US3233484A - Severing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 8, 1966 J. A. DAVIS ETAL 3,

SEVERING APPARATUS 4 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1961 INVENTOR5. JAMES A. DAV\$ HAROLD E. HAQERTY CMfi Feb. 8, 1966 J. A. DAVIS ETAL 3,

SEVERING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. JAMES A. DA\I\S HAROLD E. HAC ERTY Feb. 8, 1966 J. A. DAVIS ETAL 3,

SEVERING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 15, 1961 o :1 L INVENTORS. L. JAMES A. DAVIS- HAROLD E. HAGER'TY Feb. 8, 1966 J. A. DAVIS ETAL SEVERING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 15, 1961 5.8: $55 mofiisu mwm um INVENTORS. JAMES A. DAV/5 HAROLD E HAGERTY United States Patent Ofitice 3,233,484 Patented F eh. 8, 1966 3,233,484 SEVERING APPARATUS James A. Davis and Harold E. Hagerty, Wiliiamsport, Pa,

assignors to Armour and Company, Chicago, Iii, a corporatlon of Delaware Filed Aug. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 131,542 8 Claims. (Ci. 85-67) This invention relates generally to apparatus for severing portions from elongated strips of material, and it particularly relates to apparatus for severing desired portions from each of a series of elongated strips. For the purpose of simplicity, the invention herein described will relate to the rough cutting of shoe soles from leather strips.

In rough cutting shoe soles from leather pieces or strips, it has been the practice to manually feed an individual strip through; a cutting machine and also to manually control each individual cut. Clearly, there would be a great saving in time, labor and expense if it were possible to consecutively and without interruption rough cut soles from leather strips, without the necessity of manually aligning and cutting soles from each strip. Further, a more uniform product would result if the manual operations were eliminated. Further, on each leather strip, both the leading portion and the trailing portion are ordinarily scrap pieces, since the trailing and leading edges are ordinar-ily not the desired shape for a sole. Therefore, apparatus not only should consecutively cut soles from an individual strip, but the apparatus should be adapted to process the scrap portions of each strip, so that a series of strips may be consecutively processed.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide apparatus for consecutively severing portions from an elongated strip of material in uninterrupted oper-ation.

it is also a principal object of this invention to provide apparatus for consecutively processing a series of elongated strips in uninterrupted operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus for severing desired portions from each of a series of elongated strips.

It is still another object of this invention to provide apparatus for severing scrap portions, as well as desired portions, from a series of elongated strips, in a continuous uninterrupted operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved leather sole cutting ap-apratus.

Further purposes and objects of the present invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

, The accompanying drawings illustrate one emlbodiment of the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially broken, side elevation view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, detail view of mechanism used on the initial cut of an individual strip;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of a leather strip and the apparatus used for starting and stopping the transfer mechanism and the severing mechanism; and,

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of means shown in FIG. 1 which is the mechanism for positioning the trailing portion of each of a series of strips for the final cut and for ejecting the trailing portion of each showing the In general, the apparatus includes a frame 10, transfer means, generally 11, means, generally 12, for positioning the leading edge of each strip, means, generally 13, for severing portions from each strip means, generally 14, for stopping transfer means 11 while actuating severing means 13, and means, generally 15, for positioning the trailing portion of each strip for the final cut.

The conveyor or transfer mechanism 11 includes a motor 16 and a gear unit 17 which are secured to frame it Sprocket 19 is fixed to gear unit shaft 20 and meshes with chain 21, which in turn meshes with sprocket 22 on shaft 23. Sprocket 22 turns contact wheel 24 which moves belt 25 so as to carry each strip towards means 12. Belt 25 is also positioned around contact wheel as. Wheels 24 and 26 are rotatably mounted to frame 10. Sprocket 27 on shaft 2t? meshes with chain 28, which in turn meshes with sprocket 29 and rotates sprocket 3%, both sprockets 2'9 and 3d being fixed to shaft 31. Sprocket 3t) meshes with chain 32, which in turn meshes with sprocket 33 on shaft 34.

