Retractable pallet attachment for screen printing

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6240841
  • Patent Number
    6,240,841
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, February 17, 1998
    26 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 5, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
This invention is a retractable registration apparatus (10) mounted on a printing machine (12) for aligning a screen printing frame (28) with an image platform (14). The apparatus (10) has a pair of registration mechanisms, such as pins (64), for coupling with the screen printing frame (28) and a registration appendage (56) which carries the registration mechanism (64). The registration appendage (56) is rotatably mounted to the printing machine (12) for allowing rotation of the registration appendage (56) from a registration position to a retracted position. A locking mechanism, such as a detent (102), retains the appendage (56) with the registration mechanism (64) in the exact registration position.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates to a retractable registration system for aligning a screen printing frame and screen in a printing machine, and more particularly to a registration system that retracts under the pallet allowing ease of insertion of a substrate, such as a shirt, without removing the registration system.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




In the majority of screen printing operations, more than one color is used to create the desired image. The use of more than one color results in using several screens, one for each color, wherein each screen has the associated image for that color. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the images from each screen align properly so that the associated colors align properly. This is typically done by ensuring that the screen is properly aligned in a frame and aligning the frame, such as a roller frame, to a platform, such as a pallet, which receives the article that is to receive the image.




One conventional method is to remove the pallet from the screen printing machine and install a fixture that has a series of pins. These pins are used to align the screen printing roller frame and screen in the machine. The screen printing roller frame is mounted on a flat bar having a hole and a slot in which to receive the pins, therein aligning the frame on the pallet. With the screen aligned, a frame holder having a U-shaped channel is secured to the screen printing roller frame, typically by lowering a bracket into engagement with the frame. With the frame secured in the frame holder, the frame and the pallet are moved relative to each other to separate them by either lowering the pallet or raising the frame with the frame holder. Depending on the type of machine either the pallet or the frame holders are rotated and another screen is inserted on the fixture and aligned with a second frame holder. After alignment of all the screens with the frame holder, the printer removes the fixture from the machine and reinstalls the pallet used for printing.




One of the shortcomings, in addition to the time required to remove the pallet and install the fixture, is that the installation and removal of the pallet and the fixture results in wear to those parts used to secure the fixture or pallet to a pallet arm. In addition, the printer must have a location to store the fixture when not being used to align the screen printing roller frame.




It is desired to have a registration system that would allow for quick registration of a screen printing roller frame and screen and in addition allow the registration means to retract without removal from the machine.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to a retractable registration apparatus mounted on a printing machine for aligning a screen printing frame with an image platform. The apparatus has a pair of registration mechanism, such as pins, for coupling with the screen printing frame and a registration appendage which carries the registration mechanism. The registration appendage is rotatably mounted to the printing machine for allowing rotation of the registration appendage from a registration position to a retracted position. A locking mechanism, such as a detent, retains the appendage with the registration mechanism in the exact registration position.




In a preferred embodiment, the retractable registration apparatus has a pair of registration appendages, each appendages has an arm and a finger extending from the arm. Each arm has at least two sections with a substantially square cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the arm and at least two other sections along the longitudinal axis, having a circular cross-section inscribed within the square cross-section. A pair of mounting brackets are associated with each of the arms. The mounting brackets each have a substantially square opening extending through the bracket for slideably receiving the substantially square cross-section of the arm. The substantially square openings each have a pair of side walls. The pair of mounting brackets are mounted to the lower surface of the image platform so that one of the side walls of each of the brackets are aligned in the same plane and are parallel to the center line. Each arm has a track formed within the arm, and one of the mounting brackets associated with the arm has a guide pin projecting into the arm for guiding the movement of the arm. The track has portions with a longitudinal component for movement of the arm in a translational movement and has portions having a radial component for rotation of the arm about the longitudinal axis. Each finger extending from the arm has at least one registration pin for registration with the screen frame. The apparatus has a means for retaining the arms and the registration pins in the retracted position, and means for retaining in the exact registration position, the arms and the registration pins for aligning the screen frame.




In other preferred embodiments, the retractable registration apparatus has a pair of registration appendages. Each appendage has an arm and a finger portion extending from the arm. The finger portion has at least one registration mechanism, such as pin, for coupling with the screen printing frame The arm is pivotably mounted to a plate. The plate is mounted to a lower mounting surface of the image platform, pallet. The arm in one preferred embodiment rotates horizontally from the retracted position to the registration position and the finger rotates relative to the arm. The arm in another preferred embodiment rotates vertically from the retracted position to the registration position and the finger is part of the arm and does not rotate relative to the rest of the arm.




In another preferred embodiment, the retractable registration apparatus has a registration appendage. The registration appendage has an arm and a transverse bar. The transverse bar is secured to the arm and carries a pair of registration mechanisms, such as a pair of registration pins for engaging the printing screen frame. The arm is pivotable mounted to the pallet arm for rotation between the registration position and the retracted position. The arm has a pair of parallel bars. A stop is located between the bars of the arm for positioning the arm and at least one detent mechanism for engaging a bracket carried by the image platform.




One object, feature and advantage of the present invention is that the image platform, such as a pallet, does not have to be removed from the machine in order to install a fixture to align the screen printing roller frame, therein reducing the added wear on the mechanism retaining the pallet to the machine.




Another object, feature and advantage of the present invention in several embodiments resides in the fingers in the retracted position under the pallet do not interfere with the insertion of an article such as a shirt onto the image platform for printing.











Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art as the nature of the invention is better understood from the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptions.




BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.





FIG. 1

is a side elevational view of a screen printing machine having an image platform, such as a pallet, of the present invention, and a screen printing frame attached to a frame holder;





FIG. 2

is a bottom isometric view of the pallet having a pallet arm located in the bracket and the registration appendages in a registered position;





FIG. 3

is a bottom isometric view of a portion of the pallet with the registration appendages shown in a retracted position;





FIG. 4

is a bottom plan view of the pallet with the registration appendages in the registered position. The registration appendages are shown in phantom in the retracted position;





FIG. 5

is a front elevational view of the pallet with the registration appendages in the registered position and pins engaging the frame;





FIG. 6

is an enlarged broken out front elevation view of the finger and arm in the retracted position;





FIG. 7

is a sectional view of the arm taken along


7





7


in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 8

is a sectional view of the arm taken along line


8





8


in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 9

is a sectional view of the arm and a front mounting bracket taken along line


9





9


in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 10

is a sectional view of the arm and a rear mounting bracket taken along line


10





10


in

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 11

is a bottom plan view of the pallet with the registration appendages in the registered position showing an alternative track;





FIG. 12

is a bottom plan view of the pallet with the registration appendages showing an alternative finger in the registration position. The finger is shown in phantom in the retracted position;





FIG. 13

is an enlarged broken out front elevational view of the finger and arm in the registration position of an alternative of the first embodiment shown in FIG.


12


. The finger is shown in phantom in the retracted position;





FIG. 14

is a broken out bottom plan view of the pallet with the registration appendages showing an alternative finger in the registration position. The finger is shown in phantom in the retracted position;





FIG. 15

is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the arm and mounting bracket;





FIG. 16

is a side elevation view of a screen printing machine having an image platform, such as a pallet, with an alternative embodiment of the retractable registration apparatus of the present invention and a screen printing frame attached to a frame holder;





FIG. 17

is a isometric view of the pallet having a pair of registration appendages in a registered position;





FIG. 18

is a bottom isometric view of the pallet with the registration appendages shown in a retracted position;





FIG. 19

is a bottom plan view of the pallet with the registration apparatus in the registration position. The registration appendages are shown in phantom in the retracted position;





FIG. 20

is a sectional view of the pallet and registration appendages taken along the line


20





20


in

FIG. 19

;





FIG. 21

is a sectional view of the mounting bracket taken along the line


21





21


in

FIG. 20

;





FIG. 22

is a sectional view of the registration appendage taken along the line


22





22


in

FIG. 20

;





FIG. 23

is a sectional view of the appendage arm/finger interface taken along the line


23





23


of

FIG. 22

;





FIG. 24

is a bottom isometric view of the pallet with an alternate embodiment of the retractable registration apparatus with the registration appendages in a registration position. The registration appendages are shown in phantom in the retracted positions;





FIG. 25

is a bottom plan view of the pallet with the registrations appendages in the registered position. The registration appendages are shown in phantom in the retracted position;





FIG. 26

is a sectional view of the pallet and registration appendages taken along the line


26





26


in

FIG. 24

;





FIG. 27

is a sectional view of the pallet and registration appendages as taken along the line


27





27


in

FIGS. 26 and 25

;





FIG. 28

is a side elevation and view of a screen printing machine having a pallet with an alternative embodiment of the retractable registration apparatus of the invention;





FIG. 29

is a bottom isometric view of the pallet having the registration appendages in a registration position. The registration appendages shown in a phantom in the retracted position;





FIG. 30

is a bottom plan view of the pallet with the registration appendages shown in the registered position;





FIG. 31

shows the interface between the pallet arm and the pallet.





