Abstract:
Supply system  10  for delivery of elements  130, 150  to one or more users  12  comprising a forwarding device  76, 76′, 76 ″ which supplies the elements from a stored quantity  78  to a sorting device  70, 70 ′, which only permits elements having a predetermined position to pass and with a transport device  72, 72 ′, which transports the positionally correctly sorted elements  130, 150  to the user  12 , characterized in that the forwarding device  76, 76′, 76 ′ forms part of a basic module while the sorting device  70, 70 ′ and the transport device  72, 72 ′ belong to an interchangeable module. In this way the components of the supply system  10  can be manufactured and used more rationally, whereby the investment costs sink and can be more quickly amortized.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/036,752, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a supply system for the delivery of elements to one or more users comprising a forwarding device (or feeder) which supplies the elements from a stored quantity of the elements to a sorting device, which only permits elements having a predetermined position to pass, and with a transport device, which transports the positionally correctly sorted elements to the user, and to a method of operating a user with an attachable supply system in accordance with the preamble of claim  26 .  
         DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART  
         [0003]    In the sheet metal processing industry stationary or mobile sorting systems and/or transport systems are used for the installation of fastening elements, guide elements or reinforcing elements in sheet metal parts. Mobile units are used as necessary at various points of installation of the elements in a factory.  
           [0004]    These sorting and conveying systems are suitable either for the processing of a single type of element or for geometrically closely related families of elements. They consist as a rule of a container which receives the elements which are filled into it as a bulk fill, a sorter which brings the elements into a defined transport position and a transport device which produces the feed force for the transport of the elements to the point of installation.  
           [0005]    Known are sorting systems which operate on the basis of vibratory or belt feeders and which sort in-filled elements via features of shape or their center of gravity. For the transport devices one distinguishes between blowing systems and pushing systems. Both vibratory feeders and belt feeders and also the associated blowing and pushing transport devices are available from the company Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH and Co. KG, Friedrichsdorf, Germany, amongst others, and have been part of their sales program for a long time.  
           [0006]    In a special case, in which the sorter can be so arranged with respect to the point of installation that the elements to be processed can reach the place of installation via slides under the action of gravity, the transport device can be formed as a slide.  
           [0007]    The above-described sorting and transport systems represent a relatively high investment cost, with a restricted spectrum of use because of the direct functional tie to the elements to be processed. An economical use is, as a result, only possible when correspondingly high production quantities and/or long periods of use are present. The sorting and forwarding devices which have hitherto been produced by the company Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH and Co. KG, have the following basic layout:  
           [0008]    As a rule, the systems are designed as mobile units. In special cases apparatus installed at a fixed location also exists. In both cases the installation of all the components associated with the particular feeding and sorting system takes place on a platform. The elements which are put into the machine in bulk form are moved towards the sorter either with the aid of a vibratory feeder or with drum or chain link feeders with a scooping action (known as belt feeders). Systems based on vibratory feeders having sorting chicanes which so orient the elements via the position of their center of gravity or specific features of shape that only parts oriented in a specific position can pass via slides to the feed apparatus. Elements which do not have the desired position, however, fall back into the supply of elements, i.e., into the element supply chamber.  
           [0009]    In contrast systems which are based on belt feeders having sorting chicanes in which the elements have to pass through a chicane corresponding to their outline. Parts which are not correctly oriented position-wise are tipped back into the supply bunker with the aid of a toothed roller or are scraped away, for example, with the aid of a transversely movable comb.  
           [0010]    The apparatus for advancing the elements from the sorter to the user, i.e., the transport devices, are based on pushing or blowing systems with the aid of which the elements to be transported are supplied either element by element (blowing method of transport) or in a chain through flexible plastic hoses (pushing method of transport) to the processing station, i.e., to the user.  
           [0011]    With blowing systems, the elements are supplied with the aid of a pulse of compressed air through a plastic hose to the processing station at the user.  
           [0012]    In contrast, with pushing apparatus, use is made of systems which work with the aid of pneumatic cylinders and systems which are based on the working principle of frictional forces produced by rotating magnetic discs. The control of the entire sorting and feeding system takes place as a rule through SPS base control cabinets, with the aid of which the interfaces to the operator and optionally to the installation machine can also be monitored. Pneumatic control devices, hydro-pneumatic oiling devices and acoustic and accident protection means complete the functional system.  
           [0013]    All the above described pieces of sorting and transport apparatus are so designed that using it only a defined element or a small number of geometrically similar components can be processed.  
           [0014]    A problem with the previously known sorting and transport systems is that the close association with the respective element to be transported and with the machine which processes this element, i.e., the user, means that the particular sorting and transport systems are not frequently used, other than in mass production, but must however be available in case the same sheet metal part is to be manufactured again. In other words, the previously known sorting and transport systems represent relatively complicated pieces of apparatus which are however used relatively seldom.  
         OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    It is the object of the present invention to provide a supply system of the initially named kind which can be flexibly used, even with the need to handle different elements or different connection elements, with it being possible to lower the investment costs and to achieve higher flexibility and a higher use factor.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    In order to satisfy this object there is provided a supply system for the delivery of elements to one or more users comprising a forwarding device (or feeder) which supplies the elements from a stored quantity of the elements to a sorting device, which only permits elements having a predetermined position to pass and with a transport device, which transports the positionally correctly sorted elements to the user. In other words, the forwarding device or feeder which feeds and controls the sorting device forms a part of a basic module, whereas the sorting device and the transport device belong to an interchangeable module.  
           [0017]    In other words, through a modular design, a basic system is achieved which can be used independently of the particular element and which can, if required, be combined with rapidly interchangeable modules which have to be designed in dependence on the elements. This signifies that the basic module is designed for the handling of a plurality of different elements and can thus be used for a spectrum of different elements. In this connection the elements can be filled true-to-type into respective supply chambers of the basic module, or a mixture can be present in one supply chamber or a plurality of supply chambers of the basic module. Should the basic module be used for the feeding of a plurality of like processing stations at the user or at a plurality of users, i.e., should only one type of element be used, then these elements can either be filled into the (single) supply chamber of the basic module or into the supply chambers of the basic module, depending on how the basic module is designed.  
           [0018]    The forwarding device which feeds the sorting device can either be designed for the forwarding of elements from all the supply chambers of the basic module simultaneously, or as respective forwarding units for each supply chamber individually. Since a situation relatively frequently arises in practice in which the supply system has to feed a plurality of different working stations at one or more users, with different elements being used for the differing working stations, it is possible for the basic module to have a plurality of supply chambers for the different elements. Depending on the design of the basic module from one to six supply chambers can be present, but other numbers of chambers are also entirely conceivable. In this way the danger of mixing can be precluded, i.e., an element of a specific kind or size cannot enter into a neighboring forwarding path for another element, i.e., of a different kind or size.  
           [0019]    The sorting device can comprise one sorting unit for the feeding of a single working station of the user or can comprise a plurality of like or different sorting units, whereby the simultaneous feeding of a corresponding number of working stations with like or different elements is possible. Even though the sorting units are each designed for a specific element, and can thus differ from one another, as a result of their design for use with different elements with different manners of transport (for example, pushing or blowing), they can, nevertheless, have certain basic dimensions in common, whereby they can, so to say, be arranged alongside one another in accordance with a grid dimension and economically secured to the basic module.  
           [0020]    There are several possibilities of coupling the interchangeable modules to the basic module.  
           [0021]    On the other hand, a transport carriage can be provided for the interchangeable module in accordance with Claim 19, with this transport carriage optionally having space for one interchangeable module or for a plurality of interchangeable modules.  
           [0022]    In accordance with Claim 20, both the platform of the basic module and also the platform of the transport carriage can have a respective rail means, whereby an interchangeable module located on the rail means of the basic module can be pushed onto the rail means of the transport carriage, and an interchangeable module located on the rail means of the transport carriage can be pushed onto the rail means of the basic module. In this respect, a latching means is preferably provided in order to non-displaceably latch the interchangeable module located on the rail means of the basic module to the basic module.  
           [0023]    The transport carriage is then preferably designed in accordance with Claim 21 to receive at least two interchangeable modules, which each have space on the rail means. The rail means is either located on a rotary table of the transport carriage or the transport carriage can be aligned with the basic module at two positions displaced by 180° by means of corresponding wheels.  
           [0024]    In accordance with Claim 22, a lifting device can also be used for the exchange of the exchangeable module, or the transport carriage of the exchangeable module can be docked at a docking position at the basic module or can be moved into a receiving bay in the basic module. The transport carriage for the interchangeable module can remain at least substantially always together with the latter and can, when required, also be exploited for the coupling of the interchangeable module to the basic module. For example, the transport carriage can have extendible and retractable wheels which can be used to lift the interchangeable module and to lower the same onto the basic module.  
           [0025]    In one possible embodiment, the basic module is formed as a mobile unit, which can be shifted with or without the respective exchangeable module to be installed thereon into the vicinity of any desired users, so that not only the interchangeable modules but rather also the basic module can be selectively used at different locations of use.  
           [0026]    Since the basic module includes all the components and modules which are universally usable for different elements, such as for example the installation platform of the basic module, the electrical control cabinet, which includes various functions, the pneumatic module, an oiling system, acoustic and accident protection means, chain conveyors and the element supply chamber or chambers, one succeeds in utilizing the basic module more frequently and the total number of the modules of this kind present in a factory can be substantially reduced, whereby the economics improve. Since the basic module is element-independent, the storage of spare parts and servicing can be made simpler.  
           [0027]    Since the element-specific modules (sorter device and transport device) can be rapidly changed, the economics of the solution of the invention are further improved.  
           [0028]    The possibility of fully emptying the element supply chamber or bunker aimed at in accordance with the invention likewise enables a rapid changeover of the basic module for the processing of different elements.  
           [0029]    Moreover, an automatic adaptation of the control functions of the electrical control cabinet to the manner of operation of the respectively installed transport device and also the storage of the machine parameters which are to be set during the installation procedure are preferably realized. In accordance with the invention, an automatic adaptation of this kind can also take place for the pneumatic supply.  
           [0030]    Although the present invention is primarily intended for use with fastener elements and automatic machines, such as presses for the processing of the elements, it can also be used in other areas.  
           [0031]    Ultimately, all parts which are delivered in bulk and which can be conveyed individually, for example mechanical components which are to be installed by an automatic machine to form a mechanism, or buttons which have to be delivered to different automatic sewing machines, can ultimately be considered as elements.  
           [0032]    Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found from the subordinate claims and also from the subsequent description. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF LISTING OF THE FIGURES  
       [0033]    The invention will be described in the following in more detail with reference to the drawings, which show:  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 a schematic illustration of a modular supply system in accordance with the invention at a press,  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 a partly sectioned illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as seen at the section plane II-II in FIG. 1,  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3 a side view of a modularly built up supply system in accordance with the invention directly prior to the exchange of the exchangeable module,  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 3,  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5 a representation similar to FIG. 3, but in a first stage of the exchange of the module,  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 6 a plan view of the supply system of FIG. 5, but at a somewhat later point in time,  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 7 a representation similar to FIG. 5, but at a later stage of the exchange of the module,  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 8 a plan view of the supply system of FIG. 7 but here also at a later point in time,  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 9 a representation similar to FIG. 3, but in the last stage of the exchange of the module,  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 10 a plan view of the supply system in accordance with FIG. 9,  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 11 a side view of a variant of the modular supply system in accordance with the invention shortly before exchange of the module is carried out,  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 12 a plan view of the supply system in accordance with FIG. 11,  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 13 a representation in accordance with FIG. 11, but at a later point in time during the exchange of the module,  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 14 a plan view of the supply system of FIG. 13,  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 15 a representation in accordance with FIG. 11, but after carrying out the exchange of the module,  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 16 a plan view of the supply system of FIG. 15,  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 17 a side view of a further variant of a modular supply system in accordance with the invention,  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 18 a plan view of the supply system of FIG. 17,  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 19 a representation in accordance with FIG. 17, but in the first stage of a module change,  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 20 a plan view of the supply system of FIG. 19,  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 21 a representation corresponding to the FIG. 19, but at a later point in time of the module change,  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 22 a plan view of the supply system in accordance with FIG. 21,  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 23 a representation in accordance with FIG. 21, but after separation of the exchangeable module from the basic module,  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 24 a plan view of the supply system in accordance with FIG. 23,  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 25 a side view similar to FIG. 3, but with a further modular supply system in accordance with the invention  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 26 a plan view of the supply system of FIG. 25,  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 27 a side view in accordance with FIG. 3 of a further variant of a modular supply system in accordance with the invention  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 28 a plan view of the supply system of FIG. 27,  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 29 a partly sectioned side representation of a modular transport device in a pushing embodiment,  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 30 a cross-section corresponding to the section plane XXX-XXX of FIG. 29,  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 31 a cross-section through a modular transport unit in a blowing embodiment prior to the coupling on of the transport line,  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 32 a representation in accordance with FIG. 31, but after coupling on of the transport line an directly before blowing,  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 33 a section representation in accordance with the section plane XXXIII-XXXIII of FIG. 31 to the left hand side of the central axis in FIG. 33, while the right hand half shows a corresponding sectional drawing from the stage of FIG. 32, in both cases after the transport line has been coupled on,  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 34 a plan view on the embodiment of FIG. 31, as seen in the direction of the arrow XXXIV,  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 35 an alternative transport unit in a magnetic embodiment,  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 36 a representation similar to FIG. 7, incorporating a turntable,  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 37 a plan view of the supply system in accordance with FIG. 36. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0071]    [0071]FIGS. 1 and 2 show, first of all, a schematic representation of the supply system  10  in accordance with the invention, which is designed here for the delivery of connection elements (not shown) to a user in the form of a press, wherein the non-illustrated elements are guided via lines  14  to a tool  16  located in the working region of the press. The lines  14  can, for example, be realized in the form of supply hoses, forwarding rails or guide rails for elements.  
         [0072]    In this specific example, four lines  14  are provided, which start from four transport units  18  arranged alongside one another in the supply system and lead to respective setting heads  20  within the press, with the four setting heads  20  in this example being associated with the upper tool  16  of the press  12 . The lines  14  are flexible plastic hoses, so that the positioning of the supply system with respect to the press is not critical. The supply system  10  can, for example, be arranged in the broken-line position  10 ′ in FIG. 2, whereby the lines  14 ′, which are correspondingly shown in broken lines, lead via gentle 90° arcs to the individual setting heads  20 . The reference numeral  14 ″ indicates the possibility of selectively guiding the lines to the rear side of the press to two further setting heads  20 ″ in the upper tool  16 . If the two lines  14 ″ are simultaneously used with the four lines  14  and  14 ′ respectively, then two further transport units (18) not shown must be present in the supply system  10 .  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 1 shows that the lines  14 ″ can be guided in different manners to the rear side of the press, with the example in FIG. 1 showing two alternative possibilities for the lines  14 ″, namely passing laterally past the press—as also shown in FIG. 2—or however passing over the top side of the press. In both cases suitable holders  22  are provided. The reference numeral  24  indicates connectors which can be used to connect the lines if an extension beyond the basic length is necessary.  
         [0074]    The representation of FIGS. 1 and 2 merely give example for the paths of the lines  14 . They are in no way to be regarded as restrictive. Both the number of the respective lines and also the paths, arrangement, suspension, and support of the individual lines can in principle be selected as desired. The setting heads  20  need also not be arranged on the upper tool of the press, they can also be arranged on the lower tool of the press or also on a tool arranged on an intermediate plate.  
         [0075]    The supply of the elements from the supply system to the press must harmonize with the working cycle of the press. For this purposes electrical lines  26  and also pneumatic lines  28  and optionally also hydraulic lines  30  extend between the press and the supply system.  
         [0076]    It can, moreover, be found from FIG. 1 that the supply system includes an installation platform  34 , which is movable on wheels  32 . In this manner the supply system can easily be displaced to different positions within a factory. The wheels can optionally be equipped with brakes in order to hold them in a selected operating position relative to the press. Other stopping possibilities can also be considered, for example direct screwing or anchoring of the platform  34  to the floor  36  of the factory room.  
         [0077]    It is not absolutely essential that the platform  34  has wheels. It could, for example, also be executed as a pallet, so that a displacement is possible at any time, for example by means of a low lift platform truck or a forklift truck.  
         [0078]    The reference numeral  38  indicates a display and switching panel, which can be used by the operator.  
         [0079]    The layout of a first embodiment of the modular supply system of the invention will be explained in the following in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 10, with these drawings also serving to explain the exchange of the exchangeable module.  
         [0080]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the basic module  10  of FIG. 1 can first be seen, which is however turned through 180° here relative to the embodiment in FIG. 1, and also uses a differently designed forwarding device or feeder.  
         [0081]    In these figures and also in all subsequent figures the same reference numerals will be used for the same components and also components with the same function. It will be understood that the whole description applies in the same way for all parts with the reference numerals, and indeed even then when these parts are provided with a dash at the top or a double dash at the top, i.e., for the sake of economy a repeated description of the same parts or parts with the same function in the different embodiments will be dispensed with.  
         [0082]    The modular supply system  10 , i.e., the modular supply apparatus  10  of FIG. 3, is also formed here as a mobile unit with wheels  32 , with the wheels also being attached here to the platform  34 . This platform  34  belongs to the so-called basic module  40 . In the illustration of FIG. 3, an exchangeable module  42  is located in the mobile unit  10  in addition to the basic module  40 , and is installed on the platform  34  of the basic module  40 . Stated more precisely, the installation platform  34  is equipped with rails  44 , on which the interchangeable module  42  is linearly displaceable but can be registered in the working position by pins (not shown) and latched mechanically via a quick acting closure  46  to the basic module  40  in the desired position on the rails  44 .  
