June 3, 1924. E. F.

DUDLEY
1,496,455
PRINTING PRESS DUCTOR ROLLER MECHANISM
Filed March 3, 192) 2. Sheets-Sheet 1
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June 3, 1924. E. F. DUDLEY
1496,455
PRINTING PRESS DUCTOR ROLLER MECHANISM
Filed March 5, 192) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2
 Patented usine 3, 1924. A96455
UNITED STATES PATENT OFF (CE.
EDWARD F. DUDLEY, OF OAK FARK, ILLINOS, ASSIGNOR, TO MELE PRINTENG. PRESS
AND RELANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIs, A CORPORATION OF
its NOS,
EPRNTING-PRESS DOCTOR-ROLER, ECSANSI,
Application filed ligarch 3, 1921. Serial No. 449,511,
To all whom it may concern: when the latter after its reversal has at
Re it known that I, Edward F. DUDLEY, tained a surface speed substantially that of 55
a citizen of the United States, residing at the ductor-roller, whereby when they come
Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State into contact they will be rotating at the
5 of Illinois, have invented certain new and same speed and will not rub on one another.
useful Improvements in Printing-Press Duc Similarly each ductor-roller leaves the
tor-Roller Mechanisms, of which the follow form vibrator-roller before its surface speed 60
ing is a specification. decreases below that of the ink-distributing
Experience has shown that in printing drum whereby the ductor-roller will engage
0. presses it is desirable, even in reciprocatory or come into contact with the latter while
bed presses, to have the ink fed or trans both are revolving at practically the same
ferred substantially continuously, and al peripheral speed. 5
ways in the same direction from the ink For a relatively short period during each
fountain or reservoir to the form-inking reversal of movement of the form and its
5 rollers to secure an even and efficient distri inking-rollers, both ductor-rollers are co
bution thereto and to the form. acting with the distributing-drum to assist
Conformably to this end, the current in in the proper spreading of the ink and to 0.
vention provides means for the ready ac pick up their proper charges of the same for
complishment of this object by supplying the subsequent transfer to the form-rollers.
20 the machine with more than one ductor The present invention relates to simple
roller to transfer the ink from the main or Inechanical means for accomplishing these
ink-fountain distribution-drum to the form and other advantageous aims and purposes, 5
vibrator-roller for transmission therefrom and in order that those skilled in this art
to the coacting form-inking rollers. may have a full and complete understanding
2. A pair of such oppositely-rotating duc of a construction embodying such invention,
tor-rollers may be conveniently employed in the accompanying drawing a preferred 80
and they are designed to contact alternately and desirable incorporation of the invention
with the vibrator-roller of the form-rollers in physical form has been depicted, the
and they also act part of the time as dis same reference character's applying to like
30 tributors on the distributing-drum associ parts throughout the several views.
ated with and adjacent to the ink-fountain. In this drawing:
Such an arrangement permits the use of Figure 1 is a vertical section on line 1-1 85
fewer composition-rollers contacting with of Figure 2, the parts being viewed in the
the form than is usual, a shorter stroke for direction indicated by the arrows;
35 the bed, and a possible higher speed of ac Figure 2 is an end elevation of the struc
tion. ture;
In the preferred embodiment of the in Figure 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 90
vention, the form and bed, for example, of of Figure 1:
the sliding vertical type, are reciprocated by Figure 4 is a similar section with the
any suitable mechanism such as a crank and ductor-rollers in different positions; and
connecting-rod, the rate of travel or speed Fig. 5 is an end view of the printing 95
of the bed and its form being variable at press, in which illustration the co-operating
least at the beginnings and ends of its lants are shown more less diagrammati
45
strokes because of their reversal of move cally.Turning to the drawing, it will be ob
Enents.
The speed of rotation of the form-ink served that the machine includes spaced por 00
ing rollers and their complementary vibra tions 11 and 12 of an appropriate frame
work accommodating a vertically-recipro
tor-roller varies similarly.
