US1948001A - Sheet feeder - Google Patents

Description

c. J. MENSMAN ET AL 'SHEET FEEDER Filed Nov. l, ls;

3 sheetssheet 1 Feb. 20, 1934. c. J. MENSMAN Er AL SHEET FEEDER Filed Nov. 18. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Char/es J. Mensman ar/ D. Rad BY J7 .7/ A TT ORNE YS Feb. 20, 1934. c. J. MENSMAN Er Al.` 1,948,001

Y I SHEET FEEDER Filed Nov. 18, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS Char/es J. Mensman Earl D. Rader- 7W WM Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE A SHEET FEEDER Charles J. Mensman, Washington, D. C., and Earl D. Rader, Mount Kisco, N. Y., assignors to Dexter Folder Company, New York, N. Y., a

corporation -of New York Application November 18, 1931 Serial No.f 575,922

72 Claims. (Cl. 271;-61)

This invention relates to sheet feeders, and more particularly to mechanism for moving or shifting the supply or pile of sheets so that the sheets are properly positioned for feeding.

Heretofore, considerable difficulty has been experienced in the feeding of sheets from a supply or pile thereof, by reason of the fact that the sheets are not properly positioned for feeding instrumentality to -be fed.

In the case of side guides or sheet registering devices, for example, to which sheets are fed for subsequent delivery to a printing press, it frequently happens that the leading edge of a sheet fed thereto by the feeder will strike such guide or registering device instead of clearing the same.' This results in obstruction to normal movement of the sheet, failure of delivery thereof to .the press, and loss of time and material incident to damaging the sheet and stopping of the machine damaged sheet.

in order to remove the In practise, it has been found that failure of the feeder to properly position the sheets for feeding is often due to uneven stacking of the sheets in the supply or pile that is placed on the feeder.

Great Askill and considerable time are same to adhere together,

of large printed sheets, it is diicult, if not im.

possible, to manually or particularly in the case mechanically shift intioned for feeding.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism which compensates forunevenness or `wavy configuration of a side or sides of al supply or pile of sheets by automatically shifting the pile or supply so as to properly position the sheets for feeding.

Another object of the inventlonisto provide feeder.

mechanism which is controlled through the normal movementv of a supply or pile of sheets and acts to automatically shift or move said supply or pile and thereby properly position the sheets for feeding.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism which may be so controlled by means engaging a side or sides of a supply or pile of sheets that the pile or supply will be automati-` cally shifted or moved to properly position the sheets lfor feeding.

Another object of the invention is to provide. mechanism which enables a supply or pile of sheets to be automatically-shifted or moved so that thelsheets are properly positioned for feeding to a side guide or device acting on the side edges of the sheet.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism which `enables a lsupply or pile of sheets to be automatically shiftedl or moved in '(5 order that the sheets will be properly. positioned for feeding to the front stops or devices acting on the leading edges of the sheets. y

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism which enables a supply or pile of sheets to be automatically shifted in directions such that the sheets will be properly positioned with ,respect to all of thedevices which engage or act on the sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism which eliminates the necessity for using piling bars or plates on a feeder, renders the parts of the feeder more accessible, and enables the feeder to be more conveniently and rapidly loaded. i 90v Another object of the invention is to provide a sheet feeder which has mechanism cooperating therewith in such manner that the supply. or pile of sheets on the feederwill be automatically shifted thereon to properly position said sheets v for feeding.y

operator or attendant and insures proper positioning of the sheetsI for feeding to a device or instrumentality supplied4 with sheets by said Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description of one embodiment of said invention shown in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters nism shown in Fig. 1, looking from the left there- Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 with the .pile of sheets omitted; and

e Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of control means for the mechanism shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring to the drawings, a printing press indicated broadly at 5 (Fig. 1) is @provided with a feed board 6 over which sheets are fed to said press by a feeder indicated broadly at 7. The printing press 5 may be of any suitable construction. and, as herein shown, is of the bed and cylinder type. The feeder 7 may also be of any suitable type, but as herein shown, is a pile feedler constructed, mounted, and operated as disclosed in the Patent' to C. E. Christophel No.

1,763,598, granted June 10, 1930. Accordingly, the printing press 5 has connected therewith, and driven thereby, a shaft 8 which, ,through suitable driving connections including a shaft 10, serves to drive the feed roller 11 of a conveyor 12 which normally extends over the feed board 6 and serves to carry sheetsy from feeder 7 to said lprinting press.

The shaft 8, through suitable connections, in- -cluding a flexibleshaft 13, also serves to operate movable parts of a side guide or registering device 14 which is mounted and constructed as disclosed in Patent No. 1,763,598 and acts to side- `stitute the front end. mechanism and may be of any suitable type. The conveyor 12 is carried by a frame 15 pivotally mounted at.,16 on the frame 17 of feeder 7. The shaft 10 is journalled in suitable Vbearings on feeder frame 17 and a bracket 18, and this bracket and said feeder frame are mounted for horizontal swinging' movement on a gear casing 19 and a track 20. The gear casing 19 is fixed on the upper end of 'a stationary shaft 21, andthe feeder frameY 17 has a roller 22 engaged with the track 20. The shaft 21 is mounted on a bracket 23 bolted or otherwise suitablysecured to the frame 24 of printing press 5, and the feeder 7 may, when the conveyor frame 15 is raised, be swung into and out of operative relation with the press about a vertical axis including the shaft 21. The conveyor` frame 15 and parts carried thereby participate in this swinging movement of feeder 7, and when said feeder is swung into operative relation with the press,A said conveyor aframe is lowered over feed board 6, as shown inV Fig.-1 of the drawings.

