US2913099A - Drapery hanger segregating and aligning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

" Filed Oct. 8, 1956 Nov. 17, 1959- M. A. SALTZ 2,913,099

DRAPERY HANGER SEGREGATINd AND ALIGNING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Maae/sfl. $194 rz A 770 A/[M Nov. 17, 1959 M. A. SAL'i'Z 2,913,099

DRAPERY HANGER SEGREGATING AND ALIGNING APPARATUS Filed Oct. a; 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 2 31 3e a! as INVENTOR.

lIlllIlI/IIIIII" VIIIIIIII M. A. SALTZ Nov. 17, 1959 DRAPERY HANGER SEGREGATING AND ALIGNING APPARATUS Filed Oct. a, 1956 s Sheets-Shget s' ,7 JNVENTOR. Maze/.919. 5 94 72 IlllllfI/llrlllll United States Patent DRAPERY HANGER SEGREGATING AND ALIGNING APPARATUS Morris A. Saltz, Los Angeles, Calif. Application October 8, 1956, Serial No. 614,574 13 Claims. (Cl. 198--33) The present invention relates to apparatus for segregating and aligning drapery hangers or hooks, and similar articles.

Drapery hangers are generally made in the form of a one-piece member shaped from a single length of metal wire or other suitable material, to provide a bottom opening hook member which is adapted to engage a drapery rod or a slide thereon, and an upwardly extending drapery attaching member such as a pin which is adapted to penetrate and support the drapery. Such hangers, generally called drapery hooks or drapery pins, are generally manufactured by high-speed automatic machinery in great numbers. They are then sold or supplied to the consumer in packages containing a desired number of hangers per package. In order to simplify packaging, and at the same time permit uniform and compact arrangement of the hangers in the package, it is desirable to segregate and suitably align the hangers prior to packaging.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus forthe segregation of drapery hangers and the like, from bulk quantities thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for aligning drapery hangers or hooks in a parallel manner prior to the packaging thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for segregating drapery hangers and aligning them with the rod engaging hook portion and the drapery engaging portion of each positioned parallel to and extending in the same direction as corresponding elements of other drapery hangers.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide an apparatus which will align a plurality of drapery hooks with their hooks and drapery engaging pin portions extending in the same direction and in the same vertiacl plane.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for separating individual drapery hooks from a bulk mass thereof, and aligning each of them in a parallel manner to permit selection of such hooks in groups of any desired number for simplified and compact packaging thereof.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which maybe made more clearly apparent from a consideration of specific embodiments thereof. These are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specifications. These embodiments will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be considered in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view in partial vertical transverse cross-section of an apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1, illustrating the material separating portion of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse view, partly in elevation and partly in cross-section, taken along lines 33 of Fig. 1, illustrating the means for feeding separated pins to the aligning member.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical view, partly in cross-section and partly in elevation, taken along lines 44 of Fig. 3, illustrating in greater detail the means for feeding separated pins to the aligning member, and the alignment thereof on said member.

Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing a feeding trough and the position of a separated pin therein.

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse view 'of a portion of Fig. 4, partly in cross-section, taken along lines 6-6 illustrating the position of a pin upon the aligning mem Fig. 7 is a side elevational view, partly in vertical cross-section, illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a view in horizontal elevation taken along lines 8-8 of Fig. 7, illustrating a modified type of aligning element.

Fig. 9 is a vertical view, partly in transverse crosssection and partly in elevation, taken along lines 9-9, of Fig. 7 further illustrating the aligning element shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical cross-section taken along lines 10-10 of Fig. 8. I

Fig. 11 is a transverse view, partly in cross-section and partly in elevation, taken along lines 11-11 of Fig. 8. Y

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings is designed to continuously or intermittently receive a quantity'of drapery hangers from an outside source of supply, separate them into one or more streams of individual hangers, and supply these individually and separately to aligning means which will arrange them in the desired parallel position with the pin and hook portions in the desired alignment preparatory to removal from the apparatus and packaging. As specifically shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, a receptacle -10 having a bottom, and side and end walls and an open top, is provided. Rotatable drum 11 is positioned Within the receptacle and is journaled on bearings 12 and 13 which are positioned in opposite end walls of receptacle 10. The feed hopper 14 is mounted at one end of the receptable in such a manner that drapery pins introduced into the hopper will drop into the rotat-' able drum through spout 15. The drum is rotated by means of a suitable driving mechanism which, as illustrated in Fig. 1, consists of a pulley driven by V-belt 17 through anotherpulley 18. As shown in Figs.

19b, 19c and width just suflicient to permit the passage of the drapery hooks therethrough. When the drum is rotated, the dra-' pery pins will drop edgewise through the slots onto the bottom 20 of the receptacle. The bottom of the receptacle is provided with a series of longitudinally spacedexit openings, as illustrated at 21 and 21a. The number of these openings will depend upon the length of thereceptacle and of the rotatable drum but, for purposes pin to pass through when the pin is aligned with its longitudinal axis in line with the opening as shown in mounted on the shaft of motor, 1 and 2, the rotatable drum is provided with a desired number of longitudinal slots 19b, 19d. These slots are designed to have a.

Fig. 3. Curved partitions, as shown for example at 22 and 22a, are provided within the receptacle and are so arranged so as to provide tapering inlet grooves leading to the openings. Attached to each opening is a trough, as shown at 23 and 23a, each of said troughs having a width equal to the width of the opening and being provided with depending lip portions 24 and 24a. Receptacle is mounted for lateral vibratory motion upon supports 25 and 26, with a vibrator 27 being mounted upon support 25. The vibrator imparts a lateral or horizontal reciprocatory, or vibrational movement to the receptacle which serves to urge the pins which have fallen to the bottom of the receptacle forward into the openings in the bottom of the receptacle and then into the individual troughs so that they will be fed through said troughs in a spaced manner, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The supports for the receptacle may be mounted on cushions of rubber or other resilient material to permit a certain degree of movement during operation of the vibrator.

Positioned in alignment with the depending lip portion of each trough is a track, as illustrated at 28 and 23a. Each of said tracks is formed of an elongated metal sheet or strip positioned vertically with the narrow edge in alignment with the center of the trough. Each track is formed with an upwardly curved portion 29 which presents an edge portion 30 overlying and opposed to the downward extending lip of the trough. The hooks are collected upon a downwardly inclined portion 35, of the track.

As will be seen from Fig. 3, the drapery pins will tend to flow through the trough with the pin and hook portions in a number of difierent possible positions, as shown at 31, 3Q, 33 and 34. As the pins drop from the trough, if the open hook portion of the pin is opposed to the edge of the track it will engage, or fall onto and loop over the opposed edge 29 of the track being guided into position by the curved structure of the track. 011 the other hand, if the closed portion of the hook is opposed to the track with the pin portion facing the track as shown, for example, in Fig. 4 in the case of pin 31, the pin will fall into successive positions 31a, 31b and 310 being guided by the curved portion of the track as shown so that the pin will fall forward and drop with the open portion of the hook looped over the track. Therefore, regardless of the relative position of the hook or point portions of each pin, the loop of the hook of each will engage the track and loop around it, as shown for example in Fig. 6. As a result, all of the pins will beoome aligned parallel to each other with the hooked portions engaging the edge of the track and the pin portions pointing upward. Of course, with this arrangement, certain of the pins will be arranged with the points on one side of the track and others with the points on the other side of the track. However, the parallel alignment of the pins with the hooked portions all extending in one direction and the pointed portions in the opposite direction permits removal of the pins in groups from the track for packaging with the pins in this desirable position.

