US3031189A - Collating machine pocket drum - Google Patents

Description

April 1962 D. E. FORNELL ETAL 3,031,189

COLLATING MACHINE POCKET DRUM Filed Nov. 18, 1960 Z r a m M J. mm; M m r T 2 m ifi/ A 4 a J WW 2 2 MM I a V. {B u 7 N L 2 W1 6" n z I 'l lfi 4 Unite States 3,fl3l,l89 Patented Apr. 24, 1962 3,031,189 COLLATING MACHHNE PGCKET DRUM David E. Fornell, 19231 W. Davison Ave, and Bertil S. Fornell, 19633 Brady, both of Detroit, Mich. Filed Nov. 18, 196i Ser. No. 70,211 6 Claims. (Cl. 271-86) This invention relates to sheet collating machines and more particular to a pocket drum having adjustable false side and bottom members for accommodating various size paper sheets especially relatively very small sheets in the relatively very large drum.

Collating drums have been employed heretofore to facilitate receiving sheets in the various pockets of the drum, however, the several devices of the prior art have not proven entirely satisfactory inasmuch as they are not adjustable to facilitate the handling of various size paper sheets and moreover the devices of the prior art are complicated in design and construction, expensive to manufacture, diflicult to install, and unsatisfactory in use.

With the foregoing in view, the primary object of the invention is to provide a collator drum having relatively large sheet receiving pockets integrated with slidable end members constituting adjustable false ends and a false bottom member completely adapting the drum for receiving various size sheets therein and wherein the drum and adjustable members are inexpensive to manufacture, simple in design and consrtuction, easy to use, and highly satisfactory in use as even very small sheets are neatly held in edge alignment.

An object of the invention is to provide radially disposed sideplates in the drum defining the sides of the pockets therein with each side plate having a projecting shoulder abutting a substantially U-shaped false bottom member fixedly holding the false bottom member in easily demountably mounted condition.

An object of the invention is to provide false end members substantially U-shaped in cross-section abutting the drum side plate shoulder easily demountably mounting the end members in the drum in endwise slidable condition for adjustably locating the false end members to accommodate various size sheets.

An obejct of the invention is to provide an inverted U-shaped clip flange on the top of the false end members overlapping the drum side plate top edge mechanically holding the false end member against the drum side plate shoulder.

An object of the invention is to provide a relief cut out in the central area of the drum side plates providing an opening for sidewise sliding the end member U-clip into mechanical interlock with the side plate shoulder and also for exposing the false bottom member edge adjacent thereto for easy insertion and removal.

An obejct of the invention is to provide springing action in the false bottom and end members urging the members into engagement with the drum side plate shoulder.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description of a collator drum and removable and adjustable false bottom and end members embodying the invention taken in connection with the accompaying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of a collator drum taken on the line 1-1 of FIG. 2 showing the false end members in side elevation.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken on the line 22 thereof.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the false bottom member in face elevation.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken on the line 4-4 thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of a false end member.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the collator drum and false bottom and end members disclosed therein to illustrate the invention comprises, a collator drum 1i? having circular end plates 11 and 12 interconnected and spaced by radially disposed side plates 13 and a cylindrical bottom plate 14 which may be formed from a cylinder or integrated as incremental flanges 14A extending off the side plate 13; the sheet holding drum pockets 15 are sidewise defined by the spaced side plates 13 and endwise defined by the spaced end plates 11 and 12 and bottomWiSe defined by a bottom plate 14 and it is obvious that these dimensions are fixed regardless of the size sheet being collated.

More particularly, each side plate 13 has an offset crimp 20 paralleling its upper edge 21 creating a sidewise extending and downwardly engaging shoulder 22. Also a cut out relief 23 in the central area of the side plate 13 is provided.

