Improvements in Paper Feeding Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Paper Feeding Machines.
I, ROBERT BURNET of East Orange in the County of Essex and State of New
Jersey United States of America, Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to that class of machines adapted for automatically feeding
single sheets of paper from a pile to a printing press, ruling machine, or other
mechanism to be operated upon, and which are usually provided with a vertically
movable table on which the pile of paper to be operated upon is placed, and with a
frictional feeding roll or other device for engaging the successive top sheets of said
pile as the same is moved or fed upward and feeding the same therefrom to the
machine by which they are to be operated upon. My present invention consists,
First, in the means for operating or raising and lowering the table, Secondly,-in
the means for automatically stopping or limiting the upward movement of the table
after all the sheets have been fed therefrom, Thirdly, in the means for feeding or
moving the successive upper sheets of the pile located on the upwardly moving
table, forward into position to be engaged by the feeding device or roll and be fed
thereby to the machine by which they are to be operated upon, and Fourthly,-in
other details of construction and combination of parts as will hereinafter be set
forth in detail and pointed out in the claims. The object of this invention being to
insure the regular and continuous supply of successive single sheets from the pile to
the machine by which they are to be operated upon, and also simplify the
construction and operation of such feeding machines or mechanism and provide for
all necessary adjustments of the several parts of the same.
Referring to the drawings:-
Figs. 1 and 2, represent the opposite ends or sides of a machine embodying my
invention:
Fig. 3, represents a rear view of the same.
Fig. 4, represents a top plan view of the same.
Fig. 5, represents a vertical sectional view through the machine, showing an end
or side view of the several operating parts for feeding the sheets from the pile, and
the edge-guide. .
Fig. 6, represents a cross-section through a part of the supporting frame, table
and reciprocating rod m, showing the lever or device for automatically stopping
operation of the table raising mechanism when the table has reached its limit.
To explain in detail,-It will be understood that a feeding machine of the
character above referred to forms an adjunct or attachment to the machine for
which it acts as a feeder, and may therefore be built as a part of the same by
having its several parts supported by the same supporting frame, or it may be built
as an independent machine and be secured in the proper position adjacent to the
said machine for which it acts as a feeder. In the present instance as illustrated
in the drawings, the machine is shown with an independent frame represented
at a, as being the most convenient way of constructing the same in order that it
may be moved or shifted to act as a feeder for different machines. b, is the table
or support upon which the pile of paper (represented at ) from which the
successive single sheets are adapted to be fed is supported, and is provided with
guide lugs & upon opposite sides thereof which extend into vertical slots a' in the
frame a to be guided thereby.
As the table b is moved or fed upward by mechanism as will hereinafter be
described, the upper sheets of the pile z are adapted to be moved or fed horizontally
therefrom toward the rotating, frictional feeding rolls or discs c and in position to be

page_text: .
engaged thereby and fed to the machine by which they are to be operated upon, by
means of one or more rotating "sheet separating and feeding" devices
which are
supported or suspended above the table b and in position to engage the rear upper
edge of the pile and feed the sheets toward the feeding rolls in a manner as
more clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. This device d in the present instance
shown, consists of a rod d' provided with broadened plates d² secured at its opposite
ends to form enlarged engaging surfaces, and is centrally mounted on a revolving
shaft e¹ which is supported in suitable bearings in two horizontally adjustable
rods e, e.
These rods e, e, are supported in suitable openings in a hanger or
support as held by a cross-bar a forming part of the main supporting frame a as
more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The rods e, e, which might be connected by
cross-rods and form a single frame if so desired, are held adjustable in the hanger
or support a by means of set-screws 2, in order that the rotating feeding devices d
may be adjusted to the proper position for engaging different sizes of paper at the
same and proper point at the rear upper edge of the pile. The feeding devices d
are also held laterally adjustable on their revolving supporting shaft by means of
set-screws, in order that they may be adjusted for the different widths of paper.
The broadened ends of the feeding devices d are slightly bent or curved rear-
wardly from their direction of travel in order to form a smoother and increased
.surface for contact with the edge of the pile, as will be readily understood.
During the rotation of the feeding device, its ends engage the upper edge of the
pile in a small arc of its circle of rotation with a kind of sweeping action which
tends to loosen and separate the sheets and at the same time moves or feeds each of
the sheets engaged thereby toward the frictional feeding rolls c to a different degree
of nearress, as will appear obvious by reason of the circle in which it rotates, and
consequently moves the upper or top-most sheet the farthest and a sufficient distance
to be engaged by the frictional feeding rolls c and be fed or carried thereby from
the pile. This continued action of the feeding devices d on the pile as the same is
moved upward causes each succeeding sheet to be moved forward in position to be
engaged by the rolls c as soon as the preceding sheet has been carried therefrom,
as will be readily understood.
The plates which form the engaging ends of the feeding devices d, are shown
in the drawings as detachably secured to the rod d', although it will be obvious that
the same may be formed integral therewith.
"
The construction and means for operating this said "sheet separating and feeding
device may be modified more or less without departing from the spirit of my
invention, which latter consists in providing a device for moving in the are of a
circle or nearly so to engage with the rear upper edge of the pile for the purpose
of both separating and feeding the sheets in a manner as described.
The frictional feeding roll which is adapted to engage the sheets on the pile x,
after being moved in the proper position by the rotating feeding devices d, and
feed the same from the said pile to the endless apron (represented at
in Fig. 5)
or other device adapted for carrying or delivering the sheets to the machine by
which they are to be operated upon, is formed of several wheels or discs c located on
. a revolving shaft which is mounted in suitable bearings on the frame a. The
periphery of these wheels are provided with rubber or similar material to produce
a suitable frictional surface.
In order to support the sheets as they are drawn from the pile by the frictional
feeding roll and until they have been received by the carrying apron y, I have
provided plates or shields g which extend horizontally beneath the rolls c to form a
supporting and guiding surface for the sheets, and are secured in a laterally
adjustable position (for the purpose as will be described) on the frame a by means
of set-screws g fitted to a longitudinal slot g' in the frame a.
I have also provided a "separator roll" so-called, which is adapted to act as a
supplemental device to the said sheet separating and feeding device d to separate
any sheet or sheets from the top-most one that might be drawn or carried thereby
when being fed from the pile; which consists of a revolving shaft mounted in

page_text: suitable bearings on the frame a and provided with rolls or discs f¹ located thereon
beneath and adjacent to the frictional feed-rolls c with their upper edges projecting
slightly above the upper surface of the plates or shields through slots therein.
This separator roll rotates in a direction opposite to the adjacent rotating face of
the frictional roll c (as shown by arrows in Fig. 5) and presents a rotating friction
surface above the surface of the shields to the forward edge of the sheets as they
are fed by the rotating feeding devices d toward the same, and tends to push back
any under sheets that might stick or otherwise be drawn by the top sheet when
moved from the pile by the frictional feeding roll c, and thus insure the delivery of
single sheets only.
In order to prevent the resistance made by the separator roll to the top or that
sheet adapted to be carried forward by the friction feeding roll c, from obstructing
such forward movement of the sheet, I have made the engaging surface of the same
harder and smoother than the feeding roll c, in such manner they will not materially
interfere with the forward movement of the sheet carried by the feeding roll c but
only separate and hold back any that might be carried therewith by friction or
otherwise.
The separator rolls and the frictional feeding rolls are held laterally
adjustable on their supporting shaft, by means of set-screws f' and c³ respectively,
as more clearly shown in Fig. 3, in order that the same may be adjusted for paper
of different widths. The plates or shields g, are laterally adjustable on the frame a
as hereinbefore set forth, in order that they may be shifted or adjusted with the
separating rolls which project through the slots in the same.
The shaft upon which the separator rolls or discs f' are secured, is provided
with a driving wheel thereon and forms, in the present instance illustrated, the
main driving shaft from which the other moving parts of the machine receive their
motion through the medium of suitable gearing and connecting mechanism as will
be described. The feed roll shaft c¹ and separator roll shaft f are each provided
with a gear and f' respectively, at one end thereof as more clearly shown in
Fig. 1, and the feed roll is operated by the separator roll and in a direction to have
their adjacent faces rotate in opposite directions as and for the purpose described,
through the medium of an intermediate gear a secured on the frame a.
The revolving shaft e¹ on which the sheet separating and feeding devices d are
mounted, is operated or driven by the feed-roll shaft c¹; motion being communicated
by a connecting driving belt which operates on pulley wheels located on said
shafts, and represented at and c¹ respectively.
