US1359076A - Cut-off mechanism - Google Patents

Description

I S. M. LANGSTON.

CUT-OFF MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED mws. I920;

1,359,076, Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEETI.

S. M. LANGSTON.

CUT-OFF MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1920.

1 ,359,076. I Patented Nov. 16, 1920. I 2 SHEETSSHEET 2- T3 qZ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL M. LANGSTON, OF WENONAH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO SAMUEL M. LANGSTON COMPANY, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CUT-OFF MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

Application filed May 6, 1920. Serial No. 379,254.

T 0 all w 7mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL M. LANGSTON,

'acitizen of the United States, and resident of Wenonah, in the county of Gloucester and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cut- Off Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improvement in cut-- off mechanism for transversely severing comparatively stiff material into sections elements. The invention may be utilized as an independent unit or separate machine, or it may be incorporated in and form a part of a machine for delivering, assembling, printing scoring, or otherwise forming, treating or acting upon the material to be cut up into sections.

The operating parts of my improved cutoff mechanism are preferably so designed and-operated that they are normally at rest with the matei ial passing freely between the cutter elements. Appropriate driving and controlling mechanism is provided whereby when it is desired to cut off the portion of the material which has passed between the cutters, the cut-off mechanism is started in operation and goes through one complete cycle and again comesto rest. The cycle includes the advancing of the cutter elements in the general direction of movement of the material and brin ing them together to cut off the material w ile traveling at a rate approximately equal to or slightly faster than the rate of travel of the material. The cutters again separate before reaching the end of their forward movement and remain separated during the entire backward movement to rest position.

The cut-01f mechanism may'be started in operation at the desired instant by manual control, or automatically by trip mechanism in the oath of movement of the material, or

upon a' movement of the material feeding mechanism corresponding to the delivery of a section of the material of a predetermined length.

I am aware that machines have heretofore been designed which are operated and controlled substantially as above outlined, as for instance in the Ferris Patent 746,807, issued Dec. 15th, 1903.

In many types of machines, such for instance as machines for making a doublefaced corrugated paper, the speed at which the machine may be operated is limited or controlled by the speed at which the cutoff mechanism may satisfactorily and successfully perform its cycle of operations including the starting from rest position advancing with the material, cutting it off, se anding, and returning to rest position. eavy parts, particularly when mounted for straight line reciprocation, possess such inertia both when at rest and when in motion that high speed operation is commercially impracticable. This can be remedied solely by reducing the weight and size of the parts without destroying the necessary and desired strength and rigidity.

One of the main objects of my invention is to so design and construct the cut-0E mechanism that the inertia will be reduced to the minimum compatible with necessary strength and rigidity and speed of movement. In carrying out my invention to accomplish this result and as important distinguishing features of my invention, I reduce the number of moving parts to the minimum, eliminate or avoid all back and forth rectilinear movement of the parts, reduce friction by eliminating or avoiding all sliding engagement of parts, such as stationary or movable guides and cam surfaces, and mount each and all of the moving parts of the cut-off mechanism upon a pivotal center about which they may rotate or oscillate.

' I have succeeded in so simplifying the mechanism that in effect it includes only three operating or.moving parts. These include a pivotally mounted cuttercarrier mounted to swing back and forth, with the cutter in a portion of the are following the material to be cut, a second cutter-carrier pivotally mounted upon the first-mentioned cutter-carrier and having a cutter movable in respect to the first mentioned cutter in a direction approximately transverse of the direction of movement of the material, and a rotary crank mounted on the frame and directly driving only the second-mentioned cutter-carrier but effecting the swinging movements of both carriers through a complete cycle during a single revolution of the crank about its fixed axis. The second cutter-carrier may be made materially lighter and, therefore, of less inertia than the firstmentioned cutter-carrier which is pivotally mounted upon the frame, and the crank shaft with its crank may be so designed that its rest position is at the dead center of movement of the first-mentioned or heavier cutter-carrier.

starting from or approaching toward its Thus as the crank shaft is rest position, the movement of the heavier pivoted cutter-carrier is approaching nil and the only parts whose energy must be overcome in stopping or starting is the crank shaft and the comparatively light-secondmentioned cutter-carrier which has a part acting in effect as a crank arm connecting the crank shaft to the first-mentioned pivoted cutter-carrier.

My improved construction permits the parts to be so proportioned that at the instant, the path of one cutter crosses the path of the other, the two cutters will be moved in the same general direction as the-material and at an equal or slightly greater speed. The maximum speed of both cutters is greatest just after the cut, so that they get out of the way of the material and separate again while still traveling in the same direction as the material. Thus the material is freeto pass between the cutters during the final portion of the movement of the cutters in one direction and during their entire return movement to rest position. It will, of course, be evident that if it is desired to cut material into comparatively small sections, the cutters may be continuously moved about their pivotal centers without stopping at any rest position.

