US2147099A

US2147099A - Sheet handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2147099A
Application number: US79319A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jones Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-05-12
Filing date: 1936-05-12
Publication date: 1939-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 1956-02-14

Description

Feb. 14, 1939. L JONES 2,147,099

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May l2, 1936 l 5 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 14, 1939. L. JONES 2,147,099

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS i l Filed May l2, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F (g gmc/wwf,

5W/' JONES Feb. 14, 1939. L, JONES 2,147,099

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May 12, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 GAMMA/1,1

Patented Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE 2,147,099 SHEET HANDLING ArrAnATUs Lcwis'JonesI Youngstown, Ohio Application May 12, 1936, Serial No. 79,319

19 claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for handling metal sheets, and more particularly to an apparatus for lifting and transferring single sheets from a sheet pack to a feed table or the like for the performance of any desired operations on the sheets.

At present, considerable diiculty is experienced in handling the large sheets of sheet packs due to the weight and size of the sheet, the sheets commonly being handled by hand. In such handling of the sheets it is extremely difficult to prevent the scratching and marring of the finished surfaces of the sheets, and the surface imperfections thus caused are visible on the iinished articles into which the sheets are made.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel sheet handling apparatus for lifting single sheets from a pack and transferring them to a feed table or any other desired point.

A further object is to provide a novel apparatus of the character referred to wherein the sheetis lifted from the pack and supported on freely rotatable rollers to permit the sheet to be moved without marring either surface thereof.

A further object is to provide novel means for lifting one edge of a sheet to permit movement of the supporting rollers into position beneath the sheet. v

A further object is to provide novel means for effecting movement of the sheet while it is supported on the rollers.

A further object is to provide novel meansfor effecting the successive operations of the apparatus, namely, the lifting of one edge of the sheet, the movement of the supporting rollers beneath the sheet, and the movement of the sheet to the desired point while it is supported on the rollers. A further object is to provide a novel vacuum cup mechanism for lifting one edge of a sheet 40 from a pack to facilitate the movement of the supporting rollers beneath the sheet, and to provide means for opening the vacuum cups to the atmosphere to release the sheet to permit free movement thereof on the supporting rollers.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent'during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure l isa plan view of the apparatus,

Figure 2 is a detail vertical sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a detail horizontal sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View on line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional vie on line 5-5 of Figure 4,

-Figure 6 is ay similar view on line 8 8 of Flg- 5 ure 4, and,

Figure 'I is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical system adapted for use in connection with the apparatus.

Referring, to the drawings, the numeral III 10 designates a pair of vertical parallel side frame members forming the main supporting means for the apparatus. Adjacent their ends, the side frames rotatably support a pair of shafts II and I2 each provided with apair of sprockets indi- 15 cated respectively by the numerals I3 and I4. A pair of chains I5 pass around the pairs of sprockets, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 4.

'I'he chains I5 have certain links thereof provided with projecting bearing lugs I6 and each 20 opposite pair of lugs I8 supports a shaft I'I, as shown in Figure 5. Each of these shafts is provided between the chains I5 with a supporting roller I8 freely rotatable with respect to the shaft by means of anti-friction bearings I9. Each shaft I'I carries a roller 20 at each end thereof, and each roller is supported for free rotation by an` anti-friction bearing 2I. The side frame members I0 are provided at their upper and lower edges with flanges 22 over which the rollers 20 30 travel to support the upper and lower runs of the 'chain I5 between the pairs of sprockets. 'Ihe anges 22 preferably extend between and terminate at the vertical planes of the-shafts II and l2.

Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the numeral 23 indicates a motor which is employed for driving the chains I5. This motor may be mounted on a suitable bracket 24 secured to one of the side frame members I0. The motor is provided with suitable speed reduction drive means for driving the shaft I2. In the present instance, the motor has been indicated as including a speed reduction unit 25 of conventional type.

As will become apparent, the rollers I8 are emv45 ployed for supporting the upper sheet of a pack, and in Figure 4 a sheet pack 26 has been indicated as being supported by suitable cross members 21 and arranged between rails 28. The side frame members are provided with anged wheels 29 50 adapted to travel on the rails 28, and accordingly it will be apparent that after a sheet pack has been placed in position between the rails, the apparatus as a whole may be moved along the rails to the position shown in Figure 4.