The driving belt is adapted to be adjusted to allow for the horizontal movement
or adjustment of the shaft e' upon which the feeding devices d are supported, by
means of a belt-adjuster or tightener which is supported by the cross-bar a of the
supporting frame a. This belt-tightener consists of an arm i which is adjustably
supported at one end on the said cross-bar a of the frame a by means of a set-screw
or similar adjusting means, and at or near its opposite end is provided with a block
or frame attached thereto which is provided with pulley wheels,, mounted
therein over which the said driving belt operates. By raising or lowering the outer
end of the belt-adjuster the belt may be adjusted to allow for horizontal movement
of the shaft et as will be readily understood.
The table upon which the paper is adapted to be placed to be fed or raised
upward to the frictional feeding rolls e as before described, is raised by chains or
other flexible connection j located at each side of the frame, which connect at one
end with the side of the table as more clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and pass
therefrom over a pulley k secured at opposite sides of the frame a at a point above
the top limit of movement of the table band in such position as to cause the chain
to draw in a vertical line with the movement of said table; and at their opposite
ends the said chains connect with a drum or wheel ¹ located on the opposite ends
of a shaft k² which is supported in suitable bearings on the frame a with its ends
projecting the opposite sides of the same as shown.
The shaft is adapted to be revolved or partially so to rotate the drums or
:

page_text: wheels and wind the connecting ends of the chains j thereon for the purpose of
raising the table b, by mechanism as will be described. The driving shaft f is
provided with a cam or eccentric f at or near one end thereof as more clearly
shown in Fig. 2, which is adapted to engage an arm m² or a roll supported
thereon, which projects from a horizontally arranged shaft m supported in suitable
bearings a, a, at one side of the frame a, and move said shaft positively in one
direction; a coiled spring m³ (as shown in Fig. 4,) being employed to move the
same back or in the opposite direction to its usual position. This reciprocating
shaft has a loose toggle-link connection, by means of links m³, m³, with a vertically
arranged shaft n which is supported in bearings a, a, on the frame a.
The links m³ are held at an angle to each other when the shaft m is in a normal
position at one end of its stroke and are moved to a straight line or nearly so when
the said shaft is moved to the opposite end of its stroke by the operating cam f³,
thus producing a vibratory movement at their point of connection as will be readily
understood.
And I have secured a pawl m' to said toggle-link to be operated thereby, which
is adapted to engage a ratchet wheel n' secured on the said vertical shaft n to
operate or rotate the latter. The shaft n when thus operated is adapted to operate
the shaft for the purpose as hereinbefore set forth, through the medium of a
worm located thereon which meshes with and operates a worm-wheel n³ located
on a shaft supported by the frame a, to operate the latter shaft and cause a
gear n which is secured thereon to operate a toothed wheel or disc n' with which
it meshes and which is secured on the said shaft k to operate the latter. By this
described mechanism a positive and uniform upward movement of the table is
secured.
When the pile of sheets has been fed or delivered from the table, the latter is
automatically stopped in its upward movement by means of a stop device o, which
consists of a lever pivoted to the frame a or part thereof and having one end project
over the reciprocating shaft m, and its opposite end over the table b (as shown in
Figs. 3, 4 and 6) in such manner that the latter, when at its upward limit, engages
the overhanging end of the lever or an adjusting-screw o' supported therein, and
throws its opposite end into a notch or depression m³ in the upper edge of the
reciprocating shaft m when the latter has reached the limit of its forward movement
and locks the same from movement, thus stopping operation of the table raising
mechanism.
That end of the lever o projecting over the shaft m is normally held from
engagement with the latter by a spring o³.
It is desirable that the table 6 may be lowered quickly and without loss of time
after the pile of sheets has been fed therefrom, and to provide for this purpose, I
have located the worm-wheel n³, which is adapted to communicate motion from its
driving mechanism to the shaft a, loosely upon said shaft, and have provided
clutch n on the latter for detachable connection with the worm-wheel to make the
same fast and loose on the shaft as desired.
a
83
The clutch n is normally held in engagement with the worm-wheel n by
spring as more clearly shown in Fig. 3, and is adapted to be operated to be
moved from engagement therewith by means of a lever n which is supported and
pivoted in an arm or bracket n projecting from the frame a, and has connection at
one end with said clutch as clearly shown in Fig. 3. When it is desired to lower
the table b, the clutch is disconnected from the worin-wheel n³ to allow the shaft n'
to operate independently of the latter and its operating mechanism, and enable the
operator to quickly lower the table by turning the shaft n' which has connection
with the drum supporting shaft k by gearing n and no as described.
