Patent GB-746869-A (GB)
Title: A new or improved machine for feeding sheets or the like to an ironing machine
IPC: D06F67/04
Filed: 1953-10-08
Abstract: 746,869. Ironing machines. LISTER BROS., Ltd., and BROAD, L. F. Sept. 30, 1954 [Oct. 8, 1953], No. 27696/53. Class 138 (2). A machine for feeding sheets or the like to an ironing machine comprises a main frame, a carrier element extending transversely of the main frame and having a pair of gripping members for holding a sheet, a pair of endless chains 7 supporting the carrier element at each end and moving it in a path over and away from the feed band of an ironing machine, means to disengage the gripping members to deposit the sheet on the feed band as the carrier element moves over it, means for halting the carrier element with the gripping members disengaged to receive the edge of a sheet, and means for engaging the gripping members to hold the sheet as the carrier element is again set into motion. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, a pair of gripping members is provided to grip the edge of a sheet and comprises two channel members 10 and 11 pivoted and spring loaded at 20 with horse shoe magnets 21 bolted to member 10 and keepers 23 slidably secured to pins 24 mounted on the member 11; the magnets and keepers acting as clamps to hold the sheet. Friction pads 26 and 27 are provided on member 10. The member 11 carries a brush 61 along its length and wheels 52 and 53 at each end which coact with cams to open and close the gripping members. At each end the member 10 is carried by endless chains 7 which are carried by sprocket wheels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, journalled in the spaced side frames 1, Figs. 1 and 2. The sprocket wheels 2 are connected by a roller 8 extending across the machine which is driven by a chain from the output shaft of a reduction gear driven from the electric motor 28. The input shaft to the reduction gear-box has a brake comprising a band 41 hanging from a pivoted arm 43 drawn into braking position by a spring 45 but normally held out of this position by an energized relay 46 pulling on rod 47. A clutch, between the motor and the input shaft to the reduction gear-box, can be disengaged by deenergizing a relay 37 (not shown) which at the same time de-energizes relay 46 and applies the brake. Drive from the motor carries the gripping members around the track of the endless chains 7; anti-clockwise as shown in Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 4, as the gripping members approach the sprocket wheel 3 the wheels 52 engage cam surface 54 which forces the gripping members apart partially, and as the gripping members pass downwards over the sprocket wheel 3 to the position A, the wheels 53 encounter cam surfaces 55 on the side frames 1 which wedge the gripping members further apart against the springs 18. At the same time wheels 48, projecting outwardly from the chain 7 at the points where the member 10 of the gripping members is attached, engage a switch arm 49 pivoted at 50 which actuates switch box 51<SP>1</SP> to de-energize a relay and thereby to stop drive to the sprocket wheels and to brake them to a halt with the gripping members held open. A sheet can then be placed between the gripping members and by closing the foot switches 56 and 57 drive to the sprockets 6 can be restored and wheel 52 on the end of the gripping members will engage the cam edge 58, Fig. 4, to close the gripping members. The wheels 48 run off the switch arm 49 making switch 51<SP>1</SP> to permit release of the foot switches 56, 57, and the gripping members, with the sheet in tow, traverse the course of the chains 7 until they reach the region of the sprockets 2, where the edge of the sheet will be held over the top of the feed band 60 of an ironing machine. The wheels 52 on the gripping members engage a cam surface 59 to release the gripping members. and leave the edge of the sheet on the feed band 60, the sheet being held by the brushes 61 and swept forwards as the gripping members turn round the sprocket 2. While the sheet is being fed into the ironing machine the gripping members return to the starting position A and come to rest. To hold the sheet on the feed band a felt roller 65 is provided on pivot a,rms 62, Fig. 4, having cam edges 66 which are engaged by the blocks 11<SP>1</SP> carrying the wheels 52 of the gripping members, Fig. 6, and which swing the arms and roller upwards out of the way of the oncoming carrier and drop the roller on to the sheet when the carrier has passed; the upward motion of the arms 62 being free but the downward motion being made against an oil check 68 an arm 69 of which engages the arm 62 by a pin in the slot 71. To prevent a sheet being fed into the ironing machine before the previous sheet is cleared, a series of spring contacts 85, 86, Fig. 2, are placed so that as the sheet is fed into the machine it bears against the contacts to break the circuit containing the foot switches 56, 57 by energizing a solenoid operated switch which when deenergized has a time delay before remaking the circuit. To facilitate handling the sheets a trough is formed by suspending fabric 76 from a bar 75 carried on pivot arms 73, see Fig. 2. The machine may be immobilized and made suitable for hand loading by the following procedure: a switch 79 similar to that at the position A, Fig. 1, is provided between the sprockets 4 and 5 and a change-over switch is provided so that only one or other is operative and the gripping members may be brought to rest in the lower position if desired. Fig. 4 shows in dotted line how the roller 65 may be held out of position by bolts 82 under the arms 62 which actuate the immobilizing switch 84. Finally, a flap 80 hinged on the bar 75 may be swung upwards and inwards to lodge on brackets 81 to form a table surface 80<SP>1</SP>. The pivot arms 73 carry cams 81<SP>2</SP> which trip immobilizing switches 81<SP>1</SP> as the arms are swung inwards. Specification 664,482 is referred to.