US3261247A

US3261247A - Continuous running bar switching and cutoff apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3261247A
Application number: US373437A
Authority: US
Inventors: John W Nargaug; Arthur D Smith
Original assignee: Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp
Current assignee: Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp
Priority date: 1964-06-08
Filing date: 1964-06-08
Publication date: 1966-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 1983-07-19

Description

July 19, 1966 J, w, NARGANG ET AL 3,261,247

CONTINUOUS RUNNING BAR SWITCHING AND CUTOFF APPARATUS Filed June 8, L964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORLS) JOHN W. NARGANG BY A. DEAN SMITH ATTORN Y TIEI2 July 19, 1966 w NARGANG ET AL 3,261,247

CONTINUOUS RUNNING BAR SWITCHING AND CUTOFF APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, L964 FIE-4.:

INVENTOMS) JOHN W. NARGANG A. DEAN SMITH y 1966 J. w. NARGANG ET AL CONTINUOUS RUNNING BAR SWITCHING AND CUTOFF APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 8, L964 INVENTOR(5) JOHN W. NARGANG A. DEAN SMITH United States Patent 3,261,247 CONTINUOUS RUNNING BAR SWITCHING AND CUTUFF APPARATUS John W. Nargang, Lafayette, and Arthur D. Smith, also known as A. Dean Smith, San Lorenzo, Calif, assignors to Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, Oakland, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 8, 1964, Ser. No. 373,437 12 Claims. (Cl. 83-106) This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for intermittently and controllably cutting a continuously moving web of rod material or the like into selected lengths and then directing the new leading edge of the rod material toward a further work station, without stopping or otherwise interfering either with the continuous advancement of the main rod web or of the movement of the cut section. More particularly it is concerned with providing a unique method and apparatus for intermittently and controllably cutting a continuously moving Web of rod material in such a fashion that simultaneously with the cutting of the rod web a different directional movement is given to the new leading edge and the rod web from that previously established for the severed length of rod and effecting all this without interfering either with the continuous advance of the main rod web or the movement of the severed rod section.

Accordingly, it is a primary purpose of the instant invention to provide a unique method and apparatus for periodically serving a continuously advancing Web of rod material or the like into selected lengths and at the same time giving a difierent directional movement to the new leading edge of the Web from that previously established for a severed length of rod and effecting all of this without interfering either with the continuous advance of the main rod web or the movement of the severed rod section.

This and other purposes and advantages of the instant invention will become more apparent from a review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view with parts broken away and on a reduced scale of one embodiment of a suitable apparatus for carrying out the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partly sectional and partly elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 when generally taken along line 2-2 thereof, with certain parts being broken away to illustrate details of the switching mechanism of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 when taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 2 with parts removed and illustrates further detail-s of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view partly broken away of the diverter gate used in the preferred apparatus of the instant invention;

FIG. 5 is side elevational view of the diverter gate shown in FIG. 4 and with parts thereof broken away;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and illustrates one operative position of the combination cutting and switching mechanism of the instant invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of the cutting and switching mechanism of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and illustrates another operative position of the mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view on a reduced scale of one of the parts associated with the cutting mechanism;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the part shown in FIG. 8 and illustrates the manner in which it is connected to the cutting mechanism proper; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a suitable electrical 3,261,247 Patented July 19, 1966 circuit that can be used to control the operation of a preferred form of apparatus of the instant invention.

With further reference to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 13, a preferred form of apparatus that can be used in carrying out the teachings of the instant invention generally comprises a framework 10 made up of plate members preferably welded together in the configuration shown to which a diverter gate 12, which is hereinafter described in detail, is attached. An elongated rod web such as one made of metal and represented by the solid reference line 14 is continuously delivered to the delivery chute 16 of the apparatus of FIG. 1, by means (not shown) and then out through one of two outlet chutes 18 of the apparatus. When the apparatus of the instant invention is actuated or pivoted to another position as shown by the dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 3, the rod web as represented by the dotted reference line 14 is delivered at a different angle to the apparatus by the delivery chute 16 and through the apparatus from which it then exits through the other outlet chute 18.

