US2654601A - Pile elevator - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 6, 1953 c. WIIZLIAMS PILE ELEVATOR Filed Feb. e. 1948 ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 6, 1953 PILE ELEVATOR Leo C. Williams, Pearl River, N. Y., assignor to Dexter Folder Company, Pearl River, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 6, 1948, Serial No. 6,781

8 Claims.

requires less erecting and assembling time, and

is fool-proof in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved hydraulic pile elevator actuating mechanism wherein the fluid is conducted to the hydraulic cylinder to raise the pile elevator and is directed away from said cylinder to lower said elevator through a single conduit, thus reducing the number of conduits to a minimum.

Another object is to provide improved hydraulic pile elevator actuating mechanism including novelly arranged valve means for controlling the lowering of the pile elevator.

A further object is to provide improved bydraulic pile elevator actuating mechanism having fluid supplying pump means and fluid controlling valve means arranged and housed in a novel manner as a single unit and disposed Wholly within the fluid supply to insure efficiency, low manufacturing, installation and maintenance costs, and fool-proof operation.

The above and further objects and novel features of the present invention will more fully appear from the following detail 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, reference for this latter purpose being had primarily to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a pile e1eva tor and hydraulically actuated operating mech anism therefor embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view, partly in section, of the combined fluid reservoir, pump and control valve unit, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, for the hydraulic pile elevator actuating mech- :anism;

Fig. is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view of the fluid pump and control valve housing shown in Fig, 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the mechanism for manually controlling the lowering of the pile elevator.

The hydraulically actuated pile elevator as herein shown and hereinafter described is particularly adapted for supporting and elevating a pile of scored and slotted corrugated or fiber container blanks to the feedin in level of a container stitching or taping machine, at which level said blanks are hand folded and. hand fed one after another to said stitching or taping machine for stitching or taping of the free ends or manufacturers seam thereof. It is to be expressly understood, however, that said hydraulically actuated pile elevator is, as well understood in the art, equally adaptable for use in connection with hand or automatic feeding of all kinds and weights of sheet material such as, paper, cardboard, metal, wood, etc., to printing presses, coating and varnishing machines, slitters, punch presses, buffing and cleaning machines, and various other instrumentalities acting on such sheets.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the pile elevator and the hydraulically actuated operating mechanism therefor are mounted on a frame comprised by a. pair of transversely spaced L-shaped side members indicated broadly at 5 and each preferably in the form of a flat steel plate having a vertically extending portion 6 and a horizontally extending portion 1. The side frame members 5 are supported on the machine foundation as by brackets 8 bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto, and connected together by a channel cross beam 9 which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the upright portions 6 of said members near the lower ends thereof. The side frame members 5 are further connected together by a vertically extending metal plate [0 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the front sides of vertically extending channel members II which, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said side frame members on the inner sides thereof. Spaced rearwardly from the plate In, as by spacers l2, and bolted or other: wise suitably secured to said plate is another plate I 3 against which the front side of a pile or supply of container blanks or other sheets I t bears during elevation of the same by mechanism to be hereinafter described.

The pile of container blanks or other sheets I4 is supported on a pile elevator comprised by a pair of transversely spaced L-shaped side members indicated broadly at I5 and each is preferably in the form of a flat steel plate having a vertically extending portion l 6 and a horizontally extending portion ll. The elevator side members l5 are connected together at the front and rear thereof by transversely extending channel members 58 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The channel members It have journalled therein rollers l9 on which the pile of container blanks or other sheets M may be freely moved into proper position on the elevator.

3 Accordingly, the pile of container blanks or other sheets I4 is preferably placed on .a pile board 29 and the latter and pile are then run on the elevator from either side thereof when said elevator is lowered to loading position as hereinafter described. The elevator is guided for vertical movement by rollers 2| which are journalled in spaced relation on the elevator side members l5 and arranged to run in the channel members The pile elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets l4 thereon are intermittently raised by hydraulically actuated mechanism to maintain the top of the pile at a proper feeding level. This mechanism is preferably mounted and constructed as follows. Connected with one of the elevator side members l5 as at 22 is one end of a cable 23 which extends upwardly and forwardly around a suitably grooved sheave 24. This sheave 26 is journalled on a pin 25 which is fixed in a block 26 and extends laterally therefrom through the adjacent channel member H and the upright portion 6 -of the adjacent side frame member 5. The block 26 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper end of an angle iron 21 which is spaced from the adjacent side frame member 5, as by a spacer 28, and bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the plate l9.

From the sheave 24 the cable 23 extends downwardly to the channel cross beam 9 at which point said cable passes under and around a suitably grooved sheave 29 through a suitable opening formed in said cross beam and into which the latter sheave projects. The sheave 29 is journalled on a pin 3|] which is secured in any suitable manner in the channel cross beam 9. From the sheave 29 the cable 23 extends transversely beneath the channel cross beam 9 and above a horizontally arranged hydraulic cylinder 3|, and then passes around a suitably grooved sheave 32 and back to said cylinder to which the opposite free end of said cable is then anchored in any suitable manner. The hydraulic cylinder 3| is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the channel cross beam 9 on the underside thereof and is provided with a hydraulically actuated piston rod or ram 33 projecting outwardly through one end of said cylinder. The sheave 32 is journalled as at 34 on a yoke 35 which is secured in any suitable manner on the outwardly projecting end of the piston rod or ram 33.

