US1783962A

US1783962A - Sheet feeder

Info

Publication number: US1783962A
Application number: US642189A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ehlig Harry
Original assignee: Dexter Folder Co
Current assignee: Dexter Folder Co
Priority date: 1923-05-29
Filing date: 1923-05-29
Publication date: 1930-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 1947-12-09

Description

. 6 Sheets-Sheet l Hf HL A fro/Mfr H. EHLIG Dac, 9, 1930.

SHEET FEEDER 'Filed May 29, 1925 4 H. EH LlG SHEET FEEDER Dec. 9, 1930.

V Filed `May 29, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY H. EHLlcs SHEET FEEDER Filed May 29, 1923 IN VEN TOR H. EHLIG SHEET FEEDER Filed May 29, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTOH/VEY Dec. 9, 1930. v H, EHLlG 1,783,962

SHEET FEEDER Filed .May 29, 19215v 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Harry 77 ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 1930; H.EHL|G SHEET FEEDER Filed May 29, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 6- 0 mu Raf 04] Mh ...N 14 rV55 a n mw fm L r in m 1 V'. B 2J 7 1 l 5 www 1 n w w i ilwill 4 9 u 1 M 4 M'. 4 IMHO MM 4Al/ All 7 2 5 w t@ a@ f w .4l .77. 1" IM 2 wl mf@ 4v 1 0 1 7 0 10 H 1 IIb/0 6 wY 0 l I6' l W, .5 Hrw 1 Q, 1 1 e G 7 7 A TTORNE Y 1. d' Yariably separate and continuously feed or 20 rapidity.

Parental Dec'. 9,l 193e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY EHLIG,OF PERL RIVER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY HESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

To DEXTER FOLDEBCOMPANY, oF'NEW YORK YORK, N. Y., .A vCORPORATION F NEW SHEET FEEDER.

application mea :my 29, laas. serial 1ra-642,189.

5 ing, folding or ruling machines, or to such other types of machines as are devised to operate thereafter on such sheets.

The objects of my invention are, amongV other things, mainly to provide a sheet-feeder of ythis 'character having a'simpliiied design which will have embodiedl 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 whichlwill inadvance the successive sheets, ,preferably from a fanned-out bank of paper on the feedboard, both automatically and. with great With this aim yin view I have devised a front-edge feeder ewhich will separatev 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 feed-board 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-olf device .which is usually arranged in pairs across the feeder forsuccessively separating and feedin the sheets forwardly, the operation of eac v set being controlled b a separate cut-out or trip linger located between the usual feed -rolls' which finger not only limits-the forward 40 movement ofthe particular suction feedingoi device but also cuts off the suction fromsuch device at a predetermined point to release the advancing sheet. Each suction device operates independently of the other so as to straighten'the leading 'edge of the advanced sheet as it is seized by the feed-rolls.

Another feature is to provide a novel and simplified pile detector mechanism which operates in conjunction with means for smoothing out the front'y margins of the successive sheets as they are fed forwardly, which will also operate independently of the suction feeding-oi'devices, and also independently of the number of timing of the sheets advanced thereby, so as to inaugurate and control the actionof the bank feed or pile feed mechanism by vwhich the sheets of paper may be advanced and maintained at the proper thickness beneath the suction feeding-off devices operating on the front margins of the sheets, all through the continued operation of the sheet-feeder itself.-

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel form of adjustable tail clamp and pile drag which may be set at different positions to ,bear on the rear margins of the fanned-out sheets of different sizes, and is constructed and arranged above the feedtable to rest on the rear margin of the top sheet of the bank at the beginning of the feed and then upon the rear margin of the second subjacent sheet. Such devices are so constructed and arranged as to be self-adj usting as to thethickness of the bank, and have embodied therewith air-blast devices impinging onthe rear edges of the fanned-out top sheets which serve to inject the desirable air films between the sheets to aid in their separation transversely along their rear margins;

ing parts are greatly simplified in form, ar-

rangement and "interaction, and are made more effect-ive and otherwise better adapted for use, all of which will be hereinafter described and t-hen particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

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

e Of the drawings, Fig. 1- is a side elevation looking from the left in Fig. 2, certain parts being omitted, but showing a side view oi the combined tail clamp and pile drag resting n the bank of sheets supported on "the feed-board;

Fig. 2 is affront elevation vof'thefeeder with the central parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line i 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow; J

F1g. 4 1s a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

aoA

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3

looking in the direct-ion of the arrow;

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 feedbelts'12 to advance the fanned-out bank of sheets 1 3 along the feed-board 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 8. The shaft 15 carries the ratchet 16 by which the feed-belts 12 are intermittently advanced overl the feed-board 11 to carry the bank of fanned-out sheets 13 to the sheet separating and feeding-off devices arranged across the front edge of the feed-.board 11.

