US1597676A - Sheet feeder - Google Patents

Description

Au 31, 1926' v 1,597,676

- H. EHLIG SHEET FEBDEK Original Filed M y 2 1923 4 SheqtsrSheet 1 INVENTQ'R Ham 51 m ATTORMETIZ;

Aug. 31,1926.

H. EHLIG SHEET FEEDER Original Filed y 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet MM m k m H A TTOR/VE) Aug. 31 1926. 1,597,676

H. EHLIG SHEET FEEDER Original Filed M y 9, 1923 4 sheets-sheet s IIVVENTOR A TTORNEV I H. EHLIG SHEET FEEDER Aug. 31, 1926. 7 1,597,676

Original Filed y '1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 31, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY EHLIG, OF PEARL RIVER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE R. SWART &

COMPANY, DTCL, OF NEW YORK, IN.

SHEET Original application filed May 29, 1923, Serial No.

this application filed February 25, 1925.

My invention relates to improvements in sheet feeders for automatically separating and advancing successive sheets of paper or other impression-receiving material to printing, foldingor ruling machines, or to such other types of machines as are devised to operate thereafter on such sheets. My present application for patent is a division of my pending application, Serial Number 642.189, filed May 29, 1923.

The objects of my invention are, among other things, mainly to provide a sheetfeeder of this character having a simplified design which will have embodied therein separate mechanisms capable of performing efficient work, while they are not likely to get out of order, yet are very sensitive in action, all being incorporated in a feeder which will invariably separate and continuously feed or advance the successive sheets, preferably from a fanned-out bank of paper on the feedboard, both automatically and with great rapidity.

With this aim in view I have devised a front-edge feeder which will separate and advance the successive sheets by mechanism or devices operating on the front edges or margins of the stacked-up sheets, the sheet forwarding mechanisms for the bank of sheets being controlled by the steady and continuous advance of the front margins of the pile or bank of paper supported on the feedboard beneath the feeding-off devices.

A further feature of my invention is to embody in the feeder a novel and improved form of suction feeding-off device which is usually arranged in pairs across the feeder for successively separating and feeding the sheets forwardly, the operation of each set being controlled by a separate cut-out or trip finger located between the usual feed rolls which finger not only limits the forward movement of the particular suction feeding-off device but also cuts off; the suction from such device at a predetermined point to release the advancing sheet. Each suction device operates independently of the other so as to straighten the leading ed e of the advanced sheet as it is seized b'yt e feed-rolls. V

Another feature isto provide a novel and simplified pile detector mechanism which operates in conjunction with means for smoothing out the front margins of thesuc- Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FEEDER.

642,189, and in Canada June 17, 1924. Divided and Serial No. 11,418.

cessive sheets as they are fed forwardly, which will also operate. independently of the suction feeding-off devices, and also independently of the number or timing of the sheets advanced thereby, so as to inaugurate and control the action of the bank feed or pile feed mechanism by which the sheets of paper may be advanced and maintained at the proper thickness beneath the suction feeding-oif devices operating on the front margins of the sheets, all through the colrgtinued operation of the sheet-feeder itse My improved sheet-feeder also embodies other advantageous features of novelty and improvement in which the different operating parts are greatly simplified in form, arrangement and interaction, and are made more effective and otherwise better adapted for use, all of which will be hereinafter de-' scribed and then particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings show my improvements in their preferred embodiment in a continuous sheet-feeder; such improvements, however, are not to be restricted to any particular type of sheet-feeder, as these features of invention may be embodied in various forms of feeders with similar advantages and results.

Of the drawings, Fig. l is a side eleva-.

tion looking from 'the left in Fig. 2, cer tain parts being omitted;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the feeder with-the central parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several figures.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1-4, the two side-frames 7 and 8 of the feeder proper are supported upon the standards-9 and 10 respectively; between the side frames 7 and 8 and suitably secured thereto is the lower feed-board 11 over which travel a series of feed belts 12 to advance the fanned-out bank of sheets 13 along the feedboard :11. The belts 12 (two being shown in Fig. 2) pass around the drum 14' mounted on the transverse shaft 15 journalled in suitable bearings in the frames 7 and 3. The shaft 15 carries the ratchet 16 by which the feed-belts 12 are intermittently advanced over the feed-hoard 11 to carry the bank of fanned-out sheets 13 to the sheet separating and feeding-oil devices arranged across the front edge of the feed-board 11.

