GB1325931A - Automatic stitching equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

1325931 Feeding sheets BRITISH BATA SHOE CO Ltd 28 May 1971 [12 June 1970] 18038/71 Heading B8R Apparatus for matching and feeding flat stackable components to a sewing-machine comprises supports for separate piles of components, device for separating components in succession from each pile, means for comparing the colour of the components separated from each pile, means for aligning the components, means for conveying the components from the pile to the comparing and aligning means, and means for transferring the components from the aligning means to the sewing means. Pile supports.-The components are stored in two piles 46, Fig. 5, each supported on a circular feed blade 124 and against a pivoted end support 68, Figs. 3 and 5, and passing through an opening 45 in a laterally inclined plate 38, Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Above the plate 38 is supported one of a number of interchangeable plates 52 having a similar opening round which are secured a plurality of vertical pins 50 to define the periphery of the components, or by an equivalent sheet metal frame, each plate 52 accommodating a particular size of component. The pile is pressed downwards by a weight 55 on a constant-force spring. A pressure blade 103 enters the pile a few components above the bottom during separation and is cam-actuated to first press downwards and then reduce the pile pressure. The two plates 38 are connected by a V-plate 39. Separating sheets.-The blade 124 is helical with a raised leading point 126 which enters the pile above the bottom component, so that after one revolution of the blade the bottom component is transferred from above to below the blade by a screw action. Faulty feed or sheet detectors.-A pair of components separated from the two piles fall on to and down base-plates 151, 152 of a shoot 145 and are arrested by rods 158. Two photoelectric devices 160 each having a turret colour filter selector 162 compare the colour of the two components, and a further detector 156 enables a light comparison to detect the absence of one or both components. The rods 158 are retracted after the comparing operation. Registering sheets.-The components fall after retraction of the rods into two compartments of a gauge 165 inclined rearwardly and closed at the bottom and rear, so that the two components are aligned with each other. Forwarding sheets.-After alignment, the gauge 165, Fig. 7, is rotated through 90 degrees by a pneumatic piston 213. In the event of rejection, a piston 231 rotates the gauge through 20 degrees, whereafter the components pass to a reject bin. After the 90 degree rotation, pins 264, Fig. 8, are lowered by a pneumatic cylinder 271 and pass through slots 182, 183, Fig. 4, in the gauge plates 175, 177 and through the components, and are then moved horizontally by a motor 240 to extract the components from the gauge and move them to a position where they are fed to the sewing machine by a plate 280.