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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns means for the adjustment of a working element
arranged in a displaceable manner between two frames of a pedestal
machine, with two rotatable drive shafts each supported in one of the
frames parallel to the direction of displacement, and in drive connection
with the working element in the region of the frames and a hand-wheel
connected to each of the drive shafts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In Flexo-printing machines, printing machine consoles extend from both of
the frames which carry the actual printing apparatus with color
application roller, color squeeze-out roller and printing cylinder. This
printing apparatus is movable longitudinally on the consoles against the
force of a counter-pressure cylinder.
Up to now, this longitudinal displacement took place with the aid of drive
shafts, e.g., spindles supported horizontally in the frames and consoles
and drivably coupled to the printing apparatus, in both frames. In these
prior art arrangements, a hand-wheel permitting manual adjustment of the
printing apparatus is attached to the end of the drive shafts extending
from the frames, resp. pedestals. Simultaneous turning of both hand-wheels
produced fairly good and, for the purpose, sufficient synchronization of
the adjusting movement. It is, however, a requirement for the simultaneous
operation of the hand-wheels, that the width of the pedestals, resp. the
distance between frames, not exceed the reach of human hands. This
requirement, however, is not met by wide machines of the described type.
When both hand-wheels can no longer be turned simultaneously, it is
possible to turn both hand-wheels alternately by an equal number of turns.
This process, however, is tedious and inaccurate. It has therefore been
suggested to connect the drive shaft in one frame by means of an
angle-drive and an intermediate shaft extending to the opposite frame to a
hand-wheel provided on the outside of said other frame, and then to
connect the hand-wheel for the drive shaft in the other frame also to the
outside of said other frame, so as to facilitate the operation of both
hand-wheels simultaneously. The use of such an intermediate shaft is,
however unsuitable since it impedes access to the inking device.
It is an object of the invention to provide a device for the adjustment of
the working elements on the frames of machines of pedestal construction,
operable simultaneously for both sides of the frame without impeding
access to the machine.
According to the invention, this object is attained by means of adjusting
shafts extending into the drive shafts, and carrying hand-wheels on their
free ends. Preferably, the adjusting shafts are located on one axis, so
that they are easily and simultaneously accessible by hand from a position
between the hand-wheels.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjusting shafts
are movable from the working position between the frames into a rest
position in which the space between the frames is entirely cleared.
Preferably, the adjusting shafts are mounted for axial displacement in the
angle drive, so that, on displacement of the hand-wheels towards the
outside, they emerge from the outside of the frames, yet clear the
interior space between the frames.
According to another preferred embodiment, the adjusting shafts are capable
of being telescoped.
On the other hand, the adjusting shafts can comprise a universal joint that
is secure against rotation, at least in the working position, so that they
can be folded down in their rest position. A displaceable shell which
bridges the universal joint in working position can be provided on the
adjusting shafts.
Further, the adjusting shafts can be designed as removable stub shafts, so
they can be put aside after use. They can also be swingable within the
angle drive by means of which they are connected to the drive shafts.
Movability between working and rest positions can also be attained by
other means, should this be desirable in a particular case.
Tapered, screw or worm gear drives are especially useful as angle drives,
but any other drives capable of displacing a rotation can be used.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be explained by means of
the attached drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic, partially sectioned side view of a Flexo printing
machine;
FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned partial plan view of the Flexo printing
machine of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a partial view from FIG. 2, and shows a different position of the
components.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A machine stand 10 encloses two frames 12, 14 (FIG. 2) arranged
side-by-side and having cantilevered inking device consoles 16 attached
thereto. Pressure cylinder carriages 18 are arranged on these consoles for
right- and left-ward displacement (in FIG. 1), and carry a pressure
cylinder 20 in bearings 22. Mounted on pressure cylinder carriage 18 are
inking device supports 24 which are also displaceable to the right or
left. On the supports rests a color basin 26 above which are arranged a
color application roller 28 and a color squeeze-out roller 30. Squeeze-out
roller 30 can, for example, be pressed against color application roller 28
with the aid of an eccentric drive 32.
The printing ink is transmitted from the color application roller to plate-
or pressure cylinder 20 and thence to a surface to be printed 34, which
runs between pressure cylinder 20 and a counter-pressure cylinder 36.
Emerging from the consoles 16 towards the right (in FIG. 1), are drive
shafts 38 that, in the example shown, are constructed as screwed spindles.
