US1553920A - Photographic-printing machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15, 1925. 1,553,920 R. .1. sMo'n-uws PHOTOGRAPHI C PRINTING MACHINE Filed July 11, 1924 15 Sheet-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. R. J. SmohQt-.s

ATTORNEY.

Sept. 15, 1925. 1,553,920

R. .1. sMoTHERs PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed July 11, 1924 1sl sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. R, J. Smothers) ATTORNEY.

Sept. l5, 1925.

R. J. SMoTHERs PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR RJ. Smohens,

Y y ATTOREY.

I Sept. m9 B925.

R. J. SMOTHERS PHOTOGRAPHI C PRINTING 'MACHINE Filed Jul?! ll, 19241 T i T6 67v I 79 'Z6 m4 MMM ,59 25 ruw-- jff---f-#MMIV i lt. qd ||1|n|i H, L I

. l mi I n i 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sep@ 159 E925 Lm R. J. sMo-HERS PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed July l1, 1924 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

LSSSZ Sepia. E5., W25.

' R J. SMOTHERS PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed July 11, 1924 13 Sheets-Sheei 7 INVENTOR.

R. SMO-[MERS PHOT-OGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed July ll, 1924 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 I N VEN TOR.

` ATT/VY.

Sept. l5, 1925.

R. J. SMOTHERS FHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING" MACHINE Filed July 11. 1924 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 JNVENToR R. J. gsmoiihers, MA1/ ATTORNEY.

R. J. SMOTHERS PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Sept. 15, 1925.

Filed July 11, 1924 13 Sheets-Sheet l0 INVENToR. R. J Smohens,

A TTORNE Y.

Sept. 15, 1925. 1,553,920

R. J. sMoTHz-:Rs

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed July 11, 1924 13 Sheets-Sheet l1 A INVENTOR.

RJ. mohe m Sept. 15, 1925.

R. J. SMOTHERS PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet l2 Filed Jul).Y 11, 1924 l INVENTOR.v R. J. mohers,

Sept. 15, 1925. 1,553,920

R. J. SMOTHERS PHOTOGRAPHIKC PRINTING .MACHINE Filed July 11, 1924 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 INVENTOR. R. J. SmothQt-s,

lmatented Sept. l5, y1925'.

lEtBERT d'. SMOTHERS, 0F HOLYOKE'MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR/ 0F ONE-EALF .T0

JAMES T. ROBINSON, OF I-IOLYUKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

PHGTGRPHIG-PMNTING MACHINE.

Application filed July 11'., wat. Serial No. 725,415.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. SMoTHERs,

Ia citizen of the United States, residing at CII Holyoke, in the county of I'Iampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic-Printing Machines, of which the following is' a specification.

rlhis invention relates to a photographic printing machine, more especially to what' may be termed a photo print linotype machine, and has for its object to provide a 'machine of the class referred to, having means for assembling characters, designs or lin'iages in successive line-like arrangement,I

successively .printing photographically each assembled line upon a sensitized surface of `the desired length and width, and then developing and fixing the print for use in 'connection with the subsequent producing of a printing plate, capable of being employed in direct, odset, textile, color and rotogravure printing.

,YRFi-i-marily, a photo print linotype machine, in accordance with this invention, is designed. to dispense with the slug casting mechanism of the well-known linotype machine of commerce, as well as to dispense with the subsequent laborious operation to produce from the casted slugs, avflat, a sectional cylindrical or a semi-cylindrical printing plate, and to substitutev therefor means to provide a photographic print to be utilized in the production of a light, durable, flat printing plate capable of beingdetachably connected `in cylindrical form to the printing cylinder of the press, or fiat-wise to a job press, under such conditions mate- -rially vexpediting the .printing operation,

overcoming the handling ofthe heavy forms and plates as now used, and; materially decreasing the costs now lpresent in the production of plates or rolls employed in direct, offset, textile, color and rotogravure printlng. Y

