Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
` 1060404
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved single piston or single drive
operated clip attachment device.
Use of a single drive mechanism to effect a clip attachment oper-
ation has been suggested in various applications and patents. For example,
U.S. Patent No. 3,940,841 dated March 2, 1976 disclosed a single piston
operated clip attachment device wherein a punch is brought into cooperation
with a die subsequent to formation of a clip channel by linkage arms
attached to the punch drive. Such a mechanism has been found to be especially
useful for attachment of clips about a rather large mass.
With the aforementioned device, however, material which is gathered
must be inserted through a passage in a mounting plate prior to attachment
of a clip. Thus, access to the clipper is partially limited. The presently
described apparatus is an improved single piston operated clipper which auto-
matically gathers the material to be clipped prior to attachment of the clip.
According to the present invention, a clip attachment device
comprises, in combination, a mounting frame; drive means mounted on the mount-
ing frame, said drive means having a unitary drive shaft translatable be-
tween a projected position and a retracted position; a punch for driving a
clip, said punch attached to said drive shaft and translatable thereby be-
tween a retracted position and a projected clip fastening position; rail and
window means for positioning a clip in the path of the punch means inter-
mediate the retracted position and clip fastening position; first and
second gates pivotally attached to the mounting frame in opposed relation on
opposite sides of the path of travel of the punch, one of said gates includ-
ing a die for cooperation with said punch, said gates being pivotal between
a closed position for clip attachment and an open position for release of
clip material; and first and second parallel linkage arms, each arm being
attached to said drive shaft for movement parallel with the punch on
opposite sides thereof, said first arm including cam drive means cooperative
with the first gate to pivotally drive said gate from the open position to
the closed position, the second arm including cam drive means cooperative
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with the second gate to pivotally drive said second gate from the open
position to the closed position, said die being cooperative with the punch
when the gates are both in the closed position to form a clip about material
positioned and gathered by action of closing said gates.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an
improved single drive operated, clip attachment device. -~
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved clip attachment device wherein opposed gate members operate to
gather the material to be clipped, one of the gate members including a die
cooperative with a punch for clip attachment. -
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an
improved single drive clipper device which provides sequential gathering and
positioning of the material to be clipped prior to attachment of the clip
by means of a drive punch.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a single -
drive means clip device wherein a die cooperative with a punch is positioned ~ -
in the path of the punch and retained in that path while the punch engages
the clip and drive~the clip into engagement with a die.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved
clip attachment device of simple construction that can be easily repaired
or serviced.
Other advantages and features will be set forth in the detailed
description which follows.
In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made
to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
FIGURE 1 is a front perpsective view of the improved clipping
device of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a bottom perspective view of the improved device shown
in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is a side perspective view of the improved clipping device
shown in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of the clipping device shown in
FIGURE 1 partially sectioned;
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~06~404
FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in
FIGURE 4 taken along the line 5--5:
FIGURE 6 is a partial cross section of the clipper of FIGURE 4
taken along the line 6--6;
FIGURE 7 is a front elevation of the clipper device wherein the
gates are partially closed: and
FIGURE 8 is a front elevation illustrating full closure of the gates
of the clipper device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
.
FIGURES 1 through 3 of the drawing illustrate the general overall
configuration of the improved clipper device. FIGURES 4 through 6
illustrate in greater detail the mechanical construction of the clipper
device. FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate the operative movement of the
variou~ parts of the clipper device.
Referring to the figures, a main hou9ing or frame 10 i9 provided.
This housing or frame 10 is maintained generally in a fixed position at
a work station, for example, in a sausage making assemblr line. The
remaining components of the clipper device are fixed to the frame 10.
Thus, a shoe 12 and cylinder assembly 14 are attached to the housing 10
20 by means of tie rods 16. Shoe 12 is attached to the lower side of housing
10. Assembly 14 is attached to the upper side.
Cylinder assembly 14 includes a pneumatically operated cylinder 18
having an attached cylinder cap 20. A piston 22 having an output shaft or
rod 24 is retained within the pneumatic cylinder 18. Shaft or rod Z4
provides the drive means for operation of the clipper device. Pneumatic
controls for the cylinder assembly 14 are known to those skilled in the art.
The piston 22 is shown in the retracted position in FIGURE 5,
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The rod or shaft 24 is attached at the end opposite piston 22 to a
platen 26. Platen 26 extends laterally from both sides of the shaft 24.
This is illustrated in FIGURE 4. Drive rods 28 and 30 are fixed to each end
of the platen 26. Drive rod 28 projects through bearing 32 in shoe 12.
In a similar fashion, drive rod 30 projects through a bearing (not shown)
in shoe 12. Thus, the drive rods 28 and 30 are slidable in the shoe 12 and
move between a projected and retracted position in response to movement
of platen 26 and piston 22.
