US1711076A - Automatic paper-elevator control for automatic sheet feeders - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1929. pmc I 1,711,076

AUTOMATIC PAPER ELEVATOR CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDERS Filed 0st. 26, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J 121mm 670,

61 No: "a;

April. 30, 1929. ALDRICH 1,711,076

AUTOMATIC PAPER ELEVATOR CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDERS ile 00 6, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 30, 1929. ALDRICH 1,711,076

AUTOMATIC PAPER ELEVATOR CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDERS 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 26, 192'? Inventor lfiflldm'a/a Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

LESTER KYLE ALDRICH, .01 SIDNEY, OHIO.

anrouarrc PAPER-ELEVATOR oomrnor. ron. auromrrc 51mm: FEEDER-i Application filed October 26, 1927. Serial No. 228,814.

The invention relates to an automatic paper elevator control for automatic sheet feeders such as is disclosed in Patent No. 1,546,184, granted to me July 14, 1925'.

The object of the present invention is to im-' prove the construction of automatic paper elevator controls for automatic sheet feeders and to provide a simple, practical and etlicient automatic paper elevator control of strong, durable and comparatively inexpensive construction adapted to automatically control the mechanism for elevating the stack ofpaper for automatically lifting the stack and for maintaining the top of the pile at a predetermined level. l

A further object of the invention is to give a greater range to the control mechanism and to. provide one which can be assembled in units and produced at a minimum cost.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide an automatic paper elevator control which will be fool-proof and which cannot be gotten out of adjustment and in which repair parts may be installed by a novice.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic paper elevator control equipped with a feeler finger provided with a roll adapted when the feeder is running small sheets to be held firmly in engagement with the same to enable the feeder to throw a greater loop or undulation in the paper and give a better separation of the sheets and capable when the feeder is operating on large sheets to turn freely and allow a sheet which has been dragged slightly forward to be restored to proper position by a hold-down and rcgister mechanism shown and described in my copending application filed June 2, 1927, Serial No. 196,208.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for counter-balancing the feeler finger to enable the same to operate on the tail of envelopes without tipping the envelopes up at the front.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic paper elevator control in which the only adjustment required Will be an adjustment of the feeler finger to arrange the same to suit the size of the sheets and the character of the stock to be fed by an automatic feeder.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, pro rtion and minor details of construction, wit in the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from .the spirit or sacrificing \any of the advantages of the invention.

" In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of anautomatic paper elevator control constructed in accordance with this invention and shown'applied to a feeder.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the manner of mounting the vertically movable elevator board or table.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevation of the automatic paper elevator control.

. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan View of the automatic paper elevator control.

In the accompanying drawings the automatic paper elevator control is shown applied to the automatic feeder of the aforesaid patent, but it is adapted to be applied to various other automatic feeders as will be readily understood. The feeder of the aforesaid patent comprises in its construction a frame 1 substantially rectangular in plan View and composed of spaced sides connected by suitable cross bars. A vertically movable table or elevator board 2 is provided for supporting a stack of sheets 3 that are to be fed by the automatic feeder. The table 13 is automatically moved upwardly for advancing the stack 3 by elevating mechanism comprising a tubular shaft consisting of a sleeve 4 extending across the frame of the machine and arranged between the sides thereof and provided at its ends with interiorly arranged anti-friction bearings 5 which are mounted on a transverse supporting rod 6. The transverse supporting and connecting rod 6 extends entirely across the frame and is firmly and detachabl secured in aligned transverse openings 7 y means of clamping screws 8 mounted in suitable threaded openings 9 in the top portions of the sides of the frame of the machine. The threaded openings 9 extend downwardly from the upper edges of the sides of the machine to the transverse openings 7 and the clamping screws 8 which are provided at their upper ends with suitable heads for engagenientby a wrench or other tool firmly clamp the terminal portions of the cross rod 5. The anti-friction bearings 5 which may be of any desired construction are mounted in counter-bores or enlargements 10 of the end portions of the opening through the sleeve. The counter-bores or enlargements 10 of the bore or opening throu h the sleeve forms shoulders against whic the anti-friction bearings abut. The sleeve 4 is supported in spaced relation with the rigid cross rod 6 by the roll or other antifriction bearings which reduce the friction to a minimum and at the same time simplify the constructionby combining in one structure the connecting rod and shaft. This affords greater freedom in placing the stack upon the elevator board or table.