` In the present embodiment of my feeder,

.the sheet separating and advancing devices are duplicated upon either side -of the machine, and a description of one set of such devices will therefore suffice, as both sets are built and operate alike. Referrmg more par- 65 ticularly to-Figs. 2, 3 and 5, thev 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 t accommodate sheets of different widths. The upper bracket 21 of the carriage 17 carries the collar 22 within which is '.journalled the main cam-shaft 23 which extends across the feeder and is suitably supported in bearings in the side-

frames

7 and 8 as shown in Fig. 2. This shaft 23 has secured thereto the gea-r 24 which engages the pinion 25 mounted on the stub-shaft 26 journalled in the side-frame 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 t-he side-

frames

7 and 8, the arrowsshown in Fig. 3 indicating the respective directions of revolution of the several gears to rotate the cam-shaft 23 in a clockwise direction. l

Extending across the feeder and suitably journalled in the side-frames 7 and l8 is the rock-shaft 31 to which is slidably secured the sleeve 32 by the key 33 to rock with the shaftv 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 yfixed to the pin 37 on the feed-sector 34 as shown in Fig. 2. The tension of the spring normally forces the sector 34 forwardly. The segmental rim 38 of the feed-sector 34 carries the spaced-apart perforations 39 preferably arranged in staggered relation as shown in Fig. 2; the suction mouthpiece 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 forwardly. 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 the bank 13 adhere to the exterior surface of the rim 38 opposite the nozzle 41 as shown in Fig. 3, and are separated and advanced to the bite of the lower feed-rolls 44 and coacting upper feed rolls 45.

The 4feed-rolls 44 are rotatably mounted on the shaft 30,1while'the feed-rolls 45 are-se-l.

cured to the crossshaft 46 journalled on the arms 47 of the bell-crank lever '48 pivotally mounted yto the cross shaft 49 journalled in the side-

frames

7 and 8; the upperarm 50 of the lever 48 carries the cam-roller 51 which rides on the cam 52 mounted on the camshaft 23. The coil spring 53 pinned to the arm 47 and to the side frame 7 causes the upper feed rolls to contact with the driven lower feed-rolls 44 in timed relation to seize the leading edge *of the sheet when the camroller 51 enters the drop of the cam 52, 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 Aadvance the adhering sheet in proximity to the bite of the feedrolls 44 -and 4,5 by the followingdescribed mechanismz The shaft 31 carries the arm 54 connected by the link 55 with Ythe arm 56 of the bell-crank lever 57'rotatably mount-ed on the shaft 15.'A Pivotally connected to the lever 57 is the link 58 carrying on its end the cam-roller 59 to engage the cam 60 xed 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' on 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" 3) to hold the cam-roller 59 in engagementJ with the cam 60 which releases the feed-sector 34 to swing 4forwardly 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 thedwell of the cam 60. The relative positions of the

cams

52 and 60 are such that as the sector 34 isending its forward stroke thefeed roll 45 is lowered into contact with the feed-roll 44 to seize the leading edge of the sheet whichhas been separated `and f ed forwardly by the sector 34.

