US2350511A - Sheet feeding machine - Google Patents

Description

June 1944.

C. D. LAKE ETAL SHEET`FEEDING MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. l5, 1942 ATTORNEY June 6,1944. Q D, LAKE Em 2,350,511

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE June 6, 1944. A c. D. LAKE ErAl. l `2,350,511

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE I INV N oRs /02 a M BY y M I ATT ORNE Y June 6, 1944. c. D. LAKE HAL 2,350,511

SHEET FEED'ING MACHINE vFiled Aug. 15, 1942 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTQRNEK Jun'e 6, 1944. c. D. LAK-E- ErAL 2,350,511

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1942 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY E NTORS TTORNE Y.

June 6,V 1944. C

. D. LAKE ETAL SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1942 TTORNE Y C. D. LAKE ErAL SHEET FEEDING MACHINE June 6, 1944.

Filed Aug. 15, 1942 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 June 6, 1944.

C. D. LAKE ETAL SHEET FEEDING MACHINE I Filed Aug.' 15, 1942 11 She-ets-Sheet 8.

A TTORNEY.

June 6, 19. C, D LAKE TAL 2,350,5-1l

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1942 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 .Fume 6, 1944. c. D. LAKE ETAL k sgEET FEEDING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Aug. 15, 1942 1 Z'ORS BY a ,j W2/wh.

A TTORNEY SHEET FEEDNG MACHINE l l1 Sheets-Sheet ll Filed Aug. l5, 1942 Tons ATTORNEY.

- Patented June 6, 1944 Clair D. Lake, Binghamton, and Francis E.

Hamilton, Endicott, N. Y., assignors to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. X., a corporation of New York 4 Application August 15, 1942,Serial No. 45,912

1o claims.

This invention relates to sheet feeding mechanisms and. more particularly to the type which is adapted to individually pick oi sheets from a Vsupply hopper and by successive cyclic operations of the machine feed them to predetermined positions for operations thereon and then automaticallyI stacking them so that they are in the same order in which they are fed from the hopper.

The broad object of the present invention is to provide for an improved suction means for individually seizing tickets and disposing them into operative relationship with a conveying successive sheet feeding operations.

mechanism which thereafter feeds them to viewing and printing positions.

' Another object of the invention related .to the sheet seizing mechanism is the provision of an adjustable hopper which enables the hopper to accommodate two sizes of tickets so that they may be individually seized in an eiiicient manner and disposed to the aforesaid conveying mechanism. Associated with the sheet seizing mechanism is a conveying mechanism which conveys the sheets as they are fed to successive positions, one of which may be a position for facilitating the transcription of data, and `an associated position -whereby data may be printed on the sheets which are fed. It is to be understood that the uses just mentioned are merely exemplary and it is immaterial to what use the sheets which are fed are put to since this will dependupon the particular use of the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved stacking mechanism which will stack the two dierent sizes of sheets with the same degree of emciency. This object is carried out by yproviding an adjustment of the timing of the operation of the stacker mechanism which vadjustment is preferable, due to the different widths of the sheets which are fed.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vievyr in front elevation of the assembled sheet feeding machine constructed according to the presentginvention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view taken at the A right, side of the assembled machine.

. Fig. y3 is a section view .taken'on the line 3-,3

of Fig. 1, and on 'an enlarged scale showing in detail the parts for maintaining the supply of sheets to be fed in the elevatedposition during Fig'. 4 is a detail view of the one-way driving clutch utilized im the driving train for the sheet elevating mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a. plan view taken on the linel 5 5 ofv Fig. 3 of the sheet supply hopper, `showing in particular the adjusting mechanism for changing the sheet receiving dimensions so that two diierent size sheets may be received thereby.

Fig. 6 is a plan view, partially in section, showing the drivingv train for the sheet adjusting and elevating mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation view taken at the right end of the machine, showing particularly the operating mechanism for the suction tube sheet pickup device for picking up the sheets to be fed one at a time from the supply hopper( Fig. 8. is a plan view of the left end of the machine, showing particularly the sheet conveying mechanism for feeding the sheets in successive position during successive cyclic opera- ,tions of the machine.

but taken on the line li-ll of Fis. 8.

Fig. 1,3 is a cross section view taken on the` l line |3-i3 of Fig. 8 but on an emerged scale to show details of the sheet stacking mechanism.

Fig. 14 is a section view showing in more detail the construction andassembly of the parts associated with the sheet stacking mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a detail view taken on the line l 5 1 5 ofFig. 14. l

Fig. 16 is a section view showing in detail the one-revolution clutch mechanism for the machine for effectingl successive cyclic operations of the machine.

Fig. 17 is a detail view taken on the line il--il of Fig. 14.

j General description reading of written data on the sheets to be fed so that when moved to vlewinggposition the operator can read this data, eliminating the necessity for the operatorv to. handle the sheets beyond the necessity of placing or removing a supply of sheets from the supply hopper and storage hoppers, respectively. The sheet feeding mechanism is preferably adjustable so as to be adaptable in the main for two sizes of sheets. In 'addition to the adjustment of the size of the supply hopper there isx'an.- adjustment in the sheet' stacking mechanism to compensate forthe change in sheet width. An adjustment of the hopper follower plate. or the base plate on which the tions.