By making the second-mentioned cuttercarrier, alever of thefirst class, in other words, pivoting its intermediate part on the first mentioned cutter-carrier with the crank on one end and the cutter on the other, the throw of the crank may be very much shorter and with less inertia of the parts than if the second-mentioned cutter-carrier be made a lever of the second class with the fulcrum at one end, the crank at the other and the cutter between. Obviously the same character of movement may be imparted to the cutters by making the second-mentioned cutter-carrier as a lever of either class or even by making it as a lover of the third class. In fact if it is desired to swing the first-mentioned cuttercarrier and its cutter through a comparatively long are in respect to the range of separation of the cutters, the making of the second-mentioned cutter-carriertas a lever of the second class would be desirable and within the scope of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated one embodiment of my invention, although it will of course be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the specific construction illustrated except in so far as it is defined in the appended claims.

In these drawings:

Figure-1 is an end view of the cut-off mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a front view;

Fig. 3 is a plan view; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view indicating the successive positions which the moving parts take.

The machine" illustrated, includes a suitable base 10, to which is pivoted a knife or cutter-carrier which, as illustrated, includes a pair of upstanding parallel arms- 11 connectedby a transverse beam or bar 90 12 to which the knife or cutter 13 is secured. The arms 11 are of such length that they may swing through a comparatively small angle but give the desired length of movement to the cutter 13 in the general direction of the path of the material. The normal or rest position of the arms is slightly to one side of the Vertical, and the movement of the arms carries them to approximately the same distance at the other side 100 of vertical, whereby the path of movement of the cutter 13 is a comparatively fiat are,

rising just before the cut and lowering after the cut. The arms are illustrated as being mounted at their lower ends upon a rock shaft 14 journaled in bearings 15 on the base 10 but it will of course be evident that any other suitable form of pivotal support might be provided.

Pivotally secured to the cutter-carrier above described is a second cutter-carrier.

As illustrated, the arms 11 have portions 16 extending rearwardly at approximately the elevation of the cutter 13 and to these rearwardly extending portions are pivotally mounted a pair of arms 17 connected together by a transverse beam or bar 18 0f the same general character as the bar or beam 12 and carrying a somewhat similar cutter 19. The pivotal connection between the arms 11 and 17 may be of any suitable character,

as for instance pivot bolts 20. The distance from these pivot bolts to the cutters 13 and 19 is approximately the same. and the cutters are of such character that as the arms swing in respect to each other, the cutters move past each other to shear the intervening material. The cutters 13 and 19 may be rigidly bolted to, but removable from, their respective carrying bars 12 and 18, whereby they may be properly adjusted in respect to naled. As shown, each arm 17 is of some- 'what bell crank form, that is, it inoludesa substantially horizontal portion carrying the cutters 19 and a portion 27 at an an le thereto, and inclined downwardly. he shaft 22 is mounted on uprights or brackets 33 and is parallel to the rock shaft 14 and pivot bolts 20. s In order to clearly indicate the successive positions of the arts, I have shown the parts diagrammatlcally in Fig. 4 and indicated a plurality of positions which the parts assume. The parts at the beginning of a cycle of'operations, are in what is preferably a rest position, and are as illustrated in Fig. 4 as position (1). It will be noted that the crank arm 23 is approximately at one dead center position and the arm 11 is drawn back to its limiting position toward the source of material to be out. As the shaft22 rotates clockwise and the crank arm swings, the parts move to and through the successive positions indicated as (2) to (24) inclusive. At the point (7) the out of the material begins as the upper cutter 19 swin s downwardly past the cutter 13; It will fie noted that the crank arm 23 and the connect-.

ing cutter-carrier arm 17 are approaching normal to each other at the beginning of the cut. Thus at this period the arm 11 is moving at slightly below its highest rate of speed in the direction of the material and the cutter 13 is moving at the same speed in this direction, but is also moving down at a corresponding high speed to sever the material.

When the crank arm 23 and carrier arm 17-.

are slightly past normal, as indicated in position (9), the cutting operation has been completed and the parts are moving faster than the material to get out of the way and separate. This separation takes place at the point ('10) before the arm 11 reaches the end of its stroke and thus the material may be passing through'betwe'en the cutters durin the slower movement ofthe arms 11 whic takes place when the crank arms 23 are. ap-

proaching their second dead center position shown in position (14). When the arm 11 has thus swung through its outward stroke and the shaft 22 has rotated through a half revolution, the cutters have been brought together, severed the material, and-have been separated. During the return movement of the arms 11, they pass through the position indicated as 15 to 24 inclusive and the cutters are held separated during the entire return movement.