FIG. 32

is a sectional view of the pivot point of the registration appendage taken along the line


32





32


in

FIG. 30

;





FIG. 33

is a sectional view of the pallet arm/pallet interface taken along the line


33





33


in

FIG. 30

;





FIG. 34

is a sectional view of the locking mechanism of the registration appendage taken along the line


34





34


in

FIG. 30

;





FIG. 35

is a sectional view of the stop block engaging the u-shaped bracket taken along the line


35





35


in

FIG. 30

;





FIG. 36

is a bottom isometric view of the pallet with an alternate embodiment of the retractable registration apparatus in a registration position;





FIG. 37

is a bottom isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the retractable registration apparatus of

FIG. 36

in a retracted position;





FIG. 38

is a sectional view of the registration appendage taken along the line


38





38


in

FIG. 36

;





FIG. 39

is a sectional view of the arm/appendage housing interface along the line


39





39


of

FIG. 38

;





FIG. 40

is a side elevation view of a screen printing machine having an image platform, such as a pallet, with an additional alternative embodiment of the retractable registration apparatus of the present invention and a screen printing frame attached to a screen holder;





FIG. 41

is a partial isometric view of the embodiment shown in

FIG. 40

;





FIG. 42

is a cross-sectional view taken along the line


42





42


in

FIG. 41

;





FIG. 43

is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in

FIG. 40

;





FIG. 44

is an exploded isometric view of the registration apparatus of the embodiment shown in

FIG. 40

;





FIG. 45

is a partial isometric view of a screen printing machine having a plurality of rotatable image platforms with an alternative embodiment of the retractable registration apparatus of the present invention;





FIG. 46

is an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in

FIG. 45

;





FIG. 47

is a schematic side elevational view of a pallet having the registration apparatus of the embodiment shown in

FIG. 45

in the drying station.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Referring to the drawings in detail, where like numerals indicate like elements, there is illustrated a device in accordance with the present invention designated generally as


10


.




Referring to

FIG. 1

, a printing machine


12


has an image platform


14


, such as a pallet, for receiving an article


16


to print on, such as a shirt or poster. The portion of the article to be printed on, lies on top of an upper printing surface


18


of the pallet


14


. The printing machine


12


has a stationary bar


20


and a movable bar


22


. At the end of the movable bar


22


is a frame holder


24


having a U-shaped channel


26


. The U-shaped channel


26


of the frame holder


24


receives a screen printing frame, such as a roller frame


28


, having a screen mesh


30


which contains an image to be transferred to the shirt


16


.




The pallet


14


is linked to the frame holder


24


by a pallet arm


32


extending from a central portion


34


of the printing machine


12


to the pallet


14


. The printing machine


12


has a mechanism for separating the frame holder


24


from the pallet


14


, and in this embodiment the pivotal movement of the movable bar


22


relative to the stationary bar


20


raises the frame holder


24


, with screen printing roller frame


28


, away from the pallet


14


. In addition, the central portion


34


of the printing machine


12


allows rotation of the pallet


14


and pallet arm


32


relative to the frame holder


24


to move another pallet


14


, not shown, underneath the same screen printing roller frame


28


therein moving the pallet


14


to another station that may have another screen printing frame.




Referring to

FIGS. 1-3

, the pallet


14


is mounted to the pallet arm


32


by a U-shaped bracket


40


. The U-shaped bracket


40


is mounted to a lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


along the center line or plane “A” of the pallet


14


. The U-shaped bracket


40


has a threaded screw


44


, as seen in

FIG. 1

, with a knurled knob


46


for engaging the pallet arm


32


to secure the pallet


14


in position on the pallet arm


32


. The end, not shown, of the threaded screw


44


, frictionally engages the pallet arm


32


to hold the pallet


14


relative to the pallet arm


32


and the frame holder


24


. In addition, the U-shaped bracket


40


has a second threaded shaft, not shown, with a knurled knob


50


engaging the side of the pallet arm


32


to secure the pallet


14


in position.




The U-shaped bracket


40


, in addition, has an angled bracket


52


located in front of knurled knob


46


to ease the placement of article


16


, such as a shirt, as seen in

FIG. 1

, around the pallet


14


to allow printing on the upper printing surface


18


. The pallet arm


32


has an angled front, also for ease in placement of the shirt


16


around the pallet


14


.




Mounted on the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


is the retractable registration apparatus


10


. The retractable registration apparatus


10


has a pair of registration appendages


56


. Each registration appendage


56


has an arm


58


which extends along a longitudinal axis


60


. Projecting from the arm


58


, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis


60


, is a finger


62


having a plurality of pins


64


.




The retractable registration apparatus


10


is shown in a registration position in

FIG. 2

for aligning the screen printing roller frame


28


in the printing machine


12


. The screen printing roller frame


28


has corner members


66


having a hole or slot


67


, as best seen in FIG.


5


. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,377,422 and 08/347,757 disclose a screen printing roller frame having an adapter or corner member having a hole and a slot and is herein incorporated by reference. The outer pins


64


on each finger


62


, in this particular embodiment, are received by a hole or slot in the corner member


66


to align the screen printing roller frame


28


so that it may be secured in the U-shaped channel


26


of the frame holder


24


.




Referring to

FIG. 3

, the retractable registration apparatus


10


is shown in a retracted position allowing printing. In the retracted position, the pallet


14


can be used for printing without interference from the registration apparatus


10


. Each of the arms


58


is mounted to the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


by a pair of mounting brackets


68


and


70


. In that the registration appendages


56


are mirror images of each other, only one of the appendages


56


will be described.




Referring to

FIG. 4

, the arm


58


has four sections that each have a square cross-section. The square cross-sections each have four edges


74


which are rounded, as seen in

FIGS. 7-10

. The four sections are a rear alignment section


76


, a front alignment section


78


, a sliding section


80


and a mounting section or portion


82


. Between the rectangular cross-sections, the arm


58


has circular cross-sections which inscribe the square cross-sections. The circular cross-sections are a detent section


84


, a second rotation section


86


and a first rotation section


88


.




Referring to

FIGS. 4 and 5

, the mounting brackets


68


and


70


have a square opening, or bushing having an opening


90


, for slideably receiving the square cross-sections


76


,


78


and


80


of the arm


58


. The mounting brackets


68


and


70


are mounted to the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


such that side walls


91


of each of the mounting brackets


68


and


70


are aligned in the same plane and parallel to the center line “A” of the pallet


14


. In addition, the mounting brackets


68


and


70


each have a tapered outer wall


92


to ease the insertion of a shirt


16


on the pallet


14


, as described below.




The front mounting bracket


68


has a tracking pin


94


to be received in a track


96


cut into the arm


58


. The track


96


has longitudinal extending portions


98


for allowing translational movement of the registration appendage


56


, including the arm


58


and the finger


62


. In addition, the track


96


has portions


100


having a radial component for allowing rotation of the arm


58


and the finger


62


about the longitudinal axis


60


.




Referring to

FIG. 4

, the back mounting bracket


70


has a detent mechanism, such as a detent


102


or a pull out plunger. The detent


102


aligns with a detent bushing


104


, shown in hidden line, located on one of the sides of the square cross-section rear alignment section


76


of the arm


58


to retain the registration appendages


56


with the finger


62


in the registration position.




