US3880273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic stacking machine for bars and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-03-02
•
Granted: 1975-04-29
•
Expires: 1993-03-02
Abstract
Abstract An automatic stacking machine or stacker is provided for stacking bars and various shapes, such as angles, into bundles, preparatory to strapping or tying the bundles, for shipment or storage. The bars are fed singly on power-driven chains against fixed stops, so as to provide a compact layer or charge, which is then transferred by means of pre-charge carriages to a second set of power-driven chains. This second set of chains transfers the charge against a second set of stops, after which the charge is transferred by stacking carriages or magnetic turnover arms onto stacking cradles, to form a bundle of bars. The bundles are strapped or tied together by means of automatic strappers positioned alongside the stacking cradles.
Inventors
- 👤 Irving Leonard Kaplan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:44
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G57/00; B65G57/02; B65G57/16; B65G57/18; B65G57/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
In a machine of the character described, the combination of first endless conveyor means for conveying a series of elongated bars in spaced relation to each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation of said bars, stationary stop means disposed adjacent the forward ends of said conveyor means and adapted for abutment by the first bar in said series to cause said first bar to stop, and each succeeding bar in the series to come into abutment with the preceding bar, whereby to close or substantially close the spacing between the bars, and provide a layer of bars in side-by-side relation, means for selecting a predetermined number of bars in the layer to constitute a charge, said means for selecting a predetermined number of bars comprising a proximity sensor means for detecting the presence of the last bar in the charge, said stationary stop means being immovable by pressure exerted by said layer of bars in the direction of movement of said bars, second endless conveyor means disposed downstream of said first conveyor means for conveying said charge away from said first conveyor means, orbitally moving means for bodily transferring said charge from said first endless conveyor means onto said second endless conveyor means, means responsive to the means for selecting a predetermined number of bars for actuating said orbitally moving means, and second stop means disposed downstream of said stationary stop means and for abutment by said charge to cause any remaining spacing between the bars of the charge to be fully closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
In a machine of the character described, the combination of first endless conveyor means for conveying a series of elongated bars in spaced relation to each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation of said bars, stationary stop means disposed adjacent the forward ends of said conveyor means and adapted for abutment by the first bar in said series to cause said first bar to stop, and each succeeding bar in the series to come into abutment with the preceding bar, whereby to close or substantially close the spacing between the bars, and provide a layer of bars in side-by-side relation, means for selecting a predetermined number of bars in the layer to constitute a charge, said means for selecting a predetermined number of bars comprising a proximity sensor means for detecting the presence of the last bar in the charge, said stationary stop means being immovable by pressure exerted by said layer of bars in the direction of movement of said bars, second endless conveyor means disposed downstream of said first conveyor means for conveying said charge away from said first conveyor means, orbitally moving means for bodily transferring said charge from said first endless conveyor means onto said second endless conveyor means, means responsive to the means for selecting a predetermined number of bars for actuating said orbitally moving means, and second stop means disposed downstream of said stationary stop means and for abutment by said charge to cause any remaining spacing between the bars of the charge to be fully closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine, as defined in claim 1, including a third stop means downstream of said second stop means and against which the charge is brought to position the charge for a tamping operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A machine, as defined in claim 1, including second transfer means for bodily removing said charge from said second conveyor means, after the spacing between the bars of the charge has been fully closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A machine, as defined in claim 2, including means for tamping the ends of any bars which protrude beyond the ends of other bars in the charge, whereby to cause alignment of the ends of said protruding bars with said other bars.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine, as defined in claim 1, wherein said orbitally moving means comprises carriages mounted for pivotal movement about shafts which are supported by brackets having rollers mounted thereon and movable longitudinally along tracks or guides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine, as defined in claim 5, including means for effecting said orbital movement of the carriages, said means comprising a power driven shaft, lever arms interconnecting said power driven shaft with said first-named shaft, an air-powered piston rod and a lever actuated by said piston rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 including means for retracting said second stop means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |