US3596780A - Pallet feed and locator apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for feeding pallets and locating them under the mold box of a concrete block-making machine. The apparatus is a selfcontained unit that is self-supporting and can be mounted on the supporting surface for the block-making machine so as to be completely independent of any structural part of the block-making machine. A main or stationary frame is provided on which a movable frame is supported for longitudinal movement. The stationary frame has a pallet magazine at its rearward end and a guide track at its forward end. The movable frame has an upper surface, the rearward end of which is adapted to slide under the magazine, and the forward end of which terminates in pallet support fingers. The movable frame and the pallet magazine cooperate during reciprocal movement of the movable frame to translate successive pallets in series from the magazine to the support fingers. A prime mover in the form of a hydraulic cylinder is provided to reciprocate the movable frame. Locator arms are pivotally connected to the movable frame and are connected to the guide track and the hydraulic cylinder so that the latter performs the additional function of raising the arms so as to lift a pallet from the support fingers upwardly for engagement with the underside of a mold box during the forward movement of the movable frame relative to the main frame.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Milo G. Balhorn Waterloo, Iowa [21] Appl. No. 885,238 [22] Filed Dec. 15, I969 [45] Patented Aug. 3, 1971 [73] Assignee Go Corp., he. Adrian, Mich.

[541 PALLET FEED AND LOCATOR APPARATUS 17 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. 21418.5 A, 214/85 F [51] Int. B65; 59/06 [50] Fieldofsearch 2l4/8.5 R, 8.5 A, 8.5 F

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,106,171 1/1938 Fogelson 214/85 F 2.207.782 7/1940 Carlson 214/85 F Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-George F. Abraham Attorney-Olsen and Stephenson ABSTRACT: Apparatus for feeding pallets and locating them under the mold box of a concrete block-making machine. The apparatus is a self-contained unit that is self-supporting and can be mounted on the supporting surface for the block-making machine so as to be completely independent of any structural part of the block-making machine. A main or stationary frame is provided on which a movable frame is supported for longitudinal movement. The stationary frame has a pallet magazine at its rearward end and a guide track at its forward end. The movable frame has an upper surface, the rearward end of which is adapted to slide under the magazine, and the forward end of which terminates in pallet support fingers. The movable frame and the pallet magazine cooperate during reciprocal movement of the movable frame to translate successive pallets in series from the magazine to the support fingers. A prime mover in the form of a hydraulic cylinder is pro vided to reciprocate the movable frame. Locator arms are pivotally connected to the movable frame and are connected to the guide track and the hydraulic cylinder so that the latter performs the additional function of raising the arms so as to lift a pallet from the support fingers upwardly for engagement with the underside of a mold box during the forward movement of the movable frame relative to the main frame.

N wHrW III SHEEI 1 BF 6 INVENTOR M 1 LO 0. BALHORN ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAUB 3m:

PATENTEU me 3:97:

SHEET 3 BF 6 m 65km INVENTOR MILO G. BALHORN ATTORNEYS PATENIED AUG 3 I97! SHEET Q [If 6 INVENTOR' MILO c. BALHORN AT TO R N E. Y5

PATENTFU AUG 3 197i SHEET 8 OF 6 FIG 9 H\.'VENTOR MILO c. BALHORN ATTORNEYS PALLET FEEDAND LOCATOR APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the manufacture of concrete blocks, and more particularly to apparatus for feeding pallets and locating them under the mold box of a concrete block-making machine.

It has been conventional practice in the past to use pallet feed apparatus wherein a new pallet is positioned under the mold box of a block-making machine only afier completion of the previous cycle of stripping and placing of the molded block and its pallet on a removal conveyor, thereby delaying the positioning of the newpallet under the mold box until the pallet support table returns from delivering the previous pallet and its molded block. Efforts to-reduce the-time cycle have been made by providing mechanisms for holding the new pallet in place temporarily until the pallet-supporting table returns to hold the pallet. By placing a new pallet in position in this manner, the cycle .of operation of the machine can be shortened, because it enables the mold to be filled sooner. One such prior arrangement wherein the pallet feed and locator apparatus is an integral part of the block-making machine is shown for example in US. Pat. No. 3,143,780, issued Aug. 1, 1964 to Clanton etal. Apparatus of the character disclosed in this patent being an integral part of the machine is not readily adaptable for use with existing or new block-making machines which lack a suitable pallet feed mechanism. Prior art structures also leave much to be desired from the standpoint of ease of maintenance, simplicity of operation, and for economic reasons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TI-Ie present invention has overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, and has provided an integral self-sustaining pallet feed and locator device which can be used readily either with existing or new block-making machinery.

