US2346673A - Press - Google Patents

Description

April 18, 1944. N. GEERTSEN PRESS Filed Feb. 10, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVIVIOR. M M

BY Q

244M441 v i-(am ATTO ENEXS April 18, 1944.

N. GEERTSEN PRESS Filed Feb. 10, 1942 BY M by 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

girroPNEkS April 18, 1944. N. GEERTSEN 3 PRESS Filed Feb. 10, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 75% m BY @AZW AUQ r-xs...

ril 18, 1944. N. GEERTSEN I PRESS Filed Feb. 10, 1942 B Sheets-Sheet 5 66% A TTOENEYS April 18, 1944. V

GEERTSEN 2,346,673

PRESS Filed Feb. 10, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 18, 1944 PRESS Nelson Geertsen, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Ameri-' can Can Company. New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 10, 1942, Serial No. 430,298

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to sheet metal presses and the like and has particular reference 'to cutting metallic sheets into parts and feeding the parts in opposite directions while stacking them for quick inspection and subsequent handling.

In the can making industry fiat blanks from which can bodies are made usually are cut from j large sheets. Some can bodies, such as those used for tearing strip cans, require an additional die cutting operation on'one edge of each blank to form the tearing strip tongue and its adjacent notch. Such can bodies require manual handling for inspection and stacking after being cut from the sheet and again after the die cutting operation. This requires considerable time and expense for handling the blanks.

The instant invention contemplates savin this time and expense in handling by providing a machine in which double blank strips are divided by a die mechanism that forms the body tongue and notch and in which the blanks after cutting are fed in opposite directions to stackers which receive them in position for inspection and for subsequent handling.

An object therefore of the invention is the provision of a sheet metal press wherein strips of stock are fed from a magazine into a die mechanism which cuts the strip across and along an irregular line of severance that divides the strip into two can body blanks each having a shaped edge that may include a projecting tongue and an adjacent notch, the blanks after cutting being discharged laterally and in opposite directions to. stackers which receive the blanks in an arrangejme'nt. which permits of quick. inspection and subsequent handling.

Another object is the provision in such a machine of gauging devices wherein the strips to be out are gauged and located in the die mechanism from the feeding edge of the strip so that the strip will be properly located in the die mechanism for cutting.

Another object-is the provision of such a ma- 2 v chine wherein the various moving parts for feeding the strips may be adjusted laterally of the machine so that strips of different sizes may be accommodated in the machine.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better under- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the instant invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is-a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 with the upper portion of the machine broken off and shown in section and with other parts of the machine-broken away, the view also showing a plurality of blanks in stacked arrangement in the machine;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of a portion of the machine, with parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the broken line 6-45 in Fig. 5, with parts broken away, the view also showing in section a plurality of blanks in the machine;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line l'! in Fig. 2, with parts broken away, the view also showing a blank in section;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevation of a detailed portion of the machine as viewed from the back of the machine, with parts broken away;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially along the line 9-9 in Fig. 2, with parts broken away;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line Illl0 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line ll-Il in Fig. 5, with parts broken away;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged Sectional detail taken substantially along the line I2l2 in Fig. 2, with parts broken away;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l3l3 in Fig. 6, with parts broken away;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of a strip of sheet metal from which can body blanks are produced in the machine;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line |5|5 in Fig. 6, with parts broken away; and

Fig. 16 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line |6-l6 in Fig. 2.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings illustrate a machine in which comparatively long pre-cut metallic strips A (Fig. 14) of tin plate or the like material, are cut along a transverse irregular line B to produce two individual can body blanks C (Fig. 2) having along the machine, with screws- 45.

Gil

can body blanks. Immediately after cutting, the

blanks are fed transversely of the machine in opposite directions and are received on the stackers N in an overlapping stacked condition, spaced so that they may be readily inspected while on the stackers. The blanks as needed are easily scooped up manually and removed to any suitable place of deposit for subsequent operations.