Connected with the other elevator side member i5 in the same manner as cable 23 is one end of a cable 31 which extends upwardly and forwardly around a suitably grooved sheave 38. This sheave 38 is journalled on a pin 39 which is fixed in a block 40 and extends laterally therefrom through the adjacent channel member H and the upright portion 6 of the adjacent side frame member 5. The block 40 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper end of an angle iron 4| which is spaced from the adjacent side frame member 5, as by a spacer 42, and bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the plate |0. From the sheave 38 the cable 31 extends downwardly to the channel cross beam 9 at which point said cable passes under and around a suitably grooved sheave 43. This sheave 43 is journalled on a pin :34 which is secured in any suitable manner in blocks 45 that are disposed on opposite sides of said sheave and welded or otherwise suitably secured to the channel cross beam 9.

From the sheave 43 the cable 31 extends transversely along the upper side of the channel cross beam 9 and then passes over and, around the said cable.

sheave 29 which is suitably grooved to also receive said cable. From the sheave 29 the cable 31 extends back over the hydraulic cylinder 3| and beneath the channel cross beam 9, and then passes around the-sheave 32 and back again to said cylinder to which the free opposite end thereof is then anchored in any suitable manner, the sheave 32 being suitably grooved to also receive It will thus appear that when the piston rod or ram 33 is hydraulically advanced toward the right as viewed in Fig. 1, corresponding movement will be imparted to the yoke 35 and sheave 32, and those portions of the cables 23 and 31 extending from the hydraulic cylinder 3| around the sheave 32 and to the sheave 29 will be lengthened. This obviously shortens those portions of the cables 23 and 31 between the elevator side members l5 and the sheaves 24 and 38 resulting in raising of the elevator and pile I4 thereon. The piston rod or ram 33 is guided for right line movement by a pair of rods 46 which are slidably engaged by the yoke 35 and have opposite extremities thereof secured on the hydraulic cylinder 3| and in a block 41 that is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of the channel cross beam 9. It is to be understood that any suitable means other than a cable connection between the piston rod or ram 33 and the elevator is contemplated.

Delivery of fluid under pressure into the hydraulic cylinder 3| to intermittently advance the piston rod or ram 33 and thereby intermittently raise the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon, and the release of said fluid from said cylinder to permit lowering of the elevator for loading and reloading purposes is, in accordance with the present invention, eifected and controlled by improved pump and valve means preferably mounted, constructed, arranged and operated as follows. Secured to the channel cross beam 9 through the medium of brackets 48 is a small platform 49 (Figs. 1 and 2) having Welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto a receptacle or tank 50 which is closed at the top thereof by a cover 5| bolted thereto. The receptacle or tank 59 is adapted to contain a supply of oil as indicated at 52 (Fig. 3) which is introduced therein through a suitable opening 53 formed in the cover 5| for this purpose. Connected with the cover 5|, as by a fitting 55, and communicating with the interior of the receptacle or tank 59 through a suitable opening 55 formed in said cover is one end of a conduit 56 the opposite end of which is connected with the hydraulic cylinder 3| at the left hand end thereof as viewed in Fig. 1.

Threaded in the opening 55 in cover 5|, as by a fitting 51, and communicating with the conduit 55 is one end of a conduit 58 (Fig. 3) which is disposed wholly within the fluid supply tank or receptacle 50. The opposite end of this conduit 58 is connected, as by a fitting 59, with the housing 60 of a combined fluid supplying pump and fluid controlling valve unit indicated broadly at 6| which, as herein shown, is also disposed within the tank 59 and wholly submerged in the fluid 52 in said tank. The pump and valve unit 6! may be supported in various ways in the tank 59 but, as herein shown, said unit is preferably bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the lower end of 9. depending bracket 52 which is secured to or formed integrally with the cover 5|. Referring now more particularly to Fig. 4 of the drawings, the housing 50 of the pump and valve unit 6| has formed therein at one side thereof a fluid inlet port 63 which opens outwardly into the fluid supply 52 and inwardly into a cylindrical bore 64 in said housing. Slidably mounted in the cylindrical bore ea. in housing 6t is a fluid controlling valve 65 provided with a reduced portion 69 for establishing communication at certain intervals between the port 63 and a passage 67. This passage 61 is formed in the housing ti preferably in line with the port 63 and connected with a passage 69 through a port 69. The passage 68 in housing to communicates with a chamber 76 formed by the lower end of a bushing 'H fixed in a cylindrical bore '!2 in said housing, and the upper end of a plug 13 which is threaded in said bore, said communication being established through a suitable opening I4 formed in the lower end of the bushing H. Formed in the housing 66 and preferably in line with the chamber I9 is a passage 16 having one end opening into said chamber and the opposite end closed by a plug ll. This passage 76 is connected with a passage it; through a port I9. Passage 78 has one end thereof closed by the bushing II and the opposite end opening into a cylindrical bore I65 formed in housing 6&3. This bore I65 communicates with the conduit 58 through a fluid outlet port I66 formed in the end wall of housing 69 and in which the fitting 59 of conduit 58 is threaded. Bore I66 also communicates with the fluid supply 52 through a port I6! formed in the end wall of housing 69 below port I 66 and having threaded therein a pipe fitting I68 to direct the fluid from bore E65 downwardly into the fluid supply 62, as hereinafter described.