In the present embodiment of my feeder, the sheet separating and ad'vancingdcvices are duplicated upon either side of the machine, and a description of one set of such devices will therefore suflice. as both sets are built and operate alike. Referring more particularly to Figs. 2, and 4. the carriage plate 17 is adjustably secured to the tie shaft 18 by the split-collar 19 and clamping bolt 20 so that the carriage 17 may be transversely shifted in the feeder to accommodate sheets of different widths. The upper bracket 21 of the carria e 17 carries the collar 22. within which is journalled the main cam-shaft 23 which extends across the feeder and is suitably supported in hearings in the side-frames 7 and 8 as shown in Fig. 2. This shaft 23 has secured thereto the gear 24 which engages the pinion 25 mounted on the stub-shaft 26 journallcd in the sideframe 7, the shaft 26 also carrying the gear 27 enmeshing with the idler gear 28 which is driven by the pinion 29 fast to the main power shaft 30 which is suitably journalled in the side-frames 7 and 8, the arrows shown in Fig. 3.indicating the respective directions of revolution of the several gears to rotate the cam-shaft 23 in a clockwise direction.

Extending acrossthe feeder and suitably journalled in the side-frames 7 and 8 is the rock-shaft 31 to which is slidably secured the sleeve 32 by the key 33 to rock with the shaft 31. Loosely secured on one end of the sleeve 32 and rotatably mounted in the carriage 17 is the oscillating suction feed-sector 34, and surrounding the sleeve 32 is the coil spring 35, one end of which is fastened to the collar 36 pinned to the sleeve 32 and the other end is fixed to the pin 37 on the feed-sector 34 as shown in Fig. 2. The tension of the spring 35 normally forces the sector 34 forwardly. The segmental rim 38 of the feedsector 34 carries the spaced-apart perforations 39 preferably arranged in staggered relation as shown in Fig. 2; the suction mouth-piece 40 with its nozzle 41 bears on the inner face of the perforated rim 38, and is held in position by the hollow arm 42 attached to the transverse suction tube 43 secured in the side-frames 7 and 8. The nozzle 41 is arranged to register. intermittently with the successive perforations 39 in the feed-sector 34 as the latter swings forwardl'y; The required suction to operate the feed-sector 34 is applied to the tube 43 by any suitable air-exhausting means not shown. The sheets from thebank 13 adhere to the exterior surface of the rim 3S opposite the nozzle 41 as shown in Fig. 3. and are separated and advanced to the bite of the lower feed-rolls 44 rolls 45.

The feed-rolls 44 are'rotatably mounted on the shaft 30, while the feed-rolls 45 are secured to the cross-shaft 4G jonrnalled on the arms 47 of the bell-crank lever 48 pivotally mounted to the cross shaft 49 journalled in the side-frames 7 and 8; the upper arm 50 of the lever 43 carries the camrollcr 51 which rides on the cam 52 mounted on the cam-shaft 23. The coil spring 53 pinned to the arm 47 and to the side frame 7 causes the upper feed rolls 45 to contactwith the driven lower feed-rolls 44 in timed relation to seize the leading edge of the sheet when the cam-roller 51 enters the drop of the cam the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 showing the roll 45 in raised position with the cam roller 51 riding on the dwell of the cam 52.

