US3249202A - Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates - Google Patents

Description

y 3, 1966 H. E. DANIELS 3,249,202

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES Filed May 21, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I A N g INVENTOR.

HERBERT E. DANIELS. BY

HIS ATTORNEY.

H. E. DANIELS 3,249,202

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES May 3, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 21, 1964 IN V EN TOR.

HERBERT E. DANIELS. BY W W HIS ATTORNEY.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES Filed May 21, 1964 H. E. DANIELS May 3, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

HERBERT E. DANIELS.

HIS ATTORNEY.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES Filed May 21, 1964 H. E. DANIELS May 3, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

HERBERT E. DANIELS.

HIS ATTORNEY.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES Filed May 21, 1964 H. E. DANIELS May 3, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a}: "I. H 7 O 7 3 4 3 1 U. 31/ w B 2 l a I M 0 l l 2 .L I L w .l/lf. u 8 l r 3 I I 6 3 0 O B v, B 2 w & 2 B 9 2. m G lpdrtw .I n lll 11 W 7. W a l w L m a l 2 8 M L Q N 2 2 G I I r J r. f 5 2 2 F v w m w w M I 2 G 1 O B M w 1||||L|l-|| 4 5 "m fi v m m c a w 2 V m 2 M F. ---:-u r I l l l n A 4 r/ .2 1 a l. o 5 5 I. 7 8

IN VEN TOR.

E. ANIELS.

HIS ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,249,202 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES Herbert E. Daniels, Orange, N.J., assignor to Jampol Corporation, Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 21, 1964, Ser. No. 369,196 10 Claims. (Cl. 19833) This invention has to do with apparatus for handling stereotype printing plates of semi-circular form. These plates are attached in pairs to the cylinders of high-speed printing presses such as used in printing newspapers.

In the large newspaper pressrooms, up to 1,000 of these stereotype plates are used in printing an edition of the paper. These plates are formed of type metal, and weight approximately 40 lbs. each, with the result that several tons of metal are used in making the plates for one edition of the paper. the plates from the press immediately on the completion of the printing of each edition of the paper. The used plates are then returned to the stereotype room where the plates are re-melted, and used in forming the print plates for the next edition of the paper.

In order to set up the presses for a run, it is necessary to commence the removal of the used plates immediately after the days edition has been printed, and to mount the plates for the next days edition so that the entire press will be set up and ready to run on time. This results in an accumulation of used plates as the re-melting pots and the plate-forming machines in the stereotype room cannot handle the plates as rapidly as they are removed from the press.

These print plates are of appreciable length and are conveyed from the presses in horizontal position. Ac cordingly, in order to handle an accumulation of several hundred of these plates at a time, it is now necessary to manually remove the plates from the conveyor and stand them on end on the floor, and then as plates are required for the re-melting pots, they are removed from the accumulation on the floor and returned to the conveyor.

This invention has as an object stereotype plate handling apparatus including a conveyor arrangement extending from the pressroom to the re-melting room, and embodying an arrangement which functions automatically to upend the plates in nested arrangement on the conveyor, whereby a substantial number of the vertically disposed nested plates occupy the conveyor space occupied by one plate in horizontal position.

The invention has a further object; means for successively separating the vertically disposed plates from the accumulated supply and transferring the separated plates .to an out-feed conveyer for transporting the plates to the re-melting room.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic layout of an arrangement including the plate handling apparatus embodying my invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view taken on line 22, FIGURE l,

with parts broken away and parts in section.

FIGURE 3 is a view taken on line 33, FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing a print plate in partially raised position.

FIGURE 5 is a view taken on line 5-5, FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a view taken on a line corresponding to line 6-6, FIGURE 1.

This necessitates the removal of 3,249,202 Patented May 3, 1966 formed plates from the stereotype room for application to the presses. There is a conveyor, section 25, connected to the section 23, and it functions to convey used plates, indicated at 27, to an upending mechanism indicated generally at 30. The used plates 27 are advanced from the press area in horizontal position with the concave sides of the plates facing downwardly; the plates being arranged with their axis extending length-wise of the conveyor.