In one form of the present invention a pallet feed and locator device is provided for raising pallets into contact with the bottomof the mold box of a block-making machine and for locating the pallet until the latter is engaged by a pallet-supporting table of the block-making machine. The device includes a stationarymain frame having the pallet magazine at its rearward end and a cam roller guide frame .at its forward end. A movable frame is mounted on the main frame for movement longitudinally thereof between forward and rearward positions at opposite ends of the main frame. The movable frame has-pallet support fingers at its forward end and an upper surface on which successive pallets can be translated'in series from the pallet magazine to the fingers. The surface extends under the pallet magazine and the movable frame includes a mechanism for engaging the lowermost pallet in the magazine when the movable frame is in its rearward position and for holding such pallet when the movable frame is moved to itsforwardposition. The surface is in juxtaposition to the magazine so that on return of the pallet frame to its rearward position the pallet which was removed from the magazine will be engaged endwise by the next lowermost pallet in the magazine thereby translating such pallet toward the forward end of the movable frame. Locator arms are pivotally connected to the movable frame and extend to a normal position beneath the fingers. A coupling mechanism is connected to the locator arms adjacent to their forward'ends and has cam rollers for traveling in the frame. A prime mover is connected to the main frame and to the coupling mechanism for moving the movable frame between'its forward and rearward positions. The guide frame is arranged to direct the cam rollers upwardand the coupling mechanism is responsive to said prime mover whenthe movable frameis moved to'its forward position to elevate the forward ends of the locator arms above the fingers forlifting'a palletlocated thereon and positioning it against the under side of the mold box. When the movable frame-is movedtoward its rearward position the locator arms are retumedto their normal positions.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pallet feed and locator device which is an integrated self-contained unit; which is self-supporting and may be completely independent of any structural part of the blockmaking machine with which his adapted to be used; which is constructed and arranged so that a single prime mover can be used to move the movable frame thereof between its forward and rearward positions and also to actuate the locator arms to move the latter between elevated and lower positions; and which is characterized by the simplicity of the construction so that minimum maintenance and repair is necessary.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a pallet feed and locator device embodying the present invention, showing the movable frame in its forward position with its locator arms in their elevated positions supporting a pallet thereon;

FIG. 2 is a similar side elevational view showing the movable frame in its retracted position and the locator arms in their lower positions with a pallet on the support fingers in preparation for the next cycle of operation;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the device taken from the left of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the device as seen from the right of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the device;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 4 showing in solid lines the movable frame in its forward position and showing in broken lines the position of certain of the parts when the movable frame is in its rearward position;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 4, showing solid lines the movable frame in its forward position, and showing in broken lines the position of the movable frame when in its rearward position; and

FIG.-11 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 5, showing a detail of the movable frame when in its forward position and when the locator arms are in an elevated position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now to the drawings, the invention will be described in greater detail. The pallet feed and locator apparatus 10 includes the main or stationary frame 12 on which is mounted for longitudinal movement a movable frame 14. The main frame 12 has a mounting base 16 comprising a transverse bottom plate 18, upright side plates 20 and 22 above which are mounted upright plates 24 and 26. The upright plates 24 and 26 are suitably secured to horizontally positioned frame members 28, 30, 32 and 34 between which are mounted rollers 36 and 38, as can be seen best in FIG. 5. It will be noted that four rollers 36 are positioned between frame members 28 and 30, and four rollers 38, only one of which is shown are positioned between frame members 32 and 34. The forward end of the main frame 12 is adapted to be mounted on any suitable support 40, which, as shown in FIG. 1, can be the supporting surface 42 which is adapted to support a concrete block-making machine (not shown) with which the present pallet feed and locator apparatus is adapted to be used. It will be recognized that the forward end of the main frame 12 may also be connected to a supporting portion of the concrete block-making machine, if this is desired.

