US3635560A - Step and repeat image reproduction apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A step and repeat image reproduction apparatus for reproduction of images onto image receiving material, such as film, photosensitive material, plates or the like, from an image bearing master. The apparatus has an exposure window and a vacuum device for holding the image receiving material and the image bearing master in firm contact with the exposure window where a time controlled exposure lamp exposes the image receiving material. The image receiving material and the image bearing master are secured to slide members which are movable at right angles with each other for precisely positioning same for exposure. The image receiving material and slide member has a single linear motion, while the image bearing master and respective slide member has a single linear motion transverse to that of the image-receiving material slide member. The slide members are used conjunctively to make all necessary movements for the step and repeat exposures. A registry window has a grid therein for positioning an image bearing negative prior to being secured to a negative carrier to form the master.

Description

United States Patent Hulen (451 Jan. 18, 1972 [541 STEP AND REPEAT IMAGE REPRODUCTION APPARATUS Claude K. Hulen, 7209 Virginia, Kansas City, Mo. 64131 [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1969 [21] App1.No.: 860,612

[72] Inventor:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Huebner ....355/86 Ogden ....355/86 Gerson ..355/87 Primary Examiner- Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Fred L. Braun Attorney-Fishbum, Gold and Litman [57] ABSTRACT A step and repeat image reproduction apparatus for reproduction of images onto image receiving material, such as film, photosensitive material, plates or the like, from an image bearing master. The apparatus has an exposure window and a vacuum device for holding the image receiving material and the image bearing master in firm contact with the exposure window where a time controlled exposure lamp exposes the image receiving material. The image receiving material and the image bearing master are secured to slide members which are movable at right angles with each other for precisely positioning same for exposure. The image receiving material and slide member has a single linear motion, while the image bearing master and respective slide member has a single linear motion transverse to that of the image-receiving material slide member. The slide members are used conjunctively to make all necessary movements for the step and repeat exposures. A registry window has a grid therein for positioning an image bearing negative prior to being secured to a negative carrier to form the master.

9 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures V PATENTED mm s 1912 SHEET 1 [IF 5 INVEN'TO Claude K. Hulen ATTORNEYS P-ATENTEB JAM 8 m2 SHEET 2 [IF 5 INVENTOR. Claude K. Hulen Y MM,M-;

ATTORNEYS PATENTEB JAN. 8 m2 SHEET 3 [IF 5 R WH WK e. d u m C Y B mum mm m MW I! aw -w. mm 2 PM I. mm

ATTORNEYS Bless-560 SHEET 40F 5 PATENTED JAM 8 m2 INVENTOR. Claude K. Hulen ATTORNE Y5 slesslsso PATENTED JAN 8 I972 SHEET 5 0F 5 INVENTOR. Claude K. Hulen ATTORNEYS STEP AND REPEAT IMAGE REPRODUCTION APPARATUS The present inventionrelates to apparatus for use in the graphic arts industry and more particularly to positioning means for precisely positioning image-receiving material relative to an image-bearing master on a step and repeat apparatus.

The principal objects ofthe present invention are: to provide a step and repeat image reproduction apparatus having novel positioning means for precisely positioning imagereceiving material relativeto an image-bearing master in contact with a step and repeat vacuum apparatus; to provide such a step and repeat apparatus wherein the image-bearing master and the image-receiving material, are movable at right angles witheach other; to providesuch a step and repeat apparatus wherein the image-bearing master is secured to a slide member movable in a linearmotion and the image-receiving material is secured to a second slide member movable in a linear motion normal to the first slide member, the slide members being used in conjunction to make all necessary movements for thestep and repeat exposures; to provide such a step and repeat apparatus having registry means for positioning an image-bearing negative for attachment to a negative carrier thereby forming the master; to provide such a step and repeat of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a step and repeat image reproduction apparatus embodying features of the present invention. Y

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the step and repeat apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2, showing a light chamber for registering and exposing images from amaster onto an image-receiving material.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4, FIG. 2, showing a registry guideway and adjustment means as sociated therewith.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5, FIG. 2. 7

