CLAMPING OF NUMBERING MACHINERY

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the clamping fixation of numbering machines, in particular mechanical, but also electromechanical numbering machines.

[0002] Specifically, the invention relates to a numbering machine according to claim 1, wherein the numbering machine comprises an upper part and a lower part. Furthermore, the invention relates to an upper part for such a numbering machine according to claim 13, a lower part for such a numbering machine according to claim 14, and a numbering machine with such a numbering machine according to claim 15.

[0003] The numbering machines mentioned above are known, among others, from EP 0 718 112 A1, DE 295 01 349 U1, DE 44 46 273 A1, DE 10 2006 052 183 A1, and DE 10 2011 100 847 A1. Another numbering machine is known from US 2010 / 000427 A1.

[0004] Such numbering machines are used primarily for applying, and in particular printing, a security feature to security documents. In this context, the numbering machine can also be referred to as a numbering printing machine or printing machine.

[0005] In particular, known numbering machines are used to apply serial numbers to security documents, especially banknotes.

[0006] In a common arrangement, a numbering mechanism is mounted reversibly—that is, fixedly but detachably as required—on a retaining ring of a numbering machine (printing press). The numbering mechanism sits on the outside of the retaining ring, and the mechanism's type wheels are located on the side facing away from the retaining ring. The retaining ring is generally mounted on a numbering shaft of the numbering machine. Furthermore, the numbering mechanisms sit on the outside of the retaining ring.

[0007] The sheet to be printed (in particular, a sheet of paper with banknotes to be numbered) is then fed to the numbering machine. In the numbering machine, the retaining ring with the numbering units fixed to the outside of the ring rolls onto the sheet to be printed, with the individual security documents each being provided with a security feature, in particular a serial number, by the individual numbering units. In general, a plurality of retaining rings per numbering shaft and a plurality of numbering units per retaining ring are provided, namely distributed over the circumference of the retaining ring. This is known per se and is not the subject of the present invention.

[0008] Numbering machines generally also have a mechanism that advances the set serial number by one unit at a desired position of the number after each printing process, or with each rotation of the machine including the retaining ring, so that the next document can be printed with a free or subsequent serial number. For this purpose, the relevant type wheel of the numbering machine is generally rotated by one position. This is known per se and is not the subject of the present invention.

[0009] The numbering mechanism can be divided into two parts, with an upper and a lower part (upper and lower parts). The lower part can be fixed to the retaining ring, particularly by means of a clamp, but can be removably secured.

[0010] The upper part of the numbering unit generally houses the type wheels and the entire numbering mechanism, which is well-known in itself. These parts must generally be designed to be quickly removed from the retaining ring to avoid excessive downtime of the numbering machine when the numbering mechanism needs to be replaced, e.g., due to defects, wear, or a change in the print job.

[0011] The lower part of the numbering unit can remain attached to the retaining ring, while only the upper part can be removed and replaced if necessary. This means that the position of the numbering unit on the retaining ring remains unchanged, and the clamp between the numbering unit and the retaining ring does not need to be loosened.

[0012] Removing the lower part of the retaining ring for the purpose of replacing a numbering unit, however, is disadvantageous and should be avoided, as the positioning of the lower part on the retaining ring must be carried out with the smallest tolerances. Therefore, replacing the entire numbering unit would require an unacceptable amount of time.

[0013] The detachable connection between the upper and lower parts of the numbering machine could be made by one or more screw connections.

[0014] However, this presents several disadvantages. First, considerable setup time is required to unscrew all the numbering units (i.e., their respective upper parts) from the lower part of the unit or, thus, from the retaining ring, and then to screw the replaced upper parts back on. Furthermore, tools are required for the replacement. Finally, screws can be accidentally lost during the conversion and fall into the numbering machine, where they can cause significant damage and thus significantly reduce downtime.

[0015] The present invention is based on the object of overcoming the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0016] Furthermore, the underlying task is to achieve fast, simple, safe, error-free and precise interchangeability and positioning of numbering machines.