Cutting or severing means 13 includes motor or drive means 35, which is secured to frame 16. Drive means 35 rotates drive shaft 37 through sprocket 38, chain 39 and sprocket 40. Gear 41 on shaft 37 meshes with gear 42 which in turn meshes with gear 43, gears 42 and 43 both being rotatably secured to frame 10. Tie rods 44 and 45 are eccentrically and rotatably attached to gears 42 and 43, respectively, in such a manner that knife 45 is down While lmife 47 is raised. At their opposite ends, tie rods 44 and 45 are pivotly secured to knife supports 48 and 4?. Knife supports 48 and 49 are p-ivo-tly fastened to frame 1 Knives 4 6 and 47 are adapted to contact cutting block 56 during each cutting operation. As shown in FIG. 5, the cut sole is adapted to drop from cutting block 50. Secured to shaft 37 is vane 51 which act-uates vane switch 52.

Means 12 for positioning the leading portion 55 of a strip 56 includes a set of substantially horizontal rollers 57 and 58, having shafts 34 and 66} in substantially vertical alignment. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the lower set of rollers 57 includes roller 57a and 57b, and the upper set of rollers 58 includes rollers 58a, 58b, 58c and 58:1. The upper set of rollers 58 is rotatably secured on shaft 6t), shaft 60 being rotatable around roller support 64. Support 64 pivot-1y secured to frame it at 65. Support =64 is adapted to actuate switch 66 and a second switch 66a, which are secured to frame 19.

Means 15 for ejecting the trailing portion 67 of a strip 56 includes an air cylinder '70 pivotly mounted on support 71 of frame 149. The cylinder is supplied with air through tubing 72. Piston shaft 73 of cylinder "id is pivotly secured to linkage 74, which is also pivoted to the ejector shaft '75. Linkage 74 is pivotly mounted on frame 10 at pivot point '76. Spring member 77 moves shaft 73 away from cylinder 79, when there is no air pressure in the cylinder. Ann '75 is provided with a roller 78 at the front portion and is adapted to move on top of a strip 56. It is also adapted to push trailing portion 67 from cutting base or block 50.

Means 14 for stopping and starting the transfer mechanism 11 and for stopping and starting the severing mechanism 13 includes switches 81 and 8%, as shown more clearly in FIG. 4. Switches 80 and 81 are adjustably mounted relative to support 82 which is secured to frame it]. Shaft 83 of adjusting wheel 84 is threadably secured in frame 82, on frame 18 and causes transverse motion of both switches 83 and 81. The switches 80 and 81 are individually adjusted relative to each other by means of screw members 85 and 86 which cause shafts 87 and 38 to slide Within frame 82. Screws 85 and 86 are threadably secured in adjusting shaft support 89, which is fixed to shaft 97 of hand wheel 84. Hinged members actuate switches 79 upon contact with appro' priate portions of the strip 5s.

Shown in FIG. 3 is a mechanism used on the first cut and includes shaft 9%), which is slideable within sleeve 91, sleeve 91 being secured to frame 18. Arm 93 is secured to shaft 9% and is adapted to contact roller 94, which actuates switch 95, and a second switch 95a. Solenoid 96 is attached to frame 163 and maintains shaft 96 in the down position during the remainder of the cutting operations, until the end portion 67 of strip 56 passes through rollers 57 and 58.

In operation, a strip 56 is fed to the conveyor belt and passes between pinch rolls 57 and 535, causing the upper rollers 58 to pivot around pivot point 65. This movement causes switch 65 to be actuated, starting a timer 6651 which stops conveyor motor 16 after a given length of time. Also, a second switch 660 is actuated, cutting off the air supply to cylinder 79. This allows spring 77 to move shaft 73 away from cylinder 7%, retracting arm 75 and roller 78 to a position on the upper side of a strip 56.

