US1417288A - Wire-coil conveyer - Google Patents

Description

S. AND J. ZOPPELT.

WIRE COIL CONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24. 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

5 fl /Q7 /04 3 I MVENTO v1 S. AND I. ZOPPELT.

WIRE COIL CONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24, I92I.

1,417,288, nted May23,1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

narrate stares warrant came a SAMUEL ZOPJPELT AND JUHIQ' ZOJPJPELT, @F MONAOA, PTENNSTLVADTEA.

' WIRE-COIL converse.

amas.

To all whom elf may concern:

Be it known that we, SAMUELZOPPELT and JOHN ZOPPELT, citizens of the United States, residing at Monaca, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Coil Conveyers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wire coil conveyers designed for use in connection with wire drawing apparatus, and the primary objects of the invention are to provide a device of the character described, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, which is automatically operable to pick up, transfer, and deposit a wire coil from one reel to another after a drawing operation, and which will be automatically brought to a stop should the wire, for any reason, not be reduced to the proper gauge during the drawing operation; eliminating the arduous labor of transferring the coils manually, and providing for the economical manufacture of wire by permitting of one operator attending to a battery of units.'

' Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of the class stated, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable and efiicient in its use, positive in its operation, and comparatlvely inexpensive to manufacture.

To the accomplishment of theseand such other-objects as may hereinafter appear the invention consists of the novel construction, combination 3 and 1 arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to, without departing from the principle .or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention, which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. a

In the drawing forming a portion of this specification and wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a side elevation of the wire coil conveyer in accordance with this invention with portions thereof shown in cross section.

under such conditions entirely Specification of Letters .Eatent. Pgmtgmf jl M 23 ggg Application filed February 2 .1, 1921.

Elerial Ito. 147,614.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of the drive mechanism and associated parts. F1gures 3, 4:, and 5 are diagrammatic views illustrating. the neutral, forward, and reverse posltions of the switch used in connection with the operationof the carriage drivin motor.

igure 6 is an enlarged detail view of the contact elements of the hoisting motor and associated parts. 0

Referring in detail to the drawings 1 indicates the floor upon which the coil block 2 is rotatably mounted. The coil block 2 is driven by a vertical shaft 3 positioned be neath the floor 1 and suitably journaled, as at 4. A bevel gear 5 is loosely carried on the shaft 3 and is provided with a clutch portion 6 formed integrally therewith. A bevel gear 7 meshes with the gear 5 and is fixed to the drive shaft 8 which latter is supported in the bearing bracket 9. A clutch member 10 is slidably mounted on the shaft 3 and is adapted to turn therewith and engage, when shifted, with the clutch portion to the clutch lever 19, which latter has oneend pivotally connected, as at 20, in the support 21-, and the other end, as at 22, to the clutch member 10.

The cylinder 12 is providedwith u air inlet supply pipe 23 and anair outlet pipe 24:- The air inlet and the air outlet are in horizontal alinement relative to each other adjacent to the upper end'of the cylinder 12.

A hollow plunger 25, formed with the chamber 26, is slidably mounted for verti-v cal movement in the upper portion of the air cylinder 12. The upper portion of the Will plunger 25 is closed and is provided with I an annular flange 27 which limits the downward movement of the plunger 25 in the cylinder 12. The plunger 2'5'has a bottom block 2.

28 provided with an airport 29. The

are adapted to register respectively with the.

air inlet'23 and the air outlet 24, when the plunger is in the downward positlon, in other words, when the flange 27 rests upon the top 13 of the cylinder 12. An air port 31, adapted to register with the air inlet 23 of the cylinder 12 when the plunger 25 is moved upwardly, is formed in the latter, for the purpose hereinafter fully explalned.

Positioned over the wire block 21s a track 32 upon which a depending carriage 33 is adapted to travel. The carriage 33 is provided with a hoisting motor 34 and a driving motor 35. The motor 34 through the inion 36 and gear 37 drives the winding rum 38, and the motor 35 through the gears 39 and 40 drives the carriage 33 along the track, 32.

