US1839230A - Vacuum pressure frame - Google Patents

Description

Jan. s, 1932. A. T. KOPPE I 1,339,230

VACUUM PRESSURE FRAME E/@T ,071: Jllxcm/cw TCOJD- cz Jan. 5, 1932. A. T. KOPPE VACUUM PRESSURE FRAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6, 1928 A. T. KOPPE:

VACUUM PRESSURE FRAME Jan. 5, 1932.

Filed June 6, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 47g mi /30 13 lill/M7207 axafwefT/COpy@ Jan. 5, 1932. A. T. KOPPE 1,839,230

VACUUM PRES SURE FRAME Filed June 6, 1928 4Sheets-Sheet 4 53` li: m J7 f V/ 17g x i 62 35 349g/ 40 4Z* 53a 50C JQ JQ@ 50,-2?

f Q6 \/a 1,6@ ,|27 29 J6* J@ *Muff/M572' Jlizf/zd-P TCQU/U@ PW/022% @MW/M0@ W5',

Patented Jan. 5, 1932A UNITED lSTATES ALEXANDER PATENT OFFICE TION, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION' OF ILLINOIS vAcUUMrnEssURE FRAME Application led June 6,

This invention relates to improvements in -vacuum pressure frames and its purposevis to provide an improved device adapted for use in obtaining close contact between a sensitized plate and a negative to permit the image f of the negative to be transferred photographi- A cally to the sensitized surface. The present invention relates primarily to that class of devices in which this close contact is obtained by vacuum pressure, that is, by exhausting the air from the region between and adjacent to the negative and the sensitized plate so that the outside atmospheric air pressure forces the negative and plate into close contact with each other. It is the principal object of the invention to provide an improved pressure frame adapted for use with this vacuum pressure system, particularly where it is desired to reproduce a single ima e upon the surface of the sensitized plate.

j the invention is to provide a vacuum pressure frame comprising relatively movable frame sections in combination with improved means for effecting and controlling the relative movement of these sections. A further object is to provide avacuum pressure frame comprising means for raising and lowering one section thereof and for tilting both sections to permit the action on the negative of a source of light. Still another object is to provide means for counterbalancing the movement ofone section of the vacuum frame and means-for causing both ends of the movable section to travel in'unison. Otherr objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement which will appear more fully hereinafter.

The nature of the invention will be understood. from the following specification taken with the accompanying drawings in which one embodiment is illustrated. In the drawlngs,

Figure- 1 shows a front elevation 'of the improved vacuum pressure frame with a portion of one section of the frame broken away; Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1

` Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the con- 50 struction at the edge of the vacuum frame;

1928. Serial No. 283,349.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the vacuum frame showing the means for guiding the two sections into predetermined relation with each other and holding them in that position;

Fig. 5 shows a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing the sections of the frame tilted to horizontal positions and separated by a vertical movement of the upper section; f a

Fig. 6 is a` detail section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 illustrating the brace for holding the lower frame section in horizontal position;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5 showing the means for supporting the lower frame section and for effecting movement of the upper kframe section; and further object of n Fig. 8 is a horizontal detail section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

As illustrated in the drawings, the vacuum pressure frame is carried by a supporting structure comprising a base 10 made up of a pair of parallel side members 11 connected by a. transverse member 12 and having casters 13 mounted on the ends ofthe side members to 'permit the apparatus to be moved readily onV the floor. The base 10, carries a pair of upwardly extending standards or frame members 14 which are adapted to support and guide the vacuum pressure frame indicated generally at 15. This frame 15 comprises two principal frame sections 16V and 17 of which the lower frame section 16 has a tilting movement about a horizontal pivotal` axis while the upper section 17 is adapted to partake of the tilting movement of the lower section and also to be separated by upward movement therefrom as shown in Fig. 5.