thereon, an elevator 25 foraa pile of sheets 26 placed on a pile board 27 mounted on said elevator. A pile of sheets, such as indicated at 26 will,`

as before pointed out, usually have wavy or uneven sides, and in the drawings, the uneven or wavy sides of pile 26 are shown on an enlarged scale for purposes of clearer illustration. The elevator 25, board 27, and pile of sheets 26, are raised by the elevator operating mechanism as the sheets are separated one after another from the top of the pile by the sheet separating mechanism and forwarded in like manner to the conveyor 12 by the sheet forwarding mechanism.

The elevator operating mechanism, the sheet separating mechanism, andthe sheet forwarding mechanism are, for purposes of clearer illustration, omitted from the drawings. They may be o f any suitable type such, for example, as disclosed in Patent No. 1,763,598 above referred to, and in this case, are mounted, constructed, and operated as shown and described in said patent.

In accordance with the present invention,mech anism is provided which enables the supply or pile of sheets to be automatically shifted or'moved so that unevenness or wavy configuration of a side or sides of the supply or pile is compensated for and the sheets are properly positioned for feeding by said feeder. In the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, this result is attained by mechanism which shifts the board. 27 and the'pile 26 in different directions on the elevator 25, and said mechanism is preferably mounted, constructed, and operated as follows. Fixed on the driven shaft 10, and rotated thereby, is a crank arm 28 which is rotatably connected with oneend of a link 29 and acts to reciprocate said link during rotation of said shaft. The opposite end of link 29 is pivotally connected with a pawl carrying arm 30 loosely mounted on a shaft 31 extending in a housing 32 transversely thereof and journalled in suitable bearings on opposite side walls of said housing. The housing 32 is open at the front and rear thereof, and said housing is secured to the feeder frame 17 by machine screws 33 or other suitable fastening devices.

The pawl carrying arm 30 has secured to, or formed integrally therewith, a stud 34 which extends inwardly from said arm at 'right angles thereto. thereon reversely disposed pawls 35 and 36 spaced apart and retained against endwise displacement on said stud by collars 37, 37 and 38, 38 secured to the stud by machine screws or other suitable fastening devices:

' The pawls 35 and 36 are adapted to engage reversely disposed ratchet wheels 39 and 40, respectively, said ratchet wheels being secured on the shaft 31 by machine screws or other suitable fastening devices. machine screw or other suitable fastening device, is a bevel gear 41 which meshes with a similar gear 42 that is secured, by a machine screw or other suitable fastening device, on the upper end of a vertical shaft 43 which extends Within the housing 32 and is journalled in a suitable bearing thereon. Arm 30, pawls 35, 36, ratchet Wheels 39, and bevel gears 41, 42 all extend within housing 32 which thus serves to-enclose This stud- 34 has pivotally mounted Fixed on the shaft 31 by a raised by its operatingy mechanism and the bearf ing 45 and the gear 47 ,slide upwardly along the shaft 43. When shaft 43 is rotated, however, gear 47, through the sliding key connection therefor with said shaft, is likewise rotated. The bevel gear 47 meshes With a similar gear 49 which is secured, by a machine screw or other suitable fastening device, on a stub shaft 50 journalled in a suitableibearing von the elevator 25. This stub'shaft 50isA connected, as by a universal coupling 51, with a threaded shaft 52 that extends through a suitable opening in a bracket 53 and has threaded engagementk with the wall of said opening. The bracket 53 issecured by machine screws or other suitable fastening devices to pile board 27 and said pile board and the pile of sheets thereon may, by the mechanism herein described, be moved laterally in different directions on elevator, 25 transversely thereof. In order to eliminate friction, elevator 25 is provided in top portions thereof with suitable pockets for ball bearings 54 which engage plates 55. These plates 55 are secured by machine screws or other suitable fastening devices to board 27 and the ball bearings 54 serve to slidably support said board and the pile of sheets 26 on said elevator.

Engaged with one side of the pile of sheets 26, is a detector 56. This detector is preferably comprised by a roller journalled in any suitable manner on a rod, 57. is guided in, a suitable opening of an ear or projection 58 (Fig. 4) formed on the housing732 and extending forwardly from said housing at the outer side thereof. The rod 57 is pivotally and adjustably mounted at 59 on one arm 60 of a bell crank 61 which is pivotally mounted at 62 on an extension 63 of the feeder frame 17. The other arm 64 of bell crank 61 has pivotally connected therewith one end of a link 65, the opposite bent end 66 of which is pivotally connected with a mask carrying arm 67. The arm 67 is loosely mounted on shaft 3l between ratchet wheels 39 and 40, and said arm has secured to, or formed integrally therewith,A a mask 68. This mask 63 is adapted to engage rollers 69 and 70 journalled on pawls 35 and 36, respectively, in order to prevent engagement of said pawls with ratchet wheels 39 and 40 at certain intervals during the operation of the mechanism. A

The a'rm 67 has secured to, or formed integrally therewith, an arm 71 with which is pivotally connected one end of a spring pressed rod 72. The opposite end of rod 72 eiitends through a suitable opening formedin a bracket 73 which, in turn, is secured to or formed integrally with the housing 32 and projectsrearwardly from the bottom thereof.l The spring 74 for rod 72 is mounted thereon between bracket'73 and a collar 75 secured on said rod bya machine screw or other suitable fastening device. The spring 74 normally holds arm 67 and mask 68 in the full line positions thereof shown in the drawings, wherein it will be noted that said mask, throughits engagement with rollers 69 and 70, holds the oscillating pawls 35 and 36 out of engagement with ratchet wheels 39 and 40, respectively.

