Automatic chain-cutting machine

Claim 2

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, and means for controlling the speed of said driving means, wherein the rotational speed of said driven means is controlled to vary the frequency of generation of said electrical impulses, thereby controlling the length of chain that is cut.

Claim 3

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, said impulse-generating means being responsive to said selecting means for reducing the frequency of generation of said impulses for each revolution of said drive means, thereby increasing the length of the chain to be cut.

Claim 4

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, said impulse-generating means being responsive to said selecting means for reducing the frequency of generation of said impulses for each revolution of said drive means, thereby increasing the length of the chain to be cut.

Claim 5

In apparatus as set forth in claim 2, said impulse-generating means including a plurality of fixed contacts, and a movable contact responsive to rotation of said driven means for successively engaging said fixed contacts, said movable contact cooperating with said selecting means when said selecting means is located in a first position for generating an electrical impulse upon engagement with each fixed contact, wherein said cutting means is operable upon generation of a selected number of impulses for severing said chain.

Claim 6

In apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said driving means including a disc having a predetermined diameter, said driven means including a roller follower frictionally engaging said disc and being rotatably driven thereby, and means for adjusting the position of said follower with respect to said disc, for varying the rotational speed of said follower and the frequency of the generation of said electrical impulses.

Claim 7

In apparatus as set forth in claim 4, the axis of said follower being perpendicular to the axis of said disc, so that said follower is adjustable along the radius of said disc, said follower being operatively connected to said movable contact to produce rotation thereof, whereby the adjustment of said follower with respect to said disc along the radius thereof produces a corresponding frequency of generation of electrical impulses as said movable contact successively engages said fixed contacts.

Claim 8

In apparatus as set forth in claim 4, means for controlling the speed of said driving means, wherein the rotaTional speed of said disc is controlled to vary the speed of rotation of said follower and consequently the frequency of generation of said electrical impulses, thereby further controlling the length of chain that is cut.

Claim 9

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, means mounted on said base for withdrawing the continuous length of chain from a source for movement to said feeding means, said withdrawing means being operated independently of said feeding means and means for sensing the presence of said chain at said withdrawing means and for discontinuing operation of said apparatus when chain is not present at said withdrawing means, said withdrawing means including a drive roll and a pressure roll between which said chain extends, said sensing means including a pivotally mounted arm on which said pressure roll is mounted and a switch, a contact of which is spaced from an end of said arm, said pressure roll being located in a predetermined position with respect to said drive roll when said chain extends therebetween to maintain the end of said arm in spaced relation from the switch contact, and being located in engagement with said driving roll in the absence of chain therebetween to pivot the arm, thereby moving the end of said arm into contact with said switch contact to cause the operation of said apparatus to be discontinued.

Claim 10

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, means mounted on said base for withdrawing the continuous length of chain from a source for movement to said feeding means, said withdrawing means being operated independently of said feeding means and means for sensing the presence of said chain at said withdrawing means and for discontinuing operation of said apparatus when chain is not present at said withdrawing means, said withdrawing means including a drive roll and a pressure roll between which said chain extends, said sensing means including a pivotally mounted arm on which said pressure roll is mounted and a switch, a contact of which is spaced from an end of said arm, said pressure roll being located in a predetermined position with respect to said drive roll when said chain extends therebetween to maintain the end of said arm in spaced relation from the switch contact, and being located in engagement with said driving roll in the absence of chain therebetween to pivot the arm, thereby moving the end of said arm into contact with said switch contact to cause the operation of said apparatus to be discontinued.

Claim 11

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, means mounted on said base for withdrawing the continuous length of chain from a source for movement of said feeding means, said withdrawing means being operated independently of said feeding means, said withdrawing means including opposed rollers between which said chain is directed, a motor operatively driving one of said rollers, and a pivotal control arm having a guide roll mounted thereon for controlling operation of said withdrawing means, said chain extending from said opposed rollers around said guide roll and to said feeding means, said chain being normally tensioned by said feeding means to pivot said control arm to an operative position for actuating of a switch, wherein the motor driving one of said opposed rollers is operatively connected to a source of power and is energized during the chain-cutting operation, and a switch connectable in circuit to said motor that drives the opposed rollers and to the driving means for said feeding means, said switch having an elongated switch arm mounted for engagement by said control arm when said control arm is pivoted to an overcenter position by said chain when said chain becomes jammed during the feed thereof from said opposed roLlers to said feeding means, wherein continued operation of said feeding means causes said chain to pull said control arm to the overcenter position for actuating said switch arm, thereby discontinuing operation of said apparatus.

