U.S. patent application number 12/293191 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-20 for feed belt positioning assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to THIELE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Perry D. Bergman, William L. Popejoy.
Application Number | 20090206542 12/293191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38523240 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090206542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Popejoy; William L. ; et
al. |
August 20, 2009 |
FEED BELT POSITIONING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An adjustment mechanism for use on a friction sheet feeding
machine to permit selective lateral repositioning of one feed belt
on the machine relative to at least one other feed belt on the
machine.
Inventors: |
Popejoy; William L.;
(Champlin, MN) ; Bergman; Perry D.; (Spring Lake
Park, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERRILL LAW OFFICES
4756 BANNING AVE, SUITE 212
WHITE BEAR LAKE
MN
55110-3205
US
|
Assignee: |
THIELE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Minneapolis
MN
|
Family ID: |
38523240 |
Appl. No.: |
12/293191 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
March 20, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2007/064352 |
371 Date: |
September 16, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60784120 |
Mar 20, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 59/068 20130101;
B65G 21/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/34 |
International
Class: |
B65H 3/04 20060101
B65H003/04 |
Claims
1. A friction sheet feeding machine for feeding individual sheets
from a stack of sheets in a longitudinal direction, comprising: (a)
a plurality of laterally spaced feed belts for feeding individual
sheets from a stack of sheets in a longitudinal direction, and (b)
an adjustment mechanism for permitting selective lateral
repositioning of at least one of the feed belts relative to at
least one other feed belt.
2. The friction sheet feeding machine of claim 1 wherein the
machine further includes a position-control carriage in operable
association with each feed belt for controlling lateral positioning
of the associated feed belt, and the adjustment mechanism effects
lateral repositioning of a given feed belt by laterally
repositioning the position-control carriage associated with the
given feed belt.
3. The friction sheet feeding machine of claim 1 wherein (i) the
machine defines a right side and a left side, (ii) the machine
includes at least three feed belts so as to define an outside feed
belt on each side of the machine and at least one intermediate feed
belt between the outside feed belts, and (iii) the adjustment
mechanism is effective for laterally repositioning at least the
outside feed belts.
4. The friction sheet feeding machine of claim 2 wherein (i) the
machine defines a right side and a left side, (ii) the machine
includes at least three feed belts so as to define an outside feed
belt on each side of the machine and at least one intermediate feed
belt between the outside feed belts, and (iii) the adjustment
mechanism is effective for laterally repositioning at least the
outside feed belts.
5. The friction sheet feeding machine of claim 3 wherein the
outside feed belts are independently repositionable.
6. The friction sheet feeding machine of claim 4 wherein the
outside feed belts are independently repositionable.
7. The friction sheet feeding machine of claim 1 wherein the
machine defines a right side and a left side and further includes
(i) panels on the right and left sides of the machine preventing
side access to the feed belts, and (ii) at least one interface
device located on the outside of a panel for effecting actuation of
the adjustment mechanism.
8. The friction sheet feeding machine of claim 2 wherein the
machine defines a right side and a left side and further includes
(i) panels on the right and left sides of the machine preventing
side access to the feed belts and position-control carriages, and
(ii) at least one interface device located on the outside of a
panel for effecting actuation of the adjustment mechanism.
9. The friction sheet feeding machine of claim 7 wherein the
interface device is a manually rotatable knob.
10. The friction sheet feeding machine of claim 6 wherein the
machine defines a right side and a left side and further includes
(i) panels on the right and left sides of the machine preventing
side access to the feed belts and position-control carriages, and
(ii) a first interface device located on the outside of the right
side panel for effecting actuation of the adjustment mechanism to
laterally reposition the outside feed belt on the right side, and
(iii) a second interface device located on the outside of the left
side panel for effecting actuation of the adjustment mechanism to
laterally reposition the outside feed belt on the left side.
