US2539373A - Preindexing apparatus for stop bars of paper-cutting machines - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 23, 1951 M. s. NORTH 2,539,373

PREINDEXING APPARATUS FOR STOP BARS OF PAPER CUTTING MACHNES Filed Oct. 25, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Jan. 23, 1951 PREINDEXING APPARATUS FOR STOP BARS OF PAPER-CUTTING MACHINES Mortimer S. North, B 'The United States This invention relates to apparatus for setting up or pre-indexing 'a series of fixed positions of various measurements for use in connection with a paper cutting machine or the like.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means for eliminating down time of a cutting machine or the like during the process of setting up or pre-indexing the stop bar of the machine.

Another object is to provide means whereby a plurality of stop bars may be pre-indexed simultaneously, independently of the paper cutting machine.

A further object is to provide means whereby the stop bar of a paper cutting machine may be quickly and accurately set upror pre-indexed by unskilled or inexperienced operators in advance of use of the stop 1car upon the cutting machine.

These'and other objects and advantages are attained by the means described in the following specifications and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental front elevational view of the pre-indexing machine, with parts broken away for clarity of disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental end elevational view of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective view showing the general construction of the carriage, which forms part of the invention.

In the mass production oi' certain kinds of printed matter, such as labels for canned milk, canned fruits and vegetables. and the like, stacks f large sheets of printed or lithographed labels are iirst cut into long strips by one cutting machine, and then the strips of labels are cut or chopped into stacks of individual labels by another machine, commonly called a choppen The last named cutting machine or chopper is generally equipped with a rotatable indexed stop bar provided longitudinally with a series of stop lugs spaced apart at iixed positions correspending to the dimensions of the labels to be cut successively from the long strip oi labels. In the past it was necessary to fix the stop lugs on the stop bar in their proper positions while the stop bar was in operating location upon the cutting machine. This entailed a great amount of down time for the cutting machine during the setting-up operation, idling all the workers assigned to the machine during this period.

The present invention permits a set-up man to set up or pre-index a stop bar` independently of the cutting machine, thus making it possible for the cuttingmachine to continue operations on another set of labels without loss of production altimore, Md., assignor to Printing and Lithograph Co., Norwood, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 25, 1947, Serial No. 782,137

8 Claims. (Cl. 33-181) time for the cutting machine operator and the various other workers assigned tc wrap or otherwise process the labels as they are chopped from the long printed strips.

Referring to Fig. 1, the device of the present invention may be in the form of a table 8, comprising an elongated bed e, supported by legs Iii. A pair of brackets I2 and I3 supported one or more stop bars it. These stop bars are standard equipment on paper' cutting machines, therefore they form no part of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the brackets I2 and I3 are mounted at the rear of the table 8, and overhang the bed e, mounting means being indicated at I1. A carriage i5 is mounted for longitudinal movement upon the bed 9 by means of wheels or rollers iii which track upon the upper surface of the bed.

The stop bars Eli are provided with a plurality of splines or longitudinal grooves I8 which are adapted to receive stop lugs I9, slidable in the grooves and xed therein at positions to designate the various widths of labels to be cut from the printed strips. Each groove upon the bar may be set with stop lugs for a di'iierent label, making it possible to use one bar for as many diierent jobs or labels as there are grooves in the bar.

The bar supporting brackets I2 and I3 shown in Fig. 1 are adapted to receive two stop bars I4 in parallelism, one above the other, so that two bars may be set up simultaneously for label jobs large enough to justify the use of two or more cutting machines. The right end of each bar Il! is supported upon a stud 2!) axially extending inwardly from the sprocket shafts 2| rotatably mounted in the bracket I3. Pins 22 x the bars I4 for rotation with the shafts 2l. The opposite end of each bar I4 is supported in a half bearing 23, inwardly extending from the bar supporting bracket I2 and in axial alignment with its corresponding sprocket shaft 2l. Displacement of the stop bars It from the brackets I2 and I3 may be precluded by suitable means, such as spring urged plungers 2e which engage a socket provided in the end face of each bar. The plungers 2d may be locked in holding position by means ci thumb screws 25 threaded into the bracket I2 ior contact with said plungers.

The outer right end of each shaft 2I is provided with a sprocket 28, said sprockets being engaged by the .chain 29, so that the stop bars may be rotated simultaneously, rotation being e1.- fected manually. `Chain tensioning means may be provided, such as the roller shown at 30 in Fig. 2 by. way of example. Y,

Before the splined stop bars may be rotated, the pawl 3| is to be disengaged from the index Wheel 32, mounted on the upper sprocket shaft 2|, the index wheel being in substantial abutment with the outer face of the bracket I3. The periphery of the index wheel 32 is provided with a plurality of'notches 331equalin number to the splines or slots in the stop bars I4. The pawl 3l may be disengaged from the index wheel by means of a hand lever 34. With the pawl disengaged, the upper bar I4 may be rotated Vuntil the --spline to be set With stop lugs I9 is in line with Ythesetting trigger 36 pivotally mounted on the Vupright post member 3B of the carriage I5.. The pawl is then permitted to engage the corresponding peripheral notch 33 in the index wheel, thereby precluding further rotation ofthe stopbars I4. Yielding means to maintain engagement of the pawl with the index wheel may be provided, such as the tension spring 39,"having one end secured to the pawl 3| and the opposite end secured'to the Abracket hub 40.

As hereinbefore explained, the carriage I5, with its upright post member38, is longitudinally movable upon the bed 9. Fixed to the under side of. the carriage I andV movable therewith are the label strip carrier bars 4l, disposed in longitudinal ways 42, Fig. 3. The strip carrier bars 4I are of substantially greater length than the printed strip of labels which is tok be cut or chopped by the'cuttingmachinesupon which the stop bars I4 are to be used.

Each sidecf thebed SIV is'provide'd with a longitudinal ledge 43, surmounted by aY retaining strip substantiallyoverhanging the inner margin of each ledge, thus serving to confine the carriage within the bed'of the table 8. A scale 45 is mounted `upon the front retaining strip 441ongitudinally thereof, and is provided with calibrations 46. The scale maybe xed by means of screws, such as48,`whic'h serve also to fix the retaining strips 44 to the ledges 43.

A fixed indicator 49-is mounted on the carriage ,I5, having a pointer 50 adjacent the inner edge ofthe scale 45 and substantially flush with the top thereof. A-second indicator 5I is mounted upon the carriage, said indicator being provided with a frictionally adjustable pointing arm 52 overhanging the inner margin of the scale and in slidable contact therewith.

The upright post member'38 is longitudinally adjustable upon the carriage I5, being slidable inthe-carriage grooves 53. Adjusting means may comprise a knurled screw 54at the rear of the post, lthe turning of which Iwill move the post 3-3 tothe right or left. Adjustments ofthe post 38 may at times be necessary to compensate for variations in the castingsA of vcutting machines upon which the stop bars I4 are used. Clamping means, such as the lock screw 55, may be provided for clamping thev post38 against further movement on the carriage I5 after proper adjustments have been made.

Inpaddition to the pivotally mounted setting trigger 36, an auxiliary setting trigger is also pivotally mounted, in the post member 3S, in vertical alignment with thetrigger 36, the pivoting means for bothtriggers'b'eing'indicated 'at 53; Eachtriggerhasa contact"face"59 at its outer end, against 4`whi'ch'the :stop lugs .I9 abut whensaid lugs are positioned and xed in the spl-inesfor grooves I8 of the stop bars. A retain@` ing'plate (i0, mounted upon the AtriggerL-post by suitable means; suchzas screws II, serves to preclude sidewise movement ofthe setting ltrigger .of a strip carrier bar 4I.

members 36 and 56. Since the setting triggers must be moved over the stop lugs IQ after each lug is fixed in its proper position, lifting means may be provided in the form of a trigger tab 52 upon the trigger 33, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Pivotal movement of trigger 36 is translated to the auxiliary trigger 56 by means of a vertical connecting link 63, which connects the two triggers for unitary pivotal action, as shown upon the drawings.

Near the right end of the bed 9 a knife gauge is provided, as shown in Fig. 3. One edge E53 of the knife gauge is at substantial right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bed 9, and rep-- resents the position of the cutting machine knife relative to the stop lugs I9 on the stop bars I4. The knife gauge E5 may be mounted for longitudinal adjustment upon an inner face of a table ledge 43 by means of screws 6'! inserted through an elongated slot 58 and threaded into the ledge 43. In order to permit a strip of labels 69 Fig. l, to be inserted under the knife gauge 35 fer gauging purposes, the gauge is mounted in slight- 1y elevated position relative to the upper surface of the strip carrier bars 4I, as shown in Fig. 1.

The forward edge 'It of the carriage i5 serves as an abutment for an edge 'Il of the label strip used in setting up the stop bars I4. Means for maintaining the label strip edge in abutment with the carriage edge 10 may be provided, such as the hold down clip 'I2 having a gripper pore tion I3 in yielding contact with the upper face The clip 'l2 may be secured by means of a screw 14, Fig. 3, to the upper surface of the carriage I5. The up-turned free end 'l5 of the hold down clip may be used for manually raising the clip out of contact with the strip carrier bar for insertion or removal of the label strip 69 thereunder.

Operation of the instant invention is as follows: With one or more stop bars I4 supported between the brackets I2 and I3, each bar having an empty or unused groove or spline I8 substantially tangent to end faces of the setting triggers andEEi, one end of a label strip 69 is placed against the carriage edge 'l0 and under the hold down clip l2. The opposite endrof the printed strip is fed under the knife gauge'SE, the entire strip being flattened upon the strip carrier bars 4I. The carriage I5 is then moved to the left until the rst cut to be made from the strip is located vin alignment with the gauging edge 66 of the knife gauge. With the carriage in this position, a stop lug i9 is slidaby moved to the left against the Contact face 59 of the trigger 33 and firmly held against said trigger while the stop lugv screw I6 is tightened by means of a suitable wrench to iix the stop lug against movement in the groove or spline I 8. If both stop bars I4 are to be set up for the same cutting or chopping job, a stop lug I9 in the lower stop bar I4 is also positioned in the same manner just outlined.

After the first cut is thus located, the position of the pointer 5G relative to the calibrations 46 on the scale should be noted. If the pointer 5B should be on an uneven calibration, the frictionallymovable pointingl arm 52 is moved to the right orleft, as the case may be, to the nearest even calibration on the' scale 45. The size of each label to beecut'from the strip being known, the carriage I5 is-then moved to the left'the required number of inches for indexing Vthe second cut. Before the ,carriage is moved for'indexingthe second cut, the setting triggers 35 and 56 are raised to clear the stop lugs I9 which have been set for the first cut. This is done by depressing the trigger tab 62 while the triggers 36 and 56 pass over the stops I9 on movement of the carriage I5. The trigger tab 62, of course, must be depressed each time the carriage is moved past a, lixed stop lug.

After the second out has been located, another stop lug Iii is brought against each trigger 3E and 55 and tightened in the same manner as explained above. This procedure is repeated for each cut until all the cuts on the strip have been indexed. The stop bars I4 are now ready to be removed from the brackets I2 and I3 and delivered to the cutting or chopping machines upon which the labels used for setting up the stop bars are to be cut. During the period required for setting up the stop bars just described, the cutting machines or choppers upon which they are to be used may be operating upon another set of labels with a different stop bar set up for that particular job, thus eliminating any down time while preparations are being made for the next job.

