JP2002019949A - Supply device for dish and plate in washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a supply device of dishes and plates in a washing device capable of certainly separating even the dishes and plates different in diameter one by one and simultaneously supplying them to the washing device in a state of precisely positioning them. SOLUTION: It is possible to precisely supply the positioned dishes and plates to the washing device as the dishes and plates 5a, 5b on which a first support part 6 and a second support part 8 are vertically loaded are separated one by one as they are alternately supported by horizontal revolving motion interlocked with revolution of vertical axes of rotation 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, the dishes and plates 5a, 5b are uniformly made contact with a contact surface a radius of which gradually changes with the vertical axes of rotation 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d as its center immediately before an opening is formed by revolution of an interlocked contact part 7 and even the dishes and plates 5a, 5b different from each other in diameter can be precisely positioned.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a dish plate feeding device in a washing device for individually feeding dish plates having different diameters on which foods such as sushi are placed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A supply device is conventionally used as a device for automatically and individually supplying a dish plate on which food such as sushi is placed to a washing device.

A conventional feeding apparatus of this type is arranged so as to be intermittently rotated on both sides of a lowermost dish in which multiple dishes are stacked and accommodated, and the outer periphery of the dish is arranged on the outer periphery. A concave groove formed at a predetermined width and a predetermined depth that can horizontally support the diametrically opposed two places is formed as a disk-shaped gripping portion formed toward the rotation axis and used for both large and small dishes. Then, at the same time, the grip portion is dropped on the transporting device that supplies the cleaning device by the operation of rotating downward, and at the same time, the rotation operation of the grip portion toward the lower side causes the next portion placed on this dish plate to rotate. The tableware is supported by the concave groove of the holding portion, and is configured to be able to be separately supplied one by one.

[0004]

However, in the above-described feeding device, for example, a common gripping portion used for supporting large and small dish plates has a concave groove for supporting the outer peripheral edge of the large and small dish plates. Since it has a dimensional allowance in both the width direction and the diameter direction, small-diameter dish dishes may move in the diameter direction in particular, so that the drop position tends to vary, and the cleaning device has a predetermined position. And the cleaning efficiency is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is intended to surely separate dish plates having different diameters one by one and to supply them to a cleaning device in an accurately positioned state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dish plate feeding device in a washing device capable of performing a washing operation.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a dish plate supply device in a washing apparatus according to the present invention supports dish plates which are stacked and accommodated in a vertically multiplex manner. In a supply device that separates dishware one by one and supplies the dishware to a washing device, the supply device is rotatably supported on vertical rotation axes arranged at a plurality of locations around the stored dishware, A first support portion having a disk-shaped horizontal support area to support the dishware rim at the lowermost stage of the stored dishware, and having a partly unsupportable passage area of the dishware rim, A contact surface whose radius around the vertical rotation axis is gradually changed is formed on the outer periphery, and a contact portion that evenly contacts the outer periphery of the dish plate in conjunction with the rotation of each of the first support portions. , Placed directly above the contact, It is located above the passage area of the first support portion, and just before the opening through which the dish plate can pass is formed by the synchronous rotation of the first support portions, each passage region is directed to the center position of the dish plate. And a second supporting portion for supporting the periphery of the next dish on the lowermost dish. According to this feature, the horizontal rotation operation interlocked with the rotation of the vertical rotation axis allows the first support portion and the second support portion to alternately support the tableware stacked vertically and separate them one by one, and Just before the opening is formed by the rotation of the interlocking abutment, the dish is evenly abutted by the abutting surface whose radius gradually changes about the vertical axis of rotation, so that even the dishes having different diameters can be accurately measured. , It is possible to accurately supply the positioned dishware to the washing device.