[0017] This object is achieved with respect to a numbering device by the features of claim 1. According to this, a clamping fixture is provided between the upper part and the lower part of the numbering device.

[0018] An upper part according to the invention for such a numbering machine is described with the features of claim 13.

[0019] A lower part according to the invention for such a numbering machine is described with the features of claim 14.

[0020] Claim 15 specifies a numbering machine according to the invention with such a numbering unit.

[0021] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the respective subordinate patent claims.

[0022] The invention is based on the idea of providing a numbering device with the possibility of clamping between an upper part and a lower part of the numbering device.

[0023] The lower part of the numbering unit is preferably reversibly mountable, particularly clampable, on a retaining ring of a numbering machine and can remain on the retaining ring when the upper part is replaced. This eliminates the need to replace the entire numbering unit, and thus also eliminates the very time-consuming realignment on the retaining ring. The new upper part is automatically and instantly precisely positioned with the lower part remaining on the retaining ring during the clamping process.

[0024] The upper part of the numbering machine can preferably be removed from the lower part by loosening a separate clamp connection. Alternatively, the upper part can preferably be fixed to a lower part, in particular arranged on a retaining ring, by establishing a clamp connection.

[0025] This eliminates the screw connection between the upper and lower parts described above, thus avoiding the disadvantages described above. Replacing the respective upper parts of the numbering machines is thus considerably faster, safer, and potentially even tool-free.

[0026] The aspects of the invention are discussed in more detail below, with reference being made in part to non-limiting advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention. The features of advantageous developments can be implemented individually or in any combination, thereby creating further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0027] A preferred embodiment is one in which a clamping fixation can be produced or is produced between the upper part and the lower part of the numbering machine.

[0028] Preferably, the lower part is fixed to a retaining ring of a numbering machine but can be removably fixed.

[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the lower part can remain on the retaining ring of a numbering machine in the event of an exchange of the upper part.

[0030] Further preferably, the lower part of the numbering device is designed such that it can be clamped to a retaining ring of a numbering machine.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment, the lower part has a clamping lever with opposing clamping hooks, by means of whose mutual tension the lower part can be fixed on a holding ring of a numbering machine.

[0032] More preferably, screws extend through the clamping hook into the lower part.

[0033] Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the numbering device according to the invention in which the upper part has a numbering mechanism.

[0034] Preferably, the upper part of the numbering machine has type wheels.

[0035] Particularly preferably, the upper part can be fixed by establishing a clamping connection to the lower part, in particular which is arranged on a retaining ring of a numbering machine, and can be removed from the lower part by releasing the clamping connection.

[0036] Preferably, the upper part can have at least one, preferably two, more preferably two opposite, clamping levers.

[0037] It proves to be advantageous if the clamping levers extend from the upper part into a recess, an undercut, a groove or the like in the lower part and can thus fix, secure or clamp the upper part to the lower part.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the lower part can also have at least one, preferably two, more preferably two opposite, clamping levers.

[0039] The clamping levers can preferably extend from the lower part into a recess, an undercut, a groove or the like in the upper part, and thus fix, secure or clamp the upper part to the lower part.

[0040] It is advantageous if two diagonally opposite clamping levers are arranged on the upper part and / or the lower part in a tiltable manner.

[0041] In a further preferred embodiment, a spring is arranged between a clamping lever and the part, i.e. upper part or lower part, to which the clamping lever is assigned, which spring pretensions the clamping lever and thus prevents the upper part or the lower part from being released from the opposite part (lower part or upper part) when the clamping lever is engaged.

[0042] Preferably, by actuating the clamping lever against the force of the spring, the clamping lever can be pivoted away from the opposite part, and thus the upper part and the lower part can be removed from each other.

[0043] Preferably, in the event of a removal of an actuation of the clamping lever, the clamping lever can pivot into the opposite part and can thus fix and / or clamp the upper part to the lower part.

