JPH08175667A - Pipe-piling device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily stack pipes in a variable stacking form by determining the number and position of the pipes to be delivered in accordance with the selected position of stop means and constraining the remaining pipes on fork means on the fork means with finger means. CONSTITUTION: Pipes 11 are arranged in line on a fork assembly 13 by a pipe feed and supply assembly 14. The pipes 11 are delivered to a framing assembly 12 by a sharp member 22 moved toward an erection supporting structure 20 for the framing assembly 12. Fingers are moved to the pipes 11 until the pipe constraining assembly 15 is operated and floating fingers 23 are engaged in contact with the pipes 11. The fork assembly 13 is operated again to move the sharp member 22 apart from the erection supporting structure 20, as show by an arrowmark. The sharp member 22 is moved again to the erection supporting structure 20 to keep stacking the pipes 11 and at the same time the pipe constraining assembly 15 is operated to move the fingers 23 back from the contact with the pipes 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for stacking tubes. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for stacking tubes into a predetermined shape for bundling, storage, etc.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "tube" refers collectively to pipes, tubes, etc. having a length and cross section.

It is known in the tube manufacturing industry to handle tubes automatically, manually or semi-automatically (a combination of automatic and manual) for efficiency and ease of operation. Tubes are often transported from a delivery table to a bundling station where they are stacked, bundled for storage and / or shipping. Tubes are often stacked in various shapes. For example, stacking tubes of round cross section into a hexagon,
And it is known to stack tubes of square or rectangular cross section into square or rectangular piles. Round tubes are sometimes stacked in square or rectangular ridges. The piles of tubes are then tied together with metal or plastic bands, or otherwise blocked with wood, for example. The bundled piles are easier to handle than they are for transportation and other handling. Stacking and bundling or blocking is commonly referred to as "bundling."

Stacking the tubes requires lifting and / or transporting the tubes from one location to another location, such as a framing unit or mountain forming unit. In the past, such transfers have been performed on numerous devices, including cranes and magnets. Magnets have been found to be ineffective because it is difficult to keep the tubes in a straight orientation and non-metallic tubes are of course unsuitable for such tasks. On the other hand, the crane is difficult to work because it has to be loaded and unloaded.

Other known tube stacking devices use a rotatable fork member to cause the tube to roll or drop from the fork when pivoted downward. The fork is then retracted and the pawl member is used to "scrap" the remaining tube over it.

Many tube stacking devices require the tubes to be separated from the feed train into individual and discrete numbers of tubes. The tubes are then stacked according to the action of the device. The problem with making separate groups is that the machine requires a lot of room as space has to be provided between the individual groups. Although the individual space is small, it is one of the facilities that must also save space. Therefore, "subdivision" type machines are recognized to impose economic and physical constraints on their owners' use.

It is sometimes expected that one tying station will tie tubes of various sizes and cross-sectional shapes.
For this reason framing (mounting) assemblies are often provided,
This makes the desired final stacking shape approximately the same, and the tubes are conveyed to this shape. For example, if a tube of round cross section is to be bound into a hexagonal crest, a hexagonal framing assembly is required. The next time the same device was used to square-stack tubes of square cross-section, it was necessary to replace the framing assembly with one of square cross-section.

The number of tubes delivered to the framing assembly is critically important. Most stacking devices known in the art include some means of counting the number of pipes actually fed and stopping when a suitable number of pipes arrive. Such devices often use sensors or the like to count the number of tubes as they arrive. This is a bit of a problem for heaps with a variable number of rows of tubes. For example, a hexagonal stack will variably increase to a maximum number of rows of tubes, such as a certain number of rows in the first row, one more row of tubes in the second row, and then a decrease in the number of tubes.

Thus, a device for stacking pipes for bundling or the like, which can be easily adapted to stack pipes in a variable stacking shape, and which efficiently feeds an accurate number of pipes as a pile. There is a need.

[0010]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for stacking tubes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus as described above that can be used to stack tubes of various cross-sectional shapes. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for stacking tubes in piles of various shapes for subsequent tying. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus for effectively delivering a predetermined variable number of tubes as a stack. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus that does not rely on counting the number of tubes to form a stack.

The above objects, as well as other advantages which will be apparent to those skilled in the art of automatic, semi-automatic and / or manual pipe stacking machines, will be realized by the present invention as detailed below. It is a thing.

Briefly, the present invention provides an apparatus for stacking multiple tubes into a stack of predetermined shapes. The apparatus comprises a main frame, a cradle, and a tube framing assembly having a standing arm that at least partially supports the stacked tubes. The device also includes approximately horizontally movable fork means for delivering the tube to the cradle and framing assembly. The fork means includes drive means for variably and selectively moving the fork means to move it toward and away from the standing arm to a predetermined position relative to the framing assembly. Also, a tube restraint assembly is located generally proximate the fork means and the cradle, which has a number of retractable floating fingers engageable with the tubes on the fork means. The number of tubes delivered to the cradle and framing assembly is determined by the predetermined position of the fork means, the remaining tubes on the fork means being at least one of the floating fingers.
Tied on the fork means by one.

