US1154406A

US1154406A - Sheet-feeding machine.

Info

Publication number: US1154406A
Application number: US81409614A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard K King
Original assignee: CHAMBERS BROTHERS CO
Current assignee: CHAMBERS BROTHERS CO
Priority date: 1914-01-24
Filing date: 1914-01-24
Publication date: 1915-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 1932-09-21

Description

H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1914. l 9 l 54 Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

1| su'zns-sum 1.

WITNESSES: [NVEN TOR.

L mrw K.

7 ATTRN H. K. vKING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. A'PPLICATION' FILED JAN. 24. 1914.

' PatentedSept. 21, 1915.

11 SHEETS'SHEE1 2'.

INVENTOR.

d It. 42% M L- A TTORNE Y.

WITNESSES WITNESSES:

H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

I 'APPICATION FILED JAN-24,1914- Patnted. Sept. 21, 1915.

1'] SHEETS-SHEE] 3.

INVENTOR.

2'1- ATTORNEY.

H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, I914.

1,154,40. PatentedSept. 21, 1915.

I I SHEETSSHEE] 5.

W1TNESSES 11v VEN TOR.. m K. MA

H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. AFPucATmN FILED JAN-24, 1914.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

I I SHEETS-SHEE] 6.

[NI/E TOR. W

W/ZNESSES M i A TTORNE Y.

H. K. KING.-

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APFLICATION FILED JAN. 24 19M.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

ll SHEETSSHEE1 7.

' INVENTOR.

M A- A TTORNE y.

H. K. KING.

- SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. v APPLICATION FlLED JAN-24.1914. 1,154,406. Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

5 3 1| SHEETSSHEEI 8.

- ATTORNEY.

H. K. KING.

- SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. A PPLICATION FILED JAN- 24, IQI4- 1,154,4z06a Patented Sept. 21, 191:).

H SHEETSSHEE19.

WITNESSES [NVEN TOR.

11y 3 2 If mg,

fl- ATTOI E I.

H K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED W24. 1914.

1,154, 10; Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

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4 w: Hr L/ E4 L WITNESSES INVEN TOR.

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Gontinuation in part of application Serial No. 790,169. filed September 17, 1913. This application filed To'all whom it may concern HOWARD K. KINGMIOF PHILADELPHIA, PENfi ifii'ivlNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 CHAMBERS BRo'rHERs ooMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

- SHEET-FEEDING MAcHINE.

, Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

January 24, 1314. Serial No. 814,096.

'Be it known that I, HOWARD K. KING, a citizen 'of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Sheet-Feeding Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to'improvementsinsheet feeding machines.

,The object is to provide improved means for separatin and delivering single sheets from a pile 0 sheets.

The improvement relates to that type of,

feeding machine commonly known as the continuous feed .type.

Referring .to the drawings which illustratemerely way of example, suitable means for embodying my invention-Figure 1 is a plan view. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the cone friction and the operating diaphragm on slightly enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation. Fig. 5 is a front elevation. Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing pivot and latch membersof the valve trip mechanism on an enlarged scale. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of most of the art shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a section on line 88 of Fig. 19 on-an enlargedscale Fig. 11 is a section on line11-11 of Fig. 5

en an enlarged scale and showing the front part of the feeder only. Fig. 12 is a similar view of some of the parts shown in Fig. 11,.but in a different position. Fig. 13 is a plan view of one of the members for latching up the valve, on a still larger scale. -Fig.

'14 is a section on anenlarged scale of one of the air passages from the rail to the valve casing' Fig. 1.5is a section on line 15-15 of Fig. 10 on .an enlarged scale. Fig. 16 is a sectlonv showing some of the parts shown in Fig. 12, but in a different position. Fig.

vicesas herein illustratedfor controlling the ing the sheet detector and associated mecha-- in a different position.- VVIGW on an enlarged scale of the combing nism. Fig. 20 is a rear view of the upper end of the detector arm. Fig. 21 is a similar new of some of the parts shown in Fig. 19, with the members in a different position.

- Fig. 22 is a view showing some of the parts shown in Fig. 19', with some of the members Fig. 23 is a plan Wheel and device for clamping the sheets, and the drag weight, the combing wheel and mounting being shown in section. Fig. 24 is a section on line 24-24 of Fig. 23. F g. 25 is a-section on line 25-25 of Fig. 23. Fig. 26 is a section on an enlarged'scale on' line 2626 of Fig. '4. Fig. 27 1s a section on line 2727 of Fig. 26; also showing connect-.

ing mechanism not shown in Fig. 26. Fig. 28 is an enlarged front elevationof the middle portion of themachine. Fig. 29 is an enlarged sectional detail of the pad provided in the table beneath the combing wheel (sheet 8). v Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. I

Referring to Figs. 2 and 9, 30 is the receiving table upon which a pile of sheets 31 having been first feathered is placed in the manner; well known in the art. These sheets areplaced upon the table 30 and fed downwardly toward roller 32 by the tapes 33 passing over the surface of table 30 around drum 32 over idler 34 and pulleys 35. The

sheets are carried around the drum 32 between said drum and the tapes 36 which pass around roller 37, pulleys 38, roller 39 and pulleys 40. The sheets passing between tapes 33 around drum 32 and tapes 36 are delivered upon the feeding table 41 over which pass the canrying tapes 42 Carrying tapes 42 pass around roller 39 and pulleys 43. By means of the carrying tapes 42 the sheets are carried forward beneath the combing wheel 44 by which they are fed forwardlytowardthe drop and

feed rollers

245 and 246 respectively of the folding machine or similar device.

