U.S. patent number 3,776,404 [Application Number 05/128,505] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-04 for method of handling books.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rockwell International Corporation. Invention is credited to Frank J. Anastasio, Clinton F. Brundage, Clarence P. Strakosch.
United States Patent |
3,776,404 |
Anastasio , et al. |
December 4, 1973 |
METHOD OF HANDLING BOOKS
Abstract
Method and apparatus whereby books delivered on-edge, spine-up,
as by a building-in machine, are alternately tipped in opposite
directions on a continuously operating belt conveyor, funnelled
into alignment and then stacked with the spine joints of adjacent
books at opposite sides of the stack and offset to prevent crushing
thereof. The progressively formed stacks are progressively lowered
on a photocell-controlled elevator, jogged, and then removed to a
delivery conveyor while the building of the succeeding stack is
begun on an auxiliary retractable platform for subsequent transfer
to the elevator.
Inventors: |
Anastasio; Frank J. (Paramus,
NJ), Brundage; Clinton F. (Mahwah, NJ), Strakosch;
Clarence P. (Tappan, NY) |
Assignee: |
Rockwell International
Corporation (Pittsburgh, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
26826652 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/128,505 |
Filed: |
March 26, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
833985 |
Jun 17, 1969 |
3640407 |
Feb 8, 1972 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/802;
414/788.3; 414/790.3; 414/791.2; 414/900; 198/374; 198/411;
414/789.1; 414/790.8; 414/794.2; 414/926 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G
57/081 (20130101); Y10S 414/114 (20130101); Y10S
414/105 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65G
57/081 (20060101); B65G 57/02 (20060101); B65g
057/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;214/6.5,6S,6P,6H,6DK,152 ;198/33AC |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Spar; Robert J.
Parent Case Text
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 833,985,
filed June 17, 1969 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,407, issued on 2-8-72,
for "Method of and Apparatus for Handling Books."
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of stacking books which comprises feeding
longitudinally a plurality of similar books in succession generally
along a path, disposing the books flat in first lateral positions
with alternate books substantially offset laterally in opposite
directions from the longitudinal center line of such path, moving
one set of alternate books as the books travel longitudinally
laterally toward the other alternate set of books so that the books
lie in second lateral positions wherein there is decreased lateral
offset between successive books, and discharging the books in such
second lateral positions into an at least generally vertical
stack.
2. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 comprising
moving alternate books as they travel longitudinally laterally
inwardly in opposite directions toward the longitudinal center line
of said path.
3. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 wherein the
books are initially disposed vertically in end alignment generally
parallel to said path of travel, and wherein the books are disposed
in said first lateral positions by tipping alternate books in
opposite directions about their lower edges as they travel
longitudinally along said path.
4. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 wherein both
sets of books are progressively moved laterally inwardly toward the
center line of said path as the books travel longitudinally.
5. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 wherein
alternate books are tipped in opposite directions from their
initial vertical positions by thrusting a laterally moving member
against the opposite sides of the upper portion of successive books
as the books travel therepast.
6. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 wherein the
books have back covers and caseboards connected by spine joints to
the back covers, the books in said first lateral positions thereof
have the spine joints of alternate books disposed laterally
outwardly, and wherein the outer free edges of the caseboards of
each book in said second lateral position thereof falls somewhat
short of overlying the spine joints of each other book in the
stack.
7. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 wherein the
books in their initial vertical position have their back covers
disposed uppermost.
8. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 comprising
stopping the forward travel of books in their second lateral
position, and sequentially adding them to the top of said stack by
dropping them onto the stack after their forward travel has been
stopped.
9. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 comprising
retaining the bottom book of the stack at a first, upper fixed
level while continuing to pile books on top of such stack, and
subsequently progressively lowering the bottom of the stack while
piling additional books on the top of the stack.
10. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 comprising
terminating the lowering of the bottom book in the stack at a
second, lower fixed level, and pressing the opposite sides of the
thus lowered stack laterally inwardly toward each other to a point
at which the alternate books lie in third lateral positions in
which the alternate books in one set thereof are slightly offset
laterally from the books in the other set thereof.
11. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 wherein the
books have back covers and caseboards connected by spine joints to
the back covers, the back covers of the books in both sets of
alternate books lie laterally outwardly of the free edges of the
caseboards of the contiguous books in the stack, and comprising
terminating the lowering of the bottom book in the stack at a
second, lower fixed level, and thereafter pressing the backs of the
books on opposite sides of the thus lowered stack laterally
inwardly toward each other to a point at which the outer free edges
of the caseboards of each book fall slightly short of overlying the
spine joints of each contiguous book in the stack.
12. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 1 wherein the
books are continuously fed forwardly until stopped to be dropped
onto the top of the first recited stack, retaining the bottom book
of the first stack at a first, upper fixed level by at least one
separator blade while continuing to pile books on the top of the
first stack and while lowering a previously formed second stack of
books disposed below the first stack on an elevator located below
the separator blade to a lowered position wherein the lowest book
of the second stack lies at a second, lower fixed level,
discharging the thus lowered second stack of books from beneath the
first stack, thereafter raising the elevator to a position close to
and below the separator blade, retracting the separator blade to
transfer the first stack of books to the elevator where they form
the lower portion of a subsequent second stack, continuing to
collect books as delivered on the top of the second stack, and
after a predetermined desired number of books have been piled on
the second stack advancing the separator blade so that subsequent
books are supported on the separator blade and form a subsequent
first stack.
13. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 12 comprising
moving the books in the second stack endwise against stop means so
as to end align the books in the second stack in a longitudinal
direction.
14. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 13 wherein the
end alignment of the books in the second stack takes place as the
second stack is being moved to its lowered position.
15. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 12 comprising
pressing the opposed side edges of the books in the second stack
laterally inwardly toward each other to a point at which the
alternate books lie in third lateral positions in which the
alternate books in one set thereof are slightly offset laterally
outwardly from the books in the other set thereof, so as to align
the laterally outer edges of the books in the respective sets
thereof.
16. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 15 wherein the
edge alignment of the sets of books in the second stack takes place
as the second stack is being moved to its lowered position.
17. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 16 comprising
end aligning the books in said second stack while such second stack
is moving to its lowered position by pressing the forward edges of
the books against retractable stop means.
18. A method of stacking books as defined in claim 17 wherein the
end alignment of the books and the edge alignment of the sets of
books take place in quick succession.
Description
This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for stacking
books.
The invention is particularly useful in the stacking of books which
are thicker at their backbone or spine joints than throughout the
remainder of the area of their covers or case boards. An example of
books of this type is that wherein the spine of gathered signatures
forming the body or filler of the book is rounded and backed, and
the hinges or spine joints between the spine of the case or cover
applied to such book body extend somewhat outwardly of the plane of
the outer surfaces of the front and back case boards.
The invention has among its objects the provision of a novel method
for the stacking of books.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for
the stacking of books.
A further object is the provision of a method of and an apparatus
for producing stacks of books wherein the spines of alternate books
in the stack lie on opposite sides of the stack and offset slightly
in the direction of the spines from the next adjacent book or
books.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a
method of and an apparatus for rapidly and accurately producing
stacks of books wherein the possibility of crushing the joints
between the backbone and case boards is eliminated.
The above and further objects and novel features of the invention
will more fully appear from the following description when the same
is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be
expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition
of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like
parts throughout the several views.
FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the book alternator and
stacker of the invention, the conveyors for carrying single books
in sequence to the alternator and stacker station and for carrying
stacks of books away from such station being fragmentarily
shown;
FIG. 2 is a view in end elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,
the view being taken from the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, the parts of the
stacker being shown in the positions which they occupy after a
stack, shown in phantom, pushed from the stacker onto the delivery
conveyor and the stack elevator and front stop have been returned
to their upper positions, but before retraction of the auxiliary
platform;
FIG. 3 is a view in plan of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the view
being taken from the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section through the
alternator and stacker, the section being taken along the line 4--4
of FIG. 1, the view particularly showing the retractable end stop
for the book stacker in retracted position and the mechanism for
operating such stop;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section
through the alternator and stacker, the section being taken along
the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section
through the stack-forming portion of the apparatus, the section
being taken generally along the line 6--6 of FIG. 3, certain of the
parts being omitted and others being shown in phantom lines;
FIG. 7 is a view in horizontal section through the lower portion of
the apparatus shown in FIG. 6, the section being taken along the
line 7--7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view takey along the line 8--8 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the
stack-forming portion of the apparatus above a partial
book-stack-supporting separator or platform blade, the section
being taken along the line 9--9 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the
stack-forming portion of the apparatus above a side presser or
jogger for a completed stack of books, the section being taken
along the line 10--10 of FIG. 2.
The book alternator and stacker of the invention may be used, for
example, at the delivery end of a book-forming or building-in
machine from which books are delivered in upright position with the
spines uppermost. As delivered to the alternator and stacker, the
books shown have had the backbones thereof rounded and backed and
have been cased-in in a known manner. In such books the hinged
joints between the spine and the case boards or covers thereof
protrude outwardly somewhat beyond the outer surfaces of the front
and back case boards. It is therefore desirable, in forming stacks
of such books, that alternate books be so offset that the case
boards of one book do not overlie the protruding spine joints of
the next adjacent book or books. The apparatus of the invention
forms stacks of books while offsetting adjacent books so that the
spine joints of one are not contacted by the case boards of the
other. As will become apparent hereinafter, the method and
apparatus of the invention are useful also in stacking books of
other types.
Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 a book
alternator and stacker 12, 14 which receives spaced books
(generally designated 43) in sequence from a first conveyor 10,
forms stacks of such books in the manner above generally described,
and delivers such stacks 15 to a further conveyor 16. The infeed
conveyor 10 may be, for example, the delivery conveyor of a book
building-in machine; the conveyor 16 may forward the book stacks 15
to suitable wrapping and strapping apparatus (not shown). The
conveyor 10, which is relatively narrow, carries books 43
longitudinally in an upright, on-edge position in the direction of
their general plane and deposits them in such position upon a
second, wide conveyor 11 disposed in central alignment with
conveyor 10. Disposed at the entering end of the continuously
operating conveyor 11 there is a book alternator which tips or lays
down alternate books in opposite lateral directions. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3, books which have been tipped toward the reader in
FIG. 1 are designated 43a and those which have been tipped away
from the reader in such figure are designated 43b. The thus tipped
books, one-half of which now lie on their front covers and the
other half of which lie on their back covers, are fed forwardly by
conveyor 11 and are funnelled by fixed guides, to be described,
toward the center line of the conveyor and a book stacking
mechanism 14 disposed in central alignment with conveyor 11 and fed
thereby. At the stacker 14 the books are formed into a pile or
stack; the stack is progressively lowered as books are added
thereto. After being lowered the books are jogged laterally
inwardly in opposite directions to edge align the sets of alternate
books in the stack while leaving one such set laterally offset
somewhat from the other set, and all books in the stack are end
aligned. The thus treated book stack 15 is then discharged from the
stacker to the delivery conveyor 16.
The stacker 14 is so constructed and arranged as to provide
normally vertically aligned upper and lower book receiving
channels, the upper channel being periodically separated from the
lower channel by laterally-reciprocable, vertically-fixed book
supporting or separator blades 86. This permits the upper channel
continuously to receive books delivered thereto from the book
alternator conveyor 11 while a completed stack of books 15 in the
lower channel is lowered by a vertically-reciprocable book
supporting elevator or platform 130 in such lower channel, is edge
and end aligned while supported by the platform, and is discharged
from the stacker. Upon discharge of the stack, the platform 130
rises, the separator blades 86 are retracted, and the support of
the partial book stack in the upper channel is thus transferred to
the elevator platform 130. The cycle is then repeated.
THE MECHANICAL DRIVE
The conveyors 10 and 11 are driven by a motor 17 as shown in FIGS.
1 and 2. A motor drive pulley 19 is connected by a belt 20 to a
large driven pulley 21 affixed to the forward end of a countershaft
22 which extends longitudinally of the stations 12, 14. A pulley 23
is affixed to the rear end of shaft 22, such pulley driving a speed
reducer 26 (FIG. 2) through the medium of a Timing belt 24 which is
entrained over the pulley 23 and a pulley 25 on the speed reducer.
The speed reducer 26 in turn drives the conveyor 11 through the
medium of a Timing belt sprocket 27 on the output shaft of the
speed reducer, and a Timing belt 29 entrained over a sprocket 30 on
the shaft 31 which carries the forward elongated drive pulley or
roll 32 of the conveyor 11. Conveyor 11 has a wide belt 34 which
runs over the roll 32 and a roll 35 at the rear end thereof as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the rolls 32 and 35 being journalled upon
spaced parallel side frame members 33.
The infeed conveyor 10 has a narrow belt 36 (FIG. 3) which runs
over a forward drive pulley 37 on a shaft 39 and over a similar
pulley (not shown) at the rear of the belt. Belt 36 is driven in
synchronism with and at the same speed as the belt 34 of conveyor
11 through the medium of a pulley 40, affixed to shaft 31 of
conveyor 11, and a longitudinally extending Timing belt 41 which
extends to a pulley 42 on the shaft 39 of conveyor 10. The books 43
are carried by conveyor 10 in upright, spine-up position between
opposed side guides 44 which may be adjusted by means not shown to
accommodate books of different thicknesses. Books 43, still in
upright position, enter upon the conveyor 11 whereby they are
carried to the alternator 12 free from lateral guidance. After the
books have been tipped or laid down by the book alternator 12 in a
manner to be next described, conveyor 11 carries them to the book
stacker 14.
THE BOOK ALTERNATOR 12
The side frame members 33 of the conveyor 11 are carried by opposed
rear and forward upright frame members 46 and 48, respectively,
such uprights in turn being mounted upon a longitudinal frame 47.
The upper ends of uprights 46 are connected by a horizontal cross
frame member 49; member 49 and a similar forward cross member 50
connected to upper frame members 101 serve to support and guide a
laterally reciprocable frame 51 of the alternator 12. Frame 51 has
similar spaced parallel, longitudinally-extending side members 52
which are connected and spaced by tie rods 54. A double acting
reciprocable fluid motor 55 having the cylinder thereof disposed
above and connected to the cross member 49 has a piston rod 56
which extends through the opposite ends of the cylinder, the outer
ends of rod 56 being connected to members 52 as shown. The
reciprocable frame 51 is partially supported by the double-ended
piston rod 56 and is also partially supported by and guided by
channel-shaped cross member 50, there being rollers 69 journalled
on the forward ends of the side frame members 52 which ride in the
channel of member 50 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. It will be apparent
that upon the alternate admission of fluid under pressure to the
opposite ends of the motor 55 and the exhausting of fluid from the
other, the piston rod 56 and the frame 51 reciprocate in a
direction transverse to the lengths of the conveyors 10 and 11.
Mounted upon the frame 51 substantially midway between the side
members 52 thereof, there is a horizontal longitudinally extending
support member 61 from which brush 62 or comparable means depends.
The brush holder 61 and brush 62 are so located that when the
piston rod 56 of the motor 55 is at one end of its stroke the brush
lies on one side of the path of books delivered to the alternator
12 on the conveyor 11 and that when the piston rod 56 is at the
other end of its stroke the brush 62 lies on the other side of
books delivered to the alternator 12. The brush holder 61 and brush
62 are vertically positioned as shown in FIG. 1 so that the brush,
when reciprocated laterally, may engage the books below the spines
thereof. It will be apparent that alternate books pivot about the
lower laterally outer edge of their respective opposite lower edges
so as to fall in opposite directions depending upon the side
thereof engaged by the moving brush.
The brush holder 61 and brush 62 are vertically adjustable to
cooperate with books of different widths, that is, heights as the
books 43 are presented thereto. Parallel longitudinally spaced
shafts 57 span the opposite side members 52 of frame 51 and are
journalled therein (FIG. 3). Mounted upon the respective tie rods
54 and shafts 57 are housings 59 within which similar vertical
racks 60 are guided, there being a pinion 64 in each of the
housings keyed to its shaft 57 and similarly meshing with the teeth
on the respective racks 60. Shafts 57 are drivingly connected by a
chain 66 which runs over similar sprockets 65 on corresponding ends
of the shafts; the shafts 57 are turned in the same direction and
in equal amounts simultaneously to adjust the racks 60 vertically
in the same amount by means of a hand wheel 67 attached to one end
of a shaft 57.
The motor 55 for reciprocating the frame 51 and brush 62 is under
the control of a photocell (not shown) which may be disposed on one
side of the path of travel of books as they emerge from the
conveyor 10. When the photocell is darkened by a book travelling
between it and its light source, the motor 55 is energized so as to
travel into a terminal position opposite from that which it then
occupies. In so doing, the brush 62 engages the book, designated
43a in FIG. 3, which is then passing so that such book is tipped
toward the reader in FIG. 1. The next book 43b emerging from
conveyor 10 again darkens the photocell and causes the motor 55 to
operate in the reverse direction so that successive books 43a and
43b are alternately tipped or laid down in opposite directions by
brush 62.
As the tipped books 43a and 43b are carried forwardly by belt 34 of
conveyor 11, their backbones or spines engage the inner vertical
surfaces of respective smoothly converging but oppositely disposed
similar longitudinal guide members 72a and 72b which lie above the
upper run of the belt 34. Guides 72a and 72b are made of somewhat
flexible self-sustaining strip metal, the rear ends of the guides
being connected at 74 to uprights 46 and the forward ends thereof
being connected by straps 75 to side guide members 85 at the
opposite sides of the stacker 14 shown in FIG. 2. Members 85, to be
more specifically described hereinafter, define the side walls of
an upper channel in stacker 14, and may be adjusted laterally
toward and away from each other in order to accommodate books of
different widths. Since the forward ends of the flexible guides 72a
and 72b are connected to the respective members 85a and 85b, the
forward ends of the guides are correspondingly laterally
adjusted.
It will be apparent that as the conveyor belt 34 carries books 43a
and 43b forwardly, the forward laterally outer corners of the books
43a, 43b engage the respective guides 72a, 72b; the books are
progressively thrust sidewardly or funnelled by such guides toward
the longitudinal center line of the belt 34 so that they enter the
upper end of the stack defining means, made up in part of the
forward ends of guides 72a, 72b and side wall members 85a, 85b.
Such members and the forward ends of said guides are disposed at
equal distances on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line
of conveyor 11 and are spaced apart a distance which appreciably
exceeds the widths of the books being stacked; as a result,
alternate ones of the books in the upper channel portion of the
stacker lie laterally offset in opposite directions an appreciable
distance with respect to the longitudinal center line of the
conveyor 11 and of said channel portion, as illustrated in FIG.
2.
THE STACKER 14
As the books 43a, 43b travel forwardly upon conveyor 11, their
upper surfaces are engaged by a gravity actuated presser roll 79
which is journalled on the free end of a lever 77 pivotally mounted
on a fitting secured to a cross bar 76 mounted on the upper ends of
the uprights 48. Roll 79 holds the books down against the conveyor
belt 34 and prevents premature tilting thereof over the end of belt
34 to insure their most desirable entry into the stacker channel
onto the supporting platform, or the book stack. The stacker 14 is
mounted upon fixed framework including members 47 disposed beneath
the conveyor 11 and further less widely spaced frame members 80
forwardly of the stacker which underlie and support the conveyor
16. Frame members 47 and 80 are connected by cross frame members 81
which lie forwardly of the stacker and by similar transverse frame
members 82 which are spaced rearwardly from members 81 at the rear
of the stacker. Transversely extending guideways 83 are provided
upon the upper surfaces of members 81 and 82 on both sides of the
stacker. Similar but oppositely disposed carriages 84 are supported
for lateral adjustment upon and guided by the guideways 83. Frames
or carriages 84 support the above-mentioned upper side wall members
85.
Beneath the lower edges of the side wall plates 85 there are
disposed horizontal separator blades 86 which are laterally
reciprocable and extend into the book receiving channel when the
parts are disposed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When thus disposed,
the blades 86 constitute an auxiliary or temporary support or
platform for several books in the upper end of the stacker channel.
The sides of the lower portion of the book-receiving channel of the
stacker, below the level of the separator blades 86, are formed by
spaced side guide or jogger plates 87, which are moved inwardly or
jogged in order to dispose the books in the lower end of the stack
with the desired degree of lateral offset from the longitudinal
central vertical plane of the stack, before the discharge of the
stack from the stacker.
As above explained, the carriages 84 are laterally adjustable in
opposite but equal distances from the longitudinal central vertical
plane of the conveyor 11 and the stacker so that the stacker may
accommodate books of different widths. A cross shaft 89 (FIGS. 1
and 3) suitably journalled in the frame members 80, may be turned
by a crank 90 affixed to one end thereof (FIGS. 1 and 3). The
opposite ends of the shaft 89 have similar sprockets 91 affixed
thereto, there being chains 92 connecting the respective sprockets
91 to sprockets 94 on the outer ends of oppositely disposed
horizontal adjusting screws 95 of opposite hand. The outer ends of
such screws are journalled in the fixed frame of the apparatus,
whereas the laterally inner threaded portions thereof are
threadedly received in nuts affixed to each of the respective
carriages 84. It will be seen that the turning of the crank 90 in
one direction adjusts the carriages 84 toward each other, whereas
the turning of the shaft in the opposite direction further
separates the carriages.