         [0083]    At the left of the mobile unit  10  there is located a second exchangeable module  42 ′ which is arranged on rails  48  corresponding in their design to the rails  44 . The rails  48  are in turn mounted on a transport carriage  50 , with the transport carriage in this embodiment likewise being equipped with wheels  52  and corresponding brake devices  54 .  
         [0084]    At the side of the transport carriage  50  facing the mobile unit  10  there is located a centering device  56 , which, on the movement of the transport carriage  50  up to the docking position at the mobile unit  10 , is received in a corresponding recess in the mobile platform  34  and can optionally be latched to this mobile platform by a latch bolt or the like. In this docking position, optionally with latching, the rails  48  are aligned with the rails  44  and merge directly into one another, for example as is shown by FIG. 6.  
         [0085]    Prior to the movement of the transport carriage up to the docking position of the basic module the exchangeable module  42 ′ is first shifted, after releasing the latch  58 , from the middle transport position in accordance with FIG. 3, to the left on the transport carriage  50  in order to provide space at the right hand side of the transport carriage  50  for the reception of the module  42  to be exchanged.  
         [0086]    [0086]FIG. 6 shows the transport carriage docked at the docking position directly prior to the exchange of the exchangeable module  42 . Prior to the exchange of this module, a multi-plug  60  for the pneumatic system and a multi-plug  62  for the electrical system have to be separated from the exchangeable module  42 . After the release of the mechanical quick acting closure  46 , the exchangeable module  42  can be shifted in the direction of the arrow  64  to the left, onto the right side of the transport carriage  50 , with the aligned rails  48  and  44  serving for this purpose.  
         [0087]    After the module  42  to be exchanged and the module  42 ′ to be newly inserted into the mobile unit are bot present on the transport carriage  50 , the coupling  56  of the transport carriage to the mobile unit  10  is released. The released state is shown in turn in FIG. 7.  
         [0088]    The transport carriage can now be laterally (as illustrated by arrow  66  in FIG. 8) translated to the left as shown in FIG. 7 and away from the mobile unit  10 . The carriage is then turned around end for end (as illustrated by arrow  68  in FIG. 8) so that module  42 ′ is most proximate to the mobile unit  10 . The carriage is again laterally moved to the right (as illustrated by arrow  66  in FIG. 8) towards the mobile unit  10 . After this movement the exchanged module  42  is located at the left hand side of the transport carriage  50  in FIG. 8 while the exchangeable module  42 ′ is now present directly in front of the mobile unite  10 . The transport carriage  50  is now moved again to the docking position at the mobile unit  10  and the exchangeable module  42 ′ is pushed, optionally after latching the transport carriage  50  to the mobile unit  10 , from the rails  48  onto the aligned rails  44  of the mobile unit until it strikes the registration pins (not shown) and a mechanical quick acting latching device  46  snaps into place for the mechanical latching of the newly exchanged module  42 ′ or is engaged in order to non-displaceably couple the exchanged module  42 ′ to the mobile unit  10 . The multi-plug  60  for the pneumatic system and the multi-plug  62  for the electronic system can now be coupled to the newly exchanged module  42 ′. After the removal of the transport carriage to the left and after shifting of the exchangeable module  42  into the center of the transport carriage, the situation of FIG. 3 has again been produced.  
         [0089]    Instead of turning the transport carriage  50  around in accordance with the arrow  68 , it is entirely conceivable to install the rails  48  of the transport carriage  50  on a rotary table  50 , which should then be rotatably arranged about a vertical axis of rotation  59  arranged approximately at the center of the transport carriage  50  as shown in FIGS. 36 &amp; 37, so that only a small separation of the transport carriage from the mobile unit is necessary in order to rotate the rotary table, which is likewise schematically represented by the arrow  68 . The separation of the transport carriage from the mobile unit must only be sufficient in order to ensure the rotatability of the rotary table, without the modules striking the mobile unit.  
         [0090]    In the representation of FIGS.  3  to  10 , the exchangeable module  42  and also the exchangeable module  42 ′ consist of four like sorting devices  70  and  70 ′ arranged alongside one another, which are coupled to the respective transport device  72  and  72 ′ respectively and supply elements sorted in accordance with the features or shapes and/or the position of the center of gravity of the respective transport units  72  and  72 ′ respectively.  
         [0091]    The four like sorting devices  70  and  70 ′ and the corresponding transport devices  72  and  72 ′ are in each case formed as a unit, i.e., a module, so that the exchangeable module is itself of modular design and can be rapidly assembled from individual sorting and transport units  70  and  72  by connecting together the desired number of units depending on how many such units are to be present in the exchangeable module. For this reason, the sorting devices  70  and  70 ′ and transport devices  72  and  72 ′ will frequently be referred to in the following as “units”. It will be understood that the devices and the units are one and the same thing, and the term unit is merely meant to emphasize the modular design of the respective devices.  
         [0092]    The precise design of the respective sorting units  70  and  70 ′ and of the transport units  72  and  72 ′ respectively is not of particular importance. These components can be designed in accordance with the previously known components used for the same purposes, e.g., as sold by the present applicants, provided that they are designed in such a way that they can be arranged in space-saving manner alongside one another in a multiple-arrangement, as with the four respective units, which are shown in FIGS.  3  to  10 . For the sake of completeness, examples of transport units operating with blowing and pushing will be described later with respect to FIGS.  25  to  35 .  
         [0093]    Although in the FIGS.  3  to  10  four like sorting devices,  70  and  70 ′ respectively, and four like transport devices,  72  and  72 ′ respectively, are shown, so that one could assume that they can be used for four identical or similar elements in different sizes, the modularity of the present invention is so selected that in the embodiment shown here the four sorting and transport devices can be selected at will in order to dispense up to four elements from a total spectrum of elements of different types and sizes to the respective user.  
         [0094]    By way of example, a quadruple arrangement is shown in the illustration of FIG. 26, with two tracks for the pushing feeding of nuts through the transport devices  72  as previously described and two tracks for the blowing transport of bolts by means of blowing transport devices  72 ″. That is to say, a total of four transport devices  72  and  72 ″, which are likewise of modular design, are arranged in four tracks alongside one another.  
         [0095]    Expression should also be given to the fact that the invention is not restricted to the use of four tracks or transport devices. In principle, any desired number of tracks can be provided. An apparatus can also be equipped with only one to three transport devices or with more than four transport devices. The modular concept make sit possible to equip the mobile platform  50  of the interchangeable module  42  and  42 ′ as desired with sorting and transport devices  70 ,  70 ′ and  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″ of different modular designs.  
         [0096]    In the FIGS.  3  to  10  on e can see, moreover, the connections  74 ,  74 ′ for the lines  14 ,  14 ′ and  14 ″ respectively of FIGS. 1 and 2. These lines are normally coupled, in accordance with the invention, via quick acting couplings, to the respective connections  74  and  74 ′, which is naturally a precondition for the supply of the respective elements to the user.  
         [0097]    The basic module  40  of FIG. 3 includes a forwarding device or feeder  76  which serves for the forwarding of the elements from a supply chamber  78  to the sorting device  70 . Various possibilities exist of the design of this forwarding device.  
         [0098]    If the same elements are delivered to all the sorting and transport devices, then one can operate with a forwarding device  76 —shown in FIGS.  3  to  10  as a chain conveyor—which lifts the elements out of the supply bunker  78 , using plates  76 ′ connected to the chain  76 ″ of the chain conveyor, and feeds them to the sorting chicanes associated with the sorting devices, from where all the elements which are not aligned in the transport position drop back via the slide  79  into the supply bunker. The feeding of the elements to the sorting units  70  can simply consist of the belt feeder or chain conveyor lifting the elements from the supply chamber  78  and dropping them onto the sorting units  70 .  
         [0099]    It can, for example, also be seen from FIG. 3 that the elements can be filled into the supply bunker  78  via filling flap hinged at  84  and a slide  82 , for which it is necessary to first open the flap  80 .  
         [0100]    In the lower inclined wall  86  of the supply bunker  78 , there is likewise located a flap  88 , which can be pivoted outwardly into the position  88 ′ in order to fully empty the supply bunker  78 . During this the elements still located in the supply bunker  78  fall into a box  90  arranged beneath the mobile platform  34 . When the flap  80  is open, it is possible to check that the supply bunker  78  has been fully emptied. This would normally be done when a module change of the exchangeable module  42  is carried out, because the module  42  to be exchanged is normally only exchanged when the user is to be equipped for use with other elements or other element sizes or with a different complement of elements.  
         [0101]    In the most preferred embodiment, only one supply chamber or bunker  78  is provided and is filled with just one type and size of element. In this way there is no danger of different type and sizes of elements being confused either by the sorting units  70  in use or by the operator when refilling the supply chamber  78 . The modular design is of importance in such a case. First of all, any number of units  70 ,  72  for the sorting and transport of the elements can be used up to the maximum number permitted by the design of the basic module  40 . Secondly, it is readily possible to convert the system to use different numbers of units  70 ,  72  for the sorting and transport of the elements. Thirdly, sorting and transport units  70 ′ and  72 ′ not in use with the one basic module  40  can be used with another basic module  40  rather than simply lying idle, as would be the case if a prior art purpose design system was used at less than its fully capacity. Fourthly, the conversion from one type and size of one element to another can also be effected quickly. It is simply necessary to remove all unused elements from the supply chamber and to replace them with a new type or size of element and to exchange the sorting and transport units  70 ,  72  previously used for new ones  70 ′,  72 ′, which can be used with the new type and size of element. In addition, the components belonging to the basic module  40  are used more cost-effectively. In the absence of the modular system of the invention, these components would all have to be present twice, once for the sorting and transport system  70 ,  72  in use, and once for the sorting and transport system  70 ′,  72 ′, of which use has been temporarily discontinued. Moreover, the conversion from one type and size of element to another can take place very quickly and storage space is minimized.  
         [0102]    The sorting and transport units  70 ′,  72 ′ can all be rapidly connected together by any convenient means and exchanged as a whole. The basic module  40  simply has an opening for receiving the sorting units  70 ,  70 ′ of the sorting and transport units  70 ,  72 ′. Baffle elements or plates present on the sorting units and within the basic module prevent elements from escaping from the basic module and ensure that, if they are not passed on by the sorting units, they fall back into the supply chamber  78 .  
         [0103]    If fewer than the maximum number of sorting and transport units  70 ,  72  are used, then any remaining part of the receiving opening in the basic module not already covered over by the units  70 ,  72  in use can be simply covered over by a plate mounted on the exchangeable module or by a plate mounted on the basic module, and of course the design of such a blanking plate can be chosen so that it can be removed and fitted extremely quickly.  
         [0104]    It will be noted that the connection between the exchangeable module  42 ,  42 ′ and the basic module  40  conveniently takes place at the base plate  34  of the basic module  40  so that no physical connection is necessary at the periphery of the receiving opening of the basic module  40 . However, such a physical connection would also be possible if desired. Moreover, if desired, guide means could be provided at or close to the receiving opening to ensure adequate guidance of the sorting units  70 ,  70 ′ when inserted into the receiving opening.  
         [0105]    The above-described advantages also generally apply to the other variants of the supply system of the invention described herein.  
         [0106]    The toothed rollers and transversely moveable combs of the sorting units and the chain or belt of the belt feeder are usually driven by respective electric motors. The use of combs and rollers in sorting systems are well known in the art and are widely used in prior art sorting apparatuses, and those practiced in the art will appreciate their design and function without further description herein. The connection to the electric motors for the toothed rollers and transversely moveable combs of the sorting units are effected via the electrical multi-plug  62 . The drive connection to the motor of the belt feeder  76  forms part of the basic module.  
         [0107]    It is likewise possible to operate solely with one supply bunker when different elements are to be processed. In this case the different elements are put into the supply bunker  78  as a mixture and the sorting takes place automatically via the respective tracks, i.e., via the respective sorting devices  70 ,  70 ′ associated with the respective transport devices  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″.  
         [0108]    Another possibility lies in providing the supply chamber  78  with a number of supply chambers (not shown), which corresponds to the number of the sorting units and tracks that are provided. The chain conveyor  76  is laid out using partition webs so that only elements from the respective supply chambers can be fed to the respective sorting devices without passing undesirably into neighboring supply chambers. With this arrangement, sorting also takes place through the sorting devices, but here in such a way that only elements which have the correct transport position are passed on further to the transport devices. Should an element, despite this subdivision into supply chambers, not pass in the desired correct transport position to the respectively associated sorting device, then it is nevertheless rejected by the sorting device, assuming that the sorting devices are so designed that they only allow elements to pass which have the correct shape, size and transport position. If separate supply chambers are provided, then the sorting devices are preferably so designed that elements which are not let through, for example because they are not correctly positioned, drop back into the respectively provided supply chambers in order to avoid an undesired mixing of the elements.  
         [0109]    In an arrangement with a plurality of supply chambers it is also advantageous when all the supply chambers can be simultaneously emptied, for example through a flap  88 , which is provided in common for all supply chambers, but which has perpendicular webs which prevent mixing of the emptied elements.  
         [0110]    At this point expression should also be given to the fact that the forwarding device does not necessarily have to be designed as a chain conveyor. There are certainly other possibilities, for example the possibility of designing this device as a so-called vibratory feeder  76 ′ as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 27 and 28, or one can also operate with an inclined rotatable drum  76 ″, a drum feeder, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, with it being necessary, with this embodiment, to operate with a mixture of elements, unless all the attached tracks are provided for the processing of the same element. In this case the drum conveyor  76 ″ again contains elements of just one type (i.e. and size).  
         [0111]    The mobile unit  10  includes, as part of basic module  40 , universally useable components including an electrical control cabinet with display  38 , a pneumatic module  96 , an oiling system  98  and also noise and accident protection devices known in the art. The electrical control cabinet  38  includes a number of devices, not separately shown but nonetheless important for the universal applicability of the basic module  40 . These universal components are in each case known per se in customary supply systems and are here simply so combined by corresponding interfaces, for example connected to the programming, that they can be used for all the exchangeable modules  42 ,  42 ′,  42 ″, connectable to the basic module  40 . The universal components of the control cabinet include the following:  
         [0112]    a) mains connection,  
         [0113]    b) input and output units,  
         [0114]    c) programmable control for the control or regulation of operating parameters, such as for example switching on and off of the forwarding device  76 ,  76 ′,  76 ″, controlling or regulating the working speed of the forwarding device  76 ,  76 ′,  76 ″, regulating the pressure of the transport device  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″, and regulating the supply pressure of setting heads  20 ,  20 ″ connected to the transport devices  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″, i.e., to the lines  14 ,  14 ′, and the pressure of the oiling device  98 ,  
         [0115]    d) a recognition device for the recognition of the functional component groups  70 ,  70 ′,  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″, which are present at the interchangeable module  42 ,  42 ′,  42 ″ and connected to the basic module  40 ,  
         [0116]    e) connections for signals from sensors on the basic module  40 , the interchangeable module  42 ,  42 ′,  42 ″ or user  12 , such as for example filling state measuring sensors on the basic module  40 , and end switches, end position sensors at the transport device  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″ and in the setting head  20 ,  20 ′ and, if required,  
         [0117]    f) one or more connection lines  26 ,  28 ,  30  for the signal transmission between the supply system  10  and the user  12  and/or from the user  12  to the supply system  10 .  
         [0118]    Moreover, the supply system, i.e., the basic module, has the pneumatic supply  96 , which can, for example, include a filter, an oiler (including an oil tank), a water separator, valves, power units and also one or more connection devices, and optionally a compressor unit, with the coupling of the pneumatic supply to the exchangeable module  42 ,  42 ′ or  42 ″ preferably taking place via the multi-plug  60 .  
         [0119]    First of all, it is pointed out that although compressed air is available in most factories, situations can certainly arise in which the performance of the factory internal pneumatic supply system is almost at the limit of its capability, or in which pressure fluctuations have to be feared which cannot be reconciled with the operation of the supply system of the invention. In order to guard against such cases it can be sensible to equip the supply system with its own compressor unit, which then belongs to the basic module. Otherwise, if an adequate factory internal supply system is present, then the required compressed air can be taken from this system.  
         [0120]    Depending on how the transport devices  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″ are designed and which element types and sizes are to be processed, a respective compressed air requirement is determined for each transport device, which can, amongst other things, also depend on the length of the respective line  14 ,  14 ′,  14 ″ respectively. The once found values for the operating parameters for specific configurations, such as values for the air pressure and the rate of oil feed, are, for example, fed into a microprocessor or into a memory in the control cabinet via an input unit, or the respectively attached exchangeable module and also the sorting and/or transport devices associated with it, are recognized by the system itself on the connection of different exchangeable modules, whereby the desired controls can automatically be effected in accordance with the previously programmed or stored values.  
         [0121]    The multi-plug  60  for the pneumatic system is preferably so designed that the pneumatic supply can recognize which tasks it has to satisfy for the respectively connected exchangeable module. Here also one can turn to the corresponding previously fixed pressure values and flow quantities. All these measures ensure that with a module change, a quick and economical adaptation to the various circumstances of the inserted, exchangeable module  42 ,  42 ′,  42 ″ takes place.  
         [0122]    The basic module  40  also includes the oiling device  98 , which can either be supplied from the pneumatic supply  96  or separately. The point of this oiling device is to provide the individual elements or a number of them with a small quantity of lubricant so that, on the one hand, they slide without problem through the supply system to the user and, on the other hand, to ensure, if required, improved frictional conditions at the user by the transmission of lubricant. The oiling system can also differ in a manner specific to the element or to the application, depending on the requirements.  
         [0123]    The basic module, however, also includes a noise and safety protection means. The noise protection consists, above all, of an insulation (not shown), which is provided in the region of the supply bunker  78 , of the forwarding device  76  and of the surrounding housing and sheet metal parts, for example also at the flap  80  and at the flap  88 . In this way operating noises are damped so that the noise level of the supply system can be kept within acceptable limits. Acoustic insulation around the transport devices can, if necessary, also be provided because these also produce operating noises.  
