US3101479A - Apparatus and system for the continuous production of hogsheads and the like - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 27, 1963 H. G. BELL ETAL 3,101,479 APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OP HOGsHEADs AND TRE LIRE Filed June l, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 wa/Tam ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 27, 1963 H G. BELL ETAL APPARATUS AND SYSTEM F'OR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION Filed June l, 1956 OF HOGSHEADS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 L 1116.14. L//f lBY Aug. 27, 1963 G. BELL ETAL 3,101,479 APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION oF HoGsHEADs AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Shes?I 5 Filed June l, 1956 INVENTOR. HARRv -GurHR/E BELL, JAcos Dpi/GLAS GAY AND BY KEITH GILMoRe SHAFFER, M Mib., ,ALLAN Y 6R17 irToRNEYs.

APPARATUS ANI) SYSTEM EUR THE CN'IINU- EIIIQSEPRODUCTHON F HOGSHEADS AND THE Harry Guthrie Bell, Jacob Douglas Gay, Jr., and Keith Gilmore Shaer, Paris, Ky.assignors to Gay-Bell Corporation, I'aris, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Filed .lune 1, 1956, Ser. No. 588,726

2 Claims. (Cl. 1 125) This application is closely related to our co-pending application filed November 1, 1955, bearing Serial No. 544,258, 4and entitled Apparatus and Method for the Continuous Production of Hogsheads and the Like. The instant invention resides in improved apparatus and systems for producing these articles.

An important object of our invention is to provide an arrangement in which hogshead panels are moved in step by step fashion so that each panel is stopped during actual actuation of the stapling mechanism or other means used for securing the metal hoops and hoops-and-liners to the Wood .panel sections. p

A further object of our invention is to provideian arrangement including a plurality of panel stapling means, a saw station for each such panel stapling means and common means for receiving the finished panels from each of the saw stations.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which drawings like numerals are employed to designate like parts and in which:

FIGURE l is a plan View, with parts broken away, showing the means for moving hogshead panels and stapling the hoops and hoops-and-liners thereto,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged section taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is an 3 3- of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is an 4 4 of FIGURE l,

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the general wiring arrangement and control means for the modication of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged section on the line 6 6 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 7 is a section on the line 7 7 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a system .for receiving hogshead panels from a pair of sawing sta-v tions and moving them alternately so that they might be handled from a single station,

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged section taken on the line 9 9 of FIGURE 8,

FIGURE l0 is a section taken on the line 10, 10 of FIGURE 8, n

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary plan view of means for receiving the panels from the saw tables,

FIGURE 12 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 11,

FIGURE 13 is a perspective and diagrammatic View of means for receiving the panels from a pair of saw stations and :accumulating them on a common conveyor,

FIGURE 14 is a diagrammatic View showing the control arrangement Vfor the general means by which panels are taken from a pair of saw tables and accumulated at a single station alternately, and

FIGURE 15 is 1a side view, with parts broken away, showing an exemplary saw table employed in the apparatus. y

In the description to lfollow it will be understood that we have shown our invention as applied to the handling of hogsheads `but that the invention is capable of handling enlarged section taken on lthe line enlarged section taken on the line fireV 2 many other-suitable articles. The hogshead section which thesapparatus of this invention will handle comprises one or more pieces of plywood having a hoop-and-liner tempo- -rarily secured along opposite edges of the section. A pair of hoops will be temporarily secured to the section between and parallel to the hoops-and-liners. In FIGURE l the hogshead sectionV or panel is indicated at 20, the hoops-and-liners at 21 and the hoops at 22.

The plywood piece or pieces, as the casey may be, with the hoops-and-liners 2,1 `and hoops 22 temporarily sef cured thereto will be placedby means not shown within a feed mechanism comprised of'a plurality of upstanding members '23. The :frame members 23 are arnanged with other mechanism so'as to hold a stack of hori- Zontally disposed panels 2@ just above the conveyor means for moving the llowerrnost panel from beneath those `remaining in the stack. One by one panels will drop from the `stack toa position on such conveyor means. f

This arrangement is shown in detail in our copending application and does not' constitute a principal part .ofthe instant invention. Suice it to say that the members 23 generally stand for a feed mechanism capable of mainlinesofcut at right angles to the hoops and hoops-'andliners. These lines of cut define the staves of the hogshead. From the `sa-wing station the panels will bereiceive-d by a common means which will direct such panels to a place of discharge. A linished hogshead may then be obtained simply lby manipulating the panel 2li to form a cylinder, the ends of the hoops-and-liners `21 :and hoops 22 being provided with latch or catch means by ywhichy the panel may be maintained in cylindrical form. A hogshead bottom may then be inserted and the hogshead iilled with tobacco or other similar products after which the hogshead headmay be put in place :and the product will thus be lpackaged and ready for shipping purposes.