After one set-up has been made upon one or more bars by means of the instant invention, it may be desirable to make one or more additional set-ups on the same bars. In that case, the stop bars between the brackets I2 and I3 are rotated in the manner hereinbefore described to bring a free slot I8 in each bar tangent to the triggers 35 and 55. The printed strip E9 used for the previous set-up is removed, another strip inserted, and the foregoing procedure followed.

The advantages of the present invention are therefore readily to be appreciated, since a cutting machine or chopper may be devoted entirely to production without loss of down time for setting up. When one job f cutting labels, tags or the like has been completed, the operator removes the stop bar from his machine and simply replaces it with a pre-indexed stop bar and proceeds immediately with the next job of cutting. It is possible to have any number of preindexed stop bars in readiness for successive cutting jobs.

While the cutting. of printed or lithographed labels has been used as an example for explaining the instant invention, it is to be understood that the device is not necessarily limited to such use. The device is equally adapted for use in setting up or pre-indexing stop bars for playing cards, unprinted sheets, textiles, and other materials.

It is to be further understood that various structural changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar, comprising in combination, an elongated table and a carriage slidable lengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post, an elongated specimen strip carrier movable with the carriage, and means for holding a strip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adjustment with respect to the carrier, bracket means fixed relative to the table for supporting a stop bar in parallelism with the line of movement of the carriage, a setting trigger having an abutment for contacting and locating a stop on the bar, and means mounting the trigger upon the post for displacement of said abutment from proximity with the stop, indicator means upon the carriage, and a scale on the yoverlying relation to the vsuperposed thereon, said table cooperating with said indicator means to show various positions of the carriage upon the table, means causing the specimen strip to move with the carrier in flatwise `contact thereon, and an index member xed relative to the table overlying the path of movement of the strip carrier and corresponding in position with the position of a cutter relative to the strip, when duplicates of the strip are fed into a cutting machine in a manner determined by the stops of the stop bar. y2. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar, comprising in combination, an elongated table and a carriage slidable lengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post, an elongated specimen strip carrier movable with the carriage, and means for holding a strip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adjustment with respect to the carrier, bracket means xed relative to the table for supporting a stop bar in parallelism with the line of movement of the carriage, a setting trigger having an abutment for contacting and locating a stop on the bar, and means mounting the trigger upon the post for displacement of said abutment from proximity with the stop, indicator means upon the carriage, and a scale on the table cooperating with said indicator means to show various positions of the carriage upon the table, adjustment means for positioning the post at different locations upon the carriage, means causing the specimen strip to move with the carrier in natwise contact thereon, and an index member fixed relative to the table overlying the path of movement of the strip carrier and corresponding in position with the position of a cutter rel-'- ative to the strip, when duplicates of the strip are fed into a cutting machine in a manner determined by the stops of the stop bar.

3. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar, comprising in combination, an elongated table and a carriage slidable lengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post, an elongated specimen strip carrier movable with the carriage, and means for holding a strip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adiustment with respect to the carrier, bracket means Xed relative to the table for supporting a stop bar in parallelism with the line of movement of the carriage, a setting trigger having an abutment for contacting and locating a stop on the bar, and means mounting the trigger upon the post for displacement of said abutment from proximity with the stop, a stationary scale arranged upon the table lengthwise thereof, a iixed indicator on the carriage including a pointyer directed at the scale, a movable indicator attached to the carriage slidable in the direction of carriage movements and including a second pointer directed to the scale at a distance from the iirst pointer, means causing the specimen strip to rest flatwise upon the carrier and to move therewith as the carrier is shifted, and an index member xed relative to the table in spaced carrier and the strip member corresponding in position with the position of a cutter as related to the strip when advanced through a cutting machine. l

4. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar, comprising in combination, an elongated table and a carriage slidable lengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post, an elongated specimen strip carrier movable with the carriage, and means for holding a vstrip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adjustment with respect to the carrier, bracket means fixed relative to the table for supporting a stop bar in parallelism with the line of movement of the carriage, a setting trigger having an abutment for contacting and locating a s top on the bar, and means mounting the trigger upon the post for displacement of said abutment from proximity-with the stop, a stationary scale arranged upon the table lengthwise thereof, a fixed indicator on the carriage including a pointer directed at the scale, a movable indicator attached to the carriage slidable in the direction of carriage movements and including a second pointer directed to the scale at a distance from the rst pointer, means causing the specimen strip to rest flatwise upon the carrier and to move therewith-as the carrier is shifted, and an index member fixed relative to the table in spaced overlying relation to the carrier and the strip superposed thereon, said member corresponding lin position with the position of a cutter as related to. the strip when advanced through a cutting machine, and adjustment means for positioning theupright post at varying distances from said member while the carriage is stationary.

5. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar, comprising in combination, an elongated tabieand a carriage slidable lengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post movable therewith, 'bracket means fixed relative to the table for supporting at least onestop bar in parallelism with the line of movement of the carriage, a setting trigger having an abutment for contacting and locating a stop on the bar, and means mounting the trigger upon the post for displacement of said abutment from proximity with the stop, indicator means upon the carriage, and a scale upon the table cooperating with said indicator means to show various positions of the carriage upon the table, an elongated strip carrier movable with the carriage, means for holding a nat specimen strip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adjustment with respect to the carrier to move with the carriage and along the table, and an index member fixed relative to the table in spaced overlying r-elation to the path of movement of the carrier, and corresponding in position with the position cf acutter as related to the strip when advanced through a cutting machine.

6. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar, comprising in combination, an eongated table and a carriage slidable lengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post movable therewith, bracket means fixed relative to the table for supporting at least one stop bar in parallelism with the line of movement of the carriage, a setting trigger having an abutment for contacting and locating a stop on the bar, and means mounting the trigger upon the post for displacement of said abutment from proximity with the stop, indicator means upon the carriage, and a scale upon the table cooperating with said indicator means to show various positions of the carriage upon the table, an elongated strip carrier movable with the carriage,

means forholdingfa lat specimen strip in a predetermined, position of lengthwise adjustment with respect to the carrier to move with the carriage and along the table, an index member fixed relativeto the table in spaced overlying relation to the-path of movement of the carrier, and corresponding in position with the position of a cutter as related to the strip when advanced through a cutting machine, and a movable indicator attached to -the carriage and slidable lengthwise of the carrier to register with graduations on the scale to translate complex fractional scale readings into simpler fractions to facilitater accurate successive advancements of the carriage along the table.

'7. As a newarticle of manufacture, a device for spacing stops upon the stop bar of a chopping machine, and comprising in combination, a table, a carriage slidable lengthwise of the table, an .indexmember on the table corresponding in locationto the location of the blade of the chopping machine and overlying the path of movement of the carriage, means providing for lengthwise movement of a specimen strip with the carriage and along the table, and past said member, means for holding the strip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adjustment with respect to the Carriagameans displaceably mounting at least one stop bar alongside the carriage for-supporting said bar in parallelism with the line of carriage movement, and means on the carriage providing an abutment to contact and locate the stops upon the stop bar as the carriage is moved relative to said member.

S. As a newV article of manufacture, a device for spacing stops upon the stop bars of chopping machines, and comprising in combination, a table independent `of the chopping machine, a carriage slidable lengthwise of the table, an index member on the table corresponding in location to the location of the blade of the chopping machine and overlying the path of movement of the carriage, means providing for lengthwise movment of a specimen strip with the carriage and along thetable, means for holding a strip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adjustment with respect to the carriage means displaceably. mounting at least one stop bar along the table in parallelism with the line of carriage movement, andmeans on the carriage providing an abutment, to contactand locate the stops upon the stop bar as thecarriage is moved lengthwise of said bar.

MORTIMER S. NORTH.

REFERENCES CITE-ED The followingreferences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,941,117 Teach l Dec. 26, 1933 2,095,309 Brackett et al. Oct. 12, 1937 2,122,221 Valiquette June 28, 1938

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