US1835276A - Work support for slicing machines - Google Patents

Description

' 1931- w. J. CAMPBELL 5,

WORK SUPPORT FOR SLICING MACHINES Filed June 8, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1' Dec. 8, 1931. w, J CAMPBELL, 1,835,276

WORK SUPPORT FORHSLICING MACHINES Filed June a, 19.29 s Sheets-Sheet 2 13 i W r0 i w'jjiz' @l 7' Dec. 8, .1931. w, CAMPBELL 1,835,276

WORK SUPPORT FOR SLIGING MACHINES 3' Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 8, 1929 ygniwAQnt/l (Kim/225 Patented Dec. 8, 1931 unrrn STATES PAT T' F C 1:; WILLIAM J. CAMPBELL, on INDIANAPOLIS, IND ANA, Ass GNon T AMERICAN sLIo NG MACHINE ooMrANY, or cHIcAeo, ILLINOIS, A\CORPORATIO1\T or NEW YQLRK' WORK SUPPORT FOB. SLICING Application filed June 8, 1929. Serial No. 369,447.

My invention relates to a slicing machine of the type wherein a circular knife is employed, herein shown as motor driven. One

object of the invention is to provide an adjustable work support or carriage and in particular to provide such a carria e or support with means whereby the angle of the supporting surface may be adjusted through a considerable are from the horizontal. Another object is the provision of means forpermitting such angular adjustment to be employed in connection with an outwardly bowed gau e plate for the work being sliced; Another 0%- ject is the provision of improved means for locking or holding the meat support at various positions of adjustment Other objects will apepar from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less dia- 26 grammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view; Figure 2 is a front elevation; Figure 3 is an elevation similar to Figure 2 i with the work support in a different position;

Figure L is an end elevation, ith parts in section; and r v Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fi ure 2. I

like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

A generally indicates a base or support for a slicing machine and A ground engaging members or pads.

B lies in a. generally horizontal plane but is tilted somewhat out of perpendicularity to the path of movement of the carriage later to be described. B indicates a guard plate positioned in front of theknife B and including an arcuate edgeB penetrating the recess B in front of the knife. B indicatesa gen' 7 er'ally bell shaped guard portion the edge of whichpenetrates the recess B at the rear of the knife.

Mounted on the base A isa circular knife. B wit'h'its knife shaft B? andpulley B 'asso-Q ciated therewitln B indicates abelt extend-1 C generally indicates a supporting structure upon which is mounted the gauge plate 0 C indicatesany suitable control knob in response'to the rotation of which the gauge plate G and its support C are moved toward and away from the cutting plane of the knifeB. 1

The contour of the cutting arcv of the knife is somewhat bowed forward, owing to the tilting of the axis of the shaft B and faces of gauge and guard platesare bowed to correspond; as shown for example in Figure 4. This bowing is necessary or at least preferable in order that the space between the cutting edge of the knife and the adjacent edge top to bottom of the cutting are, so that the slices may be of even thickness throughout.

of the gauge plate C may be'uniform from D generally indicates a track, here'in shown as cylindrical in cross section, which may be mounted in any suitable manner upon the base A of the machine. Positioned adjacent the track D, herein shown as aligned below it; is

the rectangular guide track D v Slidably mounted on the track D is the carriage structure generally indicated asD n The track D serves to prevent the rotation of the carriage about the trackD and 'in order to effect this guiding control I provide the opposed flanges-1 :Dil) on opposite sides of the trackjD I may employ {any suitable means for example the adjusting screws D D 'with the lock nuts D D -vv'hereby a, limitedrotation of'the carriage D about the track D-may be effected; for adjustment purposes. The carriage itself may include terminal bearing sleeves D D connectedfor example bythe 'wa-lls D The intermediate hollow portion D ofthe car riage may be filled with any suitable packing:

means; for example a fibrous mat, which may serve to receivea lubricant, WllGIGbYthG bearings are constantly lubricated. If desired the top-of thecarriage may be, closed in order to prevent escape of the lubricant or penetration of dirt particles into the central space of the carriage. I a

' Mounted up on the carriage is the WOI'kSUIP port proper 'which' may include aflatbottom plate E the side-flange Ea -and transvs erse 1 holding member-s EK These holding meme hers may be hinged as at E to the carriage proper, whereby the work supporting member may be rotated about theip-ivot E E indicates a compound handle and guiding pin upon which is slidable the sleeve E to which is secured the pusher plate E as by the handle E which is connected by the member E with the sleeve E and by the member 4 9 with the pusher plate. The member E is formed to clear the top of the flange E E is the guard member adapted to cover the cutting edge of the knife when the carriage is at the termination of the cutting stroke and E. is a supplemental guard associated therewith lying in a plane generally perpendicular thereto.-