On the other hand, the speed of revolution cating
a crank
printing-form bed 13 operated from
drive-shaft 101 associated with the
of the distributing drum of the ink fountain sliding form
is constant or uniform and it is, therefore, rods bed by one or more connecting
desirable to so shift the ductor-rollers that 102. 05
they will engage the form vibrator-roller Coacting with the form of such bed are a
 1896,4665
pair of composition form-inking rollers 14 The operation of the appliance occurs
and 15 and a companion, intermediate vi practically as follows:
brator-roller 16 rotated and reciprocated by During the ascent of the bed and its form,
the usual and well-known mechanism, where the roller 32 then contacting with the outer
by the surface speed of the two form-inking edge of the cam 33 maintains the arm 31 in 70
rollers conforms yy to the variable or
fluctuating speed of the reversing bed and such
hold
position, as shown in Figure 3, as to
the ductor-roller 21 in contact with the
form.
In the present instance, this operating formtary
vibrator-roller 16 and the complemen
ductor-roller 19 in engagement with the
mechanism includes a vertical rack 103 intermediate roller 18, whereby the two lat 75
mounted on and reciprocable with the form terrollers perform the function of distribut
bed 13, its teeth being in mesh with those of ing the ink on the drum 17.
a gear 104, which, by intermeshing gears en, or at about the time, the bed and
105,106,and107,108
inking and rollers
vibrator 109, rotates
in thethemanner
form form begin to reduce speed, during their up
stated.
ward travel, for the reversal of direction of 80

In this way, it is convenient to drive or movement, the cam shifts arm 31 to bring
slide the bed by such appropriate means and the ductor roller 21 into contact with the dis
tribution-drum 17 while revolving at prac
20
to operate the form-inking and vibrator roll tically the same surface speed of the latter,
ers from the bed or its driving mechanism
whereby to secure the required harmony and the roller 19 still maintaining its contiguity 85
consonance of action between the coacting versalroller
with 18, so that during the time of re
of movement of the bed and form and
elements. the form rollers both ductor-rollers are act
The ink-fountain has not been shown,
25 since it may be of the usual type, but its as ing as distributors in connection with drum
17 (Figure 2). 90
sociated rotary, vibratory distribution-drum As soon as the bed has reversed its direc
17 is mounted in the frame-work and is re tion of travel and is descending at a surface
volved at a constant and regular speed.
3)
The means for rotating this drum 17 com speed substantially that of the roller 19, the
cam 33 shifts the rollers into the position
prise an electric-motor 111 operating a hori shown in Figure 4, in which relation of the 95
zontal shaft 112 which drives an upright parts, the roller 19 contacts with the form
shaft 113 through a worm and worm-wheel vibrator-roller 16, the ductor-roller 21 still
connection 114, such vertical shaft in turn performing its function as a distributing
rotating the shaft 115 of drum 17 through roller.
intermeshing bevel gears 116. When the bed and form approach their 00
Above such drum 17, and always in con lower limit of movement and while the speed
tact there with is a roller 18 provided partly of roller 19 is practically that of roller 18, it
to effect the distribution of the ink on the is again moved back to contact with such
drum, but supplied also to obtain a reversal intermediate roller whereby both ductor
of the direction of rotation of one of the rollers again temporarily act as distributors 05
two ductor-rollers 19 and 21. during the reversal of movement of the
These two rollers are mounted for rota form, and as soon as the latter has acquired
tion in the opposite ends of a pair of sup proper speed during its upper travel the
45
porting arms 22 and 23 apertured at their ductor 21 is once more swung into contact
central parts for the accommodation of and with the vibrator-roller 16. us the action 10
keyed to a shaft 24 oscillatory in aligned continues.
bearings 25, 25 at the upper ends of a pair : It will be seen that, whereas the bed and
of arms 26, 27 mounted for oscillation on form and the form-inking rollers and their
studs 28, 28 supported by and outstanding associated vibrator-roller have a variable
from the frame elements 11 and 12. speed of movement, and, whereas the dis 15
Each arm is supplied with a coil torsion
spring 29 encircling its stud and having its tribution-drum
positions of the
has a uniform speed, the
ductor-rollers are altered
ends secured respectively to the correspond at the proper moments so that they will have
ing frame element and to the arm, the two substantially the surface speed of the rollers
55
springs tending to rock the arms in a direc with which they are about to contact, thus 20
tion to carry shaft 24 toward the distribu avoiding any undesired or objectionable ac
tion-drum 17. tion of the one on the other.
