US2860574A - Selective printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

W. RITZERFELD ET AL SELECTIVE PRINTING APPARATUS Nov. 18, `1958 Filed Nov. 5. 195e 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 *All livr al@ mw @Nk Nov. 18, 1958 w. RITZERFELD ETAL 2,860,574

SELECTIVE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 18, 1958 w. RrrzERFELD ET AL 2,860,574

sELEcTrvE PRINTING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-$116621'l 3 Filed Nov. 5, 1956 AAA SELECTIVE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 NOV 18, 1958 w. RrrzERjFELD Er'rAL 2,860,574

SELECTIVE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5 1956 e sheetssheet 5 Nom 18, 1958y W'. RWZERFELD ET AL 2,850,574

SELECTIVE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Unite 2,860 ,57 4 SELECTIVEPRINTING APPARATUS Wilhelm Ritzertelm Berlin-Dahlem, and Gerhard `-Ritzerfeldrerlin-Grunewald, Germany The present invention refers` to a selective printing apparatus.

More particularly, `the present invention refers to the type of printing or duplicating apparatus wherein various portions of a printing form may be selected' and printed next to each other on a sheet even though these printing .portions are spaced from each other on the printing form and have additional printing portions located therebetween.

In this type of apparatus aprinting form or duplicating master sheet is used which carriesthe text in-the form `of a reproducible mirror-inverted copy from which the reproduction is effected on` moistened` sheets. ARe-inking the printing form is done in the manner known from the raised form or the stencil reproduction process or by electrical means.

One of the objects of the `present invention isto provide a printing kapparatus of this type of` utmostexibility with respect to the capability of printingselected Aportions of a printed form.

Another object of the present invention is toprovide a printing apparatus capable of selectively reproducing smaller or larger portions of `theprinted form.

Still another object of the present inventionis to .provide a printing apparatus capable `of reproducingthe whole content of the printing form as well `as selected portions thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for an electrical control mechanism` for. setting the apparatus for reproduction of the selected portions to be reproduced.

It is also an` object of the present invention ,to provide a structure capable of accomplishing all ofthel above objects and at the same time composed of simpleand rruggedly constructed elements Whichare very reliable. in

operation. r

With the above objects in view, the present invention mainly comprises a printing apparatusincludinga printing roll carried for rotation ina frame and carrying a `printing form, a counter roll carried in the frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to the printing roll for printing a sheet passing between these rolls whenever the counter roll is moved into operative position by electrical moving means controlled by a control mechanism which comprises actuating members which are selectively brought into a position which results in engagement with switch means controlling the electrical moving means for the counter roll.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the actuating members mentioned above are carried in `a rotary circular support revolving simultaneously with the printing roll. A stationary circular support member carries a number of control members which serve to move a selected number of the actuating members into an operating position for engagement with `the switch means.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the

States Patent O n ice actuating members are carried by a stationary support while the switch means are mounted on a rotary support revolving together with the printing drum. By moving .the actuating members into their operative positions se- Atransverse to that of the printing roll, and a set of control members is carried by a stationary part of the apparatus in such a manner that by operating any one of the control members a corresponding actuating member is brought into operative position in which it engages a switch means mounted stationarily in the apparatus.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood fromthe following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a partly sectional side elevation of an apparatus according to the present invention, one Wall of the apparatus being omitted in order to show the structure and operative parts behind this wall more clearly, the section being taken along line I-I of Fig. `2,

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view taken `along line II-II of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a. partly sectional View of another embodiment of the invention showing the apparatusin a similar way as Fig. l, the section taken along line III-III of Fig. 4,

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line IV- 1V of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a partly sectional view of still another embodiment of the invention, the section being taken along line V-V of Fig. 6,

Fig. 6 is a partly sectional elevation of certain parts of the apparatus according to Fig. 5, the section being taken along line AB of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 shows another detail of the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6 viewed in direction of arrow C in Fig. 6,

and

Fig. 8 shows certain details of the drive mechanism in an alternative construction as compared with the drive means shown in Fig. 5.

Referring now to Figs. l and 2, a printing roll 1 with a printing form 2 attached thereto is supported by a shaft 3 and is driven from a motor, not shown, by means of sprockets 4and 5, chain 6, pulley 7 and belt 8. The shaft 3 of the printing roll 1 is supported in a frame cornprising walls A and A'.

A sheet 21 may be fed between feeding rollers 22 and 23 into the bight between the printing roll 1 and a counter roll 10. This counter roll 10 is movable into and out of an operative position in close proximity to llever mechanism including the two levers 16 and 17 is interposed between the shaft 27 of counter roll 10 and a stationary pivot 15 mounted iu the frame A. The two toggle members 16 and 17 are linked together at 18. A

push rod 49 is attached at one end to the pivot 18 and` at the other end to a pivot 50 mounted in the armature 66 of solenoid 28. Whenever the solenoid 28 is energized, armature 66 and the rod 49 are pushed in the direction of arrow X with the etect that the toggle memthe counter roll against sheet 21 and form 2, an eccentric bearing member A is interposed between pivot 15 and toggle member 16. This member 15A can be rotated around pivot 15 by means of lever 13 actuated by a partly shown actuating rod 12. If member 13 is turned around pivot 15 by means of rod 12 the excenter 15a will correspondingly change the center of rotation of toggle member 16.