[0044] Advantageously, the clamping levers may each have an actuating portion for actuation by a user and a hook portion for engagement with the opposite part.

[0045] Preferably, a clamping lever can engage with its hook section in a lateral recess in the lower part.

[0046] Preferably, the clamping levers can be arranged substantially vertically.

[0047] For the purpose of defined positioning, the underside of the upper part can engage with a nose in a central groove of the lower part. Figures

[0048] In addition to the advantageous design and further training of the teaching already discussed, the drawing shows the extent of Figures 1 and 2 The illustrated embodiments of devices according to the invention are explained in more detail below. However, the examples discussed with reference to the drawings do not limit the invention to the examples shown. The discussion of the embodiments with reference to the drawings also generally illustrates preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching.

[0049] Further developments of the advantageous embodiments described above with features of the following exemplary embodiments, just like further developments of the exemplary embodiments described below with features of the embodiments described above, expressly form further advantageous embodiments of the invention and are thus part of the present disclosure.

[0050] They show: Figure 1 a preferred embodiment of a numbering machine according to the invention, which in turn has an upper part and a lower part, and Figure 2 the embodiment from Fig. 1 in an exploded view, with the upper and lower parts of the numbering machine shown separated from each other.

[0051] Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a numbering machine 1 according to the invention. The numbering machine 1 has an upper part 2 and a lower part 3.

[0052] Here, the lower part 3 is reversibly fixed to the retaining ring 4 of a numbering machine (not shown). For this purpose, screws 5 extend through the clamping hooks 6A on the front side. The clamping hook 6A and the clamping lever 6B are clamped against each other by the opposing clamping lever 6B, thereby securing the lower part 3 to the retaining ring 4.

[0053] In the upper part 2, two diagonally opposite clamping levers 7 are arranged in a tiltable manner. The clamping levers 7 extend essentially vertically and have an actuating section 701 for the user at the top and a hook section 702 at the bottom (cf. Fig. 2 ) for engagement in the lower part 3.

[0054] A spring 8 acts between the upper part 2 and the clamping lever 7, which preloads the clamping lever 7 in a suitable manner.

[0055] In a similar manner, the clamping lever 6B of the lower part 3, which acts on the retaining ring 4, is preloaded by its own springs. This also provides a reversible fixation of the lower part 3 on the retaining ring 4.

[0056] The upper part 2 comprises the numbering mechanism 21 with the type wheels 22.

[0057] Further, with respect to the upper part 2, the user can pivot the clamping levers 7 away from the lower part 3 by actuating the clamping levers 7 against the force of the springs 8, thus very quickly removing the upper part 2 from the lower part 3. Conversely, the upper part 2 can be brought closer to the lower part 3 and positioned or locked thereto. By removing the actuating force on the clamping levers 7, they then pivot into the lower part 3, and thus the upper part 2 is fixed and / or clamped to the lower part 3. This connection between the upper part 2 and the lower part 3 can also be achieved in just a few seconds.

[0058] Fig. 2 shows the embodiment from Fig. 1 in an exploded view, with the upper part 2 and lower part 3 of the numbering machine 1 shown apart from each other.

[0059] Here, it is clearly visible that the underside 201 of the upper part 2 engages with a nose 202 into a central groove 301 of the lower part 3. The clamping levers 7, whose lower hook section 702 is clearly visible here, also engage in further suitable lateral recesses 302 or grooves in the lower part 3.

[0060] Furthermore, both the nose 202 and the central groove 301 have a corresponding cross shape, i.e., the nose 202 and the central groove each have portions oriented at right angles to each other. This inevitably leads to an exact positioning of the upper part 2 relative to the lower part 3 when approaching the lower part 3, since at right angles to the underside 201 of the upper part 2, there are no longer any degrees of freedom in positioning the upper part 2.