. the uppermost sheet of the pack tovpermit the successive rollers I8 to travel beneath such sheet and support it for relatively frictionless movement over the rolls. Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the numeral 30 designates a relatively heavy crossbar having a crosshead 3| at each end thereof mounted for vertical movement in suitableguides 32. The crossbar 3l) is provided with a pair of depending tubular members 33 at the lower end of each of which is secured a vacuum cup 34. Each tubular member 33 is provided above its associated vacuum cup with atmospheric openings 35. The lower end of each tubular member is provided with a valve seat 36- normally engaged by a valve 31 urged upwardly to closed position by a spring 38. This spring surrounds a valve stem 39 which extends upwardly above the crossbar 30 through an opening 40 formed therein.

Above each valve stem 39 a solenoid 4| is supported on the crossbar 30 by a suitable bracket `42. Each solenoid 4| is provided with an armature 43 which has a depending non-magnetic `stem 44 adapted to engage the valve stem 39 to open thevalve 31 upon energization of the solenoid. The purpose and operation of' this mechanism will be referred toin detail later.

A shaft 45 extends transversely between the side frame members and is suitably journaled at its ends therein. This shaft carries a pair of rocker arms 46 each of which is slotted atits end as at 41 to receive the crossbar 30. Accordingly it will be apparent that rocking movement of the arms 46 is adapted to effect vertical movement of the crossbar 30 and the elements connected thereto.

An arm 48 is carried by the shaft 45 as shown in Figures 1 and 4 and this arm is engaged by a cam 49 mounted upon a shaft 59 having its ends journaled in the side frame members. The high point 5| of the cam 49 normally supports the arms 46 in the position shown in Figure 4, and the throw of the cam is such that the low point 52 thereof will'permit the arms 46 to move downwardly to a sufficient extent to permit the vacuum cups 34 to engage the lowermost sheet of the pack 26. 'Ihe shaft `5|) extends through one of the side frames l0 and is driven by a motor 53 through the medium of a conventional speed reducing gearing 54.

Under conditions to be referred to, the successive rollers |8 move beneath the uppermost sheet of the pack after one end thereof has been lifted by the vacuum cups 34 to the position shown in Figure 4. Means are provided for feeding from the apparatus the sheet supported upon the rollers I8 after they have been moved to the positions referred to. Referring to Figure 4 the numeral 55 designates a roller mounted upon a shaft 56 and covered by a relatively thick rubber or similar soft deformable jacket 51. The shaft 56 is connected adjacent the inner faces of the side frames IIJ to one end of a pair of arms 58 having their other ends pivotally supported by a shaft 59. One end of the shaft 56 extends through one of the side frame members |0 and is provided with a sprocket 60. The side frame member I0 adjacent the sprocket 60 is provided with an arcuate opening 6|, as indicated in The opening bracket 62 carried by the adjacent frame member |l| to limit the downward movement of these arms substantially to the position shown in Figure 4'. A spring 63 urges each of the arms 58 downwardly, each spring engaging a spring seat 64 carried bythe adjacent arm 58 vand being seated at its upper end against a bracket 65 secured to the adjacent side frame 'member I0. It will be apparent that the springs 63 urge the rubber jacket 51 of the roller 55 into engagement with a sheet supported upon the rollers |8 and the roller is positively drivenv to move the sheet toward the left as viewed in Figure 4. A chain 66 passes around the sprocket 60 and around a sprocket 61 mounted on the shaft 59, as shown in Figure 1. A motor 68 drives the shaft 59 through'a conventional speed reducing gearing carried by the shaft 59. The sprockets 60 and 61 are equal in size respectively to the

sprockets

13 and 15 and the circumference of the rubber jacket 51 is equal tov that of the rubber jacket The linear speeds of the rubber jacketed rollers referred to accordingly will be identical. A second roller 16 is arranged beneath the roller 10 and is supported bya transverse shaft 11. 'I'his roller is likewise rubber jacketed as at 18, and the rubber jacketed

rollers

10 and 16 accordingly act as pinch rolls to engage the sheet and move it longitudinally from the apparatus.