Sheets are fed singly from the supply hopper by means of a suction cup mounted on an oscillating arm. A stream of air is blown lcontinuously against one edge of the sheets to prevent the sheets from adhering so that the suction cup will .not pick up two sheets at a time. When a cyclic operation ofthe machine is' initiated the suction arm is moved to a lower positionk over the stack of sheets. 'I'he suction cup then slides closer to down to hold the sheet ilat in the position on the bed and a cam actuated valve opens which admits air to the suction cup and releases the vacuum holding the`sheet. At the termination of the first cyclic operation of the machine the sheet is now in the initial position of the sheet conveying mechanism. t) ,On the following cyclic operation of the machine the series of events just described are repeated and the'rst sheetjfed is pushed along the bed of the conveying mechanism by means of projecting lugs on two endless chains to the rst L visible station. During this travel lof the lsheet it moves out from under the door where it enters beneath four stretched guide wires. These guide wires guide the sheet on the bed to maintain it in'position. A third cyclic operation ofthe machine causes a new sheet to be fed and the twov previously fed sheets move along the bed and the rst sheet is now brought into what is known as asecond visible station and the preceding sheet fed is now brought to the `rst visible station. The second visible station just precedes the. printing station. When the sheet is in'the second visible station the data may be conveniently read and after thisa cyclic operation of the machine then ensues and the first shee'tfed then moves into the printing station.- It'is obvious, ofcourse,

that all of the sheets whichare fed subsequently after the first sheet move along from stationto station in the same manner so that whenv the iirst sheet-is moved to the printing station successive sheets automatically follow.

After printing has taken place 'on each sheet the sheet is fed to a sheet'stacking mechanism so that these sheets are all placed in the storage hopper, properly stackedand in the same serial order in which they are fed.

The motive power for ei! ting the cyclic operation of the machine is derived from a motor 2l (Fig. 2) which continually rotates an armature shaft 2i. Reference'character 22 'indicates a speed reduction mechanism so that the driven shaft 23 thereof rotates' at a speed reduced with respect to the armature shaft 2l. 'I'he shaft 23 .is shown in Fig. 16 and attached to this shaft is a gear 24 which drives'4 a gear 25 to which is secured a toothed clutch'disk 28.

In order to cyclically drive the main drive shaft 38 for themachine a one-revolution clutch of a conventional form is provided, which is fully illustrated in Fig. 16. -Becured to the drive shaft 3l is a clutch arm 3| upon which is 'pivoted a spring urged clutch dog 32 provided with a clutch tooth 33 which is normally kept out of engagement with the teeth of the clutch disk 28 by a clutch release arm 34. The clutch release arm is provided with a depending portion 38 providing an armature for a clutch -control magnet 38. Obviously, when the clutch control magnet 38 is energized the clutch release arm 34 is disengaged from the pawl`32 so thaty the clutch tooth 33 thereof engages one ofthe teeth ofv the clutch disk 28, thereby f eiecting the rotation of the shaft 30 in a counterclockwise direction. At the termination of the one-revolution of the shaft 33 the extension l38 of the clutch pawl 32 is now engaged by the clutch release arm 34 which, in the meantime. has been restored to its normal position, shown in Fig. 16. This will eiect a disengagement between the clutch tooth 33 land the clutch disk 26, thereby stopping the rotation of the shaft 30 when a full revolution thereof has been effected. The usual retrograde preventing stop arm 31 is provided to prevent rebound of the clutch releasearm 3| and hold the latter in the herein for energizing the magnet 138 since this may be varied in many ways and any suitable control may be provided for controlling cyclic operations, depending upon the use to which the present machine is put.

Sutmlu hopper The hopper is adjustable so as to accommodate two different sizes of sheets and incorporates a construction which enables the thin sheets inserted in the hopper to be picked olf from the top in an eilicient manner so that upon each cyclic operation of the machine a sheet will be removed from the top of the hopper. hopper is mounted upona base plate 43 (Fig. 2) and mounted upon this plate are two side frame plates 4| (Fig. a) and 42 (Fig. 2) and resting upon these supporting plates is a base plate 43 (Figs. 3 and 5). To 'the plate 43 there are secured two pairs of guide pins 44 and 48 which guide a plate 4s m its adjustment for adjusting the plate 48 'either towards the operator or away' the plate 46,. In the same manner the hopper v guide plate 49 is provided with studs l2 cooperating with inclined slots i3 formed in the support plate 4a and also with nous u in the piste 48. Obviously, when both hopper side plates 4l The assembled plates to come closer together so as to decreaseV the width oi' the sheet receiving space between the hopper side plates. At the same time the ccoperation of studs 41 and 52 with the slots Il, I4 in the plate 46 will move the plate 40 rearwardly on the plate 43 guided by the Pairs of Studs 4e, 45. The adjustmentof the hopper side plates 48 and 49 is facilitated and secured by knobs il passing through the related plates 48 and 49 and preferably having. a screw extension screwed in a nut prevented from turning by slots similarly to those just described.

The sheets which are to be fed rest upon a noating base plate 96 and the manner in which it is guided to function as a oating base plate will be subsequently explained, it being vnoted that as shown in Fig. 5 when the hopper guide plates 49 and 49 yare in the position shown these guide plates provide a sheet receiving width dted A in Fig. 5. When the hopper guide platesv d@ relative position with respect to the larger sized of course, the pressure screw 69 will also press down upon the smaller sized sheets at the same sheets. Hence, the desirabilityI plate 46 is evident. v

To hold down the topsheets the rear wall plate of moving the has secured to it a pair of spring wires i3 hav- 4ing bent ends 'i4 overhanging the displaced top sheets. Air vis directed to the edges o! these sheets as will be subsequently described, and such stop wires thereby prevent 'such sheets from being displaced toofar.