11. A method of laterally repositioning at least one feed belt on a
friction sheet feeding machine having a feed belt system for
adjusting the effective width of the feed belt system, comprising
the steps of: (a) obtaining a friction sheet feeding machine for
feeding individual sheets from a stack of sheets in a longitudinal
direction, comprising: (i) a feed belt system including a plurality
of laterally spaced feed belts for feeding individual sheets from a
stack of sheets in a longitudinal direction, and (ii) an adjustment
mechanism for permitting selective lateral repositioning of at
least one of the feed belts relative to at least one other feed
belt, and (b) actuating the adjustment mechanism to laterally
reposition at least one of the feed belts relative to at least one
other feed belt.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the adjustment mechanism is
actuated while the feed belts are being driven in the longitudinal
direction.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the machine further includes a
position-control carriage in operable association with each feed
belt for controlling lateral positioning of the associated feed
belt, and the adjustment mechanism effects lateral repositioning of
a given feed belt by laterally repositioning the position-control
carriage associated with the given feed belt.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein (i) the machine defines a right
side and a left side, (ii) the machine includes at least three feed
belts so as to define an outside feed belt on each side of the
machine and at least one intermediate feed belt between the outside
feed belts, and (iii) the adjustment mechanism is effective for
laterally repositioning at least the outside feed belts.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the machine defines a right side
and a left side and further includes (i) panels on the right and
left sides of the machine preventing side access to the feed belts,
and (ii) at least one interface device located on the outside of a
panel for effecting actuation of the adjustment mechanism.
16. A method of laterally repositioning at least one feed belt on a
friction sheet feeding machine having a feed belt system for
adjusting the effective width of the feed belt system, comprising
the steps of: (a) obtaining a friction sheet feeding machine for
feeding individual sheets from a stack of sheets in a longitudinal
direction, comprising: (i) a feed belt system including a plurality
of laterally spaced feed belts for feeding individual sheets from a
stack of sheets in a longitudinal direction, and (ii) an adjustment
mechanism for permitting selective lateral repositioning of at
least one of the feed belts relative to at least one other feed
belt, (b) loading a stack of sheets onto the machine, (c) operating
the machine to feed individual sheets from the stack of sheets
loaded onto the machine, and (d) actuating the adjustment mechanism
to laterally reposition at least one of the feed belts relative to
at least one other feed belt while the machine is operating.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the machine further includes a
position-control carriage in operable association with each feed
belt for controlling lateral positioning of the associated feed
belt, and the adjustment mechanism effects lateral repositioning of
a given feed belt by laterally repositioning the position-control
carriage associated with the given feed belt.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein (i) the machine defines a right
side and a left side, (ii) the machine includes at least three feed
belts so as to define an outside feed belt on each side of the
machine and at least one intermediate feed belt between the outside
feed belts, and (iii) the adjustment mechanism is effective for
laterally repositioning at least the outside feed belts.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the machine defines a right side
and a left side and further includes (i) panels on the right and
left sides of the machine preventing side access to the feed belts,
and (ii) at least one interface device located on the outside of a
panel for effecting actuation of the adjustment mechanism.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/784,120, filed Mar. 20, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A wide variety of friction sheet feeding machines are
available for feeding individual sheets from the bottom of an
essentially vertical stack of sheets. Exemplary friction sheet
feeding machines are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,991,831, 5,143,365, 5,244,198, 5,642,877, 5,772,199 and
6,932,338.
[0003] These machines typically include (i) a tray for holding a
stack of sheets in an essentially vertical position, (ii) a nip for
feeding a lowermost sheet from the stack, (iii) a driven friction
roller or feed belt for contacting the downward facing major
surface of the lowermost sheet in the stack and pulling the
lowermost sheet from underneath the sheet stack towards the nip,
and (iv) a friction retard surface positioned above the driven
friction roller for contacting the leading edge(s) and any exposed
upward facing major surface(s) of the sheet(s) positioned directly
above the lowermost sheet for retarding advancement of the sheet(s)
directly above the lowermost sheet and thereby facilitating
separation of the lowermost sheet from the immediately overlying
sheet prior to introduction of the lowermost sheet into the feed
nip.
[0004] Friction sheet feeding machines need to be sufficiently
versatile to feed sheets over a wide range of lengths and widths.
In order to accommodate the feeding of sheets over a wide range of
widths, the machines typically employ a plurality of laterally
spaced and laterally adjustable feed belts. While generally
effective for expanding the versatility of the machine, lateral
adjustment of the conveyor belts tends to be awkward, cumbersome
and potentially dangerous.
[0005] Accordingly, a need exists for a friction sheet feeding
machine having a plurality of feed belts which may be quickly,
easily and safely laterally repositioned for accommodating the
feeding of sheets over a wide range of sheet widths.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A first aspect of the invention is a friction sheet feeding
machine for feeding individual sheets from a stack of sheets in a
longitudinal direction. The machine includes (i) a feed belt
system, and (ii) an adjustment mechanism. The feed belt system
includes a plurality of laterally spaced feed belts for feeding
individual sheets from a stack of sheets in a longitudinal
direction. The adjustment mechanism is effective for permitting
selective lateral repositioning of at least one of the feed belts
relative to at least one other feed belt.
