US2266596A - Sheet feeding apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 16, 1941. E. w. sobnwm 2,266,595 v SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS File d March 26, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR EDWIN w. GOODWIN fi -fm Deco E. w. GOODWI N SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed March 26, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EDWIN W. GOODWIN 4. M71, ATToRNi Dec. 16, 1941. E. w. GOODWIN SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 26, 1940 FllIiIl m ND $fl m: x 02 E g in. E n n N2 m Warm! as: 6, WW w: v Q we E n@ S. OI. 1 1 0 pm E "n O 3 m. g N ME MY? m1 1 E T Q ICU Q 0 w: lm.

INVENTOR EDWIN W. GOODWIN BY .zwm ATTORNZYG Dec. 16, 1941. E. w. GOODWI'N SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed March 26, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet s wmm mu wmm n mww l, 3% v LT! w---mum 5? mm Na mm 3 mm 2? $7 L. law: 5 E Q m OW mvm mum o M an E N INVENTOR EDWIN W. GOODWIN BY E. w. GO'ODWIN 2,266,596

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Dec. 16, 1941.

Filed March 26, 1940 SSheets-Sheet 6 k 45 E SB 318 INVENTOR 3IG EDWIN W. GOODWIN 322 2 BY 4 i O O ATTOR Y I Patented Dec. 16, 1941 SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Edwin W. Goodwin, New Rochelle, N. Y., assignmto Dexter Folder Company, Pearl River, N. Y a corporation of New York 7 Application Marches, 1940, Serial No. 325,981

23Cialms.

This invention relates to sheet feeders and more particularly to pile or sheet supply elevating or moving mechanism and control means therefor.

One object of the present invention is to pro vide a sheet feeder having improved mechanism for intermittently operating the pile or sheet supply elevating or moving means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeder having novel means of smooth and positive action for controlling the operation of the pile or sheet supply elevating or moving mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeder having improved mechanism for actuating the pile or sheet supply elevating or moving means, and which may be thrown out of operation when testing or adjusting the various operating parts of the feeder or the machine with which the feeder is associated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeder having separate and improved mechanisms for intermittently or continuously operating the pile or sheet supply elevating or moving means and novel means for preventing simultaneous operation of said mechanisms.

These and other objects of the present invention will appear as the following description thereof proceeds and in order to more clearly understand said invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate 7 one embodiment thereof.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation. of a sheet feeder constructed in accordance with the present invention and including a pile elevator;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the sheet feeder shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, of the upper part of said sheet feeder, showing pile height governing means and the parts of pawl and ratchet actuated pile elevator operating mechanism thrown into inoperative positions by said pile height governing means;

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of pile height governed pawl control means with elements thereof spread apart for purposes of clearer illustration;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the parts of the pawl and ratchet actuated pile elevator operating mechanism thrown into operative positions by the pile height governing means;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side eleva-' tion of a lower part of the sheet feeder, showing a manually operated unit for controlling operation of the pile elevator;

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, the parts of the manually operated unit in this figure as well as in Fig. 7 being shown in neutral positionswhere they prevent operation of the pileelevator;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 but showing the parts of said unit actuated to positions enabling the pile elevator to be operated only by the pawl and ratchet actuated elevator operating mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 7 and 8 but showing in full line and dotted lines the parts of said unit actuated to positions enabling the pile elevator to be operated only by rapid raising or lowering means employed when loading or reloading said elevator;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail perspective view of an elevator control member or cam shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view of pile and manually actuated pile elevator and motor control devices, illustrating diagrammatically an electric circuit therefor.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, the various movable parts of the feeder, as well as certain stationary parts thereof, may be mounted on a frame of any suitable construction and the movable parts employed during normal operation of the feeder may be actuated or driven by any suitable means. As herein shown, said frame and driving means are preferably constructed and operated, respectively, as follows.

The feeder frame is comprised by front uprights 5 and rear uprights 6 at Opposite sides of the feeder, the front uprights 5 having heads I bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto and the rear uprights 6 having heads 8 bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5). The lower ends of uprights 5 and 6 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured in brackets 9 and I0 respectively which, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine foundation. The heads 1 and 8 are connected together by side members ll bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The front heads 1 are connected together by a stay shaft l2, a cross bar l3 and a cross tube It which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said heads, and the rear heads 8 are connected together by a stay shaft iii bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. l. and 2, the drive for the feeder is preferably com prised by a chain it; driven from any suitable source of power (not shown) and passing around a sprocket ll which is fixed on one end of a shaft is extending transversely of the feeder and journalied in suitable bearings in brackets l9 and one of the front heads 1. The brackets !9, located at opposite sides of the feeder, are spaced inwardly from the front heads 3 and are secured in any suitable manner to said heads. Fixed on the opposite outwardly projecting end of the shaft 98 adjacent one of the front heads l is a spur pinion 28 which meshes with and drives a spur gear ill in the direction of the arrow indicated in i. This spur gear 2i is fixed on and drives a transversely extending cam shaft 22 which is iour'nalled in suitablebeaxines in the front head i and the brackets iii. Cam shaft 22 is utilized to operate various parts of the feeder to be hereinafter described.

Extending longitudinally of the feeder near the top and at opposite sides thereof are shafts 23 (Figs. 1 and 2) which are journalled in suitable bearings formed in the front heads and in brackets 26 that are bolted or otherwise sultably secured to the side members i i. Fixed on the shafts are sheaves 2% in the teeth of which are engaged links of vertically extending chains 26 that pass around said sheaves. The chains are connected at their lower ends, as by couplings to the side members 28 of a pile e1e-= vaior including cross beams 29 engaged over said side members and adapted to receive and support a pile board 3% and pile of sheets ill thereon. The are intermittently rotated during the operation of the feeder by mechanism that will be hereinafter described and which acts to raise pile elevator step by step in order to maintain of the pile at a proper level thus insure continuous and accurate separation and feeding of the sheem from the top 01' said pile. During step by step upward movement of the elevator the front of the pile is guided by spaced vertical pile guides 32 which are clamped in any suitable manner at the upper and lower ends thereof. to the stay shaft 52 and a stay shaft-33 extending transversely of the feeder and fixed in the brackets 9.

The sheets are separated one after another from the top or" the pile and may be forwarded therefrom either singly in spaced relation or, as herein shown, in contmuous stream form and underlapped relation. Referring to Fig. 1, the sheets are separated one after another from the top of the pile ill at the rear and ODDDSite sides thereof by sheet separating mechanisms preferably of the general type disclosed in my applica= tion Serial No. 267,963 filed April 15, 1939. These sheet separating mechanisms are located adjacent the upper rear corners of the pile of sheets and each include suction sheet separating means comprised by a conduit 3 3, an arcuate housing 35 connected therewith, and a tubular arcuate member 36 slidable in the housing 35 and provided on the lower end thereof with a rubber suction cup 3'5. Vacuum is created in the arcuate housings at predetermined intervals to cause the suction cups 3? to grip opposite rear corners of the successive sheets and lift the rear edges thereof above the level of the pile. purpose, the conduits id have connected therewith corresponding ends of flexible conduits til the opposite ends of which are connected in any For this accuses suitable manner with a rotary valve mechanism indicated broadly at 39 (Figs. 3 and 5) that, in

turn, is connected by a conduit 40 (Fig. 2) with the vacuum side of a combined air and vacuum pump U. The rotary valve mechanism 39 is mounted at the rear of the feeder approximately in the center thereof on a transversely extending hollow square bar 42 and a longitudinally extending bar 43 supported in any suitable manner on the feeder frame. The rotary valve mechanism 39 is substantially the same in construction and operation as the rotary valve mechanism disclosed in the United States Patent No. 2,156,648 granted May 2, 1939 to Leonard Baker, George A. Martin and Leo C. Williams and needs no detail description herein.

The pump 4| is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a platform 44 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) extending transversely of the feeder at the front and bottom thereof and supported at its opposite ends on short shafts 45 that are secured in any suitable manner in the brackets 8. Connected with the air side of pump 4| is one end of a conduit 46 the opposite end of which is connected with a compressed air tank 41 (Fig. 2) that is mounted on, and secured in any suitable manner to, the under side of the platform 44. This air tank 41 is, in turn, connected by a conduit 48 with pile and sheet winding devices (not shown) that supply air under pressure for winding the uppermost sheets of the pile prior to action thereon by the suction cups 3?, and for winding each separated sheet to completely separate the same from the pile and assist forwarding of the sheet by suction sheet forwarding devices hereinafter described.

Prior to release of the separated and lifted sheet by the suction cups 31, said sheet is gripped at spaced points across the rear thereof by suction sheet forwarding devices indicated broadly at 49 (Fig. 1) which are preferably mounted, constructed and operated in the same manner as the suction sheet forwarding devices disclosed in my application Serial No. 267,963 mentioned above. These sheet forwarding devices are comprised by cylinders 50 and rubber suction cups 5| which are vacuum operated in opposite direc.- tions to engage and lift each separated sheet. The cylinders 50 are carried in the free ends of horizontal arms 52 which are pivotally connected to the lower ends of vertically extending parallel arms 53 and 54 that impart horizontal reciproeating motion to the suction sheet forwarding devices 49. The arms 53 are adjustably secured to a transversely extending rock'shaft 55 which is journalled in suitable bearings formed in brackets 56 at opposite sides of the feeder. The

- arms 54 are rotatably mounted on a transversely extending shaft 5'! that is secured in said brackets. Through operation of the rotary valve mechanism 39 vacuum is created in the cylinders 50 at predetermined intervals to cause the suction cups 5| to grip each sheet lifted by the separator suction cups 3! and for this purpose,

r said cylinders have connected therewith corresponding ends of flexible conduits 58 the opposite ends of which are connected in any suitable manner with the rotary valve mechanism 39.

The suction sheet separating and forwarding devices and the rotary valve mechanism are operated from the cam shaft 22 by a suitable driving mechanism constructed and arranged in the same manner as the driving mechanism dis closed in my application Serial No. 267,963 mentioned above. This driving mechanism includes aeeasee a bevel gear 59 (Fig. 2) fixed on the cam shaft 22 and which meshes with a similar gear 50 that is fixed on the lower end of a vertical shaft 5i jcurnalled at one side of the feeder in suitable bearings on one of the front heads l. The vertical shaft BI has fixed on the upper end thereof a bevel gear 62 which meshes with a similar gear 63 that is fixed on the forward end of a horizontally extending shaft 65 located at the top and one side of the feeder and journalled in suitable hearings on the feeder frame. This shaft 55 through suitable connections (not shown) actuates the forwarder rock shaft 55 and drives a transversely extending shaft 65 (Figs. 3 and 5) which is connected with and operates the rotary valve mechanism and the suction sheet separating devices.

Each sheet gripped by the suction sheet forwarding devices 49 is forwarded thereby from the pile under and in lapped relation with a preceding sheet to conveying means continuously driven at slow speed to enable lapping of the sheets thereon. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this conveying means comprises a feed roller 66 and pressure rollers 67 woperating with said feed roller to receive the forwarded sheets in lapped relation and advance said sheets to slow moving tapes 68 that convey a stream of the lapped sheets to a printing press or other machine with which the feeder is associated. The feed roller 86 extends transversely of the feeder and is journalled in suitable bearings in the brackets i9. The pressure rollers 57 are Journalled on arms vB9 adjustably secured on a cross shaft it having its opposite ends mounted in any suitable manher in the brackets i9. An additional support for the pressure roller shaft it is provided by a bracket 'iI (Figs. 2 and 11) located intermediate the ends of said shaft and bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cross bar 83 and cross tube It. The front ends of the tapes 68 pass around a suitable roller or rollers (not shown), and the rear ends of said tapes pass around and are driven by a roller 'EZ'that extends transversely of the feeder and is iournailed in suitable hearings in the brackets l9.

The feed roller t and the tape roller '52 are driven continuously and at slow speed from the cam shaft 22 by a spur gear l3 (Fig. 2) fixed thereon adjacent the inner side of one of the brackets I9 and which meshes with a similar gear '14 that is fixed on a short shaft i5. This short shaft i is journalled in suitable bearings formed in one of the brackets It and the adjacent front head i, and said shaft has also fixed thereon adjacent the outer side of said bracket a spur gear "it. This spur gear it meshes with an idler gear H which is journalled in any suitable manner on the bracket Id. The idler gear 11, in turn, meshes withand drives spur pinions 1B and i9 (Figs. 1 and 2) that are fixed on the outwardly projecting ends of the feed roller 66 and tape roller 12, respectively.

During normal operation of the feeder the elevator chain shafts 23 are operated intermittently to raise the pile elevator and pile of sheets at suitable intervals. This intermittent operation of shafts 23 is effected by pawl and ratchet mechanism preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows. Secured to or formed integrally with the spur gear 2! and rotated continuously thereby is a crank disc 86 (Figs. 3 and 5) having pivotally connected therewith one end of a link 8! the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with a reciprocated pawl carrier 82. The pawl carrier 32 is loosely mounted on the outwardly projecting end of a shaft 03 and is continuously oscillated thereon. This shaft t3 extends transversely of the feeder and is journalled in suitable bearings formedin brackets 84 that are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the front heads 1. Additional bearings for the shaft 83 are provided by the brackets I9 and the center bracket H. The pawl carrier 02 has pivoted thereon at 85 a spring pressed pawl 86 adapted, under certain conditions, to engage a ratchet 81 fixed on the shaft 83 outwardly of said carrier and so disposed that the outer face of said ratchet is substantially flush with the end of said shaft. It will thus appear that through oscillation of the pawl carrier 82 by the crank disc 80, and engagement of the oscillating pawl 38 with the ratchet 81, the shaft 83 will be intermittently rotated. Under these conditions, a worm 88 (Fig. 2.) fixed on each end of the shaft 83 and located in a suitable opening in the adjacent front head I will likewise be rotated. Each worm 88 meshes with and drives a corresponding worm gear 89 that is fixed on the forward end of each elevator chain shaft 23 and alsolocated in a suitable opening in the adiacent front head i. Step by step elevation may thus be imparted to the elevator and pile of sheets thereon by the shafts 23 through the described driving connections therefor with the worm shaft 83. v

As the sheets are fed off the top of the pile ti by the described separating and forwarding devices the elevator and pile of sheets thereon are raised intermittently by the described pawl and ratchet mechanism, and to keep the top of the pile at a predetermined level for action thereon by the sheet separating and forwarding devices the elevator and its intermittently actuate-d operating mechanism are, in accordance with the present invention, controlled by novel means preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows. The crank disc 80 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) has formed integrally therewith a cam at which engages a roller 9| journalled on a stud 92 that is secured in any suitable manner in one arm at of a double armed lever 94 (Fig. 4;) the other arm of which is indicated at 95. The double armed lever 96 is pivotally mounted on a laterally projecting stud 95. This stud'96 .is located beneath the ratchet iii in vertical alinement with the axis of said ratchet and the shaft 83 and is secured in any suitable manner in the adjacent front head i. The arm 93 has pivotally connected therewith at 91 a vertically dis posed spring pressed rod 98 provided on the upper reduced end thereof with a sleeve 99 that is guided for vertical movementin 9. lug I00 formed on and projecting laterally from a bracket.

idi bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the adjacent front head I. The sleeve 99 is secured on the rod 98 by a threaded nut I02, and accidental rotation of said sleeve on said'rod is prevented by a pin I03 adjustably secured in the lug EM and engageable with aiiattened portion its formedon the sleeve. The spring I05 for rod 598 is mounted thereon between a collar I06 secured to said rod and a forked stud I01 secured in any suitable manner in the bracket MI and through which the rod extends. It will thus appear that the double armed lever 94 and the sleeve as are cam operated in one direction and spring operated in the opposite direction by the cam and the rod 98, respectively.

Pivotally mounted on the outer end of the secured thereto a controlling finger III which, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 3, extends upwardly and partly across the outer side face of the ratchet 31 within the circle of revolution thereof. Endwise displacement of the lever Ill from the stud 34 is prevented by a washer I33 that is secured in any suitable manner on the outer end of said stud. This controlling finger III has formed on the upper end thereof a rounded projection III adapted to be rocked into and out of an operative position coincident or substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the ratchet 3i and shaft 33. Under certain'oonditions. the controlling finger I" acts in conjunction with a controlled finger-III to prevent engagement of the pawl 34 with the ratchet 31, and under other conditions the con- 7 trolling finger Ill acts toenable said pawl to engage said ratchet. For these purposes, the

pawl as has bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the outer side and at the forward end thereof the controlled finger III which extends downwardly and partly across the outer side face of the ratchet 81 within the circle of revolution thereof and into position to be acted upon by the controlling finger Ill. The controlled finger I LI has formed on the lower end thereof a rounded projection III adapted to be enga ed by the rounded projection III of the controlling finger I. The rounded projections III and III of fingers It! and III may alternately move to a position coincident or substantially so with the axis of rotation of ratchet 31 and shaft 33. Thus, when the controlling finger I is rocked to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings the rounded projection III of said finger is disposed coaxially with the ratchet I! and shaft 33. The rounded projection III of the controlled finger III will thus be moved by projection III to one side of the axis of the shaft l3 and the pawl 3' will be lifted out of engagement with the ratchet ll. When the controlling finger I" is rocked to the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings the rounded projection Ill of said finger is moved out of coaxial relation with the ratchet l1 and the shaft 33. The rounded projection II! of the controlled finger III will thus move into coaxial relation with said ratchet and said shaft and the pawl 30 will drop into engagement with the ratchet I'I.

Oscillating movement is imparted to the lever Ilil by the double armed lever 94 to move the controlling finger I03 and shift its rounded end III into and out of coaxial relation with the ratchet II and shaft 33. For this p pose, the arm 33 of lever 34 has connected therewith at II3 one extremity of a pull spring II4 the opposite extremity of which is connected at III with the lever Ill. Secured in and projecting laterally from the arm 35 of lever 44 is a pin III which engages the lever Illl through an enlarged opening III formed therein. Due to the contracting action of the spring II4 the lever I03 is held in engagement with the pin II and in proper position relative to the double armed lever 94. It will thus appear that the controlling finger It! may, through the described connections therefor with the double armed lever 94, be oscillated by the cam 90 and the spring pressed rod 93 to efiect engagement of the pawl 88 with and disengagement of the same from the ratchet 31. The operation of the controlling finger III is so timed with respect to the oscillation of the and lift the pawl 8| out of the ratchet 31 immediately after said pawl carrier begins to move clockwise (Pig. 3). Also. the relative timing of finger I" and pawl carrier 82 is such that projection III moves out of coaxial relation with the shaft 33 to enable the pawl It to engage the ratchet 31 before said clockwise movement of the pawl carrier 32 is completed. In this manner the pawl It is held out of engagement with the ratchet l1 during the major portion of the clockwise or idle movement of the pawl carrier 32- and insures complete engagement of a tooth of said ratchet by said pawl before said pawl carrier moves counter-clockwise.

When'the top of the pile of sheets is at the proper height, the projection III of finger Ill is held in coaxial relation with the shaft 33 and in contact with the projection III of the finger III to thereby prevent engagement of the pawl it with the ratchet 81. Under these conditions the pawl carrier 32 is rocked by the described connections therefor with the crank disc 30 and the projection II! of the controlled finger III merely rocks about the projection III of the controlling finger I II. In order in normally hold the projection I I3 of the controlling finger I03 in coaxial relation with ratchet I! and shaft 83, the bracket IOI haspivoted thereon at II3 a latch II! that is urged by a pull spring I into engagement with the underside of the sleeve 99 adjacent the fiattened portiontll4 thereof. The spring I 24 has one end connected at III with the latch III and its opposite end connected at I21 with the bracket III. It will thus appear that engagement of the latch III with the underside of the sleeve 33 holds the rod it against downward movement by the spring Ill! and thus prevents the roller II from following the low part of the cam 80. This, in turn, prevents operation of the double armed lever 34, the lever I03 and the controlling finger Ill. The high part of the cam 90 is so proportioned that upon engagement of the same with the roller ll during each cycle of operation a slight upward movement is imparted to the rod II and sleeve 9! thereon to free the latch II! from the underside of said sleeve and provide for disengagement of said latch from the sleeve in a manner hereinafter described. I

Disengagement of the latch II! from the underside of the sleeve 99 to enable lowering of the rod 98 by the spring III! and subsequent displacement of the controlling finger IDS, is effected by pile controlled means preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows. Pivotally mounted on the stud 36 between the double armed lever 34 and the adjacent front head 1 is a bell crank lever I23 one arm I24 of which is curved downwardly and rearwardly and also offset laterally as indicated at I25 (Fig. 4) Secured in the offset portion I25 of the arm I24 is a stud I23 having journalled thereon a roller I21 adapted to also engage the cam 80 atsa point in advance of the roller DI on arm 83. The other arm III of bell crank lever I23 has pi' OtalIy connected therewith the lower end of a spring pressed rod I33 which extends upwardly through a forked stud I3I that is secured in any suitable manner in the bracket III. The spring I32 for rod I" is mounted thereon between the forked stud I 3| and a collar I33 secured to said rod.

The upper end of the rod I is pivotally connected at I34 with an arm I35 of a. bell crank lever I36 the other arm of which is indicated at I31. This bell crank lever I36 is secured to the outwardly projecting end of a rock shaft I38 (Figs. 2, 3, 5 and-.11) that extends transversely of the feeder and is journalled in suitable bearings in one of the front heads 1 and the center bracket 1I. Thearm I31 of bell crank lever I36 has secured on the lower end thereof a laterally projecting pin I39 adapted to engage the lower end of the latch II8. It will thus appear that the bell crank lever I36, through the described connections therefor with the bell crank lever I28, is cam operated in one direction and spring operated in the'opposite direction by the cam 98 and rod I38, respectively, to rock the shaft I38 and move the pin I38 toward and away from the latch IIS. Suflicient space is provided between the upper end of the bracket I 8| and the adjacent front head 1 to enable rocking of the arm I35 bell crank lever I36, and the rear side of the adjacent worm gear 89 is recessed to provide suihcient space for rocking of the arm I31 0! said bell crank lever.

Fixed on the rock shaft I38 adjacent one side of the center bracket II is an arm I48 (Figs. 3, and 11). Connected with the arm I48, as by a ball and socket connection I, is one end of a link I42 the opposite end of which is connected, as by a similar ball and socket connection I43, with an arm I44. This arm I44 extends across the top of the center bracket H and is fixed on the forward end of a square bar I45 which extends longitudinally of the feeder approximately in the center thereof. The iorward end of the square bar I45 is turned down to receive the arm I44 and to provide a journal that is rotatable in a bearing formed in a bracket I46 secured in any suitable manner on the center bracket 1!. The rear end of the square bar I45 is journalled on a pin I41 adjustabiy secured in an arm I48 that is fixed on the stay shaft I5. Engaged over and operated by the square bar I45 is an arm I49 provided with a reduced cylindrical hub portion I68 which projects through and is journalled in a suitable bearing formed in a bracket ISI. This bracket I5I is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to thehousing I52 of the valve mechanism 39 and also serves as a cover plate for said housing to prevent accidental displacement of the valve mechanism from the tubular square bar 42.

The arm I49 is held against the bracket I5I and in proper position on the square bar I45 bya collar I53 which is secured on the rearwardly and outwardly projecting end of the reduced hub portion I58 of said arm.

