Abstract: A ratchet tool includes a head and an engaging ring is rotatably received therein. The head has a first opening and a second opening respectively defined in two sides of the head. A first stepped portion and a second stepped portion are respectively defined in an inside of a periphery of the first opening and the second opening. The engaging ring has two necks respectively extend from two opposite ends of the engaging ring and one of the necks has a flange extending outward from a distal edge thereof so as to define a groove between an end of the teeth and the flange. The second stepped portion has an inclined inside so that a C-shaped clamp is easily engaged with the groove and the second stepped portion via the inclined inside.

Abstract: A hand tool for accessing and stably applying torque to tighten or loosen one or more spark plugs from Chevy small-block, big-block, and LS-1 V8 engines without removing the adjacent exhaust headers is disclosed. The hand tool is provided with a tubular pass through socket having both ends open and a length shorter than the length of the spark plug extending from the engine cylinder head into which it is threaded, but longer than the extending base of the spark plug. The tubular pass through socket has an internal surface dimensioned to receive the base of the spark plug in secure engagement to prevent damage to the porcelain insulator of the spark plug as the wrench is fitted to the spark plug and when torque is applied, and a generally radially extending handle at a uniplanar angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular pass through socket ranging from 50° to 130° and of sufficient length to apply torque ranging from approximately 10 lbs/ft to 30 lbs/ft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a kind of spanner with an improved handle, comprising a spanner body, a lengthening bar and a positioning set, wherein the lengthening bar is set on one end of the spanner body, and the positioning set is between the spanner body and the lengthening bar. The spanner is used as a common spanner or lengthened for operations in special occasions, and the scope of application is enlarged. The positioning set is used to position the spanner body and the lengthening bar accurately, and the spanner is easy to handle and store.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a screwdriver bit with a drive section (14) and a front section (1) that contains a profiled penetrating section (2) and is manufactured by compression molding and subsequently sintering a hard metal powder, where the front section is connected to the drive section. Thus, according to the invention, the length of the front section (1) is not greater than 2.5-times the length of the penetrating section (2) and/or the ratio of the length of the front section (1) to the diameter or the width across corners of the penetrating section (2) is not greater than 2.2 (FIG. 7).

Abstract: An article of manufacture for securing a floor covering to a floor with a thin flat piece of metal which slides underneath floor base board trim, and a rounded solid resin piece attached to the metal. The thin flat piece secures the article to the wall by wedging itself between the base board trim and the floor. The resin piece provides pressure to hold the floor covering in place through the metals shape memory. The floor covering is then secured to the floor by inserting the floor covering between the resin piece and the floor. The thin metal piece may be constructed from any other material which will provide the same clamping action. The resin piece may be constructed from any material which provides sufficient hold on the floor covering. The device may also be constructed with a hinge and spring where the spring provides the clamping force.

Abstract: A tool for housing and supplying bits by which they can be driven such as a screw driver or drill has a housing with an elongate tube extending through the housing along the axis to a forward presentation end of the tube at which the bits are presented for use. The housing has a rotatable storage holder mounted in the housing for holding and storing a plurality of tool bits and arranged by manual engagement with an exposed side portion to rotate about a second axis parallel to the tube. The rotatable holder has a plurality of receptacles each for receiving a respective one of the tool bits arranged parallel to the second axis and in angularly spaced relation around the second axis.

Abstract: A precision screwdriver having a turning head includes an accommodation space provided inside a longitudinally extended handle of the precision screwdriver, the accommodation space being open at a wider diameter end of the handle, a holder in the accommodation space, a plurality of ribs each with a locking trough formed in the holder to hold a plurality of tips. A pivot is formed on one end of the holder and an opposing end has a fender formed thereon. The pivot is pivoted to the center of the turning head. A circular protrusion and a groove are provided at where the turning head contacts the accommodation space of the handle with both connected to each other for free pivoting and the turning head functioning as a support axle for the handle. The holder is exposed by pulling the turning head linked to the pivot, and is restricted in the circular trough of the accommodation space by the fender.

