Patent GB-411450-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for grading leather and other materials according to thickness
IPC: B07C5/12
Filed: 1932-10-05
Abstract: 411,450. Separating and sorting gauges. WILSON, E. G., Netherwood, Far Moss Road, Blundellsands, near Liverpool. Oct. 5, 1932, Nos. 27630/32 and 8445/33. [Class 106 (ii).] Relates to machines for sorting workpieces of leather &c. according to thickness comprising a plurality of movable work-carrying devices each including an actuating member which, when a piece of work is in the device, is set to a position dependent upon the thickness of the workpiece, and means for operating at a locality determined by the position of the actuating member the release of the workpiece, and consists in means for giving a quick release, in an adjustable cam operating device for the actuating member, in carrying the workpiece square to the direction of travel and in the provision of adjustable shorts to receive the sorted workpiece. A circular table 5 having a vertical shaft 11 is rotated by a belt and pulley gear 17, 21, 15 from a motor 25. Extending diametrically across the table is a rib 7. A large turntable 27 is fixed to the end of the shaft 11 and has a flange 37 and a circular cover 39 of fibre board secured between flange 37 and hub 31. The turntable has mounted around its peripheral margin portion a series of work clamps 41 which on the device passing a loading station open to receive a piece of work and then close to grip it. A cam causes opening of the jaws when a roll on the clamp contacts with the cam and the work is released. The angular position which the clamp occupies with respect to the axis of the table when the roll contacts with the cam will depend on the thickness of the work piece. Clamping device. Each consists of a casting 43 secured to the underside of the part 27 on a projecting arm 47 of which is mounted one of the clamping jaws. The arm 47 is forked and passing through the fork is a threaded rod 49 on which are nuts 53, 59 of which the latter serves to adjust the rod which slides without turning, and the nut 53 is a locking nut. At the inner end the rod carries a clamping member comprising three arms 61 carrying hemispherical elements 63 which are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle. The other clamping jaw is mounted on an arm 65 pivoted on a stud 67 secured in a boss 71 on casting 43. The arm 65 carries a clamp member 73 similar to the member 61 but tiltably mounted in a cage 79 housing a spring 83 which keeps a cone point 81 in engagement with a recess. Pivoted on the stud 67 is a bell crank lever 85. A spring 87 extends between the head of a bolt 89 threaded into the end of one arm of the bell-crank and a boss on the arm 65. A spring 93 extends between a boss on the other side of the arm 65 and a bolt 95 threaded into a lug 97 on the casting. Counterclockwise turning movement of the arm 65 is limited by a stop screw 99, while clockwise movement is limited by a screw stop 105. Mounted at the end of the second arm of the bell crank lever 85 is a vertical pin 107 on which is mounted a roll 109. Pivoted on the pin 107 is also a small frame formed by two similar levers 111. At one end these are connected by a pin 113 on which is mounted a roll 115 while the other ends are connected by a pin 117 on which is a roll 119. A tension spring 121 tends to turn the levers 111 clockwise. An extension 125 of the arm 65 on the other side of the stud 67 carries a screw 127 with a conical portion 129. When a piece of work is held in the clamp, the small roll 119 is held in contact with the cone 129 of the screw and also with the extreme end portion of a hardened steel plate 131 fixed on the part 125. A second inclined plate 133 prevents the ball riding over the cone. When the parts are in this position, the arm 65 and crank lever 85 form a unit movable about stud 67 and is urged clockwise by the spring 93 so that the work is held between elements 63, 75. The machine shown has two loading stations and the arrangement is such that the elements 63, 75 are in separated position when they pass a station. At each station is a cam 135 fixed to the ends of the rib 7 and so shaped that by contact with the roll 109 the bell crank 85 is turned counterclockwise against spring 87 to such extent that the roll 119 is drawn over the edge 131 to contact with the screw 129. A piece of work is now inserted and as the clamp travels past the loading station, the cam which is short is such that the spring 93 is allowed to turn the lever 85 and arm 65 as a unit clockwise and the work is gripped. It is now carried on with the machine until roll 115 engages a cam 139 which has a smooth surface, when the frame 111 is turned counterclockwise a slight movement of which is sufficient to release the clamps which are opened to full extent by spring 87. Two cams 139 of C-shape circular and slightly eccentric with respect to the table and faced with a steel band are provided such being adjustable by screwed means. By using two stations and using two different sizes of clamps arranged alternately heel lifts and sole blanks may be sorted by same machine. Shoots with adjustable mouths are located around the device, the sharp opening of the jaws and the plane of the work piece being substantially square to travel, combining to enable any group of small limits to be collected without substantial error.