The rock-shaft 31 is intermittently oscillated forwardly to rock the sleeve 32 and release the feed-sector 34 held under tension of the spring 35 to advance the adhering sheet in proximity to the bite of the feed- rolls 44 and 45 by the following described mechanism: The shaft 31 carries the arm 54 connected by the link 55 with the arm 56 of the bell-crank lever 57 rotatably mounted on the shaft 15. Pivotally connected to the lever 57 is the link 58 carrying on its end the cam-roller 59 to engage the cam 60 fixed to the cam-shaft 23. The link 58 is formed with the intermediate slot 61 through which passes the shaft 23 to support link 58 and the shaft 23, and permit its movement by the cam 60. Secured to the lever 57 is the arm 62 which is normally forced upwardly by the compression spring 63 ('Figs. 2 and to hold the cam-roller 59 in engagement with the cam 60 which releases the feed-sector 34 to swing forwardly when the roller 59 descends into the drop of the cam 60. and retracts the sector 34 and places the spring 35 under tension as the roller 59 rides up on the dwell of the cam (50. The relative positions of the cams 52 and 60 are such that as the sector 34 is ending its forwardstroke the feed roll 45 is lowered into contact with the feed-roll 44 to seize the leading edge of the sheet which has been separated and fed forwardly by the sector 34.

Means are provided to arrest the forward stroke of the feed-sector 34 and likewise to shut off the suction from the nozzle 41 immediately upon the seizure of the sheet by the feed- rolls 44 and 45, which mechanism may be widely varied in structure and operation. In the present embodiment the lower bracket 64 of the carriage 17 carries the screw-pin 65 which in turn supports the and coacting upper feedcut-out or trip finger 66, the forward end being forked with the tips 67 riding in parallel grooves 68 formed in the underlying feed-roll 44 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The finger 66 is screwed to the supporting plate 69 carried by the collar 70 pivotally mounted on the pin as shown in Figs. 3 and 4; projecting rearwardly from the collar is the latch-arm 71 with its triangular-shaped tip 72 held adjustably by the light spring 73 in engagement with the lower arm 74 of the pawl 75 pivoted on the hub 76 fast in thebracket 64. The coilspring 7 7' secured to the arm 74 and the carriage 17 normally pulls the arm 74, when released from the latch-arm 71, to the right in Fig. 3 to lift the pawl 75 into enga ement with the segmental rack 78 affixed by screws to the feed-sector 34:. By this mechanism the forward swing of the feed-sector is arrested and immediately ceases when the advanced sheet through the trip finger 66 releases the pawl 75 'to engage the teeth of the rack 7 8, while the rock-shaft 31 and sleeve 32 complete the forward oscillation as the cam-roller 59 follows the drop in the cam 60, and the finger66 is slightly raised from the sheet.

Referring to Figs. 2, and 4-, the sleeve 32 carries at one end the curved rock-arm 79 projecting downwardly and forwardly from the shaft 31, and also the rock-arm 80 extending rearwardly as shown participlarly in Fig. 3. The arm 79 carries the lug 81 on the outside and adiustably supports the screw-threaded stop-pin 82 which engages with the projection 83 carried by the hub 76. lVhen this arm 79 is rocked in an anti-clockwisedirection as the cam-roller 59 rides out of the drop of the cam 60, the pawl 75 is thereby disengaged from the rack 78, and the arm 74 is swung forwardly over the tip 7 of the latch-arm 71 against the tension of spring 77 to reset the latcharm 71 as shown in Fig. 3.

The mechanism to shut off the suction from i'nouthpiece 40 after the forward movement of the feed-sector 34 is arrested by the engagen'ient of the pawl 75 with the rack 7 S in the present embodiment is best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 1. The inner side of'the mouth-piece 40 has cut therein the port 8% which is opened" and closed by the swinging valve plate 85 integral with the sleeve 86 pivotally mounted on thescrewsector 34 is arrested by the pawl 75, the pin 93 is so adjusted as to engage the arm to swing the valvedate 85 which opens the port 81 to atmosphere and cuts oil? the suction from the mouthpiece 40 and nozzle 11 and releases the sheet adhering to the rim 38. In like manner the port 84 is closed by the valve 85 and suction pressure again maintained in the mouth-piece 10 relation to the arms 89 and 90, that the 1 port 8 1 is opened slightly after the arrest of the forward movement of the feed-sector 34 by the pawl. 75 engaging the rack 78, and the port 84 is closed whenthe sector 34 is being retracted as the sleeve 32 is oscillated as the roller 59 rides out of the drop of the cam 60. By these mechanisms the release of the advanced sheet from the feed-sector 31 is synchronized with the arrest of its forward movement by the pawl 75 restricting the swing of the feed-sector 34, the operation of this mechanism being controlled by the releasing of the latch memhers 71 and 72 when the leading edge of the advanced sheet raises the trip finger 66, all during the continued operation of the feeder.