The elevator board or table 2 is supported by sprocket chains 11 arranged on sprocket wheels 12 mounted on the end portions of the sleeve 4 and secured to the same by clamping screws 13 or other suitable means. The sprocket chains are secured at one end to the vertically movable elevator board or table and their other ends are free and are provided with a counterweight or balance as explained in the aforesaid patent. The sleeve 4 also has mounted on it a worm wheel 14 located at one end of the sleeve adjacent one side of the frame and secured to the sleeve by a clamping screw 15 or other suitable means. The clamping screw 15 detachably secures the worm to the sleeve and it will be apparent that when the worm becomes worn and requires repair or replacement the rod 6 may be readily withdrawn from the frame to afford access to the worm wheel without disturbing the adjustment of the sprocket wheels. This will enable the worm wheel to be readily replaced by an inexperienced person and the sleeve may be readily replaced in the frame and the connecting rod 6 returned to its proper position. The worm wheel meshes with a worm 16 of a shaft 17 journaled in suitable bearings 18 of the adjacent side of the frame and designed to be equipped at one end with a hand wheel as explained in the aforesaid patent. The worm drives the tubular shaft or sleeve 4 and rotates the sprocket wheels for elevating the vertically movable elevator board ortable through the connecting sprocket chains.

The shaft 17 extends longitudinally of the machine above the adjacent side of the frame and the means for automatically rotating the shaft 17 for elevating the vertically movable table 2 comprises a ratchet wheel 19 fixed to the shaft 17 by means of a clamping screw 20 or other suitable means and it is engaged by an actuating pawl 21 pivoted at 22 to an oscillating member 23 preferably consisting of a casting and disposed transversely "f the machine and provided at its outer end with an arm 24 which is connected by a link 25 with the mechanism of the feeder as explained in the aforesaid patent. The upper end of the link 25 is provided with a slot 26 in which operates a headed pivot 27 mounted on the arm 24. The link, as explained in the aforesaid patent, is continuously reciprocated and patent. The weight 28 is adapted to lift the arm 24 as the link 25 moves upwardly and the link in its downward movement actuates the arm 24 to elevate the vertically movable table 2. The oscillatory member 23 is provided with alug 29 forming a shoulder which is adapted to rest upon a control finger 30 which when the stack is elevated to the predetermined level is moved by the means hereinafter described to a position beneath the lug whereby the weighted inner portion of the oscillatory member will be supported in an elevated position to maintain the outer arm 24 in its lower position. The slot 26 will permit the link 25 to reciprocate without actuating the arm 24 so that while the lug and the weighted inner portion of the oscillatory member is supported in an elevated position by the control finger the elevating mechanism will remain stationary until the sheets from the top of the stack to be fed, sufficiently to cause a feeler finger 31 to move downwardly and actuate the control finger and swing the latter from beneath the lug 29 to permit the weight 28 to partially rotate the oscillatory member and elevate the outer arm 24 so that the link 25 in its reciprocation will move the arm 24 downwardly and rotate the ratchet wheel with a step by step movement until the stack is again elevated to the predetermined level and causes the feeler finger 31 to return the control finger to its supporting position. The oscillatory memher, as explained in the aforesaid patent, is loose on the shaft 17 and it is maintained in proper position with relation to the ratchet wheel 19 by means of a suitable collar 32 secured by a set screw 33 or other suitable means to the shaft 17. The control finger which is approximately straight and vertical is secured at its lower portion by screws 33 or other suitable fastening devices to an upwardly extending arm 35 of a lever 36 pivotally mounted on a stud 37 and having an angular-1y related approximately horizontally disposed arm 38 which is rigid with the finger. The stud 37 is mounted on a bracket 39 consisting of a plate suitably secured to the frame of the machine and provicd at its upper portion wih a stop lug 40 arranged in the path of the control finger for limiting the movement thereof when the vertically movable table 2 is empty and the feeler finger 31 is not supported by a stack of sheets. The upper end 41 of the control finger is beveled to reduce to the desired extent the area of the supporting surface rovided for engagement with the lug 29 of tie oscillatory member so that a comparativelyslight movement of the feeler finger will operate the control finger. The arm 38 is provided with an open slot or bifurcation 42 which receives the terminal portion 43 of an arm 44 of a rock shaft 45 disposed longitudinally of the feeder and provided at its ends with cone bearing re-.