The framework 10 generally consists of a bottom or base plate 22 interconnected by an upright plate 26 to a top parallel and smaller plate 24 of somewhat triangular configuration. The top and

bottom plates

22 and 24 are maintained in parallel spaced relation by a pair of spaced reinforcing upright plates 28 that project from the rear face of the intermediate plate 26. Each plate 23 intermediate its length, includes a horizontal sleeve 30 that also extends at one end through an opening, generally indicated at 32, in the plate 26. A table 34 is defined by a horizontal flat plate that projects from the forward face of the plate 26 and it is supported at opposite ends above the base plate 22 by a pair of spaced upright plates 36 only one of which is completely shown in FIG. 2. The connection of the table 34 at each end to the upright plates 36 is further rigidified by means of a reinforcing plate 38.

The forward end of the framework 10 pivotally supports a subframe 40, which carries the cutter mechanism. To pivotally support the subframe 40 at the upper end, the forward end of the top plate 24 is provided with a cylindrical bearing member 42 within which a pin 44 connected to subframe 40 is disposed. To maintain the angular relationship, preferably a right angle, between the plate 24 and the plate 26, a pair of reinforcing plates 46, that diverge radially outward from the outer surface of the cylindrical member 42, are arranged to extend between the plate 26 and the member 42, in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The forward end of the bottom plate 22 also includes a lower bearing member 42' within which a pin 44 is also connected to subframe 40. The lower bearing member 42' is reinforced by a pair of somewhat L-shaped plates 48 which are partially shown, and which are secured along their linear edges to the plates 36, base plate 22 and the lower cylindrical bearing member 42'. The upper and lower spaced bearing

members

42 and 42 act as trunnions in supporting the subframe 40 by means of the

pins

44 and 44 secured thereto preferably about a vertical axis.

The subframe 40 is advantageously comprised of a pair of spaced but horizontally disposed plates 50 which are maintained in the proper spaced relation by a backing plate 52 that extends therebetween. A gusset type plate 54 is also vertically disposed adjacent each plate 50 in order to maintain and reinforce the connection of each plate 50 to the various portions of the backing plate 52 in the manner indicated in FIG. 2. Each of the forward ends of the

plates

50 and 54 has a cylindrical member 56 aflixed thereto and each of these members 56 is pro vided with a longitudinal bore. The spaced members 56 are adapted to pivotally support the subframe 40 relative to frame and preferably about a vertical axis upon the insertion of the pins 44 and 44' into the aligned bores of the

members

42, 42 and 56, in the manner indicated, for example, in FIG. 2.

As noted above the subframe includes a rotatable cutter mechanism 58. This cutter mechanism is made up of a pair of identical open end sleeve members secured at one end within apertures in the backing plate 52 while the intermediate portions of each sleeve member 60 are anchored to one of the two opposed parallel edges of the reinforcing plates 54. A bracing plate 62 is mounted between and connected to each sleeve member 60. The outside face of the backing plate 52 has a gear case 63 af' fixed thereto. This gear case 63 is made up of an outer cover plate 64 spaced from the backing plate 52 by the surrounding generally gear shaped sidewall plate 66. A power driven shaft 68 extends through the upper sleeve 60 and the gear case 63. A power driven pulley 70 is connected to this shaft 68 and a rotary cutter 72 of suitable design is connected to shaft 68 at its inner end. The lower sleeve 60 includes a similar shaft 74. Shaft 74, however, does not protrude beyond the gear case 63 as does shaft 60. A gear 76 mounted on shaft 74 is driven by a gear 78 affixed to shaft 68. The forward end of the shaft 74 has an identical lower rotary cutter 72 which cooperates with upper cutter 72 on shaft 68. The lower cutter, however, is mounted in reverse manner to the upper rotary cutter 72. The cutting edges of each cutter 72 are arranged in such a fashion that the peripheral cutting edge of each cutter is disposed closely adjacent to or in near abutting contact with one another at the point 79. The significance of arranging the rotary cutters 72 such that their cutting edges are almost in point-to-point contact with each other will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

It is to be understood that the particular manner in which the rotary cutters are fastened to the forward ends of the

shafts

68 and 74 as well as the particular manner in which the tapered roller bearings 80 are mounted to support the

shaft

68 or 74, as the case may be, is conventional in the art and a conventional cap 82 is used 'to cover the forward end of each sleeve 60 in order to properly enclose the bearings 80.

