US2553399A - Device for separating printing rollers in the absence of a paper sheet - Google Patents

Description

May 15, 1951 G. BABICZ 2,553,399

DEVICE FOR SEPARATING PRINTING ROLLERS IN THE ABSENCE OF A PAPER SHEET Filed Jan. 28, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TQR. 660/6 501740 2;

G. DEVICE FOR SEPARATING PRINTING ROLLERS May 15, 1951 BABHCZ IN THE ABSENCE OF A PAPER SHEET J 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 28', 1946 INVENTOR. 660/?(3 flame May 15, 1951 G. BABICZ 2,553,399

DEVICE FOR SEPARATING PRINTING ROLLERS IN THE ABSENCE OF A PAPER SHEET Filed Jan. 28, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 MINI!!! INVENTOQ. 660/" efiabacj,

Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR SEPABATING PRINTING ROLL- ERS IN THE ABSENCE OF A PAPER SHEET 7 Claims.

In my co-pending patent application for a device for separating printing rollers in the absence of paper sheet, which has matured into Patent No. 2,432,133, dated December 9, 1947, I have disclosed an electrically actuated mechanism for separating printing rollers when paper ceases to be fed therebetween for taking print impressions. The principal objects of the present invention are identical with those mentioned in said patent, except that the means for separating rollers in this application is accomplished entirely mechanically.

Another object of the present invention is the provision in a printing machine of a suitable feeler in contact with' the paper as the same is fed in the usual manner to theprinting rollers, and which is capable of actuating the mechanism for separating the printing rollers instantly when the paper ceases to be fed, and which is capable of actuating mechanism for bringing the printing rollers into a mutual contacting operative position when paper commences to be fed anew.

Another object of the present device is the provision of a pair of bearings within which a shaft carrying one of the printing rollers is journaled, with means associated with said bearings for mechanically shifting them in a vertical direction, for bodily moving one of the said rollers to or away from the other of said rollers, and for separating the two in the absence of paper fed towards said rollers.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision, in association with said bearings, of wedges, with means to shift the latter into one or opposite direction for shifting one of the printing rollers to or away from the other roller, the shifting means of said wedges being actuated by suitable mechanism, the operation of which is induced either by presence or absence of paper sheet normally fed towards the printing rollers.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of suitable adjusting means for bringing one of the rollers in any machine to or away from the other normally contacting roller, for increasing or decreasing the pressure therebetween.

With the above general objects in view and others that will appear as the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and in which like designating characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views;

Fig. 1 is a top elevational view of the end of the printing machine at which the printing rollers are positioned and to which paper is fed for taking printing impressions:

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the printing machine from the opposite side;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on line 4-4 of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fi 5 is a cross-sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view on line 1 of Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the present drawings, there is shown therein a pair of spaced frame bars I0, which are at an incline, the elevated ends of which are in any suitable manner supported by and within a pair of standards I I such as by screws or rivets H. A pair of similar standards, not shown, support the opposite ends of said frame bars Ill, and all of said standards support the entire printing machine.

Each of said standards H which is shown in the present drawings, is provided with an integrally formed off-set I2, for supporting therewithin upper shaft l3 and lower shaft [4. Said shaft 13 carries a printing roller. l5 and shaft [4 carries compression roller l6, which normally are in contact during the printing operation when paper is fed therebetween. If desired roller I6 may be the printing roller while roller I5 may be the compression roller. Keyed to shaft I3 is gear I! and keyed to shaft i4 is a similar gear l8. Said gears 11 and I8 are constantly in mesh regardless if rollers l5 and I6 are in contact during the printing operation or separated when paper ceases to be fed therebetween.

Keyed to one end of shaft l4 and outwardly of the adjacent standard H is sprocket wheel I 9, over which sprocket chain 20 passes and connects with any source of motive power to impart rotation to said wheel l9 as well as to said shaft M for rotating roller l6 and gear l8. Through teeth in gears l1 and I8 rotary movement is transmitted from gear l8 to gear l1 and through it to shaft l3 and roller l5, so as to cause rotation of said rollers l5 and [6 into the direction indicated by arrows in Figs. 2 and 3.

Journaled for rocking movement within standto one end of which rocking arm 22 is affixed by its lower end, while the opposite end of said shaft 2i carries a shorter rocking arm 23, for the purpose hereinafter described. Spacers 24 set upon shaft 2| maintain said rocking arms 22 and 23 in spaced relation with the adjacent standards ll.