cesses 46 and mounted on cone journals 47 The cone journals which are lon itudinally aligned are adj ustably and detacha ly mounted in openings 48 of spaced supporting arms 49. The supporting arms 49 which extend inwardly from the adjacent side of the frame are provided at their lower faces with threaded openings 50 for the reception of clamping screws 51 which detachably secure the cone pins or journals in the openings 48 of the supporting arms. The supporting arms are preferably provided at their outer ends with reduce threaded portions 52 which pierce the sides of the frame and are secured to the same by nuts 53. By this construction the device may be readily mounted as a unit on the frame of the feederr The terminal portion of the arm 44 is rounded to work in the bifurcation or slot 42 of the arm of the lever which carries the control finger and the said arm 44 is downwardly offset at 54 by angular bonds to arrange it clear of the hold-down and register mechanism of the aforesaid application which is designed to be employed on the larger type of feeders. \Vhen, however, the present invention is applied to feeders of the smaller type not employing the said register and hold-down mechanism the downwardly offset portion 54 ma be omitted and the bifurcated arm 38 may e arranged in the plane ofthe pivot stud 37. This will enable a straight arm to be employed instead of the angularly bent arm 44 and will simplify the construction in such small feeders. The rock shaft consists of a flat bar oblong in cross section having its side faces arranged substantially vertical when in normal position and the arm 44. is secured by a screw 55 to the outer face of the bar or shaft 45. Any other suitable means may, of course, be employed for securing the arm 44- to the bar 45 which forms a guide for a slide 56 provided with a substantially oblong opening 57 to fit the bar 45 and it has a slot 58 at its outer side adapted to clear the detached inner end of the arm 44. The opening 57 is enlarged at the inner portion to reduce the friction and the slide is provided with a thumb screw 59 mounted in a threaded opening 60 of the slide and arranged to engage the shaft or bar 45 for securing the slide in its adjustment. The slide carries an arm 61 consisting of a rod mounted in a suitable opening 62 in the inner side of the slide and having mounted on it the feeler finger 31. The feeler finger 31 is provided with a head or enlargement 63 having-an opening 64 through which the arm 61 passes and the feeler finger is adjustably mounted on the arm 61 by means of a clamping screw 65. Through the longitudinal adjustment of the slide on the bar or shaft 45 and the transverse adjustment of the feeler finger 31 on the arm 61 of the slide, the feeler finger may be positioned at any desired point or over the vertically movable table to arrange it to suit the size of the sheets to be fed. The feeler finger is provided at its outer or front end with a roll 66 mounted on a screw 67 or other suitable fastening device which is threaded into the feeler-finger at 68 and is provided with a lock nut 69 for securing the screw in its adjustment. The screw which forms a pivot for the roll is adapted to per mit the roll to rotate freely when the feeder is operating on large sheets and it is adapted to firmly clamp the roll against the finger to provide a rigid engagement between the finger and the sheets when small sheets are being fed. This will enable the feeder to throw a greater loop or undulation in the paper and give a better separation of the sheets when running smaller sizes of paper. \Vhen the feeder is operated. on large sheets the screw is adjusted to permit the roll to turn freely so that the said hold-down and register mechanism may return to proper position a sheet which has been dragged slightly forward by the feeder in feeding the preceding sheet. The shaft or bar 45 is provided at the opposite end to that at which the arm 44 is located with a counter-balancing arm 70 having a reduced end 71 threaded into the shaft or bar 45, but the arm 70 may be constructed in any other desired manner. The arm 70 is'equipped with an adjustable counter-balancing weight 72 secured in its adjustment by a clamping screw 73 and adapted to be positioned on the arm 70 so as to counter-balance or nearly counter-balance the feeler finger and thereby control the pressure of the finger against the sheets or other articles, such as envelopes, being fed by the machine. This will enable the feeler finger to rest upon a stack of envelopes at one end without liability of tipping the other end'upward and interfering with the proper feeding of the envlopes. By means of the counter-balancing weight the pressure of the feeler finger may be properly adjusted to suit the size of the sheets and the character of the stock.

The automatic elevating mechanism is equipped with a second ratchet wheel 74 mounted on the shaft 17 and rigidly secured to the same by a clamping screw 75 or other suitable means and engaged by a check pawl 76. The check pawl 76 is mounted 011 suit able pivots 77 carried by a bracket 78 and preferably secured in an opening thereof by means of a set screw 79. The check pawl is adapted to hold the shaft 17 against retrograde rotation while the pawl is moving in a counter-clockwise direction. The second pawl and ratchet will effectually prevent ack-lash of the elevating mechanism.

