CA1240348A - Phase controlled gripper operating system for collator - Google Patents
Phase controlled gripper operating system for collatorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1240348A CA1240348A CA000473672A CA473672A CA1240348A CA 1240348 A CA1240348 A CA 1240348A CA 000473672 A CA000473672 A CA 000473672A CA 473672 A CA473672 A CA 473672A CA 1240348 A CA1240348 A CA 1240348A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- gripper
- jaw
- gripper arm
- mechanical linkage
- combination
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000010355 oscillation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003534 oscillatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Collation Of Sheets And Webs (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The phase relationship of gripper jaw operation to gripper arm travel is adjustable in a collator to obtain proper sheet release during gripper arm travel. At least two trip elements actuate the jaw operating mechanism at adjusted phase locations of the gripper arm while a stop engageable with the operating mechanism limits jaw opening movement.
The phase relationship of gripper jaw operation to gripper arm travel is adjustable in a collator to obtain proper sheet release during gripper arm travel. At least two trip elements actuate the jaw operating mechanism at adjusted phase locations of the gripper arm while a stop engageable with the operating mechanism limits jaw opening movement.
Description
~2~93348 This invention pertains to improvements in a sheet material collator of the type utilized in automatic handling equipment.
The collating of sheet material and insertion thereof into a mailing envelope is presently performed automatically by various updated versions of a machine often referred to as a "Phillips burg Inserter" disclosed in US.
Patent No. 2,325,455 to Williams. The collating function performed by this machine involves oscillation of a gripper arm at each of a plurality of stations by means of a common power shaft. A jaw assembly carried at the lower end of each gripper arm engages a sheet at one end of the gripper arm stroke to carry the sheet to a location along the gripper travel path at which the sheet is released for deposit onto a conveyor passing through each of the collating stations. A pivoted hold down element is timely displaced into contact with the sheet once deposited between guide rails of the conveyor.
Various interrelated drive components are provided to effect synchronized powered movement for the oscillating power shaft, the gripper jaws, the con-voyeur and the hold down element at each of the collating stations. In view or the complexity of the drive arrangement and wear of parts associated therewith, operational speed is limited, frequent adjustments are required and downtime loss occurs because of frequent maintenance and part replacements.
In an effort to increase operational speed, improve operational reliability and produce a more desirable product, the collating portion of the foregoing type of automatic mail handling machine has been interfaced with a film-type envelope wrapper, as referred to in US. Pat. No. 4,494,362, of Keith C. Koch, issued January 22, 1985 and corresponding Canadian application No. 377,560, of Keith C. Koch, filed May 14, 1981 owned by the assignee of the present application. The wrapper machine is therefore driven in synchronism with the collator at speeds compatible with the collating operation making adjust en and maintenance more critical.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved collator which is more compatible in operation with the flexible film wrapper aforementioned.
lZ4~8 _ Jo A more specific object is to provide an improved collator wherein synchronized operation of the gripper jaws is effected without reliance on the complex drive arrangement heretofore utilized in a "Phillips burg Inserter".
A still further object is to provide a collator with phase control means for obtaining adjusted synchronized operation of the gripper jaws.
In accordance with the present invention, the gripper jaws carried by oscillating gripper arms of a collator, are controlled by means of a toggle linkage type of operating mechanism displaceable with the gripper arms through an operational stroke of fixed amplitude. Phase adjustable actuator trips are engage able with the toggle linkage for over center displacement thereof between jaw closing and opening positions at predetermined phase locations of the gripper arm during travel through its operational stroke. In this manner, powered drive connections to the gripper jaws are eliminated and phase adjustment of jaw operation may be made more readily and independently of other synchronized operations.
In summary, therefore, the present invention provides in combination with a cyclically displaceable gripper and drive means connected to the gripper for displacement thereof through a travel stroke of fixed amplitude, the improvement comprising mechanical linkage means connected to the gripper for cyclic operation thereof, and phase control means establishing a - pa -predetermined phase relationship between cyclic operation of the gripper and the travel stroke thereof, including at least two trip elements engage able with the mechanical linkage means for imparting gripping and release movements to the gripper at selected phase locations during the displacement of the gripper.