In a photo print linotype machine, in acco1'dance"\vi th this invention, the well-known forms of matrices used in linotype machines are employed, but are so constructed to carry a character, design, or image, generally termed an object which is photographically printed upon a sensitized surface. In the machine, in accordance with this''invention the function of the well known linotype machme matrices is changed from that of casting to that of photographic printing, and

in view of this change in function, the matrices are termed photo typographie character slugs. The slugs are set up in successive line-like arrangement, justified and distributed in the same manner as the matrices,

in the well-known linotype machine. The slugs when assembled on the line bar, clamped and justified are positioned to provide for photographically printing successively lines of aligned objects on the sensitized surface of a flexible strip of substantial width and length, after which the print is developed and fixed for the purpose referred to.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, a photo print linotype machine, in a manner as hereinafter set forth and for the purpose referred to, and which is durable, thoroughly ehcient in its use, conveniently operated, readily assembled, and comparatively inexpensive.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specilically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but 1t 1s to be understood lthat changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:--

Figure l is ya front elevation of a photo print linotype machine in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof with certain of the elements broken away.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the web feed, cutting, conveying and developing mechanisms.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view, in section, illustrating the web roll magazine or holder.

Figure 4a is a fragmentary View, in section, illustrating the circuit closing and openingdevice of the alarm circuit for in- -dicating or signalling when the web breaks magazine or holder.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5, Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6 6, Figure 7.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary View in side elevation, looking towards one side of the main housing and indicating the line or Work stop indicating mechanism.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the main housing looking towards the other side thereof and illustrating respectively the actuating mechanisms for the shutter shifting, combined web pressing and light controlling, paper feed and cutting mechanisms. n

Figure 9 is a fravmentary view in vertical section and in detail of the main housing.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the adjustable re lating mats.

Figure 11 is a ragmentary view, in front elevation, of the main housing illustrating the light entrance opening and regulating mats therefor. s

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view, in rear elevation, of the main housing illustrating the web cutting mechanism and light eX- cluding means.

Figure 13 is a section on line 13-13, Figure 2. K

Figure 14 is a section on line 14-14, Figure 3.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view, in perspective, of the presser of the web pressing mechanism.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the adjustable shutter for the light entrance opening at the front of the main housing.

Figure 17 is a side elevation of the actuating means for either of the web feeding mechanisms.

Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view thereof.

Figure 19 is a grouped perspective view of said actuating means.

Figure 20 is a section line 20-20, Figure 3, illustrating the cutting mechanism.

Figure 21 is a horizontal section on line 21-21, Figure 3.

Figure 22 is a detail section of a web gripper device and itscam, the device being shown partly open.

Figure 23 is a like view with the web gripper device completely open.

Figure 24 is a perspective view of the web gripper device closed.

Figure 25 is a detail vertical section illusstating the position of the machine during the printing operation.

Figures 26 and 27 are side elevations of a photo typographiel character slug.

Figures 28 to 31 are perspective views of object carriers eachforming a part of a slug. v

Figure 32 is an elevation taken on the line 32-32, Figure 25, illustrating the clamping and justifying elements for the slugs.

Figures 33 and 34 are respectively side elevations of a spacing band or justifying element for a line of character slugs.

Figure 35 is a section on line 35-35, Figure 34.

Figure 36 is a fragmentary View, in plan, of the controlling cams for the actuating means respectively for the shutter shifting, combined web pressing and light controlling, and web feeding mechanisms.

Figure 37 is a section on line 37-37, Figure 36.

Figures 38 to 40 are diagrammatic views of the controlling cams shown in Figure 36.

Figure 41 is a fragmentary view, in section, illustrating the employment of a screen when producing apositive-negative print for use in the making cfa plate for rotogravure printing.

