US3269629A - Rotary stapling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug 30, 1966 R. FISCHER 3,269,629

ROTARY STAPLING APPARATUS FiledMay 27, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENToR faam/r HSC/ase BY /fu/l/a.

ATTORNEY Aug. 30, 1966 R. FISCHER 3,259,629

ROTARY STAPLING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR /PaoaLFF/sc//E ev hppa* ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,269,629 ROTARY STAPLING APPARATUS Rudolf Fischer, Ludwigshafen-Oggersheim, Germany, assignor to Schnellpressenfahrik Frankenthal Albert & Cie, Aktiengesellschaft, Postfach, Germany Filed May 27, 1965, Ser. No. 459,315 8 Claims. (Cl. 227-81) 'Ihis application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 308,792, filed September 13, 1963, entitled, Stapling Apparatus, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to improvements in rotary stapling apparatus of the type -used in the folding mechanism of rotary printing presses and the like devices.

Staplingapparatus of this type normally comprises a rotating stapling cylinder having a peripheral staplecarrying or stapling die which serves to hold and convey a pre-formed staple lfrom a staple-forming position to a staple-clinching position adjacent to a die cylinders having a peripheral die and rotating synchronously with said stapling cylinder about an axis parallel to the axis of the latter and in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of said stapling cylinder. The stapling and clinching dies are so positioned upon their respective cylinders that at the time when the staple coincides with the clinching die of the die cylinder, that is, during the short period of registry of the stapling and clinching dies relative to one another, the staples may be driven or propelled outwardly through the web of sheets or layers to 'be stapled by a spring-loaded staple-driving plunger slidably mounted upon the stapling cylinder and forming the bottom of the stapling die thereof7 in such a manner as to cause the legs of the U-shaped staples to penetrate the sheets of said web and to be reversely bent or clinched by said clinching die, to elect a stapling operation.

In stapling apparatus of the foregoing type, a single pair of stapling and die cylinders, or equivalent rotating members, may be provided with a plurality of angularly spaced stapling plungers cooperating with pairs of stapling and clinching dies of said cylinders, or a number of cooperating Vpairs of stapling and die cylinders iitted with their own stapling plungers and actuating means may be mounted upon a common drive shaft for the simultaneous production of an array of stapling connections across the web of material (paper, plastic, etc.) to be stapled.

In order to intermittently propel the stapling plunger it is customary to provide ya compression spring urging the plunger in the outward or staple-driving direction. The plunger is retained in a normal or starting position against the action of said spring by a lever engaging a pin or the like abutment upon the plunger, said lever being operably connected with a cam follower which engages a fixed or stationary control cam or eccentric. The latter has Ia cam section or surface shaped to cause the plunger to be released and propelled intermittently during the periods of registry of the stapling and clinching dies of the cylinders, in such a manner as to eifect stapling of the web of sheets or layers being continuously passed between the cylinders.

Y In .the operation of printing presses and the like, the thickness of the webs of superposed stitched or sheets to :be stitched or stapled varies considerably. In the case of stapling lapparatus wherein the stapling and die cylinders are driven through ordinary spur gears or -the like` driving means, it is possible .to operate the cylinders at a fixed spacing distance only desi-gned to accommodate the maximum web thickness to be dealt with. With arrangements of this type, the plunger designed for an operating stroke conforming with said maximum thickness does not completely close or clinch the staples in the case where the staples are used to stitch relatively thinner webs, or webs having a thickness less than the maximum 3,269,629 Patented August 30,` 1966 ICC for which the stapler has been designed. As a consequence, the sheets or layers will be loosely bound, or the staples incompletely closedv or xed in position.

Various attempts have been made in the past to eliminate .the foregoing defect and diiculty by so designing the stapling apparat-us that the spacing distance between the stapling and die cylinders may be adjusted in accordance with the web thickness. In other words, the previous solutions involve the bodily displacement of the stapling cylinder and attached actuating mechanism towards and away from the die cylinder.

