US3627152A

US3627152A - Sheet feeding mechanism for a hole-punching machine

Info

Publication number: US3627152A
Application number: US888760A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernst Pfaffle
Original assignee: Hans Sickinger Co
Current assignee: Hans Sickinger Co
Priority date: 1969-12-29
Filing date: 1969-12-29
Publication date: 1971-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-14
Also published as: CH521912A; DE2062280A1; CA920156A; GB1281303A; JPS4940754B1; DE2062280C3; DE2062280B2

Abstract

A machine for simultaneously punching a row of holes along one side of a group of sheets. A stack of sheets is supported by a slotted rotating disc and a finger enters one corner of the stack to separate a group of sheets at the bottom. A rotating depressor shaft lowers the group along its forward edge to permit it to pass into a slot in the disc, thus permitting the group of sheets to drop onto conveyors which carry it toward the punches. A longitudinally adjustable locating stop and a similarly adjustable jogger align the sheet edges at the punching station.

Description

United States Patent inventor Ernst Piaifle Neuifen, Germany Appl. No. 888,760

Filed Dec. 29, 1969 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 Assignee Hans Sickinger Co.

Pontiac, Mich.

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A HOLE- PUNCHING MACHINE [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,731,271 l/l956 Brown 214/41 X 3,109,642 1 H1963 Flynn 270/6l Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-George F. Abraham Attorney-Harness, Dickey & Pierce ABSTRACT: A machine for simultaneously punching a row of holes along one side of a group of sheets. A stack of sheets is supported by a slotted rotating disc and a finger enters one corner of the stack to separate a group of sheets at the bottom. A rotating depressor shaft lowers the group along its forward edge to permit it to pass into a slot in the disc, thus permitting the group of sheets to drop onto conveyors which carry it toward the punches. A longitudinally adjustable locating stop and a similarly adjustable jogger align the sheet edges at the punching station.

Patmnmd Um. 1% 19" 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 W/ F M NW W WM? Mfg w I SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A HOLE-PUNCHING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The invention relates to machines for punching holes in the edges of booklet sheets for the reception of wire hinges.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art is exemplified by my U.S. Pat. No. 3,452,628.

The machine shown in this patent is however not adapted for.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is especially adapted for larger sheet sizes and eliminates the need for two rotating discs. Moreover, conveniently operable and accessible means are provided for adjusting the longitudinal positions of the stop at the punching station and the jogger which aligns the sheet edges in a longitudinal direction. Thus, the machine may be easily adjusted to accommodate different sizes of sheets for punching.

The machine comprises a single-slotted rotating disc which supports the stack, and a depressor in the form of a spirally slotted shaft extending across the machine at the forward edge of the stack. A finger is provided as in the previous invention which enters and lifts one comer of the forward edge of the stack above a group of sheets to be separated, thus permitting one end of the slotted depressor shaft to depress that corner, and permitting the side edge of the group of sheets to enter a slot in the rotating disc. As the depressor rotates, successive portions of the forward edge of the group of sheets are depressed and the group passes through the disc slot, dropping onto conveyor belts.

The belts carry the group of sheets toward a locating stop at the punching station. After engaging this stop, a jogger comes up behind the group of sheets and a second jogger hits the sheets on the side opposite the punches, thus aligning the sheet edges in both directions. After punching, the locating stop is retracted to permit the conveyor belts to deliver the sheets to a bin.

The means for longitudinally adjusting the locating stop and longitudinal jogger comprise a pair of carriages which support these members. The carriages have pinions meshing with a rack mounted on the base and rotatable by a key insertable through apertures in the carriages. The locating stop and jogger are actuated in timed relation with each other by a pair of cams which operate separate links, these links being connected to two vertically movable rails. The locating stop and longitudinal jogger are rockably mounted on their respective carriages, and arms attached to their rocking shafts carry wheels which rest on the two rails and are lifted thereby, regardless of their adjusted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the machine from the delivery end.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view at closer range, showing the punching station.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from underneath the paper-supporting platform showing the location and operation of the locating stop and longitudinal jogger.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the means for rockably mounting the locating stop and longitudinal jogger.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the disc end of the machine showing the manner in which the group of sheets is depressed and enters a slot in the disc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The machine is generally indicated at 11 and comprises a base 12 having a paper-supporting platform 13. A disc 14 is mounted at one end and above platform I3 on a rotary axis 15. This disc is adapted to support a stack of sheets 16 which is to be punched along one edge. The stack is held in position at its forward corners by a pair of upstanding angular members 17 and 18 which are laterally adjustable on a bar 19 supported at its opposite ends by posts 21 and 22. The rear edge of the stack is guided by a vertical member 23 carried by an arm 24 which is in turn supported by arms 25 and 26. The latter two arms are pivotally supported by base I2, arm 25 being mounted coaxially with disc 14 and arm 26 on a post 27. Arms 24, 2S and 26 together form a parallelogram linkage by means of which guide 23 may be adjusted in a longitudinal direction for different sizes of paper.

