Patent GB-1039331-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to duplicating machines
Inventor: FORD RONALD MAX
IPC: B41L11/00
Filed: 1962-02-22
Abstract: 1,039,331. Duplicating machines. FRANK R. FORD Ltd. May 22, 1963 [Feb. 22, 1962], No. 6853/62. Heading B6C. In a duplicating machine adapted for printing from selected areas of the master sheet by masking the unwanted matter the master sheet and the masking material are secured to the master cylinder by clamping means disposed in slots which are formed in the cylinder in an axial direction and spaced circumferentially. The means clamping the master sheet comprises an endless band disposed in the associated slot, the band being movable as the cylinder rotates so that the master sheet may be moved axially therealong. In the described embodiment a spring-loaded clip 30, Figs. 2, 6, in a slot 21 is adapted to secure masking material 23 to a master cylinder 13. The material consists of two masking sheets aligned along the slot with a gap therebetween at the centre. The master sheet is held in slot 20 against projections 52 on the outer face of an endless band, a flight 48 of which is located near the bottom of the slot, by a spring-loaded clip 44 both this clip and the clip 30 being releasable from their operative positions through the actuation of a manually operable handle 37 which connects with cam, follower and levers, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 carried by the cylinder in operative association with the clips. The endless band, which is carried on pulleys 50, 51, Fig. 4, each rotata ly mounted near an end of the slot 20, is moved through pawl-and-ratchet mechanism 64, 65, each ratchet wheel 64 being fast with its respective pulley whilst end pawl 65 is mounted on an oscillatable plate 66 movable through a pivotally mounted lever 70 during its motion from a cam-plate 78 bearing a cam surface 83. This cam surface 83 at the lefthand side of Fig. 4 is engageable by either of two cam followers 84 or 119, Fig. 7, whilst the cam surface 83 at the right-hand side of Fig. 4 is engageable by a follower 130, Fig. 8. When the follower 84 is in engagement the machine is functioning automatically every revolution of the master cylinder setting the master sheet relative to the masking material at a predetermined position compared with the position of the previous revolution the space between successive positions being predetermined through manual operation of a setting device 92. This device is actuated by depressing a button 112, Figs. 1 and 9, prior to turning it such that a member 91a, 91b or 91c, Fig. 7, is presented endon to a link 89 pivotally connected to the pivoted plate 86 carrying the follower 84, the lengths of the members 91a, 91b and 91c being different in order that the position of the follower 84 relative to the cam-plate 73 may be placed in one of three positions to obtain one of three different angular lengths of travel of the associated pawl 65. By these means as long as the machine is operating automaticallyinitiation of this mode of operation being through the depression of a treadle board 5- the master sheet is moved across the master cylinder in step-by-step manner the length of each step depending upon the setting of the device 92. If single-revolution operation is desired, a treadle board 4 is depressed and this brings into action the follower 119 simultaneously tripping " out " the follower 84 and bringing into the machine drive a one-revolution clutch arrangement. A push-button similar to 112 is used to select one of three positions of a setting device 124 which is similar to the device 92. This device also has three members of differing lengths, 125a, 125b or 125c being arranged, on manipulation of the button, to abut a member 126, Fig. 7, which is tripped into operative position by a hand-operated lever 120. The member 126 is mechanically connected to the plate 117 carrying the follower 119 and the master sheet is therefore placed relative to the masking material at a position spaced from that at the previous revolution of the cylinder as determined by the member 125a, 125b or 125c selected to contact the member 126. If back-spacing of the master sheet is required the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism 64, 65 at the righthand side of Fig. 4 is actuated through placing the follower 130, Fig. 8, such that it engages the associated cam-plate 78 at that side of the master cylinder. Movement of this follower 130 is effected through actuation of a manual control 128 and the degree of such movement is predetermined by a setting device 135 similar to devices 92 and 124. In order to place the master sheet and masking material in position on the cylinder respective guideways 24 and 25 are provided having respective centre indicator marks 28 and 29. The sheets are placed in position via the guideways after the handle 37 has been actuated to open the clips in the slots 20 and 21. As may be seen from Fig. 3 the machine has the usual moistening means 16 and pressure roller 14.