[0007] A second aspect of the invention is a method of laterally
repositioning at least one feed belt on a friction sheet feeding
machine having a feed belt system for adjusting the effective width
of the feed belt system.
[0008] A first embodiment of the second aspect of the invention
comprises the steps of (i) obtaining a friction sheet feeding
machine for feeding individual sheets from a stack of sheets in a
longitudinal direction, comprising: (A) a feed belt system
including a plurality of laterally spaced feed belts for feeding
individual sheets from a stack of sheets in a longitudinal
direction, and (B) an adjustment mechanism for permitting selective
lateral repositioning of at least one of the feed belts relative to
at least one other feed belt, and (ii) actuating the adjustment
mechanism to laterally reposition at least one of the feed belts
relative to at least one other feed belt.
[0009] A second embodiment of the second aspect of the invention
comprises the steps of (i) obtaining a friction sheet feeding
machine for feeding individual sheets from a stack of sheets in a
longitudinal direction, comprising: (A) a feed belt system
including a plurality of laterally spaced feed belts for feeding
individual sheets from a stack of sheets in a longitudinal
direction, and (B) an adjustment mechanism for permitting selective
lateral repositioning of at least one of the feed belts relative to
at least one other feed belt, (ii) loading a stack of sheets onto
the machine, (iii) operating the machine to feed individual sheets
from the stack of sheets loaded onto the machine, and (iv)
actuating the adjustment mechanism to laterally reposition at least
one of the feed belts relative to at least one other feed belt
while the machine is operating.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the invention shown in FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Nomenclature
[0012] 10 Friction Sheet Feeding Machine
[0013] 10r Right Side of Friction Sheet Feeding Machine
[0014] 10s Left Side of Friction Sheet Feeding Machine
[0015] 20 Frame
[0016] 21r Right Side Panel
[0017] 21s Left Side Panel
[0018] 26 Support Rod
[0019] 30 Drive Assembly
[0020] 40 Drive Belt
[0021] 50 Friction Feed Roller
[0022] 60 Friction Feed Belts (60i, 60r and 60s)
[0023] 60i Intermediate Feed Belt
[0024] 60r Right Side Feed Belt or Outside Feed Belt
[0025] 60s Left Side Feed Belt or Outside Feed Belt
[0026] 200 Lateral Spacing Adjustment Mechanism
[0027] 210 Position Control Carriages or Carriages (210i, 210r and
210s)
[0028] 210i Intermediate Carriage or Fixed Position Carriage
[0029] 210r Right Carriage or Repositionable Carriage
[0030] 210s Left Carriage or Repositionable Carriage
[0031] 211 Guide Pins on Carriages
[0032] 212 Sleeve over Guide Pins
[0033] 215 Follower Pin
[0034] 218 Lateral Bore Through Carriages (218i, 218r and 218s)
[0035] 218i Lateral Bore Through Intermediate Carriage
[0036] 218r Lateral Bore Through Right Side Carriage
[0037] 218s Lateral Bore Through Left Side Carriage
[0038] 219 Lateral Channel Along Bottom of Carriage
[0039] 220 Guide Bar
[0040] 220r Right End of Guide Bar
[0041] 220s Left End of Guide Bar
[0042] 221 Machine Screw
[0043] 222r Set of Machine Screws
[0044] 222s Set of Machine Screws
[0045] 230 Mounting Block
[0046] 240r Right Side Stanchion
[0047] 240s Left Side Stanchion
[0048] 250r Right Side Knob or Right Side Interface Device
[0049] 250s Left Side Knob or Right Side Interface Device
[0050] 260r Right Side Worm Screw
[0051] 260s Left Side Worm Screw
[0052] 261 Proximal End of Worm Screw
[0053] 262 Distal End of Worm Screw
[0054] 269 Threaded Bore in Proximal End of Worm Screw
[0055] 270 E-Clip
[0056] 281 Bearings
[0057] 285 Spacer
[0058] x Longitudinal Direction
[0059] y Lateral Direction
[0060] z Transverse Direction
Construction
[0061] Friction sheet feeding machines 10 generally include a frame
20, a tray assembly (not shown), a gating assembly (not shown) and
a drive assembly 30. The machines 10 are capable of serially
feeding individual sheets (not shown) in a longitudinal direction x
from the bottom (unnumbered) of a generally vertical stack of
sheets (not shown) retained within the tray assembly (not
shown).
