US2385038A - Sorting machine - Google Patents

Description

soRTING MAHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Sept. 18, 1945. H. H.`sNYDER 2,385,038

soRTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 18, 1945. H, H SNYDER '2,385,038 I SORTING MACHINE Filed Sept. l0, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 3' IBO INVENTOR sept. 18, 1945.

H. H. SNYDER i SORTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 f Filed sept. 10, 1942 l sept. 1s, 1945.

Filed sept. 1o, 1942 H. H. sN'YDER soRTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR l I W/a/ fx MW 7 uw? MMA/@w44 Patented Sept. 18, 1945 SORTIN G MACHINE Harold H. Snyder, Mount Lebanon, Pa., assigner to Forter-Teichmann Company,

Pittsburgh,

Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 10, 1942, Serial No. 457,805

17 Claims.

This invention relates to sorting machinery, and consists in a machine adapted to sort by size and weight the product of glass tube making procedure. sorting of tubes that are produced for incandescent-vapor lamps. The object in view is facile and accurate sorting.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. I is a fragmentary view of the machine, seen in side elevation; Fig. II is a View of the machine in plan; Fig. III is a view to somewhat larger scale, showing the machine in end elevation, as seen from the left, Figs. I and II. The remaining gures show to much larger scale details of machine structure. Fig. IV shows, partly in Vertical section and partly in side elevation and in assembly with the supporting chain, a tube-moving abutment and a cooperating jaw; Fig. V shows the same assembly in vertical and transverse section. The pair of jaws is here seen in front elevation-from the right, Fig. IV. Figs. VI and V11 show, partly in vertical and longitudinal section, partly in, side elevation, one of the jawopening devices and one of the gravity-operating Aescapes for .the ware; and Figs. VIII and IX show partly in vertical and longitudinalV section and partly, in side elevation a detail of the transmis- `sion mechanism by which the machine is driven and, in association therewith, certain control apparatus. i

The machine is of tablelike character, and includes a frame I, and a fragmentary/land discontinuous top made up of stationary plates 2 and movable plates 3. common horizontal plane; they are arranged in two lines or rows; the rows are spaced'widely apart, transversely of the machine; and, within each row, the successive plates are spaced at narrow intervals from one another. in the two rows are arranged in opposite pairs. The movable plates 3 extend normally in .common plane with the plates 2; they also are arranged in two lines or rows; the rows are spaced less widely apart than the rows of 'plates 2, and the two rows of plates 3 are arranged inthe interval between the rows of plates 2. The plates 3 in their two rows are arranged in opposite pairs: and the plates 3 bridge the intervals at which the plates 2 within their rows stand apart. The effect is that the tubes to be sorted, lying transversely upon the table, are advanced singly from right to left, Figs. I and II, and, as they so advance, they rest alternately at their ends upon plates 2, and at less widely spaced portions upon 'Ihe plates 2 It nds practical applicationpin the The plates 2 extend in` -35 plates 3. The plates 3 are mounted to swing vertically downward from their normal positions of coincidence with the plane of the table-top, and they are counterweighted to continue normally in such position. It is under the weight Y of a tube resting upon them that a pair of plates 3 will swing and allow the tube to descend through the table-top to the receptacle prepared for it.

Above this fragmentary and discontinuous table-top work-advancing mechanism is arranged. Upon suitable standards at the two ends of the table-top two pairs of sprocket-wheels 4 are rotatably mounted, and upon the two pairs of sprocket-wheels two identical endless chains 5 are trained. The two chains extend in upper and lower parallel and horizontal reaches, and the planes of the two reaches are both of them above the plane of the table-top itself.

A motor 6 is mounted in the frame I of the machine, and from the motor a horizontally disposed disk 'l borne by a vertical shaft is constantly rotated. kA slide 8- (cf. Fig. VIII), reciprocable in ways 9 that are mounted upon and extend longitudinally'of. the frame, bears a stud I0 that enters and is engaged by a cam groove formed in the nether face of the disk 1; and,

'by-y proper shaping of the cam groove, reciprocatio-n of the slide through a suitable range and at suitable acceleration is eifected in response to rotation of theV disk. The slide 8 carries a rack II; and through the rack-and-pinion connection generally indicated at I2, Fig. VIII, reciprocation of the-horizontally extending slide 8 imparts reciprocation to a vertically extending -rod I3. A rack-and-pinion drive I4 is arranged between the rod I3 and the shaft upon which the sprocket wheels 4 to the left, Fig. I, are rigidly borne. The drive I4 includes the familiar clutch, effective in one direction only,` whereby reciprocation of the rod I3 in one direction effects rotation of -the sprocket wheels, while the return reciproca- `the direction indicated.