The operating parts of the punch press L are carried on a conventional punch press frame, 2| (Figs. 1 and 2) while the working parts of the feed mechanism M and of the stackers N are carried on a main frame 22 (see also Figs. 5 and 6) One end of the main pres frame 2| while the other end is supported on legs 23 which, with the press frame, ar secured to a base plate 24.

The strips A to be formed into the can body blanks C are retained in a magazine 21 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6) in which the blanks are maintained in stack form by a pair of vertical, spaced and parallel corner angle irons 28 and a plurality of straight vertical magazine bars 29. The angle irons are secured to a pair of side guide rails 3| which extend longitudinally of the machine. The magazine bars 29 are bolted to a cross beam 32 which is secured at its ends to bracket 33 fastened to the main frame 22.

The stack of strips A within the magazin is supported on a plurality of support bars 35 formed on right angle arms v36 which are adjustable transversely of the machine. The bars are secured in position by clamps 31 (Fig. 6) and bolts 38, the bolts being threaded into the outer ends of a pair of spaced and parallel longitudinal slide rails 39. The two slide rails are located one on each side of a centrally disposed stationary support rail 4| which extends longitudinall of the machine and is secured to the main frame 22.

In order to have the magazine 21 adjustable for strips of different lengths, the guide rails 3| and the slide rails 39 are mounted adjacent, their ends on T shaped blocks 43. The blocks are located in T slots 44 formed in the main frame 22. The blocks in turn are threaded onto long There are four screws in all, two screws having left hand threads for the guide ,rail 3| and the slide rail 39 on one side ofthe stationary rail 4|, and two screws having right hand threads for the guide rail and the slide rail on the opposite side of the stationary rail 4|.

The slide rail blocks 43 are mounted on a reduced diameter section 46 of each of the screws 65,. this section having a thread pitch of onehalf the thread pitch of the larger diameter sections of the screws. The inner ends of each set of right and left hand screws are formed with a square shank 41 which fits within a sleeve 58 having a square hole therein. In this manner each set of two screws is tied together So that they can rotate as one.

The outer ends of the screws are carried in bearing blocks 49 which fit within the T slot 44 and which are secured to the main frame.

frame is bolted to the Beyond the bearing blocks each screw carries a sprocket 5| and the two sprockets on each side of the machine are connected by endless chains 52. One of the screws is provided with a square shank 53 for the reception of a wrench or handle.

Hence, when a wrench or handle is applied to the square shank 53 all the screws may be rotated simultaneously. Rotation of the screws in either direction moves the guide rail 3| and the slide rail 39 on one side of the stationary rail 4|, toward or away from the guide rail and the slide rail on the opposite side of the stationary rail. In this manner the rails may be drawn nearer each other or may be spread apart to change the length of the magazine 21 to accommodate a particular size of the strip A. In accordance with the pitch of the screw, the guide rails 3| move twice as fast as the slide rails 39 and keeps the proper relation between the rails as they are shifted to accommodate the strips.

The strips A are fed individually from the bottom of the magazine 21 by first drawing them down toward a feed level or feed line. This drawing down of the strips is efiected by a pair of vacuum cups 56 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6). The vacuum cups are mounted on vertical slides 51 carried in long depending bearings 58 bolted to the bot toms of the slide rails 39. There is one cup and one slide for each slide rail and they move with the rail when the latter is shifted to bring it into an adjusted position.

The upper end of each slide 51 extends up through an opening 58 in its rail 39. The lower end of each slide is connected to a flexible pipe 6| which leads to a suitable source of vacuum. This pipe is in communication with. a passageway t2 which extends through the slides and which communicates with the cups 515.

The vacuum cups 56 are moved up into engagement with the lowermost strip A in the magazine 21, by a pair of spur gears 65 which mesh with rack teeth 66 formed on the cup slides 51. The gears are mounted on a cross shaft 61 (see also Fig. 3) which extends across the front of the machine and which is carried in bearings 68 formed on the machine leg sections 23. This shaft is rocked periodically by a lever H which is mounted on the shaft.