[0062] A typical configuration of the frame 20 is a generally
rectangular frame 20 having (i) a generally horizontal base plate
(not shown), (ii) a right side panel 21r extending upward from the
base plate (not shown) and defining a right side 10r of the machine
10, (iii) a left side panel 21s also extending upward from the base
plate (not shown) and defining a left side 10s of the machine 10,
(iv) a rear end plate (not shown) extending upward from the base
plate (not shown) and laterally interconnecting the side panels 21r
and 21s, (v) at least one lateral cross member (not shown)
transversely spaced above the base plate (not shown) and
interconnecting the side panels 21r and 21s for supporting the
gating assembly (not shown), and (vi) a plurality of laterally
extending support rods 26 extending between and interconnecting the
side panels 21r and 21s. Other frame configurations may also be
employed, such as a cross-beam construction rather than the plate
construction shown in FIG. 1. Exemplary frames 20 suitable for use
are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,831, 5,143,365,
5,244,198, 5,642,877, 5,772,199 and 6,932,338.
[0063] The tray assembly (not shown) is effective for holding a
stack of individual sheets (not shown) in a substantially vertical
position with a slight biasing of at least the lower portion
(unnumbered) of the stack (not shown) towards the gating assembly
(not shown) and the drive assembly 30.
[0064] One means for achieving the desired biasing of the stack
(not shown), is to incline the floor (not shown) of the tray
assembly (not shown) towards the gating assembly (not shown) and
the drive assembly 30. Other means are known and may also be
employed, such as a transversely extending strip (not shown)
positioned within the tray assembly (not shown) for supporting the
trailing edges (not shown) of the sheets (not shown) in the stack
(not shown) wherein the lower portion (unnumbered) of the support
strip (not shown) is curved towards the gating assembly (not shown)
and the drive assembly 30. Suitable tray types, styles and
configurations are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,831,
5,143,365, 5,244,198, 5,642,877, 5,772,199 and 6,932,338.
[0065] A typical gating assembly (not shown) includes a friction
retard roller (not shown) driven by an auxiliary electric motor
(not shown) for contacting the upward facing major surface (not
shown) of sheets (not shown) as they approach the friction feed
belts 60 for assisting in separation of a lowermost sheet (not
shown) from the immediately overlying sheet (not shown) to prevent
the simultaneous feeding of multiple sheets (not shown). Typical
gating assemblies are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,991,831, 5,143,365, 5,244,198, 5,642,877, 5,772,199 and
6,932,338.
[0066] Generally, the drive assembly 30 includes a primary drive
motor (not shown) and a friction feed roller 50 driven by the
primary drive motor (not shown). The friction feed roller 50 drives
friction feed belts 60 which contact the sheets (not shown).
[0067] The drive assembly 30 on friction sheet feeding machines 10
typically includes a conveyor system (not shown) downstream from
the friction feed belts 60 for receiving individual sheets (not
shown) fed from the sheet stack (not shown) by the friction feed
belts 60 and conveying the fed sheets (not shown) to the desired
location, typically a conveyor belt (not shown) timed to receive
and collate sheets (not shown) fed from several aligned friction
sheet feeding machines 10.
[0068] Referring generally to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a suitable
drive assembly 30 includes a primary drive motor (not shown), and a
plurality of longitudinally x aligned laterally y spaced friction
feed belts 60i, 60r and 60s, each mounted onto a driven friction
feed roller 50 and an idler roller (not shown) longitudinally x
spaced from the friction feed roller 50. The friction feed roller
50 is rotatably attached to the side panels 21r and 21s. Similarly,
the idler roller (not shown) extend parallel with the friction feed
roller 50 and is rotatably attached to the side panels 21r and 21s.
The friction feed roller 50 is driven by the primary drive motor
(not shown) via drive belt 40.
[0069] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, the friction sheet
feeding machine 10 is provided with a lateral spacing adjustment
mechanism 200 for permitting selective lateral y repositioning of
one or more feed belts 60. The specific embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2 permits selective and independent lateral y
repositioning of the outside feed belts 60r and 60s.