Afifixed to one end of shaft I3 by means of screw 25 is collar 26,, having at its inner end an integrally formed "cam 21, including rise 28. Pivotally connected to rocking arm 22 upon pivot 29 is arm 39, the opposite end of which" is bifurcated to effect a pair of tines 35., which receive said shaft l3. To one face ref-said arm idler 32 is journaled, which normally remains in contact with the rim of said cam 21, Lbyryirtue of the tensioning action of vcoilspring .33 afiixed by one of its ends to said rocking arm '22 and by the other to off-set 12 of standard l'l, thereby urging said rocking arm 22 and idler 32 towards -.cam :21.

Shaft 14 is journaled for rotary movement :within bearings .34 each positioned within recess 35 made at the lower {end of each oiT-set l2. "Each of said bearings 34 at its vertical lateral edges is provided witha pair of flanges 35 which overlap the faces ,of said off-sets !2 for maintaining said bearings in position within recesses '35 and for preventing movement thereof in all directions, except :the vertical direction.

Rigidly affixed by means of a pair .of bolts 3-? -to the end of each off-set J2, and in a transverse relation with recess '35, closing the vlower end thereof completely, is supporting plate 38, above which block 39 is positioned. Said block :39 has a reduced .central portion entering recess 35, for normally supporting therein the lower end of bearing 34, as is clearly seen in Figs. '5 and 5. The outer edges .of said plate .38 and block 39 vextend beyond the adjacent faces of standards l l and off-sets l2, and said .block 39, at its outer face is provided with an upwardly extending flange 40. .Each .of said bearings 34 adjacent its lower end, and at the portion thereof which extends beyond the outer face of off-set 1-2, including flanges 36 thereof, is provided with r cess A l, the upper face whereof is at an incline, for receiving therewithin wedge 42. Said wedge 2., QSts upon block 139 for longitudinal shifting movement. Flan e 4i}. contacting with the outer,

face of said wedge 42 prevents its lateral shifting and disengagement thereof with bearing 34. The upper face of said wedge 42 is at an incline corresponding to theincline of the upper face of said recess 4|. outwardly, that is towards the adjacent free, end of the printing machine, bearing 33 will shift downwardly within recess 35, the shifting movement thereof being facilitated by coil spring 43 positioned within the upper .end of recess 35 and interposed between the adjacent body portion of off-set l2 and the upper end of bearing .34. When however wedge42 is shifted into the op- Dosite direction bearing 34 will be forced to shift into an upward direction against the tensioning action of said spring 43. The operationof said wedges 42 and the mechanism for shifting the same into one or opposite direction will be later more fully described. When wedge 42 is shifted into the direction of the center .of the machine bearing 34 is shifted upwardly and away from block 39, the two being spaced as is seen in Fig. 6. When however wedge 42 .is shifted into the opposite direction, as faras .it will be permitted t 'go', bearing 34 will shift downwardly, and

When said wedge 42 is shifted ;away from plate 38.

with plate :38, as is seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 6.

will contact with and rest upon the upper face of said block 39.

Substantially centrally of each plate 38 wing screw 44 is passed for bearing against block 39. The shank of said screw 44 is threaded for receiving thereon in a threaded engagement adjusting nut 45. The inner reduced end of screw 44 enters socket 46 made at the lower face of block 39. When said 'screw M .is driven block '39, wedge '42 and bearing '34 are all shifted upwardly against the tension of coil spring 33 and Conversely when screw 44 is turned .into the opposite direction block 39, Wedge iZ'and bearing 34 are all shifted towards plate 38, until said block 39 comes in contact The purpose of said screw 44 is to make a proper adjustment of two rollers I5 and I6, by shifting one to or away from the other roller, for increasing or decreasing the pressure therebetween. .This adjusting means for the two rollers, if desired, may be used wholly independently of the .device for automatically separating the rollers when the paper ceases to be fed thereinbetween. When bearings 3 have ,been properly adjusted within their recesses .35 by screws M, as aforejsaid, nuts 45 are shiftedluntil the same contact the lower faces of plates '38 for maintaining screws 44 in their adjusted position.

On each side of the machine connecting rods .4] pivotally connect with the outer, wider .end of each wedge 42 and rocking arms 22 and 123, respectively.

