Patent GB-323287-A (GB)
Title: Mechanism for automatically counting the number of tinplates or like plates or sheets cut upon a slitting or cutting machine
IPC: G06M3/02
Filed: 1928-10-11
Abstract: 323,287. Baldwins, Ltd., and Braithwaite, R. R. Oct. 11, 1928. Counters for articles.-The number of tin plates or other sheets cut upon a slitting or cutting machine is registered on a counting mechanism actuated by the displacement of one or more abutment members by engagement with a moving plate, after passing through the cutters. Means are also provided for counting the number of plates constituting a box or pack, for preventing further feeding of the plates when the desired number has been cut, and for ensuring that the plates shall be cut square with the edge'presented to the cutters. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tin plates are fed along a table 7 between guides 8, 9 to rotary cutters 19, 11, and the leading edge of each plate is caused to engage an abutment 12 on a pivoted lever 13 connected through a link 14 to a lever 13a secured to one of the interconnected shafts 15, 16. Secured to the shaft 16 is an arm 18a to which is pivoted a slide bar 20 with stops 21, 22 co-operating with abutments 170, 171 to limit its longitudinal movement. The slide bar carries a spring controlled pawl 23 which, on the movement of the slide bar to the right, Fig. 1, by the displacement of the abutment lever 13 by the plate, actuates a toothed wheel 25. The wheel 25 is held against reverse movement of a detent 27 and is connected with a spiral spring 6 adapted to be wound up during actuation of the wheel. The wheel 25 gears with a wheel 28 on a spindle 29 carrying an indicating pointer 4 movable over a graduated dial 1, Fig. 3. The dial 1 is rotatable so that the graduation corresponding to the number of plates required to complete a box or pack can be adjusted in alignment with a fixed pointer 2. To count the number of boxes the spindle 28 is provided with an adjustable pointer 32 which co-operates with a spring-controlled lever 33 connected to a slide bar 34 carrying a spring controlled pawl 36 engaging a toothed wheel 38 on a shaft 39 having an indicating pointer 40. Before the machine is put into operation a bar 47 is pushed inwardly by a knob 66, Fig. 4, so as to cause its tapered end to rock a lever 52, Fig. 5, connected to a member with spaced stops 50, 51 to withdraw the stops from the path of movement of the plates. The bar is held in position by a catch 72 and a projection on a spring-controlled locking member 60 slidable on the bar 47 engaging a slot in a supporting bracket 46<a>. At the end of the operation an arm 44 on the spindle 26 engages a pivoted lever 45 and an arm 59 connected thereto disengages the locking member 60 whereupon the arm 44 strikes a bell-crank lever 46 and through a pin 61 thereon disengages the catch 72 permitting the bar 47 to return to free the lever 52 and permit the stops 50, 51 to project above the upper surface of the plate 7 and prevent feeding of the plates. When the knob 66 is pushed in an arm 62 secured to the bar 47 operates a rod 63 to raise a cross bar 64 and free the pawl 23 and detent 27 from pins 65, 66 thereon. On the return of the bar 47 the pin 65, 66 are operative to disengage the pawl and detent to permit the spiral spring 6 to return the toothed wheel 25 and therewith the pointer 4 to zero position. To ensure that the plates shall be cut square the guide plates 8, 9 are slotted to receive fingers 73, 74, Fig. 7, on a shaft 75 rotatably mounted on end pivots and controlled by a spring 82.