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a punch support structure with a negative carrier sheet in position to be punched.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an opaque negative carrier sheet held in pin registry at a registry window with opaque material being removed therefrom'to form a negative receiving window in the negative carrier.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a completed master having an image-bearing negative secured to the negative carrier sheet.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the master held in pin registry at an exposure window and secured to a master positioning slide member.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of image-receiving material held in pin registry at the exposure window with the master therebetween and showing the image-receiving material secured to a registry slide member.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 10 except showing the master and the image-receiving material in an adjusted position for exposure.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a step and repeat image reproduction apparatus for producing camera ready copy which is mounted on a frame 2 having asuitable base portion 3 which is maintained in a rigid condition bysuitable bracing members 4. Thebase portion 3 hassuitable casters 5 mounted therein to provide mobility and maneuverability of the step and repeat apparatus 1. When the step and repeat apparatusl is in a desired location andposition, a plurality of adjustable support members, such as screws 6, are adjusted to firmly engage a suitable supporting surface, such as a floor, thereby rigidly supporting thebase ponion 3 and the step and repeat apparatus 1.

In the illustrated structure, thebase portion 3 is an elongate structure having front and rear rails 7 and 8, respectively, and

havingend rails 9 and 10 extending between respective adjacent ends of the front and rear rails 7 and 8. The screws 6 are mounted in the front and rear rails 7 and 8 adjacent opposite ends thereof and thecasters 5 are mounted in theend rails 9 and 10 adjacent opposite ends thereof.

Upright members 11 and 12 extend upwardly from theend rails 9 and 10, respectively, and support atable portion 15, as later described. It is desirable to provide arparticularly rigid structure, therefore,gussets 16 are secured to the upright members 1 1 and .12 and to theend rails 9 and 10.

Thetable portion 15 has'frontand rear side or edge members l7 and 18, respectively, and hasend edge members 19 and 20 extending between and connected to respective adjacent ends of the front andrear side members 17 and 18. Atop panel 21 is secured to upper edges of the front andrear edge members 17 and 18 and to upper edges of theend edge members 19 and20 to form a planar work surface. Thetop panel 21 has awork portion 22 adjacent one end edge member,as for example,member 19, and anopaque portion 23 adjacent the otherend edge member 20.

An elongate guideway 24is formed in an upper surface of thetoppanel 21 and extends longitudinally between end edges thereof and substantially parallel with the rear side oredge member 18. Theguideway 24 is'shaped to receive aregistry slide member 25 for movement therealong, as later described. Atransverse guideway 26 is formed in the upper surface of thetop panel 21 and is positioned between thework portion 22 and theopaque portion 23 and extends between the front andrear side members 17 and 18. Thetransverse guideway 26 receives a masterpositioning slide member 27 for movement therealong, as later described.

A generally rectangular orsquare exposure window 28 is positioned in thework portion 22 of thetop panel 21 and has arear edge 29 adjacentand parallel with theelongate guideway 24. Theexposure window 28 also has aside edge 30 adjacent and parallel with thetransverse guideway 26. A generally rectangular orsquare registry window 31 is positioned adjacent theexposure window 28 and has arear edge 32 adjacent and parallel with theelongate guideway 24. Therear edge 29 of theexposure window 28 and therear edge 32 of theregistry window 31 are longitudinally aligned and parallel with theelongate guideway 24.

Theregistry window 31 has a grid formed of a plurality of longitudinally spacedgrid lines 33 and a plurality of transversely spacedgrid lines 34 which intersect the longitudinally spacedgrid lines 33 thereby forming frames for positioning respective images on an image-bearing negative 35, as later described.

A plurality of spaced and aligned recessedpin receiving bushings 36 are positioned adjacent the edges of theexposure window 28 and adjacent the edges of theregistry window 31 for fastening various material in precise relation thereto during production of camera ready copy, as later described.

Apunch 37 is mounted on thetop panel 21 adjacent therear side member 18 and is adapted to punch or perforate amaster 38 or image-receivingmaterial 39, as later described. The perforations are in the form of a plurality of alignedapertures 40 adjacent at least one edge of themaster 38 and a plurality of aligned apertures 41 adjacent at least one edge of the image-receivingmaterial 39, respectively. Theapertures 40 and 41 are spaced and aligned to correspond to and register with thepin receiving bushings 36 adjacent the edges of theexposure window 28 and theregistry window 31.

It is desirable that thepunch 37 have extremely high accuracy and repeatability and automatically clamp in position material to be punched immediately prior to punching same in conjunction with the punching motion and it is desirable that the punch effectively center the material being punched, therefore, a punch corresponding to the punch disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,725 on Punching Apparatus Having Means to Center workpiece is employed with the step and repeat apparatus 1.