The false bottom member 25 is substantially U-shaped in cross-section having a bottom panel 26, a side flange 27, and a relatively longer side flange 28 edgewise abutting the drum side plate shoulder 22 and due to the fact that the false bottom member 25 is spring wise torsioned outwardly, the false bottom member 25 tends to rise by pressing sidewise against the outwardly inclining drum side plates 13 thereby urging the top edge of the false bottom member flange 28 into engagement with the drum side plate shoulder 22 thereby fixedly locating the false bottom member 25 in the drum 10. It will be understood that it is only necessary for the operator to push the false bottom member 25 downwardly between the drum side plates 13 whereupon the flange 28 bi-passing the shoulder 22 the side plate is snapped and fixedly located in position creating a false bottom at the panel 26 above the drum bottom plate 14.

Each false end member 30 is substantially U-shaped in cross-section, FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, and comprises an end panel 31 and two side flanges 32 and 33 with the upper edge 34 of the side flange 33 adapted to lie under and abut the drum side plate 13 shoulder 22 and due to the fact that the end panel 31 and flanges 32 and 33 are springwise integrated they press sidewise outwardly against the outwardly inclining drum side plates 13 causing the false end member 30 to rise in the pocket area and to abut the flange upper edge 34 against the side plate shoulder 22.

Preferably, each false end member 30 is equipped with an inverted U-shaped clip 35 mechanically overlapping the top of the drum side plate 13 to mechanically interlock the top edge 34 against the side plate 13 shoulder 22. The false end plates 30 are shown in right and left hand embodiments as will be easily understood.

In assembly, the operator presses a false bottom member downwardly in a drum pocket and upon its side flange 28 top edge bi-passing the drum side plate shoulder 22 it snaps into position and it will be noted that the cut out relief 23 leaves the center portion of the false bottom flange 28 exposed for easy insertion and removal.

The operator inserts a right hand false end member 30 as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 in the drum side plate 1-3 out out relief area 23, and slides the inverted U-shaped clip 35 over the drum side plate 13 upper edge 21 and shoulder 22 with the false end member 30' spring wise engaging the drum side plates 13 and the shoulder 22 so as to endwise slidably interlock the false end member 30 between the adjacent drum side plates 13 and it is obvious that the false end member '30 is slidably adjustable endwise to the desired position. The left hand false end member 30 seen in FIG. 2 is similarly mounted and is similarly endwise adjustable.

In use, the false bottom member reduces the depth of the drum pockets and the false end members adjustably reduce the endwise extent of the drum pockets. This enables the drum to hold a relatively small sheet in closespaced proximity in edge aligned condition in the pockets so that when they are removed they are in edge align- 5 ment. In the event the full endwise extent of the drum is to be used the false end members can be moved sidewise outwardly thereby leaving them in assembled position in the drum but not reducing the endwise extent thereof. Also the false bottom member can be easily inserted and removed as desired.

The novel collator drum and false bottom and end members with the features described constitute a compact, durable, neat appearing mechanism, easily operated to adjust the drum pocket size to the size of the sheet to be used creating mechanical facility for sheet size adjustment in a short period of time thereby enabling a large collator drum handling any size sheet with efliciency.