The mechanism thu's far described acts, during operation of the feeder 7, to shift the board 27 The rod 57 extends through, and

and the pile of sheets 26 laterally on the elevator 25 transversely thereof, so that the sheets are properly positioned for feeding to conveyor 12, the front end devices including side guide 14, and the cylinder grippers of printing, press 5. The rotating shaft 10, through the described connections therefor with the pawl carrying arm 30, oscillates the latter and the pawls 35, 36 about their pivotal axis provided by the shaft 31. As elevator 25 and the sheet pile 26 are raised by the elevator operating mechanism, detector 56 l moves in or out according to the conguration of the adjacent side of the pile 26. At the point 76, for example, of pile 26, detector 56 is engaged therewith so that the parts occupy the full line positions thereof shown in the drawings. As the pile rises, detector 56 moves inwardly over recessed'portion 77 of the pile, through the action of spring pressed rod 72 and the connections therefore with rod 57. Arm 67 and mask 68 are `accordingly swung to the left (Figs. 1 and 3) so that pawl 36 may engage ratchet wheel 40.

The oscillating arm 30 and pawl 36 then act to turn ratchet wheel 40 in a clock-wise direction iFigsjl and 3) thereby actuating the described driving connections between said wheel and the pile board 27 so that the latter and the pile of sheets 26 are shifted to the right (Fig. 2). During this time, oscillating pawl 35 is maintained out of engagement with ratchet wheel 39 by mask 68.

During further elevation of pile 26 by elevator 25, detector 56 is moved outwardly by the portion 78 of said pile and acts to swing arm 67 and mask 68 to the right (Figs. 1 and 3) so that said mask may prevent engagement of pawl 36 with ratchet wheel 40 and enable pawl 35 to engage ratchet wheel 39. The oscillating arm 30and pawl 35 then act to Aturn ratchet wheel 39 in a counter clock-wise direction (Figs. l and 3) so that the driving connections for said ratchet wheel with the pile board 27 are operated to shift the latter and the pile of sheets 26 to the left (Fig. .2) During further elevation of the pile 26 by elevator 25 and its operating mechanism, detector 56, through engagement thereof with inwardly and outwardly directed portions 79 and 8O of said pile, s

moves in and out so that the describedpawl and ratchet mechanisms and driving connections therefor with board 27 are operated to shift the latter and the pile 26 in opposite directions laterally on `elevator 25 and thereby position the sheets properly for feeding. It will, of course, be understood thatif, during operation of the feeder, sheets in various portions of the pile are in proper position for feeding, the mask 68 will remain Vstationary and prevent engagement of pawls 35 and 36 with ratchet wheels 39 and 40,l respectively. Arm 30 and said pawls will then operate idly without corresponding movementof the pile shifting mechanism.

Thus far, the description has been conned to mechanism which, in the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, shifts the pile of sheets transversely of the feederI ple, to properly position the sheets for feeding to the printing press in such manner that their movement thereto will not be obstructed by the side guide 14 or other devices which act on the side edges ofthe sheets during travel thereof to said printing press. In accordance with the presa ent invention, the supply or pile of sheets may also. be shifted to square the supply or pile and thereby properly position the sheets for feeding 7 and acts, for eXamor acting on, the front or may be mounted either forwardly or rearwardly.

of the pile or supply of sheets, but as herein shown, is mounted rearwardly of said supply or pile vand constructed and operated as follows.

The oscillatingarm 30 has pivotally connected therewith one end of a link 81 the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with an arm 82 fixed on a shaft 83 at one end thereof (Figs. 1 and 5). This shaft 83 is journalled in suitable bearings provided by brackets 84 adjustably mounted, as at 85, on rods 86 secured in any suitable manner to the feeder frame 17 and projecting rearwardly therefrom over the elevator 25 and the pile of sheets 26 thereon. The shaft 83, through the described connections therefor with the arm 30, is rocked in opposite directions during the normal operation of feeder 7. Fixed on the shaft 83 to rock therewith, are pawl carrying arms 87 provided with studs 88. Pivoted on the studs 88, are reversely disposed pawls 89 and 90 maintained in spaced relation by collars 91 which are secured by machine screws or other suitable devices on said` studs and prevent endwise displacement of said pawls thereon.