. The front edges of the sheets comprising the bank 13 are keptseparated by a blast of air from the nozzle 9 1 mounted on the pipe 95 connected with any suitable air pump not shown; the sheets then pass over the guide plates 96 (Figs. 3 and l) mounted on the tie rod 97, the plates 96 having curved extensions 98 upon which the front margins of the sheets rest (Fig) 3) at the forward end of the feed-board 11.

The detector mechanism which controls and inaugurates the action -of the bank feed independently of the successive feeding movements of the oscillating feed-sector 34 in advancing the sheets from the bank 13 is best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Such mech anism comprises the detector finger 99 suita bly mounted in the sleeve bracket 100 pivoted to the pin 101 secured to the end of the rock-lever 102 mounted on the stub-shaft 103 affixed to the side-frame 8 4c). The arm. 104 of the lever 102 carries the camroller 105 held in engagement with the cam 106 on the cam-shaft 23 by the expansion spring 105 coiled about the rod 105 pinned to lever 102. When the roller 105 rides on the dwell of the cam 106 in the position shown in Fig. 1, the finger 99 is retracted with. its tip raised slightly above the top sheet by the hub 100 engagingthe rounded projection .107 of the forked rock-shoe 108 Cal pivoted on the shaft 109 secured to the sideframe 8 (Fig. 2); when the cam-roller 105 falls into the drop of the cam 106, the finger 99 is moved forwardly over the top surface of the sheets, and the rock-shoe is lowered on the front margins tosmooth out as well as to hold the front margins of the sheets lightly in po-"ition, since the adjustable screw-pin 110 threaded in the lug 111 integral with the shoe 108 follows the lever arm 102 until such lug 111 engages the stop-pin 112. In like manner the backward swing of the arm 102 when the roller 105 rides out of the drop of the cam 106 raises the shoe 103 to the position shown in Fig. 4, while lifting the tip of the finger 99 slightly above the top sheet on the bank.

As shown in Fig. 4. the guide plate 96 is formed with an interi'nediate slot 113 through which projects the vertical arm 114 of the latclrlever 115 pivoted to the stub shaft 116 secured to the side-frame 3 (Fig. 2). The upper face 117 of the arm is flat and inclined forwardly in the plane of the guide-plate 96 with the notch 118 centrally cut therein in-alinemeutwith the detector 99, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Also as shown in Fig. 4, this notch 118 is normally covered by the leading edges of the top sheets of the bank 13 (in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 by two sheets) which prevent the linger 99 from entering the notch 118. The arm 114 is returned to its vertical position (Fig. 4) by the force of the spring 119 coiled about the rod 120 pinned tothe arm 114, the outer end of the rod 120 passing slidably through the bracket 121 secured to the frame 8, the spring 119 being held under compression by the threaded collar 122 screwed on the rod 120. Secured to the shaft 116 is the laterally-extending latch-arm 123, having the shoulder 124 cut therein to engage with the triangularly-shaped block 125 pinned to the end of the lower arm 126 of the bell crank lever 127 rotatably mounted on the shaft 15. The short arm 128 carries the spring pressed pawl 129 which coacts with the ratchet 16 fast on the shaft 15, while the longer arm 130 of the lever 127 carries the cam-roller 131 to engage the cam 132 secured to the shaft 23. Depending from the pin 133 on the arm 130 is the rod 134 which slides through a hole in the bracket 135 secured to the frame 8; between thebracket 135 and the collar 136 adjustably secured to the rod 134 is the expansion spring 137 coiled about the rod 134. Fig. 4 shows the position of the pawl 129 when the cam-roller 131 is riding upon the dwell of the cam 132 with the spring 137 under compression. lVhen the sheets in the bank 13 become depleted so that the front edges of the top sheets fail to cover the notch 118, the detector finger 99 enters and engages this notch on its forward stroke and thereby swings the arm 114 to the left which releases the latch arm 123 from the block 125; this release of the latching members allows the arm 126't0 swing to the left when the cam-roller 131 arrives at the drop of the cam 12 through the force of the spring 137. This rocking movement of the bell crank lever 127 in a clockwise direction retracts the pawl 129 over several teeth of the ratchet 16, and when the camroller 131 rides out of the drop of the cam 132. the ratchet 16 is rotated in an anticlockwise direction to advance the feed-belts 12 to forward the bank of sheets until the lop sheets thereof again cover the notch 118, and the arm 114 impelled by the spring 119 resinnes its vertical (Fig. 4) position to re set the shoulder 124- of the latch-arm 123 into engagement with the block 125 as shown in 4. The timing of the cams 106 and 1:12 is such that detector finger 99 has completed its forward stroke to release this latch-arm 123 just before the drop in the cam 132 is reached when the cam-roller 131 is free thereafter to fall into such drop preparatory to the forward feed of the bank 13.

