US2257818A - Cutting knife support - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 7, 1941- A. F. SHIELDS CUTTING KNIFE SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1940 l E o. N Mi ma V T U i Ll. v w

Oct. 7, 1941. A. F. SHIELDS CUTTING KNIFE SUPPORT Filed Feb. 10, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIC5.2.

INVENTOR. mam ,9. Shilds A TTORNFYS Patented Oct. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT]:OFFICElff aazsuissmon v I 1 I Albert E. Shields, Jamaica, s. n. assigninu s. j

tratrfififffifiltfirfffitf'sfiafi Application February 10, 1940, Serial No. 219,293

'4 Claims. (01. Isa-ca) This invention relates to cutting knife mechanisms and more particularly to supports therefor, including supports for mechanism operable therewith; r In the manufacture of corrugated sheet material, it is frequently necessary to out such sheet material into predetermined sections of standard length. This is most frequently done as the corrugated web comes from the machines which manufacture the same, the web led from. these machines being cut to the proper width.

It is customary therefore to place the cutting machine at the terminus of the corrugated web manufacturing line so that the end product of the entire manufacturing process is a series of corrugated sheets of predetermined standard length. The cutting machines for this purpose are complicated and heavy while nevertheless requiring delicacy of adjustment. Thus, for-instance, the same machine with the same cutting knives may, by simple adjustments, such as that shown in applications Nos. 320,471 filed Feb. 24, 1940, 318,294, flled Feb. 10, 1940 and Patent No. 2,208,350 and Patent No. 2,202,872 all of which are assigned to the assignee of this application, be arranged to cut sheets of varying lengths without interfering with or slowing down or changing the speed of movement of the corrugated web as it comes from the prior manufacturing processes.

That is, a machine which is cutting sheets 120" in length may by a simple adjustment be changed to cut sheets of 90", 1 ny other dimension. In all cases, the cutting knives are driven primarily through a Reeves drive mechanism which varies the average speed of rotation of the cutting knife with respect to the ting knives will be traveling at the speed of the web during the actual cutting.

Since the Reeves drive itself and the various adjustments and the drums or shafts carrying the cutting knives are continuously rotating and frequently being varied in their adjustments and since the cutting knives themselves and all of the rest of the machinery including the Reeves when the knives pass through the corrugated web, the machine itself must besturdily and rigidly constructed and all parts thereof should as far as possible be interbraced and rigidified.

Heretofore, in cutting machines of this type, the elements thereof have to a great extent been separated or dispersed. Thus the Reeves drive which transmits power to the rotating cutting knives, and which is subjected to the greatest stresses, being driven at one end from the power source and at the other being subjected to the vibration and the periodic load of the passing of the knife through the sheet, has always been not so much a part of the machine ,integrated and unitary therewith, but rather an attachment thereto, to be placed in any desired position with respect thereto as space requirement provided. Also the input driving mechanism such as gears or chains and other apparatus have hitherto been separately housed or detached from the main body of the machine in some way.

The vibration entailed in the operation of the machine and the heavy periodic loads have frequently caused minor disarrangoments" of the Reeves drive and interrelated mechanism which, while not serious in themselves, nevertheless hasten the wear of the entire; machine and also caused continued inconvenience in that frequent readjustments were necessary.

A principal object of thisinvention therefore is to integrate the entire ,assembly necessary for the cutting'of the continuously traveling corrugated web. That is, to combine in a single unitary apparatus, which is interbraced, all of the elements necessary for the operation.

A further object of this invention is to arrange the Reeves drive so that it may be mounted within the apparatus itself and so that it may be protected by its mounting therein and be so arranged that -vibratory forces and periodic changes in the load can have no effect on the adjustment or arrangement thereof.

Further objects of this invention are to cross brace and interbrace the entire apparatus along its outer surface in such a way that it presents the appearance of a single unitary structure, the parts thereof being accessible for adjustment and repair but the entire apparatus having nevertheless a completed and finished appearance and being protected.

Further objects and uses of this invention will in part be apparent and in part pointed out in this1 hfollowing description and drawings, in w c drive is periodically subjected to increased strain Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a duplex taken on line 2-2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33ofFigure2.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, I have here shown a duplex cutting machine capable of operating upon two separate webs at the same time. The machine comprises cutting knives l3 and ii respectively mounted on shafts l2 and I3 to interengage with each other once during each revolution of shaft l2 and," in order to sever the corrugated sheet material passing therethrough. The machine also comprises cutting knives l3 and I3, each respectively mounted on the drums or shafts l6 and I! in order to periodically cut a second web passing therebetween.

Referring specifically to Figure 2, the web of sheet material when it is received from the prior manufacturing processes may be fed by the conveyor belt l3 into and between the shafts l2 and IS on to the platform or bed |3. The forward edge of the web. as it is thrust forward, passes I between the feed rollers 23 and 2| which continue to carry it forward onto the bed 22. The cutting knives i and are arranged to cut the web material at any selected interval after the forward edge thereof has passed between the feed rollers and 2|.