After the above mentioned timer reaches the end of its cycle, the drive means 16 for the conveyor is stopped and the drive motor for the severing operation is started, causing lmife or biadc to move down ward for the first cut Hit? on a strip 55. On its downward movement, support 48 contacts shaft 99, as shown in' FIG. 3, causing switch 95 and a second switch 95a to be actuated. Switch S 5 deactivates the circuit of the timer mentioned above. Switch 95 is maintained in the closed position since the second mentioned switch 95 is actuated, and energizes solenoid 96, which maintains shaft 96 in the down position. Knife 46 performs the first cut 16d upon contacting cutting base 50. Motor 3-5 continues to operate until the knife 46 is in the raised position. Motor 35 is stopped when. the segmented section 92 of vane 51 pases through the slotted portion 52a of vane switch 52. This interrupts a magnetic flux which deenergizes vane switch 52, stopping motor 35 and starting motor 1-5.

Motor 16 moves belt 25 and thereby strip 56. When :urved portion liill of strip 56 contacts hinged member 79 of limit switch 81, the actuated circuit stops motor lid and starts motor 35. Motor 35 moves blade 47 down for the second cut 102. After the cut is made, sole 1% drops from cutting block 50 and switch 81 is deenergized. However motor 35 continues to operate because of the previously described vane switch 52. After switch 5a is deenerg led, motor 35 stops and motor it? starts again moving the strip 56 forward until limit switch 31 is actuated, by curved portion the, stopping :he conveyor drive means 16 and starting motor 35 again for the third cut.

The alternate starting and stopping of the strip 56 For each cutting operation is continued until the trailing )r end portion 67 passes through rollers 57 and 5d, :ausing the upper rollers 58 to pivot downward. When his happens, switch 66 and the second switch 660 are deactivated. Then, the air cylinder is activated by iir pressure passing through a solenoid operated valve itid, causing the arm 75 to move forward, pushing the strip 56 forward until a limit switch, 8% or $1, is actuated causing one of the knife blades 46 or 47 to nove downward for a final cut as 105. Also, when )ne of the switches 30 or 81 is energized, the air :ylinder is deenergized and the arm is retracted mce again. After the cut has ben made and the knife ias returned to the parked position, the arm 75 moves Also switch and the.

4 58 for processing. The operation can continue for an unlimited time, as long as strips are continuously moved to the apparatus. 7

In the foregoing specification, although there has been a detailed description of the apparatus for the purpose of illustrating a specific embodiment of the invention, it is understood that these details of construction may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions of each of a series of elongated strips, comprising a frame, a unidirectional forwardly moving means comprising a cooperating conveyor and pressure rollers for forwardly moving each of a series of said strips, said means being in contact with said strips, a separate means, piston and spring operated, for positioning the trailing portion of each of a series of said strips for the final cut and for ejecting the trailing portion of each of a series of said strips after the final cut, severing means comprising a plurality of curved independently operated knives for performing first and second cuts on said series of strips, said moving means, severing means, and positioning and ejector means being secured to said frame, and means for intermittently starting and stopping said moving means, said severing means and said positioning and ejector means without manual assist.

2. An apparatus for severing portions from each of a series of elongated strips, comprising a frame, forwardly moving conveyor and roller means, secured to said frame, said rolier means adapted for positioning the leading portion of each of said strips for an initial cut, severing means comprising a plurality of curved blades for cutting portions of each of a series. of said strips, means for stopping said moving means while actuating said severing means and for starting said. moving means while stopping, said severing. means, and means separate from the moving means for positioning the trailing portion of each of said strips for the final cut.

3. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions from elongated strips, comprising a frame, means for moving said strips, severing means comprising a plurality of knives for severing said adjacent portions from said strips, means for stopping said moving means while actuating said severing means for a cutting operation and for starting said moving means while stopping said severing means,

means separate from said moving means for positioning tionof each strip for a final cut and ejecting the trailing portion of each strip afterthe final cut, means for intermittently starting and stopping said moving means, said severing means and said positioning and ejector means without manual assist.