The rubber jackets 12 and 18 may be thick enough to permit them to be deformed to a sufficient extent to accommodate sheets of varying thicknesses. It is preferred however, that one of the pair of rollers be mounted so as to permit it to partake of slight movement away from the other roller. -Accordingly the roller 10 is indicatedfas being supported by a pair of larms 19 pivotally connected to the side frame members as lat and urged downwardly by` springs 8| seating at their upper ends against brackets 82. The shaft 1| extends through an opening in the side frame member I0 adjacent the sprocket12, this opening being slightly elongated similar to the opening 6| and arranged concentric to the pivot axis of the arms 19. In View of the length of the chain 14 and the very slight movement of the roller 10, the chain 14 will not be unduly slacked or tightened upon movement of the rollerV 10.

The apparatus may be provided with guides to insure the entrance of-the advancing edge of a sheet between the roubber jacketed

rollers

10 and 16. Referring to Figures 4 and 6 the numeral 83 designates a pair of guides secured to the respective side frame members I and extending inwardly therefrom. These guide members curve upwardly toward the pinch rolls as shown in Figure 4. A pair of upper guides 84 may be similarly connected to the respective side frame members and arranged as shown in Figure 4, the two pairs of guides insuring the entrance of the advancing end of asheet between the pinch parts of the apparatus to be described. These circuits include switches several of which are operatedby the movement of the chains l5 and by the upward movement oi' one of the sheets as it is elevated from the pack. In Figure 1 oi the drawings two pivoted arms and 85 are supported by the adjacent sideirame members and constitute switch arms for closing lcircuits to .be described. `Each of thesearms is provided with a roller 81 engageable with the uppermost sheet of the pack as it is elevated by the vacuumcups. These rollers are preferably formed of rubber to prevent any injury to the surface of the sheet. A similar switch arm 88 is arranged beyond the end of the apparatus as shown in Figures 1 and 4, and such switch arm also is provided with a rubberroller 89 adapted to contact with the successive sheets. A pair of switch arms also is adapted to be operated by one of the chains vI5. As shown in Figure 4, a limit switch is secured to one of the side frames and provided with a switch arm 9| engageable by a pin 92 (see Figure 5) carried by one of the chains l5. The switch arm 9| is arranged in a position to be operated when the pin 92 is in the lower run of the chain. A similar limit switch 93 is provided with a switch arm -94 likewise adapted to be operated by the pin 92 when the latter is in the upper run oi the chain. Another switch is carried by one of the side frame members and is pro- Vvided with a depending pin 95 adapted to be operated by a cam 91 carried by the shaft 50.

An electrical system for the apparatus is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 'l of the drawings. A pair of

line wires

98 and 99 are connected to a suitable source of current. The wire 98 is connected to a push button switch |00 movable into engagement with a contact |0| to which is connected one end of a wire |02. Ahead of the switch |00, a wire |03 has one end connected to the line wire 98. A magnet switch is adapted to be operated upon the closing of the switch |00. As shown, the magnet switch includes a magnet |04 having an armature |05 movable upwardly to engage a pair of contacts |05 and |01. The contact |0| is connected to one terminal of the magnet |04 by a wire |08, anda wire |09 is tapped into this wire and leads to the contact |05. 'Ihe other terminal of the magnet |04 is connected by a wire ||0 to one terminal of the motor 53.

The switch 95 includes a switch arm operative by the stem 95. The switch arm is respectively engageable with contacts ||2 and H3, the latter being connected to thecontact |01 as at ||4. In the normal position of the parts, the cam 91 maintains the switch arm in engagement with the contact ||2, and upon initial rotation ofthe cam in a counter-clockwise direction, the stem 95 drops the switch arm into engagementI with the contact II3. The contact ||2 is connected to one terminal of the motor 23 by al wire ||5. Current is supplied to the switch arm by a wire ||5 tapped into the line wire 98. 'I'he motor 23 is not energized merely because the switch arm is in engagement with the contact II2, the circuit to the motor 23 being completed only through other circuit elements to be described and controlling the passage oi current through a wire ||5' connected to the second terminal of the motor 23.

