US1767268A - Mechanism for handling sheet metal - Google Patents

Description

W. G. WEHR MECHANISM FOR HANDLING SHEET METAL June 24, 1930.

Filed March 17,1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 24, 1930. w. G. WEHR I 1,767,268

MECHANISM FOR HANDLING SHEET METAL Filed March 17, 1 2 SheetsShee't 2 \f A \7 g Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM G. WEEK, OF EAST OLEVELANR'OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND CRANE & ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF WICKLIFFE, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO MECHANISM FOR HANDLING SHEET METAL Application filed March 17,

This invention-relates to a mechanism for handling sheet material as, for example, sheet metal.

An object of the invention is to provide -a mechanism for handling sheet material, such as sheet metal, that will not squeeze the sheets so as to bulge them or mar their edges.

Another object is to provide such a mechanism that will be locked in any of its adjusted positions against movement except such as is produced by the actuating means. Another object is to provide a mechanism of this nature that will engage the sheets along substantially the entire length of the opposite edges thereof.

Another object is to provide a mechanism that is compact, thus permitting the piles of the sheets to be closely positioned and to extend to a considerable height because of the low head room required for the manipulation of the device.

Another object is to provide a sheet handling mechanism that is economical to manu facture and operate, effects a material saving of time and labor in its operation, and comprises in its assembly a relatively few number of parts of simple design.

Other objects and advantages will becomeapparent as the description proceeds. I

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- Fig. 1 is a top plan view, the dotted lines indicating another position of the parts;

Fig. 2 shows the actuating motor in side elevation, and the gearing, clutch, drive shaft,

driven screws, together with the connections between the shaft and screws, in vertical section;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the mechanism, the location of the gripping angles in the fully closed position being indicated in dotted lines so as to illustrate diagrammatically the wide range in sheet sizes which may be taken care of by a single device; and

' cylindrical rods, although supporting members of other configuration might also be used.

'16. These bearings have at their opposite 1928. Serial No. 262,505.

Fig. 4: is a vertical section on line 4-4 of. Fig.1, aportion of the gear casing being broken away to disclose the roller clutch.

The embodiment illustrated discloses a power driven grab'adapted to handle approximately a ton of sheet metal and to pile it for storage and the like. Of course, the size of the mechanism maybe varied so as to adapt it to handle different amounts of metal.

A motor base 10 is fixedly mounted upon two parallel supporting members 11 and 12. Preferably the motor base is arranged midway of the ends of the parallel members and these last named members take the form of- A driving motor 13 is mounted upon the upper side ofthe motor base 10 and a suspension yoke 14 connected to the base extends above the motor. This suspension yoke is for the purpose of suspending the mechanism from a suitable hoisting device, such as a mono-rail carrier.

Slidably mounted upon the supporting members 11 and 12 are double bearings 15 and ends tubular portions adapted to fit over and slide on the supporting members, such portions being connected by a web portion which has a threaded bore centrally arranged therein. Extending in opposite directions from the motor are aligned screw shafts l7 and 18 which pass through the threaded bores in the double bearings 15 and 16, respectively. The outer ends of these screw' shafts are rotatably journalled in members 19 connectingthe adjacent ends of the supporting members 11 and 12. The inner ends of the screws 17 and 18 are operatively connected to a drive shaft 19. by means of any preferred connection as, for example, a thimble 20 and pins 21. The drive shaft 19 is j ournalled in suitable bearings beneath the motor in the lower part of the motor base. This shaft is adaptedto be driven by the motor through the intermediary of a train of spur gears 22, such gears being arran ed in a gear casing 23, the lowerpart of which forms a housing for the clutch mechmost gear 22 is counterbored so that a flanged member 28 may be arranged between it and the shaft 19. This flanged member is retatably fixed to the shaft while the lowermost gear is mounted for floating movement upon the member. The upper periphery of the flange of the member 28 is provided with spaced notches 29 one of the sides of which extends radially inwardly while the other is normal to the first side. Rollers 30 are interposed between the periphery of the flange of the member 28 and the counterbore of the lowermost gear 22 within the notches 29.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that movement of the lowermost gear 22 in one direction will cause the rollers 30 to ride into the deepest portion of the slots 29 in which position there will be no driving connection between the said gear and the member 28. However, when this movement of the gear is taking place the friction disc 26 will be held in close engagement with a side face of the gear b means of the spring 27. Hence, a frictiona drive will be effected between the gear and the shaft 19. In turn this drive will rotate the screw shafts 17 and 18 in one direction.

It is quite clear that as soon as a slight overload is placed upon the shafts 17 and 18 that their movement will be deeelerated or stopped because of a slippage between the friction disc and the gear. The purpose of this slippage will be referred to hereinafter.