The outer end of the lever II is connected by a link 12 to a yoke 13 (see also Figs. 5 and 11) which straddles a spacer sleeve 14 on a shaft 15 which constitutes the main drive shaft of the machine. The yoke carries a cam roller 16 which operates in a cam groove 11 formed in a face cam 18 mounted on the drive shaft adjacent the spacer sleeve. The drive shaft is journaled in a plurality of spaced bearings 8| which are formed in the main frame 22. The ends of the shaft extend beyond the frame and one end carries a driving sprocket 82 which is driven by an endless chain 83. The chain may be driven in any suitable manner.

Thus as the main shaft '15 rotates, it revolves the cam 18 and this reciprocatesthe link 12 in time with the other moving parts of the machine. Reciprocation of the link rocks the lever H and the cross shaft 61 on which it is mounted and this rotates the spur gears 65.. The gears in turn move the cup slides 51 through an up stroke and then through a down or return stroke.

On the up stroke the vacuum cups 56 connected to the slides, engage against the lowermost strip A in the magazine 21 as hereinbefore mentioned and thus take hold of the strip by means of the vacuum being drawn on the cups.

this 7 On the down stroke of the slides, the cups draw the strip down to the feed line in'two places located between the strip support bars 35. The vacuum remains on the cups temporarily to hold the pulled down strip in this position.

While the strip is thus retained in its pulled down condition it is removed from the magazine 2'! and advanced along the guide rails 3I and slide rails 39, in a step-by-step movement, for cutting. This removal of the strip and its advancement through the machine is brought about by a plurality of reciprocating feed bars 85 (Figs. 2, 3 and 6) having the usual feed dogs 86 spaced at intervals along their lengths. The drawings show four of these feed bars and they are located two in each slide rails 39 and straddling the vacuum cup slides in the rails, the bars sliding in longitudinal grooves 81 formed in the rails.

The two feed bars 85 in each slide rail 39 are connected together by a spacing block 88 which extends down through an opening 89 formed in the bottom of the rails. The spacing block for each set of feed bars is formed with a depending lug 9| and these two lugs are connected by adjustable links 92 to the upper ends of a pair of spaced actuating arms 93 (see also Fig. 4). The arms are mounted loosely on a I cross shaft 95 mounted in bearings 96 formed on the machine legs 23 (see also Fig. 1).

The actuating arms 93 are tied together by an adjusting screw 98 which is carried in a rocker arm 99 keyed to the cross shaft 95. The actuating arms are held in place on the screw by locknuts IIII. By adjusting these nuts on the screw, the arms may be moved along the cross shaft to keep them in line with the slide rails 39 when the latter are adjusted for different sizes of strips. The actuating arms 93 are rocked to reciprocate the feed bars 85 through a forward or feed ing stroke and thence through a return stroke, by a crank link I03 (Fig. 6). The outer end of the link is formed with a fork HM which engages around the rocker arm 99 and the adjusting screw 98. The inner end of the crank link is carried on a crank I95 formed on the main drive shaft I5 (see also Fig. 5). It is this crank that rocks the actuating arms'93 and thus reciprocates the feed bars 85.

On a forward stroke of the feed bars 85 the feed dogs 86 on the outer ends of the bars engage behind the pulled down portions of the lowermost strip A in the magazine 27 and push the strip forward. Simultaneously with this forward movement of the strip, the vacuum is broken and the vacuum cups 56 thereby release their hold on the strip to let it move forward. It is this movement of the feed bars that removes the strip from the magazine.

After removal of a strip A from the magazine it is advanced by the feed bars 85 through the machine in an intermittent or step-by-step movement as hereinbefore mentioned, this being toward the punch press section L. During this advancement of the strip it is held against upward displacement by a plurality of hold-down bars III (Figs 2 and 6). These hold-down bars engage against the top surfaces of the strips as they move along the slide rails 39 and the stationary rail 4|. Bars III are mounted adjustably on a cross shaft I I2 so that they may be shifted with the slide rails. The ends of the cross shaft are carried in bearings II3 formed in the brackets 33. The outer edges of the moviii) ing strips are held down by overhanding ledges H4 which extend inwardly from the guide rails 3|.