One terminal of the motor 58 is connected-to the line wire 98 by a wire v| I1 and the other terminal of this motor is connected by a wire ||8 to one terminal of a magnet H9. The other terminal of this magnet is connected by a wire |20 to a common wire |2| connected at its ends to the

switch arms

85 and 88. These switches are respectively movable into engagement with contacts |22 and |23 connected in parallel by a wire |24 and this wire also leads to a contact |25.

The switch arm 94, as previously stated, is operated by movement of the chains l5 and normally engages the contact |25. A wire |35 'connects the switch arm 94 to a'contact |35 which is engageable by the switch arm 85, and this switch arm is connected to the line wire 99 as at Amagnet |38 has vone of its terminals connected to the wire |34. The other terminal of this magnet is connected by a wire |39 to the armature |40 of the magnet ||9. The armature |40 constitutes a switch arm normally engaging a `contact |4| connected by a wire |42 to the line wire 99;

As will become apparent, the switch |00 may be closed to -initiate the operation of the apparatus and to cause it to completely carry out its cycle of operation. Upon completion of the cycle of operation, the apparatus will then stop pending further manual operation of the switch |00. If desired, the apparatus may be provided with circuit means for causing it to continuously repeat its cycle of operation. The wires |03 and |02 are employed for this purpose and are respectively connected to a contact |49 and to a switch'element |50 carried by and insulated from the switch 9|. A manually operable control switch |5I is arranged in the wire |03, as shown.

The windings of the magnets 4| are connected in parallel by wires |52 and |53, these wires being shown as being connected to one of the magnets 4| while the other magnet has its terminals respectively connected with the two wires referred to, as at |54 and |55. The wires |52 and |53 .are respectively connected to the wires |8 and ||1 and accordingly the magnet-circuits are in parallel with the circuit of the motor 58.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The parts of the apparatus are initially in the position shown in Figure 4, the switch operating pin 92 being in the bottom of the run of this .f chain as shown in Figure 5, engaging the switch arm 9| and holding it in the position shown in Figure '7. A pack of sheets is placed in position between the rails 28 adjacent a work table or similar apparatus to which the sheets are delivered. The present apparatus is then rolled along the rails to the position shown in Figure 4, whereupon the apparatus is ready for operation.

:ail

Disregarding the circuit including the wires |02 and |03 and assuming the switch |5| to be open, the circuit through themotor 53 'will be broken since the switches |00 and |05 are open. Several circuits are provided for the motor 23, such circuits being closed under different conditions to be referred to, and al1 of these circuits are broken at one or more points inthe starting position of the parts of the apparatus. For example, in the absence of a sheet engaging the roller 81, the switch will be open, and the switch arm 9| is being held out of engagement with the contact |48. Likewise the circuit through the motor 68 is broken since the two

switches

86 and 88 are both in open position.

The operation of the apparatus is initiated by closing the push button switch |00 and holding it closed for a few seconds. Upon the closing of this switch, the circuit through the motor 53 will be closed through the switch |00 and magnet |04, the latter being in series with the motor 53. This motor will start to run and will rotate the switch operating cam 91 and the cam 49 which controls the arms 46. Only afshort interval of time is required for the high point of the cam 91 to pass from beneath the pin 96 whereupon the switch drops into contact with the contact H3, the switch arm obviously moving out of engagement with the contact ||2.

Energization of the magnet |04 will have attracted its armature |05, whereupon a holding circuit will be provided for the motor 53 through wire ||6, switch wire ||4, contacts |06 and |01 and wire |09. Immediately upon the dropping of the switch arm I, therefore, the push button 'switch |00 may be released and the motor 53 will continue to operate.

The motor 53 rotates the cam 49 and the high point of this cam passes from beneath the arm 48, thus permitting the arms 46 -to move downwardly. Such movement of the arms 46 is perm'tted to take place freely until the vacuum cups 34 engage the upper sheet of the pack and the weights of the arms 46, cross bar 30, etc., combine to provide sufficient downward force to expel a substantial amount of air from the vacuum cups 34. This expulsion of air causes the creation of a sufiicient vacuum upon the subsequent lifting of the arms 46 to cause the vacuum cups to pick up the adjacent end of the upper sheet, as shown in Figure 4.

