GB937417A - Improvements in or relating to stacking devices - Google Patents

Abstract

937,417. Delivering sheets. SWIFT & CO. July 12, 1961 [Oct. 28, 1960], No. 25298/61. Class 100 (1). [Also in Group XXX] A sheet-stacking machine of the kind described in Specification 845,726, has a series of spaced receiving members 44a-44f for the sheets and a control panel 70 by means of which the machine can be made to deposit a given sheet on a selected one of the members 44a-44f. A conveyer 20 deposits sheets successively on spaced carrier rod groups 38 carried by chains 28, 29. The latter are caused to move by the engagement of a clutch mechanism (not shown), as determined by a computor as described in U.S.A. Specifications 2,837,198 and 2,987,102. The chains 28, 29 then run for a distance equal to the spacing of adjacent receiving members 44 and then stop. This constitutes a working cycle of the machine. A control mechanism for selecting the receiving member for each sheet as it arrives at the end of conveyer 20 has a control panel 70, and comprises two cam-shafts 76, 77 (Fig. 7). The shaft 76 is coupled to the drive for the conveyer chains 28, 29, so as to make one revolution each working cycle. By means of a ratchet mechanism 87 the shaft 77 is stepped forward 45 degrees each working cycle. The shaft 77 has a series of pin wheels 113a-113e corresponding respectively to each of the receiving members 44a-44e (no pin wheel being necessary in respect of member 44f). Each pin wheel has eight circumferentially-spaced pins 114, each of which carries a cam 115. In the normal position of the pins 114 each cam 115, on the stepping movements of the shaft 77, rotates clear of a cam-follower operatively associated with a switch 118a-118e respective to the pin wheels 113a-113e. The switch 118a is disposed at a 45 degree interval from lowest pin wheel position, the switch 118b at a 90 degree interval and so on. In operation, when a selector button A-E is pressed, a respective relay 126a-126e is energized so as to deflect the lowermost pin of the corresponding pin wheel 113a-113e. The associated switch 118a- 118e is thereby closed one, two, &c. (as the case may be) working cycles in the future. Closure of a switch 118a-118e energizes a corresponding coil 174a-174e thereby activating a system of hydraulic jacks 57a to lower an unloading pad 52a above the particular receiving member 44a-44e. The pad 52a engages the sheet and causes it to roll off the carrier rod group 38 on to the receiving member. A coil 174f corresponding to selector button F for receiving member 44f is energized on every cycle so that any sheet still remaining on a carrier rod group 38 above the receiving member 44f, will be unloaded. The effective moment of energization of the circuit closed by a switch 118a-118e and of the coil 174f, is adjustable by the setting of a time delay control 177. This selects one of a series of switches 97-101 operated by corresponding cams on the shaft 76. The phasing of the respective cams is chosen to produce the desired delay. Once a selector button A-E has been pressed no further selector button can be effectively operated during the same working cycle due to the action of a switch 131a-131e which energizes a relay 155 to open at 154 the circuit to the buttons A-E. Similarly, when button F is pressed the relay 155 is energized. Indicator lights 165 and 168 are controlled by the relay 155. A cam 135 on the shaft 77 prevents buttons A-F becoming effective during the interval in which the shaft 77 is rotating. A cam 110 on the shaft 76 closes a switch 108 to energize coils 179a-179f. These operate to redirect air to the jacks 57a so as to lift all the unloading pads 52a to 52f back into inoperative position. A clutch winding 183 is also energized to disconnect the drive to the chains 28, 29 to terminate the working cycle. Energization of each coil 174a-174f operates a respective counter 185a-185f. A jog switch 151 can be used to initiate a working cycle manually.