[0007] In the apparatus for supplying dishware in the washing apparatus of the present invention, each of the vertical rotation shafts supporting the first support portion, the contact portion, and the second support portion may correspond to the central axis of the dishware stacked in a multiplex manner. It is arranged at a symmetrical position with respect to a parallel line or a perpendicular line orthogonal thereto along the carrying device, and the first support portion has a support surface having a diameter facing the lower surface of the flange portion of the dish plate located at the lowest stage. A cutout through which a dish plate having a maximum diameter can pass is formed as the passage area directed to the center position, and the contact portion is located directly above the first support portion and has a gradually changing contact surface. A maximum radius is arranged so as to be located within a support region of the first support portion, and the second support portion is located immediately above the contact portion and in an upper region corresponding to a cutout of the first support portion, An elongated tongue piece formed as a support surface is projected, There it is preferably formed as the maximum radius portion corresponding to a diameter of at least the first support portion. With this configuration, it is possible to position the dishes having different diameters in a state in which the dishes are supported on the horizontal support surface of the first support portion by the continuous rotation operation, and the dishes can be positioned. Immediately before dropping, the next dish placed on the table can be reliably supported.

In the apparatus for supplying dishware in a washing apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of vertical rotating shafts rotatably supporting the first support portion, the contact portion, and the second support portion are provided via bevel gears. A pair of driven shafts supported in parallel with the base frame to transmit the rotational driving force, a pair of spur gears attached to ends of the pair of driven shafts and meshing with each other, and a predetermined radius of one of the meshing spur gears And a connecting member for connecting a predetermined radius portion of the rotary plate at the end of the drive shaft that is continuously rotated and driven by the motor to extend and contract via a compression spring, one of which is provided by the crank motion of the connecting member. It is preferable that the compression spring absorbs the load of the contact portion generated when the contact portion comes into contact with the outer periphery of the flange portion of the dish plate due to the rotation of the spur gear. In this way, when the supply device continuously positions and separates the dishes, the dishes having different diameters are positioned, and an excessive load generated in the contact portion can be absorbed. Can be protected from excessive load.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a plan view of a supply device for positioning and supplying a dish plate to a cleaning device, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

First, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a main part of a dish tray positioning and feeding device to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 1 denotes a dish dish positioning and feeding device (hereinafter referred to as a feeding device). In addition, the supply device 1 is provided with four guide bars 2 equally erected so as to be in contact with the outer shape of the largest-diameter dish plate 5a among dish plates having different diameters.
vertical rotating shafts 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d equally arranged at four positions around a dish tray stocker S that stores and stacks b in a multiplex manner
Is rotatably supported.

The supply device 1 has a disk-shaped horizontal support area (hereinafter referred to as a support surface) 6a having a diameter capable of supporting the periphery of the large-diameter dishware 5a at the lowermost stage of the dishware stocker S. A first support portion 6 having a passage area (hereinafter referred to as a notch) 6b formed in an arc shape that makes the periphery of the dish plate 5 unsupportable, and four vertical rotation axes on the outer periphery A contact surface whose radius gradually changes about the center of the plate 4a, 4b, 4c, or 4d is formed, and the contact surface uniformly contacts the outer periphery of the large and small dish plates 5a and 5b in conjunction with the rotation of the first support portion 6. Part 7 and a first part disposed just above the contact part 7.
The notch 6b is located at a position corresponding to the notch 6b of the support portion 6 and the notch 6b is rotated by the synchronous rotation of the first support portion 6 so that the tableware 5a, 5
Immediately before a circular opening through which each of the dishes 5a and 5b can pass is formed toward the center position of b, a plurality of second supports for supporting the periphery of the next dish 5a on the lowermost dish 5a. It is composed of a support portion 8 and a transport device T that supports the lowermost dish plate 5a dropped from the opening and supplies it to a cleaning device (not shown).

More specifically, the supply device 1 is a tableware in which the vertical rotation shafts 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d supporting the first support portion 6, the contact portion 7, and the second support portion 8 are stacked in a multiplex manner. Plate 5
In a plan view along the transport device T including the center axis C of a and 5b, the mirrors are arranged symmetrically with respect to a parallel line or an orthogonal line orthogonal thereto.