Centrally above the book receiving channel of the stacker 14 there
is a horizontal longitudinally extending rod 97 which is suitably
supported upon the fixed frame structure of the apparatus. One such
support for the rod includes a brakcet 99 affixed to the rear end
thereof, the bracket being secured to a cross member 100 affixed to
the longitudinal frame members 101. Another support for rod 97 is
the bar 76. The forward end of rod 97 carries a transversely
extending vertical plate 96, the lower edge of which lies
substantially coplanar with the upper surface of blades 86. Member
96 forms an end stop for books fed into the upper portion of the
book receiving channel of the stacker as shown in FIG. 2. When the
separator blades 86 are in their inner position as shown in FIG. 2,
books 43a, 43b are deposited into the upper end of the channel by
the belt 34, the forward end of which lies slightly to the rear of
the rear end of such channel. The thus deposited books fall into
the channel, the lowermost one of such books lying upon the blades
86. The blades 86 lie a sufficient distance below the upper surface
of the conveyor belt 34 so that the upper portion of the channel
can accommodate a plurality of books. In the embodiment shown, the
upper portion of the channel, above the blades 86, is capable of
receiving at least three relatively thick books. As above
indicated, during the time that such three books are being
deposited upon the blades 86, a previously deposited stack of books
in the lower portion of the channel of the stacker on elevator
platform 130 are sidewardly aligned, end aligned, and discharged as
a neat stack 15 from the stacker, and elevator 130 is returned to
its elevated position (FIGS. 2 and 6).
THE SEPARATOR BLADES 86
The separator blades 86 are particulary shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 9.
As shown in FIG. 9, which is a section through the left-hand (FIG.
2) carriage 84, such blades have broad horizontal extents, the
upper laterally inner edges of the blades being bevelled at 102.
Secured to blade 86 are a horizontally reciprocable rack bar 104
and a parallel guide bar 105, such bars having their outer ends
extending through guiding slots and holes in vertical parallel
frame members 106 and 107 of the carriages 84. The outer ends of
bars 104 and 105 are connected by a longitudinally extending strap
member 109. The blade 86 is secured to the inner ends of bars 104
and 105 by being received within slots 110 therein and bolted
thereto as shown.
The separator blades 86 are moveable from their laterally inner
position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein they are shown supporting
books in the upper portion of the stacker channel, to an outwardly
retracted position in which their inner edges 102 lie at least
slightly outwardly beyond the inner faces of the side guide members
85. The separator blades are moved between such positions by a
reciprocable fluid motor 111 (FIG. 7) which is disposed
horizontally beneath the stacker 14. Motor 111 has a piston rod 112
which is connected to a horizontally reciprocable rack bar 115 by a
bracket 114. The rack bar 115 has a rearwardly facing rack gear 116
on one end thereof and a similar but oppositely facing rack gear
116' on the other end. Rach gear 116 meshes with a pinion 117 which
is connected to a vertical stub shaft 118 which is journalled in
the fixed frame of the apparatus. A generally vertically extending
shaft 119 which includes two universal joints 126 therein rises
from the pinion 117 as shown in FIG. 6. The upper end of shaft 119
is journalled in and supported by a bracket 123 which is secured to
the upper portion of carriage 84. Fixedly secured by a cross pin
121 to the upper end of shaft 119 beneath the bracket 123 is a
pinion 120. It will be seen that as the piston of motor 111 moves
in opposite directions the pinion 120 is turned in opposite
directions.
The pinion 120 meshes with a pinion 122 which is journalled upon
and freely rotatable with respect to the upper end of a shaft 124
which is mounted parallel to the upper ene of shaft 119. The pinion
122 meshes with a rack gear 125 on the rack bar 104. The driving
connection between the rack gear 116' and the separator blade 86
mounted on the right-hand (FIG. 2) carriage 84 of the stacker is
the same as that above described the exception of the reversal of
positions of the rack gears 116, 116' with respect to pinions 117
to cause the opposed separator blades 86 to move simultaneously in
opposite directions.
THE BOOK STACK ELEVATOR
Fitting between the inner edges 102 of the opposed separator blades
86 when such blades are in their laterally inner positions as shown
in FIG. 3 is a horizontal elevator platform 130. Such platform has
a central forwardly open notch 131 therein which freely receives a
retractible end stop 154 which may be swung downwardly from the
position thereof shown in FIG. 1 to that shown in FIG. 5. The
platform 130 has a bracket fitting 132 secured to the bottom
thereof, the fitting serving to connect the upper end of a
vertically reciprocable elevator rack bar 134 to the platform, as
shown more particularly in FIG. 6. The bar 134 has a forwardly
facing rack gear 135 thereon, such rack gear meshing with a
rotatable pinion 136 which is mounted on a horizontal stub shaft
137. Pinion 136 also meshes with a rack gear 139 on a horizontally
reciprocable rack bar 140 which is connected to the piston rod 141
of a double acting reciprocable fluid motor 142 as indicated in
FIGS. 2 and 6. It will be apparent that upon the thrusting of the
piston rod 141 and bar 140 to the left in FIG. 6 the elevator
platform 130 is lowered and that upon the travel of such piston rod
to the right the elevator platform is raised. The actuation of
piston rod 141 is automatically controlled in a manner to be
hereinafter described to insure proper timing and sequencing with
other parts of the apparatus. In general, after retraction of
auxiliary platform 86, 86 elevator 130 is moved down step-by-step
as books are added to the stack until the desired number are
present. The elevator is then moved down quickly to unloading
position (FIG. 2), unloaded in a manner to be described, and
returned quickly by motor 142 to its raised position (FIG. 6).
