CONVEYOR DEVICE

Abstract: The device according to the present invention is primarily intended to be used for handling and conveyance of newspapers and magazines. The clamping devices of the conveyor (4) are designed as clamps, where the clamp is closed by spring loading and can be opened by actuating one of the two parts of the clamp. The device according to the invention comprises that the clamps are opened by actuating an arm (5) which is part of one shank of each clamp. The arm is actuated by cams (7, 7A) which are mounted at the periphery of a wheel (8) which rotates synchronously with the conveyor. The cams are movable and a control system decides if each cam shall be in a position where it actuates or does not actuate the corresponding clamp. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the clamp and the device are symmetric having a plane of symmetry in the middle of the conveyor and in its direction of movement.

Description: Conveyor device The present invention is for a device for delivery of selected items from a conveyer. The items are then fixed to the conveyor by means of a separate holding device for each item. The device according to the present invention is primarily intended to be used for handling and conveyance of newspapers and magazines. The gripping devices of the conveyor are designed as clamps, where the clamp is closed by spring loading and can be opened by actuating one of the two parts of the clamp. The production of magazines and newspapers takes place in printers and other equipments with great capacity and may be 10 - 20 copies per second. These shall be distributed both as stacks for further distribution and as single copies for checking and other purposes. Therefore, the finished copies are picked up by a conveyor having several delivery stations. The papers are then kept by clamps on the conveyor. These clamps are positioned at a defined and equal distance from each other. The device according the the invention is for a design connected to these delivery stations. The device according to the invention comprises that the clamps are opened by actuating an arm which is part of one shank of each clamp. The arm is actuated by cams which are mounted at the periphery of a wheel which rotates synchronously with the conveyor. The cams are movable and there is a control system which decides if each cam shall be in a position where it actuates or does not actuate the corresponding clamp. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the clamp and the device are symmetric having a plane of symmetry in the middle of the conveyor in its direction of movement. The invention will below be described more in detail with reference to the embodiment which is shown in the enclosed figures. Figure 1 shows a part of a conveyor having a device according to the invention. Figure 2 shows the device according to the invention as seen from the side. Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the device of figure 2. Figure 4 shows a clamp of the conveyor. The conveyor comprises an endless band or chain 4 which carries a number of clamps which are arranged at equal distance from each other and each having relative to the band 4 a fixed part 2 and a movable part 1. The movable part can turn relative to the fixed part around an shaft 3 and also comprises an arm 5 which extends out from the movable part on the other side of the shaft 3. The arm 5 carries a wheel 6. The movable part 1 of the clamp is spring-loaded by a spring 30 so that, if it is not affected by other forces, it rests onto the fixed part 2. The clamp can be opened thereby that the wheel 6 on the arm 5 is actuated. The object which is transported is during the transportation clamped between the clamping surfaces 31 and 32 of the fixed and movable part, respectively, of the clamp. In the conveyor the clamp is controlled by wheel 33 and is linked to a number of identical clamps to or on a conveyor 4. The device for actuating the clamps is double-sided and the two sides are of identical design. Each side of the device can actuate every second clamp of the conveyor. The following description, therefore, refers to one side only. The device comprises several cams 7, 7A which are intended to influence the wheel 6 of the clamp which is to be opened. Each cam is part of a mounting plate 14, which is movably attached to a holder 13 which in turn is mounted onto a wheel 8. The holder 14 with the cam 7 can be moved to the right or the left as the device is shown in figure 3. On the holder 14 there is also a wheel 16 intended to be actuated when the cam shall be moved. The wheel 8 is adjustably attached to the shaft 11 by means of screws 12. By pulleys 27, 28 and a cog band this shaft is in turn connected to a shaft 26 which is common for the two symmetric parts. The shaft 26 is driven by a pulley wheel 29 which rotates synchronously with the conveyor 4. The device also includes a mounting plate 17, onto which a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 23 is mounted and which is mounted onto the mounting plate by guide bars 25. Slidably by operation of the cylinder is mounted on the guide bars 25 a holder 24 onto which there are two guide rails 19, 20. These guide rails are arranged to actuate the wheel 16 and thereby, move the respective cam 7 between a right and a left position according to the figure 3. The rotation of the wheel 8 is by synchronisation with the conveyor chain 4 such that every second clamp of the conveyor can be actuated by the cam on the wheel on one side of the conveyor and the clamps situated in between can be actuated by a cam on the other symmetrically arranged wheel. The wheels 8 are designed as spoke wheels having one spoke 9 for each cam. The position of the wheel is sensed by a sensor 22 which by means of a holder 21 is mounted onto the cylinder 23. Along the conveyor there may be several delivery stations of the kind described above. Their function can be controlled by a programmable system for delivery of a desired number of copies at each station. The system preferably includes devices for delivery of single copies as desired. The cams which are mounted onto a wheel 8 move along a circular path. Preferably the conveyor is also circular within the area where the cams shall actuate the clamps. The circle of the conveyor may have a different diameter and a different centre point than the wheel which carries the cams. This is shown in figures 1 and 2 which show an embodiment where the conveyed objects are released from the conveyor when the clamps start an upward movement. In this way the time that the clamp needs to be open is a little shorter than if the open position should be equally distributed on both sides of a vertical line. At the conveyance the conveyed objects, e.g. newpapers, may be supported by a fixed surface 30 which ends at those positions where delivery of objects shall be possible. The supporting surface is, of course, needed only for those parts of the conveyor where the objects would otherwise be conveyed hanging freely. Conditional to that sufficient time of contact is available it is also possible that the conveyor is straight when it passes the cams. One advantage of such a device may be that it is less space consuming as the deviation from the straight conveyor lane is unnecessary. Also from design, production and assembly points of view the straight embodiment may have both technical and cost advantages. Also other embodiments are within the scope of the invention. The wheel described above as a spoked wheel may have a different design conditonal to that there is on the wheel a device which can affect the sensor of the system.

Claims: CLAIMS 1) Device for delivery of individual items of objects from a conveyor having holding means in the form of clamps which can be opened by actuating an arm which protrudes from one shank of each clamp, charactereized therein, that the cams (7) for actuating the arm are arranged on a wheel (8) which rotates synchronously with the conveyor. 2) Device according to claim 1, characterized therein, that the cams (7) by means of non-rotating devices (19, 20, 24) can be made to take either an active position for opening of a clamp or a passive position when the clamp is not actuated. 3) Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized therein, that the wheel (8) has devices which can be sensed by a sensor (22). 4) Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized therein, that the rotating wheel (8) is designed as a spoked wheel having one spoke (9) corresponding to each cam and that the spokes are sensed by sensors (22) which give signals to the control system of the cams (7). 5) All means, methods and devices as explicitely or implicitely are apparent from the specification, claims and drawings. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 22 December 1995 (22.12.95); original claim 5 cancelled; claims 1 and 2 renumbered as claim 1; claims 3 and 4 renumbered as claim 2 and 3; other claims unchanged (1 page)] 1) Device for delivery of individual items of objects from a conveyor having holding means in the form of clamps which can be opened by actuating an arm which protrudes from one shank of each clamp, charactereized therein, that the cams (7) for actuating the arm are arranged on a wheel (8) which rotates synchronously with the conveyor and that the cams (7) by means of non-rotating devices (19, 20, 24) can be made to take either an active position for opening of a clamp or a passive position when the clamp is not actuated. 2) Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized therein, that the wheel (8) has devices which can be sensed by a sensor (22). 3) Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized therein, that the rotating wheel (8) is designed as a spoked wheel having one spoke (9) corresponding to each cam and that the spokes are sensed by sensors (22) which give signals to the control system of the cams (7). AMENDED SHEFT(ARTICLE 19)

Inventors: LANDGREN JOHAN, LANDGREN, JOHAN
Applicants: LANDGREN JOHAN, STEN WALLSTEN IND AB, LANDGREN, JOHAN, STEN WALLSTEN INDUSTRIES AB
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B65H5
IPC codes: B65H29