Referring now to `FIGURES 1 through 7 there is shown an arrangement jby ywhich hogshead panels ory the like are moved from feed mechanism generally indicated by the frame members 23. One of the chief differences incorporated in this arrangement, :as distinguished :from that of our aforementioned co-pending application, is that the panels are moved in vstep by step fashion so that the panel is `stopped during actual actuation of the stapling lmechanism. This arrangement is more positive in action in that the staplin-g mechanism does'not have to do anything more thanjust set the staple,.that is, it does not have to restrain movement of the panel since the panel has already been brought to a stop. At the same time the panel is actually moved more quickly from the feed mechanism to the means by which it isbrought to the sawing table. y

r The panels 20\ will be let down from the stack members 23 by the feed mechanism and controls heretofore mentioned, These panels will come to reston support members 50. If desired a plate could be used rather than the pair of elongated bars 50 so long as a channel were provided for the reciprocating pusher bar to be described below.

The just mentioned pusher bar comprises a pair of vertical Vplates S1 which are held in spaced relationship by a plurality of shouldered bolts52. 'There is a pusher member 53 mounted for swinging movement on each of the shouldered bolts 52, ysuch members 53` being between the plates 5l.. There are pins 514 located between the members 5-1 so as normally to maintain the swinging members 5'3l in the position indicated at 53a in FIGURE 2 at the left-hand endy thereof, the members 53 tending by gravity towards a vertical position. These pins 54 are so located as to permit a fair amount of clockwise movement from the position indicated at 53a but so as to resist any counterclockwise movement from such position, such pins interrupting the gravity influenced effort of the members 53 to reach a vertical position.

At each end of the vertical plates 5l, as best shown kin FIGURES 2 and 7, there are depending extensions 55.

A plate 56 is bolted to the lower edge of the extensions 55. A U-shaped bearing block 57 is suitably mounted on a member l58 xed to a bracket lS9 extending from the framework of the mechanism. T he plate 56 rests on the bottom of the block 57 while the plate extensions 55 are received between the upstanding legs of the U-shaped block 57. The arrangement just described is repeated at each end of the pusher mechanism. In this manner the pusher mechanism is supported between the support bars 50 for reciprocation.

Whena panel is permitted to drop from the feed stack members 23 onto the support bars 50 it will engage a plurality of the swinging pusher members 53. These members will' each be forced to the position indicated at l53h in FIGURE 2. Those members 53 not contacted by a panel 20 will remain in the upstanding position indicated at 53a in this FIGURE 2. Upon forward movement of the pusher bar as defined by the plates 5l, such movement being to the right as viewed inFIGURE 2, it will be apparent that a iinger 53a will engage the rear or left hand edge of the panel 2t? whereupon to move such panel With the pusher bar. When such pusher bar is next moved to the left as viewed in FIGURE 2 one of the members 53 will be moved out of contact with the panel 2h whereupon it will swing by gravity to a position as represented by the member 53a so that upon movement of the pusher bar 51 again to the right this just released member 53a will contact the panel `20.. It will thus be apparent that the panel 20 is moved to the right along with similar movement of the pusher bar 5l but that upon movement of the pusher bar 5l to the left the panel 20 will remain stationary. Additional means to insure this are provided and will be described below. n

y In order to insure that return movement of the pusher bar57 will not bring with it a panel 20 due to its contact with a plurality of the members 53, a pair of large rubber tired Wheels y60 is provided at a pair of stations. Each pair of wheels 60' is mounted on a common shaft 6l. 'Ilhe'wheels 60 are arranged so that they may rotate in the direction of forward movement of the pusher bar 51 but not in the return movement thereof. This is accomplis-hed by conventional means comprising a hub 62 a cam plate `63 pinned 4to the shaft 61 and a plurality of bearing members 64. It will be apparent from FIGURE 6 that the wheel 60 may rotate in the direction of the arrow since the members 64 will move to a place of clearance with respect tothe cam member 63. Reverse movement of the wheel 60, however, is not possible since the members 64 would then wedge between the hub 6,2 and cam 63.