The mechanism 30 engages each of the advancing plates 27 and moves it to vertical position. The vertically disposed plates, indicated at 28, are advanced to a plate separating means indicated generally at 33. There is a plate stop at the separating mechanism 33, and inasmuch as the conveyor section 31 runs continuously, the upended plates 28, with their concave sides facing forwardly, bunch up into a stack or nested formation to provide an accumulated supply indicated at 35. As additional metal is needed to supply the re-qnelt pot indicated at 37, the

plates are separated one by one from the accumulated supply 35 and transferred to the re-melt pot 37. The conveyor section 23 is connected to the section 25 by a curved section 38. The section 25 is connected'to the section 31 by a curved section 39.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, the conveyor section 31 consists of a series of load rolls 40; each of which has journalled at its ends rollers 41 movable along guide tracks 42. The guide tracks 42 are fixedly secured to channel side members 43 mounted on side frames 44, supported by adjustable foot members 45. The rolls 40 are connected at their ends to endless chains 50, trained over pairs of sprockets, one pair of which is shown at 51, FIGURE 7. The print plates are conveyed by the upper run of the conveyor as will be apparent and the rolls in the lower return run of the conveyor are supported by angle track members 53 (see FIGURES 2 and 6).

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, an inverted U-shaped bracket 57 is fixedly secured to the side members 43. The top portion 58 of this bracket is spaced at distance above the upper run of the conveyor section 31. A pair of channel members 60 are fixedly secured tothe top portion 58 of the bracket, as by angle member 61. The channel members 60 extend upwardly in spaced relation with their open sides facing inwardly. A channel member 62 is positioned between the uprights 60, and has afiixed to each side flange a pair of rollers 63 movable in the channel members 60. There is an actuating cylinder 65 fixedly secured in the upper end portions of the channel members 60, and has a piston rod 67 connected to the upper end of the channel member 62. The cylinder piston structure 65, 67 functions to efliect' vertical reciprocation of the channel member 62.

A plate engaging member is aflixed to the lower end of the channel member 62. This member is in the form of a stem 70, extending rearwardly from the member 62 and being provided at its end with a vertically disposed bar 71. Normally, the member 62 is in the down position as shown by dotted outline at 73, FIGURE 3. In this position, the forward end portion of an advancing plate 27 will pass over the plate engaging member 70, 71. Fluid is furnished to the lower port 73 of cylinder 65 causing the piston rod 67 to move upwardly to the full line position shown in FIGURE 3. This upward movement of the plate engaging member raises the front end of the plate. In FIGURE 4, the plate 27 is shown as it moved approximately half Way to the full vertically position shown in FIGURE 3.

Inorder to make certain that the plate being upended does not collide with the next succeeding plate, the conveyor 31 is provided with an accelerating section in the form of a plate 75, FIGURES 3 and 4, fixed between the conveyor side members 43. The plate 75 is supported by one of the cross members 77 extending transversely between the frame members 44. The plate 75 is positioned vertically so that the rollers 40 engage the plate and are caused to roll along the same during the forward advancement. As is well known in the conveyor art, this results in doubling the speed of the article advancing on the conveyor. Accordingly, as the rollers 40 supporting a plate 2.7 engage the accelerating plate '75, the print plate is advanced at twice the speed to make certain of a space between that print plate and the next succeeding print plate- Provision is made to avoid the possibility of a plate being upended from tipping over backwards. This is accomplished by a bracket 80 fixedly secured to'the lower ends of the vertical guides 60, as by a transversely disposed angle plate 81 fixedly secured to the bracket 80 and to the members 60. The bracket 80 extends downwardly from the members 60 and there is a roller 83 Y journalled on the lower end of the bracket. The arrangement is such that the roller 83 extends downwardly a distance below the upper end of the upended plate, and rearwardly from the member 62 a distance to accommodate the upper end of the upended plate. As shown in FIGURE 4, the print plate being upended is engaged by the roller 83.

