GB744957A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for counting sheets while retained in a pile - Google Patents

Abstract

744,957. Counting-apparatus. VACUUMATIC, Ltd., and SENIOR, K. Oct. 21, 1954 [Oct. 21, 1953], No. 29124/53. Class 106 (1). An apparatus for counting sheets comprises a support for a pile of sheets, a rotor having a thin peripheral portion and so mounted that the peripheral portion is rotatable between adjacent sheets of the pile, the peripheral portion being slit and means being provided whereby successive sheets are individually deflected so that the peripheral portion of the rotor passes from one side to the other of each sheet and means actuated by the deflection of each sheet to operate a counter. The rotor comprises a disc member 10, Figs. 1, 2, the upper surface of which is slightly domed and the under surface of which is substantially flat. The disc 10 has a radial recess 17 having leading and trailing edges 18, 19 respectively. An arcuate portion 22 extends from the leading edge 18 towards the trailing edge 19 and is inclined upwardly. The under surface of the portion 22 has two ports 27, 28 connected by a channel 26 to one end 29 of a passage 30 in the hub 12 of the disc. A hollow spindle connected to a source of suction is inside the hub 12 and a port therein registers with the end 31 of the passage 30 once per revolution of the disc. The disc 10 is located adjacent the corner of the pile of sheets to be counted so that as the disc rotates its periphery engages successive sheets. When the arcuate portion 22 raises the pile of sheets above it the ports 27, 28 are connected through the passage 30 to the source of suction and the corner of the sheet immediately below the disc is raised against the under surface of the portion 22 so that the corner 20 of the trailing edge 19 of the disc 10 passes below said sheet which effects engagement of contacts 32 carried by the disc and thereby actuates a counter (not shown). In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 the hub 12 of the disc 10 is solid and extends into a spindle 37 surrounded by stationary sleeves 42, 43 and a spacer member 9. The ports 27, 28 are connected by a channel 26 to the end 29 of a passage 30 the other end 31 of which co-operates with a port 44 in the sleeve 43, the port 44 being connected to a source of suction. The free end of the arcuate portion 22 carries a looped wire 33 which extends over a port 34 in the upper face of the disc 10. The port 34 is connected by a channel 35 to one end of a passage 38 in the hub 12 and spindle 37. The end 39 of the passage 38 co-operates with a port 45 in the spacing member 9. The passage 38 has a port 48 which communicates with a passage 49 which extends into a cylinder 50 containing a spring loaded piston 52. In this case as the trailing edge of the disc 10 passes beneath a sheet the port 34 is closed and suction in the passage 38 moves the piston 52 to actuate a counter 54 connected thereto. The wire loop 33 prevents a previously counted sheet from closing the port 34. The spindle of the disc 10 is rotated by a motor carried by a platform vertically movable along a guide post, the weight of the motor and platform being balanced by a counterweight connected thereto by a cord which extends over pulleys. The value of the weight is chosen so that the disc can move downwardly by gravity without exerting excessive pressure on the sheets below. In the arrangement of Fig. 5 the driving motor 60 is supported by an adjustable compression spring 68 in a casing 69 movable between rollers 71 on uprights 72 carried by a platform 61 having a threaded bush 73 engaged by a screw 74 rotatable by a motor 76. After a predetermined downward movement of the disc 10 the actuating mechanism and the motor 60 against the adjustable spring 68 a switch 78 is actuated to start the motor 76 which rotates the screw 74 to move the platform 61 downwardly and again open the switch 78. In another arrangement, Fig. 6 (not shown), the pile of sheets is located in a holder in a V-shaped inclined trough so that one corner of the pile is directed downwardly. The periphery of the rotor 10 passes through an opening in the trough. In this case the feeding action of the rotor is assisted by gravity and, if desired, spring loading means.