US2311600A - Inner tube manufacturing device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 16, 1943.

F. J. sHooK INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Filed July 19, 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Elma/wk FLpRmN J. SHOoK hu k" li rf fl if Q Feb. 16, 1943. J s oo 1 2,311,600

INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Filed July 19, 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 FMS. 4,

FLORMN J. SHOCK Feb. 16,1943. F,J,SHOOK 2,311,600

INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Filed July 19, 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 16, 1943. SHQOK INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Filed July 19, 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 T o on is V 5 9 r0 5 MB m 0 h w I .r 3 9 a ..u M U? hu 0 0 l l ,4 WWHH J 1h! gwue/wbo b FLORNN .lSHooK Feb. 16, 1943. F. J. SHOOK 2,311,600

INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Filed July 19,- 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 PIP 1x13 Feb. 16, 1943. F, J, s ao 2,311,600

INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Filed July 19, 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Feb. 16, 1943. I F. J. SHOO K A 2,311,600

v INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE I Filed July 19, 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 awe/MM FLDRNN J. SHOCK Feb. 16, 1943. F. J. SHOOK INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE 14 Shets-Sheet 8 Filed July 19, 1938 Z mm gjwue/wfo'b FLORNN J. SHOCK War/MA;

14 Sheets-Sheet 9 Feb. 16, 1943. F. J. sHooK INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Filed Jfily 19, 1958 139 Fuanmudbnoon 1 mm, an ummy i i l W m vl t ag fi w 4V V Feb. 16, 1943. F. J. SHOOK INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE l4 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed July 19, 1938 I F. J. SHOOK INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Filed July 19, 1958 25 hell Feb. 16, 1943. 2,311,600

14 Sheets-Shet '11 l I :m

1 )0 3G 30 9 90 9 3 30 g fi LWW FLORAIN Jfiuoox RG35 g Q 201 I 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Elm/0mm F. J. SHOCK INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING. DEVICE Filed July 19, 1938 Feb. 16, 1943.

Feb. 16, 1943. F. J. SHOOK INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Fild July '19, 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet l3 Feb. 16, 1943. F. J. sI-IooK INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Filed July 19, 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 FIG. 28

rllIIll rllllll IIIL I I ||II|| IQ F Illll IL I x K O Q I l N N R O Patented Feb. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE INNER TUBE MANUFACTURING DEVICE Application July 19, 1938, Serial No. 220,160

21 Claims.

This invention relates to inner tube and like manufacturing equipment of that type for preparing from continuous rubber tubing, as it issues from the tubing or die-expressing machine, lengths of valved, unvulcanized inner tubes ready to be spliced into annular form and vulcanized.

The general purpose of the invention is to provide in such equipment improved means for applying a name-mark or other legend to the tubes, improved means for punching valve apertures in the tubes, improved means for applying valves to the tubes and improved means for cutting the tubing to inner tube lengths.

A particular object of this invention is to provide in such equipment a device for effectively incorporating rubber valves with the tubing and to provide an effective combined valve holepunching and. valve-applying device having parts so associated and operable in succession on the tubing as to first cut the valve hole at the desired point and then apply the valve in proper registry with the valve hole.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are attained in the equipment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific form thereof shown and described, and also that each of the associated or combined devices illustrated is capable of independent use for the same, or other purposes, as those particularly set forth.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of an inner tube manufacturing plant embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section on line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the equipment shown in Figure 2 and of the right side thereof.

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the tube marking equipment, taken substantially at l in Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged front elevation thereof.

Figure 6 is a section on line fi5 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged plan view of the tubevalving equipment.

Figure 8 is an enlarged front elevation thereof.

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-2 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a section on line !@-ii] of Fig Figure 13 is an enlarged section on line l3l3 of Figure 9.

Figure 14 is a section on line MM of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is an enlarged section on line [5-45 of Figure 9.

Figure 15 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the connections to the electric eye device.

Figure 15 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the electrical connections between the tube-valving equipment and the tube-marking equipment.

Figure 16 is a transverse vertical section through the valve-hole punching equipment in operative position.

Figure 1'7 is a similar sectional view through the valve-applying device.

Figure 18 is a section on line [8-48 of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is an enlarged section of the tube shearing mechanism, taken substantially on line I9I9 of Figure 1.

Figure 20 is plan view of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is an enlarged elevation showing another form of intermittent drive, dispensing with the electric eye.

Figure 22 is a cross-section on line 22-22 of Figure 21.

Figure 23 is an enlarged right elevation of the parts shown in Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 21.

Figure 25 is a section on line 25-25 of Figure 21.

Figure 25 is a schematic wiring diagram, similar to Figure 15 illustrating connections to control the tube-valving equipment from the intermittent drive shown in Figure 21.

Figure 26 is a plan view of a modified form of valving equipment.

Figure 2'? is an enlarged section on line 2'l21 of Figure 26.

Figure 28 is a rear elevation, partly broken away, of the modified valving equipment.

Figure 29 is an enlarged section on line 29-49 of Figure 26 showing the punching mechanism in operative position.

Figure 30 is a view similar to Figure 29 of the valve placing device in operative position to apply a valve to a tube.

Figure 31 is an enlarged section on line 3l-3l of Figure 29.

Referring to Figures 1 to 20, inclusive, of the accompanying drawings, the numeral designates a conveyor over which may be passed tubing T issuing from a tubing machine (not shown) and with which conveyor may be associated airsprays M for drying the tubing T as it leaves the cooling tank (not shown), the tubing being hot when it leaves the tubing machine and wet when it leaves the cooling tank.

Arranged to receive tubing T from conveyor 40 is a continuously driven conveyor 42 which may be driven by a sprocket 43 in turn driven by a chain 44 from a sprocket 45 driven by a suitable source of power, housed at 48.

A tube-marking device is shown generally at 41 in association with conveyor 42. This device is illustrated in detail in Figures 4, 5 and 6 and will be described in succeeding paragraphs of this specification. Also associated with conveyor 42 is a suitable soap-stone applying device 48.

Arranged to receive tubing T from conveyor 42 is a suitable festooning device 49 comprising roller 49 roller 50, and a floating or festooning roller 5I. An intermittent conveyor 52 receives tubing T from the festooning device.

Conveyor 52 is preferably arranged over conveyor 42 and carries tubing T back over its path on conveyor 42, supporting the tubing on its opposite side, or what was previously its top side as it issued from the tubing machine. Conveyor 52 is driven intermittently by a sprocket 53 and chain 54 from the power source M (see Figure 15 in housing 46, said power source being controlled by an electric eye device indicated at 55 and shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3, and a switch operable by a cam on the valving machine as will later be described.

The electric-eye device may comprise a lightsource in a housing 56 having a beam-directing tube 5'! for directing a beam into an opposite tube 58 for affecting a light-sensitive element housed at 59, this device being mounted on a carriage 60 supported on a shaft 6| having pinions 62, 62 thereon, riding on fixed racks 63, 53 whereby device 55 is adjustable lengthwise of conveyor 52 to adjust the equipment to make inner tubes of different diameters. Tubes 51 and 58 are so arranged as to cause the beam of light between them to be intercepted by a valve V mounted in place on the tubing T, to cause a suitable solenoid or switch S (Figure 15 to be operated, as will be described, to stop conveyor 52 for a redetermined length of time after which the switch S is automatically operated to start the conveyor running until another valve T intercepts the light beam of the electric eye. The periods during which conveyor 52 is stopped are utilized for valving and cutting operations on tubing T on the ;.conveyor. Conveyor 52 is driven somewhat faster than conveyor 42 to utilize the stock continuously conveyed by conveyor 42, floating roll 5| of festooner 49, arranged between conveyors 42 and 52, taking up the slack of the stock between the two conveyors as will be understood. 7

Associated with conveyor 52 is the valving mechanism illustrated generally at 64, a soapstone device at 65 and a cutting device at 66 of which the valving mechanism and cutter will be described in detail.

A conveyor 61 receives the tubing T from the conveyor 52 after it is cut and conveys it to conveyor 68 which may carry the tube to a splicing station (not shown). At the splicing station the tubes are spliced and a conveyor 69 may be provided over conveyor 52 for carrying the spliced tubes to the vulcanizer (not shown).

The tube-marking device 47, as shown best in Figures 4, 5 and 6, comprises a printing roller I carrying a printing die II and rotatably mounted by a shaft 12 on an arm I3 secured to a shaft 74 journaled on a bracket I and operable by an arm '16 connected to a toggle 'II fixedly pivoted at Ii and operable by a solenoid I8. Associated with roller is a lifting cam I9 designed to ride on conveyor 42' and to lift the roller 10 off tubing T at the end of a printing operation, cam I9 rotating with roller I0 when roller 10 moves down into contact with tubing T.