To each end of the shaft 61 there is pinned a rectangular block 65. Each of these blocks is free to move vertically in bracket members 66. This arrangement permitsj the shaft 61 and wheels 60' to move vertically so as to allow for variations in the panel thicknesses which pass therebeneat-h. The weight of the wheels 60 is suiiicient to give necessary hold-down pressure.

Additional means for insuring that the panels Ztl will not move back upon return movement of the pusher bar 51 are also provided vandespecially designed to contact the [forward part of the panel 20 right after its initial movement. Such meansco'mprise a plurality of fingers 67 mounted on a shaft 68 extending across the machine iframe. The ends of these `fingers may have some kind of friction material mounted thereon. It will be apparent that as the panel 2@ contacts these iingers upon yfor-ward movement of the pusher bar 5l the fingers are free to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, When, however, the pusher bar 5l returns the engagement of the :friction surfaces 69 will prevent corresponding movement of the panel 2d as might otherwise occur due to the "frictional contact between such panel and the plurality of members 53. After a few movements of the panel 20 it will then be engaged beneath the wheels 6G and the bulk of the anti-slip function will be accomplished by these wheels. The arrangement of the fingers 67 is desirable since it is diiiicult to get the large wheels 60l close enough to the panels 2,0 to be sure that such panels will be engaged upon initial movement as caused by reciprocation of the pusher bar 5l.

i The means for reciprocating the pusher bar 5l will now be described. As perhaps best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 there is a motor 70y mounted on a suitable support beneath the bars 50; A pulley belt l1 extends from the motor y'tl and engages a member 72 comprising a part of a speed reduction unit 73. Another belt 74 extends :from the speed reducing unit 73 and engages a sprocket 77 iixed on a shaft 78. A disc 75, to which there is pivotally iixed a pitman arm 76, is fixed on the shaft 7S. The other end Y of the member 76 is pivotally connected to a depending bracket fixed to the pusher bar mechanism 5'1 as indicated at 79. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that rotation ofthe disc 75 will cause, through the pitman connection 76, reciprocation of the pusher bar mechanism 51. There is a pair of cam wheels mounted on the shaft T78, one such wheel having a cam surface 8d and the other a cam surface 3l. These cam surfaces are arranged to contact periodically switches 32 and 83 respectively as will be described below.

In the arrangement of this invention the stapling heads 24 are actuated only when the panel Ztl is at rest, or in other words, only during the return movement of the pusher bar mechanism 51. Should for some reason a member 53 not engage properly behind a panel 20 so that upon next forward movement of the mechanism 5l such panel was not moved, it is desirable that the stapling mechanism not be actuated again so as to drive one staple upon a previously driven staple since this will cause damage to the stapling mechanism. Accordingly means are provided so that the stapling heads 24 cannot be actuated unless there has been interventing movement of a panel 269. One of the cam surfaces just above described controls this as will be further described shortly.

The control circuit for the stapling heads 24 includes a pair of switches S4 and 85 which must be actuated before the stapling heads 24 will operate. These switches 84 land 85 are actuated simply by the weight of the panel 2d as it moves along the support bars 50. The switch Sd prevents any operation `of the first pair of stapling heads 2d until such time as the panel 20 is brought into proper position. The switch 85 prevents operation of the second pair `of stapling iheads 24 until the panel has moved su'iciently to come therebeneath. It will be observed las before that the ii-rst pair of stapling heads 24 serves to fasten the hoops 22 to the panel 20` while the second pair of heads 2.4 serves -to fasten the hoopsand-liners 2l to the panel 20.

The means for preventing the stapling heads from driv- -ing one staple `on top of another should a panel 20 not be moved by the pusher mechanism 51 includes a pair of lswitches S6 Iand 87 inthe control circuit. A drag shoe SS is provided for the rst pair of stapling heads 24 and switch S6 while a similar drag shoe S9 is provided for the second pair of stapling heads 24 and switch 87. The construction of such drag shoe is perhaps best shown in FIGURE 3.

