US3445106A - Apparatus for receiving upon an elevationally displaceable table a stack of flat material - Google Patents

Description

May 20, 1969 F. BAYS 3,4 06

APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING UPON AN EIJEVATIONALLY DISPLACE TABLE A STACK OF FLAT MATERIAL Fig- ,2 Sheet or s INVENTOR I Few/find 194 BY United States Patent US. Cl. 271-61 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for receiving a stack of substantially fiat material which is of the type comprising an elevationally displaceable table means which includes a table plate and a support member for said table plate. The table plate is advantageously displaceable within limits in a substantially horizontal plane with respect to the support member upon an air cushion which can be produced between the table plate and such support member.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for receiving a stack of substantially flat material upon an ele'vationally displaceable table, in other words a table which can be raised and lowered.

In such type apparatuses it is oftentimes difiicult to deposit the stack in the desired position upon the table by means of a stacker truck for instance, so that thereafter one sheet of the stack after the other can be removed by means of a number of lifting devices arranged above the table for instance. Since a stack of sheet metal for example is very heavy, and further, inasmuch as the stack must be deposited in an exact relative position upon the table so that the further conveying or transport of the individual sheets for processing can take place along a predetermined transport path in a trouble-free manner, it has been found that the correct deposition of the stack upon the table entails a time consuming maneuver. Furthermore, it must be observed that the so-called separating magnets or compressed air nozzles for lifting the uppermost element of the stack are disposed in the correct spacing with regard to the stack, since these components are responsible for separating the uppermost sheet somewhat from the remainder of the stack.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus of the aforementioned type which overcomes the drawbacks which existed in the prior art structures.

Another, more specific object of this invention relates to the provision of an improved table means for receiving a stack of substantially flat material and which allows for fine positioning of the stack into a desired position in a relatively simple, eflicient and quick manner, with a minimum of effort.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to the provision of an improved elevationally displaceable table means which is of relatively simple construction, economical to manufacture, highly reliable in operation, easy to use, and above all allows for precise location of the material supported upon such table means in desired position through quick, uncomplicated, relatively effortless shifting of a fioatingly arranged table plate of the table means which directly carries the stack of material which is to be spatially oriented in desired position.

3,445,106 Patented May 20, 1969 Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive apparatus for receiving a stack of substantially flat material is generally characterized by the provision of a table plate which is displaceable within limits in a substantially horizontal plane with respect to a support member upon an air cushion which can be produced between such table plate and the aforesaid support member.

Owing to this air cushion it is possible to easily displace, into the proper position, the table plate together with the stack of material located thereon. Consequently,

initially there is only required an approximate depositing of the stack of material being handled upon the table means, for instance by means of a conventional stacker truck, and thereafter, following this coarse positioning of the stack it is possible to manually undertake the fine positioning of the stack by virtue of the available air cushion.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view through a preferred embodiment of the inventive table means which is located in a position ready to receive a stack of material which is to be processed;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the table means depicted in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the table means depicted in FIGURE 1, however shown in its working position ready for the removal of the sheets of the stack located thereon;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the table means shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a. detail of the location A designated in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the detail showing depicted in FIGURE 5.

Description of the preferred embodiment Describing now the drawings, the exemplary embodiment of inventive table means T incorporates a frame unit 1, a base plate 2 secured to this frame unit 1, a support member in the form of an apertured plate member 3 affixed to the base plate 2, and further, a so-called table plate 4; This table means T can be advantageously vertically displaced through the action of a suitable piston rod 5 or equivalent hoist structure. Columns and guides, which have been conveniently omitted from the drawings for purposes of simplification, serve to appropriately guide the table means T. The aforementioned components 1, 2 and 3 are satisfactorily secured to one another at their mutual contact or bearing surfaces, as shown, and hence, do not move relative to one another and thus can be vertically raised and lowered as a composite unit.

It will be additionally observed that a connection nipple or stud 6 which communicates with a schematically illustrated supply 20 of pressurized fluid medium, such as compressed air, is mounted at the base plate 2. The aforementioned support member in the form of the apertured plate member 3 is laterally secured in air tight fashion to the base plate 2 by means of appropriate sealing strips 7 or the like and these two plate members 2, 3 together with the sealing strips 7 enclose a substantially fiat intermediate air compartment -8, as best observed by referring to FIGURE 1. Furthermore, this substantially horizontally arranged apertured plate member 3 is traversed by a plurality or series of open-ended bores 11, so that an air communication path exists between the aforesaid intermediate air compartment or chamber 8 and the air gap or space 12 formed in the region between the apertured plate 3 and the table plate 4 located thereover.

Further, it should be appreciated that the table plate 4 bearing upon the apertured support member 3 is optionally displaceable in horizontal direction. Now, if compressed air or the like is introduced between this apertured plate or support member 3 and the table plate 4, the previously considered air gap or space 12 appears above said apertured plate 3. Additionally, the table plate 4 exhibits a downwardly directed marginal portion or skirt 13 at its four sides, so that such table plate 4 can be horizontally displaced, as indicated in the drawings, with respect to the apertured support or plate member 3 until contact with such marginal portion 13.

By referring to FIGURE 2 it will be noticed that elastic members, for instance in the form of compression springs 16 or the like are supported at one respective end at both sides 14 and 15 of the apertured plate member 3. The other or opposite end of each of these spring members 16 is supported at the downward skirt or marginal portion 13 of the table plate 4. These spring members 16 strive to maintain the table plate 4 in the position shown in FIGURE 2 with respect to the other components 1, 2, and 3 of the table means T. Further. the support or bearing locations of these spring members 16 at the marginal portion 13 or at the apertured support member 3 can be displaced in horizontal direction. Additionally, the described apparatus is further externally provided with a plurality of substantially vertically disposed impact members 17 against which bears a stack 18 of the material to be processed and which has been placed upon the table plate 4. This stack 18 of material, typically in flat form, bears upon a pallet 19 and is placed upon the table plate 4 by means of a suitable, non-illustrated stacker truck for instance. This stack '18 can consist of sheet metal, paper, cardboard, plastic, foils or similar flat material.