Means are provided to arrest the forward strokeof 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 llower bracket 64 of the carriage 17 carries the screw-pin 65 which in turn supports the cutout or trip finger 66, the forward end being forked with the tips 67 riding parallel grooves' 68 `formed in the underlying feedroll 44 as shown in- Figs. 2 and 5. The finger 66 is screwed to the supporting plate 69 carried by the collar 70 pivotally mounted on the pin 65 as shown inFigs. 3 and 5; projecting rearwardly from the collar 70 is the latch-arm 71 with its triangular-shapedrtip 72 held adjustably by the light spring 73in engagement with the lower arm 74 of the pawl 75 pivoted on the hub 76 fast in the bracket 64. The coil-spring 77 secured to the arm 74 and the carriagel 17 normally pulls the arm'74,v when released from the latch-arm 71. to the right in Fig. 3 to lift the pawl 75 into engagement with the segmental rack 78 afiix'ed by screws to the feed-sector 34. By this mechanism the forwardfswing of the feed-sector is arrested and immediatelyv ceases when the advanced sheet through the trip'inger 66 releases the pawl 75 to engage the teeth of the rack 78, while the rockshaft/31 and sleeve 32 complete the forward oscillation as the cam-rollerI 59 follows the drop in the cam 60. and the finger 66 is slightly raised from the sheet.

Referring to Figs. 23 and 5, the sleeve 32 carries at one end the curved rock-arm 79 projecting downwardly and forwardly from the shaft 31, and alsothe rock-arm 80 extending rearwardly as shown particularly in Fig. 3. Thearm 79 carries the lug 81 on the outside and adjustably supports the screw-threaded `stop-pin 82 which engages with the projection 83 carried by the hub 76. Then this arm 79 is rocke in an anti-clockwise direction as the cam-roller 59 rides out ,of the drop of the cam 60, the pawl 7 5v is thereby disengaged from the rack 7 8, and the arm '7 4 is swung forwardly overthe tip 72 of the latch-arm 71 against the tension of the spring 77 to reset thel latch-arm 71 vas shown Iopened and/closed by the swinging valve plate 85 integral with the sleeve 86 pivotally mounted on the screw-pin 87 secured to the bracket 88 formed on the top of the mouthpiece 40 a-s shown in Fig. 5. Secured to the sleeve 86 are the arms '89 and 90, the arm 89 devised to contact with the adjustable screw pin 91 threaded in the bracket 92 mounted on the rck-arm 79, while the arm 90 is arranged to coact with the adjustable, screwpin, 93 threaded -in theI end of the rock-arm 80. When the forward 4movement of the feed-sector 34 is arrested by the pawl 75 engaging'the teeth of the rack 78, the pin 93 having been properlyv adjusted in the rockarm `80 thereafter engages the arm 90 to swing thevalve-plate 85 which opens the port 84 to atmosphere and cuts off the suction from thev mouth-piece 40 and nozzle 41 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 mouthplece 40 when the rock-arm 79 A1s oscillated in'a clockwise direction so that the. pin 91 engages the arm 89 to swing the valve' the pawl 75 engaging the rack 78, and the port 84 is closed when the sectorI 34'is being retracted as the sleeve 32 is oscillated as the roller 59 rides out lof ,the drop of the lcam 60. By these mechanisms the release of the advanced sheet from the feed-sector 34 is synchronized with the arrest of its forward movement by the pawl 75 restricting vthe swing of the feed-sector 34, the operation of this mechanism being controlled by the releasing of the

latch members

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 thesheets comprising the bank 13 are kept separated byl a blast of air from the nozzle 94 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 4) mounted on the tie rod 97, the plates 96 having Icurved 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 dwhich 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 arm 104 of the lever 102 carries the cam-- roller 105 held in engagement with the cam best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Such mechanismcomprises the detector finger 99 suitably mounted in the sleeve bracket 100 pivoted to the pin 101 secured to the end of the rock-lever 102 mounted on the stub-shaft103 aiiixed to the side-frame 8 (Fig. 4). LThe 106 on the cam-shaft 23 by the expansion (spring 105a coiled about the rod 105b pinned to lever 102. When the roller 105 rides on the dwell of the cam 106 in the position shown in Fig. 4, the finger 99 is retracted rwith its tip raised slightly above the to`p sheet by the hub`100 engaging the rounded projection 107 of the forked rock-shoe 108 pivoted on the shaft 109 secured to the sideframe 8 (Fig. '2); when thecam-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 to 'smooth out as well as tof hold the-front margins of the sheets lightly in position, 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 stoppin 112. In like mannerthe backward' swing ofthe arm 102 when the roller 105 rides out of the drop, of the cam 106 raises the Ashoe 108 to the jposition shown inFig.-4,