Towards the center of the machine support .48 is rigidly afiixed to one of the frame bars Ill, and upwardly extending therefrom. Journaled within said support 48, above said frame bar l0, andina transverse relation with themachine .is shaft 49,-whichfhas sprocket wheel .59 including hub 5i keyed thereto. Similar sprocket wheel '52 is rigidly carried by shaft i4. wBoth said sprocket wheels 55 and 5.2 are connected by a sprocket chain 53, for imparting rotary movement to said shaft 49 :from shaft l4.

Carriedby the inner termination of said shaft 49 is a heart-shaped cam 54, whichhas integrally formed therewith cap bearing 55 fitting over the inner end of said Ishaft 4.9. The outer end :of said shaft, 49 carries smaller heart-shaped cam '56, including a rigidly formed collar .57 which is keyed to said shaft 4.9lby means .of screw 58. The operative points of cams 5 1 and .56 are ,disposed in substantially opposite directions, as is seen inFig. 2.

Further towards the center of the machine transverse .shafti59 is positioned, and journaled within a pair of supports 50, which extend above support 48, so that said shaft 59 is on a plane .above shaft 4 9. Said supports 69 are rigidly afiixed to frame bars H]. r Y

intermittently of said framebars l0 said shaft 5.9 has a rigidly ajfiixedv collar 6|,which carries downwardly depending feeler bar 62,:thealower .end of which is in'a. substantial 'alinement'with the track on and over-which paper is shifted by known means towards said rollers 55 and I6, and Which said track includes a pair-of lateral guiding bars 63 and a pair of centrally positioned supporting bars Y64, and which latter supporting bars 64 are spaced for vdefining slot 55 therebetween, and within whichslot said feeler bar 52 .is adapted for' oscillating movement on a vertical plane, aswill be later apparent.

Said shaft 59 rigidly carries collar 66 withan integrally. formed .finger li-l, which slants downwardly towards cam 54 and overhangs the latter, as is clearly seen in Fig. 4.

Support 69 which is oppositely disposed of shaft 49 has a substantially L -shaped bracket 68 affixed thereto for rigidly supporting upon its upper, horizontal end U-sha-ped guiding track 69, by one end of the latter, while the opposite end of which extends above shaft 49 and overhangs cam 56. At that latter end said guiding track 69 has an open, substantially V-shaped recess I6. Rigidly affixed to one side wall of said guiding track 69, in transverse relation with the latter, and extending laterally therefrom and in the direction outwardly of the machine, and at the apex of said recess I6 is an oblong housing H, within which plunger rod I2 is positioned, and is supported by the bottom wall of said housing II, and is guided therewithin for longitudinal sliding movement into and out of recess I6 and in a transverse relation with said guiding track 69. Said housing II is comparatively deep, and its upper side is open, for permitting upright shifting movement of said plunger rod I2 therewithin for the purpose which will be later apparent. Only the upper portion of said housing II and adjacent the inner end thereof is in rigid engagement with the adjacent side wall of said track 69, so that the lower portion of said housing II downwardly depends therefrom and the inner end of said housing II is on a plane with the outer face of the adjacent side wall of said track 69, for permitting'unimpeded shifting movement of said plunger rod I2 transversely of said track 69, as is clearly seen in Fig. 4.

Integrally formed with the outer endof said housing H is an arcuate, upwardly directed sheath I3, through which flexible shaft I4 is extended. The inner end of said flexible shaft I4 rigidly connects with said plunger rod I2, while the upper end thereof is affixed to arm I5. Said arm I5 is integrally formed with head I6 rigidly carried by the adjacent outer end of said shaft 59.

Bar 11 is pivotally connected with the upper end of rocking arm 22, while the opposite end is guided by track 69 within which the former is positioned for longitudinal shifting. Said opposite end of said bar 11 is provided with a downwardly depending pin I8.

A pair of spacing rollers I9 keyed to shafts l3 and I4 prevent said shafts from making longitudinal shifting movement.

Teeth upon gears lI and I9 are sufficiently deep to prevent the disconnection of said gears I1 and I8 when roller I9 is shifted away from roller I5, said latter shifting movement is to the extent of a fraction of an inch.

