US2863387A - Means for varying the phase relationship of the cylinders of a printing press - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 9, 1958 H. w. HUFFMAN 2,863,387

MEANS FOR VARYING THE PHASE RELATIONSHIP OF THE CYLINDERS OF A PRINTING PRESS Filed March 26, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 as B 6 es 250 s is I INVENTOR. HAROLD W. HUFFMAN ATTORNE Dec. 9, 1958 THE PHASE RELATIONSHI ERS OF A PRINTING PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2:

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Dec. 9, 1958 H. w. HUFFMAN 2,863,387

- MEANS FOR VARYING THE PHASE RELATIONSHIP OF THE CYLINDERS OF A PRINTING PRESS Filed March 26, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. HAROLD W. HUFFMAN BY (WW- AT ORN United States Patent MEANS FOR VARYING THE PHASE RELATION- SHIP OF THE CYLINDERS OF A PRINTING PRESS Application March 26, 1954, Serial No. 418,912

12 Claims. (Cl. 101-248) This invention relates to the method of and means for varying the phase relationship of the cylinders of a printing press.

An object of the invention is to teach a method of and to disclose simple yet highly effective means for selectively changing the phase relationship of the individual cylinders of a group of cylinders driven by a common shaft.

Another object of the invention is to teach a method of changing the phase relationship of the cylinders of a press relative to a web of endless material being acted upon by the cylinders.

Still another object of the invention is to provide simple yet highly effective means for permitting an operator of a press having a plurality of cylinder assemblies to independently alter the phase relationship of the cylinders which collectively comprise an assembly relative to a web of material passing through the various cylinder assem blies.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for effecting limited endwise axial movement of the drive shaft of a special gear box which may be associated with the conventional cylinder-driving mechanism of a printing press for thereby enabling the phase relationship of the cylinders to be altered relative to each other and relative to a continuous web'passing over the cylinders while the cylinders are being simultaneously driven from a common shaft.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device having the hereinabove described characteristics and which includes means for enabling an operator to control the phase relationship of the driving mechanism for the individual cylinder assemblies of a printing press from that side of a press which is opposite from the side on which the cylinder driving means is located.

These and other objects are attained by the mean's described in the specification and drawings, in which:

I Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the method of and one means for varying the phase relationship of the cylinders of a printing press, embodying the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the method which the method of the present invention replaces.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the structural details of means for controlling the phase relationship of the cylinders of a printing press.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partial elevation'al view of the left end of Fig. 3.

With particular reference to Fig. 2, the numerals 10, 12, 14 and 16 denote generally the lower or driven cylinders over which an endless web 18 is caused to pass in cident to being printed, numbered, punched, perforated, etc. A second cylinder, denoted by the numerals 101, 121, 141 and 161 is associated above and along with cylinders 10, 12, 14 and 16 for providing a plurality of cylintier assemblies, wherein a particular or single operation is Patented Dec. 9, 1958 ice performed upon web 18 as it passes between the cylinders of each assembly.

The numerals 2), 22 and 24 denote generally so-called compensator rolls, the purpose of which is to permit axial, endwise alignment or correction of the web relative to the circumference of the cylinders over which the web is next passed for effecting the necessary and desired alignment of the web with and relative to the various cylinder assemblies. Movement of the compensator rolls 20, 22 and 24 is utilized to shorten or lengthen the web between adjacent cylinder assemblies, it being noted that web-correction by means of compensator roll 20 renders it necessary to sequentially adjust the other compensator rolls 22 and 24, said adjusting process being known, in the printing trade, as back correction. In passing it will be noted that if the correction be required at cylinder 14, compensator roll 22 would be adjusted requiring the subsequent adjustment of compensator roll 24, which is behind roll 22; however adjustment of compensator roll 22 would not require adjustment of compensator roll 20 since it is in advance of compensator roll 22.

