ITPD20090144A1 - ROLLER CAPS INSERTING MACHINE - Google Patents

Description

MACHINE FOR INSERTING PLUGS FOR SHUTTERS

DESCRIPTION

This patent relates to the production and assembly of doors and windows, in particular steel, aluminum and plastic shutters, equipped with sliding caps applied to the heads of various slats of the shutter.

To prevent the slats from slipping out and reduce the friction of the shutters in the metal guides integral with the walls, plastic caps are inserted at the ends of the slats, on the edges of the shutters themselves. The caps normally used have the shape substantially identical to the section of the shutters with the ends slightly protruding and are provided with at least one bulkhead which adheres to the internal wall of the slat. A metal clip applied to the end of the cue secures the cap to the cue itself.

The slats of the shutters are filled with insulating material which hinders and makes it difficult to insert the plugs into the slats.

Furthermore, the plastic slats have a rigid surface which makes it difficult to apply the metal staples, ie the application of the metal staples damages the roller shutter.

To overcome all the aforementioned drawbacks, a new automatic machine has been designed and built for the insertion of caps at the two ends of the slats of the shutters at the same time.

The purpose of the new insertion machine is to correctly apply the caps to the ends of the slats of the shutters.

Another purpose of the new insertion machine is to automatically apply the metal fixing clips on the slats and on the caps inserted at their ends.

Another purpose of the new machine is to allow the application of the metal staples also on the slats in plastic material.

Another purpose of the new machine is to allow the application of separate caps to the slats of the shutters.

These and other direct and complementary purposes are achieved by the new automatic machine for the insertion of the caps at the ends of the slats of the shutters composed in its main parts by a fixed support surface and a translating and adjustable width, by at least one movable slat preparation group, at least one cap application group, at least one stapler, at least one shutter locking press and at least one independent shutter advancement device.

The fixed surface and the translating surface support and guide the roller shutter throughout the process of applying and fixing the caps.

The presses hold in position the slats of the shutter involved in the preparation, application of the side caps and for fixing the staples.

The mobile unit for preparing the slats comprises a cutter with a generally cylindrical tool and parallel to the length of the slats, that is to the width of the shutter.

The cap application unit includes a fixed cap loader and a cap application punch on the end of the shutter slat.

The stapler applies one or more metal staples on the surface of the stick where the cap is inserted.

The independent shutter advancement device translates the shutter for the application of the next cap.

The winding unit wraps and rolls up the part of the shutter that has already passed the application of the caps and their stapling. The characteristics of the new automatic machine for inserting the caps at the ends of the slats of the shutters will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawing table attached as a non-limiting example.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the new machine, figure 2a shows a detailed plan view of the group for preparing the slats (Gp), for the application (Ga) of the caps (T), for the presses (O1, O2), of the staplers (Y), of the independent feed device (S).

Figure 2b shows the feeding device (S) in detail.

Figures 3a to 9b illustrate the application group (Ga) of the caps (T) in its various operating phases.

The fixed and translating support surfaces consist of two parallel profiles (P1, P2) mounted on two or more rails (R) perpendicular to them so as to be able to vary the distance between the two profiles (P1, P2).

The combination of the two profiles (P1, P2) and the two rails (R) constitute the support surfaces that can be adjusted in width according to the width of the shutter (X).

Said two sections (P1, P2) have, in their part facing the winder (W), an appendage (P1a, P2a) hinged to the end of each section (P1, P2). A jack or other device (Px) rotates said appendages (P1a, P1b) from a direction facing the winder (W) to a generically lowered direction under the winder (W).

Above the two profiles (P1, P2) of the support surfaces there are two feed devices (S), each consisting of a first piston (S3) able to translate a hook group (S1a) with a lower hook (S1b) along a guide (S2) parallel to the plane and to the direction of advancement of the shutter. A second piston (S1c) provides for lowering and raising said lower hook (S1b) to engage or disengage it in the grooves between the adjacent slats (X). At each advance request, for the application of the caps (T) on the next slat (X), the first piston carries the hook assembly (S1a) with the hook (S1b) raised to the groove between two slats (X) in opposite position in the direction of advancement, the second piston (S1c) lowers the hook (S1b) making it couple with the groove between the two ribs (X), the first piston (S3) translates the hook assembly (S1a) and the hook (S1b) into the direction of advancement of the shutter by advancing said shutter by the number of slats (X) provided, usually two. Finally, the second piston (S1c) lifts the hook (S1b) releasing the shutter and the relative ribs (X).