Also in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for stacking tubes in a framing assembly is realized having a tube restraint assembly located near the framing assembly, and a number of tube restraint assemblies are provided. Floating fingers engage at least one of the tubes and constrain the at least one tube to prevent entry into the framing assembly.

The present invention also provides a method of placing tubes from a continuous source in a predetermined stacking configuration in a stacking formation assembly by the movement of a fork member that may be beneath a selected tube. The method comprises: a) moving the fork member a preselected distance to place a preselected number of tubes in the crest forming assembly; b) constraining the remainder of the supplied tube; c) fork members. Withdrawing from the mountain forming assembly a predetermined distance, d) lowering the mountain forming assembly so that an additional tube can be placed over an already arranged tube, e) a fork member Advancing again by a certain distance to release the rest of the continuously fed tubes and placing a certain number of tubes over the tubes already placed in the mountain forming assembly, f) and from b) above. e) is repeated until a predetermined pile shape is realized.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention relates to a tube stacking apparatus, generally designated by the numeral 10 in the drawings. As will be described in more detail below, the tube stacking device 10 can be used to stack tubes of various lengths and cross-sectional shapes into piles of various sizes and shapes. For example, as shown in the drawing, the tubes 11 having a round cross section can be stacked in a hexagonal pile using the main stacking device 10. Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the following description that the tube stacking device 10 can be used to stack tubes of other cross-sectional shapes, and that the tubes can be piled in other shapes. Are also within the scope of the present invention.

The tube stacking device 10 has a framing (mounting) assembly generally designated by the numeral 12. By way of example, the framing assembly 12 is shown as stacking tubes 11 into a hexagonal stack. Pipe stacking device 10
Has a fork assembly 13 for delivering the tubes 11 from a tube storage or delivery assembly 14 to a framing assembly 12 where a number of tubes 11 are actually stacked. The pipe 11 can be fed from a delivery table (not shown), storage, etc. to a delivery assembly 14
Can be transported to.

Also, at least one tube restraint assembly 15
Is provided near the framing assembly 12 and the fork assembly 13, and the constraining assembly 15 is shown in FIG. 1 and as shown in FIGS. 7-14. It is supposed to be placed almost vertically on top of 13.

The framing assembly 12 is provided with an upright support assembly, generally designated by 20, which is adjustably attached to a cradle 21, as will be described in more detail below.
The fork assembly 13 includes at least one pointed member 22.
Are provided so that they can be displaced in the horizontal direction with respect to the second pointed member 22. The tube restraint assembly 15 is provided with a number of floating fingers 23 (described in detail below). The fingers 23 are variably positioned with respect to the fork assembly 13 and the cradle 21 so that the fingers 23 engage the tube 11 on the fork.

Before describing the structure of the present invention in greater detail, the overall operation performed by the present apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Referring to FIG. 7, the pipes 11 are preferably arranged in a single row, such as by using the pipe feed assembly 14, fork assembly 13
Placed on top of. The tube 11 is delivered to the framing assembly 12 by a pointed member 22 which is moved in the direction of the standing support structure 20 of the framing assembly 12, such movement being effected by means to be described below. "Delivery" means that at least one, preferably a number of tubes 11, of the action, position and / or structure of the pointed members 22 are placed in the framing assembly 12 to allow the tubes 1 to
It means that one (one or many) is supported by the framing assembly 12. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be practiced by means other than the particular fork assembly shown to deliver the tube 11 to the framing assembly 12.

The horizontal movement of the pointed member 22 in the direction of the upright support structure 20 is indicated by the arrow 24 in FIG. Preferably the fork assembly 13 is such that the pointed member 12 is actually the support structure 2
Pointed member 1 until it touches 0 or comes close to it
2 is activated to be moved. The tube 11 is thereby carried by the fork assembly 13 to the framing assembly 12.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tube restraint assembly 15 is then actuated to move the fingers toward the tube 11 until the floating fingers 23 actually contact or engage the tube 11. The movement of the finger towards the tube 11 is indicated by the arrow 25. (FIG. 8)

The fork assembly 13 is then re-actuated to move the pointed member 22 away from the upright support structure 20 as indicated by arrow 26 in FIG. A predetermined number of tubes 11 are left on the framing assembly 12, and more particularly on the cradle 21, by means described below.

The next step is to lower the cradle 21 in the direction of arrow 30, as shown in FIG. “Descent” means being moved away from the tube restraint assembly 15, and as shown in FIG.
Means a vertical downward motion with respect to. Preferably, the cradle 21 is lowered a distance at least equal to the diameter of the single tube 11, as will be apparent from the description below. At least one floating finger 23 is in contact with the last tube 11 on the pointed member 22 to prevent the tube from falling and rolling to contact the framing assembly 12.