Pawls 89 and 90 are adapted to engage reversely disposed ratchet wheels 92 and 93, respectively, secured by machine screws or other suitable fastening devices on sleeves 94 (Figs. 5 and 7) journalled on shaft 83 between the arms of brackets 95 carried thereby. Accidental endwise displacement of brackets 95 is prevented by collars 96 secured to shaft 83 bymachine screws or other suitable fastening devices. Secured to the sleeves 94 by machine screws or other suitable fastening devices, are bevel gears 97 which,

mesh with similar gears 98 likewise secured on vertical shafts 99 at the upper ends thereof. The shafts 99 are journalled in suitable bearings on brackets 95 and extend upwardly therethrough to receive the gears 98 which rest on said brackets. Collars 100 are secured by machine screws or other suitable fasteningv devices on shafts 99 below the brackets 95, and said collars, together with gears 98, serve to prevent vertical displacement of said shafts from said brackets.

Slidably engaged over the shafts 99, and pro'- viding bearings therefor, are double arm brackets 101 that extend rearwardly and horizontally from elevator 25 and are secured thereto by machine screws 103 or other suitable fastening devices which extend through a slot 102 of said elevator. This slot 102 extends transversely of the elevator 25 at therear thereof. on shafts 99 between the arms of brackets 101, are spiral gears 104 which are secured to said shafts by keys 105. These keys extend in grooves 106 formed in shafts 99 longitudinally thereof, and provide with said grooves, sliding driving connections for the gears 104 with the shafts enabling them to rotatesaid gears while at the same time providing for sliding movement thereof along said shafts during vertical movement of elevator 25.

The elevator 25 has secured thereto, as by machine screws or other suitable fastening devices, brackets 107, 107 and 108 which extend hori- Mounted zontally and rearwardly from said elevator as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Journalled in suitable bearings in brackets 101, 107, and 108 are alined shafts 109. Mounted on shafts 109 in suitable openings formed in brackets 101, are spiral gears 110 which mesh with spiral gears 104. The gears 110 are keyed or otherwise slidably secured to shafts 109 in grooves 111 extending longitudinally thereof. Fixed on the shafts 109 are bevel gears 112 which mesh with similar gears 113 that are xed on shafts 114 journalled in suitable bearings on the elevator 25. The shafts 114 are connected, as by universal couplings 115, with threaded shafts 116 that extend through suitable openings formed in brackets 117 and have threaded engagement with the Walls thereof. The brackets 117 are secured to the pile board 27 by machine screws or other suitable fastening devices.

Engaged with the rear side of the pile are detectors 118 which, as herein shown, are comprised by rollers journalled in any suitable manner on spring' pressed rods 119. These rods 119 are guided in suitable'openinlgs provided by apertured bosses 120 and 121 formed on bracket- like extensions 122 and 123, respectively, of brackets 95. The springs 124 for rods 119 are mounted thereon between bosses 121 and collars 125, the `latter being secured to said rods by machine screws or any other suitable fastening devices. Adjustably secured, as at 126, on the rods 119, are blocks 127 provided with pins 128 that are engaged over rollers 129 journalled'in any suitable manner on arms 130 of mask carriers 131. These mask carriers 131 are journalled on the sleeves 94 between the ratchet wheels 92 and 93. The carriers 131 have secured to, or formed integrally therewith, masks 132 adapted to engage rollers 133 and 134 journalled in any suitable manner on the pawls 89 and 90 respectively.

During operation of the feeder 7, and shifting of the pile 26 transversely thereof, as previously described, said pile may also be shifted in directions such that itis always parallel with feed 4roller 11 and the sheets are properly positioned for feeding to slow down, front stop, or other devices engaged by or acting on the leading edges or front portions of -the sheet prior to, or at the 'time of, delivery of the sheets to the printing press. Accordingly, the oscillating arm 30, through the described connections therefor with the pawl carrying arms 87, oscillates the latter and the pawls 89, 90 about their pivotal axis provided by the shaft83. As elevator 25 and the pile of sheets 26 thereon are raised by the elevator operating mechanism, detectors 118 move forwardly or rearwardly according to the' configuration of the rear side of the pile 26. At the point 135 (Fig. 7) for example, of pile 26, detectors 118 are engaged therewith so. that masks 132 and pawls 89, 90 occupy lthe full line positions thereof shown in the drawings. As the pile is elevated, detectors 118 move rearwardly over extended portions 136 of the pile, and swing masks 132 to the right (Fig. 7) so that the pawls 90 may engage ratchet wheels 93.

The oscillating arms 87 and the pawls 90 then act to turn ratchet wheels 93 in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. 7) and thereby actuate the describeddriving connections between said wheels and thepile board 27 so that the latter and the pile of sheets 26 are shifted forwardly toward the feed roller 11, or to the right as viewed in Fig. 7 of the drawings. During this time, oscillating `directions and square the pile. 'sheets is placed on the feeder so that one front pawls 89 are prevented from engaging ratchet wheelsl92 by masks 132.

During further elevation of pile-26, detectors 118, through the action of springs 124, move forwardly in recessed portion 137 (Fig. 7) and swing masks 132 to the left so that they prevent pawls 90 from engaging ratchet wheels 93 and enable pawls 89 to engage ratchet wheels 92. The oscillating arms 87 and pawls 89 then act to turn ratchet wheels 92 in a clock-wise direction (Fig. 7) sothat-the driving connection for said wheels with the pile board 27 are operated to shift the latter and the pile f sheets 26 rearwardly away from the feed roller 11, or to the left as viewed in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Shifting, of the pile 26 forwardly and rearwardly, as described, is re,- peated in accordance with the configuration of the rear side of the pile, so that the sheets are always properly positioned for feeding to devices engaged by or acting on the leading edges or front marginal portions of the sheets.