As an example, it has been proposed to space the driving gear of the stapling cylinder from said cylinder and to rotatively support it separately by a driving shaft mounted upon the frame of the stapler, the connection with the stapling cylinder being effected through a yielding coupling adapted .to compensate for the displacement of the center rof the stapling cylinder relatively to the center of said driving shaft. Mechanism of -this type is both complex mechanically as well as expensive and lacking the necessary accuracy Iof adjustment, aside from other related draw-backs and defects well understood.

Accordingly, a major object of the present invention isv the provision of relatively simple and efficient means to overcome the foregoing and related diiculties and defects of prior art stapling apparatus of the referred to type, to enable the stapling of webs of varying thickness readily and eiciently and over a relatively large thickness range.

The invention, both as to the fore-going and ancillary objects as well as novel aspects thereof, will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred practical embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming part of lthis F specification and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view, shown partly in section and partly in elevation, of rotary stapling apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention; f

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view through the stapling cylinder forming part of FIG. l; Y 1 1,

FIG. 3 is a partial View of the control eccentric of FIG. 2 and adjusting device t-o adapt the stapler to varying web thicknesses; and

FIG. 4 is a theoretical diagram and FIG. 5 an enlarged partial View of the control eccentric, respectively, explanatory of the function and operation of the invention.

Like reference numerals denote like parts in the different views of the drawings.

With the foregoing object in view, the invention involves generally the provision of means for adjusting the angular operating position of the stapling plunger control eccentric being coaxial with the stapling cylinder or equivalent rotary stapling member or, in other words, to vary the relative time phase between the plunger operating stroke or cycle and the central registry time position of the stapling and iclinching dies of the stapling and clinching cylinders or members, respectively. More particularly, if the control eccentric is set or angularly adjusted, by the aid of suitable control mechanism fitted ladvantageously with an indicating scale, to a position where the instant of maxim-um excursion of the stapling plunger coincides with lthe central registry position of the stapling and clinching dies, the plunger will be effective during its full operating stroke in causing the staples to penetrate the web of material to be stapled, whereby this position will be sui-ted for the stapling of webs of relatively small thickness by eifecting bending of a maximum portion of the legs of the staples.

adjusted to a position where the plunger reaches a fraction only of its maximum stroke `or excursion during the registry position of the dies, it will be eiiective during a fraction only of its operating stroke in causing the staples to penetrate the web, whereby this position will be suitable for the stapling yof webs of relatively greater thickness. As a consequence, a control of the relative time phase between the plunger operating cycle, on the one hand, and the central registry position of the stapling and clinching dies, on the other hand, will enable the eicient stapling of webs of varying thickness within a predetermined thickness range, as will become m-ore apparent as the description proceeds in reference to the drawings.

Referring more particularly to FIG. l, the stapling apparatus shown comprises a rotating stapling cylinder or member having a peripheral stapling die 11, a die cylinder or member 12 having a peripheral staple-clinching die 13 and rotating in a direction (arrow b) opposite to and at the same speed as the stapling cylinder 10 (arrow a), the axes of the cylinders or members 10 and 12 being parallel to and spaced from one another by a iixed distance determined by the maximum thickness of the web 14 being comprised of a plurality of superposed sheets or layers to be stapled and passed between the members 10 and 12 in the direction as indicated by the arrow c in the drawing. The stapling member 10 is iitted with at least one (two being shown in the drawing) slidable staple-driving plunger 15 having a stapling head 16 the outer surface of which forms the bottom of the staple holding die 11, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art and further shown in FIG. 2, The operation of the pre-forming of the staples in the stapling die 11 being also well known is not shown or described as being unnecessary for the understanding of the Iimprovement according to the invention.

As will be seen, by using stapling and die cylinders 10` and 12 of equal diameter, the dies 11 and 13 upon reaching the registry position, FIG. 1, will be relatively stationary during a predetermined (registry) period, as a result of the equal peripheral speeds of the cylinders. It is during this registry period of the dies that the plunger 15 is propelled outwardly by the actuating mechanism, to drive the legs of the U-shaped staples through the web 14 and to bend and firmly clinch the same about the material by the die 13.

