IES60019B2 - A jig - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing press (1) has a paper feeder (5) and a jig (20) for preparing and aligning a batch of sheets of paper for delivery into feeder (5). A pair of first alignment members (25) and a second, side alignment member (26) are mounted on the feeder (5) for aligning a batch of sheets on a platform (14) for moving into the feeder (5), when required. Tracks (22) which engage casters (24) on the platform (14) guide the platform with the batch (12) of paper into the feeder (5). The alignment members (25) are removable to facilitate movement of the platform (14) into the feeder (5) and the alignment member (26) is pivotally mounted between a position engaging the paper for aligning thereof and a position spaced apart from the paper. The position of the alignment member (26) may be transversely varied for accommodating different sizes of paper.

Description

A jig” The present invention relates to a jig for preparing and aligning a batch of sheets of paper for delivery to a paper feeder. The invention also relates to a paper feeder and printing press comprising the jig. Further, the invention relates to a method for preparing and aligning a batch of sheets of paper for delivery to a paper feeder using the jig.

Paper feeders are extensively used for continuously feeding sheets of paper into a printing press. Indeed, for the efficient use of a printing press, it is essential that sheets of paper should be fed continuously and with the minimum of interruption.

Paper feeders have been developed to feed large batches of sheets of paper. Such a batch of sheet paper would normally supply a printing press continuously for 2 hours. However, when the batch has been exhausted, in most cases, considerable time is lost in preparing the next batch and inserting it in the paper feeder. This is undesirable and leads to considerable down time of the printing process, and accordingly, to relatively r inefficient operation of a printing press.

» There is therefore a need for apparatus to overcome this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing a jig which overcomes this problem. The invention is also directed towards providing a paper feeder and a printing press comprising the jig.

According to the invention, there is provided a jig for preparing and aligning a batch of sheets of paper for delivery to a paper feeder, the jig comprising a platform for the paper, a guide means for guiding the platform from a first position spaced apart from the paper feeder to a second position in the paper feeder, and alignment means co-operable with the platform in the first position for aligning the sheets of paper on the platform.

In one embodiment of the invention, the alignment means defines two adjacent side edges of the paper defining an included angle of 90°, one of said side edges extending in a direction parallel to the direction of motion of the platform from the first to the second positions and the other of said side edges extending transversely in the direction of said motion.

In another embodiment of the invention, the alignment means is mounted on the paper feeder.

Preferably, the alignment means comprises first and second alignment members, the first alignment member being releasably engagable with the paper feeder.

Advantageously, the first alignment member comprises an elongated member extending in a substantially vertical orientation and being releasably engagable with an upper transverse member of the paper feeder for engaging the transversely extending edge of the paper.

In another embodiment of the invention, a pair of first alignment members are provided for spaced apart mounting on the paper feeder.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second alignment member is movably mounted on the paper feeder and is movable from an engaged position engaging the side edge of the paper which extends parallel to the direction of motion of the platform between the first and second positions, to a disengaged position spaced apart from the paper for permitting movement of the paper from the first position to the second position.

In another embodiment of the invention the second alignment member is pivotally mounted on the paper feeder and is pivotal from the engaged to the » disengaged position.

In a further embodiment of the invention the second alignment member comprises an elongated member carried on a pair of spaced apart carrier members engagable with a pair of pivot members for pivotally mounting the 5 second alignment member to the paper feeder.

Preferably, the second alignment member is adjustable transversely relative to the longitudinal movement of the platform between the first and second positions for accommodating different sizes of paper sheets.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide means comprises a pair of spaced apart longitudinally extending tracks for engaging track engaging wheels on the platform.

Additionally, the invention provides a paper feeder comprising the jig according to the invention.

Further, the invention provides a printing press comprising the paper feeder having a jig according to the invention.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for preparing and aligning a batch of sheets of paper for delivery to a paper feeder using the jig according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of placing a platform in a first position in the jig, mounting the first alignment members on the paper feeder, moving the second alignment member into the engaged position, placing sheets of paper on the platform to form an aligned batch by engaging adjacent transverse and longitudinal side edges of the sheets against the first and second alignment members respectively.

In one embodiment of the invention the method further comprises the step of removing the first alignment members from the paper feeder, pivoting the second alignment member into the disengaged position and moving the platform with a batch of paper stacked thereon from the first position to the second position.