The present invention comprises improved means in connection with such feeding deoperation of the combing wheel and the drag weight, and means for interrupting the movement 'of the sheet, and the latching means for the drop roller of a folding machine or similar device to bring the same into proper operative relationship with the feeder.

The invention also comprises improved means for the automatic control of the delivery of sheets to the feeding roller 246, means for adjusting the several instrumentalities to suit sheets of different characteristics and improved means for guiding the sheets from the first table to the second table as for example, around the drum 32.

The combing wheel is of usual construction and is mounted on the stud 45 which projects from the framework 46 which is mounted in the casing 47 and has a rocking movement about shaft 48, see Fig. 23. Secured to the combing wheel 44 is the gear wheel 49 which coiiperates with the gear wheel50 which lSlIlOUIltGd on shaft 48 and rotates therewith. The outer end of stud 45 is supported bythe connecting arm 51 which is connected at its upper end with the lever 52,-said lever 52 being rotatably fixed with shaft 53. Shaft 53 also carries-arm 54 having adjustable contact piece 55, see Fig. 11, which is controlled by the movement of piston rod 56 carrying piston 57 controlled by diaphragm 58 in the pneumatic head 59. Rigidly secured to the shaft 53 is the arm 222, see Fig. '2; to the outer extremities of which is secured the serrated bar 223, with which the adjustable bracket 224 engages. To bracket 224 is secured the spring 225; the other end of which is secured at a fixed point 226. By moving the bracket 224along the serrated bar 223 from one side to the other of shaft 53 or toward or away from shaft, the pressure exertedby the combing wheel upon the sheets may be modified as desired.

A pad is secured across the table 41 extending transverse the direction of travel of the sheets and just beneath the combing wheel 44, see Figs. 15 and 29. This pad is sunk in a channel in the table 41 and the tened to the table 41 slightly to the rear of the pad 219 as at 221*, see Fig. 29. The mole skin affords a good wearlng surface which does not interfere withnthe travel of the sheets over table 41, and the pad eliminates the noise ordinarily due to the mpact of the combing wheel upon the sheets when resting or supported immediately beneath the combing wheel;- by non-yielding mate rial. The jar thus eliminated, greatlyadds to the wear of the working parts and the smooth operation of the machine. This pad The shaft 82 is provided withthe g 89 130 structure is important where the pile beneath the combing wheel is thin, where however the pile operated upon by the combing wheel is thick such cushioning device is of less importance.

The feeding of the feathered bank to the combing wheeZs.The cam 76 is mounted on the shaft 77, see Fig. 11, which cam is constantly driven during the operation of the machine. The lever 73 is pivotally mounted at 74 and is provided at its free end with the roller 75 adapted to engage with the periphery of the cam 76. The roller 75 of lever 73 is normally maintained against the periphery of the cam 76 by means of the spring rod 78 provided with the. spring 79. To lever 73 is connected one end of the connecting rod 80, the other end being connected with the stud 83 on friction element 81, see Figs. 2 and 3, so that by the normal operation of the rod 80 actuated by the cam 76 the friction element 81 will be made to rock backward and forward. The positive actuation of the cam gives the feeding motion.- The return motion of the rod is due to the spring 79. The friction element 81 is journaled free on the shaft 82 and is connected by a collar with the lever 84 pivotally supported at one end on the adjustable stud 85 and pivotally connected at its free end at 86 to the piston rod 87 of piston 88 in pneumatic head 107. Lever 84 is also connected with the spring 108. The external clutch member 109 is keyed to the shaft 82. When compressed air is admitted tothe head 107 the piston and piston rod are pushed forward causing the engagement of the

clutch elements

81 and 109 and the consequent actuation of shaft 82. When air is exhausted from the head 107 the piston moves to the left in response to the tension of spring 108 causing the disengagement of the

clutch elements

81 and 109, or in the absence of the spring thepressure between the friction ele-' ments is sufficiently relieved to prevent their effective cotiperation. -A sheet detector controls the supply of compressed air to the diaphragm head 107 as hereinafter described. Through means of a lever the descent of the drop and feed rollers raises the detector finger thus opening wide the exhaust from the diaphragm. This causes the clutch to be released, and as stated above, the friction a-elutch element 81 is returned by the spring actuated cam arm. The positive actuation by thecam gives the forward feeding motion. Theireturn motion of the cam arm is spring controlled. Should the clutch be engagedthe spring 79 does not have suflicient power to move the feeding drum. This is important, otherwise under-certain conditions the bank would receive a reverse feed and be moved back and forth with the oscillations of the friction. .1 I

which meshes with gear 90 on shaft 91 which carries the drum or roller 32 see Fig. 9. Gear 90 meshes with gear 92 on shaft 93 which carries pulleys 38. It. will thus be seen that the actuation of shaft 82 secures the actuation of the drum 32, pulleys 38 and 39, and: carrying

tapes

33, 36 and 42, and thus secures the desired feed of sheets from table 30 to the desired position beneath the combing wheel 44 on table 41.