It is evident from the above that the counter roll 1li will only press the sheet 21 against the form 2, and accordingly, an impression or a reproduction of any portion of form 2 on sheet'21 will only be produced, if, and as long as, the Vsolenoid 28 is .energized and the abovedescribed electrical moving means are actuated.

The preceding description refers to parts which are provided in all embodiments shown in the drawings.

In order to reproduce on sheet 21 during a rotation of the printing roll 1 one or several or all of the various portions Z1, Z2, Z3, etc. of the form 2, a control mechanism is provided which permits to preset the operation of the apparatus accordingly.

A normally open switch 165 is attached to a stationary supporting element carried by the frame A. This switch is connected by wires 100, partly shown in the drawing, to the solenoid 28 and to a source of electric energy, not shown.

The switch 165 is surrounded by a stationary circular support 154 attached to frame A. The switch 165 is also surrounded by a rotary supporting element 155 which rotates around an axle 157 substantially concentric with the stationary circular support 154.

VThe stationary circular support 154 includes a keyboard comprising a number of control elements 152 indexed T2, T3, T4, etc. which are respectively associated vwith corresponding portions, Z2, Z3, Z4 etc. mentioned above. Each one of the control elements 152 mainly consists of a push rod radially movable in the circular support154, with an indexed button on the outside to be manually operated and with an end piece at the inner end intended to be brought into operative contact with the actuating members 156 described below. Each of the control elements 152. is provided with a spring 153 which serves to return each such element 152 into its inoperative position shown in the drawing after it has been operated as will be described below.

The rotary supportingrelement 155 which is also of circular shape, is driven from the shaft 3 of the printing roll 2 by means of a chain 160 which passes over a chain sprocket'159 on shaft 3 and over a corresponding sprocket 158 on shaft 157. Since sprockets 158 and 159 are shown to have equal diameters, the supporting element 155 will run in synchronism with the printing drum 2.

The rotary supporting element 155 is provided with a number of actuating members 156 having the form of pins with a flat head at either end. They are radially disposed and movable in radial direction inwardly or outwardly. Members 156 are angularly spaced from each other at the same angular intervals as the above described control elements 152. Therefore, when the machine is at a standstill, the rotary supporting element 155 will be in a position in which every one of the actuating members 156 is radially in line with a corresponding control element 152 of the stationary supporting element 154.

Whenever anyone of the control elements 152 is manually pushed inwardly in this position of the machine, then the corresponding actuating member or pin 156 will be moved into its inner operative position. For example, in Fig. 1 three of the actuating members 156 are shown 4 as moved into this operative position because previously the control elements marked T4, T7 and T10 have been manually operated for this purpose. Therefore in the following operational cycle of the machine only the portions Z4, Z7 and Z10 of the printing form 2 will be reproduced on the sheet 21 moved through the cycle of operation.

As shown in Fig. 2 with greater clarity disengageable locking means are provided for holding an actuating member 156 in its operative or inoperative position, respectively, during rotation of the rotary supporting element 155. The locking means consists mainly of a small ball 161 backed by a spring 162 so that this ball 161 will snap into corresponding grooves of the member 156 in either of the operative or inoperative positions thereof.

It is evident that in operation the inner tips of the actuating members or pins 156, when placed in their operative position, will travel with element on a circular path around the axis of rotation determined by shaft 157.

The switch 165 is provided with a resilient lever 163 carrying at its end a roller 164 which projects slightly into the above-mentioned circular path. Therefore, after the actuating members 156 as shown in Fig. l have been set into their operative position, their tips will during the rotation along said circular path engage the roller 164 Y and thereby in passing temporarily close the switch 165.

Consequently, with every passage of one of the actuating members 156 a movement of counter roll 10 in the direction of arrow Z will be caused. This means that on sheet 21 an impression of a portion of form 2 corresponding to the selected control element 152 used for setting the corresponding actuating member 156 is produced.

Whenever it may be desired in the further operation of the apparatus with the same printing form to eliminate the reproduction of certain portions of form 2 that have ,been printed previously according to the setting of control elements 152 and actuating members 156, a release means is used for returning the actuating members 156 into their inoperative position. As shown in Figs. l and l2, the release means comprises al lever 166 turnable about a pivot 166A mounted on the frame A. This lever 166 is adapted to swing between two extreme positions defined by the stop pins 169 and 170 attached to the frame A'. The outer end of lever 166 carries a pin 167 which projects through a corresponding opening in the wall A of the frame so that the lever 166 can be manually operated from the outside of the apparatus. Whenever the lever 166 is moved into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 then during a rotation of the rotary supporting element 155 it will, by projecting into the path of the actuating members 156, push those actuating members which are in operative position back into their inoperative positions. If, however, the lever 166 is swung in the opposite direction into the position shown in dotted lines the release means is in inoperative position. A spring 168 attached to a portion of the frame A and to the inner end of pin 167 serves to hold the lever 166 in either one of its two positions.