The sheet after it has been cut by the knives l3 and II nevertheless remains under the influence of feed rollers 23 and 2| and is forced forward on the bed 22 where it may be manually removed or the bed 22 may be so short that the forward rollers 20 and 2| may feed the cut sheet so that its center of gravity extends beyond the edge of the bed 22 so that it may fall off when it has left the feed rollers thus leaving the bed free for the next sheet. The operation is exactly the same with respect to cutting knives l3 and I3 and their associated feed belt 23, bed 23, feed rolls 23, 21 and 23.

A single power source may, as is clear, be used for the operation of both cutting knives. As is seen in Figures 1 and 3, power is transmitted from the power shaft 23 through the bevel gears 33 and 3| to the shaft 32. Gear 33 keyed to shaft 32 meshes with gear 33 keyed to shaft 33 and thereby operates one of the members 33 of the Reeves drive 31. This Reeves drive through the shaft 38 and appropriate gearing and connecting mechanism contained in the housing 39 operates one of the cutting'knife assemblies, for instance, knives i3 and II.

Gear 43 keyed to shaft 32 meshes with gear 3| keyed to shaft 32 of the Reeves drive mechanism 43 which in turn through the shafts 33 operates mechanism housed in the housing 33 and controlling and operating the other set of cutting knives,

to wit, knives i3 and I3.

Other mechanism such as that shown in patents and applications above mentioned for varying the adjustments of the cutting knives, for varying the adjustments of the Reeves drive, and for integrating the adjustments of the Reeves drive and the cyclical adjustments of the cutting knives may be housed in either housing 33 and 33.

These members are not shown since they are not necessary to the present disclosure, it being suflicient to point out that the Reeves drive is connected to and is part of the power chain operating the cutting knives. Instead of mounting the Reeves drive as an attachment to the machine or outside the machine or in any indeterminate relation to the present machine, the Reeves drive of the present invention has been made an integral part of the machine itself encased within the covering of the machine and supported on bracing structures which themselves form part of the machine.

Thus the housings which house the associated mechanism are themselves supported on base 33, being riveted, welded or otherwise securely afflxed thereto in any suitable manner.

Also the main driving gears 33 and 3|, together with their respective shafts and supporting bearings are seen to be housed completely within the main housing where they run in the same oil bath with the housing gears.

The base 33 comprises also a platform 41 (Figure 2) carrying supporting flanges 33 and 33 cast or integral therewith.

Brace 33 comprises main portion 3| and base portion 32 and is securely attached to the platform 41 by bolts or rivets 3.3 passing through flanges 33 of said brace 33. The brace 3| also comprises integral lateral flanges 33' (Figure 3) which are by means of bolts 33 securely attached to the housings 33 and 33.

Top brace I33 is. a flanged member which may by bolts llll be connected between. the housings along the top of the apparatus.

The brace 33 therefore securely integrates the housings 33 and 33 spacing them rigidly and even assisting in binding them to their base.

A similar brace 31 (Figures 1, 2 and 3) constitutes the entire front of the machine and comprises a principal front.member 33 having lateral flanges 33 and 33 which are bolted securely by bolts 31 and 32 to the end pillars 33 and 33. This brace 31 also has bottom flange 33 which is bolted securely by bolts or rivets 33 to the base 31.

In this manner by means of braces 33 and 31. the housings 33 and 43 are combined into a single unitary homogeneous entity efficiently crossbraced to prevent any shifting or vibration of any part of the mechanism relative to any other part. The brace 31 may have openings 33 therein covered by removable members 33 to provide for ready access to the interior of the member for adjustment, cleaning, repair or other purposes.

The rear brace 33 has L-shaped protrusions 31, 31 therefrom preferably integral with the brace 33 and extending into the interior of the machine (see Figures 2 and 3). Likewise the brace 31 has similar L-shaped projections 33, 33 extending into the interior of the machine and directly opposite the protrusions 31.

Cross-bracing members 33 and I3 are mounted between each pair of L-shaped members 3'! and 33, being secured thereto by means of bolts 1| passing through the respective flanges of the members 33 and I3 and the members 31 and 33. This serves further to rigidly interbrace and cross-brace the entire mechanism.

The Reeves drives 31 and 33 are mounted with in this rigi ly cross-braced and interbraced frame. As will be seen. the shafts 33 and 33 of Reeves drive 31 are effectively supported between the cross-brace 33 and the housing 33 and the shafts 34 and 32 of the Reeves drive 33 are eifectively supported between the cross-brace l3 and the housing 33.

In this manner, the Reeves drive is made an integral part of the mechanism, is rigidly mounted within an interbracing, rigidifying frameassure work of the mechanism, is no longer an appendage to'the mechanism but an essential and homogeneous part thereof.

