Patent Description:
In particular, the apparatus can be used to receive suitably sized bars from a cutting plant, to store them homogeneously, for example according to diameter or other characteristic, and/or to make them selectively available to one or more user machines located downstream of the apparatus.

By the term bars we generally mean oblong-shaped products such as wire rod, reinforcement bars, round pieces, square pieces, or suchlike, having a circular, polygonal or flat cross-sectional shape.

It is known to feed bars to user machines such as bending machines, stirrup-making machines, welding machines, cutting or counting plants or other. An example of these feed machines is disclosed in <CIT>.

Especially in the case of bending machines, stirrup-making machines and welding machines, it is known to pick up the bars, by means of robotic automated pick-up devices, or to receive them, through roller transport devices or suchlike, from suitable warehouses, positioned near the user machine or in a remote position to supply the bars to a feed station which feeds the machines as above.

The bars fed to the bending and welding machines may have already been cut to size, that is, previously cut and reduced in length, and stored in a homogeneous manner waiting to be used. In fact, depending on the final product to be obtained, the bars to be supplied to the user machine can also be of different types, for example of different length, different diameter, material, shape, surface working or other.

Normally each type of bar is supplied in homogeneous groups in which the bars are separated from each other, so that a first group can be formed by bars of a first type, a second group can be formed by bars of a second type, and so on.

On each occasion, each more or less numerous group of bars is picked up by one or more robotic automated pick-up devices or supplied by means of a roller transport device from the corresponding warehouse in which it is located, and delivered to the feed station of the user machine.

One of the disadvantages of robotic automated pick-up devices is that they do not allow to move a large number of bars at a time, they are very complex in design, especially the gripping means, they have high costs and require rather demanding technical management. Another disadvantage is the human-machine interactions, a very critical aspect in the case of robotic systems.

One of the disadvantages of roller transport devices is that they are not very versatile for changing the format of the bars and must in any case be fed by a bridge crane, an automated pick-up device or suchlike.

The feed station can be provided with a feed surface on which the group of bars is placed. Once the execution of a specific range of products is completed, the remaining bars scattered on the feed surface can, in some cases, be returned to the original warehouse.

The procedure for transferring the bars from the warehouse to the feed surface, and vice versa, is therefore extremely complex as it requires the use of dedicated structures, the presence of possible operators to guide and appropriately position, on each occasion, the movement of the bars from the warehouse to the work surface.

This operation to vary the type of bars, moreover, can also be very expensive in terms of time and can also cause downtimes of the user machines located downstream of the supply apparatus considered.

There is therefore a need to perfect an apparatus to feed bars that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to feed bars that allows to feed bars in an orderly, quick and efficient manner.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a fully automated apparatus to feed bars that requires a limited number of operators to manage it.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to feed bars that allows to supply the bars to user machines located downstream, avoiding machine downtimes to allow the operations to change the bar format.

Another purpose is to perfect a method that allows to feed the bars to a user machine that is efficient and automated.

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent apparatus claim <NUM> and method claim <NUM>.

Further embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

In accordance with the above purposes, the apparatus to feed bars, according to the present invention, for example to one or more user machines located downstream, comprises a support plane, a bar feed zone located in proximity to one bar supply end of the support plane, wherein the support plane comprises a unit to move the bars in a direction of movement from and toward the feed zone.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a transfer device positioned in correspondence with the bar feed zone and configured to pass from a first position, in which it is above the support plane in order to support the bars and/or move the bars in a direction transverse to the direction of movement, to a second position, in which it is below the support plane in order to deposit the bars onto the support plane in correspondence with the bar feed zone.

The apparatus comprises a plurality of containing and translation units disposed adjacent to each other with respect to the direction of movement and configured, on each occasion, to contain and make available the bars.

The movement unit is configured to move the bars from the bar feed zone toward the containing and translation units and vice versa, and from the bar feed zone to the bar supply end.