A modified form of the apparatus is illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive. Receptacle 36 is provided with rotatable drum .37 which is rotated by a motor driven belt and pulley arrangement, as shown, and is mounted in a manner similar to that described in Figs. 1 and 2. A feeding trough 38 is positioned in a manner similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2. The drum is Provided with elongated slots 39a, 39b, 39c and 39a. One or more exit openings 40 leading into troughs 41 are provided, each trough having depending lip portions 42. The receptacle is mounted for vibratory motion on supports 43 and 44 and is vibrated by means of a vibrator 45, in the manner described in connection with Fig, 1 The drapery. pins drop to the bottom of the receptacle and how,- through the exit troughs in the manner described above. Up to. this point, construction and action of the apparatus is substantially identical with that d s ibedabove in connection with Figs. 1 to 3. In this modification, however, the receiving tracks, which are opposed to the exit portions of the troughs, are formed in two separate sections. The first section of the track 46 comprises a narrow sheet member having a curved cut-out portion 47 with its edge opposed to the end of the trough and having an overhanging portion 48, similar to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4. However, this section of the track is provided with an extension 49 which slopes downward and curves in a direction at right angles to the angle of the edge which is opposed to the trough in order that as the pins slide down the edge of the track, a ninety degree change in the angular position of each pin will take place. This is illustrated in greater detail in Figs. 8 and 9. As has been described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the pins at this stage are all aligned with their hooked portions engaging the top edge of the track and with their pointed portions positioned on one side or the other of the track. Adjacent the end of the curved track is positioned a screw 59 mounted on shaft 51 and rotated by a belt 52. and pulley 53, driven by a pulley mounted on the shaft of the same motor which rotates drum 33. Of course, a separate drive may be provided, if desired. The second section of track 54 is positioned in an edgewise relationship and at right angles to the curved portion 49 of track 46 and beneath the end of the track in order to receive pins which drop from the first section of the track. Screw 53 is positioned so that it will be aligned with and engage the top of the hooked portion of the pin which is looped over the track at the end of the extension 49 thereof. Track 54 is provided with an extension or continuation 54a which is formed with a right angled turn and extends for a short distance parallel to and slightly lower than extension 49 of track section 46. This is shown most clearly in Figs. 8, l0 and ll. This continuation of 54 is also formed with a downwardly sloping or beveled end portion 54b which curves slightly to parallel the curve of 49, as shown in Fig. 8. As referred to above, certain of the hooks will descend the first section of track and slide toward the end of track portion 49 with their open hook portions looped over the track with their upwardly extending pins positioned to the right of the track, while others will do so with their pin portions positioned to the left of the track, all of the hooks being positioned with the pin portions on one side or the other of the track. Referring to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the disposition of hooks with their pin portions atthe right of the track, looking toward the end, is illustrated. Pin 55, having loop portion 56 and pin portion 57, has descended the: track toward the end of section 49', as it does so the depending end 58 of the hook will clear the end of track section 54a due to the downward taper of its beveled end 54b. The end of the loop 58 will then overlie the track extension 54a with the top of the loop engaging track portion 49. in this position the top portion 56 of the loop will descend into engagement with screw 59. As the screw rotates. the pin will be drawn forward, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, until it drops from the end of 49 onto track 54. Since the end of the loop already overlies this section of track, it will drop with the loop in the same position and will continue down the track with its pin portion positioned to the right of the track. The same action will occur with all other pins which descend the track in a similar position.

