Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Checking and Sorting Articles according to their Dimensions.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 30th May, 1894-Accepted, 25th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Checking and Sorting
Articles according to their Dimensions.
I, ALFONS CASTENHOLZ, Retired Colonel, and General Manager of the
Deutsche Metallpatronenfabrik, of Karlsruhe, Baden, in the Empire of Germany,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
By my improved apparatus similar articles are automatically checked according
to their dimensions, for instance their length and diameter, and automatically
sorted into groups so that the dimensions of the pieces of the several groups are
comprised within certain limits.
For attaining these objects the method of measuring articles by hand according
to their dimensions with the aid of gauges is rendered available for measuring by
the use of machinery. The articles are continuously conducted to a measuring
place and there brought together with the gauge by mechanical means, either the
gauge being passed over the article to be measured or the latter being passed into
the gauge. The gauges have two widths of opening, one of which corresponds to
the extreme limit to which the normal dimension of the article may be exceeded,
while the following corresponds to the lowest limit to which the dimension of the
article may be smaller than the normal dimension without rendering the article
unsuitable. When therefore the dimension is too great the article cannot be passed
into the large width of opening of the gauge, when the dimension is normal the
larger width of opening passes over the article but not the smaller width, and
when the dimension is too small the article finds room in the small width of
opening, that is to say the latter passes over the article. Therefore the gauge
and an article take up three different positions relatively to each other according
as the dimension is too great, admissible or too small. These three different
positions of the gauge or of an article are used in order to cause the articles by
means of suitable intermediate mechanism to pass into three different receptacles.
If the articles are to be sorted according to their dimensions into more that
three groups, use is made of gauges with a correspondingly greater number of
widths of opening, and the resulting different positions of the gauge or of the
articles are used for conducting the latter according to their dimensions to a
correspondingly greater number of receptacles.
I will proceed to describe two forms of such apparatus by the aid of which the
measuring of the length of an article can be effected, the gauge being either passed
over the stationary article, or the article passed into the stationary gauge.
In the first case the gauge possesses a small width of opening and an adjoining
larger width of opening. These widths represent the two limits which the article
to be measured may have in length.
According to the length of the article the gauge moved towards or over it is
stopped in three different positions. When the length of the article is too great
the gauge does not pass with its large width of opening over the article, being
stopped by the article at its front edge. When the length is normal the gauge
passes with its large width of opening over the article, and is stopped by contact
of an incline with the article. When the length is too small the gauge passes with
its small width of opening over the article. Therefore the nose on the gauge
passes to three different positions, causing a shoot which is pivoted upon an axis
to pass by means of a lever from the first position to the second or third position.
The articles measured fall upon this shoot and, according to the measure
ascertained, are conducted in one position of the shoot into a receptacle for too

page_text: long pieces, in another position into a receptacle for normal pieces, and in a third
position into a receptacle for too short pieces.
In the second of the aforesaid cases the article to be measured is passed into the
stationary gauge by the aid of a support moved by mechanical means. The article
or its support then reaches one of three different positions, the said support,
through the intervention of a nose connected therewith and a lever, causing a
shoot which is adapted to turn upon an axis to move from the one position to the
second or third position.
These measurements of an article by the aid of ganges may be effected either
separately for each dimension, for instance for the length or for the diameter of an
article, in an apparatus operated independently, or any desired number of such
measuring and separating apparatus, each of which checks a definite dimension of
an article, may be combined to constitute one machine, so that the measurement
and separation of the articles in respect of their proper lengths,. their proper
diameter or other dimensions may take place in any desired succession.
I will describe such a machine by way of example for measuring the length and
the rear diameter of cartridge cases. For each measurement a measuring and
separating apparatus is provided, therefore the machine comprises in this case two
such apparatus.
The frame of each apparatus is composed of two side plates which are united by
bolts and in which all the rotary shafts are supported. At the front of the frame
are arranged the measuring devices and at the rear the driving mechanism. The
driving takes place by the main shafts which are set in rotation by bevel wheels
through the medium of a shaft and belt pulley.
The cartridge cases are laid by hand in a channel from which they pass to a
carrier wheel provided with four pockets and which is turned at certain intervals
each time through an angle of 90 degrees. This turning movement is effected by
a rotary lever which is arranged upon one of the said main shafts and in every
revolution turns a star wheel through an angle of 90 degrees, this star wheel being
placed upon the shaft of the carrier wheel and provided with four arms or teeth.
The star wheel is properly stopped and accurately placed by a lever engaging with
the four intermediate spaces between the teeth of the star-wheel. The said lever is
here under the action of a spring which always tends to force it into the spaces
between the teeth of the star wheel.