Embodiments of the present invention also concern a method to feed bars to one or more user machines, which provides to move by means of a movement unit the bars on the support plane in a direction of movement from and toward the bar feed zone as above.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the method provides that the transfer device that supports the bars in correspondence with the bar feed zone is moved from the first position, in which it is above the support plane in order to support the bars, to the second position, in which it is below the support plane in order to deposit the bars onto the support plane in correspondence with the bar feed zone.

The movement unit moves the bars, deposited on the support plane by the transfer device, from the bar feed zone toward the containing and translation units and vice versa, and from the bar feed zone toward the bar supply end, the containing and translation units being disposed adjacent to each other with respect to the direction of movement and configured to contain and make available the bars on each occasion.

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Embodiments of the present invention concern an apparatus to feed bars B, indicated as a whole with reference number <NUM>.

The bars B have a mainly oblong development and can have lengths even of several meters and have different diameters. The bars B can be supplied to the apparatus <NUM> in loose form, that is, distinct and separate since they are not bound together. In particular, the bars B supplied to the apparatus <NUM> can come from a cutting plant <NUM> located upstream of the apparatus <NUM>, the cutting plant <NUM> (<FIG>) providing to bring to measure much longer bars B in accordance with the feed requirements of the one or more user machines <NUM> located downstream of the apparatus <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, the apparatus <NUM> to feed bars B, for example to one or more user machines located downstream, comprises a support plane <NUM>, a bar feed zone <NUM> located in proximity to one bar supply end <NUM> of the support plane <NUM>, wherein the support plane <NUM> comprises a unit <NUM> to move the bars B in a direction of movement Z from and toward the bar feed zone <NUM>.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus <NUM> comprises a transfer device <NUM> positioned in correspondence with the bar feed zone <NUM> and configured to pass at least from a first position, in which it is above the support plane <NUM> in order to support the bars B and/or move the bars B in a direction transverse to the direction of movement Z, to at least a second position, in which it is below the support plane <NUM> in order to deposit the bars B onto the support plane <NUM> in correspondence with the bar feed zone <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> comprises a plurality of containing and translation units <NUM> disposed adjacent to each other with respect to the direction of movement Z and configured, on each occasion, to contain and make available the bars B.

The movement unit <NUM> is configured to move the bars B from the bar feed zone <NUM> toward the containing and translation units <NUM> and vice versa, and from the bar feed zone <NUM> to the bar supply end <NUM>.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the transfer device <NUM> can, for example, receive a plurality of bars B from a cutting plant <NUM> positioned upstream. In particular, the transfer device <NUM> can support the bars B during the cutting operation thereof and subsequently transfer, or possibly simply position, the bars B, brought to size, on the support plane <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, the support plane <NUM> can be positioned horizontal in order to prevent the bars B from moving in an unwanted manner due to gravity.

The support plane <NUM> comprises two lateral edges between the bar supply end <NUM> and another longitudinal end opposite thereto.

The bar supply end <NUM> and the other longitudinal end have a length substantially equal to, or greater than, the length of the bars B to be processed.

The bars B, in fact, are deposited on the support plane <NUM>, according to the modes described below, substantially parallel to the longitudinal development of the bar supply end <NUM> and of the other longitudinal end.

In particular, the bars B are deposited on the support plane <NUM> in correspondence with the bar feed zone <NUM> and are evacuated from the support plane <NUM> in correspondence with the bar supply end <NUM>.

The bars B deposited on the support plane <NUM>, thanks to the presence of the movement unit <NUM>, can be uniformly distributed on the latter preventing overlapping or entanglements thereof, as well as homogeneously sorted according to at least one of their characteristics into dedicated collection zones.

In accordance with the invention, each containing and translation unit <NUM> comprises at least two containing elements <NUM> distanced and aligned in a longitudinal direction L, transverse to the direction of movement Z, coordinated with each other and selectively movable to pass at least from a containing position, in which they are positioned below the support plane <NUM> and are suitable to support a respective group of bars B, to at least a release position, in which they are positioned above the support plane <NUM> in order to release the bars B onto the support plane <NUM>.