With respect to those hooks in which the pin portion is positioned at the left of track 46 as they descend, reference may be had to Figs. 8 and 11. Hook 59 has descended track 46 and is positioned with its loop portion 62 in engagement with track extension 49 and with its upwardly extending pin portion 60 at the left of the extension and the downwardly extending end of the loop 63 at the. right. As it descends toward the end of 49, its bottom end portion 61 is positioned between 49 and end portion 54a of track section 54, which is parallel to 49 and positioned slightly lower. The space between 54a and 49 is preferably slightly less than the width of the bottom portion of the pin so that as it passes between the two track sections the pin portion will bear against the side of 54a with the result that the right side of the pin, which is free, will turn forward a little so that the pin will move forward at a slight angle to the horizontal. Top portion 62 then engages screw 50 and is drawn forward to the end of track section as the screw rotates. In doing so, the pin portion, which is in engagement with the side of track extension 54a, acts as a fulcrum so that as the pin is drawn forward by screw 50 in engagement with top portion 62 thereof it will turn slightly in a horizontal plane with arm 63 rotating into position over the right side of track 54 as the pin drops from the end of 49. When depending portion 61 encounters the right angle turn 64 in track 54, the forward movement of the pin will stop and the rotary action will continue until the loop is at right angles to and above the track, at which point the pin will drop onto track portion 54. Due to the downward slope of track 49 at this point, the end of 63 will clear the track as it is rotated into position. As a result, pin 59 and all others having a like position will drop onto and engage track 54 with their loop portions and pin portions in the .identical positions as the other pins referred to above in connection with Fig. 10. In this manner all the pins will be aligned in identical positions with the upwardly extending pin portions and the respective hook portions all side by side and in the same planes. The respective hooks then continue to slide down the inclined extension of the track 58, from which they are removed in the same position for packaging. Removal of the pins from the track, to be packaged, may be accomplished either mechanically or manually.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that an apparatus has been provided which is capable of automatically and continuously separating individual drapery hangers or hooks from a mass quantity thereof and separately and individually positioning them in an aligned manner with the loop or hook portions and the pin portions in respectively side-by-side relationship in order to permit selection and packaging the hooks in such a position. It is also apparent that a modified form of apparatus has been provided which will enable separation and alignment of such drapery hooks or hangers with respective pin and hook portions of each in the same relative position as to permit selection and packaging of such hooks in the same arrangement. The packages in which the pins are placed are so designed and shaped that the pins are retained in the same relation to each other as when aligned by this apparatus so that when removed for use the respective pin and hook portions of each will be in the same positions. Through use of the apparatus as described above the drapery hangers are so positioned in the package that they may be readily selected for use by the consumer in the proper positions, or where such hooks are to be supplied to automatic drapery hook inserting equipment they will be in the proper positions for feeding to such equipment.

Although the foregoing description has referred specifically to drapery pins, the invention is applicable to other types of hooks or hangers either of the pin type or to those types which are attached by sewing, stapling or by other means.

The inventor claims:

1. Apparatus for separating and aligning drapery h angers having an open loop portion and a pin portion which comprises a receptacle having a downwardly inclining bottom portion, a rotary drum positioned within said receptacle, means for feeding drapery hangers into said drum, a plurality of openings in said drum having dimensions sufficient to permit individual hangers to drop therefrom into the bottom of said receptacle, means for rotating said drum, at least one exit trough extending from the bottom of the receptacle, each said trough having a width just sufficient to accommodate a single hanger, said trough having an inclined bottom extending from said receptacle bottom, the forward portion of said trough bottom at the outlet end of said trough having a substantially greater inclination than the portion of said trough bottom adjacent to and rearwardly thereof, means for imparting lateral vibratory motion to said receptacle whereby successive hangers will pass through each said trough, a relatively narrow track having one end positioned beneath and adjacent to the outlet end of each of said troughs and inclined downwardly from said outlet end in a reverse direction to the direction of inclination of said trough bottom, said track having a width less than the loop portion of the said hangers, whereby said loop portion will engage said track as it leaves said trough, thereby aligning each successive hanger with its loop portionin engagement with said track.