Pivotally connected at I54 with the arm I48 is one end of a link I55 which extends downwardly through a suitable opening formed in a lug I56 provided at one side of a bracket I51 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of the valve housing I62. The opposite end of the link I56 is pivotally connected at I68 with the free end of an arm I58 that is pivoted at I68 on the bracket I51. This arm I59 has pivotally connected therewith at I6I intermediate the ends thereof one end of a link I62 the opposite end of which is pivotally connected I12 on the bracket I51 and is provided with another arm I13 curved upwardly at its rear end. Threaded in the curved upper end of the arm I13 is an adjusting screw I14 which engages an abutment I15 formed on the bracket I61 at one side thereof. The adjusting screw I14 is provided with an adjusting head I16 and a lock nut I11 by means of which said screw may be adjusted and locked in adjusted positions. By turning the adjusting screw I14 the arm I18 and the lever I66 thereon may be raised or lowered to adjust the position of the roller I68 with respect to the top 01. the pile of sheets 3| in accordance with the desired feeding level of the pile. In order to hold the lever I1I stationary andin adjusted positions and the adjusting screw I14 in engagement with its abutment I15, the arm I18 of said lever has connected therewith at I69 a rod I18 which extends upwardly through a suitable opening formed in the bracket I61 and has mounted thereon a heavy push spring I18 located between the underside of the bracket I51 and a collar I86 secured on said rod.

It will thus appear that during each cycle of operation of the feeder the lever I66 will, through the described connections therefor with the rock shaft I38, be lowered by the spring pressed rod I38 to move the roller I68 into engagement with the top of the pile of sheets 3I and raised by the cam 80 to lift the roller I68 out of engagement with said pile. It will further appear that when.

the roller I68 is lowered and raised as aforesaid,

the arm I31 and latch operating pin I36 thereon will be-swung toward and away from the latch H8. The spring I32 on rod I36 for lowering the roller I68 into engagement with the top of the pile is assisted by 'a second spring I8I that is engaged over the link I56 and located between the upper side of the lug I56 and a collar I82 secured on said link. This spring 'I8I also serves to steady the operation of the roller I68 and to take up any lost motion in the various driving connections for said roller. The operation of the roller I68 is so timed that said roller is lowered into engagement with the top of the pile during separation or each sheet by the separator sucat I63 with an arm I54 of a pile height governed lever I65 that is provided with another arm I66 curved downwardly at its front end. Secured tion cups 31 and raised out of engagement with said pile priir to and while each separated sheet is forwarded from the pile by the suction sheet forwarding devices 46. I

As long as the top of the pile 3i is at a proper height where the sheet separating and forwarding devices 31 and 46 can act to separate and forward sheets from the pile, the roller I66 will,

as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, be prevented by the pile from moving downwardly a sufilcient distance to enable the pin I38 on arm I31 to engage the lower end of the latch H9. The pile of sheets 3|, the elevating mechanism and the driving connections for the latter will thus remain stationary because the pawl 86, through engagement of the normally stationary controlling finger I88 with the oscillating controlled finger III will, as shown in Fig. 3, be prevented from engaging ratchet 81 and driving shaft 83. Under these conditions the rounded projection II2 of the finger III will rock about the rounded projection II8 of the finger I86 as pawl 86 and pawl carrier 82 are oscillated by the crank disk 88 and only an idling movement of the pawl and pawl carrier results therefronn When the height of the pile of sheets 3I decreases through removal of sheets irom the top thereof, the pin I" on arm I01, through increased downward movement of the roller I", as shown in Fig. 5, is enabled to strike the lower end of the latch III and disengage said latch from the underside of the sleeve 00. The arm It is then permitted to move downwardly by the expanding action of the spring I05 and engagement of the roller with the low part of the cam 00 whereupon the controlling finger III! is moved to shift its rounded end IIO out of coaxial relation with the ratchet 01 and the shaft 02 (Fig. 5) and enable the pawl 06 to drop into the ratchet 81 at the back of the first tooth thereon before clockwise turning movement (Fig. 5) of the pawl carrier 22 is completed. The pawl carrier 02 then turns in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 5) during which like movement is imparted to the ratchet I! by pawl 80 to partially rotate shaft 00 and raise the pile elevator and pile of sheets II thereon through the described driving connections between said shaft and said elevator.

Upon reverse or clockwise movement of the pawl carrier 02 the arm 98 and rod 08 are again raised through engagement of the roller QI with the high part of the cam 80 to move the finger I00, shift its rounded end I I0 into coaxial relation with the shaft 03, lift and hold the pawl 00 out of engagement with the ratchet I! and enable the latch III to be engaged with the underside of the sleeve 09. Before the arm 92 and rod 00 are raised, however, the roller I21 on arm I20 is engaged by the high part of the cam 00 to raise the roller I00 and swing the pin I" on lever II'I out of engagement with the latch Ill. If the pile of sheets II has not been elevated sufilciently. the pin it! on aim I01, upon subsequent lowering of the roller I00. again strikes and disengages latch II! from the sleeve 09 and the described operation of the pawl and ratchet mechanism will be repeated until the top of the pile reaches the proper predetermined height. In this event, the pin I 30 on lever II! will be prevented from disengaging the latch III from sleeve 09 through failure of the roller I 00 to lower a sufficient distance. The pawl carrier 02 and pawl 00 then operate idly, as before described, until the height of the pile again decreases to an extent such as to require further elevation thereof. It is to be noted that due to the particular formation and arrangement of the cam 90 on the crank disk 00 and the relative spacing of the rollers II and I21, the operations of the pawl carrier 02, the controlling finger I" and the roller III are synchronized relative to each other and always maintained in such relation. It will be further noted that a single member, the crank disk 00 and the cam 00 formed thereon. controls the o eration of the pawl carrier 02, the controlling finger I00. and the sheet supply testing member or roller I08.

Thus far the description has related mostly to the intermittently operated elevator operating mechanism and control means therefor by which the elevator 20, 2! and pile of sheets II thereon are raised step by step as sheets, are fed off the top of the pile by the described sheet separating and forwarding devices. Upon completion of feeding of sheets from the pile, and in order to continue operation of the feeder, it is necessary to reload the elevator and, as herein shown, rapidly actuated elevator lowering and raising mechanism is preferably arranged, constructed and operated as follows.

The platform 04 (Fig. 2) has bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto the end members I00, I of a gear box having a top I05 which,.

in turn, is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the members I 80, I at the upper ends thereof. Bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the top III of this gear box is an electric motor I00 supplied with current from any suitable source and controlled in a manner and by means hereinafter described. This electric motor I00 has fixed on the armature shaft I01 thereof a sprocket I00 around which passes a chain I" that also passes around a sprocket I00 fixed on the shaft III of pump 4|. It'will thus appear that the pump II is driven by the motor I00 through the described driving connections therebetween.

The shaft I II extends through the end plates I08, I of the gear box and is Journalled in suitable bearings therein. Fixed on and driven by the shaft IDI are clutch parts I82, I00 arranged for engagement with and disengagement from clutch parts I80, I" that are loosely mounted on the shaft ISI. Loosely and slidabiy mounted on the shaft m between the clutch parts I02, I0! is a clutch connector I00 having engaged in a groove I01 thereof the upper forked end of an arm III that is fixed on a clutch connector actuating rod I. This rod I99 is slidably mounted in suitable bearings in the end plates I83, I ll of the gear box, and upon actuation of said rod in opposite directions by means hereinafter described, like movement is imparted to the connector I" to selectively connect the clutch parts I02, ill or Ill, I00, as desired.

Secured to or formed integrally with the clutch part I00 and loosely mounted therewith on the shaft Ill is a gear 200 which meshes with a gear "I that is fixed on a shaft 202 Journalled in suitable bearings in the end plates I80, III of the gear box and projecting outwardly from one end thereof. The outwardly projecting end mechanism for this purpose is provided which of shaft 202 is journalled in a suitable bearing on a bracket 202 that is bolted or otherwise suit-' ably secured to the platform ll.

Secured to or formed integrally with the clutch part I and loosely mounted therewith on the shaft III is a gear 204 which meshes with an idler gear 200 that is joumalled in any suitable manner on the end plate I" of the gear box. This idler gear 205 meshes with a gear 200 that is fixed on the shaft 202 within the gear box. The shaft 202 has fixed on the outwardly pro- Jecting end thereof a sprocket 20'! around which passes a chain 200 that also passes around a sprocket 200 that is fixed on the elevator operating worm shaft 03. Slack in the chain 200 is compensated for by a small sprocket 2I0 (Fig. 6) engaged therewith and Journalled on the upper end of an adjustable arm 2. The arm 2 is adjustably mounted in any suitable manner on the bracket 200 and may be adjusted by an adjusting screw 2I2 that is also mounted in any suitable manner on said bracket.

