Apparatus for changeover of cylinders in web fed printing press

A module for a printing press adapted to receive a replaceable insert and to form therewith a complete , functional station for the press, said module comprising:

• a pair of laterally spaced apart module sidewalls each presenting a surface for supporting a corresponding wall of said insert,
• a pair of spaced apart rails extending laterally between said sidewalls and presenting upper, insert-engaging surfaces;
• and
• means operatively coupling said rails to said sidewalls, including structure for selective shifting said insert-engaging rail surfaces along a limited arcuate path of travel when said insert is placed on said rails, for positioning of said insert within said module,
• said rail-surface-shifting structure including means for movement of said rail surfaces out of supporting engagement with said insert upon shifting thereof for positioning of the insert within the module.

A module for a printing press adapted to receive a replaceable insert and to form therewith a complete, functional station for the press, said module comprising:

• a pair of laterally spaced apart sidewalls;
• a pair of spaced apart rails extending laterally between said sidewalls and presenting upper, insert-engaging surfaces;
• and
• means operatively coupled with said rails for selective shifting thereof when said insert is placed thereon, for positioning of said insert within the module, said rail-shifting mans comprising structure for limiting arcuate travel of said insert-engaging rail surface, said structure comprising means eccentrically mounting each of said rails to said sidewalls, and motive means operatively coupled with said rails for selective eccentric shifting thereof.

In combination:

• a printing press module adapted to receive a replaceable insert and to form therewith a complete, functional station for a printing press, said module comprising laterally spaced apart operator side and drive side module sidewalls, and a pair of spaced apart module rails extending laterally between said sidewalls and presenting upper, insert-engaging surfaces,
• each of said module rails including structure defining a reduced diameter segment inboard of said operator side sidewall;
• and
• a mobile cart adapted to support a replaceable insert and including a pair of spaced apart insert-supporting cart rails, each of said cart rails including an elongated, forwardly extending connection portion having a connection hook and yoke,
• said cart and module being cooperatively configured and arranged for end-to-end axial alignment of said cart rails and said module rails when said cart is positioned adjacent said operator side module sidewall, the connection hook and yoke of each of said connection portions being oriented for mating within a reduced diameter segment of a corresponding one of said module rails for presenting a smooth transition between said cart rails and module rails to facilitate shifting of an insert between said cart and said module along the aligned rails.

In a functional press station comprising a module and a replaceable insert which cooperatively define said station, said module and said insert each including laterally spaced apart, cooperating, mutually engaging sidewalls, the improvement of apparatus for securing said insert to clearing said module which comprises:

• a pair of hook members:
• means mounting each of said hook members to a corresponding module sidewall for selective pivotal movement of the hooks between a retracted, insert-clearing position and a locking position, said hook mounting means further including structure for limited translational shifting of the hook relative too its corresponding module sidewall during said pivotal movement thereof in a direction for pulling said module and insert sidewalls into tight interengagement;
• stud means coupled to said insert sidewalls and located for locking engagement with said hooks when the hooks are in the locking position thereof;
• and
• an operating shaft portion pivotal about a first axis, and a hook-supporting shaft portion coupled to said operating shaft and eccentrically mounted relative thereto for pivoting of the hook-supporting shaft about a second axis spaced from said first axis.