In certain cases it may be desirable to print the entire content of the form 2 without omitting any portions thereof. For this purpose a switch locking means is provided which comprises a cam 173 arranged on the frame A in close proximity and engagement with the spring lever 163 which actuates the switch 165. By turning this cam 173 from the outside into a position opposite to the one shown in Fig. 1, the roller 164 will be moved out of its regular position which projects into the circular path of the actuating members 156 and the resilient member 163 will be pressed so as to actuate the switch 156 and to hold it in its closed position. Therefore, as long as the switch is in closed position, the solenoid 28 will be permanently energized and consequently the counter roll 10 will be held pressed by the electrical moving means against sheet 21 and form 2 of the printing roll 1 so that the entire content of the form 2 will be reproduced in one operational cycle of the apparatus.

Finally, in certain cases it may be desirable to reproduce from the form 2 not only selected small portions as Z2, Z3, Z4 etc. but a larger portion Z1, for instance a letter head. For this purpose an additional control member 171 marked T1, otherwise similar to the control elements 152 described above is arranged separately on the stationary supporting element 154. Correspondingly on the rotary supporting element 155 an actuating member 172 is arranged radially in line with the control element 171 in the position shown. This member 172 covers a wider angular area than the inner tips of the actuating members 156. Therefore, during the operative rotation of the supporting element 155 the member 172 will maintain the switch 165 closed for a correspondingly longer period and therefore cause the counter roll pin to engage the sheet 21 and the form 2 during a period as required for reproducing the wider portion Z1 of the form 2.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, showing another ernbodiment of the invention, a stationary supporting element 182 is attached to the frame A'. This element 182 is provided with a number of actuating members 181 having indicia T1, T2, T3 etc. and being angularly spaced from each other at uniform intervals. Members 181 are radially movable in the wall of the supporting element 182. The outer ends of the actuating members 181 are provided with key bottoms so that the whole arrangement forms a keyboard for the operation of the apparatus. The inner tips 185 of the actuating members 181 project, in their operative position, into the circular path of a portion 186 of a switch means described below.

A rotary supporting element 190A is mounted on a shaft 157 which is supported by the wall A of the frame. This shaft 157 constitutes the axis of rotation of element 199A and is located in the center of the circular stationary supporting element 182. This rotary supporting element 198A is driven from the shaft 3 of the printing roll 2 by means of sprockets 187 on shaft 3 and 188 on shaft 157 and by a chain 189. Since the diameters of the sprockets 187 and 188 are shown of equal size the rotary supporting element 198 will turn in synchronism with the printing roll 2.

The rotary supporting element 190A preferably made of insulating material carries a normally open switch 198 which is equipped with a resilient member 186A, the end of which is pro-vided with a roller or similar member 186. This member 186 travels during the rotation of element 198A on a circular path into which the tips 185 of the actuating members 181 project as stated above.

The switch 198 is connected by wires 180A to two contact rings 191 and 192. On the frame A two stationary contacts 193 and 194 are mounted, insulated from each other, which contacts resiliently and continuously bear on the corresponding rings 191 and 192, respectively. Leads 188 shown partly in Fig. 3, connect the stationary contacts 193 and 194 with solenoid 28 and with a source of electric energy, not shown.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is similar to the one described above with reference to Fig. l. When certain portions of the form 2 are to be selected for reproduction the corresponding actuating members 181 are manually pushed inward in radial direction. ln the example illustrated, the members 181 having the designation T5, T8, and T11 are moved into their operative position. Consequently, when in an operational cycle the member 186 of the switch 190 travels on its circular path it will consecutively be engaged by the above mentioned actuating members T5, T8 and T11, and `every time this engagement takes place ,the switch 190 will be closed and thereby send an electric impulse through the above described leads and contacts into the solenoid 28 of the electrical moving means so that the `counter roll 10 is advanced in the particular position of the printing roll 1 into engagement with the sheet 21 so as to produce thereon a reproduction of those portions of the printing form 2 which were selected by the above described setting of the actuating members 181. 1n the present example the portions Z5, Z8, and Z11 will be printed on sheet 21.

Also in this example, the actuating members 181 are disengageably held in their operative or inoperative positiens, respectively, by a lock means comprising a small ball 183 supported by a spring 184 .and adapted to engage corresponding grooves of the member 181.

For producing a certain larger portion of the form 2 like the one designated Z1, a special actuating member 196, marked T1, is provided in proper position on the stationary supporting element 182 and is provided with a segment piece 197 which also projects into the circular path of 186 for engagement with, and for actuating, the switch 1% during a longer period determined by the circumferential length of segment 197.

