GB391717A - Improvements in or relating to gripping devices for use with meat slicing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

391,717. Slicing-machines. BLICK, E. L. and AUTOMATIC SCALE CO., Ltd., Broadheath, Attrincham, Cheshire. Dec. 1, 1932, No. 33989. [Class 28 (ii).] A last-slice holder of the kind having spikes secured to parallel shafts which are partially rotated, to project the spikes through the face-plate into the meat, is provided with means which, during the working of the machine, automatically moves the spikes into fully projected position if the operator has, inadvertently, left them partially projected. The spikes are usually curved, and if partially projected extend excessively from the plane of the face plate and are liable to damage the knife. The automatic projecting means obviates this danger. As shown, the last slice holder is attached to the usual clamp uprights by slotted lugs 3, and one of the lower spike-carrying shafts projects through a U-shaped frame 2, to which the face plate 1 is secured, and carries an arm 20 carrying a roller 23 on a pin 21 at its free end. As the holder approaches the cutting plane, the roller 23 contacts with a fixed stop which may be a meat-positioning plate. The shaft carrying the arm 20, and the other shafts which are geared and linked thereto, are thereby rotated, and the spikes are fully projected. The manual projection of the spikes is effected by depressing the handle 13, a leaf spring 18 engaging the top of the link 16 when the handle is fully depressed. The spring is displaced to permit the raising of the handle 13, by pushing it inwardly towards the spikecarrying spindles, by a finger piece 19. The arm 20 may be replaced by a link, pinion or star wheel and the invention may be applied to the small spikes of the holder described in Specification 370,660.