2. Apparatus for segregating and aligning drapery hangers and the like, such hangers being formed with a downwardly hooked portion and an upwardly extending pin portion which comprises a rotary drum, a feed hopper having an opening leading into said drum for supplying said hangers in bulk thereto, a plurality of spaced elongated slots in the walls of said drum, said slots having a width just sufiicient to allow individual hangers to drop therefrom, a receptacle within which said drum is positioned, said receptacle having a downwardly inclined bottom portion, means for rotating said drum within said receptacle wherein individual hangers will drop through said slots to the bottom of said receptacle, a plunality of exit troughs communicating with and extending from the lowest portion of the inclined bottom of said receptacle, each of said troughs having a width just sufficient to permit individual hangers to pass therethrough, each of said troughs having an inclined bottom extending from said receptacle bottom, the forward portion of said trough bottom and the outlet end of said trough having a substantially greater inclination than the portion of said trough bottom adjacent to and rearwardly thereof means for laterally vibrating the bottom of said receptacle whereby said hangers are urged along the inclined bottom of said receptacle and out through said troughs, a relatively narrow downwardly inclined track having a width less than the width of the hangers positioned with its upper edge surface adjacent to but spaced from each of said trough outlet ends and inclined downwardly from said outlet end in a reverse direction to the direction of inclination of said trough bottom, and positioned to engage the inside of each loop to receive individual hangers as they pass from said trough, the loops of each of said hangers thereby encompassing the upper edge of the track'and becoming parallelly' aligned with the pin portions of each extending upward.

3. Apparatus for aligning drapery hangers which include a loop hook portion which comprises a first track member, means for positioning said hangers upon said first track member with the loop portions positioned over said track and the pin portion extending upwardly upon either side of said track, a second track member posit tioned adjacent to the end of said first track member, and means for drawing successive hangers from said first track member with the loop portions thereof in the same plane and into engagement with said second track member, whereby the loop portion of each hanger will engage said track in the same relative position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the first track member is inclined to permit the hangers to slide downwardly thereon to an end portion thereof, and wherein means are provided adjacent said'end portion e11- gaging successive hangers and drawing them with the loop portion of each in the same relative position into engagement with said second track member.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first track member curves at a ninety degree angle whereby the plane of each hanger is turned ninety degrees as it descends the track to the end portion thereof, and wherein said second track member extends at a ninety degree angle to the end portion of said first track member.

6. Apparatus for aligning drapery hangers which include a loop hook member and a drapery attaching member, which comprises a first track member positioned to receive successive hangers from a feeding means adapted to position said hangers with said loop hook members engaging said track, said first track member being inclined downwardly and curving at an angle of ninety degrees from the hanger receiving portion thereof and terminating in a substantially horizontal end portion adapted to receive said hangers as they slide down said first track member, a second downwardly inclined track member positioned beneath the said end portion of said first track member and extending at right angles thereto, and conveying means positioned adjacent to said end portion engaging successive hangers, said conveying means adapted to rotate each of said hangers so that the loop portion of each is in the same position over the end of said second track member whereby said hangers will engage said second track with said loop portions encompassing it as they are drawn from the end of said first track member.

7, Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means is a horizontally positioned screw the grooves of which engage the top of the loop portion of each hanger and wherein the drapery attaching portion of each successive hanger is drawn into engagement with the side of said second track as it is drawn forward by said screw member thereby causing rotation of the loop portion of said hanger about the axis of said drapery attaching portion prior to dropping upon said second track member.

8. Apparatus for aligning drapery hangers which include a bottom opening hook member and an upwardly extending drapery attaching member, which comprises a first track member positioned to receive successive hangers from a feeding means adapted to position said hangers with said loop hook members engaging said track and with said upwardly extending drapery attaching members positioned at one side or the other of said track, said first track member being inclined downwardly and terminating in an end portion adapted to receive said hangers as they slide down said first track member, a second downwardly inclined track member positioned beneath said end portion of said first track member and extending at substantially right angles thereto, the plane of said second track member intersecting the plane of said first track member near the end thereof, and said second track member having an end section extending parallel to and spaced from one side of the end portion of the first track member whereby certain of said hangers will be received at the end of said first track member with their upwardly extending drapery attaching members positioned between the end of the first track member and the end of the second track member which is parallel thereto and will engage said second tnack member at the point of intersection, and conveying means positioned adjacent to the end portion of the first track member adapted to engage the loop portions of successive hangers and convey said hangers from the end of the first track member to the end of said second track member, whereby the hangers with upwardly extending attaching members will engage the second track member upon being conveyed to the end of the first track member thereby causing rotation thereof about said attaching member as a fulcrum to cause engagement of the hanger with said second track member with said attaching member positioned along the side of said track member which is opposite to its initial position on said first track member.

