US3081081A - Stacking apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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Invenkor Roger L. Griffin fHiorneg/- United States Patent O 3,081,081 STACKING APPARATUS Roger L. Griffin, Manchester, Mass., assignor to Swift & Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 28, 1960, Ser. No. 65,639 9 Claims. (Cl. 271-64) The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing sheets of material from a conveyor and selectively stacking each successive sheet at one of a plurality of piles according to therelection of an operator. More particularly, the present invention is adapted to stack successive sides of leather, according to the election of an operator, on one or another of a plurality of receivers such as horses.

This invention is an improvement of the apparatus disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,855,089 entitled Conveyor Unloading Apparatus the disclosure of which is included herein by reference. The device of my aforesaid patent lifts sheets of material, such as sides of leather, from an incoming conveyor and deposits such sheets on a single receiver. The present invention provides for a plurality of such receivers to be positioned siderby side whereby successive sheets of material arriving on the incoming conveyor may be deposited on any one of the receivers according to the election of an operator.

In the manufacture of leather for example, particularly side leather, it is usually necessary to grade and sort the various items according to a great number of factors. Such factors include area, thickness, and quality of the leather, the latter involving for example, the shape and presence of imperfections, and even the degreeto which the leather has been improved by various manufacturing operations. For the most part grading and sorting has been accomplished manually at the end of the manufacturing operations and `has required a number of highly skiiled people to judge and carry individual sides to appropriatev stacks. Obviously this is a cumbersome technique requiring considerable strength and drastically limiting the number of items that a single skilled operator can handle in a given period of time.

Accordingly, a principal object of this invention is to decrease the manual effort required in sorting and stacking and to thereby increase the efliciency of skilled operators and permit them to handle a greater number of items in a given period of time.

Another object of this invention is to provide an auto- -matic apparatus for lifting and stacking sheets of material -at one of a plurality of positions upon the electionof an operator.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for lifting and conveying successive sheet items to one or'more of a plurality of positions according to the election of an operator at which positions the items are automatically discharged.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved control system for directing sheet material to be stacked at designated positions.

device including a plurality of signal retaining and receiv-.

ing members adapted to store a signal from an operator,

regarding each succeeding sheet-like item, and to actuate the appropriate unloading means as each item arrives above the receiving means elected to receive it.

A greater understanding and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following-detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention adapted to deposit sides of leather on horses;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic view showing operation of the apparatus of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a partial side elevation of the embodiment of FIGURE l with parts removed;

` FIGURE 4 is a partial plan View of an unloading means p with parts removed;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional elevation taken at line 5 5 in FlGURE 4; i

FIGURE 6 is a sectionalV elevation taken at line 6 6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the control system of this invention;

:FIGURE 8 is an end View taken at line 8 8 of FIG- URE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an opposite end View taken at line 9 9 of vFIGURE 7; and

FIGURE l() is a schematic wiring diagram of the control system of FGURE 7.

Referring to FIGURE l, an endless conveyor generally '2h for transporting items tothe sorting and stacking apparatus generally 25, is shown. Conveyor 20 comprises an endless belt 21 trained about a terminal pulley 22 which is rotatably supported in a subframe 23. The end of conveyor 20 is located at an elevatedv position adjacent an inclined run4 of my stacking apparatus generally 25. The stacker V2'5 comprises a frame generally 26 constructed substantially from steel channel members, the peripheral members of which act as guides for a pair of endless chains 28, 29. Chains 28, 29 are spaced horizontally and disposed congruently along an inclined pickup run through an overhead horizontal stacking run, thence vertically downward to a horizontal return run just above loor level. The chains 2S, 29 are trained about a plurality of sprockets '30, 3'1, respectively, and are powered through a pair of drive sprockets `32, 33, respectively, which are connected by a shaft 34 which in turn is coupled to an electric drive motor generally 35 by a drive belt 36 through an electrically actuated clutch mechanism (not shown). Additional details of the basic stacking apparatus may be had by reference to my Patent No. 2,855,089. v

The transporting means generally 33 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of rods connected between cerresponding links of the endless chains 28, 29. In this embodiment for handling sides of leather I have found ity preferable to employ three rods for each transporting means generally'38. The -first rod 39 (in the reverse orderof the direction of motion of the stacker) is of relatively smaller diameter and is fixed between thechains 2S, 29. The two succeeding rods 40, 41 are evenly spaced, rotatably mounted between the chains, and of a slightly larger diameter than the lirst rod'39.

In the preferred embodiment the rods 39 through 41 of each transporting means generally 3S are mounted on 9 centers and succeeding sets of rods are spaced 51/2 feet on the chains 28, 29.

Provision is made for positioning a plurality of receiving means generally 44 at evenly spaced intervals beneath the upper run of stacker 25. It will be seen that the spacing of the receiving means 44 is equal to the spacing of the transporting means V3%; on endless chains 2S, 29.

