US2562214A - Platen press having curved impression member - Google Patents

Description

c. F. ROOT PLATEN PRESS HAVING CURVED IMPRESSION MEMBER July 31, 1951 s She ets-Sheet 1 ll m I Filed Sept. 2'7, 1947 July 31, 1951 c. F. ROOT PLATEN PRESS HAVING CURVED IMPRESSION MEMBER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 27, 1947 C. F. ROOT PLATEN PRESS HAVING CURVED IMPRESSION MEMBER Filed Sept. 27, 1947 July 31,1951

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 C. F. ROOT Jul 31,.19si

PLATEN PRESS HAVING CURVED IMPRESSION MEMBER 6 Shets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 27, 1947 July 31, 1951 c. F. ROOT PLATEN PRESS HAVING CURVED IMPRESSION MEMBER 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 27, 1947 CfzarZga z yaflj Patented July 31, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PLATEN PRESS HAVING CURVED IMPRESSION MEMBER Application September 27, 1947, Serial No. 776,599

' Claims.

In platen presses utilizing the curved platen principle, it has been found to be most practical to mount one ofthe impression members, either the form carrying bed or the platen, for a pivotal or swinging movement on one of the frame members of the press. The curved platen principle may be applied equally as well to either of the two types of job presses, one known to the trade as the Golding press, and the other known as the Gordon press. The Golding press utilizes a principle of operation whereinv the platen is mounted on an oscillating frame for movement toward the form bed on a stationary frame. The Gordon press, on the other hand, mounts the platen on an oscillating rocker on the stationary part of the press, and the form bed on the oscillating frame member.

The curved platen principle may be utilized in these presses whether the form bed or the curved platen is mounted for pivotal or swinging move- .ment. In actual practice it has been found most satisfactory to apply the curved platen principle to a Gordon type of press.

It has also been found in the operation of these curved platen presses that when the two impression members come together and contact each other at the initial printing position, and at high speeds, a bump or jarring occurs. While this bump or jarring of the press does not affect the working or impression operation, it becomes necessary to operate the press at a slower speed; the vibrations and noise are, nevertheless, objectionable and should be avoided if possible.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide a platen press using thev curved platen principle wherein mechanism is utilized 'to cause the impression members to contact each other at the initial impression position in a smooth and quiet manner, thus permitting greater speed in operation of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a curved platen press wherein one of the impression members is mounted for swinging movement between'the initial and final impression positions" thereof. Mechanism is also provided for controlling the swinging movement of the one impression member in such a way that it will contact the other impression member in a smooth and quiet manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a curved platen press wherein a swingably mounted impression member is caused to move in" a direction away from the other impression member prior to the initial printing position thereof, so that when actual impression contact is made between the. two impression. members there will. be no jarring or bump or noise of the members.

Still another and more specific object of the invention is to provide a curved platen press wherein one of the impression members is swingably mounted on a carrier frame. Mechanism is also provided for, moving the swingable member toward the other impression member to a point beyond the initial impression position thereof. The mechanism then provides for a return or receding movement of the swinging member in a direction away from the other impression member so that it will be in motion at the time impression contact is made between the two members.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing the upper part of a Gordon press wherein the form bed is swingably mounted on an oscillating frame, showing the form bed in its extreme forward position;

Fig. 2' is a skeleton view of the parts shown in Fig. 1 showing these parts in a slightly different position wherein the form bed is partially receded;

Fig. 3 is a view similar .to Fig. 1 but showing the type bed in a still further receded position where it assumes the initial impression position thereof; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing the various parts in the final printing position thereof;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the top portion of a Gordon press wherein the curvedmaten member is swingably mounted on the stationary frame of the press, and showing the platen in its fully extended position; and

6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the platen partially receded where it assumes its initial printing position. I 7

As stated, above, the curved platen principle may be utilized with either a. Goldingor a Gordon type of press, as well as on various other types, the present drawings illustrating, by way of example only, the application of the curved platen principle to a Gordon press. Furthermore, in utilizing the curved platen principle where one of the impression members is pivoted for a swingirig movement on its carrier frame, the principle involved is the same whetherthe pivoted. member is the bed carryingthe for'mporthe curved platen. The present invention is adapted for use with either type of machine and for purposes of illustration, Figs. 1 to 4 illustrate a Gordon press where the form bed is the pivoted impression member, while-Figs. and 6 illustrate the same principle of this invention as applied to a machine where the curved platen is the pivoted impression member.