The lower frame section 16 comprises a rectangular frame structure, the frame members. `16a of which `'are connected at their corners forming an intervening rectangular opening which is partially closed by a plurality of spaced slats 16b which extend between the side frame members of thisframe section, as shown in Fig. 5, and are partially supported by the intervening cross frame members 16. These slats and the surrounding portions of the frame members 16a' serve ,as supports for a rectangualr mat or blanket 18 formed preferably of rubber or the like line and provided with an outwardly projecting flange or shoulder 19a, shown particularly in Fig. 7, which is adapted to be bent downwardly when the lower section of the vacuum frame is engaged by the upper section thereof. When the frame section 16 is in the horizontal position shown in Fig. 5, it is adapted to receive the sensitized'plate 20 which may be a zinc plate having a sensitized surface, such as is employed in the lithographic trade for offset printing purposes. The negative 21 carrying the design or image which is to be transferred photographically to the sensitized surface of the plate 2O is placed on the plate 20 with the image thereof directed downwardly, as shown in Fig. 7. and the two sections of the frame are then brought together, as hereinafter described, preliminary to exhausting the air from the region within the annular flange 19. 'This exhaustion of the air is effected through a suction tube `22 connected at one end through a pipe 23 to the space above the mat 18 with- `in the flange `19 and having its other end con- `nected to a vacuum pump 24 which is driven by an electric motor 25. The frame section 16 is provided on opposite sides with bearing vbrackets 26` which are secured thereto by screws 27 and which carry trunnions 28 adapted to rotate in the U-shaped bearings formed in the bearing plates 29 attached to the upright frame members 14. The frame section 16 may be tilted in these bearings to assume either the horizontal position shown in Fig. 5 or the vertical position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is adapted to be held in the horizontal position by the inclined brace 30 comprising twoparts 30- and 301 which are pivotally connected at 31 with the lower section 30a pivoted at 32 on one of the frame members 14 and with the upper section 30lj pivoted at 33 on the frame section 16. One

` of the parts of the brace 30 is provided with frame in horizontal position.

a transverse lpin 34 which engages al shoulder 35 on the other part Vto hold the members in alignment with each other, as shown in Fig.

5, when it is desired to support the vacuum When the operator desires to move the vacuum frame to a vertical position .a push on the handlev 36 carried at the middle point of the brace 30 `will cause that brace to assume the position shown in Fig. 2 and when 1n -that position the lower edge of the frame sectionl is engaged by an angle plate 36 secured to the brace 30 in order to hold the vacuum frame yin a vertical plane.

The upper section 17 of the vacuum frame 15 comprises a rectangular frame made up of a plurality of frame sections 17a which are connected at their corners forming an intervening rectangular opening which is closed by a transparent glass plate 38, the edges of which are set in the recesses 39 formed in the frame members and secured in position by the overlapping portions of the angle plates 40 which are secured around the outer edge of the frame section 17, as shown particularly in Fig. 3. A layer of felt 41 is preferably mounted between the edge of the glass plate and the underlying portion of the frame 17 and a strip of felt 42 is also mounted between the edge of the glass plate and the overlying portion of the angle plate 40. T he side members 1711 of the frame 17 are reinforced by frame members 42 secured to the upper or outer side of the frame. When the frame sections 16 and 17 are brought together, the glass plate 38 is adapted to rest adjacent its edge on the compressible flange 19 carried by the mat 18 and, when the air is exhausted from the chamber 43 which is thus formed between the glass plate 38 and the mat 18, the atmospheric pressure acting on the plate and the mat causes the flange 19 to be compressed with the result that the sensitized plate 2O and the negative 21 are forced into close con tact with each other. The two frame sections 16 and 17 are guided into the proper positions with relation to each other by means of the guide plates 44 secured to one of the frame sections and having notches 441L therein to be engaged by one of the lingers 45 se'- cured to the other frame section, as shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the fingers 45 being preferably tapered at their ends as shown at 45u to cause them to enter the recesses 44E1 more readily. When the two parts of the vacuum frame 15 have thus been brought together, they are adapted to be secured by a plurality of clamps each comprising a clamping member secured by one frame section and arranged to engage a clamping plate carried by the other frame section. 1n the embodiment illustrated, the lower frame section 16 carries on all opposite edges thereof a plurality of clamping members 47- each comprising a plate 47 i secured to the under side of'the frame section and having pivotal connection with a member 47b in which there is slidably mounted a rod 47 c engaged by a nut- 47d which permits it to be adjusted. rllhe outer end of each rod 47 C carries a`cam`member 47e and when the clamping member is swung upwardly, the rod 47c is adapted to engage a notch in one of the clamping plates 48 secured to theupper section 17, after which the inward turning of the cam member 47 causesthe curved surface thereof to bear on the upper surface of the plate 48 with the result that the two pants of the vacuum frame 15 are clamped together with the formation of a tight air seal between the flange 19 and iin tion of lexhaustinguthe; air from the chamber 43.

