US2790637A - Collating machine - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1957 H. H. WALLER n 2,790,637

coLLATING MACHINE Original Filed May 2, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 vla-Y- fig' /4 153 /36 /3 i y ,30 i? /30 [26' 3f /gN` ai 7; /30l gd /6 *nl l /03 /gg s OP [a4 s /7 5a 46 6.0 .5'0 .ff 2f 52 5,

S o y 6 8 f5 i /9 6g f@ 74' g HARRY H ift/ALLER E INVENTOR ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 2, 1949 Mm. MM. \N.

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INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY April 3-0, 1957 H. H. wALLER coLLATINcA MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed May 2, 1949 HARRY WMM/e IN VEN TOR.

A TTRNE Y April 30, 1957 H. H. wALLER coLLATING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed May 2, 1949 HARRy h. WALL 5R IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y United States Patent COLLATlNG MACHINE Harry H. Waller, Dallas, Tex.

Continuation of abandoned application'Seriai No. 90,8524, May 2, 1949. This application August 19, 1953, Serial No. 375,116

Claims. (Cl. 270-58) This invention relates to collating machines and more particularly to a machine for collating sheets of paper.

This application is a continuation of my co-pending application, Serial No. 90,854, now abandoned.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved collating machine having a rotary carrier which supports two sets of circumferentially spaced platforms maintained in horizontal planes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved collating machine, of the type described above, having pneumatic grippers or suction feet mounted on an oscillating frame for transferring sheets of pape from the platforms onto a table.

Still another object o-f the invention is to provide a new and improved' collating machine, of the type described above, having blowers for releasing a blast of air in the direction of the stacks of sheets carried'by the platforms, as they approach a position to be engaged by the suction feet, to separate the topmost sheet from' the stack before it is engaged by the suction feet.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for operating the suction feet and the air blast means in time relation to the movements of the rotary carrier.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved collating machine, of 'the' type described, having automatic means for adjusting the platforms to compensate for the diminishing thickness of the stacks of sheets on the platforms as the sheets are singly transferred to the table. 4

With the foregoing objects in View, the invention has further reference to certain features of accomplishment, which will become apparent' as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings@ Figure l is a perspective Viewy of the collating machine.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the collating machine showing the suction feet in position to pick up a sheet of paper oi one of the platforms.

'Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the suction feet immediately after the suction has been broken to permit the sheet of paper to drop onto the table.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view showing the manner the top sheet in a stack of sheets on a platformA is separated from the-stack.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing'the means for adjusting the platforms to compensate for the diminishing height of the stacks of paper on theplatfor'rns'.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the lever system for pivoting the suction 'feet and blower nozzles downwardly after they are positioned over the leading edge of a platform.

Referring Inow to the drawing,` the collating machine 10 includes a frame 11 having a substantiallyrectangular base 12 and substantially A-shaped sides 13 and 14. A rocking frame 15 has sides 16 and 17 which are pivotally mountedon the base 12 by means of a shaft 18 which'i's journalledin pillow blocks 19 and 20 'mounted on the base'.

The rocking frame includes a transverse connecting "ice shaft 21 rigidly connected at opposite ends to the sides 16 and 17 and a hollow conduit 22 also connected at its ends to the sides 16 and 17.

A rotary carrier 23 is rotatably mounted on and between the'sides 13 and 14 of the frame 11. The rotary carrier includes a pair of armed sides 24 and 25 which are mounted on a common shaft 26, one of whose ends is suitably journailed in a journal block on the side 13 of the frame 11 and the other in a plate 27 which is rigidly mounted on a stub shaft 28 rigidly secured to the side 14 of the frame 11 by a block 28b.