On at least one side of the support surface there is a trolley (G) supporting the preparation group (Gp) of the slats and the application group (Ga) of the caps (T).

The mechanism for preparing the slat (Gp), represented in figures 10a and 10b, consists of a cutter (Gpf) with a cylindrical tool parallel to the length of the slat, that is to the width of the shutter (X). This cutter (Gpf) is mounted on actuators and / or guides such as to translate said cutter (Gpf) in two orthogonal directions. In particular, said cutter (Gpf) is translated in the direction of the width and in the direction of the length of the shutter, or in the direction of the length and in the direction of the height of the slat, so that the cutter tool (Gpf) creates a seat for the insertion and housing of the bulkhead (T1) of the plugs (T).

This cutter (Gpf) is mounted on a support (Gpa) sliding vertically, or in a direction orthogonal to the support surfaces (P1, P2), on a vertical guide (Gpb) integral with a carriage (Gpc) sliding horizontally on a second guide (Gpd) parallel to the direction of advancement of the shutter. On the upper part of said support (Gpa) there is a feeler (Gpt) sliding on a fixed shape (Gpu) reproducing the shape of the section of the slat (X). An elastic element (Gpv) constantly keeps said support (Gpa) raised so that said feeler (Gpt) constantly follows the profile of said fixed shape (Gpu).

Said second guide (Gpd) in turn is mounted on a further carriage (Gpe) sliding on a further guide (Gpg) horizontal and orthogonal to the direction of advancement of the shutter.

This cutter (Gpl) forms an incision like the bulkhead (Tl) of the cap (T) and partially creates, in the insulating filling of the slat (X), the seat in which said bulkhead (T1) will be housed.

Basically the cutter (Gpf) is:

- translated, spaced from the slat (X), parallel to the support surfaces (P1, P2) until reaching the edge between the slat (X) on which to make the seat and the previous or following slat (X);

- approached to the slat (X) on which to make the seat until the cylindrical tool penetrates adequately into the filling of the slat (X);

- moved towards the next / previous slat (X) so as to create the necessary seat for filling the slat (X); the cutter (Gpf) follows the shape of the batten wall (X) as it is guided by the surface of the fixed form (Gpu);

- removed from the stick (X) by completely extracting and moving away the cylindrical tool from the stick (X).

Next to the slat preparation mechanism (Gp), in succession with respect to the direction of advancement of the shutter, there is the loader (Gac) of the caps (T) to be applied and the mechanism of application (Ga) of the caps (T) , shown in figures 11a and 11b.

The magazine (Gac) of the caps (T) comprises a generally vertical structure in which the various caps (T) to be applied are stacked. In particular, said caps (T) are housed in said loader (Gac) so that they are all oriented with their sliding surface parallel to the direction of advancement of the shutter and orthogonal to the support surface of the shutter, and with their bulkhead (T1 ) parallel to the support surface of the shutter and facing the center of the shutter itself.

The magazine (Gac) of the caps (T) is positioned above the application mechanism (Ga) so that said application mechanism (Ga) takes the lower cap (T) from the magazine (Gac) and inserts it into the end of the slat (X) of the shutter with substantially linear movement.

The cap application mechanism (Ga) (T) consists of a gripper (N1) with punch (N2) for picking up, transporting and applying each cap (T).

The gripper (N1) with punch (N2) is mounted and moves on one or more rails (M1) parallel to the length of the slats of the shutter.

In particular, the punch (N2) is mounted and translates on said rails (M1) while the gripper (N1) slides on said punch in the two directions parallel to the direction of translation of the punch (N2) and orthogonal to the support plane (P1, P2 ) of the shutter.

Said punch (N2) comprises a base wall, generally parallel to the plane of the shutter on which the lower edge of the plug (T) to be inserted rests, and a thrust wall, generally parallel to the sliding wall of the plug (T) to be inserted. .