Figure l is a schematic block diagram illustrating the control system associated with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a partial end view of a collator at one of its collating stations, Figure 3 is a partial side of the collator at the collating station as shown in Figure 2; and ; Figures 4, 5 and 6 are partial sectional views taken substantially through planes indicated by section ; lines 4--4, 5--5 and 6--6 in Figure 2.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 schematically illustrates a control system generally referred to by reference numeral 10 associated with a sheet material collator having a mechanical drive 12 through which cyclic movement is imparted to various components of the collator. The collated material is adapted to be enclosed in a flexible film envelope by means of a wrapper machine with which a drive 14 is - lZ4a~348 associated. A continuous drive connection 16 between wrapper drive 14 and collator drive 12 maintains operational synchronism between the collator and the wrapper. A common source of power 18 has a start control switch 20 through which power is supplied to the wrapper drive 14. The foregoing arrangement is generally well known in the art as herein before referred to.
The collator has associated therewith a gripper device 38 operated by an operating mechanism 22 during cyclic movement thereof by the collator drive 12 in accordance with the present invention. The operational phase relationship between gripper operation and its movement is determined by phase control 26 as will be explained in detail hereinafter.
Figure 2 illustrates a portion of the collator at one collating station. The collator frame supports a main bed 32 overlying a horizontal conveyor 34 through which collated material deposited onto bed 32 is trays-ported to the envelope wrapper. A support portion 36 of the frame mounts one of the gripper devices 38 at each collating station. Each gripper device includes a gripper arm 40 fixed to a common power shaft 42 for oscillation of a jaw assembly 52 through a fixed stroke along a travel path 44 between limit positions. A sheet 46 withdrawn from a sheet material storage or magazine portion of the collator (not shown is held between a fixedly mounted roller 48 and a movable roller 50 in alignment with travel path 44 of the jaw assembly.
The jaw assembly includes a fixed jaw 54 secured t the lower end of the gripper arm 40 and a pivotal movable jaw 56. From a limit position opposite the limit position shown in Figure 2, the gripper arm is displaced in one direction with its jaws 54 and 56 open. Upon reaching the limit position shown in Figure 2, the jaws close and grip the sheet material 46. The movable roller 50 is then withdrawn from engagement with the sheet 46 so that subsequent movement of the gripper arm in the other direction will carry the sheet along path 44 over the conveyor 34. The jaws are timely opened to release the sheet during travel of the gripper arm for deposit of the sheet onto the conveyor between guide rails 60 and 62 fixed to bed 32. A stop element 64 prevents over travel of the sheet 3~B
after release, as the gripper arm approaches its limit position. A hold down element 58 which was pivotal raised to the pofiition shown in Figure 2, is displaced downwardly as the gripper arm approaches the right-hand limit post-lion. The hold down element thereby holds the deposited sheet material on bed 32 for transport by the conveyor 34 from the collating station. The collator drive 12 referred to in connection with Figure 1, effects cyclic movement of the gripper arm 40, the movable roller 50, hold down element 58, conveyor 34 and other machine components not shown, in operational synchronism. The synchronizing drive arrangement for the foregoing components is already known and forms no part of the present invention. The synchronized operation of the gripper jaw assembly 52, however, is effected in accordance with the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, there is no direct mechanical drive connection from the collator drive to the jaw assembly 52.
Instead, the jaw assembly is operated by the operating mechanism 22 in the form of a toggle linkage including toggle links 66 and 68 interconnected by a toggle pin 70. Ike remote ends of the toggle links are respectively pivot tally connected to pivot arms 72 and 74. Pivot arm 72 is connected to a lever member 75, fixed to power shaft 42 while pivot arm 74 is fixed to an operating 20 shaft 76 carried by the gripper arm 40 and the lever 75. The operating shaft 76 is connected by adjustable link 78 at the gripper arm to its movable jaw 56. Jaw 56 is biased to a closed position by spring 80. The spring 80 will therefore yield ably hold the toggle links 66 and 68 in one of two over center positions as shown in Figure 2, corresponding to a closed position of the jaws.
The toggle links are displaced over center toward the other open jaw position shown by dotted lines 82 to angularly displace the pivot arm 72 downwardly relative to the position shown in Figure 2 for jaw opening purposes. The open jaw position of the toggle linkage is adjustable set by a stop element 84 as more clearly seen in Figure 6. The stop element is adjustable mounted on the 30 member 75 80 as to limit over center movement of toggle link 68 and thereby {)348 hold pivot arm 74 in an angular position corresponding to the open position of movable jaw 56.