The first supporting portion 6 has a supporting surface 6a having a diameter facing the lower surface of the flange F of the dish 5a located at the lowermost stage, and has a notch 6b having a maximum diameter by each notch 6b directed to the central axis C. Is formed as an opening through which the contact portion 7 can be positioned so that the maximum radius of the contact surface that is located immediately above the first support portion 6 and that gradually changes is located within the support surface 6 a of the first support portion 6. The second support portion 8 is located just above the contact portion 7, and a tip that is a maximum radius portion where an elongated tongue piece protrudes corresponds to the diameter of the first support portion 6. 6 is formed as a support surface located in an upper region corresponding to the notch 6b.

Further, the supply device 1 is provided with four sets of umbrellas on four vertical rotation shafts 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d for rotatably supporting the first support portion 6, the contact portion 7, and the second support portion 8. Gears 9a, 9b
And a pair of driven shafts 10a and 10b supported in parallel with the base frame 16 of the transport device T so as to transmit the rotational driving force through the transport device T in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport device T. Spur gears G3, G4 attached to the ends of the shafts 10a, 10b and meshing with each other, a predetermined radius portion P2 of one of the meshing spur gears G3, and gears G1, G2 meshed at a predetermined gear ratio by a motor (not shown). And a connecting member R for connecting a predetermined radius portion P1 of the rotating plate D that is continuously rotated and driven to extend and contract via a compression spring SP.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the connecting member R applies crank motion to spur gears G3 and G4 meshing with each other by a rotating plate D continuously driven by a motor.
The four vertical rotation shafts 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are configured to be capable of normal and reverse rotation within a range of 270 degrees.

More specifically, the connecting member R is slidably inserted into a through hole of the holding member 15 in which one end of the connecting shaft 17 is pivotally supported at a predetermined radius portion P2 of the one spur gear G3. At the same time, the distal end of the screw shaft 14 formed into a small diameter by the stepped portion on the other end side is screwed to a universal joint 18 pivotally attached to a predetermined radius portion P1 of the rotary plate D, and in the middle of the screw shaft 14. A compression spring SP is interposed between the screwed double nut N1 and the holding member 15 through the connecting shaft 17, and presses the holding member 15 outward by the urging force of the compression spring SP. The biasing force is regulated by a stopper bolt N2 screwed to one end of the connection shaft 17, and when a load acts on the drive system of the spur gears G3 and G4 during continuous operation,
It is adapted to be absorbed by the compression spring SP.

Next, the operation of the dish tray positioning and feeding device will be described. 4 to 6 are operation explanatory views showing a state where a large-diameter dish is positioned and separated, and FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view showing a state where a small-diameter dish is positioned and separated.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of the supply device, and FIG.
(A) is a CC sectional view of (a), (c) is a D arrow view.

That is, FIG. 4 shows that dishware having different diameters are stacked and stored in the dishware stocker S in a multiplex manner, and the outer peripheral edge of the large-diameter dishware 5a located at the lowest level is supplied by the supply device 1. This shows a supported state, and the supply device 1 shows an initial state or a state in which continuous operation is being performed.

Then, when the rotating plate D rotates counterclockwise by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) from this state by the activation of the motor as shown in FIG. 1 by the start of the motor, the spur gear G3 connects the connecting member. Rotating counterclockwise through R, the spur gear G4 meshing with the spur gear G3 also rotates clockwise.

As a result, the small-diameter spur gears G5 and G6 meshing with the spur gears G3 and G4 rotate by a predetermined angle, and the pair of driven shafts 10a and 10b rotate in opposite directions.

By this rotation, a pair of driven shafts 10a, 1
0b is the vertical rotation shaft 4a, of the four vertical rotation shafts 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d via the four sets of bevel gears 9a and 9b.
4d is rotated counterclockwise, and the vertical rotation shafts 4b and 4c are rotated clockwise by a predetermined angle.