Keyed or otherwise rigidly fastened to From an understanding of the construc
80
shaft 24 is a depending arm 31 equipped at tion as detailed above, it will be apparent
its lower end with a roller 32 coacting with that the spring-influenced arms 26 and 27 125
a cam 33 on a suitably-journalled shaft 34 tend to cause both ductor-rollers to engage
rotated by any approved means, such as a the distribution drum and its intermediate
crank.35 and an associated connecting-rod or roller, and that the cam by rocking arms. 22
link 36 driven from any appropriate source and 23 effects the alternate engagement of
65 of power, not ghown.
the ductor-rollers with the vibrator-roller 39
 496,455 S.

with intervening periods of simultaneous means to rotate said drum, a pair of ductor
contact with the drum and the intermediate rollers, an intermediate-roller adapted to
roller. Stated somewhat differently, the contact with the surfaces of said drum and
ductor-rollers are mounted on a support one of said ductor-rollers, and means to
rockingly carried on a main oscillatory Sup shift the positions of said ductor-rollers to
port, the former being cam controlled, the cause them to alternately coact with said vi
latter spring governed. brator roller and to cooperate simultaneous.
It will also be perceived that the two ly with said drum, during their periods of
ductor-rollers revolve in opposite directions, non-engagement with the vibrator-roller,
O and, since they alternately engage the vibra substantially as described. 75
tor-roller 16 only when it revolves in oppo 4. In a printing-press inking-mechanism,
site directions, the ink is fed or transferred the combination of a form-inking roller, a
thereto always in the same direction and vibrator-roller coacting with said form-ink
more or less continuously or uninterruptedly ing roller, means to rotate said form-inking
5 or as nearly so as the variable speeds will and vibrator-rollers at a variable speed, a 80
permit. - distribution-drum, means to rotate said
Obviously the invention is not limited to drum at a substantially uniform speed, a
this particular embodiment, being suscep pair of ductor-rollers, an intermediate-roller
tible of a variety of incorporations in physi adapted to contact with the surfaces of
20 cal form, and accordingly many minor said drum and one of said ductor-rollers,
mechanical changes may be made in the ma and means to shift the positions of said
chine or apparatus illustrated and described ductor-rollers to cause them to alternately
without departure from the substance of the coact with said vibrator-roller and to co
invention as defined by the appended claims operate simultaneously with said drum dur
25 and without sacrifice of its numerous bene ing their periods of non-engagement with 90
fits and advantages. the vibrator-roller, substantially as de
claim: Scribed.
1. In a printing-press inking-mechanism, 5. In a printing-press inking-mechanism,
the combination of form-inking rollers the combination of a form-inking roller, a
3. adapted to coact with the same form, a vibrator-roller coacting with said form
vibrator-roller coacting with said form inking roller, means to rotate said form
inking rollers, means to rotate said form inking and vibrator-rollers at a variable
inking and vibrator-rollers, a distribution speed, a distribution-drum, means to rotate
drum, means to rotate said drum, a pair of said drum at a substantially uniform speed,
35 ductor-rollers, an intermediate-roller adapt a pair of ductor-rollers, an intermediate O
ed to contact with the surfaces of said drum roller adapted to contact with the surfaces
and one of said ductor-rollers, and means to of said drum and one of said ductor-rollers,
shift the positions of said ductor-rollers to and means to shift the positions of said
cause them to alternately coact with said ductor-rollers to cause them to alternately
40 vibrator-roller and to cooperate with said come into contact with said vibrator-roller
drum during their periods of non-engage when rotating at substantially the same
ment, with the vibrator-roller, substantially peripheral speed as the latter and to come
as described. into contact with said drum or said inter
2. In a printing-press inking-mechanism, mediate roller as the case may be during
45 the combination of a form-inking roller, a their periods of non-engagement with the
vibrator-roller coacting with said form-ink vibrator-roller and when revolving at sub
ing roller, means to rotate said form-inking stantially the same surface speed as said
and vibrator-rollers at a variable speed, a drum or intermediate roller, substantially
distribution-drum, means to rotate said as described.