Each containing and translation unit <NUM> also comprises at least two movement devices <NUM> positioned in correspondence with the containing elements <NUM> and aligned in the longitudinal direction L, coordinated with each other in order to pass at least from a lowered condition, in which they are parallel to the support plane <NUM> and allow the bars B to move, to at least a raised condition in which they are raised in order to allow access to the respective containing elements <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the movement devices <NUM> are distinct and autonomous components with respect to the respective containing elements <NUM>, wherein said movement devices <NUM> are mobile independently of the respective containing elements <NUM> in order to independently pass respectively from the lowered condition to the raised condition, and from the containing position to the release position, possibly through respective intermediate conditions and positions.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, each movement device <NUM> is positioned in an offset configuration with respect to the respective containing element <NUM>. In particular, each movement device <NUM> is offset in the longitudinal direction L with respect to the respective containing element <NUM> so as to prevent possible reciprocal interferences during their reciprocally independent movement.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, each containing and translation unit <NUM> comprises a first transmission shaft <NUM> and a second transmission shaft <NUM> parallel to the longitudinal direction L and with which the movement devices <NUM> and the containing elements <NUM> are associated.

Each containing and translation unit <NUM> shares, with the adjacent one, the first transmission shaft <NUM> on one side and the second transmission shaft <NUM> on the other side. It is understood that, simply for convenience of description, here and hereafter we will refer, for each containing and translation unit <NUM>, to first <NUM> and second <NUM> transmission shaft although, as can be seen in the examples of <FIG>, by way of example the second transmission shaft <NUM> shared with an adjacent containing and translation unit <NUM> is the first transmission shaft <NUM> of the latter.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, each movement device <NUM> has a first end pivoted to the first transmission shaft <NUM> and with respect to which the movement device <NUM> is suitable to rotate, in order to pass from the lowered condition to the raised condition and vice versa.

Each movement device <NUM> has a second end, opposite the first end, positioned in correspondence with the second transmission shaft <NUM> and which can be selectively raised by the respective second transmission shaft <NUM> in order to allow access to the containing element <NUM>.

Each containing element <NUM> has a pivoting portion <NUM>, pivoted to the second transmission shaft <NUM>, with respect to which it can rotate in order to pass from the containing position to the release position and vice versa.

Each containing element <NUM> is configured to rotate in the opposite sense to the sense of rotation of the respective movement device <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and <FIG>, each movement device <NUM> can be raised in rotation with respect to the support plane <NUM> by an angle of rotation comprised between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>° and in any case sufficient to allow the rotation of the containing elements <NUM> in order to unload the bars onto the support plane <NUM>, without reciprocal interferences occurring, or to allow to unload the bars B from the support plane <NUM> into the containing elements <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, with each containing and translation unit <NUM> there is associated at least one respective first actuation unit <NUM>, configured to activate the movement devices <NUM> in order to move the bars B on the support plane <NUM>, at least one respective second actuation unit <NUM>, provided to allow the movement devices <NUM> to pass from the lowered condition to the raised condition and vice versa, and at least one third actuation unit <NUM> provided to allow the containing elements <NUM> to pass from the containing position to the release position and vice versa.

In accordance with some embodiments, the first actuation unit <NUM>, the second actuation unit <NUM> and the third actuation unit <NUM> can be selectively activated/deactivated in a distinct and separate manner with respect to each other.

In accordance with possible embodiments, each containing and translation unit <NUM> can comprise respective synchronization devices associated with the first actuation unit <NUM> and with the second actuation unit <NUM> in order to guarantee respectively a uniform and parallel translation of the bars B in the direction of movement Z, and to guarantee an angularly uniform and simultaneous raising/lowering of the movement devices <NUM>.

In accordance with possible embodiments, each containing and translation unit <NUM> can comprise further synchronization devices associated with the third actuation unit <NUM> in order to move the containing elements <NUM> simultaneously.

