Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BACKG OUND OF THE INVENTION:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
In the prior art, double-ended, drum seaming machines are
known in sundry embodiment~ and wherein spaced columns are ad-
justably mounted on a bed to properly space them to accommodate,
between the columns and the working part~ thereon, drums of
different lengths, and the columns each being power recipro-
cated through a limited-travel, working stroke be~ween a re-
tracted clearance position and an advanced position for engage-
ment R the drum by such working parts. In the prior machines,the structural arrangements included to permit adjustment of
the columns on the bed, and to provide for such limited-travel,
working stroke of the individual columns, were--in many cases--
too complex and costly or the necessary adjustments were in-
convenient and time consuming to perform. The present invention
was conceived in a succes~ful effort to overcome--in a machine
of the type described--such deficiencies.
THE PRIOR ART
United states Patent No. 4,004,529 i8 exemplary of the
prior art known to applicants.
SUMMARY aF THE INVENTION-. The present invention provides, as
an important obJect, a drum seaming machine which embodies a
novel structural arrangement--in association with included
stripper rods--for ready and convenient pre-adjustment of the
relative positions of the power-reciprocated columns on the
~` supporting bed (according to drum length), and for pre-determin-
ation of the limited-travel, working stroke of the individual
columns between a retracted clearance position and an advanced
working position with the included column-mounted chuck in drum
head engagement preparatory to initiation of the ~eaming oper-
ations. The structural arrangement provided, to attain the
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above ob~ective~, is relatively simple and yet functionally
effec~ive.
The present invention provides, as another important ob-
~ect, a drum seam~ng machine, as above, wherein the normally
stationary stripper rods--corresponding to each column--pass,
with a running fit, through the latter; and said structural
arrangement includes spaced stop elements on the rods adapted
to engage with the column and limit the working stroke thereof
to a predetermined, relati~ely ~hort distance.
me present invention provides9 as still another ob~ect,
a drum seaming machine, as above, wherein the stripper rods are
ad~ustably secured in connection with the bed, whereby--upon
longitudinal ad1ustment of the stripper rods, corresponding
pre-ad~ustment of the column on the bed is effected in a ready
and facile manner, and for the purpose of accommodating drums
of different lengths.
The present invention provides, as a further object, a
drum seaming machine with the described improvements which is
designed for ea~e and economy o manufacture
The present invention provides, a~ a still further ob~ect,
a practical, reliable, and durable drum seaming machine with
the described improvements, and one which i8 exceedingly ef-
fective for the purpose for which it i8 designed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Fig. 1 is a side elevation,
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partly in outline and omitting the drum elevating cradle unit,
of a double-ended, drum seaming machine embodying the pxesent
invention.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional plan view
taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a transverse, vertical section taken sub- ;
stantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.
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Fig. 4 i~ a transverse, vertical section taken sub-
stantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional plan view ~aken sub-
stantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a vertical, end elevation taken substantially
on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional elevation
taken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFER~ED EMBODIMENT: Referring now more
particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference
marked thereon, the present invention is directed to a double-
ended, drum seaming machine (shown in somewhat greater detail
in co-pending application Serial No. 33 3, 4IS~ , filed
Q ~4g ~S t ~, Iq ? 9 , embodying a longitudinal bed l which
supports heavy duty columns 2 in spaced relation and for re-
ception therebetween of a horizontal axis drum 3 supported in
position, for drum head seaming, by a cradle unit ~not shown).
me columns 2 are mounted on the bed by slides 4 which permit
the columns to be ad~usted i~ spacing and to accommodate there-
between drums of different lengths. Such adjustment of each ofthe columns is efected by a ~orizontal, longitudinally extend-
~ng, double-acting power cylinder S connected between a fixed
tailstock 6 on the bed, and the corresponding column 2.
Ad~acent the working faces thereof, the individual columns
each carry a circular chuck 7 ~ournaled on the column and
driven, in suitable fashion, from a main shaft 8 in the bed 1
lengthwise thereof and powered by an endless drive 9 from an
electric motor 10 mounted atop a related tailstock 6.
Above the driven ehuck 7 of each column 2, the latter
: 30 supports a drum seaming unit indicated generally at 11 and
shown in greater detail in the aforesaid co-pending application;
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such drum seaming unit including a rotary cam 12 driven, in
timed relation to the chuck 7, from the main shaft 8 and by
means shown only in part at 13 and which i8 an endless timing
cha~n.
Each chuc~ 7 i8 peripherally embraced, at least in the
lower half thereof, by a drum stripper 14 disposed in a trans-
verse, vertical plane; such stripper being substantially con-
ventional. me stripper 14, corresponding to each column, is
fixed on and supported by longitudinal, transversely spaced
stripper rods 15 which extend from the stripper 14 in a rear-
ward direction to normally fixed but releasable connection with
the tailstock 6 by means of a clamping unit indicated generally
at 16. Con~equently, when--in worklng position, pre-set as
later described--each column 2 is retrac$ed by its power
cylinder 5, ~he related stripper 14 relatively advances a
; short distance and then pro~ects slightly ahead of the chuck 7
to strip the drum (after seaming) from such chuck. See Fig. 1.
Conversely, when each column 2 is advanced by its power
cylinder 5, the related stripper 14 pro~ects sligh~ly behind
the chuck to permit the latter to enter the near head, of the
drum, preparatory to initiation o~ the seaming operation on a
drum head engaged on and spanning between the chucks 7.