The heretofore described apparatus functions as follows: If the last foil or the like of a stack 18, which has previously been deposited upon the table means T, has been automatically withdrawn or removed from the pallet 19, then the entire table means T is moved downwardly by means of the lifting mechanism, in this case for instance the piston rod 5 or equivalent structure. Now, upon introducing compressed air or the like through the connection nipple or pipe 6 into the compartment 8 such compressed air will flow through the open-ended bores 11 of the apertured plate member 3 and beneath the area of the table plate '4. This compressed air provides an air cushion in the air gap 12 between the table plate 4 and the apertured plate member 3, so that the table plate 4 can be easily raised and is maintained in so-called floating condition with respect to the apertured plate member 3. It should further be appreciated that the compressed air then flows between the table plate 4 and the apertured plate member 3 towards the marginal portion or skirt 13 of the aforesaid table plate 4, and from this location such air flows into the surrounding atmosphere.

In this floating position of the table plate 4 the force of the spring members 16 is suflicient to press the empty table plate 4 into the position shown in FIGURES l and 2.. This is the starting position of the table means T for placement of a new stack onto the table plate 4. Such a stack 18 of material is deposited onto the table plate 4 by means of a suitable stacker truck for instance. In this respect, the stack 18 should be located approximately in the middle of the table plate 4 and should have about the same spacing from the marginal portion or skirt 13 or, depending upon the size of the individual sheets of the stack 18. such should extend approximately at the same spacing past the marginal portion 13 of this table plate 4.

Now, in order to carry out the so-called fine adjustment of the stack 18 compressed air or the like is thereafter introduced via the connecting pipe 6 from the supply source 20 into the compartment 8. Consequently, the table plate 4 together with the stack 18 located thereon is again held in the so-called floating or suspended condition owing to the air cushion which has formed in the gap or space 12. Furthermore, the stack 18 together with the table plate 4 can be now easily manually brought to bear against the impact members 17. When this exact position of the stack 18 has been maintained, then the introduction of the compressed air through the connection pipe 6 is again shut off so that the table plate 4 settles upon the apertured plate member 3. The individual sheets 18a or the like of the stack 18 can now be individually raised by means of appropriate lifting elments or the like as is known to the art, for instance suction cups. The reduction in the height of the stack 18 is compensated by upward displacement of the table means T by means of the piston rod 5 or equivalent structure. During such removal of the individual sheets 18a of the stack 18 the table means is located in the position shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 and the elastic spring members 16 are pre-stressed. These spring members 16 are advantageously constructed and dimensioned in such a manner that they cannot displace the table plate 4 from the position of FIGURES 3 and 4 into the position of FIGURES 1 and 2 when no air cushion has been built up between the table plate 4 and the apertured plate or support member 3. As soon as the last sheet 18a or the like of the stack 18 has been removed from the pallet 19, then, compressed air is introduced once again via the connection pipe 6 and an air cushion forms between the table plate 4 and the apertured support or plate member 3. As a result, this table plate '4 is now once again displaced by the pre-stressed spring members 16 into the starting position of FIGURE 2. The table plate 4 is therefore again in readiness for receiving a new stack 18, and the entire procedure is repeated in the manner previously considered.

As should be apparent, the objects initially set forth at the outset of this specification have been successfully achieved. Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for receiving a stack of substantially flat material, said apparatus comprising a table means, means for elevationally displacing said table means, said table means including a table plate and a support member for said table plate, means for displacing said table plate within limits in a substantially horizontal plane with respect to said support member, and means for producing an air cushion between said table plate and said support member, said table plate being displaceable in said substantially horizontal plane upon said air cushion.

2. An apparatus for receiving a stack of substantially flat materials as defined in claim 1, wherein said support member is defined by an apertured plate member disposed beneath said table plate, a base plate located in spaced relation beneath said apertured plate member to define therebetween a fluid compartment, means for sealing said fluid compartment at all sides, a source of pressurized fluid medium communicating with said fluid compartment.

3. 'An apparatus for receiving a stack of substantially flat material as defined in claim 2, wherein said fluid compartment is adapted to receive compressed air, said source of pressurized fluid medium furnishing compressed air to said fluid compartment.

4. An apparatus for receiving a stack of substantially flat material as defined in claim 3, wherein said table means further includes frame means for supporting said base plate.

5. An apparatus for receiving a stack of substantially flat material as defined in claim 3, wherein said apertured plate member includes a series of open-ended bores communicating said fluid compartment with the region between said table plate and said apertured plate member so that pressurized air moves into said region to floatingly suspend said table plate with respect to said apertured plate member.

6. An apparatus for receiving a stack of substantially flat material as defined in claim 1, further including elastic means for urging said displaceable table plate in said substantially horizontal plane towards a predetermined terminal position thereof.

7. An apparatus for receiving a stack of substantially flat material as defined in claim 1, said apparatus further including a plurality of fixed, substantially vertically disposed impact member means for contact by a stack of flat material when disposed upon said table means and for guiding the same.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,022,997 2/ 1962 Pendley 27 l61 3,025,052 3/ 1962 Gutteling 271--28 3,260,402 7/1966 Lareau 27161 RICHA'RD E. AEGERTER, Primary Examiner.

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