Release means are provided for returning the actuating members 181 from their operative position into their inoperative position, respectively. These release means comprise a turnable cam member 19S which is mounted on the rotary supporting element 190A. When in the position sho-wn in Fig. 3 it will during its rotation with the rotary element 198A strike the tips 185 of those actuating members 181 which were set in operative position and push them back into their inoperative position. Whenever it is desired to maintain the position of the actuating members 181 unchanged as set, the cam member 195 may be tilted out of its shown position against the action `of spring A into an inoperative position in which it does not engage the tips 185 or the segment 197 during the rotation.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 8 which illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, a stationary supporting element 288 is attached to frame part A at an angle of 90. This supporting element 208 is provided with a set of control elements 289 arranged on a circular arc the center of which is the axis of rotation 'of the shaft 203. This shaft is supported by bearings 203A which are mounted also on frame A, A. One end of the shaft 283 carries a bevel gear 202 which is held in engagement with a corresponding bevel gear 281 mounted `on shaft 3 of the printing roll 1. On another porti-on of shaft 283 a rotary supporting element 28e is arranged so that the rotation of the printing rolll 1 is transmitted through the means described to this rotary supporting element 204. The supporting element 204 is provided with a set `of actuating members in the form of pins 285 Which are arranged on a circular arc of the same radius as the previously mentioned circular arc of the control elements 289. The control elements 289 as well as the actuating members 285 are ar1gularl3l spaced one from the other by the same angular intervals. Therefore in an initial position of the rotary supporting ele-ment 284 with respect to the stationary supporting element 288 the control elements 289 will be exactly in line with their corresponding actuating members 285. Each control element 289 is provid-ed with a spring 218 which serves to return this element 289 into its inoperative position after it has been pushed inwardly for moving the corresponding actuating member 285.

Each one of the .actuating members 295 is provided with disengageable locking means comprising a ball 286 supported by a spring 287 and adapted to engage corresponding grooves in the pin 285. In this manner the actuating member or pin 285 is held in its operative and inoperative positions, respectively.

It is evident that during the rotation of the supporting element 284 the projecting tips 211 of the actuating members 285, when in their operative position, travel on a circular path around the above mentioned axis of rotation determined by the shaft 203.

On a'stationary support 212A attached to the frame A', a switch 212 is mounted with a sensing part projecting into the above mentioned circular path of the tips 211. Therefore, in the course of the rotation of the rotary supporting element 204 and the actuating members 205, the tips 211 will strike the sensing part of switch 212 and therefore move this switch into its closed position so that in this manner the solenoid 28 is energized during the period during which the particular tip 211 keeps switch 212 in closed position. During this period the counter r-oll will be advanced and held against the sheet 21 to press the same against the form 2 so that a certain portion of the form 2 will be reproduced on sheet 21. By selectively moving the actuating members 205 into their respective operative positions any selected portion Z1, Z2, Z3 etc. of the form 2 can be reproduced in this manner by the aparatus of the present invention.

While in Fig. 5 a connection between the drive shaft 3.of the printing roll 1 and shaft 203 has been shown as comprising a pair of bevel gears 201 and 202, Fig. 8 illustrates an alternative in which case on shaft 203 a worm wheel 231 is mounted and a corresponding worm gear 230 is mounted on shaft 3 of printing roll 1.

Release means are provided for moving the actuating members 205 whenever necessary, from their operative positions back into their inoperative positions. For this purpose a control lever 213 is mounted on a stationary pivot pin 215 outside the area occupied by the rotary supporting element 204. The control lever 213 is provided at its outer end with a beveled portion 214 which, when the lever is swung into its operative position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 and determined by stop pin 217, engages the tip 211 of the actuating members 205 as they pass by on their circular paths. In this manner pins 205 are forced back into their inoperative position. Whenever it is desired to repeat .a printing operation in the same manner as before by selectively setting certain actuating members 205, then the control lever 213 may be swung into its opposite and inoperative position shown in broken lines in Fig. 6 and determined by stop pin 218 so that the beveled portion 214 will not project int-o the circular path of the tips 211. A spring 216 serves to hold the lever 213 in its operative and inoperative positions, respectively.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 an additional rotary control member is illustrated which serves to move under certain conditions a selected actuating member into its operative position independently of the action of the control elements 209.

This rotary control member comprises an arm 219 extending in radial direction from the shaft 203. The outer end of this arm 219 is provided with a tiltable engaging member 220 which during a rotation of arm 219 around the axis of shaft 203 is adapted to engage the outer end of any actuating member 205. Therefore the arm 219 extends into the space between the stationary support 208 and the rotary supporting element 204. The arm 219 is attached to a ratchet wheel 221 which is turnable around shaft 203 and not attached to the supporting element 204. An extension of ratchet wheel 221 projects through a suitable opening of support 208 outwardly where it carries a hand wheel 228. By means of this hand wheel the ratchet wheel 221 can be set in any desired position with respect to the member 204. A spring 222 is interposed between the ratchet wheel 221 and the shaft 203. One end of that spring is fixed to the shaft 203 while the other end is fixed to the ratchet wheel 221. Therefore the positioning of the ratchet wheel 221 is done against the action of this spring 222.

Turnable about a pivot 225 mounted on the rotary supporting element 204 are two pawls. One pawl 223 is a holding pawl and engages the teeth 221A of the ratchet 221 and is held in engagement therewith by a spring 226. The other pawl 224 serves to control the stepwise movement of the ratchet 221 in direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the supporting element 204, whenever the holding pawl 223 is moved out of engagement with the teeth 221A. The step-controlling pawl 224 is held by a spring 227 out of engagement with the teeth 221A unless pushed into engagement by the means described below.