What is claimed is 1. An automatic paper elevator control including a frame, a verticallry movable table adapted to support a pile 0 sheets, a cross rod extending across the frame and detachably secured to the same, a tubular shaft consisting of a sleeve mounted on the cross rod and supported in spaced relation with the same, sprocket wheels carried by the tubular shaft the said sleeve and sprocket Wheels being adapted to be removed as a unit when the cross rod is detached, sprocket chains arranged on the sprocket wheels and connected with the vertically movable table, gearing connected with the tubular shaft for rotating the same to raise and lower the table, means for actuating the gearing step by step, a fecler adapted to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the said table, and means actuated by the feeler for controlling the operation of the gearing.

2. An automatic paper elevator control including a frame having spaced sides, a cross rod extending across the frame and detachably secured at its ends to the sides thereof, a tubular shaft consisting of a sleeve mounted on the cross rod and provided with interior bearings supporting the shaft in spaced relation with the said rod, sprocket wheels mounted on the tubular shaft, the said sleeve and sprocket wheels being adapted to be removed as a unit when the cross rod is detached, sprocket chains arranged on the sprocket wheels and connected with the vertically movable table, a worm wheel also mounted on the tubular shaft, a longitudinally disposed shaft having a Worm meshing with the worm wheel, means for actuating the longitudinal shaft step by step, a feeler adapted to rest upon the top of the stack of sheets supported by said table, and means actuated by the feeler for controlling the operation of the mechanism for rotating the longitudinal shaft.

3. An automatic paper elevator control including a frame having spaced sides, a cross rod connecting the sides and detachably secured to the same, a tubular shaft extending across the frame and provided with interior bearings supporting the tubular shaft in spaced relation with the said rod, the said tubular shaft and bearings being adapted to be removed as a unit when the cross rod is detached, vertically movable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means whereby the rotation of the shaft raises or lowers said table, a worm wheel mounted on the tubular shaft, a longitudinal shaft having a worm meshing with the worm wheel, mechanism for rotating the longitudinal shaft step by step,

a feeler adapted to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the table and means actuated by the feeler for controlling the operation of the mechanism for rotating the 1011- gitudinal shaft.

4. An automatic paper elevator control including a frame having spaced sides, a vertically movable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, a cross rod connecting the sides of the frame and detachably secured to the same, a tubular shaft consisting of a sleeve arranged on the cross rod and having its opening enlarged at the ends, anti-friction bearings mounted in the enlarged ends of the opening of the sleeve and supporting the same in space relation with the cross rod, sprocket Wheels mounted on the tubular shaft, the tubular shaft, the sprocket wheels and the bearings being adapted to be removed as a unit when the cross rod is detached, sprocket chains connected with the vertically movable table and arranged on the sprocket wheels, a worm wheel mounted on the shaft at one end thereof, a longitudinal shaft having a worm meshing with the worm wheel, mechanism for rotating the longitudinal shaft step by step to elevate the table, a feeler adapted to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the table, and means actuated by the feeler for controlling the operation of the mechanism for rotating the longitudinal shaft.

5. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustable table adapted to support a pile of sheets, means for raising the table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a substantially vertical control finger movable to and from a position beneath the oscillatory member for supporting the same out of operation, said control finger having an angularly related arm, a longitudinally disposed rock shaft provided with an arm connected to and directly actuating the arm of the control finger and a feeler carried by the rock shaft and adaptedto rest upon the stack of sheets supported by said table and adjustable along the rock shaft to engage sheets of different sizes.

6. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustable table adapted to support a pile of sheets, means for raising the table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a substantially vertical control finger pivotally mounted at the lower end and provided wit an angularly related arm, said finger being movable to and from a position beneath the oscillatory member for supporting the latter out of o eration, a longitudinally disposed rock sha t having an arm directly connected to the arm of the control finger for actuating the latter, and a feeler carried by the rock shaft and adapted to rest upon the stack of sheet supported by the table and adjustable along the rock shaft to engage sheets of different sizes.

7. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustable table adapted to support a pile of sheets, means for raising the' table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a bracket mounted on the frame and having a stud, an angle lever pivotally mounted on the stud, an approximately vertical control finger carried by one arm of the said lever and movable to and from a position beneath the oscillatory member for supporting the latter in inoperative position, a longitudinally disposed rock shaft having an arm directly connected to the other arm of the said lever, and a feeler carried by the rock shaft and adapted to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the said table and adjustable along the rock shaft to engage sheets of different sizes.

8. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for ra1sing the table step by step, including a pawl a ratchet and a Weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, an angle lever arranged to swing longitudinally of the table and having an approximately vertical control finger movable to and from a position beneath the oscillatory memher for supporting the latter .in an inoperative position, a rock shaft extending longitudinally of the table and provided with an arm connected directly to the angle lever for actuating the control finger, and a feeler carried by the rock shaft and adapted to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the table and adjustable along the rock shaft to engage sheets of different sizes.