Preferably, the platform with the batch of paper thereon is operably in the paper feeder.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a printing press comprising a paper feeder and a jig according to the invention for preparing and aligning a batch of sheets of paper for delivery to the paper feeder, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the paper feeder with portion of the jig according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the paper feeder and jig of Fig. 1 in use, Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of portion of the paper feeder of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a sectional side view of a detail of portion of the paper feeder and jig of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a perspective of Fig. 1, view of portion of the jig Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the portion of the jig of Fig. 6 in a different position, 15 Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a detail of the jig of Fig. 1, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further detail of the jig of Fig. 1, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another portion of the jig of Fig. 1 in use.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a printing press according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, which in this case is typically for use in printing pages of a book on sheets of paper for subsequent folding and binding. The printing press 1 is of relatively large size and is floor mounted. Such floor mounted printing presses will be well known to those skilled in the art. The printing press 1 comprises a printing portion 2 in which the printing operation takes place. Printed sheets of paper are delivered through a dispenser 3 from the printing press 1 for subsequently folding, binding and cutting. Such printing portions of printing presses and dispensers will be well known to those skilled in the art, and for convenience are only illustrated in block representation. Typically, such printing presses print onto paper sheets of up to 640 mm by 900 mm, and normally print on both sides of the sheet. A paper feeder also according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 5 feeds sheets of paper sequentially into the printing portion 2 of the printing press 1. The paper feeder 5 comprises a main framework 6 comprising four upstanding members 7 and 8 joined by top transverse cross members and 10 and four longitudinal side members 11. A platform 14 in the framework 6 carries a plurality of sheets of paper stacked in a batch 12 and urges the batch 12 upwardly into engagement with a sheet feeder mechanism 15 mounted in the framework 6 for feeding the sheets sequentially into the printing portion 2. Such sheet feeder mechanisms will be known to those skilled in the art, and for convenience, the sheet feeder mechanism is illustrated in block representation, and will not be described in further detail. Four chains extend downwardly in the framework 6 and carry brackets 17 for supporting the platform 14. The chains are passed around sprockets 18 and are connected to counter weights (not shown) for urging the batch 12 of paper into engagement with the sheet feeder mechanism .

A jig according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 for preparing and aligning a batch 12 of sheets of paper for delivery into the paper 20 feeder 5 is mounted in the paper feeder 5. The jig 20 comprises guide means comprising a pair of parallel spaced apart tracks 22 of angle iron mounted on the floor for guiding one of a number of platforms 14 from a first position illustrated in Fig. 3 spaced apart from the paper feeder 5 to a second position within the framework 6 of the paper feeder 5, see Fig. 2. Track engaging wheels, namely, four casters 24, are mounted on the underside of each platform 14 for rollably engaging the tracks 22. Alignment means for facilitating the preparation of a batch 12 of sheets of paper on the platform 14 in alignment with the paper feeder 5 comprises a pair of spaced apart first alignment members 25 and a second alignment member 26. The first and second alignment members 25 and 26 are vertically disposed and define adjacent side edges 27 and 28 of the sheets of paper of the batch 12 with an included angle of 90°. The side edge 27 of the batch 12 extends substantially transversely of the direction of motion of the platform 14 from the first to the second positions, while the side edge 28 of the batch 12 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of motion of the platform 14 from the first to the second positions.

Each first alignment member 25 comprises an elongated bar 29 of hollow square box section. A mounting bracket 30 on the top end of each bar 29 releasably mounts each bar 29 to the top transverse cross members 10 of the framework 6. Each mounting bracket 30 comprises a plate member 31 welded to the bar 29 and block members 32 welded to the plate member 31 for defining with the plate member 31 a recess 34 for releasably and slidably engaging the top transverse cross member 10, see Fig. 5. A cross member 35 is secured to the floor for engaging the first alignment members 25 in a correctly aligned vertical position.

The second alignment member 26 comprises an elongated steel bar which is carried on a pair of carrier members 36 which are in turn slidably mounted in pivot mounting brackets 37 to one of the upstanding members 8 of the framework 6. Mounting brackets 39 secured to the upstanding member 8 pivotally carry the pivot mounting brackets 37 so that the pivot mounting brackets 37 are pivotal about parallel axes which extend parallel to the direction of motion of the platform 14 from the first position to the second positions. The carrier members 36 are pivotally connected at 42 to the second alignment member 26 to facilitate moving the second alignment member 26 from an engaged position engaging the batch 12 of paper illustrated in Figs. 3 and 10, to a disengaged position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7 spaced apart from the batch 12 on pivoting of the carrier members 36 in the direction of the arrow A.

Each carrier member 36 is of circular cross section and is slidable in the corresponding pivot bracket 37 in the direction of the arrows C and D for adjusting the position of the second alignment member 26 to accommodate different sizes of sheets of paper. A circular bore 44 in the pivot mounting bracket 37 slidably engages the corresponding carrier member 36.