As a practical matter considerable time is spent in modern printing establishments in obtaining the desired alignment between a web and the impressions of the various printing cylinders and the phase relationship of various punching cylinders, etc., such time accounting for a very considerable down-time of any given press.

The method and apparatus of the subject invention are directed to a simple yet highly eifective means for enabling an operator to vary the phase relationship of the various cylinder assemblies relative to the web being operated on by the said cylinder assemblies and while the press is in full operation, thereby enabling an operator to quickly control the phase relationship of each cylinder relative to the web, per se, and entirely independently of the other cylinders.

This is in sharp contrast to the system disclosed in Fig. 2, wherein the web is adjusted relative to the various cylinder assemblies.

With particular reference now to Fig. 1, the numeral 30 denotes generally a conventional drive shaft for each of a plurality of cylinders denoted generally by the letters A, B, C and D. An endless web E is acted upon by the said cylinders as it is moved to the right, by suitable means not pertinent to the present invention. The letters A, B, C and D indicate the companion cylinders which with cylinders A, B, C, and D, respectively, comprise four cylinder assemblies. In passing it may be noted that assemblies A--A and B-B are individually mounted on separate, laterally spaced frames F and G, respectively, whereas assemblies C-C and D-D' are mounted to a common frame H wherein frames F, G and H are secured to and carried by a common base I. Such disclosure is exemplary rather than restrictive.

A plurality of gear boxes 40 are provided, one for each cylinder assembly whose phase relationship is to be controlled. A drive shaft 42 is mounted in each of gear boxes 40 for rotational and limited endwise axial movement. The opposite ends 44 and 46 of each drive shaft 42 project from opposite sides of the housing, said ends being preferably splined for engagement with collars 48 and 50, it being noted that collar 48 may, if desired, be securely though releasably anchored to spline 44 by means of a set screw 52.

The original shaft 30 which heretofore has driven the various cylinder assemblies may be severed whereby to accommodate drive shafts 42 and if desired the end of shaft 30 may be provided with a spline 54 to be received within collar 48, to which it may be anchored by means of set screw 56. Spline 46 may slidably engage complementary internal splined portion of collar 50, the other end of which collar may be secured to splined portion 3: 58 of what, in effect, is a continuation of shaft 30, being securely though releasably fastened to collar by means of a set screw 60.

A worm gear 62 is secured to and carried by drive shaft 42 and in driving relationship with worm wheel 64 rotatably mounted on and carried by shaft 66. Spur gear 68 is likewise rotatably mounted on andcarried by shaft 66, and is keyed to the worm wheel for positive rotation therewith. Gears 68 are in driven relationship with cylinders A, B, C and D, note Fig. 1.

It will be noted that rotation of shaft 30 will be imparted to drive shafts 42, thence to worm gears 62' for imparting rotary motion to spur gears 68 via worm wheels 64, it being further noted that rotation of shaft 30 will result in the simultaneous rotation of each of the cylinders A, B, C and D.

The phase relationship of any of cylinders A, B and CD may be altered by imparting an endwise axial movement to drive shaft 42, it being noted, with reference to Fig. 4, that axial movement of shaft 42 to the left will result in axial shifting of worm gear 62 to the left for thereby rotating the worm wheel 64 in a clockwise direction. Conversely, axial endwise movement of shaft 42 to the right will cause worm gear 62 to be. shfited along an axial path to the right for thereby imparting a counterclockwise rotation to worm wheel 64.

Axial translation of drive shaft 42 may be conveniently accomplished by means of a hand crank 70, note Fig. 3, by which rotary motion may be imparted to shaft 72 to which a worm gear 74 is secured, said worm gear engaging worm wheel 76, which is rotated about screw 78, which is secured against rotation.

A nut 80, which is fixedly secured to and carried by gear 76 such as by means of a lock element 82, threadably engages the externally threaded screw 78 whereby rotation of nut 80 will result in endwise axial movement of screw 78, the free outer end of which is secured by bolt 84 to downwardly projecting ear 86 of the wormdrive shaft supporting sleeve 88.

