Patent GB-190204634-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Feeding Sheets of Paper to Folding Machines Printing Presses or the like.
Filed: 1902-02-24
Granted: 1902-04-17
Abstract: 4634. Lake, H. H., [Welvant Manufacturing Co.]. Feb. 24. Feeding sheets.- Relates to machines for feeding sheets from a pile to printing, folding, ruling, &c. machines. The pile of sheets C is placed on a table B, which is gradually raised, to keep the top of the pile at a constant height. The top sheet is fed by an endless band or bands F to a delivery roller D on a constantlydriven shaft d. Rollers d<2> in arms d<2> press the sheet on to the roller D. In order to support the corners of thin sheets of paper as they are fed to the roller D, tapering rollers E are provided, at each side of the machine, on a shaft e, and these rollers are driven by endless bands e<1> from the roller D. The feed bands F are carried at their front ends by rollers F<1> mounted eccentrically upon a shaft f, carried by arms pivoted at e, so that the height of the rollers F' may be adjusted. The rear rollers F<2> are on shafts K, each of which is pulled rearwardly and downwardly by a pair of springs M connected to a rod m<1> on arms m<3>, the position of which may be adjusted to vary the direction of the pull of the springs. The shafts K rest on forked levers k<1> on tubular sleeves or shafts k<2> surrounding the shaft k<3>. The sleeves k' are connected by a bridgepiece, so as to move together. The arms k<1> are rocked, to raise and lower the rollers F<2>, by an arm l and cam L on the shaft f. The eccentric position of the rollers F<1> on the shaft f causes them to press the band down on to the pile when the high parts f<4> of the eccentrics come downwards, and the cam L is so formed as to lower the rear rollers F<2> after the front rollers have depressed the band on to the pile, and to raise the rear rollers before the front rollers raise the band. The high part f<4> of the rollers F<1> is formed concentric to make a longer contact with the sheet. Beneath each roller F<1> and the front portion of the band F is a sheet retarder consisting of a spring tongue G covered with rubber &c. The tongue projects from a block g, hung on the shaft e, and on this block is also the front guide g<3> for keeping the pile in place. When the rollers F<1> descend they depress the retarder spring G, as shown in Fig. 12. The band F is formed with a central rib j, which engages grooves in the band rollers, and its face is formed with numerous depressions j<3>, Fig. 6. The shaft f is driven by a train of gearing from the shaft d, two of the gears being elliptical, to produce a higher speed of the band when it is down in the feeding-position. The motion of the shaft f and band may be stopped and started by means of a clutch operated by a rod i<2> passing through the shaft. The table B is guided vertically in the side frames A, and is suspended from two chains N passing over guide pulleys n, n<1>, and sprocketwheels n<2> on a shaft O, and attached to a weight n<3>. The shaft O is moved by worm gearing from a shaft operated by a ratchet mechanism controlled in its operation from the height of the pile. The pawl p<11> of the ratchet, Fig. 2, is pivoted on an arm p<6> connected by a pin p<5> with a dog p<4> passing through a slot p<3> in a lever P rocked continuously by a cam p<2> driven from the shaft f. The dog p<4> has a notch which is engaged by a pin p<9> on the lever P, and a pin p<10> on the dog is engaged by the lever to move the dog downwards. The end q<1> of the dog is pressed by a spring p<8> into engagement with a curved lever Q, and when this lever is free to move to the left the pin p<9> engages and operates the dog. When the top cf the pile reaches the required height an arm S resting upon it rocks the shaft k<3>, so that the pivoted end u on an arm R on the shaft k<3> is depressed, to engage a notch in the arm Q and prevent it from moving to the left.The arm Q then forces the dog p<4> to the right and prevents the engagement of the pin p<9> and consequent operation of the dog and table-raising mechanism. When the dog p' is thus disengaged, a cam projection t thereon is engaged by the pin p<9>, to clear it from the lever Q and permit free movement of this lever. The shaft O may be freed from its feed mechanism by a ratchet-clutch, and operated rapidly by a band crank. The arm R may be adjusted by a screw v<4> for varying heights of pile. In a modification, the shaft k<3> and sleeves k' are replaced by two separate shafts.