Referring to

FIG. 10

, the detent


102


engages a dimple


106


on the detent section


84


, a circle cross-section of the arm


58


, to retain the registration appendages


56


, including the finger


62


in the retracted position. The corners of the square opening


90


of the mounting brackets


68


and


70


are relieved by a ¾ circle cutout which allows the square cross-sections of the arm


58


to slide easily against the walls of the square opening


90


including the side walls


91


. In addition, the square cross-section portions of the arm


58


have their edges broken or rounded to ease in the sliding of the arm


58


and reduce cost in manufacturing.




Referring to

FIG. 6

, the finger


62


has a leg segment


110


that is secured to the square cross-section mounting portion


82


of the arm


58


and a second leg segment


112


that projects perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis


60


of the arm


58


. The second leg section


112


has an upper surface


114


which is parallel to one of the sides of the square cross-section of the mounting portion


82


and spaced vertically therefrom.




When the registration appendage


56


is in the registration position as shown in

FIG. 5

, the upper surface


114


of the second leg


112


of the finger


62


can project above the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


as shown in phantom. Projecting from the upper surface


114


of the second leg segment


112


is the pair of registration pins


64


. The preferred pins


64


are spring pins in which the pins can recede if they engage a hard surface, such as the screen printing roller frame


28


.




In operation




Referring to

FIG. 3

, when a screen printing roller frame


28


is to be aligned and secured to the frame holder


24


to set up for a printing operation, a printer grasps the fingers


62


located below the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


and pulls the registration appendages


56


towards him or herself. The tracking pin


94


of each registration appendage


56


follows the longitudinal portion


98


of the track


96


, as shown in FIG.


7


.




When the tracking pin


94


reaches the radial portion


100


of the track


96


in the first rotation section


88


, referring to

FIGS. 4 and 2

, the printer rotates the finger


62


105°. After the rotation, the second leg segment


112


of the finger


62


is projecting downward and the square cross-sections of the arm


58


are aligned with the side walls


91


of the square opening


90


of the mounting brackets


68


and


70


. The mounting brackets


60


and


70


each have reliefs at the corners of the square openings


90


to ease movement, as seen in

FIGS. 9 and 10

.




Referring to

FIG. 3

wherein the second leg segment


112


is shown in phantom projecting downward, and

FIGS. 4 and 8

, after the rotation of the arm


58


about the longitudinal axis


60


, the sliding section cross-section


80


slides through the front mounting bracket


68


and the front alignment section


78


slides through the rear mounting bracket


70


moving the registration appendage


56


including arm


58


and finger


62


outward toward the printer. The tracking pin


94


reaches a second portion having a radial component


100


, located in the second rotation section


86


. The printer rotates the finger


62


about the longitudinal axis


60


, such that the second leg segment


112


is parallel with the upper printing surface


18


of the pallet


14


as shown in

FIGS. 2

,


5


and


1


.




Referring to

FIGS. 2 and 5

, upon the completion of this rotation, the tracking pin


94


reaches a portion of the track


96


that has strictly a longitudinal component


98


. The arm


58


and finger


62


are pulled further outward until the registration appendages


56


reach the registration position. In the registration position, the detent


102


in the rear mounting bracket


70


engages the detent bushing


104


in the rear alignment section


76


therein securing the plurality of pins


64


in the proper position for alignment of the screen printing roller frame


28


.




Referring to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, with the registration appendage


56


in proper registration position, the screen printing roller frame


28


is placed on the upper printing surface


18


of the pallet


14


, with the pins


64


received by holes or slots


67


in the screen printing roller frame


28


by moving a flat bar from a substrate loading position to a printing position. With the screen printing roller frame


28


aligned, the frame holder


24


secures the roller frame


28


. The movable bar


22


is raised upward lifting the screen printing roller frame


28


away from the pallet


14


and the pins


64


.




The printing machine


12


is rotated such that a different frame holder


24


is located above the pallet


14


having the pin


64


. The movable bar


22


associated with this different frame holder


24


is lowered down on the pallet


14


. A second screen printing roller frame


28


is installed with the screen printing roller frame


28


located in the frame holder


24


. The screen printing roller frame


28


is placed with the pins


64


of the registration appendages


56


received by holes or slots


67


in the screen printing roller frame


28


. The process is repeated until all of the screen printing roller frame


28


are aligned and secured in the frame holder


24


.




After all the screen printing roller frames


28


are aligned, the printer pushes the fingers


62


of the registration appendage


56


inward with the tracking pin


94


guided in the longitudinal portion


98


of the track


96


in the first alignment section


78


and second rotation section


86


. When the tracking pin


94


reaches the radial component


100


of the track


96


in the second rotation section


86


, the printer rotates the registration appendage


56


including the arm


58


90°.




The printer continues to push the fingers


62


inward with the tracking pin


94


following the longitudinal portion


98


of the track


96


in the second rotation section


86


, the square cross-section sliding section


80


and the first rotation section


88


. With the tracking pin


94


at the other radial component


100


of the track


96


in the first rotation section


88


, the registration appendage


56


is rotated 105° until the finger


62


is in the retracted position


62


as shown in FIG.


6


.




The printer continues to slide the registration appendage


56


inward until the arm


58


is retained in the retracted position


62


by the detent


102


being received by the dimple


106


, as shown in FIG.


10


. The registration appendage


56


is shown in the retracted position in FIG.


3


and in phantom in FIG.


4


. In order to ease the finding of both the detent bushing


104


and the dimple


106


by the detent


102


, the track


96


is cut in the arm


58


such that the ends of the track


96


extend beyond where the detent


102


would be located in the retracted position and the registered position by just hundredths of inches.




The printer then slides the article such as a shirt


16


onto the pallet


14


with the taper outer walls


92


of the mounting brackets


68


and


70


and in addition the angle bracket


52


of the U-shaped bracket


40


creating surfaces that will minimize the likelihood that the shirt


16


will get caught upon installation. The fingers


62


and the pins


64


of the registration appendages


56


are located between the arm


58


and the pillar arm


32


so as not to interfere with the sliding of the shirt onto the pallet


14


.




The printer lowers the frame holder


24


containing the screen printing roller frame


28


and passes a squeegee across the screen mesh


30


to place an image on the shirt


16


. The screen printing roller frame


28


and frame holder


24


are separated from the pallet


14


and the printing machine


12


is rotated such that another screen printing roller frame


28


containing a different image on screen mesh


30


is located above the pallet


14


containing the shirt


16


and the printing process continues.




Alternatives to the First Embodiments




Referring to

FIG. 11

, the radial component


100


of the track


96


has a longitudinal component


98


. With the radial component


100


having the longitudinal component


98


, the arm


58


of the registration appendage


56


will slide more smoothly between the retracted position and the registration position. The track


96


will guide the printers movement of the registration appendage


56


.




In addition, the pallet


14


has a depression


120


cut into the lower mounting surface


42


. The depression


120


allows the finger


62


to be rotated further, therein decreasing the likelihood that the pins


64


which project from the finger


62


will inadvertently catch on the shirt


16


being slid onto the pallet


14


to be printed on.




Referring to

FIGS. 12 and 13

, the finger


62


is pivotably mounted to the mounting section


82


of the arm


58


. The mounting section


82


has an extension


122


. The extension


122


has a bore


124


for receiving a pivot


126


. The finger


62


has a hinge arm


128


that is connected to the pivot


126


. The finger


62


rotates between an extended registration position and a rotated retracted position shown in phantom in

FIGS. 12 and 13

. The extension


122


has a detent plunger


130


for engaging detent dimples, not shown, on the pivot for retaining the finger


62


in its two positions. This embodiment allows the pins


64


to extend further outward without the finger


62


interfering with the pallet arm


32


when in the retracted position. A different type tracking pin


94


is shown in

FIG. 12

which does not extend as far outward towards the pallet arm and therefore does not interfere with the rotated finger


62


.




It is also realized that the finger


62


could be attached to the arm


58


such that the finger


62


can rotate relative to the arm


58


, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis


60


of the arm


58


by having a cylindrical shaft


132


, as shown in hidden line in

FIG. 14

, extending through the mounting section


82


of the arm


58


. A detent mechanism


134


would hold the finger


62


in an extended position or a retracted position. For example, the finger


62


could be rotated 90° so that the pins are perpendicular to the printing surface therein not interfering with the installation of a shirt


16


for printing as shown in phantom in FIG.


14


.