RETRACTIBLE BOOK STOP 154
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the end stop 154 is disposed with its
rear face coplanar with and beneath the rear face of fixed end stop
96. After the desired number of books have been formed into a stack
on elevator 130, as detected by suitable known counting means, such
stack of books is thrust forwardly by a vertical plunger plate 199
through a small distance so that their forward ends engage the stop
154, thereby vertically aligning the ends of the books. Immediately
thereafter, the opposed side guide or jogger plates 87 which
defines the sides of the lower portion of the channel of the
stacker 14 are thrust laterally inwardly through a small distance
to vertically align the spines of alternate books and bring the
stack to the condition shown in FIG. 2. All of such functions are
effected by suitable known types of detection means and sequencing
controls.
The retractible end stop 154 is mounted upon the forward end of an
elongated generally longitudinally extending lever arm 155 which
lies substantially horizontal when the parts are in the position of
FIG. 1. The rear end of the lever arm 155 is secured to an upwardly
and forwardly inclined lever composed of two similar parallel
levers 156 (FIG. 4), the lower ends of which are pivotally mounted
to the fixed frame of the apparatus at 157. Adjustment of the
angularity of the lever 156, in a manner to be described, permits
adjustment of the stop 154 in a direction longitudinally of the
stacker for books of different lengths so that crushing of the
books by plunger 199 will be avoided. The upper book stop 96 is
releasably clamped on rod 97 for similar adjustment (FIG. 2). The
lever arm 155 and the stop 154 are oscillated from their elevated
position of FIG. 1 to their retracted or lowered position of FIG. 5
by a double acting reciprocating fluid motor 159. The lower end of
such motor is pivotally mounted to the frame at 160, the piston rod
162 of the motor being pivotally connected at 161 to an
intermediate portion of the lever 155.
As shown in FIG. 4, the lever arms 156 are connected at their upper
ends by a cross bar 164. A longitudinally extending threaded
adjusting rod 165 has its forward end threadedly received in a
fitting mounted on bar 164. The rear end of rod 165 is journalled
in the frame of the apparatus at 166. A hand wheel 167 on the rod
rearwardly of the bearing 166 permits the rod to be turned in the
desired direction relative to said fitting so as to change the
angularity of the lever arm 156. As arm 156 is inclined further
away from the vertical in FIG. 1, the connection 163 and hence the
end stop 154 are moved forwardly; conversely, adjustment of the arm
156 closer to the vertical moves the stop 154 rearwardly. For
purposes to appear hereinafter, the movements of the retractible
stop 154 into its elevated and retracted positions are relied upon
to operate a switch 174 having an operating arm 175 mounted on
lever arm 156 and a switch 176 having an operating arm 177 is
actuated by the lever 155.
THE SIDE JOGGERS
Since the side jogging plates 87, which are disposed on opposite
sides of the lower portion of the book receiving channel of the
stacker 14, are similar to each other and are operated by identical
mechanism, a specific description of the jogger carried by the
left-hand (FIG. 2) carriage 84 will suffice. The side guide plate
87 is mounted in vertical position on a bracket 184 which in turn
is secured to the end of a horizontally reciprocable rack bar 185.
As shown in FIG. 10 the outer end of the rack bar 185 is guidingly
received in passages through the vertical parallel plate members
106, 107 of the carriage 84 (FIG. 10). A guide bar 186 disposed
parallel to bar 185 is also secured to the bracket 184 and is
guided by the members 106, 107. The outer ends of bars 185, 186 are
connected by a strap 187. The plate 87, the bracket 184, and the
bars 185, 186 of the opposite carriages 84 are moved laterally
inwardly in opposite directions through equal distances at
substantially the same time that the book stack 15 is being thrust
forward against the stop 154. Immediately thereafter front stop 154
and the plates 87 are retracted and the side aligned books forming
the stack 15 are thrust forwardly onto the conveyor 16 by pusher
199.
Each plate 87 of the side jogger means is moved inwardly and
outwardly between the full and dotted line positions in FIG. 2 by
the following mechanism. A rack gear 189 on bar 185 meshes with a
pinion 190 which is affixed to the shaft 124 by a pin 193. The
shaft 124 is turned in opposite directions by a double acting fluid
operated reciprocable motor 191 (FIG. 7) which is disposed beneath
the stacker and close and parallel to the above described motor
111. The piston rod 192 of motor 191 is connected through a fitting
194 to a horizontally reciprocable rack bar 195. The left-hand end
of bar 195 as it is shown in FIG. 2 carries a rearwardly facing
rack gear 196 whereas the right-hand end of such bar carries a
forwardly facing rack gear 196'. Rack gear 196 meshes with a pinion
197 which is journalled on the upper end of a vertical stub shaft
198 (FIG. 6) affixed to the frame parallel to the shaft 118. The
lower end of the shaft 124 is connected to the pinion 197. As
shown, shaft 124 includes serially disposed universal joints 128
which permit the drive between the pinion 197 and the pinion 190 to
be preserved despite lateraly adjustment of the carriage 84. The
disposition of the rack gears 196, 196' on opposite sides of bar
195 permits the opposite jogger plates 87 to be moved laterally
inwardly toward each other upon movement of the piston rod 192 of
motor 191 in one direction and to be retracted outwardly upon
movement of such piston rod in the opposite direction.