A motor 84 is mounted in a suitable fashion on the top plate 50 through the medium of a relatively vibrationfree support 86 that is affixed to the top surface of the plate 50. The shaft of motor 84 is then connected by a pulley 88 and an endless V-belt 90 to the pulley 70 for rotatably driving the shaft 68 and, in turn, rotating the other shaft 74 in the opposite direction by means of the interconnecting gears 78 and 76. The preferred rotation of the oppositely rotatable cutters 72 on

shafts

63 and 74 is indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 6 and 7. The motor is advantageously a conventional direct current motor for maintaining the rotatable cutters at a controlled constant rotating speed.

A fluid actuating means is provided for pivoting of the subframe 40 in an arc between two cutting positions or stations of the apparatus. This fluid actuating means includes a fluid actuating cylinder 92 suitably secured in a manner not shown to an upper portion of one upright wall of plate 26 whereby the piston rod 94 connected to the piston in cylinder 92 is adapted to freely extend through an opening 96 in the plate 26 so that the enlarged forward end of the rod 94 can be pin-connected to a bifurcated crank arm 98. The crank arm 98 is affixed to and projects radially outward from the upper plate 50 of the movable subframe 40. The subframe 40 is pivoted to the solid line upper angular position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 when the fluid cylinder 92 is actuated to extend the rod 94 by a control means to be hereinafter described. When the subframe 40 is in the upper position, the planar position of the cutters 72 is best shown in FIG. 6. Similarly, when the fluid cylinder 92 is actuated to retract the piston rod 94, the subframe 40 is pivoted from the upper position to the lower position shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. correspondingly the position of the cutters 72 with the subframe 40 in the lower position is best shown in FIG. 7. To limit the extent of the angular movement in either direction of the subframe 40 stop members 100 are secured to the upper cylindrical pin bearing member 42 of the framework 10. They are adapted to be engaged by a stop member 102 secured to the upper plate 50 of the pivotal subframe 40.

A pair of horizontally aligned but spaced guide blocks 104 are arranged on the framework 10. These blocks are adapted to be selectively movable in opposite directions between extreme positions in a horizontal plane immediately above the top surface of the table 34 in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. The space guide blocks 104 are adapted to continuously feed a web of rod material represented by reference numeral 14 and which is initially received from the delivery chute 16 through the apparatus. The selective movement of the blocks 104 with the rod web 14 is fully coordinated with the angular position of the cutter mechanism on the subframe 40 to assure proper movement of the rod against and through the cutter mechanism at the cutting point 79 to thereby sever the rod into forward and trailing sections. Further, the cutting point 79 for either angular position of the cutters 72 is located intermediate the extreme positional movement of the guide blocks 104. It is to be further observed that the continuously fed rod web 14 during selective movement of the guide blocks 104 is always arranged to move through the cutting point 79 of the cutters 72 to thereby assure eflicient cutting action while at the same time not interfering either with the continuous advancement of main rod Web toward the apparatus or the movement of the cut section of rod away from the apparatus. To facilitate free passage of the continuously fed rod web 14 through the blocks 104, horizontally and vertically spaced rollers are provided at the exit end of each block. In FIG. 3, for example, only the upper horizontal roller 106 is shown. The delivery chute 16 for all practical purposes can comprise a series of interconnected guide blocks, wherein the exit block of the chute 16 is pivotally connected or linked at its exit end in a suitable manner to the forward end of the inlet guide block 104. This pivotal connection enables the chute 16 to assume the solid or dotted line position, shown in FIG. 1.