It is also recognized that the finger


62


could have a telescoping arrangement. The telescoping arrangement would allow the pins to be extended further outward in the registration position, but not interfere with the pallet arm


32


in the retracted position.




While each arm


58


is shown with a track


96


, and separate detent bushing


104


and dimple


106


, the track


96


could have locations in where the track is cut deeper than the rest of the track. These two locations therein forming each a detent and the tracking pin


94


could act as both the tracking pin and the detent.




It is recognized that while the registration appendage


56


has been shown having both square cross-sections and circular cross-sections, the arm could be a uniform circular cross-section


140


as shown in FIG.


15


. With the uniform circular cross-section


140


, the tracking pin


94


guides the movement of the arm


58


as in the previous embodiment. A detent


142


extends into a hole


143


in the circular cross-section


140


to hold the registration appendage


56


in the registration position. Since the square cross-section of the arm


58


in the square opening


90


of the previous embodiment assisted in the prevention of rotation of the arm


58


and such assistance is not available in this embodiment, the hole


143


and the detent


142


is larger to maintain the arm


58


in the registration position. The rear mounting bracket


70


has a brass sintered bushing


144


through which the arm


58


with the uniform circular cross-section


140


slides.




It is recognized that while a tracking pin received in a track to guide the movement of the arm


58


, it may be desirable for ease in manufacturing to eliminate the track. If a printer knows the general positions of the retracted position and the registration position, all that would be required in the arm would be the pair of holes which receive detent


142


to align the registration bracket.




Alternative Embodiments




Referring to

FIG. 16

, an alternative embodiment


150


of the retractable registration apparatus is shown. As of filing, this is the preferred embodiment for an automatic printing machine. Similar to

FIG. 1

, the printing machine


12


has the pallet


14


for receiving an article


16


to print on, such as a shirt or poster. The portion of the article to be printed on, lies on top of the upper printing surface


18


of the pallet


14


. The U-shaped channel


26


of the frame holder


24


, which is at the end of the movable bar


22


, receives the screen printing frame


28


. The screen printing frame


28


has the screen mesh


30


which contains an image to be transferred to the shirt


16


.




Still referring to

FIG. 16

, the pallet


14


is linked to the frame holder


24


by the pallet arm


32


extending from the central portion


34


of the printing machine


12


to the pallet


14


. The printing machine


12


has a mechanism for separating the frame holder


24


from the pallet


14


, and in this embodiment of the machine, the pivotal movement of the movable bar


22


relative to the stationary bar


20


raises the frame holder


24


, with screen printing frame


28


, away from the pallet


14


. In addition, the central portion


34


of the printing machine


12


allows rotation of the pallet


14


and pallet arm


32


relative to the frame holder


24


to move another pallet


14


, not shown, underneath the same screen printing roller frame


28


therein moving the pallet


14


to another station that may have another screen printing roller frame. The movement of the screen printing frame


28


to the pallet


14


is not critical to the invention. A co-pending U.S. patent application titled “IMPROVED FRONT HEAD FOR CAROUSEL SCREEN PRINTING MACHINE” filed on Oct. 25, 1995, describes other style printing machines and is incorporated by reference.




Referring to

FIG. 17

, the pallet


14


is mounted to the pallet arm


32


, similarly to the first embodiment, by the U-shaped bracket


40


mounted to the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


along the center line or plane “A” of the pallet


14


. The U-shaped bracket


40


has the threaded screw


44


, as seen in

FIG. 16

, with the knurled knob


46


for engaging the pallet arm


32


to secure the pallet


14


in position on the pallet arm


32


. In addition, the U-shaped bracket


40


has the second threaded shaft, not shown, with a knurled knob


50


engaging the side of the pallet arm


32


to secure the pallet


14


in position.




The angled bracket


52


located in front of knurled knob


46


allows the placement of article


16


, such as a shirt, with ease as seen in

FIG. 16

, around the pallet


14


to allow printing on the upper printing surface


18


. The pallet arm


32


has an angled front, also for ease in placement of the shirt


16


around the pallet


14


.




Mounted on the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


is the retractable registration apparatus


150


. The retractable registration apparatus


150


has a pair of registration appendages


152


. Each registration appendage


152


is pivotably mounted to a plate


154


. Each plate


154


is secured to the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


. Each registration appendage


152


has an arm


158


and a finger


160


. The arm


158


is pivotable mounted at a first end


162


to the pallet


14


and receives the finger


160


at a second end


164


. The arm


158


defines a longitudinal axis


166


extending between the two ends


162


and


164


. The finger


160


has a plurality of pins


168


.




The retractable registration apparatus


150


is shown in a registration position in

FIG. 17

for aligning the screen printing frame


28


in the printing machine


12


. The finger


160


is in a pin registration position. The screen printing frame


28


has corner members


66


having a hole or slot


67


, as best seen in

FIG. 5

with respect to the first embodiment. The outer pins


68


on each finger


160


, in this particular embodiment, are received by a hole or slot in the corner member


66


to align the screen printing frame


28


so that it may be secured in the U-shaped channel


26


of the frame holder


24


.




Referring to

FIG. 18

, the retractable registration apparatus


150


is shown in a retracted position therein, allowing for printing. In that the registration appendages


152


are mirror images of each other, only one appendage


152


will be described in detail. In the retracted position, the pallet


14


can be used for printing without interference from the retractable registration apparatus


150


. Each of the arms


158


is pivotably mounted at the first end


162


to the plate


154


by a thrust bearing


170


. The arm


158


has an inner side surface


172


and outer side surface


174


; the names are related to when the arm


158


is in the registration position. The finger


160


is shown rotated to a pin retracted position relative to the arm


158


.




The retractable registration apparatus


150


has a locking means, such as a detent mechanism


176


, to hold the arm


158


in the registration position. The detent mechanism


176


has a registration position stop


178


mounted to the plate


154


and a registration positioner


180


mounted to the inner side surface


172


of the arm


158


. The registration positioner


180


is secured to the arm


158


by a plurality of fasteners


182


and has a protrusion


184


. The registration position stop


178


has a pair of plates


186


with an interposed bar


188


having a channel


190


adapted to receive the protrusion


184


from the registration positioner


180


. A pin projecting from the positioner or the stop which is received by an opening on the other, or another alignment mechanism can replace the protrusion and channel to support the arm


158


vertically. The registration position stop


178


is positioned on the plate


154


for proper alignment of the pins


168


when the arm


158


is in the registration position.




As best seen in

FIGS. 19 and 20

, the retractable registration apparatus has a second locking means, such as a detent


192


, to hold the arm


158


in the retracted position. The detent


192


has a retracted position stop


194


mounted to the plate


154


and a retracted positioner


196


mounted to the outer side surface


174


of the arm


158


. The retracted positioner


196


is secured to the arm by a pair of fasteners (not shown). The retracted positioner


196


is flat plate


200


and has no protrusion. The retracted position stop


194


has a holder


202


which contains a latch mechanism such as a magnet


204


.




In a preferred embodiment, the arm


158


is aluminum and the positioners


180


and


196


are of a ferrous material. The interposed bar


188


of the registration position stop


178


is a magnet. In a preferred embodiment, the force exerted by the magnet is fifty (50) pounds. The force exerted by the magnet


204


of the retracted position stop


194


is ten (10) pounds.




Referring to

FIG. 19

, the retractable registration apparatus


150


is shown in the registration position. The retractable registration apparatus


150


is shown in phantom in the retracted position. Each of the plates


154


are mounted to the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


such that an inner edge


206


is parallel to and spaced equally from the center line “A” of the pallet


14


. In a preferred embodiment, the plates


154


are glued and secured by fasteners


208


to the pallet


14


after being positioned by a jig, not shown.




The arm


158


of the retractable registration apparatus


150


is mounted to the plate


154


by the thrust bearing


170


. The thrust bearing


170


ensures that the arm


158


does not move vertically out of the plane, particularly the second end


164


which is cantilevered. The arm


158


is held in the registration position by the protrusion


184


of the registration positioner


180


located in the channel


190


of the registration position stop


178


. The finger


160


is rotated to the pin registration position such that the pins


168


can couple with the openings


67


in the screen printing frame


28


, as seen in FIG.


17


.




The arm


158


is held in the retracted position, as shown in phantom, by the retracted positioner


180


engaging the registration position stop


178


. The finger


160


is shown in phantom rotated to the pin retracted position such that is no interference between the pins


68


and the pallet


14


.