A photo print linotype machine, in accordance with this invention, is similar in construction and arrangement to the wellknown linotype machines with this exception, that the slug casting mechanism of such machine is dispensed with and there is substituted therefor means to provide a photographic print consisting of successive,

lines of aligned objects and which print is employed in the production of a printing plate capable of being detachably connected to the printing cylinder of a cylindrical printing press, or detachably connected in operative position in a job press. The well-known forms of matrices used in linotype machines are employed, but are so constructed to carry an object and to enable the printing of such object photographically upon a sensitized surface. In the machine, in accordance with this invention, the function of the well-known matrices is changed from that of casting to that of photographic printing, and in view of this change in function, the matrices are termed photo typographie character slugs. are set up in successive line-like arrangement, on a line bar clamped and justified and thenpositioned to provide for photographically printing a line of objects on the sensitized surface of a flexible strip of suitable material of substantial width and length, and after the print is made, the slugs are distributed to' their respective magazines. The setting up of the slugs in successive line-like arrangement, the clamping of the slugs, the justifying of the slugs, the positioning of the slugs for printing, and the distributing of the slugs is had in the same manner as is done with respect to the matrices in the well-known linotype machines, and for such purposes the elements to perform such functions', ofthe well-known linotype machines, are employed. After the flexible strip has been provided with the desired number of lines of photographically printed` objects, the

These slugs aaaaeao said strip is developed and fixed, and then used in the production of the printing plate.

' Each of the character slugs is constructed in the same manner as a. matrix of a linotype machine, with the following exception:--

'rits is well-known, a matrix of the type employed in iinotype machines has its front edge provided with a pair of notches, suitably spaced from eachother and with the base of each notch countersunk to form the outline of a letter, but one of the letters is of a different style or type to that of the other. 'lo provide for the utilization of this well-known type of machine, in accordance with this invention, the front edge of the body portion of the matrix, which is notched, is cut out intermediate its ends to extend slightly beyond each of such notches and to a substantial depth, and within said cut-away portion is arranged a carrier provided with the object to be photographed. The sides of the body of the matrix are grooved. @ther than` that as stated, the construction of a photo ytypographie character slug employed in a machine in accordance with this invention is similar to that of the well-known matrix of a linotype machine. 'lfhe photo t vpographic character slug employed will be hereinafter specifically described.

As the means employed in a machine, in accordance with this invention, for assemf bling, justifying, positioning and distributing the. character slugs is identical in constructon as employed in the well-known linotype machines, such means will be generally referred to as it is thought unnecessary to specifically describe the same.

A photo print linotype machine, in accordance with this invention, comprises means for assembling in line-like arrangement character slugs, justifying the line of slugs, positioning the line of slugs for pho- -tographically printing thepbjects carried thereby and distributing the slugs to their respective magazines after the print has been made, a web roll magazine, a signal oralarm to indicate the breaking of the web as it unwinds from the roll, a main housing, a shutter and shifting mechanism therefor, a light source, a web pressing and light controlling mechanism, web feeding mechanisms, a cutter mechanism, a line or work stop indicator, a web conveyor mechanism, and a photographic print developing and fixing mechanism.

Referring toFigures 1 and2 of the drawings, when the machine is employed in the customary manner, that is to say, to provide for the photographic printing of the objects carried by a line of character slugs, the character slugs are releasedfromA the magazine 1 by the key-board mechanism 2, the spacers from their magazines 3 by the key 4,' and are delivered to the assembler 5. The assembler is then manually elevated by the handle 6 and trips the delivery slide 7, whereby the composed line is transferred from the assembler 5 through the intermediate channel 8, to the first elevator or line transporter 9. r1`he elevator then descends and moves the line into position whereby the objects on the slugs can be photographically printed on a sensitized surface, or in other words, interposes the aligned slugs between the sensitized surface and a ligl'it source, but prior to the printing of the objects on ysaid sensitized surface, the line is justified, Jafter printing, the elevator ascends to its uppermost position and the line is removed therefrom by the slide 10, to the transfer channel 11, from which the spacers are returned to their magazine 8 and the slugs are lifted by the second elevator 12 and deliveredto the distributing mechanism 13, whereby they are restoredy to their proper channels in the magazine 1. rlhe parts so faridescribed and their normal mode of operationform Wellknown elements in linotype machine construction and it is thought unnecessary to specifically describe the same.

y The main operating shaft for the mechanisms referred to in the preceding paragraph is indicated at 14, but said shaft has omitted therefrom the cam or other actuating means for a lead casting mechanism in view of the fact that such mechanism is dispensed with in a machine in accordance with this invention. The shaft 14, at the part thereof from which the cam or other actuating means for the lead casting mechanism is omitted, is provided with a series of adjustable actuating cams, three in number, indicated at 15, 16 and 17, see Figure 36, and the function of said cams 15, 16 and 17, as well as the mechanisms with which they associate, will be hereinafter referred to.