THE BOOK STACK PUSHER
The vertically disposed pusher platen 199 forms the rear wall of
the lower portion of the book receiving stacker channel when the
parts of the apparatus are disposed as in FIGS. 1 and 6. Such
platen is secured to a carriage 203 which is supported for
longitudinal reciprocation by guide wheels 200 which travel along a
horizontal supporting plate 201. The carriage 203 is secured to the
forward end of the piston rod 202 of a double acting reciprocable
fluid motor 204 (FIGS. 1 and 8) which is disposed longitudinally of
the apparatus beneath the conveyor 11. Piston rod 202 extends in
both directions from the cylinder of the motor 204, the rearwardly
extending portion of said piston rod being supported upon a roller
guide 205 as shown in FIG. 1. The rear end of piston rod 202 is
provided with an abutment cap 206 (FIG. 8), such cap being provided
with a flange 207 on its forward end. A further, relatively short,
fixed stroke double acting reciprocable fluid motor 209 is disposed
rearwardly of and in alignment with the motor 204. The piston rod
211 of motor 209 has an abutment cap 210 thereon, such cap having a
flange 212 on its rear end. When elevator 130 is lowering a
completed stack 15 to unloading position ready for vertical
alignment as described above, motor 209 is first actuated so as to
thrust its piston rod 211 against the abutment cap 206 and thereby
to thrust the piston rod 202 of the motor 204 with platen 199
forwardly with sufficient force to override the then opposing fluid
pressure in motor 204 to move the stacked books gently against the
stop 154 to effect substantial end alignment. Following this and
after the stop 154 has been retracted by motor 159 and the side
jogger plates 87 have been moved laterally inwardly to side align
alternate books, the motor 204 moves the pusher platen 199 further
to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 and between jogger plates 87 so
that the book stack 15 is fully discharged from the stacker and
supported upon the conveyor 16 (FIG. 1). It will be understood that
as soon as a completed stack 15 is lowered for jogging and
discharge, the auxiliary platform plates 86 are temporarily moved
in to catch the next few incoming books from conveyor 11.
The platen 199 pushes the stack of books 15 to the right across the
plate 201 and onto rollers 230 which protrude upwardly through
slots in said plate to facilitate such travel of the stack. The
stack then enters upon laterally spaced similar belts 231 of the
conveyor 16, such belts being driven by means not shown. Idle
pulleys 232 affixed to a rear shaft 234 of conveyor 16 support the
rear ends of the belts 231; similar driven pulleys (not shown)
engage and drive the belts 231. Such belts travel across and are
supported by longitudinally extending plates 235 which underlie
them.
In the initial portion of its travel on the conveyor 16 the stack
is engaged at its upper end by a presser roll 237 which is
preferably of soft resilient character, being made, for example, of
soft sponge rubber. The roll 237 is mounted upon a longitudinally
extending arm 239 (FIG. 1) which is affixed to a lateral arm 240 to
which a vertical sleeve 241 is secured. Sleeve 241 slides upon a
fixed vertical post 242. The arm 240 intermediate the sleeve 241
and the arm 239 has a vertical threaded passage therethrough, such
passage threadedly receiving a vertical screw 244 which is
journalled at its upper end against vertical motion. A hand wheel
235 on the upper end of screw 244 permits the arms 239, 240 and the
sleeve 241 to be adjusted vertically in response to rotation of the
screw, thereby permitting the roll 237 to engage the upper end of
the stack 15 with the desired amount of pressure so as to press the
stack securely against the infeed ends of belts 231 of conveyor
16.
SEQUENCING CONTROLS
The operating sequence of the various elements of the stacking
means of the apparatus is preferably effected by electrical and
pneumatic means, the latter being in the form of fluid motors
described above. The electrical controls include switches 174 and
176 operable by bar 155 when front stop 154 is in its terminal down
and up positions, respectively (FIG. 5). A switch 214 having an arm
216 is actuated by a bar 212 on the forward stroke of piston rod
211 (FIG. 8). Switches 217,220 and 224 are operable, for purposes
to hereinafter appear, by a bar 207 on piston rod 202, the flange
being adapted to engage the roller equipped arms 219, 221 and 224,
respectively, on said switches. A switch 225 shown in FIG. 7 is
operable by bar 195. Other switches and photocell detection devices
of known construction are referred to in the following description
of the operation but are not shown in order to avoid necessary
complication of the drawing.
MODE OF OPERATION
From the foregoing it will be seen that conveyor belts 34, 43 and
231 are the only parts of the apparatus which are continuously
driven by motor 17. The other operating elements are operated by
cylinder and piston fluid motors, such as double acting compressed
air motors. The application of pressure in opposite ends of each
cylinder may be controlled in a known manner by solenoid actuated
valves which may in turn be controlled by suitable relays,
switches, photocells and the like which are responsive to the
passage of books or movements of the operating elements of the
apparatus.