Abstract: The tire deflation device (30) includes a rail member (34) having a support portion (38) and a piercing portion (40). The piercing portion (40) of the rail member (34) extends toward a tire (20) and is located between the tire (20) and a protected portion (40) of the automotive vehicle (10). The piercing portion (40) is intended to puncture and deflate the tire (20) when a crush zone (18) is deformed inwardly so as to force the tire (20) into the piercing portion (40) of the rail member (34). The support portion (38) has at least one anchor member (32) fixedly attached thereto for securely mounting the rail member (34) to a side mount (12) of the automotive vehicle (10) within a middle rigid zone (14) thereof.

Abstract: A device for splitting apart a card of thermoplastic ampoules is described. The splitter device includes a card receiving base, a cutter assembly, and a pusher assembly for pushing the card along the base through the cutter assembly so as to divide the card into separate thermoplastic ampoules or groups of ampoules.

Abstract: A band saw includes a protective device having at least one shock absorbing/reflecting member for reducing stress concentrations. The at least one shock absorbing member has a configuration adapted to follow an outer contour of at least a portion of the band saw. A mechanism secures the at least one shock absorbing member to the band saw.

Abstract: A musical violin or fiddle and a carrying case are provided. The fiddle has a restricted or narrow profile so as to permit the fiddle to be fit within the carrying case. The carrying case is made from a polyvinyl chloride pipe length preferably having an internal diameter of not greater than two inches.

Abstract: Magnetically receptive guitar pick stickers are disclosed. These stickers can be adhered to synthetic guitar picks so that the picks can be magnetically held against an object, such as a thin magnet. Each sticker is sized to fit within a perimeter of a guitar pick and is relatively thin so as to be mostly unnoticeable when the guitar pick is gripped. A sticker sheet includes an adhesive backing sheet on which the stickers may be initially carried. Each sticker has a magnetically receptive layer (such as metal) and an adhering layer formed between the magnetically receptive layer and the adhesive backing sheet. Advantageously, a guitar player's preferred guitar picks may be magnetically carried by the thin magnet which is attached to a guitar or a guitar case.

Abstract: A stand for a musical instrument is sturdy, durable, virtually unbreakable, lightweight, simple and inexpensive to construct, and supports an instrument (e.g. a string instrument) in an upright readily accessible manner; yet the stand is simple easy to disassemble for ready transport in a low volume configuration. The stand includes two substantially planar (e.g. molded of polycarbonate) support pieces, with a slide connection between them. An abutment piece preferably fits between the support pieces for ease of transport, and when the stand is assembled fits atop the support pieces. The neck of a guitar, violin, banjo, or like instrument, fits in a recess in the abutment piece, while the body of the instrument is supported by leg portions of the support pieces. A locking member, such as an elastic strap, can extend over the recess to prevent the instrument from detaching from the stand. The stand can be constructed to support multiple instruments.

Abstract: A drum includes a shell with two heads fixedly connected to two opposite ends of the shell by two counterhoops. Each head includes a base, a decoration layer on the base, a protection layer on the decorative layer and a durable layer on the protection layer. The durable layer has ridges extending therefrom so that the patterns on the decorative layer looks like flapping when the head is beat.

Abstract: A drum assembly has a hollow drum shell with a drumhead and drum rim closing one or both end thereof and a guard member secured on one or both drum rims. The guard member is a sleeve member fitting over one or both edges of the drum dim and is secured thereon by setscrews or bolts and locknuts.

Abstract: A wrist mounted electronic tuning device for use in tuning an acoustic musical instrument which includes a self-adapting wristband to automatically accommodate to a wide range of wrist sizes. Additionally, the tuning device includes sensing means operable for sensing an acoustic musical tone produced by the musical instrument and producing a representative electrical signal, conditioning means operable for amplifying, pre-filtering, and shaping the electrical signal into a representative pulse train, input means for selecting a musical note to tune to, computing means for receiving the pulse train and selected musical note and utilizing pre-programmed algorithms to determine the instrument's tuning condition, an output means to annunciate the tuning condition, and a power level switching means to permit the tuner to function in either a fully powered signal acquisition state or low power sleep state.