Means for the manual or arbitrary actuation of shaft 82 is provided in the crank handle 94 shown in Fig. 4.

It will be noted that with reference to Fig. 9, that each pulley 40 is mounted on a sliding member 95 which has a slidingmovement in ways provided in the stationary framework' Each member 95 is connected with one end of a tension spring 96.

The other end of spring 96 is attached to,

the rod 97 secured to the stationary framework. .This structure permits of an independent tension of each of the tapes 36 and permits tapes 36 to move away from or toward the drum 32.to accommodate the thickness of the pile of sheets passing around drum-32 and between said drum 32 and tapes 36.

It will be noted that roller 37 is placed well above drum 32. The advantage of this arrangement is that roller 37 permits a free passage of the sheets from table 30 and tapes 33 beneath the said roller 37, whereas if this roller rested against the drum 32 it would tend to obstruct and buckle the sheets passing around the drum.

. The advantage of having the adjustable tapes 36 travel around the drum 32, instead of stationaryguides which has hitherto been common, is that the tapes not only yield readily to accommodate variations in the thickness of'the pile passing'around drum 32, but they also tend to keep the sheets well smoothed'rou't. and assist the travel thereof, while stationary guides about drum 32, pre-. sent a dead surface to oneside of the pile; thus a substantially even and uniform feed isgiven to both sides of the pile by the tapes I 33 and drum 32 on the one side and of the tapes 36 on the other side. The tapes 36 guide the pile of sheets and deliver same onto tapes42 and table ,41.

Automatic control of the means for feeding the feathered bank to the combing wheeZ.-It will be understood that the continuous rotation of cam 76 causing the continuous reciprocation of rod 80 and actuation of friction member 81 would normally cause a continuous step by step rotative movement fof shaft '82 if the friction ele-'

ments

81 and 109 were always in frictionalv engagement during the positive actuation of friction 81 by the cam 7 6. As above stated, however, the engagement of the friction elements is controlled byasheet detector controlling a pneumatic operation of the friction member 81. This detector finger 63 is shown in Figs. 19 and 21, and forms the upper member of a calipering device. The lower member of; this caliper is a plate o bar 64 of considerable length. The rear end of this plate is secured to the feed board 41. The forward end, which is under the contact part of the finger 63, is free to be adjusted vertically. This adjustment is secured by the set-screw 65 bearing against the underside of the plate. head of this screw is under the feed board, the screw projecting upwardly through a threaded plate 66. This plate being secured to the feed'board. The pneumatic head which controls the movable friction element 81 is controlled by air pressure from reservoir 213 passing through the minute opening 68 into chamber 69 which communicates with the conductor 7 0 leading to the pneu- .matic head 107. Chamber 69 is also proture 68 is communicated to the diaphragm Of} the head-1 07 causing the engagement of the

friction elements

81 and 109 and the consequent feeding er the bank of sheets. When the number of sheets however passing between the

calipering elements

63 and 64 are sufiicient to raise the caliperin'g elements '63 slightl haust from the diaphragm causes the clutch The knurled the end 72v is Withdrawn I from the nozzle 1 and thus opening the exto be released. his also to be noted that the cam 76 is timed to feed during the portion' of the cycle allotted to the combing action and permit the return of the friction eleme'nt while t e sheet isbeing taken away by the dropand feed rollers. This is accomplished by means'of the lever 114 pivoted at 115 having an adjustable weighted end 129 adapted to engage the arm 163 moving with the drop roller 245. Lever 114 has an extension 130 which is adapted to engage the arm 110 and force the end 72 away from the nozzle 71, thus opening wide the exhaust from the diaphragm of head 107 and cansing the clutch to be released, and as stated above, the spring returns the cam actuated arm.

It will be understood that very minute variations in the thickness of the pile of sheets beneath the detector finger 63 will effect the engagement between the friction known, motion transmission means, com-' prising cooperating friction elements, between which there isa slipping frictional engagement, is capable of transmitting'motion very gently, especially at the start, and where the pressure of engagement is comparatively slight. The less the pressureof engagement between the friction elements, the greater the slip, and consequently the gentler is the communication of motion. With a pneumatic control for this frictional engagement an extremely delicate and sensitive control is secured. In the actual operation of the machine the aperture 71 is not entirely closed, hence there is more or less slip between the friction elements, and from this it follows that the feed of sheets is always a gentle one without danger of forcing the sheets from the rearunder the forward sheets.