3 In this embodiment a spacing between receiving means 44 is 51/2 feet.

Since all receiving means are substantially identical and the means for unloading material thereon are also substantially identical, similar parts repeated throughout the apparatus will be noted by the same reference number bearing an alphabetical subscript in the order proceeding from the receiving means nearest conveyor 20.

In my leather sorting and stacking apparatus I prefer -to use movable horses 45 as the receiving means. For my purposes I have found it convenient to use six horses 45a-f. Obviously the apparatus could be modified to receive another number or kind of receiving means.

Each horse 45 is mounted on casters 46. A pair of ways 47, 48 formed from sections of angle iron are positioned within the stacker frame 26 to receive the casters 46 and properly position each horse 45 thereby.

A plurality of unloading means, generally 51u41, are positioned above each respective receiving means 44a-f. Each unloading means comprises a pad generally 52 which acts to contact the item of sheet material on the transporting means generally 38 and unroll it therefrom. As may be seen in FIGURES 3 through 6, each unloading pad comprises a rectangular plate 53, which may be conveniently formed of plywood or the like, having a pair of parallel felt strips 54 secured by glue or the like, to the longitudinal edges of the underside. Each pad 52 is mounted lengthwise between chains 28 and 29 with the felt strips 54 parallel thereto. In turn, every unloading means 51 is supported between a pair of cross-members 55, 56 of the stacker frame 25. Each unloading pad 52 is mounted for vertical movement by an actuating means such as a'plurality of pneumatic cylinder and piston devices 57. I prefer to use four cylinders 57, one located at each corner of the pad 52. As illustrated, each cylinder is secured to the structure of the pads 52 with the piston acting against a flange 58, secured to the respective cross members 55, 56. These pneumatic cylinders 57 are adapted to raise the pad 52 when air under pressure is directed thereto. Upon release of air pressure, the weight of the pad generally 52 causes it to move downwardly into a position whereby the felt strips 54 will contact any sheet material lying across the larger rollers 40, 41 of a transporting means 38. Thus, when in the lowered position the pad 52 will engage and cause sheet material to be unrolled from the transporting means 38 and deposited on a receiving means 44 therebelow.

As may be seen in FIGURES 1 and 3, air under pressure from a suitable source (not shown) is delivered through a manifold 59 to a plurality of solenoid operated valves G9a-f corresponding to each unloading means 51tr-f. From each valve 64), air may be directed through a tube 61 to a distributor 62, mounted above each pad 52, from whence air is directed by Iseparate tubes 63 to each of the pneumatic cylinders 57. The solenoid operated valves `6fm-f are actuated by a control device which will be made clear in the following description.

An idler roll 66a-f is provided adjacent, and slightly above, each horse 45u-f. Each idler roll 66 is rotatably supported from the stacker frame generally 26. The purpose of these rollers is mainly to assist in transporting sheets of material beyond the adjacent horse 45 and onto one of the succeeding horses 45h-f. Idler rollers 66 also assist in spreading out the sheets of material as they are unrolled from the transporting means generally 44 so that they fall evenly to either side of the appropriate receiving horse 45. The effect of the rollers 66 may be seen pictorially in FIGURES 2 and 3.

As disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,855,089, the sheet material is draped from conveyor 2t) across each transporting means 38 in a uniform manner. Preferably the material should be draped with approximately 1A forwardly of the transporting means :and 2/3 rearwardly thereof. A photoelectric device (not shown), such as that disclosed `in my prior patent, may be associated with the conveyor and the stacker drive motor 35 to cause chains 28, 29

to move a transporting means 38 upwardly from about the level of conveyor 20 when approximately 1/3 of a length of material extends therefrom. Optionally, a computer device, such as those disclosed in my Patent No. 2,837,198 and my allowed application Serial No. 7 3 8,683, filed May 29, 1958, now Patent No. 2,987,162 (the disclosures of which are also included herein by reference), may be connected to the present invention to operate the stacker generally 25 to properly receive sheets of material on the transporting means 38. At any rate the stacker 1s usually operated intermittently, upon receiving an item from conveyor 20, to move successive increments equal to the distance between adjacent receiving means 44a-f. Furthermore, the distance from sheet pickup adjacent conveyor 20 to a position above idler roll 66a is equal to that given interval. Thus as the stacker is operated each cycle will bring a transporting means 38, loaded or unloaded, into a position wherefrom it may be unloaded onto one of the plurality of horses 45o-f during the next succeeding cycle. l

As it is also the purpose of this invention to perm1t an operator to direct succeeding items of sheet material to specific receiving means 44a-f, I provide a control console generally 70 near his station adjacent the conveyor 20. The operator may judge each item just before it is picked up by the stacker 25 and designate through the console 76, the station at which it is to be unloaded.