As shown in FIGURE 3 the drag shoe 88, for example, is really a solenoid having a ixed bar and a movable sleeve 91. The bar 90 is fixed on a suitable frame member 92 mounted in the machinery. Fixed to the movable sleeve 91 is a member 93 having a pair of slidable studs 94. A spring 9S surrounds each stud 94 4and is located between the bottom of the member 93 and the shoe member 96. The bottom of the shoe member 96 may have a friction material 97 fastened thereto.

If a panel 20 is properly engaged by a swinging pusher member 53 forward movement of the pusher bar mechanism 51 will result in the shoe 88, for example, being moved so `as to engage the switch 86, see the dotted line portion of FIGURE 3. Such movement of the shoe 88 will loccur because of the frictional engagement of fthe shoe carried substance 97 with the panel 20 and the light resilient action of the springs 95. When the shoe 88 engages the switch 86 Iactuation of the stapling heads is possible. If the shoe 88 does not contact the switch 86 the stapling heads may not be actuated.

The general operation of the shoe mechanism and conltrol circuit is such that after the shoe 88 has been moved into `contact with the switch 86, the first pair of stapling heads 24 is actuated when the cam surface 80 contacts the switch 82. Immediately :after this the cam surface 81 will actuate .the switch 83. Closing of the switch 83 actuates the solenoid 90-91 so that the shoe 88, for example is returned to 4the position of the solid lines in FIGURE 3, in other words its contact with the switch 86 is broken. It will thus be -obvious that for the stapling heads 24 to be actuated again the panel 20 will have to move yand take with it the shoe 88. If for some reason the panel 20 does not move the shoe 88 wi-ll not move and the switch 86 will not be closed with the result that the stapling heads Wont be actuated in the same place twice.

Referring now to FIGURE 5 the control circuit heretofore mentioned will be described. It will be understood that the circuit includes a satisfactory source of electric power as generally indicated at 98. For the purposes of this ydescription it will also be understood that a panel 20 has been moved into such position that it contacts the switches 84 `and 85. It will 'also be understood .that the drag shoes 88 and 89 have been brought into contact with switches 86 and 87 respectively. As the shaft 78 is rotated by the motor 70 through the speed reduction unit 73 not only lthe disc 75 `and pitman 76 will be `actuated to reciprocate the pusher bar mechanism 51 but also the cam wheels bearing the ca m surfaces 80 `and 81 will be rotated.

When the cam surface 80 closes the switch 82 the rst pair of stapling heads 24 will be actuated since the switch 84 is closed by weight of the panel 20 and since the switch 86 is closed by contact with the 'drag shoe 88. Immediately 'after this the cam surface 81, due to its position on the shaft 78 wil-l close the switch 83 thus energizing the solenoid for the drag shoe 88. Upon this solenoid being so actuated the drag shoe 88 will be withdrawn from contact with the shoe 86.

In similar manner `and while the foregoing was happening the second pair of stapl-ing heads 24 will also have been actuated upon closing of the switch 82 since the switch 85 -is closed by weight of the panel 20 and the switch 87 closed by contact with the drag shoe 89. Again, upon contact of the cam surface 81 with the switch 83 the solenoid for the drag shoe 89 will be actuated so that this shoe is also withdrawn from Contact with the switch S7.

Continued rotation of the shaft 78 will cause the pusher mechanism 51, through the pitman 76, to return or move to the left as viewed in FIGURE 2. Still 4further rotation of the shaft 78 will cause the pusher mechanism 51 to move forward or to the right as viewed in FIGURE 2. llf la member 53 has engaged properly behind the panel. 20 such panel will be moved forward a given increment. This movement of the panel will again cause the drags 88 and 89 to contact the switches 86 and 87 so that fur-ther contact between the cam surfaces 80 Iand 82 :and the cam surfaces 81 and 83 will repeat the movements above described. On the other hand, should for some reason or other the member '53 not engage behind the panel 28 so that the panel 20` does not move'forward upon forward movement of the pusher bar mechanism 51, the stapling heads 24 will not be `actuated again since the drag'shoes 88 and 89 will'not have been moved into contact with the switches 86 and 87 respectively. In this manner it is insured that the stapling heads 24 will not endeavor to drive one staple upon 'another thus avoiding damage.

In FIGURE 8 there is shown `an arrangement for taking panels 20 .after they leave a saw station. In the arrangement of FIGURE 8 it is contemplated that there will be a pair of saw stations. The purpose of the mechanism of FIGURE 8 lis to receive panels from either or both of the saw stations and bring them to a common exit point.