After downward movement of the arms 46 is stopped by contact of the vacuum cups with the top sheet of the pack, the cam 49 will continue to revolve and, of course, will move out of contact with the arm 48. As previously stated, the throw of the camV 49 is sucient to permit the arms 46 to move downwardly the necessary distance in order that the vacuum cups may engage the lowermost sheet of the pack after all of the remaining sheets have been removed. Upon the continued operation of the cam 49, this cam will engage the arm 48 and move it upwardly, the vacuum cups elevating the adjacent end of the sheet in the manner previously stated.

The arms 46 are moved upwardly to their normal position, as shown in Figure 4, at which time the cam 91 will operate the switch to disconnect it from the contact ||3 and move it into engagement with the contact ||2. The holding circuit for the magnet |04 thereupon will be broken, the motor 53 stopping, while the armature |05 drops to its normal position as shown in Figure '1:

While the switch was in its lower position out of engagement with the contact ||2, the vacuum cups will have been operating to lift the upper sheet of the pack, and the elevated portion of the sheet will contact with'the rollers of both of the

switch arms

85 and 86, thus moving these switch arms into engagement with their respective contacts |36 and |22; When the vacuum cups reach their upper position and the switch arm engages the contact ||2,` a circuit will be established, therefore, through the motor 23, the circuit including wires ||5' and |21, contact |26 and switch arm 94, wire |35, contact |36,switch arm 85 and wire |31.

As the motor 53 ceases to operate, therefore, the motor 23 will commence to operate to drive the chains I5 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 4,` The advancing roller |8 will pass beneath the elevated portion of the upper sheet of the pack and will continue to move beneath such sheet to progressively elevate it from the left hand end of the sheet to the right hand end thereof as viewed in Figure 4. The successive rollers |8 will pass beneath the sheet and thus the latter will be effectively supported. Initial operation of .the chains 5 from the position shown in Figure '1 will have caused the pin 92 to release the switch 9| to permit the latter to move into engagement with the contact |48. No circuit will be closed under such conditions, however, since the circuit including the contact will be broken across the contacts |44 and The chains will continue to operate until the rollers |8 are all positioned beneath the top sheet of the pack and when this position is reached, the switch operating pin 92 -will engage the switch arm 94 to move it out of engagement with its contact |26. At the same time the switch element |3| will engage the contact 33, while the switch element |28 will engage the contacts |25 and |29. The previously described circuit of the motor 23 thereupon will be broken at the contact |26, and accordingly this motor will be deenergized and the chains |5 will stop with the pin 92 holding the switch arm 94 in the position just described.

At the instant the switch arm 94 swings to the position in which the switch element |3| engages the contact |33, a circuit will be apparently momentarily completed through the motor 23. such circuit including the switch element |3| contact |33, wire |34, magnet |38, wire |39, armature |40 and wire |42. At the instant of the closing of such circuit, however, the circuit will be closed through the motor 68, through wires ||1 and ||8, magnet ||9, wires |20 and |2|, switch 86 (such switch having been closed upon initial elevation of the sheet) wire |24, contact |25, switch element |28, contact |29 and wire |30. This circuit includes the magnet ||9, and at the instant the circuit is completed through the armature 40, the magnet ||9 will attract this armature and will hold it out of engagement with the contact |4| throughout the operation of the motor 68. The movement of the switch arm 94 by the pin 92, therefore, will break the previous circuit through the motor 23 at the contact |26 and will prevent the reclosing of a circuit through this motor by opening the switch |40.

Accordingly the motor 23 will go out of operation when all of. the rollers |8 are positioned beneath the top sheet, and the motor 68 will operate to remove the sheet as it stands upon the rollers. Moreover, at the instant the circuit through the motor 68 is completed, air is admitted into the vacuum cups to release the' elevatedl sheet. It will be noted that the circuits of the solenoids 4IA are in parallel with each other and'with the moto'r 68. At the instant this `motor is energized, therefore, the armatures 43 of the solenoids 4| will be moved downwardly and the stems 44 will engagethe valve stems 39, whereupon the valves 31 will open to connect the vacuum cups to the atmosphere through ports 35. 'I'hus the vacuum cupwill release the. sheet and it will be supported uponthe freely rotatable rollers I8.