To continue the pile formation of tubes 11, the pointed members 22 are again moved toward the upright support structure 20, and at substantially the same time the tube restraint assembly 15 retracts the fingers 23 from contact with the tubes 11. (FIG. 11). The above sequence is continuously repeated until the desired number of tubes have been stacked (FIG. 12).

The number of tubes delivered to the framing assembly 12 is
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cradle 21 relies on the controlled position of the pointed member 22 relative to the framing assembly 12 when lowered. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, if the pointed member 22 is moved horizontally away from the upright support structure 20 by a distance greater than the total diameter of the eight tubes 11, but less than the total nine, Eight tubes 11 will be in contact with the cradle 21 when the profile 22 is so moved. By predetermining the position of the pointed member 22 with respect to the framing assembly 12, that is, the pointed member 22.
By controlling the distance that is separated from the upright support structure 20, the number of tubes delivered to the framing assembly 12 can also be predetermined. Furthermore, the standing support structure 2 for the pointed member 22
By varying the distance traveled from zero, the number of tubes can be varied, as is required to form the hexagonal stack 31 of tubes as shown in FIG. Further, the cradle 21 is lowered by at least the diameter of the tube 11 so that the pointed member 22 is not obstructed by the previously delivered tube 11 and delivers the other row of tubes 11 to the framing assembly 12. There is no obstacle to doing.

As shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, equipment such as a cart 32 is used to transport the heaps 31 to other work, such as a bundling position (not shown) or storage or other shipping facility. obtain.

Here, the components of the pipe stacking device 10 will be described. The pipe stacking device 10 comprises a main frame 40, which preferably has columns 41, 42 (FIG. 1) and columns 43, 44 (FIG. 2). Of course, the main frame 40 may have any number of struts to suit a particular application as desired or required. Fixed to the columns 41, 42 and 43, 44 are the first and second frame plates 45, 46, respectively.

The pipe feed assembly 14 is used to hold a predetermined number of pipes 11 for transport to the fork assembly 13, as described above. Thus, the tube delivery assembly leads to a delivery table (not shown) or similar device, or an operator may simply load the tube into the delivery assembly, such as by hand. The exact shape of the tube delivery assembly 14 is therefore not critical to the practice of the invention.

One useful shape for pipe delivery assembly 14 is:
It includes a tilting member, generally designated 50, which temporarily holds a quantity of tube 11 and then delivers it to fork assembly 13. The tilting member 50 may have two opposing branches 51, 52, as seen in FIG.
It may be an integral table or equivalent structure (not shown). Oblique supports 53 and 54 are used to strengthen the structure,
Positioning the tilting member 50 in the tilted position assists in the conventional manner. By tilting, the round tubes 11 roll under gravity towards the fork assembly 13 and are stacked as described above. It is further understood that the inclination of the tilting member 50 will also cause a square or rectangular tube to roll towards the fork assembly 13, but the angle of inclination should be greater than for a round tube, 25 ° or so. The above can be done (not shown). The stop block 55 may be associated with the tilting member 50 if the operator desires not to roll the tube 11 towards the fork assembly 13.

In order to change the angle of the tilting member 50, the branch portion 51 may be pivotally attached to the main frame 40 by fixing the hinge 60 or the like to the frame plate 45. Similarly, the branch portion 52 may be fixed to the main frame 40 by the hinge 61 fixed to the frame plate 46 (FIG. 2). Further, the slanted support member 53 can be pivotally attached to the support column 42 by the block 62, the pivot 63, etc., and can be pivotally attached to the branch portion 51 by the pin 64. Similarly, the oblique support members 54 are fixed to the support columns 44 by blocks 65 and pivots 66.

As mentioned above, the fork assembly 13 has at least one, and preferably at least two pointed members 22. Further, the pointed member 22 has a tapered end as shown in FIG.
It is preferable to have it as shown in FIG. Pointed member 2
2 tapers horizontally from the smallest diameter end 70 to the larger dimension end 71. The taper of the pointed member 22 causes the tube 11 to drop or roll towards the end 70 by gravity.

Each point member 22 is fixed to the drive plate 72 near the end 71 as shown in FIG. To support the drive plates 72, each drive plate 72 is coupled to the first or second frame plate 45 or 46 by a tongue and groove assembly 73. The tongue piece 74 extends from each of the first and second frame plates 45 and 46 and engages with the groove member 75, and each drive plate 72 is connected to each frame plate 4.
It is slidable along the length of 5 or 46.