By way of example, book detection means of known type, such as a
photocell, may be provided to detect books approaching brush 62 and
to control the reciprocation of motor 55 to actuate the brush and
tip alternate books in opposite directions on conveyor 11. Means
well known in the art, such as photocell counter, are also provided
for electrically counting the books as the same drop off the end of
conveyor 11, said means being employed to control the operation of
auxiliary platform 86, elevator 130 and end jogging motor 209. When
the first of a series of a selected number of books for a stack
passes the counter detector, the motor 111 is energized to move
plates 86 into operative position to catch and support a few books,
usually about one-third of a full stack. This number may depend on
several factors such as the rate of travel and spacing of the
books, the thickness of the books, the vertical height of the
stacker channel, the time required for the elevator 130 to complete
a down-up cycle and others. When the selected number of books have
been stacked on plates 86, as determined by the counter, said
plates are retracted by motor 111. This preliminary number of books
now rest on elevator 130 in its up position where they are detected
by suitable control means, such as a photocell and light beam, to
control the descent of the elevator. Thus, when the photocell, for
example, is darkened by the uppermost book on the stack being in
the beam, motor 42 is operable to slowly lower the elevator until
the photocell is again lighted across the top of the stack. As each
book is added, the elevator is progressively lowered. This may be
effected by causing motor 42 to operate against a hydraulic dash
pot with an escape valve controlled by the photocell and a
solenoid. When the counter signals the entry of the final book of a
stack the dash pot is rendered ineffective so as to permit the
elevator to be moved promptly to fully lowered position. The next
book entering the stacker, i.e., the first book of the next stack,
is detected by the counter and motor 111 is thereby caused to be
energized to again move auxiliary platform plates 86 into operative
position as explained above.
When the last book of a stack arrives, the counter also disables
the dash pot control of motor 142 to permit rapid, continuous
descent of the elevator and effects energization of end jogger
motor 209 to move pusher 199 to the right (FIG. 1) to end align the
stack against front stop 154 as explained above. In response to
actuation of switch 214 by flange 212, motor 191 is energized to
move side jogger plates 87 inwardly against the stack by actuation
of bar 195. The latter, near the end of its stroke, actuates switch
225 to thereby effect proper energization of motor 159 to lower
front stop 154. As elevator 130 reaches its lowermost position, it
actuates a switch (not shown) which, conditioned on the completion
of the end jogging signalled by actuation of switch 214 and on the
lowering of front stop 154 signalled by actuation of switch 174,
signals the proper energization of motor 204 for actuating pusher
199 to move the jogged book stack from between plates 87 onto
conveyor 16.
The energization of pusher motor 204 for returning pusher 199 is
effected when flange 207 actuates switch 222 at the end of the
forward stroke of piston rod 202. On the pusher retraction stroke
of piston rod 202, the switch 221 is actuated by flange 207 to
signal the return of front step 154 to raised position by motor 159
and consequent actuation of switch 176. Near the end of its return
stroke, flange 207 momentarily actuates the one-way switch 217 to
initiate the raising of elevator 230 which is effected with
continuous rapid movement by motor 142. When the elevator reaches
its upper position it actuates a switch, not shown, which reverse
energizes motor 142 to apply a lowering force to the elevator under
control of the dashpot and stack level detecting means as above
described. In the interval thus required for lowering, unloading
and returning the elevator several books will have been deposited
on platform 86. When the preselected number of books have been
deposited onto plates 86, as determined by the counter, said plates
are retracted and the complete cycle is repeated.
Although only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated
in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing
specification, it is to be expressly understood that various
changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention, as will now be apparent to those skilled in
the art. Thus, alternate books 43 which have been tipped or laid
down in opposite directions upon the belt 34 of the conveyor 11 may
be moved laterally so as to enter the stacker 14 in offset position
by means other than the opposed curved guides 72a, 72b. One such
alternative means for so doing is in the form of a transversely
reciprocable carriage similar to carriage 51 and suspended in a
similar manner above the belt 34 downstream of the carriage 51.
Such unillustrated carriage may have horizontal, longitudinal bars
rigidly suspended therefrom and positioned above the upper surface
of belt 34 but close enough thereto to engage the spines of the
books which have been laid down upon the belt. Suitable means such
as a photocell and light source are disposed to detect the passage
of the laid-down books on the conveyor and to effect proper
energization of the carriage motor. In one terminal position of the
carriage, the bar on one side thereof is disposed laterally
outwardly of the spines of the books which have been laid over in
the respective direction; the bar on the other side of the carriage
is similarly disposed with respect to the books laid over in the
other direction when the carriage is in its other lateral terminal
position. As the carriage moves from one terminal position toward
the other, one of the bars engages the book which it confronts and
carries it laterally inwardly; in the reverse travel of the
carriage the other bar carries the book on the other side of the
belt 34 laterally inwardly. The books thus carried inwardly are
released in such lateral position on the belt that they can enter
the upper portion of the channel in the stacker 14 but are
laterally offset in the same manner as in the illustrated
apparatus.
Although the method and apparatus of the invention have been
illustrated in connection with books which have been rounded and
backed, and encased, it is to be understood that the invention may
be employed to advantage in the stacking of books of other types.
Among such other types of books are those in which the front and
rear surfaces of the books, including the spine joints, throughout
their extent lie substantially in parallel planes, making the
offsetting of alternate books unnecessary. The apparatus is also
useful for stacking books without alternating the position of the
spines thereof.
* * * * *