Abstract: An audio file format is provided, which includes definitions for one or more instruments that are associated with one or more light groupings, where each light grouping includes one or more light sources. Received commands present in the audio file, and associated with an instrument definition, are compared to determine if the associated instrument definition corresponds to one of the one or more light groupings. If the associated instrument definition corresponds to a light grouping, then the commands are mapped to corresponding display effects, and the illumination of the one or more light sources of the respective light grouping is controlled. If the associated instrument definition of the received command corresponds to an audio instrument, then an audible output is controlled in accordance with the received command.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for music notation, and includes a musical staff. The musical staff includes a 20-line grid of horizontal lines and spaces, wherein 10 lines form a treble clef staff portion and 10 lines form a bass clef staff portion. The 10 lines of each staff portion are divided into subportions of 4 lines and 6 lines. The staff may further include a ledger line between the treble clef staff portion and bass clef staff portion, and a ledger line between each subportion of 4 and 6 lines of each staff, wherein the ledger line is adapted to always receive the note C. This eliminates the need for counting multiple ledger lines to decipher notes in a musical composition that are sounded well above the traditional treble or bass staves. The treble clef staff portion may further include a clef that identifies each line and space where the note G may be placed. The bass clef staff portion may further include a clef that identifies each line and space where the note F may be placed.

Abstract: Music information about songs recorded on multiple CD's is stored in a first storing means 21, and when music data of the individual songs of the CD 12 is stored on the hard disk drive 22, music information about the individual songs is read from the first storing means 21, is added to the music data, and the information and the data are stored. If the music information is not stored in the first storing means, the music data is stored without adding the music information, and contemporaneously, CD identification information and stored locations of the music data of the individual songs on the hard disk drive 22 are stored in second storing means 23.

Abstract: A musical content utilizing apparatus has a data input portion B11, transformation process portion B13 and utilization process portion B15 implemented via programmed processes. The data input portion B11 inputs musical content data comprising different kinds of content material data about music and content definition data defining the handling of the content material data. The transformation process portion B13 transforms the content definition data in accordance with stylesheets stored in a stylesheet storage portion B14 in order to enable the utilization process portion B15 to utilize the content material data. The utilization process portion B15 generates musical tones or displays images in accordance with the input content material, providing a user with musical content. As a result, a piece of musical content is able to be shared among various different types of musical content utilizing apparatuses, i.e., various platforms.

Abstract: An automatic performance apparatus comprises a storage device that stores performance data and accompaniment data having a plurality of sections, a detector that detects a specific note in the performance data, a reproduction device that simultaneously reproduces the performance data and the accompaniment pattern data, and a controller that controls the reproduction device to change the section at a point of the detected specific note. A musical performance that is rich in variations can be performed easily with simple automatic performance data.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic musical instrument which is capable of muting by a simple operation. A plurality of fret operating elements are provided on a fingerboard, for determining the pitch. Six stringed operating elements for determining sounding timing are provided on a string input section of the body of the electronic musical instrument. A tone generator and a sound system generate musical tones according to operations of the fret operating elements and the stringed operating elements. A mute fingerboard larger in transverse size than the transverse region over which the six stringed operating elements are arranged is disposed on an operating element holder protecting section engaged with latches of the operating elements. The mute fingerboard is located in the vicinity of operated ends of the stringed operating elements within the range where the stringed operating elements can be operated, and is exposed on a surface of the body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for artillery intended to ram a projectile (7) into the chamber of a weapon barrel, such device comprising an impulse jack (12) incorporating a mobile rod (25) driving a carriage (10) mounted able to slide with respect to a chute (11), the carriage (10) being able to drive the projectile towards the weapon chamber using drive means (9).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum brake booster for motor vehicles, including a booster housing whose interior is subdivided by a movable wall into a vacuum chamber and a working chamber, a control valve that controls the pressure difference acting on the movable wall and is arranged in a control housing that carries the movable wall, said control valve being composed of two concentrically arranged sealing seats and an elastically deformable valve member, as well as including at least one filter in the air passage.

Abstract: A fluid circuit is provided to independently control the flow of fluid into and out of each end of an actuator. This is accomplished by having two different independently controlled valves controlling the flow of fluid into and out of one end of the actuator and by having two other independently controlled valves controlling the flow of fluid into and out of the other end of the actuator. Regeneration of the fluid flow from one end of the actuator to the other end of the actuator is provided by blocking the exhaust flow of fluid to the reservoir by one of the independently controlled valves and redirecting the flow across the other of the independently controlled valves to join with the flow of the pump that is being directed to the other end of the actuator. This arrangement permits a portion or all of the fluid from one end of the actuator to be regenerated to the other end of the actuator.

