Clamp fixing part of the numbering device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clamping part for a numbering device (1), in particular a mechanical or electromechanical numbering device (1). Specifically, the present invention relates to a numbering device (1) comprising an upper part (2) and a lower part (3) with a clamping part provided between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3), the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) of such a numbering device (1), and a numbering machine equipped with such a numbering device (1). According to the present invention, a simpler, more reliable, error-free, and accurate replacement and positioning of the numbering device (1) is achieved. When replacing the upper part (2), the already correctly positioned lower part (3) can be held in the retaining ring (4) of the numbering machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a numbering device, particularly a mechanical and also electromechanical numbering device, and more particularly to a clamping and fixing part of the numbering device.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to a numbering device as described in the generic concept of claim 1, according to which the numbering device has an upper part and a lower part. Further, the present invention relates to an upper part for such a numbering device as described in claim 23, a lower part for such a numbering device as described in claim 24, and a numbering machine comprising such a numbering device as described in claim 25.

Background Art

[0003] The numbering device mentioned at the beginning is known from, inter alia, European Patent Application Publication No. 0718112, German Utility Model No. 29501349, German Patent Application Publication No. 4446273, German Patent Application Publication No. 102006052183, and German Patent Application Publication No. 102011100847.

[0004] Such a numbering device is particularly used for applying security features, particularly printing, to securities. In the context of this specification, the numbering device may also be referred to as a numbering printing device or a printing device.

[0005] In particular, known numbering devices are used for applying serial numbers to securities, particularly banknotes.

[0006] In a typical unit, a single numbering device is mounted on the retaining ring of the numbering machine (printing press) in a reversible manner, meaning it is fixed but can be released again as needed. In this case, the numbering device is mounted on the outer surface of the retaining ring, and the type wheel of the device is located on the opposite side of the retaining ring. The retaining ring is generally located on the numbering shaft of the numbering machine in this case. Furthermore, in this case, multiple numbering devices are mounted on the outer surface of the retaining ring.

[0007] In this case, sheets to be printed (particularly sheets containing banknotes to be numbered) are supplied to a numbering machine. In the numbering machine, retaining rings, along with numbering devices fixed to the outer surface of the rings, roll over the sheets to be printed, and each security is assigned a security feature, particularly a serial number, by an individual numbering device. In this case, generally, there are multiple retaining rings per numbering shaft, and multiple numbering devices are provided for each retaining ring, specifically distributed around the retaining ring. This is publicly known and is not the subject of the present invention.

[0008] Generally, numbering devices also have a mechanism to advance the set serial number by one unit at a desired position after each printing step, or each time the device, including the retaining ring, rotates, so that the next security can be printed with any or subsequent serial numbers. For this purpose, the corresponding type wheel of the numbering device is generally rotated only one position to the next. This is publicly known and is not the subject of this invention.

[0009] The numbering device can be divided into two parts, an upper part and a lower part (upper and lower). In this case, the lower part can be firmly, but removably, attached to the retaining ring, particularly via a clamp.

[0010] The upper portion of a numbering device generally comprises a type wheel and the entire numbering mechanism, which is known in itself. These parts should generally be configured to be quickly detachable from the retaining ring so as not to cause prolonged downtime of the numbering machine when replacing the numbering mechanism, for example, in the event of a malfunction, wear, or change in a print job.

[0011] In this case, the lower part of the numbering device can be left on the retaining ring, and only the upper part can be removed and replaced if necessary. This ensures that the position of the numbering device on the retaining ring remains constant, and it is not necessary to release the clamp between the numbering device and the retaining ring.

[0012] In contrast, removing the lower portion from the retaining ring for the purpose of replacing the numbering device is inconvenient and should be avoided. This is because the positioning of the lower portion on the retaining ring must be performed with the minimum possible tolerance. In that case, replacing the entire numbering device would take an unacceptably long time.

[0013] Here, the releasable connection between the upper and lower parts of the numbering device can be formed by one or more screw connections.