The
In each turning movement the carrier wheel takes a cartridge case from the
aforesaid channel and lifts it to the highest point to the measuring place. Above
the same is fixed to a pivoted arm the gauge serving for the measurement.
arm is arranged upon a shaft and is kept in its highest position during the feed of
the cartridge case by the carrier wheel. In its position of rest at the measuring
place the gauge, by reason of its weight or under the action of a spring, tends to
turn the said arm downwards and to occupy its lowest position as soon as the arm is
liberated for this purpose from the mechanism actuating it at other times. The
periodical operation of the arm takes place by a lever fixed upon the above-
mentioned shaft and a cam provided upon one of the main shafts, the said cam
causing the lever, which carries a roller at its end, to move up and down once in
every revolution, imparting to the shaft a suitable angular motion. The downward
movement takes place, as stated, under the action of the weight of the gauge or
under the action of a spring causing the gauge or the pivoted arm to move down.
This arm is lowered until the gauge, according to the length of the cartridge case
comes in contact with the same at one of three points. The position of the gauge
determined by the contact, and of the said arm or lever and shaft serve for
separating the measured cartridge cases by means of the mechanism hereinafter
described.
Upon the above mentioned shaft is loosely arranged a fork which however
follows the movement of the shaft, as it is caused by a comparatively weak spring
wound upon this shaft to press continually against the arm fixed upon the shaft
and provided with a stop pin. The fork operates in the manner hereinafter set

page_text: Forth together with an arm arranged upon a shaft and having a pin. On the
latter shaft is fixed a lever actuated by a cam upon the said main shaft. Upon it
is also fixed a toothed segment turned to and fro by a toothed wheel arranged
A
on a shaft which carries a transporting arm with a fork and the shoot.
spring surrounding the said shaft tends to turn the latter continually in one
direction.
If now a cam in its rotation releases the lever on one of the shafts the before-
mentioned spring begins to act. This spring turns the shaft which carries the
transporting arm together with a toothed wheel, and thereby turns a toothed
segment with the said arm upon the shaft until this arın strikes against the
longer or shorter prong of the fork or against the latter between the two prongs.
The angular movement of the shaft which carries the transporting arm depends
therefore on the position of the fork and this is determined by the position of the
gauge. In accordance with the three possible positions of the latter the fork on
the said shaft will occupy three positions. One of these positions of the fork
corresponds to the mean position of the gauge and to the position of the aforesaid
lever between the prongs of the fork. It serves for the reception of the normal
cartridge cases. The second position corresponds to the highest position of the
gauge and to the striking of the said lever against the longer prong of the fork.
The cartridge case transported by the carrier wheel after the measurement falls
upon the shoot and thence into the receptacle designed for the too large cartridge
cases. The third position corresponds to the lowest position of the gauge and to
In this case
the striking of the said lever against the shorter prong of the fork.
the cartridge case transported by the carrier wheel falls upon the shoot and thence
into the receptacle designed for the too small cartridge cases.
Prior to the turning movement of the carrier wheel after a measurement the
gauge is raised by means of the before-mentioned cam and lever the cartridge case
being held down by sheet metal strips extending over it. The fork does not take
part in this turning movement of the lever and shaft as it is held by the arm herein-
before referred to. In the turning movement now taking place of the carrier wheel
the normal cartridge case drops into the fork of the transporting arm, and when the
length is too large or too small over the shoot into one of the two receptacles for
the defective articles.
The transport of the cartridge case having the proper dimension to the second
The main shaft, moved
measuring apparatus is effected in the following manner.
further after each turning movement of the carrier wheel by a lever, effects by
means of the cam a turning movement of the lever in opposition to the action of a
Here the cartridge case
spring so as to cause the transporting arm to turn.
is taken from it by the carrier wheel and conducted to the second measuring
place.
If in one machine several measurements are to take place in succession, as many
apparatus must be placed one behind the other as measurements are to be effected.
The order in which the measurements are to take place, and therefore the order of
the measuring apparatus, is optional. Each apparatus receives in the before described
manner from the one in front the articles whose dimensious, checked so far, are
normal, then effects its measurement and passes the articles whose dimension
checked by it is also normal to the next apparatus while throwing out the articles
with too large or too small a dimension. The fork of the last apparatus throws
out the pieces in which all the dimensions (length, diameter, height and the like)
are normal.
Such a measuring and separating apparatus may be constructed in a modified and
simplified form.
The modification refers to the turning of the carrier wheel and the simplification
to the mechanisms which transmit the different movements of the gauge to the
transporting arm. This apparatus is also supposed to serve for measuring the
length of cartridge cases.