FIG. 20

shows a sectional view taken along line


20





20


of FIG.


19


. The thrust bearing


170


is mounted to the plate


154


and positions the arm


158


in spaced relation from the plate


154


such that the arm


158


is pivotable about the first end


162


. The retracted positioner


196


has a magnet, not shown, for retaining the arm


158


when in the retracted position. The registration position stop


194


receives the protrusion


184


from the registration positioner


180


, not shown in this Figure, for retaining the arm


158


in the registration position as shown. The finger


160


is shown in the pin registration position relative to the arm


158


.




Referring to

FIG. 21

, the arm


158


is shown spaced from the pallet


14


by the thrust bearing


170


to allow for movement of the arm


158


. The thrust bearing


170


has a nut


212


to secure the arm


158


. The detent


176


has the registration position stop


178


mounted to the plate


154


and the registration positioner


180


mounted to the inner side surface


172


of the arm


158


for positioning the arm


158


in the registration position. The channel


190


of the registration position stop


178


is adapted to receive the protrusion


184


of the registration positioner


180


, therein locating the arm


158


and assisting supporting the weight of the arm


158


and finger


160


. The plates


186


which are located on either side of the magnetic bar


188


having the channel


190


are shown.




While the magnetic bar


188


is shown rigidly attached to the plate


154


, it is recognized that the magnetic bar


188


could be mounted to the plates


186


such that it could float into the proper position. In addition, the registration position stop


178


could be mounted to the plate


154


such that the registration position stop


178


location could be varied to vary the registration position. One such way to vary the position is to have one end of the registration position stop


194


mounted and the other end positioned use a detent mechanism.




Referring to

FIG. 22

, the finger


160


is secured to the arm


158


by a bolt


214


. The bolt


214


has a head


216


which is received by a bore


218


located in the finger


160


. The shaft


220


of the bolt


214


extends through a hole


222


in the finger


160


from the bore and is received by the arm


158


. A spring


224


located in the bore


218


between the head


216


of the bolt


214


and the floor


226


of the bore


218


, biases the finger


160


into engagement with the arm


158


. Referring to

FIGS. 22 and 23

, the arm


158


has a plurality of dowels


228


received by a plurality of holes


230


in the finger


160


for aligning the finger


160


in the pin registration position and the pin retracted position. In a preferred embodiment, the dowels


228


and the finger


160


are machined steel and the arm


158


is aluminum.




In operation




Referring to

FIG. 18

, when a screen printing frame


28


is to be aligned and secured to the frame holder


24


to set up for a printing operation, a printer grasps the arms


158


located below the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


and rotates the registration appendages


152


about the thrust bearing


170


towards her or himself and away from the pallet arm


32


and then towards the pallet arm


32


. The arms


158


are rotated until the protrusion


184


of the registration positioner


180


is located in the channel


190


of the registration positioner stop


178


. The magnetic force ensures the proper position.




The fingers


160


are pulled away from the arms


158


against the biased of the spring


224


and rotated from the pin retracted position to the pin registration position. The dowels


228


projecting from the arms are located in the holes


230


in the fingers


160


to ensure alignment.




Referring to

FIGS. 16 and 17

, with the registration appendages


152


in proper position, the screen printing frame


28


is placed on the upper printing surface


18


of the pallet


14


, with the pins


168


received by holes or slots


67


in the screen printing frame


28


by moving a flat bar from a substrate loading position to a printing position. With the screen printing frame


28


aligned, the frame holder


24


secures the screen printing frame


28


. The movable bar


22


is raised upward lifting the screen printing frame


28


away from the pallet


14


and the pins


168


. Other screen printing frames


28


are position in the printing machine


12


as described above with respect to the first embodiment. The process is repeated until all of the screen printing frame


28


are aligned and secured in the frame holder


24


.




After all the screen printing frames


28


are aligned, the printer pulls the fingers


160


relative to the arms


158


against the biased of the spring


224


. The fingers


160


are rotated from the pin registration position to the pin retracted position, such that the pins


168


project horizontally outward away from the pallet


14


. The dowels


228


projecting from the arms are located in the holes


230


in the fingers


160


to ensure alignment.




The printer then grabs the arms


158


and rotates the registration appendages


152


about the thrust bearing


170


overcoming the magnetic force. The printer first rotates the arms


158


away from her or himself and away from the pallet arm


32


and then towards the pallet arm


32


. The arms


158


are rotated until the retracted positioner


196


engages the retracted positioner stop


194


. The magnetic force ensures proper position. The pins '


68


project horizontally inward towards the pallet arm


32


.




The printer is then able to slide the article such as a shirt


16


onto the pallet


14


. With the pins


168


projecting inward and in addition the angle bracket


52


of the U-shaped bracket


40


creating surfaces that will minimize the likelihood that the shirt


16


will get caught upon installation.




Alternative Embodiment





FIGS. 24-27

an alternative embodiment


240


of the retractable registration apparatus is shown. Referring to

FIG. 24

, the pallet


14


is mounted to the pallet arm


32


by the U-shaped bracket


40


similar to the previous embodiments.




Mounted on the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


is the retractable registration apparatus


240


. The retractable registration apparatus


240


has a pair of registration appendages


242


. Each registration appendage


242


is pivotably mounted to a plate


244


. Each plate


244


is secured to the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


. It is recognized that a single plate


244


′, as shown in hidden line, could be formed that receives both registration appendages


242


and does not interfere with the pallet arm


32


.




Each registration appendage


242


has an arm


248


that is pivotable mounted at a first end


250


to the pallet


14


. Unlike the previous embodiment, the registration appendage


242


does not have a finger that is rotatable relative to the arm


248


. The registration appendage


242


has a pin


252


projecting from the arm


248


at the end opposite the pivot, a second end


254


. The arm


248


defines a longitudinal axis


256


extending between the two ends


250


and


254


.




The retractable registration apparatus


240


is shown in a registration position for aligning the screen printing frame


28


in the printing machine


12


. The pin


252


on each arm


248


is received by a hole or slot in the corner member


66


to align the screen printing frame


28


so that it may be secured in the U-shaped channel


26


of the frame holder


24


, not shown in this figure. The retractable registration apparatus


240


is shown in phantom in a retracted position allowing printing.




In that the registration appendages


242


are mirror images of each other, only one appendage


242


will be described in detail. In the retracted position, the pallet


14


can be used for printing without interference from the registration apparatus


240


. Each of the arms


248


is pivotably mounted at the first end


250


to the plate


244


by a thrust bearing


258


. The arm


248


has an inner side surface


260


and outer side surface


262


; the names are related to when the arm


248


is in the registration position.




The retractable registration apparatus


24


has a locking means, such as an over-center spring


264


to hold the arm


248


in the registration position. The over-center spring


264


has a registration position stop


266


mounted to the plate


144


and a tension spring


268


. Referring to

FIG. 25

, the tension spring


268


extends from a pin


270


on the arm


248


to a post


272


depending from the plate


244


. The post


272


is located inboard of the arm


248


and the registration position stop


266


. The tension spring


268


of the over-center spring


264


holds the inner side surface


260


in engagement with a registration surface


274


of the registration position stop


266


to hold the arm


248


in the registration position.




The over-center spring


264


of the retractable registration apparatus


240


also acts as a second locking means to hold the arm


248


in the retracted position. The tension spring


268


of the over-center spring


264


holds the inner side surface


260


in engagement with a retracted surface


276


of the registration position stop


266


to hold the arm


248


in the retracted position. The surface of the inner side surface


260


which engages the retracted surface


276


is located on the other side of the thrust bearing


258


than the surface of the inner surface


260


which engages the registration surface


274


. The registration surface


274


and the retracted surface


276


intersect at an intersection edge


278


. The post


272


which receives one end of the tension spring


268


is located along a line “B” which extends perpendicular from the center line “A” of the pallet


14


and through the intersection edge


278


of the registration surface


274


and the retracted surface


276


.




Referring to

FIG. 26

, a sectional view taken along line


26





26


of

FIG. 24

, the thrust bearing


258


is mounted to the plate


244


which positions the arm


248


in spaced relation from the plate


244


such that the arm


248


is pivotable about the first end


250


. The arm


248


engages the registration surface


274


, not seen in this figure, of the registration position bar


266


to hold the registration appendage


242


in the registration position.




