Patent GB-631296-A (GB)
Title: Improved apparatus for feeding books and like work-pieces in succession from a stackor tier thereof
IPC: B42C19/08
Filed: 1947-10-02
Abstract: 631,296. Feeding books from stacks. BOOK MACHINERY CO., Ltd., and FRENCH, L. J. B. R. Oct. 2, 1947, Nos. 26600/47 and 761/48. [Class 117] [Also in Group XXX] Books and other work-pieces which can be stacked similarly to books are fed in two successive and distinct stages from a magazine to a conveying means which transports the books to a gluing or lining or other appropriate treatment stage and at the second of the two stages the workpieces are "knocked-up" on entering the conveying means. As shown, the apparatus comprises a table 1 with an adjustable hopper 4 (see Group XXX) adapted for accommodating a stack of books B, a conveyer comprising a pair of endless belts 2, 3 having opposed parallel tracks, the lower belt 3 having its upper track coplanar with the table; a thrust-head member comprising a feed head 12 and a thrust box 13, reciprocating along the table top, the feed head portion 12 in the forward position of the thrust-head supporting the stack B and in the retracted position allowing the lowermost book to drop on to the box 13, an abutment 18 carried by an arm 19 longitudinally adjustable, to engage in succession the books delivered to the box 13 to prevent their return towards the hopper with retraction of the thrust-head, whereby the books are caused to drop on to the table 1 upon such retraction; and a " knockup " gauge member 36 on arm 37 longitudinally adjustable. The abutment 18 and gauge 36 are disposed diagonally relatively to arms 19 and 37, the abutment 18 being pivoted and spring-loaded, so as to present a leading edge to engage the books pawl fashion. Arms 19 and 37 are carried on supports 21 and 38 projecting through openings in the table top, support 21 being carried on a split block 22 (Fig. 4). The blocks 22 and 38 are slidable in guides 23, 39 respectively beneath the table top and are operated by a pair of rocker arms 27, 40 actuated by rotatable concentric cam tracks 35, 34 against spring means. The cam track 34 is such as to cause the gauge member 36 to knock up the book against the guide member 7 provided at the entry end of the conveyer 2, 3 and also to knock up the book at its trailing edge as it enters the conveyer, and the cam track 35 is such as to keep the blade 18 pressed against the side of book B2 until the book is about to drop when the member 22 and arm 19 and blade 18 are retracted to prevent drag by the blade 18 on the book edge. The thrusthead 12, 13 is adjustable fore and aft relatively to its support to vary the position of the terminus of its forward stroke to compensate for different lengths of book. The thrust-head is guided along guides, e.g., slots 17 in the table top which are diagonal with respect to the fore and aft direction of feed of the books to impart a lateral pressure of the book against the guide rail 7. The feed head 12 is adjustable vertically relatively to the box 13 of the thrust-head and the hopper is adjustable vertically to vary its clearance from the top of the head 12 to allow for various thicknesses of books.