Each drive plate 72 has a shape having a rack 76 (FIG. 1) on one side thereof, and the rack meshes with the pinion 77. Each pinion 77 is driven by a motor 78 or the like,
The motor drives the pinion by rotating the drive shaft 79 (FIG. 3). The motor 78 is preferably a selective drive motor so that the rotation speed and direction of the pinion 77 can be controlled. When the pinion 77 is rotated by the action of the motor 78, the drive plate 72 is moved in the horizontal direction by meshing with the rack 76. When the pinion 77 rotates in one direction, the drive plate 72 and the pointed member 22 move to
Direction, eg towards the upright support structure 20.
Rotation of the pinion 77 in the opposite direction causes the pointed member 22 to move in the opposite direction, ie, away from the upright support structure 20. Further, by selectively controlling the rotational frequency of the pinion 77, the distance that the pointed member 22 moves toward and away from the upright support structure 20 can be adjusted. This causes the number of tubes delivered to the framing assembly 12 to be adjusted as previously described.

The first and second conveyor belts 80,
81 are provided, each from the motor 82 to the sprocket 8
3, driven from the drive shaft 83a. Pulleys 84, 85,
86, 87, 88 are provided to guide the belts 80, 81. Preferably, the belts 80,81 are pointed members 22.
Are arranged substantially parallel to each other. Conveyor belts 80, 81 help deliver the tube 11 to the framing assembly 12.

As mentioned above, the framing assembly 12 includes the tube 1
Used to hold 1 in stacked form. For stability, the upright support structure 20 preferably has at least two upstanding arms 90, 91 as shown in FIG. Further, each of the standing arms 90, 91 has a pivot point 92, 9
It can pivot around 3. Motor 94 is standing arm 9
0, 91 around the pivot points 92, 93 as shown by the arrow 9 in FIG.
5 is provided for pivoting. As shown in FIG. 1, the standing arm 90 (not visible in FIG. 1, but the arm 91 as well) is inclined to form one side of the hexagon, and it is desired to form the hexagonal pile 31. In this case, the frame 11 serves as a framing member that supports the pipe 11 in a hexagonal position.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the standing arm 90 can be pivoted such that its length is substantially perpendicular to the plane of horizontal movement of the pointed member 22, which is a square heap ( (Not shown). In addition, the standing arm 90 can also be pivoted to a position that supports other pile shapes of the tube 11, all of which are within the scope of the invention.

In order to form the hexagonal pile 31 as shown, or other pile shapes, each standing arm 90, 91 has a frame extension arm 100, 10.
1 (FIG. 2) is preferably provided. For purposes of clarity from the following description, frame extension arms 100, 1
01 is rotatably fixed to the standing arms 90 and 91 by the toggle assembly 102. Similarly, the extension arm 101 is rotatably fixed to the standing arm 91 by a similar toggle assembly 102.

Each toggle assembly 102 comprises a first toggle plate 103 hinged to a second toggle plate 105 with a pivot pin 104. Further, each first toggle plate 103 is hinged to the standing arm 90 or 91 by the second pivot pin 106, and the second toggle plate 105 is attached.
The extension arm 100 or 101 to the third pivot pin 10
It is hinged at 7. A drive motor 110 is provided to drive the pivot pin 106 (FIG. 2) or 107 (not shown) and powers the toggle plates 103, 105. Therefore, the extension arm 10
Rotating the 0, 101 to the desired position is accomplished by simply rotating the components of the framing assembly 12 about the pivot pins 104, 106 and 107, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Pivot pins 104, 106, 107
The structure and action of is well known.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first toggle plate 1
Each of 03 is preferably fixed to the standing arms 90 and 91 via the slide block 111. Ie the first
The toggle plate 103 is preferably the second pivot pin 106
It is hinged to the toggle block 111 via. Further, each slide block 111 can slide within track 112. The sliding of the slide block 111 is performed by a guide pin 113 fixed to the slide block 111 and extending in the track 112. Thus, the extension arms 100, 101 can be positioned through the motion indicated by arrow 114 (FIG. 1) at any position along the length of the standing arm to form the desired shaped framing support.

It is also desirable that the framing assembly 12 be movable in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the horizontal movement of the pointed member 22 so that the size of the pile 31 can be adjusted. As the framing assembly 12 is moved towards the fork assembly 13, the pile 31 will be smaller. That is, fewer tubes will enter the row on the cradle 21 than if the framing assembly 12 were further away from the fork assembly 13. The movement of the framing assembly 12 is performed by known means.
For example, it can be performed by attaching the framing assembly 12 to the screw member 115. When the screw member 115 is rotated, the framing assembly 12 is moved toward and away from the fork assembly 13. Rotation of the screw member 115 can be done manually or by a selective drive motor 116 as shown in FIG. 2 to position the framing assembly 12 anywhere along the screw member 115. A guide for guiding the framing assembly 12 and supporting the framing assembly 12 and the cradle 21.
Support bars 117 may be provided.