Referring to

FIG. 27

, the arm


248


is shown spaced from the pallet


14


by the thrust bearing


258


to allow for movement of the arm


248


. The thrust bearing


258


has a nut


280


to secure the arm


248


. The over-center spring


264


has the registration position stop


266


mounted to the plate


244


. The tension spring


268


extends between the pin


270


on the arm


248


and the post


272


depending from the plate


244


.





FIGS. 28-35

show an alternative embodiment


290


of the retractable registration apparatus. Similar to the previous embodiments, the printing machine


12


has the pallet


14


for receiving an article


16


to print on, such as a shirt or poster. The portion of the article to be printed on, lies on top of the upper printing surface


18


of the pallet


14


.




However, in contrast to the previous embodiments, the pallet


14


has an U-shaped bracket


292


which opens downward as seen in FIG.


28


. The U-shaped bracket


292


has a pair of flanges


294


which project outward and are spaced from the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


. The pallet arm


32


has a pair of flanges


296


located at the projected end. Each flange


294


of the U-shaped bracket


292


lies upon one of the flanges


296


of the pallet arm


32


. The pallet arm


32


has a plurality of camming mechanisms


298


for securing the U-shaped bracket


292


of the pallet


14


to the flange


296


of the pallet arm


32


and thus the pallet


14


to the pallet arm


32


.




The retractable registration apparatus


290


has a registration appendage


300


. The registration appendage


300


has a mounting bracket


302


, an arm


304


and a transverse bar


306


. The mounting bracket


302


is mounted to the pallet arm


32


between the pallet


14


and the central hub


34


. The arm


304


is pivotably mounted at a first end


308


to the mounting bracket


302


for movement between a registration position and a retracted position, shown in phantom. The transverse bar


306


is mounted to the arm


304


at a second end


310


. The transverse bar


306


has a plurality of pins


312


. As best seen in

FIG. 31

, the registration appendage


300


has a pair of latching levers


314


, only one seen, pivotably mounted to the arm


304


. Each latching lever


314


has a detent


316


, such as a plate, for engaging the flange


294


of the U-shaped bracket


292


of the pallet


14


for retaining the retractable registration apparatus


290


in the registration position.




Referring to

FIG. 29

, the retractable registration apparatus


290


is shown in the registration position for aligning the screen printing frame


28


in the printing machine


12


. The retractable registration apparatus


290


is shown in phantom in the retracted position. The outer pins


312


on the transverse bar


306


, in this particular embodiment, are received by a hole or slot


67


in the corner member


66


to align the screen printing frame


28


so that it may be secured in the U-shaped channel


26


of the frame holder


24


. (The frame holder


24


is not shown in FIG.


29


).




The arm


304


of the registration appendage


300


has a pair of parallel bars


304




a


and


304




b.


The bars


304




a


and


304




b


extend from the mounting bracket


302


to the transverse bar


306


. The latching levers


314


are each pivotably mounted at the pivot point


318


to a respective bar


304




a


or


304




b.


The arm


304


has a stiffening bar


320


which extends between the two bars


304




a


and


304




b


in proximity to the pivot points


318


.




The retractable registration apparatus


290


has a stop block


322


also located between the two bars


304




a


and


304




b,


as best seen in the phantom retracted position. The stop block


322


has a raised center portion


324


adapted to be received by the U-shaped bracket


292


of the pallet


14


. The stop block


322


, in addition, has a pair of lower side portions


326


adapted to engage the flanges


294


of the U-shaped bracket


292


of the pallet


14


. The plates


316


which are mounted to the latching levers


314


are “Z” shaped and are located above the lower side portions


326


of the stop block


322


when in an engaging position. The retractable registration apparatus


290


has a pair of stops


328


mounted to the outboard side of the two bars


304




a


and


304




b


for limiting the movement of the latching levers


314


.




Referring to

FIGS. 29 and 32

, the mounting bracket


302


has an U-shaped bracket


330


and a plate


332


. The pallet arm


32


passes through the U-shaped bracket


330


and is retained by the plate


332


. The bars


304




a


and


304




b


of the arm


304


are located on either side of the U-shaped bracket


330


. The arm is pivotable mounted to the mounting bracket


302


by a pair of fasteners


334


for movement between the registration position and the retracted position.




Referring to

FIG. 30

, the bars


304




a


and


304




b


are parallel with the pallet arm


32


and equally spaced from the pallet arm


32


. The flanges


294


of the U-shaped bracket


292


lie upon, under in this view, the flanges


296


of the pallet arm


32


. The camming mechanism


298


, only the pivot portion


336


shown in this view, secure the U-shaped bracket


292


of the pallet


14


to the flange


296


of the pallet arm


32


.




The retractable registration apparatus


290


has a tension spring


338


extending between the two latching levers


314


to bias the latching levers


314


to the engaging position. The detent plates


316


, which are mounted to the latching levers


314


, are located above, below in this figure, the flanges


294


of the U-shaped bracket


292


of the pallet


14


. The stops


328


for limiting the movement of the latching levers


314


, shown in hidden line, are both seen in this Figure.




Referring to

FIGS. 31 and 33

, the interface between the pallet arm


32


and the pallet


14


is shown. The pallet


14


has the U-shaped bracket


292


opening downward. The pair of flanges


294


of the U-shaped bracket


292


project outward and are spaced from the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


. The pair of flanges


296


of the pallet arm


32


are located at the projected end of the pallet arm


32


. Each flange


294


of the U-shaped bracket


292


lies upon one of the flanges


296


of the pallet arm


32


. The plurality of camming mechanism


298


, only two seen in

FIG. 33

, of the pallet arm


32


secure the U-shaped bracket


292


of the pallet


14


to the flange


296


of the pallet arm


32


and thus the pallet


14


to the pallet arm


32


. The pivot portion


336


of the camming mechanism


298


is a bolt


340


which extends through a cylindrical cam


342


at an off-center location of the camming mechanism


298


and a nut


344


. The cam


342


has a handle


346


to assist in rotation of the camming mechanism


298


.




Referring to

FIGS. 31 and 34

, the plate


316


which projects from the latching lever


314


is shown overlying the flange


292


of the U-shaped bracket


292


of the pallet


14


. Each of the latching levers


314


is pivotably mounted at the pivot point


318


to the bar


304




a


or


304




b


respectively. The spring


338


extends between the two latching levers


314


and biases the levers


314


toward the engaging position. The stiffening bar


320


extends between the bars


304




a


and


304




b


of the arm


304


. The stop block


322


is positioned in the U-shaped bracket


292


of the pallet


14


when the registration apparatus is in the registration position of FIG.


29


.




Referring to

FIGS. 31 and 35

, the side portions


326


of the stop block


322


engage the lower portion of the flange


294


of the U-shaped bracket


292


. The retractable registration apparatus


290


has a biasing means


350


, such as a pin urged by a spring, to hold the raised center portion


324


against one of the side walls


352


of the U-shaped bracket


292


. The stop block


322


is secured between the two bars


304




a


and


304




b


of the arm


304


.




In operation, the printer raises the retractable registration apparatus


290


from the retracted position, as shown in phantom in

FIG. 29

, toward the registration position. While the retractable registration apparatus


290


is not shown with a mechanism to assist the operator in raising the apparatus


290


, it is recognized that an air cylinder, spring or other mechanism could be used to assist in both the raising from and lower to the retracted position.




Referring to

FIGS. 30 and 34

, the printer rotates the latching levers


314


inward, therein moving the plates


316


outward. With the detent plates


316


rotated outward, the stop block


322


can be moved into the U-shaped bracket


292


with the biasing means


350


engaging one of the side walls


352


. The side portions


326


engage the flange


294


of the U-shaped bracket


292


to limit upper movement of the retractable registration apparatus


290


. With the apparatus


290


in the registration position, the printer releases the latching levers


314


and the spring


338


rotates the levers


314


such that the plates


316


are located above the flanges


294


of the U-shaped bracket


292


. The pins


312


are now in position to be accepted by the screen printing frame


28


to align the frame.