It is to be noted still further that the pivoted or swinging form bed may also assume a number of different specific forms, and for the purpose of illustrating the invention as applied to a swinging form bed, I have utilized the construction shown in my copending application filed April 23, 1947 bearing Serial No. 743,427 which matured into Patent No. 2,497,801 February 14, 1950. Likewise, the swinging curved platen may also involve many different types of specific mechanism, the particular machine which I have chosen to illustrate the principle of the present invention as applied to a swinging curved platen is that type which has been illustrated in my copending application filed March 12, 1947 bearing Serial No. 734,056 which matured into Patent No. 2,497,800 February 14, 1950.

The details of operation of these two forms of curved platen presses are amply set forth in the above referred to applications, and only so much of the construction has been illustrated herein as is necessary for a complete understanding of the present invention.

While platen presses are used primarily for printing purposes, the bed carrying the form is adapted to carry a type form, a cutting and creasing fofm, or an embossing form. The invention, therefore, is not limited to use in connection with a printing or type form.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4, the usual Gordon press is provided with a main stationary frame I and an oscillating frame 2. The oscillating frame 2 is pivotally mounted on the main stationary frame for oscillation toward and away therefrom. The oscillating frame carries the form bed and the stationary frame carries the well known to those skilled in the art and it is sufiicient to state here that the machine is provided with a main drive shaft 6 having a pinion "I thereon to drive a large gear 8 at one side of the machine. The gear 8 is keyed to a shaft 9 provided with a rocker arm (not shown) having a cam roller thereon which follows a cam track (also not shown) on the inner side of the gear 8. The, construction is such that rotation of the gear 8 will cause a rocking movement of the rock shaft 5 which carries with it the platen 3. Thus, the platenwill be rocked or oscillated to an open substantially horizontal position for receiving a sheet to be printed, scored or embossed, and then back to its impression position shown in Fig. 1.

The rock shaft 5 has a forwardly extending rocker extension l0 secured to or integral therewith andtvhich terminates in a locking end portion II. A rocker lock I2 is actuated at a predetermined time to move beneath the end ll of the rocker extension I0 so that the platen 3 will be locked in position at the time of impression.

The form bed [3 is adapted to carry a form l4 within the confines of a chase I5. Movement of the oscillating frame 2 to carry the form bed I3 toward and away from the platen 3 is accomplished by means of a pair of links I6, one located at each side of the machine. The rear end of each link I6 is pivotally mounted to the oscillating frame by means such as a pivot pin 11, andone of the links it at its forward end is pivotally mounted on the'wrist pin [8 secured to the large gear 8. The opposite side of the machine, not illustrated herein, may be provided with a similar gear or it may have what is known as a small head mounted on the opposite end of shaft 9. The other link I5 is mounted at its forward end to this small head. The gear 8 and small head will rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in the drawings, and will thereby pro duce a longitudinal reciprocation of the links it for moving and oscillating the frame 2 carrying the type bed I3. All of this construction thus far is conventional.

In this form of the'invention, the form bed I3 is floatingly mounted on the oscillating frame 2 bymeans which includes upwardly extending ears I9 at each side of the form bed. Each ear I9 has a substantially vertically extending elongated slot 20 therein to receive a pin or roller 2| extending inwardly from the sides of the oscillating frame.

The lower end of the type bed I3 is provided at each side thereof with a rearwardly extending ear 22. Each of these ears 22 has an arcuate slot 23 therein to receive a pin or roller 24 also mounted on the side members of the oscillating frame. The upper and lower pin and slot connections 20, 2|, 23 and 24 provide a floating mounting for the type bed I3 and are arranged in a predetermined manner with respect to each other and with respect to the pivotal point of the oscillating frame, so that proper registry will occur between the type form and the curved platen during the printing operation.