         [0124]    Contacts which prevent the supply system being taken into operation when the flap  80  or the flap  88 ′ are opened, or with faulty connections of the exchangeable module, or light barriers which prevent operation when an operator or an unauthorized person reaches into areas of the supply system, belong to the important safety devices. Such safety devices should also serve to interrupt the operation of the supply system when, during operation, a flap is opened in unauthorized manner, or someone interferes in dangerous regions of the supply system.  
         [0125]    The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to further embodiments.  
         [0126]    FIGS.  11  to  16  show an alternative way of effecting a change of the exchangeable module. For this purpose a separate transport carriage  50  is provided for each exchangeable module. FIG. 11 shows a situation in which the basic module  40  is available to receive an exchangeable module  42 . The exchangeable module  42  is located on the respective transport carriage  50 . In this embodiment rails are avoided. In place of this, the mounting platform  34  is equipped with conical centering spigots  35  or other guide means (FIG. 12), onto which the exchangeable module  42 ′, which has been transported into place is lowered from above by means of a lifting device  100 . A conical bore  45  is machined into the base plate  52  for the exchangeable module for each centering spigot  35 , so that a form-locked latching prevents horizontal slippage of the module. A central mounting screw  46  prevents a movement in the vertical direction. In the FIGS. 11 and 12 the transport carriage  50  is moved into the direct vicinity of the basic module  40 , i.e., of the mobile unit  10 . The FIGS. 13 and 14 show the lifting (arrow  110 ) and the horizontal transport (arrow  112 ) of the lifted exchangeable module  42 ′, which his subsequently lowered in accordance with the arrow  114  onto the centering spigots  35  at the mobile platform  34  of the mobile unit  10 , i.e., of the basic module  40 . The emptied transport carriage  50  can then be removed from the working range of the supply system.  
         [0127]    In this embodiment it is not necessary to latch the transport carriage  50  to the mobile platform  34 . It is sufficient to actuate the braking devices  54  of the transport carriage  50  and  33  of the mobile platform  34 .  
         [0128]    [0128]FIGS. 15 and 16 show the position after the lowering of the exchangeable module  42 ′ onto the platform  34  of the mobile unit, and after the insertion of the multiple pneumatic plug  60  and of the multiple electrical plug  62 .  
         [0129]    The FIGS.  17  to  24  show a third variant, in which the mounting platform  34  is provided with a rectangular cutout or receiving bay  112 , into which the exchangeable module mounted on a separate transport carriage  50  is pushed. The chassis  53  of the separate transport carriage  50  is provided with a retractable and extendible platform  51  (see FIGS. 18, 20), so that the latter can be lowered from an elevated transport position to the level of the mounting platform  34  of the basic module  40 . In this arrangement a horizontal fixing is effected, as in the embodiment of FIGS.  11  to  16 , i.e., preferably via conical centering spigots  35  and bores  45 , and the securing in the vertical direction can also take place here via an attachment screw  46  or via a quick acting closure.  
         [0130]    The lifting and lowering of the platform  51  of the exchangeable module can take place herein in different ways and means. In the illustrated arrangement the platform  51  is connected via scissors links  104  with the chassis  53  of the transport carriage  50 , so that on actuation of the scissors links, for example by means of a spindle, the limbs of the scissors links can adopt different angles to one another, whereby different heights of the platform  51  can be achieved, in similar manner to a scissors type jack.  
         [0131]    Alternatively, the wheels themselves can be adjusted in position relative to the chassis  53 , which is, however, not shown here.  
         [0132]    In this embodiment the exchangeable module remains with the transport carriage  50 , so that a relatively simple design of the transport carriage is possible, despite the existing possibility of lifting and lowering the platform  51 . It is also conceivable to modify the embodiment of FIGS.  17  to  24  in such a way that no lifting or lowering of the exchangeable module is effected, but rather only a mechanical latching of the transport carriage with the mobile platform  34  of the basic module  40  after it has been moved into the receiving bay  112 .  
         [0133]    The functional sequence in this embodiment is as follows:  
         [0134]    As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the transport carriage  50  with the sorting and transport devices  70  and  72  to be exchanged, is located in the position on the basic module  40  defined by the centering pins  35 . In addition, the transport carriage  50  is secured by means of the screw connection or the quick clamping device  46 .  
         [0135]    In the FIGS. 19 and 20, the transport carriage  50  is raised after releasing the screw connection or the quick clamping device by railing of the platform  51 , until the transport carriage is no longer fixed via the centering spigots  35 .  
         [0136]    As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the transport carriage can now be moved out of the basic module.  
         [0137]    The FIGS. 23 and 24 show that the transport carriage with the last used sorting and transport devices is separated from the basic module and is being replaced by another transport carriage  50 , with the sorting and transport devices which are to be used next.  
         [0138]    As already indicated previously, the FIGS. 25 and 26 show a variant of the modular supply system having here two tracks for the blowing feeding of bolt elements and two tracks for the pushing feeding of nut elements. The connection to the basic module  40  also preferably takes place here via a multi-plug  62  for the pneumatic system and via a multi-plug  62  for the electrical system. The design of the transport device  72  for the pushing feeding is shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, while the transport device  72 ″ for the blowing embodiment is shown in the FIGS.  31  to  34 .  
         [0139]    The FIGS. 27 and 28 show that the exchangeable module, even when the basic module is designed to supply four lines  14  or tracks, can be equipped with a smaller number of transport devices, in this case with two tracks for the blowing feeding of bolts by means of two transport devices  72 ″, which correspond to the transport devices  72 ″ of FIG. 26.  
         [0140]    Another difference in the embodiment of FIGS. 27 and 28 is the use of a different forwarding device  76 , here for example of a vibratory feeder  76 ′ for the delivery of the elements to the sorting device  70  associated with the transport devices. Such vibratory feeders are known per se and are available from the company Profil. They are therefore not specially described here.  