The gripper (N1) comprises a generically U-shaped element whose free ends are designed to rest on the extreme lateral parts of the sliding wall of the cap (T) resting on the punch (N2). This generically U-shaped element is mounted on a translating rod orthogonally to the sliding wall of the cap (T) resting on the punch (N2) and parallel to said sliding wall of the same cap (T).

Substantially said pincer (N1) holds the cap (T) to be inserted on the punch (N2) for the whole path from the magazine (Gac) to the stick (X) on which it is applied.

In addition to the press (O1) which blocks the slat (X) in which the cap (T) is being inserted on the support surface (P), there is an additional contrast press (O3) positioned below the surface of support (P) and in proximity of the edge of the stick (X) that receives the cap (T).

The mechanism of preparation of the splint (Gp) and the mechanism of applying the caps (Ga) are at a mutual distance equal to the distance between three sticks (X), or multiples thereof, so that the mechanism of applying the caps (Ga) and the splint preparation mechanism (Gp) act simultaneously on one splint (X) every two. It should be considered that, since there are slats (X) of different pitch, the distance between the mechanisms (Gp, Ga) can be varied as needed.

The operating sequence of the cap application mechanism (Ga) (T) is described below with reference to Figures 3a to 9b. With reference to Figures 3a and 3b.

Initially the presses (O1, O3) are retracted, so as to allow the shutter to move forward.

The cap application mechanism (Ga) is in the rest position: the punch (N2) is set back so that the cap (T) in the lower position of the magazine (Gac) rests on the base wall of the punch (N2) , the caliper (N1) is raised and distanced from the punch (N2) so as to allow the lower cap of the magazine (Gac) to descend and rest on the punch (N2).

With reference to Figures 4a and 4b.

The presses (O1, O3) are activated so as to lock in position the shutter and the slat (X) on which the cap (T) must be applied.

The gripper (N1) is moved back so as to hold the cap (T) on the punch (N2).

With reference to figures 5a and 5b.

The assembly of the caliper (N1) and the punch (N2) are moved forward, transporting the plug (T) to be inserted, until the end of the bulkhead (T1) of said plug (T) is inserted into the housing. previously prepared in the cue (X).

The cap (T) present in the magazine (Gac) and above the cap (T) taken and transported by the caliper (N1) and by the punch (N2) rests on the body of the punch (N3) for the entire outward and return stroke of the punch (N3) itself.

With reference to figures 6a and 6b.

The gripper (N1) is made to move forward and away from the punch (N2) so as to free the cap (T) transported. Said cap remains in position as it rests on the base wall of the punch (N2) and has the end of its bulkhead (T1) inserted in the stick (X).

With reference to figures 7a and 7b.

The clamp (N1) is lowered so that the ends of its U-shape are located below the cap (T).

With reference to Figures 8a and 8b.

The gripper (N1) is moved back with respect to the punch (N2). The punch (N2) moves forward pushing the cap (T) completely into its position on the edge of the stick (X).

With reference to Figures 9a and 9b.

The punch (N2) is moved back to its initial position, while the gripper (N1) is raised to its initial position.

The cap (T) in the lower position in the magazine (Gac) descends, letting the upper caps (T) also descend, and rests its lower edge on the base wall of the punch (N2), ready for subsequent insertion.

The clamps (O1, O3) are retracted to allow the shutter to advance to the next slat (X) on which to insert the next cap (T). Next to the cap application mechanism (Ga) (T), in succession with respect to the direction of advancement of the shutter, there is a press (O2) for locking the cap (T) just inserted and at least one stapler (Y). Said press (O2) for locking the cap (T), illustrated in Figures 12a and 12b, comprises a pusher element (O2a) mounted at the end of the sliding rod (O2b) of a pneumatic piston (O2c). An additional pneumatic hook (O2d) is mounted on this pusher element (O2a).