The chains are equipped, each with a succession of abutments I 5 that extend from the chains upon one side thereof. The abutments upon the two chains are arranged oppositely in pairs.

These abutments, engaging the work from behind, carry it forward in right-to-left course (Figs. I and-II, VI and VII), while it rests upon the table-top composed of plates 2 and 3. Cooperating with each abutment I5 is a jaw I6 that, in the range of chain travel, closes upon abutment I5 to retain a length of tube placed between, and recedes from the abutment to allow the length of tube to escape. The jawis arranged in advance of the abutment; that is tofsay,it kopens and closes upon the face of the abutment that in chain travel is the leading face. In Fig. IV the jaw I6 is shown in full lines in closed .position upon abutment I5, and in dotted lines in open position. In Fig. VI the jaws `are shown inolosed position upon two abutments; land in Fig. VII a jaw is shown in open position. Referring vto Fig. I, it will be seen that as the chains ascend, .rounding the sprocket-wheels to 'the`left, the jaws i5 are open; and it may be understood that Ai-ti'is at that point in chain travel that the lengths of tube to be sorted are placed, one by one, between an abutment I5 and the adjacent and-cooperating jaw. As the abutments 'advance from the sprocket-wheels on the left `along the upper horizontal reach of chain travel. the yjaws close,

and in so doing secure the lengths of tube, un-

til in the course of advance from right to left along the lower horizontal reachfof chain travel. the jaws are, by means provided tothat end, automatically opened.v Referring to Figs. I, IV, and V, it will be seenthat 'the jaw IE is pivoted in the body of the chain-borne abutment I5 (cf. Fig. IV), A spring I'8 is so arranged between abutment and jaw .that,-whe`ther the jaw be closed or open, it tends to hold vthe Vjaw in the position to which it has'come (cf. Figs. VIandVII). `The spring I'B is anchored to the vjaw I6 by a post I8!) that extends laterally, clear v'of immediat-ely adjacent parts. Turning to Fig. I, block IBI will Vbe seen, rigidly 4'borne upon the frame of the machine. vTheblock has an inclined "upper face,

and it will be perceived that Vby the v'engagement of the pin 'F39 with the abutment ISI, the advancing jaws yIt will one-by-'one be'swung 'from open (broken-line position, Fig. IV), to closed (full-line position). v u l l A bolt I1 is telescopically borne by the body of the abutment 15,-and extends fromth'e supporting chain "5 on `the side opposite 'that from which Thisbolt engages the abutment itself extends. v the jaw I6, as vvby the tongue-and-gro'ove engagement shown, with the effect that the closing o'f .the jaw causes thebolt to be extended, and the inward shifting of the "bolt causes the jaw to open.

As the articles advance above :the table-'top from right yto left, Figs. 1,11, v1, and VII, in the vlower horizontalreach of chain travel, :they are sorted both Yby size 'and'by weight.

The devices for sorting by Size are provided fn pairs, corresponding Yto the pairs o'f abutments AI5. with which the chains 5 are-equipped; and there isa, plurality 'of pairs, situated at successive points in the line Iof 'advance of the chains through their lower horizontal reach. AThe sizesorting devices are duplicates lone of another,

together, are rotatably borne. A vbell-crank 1eyver 22, mounted 'upon a `stationary fulcrum and adapted to 'swing in vertical plane, "and, a vertically arranged bolt 23, extensible and retractible in casing I9, are interconnected through the `power-transmission member. The power-transmission member is provided peripherally with adjacent notches 24, 25; and a ball 26, mounted in casing I 9 and backed by a spring 2l, engaging these notches in alteration, tends to shift the power-transmission member when in interme- "diat'elposition in-its range of turning-'and to advance .it tothe end of its range and hold it there. The power arm of the bell-crank lever is equipped with an adjustable bearing-block 23.

A further renement is found in disks 29, rotatable each upon a stationary axis, that rise slightly above the general level of the table-top. 4Over -thesedisks .the tube-lengths are impelled,

:and 'uponthem they rest at the instant when they come beneath the bearing-blocks 28.