The phase control 26 is operative to actuate the toggle linkage for over center movement as aforementioned 80 as to open the jaws during travel of the gripper arm in a right-hand direction as viewed in Figure 2. The jaws will then remain open until the toggle linkage is again actuated in the opposite direction when the gripper arm returns to the limit position shown in Figure 2. Such opening and closing of the jaws will respectively release a sheet and grip another sheet, and such action occurs in proper phase rota-lion to the oscillatory travel of the gripper arm.
The phase control 26 includes a frame fixed plate 86 axially positioned along power shaft 42 adjacent to the toggle linkage mechanism 22.
An arcuate groove 88 is formed in the plate 86 having a center of curvature lying on the axis of the power shaft. Two toggle actuating trip elements 90 and 92 are slid ably received in the groove 86 and locked in angularly adjusted positions on the plate 86 for engagement with the toggle link 66.
Accordingly, angular travel of the gripper arm in a right-hand direction as viewed in Figure 2, will bring toggle link 66 into engagement with actuator element 90 to displace the toggle linkage from its closed jaw position to its open jaw position. The element 90 may therefore be adjustable positioned to effect release of a sheet precisely at the desired phase location of the gripper arm during travel. The actuator trip element 92, on the other hand, may be adjustable positioned to cause timely closing of the jaws over a sheet 46 projecting from the rollers 48 and 50 as the gripper arm approaches the limit position shown in Figure 2.
The collating of sheet material and insertion thereof into a mailing envelope is presently performed automatically by various updated versions of a machine often referred to as a "Phillips burg Inserter" disclosed in US.
Patent No. 2,325,455 to Williams. The collating function performed by this machine involves oscillation of a gripper arm at each of a plurality of stations by means of a common power shaft. A jaw assembly carried at the lower end of each gripper arm engages a sheet at one end of the gripper arm stroke to carry the sheet to a location along the gripper travel path at which the sheet is released for deposit onto a conveyor passing through each of the collating stations. A pivoted hold down element is timely displaced into contact with the sheet once deposited between guide rails of the conveyor.
Various interrelated drive components are provided to effect synchronized powered movement for the oscillating power shaft, the gripper jaws, the con-voyeur and the hold down element at each of the collating stations. In view or the complexity of the drive arrangement and wear of parts associated therewith, operational speed is limited, frequent adjustments are required and downtime loss occurs because of frequent maintenance and part replacements.
In an effort to increase operational speed, improve operational reliability and produce a more desirable product, the collating portion of the foregoing type of automatic mail handling machine has been interfaced with a film-type envelope wrapper, as referred to in US. Pat. No. 4,494,362, of Keith C. Koch, issued January 22, 1985 and corresponding Canadian application No. 377,560, of Keith C. Koch, filed May 14, 1981 owned by the assignee of the present application. The wrapper machine is therefore driven in synchronism with the collator at speeds compatible with the collating operation making adjust en and maintenance more critical.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved collator which is more compatible in operation with the flexible film wrapper aforementioned.
lZ4~8 _ Jo A more specific object is to provide an improved collator wherein synchronized operation of the gripper jaws is effected without reliance on the complex drive arrangement heretofore utilized in a "Phillips burg Inserter".
A still further object is to provide a collator with phase control means for obtaining adjusted synchronized operation of the gripper jaws.
In accordance with the present invention, the gripper jaws carried by oscillating gripper arms of a collator, are controlled by means of a toggle linkage type of operating mechanism displaceable with the gripper arms through an operational stroke of fixed amplitude. Phase adjustable actuator trips are engage able with the toggle linkage for over center displacement thereof between jaw closing and opening positions at predetermined phase locations of the gripper arm during travel through its operational stroke. In this manner, powered drive connections to the gripper jaws are eliminated and phase adjustment of jaw operation may be made more readily and independently of other synchronized operations.