According to possible solutions of the invention, the actuation units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise at least one of either a jack, a linear actuator, sliding guides, chain mechanisms, rack or worm screw mechanisms, or suchlike.

In accordance with some embodiments, the first actuation unit <NUM> comprises a drive device <NUM> and a transmission device <NUM>, for example of the chain type.

The transmission device <NUM> is configured to transmit the motion generated by the drive device <NUM> to the first transmission shaft <NUM> in order to activate, in a coordinated and simultaneous manner, the movement devices <NUM>.

The transmission device <NUM> is associated on one side with the first transmission shaft <NUM> and on the other side with an auxiliary shaft <NUM> parallel to the first transmission shaft <NUM> and connected to the movement devices <NUM> of a same containing and translation unit <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, the second actuation unit <NUM> comprises a linear actuator which has an operating end associated with the auxiliary shaft <NUM> in order to raise/lower the movement devices <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, the third actuation unit <NUM> comprises a chain mechanism <NUM> connected with respect to a first end to the second transmission shaft <NUM> and with respect to a second end opposite the first end to a motor shaft <NUM> rotated by at least one motor <NUM>. The motor shaft <NUM> is parallel to the second transmission shaft <NUM> and can be advantageously positioned below it.

In accordance with possible embodiments, each movement device <NUM> can be moved individually and autonomously with respect to the others. For this purpose, with each movement device <NUM> of a same containing and translation unit <NUM> there can be associated a respective first actuation unit <NUM> and a respective second actuation unit <NUM>.

In accordance with possible embodiments, each containing element <NUM> can be moved individually and autonomously with respect to the others. For this purpose, with each containing element <NUM> of a same containing and translation unit <NUM> there can be associated a respective third actuation unit <NUM>.

Advantageously, the distinct and separate movement of each movement device <NUM> and of each containing element <NUM> allows the apparatus <NUM> to be very versatile and efficient. For example, if it is necessary to store and pick up bars B of a very short length, it is possible to only drive the movement devices <NUM> in correspondence with the bars B to be picked up/stored. In particular, the apparatus <NUM> can be equipped with detection devices configured to detect the presence of one of the bars B in contact with the movement devices <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, each movement device <NUM>, together with the respective containing element <NUM>, constitutes a single mobile movement body <NUM> in order to allow a first portion thereof, corresponding to the movement device <NUM>, to pass from the lowered condition to the raised condition, possibly through possible intermediate conditions, and a second portion thereof, corresponding to the containing element <NUM>, to pass from the containing position to the release position, possibly through possible intermediate positions.

Although the movement body <NUM> is physically a single component as described above, hereafter we will refer, however, to the first portion as above, corresponding to the movement device <NUM> and to the second portion as above, corresponding to the containing element <NUM>, which at a functional level continue to carry out distinct and separate, or different, actions.

In particular, in the raised condition, the first portion, corresponding to the movement device <NUM>, is inclined upward, with respect to the support plane <NUM>, by an angle of rotation which varies between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, thus allowing access to the respective containing element <NUM> which is still in the containing position, <FIG>.

In accordance with some embodiments, when the containing element <NUM> is in the release position, the respective movement device <NUM> is inclined with respect to the support plane <NUM> by an angle of rotation of approximately <NUM>°, being substantially in a position turned over with respect to the lowered condition and cooperating with the movement device <NUM> of the adjacent containing and translation unit <NUM> in order to allow the bars B to move on the support plane <NUM>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

For this purpose, it is necessary for the movement bodies <NUM> of adjacent containing and translation units <NUM> to be offset with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction L.