The manual adjustm-entof the screw determines the thickness of the bank maintained at the calipering point. The detector finger 63 has a longitudinal adjustment-on the arm 67 permitting the calipering point to be moved toward or away from the drop roller 245. The extremes of this adjustment are arbitrarily fixed. The object of this adjustment is to handle advantageously papers of varying thicknesses and of different char acteristics.

lVhen handling thin paper the combing action penetrates to and sets in motion quite a number of sheets, in some cases a dozen or more. For thin and all ordinary easy combing paper, the calipering point should be well back, away from the drop roller. For

fairly thick, firm paper it should be set in For 'soft, hard an intermediate position. combing paper, stock where the combing action penetrates for only two or three sheets deep, the calipering point should be set to theclosest position to the drop roller.

In order to get a successful automatic feeding action, the calipering point must not beifarther from the drop roller than will form steps of a reasonable length between the sheets in motion. Thus, three sheets in motion means three steps, provided the cali of the combing wheels.

ping the feeding action of the bank. When so set, the starting of one or more additional sheets under the caliper will cause the swinging of the arm slightly away from the escape nozzle. This exhausts the air from the diaphragm sufiioiently, and thus prevents the clutch engaging and feeding the bank forward. The cam operating the feed through the clutch has an arbitrary motion. The feeding of the bank is arrested by the action of the detector caliper when the bank is brought sufliciently forward, the earn swing- 'ing the clutch member idly for the balance of the stroke. This results in the bank being fed forward the required amount. In this connection it should be noted that by this pneumatically controlled actuation of the friction it is possible for the friction to release at any point or any moment of its rotative movement, that is to say, there is no fixed or required degree or are through which the friction actuation of the drum is caused by. the positive movement of the cam. The moment the end 7 2 is sufliciently actuated to relieve the opening 71 the frictions will begin to slip or entirely separate as the case may be whether in the beginning or at the end of the stroke or in any intermediate position.

Usually, after the withdrawal of each sheet the bank will be fed forwarda greater or less amount, changing in response to the varying steps in the feathered bank. This variation is due to the manner in which the sheets are placed on the receiving board by the operator. A number of sheets may reach the detector without being feathered at all. In this case the feeding of the bank is entirely arrested until the sheets are worked out and delivere by the successive actions As mentioned before, for thin or easy combing paper the detector fingers should be well backfrom'the drop roller. In this case there should, be from eight to twelve steps between the caliper and the drop roller, the

number depending somewhat upon the char-' acter ,o' f the paper. Normally these steps are (very short just as the edge passes beyond the caliper, and gradually lengthen out as it approaches the drop roller.

Bearing in mind that the sheet whose edge is, just passing the caliper is the eighth" to the twelfth from the top, while the one next to the drop roller is the top sheet; when the calipering finger is adjusted the proper distance from the drop roller to suit the character of paper, as described, the combing wheels will have little or no influence on thesheetswhose edges have not yet reached the calipering point.

The reason for, and the importance of,.th'e longitudinal adjustment has been shown. Experiment has proved that there is considerable latitude in the position of the detector, with reference to the drop roller, for any particular paper, the greatest latitude being with ordinary easy combing paper, and the least latitude with very soft, hard combing paper. 1

\Vith a little experience the operator should be able to set the detector in a good working position by'examining the paper to be worked. The caliper should be set rather closer than the combined thickness of the number of sheets representing the expected number of steps. Then, with the machine in operation, the caliper should be slowly opened up and adjusted until good working conditions are secured. i Body 47 is provided, with a lug 99 provided with the recess 100 as shown in Figs. 23 and 24:. This recess is adapted to receive the end of rod 101 which is secured therein by the pin 102 which permits a pivotal movement, about the pin 102 in recess 100. The rod is also provided with the aperture 103 to receive the end of latch pin 104 when the rod 101 is carried to the elevated posi- 25 tion.

Fig. 24 shows the rod 101 in the lower or operative position which is normally maintained "by gravity. Upon the rod 101 is slidably mounted the member 105 which is adapted to be clamped to said rod in the required position by the clamp screw 106. A feather and key way are provided between the body 105 and the bar 101 to prevent relative turning between the" two.

Clamping the bank back of the top sheet, saidsheet being in position to be withdrawn by the action of the feed and drop r0ZZe'rs.- This clamping isaccomplished by action of the drag wheel 127. Suitably mounted on 40 the structure connected to the body or mem her 105 is the pneumatic head 116 provided with a nozzle 117 and the diaphragm 118. This diaphragm is adapted to engage and operate the piston 119 and pistonv rod 120 connected therewith. At the' lower end of the piston rod 120 is secured at one end a lever.'122, which is pivotally mounted at 123.. Leverrl22 is provided with an -exten sion 12-1 having a braking surface 125 and a detent 126 adapted to cobperate with the periphery of the wheel 127. This wheel 127 is mounted on the free end of arm 128 which is pivotally connected at 129 with a bracket 121 which is connected with the pneumatic head 116. The wheel 127 is pro- ;vided with a toothed or serrated periphery and is adapted normally to rest by gravity upon the pile of sheets. When pressure is exerted above the diaphragm 118 the piston rod 120 is depressed and the brake arm 124 engages the periphery of wheel 127 to stop its rotation.' The pressure of the wheel upon the aper isalso gthereby increased, thus forming an effective brake or clamp upon the pile of sheets. When the wheel 127 is free to rotate it serves as a slight drag only to the advancing sheets. When the top sheet has passed beyond the influence of this wheel, it is in position to be removed by the drop and feed roller and the combing wheel is through operating on. the same. Before the drop and feed roller begins to act orsaid top sheet the brake is applied to wheel 127 which serves to clamp the balance of the pile of sheets as above described,