The rear edge or face of each of the ears 22 provides a cam surface 25 which cooperates with suitable actuating mechanism to control the swinging movement of the form bed. This mechanism controls the form bed by swinging it not only to its fully extended position, but also between the initial and final impression positions thereof. This actuating mechanism includes a cam roller '26 mounted on an arm 21 at each side of the machine. The roller 26 is adapted to move upwardly and downwardly along the cam surface 25 at each side of the machine. Each arm 21 is pivoted at its rear end to the oscillating frame by means of a pivot pin 28. Another cam roller 29 at the forward end of the arm 27 is adapted to follow a cam surface 30 at the rear end of an arm 3|. The arm 3| is pivotally mounted at 32 between its ends on the stationary frame I. The forwardly extending portion 33 of the arm 3| carries a cam roller 34 at its outer end, which roller is adapted to follow the cam surface of the cam 35 mounted on the shaft 9. A coiled tension spring 36 is provided at the rear of arm 31 to maintain the roller 34 in contact with the cam 35 at all times. Other springs 3! are secured between the sides of the oscillating frame 2 and to pins 38 at the rear of the form bed I3 for normally urging the form bed to its innermost or final printing position.

The construction thus far is similar in many respects to my above referred to copending application Serial No. 743,427, but an important difference resides in the actuating mechanism for controlling the swinging movement of the form bed I3. The slot 23 in each of the ears 22 is of such length as to permit movement of the form bed I3 toward the platen to a point beyond the initial impression position of the form bed. The other parts of the machanism including cam 35, arm 3 l, rollers 26 and 29, and the cam surface are all so arranged and constructed as to permit and control this extended movement of the swinging type bed It.

It will be observed that the oscillating frame as shown in Fig. l is in motion carrying the form bed l3 toward the right and toward the platen 3. This fact will be more clearly brought out by noting the position of the forward end of the link i6. A line drawn from the center of shaft t through the center of wrist pin it at the forward end of link iii will form an angle with the vertical of about 57 at this point. The oscillating frame 2 will not reach its complete forward position until the wrist pin it is at dead center with respect to the shaft 9. At this point the various parts will have completed the printing operation, see Fig. 4.

It is further evident that in the initial printing position of the various parts as shown in Fig. 3, the wrist pin l8 at the forward end of thelink It will be in a position which is about 71 from'the vertical. Thus, the bed it will be moved to its extreme forward position when the wrist pin l8 forms an angle of approximately 57 with the vertical, and is in its initial printing position when this same angle reaches about 71".

During the movement of the wrist pin l8 from its 57 position to its 71 position, the oscillating frame 2 will be moving forwardly toward the right, but the form bed is will be moving rearwardly, toward the left, or will be receding in a direction away from the platen 3. bed has a compound movement. Fig. 2 illustrates an intermediate position of the various parts between the extreme forward position of the form bed and the initial printing position thereof, wherein the angle between the wrist pin l8 and the vertical is shown as being about 64.

As stated heretofore, if the form bed It is moved outwardly only to its initial printing position and is then held in that position so that it will be motionless with respect to the oscillating frame at the time it contacts the curved surface of the platen, a bump or jarring will occur when the press is running at high speeds. To overcome this objectionable feature, the form bed E3 is first moved beyond its initial printing position, and is then caused to recede or move toward the left (Figs. 1 to 4) so that it will be moving in a direction away from the platen with respect to frame 2, while the oscillating frame 2 is simultaneously carrying the form bed toward the platen. This may be further illustrated by noting the relative positions of the cam 35, pin and slot 24 and 23 and the rollers 26 and 29 as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The cam is moving in a clockwise direction so that from the extreme forward position of the form bed 13 the cam roller M will permit the arm 3! to movein a counter-clockwise direction, thus allowing the springs 37 to move the bed l3 rearwardly against the rollers 26. The rollers 26 will gradually move downwardly on the cam surfaces 25.