Axial movement of sleeve 88 will be imparted. to shaft 42 and worm 62 'by means of cap 90, which is securely though releasably anchored to the sleeve by means of bolts 92, said cap 90 providing an annular housing for seal rings 94 and 96 and an abutment for one end of the outer raceway 98 of a bearing denoted generally by the numeral 100, the inner raceway 102 of which abuts against collar 104 formed integral with drive shaft 42.

The other end of sleeve 88 is provided with a bushing in which sealing rings 112 and 114 are mounted. The forward end of bushing 110 provides an abutment for one end of the outer raceway 116 of a bearing denoted generally by the numeral 118, the inner raceway 120 of which abuts against annular abutment 122 provided on drive shaft 42. The outer end of bushing 110 is engaged by a snap ring 124 which maintains bearing 118, seals 112 and 114, and bushing 110 in desired relationship with respect to sleeve 88 and shaft 42.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that axial movement of screw. 78 will effect axial translation of. sleeve 88, which in turn will impart axial movement to drive shaft 42 and worm 62 whereby worm wheel 64 will be turned about its axis of rotation.

That end of screw 78 adjacent nut 80- may be provided with an enlarged abutment 79 which, if desired, may be securely fastened relative to screw 78 by means ofbolt 81. Abutment 79 limits the axial travel of .drive shaft 42, it being noted that the left face of the abutment will engage end face 83 of nut 80 for thereby limiting axial travel of screw 78 to the left. Axial travel of. screw 78 to the right will be determined by contact of abutment 79 with annular stop face 85 provided in cap 158.

In this manner I have provided simple yet highly effective means for limiting the overall axial travel of screw 78, sleeve 88, drive shaft 42 and those elements associated with said drive shaft. As illustrated in. Fig. 4, screw 4 78, shaft 42 and the other related items are in a central position.

As best illustrated in Fig. 4, cap 90 may be provided with a recessed portion 91 dimensioned to loosely and slidably receive the adjacent end of collar 50 incident to axial translation of drive shaft 42 and sleeve 88 to the left, incident to actuation of crank 70.

' Sealing rings 140, 142, 144 and 146 are provided between portions of gear box or casing 40 and sleeve 88 for effecting a fluid-tight fit. It will likewise be noted that sealing rings 150 and 152 are provided between screw 78 and end plug 154 which is received within axial bore 156 extending through the lower portion of the gear box.

An end plug 158 is secured by means of bolts 160 to the other end of bore 156. It will be noted that the inner or adjacent ends of plugs 154 and 158 provide seats for the outermost races of bearings 162 and 164, the inner races of each of said bearings abutting against opposite ends of worm Wheel 76, which is thereby mounted for rotary motion while being fixed against axial movement.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention an oil sight gauge may be provided for indicating the height of lubricant within chamber 172 of the gear casing, said gauge being secured to and carried by plug 171.

With particular reference now to Fig. 3, the numeral 200 denotes the end plate, standard or right framework of any particular cylinder assembly, whereas the numeral 202 denotes the other or opposite end plate, standard or left framework of the cylinder assembly, it being noted that cylinders A, B,. C and D are suitably mounted whereby to span plates 200 and 202. In Fig. 1 plates 200 are toward the reader, it being understood that plates 202 are disposed rearwardly of and in substantial alignment with the forward plates.

The housing, in Fig. 3, denoted generally by the numeral 204, is a standard or conventional housing in which the spur gear 68 is housed in driving relationship with a gear on the end of the driven shaft for a particu lar cylinder, said housing being suitably fastened to standard 200 such as by means of bolts 206, or the like.

Gear box housings 40 may be securely though releasably fastened to housings 204 such as by means of bolts 208, and suitable sealing means 210 may be provided for effecting a fluid-tight tit and for preventing the accidental or unintentional passing of lubricant from the interior of housing 40 over into housing 204.