and prevents their displacement as the top the rod 101 and the devices supported thereby are supported by the roller 196 secured to the outer end of extension 235 connected to bracket 107. This roller 196 is adapted normally to rest upon the pile of sheets.

Adjustment.-It will be understood that the wheel 127 should be so positioned, when in the operative position, as to engage the pile of sheets immediately to the rear of A the first sheet when said sheet is in position to be operated upon by the drop and feed roller. This position is secured, in accordance with the sizeof the sheets operated upon, by the adjustment of the body 105 on the rod 101, which adjustment is maintained by the set-screw 106.

The air pressure is delivered to the diaphragm chamber 116, through. nozzle 117, to which is connected the flexible tubing 132 from a source of air pressure supply, controlled by a valve hereinafter to bedescribed.

i Control of head 116.-The control of air pressure to and exhaust from head 116 is secured by means 01; the piston valve 195 and piston 236, see Fig. 19'. The valve piston 236 is connected by a link 200 with a stud 201 connected to lever arm 114. The lever 114 is controlled by the movement of the arm 163 connected with the drop roller 245. When the drop roller descends the valve piston 236 is carried to its lower position, by the movement of lever arm 114 establishing communication between the air pressure supply in 213 and the pneumatic head 116, thus causing thebraking'and clamping of Wheel 127 at the moment of the descent of the drop roller 2245. Upon the elevation of the feed roller the valve piston .236 is elevated and communication is cut off between 213 and 116 and open between 116 and the exhaust, thus releasing the brake on wheel 127 and relieving the pressure of the wheel. I

Valve control of the diaphragm heads 00%- trollz'ng the combing wheeZ.It will be understood that when the top sheet has been combedforward into the final combing position, when the feed and drop rollers are ready to act upon the same, the combmg wheel is elevated from said sheet, and as above described, the brake is made to engage the clamp wheel 127 on the pile to the rear of saidsheet, so that the drop and feed rollers may remove said top sheet from the pile. It has already been explained, that the movement of the combing wheel and the operation of the brake are secured by. the actuation of'pistons in pneumatic or diaphragm heads by the introduction of a r pressure to said heads. The control ofsa d air pressure to the combing wheel heads is secured by a valve controlled mechanism actuated by the sheet itself, when it assumes said final position between the drop and feed rollers. Such a mechanism is illustrated in the drawings especially Figs/11 I and 12. Secured to the stationary frame- I work, is a valve casing 133. This valve casing is provided with ports, and a valve piston 134, and is'adapted by ;the operation of the piston member to establish communication between the source of air pressure supply 135 and the conductor 136 (Fig. 5) to the two diaphragm chambers 59 already described, sothat when pressure is thus communicated to the upper sides of the diaphragm the pistons are depressed as already described. The valve piston 134 is adapted to be actuated [to interrupt communication between the source of air pressure. supply and the diaphragm chambers, and also to open communication between said diaphragm chambers and the exhaust, in order to relieve the pressure in said diaphragm chambers and permit the diaphragm and piston rods to assume normal positions.

When the pressure is relieved from the,

chamber, 59 above the diaphragm 58 the weight of the combing wheel structure operating through

arms

52 and 54 onpiston rod .56 returns piston 57 and diaphragm 58 to.

the elevated position as shown in 'Fig. 11. i

In Fig. 14' the chamber 135 is shown connected with the reservoir 213 by the channel -217 located in the side frame of the machine.

The means for actuating the valve piston willnow be described. The member 137 is pivotally. supported at 138, see Figs. 11, 12

and 13, and is adapted in one position to engage the lower end of the valve piston 134 to maintain the, same in the elevated position as shown in Fig. 11. It is also adaptedato assume a position withdrawn from the valve.

piston 134 to permit said piston, due to gravity andthe action of spring (227, ,to assaid grooves sume the depressed position as shown in Fig. 12. The actuation and control of this member 137 is secured asfollows: The lever 139 is mounted on rock shaft 140, and its free end 141 is adapted to engage the member 137. To the same rock shaft 140 is secured the arm 142 having its free end provided with a roller 143, and also connected with the spring push rod 144. The roller 143 is adapted to engage the cam 145 which is adapted to rotate constantly. The periphery of the cam is provided with a short depression 146 so that with each revolution of the cam .145 the roller 143 drops into said depression and causes an elevation of the levers 139 and consequently the elevation of the members 137 for a short interval during each cycle of the position of the valve piston 134, communication between the supply of 'air pressure and the diaphragm heads 59 is interrupted, and communication between the diaphragm heads and the exhaust is established.