[0014] However, this has several drawbacks. On the one hand, unscrewing the entire numbering device—that is, unscrewing each upper part of the numbering device from the lower part of the device, or even from the retaining ring, and then securely screwing the replaced upper part back in—requires considerable installation time. Furthermore, tools are required for replacement. Finally, screws may be accidentally lost during equipment replacement and fall into the numbering machine, where they can cause significant damage and thus considerable downtime. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0015] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 0718112 [Patent Document 2] German Utility Model No. 29501349 Specification [Patent Document 3] German Patent Application Publication No. 4446273 [Patent Document 4] German Patent Application Publication No. 102006052183 Specification [Patent Document 5] German Patent Application Publication No. 102011100847 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0016] The fundamental problem of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings known in the prior art.

[0017] Furthermore, the underlying challenge is to achieve rapid, simple, safe, error-free, and accurate replaceability and positioning of the numbering device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] This problem is solved with respect to the numbering device by the configuration of the feature part of claim 1. According to this, a clamp fixing part is provided between the upper and lower parts of the numbering device.

[0019] An upper part for such a numbering device according to the present invention is described by the features of claim 23.

[0020] A lower part for such a numbering device according to the present invention is described by the features of claim 24.

[0021] Claim 25 describes a numbering machine according to the present invention, comprising such a numbering device.

[0022] Advantageous forms and developments of the invention are the subject of each dependent claim.

[0023] The idea underlying the invention is to provide a numbering device having means for clamping fixation between the upper and lower parts of the numbering device.

[0024] The lower part of the numbering device is preferably reversibly arranged on the holding ring of the numbering machine, especially can be clamped, and can be left on the holding ring when the upper part is replaced. Thereby, it is not necessary to replace the entire numbering device, and thus there is no need for extremely time-consuming readjustment on the holding ring. The new upper part is automatically and immediately accurately positioned when forming the clamping fixation with the lower part left on the holding ring.

[0025] The upper part of the numbering device can preferably be removed from the lower part by releasing a separate clamping connection. On the other hand, the upper part can preferably be fixed to the lower part (especially when the lower part is arranged on the holding ring at that time) by forming a clamping connection.

[0026] Thereby, the screw connection between the upper and lower parts described above can be omitted, and thus the above-mentioned drawbacks can be avoided. Thereby, the replacement of the upper part of the numbering device each time is carried out extremely quickly, safely, and in some cases without even using tools.

[0027] Hereinafter, the viewpoints according to the invention will be continuously described. For this purpose, in part, non-limiting advantageous forms and developments of the invention are referred to. In this case, the features of the advantageous developments can be realized alone or in any combination, thereby providing another advantageous form of the invention.

[0028] A form in which a clamping fixation part can be formed or is formed between the upper and lower parts of the numbering device is preferred.

[0029] Preferably, the lower part can be securely, but again, fixed to the retaining ring of the numbering machine.

[0030] According to another advantageous embodiment, when the upper part is replaced, the lower part can be left in the retaining ring of the numbering machine.

[0031] More preferably, the lower part of the numbering device is configured to be clampable to the holding ring of the numbering machine.

[0032] In another advantageous embodiment, the lower part has a clamp lever and a clamp hook located on the opposite side thereof, and the lower part can be fixed onto the retaining ring of a numbering machine by the mutual tightening of the clamp lever and the clamp hook.

[0033] More preferably, in this case, the screw extends downward through the clamp hook.

[0034] A form of the numbering device according to the present invention, in which the upper part has a numbering mechanism, is particularly preferred.

[0035] Preferably, the upper part of the numbering mechanism has a type wheel.

[0036] Particularly preferable, the upper part can be fixed to the lower part, which is positioned on the holding ring of a numbering machine, by forming a clamp connection, and can be removed from the lower part by releasing the clamp connection.

[0037] Preferably, in this case, the upper part may have at least one, preferably two, and more preferably two opposing tightening levers.

[0038] In this case, it was found to be advantageous if the tightening lever extended from the upper part to the recessed parts such as undercuts and grooves at the lower part, thereby allowing the upper part to be attached to the lower part and fixed or tightened.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the lower part may have at least one, preferably two, and more preferably two opposing tightening levers.

[0040] In this case, the tightening lever preferably extends from the lower part to the recessed portion such as an undercut or groove at the upper part, thereby allowing the upper part to be attached to the lower part and fixed or tightened.

[0041] Advantageously, two clamping levers are tiltably positioned at the top and / or bottom, each facing the other at an angle.