The coil block 2 is provided on its periphery with two pairs of diametrically disposed vertical grooves 41, one pair of said grooves being positioned at right angles with respect to the other of said pair of grooves.

A carrier 42 is swivelly connected, as at 43, with a hollow head 44, which latter is attached, as at 45, to the hoisting cable 46 adapted to wind upon the winding drum 38.

The carrier 42 comprises four depending arms 47, each of which is adapted toengage in one of the vertical grooves 41 of the wire block 2. The lower end of each of the arms 47 carries an L-shaped member 48, pivotally connected thereto, as at v49. The horizontal leg 50 of each of the L-shaped members 48 projects beyond the. periphery of the block2 at the lower end thereof. The vertical leg of each of the L-shaped members 48 is flush with the periphery of the A tripping link 51 is slidably mounted in the upper end of the carrier 42 and extends into the hollow head 44. A tripping line 52, having one end thereof connected, as at 53, with the heel of each of the L-shaped members 48, and the other end .with the tripping link 52, is provided for the purpose of withdrawing the L-shaped members 48, durin the tripping operation in a manner as hereinafter described.

Secured to the track 32, by means of a bracket 54, is an air cylinder 55, which is supplied with air through the air supply pipe 24 which communicates therewith.

The cylinder 55 is provided with a piston head 56 and a piston rod 57. A spring 58 is mounted on the rod 57 within the cylinder 55 and normally acts to force the piston 56 to the rearward position. A sub-- stantially V-shaped contact member 59 is pivotally connected, as at 60, to the bracket connected, as at 61, with the forward end. U

of the piston rod 57, while the other arm is formed with the contact 62, to which the lead in wire 63 is connected.

A contact block 64 is pivotally connected, as at 65, to the carriage 33, in a manner'to permit of the block 64 to be swung upwardly and not downwardly. When the contact 62 engages the contact block 64 on its forward movement, the motor 34 will be driven in a direction to wind the hoisting cable on the drum 38; A contact block 66 isxpivotally connected, as at 67 to the carriage 33 below the contact block 64, in a manner to permit the block '66 to be swung downwardly but not upwardly. When the contact 62 engages the contact block 66, the motor 34 will be driven in a reverse direction to unwind the hoisting cable 46 from the drum 38. A spring 68 normally returns and holds the block 66 in the horizontal position. A pin stop 69 mounted in the bracket 54 limits the forward movement of the contact member 59. A flexible member 70 connects the hoisting cable 46 with the free end of the contact block 66. r

A switch operating lever 71 is pivotally connected, as at 72, to the carriage 33, ano is provided with an aperture 73 for the passage of the hoisting cable 46. An actuating pawl 74 is hingedly connected, as at 75, to the free end of the lever 71. A spring 76 normally holds the pawl 74 in the {vertical position, but permits of its being swung inwardly toward the connected end of the lever 71.

A button 77 is fixed to the cable 46 for the purpose of actuating the lever 71 when the cable moves upwardly upon being Wound upon the drum 38. p

The pawl 74 is formed with an angularly disposed portion 78 having a flat upper face and an inclined under face. A switch lever 79 is pivotally connected, as at 80, to the carriage 33, and is provided with an angularly disposed portion 81 having an inclined upper face and a fiat under face. The motor 35 is provided with a pair of operating contacts 82 and 83, respectively. When the switch lever 79 engages the contact 83 the motor 35 will operate to drive the carriage 33 forward, but when the switch lever 79 is brought in contact with the contact 82, the

motor 35 will reverse and drive the carriage in the reverse direction.

An angularly disposed tripping lever 84 p the head 44. A tripper 87 is fixed in the path of travel of the lever 84 for the purpose qof operating the latter to release the 1,417,.aas

coil of wire from the carrier in a manner hereinafter described.