.The shaft 147 is shown as hollow and rectangular in form and is mounted at its outer ends on the pivot pins 148, see Figs. 6, 7, 15, 16, 11 and 12. This shaft 147 is in two parts, see Fig. 5, being similarly supported at the middle of the machine. ;In otherrespects the two parts are the same. At the outer end of each element of shaft 147 provided a fingeror arm 149, and also the arm 150 which is connected with the spring 151 for maintaining the shaft in its normal pivotal position. The spring 151 is secured to an adjustable rod 152. Each section of shaft147 is prdvided with a structure comprising a yoke'153'which is adapted to be adjustment along the shaft 147 of the clamp-screw 154. To'this clamping yoke are secured the guide 155 and the wing 156 to which'the finger 157 is adjustably secured by :"means of These .yokes 'are secured in the proper position of adjustment on the shaft elements 147 so that the fingers 157 will register with any by means 'de'sired groov'es' 159 of the feed roller 246,

saidroller being provided with a number of to suit the various sizes 60f sheets operated upon. Until theadvancing sheet comes between the drop roller 245 and the feedroller246, the finger 157 will project into the groove 159 as shown in F ig. 11, and the arm 149 will engage the member 137"and hold the same in the elevated osition irrespective of the movements 0 the lever 139. When, however the sheet, which is indicated at 160 in Fig. 12, passes over the feed roller 246, the finger 157 is lifted therebyand the shaft- 147 is consequently rotated, carrying the arm 149 into the posltion shown in said Fig. 12, so that it will the slot and bolt 158.

clamped. 1n any position of register with aperture 161 and the member attaehed to the part-bearing on the bank. 65

137 will fall into the position shown in Fig.

12, the member 149 projecting throughaperture 161. In this position the valve piston 134 falls by force of gravity or the actuation of spring 227, and establishes communication between the source of air pressure and the diaphragm heads, causing the depression of piston rod 56 and the consequent elevation of the combing wheel.

-. After the sheet is withdrawn beyond the finger 157, the finger is ready to fallback into the channel 159 of feed roller 246 upon A the release of arm 149 upon the next elevation of member 137 by the operation of lever 139 and cam 145, whereupon the said member 137 is held into the latched position by said arm 149 until again released by the passage of the next sheet between the feed roller and finger 157.

.O n practically all paper, except paper that is extremely'hard tocomb, it is deslrable to have more or less weight on the bank. This weight should rest on the bankseveral steps or sheets back of the top sheet. They serve a double purpose; one to retard the rear or under sheets, and thus increase the separation or steps in the uppersheets; the

. other purpose is to give a constant resistance to comb against, thereby maklng the hard and soft spots in the bank less marked. It is a well known fact that a pile orbank does not comb uniformly; frequently combs quite easily in some places, and quite hard in other places; changing suddenly from one condition to the other. The drag, acting with a constant resistance, decreases the percentage of variation between-the extreme conditionsof hard and soft places. a

The pressure on the combing wheels is set to comb against the natural resistance of 'the paper, plus the resistance caused by the pressure of the drag. With hard comblng paper, where only a very few sheets are 1 acted upon at a time, it is desirable to use little or no drag weight. On paper where the combing influence extends deeper into the bank, it is desirable to use considerable weight, as a resistance or drag to prevent or lessen themotionof the sheets deeper down.

i The explanation given above shows the" advantages gained by usin the drag. However, the machine'can be a justed to operate 7 without it. In practice, the changing of the pressure due to weight or spring on the drag is one of the adjustments most frequentlymade in. operating the King pile feeder. It is one of the adjustmentsused to secure the proper lengh of steps in the combed-out" sheets. a,

The pressure weight now underconsidera- 'tion' is provided with adiaphragm, see Figs. 23,. 24 and 25. This diaphragm is rigidly It'also forms part of the weight. All the weight bearing on the paper is direct gravity. There are two of these pressure devices complete, one back of each combing wheel. Each one is provided to carry extra weights for example, 202 and 203. However, it is expected that with 'one of these weights on each device, practically all kinds of paper can be successfully handled.

The'adjustment consists in the control of the amount of air admitted' to the diaphragm head. These diaphragm heads are so arranged that they are lifted whensufiicient compressed air is admitted to them, the inclosed piston and piston rod remaining stationary. v 1 The diaphragm or pneumatic head is rig idly secured to the sleeve 204 which carries the presser foot 205. The pin 206 is rigidly secured to the outer casing 207 which is ad- 'justably connected with the bracket 107. g When air pressure is admitted to the head 197 above the diaphragm piston 208 piston rod 209 being in engagement with pin 206 it follows that the said piston rod can have no furtherv downward movement, the result is, that-the diaphragm head 197, tube 204' and presser foot 205 are correspondingly lifted. The hollow tube 204 is provided with slots as at 210 to permit relative movement between said tube to the fixed pin 206. The result is that as the pressure is increased above the diaphragm 208 the pressure of the presser foot is relieved. In this way it follows that the pressure exerted by presser foot 205 is gradually relieved, as the pressure in he diaphragm head increases. By

this'arrangement only one set of valves is necessary to control both heads. This set consists of two valves, a needle valve and a balanced piston valve. The piston valve is operated by the vertical movement of the left hand combing wheel.