Sildably mounted in the cylindrical bore I65 in housing 69 is a second fluid controlling valve I69 provided with a reduced portion Ill! for establishing communication between passage 18 and port I66 in one position of said valve, and between said passage, said port and port It? in another position of the valve, as hereinafter described. Valve IBQ is normally disposed in the full line position shown in Fig. 4 which is the position it occupies for raising of the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon, and when said elevator and pile are in raised position and while said blanks or other sheets are being fed from the top of the pile. In this position of valve I 69 it will be noted that port It? is closed by the lower large end of said valve, and that the passage 18 is open only to the fluid outlet port H66 through the bore I65 and the reduced portion 5 19 of the valve. Under these conditions fluid under pressure forced into bore I65 through passage 18, as hereinafter described, cannot return to the fluid supply 52 through port I67, but can flow into the hydraulic cylinder BI through port I 66 and conduits 58, 5'! and thereby effect actuation of piston rod or ram 33 and raising of the pile elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon. Since the fluid return port I6! is normally closed or blocked by valve E69 as above described, the fluid in cylinder 3i cannot return therefrom to the fluid supply 52 through said port.

Fitted for reciprocation in the bore 8b of bushing H is a plunger pump M which projects upwardly through the housing and is provided on the upper end thereof with an enlarged head portion 82. The plunger pump 8! is continuously reciprocated by mechanism preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows. Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the platform 49 is an electric motor 83 (Figs. 1, 2) connected with a suitable source of current and controlled for starting and stopping purposes by suitable switch means (not shown). Fixed on the armature shaft 84 of electric motor 83 is a pulley 85 around which passes a belt 86 that also passes around and drives a pulley 81. This pulley is fixed on and drives a short crank shaft 88 (Fig. 3) which extends through a suitable opening 89 formed in the rear side of the fluid supply tank or receptacle 50, and is journalled in a suitable bearing in the depending bracket 62. Pivotally connected as at 90 with the crank shaft 88 is the upper end of a connecting rod 9 I the lower end of which is pivotally connected as at 92 with the head portion 82 of the plunger pump 8|. It will thus appear that the plunger pump 8| through the described driving connections therefor with the electric motor 83 will be operated continuously and raised and lowered out of and into the chamber 10 during each revolution of the crank shaft 88.

Under these conditions, and with the fluid controlling valves 65 and I69 raised to the full line positions thereof shown in Fig. 4, the fluid 52 is intermittently drawn from the tank or receptacle 50 through the port 63, bore 64, the reduced portion 66 of the valve 65, the passage 61, the port 69, the passage 68, the opening 14, and into the chamber 10. Fluid so drawn into the chamber I0 is then forced therefrom by the plunger pump 8| through the passage 16, the port 79, the passage 18, bore I65, the reduced portion I") of valve I69, the port I66, the conduits 53, 56, and into the left hand end of the hydraulic cylinder 3| (Fig. 1), resulting in Step by step movement of the piston rod or ram 33 toward the right and intermittent raising of the pile elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon. When the fluid controlling valve 65 is lowered to the dotted line position thereof shown in Fig. 4, said valve closes the fluid inlet port 63, thus disconnecting the fluid supply 52 from the plunger pump 8I so that no fluid can be drawn by said pump into the chamber I0 as described upon continued action thereof. In this manner the plunger pump 8| is rendered ineffective to supply fluid into the hydraulic cylinder 3| with the result that no further upward movement is imparted to the pile elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon.

It will therefore be noted that through arrangement of the fluid controlling valve 65 between the fluid supply 52 and the plunger pump 85, ray-passing of the fluid is unnecessary to enable continuous operation of said pump without imparting raising movement to the pile elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon, thereby enabilng the use of a fluid controlling valve much simpler in construction and requiring less power to operate. It will further be noted that arrangement and operation of the plunger pump 8! and the fluid controlling valves 65 and I69 in the fluid supply 52 insures that no air is drawn into the hydraulic system, eliminates packing, and provides lubrication for said pump and said valves.

To prevent return flow of fluid from the hydraulic cylinder 3| through the conduits 56 and 53, bore I65, and passage I8, and consequently dropping of the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon, the housing 69 has incorporated therein an upwardly opening check valve preferably in the form of a ball 93 (Fig. 4) which is adapted to drop and close the end of the port I9 opening into the passage 10 when no fluid under pressure is being forced through said port by the plunger pump 8!. The fluid previously admitted into the cylinder 3| to intermittently raise the pile elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon is then trapped therein, thus maintaining the elevator and pile in raised position. The ball check valve 93 is retained in a valve cage 95 which is threaded in a suitable opening in the housing 60 and provided with a plurality of fluid passages or ports 95.