A trip arm 88 is fixed in the path of travel of the carriage 33 for throwingthe switch lever 79 from contact 83 to the contact 82 to reverse the motor 35 during the travel of the carriage. An angularly disposed trip arm 89 is fixed in the path of travel of-the carriage and is adapted to release the'pawl 78 from the switch lever 79 before the trip arm 88 throws the switch lever 79 to reverse the motor 35. a

A spring controlled grab 90 is fixed to one of the depending arms 47 of the carrier 42 for holding the end of the wire when starting the drawing operation. A flexible line 91 connects the gra'b 90 with the tripping link 51 for automatically releasing the end of the wire during the tripping operation.

A retaining member 92 is pivotally carried, as at 93, in the slot 94 in the floor 1. The upper end of the member 92 is provided with an operating t'readle 95, and the depending portion with the shoulder 96 and the recess 97 The shoulder 96 serves to hold the plunger 25 from upward movement when the flange of the plunger rests on the top of the cylinder 12 and the ports 30 of the plunger register with the air inlet and outlet of the cylinder 12. The recess 97 is adapted to engage the flange 27 and hold the plunger 25 from movement in either direction when the port 31 registers with the air inlet 23. A spring 98 acts to normally draw the member 92 toward the plunger 25.

A flexible member'99, passing over the roller 100, is rotatably mounted in a slot 101 in the floor 1, and has one end connected to the top of the plunger 25 and the other or upper end provided with. a wire gauge 102. The wire 103 after passing through the drawing dies passes through the gauge 102 and in connection with the latter supports the plunger 25 during the drawing operation.

A trip arm 104 is fixed in the path of a travel of the carriage 33 for returning the switch lever 79 to the neutral position on the return travel of the carriage for stopping the motor A resilient clamp 106 is fixed to the head 44, for holding the coil from distention during the conveying operation.

A wire reel is indicated at 105 which is rotatably-mounted on the floor 1. The reel 105 is adapted to receive the coil from the conveying apparatus during the operation of the latter which will now be explained.

The operation of the wire coil conveyer in practice is as follows: Assuming that the parts of the conveyer apparatus are substantially in the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and the coil of wire to be drawn or reduced is positioned on a reel similar to that shown at 105, an end of the wire is manually drawn through the reducing or drawing dies, not. shown, then passed through the gauge 102 and secured in the grab 90 on one of the depending arms 47 of the carrier 42.

The drive shaft 8 with the gear 7 is running continuously and now driving the gear 5, with the'clutch portion 6. idly on the shaft 3. The plunger 25 is partly elevated in the cylinder 12, with the flange 27 of the plunger 25 engaged in the recess 97 of the retaining member 92, and with the port 31 registering with the air inlet pipe The air is passing through the port 31 and through the port 29 in the bottom ofthe plunger 25 and acting against the piston head 16-, holding the latter in the downward position, thereby holding the clutch member 10 dis-engaged from the clutch portion 6, against the action of the spring 11, through the association of the clutch lever 19 and rod 14 with the piston head 16.

By releasing the retaining member 92 from the flange 27 by operating the treadle 95, and elevating the plunger 25 by manually lifting on the flexible member 99 until the ports 30 clear the top of the cylinder 12, inlet port 23 of the cylinder 12 will be closed and the air expelled from the plunger 25 and the cylinder 12 through the ports 30 in the plunger 25. Upon expulsion of the air the spring 11 will act to throw the clutch member 10 into engagement with the clutch portion 6 of the gear 5, thereby driving the shaft 3 and the wire block 2 connected therewith.

Upon rotation of the block 2, the carrier 42, being swivelly connected with the head 44, will rotate with the block 2. The wire 103 will now be drawn through the drawing dies and coiled around the block 2. The wire 103 being drawn taut and passing through the gauge 102, the plunger 25 willbe supported in the cylinder 12 by the flexible. member 99, which connects with the plunger 25 and with the gauge 102. The flexible member 99 is of such length as'to position the plunger 25 in the cylinder.12 with the air inlet 23 intermediate of the ports 30 and 31, thereby closing the air inlet 23 during the drawing operation. Also during the drawing operation the flange 27 of the plunger 25 will engage that have been brought into registration with the air inlet 23, allowing the air to act against the piston head 16 to dis-engage the wire having passed through the gauge 102, the plunger 25 will be permitted to drop into the cylinder 12 until the flange 27 thereof rests upon the top of the cylinder 12 andthe flange 27 is engaged by the shoulder 96 of the retaining member 92, thereby locking the plunger 25in the cylinder 12. This position of the plunger 25 in the cylinder 12,

will bring the ports 30 of the former into registration with the air inlet 23 and the air outlet 24 of the latter. The rotation of the block 2 will be arrested by the passage of the air through the port 29 as herein before described. The action of the retaining member 92 is such as to arrest the upward movement of the plunger 25 at all times when under pressure.