Arranged at the rear of the elevator 9 is what may be termed the main housing ,of the machine and which includes a vertically disposed intermediate portion 18, a rearwardly extending and upwardly inclined upper end portion 19 and a rearwardly extending and upwardly inclined lower end portion 20. The main housing is referred to generally by the reference character 21 and is rectangular in cross section at any point throughout its length. The front wall 22 of the intermediate portion 18 of the housing '21 at a point between its transverse center and its upper end` 1s provided with a light inlet opening 23, see Figures 3, 6, 9 and 11. The rear wall of the intermediate portion 18 is provided with a removable section 24 so 1 the housing 21, each has a portion thereof shaped to conform to the o set portion and also to close the clearance 26. Below the offset portion 25, the rear wall is provided with a pair of small apertures 27, see Figures 9 and 20, and below the apertures 27 the said rear wall is provided with an enlarged opening 28 for the passage of the endless conveyors of the conveyor mechanism to be hereinafter referred to.

The housing 21 is anchored or secured in any suitable manner to the machine frame at the rear of the elevator 9.

A roll of fiexibie web is indicated at 29 and the web unwinds from the roll as indicated at 30. One face of the web 30 is provided with a sensitized coating and said face is photographically printed upon in a manner to be hereinafter referred to. The web 30 is drawn through the housing 21 and the movement thereof is intermittent and the manner of shifting the web intermittently through the housing 21 will be hereinafter referred to. The web 30 is constructed of l any suitable flexible material, preferably paper. The roll 29 vof web is carried by a spool 31 mounted on a spindle 32.

The web roll magazine-This magazine is employed for supporting the roll of web 29 above the housing 21 and it consists of a casing 33 having a hinged top 34 and a latch 35 for securing the top 34 in closed position. The magazine is constructed light proof.

The bottom 36 of the casing 33 is hinged,

' as at 37, to the rear wall of the upper end portion 19 of the housing 21. The bottom 36 is furthermore provided with a passage 38 for the web 30, and extending from the bottom 36, and registering with the passage 38, is a collar 39, which when the casing 33 is secured in an upright position, will provide for 'the passage of the web 30 into the housing 21, extends into the upper terminus r of the upper end portion 19 of the housing 21 and frictionally engages with the inner face of said upper end portion 19; For the purpose of |maintaining the casing 33 in an upright position, the front wall 40 carries a spring latch 41 adapted to detachably engage with the machine frame. When the latch 41 is released the casing 33 can'be swung to dotted line position, see Figure 3, and when the latch 35 is released the top 34 can be swung open, see dotted line position Figure 3, and entrance is had to the magazine for the purposeof positioning a roll of web 29. Secured to the opposed side walls42 of the casing 33, is a pair of oppositely extending angle-shaped resilient supporting brackets 43, which are bifurcated for the reception of the spindle 32 and which bears against the spool 31 to act as a frictional gripping means to prevent revolving ofthe roll 29 when the web 30 is not shifted intermittently through a means to be hereinafter referred to.

The brackets 43 are secured to the side walls 42 by the hold-fast devices 44.