The operation of my sheet-feeder is substantially as follows: hen the pair of feedse-tors 34- have picked up the top sheet from the bank 3 as shown in Fig. 3, they swin forwardly in unison with the sheet under the impulse of the coil springs 35 released from compression when the camroller falls into the drop of the cam 60 and the rock-shaft 31 is oscillated in a clockwise direction. Whenever the leading edge of the advanced sheets lifts either one of the trip fingers 66 in position to be seized by the'bite of the feed rolls 44 and 45, the latch-arm 71 is drawn down to release the pawl arm 74 which allows the pawl to engage the rack 78 to immediately arrest the forward stroke of the particular feedsector 34 which has been tripped, although the sleeve 32 and shaft 31 complete their predetermined oscillations under the influence of the cam 60. By this mechanism the separate trip fingers directly control the length of the forward feed of each feedsector 34. and the leadingedge of the sheet is thereby straightened, if required, when placed in position at the bite of the feed rolls 44 and 45. 7

As soon as the forward movements of the separate feed-sectors 34 have been arrested by the pawl 75 and rack 78 engage ment, the rotation of the sleeve 32 causes the arm 90 to contact with the stop-pin 93 to shift valve to the left (Fig. 3) to open the port 84 thereby also opening the mouthpiece 40 and nozzle 41 to atmosphere which releases the hold of the feed-sectors 34 on the sheet now in position to be seized by the feed rolls 44 and 45. When the cam-roller 59 rides out of the drop of the cam 60, the rock-shaft 31 and sleeve 32 are rocked to restore the feedsectors 34 to their feeding position while the springs 35 are again put under compression for the next forward stroke: during this retractive movement the arm 89 engages with the stop-pin 91 to shift the valve 83 to the right (Fig. 3) to close the port 84 and place the mouthpiece 40 again under suction in readiness for the feed-sectors to take up the next sheet in the succeeding cycle of operation. During this movement each trip-finger latch resets itself by the arm 74 passing over the tip 72 of the latch-arm as hereinbefore described. and the trip finger 66 will again lower and rest in the grooves 68 as shown in Fig. 3 in readiness for the next advancing sheet. The timing of the cams 53 and 60 is such that the feed roll 44 will lower as the sheet reaches the feed-roll 45 in the forward feed of the sectors 34.