Rear reassure weights or drag weights.- .This va ve and valve operating mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 11.. The valve piston 62 is provided with a suitable casing having chambers connected one with the source of air supply 213 and the other connected with the diaphragm head 197. The piston '62 is adapted to establish-communication between the air pressure supply and the diaphragm head in one position and between the cut off of said communication and establish com munication between the diaphragm head and exhaust in the other position. The piston is actuated by'the contact piece 61 secured on the arm 60'which is mounted on the shaft 53. When the comloimgf Wheel is -down, the valve connects the compressed air supply" with the diaphragm heads. When the combing wheel is up, the valve shuts off the supply of air to the ,diaph'ragmheads,

and instantly exhausts the air pressure in them to the atmosphere. The compressed air, before reaching the piston valve, passesdown, the drag weight is very slowly lifted,-

just as slowly as the operator may desire.

The greater part ofthe weight of the drag,

being on the paper when the combing wheels first come inte-acti6n this weight more or less rapidly becomes lighter during the combing interval.

For hard combing paper the needle valve may be opened quite wide,'with the result that the drag is lifted clear of 'the paper about the time the combing wheels reach.

the paper. When the valve is so adjusted, the drag weight would not have any influence in retarding the combing action of the wheels. w v

With the needle valve the operator can quickly get any speed in lifting, from a movement barely noticeable to the quickest speed required. The adjustment of the needle valve is' made'with the machine in operation, so that the result of any change in adjustment can be quickly seen. The adjustment of the needle valve is equivalent to changing the weight of the drag; but the operaiton of lifting the drag, and thus changing the weight of the drag during the combing interval does more than that. Its effect is to automatically take care of the hard and easy combing parts of the bank,

without the operator making frequent adjustments to suit the varying conditions. The explanation of how this is accomplished is as follows :-The combing wheels are arranged to remain in action upon the sheet unt1l the sheet is brought into position under.

the valve trip fingers at the feed roller. If

this time exceeds the part of the cycle allowed to combing action, it will cause a miss in feeding, the sheet being taken away on the succeeding cycle of .the 'mach1ne\ When the machine is properlyadmsted, the normal time of combing will not exceedhalf of the time allowance. The hardcomblng parts of the bank will requiregmore than normal time; the easy parts less than normal. The weight of the drag is gradually lessened duringthe combing. For-illustration, consider-that it is lifted clear of the paper'at the end of the normal oraverage combing time. In this, case the additional combing time, when working on 'a hard combing place, will be under the most favorable co nditiomhaving no drag resistance to the hardest combing comb against. 011 the other hand, when an easy combing place is encountered, the

wheels remaindown less than the normal 7 time, perhaps half of the normal time. In this case the entire combing will be against the resistance of the drag. This increases the length of steps over 'what they would otherwise be. It also increases the interval of time that the wheels remain down over what it would otherwise be. In other words, it shortens the long combing interval, and lengthens the short combing interval. It shortens the length of the steps that go with a hard combing place; and lengthens the ste s that go with an easy combing place. t may be'ex lained herethat easy combing places ten to make short steps, more places tend to make long steps, a less number of sheets being in motion. A heavy. drag resistance means less sheets in motion, while a light drag resistance means more sheets in motion. It will thus be seen that a gradually lifting drag weight efi'ects a valuable automatic balance to the combing action. The control of thefeeding ofthe bank by the pneumatic caliper controls the number sheets being in motion; and hard combing of sheets steppedout so nicelythat it somewhat lessens the'importanceof the drag just 7 described. However, the tjwb work in entire harmony.

The drop roller 245 is normally actuated to reciprocate in the usual lway by means of the cam 162 as shown in Fig. 2. To pre- -.vent however the drop roller from assuming theoperative position, before the sheet has become squarely presented between the drop and feed'rollers, latching means are rovided, also controlled .bythe fingers 157.

or this purpose the drop roller supporting structure is provided with the arm 163, having a latching edge or contact piece 164.

