US2547039A - Strip feeding machine having control for slack length in strips - Google Patents

Description

April 3, 1951 w. PECHY 2,547,039

. STRIP FEEDING MACHINE HAVING CONTROL 7 FOR SLACK LENGTH IN STRIPS 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2, 1947 fi I I v 27 a w i b 4 4 7. 5 5 J |6z I o E o 5 54 66 M '1 K ,/a7

Zi 5 45 6K 6 INVENTOR BYZ I ATTO R N EYS April 3, 1951 2,547,039

W. PECHY STRIP FEEDING MACHINE HAVING CONTROL FOR SLACK LENGTH IN STRIPS Filed Oct. 2, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR iwwh ATTORNEYS i atentecl Apr. 3, 195i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RIRFEED NQ INEH VING G N- TROL FOR SLACK LENGTH IN STRIPS William Pechy', Manasquan, N. J., assignor to American- Gan Company, New York; N: Yr, acorporation of- New Jersey A ppl ieatiozii octoter'z, 1947, Sr-ialN'o; 777,415-

This invention relatesgenerally to machines for feeding a continuous strip or web of material having aslack length or loop and has" particular reference to devices for controlling the length of the loop Withincertain predetermined limits as the stripis fed.

The invention contemplates the provision of a continuously operated feeding device for'feeding strip or webstock, whether metallic or nonmetallic material, into a free or slacklength to form a loop thereof and for advancing the strip intermittently from the loop into a work performing station, the length of material within such a loop beingcontrolled by a suitablemechanism to keep any change in the size of theloop within certain predetermined limits so' that the length of material in the loop remains substantially the same.

An object of the invention is the provision in a machine for feeding a continuous strip or web of material having a free length or slack loop; of a control mechanism wherein: the size of the loop is controlled for maintaining substantially' constant the length of material in the loop.

Another object is the provision. of such a control mechanism wherein the length of material in the loop is replenished in accordance with the feeding of the material from the loop.

Another object is the provision insuch a control mechanism of variable speed feeding devices for the web wherein the material in the loop,. as the loop variesin size within predetermined li'mits, efiects a change inthe rate of feeding. of the web into the loop for maintaining apredetermined length of material in the loop during operation of the machine.

Numerous other obj ects and advantages-pf the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying. drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring. to the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational' view of amachine embodying the present invention with parts broken away and parts in section, the" view also including a wiring diagram of electrical apparatus utilized in the operation of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of a control'mechanism as taken'substantiallyalong the line 2'2"in Fig. 1';

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view of the machine shown in Fig. 1' taken substantially along the broken lines 33 in Fig. 1 ;v

Fig:4:is-' an enlarged-sectional view of ai-contin- 3 Claims; (01. 27'12.3)

2. uously operated feeding device as taken substantially along the line 4 4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of an intermittently operated feeding device as taken substantially along the broken lines 55 in Fig. 1;. and

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of a free-wheeling device, the view being taken substantially along the line 86 in Fig. 5.

As an exemplary embodiment of the present A invention the drawings illustrate a feeding mechanism for advancing a continuous strip or web A of metallic or nonmetallic material and for controlling the size of a loop of the material moving between two difierent feeding devices in the mechanism. The material or stock A (Fig. l) is unwound irom a reel B and fed upwardly into a loop C by a primary or continuous feeding device D. The material A is feel or withdrawn from the loop C by a secondary or intermittently operated feeding device E which feeds the stock into a punch press For othermaehirierorpuncning and rbrnun articles" therefrom.

Ihe size of the loop C is controlled to keep it between upperand lower or maximum and minimum limits as" indicated by the dot and dash lines G and H. For this purpose a eontrolmechani'sm I is provided for effecting a change in the rate. of feeding of the" material into theloop C inaccordance with a change in the size of the loop. This keeps'th'e size of the loop between the limits as indicated by G and H and thus maintains substantially constant the free or slack length of the material within the lbop'.

* The reel B is mounted on a crossbar H which is journal'ed in slide blocks l2 carried in slots 13 of a reel frame 54 (Figs. 1 and 3). The frame Himay be secured to a machine base ordi'rectly to the floor adjacent the press or' other machine F. The reel B is supported on rollers it. which are rotatably carried in the frame M.

The material A- is unwound from the reel and is drawn orfed upwardly by a pair of rotating feed rolls [6, If of the primary feeding device D which is located above the reel B (Figs. 1 and 4) Feed rolls- I6, H are secured respectively to spaced horizontal shafts l8, it] which are jjour naled-in suitable bearings in a bracket 2!. Shaft hi is extended at one end and is driven by a sprocket 22 which is secured to this shaft. A drive-gear 2-3ralso is secured to the shaft I3- and this gear meshes'with and drives a gear 24" secured to the shaft l9for effectingthe rotation ofthe feed rolls l;6-,- El in unisonand'i-n opposite directions.

The bracket 2| is secured to a pair of spaced and parallel vertical supports or pipes 25 (Figs. 1 and 35) adjacent the lower or entrance end of a vertically disposed ascending chute 26 through which the web material A is fed. Chute 26 is ecured to the pipes 25 by a pair of brackets 21. The pipes 25 together with vertical supports 01' pipes 2c and connecting cross pipes 29 comprise the frame of the mechanism. Pipes 25 are secured at their lower ends in pipe fittings 3i fastened to the floor or base of the mechanism and the pipes 28 are secured at their lower ends in bosses 32 formed on the frame of the press or other machine F. I

The rollers It, ll of the primary feeding device D are driven continuously by an endless chain 33 which passes over the sprocket 22 and a sprocket or driven clutch element 34 carried on one end of a crank shaft 35 of the press F which provides the actuating or driving means (Figs. 1, 3 and Shaft 35 is the main shaft of the press and may be driven in any suitable manner.

The sprocket 3 is formed with a stepped or shouldered bore 36 (Figs. 5 and 6) within which a free-wheeling clutch member or drive collar Si is located. The drive collar 31 is secured to the shaft 35 and cooperates with the sprocket or driven clutch element 34 in providing a driving clutch 38 for the feeding device D. The outer periphery of the clutch member or drive collar is formed with a plurality of spaced wedge-shaped recesses 39, in each of which a cylindrical element or gripping roller Ill is located. During the operation of the press F, the collar 37 rotates in a clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 6, and thereby wedges the gripping rollers 41 between the sloping surfaces of the recesses and the bore 35 to chest continuous operation of the primary feeding device D.

As the web of material A moves upward from the feeding device D through the ascending chute 26, it passes out of an opening 42 in the side of the chute to form the loop C (Fig. 1). Such a loop extends across a predetermined space and gradually curves downwardly into an opening 43 in the side of a vertically disposed descending chute :34. This latter chute is secured by a pair of spaced brackets 45 fastened to the pipes 28.

The web of material A is fed down and out at the bottom end of the descending chute M. by the secondary or intermittently operated feeding device E located beneath the chute for feeding the web into a die 46 of the press F (Fig. l) Such a device operates in time with the operation of the press in order to feed a steady supply of the stock A thereto.

The secondary feeding device E includes a pair of spaced feed rolls 4], 58 between which the web of material A passes (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) The feed rolls ll, 48 are secured respectively to spaced longitudinal shafts 5|, 52 which are journaled in suitable bearings in a bracket 53 which is integral with a plate 55 secured to the press F.

The shaft 5| is extended at one end and is journaled in a suitable bearing in an extension 54 of the bracket 53. This shaft is driven by a rachet wheel 56 which is secured to its outer end. A drive gear 5'! also is secured to the shaft 5!, and meshes with and drives a gear 58 secured to the shaft 52 for effecting the rotation of the feed rolls 41, 48 in unison and in opposite directions.

The rollers 41, 48 of the secondary feeding device E are operated intermittently by a pawl 6| which engages with teeth 62 formed on the rachet wheel 56. The pawl BI is pivotally carried on an 4 arm 63 of a bell crank 6c which is free to rock on a stud 65 secured to the end of the shaft 5| (Figs. 1, 3 and 5).

The bell crank 8% is actuated by a link 66 which is pivotally connected at one end to an arm 6'1 of this crank. The opposite end of the link 66 is pivotally and eocentrically mounted on a disc 58 secured to an end of the crank shaft 35 of the press F (Figs. 1, 3 and 5). The crank shaft 35 thus serves as a single actuating or driving means for both the primary feeding device D and the secondary feeding device E.

For best results, the secondary feeding device E normally operates at a slightly faster rate of speed than the primary feeding device D and therefore feeds the web material A from the loop faster than the material is fed into the loop. Thus, as the operation of the press F continues, the size of the loop gradually decreases from its normal size indicated by the letter C to that illustrated by the loop H, having an insufiicient amount of material, at its lower limit.

Upon the loop reaching the lower limit H, the web of material in the loop engages against a lever 'H connected to a normally open switch 72 of the control mechanism I (Figs. 1 and 2). The moving web A actuates the lever H and closes the switch 12 and thereby establishes an electric circuit which starts a normally idle electric motor 73 which serves as an auxiliary actuating or driving means for the feeding device D. This auxiliary drive increases the rate of feeding of material A into the loop beyond the rate that it is being withdrawn by the device E so as to replenish or build up a reserve of the material in the loop and thus increase the size of the latter.

The motor i3 is mounted on a bracket 74 secured to the frame 14 (Fig. 1). An endless belt 15 passes over a motor sheave l9 and a sheave 16 formed on the driven clutch element or sprocket 34 (Figs. 5 and 6). The motor when in operation increases the rotative speed of the sprocket 34 beyond the normal speed of the shaft 35 so that the sprocket rotates on this shaft. This allows the gripping rollers M to drop back into the recesses 39 and disengage the sprocket M from its driving connection with the clutch member 31. The driving clutch 38 thereupon ceases to function in clutched connection with the crank shaft 35 and in effect provides a free-wheeling device for the sprocket 3&- for independently driving the primary feeding device D.

The motor 13 continues to operate and drive the primary feeding device D, gradually increasing the length of Web or material A in the loop until the size of the latter reaches its upper limit as illustrated by the dot and dash loop G. The advancing web A then engages and actuates a lever H which is pivotally connected to a normally closed switch 18 of the control mechanism I to effect opening of this switch.

Opening of the switch l8 breaks the electric circuit connecting with the motor 73 and thus stops the motor. Thus the auxiliary drive ceases to operate. The primary feeding device D thereafter is driven through the driving clutch 38 from the shaft 35 as previously described and the web of material is fed at its normal rate. In this manner the size of the loop C is maintained within the upper and lower limits G, H through the action of the switches 12, T8 of the control mechanism.

The control mechanism I includes a pair of spaced guides 8| (Figs. 1 and 2) which are vertically disposed and welded to the cross pipes,

28 on each side of the path of the moving web of material A forming the loop, so that the latter may pass freely therebetween. The guides are held in spaced relation by rods 82 bolted be:- tween their upper and lower ends. The switches 12, 18 are mounted on the side of one of the guides 8| with the levers H ll extending into the path of the advancing loop of material A.

Reference should now be had to the wiring diagrain in Fig. 1 which includes a starting circuit J and a holding circuit K. The starting circuit J includes the switch 72 and a normally open relay switch 83 which is actuated by a normally de-energized solenoid 84. In this circuit one side of the switch 12 is connected by a Wire 85 to the electric motor 13. The other side of the switch is connected by a wire 86 to the solenoid 84. The solenoid is also connected by a wire 81 to a suitable source of electric current such as a generator 88. The other side of the generator is connected by a wire 89 to the motor 13.

Hence when the switch 72 is closed, the starting circuit J is completed and electric current from the generator 88 passes along this circuit and excites the motor 13 and also energizes the solenoid 84. Energizing of the solenoid closes the relay switch 83 and thereby establishes the holding circuit K.

The holding circuit K includes the relay switch 83 and the normally closed switch 18. In this circuit one side of the switch 18 is connected by a wire 9! to the Wire 85 of the starting circuit J. The other side of the switch is connected by a wire 92 to the relay switch 83. The relay switch is also connected by a wire 93 to the wire 86 of the starting circuit J.

Hence upon establishment of the starting circuit J, electric current from the generator 88 flows from the wire 85, along the wire 9!, through the closed switch 18, wire 92, closed relay switch 83, wires 93, 86, solenoid 84, and returns to the generator along the wire 81. Current passing along this circuit maintains the solenoid 84 in an energized condition and thus keeps the motor 13 operating after the loop C of material has been increased sufficiently to ride off the lever H and thereby permit the switch 12 to open.

Operation of the motor 13 continues, through the flow of electric current along the combined starting circuit J and holding circuit K, until the loop increases sufliciently to engage and actuat the lever 11. Actuation of the lever opens the switch 18 and this breaks the combined starting and holding circuits J and K. The flow of current thereby ceases and the motor 13 thus stops operating and thus permits further feeding of the material at the reduced rate of speed under the operation of the press crank shaft as hereinbefore explained. This breaking of the circuits also de-energizes the solenoid 84 and thereby opens the relay switch 83, thus resetting the circuits for a repeat operation when the loop C again decreases in size to its lower limit H as hereinbefore explained.

While strip or web material has been described herein the invention is of course applicable to the control of loops of other material for example the material to be fed and operated upon might be wire material. Any material which can be fed and controlled by the present invention is intended to be included.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,

6 construction and arrangement ofv th parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machin for feeding strip, web or similar material along a path of travel, the combination of primary feeding devices for continuously advancing the material into a slack loop, secondary feeding devices for intermittently feeding the material from said loop, actuating means including a shaft for operating said secondary feeding devices, a drive clutch mounted on said actuating shaft and including a rotating driven element having a clutch connection with the shaft for operating said primary feeding devices, auxiliary actuating means connecting with the driven element of said clutch for rotating said element relative to said actuating shaft to change the rate of advancement of the strip by said primary feeding devices, and control means connecting with said auxiliary actuating means and operable by a predetermined amount of material in said slack loop for engaging or disengaging said driven clutch element and said drive shaft to regulate the length of material in said loop in accordance with the feeding of the material from the loop.

2. In a machine for feeding strip, web or similar material along a path of travel, the combination of primary feeding devices for continuously advancing the material into a slack loop, secondary feeding devices for intermittently feeding the material from said loop, actuating means including a shaft for operating said secondary feeding devices, a drive clutch mounted on said actuating shaft and including a rotating driven element having a clutch connection with the shaft for operating said primary feeding devices, auxiliary actuating means connecting with the driven element of said clutch for rotating said element faster than said actuating shaft to increase the rate of advancement of the strip by said primary feeding devices, and control means connecting with said auxiliary actuating means and operable by a predetermined amountof material in said slack loop for engaging or disengaging said driven clutoh element and said drive shaft to regulate the length of material in said loop in accordance with the feeding of the material from the loop.

3. In a machine for feeding strip, web or similar material along a path of travel, the combination of primary feeding devices for continuously advancing the material into a slack loop, secondary feeding devices for intermittently feeding the material from said loop, actuating means including a shaft for operating said sec-. ondary feeding devices, a drive clutch mounted on said actuating shaft and including a rotating driven element having a clutch connection with the shaft for operating said primary feeding devices in synchronisrn with said secondary feed-. ing devices, auxiliary actuating means connecte ing with the driven element of said clutch for rotating said element faster than said actuating shaft to disconnect the clutch connection with said shaft and increase the rate of advancement of the strip by said primary feeding devices, and control means including a pair of electric switches located in spaced relation adjacent the path of the material in said loop, said control means connecting with said auxiliary actuating means, one of said switches being engaged and operated by the strip having a minimum amount of v H REFERENCES .CITED 7 material in said slack loop for eflecting rotation The following references are of record m the of said driven clutch element through said auxilme of this patient:

iary actuating means and. the other of said 7 v switches being engaged by the strip having a 5 UNITED-STATES PATENTS maximum amount of material in said slack loop Number Name Date for effecting clutch connection between said shaft 314,207 Ward Mar. 1'7, 1885 and said driven clutch element. 1,951,875 Laabs Mar. 20, 1934 2,247,713 Peterson et a1. July 1, 1941 WILLIAM PEG-HY. :0 2,277,514 Elser Mar. 24, 1942

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