In FIGURE 8 the conveyor chains for moving the panels 20 through the saw stations are indicated at 161. Each of these saw stations will be understood to be like that shown :and described in detail in our codpending yapplication Serial No. 544,258. To this lend there will be means for rotating saw blades which will cut through the plywood pieces of the panel. Additional means will be provided to raise the panel 20 Ias the hoops-and-liners 'and hoops successively pass over the saw blades so that lines of cut are placed clear through the plywood pieces between the met-al bands comprising the hoops-and-liners and hoops while such pieces will be grooved only in the wood area beneath such bands.

A saw station is indicated in FIGURE l5. A saw blade is designated at 284 and may be driven by a motor 288. The panels 20 are supported on a table 279. 0am members 294 are fixed on shafts 292 which may be driven by a motor 297 through suitable gearing as diagrammatically illustrated. Cam projections 295 form a part of the cam members 294. The table 279 has brackets 289 carrying rollers 290 which .are arranged by the cam means 294- 295. By this arrangement the table, `and panel carried thereon, may be raised and lowered as required for grooving and cutting the panels in the manner just indicated.

A shaft 203 is also illustrated. In the arrangement of FIGURE 8 the shaft 203 'is extended so as to receive a sprocket 99 about which there is placed a lbelt 100. This belt 100 also engages a sprocket 101 on a shaft 102. A plurality of belts 103 are driven by the shaft 102. When the conveyor chains 161 bring a panel 20 over the shaft 203 from the respective saw stations the belts 103 as driven by the shaft 101 will continue the movement of such panel. This panel will be moved along support members 104 provided at either side of the mechanism. These members 104 are shown at the upper part of the FIGURE 8. Corresponding members are provided for the additional mechanism bringing the panel 20 as moved by other belts 103. As best seen in FIGURE l0 the members 104 'and 105 are at different levels.

At the end of the members 104 there is provided a pair of limit members and switches 106. Similar limit members and switches 107 are provided lat the ends of thel members 165. One set of belts 103 will move ya panel 20 along the members 104 until such panel contacts both of the switches 106, which switches will prevent further movement in this direction. The other set of belts 103 will move a similar panel yfrom another saw station -along the members 105 until such other panel strikes the switches 107 whereby its `further movement in this direction is prevented. When these panels have been so moved one will lie -above the other as shown in FIGURE l0. As also shown in FIGURE 10 the member 104 is bent downwardly near its switch bearing end as indicated at 104e while the member 105 is similarly constructed as shown at 105a. 'Ihe portions 104:1 yand 105a are less than the width of the panel 20 so that such panel when brought against its limit switch will bridge these bent portions of the support members 104 and 105 respectively. The purpose of this construction will be explained shortly.

Located at one side and centrally of the mechanism represented by the sets of belts 103 is an elongated cylinder 108 which receives pressure from a source, not shown, through the lconduit 109 and valve 110. Within the cylinder 108 is a piston having a rod 111 extending from the cylinder and to which there is xed a pusher shoe 112. As perhaps best seen in FIGURES 9 and 14 it will be understood that there are `a pair of these cylinders 108 and related mechanism, one above the other.

The arrangement of the mechanism is such that when panels 20 are on their respective supports 104 and 105' the pistons within fthe cylinders 10S will be :actuated alternately so as to push one panel and then the other from the supports onto the receiving station generally indicated at 113. It will be apparent that the purpose of .the portions 104a and 105e is to permit the pusher shoes 112 to engage a panel and move it laterally from the supports 104 and 105.

The arrangement of the mechanism' is such that the cylinders `and their related mechanism generally indicated at 108 cannot be actuated simultaneously. This arrangement is perhaps best seen in FIGURE 14. Each of the valves 110 is controlled by a solenoid 114. The solenoid 114 for the upper cylinder 108 is in a circuit including the switches 106 mounted on the ends of the support members 104. The solenoid 114 for the lower cylinder 10S is in a circuit which includes the switches 107 mounted on the ends of the support members 105. Both circuits include a suitable and common source of electricity as indicated at 115.