With further reference to Fig. 3, it will be noted that shaft 72 extends through a bearing sleeve 212 securely though releasably fastened to and interiorly of housing 40 by means of set screw 214. Suitable oil rings 216 and 218 are provided in bearing sleeve 212 and around shaft 72 for precluding the passage of lubricant from the interior 172 of gear box 40 along said shaft. Worm wheel 74 is securely fastened to the forward end of shaft 72 such as by means of a pin 75, whereby rotation of shaft 72 will be imparted to gear 76.

Theother end of rod 72.to which handle 70 is mounted may be received within a cap member 220 secured to shaft 72 by means of .pin 222. Arm 71 of crank 70 may besecurely though releasably fastened to cap 220 by means of set screw 224.

A dial 226 secured to and carried by cap 220 is adapted to co-operate with an. indicator member 228 which, as best illustrated in Fig. 3, may be threadably received within rear standard 202.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention suitable indicator means are provided adjacent the hand crank assembly for enabling an operator standing on one side of the press to ascertain, at a glance, the amount by which the drive shafts 42 are axially displaced, if at all,

Y from the normal, central position of Fig. 4. As best illustrated in Fig.1 3, such indicator means may comprise a member-.180 adapted to slidably extend througha bore provided in side frame 202. One end of shaft 180,

is-anchored by means of a set screw 188 to an arm 186, which is provided with an internally threaded bore 190 which engages externally threaded portion 192 of a sleeve 1 9 4 fixedly secured to shaft 72 such as by means of a pin 196.

From the foregoing it will be noted that as shaft 72 is rotated, arm 186 will travel axially of and along sleeve 194 whereby indicator member 180 will be shifted axially relative to bore 182. If the forward end 198 of indicator 180 be adjusted whereby to be flush with outer face 201 of member 202 when drive shaft 42 and worm 62are in the exact center of their axial travel, shifting of the drive shaft axially, in one direction, will result in causing end 198 of indicator member 180 to project forwardly from and beyond face 201, whereas shifting of the shaft in the opposite direction will cause the forward end of the member to be located interiorly of bore 182. i

If desired, suitable indicia may be applied to an echelon or dial 222 whereby an operator may rotate shaft 72 a predetermined amount for effecting a known and ascertainable phase shifting of a particular cylinder. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the dial has been calibrated in thousandths in terms of the outer or active circumference of cylinders A, B, C and D, thereby making it a simple matter for an operator to shift the phase relationship of the cylinders relative to web E.

With particular reference now to Fig. 1, the cylinders A and B may be considered color cylinders wherein each will apply a different color to web E as it passes over the cylinders. Cylinders C and D may be considered punching cylinders. If it should occur that the color being applied by cylinder B is not in exact registry with the color applied by cylinder A, all an operator need do in order to properly align the color being applied by cyl'inder B is to turn crank 70 of frame G for rotating the cylinder relative to the web as the web is being fed thereover. It will be notedithat such adjustment is made entirely independent of the web and independently of the driving force being applied to the cylinders of housings F and H. It will likewise be noted that the phase adjustment of the cylinders of any particular housing does not necessitate back correction as in the old system illustrated in Fig. 2.

My system provides superior results using a fewer number of parts, since the compensator rolls 20, 22 and 24 and the expensive mounting and adjustment means associated therewith have been completely dispensed with.

It should likewise be noted that the subject means may be easily applied to an existing press, thereby greatly enhancing its utility.

In passing it should be noted that the axial translation of shafts 42 may be automatically controlled, such as, by wayof example, cam means, in lieu of the manual means illustrated for permitting the rate of rotation of the cylinders to be selectively altered throughout each complete cycle while being driven from a uniformly rotating drive shaft 30.