FIG. 5A is a plan view of the supply device,
(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of (a), and (c) is a view taken in the direction of arrow D. These four vertical rotation shafts 4a, 4a
When b, 4c and 4d rotate simultaneously, the outer periphery of the flange F simultaneously rotates in conjunction with the lower surface of the flange F of the large-diameter dish 5a being supported by the flat support surface 6a of the first support portion 6. Then, the contact portion 7 that gradually changes in the enlargement direction comes into contact with the contact surface before reaching the maximum radius portion 7a.

In this state, the second support portion 8 provided with an elongated tongue just above the contact portion 7 also rotates at the same time, but the tip, which is the largest radius portion, rotates in the direction away from the dish 5a. I do.

That is, when the contact portion 7 is in contact with the outer periphery of the flange F of the dish plate 5a, the contact portion 7 is rotated by the contact surface which is gradually changed in the expanding direction. , And a load acts on a pair of spur gears G3 and G4, which is a drive system for transmitting the driving force to these contact portions 7.
Therefore, the compression spring SP of the connecting member R that transmits the rotational force to the spur gears G3 and G4 is compressed, and one end of the connecting shaft 17 projects L from the end of the holding member 15.

When this is viewed on the spur gear G3, FIG.
In the initial state shown in FIG. 5, the predetermined radius portion P2 at the angular position α ′ with respect to the center axis of the spur gear G3 has a position to be rotated to the angular position α + β in a state where no load is generated, as shown in FIG. As shown, it stops when it has rotated from the angular position α 'to the slightly enlarged position α.

6A is a plan view of the supply device, FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG. 6A, and FIG. When the rotating plate D continuously rotates in the same direction and the spur gears G3 and G4 are rotated by a predetermined angle via the connecting member R, the rotation of the rotating plate D causes the pair of driven shafts 10 to rotate.
When a and b are rotated by a predetermined angle via spur gears G3 and G4, four vertical rotation shafts 4a and 4b
b, 4c, and 4d rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, and the support surface 6a of each first support portion 6 that supports the lower surface of the flange of the large-diameter dish 5a rotates by a predetermined angle, The notch 6b is directed toward the center axis C of the dishes 5a, 5b, and an opening through which the large-diameter dishes 5a can pass is formed.

The contact portion 7 and the second support portion 8 are also rotated by a predetermined angle at the same time as the rotation of the first support portion 6.
Immediately before the notch 6b of a is directed to the center axis C of the dish,
Due to the rotation of the second support portion 8, the tip of the tongue piece having the maximum radius is simultaneously directed to the center axis C of the dish, and the lowermost dish 5a.
It supports the flange F of the next large-diameter dish plate 5a supported above.

As a result, the lowermost dish 5a falls from the opening formed at the same time onto the transporting device T which supplies the cleaning device (not shown) in a positioned state.

Next, the state in which the small-diameter dish plate 5b is positioned and separated will be described. 7A is a plan view of the supply device, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 7A, and FIG.
It is an arrow view. The same operations as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

The positioning and separating operation is the same as the operation of positioning the large-diameter dish 5a by positioning the outer periphery of the flange of the large-diameter dish 5a as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the contact position of the contact portion 7 that contacts the outer periphery of the flange of the small-diameter dish plate is different.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the vertical rotation shafts 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are rotated, the lower surface of the flange F of the small-diameter dish plate 5b is flatly supported by the first support portion 6. In the state of being supported by the surface 6a, the outer periphery of the flange F has a radius gradually changing in the direction of enlargement of the abutting portion 7 which rotates simultaneously in conjunction with the abutment surface of the maximum radius portion 7a or slightly before. Abut on the contact surface of.