As mentioned previously, after the row of tubes 11 has been delivered to the cradle 21 (FIG. 7), the cradle 21 is lowered (FIG. 10) and the next row of tubes 11 delivered to it.
It is desirable that they be stacked (FIG. 12). The movement of the cradle 21 can be performed by a known means. One suitable structure for performing this movement includes a powered tongue and groove slide assembly 120 (FIG. 2),
This will be described below. The cradle 21 is illustrated as attached to a central post 121 secured thereto by a groove member 122. The tongue 123 is preferably an elongate member and extends substantially parallel to the length of the central post 121 as shown in FIG. The tongue 123 is preferably shaped to have a T-shaped cross section and has a complementary shaped groove member 122.
It is designed to fit in. The cradle 21 can thus move along the vertical length of the central post 121, which is the vertical direction due to sliding along the tongue 123 in FIG.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the cradle 21 is provided with mounting plates 130 and 131 fixed to the drive chains 132 and 133 in a conventional manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, mounting plate 130 may be attached to drive chain 132 by nut and bolt assembly 134. In addition, a lower mounting plate 130a is provided which may be mounted to drive chain 132 in a similar conventional manner.

The drive chains 132, 133 engage the upper sprockets 140, 141 (FIG. 3) in a conventional manner. The sprockets 140 and 141 are mounted on the shaft 142. The drive chains 132, 133 also engage the lower sprockets 143, 144 in a similar manner. Accordingly, the drive chain 132 extends between and engages the upper sprocket 140 and the lower sprocket 143, and the drive chain 133 extends between and engages the upper sprocket 141 and the lower sprocket 144. The sprockets 140, 141, 143, 144 are preferably provided with sprocket teeth that engage the individual links of the drive chains 132, 133.

The lower sprockets 143 and 144 are preferably mounted on a drive shaft 150 which is rotationally driven by a selective drive motor 153. The drive shaft 150 may be supported by the bearing mount 153. Drive motor 4
When 52 rotates the drive shaft 150, the lower sprockets 143, 144 are rotated to drive the drive chain 13
2, 133 are moved, thus moving the cradle 21 vertically. When the drive shaft 150 is rotated in one direction, the cradle 21 is lowered and the drive shaft 150 is rotated.
It will be appreciated that the cradle 21 will be raised when is rotated counterclockwise. The guide rails 160 and 161 support the cradle 21 and guide the rising and lowering thereof.

By providing a selective drive motor 152 and using it to rotate the drive shaft at a predetermined degree,
The distance that the cradle 21 is moved can be preselected and determined. Thus, the present invention can be used to stack tubes 11 of different diameters, simply by preselecting the distance that the cradle 21 must be lowered so that the layers of tubes 11 can be stacked as described above.

When stacking round tubes (such as 11 in the figure), or stacking tubes of other shapes, it is often necessary to provide suitable support for the stacked tubes 11, or else. This means that the tubes will roll over and will not be able to maintain their stacked shape. However, the tube 11 must be freely delivered to the framing assembly 12. That is, the pipe 11 is connected to the fork assembly 13 and / or the conveyor belt 8
There should be no structure that prevents or interferes with the movement of the frame assembly 12 by the 0,81.

The support structure required to form a complete frame with the framing assembly 12 is generally designated 1 according to the present invention.
Provided as a translational frame assembly designated 70. This translational frame assembly 170 includes a hanging arm 1
71 and 172 are attached to horizontal support plates 173 and 174. The frame assembly 170 includes the main frame 40 and the cradle 21.
Attached to the cradle 21 by the means described below.
When the robot is lowered, the translational frame assembly 170 is linearly displaced so that the arms 171 and 172 stand.
It is intended to form a support structure complementary to 0,91.

The arm 171 has a first end 180 and a second end 181 (FIG. 1). Arm 172 also has similar ends but is not shown in the figure. One pointed member 22
Assuming horizontal movement in one plane, the second end 181 of arm 171 may be considered to be substantially adjacent to that plane. When actually positioned below the pointed member 22, the pointed member 22 and the tube 11 supported thereon are free to pass over the second end 181 of the arm 171. Figure 7
14 through 14, when the cradle 21 is lowered, the translational frame assembly 170 is moved to the right in the figure, and the arm 171 moves the framing assembly 12 to support the pile 31. Complement.

The translational movement of the translational frame assembly 170 can be accomplished by any means known in the art, which is also within the scope of the present invention, but preferably the translational frame assembly 170 is translated by the translational force transmitted from the movement of the cradle 21. It is desirable to move in a straight line. Each arm 171, 172 is provided with an elongated flange 183. The cradle 21 has a cam block 184 facing the flange 183 as shown in FIG. Each cam block 184 supports the first and second cam rollers 185, 186, and the first cam roller 185 has one side of the flange 183 and the second cam roller 1
86 is adapted to be located on the opposite side. Cradle 21
Is lowered, the first cam roller 185 moves the flange 18
The angle of the flange 183 with respect to the vertical line of the downward movement of the cradle 21 causes the arm 171 to be displaced linearly. Horizontal support plate 1
The 73, 174 are held between the rollers 190 so that they are fixedly attached to the main frame 40 and likewise displaced linearly, providing a support for the arm 171 during such movement.
Therefore, the motion of the translational frame assembly 170 is induced by the luck of the cradle 21, and the force from it is first
Since it is transmitted to the translational motion frame assembly 170 by the second cam rollers 185, 186 and the flange 183, it can be referred to as “translational”.