Achamber 42 is positioned below thetop panel 21 and has anexposure compartment 43 below and enclosing a lower surface of theexposure window 28. Anexposure lamp 44 is positioned within theexposure compartment 43 for exposing the image-receivingmaterial 39 thereby reproducing images from the image-bearingmaster 38 onto the image-receivingmaterial 39.

Thechamber 42 has aregistry compartment 45 below and enclosing a lower surface of theregistry window 31 and aregistry lamp 46 is positioned within theregistry compartment 45 for illuminating the registry window grid formed of thegrid lines 33 and 34 thereby precisely positioning the image-bearing negative 35 prior to forming themaster 38, as later described.

Ahandle 47 is mounted on the table portion and is operatively connected to theregistry slide member 25 for moving same along theguideway 24 to position theimagereceiving material 39 relative to the image-bearing negative 35 in themaster 38, as later described. In the illustrated structure, amiter gear 48 is mounted on one end of ashaft 49 extending from and turned by thehandle 47. Themiter gear 48 meshes with amiter gear 50 mounted on one end of anelongate gear shaft 51 having aspur gear 52 mounted on the other end thereof. Thespur gear 52 is positioned to interengage with a rack gear 53 on a lower surface of theregistry slide member 25 for moving same longitudinally along theguideway 24 in response to turning thehandle 47. Thegear shaft 51 is rotatably supported bysleeves 54, suitably supported in thechamber 42, as by being secured to and depending from thetop panel 21.

Ahandle 55 is mounted on thetable portion 15 and is operatively connected to the masterpositioning slide member 27 for moving same along thetransverse guideway 26 to position themaster 38 relative to theexposure window 28. In the illustrated structure, ashaft 56 extends downwardly through thetop panel 21 and has amiter gear 57 on a lower end thereof. Themiter gear 57 interengages and meshes with amiter gear 58 on one end of anelongate gear shaft 59 having a spur gear 60 on the other end thereof positioned to interengage with a rack gear 61 on a lower surface of the masterpositioning slide member 27 for moving same along thetransverse guideway 26. Thegear shaft 59 is rotatably supported by a plurality ofsleeves 62 secured to and depending from thetop panel 21.

A vacuum pump' ormotor 63 is mounted on thetable portion 15 and is operative to evacuate theexposure compartment 43 by creating a vacuum therein which will hold a selectedmaster 38 and image-receivingmaterial 39 in firm contact with theexposure window 28. A lip orflange 15 extends inwardly from surfaces defining an opening for theexposure window 28 and suitableresilient material 65 is supported on the flanges 15'. Theresilient material 65 and the material forming theexposure window 28 are spaced from the opening defining surfaces to provide for vacuum air veins 64 around theexposure window 28 for evacuating the exposure compartment and drawing themaster 38 and image-receivingmaterial 39 into firm contact with theexposure window 28. The material forming theexposure window 28 has a plurality of small parallel grooves in the upper surface thereof which communicate with the air veins 64 thereby providing vacuum means for holding themaster 38 and the image-receivingmaterial 39 in firm contact with theexposure window 28. The vacuum pump ormotor 63 is activated by aswitch 66 mounted on thefront side member 17 for easy access thereto.

A timer 67 is operatively connected to theexposure lamp 44 positioned within theexposure compartment 43 whereby the desired duration of exposure of the image-receivingmaterial 39 to the image or images of the image-bearing negative 35 in themaster 38 may be accurately and precisely controlled by an operator (not shown). The timer 67 has apointer 68 for indicating the duration of the exposure time and a suitable switch, such as apushbutton 69, for activating the timer 67 and theexposure lamp 44.

Visual display means, such asindicators 70 and 71, are operatively engaged with theregistry slide member 25 and the masterpositioning slide member 27, respectively, for indicating the position thereof. Theindicators 70 and 71 havedials 72 and 73 respectively to visually display the position of the respective slide member with microconsecutive readout with no accumulative error and no backlash.