In order to intermittently propel the stapling plunger 15 in synchronism with the members 10 and 12, or registry periods yof the dies 11 and 13, respectively, there is provided actuating mechanism comprising a compression spring 17 mounted in the member 10, to normally urge said plunger in the outward or staple-driving direction, and linkage mechanism in the form, in the example shown, of an angular lever having a first lever arm 19, pivoted by spindle 20 upon member 10 and arranged to engage a stop or abutment upon the plunger, as described in greater detail hereafter, and a second lever arm 21 also secured to said spindle and carrying a cam follower or roller 22 engaging a normally stationary control eccentric 25 (see also FIG. 2) being coaxial with the stapling cylinder 10 and serving as reaction means to maintain the plunger 15 in force-transmitting engagement with the lever arm 19 by the action of the spring 17. The eccentric 25, FIG. 5 having a constant diameter over the major part lof its periphery is formed with a partial peripheral cam section 25 decreasing gradually from a point A, to a point B and increasing again to the point C upon said constant diameter. While the descending portion of the curve 25 is shown equal to the ascending portion in the drawing, the latter portion may extend over a greater angular range, to return the plunger to the starting position upon the completion of a stapledriving operation. As a consequence, the plunger 15 is intermittently released by the lever arm 19 and propelled in the staple-driving position by the spring 17 during the periods of registry of the dies 11 and 13, to eiect stapling of the web in the manner pointed out.

As pointed out, in the example illustrated the stapling member 10 mounted upon a drive shaft 26 is fitted with a pair of opposed stapling plungers and identical actuating mechanism therefor, corresponding plungers and actuating elements being denoted by like reference numerals in the drawings. In the following only one of the plungers and associated actuating mechanism will be described, it being furthermore understood that in FIG. 2 the upper part of the figure shows one of the plungers, while the lower part of the igure shows the actuating mechanism for the other plunger.

Referring more particularly to the plunger actuating mechanism, a stub shaft 27, FIG. 2, extends outwardly from the cylinder or the member 10 coaxial or in line with the drive shaft 26 of said member. Member 10 has a radial recess 28 in which -is mounted a bush 30, while bushes 31 and 32 are in turn mounted in the bush 30, to serve as guides for the plunger 15 slidably mounted in said member.

The compression spring 17 urging the plunger 15 in the outward direction is mounted within a bore 33, FIG. 1, extending from the bottom of the recess 28. The stapling die in which the staples are carried or conveyed from the staple-forming position to the staple-driving position of the member 10 is provided with a lateral guide bush, FIG. 2, While the head 16 of the plunger forms the bottom of the die cavity in which the cross-member of the U-shaped staples is embedded, in a manner customary with Staplers of this type. As is understood, the forming and insertion of the staples in the die 11 may be effected by conventional means not shown as being irnmaterial for the understanding of the present invention which is specically concerned with the staple-driving or operating mechanism for the stapling of webs of varying thickness.

A guide block 33 is mounted on a pin 34 disposed in a radial recess of the plunger 15, said pin being Ain turn mounted upon the plunger on the `right and the left of said recess. The cylinder or member 10 has a further recess 36 extending laterally from the recess 28 and providing a pair of mounting brackets 37 in which are arranged bearings 38 to rotatively support the pin or spindle 20 serving as pivot for the angular or bellcrank lever 19, 21. Spindle 20 is axially secured by a pair of washers 41 and circlips or retaining rings 42. The lever arm 19 extends outwardly through the recess 36 and operably engages the plunger 15 within its recess 35, on the one hand, and the upper face of the guide block 33', on the `other hand.

Clamped upon the outer square end 43 of the spindle 20 is the lever arm 21 in the fork-shaped end of which is mounted a pin 44 on which is journalled the cam follower or roller 22 engaging the normally stationary control eccentric 25. The pin 44 is axially maintained in position by a circlip or retaining ring 45.