One of the ports 30 being in registration with the outlet 24, the air will pass therethrough to the cylinder 55, forcing the piston head 56 forwardly together with the V- shaped contact member 59, connected thereto by the rod 57. When the contact 62, of the member 59 engages the contact block 64, the motor 34 will operate to wind the drum 38 hoisting the carrier 42 now carry ing a coil of wire to'be conveyed. This hoisting operation will continue until the button 77, fixed on the cable 46, engages the switch operating lever 71, causing the pawl 74 to engage and throw the switch lever 79 into engagement with the contact 83, causing the operation of the motor 35 to drive the carriage 33 forward along the track 32. Upon the travel of the carriage 33 on the track 32, the contact between the contact 62 and the contact block 64 will be'broken and the operation of the motor 34 stopped. When this contact isbroken by the travel of the carriage 33, the. air in the cylinder 55 will force the piston head 56v still farther forward until the V-shap ed member 59 strikes the pin stop 69. v

Upon the forward travel of the carriage 33 the tripper 87 will actuate the tripping lever 84 to elevate the link 51, thereby causing the withdrawal of the L-shaped members 48 through the tripping lines 52, and releasing the end of the wire from the grab 90 through the line 91, and allowing the coil of wire to drop from the carrier 42 to the reel 105, which latter is so positioned as to receive the coil during the tripping operation. p

Upon further travel of the carriage 33 the trip arm 89 will disengage the pawl 74 from the switch lever 79, allowing the tripv arm 88 to throw the switch lever 79 from the contact 83 to the contact 82,,thereby reversing the motor 35 and causing the carriage-33 to return to. the original position. Upon the return travel of the carriage 33, the tripper arm 104 will throw the switch lever 79 to the neutral position and stop the operation of the motor 35.

When the carriage 33 has reached its return position, contact 62 will make contact with the contact block 66, operating the motor 34 to lower the carrier 42 to the block 2. 'When the carrier 42 has been positioned on the block; 2, the line 70 will have drawn the contact block 66 downwardly, breaking the contact between the latter and the con tact 62, and stopping the motor 34.

When the air is expelled from the cylinder i 12 and plunger 25, as stated, the piston head 56 and the V-shaped contact 59 will return to the normaleposition due to the action of the spring 58. The inclined under face of the angularly disposed portion 78 and the ing members to maintain the coil on the carrier during the shifting thereof, means for revolving the carrier, a combined carrier elevating and transporting mechanism including a driving element and a cylinder having a spring controlled and fluid pressure operated piston for throwing said driving element into operation, a trip lever supported by the carrier and adapted when actuated to shift said members to release the coil of wire from the carrier when the latter arrives at.its point of destination, 3. fluid pressure mechanism adapted to communicate with said.cylinder and including a controlling plunger suspended from the wireduring the coiling operation .for antomatically discontinuing the operation of said revolvin means on'comp'letion of the coil and furt er on completion of the coil to throw into operation said spring con. trolled piston to operate said driving element.

2. An apparatus for the purposejset forth comprising a carrier on which the wire is coiled, means for revolving the carrier, to-

coil the Wire, a clutching mechanism for connectlng said means with a prime mover therefor, a cylinder provided wlth a piston head connected With said clutching mecha-' ing the coiling operation and including means whereby said plunger is shifted if the Wire is defective to cause the supply of pressure against said head to discontinue the 15 operation of the means for revolving the carrler.

In testlmony whereof We aflix our signatures.

SAMUEL ZOPPELT. JOHN ZOPPELT.

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