A guide 29 is rotatably mounted on the stub shaft 28 between the side 14 and the armed side 24 of the rotary carrier. Aligned arms 30 of the rotary carrier support transverse platform shafts 31 which are journalled in the outer ends of the arms Sti. The platforms 32 are mounted on the platform shafts in a manner which is to be described in detail below. In order to maintain the platforms 32 in horizontal positions throughout the rotation of the rotary carrier, links 33 are provided which are rigidly connected at one end to the ends of the platform shafts 31 and pivotally at the other end to the arms 34 of the guide 29, as at 35. It will be apparent that since the guide and the rotary carrier rotate aboutspaced parallel horizontal axes and since the links areA rigidly connected to the platform shafts 31, the platform shafts will not rotate about their longitudinal axes as the rotary carrier is rotated, although of course, relative rotational movement does occur between the platform shafts and the arms 30 of the rotary carrier.

The shaft 26 of the rotary carrier is connected to the shaft 36 of an electric motor 37 by a transmission which includes the pulleys 33 and 39 on the motor shaft 36 and on a shaft 4i?, respectively, which are connected by a belt 41. The pulley 39 is rigidly secured to the shaft 40 rotatably mounted on pillow blocks 42 secured to the base 12. The shaft iii is also provided with a small pulley 43 which is connected to a large pulley 44 by a belt 45.

The large pulley 44 is rigidly mounted on a shaft 46 which is journalled in bearing blocks i7 secured to the members 4x8 and 49 of the frame 11. A gear 50 on the shaft d6 meshes with a large gear 51 of a control shaft 52 which is rotatably mounted on the members 46 and 49 of the frame by bearing blocks 53 and 54. A sprocket S5 on the control shaft 52 is connected to a large sprocket 56 of the shaft 26 of the rotary carrier by a chain 57. It will then be seen that the rotary carrier is connected to the shaft 36 and will be rotated whenever the motor 37 is energized.

The control shaft 52 is connected to the shaft 21 of the rocker frame 1S by means of an arm 58 rigidly secured to the control shaft which is pivotally connected at its outer end, as at 59, to a block 6u slidably mounted on rods 61 which are rigidly secured to a block 62 rotatably mounted on the shaft 21. Springs 63 on the rods 61 between the sliding block 6d and the rings or collars 64 'onthe ends of the rods serve as shock absorbers. The movement ofthe sliding block on the rods is limited by the lrings or collars 65 rigidly secured to the rods 61. It will be seen that as the control shaft 52 is rotated, the arm 53 connected to the rocker frame shaft 21' Vwill cause the'rocker shaft to rotate toward and away from the rotary carrier about a pivotal axis concentric with the central `axis of the shaft 18.

Adjustably mounted on the hollow shaft 22 are a plurality of arms 66 which are located in any desired position on the shaft by the screws 67 threaded in the arms. The arms are provided at their free ends with suction feet 68 having ttings 69a which extend upwardlyrthrough 3 suitable bores in the arms and are locked in place by set screws 69h.

The rocker frame arms 66 also support blower nozzles 69 by means of brackets 70 which are secured to the arms 66 by bolts 71. The suction feet are connected to the inlets of suitable pumps 72 through conduits 73 and valves 74 which are opened and closed by cams 75 on the control shaft, in the same manner as are the valves l disclosed in the co-pending application. The outlets of the pumps 72 are connected to opposite ends of the hollow shaft 22, whose ends are closed by suitable plugs, by conduits 76 and valves 77 which are opened and closed by cams 78 on the control shaft. The hollow shaft is provided with a separator plug 79 so that only one pair of blower nozzles may be supplied with air at any one time if desired by shutting oi either pump 72. The pumps 72 are driven by an electric motor 80.