In accordance with some embodiments, similarly to the example described in <FIG>, each containing and translation unit <NUM> comprises a first transmission shaft <NUM> and a second transmission shaft <NUM>, both parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

In particular, each movement body <NUM> has, between the first portion corresponding to the movement device <NUM> and the second portion corresponding to the containing element <NUM>, an intermediate pivoting portion <NUM> with respect to which the movement body <NUM> is rotatably associated with the respective first transmission shaft <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, each containing element <NUM> can comprise a support <NUM> attached to the frame of the apparatus <NUM> and suitable to support, at least partly, the containing element <NUM> when it is in the containing position as above, so as to prevent an excessive weight of the bars B weighing on the containing elements <NUM> from causing an excessive torque on the intermediate pivoting portions <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, the movement bodies <NUM> of a same containing and translation unit <NUM> move with respect to each other in a coordinated manner, for example thanks to the aid of mechanical or electronic synchronization devices.

In accordance with some embodiments, with each containing and translation unit <NUM> there is associated at least one respective first actuation unit <NUM>, configured to activate the movement devices <NUM> in order to move the bars B onto the support plane <NUM> and an actuation assembly <NUM>, independent from the actuation unit <NUM>, provided to move the movement body <NUM> in rotation.

In accordance with some embodiments, the actuation assembly <NUM> comprises, for example, a chain mechanism connected with respect to a first end to the first transmission shaft <NUM>, and with respect to a second end opposite the first end to a motor shaft by at least one motor <NUM>. Obviously, this is just one possible embodiment of the actuation assembly <NUM> which, for example, can comprise a hydraulic lifting device, a worm screw or other suitable movement device.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, each movement device <NUM> comprises a transmission member <NUM> which can be selectively moved in a closed loop around return members <NUM>.

The transmission member <NUM> defines, between the return members <NUM>, return segments, at least one of which lies on the support plane <NUM> and is disposed in the direction of movement Z.

In particular, it can be provided that the return segment comprised between the return members <NUM> has at least one support surface, facing toward the outside and lying on the support plane <NUM>.

Each return segment of the transmission members <NUM> is located in contact with a portion of the bars B, causing the distribution and movement of the bars B at least on one portion of the support plane <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, between two adjacent movement devices <NUM> of a same containing and translation unit <NUM> there comes to be defined an interspace in which the bars B are not supported.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the interspaces as above can all have the same size.

In accordance with other possible embodiments, the interspaces as above can have a variable size.

According to possible embodiments of the present invention, the transmission member <NUM> can be selected from a group comprising at least one of either a chain, a belt, or a cable.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in <FIG> and in <FIG>, the transmission members <NUM> comprise a chain, for example of the roller type. The choice of a roller chain, thanks to the irregularity of the support surface defined by the links that make up the chain, allows to generate vibrations on the bars B such as to induce a homogeneous distribution thereof on the support plane <NUM>, that is, on a portion thereof.

The return members <NUM> can comprise at least one of either wheels, pulleys, or toothed crowns, suitable to allow the transmission member <NUM> to be wound around them.

In accordance with possible solutions, the return members <NUM> comprise toothed crowns, <FIG>, on which the links of the roller chains mesh. This embodiment guarantees that there is not a reciprocal sliding between the return members <NUM> and the transmission members <NUM>.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the containing and translation units <NUM> are suitable to each accommodate a different type of bars B, for example of different sizes, different length, different types of material, or suchlike.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown for example in <FIG> and in <FIG>, each containing element <NUM> has a concave conformation with concavity open upward in order to receive, in cooperation with the other containing elements <NUM>, the bars B.

Each containing element <NUM> can be provided with a housing seating <NUM> open, during use, upward and suitable to support a portion of the bars B.

In particular, each housing seating <NUM> partly supports the bars B so that the bars B are supported discontinuously, but substantially for their entire length.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, each housing seating <NUM> is substantially U-shaped.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, each housing seating <NUM> is substantially L-shaped, provided with a terminal end slightly curved upward in order to allow to contain the bars B even in a partly rotated condition.

The containing elements <NUM> of a same containing and translation unit <NUM> are positioned at the same height so that the respective housing seatings <NUM> define a discontinuous housing plane P to support the stored bars B, <FIG> and <FIG>.