When an advanced strip A arrives at the punch press section L of the machine, it first is located in a predetermined position prior to being out. The locating of the strip is brought about by a pair of gauge blocks I I6 (Figs. 2, 7 and 12) and a pair of gauge fingers II'I. Each gauge finger II! is located adjacent the inner endof the associated feed bar being disposed in a groove II8 formed in a bracket H9 bolted to the inside of the guide rail 3|. Each finger is mounted on a pivot pin I 2| secured in the bracket and is held under pressure of a fiat spring I22 which is secured to the bracket. Only the head of the finger extends above the bracket and in the path of travel of the strips advancing along the feed line.

The gauge blocks II6 are located opposite the gauge fingers III. These blocks are rectangular in shape and are located in wide grooves I25 formed in brackets I26 secured to the inner ends of the guide rails 3|. Each block is movable within'its groove I 25 under the resistance of a compression spring I21 disposed in a recess I 28 in the bracket. The spring is interposed between the bracket and a lug I29 which extends down from the bottom of each gauge block and projects into the recess I28. The gauge blocks are held against upward displacement by cap screws I3I which extend down through slots I32 formed in the blocks. The screws are threaded into the brackets I26.

When the feed bars 85 move through a forward stroke, the last or innermost set of feed dogs 86 carried thereon advances the strip A over the top of the gauge fingers II! and pushes the leading edge of the strip against the gauge blocks H6. The feed bars and the strip being advanced thereby, push the blocks I I6 back against the resistance of their springs I 21 until the feed bars come to the end 'of their stroke. The stroke is sufiicient to carry the back edge of the strip past the gauge fingers H1 and accordingly the fingers snap up into position behind the strip as shown in Fig. '7. On the back or return stroke of the feed bars 85, the gauge blocks II 6 acting under their compressed springs I21 push the strip back into gauging contact with the fingers II! as shown in Fig. '7. This locates and holds the strip in position for cutting.

Cuttin of the strip is effected by a die mechanism which includes a lower stationary die member I M (Fig. 2) and an upper movable cooperating punch member I42 (Fig. 5). The die member MI is bolted to the main frame 22. The punch member I42 is secured in a conventional punch head I43 which vertically is reciprocated in a slideway I44 formed on the press frame 2I (Figs. 1, 3 and 5). The punch head is actuated by a pitman M5 carried on a crank shaft I46 Jcurnaled in bearings I 4'! on the press frame.

press crank shaft I96 is rotated in time with the other moving parts of the machine by an endless chain I 5| which operates over a sprocket I52 mounted on the crank shaft and over a driving sprocket I53 mounted on an auxiliary driving shaft I54 journaled in bearing brackets I55 bolted to the press frame 2|. An idler sprocket I56 carried on an arm I51 secured to the bearing brackets keeps the chain I5I taut. The auxiliary drive shaft I54 is rotated from the main drive shaft 15 by way of an endless chain I59 which operates over sprockets IEI, I92 mounted on the respective shafts.

With such a drive connection the crank shaft I45 is rotated continuously and. thus reciprocates the punch head I43 through a down or working stroke and thence through an up or return stroke. It is on the down stroke of the head that the punch member I42 cuts through the pre-located strip A on the die member MI and thus divides the strip into two can body blanks C. Pilot members 55 on the punch head I43 pass into holes I99 in the die member I lI to keep the punch member I42 and the die member in register.

During and immediately following this cutting operation the blanks C are supported on a pair of short table blocks I61, located one on each side of the die member MI. These blocks are secured to the main frame 22'. The outer ends of the blanks are supported on table extensions I618 of the guide rails 3L Intermediate their lengths, the blanks are supported on table bars I69 which are secured to the inner ends of the slide rails 39.