The member 62 and the print plate engaging member 70, 71 continue upwardly a distance above the upper edge of the upended plate as shown in full line FIGURES 2 and 3.

As the print plate 27 is advanced by the accelerating section of the conveyor, it engages an actuator 85 associated with a switch 86 mounted on the side frame of the conveyor. Closing the contacts of switch 86' completes a circuit from the side 87 of the line, FIGURE 8, wire 88, switch 86, wire 89, solenoid valve 90, wire 91, to the opposite side 92 of the supply. Energization of the solenoid valve 90 supplies fluid to the port '73 to effect upward movement of. the plate engaging member. It is to be remembered that the rolls 40 of the conveyor section 1 31 advance continuously.

From reference to FIGURE 4, it will be apparent that as the print plate is being upended, the rear corner edges are positioned between a pair of the rolls 40- and the forward movement of these rolls, in conjunction with g the upward movement of the plate engaging member, ef-

fect upending of the plate in a very short interval of time.

During this upending, the plate is advanced forwardly and when in full upended position with the concave side of the plate facing forwardly, the side edges of the plate engage stop pins 100 which are normally positioned inwardly over the conveyor, as shown in dotted outline, FIGURE 2. These pins serve to assist in preventing rearward tipping of the upended plate immediately following this upending operation.

Also, the stop pins 100 prevent further forward movement of the plate until the plate engaging member 70, 71, has moved upwardly above the upper end of the vertically disposed plate.

In this full upended position, it will be observed, referring to FIGURE 3, that the plate has been advanced forwardly of the accelerating section.

When the channel member 62 approaches the end of its upward movement, it engages an actuator 103 associated with switch 104. The switch 104 has contacts 105, 106, operable alternately in unison. Upon engagement of the actuator 103 by the channel member 62, contact 106 is closed and contact 105 opened. This establishes a cir- 4 cuit from the side 87 through wire 107, contact 106, wire 10-8, solenoid coil 109 of solenoid 110, wire 111, to the side 92. Energization of coil 109 causes solenoid 110 to move the stop pin 100 outwardly, as shown in full outline, FIGURE 2.

Thereupon the upended plate is moved forwardly by the conveyor and engages an actuator 1'13 associated with the switch 114. The closing of the contacts of switch 114 establishes a circuit from the side v87, FIGURE 8, through wire 115, contacts 114,'wire 116, solenoid valve 117, wire 91,-.to the side 92. Energization of the solenoid valve 117 supplies fluid to the upper port 20 of cylinder 65, effecting downward movement of the member 62. The spacing of the switch 114 is such that upended plate has now moved forwardly to clear the downwardly descending plate engaging member 70, 71. Movement of the member 62 downwardly out of engagement with the actuator 103 opens the contacts 106 of switch 104, and closes the contacts 105. Accordingly, there is now a circuit from side 87, wire 121, contact 1%, wire 122, solenoid coil 123 of solenoid 110, to elfect inward movement of the stop pins 100 for engagement by the next succeeding plate when it isupended.

' Forwardly or downstream from the switch 114, there is a pair of light sources 130, 131, arranged at one side of the conveyor. On the opposite side of the conveyor therein registered with the light sources are photo- electric cells 132, 133, FIGURE 5. The space of the light sources and photocellsis less than the length of a print plate in horizontal position on the conveyor, but more than the front to back dimension of a vertically disposed plate. If, for any reason, a print plate should tip forwardly or rearwardly to horizontal position, the bearns from the light sources 130, 131, will be interrupted by the horizontally disposed plate effecting closing of the contact 134 of photo-cell 132 and the contact 136 of photo-cell 133, establishing a circuit to motor controller 133 to open the contacts thereof to de-energize motor 135, FIGURE 7, and stop further operation of the conveyor section 31.