         [0141]    In the embodiment of FIGS. 25 and 26 or  27  and  28 , the precise nature of the hand-over of the exchangeable module to the basic module is not shown. This can, however, take place as desired, for example in accordance with one of the previously described variants, with the use of centering spigots  35  being shown here in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS.  11  to  16 , i.e., a lifting device  110  comes into use here.  
         [0142]    In the transport device for the pushing feeding of the nut elements in accordance with FIGS. 29 and 30, two tracks  120 ,  122  are arranged alongside one another, as can be seen from FIG. 30, and provided with respective pneumatic cylinders  124 .  
         [0143]    The nut elements  130  coming from the sorting device  70  (not shown in FIG. 29) are filled into a guide passage  126  matched to the nut elements and slide to the right under gravity (see FIG. 29). A detector  128  checks whether sufficient nuts are provided in the guide channel  126 . If no nuts can be found here, then this is an indication that the supply of nuts has come to an end, which leads via the control in the control cabinet to the supply system and also to the user being switched off, or at least a warning is given to the operator, for example via an indicator  38 , or as an acoustic signal or as a blinking signal, that the supply needs to be topped up.  
         [0144]    In order to be able to transport the nut elements  130  on further into the line  14  and to the user, a pivotally arranged finger  132  engages into the bore of a nut element  130 . The finger  132  is pivotally mounted in a carriage  134  about the axis  136 . The carriage is pushed to the right by the piston rod  138  of the pneumatic cylinder  124 , and indeed over a stroke which includes a plurality of elements, and is limited by the abutments  140  and  142 . The cylinder  124  and the pneumatic supply  96  determine the pressure which the pivotable finger  132  exerts onto the nut elements under the control of the control cabinet  38 . The line  14  is full with such nut elements. They are taken over one at a time by the setting head  20  or  20 ″ in the press, whereby the finger  132  is advanced through a path length, which corresponds to the maximum diameter of the element. If the carriage reaches the abutment  142 , then this is, for example, sensed by a pressure increase and leads to a changeover of the pneumatic cylinder  124 , whereby the finger element  132  rotates about the axis of rotation  136  opposite to the force of the spring  144 . The carriage  134  can then be retracted up to the abutment  140 , whereby the pneumatic cylinder is changed over once again. As a result of the action of the spring, the tip of the finger element  132  engages into the bore of a nut element anew, and further nut elements are shifted to the right. The two tracks  120 ,  122  arranged alongside one another operate fully independent of one another.  
         [0145]    The transport device  72 ″ for the blowing transport is shown in FIGS.  31  to  34  and is normally used with bolt elements  150 .  
         [0146]    As is evident in FIG. 31, the bolt element  150  arrive in the direction of the arrow  151  from the corresponding sorting device  70 ″ in the desired transport position and are correspondingly guided by a guide channel  152 . In the blowing head  154  of the transport device there is only space for one bolt element  150 . That is to say the working head  154  is matched to the dimension of the bolt elements  150 . When the front bolt element  150  has reached the position of FIG. 31, which is determined by the detector  153 , then the sleeve  156 , which is displaceably provided in the blowing head  154  is raised by pneumatic pressure, so that the shaft part of the bolt element  150  comes to lie in the sleeve. In the uppermost position of the displaceable sleeve  156 , which is shown in the FIGS. 32 and 33, a guide needle  158  leaves the sleeve  156 , whereby a through-flow passage  160  opens. The air pressure prevailing in the pressure chamber  162  can now flow into the sleeve  156  and blows, as in an airgun, the bolt element in the direction of the arrow  164  into the attached line  14 .  
         [0147]    A sensor  128  also serves here for the determination of whether sufficient bolt elements  150  are provided. In this embodiment a pivotally arranged finger  164  projects under the action of the spring  168  into the upper part of the blowing head  154  and prevents the blowing of a bolt element if a line  14  is not present. On inserting the end of the line  170 , the finger  164  is pivoted against the force of a spring by the pin  172  out of the bore  174 . A spring-loaded index pin  176  engages into a groove at the end  170  of the line and latches in this manner the connection between the blowing head  154  and the line end  154 . For the insert of the line end  170  and for the release of the connection, it is necessary to draw the head  178  of the index pin outwardly.  
         [0148]    Finally, FIG. 35 shows an alternative transport unit, which is here designed as a magnetic transport device.  
         [0149]    The elements which are here likewise shown as nut elements come from the associated sorting units  70  or  70 ′ via the correspondingly designed guide channel  180  into the lower peripheral region of a rotating magnetic wheel  182 , which attracts the nut elements and moves them along in the direction of rotation  184  of the magnet wheel  182  until they reach a deflector  186 . At the deflector the nut elements enter into a further guide passage  188  and from there into a line  14  leading to the user. That is to say, the nut elements  130  are transported further in the arrow direction  190  and in the line  14 . The device  192  represents a quick connection coupling for the line  14 .  
         [0150]    As mentioned earlier, the sorting devices and the transport devices of the present invention will typically be formed as units, i.e., modules, which can be connected together in any desired number and/or design to form the exchangeable module. As also described, the exchangeable module will be connected pneumatically and electrically to the basic nodule via multi-plugs  60  and  62 . It is advantageous if the individual sorting and transport units are equipped with pneumatic lines and electrical leads, which can themselves be connected to the sockets for the multi-plugs  60  and  62  via respective quick connections. This facilitates the rapid assembly of an exchangeable module from a plurality of sorting and transport units. If the basic module end of the multi-plug connector is a socket rather than a plug, then the plug will be provided on the exchangeable module and the individual pneumatic and electrical leads will be connected to respective “pins” of the plug on the exchangeable module  42  via respective quick couplings. The multi-plugs  60  and  62  have a sufficient number of individual connection locations, i.e., “pins”, that they can supply the required number of hydraulic and electrical lines for the maximum number of sorting and transport units which can be used with the basic module.  
         [0151]    Since each “pin” of the pneumatic multi-plug  60  is connected to a respective pneumatic line of one of the associated sorting and transport units, the electronic programming of the control cabinet can be such that the appropriate pressure is applied to each respective pin, and thus to the associate lad, via the associated solenoid operated pressure control valve.