What is claimed is:

l. A drive for individually altering the phase relationship of a plurality of rotatable members driven by a common shaft comprising, in combination, a plurality of drive shafts, means mounting each of said shafts for free rotational and limited endwise axial movement, means slidably coupling said individual shafts in endwise axial alignment, a Worm gear in fixed, driven relationship with and carried by each of said shafts for duplicating the rotational and endwise axial movements of their respective shafts, independently operable means for imparting endwise axial movement to each of said shafts, and worm wheels in continuously driven relationship with the worm gears during rotational and axial movement of said gears.

2. A drive for individually altering the phase relationship of a plurality of rotatable members driven by a common shaft comprising, in combination, a plurality of drive shafts, a housing for each of said shafts, means secured to and carried by each housing for mounting a drive shaft for free rotational and limited endwise axial movement relative to its respective housing and with opposite ends of the shaft projecting from the housing, a worm gear in fixed, driven relationship with and carried by each of said drive shafts, means coupling adjacent ends of the drive shafts in endwise axial alignment for relative endwise axial movement but fixed against relative rotary movement, means associated with each hous ing for imparting endwise axial movement. to the drive shaft associated therewith, and a worm wheel carried by and rotatably mounted in each housing and in driven relationship with the Worm gear of the drive shaft extending therethrough, said Worm wheel continuously engaging the worm gear during rotational and axial movement thereof.

3. A drive for individually altering the phase relationship of a plurality of rotatable members driven by a composite shaft comprising, in combination, a plurality of housings, one for each of the rotatable members whose phase relationship is to be altered, a drive shaft for each housing, a sleeve secured to and carried by each housing, means mounting each sleeve against relative rotary movement with, but for endwise axial movement relative to, its respective housing, means rotatably mounting a drive shaft to each sleeve with opposite ends of the shaft r0- jecting beyond the housing in which the sleeve is mounted, a worm gear fixedly secured to and carried by each of said drive shafts, a worm wheel in each housing in continuous driven engagement with the worm gear of the drive shaft extending through said housing, means secured to and carried by each housing for imparting endwise axial movement to its respective sleeve and the drive shaft associated therewith, and means for slidably coupling adjacent ends of the drive shafts of adjacent housings in endwise axial alignment for providing a composite shaft all elements of which are fixed against relative rotational movement.

4. A drive for individually altering the phase relationship of a plurality of rotatable members driven by a composite shaft comprising, in combination, a plurality of housings, one for each of the rotatable members whose phase relationship is to be altered, a drive shaft for each housing, a sleeve secured to and carried by each housing, means mounting each sleeve against relative rotary movement with, but for endwise axial movement relative to, its respective housing, means rotatably mounting a drive shaft to each sleeve with opposite ends of the shaft projecting beyond the housing in which the sleeve is mounted, a worm gear fixedly secured to and carried by each of said drive shafts, a worm wheel in each housing in con,

tinuous driven engagement with the worm gear of the drive shaft extending through said housing, an axially shiftable member securedto and carried by each housing, means rigidly interconnecting said member to a sleeve for translating its axial movement to endwise axial move ment of the sleeve, means journaled to a housing for imparting endwise axial movement to said member, and means for slidably coupling adjacent ends of the drive shafts of adjacent housing in endwise axial alignment for providing a composite shaft all elements of which are fixed against relative rotational movement.

5. A drive for individually altering the phase relationship of a plurality of rotatable members mounted between a pair of laterally spaced end plates, and which are driven by a composite drive shaft, said drive comprising a plurality of housings, one for each of the rotatable members Whose phase relationship is to be altered, means for securing said housings to one row of the said end plates, a drive shaft for each housing, a sleeve secured to and carried by each housing, means mounting each sleeve against relative rotary movement with, but for endwise axial movement relative to, its respective housing, means totatably mounting a drive shaft to each sleeve with opposite ends of the shaft projecting beyond the housing in which the sleeve is mounted, a worm gear fixedly secured to and carried by each of said drive shafts, a worm wheel in each housing in continuous driven engagement with the w rm gear of the drive shaft extending through said housing, an axially shif-table member secured to and carried by each housing, means rigidly interconnecting said member to a sleeve for translating its axial movement to endwise axial movement of the sleeve, means jour'n'aled to a housing for imparting endwise axial movement to said member, said means including a shaft spanning the end plates, means on that end of the shaft remote from its respective housing for actuating said axially shiftable member, and means for slidably coupling adjacent ends of the drive shafts of adjacent housings in endwise alignment for providing a composite shaft all elements of which are fixed against relative rotational movement.