Abstract: A pressure cylinder including a cylinder housing having one end including an opening. A piston is axially displaceable within the cylinder housing. A piston rod is coupled to the piston and extends through the opening at the one end of the cylinder. A cylinder base closes off the cylinder at an end of the cylinder housing opposite the opening. The cylinder also includes a pressure chamber between the piston and the cylinder base and capable of being pressurized by a pressure medium and a switching disk for interacting with a switch to determine the position of the piston. The switching disk is displaceably positioned in the pressure chamber in frictional engagement and coaxially with the piston rod so that the switching disk passes to a starting position near the piston in response to a pressure impulse overcoming the frictional engagement when the pressure chamber is first pressurized.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system of a diesel engine comprises a PM filter installed in an exhaust passage line of the engine to collect particulate matter (PM) in the exhaust gas from s the engine; a pressure difference sensor for detecting a pressure difference between upstream and downstream portions of the PM filter; a control unit which comprises a collected PM amount estimating section that estimates an amount of collected PM in the PM filter based on the pressure difference; and a reactivation timing judging section that, based on the estimated amount of the collected PM, judges a reactivation time when the reactivation of the PM filter is needed; and a reactivation carrying out system that, upon judgment of the reactivation time, carries out a predetermined operation to increases the temperature of the PM filter thereby to burn the collected PM.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the purification of a gas which apparatus comprises three-conduit section, that is,

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for cleaning a flow of gaseous fluid, such as room air, from particles present in the fluid, the gaseous fluid being ionized, and using a conductive grid placed across and upstream of the filter for protecting the filter from being charged by free ions. An air purifier filter cartridge using the ion-intercepting grid of the invention is also disclosed. The grid may be connected to or electrically insulated from the ionizer ground potential, with equal effect.

Abstract: A process for the removal of water from gas which comprises an absorption step of bringing a gas (1) saturated with water vapour into gas-liquid contact with a water-lean absorbing liquid (3) comprising a water absorbing liquid having a cloud point temperature above the freezing point of water whereby water vapour present in the gas is absorbed into the water-lean absorbing liquid at a temperature below its cloud point to produce a refined gas (4) having a reduced water vapour content and water-loaded absorbing liquid (5); and a regeneration step of heating the water-loaded absorbing liquid (5) to above the cloud point temperature of the absorbing liquid whereby the water-loaded absorbing liquid separates into a water-rich phase (7) and an absorbing liquid-rich phase (8) and cooling the absorbing liquid-rich phase to a temperature below its cloud point prior to recycling the absorbing liquid-rich phase for use as water-lean absorbing liquid (3) in the absorption step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the absorptive separation of NH3 and CH4 from a gas under high pressure, which at least contains NH3, H2, N2 and CH4, using a high-boiling, physically acting and regenerable solvent which contains homologues of alkylene glycol-alkyl-ether and which also may contain water, the absorbed components NH3, H2, N2 and CH4 being separated from the laden solvent in at least two further process steps at different pressure rates, thereby withdrawing at least one NH3-rich and at least one CH4-rich gas fraction from the solvent. This process is particularly suitable to be incorporated as unit in an ammonia production plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating dust from flue gases from combustion plants, especially solid fuel combustion plants, comprising at least one dust filter via which the flue gases are guided, and by means of which the dust from the flue gases can be filtered out as it passes through the dust filter. In order to produce a device which separates dust in a highly efficient manner and which can be operated in a highly reliable manner and be used to heat combustion air for the combustion plant, the at least one dust filter is embodied as a bulk material filter in whose bulk material heat from the flue gases can be collected when the bulk material is cross-flown by the flue gases and by means of whose bulk material heat collected from the flue gases when the combustion air of the combustion plant flows through the bulk material filter can be given off to said combustion air.

Abstract: Inorganic, porous particles attract oleo material within a flow of fluid such as a liquid or gas. The particles can be arranged into a packed bed to filter the oleo material from the fluid flow, which can agglomerate in the pores of the filtering particles. Agglomeration of the filtrate within the pores of the particles does not impede the flow of fluid through the interstices of bed of particle and, hence, enhances the filtering capacity of the particles. Furthermore, the inorganic particles are re-usable, in that they can be subjected to harsh filtrate-separation techniques, e.g., heat treatment, solvent extraction and detergent washing, yet retain their desired properties. Methods of making and using these particles also are described herein. Inorganic, porous particles filter a substance or substances from a flow of fluid such as a gas. The particles can be arranged into a bed to filter a substance (filtrate substance) from a fluid.