As can also be seen, cradle 2
1 is lifted, the second cam roller 186 moves the flange 1
1, causing linear movement of the frame assembly 170 to the left as viewed in FIG. 1, causing the tube stacking device 10 to rest, such as for forming another stack 31. Further, the framing assembly 12, the cradle 21, the translational frame assembly 1
By appropriately manipulating the adjusting function of 70, a pile of tubes of various shapes can be formed, such as the hexagons, squares, rectangles, etc. shown.

A preferred embodiment of the tube restraint assembly 15 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 4, each floating finger 23
It has an elongated shaft 192 and a head 193. Each finger 23 is supported by an actuating plate 200 (FIG. 5) having a large number of holes 201. One finger 23 is positioned in the hole 201 and is restrained by the head 193 so as not to come out of the hole. Further, the operating plate 20
0 is preferably provided with a number of evenly spaced rows of diagonal holes 201, as explicitly shown in FIG. Thus at least one finger, for example finger 23a of FIG.
There is a large degree of certainty that will engage the last tube 11a and prevent it from rolling from the pointed member 22 onto the previously loaded tube above the framing assembly 12.

The actuating plate 200 is preferably attached to an actuating air cylinder 202 of conventional design, such as with a screw and nut set 203 on a shaft 204. When the cylinder 202 is operated, the shaft 204 is moved up or down, and the operating plate 2 is moved.
Let's go up and down 00.

Since the finger 23 can freely move in the hole 201, the actuating plate 200 is attached to the pipe 11 on the fork assembly 13.
When moved towards, some fingers rest on the tube 11, some intervene between the tube and the plate, some head 2
No. 03 of the finger 23 (23a in FIG. 4) hangs down due to contact with the operating plate 200.
Engage with the last tube 11 on top of 2 (11a in FIG. 4). FIG.
1, when the air cylinder 202 is actuated and the shaft 204 is raised, the actuating plate 200 is also raised to contact the head 203 of the finger 23 to disengage the finger 23 from the tube 11, thus The profile 22 allows more tubes 11 to be delivered to the framing assembly 12 as described above.

The tube restraint assembly 15 is also provided with stationary guide plates 210 and 211, which are provided with holes 201a corresponding to the positions of the holes 201 in the actuating plate 200 for aligning and guiding the fingers 23. The guide plates 210 and 211 may be supported on the support hanger 212.

As shown in FIG. 3, two tube restraint assemblies 1
It is preferred to position 5 close to frame assembly 12 and fork assembly 13. Each tube restraint assembly 15 is secured in position by the use of suitable known means, such as a secondary frame 220 having a support hanger 221.

Further, the pipe restraining assembly 15 has a holding member 2
22 is provided to hold a row of tubes 11 delivered onto the framing assembly 12. Otherwise, the tube 11 is particularly round because it is easy to "ride" on the standing arm 90 when delivered by the fork assembly 13. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other restraint means other than those shown may be used. For example, a pivoting restraint (not shown) could be used so that it rests on the tube 11 and is pivoted at one end.

As described above, when the device 10 has finished forming the pile 31, the cart 32 carries the pile 31 out of the device 10 and another, for example, a bundling station (not shown).
You can move it to Cart 32 may be of any type that performs this function, an exemplary one is shown schematically in the drawings. When the pile 31 is completed as shown in FIG. 12, the cart is moved to a position close to the cradle 21.
A cart frame support arm 230 is pivotally attached to the cart 32 by a power pivot hinge 231 or the like. The cart frame support arms 230 are adjustable so as to move toward and away from each other by a screw rod 232. Thus, the cart frame support arm 230 is adjustable with respect to the size of the pile 31 to be transported. When rotated to the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 12, the cart frame support arm 230 can freely slide under the pile 31.

Then, as shown by arrow 240 in FIG.
The cart frame support arm 230 is pivoted about the pivot hinge 231 toward the pile 31 until it is in a position to support the pile 31. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the framing assembly 12 is pivoted in the manner described above about the pivot points 92, 93 and around the toggle assembly 12 to bring the framing assembly 12 horizontally. The pile 31 is supported by the cart frame support arm 230. The cart 32 is thus free to move away from the tube stacking device 10 and carry the pile 31 to the next desired position. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the cart 32 can be in the form of other support structures, which are also within the scope of the invention. For example, a fixed frame assembly could be used with or instead of the cart frame support arm 230.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tube stacking device 10 is provided with a stop assembly, generally designated 250, as shown schematically in FIG. One stop assembly 250
Helps properly pass the correct number and selected position of tubes 11 in a stack 31 of stages.