As to the operation of the device if it is assumed that paper is normally fed by suitable conveyor upon track 63-64, the lower operative end of feeler bar 62 will rest upon the paper as the same is fed towards rollers I5 and I6. The shifting paper is interposed between bars 64 upon which the same is supported from below, and feeler bar 62 thereabove. In that position the lower operative end of feeler bar 62 is elevated above the plane of the upper surface of said supporting bars 64. This latter position of the lower end of feeler bar 62 causes the corresponding elevation of finger 6! above cam 54 so that said latter cam does not contact it and the cam remains idle during its rotary movement. The position of the lower end of said feeler bar 62 just mentioned maintains arm I5 in an elevated position with flexible shaft I4 shifted upwardly, with the consequent withdrawal of plunger rod I2 out of the path of track 69. That latter, inoperative, withdrawn position of said plunger rod I2 makes cam 56 inoperative. The same rotates below recess I0, but does not at any time come in contact with said plunger rod I2. In that latter position of feeler bar 62, bar 11 is in engagement with the outer end of track 69, pin I8 engaging the end of the bottom wall of said track 69, as is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Said bar 11 was brought to that latter position by the shifting thereof by rocking arm 22 by the action of rise 28 of cam 21 upon idler 32 and against the tensioning action of spring 33. That latter position of rocking arm 22 is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. In that latter position of said rocking arm 22 as wellas of the shorter rocking arm 23 rods 41 have been shifted therewith towards the center of the machine causing shifting of wedges 42 in the same direction, thereby causing shifting of bearings 34 upwardly, against the tension of spring 43, as already described, for shifting shaft I4 upwardly for maintaining roller I6 in an operative contact with roller I5. When bar I! has been shifted towards the center of the machine by the action of cam 21 upon idler 32, as aforesaid, and pin I8 has cleared the adjacent end of track 69, the same drops down due to its gravity, with pin I8 in a transverse relation with the end of bottom wall of said track 69, as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and the engagement between said pin I8 and track 69 is maintained due to the pulling action of coil spring 33 upon rocking arm 22. Otherwise said bar 11 is in an elevated position with pin I8 resting upon the bottom wall of said track 69, as is seen in full lines in Fig. 2.

If paper ceases to travel upon track 63-64, feeler bar 62 shifts by its lower end, due to gravity, into slot 65, thereby imparting rotary shifting movement to shaft 59 into a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the end of said shaft 59 shown in Fig. 2, thereby causing downward shifting of finger 61 in contact with cam 54. The latter shifting movement of said shaft 59 also causes the downward shifting of arm I5 for shifting flexible shaft I4 downwardly for actuating plunger rod 12 for shifting the latter transversely of track 69, within recess 10 and in the path of bar II, as is seen in Fig. 4. As soon as said plunger rod I2 has been shifted transversely and in the path of said bar II, cam 56 striking the same by its point raises said plunger rod I2 upwardly. This action of cam 56 upon said plunger rod I2 causes said plunger rod I2 to strike said bar H for shifting the latter in said track 69 in a vertical direction until pin I8 is out of engagement with the adjacent outer end of said track 69, This operation elevates said pin I8 until the same is above the bottom wall of said track 69. When this is accomplished, action of coil spring 33' causes shiftin of rocking arms 23 and 22 towards shafts I3 and I4, position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, for shifting rods 41 and wedges 42 in the same direction. Thus shifting of wedges 42 causes the downward shifting of bearings 34 for separating roller I6 from roller I5, as already described. This downward shifting of roller I6 away from roller I5 separates the two rollers, but does not separate the engagement of the teeth in gears I7 and I8. Thereby shafts I3 and I4, gears I I and I8, as well as rollers 55 and I6 are permitted to continue their usual rotary movement with rollers I5 and I6 separated, thereby in the absence of paper therebetween preventing transfer of ink 7 from one roller to the other and consequent smearing.

When rollers 1-5 and 16 are continued to be separated in the absence of paper as aforesaid, cam *21 by its rise 28 continues to intermittently st'r ik'e idler '32 for intermittently imparting rock- 'ing motion to rocking arm 22 and through shaft ;-2:I to rocking arm 23, once during each revolution of shafts I3 and 14 in order to bring a contact of :roller 1'6 with iroller I5 once during each revolution of said rollers so as to be ready to pickup the paper as it commences anew to shift towards the rollers. :By the action of rocking arms 22 and 23 as the same are actuated by the action of cam 21 upon idler 32 wedges 42 are shifted towards the center of the machine once during .each revolution of said rollers I5 and I6.