Selective movement of the guide blocks 104 between extreme positions is effected by a means of a fluid act-uator mounted on the framework 10 behind the plate 26. The fluid actuator comprises a cylinder 108 which is secured at its rod end to the intermediate portion of a strap member 110 that is afiixed at either of its ends to the rearward end of the aforementioned sleeves 30. A piston (IOd 111 extending from the cylinder 108 projects through an aperture in the intermediate portion of the strap member 110 and it is connected at its outermost end to a tie bar 112 disposed between and interconnected with nods 114 that are :aligned with and extend through the longitudinal bore of the assoioated sleeves 30. The forward end of each rod 114 is rigidly connected to one of the blocks 104, preferably by a right angle bracket in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. When the fluid cylinder 108 is actuated by control means to be hereinafter described, whereby the piston rod becomes fully extended, the guide blocks 104 will move to the left 'hand position shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. Alternately, when the fluid cylinder 108 is actuated to effect the full (retraction of the piston rod 110, the guide blocks 104 will assume the right hand or fully advanced position shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. In other words, during all of the aforesaid movements the guide blocks are moved in a reciprocating fashion relative to the cutting plane of the cutting means or rotary cutters.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the diverter gate 12, located adjacent the exit end of the trailing guide block 104, is affixed in a suitable =fiashin by bolt means 117 to a pair of spaced upright plates 116 which are secured along one \of their edges to the adjacent upright plate 36. The configuration of the diveiter gate 12, which can be made in the form of a casting, is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The outwardly flaring exit end of the diverter gate 12 is subdivided into a pair of channels or tubes 120 which direct the alternately renewable and leading edge of the rod web in alternate directions. The diverter gate 12 includes an internal baffle 119 the apex of which is suitably rounded Oh for directing the continuously fed rod to either of the channels 120. The walls of these channels advantageously have convergent wall surfaces in the direction of travel of the rod. Consequently, the narrowest end of each channel 120 is arranged adjacent to and aligned with the assoicated inlet end of the proper outlet chute 18. To facilitate travel of the rod through the diverter gate 12, parallel spaced horizontal and

vertical rollers

122 and 124 respectively are mounted in a conventional fashion at the exit end of the diverter gate 12.

It is to be observed here that when the rod 14, being fed through the apparatus, is switched by selective movement of the guide blocks 104 to one of the channels 120, the apex of baffle 119 will always be disposed in proper relation with respect to the cutting point 79 regardless of the speed of movement of the \guide blocks 104 and the speed of travel of the rod 14. Assuming for the purpose of illustration that a cut section of the rod web is moving along the solid line 14 in one of the channels 120 in FIG. 4 and that the guide blocks 104 are being selectively moved from the solid line position to the dotted line position with the cuters 72 in the position of FIG. 6, the apex of bafiie 119 will still be so disposed relative to the cutting point 79 and the guide blocks 104, which are now moving toward the dotted line position, that the guide blocks will advantageously align themselves properly with the other channel 120 before the trailing end of the out rod section has completely passed through the trailing guide block 164 and the smoothly rounded apex of baffle 119 will tend to direct the trailing end of the cut rod section toward the other channel 120 in the manner shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4. In other words, the apex or diversion point of bafiie 119 is so located relative to blocks 104 and cutting point 79 that during diversion or shitfing of the renewed leading edge of the main rod web alternately from one channel 120 to another there will be substantially zero interference with the forward movement of the main rod web. The rounded nose on apex of baflie 119 presents no sharp or irregular surface which can score or cause a jamming of the rod sections. When the guide blocks 104 are moved back to the solid line position, and with the cutters 72 in the position of FIG. 7, the rod would again be cut into forward and trailing rod sections whereby the. trailing rod section can be efliciently switched to the proper channel 120 in a similar manner.

In order to properly confine the continuously advancing rod web between the spaced and horizontally aligned guides 104 as well as on the proper side of the cutting point 79 of the rotary cutters 72, a pair of horizontal and

vertical guides

126 and 128 respectively are arranged on the switching mechanism. More specifically, each horizontal guide 126, as best shown in FIG. 3, consists of a one-piece plate guide member 130, slightly beveled at the ends. Member 130 extends between the exit end of the forward guide block 104 and the inlet end of the trailing block 104. The plates 130 are connected to a mounting bracket having parallel spaced arm 132 ex tending from the guide plate 130 to a base plate 134 that is fastened in a suitable fashion to the plate 34. The horizontal guides 126 advantageously have their base plates 134 secured adjacent to parallel opposed edges of an enlarged opening 136 in the plate 34 whereby the opening 136 is proportioned to allow sufficient clearance for pivotal movement of the circular rotary cutters 72 on the subframe 40. The enlarged opening 136 has -a periphcry with two opposed circumferential portions interconnected by the parallel opposed edges.