The plates are advanced forwardly to the accumulated supply 35. There are a pair of plate stops 140 activated vertically by a fluid cylinder 141. t In FIGURE 7, the stops are shown in up position to engage the first upended plate in the series. As previously stated, the conveyor section 31 runs continuously, the rolls 40 thereof readily passing underneath the plate stopped by the stops 140. The next upended plate is moved into engagement with a plate positioned against the stops 140, and the upended plates thus are moved into a nested accumulation,as indicated in 35, FIGURE 1. The plates are tightly nested because of the continuous forward movement of the conveyor, with the result that several of the upended plates only occupy the space occupied by a plate in horizontal position.

This means in a large press room, up to 1,000 plates can be accumulated on'the conveyor section 31 between the upending mechanism and the plate separating mechanism 33.

There is another U-shaped bracket affixed to the conveyor side members 43 at the forward end of the accumulated supply 35. There is also a pair of vertically disposed channel members 151 similar to the channel members 60,-affixedly mounted on the cross piece 152 of bracket 150, as by angle member 153 (see FIGURES 6 and 7). There is a slide 155 mounted between the uprights 151 and it is provided with rollers 157 for movement in the channel members 151. A cylinder 158 is mounted in the upper ends of the members 151 and has a piston rod 159 attached to the upper end of the slide 155. The rear side of the lower portion of the slide 155 inclines rearwardly as at 160, FIGURE 7. This presents a lower end edge 161 of less dimension in a direction fore and aft than the distance between the foremost plate indi cated at 162 and the next succeeding plate 163 at the central area of the plates (see FIGURE 7).

' more fully explained hereafter.

As previously stated, the constant forward movement of the conveyor section 31 results in the upended plates 28 being tightly wedged together. Actually, the more plates in the accumulated supply 35, the tighter the plates therein become wedged together. This is advantageous in that it prevents any tumbling or displacement of the plates in the supply 35 and secondly, it stabilizes the supply so that the first or foremost low plate can be efficiently separated from the supply. It is therefore desirable to always have a substantial number, say ten plates, in the accumulated storage 35. This number of plates is maintained by employment of a light source 177 positioned at one side of the conveyor and a photo-cell 178- on the opposite side of the conveyor. The light source and the photo-cell are so positioned relative to the stop members 140 that the beam from the light source 177 is interrupted when at least the minimum supply of vertically disposed plates is present. The photo-cell 178 is provided with contacts 180, FIGURE 8, which are closed when the light beam is interrupted by the supply of plates. There is also a limit switch 181 provided with an actuator 182, FIGURE 7, engaged by the foremost plate 162. Actuation of the switch 181 means that a plate is available at the downstream end of the accumulated supply 35. Interruption of the light beam from the source 177 indicates that there is present at least the desired minimum number of plates in the accumulated supply. With this situation prevailing,-

coupled with the closing of the liquid level switch contact 165, at the re-melt pot, a circuit is completed from the side 87, wire 183,'contact 165, wire 184, switch contacts 180, wire 185, contacts 186 of switch 181, wire 187, relay 188, wire 189, to the side 92. This results in the closing contact 90 of relay 188 establishing the following circuit. Side 87, wire 191, contact 190, wire 1 92, solenoid valve coil 193, wire 194, to the opposite side 92. Energization of the valve coil 193 provides fluid pressure to the inlet port 170 of cylinder 141, causing the .plate stops 140 to move downwardly. A branch circuit also extends from wire 192, through wire 195, to solenoid valve coil 196, wire 197, to the side 92. Energization of coil 196 provides fluid pressure to the upper port 167 of cylinder 158 to effect downward movement of the separating member 155.

There is a second branch circuit from Wire 192, through wire 200, to solenoid valve coil 201, wire 203, to the opposite side 92. Energization of coil 201 provides fluid under pressure to the port 205 of cylinder 206, which is pivotally mounted as at 207 to an extension of the conveyor framework. The piston rod 208 of cylinder 206 is operatively connected to a transfer plate 210 pivotally mounted, as at 211, to the framework. With fluid admitted to the port 205, the cylinder piston structure 206, 208, effects downward movement of the transfer plate 210 about the pivot 211 to horizontal position, as indicated in dotted outline at 213, FIGURE 7.

