Title: Clamping assembly for thin printing plates

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Abstract: A clamping apparatus is provided for holding thin flexible printing plates, especially Mylar printing plates, in position on a press cylinder. A metallic rigid clamp body is provided which is attachable to the press cylinder in a gap or groove formed between facing ends of plate supporting shims and/or edges of a groove formed in the press cylinder. A pivot bar having a serrated clamping edge is pivotally supported in the clamp body for cooperation with a fixed facing clamping surface of the clamp body to clamp the leading edge of the "Mylar" plate. A "Mylar" spring is provided for providing a continuous light biasing force on the pivot bar in the clamping direction. The clamping action of the pivot bar is by way of camming action and engagement of the serrated surface into the "Mylar" or other printing plate material, such that movement of the plate in a direction out of the clamping space tends to increase the clamping force of the pivot bar. The clamp body further slidably accommodates a tension bar which has a single fixed groove for engaging and holding the trailing edge of the printing plate. This tension bar is spring biased to a position corresponding to clamping of the printing plate trailing edge.


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