50 drum at a substantially uniform speed, a 6. In a printing-press inking-mechanism,
pair of ductor-rollers, an intermediate-roller the combination of an inking roller, means
adapted to contact with the surfaces of said to rotate said roller at a variable speed, a
drum and one of said ductor-rollers, and distribution-drum, means to rotate said
means to shift the positions of said ductor drum at a substantially uniform speed, a
55 rollers to cause them to alternately coact ductor-roller, and means to shift said duc
with said vibrator-roller and to cooperate for-roller into and out of contact with said
with said drum during their periods of non inking roller, such contact occurring when
engagement with the vibrator-roller, sub the two rollers are revolving at substan
stantially as described. tially the same surface speed and into and
60 3. In a printing-press inking-mechanism, out of contact with said distribution drum,
the combination of form-inking rollers such contact occurring when the ductor
adapted to coact with the same form, a roller and drum are revolving at substan
vibrator-roller coacting with said form-ink tially the same peripheral speed, substan
ing rollers, means to rotate said form-inking tially as described.
65 and vibrator-rollers, a distribution-drum, 7.In a printing-press inking-mechanism, as
 s2. 1486,456
the combination of an inking roller, means
to rotate said roller at a variable speed, a
distribution-drum, means to rotate said
drum at a substantially uniform speed, an
intermediate-roller adapted to contact with
the surface of said drum, a ductor-roller,
and means to shift the positions of said
ductor-roller to carry it into and out of con
tact with said inking roller, such contact
10 occuirring when the two rollers are rotatin
at substantially the same surface speed, an
into and out of contact with said interme
diate-roller, such contact taking place when
said two rollers are revolving at substan
15 tially the same peripheral speed, substan
tially as described. ( drum, and a pair of ductor-rollers on said
8. In a printing-press inking-mechanism,
the combination of an inking roller, means
to rotate said roller at a variable speed, a
distribution-drum, means to rotate said
drum at a substantially uniform speed, an
intermediate-roller contacting with the sur
face of said drum, a pair of ductor-rollers,
and means to shift the positions of said
25 ductor-rollers to cause them to contact alter
nately with said inking roller with inter
mediate periods in which said ductor-rollers
simultaneously cooperate with the interme
diate roller and the drum, the contact of
30 said ductor-rollers with said inking roller
occurring when both are revolving at sub late said support, a support rockingly
stantially the same surface speed, the con
tact of said ductor-rollers with said drum
mounted on said oscillatory support, sprin
and said intermediate-roller respectively oc
35 curring when the elements about to contact
are rotating at practically the same periph
eral speed, substantially as E.
9. In a printing-press inking-mechanism,
the combination of a form-inking roller, a
40 coacting vibrator-roller, means to rotate said
rollers, a distribution-drum, means to re
volve said drum, an intermediate-roller
adapted to contact with said drum, an oscil
latoryasupport,
port, support means to oscillate
rockingly mountedsaid
on sup
said
oscillatory Ep and a pair of ductor
rollers on said rocking support, whereby
said ductor rollers alternately engage said
vibrator-roller with intermediate periods of
engagement respectively with said distribu 50
tion-drum and said intermediate-roller, sub
stantially as described.
10. In a printing-pressinking-mechanism,
the combination of a form-inking roller, a
coacting vibrator-roller, means to rotate said
rollers, a distribution-drum, means to re
volve said drum, an intermediate-roller
adapted to contact with said drum, an oscil
latory support, means to Oscillate said sup:
port, a support rockingly mounted on said 60
oscillatory support, spring means tending to
rock said support toward said distribution
rocking support, whereby said ductor-rollers
alternately engage said vibrator-roller with 65
intermediate periods of simultaneous en
gagement respectively with said drum and
said intermediate-roller, substantially as de
scribed.
11. In a printing-press inking-mechanism, 70
the combination of a form-inking roller, a
coacting vibrator-roller, means to rotate
said rollers at a variable speed, a distribu
tion-drum, means to revolve said drum at a
substantially uniform speed, an interme 75
diate-roller adapted to contact with said
drum, an oscillatory support, means to oscil
means tending to shift said supports towar 80
said drum, a pair of ductor-rollers on said
rocking support, whereby said ductor-rollers
alternately engage said vibrator-roller with
intermediate periods of simultaneous en
gagement respectively with said drum and 85
said intermediate-roller, the contact of said
ductor-rollers with said vibrator-roller,
drum, and intermediate-roller occurring
when they are rotating at substantially the
same surface speed as that of the element
with which they are to contact, substantially
as described.
EDWARD F. DUDLEY.