The control system generally 71, by which the stacker generally 25 isoperated, is preferably mounted within the console 70 and is illustrated in FIGURES 7 `through 9. As will become clear, the control system 71 comprises signal imparting, retaining and receiving means for regulating the unloading means generally Sla-f. It is a mcchanical memory-actuating device coupled to lthe stacker chain 29, preferably by a drive chain 72 trained about a sprocket 73 and a small sprocket 74 which is xed to rotate with an idler sprocket 31 of the stacker 25. The control system 71 is built about a pair of cam shafts 76, 77 rotatably journaled in bearings 73, '/'9 and 80, 81, respectively, and mounted on a plate 82. Shaft 76 is xed to sprocket 73 which in turn is selected along with sprocket 74 to impart one complete rotation of shaft 76 during .each cycle of the stacker generally 25. That is, Shaft 76 is rotated 360 degrees during each increment 0f motion (5l/2 feet in this embodiment) of chain 28, 29.

Shaft 77, however, is intermittently indexed only a frac-l Ition of a rotation for each full rotation of shaft 76 by means of a ratchet 84 and pawl S5 on shaft 77; the pawl being connected by a pivot pin 86 to a pitman arm 87 operated from a disc 88 which is fixed to the end of shaft 76 opposite sprocket 73 as seen in FIGURE 8. The angle through which shaft 77 is indexed is dependent upon the number of receiving means 44 employed, so that any given transporting means generally 38 will rnove from the pick-up point adjacent conveyor 20 past the vfurthest receiving means generally 44 before it is indexed through one complete revolution. In the present embodiment, utilizing six receiving horses 45u-f, I have chosen the index angle of 45 to allow a total of eight indexing steps per revolution of shaft 77.

It will also be noticed in FIGURE 8 that the pitman arm 87 is comprised of two telescoping parts 90--91, connected at the outward ends to the pawl and disc 88 respectively. A stop member 92 is secured to the smaller (internal) telescoping member 91 to fix the minimum length of the pitman arm 87; and a pair of tension springs 93, 94 tend to maintain the arm at that length. However, should shaft 77 become jammed, the telescoping parts; --91 will be pulled apart against the action of the; springs 93, 94 as the disc 88 on shaft 76 continues to ro-v tate. A switch 95 mounted on the larger part 90 of the pitman `arm is adapted to be closed by the smaller part; 91 under the latter conditions (movement apart of thetelescoping parts 90, 91) thereby causing a signal indicatf. ing a malfunction to the operator.

Switch 95 and most of the-switches hereinafter described in this vvdevice are preferably snap-action switches of the type commonly sold under the trademark Micro- Switch.

A series of primary power control switches are posiytioned along shaft "76 to be actuated by cams thereon. Viewing fromright'to *left in FIGURE 7 a series of five switches 97 through 101 are mounted in line on a chassis 102 to be momentarily closed in succession by a series of raised spots 104 staggered about `a portion of a cam sleeve 105 which is secured 'to shaft 76. Switches 97 through 101 are wired in parallel through a variable se- `lector 'to provide an adjustable means of time control-for lowering the unloading means-generally 51 in 4a manner to be hereinafter ymade clear.

Also, mounted adjacent `shaft 76 on an upright member 106 are a pair of control switches 107, 108 momentarily operated by separate cams 109, 110 respectively. Switch 107, which is normally closed, is opened momentarily to energize a series 'of selector buttons lon console 70. Switch 108, which is normally open, when closed momentarily operates `to energize all :of the 'solenoid valves 65e-f to direct airto the pneurrratiecylinders 57 tothereby raise the unload-ing means generally 51. f

Additionally, it should be noted that in establishing th various positions of the cams and their respective switches (on shaft 76') that the sequence of events during a cornplete rotation of shaft '76 should be as foliows:

(l) Actuation of switches 97 through .101 by cam sleeve 105;

(2) Indexing of shaft 77 through the pitman arm 87, pawl 85 and ratchet S4;

(3) Actuation of switch 107 by cam 109; and finally (nearthe end of rotation of shaft 76) actua-tion of switch 108 by cam '110.

Referring to the shaft 77 a series of pinwheels 113a-e are secured thereto. The pinwheels 113a-e are instrumental as signal retaining means to energize secondary activating circuits which cause the unloading means 51e-e to be lowered singly into contact with sheet material on the transporting means generally 38. (Normally there need be no more pinwheels than one less than the nurnber of unloading means, since the `last unloading means' 51]c may be operated during each cycle of the stacker.) Eight holes are drilled axially near the periphery of each pinwheel to reciprocally receive a like number of pins 114. The holes (and pins 114) are spaced uniformly at 45 apart about each pinwheel 113a-e so that each indexing step of shaft 77 lwill present pins 114 -at the same locations. Each pin 114 is substantially longer than the width ofpinwheels 113; and each pin has an annular cam 115' at one end and a retaining ring at the other end to prevent the pin from slipping through the holes in pinwheels 113. In effect, a signal may be carried on any pinwheel by displacing one pin with respect to the remaining pins therein.