In using the step and repeat apparatus 1, thedials 72 and 73 are positioned at a zero initial reading. A suitablenegative carrier sheet 74, such as a sheet of laminated opaque and clear material, is placed in thepunch 37 where theapertures 40 are punched adjacent one side edge thereof. Thenegative carrier sheet 74 which will become themaster 38 after securing the image-bearing negative 35 thereto is held in pin registry at theregistry window 31 and adjacent aright side edge 75 thereof, as seen in FIG. 2. Pins 76 are inserted through theapertures 40 and are received in thepin receiving bushings 36 at theright side edge 75 of theregistry window 31 with anenlarged head portion 77 thereof engaging thesheet 74 for accurately holding same in position. A negative receiving window 78 is formed in thenegative carrier sheet 74, as by cutting through and peeling away a portion of the opaque material forming saidnegative carrier sheet 74. Theregistry lamp 46 is turned on by asuitable switch 79 mounted on thefront side member 17 for convenient access thereto. The image-bearing negative 35 is positioned within the negative receiving window 78 of thenegative carrier sheet 74 and is positioned with the images thereon properly positioned relative to the grid formed by thegrid lines 33 and 34. Upon proper alignment with the grid and theregistry slide member 25, the image-bearing negative 35 is suitably secured to thenegative carrier sheet 74, as by being taped thereto, thereby forming themaster 38.

The completedmaster 38 is then transferred to pin registry at theexposure window 28 wherein the position of thepin receiving bushings 36 are identical with the location of thepin receiving bushings 36 at theright side edge 75 of theregistry window 31. The pins 76 are inserted through theapertures 40 in themaster 38 and are received in thepin receiving bushings 36 adjacent theside edge 30 of theexposure window 28 with thehead portions 77 thereof holding themaster 38 in precise centered location relative to theexposure window 28 and the masterpositioning slide member 27. Themaster 28 is then suitably secured to the masterpositioning slide member 27, as by tape, and the pins 76 are removed whereby themaster 38 may be moved relative to theexposure window 28 through movement of the masterpositioning slide member 27 by thehandle 55.

The image-receivingmaterial 39, such as a sheet of raw film, photosensitive material, plates or the like, is placed in thepunch 37 which is operative to form the apertures 41 along one edge thereof. The image-receivingmaterial 39 is held in pin registry adjacent therear edge 29 of theexposure window 28 by placing the pins 76 through the apertures 41 and into thepin receiving bushings 36 adjacent saidrear edge 29. The image-receivingmaterial 39 is then suitably secured to theregistry slide member 25, as by tape, and the pins 76 are removed from therespective bushings 36 adjacent theregistry slide member 25. The position of the photosensitive orimagereceiving material 39 is now on the exact longitudinal center line of theexposure window 28. Theswitch 66 is then manipulated to activate the vacuum pump ormotor 63 for drawing and holding themaster 38 and the image-receivingmaterial 39 into firm vacuum contact with theexposure window 28. Thepointer 68 of the timer 67 is adjusted to the desired exposure time and thepushbutton 69 is actuated to turn on theexposure lamp 44 and activate the timer 67 for exposing the imagereceiving material to the selected image on the image-bearingnegative 35 of themaster 38.

In the event that the image-bearing negative 35 has a plurality of images thereon to be exposed to the image-receivingmaterial 39, thevacuum switch 66 is turned to the off" position thereby breaking the vacuum contact between themaster 38 and image-receivingmaterial 39 with theexposure window 28. Theregistry slide member 25 is then moved to the next position by turning thehandle 47 to position the image-receiv ing material 39 relative to the next image on the imagebearing negative 35. The vacuum contact is then repeated, the exposure is repeated and the vacuum contact is broken before the image-receivingmaterial 39 is moved to align with each succeeding image in the image-bearing negative 35. This procedure is continued until the first longitudinal row is completed. The masterpositioning slide member 27 is then adjusted to position the image-bearing negative 35, relative to the image-receivingmaterial 39, for a second longitudinal row of exposures, and any portion of theexposure window 28 uncovered by moving themaster 38 is masked or covered, whereby theregistry slide member 25 may then be adjusted to position the image-receivingmaterial 39 in precise alignment with the images on themaster 38 and the vacuum contact and exposures are accomplished in a reverse direction along the second longitudinal row. Additional rows of images and exposures will be made in the longitudinal and transverse directions by the same methods. After final exposure of the image-receivingmaterial 39, it is removed from the apparatus 1 and processed in a normal manner. Theregistry slide member 25 is movable in a single linear motion in theguideway 24 and the masterpositioning slide member 27 is movable in a single linear motion in thetransverse guideway 26 with the movements being used conjunctively to make all necessary adjustments for the step and repeat exposures.