' 5. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions of strips from a series of said strips, comprising a frame, unidirectional forwardly moving means attached to said frame, a

cuttingbase secured to said frame and aligned with said' moving means, severing meansconiprising a plurality of curved knives independently operated and adapted to consecutively sever said portions upon contact with said cutting base, and means separate from said moving means for positioning the trailing portion of each of said strips on said cutting base for the final cut and for ejecting the trailing portion from said cutting base after the final cut.

6. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions from each of a series of elongated strips, comprising a frame,

moving means secured to said frame comprising a conveyor and substantially horizontal rollers having. their shafts in substantial vertical alignment, at least one of said shafts being pivotally mounted relative to said frame, switch members for stopping said moving means, severing means secured to said frame and adapted with a plurality of blades to consecutively sever portions of said strips and means for positioning the trailing portion of said strip for a final cutting operation and for ejecting the trailing portion of said strip from said frame.

7. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions from each of a series of elongated strips, comprising a frame, a frame secured multi-bladed severing means, strip moving means secured to said frame comprising a conveyor and substantially horizontal rollers having their shafts substantially in vertical alignment, at least one of said shafts being pivotally mounted relative to said frame, switch members for stopping said conveyor means while actuating said severing means for cutting said strips, and means separate from said moving means for positioning the trailing portion of each strip and for ejecting the trailing portion of each strip after the final cut.

8. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions of each of a series of elongated strips, including a frame, moving means, including a conveyor and pressure rollers, said pressure rollers being aligned with said conveyor and secured to said frame for positioning the leading portion of each of a series of said strips for the initial cut, severing means including a plurality of knife blades alternately actuated for consecutively severing portions of each of said strips, said severing means being secured to said frame, frame secured spring and piston operated positioning and ejector means for positioning the trailing portion of each of a series of said strips for the final cut after each strip passes through said pressure rollers and for ejecting the trailing portion of each strip after the final cut, means for stopping said moving means while actuating said severing means and means for stopping said severing means while actuating said positioning and ejector means, said positioning and ejector means being actuated by the passing of said trailing edge from between said pressure rollers after a series of cuts on said strip and before the final cut on said strip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,435,979 11/1922 Reed 83-261 1,499,537 7/1924 Kurkowski 83-210 1,893,460 1/1933 Tilton 83-165 1,899,805 2/1933 Howe 83-213 2,061,647 11/1936 Berkowitz 83-213 2,067,509 1/1937 Smitmans 83-288 2,120,313 6/1938 Smitmans 83-288 2,635,875 4/1953 Werner 271-54 2,747,450 5/1956 Tabet 82-2.5 2,865,448 12/ 1958 Mead et al 83-261 3,011,375 12/1961 Carl-Heinz Miller 83-367 WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

CARL W. TOMLIN, HUNTER C. BOURNE, JR., AN-

DREW R. JUHASZ, Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. AN APPARATUS FOR SEVERING ADJACENT PORTIONS OF EACH OF A SERIES OF ELONGATED STRIPS, COMPRISING A FRAME, A UNIDIRECTIONAL FORWARDLY MOVING MEANS COMPRISING A COOPERATING CONVEYOR AND PRESSURE ROLLERS FOR FORWARDLY MOVING EACH OF A SERIES OF SAID STRIPS, SAID MEANS BEING IN CONTACT WITH SAID STRIPS, A SEPARATE MEANS, PISTON AND SPRING OPERATED, FOR POSITIONING THE TRAILING PORTION OF EACH OF A SERIES OF SAID STRIPS FOR THE FINAL CUT AND FOR EJECTING THE TRAILING PORTION OF EACH OF A SERIES OF SAID STRIPS AFTER THE FINAL CUT, SEVERING MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CURVED INDEPENDENTLY OPERATED KNIVES FOR PERFORMING FIRST AND SECOND CUTS ON SAID SERIES OF STRIPS, SAID MOVING MEANS, SEVERING MEANS, AND POSITIONING AND EJECTOR MEANS BEING SECURED TO SAID FRAME, AND MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY STARTING AND STOPPING SAID MOVING MEANS, SAID SEVERING MEANS AND SAID POSITIONING AND EJECTOR MEANS WITHOUT MANUAL ASSIST.

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