To prevent return flow of fluid from the chamber '50, the housing 60 has incorporated therein an upwardly opening check valve preferably in the form of a ball 96 which is adapted to drop and close the end of the port 69 opening into the passage 68 on the pressure stroke of the plunger pump 85. The ball check valve is retained in a valve cage 91 which is threaded in a suitable opening in the housing 60 and provided with a plurality of fluid passages or ports 98.

In order to guard against overloading of the pile elevator which would result in breaking of the cables 23, 3'! and damage to said elevator and the hydraulic mechanism, the plug 13 has formed therein a relief port 99 (Fig. 4) having one end opening into the chamber and the opposite end opening into a passage I00 also formed in said plug. This passage I00 opens into the fluid supply 52 through a tubular adjusting screw I0! threaded in plug I3. The relief port 99 is normally closed by a downwardly opening pressure relief valve disposed within the passage I00 and preferably in the form of a ball I02 which is held against the port 99 by a compression spring I03 interposed between said ball and the adjusting screw IOI. The tension of the spring I03 on the ball relief valve I02 is so regulated by the adjusting screw IOI that the fluid pressure required to effect elevation of the maximum load capable of being handled on the elevator is not sufficient to cause opening of said valve. Should, however, the fluid pressure exceed a predetermined amount due to overloading of the pile elevator or for any other reason, the relief valve I02 is caused to open and permit the fluid to flow from the chamber '10 back into the fluid supply 52 through the relief port 99, the passage I00 and the adjusting screw IOI, thus preventing actuation of the piston rod or ram 33 and raising of the pile elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon. The desired adjustment of screw IOI may be effected without removing housing 90 from the fluid supply tank 50, and for this purpose the platform 59 is provided with a suitable opening I04 communicating with the interior of said tank and adapted to receive a screw driver or other similar tool. Opening I00 is normally closed by a removable drain plug I04 threaded therein.

It will be noted that arrangement of the fluid controlling valves 65, I09, the plunger pump 8|, the fluid check valves 93 and 99, and the safety pressure relief valve I02 in the housing 50 as a single unit materially simplifies the hydraulic system and insures low manufacturing cost and,

fool-proof operation of the hydraulic mechanism.

As hereinbefore stated, the fluid controlling valve 65 is raised and lowered to render the plunger pump 8| effective and ineffective to supply fluid into the hydraulic cylinder 3!, and while this may be accomplished in any suitable manner and by any suitable means for this purpose, said operation, as herein shown, is preferably efiected by electrically actuated means controlled by switch means responsive to variations in the height of the pile of container blanks or other sheets on the elevator. The contacts of the switch are normally open until a sufficient number of sheets have been fed from the top of the pile, whereupon the switch closes under the control of the pile to actuate the electrical means, thereby raising the fluid controlling valve 65 and rendering the plunger pump 8| effective to supply fluid under pressure into the hydraulic cylinder 3| to intermittently raise the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon. Upon raising of the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon, the switch is again opened by the pile and opening ofthe switch controls the lowering of the fluid controlling valve 65 to render the plunger pump BI ineffective to further raise the elevator and pile thereon. Said electrically actuated means and pile controlled switch means are preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows.

Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cover 5| of the fluid supp-1y tank or receptacle 50 is a bracket I05 (Fig. 3) to which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured a solenoid I06 having a core I01. Pivotally connected as at I08 with the lower end of the core I0! of solenoid 505 is the upper end of a rod I09 which extends downwardly into the tank or receptacle 50 through a suitable opening formed for this purpose in the cover EI and has its lower end pivotally connected as at H0 with the upper end of the fluid controlling valve 65.

Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the angle iron 27 near the top thereof and projecting inwardly therefrom is a square bar III (Figs. 1 and 2). Engaged over and slidable along the bar I I I is a block I I2 which is held a ainst displacement from said bar by a plate I I3 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the upper side of said block. The block H2 and parts carried thereby hereinafter described may be adiusted along the bar III in accordance with variations in width of the container blanks or other sheets being handled on the elevator and may be secured in any desired osition of adiustment by any suitab e known means. such as a thumb screw or the like threaded in block H2.

Secured in any suitable manner to the underside of block H2 is a plate H5 having a downwardly bent side portion IIG (Fig. 1). Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to plate H5 is a normally open switch II! which is of a known type having a pair of spaced stationary contact members and a movable contact member which is adapted to bridge said stationary contact members and thereby complete the electrical circuit to solenoid I00. The movable contact member has connected therewith a short actuating arm I2I which is normally biased to open circuit position by a light pull spring I22 having one end connected with said arm and the opposite end connected to a strip I23 secured to the casing of switch II'I.

Pivotally mounted as at I26 (Fig. 2) to swing in a vertica1 plane on the side portion H6 of plate H5 is a lever I27 having one end engaged with the contact actuating arm I2I. Pivotally mounted at I28 on the opposite end of lever I21 to swing in a horizontal plane is an arm I29 to which is secured a feeler I30 that extends rearwardly and downwardly and also inwardly at an angle into engagement with the top of the pile of container blanks or other sheets I4 at one side and adjacent the front thereof. Feeler I30 is yieldably held in its original angular pile engaging position by a light pull spring I3I having one end connected to lever I2! and the opposite end connected to a stop lug formed on arm I29. The purpose of the double-jointed feeler I30 is to enable the same to yield inwardly and upwardly in horizontal and vertical directions when handling container blanks and the opposite side portions of the top blank are folded inwardly toward each other on the pile prior to feeding of said blank into the stitching or taping machine, thus presenting no interference to the blank folding operation.

