# US 5,699,734 A · Guard provided at a printing machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,699,734 A - Document ID: US5699734A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/697,853 - Filed: 1996-08-29 - Granted: 1997-12-23 - Earliest claimed: 1995-08-29 - Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG - Inventors: Wolfgang Bitterich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699734A ## CPC - B41F 33/0018: {Protection means against injury to the operator} - F16P 1/02: Fixed screens or hoods - B41F: PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES (manifolding devices or office printing machines B41L) - F16P: SAFETY DEVICES IN GENERAL; {SAFETY DEVICES FOR PRESSES} ## Abstract A guard provided on a printing machine, the guard safeguarding perpendicularly a printing unit/coating unit, on both sides thereof, between the side frames and covering horizontally an upper area. Parts of the guard being mounted, on both sides thereof, on swivel arms and are liftable in an opened position, with a spring element supporting this motion such that the side parts may be lifted from a closed position independently of each other, with the upper part of the guard being lifted as well. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A protective guard for a printing machine, the printing machine having two substantially vertical side frames and at least one unit to apply a substance to a sheet to receive the substance disposed between the side frames, the guard having a closed position wherein access to the at least one unit is substantially prevented, said guard comprising: two side parts; said two side parts comprising a side part and an additional side part; said side part and said additional side part both being disposed substantially vertical in a closed position of said guard; said side part having an upper end portion and a lower end portion disposed opposite one another; said additional side part having an upper end portion and a lower end portion disposed opposite one another; an upper part disposed substantially horizontal in a closed position of said guard and connecting said upper end portion of said side part and said upper end portion of said additional side part; a frame disposed substantially horizontal in a closed position of said guard, and adjacent said upper part in a closed position of said guard; said frame having a first end portion and a second end portion disposed substantially opposite one another, said first end portion being disposed adjacent said side part and said second end portion being disposed adjacent said additional side part; said upper part having a first length; said frame having a second length; said first length and said second length being substantially equal to one another; at least one pin configured for pivotally mounting said upper part to said first end portion of said frame; at least one additional pin configured for pivotally mounting said side part to said first end portion of said frame; at least one yet another pin configured for pivotally mounting said additional side part to said upper part; and at least one trunnion being configured to be disposed to pivotally mount said frame to at least one side frame of a printing machine. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The protective guard according to claim 1, wherein said protective guard further comprises: at least one swivel arm having a first end and a second end, and said first end of said at least one swivel arm is connected to said additional side part. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The protective guard according to claim 2, wherein said protective guard further comprises: at least one bearing journal having a first portion and a second portion; said second end of said at least one swivel arm is connected to said second portion of said at least one bearing journal; and said first portion of said at least one bearing journal is mounted on at least one side frame of a printing machine. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The protective guard according to claim 3, wherein said protective guard further comprises: a spring element for supporting said frame and for acting on said at least one swivel arm; and an apparatus for connecting said spring element to said frame and said at least one swivel arm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The protective guard according to claim 4, wherein said apparatus for connecting said spring element two bolts; at least one of said at least two bolts connecting said spring element to said at least one swivel arm; at least one additional one of said at least two bolts operatively connecting said spring element to said frame; and said at least one additional one of said at least two bolts is disposed adjacent said at least one trunnion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The protective guard according to claim 5, wherein said protective guard comprises at least one circuit breaker configured to prevent at least one of: a printing machine from being started upon said guard not being in a closed position, and bringing a printing machine to a standstill when said guard is moved out of a closed position. ### Claim 7 A protective guard for a printing machine, the printing machine having two substantially vertical side frames and at least one unit to apply a substance to a sheet to receive the substance disposed between the side frames, said guard having a closed position wherein access to said at least one unit is substantially prevented, said guard comprising: two side parts; said two side parts comprising a side part and an additional side part; said side part and said additional side part being substantially vertical in said closed position; an upper part disposed between said side part and said additional side part; said upper part being substantially horizontal in a closed position of said guard; an arrangement to permit said side part and said additional side part to be movable from a closed position of said guard independently of one another; and an arrangement to permit said upper part to be movable along with at least one of said two side parts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The protective guard according to claim 7, wherein, via pivots, the additional side part is connected to swivel arms mounted, via bearing journals, on side frames of a printing machine, and that, via at least one bolt, a spring element acts on the swivel arms, said spring element supporting a frame via at least one bolt. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The protective guard according to claim 7, wherein said protective guard comprises: a frame disposed substantially horizontal in a closed position of said guard, and disposed adjacent said upper part in a closed position of said guard; said frame having a first end portion and a second end portion disposed substantially opposite one another, said first end portion being disposed adjacent said side part and said second end portion being disposed adjacent said additional side part; said upper part having a first length; said frame having a second length; and said first length and said second length being substantially equal to one another. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The protective guard according to claim 9, wherein said protective guard comprises at least one swivel arm having a first end and a second end; and said first end of said at least one swivel arm is connected to said additional side part. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The protective guard according to claim 10, wherein said protective guard comprises: at least one bearing journal having a first portion and a second portion; said second end of said at least one swivel arm is connected to said second portion of said at least one bearing journal; and said first portion of said at least one bearing journal is mounted on at least one side frame of a printing machine. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The protective guard according to claim 11, wherein said protective guard comprises: a spring element for supporting said frame and for acting on said at least one swivel arm; and an apparatus for connecting said spring element to said frame and said at least one swivel arm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The protective guard according to claim 12, wherein: said apparatus for connecting said spring element comprises at least two bolts; at least one of said at least two bolts connecting said spring element to said at least one swivel arm; and at least one additional one of said at least two bolts operatively connecting said spring element to said frame; said protective guard comprises at least one trunnion being configured to be disposed to pivotally mount said frame to at least one side frame of a printing machine; said at least one additional one of said at least two bolts is disposed adjacent said at least one trunnion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The protective guard according to claim 13, wherein said protective guard comprises at least one circuit breaker configured to prevent at least one of: a printing machine from being started upon said guard not being in a closed position, and bringing a printing machine to a standstill when said guard is moved out of a closed position.