Each bore 44 is of diameter just sufficient to accommodate sliding of the carrier member 36. Grub screws 45 secure the carrier members 36 in the respective pivot mounting brackets 37 with the alignment member 26 in a desired position. Graduations 47 are provided on the carrier member 36 for coinciding with a face 48 of the pivot mounting bracket 37 to facilitate accurate alignment of the second alignment member 26 for different sizes of paper.

In use, to prepare and align a batch 12 of sheets of paper on a platform 14 for delivery into the paper feeder 5, the second alignment members 25 are positioned by engaging the mounting brackets 30 on the transverse cross member 10 of the framework 6, and engaging the cross member 35« The second alignment member 26 is pivoted into the engaged position and the carrier members 36 are secured in the pivot mounting brackets 37 with the alignment member 26 in the correct alignment position corresponding to the sheet size using the graduations 47. A platform 14 with casters 24 engaged in the tracks 22 is positioned in the first position with a transverse side edge 50 abutting the first alignment members 25. Sheets of paper are stacked up on the platform 14 with the side edges 27 and 28 of the sheets abutting the alignment members 25 and 25, respectively, for accurately aligning the sheets of paper on the platform 14. The sheets of paper are stacked on the platform 14 until a batch 12 of the desired height has been stacked. Typically, a batch height would be one to two metres. On the paper feeder 5 requiring the next batch 12 of paper, the first alignment members 25 are removed and the alignment member 26 is pivoted into the disengaged position. The platform 14 in the framework 6 suspended on the chains 15 is removed, and the platform 14 with the freshly stacked batch 12 of paper is manually wheeled along the tracks 22 from the first position into the second position in the framework 6. The chains 16 are lowered, and the brackets 17 are engaged under the platform 14. The action of the counter weights (not shown) on the chains 16 and in turn on the brackets 17 urges the batch 12 of paper against the sheet feeder mechanism 15. The paper feeder 5 then commences normal operation and feeds the paper into the printing press 1. The second alignment members 25 are replaced on the top transverse cross member 10 and the alignment member 26 is pivoted into the engaged position and another platform 14 is placed in the first position on the rails 22. The next batch 12 of paper is prepared on the platform 14 while the batch 12 of paper on the platform 14 in the paper feeder 5 is being fed into the printing press 1.

The advantages of the invention are many. By virtue of the fact that a platform 14 stacked with a batch of paper 12 is ready for feeding into the paper feeder 5 when required virtually no time is lost in switching over from one batch of paper to another batch. There is no longer a need for the printing press to remain idle while a platform is being stacked with sheets of paper in the paper feeder.

While the jig has been described as being mounted on the paper feeder, while this is advantageous, it is not essential. Furthermore, while the guide means has been described as comprising a pair of spaced apart tracks, any other suitable guide means may be used.

While the alignment means has been described as comprising a pair of removable alignment members, a single removable alignment member may be provided, and in certain cases, it is envisaged that neither of the alignment members would be removable. Further, while one of the alignment members has been described as being movable, this, while it is preferable, is not essential. Furthermore, where one of the alignment members is described as being movable, any other mounting means for mounting the alignment member for movement besides pivotal mounting may be used.

Claims (5)

1. A jig for preparing and aligning a batch of sheets of paper for delivery to a paper feeder, the jig comprising a platform for the paper, a guide means for 5 guiding the platform from a first position spaced apart from the paper feeder to a second position in the paper feeder, and alignment means co-operable with the platform in the first position for aligning the sheets of paper on the platform. 10

2. A jig as claimed in Claim 1 in which the alignment means is mounted on the paper feeder, the alignment means defining two adjacent side edges of the paper which define an included angle of 90°, one of said side edges extending in a direction parallel to the 15 direction of motion of the platform from the first position to the second position and the other of said side edges extending transversely in the direction of said motion.

3. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim in which 20 the alignment means comprises first and second alignment members, the first alignment member being releasably engagable with the paper feeder, and comprising an elongated member extending in a substantially vertical orientation and being releasably 25 engagable with an upper transverse member of the paper feeder for engaging the transversely extending edge of the paper, the second alignment member being an elongated member and being movably mounted on the paper feeder and being movable from an engaged position engaging the side edge of the paper which extends parallel to the direction of motion of the platform between the first and second positions, to a disengaged position spaced apart from the paper for permitting movement of the paper from the first position to the second position.

4. A paper feeder comprising the jig of any preceding claim.

5. A method for preparing and aligning a batch of sheets of paper for delivery to a paper feeder using the jig of any of Claims 1 to 3 f the method comprising the steps of placing a platform in a first position in the jig, mounting the first alignment members on the paper feeder, moving the second alignment member into the engaged position, placing sheets of paper on the platform to form an aligned batch by engaging adjacent transverse and longitudinal side edges of the sheets against the first and second alignment members resoectively.