The feed of the cartridge cases takes place as before described through a channel

page_text: from which they are taken by a carrier wheel provided with four pockets, and are
lifted to the measuring place. The carrier wheel is loose upon the main shaft
rotating continually, and is carried away only periodically by the aid of a friction
coupling of simple construction, being at other times held in its four positions by a
ratchet mechanism. The friction coupling comprises a spring which is arranged
between a plate fixed on the said main shaft and a friction disc adapted to be
displaced on the same and acting against the nave of the carrier wheel, which
spring by its pressure against the friction disc causes the carrier wheel to be carried
away.
The carrier wheel is provided with a disc having four notches with which can
engage a lever so that the carrier wheel stops during the engagement of the said
lever with one of the notches. Upon the shaft of this lever is secured a second
lever the end of which is provided with an inclined nose. This second lever, by
means of a pin which is provided upon a disc on the main shaft aud strikes in every
revolution against the incline of the said nose, is for a moment turned to one side as
the pin slides past the nose, thereby causing the stop lever to move from the notch
in the disc. In consequence of this the carrier wheel is carried away through an
angle of 90 degrees by the main shaft by reason of the coupling of these two parts
which is effected by the aforesaid spring. After such a turning movement the stop
lever passes into the following notch in the disc, because a spring surrounding the
shaft of the stop lever always tends to turn this shaft with its two levers in one
.direction.
The transmission of the movements of the shaft carrying the arm to which the
gauge is attached in accordance with the different positions of the latter takes place
in the following manner. The gauge always tends to occupy the lowest position
again by reason of its weight or under the action of a spring. Upon the.said shaft
is arranged a lever which carries a roller and is caused by a cam in every revolution
to move once upwards and downwards so that a corresponding angular movement is
imparted to the said shaft.
The lever is connected by a rod with another lever arranged loosely upon the
shaft of the transporting arm, so that it takes part in the turning movement of the
aforesaid lever. This movement of the second lever is transmitted by means of a
lever provided with a pin to the shaft of the transporting arm.
Accordingly when the gauge is lowered this shaft will be turned in such a
direction that the transporting arm, in accordance with the three positions attainable
by the gauge, will occupy one of three positions.
After the measurement the gauge is raised by means of the above-mentioned cam
and lever, so that also the lever held loosely on the shaft of the transporting arm
will be turned upwards. The lever provided with a pin, the transporting arm and
its shaft cannot however follow this motion for the following reason. On the latter
shaft is arranged a segment to which the brake is applied shortly before the
upward movement of the gauge by a lever. Therefore the transporting arm, during
the application of the brake and when the gauge is raised, remains in one of its four
positions, although its shaft tends to turn under the action of the spring surrounding
the same.
Now the carrier wheel is turned further through an angle of 90 degrees, and a
measured cartridge case, if normal, will fall upon the fork of the transporting arm,
and if too small will fall upon a shoot fixed to the transporting arm, whilst if it is
too large it will drop directly downwards from the carrier wheel.
In the further turning of the main shaft the pressure of the brake lever against
the segment is but gradually reduced, because the latter has a somewhat spiral
periphery so that it can follow but slowly. The transporting arm will therefore
gently pass to a position in which the cartridge case ascertained to be normal will
be taken from it in a suitable manner, for instance by a second carrier wheel,
whereupon a further measurement of the cartridge case may be effected.
The main shaft has now turned so far that the said cam permits of the downward
movement of the gauge in order to accomplish the next measurement.
By this
5

page_text: means the transporting arm is turned to the right again, whilst at the same time
the brake lever is raised by a cam from the said segment so that the operation may
be repeated.
For enabling the diameter of a round article to be measured I use a measuring
and separating apparatus having a gauge with annular widths of opening, the
article being brought together with the gauge in the axial direction. This apparatus
is also assumed to serve for measuring cartridge cases, that is to say the rear
diameter of the same.
The feed of the cartridge cases and the transport of the same to the measuring
place is accomplished, as in the before described apparatus, by a channel and a
carrier wheel. The periodical movement and fixing of the latter is effected as in
the last described apparatus. The cartridge case lies in the horizontal position in
the measuring place, whilst the gauge, instead of being moved from above, moves
from the side in the direction of the axis of the cartridge case towards the latter or
is passed over it.
The gauge possesses two rings the inner diameters of which are equivalent to the
widths of opening of the gauge hereinbefore described. According as the rear
diameter of the cartridge case is too large, normal or too small the gauge moved
forwards will strike with the front surface of a ring against the cartridge case, or
will pass with this ring over the cartridge case until this case strikes against a
narrower ring, or else will permit the latter ring to pass over the cartridge case.
