US1964367A - Stereotype casting mechanism - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1934. E. J) Mlm 1,964,367

STEREOTYPE CASTNG MECHANISM Filed April 6, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l June 26,1934.

E. J. SMITH 1,964,367

STEREOTYPE CASTING MECHANISM Filed April 6, 1932 3 Sheets-Shes?l 2 lNvErg-ro June 26, 1934. E. J. SMITH 1,964,367

STEREOTYPE CASTING MECHANISM Filed April 6, 1932 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 26, 1934 STEREOTYPE CASTING MECHANISM I Ernest James Smith, Fleet Street, London, England,assignor to The Goss Printing Press Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation oi' Illinois Application April 6, 1932, Serial No. 603,674

Great Britain September v25, 1931 e claims. (c1. 252-4) 'I'he invention relates to new and useful improvements in stereotype plate casting mechanisms, and more especially to improvements in means for positioning and holding the matrix and for controlling the temperature of the casting mechanism.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointedl out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown,and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with o the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawingsz- Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section throug a mechanism for casting curved stereotype plates, the mechanism being shown in the open position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the temperature controlling mechanism.

The principal objects of the invention are to improve the quality of stereotype plates and to facilitate and speed up the casting operation by improvements in the means for positioning and holding the matrix within the casting mechanism and vfor controlling the temperature of the casting mechanism within a very narrow range; that is, the temperature range most favorable to casting perfect plates. With these-ends in view means are provided for holding the matrix, throughout its extent, firmly and truly against the wall of the casting chamber and this is preferably done by air suction means, which'may be in partor wholly automatic in its operation. 'l

The temperature-controlling means comprises devices cooperating to maintain the component members of the casting chamber at a predetermined temperature, and preferably include heating and cooling devices arranged for alternative operation to eiIect thestated result. Controlling means for those devices are provided accordingly which automatically call either the heating or cooling means into action,'or maintain both outy of action, to the end that the casting chamber member may be maintained at the predetermined desired temperature of highest efficiency. According to certain features of the invention, the heating devices are electrical, and the cooling elements are air-operated or pneumatic, with circuit control for both the heating and cooling devices governed by a thermostatic device or devices to effect the interrelated action already described.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, the invention is shown applied to a manually-operated mechanism for casting curved stereotype printingl plates, such as are used upon newspaper and k other rotary presses. 'I'he general stereotyping mechanism (Fig. 1) comprises a. base 1 upon which is xed a vertically-extending corel member 2 of approximate hemi-cylindrical form. Cooperating therewith in a well-known manner, to constitute a casting chamber, is a drag or cover member 5, movable between the closed chamber casting position and an open position for inserting and withdrawing the matrices and'removing the cast plates. In the mechanism shown, the cover is of the balanced type whereby it is moved from one position to another by the application of very little power, and tends to remain in any position to which it may be moved. In the embodied form of supporting and moving means for the cylindrical cover 5, there is fixed thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom, a pair of arms 6, medianly located at either side thereof, and moving with the cover just within the corresponding vertically-disposed side frames 8, which frames are fixed to the base `l. Y Pivotally` connected at 9 to the outer ends of the pair of arms 6 is a corresponding pair of arms 11, fixed on a shaft 12, journaled in and extending across between the two vertical side frames 8. Suitable handles (not shown) are provided for moving the cover 5 to and fro.

Means are provided for drawing the cover, when it is in the vertical position, firmly against the proper bearing surfaces on the core 2, to constitute and maintain the casting chamber, and then to move the cover, with the cast plate, away from casting position and toward the plateremoving position. The form of said means disclosed herein (Fig. 1)-.is old and'well known, and mmprises a pair ofcamming hooks 16, located at either side of the upper part of the core. These hooks are mounted on a transversely-extending shaft 17, just back of the core, said shaft being journalled in brackets 18 fixed to the core structure. These hooks cooperate with pins 19 xed to` and extending outwardly from either side of the upper part of the cover 5. A similar pair of camming hooks 23 are mounted at either side, and near the bottom, of the core 2, these hooks being fixed on a shaft 24, extending across behind the core and journalled in brackets 25, fixed to the core. These hooks cooperate with pins 26 xed to and extending outwardly from either side near the bottom of the cover 5. In the embodied form common actuating means for the camming hooks 16 and 23 are provided, comprising an arm 29 fixed to the shaft 24, an arm 30 xed to the shaft 17, and a connecting link 31, pivoted to both arms. A hand lever 32 is fixed to shaft 17. By actuating the hand lever 32 in one direction, the two sets of camming hooks 16 and 33 will draw the cover 5 firmly on to its bearings against the core preparatory to casting, and by swinging the lever 32 in the opposite direction, the hooks will push the cover 5 away from casting position and towards the open position, in a well known manner.