In FIG. 2, the roller 22 is shown swung outwardly or away from the spindle 20 for better illustration. As is understood, the roller is normally in engagement with the eccentric 25, as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, while a single stapling plunger and actuating mechanism has been described in the foregoing, it is understood that in case of multiple members 10 being provided upon a common drive shaft or in case of multiple plungers ass-ociated with a single member 10, the construct-ion of the plungers and associated operating mechanisms will be identical to those shown and described in the foregoing.

The stub shaft 27 of the stapling cylinder or member 10 is journalled in a roller bearing 46 the inner race 47 and disk 48 of which is secured by a screw 50 to the pin 27. The outer race of bearing 46 is in turn secured in a casing 51 by a threaded disk 52, said casing being rotatively mounted upon the frame 53 of the stapler and prevented from axial displacement by retaining ring 54.

The control eccentric 25 is mounted upon a rotatable bearing casing 51. For adjusting the angular position of the eccentric relative to the cylinders or equivalent members and 1.2, in accordance with the improvement of the present invention, the entire bearing casing 51 is turned or rotated in the example shown by the drawing. For this purpose, a threaded bush 56 is firmly secured in the frame 53 and a guide bolt 57 is journalled on said bush. A set or lead screw 58, having its threaded end engaging a nut rotatively mounted upon the casing 51 is in turn journalled in the guide bolt 57 and prevented from axial displacement by its outer head on the one hand and a retaining or setting ring 60 on the other hand. The head of guide bolt 57 is formed as a clamp which may be tightened and loosened by the aid of a screw 61 in order to lock and release the setting device. For checking the degree of angular displacement of the eccentric and, in turn, the web thickness to be stapled, the frame 53 carries a scale 62 and the rotatable bearing casing 51 is fitted with a pointer 63 cooperating with said scale, the latter being advantageously directly calibrated in units of web thickness to be stapled.

While a specic adjusting mechanism of the eccentric 25 has been shown for illustration, it is understood that alternative or equivalent actuating or setting means, to vary the angular operating position of the eccentric will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

In operation, the head 16 of the plunger 15 projects beyond the die 11 when the roller 22 engages the lowermost point B of the cam surface 25', as shown by the full line position of the roller in FIG. 5. As a consequence, if the cam 25 is adjusted to an angular position whereby the roller '22 assumes' its lowermost position, FIG. 5, coincident with the central registry position R of the dies 11 and 13, or midway within the registry period r of the dies, FIG. 4, the staples will be propelled to the full operating stroke of the plunger, in such a manner as to allow of a maximum portion of the legs of the staples to be bent and clinched by the die 13. In this position, therefore, of the eccentric 25, the stapler is suited for the binding of relatively thin webs of sheets, as will be understood. On the other hand, if the eccentric 25 is rotated, by loosening the set screw 61 and turning the screw 58, say to a point where the roller 22 engages an intermediate point of the curve 25 coincident with the central registry position R of the dies 11 and 13, as shown in dotted line in FIG. 5, the staples will be driven or propelled by the plungers to a lesser extent, that is, to a fraction only of the operating stroke of the plunger, whereby in this position of the eccentric the stapler is suited for the binding or stitching of webs of increased thickness.

This function and operation according to the invention will be further understood by reference to the diagram, FIG. 4, wherein the abscissa t represents time and the ordinate D represents the displacement of the plunger 15 by the cam surface 25 from its zero or rest position in the outward (operating) and inward (return) directions, as indicated by the curve p in the drawing. If the central registry or time position R coincides with the maximum excursion of the curve p as shown by the full line in the drawing, the staples will be propelled and driven through the web to the full extent of the operating stroke of the plunger 15, as indicated at d1 in FIG. 4. As a consequence, this position is adjusted on the device set for the stapling of relatively thin webs, as pointed out. On the other hand, if the eccentric 25 is adjusted such as to displace the time phase of the curve p to a position p shown by the dotted line in the drawing, the staples at the central registry position R will be propelled or driven to a fractional distance dz only of the full operating stroke of the plunger 15. As a consequence, this position of the eccentric is suited for the stapling of webs of greater thickness, in the manner pointed out herein above.

