GB815684A - Stacking apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

815,684. Operating clutches. WORCESTER AUTOMATIC MACHINE CO. May 27, 1957 [Nov. 6, 1956], No. 16694/57. Class 80 (2). [Also in Groups XVII and XXX] In apparatus for stacking containers (see Group XXX) a one-revolution dog clutch is operated as a stack of containers is completed by the simultaneous closing of two switches 116, 117 by the last two containers to be deposited on the stack, these switches being connected in series to operate a solenoid 64 for engaging the clutch. Operation of the clutch causes a pushout mechanism (see Group XXX) to remove the completed stack. Solenoid 64 includes an armature 63 connected to one end of a lever 61 pivoted at 62. The free end of lever 61 is bifurcated and engages a groove 60, Fig. 9, in driving part 58 of the clutch which is slidable along a key 98 on a driving-shaft 54. The driven part 59 of the clutch is rotatable on shaft 54 but prevented from axial movement by collars on the shaft. Both clutch parts have teeth 102 having one face axial and one face inclined. Upon energization of the solenoid the driving part 58 is moved by the lever 61 towards the part 59 to cause engagement of the teeth 102. Disengagement of the parts after one revolution is effected by a cam 114 on a disc 105 freely mounted on the shaft 54 which engages one end of a rod 104 slidable in a bore 103 in part 59 so causing its other end to push on one of the teeth 102 on part 58 to move the latter out of engagement. The disc 105 has two lugs 106, 107 engageable respectively with stops 112, 113 allowing a limited rotational movement of the disc. A weight 111 is secured by an arm 109 to the disc to bias it into a position in which lug 107 engages the stop 113. When rod 104 initially engages the cam 114 the weight 111 is lifted until lug 106 contacts the stop 112. The rod 104 is then forced to slide axially by the cam 114, thus disengaging the parts. As the parts are freed the end of rod 104 engaging the weight 111 is able to restore the disc 105 to its initial position, so moving the cam 114 clear of the rod 104 to enable another engagement of the clutch to be effected by the solenoid 64.