9. Apparatus for separating and aligning drapery hangers having an open loop hook portion and a dvapery attaching portion, which comprises a receptacle having a bottom inclined downwardly in the direction of feeding of hangers deposited thereon, a trough having an inclined bottom forming a continuation of said receptacle bottom,

the forward portion of said trough bottom at the outlet end of said trough having a substantially greater inclination than the portion of said trough bottom adjacent to and rearwardly thereof, said'trough having sides extending upwardly from said bottom and spaced apart a distance corresponding to the width of a hanger said sides diverging from each other in a direction toward said receptacle bottom to provide a tapered inlet for the hangers from said receptacle into said trough, a relatively narrow track disposed under said trough and extending in a downward direction from the outlet of said trough, and means for vibrating said receptacle and trough to feed hangers from said receptacle bottom into and along said trough to said trough outlet where they will drop onto said track with the loop hook portions engaging said track.

10. Apparatus for separating and aligning drapery hooks having an open loop hook portion and a drapery attaching portion, comprising a trough adapted to receive hooks and having a bottom inclined in a downward direction toward the outlet end of said trough, the forward portion of said bottom at said outlet end having a substantially greater inclination than the portion of said trough bottom adjacent to and rearwardly thereof, a relatively narrow track disposed under said trough and inclined downwardly from the outlet of said trough in a reverse direction to the direction of inclination of said trough bottom, and means for feeding hooks along said trough bottom onto its forward portion from where they will drop onto said track with the loop hook portions engaging said track.

11. Apparatus for separating and aligning drapery hooks having an open loop hook portion and a drapery attaching portion, comprising a trough adapted to receive hooks and having a bottom inclined in a downward direction toward the outlet end of said trough, the forward portion of said bottom at said outlet end having a substantially greater inclination than the portion of said trough bottom adjacent to and reaiwardly thereof, a relatively narrow track disposed under said trough and in clined downwardly from the outlet of said trough in a reverse direction to the direction of inclination of said trough bottom, the upper portion of said track extending over said forward portion of said trough bottom, and means for feeding hooks along said trough bottom onto its forward portion from where they will drop onto said track with the loop hook portions engaging said track.

12. Apparatus for separating and aligning drapery hangers having an open loop hook portion and a drapery attaching portion, which comprises a receptacle having a bottom inclined downwardly in the direction of feeding of hangers deposited thereon, a trough having an inclined bottom forming a continuation of said receptacle bottom, the forward portion of said trough bottom at the outlet end of said trough having a substantially greater inclination than the portion of said trough bottom adjacent to and rearwardly thereof, said trough having sides extending upwardly from said bottom and spaced apart a distance corresponding to the width of a hanger, said sides diverging from each other in a direction toward said receptacle bottom to provide a tapered inlet for the hangers from said receptacle into said trough, 'a relatively narrow track disposed under said trough and extending in a downward direction from the outlet of said trough, the upper portion of said track extending over said forward portion of the trough bottom, and means for vibrating said receptacle and trough to feed hangers from said receptacle bottom into and along said trough to said trough outlet where they will drop onto said track with the loop hook portions engaging said track.

13. Apparatus for aligning drapery hangers which include a loop hook portion which comprises a first track member, means for positioning said hangers upon said first track member with the loop portions positioned over said track and the pin portion extending upwardly from 9 10 either side of said track, a second track member posi- References Cited in the file of this patent tioned adjacent to the end of said first track member, and means for transferring successive hangers having the UNITED STATES PATENTS loop portions thereof in the same plane into engagement 672,330 Peck Apr. 16, 1901 with said second track member, whereby all hangers will 5 1,326,925 Goldberg Ian. 26, 1920 be disposed on said second track member with their loop 1,445,296 Clark Feb. 13, 1923 portions arranged in the same direction. 2,667,797 Buenger Feb. 2, 1954

Images