[0061] In relation to Fig. 2 Otherwise, it should be pointed out that already in Fig. 1 illustrated and in this regard already explained above reference symbols with reference to Fig. 2 In order to avoid repetition, the explanation of such reference symbols and the associated technical features is based entirely on the above description. Fig. 1 referred to. List of reference symbols

[0062] 1Numbering machine 2Top part, upper part (numbering mechanism) 21Numbering mechanism (top part) 22Type wheel (top part) 201Bottom (top part) 202Nose (top part) 3Lower part, lower part (numbering machine) 301Middle groove (lower part) 302Side recess (lower part) 4Retaining ring (numbering machine) 5Screw (lower part) 6AClamping hook (lower part) 6BClamping lever (lower part) 7Clamping lever 701Actuating section (clamping lever) 702Hook section (clamping lever) 8Spring (clamping lever)

Claims

1. Numbering unit (1) comprising an upper part (2) and a lower part (3), wherein the lower part (3) is designed to be fixed firmly, but detachably, to a mounting ring (4) of a numbering machine, and wherein a clamping fixation is provided between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3), namely a clamping fixation can be established or is established between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3), so that the lower part (3) may remain on the mounting ring (4) of a numbering machine if the upper part (2) is replaced.

2. Numbering unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower part (3) of the numbering unit (1) is designed be clamped to a mounting ring (4) of a numbering machine.

3. Numbering unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower part (3) comprises a clamping lever (6B) with an opposing clamping hook (6A), by the mutual tensioning of which the lower part (3) is fixable on a mounting ring (4) of a numbering machine, in particular wherein screws (5) extend through the clamping hook (6A) into the lower part (3).

4. Numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper part (2) comprises a numbering mechanism (21), and / or that the upper part (2) comprises type wheels (22).

5. Numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper part (2) can be fixed to the lower part (3), in particular to the lower part (3) thereby being arranged on a mounting ring (4) of a numbering machine, by establishing a clamping connection, and can be removed from the lower part (3) by releasing the clamping connection.

6. Numbering unit (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper part (2) comprises at least one, preferably two, more preferably two opposing, tensioning levers (7), in particular wherein the tensioning levers (7) each extend from the upper part (2) into a recess (302), an undercut, a groove, or the like, in the lower part (3), and can thus secure, fix or clamp the upper part (2) on the lower part (3).

7. Numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lower part (3) comprises at least one, preferably two, more preferably two opposing, tensioning levers (7), in particular wherein the tensioning levers each extend from the lower part (3) into a recess, an undercut, a groove, or the like, in the upper part (2), and can thus secure, fix or clamp the upper part (2) on the lower part (3).

8. Numbering unit (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that two tiltable tensioning levers (7) are arranged on the upper part (2) and / or two tiltable tensioning levers (7) are arranged on the lower part (3), the two levers (7) being arranged diagonally opposite one another.

9. Numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a spring (8) is arranged between a tensioning lever (7) and the respective part (2, 3), namely upper part (2) or lower part (3), to which the tensioning lever (7) is assigned, which pretensions the tensioning lever (7) and thus prevents the upper part (2) or lower part (3) from being released from the respective opposite part (3, 2), namely lower part (3) or upper part (2), when the tensioning lever (7) is engaged, in particular wherein by actuating the tensioning lever (7) against the force of the spring (8), the tensioning lever (7) can be pivoted away from the opposite part (3, 2), and thus the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) can be removed from one another, and / or in particular wherein due to the withdrawal of an actuation, the tensioning lever (7) can pivot into the opposite part (3, 2), and thus the upper part (2) can be fixed and / or clamped to the lower part (3).

10. Numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the tensioning levers (7) each comprise an actuation section (701) for a user and a hook section (702) for engagement with the opposite part (3, 2), in particular wherein a tensioning lever (7) engages with its hook section (702) in a lateral recess (302) in the lower part (3).

11. Numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the tensioning levers (7) are arranged substantially vertically.

12. Numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the underside (201) of the upper part (2) engages with a lug (202) in a central groove (301) of the lower part (3).

13. Upper part (2) for a numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Lower part (3) for a numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. Numbering machine, characterized by a numbering unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.