As indicated, particularly in FIGS. 8 and 9, the vertical guides 128 for confining the rod web are connected in a suitable fashion to the sleeves 60 which support the

cutter shafts

68 and 74. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, each vertical guide 128 includes a circular plate 138 provided with an aperture 140 which is of the same general crosssectional configuration ias but somewhat larger than crosssection dimension of the cutter 72 at that point. A side :plate member 142 surounds the circumferential periphery of the plate 138 and is aflixed thereto. The opposed ends of the plate member 142 are spaced from each other to allow insertion of a plate member 144 therebetwe-en that functions as an attaching bracket. The plate 144 is afiixed to both the opposed ends of the surrounding plate 142 and to a linear portion of the bottom plate 138. The upstanding bracket member 144 is adapted to be connected to a bracket member 146 of similar configuration aflixed to a lower portion of the outer surface of the sleeve 60. The attaching bracket 144 of the guide 128 is reinforced in its connection to the

plates

138 and 142 of the guide 128 by triangularly shaped gusset plates 147, best shown in FIG. 8. The vertical guide 128 is fastened to the associated bracket 146 preferably by bolts passing through suitable elignable openings in the

brackets

144 and 146.

It is to be understood that the spacing between the vertical guides 128 is proportioned to accommodate the cross-sectional size of the rod web being fed through the guide blocks 104 while the horizontal guides 126 are proportionately spaced to accommodate the cross-sectional size of the rod web between the cutting point 79 of the cutters and the adjacent guide 126 depending upon which side of the cutters the continuously advancing rod is located prior to movement of the rod to the other side of the cutting zone defined by the cutting point 79 by actuation of the guide blocks 104. In the absence of confining the rod between the horizontal and

vertical guides

126 and 128, it is possible that the rod web may fly out of control during or after cutting at the cutting point 79 when it is switched by movement of the guide blocks 104.

A suitable control circuit, one advantageous embodiment of which is schematically shown in FIG. 10, and preferably energized by a sixty-cycle current source, is employed to automatically operate the aforedescribed selectvie movements of the guide blocks 104 and the cutter subframe 40 in proper synchronization to thereby efficiently switch the renewable leading edge of the continuously advancing rod web from one outlet chute 18 to the other. The

fluid cylinders

92 and 108 are preferably pneumatically operated and are energized by solenoid actuated valves connected to the fluid cylinders in the appropriate manner.

The motor 84, for rotating the cutters 72, is connected across

source lines

150 and 152 and by a manual stop switch 154 in series with a spring biased starting switch 156. Depression of the starting switch 156 energizes the motor relay within the motor 84 to close the normally open contacts MC1 bridged across the starting switch to thereby maintain the motor energized until depression of the stop switch. It is to be understood that the direct current motor 84 includes conventional means for transforming supplied alternating current to direct current. Switch relays SWR1 and SWR2 are connected across the source lines through a conventional three position selector switch 146, schematically shown, that controls the energization of these relays for either automatic or semi-automatic operation. These relays SWR-l and SWR-2, in turn, control the cyclical movements of the guide blocks 104 and the subframe 40 in opposite directions between their extreme positions. By appropriate mechanical means not shown, the selector switch 146 is moved to the fully automatic position whereby the noropen.

ma-lly open contacts C-2 are closed. Thus, upon closure of the limit switch LWS-Cl by an apparatus not shown, such as a rod coiler associated with the left hand outlet chute 18 in FIG. 1, the relay SWR2 connected across the

lines

150 and 152 will become energized to thereby close the normally open contacts S21. Closing of the contacts 52-1 energizes the solenoid valve SOL-2 associated with the fiuid cylinder 108 to thereby actuate the piston rod 110 to move the guide blocks 104 to their extreme advanced position illustrated by the dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. By virtue of this movement of the guide blocks, the continuously fed rod web is moved through the cutting zone 79 with the cutters in the position of FIG. 6 and severed into successive sections with the forward end of the trailing nod section at the same time being directed to the right outlet chute 18 of FIG. 1. The shears or cutters 72 must now be reoriented so as to assume the proper blade or cutter angle relative to the rod web for the next cutting action. During cutting of the rod web the shears are advantageously disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the nod Web as it is moved through the cutting zone. This acute angle can be defined as the angle formed between the leading side of the rod Web, when the rod web is first presented to the shears during any given cutting thereof, and the surfaces of the shears directly opposed to said leading side of the web. It is also to be understood that once the rod web passes through the shears that the trailing side of the rod will then assume an acute angle relative to the surfaces of the shear-s opposed thereto. During this time the obtuse (angle formed at the exit end of the shears provides for an obtuse angle of cut for the rod web and a minimum interference of the cutters with the paths of travel either of the main rod web or the section being cut therefrom. This is accomplished i as follows:

,of the contacts C2-1 connects the solenoid valve SOL-2' connected across the

lines

150 and 152 to thereby energize the solenoid valve SOL2' and actuate the piston rod 94 to move the sub-frame 40 nrom the solid line position shown to the dotted line position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 that corresponds to the cutter position in FIG. 7. The guide blocks 104 and the cutter frame 40 will then remain in their dotted line positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 until the apparatus (not shown) such as a second rod coiler associated with the right outlet chute 18 in FIG. 1 indicates that it has become fully wound with the continuously fed rod by closing the limit switch LWS-C2 in FIG. to thereby connect the relay SWR-1 across the

lines

150 and 152, while at the same time causing the opening of switch LWS-Cl because of the interconnection of the oppositely acting switches LWS-C1 and LWS- C2 whereby relay SWR-Z drops out and contacts S2-1 open.

Energization of therelay SWR-l closes the normally open contacts 81-1 to connect the solenoid valve for cylinder 108 across the

lines

150 and 152. Energiza- .tion of the solenoid valve SOL-1 for cylinder 108 alctuates the piston-rod 110 of the cylinder 108 to thereby move the guide blocks 104 to their retracted extreme position as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. Movement of guide blocks 104 to their retracted position in FIGS. 1 and 3 also closes a second limit switch SW-l mounted on the framework 10 in an appropriate manner to thereby connect the second cutter frame relay CR-1 across the lines 150- and 152 and to open switch SW-Z because of the interconnection of switches SW-1 and SW2 whereby relay CR2 drops out and contacts. C2-1 Energization of the relay C-R-l closes the normally ope-n contacts C11 across the solenoid valve for cylinder 108. Clo-sure of the contacts C1-1 connects the solenoid valve SOL-1 across the

lines

150 and 152 whereby energization of the solenoid valve SOL-1 for cylinder 92 actuates the piston rod 94 of the cylinder 92 to thereby move the cutter frame 40 from its dotted line position hack to the solid line position indicated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6. Thus, the circuit in FIG. 10 properly coordinates the movements of the guide blocks 104 and the subframe 40 with the cutters 72 and automatically repeats the cycle of coordinated movements providing the rod coilers when fully wound with rod at the outlet ends of the outlet ohutes 18 properly close the appropriate limit switch, LWS-C1 or LWSC2.

In the event that only part of the aforedescribed cycle in the above paragraph is desired the selector switch 146 can be positioned for semi-automatic operation of the guide blocks 104 and the cutter frame 40. The selector switch 146 is also connected in series with the start switch across the

lines

150 and 152 whereby manual movement of the selector switch from the automatic position to a second position by appropriate mechanical means, not shown, closes normally open contacts C-1 that are series connected to the starting switch and the relay SWR-l. Closing of the contacts C-1 and the starting switch connects the relay SWR-l across the

lines

150 and 152 whereby energization of the relay SWR-l, in turn, closes relay contacts S11 to thereby connect solenoid valve SOL-1 of the fiuid cylinder 108 across the

lines

150 and 152. As aforedescribed energization of the solenoid valve SOL-1 actuates the piston rod 110 of the cylinder 108 to move the guide blocks 104 to their retracted position. Depending upon whether there is a rod passing through the guide blocks 104, the rod will be cut into sections upon movement through the cutting point 79 of the cutters 72 which are in the position of FIG. 7. Full retracted movement of the guide blocks 104 closes the limit switch SW-l to connect the relay CR-l across the lines and 152 to thereby close the normally open contacts C1-1 to connect the solenoid valve SOL1' of the fluid cylinder 92 across the

lines

150 and 152. Energization of the valve SOL-1' of cylinder 92 actuates the piston rod of the cylinder 52 to thereby pivot the cutter frame 40 to the solid line position in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6.

Similarly, movement of the appropriate mechanical means of the selector switch 146 to a third and last position closes the normally open contacts C3. Such closing connects the relay SWR2 across

lines

150 and 152 through the start switch and the closed contacts C-3 of the selector switch 146. In view of the above description, it is evident that the energized relay SWR-Z energizes solenoid valve SOL-2 for cylinder 108 for advanced movement of the guide blocks 104 with the rod through the cutters 72 in the position of FIG. 6. Completion of the advanced movement closesthe limit switch SW-Z for movement of the cutter frame 40 to the dotted line position of FIGS. 1 and 3. Thus, the selector switch 146 provides a simple arrangement for automatic or manual operation.