Means for maintaining the stack of sheets in elevated position` vate the base plate 56 to compensate fory each withdrawal, whereby the top sheet of the supply stack will always be in the desired position to i" facilitate and insure its removal upon the next and 49 are adjusted to be 'closer together, in such position the sheet receiving width is the narrowest, as designated by B. The greatest length M of sheets that can be fed, with width A is designated by C, and when the width is narrowed to B, the available length is decreased to D. v'.l'o prevent interference with the base plate 56 when adjusted to this narrowed width and length the hopper guide plates t8 and 49 are each provided with a cutout portion 58. (See also Figs. 2 and 3.) The rear wall of the hopper is provided by an upstanding plate 6l (Figs. 3 and 5)V which is to the base plate i3 and this rearward wall of the hopper is, of course, not adjustable.

The front wall of the hopper is provided by a plate 62 (Fig. 3) and atits lower end are attached hinges ci which are iixed to a rod et which functions as a pivot for the plate $2. rod 64 is pivoted in a U-shaped bracket e5 oarried by the adjustable plate 46. In order to main# tain the iront wall plate S2 in the position shown in Fig. 3, attached' to the rod 68 is an arm @d (Figs. 3 and 5) to which a tensioned spring 67 is connected. Hence, the front wall plate 92 is maintained inthe position shown in Fig. 3 but it may be rocked by the operator so as to provide easy access tothe positioning of a new sup- :.f

ply of sheets to be placed on the oating base plate 5t.

1 It is preferable to hold down the top portion of the supply stack of sheets to prevent more than one sheet being fed at a time. To this end the plate 62 has an overhanging portion E8 which carries a threaded pressure screw 69 (Fig. 3) andthe latter is so adiusted that as the iioating base piate se is urged upwardly the bottom part of the pressure screw 99 will press upon the stack of paper at. one point. It is also preferable 'to push ahead some of the top sheets and which sheets are indicated by reference character lu in Fig. 3. This is provided by a plate Il which has Ian inclined depending cam portion 72 which engages the front edges of the top sheets to be fed and as the base plate E8 is moved upwardly the cam portion 'i2 Vwill cam someof the top sheets to the front ahead of the others. v

Since the-front wall plate 82 ispivoted on rod 64 which is carried by bracket `65 mounted on plate 46, the adjustment of; the plate 48 to the rear will cause the inclined cam portion i2 to functionally cooperate with the front edges of A the smaller sized sheets in the same way and, u clockwise rotation of the housinglG will be confor guiding a rack bar ll secured at its upper end to the base plate 56 as shown in Fig. 3. Hence, the plate 56 is guided for upward'or downward movement as is necessary. lMeshiug with the rack bar 11 is a pinion 'I8 xed to a -shaft 'i9 journalled in the bracket plate 15 and the fside plate 4I.` Secured to the shaft i9 is a ratchet wheel 80 (Fig. 6) meshing with a corre-- spondingly formed ratchet wheel 8| (Fig. 6) which latter is secured to a gear 82 meshing with `a pinion d3. The pinion 83 has fast to it a disk B6 which is riveted by a rivet 85 to a cup-shaped clutch vhousing member 86.'

Referring now to Fig. 3 it will be observed that the main drive shaft 30 has secured to it an eccentrically mounted plate B1 cooperating with an eccentric ring 88 to which ring there is ixed' a connecting rod B9. The action of the eccentric di onthe ring 88 is to eiect a.v reciprocating movement of the connecting rod 89 and during the downward movement of the rod 89 motion is communicated to the plate 56 through a-one` way clutch mechanism now to be described. The

lower end of the rod 89 is provided with bifurcated projections 9o which support a stud si iltting in a slot 92 of a rock lever 93. The pin also passes through the extremity of a lever 94 which is pivoted at 95 and for the present description it will be assumed that the pivot 95 isf in the position shown in Fig. j3 so that when the connecting rod 89 is depressed it will rock the lever s3 clockwise as dviewed in Fig. 3. vInterposed between the clutch housing 86 and the lever 99 is a one-way ball clutch of a conventional form,

this clutch also being shown in Fig. 4. Lever 93 is pivoted in the side plate 4I by means of a stud 95a and to the lever 93 at its pivotal point there is connected a cam plate 96 having the conguration shown .in Fig; 4. Mounted upon a plate 91 is a plurality of mountings 98 for spring-urged plungers 99 which wedge the clutch balls, IBB between the cam plate 96 and the interior of the housing 86. During the clockwise rocking of the lever 93 a wedging action is eiected between the cam disk 96 and the housing 86 ,'sothat the veyedto the gear I3, rocking `the latter as viewed in Fig. 3 in the same direction. The clockwise, movement of pinion' 33 will rotate gear 82 counterclockwise and through the clutch elements lil-9| pinion 13 will also be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, thereby communicating an upward movement to the rack bar 11. During the restoration ofthe rocking lever 93 the wedging action. between the clutch disk 96 and -the interior of the housing 96 will be released so that the periphery of the housing 96, thereby retain ing the latter in its moved position.