Mounted above the frame members 28, 30, 32 and 34 at the rearward end of the main frame 12 is a pallet magazine 44. The latter includes a forward wall 46 and a rearward wall 48 and sidewalls 50. TI-Ie top of the magazine is open for receiving pallets, and the bottom is open for discharging pallets singly, in a manner to be described. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 9, a support assembly 52 is mounted on the rearward wall 48 of the magazine for supporting the rearward end of the stack of pallets 54when the movable frame 14 is in its forward position. Thesupport assembly 52 includes a pair of rigid support arms 56 which are secured to the rearward wall 48 and which carry a transverse pin 58 on which is pivotally mounted the pair of upright arms 60. The upright arms 56 are normally urged or biased to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 9, by the coil spring 62 which is mounted on the support bracket 64 and is held in compression between support bracket 64 and transverse bracket 66 which is connected to the upright arms 7 56. A stop member 68 limits the forward movement of the upright arms 60, as can be seen best in FIG..9. As there shown, the roller 70 is normally held in position by the upper ends of the arms 60 so as to support the stack of pallets 54 at the rearward end; As will subsequently be described, when the support assembly 52 is pivoted to the rearward position shown in broken lines, the rearward end of the stack of pallets 54 can be lowered as an incident in the discharging one of the pallets.

The main frame 12 has a cam roller guide frame 72 at its forward end, which includes the vertical side plates 74 and 76 on which are mounted the tracks 78 and 80. The tracks 78 and 80 each include a lower cam roller guide member 84. It will be observed from FIG. 8, that the track 78 initially defines a cam roller guide which is substantially horizontal, and that adjacent to its forward end, the track turns vertically upward. The purpose of this arrangement will be described hereinafter.

The movable frame 14 includes lower channel members 86 and 88 which are adapted to travel on the rollers 36 and 38, as can be seen best in FIG. 5, and are joined to the upper frame members 90 and 92 by the brackets 94. The movable frame 14 has a plurality of pallet support fingers 96 mounted on the forward end of the frame members 90 and 92 and in alignment withthe upper surface 98 which is defined by the rollers 99 mounted on the frame members 90 and 92 on which a series of pallets 100 is adapted to be moved. It will be noted by reference to FIG. 1 that when the movable frame 14 is in its forward position, the upper surface 98 extends under the pallet magazine 44 a distance less than half the dimension from the forward wall 46 to the rearward wall 48. When the movable frame 14 is moved to its rearward position shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface 98 will have passed completely beyond the rearward end of the magazine 44. Under these circumstances, the forward end of the stack of pallets 54 in the magazine 44 will always be supported on the upper surface 98, and the rearward end of the stack 54 will only be supported on the surface 98 when the movable frame 14 is in its rearward position.

Centrally located between the sides of the movable frame 14 is the bumper 102 which has an adjustment screw 104 at its rearward end. The latter is adapted to engage the support assembly 52when the movable frame 14 moves toward its rearward position so as to pivot the arms 60 as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 9. At this particular stage of the operation, the roller 70 will move out from under the stack of pallets 54 so that the latter can descend at the rearward end onto the surface 98. It will be observed that when the movable frame 14 is in it: forward position, shown in FIG. 9, the lowermost pallet of the stack 54 will be in endwise engagement with the next preceding pallet located on the surface 98 immediately forward of the magazine. When the movable frame 14 moves toward its rearward position, the preceding pallet will therefore be held stationary thereby causing relative movement of the series of pallets toward the forward end of frame 14 with the most forward pallet being moved onto the support fingers 96.