It will be understood that the switch 1 and actuating means therefor including the feeler I30 may be arranged in a well-known manner to operate on the rear of the pile I4 instead of on the front of said pile as herein shown, and that the feeler I30 may be operated at predetermined intervals in a well known manner into and out of engagement with the top of the pile I4. It will also be understood that the horizontal swinging movement of the feeler I30 and the inward angular position of said feeler may be eliminated when the pile elevator is employed in connection with hand or automatic feeding of container blanks or other sheets that are not folded prior to feeding of the same, in which event the feeler I30 may be secured to or formed integrally with the arm I27.

The solenoid I06 and one of the stationary contact members of switch II'I have connected therewith lead wires I33 and I34, respectively, which are connected with a suitable source of electric current (Fig. 2). The other stationary contact member and the solenoid I06 are connected together by a wire I35 so that when the movable contact member is lowered into engagement with both of the spaced stationary contact members the electric circuit for the solenoid I06 will be completed.

Assuming now that the top of the pile I4 is disposed at the normal feeding level at which time the switch II! is open, the fluid controlling valve 65 is in its lowered dotted line position shown in Fig. 4 closing the fluid inlet port 63, and the fluid controlling valve I69 is in its raised full line position. Under these conditions the plunger pump 8i idly reciprocates without pumping fluid, no upward movement is imparted to the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon, and said elevator and pile are held in raised position as hereinbefore described. As the container blanks or other sheets are fed one after another from the top of the pile, however, the feeler I30 will lower by gravity so that when a sufiicient number of said blanks or sheets have been so fed, switch III will be closed, thus completing the electric circuit for the solenoid I06. The solenoid I06 is then energized and draws the core I07 upwardly, thereby raising the fluid controlling valve 65 to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 4. Under these conditions the fluid inlet port 63 is opened, and upon continued reciprocation of the plunger pump 8| fluid is drawn from the supply 52 and delivered under pressure into the hydraulic cylinder 3| as hereinbefore described, thus raising the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon.

As the pile thus raises, the feeler I30 engaged with the top of the pile also raises causing switch Hi to open. Opening of the switch II'I de-energizes the solenoid I06 whereupon the fluid con- 10 trolling valve 65 drops such as by gravity to the dotted line position thereof shown in Fig. 4, thus again closing the fluid inlet port 63 and rendering the plunger pump 8| ineffective as hereinbefore described to further raise the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon.

Lowering of the fluid controlling valve 65 as aforesaid to stop further raising of the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon is delayed or retarded so that, upon opening of the switch I I 1, raising of the elevator will not be directly stopped but, on the contrary, will continue to raise the pile an amount sufficient to enable feeding of a number of blanks or sheets from the top thereof before raising of the elevator and said pile is again necessary. In this manner the pile is raised to the normal feeding range upon a single operatio of the switch I I1, whereas the switch would otherwise operate for each sheet particularly if they are relatively thick, thus eliminating frequent operations of said switch, preventing excessive wear of the same and frequent repairs or replacements thereto.

The feeler I30 and its associated devices switch I", solenoid I06, and fluid controlling valve 65 constitute supply control means and various ways and means may be employed in connection with any part thereof to delay or retard the operation of the same whereby delay i the lowering movement of the fluid controlling valve 65 is effected. Preferably, such delaying means is associated with the fluid controlling valve 65 and preferably too is effected by fluid means which may be constructed and arranged as follows. Formed in the housing at the side thereof having the fluid inlet port 63 and spaced from said port is a restricted port I36 (Fig. 4) having one end opening into the fluid supply 52 and the opposite end opening into the bore 64. The bore 64 is closed at the lower end thereof by a plug I31 having an open ended port I38 therein communicating with the fluid supply 52 and with said bore. The port I38 is normally closed by an upwardly opening check valve preferably in the form of a ball I39. The lower end of the fluid controlling Valve is countersunk as at I40 to receive the ball I39 when said valve is lowered.

It will thus appear that when the fluid controlling valve 65 is raised to effect raising of the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon as hereinbefore described; said raising of said valve creates vacuum in the lower end of the bore 64 whereupon the ball check valve I39 is raised by the fluid pressure on the underside thereof, thus permitting th fluid 52 to flow into said bore through the port I38. When the switch H1 is opened as hereinbefore described, and the fluid controlling valve 65 begins to drop by gravity, at which time the port I38 is again closed through dropping of the ball check valve I39, the fluid previously admitted into the bore 64 must be forced therefrom by the fluid controlling valve 65 throughthe restricted port I36 and back into the supply 52 before said valve can drop to the dotted line position thereof shown in Fig. 4, thus materially retarding or delaying the lowering movement of the fluid controlling valve 65.