A practical example may be given of this movement which will explain the operation more clearly. While the figures given herein may be varied within wide limits they are set forth herein for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting in any way. In Fig. 1 it may be assumed that the distance between the type form and the curved platen at'the bottom thereof Will be, say, 1% of an inch. At this point the oscillating frame 2 is. moving toward the platen Thus, the form and is carrying with it the formbed [3. During the time that the wrist pin it moves from the 57 position of Fig. l to the 71 position of Fig. 3, it causes the oscillating frame 2 to move forwardly a distance of about of an inch. At the same time that this movement of the oscillating frame occurs, the form bed 13 is being pivoted about its axis 2! in a clockwise direction with respect to the oscillating frame 2, but moves only a distance of of an inch in such direction. Analyzing these facts, it will be clear that the 1 s of an inch space between the type form and the platen which was originally present has been reduced to zero by the compound movement of the form bed l3 through of an inch movement of bed 2. Thus, at the time contact is made between the form and the platen, the lower edge of the form will be moving in a direction away from the. platen, while bed 2 continues forward to a position of the wrist pin as shown in Fig. 4, 113 to theverticah This definitely avoids any possibility of a thud or jarring moving of the parts because the two. impression members are eased together.

Actually the form bed 13 does not physically move away from the platen 3 from the extended position of the form to its initial printing position. With respect to the platen, the form moves toward the platen very. slowly. However, the lower end of the form movesthe of an inch to the platen while the frame 2 which carries the form, also moves toward the platen the of an inch. Therefore, the form is pivoted about its pivotal point 2| in a clockwise direction during this movement of the frame. A clockwise rotation of the form bed It will cause the lower end thereof to move toward the left in a direction away from the platen. However, this movement of the form bed I3 in a direction away from the platen is not as fast or as great as its movement toward the platen, so that it willeventually reach and contact the platen.

From the position shown in Fig. 3, the impression period. will begin and printing or other operation will take place upon further rearward swinging movement. of the bed 13 all in the manner as set forth in my copending application Serial No. 743,427. The final impression position of the parts is illustrated in Fig. 4, and from this point the wrist pin is will cross its dead center position and. begin the opening movement as between the oscillating and stationary frames. 7

Figsp5 and 6 illustrate the same principle involved in Figs. 1 to 4 but the invention is here applied to a Gordon press wherein the curved platen is mounted for swinging movement about an axis onthe stationary frame in addition to itsrocking movement thereonv The two forms of the invention are similar in that the stationary frame is indicated at l, the oscillating frame at 2, and the form bed at E3. The drive shafts 6 may have the same pinion i for driving the large gear 8, andthe links it are secured in the same manner to the pivot pin ll and wrist pin 13. The platen, indicated at 39, has a curved surface 40 and is mounted for rocking movement on the rock shaft 5 between sheet receiving position and printing position. The same rocker extension llihas its locking end H adapted to be locked by the rocker lock E2.

The details of operation of this form of curved platen press are fully set forth in my above referred to copending application Serial No. 7 34,056.

Briefly described, it may be noted that the curved platen may have an upper longitudinal edge 4| and a bottom edge 42. The platen 39 in this case is mounted for a swinging movement about an imaginary axis, although the present invention may be applied equally as well to any other form of mounting means for swinging movement of the curved platen. The axis about which the platen rotates is substantially at the point indicated at 43. The top of the platen 39 is provided adjacent each end with a rearwardly extending ear 44 having an arcuate bearing surface 45 thereon. The carrier for the platen, which is mounted on or may be made an integral part of the rocker extension l0, includes a pair of spaced upwardly extending arms 46, the ends of which are provided with an arcuate bearing surface complementary to the surface 45 on the cars 44, whereby the cars 44 will bear thereagainst. A pair of coiled tension springs 41 are adapted to normally maintain the two arcuate surfaces of the cars 44 and ends of arms 46 in contact with each other. One end of each spring 4'! is suitably secured to an arm 46 and the other end to a pin 48 on the rear of the platen.