This device is so arranged that the bolt 23 advances into and recedes from the path of progress of the abutment-borne bolt II; and the bearingblock 28 is disposed aboveand at a carefully adand ineffective tube is shown in full lines to the left in Fig. VI. In this same figure, in full lines to the right, a tube of larger size and of size vadequate to effect the operation of the sorting device is shown. This tube, advancing from right to left, comes to the broken-line position shown, and in its advance, having engaged block 28, it swings bell-'crank lever 22 clockwise from full-line to broken-line position. Such shifting of the bell-crank lever effects, with the aid of the spring-backed ball 26, the extension of the Abolt 23 to the dotted-line position. The continued progress of the chain-borne 'abutment I5 then brings 'bolt I'I to engagement with bolt 23. Bothbolts are retractible vertically; `their meet- 4ing faces are properly rounded. The tension of Aspring 21 is exerted upon bolt'23, tending to hold it in its extended position; the tension of spring I8 is exerted with like effect upon `bolt I'I. The

two springs are 'so proportioned to one anoth'er that it is spring I8 which'rst yields, and with the effectthat jaw I6 is swung clockwise and the parts come to 'theposition shown in Fig. VII.

l'Ihelength of tubing is released and rests upon "the table-top. The jaw I6 is now held in open position by vthe tension of spring I8, and, in the continued right-'to-'left progress of abutment I5 fthe len'gt'h'T of tubing, vresting freely upon the V`table-top, advances upon the table-top.

-In the further right-to-left'progress of abutment I5 the bolt II, having-nowreached the end of its downward traverse, continues to be 'eifective in forcing Ybolt l23 upward, and .it is so effective until the spring-backed ball l2li, having crossed the interval that separates :the notches,

nentersnotch 24 and shifts bolt 23, transmission `member I20, .2.I., yandbell-crank lever 22 back to the Fig. VI positions. Thus the -sorting device, having operated upon .one of .the advancing tube lengths, is automatically vmade ready for operation upon the next one.

The crank-disks ZIl .and 2| Yare mounted on a shaft 200, and this shaft extends between the I two sorting devices of th'e pair, so that both devices operate in unison, insuring that both of the jaws I6 engaging a tube-length will open together. length in progress through the machine, should not be of uniform diameter, and if the diameter of the tube should at one end only exceed the critical value, both' of the jaws I6 will open and the tube-length will be released.

Referring now to Figs. I and II, it is t be remarked that, considering the table-top from right to left, the space interval between the first pair of plates 2 is not bridged (as are succeeding intervals) by plates- 3; that, in transverse alignment with the first pair of plates 2, is set a pair of size-sorting devices S', and, in transverse alignment with the second pair of plates 2, is set a second pair of size-sorting devices S2. Let it be understood that the blocks 28 of the sorting devices S are so particularly adjusted as to be operated by a tube-length of diameter exceeding x, and let it be understood that th'e blocks 28 of the sorting devices S2 are so adjusted as to be operated by a tube-length of diameter a: as a maximum and .r-a as a minimum. As the succession of tube-lengths advances through the two pairs of sorting devices, all of the lengths of excessive diameter, released by the opening of the jaws of the first pair of sorting devices, will fall through the space interval at whichi the plates 2 of the rst two pairs stand apart, and may be received in a bin 38; all of the tube-lengths of diameters ranging from :c to -a will, as they pass through the second pair of sorting devices S2, S2, be released by the swing of the jaws I6, to rest upon the plates 3, and to be advanced over the table-top as the abutments I 5 advance; while the tube-lengths of diameter less than -a will pass through the sorting devices S2, S2 with no shifting of the jaws I6, and they will be carried forward above the table-top sustained by the still closed jaws.

A tube-length releasedv by the sorting devices S2, S2 rests immediately upon plates 3. The plates 3 are secured to disks 3| borne by a shaft 32 (the shaft that carries disks 29 also. See Fig. III), and shaft 32 is rotatably mounted in the frame of the machine. The shaft 32 carries a drum 33 upon which the suspension cord 34 of a Weight 35 is by the turning of the shaft wound and unwound. Referring again to Fig. VII, as the tube-length T resting free upQn the plate 3 is by the advance of abutment I5 carried along the plate from a position near to the axis of turning to a position far from the axis of turning, its weight becomes increasingly eective; and, by exceeding a value that is predetermined by the actual value of weight 35, it will swing the plate 3 counter-clockwise, from the full-line position (Fig. VII) to the broken-line position, and in so doing will itself roll from the sloping plate and descend to the receptacle 42' provided for its reception. The weight 35 then will be effective to swing the plate 3 again to its normal position in the plane of the table-top.