In summary, therefore, the present invention provides in combination with a cyclically displaceable gripper and drive means connected to the gripper for displacement thereof through a travel stroke of fixed amplitude, the improvement comprising mechanical linkage means connected to the gripper for cyclic operation thereof, and phase control means establishing a - pa -predetermined phase relationship between cyclic operation of the gripper and the travel stroke thereof, including at least two trip elements engage able with the mechanical linkage means for imparting gripping and release movements to the gripper at selected phase locations during the displacement of the gripper.
Figure l is a schematic block diagram illustrating the control system associated with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a partial end view of a collator at one of its collating stations, Figure 3 is a partial side of the collator at the collating station as shown in Figure 2; and ; Figures 4, 5 and 6 are partial sectional views taken substantially through planes indicated by section ; lines 4--4, 5--5 and 6--6 in Figure 2.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 schematically illustrates a control system generally referred to by reference numeral 10 associated with a sheet material collator having a mechanical drive 12 through which cyclic movement is imparted to various components of the collator. The collated material is adapted to be enclosed in a flexible film envelope by means of a wrapper machine with which a drive 14 is - lZ4a~348 associated. A continuous drive connection 16 between wrapper drive 14 and collator drive 12 maintains operational synchronism between the collator and the wrapper. A common source of power 18 has a start control switch 20 through which power is supplied to the wrapper drive 14. The foregoing arrangement is generally well known in the art as herein before referred to.
The collator has associated therewith a gripper device 38 operated by an operating mechanism 22 during cyclic movement thereof by the collator drive 12 in accordance with the present invention. The operational phase relationship between gripper operation and its movement is determined by phase control 26 as will be explained in detail hereinafter.
Figure 2 illustrates a portion of the collator at one collating station. The collator frame supports a main bed 32 overlying a horizontal conveyor 34 through which collated material deposited onto bed 32 is trays-ported to the envelope wrapper. A support portion 36 of the frame mounts one of the gripper devices 38 at each collating station. Each gripper device includes a gripper arm 40 fixed to a common power shaft 42 for oscillation of a jaw assembly 52 through a fixed stroke along a travel path 44 between limit positions. A sheet 46 withdrawn from a sheet material storage or magazine portion of the collator (not shown is held between a fixedly mounted roller 48 and a movable roller 50 in alignment with travel path 44 of the jaw assembly.
The jaw assembly includes a fixed jaw 54 secured t the lower end of the gripper arm 40 and a pivotal movable jaw 56. From a limit position opposite the limit position shown in Figure 2, the gripper arm is displaced in one direction with its jaws 54 and 56 open. Upon reaching the limit position shown in Figure 2, the jaws close and grip the sheet material 46. The movable roller 50 is then withdrawn from engagement with the sheet 46 so that subsequent movement of the gripper arm in the other direction will carry the sheet along path 44 over the conveyor 34. The jaws are timely opened to release the sheet during travel of the gripper arm for deposit of the sheet onto the conveyor between guide rails 60 and 62 fixed to bed 32. A stop element 64 prevents over travel of the sheet 3~B
after release, as the gripper arm approaches its limit position. A hold down element 58 which was pivotal raised to the pofiition shown in Figure 2, is displaced downwardly as the gripper arm approaches the right-hand limit post-lion. The hold down element thereby holds the deposited sheet material on bed 32 for transport by the conveyor 34 from the collating station. The collator drive 12 referred to in connection with Figure 1, effects cyclic movement of the gripper arm 40, the movable roller 50, hold down element 58, conveyor 34 and other machine components not shown, in operational synchronism. The synchronizing drive arrangement for the foregoing components is already known and forms no part of the present invention. The synchronized operation of the gripper jaw assembly 52, however, is effected in accordance with the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, there is no direct mechanical drive connection from the collator drive to the jaw assembly 52.
Instead, the jaw assembly is operated by the operating mechanism 22 in the form of a toggle linkage including toggle links 66 and 68 interconnected by a toggle pin 70. Ike remote ends of the toggle links are respectively pivot tally connected to pivot arms 72 and 74. Pivot arm 72 is connected to a lever member 75, fixed to power shaft 42 while pivot arm 74 is fixed to an operating 20 shaft 76 carried by the gripper arm 40 and the lever 75. The operating shaft 76 is connected by adjustable link 78 at the gripper arm to its movable jaw 56. Jaw 56 is biased to a closed position by spring 80. The spring 80 will therefore yield ably hold the toggle links 66 and 68 in one of two over center positions as shown in Figure 2, corresponding to a closed position of the jaws.