In this state, the vertical rotating shafts 4a, 4b, and 4 when the contact portion 7 abuts on the outer periphery of the flange of the large-diameter dish plate 5a.
The rotation angle is further advanced by the smaller diameter than the rotation angles of c and 4d.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), when the maximum radius portion of the contact portion 7 is in contact with the outer periphery of the flange F of the dish 5b, the shape gradually changes continuously in the enlargement direction. The rotation of the contact portion 7 is prevented by the contact surface described above, and a load acts on the pair of spur gears G3 and G4, which is a drive system that transmits a driving force to the contact portion 7.

Accordingly, the compression spring SP of the connecting member R for transmitting the rotational force to the spur gears G3, G4 is compressed, and one end of the connecting shaft 17 projects L from the end of the holding member 15.

Looking at this on the spur gear G3, FIG.
In the initial state shown in FIG. 7, the predetermined radius portion P2 at the angular position α ′ with respect to the center axis of the spur gear G3 has the position to be rotated to the angular position α1 + β ′ without load, as shown in FIG. As shown in (2), it stops when it is rotated from the angular position α ′ to the position α1 that is slightly enlarged.

In this way, the small-diameter dish plate 5b positioned by the contact portion 7 falls onto the transport device T for supplying to a cleaning device (not shown) through the opening formed by the notch 6b of the first support portion 6. The next large dish 5a placed on the small dish 5b is supported by the second support portion 8 immediately before the small dish 5b falls.

In this way, the spur gears G3 and G4, which rotate by a predetermined angle from the rotating plate D which is continuously driven by the rotation of the motor, and the small-diameter spur gear G5 meshing with the spur gears G3 and G4 engage with them. , G6, the supply device 1 is given a rotating motion at a predetermined angle, and the first support portion 6 and the second
The supporting portions 8 alternately support the dish plates 5a, 5a stacked vertically and separate them one by one.
The vertical rotation axes 4a, 4a
b, 4c, and 4d, since the contact surfaces are evenly contacted by the contact surface whose radius changes gradually, the large-diameter dish plate 5a and the small-diameter dish plate 5b having different diameters can be accurately positioned, and can be extended. Is the positioned dishware 5a or 5
b can be accurately supplied to the cleaning device.

Further, the supply device 1 is capable of continuously rotating the tableware 5a or 5b even when the tableware 5a or 5b is supported on the horizontal support surface 6a of the first support portion 6 so that the tableware 5 having a different diameter can be obtained.
a or 5b can be positioned, and immediately before the dish 5a or 5b falls, the next dish placed on the dish can be reliably supported.

Further, a spur gear G meshing with a predetermined radius portion P1 of the rotary plate D continuously driven by a motor is used.
3 and G4, a connecting member R that connects to a predetermined radius portion P2 of one of the spur gears G3 and performs a crank motion is a compression spring SP.
When the various dishes are continuously positioned and separated, the dishes 5a and 5b having different diameters are surely positioned, and an excessive load generated on the abutting portion 7 can be prevented. It can absorb and protect other interlocking mechanisms from excessive load.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and even if there are changes and additions without departing from the gist of the present invention. Included in the invention.

[0042]

The present invention has the following effects.

(A) According to the first aspect of the present invention, the tableware on which the first support portion and the second support portion are vertically stacked is alternately rotated by the horizontal rotation operation interlocked with the rotation of the vertical rotation shaft. And the tableware is evenly separated by the contact surface whose radius gradually changes about the vertical rotation axis immediately before the opening is formed by the rotation of the interlocking contact portion. Since the dish plates which are in contact with each other and have different diameters are accurately positioned, the positioned dish plates can be accurately supplied to the washing device.

(B) According to the second aspect of the present invention, the dish plates having different diameters are positioned while the dish plates are supported on the horizontal support surface of the first support portion by the continuous rotating operation. Immediately before the dish falls, it is possible to reliably support the next dish placed on the dish.