' of the latch-lever 115 pivoted to the stub shaft 116 secured to the side-frame 8 (Fig. 2). The upper face 117 of the arm is flat '4 by two sheets)l which prevent the finger 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 to the arm 114, theI outer end of the rod 120 passing slidably through the bracket 121secured to the frame 8, the spring 119 being held under compression by the threaded collar 122 screwed on the rod 120. Secured tothe 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 tle 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 thecam-roller `131 to engage the cam 132 secured -to the shaft 23. Depending from xthe 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 they bracket 135 and thecollar 136 adjustably secured to the rod 134 is the expansion spring 137 coiled about the rod 134. Fig. 4 shows the position of the vpawl 129 when the cam-roller 131 is riding upon the dwell of the cam 132 with the spring 137 under compression. When 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 theleft which releases the latch arm `123 from the block 125; this release of the latching members allows the arm 1264 to swing to the left when the cantirller 131 arrives at the drop of the cam 132 through the force of the spring 137.

pa-w1 129 over several teeth of the ratchet 16, and when the cam-roller 131 rides out of the drop of the cam 132, the ratchet 16 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction to advance the feed-belts 12 to forward the bank of sheets until the top .sheets thereof again cover the notch 118, and the arm 114 impeded by the spring 119 resumes its 'vertical (Fig. 4) position to reset the shoulder 124 of the latch-arm 123 into engagement with the lblock 125 as shown in Fig. 4. The timing'of the

cams

106 and 132 is such that detector finger 99 has completed its forward stroke to release this latch-amr 123 just before the drop in the cam 132 is reached l'ao ' when the cam-roller 131 is free thereafter to fall intosuch drop preparatory to the forward feed of the bank 13.

My improved form of adjustable tail lamp and pile drag which also. carries an air blast to wind the rear edges of the sheets may be arranged at different positions .-to bear on the rear margins of the bank of sheets and is shownin Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8. Extending rearwardly from the tie-shaft 18 and secured thereto by set-screws 138 are two supporting bars 139 (only one being shown for the sake of clearness) having the racks 140 cut in thelr top surfaces. Slidably mounted on the bars 139 are split supporting collars 141 having top bearings 142 in which is journalled the short shaft 143 which carries the gear 144 enmeshing with the rack 140; the handle 145 secured to the shaft 143 enables the operator to shift the collars 141 on the bars 140 in either direction as required. The clampingv- 4bolt 146 threaded in the lugs 147 locks theA lcollars 141 in any predetermined position- The collars 141 are provided with depending brackets 148 connected by cross-shaft 149.

Supported by the shaft 149 is the carriage 150 having spaced-apart-vertical arms 151 centrallyf slotted at 152 within which slots 152 extends the cross-shaft 149. Secured to the shaft 149 between the arms 151 is the sleeve 153 carrying the projecting upper pins 154 and also the lower pins 155 to engage the opposite sides of the slots -152 to prevent an undue forward and backward movement of carriage 150, while allowing a free vertical movement of such carriage 150 to the extent of the length of such slots. The lower end Vends of which are removably of the carriage 150 is forked and the shaft 156 is journalled therein with the roller 157 fast tothe shaft 156 to bear by gravity upon the bank of sheets 13 as shown inFig. 1. Pivoted to the shaft 156 on either side of the roller 157 are laterally extended, spaced'- apart arms 158 having their forward ends formed with slotted bearings 159 in which are rotatably mounted bearing rol1s`160 to rest on the tail end of the top sheet. The arms 158 cary the inclined brackets 161 on the A* secured by set screws 162 the pipe ends 163 which are connected by hose 164 with any suitable airpump not shown. Each pipe end 163 is connected to a spaced-apart tube 165, each having an inclined nozzle 166 contacting with the rear edges of the top 'sheets in alinement with the bearing rolls 160. Air from the nozzles 166`serves to inject air films beneath the rear edges of the sheets to aid in their separation from the bank by the feed-sectors 34. The arms 158 are connected by the crossj bar 167 on which is mounted the forwardly projecting bracket 168 carrying a cross-pin 169 on which the block 170 is rotatably secured. Passing through a hole in the block 170 is the slidable rod 171 to-support the pile rod 171 has secured thereto the circular plate 172 from which depend three barrels 173 each encircled by coil springs 174 secured to the plate 172 and projecting beyond the barrels 17 3 with L-shaped ends 175 which bear lightly and yieldingly on the rear margins 'of the top sheet as shown in Fig. 1. The