Associated with roller I0 is an ink-supply vessel 80 carried on arm 13, in which is a partly submerged roller 8| arranged to be driven, as by belt 82 from roller I0. Riding on roller BI is a die-inking roller 83 carried on an arm 84 freely pivoted on a bracket 85 on arm I3 so that roller 83 will ride by gravity on roller 8| excepting when die II rotates under roller 83, lifting it slightly and causing ink applied to roller 83 by roller 8| to be applied to die I I. Solenoid 18 may be timed to print a mark on the tubing so located as to appear on each length of the cut tube lengths supplied by the present equipment. The timing device may be associated with the valving mechanism to be described so as to apply the marking on the tubing corresponding with each valving operation.

The soap-stone applicators 48 and may be of any suitable type similar to devices of this sort heretofore used and form per 'se no part of the present invention. The device 48 applies soap-stone to one side of the tubing and 65 to the other, as will be apparent because the tubing is reversed in passing through festooner 585I and onto conveyor 52. This reversal brings the marking applied by marker 41 onto the outer periphery of the finished tube (the valve being applied on conveyor 52 on what becomes the inner periphery of the finished tube).

Associated with conveyor 52 at the valving mechanism 94 is a conveyor 88 having spaced pins 81, 91 for receiving valve structures V, V placed thereon and carrying them to the valveapplying mechanism to be described. Conveyor 86 may be arranged to be intermittently driven to position valves V in succession in the valving device by operation of the valving device as will be set forth in succeeding paragraphs.

The valving mechanism comprises a valve pickup and applying arm 88 and a valve-hole punching arm 89 carried by a single reciprocating head 90 supported for vertical sliding and horizontal swinging movement by a vertical tube or hollow shaft 9| mounted in a supporting frame 92 so as to slide vertically and rotate therein.

Hollow shaft 9| (see Figure 12) is journaled at 93, 93 on a vertically reciprocable central rod 94 so as to reciprocate with and also to revolve about said rod. Rod 94 is connected by link 95 to one arm of a bell-crank lever 96 pivoted at 91 and the other arm of which has thereon a roller 98 engaged in the groove 99 of a revolving groovedcam I99.

Surrounding shaft 9I in the central portion of frame 92 below the head 90 is a non-reciprocating sleeve I M journaled in frame 92 and keyed as at I02 to rotate with but to permit relative sliding movement of hollow shaft 9I. Sleeve IOI has thereon an arm I03 (see Figures 13 and 14) to which is connected a link I04 connecting said arm with a head-turning lever I05 pivoted in frame 92 at I06 and operable by a roller I01 thereon engaged in a cam-groove I 08 in a revolving groove-cam I09.

Sleeve IIII carries a cam I II], which may be integral with arm I83, engageable with a rod III horizontally slidable in frame 92 and engaging with a lever H2 pivoted at H3 (see Figure 12) and connected to a pawl I I4 engageable with pins I I5, H5 on sprocket H5 for intermittently driving valve-conveyor 85. A dog II'I pivoted at H8 is held against bottom pins H5, H5 on sprocket H5 to hold the valve pins 81 in proper registry with the valve pick-up and applying device on arm 88 which will be described. A tension spring H9 extended between an arm I on dog H1 and lever I H. serves to urge lever H2 against rod I I I and also to hold dog III against pins H5.

Cams I50 and I59 are secured on a drive shaft I2I on which is also secured a pump-operating cam I22 having a groove I23 therein in which engaged a roller I24 (see Figure 15) on a lever I25 pivoted at I25 and connected by a pitman I21 to a combined vacuum and pressure pump piston I28. Piston I23 is reciprocable in cylinder I29 mounted in frame 92 which cylinder is provided with a suitable vacuum relief valve I30 to prevent development of excessive suction on the down stroke of the piston and with a suitable pressure relief valve I 3| to prevent development of excessive pressure on the up-stroke of the piston.

The vaive pick-up and applying head 96 is provided with channel members I32 and I33, the outwardly extending flanges I32 I32 and I33 I33 respectively, of which are arranged and shaped to slidably engage a roller I34, rotatably mounted on frame to guide the head 90 as it is reciprocated up and down for the tube f punching, valve pick-up, and valve placing operations. Adjacent sides I32 and 33 of the channel members are provided at the bottoms thereof with cut-away portions I32 and I33 to permit head 95 to rotate with the shaft 9i, through a predetermined angle, from one station of operation to another, the bottom portions of the outermost sides of the channel members cooperating with roller I3 as stops for the extreme positions of the head 95 (see Figures 7, 9 and 11). This arrangement insures accurate centering of pick-up arm 83 and punching arm 59 in the various operating positions thereof.