As shown in FIG. 10, the movable frame 14 has a mechanism including the pivotally mounted and spring-biased dogs 104 located on opposite sides thereof for engaging the rearward edge of the pallet in the bottom of the stack 54 when the movable frame 14 is in its rearward position. When the movable carriage then moves to its forward position, the lowermost pallet will be moved on the rollers 99 which form the upper surface 98 of the movable frame 14 so that such pallet will be moved to the solid-line position shown in FIG. 10, immediately forward of dog 104. Then, as described above, on the rearward movement of the movable frame 14, the series of pallets on the movable frame will be moved forward relative thereto by virtue of the abutting engagement of the lowermost pallet in the pallet magazine with respect to the next preceding pallet in the series of pallets located on the movable frame 14.

In order to assure that the leading pallet in the series 100 does not slide or otherwise move inadvertently onto the support fingers 96 because of overtravel in the cycle of operation, a pair of brake elements 108 are pivotally mounted on the forward end of the movable frame 14 and are spring urged by the spring 110 against the upper surface of the leading pallet shown in FIG. 6, thereby assuring that the leading pallet does not inadvertently slide forward beyond its intended position.

Mounted on the frame members 90 and 92 are the locator annsl12 and 114 which are pivotally mounted at their rearward ends by the pins 116, FIG. 2, and have their forward ends extending to a normal position below the support fingers 96, out of registry therewith. The locator arms 112 and 114 are supported in the normal lower position by the coupling mechanism or knuckle joint 118. The knuckle joint 118 has four forwardly and downwardly inclined arms 112, FIG. 7, which are pivotally connected at their forward ends to the shaft 124 which is secured to the lower frame member 86 of the movable carriage 14, and the rearward and upper ends of the arms 122 are pivotally connected to the shaft 126. The knuckle joint 118 also includes the four forwardly and upwardly inclined arms 128 which are pivotally connected at their rearward ends also to the shaft 126 and are pivotally connected at their forward ends to the shaft 130 mounted on the under side of the locator arms 112 and 114. The shaft 130 which forms the pivotal connection at the forward ends of the knuckle arms 128 also has at its remote ends cam rollers 132 which travel in the tracks 78 and 80 defined by the lower cam roller guide members 82 and the upper cam roller guide members 84. By virtue of this arrangement, when the knuckle joint 118 is moved forward relative to the cam roller guide frame 72, the knuckle joint 118 will remain in its normally closed position until the cam rollers 132 reach the bends in the lower cam guides 82, and the rollers 132 will then move vertically upwardly causing the knuckle joint 118 to open to the fully opened position wherein the knuckle arms 122 and 128 will assume vertical positions, thus carrying substantially the full vertical load of the forward ends of locator arms 112 and 1 14. As can be seen in FIG. 1, when the knuckle joint is in the fully open position, the forward ends of the locator arms will have been moved vertically upwardly about the pivot point 116 to elevate the locator arms above the support fingers 96, thereby lifting the forward pallet 134 to the elevated position shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 wherein such pallet normally will be positioned against the under side of the mold box of a block-making machine. As can be seen in these figures, the locator arms 1 12 and 1 14 have resilient blocks 136 forming their upper surfaces on which the pallet 134 will be held. The pallet will be held in this position until the pallet-supporting table from the blockmaking machine has returned from its preceding cycle and has engaged the pallet 134 to hold the same against the bottom of the mold box during the molding of the next block, and the pallet feed and locator apparatus can then return to its normal position which will have the effect of advancing another pallet onto. the fingers 96 for the next cycle of operation which will begin after the table from the molding machine has lowered the preceding mold block and its pallet.

The prime mover for moving the movable frame between its forward and rearward positions is a hydraulic cylinder 138 which has its one end pivotally connected at 142 to the arm 144 which is connected in a pivotal relationship to the knuckle pin or shaft 126. By virtue of this arrangement, expansion of the hydraulic cylinder 138 will move the movable frame 114 to a forward position, and as an incident to this movement, the knuckle joint 118 will open to elevate the locator arms 112 and l 14 totheir upper position as previously described. When the hydrauliccylinder-l38 is retracted the movable frame 1 14 will be returned to. its. rearward position; and as an incident thereto, the knuckle joint 118 will close so'that the locator arms 112 and ll4-will be lowered to their lower positions.