A pair of downwardly extending arms 49 are also made a part of the platen carrier. The outer end of each arm 49 carries a roller 50 adapted to be received within an arcuate slot in rearwardly extending ears 52 at the lower part of the platen. The outer end of each of the ears 52 carries a roller 53 adapted to bear against the cam surface of a cam member 54 mounted on the shaft 9. A spring member 55 is utilized for normally urging the platen toward the front of the machine and away from the form bed to maintain the platen normally in its final impression position.

The principle of operation of this form of the invention is identical with that described with respect to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, except that the swinging member is the platen instead of the form bed. In this case also the platen is caused to be moved to sheet receiving position and back to printing position in the ordinary and well known manner. The cam 54, however, is so designed as to move the bottom of the platen 39 outwardly toward the type bed a predetermined distance beyond its initial printing position. Continued operation of the machine from the position of the parts shown in Fig. 5 will cause the oscillating frame 2 carrying the form bed I3 to continue its movement toward the platen 39. In Fig. 5 the platen is shown in its fully extended position where, as in the previous form, the distance between the type form and the platen at the lower end thereof may be on the order of of an inch. At this time the roller 53 will be at the highest part of the cam 54 and the roller 50 will be at the extreme end of the slot 5!. Also, the wrist pin [8 at the forward end of the link [6 will be substantially 57 away from the vertical.

As the gear 8 continues to rotate and the wrist pin 18 moves downwardly to bring the form [4 closer to the platen, the cam 54 will permit the platen to recede away from the form. The rate of speed at which this movement away from the form takes place will be less than the rate at which the form approaches the platen. Therefore, by the time the wrist pin l8 reaches its position of substantially 71 from the vertical, contact will be made between the form and the platen in the initial printing position thereof as shown in Fig. 6. The approximately of an inch space between the form and platen at its fully extended position will be completely taken up in the initial impression position. This is by reason of the fact that the platen 39 recedes away from the form a distance of approximately of an inch while the form. advances toward the platen a distance of about 1% of an inch. Thus, the two impression members will be moving in the same direction at the time they contact each other, so that the contact made therebetween will be very smooth and quiet. From the initial printing position shown in Fig. 6, continued movement of the oscillating frame together with cam 54 will cause swinging of the platen 39 to final printing position.

In both forms of the invention, after the impression members reach initial printing position, the remainder of the operation is like that described in my above referred to copending applications. Ample force will be exerted between the two members to cause impression, and the mechanism is designed to produce proper registry be tween the two members.

From the foregoing description, and by reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments of the invention by way of example, it will be noted that mechanism has been provided in a platen press utilizing the curved platen principle whereby the two impression members will be caused to come together at the initial printing position thereof in a manner which is smooth and quiet and in a way which may be referred to as a feathertouch contact. There may be other ways in which this same result can be accomplished without departing from the spirit of the invention. Other specific mechanism will be necessary if the invention is applied to other specific forms, that is, difierent ways in which the swinging members are caused to move. In any case, however, the basic principle of causing the two impression members to move together smoothly and quietly will be the same. The drawings and foregoing description have referred specifically, by way of example, to a printing press wherein a type form is caused to move into rolling contact with the curved platen. It is to be understood, however, that the form mentioned in the claims is intended to include impression or working members other than type forms, such as planograph or lithograph plates. It is also to be understood that the claims herein are intended to include forms other than those used for printing, such as, for example, cutting, creasing and embossing forms.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of parts from that disclosed herein without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificin any of the attendant advantages thereof, provided, however, that such changes fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a platen press, a curved platen member and a form carrying member mounted on frames for relative movement toward each other for working impression, means for mounting one of said members on its frame for swinging movement within a predetermined limited range about an axis adjacent the upper end thereof, and cooperating means on said one member and on its frame for positively swinging the lower end of said one member toward the other member when the two members are in non-impression position and additional means on said one member and its frame oo-acting with said cooperating means for within a limited range about a horizontal axis relative to the frame on which it is mounted, cooperating means on said one member and on its frame for positively swinging thelower end of said one member about its axis away from its frame while the two frames are in non-impression position, and additional means on said one member and its frame co-acting with said cooperating means for positively moving the lower end of said one member toward its frame from. initial impression position to final impression position whilein contact with the other of said members,

said last named means also moving the lower end of said swinging member toward its frame before it reaches initial impression position at a lesser rate than the two members approach each other, whereby the contacttherebetween will be smooth and quiet.