[0042] In another preferred embodiment, a spring is positioned between the tightening lever and the portion to which the tightening lever is assigned, i.e., between the upper or lower portion, the spring biases the tightening lever so that when the tightening lever is locked, the upper or lower portion is prevented from being released from the opposing portion (lower or upper portion).

[0043] Preferably, in this case, the tightening lever may be rotatable so as to move away from the opposing part by operating the tightening lever against the force of the spring, thereby making the upper and lower parts detachable from each other.

[0044] Preferably, when the operation of the tightening lever is eliminated, the tightening lever can be pivoted to the opposing part, and thus the upper part can be fixed and / or clamped to the lower part.

[0045] Advantageously, the tightening lever has an operating portion for user operation and a hook portion for engaging with an opposing portion.

[0046] Preferably, the tightening lever can engage with a lateral recess at the bottom by its hook portion.

[0047] Preferably, the tightening lever may be positioned approximately vertically.

[0048] In terms of defined positioning, the lower surface of the upper part can engage with the central groove of the lower part via a projection.

[0049] drawing In addition to or supplementing the advantageous forms and developments of the idea already described, embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention, as illustrated in the scope of Figures 1 and 2, will be described in detail. However, the examples discussed based on the drawings do not limit the present invention to the illustrated examples. In the description of embodiments based on the drawings, generally preferred forms and developments of the idea will also be indicated.

[0050] In this case, an advanced form of the aforementioned advantageous embodiment having the features of the later-described embodiment forms a distinctly different advantageous form of the present invention, just like the advanced form of the later-described embodiment having the features of the aforementioned embodiment, and is therefore part of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0051] [Figure 1] A preferred embodiment of a numbering device having an upper and lower part according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the embodiment, where the upper and lower parts of the numbering device are shown separated from each other. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0052] Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the numbering device 1 according to the present invention. The numbering device 1 has an upper part 2 and a lower part 3.

[0053] The lower section 3 is, in this example, reversibly fixed onto a retaining ring 4 of a numbering machine (not shown). To this end, a screw 5 extends from the front, passing through a clamp hook 6A. The clamp hook 6A and the clamp lever 6B, located on the opposite side, are tightened together, thereby fixing the lower section 3 to the retaining ring 4.

[0054] The upper part 2 has two clamping levers 7 that are tiltably positioned diagonally opposite to each other. The clamping levers 7 extend almost vertically and have an operating portion 701 for the user on the upper side and a hook portion 702 (see Figure 2) for engaging with the lower part 3 on the lower side.

[0055] A spring 8 acts between the upper part 2 and the tightening lever 7, and the spring 8 biases the tightening lever 7 in the appropriate manner.

[0056] Similarly, the clamp lever 6B of the lower part 3, which acts on the retaining ring 4, is biased by a specific spring. In this case, reversible fixing of the lower part 3 on the retaining ring 4 is also achieved.

[0057] The upper part 2 is equipped with a numbering mechanism 21 having a type wheel 22.

[0058] Furthermore, relating to the upper part 2, the user can rotate the tightening lever 7 away from the lower part 3 by operating it against the force of the spring 8, thereby allowing the upper part 2 to be removed from the lower part 3 very quickly. Conversely, the upper part 2 can be brought closer to the lower part 3 and positioned or locked onto it. By eliminating the operating force on the tightening lever 7, the tightening lever 7 rotates toward the lower part 3, thereby fixing and / or clamping the upper part 2 to the lower part 3. The formation of the joint between the upper part 2 and the lower part 3 can also be performed in a few seconds.

[0059] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of Figure 1, in which the upper part 2 and lower part 3 of the numbering device 1 are shown separated from each other.

[0060] Here, it is clearly visible that the lower surface 201 of the upper part 2 engages with the central groove 301 of the lower part 3 via the protruding portion 202. The lower hook portion 702 of the tightening lever 7 is clearly visible here. The tightening lever 7 further engages with another suitable lateral recess 302 or groove on the lower part 3.

[0061] Furthermore, both the protrusion 202 and the central groove 301 have corresponding cross shapes, meaning that the protrusion 202 and the central groove each have portions oriented perpendicular to each other. This forces the upper part 2 to be precisely positioned relative to the lower part 3 when approaching it, because it is perpendicular to the lower surface 201 of the upper part 2, thus eliminating any degree of freedom when positioning the upper part 2.