When the pile of container blanks or other sheets is exhausted through intermittent raising of the elevator and feeding of said blanks or sheets One after another therefrom, the elevator may be quickly lowered to th machine foundation to receive a new pile of blanks or other sheets. This lowering of the elevator is under the control of the fluid controlling valve I69 and is effected by simply lowering said valve from its normal full line position to its broken line position shown in Fig. 4:. As herein shown, valve I69 is manually raised and lowered by mechanism constructed and mounted as follows. Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the channel members II on the tops thereof are blocks HII (Figs. 1 and 2) in which is journalled opposite extremities of a transversely extending rock shaft I62 having fixed thereon a handle I43. Fixed on one end of the rock shaft I42 is an arm I46 having pivotally connected therewith as at I45 the upper end of a rod I46 the lower end of which is pivotally connected as at I61 (Fig. with an arm I68. This arm I48 is fixed on a transversely extending rock shaft I69 having one end thereof extending through a suitable opening formed in one of the side frame members 5 and journalled in a suitabl bearing in a bracket I 56 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said side frame member.

The opposite end of shaft I49 is journalled in a suitable bearing provided in a bracket I5I which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cover 5| of the fluid supply tank or receptacle 50. Secured to shaft I49 adjacent bracket I5I is an arm I52 to the free end of which is pivotally connected the upper end of a connecting rod I53 that extends downwardly into the tank or receptacle 56 through a suitable opening formed in the cover 5|. The lower end of rod I53 is pivotally connected as at I59 to the upper end of the fluid controlling valve I69. Rocking movement of shaft I49 in opposite directions to raise and lower valve I69 is limited by stop screws I55 and I56 which are engaged by arm I68 and are adjustably threaded in the adjacent side frame member 5 and the bracket I56, respectively.

'While the container blanks or other sheets are fed from the top of the pile and intermittent raising of the elevator and said pile is effected by the plunger pump 8|, the handle I 33 is disposed in the raised position thereof shown in Fig. 2, and the arm I 63 is disposed in engagement with thestop screw I55 (Fig. 5). Under these conditions the valve I69 is raised to the full line position shown in Fig. 4 so that the fluid forced into bore .I65 by the plunger pump 8I will flow into the hydraulic cylinder 9I and thereby effect raising of the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon as hereinbefore described. When the pile of container blanks or other sheets is exhausted, however, the elevatormay be quickly lowered to the machine foundation by moving the handle I43 downwardly (Fig. 2) until the arm M6 through the described connections therefor with said handle is raised into .engagement with the stop screw I56, thus rocking the shaft I49 and lowering valve I69 to the broken line position shown in Fig. 4, whereupon the fluid outlet passage 18 and the fluid outlet port I66 are connected with the fluid supply'52 through the bore I65, the reduced portion I of valve I69 and the fluid return port I61. Under these conditions the fluid in the hydraulic cylinder 3I is released and the elevator drops by gravity to the machine foundation. As the elevator thus drops by gravity, the fluid in the hydraulic cylinder.3I is forced therefrom back into the tank or receptacle 50 through the conduits 56, 58, the port I66, the housing 60 and the port I61, the resistance created by the fluid in passing through said conduits, said ports and .said

housing controllingthe rapidity'of the downward I or other sheets is being loaded thereon. It will be understood that when the elevator is lowered to the machine foundation for loading or reloading purposes the-plunger pump 8I may be stopped by stopping the electric motor 83 in the usual manner. 7

The elevator having been lowered to the ma.- chine foundation and a new pile of container blanks or other sheets having been properly loaded thereon in the usual manner from either side thereof, said elevator and the new pile are then raised until the top of said pile is brought into proper position for feeding of the blanks or other sheets one after another therefrom. For this purpose, the handle I43 is again raised to its normal position (Fig. 2) to lower the rod I46 and arm I48 until the latter engages the stop screw I55, thus rocking the shaft I49. in the .op-. posite direction and again raising .valve I69 to the full line position shown in Fig. 4. Thereupon, the fluid return port I61 in housing 66 is again closed by valve I69, and the fluid forced into the-bore I65 by .plunger pump 8| will flow therefrom into the hydraulic cylinder SI as hereinbefore described and effect raising of the -ele-.- vator and the new .pile of containerblanks or othersheets thereon until the top of .said pile reaches the normal-feeding level.

As the new pile thus raises, the top of said pile engages and raises the feeler I30, thereby opening the switch H1. The fluid controlling valve 65 then drops slowly by gravity as .hereinbefore described, during which time raising of the elevator and pile continues until the top of the pile reaches the normal feeding level, whereupon the fluid inlet port 66 is again closed by said valve and the elevator is stopped. Feeding of the container blanks or other sheets one after another from the top of the new pile .may now be resumed and continued through intermittent raising of the elevator and pile controlled by the feeler I36. The folded container blanks are fed one after another into the stitching or taping machine over an upwardlyandforwardly extending plate I59 which forms part of said machine.

.If desired, .the fluid controlling valve I69, like the fluid controlling .valve 6.5, may be electrically operated-by a solenoid similar .to .the solenoid I66 and controlled by a suitable push button switch conveniently placed on the floor or on the machine =frame forfoot or hand operation :by the operator.