There is ya switch 116 for the upper cylinder 100 `and there is a Contact member 117 on the upper piston rod 111 for engaging this switch. A similar switch 118 is provided for the lower cylinder 108 and a similar `contact member 119 is carried on the lower piston 111. The normal positions of the valves 110 at such times that the solenoids 114 are not actuated are such that pressure from the conduits 109 is led to the right hand ends of the cylinders 108 as observed in FIGURE 14. This will cause the lpistons to be at their left hand positions in the cylinders 108 with the result that the switches 116 'and 113 will be closed by contact with the members 117 and 119 respectively. in addition to the switches mentioned there is also a switch 120 in the circuit including the switches 106 and a switch 121 in the circuit including the switches 107.

When `a panel 20 is moved by the upper set of belts 103 until it lies against the switches 106 at the ends of the support members 104 these switches 106 wil thereby be closed. Upon closing of both of the switches 106 there will be a circuit completed through the upper solenoid 114 provided the piston rod 111 yfor the lower cylinder is in its left hand position so that the member 119' will be maintaining the switch 118 closed. Actuation of the upper solenoid 114 in the manner just described results in the valve 110 being turned so as to direct iluid pressure into the left hand end of upper cylinder 103 so as to drive the piston rod 111 and pusher shoe 112 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 14. As the pusher shoe 112 so moves the member 117 will permit the switch 116 to open. 'Iihe switch 116 is in a `circuit includingy the lower solenoid 114. Thus, so long las the piston rod 111 is in -any position other than that where the member 117 contacts the switch 116 it is impossible to drive the lower pusher shoe 112 to enygage a panel 20 since it will be impossible to actuate the lower solenoid 114 with the upper switch 116 open.

Continued movement to the right of the upper pusher 112 will bring the member 117 into contact with the switch 120. By this time the panel 20 will have been shoved to the receiving station indicated at 113. In this connection it will be understood that a holding circuit is provided lfor the switches 106 so that both switches will remain closed until the panel 20 has been moved to the station 113 and the switch 120' opened by contact with the member 117. Upon this switch 120 thus being opened the circuit through the upper solenoid 114 will be broken whereupon the valve 110y will return under spring pressure to its normal position. In its normal position uid pressure will be directed into the right hand end of the cylinder 103 with the result that the piston rod 111 and pusher shoe 112 will return to its home position wherein the member 117 closes the switch 116. As the pusher shoe 112 starts its return the switches 120 will -again close under spring pressure but by this time the switches 106 Will be open so that the solenoid 114 is not again actuated until another panel strikes the switches 105.

With the upper pusher 112 now in the position as indicated in full lines in FIGURE 14 it will be apparent that should a panel 20 be brought by the lower set of belts 103 to a position such that this panel will close the switches 107 located on the ends of the lower support bars 105, the lower cylinder mechanism 10S will be actuated to push the panel to the receiving area 113. When the switches 107 are closed by a panel 20 the lower solenoid 114 will be actuated provided the switch 116 is closed. Again this arrangement prevents simultaneous actuation of the pair of cylinders 110. Closing of the circuit including the lower solenoid 114 will move the valve 110 so 'as to admit iiuid within the lower cylinder 10S to push the pusher shoe to the right as viewed in FIGURE 14. When so moved the member 119 will come out of engagement with the switch 118 thus opening the solenoid circuit for the upper cylinder 108 whereby to prevent the simultaneous `actuation of these cylinder members `as just mentioned. Continued movement of the pusher shoe 112 will result in the lower panel 20 being moved to the receiving station 113 whereupon the member 119 will open the switch 121 thus breaking the circuit through the lower solenoid 1141 so that the valve 110 will return to its normal position as shown and the pusher shoe 112 be brought back to its starting position wherein the member 119 closes the switch 118.

There is provided for each of the cylinder arrangements a mechanism illustrated by the conduit 122,

check valve 123 and needle valve 124. This mechanism provides for a relatively slow return of the pusher shoe 112 so as to give sucient time yfor additional panels 20 to be brought into position. The speed of return may be regulated by adjustment of the needle valve 124. Although the arrangement described illustrates 1a relatively fast movement of the pusher shoe against a panel 20 with a relatively slow return it Wiil be apparent that this could be reversed vso as to produce a 'slow push with a rast return.

As shown in FIGURES 8, 11 and l2 the receiving station 113 may comprise a pair of support bars 125 on which the panels 20 are shoved by the pusher mechanism 112. These bars are illustrated as pivoted to a shaft 120 mounted in brackets 127 extending from the machine. The other ends of such bars `are connected to la shaft 120 mounted in a pair of vertically slidable members 129 acting in sockets 130. A set of bars Aand shafts 125 rs provided for the upper and lower panel receiving mechanisms. With this arrangement operators may sirnply remove the panels 20 as they are received on the upper and lower sets yof support bars 125. In order to prevent the panel 20 from moving back upon return of the pusher shoes 112 stripper mechanism 131 is provided. A plurality or these pivoted igures 131 will permit movement of the panel to the right as viewed in FIGURE 9 but not to the left as is understood in the art.