In this connection it will be noted that the frictional resistance to the turning movement of the rollers is reduced to a minimum by the use of the bearings which support vthe rollers on the shafts I1, and that resistance to the movement of the rollers is reduced bythe mounting of these rollers on the shafts I1. In the operation ofthe apparatus the rollers I8 and 20 rotate in opposite directions, and such operation is permitted freely to take place with the arrangement referred to.

The motor 68 drives the shaft 59, and this shaft in turn drives the

shafts

56 and 1|. When the rollers I8 are arranged in position beneath. a sheet to support it above the pack, one of the rollers I8 will be arranged directly beneath the rubber jacketed roller 55, thus supporting the `sheet against this roller, and rotation thereof will start the sheet moving to the left as viewed in Figure 4. The advancing edge of, the sheet will pass between the rubber jacketed pinch rolls- Aratus to a feed table or the like ready for the perfomance of subsequent operations on the sheet.

It will be apparent that the

switches

86 and 88 are connected in parallel, and either or both of these vswitches will maintain the circuit through the motor 68 closed so long as the switch element |28 is in 4engagement with the contacts and |29. The switch arm 86 is elevated upon the initial raising -of one end of the sheet by the vacuum cups and-is held in upper position by the sheet until the right hand end of the sheet, as viewed in Figure 4, passes from beneath this switch arm. In the meantime, however, the advancing end of the sheet will have elevated the switch arm 88 into engagement with the contact |23, and the dropping of the arm' 86 following the passing of the sheet therebeyond will not affect the circuit through the motor 68. However, the passing of the sheetcompletely from the apparatus will permit the arm 88 to drop and move out of engagement with the contact '|23, and both parallel circuits for the motor 68 thus will be broken and the motor will promptly stop.

Since the circuit for the motor 68 includes the magnet II9, deenerglzation of the motor circuit will drop the armature into engagement with the contact |4I. This action again energizes the motor 23, which drives the chains I5, the circuit from the motor 23 under such conditions inthe contact |33. Upon relatively slight movement of the chains, the pin 32 will release the switch tion shown in Figure 7, but this movement does not affect the operation of the motor 23. Under the conditions being considered, the switch larm 9| will be in engagementwith the contact |48 and immediately upon the energization of the magnet |38 in the manner previously described, a parallel holding circuit will be provided for the motor 23, such circuit including wires II5' and |21, switch 9| and contact |48, wire |41, contact |44, armature |43, contact |45, wire |46, and thence back'to the source through the formerly completed path comprising the magnet |38, wire |39, etc. Accordingly it will be apparent that upon energization of the lmagnet |38, a second and parallel circuit is closed through this magnet to provide aholding circuit for the motor 23. This circuit is maintained closed until the parts are restored to the normal position shown in Figure 4, at which point the pin 92 will again engage the arm 9| to move it out of engagement with the contact |48. Both circuits for themagnet |38 will then be broken and the armature |43will drop to the normal position shown in Figure 7. All three motors willnow be deenergized and all of the parts will be in their original starting positions.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the complete cycle of operation may be carried outV merely by momentarily closing the switch |00, all of the successive functions of the apparatus being properly timed and automatically carried out to the completion of the cycle of operation. When the latter point is reached all of the parts are in the proper initial starting positions, whereupon the next cycle of operation may. be initiated by momentarily closing the switch |00. If desired, successive operations may be automatically vperformed without any manual control by the operator, and suchoperation is provided merely by closing the switch |5| and leaving it in closed position. This switch controls a circuit which is in parallel with the push button switch |00 and is dependent for its closing upon the presence of the switch operating pin 92 in its starting position shown in Figure 7. In other words, when a cycle of operation is completed the pin 92 returns to the position shown in Figure? and moves the switch arm 9| to bring the switch element |50 into engagement with the contact |49, thus closing a shunt circuit around the push button switch |00 to initiate the operation of the apparatus. The pin 92 will not release the limit switch 9| until after the switch stem 96 has dropped from the high point of the cam 91, which operation provides a holding circuitfor the motor 53 to cause the latter to complete its operation in the manner previously described. After such holding circuit is closed, the switch 9| returns to its normal position and remains in such position until the entire cycle of operation of the apparatus has been completed. y

The present apparatus therefore provides mechanical means for handling the nished sheets of a pack to prevent' them from being marred or scratched, thus preventing the spoiling of the nished articles made from the sheet. The vacuum cups 34, the coverings of. the

rollers

55, 10 and 16 and the rollers of the

switches

85, 86 and v88 are all formed of rubber or other soft material and these elements contact with the sheet without any sliding contact which would mar the sheet,

Cil

and accordingly the sheets are delivered to the feed table in perfect and undamaged condition.