The forward movement of the gauge may be effected in various manners, for
instance as follows. Upon the gauge is screwed a double-armed lever which with
two rollers provided at its ends engage with inclined or helical grooves formed in
a box bolted to the frame of the apparatus. A spring always tends to turn the
double-armed lever in one direction. When such a turning movement takes place
the said lever together with the gauge are drawn towards the cartridge case to be
measured. The lever is secured by a counter nut.
The double-armed lever is turned in the opposite direction by a cam which raises
an arm extending downwards and provided with a roller. By this means the gauge
is turned in the opposite direction to that in which it was turned by the said spring
and is moved back by the inclined or helical groove. Accordingly a forward move-
ment of the gauge for the measurement and a back movement of the same to its
outer position take place in every revolution of the cam. The gauge can in this
case occupy four positions. The movements to these four different positions,
similarly as in the apparatus previously described, are transmitted to the transporting
arm, so that the measured cartridge cases are again sorted into too thick, normal
and too thin cases, the normal cases being transported further by the transporting
arm.
D
L
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Checking and Sorting
Articles according to their Dimensions.
I, ALFONS CASTENHOLZ, Retired Colonel and General Manager of the
Deutsche Metallpatronenfabrik, of Karlsruhe, Baden, in the Empire of Germany,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
By my improved apparatus similar articles are automatically checked according
to their dimensions, for instance their length and diameter, and automatically sorted

page_text: into groups so that the dimensions of the pieces of the several groups are comprised
within certain limits.
For attaining these objects, the method of measuring articles by hand according
to their dimensions with the aid of gauges is rendered available for measuring by
the use of machinery. The articles are continuously conducted to a measuring
place and there brought together with the gauge by mechanical means, either the
gauge being passed over the article to be measured or the latter being passed into
the gange.
The gauges have two widths of opening one of which corresponds to
the extreme limit to which the normal dimensions of the article may be exceeded,
while the following corresponds to the lowest limit to which the dimension of the
article may be smaller than the normal dimension without rendering the article
unsuitable. When therefore the dimension is too great the article cannot be passed
into the large width of opening of the gauge, when the dimension is normal the
larger width of opening passes over the article, but not the smaller width and when
the dimension is too small the article finds room in the small width of opening, that
is to say, the latter passes over the article. Therefore the gauge and an article
take up three different positions relatively to each other according as the dimension
is too great, admissible or too small. These three different positions of the gauge
or of an article are used in order to cause the articles by means of suitable inter-
mediate mechanism to pass into three different receptacles.
If the articles are to be sorted according to their dimensions into more than three
groups, use is made of gauges with a correspondingly greater number of widths of
opening, and the resulting different positions of the gauge or of the articles are used
for conducting the latter according to their dimensions to a correspondingly greater
number of receptacles.
I will proceed to describe two forms of such apparatus by the aid of which the
measuring of the length of an article can be effected, the gauge being either passed
over the stationary article, or the article passed into the stationary gauge.
The accompanying drawings show how my said invention may be conveniently
and advantageously carried into practice, the figures of the said drawings being
hereinafter referred to.
In the first case the gauge a Figure 1 possesses a small width of opening m and
an adjoining larger width of opening n. These widths represent the two limits
which the article to be measured may have in length. According to the length L
of the article the gauge moved towards or over it is stopped in three different
positions. These three different positions relatively to the stationary article are
indicated in Figure 14 Sheet 2. When the length L of the article is too great the
gauge does not pass with its large width of opening n over the article, being stopped
by the article at 6 as indicated in Figure 14 position I. When the length Lis
normal the gauge passes with its large width of opening n over the article, and is
stopped by contact of an incline c with the article as shown in Figure 1A, position II.
When the length L is too small the gauge passes with its small width of opening m
over the article as shown in Figure 14, position III. Therefore the nose a¹ on the
guage passes to the three different positions, indicated in Figure 1, causing a shoot q
which is pivoted upon an axis to pass by means of a lever r from the position 1.
to the position 2, 2 or 3, 3. The articles measured fall upon this shoot g and,
according to the measure ascertained, are conducted in position 1, 1 into a
receptacle for too long pieces, in position 2, 2 into a receptacle for normal pieces,
and in position 3, 3 into a receptacle for too short pieces.
1
In the apparatus represented in Figure 1B Sheet 1 the article o to be measured is
passed into the stationary gauge by the aid of a support o' moved by mechanical
means. The article or its support o' then reaches one of three different positions,
indicated in Figure 1B, the said support, through the intervention of a nose a³
connected therewith and a lever r, causing a shoot q which is adapted to turn upon
an axis p, to move from the position 1-1 to the position 2, 2, or 3, 3.