Adjacent each pinwheel 113a-e is a corresponding switch 113a-e secured to an upright member 119a-e which in turn is fastened to the plate 82. The switches 118 are a means to receive signals from the pinwheelsl 113 via any displaced pins 114. As may be most clearly seen in FIGURES 7 and 9, switches 118a-e `are staggered at 45 intervals about the shaft 77. Asviewed in FIGURE 9 switch 11801 is located 45 counter-clockwise from bottom dead center position, and the remaining switches-118b-e are Vstaggered counter-clockwise from that point. Switches 118a-e` are situated between their respective uprights 119 and pinwheel 113 so as to be actuated by the annular cam 115of any pin 114 fully extended toward the upright 1-19 when such pin is indexed to the switch position.

Associated with leach pinwheel 113a-e are fulcrums 12M-e which are pivoted about bolts 122a,-e. The pivot bolts 122 are in turn secured to an offset plate 124 which is fastened to plate 82 by a series of spacer bolts 120i( Each fulcrum 121 is 'positioned so `as to beengageable with the retaining ring end of a pin lat the bottom dead center position of eachV pinwheel 113. However, the fulcrums 121 are biased'by tension springs 123a-e away from engagement with the pins 114. Each fulcrurn is pivotable to displace a pin from its respective piu Wheel 113 toward the stationary upright 119 so that its annular cam 115 may come into engagement with the respective switch 118.V The fulcrums are actuated by'means of armatures a-e of separate solenoids 126a-erespectively. The solenoids 126a-e, as shown in FIGURES 7-9, may bebolted to a piece of angle iron 127 which is, in turn, secured to the offset plate 124. The armature 125 of each solenoid l126'is connected to its respective fulcrum 12,1 byvmeans of a relatively long bearing pin 130. When a solenoid 126 is energized to move its respective armature 125 downwardly to displace a pin 114 in the respective pinwheel 113,4 the extended portion of pin 130 will close a switch 131, the purpose of which will late-r become clear.` It will be understood vthat fulcrurns 121 and solenoids 126 make up means by which a signal may be applied to Vanyzof the pinwheels 113.

Returning in more detail to the pinwheels 113,'a tapered Y cam 133a-e is mounted on each adjacent upright V119a--e to return pin 114 from fa displaced condition in the last few degrees of rotation before again reaching the bottom dead center position.

A nal cam actuated `switch 135 adjacentishaft 77 is indirectly secured to the plate 82 Anear bearing 81. This switch is actuated by the upward motion `(as viewed in FIGURE 8) of a pivoted indent arm 137 which -rides on an indent wheel 139' fixed to the vshaftl 77'. Eight notches 14,1 are machined in the periphery of indent wheel 39 at intervals of 45 and it is fixed to the shaft 77 so that the .indent arm 137 will rest in a notch 141 andl thus 'be at its lowest attitude during each ,period `of dwell of the shaft. Thus, it may be seen that switch 135 will be closed only during the period that shaft 77 is actually being rotated and the indent arm 137 raised. As will become clear in the following paragraphs, closing of switch 135 locks out solenoids 126a-e so they may not be energized during the aforesaid period of rotation. This preventsaccidental jamming of the fulcrums 121a-e between pins V114 Vof the respective `pin wheels 113cm?.

Operation of the device of my invention may be better understood from thefollowing comments 'taken with reference to the wiring diagram of FIGURE 10.` However, it must rst be understood that the delivery .conveyor 20 may be continously voperated from its own source of power (notshown) and the stacker generally 25 is intermittently operated by a sensing apparatus (notshown) adapted to sense the presence ofanV item at the end of conveyor 20 and connected to vactuate a clutch in connection with theelectric motor generally 35.l The latter apparatus Ais clearly disclosed in both of my prior Patents No. 2,855,0893and 2,837,198.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 10l the "control mechanism generally 71 and the solenoid valves 60a-e are energized from a source of electrical power, preferably 110 volts A`.C.,'through the console board 70. Two main trunk wires, 144, are shown. A signal lamps 146 isk connected across these wires to indicate when power is on. The jam switch 95 is also connected across trunk wires 144-145 in series withv the coil of a two-switch relay 147. One of the switches of relay'1-47 is normally Aclosed and forms a portion of the trunkwire 145. Thegsecond switch of relay 147 is connected in ser-ies with a buzzer signal 143 vacross trunk wires 144, 145 to give an audible signal when the jam switch 95 is actuated;

That portion of the stacker control circuit supplying power' to energize and/ or engage the clutch of the stacker drive motor generally 35 is also connected across the trunk wires 144, 145. This includes the coil-149 of a clutchengaging solenoid in series-With the stacker control. Also in series with coil 149' between 'trunkwires 144, 145,

but in parallel with the stacker control, is a manually operable jog switch 151 which is provided to supply a means by which the operator can assume the normally automatic initiation of a stacker cycle.