Although but a single embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the size, shape, detail, and arrangement of the various elements of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A drum particularly suitable for use on a collating machine having individual radially disposed pockets comprising spaced circular end plates defining the end walls of the drum pockets; spaced radial side plates between said end walls defining the side walls of the drum pockets, said side plates having radially inner and outer edges; a bottom plate between said circular end plates lying below said side plates defining the bottom wall of the drum pockets; said drum so defined forming pockets of the largest sheet size receiving capacity; each said side plate having an offset crimp running parallel to and spaced below said side plate radially outer edge forming a projecting shoulder in said side plate on one side thereof; a false bottom member easily removable and insertable in each said pocket for shortening the depth of said pocket including a first side flange lying against one said side plate below said shoulder having an outer edge abutting said shoulder, a bottom panel on said first side flange spaced above said bottom plate spanning the area be tween said spaced side plates, and a second side flange on said bottom panel lying against said next side plate; said side flanges being springwise pressed outwardly forcing said side flanges outwardly against said radial side plates; said radial side plates angularly opening outwardly relative to one another and said side flanges causing said false bottom member in conjunction with outwardly springing action to slide radially outwardly thereby driving said first side flange outer edge into forced engagement with said side plate shoulder to hold said false bottom member fixedly in said drum; each said drum side plate having a relief cut out in its outer edge exposing said false bottom first side flange upper edge for easy manual insertion and removal; paired false end members substantially U-shaped in cross section each consisting of a false end center panel and side flanges abutting said drum side plates with one said side flange having a top edge lying below and abutting said drum side plate shoulder; said false end members being springwise pressed between said outwardly angling drum side plates causing said false end members to slide radially outwardly of said drum to forceably engage said false end member side flange outer edge with said drum side plate shoulder to hold said false end members fixedly in said drum; said false end members being slidable toward and away from one another to vary the size pocket space therebetween; and an inverted U- shaped hook flange on said false end member side flange abutting said shoulder leading over said drum side plate outer edge mechanically locking said false end member side flange in shoulder engagement; said hook flange being sidewise engageable with said drum side plate at said plate relief cut out relief for easy insertion and removal of said false end members.

2. A drum particularly suitable for use on a collating machine having individual radially disposed pockets comprising spaced circular end plates defining the end walls of the drum pockets; spaced radial side plates between said end Walls defining the side walls of the drum pockets, said side plates having radially inner and outer edges; a bottom plate between said circular end plates lying below said side plates defining the bottom wall of the drum pockets; said drum so defined forming pockets of the largest sheet size receiving capacity; each said side plate having an offset crimp running parallel to and spaced below said side plate radially outer edge forming a projecting shoulder in said side plate on one side thereof; and a false bottom member easily removable and insertable in each said pocket for shortening the depth of said pocket including a first side flange lying against one said side plate below said shoulder having an outer edge abutting said shoulder, a bottom panel on said first side flange spaced above said bottom plate spanning the area between said spaced side plates, and a second side flange on said bottom panel lying against said next side plate; said side flanges being springwise pressed outwardly forcing said side flanges outwardly against said radial side plates; said radial side plates angularly opening outwardly relative to one another and said side flanges causing said false bottom member in conjunction with outwardly springing action to slide radially outwardly thereby driving said first side flange outer edge into forced engagement with said side plate shoulder to hold said false bottom member fixedly in said drum.

3. A drum particularly suitable for use on a collating machine having individual radially disposed pockets comprising spaced circular cnd plates defining the end walls of the drum pockets; spaced radial side plates between said end walls defining the side wall of the drum pockets, said side plates having radially inner and outer edges; a bottom plate between said circular end plates lying below said side plates defining the bottom wall of the drum pockets; said drum so defined forming pockets of the largest sheet size receiving capacity; each said side plate having an offset crimp running parallel to and spaced below said side plate radially outer edge forming a projecting shoulder in said plate on one side thereof; said drum side plate being relief cut out in its outer edge; paired false end members substantially U-shaped in cross section each consisting of a false end center panel and side flanges abutting said drum side plates with one said side flange having a top edge lying below and abutting said drum side plate shoulder; said false end members being springwise pressed between said outwardly angling drum side plates causing said false end members to slide radially outwardly of said drum to forceably engage said false end member side flange outer edge with said drum side plate shoulder to hold said false end member fixedly in said drum; said false end members being slideable toward and away from one another to vary the size pocket space therebetween; and an inverted U-shaped hook flange on said false end member side flange abutting said shoulder leading over said drum side plate outer edge mechanically locking said false end member side flange in shoulder engagement; said hook flange being sidewise engageable with said drum side plate at said plate relief cutout relief for easy insertion and removal of said false end members.