These measurements of an article by the aid of ganges may be effected either
separately for each dimension, for instance for the length or for the diameter of an

page_text: article, in an apparatus operated independently, or any desired number of such
measuring and separating apparatus, each of which checks a definite dimension of
an article, may be combined to constitute one machine, so that the measurement
and separation of the articles in respect of their proper lengths, their proper
diameter or other dimensions may take place in any desired succession.
Such a machine is represented in Figures 2 to 12, this machine being arranged
by way of example for measuring the length and the rear diameter of cartridge
cases. For each measurement a ineasuring and separating apparatus is provided,.
therefore the machine comprises in this case two such apparatus.
The frame of each apparatus is composed of two side plates h which are united
by bolts and in which all the rotary shafts are supported. At the front of the
frame are arranged the measuring devices and at the rear the driving mechanism.
The driving takes place by the main shafts W' W' which are set in rotation by
bevel wheels V V₁ V2 V through the medium of a shaft S and belt pulley T
Figs. 4 and 5.
The cartridge cases are laid by hand in a channel K Figs. 3 to 13 from which
they pass to a carrier wheel R' provided with four pockets and which is turned at
certain intervals each time through an angle of 90 degrees. This turning movement.
is effected by a turning lever U which is arranged upon one of the said main
shafts Wand in every revolution turns a star wheel T through an angle of
90 degrees, this star wheel being placed upon the shaft i of the carrier wheel and
provided with four arms or teeth. The star wheel is properly stopped and
accurately placed by a lever H', Figs. 6-12 inclusive, engaging with the four
intermediate spaces between the teeth of the star-wheel, best seen in Figure 5B.
The said lever H₁ is under the action of a spring k Fig. 5 which always tends to
force it into the spaces between the teeth of the star wheel.
In each turning movement the carrier wheel R' takes a cartridge case from the
aforesaid channel K and lifts it to the highest point to the measuring place b¹..
Above the same is fixed to a pivoted arm B the gauge L' serving for the
measurement. The arm B is arranged upon a shaft C and is kept in its highest
In its position
position during the feed of the cartridge case by the carrier wheel.
of rest at the measuring place 61 the gauge, by reason of its weight or under the
action of a spring, tends to turn the arm B downwards and to occupy its lowest
position as soon as the arm B is liberated for this purpose from the mechanism
actuating it at other times. The periodical operation of the arm B takes place by
a lever D¹ fixed upon the above-mentioned shaft C, Figures and 44, and a cam E
provided upon the main shaft W', the said cam causing the lever D' which carries
a roller D at its end, to move up and down once in every revolution, imparting to
the shaft C a suitable angular motion. The downward movement takes place as
stated under the action of the weight of the gauge, or under the action of a spring
causing the gauge or the pivoted arm B to move down. This arm is lowered until
the gauge L, according to the length of the cartridge case comes in contact with
the same at b, c or d which positions are shown in Figure 1^. The positions of the
gauge determined by the contact, and of the said arm or lever B and shaft C serve
for separating the measured cartridge cases by means of the mechanism hereinafter
described. The different positions of the several mechanisms relatively to each
other, as determined by the gauge are represented partly in Figures 5 and 5³ and
partly in Figures 6 to 12.
Upon the above mentioned shaft C is loosely arranged a fork G Figs. 6 to 12
which however follows the movements of the shaft, as it is caused by a com-
paratively weak spring Figs. 2 and 5 wound upon this shaft to press continually
against the arm fixed upon the shaft C and provided with a stop pin V. The fork G
operates in the manner hereinafter set forth together with an arm P arranged
upon a shaft m' and having a pin n. On the latter shaft m¹ is fixed a lever L'
actuated by a cam M upon the said main shaft W. Upon it is also fixed a toothed
segment turned to and fro by a toothed wheel arranged on a shaft J, which also
carries a transporting arm Q with a fork and the shoot q'. A spring

page_text: surrounding the said shaft J tends to turn the latter shaft J continually in the
direction of the arrow.
