US1563417A - Sheet-feeding mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1l 1925.

J. P. WRIGHT SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 19, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet ll Dec. 1', 1925.

J. P. WRIGHT SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 19, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept- 19, 1923 3 Sheets-She'et 3 @GMW Patented Dec. l, 1925.

UNITED STATES JACOB I. WRIGHT, 0F BARBER'TON. OHIO ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCH GOM- PANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SHEET-FEEDING MECHANISM.

' Application filed September 19, 1923. Serial No. 663,534.

To aZZ 'whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB P. VVificHT, a citizen of the United States, and residentof Barberton, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Feeding Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mechanism for separating sheet material from a stack and `feeding the individual sheets to a suitable apparatus for subsequent operation, having reference more particularly to mechanism for successivelyseparating flat sheets of paper from a stack and feeding them to the operating parts of a wrapping, printing or other machine.

The object of my invention is to provide simple and efficient means whereby a stack of material is uniformly supported and clamped; whereby each succeeding sheet of the stack is released; and whereby each sheet as rapidly as it is-released is Withdrawn Hatwise from the stack. v

With this object in view the invention comprises various novel features of construction and operation, and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter described; the scope of the invention being defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a plan of sheet feeding mechanism embodying my invention; said mechanisxn being illustrated as associated with a paper working machine.

ig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism, showing a section of the paper working machine.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the paper feeding mechanism, as on the line 33 of Fig. l, showing the parts in sheet releasing position.

Fig. 4 is a partial end elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. V3.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates the bed of a machine, such, for example, as a packa e wrapping machine, into which sheets o paper are to be successively delivered in flat condition. In the present instance the intake feed rolls of the machine are indicated at 11.l

The sup orting frame of my improved paper fee in mechanism comprises two spaced apart side members 12 which are conveniently bolted to the bed 10 at the receiving end of the paper working machine. Be tween the frame members is mounted a ver tically-movable table 13 constituting a supp* port for a stack of sheets, as 14. In the present instance this table is provided on its underside, at its front` and rearward ends, with .transverse supporting bars 15 which are slidably mounted on suitably located front and back posts 16, 17, respectively, rising from the bases of the frame members, and which bars, together with the table, are maintained normally elevated by springs 18 encircling the respective posts beneath the bars. The table is connected by means, for example, of links 19 with a foot pedal 20 which is suitably-pivoted adjacent the floor and is adapted to be actuated in a manner to depress the table in opposition to the force of the springs or to permit the return of the table.

Supported b the forward posts 16 are inwardly exten ing blocks 21 which, overhanging the table, constitute stationary gripp ers against which the forward corner port1ons of the stack of sheets on the table are yieldingly clamped by the upward pressure of the springs 18. Overhanging the middle of the table is a lever 22 which .is fulcrumed on a tie rod 23 connecting the side frame members. The forward arm of this lever is provided with a foot 24 which is positioned above the stack of sheets at a point midway between the gripper blocks 21, and the rearward arm of the lever is extended upward and provided with a roll 25 in engagement with the race of a cam 26 which is fast on a positively-driven shaft 27 having its bearings in the side members 12. The contour of the cam race is such that at redetermined `.intervals the lever 22 is oscillated in a manner to move the foot forcibly upon and raise it from the top of the stack, the downward action'of such foot being operative to depress the table with the stack thereon sufficiently' to release the paper from the gripper blocks. (See Fig. 3.)

The forward posts 16 extend well above the table and are reduced to receive the hubs or sleeves 28 of crank levers whereof the longer arms 29 extend forwardly and inwardly and are provided with inwardly and rearwardly depending pawls 30 which overhang the table in proximity to the respective gripper blocks. The free ends of the pawls are preferably tipped with pads 31 of rubber or other frictional material adapted to bear upon the uppermost sheet of the stack.

'llie sliorte arms 32 of the respective crank levers are connected to levers 33 which extend rearwardly to the shaft 27 and are formed with fulcrum yokes 3l that slidably embrace the shaft. The levers 33 are provided with suitably disposed rolls 31 that respectively engage the counterpartraces of cams 35 fast on the driven shaft, which races are of such contour that the levers are concurrently actuated to effect the periodic oscillation of the crank levers and their respective pawls. The relative actions of the elements just described are such that when the stack of sheets is pressed downward by the foot 21 of the lever 22, the angularlydisposed pawls are swung inward in s uch a manner that their rubber tips bear forcibly against, and push the forwaid c orners of the top sheet from beneath thegripper blocks, whereupon the foot 24 rises and allows the remainder of the stack to be pressed against the gripper blocks. Thereupon -the sheet 1s bodily removed from the stack as hereinafter described, and the pawls are simultaneously swung to their previous or outward position for engagement with the next succeeding top sheet of the stack.