A series of six push button selector switches A, B, C, D, E, and F are connected to a wire 153, in turn connected through the normally closed switch 154 of a threeswitch relay 155 to trunk wire 144. Each of the switches a-e connect in parallel the respective coils of solenoids 126a-e between wire 153 and a return wire 157 which is connected to trunk line 145.

As was shown in FIGURE 7, when the coil of any solenoid 126 is energized its armature is pulled downwardly to operate the respective fulcrum 121 to displace the bottommost pin in the associated pinwheel 113. Thus as each successive item approaches the end of conveyor 20 an operator, upon examining it, makes his selection and presses the appropriate button A through F to impress information on the control system generally 71 which in proper sequence will initiate action of the proper unloading means Sla-f. In effe-ct the operator is able to continuously program a schedule for unloading successive sheets at the Various receiving means. Specic control of the last unloading means 51]c is not absolutely necessary, since any item reaching this position on the stacker generally 25 must be unloaded. Therefore, the pad 52f can be lowered and raised during each cycle of the stacker 25.

However, the control mechanism generally 71, should receive only one signal for each cycle of the apparatus, and accordingly provision is made to disconnect power to all selector buttons A-F once a selection has been made. To do this, we have provided the switches 131a-e which are also actuated when the armature of solenoids 126a-e respectively, are pulled downwardly. As may be seen in FIGURE 10 switches 131a-e are connected in parallel between wires 159 and 160. Wire 159 in turn is connected to the trunk wire l144; while wire 160 is connected through the coil of relay 155 to the trunk line 145. Thus, when any one of the solenoids 126a-e is energized, by an operator pushing the appropriate selector button, an electrical connection will be made through the appropriate switch 131 to energize a coil of relay 155 thereby opening switch 154. When switch 154 is opened the power connection between the push buttons a-f and the trunk wire is broken to prevent further energization of any solenoid 126.

Also, when the coil of relay 155 is energized the two remaining switches therein 162 and 163 are closed and opened respectively. Both of the latter switches 162, 163 are connected by a wire 164 to the trunk line 144 through the primary switch -107 which is actuated from cam 109 on shaft 76. Switch 107 fis normally closed until the last moments of a stacker cycle. Thus, when relay 155 is energized, and switch 162 is closed, power is applied to a signal lamp 165 to thereby indicate that condition and that the selector buttons have been electrically disconnected. Closing of switch 162 also provides a holding circuit through wire 167 for the coil of relay 155 to thereby maintain that coil energized until switch 107 is momentarily actuated.

Another signal llamp 168 is connected between switch 163 and trunk line 145. Thus, when the relay 15S is deenergized and switch 163 closed, the signal lamp 168 will be lighted to `again indicate that power is available to the selector buttons A-F.

As previously stated, it is also necessary to disconnect the power to push buttons A-F when the cam shaft 77 is being indexed. It has been shown, with respect .to FIGURE 7, that this accomplished through switch 135 actuated by indent wheel 139. As may be seen in the wiring diagram of FIGURE l0, switch 135 is connected in series between trunk wire 144 and the coil of relay 155 by a pair of wires A170, 171. Thus, during the period of time -that the shaft 77 is being indexed 8 and switch is held closed, the coil of relay 155 will be energized thus opening switch 154 and cutting power to the selector buttons A-F.

It will also be noticed in FIGURE 10 that the selector button F operates a second switch F' connected directly between trunk line 144 and the coil of relay `155. When button F is actuated a 4circuit is completed to energize relay 155 kand `disconnect power to the push buttons.

After any selector button A-E has been depressed momentarily to energize its respective solenoid 126 to thereby actuate fulcrum `121 and displace a pin 114 in pin wheel 1,13, the pin will be moved, after one or more cycles of the stacker and the control system, Ito close its respective switch 118a-e. Actuation of the `appropriate |switch 118 will occur during the cycle that the item will reach a position over the receiving means 44a-f sclected by the operator. Again referring to FIGURE l0, when a switch 118 is closed, a connection will be made between a wire 173, to which all switches 118a-e are connected in parallel, and a respective coil 174a-e of the solenoid valves 60ae. Coils 174 are also connected, in parallel through a wire 175 to the trunk wire 145. The wire 173, in turn, is connectable to trunk wire 144 through an adjustable selector switch 177 by which any one of the primary switches 97 through 101 may be placed in series with the switches 118.

Since switches 97 through 101 are operated in staggered sequence (in the reverse order of their number) as shaft 76 turns, it may be seen that the adjustable selector switch 177 constitutes a time delay device for the unloading of means 51a-f. This comes about because the appropriate pinwheel 113, when at rest, will hold its respective switch 118 closed for the period of dwell of cam shaft 77. Thus, the only factor left to complete a circuit to the appropriate solenoid valve coil 174a-f is the closing of the one switch 97 through 101 to which the adjustable selector switch 177 is directed. This time control is advantageous since the items will normally tend to fall with a greater proportion draped on the side of the receiver toward the delivery conveyor 20; however, by delaying the lowering of the unloading pad 52, the situation can be corrected.