As is best shown in Figures l2 and 17, the free end of valve pick-up arm 88 has mounted thereon a valve pick-up mechanism, indicated generally at I35. A valve pad I35 has an up Wardly extending shank portion I3? adapted to be slidably received in a bore I38 in the arm 88, The bottom of pad I35 is recessed at I39 to receive the base I45 of a rubber inner-tube valve MI. and shank I3? is apertured at I42 adjacent recess I59 for receiving the valve stem Mi The upper portion of shank I3! is provided with a bore I43 adapted to slidably receive a plug I44 which carries a tapered valve I45, these being urged downwardly by a compression spring I45 interposed between plug 544 and a cap I4? preferably adjustably secured on the upper end of shank I31 A wall I43 between the aperture I42 and bore I43 has a communicating opening I48 therein, the tapered valve I45 being normally urged, by spring I45, against the upper edge of opening I 48 to close the same when the head 59 is in the upper position (see Figure 12), i

or at other times when there is no valve stem in the aperture I42. Valve pad I35 may be normally urged downwardly by a compression spring I49 extending between the arm 88 and valvepad I35, the downward movement being limited by the bottom of cap I41 contacting with the arm 88. Plug I 44 is provided with vertically extending grooves I44 I44 on the outer periphery thereof to permit passage of air therethrough as cylinder I29 is operated, through a suitable conduit I55 and a flexible extension I55 either to apply suction to hold valve MI in the relative position with respect to valve pad I35 shown in Figure 1'7, or to release the valve from the valve pad I35 onto the tube stock T, as will be described later, to position the valve in cooperation with a hole previously punched in said tube stock (see Figure 17).

Valve I being preferably conical in shape, readily seats itself in the opening I48 in wall 648 to close the same in position in which there is no valve stem in the valve pick-up mechanism. Valve I45 also serves to close the opening in valve MI when the latter is held within the valve pick-up mechanism by means of suction, to prevent destroying the effect of the suction.

The valve pick-up mechanism I35 is constructed and arranged to pick up a valve V from the conveyor 85 at the beginning of each valving cycle. At this stage of the operation the head BI) will be lowered so that valve pad I36 descends directly over one of the valves V previously placed on studs 81 on the conveyor 86. As pad I36 descends, valve I 45 closes the valve stem opening and suction from cylinder I29 draws the valve stem base into sealing relation with the recess I35 in the pad. This suction is maintained while head 95 is raised and swung from the full-line to the chain dotted positions shown in Figure 7, and again lowered to move arm 88 to the valve placing position thereof. When the valve pick-up mechanism I35 is about to be raised from this valve placing position, best shown in Figure 17, the suction is released and sufiicient pressure is applied to release the valve I4I from the pad I36, whereupon said pick-up mechanism is raised to leave the valve stem accurately centered over a hole previously punched in the tube stock T. If necessary to make the valve base adhere to the tubing T, a suitable adhesive, such as rubber cement, may be applied to the bottom of the base at the valve pick-up station L,

The tube punching mechanism, indicated generally at I5I, (see Figures '7, 9 and 16) is mounted on the free end of the punching arm 89. The end of arm 89 is formed with a U-shaped portion I52 the outer extremities of which are bifurcated at I53, I53 to receive lugs I54, I54 on a holder I55 for a suction pad I55. Holder I55 may be vertically movable to a limited extent, to allow for variations in the thickness of the tube stock T for example, by being secured to pins I55, I 55 slidably mounted in the bifurcated ends of the U-shaped portion I52 of arm 89. In the raised position of arm 89 the lugs I54 of holder I55 will rest on the lower pro jections of the bifurcated ends I53.

