US2321632A - Stick handling mechanism - Google Patents

Description

June 15, 194-3. H. SIEMUND STICK HANDLING MECHANISM Eild May 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l f LlJ IT I Y 0. E

mm W l A m & W 8 w June 15, 1943. H, SIEMUND 2,321,632

STICK HANDLING MECHANISM Filed May 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 4/0} I 7 54 16 film '1 j I l/ Patented June 15, 1943 STICK HANDLING MECHANISM Herman Siemund, Chicago, 111;,

assignor to Greenview Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 10, 1941, Serial-No. 392,855

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus for simultaneously locking, manipulating and releasing a plurality of handle members, such as wooden handle sticks of the type used extensively in the candy and ice cream industries, in the manufacture of stick confectionery products, and it has particular relation to a portable type of apparatus adapted to receive, vertically position in horizontally spaced relation, manipulate and release a plurality of such handle members simultaneously in a most efficient, sanitary and economical manner.

There are many types of apparatus in common use capable of performing the particular functions for which the present, apparatus has been designed, but most of them are so constructed that it is impossible to clean them thoroughly. Sanitary requirements for such types ofapparatus are constantly becoming more exacting until, at the present time in some sections of the country, it has become impossible to obtain permis sion of the health authorities. to use any such apparatus unless it is capable of being dismantled completely for cleaning thoroughly. Under such conditions, it is obviously necessary to devise a type of stick handling apparatus that can be quickly and efiiciently dismantled, cleaned and reassembled without the necessity of tools, removal of fastening parts, etc., such as bolts, nuts and complicated locking means.

With the present invention I have provided a simple, inexpensive and durable portable stick handling apparatus of ahighly sanitary construction, which is readily separable into three main parts, each of which consists essentially of a large flat plate having unobstructed surfaces that may be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized" with a minimum of time and efiort, and reassembled by any inexperienced person without the" necessity of tools, separable fastening means, etc. I

An object of the present invention-is to'provide' a simple, inexpensive and durable stickhandling apparatus which will positively engage and look without permanently binding a plurality of handle sticks in spaced relation regardless of great variations in their width and thickness dimensions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a portable stick handling apparatus consisting of a pluralityof separable flat surface memberg which may be quickly and easily disassembled-for cleaning purposes, and which is devoid handling apparatus consisting of-a plurality of relativelylarge'fiat separable members that may be inexpensively fabricatedby stamping opera tions, and which are each substantially free of inaccessible corners, movable parts requiringlu- 'brication, all of which features are capable of collecting and harboring dirt, bacteria; etc-., and rendering thorough cleaning and sterilizingv extremely difficult.

A furtherobject of the invention'ris to provide simple and efficient manipulating mechanism for such type of apparatus-which like the several plate members, may-be readily dismantledfor cleaning purposes, and-thereafter quickly reasi ,sembled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple,-inexpensive-and efficient manipulat- I ingmechanism which, when dismantled, has no separable parts that may become lost'or mislaid' during the cleaning operation, or any parts that of any'fastening means such as screws, nuts and may be separated from :theseveral main plates wherebyv they may not be subjected to the same cleaning operation as said main plates, or require-separate cleaning operations.

A further'objectof the invention'is to'p'rovide' a simple, inexpensive and'efficient manipulating mechanism for the several plates which maybe adjusted from time-to time forthe purposes of compensating for any wear and tear of its movingparts;

Another object of the invention isthe provision of a simple, practical, rugged and extremely durable portable-stick handling apparatus which is exceedingly light in weight; inexpensivein' construction; capable ofconvenient operation;

dismantling and reassemblihg with little time and effort by unskilled operators; incapable of jamming-or otherwise getting out-of order; dc"- void of mechanism requiring lubrication; and capable of convenient and thorough cleaning and sterilizing quickly andefliciently' in vorder'to maintainthe high standards'of sanitation required and desired.

Other and-further objects and advantages of the invention reside in the detailed construction of the apparatus, whichresult in-simplicity,.

economy and efficiency, and which will beappar- .ent from; the followingdescription, wherein; a preferred embodimentbfthe invention is shown,

reference being had to the accompanying drawline 3-3 thereof, looking in the direction of the i arrows;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the assembled carrier shown in Fig. 1, the same looking along line 44 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the same being.

taken along the line 55 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing in detail; the one construction of the operating mechanism for moving the intermediate plate with respect to the top and bottom plate; I J v Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, on a slightly large scale, of another construction of a completely detachable operating mechanism for causing movement of the intermediate plate with respect to the top and 'bottomplates, illustrating the detachable features of the handle operating mechanism; V

.Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view of the mechanism as shown in Fig. 6, the same being taken along the line ll thereof, locking in the direction of the arrows; and r v Fig. 8. is a fragmentary separated view ofthe apparatus shown in Figs. 6 and '7, illustrating in detail the various features of the plates and handle. manipulating mechanism as they look.

when detached from one another.