The solenoids 60 also contain a second coil 179 which, when energized, moves the valve to redirect air under pressure to the various pneumatic cylinders 57. All of the coils 179aare connected in parallel between wires 180 and 181. Also connected in parallel to coils 179 between the aforementioned wires is a clutch-disengage coil 183 which operates in opposition to the clutch-engage coil 149. Wire 181 is connected to the trunk line 145, while wire 180 is connected to trunk line 144 through the primary switch 108 which is operated momentarily toward the end of a cycle by cam 110 on shaft 76. Thus, as the stacker cycle ends all coils 179af and clutch-disengage coil 183 will be energized brieily to redirect air to all pneumatic cylinders 57 (to lift all unloading pads 52a-f) and to disengage the stacker drive from electric motor 35.

For convenience, I also associate counter devices 185af with each of the switches 118a-e and the pushbutton switch F. Counters 185a-f have a common return wire 186 which is connected to trunk wire 145. The other side of the counters 185a-e are, in turn, connected to the wire connecting coils 174a-e with their respective switches 118a-e. Thus, when the unloading pads 52a-e are moved downwardly the respective counter 185 is actuated to record the addition of an item to the respective stack. Counter 185f, however, is connected directly to switch F by a wire 187. (This arrangement is necessary because coil 174f is connected directly through wire 173 to the adjustable selector switch 177 and is thus energized every cycle regardless of whether an item is discharged at that position or not.) The counter 185f will be energized only when the selector button F is depressed,

and thus will record only the actual number of items detion and as the cam shaft 76 complete-s one full rotation cam 109 momentarily opens switch 107 to break any lremaining holding circuit tothe coil of relay 155. Thus, switch 154 will return to its normally closed position reconnecting power to the selector buttons A-F. Signal lamp 168 lights under this condition when the switch 107 snaps back to closed position. Any item of leather or the like, at the end of conveyor 121 is then judged and the appropriate Aselector switch A-F is depressed according to the receiving means 44a-f upon which it should be stacked. Actuation of one of the switches A-F energizes i the corresponding solenoid 126a-f and imparts a signal on the respective pinwheel 113rz-f by displacing a pin 114 therein. The stacker cycle is ended when cam 110 on shaft 76 momentarily closes switch 108 to energize all coils 179a-f of the solenoid valves 60ct-f thereby directing air into all pneumatic cylinders 57 and thus lifting all of the unloading pads 52a-j. At the same time, the closing of switch 108 also energizes the clutch-disengaging coil 183 thereby stoppingthe stacker chains 2S, 29.

Reinitiation of a new stacker cycle is accomplished through the computed or stacker control circuits described in my aforementioned prior patents. A new cycle may also be initiated upon command of the operator by closing the jog switch 151. Either action energizes the clutch-engage coil 149 to restart the stacker chains 28, 29 and consequently commence a new full rotation of the cam shaft '76. As the shaft 76 again beginsto rotate, the raised spots 104 on cam sleeve 105 momentarily close each of switches 97 `through 101.` Upon actuation of the switch 97-101 to which the selector switch'177 is connected, previously set bythe operator with regar-d to the height of the various stacks of items, power will be directedto one side of each of switches 118a-e. At the same time, energy will also be applied to the coil 174)c of solenoid valve @tlf thereby cutting oif the air supply to the pneumatic cylinders 57 of the unloading pad 52)c causing it to be lowered. At the same time, one of the switches 118a-e will be held closed by a pin 114 on a pinwheel 113a-e displaced during a previous cycle. Accordingly, a circuit will be completed to the associated coil 174a-e to thus similarly cause its respective unloading pad to belowered. Shortly thereafter, camshaft 77 willbe indexed 45 through the action of `pitman arm 87, pawl 85, and ratchet 84. During the indexing-period switch 135 will be held closed, connecting electricalenergy to` the coil 155, to thereby open switch 154 and disconnect power to the selector switches A through F. It will have been noticed that the coil of relay 155 is also energized through switches 131a-e when any of solenoids 126rz-e are energized. Also, once the coil of relay 155 is energized through either of the above mentioned paths, it will be held energized through normally closed switch 107 and the relay switch 162 until switch 107 is opened.