Suction pad I55 is provided with a concave recess I5l. A heated annular knife element I58, suitably supported within holder I55, projects through a central opening I 55 in pad I55 past the inner face of recess I5?! to a distance substantially equal to the wall thickness of the tube stock '1. Knife I58 is shaped and arranged to provide a recess I60 of substantially the diameter of a hole to be punched in the tube stock T, and this recess communicates with a chamber ISI in holder I55, through a central bore I62 in element I58 and radial slots in the top face thereof leading from said bore and opening into the chamber I6I. A suitable electric heater I63 adjustably secured in holder I55 may be provided to heat the knife I58 either by direct contact with the top face of knife element I58 or by close proximity thereto. The knife is heated to make it more efficient for cutting the rubber tubing T. A passage I 54 extends from chamber I6I to a conduit I58 which, through conduit I50, connects with the combined suction and pressure pump I29. A thermostat I65 may be connected to the holder I55 to control the heat in the knife element I58, A suitable heat insulation block I66 may be interposed between holder I55 and I56, to prevent heating the pad and avoid any pre-vulcanization of the tube stock T by contact therewith.

The above arrangement is such that when the arm 89 on head 90 is lowered to contact the tube stock T at the same time suction is applied by means of pump I29, through conduit I50 and a flexible extension I50 to draw the upper layer of tube stock into recess I51. The heated annular edge of knife I58 is forced through the layer to punch a valve opening I61 therein, and the plug I68 formed by the punching operation is drawn into the knife recess I60. The plug is held in recess I80 until ejected at the plug ejecting station E, upon application of pressure from pump I29. As the punching arm 89 moves upwardly away from the stock T, the effect of the suction on the stock is destroyed by the blocking of passage I62 by the plug I68.

A stripper-lever I69, forked at its free end to extend around pad I56 and ending in upwardly curved portions I56 at diametrically opposite sides of the pad, is pivotally connected at I18 to the arm 89. The free end of lever I69 is normally urged downwardly by a spring I1I connected between arm 89 and a web I12 on lever I69, the web I12 being shaped to provide a projection I12 for engaging the under side of arm 89 to limit downward movement of lever I69. Lever I69 acts to aid separation of the tube stock T from the suction pad I56 as the latter moves upward after a punching operation and the suction from within the pad is released.

When the head 90 has been rotated, from the position shown in full lines in Figure 7 to the chain-dotted position, to carry the valve pick-up mechanism I35 from the valve pick-up station L to the tube-punching and valve-placing station P, at the same time the tube punching mechanism II is carried on arm 89 to the plug ejecting station E. At the latter station cam I22 actuates pump I29 to apply pressure, through conduit I50 and flexible extension I50 to eject a plug I88 retained in recess I51 of knife I58 after the valve hole punching operation. The plugs I68 may be ejected into any suitable receptacle (not shown). When plug I68 is being ejected, valve I4 I has been placed on tube stock T over a punched hole I61, as shown in Figure 1'1, and the same pressure action from pump I29 will release valve I4I from the valve pad I36, leaving the valve stem accurately centered over the hole I61 as arm 88 is raised to move back to the valve pick-up station L for the succeeding valving cycle.

At the tube punching and valve placing station P an anvil I13, extending transversely across the frame of conveyor 52, is provided to support the conveyor belt against downward pressure of the tube-punching and valve placing mechanisms during the tube punching and valve placing operations.

For revolving the cam shaft IE I, with the cams I08, I09, and I22 thereon, a full revolution for each cycle of the valving mechanism 64, there may be provided a one-revolution clutch I15 keyed to the shaft I2I. Clutch I15 may be of any suitable type having a gear I15 continuously driven through a drive chain I11 by a motor I18 and reduction gearing I19 (see Figures '1 to 10). A cycle of operation is started by a valve V coming directly in the path of the beam of electric eye units 56 and 58, causing a solenoid I88 to be momentarily energized, which solenoid actuates a bell-crank lever I8I pivotally mounted on the valving machine frame 92 (see Figures I0 and I 5*). An arm I82 on lever I8I is thereby disengaged from under a finger I83, which finger is yieldingly connected to mechanism (not shown) within the clutch I15, and the clutch is engaged with the shaft III to drive the same. As soon as the finger I83 has been allowed to pass the end of the arm I82 a spring I 84 urges the lever I8I back to the position shown in Figure 10. This sets the arm I82 in position to trip the finger I83, when the latter has completed one revolution with the clutch, which disconnects clutch I15 until another valve V on tube stock T crosses the path of the light beam of the electric eye units. The electric eye units are energized during intermittent movements of the tube stock in readiness for initiating each succeeding cycle of the valving mechanism, by a switch I84 actuated by a suitable block I85 on cam I00 at substantially the end of a valving cycle.