The cams 75 and 78 are so shaped and aligned that as the rocker frame is pivoted forwardly to bring the suction feet over the stack 81 of sheets 82 on the nearest platform 32, the valves 74 open the valves 77 and a blast of air is forced through the nozzles 69 which is directed at the edges of the sheets 82 causing the topmost sheet 82 to be lifted upwardly toward the suction feet. The topmost sheet 82 is then held to the suction feet by the suction so that the topmost sheet will be drawn olf the stack as the rocker frame is pivoted away from the rocker carrier. The cams 78 then close valves 74 but the valves 77 stay open until the topmost sheet is carried over one of the tables 83 when the cams 78 allow the valves `77 to close. Since the suction is thus destroyed, the sheet is no longer held to the suction feet and therefore drops onto To provide and its lower end is pivotally secured as at 87 to a lever f 88 rotatably mounted on the shaft 18. A link 90 has one end pivotally connected to the lever 88 and its other end to one end of the bell crank lever 91 as at 93. The bell crank lever 91 is rotatably mounted ona stub shaft 92 mounted on the side 13 of the frame 11. The other V end'of the bell crank is 'provided with a cam follower 97 which contacts the cam 98 on the control shaft 52. The bell crank lever 91 is biased toward the cam 98 by a spring 99, Ione of whose ends is secured to the lever 91 at 100 and the other to the upright 101 on the base 12. The cam 98 is so shaped that the bell crank lever is pivoted about the shaft 92 to rotate the rocker arms 66 downwardly in a times sequence to position the suction feet and the blower nozzles properly with respect to the platforms 32 from which sheets of paper are to be removed.

It will be seen now that the various valves, the rocker frame 15, the rocker Iframe arms 66 and the valves 74 and 77 are actuated in atimed sequence by the various cams and the arm 58 mounted on the control shaft 52 so that if it be assumed that the various elements of the machine are in the position shown in Figure 2, the suction feet of the left pair of arms 66 (Figure l) grip a sheet of paper, the valves 74 and 77 being open. As the l The valves 74 are then closed so that the suction is removed from the suction feet 68 and the sheet drops onto the table 83. In this position, of course, the arms 66 are out of path of travel of the next pair of platforms 32 being carried toward downwardly and past the rocker frame arms 66. When the next pair of platforms has moved past the arms 66, the rocker frame is again pivoted toward the position shown in Figure 2 and as it approaches this position rst the valves 74 are opened to cause the suction feet to again become operative and then the valves 77 are opened to cause a stream of air to flow from the blower nozzles. This sequence of operations is repeated yfour times during each revolution of the rotary carrier.

While only one pair of rocker frame arms 66 were described as being operative, it will be understood that both pairs may operate simultaneously so that a stack of papers may be collated on each table 83.

The right hand table 83 (Figure 1) is provided with slot102 in which a guide 103 of a shuttle plate 104 may travel. The shuttle plate may be moved reciprocably by a cam 105 on the control shaft 52 to which it is connected through a suitable mechanical linkage which includes a chain 106 connected to a cam follower, not shown, and to the shuttle plate. The movement of the shuttle plate is so timed that it moves to the left, Fig ure 1, as the rocker frame 15 is pivoted toward the rotary carrier so that a sheet of paper carried on the wire 107 is moved over the left hand table 83. The direction of the movement of the shuttle plate is then reversed and this sheet of paper slides off the wire since its ends bend downwardly on either side of the wire 107 and abut the slide plate 108 disposed on the left hand side of the right hand table 83.

By using the shuttle plate 104 and the wire 107, eight sheets of paper may be collated from the eight platfomis in a single stack on the left hand table 83.

The tables 83 are vertically adjustable since their cylindrical legs 109 telescope over upright standards 110 of the base 12 and are secured thereto by set screws 111. It will be apparent that the left hand table 83 must be in a lower position than the right hand table when the shuttle plate is to be used.

In order that the blower nozzles and suction feet operate properly, the top sheets of the stacks of paper on the platforms must always be maintained in substantially the same position relative to the blower nozzles and the suction feet during the operation of separating the top sheets from the stacks. As the collating machine operates, the thickness of each stack diminishes and it is necessary therefore to provide a means for automatically raising each platform `to maintain the top sheet in proper position.

Each platform 32 has a dependent leg 113, provided on one side with teeth or serrations 114 which extends downwardly through a suitable aperture or slot in a block 115 rigidly mounted on its associated shaft 31.

A keeper pawl 116 is mounted on the block by means of a shaft 117 rotatably mounted on the block and having a handle 118. The keeper pawl 116 engages the scrF rations 114 and prevents downward movement of the leg 113 except when the handle 118 is pivoted to rotate the shaft 117 to move the pawl 116 out of engagement with the serrations. The weight of the handle is sutlicient to maintain the pawl 116 in serration-engaging position and prevent downward movement of the leg 113 through the block.