it is to be understood that, while i have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to this specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A step and repeat reproduction apparatus comprising:

a. a planar work surface;

b. an exposure window in said work surface, said exposure window being translucent material;

c. material fastening means adjacent said exposure window for holding a master having an image to be reproduced;

d. an elongate guideway in said work surface adjacent said exposure window;

e. a registry slide member received in said guideway and movable therealong;

adjustment means engaged with said registry slide member for positioning image-receiving material secured to said registry slide member into registry with the image on said master for reproduction on said image-receiving material;

g. an exposure lamp below said exposure window for exposing said image-receiving material thereby reproducing the image from the master thereto;

. a registry window adjacent said registry slide member;

1. material fastening means adjacent said registry window for holding a negative carrier sheet; and

j. guide means associated with said registry window for positioning an image-bearing negative for attachment to said negative carrier sheet thereby forming the master.

2. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. a second elongate guideway in said work surface, said second guideway being adjacent said exposure window and extending transversely of said first-named guideway;

b. a master positioning slide member received in said second guideway and movable therealong; and

c. adjustment means engaged with said master positioning slide member for positioning a master secured thereto.

3. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including:

dial indicators engaged with said respective slide members and driven by movement thereof with an absence of accumulative error and backlash to indicate linear movement of the respective slide member.

4. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said registry window is a generally rectangular area in a portion of said translucent material of said work surface; and

b. said registry window guide means is a grid in said registry window formed of a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced intersecting grid lines, said grid defining a plurality of image alignment areas for the image on said image-bearing negative.

5. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said exposure window fastening means and said registry window fastening means include:

a. punch means for perforation of said master and said image-receiving material to receive the image on said master, said perforation being a plurality of aligned apertures adjacent at least one edge of said master and said image-receiving material;

b. a plurality of recessed bushings adjacent at least one edge of said exposure window and adjacent at least one edge of said registry window, said recessed bushings being spaced and aligned to correspond to and register with said punched apertures in said master and said image-receiving material; and

c. a plurality of pins each sized and shaped to pass through said punched apertures and sized and shaped to be received in said recessed bushings thereby selectively fastening said master and said image-receiving material adjacent said exposure window and adjacent said registry window.

6. A step and repeat image reproduction apparatus comprisa. a frame having a table portion;

b. a top panel in said table portion;

c. a generally rectangular exposure window in said top panel;

d. fastening means associated with said exposure window for holding a master having an image to be reproduced, said master being a negative carrier sheet having an image-bearing negative secured thereto;

e. a first elongate guideway in said top panel, said first guideway being adjacent one edge of said exposure window and parallel thereto;

f. a registry slide member received in said first guideway and movable therealong;

g. a translucent generally rectangular registry window having one edge adjacent and parallel with said first guideway;

h. fastening means associated with said registry window for holding a negative carrier portion of said master;

i. a second elongate guideway in said top panel, said second guideway being adjacent an other edge of said exposure window and extending transversely of said first guideway and parallel with said other edge of said exposure window, said other edge of said exposure window intersecting said first-named one edge thereof;

j. a master positioning slide member received in said second guideway and movable therealong;

k. adjustment means associated with said registry slide member for positioning image-receiving material secured thereto into precise registry with the respective images on said master for reproduction on said image-receiving material;

I. adjustment means associated with said master positioning slide member for positioning a master secured thereto and having a plurality of rows of images to be reproduced on said image-receiving material secured to said registry slide member;

m. an exposure lamp below said exposure window for exposing said image-receiving material thereby reproducing the image from the master thereto;

11. said fastening means for said exposure window and said fastening means for said registry window have a plurality of spaced and aligned recessed pin receiving bushings adjacent at least one edge of said respective windows; and

0. said master and said image-receiving material each have a plurality of apertures adjacent at least one edge thereof, said apertures being alignable with said pin receiving bushings whereby pins placed therein engage and hold the master and the image-receiving material.