During that last described action of cam 2-7 on idler :32 for rocking arms 22 and 23, 'bar TI likewise intermittently shifts, but the interlocking-of said bar H with track 69 through the mediumof pin I8 is impossible due to the fact that when the lower end of feeler bar 62 remains with-inslot 55 by virtue of the absence of paper upon supporting bars 64, arm is in a downward shifted position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, with plunger rod I2 in the path of said bar W, and the action upon said plunger rod I2 by cam 56. This .latter action of cam 56 intermittently striking plunger rod I2, once during each revolution of shafts I3 and .I4 .and at the instant when said bar TI is shifted to the outermost extent, .due to the timed operation of said cam 56 upon said .plunger rod I2, said bar 1! is prevented from interlocking with track 69 through the medium of pin I8 as aforesaid, and thereby rocking arms 22 and 23 are prevented to assume permanent operative position, as is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. '2, and thereby further preventing permanent contact between rollers I5 and I6.

Once paper commences to be fed anew upon track 63-64 towards said rollers I5 and I 6 feeler bar 62 becomes elevated by the action of paper thereon, and due to the upwardlyshifted position of said feeler bar 62 in the presence and by the action :of the paper thereupon, shaft 59 is forced to make a rotary shifting movement into the clockwise direction as Viewed in Fig. 2, for upwardly shifting :arm 15 for withdrawing plunger rod I2 from the path of said bar IL'an'd when said plunger rod I2 is thus withdrawn, next shifting of rocking arm 22 towards the center of the machine, and by the action of cam 2-! upon idler 32, said :bar I? instantaneously becomes interlocked with track '69 through the medium of said pin I6 for permanently maintaining said bar I I in its interlocked osition with said track 69 and against the tension of spring33 for permanently maintaining wedges "42 in their operative position with two rollers I5 .and I6 in a permanentcontact as long as paper is shifted towards them. I

The operation of cam 54 and finger 61 have no connection with the mechanism for shifting wedges '42 into the operative or inoperative position for contacting or disconnecting rollers I5 and I 6. The only object of said cam 54 and finger 6! is to intermittently impart rotary shiftingmovement to shaft 59 into the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, for intermittently imparting upward shifting movement of the lower end of feeler bar 62 so that paper may be received between supporting bars 64 and said feeler bar 62 without undue strain thereon so .as to prevent the tearing "or crinkl-ing thereof at its forward edge. This intermittent action 50f {cam 5' I upon finger :61 is so timed as to not coincide with the action of cam 21 upon idler 32. "The shifting of said finger 61 by cam 54, andconesequent rotary shifting movement of shaft :59, is not sufficient however to raise arm I5 toa sufficient degree to withdraw plunger rod I52 :from the path of bar 1 I.

'Feeler bar :62 has another object in view,'namely to maintain the fed paper in contact with the pins upon the conveyor (not shown) which are in contact with the rear edge of the paper, thereby tending to cause the reception of the paper within rollers I5 and ;I 6 evenly.

It is observed that housing II remains at an incline with relation to its transverse taxis, but in a perpendicular relation with track 69. The channel of said housing II is a fraction wider on transverse, horizontal plane thereof, than the diameter of said plunger rod I2, for permitting free upright as well as longitudinal shifting movement of said plunger rod I2 within -sa'id housing I'I Tines 3| constitute a fork which embraces shaft I3, and upon which said tines 3-I are permitted to make longitudinal shifting movement, without interference with the rotation of said shaft 13, when cam '2! causes shifting of arm '30 dueto its action upon idler 32.

It is further observed that the body portion of l'feeler bar '62 adjacent the free end "thereof remains at an extremely sharp angle with relation to track 63-64 so that paper of normal thickness fed upon said track shifting below the outer end of said feeler bar 62 will encounter no obstacle to raise the outer end of said feeler bar "62 from slot 65.. When very thin paper is shifted towards rollers I5 and I6, intermittent upward shifting movement of feeler bar 62 by action of cam 54 upon finger 61 will facilitate the entrance of such paper below said feeler bar '62 for maintaining the latter in an elevated position and in contact with the paper but above the plane of track 6364.