The receiving station 113 may, instead of the bars 125, comprise an endless conveyor 132. In this arrangement it will be obvious that the panels 20 are simply received alternately as pushed by the various members 112. The conveyor may take these panels to any desired position. This yarrangement is shown in FIGURE 13.

Although the mechanism has been described for alternately pushing panels from the upper members 104 and the lower members it will be apparent that the mecha- 106 and 107. Thus successive periodic actuation of either the switches 106 or 107 is possible although it is contemplated that lirst the switch 106 and then the switch 107 will be actuated.

Operation From the foregoing it will be observed that the apparratus and system we have provided enables hogsheads and the like to be assembled in a continuous manner. Stacks of hogsheads 20 with the hoops-:and-liners 21 and hoops 22 temporarily fastened in place Iare trom time to time placed Within the initial -receiving means .generally indicated and dened by the plurality of frame members 23 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. As earlier explained the hogsheads of such 1a stack :are so maintained by these members 23 that periodically the lowerrnost panel of the stack will be dropped onto the conveyor means for moving such panel through the mechanism for permanently securing the hoops-and-liners and hoops to the plywood pieces. The means for periodically dropping a panel 2t) onto the members 53 carried on the Ibar 51 is shown and `described in detail in our aforementioned co-pending application Serial N-o. 544,258.

As the lbar 51 is reciprocated the members 53 will engage behind a panel 20 and move it step by step beneath the stapling heads 24 which are actuated during the rest periods in the movement of the panel and the hoops-andliners and hoops thereby permanently secured. Various hold-down means are employed to insure positive and correct operation. In addition the means 60 and 69 prevent rearward movement of the panel 20 upon return reciprocation of the bar 51 and members 53.

After the hogshead panel leaves the stapl-ing head it is moved into a position to 'be engaged by the rake 152 on the end off the rod 151 whereby the panel may be moved at right angles to its initial path ot travel. 'Ilhe rake and rod just mentioned are actuated in the manner shown in detail in the aforementioned co-pending application.

The reciprocating rake 152 will move the panel Z0 onto the conveyor chains 161 which will lead the panel through the saw station. As above explained and as shown and described in detail in our said co-pending application, the saw station is so arranged as to cut through the panel in the area between the metal bands :deli-ning the hoops` and-liners and hoops while just lgrooving the panel in the wood a-reas immediately -beneath the bands.

Assuming a pair of initial receiving, sta-pling, cross conveyor `and saw means, the panels are then Ialternately led from the respective saw means toa common receiving means as shown and described in detail in connection with FIGURE 8. In this manner a succession of completed hogshead panels may be brought to the iinal receiving meansl 1x13.

VIt will be understood that although we have described our invention as embodied in certain specilic structures, it is realized that changes may :be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It will he further understood that the specific structures shown are exemplary only and- 'We do -not intendto be limited to such structures except insofar las they are specifically set iorth in the subjoined claims.

Having thus described Iour invention, whatwe claim as 10 new and what we desire to protect by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A system for assembling hogsheads which comprises: a lirst 'feeding station, a rlrst stapling section rfor staplin-g the hoops and hoops-and-liners to the hogshead panels, Airst conveyor means to move panels firom said lirst feeding station through said -irst stapling section, lirst saw means to form staves in said panels, and `iirst additional means to receive panels Ifromsaid conveyor means and convey them through sai-d iirst saw means; a second feeding station, a second stapling section rior stapling hoops and hoopsJand-liners to other hogshead panels, second conveyor means to move said other panels from said second lfeeding station through said second stapling section, second saw means to itorm staves in said other panels, and second additional means to receive said other panels from said second conveyor means and convey them through said second saw means; upper support means to receive panels from said lirst saw means, lower support means to receive 4said other panels from said second saw means, said support means being positioned one above the other, a receiving station common to lboth support means, and means to push the panels from said support means one by one 'onto said receiving station; said pus-h means comprising a pair of elongated cylinders, a piston rod reciprocable in each said cylinder, valve means lfor each said cylinder whereby to direct fluid pressure to either end thereof, a shoe on each said rod, said upper and lower support means having depressed lareas to permit said shoes to pass over whereby to engage panels supported on the undepr-essed portions of said support means; and a control circuit including each ot said valve mean-s and so arranged that the 'valve means can-not Ibe manipulated to cause simultaneous pushing movement of said shoes.