Operation of the gear 22 in the opposite direction will cause the rollers 30 to ride outwardly in the slots 29 and to be wedged between the member 28 and the inner portion of the counter-bore in the gear 22. This last described relationship effects a positive driving connection between the lowermost gear 22 and the member 28, and in turn a positive driving connection between the motor and the shaft 19 for one direction of movement.

It will now be seen that operation of the motor 13 will cause the screw shafts 17 and 18 to rotate which, since such shafts pass through the threaded bores in the double bearings 15 and 16, will cause these last named elements to have a sliding movement A pair of oppositely extending arms 31 and t 32 are pivotally connected to each of the double bearings by means of pivot pins 33 fixedly secured to the arms. These pivot pins .33'are provided adjacent their upper ends with segment gears 34, from which 1t will be seen that as the screw shafts 17 and 18 move the-bearings 15 'and 16 inwardly and outwardly that the inner ends of the arms31 and 32 will have a similar movement, provided theirouter ends are fixed. Also, because the interenga ing segment gears are mounted oncach o? the pins 33, the-arms of each pair will have coordinated and correlated movement.

The arms 31 and 32, as shown, comprise channel bars, the web portion 35 of which is cut away at opposite ends of the member for the purpose of allowing clearance for other of the working parts of the mechanism.

- of substantial length.

In order to further provide for correlated movement of the arms 31 and 32, and to assure the parallel movement of the gripping members 37 and 38, the connected pairs of such arms are operatively joined by an arm 39 extending diagonally of the mechanism and connected to the post 36 by means of links 40 and 41. This diagonal arm is also pivotal- 1y connected at 42 to the underside of the motor base 10. The operation of the mechanism is as follows:

A travelling hoistof the desired form is connected to the suspension yoke 14 and the mechanism is moved to position adjacent the sheets of material to be lifted. The motor 13 is then set in operation in the proper direction according to whether or not it is necessary to move the angle members 37 and 38 inwardly or outward y in order to accommo-- date the sheets. \Vhen such arms have been moved to the proper position and the mechanism lmvered over the sheets, it will be seen that the horizontal part of the angle arms may be engaged beneath the lowermostsheet of the number of sheets to be lifted in a single operation. After such engagement the operating motor is again set into operation and the arms 37 and 38 brought toward each other so as to engage the underside and edges of the pipe of sheets. However, since movell'ltllt in this direction is brought about by the frictional enga ement between the lowermost gear 22 and the friction disc26, it will be seen that as soon as the members 37 and 38 have engaged the edges of the sheets a slippage will occur in the clutch mechanism and thus avoid undue buckling of the sheets. After the sheets of material "have been moved to the desired position by the travelling hoist, the arms 37 and 38 may be moved away and the positive roller clutch.

32 have correlated movement because of the engaging gear segments 34. Thiscoaction is further increased and assured because of the with ,frictional drive for one direction of i diagonal arm 39 which likewise regulates.

movement of the gripping members 37 and 38. As the double bearings 15 and 16- travel inwardly and outwardly on the screw shafts 17 and 18, it will be seen that the arm 39 is swung about its pivot 42 and forces the links 41 and 40 to assume the different positions indicated in Fig. 1. Since all of the arms and the links are connected to the angular members 37 and 38 through the posts 36, it is quite clear that movement of such angular members will be uniform and parallel. The double bearings 15 and 16 having a threaded engagement with the screw shafts are locked in adjusted position and can only be moved therefrom through theactuation of the screw shafts by the motor.

\Vhile the form illustrated and described is the preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention is not to be understood as so limited since it contemplates such modifications and adaptations as fall. within the scope of thefollowing claims.

Having thus described my-iinv ntiom what.

I claim is: 1. A mechanism for handling sheet material comprising members ada ted to grip and lift the sheets, and means or relatively moving said members, said means operating relative movement of the said members and a positive drive for the other direction.-

.2. A mechanism for handling sheet material comprising opposed members having substantial length adapted to grip and lift the sheets, and means for relatively moving said members, said means operating with a frictional drive for one direction of relative movement of the said members and a positivedrive for the other direction.

3. A mechanism for handling sheet material comprising members adapted to grip and support the sheets, means for movin said members toward and away from eac other, and means for equalizing such movement of the members, said first named means operating with a frictional drive for one direction of movement of the said members and substantial length adapted to grip and support the sheets, means for moving said members toward and away from each other, and

operatively connecting said members at a plurality of points to a common operator, and

means for actuating said common operator with a frictional drive to effect relative movement of said members in one direction and with a positive drive to effect such movement in the reverse direction.

6.A mechanism for handling sheet ma terial comprising opposed relatively movable members adapted to grip and support the sheets, a plurality of arms pivot-ally connected to said members for moving the same,

movable means to which said arms are pivotally connected in pairs, one arm of each pair being attached to-one of said members and the other to the other member, means for moving said movable means, and means for effecting an operative connection between said last named means and a driving motor including a frictional clutch and a positive clutch functioning for reverse movements of the moving means.