FIGS. 36-39

show an alternative embodiment


360


of the retractable registration apparatus. As of filing, this is the preferred embodiment for manual printing machines. Referring to

FIG. 36

, the pallet


14


is mounted to the pallet arm


32


similar to the previous embodiments with the exception of the previous embodiment. The method of mounting the pallet


14


to the pallet arm


32


is not relevant to the invention.




Mounted on the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


is the retractable registration apparatus


360


. The retractable registration apparatus


360


has a pair of registration appendages


362


. Each registration appendage


362


is pivotably mounted to an appendage housing


364


for vertical rotation. Each appendage housing


364


, similar to the plates of several of the earlier embodiments, is secured to the lower mounting surface


42


of the pallet


14


. Each registration appendage


364


has an arm


366


. The arm


366


is pivotably mounted at a first end


368


to the pallet


14


and has a “L” shaped projection


370


, a finger, at a second end


372


. The “L” shaped projection


370


has a plurality of pins


374


.




The retractable registration apparatus


360


is shown in a registration position in

FIG. 36

for aligning the screen printing frame


28


in the printing machine


12


. The screen printing frame


28


has corner members


66


having a hole or slot


67


. The outer pins


374


on each “L” shaped projection


370


of the arm


366


, in this particular embodiment, are received by a hole or slot in the corner member


66


to align the screen printing frame


28


so that it may be secured in the U-shaped channel of the frame holder.




In that the registration appendages


362


are mirror images of each other about the center line “C” of the pallet


14


, only one appendage


362


will be described in detail. In the retracted position, the pallet


14


can be used for printing without interference from the retractable registration apparatus


360


. Each of the arms


366


is pivotably mounted at the first end


368


to the appendage housing


364


by a bearing


376


for vertical rotation. The appendage housing


364


has a pair of depending walls


378


for carrying the bearing


376


. As best seen in

FIG. 39

, the retractable registration apparatus


360


has a locking means, such as a detent mechanism


380


, to hold the arm


366


in the registration position.




Referring to

FIG. 38

, the retractable registration apparatus


360


is shown in a retracted position allowing printing. The retractable registration apparatus


360


has a locking means, such as a detent mechanism


382


, to hold the arm


366


in the retracted position.




Referring to

FIGS. 38 and 39

, the detent mechanisms


380


and


382


share a detent


384


, such as a ball plunger, located on the arm


366


. The detent


384


is received by a detent hole


386


and


388


, respectively, formed in the side wall


378


of the appendage housing


364


. The detent hole


386


is located in a hardened bushing


390


to reduce wear and ensure properly position of the pins


374


when the arm


366


is in the registration position. The detent hole


388


used for the retracted position could also be located in a hardened bushing, but is not in the preferred embodiment shown.




The retractable registration apparatus


360


is shown in phantom in the retracted position in FIG.


38


.




It is recognized that the “L” shaped portion


370


, which carries the pins


374


, could be pivotably mounted the arm


366


as in previous embodiments, such as shown in

FIGS. 6

,


12


,


13


,


17


, and


18


.





FIGS. 40-44

show another alternate embodiment


450


of the retractable registration apparatus. Similar to the embodiment shown in

FIG. 1

, the printing machine


12


has a pallet


14


for receiving an article


16


to print on, such as a shirt or poster. The portion of the article


16


to be printed on, lies on top of the upper printing surface


18


of the pallet


14


. The U-shaped channel


26


of the frame holder


24


, at the end of the movable bar


22


, receives the screen printing frame


28


. The screen printing frame


28


includes a screen mesh


30


which contains an image to be transferred to the article


16


.




The pallet


14


is linked to the frame holder


24


by a pallet arm


32


which extends from a central portion


34


of the printing machine


12


. The printing machine


12


has a mechanism (not shown) for separating the frame holder


24


from the pallet


14


. In the present embodiment, pivotal movement of the movable bar


22


, relative to the stationary pallet arm


34


, raises the frame holder


24


and screen printing frame


28


, away from the pallet


14


. In addition, the central portion


34


of the printing machine


12


allows rotation of the pallet


14


and the pallet arm


32


relative to the frame holder


24


to move another pallet


14


, not shown, underneath the screen printing roller frame


28


. In this way, the pallet


14


is moved to another screen printing station.




Referring to

FIGS. 41 and 42

, the registration apparatus


450


comprises a rectangular channel


452


. The rectangular channel


452


includes an extending flange


454


which attaches to the underside of the pallet


14


by any suitable means, such as double-sided adhesive tape, mechanical fasteners, or the like. It is contemplated that the rectangular channel


452


is sized such that its top wall


456


does not extend past the plane formed by the upper face


18


of the pallet


14


. This prevents interference with the printing frame


28


when the printing frame


28


is adjacent to the pallet


14


during a printing operation.




A slot


458


is formed in a wall


460


of the rectangular channel


452


to communicate with the interior cavity


463


of the rectangular channel. It is contemplated that the slot


458


extends the entire length of the channel


452


, as best seen in FIG.


41


.




A pair of registration appendages


462


are coupled to the rectangular channel


452


. Each registration appendage


462


includes a spacer


464


and an elongated registration arm


466


extending therefrom.




The spacer


464


spaces the registration arm


466


from the rectangular channel


452


. The spacer


464


is sized such that the registration appendage


462


can be readily adapted to any sized screen printing frame


28


such that the registration elements


468


of the arm


466


engage with the corresponding registration element (not shown) on the end of the screen printing frame


28


.




Referring to

FIG. 42

, a pair of bores


470


(only one shown) extend through the body of the spacer


464


for receiving the shaft


472


of a bolt


474


positioned in the interior chamber


463


of the rectangular channel


452


. The shaft


472


of the bolt


474


is sized to extend through the body of the spacer


464


and protrude past its opposite end


476


.




Referring to

FIGS. 41 and 42

, the registration arms


462


include an elongated arm


478


and a finger


480


notably attached to the end of the arm


478


. A groove


482


is formed in the body of the registration arm


478


to provide a cavity therein. As best seen in

FIG. 42

, a pair of enlarged openings


484


(only one shown) are provided in end wall


486


of the arm body


466


for receiving the end of the bolt shaft


472


. The end of the bolt shaft


472


is threaded to accept a nut


488


to secure the elongated arm


478


on the spacer


464


.




This arrangement allows the pair of registration appendages


462


to be slidably coupled to the rectangular channel


452


to accommodate printing screens of various widths. Of course, any suitable connector could be employed which allows the registration appendages to be slidably positioned on the rectangular channel


452


.




As shown in

FIG. 41

, the fingers


480


are shown in the registration position. The screen printing frame


28


has corner members


66


having a hole or slot


67


, as best seen in

FIG. 5

with respect to the first embodiment. The registration elements


468


, such as the pins shown on each finger


480


in this particular embodiment, are received by a complementary hole or slot in the corner member


66


to align the screen printing frame


28


so that it may be secured in the U-shaped channel


26


of the frame holder


24


.




Referring to

FIG. 43

, the finger


480


may be rotated from a registration position to a retracted storage position. The finger


480


of the registration appendage


462




a


is shown in the pin registration position, whereas the finger


480


of the right side registration appendage


462




b


is shown in the retracted position.




Referring to

FIGS. 43 and 44

, the finger


480


is secured to the arm


478


by a bolt


490


. The bolt


490


has a head


492


which is received in the cavity


482


in the arm body


478


. The shaft


494


of the bolt


490


extends through a longitudinal bore


495


in the arm


466


. The shaft


494


extends past the end wall


504


of the arm


466


and is received by a longitudinal threaded bore


496


in the finger


480


. The end


498


of the bolt


490


is threaded to engage the threaded bore


496


to secure the finger


480


to the arm


478


.




A spring


499


is disposed on the shaft


494


of the bolt


490


between the head


492


and an end wall


500


of the cavity


482


in the arm body


478


. The spring


499


biases the finger


480


into engagement with the arm body


478


. A plurality of spaced dowels


502


extend from an end wall


504


of the arm body


478


. The dowels


502


are received by a plurality of bores


506


formed in the end wall


508


of the finger


480


. The dowels


502


and the bores


506


align the finger


480


in the pin registration position and the pin retracted position. The operation of the rotatable finger


480


is similar to that described in connection with the rotatable finger


160


described in FIG.


22


.




