US2316221A - Cutoff driving mechanism - Google Patents

Description

H. WLBRUKER ET AL CUT-OFF DRIVING MECHANISM April 13, 1943.

Filed A 'ril 22, -1942 8 6 i h m M IT QM Q m M. o m MN WM NN f mwwm ww o mm mm a Q. m. w QW. I r IHIVI o .11 n: WM W1 9w 0 m .k n mm Q S NTORS Patented Apr. 13, 1943 CUTOFF DRIVING MECHANISM Hobart W. Bruker, Bordentown, and Francis W.

Overton, Trenton, N. J.

Application April 22, 1942, Serial No. 440,010

8 Claims.

Various cut-off driving mechanisms are known, of which the patents to Swift No. 2,059,412 dated November 3, 1936, Bruker N0. 2,243,673 dated June '10, 1941, and Morrison No. 2,215,762 dated September 24, 1940, may be mentioned as examples, wherein the adjustment of the cutting speed of the cutters to conform to the speed of travel of the material being cut for different lengths of cut, is accomplished by adjustment of the relative positions of rotary members constituting parts of the driving mechanism.

In machinery of the above character the moving parts are subjected during adjustment to stresses which vary widely in direction and amount, and one object of the present invention is to provide an adjusting mechanism which will afiord smooth, facile and accurate motion from one position to another while the machine is in operation or at rest, and without causing undue strain or wear upon the moving parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjusting mechanism of the above character which may be readily constructed to afford adjustment along a path of desired shape, whether straight line or arcuate or other special curvatrue.

be installed in and removed from the cut-off machine as a unit and without substantial disturbance of or tinkering with the adjacent parts of the machine with which they immediately cooperate.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part specifically referred to in the description hereinafter contained which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, discloses a cut-off machine constructed to operate in accordance with the invention. The disclosure, however, should be considered as merely illustrative of the invention in its broader aspects. In the drawing-- Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse section-taken through a cut-off machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

The invention is disclosed as applied to a cutoff machine many parts of which may be understood as being of any known or appropriate construction, and which accordingly will not be described in detail. The illustrated machine is of well known rotary type, the knives l and 2 being carried by upper and lower spindles 3 and 4 respectively, which spindles are journaled in a main side frame 5 of the machine and interconnected by gears 6 and I in known manner.

In order to conform the cutting speed of the machine to the length of blank being cut, an eccentric crank mechanism is shown which is generally similar in type to that shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the above mentioned Morrison patent, a rotatably mounted driving gear 8 being pivotally connected by a stud 9 to a link 10 which link is in turn pivotally connected by a stud H to a bell crank lever [2 having fixed thereto a stud [3 which serves as the axis of rotation of the bell crank lever [2. This lever 12 as shown in Fig. 2 is constructed somewhat like a walking beam, having a stud M which pivotally connects it to a further link l5, which link is in turn pivotally connected by a stud Is to a rotary crank arm I! fixed to a rotaryspindle [8. This rotary spindle 18 which may be considered as the rotary power output member of the cut-ofi driving mechanism, is connected to the spindle 4, preferably in the manner hereinafter described.

To drive the gear 8, a rotary spindle I9 is provided which carries a pinion 20 meshing with the gear 8. This spindle [9 may be considered as the rotary power input member of the cut-off driving mechanism, and is in turn driven by a spindle 2| rotated in timed relation to the output of a variable speed transmission (not shown).

The setting of the variable speed transmission determines the length of the cut blanks.

When the central axis of stud 13 which constitutes the axis of rotation of lever I2, isalined with the axis of rotation of gear 8, uniform rotary motion is transmitted through the driving mechanism throughout the cycle of rotation, the power coming from the power input member I9 through pinion 20 and gear 8, link [0 to bell crank lever I2, then through link I5 to the rotary crank l1 and rotary power output member l8 of the driving mechanism which delivers the uniform rotary motion to the cut-ofi mechanism. In this position the cutting speed of the cut-off, i. e. speed of travel of the cutters in the direction of movement of the material being cut, at the time of cut, will be the same as the peripheral speed of travel or" the knives in all phases of rotation, but if the stud 13 be displaced from the above alined position, therotary speed of the output spindle l8 will be proportionately faster or slower at the time of cut, depending upon the eccentric position to which the stud I3 is moved. Thus by properly positioning the stud 13 according to,

the length of blank to be cut, the cutting speed may be regulated to conform to the speed of,

tion in its broader aspects, as being merely typical of suitable driving mechanism capable of rogu lating the cutting speed by adjustment of the The above driving mechanism should relative positions of the moving parts of such mechanism. a

In one of its aspects the invention has special reference to the mechanism employed to adjust the distances between the centers of rotation of rotary driving and driven members as above referred to, to thereby regulate the cutting speed. As shown in Fig. 2 the lever 12 and its stud [3, are rotatably mounted in an adjusting member 22 which has rocking engagement with what we term a fulcrum member 23, shown in the form, of a rack, in such manner that as the adjusting member 22 is rocked in either direction, it rolls along the surface of the member IS with successive points along such surface acting as fulcrum points for the movement of the adjusting member. V

In the illustrated form of the invention the adjusting member 22 is shown as provided with a sector gear E l having teeth meshing with the teeth of rack it If the sector gear 24 be arcuate in configuration and rack 23 be linear, the construction will cause the axis of stud II to move in a straight line as member 22 is rocked in one direction or the other, just as the axle of a vehicle wheel moves parallel to the ground as the wheel rolls over the ground. The path of movement of the axis of stud l l as the adjusting member 22 is rolled along the surface'of fulcrum member 23 as above described, accordingly will depend upon the configurations given to the engaging surfaces of members 22 and 23. If the members. 22 and 23 be both in. the form of arcuate sector gears the path of. adjustment of stud is will be arcuate in form, or other desired paths of movement may be secured by imparting appropriate cam-like configurations to such engaging surfaces. For instance adjustment of. the stud. l3in an. arcuate path. or in a straight line path will ordinarily angularly advance or retard to some. extent the point of operation of the cut-off knives with respect to the angular position. of lever l2. In other words regulation of the, cutting, speed may cause the cutting operation to take place earlier or later in the cycle. The engaging surfaces of the members 22 and 23 above described may be readily soshaped that indifferent adjustments of member 22 there willbe no angular retardation or advancement of the cut-off knives, so that the cut-off operation takes places in all adjustments at or near what may be termed the peak of the irregular motion needed to conform the cutting speed to the speed of travel of the material being out. In thisway the irregular motion imparted to the parts of the driving mechanism will be fully utilized in regulating the cutting speed, so that only the minimum irregularity of motion will be needed for the various lengths of cut to which the machine may be set.

The adjusting member 22 is moved to different positions and held in adjusted positions by suitable devices such as a worm on a rotary spindleagainst movement sideways of the machine, the

gear teeth above described holding the adjusting member 22 effectively in adjusted position against other undesired movements.

The rolling movement of adjusting member 22 along the surface of member 23 as a fulcrum as above described, affords smooth and facile positioning of the stud l3 throughout the operating range of the machine while the machine is in operation or at rest, and without producing undue strain or wear upon the operating parts. The machine may readily be adjusted to proper lengths of cut ranging up to six or eight times the minimum length of cut, and operating only on one side so to speak of the uniform speed position so that the rotary speed is uniform when the machine is set for minimum length.

The spindle 25 will usually be rotated indefinite relation to mechanismlnot illustrated) for setting the machine to out different lengths,

the connections being such that the adjusting member 22 is automatically reset to make the necessary correction in cutting speed whenever the machine is reset for a different length of out. Since mechanisms suitable for the above purpose are known in the art the same will not be described in detail herein.

In accordance with'anot-herphase of the invention the cutting speed adjusting mechanism and immediate associated parts are so constructed that they may be readily installed in and removed from operatingposition as a unit, for purposes of assembly, replacement or repair. As shown the differential crank mechanism as a whole is carried by a supporting member 29 detachably clamped to the auxiliary side frame Ed by bolts 3% This supporting member 29 is interposed between the auxiliary side frame 5a and the gear 8 previously mentioned, and is provided with bearings 29a and'ZQb respectively for the hub 80!. of gear 8- a-nd the power input spindle l9, these bearings being received within an opening 3| in side frames 5a. As shown the members 2228 above described are mounted upon an outboard circular flange 32- on an annular bracket member 33 which is in turn bolted to the supporting member'29by bolts 34. The fulcrum member .23 is held in stationary position by an angle piece 35 held against flange 32 by bolts 36,

and the spindle 26 is journaled in suitable bearings 3'! (Fig. 2) attached to'fiange 32. The moving parts above described are preferably housed within an enclosing shell 33 which is fastened to the annular bracket 33 by screws 39.

Quickly detachable connections such as the flange coupling; 40 shown in Fig. 1 connect the driving shaft 2+ to the power input shaft l9, and a similar flange coupling 4| may be used to detachably connect the power output shaft l8 of the cut-off driving mechanism to the shaft 4 which transmits the rotary motion to the cutters. A similar detachable coupling 42 as indicated in Fig. 2 may be used to-detaohably connect the spindle 2 6 to its associated actuating member (not illustrated) and thus by loosening the couplings 43, ll and t2 and bolts 30, the cut-off driving mechanism may be detached from operative position as a unit by movement endwise of shafts 4 and 2!, all of the operating parts of the driving mechanism being ultimately carried by and movable with their'main supporting member 29. In case of failures ordefects in any of the parts of the cut-off driving and adjusting mechanism, this mechanism as a whole accordingly may be removed and a substitute installed with'aminimum of intervening shut-down time, and without the disassembly and-substitution of individual parts on the job, such as has heretofore always been necessary in machinery of the above character in so far as we are aware.