The si al or alarm to indicate the breaking of t e web 30 as it unwinds from the roll 29 consists of a metallic guide roll 45, which is Cournaled in the side walls of the upper en portion 19 of the housing 21 and is arranged in proximity to the passage 38. The web 30 travels against the roll 45. Leading from one end of the roll 45 to an electrical source 46 is a conductor 47. The front wall of the intermediate portion 19 of the housing 21 is provided with a lug 48, carrying a' pivot 49, to which is electrically connected a circuit conductor 50 which leads to the source 46 and has interposed therein an alarm 51. Carried by the pivot 49 is an arm 52 formed with a yoke 53, in which is pivoted a roll 54. Projecting from. the pivot 49 is a spring controlled circuit opening and closing member which contacts with the roll 45 for the purpose of closing the alarm circuit. When the web 30 is taut, it bears against the roller 54 and shifts the pivot 49 in a direction so that the member 55 will be clear of the roll 45 and during the feed of the web 30, if the latter breaks, the tension applied to the arm 52 will be relieved, under such conditions the member 55 will be shifted by its spring to engage the roll 45 and close the alarm circuit. See Figures 3, 4 and 4a. When the alarm 51 is operated it will indicate to the operator of the machine that the web has become broken and should be reset.

Arranged at the upper terminus of the intermediate portion 18 of the housing 21 and in proximity to the front wall of said intermediate portion is a web guide roll 56. The web 30 travels under the guide roll 45 and over the guide roll 56.- Positioned within the intermediate portion 18, at a point a substantial distance above and below the opening 23 is a pair of web guide rollers 57, 58. The web 30 travels against the front of the guide roll 57 and under the guide roll 58. See Figures 3 and 9.

The shutter and its shifting o1- actuating mecham'sm.-See Figures 3, 6, 8 and 16. The shutter is, employed for opening and closing the light inlet 23 and slides against the inner face of the front wall 22 of the intermediate portion 18 of the housing 21. The shutter moves down to openv and up to close the inlet 23. The shutter, see Figure 16, is rectangular in contour and consists of a pair of rectangular plates 59, 60, the forlmer of greater width than and of the same length as the latter. The plate 60 is permanently spaced from the plate 59 to provide a light passage 61, and said passage 61 when the shutter is in position to open the inlet 23 aligns with the latter. The plate 60 is adjustable relative to the plate 59 to increase or decrease the width of the passage 61 and for such purpose the plate 59 has projecting from its bottom edge a pair of narrow spaced supports 62, 63, each formed with a series of openings 61. rlille supports 62, 63, are flush with the forward face of the plate 59 but inset with respect to the rear face of the plate 59. The forward face of the plate 60, at each end terminal thereof is cut-away to provide a .shoulder 64 and to reduce the thickness of the end terminal portion, as indicated at 65. The shoulders 64 abut against the inner edges of the supports 62, 63, and the shoulder is of such width that the forward face of the plate 60 will be flush with the forward face'of the supports 62, 63. The openings 61, in connection with the detachable securing means 66, are provided for securing the plate 60 in its adjusted position with respect to the plate 59.

The shifting or actuating mechanism for the shutter consists of a shaft 67 which extends transversely of the intermediate portion 18 of the housing 21, and has one end thereof, as at 68, journaled in one of the end walls of the intermediate portion 18 and therefrom is a bearing 73 for the end 69( of` the shaft 67. Fixed to the shaft 67, in proximity to the opening 70, is a pinion 74, and fixed to the shaft 67, in proximity to the opening 71 is a pinion 75. Spacing-collars see Figure 36.

76 are carried by the shaft 67 and` interposed between the pinions and the end walls of the intermediate portion 18. Stop collars 77 are secured to the shaft 67 and abut against the pinions. l

The pinion 74 meshes with a rack78 secured to the rear face of the plate 59 at one end thereof, and the pinion 75 meshes with a rack 79 secured to the rear face of the plate 59 nearv the other end thereof. When lthe shaft 67 is operated in a clockwise direction, the pinions 74, 75, engaging with the racks 78, 79 will elevate the shutter to close the inlet 23, and when the shaft 67 is operated in an anticlockwise direction, it will shift the shutter downwardly to open the light inlet 23.