A second adjusting pawl 119 is mounted on the vertically slidable plate 120 mounted in a slot of the block 115 and has a vertical slot 121 through which the shaft 117 extends. The adjusting pawl is mounted pivotally on the plate 120 by means of a pin 122 and is movable toward the serrations of the leg 113 by an arm 123 extending radially from a shaft 124 which extends through the slot 121 of the slidable plate 120. The shaft 124 is also prorf t.

d vided with an upwardly extendingv arm 2125 Vwhich has a-horizontalextension 126 whichisadapted toslide along the leg 127 yof a slide 128 formed of an L-shaped member 128 having another leg 129 extending Aperpendicularly yfrom the leg 127.

The slides 128 are secured to the ysides 13 and 14 of the frame 1.1 by rods 130. A gate '131 pivotallyfsecured as at 132 to the upper portion of each slide 128 is free Ito pivot upwardly as long as the top -sheet of the ystack of sheets .on the adjacent platform 32 is at or above the desired height relative to the blower nozzles and the suction feet.

The gates 131 are locked against upward movement when the top sheet ,is at a lower level by a feeler gage mechanism 133 which includes a roller 134 rotatably secured to the lower end of an arm 135 whose upper end is secured to a shaft 136 rotatably mounted on the frame 11 by means of a bracket 137. A lock rod 138 extends ydownwardly from the shaft 136 and is adapted to engage the lower portion of its associated gate 1-31 to Aprevent its upward movement. The lock rod is biased toward this locking position by a spring 139 whose opposite ends zare secured to the lock rod and to one of the bolts 140 which secures the bracket 137 .to the frame.

In use, the platforms may be adjusted `manually to any desired position, which depends on the thickness `of the since the serrations extend downwardly, the pawl being pivoted upwardly as each serration passes it.

When the collating machine is placed in operation, each roller 134 engages and rides on the top sheets of the stacks of paper on the platforms which are carried below' and vpast it by the rotary carrier. If the top sheet is in high enough position, the lock rod 133 is pivoted to the broken line position as a particular platform passes by the feeler gage 133. The extension 126 of the arm 125'of the shaft 124 associated with the platform then engages the gate 131 and pivots it upwardly and passes above the leg 127 of the associated slide 12S. The shaft 124 is not rotated and the platform remains in its original position.

if the top sheet is lin too low a position, the lock rod assumes the full line position shown in Figure 5, the gate 131 is locked against upward movement and the extension 126 then engages the under side `of the gate 131 and the leg 127 of the slide 128. Since the gate 131 and leg 127 are inclined downwardly, the arm 125 `is pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction causing the shaft 124 to rotate and bring the arm 123 into engagement with the curved edge 141 of the adjusting pawl 119. As the shaft 1241 continues to rotate, the arm 123 pivots the pawl 119 about its pin 122 into engagement with the serrations 114 and then its pivotal movement is stopped by the stop 142 on the sliding plate 120. Further rotation of the shaft 124 then causes the sliding'plate to move upwardly in the block 11S and, since the adjusting pawl is now in engagement with the serrations 114 of the leg 113, the platform is also raised. The keeper pawl, of course, then engages the next lower serration to prevent downward movement of the platform after the extension 126 moves out of engagement with the leg 127 of the slide 123 as the rotary movement of the rotary carrier carries the vplatform past theslide. When the extension 126 moves out of engagement-with the leg 127, the shaft 124 `rotates back to `theposition shown in full lines in Figure since the weight of the plate 120, the pawl 122 and the weight 143 on the end of the arm 123 bias it toward this position. All the components of the platform adjusting mechanism are vmachine has been illustrated and describedwhichincludes a rotary carrier 23 having four shafts 31 on each of which shafts are mounted two Iplatforms 32. It-will also be noted that a rotary Aguide '29 maintains `the platforms in horizontal positions during rotary movement of the carrier. AIt will `be apparent that a rocker frame l is oscillated in timed or synchronous relation to themoveyment of the rotary carrier so that the blower nozzles and suction feet mounted on .the rocker frame advance toward stacks of paper on the ,plat-forms 32 as each platform descends past the rocker frame to seize the ltop sheet and then move back carryingthe sheet to deposit the sheet on ,a table 33 as the next platform advances toward ,and past the rocker yframe arms 66, the arms 66 thus `being moved out of the lpath of travel Aof lthe platforms .as ,the

l platforms lmove pastthe arms 65.