1t is'ometimes desirable to be able to move the plate 56 to a position by manual means, particularly when a n ew supply of sheets to be fed is placed in the hopper. A convenient means for providing for this comprises a' handle wheel |03 (Fig. 6) which is fast to the shaft 19. It will be observed that by iirst moving the wheel |03 to the right as viewed in Fig. 6 against the action of a spring- |04 the clutch element 90 i'sdisengaged from the companion clutch element 8| so that shaft 19 may now be manually rotated' by rotating wheel |03 to elevate or lower the rack Vbar 11 as desired. Asis shown in Fig.- 2 the wheel |63 is positioned 'outside of the frame plate 42 for convenient manual manipulation.

l. In order to provide means to vary the extent of rocking movement given to the lever 93. the following means is preferably provided: The pin V9| is positionable at anyplace of the slot 92 and by positioning the pin 9| at the left end of the slot as shown in Fig. 3 themaximum amount of rocking movementis given to the lever 93 whereas if the pin 9| ispositioned at the right end of the slot the minimum rocking movement is given to the lever 93.. Obviously, any mid-position of.

the pin 9| will provide other extents of rocking movement given tothelever- 93. The position of the pin 9| in the slot 92 is effected by positioningthe arm 94 and as shown in Fig. 3 the .of the double arm |21 has a pivot connection |29 now be described: To the side frame plate ||3 there is attached an upstanding bracket plate (Figs. 1 and 2) in which isjournalled a rod or rock shaft H8. To therock shaft III is secured a downwardly extendingarm ||9 to which is secured a vpair of guide brackets |29 in which is slidably mounted the suction tube |2| which terminates at the suction cup' H5.' ,The

4upper end of the suction tube |2| has attached v thereto a hose |22 which communicates suction tothe suction cup H5 from a suction pump to be describedhereinafter.

For moving the suction cup ||5 from lineV position to the dotted line position, an operating train consisting of the following is provided. Mounted upon the drive shaft 30 is a pair of complementary profile cams |23 cooperating with rollers of a follower arm |24 pivoted at |25. The upper end of the arm |24 has a pivot connection |25 to a double arm |21, the lower end of which is bfurcated to receive a pin |23 secured to the frame plate ||6 andthe upper arm to a link |30. Secured to the rock shaftor rod ||9 is an arm |3| and the link connection between thev arm |3|. and the upper ann of the double arm 4|21 comprises a link connection of which the member is one portion of the link and the other portion is a member |32 consisting of two spaced plates which provide a pivotal connection |33 for a latch lever||34. The latch lever'v .|34 is urgedby a spring |35 so that the downward portion thereof engages a scalloped 'de-f' pression |36 .of the'membe'r |30. Hence, by the above construction it is obvious that the link connection between the double arm |21 and the arm |3| comprises animpositive link connection which enablesthe shortening of the link resultpivot connection 95 previously described articu'- knob may be adjusted in any portion of the Slot` |09 (Fig. 2) and byscrewing the knob |08 tightly ,against the plate 42 the positionA of adjustment is maintained. Hence, by rocking the arm |01 the shaft |05 will be commensurately rocked and therefore the arm |05 (Fig. 3) will also be rocked to position the arm 94 so that the pin 9| is in.

.the desired position of the slot 92, enabling the desired amountl of upward movement given to the lsheet supply base plate 56.

Sucton'tube for picking 01T sheets The sheets are removed from the supply stack by a suction cup ||5 (Figs. 1 and 7) and movement is given to the suction cup from the full line position shown in Fig. 'l to the dotted line-` position, thence downwardly from such dottedv line position to seize the top sheet and then backwardly to the full line position shown in Flc. 7. Means for effecting this movement will ing possibly from an overthrow movement of the arm |21 without damaging the connecting apparatus.

' At the beginning of the cyclic movementof the V drive shaft' 30 the complementary cams |23 act upon the follower arm |24, rocking the same in a counterclockwise direction to rock the double arm |21 by a compound movement in a coun' terclockwise direction to shift the link connection |30|32 to the left asiviewed in Fig. 7,

thereby rocking the arm. ||9 to move-the suction cup ||5 from its upper position to the lower position shown in Fig. 7. After the suction tube is in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7. down- Ward movement is given to the suction tube by means now to be described and when the suction tube is inthe dotted position, further movement is given to it so as to engage the top sheet of the supply stack. A pitman |40 (see Figs. 1 and 7) is provided with a closed guide slot |4| receiving the rock shaft ||8 and the lower end oflthe pitman |40 is provided with a follower roller |42 cooperating with a profile cam |43 secured to the drive shaft 30. By the action of the cam,

` H8. By means of rivets |41 a cam plate |49 is secured to the partA |46 and the cam plate |43' is provided with a cam slot |49 receiving a pin Athe m11,

| carried by bracket |5| iixed to the suction pin |50 will cause the suction cup to be moved slightly downward and this downward movement is completed when the suction cup is in the dotted line position. After this position has been vreached the cam |53 acting on the roller |42 will depress the pitman |40 and with the stud |50 in the left end of the slot |49 the cam plate |46 will also be moved away from the shaft IB to cause the suction cup 5 to'come in contact with the top sheet of the supply stack. In this position of the suction cup H5 suction is applied thereto so that this will cause the suction cup to seize the top'sheet, after which the cam |43then e'ects the return movement of the pitman |40 and the suction cup to its dotted line position. After the suction cup is elevated by the action Yoi the cam |43 the suction cup carrying arm H9 is rocked back to its normal position by cams |23 and by the reverse action of the cam slot |49 on the stud |60 the' latter is brought to the full line position shown in Fig. 7 with the tcp sheet which has been removed from the supply stack carried thereby.

Suction pump The suction pump is provided for the pur` pose of producing a suction at the suction cup ||5 at the time the suction cup has been lowered to contact the uppermost sheet of the supply stack.