Referring now to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to'5 of the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 2 a. portable stick handling apparatus constructed of sheet metal, and preferably of stainless steel, Monel metal or other stainless metals, consisting of a bottom or base plate iii, a top platell and an intermediate plate [4. These plates are each separable from one another, but in assembly and dismantling the plates I2 and it are first superimposed and secured together into a unitary structure, and then inserted into position within the confines of the flanges of the baseplate l0. 7

The base plate It includes a piece of sheet metal formed to provide a flat horizontal bottom surface, and is provided with a plurality of triangular apertures |8 spacediin rows longitudinally and transversely for the reception of sticks or handle members 23, as indicated in dotted lines. in Fig. 2. The side edges of the plate l0 are bent upwardly to form longitudinally extending integral flanges 22, which are enlarged adjacent opposite ends to provide triangularly shaped upstanding arms 24. The upper ends of the arms 24 adjacent each end of the stick holder are connected transversely by handles 26, roviding means for manipulating the entire stick handling mechanism when it is assembled. A

laterally projecting stud 28 is mounted fixedly' outwardly of each of the arms 24, and each of said studs are in the same horizontal'plane, providing -means for suspending horizontally the stick handling mechanism over the upstanding sides of a conventional confectionery mold structure (not shown). The upper edges of the arms 26 are turned inwardly to provide inwardly exzbers 20.

. upwardly from the base plate [0, provides a transversely extending fastening means for securing the unitary secondary structure therein. A pair of studs or binding posts 3E are fixedly secured fon'the lower part of the pair of arms 24 opposite the end having the binding lug 34. The back inner edges of the arms 24 are inturned, as

-indicated at 38, forming flat abutting surfaces for engaging other stick handling mechanisms when a series of them are being moved manually or otherwise in rows end-to-end as is customary in many manufacturing plants.

The top plate I2 comprises a piece of sheet metal of slightly less length than the plates Hi and M, as best shown in Fig. 2, formed to provide a flat horizontal top surface which is l kewise provided with a plurality of triangular apertures 44 spaced in rows longitudinally and transversely for the reception of sticks or handle mem- The side edges of the plate l2 are turned downwardly to form integral longitudinally extending flanges 46 adapted to fit snugly but slidably within the channel-like confines of the flanges 22 and 30 of the base plate It). It will be noted in Fig, 3 that the flanges 46 extend downwardly for a distance sufficient to telescopiaway, asindicated at 5! (see Fig. 2) for receiving a and engaging the binding posts or studs 36 on the bottom plate member iii. A stud 56 is provided on the opposite end flange 48 upon which is pivotally mounted a latch member 58, having a manipulating integral handle member 60 extending therefrom inwardly of the apparatus. The lower end of the latch member 53 is adapted to engage the upwardly extending binding lug 3d The top plate l2 adjacent the opposite end from the latch member 58 is provided with an enlarged' opening 50, the edges of which are bent downwardly providing end flanges 52 and side flangesi. Between the oppositely extending longitudinal side flanges 54 there is mounted a transverse shaft 62 upon] which are suitably journalled inwardly of its ends a pair of bellcrank levers 64. The extreme outer ends of the upwardly extending longer arms 66 of the levers 64 are connected by a transversely extending handle 68. The short arms 61 of the bell-crank levers 64 are likewise connected transversely by,

mountedfon the middle or intermediate plate,

member'l i, as will be hereinafter described. A lug I8 projects downwardly from'the underside of each of the short arms 61 of the levers 64, as best shown in Fig. 2, and a transversely projecting arm I9 extends inwardly therefrom to providemeans for engaging the underside of the toggle links I4 to cause them to be moved. up into a horizontal position when the lever 64 is operated'.