With particular reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the containing elements <NUM> of a same containing and translation unit <NUM> are in the containing position as above, the housing seatings <NUM> are below the support plane <NUM> and the housing plane P is substantially parallel to the support plane <NUM>. When the containing elements <NUM> of a same containing and translation unit <NUM> are in the release position as above, the housing seatings <NUM> are above the support plane <NUM> and the housing plane P is substantially inclined with respect to the support plane <NUM> in order to allow the bars B to be unloaded onto the support plane <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, the transfer device <NUM> comprises a support structure <NUM> on which the bars B are positioned, and at least one lifting unit <NUM> associated with the support structure <NUM> so as to allow the support structure <NUM> to pass from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, the at least one lifting unit <NUM> is provided with a pantograph mechanism that allows to pass from the first position to the second position as above and vice versa, with a rotation movement defining a partial translation of the support structure <NUM> in the direction of movement Z.

In this way, the bars B are positioned on the support structure <NUM> and can be subsequently moved by the movement unit <NUM> toward the containing and translation units <NUM> or toward the bar supply end <NUM>. For example, in the event the number of bars B to be deposited on the support plane <NUM> is large, it may be advantageous to unload the bars B in the direction of the containing and translation units <NUM> in order to prevent the bars B from falling from the support plane <NUM> in correspondence with the bar supply end <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, the movement unit <NUM> comprises auxiliary movement devices <NUM> positioned in correspondence with the bar feed zone <NUM>, between the bar supply end <NUM> and the movement devices <NUM> of the first containing and translation unit <NUM>. In particular, the auxiliary movement devices <NUM> are configured to move the bars B from the bar feed zone <NUM> toward the containing and translation units <NUM> and vice versa, and from the bar feed zone <NUM> toward the bar supply end <NUM>.

Advantageously, the auxiliary devices <NUM> can have an extension, in the direction of movement Z, suitable to allow to unload the bars B contained in the nearest containing unit <NUM> and to allow to unload the bars B therein.

In accordance with possible solutions, the auxiliary movement devices <NUM> can have the same conformation and the same characteristics as the movement devices <NUM> as described above.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, the at least one lifting unit <NUM> is provided with a vertical translation mechanism configured to move the support structure <NUM> in a vertical direction incident and orthogonal to the support plane <NUM> between the first position and the second position as above and vice versa.

In accordance with possible solutions, the translation mechanism can be selected from a group comprising a jack, a linear actuator, sliding guides, chain mechanisms, rack or worm screw mechanisms, or suchlike.

In accordance with some embodiments, the support structure <NUM> is defined by support elements <NUM> disposed aligned in succession in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement Z and in an offset position with respect to the movement unit <NUM>, <FIG>. In this way, in the passage from the first position to the second position there is no reciprocal interference between the movement unit <NUM> and the support plane <NUM> with the transfer device <NUM>.

In accordance with possible embodiments, with each of the support elements <NUM> there is associated a respective lifting unit <NUM>, the lifting units <NUM> being synchronized to each other in order to allow the simultaneous passage of the support elements <NUM> of the support structure <NUM> from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

In accordance with possible solutions, not shown, the support structure <NUM> can comprise, or be defined by, transfer rollers configured to support the bars B and to move them in the transverse direction as above.

Embodiments described here also concern a method to feed bars B to one or more user machines, which provides to move by means of a movement unit <NUM> the bars B on the support plane <NUM> in the direction of movement Z from and toward the bar feed zone <NUM>.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the method provides that the transfer device <NUM> that supports the bars B in correspondence with the bar feed zone <NUM> is moved from the first position, in which it is above the support plane <NUM> in order to support the bars B, to the second position, in which it is below the support plane <NUM> in order to deposit the bars B onto the support plane <NUM> in correspondence with the bar feed zone <NUM>.

The movement unit <NUM> moves the bars B, deposited on the support plane <NUM> by the transfer device <NUM>, from the bar feed zone <NUM> toward the containing and translation units <NUM> and vice versa, and from the bar feed zone <NUM> toward the bar supply end <NUM>, the containing and translation units <NUM> being disposed adjacent to each other with respect to the direction of movement Z and configured to contain and make available the bars B on each occasion.