Referring to Fig. '2 it will be seen that the In order to prevent `the sheets from adhering to eachother so as to facilitate the removal of only one sheet at a time, it is preferable to provide means jfor directing a blast of air at the edges of the sheets to eiect their physical separation. In the present machine this is effected by a means-of an air supply tube (Fig. 3) which has an open nozzle |66 disposed at the rear of the stack of sheets. The fan for directing air to the tube |65 is not shown herein since any conventional form 'will be satisfactory, it being noted that in the operation of the machine this fan continuously directs the air blast to the sheets in the manner just described. r

Card gate The card gate is for the purpose of pushing down the sheet whichwas fed on the bed of the conveying mechanism; forcibly detaching it from the suction cup I5 and holdingthe sheet flat on the bed. The associated mechanism is best shown in Figs.' l, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

'I'he gate consists of a plate `|10 which is disposed .iust to the front of the suction cup ||5 when the latter is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 8 so that when the gate is rocked down after having. been rocked upwardly to a position for free placing of the sheet on the bed, the gate may rock back to its lowered position Without interference with the suction cup H5. From Fig. 8 it will be seen thatfgate plate |16 overlies only the lower part of the bed plate |18 and does not extend'completely to the rear of the bed plate so that the area of the bed plate open, the latter is provided with a connecting arm |62 cooperating with alcam |63 attached to a shaft it rotated in a manner to be subsequently described.

During the time that the suction cup |15 is beingl moved to its dotted line position the bleeder valve |60 is rocked by the cam |63 to open the valve and during this time the high portion of the profile cam |59 will shift the piston rod |51 and piston |56 to the upper part ofthe piston tothe cylinder and also .to the suction 'tube |2| as previously described and as is evident 'from Fig. 1. The suction action at the suction cup ||5 will cause it to seize the top sheet andv during the time that the suction cup is being restored to its normal position the suction action iscontinued to cause the suction cup to retain hold of the seized sheet. Ata .time in the operaton of the machine for a purpose to be referred to more in detail hereinafterv the bleeder valve |60. is

opened, destroying the suciton in the suction cup ||5 so as to release the seized sheet.

|18 at the r'earl and uncovered by gate plate bers |14 are arms |11 and said arms are pinned by pins |11a (Fig. 8) to the relateda hinge pins |12. The gate |10 is normally disposed as shown in Fig. 12 and obviously as the arms |11 are rocked in a clockwise direction about their pivots |16 the pins |12 will follow the curvature of the slots |18 and the action on pins |12 by arms |11 is torock the pins clockwise -to cause the gate |10 to be rocked clockwise and when the hinge pins |12 are at the lower positions of the slots |13 the gate |10 is in such rocked and elevated position that there will be no interferenceby it when the suction cup deposits a sheet on the part of the bed plate |18 which was previously covered by the gate plate |10. For the purpose of rocking the gate in such position a link |19 is 1ooselypivoted to the hinge pin |12 and to a ,pivot stud |80 of an arm |8| and by rockingy the shaft |82 the gate may be rocked upwardly, or lowered to the position shown in Fig. 12- over the sheet which has been placed by the suction cup. Y

The means for rocking the shaft |02 is best shown in Figs. 10 and 11 where it will be seen that to the shaft 30 there is secured a disk |83.

which has a projecting cam portion |84 cooper-- ating with a follower arm |85vsecured to the rock shaft |82. Substantially at the time in the a 'the operation of the machinethat the suction cup has. been lowered to the dotted line position shown in Fig. '1, the cam disl: |88 has-been rotated sumciently so that the cam portion |98 engaging the follower arm |88 will rock the rock shaft |82 to thereby elevate the gate plate |19 and the cam portion |88 will retain thegate in'such elevated position and it will be held in such position, during 'the time that 4the suction cup H8 is restored to the position shown `automi plate- |18 in this manner, disposed over the plate |18 are four guide wiresA 288 (Figs. 1, 8, 12,13). These guide wires are extended from a block .288 and are attached to respective hubs 288 in Fig. 1 with the paper sheet iust. seized over the bed plate |18;4 The gate is'held -ln-such position by cooperation of a Aprojection |89 of the fonower srm les with an extension m of the disk |88. Ultimatelxproiection |99 drops lofi' the extension |81, quickly rocking the gate -plate |18 back to its normal-position on top of the sheet just fed and thereby forcibly detaching it from the suction cup in the event that itshould stick thereto. The reverse rocking of gate plate |19 is assisted by the tendency of va ilat spring |81a (Fig. 12) to come to normal, the upper part ofvwhich above shaft |95 is bent by sate plate |18 as the latter is rocked clockwise. The bleeder valve 88 is'rocked to destroy the vacuum at the suction cup while the -gate plate is being shut so that the lsheet will be freely detached from' the suction cup.

After this operation the suction cup H i remains in the position shown in Fig'. "I for a short time at the termination of the cycle of opera.- tion b ut before the cycle of operation is terwhich are adjustable upon a rod 289 so that each hubmay be independently adjusted and the wire made taut. When the sheet is fed from the `Receiving position to the First visible position. the sheet passes underneath the wire 298,retaining the sheet down on the bed plate |18 and such sheet is maintained in this posiltion during the successive feeding of the-sheets until the .'Printing position is reached at which time a stacking mechanism seizes the'sheet and to'beexplained. I

sheet stacking mechanism' While the narrowv or wide sheets which are 'stacks it in a storage hopper in a manner now' successively fed may be fed oi! the. bed plate f |18 to Vany convenient supply receptacle. it is preferable. to, stack the sheets in an orderly manminated the suction cup ||8 begins to move slightly downward from the full line position 'shown in Fig. '7 so that when the next cycle of operation is initiated the suction cup begins to move downwardly from the slightly moved posi- Y tion..

