US2406118A - Counting mechanism - Google Patents

Description

w. A. WHITEHEAD I 2,406,118

COUNTING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 16, 1943 Aug. 20, 1946.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patentecl Aug. 20, 1946 COUNTING MECHANISM William Arnold Whitehead, Preston, England, as signor to The Goss PrintingPress Company,

Chicago,

Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application September 16, 1943, Serial No. 502,574: In Great Britain September 28, 1942 3 Claims.

This invention relates to printing and like machines and more especiall to counting mechanism therefor.

It is an object of this invention to provide a counting mechanism for printing and like machines in which the timing and setting of said mechanism is less critical or sensitive than hitherto, thereby simplifying the control. Another object of the invention is to ensure identical projection of successive count copies at all press speeds. IA further object of the invention resides in the provision of counting mechanism which may be set mechanically prior to printing and by which the fitting of means for carrying the timing while the press is running is avoided. Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a counting mechanism by which the count copies are positively controlled.

Other objects of the invention and advantages thereof will be set forth in the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof, reference being made to the annexed drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig, 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention having a flipper arm at each side of the fly;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of Fig. 1 showing the flipper mechanism in a different position;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

It is customary in printing machines to provide mechanism operating in association with a rotary or S fl to count the copies deposited by the fly on a moving band or conveyor by which said copies are delivered, for example, to a stacker. Counting is generally effected b causing selected copies, for example, the last copy of each quire, to project beyond copies previously deposited on the conveyor, the extent of projection of the count copy varying between two and six inches.

When the copies are deposited on the conveyor with their folded edges undermost and in contact with the conveyor, all copies except the count copy are positioned by fixed back stops which abut the folded edges of successive copies on the fly as the latter rotates and cause said copies to be deposited on the conveyor at regular intervals, each copy almost completel overlapping th preceding copy. For the purpose of projecting the count copy a set of movable stops has been employed, the operative faces of these stops being set forwardly of the back stops to an extent dependent upon the amount of projection required for the count copy. These movable stops or flippers may be cam-actuated and their operation is such that they are moved into position to stop the count copy but do not engage or effect any of the other copies.

Actuation of the count copy stops both into and away from the operative position has necessarily been very fast in order thatthe flippers shall not come into contact with the following copies on the fly and it has been therefore important that the extent of their movement be reduced to a minimum. Further, the setting and timing of the count copy stop actuating mechanism has been so highly sensitive that changes in the speed of the machine often eflect the count copy projection. Adjusting means for varying the timing of th flipper movement while the machine is running have hitherto been employed, but constant changing and adjusting of the flipper mechanism, such as in the case of machines used to produce two or more publica-' tions having different numbers of copies ineach count, is troublesome and results in considerable delay. :t

In accordance with theinvention a mechanism for printing and like machines'comprises a pocket for receiving an edge portion of selected copies carried by the fly, and means for actuating said pocket to deposit each selected copy on the conveyor in the desired projected position in relation to preceding copies andfor returning said pocket, out of the path of following copies on the fly, to receive the next selected DY.

The pocket i preferably located atthe free s end of an arm which is pivotally mounted at its other end in such a manner that, during opera-' tion, the movement of the pocket follows a substantiall square or rectangular path which is in a plane transversely of the fly. This movement, which may be produced by synchronised cam action, causes the pocket to move downwardly in timed relation to the speedof the fly to remove a selected or count copy therefrom, then laterally outwardl to release said copy and allow the same to drop on to the conveyor, then upwardly over a path which enable it to clear the edges of the following copies on the fly andfinally' inwardly in readiness to receive the next count copy. A guard plate having an aperture through which the pocket projects and of such dimensions as to enable the pocket to execute its upward and downward movements, may be provided adjacent the side of the conveyor to prevent the copies on said conveyor from moving laterally as the pocket is swung aside.

The provision of a single flipper arm adjacent countingone side of the conveyor will in known manner 7 cause the count copies to be angularly inclined on the conveyor. If desired, two such arms may be provided, one at either side of the conveyor, so that the leading edge of each count copy'deposited on the conveyor is normal to the direction of travel of the conveyor. 7

Referring now to the drawings, a rotary or S fly of conventional form and comprising a plurality of coaxially aligned, spaced rotatable disc'siT I each carrying a number ofsangularspaced arcuate blades l l on its-periphery is located above the upper run of endless conveyor bands 12 on which the copies :1: are deposited by the fly for transfer to, for example, a stacker (not shown) with afollower roller 3| mounted in the bifur- -cated end 32 of a rod 33 which is arranged par- 7 allel to'the shaft 24 and is supported for axial the conveyor at one end passin around pulleydrums I3 on a drive shaft '14. The fly is driven from the press at the required speed to receive the copies fed thereto from the folding and severing mechanism and to deposit said copies on the conveyor in overlapping relationship; as shown in Fig. 2, and'with their folded edges onth'e conveyor, each almost completely overlying the preceding copy. The copies are'normally deposited on the'conveyor with their folded andcut edgesnormal to the direction of travel 'of the conveyor and for this purpose the folded edges of the copies on the fly are engaged by a pair of fixed stops l5 shown diagrammatically in the drawings and arranged'one at or towards either side of the fly. Thus, as the fly rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figs. 1 and '2, the copies are successively stripped therefrom by the stops l5 and deposited on the conveyor.

. For the purpose of counting the copies'on the conveyor, it is usualto position selected copies, for example, the last copy of each quire, in such manner that theyfcan readily be seen by the pressman, such selected copies being given an overlap, for example, between two and six inches, greater'than that of the other copies on the con veyor. This positioning of selected or count copies is effected, in accordance with the invention,,by3means of a movable pocket, of which there 'may be' one at either side of the fly. for receiving'the folded leading edge of each coun copy and movable downwardly, in timed relation withthe rotation of the 'fly, to strip the count copy from the fly and deposit it on the conveyor in the required position, thereafter returning :to an elevated position in readiness to receive the next count copy. The pocket and its supporting flipper are so constructed and actuated that during the 'down'ward'movem ent and until the pocket has released the count copy, following copies on the fly will be unaffected by th flipper/and will be stripped from the fly by the fixed stops I5 in the normal manner; while duringits upward" or return movement the pocket and flip per will remain clear of the copies on the fly until the next count copy is in position thereon.

As embodied, each flipper comprises an-arm 207to one end of which is secured a substantially U-shaped pocket 2| extendinginwardly towards the adjacent outer fly disc If]. Each arm is attached, as by means of a pin 22, to a bracket 23 secured to a rock shaft 24 arranged, parallel to the axis of the fly and mounted inbearings in the side press frame members 25, one of which is shown in Fig. 4. Also secured to theshaft 24 is 'alever 26 which carries at its free'end afollower roller 2!v riding on a cam disc 28 secured for rotation with the conveyor pulley drum shaftl4. Rotation of the camdisc thus produces rock- .movement within the brackets 23.

Secured to the rod 33'are two links 34 each of which has a .pin-and-slot connection at 35 with one of the flipper arms and it will be evident that as the rod is moved axially by the cam rails '29 and followerroller 3|, the flipper arms will be rocked about the pins 22. The links 36, as will be seen from Fig. 4, are'oppositely arranged aboutv the rod-33 to cause the flippers to move laterally 1nwardly and outwardly in unison. A spring 36 coiled about the rod 33 and located between .one

of the brackets 23 and a collar 31 pinned to the rod serves to maintain the roller in engagement with the cam rail.

Fig. 3 shows the approximately rectangular path of movement of each of the pockets 2| during a complete cycle of operation of the counting mech-, anism. When the pockets first engage the selected or count copy the flippers are located as shown in Fig. 1 whichcorresponds to the full line position in Fig. 3, a little below their uppermost position indicated in Fig; 3 at I, and their operation is so controlled by the peripheral edge of the cam disc 23 and the follower roller 21 that they are caused'to move downwardly towards the conveyor I2 in synchronism with the rotary movement of a the fly. During the first part of this downward movement of the flippers the leading edge of the count copy on the fly enters the pockets 2 I. The rotational movement of the fly then causes this copy to be strippedfrombetween the supporting fly blades, after which the flippers, continuing their downward movement, reach a position where the pockets engage or are adjacent to the top c py on the conveyor, as. 7

shown in Fig. 2. It will be seen that in this position the overlap of the count copy, indicated in Fig. 2 at y, is considerably in excess of that of'the other copies on the conveyorbands and that its folded edge is out of contact with the conveyor.

In order:to release the count copy from the pockets 2|, the flipper arms, on reaching the position shown in Fig. 2, which corresponds to position II of Fig. 3, are caused to move laterally outwardly to position III (broken-lin position in Fig. 4) by means of the cam rail 29, rod 33 and links 34. The flipper arms are then given a vertically upward movement, the inner edges of the pockets clearing the side edges of the copies then on the fly, to position IV (Fig. 3), this movement being effected by. the peripheral edge of the cam disc 28 and follower roller 21. Thereafter the flippers are "moved laterally inwardly until they reach their uppermost inward position, by

which time the copies in the following count,

Actuation of the flipper arms during the latter part of their downward movement is such as to position the flipper pockets out of the path of the next following copy on the fly, but it is not essential that thismovement and the following laterally outward movement be carried out at a speed such that the said following copy doe not contact said arms. The particular construction of flipper according to this invention is, in fact, such that the first one or two copies following a count copy may be supported by the flippers adjacent their side edges until said flippers have released. the count copy, this'arrangement allowing for much less critical timing in the operation of the flippers than has been possible with previous constructions. The sides or jaws of the pockets may, as shown, be of unequal length, the longer upper jaw ensuring that the copy immediately following the count copy is not engaged within the pocket and the shorter lower jaw facilitating the depositing of the count copy on the conveyor.

During the laterally outward movement of the flipper arms, the uppermost copy or copies on the conveyor, the count copy and the following copy or copies which are supported on the upper faces of the flipper arms are prevented from moving laterally pf the conveyor as by means of guide plates 40 secured to the press frame and located adjacent the side edges of the conveyor. These guide plates are formed with elongated slots 4| through which the pockets 2| project, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4, when the flipper arms are in their laterally inward position.

One of the flipper arms of the embodiment described above may be dispensed with, in which case one end of the leadin edge of the count copy will enter the single pocket provided and the other end will be arrested by the fixed stop l5 at the opposite side of the fly. With this arrangement the count copy will be deposited on the conveyor in an angularly offset position relative to the other copies thereon,

In the arrangement illustrated the cam 28 is constructed to produce twoycomplete cycles of movement of the flipper arms for each complete rotation of the pulley drum shaft I4, being provided with a pair of diametrically opposite cam rails 29 and having its periphery formed with two diametrically opposit corresponding flats producing the downward food movement of the pockets. Any other convenient cam arrangement may, however, be employed.

From the foregoing detailed description of one embodiment thereof, the invention will be seen to provide positive control of the count copy due to the use of flipper pockets; considerably reduced sensitivity of timing and setting, the movement of the flipper being slower thanin known mechanisms of this kind, since it does not have to avoid contact with other copies leaving the fly; identical projection of successive count copies at all press speeds; and the possibility of setting the flippers mechanically prior to printing. Complicated mechanism such as has hitherto been necessary for adjustingthe timing is unnecessary, while th provision of side guide plates prevents lateral displacement of the copies on the conveyor as a result of the outward movement of the flippers to release the count copy.

What I claim and desire to secure b Letters Patent in the United States is:

1. In a delivery apparatus for papers movable downwardly in timed relation, the combination of a receiver, delivery means serving normally to 6 deposit'the papers in regularly piled arrangement on said receiver, a rock shaft, a pair of arms ar ranged at opposite sides of the path of travel of the papers and movable upwardly and downwardly by the shaft and pivoted to the shaft to swing laterally inwardly and outwardly, said arms having pockets to receive in the uppermost and .inward lateral positions of the arms a leading edge portion of a selected paper and to carry said paper downwardly into changed position on said receiver as compared with the position at which the other papers are deposited on said receiver, a laterally sliding rod, links coupling the same to the arms to swing the arms laterally, and a cam device operative on the shaft and rod for moving said arms downwardly to remove said selected paper from the delivery means, then moving the arms laterally outward to release said selected paper from the pockets and deposit it on the receiver and to bring the arms laterally clear of the previously deposited copies, and then moving the arms upwardly and laterally inwardly to receive leading edge portions of the next selected paper being delivered by the delivery means.

2. In a delivery apparatus for papers movable downwardly in timed relation, the combination of a receiver, delivery means serving normally to deposit the papers in regularly piled arrangement on said receiver, a rock shaft, a pair of arms arranged at opposite sides of the path of travel of the paper and movable upwardly and downwardly by the shaft, said arms being pivoted to the shaft to rock therewith and to swing laterally inwardly and outwardly and having pockets to receive in their uppermost and inward lateral positions leading edge portions of a selected paper and to carry said paper downwardly into changed position on said receiver as compared with the position at which the other papers are deposited on said receiver, a laterally sliding rod, links cou pling the arms to the rod for lateral swinging movements, a cam device acting on said shaft and rod for moving said arms downwardly to remove said copy selected paper from the delivery means, then moving the arms laterally outward to release said selected paper from the pockets and deposit it on the receiver, then moving the arms laterally clear of the previously deposited papers, and then moving the arms upwardly and laterally inwardly to receive leading edge portions of the next selected paper being delivered by the delivery means, and guide plates at opposite sides of the path of travel of the papers, said plates being apertured to receive the pockets andto permit upward and downward and lateral movements thereof.

3. In a delivery apparatus for papers movable downwardly in timed relation, the combination of a receiver, delivery means serving normally to deposit the papers in regularly piled arrangement on a receiver, a rock shaft, a pair of arms movable upwardly and downwardly by the shaft and pivoted to the shaft for inward and outward lateral movements relativeto the path of travel of the papers, said arms havin laterally extending pocketsto receive in their uppermost and inward lateral positions leading edge portions of a selected paper and to carry the paper downwardly into changed position on said receiver as compared with the position at which the other papers are deposited on said receiver, a sliding rod arranged parallely with the shaft, links coupling the arms to the rod to move arms laterally, said shaft and rod having end portions arranged adjacent to each other at one side of the apparatus, and a 7 single cam operating on said'adiacent end por tion of the shaft and rod for moving said arms downwardly to'remove said selected paper from the'delivery means, then laterally outward to release said selected paper from the pocket and deposit it on the receiver, then movingrthe arms laterally clear of the previously deposited papers, 7

and then moving the arms upwardly and laterally inward to receive a leading edge portion of the next selected paper being delivered by the delivery means.

WILLIAM ARNOLD 'WHI'IEHEAD. Y

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