Immediately after being cut, the blanks C are discharged laterally and in opposite directions, from the die mechanism. This is to make room for the next incoming strip A. This discharge of the blanks is brought about while the punch head I43 is traveling upwardly through a return stroke and is effected by upper and lower discharge rollers I1I, I12 (Figs. 2 and 5) respectively. There are two sets of these rollers, one set being located on each side of the machine adjacent the outer edges of the blanks C.

The lower discharge rollers I12 are mounted on short shafts I13 (see also Fig. '1) which are journaled in bearings I'M formed in the gauge block brackets I which, it will be recalled, are bolted to the inner ends of the guide rails 3|. These lower rollers are rotated continuously at high speed by sprockets I16 which are mounted on the short shafts I13. The sprockets are rotated by endless chains I11. Each of these chains operate over a pair of idler sprockets I18, I19, an idler sprocket IBI and a driving sprocket I82, the chains being arranged over these sprockets as best shown in Fig. 5. The axis of the sprocket IBI may be shifted.

The idler sprockets I18, I19 of each drive are arranged in spaced relation below the roller sprocket I16 and they are mounted on short shafts I85 carried in bearings I86 formed in the two arms of a pair of inverted T-shaped legs I31 that extend down from each gauge block bracket I29. Each idler sprocket MI is mounted on a short shaft I88 carried in the lower end of a hanging arm I29 which is mounted on a pivot shaft I9I secured in the main frame 22. The two drive sprockets I82 for the two drives are mounted on two separate spaced and parallel shafts I93 (see also Fig. 6) which are journaled in bearings I94 formed in the main frame.

The two drive sprocket shafts I93 are rotated in unison and in opposite directions by a pair of meshing spur gears I95 which are mounted on the shafts. One of the shafts I93 carries a sprocket I96 (see also Fig. 13) which is rotated by an endless chain I91 that operates over a sprocket I98 mounted on a drive shaft I99 journaled in bearings 2M (see also Figs. 2 and 6) formed in the press frame 2I. The outer end of the drive shaft carries a bevel pinion 292 which meshes with and is driven by a bevel gear 293' mounted on the driven shaft I54. It is this driven shaft and bevel gear and pinion that ro- With this manner of drive for the lower dis- 7 charge rollers I12 and their connection with the drive chains I11, the rollers and the brackets in which they are carried may be shifted transversely of the machine with the guide rails 3! when the latter are adjusted for different sizes of strips A, this shifting taking place without in any way disturbing the adjustment of the driving chains or the sprockets over which they operate. This construction of driving mechanism provides for quick and easy change of the machine parts for different sizes of strips A.

The upper discharge rollers I1I (Figs. 5 and 6) are mounted on long studs 2II carried in roller arms 2I2 mounted on short pivot shafts 2I3, disposed in bearings 2M (see also Fig. 2) formed in roller brackets 2I5 secured to the inner ends of the guide rails 3I. The brackets 2I5 form a connection between the upper discharge rollers I1I and the guide rails 3|. When the guide rails are shifted to accommodate different sizes of strips A, the upper rollers move with their brackets.

The outer ends of the upper, roller studs 2II carry cam rollers 2 I8 (see Fig. 6) which operate in straight cam grooves 2I9 (see also Fig. 5) in bar cams 22L There is one of these cams for each upper discharge roller HI and they are secured to the tops of a pair of vertical slides 222 disposed in slideways 223 (see also Figs. 2 and 8) formed on the back of the main frame 22. The slides are connected by links 225 to levers 226 (see Figs. 1, 5 and 13) which are mounted on pivot shafts 221 carried in bearings 228 formed in the main frame 22. The pivot shafts carry cam arms 229 having cam rollers 23I which operate in cam grooves 232 of barrel cams 233 mounted on the main drive shaft 15.

Hence the rotation of the main drive shaft 15 rotates the cams 233 and rocks the cam levers 229 and their pivot shafts 221. This rocks the levers 229 and thus reciprocates the slides 222 through a down or working stroke and thence through an up or return stroke in time with the other moving parts of the machine. Reciprocation of the slides 222 lowers and raises the bar cams HI and this shifts the upper discharge rollers I1I toward and away from the lower continuously moving discharge rollers I12.