In Figure I5 is illustrated, schematically, the electrical connections to the electric eye device 55, by which is controlled the intermittent operation of conveyor 52 and, through one-revolution clutch I15, the valving device 64. The beam-directing and beam-receiving tubes 51 and 58, respectively, of the electric eye device may each be connected in parallel to normally closed switch I84 in a circuit C across lines L1 and L2, from a suitable source of electrical supply. A valve stem coming between tubes 51 and 58, as described, momentarily cuts off the beam, closing an output circuit C from the beam-receiving tube 58, to energize solenoid I80, and actuating bell-crank lever I8 I (Figure 10) to disengage the finger I83 of one-revolution clutch I15. This causes shaft I2I' to be driven for one revolution, for a cycle of operation of the valving mechanism 64.

The instant shaft I2I starts to rotate, block I85 on cam I00 mounted on the shaft I2I, opens switch I84, thereby actuating a suitable solenoid S in said circuit C This closes contacts S in a circuit C across lines L1 and L2, to operate the magnetic brake, or similar device M associated with a motor or other driving means (not shown) in housing 46, and stopping conveyor 52 for as long as switch I84 is open, which is during a cycle of operation of the valving device.

After solenoid I is energized to start said valving cycle, switch I84 being opened, the flow of current to the electric eye device is broken.

,At the end of the cycle, however, switch I84 is again closed to reset the electric eye device 55 for another cycle of operation, the closing of said switch also deenergizing solenoid S to open contacts S in circuit C thereby operating magnetic brake M for starting conveyor 52. The one-revolution clutch automatically resets itself during said cycle of operation, as previously described.

It is understood that the foregoing is a description of a simplified wiring diagram, and that other wiring connections may be utilized without the exercise of invention. As for example, with the use of known electrical equipment, such as relay switches or the like, the device M may be a motor instead of a magnetic brake or clutch associated with a motor.

As is best shown in Figures 7, 15, and 15* a switch I86, operable by a block E81 adjustably secured on the outer periphery of cam is provided for momentarily actuating solenoid 19 (see Figure 15 of the tube-marking mecha nism 41 (see Figures 4, and 6), to start the latter mechanism for a cycle of operation thereof, as previously described. The arrangement and timing are such that although the marking mechanism 41 may be located a relatively remote distance from the valving machine each length of tubing, as it emerges from the cutting device 66, will have the desired marking or indicia printed on the side which later becomes the outer periphery of the tube.

Between the leading end of conveyor 52 and the adjacent end of conveyor 61 may be the tube shearing mechanism 65, shown in detail in Figures 19 and 20. A bracket I88 having a horizontal fixed shear-plate i819 thereon extends transversely between the extended side frames 52 52 of conveyor 52. Pivotally mounted on a support I89 extending upwardly from bracket I98 there is a swingable holder I99 for a shearing knife I99 operable by a fluid pressure cylinder I9I secured to frame I88. A piston I92 in cylinder I9I is connected to an arm I93 on knifeholder I99 by means of a link I94 The piston I92 is actuated upwardly by fluid pressure applied through a conduit I95, from valve I95 actualted by a plate I91 on cam I22. The plate I91 is preferably arranged to depress a lever arm I99 for a short period against the action of a spring I99 (see Figure 15) to cause knife I99 to swing to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 19. As soon as the plate I 91 releases the arm I98 the pressure fluid in cylinder I9I will exhaust out and a spring 299, connected between bracket I88 and holder arm I93, will cause the knife-holder I99 to swing back to the full line position shown in Figure 19. The cutting mechanism 99 may be synchronized with the valving mechanism 99 to shear the stock T at any time during the interval that conveyor 52 is stopped for the valving cycle.

For convenience and clearness the general operation of the tube manufacturing equipment will be described briefly. The conveyors 92 and 63 are continuously driven and conveyor 52 is intermittently driven, as previously described, to convey a continuous strip of tube-stock T, supplied from an extruding machine (not shown). As the stock T leaves the drying sprays 4i it passes under the tube-marking device 41, actuated periodically by block I81 on valving cam I22 tripping the switch I86, the latter being wired to the solenoid 18 of the marking device. Continuing along the conveyor, the stock T passes under the soapstoning device 48 which applies soapstone to the printed or marked side of the stock.

