Blank turning apparatus

Claim 2

APPARATUS FOR TURNING AN ARTICLE COMPRISING: A. MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID ARTICLE IN A FIRST DIRECTION; B. MEANS SPACED FROM SAID ADVANCING MEANS FOR ENGAGING ONE END OF SAID ARTICLE AND TERMINATING MOVEMENT THEREOF IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION; C. MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID ARTICLE AND MOVING SAID OPPOSITE END IN A SECOND DIRECTION; AND D. STATIONARY MEANS LOCATED ALONG SAID SECOND DIRECTION FROM SAID MEANS FOR TERMINATING MOVEMENT OF SAID ARTICLE AND SPACED FROM SAID MEANS FOR MOVING SAID OPPOSITE END IN SAID SECOND DIRECTION FOR ENGAGING SAID ARTICLE INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS AS SAID OPPOSITE END MOVES IN SAID SECOND DIRECTION; WHEREBY SAID OPPOSITE END IS PIVOTED PAST SAID ONE END.

Claim 3

Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a. second means for engaging said opposite end and moving it in a third direction after said opposite end is moved in second direction.

Claim 4

Apparatus for turning an article comprising: a. means for advancing said article in a first direction; b. means spaced from said advancing means for engaging one end of said article and terminating movement thereof in said first direction wherein said means for terminating movement of said article extends substantially normal to said first direction; c. means for engaging an opposite end of said article and moving said opposite end in a second direction; d. stationary means for engaging said article intermediate its ends as said opposite end moves in said second direction; whereby said opposite end is pivoted past said one end; and e. second means for engaging said opposite end and moving it in a third direction after said opposite end is moved in said second direction.

Claim 5

Apparatus for turning an article comprising: a. means for advancing said article in a first direction; b. means spaced from said advancing means for engaging one end of said article and terminating movement thereof in said first direction wherein said means for terminating movement of said article extends substantially normal to said first direction; c. means for engaging an opposite end of said article and moving said opposite end in a second direction; d. stationary means for engaging said article intermediate its ends as said opposite end moves in said second direction; whereby said opposite end is pivoted past said one end; and e. second means for engaging said opposite end and moving it in a third direction after said opposite end is moved in said second direction.

Claim 6

Apparatus of claim 3 wherein: a. said means for engaging said article intermediate its ends is positioned beneath said means for terminating movement thereof and spaced from said means for moving said opposite end in said second direction.

Claim 7

Apparatus of claim 4 wherein: a. said means for moving said article in said first direction comprises a first endless conveyor belt and a roller positioned above said conveyor to engage said article on a side opposite the side thereof engaged by said conveyor and advance said article in said first direction.

Claim 8

Apparatus of claim 5 wherein: a. said means for moving said opposite end of said article in said second direction comprises a second endless conveyor belt, the operative reach of which extends from adjacent said roller downwardly therefrom in said direction.

Claim 9

Apparatus of claim 6 wherein: a. said second means comprises a third endless conveyor belt, one end of the operative reach of which is positioned adjacent said second endless conveyor belt.

Claim 10

Apparatus of claim 7 wherein: a. said means for terminating movement of said article comprises a flat plate member; b. said means for engaging said article intermediate its ends comprises a curved plate member; c. one end of said curved plate member being positioned adjacent said flat plate member; d. the opposite end of said curved plate member being positioned adjacent said third conveyor belt; and e. the intermediate portion of said curved plate member is curved toward said second conveyor belt.

Claim 11

Apparatus of claim 8 including: a. means for varying the spacing between said flat plate member and said first conveyor

Claim 12

TurninG apparatus comprising: a. a first conveyor belt, the operative reach of which extends in a generally horizontal direction; b. a roller positioned adjacent one end of said operative reach of said conveyor with the axis of said roller in spaced, parallel relationship to said reach; c. a second conveyor belt, the operative reach of which extends from adjacent said first conveyor belt downwardly and away therefrom; d. a third conveyor belt, the operative reach of which extends in a substantially horizontal direction away from adjacent the lower end of the operative reach of said second conveyor belt; e. a pair of upright frame members positioned on each side of said third conveyor belt; f. a substantially U-shaped frame member; g. means pivotally connecting distal portions of the legs of said U-shaped member to opposing upright frame members positioned on opposite sides of said third conveyor belt; h. means defining a track positioned on each leg of said U-shaped member; i. a carriage member engaging each of said tracks; j a flat plate stop member spanning the legs of said U-shaped frame member and attached at each end to one of said carriage members; k. a curved plate member attached to said carriage members and extending therefrom, inwardly toward said second conveyor belt and downwardly toward said third conveyor belt; l. sprocket means mounted on each of said legs of said U-shaped frame member; m. a chain trained over each of said sprocket means and attached at each end to the front and rear of each said carriage members; n. means for rotating said sprocket means; whereby said carriages are moved in unison along their respective tracks; and o. means for pivoting said U-shaped frame member about its pivotal connection to said upright frame members.

Claim 13

TurninG apparatus comprising: a. a first conveyor belt, the operative reach of which extends in a generally horizontal direction; b. a roller positioned adjacent one end of said operative reach of said conveyor with the axis of said roller in spaced, parallel relationship to said reach; c. a second conveyor belt, the operative reach of which extends from adjacent said first conveyor belt downwardly and away therefrom; d. a third conveyor belt, the operative reach of which extends in a substantially horizontal direction away from adjacent the lower end of the operative reach of said second conveyor belt; e. a pair of upright frame members positioned on each side of said third conveyor belt; f. a substantially U-shaped frame member; g. means pivotally connecting distal portions of the legs of said U-shaped member to opposing upright frame members positioned on opposite sides of said third conveyor belt; h. means defining a track positioned on each leg of said U-shaped member; i. a carriage member engaging each of said tracks; j a flat plate stop member spanning the legs of said U-shaped frame member and attached at each end to one of said carriage members; k. a curved plate member attached to said carriage members and extending therefrom, inwardly toward said second conveyor belt and downwardly toward said third conveyor belt; l. sprocket means mounted on each of said legs of said U-shaped frame member; m. a chain trained over each of said sprocket means and attached at each end to the front and rear of each said carriage members; n. means for rotating said sprocket means; whereby said carriages are moved in unison along their respective tracks; and o. means for pivoting said U-shaped frame member about its pivotal connection to said upright frame members.