The Reeves drives cannot shift with respect to the mechanism by reason of its rigid and braced support, is no longer subjected to the various disadjustments which arise from uninhibited vibration, and is rigidly held in such manner that it cannot shift or become disadjusted by reason of the variations in loads imposed there- It may be noted that as seen in Figures 1 and 3, the power source 29 may be connected through .zhe opening 12 which in these illustrations is shown covered over and protected, the only :hange necessary in such case being the addition of a beveled gear similar to the beveled gear 3| at the end of the shaft 32 opposite the opening I2.

In this way, an additional power source may be, if desired, connected to the mechanism or if for any reason it seems desirable the mechanism or the power source may be shifted so that power is received from the opposite side of the machine.

The essential element, therefore, of this invention is the cross-bracing and interbracing of the entire machine, the mounting of the Reeves drive, power and input drive mechanisms not as appendages to the machine but as integral parts of the machine, the cross-bracing and support of the Reeves drive in the machine and the improvement in the appearance of the machine by means of the cross-bracing forming the outer walls of the machine and interbracing which presents a mechanism having a solid complete unitary appearance and one in which the various portions and mechanisms thereof are fully protected.

While I have shown in the foregoing description, a duplex cutting machine comprising two pairs of cutting knives and suitable apparatus for each set, it will be obvious that the present invention will readily be utilized in a simplex cutting machine and indeed has been found to be at least as practicable commercially in such an apparatus. Other means of bracing and arranging the various portions of the apparatus in the manner herein described will now be clear to those skilled in the art and I therefore prefer to be limited not by the disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A duplex cutting apparatus for cutting successive sheets from a pair of continuous webs, said apparatus comprising two sets of rotating cutting knives and means individual to each of said sets for adjusting the speed of rotation thereof, said sets of cutting knives being mounted between end housings of said apparatus, said adjusting means including a Reeves drive for each of said sets, a power connection from a power source to the Reeves drive of each of said sets, and a power connection from the Reeves drive to said cutting knives, a front brace between said end housings, said brace substantially enclosing the front of the apparatus, a rearv brace between said end housings, said rear brace substantially enclosing the rear of the apparatus, the Reeves drive of each of said sets being sup ported by a cross brace extending between sa'id front and rear braces and comprising a support for one side of the Reeves drive within the apparatus, the opposite sides of each of said Reeves drives being supported in end housings.

2. A duplex cutting apparatus for cutting successive sheets from a pair of continuous webs,

- said apparatus comprising two setsof rotating cutting knives and means individual to each of said sets for adjusting the speed of rotation thereof, said sets of cutting knives being mounted between' end housings of said apparatus, said adjusting means including a Reeves drive for eaph of said sets, a power connection from a power source to the Reeves drive of each of said sets, and a power connection from the Reeves drive to said cutting knives, a front brace between said end housings, said brace substantially enclosing the front of the apparatus, a rear brace between said end housings, said rear brace substantially enclosing the rear of the apparatus, the Reeves drive of each of said sets being supported by a cross brace extending between said front and rear braces and comprising a support for one side of the Reeves drive within the apparatus, the opposite sides of each of said Reeves drive being supported in end housings, the power connectiton to each Reeves drive and the power connection from each Reeves drive to its respective set of cutting knives being .housed in an individual end housing.

3. A duplex cutting apparatus for cutting successive sheets from a pair of continuous webs, said apparatus comprising two sets of rotating cutting knives and means individual to each of said sets for adjusting the speed of rotation thereof, said sets of cutting knives being mounted between end housings of said apparatus, said adjusting means including a'Reeves drive for each of said sets, a power connection from a power source to the Reeves drive of each of said sets, and a power connection from the Reeves drive to said cutting knives, a front brace between said end housings, said brace substantially enclosing the front of the appratus, a rear brace between said end housingsgsaid rear brace substantially enclosing the rear 0f the apparatus, the Reeves drive of each of said sets being supported by a cross brace extending between said front and rear braces and, comprising a support for one side of the Reeves drive within the apparatus, the opposite sides of each of said Reeves drives being supported in end housings, the power connection to each Reeves drive and the power connection from each Reeves drive to its respective set of cutting knives being housed in an individual end housing, said power connection to each Reeves drive comprising a rotatable shaft, gear connections from said rotatable shaft to each Reeves drive, said rotatable shaft being mounted between said\end housings.

4. A duplex cutting apparatus for cutting successive sheets from a pair of continuous webs, said apparatus comprising twosets of rotating cutting knives and means individual to each of said sets for adjusting the speed of rotation thereof, said sets of cutting knives being mounted between end housings of said apparatus, said adjusting means including a Reeves drive for each of said sets, a power connection from a power source to the Reeves drive of each of said sets, and a power connection from the Reeves drive to said cutting knives, a front brace be- 4- camera connection from each Reeves drive to its respective set oi cutting knives being housed in an individual end housing. said-power connection to each Reeves drive compriaing a rotatable lhatt. eear connections from said rotatable shaft to each Reeve: drive, said rotatable shaft beinz mcuntedbetweeneaidendhmmnmandmeam for connecting said rotatable shaft to a power source at either housing.

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