Before passing on to the intermittently operated conveyor 52, the tubing T may be fed through the festooning device 49 which is adapted to store up stock coming from continuously driven conveyor 42 while conveyor 52 is stationdotted lines in Figure '7.

ary for each valving cycle of the valving machine 94. Conveyor 52 is stopped for a valving operation by a valve V, placed on tubing T by a previous valving operation, cutting off the beam from the electric eye device 55 to operate the control switch S (Figure 15 which cuts off the power source M in housing 49 for driving conveyor 52.

At substantially the same time that the electric eye device 55 operates to stop conveyor 52, the solenoid I89 on the valving machine 64 is actuated to operate the one revolution clutch I15 to start a cycle of operation of the valving machine. When the cycle starts, the reciprocating head 99 is in the position shown best in full lines in Figures 7, 9 and 12, with the valve pick-up mechanism I35 at station L and the tube-punching mechanism I5I at station P. As the cams I99, I09, and I22 carried by shaft I2I start to rotate, shaft I2I being driven through the continuously driven sprocket I16 and the engaged one-revolution clutch I15, cam I99 actuates bell-crank lever 95 to "pull the rod 94, carrying shaft 9| which in turn carries the head 99, downwardly to the chain-dotted positions best shown in Figures 12 and 16. While the head 99 is maintained in the down position for a short period by cam I99, the valve pick-up and tube-punching operations pre viously described in detail are performed. As the shaft I2I continues to rotate cam I99 causes the reciprocating head 99 to be raised to the top of its stroke, at which time cam I99, through lever I95 and link I94, will cause the non-reciprocating sleeve I9I to rotate approximately a quarter revolution. Since the hollow shaft 9i is slidably keyed to sleeve I9I the head 99 will also be rotated, bringing it to the position shown in chain- This places the valve pick-up mechanism I35 at station P, directly over the previously punched hole I91 in tubing T, and

places the punching mechanism E5I at the plug ejecting station E.

With shaft I2I still turning cam I99 now causes head 99 to be lowered to the bottom of its stroke for bringing valve pick-up mechanism I39 to the position shown in Figure 1'1, thereby placing a valve I4I on tubing T in cooperating relation with the punched hole I91. As head 99 starts to move back to the top of its stroke, pressure from pump I29 prevents valve stem I ll from sticking in the valve pad I39, and at the same time the plug I58 from the previous tube-punching operation is ejected at station E by pressure.

While still at the top of its stroke, head 99 now swings back to the starting position, shown in full in Figure 7. When shaft I2I has completed a revolution arm I82 on lever I8I (see Figure 10) trips the finger I83 to release clutch I15 and thereby stop the valving mechanism.

At the end of the valving cycle block I85 on cam I99 actuates switch I 89 (see Figure 12) to start conveyor 52 and set the electric eye for the next valving cycle. The next succeeding valving cycle will be started when the valve previously placed as described above starts to cross the path of the beam of the electric eye device 55.

After tubing T passes the valving machine, soap-stone applying device applies soapstone to the side of tubing which later becomes the inner peripheries of the finished tubes. Upon each shearing operation by the cutting device 69 the severed length of tubing is carried by the conveyor B8 to the tube splicing and other operations (not shown).

end thereof a crank-arm 208 arranged to oscillate an arm 209, pivotally mounted at 2|0 to housing 46.

Arm 208 is provided wtih a longitudinal slot 2| adapted to adjustably, but non-rotatably, receive a .pin 2| upon which is journaled a roller 2|2 arranged to be slidably retained in a longitudinal slot in lever arm 209. Adjustment of the pin 2| I is made by releasing nuts 2 3 and sliding the pin along slot 2| and then tightening the nuts 2|3 to non-rotatably clamp pin 2| I on arm 208.

Pivotally connected at 2|4 to the extended outer end of lever arm 209 is a link 2|5, the other end of which is pivoted at 2|6 to a rack-gear 2|! slidable in a casing 2|8 secured to frame 52. Rack 2 l1, through suitable gears 2|9 and 220 keyed to a shaft 22| journaled in brackets 222, 222 on frame 52*, drives a gear 223 keyed on a sleeve 224, which in turn is rotatably mounted on the drive shaft 225 of conveyor 52. This, of course, drives sleeve 224 in alternately reversed directions as the rack is reciprocated up and down by the crank 208. Mounted on the end of shaft 225 adjacent sleeve 224 is a one-way clutch 226, which being of known construction is not shown in detail. The clutch 226 is preferably associated with sleeve 224 in such a manner that conveyor 52 will be driven in a direction toward the valving machine for a predetermined distance (or time) with each down-stroke of rack 2 ll. On the up-stroke of rack 2|! clutch 226 is inactive and the conveyor 52 is stationary for the period of the stroke, which may be substantially equal to the time required to complete a cycle of operation of the valving machine 64. The driven period of conveyor 52 may beshortened or lengthened to determine the cut length of the tubing, by changing the position of pin 2| with respect to the slot 2| in crank 208 to correspondingly shorten or lengthen the stroke of rack 2|I.