The intermediate plate member it consists of a piece of sheetmetalof slightly less length than the bottom plate IE3 but of greater length than the top plate I2, and is likewise provided with a plurality of triangular apertures 89 spaced in rows longitudinally and transversely for the reception of sticks or handle members 29. Theintermediate plate It is provided with an enlarged aperture 82 for permitting movement of the toggle links M therethrough. A pair of upstanding side flanges 84 are secured fixedly in any suitable manner to the top side of'the plate I4 adjacent opposite sides of the aperture 82 by riveting, spot-welding, etc., and are adapted to provide a mounting for a transversely extending fixed rod orshaft 86. The side edges of the intermediate plate It are bent downwardly to form longitudinally extending integral flanges 88 which are adapted to fit telescopically within the flanges 46 of the top plate member I2. The bottoms of the flanges 8B are adapted to rest on the top side of the base plate It and act as guides or runners therefor. It will also be noted that the flanges 88 are of sufjcient depth to space the plate It substantially mid-way between the underside of the top plate I2 and the topside of the bottom plate I0.

In assembling the stick handling. mechanism, the top plate I2 is superimposed over the intermediate plate I4 with the notches it of the toggl links M engaging the transversely extending shaft 86 fixedly mounted on the intermediate plate I4. In'this position it will. be noted that the two plates I2 and I l form a unitary assembly or structure, which for convenience may hereafter be termed the secondary structure. The secondary structure is now longitudinally moved into position in the channel-like frame of the base or bottom plate I by sliding the forward end with the latch member through until the notches 50 are beyond the lugs 35, and then brought back until positioned thereover as best shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

The pivotal latch. member 58, which had been turned to a horizontal-position for assembling, is ready now to be moved to its normal vertical position until the lower end thereof engages the binding lug 34. When this is accomplished it will be noted that the secondary structure is securely locked in the .channel-liketray of the base plate It! by a wedging action between the binding lug 34 and the binding posts 36. To disassemble or dismantle the apparatus, it is necessary only to release the latch member 58 from thebinding lug 34, lift up the secondarystructure to clear the binding posts 36 and removethe same from the base plate Ill. When the secondary structure is withdrawn from the base plate Hi. it may likewise be readily separated by merely releasing the rod 88 from the notches 16 of the toggle links 14, and the two plates I2 and It are readily separable for Washing, etc.

Referring now to the construction shown in Figs. 6 to 8', both inclusive, there is shown a similar stick handling apparatus (like numeralsindicating like parts) having a detachable handle operating mechanism, and an improved tog-f gle link, which permits adjustment for wear and tear of the moving parts.

The bottom or base plate Iii is of the same construction as that previously described except that the lateral flanges 30 extend the entire length thereof instead of merely along the upstanding arms 24.

The top plate I2 has a pair of spaced longitudinal openings 92 insteadof a single large opening as in the previous construction, and outwardly on opposite sides of said openings is a channel-shaped lug 94 suitably mounted to the plate I2 by rivets or other suitable fastening means 96. Each of the lugs 94 is provided with a transverse recess 98 arcuately shaped for receiving or engaging a shaft of the manipulating mechanism hereinafter to be described.

The manipulating mechanism consistsof a pair of bell-crank levers 64A, the larger arms 66 of which are suitably connected at their outer ends by means of a transversely extending handle 68. The bell-crank levers 64A are suitably and removably journaled on a transversely extending shaft I08; halving outwardly projecting studshafts I02 for engaging the notches 98 of the channel-shaped lugs 94. The short arms 61 of the levers 64A are likewise connected transversely by a fixed removable shaft I04. A lug I8 projects downwardly from the underside of each' of the shorter arms Bl of the levers E i-A, as best shown in Fig. 8, and has a transversely extending arm I9 projecting inwardly therefrom to provide means for engaging the underside of the toggle links I06 to bring them into horizontal position with the initial movement of the levers (id-A. A pair of spaced toggle links M6 is mounted pivotally on the shaft I414. The toggle links lot are provided intermediate their ends with a V-shaped off-set I08 pointing inwardly toward each other, and at their extreme outer free ends with a notch IIil on their undersides, as best shown in Fig. 8. The notch H0 is adapted to engage the shaft 86 of the inter mediate plate. In this construction the shaft 86 is permanently mounted on the flanges 84 of the intermediate plate i l, but the shafts I00 and I04 are only frictionally secured in the lever arms 65 and Bl. To assemble the operating mechanism shown in Figs. .6 to 8, both inclusive, the handle 68 With its bell-crank levers G6 are inserted through the slots 92 of the top plate I2 and then the shafts I63 and IDA are frictionally positioned therethrough. In the case of the shaft HM, the toggle link I09 must be mounted thereon before its last end is inserted into position. It will be obvious from this construction and disclosure in Fig. 8 that after the operating handle mechanism 68 is assembled, it cannot be separated from the top plate 52 without withdrawing the shafts IM and IIM from their respective arms 68 and 6'! of the bell-crank levers 64A into which they have been frictionally fitted. In assembling the several parts of the apparatus shown in Figs. 6 to 8, both inclusive, the top plate I2 is superimposed on the intermediate plate M, with the notches IIil being fitted over the shaft 855 and the notches 93 of the channellike lugs E i being fitted over the stud shafts I02,