While the invention has been disclosed as carried out by a machine of the specific construction above described, it should be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A cut-off driving mechanism having a cutting speed adjustment including a fulcrum member, an adjusting member movably engaging therewith, the engaging surfaces of said members having successive complementary raised and depressed portions affording rolling movement of said adjusting member along the surface of said fulcrum member with successive points along said last mentioned surface acting successively as fulcrum points for the movement of said adjusting member, means for moving said adjusting member to different positions along the surface of said fulcrum member, said mechanism having a driving member controlled as to position by said adjusting member thereby to regulate the cutting speed of said mechanism according to the position of said adjusting member.

2. A cut-off driving mechanism having a cutting speed adjustment including a stationary fulcrum member, an adjusting member movably engaging therewith, the engaging surfaces of said members having a series of meshing gear teeth affording rolling movement of said adjusting member along the surface of said fulcrum member with successive points along said last mentioned surface acting successively as fulcrum points for the movement of said adjusting member, means for moving said adjusting member to different positions along the surface of said fulcrum member, and a rotary cut-off driving member journaled in said adjusting member, said driving mechanism including means whereby the cutting speed thereof is varied by changes in position of said rotary driving member.

3. A cut-off driving mechanism including rotary driving and driven crank members having motion transmitting connections constructed and arranged to afford transverse movementof the axis of rotation of one of said crank members thereby to vary the relative rotary speeds of said crank members within the cycle of rotation, a stationary fulcrum member, an adjusting member movably engaging therewith, the engaging surfaces of said members having a series of meshing gear teeth affording rolling movement of said adjusting member along the surface of said fulcrum member, means for moving said adjusting member to different positions along the surface of said fulcrum member, one of the aforesaid crank members being journaled in said adjusting member, thereby to afford regulation of the cutting speed of said mechanism by movement of said adjusting member to different positions.

4. A cut-off machine having a side frame running longitudinally thereof, rotary power input and output members disposed adjacent said side frame, an eccentric crank mechanism connected to transmit power between said power input and output members and having rotary input and output members which are respectively detachably engaged with the first mentioned rotary input and output members, and means including a housing enclosing said crank mechanism and detachably clamped in operative position with respect to said side frame, whereby the component parts of said eccentric crank mechanism may be installed in and removed from operative position as a-unit.

5. A cut-off machine having a rotary power transmitting member disposed at one side of the machine, an eccentric crank mechanism disposed endwise of the aforesaid rotary member and having a rotary power output member detachably engaging therewith, a supporting member interposed between said mechanism and said first mentioned rotary member, said supporting member carrying said eccentric crank mechanism and also carrying a housing surrounding said mechanism, said supporting member being detachably secured in operative position to afford removal thereof and of the enclosed eccentric crank mechanism as a unit.

6. A cut-off machine having a main supporting frame-work, rotary power input and output members mounted therein, a differential crank mechanism connected to transmit power between said power input and output members and having rotary input and output members which are respectively detachably engaged with the first mentioned rotary input and output members, said crank mechanism including parts relatively adjustable to regulate the cutting speed of the machine, a supporting member carrying said crank mechanism, said. supporting member being detachably secured in operative position i with respect to the aforesaid main frame-work whereby said supporting member and said crank mechanism may be installed in and removed from said operative position as a unit.

7. A cut-off machine having spaced main and auxiliary side frames, rotary power input and output members supported in said main frame, motion regulating driving mechanism for said machine having rotary input and output members which are respectively detachably connected with the first mentioned rotary input and output members, a supporting member for said mechanism which is detachably connected to said auxiliary side frame, whereby said motion regulating driving mechanism may be installed in and removed from operative position as a unit.

8. A cut-off machine having a main supporting frame-work, rotary power input and output members mounted therein, a motion regulating driving mechanism connected to transmit power between said power input and output members and having rotary input and output members which are respectively detachably engaged with the first mentioned rotary input and output members, said motion regulating driving mechanism including parts relatively adjustable to regulate the cutting speed of the machine, a supporting member carrying said motion regulating driving mechanism, said supporting member being detachably secured in operative position with respect to the aforesaid main framework whereby said supporting member and said motion regulating driving mechanism may be installed in and removed from said operative position as a unit.

HOBART W. BRUKER. FRANCIS 'W. OVERTON.

I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent no. 2,516,221. April 1;, 191g.

HOBART W. BRUKER, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 5, for "No. 2,215,675" read --No. 2,2hJ ,675--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of May, A. D. 19115. I

Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Images