The normal position of they upper discharge rollers I1I is directly above and in spaced-relation to the lower discharge rollers I12 so, that a strip A upon being advanced into position for cutting will pass between the rollers-and stop directly over the lowerrollers. After the strip is cut to form the blanks C, the upper rollers are moved down to engage the blanks and; to press them against the lower rollers; It: is this pressure, on the. rotating. lower rollers that effects the discharge of the blanks, the lower rollers frictionally engagingthe bottoms of I the blanks and quickly feeding them outwardly at right angles to their former advancement through the machine and in opposite directions so that one blank will be discharged toward the left as viewed in Figs. '2 and 5 and the other blank toward the right. I

The inner ends of the moving, blanks C are guided as they are discharged from the die mechanism by guide plates 2 (Figs. 2 and 16) which are located adjacent the die member. MI and the table blocks I61. There are two of these guide plates 2 and they are secured to guide blocks 242 having depending tongues 243 which slide in grooves 244 formed in the top Ofthe table blocks I61. V

The guide blocks 242 are retainedagainst displacement from the table blocks l6l'by bolts 245 which extend-through slots .246 in the guide blocks, the bolts being threaded into the table blocks. These guide blocks are backed up by spring barrels 24'! carried in bores 248 formed in the press frame 2 I. A light spring. 249 located in each spring barrel keeps the guide plates 24! extended to guide the blanks charge while rendering the guide plates yieldable in case it becomes necessary.

Provision is made to permitthe passage of the blanks C being discharged, past the guide rails 3 I. These guide rails extend up to the die mechanism and guide the strip A to be cut, into proper endwise relation to the die mechanism. Such guiding is done by a vertical slide plate 255 (Figs. 2, 5 and 7) which is located at the inner end of each of the guide rails 3L Thisplate is flush with the inside surfaces of the rails to continue the guiding of the strips.

These slide plates 255 are disposed in slideways formed inthe guide rails 3 I and in the discharge roller bracket I26 so that the plates will shift with the guide rails When the latter are adjusted for different sizes of strips. Each plate is formed with a horizontal slot 256 which is large enough to permit a blank C to pass through endwise. The plates are connected to lever arms which are mounted on the upper roller arm shaft 2 l3.

The normal position of the slides 255 is such as to bring their slots 256 above the path of travel of a strip A moving into position in the die mechanism for cutting. Hence the plates guide the ends of the strip while it is being located, as hereinbefore mentioned. After the strip is cut and while the upper discharge rollers are moving down to press the blank against the lower rollers, the lever arms 25! depress the guide plates to bring their slots 256 into alignment with the ends of the blanks. In this'position of the slide plates, the blanks being dischargedpass through the slots. f f

The blanks C when discharged by the rollers HI, I12 travel with considerable momentum and upon passing through the slots 256 in the slide plates 255 they slide along a pair of runways 26I from which they fall onto a pair of continuously moving stacker belts 262. There is one of'these belts located at each side of the machine. The blanks are guided into position onto thebelts by vertical side guides 263, 264 and an end stop plate 265. Guides 263 serve to carry the otherparts 264, 265 and are secured to outwardly projecting extensions 26'! (one on each side) ofthe main frame 22. Each plate 265 stops the outward travel of its blank and the guide members inside insure that it will fall horizontally onto its belt in a predetermined position.

Each stacker belt 262 (Fig. 11) operates over a pair of spaced pulleys 2' located one adjacent the discharge end ofthe machine and the other adjacent the front end. The pulley adjacent the discharge end is mounted on a short idler shaft 212 carried in bearing brackets 273 bolted to the frame extensions 261. The forward pulley 2' is mounted on a stacker drive shaft 215 which extends across the front of the maproperly during dis- 284. This clutch member chine and carries the forward pulleyson both sides .of the machine., This shaft is carried in bearing brackets 216which aresecured to the frame extensions.261."