The general form of matrix-holding means may be varied as desired and in the embodied form comprises a head ring 37, to constitute the bottom of the casting chamber and to form the arcuate beveled head of the plate in the usual manner, and Vside clamps 38, of standard or other suitable construction, for holding the side edges of the matrix and to constitute the straight side edges of the chamber during casting; and may include other devices as found necessary or desirable. The means for firmly holding the matrix in position throughout its entire area, against the cover member 5, operates pneumatically, and comprises (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) a Very large number of suction creating points or loci in the inner or mat-bearing surface of the cover member 5. As embodied, a plurality of air ducts 41 are arranged along and preferably within the structure of the cover member 5, and these communicate by a relatively large number of openings 42 with the interior of the cover member 5. These openings, relatively close together and preferably spaced apart symmetrically, occur throughout the entire area back of the matrix. Air-exhausting and vacuum-creating means are provided connected with the pipes or passages 41, and as embodied, an arcuate passage 43 (Figs. 1 and 2) is formed at or near the upper head of the cover 5, into which passage the upper ends of the ducts 41 communicate, the lower ends of the ducts being closed. Communicating with the arcuate passage 43 are air exhausting pipes 44 and 45, which in turn communicate with an exhaust pipe 46, xed to and supported upon the back of the cover 5, so as tomove therewith. Connected to the opposite end of the pipe 46 is a hose 47, or other air-tight flexible connection, which in turn communicates with any suitable air-exhausting or vacuum-creating device, shown as a motor-driven air-pump 48, mounted on the bed-plate l. When the pump 48 is running air is drawn from the ducts 41 and a strong vacuum is created at all the openings 42 in the cover member 5, behind all parts of the matrix, which is thereby held firmly, smoothly and uniformly to the inner face of the cover member 5.

The embodied form of means for controlling the operation of the vacuum-creating mechanism, is operable both by the attendant and automatically by themovement of the cover membr.

As embodied (Fig. 1) there is a valve 53 in the pipe connection between the hose 47 and the pump 48, the valve having an actuating lever 54, pivoted at 55, and irnpelled to the closed position by a spring 56. Pivotally connected to the other end of the lever 54, is a rod 57, the other end of which is pivotally connected to an arm 58, fixed to a shaft 59, journalled in the frame 8. Fixed to shaft 59 exteriorly of the frame 8 is a pedal 60, whereby the Workman may control the application of the vacuum. Means are likewise provided, cooperating with the mechanism already described, for automatically maintaining the vacuum during the casting, and as embodied, a cam 6l is fixed on shaft 12, and is so shaped and positioned that when the cover 5 is swung upwardly and forwardly to the casting position, the cam will depress lever 54, or will hold it depressed, and thus the vacuum is automatically maintained during the casting. In the operation of the device, the workman can position the matrix, substantially in the usual manner, and then by stepping upon the lever 60 the vacuum will be applied throughout the entire extent of the back of the matrix, and the matrix' will be drawn firmly and truly into position against cover 5 in all its parts. While still pressing the pedal 60 the Workman swings the cover up to casting position, and the cam 61 will maintain the vacuum during the casting operation.

The means of temperature control for the cover (Figs. 1 and 3), as embodied comprise a chamber, or plurality of chambers at the outside or back of the casting members 2 and 5, provided with heating devices and cooling devices, which may be automatically and alternatively Called into action, or both be kept out of action, preferably by automatic temperature responsive means. In the embodied form the back of the cover 1 is provided with longitudinally and transversely disposed, outwardly-projecting ribs 67 and 68, and there is an outer hemi-cylindrical shell 73, integral with or resting against the outer faces of the flanges 67 and 68, constituting with the ribs 67 and 68 a series of closed chambers, which are connected by passages, such as 74, used in the air cooling or Ventilating. These chambers serve to hold and conserve the heat generated by heating elements located there- Within. The shell 73 may be of heat-insulating material if desired. Located within these chambers and against the back of the cover 5 are heating elements 70, preferably electrical heating coils, which are in circuit with a thermo- Static control. Thermostatic means forl turning on and olf the current for heating elements 70 are provided, and these are also likewise used to control the cooling means, and will be later described.