2. The system or claim 1 in which said control circuit includes a solenoid for each of said valve means, each of said valve means normally directing -uid into its cylinder so as to maintain its said shoe in nondpush position, first switch means for each said cylinder, each said rst switch means lbeing closed when said shoes are in non-push position, the solenoid for lone valve means including a connection to the lrst switch means for the other cylinder and vice versa, a second switch means for each of said cylinders, each said second switch means being normally closed and in direct connection 'with the solenoid /valve means for its respective cylinder, 1a lrst panel contacted switch between one solenoid and its respective second switch Iand second panel contacted switch lbetween the other solenoid and its respective second switch, whereby when said -iirst panel contacted switch is closed by a panel bearing against it a circuit is closed through a solenoid (provided the -rst switch means for the other cylinder is closed) to move the respective Ivalve means trom its normal position so as to move a said shoe from its nonpush position to its push position wherein it will actnate its respective second switch to break the circuit through said solenoid and permit said valve means to return to normal and `cause said shoe to return to nonap-ush position, whereupon turther closing of either panel contacted switch will result in a similaractuation of a shoe. l

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims (1)

1. A SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING HOGSHEADS WHICH COMPRISES: A FIRST FEEDING STATION, A FIRST STAPLING SECTION FOR STAPLING THE HOOPS AND HOOPS-AND-LINERS TO THE HOGSHEAD PANELS, FIRST CONVEYOR MEANS TO MOVE PANELS FROM SAID FIRST FEEDING STATION THROUGH SAID FIRST STAPLING SECTION, FIRST SAW MEANS TO FORM STAVES IN SAID PANELS, AND FIRST ADDITIONAL MEANS TO RECEIVE PANELS FROM SAID CONVEYOR MEANS AND CONVEY THEM THROUGH SAID FIRST SAW MEANS; A SECOND FEEDING STATION, A SECOND STAPLING SECTION FOR STAPLING HOOPS AND HOOPS-AND-LINERS TO OTHER HOGSHEAD PANELS, SECOND CONVEYOR MEANS TO MOVE SAID OTHER PANELS FROM SAID SECOND FEEDING STATION THROUGH SAID SECOND STAPLING SECTION, SECOND SAW MEANS TO FORM STAVES IN SAID OTHER PANELS, AND SECOND ADDITIONAL MEANS TO RECEIVE SAID OTHER PANELS FROM SAID SECOND CONVEYOR MEANS AND CONVEY THEM THROUGH SAID SECOND SAW MEANS; UPPER SUPPORT MEANS TO RECEIVE PANELS FROM SAID FIRST SAW MEANS, LOWER SUPPORT MEANS TO RECEIVE SAID OTHER PANELS FROM SAID SECOND SAW MEANS, SAID SUPPORT MEANS BEING POSITIONED ONE ABOVE THE OTHER, A RECEIVING STATION COMMON TO BOTH SUPPORT MEANS, AND MEANS TO PUSH THE PANELS FROM SAID SUPPORT MEANS ONE BY ONE ONTO SAID RECEIVING STATION; SAID PUSH MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF ELONGATED CYLINDERS, A PISTON ROD RECIPROCABLE IN EACH SAID CYLINDER, VALVE MEANS FOR EACH SAID CYLINDER WHEREBY TO DIRECT FLUID PRESSURE TO EITHER END THEREOF, A SHOE ON EACH SAID ROD, SAID UPPER AND LOWER SUPPORT MEANS HAVING DEPRESSED AREAS TO PERMIT SAID SHOES TO PASS OVER WHEREBY TO ENGAGE PANELS SUPPORTED ON THE UNDEPRESSED PORTIONS OF SAID SUPPORT MEANS; AND A CONTROL CIRCUIT INCLUDING EACH OF SAID VALVE MEANS AND SO ARRANGED THAT THE VALVE MEANS CANNOT BE MANIPULATED TO CAUSE SIMULTANEOUS PUSHING MOVEMENT OF SAID SHOES.

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