Patent GB-431745-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in assorting mechanisms, particularly for assorting roller for bearings
IPC: B07C5/06
Filed: 1934-09-12
Abstract: 431,745. Separating and sorting gauges. HOFFMANN MANUFACTURING CO., Ltd., New Street, Chelmsford, Essex.-(Bower Roller Bearing Co. ; Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.) Sept. 12, 1934, No. 26190. [Class 106 (ii)] Apparatus for sorting according to dimensions articles such as conical rollers for bearings comprises means for establishingatravel path into which the articles enter through means applying an initial diameter test, and travel normally in endwise direction, a station being provided at which the articles are moved laterally to undergo a length test. The rollers pass from a conical hopper 7, the lower part 9 of which rotates, to a channel 21 in the coned lower end of a fixture 18 to which they are guided by a helical rib 23. From thence they pass through channels 20, 26 to an aligned channel 33 having lateral openings 321 through which they may be viewed. Below the channel 33 is a lateral opening in which is a slide 34 inside which is a plunger 38 both of which are reciprocated from a cam operated lever 48, the slide and plunger being formed with openings so arranged and controlled that rollers either too short or too long are delivered to channel 50 while rollers of correct length are delivered to channel 51. With the parts as shown in Fig. 2, a roller falls, as shown in dotted lines, into the plunger and slide. As the plunger 38 moves to the right, being pushed through the medium of the loose collar 44, spring 39 and fixed collar 45, the spring 49 which is weaker than 39 pushes the slide with it and plunger and slide advance together. If the length of the roller is correct, the upper end passes under the spring-pressed plunger 66 raising it against its spring, and slide and plunger pass on until slide engages the stop 77 when the plunger moves to the right relatively to the slide and the roller is delivered to passage 51. If the roller is too short, the plunger 66 is not raised, and shoulders 36 in the slotted top of the slide engage the plunger 66 arresting the slide while the plunger moves on, relatively aligning the roller with the passage 50 into which it is discharged. If the roller is too long the end of the roller engages the corner of the piece 56 and moves this bodily to the right against the influence of a spring 75. On this occurring a cam 62 on the piece 56 depresses a spring stop 63 into the path of the slide, arresting the latter and allowing the plunger to move on until the roller aligns with the opening 50 into which it drops. A handle 83 is provided for moving the part 55 should the roller fail to be discharged. Rollers of correct length are next tested for diameter passing through a shoot 54 to a gap 116 between flanges 115, 112 of discs 114, 108 of which the disc 114 is driven through spur and bevel gear from the shaft driving the part 9. The small ends of rollers 78 enter the groove or gap and if the larger end is too narrow to be retained in the gap, the roller drops through the gap on to an incline 131. Rollers engaging properly are rolled around the top by the rotating disc 114 until the lower ends engage a fixed trip 133 when they are raised over the curved edge 134 and delivered large end foremost to the shoot 136. A cam or cams 129 secured to the rotating disc 114 engages a spring finger 123 and in the return of the finger, a part integral therewith strikes a roller causing the rollers at the bottom of the passage 54 to turn over and present their small ends to the gauging groove. The same cam actuates the lever 48 through a spring pulled arm 142. If the rollers accumulate too quickly in the discharge tube a pin 147 is raised and the arm 146 linked to arm 48 is moved to advance the arm 48 and slide 34 so that the openings 35, 33 do not align and the feed of the rollers 78 is interrupted. If the shaft 103 becomes locked, a pin coupling 98<1> becomes disconnected and thus the drive through shaft 85. This drive can be held disconnected by moving a finger 153 to engage between collars 102, 151 on shaft 98. In a modification the curved plate 133 is dispensed with and the rollers delivered small end first.