In other words, the cam surface 25 is so designed that the pressure by the head 16 is a maximum in the central registry position of the dies 11 and 13. Even if the head 16 protrudes, in the case of relatively thick webs 14, somewhat beyond the cylinder or member 10, no greater pressure will be applied tothe web, since the surfaces of both cylinders or members start to recede from one another. As a consequence, it is possible to provide the required stapling pressure for the varying web thicknesses by the proper angular position or adjustment of the eccentric 25, in the manner described. As is understood, the staples are positioned in the die 11 with their legs pointing in the outward direction and with their cross portions engaging the outer end of the head 16.

It is thus possible by the use of the present invention, by adjusting the eccentric 25 in the manner described, that is, with the roller 22, in the central registry position of the cylinders of dies 11 and 13, engaging any of the intermediate points of the cam section A-B or curve 25', to staple webs of varying thickness eiciently and with the staples closely binding or stitching the sheets or layers of the webs, whereby to greatly enlarge the scope and usefulness of stapling apparatus of the type according to the invention. Advantageously, the scale 63, FIG. 3, is directly calibrated in suitable units of material thickness, to facilitate the adjustment and operation of the stapler.

In the foregoing the invention has been described in reference to a specic illustrative device. It will be evident, however, that variations and modifications, as well as the substitution of equivalent parts or elements for those shown herein for illustration, may be made in accordance with the broader scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The speciiication and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for the stapling of webs of varying thickness comprising in combination:

- (1) a rotary stapling member having a peripheral staple-carrying die,

(2) a rotary die member having a .peripheral stapleclinching die and rotating in a direction opposite to and about an axis spaced =by a xed distance from and parallel to the axis 'of said stapling member,

(3) the web t-o be stapled passing between said members, p

(4) a staple-driving plunger slidably mounted upon said stapling member with its outer end surface forming the bottom of said staple carrying die, and

(5) operating means to intermittently propel said plunge-r during the periods of registry of said staplecarrying and staple-clinching dies comprising:

(a) a compression spring upon said stapling member t-o urge said plunger in the outward stapledriving direction,

(b) motion-transmitting mechanism upon said stapling membe-r including a i'irst lever arm engaging said plunger and a second lever arm terminating in a ca-m follower,

(c) a normally stationary control eccentric coaxial with said stapling member and engaged by said follower,

(d) said eccentric having a 'section of constant radius, to normally restrain said plunger from movement by Isaid spring, an-d a rst cam section having a radius changing gradually `from said constant radius to a second radius and followed Iby a second ca-m section changing from said second to 'said constant radius, and said follower being structurally lrelated to said first cam section, to release the same and to thereby gradually propel, during engagement of said -follower by said rst cam section, said plunger by said spring in the staple-driving direction to a predetermined position .beyond the periphery of said `stapling member, and to return said plunger against the action of `said spring during engagement of said follower with said second cam section, and

(e) means to adjust the angular position of said eccentric within a fixed operating range corresponding t the length of said iirst cam section, thereby to cause varying instantaneous plunger positions during its forward movement to coincide with the central registry position of said staple-driving and staple-clinching dies.

2. In stapling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said eccentric having a configuration comprising, in the order named, a rst concentric section having a first radius, a second section having a `radius decreasing gradually from said rst radius to a `predetermined second radius, and a third section having a radius gradually increasing from` said second to said first radius.

3. In stapling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, having a stationary frame, cooperating scale and index means carried by said eccentric and said frame, respectively, to indicate the angular adjusting position of said eccentric.

4. In stapling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, having a stationary rframe, said eccentric being rotatively mounted upon a shaft axially extending from said stapling me-mber, and said adjusting means being comprised of a lead screw having a threaded end portion engaging a nut rotatively mounted upon said eccentric and having its opposite end journalled in a support rotatively mounted upon said frame, and means to releasably lock said screw to said support.