Two control pins 229 are mounted in an extension of frame A or of the stationary support 208. These control pins 229 are movable in substantially radial direction with respect to shaft 203 in and out of operative positions. The pins 229 are provided with return springs 229A and with disengageable locking means including balls 229B which are spring supported for engagement of corresponding grooves in the pins 229 so that the pins will be held in their operative and inoperative positions, respectively. The pins 229 project radially into the circular path travelled by the pawls 223 and 224, respectively.

The turnable end piece 220 of the arm 219, as shown in detail in Fig. 7 which is a view in direction of the arrow C of Fig. 6, is turnable around a pivot pin 220B against action of a spring 220A, both attached to the arm 219. However, the piece 220 has an extension which prevents it from swinging in direction of arow V under the action of the spring 220A beyond the position shown. On the other hand, the piece 220 is free to move against the spring action in direction of the arrow W.

By means of the hand knob 228, the arm 219 and with it the ratchet wheel 221 may be turned in the direction of arrow S without interference with the holding pawl 224. Also the end piece 220 will not interfere with, or act on, the actuating members 205 because the piece 220 can tilt in the direction of arrow W.

After the ratchet wheel 221 and arm 219 have been set for a certain position with respect to anyone of the actuating members 205 and one or both of the pins 229 have been pushed inwardly into their operative positions, almost at the end of the rotational movement of the supporting element 204 during one operational cycle of the apparatus, both the pawls 221 and 224 will be engaged by the outer ends of the pins 229 so that the arm 219 will perform under the action of spring 222 a step-wise movement togetherwith ratchet 221 in the direction of arrow T. By doing this the end piece 220 with its beveled corner surface will pass over the next adjoining pin 205, force it from its inoperative position into its operative position and stop in the gap between this pin and the next following pin 205.

In this manner the just described rotary control member may be used for reproducing in a following cycle of rotation a portion of the form 2 which has not been reproduced in the previous operational cycle, without a new setting of the actuating members by means of the control elements 209 being required. For example, if in one operational cycle the actuating member 205 for the portion Z5 of the form 2 has been set while the next following actuating member 205 for the portion Z6 has not been set, then in the next following operational cycle the portion Z6 will be produced in addition to the portion Z5 because the properly set arm 219 with its end piece 220 will at the conclusion of the first operational cycle make one step forward and push the actuating member 205 for the portion Z6 into operative position. lt is to be noted that after every step of the members 219 and 220 the latter stops in a position between two consecutive actuatingmembers 205.

If several, for instance two pins 229 have been moved into operative position, then through the setting of these two control pins 229 a double automatic shift of two steps of the control arm 219 is obtained. In the same manner a greater number of control pins 229 may be provided in which case a corresponding number of steps of the control arm 219 and a corresponding number of portions additionally reproduced from form 2 can be obtained. If a number of consecutive portions or lines are reproduced from the form 2, a suitable setting of the control pin 229 for the ratchet and pawl mechanism automatically causes the control arm 219 to set the actuating members 205 for the next following portions or lines of the form 2 to be reproduced. The setting may be made also in such a manner that e. g. single lines are printed and the stepwise shifting is set for two-line steps so that `in this case only every second line is reproduced. However, the arrangement may also be made in such a manner that for instance if a reproduction of several lines has been made and if the control pins 229 are correspondingly set, it is not necessary for the purpose of repeating the multiline setting to set the pins for the next following lines manually. The control arm 219 moving forward automatically will automatically move the actuating members 205 according to their setting into operative position without the necessity of setting these actuating members every time by manual operation.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of duplicating or printing machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a printing apparatus for selective reproduction, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form fixed thereto; 'a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a first supporting element and a second supporting element mounted on said frame, said second supporting element being movable relative to said iirst supporting element; a set of actuating members mounted on one of said supporting elements each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and adapted to be manually shifted between said positions, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a predetermined path, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a normally open switch member mounted on the other supporting element and projecting into said predetermined path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members engaging said switch member in said operative position during the movement of said second supporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position Whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said second supporting element for moving the latter in timed relation with said printing roll whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls. i

`2. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by ysaid frame and adapted to have a printing form fixed thereto; la counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a first supporting element and a second supporting element mounted on said frame, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis of rotation relative to said first supporting element; a set of actuating members mounted on one Vof said supporting elements, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and adapted to be manually shifted between said positions, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said second supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a normally open switch member mounted on the other supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position engaging said switch member during the rotating movement of said second supporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said second supporting element for moving the same in timed relation whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

3. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form iixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for move- `ment to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a irst supporting element and a second supporting element mounted on said frame, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis of rotation relative to said first supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mounted on one of said supporting elements, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said second supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form and including manually operated means for effecting movement thereof between said positions; a normally open switch member mounted on the other supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a `circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit tion; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said second supporting element for ,moving the same in timed relation whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

4. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form xed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheetpassing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a rst supporting element and a second supporting element mounted on said frame, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis of rotation relative to said rst supporting element; a set of actuating members mounted on one of said supporting elements, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position Vand an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said second supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a normally open switch member mounted on the other supporting element and including resilient actuating means projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said resilient actuating means engaged and operated by said actuating members in said operative position during the rotating movement of said second supporting elementi; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said second supporting element for moving the same in timed relation whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

5. In a printing appparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turnable relative to said stationary supporting element and about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of said stationary supporting element; a set of actuating members mounted on said rotary supporting element for independent movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a stationary support; a set of control elements mounted on said support for independent movement between an inoperative position and a position of engagement with said actuating members and spaced from each other at the same angular intervals as said yactuating members so that in a position of rest of said rotary supporting element relative to said stationary support said control elem-ents are in line with corresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuating members into said operative position; a normal- 12 ly open switch member mounted on said stationary supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members engaging said switch member in said operative position during the rotation of said rotary supporting element; circuit means connecting said Vswitch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means moves said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected control members and actuating members in operative positions are printedon a sheet passing between said rolls. i

6. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a'frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form xed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary supporting element attached to Ysaid frame; a rotary supporting element turnable within said stationary supporting element and about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of said stationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mounted on said rotary supporting element for independent movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element,

each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a stationary cincular support; a set of control elements mounted on said circular support for independent movement between an inoperative position and a position of engagement with said actuating members and spaced from'each other at the same angular intervals as said actuating'members so that in a position of rest of said rotary supporting element relative to said stationary circular support said control elements are radially in line with corresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuating members into said operative positionfsaid control elements including manually operated means for causing said independent movement; a normally open switch member mounted on said stationary supporting element and projecting into said `circular path, said switch member being movable` to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position during the rotation of said rotary supporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means moves said counter roll to said operating position whenever saidrswitch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing ro-ll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected control members and actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

7. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form iixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, sai-d counter roll having an axis parallel to ,that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turnable within said stationary supporting element and about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of said stationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mounted on said rotary supporting element for independent movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in -said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form, said actuating members including disengageable locking means for being held in said operative position during the rotation of said second supporting element; a stationary circular support; a set of control elements mounted on said circular support for' independent movement between an inoperative position and a position of engagement with said actuating members and spaced from each other at the same angular intervals as said actuating members so that in a position of rest of said rotary supporting element relative to said stationary circular support said control elements are radially in line with corresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuating members into said operative position; a normally open switch member mounted on said stationary supporting element arid projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position during the rotation of said rotary supporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means moves said counter roll to said operating .position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected control members and actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

8. In a printing apparatus, in combinatiom'a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet 'passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel tothat of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turnable within said stationary supporting element and about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of said stationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mounted on said rotary supporting element for independent movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; release means mounted on said frame and movable between an inoperative and an operative position, said release means projecting in its operative position into said circular path of said actuating members for moving them back into their inoperative position; a stationary circular support; a set of control elements mounted on said circular support for independent movement between an inoperative position and a position of engagement with said actuating members and spaced from each other at the same angular intervals as said actuating members so that in a position ofrest of said rotary supporting element relative to said stationary circular support said control elements are radially in line with corresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuating members into said operative position; a normally open switch member mounted on said stationary supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position during the rotation of said rotary supporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means moves said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected control members and actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

9. ln a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have printing form. fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the saine to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turnable within said stationary supporting element and about `an axis of rotation substantially in the center of said stationary supporting element; a set of anlgularly spaced actuating members mounted on said rotary supporting element for independent movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actrating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a stationary circular support; a set of control elements mounted on said circular support for independent movement between an inoperative position and a position of engagement with said actuating members and spaced from each other at the same angular intervals as `said actuating members so that in a position of rest of said rotary supporting element relative to said stationary circular support said control elements are radially in line with corresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuating members into said operative position; a normally open switch member mounted on said stationary supporting element and protecting into said circular path,rsaid switch member being movabie to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position during the rotation of said rotary supporting element; switch locking means mounted on said frame and movable from an inoperative to an operative position, said switch locking means engaging said switch means for causing in its operative position said switch means to remain in closed position during the rotation of said rotary supporting element in order to cause said counter roll to remain in its operative position with respect to said printing roll; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means moves said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected control memb rs and actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

10. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turnable within said stationary supporting element and about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of said stationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mounted on said stationary supporting element, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and adapted to be manually shifted 'between said positions, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a normally open switch member mounted on said rotary supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members Iin said operative position engaging said switch member during the rotation of said second supporting element; contact means arranged on said rotary supporting member and electrically connected with said switch means; stationary contact means carried by said stationary supporting element and in electrical contact with said contact means and circuit means connecting said stationary contact means with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same in timed relation whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

11. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheetv passing between Said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turnable within said stationary supporting element and about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of said stationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mounted on said stationary supporting element, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form, said actuating members including manually -operated means for effecting movement thereof between said positions; a normally open switch member mounted on said rotary supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position engaging said switch member during the rotation of said second supporting element; contact means arranged on said rotary support- 16 ing member and electrically connected with said switch means; stationary contact means carried by said stationary supporting element and in electrical contact with said contact means and circuit means connecting said stationary contact means with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

12. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turnable within Said stationary supporting element and about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of said stationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mounted on said stationary supporting element, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and adapted tobe manually shifted between said positions, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; release means mounted on said rotary supporting element and movable between an inoperative and an operative position, said release means projecting in its operative position into said circular path of said actuating means for moving them back into their inoperative position; a normally open switch member mounted on said rotary supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members engaging said switch member in said operative position during the rotation of said second supporting element; contact means arranged on said rotary supporting member and electrically connected with said switch means; stationary contact means carried by said stationary supporting element and in electrical contact with said contact means and circuit means connecting said stationary contact means with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same in timed relation whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

13. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form xed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turnable within said stationary supporting `element and `about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of sai 'l stationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mounted on said stationary supporting element, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and adapted to be manually shifted between said positions, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said `rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form, said actuating members including disengageable locking means normally engaging said stationary supporting element for holding the respective actuating element in said operative position during the rotation of said rotary supporting element; a normally open switch member mounted on said rotary supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member `being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members engaging said switch member in Said operative position during the rotation of said second supporting element; contact means arranged on said rotary supporting member and electrically connected with said switch means; stationary contact means carried by said stationary supporting element and in electrical contact `with said Contact `means and circuit means connecting said stationary contact means with said electric moving means so that Asaid electric moving means move said counter roll to said `operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same in timed relation whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

14. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to `and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet `passing `between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to `that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to .said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary supporting element attached to said frame; a `rotary supporting element turnable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to said stationary supporting element; a set of angularly `spaced actuating members `mounted onsaid rotary supporting element for independent movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular arc having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of `said printing form; a stationary support;` a set of control elements mounted on said stationarysupport along a circular arc of the same radius as said arc of said actuating members for independent movement between an inoperative position and a position of engagement with said actuating members and angularly spaced from each other at the same angular intervals as said actuating members so that in a position of said `rotary supporting element relative to said stationary supporting element said control elements are in line with corresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuating members into said operativeposition; a normally open switch member mounted onsaid stationary supporting element and projecting into the circular path of said actuating members, said -switch member being movable to a circuit closing posij tion andbeing moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position during' the rotation of said rotary supporting element; circuit means connecting said swii t member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means moves said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in opetative jiositions are printed on a sheet passing between rolls.

l5. ln a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by `said frame and adapted to have a printing form fixed thereto; a co'ntcr roll carried by said frame for movement to om an operating position in close proximity to said i ring roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary supporting element attached to said trame; a rotary supporting element turnable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to said stationary supporting element and extending in a plane transverse to the axis of rotation of said printing roll; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mounted on said rotary supporting element for independent movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along `a circular arc having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form; a stationary support; a set of control elements mounted on said stationary support along a circular arc of the same radius as said arc of said actuating members for independent movement between an inoperative position and a position of engagement with said actuating members and angularly spaced from each other at the saine angular intervals as said actuating members so that in a position of said rotary supporting element relative to said stationary supporting element said control elements are in line with corresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuating members into said operative position; a. normally open switch member mounted on said stationary supporting `element and projecting into the circular path of said actuating members, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position during the rotation of said rotary supporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member with said .electric moving means so that said Velectric moving means moves said counter roll'to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to` said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting clement for rotating the same and including means for transmitting the drive through an angle from said printing roll to said rotary supporting element whereby selected portions ot said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed pn a sheet passing between said rolls.

l6. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form xed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turnable about an axis ofrotation perpendicular to said stationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mounted on said rotary supporting element for independent movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular arc having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a stationary support; a set of control elements mounted on said stationary support along "a circular arc of the same radius as said arc of said actuating members for independent movement between van inoperative position and a position of engagement with said actuating members and angularly spaced from each -other at the same angular intervals as said actuating members so that in a position of said rotary supporting element relative to said stationary supporting element said control elements are in line with corresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuating members into said operative position; a rotary control member turnable about said axis of rotation and including an actuating element movable along a circular path located between said set of actuating members and said set of control elements; windable spring means engaging said rotary control member and said second supporting element and tending to turn said rotary control member in a direction opposite to the rotation of said rotary supporting element, means for winding said spring and means for holding said rotary control member in a selected position against the action of said spring, and release means mounted on said frame, movable from an inoperative to an operative position and projecting into the path of said holding means for moving the latter into a position permitting said rotary control member to move under the action of said spring and to actuate a selected actuating member; a normally open switch member mounted on said stationary supporting element and projecting into the circular path of said actuating members, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position during the rotation of said rotary supporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that ysaid electric moving means moves said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

17. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form iixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for -movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a first supporting element and a second supporting element mounted on said frame, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis of rotation relative to said lirst supporting element; a set of actuating members mounted on one of said supporting elements for independent movement between an inoperative position and an operative position; said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said second supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a control member shiftable between an initial position and a plurality of displaced positions relative to said one of said Vsupporting elements, said control member shifting during movement from said initial position to any of said displaced positions a different number of said actuating `members from an inoperative position to said operative position; means for connecting said control member-in each of said positions thereof to said one supporting element for rotation with said one supporting element; means for shifting said control member from said initial position to a different displaced position at the end of each revolution of said one supporting element, whereby a different number of actuating members is operative during each revolution of said printing roll; aV normally open switch member mounted on the other supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to .a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position during the rotating movement of said second supporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said second supporting element for moving the same whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls. t

18. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a first supporting element and a second supporting element mounted on said frame, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis of rotation relative to said first supporting element; a set of actuating members mounted on one of said supporting elements for independent movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said second supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a control member shiftable between an initial position and a plurality of displaced positions relative to said one of said supporting elements, said control member shifting during movement from said initial position to any of said displaced positions a different number of said actuating members from an inoperative position to said operative position; means urging said control member from said initial position to said displaced positions; means locking said control member in each of said positions; means for connecting said control member in each of said positions thereof to said one supporting element for rotation with said one supporting element; means for releasing said locking means for freeing said control member for movement from said initial position to a different displaced position; means for shifting said control member from said initial position to a different displaced position at the end of each revolution of said one supporting element, whereby said control member moves into temporary engagement with said actuating members for shifting them into an operative position so that a different number of actuating members is operative during each revolution of said printing roll; a normally open switch member mounted on the other supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative posi- `tion during the rotating `movement of said second sup- Porting' clement; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said `counter roll to said operatingposition wheneversaid switch member is moved to `said circuit closing position; and drive `means operatively connected to said printing -roll and to said second supporting element for moving the same whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members `in operative .positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls. 19. In' a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a 'printing .troll c arriedfor .rotation ,about its axis by said frame and adapted to havea printing form fixed thereto; a` counter roll `carriedby said frame `for movement `to and Vfrom an operating .position in .close proximity to said printing roll ,for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said Ycounter .roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and :from said operating position thereof; a first supporting element and a .second supporting element mounted on said frame, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis of rotation relative to said first supporting element, said secon'd supporting element having its axis of rotation extending parallel with the axis of rotation of said printing roll; a set of actuating members mounted on one of said supporting elements, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and adapted to be manually shifted between said positions, said actuating members in said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said second supporting element, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form; a normally open switch member mounted on the other supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position engaging said switch member during the rotating movement of said second supporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to said second supporting element for moving the same in timed relation whereby selected portions of said printin'g form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

20. In a printing apparatus, in combination', a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing form xed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in' close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a rst supporting element and a second supporting element mounted on said frame, said second supporting element being turnable about an' axis of rotation relative to said iirst Supporting element, said second supporting element having its axis of rotation extending transverse to the axis of rotation of said printing roll; a set of actuating meinbers mounted on one of said supportin'g elements, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and adapted to be manually shifted between said positions, said actuating members in' said operative position being located along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said second supporting element, each of said `actuating members being associated with a portion cf said `printing form; a normally open switch member mounted on the other supporting element and projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved `to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in Said operative position engaging said switch member during the rotating movement of said second supporting element; circuit `means `connecting said `switch member with 44said electric moving means Aso that said `electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch `member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and `to said second supporting element for moving the same in timed relation whereby selected portions ot said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

2i. in a printing apparatus, in combination, a `frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have `a printing form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turntable within said stationary supporting element and about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of said stationary supporting element and being connected to said printing roll for synchronous rotation; a set of actuating members mounted on said stationary supporting element, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form, said actuating members including manually operated means for etfecting movement thereof between said positions; a normally open switch member mounted on said rotary supporting element for rotation synchronously with said printing roll, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position engaging said switch member during the rotation of said second supporting element; contact means arranged on said rotary supporting member and electrically connected With said switch means; stationary contact means carried by said stationary supporting element and in electrical contact with said contact means and circuit means connecting said stationary contact means with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position, whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

22. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing roll carried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have a printing forni fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to said printing roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a stationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotary supporting element turnable within said stationary supporting element and about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of said stationary supporting element and being connected to said printing roll for synchronous rotation; a set of actuating members mounted on said 23 stationary supporting element, each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form, said actuating members including manually operated means for effecting movement thereof between said positions, said actuating members and said manually operated-means being arranged for being operated and operating in radial direction with respect to the axis of said rotary supporting element; a normally open switch member mounted on said rotary supporting element for rotation synchronously with said printing roll, said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in said operative position engaging said switch member during the rotation-'of said second supporting element; contact means arranged on said rotary supporting member and electrically connected with said switch means; stationary contact means carried by said stationary supporting element and in electrical contact with said contact means and circuit means connecting said stationary contact means with said electric moving means so that said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position, whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSv 2,210,021 Breitling Aug-6, l1940 2,491,369 Ford Dec. 13, `1949 2,536,276 Gretchikhine Jan. 2, 1-951 2,722,885 Keil NOV. 8, 1955 2,753,791 Thurmann' 1 .July l0', 1956 2,758,539 Ritzerfeld' Aug,` 1l, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS l 633,097 France Ian. 20, 1928 698,203

Great Britain Oct. 7, 1953

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