Stacking machines

Claim 1

In a stacking machine for use with the means such as a slitting machine continuously feeding individual heavy plates, such as smaller steel plates cut from a large steel plate, and stacking said plates one on top of the other in separate side-byside stacks on a power driven lift table which may be lowered: a. a stacking machine frame, b. normally stationary stack separating members in spaced relation across said stacking machine frame defining respective open passageways above the surface on which respective stacks are formed by said plates fed one at a time between and through respective spacing members onto a stack, c. means on said stacking machine frame engaging each plate as it is delivered and positioning said plate in the stack between the respective opposed, spaced separating members, d. said means in ''''c'''' including an assembly of plate engagement members each respectively engaging the respective plate being fed to the respective stack to absorb forces and to oppose the movement of and assist in aligning same, e. a power driven lift table having a stacking surface, f. actuating means on said stacking machine actuated by the stack to control the movement of said lift table and said actuating means being automatically actuated by said stack as the stack builds to a selected position, thereby lowering said table as said stack becomes higher according to a pre-selected distance, g. said stacking machine frame including upper and lower frame members forming a three-dimensional quadrilateral frame, ground engaging means on saiD stacking machine frame for moving same, h. one side of said stacking machine frame being at least partly open sufficiently to permit said lift table to pass clear of said frame as said frame is positioned on or removed from said lift table, said lift table and said stacking machine frame being movable relative to each other through said partly open stacking machine frame so that said stack of plates may be readily removed such as by lift truck.