Patent GB-189703720-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Feeding Apparatus for Printing, Ruling, and Folding Machines.
Inventor: CLEATHERO EDWARD THOMAS
Filed: 1897-02-11
Granted: 1898-01-15
Abstract: 3720. Cleathero, E. T. Feb. 11. Feeding sheets. - Relates to improvements in apparatus for feeding sheets to printing, folding, &c. machines, such as is described in Specifications No. 15,678, A.D. 1893, and No. 22,243, A.D. 1895. The Figures show some of the improvements. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation and Fig. 3 a plan, in which a is the table supporting the pile of sheets b. (1) The presser-feet c, which rest on the rear or other part of the pile, are carried by levers d pivoted on arms e carried by the rodf. The pressure of the foot is adjusted by a spring i, connected to an arm g of the lever d and to a book h forming part of a pivoted plate j, fixed in its adjusted position by a screw j<1>. (2) Fluffing or buckling mechanism. The fluffing-finger l<91> is on the outer end of an arm l<9> fixed to one end of a horizontal arm or shaft l<3>, in bearings carried by a vertical shaft l<1> oscillated by bevel gears from an oscillating shaft l. On the shaft l<3> is an arm l<4>, which engages an abutment l<8> to raise the arm l<9> and fluffing-finger off the pile at the end of the fluffing movement. The arm l<9> is held raised, during the return movement, by a pawl l<6> engaging a tooth on the shift l<3>. The pawl is disengaged, to allow the fluffing-finger to descend, by an abutment l<7>. In a modification, the shaft l has a continuous motion, and oscillates the fluffer shaft l<1> by means of a cam and levers ; and the arm l<4> at the end of its return movement engages under a bent adjustable spring. (3) Vibrating presserfeet. The foot k is operated to rise and fall, and swing under the fluffed-up part b<1> of the top sheet and on to the rest of the pile. It is carried by a vertical shaft k<1>, which is raised by means of a tooth k<8> on a collar fixed on the shaft l, which engages a pawl k<7> pivoted on a collar k<6> loose on the shaft l and connected by a link k<4> to legs k<3> of a sleeve or collar k' on the shaft k<1>. The pawl is released by a stop k<11> engaging the tail k<10> of the pawl. The descent of the shaft is assisted by a spring k<13>. The rocking motion of the shaft k<1> is effected by a lateral pin thereon, projecting into a cam slot in the bearing l<11>. In a modification, the shaft k<1> is raised by a lever operated by a cam on a continuously-rotating shaft. (4) Air is injected under the top sheet from a nozzle or opening in the foot k. The blast is supplied through a pipe k<20>, or through the shaft k<1>, which would be made tubular. (5) Feeding-arms, by which the top sheet is fed forward. The feeding-arm m<2>, Fig. 8, is pivoted on the swinging arm m<1>, and carries a rubber-tyred roller m<3> as usual. It is provided with a finger m<4>, which engages a stop m<5> and lifts the arm at the end of its forward movement. The finger m<4> is engaged by a pawl m<6> during the return movement, and the pawl is disengaged to allow the arm to fall on to the pile by a stop m<8>, which engages the tail m<7> of the pawl. An adjustable spring m<10> regulates the pressure of the roller m<3> on the pile. A modification is described, in which the arm is raised and lowered by a rod operated by a weighted lever arrangement and cam. By this arrangement, the ascent and descent of the arm is more gradual. (6) Relates to smothers which arrest the sheet on and control its removal from the feed board. They consist of fingers on rock shafts operated by a cam &c., so as to be lowered on to the table to stop and hold the sheet, and lifted to release it. (7) Grooves or depressions are formed in the feed-table to maintain layers of air between it and the sheet. (8) Feed-board adapted for folding - machines. The sheets are registered by a reciprocating pusher which moves them to a fixed stop. Adjustable stops may be provided to arrest the sheet as it moves on to the table. The stops are carried by rods supported a suitable distance above the table. In the latter is an opening through which the sheet is folded into the first folding-rolls. The Provisional Specification describes also an arrangement of inclined boards for folding-machines to avoid the use of tapes, and back stops on the feed-board having inclined surfaces to allow the sheet to move over them on to the board.