Guide rails 28 are provided for groups of sheets being transported on platform 13, one of these being carried by a downward extension of guide 18 and supporting an additional side guide for stack 16 in the form of an adjustable arm 29. A safety cover 31 is also provided on one side of base 12 for partially enclosing the protruding portion of disc 14.

The forward lower edge of stack 16 rides on a depressor shaft 32 which extends laterally across base 12 forwardly of disc 14 and above platform 13. This shaft is rotatably supported at its opposite ends by posts 2] and 22, and has a deep spiral groove 33 formed along its extent. The axis of shaft 32 is in the plane formed by those surfaces of guides 17 and I8 which engage the forward side of stack 16, and the shaft extends laterally past these guides in both directions. When adjusting the machine for different sizes of paper, guide 17 will normally be held relatively fixed while guide 18 is laterally adjusted. The upper surface of shaft 32 rotates toward stack 16, and the portion 34 (FIG. 5) of shaft 32 at the trailing edge of slot 33 and immediately below guide 1.7 is enlarged. Thus, the shaft will engage the adjacent corner of a group of sheets which has been separated from the main stack and will begin to depress this group. The camlike shape of this portion of shaft 32 is similar to that of depressor 38 in the above-mentioned patent. In other words, portion 34 of shaft 32 has a main surface of constant radius and a portion which extends outwardly and forms a projection at the trailing edge of slot 33 to initially engage the group of sheets indicated at 35 in FIG. 5

A finger 36 is provided which acts similarly to finger 36 in the aforementioned patent but which is located forwardly of the stack and extends through a clearance aperture 37 in the lower end of guide 17. This separating finger is operated by a pair of cams (not shown) mounted on an extension of shaft 32. One of these cams operates a rockable arm 38 which carries a shaft 39 on which finger 36 is mounted, while the other cam operates an arm 41 which is connected to shaft 39 itself. The outer end of finger 36 is wedge shaped, and the relationship of the parts as such that during rotation of shaft 32 the finger will be successively moved into the lower portion of this stack, up, away from the stack and down. This movement will periodically lift the stack above a group of sheets to be separated. The thickness of the group may be determined by a thumbscrew adjustment 42 for finger 36.

Disc 14 has three slots 43 thereon, the major portions of these slots having parallel edges with the inner portions being flared to accommodate the sheets. The disc rotates in such a direction that the outer portion of the trailing edge of each slot will approach one side edge of each group of sheets 35, will ride over the depressed portion of the group, as seen in FIG. 5, and will continue to depress the group of sheets as the forward edge of the group is depressed by spiral slot 33. The group will thus drop through slot 43 and land on platform 13.

A plurality of endless conveyor belts: 44 (FIG. 4) carried by wheels 45 extend beneath shaft 32 and] will carry the group of sheets 35 toward the punching station. An initial retractable stop 45' (FIG. 5), side guides 28, weighted holddown rollers 46 above belts 44, additional rubber holddown bands 47 carried by wheels 48, a leaf spring depressor 49 and an initial pusher 50 are provided for properly conveying the group of sheets to a punching station 51. The arms which carry rollers 46 and wheels 48 are supported by lateral shafts 52 which are attached at one end to and longitudinally adjustable along a rail 53.

At the punching station, each group of sheets 35 meets a locating stop 54 in the form of an angular member properly slotted as at 55 (FIG, 3) to permit belts 44 to pass therethrough. After the group of sheets has engaged stop 54, and before being punched, it is jogged in a longitudinal direction by a jogger 56 in the form of an angular member which engages the trailing edge of the group. At the same time, a lateral jogger 57 (FIGS. 1 and 2) aligns the sheets in a lateral direction. Member 57 operates in a manner similar to side guide 62 of the aforementioned patent and therefore need not be described in detail, except to point out that it is laterally adjustable by means of rods 58 and thumbscrews 59 to accommodate difierent widths of paper,

Different lengths of paper are accommodated by relatively minor longitudinal adjustment of locating stop 54 and greater longitudinal adjustment of jogger 56. The present invention incorporates convenient and easily accessible means for longitudinal adjustment of these members. More particularly, a pair of carriages 61 and 62 (FIG. 3) are provided for members 54 and 56 respectively. These carriages are slidably mounted on a rail 63 beneath platform 13, and their tops are flush with platform 13 and are slotted to accommodate belts 44. Carriage 61 rotatably supports a shaft 64 which has a pair of arms 65 extending forwardly therefrom. These arms have upward extensions 66 which support locating stop 54. Similarly, carriage 62 has a shaft 67 rotatably mounted thereon, this shaft having a pair of rearwardly extending arms 68 which carry upward extensions 69 supporting jogger 56. Springs 70 urge stop 54 and jogger 56 toward their retracted positions.