[0070] The lateral y position of each of the feed belts 60 is
controlled by a position control carriage 210 (i.e., the lateral y
position of the intermediate feed belt 60i is controlled by an
intermediate carriage 210i, the lateral y position of the right
outside feed belt 60r is controlled by a right carriage 210r and
the lateral y position of the left outside feed belt 60s is
controlled by a left carriage 210s). Each carriage 210 has a pair
of transversely z extending and laterally y spaced guide pins 211
carrying a rotatable sleeve 212. The guide pins 211 project upward
from the position control carriage 210 for accommodating passage of
the return portion (unnumbered) of a respective feed belt 33
therebetween. When a sleeve 212 is moved into engagement with a
side edge (unnumbered) of a feed belt 60, the feed belt 60 is
"pushed" away from the guide pin 211 and thereby laterally y
repositioned along the length of the friction feed roller 50 and
the idler roller (not shown).
[0071] Each position control carriage 210 has a laterally extending
channel 219 along the bottom (unnumbered) of the carriage 210 for
slidably engaging a laterally y extending guide bar 220. The guide
bar 220 extends between the side panels 21r and 21s and is mounted
to the frame 20 via mounting blocks 230.
[0072] The intermediate carriage 210i is rigidly attached to the
guide bar 220 by machine screw 221, thereby preventing lateral y
sliding of the intermediate control carriage 210i along the guide
bar 220.
[0073] The repositionable carriages 210r and 210s each have a
lateral bore 218 extending completely through the carriage 210r and
210s. A right worm screw 260r extends completely through the
lateral bore 218r in the right carriage 210r and a left worm gear
260s extends completely through the lateral bore 218s in the left
carriage 210s. The worm screws 260r and 260s are spirally threaded
for cooperatively engaging a follower pin 215 extending into the
lateral bore 218 in each of the repositionable carriages 210r and
210s, whereby rotation of the worm screw 260r and 260s causes the
repositionable carriage 210r and 210s to travel along the length of
the rotated worm screw 260r and 260s, respectively.
[0074] The distal ends 262 of the worm screws 260r and 260s are
rotatably supported within a lateral bore 218i in the intermediate
carriage 210i.
[0075] A threaded bore 269 is provided in the proximal ends 261 of
each worm screw 260r and 260s for attachment of a corresponding
knob 250r and 250s, for effecting independent manual rotation of
the worm screws 260r and 260s by rotation of the corresponding knob
250r and 250s. The knobs 250r and 250s are rotatably supported by
stanchions 240r and 240s mounted proximate the lateral y ends 220r
and 220s of the guide bar 220 by machine screws 222r and 222s
respectively.
[0076] Bearings 281 are preferably provided at each end
(unnumbered) of each bore 219 through each carriage 210 to
facilitate rotation of the worm screws 260r and 260s relative to
the carriages 210.
[0077] An e-clip 270 can be provided on each worm screw 260r and
260s proximate the distal end 262 of the worm screw 260r and 260s
for serving as a stop to continued inward travel of the
repositionable carriages 210r and 210s along the length of the
corresponding worm screw 260r and 260s. Other mechanical stops are
well known to those of routine skill in the art and may be
substituted for the e-clip stop 270 shown and described.
Use
[0078] The friction sheet feeding machine 10 of the present
invention is used to feed individual sheets (not shown) from the
bottom (not shown) of an essentially vertical stack of sheets (not
shown) by loading a stack of sheets (not shown) onto the tray (not
shown) of the machine 10, and (ii) rotating the right knob 250r as
necessary and appropriate to move the right carriage 210r and
thereby the right side feed belt 60r so that the right side feed
belt 60r contacts the sheets (not shown) fed from the machine 10
along a right side margin (not shown) of the sheet (not shown), and
(ii) rotating the left knob 250s as necessary and appropriate to
move the left carriage 210s and thereby the left side feed belt 60s
so that the left side feed belt 60s contacts the sheets (not shown)
fed from the machine 10 along a left side margin (not shown) of the
sheet (not shown). The repositionable carriages 210r and 210s can
be repositioned before or during use of the machine 10 to feed
sheets (not shown). Since the knobs 250r and 250s are located on
the outside of the panels 21r and 21s respectively, and only
interact with the drive assembly 30 via contact between the
rotatable sleeves 212 on the adjustable carriages 210r and 210s and
the outside feed belts 60r and 60s, a user may safely interface
with the knobs 250r and 250s and repositioned the outside feed
belts 60r and 60s even while the machine 10 is operating.
* * * * *