5. Apparatus for the stapling of webs of varying thickness comprising in combination:

(1) a rotary stapling member having a peripheral staple-carrying die,

(2) a rotary die member having a peripheral stapleclinching die and rotating in a direction opposite to and about an axis spaced `by a fixed distance from and parallel to the axis of said stapling member;

' (3) the web to be stapled passing between said members,

(4) a staple-driving plunger slidably mounted upon said stapling member with its outer surface forming the bottom of said staple-carrying die, and

(5) operating means to intermittently propel said plunger during the periods of registry of said staplecarrying and staple-clinching dies comprising:

(a) a compression spring upon said stapling member to urge said plunger in the outward staple driving direction,

(b) an abutment pin upon said plunger,

(c) an angular lever pivoted upon said stapling member and having a first arm camming with said pin and a .second arm carrying a roller,

(d) a normally stationary control eccentric coaxial with said stapling -member and engaged by said roller,

(e) said eccentric having a section of constant radius, to normally restrain said plunger from movement by said spring, and a first cam section having a radius changing -gradually from said constant radius and followed by a second cam `section changing from said second to said constant radius, said roller being structurally related to said first cam section, to release the same and to thereby gradually propel, during engagement of said -r-oller with said rst cam section, said plunger by :said spring in the staple-driving direction to a predetermined position beyond the periphery of Isaid stapling member, and to retract said plunger against the action of said spring during engagement of said roller with said second cam section, and

(f) means to adjust the angular position of said ecentric with a iixed operating range corresponding to the length `of said rst cam section, thereby to cause varying instantaneous plunger positions during its forward movement to coincide with the central registry position of said stapledriving and staple-clinching dies.

6. In rotary stapling apparatus as claimed in claim 5, having a stationary frame, said adjusting means including locking means upon said frame, to adjust and lock said eccentric in the operating position within the .range of said roller engaging a desired point of said cam section coincident with the central registry position of said dies.

7. Rotary stapling apparatus as claimed in claim 5, including cooperating scale and index means carried by said frame and said eccentric, respectively, to indicate the angular adjusting position of said eccentric.

8. In stapling apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said control eccentric having a configuration comprising, in the order named, a first relatively large concentric section having a iirst radius, a second relatively short cam section having a radius decreasing .gradually yfrom said first to a predetermined second radius, and a third relatively large section -having a radius increasing from said second to said third radius.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR THE STAPLING OF WEBS OF VARYING THICKNESS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (1) A ROTARY STAPLING MEMBER HAVING A PERIPHERAL STAPLE-CARRYING DIE, (2) A ROTARY DIE MEMBER HAVING A PERIPHERAL STAPLECLINCHING DIE AND ROTATING IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO AND ABOUT AN AXIS SPACED BY A FIXED DISTANCE FROM AND PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAID STAPLING MEMBER, (3) THE WEB TO BE STAPLED PASSING BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS, (4) A STAPLE-DRIVING PLUNGER SLIDABLY MOUNTED UPON SAID STAPLING MEMBER WITH ITS OUTER END SURFACE FORMING THE BOTTOM OF SAID STAPLE CARRYING DIE, AND (5) OPERATING MEANS TO INTERMITTENTLY PROPEL SAID PLUNGER DURING THE PERIODS OF REGISTRY OF SAID STAPLECARRYING SAID STAPLE-CLINCHING DIES COMPRISING: (A) A COMPRESSION SPRING UPON SAID STAPLING MEMBER TO URGE SAID PLUNGER IN THE OUTWARD STAPLEDRIVING DIRECTION, (B) MOTION-TRANSMITTING MECHANISM UPON SAID STAPLING MEMBER INCLUDING A FIRST LEVER ARM ENGAGING SAID PLUNGER AND A SECOND LEVER ARM TERMINATING IN A CAM FOLLOWER, (C) A NORMALLY STATIONARY CONTROL ECCENTRIC COAXIAL WITH SAID STAPLING MEMBER AND ENGAGED BY SAID FOLLOWER,

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