the plates I2 and I 4 are now assembled into the unitary secondary structure which is ready to' be'inserted in the tray-like-base plate It. The

and the unitary secondary structure is now slid longitudinally within the confines of the base plate I!) and under the lateral flanges 30 until the end abuts against the lugs or stops 36; Then the pivotal latch member 58 is turned by its handle 69 from a horizontal toa vertical position, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4 until the lower end thereof engages the upstanding lug 34, thereby wedging the unitary secondary structure between the stops 36 at one end and the lug 34 at the other end. I

With this arrangement it will be obvious that for cleaning purposes the entire manipulating mechanism may be dismantled, as shown in Fig. 8, and the same may be cleaned thoroughly without the top plate I2 being separated therefrom.

The V-shaped oiT-sets I08 in the toggle links I06 provide means for adjusting the movement of the intermediate plate l4lwith respect to the fixed bottoms and top plates IE3 and to compensate for any wear and tear due to extended use over a long period of time. It has been found that such apparatus requires slight adjustment from time to time throughout its life to compensate for normal wear and tear. In other types of apparatus it has been necessary to return the equipment to the factory for such adjustments, and generally new knives of larger dimensions were required in order to make certain all of the sticks or handle members, which are of exacting dimensions to a tolerance of a thousandth of an inch, would be securely locked therein when in operation. By providing an off-set in the toggle link it is possible with the use of a screw clamp (not shown) toexert enough pressure on these links at the point of oiT-set to reduce the same permanently, thereby straightening them out and increasing their length sufficiently to'compensate for wear'and tear. This adjustment, which can be made by anyone, eliminates returning the equipment to the factory when adjustment is desired.

In operating either form of stick handling mechanism the same is positioned manually over a conventional stick gauging rack (not shown) with the operating handle 58 moved towards the left or center thereof, as best shown in Fig. 5. In thi position it will be noted that the triangularly shaped apertures 44, 80 and I8 of the plates I2, I4 and Ill, respectively, are in vertical alignment, with their bases in a plane with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and the other two sides extending angularly outward transversely thereof with their respective vertices pointing in the same direction. The sticks or handle members 29 are ready now to be inserted manually or otherwise into the vertically aligned apertures 44, 80 and I2. When each group of aligned apertures 44, 8B and I8 has received a stick or handle member 20, the handle 68 may be moved towards the right of the apparatus, as best shown in Fig. 2. In this position it will be noted that the handle 68 is moved into juxtaposition with one of the handles 26 whereby it is in position to be operated by the fingers of the same hand which is holding said handle 26. When the handle 58 is moved to the right as far as possible, the long arms 65 of the bell-crank lever move the short arms 5'! thereof to substantially a horizontal position (as best shown in 2) which movement in turn causes the toggle links to be moved by the arms 19 of the lugs I8 to a horizontal position and then to the left and toward the center of the apparatus. The movement of the handle 68 is laid horizontally of the top plate I2 toggle links in turn is transmitted to the shaft 85, which in turn forces the intermediate plate I4 to'the left an equal distance longitudinally of the apparatus. When the plate. I4 is moved longitudinally with respect to the stationary plates II) and "I2, its apertures 80 aremoved out of their vertical alignment with the apertures I8 and 44 of the plates III and I 2, respectively, to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Thus, it will be apparent that the sticks or handle members 20 are secured by a wedging action in the vertically aligned apertures I8 and 44 by the sides of the apertures 80 exerting a binding pressure thereagainst, The sticks or handle members 20 are vertically secured because of the spacing arrangement of the apertures I8 and 44, and their aligned bases cause such sticks or handle members 20' to be aligned longitudinally While a binding pressure is exerted from an angle both longitudinally and transversely of the apparatus, thus wedging the stick or handle members 26 by a three-point contact both forwardly and laterally by the oblique sides of the apertures against the longitudinally flat bases thereof.

Thus, the sticks or handle members 20 are aligned both vertically and longitudinally. In this manner it will be apparent that the handle sticks BI! are not impaled in any way whatsoever, and that when the lever 68 is moved to its open position the apertures 80 of the intermediate plate M are caused to be moved back again into exact vertical alignment, which permits the sticks' or handle members 20 to drop therethrough by gravitational force.