:ltwill also vbe seen that the blower nozzles and suction feet are `rendered operative by valves 77 and 74in synchronism with the movement of the rotary carrier and ythe rocker 'frame by means of cams. Moreover, itiwill beseenthat the rocker frame arms are pivoted downwardly after the suction feet are yin position above the stacks by a lever anda cam mechanism and that an automatic mechanism vhas -been provided to adjust the positions `of the platforms on their shafts 31 always to maintain the top sheet of the stack in proper relation to the suction feet and blower nozzles.

Among lthe chief advantages of the described collating machine are the mounting of the blower nozzles'and the suction feet on the same rocker frame 15 which insures that the relative proper positions of the nozzles and suction feet are always maintained and avoids the .complexities of function and structure found in collating machines in which the blower nozzles and the suction feet are mounted on separably movable elements of the machine.

Another advantage of the machine is its flexibility of operation provided by the mounting of two separately adjustable platforms on each shaft 31 of the rotary carrier and the provision of two sets of nozzles and suction feet so that separate stacks of small sheets may be placed on the two platforms of each shaft 31 or a single stack of large sheets may be placed on both platforms when the latter are aligned.

Suitable removable upstanding arms 145, such as those shown on one of the platforms in Figure 2, may be provided aiong the edges of the platforms to keep the stacks in proper position onthe platforms.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of some modication and such modification as may be construed -to fall within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A collating machine comprising: a main frame; a rotary carrier mounted on the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis; circumferentially spaced platforms mounted on said rotary carrier; means connected kto said platforms to maintain them horizontal regardless of the rotary movement of the rotary carrier; an angular slide carri-ed by said main frame having a pivoted gate, a feeler gauge mounted on said frame above said gate against which stacks of sheets on said platforms are brought into successive engagement during operation of said rotary frame, a serrated leg depending from each of said platforms, a stationary block below each platform, a slotted plate mounted for vertical movement on said block, a keeper pawl pivoted to said plate and engaging justing pawl pivoted to said block and engageable with said serrations, a shaft extending through a slot in said plate havin'ga short arm engageable withsaid adjusting pawl upon counterclockwise rotation of said shaft, an elongate arm carried by said shaft having an extension adapted to pass through said gate and over said slide when the stack level of sheets on said platform is suticiently high and means carried by said feeler gauge for locking said gate closed when the stack level of said sheets on said platform fall below normal to constrain said extension to pass under said slide and effect engagement of said short arm with said adjusting pawl to cause engagement thereof with the serrations of said leg to elevate said platform and restorel the level of said stack of sheets to its normal height.

2. A collating machine comprising: a frame; a rotary carrier mounted on the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis; circumferentially spaced platforms mounted on said rotary carrier; means connected to said platforms to maintain them horizontal regardless of the rotary movement of the rotary carrier; a rocker` frame pivotally secured to said frame adjacent its lower end, arms mounted on said rocker frame and extending toward said rotary carrier, said arms being disposed over a platform when said rocker frame is pivoted toward the rotary carrier; suction feet on said arms for engaging sheets of paper on said platforms; a leg depending from each of said platforms hving a serrated edge, a block having a slot through which said leg is vertically slidable, a pawl normally engaging a serration of said leg to support said platform at a position to dispose the level of the topmost sheet of the stack on said platform normally in a position to be engaged by said suction feet, a second pawl engageable with said serrations and mounted for vertical movement, a feeler mechanism against which stacks of sheets progressively engage as said rotary carrier rotates` and means associated with said second pawl and controlled by said feeler gauge mechanism for engaging said second pawl with said serrations to lift said leg and raise said platform an extent predetermined by the diminishing height of the stack of sheets on said platform to restore the level of the topmost sheet of said stack of sheets to normal height.