A sto-p 3'I is provided, engaged by a pin 38 that extends from drum 33, limiting the clockwise turning of the shaft 32 to the point at which the plates 3 lie in the plane of the table-top. A pin 39 extends from drum 33 and enters a slot 40 in a slide al. The chains 5, as has already been explained, advance intermittently, in step-by-step course; and (referring to Figs. I, VIII, and IX),

4it is on the down-stroke of the stem I3 that the It will thus be seen that, if `a tubebroken-line position.

' rails 36 into the receptacle 42.

'left-hand end of the slot in slide 5I I3 approaches the end of its up-stroke isdrives `the slide in its opposite right-to-left course, and

chains advance. As the stroke is approaching completion, the slide 4I is, through the instrumentalities clearly indicated in Figs. VHI and IX, shifted from left to right, and the shaft is released to turn under the weight of the tubelength. The organization is such that when the stem I3 has so completed its down-stroke, the tube-length T has reached the left ends (Fig. VII) of the plates 3. In the ensuing up-stroke of the stem I3 the slide III is shifted from right to left. It is important thus to control the shifting of the slide 4I, to the end that the two plates 3 upon which a `tube-length is borne shall be released to swing simultaneously. The lost motion in the line of transmission between stem I3 and slide III, clearly shown in Figs. VIII and DI, has effect that the slide is shifted as the abutments I5 approach the end of their successive steps of advance, allowing the plates 3 to make ltheir unloading and return swing before the interval of rest comes to an end and the abutments I5 begin the next step of their advance.

The operation of the gravity-sorting device is as follows:

At the time when a work-advancing step in chain movement begins, the pin 38 is bearing upon the stop 3l and pin 39 is bearing upon the right-hand end of slot 4D in slide 4I (cf. Fig. VIII). The shaft 32 then is positively restrained against rotation in either direction, and the plate 3 is held rigidly in horizontal position. The shaft and plate remain so restrained until the chains, in their advance have carried a tube-length almost to the distal end of the plate 3. Thereupon,

v the slide 4I is by the instrumentalities described shifted in' left-to-right direction, and (the weight of the tube-length exceeding in effect the weight 35) the shaft 32 is turned counter-clockwise (Fig. VII) and the plate 3 is swung from full-line to This movement is controlled and limited by the continued bearing of pin 33 upon the right-hand end of the slot in the shifting slide 4I. The tube-length drops from the downwardly tilted plate, and rolls down It will be perceived that the slide 4I regulates the rate `and extent of tilting of the plate 3 into tube-releasing position, and it will be manifest that such controlled and smooth operation of the machinsm Vis desirable in the sorting of theglass articles here in contemplation;

The parts are so organized that as the slide 4I reaches the end of its left-to-right movement, a Vstep in chain-advance is completed. And while the chains remain at rest the rod I3 (Fig. VIII) makes it idle up-stroke and the plate 3 returns to horizontal position.` When the tube-length drops from the tilted plate 3, the weight 35 is effective immediately to turn the shaft 32 and plate 3 clock- Wise, bringing the pin 39 to abutment upon the As the stem (the pin 33 held by the effect of weight 35 against the left end of slot 43) the parts gradually return to their original positions.` `When the pin 38 engages the stop 31 and arrests the shaft 32, the plate 3 has come again to the plane of the tabletop. The slide 4I continues its right-to-left movement until the right-hand end of slot il() comes to abutment upon the pin 39, thus locking the plate 3 in the plane of the table-top.

With the attention uponFigs. I and II, it will be remarked that, including the pair Ofplates 3 immediately associated with the pair of sorting -right-itoleft.sequence; andiit may be'un'derstood vthat, by giving .diminishing values tothe weights 1.35 that `.determine the tube weight veiective to `swingthe .plates .3, the tube-lengths that, by the operation fof the sorting devices S2, lS2 have been ,released :from oonlnement offthe jaws l 5,.:may be -:'gra'ded *by weight and segregated in the .succes 'sionfioi :receptacles I14,2. :Beyond andto'the 'left of the :last of the ten pairs .of plates `3 that 'have just been=designated,the neXt succeeding interval V.between lplates 1-2, x2`isz-not bridged; and any tubelenethfof diameter lbetween and -a, too light `toswing 4thezlast pair of plates 3 in vsuch sequence of :ten, willgfall through'suchinterval to be caught -in alreceptacle 63. It ma-y 1.be understood that :for saggiven .tube diameter therezis a correspond- ;ing'minimum weight and, accordingly, the means kspecied are eiective, after culling out and grading theftube-.l'engths of useful size and weight, to gatherforrejection the tube-lengths that do not come up to specification.

vExplanation has been given above that, while sorting devices S2, S2 are eiective to releaseftubelengths :that range iin diameter from :1: to :1l-a, they are ineiective to release tube-lengths of :diameter less than aI-a. These are carried by the chains 5, secured by the closed jaws I6, over Kthe 'successionlof ten :plates 3 alluded to above and across the :interval betweensucceeding pairs of fplates 2, 2, through which tube-lengths of larger diameter (released from ythe retentive jaws is) y:fall -toreceptacle 43. The table-top is continued to itheleft, and, immediately to the left of the ,interval last 'alluded to, yet another pair of size-sorting devices S3, S3 is set. This pair of :sortingdevicesmay be understood to ybe eiective to Vrelease all tube-lengths of a diameter less than :v -a and down to va diameter of :zt-a-b. The successionfof pairs of plates 3 from the sorting ydevices S3, S3 to the left, properly Weighted, cooperates withthe sorting devices S3, S3 precisely as the ten lpairs of plates described above coopcrate with-the devices'S2, S2. The devices S3, S3 leave still .secured by jaws i6 .all tube-lengths rof :diameter .less than -a-b; and the immediatelyy `adjacent succession of plates 3, terminating with a blank .and unbridged interval between successive pairs of ,plates 2 accomplish the sorting by weight and the disposal of all tube-lengths of diameter ranging less than -a, down to .r-a--h Beyond the sorting devices S3, S3 and .theassociated table-top parts, yet another pair offsize-sorting devices S4, S4 `may Vbe placed, effec- .ti-ve to release all chain-borne tube-lengths of diameter less than .r-a-b, and the succeeding table-.top members may be made effective inthe manner described to sort by Weight the so released tube-lengths. Manifestly, the number of .pairs of size-sortingdevices S2, S3, S4 and asso- .ciatedtable-top parts may be increased ordiminished, to meet the condition of the tubelengths to .be sorted and the requirements of use.

.Incase certain of the tube-lengths introduced to the machine are smaller in diameter than the minimum .required to operate the last pair .of

Ysorting devices S4, S4, the paired jaws I6 that fases-,oas

fdevices S2, cs2, there fare ten .pairs :of .plates s3 .in

etc. eifectfthezrelease of thearticles in segregated groups, and 'either-"immediately, or through 'the :selective action of 'counterweighted 4plates "3, the Aunsuitable:articles are culled Yout and the suitable -onesawithin each group are graded by weight'and segregated.

The machine is tapplicable iin the grading of tubes that 'vary in Y,diameter zand weight, regard- :less-of materialfand regardless of intended'use.

From what has been said, it will be understood that Athe vipoints at whichrthe devices S', S2, S3,"S4, etc., are located may ibe 'considered 'size-grading stations; Vthat'the machine vtherefore 'comprises a succession fof spaced-apart size-grading stations; `and lthat in the intervals between the successive lstations the members .3, :3 provide a .series of .spaced-apart gravity :sorting devices, with a stationary support v2, 2 arranged in each of the spaces between such gravity :sorting devices. Thezdevices yS', S2, S31and`S4 selectively release the 'tubes 4(advanced by the -conveyor '5, li) Iaccording vto size toone or 'anotherlof the .series of ,gravity sortingdevices. The gravity sorting-devices .a-re v'graduated in weight-grading eiect, whereby :each tube .released to a 'particular series :is selectively discharged according to its weight.

I claim .as my invention:

.-l. .A `macl'iine for asserting articles according to size fand weight comprisingr succession of :spaced-apart size-*grading stations, a series vof .spaced-apart :gravity sorting v.devices 'organized with each station and with the several iseries .arranged sequentially with respect to said stations, :means for engaging and transporting articles to 'be `assorted sequentially through said stations and the intervening series of sorting'devices, and means at each station for releasing the articles according to size to one or another of said series of gravity sorting devices.

2. A tube-sorting machine that includes a tabletop, a plurality 'of abutments movable above and longtudinallyof the table-top and adapted in theirfprogress to advance one by one a succession of Vtulre-lengths resting on the table-top, a mov- :able jaw associated with each abutment adapted .in its range of movement alternately to secure a tube-length to :the abutment in la position spaced :above the plane of the table-top and to release a so secured tube-length, allowing it to vdescend and -to rest upon the table-top, a jav opening device arranged adjacent the table-top, operable by engagement with it of an kadvancing jaw-held tube-length of a diameter exceeding a predetermined minimum, the table `being equipped with gravity-sorting means.

3. A'tube-sorting machine that includes a tabletop consisting of two spaced-apart rows of staf Vtionary plates extending in common plane, the plates ofthe two rows being arranged in opposite pairs with spaces between the pairs, a succession oi movable andrcounterweighted vbridgeplates spanning a succession lof .intervals 'between thepairs of stationary plates, 'the counterweighting lbeing of `decreasing magnitude throughout the succession, a plurality of abutments movable over the table-top in the direction of the succession of bridge-plates and from the more heavily counterweighted to the less heavily counterweighted -plates and adapted to advance a succession of tube-lengths one by one over the tabletop, a movable jaw associated with each abutment and adapted in its range of movement alternately to secure a tube-length to the abutment in a position spaced above the plane of the table-top and to release a so secured tube-length, allowing it to descend and to rest upon the tabletop, and a jaw-opening device arranged adjacent the table-top and adjacent that end of the succession of bridge-plates at which the abutmentborne tube-lengths approach the succession of bridge plates, said jaw-opening device being operab-le by the advance of a jaw-held tube-length of a diameter exceeding a predetermined minimum.

4. A tube-sorting machine that includes a tabletop, a plurality of abutments movable above and longitudinally of the table-top and adapted in their progress to advance one by one a succession of tube-lengths resting on the table-top, a movable jaw associated with each abutment and adapted in its range of movement alternately to secure a tube-length to the abutment in a position spaced above the plane of the table-top and to release a so secured tube-length, allowing it to descend and to rest upon the table-top, a

plurality of jaw-opening devices arranged adjacent the table-top and standing spaced apart at intervals in the direction of abutment advance, the said jaw-opening devices being operable by engagement with it of an advancing jaw-held tube-length, one of the devices being operable by a tube-length of a diameter exceeding a predetermined minimum, and another device, standing second in the direction of abutment advance, being operable by a tube-length of a diameter less than such minimum, the table being equipped with gravity-sorting means.

5. A tube-sorting machine that includes a tabletop consisting of two spaced-apart rows of stationary plates extending in common Iplane, the plates of the two rows being arranged in opposite pairs with spaces between the pairs, a succession of movable and counterweighted bridge-plates spanning successiveintervals between the pairs of stationary plates, the bridge-plates formed into a plurality of successive grou-ps by counterweighting of diminishing value from the rst plate of the group in the direction of the succession, a plurality of abutments movable over `the table-top in the direction of the succession of the bridge-plates and in the direction from the more heavily to the less heavily counterweighted plates within each group, a movable jaw associated with each abutment and adapted in its range of movement alternately to secure a tube-length to the abutment in a position spaced above the planel of the table-top and to release a so secured tubelength, allowing it to descend and to rest upon the table-top, and a plurality of jaw-opening devices arranged adjacent the table-top and standing spaced apart at intervals in the direction of abutment advance, one adjacent the head of each of the groups of bridge-plates, the said jaw-opening devices being operable by the advance of jawheld tube-lengths, one of the devices being operable by the advance of a tube-length of a diameter exceeding a predetermined minimum, and another device, standing second in the direction of abutment advance, being operable by the ad- Vance of a tube-length of a diameter less than such minimum.

6. A tube-sorting machine that includes a tabletop consisting of two spaced-apart rows of stationary .plates extending in common plane, the plates of the two rows being arranged in opposite pairs with spaces between the pairs, movable and counterweighted bridge-plates spanning intervals between pairs of stationary plates and arranged in a plurality of groups, the plates withineach group spanning successive intervals and the groups being separated by an interval between pairs of stationary plates that is unbridged, the counterweigliting within each group being of decreasing magnitude-from the remote end of the succession toward such an unbridged interval, a plurality of abutments movable over the tabletop in the direction of the successions of bridgeplates and in the direction from the more heavily toward the less heavily counterweighted bridgeplates within each group, a movable jaw associated with each abutment and adapted in its range of movement alternately to secure a tubelength to the abutment in a position spaced above the plane of the table-top and to release a so secured tube-length, allowing it to descend and to rest upon the table-top, and a plurality of jaw-opening devices arranged adjacent the tabletop and standing spaced apart at intervals in the direction of abutment advance, one arranged adjacent the most heavily counterweighted bridgeplate of each group, the said jaw-opening devices being operable b-y the advance of jaw-held tubelengths, one of the devices being operable by the advance of a tube-length of a diameter exceeding a predetermined minimum, and another device, standing second in the direction of abutment advance, being operable by the advance of a tubelength of a diameter less than such minimum.

Y '7. The structure of claim 2, together with jawclosing means adapted to cooperate with the successive jaws as the abutments advance toward the jaw-opening device.

8. The structure of claim 2, the abutment being equipped with an extensible and retractible bolt and the jaw-opening device being equipped with an extensible and retractible bolt, the two bolts in the progress of operation moving to and from positions yof axial alignment, yielding` means associated with each bolt and tending to hold the bolt in extended position, the parts being so pro- [portionedtnat by interengagement of the bolts the abutment-borne bolt is first retracted and the bolt borne by the jaw-opening device is re` tracted in sequence thereafter,

9. The structure of claim 2, the abutment being equipped with'an extensible and retractible bolt and the jaw-opening device being equipped with an extensible and contractible bolt, the two bolts in the progress of operation moving to and from positions of axial alignment, yielding means associated with each bolt and tending to hold the bolt in extended position, the parts being so proportioned that by inter-engagement of the bolts the abutment-borne bolt is rst retracted and the bolt borne by the jaw-opening device is retracted in sequence thereafter, and bolt-extending means operative upon the last-named bolt and made effective on the partial retraction of the last-named bolt.

10. In glass tube sorting machinery, and in combination with a table-top equipped with gravity-sorting elements a carrier, a plurality of abutments borne by the carrier and adapted to effect the advance of tube-lengths one by one over the table-top; a jaw associated with each such abutment and on the advance side of the abutment and .pivoted to swing between Workholding and! worli-releasingl lpositionsv relativelyy to the abutmentilmeans adapted' toho1d the-jaw alternately in open and closed. position;` means arranged adjacent the path= ofcarrier advancel at. a point remote from thetable-top rendered. effective by engagement'of the-jaw therewith: and: adaptedtol eilect the swing ofrtne jawifrom open to.l closed position, and means adjacentl the patlry o carrier' advancey and adjacent the table-top renderedeffectivev by engagement With it of a jawsheld length. of tubing adaptedy to effect the swing; ot the jaw from. closed to o-penfposition.

l-,1-..A machineY for asserting articlesaccording; to. size and Weight comprising` a succession' of' spacedfapart. sizefgrading stations and a seriesz of.;` spaced-apartgravity sorti-ng devices organized: with` each station-,and--withz the several series arra-ngedsequentiallm with respectA to saidfv stations, stationary; supports: arranged; in theintervalsbe*- tween saidV devices in. each series, meansfor. en'- gagingA and-1 transporting articles in. succession'L from; stationtostationiinfthe-maehi-ne, and meansr organizedateacn sta-tion: and: operating; according to; the size. of the transported articlesto release the; articles to the effector; onef or anotherfot said ser-ieso gravityr sorting devi'ces.

l2.. Aw machine; for asserting articles;A according toe size.- and. Weight; comprising at succession ofi spaoed-anart size-grading stations and` ai seriesoff spaced-apart gravity sorting devices: organized' with eachl station and with theseveralr series ar:- ranged seeuentiallyl with respectv t'osa-id stations; station-ary supports: arranged: in: the-- intervals'between said] devices in' each series, v means for engaging and transporting articles in. succession' from stationfto' station infthe machine, andy means organizedl atvv eachw station. and operating accordingtdtheesizrefof the, transported articles to2re; lease-the articles to theaeiectzot one or another of said series of gravity sorting devices,togetherL with` receptacles for' the: assorted` articles. arranged severally withfthegravity sorting device offeachseries.

13e A1 machine for assortingI tubes. orv other elongate articlest according; to sizeA and: Weight comprising a; succession of spaced-apart sizegrading stations and a; series ofI spaced-apart--V gravity:sor-tingl devices between eachA ofzsaid sta.- tionsrand the neXtstation-in thefsuccession; With. stationary-supp ortis'1 arranged f inl thexintervals between;saidv devicesi-means for'. engaging each of said tubes at spacedfapart points andztransport'- ingjthe tubes in succession fromf station tosstation@ in` the machine, and` means: at each station.'

that operate.v selectivelyI torelease theengaged articles` according to their external diameters: tm the. Weight-grading effect ofv one orf another of' sa-idseriesof gravity sorting; devices.;

144. A, machine for assortingy tubes or other: elongate articles according. to size. and: Weight comprising. a succession of; spacedapartsize.-y grading, stations and a', series of spaced-apart', gravity sorting devices. between each oi saidtstav-y tions and-L the next station ini. the succession, with:

rsa

stationary;Y supports. arranged.t in ther intervals be@ tweem said.. devces, means for engaging each. ofv said; tubes@ at:- spaced# apart:v points andi transport-y ing/thel tubesfins succession fromh station torstation; im thefmachinc; and: means eaclrvstation that operate; selectively to; releasef the: engaged articles according; to: their externaldiameters tothe weightfgrading, effect of; one or? another of said series: of gravity sor-.ting devices; andi` receptaclesarranged? with saldi gravity` sorting; devices severallyi.'I

15;. Ai machinefor: assoritingA tubes, or otherv elongate articles: according; ton size: and weight comprising; a succession. ofi spaced-maartV sizegradingl stations and a. series of spacedr-apart, gravity; sorting devices betweenr each'k of. said-,stmA tions-and` the: next station; inY thewsuccession. with; stationary supportsarranged in theintervals between said: devices,` means4 for engaging each, of: said. tubes; at; spaced-,apart points ands transporting; the-- .tubes in. successionfront station to; station( in; the. machine;L and, meansz at each. sta-2 tion. that operate: selectively to-` release the en` .gaged articles.` according. totheir. external diam-,- eters togthefweight-grading effectief; one or another: of( said; series. of(Y gravity sorting, devices, eachof saidv gravity sorting: devices; comprising a, rotatably mounted:` shaft. uponr vvhichzaV plate: is` borne; alweight hung;` fronr thef shaft. and. tending4 to rotatezfthe shaft vunder: gravity a; stop limiting, the'. rotation of: the shat, and; meansz for controllingtheflturningzoff the said shaft,l such means; including a member reciprocated: by the.` tubeengaging andgtransnorting meansand in `coordination-witte the movement thereof.

Amachine for. `asserting tubesror other clon,- gatef articlesV according; to;- size-- and; weight, comprising. at successionl of; spaced-apart rsizegrading stationsand-iafseries of spaced-apart gravity,v sorting devices:l: e1',.vveen r eaclL ofi saidstationslandthe next; station; inf thef succession; Withl stationary* supports arranged in the'. inter-vials@ between: saidv devibes,z.meansffor engaging` each: of. said tubes at: spacedpapartz points; and; transporting. the

" tubes.inisuccession:l from stationto station inf; the

machine, andemeans at' each: station; thatv operate selectivelv to release: the engaged". articles accord:- irrg. tojtheir external. diameters tot the weight'- grading effect oa onek or: another: of said:v seriesA off. gravity: sorting; devices, eaclt of said: gravity sorting4 devicescomprising: a. rotatably: mounted shaft upomWh-ichfl at. plate isibornena weightihungV from thee shaft. and tending to: rotate; the: snat-` under gravity, asstop limiting: the` rotation of the "f" shaft', and; means for controllingA the turning of' the: saidi shaft; snclrn m'eansi including.: a. member reciprocated.by the tuhe-engaging andi' transport.- ing-,z mea-ns: and: coordination: with the movementftnereof; the saidl; controlling; meansv moving in alternationl with? the; mrvements off said tube engaging and transporting means.

1T. 'llheY structureot `the next.A preceding cla-im, the controllingmeans.A being in the formV of. a slotted. bar. interengagedwith. the Weight-carry.- ing shaft ,in an interengagemen-tLA that' permits of lost motion.,A

HAROLD H. SNYDER.

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