These drive shafts are part of a mechanism about to be explained in
greater detail, serving for the displacement of pressure cylinder
carriages 18 on consoles 16 and, thence, forcing pressure cylinder 20
against counter-pressure cylinder 36. Drive shaft 38, constructed as a
screw spindle, is surrounded by a nut 40 which is supported in a shoulder
of pressure cylinder carriage 18 and represents the worm gear of a worm
gear drive 44. Worm 46 of this worm gear drive is keyed onto an adjusting
shaft 48 which is also supported within pressure cylinder carriage 18.
In a similar manner, a drive shaft 50, also formed as a screw spindle, is
attached to the inking device support. Drive shaft 50 is surrounded by a
nut 52 which again constitutes the worm gear of a worm gear drive 54,
whose worm 56 is keyed into an adjusting shaft 58. Worm gear drive 54 and
adjusting shaft 58 are supported in an upward directed shoulder 60 of
pressure cylinder carriage 18.
The last-mentioned adjusting mechanism serves to force color application
roller 28 against pressure cylinder 20.
Finally, the eccentric drive 32 has an upward-directed shaft 62 with a worm
gear 64 which is part of a further worm gear drive 66. Corresponding worm
68 is keyed onto an adjusting shaft 70.
Worm gears 44, 54 and 66 make it possible to execute the required adjusting
processes not from the front side of the machine (to the right in FIG. 1),
but rather in a direction perpendicular thereto, from a position between
frames 12 and 14 of the machine.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate merely the adjusting mechanism for displacement of
inking device support 24 on pressure cylinder carriage 18. The remaining
adjusting mechanisms are, however, constructed correspondingly.
Inking device supports 24 and drive shafts 50 connected thereto can be seen
in plan view in FIG. 2. Drive shafts 50 are connected via worm gear 54 to
adjusting shafts 58 which are aligned with each other and point towards
the interior side of frames 12 and 14. Attached to the free ends of
adjusting shafts 58 are hand-wheels 72 and 74. The adjusting shafts 58 are
axially displaceable in worms 56, but are fixed in their rotating
direction by means of a keyed tooth system or the like. On the outer ends
of adjusting shafts 58, flanges 76 are provided as stops. In the working
position shown in FIG. 2, hand-wheels 72 and 74 are located at a distance
A which permits a simultaneous operation by an operator standing between
them. FIG. 3 shows the hand-wheels, in dot-dash lines, in the working
position of FIG. 2, as well as, in solid lines, in the rest position of
the adjusting shafts and the hand-wheels, identified as 58', 72' and 74'.
In this rest position, the intermediate space B between frames 12 and 14
is entirely clear, so that the color printing mechanism is readily
accessible.
As has already been mentioned, it is also possible to move hand-wheels 72
and 74 with the adjusting shafts 58 out of working position in a manner
other than that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. For example, adjusting shaft 58
can be formed as a telescope, or it can have a universal joint adjacent to
worm 56 which, if required, can be blocked by a displaceable sleeve (not
shown) which maintains the adjusting shaft in its working position. The
universal joint facilitates swinging of adjusting shaft 58 in a downward
direction or into a separate holding device (not shown). Further,
adjusting shaft 58 can be adapted to be removed from worm 56 and laid
aside or supported by a suitable holder.
The hand-wheels can be connected to scales that permit a numerically
reproducible adjustment. Also, a disconnecting coupling can be provided
between hand-wheels and angle drives, permitting zero-adjustment in any
optional position.
The adjusting shafts need not be aligned with each other. They can, for
example, in the case of color mechanisms located high on the machine,
slope downwardly or, in the case of color mechanisms located low on the
machine, slope upwardly or at a forward angle directed to a suitable
working position.
It is entirely possible to equip the adjusting mechanism according to this
invention, especially in the case of heavy machines, with a servo-support.
Preferably, the adjusting rotation of the opposed hand-wheels is so
designed that, upon absolutely equidirectional rotation of the adjusting
shafts, an equidirectional displacement movement is caused. As a
supplement to this invention, it is thus possible to connect the aligned
and opposite adjusting shafts with a removable, turning movement
transferring shaft, so that, for example, the hand-adjustment is executed
at one side of the machine or in any desirable location between the
machine frames for both side simultaneously.
If desired, flanges 76 can also be formed as hand-wheels permitting
adjustment from the outside, especially by use of a connecting shaft
between adjusting shafts 58.
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