If now the cam M in its rotation releases the lever L³ the spring / Fig. 5 begins
to act. This spring turns the shaft J which carries the transporting arm, together
with a toothed wheel N, and thereby turns the toothed segment ( with the arm P
upon the shaft m¹ in the direction of the arrows until this arm P strikes against
the longer or shorter prong of the fork G or against the latter between the two
prongs. The angular movement of the shaft J depends therefore on the position
of the fork G, and this is determined by the position of the gauge L'.
accordance with the three possible positions of the latter the fork on the said
shaft will occupy three positions, 3, 2, or 1. One of these positions 3 of the fork l
corresponds to the mean position of the gauge L' and to the position of the lever P
between the prongs of the fork, as shown in Figures 3, and 6. It serves for
the reception of the normal cartridge cases. The position I corresponds to the
highest position of the gauge L' and to the striking of the lever P against the
longer prong of the fork. The cartridge case transported by the carrier wheel R¹
after the measurement falls upon the shoot q' in its position 1 and thence into the
receptacle designed for the too large cartridge cases. The position 2 Figure 7
corresponds to the lowest position of the gauge L' and to the striking of
the lever P against the shorter prong of the fork. In this case the cartridge case
transported by the carrier wheel R¹ falls upon the shoot g' in its position 2, and
thence into the receptacle designed for the too small cartridge cases.
Prior to the turning movement of the carrier wheel R' after a measurement the
gauge L is raised by means of the cam E and lever D', the cartridge case
being held down by sheet metal strips Z extending over it, Figure 5°. The fork G
does not take part in this turning movement of the lever B and shaft C, as it is
held by the arm P. In the turning movement now taking place of the carrier
wheel R' the normal cartridge case drops into the fork of the transporting
arm Q, and when the length is too large or too small over the shoot in its position 2
or into one of the two receptacles L, Fig. 3 for the defective articles. These
different positions of the fork G, lever P, transporting arm Q and shoot q¹ are
indicated in Figures 9 to 11,
The transport of the cartridge case having the proper dimension to the second
measuring apparatus is effected in the following manner. The continued movement
of the main shaft W' after each turning movement of the carrier wheel R¹ by a
lever U, effects by means of the cam M a turning movement of the lever L³,
indicated by dotted lines in Figures 54 and 12, in opposition to the action of a
springFig. 5, so as to cause the transporting arm to turn to the position 4.
Here the cartridge case is taken from it by the carrier wheel R² Figs. 3 and 5
and conducted to the second measuring place b³.
If in one machine several measurements are to take place in succession, as many
apparatus must be placed one behind the other as measurements are to be effected.
The order in which the measurements are to take place, and therefore the order of
the measuring apparatus, is optional. Each apparatus receives in the before
described manner from the one in front the articles whose dimensions, checked so
far, are normal, then effects its measurement and passes the articles whose
dimension checked by it is also normal to the next apparatus while throwing out
the articles with too large or too small a dimension. The fork of the last
apparatus throws out the pieces in which all the dimensions (length, diameter,
height and the like) are normal.
In Figures 13 to 15 such a measuring and separating apparatus is represented in
a modified and simplified form. Figures 16 to 20 show details of this apparatus.
The modification refers to the turning of the carrier wheel R and the
simplification of the mechanisms which transmit the different movements of the
gauge L' to the transporting arm Q. This apparatus is also supposed to serve for
measuring the length of cartridge cases.
The feed of the cartridge cases o takes place as before described, through a

page_text: channel K from which they are taken by a carrier wheel R' provided with four
pockets, and are lifted to the measuring place . The carrier wheel R' is loose
upon the main shaft W₁ rotating continually, and is carried away only periodically
by the aid of a friction coupling of simple construction, being at other times held in
its former positions by a ratchet mechanism. The friction coupling is represented
in Figure 16 and consists of a spring which is arranged between a plate w fixed
on the said main shaft W₁ and a friction disc w' adapted to be displaced on the
same and acting against the nave of the carrier wheel R', which spring by its
pressure against the friction disc causes the carrier wheel R¹ to be carried away.
The carrier wheel R' is provided with a disc T2 having four notches with which
can engage a lever H2 so that the carrier wheel stops during the engagement of
the said lever with one of the notches H. Upon the shaft of this lever H² is
secured a second lever H³ the end of which is provided with an inclined nose H*.
This lever H³, by means of a pin H5 which is provided upon a disc E' Figs. 14
and 15 on the main shaft W' and strikes in every revolution against the incline of
the said nose H, is for a moment turned to one side as the pin slides past the nose,
thereby causing the stop lever H2 to move from the notch in the disc T. In
consequence of this the carrier wheel is carried away through an angle of 90 degrees
by the main shaft by reason of the coupling of these two parts which is effected
by the aforesaid spring k¹. After such a turning movement the stop lever H
passes into the following notch in the disc T2, because a spring k³ surrounding the
shaft of the stop lever H² always tends to turn this shaft with its two levers H*
and H in the direction of the arrow.