points of the spring ends 17 5 are preferably bent to extend forwardly 'so as to prevent the possibility of their tearing or otherwise injuring thinor delicate paper stock. Slidably secured on the rod 171 is the ball weight 176 which may be shifted along the rod 171, and then secured in any predetermined position by the set-screw 177 to vary the pressure of the springs 175 on the bank 1.3 according to the weight and surface texture of the stock in the feeder. The position of the springs 175 relatively tothe bearing rolls 160 may be varied by the nut 178 which is threaded on the rear end of the rod 171, and which bears against the washer 179: the coil spring 180 encircling the rod 171 between the block 170 and collar 181 tends to keep this resilient pile drag mechanism extended from the block 170, while permitting the springs 175 to be pressed rearwardly if required.

The operation of my sheet-feeder is substantially as follows: When the pair of feedsecytors 34 have picked up the top sheet from the bank 13 as shown in Fig. 3, they swing forwardly in unison with the sheet under the impulse of the coil springs 35 released from compression when the cam-roller 59 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 sheet release the pawl arm 74 'which allows the pawl 75 to engage the rack 78 to immediately arrest `the forward stroke of the particular feed-sector 34 which has been tripped, although the sleeve 32 and shaft 31 complete their predetermined oscillations under the influence ofthe cam 60. By this mechanism the separate trip fingers directly control the length of the forward feed of each feedsector 34, and the leading edge of thei sheet is thereby straightened, if required, when placed in position at the bite of the feed rolls 44 and 45.

As soon as the forward movements of the separate feed-sectors 34 have` been arrested by the pawl 75 and rack 78 engagement, the rotation of the sleeve 32 causes the arm 90 to contact with the stop-pin 93 to shift valve 85 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 izo 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 3 5 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 85. to the right (Fig. 3) to close the port 84 and place the mouthpiece' 40 again under suction in readinessfor the feed-sectors to take'up the next sheet in the succeeding cycle of operations. 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 A forward feed of the sectors 34.

When-the feed-sectors v34 have separated This allows the cam-roller 131 to enter' they drop of the cam 132 when the latter has rotated suiliciently, and in that part of the cycle the pawl 129 is simultaneously drawn backwardly over the teeth of the ratchet 16.

When the bell-crank lever 127 is rocked in an anti-clockwise direction by the roller 131 riding out of the drop of the cam 132, the ratchet 16 rigidly secured to the shaft 15 Kwill ad- Vance the feed-belts to forward the bank of sheets.

Such bank-feed movement through this pawl and ratchet mechanism will be repeated with each revolution of the cam 132` j '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 thelatch-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 camroller 131 riding only on the dwell of the cam 132 andbridging the drop therein. Such detector control and bank-feed mechanism'is very delicate and sensitive in action with the enacting rock-shoe 108 serving to smooth out the front edges ofthe 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 adjustable tail clamp and yielding pile drag device which I have shown and described in conjunction with continuous airblasts to wind the rear edges of the top sheets may be shifted forwardly and backwardly over the feed-board 11 on the rack supporting bars 139 as heretofore described. The carriage 150 with its associated parts has a free vertical movement over the bank 13 on which it bears by gravity, while the

pins

154 and 155 preclude a canting movement inf either direction on the roller 157 while allowing free vertical movement. Furthermore the bearing rolls 160 press yieldingly on the rear edges of the top sheets by being mounted in the slotted bearings 159, while the air nozzles 166 wind such rear'edges to ensure proper separation before the feed-sectors 34 advance the top sheet to the feedrolls 44 and 45. Again distinct advantages are attained by the spring pile drag device with the spring ends 175 bearing lightly on the tail ends of the sheets in that I have provided a mechanism for holding lthe top sheets under variable pressure which may be adjusted within wide limits for dierent qualities of stock by means of the ball weight 176 as well as the leverage length of the sliding supporting rod 171;

'experience has shown that. such variable spring pressure is a necessary adjunct 'in a sheet-feeder operating at high speeds with different grades of paper in order to maintain the proper transverse alinement of the rear margins of the sheets on the feedboard 11.