It will thus appear that when the clutch parts I02, I" (Fig. 2) are connected by the connector I80, the motor I06 will, through chain I89, shaft "I, gears 204, 200, 206, shaft 202, chain 200 and worm shaft 00, lower the pile elevator from the raised position to a position at the I bottom of the feeder. In this lowered position of the pile elevator, it may be loaded or reloaded with a pile of sheets whereupon by connecting I a supporting bar 228 is secured in any suitable manner to one of the able opening in the the clutch parts 192, 194 by the connector I98 the motor I88 will, through the chain 189, shaft III, gears 298, 2M, shaft 252, chain 288 and worm shaft 83, raise the elevator and the pile of sheets thereon to a point where the top of the pile is at proper height for separation and Y forwarding of the sheets therefrom.

In accordance with the present invention novel, and preferably manually operated, control means are provided for selective operation of the intermittently and the rapidly actuated elevator operating mechanisms; for preventing operation of the elevator by one elevator operating mechanism until the other elevator operating mechanism has been rendered inoperative; and for preventing operation of the elevator by either of the elevator operating mechanisms when testing or adjusting the various operating parts of the feeder or the machine with which it is associated. Said control means is preferably arranged, constructed and operated as follows.

The intermittently actuated elevator operating mechanism is controlled by cam controlled means comprising rods 2l3 and 2 (Figs. 1, 3 and 5). The rod 2I3 has its upper end pivotally connected at 215 with the lever I88. Rod MS has an enlarged lower end 218 guided for vertical movement in a suitable opening formed in a bracket 211. Bracket 2l1 is pivoted at 218 on one of the front heads 1 and is held fixed in proper position by a clamp screw 219 carried by said bracket and engaged in 'a suitable threaded opening in the adjacent front head 1.

Rod 2 is guided for vertical movement in a suitable opening formed in bracket 211 and is provided above said bracket and above the head 2l8 of rod 2l3 with an enlarged head 229. The lower end of rod 2 is pivotally connected at 22l (Figs. 2, 6 to 9) with a pin 222 projecting laterally from, and secured in any suitable manner to, one arm 223 of a bell crank indicated broadly at 224 and forming part of a control unit for the intermittently actuated and the rapidly actuated elevator operating mechanisms described above. The other arm of the bell crank 224 is indicated at 225 and said bell crank is rotatably mounted on a small stud shaft 228 secured in any suitable manner in walls of a control unit housing 221. This housing 221 is secured to or formed integrally with that extends between and pair of front uprights 5, 5.

The arm 22; of bell crank 224 has pivotally connected therewith, as at 229, a spring pressed rod 23!] extending downwardly through a suitbottom of the housing 221. Th spring 231 for rod 238 is mounted thereon between the bottom of housing 221 and a collar 232 secured on said rod in any suitable manner. The arm 225 of bell crank 224 may be selectively engaged by the flat face 233 or the high part 234 of a control cam which is indicated broadly at 235 (Fig. 10) and controls the cam controlled means comprised by the rods 213, 2. The control cam 235 is disposed within the housing 221 and is fixed in any suitable manner on the reduced end 238 of a shaft 231 which extends within the housing 221 and is journalled in any suitable manner on said housing and the supporting bar'228. The cam 235 and the shaft 231 may be manually operated by a handle 238 secured in any suitable manner on the end of said shaft opposite that extending in housing 221 and carrying said cam. Rotation of the cam 235 in opposite directions is limited by a pin 239 extending in housing 221 and secured in any suitable manner to one side wall thereof. One .end of the cam 235 is cutv away around a portion of its periphery to provide spaced shoulders 248, 2 which, upon rotation of the cam in opposite directions, contact pin 239 to limit said rotation of the cam.

opposite side latch 242 the upper end 243 of which may.

The rapidly actuated pile elevator lowering and raising mechanism, including the chain 288 and the worm shaft 83, is controlled through the medium of manually operated latch controlled means preferably arranged, constructed and actuated as follows. Disposed within the housing and rotatably mounted on the stud shaft 228 is a the low part 244, the flat face 245, and the high part 234 of the cam 235. The latch 242 is provided in its lower end with a hook 248 adapted for engagement with and disengagement from a pin 241 that is secured in any suitable manner on an arm 248. The arm 248 extends within housing 221 through a suitable opening therein and has a hub 249 (Fig. 6) that is fixed on one end of a rock shaft 258. The rock shaft 258 extends through the housing 221 and is joumalled in suitable hearings on said housing and the supporting bar 228. Secured to or formed integrally with the hub 249, and disposed outside the housing 221, is an arm 251. The shaft 250 and the arms 248, 251 may be rocked manually by a handle 252 that is fixed on said shaft adjacent its bearing in the supporting bar 228. Interposed between housing 221 and the latch 242 is a spring 253 the opposite ends of which are located in suitable openings formed in said housing and said latch. The hub of the bell crank 224 is slotted, as at 254 (Figs. 6 to 9), to receive the upper end of a detent 255 that is rotatably mounted on the stud shaft 225. This detent 255 is provided in one edge thereof with a notch 258 adapted for engagement with and disengagement from the pin 241 of arm 248.

selectively engaged by The lower end of detent 255 has pivotally connected therewith as at 251 one end of a spring pressed rod 258 the opposite end of which ex- 284 of a bell crank 285. The other arm of bell crank 285 is indicated at 288 and said bell crank is rotatably mounted on the shaft 45 that supports one end of the platform 44. The arm 285 of bell crank 285 is pivotally connected, as at 281, with a flat outer end of the rod l99 which, as previously described, carries the clutch connector arm I98.

In the normal operation of the feeder, that is, when the elevator and pile of sheets are being raised step by step to compensate for removal of sheets from the top of the pile by the sheet separating and forwarding devices, the parts of the manually operated control means for both the intermittently and rapidly actuated elevator' posed above and in spaced relation with the head \L-zi it? of rod iii/i, as clearly shown in full lines in Fig. and in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawlogs. The rod 2 It will thus be reciprocated vertically at intervals upon corresponding intermittent operation of lever 83, lever I99, and controlling finger I99, and normal operation of the feeder and separation and forwarding of sheets from the top of the pile will proceed as previously described.

When the pile of supply of sheets is substantially exhausted through separation and feeding of the sheets therefrom and the elevator has correspondingly raised, it is necessary to stop the upward movement of tho elevator and reload it with another pile of sheets. This is ac,-

complished in the following manner. The handle 235 is operated to rotate the cam 235 to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 7 of the draw- I ings. Upon rotation of the cam 235 in this po-p'l sition, the arm 225 of hell crank 224 is moved out of engagement with the flat face 233 of said cam by t e i h part 234 thereof and said bell crank is rocked to lower the rod 2 and its head 1 22d. Lowering of the rod 2 engages the head 22d thereof with the head N6 of rod 2 so that the latter is held in its lowermost and full line position shown in Fig. 3 of fih'e drawings. This".

in tum, holds the lever I 08 and controlling finger M9 in the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings and against movement with the lever 94. In such position of finger I99, its rounded end 9 is disposed substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of ratchet 31 where said rounded end I I9 engages the rounder. end N2 of the controlled finger III and holds pawl 95 out of engagement with ratchet 91. The intermittently actuated elevator raising mechanism is thus thrown out of operation and the carrier 82 and pawl 88 merely reciprocates idly so that no further upward movement is imparted to the pile elevator. When the cam 235 is moved to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings to throw the intermittently actuated elevator raising mechanism out of operation, the flat face 255 of said cam is moved into engagement with the upper end 243 of latch 2:32.