With the arrangement described, it will be apparent that the operation of the stops 140, separating slide 155, and plate 210, are in unison. The inclined lower end portion of the separating slide 155 entering in 'between the foremost plate 162 and the next adjacent plate 163 performs a wedging action separating the plate 162 from the accumulated supply 35, and tipping it forward onto the transfer plate 210. The transfer plate 210 is of semicircular form and is provided at its .upper end with a notch 215, see FIGURES 6 and 7. The purpose of the notch 215 is to receive lugs 216 of an out-feed conveyor chain 217. The lugs 216 engage the under side of the now horizontal plate 218 and move it forwardly off from the transfer plate 210 and convey the print plate to the remelt pot 37.

As the print plate advances from the transfer plate, it engages a switch 220, see FIGURE 1. Closing of the contacts of the switch 220, see FIGURE 8, establishes a circuit from the side 87, through switch 220, wire 221, to solenoid valve coil 223 to disconnect fluid pressure from the port 205 of cylinder 206, and apply pressure to the port 225 to effect upward return movement of the transfer plate 210.

A branch wire 227 provides a circuit to solenoid valve coil 228 and thence through wire 230, to the side 92. This results in disconnecting fluid pressure to port of cylinder 141, and establishing pressure to port 233 there of to effect upward movement of the stops 140.

Wire 227 also extends to solenoid valve coil 235, the opposite side of which is connected through wire 237, to the opposite side 92 of the circuit. This disconnects fluid pressure to the upper port 167 of cylinder 158 and supplies pressure to the lower port 240 thereof to effect upward movement of the separating slide 155. This permits the accumulated supplyto be advanced'bythe conveyor to move the next succeeding plate 163 into engagement With the actuator 182 of switch 181 for a repetition of the operation just described. A timer may be used in conjunction with the switch 181 to regulate the frequency with which the plates are separated and transferred to the conveyor 217, so that the rate of plates transferred to the melting pot 37 will be comparable to the melting rate of the pot.

It will be apparent that by my invention, I have provided apparatus for automatically handling stereotype print plates including the automatic storage of several tons of plates, and the conveyance of the used plates to the re-rnelt pot, all without any manual handling of the used plates.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the structural arrangement described without departing from the scope of my invention. For example, the conveyor sections 25, 31 and 217 may be operated independently at different speeds. The right'end portion of the section 31 immediately downstream from the upending mechanism 30 may be a separate section operating at say 50 ft. per minute. The remainder of the section 31 may be operated at a speed of 15 ft. per minute. This is possible because the vertically positioned plates only occupy approximately two inches of space on the conveyor whereby the accumulated supply will be more than ample to accommodate the output of the faster section adjacent the upending device. This permits a reduction in required horsepower as well as giving a steadier advancement to the upended plates. The transfer from the slower section to the more rapid section may include an endless belt mounted per operation above the load conveyors to prevent any tipping of the vertical plates during the transfer from the tion to said conveyor means for engagement by the foremost plate advancing on said conveyor means to stop -ad vancement of said vertically disposed plates to form an accumulated supply of said plates on said conveyor 7.. means, plate separating means contiguous to said stop member and operable when actuated to separate the foremost plate in said accumulated supply, plate transfer means operable When actuated to transfer the separated plate to an outfeed conveyor, and power means for withdrawing said stop member from engagement with the foremost plate in said accumulated supply and effecting operation of said separating and transfer members in timed relation.

2. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular form, conveyor means for advancing a single file procession of said plates to an upending station, with the concave sides of said plates facing down and their axes extending lengthwise of said conveyor means, a plate. engaging member mounted above said conveyor means at said station, said member being normally positioned to be engaged by an advancing plate, means operable upon such-engagement to move said member upwardly, to position said plate vertically on said conveyor means with the concave side of the plate facing forwardly, and means operable upon advancement of the vertical plate from said station to return said member to down position.

3. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular form, conveyor means operable to advance asingle file procession of said plates with their concave sides facing down to an upending station, a plate engaging member mounted centrally above said conveyor means at said station, said member being'normally in down positionfor engagement by an advancing plate, means operable to move said member upwardly to up position, to move said engaged plate in vertical position on said conveyor with the concave side of the plate facing forwardly, and means operable upon advancement of said vertically disposed plate from said station by said conveyor means to return said member to down position.

4. Apparatus for handling stereotype plates as set forth in claim 2 including means associated with said plate engaging member to proveent backward tipping of said plate as the same is moved to vertical position.

5. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates as defined in claim 2 wherein said conveyor means includes any accelerating section for accelerating the advancement of said plates into engagement with said plate engaging member.

6. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular form, conveyor means for advancing a single file procession of said plates to an upending station, said print plates being advanced with their concave sides facing downwardly and their axes extending lengthwise .of said conveyor means, a plate engaging member mounted above said conveyor means at said station, said engaging member being normally positioned for engagement by the front end of a print plate, means actuated by a print plate advancing in proximity to said station to move said plate engaging member upwardly, to move the engaged plate to vertical position on said conveyor means and means operable upon advancement of the vertically disposed plate from said station to return said plate engaging member to down position.

, 7. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular form, a combination ofconveyor means for advancing a single file procession of print plates with their concave sides facing down and their axes extending lengthwise ofthe conveyor means, an upending station along said conveyor means, a plate engaging member at said station for engaging the front end of a print plate, power means operable to move said plate engaging member upwardly, to move the print plate engaged thereby to vertical position on said conveyor means with the concave sides of said vertically disposed plate facing forwardly, and means operable upon the advancement of the vertically disposed plate from said station to return said power means to down position. i

8. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates as defined in claim 6 including an anti-back tipping member mounted above said conveyor means at said station for engagement by a print plate during the upending movement thereof.

9. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular form, conveyor means operable to advance a single file procession of said plates Withtheir concave sides facing down to an upending station, a plate engaging member mounted centrally above said conveyor means at said station, said member being normally in down position for engagement by an advancing plate, means operable to move said member upwardly to up position to move said engaged plate in vertical position on said conveyor with the concave side of the plate facing forwardly, stop members arranged in juxtaposition to said carrier for engagement by said upended plate to restrain forward movement thereof by said conveyor means, means operable upon said plate engaging member in up position to effect withdrawal of said stop members for advancement of the upended plate from said station, and means operable upon advancement of said vertically disposed plate from said station by said conveyor means to return said plate engaging member to down position.

10. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular form to anvupending station, means operable at said station to engage each advancingv plate and up-end the same to vertical position, said conveyor means being operable to advance said tip-ended plates from said station to an accumulated supply, plate separating means operable to separate said up-ended plates successively from said supply, and out-feed conveyor means for conveying said separated plates from said supply.

ReferencesCited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS SAMUEL COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES OF SEMI-CIRCULAR FORM, CONVEYOR MEANS OPERABLE TO ADVANCE A SINGLE FILE PROCESSION OF STEROTYPE PRINT PLATES OF SEMICIRCULAR FORM IN HORIZONTAL POSITION TO AN UPENDING STATION, MECHANISM AT SAID STATION OPERABLE TO ENGAGE EACH PLATE ADVANCED BY SAID CONVEYOR MEANS AND MOVE THE PLATE TO VERTICAL POSITION WITH THE CONCAVE SIDE OF THE PLATE FACING FORWARDLY, SAID CONVEYOR MEANS BEING OPERABLE TO ADVANCE SAID VERTICALLY DISPOSED PLATES FROM SAID UP-ENDING APPARATUS, A STOP MEMBER LOCATED IN JUXTAPOSITION TO SAID CONVEYOR MEANS FOR ENGAGEMENT BY THE FOREMOST PLATE ADVANCING ON SAID CONVEYOR MEANS TO STOP AD-

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