6. In combination with a rotary printing press of the type which includes a pair of laterally spaced standards, rotatable printing cylinders spanning the standards, of a drive shaft for said cylinders, means mounting the drive shaft to one of the standards for free rotational and limited endwise axial movement, means translating both rotary and endwise axial movement of the drive shaft to rotary motion of the cylinders, and means operable from the other standard for imparting endwise axial movement to the drive shaft.

7. In combination with a rotary printing press of the type which includes a pair of laterally spaced standards, and rotatable printing cylinders spanning the standards, of a housing secured to and carried by one of the standards, a drive shaft for said cylinders, a sleeve, means securing the sleeve to the housing for endwise axial movement therewith, means rotatably mounting the drive shaft to the sleeve, means for imparting axial movement to the sleeve and the drive shaft carried thereby, means within the housing for translating both rotary and endwise axial movement of the drive shaft to rotary motion of the cylinders, and means operable from the other standard for imparting endwise axial movement to the sleeve.

8. The combination of claim 7 in which there is also provided an indicator in association with the second mentioned standard for indicating the position of the sleeve with reference to its overall endwise axial travel.

9. In combination with a rotary printing press of the type which includes a pair of laterally spaced standards, and rotatable printing cylinders spanning the standards, of cylinder phase shifting means comprising a housing secured to and carried by one of the standards, a drive shaft for said cylinders, an elongate sleeve, means securing the sleeve to the housing for endwise axial movement therewith, means rotatably mounting the drive shaft to the sleeve, means for imparting axial movement to the sleeve, means within the housing for translating both r0- tary and endwise axial movement of the drive shaft to rotary motion of the cylinders, and means operable from the other standard for imparting endwise axial movement to the sleeve, said last mentioned means including a shaft spanning the standards and an indicator associated therewith for indicating the relative position of the sleeve in terms of its overall axial travel.

10. In combination with a rotary printing press of the type which includes a pair of laterally spaced standards-,- and rotatable printing cylinders spanning the standards,

of cylinder phase shifting means comprising a housing secured to and carried by one of the standards, a drive shaft for said cylinders, an elongate sleeve, means securing the sleeve to the housing for endwise axial movement therewith, means rotatably mounting the drive shaft to the sleeve, means for imparting axial movement to the sleeve, said'means including a member in spaced para-llelism with the axis of the elongate sleeve and axially shiftab'le relative to the housing, means operable for imparting endwise axial movement to said member, means interconnecting said sleeve to said member whereby axial movement of the member imparts a corresponding axial movement to the sleeve, and means within the housing for translating b'oth rotary and endwise axial movement of the drive shaft to rotary motion of the cylinders.

11. The combination of claim 10 in which stop means are provided for limiting the endwise axial travel of the member to which the sleeve is interconnected.

12. In combination with a rotary printing press of the type which includes a pair of laterally spaced standards, and rotatable printing cylinders spanning the standards, of cylinder phase shifting means comprising a housing secured to and carried .by one of the standards, a drive shaft for said cylinders, an elongate sleeve, means se--' curing the sleeve to the housing for endwise axial move-v ment therewith, means rotatably mounting the drive shaft to the sleeve, means for imparting axial movement to the References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,972,840 Graf Sept. 4, 1934 2,163,035 Grupe June 20, 1939 2,183,045 Presby Dec. 12, 1939 2,345,411 Moeller Mar. 28, 1944 2,425,914 Blackley et a1 Aug. 19, 1947 2,563,117 Hurley Aug. 7, 1951

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