With reference to <FIG>, a possible operating sequence of the functioning of the apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> is described, in which the movement devices <NUM> and the respective containing elements <NUM> are distinct and separate from each other.

When it is necessary to feed bars B, which have a length, to one or more user machines and/or to store bars B, which have a specific length, such bars B are moved by the transfer device <NUM>, which is in the first portion as above, in a direction transverse to the direction of movement Z, so that at the end of said movement the bars B are substantially parallel to the bar supply end <NUM> and aligned in the direction of movement Z with the containing and translation units <NUM>, <FIG>.

Subsequently, the transfer device <NUM> is taken from the first position to the second position by means of the at least one lifting unit <NUM>, and the bars B supported by the device <NUM> are transferred by interference onto the support plane <NUM>, in particular onto the auxiliary movement devices <NUM>, <FIG>.

The bars B just unloaded onto the support plane <NUM> can be, in a first case, directly transferred to the user machine <NUM> located downstream for the subsequent workings, <FIG>, or, in a second case, they can be stored in one or more of the containing and translation units, <FIG>.

In the first case, the bars B are moved by the auxiliary movement devices <NUM> toward the bar supply end <NUM>, from which they fall and/or are picked up in order to be positioned on the feed surface of the user machine <NUM>, <FIG>. Possibly, in correspondence with the bar supply end <NUM>, the bars B can be counted automatically, in the event that feeding a precise number of bars B is required.

In the second case, the bars B are moved in the direction of movement Z toward the other longitudinal end, first by the auxiliary movement devices <NUM> and then by the movement devices <NUM> positioned upstream of the containing and translation unit <NUM> used for storage, the movement devices <NUM> of which are in the raised condition, <FIG>. The movement devices <NUM> located in the lowered position uniformly distribute the bars B on the support plane <NUM> and move them in the direction of movement Z until they cause them to fall inside the containing elements <NUM>, <FIG>. At the same time, the transfer device <NUM> returns to the first position in order to move and support another group of bars B which can have other characteristics.

Once the movement of the bars B has ended, the bars B are positioned inside the containing elements <NUM>, in particular in the housing seatings <NUM> of the containing elements <NUM>, as they wait to be moved in order to be used at a later stage. Once such movement has ended, the movement devices <NUM> of the containing and translation unit <NUM> used to store the bars B are moved from the raised condition, <FIG>, to the lowered condition, <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, another possible operating sequence of the functioning of the apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> is now described, in which the movement devices <NUM> and the respective containing elements <NUM> are distinct and separate from each other.

When a user machine <NUM> located downstream of the apparatus <NUM> requires a determinate number of bars B positioned in a specific containing and translation unit <NUM> to be fed, the corresponding movement devices <NUM> are moved from the lowered condition to the raised condition, <FIG>, so as to make the access to the respective containing elements <NUM> available, and the transfer device <NUM> is taken into the second position as above. The containing elements <NUM> are taken into the release condition as above, in order to allow the bars B contained therein to be unloaded onto the support plane <NUM>, in particular on the part of the plane upstream of the containing and translation unit <NUM>. At the same time, <FIG>, the movement devices <NUM> of the containing and translation units <NUM> upstream of the containing and translation unit <NUM> used for the picking up, or possibly the auxiliary movement devices <NUM>, are driven in order to move the bars B toward the bar supply end <NUM> from which they fall and/or are picked up in order to be positioned on the feed surface of the user machine <NUM>.

Once the unloading of the bars B onto the support plane <NUM> has ended, the containing elements <NUM> are taken from the release condition to the containing condition, and the respective movement devices <NUM> are taken from the raised condition to the lowered condition, <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, a possible operating sequence of the apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> is shown, in which the movement devices <NUM> and the respective containing elements <NUM> define respective movement bodies <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In particular, with reference to <FIG>, a possible operating sequence is shown for storing a determinate number of bars B in a containing and translation unit <NUM>.