Although I have only described in detail two forms which the invention may assume, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the invention is not so limited, but that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit thereof or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main structure having a plurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondary structure consisting of a plurality ofv separable members each of which is provided with a plurality of cor respondingly spaced stick receiving means, a separable actuating means having supplemental means for operatively connecting said members 'together to form a unitary secondary structure,

wedging means for operatively securing said unitary secondary structure to said main structure so that all of the stick receiving means will be aligned for the reception of sticks, and separable actuating means being operable when assembled on said secondary structure and the same is operatively associated with the main structure for moving one of the members of said secondary structure relative to the other member and said main structure for releasably securing said sticks therein.

2. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main structure having a plurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondary structure consisting of a plurality of separable members each of which is provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receiving means, a sep arable actuating means including latching means for operatively connecting said members together to form a unitary secondary structure, releasable latch means for operatively securing said secondary structure to the main structure whereby each of the stick receiving means will be aligned for they reception of sticks, and separable actuating means operable'when the secondary-structure is operativelyassociated with said main structure for-moving one'of the members of said secondary structure-relative to the other member and said main tructure-for releasably securing said Sticks therein;

'3. A stick handling apparatus comprising i a main structure having a plurality of spaced stick receiving means, aseparable secondary structure consisting of a pair of separable members each of which is provided with a pluralityof correspondingly spaced stick receiving means, separablelatch means for operatively connecting said members together to form aunitary secondary structure, pivotal latch means for operatively securing said secondary structure to the main struc. ture witheach of the stick receivingmea-ns being aligned for the reception of, sticks, and actuating means carried by said separable latch means for moving the bottom member of said secondary structure relative to its top member and the main structure when said structures are operatively associated for releasably securing said sticks therein.

4. A stick handling apparatus comprising a ain plate structure having aipluralityof spaced stick receiving means in the bottom thereof and outwardly projecting guide means, a separable secondary structure adapted to' engage said guiding means of the main structure. when operatively associatedtherewith; said secondary structure having a pair of separable. spaced plat'e'members each having correspondingly spaced stick receiving means, separable latchmean for re:- leasably connecting said plate members together,

pivotal latching means for releasably securing] the top plate member-of said secondary structure to the main plate structure, and actuating; means integrally formed withsaid separable latch means for moving the bottom plate memberrelative to its top plate member and the mainframe structure when said structures are operatively associated for releasably securing sticks in said st ck receiving means.

5. A stick handling, apparatuscomprising a" tray-like main structure having a plurality of spaced sticklreceiving means, a separable secondary structure adapted to fit within said tray,

like main structure consisting of a pair of separable inverted tray-like members each of" which is provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receivingimeans, means on one ,of said inverted members for engaging the other member releasably for connecting said members together to form a-unitary secondary structure,

actuating means for securing releasably said sec.- ondary structure operatively to said main structure so that the stick. receiving means, ofthe separable members will be aligned vertically for the reception ,of sticks, andactuating means. for moving one of the members of said secondary structure relative to the other structure and said' lation a separable secondary structure, a separable secondary structure consisting of a pair of spaced separable superimposed plate members each of which has a plurality of spaced stick receiving means corresponding to that of the Iii main plate structure, means on one of said plate 75 members for engaging means on the other plate member for detachably connecting said members together to form a unitary structure, means ineluding a latch on said secondary structure for releasably securing it in operative association with said main plate structure whereby the stick receiving means of the apparatus will be substantially in vertical alignment for the reception of sticks, and means for moving the bottom plate of said secondary structure relative to it top plate andthe main plate structure for wedgili yv securing said sticks vertically therein.'

'7. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main plate structure having a pair of'sp'aced'ham dles for manipulating the same, a plurality of spaced stick receiving apertures and spaced means for receiving a secondary structure, a separable secondary structure consisting of a pair ofspaced separable superimposed plate members each'of which has a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receiving apertures, means on ,one' of said plate members for engaging means on the other plate member for detachably connecting said members together to form a unitary structure adapted to be superimposed on the main platev structure, spaced means including actuating means on said secondary structure for,re leasably securing the top plate member thereof fixedlyto said'main frame structure whereby the'stickree ceiving means will be substantially in vertical alignment, and latch means including ahandle extending into juxtaposition to one of the handles,

of the main frame structure for moving the 'bot tom plate of said secondary structure relative to its top plate and the mainplate structure for wedgingly securing said sticks vertically therein.