The upper section 17 of the vacuum frame is mounted so that it may be raised and lowered to move it out of or into contact with the lower frame section4 16. For this purpose, the frame section 17 has an arc-shaped bracket secured to each side thereof on the inner side of one of the standards 14 and each arm 50a of each bracket is extended inwardly as shown at 501 and thence upwardly as shown at 50c with the upper part of the portion 5()c secured to the side of the frame section 17, as shown in Fig-7. The upper middle'portion of each bracket 50 is provided with a pair of inwardly, extending guide flanges 51 which are adapted to travel on opposite sides of a stationary guide 52 which is secured to the adjacent frame memberor standard 14, as shown-particularly in Fig. 8. There is also provided at each side of the frame section 17, a hanger 53 in the form of an inverted U-shaped rod having the same outline as the adjacent bracket 50 and having the lower ends of its arms 53a secured to the inwardly extending portions 50" of the adjacent bracket by means of nuts 54. y Each hanger 53 is engaged by a grooved roller or pulley 55 carried by a U-shaped frame or clip 56 which straddles thel hanger and which is connected to the pulley 55 by means of a pivot pin 57. The -clip 56 is attached to the lower end of a chain 58 and this chain, one of which is located on each upright standard 14, is carried upwardly and thence around a pair of grooved pulleys 59 carried by a bracket 60 `mounted on the upper end ofthe standard, as

shown in Fig. 1. The other end of the chain 58 is directed downwardly and attached to a counterweight 61 of cylindrical form which is mounted in a tubular casing 62 secured to the standard 14 by means ofstraps 63. The two counterweights 61 are vof equal weight and are adapted to counterbalance the weight of the frame section 17 so that it may be supported in various positions upwardly from the lower frame section "16. f In addition to this counterbalancing feature, means are also Vprovided for effecting a positive movement of the upper( frame ,section 17 toward and from the lower frame section 16. For this purpose the pivot pin `57 of each pulley 55 is provided with a bracket 65 the upper end of which is connected to a sprocket chain 66. This chain extends upwardly over a sprocket wheel 67 fixed. on a transverse shaft 68 which has its ends journaled'in bearings 69 carried tatably mounted on brackets '71 secured to the standards 14 adjacent to the position occupied by the lower frame section 16. The sprocket chain 16 is thence directed upwardly in alignment with the pivotal axis of the lower rame section and the other end of the chain is attached to the bracket 65 by means of a bolt 73 and nuts 74, as shown in Fig. 7 so that the tension of the chain may be adjusted as desired. In this way,'the pivot pins 57 on which the frame .section 17 is hung, are caused to travel in vertical lines located in the plane of the pivotal axis' of the lower section 16. The movement of the chains 66 to effect a vertical movement of the upper frame section'17' is effected by means of a shaft 75 on which one of the sprocket wheels 70 is secured, this shaft being journaled in bearings 76 carried by one of the standards 14 and having a hand wheel 77 secured to the outer end thereof for operation by the attendant. Upon rotation of the shaft 76, two chains 66 are simultaneously actuated by the cross shaft 68 at the upper ends of the standards so that both ends of the frame section 17 move uniformly at the `same speed. In addition to the shaft 68, the upper ends of the `standard/s 14A are also connected b v a tie rod 78. j

In using the apparatus, the parts of the frame 15 are first tilted to a horizontal posi- -tion which is permitted 'by the supporting trunnions 28 of the lower frame section 16 l and by the U'-shapedohanger 53 of the upper frame section 17, these hangersftraveling on th'rollers 55 during the pivotal movement. Then after operating the hand wheel 77 to effect the desired degree of separationv of the frame sections, the sensitized plate 2O is laid on the upper surface ofthe mat 18, the lower frame section 16 being then secured in horizontal position by the movement ofV the brace 30 tothe inclined position shown in Fig. 5. Then, after placing the negative 21 in inverted position on the upper `side of the sensitized plate 20, the hand wheel 77 is operated to effect downward` movement of the frame section 17 until thefglass plate 38 en gages the sealing flange 19. `When this con- 'dition is obtained, the clamps 47 are operat- Ved and adjusted to engage the plates 48 to sec-ure the'two parts of the frame 15 together. The` handle 36 on the brace 30 is then pushed inwardly to permit the-tilting of the connected frame sections 16 and 17 to the vertical position shown in Figs. l and 2,: in which po- `sition the lower edge of the frame 16 engages the angle plate 36. The tilting. of the frame sections when they: are lclamped together is permitted by reason of the fact that'the'guide flangesl 51 on the brackets 50 are then out of engagement with the lower ends of the guide 52 so that the brackets 50 are permitted to turn laterally with the hangers l53 as these hangers roll onthe rollers 55. The parts are then in position to permit light topass from a source of light 80 through the glass plate 38 with the result that the image carried by the negative 21 is photographed on the sensitized plate 20.