The roller 50 may be suitably driven by a friction belt 50 to prevent the tubing T from gathering lack between the rollers 49 and 50.

For setting the valving mechanism 64 in motion to perform a complete cycle for each intermittent stopping of conveyor 52, there is provided on the continuously driven shaft 201 a cam 22'! adapted momentarily to trip a suitable switch 228 (see Figures 21, 24, and 25) upon the conveyor stopping, which switch in turn energizes the solenoid |80, through the normally closed switch I84, (Figures 7 and 25 to actuate the one-revolution clutch I and start the valving cycle, as before described. The description of the valving cycle in connection with Figure after solenoid |80 is energized to start the cycle, is substantially the same as the description above in connection with Figure 15, like parts being given like numerals. At the endof the valving cycle block I85 on cam Hi0 (see Figure 12) actuates switch I84 to set the wiring circuit (Figure 25 in condition so that cam 22! may actuate switch 229 for the succeeding valving cycle.

Figures 26 to 31, inclusive, show modified forms of valve pick-up and tube-punching mechanisms. These may be used in place of the similar mechanisms previously described without necessarily modifying the general operating structure or sequence of the valving machine.

Carried on the end of arm 88 of the reciproeating head 90 is a valve pick-up mechanism 230. A valve pad 23| may have an upwardly extending sleeve 232 arranged to slide vertically in arm 88, the bottom face of a cap 233 screwed on the top of the sleeve normally resting on arm 88 to limit downward movement of the pad with respect to arm 88. The bottom of pad 23| may be provided with a recessed portion 234 for receiving the base portion of a rubber valve V, and a lock 235 suitably secured within sleeve 232 may be provided with a tapered hole therein for receiving the stem portion of the valve. A disc 236 of flexible material such as rubber, suitably arranged within sleeve 232, may be provided with an opening therein for tightly receiving the screw portion 231 of valve V, to hold the valve in pad 23| while it is being moved for the valve placing operation. This arrangement is such that when arm 88 is brought down over an upright valve V on conveyor 86 at station L, the stem of the valve is guided through the tapered hole of block 235 and is held by disc 236 until the valve is later ejected for placing it on the tube stock T at station P.

Between the block 235 and cap 233, there may be arranged in fixed position in sleeve 232 a block 230 having a chamber 239 for a pressure and suction operated piston 240. An ejector stem 24| extends downwardly from piston 240, through a bore 242 in block 238, and preferably has a tapered or pointed end adapted to engage in the valve opening of the valve stem. The upper part of chamber 239 communicates with pump I29 through the extension |50 of conduit I50, so that when pad 23| descends over a valve V on con-. veyor 86 suction may be caused to be applied to hold the ejector stem 24| out of engagement with the end of the valve stem. When pad 234 is about to be lifted from the tubing T, at station P after the valve placing operation (see Figure 30), pump I29 is caused to apply pressure in chamber 233 to thereby force ejector stem 24| downward against valve-stem V, to eject the latter from the valve pick-up mechanism and leave it properly centered over the previously punched hole in tubing T as the arm 88 moves upwardly.

A safety device may be provided in association with the pick-up mechanism 230 to prevent fouling thereof with a valve-stem at station L in case the valve pad 23| should descend when it is not exactly centered over said valve-stem. To this end there may be pivoted on arm 88, curving horizontally around the end thereof, a U-shaped member 244, and pivotally connected to member 244 at 245, 245 may be another U-shaped member 246, which is arched over the vertical center of the pick-up mechanism, Extending loosely through an opening 241 at the top of member 246 is a bolt 243 which screws into cap 233 and the head of which limits upward swing of member 244 with relation to valve-pad 23|. A coil spring 249, extending between the cap 233 and a washer 250 under the arched portion of member 246, normally urges cap 233 against the arm 98 when the latter is in raised position and U-member 244 is in locked position. For locking the safety mechanism a T-shaped member, having a longitudinal plate 25| and a cross-piece 252, is

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