'7. A mechanism for handling sheets of material comprising a supporting member, a driving member arranged upon said supporting member, slidable means arranged on said supporting member adjacent opposite ends thereof, gripping members, correlated means attached to said gripping members and said slidable members, and means intermediate said slidable members and said driving member for positively moving said gripping members in one direction and frictionallymoving the same in the opposite direction.

8. In a mechanism' for handlingv sheets of material, a supporting member, slidable sleeves arranged on said supporting member, an actuating member also arranged on said Supporting member, means operatively connected with said sleeves and said actuating member to frictionally move the sleeves in one direction and positively in the reverse direction, oppositely extending arms pivotally connected to each of said sleeves, and gripping members pivotally connectedto the outer ends of said arms. v

9. A mechanism for handling sheets of material, comprising a supporting member, slidable sleeves arranged upon said member, actuating means for said sleeves arranged upon said member, means for effecting an operative connection between said actuating means and said sleeves so as to drive the lat: ter frictionally in one direction and positively in another, oppositely extending arms members adapted to grip and support the sheets, a plurality of arms pivotally connected to said members for moving the same, movable means to which said arms are pivotally connected in pairs, one arm of each pair being attached to one of said members and the other to the other of said members, means for moving said movable means, and means for effecting an operative connection between said last named means and a driving motor.

11. A mechanism for handling sheets of material comprising a' supporting member, slidable means arranged on said supporting member adjacent opposite ends thereof, grippin members, correlated means attached to gripping members and said slidable members, a driving means arranged on said supporting member, and means intermediate said slidable members and said driving means for effecting an operating connection therebetween.

12. In a mechanism for handling sheets of material, a supporting member, slidable .sleeves arranged on said supporting member,

an actuating member also arranged on said supporting member, means operatively connected with said sleeves and said actuating member to move the sleeves toward and away from each other on the supporting member, oppsitely extending arms pivotally .connected to each of said sleeves, and gripping members pivotally connected to the outer ends of said arms.

13. A mechanism for handling sheets of material comprising a supporting member, slidable sleeves arranged on said member, actuating means for said sleeves arranged upon said member, means for effecting an operative connection between said actuating means and said sleeves to move the latter toward and away from each other on the supporting member, oppositel extending arms pivotally connected to one of said sleeves, gripping and supporting members pivotally connected to the outer ends of each of said arms, and means for causing the oppositely extending arms to have related movement.

14. A mechanism for handling sheets of material comprising a supporting member, slidable sleeves arranged on said member, actuating means for said sleeves arranged upon said member, means for effecting an operative connection between "said actuating means and said sleeves to move the latter toward and away from each other on the suporting member, 0 positelv extending arms pivotallyconnecte to each of said sleeves,

sheet gri ping and lifting members pivotally connected to the outer ends of each of said arms, means for causin the oppositelyextending arms to have re ated movement, and means maintaining thesheet gripping and lifting members in parallel relationship.

15. A mechanism for handling sheets of material comprising a pair of elongated members, means for moving said members toward and away from each other,-and means for equalizing the rate of movement of said members.

16. A mechanism for handling sheets of material comprising a pair of parallel elongated members, means for moving said members in the same planetoward and from each other, means for e ualizing the rate of movement, of said mem ers, and means for maintaining the same in parallel relation s n 1 7. A mechanism for handling sheets of material comprising a air of parallel elongated members, means or moving said members toward each other with a frictional drive and away from each other with a positive drive, and means for equalizing such movements of said members and for maintaining the samein parallel relationship 18. A mechanism for handling sheets of material comprising a supporting member, slidable sleeves arranged on said member, actuating means for said sleeves arranged on said member, means for c fecting an operative connection between said actuating means and said sleeves to move the latter toward and away from each other on the supporting member, oppositely extending arms pivotally connected to each of said sleeves so as to provide a pair of outwardly extending arms on each, side of said supporting member, a work engaging member pivotally connected to the outer end of each arm of each pair of outwardly extending arms, means for causing the oppositely extending arms to have related movement,and means for maintaining the work engaging members in parallel relationship.

19. A mechanism for handling sheets of material comprising a supporting member, slidable sleeves arranged on said member, actuating means for said sleeves arranged upon said member, means for effecting an operative connection between said actuating means and said sleeves to move the latter toward and away-from each other on the supporting member, opposite extending arms pivota 1y connected to eac of said sleeves, whereby a pair of arms extends outwardly from each side of the supportin member, gear segments associated with the inner ends of the arms connected to each sleeve whereby such arms have related movement, work engaging members pivotally connected to the outer ends of the arms of each outwardly extendingpair of arms, and a member pivotally associated with said support and having pivotal connection at one end with the outer end of an arm extending in one direction from one of the sleeves and at its other end with the outer end of an arm extending in the 0pposite direction from the other of said sleeves whereby the work engaging members will be maintained in parallel relationship.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

\VILLIAM G. WEHR.

Images