Abstract: A fan blade cut off system includes a mesh seat and a mesh cover. The mesh seat has a conductor. The mesh cover comprises a conductive plate corresponding to the conductor of the mesh seat. When the mesh cover is buckled to the mesh seat, the conductive plate engages with the conductor to form a closed circuit, and when the mesh cover is disengaged from the mesh seat, the circuit is in open status.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrically heated jacket to maintain a hot beverage contained in a disposable hot-beverage container at optimum temperature for consumption. Electrical power for heating may be provided, in various embodiments, by household electric power, electric power from a motor vehicle electrical system, or batteries, which may be disposable or rechargeable. The invention also provides a method for keeping a hot beverage warm comprising providing freshly recharged batteries convenient to the point-of-sale of hot beverages.

Abstract: A mold form fryer utilizing a top conveyor that transports snack pieces through a constant velocity oil stream without the need of a bottom mating mold or conveyor. Herein, the form fryer is provided with a top conveyor disposed above a fryer oil pan positioned longitudinally through the fryer. Uncooked snack pieces are provided to the fryer oil pan by a bottom entrance conveyor. Snack pieces, once in oil within the fryer, meet with molding surfaces on the top conveyor. At the exit portion of the fryer, a bottom exit conveyor receives the cooked snack pieces from the top conveyor. As no continuous bottom conveyor is utilized, the fryer oil pan may be provided with a reduced volume segment situated between the bottom entrance and exit conveyors. Additionally, the molding surfaces may be selected to produce uniformly shaped snack pieces that are either convexly or concavely shaped when viewed upon the bottom exit conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brazier grill and a brazier with such grill used for cooking foodstuffs. Said brazier grill (2) is single layered and comprises grooved grill bars (4, 4′, 4″), which are placed in parallel to each other and remove molten fats and cooking liquids emanating from foodstuffs placed thereon during grilling. Two such grooved grill bars (4, 4′, 4″) are placed side by side in parallel with a b2 distance to form a grill grill opening (6) corresponding to 1 mm to 10 mm. This grill opening (6) is formed in a direction perpendicular (T) to the grill so as to allow heat rays emitted from an underneath heat source to pass directly (without encountering any obstructions) through such grill openings to reach a foodstuff on said grooved grill bars during grilling.

Abstract: In one aspect, a food thawing cabinet includes at least one thawing chamber and one or more wall blowers and a heater for producing a controlled high volume of air flow over food product, with the heater controlled in a cyclic manner. In another aspect, various advanced control techniques for controlling heat input are provided in an effort to lower the time required to thaw frozen food products in a safe manner.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separation of milk and milk products, e.g., involving sequential separation of milk, clostrum, and whey components by cross-flow filtration. The apparatus and method in a preferred aspect employ cross-flow filtration, chromatography and fermentation to separate and fully utilize the components of milk, clostrum, and whey to generate numerous individual components, minimize waste, lower adverse environmental issues and provide enhanced economic benefits to dairy producers. A wide variety of consumer and nutraceutical products can be produced from the fractions and/or sub-fractions of milk products obtained from such separation. The invention further contemplates a methodology for selecting optimum membrane, device, and operating conditions to achieve a desired separation.

Abstract: A juice extractor includes a vessel having an internally threaded sidewall, a juice-extracting dome positioned within the vessel, a plunger attached threadedly to the vessel sidewall for pressing fruit against the dome when a plunger is rotated, and a spout extending from the vessel through which juice extract from the fruit can pass to an external receptacle. A handle can be attached to the plunger to assist in rotating the plunger.

Abstract: A method of treating and shaping drill cuttings for disposal, which includes the steps of providing initial separation of drilling fluid from the drill cuttings after the drilling fluid is returned from the borehole; drying the drill cuttings in a cuttings dryer; shaping the cuttings into pellets; granulating the cuttings pellets into granular material; and conveying the granulated cuttings for transport to an onboard bulk storage boat or to a dockside cuttings disposal site, so that the drill cuttings entering the cuttings dryer contain 20% to 40% or more of oil on cuttings (OOC) ratio of drilling fluids retained on the drill cuttings, while the cuttings are dried in the cuttings dryer have a moisture content of 1% to 8% total moisture. Next the cuttings are formed into highly compressed, spherical pellets, so that the pelletized cuttings can be transported more readily, and free of hydrocarbon cross-contamination during storage.