`(instelling mechanim` I nveying mechanism is'adaptedLA to position 8 'as A or the initial "Receiving p'osition,

thence to the B position or the "First `visible position, thence to position C or Second visible position," and thence to position D which may be the "Printing DOsitiOn" for the sheet. The

- conveying mechanism by successive cyclic oper-l ations `of the machine brings the sheets to .these Positions in succession. f

- The conveying mechanism consists of a-pair` of endlesschains |98 and |9| (Figs. 8, 9 and .12). the chain |98 passing around sprocket wheels |92 and |98 (Fig. l2) which are securedto respective shafts |88 and |99. I The chain |9| passes over similar sprocket wheels also secured to thev aforementioned shafts |98 and |95.`

For drivingthe shaft |98 it. will bel observed that secured to the shaft 88 is a beveled gear |88 meshing with a beveled gear |99secured to the drive shaft |98. Also secured to drive shaft |98 is. a beveledgear |88 meshing with a bev- -eled gear |89 (Figs. 8 and 9) attached to shaft |88 .for rotating cam |88 (Fig. 2) previously referred to.

The chains ne and lsiearryv a plurality of, lugs 282 which engage the sides of the wider sheets because the separation of adjacent lugs e0 sheet in successive positions designated in ner so that they are in the same order as they are fed. To this end a sheet stacking mechanism shown particularly in Figs. 12, '13, 14, 15 and 11 is provided and forms the subiect matter of applicants' application, Serial No. 460.128, filed l September 29, 1942.

Secured to the drive shaft 88 is a beveled gear 2|9 (Fig. 8) meshing with a beveled gear 2|| secured to a drive shaft 2|2. best -shown in Fig. 14 carries a pin 2|8 which `projects through and to thev outside of the shaft described, rotation of the shaft m will causethe concomitant rotation o'f tube 2|9 and parts secured thereto in a manner now to-be described.

To the tube 2|! there is secured in any desirable manner la pair ofsheet stacking drums 2|8 and 288, provided to stack the sheets'of both narrow and wider widths. Within each stacking drum there is secured to one vend cfa rod 2|1 a plate 2|8 which is urged by a spring 2|8 so that a sheet gripper plate 228 carried by the plate iir . be. As shown in Fig. 13, the rod 2|1 intercon- 'nects the related pair of gripper plates 2|8 ot 2|9, if'not restrained-rests upon the outside periphery of the drum 2|8, or 288. as the case may the stackingdrums 2|8 and 288.

From Fig. 15 it will be noted that the sheet gripper'parts for .the stacking drum 2|8 are duplicated, this also being true of the gripper parts 1 for the stacker drum 288 as shown in Fig. 11.

By means of the gear ratio between the beveled gearsv2|8 and 2|| the shaft 2|2 is given a half revolution for each cyclic operation of the machine. The members 2 I8 and their gripper plates 229 carried thereby are sheet gripping devices,

correspond'to the width of the wider sheets. f e

It is obvious for each cyclicloperation of the machine that the narrow or wide sheet is moved from one position Vto the successive position. it

being shifted along by the lugs 282 that the trailing edge ofthe sheet `coactswith. In order 'to insure that the sheet will ybe fed over the one of whichis operable for each stacking drum during each cyclic operationvof the machine to seize the sheet. or in'other words. for each stacking drum the sheet grippers are4 alternately eifective. For the purpose, of Arocking the inter-connected members 2|8 for the sorting drums 2|8 and 280 to effect a separation between-the effective gripper plates 228 and the periphery of the.

'I'he shaft 2|2 as the' bed plate.

respective stacking drums 2| 6 and 230 and for the closure of this space there is provided for stacking narrow sheets a double lobed cam member 22| having the contour shown in Fig. 15 and 'the cam member 22| should be considered as stationary during the rotation of the sheet stacking drums 2|6 and 239.

The stacking drum 2|6 is shown in Fig. 15 in normal position so that the gripper plate 220 has been moved away from the periphery of the drum 2|3. With 4cam member 22| in eective position, it is to be understood that the gripper plates 22|! of the stacking drum 23|) are also in the position shown in Fig. 15, due to the interconnection of the gripper devices by the connecting rods 2W. As the stacking drums 2|6 and 230 rotate further counterclockwise, 'the cooper-v ation of cam portion c. will cause plates 2|8 to holding the leading edge of the sheet against the drums as the sheet is still fed by the conveyor so'that as the drums further rotate they will carry the sheet around.

From Fig: 1 it will vbe seen that a bracket support plate 225 extends over the stacking drums and carries a transverse plate 226 which carries acentral guide plate 223 and at the ends curved guide lingers 226 guide the )sheet to insure that the grippers carry the paper sheet away and oil As the stacking drums 2| 3 and 232 further rotate the sheet is carried across the top of a storage hopper until it engages stop rods 227. The base plate of the storagehopper .is indicated by reference numeral 223 4and receives the stop rods 227 tov' guide the base plate as it` moves downwardly against the action of the springs 229. As the leading edge of the sheet strikes rods 227 cam portion e rocks the eiective gripper plates 223 of the stacking drums 213 and 230 to separate it from the periphery of the drums Y to release the hold on the4 now stacked sheets and at the end of the cycle operation the gripper plates then go to a closed position and then open position for the beginning of the next cycle. The above sequence of events takes place during two cycles of machine operation and by the sequential operation oi' the grippers associated with the stacking drums 296 and 23B one pair of grippers of the stacking drums may be effective to turn the sheet around to be deposited in the `storage hopper while the other grippers may be inposition to'receive a following sheet.

Means for adjusting timing of stacker drums to stack wider sheets The change in timingu is effected bythe utiliza-l tion oi a cam 23| and the latter eii'ects the concurrent operation of the eflective grippers of the 'stacking drums 2|8 and 230 and inthe same Vmanner as described for cam 22| but the desired timing of the actuation of the ,grippers is somewhat different, due to the difference in the-angular position of theicam portion c-d from the same cam portions of cam 22 l.

As shown in Fig. 14, c am 23| is out of cooperati`ve relationship with the stacker drum 232B when the cam 22| is in cooperative relationship with the grippers of the stacker drum 2|6 which relationship is necessary for stacking narrowsheets. e

In order to selectively bring the aforementioned cam plates 22| and 23| into cooperative relationship with the respective stacking drum, means is provided to render one eiective when the other is ineiective.

to the rod 236 are arms 235 and 236.y Thearm 235 has a hole which receives the collar of the A cam 23| and cam 23| is xed to the arm 235 by means of a set screw 231 passing through theI arm 235 and engaging a part of an annular groove 23B formed in the collar of the cam 23|. This set screw and groove construction is preferably provided in order to enable close angular-adjustment of the cam23| to provide for the desired timing in operations. A similar connection is made between the arm 236 and the cam 22| for the same purposes. i

When the rod 238 is in the position shown in Fig. 14.v cam 22| is effective and therefore control 'the grippers of the stacker' drums 2|3 and 233 but when the rod 23d is moved towards the operator the cam 22| is moved out of cooperative relationship and the cam 23| is moved to such' position that it will be `eilective to control the grippers of the stacker drums 2|5 and 230. After the cam 23| is moved within the stacker drum 233 and after it engages a bushing239 carried by the stacker drum`v23, further movement of the rod 231| towards the operator will cause the movement of the assembly which comprises the tube 2|5 and the stacker drums 2|6 and 230 and parts carried thereby. Further movement of the rod 233. after this engagement is elected will move this assembly towards the operator and by means of the diagonal slots 2|f3. in .cooperation with the pin 2|3 the tube 2| 5 will be rotated' slightly counterclockwise. v thereby giving the block 24|) and adjusting lever 242 (see Fig. 13).

The latter works in a slot of an index plate 263 (see also Fig. 8) and the adjusting lever 212 is adjustable to positions on the index plate marked Small" and Large to select the desired cam for stacking narrow or wide sheets. respectively.

From Fig. 8 it is obvious that when a sheet is in the printing position designated by D a n Wide sheet will, at the termination of a machine operation. be somewhat closer to the stacking mechanism than a narrow sheet, and in general, the change in timing is provided so that when stacking narrow sheets the machine providesforv gripping the narrowA sized sheets somewhat earlier in the cyclic operation of the machine Slidably mounted between two frame plates 232 and 233 is a.r rod 232 and secured l successive positioning of the sheets lpreviously operation the effective cam portions-d of the cam 23| is disposed as shown in Fig. 17. In general, the operations are the same, that is, the pail'l gripper plates now ride down the earn portion'd, i

causing the eifective gripper plates to hold the leading edge of the sheet firmly against the periphery ofv the stacking drums 2li and 23|.

The seized sheet is carried' around in the same manner and is also stacked in the storage hopper in the manner previously' described in. detail so that a repetition of the ldescription is believed .to be unnecessary.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single embodimentyit will'be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and detalls of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilledY in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is theintention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following clairns.-

What is claimed is:

1. -A machine for separating sheets from the top of a stack and feeding them comprising a suction operated gripper oscillatable about a pivot over a stack of sheets'to seize the uppermost sheet, a sheet conveyor mechanism for longitudinally feeding the' sheets in successive positions during successive cyclic machine operathan for feeding wide sheets. For securing the gripping of the widersheets later in the cycle of fed on the bed of the conveyor, and for each feeding operation cause said oscillating lmeans to feed a sheet from the stack to the conveyor and cause said rocking means to operate the gate to dislodge the sheets from'the suction gripper.

3. A machine for separating sheets from the top of a stack and feeding them comprising a suction operated gripper oscillatable about a lpivot over a stack of sheets to seize the uppermost sheet and radially movable to contact the uppermost sheet. a. sheet conveyor mechanism for longitudinally feeding the sheets in successive pomtions during successive cyclic machine operations, a pivoted gate at the entrance of the conveyor mechanism and overlying the ilat bed thereof, means for rocking the gate to provide a free entrance position on theconveyor for thesheet fed, means for oscillating the suction gripper from a position adjacent the entrance po.`

- the conveyor at the entrance position thereof.

pivoted gate-at the entrance of the conveyor mechanism and having a width overlying only part of the flat bed thereof to-leave a. suction .4 gripper receiving position, means'for rocking the tions, a pivoted gate at the entrance ofthe conveyor mechanism and overlying the fiat bed thereof, means for rocking the gate to provide a free entrance position on the conveyor for the sheet fed, means for oscillating the suction grip#- per from a position adjacent the entrance position to aposition over the stack and then back to saidl entrance position, and rneanscfor then rocking the gate to dislodge the'sheet from the suction gripper to place the sheet onthe oon- Aveyor at the entrance position thereof.