3. A platen press comprising a stationary frame and an oscillating frame, means for moving said oscillating frame toward and away from said stationary frame for impression purposes, a curved platen member mounted on one of said frames, a form carrying member on the other of said frames, means for mounting one of said members on its frame for swinging movement within a limited range about a horizontal axis relative to the frame on which it is mounted, cooperating means on said one member and on its frame for positively swinging the lower end of said one member about its axis away from its frame to a point beyond the initial impression position thereof while the two frames are in non-impression position, and additional means on said one member and its frame co-acting with said cooperating means for positively moving the lower end of said one member toward its frame from initial impression position to final impression position while in contact with the other of said members, said last named means also swinging said one member in a direction toward its frame from beyond the initial impression position thereof to initial impression position while said oscillating frame is moving toward said stationary frame, said one member being in motion toward its frame at the moment of contact between the two members, whereby the contact therebetween will be smooth and quiet.

4. In a platen press, a stationary frame and an oscillating frame, a form carrying member on said oscillating frame, a curved platen member mounted on said stationary frame, said oscillating frame being movable toward said stationary frame for impression between the two members, cooperating means on said oscillating frame and said form carrying member for mounting said form carrying member for swinging movement within a limited range, other cooperating means on said oscillating frame and said form carrying member for positively swinging the lower end of said form carrying member away from its frame within a limited range.

while said frames are in non-impression position to a point beyond the initial impression. position thereof and additional means on said form carrying member and said oscillating frame co-acting with said other cooperating means for thereafter positively swinging the lower end of said form carrying member toward its frame to its initial impression. position, whereby said form carrying member will he in motion with respect to the frame on which it is mounted in a direction away from said platen member at the moment of contact therebetween.

5. In a platen press, a stationary frame and an oscillating frame, a curved platen on said stationary frame, a form bed adapted to carry a working form on said oscillating frame, said oscillating frame being movable toward said stationary frame for working impression between the platen and working form, cooperating means on said stationary frame and said platen for mounting said platen for swinging movement within a limited range, other cooperating means on said stationary frame and said platen for positively swinging the lower end of said platen away from. its frame while said frames are in non-impression position to a point beyond the initial impression position thereof and additional means on said stationary frame and said platen cc-acting with said other cooperating means for thereafter positively swinging the lower end of said platen toward its frame in a direction away from said from, whereby said platen will be in motion in a direction away from the form at the moment of contact therebetween in the initial impression position.

6. A platen press comprising two frames movable relative to each other, means for moving one of said frames toward and away from the other of said frames for impression purposes, a curved platen member mounted on one of said frames, a formv carrying member on the other of said frames, means for mounting one of said members on its frame for swinging movement within a limited range about a horizontal axis relative to the frame on which it is mounted, cooperating means on said one member and on its frame for positively swinging the lower end of said one member about its axis away from its frame while the two frames are in non-impression position, and additional means on said one member and its frame co-acting with said cooperating means for positively moving the lower end of said one member toward its frame from initial impression position to final impression position while in con-' tact with the other of said members, said last named means also moving the lower end of said swinging member toward its frame before it reaches initial impression position at a lesser rate than the two members approach each other, whereby the contact therebetween will be smooth and quiet.

CHARLES F. ROOT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 796,707 Clark -1"; Aug. 8, 1905 857,721 Clark June 25, 1907 1,034,083 Clark July 30, 1912 1,289,273 Root -Q Dec. 31, 1918 1,360,063 Waters Nov. 23, 1920 1374,14? Caplinger Nov. 13, 1923 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,562,214 July 31, 1951 CHARLES F. ROOT It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

In the grant, line 1, name of patentee, for Charles F. Rott read Charles F. Root;

and that the [said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of'September, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'ssz'oner of Patents.

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