It will be apparent that-should the switch -I I1, for any reason, fail to render the plunger purnp 8.I ineffective through the'described means for this purpose when the pileof container blanks orother sheets is completely exhausted, the hydraulic mechanism, if allowed to continuein operation, would raise the elevator beyond the nor mal-feedinglevel and cause damage to the. switch I I1 and component parts thereof, .and also 1105-.

sible damage to the hydraulic mechanism. Means is, therefore, provided independent of the switch I I7 to stop the elevator when said elevator reaches a predetermined elevated position. Said means stops the plunger pump BI, and, as herein shown, is preferably comprised by a normally closed switch I60 (Fig. 1) which is arranged in a well known manner in the electric circuit for the electric motor 83. This switch IE is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to one of the channel members ll near the top thereof and is provided with an actuating arm |6| that extends into the path of upward movement of one of the elevator side members l5 (Fig. 2). The switch I60 is so located on the channel member H that the arm l6! thereof will be engaged by the elevator side member before the elevator is raised an amount sufficient to cause damage to the switch H1 and possible damage to the hydraulic mechanism.

It will thus appear that should the switch I ll, for any reason, fail to render the plunger pump 8| ineffective through the discribed means for this purpose, the elevator upon continued upward movement thereof will engage and raise the arm I6! of switch I 60 and thus open said switch. Opening of the switch I59 breaks the circuit to the electric motor 33, thus stopping said motor and further operation of the plunger pump 8! thereby. Stopping of the plunger pump 8! throws the hydraulic mechanism out of operation and prevents further raising of the elevator. When the elevator is rapidly lowered as hereinbefore described to reload it with a pile of container blanks or other sheets, the arm E6! of switch IE8 returns to its original position and closes said switch, thus again starting the motor 83 to enable raising of the elevator and new pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon as hereinbefore described.

It will be noted that the cover 51 for the tank or receptacle 58 supports the pump and valve unit 6!, the pump operating mechanism, the check and relief valves 93, 96, N32, the solenoid I06, the bracket l5! and the conduits 56 and 58, all of which may be bench assembled, thus reducing elevator erecting time.

It will further be noted that by virtue of the novel arrangement of the fluid controlling valve !69 with respect to the pump 8| and the hydraulic cylinder 3|, and the mounting of said valve in the housing 69 together with said pump and the fluid controlling valve 55, a single conduit is only required to conduct the fluid to the cylinder and to direct said fluid away from said cylinder, thus eliminating the use of separate return flow conduits, and th various operating and control members of the hydraulic system are contained in a single and simple compact unit which requires less space and may be located relatively close to the hydraulic cylinder, thus further simplifying the construction and operation of the hydraulic pile elevator actuating mechanism.

The present description and its accompanying drawings set forth with more or less particularity one embodiment of the present invention, but it is to be expressly understood that said invention is not limited to said embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of the type having means for supporting a pile of sheets to be fed one after another from the top thereof, and hydraulic mechanism including a cylinder for elevating said 14 pile supporting means, the combination of a re ceptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid, pump means in said receptacle for supplying said fluid into said cylinder, valve means in said receptacle and submerged in the fluid therein, said valve means being movable to one position to enable delivery of said fluid into said cylinder by said pump means and movable to another position to interrupt said delivery of said fluid into said cylinder, pile engaged means controlling the operation of said valve means, other valve means in said receptacle and submerged in the fluid therein, said other valve means being movable to one position to permit said delivery of said fluid under pressure into said cylinder and movable to another position to simultaneously connect both said cylinder and said pump means with said fluid supply, and means for moving said other valve.

means.

2. In apparatus of the type having means for supporting a pile of sheets to be fed one afteranother from the top thereof, and hydraulic: mechanism including a cylinder for raising said. pile supporting means, the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid, a. housing in said receptacle and wholly submerged, in the fluid therein, a continuously reciprocating plunger pump in said housing for supplying fluid. from said fluid supply through said housing and into said cylinder, a valve in said housing and. disposed between said pump and said cylinder,. said valve being movable to one position to permit said pump to supply said fluid under pres-- sure into said cylinder and movable to another position to permit return flow of fluid simu1- taneously from both said cylinder and said pump to said fluid supply, means for operating said. valve, and a check valve in said housing between. said pump and said first-named valve.

3. In apparatus of the type having means for supporting a pile of sheets to be fed one after an-- other from the top thereof, and hydraulic mech anism including a cylinder for raising said pile: supporting means, the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid, a housing in said receptacle and wholly submerged in the fluid therein, a continuously reciprocating plunger pump in said housing for supplying fluid from said fluid supply through said housing and into said cylinder, a pile controlled first valve in said housing between said pump and said fluid supply and movable to connect the latter with and disconnect the same from said pump, a checlc valve in the housing between said first valve and said pump, a second valve in said housing between said pump and said cylinder, said second valve being movable to one position to permit said pump to supply said fluid under pressure into said cylinder and movable to another position to permit return flow of fluid simultaneously from both said pump and said cylinder through said housing into said fluid supply, means for operating said second valve, and a check valve in said housing between said pump and said second valve.