The
The transmission of the movement of the shaft C in accordance with the
different positions of the gauge L' takes place in the following manner.
gauge L' fixed to an arm B always tends to occupy the lowest position again by
reason of its weight or under the action of a spring. Upon the said shaft C
is arranged a lever D¹ which carries a roller D and is caused by a cam E' in
every revolution to move once upwards and downwards so that a corresponding
angular movement is imparted to the said shaft C.
The lever D' is connected by a rod B' with another lever B' Fig. 14 arranged
loosely upon the shaft J of the transporting arm Q, so that it takes part in the
turning movement of the aforesaid lever D. This movement of the lever B' is
transmitted by means of a lever provided with a pin V to the shaft J of the
transporting arm.
Accordingly when the gauge is lowered this shaft J will be turned in the
direction of the arrow a so that the transporting arm Q, in accordance with the
three positions I, II, III, Figure 1^, attainable by the gauge, will occupy one of
three positions, 1, 2, 3, as shown in Figures 13, 17 and 18. When the gauge is
quite raised, as indicated in dotted lines Figure 17, the transporting arm Q
occupies the position 4. The corresponding positions of the levers D' and B' are
likewise designated by, 1, 2, 3, 4.
After the measurement the gauge L' is raised by means of the above-mentioned
cam E and lever D', so that also the lever B' held loosely on the shaft of the
transporting arm will be turned upwards Fig. 17. The lever provided with a
in V, the shaft J and the transporting arm Q cannot however follow this motion
for the following reason. On the shaft J is arranged a segment N¹ Fig. 20 to
which the brake is applied shortly before the upward movement of the gauge by a
lever N2. The position in which the brake is applied is shown in Figures 13
and 20. Therefore the transporting arm Q during the application of the brake and
when the gauge is raised, remains in the position 1 or 2 or 3, although its shaft J
tends to turn in the direction of the arrow y under the action of the spring k³
surrounding the same.
Now the carrier wheel R' is turned further through an angle of 90 degrees, and
a measured cartridge case if normal, will fall upon the fork 1 of the transporting
arm Q, and if too small will fall upon a shoot q' fixed to the transporting arm,
whilst if it is too large it will drop directly downwards from the carrier wheel.

page_text: In the further turning of the main shaft W' the pressure of the brake lever N*
against the segment N' is but gradually reduced, because the latter has a
somewhat spiral periphery, Figure 20, so that it can follow but slowly in the
direction of the arrow . The transporting arm Q will therefore gently pass to a
position 4, in which the cartridge case ascertained to be normal will be taken from
it in a suitable manner, for instance by a second carrier wheel, whereupon a further
measurement of the cartridge case may be effected.
The main shaft W₁ has now turned so far that the said cam E¹ permits of
the downward movement of the gauge in order to accomplish the next measure-
ment. By this means the transporting arm is turned to the right again, whilst at
the same time the brake lever N2 is raised by a cam N³ from the said segment N'
so that the operation may be repeated.
In Figures 21 to 23 is represented a measuring and separating apparatus in which
a gauge with annular widths of opening is employed for the purpose of enabling the
diameter of a round article to be measured by bringing it together with the gauge
in the axial direction. This apparatus is also assumed to serve for measuring
cartridge cases, that is to say the rear diameter of the same.
The feed of the cartridge cases and the transport of the same to the measuring
place takes place, as in the before described apparatus, by a channel not represented
and a carrier wheel R'. The periodical movement and fixing of the latter is
effected as in the apparatus shown in Figures 13 to 20. The cartridge case lies in
the horizontal position in the measuring place, whilst the gauge, instead of being
moved from above, moves from the side in the direction of the axis of the cartridge
case towards the latter or is passed over it.
The gauge L³ possesses two rings L L the inner diameters m n of which are
equivalent to the widths of opening m n of the gauge L. According as the rear
diameter of the cartridge case is too large, normal or too small the gauge L³ moved
forwards will strike with the front surface of a ring L' against the cartridge case, or
will pass with this ring L' over the cartridge case until this case strikes against a
narrower ring L' or else will permit the latter ring to pass over the cartridge
case.
In
The forward movement of the gauge L³ may be effected in various manners.
the apparatus represented it takes place as follows. Upon the gauge L³ is screwed
a double-armed lever L which with two rollers L' provided at its ends engages
with inclined or helical grooves X' formed in a box X bolted to the frame h of the
apparatus Fig. 23. A spring k always tends to turn the double-armed lever L in
the direction of the arrow. When such a turning movement takes place the said
lever L together with the gauge L' are drawn towards the cartridge case to be
measured. The lever L is secured by a counter nut L.