[0062] Furthermore, regarding Figure 2, please note that some of the reference numerals already shown in Figure 1 and previously described therein will not be newly explained in Figure 2. To avoid repetition, the above explanation for Figure 1 will be used to explain such reference numerals and related technical features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1. Numbering device 2. Upper part (numbering device) 21 Numbering mechanism (top) 22 Type Wheel (Upper) 201 Bottom surface (top) 202 Projection (upper part) 3. Lower part (numbering device) 301 Central groove (bottom) 302 Lateral recessed section (lower part) 4. Retaining ring (numbering machine) 5. Screw (bottom) 6A Clamp Hook (Bottom) 6B Clamp lever (lower part) 7. Tightening lever 701 Operating part (tightening lever) 702 Hook part (tightening lever) 8. Spring (tightening lever)

Claims

1. In a numbering device (1) comprising an upper part (2) and a lower part (3), A numbering device (1) is characterized in that a clamp fixing portion is provided between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3), and the clamp fixing portion has a plurality of tightening levers (7) that face each other with respect to the axis of the type wheel.

2. The numbering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a clamp fixing portion can be formed or is formed between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3).

3. The numbering device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower part (3) can be firmly, but removably, fixed to the retaining ring (4) of the numbering machine.

4. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the upper part (2) is replaced, the lower part (3) can be left in the retaining ring (4) of the numbering machine.

5. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower part (3) of the numbering device (1) can be clamped to the holding ring (4) of the numbering machine.

6. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lower part (3) has a clamp lever (6B) and a clamp hook (6A) located on the opposite side, and the lower part (3) can be fixed to the holding ring (4) of the numbering machine by tightening the clamp lever (6B) and the clamp hook (6A) against each other.

7. The numbering device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the screw (5) penetrates the clamp hook (6A) and extends to the lower part (3).

8. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper part (2) has a numbering mechanism (21).

9. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the upper part (2) has a type wheel (22).

10. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the upper part (2) can be fixed to the lower part (3) which is positioned on the holding ring (4) of the numbering machine by forming a clamp coupling portion, and can be removed from the lower part (3) by releasing the clamp coupling portion.

11. The numbering device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the upper part (2) has at least two, more preferably two, tightening levers (7) located on opposite sides of each other.

12. The numbering device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the tightening lever (7) extends from the upper part (2) to recessed parts (302) such as undercuts and grooves located in the lower part (3), thereby enabling the upper part (2) to be attached to, fixed, or tightened to the lower part (3).

13. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lower part (3) has at least two, more preferably two, tightening levers (7) located on opposite sides of each other.

14. The numbering device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the tightening lever extends from the lower part (3) to recessed portions such as undercuts and grooves in the upper part (2), thereby enabling the upper part (2) to be attached to, fixed, or tightened to the lower part (3).

15. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that two tightening levers (7) are tiltably arranged on the upper part (2) and / or the lower part (3), respectively, facing each other at an oblique angle.

16. A numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that a spring (8) is positioned between a tightening lever (7) and the portion (2, 3) to which the tightening lever (7) is assigned, that is, between the upper portion (2) or the lower portion (3), and the spring (8) biases the tightening lever (7), thereby preventing release from the opposing portion (3, 2) of the upper portion (2) or the lower portion (3), that is, from the lower portion (3) or the upper portion (2) when the tightening lever (7) is locked.

17. The numbering device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that by operating the tightening lever (7) against the force of the spring (8), the tightening lever (7) can be swung away from the opposing parts (3, 2), thereby making the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) detachable from each other.

18. The numbering device (1) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, based on the elimination of operation, the tightening lever (7) is pivotable to opposing parts (3, 2), thereby the upper part (2) is fixable and / or clampable to the lower part (3).

19. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the tightening lever (7) has an operating portion (701) for the user and a hook portion (702) for engaging with opposing portions (3, 2).

20. The numbering device (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that the tightening lever (7) engages with the lateral recessed portion (302) in the lower part (3) by the hook portion (702).

21. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 20, characterized in that the tightening lever (7) is arranged substantially vertically.

22. The numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the lower surface (201) of the upper part (2) engages with the central groove (301) of the lower part (3) by a protruding portion (202).

23. Upper part (2) for a numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

24. A lower part (3) for a numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

25. A numbering machine characterized by comprising a numbering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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