In order to control the location of the member E, I provide a plurality of links G which may be pivoted as at G upon the member E which carries the plate E. These links are slotted as at G and through the slots may pass the pin G3 one end of which is secured in the carriage and the other of which is provided with a locking knob G*. G indicates a washer upon the pivot G spacing apart the links G. Aligned on the pin G between and about the links G are a plurality of washers G which may be of any suitable frictional material, for example fiber. It will be understood that when the member E has been set at the desired angle, as shown for example in Figure 3, the knob G is rotated in locking position, clamping the slotted portions G of the links Gr. Each link is engaged on each side by one of the frictional washers G and the result is a firm locking of the device in supporting position, which will resist even relatively heavy weights, such as the weight of a large piece of meat.

When the member E is in the horizontal position as illustrated in Figure 2, it normally rests upon a limit stop or flange D. However I may provide for any suitable adjusting means, herein illustrated as by the set screw D and lock nut D whereby the work supporting plate E may be accurately adjusted in its horizontal position.

Owing to the fact that the gauge and guard plates are outwardly bowed, as above described it is necessary that some provision be made for permitting the edge of the member Eto clear the faces of guard and gauge plates when it is rotated into upwardly inclined position, as in'Figure 3. Assuming that the edge of the member E closely approaches the lower edge .of the gauge plate C any upward movement of the member E will tend to bring it into contact with the outwardly bowed face of the gauge plate. In order to permit this upward rotation to take place without such contact I may incline the axis of rotation of the member E. Referring for example to- Figure 4 I illustrate the pivot members E which may be considered a single pivot or axis, as downwardly and outwardly inclined away from the cutting plane of the knife. The result is that as the member E is upwardly tilted there is a slight lateral movement of its edge away from the cutting plane. The face and edges of the guard members E E are of course bowed, as shown in Figure 4 and suii'icient excess space is given to permit them to clear the face of the gauge plate as they are rotated. As shown in Figure 4 the pivots E are somcwhat inclined downwardly and outwardly in relation to the gauge plate. This effect may be obtained either by having the pivots inclined in relation to the carriage or by slightly inclining the carriage. In Figure 4 both methods are indicated, and in any case in which it shall be undesirable to incline the axes E or in which they shall inadvertently have been insufficiently inclined, the members I) may be adjusted to obtain the desired inclination of the axes E, and to permit the member E to clear the bowed face of the gauge plate or guard plate when it is upwardly inclined as in Figure 3.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to my specific showing.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

In the type of slicing machine herein described I lind it desirable to employ a work supporting member, such as the plate with its attendant abutment flange E which may be positioned at the will of an operator in either horizontal position or in inclined position. When an operator is slicing large articles, such as bacons and loaves of bread, and is slicing them with the bacon or loaf in horizontal position on the carriage, the hori zontal positioning of the member E gives ample room for a large loaf or bacon. In slicing smaller articles or articles of circular cross section, such as sausage, the member E may be tilted into the position in which it is shown in Figure 3, in order to hold the article, such as a sausage, positioned by gravity against the abutment flange E In order to provide firm means for locking the member E in position I employ a plurality of slotted links, with gripping frictional washers. These washers enlarge the clamping space, by duplication, and may add to the clamping effect by increased friction resistance, if fiber is employed. Under some circumstances metal washers may be satisfactory but where increased support is necessary, fiber or any other suitable frictional substance may be employed.

I ployed.

ing to permit the upward tilting of the mem-.

ber E. I may effect the compensation in several ways and 1 indicate the two methods, which may beembodied in the'same machine, the angular adjustment of the carriage D about the track D, and the inclination of the axes E from the horizontal. The axes E may be inclined to the carriage, or the car riage itself may be adjusted by means'of the members D or both methods may be em- Note that the point of support of the carriage D on the track D is positioned adjacent the center of mass of the carriage. One

important result of this balanced support is the substantial. elimination of any substantial lateral thrust against the adjusting screws The resultis a very smooth movement of the carriage along the track, a maximum ease in thrust which is particularly important as permitting easy and rapid movement of the carriage.