Fast on the shaft 27 are two suitably spaced wheels 36 against the periplieries of which the stack of sheets on the table is yieldingly pressed by the action of the springs 18, such peripheries being provided with suitably disposed segmental inserts 37 of rubber or other frictional substance, which, when the sheet is released from the gripper blocks as previously explained, bear against such sheet in a manner to draw it flatwise from the stack and deliver it to the feed rolls 11 of the adjacent machine.

The operation of the mechanism above described is briefly as follows: At the outset, the foot pedal is pressed down to lower the table against the action of the springs 18, and a stack of flat sheets is then placed upon the table. This done, the pedal is released and the table with the sheets thereon is raised by the springs until the uppermost sheet of the stack yieldingly contacts with the gripper blocks 21 and the feed wheels 36. Power being applied to the shaft 27 the wheels 36 and cams 26, 3 5 are concurrently rotated. The smooth peripheral parts of the wheels rotate idly on the paper, and the cani 26 actuates the lever 22 to cause its foot 24 to bear upon the stack and depress the latter and the table sufficiently to effect the release of the stack from the gripper blocks, whereupon the cams 35 actuate the levers 33 to turn the crank levers and spring the pawls thereof inwardly and rearwardly in a manner to push the corners of the top sheet from beneath the gripper blocks. Immediately thereafter the cam 26 lifts the lever 22 and allows the table and the stack to be raised suiciently by the springs to compensate for the lremoval of the sheet, whereupon the uppermost sheet of the stack is lirinly held against the gripper blocks. Coincidentally the fi'ictioiial inserts in the rotating wheels 36 contact with the released sheet and feed it rearwardly in flat condition from the stack. In like manner each .succeeding uppermost sheet is separated from the stack and fed into the adjacent machine designed for further operations.

It is to be understood that my invention is not. limited to the specific construction herein disclosed, as the mechanism may be modified within the principle of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim- 1. In sheet feeding'mechanism, the coinbination with a support for a stack of sheets, a gripper for a corner of the stack, and means whereby relative movement between the support and the stack is effected to compensate for theremoval of successive sheets from the stack, of means whereby relative movement of the support and gripper is effected to release the stack from the action of the gripper, means for pushing the corner of the sheet adjacent the gripper in an angular horizontal direction to shift the corner away from the gripper, and means for bodily lipmoving the said sheet atwise from the stac 2. In sheet feeding mechanism, a support for a stack of sheets, grippers overhanging said support, means for yieldingly raising the support to press the top of the stack against the grippers, means periodically operative to bear upon the stack and depress the same and the support, frictional members for bearing upon the uppermost sheet at points adjacent the grippersl` means for actuating said members to shift the underlying portions of the sheet, and means for bodily removing the said sheet flatwise from the stack.

3. In sheet feeding mechanism, a support for a stack of sheets, grippers, overhanging said support, means for yieldingly raising the support to maintain the stack against the grippers, a pressure device overlianging the stack, means for periodically actuating said device to depress the stack and the support, means for shifting the uppermost sheet at points adjacent the grippers, and a rotar element for engaging the said sheet and bo ily removing it fiatwise from the stack.

4. In sheet feeding mechanism, a support for a stack of sheets, grippers overhanging said support, means for yieldingly raising the support to maintain the stack against the grippers, a pressure device overhanging the stack, means for periodically actuating said device to depress the stack and the support, means for shifting the uppermost sheet from beneath the grippers, a Wheel rotatable upon the stack and having a peripheral portion of frictional material adapted to engage the sheet and draw it atwise from the stack, and means for rotating said wheel.

5. In sheet feeding mechanism, a support -or a stack of sheets, grippers overhanging said support,'means for maintaining the support normally elevated with the top of the stack against the grippers, means for periodically depressing the support to free the stack from the grippers, oscillatory shifting devices adapted to bear upon the u permost sheet at points adjacent the respective grip-v pers, means for actuating saidv devices to shift the said sheet from' beneath the grippers, and means for bodily removing the said sheet atwise from the stack.

20 6. In sheet feeding mechanism, a support v for a stack of sheets, stationary gripper members overhanging the support, sprlng e means yieldingly raising the support and the stack thereon, a pressure lever overhanging the support, a cam for periodically actuating said lever to depress the support and free the stack from the grippers, oscillatory members adjacent the grippers, pawls mounted on said members to bear frictionally upon the uppermost sheet of the stack, levers carrying said members, means for periodically actuating said levers to swing the said members and their pawls in a manner to shift the sheet from beneath the grippers, and a rotar element for engaging thesaid sheet and bo ily drawing it flatwise from the stack.

vSigned at Barberton, in the county. of Summit and State of Ohio this 15 day of September A.v D. 1923.

JACOB P. WRIGHT.

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