3. A collating machine comprising: a frame; a rotary carrier mounted on the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis; circumferentially spaced platforms mounted on said rotary carrier; means connectedto said platforms to maintain them horizontal regardless of the rotary movement of the rotary carrier; a serrated leg depending from each of said platforms and slidablo in a block mounted on said rotary carrier, a slotted plate vertically movable on said block, a shaft movable in the slot of said plate having an elongate arm provided with an extension, an inclined slide carried by said frame having a pivoted gate through which said extension moves to travel over said `slide when the level of the stack of sheets on said platform is at normal height, a feeler gauge mechanism on said frame above said rotary carrier and engageable successively with the topmost sheet of the stacks on said platforms, a pawl mounted on said plate and normally engaging the serrations of said leg to support said platform, means controlled by said feeler gauge mechanism for holding said gate closed when the level of said stack of sheets is below normal height to cause said extension to travel under said slide and rotate said shaft and means carried by said shaft adapted to engage and actuate said pawl to lift said leg to raise said platform in proportion to the diminishing height of the level of the stack of sheets on said platform.

4. A collating machine comprising: a frame; a rotary carrier mounted on the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis; circumferentially spaced platforms mounted on said rotary carrier; means `connected to said platforms `to maintain them horizontal regardless of the rotary movement of the rotary carrier; a rocker frame pivotally secured to said frame adjacent its lower end, arms mounted on said rocker frame and rotating said rotary carrier and said rocker frame in synchronism Vwhereby said arms are moved into and out of the path of movement ofl said platforms as said rotary carrier is rotated; valve means for said nozzles and said suction feet for connecting said suction feet to said supply means when said suction feet are positioned above a platform and disconnecting said suction feet from said supply means when said suction feet are remote from said platforms, an inclined slide having a pivoted gate, a feeler mechanism on said frame above said rotary carrier having means against which the topmost sheet of the stacks on said platforms are engaged as said carrier rotates, a member movable to raise said gate and travel above said slide as said carrier rotates when the level of the topmost sheet of said stacks is sufficiently high, means carried by said feeler mechanism for holding said gate closed when the level of the topmost sheet recedes below normal to cause said movable member to travel under said slide, a supporting leg for each platform and means actuated by said movable member to impart a lifting impulse to said leg to raise said platform and stack to the normal level of the topmost sheet of said stack.

5. A collating machine comprising: a frame; a rotary carrier mounted on the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis; circumferentially spaced platforms mounted on said rotary carrier; means connected to said platforms to maintain them horizontal regardless of the rotary movement of the rotary carrier; a rocker frame pivotally secured to said frame adjacent its lower end, arms mounted on said rocker frame and extending toward said rotary carrier, said arms being disposed over a platform when said rocker frame is pivoted toward the rotary carrier; suction feet on said arms for engaging sheets of paper on said platforms; a serrated supporting leg depending from each of said platforms, a block on said carrier in which said leg/is vertically movable, a slotted plate on said block, a pawl pivoted to said plate and engaging the serrations of the supporting leg of each platform for holding said platform in a predetermined position, a second pawl engageable with said serrations but held normally in retracted position, an inclined slide having a pivoted gate, disposed above said block, a shaft in the slot of said plate and having means engaging said second pawl to actuate the same, an arm on said shaft having an extension adapted to lift said gate and move over said slide as said carriage revolves when the level of the top of said stack of sheets is at normal height, means against which the topmost sheet of the stack on said platform engages during rotation of said carrier effective to lock said gate and cause said extension to travel under said slide to rotate said shaft in a counterclockwise direction and cause engagement of said pawl engaging means with said second pawl to actuate the same to raise said platform as the top level of the stack of sheets thereon is lowered below normal by said suction feet.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 715,890 Smyth Dec. 16, 1902 1,460,314 Deck June 26, 1923 1,575,892 Ashby Mar. 9, 1926 1,726,010 Young Aug. 27, 1929 1,845,907 Cook Feb. 16, 1932 2,172,519 Reeder Sept. 12, 1939

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