The foregoing constructions embody the essential prlnciples of my invention as embodied in a continuous sheet-feeder, butvarious changes may be made in the structural details without departing from the scope 'of' my improvements. However the foregoing is suifcient to disclose the underlying principles and advantages of my invention as particularly applied to a continuous sheetfeeder.

I claim as my invention:

1.v In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member having suction applied thereto at its lowermost portion and oscillatable forwardly-in a vertical plane over the superposed sheets for separating and advancing same and means including a part actuated by the' leading edge of the advanced sheet for aresting the forward movement of said mem- 2. In a' sheet-feeder, a movable suction feed-member operating on the front margins of the sheets for separating and ad- 'vancingl the successive sheets, and means controlled by the advanced sheet for arresting the sheet-advancing movement of the member.

3. In a sheet-feeder, a movable suction feed-member operating on the front margins of the sheets for separatingy and advancing `ikraaeea the successive sheets, and means controlled by the leading edge of the advanced sheet for arresting the sheet-advancing movement of the member.

4. Inra sheet-feeder, a movable suction feed-member'operating on the front margins ofthe sheets for separating and advancing the successive. sheets, and means controlled by the advanced sheet for arresting the sheetadvancing movement of the member and means for shutting off the suction therefrom.

5. In a sheet-feeder, a movable suction feed-member operating on the front margins of the sheets for separating and advancing the successive sheets, and means controlled by the advanced sheet for sequentially arresting the movement of the member and means for shutting off the suction therefrom.

6. In a sheet-feeder, a movable suction feed-member operating on the'front margins I of the sheets for separating and advancing the successive sheets, and means controlled v by the leading edge of the advanced sheetv for arresting the movement of the member and means for shutting olf the suction therefrom.

7. In a sheet-feeder, a movable suction feed-member operating on the front margins of the sheets for separating and advancing the successive sheets, and means controlled by the leading edge of the advanced sheet for sequentially` arresting the movement of the member and means for shutting olf the suction therefrom.

8. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-sector having suction applied thereto at its lowermost portion and oscillatable forwardly in a vertical plane over the fanned-out front top portion of the superposed sheets for advancing the successive sheets forwardly therefrom. y 9. In a sheet-feedena suction feed-sector having suction applied thereto at its lowermost portion and oscillatable forwardly` in a vertical plane over the -fanned-out front top portion of the superposed sheets for-intermittently separating and advancing the -successive sheets forwardly therefrom.

10. In a continuous sheet-feeder, a rocking suction feed-member for advancing the fanned-out sheets from the front margin of the bank by applying suction thereto throughout the forward strokeof said feedmember.

11. In a-continuous sheet-feeder, a rocking suction feed-member .for intermittently separating and advancing the fanned-out sheets from the front margin of'the bank by applying suction thereto throughout the forward stroke of said feed-member.

12. In a sheet-feeder, a feed-board,means for advancing apile or bank of sheets along said feed-board, and a movable suction feedmember operating on the front margins of the sheets for intermittently separating and advancing forwardly the successive' sheets by applying vsuction thereto.

'13. In a sheet-feeder, a feed-board, means for advancing a pile or bank of sheets along said feed-board, a movable suction' feedmember operating on the front margins of the -sheets for intermittently separating and advancing the successive sheets by applying suction thereto, and means controlled by the advanced sheet for arresting the forward stroke of the member.

14. In a 'sheet-feeder, a feed-board, means for advancinga pile or bank of sheets along said feed-board, a movable suction feedmember operating on the front margins of the sheets for intermittently separating and advancing the successive sheets by applying Asuction thereto, and meansI controlled by the l7. In a sheet-feeder, a pair of movable suction feed-members for separating and advancing the successive sheets and separate means for each feed-member controlled by the leading edge of the advanced sheet for arresting its sheet-advancing movement.

18. In a sheet-feeder, a pair' of movable suction feed-members for separating and ad vancmgthe successive Sheets and separate means for each feed-member for independently arresting its movement and shutting olf the suction therefrom.

19. In a sheet-feeder, a pair of movable suction feed members for separating and ad- `vancing the successive sheets and separate means for each feed-member for sequentially and independently arresting its movement and shutting off the suction therefrom.