The registration element


468


is depicted in the Figures as a pin. However, it should be understood that the registration element


46


could also be formed as a hole or slot to engage complementary pins formed on the corner members of the screen printing frame.




In

FIGS. 45-47

, there is shown another alternative embodiment of the present invention.




In

FIG. 45

, there is shown a printing machine


510


having a plurality of image platforms or vacuum pallets


512


which extend like spokes from a central hub (now shown). The vacuum pallets


512


support a substrate on the top surface


518


thereof. The central hub includes a mechanism for rotating the pallets


512


around the central hub to different stations, such as a printing station


514


and a drying station


516


.




The printing station


514


includes a beam


518


which extends from the central hub to an end support


520


. A pair of C-shaped frame holders


522


extend downwardly from the beam


518


. The frame holders


522


hold a screen printing frame


28


therebetween. The pallets


512


rotate into position below the screen


28


for a printing operation to be performed on the substrate (not shown) held by the pallet.




Subsequently, the pallet


512


is rotated to a drying station


516


to dry the ink applied to a substrate. The drying station


516


includes a UV dryer


524


and a UV drying head


526


which is positioned in close proximity to the upper face


518


of a pallet


512


in the drying station.




In this type of printing machine, the drying head


526


is stationary and must be in close proximity to the upper face


518


of the pallet


512


to adequately dry the wet substrate thereon.




In

FIG. 47

, the drying head


526


is schematically shown as it would be positioned in an operational position above the pallet


512


in the drying station


516


.




It should be clear that there is limited clearance between the top face


518


of the pallet


512


and the lowermost surface of the drying head


526


. As such, the possibility exists that a registration pin


530


(shown in phantom) extending from a registration appendage


540


attached to the pallet


512


could interfere with the closely-spaced drying head


526


when the pallet is rotated into the drying station


526


. For this reason, it is necessary that the registration element of the registration appendage


540


be a hole and slot arrangement as shown in FIG.


46


.




Referring now to

FIG. 46

, pallet


512


includes a pair of registration appendages


540


mounted to either side of the pallet. The registration appendages


540


are similar to the registration appendages


462


describing the connection with

FIGS. 40-44

. The only differences between the registration appendages


540


and the registration appendage


462


is the arrangement of the mounting channels


452


and the particular embodiment of the registration elements.




The registration appendages


540


are mounted to the sides of the pallet


512


. Thus, each registration apparatus


540


includes its own separate mounting channel


542


for mounting to the sides of the pallet


512


. In this arrangement, the registration arms


544


extend past the end of the pallet


512


to be properly positioned to engage the registration elements


546


from the corner brackets of the printing frame. The top surface of the registration appendages


540


are mounted flush with the top surface


518


of the pallet


512


so that they do not interfere with the drying head


526


, but are still capable of interfacing with the registration elements


546


on the printing frame


28


. Each arm


544


include rotatable finger


548




a


or


548




b,


which extend from the end of the arms


544


. Finger


548




a


includes a registration element


530




a


and finger


540




b


includes registration element


530




b


for interfacing with the cooperative registration elements


546


on the printing frame


28


. In this embodiment, the registration element


530




a


is a bore and the registration element


530




b


is a slot which engages the pins


550


of the registration elements


546


of the screen printing frame


28


.




Since the registration elements


530




a


and


530




b


are an opening and a slot, respectively, the registration elements


530




a


and


530




b


do not contain any structure which extends past the plane formed by the top face


518


of the pallet


512


. In this way, the registration elements


530




a


and


530




b


will not interfere with the closely-spaced drying head


526


of the UV dryer


524


when the pallet


512


is rotated into position in the drying station


516


.




The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. It is recognized that while a specific locking mechanism or retaining mechanism is shown is each of the embodiments, other mechanisms such as ball plungers, spring plungers, latches, spring clip or magnetic could be used. The locking mechanism (means) and retaining mechanisms (means) can be similar mechanisms; the terms are used to distinguish the registration position from the retracted position.



Claims
  • 1. A retractable registration apparatus adapted to be mounted on a printing machine for aligning a printing screen frame with a holder, the apparatus comprising:a mount for securing the registration apparatus to a printing machine, an appendage pivotably attached to the mount; a registration element located on the appendage for coupling with a cooperating element formed on a printing screen frame; a pivot coupling the appendage and the mount for allowing the appendage to rotate from a registration position to a retracted position; and a detent for releasably fixing the appendage in the registration position.
  • 2. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second detent retains the appendage in the retracted position.
  • 3. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a stop carried by the image platform, the stop having a registration surface for engaging the arms to position the arms in the registration position.
  • 4. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stop comprises a second surface, for engaging the arm to position the arm in the retracted position.
  • 5. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a biasing means for retaining the arm in the exact registration position and the retracted position.
  • 6. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the biasing means comprises an over-center spring.
  • 7. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the appendage comprises a pair of appendages, each having an arm and a finger rotatably mounted to the arm.
  • 8. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second appendage, and a second registration element located on the second appendage.
  • 9. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the appendage comprises an arm and a transverse bar, and wherein the transverse bar is secured to the arm and carries the registration element.
  • 10. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing machine has a pallet arm for carrying an image platform, the registration element comprises a pair of registration pins for engaging the printing screen frame, and the arm is pivotably mounted to the pallet arm for rotation between the registration position and the retracted position.
  • 11. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the arm comprises a pair of parallel bars, one end of each bar is mounted to the pallet arm, the transverse bar is secured to the other end of each bar.
  • 12. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the detent comprises a stop located between the bars for positioning the arm and at least one detent element for engaging a bracket carried by the image platform.
  • 13. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a pallet arm for carrying an image platform, wherein the appendage comprises a pair of appendages, each appendage comprising an arm pivotably mounted to the image platform.
  • 14. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the registration element comprises a pair of registration pins for engaging the printing screen frame.
  • 15. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a second detent for retaining the arm in the retracted position.
  • 16. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the arms are pivotably mounted for substantially horizontal rotation.
  • 17. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first and second detents comprise magnets.
  • 18. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each appendage further comprises a finger rotatably mounted to the arm.
  • 19. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second detent comprises a magnet carried by the image platform, the arm having a protrusion, and the magnet having a complementary groove for receiving the protrusion.
  • 20. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the arms are pivotably mounted for vertical rotation.
  • 21. A registration apparatus adapted to be mounted on an imaging forming platform for aligning a printing screen frame with a holder, the apparatus comprising:a mount for securing the registration apparatus to an imaging forming platform, at least one arm attached to the mount; a registration element located on an end of the at least one arm for coupling with a cooperating element formed on a printing screen frame, the end of the at least one arm being pivotably attached to the remainder of the arm for allowing the end to rotate from a registration position to a retracted position; and a detent for releasably fixing the end in the registration position.
  • 22. A retractable registration apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the at least one arm comprises a pair of arms attached to the mount, the registration element comprising a pair of elements, each attached to one of the ends of the arms.
  • 23. A registration apparatus according to claim 22, wherein, the registration elements are pins.
  • 24. A registration apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the mount comprises a pair of channels attached to the image forming platform, and each of the arms is attached to one of the channels by a spacer.
  • 25. A registration apparatus according to claim 22, wherein, the registration elements are a slot and a hole and do not extend substantially above the plane of the image forming platform.
Parent Case Info

The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/649,597, filed on Jul. 3, 1996, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/329,022, filed on Oct. 25, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,068.

US Referenced Citations (17)
Number Name Date Kind
3492900 Hill et al. Feb 1970
4901638 Jennings Feb 1990
4911070 Miske et al. Mar 1990
4938130 Thorpe Jul 1990
4972773 Barlow Nov 1990
4993166 Bradley Feb 1991
5094160 Jennings Mar 1992
5094161 Taylor Mar 1992
5099757 Jennings Mar 1992
5188026 Fuqua et al. Feb 1993
5226366 Schlife et al. Jul 1993
5315929 Sundqvist May 1994
5377422 Newman Jan 1995
5429045 Karlyn et al. Jul 1995
5503068 Newman Apr 1996
5522148 Newman Jun 1996
5806422 Hamu Sep 1998
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
0 268 466 A2 May 1988 EP
Continuation in Parts (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 08/649597 Jul 1996 US
Child 09/024338 US
Parent 08/329022 Oct 1994 US
Child 08/649597 US