i. In apparatus of the type having means for supporting a pile of sheets to be fed one after another from the top thereof, and hydraulic mechanism including a cylinder for raising said pile supporting means, the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid, a cover for said receptacle, a housing carried by said cover and wholly submerged in the fluid in said receptacle, a plunger pump in the housing for supplying fluid from said fluid supply through said housing and into said cylinder, driven means,

' therein, said housing; having a onsaid cover for 'continuousl-y reciprocating. said. plunger pump, a first valve in saidhousmg be tween said pumpand saidfluid supplyand moi".-

able to connect the latter. withand. disconnectv the samefrom said pump, pile controlledmeans on said cover controlling the operation of said.

first, valve, a second valve in said housing between said pump and said-cylinder, said second valve being movabl to one position to permit said pumpto supply said fluid under pressure into said cylinder and movable to-another position .to permit return flow both sa d pump, nd housing into said fluid supply, and means on said cover for operating said second valve,

5. In apparatus of the type having means .for

supporting a pile of sheets vto be fed one after another from the top thereof, and hydraulic mechanism including a cylinder for raising said pile supporting means, apump and valve assembly comprising; a. receptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid, ,a housing in said receptacle andwholly submerged in the fluid fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port and a fluid return port, a plunger pump in the housing and continuously reciprocated. to draw fluid from said:

supply into said housing. through said inlet port andforce said fluid therefrom into said 'cylinderthrough said outlet port and into said fluidsupply throughsaidreturn port, a valve in said housing and. disposed between said plunger pump. and .said fluid outlet andreturn ports, said valve being movable to one position to close said. return port and connect said pump with said outlet port, thereby causing said fluid mechanismincludinga cylinder for raising saidv pilesupportingimeans, a pump and valve as-. sembly comprising, areceptacle adapted to contain asupply of fluid, a housing in said.recep tacle andwholly submerged in the fluid therein, said housing having a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port and a fluid return. port, a plunger pump in said housing. and continuously reciproe cated to draw fluid from said fluid supply into said housing through said inlet port and force said fluid therefrominto said cylinder through said outlet port and into said fluid supply through said return port, a pile controlled valve in said housing and disposed between said plunger pump and said fluid inlet port and reciprocal to, connect the latter with and disconnect the same from said pump, a second valve in said housing and disposed between said plunger pump and saidfluid outlet and return ports, said second valve-being movable to one position to connect said plunger pump with said fluid outlet port andmovable to another position to simultaneously connect said outlet port and said plunger 1 pump with said return port, means for moving said second valve, and check valves in said housof fluid simultaneously from said cylinder through said ing. and-v disposed betweensaid-pile controlled valvev and. saidplunger ump andbetween the latter'andsaid secondvalve. I s

'7. In apparatusof. the type having meansfor supporting a pile of .sheets.to be fed one after another. from the top thereof, and hydraulic mechanism including a cylinder for raising-said pile supporting means, a pump and valve assembly. comprising, a-receptacle adapted to con- .tain a supply of fluid,- a housing in said'receptacle andwhollysubmerged in the fluid there-- in,..said. housing having a fluid inlet-port, a fluid;

outlet port. and'a fluid-return port, a plunger pump in said housing and continuously reciprocated. to-draw fluid from said fluid supply into said housing through said inlet port and force said. fluid therefroininto said cylinder through said outlet port and into said fluid supply through-said return port, a pile controlled valvein said. housing and disposed between said plunger pump and said fluid inlet port and reciprocal to connect the latter with and disconnect the same from said pump, a second valve in. said housing and disposed between saidplunger pump and said fluid outlet and return ports, said secondvalve being movable to oneposition to connect said plunger pump with said fluid outlet port and movable to another position to simultaneously connect said outlet port and said plunger pump with said return port, means for moving saidsecond valve; check valves in said housingand disposed betweensaid pile controlled valveand'said plunger pump and between the latter and said second valve,

and a pressure responsive relief valve in the housing. and disposed between the plunger pump and said fluid outlet port.

8. In apparatusofthe-type havi-ng'means forsupporting a pile of sheets tobe fed one after another from the top thereof, and hydraulic mechanism includinga cylinder for raisingsaid pile supporting means, the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid, ahousing in said receptacle and wholly submerged in the fluid therein, said housing having a fluid inlet port and two relatively spacedoutlet ports, a conduit connected with said cylinder and'with one of said outlet ports, a plunger pump in said housing and reciprocated'to draw fluid from said fluid supply into said-housing through said inletport and force said fluid therefrom into said cylinder through said conduit, a slide valve in said housing and'disposed between said plungerpump and said outlet ports,said valve beingmovable to one position to-connect said plunger pump with said conduit and to close'the otherof-said-outlet ports and movable to another position'to connect both said outlet ports and said conduit with'said fluid supply, means for'moving saidvalve, and a check valve in-said h0u's'-= ing and disposed etween said plunger pump and said slide valve;

LEO c. WILLIAMS. 1

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,247,466 Baker et al July 1, 1941 2,295,948 Henry Sept. 15, 1942 2,362,853 Spiller Nov. 14, 1944 2,435,915 Williams Feb. 10, 1948

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