The clamping unit 16 corresponding to each set or pair of
stripper rods 15 (i.e., the set at each end of the machine)
comprises the following:
A cross member 17 is included with the tailstock 6, and
at each end such cross member is formed with an integral,
split-type clamp 17 having a bore 18 through which the related
stripper rod 15 extends; each clamp 17 being vertically and
longitudinally split, as at 19, centrally above the correspond-
ing bore 18, and, additionally, includes an integral ear 20
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upstanding to the out~ide of ~he split. The ears are alined
laterally of the machine, and a cross rod 21 spans between and
passes through coaxial bores in said ears.
At one end thereof, the cross rod 21 is secured to a hori-
zontal, upwaxdly openlng yoke 22 which straddle~ a vertical
block 23 fixedly secured to the adjacent ear 20 by bolts 24
and spacer collars 25. A transverse shat 26 spans between and
is ~ournaled in the sides of yoke 22; such shaft--intermediate
its ends and within the confines of the block~-being formed
with an eccentric section 27 received in a bore 28 in said
block. At one end, and beyond the yoke 22, the transverse
shaft 26 i8 fitted with a radial hand lever 29 movable from a
horizontal, outwardly projecting position to an upright po-
sitionO A pln and stop array, indicated generally at 30, is
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: provided at the other exposed end of the transverse shaft 26
for the purpose of limiting the hand lever 29 against movement
beyond the above positions.
; At the other end (i~e., the end opposite the above-described
;~ yoke, block, and transverse shaft assembly), the cross rod 21
is provided with a threaded-on nut 31 which bears againQt an
inwardly opening cap 32 which surrounds the cross rod 21 and
embraces a plurality of heavy-duty spring washers 33, on said
rod~ disposed between such cap and the ad~acent ear 20.
When the hand lever 29 is manually swung from its hori-
zontal, outwardly projecting position to an upright position,
the eccentric section 27 of transverse shaft 26 turns in boxe 28
and the shaft ends act to cause slight but forceful motion of
yoke 22 relative to the fixed block 23. Such relative motion
is translated into an axially outward load or tension on the
cross rod 21, and which tension--after compression of the
spring washers 33--imposes a laterally inward force on both of
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the ears 20 and wh~ch force tends to narrow the splits 19, with
the result that the clamps 17 grip both stripper rods 15 and
hold the same against longitudinal movement. me stripper
rods 15 are thu~ clampingly held in a fixed position during
normal operation of the can seaming machine.
Both of the parallel stripper rods 15, at each end of the
machine, extend through the corresponding column 2 loosely or
with a running fit, and-dwithin the column--each stripper rod
i~ provided with a threaded-on front stop nut 34, while a rear
stop nut 35 i8 threaded on each stripper rod 15 rearwardly of
column 2. Thus, the rear wall 36 of said column--in a thickened
portion thereof--is disposed between the front stop nut 34 and
rear ~top nut 35 on the individual stripper rods 15.
- Each of the stop nuts 34-35 includes, at the end adjacent
the rear wall 36, a shock-absorbing collar 37--of rubber or
the like--faced by a retention ring 38~ while at the opposite
end each of said nuts 34-35 is provided with a locking ring 39
which holds the related nut in any ad~usted position on its
stripper rod 15.
When the drum seaming machine is in operation, operation
of each power cylinder 5--to extend its piston rod 40--causes
the connected column 2 to advance a distance limited by en-
gagement of the rear wall 36 of said column with the front
stop nuts 34; such advance of the column 2 thrusting the rotary
chuck 7 into the head 41 of the alined drum 3, whence the re-
lated seaming unit 11 i8 brought into play to produce the
seam 42. Thereafter, operation of the power cylinder to re-
tract the piston rod 40 causes corresponding retro-motion of
the column and which draws the rotary chuck 7 away from the
drum, and at the same time the ~tationary stripper 14 frees
the drum head from the chuck. Such retro-motion of the column
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is limited by engagement of the rear stop nuts 35 with the rear
wall 36 of ~aid column. From the above it will be understood
that--with each cycle o operation of the drum seaming machine--
the piston rod 40 i8 once reciprocated to impart corresponding
advance and retraction of the corresponding column 2 through a
working stroke of limited-travel, and which stroke is prede-
termined by the adjusted position o~ the front and rear stop
nuts 34-35 on the normal~y stationary stripper rod~ 15. While
; the arrangement is quite simple structurally, it provides for
an effective and accurate limited-travel stroke of each column,
and yet a stroke can be readily ad~usted to accommodate, for
example, drum heads of varying depths.
Beyond their purpose to limit column travel, as above, the
stop nuts 34-35 on the stripper rods 15 have another purpose.
More partlcularly, prior to operation of the drum seaming
- machine, each column 2 is pre-ad~u~ted longitudinally on the
bed and as necessitated by the length of the drums to be
handled in the machine; such pre-adjustment being accomplished
readily, easily, and quickly, as ~ollows:
Firstly, the clamping unit 16 corresponding to each column
i~ quick-relea9ed by manual movement of the hand lever 29 to a
"down" outwardly pro~ecting position, and which releases both
of the clamps 17. Secondly, the power cyl~nder i8 actuated to
cause advance (or retraction, as the case may be~ of the column
on the bed and to the position requisite for the next drum seam-
ing operation. Lastly, after such pre-adjustment of the column
ha8 occurred, and at which time the stripper rods 15 have slid-
ably moved in the clamps 17, ~aid clamp~ are re-engaged (by
moving hand lever 29 back to its upright position) whereby the
clamping unit 16 "lock~" the column in said pre-ad~usted po-
sltion.
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From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen
. that there has been produced such a drum ~eaming machine with
the described improvements as substantially fulfills the ob-
~ects of the invention as set forth herein.
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