Patent GB-189730406-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Paper Feeding Machines.
Inventor: DEXTER TALBOT CHAMBERS
Filed: 1897-12-23
Granted: 1898-12-23
Abstract: 30,406. Dexter, T. C. Dec. 23. Feeding sheets.-Fig. 6 shows a sectional side elevation of a feeding-machine in which the pile of paper P is supported on a table B raised automatically by screws I' &c. Mounted to slide in the frame A is a carriage C, C', C' reciprocated longitudinally of the machine by means of racks fixed to the side bars C<2> of the carriage gearing with toothed segments on a rock shaft D actuated by an arm c, rod c<1>, and cam D'. The carriage is drawn to the rear by a cord and weight. In the carriage C are two longitudinal bars C<3>, each of which carries a sheet-feeding arrangement, consisting of a pair of friction pads f moving one behind the other. On each bar C<3> is mounted to slide a bracket F which is pressed towards the front end of the machine by a spiral spring on a rod d fixed in the carriage parallel to the bar C<3>. The base of each bracket F is formed with a longitudinal groove e in which is an adjustable bar e<1> to which the arms f, f<1> carrying the feedpads f<2> are pivoted at f<3>. The pads are preferably made of soft rubber. The front pad is connected to the arm f<1> by a vertical rod f<4> sliding in a guide f on the end of the bar e<1> and having an eye in which the end of the arm f engages. The pad is attached to the rod f<4> by a raised convex boss f<6> and a spring and bolt f<8>. The pads are pressed on to the paper during their forward movement by springs g engaging the arms f, f<1>. The arms are lifted when they have fed the sheet to the required distance as follows:-The sheet in its movement forward breaks an electric circuit containing a magnet H the armature H' of which permits a dog j to fall and engage the teeth F<1> on the upper edge of the bracket F. When the bracket and feed-arms are thus arrested, a roller g<1> on the feed-arm f rides on a cam h<2> forming part of a sleeve h adjustable on a rod h<1> in the carriage parallel to the bar C<3>. The pads are maintained in raised position during the rearward movement of the carriage by a latch h' which engages a pin h<5>. The latch h<4> is disengaged at the end of the return movement by a finger i on a shaft G rocked by a lever i<1> and cam on the shaft D<2>. On the bar H<1> of the frame is a rearwardly-extending arm l having a set-screw l<1> which returns the bracket F to its feeding position in the carriage and carries the roller g<1> off the raised shoulder of the cam sleeve h. To guard against the feeding of more than one sheet, a frictional retarding-surface m co-operates with each front feed-pad f<2>. Such friction surface may consist of an endless band supported by a curved plate l<3> and running on rollers l<2>. The rollers may be driven to move the friction band m in the direction of feeding, at a slower rate of speed than that of the feed-pads. Between the separating-beds m are sheet-supporting rollers m<1>, on to which the sheets are gripped, for feeding-off, by drop rollers o on a shaft o<1> carried by rods o<2> suspended from arms o<3> of a rock shaft o<4> operated by a rod o<5> and cam. The shaft o' is rotated by a sprocket chain &c. In connection with this feeding-mechanism, a buckling-arrangement, Fig. 13, is preferably arranged to operate on the rear portion of the pile. To one of the side frames is attached a bracket E<2> on which is mounted a guide F<2> for the slide F<3>. On the slide F<3> is a post u<1> to which is pivoted the buckling- finger u<2> having a suitable friction pad p<1>. To the side of the post u<1> is pivoted a three-armed lever p<2>, one arm of which is connected by a rod q to a rock-arm by which the slide F<3> is reciprocated. The two other arms operate as stops by engaging the slide, and to one of them is connected a rod p<3> passing through a lug on the finger u<2> and having a collar p<4> which engages the lug and lifts the finger during the return movement. To the guide F<2> is pivoted a plate t the bevelled edge of which rests on the pile. This plate is pressed down by a spring t<1>, which is lifted during the forward movement of the buckling-finger by a lug on the slide F<3>. The screws I<1> for raising the table B are rotated by gearing and a ratchet-wheel operated by a pawl on a sliding bar moved in one direction by a spring and in the other by a projecting arm on the carriage C, C', C'. The arm engages a pin mounted on a lever on the sliding bar, and the pin is moved out of the path of the arm by the operation of an electromagnet in a circuit controlled by a finger resting on the pile.