In view of the aforedescribed apparatus of the instant invention it should be readily apparent that it carries out the method steps of continuously feeding the rod through the guide blocks 104 whether or not the blocks 104 are selectively moved in either direction. Further, the angular path movements of cutter subframe 40 are coordinated with the selective movements of the guide blocks 104 with the rod web 14 whereby the cutter frame 40 is always in an extreme position that establishes the rotary cutters in the proper position relative to the path of travel of the rod web. Such coordinated movements of the rod 14 and cutter frame 40 in combination with the affixed diverter gate 12 assure proper switching of the renewed end of the trailing main rod web to the alternate outlet chute 18. In addition, confining the rod between the guide blocks 104 and the cutting point 79 of the rotary 9 cutters 72 prevents any rod section during or after cutting from moving out of its general path of travel between the guide blocks 104.

It has been found in the use of the apparatus that the peripheral speed of the cutters 72 is preferably 10% greater than the linear speed of travel of the rod web 14 between the entry and exit guide blocks 104. For best results in cutting the rod 14, the cutter frame 40 has been positioned at an angle slightly less than 45 relative to the path of travel of the rod web 14. It is also to be understood that at the start up of the operation the rod will be initially threaded through the apparatus and wound under tension about a rod coiler. Once this has been effected the cutting apparatus can then be adjusted for either an automatic or manual operation depending upon the results desired.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention has been shown and described. It would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for selectively switching and moving a continuously advancing rod web or the like through a cutting means so as to orient the renewed leading edge of the rod web from which a selected length of rod is cut during movement of the rod web through said cutting means into a preselected delivery chute, comprising the combination of a frame, a cutting means, rod Web guide means for receiving said rod web mounted on said frame, means pivotally mounting said cutting means relative to said rod web guide means, means for effecting reciprocating movement of said guide means relative to the cutting plane of said cutting means, said guide means being adapted upon the movement thereof in either direction to move the rod web and to pass the rod web through said cutting means and effect a separation of a length of rod from the said rod web, rod web confining means associated with said cutting means and a portion of said confining means being movably mounted for adjustment in accordance with the pivotal movement of the cutting means, and a plurality of delivery chutes one of which is adapted to selectively receive a renewed leading edge of the rod Web produced by said cutting means.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cutting means includes opposed rotatable cutters and the peripheral speed of said cutters is at least equal to the speed of the continuously advancing rod web.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for synchronizing the movements of said cutting and guide means with respect to each other and said advancing rod web.

4. An apparatus for selectively switching and moving a continuously advancing rod web or the like through a cutting means so as to orient the renewed leading edge of the rod web from which a selected length of rod is cut during movement of the rod web through said cutting means into a preselected delivery chute, comprising the combination of a frame, a cutting means, rod web guide means for receiving said rod Web mounted on said frame, means for effecting reciprocating movement of said guide means relative to the cutting plane of said cutting means, said guide means being adapted upon the movement thereof in either direction to move the rod web and to pass the rod web through said cutting means and effect a separation of a length of rod from the said rod web, a plurality of delivery chutes one of which is adapted to selectively receive a renewed leading edge of the rod web produced by said cutting means and said guide means comprising a pair of spaced linearly aligned guide blocks in said frame with the cutting means being disposed intermediate the spaced guide blocks and means for shifting the blocks in unison crosswise of the cutting means.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said cutting means includes opposed rotatable cutters and means for orienting said cutters at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said rod web prior to the passage of the rod web through said cutting means.