' It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be extremity approximately at the plane of the upper surface of a sheet supported lon said supporting means and engaging the sheet, and means for rotating'said feed roll.

2. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an end portion of a sheet to elevate it, supporting means movable horizontally beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, a feed roll arranged with its lower extremity approximately at the plane of the upper surface of a sheet supported on said supporting means and engaging the sheet, a pair of pinch rolls engageable with the advancing edge of the sheet, and means for rotating said' feed roll and said pinch rolls at equal peripheral speeds.

3. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an end portion of a sheet to elevate it, a plurality of freely rotatable supporting rollers connected together for bodily movement in parallel relationship, means for moving said rollers beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, and meansactuableindependently of said last named means for effecting horizontal movement of the sheet supported on said rollers.

`4. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an end portion of a sheet to elevate it, a plurality of freely rotatable supporting rollers connected together for bodily movement in parallel relationship, means for moving said rollers beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, and feed roll means engageable with the sheet supported on said rolls for effecting horizontal movement of the sheet.

5. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an end portion ofa sheet to elevate it, a plurality of freely rotatable supporting rollers connected together for bodily movement in parallel relationship, means for moving said rollers beneath the sheet from the r" elevated end thereof, a feed roll having its botto elevate it, a plurality of freely rotatable supporting rollers connected together for bodily movement in parallel relationship,. means for moving said rollers beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, a feed roll having its bottom extremity` arranged approximately in the plane of the upper surface of a sheet supported on said rollers and engageable with the sheet, means for rotating said feed roll to effect horizontal movement of the sheet, a pair of pinch rolls engageable with the advancing edge of the sheet, and means for rotating said pinch rolls at the same peripheral speed as said feed roll.

7. A sheet handling apparatus comprising vacuum cup means movable -downwardly into engagement with the upper surface of a sheet adjacent one end portion thereof and then upwardly to elevate such end portion of the sheet, supporting means movable beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cup means from the sheet after the latter is supported by said supporting means, a feed roll having its bottom extremity arranged approximately in the plane of the upper surface ofl a sheet supported by said supporting means, and means for rotating said feed roll.

8. A sheet handling apparatus comprising vacuum cup means movable downwardlyinto engagement with the uppersurface of a sheet adjacent one end portion thereof and then upwardly to elevate such end portion of the sheet, supporting means movable beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cup means from the sheet after the latter is supported by said supporting means, a feed roll having its bottomextremity arranged approximately in the plane of the upper surface of a sheet supported by said supporting means, means for rotating said feed roll to effect horizontal movement of the sheet,

a pair of pinch rolls arranged in the path of movement of the sheet and engageable with the advancing edge thereof, and means for rotating said pinch rolls at the same peripheral speed as said feed roll.

9. A sheet handling apparatus comprising vacuum cup means movable downwardly into engagement with the upper surface of a sheet adjacent one end portion thereof and then upwardly to elevate such end portion of the sheet, a plurality of supporting rollers `connected for bodily movement in parallel relationship and movable to a position beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cup means from the sheet after said rollers have moved therebeneath, a feed roll arranged with its bottom extremity approximately in the plane of the upper surface of the sheet supported on said rollers and arranged parallel to the latter, and means for rotating said feed roll.

10. A sheet handling apparatus comprising vacuum cup means movable downwardly into engagement with the upper surface of a sheet adjacent one end portion thereof vand then upwardly. to elevate such end portion of the sheet, a plurality of supporting rollers connected for bodily' movement in parallel relationship and movable to a position beneath the sheet from the elevated end-thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cup means from the sheet after said rollershavemoved therebeneath, a feed roll arranged with its bottom extremity approximately in the plane of the upper surface of the sheet supported-on said rollers and arranged parallel to the latter, means for rotating said feed roll toeifect horizontal movement of the sheet, a pair of pinch rolls arranged parallel to said feed roll and engageable with the advancing edge of the sheet, and means for rotating said pinch rolls at the same peripheral speed as said feed roll.