In the embodied form of cooling means, air currents are swept through the chambers 75. In said means, as applied to the cover member 5, air inlets 78 opening into the top chambers 75 are provided. The air enters the inlets 78 from a manifold 79, formed by a casing 80 arranged over the inlets (Figs. 1 and 3). An air supply pipe 83 connects to the manifold 79, and there is preferably provided a baille plate or airdistributing plate 84 within the manifold. Pipe 83 connects by a flexible hose 87 with an air supply pipe 88. In the pipe 83 is a valve 89, controlled by a solenoid 90, which is in a circuit 91 which is under thermostatic control. The manner of operation of the temperature-conserving device will be' later described.

4mately uniform temperature of the casting mem- The temperature-controlling means lfor the core 2, as embodied, are similar in construction and operation to those for the cover -5, as already described. As embodied (Figs. 1 and 4) the cover is internally recessed, and is provided lwith a plurality of longitudinal ribs 97 and transverse arcuate ribs 98, and the chambers are provided with a cylindrical closure 103, preferably having an insulating lining 104, constituting a plurality of chambers 105 within the cylindrical casting part of the core and having communicating passages 106. Located within the chambers 105 are a plurality of heating elements 99, which are in circuit with a thermostatic control.

The cooperating cooling means similar to that for the cover 5 comprise means for sweeping air through the chambers 105. As shown, there is an air supply pipe 108 opening into the top chamber 105, and an air outlet 107 at the opposite or bottom end of the chambers. The pipe 108 has a valve 109 controlled by a solenoid 110, connected in a circuit 111 which is controlled by the thermostatic device.

In Figure 5 of the drawings there is shown diagrammatically a thermostatic control, which may be supplied separately to the core 2 and cover 5 or may be applied to both concurrently, as may be 4found most eicient or convenient. A suitable thermostatic device 119 is provided, which may consist of a bi-metallic circuit control, or other known or suitable device, and in the preferred embodiment this is movable by temperature changes into three positions, namely, to close the circuit for the heating devices while the circuit for the cooling devices is maintained open, or to close the circuit for the air-cooling devices while the heating circuit is maintained open, or to assume a position wherein the circuits of the heating devices and cooling devices are both maintained open when the temperature is that required for proper or most eicient operation of the casting mechanism. In Fig. 5 the heating devices and/or 99 are shown connected in a circuit 120, which has a solenoid-operated switch 121, the solenoid 122 of which -is in the circuit 123 of the thermostatically-controlled device 119. The valve-operating solenoids and/or 110 are in a circuit 127, having a solenoid-operated switch 128, the solenoid 129 for which is in a circuit 130 likewise controlled by the thermostatically-controlled device 119. Thus through the movements of the member 119 effected by temperature changes, either the heating coils are on and the air-cooling devices o, or the air-cooling devices are operated and the heating c'oils are off or they are both concurrently out of operation.

The invention in itsnroader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages. l

What I claim isz- 1. A stereotype plate casting mechanism including in combination casting members forming a casting chamber, a heating device and an air cooling device applied to at least one of said casting members and temperature controlled means for governing the action of both the heatbers.

2. A stereotype plate casting mechanism including in combination casting members forming a casting chamber, a heating device and an air cooling device applied to at least one of said casting members and temperature controlled means for governing the action of both the heating and air cooling devices, or for maintaining both said devices out of action to maintain approximately uniform temperature of the casting members.

3. A stereotype plate casting mechanism including in combination casting means, a chamber attached to a casting member, a heating device within said chamber, and temperature controlled means for governing the heating device to maintain an approximately uniform temperature of the casting member.

4. A stereotype plate casting mechanism including in combination members cooperating to,

form a casting chamber, means for heating at least one of said members andmeans for cooling said member, and means controlled by the temperature of said member for preventing operation of said heating and said cooling means and for alternatively operating said means.

5. A stereotype plate casting mechanism including in combination a cover and core cooperating to form a casting chamber, means for heating and means for cooling said cover and core and means controlled by the temperature of said cover and core for individually controlling operation of said heating and cooling means.

6. In a stereotype plate casting mechanism, the combination of a curved member to form one side of a casting chamber, a plurality of electric heating members on one side of said curved member away from said chamber, said heating members being spaced from each other and extending axially of said curved member and means controlled by the temperature of said curved member for controlling the supply of current to said heating members.

7. In a stereotype plate casting mechanism, the combination of acurved member to form one side of a casting chamber, a plurality of axially extending ribs on said member extending away from said chamber for supporting a cover thereon, electric heating members positioned between said ribs and parallel thereto, said heating members .extending over an area approximately corresponding to the size of plate to be cast and means controlled by the temperature of said curved member for controlling the supply of current to said heating members.

8. A stereotype plate casting mechanism inof said members, means for cooling said member,

and temperature controlled means for either the heating or cooling means into action,

or for maintaining both of said meansout of ac-A tion.

ERNEST JAMES SMITH.

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