Patent GB-873747-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in sheet-separating apparatus
IPC: B65H3/54
Filed: 1958-04-24
Abstract: 873,747. Feeding sheets. DICK CO. A. B. April 24, 1958 [April 25, 1957; April 29, 1957; Dec. 13, 1957], No. 13048/58. Class 100(1) Sheet-separators. In apparatus for separating sheets from the top of a pile, at the front edge of the pile table over which the sheets are fed there are provided two vertically slidable corner members which rest on the two corners of the top sheet whereby, when the top sheet is urged forwardly by a friction separator, it is buckled and then slipped past the corner members relative to underlying sheets. As shown, a horizontal table 24, which may be raised automatically as the pile is depleted, supports a pile 22 of sheets which are separated from the pile and fed towards a rotary duplicator by a pair of friction rollers 34 which are adjustable along a non- circular shaft 36. The table 24 has adjustable side plates 26 which have horizontal portions 30 extending beneath the pile, and a rubber, &c., friction pad 38 is attached to each portion 30 immediately below each roller 34 to restrain the pile, particularly when only a few sheets remain in the pile. Each vertical portion 28 of the side plates 26 is offset outwardly at 32 and engages in a slot 46 in a corner member 40 which is freely slidable vertically on the portion 28 of the side plate, and rests under gravity on the corner only of the top sheet of the pile 22. Each member 40 is mounted on a carrier 42 for free vertical movement thereon by disengageable pin-andslot connections, and each carrier 42 is slidable horizontally along a supporting plate 70. The corner members 40 are identical and interchangeable, but the operative portions 48, 50 on each side of the slot 46 are not identical, so that when the members are interchanged, a different set of operative portions rest on the pile. Accidental removal of the corner members 40 is prevented by a spring- catch arrangement. In a modification (Figs. 12-20, not shown), sheets in a pile are supported on a table removably attached to a duplicator, and are separated by friction rollers mounted adjustably on a non-circular shaft which is carried in pivoted arms. A cranked rod operated manually is arranged beneath the table and is adapted to raise both corner members and the friction rollers simultaneously when it is desired to insert a fresh sheet pile on the table. The corner members each comprise a slotted and guided horizontal portion which bears on the corner of the top sheet, a vertical portion, and a long horizontal portion which extends beneath the table and is pivoted about a transverse shaft. In a further modification (Figs. 21-31, not shown), sheets in a pile on a table removably attached to a duplicator are separated by friction rollers which are urged towards the pile by adjustable spring tension means, and the table is raised automatically, as the pile is depleted, by known rack and pinion means. Corner members, having inclined lips which rest on the front corners of the top sheet of the pile, each comprises a weighted bar guided for free vertical movement by the engagement of a guide plate in a central slot in the top lip, this plate being retractably mounted on an adjustable side plate of the pile table and capable of being swung out of engagement with the corner member on the operation of a handle. The lip of each corner member is divided by a central guide slot into two identical triangular parts which are inclined at a small angle to the sheet pile, and only one of these parts rests on the pile.