A DEVICE FOR DELIVERING OBJECTS FROM THE BOTTOM OF A STACK OF OBJECTS TO A RECEIVER

Abstract: A device for delivering objects to a receiver (22) from the lowest of a stack (2) of said objects, comprises a first movable support member (8) which can be brought to support the stack via the lowest of the objects, and a second support member (9), which can be brought into a supporting engagement with that of the objects which is present nearest above that object which is the first to be delivered from the stack. The first support member (8) can be brought to release the stack so that the object which is to be delivered can fall down to the receiver from the stack while this stack for the rest is supported by the second support member (9). The first support member (8) can again be brought into the position for supporting the stack while the second support member (9) is brought to release the stack so that it falls down on the first support member (8). The receiver (22) has contact means (23) arranged to, by direct mechanical actuation of contact means (13, 19) connected to the support members, provide mechanical operation and control of the support members to their different operative positions during the movement of the receiver to and from its receiving position respectively.

Description: A device for delivering objects from the bottom of a stack of objects to a receiver. FIELD OP INVENTION AND PRIOR ART This invention relates to a device for delivering object from the bottom of a stack of objects to a receiver in accordance with the preamble of the following claim 1. Such a device is known by FR-patent 2 039 487. In this device the support members are formed by pressure fluid pistons while a pressure fluid cylinder is used for teπ- sioning the throwing arm. For coordination of the move¬ ments of the throwing arm and the support members a rela tively complicated pressure fluid system is used. The disadvantage with this known device is above all that the complicated pressure fluid system may cause distur- bance in operation. In addition this system is relativel costly. Similar view points are valid in connection with the known device according to FR-patent 1 584 514, where one for the operation is dependent upon supply of pressu fluid for expansion of a flexible tube. The coordination of the movements of the throwing arm and the supply of pressure fluid to the tube should demand a relatively complicated construction. In FR-publication 2 334 082 an embodiment is illustrated, where one for putting the supply members in operation is depending upon an electro magnetic driving device 23 or the like. The result will, with necessity, be a very complicated construction, in which a rod driven by the electro magnet, has to attain the desired movements of the support member via a compli cated system of levers, springs etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to reduce the deficiences indicated above and accomplish a device which operates quickly and safely and which despite this may obtain a relatively simple design. This object is achieved by designing the device with the characteristics defined in the characterizing part of claim 1. Thus, the receiver will execute direct cont¬ rol of the support members via contact means connected to the support members so that therefore the movements of the support members direct will be related to the movements of the receiver. The embodiment will be relati vely simple and suffers from a minimum of delays in respect of the movements of the support members in rela- tion to the movements of the receiver. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While referring to the appended drawings, a closer descr tion of an embodiment of the invention, cited as an exam follows below. In the drawings fig 1 is a perspective view of a part of a device accor¬ ding to the invention, fig 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating components included in the device in positions corresponding to fig 1, fig 3 and 4 are views similar to fig 1 and 2 but illust¬ rating the device in another operating condition, fig 5 and 6 are views similar to fig 1 and 2 but illust¬ rating the device in still another operating condition, fig 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a support mem of the device observed from above and fig 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the design of a driving member included in the device and its control member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The device 1 illustrated in the drawings is designed for delivering objects from the bottom of a stack 2 of said objects. The form of the objects may be arbitrary, such as disc shaped, cup shaped etc. as long as they can be stacked. In the example the device is described as being adapted for objects in form of clay pigeons, but course also other objects are a possible choise. The objects are located in a magazine 3 having a hollow cylindrical lower portion 4 and a number of upwardly extending control rods 5. The magazine is fixed to an arm 6 which is fixed to a frame 7. The device 1 comprises a first support member 8 operable between a first position (fig 2 and 6), in which the mem ber is adapted to support the stack 2 via the lowest of the objects, and a second position (fig 4), in which the member releases the stack. The device further comprises a second support member 9 operable between a first posi¬ tion (fig 6), in which the member releases the stack 2, and a second position (fig 2 and 4), in which the member is in a supporting engagement with that of the objects which is present nearest above that object which is the first to be delievered from the stack but out of engage¬ ment with the last mentioned object. From fig 7 it appears that the support member 8 comprises two parts 11, 12 pivotally movable towards and away from each other by pivoting about hinges 10. The hinges connec the parts with the portion 4 of the magazine. The parts are operable by contact means 13 on the part 12 and the parts cooperate mutually by means of control means synchr nizing the movement of the parts so that when the part 12 is pivoted outwardly also the other part is pivoted outwardly and vice versa. In the illustrated embodiment the control means are formed by such portions of the part 11 and 12 which extend towards each other between the mutually separated hinges 10 and are obliquely cut off as shown in fig 7. A tension spring 15 operates between the parts 11 and 12 and has the purpose to hold these in a supporting condition according to fig 2 and 6. The parts 11 and 12 have suitable protrusions 16 which from below enter in contact with the lowest of the objects in the stack. At the portion 4 of the magazine supports 17 are fixed, which support the parts 11 and 12 from below without interfering with the movement downwardly of the objects -when the parts are in their opening positi The support member 9 is designed as a pressing member applicable against the periphery of the objec (-s) in the stack 2 , said pressing member being formed by a part of a ring and being pivoted at the portion 4 of the magaz about a hinge parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stack. A first spring 18 operating between the support member 9 and one of the supports 17 has the purpose of actuating the support member to a position (fig 6) for releasing the stack. On the portion 4 of the magazine a second contact means 19 is arranged via a hinge 20. Between this contact means 19 and the support member 9 a second tension spring 21 operates, which, upon actua¬ tion of the contact means 19 in purpose of providing application of the support member 9 against the stack, has the purpose of being tensioned and overcome the effe of the tension spring 18 operating in the opposite direc¬ tion. A receiver 22 for receiving objects one by one from the stack 2, is designed to actuate the support members 8 and 9 via the contact means 13 and 19, so that when the receiver moves into a receiving position (fig 3 and 4) under the magazine, firstly the support member 9 is actua ted from its releasing position into its supporting posi¬ tion (fig 2) and then the support member 8 from its suppo ting position (fig 2) into its releasing position (fig 4) so that thereby the lowest of the objects is released and falls down on the receiver 22 simultaneously as the rest of the objects in the stack are prevented from falli down by means of the member 9. The receiver is then arranged to move away from the position under the stack and thereby the contact means 13 on the member 8 is first released so that the spring 15 can return the contact means 13 to the supporting position according to fig 6, whereupon the contact means 19 is released so that the spring 18 can return the member 9 into releasing position according to fig 6. For actuation of contact means 13 and 19 a protrusion 23 is arranged on the receiver. pyi i_ In the exemplifying embodiment the receiver 22 is forme by a throwing arm, which is rotatably supported in rela to the frame 7 and connected to a spring arrangement 24 designed for accumulating throwing power, said spring ' arrangement operating between an adjustable attachment 25 on the frame 7 for adjusting the tension of the spri and an attachment not shown on the arm 22. An arrangemen for bringing the arm 22 into a starting position (fig 3) under the magazine, in which position the tension spr 24 is tensioned and the arm ready to throw away the obje comprises a rotor 26 with a driving member 27 movable in relation to the rotor between two positions, namely an active position (see fig 1 and 8), in which the drivin member is located for driving the throwing arm 22 on rotation of the rotor, and an inactive position, in whic the driving member releases the throwing arm from the rotor. A blocking member 28 is arranged to block the arm 22 in starting position (fig 3) before the driving membe moves from its active to its inactive position. The bloc member is of snap lock type and is automatically hooking onto the arm 22 when the arm has been turned in a certai degree clockwise in the figures and the blocking means is further operable for releasing the throwing arm 22. The operation of the blocking means can be accomplished via an electric traction magnet which can be remote controlled via cable or radio signals. The rotor 26 is formed by a belt disk, around which bel 29 extend, said belts also being arranged around a belt disc 30, which is fixed to the axis of a driving motor 31. With help from the motor 31 and the described trans¬ mission the rotor 26 can be imparted unidirectional, clockwise rotary motion. The rotor is in this embodiment journalled about the hub 32 of the throwing arm 22 so that the pivot axis of the arm and the axis of rotation of the rotor coincide. In fig 8 the operation of the dri member 27 is diagrammatically illustrated, said driving member having a L-form with one leg 33 extending up thro a recess in the rotor 26. The other leg of the driving member is pivotally connected at 34 to the rotor about an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the rotor. Further, the axis 34 is extending substantially radially in relation to the rotor, the direction of movement of " which is indicated with the arrow 35. The leg 36, in whic the hinge 34 is arranged, has such length and the hinge 34 is so arranged that the weight of the leg 36 holds the driving member pivoted against an end position in the direction of the arrow 37 so that the portion 33 exte up through the recess in the rotor and can strike against the arm 22 and drive the same. In a position immediately after that a portion of the arm 22 has passed the hook of the locking member 28 the portion 33 of the driving member shall however be brought out of engagement with the arm 22 and this is achieved by means of contact means 38 fixed in relation to the frame and arranged so that when the driving member is passing by the leg 36 will be lifted so that the driving member is pivoted clock¬ wise (fig 8) about the hinge 34 and the portion 33 of the driving member moves downwardly out of engagement with the arm. It is advantageous to form the contact means 38 adjustable in a direction towards and away from the rotor 26 since such adjustment enables variation of that position of rotation of the rotor where the portion 33 of the driving member is brought out of engagement with the arm 22. The possibility of adjustment may be achieved by forming the contact means 38 as the head of a screw. The described device is comparatively light and uncompli¬ cated and may if required be arranged on a movable chassi on which also a power source should be available, e.g. an electrical accumulator, for delivering power to the motor 31. The device operates as follows: It is assumed that the arm 22 is located in a position turned approximately 180° compared to the position according to fig 1. On activa¬ tion of the motor 31 the portion 33 of the driving member will now, after a certain rotation of the rotor, strike the arm 22 and drive this to the position according to fig 3, where, in a previously described way, an object is released downwardly on the arm and this has been catched by the blocking member 28; in addition a portio 33 of the driving member is transported by the contact means 38 into a position for releasing the arm 22 so that thereby the blocking member 28 now is the only thi that holds the arm 22. After a certain further rotation of the rotor a limit switch (not shown) is activated so that the rotor stops. By means of the blocking member 28 the arm 22 can now be released so that the power of the spring 24 accomplishes throwing of the object. Modifications within the scope of the invention is of course possible. The support member 9 may e.g. comprise pins or similar members which may be projected in under the lowest of the objects, which the support member 9 has to support. The objects may of course be delivered one by one as well as two or more at a. time.

Claims: Claims 1. A device for delivering objects, particularly so called clay pigeons, from the bottom of a stack (2) of o jects to a receiver (22), particularly a throwing arm, which is movable into and away from a receiving position under the stack, said device comprising at least one firs support member (8) operable between a first position (fig 2 and 6), in which the support member is adapted to support the stack (2) via the lowest of the objects, and a second position (fig 4), in which the support mem¬ ber releases the stack, at least one second support mem¬ ber (9) operable between a first position (fig 6), in which the support member releases the stack, and a secon position (fig 2 and 4), in which the support member is in a supporting engagement with at least that of the objects which is present nearest above that object or the objects which is/are the first to be delivered from the stack to the receiver but out of engagement with the last mentioned object or objects, and a control arrangem (13, 15, 18, 19, 21, 23) for automatic control of the operation of the support members so that the second suppo member (9) is brought to its second position before the first support member (8) is brought to its second posi¬ tion, so that the first support member is brought to its first position before the second support member is brough to its first position and so that an object or objects is/are delivered from the stack only when the receiver is in a receiving position under the stack, c a r a c¬ t e r i z e d in that the receiver comprises contact means (23) arranged to, by direct mechanical actuation of contact means (13, 19) connected to the support member provide mechanical operation and control of the support members to their different operative positions during the movement of the receiver to and from its receiving position respectively. 2. A device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e in that the first support member (8) comprises two parts (11, 12) pivotally movable towards and away from each oth 3. A device according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z in that the contact means (13) of the first support mem (8) is arranged on one of the parts, that said parts cooperate mutually by means of control means (14) synch nizing the movement of the parts so that when said one part is pivoted outwardly also the other part is pivote outwardly and vice versa, and that the parts are actuat in a direction towards each other by means of a spring (15). 4. A device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z in that the second support member (9) is designed as a pressing member applicable against the periphery of one or several objects in the stack, and that said contact means (19) connected to the pressing member is formed by a lever, which is pivotally connected to a frame sup ting the support members and which, via a spring (21), is connected to the second support member (9), which is actuated into its first position by means of a second spring (18) operating between the latter support member and the frame. 5. A device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z in that the receiver is formed by a throwing arm (22), which is pivotally mounted and connected to a spring arrangement (24) designed for accumulating throwing powe that an arrangement for bringing the throwing arm into a starting position (fig 3) under the stack (2), in whic position the spring arrangement is tensioned, comprises a rotor (26) with a driving member (27) guidedly movable with respect to the rotor between two positions, namely an active position, in which the driving member is locat for driving the throwing arm on rotation of the rotor, and an inactive position, in which the driving member releases the throwing arm from the rotor, that a blockin member (28) is arranged to block the throwing arm in the starting position before the driving member moves from its active to its inactive position, and that the 6. A device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z in that the rotor (26) is formed by a wheel, around which a flexible transmission member (29) is arranged, said transmission member (29) being in engagement with a wheel (30) which is directly or indirectly driven by a motor (31). 7. A device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z in that the axis of rotation of the rotor and the pivot axis of the throwing arm are concentric. 8. A device according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z in that the rotor (26) is journalled about the hub (32) of the throwing arm (22). 9. A device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z in that the driving member (27) has a portion received in a recess in the rotor and movable back and forth in the recess to be brought into and out of engagement with the throwing arm. 10. A device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z in that the driving member is movable between its posi- tions by actuation of an abutment (38) fixed to the frame of the device.

Inventors: GUNNARSSON AOKE, GUNNARSSON, AOKE
Applicants: GUNNARSSON AOKE, GUNNARSSON, AOKE
Application year: 1983
Main classification: F41J9
IPC codes: F41J9