7. A step and repeat image reproduction apparatus comprisa. a frame having a table portion;

b. a top panel in said table portion;

c. a generally rectangular exposure window in said top panel;

d. fastening means associated with said exposure window for holding a master having an image to be reproduced, said master being a negative carrier sheet having an image-bearing negative secured thereto;

e. a first elongate guideway in said top panel, said first guideway being adjacent one edge of said exposure window and parallel thereto;

f. a registry slide member received in said first guideway and movable therealong;

g. a translucent generally rectangular registry window having one edge adjacent and parallel with said first guideway, said registry window having a grid formed of a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced intersecting grid lines, said grid forming frames for the image on said image-bearing negative;

h, fastening means associated with said registry window for holding a negative carrier portion of said master;

i. a second elongate guideway in said top panel, said second guideway being adjacent an other edge of said exposure window and extending transversely of said first guideway and parallel with said other edge of said exposure window, said other edge of said exposure window intersecting said first-named one edge thereof;

j. a master positioning slide member received in said second guideway and movable therealong;

k. adjustment means associated with said registry slide member for positioning image-receiving material secured thereto into precise registry with the respective images on said master for reproduction on said image-receiving material;

1. adjustment means associated with said master positioning slide member for positioning a master secured thereto and having a plurality of rows of images to be reproduced on said image-receiving material secured to said registry slide member; and

m. an exposure lamp below said exposure window for exposing said image-receiving material thereby reproducing the image from the master thereto.

8. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 7 including:

a. vacuum means associated with said exposure window for holding said image-receiving material and said master in vacuum contact with said exposure window;

b. a chamber below said top panel, said chamber having an exposure compartment below said exposure window and a registry compartment below said registry window, said exposure lamp being within said exposure compartment for exposing the image-receiving material thereby reproducing the image on the master to the image-receiving material;

d. a registry lamp within said registry compartment for illuminating said registry window grid; and

e. timing means operatively connected to said exposure lamp for controlling duration of exposure.

9. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

a. said ad ustment means for said registry slide member and said adjustment means for said master positioning slide member each have gear means mounted on said respective slide member for interengagement with respective gear means mounted on an elongated shaft rotatably mounted on said table portion, said elongated shafts each having handle means mounted thereon for turning same;

b. said fastening means for said exposure window and said fastening means for said registry window have a plurality of spaced and aligned recessed pin receiving bushings adjacent at least one edge of said respective windows; and

c. said master and said image-receiving material each have a plurality of apertures adjacent at least one edge thereof, said apertures being alignable with said pin receiving bushings whereby pins placed therein engage and hold the master and the image-receiving material.

Claims (9)

1. A step and repeat reproduction apparatus comprising: a. a planar work surface; b. an exposure window in said work surface, said exposure window being translucent material; c. material fastening means adjacent said exposure window for holding a master having an image to be reproduced; d. an elongate guideway in said work surface adjacent said exposure window; e. a registry slide member received in said guideway and movable therealong; f. adjustment means engaged with said registry slide member for positioning image-receiving material secured to said registry slide member into registry with the image on said master for reproduction on said image-receiving material; g. an exposure lamp below said exposure window for exposing said image-receiving material thereby reproducing the image from the master thereto; h. a registry window adjacent said registry slide member; i. material fastening means adjacent said registry window for holding a negative carrier sheet; and j. guide means associated with said registry window for positioning an image-bearing negative for attachment to said negative carrier sheet thereby forming the master.

2. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including: a. a second elongate guideway in said work surface, said second guideway being adjacent said exposure window and extending transversely of said first-named guideway; b. a master positioning slide member received in said second guideway and movable therealong; and c. adjustment means engaged with said master positioning slide member for positioning a master secured thereto.

3. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including: dial indicators engaged with said respective slide members and driven by movement thereof with an absence of accumulative error and backlash to indicate linear movement of the respective slide member.

4. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said registry window is a generally rectangular area in a portion of said translucent material of said work surface; and b. said registry window guide means is a grid in said registry window formed of a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced intersecting grid lines, said grid defining a plurality of image alignment areas for the image on said image-bearing negative.

5. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said exposure window fastening means and said registry window fastening means include: a. punch means for perforation of said master and said image-receiving material to receive the image on said master, said perforation being a plurality of aligned apertures adjacent at least one edge of said master and said image-receiving material; b. a plurality of recessed bushings adjacent at least one edge of said exposure window and adjacent at least one edge of said registry window, said recessed bushings being spaced and aligned to correspond to and register with said punched apertures in said master and said image-receiving material; and c. a plurality of pins each sized and shaped to pass through said punched apertures and sized and shaped to be received in said recessed bushings thereby selectively fastening said master and said image-receiving material adjacent said exposure window and adjacent said registry window.