9. Anautomatic pa er elevator control including a vertically a justable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for armsing the table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a Weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, an angle lever pivoted at its angle and having at one arm a substantially vertical control finger movable to and from a position beneath the oscillatory member for supporting the latter in an inoperative position, the other arm of the lever being provided with a slot, a longitudinal rock shaft provided with an arm downwardly offset and provided with a terminal portion operating in the slot of the angle lever, and a feeler carried by the rock sh aft and arranged to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the table. I

10. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raising the table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction,

control mechanism comprising spaced supports provided with means for securing them to a feeder, a bracket located between the supbeneath the oscillatory member to support.

the latter in an inoperative position, a lon itudinal rock shaft mounted between t e spaced supports and provided with an arm extending to and directly connected with the sald lever for actuating the control finger, and a feeler carried by the rock shaft and arranged to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the table.

11. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raising the table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, control mechanism comprisin a lever arranged to swing longitudinally of t e table and having a control finger movable to and from a position for supporting the oscillatory member and adapted to support the latter in an inoperative position, a longitudinal rock shaft, an arm extending from the rock shaft and directly connected to the said lever for actuating the control finger, a slide mounted on the bar and provided with an opening to permit it to clear the said arm, and a feeler carried by the slide and adapted to rest upon phbelstack of sheets and supported by the said 12. automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raising the table step by step, including a pawl a ratchet and a weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the direction, control mechanism comprising a lever arranged to swing longitudinally of the table and having a control finger movable to and from a osition for supporting the oscillatory mem er and adapted to support the latter in an inoperative position, a longitudinal rock shaft consisting of a flat bar, an arm extending from one of the side faces of the said bar and directly connected to the said lever, a slide mounted on the rock shaft and adjustable to difi'erent positions on the same and having an opening to enable it to clear the said arm, an inwardly extending arm carried by the slide, and a feeler mounted on the said inwardly extending arm and adapted to rest upon the stack of sheets sup ported by the table.

13. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raising the table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction,

pawl in one control mechanism comprising a pivotally a pawl, a ratchet and a weighte oscillatory mounted control finger movable to and from a position for supporting the oscillatory member out of operation, a longitudinal rock shaft having inwardly and outwardly extending arms, the outwardly extending arm being connected with and ada ted to actuate the control finger, and a fee er finger carried by the adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for'raising the table step by ste including member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a control finger movable to and from a position for supporting the oscillatory member out of operation, a rock shaft connected with the control finger for actuating the same, and a feeler carried by the rock shaft and provided with a roll arranged to rest uponthestack of sheets supported by the table, said feeler having means for locking the roll against rotation for holding small sheets against sliding movement and for pen mitting a sliding movement of large sheets.

15. An automatic paperelevator control including a vertically adjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raising the table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a control finger movable to and from a position for supporting the oscillatory member out of operation, a rock shaft connected with the control finger for actuating the same, a feeler carried by the rock shaft and provided with a roll arranged to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the table, said feeler having means for locking the roll against rotation for holding small sheets against sliding movement and for permitting a slidingmovement of large sheets, and means for counter-balancing the feeler for controlling tbs pressure of the same upon the sheets to be 16. An automatic pa er elevator control including a vertically a justable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for rais ing the table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatory member adapted tomovethe awl in one direction, a control finger movab e to and from a position for supporting the oscillatory member out of operation, a rock shaft connected with the control finger for actuating the same, a feeler carried by the rock shaft and provided with a roll arranged to rest u on the stack of sheets supported by the tab e, said feeler having means for locking the roll against rotation for holding small sheets against Sliding movement and for permitting a sliding movement of large sheets, and an arm carried by the rock shaft and provided with an adjustable weight arranged to counter-balance the feeler for controlling the pressure of the same upon the sheets to be fed. 17. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raising the table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a control finger movable to and from a position for supporting the oscillatory member out of operation, a rock shaft having inwardly and outwardly extending arms the outwardly extending arm being connected with and adapted to actuate the control finger, a feeler carried by the inwardly extending arm and arranged to rest upon the pile of sheets supported by the table, and an arm extending from the rock shaft and at one end thereof and provided with an adjustable weight arranged to couriten-balance the feeler for controlling the pressure of the same against the sheets to be fed.

LESTER KYLE ALDRICH.

Images