In practice, the cut-off mechanism is operated intermittently and is normally at rest with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 4. The material may freely pass between the two cutters until the desired length of sheet has been fed through and the mechanism then operates to start the cut-off mechanism and operate it through one cycle and back to the rest position. The control of the machine forms no portion of my present invention but it preferably operates some form of clutch which, when engaged, will give one revolution to shaft 22 and then release. The

clutch may be controlled by the delivery mechanism or'by a stop in the path of the advance end of the material being delivered. I have-illustrated a fly wheel 36 on the shaft 22 and to which may be connected the main drive belt. In practice, the fly wheel 36 is loose on the shaft 22 and is adapted to be connected thereto by some form of clutch which, as previously stated, will give one revolution and then release. Thus the fly wheel 36 may rotate continuously and the shaft 22 and the cut-ofi mechanism operate intermittently at time intervals depending upon therate of delivery of the material and the len h of sections into which it is to be cut. f course the fly wheel 36 may be omitted and the intermittent clutch or other connection be placed farther back in the second cutter carrier including a pair of arms pivotally mounted intermediate of their ends on the corresponding arms of the first mentioned carrier and a transverse member connected to one end of each of said second mentioned arms and disposed substantially parallel to saidfirst mentioned member, a pair of cooperating cutters carried by said transverse members and a crank shafthaying a pair of cranks connected to the opposite ends of said second mentioned arms for simultaneously oscillating both sets of cutter carriers about their respective pivotal centers.

2. A cut-off mechanism includin acutter carrier pivotally supported to osc' ate about a fixed center spaced from the path of movement of the material to be cutand having a cutter movable back and forth alon an arc approximately tangent tosaid pat a second cutter carrier pivotally connected to said first mentioned cutter carrier at a point spaced from said cutter in the general direction of the path of the. material and having a cutter for cooperation with the first mentioned cutter and movable up and down in respect to the first cutter along an are approximately at right angles to said path, and a crank shaft rotatable about a fixed axis and having a crank directly connected to said second mentioned carrier.

3. A cut-01f mechanism including a cutter carrier mounted to oscillate about a fixed center, a cutter carried thereby, a second cutter carrier carried by'said first mentioned carrier and mounted to oscillate in respect thereto and having a projecting end portion, a cutter carried by said second mentioned carrier and'mea'ns for imparting bodily movement to said projecting end in a complete circular path for oscillating both of said carriers about their respective pivotal centers.

4. A cut-off mechanism including a cutter mounted for oscillation about a stationary center, a second cutter mounted to oscillate about a movable center fixed in respect to said first mentioned cutter, and a crank shaft adapted to make successive complete rotations about a stationary axis and havingits crank pin axis fixed in respect to said second mentioned cutter, whereby each complete rotation of said. crank shaft effects a movement of said cutters back and forth approximately along the path'of the material to be cut and a movement of said second mentioned cutter back and forth across said path.

5. A cut-off mechanism-including a frame having two stationary axes, a member r0- tatable about one axis, a second member mounted to oscillate about the other axis, a third member directly connecting said first and said second mentioned members and a pair of cooperating cutters carried by said second and third mentioned members.

6. A cut-off mechanism including a pivotally mounted cutter carrier, a second cutter carrier pivotally mounted upon the first mentioned carrier and a crank shaft having its crank connected to said second cutter carrier.

7 A cut-off mechanism including a frame, a cutter carrier pivotally mounted thereon, a second cutter carrier pivotally mounted on said first mentioned carrier at a point spaced from the pivotal center of the latter, and a rotatable member mounted on said frame and connected to a part of said second carrier for imparting bodily movement along a circular path to said second carrier and oscillation of both of said carriers about their respective pivotal centers.

8. A cut-off mechanism including a cutter carrier mounted to oscillate about a fixed center, a second cutter carrier mounted to oscillate about a center bodily carried by said first mentioned carrier, a crank shaft having a crank directly connected to said second mentioned carrier at a point spaced from the pivotal center of the latter, and a pair of cutters carried by said carriers, the pivotal centers of said carriers and the axes of said crank shaft and the crank pin thereof being parailel and said cutters being spaced apart when the axis of the shaft, the axis of the crank pin and the pivotal center of the second mentioned carrier lie in the same plane whereby material may freely pass between said cutters when said crank'is on either dead center and during the movement-of said crank from'one dead center to the other, but is cut off by the cooperation of said cutters during the other half revolu-

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