Note further that the width of the work supporting member E is substantially equal to the length of the actual cutting excursion. In other words in reciprocating the carriage back and forth across the face of the knife, and considering the use of the device when slicing large pieces, substantially the entire reciprocation is a cutting movement and there is a minimum waste of energy;

Referring for example to Figure 2 it will be seen that the center of the pivot pin E is slightly to the left of the flange E. The center ofthe pivot is so placed in order to make sure that the edge of the meat support or horizontal plate adjacent the pivot E will never drop below the top of the slice supporting shelf X when the plate is tilted up.

7 he function of the shelf X is to support the edge or forwardportion of the work adjacent the gauge plate, at all adjustments of the gauge plate C and it is important that at no position of the member E should the work,

or any part of-it, drop to a level below the upper level of the member X. 7 It will also be seen, for example in Figure 4, that I may employ a. pair of pivot pins E which lie in the generally horizontal plane of the track I). This effects a saving in space and permits a sufficient separation of the tracks D and D without increasing the height of the baseor requiring an increase in the height of the carriage itself.

I claim:

1. In a slicing machine having a knife and means for actuating it and a carriage movable across the faceof said knife, a work support pivoted upon said carriage for rotation about an axis at right angles to the path of movement of said carriage,said axis being inclinedfidownwardly and outwardly away from-thefcuttingLplaneof the knife. 1 iv 2; In combination 'witha slicing machine havingza knife and means for actuating it, an outwardlybowed gauge-plate and a car riage movable across the face of said gauge plate, .a work support pivotedupon said carria'ge for rotation about an axis at right angles to the path of movement of said carriage, said axis being inclined downwardly and outwardly away fromthe cutting plane of the knife, sufficiently to permittheedge of. the work support to clear the bowed portionof the gauge plate when the work sup port is upwardly tilted. V ii 3. Ina slicing machine-having a knifeand meansfor actuating it and a carriage movable across the face of said knife, a work support pivoted upon said carriage for rotation about an axis at right angles to the path of movement of saidicarriage, said axis being normally. downwardly and outwardly inclinedaway from the cutting plane of the knife,; and means for varying oradjusting the inclination of 'saidaxis.

4t. In combination'with a slicing machine having ,a knife and means foractuating it,

anoutwardly bowed gauge plate and a car- R ;.f5.; .In'a slicing machine having a knife and meansvfor actuat ng 1t and a carriage movable across the, face of said knife, a guiding and supporting track along whichsaid carriage is movable, said track being aligned with the center of weight of said carriage.

6. In 9.1 slicing machinehaving a knife and means for actuating it and a carriage movable across the face of said knife, a guiding and supporting track along which said carriage is movable, said track being aligned with the center of weight of said carriage, and an additional guide track vertically aligned with said first mentioned track.

7. In a slicing machine having a knife and means for actuating it and'a carriage movable across the face of said knife, a guiding and supporting track along which said carriage is movable, said track being aligned with the center of weight of said carriage, said track being circular in cross-section, and

an additional guide track in operative engagement with said carriage, adapted to hold said carriage against rotation about said first mentioned track.

8. In aslicing machine having a knife and means for actuating it and a carriage movable across the face of said knife, a work support pivoted upon said carriage for rotation about an axis at right angles to the path of movement of said carriage, said axis being inclined downwardly and outwardly away from the cutting plane of the knife, and means for adjusting the inclination of said axis.

9. In combination with a slicing machine having a knife and means for actuating it, an outwardly bowed gauge plate and a carriage movable across the face of said gauge plate, a work support pivoted upon said carriage for rotation about an axis at right angles to the path of movement of said carriage, and means for adjusting said axis to permit the edge of the work support to clear the bowed portion of the gauge plate when the work support is upwardly tilted.

10. In a slicing machine having a knife and means for actuating it and a carriage movable across the face of said knife, a supporting track upon which said carriage is slidably mounted, a work support pivoted upon said carriage for rotation in relation to said carriage, the axis of rotation of said Work support lying in the horizontal plane of the track upon which the carriage moves.

11. In a slicing machine having a knife and means for actuating it and a carriage movable across the face of said knife, a supporting track upon which said carriage is slidably mounted, a Work support pivoted upon said carriage for rotation in relation to said carriage, about an axis at right angles to the path of movement of the carriage, said axis of rotation lying in the horizontal plane of the track upon which the carriage moves, there being a separate pivot connection at each side of said track.

Signed at Indianapolis, county of Marion and State of Indiana, this 5th day of June WILLIAM J. CAMPBELL.

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