As the shaft 76 nears the completion of, one full revolution switch 107 is opened to deenergize the coil of relay 155 thereby closing switch 154 and reapplying power to selector buttons A through F. Shortly thereafter, switch 108 is again momentarily closed to cause the unloading pads 52 to be lifted and the clutch-disengage coil -183 energized to disengage power to the stacker chains 28, 29.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. An improved staclcing device for selectively depositing successive sheets of material in any order at any of a plurality of positions, said device comprising: av frame; endless means mounted on said-frame, said endless Vmeans trained about a path extending in a given direction from a sheet pick-up point; sheet transporting means attached to said endless means; a given number of sheet receiving means spaced beneath the path of said rendless means in said direction; an unloading means located above each-of said sheet receiving means, said unloading means being supported on said frame `for vertical movement lbetween operative and inoperative positions with respect to discharging sheets from said transporting means; actuating means connected between said unloading means and said frame for vertically reciprocating 'said unloading means between said operative and inoperative positions; a rotatable shaft locatedproximate said frame; signal retaining means fixed to said shaft; signal imparting means operable to place a .signal onV said signal retaining means at theselectionof `an operator for each sheet at said lpickup point; indexing means connected to rotate said shaft a given angle for a given increment'of lmotion of said endless means; signal receiving means staggered about said shaft adjacent successive signal retaining means at multiples of said given angle corresponding to the distance between said pickup point and successive sheet receiving means to receive such signals from said signal retaining means as the sheet transporting means are moved past said sheet receiving means, ysaid signal receiving means being operatively connected to actuate said unloading means through said actuating means.

2. An improved vstacking device for selectively depositing successive sheets of material in any order at any of a plurality of positions, said device comprising;-a frame, endless means mounted on said frame, said endless means trained about a path extending in a given direction from a sheet pick-up point; roller means rotatably supported on said endless means, said roller means being evenly spaced a given distance along said endless means for carrying successive sheets draped thereover from said pick-up point; a plurality of sheet receiving means beneath the path of said endless means, each spaced said given distance in said given direction; antunloading pad above each of said receiving means, :said pad being vertically reciprocable above said endless means between positions of engagement and non-engagement with sheets drapedacross said roller means so as to unroll a sheet therefrom when in the engagement position; Alifting mechanisms attached between said frame and sa-id unloading pads actuable to vertically reciprocate said pads; and a memory actuating system connected to actuate said lifting means in accordance with selections developed by' an operator whereby any of said successive sheets may be unloaded yupon any of said receiving means that he selects at the time such sheet reaches about said pick-up point.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said memory actuating system comprises: a rotatable shaft; signal retaining means lixed to said shaft; signal imparting means operable to place a signal on said signal retaining means at the selection of an operator for each sheet at said pickup point; indexing means connected to rotate said shaft a given angle for each increment of motion of said endless means equal to said given distance; and signal receiving means staggered about said shaft adjacent successive signal retaining means at multiples of said given angle corresponding to the multiples of said given distance between said pick-up point and successive sheet receiving means to receive such signals from said signal retaining means as the roller means are moved through said -given distances, said signal receiving means being operatively connected to actuate said lifting mechanisms to move an unloading pad to the engagement position during each movement of lsaid roller means through said given distance.

4. A control system for a sheet stacking apparatus wherein sheets of material are carried to any of a plurality of stacking positions in any order as selected by an operator for each successive sheet, said control system comprising: a rotatable shaft; signal retaining means fixed to said shaft; signal imparting means adjacent said shaft operable by said operator to place a signal on said retaining means for each sheet entering said apparatus; signal receiving means staggered about said shaft adjacent said signal retaining means at intervals of a given angle, each signal receiving means being operatively connected to said stacking apparatus to cause a sheet to be discharged at a stacking position on receipt of a signal; and yindexing means connected to rotate said shaft in steps of said given angle upon movement between each stacking position of said stacking apparatus, whereby a given signal will be carried on said retaining means to the appropriate signal receiving means during the period that a sheet requires to reach a selected stacking position.

5. A control system for a sheet stacking apparatus wherein sheets of material are carried to any of a plurality of stacking positions in any order as selected by an operator for each successive sheet, said control system comprising: a rotatable shaft; a plurality of signal retaining means fixedly spaced on said shaft; signal imparting means adjacent said shaft corresponding to each f said signal retaining means, said signal imparting means being selectively operable by an operator as each sheet enters said apparatus to place a signal on a corresponding retaining means; signal receiving means corresponding to each of said signal retaining means, said signal receiving means being staggered about said shaft at multiples of a given angle from the respective signal imparting means, each said signal receiving means being operatively connected to said stacking apparatus to cause a sheet to be discharged at a diiferent stacking position upon receipt of a signal; and indexing means connected to rotate said shaft in steps of said given angle upon movement between each stacking position of said stacking apparatus whereby a given signal will be carried on said retaining means to the appropriate signal receiving means during the period that a sheet requires to reach a selected stacking position.

6. The system of claim 5 including means to prevent more than one signal to be imparted to the plurality of signal retaining means during any single step of rotation of said shaft.

