Patent GB-1384767-A (GB)
Title: Method and machine for conveying rod-shaped fasteners
IPC: B65G47/51
Filed: 1972-03-22
Abstract: 1384767 Conveyers; shoots; hoppers J M REICH 22 March 1972 [2 April 1971] 13404/72 Headings B8A and B8S In apparatus for sorting and aligning nails and like fastners, the nails are deposited in random array in a container 2 resiliently mounted for vibration by a vibrator 4 and having an adjustable end flap 6 to control a slit 7 through which the nails are discharged on to a vibratory conveyer 14. Disposed above the conveyer 14 are a series of proximity switches which control the actuation of the vibrator 4 whereby when the level of nails on the conveyer 14 exceeds a predetermined height the vibrator 4 is stopped. The conveyer 14 feeds the nails to an inclined endless conveyer 23 which passes over permanent magnets (31), Fig. 7 (not shown), whereby the nails are retained on said conveyer. The permanent magnets (31) are formed in two portions with a gap therebetween, in which an electromagnet (33) is situated whereby by controlling the magnetic field thereof, the thickness of nails retained on the endless conveyer can be controlled. The excess nails are returned to the conveyer 14. At the upper end of the conveyer 23, the belt passes over a roller 25, formed of spaced permanent magnets and then over a demagnetizer (42), Fig. 5 (not shown). The nails are discharged from the endless conveyer on to a dividing deflector (65), Fig. 1 (not shown), to distribute the nails on to two vibratory conveyers 66 extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the conveyer 23. The conveyers 66 feed the nails on to further vibratory conveyers 51 each formed of a pair of spaced parallel members (53) to receive the shanks of the nails therebetween and to support the heads of the nails thereon. Guide plates 55 are secured to each member (53) to guide the nails into the slot, said plates terminating before the end of the members (53), whereby any nails in excess of those required to fill the slot fall off the members (53) into a shoot 63 and are returned via further shoots 11, 12 and endless conveyer 64 to the container 2. The members (53) are mounted to be adjustable relative to one another to accommodate different sized nails and the downstream ends overlap a stationary shoot (73) to discharge the nails thereto with their heads in overlapping relation. The shoot (73) feeds the nails to a subsequent shoot 173. Associated with each conveyer 51 and shoot 173 is a brake D 1 , D 2 , each comprising a rotary brush (86), Fig. 15 (not shown), positioned to engage the heads of the nails on said conveyers and shoots, and driven, during normal operation of the apparatus, by a motor (83) to allow the nails to pass thereunder. Positioned downstream of each brake is a photo-electric device 91, 149 arranged to detect any build-up of nails in the conveyer 51 or the shoot 173 and upon such detection to stop the associated motor (83) and the further movement of the nails. Located between the shoots (73), 173 is a sorting mechanism E which discharges from the shoots any bent or otherwise useless nails. The said nails being directed by a flap (146), Fig. 17 (not shown), into a pipe 142. Associated with the shoot 173 is a further photo-electric device 148 and upon detection by said device of a build up on said shoot 173, the sorting device is switched to discharge all the nails delivered thereto and the flap (146) is pivoted to deflect the nails into a pipe 113 for return to the container 2. The shoot 173 delivers the nails to a nail packaging mechanism F. The conveyers are therefore arranged such that their output is at least partially controlled by the requirements of the immediate downstream conveyer and that their output exceeds the requirements of the downstream conveyer to ensure same is fully utilized. In a modification, Fig. 18 (not shown), the vibratory conveyers (66) are replaced by vibratory conveyers (166) pivotally mounted for movement between a position in which the nails are delivered to the aligning conveyers (51) and a position in which the nails are delivered to a shoot (200) for return to the container (2). The position of the conveyers (166) is controlled by the photo-electric device 91 instead of the sorting mechanism E which becomes a mere sorting mechanism.