Stop assembly 250 is preferably an elongate, horizontally movable support member 251, which has stop member 2 at one end thereof.
A support member 251 for holding 52 is included. Stop member 252 is movably supported by, for example, rollers 253, linear bearings (not shown) or other conventional means. Stop member 25
The overall effective length of 2 is to stop the stop member 252 by loosening a fastener, such as a wing nut 254 threaded through the bolt 255, and to allow the bolt 255 to move within a slot 256 formed in the stop member 252. Adjusted by moving. Stop member 252 is moved relative to stop plate 257, which is fixed to hold bolt 255 and support member 251. Wing nut 254 in the correct position
Is clamped, the stop member 252 is fixed in the selected position and is stably held on the stop plate 257.

The pointed member 22 is a pin, rod or its end 70.
Given with block 260 located close to (see FIG. 1
6). The block 260 is formed on the pointed member 22, and as the branch pointed member 22 is moved horizontally toward the stack 31,
Block 260 engages stop member 252 resulting in a stop assembly
The roller 250 moves horizontally while being supported by the roller 253 and is horizontally replaced with the supporting member 251. As mentioned above, the distance traveled by the pointed member 22 is preselected. Therefore, the position of the stop member 252 is also selected thereby. That is, the stop member 252 held by the support member 251 is moved to a preselected position based on the movement distance of the pointed member 22. The stop assembly 250 is provided with a drag brake (not shown) or other braking device to provide the brake when the stop assembly 250 is moved to a preselected position where the block 260 and the stop member 252 engage. No further movement by the device.

Block 260 also includes plunger ends 261 and 26.
Provided with a plunger mechanism having two. Plunger end 261 is a surface of stop member 252 to absorb the impact of the impact of block 260 as block 260 engages surface 270.
It faces 270. By absorbing shock, the overall operation is quieter and the life of the device is extended.

The stop member 252 is formed to have a surface 270 that is normally located with respect to the axial surface of the pointed member 22 and faces the tube 11 delivered by the fork assembly 13.
The lead tube of the continuous tube 11 delivered by the fork assembly 13, such as tube 11b, engages when the lead tube 11b engages the stop member 252 at the selected position and is immobile. The lead tube 11b acts on the lead tube 11b because it engages the surface 270 of the stop member 252 and because the surface 270 is orthogonal to the tube 11 by being generally orthogonal to the horizontal movement of the pointed member 22. There is no vertical vector force caused by power engagement. Therefore, the pipe 11b is not removed vertically from the step.

For certain types of tubes, such as squares or rectangles, stop member 252 does not require horizontal movement. In such circumstances, it is sufficient that the square stop 252 be moved enough for clearance and then repositioned to line up with the new stage of tube 11.

As described above, the upright arm 90 (FIG. 15) moves perpendicular to the cradle 21 when forming the stack 31 in accordance with the present invention. Therefore, a given point on the vertically fixed arm 171 moves vertically with respect to the point on the upright arm 90. The weight of the stacked steps creates a horizontal vector force that pushes the last tube 11a against each arm 171 into each step, especially for round tubes. The tube 11 near the center of a given step is rotated by the vector force and horizontally disengaged from the step. One aspect of the invention is provided to overcome this problem. References made herein to arm 171 are likewise applicable to arm 172.

In order to suppress the vertical displacement of the pipes 11 from the steps of the stacked pipes 11, the arms 171 are
Pulley 281 and / or guide block 28 at each end of
2 with a band or belt 280 extending around 2 (FIGS. 5 and 17-18). A suitable guide block is shown in FIG. 17 as having a channel 283 having a belt 280 disposed therein. Belt 28 by being made of a suitable smooth material such as nylon, fiberglass coated Teflon or other polymeric material
0 can move freely inside the channel 283 and around the guide block 282. The pulley 281, the guide block 282 and other means for facilitating movement of the belt 280 around the arm 171, are collectively referred to as the guide member.

The belt 280 is also secured to the receiving cradle 21 by any convenient means such as tightening on the cradle 21. One suitable means of tightening belt 280 to cradle 21 is illustrated as slotted pin 284 secured to cam block 184 described above. One end of the belt 280 is located within the slot clamp 284 and the pulleys 281 and within the arm 171 pass around the guide block 282. The other end of belt 280 is also located within slot clamp 284 and is held securely therein. The second belt 280 (not shown) is also fixed to the arm 172 in the same manner.

Since the belt 280 is fixed to the cradle 21, the belt 280 does not move with respect to the stacked tubes 11. That is, there is relative movement between the belt 280 and the arm 171 because the belt 280 remains fixed to it when the cradle 21 is vertically displaced in the manner described above, but the tube 280 stacked with the belt 280. It does not exist between 11 and. The movement of the arm 171 with respect to the cradle 21 is
Compensated by the relative movement of belt 280 about pulley 281 and guide block 282. In addition to the means for fixing the belt 280 and the pulley 281 or the guide block 282, the belt 28
Means for facilitating relative movement between the 0 and the arm 171 are within the scope of aspects of the invention.