The turning movement of the lever L in the opposite direction is caused by a
cam Y Figs. 21 and 22, which raises an arm LB extending downwards and provided
with a roller L¹º. By this means the gauge L' is turned in the opposite direction
to that in which it was turned by the said spring and is moved back by the
inclined or helical groove X'. Accordingly a forward movement of the gauge I'
for the measurement and a back movement of the same to its outer position takes
place in every revolution of the cam. The gauge L can in this case, as in
the gauge L' in the before described apparatus, occupy four positions which are
indicated in dotted lines in Figure 22. The movements to the four different
positions, similarly as in the apparatus represented in Figures 13 to 20, are
transmitted to the transporting arm Q, so that the measured cartridge cases are
again sorted into too thick, normal and too thin cases, the normal cases being
transported further by the transporting arm Q.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is :-
F. Mechanism for automatically sorting articles of the same class or category

page_text: into separate groups or sets of pieces the dimensions of which are within certain
predetermined limits; the main feature of such mechanism being that a gauge, such
as L', secured to a pivoted arm, such as B, and containing the various measure-
ments, is caused to pass over the article to be sorted, on its arrival at the spot
where its size is to be ascertained; the arm B being then caused to perform
a swinging movement corresponding to the size of the article being sorted, which
movement is imparted to it by suitable intermediate devices such as a fork G,
which it carries along with it, and which serves to fix in position an adjustable
spring-controlled arm such as P; which movement, according to its extent, brings
about a proportionate rotary movement of a shaft or spindle J, so that the slide-
way g' connected with such shaft is thereby adjusted in such a manner that the
article to be sorted, after the gauge has receded, is conveyed through the said
slide-way into the receptacle corresponding to its size.
2. Mechanism such as characterized in the first claim, the main feature of which
is that the swinging or oscillating movement of the arm B, corresponding in extent
to the size of the article to be sorted, is, through another arm, such as D', secured
to the same shaft C; a link or rod B2, a loose arm B', and a stationary arm
secured to the shaft J and adapted to carry the said loose arm with it, by engaging
therewith through a pin or stud such as V₁, transmitted to the said shaft J, which
is accordingly set in rotary motion; the slide-way g' being arranged upon a
conveyor or feeding arm, such as Q, and adapted to be so adjusted that the article
to be sorted drops into the slide-way if its size be smaller than the size gauged for,
or descends directly in front of the said slide-way if it be larger than the gauged
size.
66
3. Mechanism such as referred to in the first claim, the main feature of which is,
that instead of the reciprocating flat gauge, an annular gauge is employed, provided
with a number of perforations corresponding to the number of different sizes it is
arranged for, varying within predetermined limits, the said gauge, such as L³, fitted
with annular bores or passes" being caused, by a spring and a double-arm
lever L controlled by such spring and engaging in inclined grooves, such as X',
provided in a stationary case such as X, to pass over the article to be measured,
and then to return by step-by-step motion, under the action of a plate or cam Y of
a shape other than circular, adapted to counteract the pressure of the said spring;
the said gauge being adapted to assume different positions according to the size of
the article to be measured or sorted, the number of positions corresponding to the
number of "passes," whereby the lever L, being turned by the action of the
inclined grooves X', imparts rotary motion to the shaft or spindle J, thereby
adjusting a slide-way for the purpose of sorting the objects measured.
4. A modification of the mechanism referred to in the first and second claims, in
which the articles to be measured are raised to the position at which their
measurement is to be taken, as at 6, 13, through the medium of a carrier wheel, such
as R', R' adapted to perform a periodical or step-by-step rotary movement; the
said articles, after their measurement is completed, being dropped upon the
conveyor or transporting arm Q, or into the slide-way q¹, q², or directly into a
receptacle provided for the purpose.
5. For the purpose of enabling the measurements to be taken in various
directions, in the case of a single object, the arrangement of two or more apparatus
such as are referred to in the first claim and providing them with different gauges
and measuring stations (as at b', 2. .... Figure 3); articles of normal dimensions
being then conveyed by the carrier wheels R', R² into the forks, of the trans-
porting arms Q, and by these arms transported to the next following measuring
mechanism.
6. A modification of the mechanism referred to in the first claim, wherein,
instead of a gauge arranged to be moved over the article to be measured, a
stationary gauge
provided, under which the said article is moved as illustrated in
Figure 1 such articles being intended to take up various positions corresponding
in number to the number of different widths for which the cheeks of the gauge

page_text: are arranged, with the result of imparting rotary motion to a spindle or shaft such
as p, say, through the medium of a tappet or nose such as a fixed to the
bearing o¹, and of a lever ;-whereby a slide-way, such as q is turned so as
to assume the required positions for the purpose of transferring the articles
measured and sorted to the corresponding receptacles.
Dated this 30th day of May 1894.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.