GB1311395A - Method and apparatus for stacking of flexible workpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

1311395 Delivering sheets DURKOPP-WERKE GmbH 19 Nov 1971 [20 Nov 1970] 53736/71 Heading B8R Sheets 4, Fig. 1, such as pattern pieces from a sewing-machine 1, are delivered over an edge 3 of a work-table 2 so as to hang down between a stack carrier 8 on a lever 9 pivoted at 10 to fixed beams 6, 7 and a transverse arm portion of an adjusting member 15 fixed to a lever 14 also pivoted at 10. A starting impulse, effected by an operator or automatically by a photo-cell, causes release of air in a cylinder 17, whose piston, journalled in an eye 16 of the lever 14, moves outwards to an intermediate position, thus moving the lever 14 counterclockwise so that the arm portion of the member 15 presses the sheet against the carrier 8, which is also moved by the member 15 a distance equal to the thickness of a sheet, the lever 9 thus moving slightly counterclockwise. A sprocket 27 rotatable on the lever 14 meshes with a chain 28 connected at its opposite ends by springs 29 to the lever 14 and to a clamping member 21 pivoted at 20 to the beam 6 and having a transverse arm section resting against the carrier 8 or any sheets already carried thereby. On connecting the cylinder 17 to a source of compressed air, since the lever 14 is precluded from further movement by a stop 14<SP>1</SP>, the cylinder, which is pivoted to a holding fork 18 also pivoted at 20 and fixed with respect to the member 21, moves to the right, thus moving the arm section of the member 21 away from the carrier 8 and clear of the path of a throw-out member 32, while tensioning the springs 29, 30. Further movement of the cylinder causes the chain to rotate the sprocket counterclockwise, whereupon the throw-over member 32, Figs. 1 and 4, which is fixed with respect to the sprocket and includes a transverse arm portion, first to move counterclockwise to the broken line position, thus bringing the upper part of the sheet 4 across the top of the carrier 8, and then to a leftward position, releasing the sheet to drape over the carrier. The member 21, on reversal of the cylinder 17, then returns to clamp the sheet or sheets on the carrier, and the member 15 returns to the right of the path of the next sheet. Thus, on the delivery of each sheet, the carrier 8 and lever 9 are swung counterclockwise by the member 15, the thickness of one sheet, a retaining coil-spring exerting a restrictive force on the pivot of the lever 9 retaining the latter in each position, until at the completion of a stack a lever 13 is rotated to release the tension in the coil spring, whereupon a weaker spring 12 returns the lever 9 to its initial position. The member 32 may be replaced by an air blower nozzle arrangement. The carrier 8 may alternatively move in horizontal steps along rails.