Device for pivotably adjusting flexible printing plates on the plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine

A device for adjusting positioning of a printing plate mounted on a plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine, the plate cylinder having a first axial end and a second axial end, the second axial end being disposed substantially opposite to the first axial end, the printing plate having a first end and a second end, said adjustment device comprising:

• first rail means for clamping the first end of a printing plate to the plate cylinder, said first rail means having a first axial end adjacent the first axial end of the plate cylinder and a second axial end adjacent the second axial end of the plate cylinder;
• second rail means for clamping the second end of a printing plate to the plate cylinder, said second rail means being disposed substantially parallel to said first rail means, and said second rail means having a second axial end adjacent the first axial end of the plate cylinder and a second axial end adjacent the second axial end of the plate cylinder;
• a coupling element for pivotably mounting said second axial end of said second rail means to said plate cylinder, said coupling element being disposed adjacent the second axial end of the plate cylinder, said coupling element comprising:
• first connection means for solely pivotably connecting said coupling element to the plate cylinder;
• second connection means for solely pivotably connecting said coupling element to said second end of said second rail means;
• and
• said first connection means and said second connection means of said coupling element comprising the sole connection means of said coupling element;
• adjusting means for selectively adjustably displacing said first rail means with respect to the plate cylinder;
• means for substantially simultaneously displacing said second rail means in at least an axial direction upon said displacement of said first rail means, said means for substantially simultaneously displacing comprising a pivotable member for pivotably mounting said first axial end of said second rail means to said plate cylinder, said pivotable member being pivotably mounted to the plate cylinder adjacent said first axial end of said plate cylinder;
• said pivotable member comprising:
• a first portion for engaging with said first rail means;
• a second portion for engaging with said second rail means;
• and
• a pivot disposed between said first and second portions, said pivotable member being pivotable about said pivot;
• said first rail means comprises a slot;
• said first portion of said pivotable member comprises a portion disposed within said slot for moving said pivotable member with said slot upon movement of said first rail means;
• and
• said second portion of said pivotable member comprises means for engaging said second rail means for moving said second rail means upon movement of said first rail means.

A plate cylinder for a printing press, said plate cylinder comprising:

• a first axial end and a second axial end, said second axial end being spaced axially from said first axial end;
• an axial groove disposed between said first axial end and said second axial end;
• means for adjustably positioning a printing plate about said plate cylinder, the printing plate having a first end and a second end, said means for adjustably positioning being disposed in said axial groove, and said means for adjustably positioning comprising:
• first rail means disposed within said axial groove for clamping the first end of a printing plate to the plate cylinder;
• second rail means for clamping the second end of a printing plate to the plate cylinder, said second rail means being disposed substantially parallel to said first rail means, said second rail means having a first axial end adjacent said first axial end of said cylinder, and a second axial end adjacent said second axial end of said cylinder;
• adjusting means for selectively adjustably displacing said first rail means in an axial direction with respect to the plate cylinder;
• means for substantially simultaneously displacing said second rail means upon said displacement of said first rail means, said means for substantially simultaneously displacing comprising a pivotable member pivotably mounted in the groove of the plate cylinder adjacent the first axial end of the plate cylinder for guiding movement of the first axial end of said second rail means;
• said pivotable member comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a first pivot disposed between said first and second portions, said first pivot for pivotably mounting said pivoting member in said groove;
• said first portion comprising a circular edge portion for engaging said first rail means;
• said second portion comprising a first hinge pin for engaging said second rail means;
• said first rail means comprising slot means for slidably receiving said circular edge portion therein;
• said second rail means comprising a portion for engaging said first hinge pin;
• a coupling element pivotably mounted adjacent the second axial end of the plate cylinder for pivotably coupling the second end of said second rail means to the plate cylinder and guiding movement of the second end of said second rail means, said coupling element comprising:
• a first end and a second end;
• said first end of said coupling element comprises a second pivot, said second pivot for pivotably mounting said coupling element in said groove;
• said second end of said coupling element being pivotable about said second pivot;
• said second end of said coupling element comprises a second hinge pin;
• said second rail means comprising a portion for engaging said second hinge pin;
• and
• said first and second hinge pins are disposed axially offset towards one another with respect to their corresponding one of said first and second pivots.