20. In a sheet-feeder, a sheet support, a movable suction feed-member arranged above the support to advance the sheets, means for applying suction to the member, and means for shutting off the suction after the sheet has been advanced to its foremost position by said member;y

21. In a sheet-feeder, a sheet support, a movable suction feed-member arranged above the support to advance the sheets, means for applying suction to the member. and latchcontrolled meansfor shutting oil' the suction after the sheet has been advanced to its foremost position by said sector.

22. In a sheet-feeder, a sheet support, a

movable suction feed-member arranged above most position bysaid member, and a trip linger actuated by the advanced sheet to release said latch-controlled means.

23. In a sheet-feeder, a sheet support, a pair ofvmo'vable suction feed-members a1'- r'anged above the support to advance the sheets, means for applying suction to each member, and separate means for independently shutting off the suction from either member` after the sheet has been advanced to its foremost position by said sectors.

24. In a sheet-feeder, a sheet support, a pair of movable suction feed-members arranged above the support to advance the sheets, means for applying suction to each member, and separate Ameans controlled by the advanced sheet for independently arresting the forward stroke of either member at any part of its movement and sequentially means for shutting 0H the suction from either member.

25.- In a sheet-feeder, a gravity tail clamp and an oscillatable pile drag having resilient members/having points bearing on the sheets.

26.( In.a sheet-feeder, a gravity tail clamp, an associated air blast impinging on the rear edges of the sheets and an f ,cillatable pile drag having resilient members having points bearing on the sheets. j

27. In a sheet-feeder, a. gravity tail 'clamp and an oscillatable pi e drag having resilient members having points bearing on the sheets, and means'for shifting said devices longitudinally of the feeder.

28. In a sheet-feeder, a gravity tail clamp and an oscillatable pile drag having resilient members having points bearing on the sheets, and means for shifting said devices as a unit longitudinally of the feeder.

29. In a sheet-feeder, a gravity tail clamp and an oscillatable pile drag having resilient members having points bearing on the sheets, means for shifting said dev1ces longitudi nally of the feeder, and means for locking said shifting means in any predetermined position.

30. In a sheet-feeder, a gravity tail clamp and an oscillatable pile drag having resilient members having points bearing on the sheets, means for shifting said devices as a unit longitudinally of the feeder and means for locking said shifting means in any predetermined position.

31. In a sheet-feeder, a pile drag adjustably mounted to rest yieldingly on a fanned.A out bank of sheets and provided with a plu,

rality of vertically disposed spring members having points bearing on the top sheets.

32. In a sheet-feeder, a pile'drag adjustably mounted to rest yieldingly on a fannedout bank of sheets and provided with a plurality of vertically disposed spring members having points bearings on the top sheets and means for variably adjusting the pressure of said spring members on the sheets.

, 33. In a. sheet-feeder, a pile. drag adjustably mounted to rest yieldingly on a fannedout bank of sheets and provided with a plurality of vertically disposed springl members bearing on the top sheets, andmeans independent of said spring members for variably adjusting the pressure of said spring members on the sheets.

34. In a sheet-feeder, a pile drag adjustably mounted to rest yieldingly on a fannedout bank of sheets and provided with a plurality of vertically disposed spring members bearing on the top sheets, and means for variably and collectively adjusting the pressure of said spring members on the sheets.

35. In a sheet-feeder, a pile drag adjustj ably mounted to rest yieldingly on alfannedout bank ofsheets and provided with a plurality of vertically disposed spring members bearing on the top sheets, and means independent of said spring members for variably and collectively adjusting the pressure of said spring members on the sheets.

36. In a sheet-feeder, a gravity tail-clamp resting on the bank of fanned-out sheets and' an air blast arranged adjacent to the clamp to wind the rear edges of the sheets.

37. In a sheet-feeder, a gravity tail-clamp resting on the bank of fanned-out sheets and an air blast arranged adjacent to the clamp and in alignment therewith, to wind the rear edges of the sheets.

38. In a sheet-feeder, a gravity tail-clamp freely movable in a vertical direction, and means carried thereby to prevent a canting movement longitudinally of the feeder in either direction.

39. In a sheet-feeder, a1 movable suction feed-member, means including a. trip controlled by the advancing sheet for arresting the forward movement of the member said means having a part to raise the trip from the advanced sheet.