(C) According to the third aspect of the present invention, when successively separating and separating the dishes by the supply device, the dishes having different diameters are positioned, and an excessive load generated in the contact portion is prevented. It can absorb and protect other interlocking mechanisms from excessive load.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a supply device which is an embodiment of the present invention and positions and supplies a dish plate to a cleaning device.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1;

4A is a plan view of the supply device, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 4A, and FIG.

5A is a plan view of the supply device, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 5A, and FIG.

6A is a plan view of the supply device, FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG. 6A, and FIG.

7A is a plan view of a supply device, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 7A, and FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply apparatus 2 Guide bar 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d Vertical rotation axis 5 Dish 5a Large-diameter dish 5b Small-diameter dish 6 First support part 6a Support surface 6b Notch 7 Contact part 7a Maximum radius part 8 Second Supporting parts 9a, 6b bevel gears 10a, 10b driven shafts 14 screw shafts 15 holding members 16 base frame 17 connecting shafts 18 universal joints C center shafts D rotating plates F flanges G1, G2 gears G3, G4 spur gears G5, G6 spur gears N1 Double nut N2 Stopper bolt P1, P2 Predetermined radius part R Connecting member S Dish dish stocker SP Compression spring T Transport device

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koji Kamiya 5-10-48 Masuizumi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa F-term in Ishino Works 3F080 AA00 AA03 BA02 BF02 CA01 FA03

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A supply device for supporting dish plates stacked and housed in a multiplex manner in a vertical direction, separating the dish plates one by one, and supplying the dish plates to a washing device, wherein the supply device includes It is rotatably supported on vertical rotation axes arranged at a plurality of places around the dish plate,
A first support portion having a disk-shaped horizontal support area to support the dishware rim at the lowermost stage of the stored dishware, and having a partly unsupportable passage area of the dishware rim, A contact surface whose radius around the vertical rotation axis is gradually changed is formed on the outer periphery, and a contact portion that evenly contacts the outer periphery of the dish plate in conjunction with the rotation of each of the first support portions. , Disposed directly above the corresponding contact portion, and the first
Positioned above the passage area of the support portion, the synchronous rotation of each of the first support portions directs each passage region to the center position of the dish plate and immediately before the opening through which the dish plate can pass is formed. And a second support portion for supporting a next dish dish peripheral edge on the lower dish dish. 2. The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein each of the vertical rotation shafts supporting the first support portion, the contact portion, and the second support portion includes a transport device including a central axis of the dish plates stacked in a multiplex manner. It is arranged at a symmetrical position with respect to a parallel line or an orthogonal line orthogonal thereto, and the first support portion has a support surface having a diameter facing the lower surface of the flange portion of the dish plate located at the lowest level, and at the center position. A cutout through which a dish plate having a maximum diameter can pass is formed as the directed passage area, and the contact portion has a maximum radius of a contact surface which is directly above the first support portion and changes gradually. The second support is disposed so as to be located within a support area of the support, and the second support is formed as a support surface in an upper area corresponding to a cutout of the first support immediately above the contact part. An elongated tongue is protruded, and the tongue is at least the first support. Feeder tableware dishes in the washing apparatus according to claim 1 which is formed as the maximum radius portion corresponding to the diameter. 3. The supply device transmits a rotational driving force via a bevel gear to a plurality of vertical rotation shafts that rotatably support the first support portion, the contact portion, and the second support portion. A pair of driven shafts supported in parallel to the base frame, a spur gear attached to the ends of the pair of driven shafts and meshing with each other, a predetermined radius portion of one of the meshing spur gears, and continuous rotation by a motor. A connecting member for connecting a predetermined radius portion of the rotating plate at the end of the driven drive shaft so as to be able to expand and contract via a compression spring, and by rotating one of the spur gears given by the crank motion of the connecting member, 3. A dish plate supply in a washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the load of the contact portion generated when the contact portion comes into contact with the outer periphery of the flange portion of the dish plate is absorbed by the compression spring. apparatus.