Abstract: A golf ball marking device is provided comprising a first lever arm having a stamp, a second lever arm operably connected to the first lever arm and having a ball positioning member, and a movable ink pad operably connected to one of the first and second lever arms. The moveable ink pad is arranged to contact the stamp when the device is in an inking position. The stamp contacts a ball placed in the ball positioning member when the device is in a marking position. A method of pad printing a golf ball with a portable marking device that utilizes a permanent ink or a non-water soluble ink is also provided.

Abstract: A stencil printing ink container includes an ink container body. An ink charge port is provided in an end wall of the ink container body and an inner plug is mounted on the ink charge port. The inner plug is provided with an ink discharge port smaller in the outer diameter than the inner diameter of the ink charge port and gives an ink suction nozzle of an ink pump access to the ink discharge port.

Abstract: Cream solder stored in a squeegee head is pressurized by a pressurizing plate, and the squeegee head is slid on a mask plate, so that the cream solder is printed onto a substrate via pattern apertures. This is done by a screen printing apparatus, in which pressurized solder is accommodated, and the solder is brought into contact with a surface of the mask plate via an opening formed on a lower face of the cell. A rectifier is disposed in the cell for blocking the cream solder from flowing into a specific area just above the opening. This structure allows the solder to flow into the opening in a slant direction, and causes the solder to roll. This mechanism prevents the solder from being hardened due to staying stagnant just above the opening, and thus prevents defective printings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive mechanism of a printing unit, having an axially movable form cylinder (01) and a second cylinder (02) cooperating with said form cylinder. The form cylinder can be driven by a drive motor (03) by means of a gear (10; 29) having a spur toothing. The second cylinder can be driven by the form cylinder by means of a drive connection (06; 08; 23; 26).

Abstract: A forme cylinder is provided with a circumferential surface which is convexly curved in the axial direction, such that the convex profile, determined by calculation, of the circumferential surface varies in such a way that the diameter of the forme cylinder is largest in the axial center and smallest at the lateral edges.

Abstract: A device in flexographic machines, for making an adjustment between an inner shaft and an extractable jacket, with the double purpose of supporting the jacket along the entire length of the shaft, and of increasing the stiffness of the jacket. The adapter comprises at each of its end portions a rigid ring, and these end rings are internally connected the one another by a first rigid cylindrical member which is thin and capable of expansion and is intended to rest against the shaft, and they are externally connected the one another by a second rigid cylindrical member intended to receive the jacket; expansion means are provided in order to secure said end rings to the shaft, and openings are provided in said second external member in order to allow blowing compressed air intended to make easier the insertion and the extraction of the jacket.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a printing sleeve on a press cylinder includes an inherently stiff annular holding element having an inner shape which is matched to the outer shape of the sleeve, and mutually facing ends defining a slit having a width. At least one clamp urges the ends toward each other to form a butt joint, so that the holding element can clamp the sleeve with a clamping force which is limited by the width of the slit. A device is provided for expanding the holding element so that the clamping force on the sleeve can be released.

Abstract: A conveying device has: a moving member provided so as to be movable; a rotating member rotatably supported at the moving member; and a holding member rotatably supported at the rotating member, and able to hold a sheet. In a state in which the holding member is holding the sheet, the holding member conveys the sheet by at least one of movement of the moving member, rotation of the rotating member with respect to the moving member, and rotation of the holding member with respect to the rotating member.

Abstract: A printing press is provided with a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of a surface of a printing plate mounted on a plate cylinder by feeding air onto the plate cylinder. A plate-replacement space is provided in a certain region around the plate cylinder for replacement of a printing plate mounted on the plate cylinder with a new one introduced from the outside of the printing press. The temperature control unit is designed to be selectively shifted between a temperature control mode and a space opening mode, in which the temperature control mode enables air to be fed through the plate-replacement space onto the plate cylinder, and the space opening mode makes the plate-replacement space open to the outside of the printing press so that the replacement of a printing plate can be done.