2. A machine for separatingA sheets from the top of a stack-and feeding them comprising a suction operated gripper oscillatable about a pivot .over a stack of sheets to seize the uppermost'sheet, a sheet conveyor mechanism oomprising endless chains with lugs spaced to receivethe sheets for longitudinally feedingthe sheets in successive positions during successive cyclic machine operations, a pivoted gate at the entrance vof the conveyor mechanism and overgate to provide a free entrance, on the conveyor for the sheet fed, means for oscillating thejsuction gripper from a position adjacent the entrance position to a position over the stack and then to said suction gripperreceiving position at the entrance position of said conveyor, and means for then rocking the gate to dislodge the sheet from the suction gripper to place the sheet on the con veyor at the entrance position thereof. i

5. In a sheet feeding device for a stack of sheets, the combination of a gripper for feeding from the stack a single sheet to be fed,la movable base plate, a stationary base plate with means lying the flat bed thereof,.means for rocking the gate to provide a free entrance position on the conveyor for the sheet fed, means-for oscillating the suction gripper from a position adiacent.` the entrance position toa position over the stack and then'back to said entrance position, meansfor then rocking the gate to dislodge the sheet from the suction gripper to place the sheet on the conveyor at the entrance position thereof between a pair of said lugs, and power operated means fo'r driving said-endless chains and for oi!- for adjustably carrying said movable base plate, adjustable hopper side plates forming with said movable base plate a sheet supply hopper, means for adiustably mounting said hopper side' plates on said movable base plate to provide for both longitudinal and transverse movements of said hopper side plates to provide a sheet receiving space of variable widths and lengths, said mount.- ing means having connections to said movable base plate for concurrent longitudinal adjust- -ment of the movable base plate on the stationary base plate'as the hopper, side plates are adjusted transversely -and longitudinally on the movable base plate.

s. In a sheet feeding device of the dass described, the4 combination of a support plate for. a

single sheet to be fed, a movable base plate paral lei to saidsupport plate and beneath said sull-vv 4 port plate, adjustable hopper side plates forming with said support plate a sheet supply hopper,-

means for adjustably mounting said hopper side plates on said movable-base plate to provide c.

sheet receiving space of two dierent widths. a

stationary base plate with means for adjustably carrying said movable base plate for concurrent adjustment of the movable base plate on the stationary base plate as the hopper side plates are adjustedl on the movable base plate, and a rear wall plate carried by said stationary base plate forming the rear wall of said hopper.

'7. In a sheet feeding device of the class described, the combination of a support plate for a stack of sheets to be fed, a movable suction gripper for picking oli? the top of the stack a single sheet to be fed, a movable base plate parallel to said support plate and beneath said support' plate, adjustable hopper side plates forming with said support plate a sheet supply hopper, means for adjustably mounting said hopper side plates on said movable base plate to provide a sheet receiving space of two dierent widths, a stationary base plate with means for adjustably carrying said movable base plate for concurrent adjustment of the movable base plate on the stationary base plate as the hopper side plates are adjusted on the movable base plate, a rear wall plate carried by said stationary base plate forming the lrear wall of said hopper, and a presser member carried by said movable base pressing upon. the top of the stack to press the sheets against the support plate at a place variably dependent upon the adjustment of the base plate.

8. In a sheet feeding device of the class described, the combination oi' a support plate for a stack of sheets to be fed, a movable suction gripper for picking oil' the topof a stack a single sheet to be fed, a stationary base plate, a movable base plate parallel to the support plate and beneath said support plate, adjustable hopper side platesl forming with'said support plate a sheet supplyhopper, and pins canied by each of said side plates working in diagonal slots in said stationary base plate to converge said side plates to diminish the sheet receiving space, said pins operating in slots in said movable base plate at right angles to the movement of the pins to cause the positioning of .the movable base plate relative to said stationary base plate.

9. In a sheet feeding device of the class described, the combination oi a support plate for a stack of sheets to be fed, a movable suction gripper for picking oi the top of a stack a single sheet to be fed, a stationary base plate, a movable base plate parallel to the support plate and beneath said support plate, adjustable hopper side plates forming with said support plate a sheet supply hopper, pins carried by each side plates working in diagonal slots in said stationary base plate to converge said side plates to diminish the sheet receiving space, said pins operating in slots in said movable base plate at right angles to the movement of the pins to cause the movement of the movable base plate relative to said stationary base plate, a front wall plate carried by said movable base plate, and a presser member carried by the front .wall plate pressing on the top sheet of the stack at a place variably dependent upon the adjustment of the movable base plate.

10.v In a sheet feeding device of the class described, the combination of- .a support plate for a stack of sheets to be fed, a movable suction gripper for picking oil' the top of a stack a single sheet to be fed, a stationary base plate,'a movable base plate parallel tothe support plate and beneath said support plate, adjustable hopper side plates forming with said support plate a sheet supply hopper, pins carried by each side plates working in diagonal slots in said stationary base plate to converge said side plates to diminish the sheet receiving space. said pins operating in slots in said movable base plate to cause the movement of the movable basaplate relative to said stationary base plate, a front wall plate carried by said movable baseplate, and cam means carried by said front wall plate for preliminarily moving some of the top sheets relative to the lower sheets, said cam means cooperating with the edges of the sheets of different sizes as a result of the adjustment of the front wall plate

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