The means for adjusting carriages 61 and 62 in a longitudinal direction comprises a rack 71 secured to one side of rail 63 and pinions (not shown) on carriages 61 and 62 which mesh with this rack. The pinions are rotatable by inserting a key in an access opening such as opening 72 for platform 62, seen in P16. 1, the key being engageable with an extension 73 of the pinion shaft.

The means for moving stop 54 and jogger 56 to their upper positions comprises a camshaft 74 (FIG. 3) having a pair of cams 75 and 76 for actuating the stop and jogger respectively. Cam 75 operates an arm 77 F 10. 4) to the outer end of which is connected a vertical link 78. This link extends upwardly though a frame member 79 of base 12 and operates a vertically reciprocable rail 81, this rail being guided for vertical movement by a pair of rods 82 and 83 which extend through member 79. An arm 84 is attached to shaft 64 and carries a wheel (not shown) which rides on rail 81 so that lifting of rail 81 will swing stop 54 to its operative position while dropping of the rail will permit springs 70 to retract the stop.

Cam 76 has a follower 85 on a rockable arm 86, and a vertically extending link 87 is connected to this arm and supports a rail 88 above frame member 79. Like rail 81, rail 88 is guided by a pair of

rods

89 and 91 passing through member 79. An arm 92 is connected to shaft 67 of carriage 62 and carries a wheel 93 which rests on rail 88. Vertical reciprocation of this rail will therefore operate jogger 56 in synehronism with stop 54. l

The operation of machine 11 will be apparent from the foregoing description. Starting with a condition in which finger 36 is retracted, this finger will be advanced into the lower portion of stack 16 and will lift the main portion of the stack. The projecting portion 41 of depressor shaft 32 will depress the adjacent corner of the group of sheets beneath the stack being lifted and will continue to depress successive portions of the forward edge of the group because of the spiral nature of slot 33. The trailing edge of a slot 43 in disc 14 will pass over the depressed portion of group 35 so that the group will drop onto conveyor belts 44. fter being initially stopped, by

member 45', the group will pass beneath weighted rollers 46, rubber bands 47 and spring retainer 49 to punching station 51 where it will be halted by locatingstop 54. Joggers 56 and 57 will align the edges of the group and the punches of punching station 51 will simultaneously punch a row of holes along one edge of the group. Stop 54 will then be retracted, permitting the group to be discharged into a bin 94.

What is claimed is: I

1. In a mechanism for separating successive groups of sheets from the underside of a stack so that said groups may be fed in one direction, a table, a disc rotatably mounted above and parallel to said table, guide means extending upwardly from said table for locating the forward edge of said stack, a depressor shaft extending across said table beneath the forward edge of said stack, said depressor shaft having a spiral groove therein, a finger adjacent one end of said groove and movable into the lower portion of said stack adjacent one corner thereof to separate a group of sheets therefrom and to thereafter lift the remainder of said stack above said group of sheets at said corner, said depressor shaft being so shaped adjacent said finger as to engage and depress said corner of the group of sheets after the remainder of the stack has been lifted by said finger, and at least one slot in said disc, the axis of rotation of said disc being so located that said slot will approach the side of said group of sheets adjacent said depressed portion so that the group of sheets passes into such slot, the length of said slot being sufficient to cause said group of sheets to drop onto said table as the successive portions thereof are depressed by said depressor shaft and disc.

2. The combination according to claim 1, the diameter of said disc being sufficient to support a stack of paper extending along a substantial portion of said depressor shaft.

3. The combination according to claim 2, there being two comer guides at the forward portion of said stack, at least one of said guides being laterally adjustable to accommodate different sizes of sheets, the axis of said depressor shaft being substantially in a plane with said forward guides.

4. The combination according to claim 3, said finger being movable at right angles to the extent of said depressor shaft and passing through a clearance aperture in one of said forward guides.

5. The combination according to claim 1, said depressor shaft supporting the forward edge of said stack of sheets, the portion of said depressor shaft which is so shaped as to depress a comer of said group of sheets being of enlarged diameter adjacent the trailing edge of said spiral slot.

* l 4 l i

Claims

3. The combination according to claim 2, there being two corner guides at the forward portion of said stack, at least one of said guides being laterally adjustable to accommodate different sizes of sheets, the axis of said depressor shaft being substantially in a plane with said forward guides.

5. The combination according to claim 1, said depressor shaft supporting the forward edge of said stack of sheets, the portion of said depressor shaft which is so shaped as to depress a corner of said group of sheets being of enlarged diameter adjacent the trailing edge of said spiral slot.