Claim 12

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, means mounted on said base for withdrawing the continuous length of chain from a source for movement of said feeding means, said withdrawing means being operated independently of said feeding means, said withdrawing means including opposed rollers between which said chain is directed, a motor operatively driving one of said rollers, and a pivotal control arm having a guide roll mounted thereon for controlling operation of said withdrawing means, said chain extending from said opposed rollers around said guide roll and to said feeding means, said chain being normally tensioned by said feeding means to pivot said control arm to an operative position for actuating of a switch, wherein the motor driving one of said opposed rollers is operatively connected to a source of power and is energized during the chain-cutting operation, and a switch connectable in circuit to said motor that drives the opposed rollers and to the driving means for said feeding means, said switch having an elongated switch arm mounted for engagement by said control arm when said control arm is pivoted to an overcenter position by said chain when said chain becomes jammed during the feed thereof from said opposed roLlers to said feeding means, wherein continued operation of said feeding means causes said chain to pull said control arm to the overcenter position for actuating said switch arm, thereby discontinuing operation of said apparatus.

Claim 13

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, means for mounting a source of said chain on said base, said mounting means including a bracket and said source of chain including a reel on which said chain is wound in a continuous length, said reel being received on said bracket in rotatable relation, said reel as mounted on said bracket being located above said feeding means, and means for withdrawing said chain from said reel for movement to said feeding means, said withdrawing means being operated independently of the means for driving said feeding means, and a pivotally mounted control arm having a guide roll positioned on the lowermost end thereof, said control arm and guide roll being located rearwardly of said reel and said feeding means, said chain extending from said directing means around said reel and then to said feeding means to form a loop, and switch means located at the upper end of said control arm and being disposed in circuit with the drive for said withdrawing means, the loop as formed by said chain as it moves around said roll from said withdrawing means and is fed to said feeding means normally locating said arm such that the contacts in said switch means are closed to complete a circuit to said drive for the withdrawing means, said arm being operable when said chain is not being fed to said feeding means to cause said switch to break the circuit to said drive for the withdrawing means to discontinue the operation thereof.

Claim 14

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, means for mounting a source of said chain on said base, said mounting means including a bracket and said source of chain including a reel on which said chain is wound in a continuous length, said reel being received on said bracket in rotatable relation, said reel as mounted on said bracket being located above said feeding means, and means for withdrawing said chain from said reel for movement to said feeding means, said withdrawing means being operated independently of the means for driving said feeding means, and a pivotally mounted control arm having a guide roll positioned on the lowermost end thereof, said control arm and guide roll being located rearwardly of said reel and said feeding means, said chain extending from said directing means around said reel and then to said feeding means to form a loop, and switch means located at the upper end of said control arm and being disposed in circuit with the drive for said withdrawing means, the loop as formed by said chain as it moves around said roll from said withdrawing means and is fed to said feeding means normally locating said arm such that the contacts in said switch means are closed to complete a circuit to said drive for the withdrawing means, said arm being operable when said chain is not being fed to said feeding means to cause said switch to break the circuit to said drive for the withdrawing means to discontinue the operation thereof.

Claim 15

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, means for mounting a source of said chain on said base, said mounting means including a bracket and said source of chain including a reel on which said chain is wound in a continuous length, said reel being received on said bracket in rotatable relation, said reel as mounted on said bracket being located above said feeding means, and means for withdrawing said chain from said reel for movement to said feeding means, said withdrawing means being operated independently of the means for driving said feeding means, an adjustable guide member located adjacent to said feeding means and guiding said chain from said withdrawing means to said feeding means, said adjustable guide member including a fixed element and a movable element, that define a guide channel for guiding the chain therebetween, said movable element being adjustable with respect to saiD fixed element to compensate for different size chain, and means for adjustably centering said guide with respect to said feeding means.

Claim 16

In apparatus for automatically cutting chain in predetermined lengths, a base, a cutoff station, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of chain to said cutoff station, means on said base for driving said feeding means at a preselected speed, cutting means at said cutoff station for severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means operatively engaging said driving means and being driven thereby, means responsive to the rotation of said driven means for generating a series of electrical impulses, said cutting means being operative in response to generation of a predetermined number of electrical impulses for periodically severing said chain in the predetermined lengths thereof, means for selecting the length of chain to be cut, means for mounting a source of said chain on said base, said mounting means including a bracket and said source of chain including a reel on which said chain is wound in a continuous length, said reel being received on said bracket in rotatable relation, said reel as mounted on said bracket being located above said feeding means, and means for withdrawing said chain from said reel for movement to said feeding means, said withdrawing means being operated independently of the means for driving said feeding means, an adjustable guide member located adjacent to said feeding means and guiding said chain from said withdrawing means to said feeding means, said adjustable guide member including a fixed element and a movable element, that define a guide channel for guiding the chain therebetween, said movable element being adjustable with respect to saiD fixed element to compensate for different size chain, and means for adjustably centering said guide with respect to said feeding means.