40. Ina sheet-feeder, an oscillatable suc# tion feed-member, having suction applied thereto at its lowermost portion for both separating and advancing the sheets, a trip actuated by the leading edge ofthe advanced sheet for arresting the forward movement of said member, and means for raising the trip from said sheet.

41. In a' sheet-feeder, anoscillatable suction feed-member", having suction applied thereto at its lowermost portion for both separating and advancing the sheets, a trip actuated by the leading edge of the advanced sheet for arresting the forward movement of said member, and means for thereafter raising the trip from said sheet. j

42. In a'sheet-feeder, a vertically reciprol cating suction feed member for separating and advancing the fanned-out 'sheets forwardly from the front portion of the bank.

43. In a, sheet-feeder, a reciprocating suction feed member fo separating and advancing the fanned-out sheets from the front portion of the bank and means controlled by the tion feed member for separating and advancing the fanned-out sheets from the front portion of the bank and means including a sheetoperated trip for arresting the sheet-advancing movement of said member at any point during said movement.

47. 'In a sheet-feeder, sheet-controlled suction means oscillatable in a vertical plane over the front top portion of the superposed sheets for separating and advancing same.

48. A sheet feeding machine having; in combination, suction members for separating and advancing the top sheet, and cutouts operated by the front edge of the sheet to arr)est the advance of the sheet by said memers. f

49. In asheet feeder, a'sheet support, a pair of movable -suction feed members arranged above the. support to separate and advance the sheets, means for applying suction to each member, separate means controlled by the advanced sheet for independently arresting the forward. stroke of either member on any part of its movement, and

' means for shutting ofl" the suction from the members.

50. A sheet feeding machine having, in combination, suction members for separating and advancing the top sheet, driving means necting the driving means with the suction l members, and means interposed inthe path of movement of the advancing sheet for arresting themovement of the members.

51. A feedingy mechanism for feeding sheets from the top of a pile comprising an oscillating feeder through which a suctional force is exerted on the topmost sheet, suction means connected. with the oscillating feeder and controlled by the fed-off sheet and means for swinging said feeder back and forth about a stationary axis. v

52. A feeding mechanism for feeding sheets from the top of a pile comprising a ing a series of openings through which a suc- 'tional force is adapted to be exerted, a stationary mmber having an opening with which saidl first-named openings are adapted to register successivel and means for movin said member forwar ly to feed a sheet an then back through the same path.

' 53. In a feeding mechanism for feeding sheets from the top of a pile, a feeder member movable back and forth, the return movement being through the same path as the forward movement, and having aplurality of openings through which a lsuctional force is adapted to be exerted on the top-most sheet, suction means operatively connected to th'e feeder member, means for alternately moving said feeder member forwardly and rearwardly, and means for causing the suction means to be rendered ineffective during thel rearward movements of the feeder member.

54. In a sheet feeding mechanism, an oscillatory feeder member, means for actuating the same so as to. give it alternately a forward feeding movement and a return movement, suction means operatively connected with the feeder member about a stationary axis, and means for rendering the suction means ineffective during the Vreturn stroke of the feeder member.

55.l A sheet feeding mechanism comprising an oscillatory feeder member having a plurality of openings through which a suctional force is adapted to be exerted on the sheet to be moved, means for actuating said feeder member so as to .give it alternate feeding and return strokes about a fixed axis, means including a part operatively connected to the feeder so that suctional force is successively exerted Von the sheet through the different openings, and means for rendering the suction means ineffective duringv each return stroke of the feeder member.

56. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable. suction feed-member having suction applied thereto at its lowermost ortion for,` both sepvarating-and advancing t e sheets and a trip actuated by the leading edge of the advanced sheet for arresting the forward movement of sa1d member. for the suction members, yielding means conmember swinging on a fixed axis for separating and advancing the sheets, a single mechanism for actuating said member in both directions, and means controlled by the adlio L A vanced sheet for disengaging said member from said mechanism during the sheet-advancing movement of said member.

60. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable feedmember swinging on a xed axis for separating and advancing the sheets, a single mechanism for actuating said member m both directions, and-means controlled by the advanced sheet for disengaging said member from said mechanism during the sheet-advancingmovement of said member'but allowing an automatic engagement on the reverse y movement of saidmember.

HARRY EHLIG.