The toggle links are displaced over center toward the other open jaw position shown by dotted lines 82 to angularly displace the pivot arm 72 downwardly relative to the position shown in Figure 2 for jaw opening purposes. The open jaw position of the toggle linkage is adjustable set by a stop element 84 as more clearly seen in Figure 6. The stop element is adjustable mounted on the 30 member 75 80 as to limit over center movement of toggle link 68 and thereby {)348 hold pivot arm 74 in an angular position corresponding to the open position of movable jaw 56.
The phase control 26 is operative to actuate the toggle linkage for over center movement as aforementioned 80 as to open the jaws during travel of the gripper arm in a right-hand direction as viewed in Figure 2. The jaws will then remain open until the toggle linkage is again actuated in the opposite direction when the gripper arm returns to the limit position shown in Figure 2. Such opening and closing of the jaws will respectively release a sheet and grip another sheet, and such action occurs in proper phase rota-lion to the oscillatory travel of the gripper arm.
The phase control 26 includes a frame fixed plate 86 axially positioned along power shaft 42 adjacent to the toggle linkage mechanism 22.
An arcuate groove 88 is formed in the plate 86 having a center of curvature lying on the axis of the power shaft. Two toggle actuating trip elements 90 and 92 are slid ably received in the groove 86 and locked in angularly adjusted positions on the plate 86 for engagement with the toggle link 66.
Accordingly, angular travel of the gripper arm in a right-hand direction as viewed in Figure 2, will bring toggle link 66 into engagement with actuator element 90 to displace the toggle linkage from its closed jaw position to its open jaw position. The element 90 may therefore be adjustable positioned to effect release of a sheet precisely at the desired phase location of the gripper arm during travel. The actuator trip element 92, on the other hand, may be adjustable positioned to cause timely closing of the jaws over a sheet 46 projecting from the rollers 48 and 50 as the gripper arm approaches the limit position shown in Figure 2.
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In combination with a cyclically displaceable gripper and drive means connected to the gripper for displacement thereof through a travel stroke of fixed amplitude, the improvement comprising mechanical linkage means connected to the gripper for cyclic operation thereof, and phase control means establishing a predetermined phase relationship between cyclic operation of the gripper and the travel stroke thereof, including at least two trip elements engageable with said mechanical linkage means for imparting gripping and release movements to the gripper at selected phase locations during said displacement of the gripper.
2. The combination of Claim 1 wherein said mechanical linkage means includes a toggle linkage engageable by the phase controlling trip means.
3. The combination of Claim 2 including stop means engageable with the toggle linkage for limiting movement thereof to jaw opening position.
4. The combination of Claim 1 wherein said gripper and drive means form part of a collator from which collated sheets are delivered, said gripper including a gripper arm and jaw means on the gripper arm for gripping and releasing said sheets during travel of said gripper arm, the said mechanical linkage means being connected to the gripper arm for closing and opening the jaw means to establish an operational phase of said stroke of the gripper, said two trip elements being engageable with the mechanical linkage means for timely terminating said operational phase by opening of the jaw means.
5. The improvement as defined in Claim 4 including stop means for limiting movement of the mechanical linkage means to a jaw opening position.
6. The combination of Claim 1 wherein said gripper includes a gripper arm displaceable through said stroke of fixed amplitude and jaw means on the gripper arm for gripping and releasing sheets during travel of said gripper arm, and stop means engageable with the mechanical linkage means for limiting said opening of the jaw means.
7. The combination of Claim 4 including a wrapper to which the collated sheets are delivered, and means connecting the drive means to the wrapper for operation thereof in synchronism with the travel of the gripper arm.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000473672A CA1240348A (en) | 1985-02-06 | 1985-02-06 | Phase controlled gripper operating system for collator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000473672A CA1240348A (en) | 1985-02-06 | 1985-02-06 | Phase controlled gripper operating system for collator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1240348A true CA1240348A (en) | 1988-08-09 |
Family
ID=4129767
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000473672A Expired CA1240348A (en) | 1985-02-06 | 1985-02-06 | Phase controlled gripper operating system for collator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1240348A (en) |
-
1985
- 1985-02-06 CA CA000473672A patent/CA1240348A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |