US2649182A

US2649182A - Apparatus for handling veneer

Info

Publication number: US2649182A
Application number: US42373A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence E Parker
Original assignee: Coe Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Coe Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1948-08-04
Filing date: 1948-08-04
Publication date: 1953-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1970-08-18

Description

C. E. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER Aug. 18, 1951;

Filed Aug. 4, 194B 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 mummnmlw Wuuuuuummiu INVENTOR.

l. h UC/arenee E Erker' 2 1Q X 8 2 :2 a Z I ILF 3.3

Aug. 18, 1953 c. E. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 4, 1948 LOM INVENTOR.

"Mon

flrrupvcys 1953 c. E. PARKER 2,649,182

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER Filed Aug. 4, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. C/armcz E Er'ker By W? mww/ ,W/

18, 1953 c. E. PARKER 2,649,182

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER Filed Aug. 4, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 lllllllll Llllllllll [II] .192} 6 g g H I H INVENTOR.

C/arence 1 Erker BY 4 2 I m 3 Aug. 18, 1953 c. E. PARKER 2,649,182

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER Filed Aug. 4, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN TOR. 674M068 E firker Mn, 3% aw-61 A'rmmvsys Aug. 18, 1953 c. E. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 4, 1948 VIII INVENTOR.

C/areoce E. Fbrker BY W W, W M 5 Aug. 18, 1953 c. E. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 4, 1948 INVEN TOR. Gene/roe 5. Ellen Patented Aug. 18, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER Clarence E. Parker, Painesville, Ohio, assig-nor to The One Manufacturing Oompany,'.Painesville. Ohio,- a corporation of Ohio Application August 4, 1948, SerlalNo. 42,373

17 Claims. 1:

The present invention relates to material handling apparatusof the'feeder typeand, more particularly, to apparatus for feeding veneer to a; multiple deck'conveyor type veneer dryer from a stack of veneer.

'Iheprincipalobject of the invention is the provision of a simple, inexpensive and reliable apparatus for feeding veneer from a stack of veneer to a-muitipledeck conveyor type veneer dryer with minimum eifort on the part of an operator;

A more-- specific object of the invention is the provisicnofa novel and improved apparatus for feedingveneer from a stack of veneer to a multipic-deck conveyor type veneer dryer in predetermined relation upon the top piece of a stack of veneer being pushed forwardly of the stack proper a small amount by anvoperator.

The invention resides iii-certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it refates from the-following description of the preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which Fig; 1 is aside elevational view of apparatus embodying the present invention for feeding veneer to a conveyor type-veneer'dryer;

Fig; 2 is a-plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the feeder mechanism proper shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig: 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged. plan view of the mechanism shownin Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, with portions in elevation, approximately'on-the line 55-of Fig. 3;

Fig.- Bisaseotionalview, Withportions in elevation," approximatelyonthe line 6-6 of Fig; 3;

Fig. Tisa fragmentary; elevational view, with portions broken away, looking at the right-hand endof the apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. S ls a wiring diagram of the electrical circuits-ct the apparatus; and

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view showing adifferent embodiment of-the invention.-

Referring "to Figs; l'to 8 of the drawings which showthe preferred embodiment, the reference character A' designates the in-feed end of a fourdeck, conveyortype, veneer dryer of commercial construction. The dryer A is not herein shown and described in detail because dryers of the type iii) referred to are well known in the art and the dryer per se forms no part of the present invention. As shown, the dryer comprises four decks Id, ll, l2; l3 of in-feed rollers I4, I5, l6, I1, respectively. The rollers of the respective decks are alldriven at a predetermined uniform speed by suitablemeans, such as, a sprocket chain, and operate to move sheets of veneer, indicated by the reference character B, to pairs of top rollers 21?, 2|, 2-2 and which cooperate with the rollers i l; l5, 16; ll at the right-hand ends of the decks Ni, ii, iii, [3, respectively, to feed the veneer to the dryer proper. As shown, the pairs of top rollers 20, 21, 22, 23 are carried by arms 24, 25, 26,- fl pivoted at their right-hand ends on transversely extendingshafts located above the plane of the decks proper. Gravity holds the top rollers in engagement with the top sides of the sheets of veneer. The rollers of the various decks are driven, as shown. from an electric motor 30 connected thereto by suitable sprocket chains, designated generally by the reference character 3|, and the ends of the decks toward the feeding mechanism-proper, hereinafter more specifically described; converge toward each other; however, this is not essential to the present invention and the decks may be otherwise arranged.

The usual practice is to bring the veneer to the dryer on trucks and have workmen remove the veneer from the trucks and feed it into the various decks of the dryer by hand. The present invention does not contemplate any change in the conventional manner of bringing the veneer to the dryer and, as shown, the veneer B is broughtto the in-feed endof the dryer A, or, more specifically, to the in-ieed end of the feeding mechanismstacked upon a truck 32 of conventional construction. The operator either standing upon the floor or upon a raised platform S'dpushes the top piece of veneer on the stack between the rubber covered

pinch rolls

34, 35 of the feed end unit C of the feeding mechanism untilit strikes astop 36. The

pinch rolls

34, 35 are movable vertically, as will be hereinafter described, so that the pinch rolls can be maintained in substantial alignment with the top of the stack ofveneer upon the truck, thereby facilitating the feeding of the top piece of veneer between the pinch rolls. Guide members 31, 38 extending transversely across the feed end unit in front of the

pinch rolls

34, 35 provide means for guiding the veneer into the feed end unit even though the pinch rolls are not exactly aligned with the top of the stack of veneer.

The feeding mechanism comprises the feed end unit C, a floating conveyor table D, and a discharge end unit E. The feed end unit C comprises a frame and a vertically movable assembly. The frame includes right and left-hand vertical columns 40, 4I, each composed of four

channel irons

42, 43, 44, 45 arranged as clearly shown in Fig. 5. In addition to the channel irons referred to, the frame comprises transversely extending angle members 46, 41 connected to the top of the channel members and by right and left-hand top plates 50, 5I to each other. The vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C includes vertically movable end plates 52 housed within the columns 40, 4i and having suitable tubular members 54 welded thereto for supporting rollers 55, one located at each of the four corners of the frames. The rollers 55 engage within suitable tracks 56 at opposite sides of the columns and guide the movable plates 52 during their vertical movement. The tracks or guides 55 are carried by the inner channel irons 42, 44.

Opposite plates 52 of the vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C are provided with suitable bearings I50 welded thereto for supporting the shaft-like ends 5| of the bottom roll 34. The right-hand end of the shaft BI extends beyond the bearing 60 and is adapted to be driven from an electric motor 52 mounted on a plate 63 welded to the right-hand plate 52 of the vertically movable assembly and operatively connected to the shaft 6| through a gear reduction 64 and a sprocket chain drive, designated generally by the reference character 65.

The upper roll 35 of the feed end unit C is similar to the lower roll 34 and includes shaft- 1.

like extensions 66 projecting from opposite ends. which shaft-like extensions project through elongated slots 51 in the plates 52 where they are supported in suitable bearings I fixedly connected to the free ends of levers II pivoted about stud shafts I2 connected to the plates 52 by sleeve members 13 welded to the plates 52. The righthand end of the roll 35 is adapted to be driven by a pair of gears 14, I5, the former of which is keyed to the right-hand end of the shaft 65 and the latter to the hub of a sprocket wheel I5 rotatably supported on the projecting end of the shaft 12. The sprocket wheel I0 is adapted to be driven from the shaft 6| by a sprocket chain I1 operatively connected to the sprocket wheel I5 and to a sprocket wheel I8 keyed to the shaft 5 I. An idler sprocket wheel 80 is supported on an eccentric BI and held assembled thereon by a nut 82. The eccentric BI is adjustably carried by a pin 03 welded to the adjacent plate 52 and provides means for adjusting the tension of the sprocket chain 11. The construction Just described is such that the two pinch rolls 34 and 35 are rotated at uniform speed by the motor 62.

The weight of the upper roll 35 tends to keep it in engagement with the lower roll 34 but the upper roll 35 is normally maintained in spaced relation to the lower roll by fluid pressure operated motors 04, one at either side of the infeed unit C, the cylinder assemblies of which are pivotally connected to brackets 85 fixed to the plates 52 and the piston assemblies of which are pivotally connected to arms 36 formed integral with the arms or levers II which carry the bearings I0 for the upper roll 35. The control for supply of pressure fluid to the motors 84 will be hereinafter specifically referred to and is such that the motors 84 can be operated to move the upper roll 35 toward and from the lower roll 34 and during the operation of the machine this is automatically effected periodically to feed a piece of veneer, the end of which has been pushed into the opening between the pinch rolls 34, 35 by the operator.

A suitable stop in the form of a transversely extending channel member 30 normally positioned in the path of veneer being pushed between the pinch rolls 34, 35, limits the forward movement of the veneer as it is pushed forward by the operator. The stop 35 is fixedly connected to the right-hand end of levers 81 pivotally connected intermediate their ends to the plates 52 by pivots 08. The oppositely extending, free ends of the arms 01 project underneath antifriction bearings on the shaft-like part 66 of the upper roll 35 and when the upper roll is lowered, the engagement between the bearin members 90 and the ends of the levers 81 will cause the levers 81 to be pivoted about their pivots 33 and the stop or channel member 35 raised out of the path of the veneer.

The vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C and the operating mechanism forming a part thereof or connected thereto, including the pinch rolls 34, 35 and the feed end of the floating conveyor table D, are adapted to be moved vertically so that the pinch rolls will be aligned or approximately aligned with the top of the stack of veneer upon the truck 32 by an infeed end unit, reversible electric hoist motor I00 including a solenoid release brake and connected by a gear reduction unit IOI and a sprocket chain drive I02 to a transversely extending shaft I03 extending across the top of the frame of the feed end unit C and rotatably supported in a plurality of bearings I04, I05. The shaft I03 is connected to the vertically movable plates 52 by a sprocket chain I06, opposite ends of which are connected to the plates 52 and which sprocket chains encircle upper and lower sprocket wheels I01, I08. The upper sprocket wheels I01 are keyed to the shaft I03 and the lower sprocket wheels I08 are rotatably connected to the side columns of the feed end unit C adjacent to the floor. The weight of the vertically movable assembly is counterbalanced by a weight H0 slidably supported between the two outside channel members of the left-hand column of the frame of the feed end unit C and operatively connected to the left end of the shaft I03 by a cable HI connected thereto and, after passing over a sheave II2, rotatably supported at the top of the left-hand column of the frame to a drum 3 keyed to the left-hand end of the shaft I03. The hoist motor I00 may be operated in opposite directions to raise and lower the vertically movable assembly and align the pinch rolls 34, 35 with the top of the stack of veneer on the truck 32 by the operator through suitable control means, such as, foot-operated switches H4, H5 on the platform 33, the former of which causes the motor I00 to operate in one direction when depressed and the latter in the opposite direction.

The floating conveyor table D comprises a. plurality of belts I20 encircling rolls I2I, I22 at opposite ends of the table. The roll I2I adjacent to the in-feed unit C is rotatably supported in the lower end of levers l23, one located at each end of the roll, by shaft-like extensions I24 on the roll proper. The upper ends of the levers I23 are pivotally connected to projections I25 on opposite plates 52 of the vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C. The lower or exit end roll I22 forms a part of the discharge end unit E which is similar in construction: to the feed end unit C and is not herein shown and described in detail; however, the corresponding parts, with the exception of theroll I22; are des i'gnated by the same reference characters with prime marksaddedi The roll I22 comprises shaft-like extensions on opposite ends of thsroll proper, which extensions are-rotatablysupported in suitable-bearings welded to tha plates 52" of the vertically movable assembly of the discharge and unit E. The roll I22 occupies the same position in the discharge and unit ii? that the: roll 34 occupies in the feed endunit C but isslightly difier-ent in construction from the roll 34 because it carries the belts I20 whereas theroll 34 directly engages the veneer. The belts: I20 are maintained in predetermined spacedrelatlon" to each other on the rolls I 2I. I22 by bands I213 ofbelting encircling therolls and: fixed thereto in somesuitablemanner.

The belts I20 are supported intermediate the rolls I21, I22 by transversely extending beams I30; I34 provided with top plates I32, I33 upon which the upper reaches of the belts I20 rest. Opposite ends of the beams I30, I3I are supported by side assemblies I34 comprising tubular members I35 to which the transversely extend-- ing beams I30, I34 are directly connected and and members I36, I31. Thcend members I36 arepivotally connected to the shaft-like extensions I24-oi the'roll I24 and arefixedly secured tothe tubular members I35 as by being welded thereto. The lower end members I31 are pivotally connectedto the shaft-like extensions of the roll I22 and have elongated; cylindrical ends I30 which are slidably supported within the lower ends oiv the tubular members I35, which construction permits the length of the side assemblies I34 and the table to vary as the vertically movable assemblies of the end units C and E are raised and lowered. This together with the fact that the upper end of the conveyor D is pivotally connected to the links I23which links are in turn pivotally connectedto the extensions I25 on the side plates 52 of the vertically movable assembly of the feedend unit 0, allows the conveyor to function: properly for any position of the apparatus.

With the exception of the fact that the upper roll 35' of the pinch rolls of the discharge end unit Econtinuously rides upon the belts I20, the discharge end unit E is similar in construction and operation to the upper roll 35 of the pinch rolls of the feed end unit:C. Inaddition to being, supported in a. manner similar to the pinch rolls 34; 35 of the feedendunit C, the rolls I 2|, 35" of the. discharge end unit E are driven in a similar manner from an. electric motor 62' corresponding to the motor 62 of. the feed end unit C. The motor 62 drives the belts I20 through the roll, I2I and the construction is such that a sheet of veneer fed to the floating conveyor table D by the pinch rolls 34, 35 will be moved alongthc table by the belts I20 and discharged by thepinch rolls I22, 35' uponone of. the'decks I0,, I I, I2 or ia-orthe indeed end of theveneer dryer A.

The vertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit E is-counterbalanced in a manner similar to that in whichthe vertically movable assembly of the feed end unitG is counterbalanced and is adapted, to be moved vertically by a discharge end unit, electrical hoist motor I correspondingto the hoist motor I00 and connected to the rolls of thevertically movable assembly in a similar manner to that in which the hoist motor I00 is connected to the corresponding assembly of the feed end unit C. The control for the motor I00, however, is diilerent from the control for the motor I00. The controlfor the motor I00 is'such that the vertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit E is automatically: moved tosequentially discharge a sheet of veneer B from the floating table D onto the decks I0, I I, I2, I3, successively and to continuously repeat the cycle so long as the mechanism continues in operation. The movement of the vertical assembly of the discharge end unit E and-the closing and-opening of the pinch rolls 34, 35 are synchronized or timed with reference to the speed of movement of the decks of the dryer A by a synchronizing unit I40 comprising a cam-operated switch I. The unit I40 is-connected by a sprocket chain drive I42 to the front roller I'I of the lower deck I3 and since the conveyor rollers of all oi the decks are driven at the same speed from the motor 30, the switch I4I is rotated in timed relation to the speed of the conveyor. The unit I40 preferably contains means for adjusting the time interval to provide for different length sheets, etc.

Referring to the wiring diagram, the apparatusis placed in operation by depressing the start push button switch I45 to close the normally open contacts I46, I41 thereof and establish a circuit from the power line I48 through the normally closed contacts I50, I5I of the stop push button switch I52, wire I53, the now closed normally open contacts I46, I41 of start pushbutton switch I45, wire I54, normall closed overload contacts I55, I56, wire I51, normally closed overload contacts I58, I59, wire I60, and operating solenoid I6I to line I62. The overload contacts I55, I56 and I58, I50, the operating solenoid I6I and the wires I51, I50 are a part of a motor controller I63 for the motors 62, 62' which drive the pinch rolls and the table of the feeding apparatus. Energization of the operating solenoid I6I of the motor controller I63 closes the normally open contacts I64, I65 also forming a part of the motor controller which establishes a holding circuit around the start push button switch I45 which may now be released. Energization of the operating solenoid IEI also closes the normally open contacts I66 and I61, I68 and I69, I10 and HI connecting the motors 62, 62' to the power lines I48, I62, I12 starting the motors 62, 62' which, in turn, drive the pinch rolls 34, 35 and the pinch rolls I22, 35' and the belts I20, respectively. The motors continue to operate until stopped by depressing the stop push button switch I52 to open its normally closed contacts and break the holding circut for the solenoid I6I. The start and stop push button switches I45, I52 may be positioned at any convenient location about the machine.

The vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C may be manually raised or lowered by closing the normally open pushbutton switches II4, II5 previously referred to. Closing, normally open push button switch I I4 closes itsnormally open contacts I15, I16 establishing a circuit from theline I48 through the now closed contactsI15, I16, wire I11, overtravel safety limit switch I18, wire I19, normally closed contacts I80, IIII of motor controller I82, wire I83, operatingsolenoid I 84 of motor controller I82, wire I85, and normally closed overload contacts I86; I81 of motor controller I82. Energization of the Operating. solenoid I84 of motor controller- I02 closes the normally open contacts I90 and II, I92 and I93, I94 and I95, connecting the motor I80 to'the power lines I48, I62, I12 in such a manner that the motor rotates in a direction to raise the vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C. Simultaneously with the closing of the contacts I90 to I85, normally closed contacts 200, 20! are opened, which eliminates any possibility of the motor being accidentally connected to the power lines for rotation in an opposite direction by depressing the lowering push button switch H5. The motor I continues to rotate in a direction to raise the pinch rolls 34, 35, etc., as long as switch H4 is held closed or until the safety limit switch I18 opens.

The motor I88 is operated in the opposite direction to lower the vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C by closing the switch H5 to close the normally

open contacts

205, 206 thereof, thereby establishing a circuit from the line I48 through the switch II5, wire 201, down safety limit switch 208, wire 209, normally closed contacts -0, 2! of motor controller I82, wire 2I8, operating solenoid 2 of motor controller I82, wire I85, and overload contacts I86, I81 to line I62. Energization of the operating solenoid 2II closes the normally open contacts 2I2 and 2I3, 2I4 and 2I5, and 2I6 and 2I1 of motor controller I82, thereby connecting the hoist motor I08 to the power lines I48, I62 and I12 for rotation in the opposite direction; that is, in a direction to lower the movable assembly of the in-feed unit C. The motor continues to operate as long as the switch I I5 is held closed or until the safety limit switch 208 opens.

With the motor in operation and the conveyor mechanism or rollers of the decks of the dryer A in operation, the switch I4! forming a part of synchronizing unit I will be periodically closed. Assuming that the sheets of veneer being fed to the dryer are eight feet long, the switch MI is preferably closed, once for each three and one-third feet of travel of the veneer or stock in the dryer. As the operator pushes a sheet of veneer between the pinch rolls 34, 35 and into engagement with the stop 36, the veneer actuates the limit switch 220 forming a part of the vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit 0 to close its normally open contacts 22I, 222; however, nothing further happens until the switch MI is operated to close normally

open contacts

223, 224 thereof and open its normally closed contacts 225, 226. The opening of the normally closed contacts 225, 226 break a holding circuit for an operating solenoid 221 of a relay 228 having normally

open contacts

229, 230 and normally closed contacts 23I, 232, hereinafter more specifically referred to. The momentary closing of the normally

open contacts

223, 224 of switch I4l establishes a circuit from the line I48 through the

contacts

223, 224, wire 235, now closed contacts 22I, 222 of limit switch 220, wire 236, and operating solenoid 231 of relay 238 to line I82.

Energization of operating solenoid 231 of relay 238 closes the normally

open contacts

240 and 24I, 242 and 243, 244 and 245 thereof. The closing of the normally open contacts 248, I of relay 238 establishes a holding circuit for the relay from the line I48 to the wire 235. The closing of the normally

open contacts

242, 243' and 244, 245 of relay 238 connects the operating solenoid 246 of the solenoid valve which controls the flow of pressure fluid to and from the motors 84 to cause the valve to release the pressure fluid in the motor and allow the top roll 35 to drop into engagement with the veneer therebetween and the bottom roll 34. Simultaneously with the movement of the upper roll 35 into engagement with the veneer therebeneath, the stop 36 is raised allowing the sheet of veneer to be fed by the pinch rolls onto the belts I20 of the floatin conveyor table D.

The re-closing of contacts 225, 226 of switch I4I after being momentarily opened, establishes a circuit from the line I48 through the now closed contacts 225, 226 of switch I4I, wire 250, normally closed contacts 23I, 232 of relay 228, wire 25I and operating solenoid 252 of relay 253 to line I62. Energization of the operating solenoid 252 of relay 253 closes its normally

open contacts

254, 255 establishing a circuit from the line I48 through the

contacts

254, 255, wire 256, and operating solenoid 251 of relay 258 to line I62. Energization of the operating solenoid 251 of relay 258 closes its normally

open contacts

260 and 26I, 262 and 263. The closing of the normally open contacts 260, 26I of relay 258 establishes a circuit from the line I48 through the now closed contacts 225, 226 of switch I4I, wire 250, now closed contacts 260, 26I of relay 258, wire 264, and operating solenoid 221 of relay 228 to line I62. The energization of the operating solenoid 221 of relay 228 closes the normally

open contacts

229, 230 thereof and opens its normally closed contacts 23I, 232. The closing of

contacts

229, 230 establishes a holding circuit around the contacts 260, 26I of relay 258 from the wire 250 to the wire 264 and the opening of the normally closed contacts 23I, 232 of relay 228 deenergizes the operating sole noid 252 of relay 253 allowing its normally

open contacts

254, 255 to open which, in turn, deenergizeg the operating solenoid 251 of relay 258.

The closing of normally open contacts 262, 263 of relay 258 establishes a circuit from the line I43 through the Wire 265, normally closed contacts 266, 261 of selecting switch 268, wire 210, normally closed contacts 21I, 212 of up travel, safety limit switch 213, wire 214, normally closed contacts 215, 216 of limit switch 211 connected to the frame of the discharge end unit E, wire 218, contacts 280, 28I of motor controller 282, wire 283, operating solenoid 284 of motor controller 282, wire 28", and overload contacts 286. 281 of motor controller 282 to line I62.

Energization of the operating solenoid 284 of motor controller 282 closes the normally

open contacts

288 and 289, 298 and 281, 292 and 293, 284 and 295 and opens the normally closed contacts 296 and 291. The closing of the normally open contacts 288, 289 of motor controller 282 establishes a holding circuit for the operating solenoid 284 thereof around the contacts 262, 263 of relay 258 from the line I48 to the wire 265. The closing of the normally

open contacts

298 and 29I, 292 and 283, 294 and 295 of motor controller 282 connects the discharge end unit hoist motor I to the power lines I48, I62, I12 so that it operates in a direction to raise the vertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit E. The motor continues to operate and the unit to raise until limit switch 211 which is connected to the frame of the discharge end unit E is opened by an adjustable stop 298 carried by a rod 299 connected to the right-hand plate 52' of the discharge end unit E, there being one such stop for each of the intermediate decks of the dryer. The opening of the normally closed contacts 215, 216 or limit switch 211 breaks the circuit for the operating solenoid 284 of the motor controller 282 causing the motor to stop and the solenoid 9 release brake'associated therewith to be applied. The discharge end unit is now in position to discharge the sheet of veneer being fed to the table D onto the deck with which the pinch rolls I22, 35' thereof are now aligned; that is, deck I2 which 'is the second deck from the bottom.

When the sheet of veneer being fed passes through the feed orpinch rolls 34, 35 of the feed .end unit C, the switch 220 which was held closed by the veneer operates to open its normally open contacts 221, 222, thus breaking the circuit for the operating solenoid 231 of relay 238 which, in turn, deenergizes the operating solenoid 245 of the solenoid valve, allowing pressure fluid to be again applied to the motors 8:1 to raise the top 'roll 35 and lower the stop 36. The sheet of veneer is fed onto the deck of the dryer at a considerably higher speed than that at which it travels through the dryer because the feeding mechanism feeds four decks successively.

After a sheet of veneer has been fed onto one of the decks, the cycle of operations just described is repeated by the switch I4I being again operated instantaneously by the synchronizing 4 mechanism. As the vertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit E reaches the third deck from the bottom; that is, deck II, it is stopped by an adjustable stop 300 similar to the stop 298 previously referred to. When the vertically movable assembly reaches the top deck, with the pinch rolls I22, 35' in alignment with "the top deck I of the dryer A, a cam 30| on the frame of the discharge end unit E operates the selecting switch 268 to open the previously closed

contacts

265, 261 thereof and close contacts 302, 303 of the selecting switch 268. Upon the next operation of the sequence switch I and the resultant closing of the normally open contacts 262, 263 of relay 258, as previously described, a circuit :is established which causes the discharge unit hoist motor I60 to operate in a direction to lower the vertically movable assembly to its bot- :tom position; that is, with the pinch rolls I22, 35' in alignment with the lower deck I3 of the dryer A. With the selecting switch 268 in the position just referred to, the closing of the normally open contacts 262, 263 of relay 258 establishes a circuit from the line I48 through the contacts 262, 263, wire 265, now closed contacts 302, 303 of selecting switch 268, wire 304, normally closed

contacts

305, 306 of down travel safety limit switch 301, wire 303, normally closed contacts 296, 291 of motor controller 282, wire 303, operating solenoid 3I0 of motor controller 282, wire 285, and overload contacts 286, 281 to line 262, thereby energizing the solenoid 3I0 and closing the normally open contacts 3| I and 3I2, 3I3 and 3M, 3I5 and 3I6, 3H and 3I8 of.motor controller 282. The closing of normally open contacts 3, M2 establishes a holding circuit *for the operating solenoid 3I0 around the contacts 262, 263 of relay 258.

The closing of the normally open contacts 3I3 and 3I4, M5 and 3I6, 3H and 3I8 connects the discharge unit hoist motor I00 to the power lines I46, I62, I12 in such a manner that the motor rotates in a direction to lower the vertically movable assembly including the pinch rolls I22, 35. The motor continues to operate and the assembly to descend until the assembly reaches the lower position, at which time the selecting switch 263 is again operated by a cam 3I9 on the frame of the discharge end unit to open contacts 302, 303 thereof to deenergize the operating solenoid 3H] and stop the motor. Operation of the selecting switch 260 to open the contacts 302, 303 thereof causes contacts 266, 261 of the switch to subsequently close and reestablish the circuit so that the discharge unit hoist motor I00 will be operated in the reverse direction; that is, in the direction to raise the vertically movable assembly of the hoist unit E upon the next closing of the normally open contacts 262, 263 of relay 258 upon the subsequent actuation of the switch MI. The cycle of operations continues with the feeding mechanism delivering veneer to the decks of the dryer in sequence as long as the machine is continued in operation and veneer is introduced between the pinch rolls 34, of the feed end unit C.

Provision is made for manually controlling the dropping of the upper pinch roll 35 in the form of a push button switch 320 comprising normally open contacts 321,. 322, the closing of which establishes a circuit from the line I48 through the contacts 32L 322, wire 236, and operating solenoid 231 of relay 238 to the line I62. The discharge unit hoist motor I00 can be operated in either direction by the operator through the medium of push button switches 323, 324. When the push button switch 323 is operated to close its normally

open contacts

325, 326, the operating solenoid 284 of motor controller 282 is eneril 1 gized and causes the motor to operate in a direction to raise the vertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit E. When the push button switch 324 is operated to close its normally open contacts 321, 328, the operating solenoid 3| 0 of motor controller 282 is energized and causes the motor to operate in a direction to lower the vertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit E.

While the invention has been herein illustrated and described as though a single row of veneer was being processed at one time, the usual practice is to process a plurality of rolls simultaneously, the number depending upon the width of the veneer sheets being treated and the width 1' of the dryer, etc. It is also to be understood that the vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C may be positioned at some convenient height above the floor and the veneer fed thereto in any suitable manner, either manually or automatically. Regardless of how the sheets of veneer are brought to and inserted between the pinch rolls 34, 35 of the feed end unit, the feed mechanism of the present invention will automatically feed veneer to a multiple deck dryer in predetermined sequence and in properly spaced relation with respect to the other veneer on the various decks.

In the alternative construction shown in Fig. 9, the floating table D and the discharge end unit E are omitted and the feed end unit C and the portion of track which supports the truck or trucks 32 in position for feeding the veneer to the feed end unit C are both mounted on a vertically movable platform or elevator 350. The elevator shown is of the hydraulic type operated by an electric motor driven pump and is moved vertically to align the pinch rolls 34 35 of the feed end unit C with the particular deck III, II, I2 or I3 which it is desired to feed either manually or automatically in a manner similar to that in which the vertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit is aligned with the various decks previously described. The motor 62' is omitted, the motor, not shown, which operates the elevator 350 is substituted for the motor I00.

Since the vertical movement of the elevator 353 and the entire unit C will correspond to the movement of the vertically movable assembly comprising end plates 52 of the discharge end unit E in the first described embodiment, the control switch 268 is attached to the assembly comprising the end plates 52, and the spaced stops 3!", 3!!! for actuating the switch are appropriately attached to the frame of the conveyor decks ill to l3, and operate the switch in the manner described previously, when the elevator moves vertically. Likewise, the switches 213 and 211 are supported on the conveyor deck frame and are actuated by the stops 293, 33! attached to the rod 299 which is in turn attached to one of the end plates 52 of the pinch roll assembly and the stops cooperating with the switches control the position of the elevator to successively align the pinch rolls 34, 35 with the respective conveyor decks, and limits the upward elevation of the assembly. The safety downward travel limit switch 381' is attached to the lower part of the frame of the end unit C and cooperates with a stop 35l to discontinue operation of the pump motor similar to the manner in which it operates to stop elevator motor I in the first described embodiment.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 8, the vertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit E is moved vertically as the veneer sheets feed between the pinch rolls 34, 35. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, however, the veneer is fed directly from the pinch rolls to the conveyor decks and therefore the vertical movement of the elevator to align the pinch rolls with the next above conveyor deck must not occur until after the veneer has moved from the pinch rolls and prior to the feeding of a succeeding sheet therebetween. This action is accomplished by installing a normally closed switch in the wire 250 between the contacts 225 226 of time switch MI and contacts 26, 232 of the electromagnetic relay 228, which switch is opened by the solenoid 231 when it is energized by closure of the contacts 22!, 222 of the veneer operated switch 220.

The pinch roll unit can be adjusted vertically to accommodate the pinch rolls to the top position of the stack of veneer to be fed therethrough by manual operation of the push buttons Ill, H5 as described hereinbefore, and at the same time, the vertical position of the elevator should be correspondingly adjusted to maintain the pinch rolls within their range of movement into alignment with the respective conveyor decks l0l3 by operation of the manual

control push buttons

323, 324 as described hereinbefore.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the objects heretofore enumerated and others have been accomplished and that there has been provided a novel and improved apparatus for feeding veneer to a multiple deck dryer, or, in fact, any similar sheet material to a multiple deck machine in predetermined sequence and in predetermined spaced relation. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described with considerable detail, the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown and it is the intention to cover hereby all adaptations, modifications and uses thereof which come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deck conveyor type machine having power driven conveyor decks, the combination of a feed end unit to feed sheet material to said deck conveyors, said unit comprising a frame and a pair of pinch rolls, means for driving said pinch rolls, means for producing relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other, and means for automatically controlling the movement of said pinch rolls toward each other including a control device actuated by a sheet moving between said pinch rolls and a device operated at intervals proportional to the speed of the conveyor decks and cooperating with the first mentioned control device to initiate movement of said pinch rolls toward each other.

2. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deck conveyor type machine, the combination of a feed end unit comprising a frame, a vertically movable assembly carried by said frame, manually controlled power means for moving said assembly vertically, a pair of pinch rolls carried by said assembly, means for producing relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other, and means for automatically controlling the movement of said pinch rolls toward each other comprising a device a(: tuated by a sheet moved between said pinch rolls and an intermittently operated device operated at predetermined intervals and cooperating with the first mentioned control device to initiate movement of said pinch rolls toward each other.

3. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deck conveyor type machine, the combination of a feed end unit comprising a frame and a pair of pinch rolls, means for driving said pinch rolls, means for producing relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other, a conveyor type table having its feed end adjacent to said pinch rolls, a discharge end unit comprising a frame and a vertically movable assembly having the opposite end of said conveyor type table connected thereto for movement therewith, and means for moving said vertically movable assembly of said discharge end unit in timed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other.

4. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deck conveyor type machine, the combination of a feed end unit comprising a frame and a pair of pinch rolls, means for driving said pinch rolls, means for producing relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other, a conveyor type table having its feed end adjacent to said pinch rolls, a discharge end unit comprising a frame and a vertically movable assembly including a. pair of pinch rolls, means for pivotally connecting the discharge and of said conveyor type table to said vertically movable assembly for movement therewith, and means for moving said vertically movable assembly of said discharge end unit in timed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other.

5. In equipment for feeding material in sheet form into a multiple deck conveyor type machine, the combination of a feed end unit comprising a frame and a vertically movable assembly including a pair of pinch rolls, means for raising and lowering said assembly, means for driving said pinch rolls, means for producing relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other, a conveyor type table connected at one end to said vertically movable assembly for movement therewith, a discharge end unit comprising a frame and a vertically movable assembly having the oppositeend of said conveyor type table connected theretofor movement'therewith, and means fern-loving said'vertically movable assembly ofsaidzdischarg-e end unit in timed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rolls toward-and from each other.

6. In equipment for feedin material insheet form into a multiple deck conveyor type machine, the combination of a feed end unit cornprising a frame and a vertically movable assembly including a pair of pinch rolls, means for raising and lowering said assembly, means for driving said pinch rolls, means for producing relative movement of said pinch rollstoward and from each other, aconveyor type table conneoted at one end to said vertically movable assembly formovement therewith, a discharge end unit comprising a frame and a vertically movable assembly including a pair of pinch rolls, means for;pivotally connectingthe discharge end of said conveyor type table to said vertically movable assembly for movement therewith, and means for moving said vertically movable assembly of said discharge end unit in timed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other.