Thus, it is clear that the method and apparatus of the present invention are highly effective in stacking tubes. The invention is particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, suitable for stacking square or round tubes into square or hexagonal piles.
The tube stacking apparatus 10 and method of the present invention stacks long tubes and thus may be used individually with other equipment, along with multiple stacking apparatus 10.

As is apparent from the above description, the use of the stacking device described here achieves the above-mentioned objects. Thus, obvious variations are within the scope of the invention, and the choice of particular components can be determined without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view in which a part of a pipe stacking device according to the present invention is cut away.

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic end view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the device taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a first stage of operation of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing a second stage (contact of fingers) of the same operation.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is also the third stage (beginning of backward movement of the pointed member).
It is a schematic side view showing.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing the fourth stage (descent of the cradle) similarly.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing the fifth stage (entry of the second row of pipes).

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing the final stage of stacking operation (completion of a hexagon).

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing the start of the unloading action (placement on a cart).

FIG. 14 is a schematic side view showing a final stage (carrying out of a cart).

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a partial enlarged view of the stop assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a lateral partial enlarged view of an arm member according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged view of the arm member according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... Pipe 12 ... Frame assembly 13 ... Fork assembly 15 ... Pipe restraint assembly 20 ... Standing support structure 21 ... Cradle 22 ... Point member 23 ... Floating fingers 31 ... Pile 32 ... Cart 40 ... Main frame 102 ... Toggle assembly 170 ... Translational frame assembly

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for stacking a plurality of tube stages in a stack of a predetermined shape, comprising a main frame and a generally horizontally moveable means for delivering a predetermined amount of successive stages of tubes to the stack. Fork means, movable for a preselected distance, and horizontally movable stop means, engageable with the lead tube of the stage as the stage of the tube is delivered by said fork means. Blocking means fixed to the fork means and releasably engaging the stopping means, the blocking means preselecting the stopping means as the fork means travels the selected distance. A blocking means that engages the stop means to move it to a closed position, and a block located near the fork means and the stack and engaged with a tube on the fork means. A tube restraint assembly having a number of retractable floating finger means, the amount of tubes being delivered to a stack in a given stage and the position of the tube in a given stage being selected by the stop means. Tube stacking device, wherein the remaining tubes on the fork means are constrained on the fork means by at least one of the finger means. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fork means is horizontally movable in a substantially single plane. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a framing body for at least partially supporting a stack, the framing body having a first end and a second end. A movable arm means, the first end being substantially proximate to a moving surface of the fork means,
A device consisting of a framed body. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the arm means is fixed to a horizontal support plate, and the horizontal support plate is fixed to the main frame through a roller support means. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the arm means includes a flange extending horizontally therefrom and therein. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a cradle, means for moving the cradle relative to movement of the fork means, fixed to the cradle, and engaging with the flange. At least one roller means, the roller means engaging the flange as the cradle moves, and the first end of the arm means is substantially proximate a moving surface of the fork means. A device for linearly moving the arm means as it is. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the arm means includes a band means mounted so as to be generally rotatable about the first and second ends of the arm means. apparatus. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the band means is fixed on a first guide member fixed to the first end of the arm means and on the second end of the arm means. A device that is placed on the second guide member. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stop means comprises a support member and a stop member, the support member holding the stop member. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the stop member includes a first stop plate and a second stop plate, the second stop plate being repositionable with respect to the first stop plate. As a result, the device wherein the length of said stop member is variable. 11. A device for stacking tubes on a framing body, comprising a plurality of floating fingers disposed proximate to the framing body and restraining at least one tube from moving toward the framing body. A tubing restraint assembly having at least one repositionable upstanding arm for supporting at least a portion of the stacked tubes, the at least one upstanding arm including the stacked tubes. A movable belt for engaging at least one of the at least one upstanding arm so as to substantially prevent vertical movement of a tube engaging the belt as the at least one upright arm is arranged differently. Device with a flexible movable belt. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one upstanding arm has first and second ends, and independent guide members secured to the first and second ends, respectively. An apparatus having a belt supported by the guide member and rotatable about the guide member. 13. A method of shaping and stacking tubes from a continuous source into a predetermined stacking configuration in a stack forming assembly by movement of a fork member that may be located under a selected number of tubes. A) moving the stop means to a preselected position by engaging the stop means with the blocking means held by the fork member, and moving the fork member a preselected distance Placing the pipe within the forming assembly, b) restraining the remaining supply pipe, and c) moving the fork member a predetermined distance from the stack forming assembly while the stopping means remains in the predetermined position. Withdrawing, d) lowering the stack forming assembly so that additional tubes may be placed over previously placed tubes, and e) withdrawing said stop means at least partially. F) moving the fork member again a predetermined distance to release the rest of the continuously fed tubes and to place a predetermined number of tubes on top of the tubes already placed on the stack forming assembly, g) and repeating steps b) to f) until a predetermined stacking shape is realized.