When the feed-sectors 34 have separated and advanced the top sheets from the bank 13 to diminish the thickness thereof so that it becomes desirable or necessary to advance the pile or bank of sheets by moving the feed-belts 12 on the feed-board 11, the detector finger 99 in its forward stroke engages the exposed notch 118 cut in the face of the arm 114 so as to swing the arm 114 forwardly and release the latch arm 123 from engagement with the block 125, whereby the bell-crank lever 127 is rocked in a clockwise direction. This allows the camroller 131 to enter the drop of the cam 132 when the latter has rotated sufficiently, and in that part of the cycle the pawl 129 is simultaneously drawn backwardly over the teeth of the ratchet 16. WVhen the bell-crank lever 127 is rocked in an anti-clockwise direction by theroller 131 riding out of the drop of the cam 132. the ratchet 16 rigidly secured tothe shaft 15 will advance the feed-belts to forwardthe bank of sheets. Such bank-feed movement through this pawl and ratchet mechanism will be repeated with each revolution of the cam 132 until the front margins of the top sheets have been advanced to cover the notch 118 so that the detector finger 99 no longer can swing the arm 114 forwardly in each cycle; the spring 119 straightens the arm 114 which enables the latch-arm 123 to reset itself with the block 125 as has been heretofore described. So long as this latch is set the spring 137 is held under compression with the cam-roller 131 riding only on the dwell of the cam 132 and bridging the drop therein. Such detector control and bankfeed mechanism is very delicate and sensitive in action with the coacting rock-shoe 108 serving to smooth out the front edges of the sheets as they are advanced to the feed-rolls during each'forward movement of the-detector finger 99 over the front edges of the sheets.

The foregoing constructions embody the essential principles of my invention as embodied in a continuous sheet-feeder, but various changes may be made in the structural details without departing from the scope of my improvements. However the foregoing .is sufficient to disclose the underlying principles and advantages of my invention as particularly applied to a continuous sheetvated therefrom when said part is, retracted.

2. In a sheet-feeder, a feed-board. means for advancing a pile or bank of sheets along said feed-board, means comprising a part normally reciprocating along the front margins of the sheets in each cycle for inaugurating the action of said advancing means when said part falls below said front margins of the sheets, and means controlled and actuated by said advancing means for smoothing out the margins of the sheets.

3. In a sheet-feeder, a feed-board, means for advancing a pile or bank of sheets along said feed-board, means comprising a part normally reciprocated along the front inargins of the sheets in each cycle for inaugurating the action of said advancing means when said part falls below said front margins of the sheets, and means lowerable in conjunction with the forward movement of said part for smoothing out the margins of the sheets. 4. In a sheet-feeder, a feed-board, means for advancing a pile or bankof sheets along said feed-board, means comprising a part normally reciprocated along the front margins of the sheets in each cycle for in-. augurating the action of said advancing means when said part falls below said front margins of the sheets. and means for smoothing out the margins of the sheets ineach cycle of operation, said means being elevated from the sheets during the retraction of said part.

5. In a sheet-feeder, a feed-board. means for advancing a pile or bank of sheets along said feed-board, means comprisingv a part normally reciprocated alongthe front margins of the sheets in each cycle for in: augurating the action of said advancing means when said part falls below said front margins of the sheets, and means controlled and actuated by said advancing means for smoothing out the margins of the sheets in each cycle of operation.

6. In a sheet-feeder, a feed-board, means for advancing'a pile or bank of sheets along said feed-board, means comprisinga part normally reciprocated along the front margins of the sheets in each cycle for in augurating the action of said advancing means when said part falls below said front margins of the sheets; and means lowerable in" conjunction with the forward movement of said part forsmoothing out the margins of the sheets in each cycle'of operation.

7. In a sheet-feeder, normally inoperative I sheet-advancing means, a detector normally said detector falls below said margins, and elevated with said detector when the latter is retracted beyond said front margins.

8. In a sheet-feeder, normally inoperative sheet-advancing means, a detector normally reciprocated in an elliptical path along the front margins of the sheets to control the action of said sheet-advancing means, and a vertically movable rock-member to smooth out the margins of the sheets when said detector in its forward movement falls below said margins, and elevated with said detector when the latter is raised and retracted beyond said front mar'ins.

l -lARRY EHLIG.

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