With the intermittently actuated elevator raising mechanism thrown out of operation, the elevator can now be lowered to receive a new pile of sheets. Accordingly, the handle 239 is operated to rotate the cam 235 to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. Upon such rotation of cam 235, the high part 23% thereof still engages the am 225 of hell crank 22 to hold the rods M3, 2 in full line positions thereof'shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings and thus maintain the intermittently actuated elevator raising mechanism out of operation.

The high part 234 of the cam 235, however,

upon rotation of said cam to the position shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, engages the upper end 2 33 of latch 2:32, swings the latch about the stud shaft 2 d, and disengages the hook 246 of said latch from the pin 241. The handle 252 may then be moved downwardly to the dotted line position thereof indicated at D in Fig. 9 of the drawings, such movement of said handle rocking shaft 253 and arms 248 and 2H to the full line positions of the same therein shown. At the same time, the pin 231 is disengaged from the notch 256 of detent 255 through downward movement of the handle 252. When the arm I is swung to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the link 282 is raised, the bell crank. 255 is rocked clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2,

escapee and the rod I99 and the clutch connector I99 are shifted to the right (Fig. 2) and connect the clutch parts I93, I95. When the clutch parts I93, I95 are connected, the pile elevator is lowered by the motor I to the bottom of the feeder through the described connections for said motor with the worm shaft 83 through said clutch parts I93, I95. When the elevator reaches the bottom of the feeder, the handle 252 is moved upwardly to a neutral position thereof indicated at N in 'Flg. 9 of the drawings and determined by engagement of pin 24'! with the notch 255 of detail; 255. The parts of the control unit, however, remain in the full'line positions thereof shown in Fig. 9 so that operation of the intermittently actuated elevator operating means is prevented while the elevator is lowered and beingioaded with a. new pile of sheets.

Upon! movement of-handle 252 to the position N shownin Fig. 9, theclutch connector I9 is movedto the full line position thereof shown in Fig.2, thus disconnecting'the clutch parts I93, I anddisoonnecting the rapidly actuated elevator lowering and raising mechanism from the worm shaft 89. The elevator, having been lowered to the bottom of the feeder as described, is now loaded with a new pile of sheets, whereupon the handle 252 is moved upwardly to the dotted line position thereof indicated at U in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The arm 25I is thus rocked downwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 9 and, through the described connections for said arm with rod I99, shifts said rod and the connector I95 to the left as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When rod I99 and connector I99 are shifted to the left as viewed in Fig. 2, the clutch parts I92, I94 are connected and the elevator and new pile of sheets are raised by the motor I96 through the described driving connections for said motor with the worm shaft 83 through said clutch parts I92, I94.

When the elevator and pile of sheets have been raised so that the top of the pile is at proper height for feeding of the sheets therefrom, the handle 252 is moved to the position N thereof (Fig. 9) and pin 24'! is again engaged with the notch 255 of detent 255. The connector I9! is thus shifted to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 2, thereby disconnecting clutch parts I92, I94 and disconnecting the rapidly actuated elevator lowering and raising mechanism frond the elevator. Under these conditions, the cam 235, the bell crank 224 and the latch 242 remain in the full line positions thereof shown in Fig. 9 of the drawingsand operation of the elevator by the intermittently actuated elevator operating mechanism is still prevented by rod 2 I4 through engagement of its head 220 with the head 2I6ofrod2I3.

With the elevator and new pile of sheets raised,

the handle 238 is now" operated to rotate the cam 235 to the full line'position thereof shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Upon'such rotation of cam 235 the high part 234 thereof continues to engage arm 225 of bell crank 224 so that rod 2I4 is.

gages the flat face 245 of the cam and the hook ably secured on the bracket H at one side thereof.

The other terminal of switch 293 is connected 1 by a wire 296 with one terminal of a normally closed motor stopping switch 291 which is of the push button type and arranged in the switch box 213. The other terminal of switch 291 is connected by a wire 299 with the wire 219 which, as previously described, is connected with the lead wire 2". It will thus appear that when the switch 215 is released by the machine attendant and opened by its spring to disconnect wires 219, 211, the coil 290 receives current from the lead wire 21| through wires 219 and 299, switch 291, wire 299, switch 293, wire 292, terminal 29| and wires 290, 211 and 213. The coil 290 thus continues to be energized and maintains switch 28I closed regardless oi opening of switch 215. It will further appear, that when either the switch 293 or the switch 291 is actuated to open the same, the previously described current for maintaining coil 290 energized is broken thus causing said coil to be deenergized so that switch 28| is opened and the motor I99 is stopped.

When employing the rapidly actuated elevator lowering and raising mechanism to lift the pile of sheets to proper position for action of the sheet separating and forwarding devices, the machine attendant may fail to stop said mechanism at the proper time with the result that the top of the pile will be raised beyond the proper and predetermined height therefor. Under these conditions it is necessary to lower the elevator and pile of sheets slightly so that the top of the pile is disposed at said proper or height. Accordingly, pile actuated predetermined means which,

as shown in Fig. 11 includes a roller 299, is provided to open switch 293, stop motor I99, and discontinue elevation of the elevator and pile by the rapidly actuated elevator lowering and raising mechanism if the pile is raised too high.

When the top of the pile of sheets is at the proper or predetermined height as indicated, for example. in full lines in Fig. 11, the roller 299 is disposed slightly above the top of the pile. The reason for this spacing of roller 299 above the top of the pile is to provide for stream fe ding of the sheets therefrom without interference by said roller. The roller 299 is journalled on one arm 300 of a bell crank 30| the other arm of which is indicated at 302. This bell crank 30I is pivoted, as at 303. on the bracket 1|. The bracket 1| also has pivoted thereonat 303 a bell crank 304 the arms of which are indicated at 305 and 306. The arm 302 is adiustably connected w th the arm 306 bv a screw 301 which passes through a slot 309 in said arm 306. The screw 301 and slot 308 connect the bell cranks 30I and 309 for operation thereof as a unit and at the same time enable roller 299 to be adjusted relative to the top of the pile of sheets to obtain the proper or desired spacing therebetween.

The arm 30B of bell crank 309 has pivotally connected therewith. as at 309, one end of a spring pressed rod 3I0. The opposite end of rod 3 I extends through a suitable opening in bracket 295 and said end of the rod has threaded thereon adjusting nuts 3| I. The spring 3| 2 for rod 3I0 is mounted thereon between the bracket 295 and a collar 3| 3 secured in any suitable manner on said rod. The bell crank arm 305 is provided with a rounded, enlarged end 3I9 which is normally held, through the action of spring pressed rod 3I0, in contact with a roller. 3|5 on switch Dlishing. these results,

299 and in a position such as to enable a spring (not shown) to hold the switch 293 closed.

If the elevator and pile of sheets are raised 00 high by the rapidly actuated elevator lowering and raising mechanism, the roller 299 will be raised by the top of the pile, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11 of the drawings. The bell crank arms 309, 305 will thus be rocked from their normal full line positions where they are held by spring pressed rods 3|0 and nuts 3| I, to their dotted line positions. Under these conditions, the rounded end 3 of arm 305 will depress roller 3I5 and open switch 293. When switch 293 is open the circuit including the same is broken so that switch 20| is opened, motor I 99 is stopped. and further elevation of the elevator and pile of sheets is prevented.

When, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11, the top of the pile of sheets is holding the switch 293 open, it cannot be closed to enable starting of motor I99 and lowering of the elevator and pile to bring the top of the latter down to the proper and predetermined height therefor. In accordance with the present invention, means are provided to start the motor and lower the elevator and pile of sheets to proper position when the switch 293 is opened by the pile, and said means is preferably arranged, constructed and operated as follows.

The bell crank 265 is provided with an enlarged, rounded projection 3I5 which, in the neutral or latched full line positions of handle 252 and the parts connected therewith shown in Fig. 11, contacts a roller 3" 'on a switoh 3I9 and enables a spring (not shown) for said switch to normally maintain the same open. This normally open switch 3I8 is mounted in a switch box 3I9 that is secured in any suitable manner on a bracket 320. The bracket 320 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured on a stay shaft 33 parallel with the stay in any suitable manner with a pair of the front uprights 5, 5. The terminals of switch 3| 8 are connected by wires 32I, 322 with the wires 292, 299 of the described circuit for motor I96.