8. A stick handling apparatus comprising 7 a main plate structure having a pair of spaced handles for manipulating the same, a plurality of spaced stick receiving apertures and spaced mean for receiving a secondary structure, a separable secondarystructure consisting of. a pair.

to said mainframe structure whereby the stick receiving means will be substantially in vertical alignment, and actuating means includin a handle extending into juxtaposition to one of the handles of the main frame structurefor moving the-bottom plate of said'secondary structure relative to its top plate 'andthe main plate structure for wedgingly securing said sticks vertically therein; v

9. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main late structure havinga pair ofsp'aced handles for manipulating the same, a plurality of spaced stick receiving apertures and spaced means for receiving a secondary structure, a separable secondary structure consisting of a pair of spaced separable superimposed plate members each of which has a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receiving apertures, means on one of said plate members for engaging means on the other plate member for detachably connecting said members together to form a unitary structure adapted to be superimposed on the main plate structure, spaced means including actuating means on said secondary structure for releasably securing the top plate thereof fixedly to said main frame structure whereby the stick receiving means will be substantially in vertical alignment, and actuating means associated with the means for securing the plate members of the secondary structure together for moving the bottom plate of the secondary structure relativ to its top plate and the main plate structure for wedgingly securing said sticks vertically therein.

10. A stick handling apparatus comprising a tray-like main structure having a plurality of spaced stick receiving apertures, spaced securing means for receiving a secondary structure and guide means extending longitudinally for aligning said secondary structure therein, a separable secondary structure adapted to engage said guide means consisting of a pair of separable traylike plate members each of which is provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receiving apertures, each of said plate members being provided with cooperative means for releasably securing them together into a unitary secondary structure, said top tray-lik member of said secondary structure having spaced means including an actuating member for engaging the spaced means on the main structure to secure fixedly said structures together with their respective stick receiving apertures in substantially vertical alignment, and actuating means extending outwardly from the apparatus for moving the bottom plate of the secondary structure relative to its top plate and the main structure for securing wedgingly said sticks vertically therein,

11. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main structure having a plurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondary structure consisting of a plurality of separable members each of which is provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receiving means, and actuating mechanism carried by said secondary structure, said actuating mechanism being readily separable from said secondary structure whereupon its members are released for cleaning purposes.

12. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main structure having a plurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondary structure consisting of a plurality of separable members each of which is provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receiving means, and a separable actuating mechanism carried by said secondary structure, said actuating mechanism being capable of moving one of the members of the secondary structure relative to its other member and the main structure when said structures are operatively assembled.

13. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main structure having a plurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondary structure consisting of a plurality of separable members each of which is provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receiving means, readily detachable actuating means for operatively connecting said members together to form a unitary secondary structure, latch means for operatively securing said secondary structure to the main structure whereby each of the stick receiving means will be aligned for the reception of handle sticks, said detachable actuating means being carried by said secondary structure and being capable of moving one of the members of said secondary structure relative to the other member and said main structure for releasably securing said sticks therein when said structures are operatively assembled.

14. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main plate structure having a plurality of spaced stick receiving means in the bottom thereof and outwardly projecting guide means, a separable secondary structure adapted to engage said guiding means of the main structure when operatively associated, said secondary structure having a pair of separable spaced plate members each having correspondingly spaced stick receiving means, means for releasably connecting said plate members together, detachable actuating means for releasably securing the top plate member of said secondary structure to the main plate structure, and detachable actuating means for moving the bottom plate member relative to its top plate member and the main frame structure forreleasably securing sticks in said stick receiving means.

15. A stick handling apparatus comprising a tray-like main structure having a plurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondary structure adapted to fitwithin said traylike main structure consisting of a pair of separable inverted tray-like members each of which is provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receiving means including a pair of off-set toggle links, means on one of said inverted members for engaging the other members releasably for connecting said member together.

to form a unitary secondary structure, actuating means for securing releasably said secondary structure operatively to said main structure so that the stick receiving means of the separable members will be aligned vertically for the reception of sticks, and detachable actuating means for moving one of the members of said secondary structure relative to the other member and said main structure for releasably securing the sticks therein.

16. In a stick handling apparatus comprising a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal plates each having a plurality of alignable stick receiving means, said stick receiving means consisting of apertures of triangular shape having their bases in vertical alignment and in a plane parallel with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and its other two sides extending angularly outward transversely of the apparatus with their re- :pective vertices all pointing in the same direcion.

HERMAN SIEMUND.

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