The mechanism at the side of the pile, and the two mechanisms at the rear of the pile, may operate simultaneously, or at different times, to

shift the pile, in accordance with its location and the conguration of the sides of the pile. If, for example, the pile 26 is placed squarely on the feeder, the mechanism at the side of the pile, and the two mechanisms at the rear of the pile will shift it, as before described, in which case corresponding ratchet wheelsof the two mechanisms at the rear of the pile are rotated in the same direction. If, however, the pile of sheets is placed on the feeder so that one front corner of the pile is too close to the feed roller 11 and the other front corner of the' pile is too far away from said roller, the two detectors 118 engaged with said pile will be so positioned relatively that ratchet wheels 92, 93 of different sets of the mechanisms at the rear of the vpile will rotate in opposite corner of the pile is properly spaced relative to the feed roller 11 `and the other front corner of the pile is too close to, or too far away from, said roller, one of the sets of ratchet wheels 92, 93 will remain inactive and the wheel 92 or 93 of the other set will be rotated to shift and square the pile with respect to the feedroller 11. It will thus appear, that the pile is shifted not only to properly position the sheets for feeding to devices engaged by or acting upon side edges of the sheet, but that said pile is also shifted to square it so that spaced slow-down, front stop, or other devices employed, simultaneously engage the leading edge or front portion of each sheet delivered thereto from said feeder.

The sheets will thus always be fed squarely or in proper manner both to devices engaged by or acting on the side edges of the sheets and to devices engaged by or actingfon leading edges or front marginal portions of the sheets. Piling bars or plates heretofore employed, are unnecessary and eliminated by the present invention, the feeder may be more rapidly and conveniently loaded, and access may be more readily had to the parts of the feeder. Further., the present invention insures that the sheets will always be properly positioned not only for action thereupon by devices that are engaged with side and front edges of the sheets, but also with respect to devices which engage or act upon rear edges or other marginal portions of the sheets and devices which act on the sheets .to separate them from the supply or pile and 'forward the sheets therefrom.

If the pile of The mounting of the mechanisms at the rear of the pile is such that they may be adjusted transversely, forwardly, or rearwardly of the feederfor different ,sizesv of sheets. Inthis connection, it is pointed out that the arms 87 are keyed to the shaft 83 in a groove extending longitudinally thereof, and by loosening the retaining devices for collars 96, sleeves 94, and brackets 181,- the rear mechanisms including said parts may be moved along the shaft 83 and the elevator 25 to any desired position. By loosening the fastening devices for collars 125 and blocks 127, the detectors 118 may be moved forwardly or rearwardly to any desired position. When adjustments such as these have been made, in ac cordance with the size of the sheets, the collars 96, retainers for sleeves 94, brackets 101, collars 125, and blocks 127 are secured by their fastening devices to the parts which carry them, in such manner as 0to prevent accidental displacement of the two mechanisms from their positions of adjustment. It is obvious that each mechanism at the rear of the pile may be adjusted independently of the other, and that a single mechanism could, if desired, be employed at the rear of the pile particularly if the sheets were of relatively small size. The detector 56 of the mechanism at the side of the pile is so mounted that it may be adjusted to engage the side of the pile whether the sheets are minimum size, or maximum size, or

any size therebetween. A plurality of mecharality of mechanisms embodying the present invention ymay be used at the front, rear or either side of thesupply or pile alone, or in conjunction'with a single mechanism or a plurality of mechanisms at an adjacent side of said supply or pile. Further, mechanism or mechanisms embodying the present invention may be located on or associated with any type of feeder wherein a supply or pile of sheets is moved as the sheets arey separated and removed from said supply cr pile.

It is therefore to be expressly understood that while one embodiment of the invention and one feeder are shown in the present application, the invention is not limited to said embodiment and said feeder or -otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-`- ,n

1. In apparatus for use with means to which sheets are fed from a supply thereof on said apparatus, automatically operated means for moving said supply in angularly related directions to position the sheets for feeding to A said rst named means.

2. In apparatus for use with means to which sheets are fed from a supply thereof on said apparatus, automatically operated mechanism adapted to laterally shift said supply so that the sheets are positioned for feeding to said means.

3. In apparatus for usev with means'to which sheets are fed from a supply thereof on said apparatus, means automatically operated in angularly related directions and adapted to move said supply so that the sheets are positioned for feeding to said rst named means. n

4. In apparatus for use with means to which sheets are fed from a supply thereof on said ap'- paratus, means for moving said supply laterally in opposite directions to position the sheets for positioned for feeding to said first named means.

6. In apparatus for use with a registering device toward `Which sheets may be fed from a supply thereof on said apparatus, mechanism adapted i -to automatically move said supply in angularly related directions so that the sheets are positioned for feeding toward said registering device.

7. In apparatus for use with a sheet register- .ing device toward which sheets may be fed from -a supply thereof on said apparatus, mechanism adapted to automatically shift said supply laterally so that the sheets are positioned for feeding toward said sheet registering device.

8. In apparatus for use with la side guide to- Ward which sheets may be fed from a pile thereof on said apparatus, means adapted to automatically shift said pile laterally in one or more directions so that the sheets are positioned for feeding toward said side guide.

9. In apparatus for use with a sheet registering device towardwhich sheets may be fed from a supply thereof on said apparatus, means adapted to engage the supply, and mechanism controlled by said means and adapted to automatically move said supply laterally in one or more directions so that the sheets are positionedfor feeding toward said registering device.

10. In a sheet feeder having means for supporting a supply of sheets, automatically operated mechanism for moving said means in angularly related directions to position the sheets for feeding.

11. In a sheet feeder having means for supporting a supply of sheets, automatically operated means adapted to move said first named means laterally in different directions and thereby position the sheets for feeding.

12. In a sheet feeder including means for moving a supply` of sheets, automatically operated mechanism adapted to move said supply laterally in different directions on said means and thereby position the sheets for feeding.

13. In a sheet feeder-having means for supporting a supply of sheets, automatically operated means adapted to move said rst named means vertically and laterally and thereby position the sheets for feeding.

14. In asheet feeder having means for su porting a supply of sheets, automatically operated mechanism adapted to move said means laterally in different directions and thereby position the sheets for feeding, and means controlling the operation of said mechanism. "j 15. I n a sheet feeder having means for supporting a supply of sheets, aplurality of automatically operated mechanisms adapted tomove said means in angularly related directions and thereby position the sheets for feeding, and means engaged with the supply and controlling the operation of' one of said mechanisms.

16. In a sheet feeder having means adapted to support a supply of sheets for vertical movement, mechanism adapted to automatically move said means in substantially horizontal directions and thereby position the sheets for feeding.

17. In a sheet feeder having means adapted to support al supply of sheets for vertical movement, mechanism adapted to automatically move said means in substantially horizontal directions and thereby position the sheets for feeding, and

means engaged with one or more sides of' said supply and controlling the operation of said mechanism. Y

18. In a sheet feeder having means for elevating a pile of sheets, mechanism for shifting the pile horizontally on said means to position the sheets for feeding, and means for automati- 20. In a sheet feeder having means for supporting a'supply of sheets and movable in one direction, mechanism operated through movement of said means and the supply in said direction and adapted tol displace the latter and said supply in another direction Vso that the sheets Will be positioned for feeding.

21. In a sheet feeder having means for moving a supply of sheets, mechanism on said feeder operated through movement of the supply by said means and adapted to shift said supply-thereon so that the sheets are positioned for feeding.

22. In a feeder having meansfor moving a supply of sheets, automatically operated mechanism for shifting the supply on said means to position the sheets for feeding, and movable devices controlled by said supply through movement thereof by said'means, said devices controlling the operation of said mechanism.

23. In a feeder having means for supporting a supply of sheets, automatically operated pawl and ratchet mechanism adapted vto move said means laterally in different directions and thereby position the sheets for feeding, and a detector adapted to engage the supply and control the operation of said pawl and ratchet mechanism.

24. In combination, means for automatically moving a supply ofsheets in one direction, and means for automatically moving said supply in another direction through its movement by said first named means.

25. In combination, means movable in one direction to feed a supply of sheets, and means adapted to automatically impart additional and different movement to said first named means and the supply in accordance with the configuration of one or more of the sides thereof.

26. In combination, a pluralityof means for moving a supply of sheets in angularly related directions, and means engaging one or more sides of the supply and controlling the'operation of one of said first named means.

27. In combination, a plurality of mechanisms for moving a supply of sheets, and a plurality of means engaged with a plurality of sides of the supply and each controlling the operation of one of said mechanisms.,

28. In combination, means for moving a supply of sheets laterally, and pawl and ratchet mechanismfor operating said means.

29. In combination, means for moving a supply of sheetslaterally, pawl and ratchet mecha- Vfio 30. In combination, means for moving a'supply of sheets substantially horizontally in different directions and a plurality of pawl and ratchet mechanisms each adapted to operate said means so that the same moves said supply in one of said directions.

31. In combination, a plurality of pawl and ratchet mechanisms for laterally moving a supply of sheets, means for operating the pawl and ratchet mechanisms, and a plurality of detectors engaged by different sides of said supply of sheets and each controlling the operation of one of said pawl and ratchet mechanisms.

32. In combination, means for moving asupply of sheets, and means controlled by the supply of sheets through movement thereof and adapted to shift said supply on said first named means.

33. In combination, means for elevating a pile of sheets, and pile controlled means for shifting said supply of sheets laterally on said rst named means.

34. -In combination, means adapted to support a supply of sheets and movable in opposite directions to position the sheets for feeding, and means operatively connected with said rst named means for moving the same and said supply in said directions and comprising a plurality of alined, automatically operated mechanisms arranged reversely with respect to each other.

35. In combination, means adapted to support a supply of sheets and movable in opposite directions to position the sheets for feeding, and means operatively connected with said iirst named means for moving the same and said supply in said directions and comprising a plurality of mechanisms operated automatically and reverse--A ly with respect to each other.

36. In combination, means adapted to support a supply of sheets and 'movable in diierent directions to position the sheets for feeding, and means operatively connected with said first named means for moving the same and said supply in 'said direction and comprising sets of mechanisms arranged on different axes of rotation respectively, the mechanisms o'f'each set being automatically rotated and reversely arranged with respect to each other.

