Patent GB-692483-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for feeding strip material to an automatic machine
Inventor: TURNER REGINALD ERNEST
IPC: B21D43/11
Filed: 1950-03-21
Abstract: 692,483. Feeding work. SIVE, P., and REES, W. March 20, 1951 [March 21, 1950], No. 7076/50. Class 83 (iv). Apparatus for feeding strip material to an automatic machine such as a press comprises a strip support for reciprocation lengthwise of a strip supported thereby in timed relation with the operation of the machine, and a gripping member movable under fluid pressure into strip gapping position towards said support upon forward movement of the support and movable away from the support upon return movement thereof, and means for maintaining the gapping member operating-pressure at a predetermined constant level during the time said gripping member is in the strip-gripping position. The gripping member 6 comprises a spring-loaded piston 16 with a portion 19 carrying a felt pad 20. The strip S is supported on a bar 4 of the support 3 which is reciprocable on a guide 2 through the medium of a slotted lever 26 engaging a stud 24 at the support end and a stud 28 adjustably mounted in guides 32 at the other end. The guides 32 are carried on a disc 29 carried on a driving spindle 30 carrying a sprocket 34 and a cam 35. The piston 16 is operated by pressure fluid supplied through a pipe 50 from a cylinder 44 whose piston 43 is operated to generate fluid pressure by an arm 36 supported at one end in the end of the piston rod 42 and pivoted at the other end to an upright member 27. The arm is rocked about the pivot 37 by a roller 38 which engages with the cam 35. The cylinder 44 is enclosed within a casing 45, the space 46 therebetween forming a fluid reservoir, and a chamber 47 being provided at the lower end of the cylinder 44. A spring-loaded valve 56 releases fluid into the reservoir when a predetermined pressure in the chamber 47 has been reached, the valve pressure being adjusted by a plug 59. A second weakly loaded, non-return valve 62 may be operated by a plunger 65 to release pressure fluid quickly to the reservoir in an emergency. Means to prevent the strip moving in the reverse direction during return of the support 3 comprises a plate mounted on a pivoted spindle and spring-loaded so that its lower edge tends to bear on the strip S, Fig. 5 (not shown). An arm 75, Fig. 4, pivoted on a stud 76 is loaded by a spring 77 to press downwards on a slotted bar 78 adjustably mounted on the support 3, and engageable with a projection on the plate to move the plate about its spindle, stops 81, 82 limiting said movement. Trip means 83 on the support 3 engage the arm 75 at the end of the forward stroke to trip the plate to the position in which it engages the strip. A notch 84 on the trip bar 78 engages the bottom of the arm 75 at the end of the return stroke, and at the beginning of the forward stroke trips the plate to the position in which it is disengaged from the strip. In a modification the face of the gripping member has teeth or serrations, and Fig. 4 shows needlelike teeth 85, preferably arranged in concentric circles, or other desired impressions may be marked on the strip. In a further modification the felt pad 20 is replaced by a die plate.