After this exposure has been made the frame 15 may be returned to its horizontal position, after which the upper frame section 17 may be lifted to permit the removal of the negative and the sensitized plate.

Although one form of the invention has been shown and described by way of illustration, it will be understood that it may be constructed in various other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

l claim:

l. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a frame, a vacuum frame comprising a pair of separable sections,

,means for raising and lowering one of said sections bodily with respect to the other'of said sections, means for tilting said sections while said last mentioned section is connected with and supported by said last named means, and a jointed bracket connecting the other of said sections with said frame for holding said other section normally in horizontal position.

2. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a frame comprising a pair of separable sections, a semicircular supporting bracket attached to the middle part of one of said sections, means movably attached to said bracket for raising and lowering said section bodily in parallel relation to the other section, and means for supporting said lower section during the tilting of both of said sections in unison while allowing movement of said last named means with respect to said bracket.

3. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a frame comprising a pair of separable sections, a U-shaped hanger attached to the middle part of each end of one of said sections, actuating means for bodily raising said section comprising members movably attached to each of said U-shaped hangers, means for operating said mechanism to eect the uniform movement of opposite ends of said frame section, means for clamping said frame sections together, andy means connected to the other of said sections for supporting both of said sections during the tilting thereof when they are clamped together.

4. rlhe combination in apparatus of the class described, of a frame comprising a pair of separable sections, a U-shaped hanger attached to each end of one of said sections, actuating means for raising said section comprising members movably attached to each of said U-shaped hangers, means for operating said mechanism to effect the uniform movement of opposite ends of said frame section, means for clamping said frame sections together, means connected to the other of said sections'for supporting both of said sections during the tilting thereof when they I are clamped together, and counterweights attached to opposite ends of said first menlparts tioned section for controlling movement thereof by said actuating means.

5. rll`he combination in apparatus of the class described, of a vacuum frame comprising upper and lower sections, means for supporting said lower section in horizontal position, a pair of hangers attached to opposite ends of said upper section, actuating mechanism connected to said hangers for raising and lowering -said upper section in parallel relation to the lower section, means for securing said sections together, and means for supporting said sections for pivotal movement thereof when so secured, said hangers having movement with respect to said actuating mechanism during said pivotal movement. 6. ylhe combination in apparatus of the class described, of a vacuum frame comprising upper and lower frame sections, inverted U-shaped hangers attached to the middle parts of opposite ends of said upper section, a roller engaging each of said hangers and movable freely along its hanger, a bracket carrying each of said rollers, actuating mechanism attached to said brackets for raising and lowering said upper section bodily with respect to said lower section and means for tilting said sections together with said rollers moving freely on said hangers.

7. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a vacuum frame comprising upper and lower frame sections, inverted U-shaped hangers attached to opposite ends of said upper section, a roller engaging each of said hangers, a bracket carrying each of said rollers, actuating mechanism attached to said brackets for raising and lowering said upper section, guiding brackets attached to opposite ends of said upper section, and vertical guides for engaging said brackets during the movement of said upper section.

8. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a vacuum frame comprising upper and lower frame sections, inverted U-shaped hangers attached to opposite ends of said upper section, a roller engaging each of said hangers, a bracket carrying each of said rollers, actuating mechanism attached to said brackets for raising and lowering said upper section, guiding brackets attached to opposite ends of said upper section, vertical guides for engaging said brackets during the movement of said upper section, said guiding brackets passing out of engagement with said guideswhen said upper section engages said lower section, and pivotal supports for said lower section to permit the tilting of said upper and lower sections.

9. The combination in apparatus of the pfff;

class described, of a vacuum frame comprising upper and lower frame sections, inverted U-shaped hangers attached to the middle of opposite ends of said upper section, flexible members extending downwardly adjacent said opposite ends of said upper frame section, rollers carried by said flexible members and engaging said U-shaped hangers,

actuating mechanism for raising and lowering said iexible members te eiect corresponding movements of said upper section, means for pivotally supporting said lower frame section, and means for clamping said frame sections together, said U- aped hangers being concentric with said pivotal supporting means when said frame sections are so clamped together.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name. f p

ALEXANDER T. KOPPE.

Images