First and second punches 34 and 36 are attached to a punch holder 38
which is in turn, affixed to the platen 26. Punches 34 and 36 project
through guide slots 40 and 42 respectively in the shoe 12. The punches 34
and 36 have lower clip crimp ends 44 and 46 respectively which have a rest
or retracted position above rails 48 and 50 as shown in FIGURE 5. Thus,
clips 52, which are arranged on rails 48 and 50, are fed through a window
54 and 56 respectively in shoe 12 so that punches 34 and 36 respectively
will engage a clip 52 and drive it downwardly in slots 40 and 42 respectively.
As shown in FIGURE 4, one punch 34, is adjustable. That is, a
set screw 35 may be loosened and a wedge block 37 ad~usted by set screws
39 and 41 to fix the distance the punch 34 extends into slot 40.
Rails 48 and 50 are supported respectively on rail support members
58 and 60 attached to shoe 12. The rails 48 and 50 provide a guide and
support for clips 52 which are fed into the clipper device of the present
invention.
The following description relates to the structure associated with
punch 34. Similar structure is associated with punch 36.
Referring to FIGURE 4, a die gate 62 and a gathering gate 64 are
pivotally attached to shoe 12 by means of wrist pins 67 and 69 and mounting
bolts 66 and 68 respectively. Gate 62 and gate 64 are attached to the shoe
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12 on opposite sides of the path of travel for punch 34. A die block 70 is
mounted in the die gate 62. Die gate 62 is comprised of a generally solid
single plate member. Die gate 62 includes a projecting foot 63 which
assists in the gathering of material positioned between the gates 62, 64
prior to clipping.
Gathering gate 64 is comprised of first and second parallel plate
members 72 and 74 as shown in FIGURE 3. Plates 72 and 74 are held in
spaced relation by spacing gathering gate 76. Plates 72 and 74 are spaced
to define a width sufficient for receipt of the plate defining die gate 62.
Plates 72 and 74 each include a foot 65 to assist in gathering material
between the gates 62, 64. Thus, gate 62 and gate 64 may be rotated from
the unengaged position shown in FIGURE 4 to the engaged or interlocked
position illustrated by FIGURE 8. Interlocking of the gates 62 and 64 is
effected by pivotal rotation of the gate 62 and 64 in opposite rotational
senses about the mounting wrist pins 67 and 69 ~espectively.
Die gate 62 includes a channel edge portion 78 which includes a slot
or channel 75 defining the path of travel of one leg or side of a clip S2
driven by punch 34. Spacing member of gathering gate 64 includes a
similar slot or channel 77 for receipt of the leg of a clip 52. Thus, when
the gates 62 and 64 are pivoted to the position illustrated in FIGURE 8,
edges 78 and 80 define a channel 75, 77 for a clip 52 driven by punch 34.
This channel terminates with die 70 which is provided to effect deformation
and shaping of a clip 52 about material gathered between gates 62 and 64.
The gates 62 and 64 are driven in their path of pivotal travel in
response to downward translational movement of drive rods 28 and 30.
That is, each drive rod 28 and 30 includes a projectin~ roller cam 82 and
84 respectively. Roller cams 82 and 84 respectively ride in camways 86
and 88 respectively defined in gates 64 and 62 respectively. Note that the
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camways 86 and 88 include an arcuate initial portion 86A and 88A respectively
connected with a straight run portion 86B and 88B respectively. Consequent-
ly, as the drive rods 28 and 30 are driven downwardly in a straight line
path, the gates 64 and 62 are pivoted toward one another.
The amount of pivotal movement by the gates 64 and 62 is limited and
controlled by the arcuate camways 86A and 88A. The amount of rotation
effected is the amo~lnt necessary to interlock the gates 64 and 62 in the
position illustrated in FIGURE 8, thereby defining a total channel for move-
ment of a clip 52 into final engagement with die 70 in the path of punch 34.
The straight line segments 86B and 88B of the camways 86 and 88
are provided to permit continued translational movement of roller cams 82
and 84 subsequent~to the pivotal motion by gates 64 and 62. In this manner,
the platen and associated punch 34 continue the downward path of travel to
effect clip 52 engagement with die 70. The roller cams 82 and 84 have the
additional function of rigidly maintaining the gates 64 and 62 is a substan-
tially interlocked, non-movable position during the final path of travel by
the punch 34. The straight line segments or sections 86B and 88B of the
camways 86 and 88 thus provide a lost motion function for the drive rods
28 and 30 during the actual clip attachment operation effected by punch 34.
It is noted that the camways 86 and 88 are closed camways having
both sides available for cooperative action with roller cams 82 and 84.
This ensures positive movement of the gates 64 and 62 when the drive rods
28 and 30 move in either translational direction, up or down.