As already indicated, when feeler bar 62 is in an elevated position by the paper therebelow as the same shifts towards rollers I5 and i6, finger 61 remains above cam 54 so that the latter does not come in contact therewith. It is only when the paper ceases to be fed, and feeler bar 62 by its lowermost end remains within slot '65, that there is contact between cam .54 and finger ,6] for intermittently, once during each revolution of rollers I5 and I6, raising finger 61 and thereby feeler bar 62 partially out of slot 65 for the purposes hereinabo-ve im'iicated. The shifting of finger 61 by cam 54 is not to a suificient .degree to shift shaft '59 and through it arm 75130 withdraw completely plunger rod I2 from the path of cam 56 and bar 71. Said plunger ,rod 12 is withdrawn completely from the path of cam 56 only when the paper continues to be fed towards the printing rollers, and when the same are in contact, and when bar 1! is interlocked with track 69 through pin 78.

While there is described herein a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is'nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a printing machine including a pair of rollers toward and between which paper to be printed. is normally fed, and a track supporting the paper as it is fed, said track having a slot, a device for separating said rollers when paper ceases to be fed thereto comprising supporting members within which one of said rollers is journaled, means including cyclically operable cam and spring means for shifting said supporting members with said last named roller to or away from the other of said rollers, means for maintaining said supporting members in the two shifted positions, a feeler member disposed over said track in contact with the paper upon said track and in alinement with said slot as the paper continues to be fed, said feeler member when in said last named position actuating said first named means for shifting said-supporting members with said first named'roller toward the other of said rollers and inducing the operation of said second named means, in the absence of paper upon said track said feeler member shifting within said slot and actuating said first named means for shifting said supporting members with said" first named roller in the opposite direction and inducing the operation of said second means, said cam and spring means being eifective for shifting said supporting members with said first named roller toward said second named roller for bringing the two in contact for a brief interval at least once during each revolution of said rollers when said feeler member is in said slot for conditioning said rollers to pick up the paper as the same commences to be fed anew upon said track, said last named means beingoperable counter to the action of said second named means and independently of said feeler member.

2. In a printing'machine including a pair of rollers toward and between which paper to be printed is normally fed, a shaft upon which each o'f said rollers is mounted, a pair of bearings within which one of said shafts is journaled for rotary movement, a track supporting the paper as it is fed, said track having a slot, a device for maintaining said'rollers in an operative contactual relation as the paper is fed thereto and for separating said rollers as the paper ceases to be fed comprising supports for said bearings, wedge members resting upon said supports and in contact with said bearings, a rockshaft, a pair of rocking arms rigidly connected to said rockshaft, a rod connecting each of said rocking arms with one of said wedge members, said rocking arms being adapted for shifting to or away from said bearings for shifting said wedge members in opposite directions, whereby said bearings and said first roller are moved toward and away from the other of said rollers, means maintaining said rocking arms locked in their outwardly shifted position for maintaining the two rollers in an operative contactual relation as the paper is fed, a feeler bar overhanging said track and contacting the paper thereon as the same is fed, said feeler bar being in alinement with said slot, and when paper ceases to be fed upon said track said feeler bar being within said slot to actuate said means to move said rocking arms to a second position to maintain said rollers locked in their inoperative position means for shifting said rocking arms at least once during each revolution of said rollers while said rollers are rendered inoperative for contacting said rollers to condition the same to receive paper as it is fed anew, and means for rendering said first named means inoperative as said rocking arms are shifted to said first position by said second named means, said last named means being actuated by said slot as the paper commences to be-fed anew upon said track.

3. In a printing machine including a pair of rollers toward and between which paper to be printed is normally fed, a shaft upon which each of said rollers is mounted, shiftable bearings in which one of said shafts is journaled, and a track supporting the paper as the same is fed, a de-- vice for maintaining said rollers in contactual relation as the paper is fed thereto and for separating said rollers as the paper ceases to be fed comprising shiftable supporting members associated with said bearings, an arm connected to said supporting members, said arm being adapted for swinging movement for shifting said supporting members into operative or inoperative position for separating said rollers or for bringing the same in mutual contacting position,'tensiom'ng means for maintaining said arm in an operative position for maintaining said rollers in separated position, a bar connecting with said arm, locking means engaging said bar for maintaining said arm in an inoperative swung position for maintaining said rollers in contacting position, and means for actuating said bar out of engagement with said locking means for freeing said bar and inducing the operation of said tensioning means,

the operation of said last named means being induced by the absence of paper upon said track.

