Patent ID: 7165492
Filing Date: 2007-01-23
Classification: B41F,B65H,H04N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: an imaging cylinder of an imaging device, the cylinder having an outer surface and an inner wall; and a clamping device arranged for clamping an edge of a flexible plate onto the outer surface of the cylinder, wherein the clamping device includes: a base body having a hollow interior, and extending in the axial direction of said cylinder, the base body being fixed to the inner wall of the cylinder or incorporated into the inner wall of the cylinder; a clamping element having a width and extending in the axial direction of the cylinder, located adjacent to the outer surface of the cylinder wherein the base body is located; a lifting bar located in the interior of the base body and coupled to the clamping element by at least one guiding shaft, the lifting bar being movable in a first radial direction to move the clamping element away from the outer surface of the cylinder to form a gap between the outer surface and the clamping element, the lifting bar further being movable in the radial direction opposite the first radial direction to close the gap formed between the outer surface of the cylinder and the clamping element; and a mechanism to impart and maintain compressive force between the clamping element and the outer surface of the cylinder such that any gap formed is maintained closed unless forcibly opened, the apparatus further comprising: an inflatable hose arranged in the interior of the base body and adapted to move the clamping element in the first radial direction when pressure is applied to inflate the inflatable hose, wherein the width of the clamping element is configured such that the gap formed between the clamping element and the outer surface is sufficient to grip the edge of the flexible plate when the gap is closed, and wherein a forward gap and a rear gap are formed by the clamping bar so that two edges of the same or different flexible plates may be clamped by the clamping device, such that when the gaps are formed by inflating the inflatable hose to move the lifting bar in the first radial direction, the edge of the flexible plate can be placed in either gap, and such that when the gaps are closed by the inflatable hose deflating, the plate is maintained clamped onto the outer surface of the cylinder.