The shaft 67 has its end terminal portion 69 provided with a crank arm 80 to which is pivotally connected an actuating bar 81, see Figure 8, which has an offset portion 82, The offset portion 82 is pivotally connected, as at 83, to a spring cont-rolled shifting bar 84, travelling through a guide 85 and formed with a yokeshaped end 86 carrying a roller 87, adapted to be engaged by the cam 15 to shift the bar 84 against the action of its controllin spring 88, whereby the actuating bar 81 wi be shifted forwardly and operate the shaft 67 in an anti-clockwise direct-ion, thereby lowering the shutter to open the vinlet 23 and to provide for the aligning of the passage 61 with said inlet 23. After the roll clears the cam 15, the spring 88 acting on the yoke-shaped end 86 of the rod 87 will shift the latter in a. direction opposite to that to which it is shifted by the cam 15, and said rod 84 will carry the actuating bar v81 therewith operating the shaft 67 in a clockwise direction whereby the shutter will be elevated or raised and the plate of the shutter will close the light inlet 23. The construction of the cam 15 is such. as to pro; vide for the shutter opening the light inlet 23 a sufficient period to permit of photographically printing on the web 30 and immediate-ly after printing the-shutter moves in an opposite direction to close the light inlet. The shutter it temporarily held stationar after it has been shifted to open the lig it inlet 23 and the construction of the cam provides for `this function.

Web pressing ami light cont-rolling mea-tam'am.-See Figures 3, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14 and 15.` rThisv mechanism is provided for tightly pressing the web 3() against the shutter to hold the web taut vand further for closing the light source circuit immediately after the web is pressed tightly against the shutter, and said mechanism automatically moves from pressing engagement with the web and opens the light source circuit after the print has been made. The said mechanismcomprises a flat plate 89 of rectangular contour having a cushioning element 90 secured throughout its forward face and said cushioning element bears against the web 30 to tightly hold the latter against the shutter. The upper and lower edges of the plate 89, as well as the element 90 are rounded, as at 91. Formed integral with each end of the plate 89 is a rearwardly extending ear 92, provided near its rear end with a circularopening 93. The openings 93 in the ears 92 align with each other, and mounted in each opening 93 is a circular disk 94 provided with a circumferentially extending groove 95. The disks 94 are rotatable within the ears 92 and said disks 94 are detachably connected to the ears 92 by coupling screws 96 which extend into the grooves 95 of the disks 94. The manner of setting up the screws 96 with respect to the grooves 95 is that the disks can slide on the inner ends of the screws 96. Each'of said disks 94 is provided with an ecentrically disposed opening 97 and with the'f'said o-penings 97 aligning with each other. Extending through the aligning openings 97, as well as bemg secured to the disks 94, is a shaft 98 having one end, as at 99, journaled in one of the end walls of the intermediate portion 18 of the housing 21 and its other end extended from the other end wall of the intermediate portion 18 of the housing 21, as indicated at 100. An enclosing cap 101 is provided for the end 99 of the shaft 98 and a bearing 102 is provided for the end 100 of the shaft 98. The end 100 of the shaft 98 projects from the intermediate portion 18 of the housing 21 and is provided with a collar 103 carrying a crank arm 104, which is connected to an actuating rod 105. The collar 103 carries a circuit opening and closing member 106 to which is attached a circuit conductor 107 of the light source. Secured to the intermediate portion 18 of the housing 21, below the end 100 .of the shaft 98, is a contact 108 to which 1s connected a circuit conductor 109 of the light source. The arrangement is such that immediately upon the clamping or tight holding of the web 30 against the shutter, the member 106 will engage the contact 108 and close the light or lamp circuit.

As the shaft 98 is eccentrically connected to the disks 94, which are in turn connected to the ears 92, it is obvious that when the shaft 98 is actuated through the medium of the rod 105, in an anti-clockwise direction, the pressing element will engage the web and tightly hold it against the shutter and at such time the light or lamp circuit will be closed. When the shaft 98 is shifted in a clockwise direction through the medium of the rod 105, the web pressing element will be shifted from engagement with the web and the light or lamp circuit opened.