4. A drum particularly suitable for use on a collating machine having individual radially disposed pockets comprising spaced circular end plates defining the end walls of the drum pockets; spaced radial side plates between said end walls defining the side walls of the drum pockets, said side plates having radially inner and outer edges; a bottom plate between said circular end plates lying below said side plates defining the bottom wall of the drum pockets; said drum so defined forming pockets of the largest sheet size receiving capacity; each said side plate having an offset crimp running parallel to and spaced below said side plate radially outer edge forming a projecting shoulder in said side plate on one side thereof; a false bottom member easily removable and insertable in each said pocket for shortening the depth of said pocket including a first s-ide flange lying against one said plate below said shoulder having an outer edge abutting said shoulder, a bottom panel on said first side flange spaced above said bottom plate spanning the area between said one side plate and an adjacent side plate, and a second side flange on said bottom panel lying against said next side plate; said side flanges being springwise pressed outwardly forcing said side flanges outwardly against said radial side plates; said radial side plates angularly opening outwardly relative to one another and said side flanges causing said false bottom member in conjunction with outwardly springing action to slide radially outwardly thereby driving said first side flange outer edge into forced engagement with said side plate shoulder to hold said false bottom member fixedly in said drum; each said drum side plate having a relief cut out in its outer edge exposing said false bottom first side flange upper edge for easy manual insertion and removal; and paired false end members substantially U-shaped in cross section each consisting of a false end center panel and side flanges abutting said drum side plates with one said side flange having a top edge lying below and abutting said drum side plate shoulder; said false end members being springwise pressed between said outwardly angling drum side plates causing said false end members to slide radially outwardly of said drum to forceably engage said false end member side flange outer edge with said drum side plate shoulder to hold said false end member fixedly in said drum; said false end members being slidable toward and away from one another to vary the size pocket space therebetween.

5. A false bottom member particularly suitable for use on a collating machine having individual radially disposed pockets including spaced circular end plates defining the end walls of the drum pockets; spaced radial side plates between the drum end walls defining the side walls of the drum pockets; a bottom plate between the drum circular end plates lying below the drum side plates defining the bottom wall of the drum pockets; the drum so defined forming pockets of the largest shegt size receiving capacity; each drum side plate having means for cooperating with attaching means on said member; said false bottom member being easily removable and insertable In each drum pocket for shortening the depth of the drum pocket including a first side flange for lying against one drum side plate, a bottom panel on said first side flange so integrated when installed as to be spaced above the drum bottom plate for spanning the area between the drum spaced side plates, and a second side flange on said bottom panel for lying against the drum next side plate; said member side flanges being springwise pressed outwardly for forcing said side flanges outwardly against the drum radial side plates when installed; the drum radial side plates angularly opening outwardly relative to one another and said member side flanges causing said false bottom member in conjunction with outwardly springing action when installed normally to slide radially outwardly, and attaching means on said member cooperable with the drum attaching means to prevent said member from sliding radially outwardly and to hold said false bottom member fixedly in the drum when installed.

6. A false end member particularly suitable for use on a collating machine having individual radially disposed pockets having spaced circular end plates defining the end walls of the drum pockets, spaced radial side plates between the drum end walls defining the side walls of the drum pockets; a bottom plate between the drum circular end plates lying below the drum side plates defining the bottom wall of the drum pockets; the drum so defined forming pockets of the largest sheet size receiving capacity; each drum side plate having means for cooperating with attaching means on said member; said false end member being substantially U-shaped in cross section consisting of a false end center panel and side flanges for abutting the drum side plates; said false end member when installed being springwise pressed between said outwardly angling drum side plates causing said false end member to slide radially outwardly of the drum to force ably engage said false end member side flanges with the drum side plates to press said false end member fixedly in the drum; said false end member being endwise slideable to vary the size pocket space in the drum; and attaching means on said end member for cooperating with the drum attaching means when installed for locking said false end member in the drum in its adjusted position relative thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 867,684 Thomas Oct. 8, 1907 1,449,750 Hampshire et al Mar. 27, 1923 2,922,640 Fornell et a1 I an. 26, 1960

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