The stacker drivexshaft 275 is rotated. slowly in an intermittent orstepeby-step manner by a free-wheeling device 26|..(Figs. 2., 9. :and 10) which includes a clutch.member .282 which is keyed to the shaft. i The clutchmember is formed with a plurality of spacediwedge' shaped recesses 283. in each'jof which is" located a gripping roller and its ,-.rollers are dishousing 285 having .a to one side thereof to posed in a surrounding cover plate 286 secured retain the clutch in place. The housing is formed on. a lever arm-=28] which surrounds, the drive shaft 275 and which-is connected byxa link 268 (see Figs. 3 and 6) tea rocker-arm 269 mounted on therockshaft 95. a 1. n

Hence the rocking motion of the .rock shaft is transmitted by way of the rocker arm 289, link 288, and lever arm 28ltothe clutch housing 285. This rocks the housingina counterclockwise direction and thencein a reverse direction, as viewed in Fig.,10. When. the housing rocks in acounter-clockwise directionit wedges the gripping rollers 284 between it and the clutch 282 and thereby rotates the latter-through a partial rotation. When the-housing-rocks in the :reverse direction, the gripping. rollers 284:.fall back in their recess 283 and hence free, the clutch from .the housing thereby permitting the clutch to remain stationary-on thereversestroke. This is a usual free-wheeling. construction.

"In this manner the stackerdrive shaft 215 is rotated intermittently inone direction and in time. with the other moving parts'of the machine and the stacker belts 262 arefthus moved forward toward the front ofxthe machinein time with the discharge of the blanks. from the die mechanism. this timing issuch that for every blank discharged, the belts moveforward a distancepless than" the widthof the'blanks'ls'o that blankswill overlap each: other on the belt, as best shown in'Fig; 2. In thisstacked relation the blanks may be readily. inspected by the operator of the machine theytravel with the belts. The. blanks preferably..iare. removed manually by scooping them up from the belts although the belts maybe extended: if desired to carry the blanks .to any suitable place. of deposit, i

It is, thought that the invention'and many of its attendant advantages will .be understood from the foregoing description, audit will: be apparent that various changes may be-made: in the form, construction and arrangement of-the parts with. out departing from the spirit and scope of'the invention or sacrificing: an of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodimentthereof. .l 1

IcIaim: 2' l 1. In a machine for cutting sheet metal strips, the combination of a die mechanism having upper and lower cooperating cutting instrumentalities for cutting astrip across to produce two blanks, two continuously rotating rollers located opposite directions.

2. In a machine for cutting sheet metal strips,

a strip across to produce two blanks,

the combination of a die mechanism having upper and lower cooperating cutting instrumental-L ties for cutting a strip across to' produce two blanks, two continuously rotating rollers located one on each side of said. die mechanism and adjacent its out blank, an idler roller opposite each of said rotating rollers and movable toward-its associated rotating "roller for squeezingthe blank therebetween for discharging the twoblanks endwise from said die mechanism and in opposite directions, and mean for moving said idler rollers in synchronism with the operation of said die mechanism to discharge the blanks at the proper time. V

3. In a machine for cutting sheetmetal strips, the combination of a die mechanism having upper and lower cooperating cutting instrumentalities for cutting a strip across to produce two blanks, two continuously rotating rollers located one on each side jacent opposite ends of the blanks, means for driving said rotating rollers, devices for shifting said rotating rollers laterally of said die mechanism while maintaining driving connection with said driving means to laccommodate'blanks of b difierent lengths, and an idler roller located cpposite each of said rotating rollers which i movable toward its associated rotating rollers for squeezing a blank therebtween to discharge the blanks endwise from said die mechanism and in opposite directions. i