The rod 105 has an offset portion 106 which extends in an opposite direction with respect to the offset portion 82, and said offset portion 106 is pivotally connected, as at 107, see Figure 36, to a spring controlled shifting rod 108, which slides through the guide 85 and is provided with a yoke 109 carrying a roller 110, which is engaged by the cam 17. When the cam 17 engages the roller 110, the rod 108 is shifted forwardly against theaction of its controlling spring 111, and said rod 108 will shift the rod 105 forwardly whereby the shaftv98 will be actuated in an anti-clockwise direction. After the roller 110 clears the cam 17, the spring 111 will shift the rod 108 in an opposite direction, carrying the rod 105 therewith, thereby actuating the shaft 98 in a clock-4 wise direction and movinu' the pressing element from engagement with the web 30 and further providing for the opening of the light source or lamp circuit.

Primary web feeding me07Lamsm.-See Figures 3, 6, 8, 9, 17 and 18. This mecha` nism is provided for intermittently unwinding the web 30 from the roll 29 and acts on the web 30 to intermittently shift it the required distance to receive a print of the alivned slugs an to set up a space between the print and the print to follow, or in other words, the shifting of the web is such to provide for a space between the successive prints on the web. The mechanism includes a pair of feed rolls 112, 113, which are arranged within the intermediate portion 18 of the main housing 21, and the roll 112 extends into the clearance 26. Each of the rolls is provided with a rubber blanket or other gripping means, as indicated at 114. The rolls 112, 113 are arranged inclose proximity to the guide roll 58, and the webl 30 as it leaves said guide roll is extended rearwardly and then passes between the rolls 112, 113. See Figure 9. The roll 112 is carried by an actuating shaft 115 therefor, and the roll 113 is secured to an actuating shaft 116 therefor.

The shaft 116 is journaled in the end walls of the intermediate portion 18 of the housing 21 and the shaft 116 projects from one of said walls and carries on its projecting end a pinion 117.

The shaft 115 is journaled in the end walls of the intermediate portion 18 of the main housing 21 and projects from each of said walls. One of the projecting ends, indi cated at 118, is provided with a triangular shaped cam 119 and with a pinion 120 which meshes with the pinion 117. The shaft 116 is driven from the shaft 115 through the medium of the meshing pinions 117 and 120. The other projecting end of the shaft 115, as indicated at 121, carries a ratchet wheel 122, which is intermittently rotated in a manner as hereinafter set forth, for the purpose of intermittently rotating the roll 112, and owing to the meshed pinions 117 and 120, the roll 113 will be synchronously operated with the roll 112, whereby the web 30 will be shifted the desired distance.

Loosely connected with the projecting end 121, of the `shaft 115, isa crank arm 123, provided lwith a pawl 124 for impartin intermittent impulses to the wheel 122 w en the crank arm 123 is intermittent-ly oscillated.

The `extended end 121 of the shaft 115 is provided with a cylindrical socket 124', into' which extends the inner end 125 of the enlarged portion of an adjusting shaft 126. The reducedl portion of said shaft 126 is indiated at 127, and owing to the setting up of the shaft 126 with the reduced portion- 127 a shoulder 128 is provided.

Mounted eccentrically on, as well as being keyed to the enlarged portion of the shaft 126, is a circular' disk 12,9, which is positioned in the lower circular end 130 of the crank arm 123. The disk 129 is formed with an eccentrically disposed opening 131 through which extends the enlarged portion of the shaft 126.

The disk 129 provides means for vertically (photographic i adjusting the crank arm 123 to provide for regulatingthe ext-ent of the impulses of the ratchet wheel imparted thereto through the medium of a pawl 124. -The higher the crank arm 123 is adjusted the nearer the lower end of the pawl 124 will be positioned with respect to the arm, and, therefore, the stroke or impulse imparted to the wheel 122 will be of short duration. The lower the arm 123 is adjusted the farther the lower end of the pawl 124 will engage the teeth of the wheel 122 with respect to the arm 123 and the impulse or stroke imparted to the wheel 122 will be longer, or in other words, the arrangement disclosed provides means whereby the length of the shift of the web 30 can be adjusted. f