6. A step and repeat image reproduction apparatus comprising: a. a frame having a table portion; b. a top panel in said table portion; c. a generally rectangular exposure window in saiD top panel; d. fastening means associated with said exposure window for holding a master having an image to be reproduced, said master being a negative carrier sheet having an image-bearing negative secured thereto; e. a first elongate guideway in said top panel, said first guideway being adjacent one edge of said exposure window and parallel thereto; f. a registry slide member received in said first guideway and movable therealong; g. a translucent generally rectangular registry window having one edge adjacent and parallel with said first guideway; h. fastening means associated with said registry window for holding a negative carrier portion of said master; i. a second elongate guideway in said top panel, said second guideway being adjacent an other edge of said exposure window and extending transversely of said first guideway and parallel with said other edge of said exposure window, said other edge of said exposure window intersecting said first-named one edge thereof; j. a master positioning slide member received in said second guideway and movable therealong; k. adjustment means associated with said registry slide member for positioning image-receiving material secured thereto into precise registry with the respective images on said master for reproduction on said image-receiving material; l. adjustment means associated with said master positioning slide member for positioning a master secured thereto and having a plurality of rows of images to be reproduced on said image-receiving material secured to said registry slide member; m. an exposure lamp below said exposure window for exposing said image-receiving material thereby reproducing the image from the master thereto; n. said fastening means for said exposure window and said fastening means for said registry window have a plurality of spaced and aligned recessed pin receiving bushings adjacent at least one edge of said respective windows; and o. said master and said image-receiving material each have a plurality of apertures adjacent at least one edge thereof, said apertures being alignable with said pin receiving bushings whereby pins placed therein engage and hold the master and the image-receiving material.

7. A step and repeat image reproduction apparatus comprising: a. a frame having a table portion; b. a top panel in said table portion; c. a generally rectangular exposure window in said top panel; d. fastening means associated with said exposure window for holding a master having an image to be reproduced, said master being a negative carrier sheet having an image-bearing negative secured thereto; e. a first elongate guideway in said top panel, said first guideway being adjacent one edge of said exposure window and parallel thereto; f. a registry slide member received in said first guideway and movable therealong; g. a translucent generally rectangular registry window having one edge adjacent and parallel with said first guideway, said registry window having a grid formed of a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced intersecting grid lines, said grid forming frames for the image on said image-bearing negative; h. fastening means associated with said registry window for holding a negative carrier portion of said master; i. a second elongate guideway in said top panel, said second guideway being adjacent an other edge of said exposure window and extending transversely of said first guideway and parallel with said other edge of said exposure window, said other edge of said exposure window intersecting said first-named one edge thereof; j. a master positioning slide member received in said second guideway and movable therealong; k. adjustment means associated with said registry slide member for positioning image-receiving material secured thereto into precise registry with the respective images on said master for reproduction on said image-receiving material; l. adjustment mEans associated with said master positioning slide member for positioning a master secured thereto and having a plurality of rows of images to be reproduced on said image-receiving material secured to said registry slide member; and m. an exposure lamp below said exposure window for exposing said image-receiving material thereby reproducing the image from the master thereto.

8. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 7 including: a. vacuum means associated with said exposure window for holding said image-receiving material and said master in vacuum contact with said exposure window; b. a chamber below said top panel, said chamber having an exposure compartment below said exposure window and a registry compartment below said registry window, said exposure lamp being within said exposure compartment for exposing the image-receiving material thereby reproducing the image on the master to the image-receiving material; d. a registry lamp within said registry compartment for illuminating said registry window grid; and e. timing means operatively connected to said exposure lamp for controlling duration of exposure.

9. The step and repeat apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein: a. said adjustment means for said registry slide member and said adjustment means for said master positioning slide member each have gear means mounted on said respective slide member for interengagement with respective gear means mounted on an elongated shaft rotatably mounted on said table portion, said elongated shafts each having handle means mounted thereon for turning same; b. said fastening means for said exposure window and said fastening means for said registry window have a plurality of spaced and aligned recessed pin receiving bushings adjacent at least one edge of said respective windows; and c. said master and said image-receiving material each have a plurality of apertures adjacent at least one edge thereof, said apertures being alignable with said pin receiving bushings whereby pins placed therein engage and hold the master and the image-receiving material.

Images