.The two latching

fingers

165 and 166, see

Figs. 19, 21, 22 and 28 are mounted on studs pivoted to the stationary framework. These latching members are normally held against the face of arms 168 by counterweight 167. The purpose of this arrangement. is as fol- 'lows: As above described, the drop rollers are reciprocated'by the cam 162 and raised and lowered with each cycle of the operation of the machine. If, when the fingers.157 are raised by the paper entering between the drop and feed rollers, the drop rollers are in the extreme elevated position, the latching

members

165 and 166 are free to res 0ndto the movement of the shaft 147 If owever, the shaft elements 147 are rocked by the fingers-157 afterthe drop rollers are freed by cam 162t0 fall, that is, with the latchcontact 164 resting upon the said latches 165 and 166, the latches will not be withdrawn from said latch contacts 164. In

other words the drop rollers can only be released to operate upon the sheet after the sheet has squarely assumed itsfinalposition between the drop and feed rollers while the said drop rollers are in the extreme elevated position; or in other words, if the fingers 157 have been actuated by-the sheet -after the cam 162 has permitted the contact members 164 to rest onthe latches 165 and 166 to prevent their disengagement, the sheet after assuming its final position must wait until the cam 162 has again lifted the drop rollers so that the

latches

165 and 166 are released. It will also be noted that there are two fingers 157, one controlling one element of shaft 147, the other controlling the other element of shaft 147, and that la'tch 165 is controlled by one section of shaft 147 while. latch 166 is controlled by the other section,-

This results in requiring the entire front of the sheet to be squarely presented to final position before both latches can be actuated torelease the drop rollers. Rod 169 is pivotally connected with the free end of arm170,'which is rigidly secured to shaft 171', see Figs. 1, 10 and 15. Arms 25 172 and 173 are in the present instance an integral structure, and are ri idly secured to shaft 171. -Arms'174 and 75 are also an integral structure and areloosely mount-' ed on shaft 171. Arm 172 is providedwith the lug 176 adapted to encounter arm 175. To arm 173;is secured one end of spring 177. The other end of spring 177 is secured to the lower endof arm 174. ,The pin 178 projects from arm 54. When shaft 171 is turnedin the clockwise direction by operatin rod 169 :arm 173 is moved to put spring 1 7 under tension, so that when arm 54 is depressed" the lug or stud 178 is engaged by latch arm 175 and the combing wheel is locked in the elevated position until shaft 171 is again turned. Arm 179 is rigidly mounted onshaft 171, located about the middle of-themachine,jand is secured to the connecting rod 180 which in'turnissecured to arm 181,

see Figs. 15 and 19. Arm 181' is rigidlymounted on the stud 182 which is rotatably mounted in the stationary bracket 183, see

Figs. 15 and 28. Arm 184 is also rigidly. secured to stud 182. Arm 184 is provided with a lug 186which is adapted to encounter arm 185. Spring 187 is secured between the lower end of arm 184 and the arm 185. To

the outer end of arm 185 is pivotally connected one end of connecting rod 188, see igs. 8 and 15. Connecting rod 188 is guidedin' a projectionof'bracket 183, see Fig. 8, and is connected at its lower end i with a-pivoted crosswbar 189, adapted to.en--

the sheets toward the drop. and feed roll.-' ers, when the machine is not feeding sheets.

At thesame

time latch pieces

235 and 236 are broTlght into engagement, see Fig. 16.

Arm 190 is integral with arm 181. Arm 191 is loosely mounted on stud 182, and arm 192 is integral with arm 191. Arm 191 is iconnected by spring 193 to the outer end of arm 190. -Arm 190 is provided with a lug 194 adapted to engage arm 191, see Fig. 22. Thus when the rod 169 is operated to depress the clamping guide 155, the arm 192 is brought into engagement with latch 166 to maintain the same in the latching position and to maintain the drop roller 245 in the elevated position as shown in 22. 1 As indicating the importance" of control ling the feed of the bankof sheetsv by the?- ator places a ,pile' of sheets on the-top table 30,- not having been sufiiciently feathered out, that, with aplura'lity of the sheets in approximate register, when these sheets come down to the detector 63 they are there arrested. No further feed can'take place until the combing wheel has combed or stepped these sheets out so that they can be taken singly by the drop and feed vrollers.

" Blowing nozzles 215 are provided as. I shown in Fig. 10, and are supplied by the hose 216 from the pipe 217. These nozzles are adapted to deliver wind td the sides of the bank of sheets at proper intervals durmg the operation. of the machine, but'it is important that the blasts of Wind be cut off when the operation of the machine is stopped, that is, when the combing wheels are, -lobked in the elevated position." For this, purpose the following mechanism is' provided :\Referring to Figsf-26 and 27 a valve 218'and yalvepiston 219 are provided to control the air deliveredto said nozzles. The piston219 is controlled by the spring 220. andnormall y held in the elevated position' establishing communication between the source of air pressure supply and the nozzles. Above the piston 219 is the rod 221 having a loose connection with the pin 222 on the end of lever 227 pivoted at 228. On the shaft 171 is provided the collar 229 which is adapted to engage the end 2300f lever 227. When the shaft 171 is turned to lock thevcombin g wheels in the elevated-or inoperative position, the, collar 229 engages the end 23,0 and depresses the same causing the elevation of the pin 222 which causes the. corresponding elevation of the rod 221.

Upon the elevation of the rod 221 the'spring 22(Fs'erves to elevatethe piston 219, which serves to cut ofl communicationbetweenairpressure supply and the nozzles. lVhenetlte shaft 171 is'returned to normal position, permitting the depression of rod 221, the

weight of the rod overcomes the tension of