4. In a machine for cutting sheet metal'strips', the combination of a die mechanism having upper and lower cooperating cutting instrumentalities for cutting a strip across toproduce two blanks, two continuously rotating rollers located one on each side of said die mechanism and ad.- jacent said :blanks, a driving sprocket for each of saidrotatin'g'rollers, a plurality of idler sprockets adjacent each rotating roller, .an idler roller disposed oppositeeaoh of said rotating rollers, an endless chain. operating over said sprockets for driving each of said rotating'rollersfsomeof said sprockets being movable with said rollers relative to said ldie .mechanism to adjust the rollers for :blanksof different lengths, and means for moving said idler rollers toward their; associated rotating rollers to .squeezeblanks there'- ofsaid die mechanism and adhaving an opening therein to allowa discharged blank to pass through, and'means for shifting said guide plate in time with said die mechanism first to bring said plate opening into register with the cut blank as it is discharged and then to shift it out of register for locating the strip prior to cutting. a I

'7. In a machine for cutting'sheetmetal strips, the combination of a die mechanism for cutting astrip across to produce two blanks, reciprocating feed bars having springfheld feed dogs for advancing strips into said die mechanism in timed order, gauge fingers adjacent said die .mechae nism being depressible by a strip entering'into said die mechanism and snapping up behind the strip edge as the strip comestherein', yieldable gauge devices opposite .saidgauge fingers for re turning the advanced strip into engagement with said snapped-up fingers to locate the strip relative to the die mechanism, and blank discharge means adjacent said die mechanism for removing cut blanks laterally therefrom and in opposite directions. Y 1

'8. In a machine iorcuttring sheet metal strips, the combination of a die mechanism for cutting a strip across to produce'two blanks, blank discharge means located adjacent said ,die mechanism and on opposite sides thereojwfor removing cut blanks laterally therefrom -so that the two blanks from each strip will ;be'.disc'harged from opposite sides of said die mechanism, and a conveyer located on each side of said die mechanism for receiving the blanks discharged thererom.

9,. In a machine for cutting sheet metal strips, the combination of a die mechanism for cutting a strip across to produce two blanks, blank dish e m n l ate adjacent said-die :mecha nism and on opposite sides thereof for removing cut blanks laterally therefrom said that the two blanks from each strip will :be discharged from opposite sides of said die mechanism, a conveyor located on each side of,,sa.id-d:i;e mechanism for receiving the blanks discharged therefrom, and means for actuating said conveyors in synchronism with the operation of said die mechanism between todischarge them in opposite directions.

5. In a, machine for cutting sheet .metalstrips,

the combination :of a die mechanism for cutting a strip across to produce two blanks, feeding devices for feeding the strlps into said die mechanism in timed order, guide rails strips into said :die 'mechanism; charge means for removing thecut blanks laterally from salddie mechanism and in opposite directions, said guide rails being movable toward each other .and said discharge means being adjustable therewith to accommodate strips o-fdifferent lengths.

6. In a machine for cutting sheet metalstrips, the combination of .a' die mechanism for cutting guide rails for guiding and endwise locating a strip in position relative to said die mechanism, blankdischarge means adjacent said die mechanism for removing cut blanks laterally so that the :two blanks from each strip will be discharged simultaneously from opposite sides .ofi'said die mechanism, a movable guide plate located in each of said guide rails adjacent said dieimechanism and for guiding the and blank disso that the blanks will {be received on said 3.0. veyors'in an overlapped and stacked relatiqnto facilitate inspection .QftheblfllfiKS.

10. In a machine for cutting sheet metal strips, the combination of a die mechanism ;for transv l eve -m a metal. s rip to produce two bla -s t r r m, dupl cate b ank dis har e means l cat d adjace t sai die mechanism and n opp s Sides thereoi, aid dischar e means being ineffective for discharge .of ,a blank durin the blank cutting operation, and actuatingmeans operable in time with the movement of said die mechanism for rendering said blank discharge means effective to :remove the severed Lblanks in opposite directions from the .;die :mechanism,

11. In .a machine'for cutting sheet :metalstrips,

the combination of adie mechanism having-upper and lower cQQperatingeQutti-ng instrumentalities for-cutting a strip transversely:to produce two blanks, two cooperating .zpairs \of discharge rollers located on oppositesidesiof saiddielmechanism, and means for bringing each pair of rollers into positionto discharge the cut blanks laterally and in "opposite directions following said cutting operation.

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