If the elevator and pile of sheets are raised too high by the rapidly actuated elevator lowering and raising mechanism, the pile of sheets will, as previously described, open switch 293 and stop motor I96 and said mechanism. Switch 293 however, as before stated, cannot now be closed to start the motor, and in order to start said motor, lower the elevator, and bring the pile to proper position, the machine attendant first depresses handle 252 to the lower dotted line position thereof indicated at D in Fig. 11 of the drawings. This disconnects clutch parts I93, I (Fig. 2) and, at the same time, causes projection 3|6 of bell crank 265 to lift roller 3I1 and close switch 3| 8.

The machine attendant then closes switch 215 whereupon cell 280 is energized and actuates switch 28| to close it in contact with terminals 294, 295 and 285 of wires 2', 212 and 213 and thus start the motor I86, as previously described. Through the motor I96 and the clutch 93, I95 the elevator and pile of sheets is lowered until said pile reaches the proper position whereupon the machine attendant disconnects said clutch and motor from the elevator by moving handle 252 to the full line neutral position N thereof shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings. In accomthe machine attendant releases switch 215 which, of course, opens at is open. Switch 3|9,

a time when switch 293 shaft 33 and connected,

however, being at that time closed, the cell 280 receives current from lead wire 21l through wires 214, and 298, switch 291, wires 296 and 322, switch 3I8, wires'32l and 292, terminal 29I and wires 290, 211'and 213. The coil 280 is thus held energized to maintain switch 28I closed and motor I86 in operation regardless of the opening of switches 215 and 293 when switch 3I8 is closed.

It will of course be understood that when the pile of sheets is lowered to bring the 'top of the pile to the proper or predetermined height, spring pressed rod 3III returns roller 299 to its normal position and the spring (not shown) for switch 293 closes the latter. Also, it will be understood that when handle 252 is moved to its neutral position N (Fig. 11), projection 3I6 is lowered and the spring for switch 3I8 opens said switch. The switch 291 is, of course, employed to stop the motor I86 and the pump 4| whenever this is desirable. When employed for this purpose, switch 291 thereafter closes through the action of its spring (not shown), whereupon motor I86 may be started by switch 2-15, as

previously described.

The operations of step by step elevation of the pile of sheets, separation and forwarding of the sheets from the pile, lowering, loading, and raising the elevator with a new pile of sheets to proper position, and control of all of said operations having been described in detail above, in conjunction with the mechanisms for performing such operations, no further description of the present machine and its operation is necessary. It is pointed out, however, that the present invention may be embodied in types of machines or sheet feeders other than the embodiment herein illustrated and described and it is therefore to be expressly understood that the present invention is not limited to said embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a sheet feeder having sheet supplymoving mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl for driving the same, the combination of controlled and controlling fingers each extending partly across one side face of the ratchet within the circle of revolution thereof, a reciprocated actuating carrier for the pawl and the controlled finger and by which said controlled finger is reciprocated relative to thecontrolling finger, normally inoperative actuating means for the controlling finger normally holding said controlling finger stationary in a position to contact the reciprocating controlled finger and prevent engagement of the pawl with the ratchet, and means for throwing said controlling finger actuating means into and out of operation whereby the controlling finger is moved out of or into said position and said pawl is engaged with or disengaged from said ratchet.

2. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl for driving the same, the combination of a controlled finger and a pivoted controlling finger each extending partly across one side face of the ratchet within the circle of revolution thereof. an oscillated actuating carrier for the pawl and the controlled finger and by which said controlled finger is rocked in opposite directions relative to the controlling finger, normally inoperative actuating means for the controlling finger normally holding said controlling finger stationary in a position to contact the rocking controlled finger and prevent engagement of the pawl with the ratchet, and means for throwing said controlling finger actuating means into and out of operation whereby the controlling finger is rocked out of or into said position and said pawl is engaged with or disengaged from said ratchet.

3. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl for driving the same, the combination of controlled and controlling fingers each extending partly across one side face of the ratchet within the circle of revolution thereof, means for actuating the pawl relative to the ratchet and for actuating the controlled finger relative to the controlling finger, means for actuating the controlling finger, latch means normally preventing operation of the controlling finger actuating means and normally holding the controlling finger stationary in a position to contact the actuated and controlled finger and prevent engagement of. the pawl with the ratchet, and means for alternately throwing said latch means and said controlling finger actuating means into and out of operation to thereby move said controlling finger out of or into said position and enable said pawl to be engaged with or disengaged from said ratchet.

4. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism including a ratchet, a pawl for driving the same, and an oscillated carrier on which the pawl is mounted for actuation thereby. the combination of a controlled finger mounted on the pawl for rocking movement therewith and extending partly across one side face 'of the ratchet within the circle of revolution thereof, a controlling finger also extending partly across said side face of the ratchet and within its circle of revolution, a pivoted lever on which the controlling finger is mounted, normally inoperative actuating means for the lever and the controlling finger normally holding them stationary so that said controlling finger is disposed in a position to contact the rocking and controlled finger and prevent engagement of the pawl with the ratchet,

and means for throwing said lever and controlling finger actuating means into and out of operation whereby the controlling finger is moved out of or into said position and said pawl is engaged with or disengaged from said ratchet.

5. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl for driving the same, the combination of controlled and controlling fingers each extending partly across one side face of theratchet within the circle of revolution thereof, a reciprocated actuating carrier for the pawl and the controlled finger and by which said controlled finger is reciprocated relative to the controlling finger, cam and spring operated means for actuating the controlling finger, latch means normally preventing finger actuating operation of the controlling finger actuating means and normally holding said controlling finger stationary in a position to contact the controlled and reciprocated finger and prevent engagement of the pawl with the ratchet, and means for alternately throwing said latch means and said controlling finger actuating means into and out of operation whereby the controlling finger is moved out of or into said position and said pawl is engaged with or disengaged from said ratchet.

6. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl for driving the same, the combination of cooperatively related controlled and controlling fingers extending across one side face of the ratchet within the circle of revolution thereof and having opposed rounded ends, a reciprocated carrier on which the pawl and the controlled finger are mounted and thereby actuated, means 'for actuating the controlling finger normally inoperative and normally holding said controlling finger stationary in a predetermined position with its rounded end in contact with the rounded end of the controlled and reciprocated finger to thereby prevent engagement of the pawl with the ratchet, and means for throwing said controlling finger actuating means into and out of operation whereby the controlling finger is moved out of or into said position and said pawl is engaged with or disengaged from said ratchet.

7. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl for driving the same, the combination of cooperatively related controlled and controlling finger; extending across one side face of the ratchet within the circle of revolution thereof and provided with opposed rounded ends alternately movable into a position coincident with the axis of rotation of the ratchet to provide for engagement of the pawl with or disengagement of the same from said ratchet respectively, an oscillated carrier on which the pawl and the controlled finger are mounted and thereby actuated, means for actuating the controlling finger normally inoperative and normally holding said controlling finger stationary with its rounded end in the aforesaid position to contact the rounded end of the controlled and oscillated finger and thereby prevent engagement of the pawl with the ratchet, and means for throwing said controlling finger actuating means into and out of operation whereby the rounded ends of said controlled and controlling fingers are alternately moved into and and out of said position and the pawl is engaged with or disengaged from the ratchet.

8. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl for driving the same, the combination of controlled and controlling fingers extending across one side face of the ratchet within the circle of revolution thereof and provided with opposed end portions alternately movable into a position sub stantially coincident with the axis of rotation of said ratchet, a reciprocated carrier for the pawl and the controlled finger and on which they are mounted and thereby actuated, and means for alternatelv moving the opposed end portions of the controlled and controlling fingers into and out of said position whereby said pawl may be engaged with and disengaged from the ratchet.

9. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism, the combination of means for controlling the operation of the sheet supply moving mechanism comprising a pair of movably mounted fingers having opposed ends alternately movable into and out of a predetermined position to thereby throw said mechanism into and out of operation, and means for actuating said fingers and alternately moving their opposed ends into and out of said position.

10. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism, the combination of means for controlling the operation of the sheet supply moving mechanism comprising a continuously actuated finger and a normally stationary movably mounted finger having opposed ends alternately movable into and out of a predetermined position to thereby throw said mechanism into and out of operation, and means for moving the normally stationary finger toward and away from accuse the continuously actuated finger whereby the opposed ends of said fingers are alternately moved into and out of said position.

11. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism. the combination of means controlling the'operatlon of the sheet supply moving mechanism comprising a continuously actuated finger and a normally stationary movably mounted finger having opposed ends alternately movable into and out of a predetermined position to thereby throw said mechanism into and out of operation, means for moving the normally stationary finger toward and away from the continuously actuated finger whereby the opposed ends of said fingers are alternately moved into and out of said position, and means under the control of the sheet supply through movement thereof and removal of sheets therefrom for moving the normally stationary finger toward and away from the continuously actuated finger so that the opposed ends of said fingers are alternately moved into and out of said position.

12. In a sheet feeder having'sheet supply moving mechanism including a ratchet, a pawl for driving the same, and a reciprocated carrier for the pawl, the combination of a controlling member mounted at one side of the ratchet, a reciprocating lever, connections between the lever and the controlling member enabling the latter to be reciprocated by said lever to effect engagement of the pawl with and disengagement thereof from the ratchet, and means for stopping movement of the controlling member independent of movement of the lever to prevent engagement of the pawl with the ratchet and thereby discontinue operation of the supply movingthe pawl, the combination of a movably mounted controlling member, a reciprocating lever, a spring and pin connection between the lever and the controlling member enabling the latter to be reciprocated by said lever to eifect engagement of the pawl with and disengagement thereof from the ratchet, and means for holding the controlling member against movement with the lever to prevent engagement of the pawl with the ratchet and thereby discontinue operation of the supply moving mechanism.

14. In a sheet feeder having sheet supply moving mechanism including a ratchet, a pawl for driving the same, and a reciprocated carrier for the pawl, the combination of a controlling member pivotally mounted at one side of the ratchet, a reciprocating lever, connections between the lever and the controlling member enabling the latter to be reciprocated by said lever to effect engagement of the pawl with and disengagement thereof from the ratchet, means for automatically throwing the lever into and out of operation, and manually operated means for holding the controlling member against movement during operation of the lever to thereby prevent engagement of the pawl with the ratchet and discontinue operation of the supply moving mechanism.

15. In a sheet feeder having a pile elevator, pawl and ratchet type operating mechanism therefor, and power actuated means controlling operation of said mechanism and said elevator and including a continuously driven cam and a spring pressed rod arranged for operation thereby, the combination of a latch engageable with and disengageable from the cam operated and spring pressed rod to thereby control ation of said power actuated means,latch con-' trolling means adapted to contact the latch and disengage it from the cam operated and spring pressed rod, mechanism for continuously moving the latch controlling means toward and away from the latch and including a spring pressed rod actuated by said cam, and pile height governed means actuated by said last named mechanism toward and away from the pileand controlling said latch controlling means and contact thereof with said latch.

16. In a sheet feeder of the type having intermittently actuated elevator operating mechanism for raising a pile elevator step by step and rapidly actuated elevator operating mechanism for quickly lowering and raising said the combination of selectively operable cam controlled means and latchcontrolled means for rendering one or the other of said elevator operating mechanisms effective to operate the elevator, and manually operable cam means associated with and controlling selective operation of said cam controlled means and said latch controlled means.

17. In a sheet feeder of the type having intermittently actuated elevator operating mechanism for raising a pile elevator step by step and rapidly actuated elevator operating mechanism for quickly lowering and raising said elevator, the combination of selectively operable cam controlled means and latch controlled means for rendering one or the other of said elevator operating mechanisms effective to operate the elevator, a latch automatically operable. to engage and release the latch controlled means and thereby controlling the operation thereof, and means for controlling the selective operation of the cam controlled means and the latch controlled means and comprising manually operable cam means associated with and controlling the operation of said cam controlled-means and said latch.

18. In a sheet feeder of the type having intermittently actuated elevator operating mechanism for raising a pile elevator step by step and rapidly actuated elevator operating mechanism for quickly lowering and raising said elevator, the

combination of selectively operable cam and spring controlled means and manually operated latch controlled means for rendering one or the other of 'said mechanisms efiective to operate the elevator, a latch operable to engage and release the manually operated latch controlled means and thereby control the operation thereof, and actuating means for the cam and spring controlled means controlling selective operation of said cam and spring controlled means, said actuating means comprising manually operable cam means associated with the cam and spring controlled means and said latch and controlling the operation of the latter.

19. In a sheet feeder having elevator operating mechanism for intermittently raising a pile elevator and elevator operating mechanism for rapidly lowering and raising said elevator, the combination of cam controlled means movable to operative and inoperative positions for rendering one elevator operating mechanism effective or ineffective to operate the elevator, latch controlled means movable to operative and inoperative positions for rendering the other elevator operating mechanism effective or ineffective to operate the elevator, and cam means associated with and controlling movement of the cam conelevator,

the opertrolled means and the latchcontrolled means, said cam means being movable to first render one ofthe elevator operating mechanisms ineffective through themedium of said cam controlled means and said cam means being further movable to render the other elevator operating mechanism effective through the medium of said latch controlled means.

20. In a sheet feeder having elevator operating mechanism for intermittently raising a pile elevator and elevator operating mechanism for rapidly lowering and raising said elevator, the combination of cam controlled means movable to operative and inoperative positions for rendering one elevator operating mechanism effective or inefiective to operate the elevator, latch controlled means movable to operative and inoperative positions for rendering the other elevator operating mechanism effective or inefiective to operate the elevator, a latch normally engaged with the latch controlled means to thereby lock the same in its inoperative position, and cam means associated with and controlling movement of the cam controlled means and the latch, said cam means being movable to first render one of the elevator operating mechanisms inoperative through the medium of the cam controlled means and said cam means being further movable to disengage the latch from the latch controlled means and thereby render the other elevator operating mechanism effective through the medium of said latch controlled means.

21. In a sheet feeder having elevator operating mechanism for intermittently raising a pile elevator, and elevator operating mechanism for rapidly lowering and raising said elevator, the combination of cam controlled means movable to operative and inoperative positions for rendering one elevator operating mechanism effective or inefiective to operate the elevator, latch controlled means movable to operativeand inoperative positions for rendering the other elevator operating mechanism effective or ineffective to operate the elevator, a latch engageable with and disengageable from the latch controlled means, and cam means associated with and controlling movement of the cam controlled means and the latch, said cam means being movable to first engage the latch with the latch controlled means upon movement thereof to its inoperative position to render one elevator operating mechanism ineffective, and said cam means being further movable to render the other elevator operating mechanism effective through the medium of said cam controlled means.

22. In a sheet feeder of the type having a pile elevator and an electric motor for rapidly raising and lowering the pile elevator, the combination of means for supplying current to the motor and comprising a circuit therefor, a normally closed switch in said circuit and. adapted to be actuated by the pile to break the circuit and stop the motor in the event the pile is raised by said motor beyond a predetermined level, a normally open switch in said circuit, and means for connecting the motor with the pile elevator and operable to close said last named switch, complete the circuit, and enable lowering of the ele-' vator by the motor to lower the pile to said predetermined level.

23. In a sheet feeder of the type having a. pile elevator and an electric motor for rapidly raising and lowering the elevator, the combination of. means for supplying current to the motor and comprising a circuit therefor, a normally closed said elevator. and means for engaging the clutch switch in said circuit and adapted to be actuated and closing said last named switch to complete by the pile to break the circuit and stop the the circuit, lower the elevator by the motor, and motor in the event the pile is raised by said motor thereby lower the pile to said predetermined beyond a predetermined level, a. normally open 5 level.

switch in the circuit, a clutch for connecting EDWIN W. GOODWIN. the motor with the pile elevator to rapidly lower

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