7. In equipment for feeding material in sheet form into a multiple deck conveyor type machine,

the combination of a feed end unit comprising a frame and a vertically movable assembly including a pair of pinch rolls, means for raising and lowering said assembly, means for driving said pinch rolls means for producin relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other, a conveyor type table connected at one end to said vertically movable assembly for movement therewith, a discharge end unit comprising a frame and a vertically movable assembly having the opposite end of said conveyor type table connected thereto for movement therewith, and means for moving said vertically movable assembly of said discharge end unit in timed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other, said last-named means comprising a control mechanism adapted to be operatively connected to the conveyor mechanism of said machine whereby said pinch rolls and said vertically movable assembly of said discharge end unit are moved in timed relation to the speed of the conveyor.

8. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deck conveyor type machine, the combination of a feed unit comprising a frame, a vertically movable unit carried by said frame and including a pair of pinch rolls, means for driving said pinch rolls, means for producing relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other, and power means for movil'lg said frame vertically a predetermined distance to move the pinch rolls from a sheet discharge position relative to one of the multiple decks of the machine to a sheet discharge position relative to an adjacent one of the multiple decks in timed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other.

9. In equipment for feeding material in sheet form into a multiple deck conveyor type machine, the combination of a feed unit comprising a frame, elevator means for supporting said frame, a vertically movable assembly carried by said frame and including a pair of pinch rolls, means for raising and lowering said assembly, means for driving said pinch rolls, means for producing relative movement of said pinch rolls and control means to intermittently initiate operation of said elevating means at intervals which are a function of the speed of the conveyor decks, which control means includes a control device operated in synchronism with the power driven conveyor decks.

11. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple power driven conveyor decktype machine, a sheet feeding mechanism including power driven elevating means shiftable vertically to direct sheet material into different ones of the multiple conveyor decks of the machine, and electrical control means to intermittently initiate operation of said elevating means at intervals which are a function of the speed of the conveyor decks, which electrical control means includes an electric switch opened and closed in synchronism with the power driven conveyor decks.

12. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple power driven conveyor deck type machine, a power driven sheet feeding unit operative to move sheets toward the machine, and control means for said sheet feeding unit co prising a control device actuated by a sheet moved into feeding position with respect to said sheet feeding unit and a control device operated in synchronism with the driven conveyor decks of the machine and cooperating with the first mentioned control device at intervals proportional to the speed of the conveyor decks to render said sheet feeding unit operative.

13. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple power driven conveyor deck type machine, a power driven pinch roll mechanism operative to move sheets toward the machine, and control means to intermittently render said pinch roll mechanism operative comprising a control device actuated by a sheet moved to feed position relative to said pinch roll, a control device operated in synchronism with the driven conveyor decks of the machine and cooperating with the first mentioned control device at intervals proportional to the speed of the conveyor decks to render said pinch roll mechanism operative.

14. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple power driven deck conveyor type machine, the combination of a power operated sheet feeding mechanism power means for moving said sheet feeding mechanism into alignment with the respective conveyor decks, and control means for actuating said power operated sheet feeding mechanism and said power means in synchronism, said control means including a device operating in synchronism with the power operated conveyor decks.

15. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple conveyor deck type machine, the combination of a frame, a sheet feeding unit carried by said frame for vertical movement, power actuated means for moving said sheet feeding unit, a second frame spaced from the first mentioned frame and adjacent to the multiple deck conveyor machine, a sheet discharge unit carried by said second frame for vertical movement to discharge sheets onto any of the multiple decks of the conveyor machine, a sheet conveyor structure connected at one end with said sheet feeding unit and at the other end with said sheet discharge unit and operative to transfer sheets from said sheet feeding unit to said sheet discharge unit, and automatically controlled power actuated means to raise and lower said sheet discharge unit.

16. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple conveyor deck type machine, the combination of a frame, a sheet feeding unit carried by said frame for vertical movement, power actuated means for moving said sheet feedin unit, a second frame spaced from the first mentioned frame and adjacent to the multiple deck conveyor machine, a sheet discharge unit carried by said second frame for vertical movement to discharge sheets onto any of the multiple decks of the conveyor machine, a telescoping sheet conveyor structure connected at one end with said sheet feeding unit and at the other end with said sheet discharge unit and operative to transfer sheets from said sheet feeding unit to said sheet discharge unit, and automatically controlled power actuated means to raise and lower said sheet discharge unit, said telescoping conveyor structure being shortened as said units approach a common level and lengthening when said units move from a common level.

1'7. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deck power driven conveyor type machine, the combination of vertically movable feed means having an entering end and a discharge end, said feed means including a pa r of pinch rolls, means for driving said pinch rolls, power actuated means for vertically moving said entering end of said feed means, power actuated means for producing relative movement of sa d pinch rolls toward and from each other, and automatically controlled power actuated means for moving said discharge end of said feed means vertically in timed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rolls relative to each other.

CLARENCE E. PARKER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 644,520 Jones Feb. 2'7, 1900 1,141,277 Smith June 1, 1915 1,307,969 Harris June 24, 1919 1,570,592 Parker Jan. 19, 1926 1,913,533 Brunner June 13, 1933 1,949,281 Moore Feb. 27, 1934 2,058,729 Sekulski Oct. 27, 1936 2,246,508 Davidson June 24, 1941