The shaft n is provided with a hand-wheel n" thereon as a convenient means
for operating the same.
The table is provided with two vertically arranged arms 62 62 on its upper
surface and at one end thereof to form an edge-guide for the piler. And I have
also provided an edge-guide p for the opposite side of the pile, which is laterally

page_text: adjustable for sheets of different sizes and is supported upon the cross-bar a² of the
supporting frame. This edge-guide p consists of a supporting rod p' provided with
a hinged jaw p' which is adapted to overlap or embrace the cross-bar a² and be
adjustably connected with the rod pl or part thereof to clamp the bar a³, by means
of a lever p (as more clearly shown in Fig. 5) having a double cam surface which
operates on a corresponding surface on the jaw p and has connection with the
rod pl to draw the parts together, by means of a connecting pin or bolt p*. The
supporting rod p is provided with two guide-arms po pivotally attached thereto-
which hang downwardly adjacent to the side of the pile with their lower ends in
contact with the table b (as shown in Fig. 5,) in such manner as to spread apart to
allow for the upward movement of the table and yet retain their position at the side
of the pile.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven--
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is: :―
1. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a support or table for the
pile of sheets and a device for engaging and carrying the sheets therefrom located
adjacent to the forward edge of said pile, of a feeding device located adjacent to
the rear edge of said pile and in position to engage the several upper sheets, to
separate and move the same forward different degrees of nearness to the forwardly
located feeding or carrying device, substantially as described and for the purpose
set forth.
2. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a support or table for the
pile of sheets and a friction feeding roll for engaging and carrying the sheets there-
from located adjacent to the forward edge of said pile, of a feeding device located
adjacent to the rear edge of said pile, with its engaging surface or ends engaging.
the rear edge of the latter in the arc of a circle, to separate and move the several
upper sheets forward different degrees of nearness to the forwardly located feeding.
or carrying device, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
3. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination of a vertically moving support
or table for carrying a pile of sheets, a feed or carrying roll or device located
adjacent to the forward edge of the said pile, and a rotating feeding device, con--
sisting of one or more arms supported on a rotating shaft and provided with curved
ends extending in a direction from their line of movement, located in a position to
engage the rear edge of said pile and separate and move the several upper sheets.
forward different degrees of nearness to the said carrying device, substantially as
described and for the purpose set forth.
4. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a vertically moving table,.
and mechanism for operating the same comprising a reciprocating rod or shaft,
means for operating the latter positively in one direction and yieldingly in the
opposite direction, and means connecting said rod or shaft and the said table; of a
pivoted lever having one end extend into the path of the vertically moving table
to be engaged thereby and operated to throw its opposite end into engagement with
a notch or projection in said reciprocating rod or shaft, substantially as described
and for the purpose set forth.
5. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a support or table for a
pile of sheets, a feed roll or device located adjacent to the forward edge of said
pile of sheets, and a rotating feeding device consisting of one or more arms.
supported in a horizontally adjustable position on a rotating shaft and adapted to
engage the said sheets at the rear edge thereof, substantially as described and for
the purpose set forth.
6. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a friction feeding roll,
and a vertically movable table for supporting and carrying a pile of sheets.
upwardly, of a rotating feeding device adapted for engaging one edge of said pile
to move the sheets into position to be engaged by the friction roll, supported by a
horizontally adjustable frame, a driving belt for operating said rotating feeding

page_text: device, and a belt-adjuster or tightener to allow for the adjustment of the rotating
feeding device, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a friction feeding roll, and
a vertically movable table for supporting and carrying a pile of sheets upwardly,
of a feeding device consisting of a rotating shaft supported by a horizontally
adjustable frame and provided with one or more arms thereon for engaging one
edge of said pile to move the sheets into position to be engaged by the friction roll;
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a support or table for a
pile of sheets, a feed roll or device located adjacent to the forward edge of the pile
of sheets, and a horizontally adjustable frame supported by the main supporting
frame or part thereof and provided with a feeding device supported thereby
adapted for engaging the rear edge of said pile of sheets, substantially as described
and for the purpose set forth.
9. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a friction feeding roll and
a separator roll located beneath the same with their adjacent faces rotating in
opposite directions, and a vertically movable table adapted to support and move a
pile of sheets upwardly; of a feeding device, consisting of a rotating shaft
carrying one or more arms, located adjacent to the rear edge of said pile for
engaging the several upper sheets to separate and move the same forward different
degrees of nearness to the said feeding and separating rolls, the friction feeding
roll being rotated in a direction to draw the upper sheet forward from the pile, and
the separator roll being rotated to push the under sheets backward, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
10. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination of a feeding roll or device, a
vertically movable table for supporting and carrying a pile of sheets upwardly to
be engaged by the said feeding roll or device, and having connection with a
revolving drum or wheel to be operated thereby through the medium of a chain or
other flexible connection, and mechanism for operating said drum, consisting of an
operating shaft provided with a cam or eccentric thereon, a reciprocating rod
operated by the latter and adapted to operate a pawl carried thereby to cause the
same to engage with a ratchet wheel located on a vertical shaft to rotate the latter
and communicate motion to the said rotating drum through the medium of connecting
gearing, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
.
11. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a feed roll, of a
vertically movable table adapted for supporting and carrying a pile of sheets
upward to be engaged by the said feed roll, and operated by a revolving drum or
wheel through the medium of a chain or other flexible connection, mechanism for
operating said drum or wheel, consisting of a vertically arranged shaft rotated by
the main operating shaft through the medium of connecting mechanism, and having
connection with the said drum or wheel through the medium of connecting gearing,
and a clutch for adjustably connecting or disconnecting the said drum and its
operating mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a feeding device and a
vertically movable table for supporting and carrying a pile of sheets upwardly to
be engaged by said feeding device, of an edge guide for said sheets, consisting of a
supporting arm or hanger supported in a laterally adjustable position above the
said table on a shaft forming part of the supporting frame, and provided with one
or more downwardly hanging arms pivotally connected therewith, adapted to move
outwardly from a vertical line when engaged by the upwardly moving table,
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
13. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a vertically moving table
adapted to support and move a pile of sheets upwardly, of a friction feeding roll
and a separator roll located beneath the same with their adjacent faces rotating in
opposite directions, the friction feeding roll being rotated in a direction to draw
the upper sheet forward from the pile, and the separator roll being provided with a
harder and smoother surface than the friction roll and rotated in a direction to
:

page_text: separate and push the under sheets backward, substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.
14. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a vertically moving
table having connection with a revolving drum or wheel to be operated thereby
through the medium of a chain or other flexible connection, of mechanism for
operating said drum or wheel, consisting of an operating shaft provided with a cam
or eccentric thereon, a reciprocating rod operated by the latter and adapted to
operate a pawl carried thereby to cause the same to engage with a ratchet wheel
located on a shaft to rotate the latter and communicate motion to the rotating
drum through the medium of connecting gearing, and a pivoted lever operated by
contact with the vertically moving table to engage said reciprocating rod to stop
the same and the connecting table operating mechanism, substantially as described
and for the purpose set forth.
15. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination with a feeding device and a
vertically movable table for supporting and carrying a pile of sheets upwardly to
be engaged by said feeding device, of an edge-guide for said sheets, consisting
of a supporting arm or hanger provided with one or more arms pivoted thereto,
and supported in a laterally adjustable position above the said table on a shaft
forming part of the supporting frame, by means of two hinged clamping jaws,
adapted to be adjustably clamped together by a lever having a double cam surface
operating on a corresponding surface on one of said jaws and having connection
with the other jaw by a connecting pin or bolt, substantially as described and for
the purpose set forth."
16. In an automatic paper feeder, the combination of a feed roll or device, a
vertically movable table operated by a revolving drun or wheel having connection
therewith through the medium of a chain or other flexible connection, and
mechanism for operating said drum or wheel, consisting of an adjusting and
rotating shaft operated by the driving shaft through the medium of a reciprocating
rod and connecting mechanism and having connection with the said drum or wheel
to communicate motion thereto through the medium of suitable gearing, sub-
stantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Dated thin 07th dow of October 1802
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.