Secured to that end wall of the intermediate portion 18 of the housing 21, through which projects the end 121 of the shaft 115, through the medium of the holdfast devices 131, is the lower vertical arm 132 of an angle-shaped supporting bracket, and the latter includes a horizontally disposed arm 133 which projects outwardly from the afm 132 and which terminates in a vertical arm 134 of greater length than the arm 1 32. The arm 134 is provided with an` opening 136 in which is arranged a bearing sleeve 137.. The shoulder 128 of the shaft 126 abuts against the inner face of the arm 134, and the reduced portion 127 of the shaft 126 exterds through and projects from the sleeve 13 Mounted on the reduced portion 127 ofy the shaft 126, outwardly with respect to the arm 134, is a manually operated dial 138, which provides means for rotating the shaft 126, which carries the disk 129, and by such arrangement provision is had for the adjusting of the crank arm 123. The dial 138 is slidably keyed to the projecting portion 127 of the shaft 126'and is formed with a laterally projecting hollow cylindrical knob 139 to facilitate the turning of the dial 138 when occasion requires. rIhe dial 138 is formed with an interiorly arranged annular shoulder 140 against which abuts a coiled controlling spring 141, positioned to surround the reduced portion 127 of the shaft 126. The spring 141 is confined on the reduced portion 127 through the medium of a headed retaining device 142, which has threaded engagement with the outer end of theA reduced portion 127 of the shaft 126.

The inner face of the dial 138 is formed with a circular row of sockets 143 and selectively engaging with said sockets is apin 144, which projects outwardly from the arm 134, and when the pin 144 is in engagement with a socket 143, the ldial 138 is retained in its adjusted position.

The crank arm 123 is intermittently os-` cillated or rocked through the medium of an actuating rod 145, which is pivotally connected to the upper end of the arm 123, as indicated at 146.

When vertically adjusting the arm 123 to increase or decrease the impulse imparted to the wheel 122, the dial 138 is shifted outwardly on the reduced end 127 of the shaft 126 until the dial 138 is clear of the pin 144, and when cleared it can be manually rotated carrying the shaft 126 and disk 129 therewith, therebl elevating or lowering the arm 123, depending in which direction the disk 129 is shifted. l

Thedial or dial plate 138 has its outer face provided with graduations 147.

Seconda/1y web feeding or shifting/mecham'sm.-This mechanism not only provides for the shifting of the printed web, but also for' operating a conveyor mechanism, which is employed for conveying ortransporting the 'printed web to the developing and fixing mechanism of the apparatus. See Figures 6, 8 and 9; The said secondary web feeding mechanism comprises a shaft 148, which eX- tends transversely of the intermediate portion 18 of the main housing 21 and opposes the opening 28. See Figure 9. The shaft 148-is journaled in the end walls of the intermediate portion 18 and one end,l as indicated at 149, projects from one of said walls.

The shaftl 148 is providedwith a pair of spaced sprocket wheels 150, 151 for intermittently operating the conveyor mechanism, and the latter has means to be hereinafter referred to, for gripping the printed web and for synchronously shifting it with the shifting thereof by the primary web feeding or shifting mechanism, or in other Words, the primary and secondary web .feeding mechanisms synchronously operate for the same period. The shaft 148 is provided with an actuating means and a controlling or adjusting means for said actuating means and which are of the same construction as that referred to in connection with the shaft 115 of the primary webfeeding mechanism, and, therefore, it is thought unnecessary to specifically describe the same. The said means referred to, which cooperates with the shaft 148, is referred to generally by the reference character 152, and the actuating rod for such means at 153.

The actuating rods 145 and 153 are operated synchronously from a. shifting rod 154, which is common to the said rods 145 and 153, See Figures 36 and 37. The rod 145 is provided with an offset portion 155,

and the rod 153 with an oifset portion 156,l

and the said offset portions are so shaped as to have the free termini thereof oppose each other. See Figure 36. The offset porl' tions 155, 156, oppose the forward end of the rod 154 and are pivotally connected therewith, as at ,157. The rod 154 is spring controlled, is slidably-mounted in the 85and formed with a yoke 158 carrying a ide

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