4. In a printing machine including a pair of rollers toward and between which paper to be printed is normally fed, a shaft upon which each of said rollers is mounted, shiftable bearings in which one of said shafts is journaled, and a track supporting the paper as the same is fed, said track being provided with a slot, a device for maintaining said rollers in contactual relation as the paper is fed thereto and for separating said rollers as the paper ceases tobe fed comprising shiftable supporting members associated with, said bearings, an arm connected to said support-i ing members, said arm being adapted for swinging movement for shifting said supporting members into operative or inoperative position for separating said rollers or for bringing the same in mutual contacting position, tensioning means for maintaining said arm in an operative positon for maintaining said rollers in separated position, a bar connecting with said arm, locking means engaging said bar for maintaining said arm in an inoperative swung position for maintaining said rollers in contacting position, a feeler bar in alinement with said slot, said feeler bar being supported by the paper as the same is fed upon said track, a plunger rod supported for shifting movement into and out of the path of said bar, said plunger rod being operatively connected with by said feeler bar and actuated thereby for maintaining the former out of the path of said bar when paper continues to be fed upon said track, when paper ceases to be fed upon said track said feeler bar being adapted to shift into said slot, the shifting of said feeler bar into said slot actuating said plunger rod in the path of said bar, and means for striking said plunger rod when the same remains in the path of said bar, for bringing said bar out of engagement with said locking means for freeing said bar and inducin the operation of said tensioning means for separating said rollers.

5. In a printing machine including a pair of rollers, the combination with a mechanism for maintaining said rollers in contactual relation as the paper is fed thereto and for separating said.

ro le s s th pe ase to ev ed attack:

Sup w ns he er th me s ed a dtraq s being provided with a slot, a rockshait, and a feeler, bar for actuating said mechanism, said f eeler, bar being adapted to overlie and contact the, paper upon said track as the same is fed and to shift within said slot in the absence of paper upon'said track, said feeler bar being rigidly connected to said rockshaft, of a device for intermittentljv actuating said feeler bar out of said sati the absence of paper upon said track for facilitating reception of paper between said track and said feeler bar, "as the paper commences to be, fed anew upon said track, comprising a finger rigidly connecting with said rockshaft, and a cam inoperativ relation with said finger for intermitte'ritly shifting the latter for imparting rocking movement to said shaft and said feeler bar for intermittently bringing said feeler bar out of said slot in the absence of paper upon said track.

" 6. In 'a printing machine including a pair of rollers' toward and between which paper to be printed, is normally fed, a device for separating s'aid'rollers when paper ceases to be fed thereto,

comprising shiitable'supporting members within which one of the rollers is journaled, means including cyclically operable cam and spring means for shifting said supporting members with said lasts-named roller toward the other of said rollers andif'or shifting said supporting members in the opposite direction for separating the rollers, feeler 'means responsive to the feeding of paper andopfe'ratiVely connected with said shifting means for controlling actuation thereof, said shifting means including a bar, locking means forf'engagingthe bar to hold said rollers in engaged relation, said cam and spring means being elfective to cause contact of the rollers at least once during each revolution of the rollers while said rollers are rendered inoperative, and means fonrendering the locking means inoperative durin'gQsaidflast-mentioned movement of the shiftingjmeans'i Bun macabre in lu in aair Qt? le owar nd between his di a r be Printed, is norma ly-tea, a deris i r seea at Said rllers. wh Pa r ease o be. fed e comprismg h i b summ n member W bin; which one of the rollers is jpurnaled, means in; cluding cyclically operable camand spring means, for h t a d s pp r a memb r ith sa e; last-named roller toward the other of saidrol lers and for shifting said supporting members in the, q e t ec r. se aratin t e] ol ers, feeler means r b ra mthe fee in o p e and operatively connected, with said shifting means for controlling actuation thereof,- said, Shifting an n l d ab t ck ng mea s for engaging the bar toihold said rollersin e 1 gaged t n, a d c m nd. sprin m ns cti g on the bar to move theshifting means; and cause, contact of the rollers at least once during each v l n, i the, r l rs wh la d ollers a e. rendered inoperative, and a plunger operatively connected with the feelerl means and acting on the bar for rendering the loclging. means inopera; tiv during the last-mentioned movement of the shifting means, said plunger being movable out of operative relation with the bar by shifting of; the feeler means by the feeding or paper,

" EQB BAB CZ- B FWFNQE CITE e owing references are, of. record in. the. file of this patent:

U D s ms, AT N S.

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