When mounting the pallet feed and locator device in operative relation to a block-making machine the support member 146, on which are locatedresilient blocks 148, can be supported on any suitable support member 40 or it can be directly connected to supporting structure on the block-making machine.

it is notneoessary that the pallet feed and locator device 10 be structurally: connected to the block-making machine. If desired, the-forward end of the device 10 can be inserted from the rear of'a conventional'block-making machine to a position whereinthesupport fingers 96, in their forward positions will be located. under the mold box of the machine, and a support 40 canqbe positioned to hold the forward end of the main frame 12 in the desired location. However, the controls for the hydraulic cylinder 138' will be interconnected with the controls for theblock-making machine to assure that the actions of the machine and the-device l38remain synchronized.

lclaim: v

. A palletfeed and locator device for raising successive pallets into contact-with the'bottom of a mold box of a blockmaking machine, comprising a stationary main frame having a pallet magazine at its rearward end, a movable frame mounted on said main. frame for movement longitudinally thereof between forward and'rearward positions, said movable frame having pallet support fingers at its forward end and a surface on.which successive pallets can be translated'in series from said pallet magazine to said fingers, locator arms connected to said movable frame and extending to a normal position beneath saidfingers, a coupling mechanism connected to said locator arms'adjacent to their forward ends, and means connected to said main frame and to said coupling mechanism for moving said movable frame between its forward and rearward positions, said coupling. mechanism being responsive to said means when'said movable frame is moved to its forward position to elevate the forward ends of said locator arms above said fingers and when said movable frame is moved toward its rearward position to return said locator arms'to said normal position.

2. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein said surface-extends under said pallet magazine, and said movable frameincludes a dog for engaging the lowermost pallet in saidmagazinewhen the. movable frame is in its rearward-position andafor holding such pallet when the movable frameis moved to itsforward position, saidv surface being in juxtapositionto saidpallet magazine. so that on the'retum of said. movableframe to its rearward position such pallet will be engaged. endwise by. the next lowermost pallet in said magazine thereby translating such pallet toward the forward endnf saidmovable frame.

3. A pallet :feed andlocator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein. said; pallet magazine is open at thebottom for discharging, pallets stacked therein, 'said surface extending underthe forwardportion of said palletmagazine when said movableframeis in its forward position and under the full length of the pallet magazine when the movable frame is in its rearward position, and a support assembly is mounted on said main frame adjacent to the rear of said pallet magazine for supporting the rear of the stacked pallets when said movable frame is in its forward position.

4. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 3, wherein said support assembly is engageable by said movable frame when the latter is moved to its rearward position and is responsive to such movement to release the lowermost pallet of the stack for descent onto said surface of the movable frame.

5 A pallet feed and locator device as is defined by claim 4, wherein said movable frame includes a dog to engage the reap ward edge of the lowermost pallet when the movable frame is in its rearward position and to hold said pallet for movement with the movable frame when the latter is moved to its forward position.

6. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim I, wherein said locator arms are pivotally connected to said movable frame adjacent to the rearward end thereof, and said means includes a hydraulic cylinder having one end connected to said main frame and the other end connected to said coupling mechanism.

7. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 6, wherein said coupling mechanism includes a nonnally closed knuckle joint with one arm of the joint extending forwardly and upwardly to a pivotal connection with said locator arms and the other arm of the joint extending downwardly and forwardly to a pivotal connection with the movable frame, and said other end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the pin of said joint.'

8. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 7, wherein said main frame has a cam roller guide structure at its forward end defining tracks on opposite sides which initially are generally horizontal and terminate adjacent to said forward end in generally vertical portions, and said locator arms are-connected to cam rollers positioned in said tracks.

9. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism includes a normally closed knuckle joint with one arm of the joint inclined in a forward and upward direction and the other arm inclined in a forward and downward direction, the remote end of said otherarm being pivotally connected to said movable frame, the pin of the knuckle joint being connected to said means and the remote end of said one arm being pivotally connected to said locator arms.