7. The system of claim 5 including means to control said movement of the stacking apparatus.

8. A control system for a sheet stacking apparatus wherein sheets of material are carried to any of a plurality of stacking positions in any order as selected by an operator for each successive sheet, said control system comprising: a rotatable shaft; means to intermittently index said shaft a given angle representing movement of said stacking apparatus between said positions during a selected period of operation of the stacking apparatus; a plurality of pinwheels fixed to said shaft, each of said pinwheels reciprocably carrying a plurality of axially disposed pins uniformly spaced angularly about said shaft at intervals of said given angle; pin displacing means adjacent said shaft in proximity to each pinwheel representing a stacking position and operable to move a pin in axial direction upon the selection of an operator; and pin detecting means corresponding to each of said pinwheels, said detecting means being staggered about said shaft at multiples of said given angle from said pin displacing means, each of said pin detecting means being located adjacent a pinwheel for sensing displaced pins and operatively connected to said stacking aparatus to cause a Sheet to be discharged at a selected stacking position upon detecting a displaced pin.

9. A control system for a sheet stacking apparatus wherein sheets of material are carried to any of a plurality of stacking positions in any order as selected by an operator for each successive sheet, said control system comprising: a first rotatable shaft driven from said stacking apparatus, said rst Shaft being caused to complete one full rotation during a given movement of said stacking apparatus; a second rotatable shaft drivingly connected to said rst shaft, said second shaft being intermittently indexed a given angle representing movement of said apparatus between said stacking positions during every full rotation of said first shaft; a plurality of pinwheels fixed to said second shaft, each of said pinwheels reciprocably carrying a plurality of axially disposed pins uniformly spaced at intervals of said given angle about said shaft; pin displacing means adjacent said second shaft in proximity to each pinwheel and operable to move a pin in axial direction upon the selection of an operator; pin detecting means corresponding to each of said pinwheels, said detecting means being staggered about said shaft at multiples of said given angle from said pin displacing means, each of said pin `detecting means being located adjacent a pinwheel for sensing displaced pins and operatively connected to said stacking apparatus to cause a ysheet to be discharged at a different stacking position upon detecting a displaced pin; and a time delay means actuated by said first shaft and operatively connected with said pin detecting means, said delay means regulating the discharge of a sheet upon the detection of a displaced pin.

References Cited in thele of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,406,936 Woodruff Sept. 3, 1946 2,492,386 Little Dec. 27, 1949 2,533,422 Braun Dec. 12, 1950 2,689,727 Rincer Sept. 21, 1954 2,919,917 WOlSWiCk Jan. 5, 1960

Claims (1)

1. AN IMPROVED STACKING DEVICE FOR SELECTIVELY DEPOSITING SUCCESSIVE SHEETS OF MATERIAL IN ANY ORDER AT ANY OF A PLURALITY OF POSITIONS, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING: A FRAME; ENDLESS MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SAID ENDLESS MEANS TRAINED ABOUT A PATH EXTENDING IN A GIVEN DIRECTION FROM A SHEET PICK-UP POINT; SHEET TRANSPORTING MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID ENDLESS MEANS; A GIVEN NUMBER OF SHEET RECEIVING MEANS SPACED BENEATH THE PATH OF SAID ENDLESS MEANS IN SAID DIRECTION; AN UNLOADING MEANS LOCATED ABOVE EACH OF SAID SHEET RECEIVING MEANS, SAID UNLOADING MEANS BEING SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN OPERATIVE AND INOPERATIVE POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO DISCHARGING SHEETS FROM SAID TRANSPORTING MEANS; ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID UNLOADING MEANS AND SAID FRAME FOR VERTICALLY RECIPROCATING SAID UNLOADING MEANS BETWEEN SAID OPERATIVE AND INOPERATIVE POSITIONS; A ROTATABLE SHAFT LOCATED PROXIMATE SAID FRAME; SIGNAL RETAINING MEANS FIXED TO SAID SHAFT; SIGNAL IMPARTING MEANS OPERABLE TO PLACE A SIGNAL ON SAID SIGNAL RETAINING MEANS AT THE SELECTION OF AN OPERATOR FOR EACH SHEET AT SAID PICKUP POINT; INDEXING MEANS CONNECTED TO ROTATE SAID SHAFT A GIVEN ANGLE FOR A GIVEN INCREMENT OF MOTION OF SAID ENDLESS MEANS; SIGNAL RECEIVING MEANS STAGGERED ABOUT SAID SHAFT ADJACENT SUCCESSIVE SIGNAL RETAINING MEANS AT MULTIPLES OF SAID GIVEN ANGLE CORRESPONDING TO THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID PICKUP POINT AND SUCCESSIVE SHEET RECEIVING MEANS TO RECEIVE SUCH SIGNALS FROM SAID SIGNAL RETAINING MEANS AS THE SHEET TRANSPORTING MEANS ARE MOVED PAST SAID SHEET RECEIVING MEANS, SAID SIGNAL RECEIVING MEANS BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO ACTUATE SAID UNLOADING MEANS THROUGH SAID ACTUATING MEANS.

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