The bars B moved by the transfer device <NUM> and positioned thereby onto the support plane <NUM> in the modes already described previously, are moved by means of the movement devices <NUM> of the containing and translation units <NUM> upstream of the containing and translation unit <NUM> used for storage toward the latter. In particular, the first portion corresponding to the movement device <NUM> of the containing and translation unit <NUM> used for storage is inclined upward, with respect to the support plane <NUM>, by an angle of rotation of about <NUM>°, allowing access to the respective containing element <NUM> which, although rotated, is still in the containing position in order to receive the bars B, <FIG>.

Once the movement of the bars B has ended, the bars B are positioned in the housing seatings <NUM> of the containing elements <NUM>, waiting to be moved in order to be used at a later stage. Once the step of storing the bars B is completed, the movement devices <NUM> of the containing and translation unit <NUM> used to store the bars B are moved from the raised condition to the lowered condition, <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, a possible operating sequence is shown for feeding a determinate number of bars B, contained in a containing and translation unit <NUM>, to the support plane <NUM> and subsequently toward the user machine <NUM> located downstream.

The movement body <NUM> of the containing and translation unit <NUM>, containing the bars B to be processed, is rotated so that the containing elements <NUM> are in the release position as above and the respective movement devices <NUM> are turned over by <NUM>° with respect to the support plane <NUM>, being parallel and coplanar with the latter.

Once the unloading of the bars B onto the support plane <NUM> has ended, the movement body <NUM> rotates in the opposite sense until the respective containing elements <NUM> are returned to the containing position as above, and the respective movement devices <NUM> are taken into the lowered condition.

Subsequently, the movement devices <NUM> cooperate with the movement devices <NUM> of the containing and translation unit <NUM> located upstream in order to allow the bars B to move on the support plane <NUM> toward the bar supply end <NUM>, <FIG>.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the apparatus and method to feed bars as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of an apparatus and a method to feed bars, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claim 1:
Apparatus to feed bars (B) to one or more user machines located downstream, said apparatus comprising a support plane (<NUM>), a bar feed zone (<NUM>) located in proximity to one bar supply end (<NUM>) of said support plane (<NUM>), wherein said support plane (<NUM>) comprises a unit (<NUM>) to move said bars (B) in a direction of movement (Z) from and toward said bar feed zone (<NUM>), wherein the apparatus comprises:
- a transfer device (<NUM>) positioned in correspondence with said bar feed zone (<NUM>) and configured to pass from a first position, in which it is above said support plane (<NUM>) in order to support said bars (B) and/or move said bars (B) in a direction transverse to said direction of movement (Z), to a second position, in which it is below said support plane (<NUM>) in order to deposit said bars (B) onto said support plane (<NUM>) in correspondence with said bar feed zone (<NUM>),
- a plurality of containing and translation units (<NUM>) disposed adjacent to each other with respect to said direction of movement (Z) and configured to contain and make available said bars (B) on each occasion,
said movement unit (<NUM>) being configured to move said bars (B) from said bar feed zone (<NUM>) toward said containing and translation units (<NUM>) and vice versa, and from said bar feed zone (<NUM>) to said bar supply end (<NUM>), characterized in that each containing and translation unit (<NUM>) comprises:
- at least two containing elements (<NUM>) distanced and aligned in a longitudinal direction (L), transverse to said direction of movement (Z), coordinated with each other and selectively movable in order to pass at least from a containing position, in which they are positioned below said support plane (<NUM>) and are suitable to support a bundle of bars (B), to at least a release position, in which they are positioned above said support plane (<NUM>) in order to release said bars (B) onto said support plane (<NUM>),
- at least two movement devices (<NUM>) associated with said containing elements (<NUM>) and aligned in said longitudinal direction (L), being coordinated with each other in order to pass at least from a lowered condition, in which they are substantially parallel to said support plane (<NUM>) and allow the movement of said bars (B), to at least a raised condition in which they are raised in order to allow access to the respective containing elements (<NUM>).