37. In combination, a plurality of mechanisms arranged in sets each comprising devices arranged reversely with-respect to each other, movable means operatively connected with the sets of devices and adapted to support a supply of sheets, and mechanism adapted to selectivelyor simultaneously operate said. devices and thereby move said Imeans and said supply.

. 38. In combination, means adapted to support a supply of sheets and movable in opposite directions to position the sheets for feeding, and a plurality of alined automatically operated pawl and ratchet devices reversely arranged with respect to each other and connected with said means to move the latter and said supply in said directions. r

39. In combination, means adapted to support a supply of sheets and .movable in opposite directions. to position the sheets for feeding, and a plurality of pawl and ratchet devices operated automaticallyand reversely withV respect to each other and connected with said means to move the same and said supply in said directions. i

40. In combination, means adapted to support 9. supply of sheets and movable in various directions to position the sheets for feeding, means for selectively or simultaneously moving said supply in said directions and comprising a plurality of mechanisms loperatively connected 4with said means and arranged adjacent different sides thereof in sets, the mechanisms of each set being reversely arranged with respect to each other, and means adapted to automatically operate said mechanisms selectively or simultaneously.

4l. In combination, means adapted to support a supply of sheets and movable in various directions to position the sheets for feeding, and mechanism operatively connected with said means and adapted to move the same and said supply in said directions, said mechanism comprising a pair of pawl and ratchet devices opposite one side of the' supply and .operated automatically and reversely with respect to each other and a plurality of pawl and ratchet devices opposite another side of the supply and operated automatically and reversely of each other in pairs.

42. In combination, means adapted tosupport a supply of sheets and movable in different directions `to position the sheets for feeding, automatically operated pawl and ratchet mechanism con- 1 nected with said means and adapted toy move the latter and said supply in any of said directions, and automatically operated pawl masking means controlling the operation of said pawl and ratchet mechanism. 1

43. In combination, means adapted to support a supply of sheets and movable indifferent direc'- tions to position the sheets for feeding, automatically operated pawl and ratchet mechanism connected with said means and adapted to move the 1 same and said supply in any of said-directions, pawl masking means controlling the operation of said pawl and ratchet mechanism, and detector means arranged for engagement by said supply and controlling the operation of saidpawl mask- 1 ing means.

44; In combination, a support for a supply of sheets and movable in opposite directions to position the sheets for feeding, pawl and ratchet devices reversely arranged with respect to each 1 other and automatically operated in opposite directiohs, connections between the support and the pawl and ratchet devices whereby the latter may move said support and said supply in said directions, andan automatically operated pawl mask 1 between the ratchets of said devices and controlling the operation of the latter.

45. In combination, a support for a supply of sheets and movable in oppositedirections to position the sheets for feeding, a pair of ratchet wheels arranged reversely with respect-to each other, an automatically operated pawl carrier having a pair of pawls arranged reversely with respect to each other to alternately engage said ratchet wheels and rotate them in opposite direcl tions respectively, and connections between the support and said Wheels whereby said carrier, pawls and wheels may move said support and said supply in said directions.

46. In combination, a. support-for a supply of 1 sheets and movable in opposite directions to position the sheets for feeding, a pair of mechanisms operatively connected with the support'and operated automatically and reversely with respect to each other tovmove said support and said supply 1 in said directions, and a detectoradapted to engage a side of 'said supply and controlling the operation of-said mechanisms.

'47. In combination, means adapted to support tions to position the sheets for feeding, a plurality of pawl and ratchet devices reversely arranged in sets each operatively connected with said means, mechanism for operating the pawl and ratchet devices of each set to move said means and said supply in any of said directions, and pawl masking nieansfor each set of pawl and ratchet devices and controlling the operation thereof.

48. In combination, means adapted to support a supply of sheets and movable in various directions to position the sheets for feeding, mechanism operatively connectedwith said means for moving the same and the supply in said directions and comprising a set of pawl and ratchet devices arranged in reverse relation opposite one side of the supply and a plurality of pawl and ratchet devices arranged reversely in sets opposite another side ofthe supply, mechanism for operating tlie'pawl and ratchet devices of any of said sets, and a plurality of detectors engaging said sides of the supply and each controlling the operation of one of said sets of pawl and ratchet devices.

49, In combination, means adapted to support a supply of sheets and movable in various directions to position thesheets for feeding, a plurality of sets Aof reversely arranged pawl and ratchet devices operatively connected with said means, mechanism for selectively operating the pawl and ratchet devices of each set to move said means and said supply in any of said directions,

and pawl masking means between each set of pawl and ratchet devices and controlling the operation thereof.

50. In combination, sheet carrying means, movable supporting means therefor, and power operated mechanism adapted to move the sheet 'carrying means in various directionsl on said movable means. 4

51. In combination, sheet carrying means, movable supporting means therefor, and power operated mechanism adapted'to move the sheet carrying means in various directions on the supporting means and continuously connected with said sheet carrying means regardless of the position or movement of said movable supporting means.

52. In a sheet feeder, an elevator, a pile board mounted on and movable laterally with respect to the elevator, and power operated mechanism adapted to move the pile board laterally in various directions on the elevator and continuously connected with said board regardless of the position or movement of said elevator.

53. In a sheetrfeeder, movable means, sheet supporting means mounted on the movable means to move therewith and relative thereto, and automatically operated mechanism for moving said supporting means mounted on the movable means to. move therewith and relative thereto, and ball bearings interposed between the movable means and the sheet supporting means and enabling the latter to be moved in any desired direction on said sheet supporting means.

