GB863346A - Method and apparatus for feeding sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

863,346. Feeding sheets of differing lengths. LA BOMBARD, L. E. Nov. 13, 1958 [Nov. 25, 1957], No. 36514/58. Class 117 Cardboard sheets (Fig. 2) are fed from the bottom of magazine 84 by the flexible hooked fingers 74 of rotating drum 58. The sheets rest on fore and aft ledges 37 and 52 and on tensioned metal tapes 130, 131 secured at 52 and 133, and these tapes serve to guide the lowermost sheet beneath gates 44, 45 to the feed rolls 32, 33 whence the sheet passes rightwards to and between the endless belts 21, 24. Elongation of magazine (Fig. 2). The left-hand side of the magazine 84, including rear ledge 52 and rotating drum 58, comprises a cantilever unit carried by twin I-sectioned girder supports 91, 92, which slide telesccpicallv within fixed frame supports 89, 90. The cantilever unit is lengthened telescopically by rack-andpinions (e.g. 98, 101) driven manually by handle 111. The drive connection 123 between the drive mechanism 125 and the rotating drum 58 is likewise made telescopic. Flattening of lowermost sheets (Fig. 6). Presser machanisms 153 flatten the rearward edges of the sheets in the magazine 84 so as to facilitate the feeding engagement of the fingers 74. Each presser mechanism achieves this by a tip 183 which is brought down into engagement with the rear of the bottom three or four cards to press them flat just prior to the feeding movement of the fingers 74. The vertical reciprocation of tip 183 is effected by rock shaft 158 in the manner shown, shaft 158 being rocked by a cam 169 (Fig. 2) secured to the shaft 59 of the rotating drum 58. Likewise presser mechanisms 152 (Fig. 2) flatten the forward edges of the sheets. Alternative rotating drum 199 (Fig. 12). This modification of drum 58 is made to' be selectively operable by slidable handle 238. When the operator moves handle 238 to the right blade 225 moves under toggle influence to the right. This causes follower 221 to move into path 223 of cam 222 and rod 217 to move leftwards, and this latter movement acts through rod 212 and toggle 207, 208, to elevate feed fingers 205 to the operating position. Vice-versa, when the operator moves handle 238 to the left, follower 221 moves into path 224 of cam 222 and the feed fingers are withdrawn to the inoperative non-feeding position.