Patent ID: 8783180

Claim:
A portable proofing apparatus adapted for manual portability from one location to another for producing sample test printings of inks and coatings, the proofing apparatus comprising: a table defining an elongated printing surface for supporting a printable substrate in stationary disposition along the printing surface for receiving a test printing, a carriage supported on the table for reciprocal movement of the carriage in a defined path longitudinally along the printing surface and along the printable substrate thereon, and a proofer assembly comprising an anilox roller supported for rotation about a longitudinal roller axis for applying a printing material, the carriage and the proofer assembly having respectively matable quick-connect elements for selective attachment and detachment of the proofer assembly to and from the carriage into and out of an operative printing disposition without fasteners or tools, the quick-connect element of the proofer assembly comprising a pair of spaced-apart bearing elements at each of opposite ends of the proofer assembly, the bearing elements of each pair being disposed at opposite sides of the axis of the anilox roller, and the quick-connect element of the carriage comprising a pair of spaced apart C-shaped bracket elements, each bracket element defining an open receiving area facing the printing surface of the table with opposed facing spaced-apart bearing abutment surfaces configured for mated receipt of the bearing elements of the proofer assembly, at least one of the bracket elements of the carriage comprising a resiliently-biased detent element facing inwardly within the receiving area for engagement with one of the bearing elements for deflection thereby upon passage of the bearing elements into and out of the receiving area and for retaining the bearing elements in an operational disposition supporting the anilox roller adjacent the printing surface when the bearing elements are mated within the receiving area.