56. In a sheet feeder, a normally stationary frame, movable means thereon, sheet supporting means mounted on the movable means to move therewith and relative thereto, and automatically operated mechanism for moving the sheet supporting means on the movable means and providing for movement of said movable means and said sheet supporting means as a unit on said frame.

57. In a sheet feeder, a normally stationary frame, movable means thereon, sheet supporting means mounted on the movable means to move therewith and relative thereto, automatically operated mechanism mounted on said frame, gearing mounted on the movable means, slidable driving connections between said mechanism and said gearing, and means connecting the gearing with the sheet supporting means whereby the latter may be moved on the movable means by said mechanism, connections, and gearing.

58. In combination, sheet supporting means, movable means carrying the same, a shaft having threaded connection with the sheet supporting means, and automatically operated mechanism connected with said shaft and adapted to rotate the same and thereby move said sheetsupporting means on said movable means.

59. In combination, Asheetsupporting means, movable means carrying the same, gearing on the movable means, a shaft connected with said gearing and having threaded connection with the sheet supporting means, and mechanism connected with the gearing andadapted to drive said gearing and said shaft and thereby move said sheet supporting means on said movablemeans.

60. In combination, a sheet support, movable lmeans carrying the same, gearing on the movable means, a shaft having threaded connection with the sheet support, a universal connection between the shaft and the gearing, and mechanism connected with the gearing and adapted to drive the same and said shaft to thereby move said sheet support on said movable means.

61.' In combination, sheet supporting means, movable means carrying the same, threaded means having threaded connections with the sheet supporting means, gearing on the movable means and having universal connections with the threaded means, and mechanism connected with the gearing and adapted to drive the same and said threaded means to thereby shift said sheet supporting means in various directions on said movable means.

62. In combination, a frame, a sheet support, means movable on the frame and carrying the sheet support, gearing on the movable means and having threaded connection with thesheet support, a shaft mounted on the frame and slidably connected with a part of the gearing in driving relation therewith, and mechanism on said frame connected with the shaft and adapted to drive said shaft and said gearing and thereby move said sheet support on said movable means.

63. In combination, a frame, a pile elevator movable vertically thereon, a pile board mounted on the elevator, a substantially horizontal threaded shaft having threaded connection with the pile board, gearing on the elevator and connected with the threaded shaft to rotate the same and move the pile board laterally on the elevator, I

able vertically thereon, a sheet support carried by and movable laterally on the elevator, and means operatively connected with the support adapted to move it laterally in different directions on the elevator, said means including a plurality of mechanisms having parts mounted on said frame, parts mounted on the elevator, and

driving connections between the rst and second named parts and providing for vertical movement of said elevator and said support.

65. In combination, a frame, an elevator movable vertically thereon, a sheet support carried by and movable laterally on the elevator, and means operatively connected with the sheet support adapted to move it laterally in different directions on the elevator, said means comprising relatively adjustable parts mounted on said frame, relatively adjustable parts mounted on the elevator, and shafts adjustable with and slidably connecting said first and second named parts and providing for vertical movement of said elevator and said support.

66. In a sheet feeder, a detector engageable with a side of a supply of sheets and movable by said supply during normal movement thereof on the feeder, pawl and ratchet mechanisml adapted to move the supply transversely of its normal direction of movement and thereby position the sheets for feeding, and a pawl mask operated by said detector and controlling the operation of said pawl and ratchet mechanism.

67. In a sheet feeder, a plurality of relatively adjustable pawl and ratchet mechanisms adapted to move a supply of sheets transverselyof its normal direction of movement on the feeder, a plurality of relatively adjustable detectors engageable with `a side of the supply of sheets and movable by said supply during movement thereof with a side of a supply of sheets and movablev by said supply during normal movement thereof on the feeder, pawl and ratchet mechanism adapted to move the supply transversely of its normal direction of movement and thereby position of said means, a spring pressed rod connected with the pivotally mounted device at one side of its pivotal axis, and means connecting the detector with said device at the opposite side of its pivotal axis.

'70. In a sheet feeder, a detector engageable with a side of a supply of sheets andy movable 'by said supply during normal movement thereof on the feeder, pawl and ratchet mechanism for shifting the supply of sheets transversely of its direction of normal movement, a pivotally, mounted pawl mask for controlling the operation of said pawl and ratchet mechanism, a spring pressed rod comiected with the pawl mask at one side of its pivotal axis, and means connecting the detector with said pawl mask at the opposite side of its pivotal axis.

'71. In a sheet feeder, a spring pressed rod carrying a detector engageable with a side of a supply of sheets and movable in opposite directions by the spring of said rod and said supply during normal movement of the latter on the feeder,

.and means` controlled by the detector and said rod and adapted to shift said supply transversely of its direction of normal movement.

, '72. In a sheet feeder, a spring pressed rod carrying a detector engageable with a side of a Asupply of sheets and movable in opposite directions by the spring of said rod and said supply during normal movement of the latter on the feeder.

pawl and ratchet mechanism adapted to move the supply of sheets transversely of its normal direction of movement, and a pawl mask operated by said rod and controlling the operation of said pawl and ratchet mechanism.

CHARLES J. MENSMAN.

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