, 10; A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 9, wherein said main frame has a cam roller guide track adjacent to its forward end, said track extending toward the forward end and terminating in an upwardly turned portion, and said locator arms support a cam roller mounted to travel in said guide track, said cam roller and guide track being oriented relative to said knuckle joint so that said knuckle joint can open to a position wherein said one arm is vertically aligned with said other'arm when the cam roller is in an upper part of said cam track.

11; A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 10, wherein said means includes a hydraulic cylinder having one end pivotally connected to said main frame and the other end connected to the pin of said knuckle joint.

12. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein a brake mechanism is mounted on said movable frame adjacent to said surface for engagement of the pallet in said series which is next in succession for movement onto said fingers.

13. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein said locator arms have resilient blocks forming the upper surfaces of the forward ends thereof.

14. A pallet feed and locator device for raising successive pallets into contact with the bottom of a mold box of a blockmaking machine, comprising a stationary main frame having a pallet magazine at its rearward end and a cam roller guide frame at its forward end, a movable frame mounted on said main frame for movement longitudinally thereof between forward and rearward positions at opposite ends of said main frame, said movable frame having pallet support fingers at its forward end and an upper surface on which successive pallets can be translated in series from said pallet magazine to said fingers, locator arms pivotally connected to said movable frame and extending to a normal position beneath said fingers, a coupling mechanism connected to said locator arms adjacent to their forward ends and having cam rollers for traveling in said guide frame, and means connected to said main frame and to said coupling mechanism for moving said movable frame between its forward and rearward positions, said guide frame being arranged to direct said cam rollers upward and said coupling mechanism being responsive to said means when said movable frame is moved to its forward position to elevate the forward ends of said locator arms above said fingers and when said movable frame is moved toward its rearward position to return said locator arms to their normal positions.

15. A pallet feed and locator device for raising successive pallets into contact with the bottom of a mold box of a blockmaking machine, comprising a stationary main frame having a pallet magazine at its rearward end and a cam roller guide frame at its forward end, a movable frame mounted on said main frame for movement the return thereof between forward and rearward positions at opposite ends of said main frame, said movable frame having pallet support fingers at its forward end and an upper surface on which successive pallets can be translated in series from said pallet magazine to said fingers,

' said surface extending under said pallet magazine and said movable frame including a dog for engaging the lowermost pallet in said magazine when the movable frame is in its rearward position and for holding such pallet when the movable frame is moved to its forward position, said surface being in juxtaposition to said magazine so that on the return of said movable frame to its rearward position such pallet will be engaged endwise by the next lowermost pallet in said magazine thereby translating such pallet toward the forward end of said movable frame, locator arms pivotally connected to said movable frame and extending to a normal position beneath said fingers, a coupling mechanism connected to said locator arms adjacent to their forward ends and having cam rollers for traveling in said guide frame, and means connected to said main frame and to said coupling mechanism for moving said movable frame between its forward and rearward positions, said guide frame being arranged to direct said cam rollers upward and said coupling mechanism being responsive to said means when said movable frame is moved to its forward position to elevate the forward ends of said locator arms above said fingers and when said movable frame is moved toward its rearward position to return said locator arms to their normal positions.

16. A pallet feed and locator device for raising successive pallets into contact with the bottom of a mold box of a blockmaking machine, comprising a stationary main frame having a pallet magazine at its rearward end, a movable frame mounted on said main frame for movement longitudinally thereof between forward and rearward positions, said movable frame having pallet support fingers at its forward end'and a surface on which successive pallets can be translated in series from said pallet magazine to-said fingers, locator arms connected to said movable frame and extending to a normal position beneath said fingers, means operatively connected between said main frame and said movable frame for moving said movable frame between its forward and rearward positions, other means operatively connected to said locator arms for elevating said locator anns above said fingers when said movable frame is moved to its forward position and to return said locator arms to said normal position when said movable frame is moved toward its rearward position.

17. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 16, wherein said surface extends under said pallet magazine, and said movable frame includes a mechanism for engaging the lowermost pallet in said magazine when the movable frame is in its rearward position and for holding such pallet when the movable frame is moved to its forward position, said surface being in juxtaposition to said pallet magazine so that on the return of said movable frame to its rearward position such pallet will be engaged endwise by the next lowermost pallet in said magazine thereby translating such pallet toward the forward end of said movable frame.

37 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 6, 0 Dated Augusj; 3, 19:11

It is certified that error appears in the above-ideptified patent and chap said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

C01. 7, Claim 15, Ljfie 25, canoel "the return" and insert in place thereof -1ongitudina11y--.

Signed and sealed. this 8th dayof February 197 2. v

(SEAL) Attestz EDWARD M.FLETCI-IER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attestlng Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims (17)

1. A pallet feed and locator device for raising successive pallets into contact with the bottom of a mold box of a block-making machine, comprising a stationary main frame having a pallet magazine at its rearward end, a movable frame mounted on said main frame for movement longitudinally thereof between forward and rearward positions, said movable frame having pallet support fingers at its forward end and a surface on which successive pallets can be translated in series from said pallet magazine to said fingers, locator arms connected to said movable frame and extending to a normal position beneath said fingers, a coupling mechanism connected to said locator arms adjacent to their forward ends, and means connected to said main frame and to said coupling mechanism for moving said movable frame between its forward and rearward positions, said coupling mechanism being responsive to said means when said movable frame is moved to its forward position to elevate the forward ends of said locator arms above said fingers and when said movable frame is moved toward its rearward position to return said locator arms to said normal position.

2. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein said surface extends under said pallet magazine, and said movable frame includes a dog for engaging the lowermost pallet in said magazine when the movable frame is in its rearward position and for holding such pallet when the movable frame is moved to its forward position, said surface being in juxtaposition to said pallet magazine so that on the return of said movable frame to its rearward position such pallet will be engaged endwise by the next lowermost pallet in said magazine thereby translating such pallet toward the forward end of said movable frame.

3. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein said pallet magazine is open at the bottom for discharging pallets stacked therein, said surface extending under the forward portion of said pallet magazine when said movable frame is in its forward position and under the full length of the pallet magazine when the movable frame is in its rearward position, and a support assembly is mounted on said main frame adjacent to the rear of said pallet magazine for supporting the rear of the stacked pallets when said movable frame is in its forward position.

4. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 3, wherein said support assembly is engageable by said movable frame when the latter is moved to its rearward position and is responsive to such movement to release the lowermost pallet of the stack for descent onto said surface of the movable frame.

5. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined by claim 4, wherein said movable frame includes a dog to engage the rearward edge of the lowermost pallet when the movable frame is in its rearward position and to hold said pallet for movement with the movable frame when the latter is moved to its forward position.

6. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein said locator arms are pivotally connected to said movable frame adjacent to the rearward end thereof, and said means includes a hydraulic cylinder having one end connected to said main frame and the other end connected to said coupling mechanism.

7. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 6, wherein said coupling mechanism includes a normally cloSed knuckle joint with one arm of the joint extending forwardly and upwardly to a pivotal connection with said locator arms and the other arm of the joint extending downwardly and forwardly to a pivotal connection with the movable frame, and said other end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the pin of said joint.

8. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 7, wherein said main frame has a cam roller guide structure at its forward end defining tracks on opposite sides which initially are generally horizontal and terminate adjacent to said forward end in generally vertical portions, and said locator arms are connected to cam rollers positioned in said tracks.

9. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism includes a normally closed knuckle joint with one arm of the joint inclined in a forward and upward direction and the other arm inclined in a forward and downward direction, the remote end of said other arm being pivotally connected to said movable frame, the pin of the knuckle joint being connected to said means and the remote end of said one arm being pivotally connected to said locator arms.

10. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 9, wherein said main frame has a cam roller guide track adjacent to its forward end, said track extending toward the forward end and terminating in an upwardly turned portion, and said locator arms support a cam roller mounted to travel in said guide track, said cam roller and guide track being oriented relative to said knuckle joint so that said knuckle joint can open to a position wherein said one arm is vertically aligned with said other arm when the cam roller is in an upper part of said cam track.

11. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 10, wherein said means includes a hydraulic cylinder having one end pivotally connected to said main frame and the other end connected to the pin of said knuckle joint.

12. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein a brake mechanism is mounted on said movable frame adjacent to said surface for engagement of the pallet in said series which is next in succession for movement onto said fingers.

13. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 1, wherein said locator arms have resilient blocks forming the upper surfaces of the forward ends thereof.

14. A pallet feed and locator device for raising successive pallets into contact with the bottom of a mold box of a block-making machine, comprising a stationary main frame having a pallet magazine at its rearward end and a cam roller guide frame at its forward end, a movable frame mounted on said main frame for movement longitudinally thereof between forward and rearward positions at opposite ends of said main frame, said movable frame having pallet support fingers at its forward end and an upper surface on which successive pallets can be translated in series from said pallet magazine to said fingers, locator arms pivotally connected to said movable frame and extending to a normal position beneath said fingers, a coupling mechanism connected to said locator arms adjacent to their forward ends and having cam rollers for traveling in said guide frame, and means connected to said main frame and to said coupling mechanism for moving said movable frame between its forward and rearward positions, said guide frame being arranged to direct said cam rollers upward and said coupling mechanism being responsive to said means when said movable frame is moved to its forward position to elevate the forward ends of said locator arms above said fingers and when said movable frame is moved toward its rearward position to return said locator arms to their normal positions.

15. A pallet feed and locator device for raising successive pallets into contact with the bottom of a mold box of a block-making machine, comprising a stationary main frame having a pallet magazine at its rearward end and a cam roller guide frame at itS forward end, a movable frame mounted on said main frame for movement the return thereof between forward and rearward positions at opposite ends of said main frame, said movable frame having pallet support fingers at its forward end and an upper surface on which successive pallets can be translated in series from said pallet magazine to said fingers, said surface extending under said pallet magazine and said movable frame including a dog for engaging the lowermost pallet in said magazine when the movable frame is in its rearward position and for holding such pallet when the movable frame is moved to its forward position, said surface being in juxtaposition to said magazine so that on the return of said movable frame to its rearward position such pallet will be engaged endwise by the next lowermost pallet in said magazine thereby translating such pallet toward the forward end of said movable frame, locator arms pivotally connected to said movable frame and extending to a normal position beneath said fingers, a coupling mechanism connected to said locator arms adjacent to their forward ends and having cam rollers for traveling in said guide frame, and means connected to said main frame and to said coupling mechanism for moving said movable frame between its forward and rearward positions, said guide frame being arranged to direct said cam rollers upward and said coupling mechanism being responsive to said means when said movable frame is moved to its forward position to elevate the forward ends of said locator arms above said fingers and when said movable frame is moved toward its rearward position to return said locator arms to their normal positions.

16. A pallet feed and locator device for raising successive pallets into contact with the bottom of a mold box of a block-making machine, comprising a stationary main frame having a pallet magazine at its rearward end, a movable frame mounted on said main frame for movement longitudinally thereof between forward and rearward positions, said movable frame having pallet support fingers at its forward end and a surface on which successive pallets can be translated in series from said pallet magazine to said fingers, locator arms connected to said movable frame and extending to a normal position beneath said fingers, means operatively connected between said main frame and said movable frame for moving said movable frame between its forward and rearward positions, other means operatively connected to said locator arms for elevating said locator arms above said fingers when said movable frame is moved to its forward position and to return said locator arms to said normal position when said movable frame is moved toward its rearward position.

17. A pallet feed and locator device as is defined in claim 16, wherein said surface extends under said pallet magazine, and said movable frame includes a mechanism for engaging the lowermost pallet in said magazine when the movable frame is in its rearward position and for holding such pallet when the movable frame is moved to its forward position, said surface being in juxtaposition to said pallet magazine so that on the return of said movable frame to its rearward position such pallet will be engaged endwise by the next lowermost pallet in said magazine thereby translating such pallet toward the forward end of said movable frame.

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