11. A sheet handling apparatus comprising a vacuum cup, means for eifecting a cycle o f operation of said cup downwardly from a normal position into engagement with the upper surface of asheet adjacent` one end portion thereof and then upwardly to such normal position to elevate such end portion of the sheet, a plurality of supporting rollers connected together for bodily parallel movement, means for effecting movement of said rollers to positions beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cup from the sheet when said rollers are arranged therebeneath, and a feed roll having its bottom extremity arranged approximately in the plane of the upper surface of a sheet supported on said rollers and engageable with the sheet, and means for rotating said' feed roll.

12. A sheet handling apparatus comprising a vacuum cup, means' for effecting a cycle of operation of said cupdownwardly from a normal position into engagement with the upper surface of a sheet adjacent one end portion thereof and then upwardly to such normal position to elevate such end portion of the sheet, a plurality of supporting rollers connected together for bodily parallel movement, means for effecting movement of said rollers to positions beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cup from the sheet when said rollers are arranged therebeneath, a feed roll arranged parallel to said supporting rollers and engageable with the upper surface of a sheet supported thereon and operatfive for moving the sheet horizontally, a pair of pinch rolls arranged parallel to said feed roll and engageable with the advancing edge of the sheet, and means for rotating said feed roll and said pinch rolls at equal peripheral speeds.

13. A Asheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an end portion of a sheet to elevate said end portion, a plurality of freely rotatable supporting rollers connected together for bodily movement `in parallel relationship, means for moving said rollers beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof to an operative position effecting complete elevation of said sheet, means for effecting removal of said sheet from the supporting rollers, andholding means for preventing movement of the supporting rollers from operative position until after removal of the sheet from said supporting rollers has been effected.

14. A sheet handling apparatus comprising l means engageable with an end portion of a sheet to elevate said end portion, a plurality of freely rotatable supporting rollers connected together for bodily movement in parallel relationship, means for moving s'aid rollers beneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof to an operative position for effecting complete elevation of said` sheet, means for effecting removal of said sheet from the supporting rollers, holding means for preventing movement of thesupporting rollers from operative position until after removal of the sheet from said supporting rollers has been enected, and means automatically operative thereafter for returning said supporting rollers to their initial position.

15. A sheet handling apparatus comprising a pair of spaced endless members having upper and lower runs, a plurality of rollers supported in spaced parallel relationship by said endless members and freely rotatable on their axes, means for supporting a pack of sheets beneath the lower runs of said endless members, means for elevating one end of the upper sheet of the pack, means for operating said endless members to move said rollers from the upper runs of said endless members to the lower runs thereof beneath the elevated end of said sheet, and means actuable independently of said last named means for imparting movement to said sheet supported on said rollers to remove it therefrom.

16. A sheet handling apparatus comprising a pair of spaced endless members having upper and lower runs, a plurality of rollers supported in spaced parallel relationship by said endless members and freely rotatable on their axes, means for supporting a pack of sheets beneath the lower runs of said endless members, means for elevating one end'of the upper sheet of the pack, means for operating said endless members to move said rollers from the upper runs of said endless members to the lower runs thereof beneath the elevated end of said sheet, automatic means for releasing said elevating means from said sheet when said rollers aremoved entirely beneath said sheet, and means independent of said operating means and engageable with the sheet after said elevating means is released therefrom for effecting movement of the sheet from said rollers.

17. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an end portion of a sheet to elevate it, supporting means movable horizontally from the elevated end of the sheet to an operative position beneath the sheet, means for effecting movement of said supporting means to such operative position, means for stopping the movement of said supporting means in its operative position, and means engageable with the sheet while said supporting means remains in its operative position for effecting horizontal movement of the sheet from said supporting means.

18. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an end portion of a sheet to elevateit, supporting means bodily movable horizontally from the elevated end of the sheet to an operative position beneath the sheet tol support the latter, and means engageable withnamed means inoperative when said rollers reach operative position, and means rendered operative upon operation of said last named means for eiecting horizontal movement of the sheet from said supporting rollers.

LEWIS JONES.