmstädter
  • Publication number: 20070006754
    Abstract: A method for cyclically conveying sheets through a printing-technological machine adjusts a sheet position with high accuracy. The sheets following one another are in each case held at the front edge in grippers of a gripper system during the conveyance, and wherein the sheet position is adjusted in that a pneumatic apparatus is actuated by a control device which processes signals from at least one fixed-location sensor for the sheet position, as at least one sheet runs past, a large number of measured position values of the sheet are determined successively by using at least one sensor, from the measured position values a characteristic value for the sheet position being determined in the control device, the characteristic value as actual value being compared with a setpoint, and the pneumatic apparatus being set for a following sheet as a function of the comparison in each case between the actual and intended value of the preceding sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Thorsten Eckart, Michael Funer, Peter Hachmann, Karl-Heinz Helmstadter, Andreas Detloff
  • Patent number: 7150456
    Abstract: A machine processing printing-material sheets contains a first sheet transport drum and a second sheet transport drum disposed immediately after the first sheet transport drum in a sheet transport direction. The first sheet transport drum has gripper systems which describe a gripper flight circle during its rotation and a drum profile deviating substantially from a circular shape with outer contour regions running between the gripper systems and set back from the gripper flight circle. The second sheet transport drum has a sheet support surface with pneumatic grooves formed therein. The sheet support surface is composed of a first and second comb segments each with segment prongs. The pneumatic grooves are introduced into the segment prongs of at least one of the comb segments. The pneumatic grooves are preferably introduced both into the segment prongs of the first comb segment and into the segment prongs of the second comb segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Markus Gerstenberger, Christian Hieb, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Raimund Schröder, Thorsten Eckart
  • Publication number: 20060266237
    Abstract: A printing-material-carrying surface, having micro-elevations which make contact with a printing material provided with printing ink, is at least partly provided, preferably substantially only at peaks of the micro-elevations, with a fluid additive to improve print quality, in particular in recto and verso printing. The fluid additive, in particular a liquid additive diluting the printing ink and/or delaying and/or slowing the drying of the printing ink, is at least partly transferred to the printing material by the surface. A printing press cylinder and a printing press having the printing-material-carrying surface and a process for applying a fluid additive and a printing process using the printing-material-carrying surface, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Helmstadter, Lars Herzbach, Hans-Peter Hiltwein
  • Patent number: 7111843
    Abstract: A sheet-processing machine includes a revolving sheet holding device for aiding in transporting sheets to be processed. A device for producing suction air or air blast has a movable air delivery element accommodated on the revolving sheet holding device. An actuating element cooperatively engages with the air delivery element for driving the air delivery element. The actuating element is either fixed to a frame of the machine or is movable relative to the sheet holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Helmstädter