6. An apparatus for selectively switching and moving a continuously advancing rod web or the like through a cutter means so as to orient the renewed leading edge of the rod web from which a selected length of rod is cut during movement of the rod web through said cutter means into a preselected delivery channel, comprising the combination of a frame means, a diverter gate mounted on said frame means and provided with a plurality of outlet delivery channels, rod web guide means mounted on said frame means and on opposite sides of said cutter means for receiving said rod web, said rod web guide means also being selectively movable and alignable with one of the outlet channels of said diverter gate, means for selectively moving and aligning said guide means with one of said outlet delivery channels on the diverter gate, a cutter means disposed in the path of travel of said guide means during the movements thereof, rod web confining means associated with said cutter means and said guide means and a portion of said rod web confining means being movably mounted to assure proper passage of the rod web through said cutter means whereby the rod web will be moved through said cutter means and the renewed leading edge of the rod web produced during the cutting of said rod web will be given a different directional movement from that previously established for the length of rod severed from the rod web during the passage of the rod web through said cutter means.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 including means for orienting said cutter means at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said rod web prior to each passage of the rod web through said cutter means and means for synchronizing the orientation of said cutter means with the movements of said guide means.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the movable portion of said rod web confining means is aflixed to said cutter means.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said diverter gate is provided with a baffle disposed in the path of travel of said rod web for separating said diverter gate into said plurality of outlet delivery channels, and the edge of said baflie having a smoothly rounded-off a ex.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said guide means and said diverter gate include roller means to facilitate the movement therethrough of the renewed leading edge of the rod web.

11. An apparatus for selectively switching and moving a continuously advancing rod web or the like through a cutter means so as to orient the renewed leading edge of the rod web from which a selected length of rod is cut during movement of the rod web through said cutter means into a preselected delivery channel, comprising the combination of a frame means, a diverter gate mounted on said frame means and provided with a plurality of outlet delivery channels, laterally shiftable rod web guide means mounted on said frame means for receiving said rod web, said rod web guide means comprising spaced and linearly aligned guide blocks, said guide blocks being selectively movable in unison and alignable with one of the outlet channels of said diverter gate, a cutter means disposed in the path of travel of said guide blocks during the movements thereof, means for selectively moving and aligning said guide blocks with one of said outlet delivery channels on the diverter gate, whereby the rod web will be moved through said cutter means and the renewed leading edge of the rod web produced during the cutting of said rod web will be given a different directional movement from that previously established for the length of rod severed from the rod web during the passage of the rod web through said cutter means.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 including means for orienting said cutter means at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said rod web prior to each passage of the rod web through said cutter means and means for synchronizing the orientation of said cutter means with the movements of said guide means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,295,224 2/1919 Smith et a1. 242-80 2,170,255 8/1939 Sheperdson 83-102 X I 2,701,016 2/1955 Bedson 83105 2,815,812 12/1957 Maximilian 83106 3,109,340 10/1963 Kinnicutt et a1. 83--l05 FOREIGN PATENTS 817,548 7/ 1959 Great Britain.

WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner. L. B. TAYLOR, Assistant Examinr.

Claims

1. AN APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY SWITCHING AND MOVING A CONTINUOUSLY ADVANCING ROD WEB OR THE LIKE THROUGH A CUTTING MEANS SO AS TO ORIENT THE RENEWED LEADING EDGE OF THE ROD WEB FROM WHICH A SEALECTED LENGTH OF ROD IS CUT DURING MOVEMENT OF THE RODL WEB THROUGH SAID CUTTING MEANS INTO A PRESELECTED DELIVERY CHUTE, COMPRISING THE COMBINATION OF A FRAME, A CUTTING MEANS, ROD WEB GUIDE MEANS FOR RECEIVING SAID ROD WEB MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID CUTTING MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID ROD WEB GUIDE MEANS, MEANS FOR EFFECTING RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT OF SAID GUIDE MEANS RELATIVE TO THE CUTTING PLANE OF SAID CUTTING MEANS, SAID GUIDE MEANS BEING ADAPTED UPON THE MOVEMENT THEREOF IN EITHER DIRECTION TO MOVE THE ROD WEB AND TO PASS THE ROD WEB THROUGH SAID CUTTING MEANS AND EFFECT A SEPARATION OF A LENGTH OF ROD FROM THE SAID ROD WEB, ROD WEB CONFINING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CUTTING MEANS AND A PORTION OF SAID CONFINING MEANS BEING MOVABLY MOUNTED FOR ADJUSTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE CUTTING MEANS, AND A PLURALITY OF DELIVERY CHUTES ONE OF WHICH IS ADAPTED TO SELECTIVEL RECEIVE A RENEWED LEADING EDGE OF THE ROD WEB PRODUCED BY SAID CUTTING MEANS.