While drive rods 28 and 30 slidably move through bearings in the
shoe 12, beams 90 and 92 are fixed to shoe 12 and extead downwardly from
the show 12 in the same direction as the path of travel effected by rods 28
and 30. The beams 90 and 92 are interconnected at their lower ends by a
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plate 94. Plate 94 includes keyed openings 96 and 98 which fit over beams
90 and 92 respectively. A threaded fastener 100 and 102 extends from each
beam and cooperates with a threaded knob 104 and 106 to hold the plate 94 on
the beams 90, 92.
Additional means for maintaining gate 62 as well as gate 64 in locked
position when the punch 34 is in the extended or die engaging position
includes a guide block as at 112 in FIGURE 7 which engages the shaft 30
or drive rod 30. This prevents the rod 30 from lateral bending due to the
force imparted on the shaft by the punch 34 engaging the die 70. A guide
10 o r support block such as block 112 may be provided fo r cooperation with
either drive shaft or drive rod 28 or 30.
The plate 94 also serves as the mounting bracket for a knife holder
114. That i~, knife holder 114 constitutes an elongated member pivotally
mounted by means of mounting bolt 116 to plate 94. Knife holder 114
includes a blade 118 at one end. The opposite end of holder 114 is pivotally
connected with a rod lZ0 driven by a cylinder 122 which effects cutting
movement of blade 118. For example, subsequent to attachment of a clip
52 to some material gathered between gates 62 and 64, cylinder 122 causes
the knife holder 114 to pivot the bl~ade 118 and cut the gathered material
20 adjacent the attached clip 52.
In addition to gathering material by means of gates 62 and 64, a
supplemental gathering bar 124 i9 provided. Gathering bar 124 is an
elongated U-shaped bar member pivotally connected at its opposite ends
to gates 62 and 64 respectively. The gathering bar 124 includes a horizon-
tal alot 126 and 128 at each end through which a mounting bolt 130 and 132
respectively is slidably projected. Bolts 130 and 132 are attached to gates
62 and 64 respectively. As gates 62 and 64 rotate toward one another, the
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bolts 130 and 132 are carried about the pivot axes defined by pivot bolts
66 and 68 to location indicated in FIGURE 8. Consequently, the bolts 130
and 132 carry the gathering bar 124 downwardly toward the die 70.
To accommodate the apparent movement of bolts 130 and 132 in a
horizontal direction as they simultaneously move vertically downward
with the rotation of gates 62 and 64, the slots 126 and 128 are provided.
Consequently, the bolts 130 and 132 move from the outside edges of slots
126 and 128 as shown in FIGURE 4 to the inside edges of said slots 126 and
128 as shown in FIGURE 8 as the gates 62 and 64 move from the open to
the closed position.
Thus, as the single piston 22 moves from the retracted to the pro-
jected position, the gates 62 and 64 simultaneously close thereby gathering
material therebetween. Simultaneou~ly, the gathering bar 124 moves
downward and further gathers material prior to attachment of a clip 5Z.
Gate 62, 64 pivoted movement as well as the movement of the gathering
bar 124 is totally effected by drive rods 28, 30 cooperating with the arcuate
cam paths 86A and 88A.
Subsequently, the continued operation of the single piston 22 towards
the projected position causes the punch 34 to move a clip 52 down the
channel 40 defined in the shoe 12, into channel 75, 77 defined by the gates
62 and 64 and into engagement with die 70. The clip 52 is thus fastened
about the gathered material. The knife blade 118 is then moved across the
now-clipped end of the gathered material as shown in FIGURE 8. The
piston 22 is retraced thereby releasing the clipped end of the casing and
making the device available for continued cycles.
In the embodiment disclosed, two punches 34, 36 are simultaneously
driven so that two clips 52 may simultaneously attached by the clipper
device. Thus, two sets of gates as well as two gathering bars are simul-
taneously driven by the single piston 22. In this manner, the clipper device
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of the present invention may be positioned adjacent the discharge nozzle
of a sausage machine. As shirred material is fed from the discharge
nozzle of the sausage machine and the sausage casing is thus filled, the
filled casing passes between two pair of adjacent, open gates 62 and 64 of
the cllpper device. Once a sufficient length of casing is filled, the clipper
is actuated to gather the casing material and subsequently clip the end of the
filled casing. Simultaneously an adjacent clip is attached to the end of the
casing yet to be filled. The knife blade 118 then operates to separate the
filled casing from the unfilled casing. The operation can then be repeated.
Attachment of both clips and gathering of all the casing material is
effected by a single piston. Sequencing of operations is provided by the ~ `
mechanical interconnection between the gathering gates 62, 64 and the
punches 34, 36 which drives the clips 52. Thus, while there has been
described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it i8 to be
understood that the invention shall be limited only by the following claims
and the equivalents.
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