Basically, during the stapling phase of the cap (T) just inserted, the pusher element (O2c) is pushed against the sliding wall of the cap (T), keeping it inserted in the adjacent slat (X), while the pneumatic hook (O2d ) is extended by inserting into the slat (X) to that of inserting the cap (T) so as to prevent the advancement and / or displacement of the shutter during the cap stapling phase (T). The stapler (Y) consists of a known stapler for shutter caps (T), positioned above the edge of the shutter in correspondence with said locking press (O2) of the cap (T), suitable for applying one or more clips through the splint (X) on the cap (T) just inserted.

Both the preparation group (Gp) of the slats (X), the cap application group (Ga), and the staplers (Y) carry out the respective operations as long as the shutter is kept still on the support surface (P1, P2) both from the first press (O1) and from the hook group (S1a) and from the hook (S1b) of the feed device (S).

Downstream of the staplers (Y) there is the winding unit (W) of the roller shutter as it is equipped with side caps (X).

The roller shutter equipped with crimped caps (T) slides on the support surface (P1, P2) and on the relative appendages (P1a, P2a), conveyed towards the winding unit (W).

The winding unit (W), schematically represented in figure 13, comprises two opposing grippers (W1), rotating on the same axis (Wx) and positioned on the edge of the roller shutter path.

Each of said pliers (W1) is mounted on a special support (W2) able to allow the rotation of the pliers (W1) on an axis (Wx) parallel to the length of the slats (X). These supports (W2), moreover, translate said pincers (W1) along said axis of rotation (Wx) bringing them closer and further away from the edge of the shutter, or to the heads of the slats (X) of the shutter.

Basically each gripper (W1), schematically represented in Figure 13a, comprises a generally circular central portion (W1a). On one side of said central portion (W1a) there is a generally flat guide (W1b), parallel to the axis of the caliper (W1).

This guide (W1b) is spaced from said central part (W1a) by the measure sufficient for the passage of the slats (X) of the shutter between said guide (W1b) and said central part (W1a).

At least one of these pincers (W1) is set in rotation by an electric motor (W3).

Below these pincers (W1) there are one or more supports (W4) for the rolled shutter.

The part of the shutter, which has already received the caps (T) and the relative fixing clips, slides on the support surfaces (P1, P2) and is guided by the appendages (P1a, P2a) towards said guides (W1) of the winder (W), so that the lateral heads of the first slat (X) fit between the central portion (W1a) and the guide (W1b) of each gripper (W1).

When the first slat (X) of the shutter is inserted into the two pincers (W1) it activates the sensor or equivalent element.

Consequently, the two pincers (W1) are brought closer together by tightening the first or the first slats (X) of the shutter and the appendages (P1a, P2a) of the support surfaces (P1, P2), having finished their work. guide of the start of the shutter, are lowered. Subsequently the two pincers (W1) are rotated, with continuous movement or at intervals, so as to wrap the part of the shutter that gradually passes the staplers (Y) and slides on the appendages (P1a, P1b) of the support surfaces (P1 , P2).

At the end of the winding, when the entire roller shutter is wound, the pincers (W1) are spaced apart, freeing the wound roller shutter which is collected by the supports (W4).

It is possible to provide above said grippers (W1) a support (W5) for a reel (W6) of protective plastic film.

The film is unwound and fixed to the first slats (X) of the shutter wound on the pincers (W1). The rotation of the pincers (W1) and the shutter unwinds the film that wraps the slats of the shutter as they are wound on the pincers (W1).

At the end of the winding, the part of film between the roller shutter and the reel (W6) is separated from said reel (W6) and wound around the wound roller shutter.

These are the schematic modalities sufficient for the skilled person to realize the invention, consequently, in concrete application there may be variations without prejudice to the substance of the innovative concept.

Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and to the attached table, the following claims are expressed.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1.Caps insertion machine for rolling shutters, comprising at least one support surface (P1, P2) and sliding of the rolling shutter, at least one application group (Ga) of the caps (T) fixed or fixable on the support surfaces (P1, P2) at the side of the shutter to be fitted with caps (T), at least one independent device for advancing the shutter (S), characterized in that said application group (Ga) of the caps (T) comprises: â € ¢ at least one loader (Gac) vertical of the caps (T), adapted to hold the caps (T) to be inserted stacked with the sliding wall perpendicular to the plane of the shutter and parallel to the length of said shutter and their bulkhead (T1) parallel to the sliding planes (P1, P2) and facing the center of the shutter; â € ¢ at least one punch (N2) for picking up, transporting and applying each cap (T) comprising an element translating parallel to the support surfaces (P1, P2) in the direction of the length of each stick (X), and where said punch withdrawal valve (N2) It is designed to take the lower cap (T) from the magazine (Gac), transport it and insert it into the head of the stick (X); â € ¢ at least one gripper (N1) comprising a translating and / or rotating element able to hold the cap (T) to be inserted on said pick-up punch (N2) for the path of said pick-up punch (N2) from the magazine (Gac ) of caps (T) at the head of the splint (X). 2. Machine for inserting plugs for roller shutters, as per claim 1, characterized in that said pick-up punch (N2) comprises a base wall, generally parallel to the plane of the roller shutter on which the lower edge of the plug (T) to be inserted rests , and a thrust wall, generally parallel to the sliding wall of the plug (T) to be inserted. 3. Caps inserting machine for roller shutters, as per claim 2, characterized in that the upper part of said pick-up punch (N2) prevents the caps (T) present in the magazine (Gac) from falling during application on the slat ( X) of the cap (T) just removed from the magazine (Gac). 4.Caps insertion machine for roller shutters, as per claim 1, characterized in that said pincer (N1) comprises a generically U-shaped element whose free ends are able to rest on the extreme lateral parts of the sliding wall of the cap (T) transported by the punch (N2), and where a mechanism translates and / or rotates said gripper (N1) so as to hold the cap (T) transported by the punch (N2) from the magazine (Gac) to the head of the stick (X), and where said mechanism translates and / or rotates said pincer (N1) moving it away and / or lowering it with respect to the punch (N2) as soon as the bulkhead (T1) of the cap (T) transported by said punch (N2) is inserted into the head of the stick ( X) and before said plug (T) is completely inserted into the head of said stick (X). 5. Machine for inserting plugs for roller shutters, as per claim 1, characterized in that it has a group for preparing the slats (X), able to remove part of the internal filling material from the head of the slat (X), comprising a cutter ( Gpf) with cylindrical tool parallel to the length of the slat, or to the width of the shutter (X), and where said cutter (Gpf) is mounted on actuators and / or guides such as to translate said cutter (Gpf) and make a seat in the material filling to the head of the batten (X) for the insertion and housing of the bulkhead (T1) of the caps (T). 6. Inserting machine for roller shutters caps, as per claim 5, characterized by the fact that said cutter (Gpf) is mounted on a support (Gpa) sliding vertically, or in a direction orthogonal to the support surfaces (P1, P2), on a vertical guide (Gpb) integral with a carriage (Gpc) sliding horizontally on a second guide (Gpd) parallel to the direction of advancement of the shutter, and where said second guide (Gpd) is mounted on a further carriage (Gpe) sliding on a further guide (Gpg) horizontal and orthogonal to the direction of advancement of the shutter, and where appropriate actuators translate said supports (Gpa) or trolleys (Gpc, Gpe) on the respective guides (Gpb, Gpd, Gpg) so as to impart to said cutter the approach and penetration movements of the cutter tool (Gpf) into the splint head (X), translation of the cutter tool (Gpf) in the direction of the length of the shutter, extraction and removal of the cutter tool (Gp f) from the head of the slat (X), translation of the cutter (Gpf) parallel to the length of the shutter in the initial position. 7.Caps insertion machine for roller shutters, as per claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one press (O2) for locking the cap (T) just inserted during the stapling step, and where said press (O2) has a further pneumatic hook (O2d) designed to prevent the rolling shutter from moving forward and / or moving during the stapling phase of the cap (T). 8. Inserting machine for roller shutters caps, as per claim 1, characterized by the fact of having a winding unit (W), comprising two opposing grippers (W1), rotating on the same axis (Wx), and where said winding unit is placed on the path of the shutter, in addition to the staplers (Y) so that said pliers (W1) are on the sides of the shutter already equipped with caps (T). 9. A machine for inserting plugs for roller shutters, as per claim 8, characterized in that it has a support (W5) for reels (W6) of protective plastic films for the protection of the rolled shutter.