CA2185642C - Quick lock chase for a cutting tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The quick lock chase for a cutting tool consists of an upstream crossbar, of two sidewise bars, of a downstream crossbar-buffer (12), and of two devices of quick locking installed in the upstream crossbar. A locking device comprises a small support bar (50) parallel to the crossbar and movable in perpendicular translation in order to push the tool (3) against the opposed crossbar. Elastic means act between the internal surface of the crossbar, and the external surface of the small bar in order to push it, a recess mechanism enabling to lead this small bar (50) back to the crossbar, in opposition to the elastic means. The recess mechanism comprises a flap (55) fixedly attached to the external surface of the small bar (50), movable in sliding motion in a housing treated in correspondence in the crossbar, the said flap presenting a perceptibly rectangular light orientated in the directionof the small bar (50). This mechanism comprises in addition a control cam (65) presenting an upper head placed in a boring of the crossbar, and movable in rotation according to an axis perpendicular to the flap, as well as a lower cylindrical tenon (69) set over with regard to the head and involved in the light of the flap.

Description

2 1 85~ 4 2 .

QUICK LOCK CHASE FOR A CUTTING TOOL
The present invention refers to a quick lock chase for a cutting tool used within a cutting machine ~ ce~i,lg flat elements, such as sheets of paper or cardborad. The invention refers more particularly to a chase holding a tool in the shape of a board, in which diecutting rules are installed, the whole being arranged in a diecutting platen press.
For example, these machines are used in order to cut into each sheet of paper or cardboard one or several formats which, after folding and gluing, may be formed into boxes. Each format generally includes the six surfaces of a box, certain edges being provided with tongues for gluing or closing. Useful, the waste, i.e. the unused areas of the sheet between the tongues or between the formats, are immediatly ejected after cutting, so that in the output stack only finished formats accumulate, interconnected by some break points. Such a machine usually comprises, first, an input station, in which the sheets are taken one by one from the top of a stack in order to be sent to a feed table where they are placed in position against frontal and lateral guides. The sheet can then be grasped at its frontal edge by a series of grippers fitted along a crossbar, each end of which is attached to a sidewise train chain leading the bar, and thus the sheet, into the subsequent processing stations. The sheet is thus conveyed into a cutting station cor"p, i~i"g a platen press provided with diecutting rules, then into a stripping station where the waste is grasped by pins in order to be led downward into a container. If desired, the cutting station may be preceded by a printing station, also with platen. These ~,.,cessi"g stations are followed by a receiving station in which each cut sheet is released by the grippers so as to fall squarely onto the top of an output stack.
Subsequently in the statement, the terms upstream and downstream are used in reference to the direction of displacement of the sheets, so that a piece on the upstream side is close to the entrance to the station, whereas a piece on the downstream side is close to the exit. In a .~ 2 t 85~2 similar manner, the ex,u,~ssiolls left and right are to be ~de~oluod in relationto the running direction of the web, the left side usually being the driving side alld the right side opposed to the driving side of the machine. Finally, with tool, will be understood the cutting tool situated within the platen press of a cutting station, at the level of the lower side of the upper immovable platen.
The tool in general use comprises a rectangular base plate made of wood in which a series of diecutting rules is inserted. This tool is preYiously positioned and fixed in an i"~""edidl~ metallic chase, itself fitted by sliding motion, from the left side of the machine, by engaging its bars, or gibs, upstream or downstream in sliding rails in c~"t:O~,onde,~ce with the platen.
With each new series, this tool has to be changed in order to be adapted to the new format. So it would be necessary to remove the metallic chase of the platen, to separate the tool from the chase, to reinstall a new tool, and, finally, to refit this chase into the platen.
The po~iliuni"g and the fixing of the tool in the chase have to be easy in order to avoid a process of asse"~ and ~io~s~" ' " ,9 too long and tiresome, and have to be as well reliable in order to ensure a constant precision of positioning of the tool during the whole execution of a series, andthis even after many changements of series.
For this reason, the document CH 652 059 describes a device of centering and fixing a tool in a chase, device in which these two ~ ld~iOIls are realized by means of two pressing devices, one lel~ ... ;;,e, one sidewise, located in the same plane of the frame, and ~Opeul;v~ly close the upstream crossbar and the right bar of the frame, pushing the tool ,~spe~,t;icly against an opposite downstream crosswise and left sidewise buffer. Each of these pressing devices consists of an elastic blade whose support surfaces, i.e. the surfaces with regard to the buffers, are machined according to a profile corresponding to the ;1~" "~dlion curve of a beam supported collsi~ "lly on two supports. The first operation of centering consists of feeding a first setting screw, which acts simultaneously by the oblique of a ramp on the two ends in proximity of each pressing device, which push the tool against two opposite buffers. The second operation of locking consists of feeding two screws, which are placed respectively on the two other ends of the ptessing devices, and which provokate their d~ur,, IdLiùll. In order to achieve an adequate centering and fixing, each of the three aforesaid screws has to be locked at the bottom of the facing realized in correspondance.
One of the disadvantage of this device arises in that the centering and locking u~ueldliulls have to be executed in a clearly definite order with the risk to obtain a posilionil,g error, then a bad fixing of the tool in its chase. An error of the operator is not excluded at this level.
Moreover, the quality of the centering and locking depends on the torque applied to each of these screws. A locking force too light involves inevitably an uncertain and inaccurate holding in position of the tool in its chase. A locking force too strong induces tensions in the wooden board which winds afterwards, through variations of temperature and/or humidity.
Moreover, the stroke of each screw is predetermined by the depth of the facings, which limit, nevertheless the presence of spring washers, the correction of the structural evolutions of this wooden board.
Another known device destined to ensure the fixing of a tool in its chase comprises a rack included in the upstream crossbar plt!st"li"g in its internal side one or several inclined planes opposite identical planes belonging to the back of a small support bar. By acting on the said rack by rotation of a toothed wheel in the adequate direction, the sidewise displacement results in a feed in orthogonal translation to the interior of the small bar in order to push the tool. A plurality of racks is arranged along the periphery of the chase in order to ensure an adequate locking of the tool.
A first disadvantage results in that the racks have to be worked individually in a u,~d~L~""i"ed order with a not standardized key, which is long and tiresome. Another disadvantage arises in that the control of each rack is indexed by notches, serving as ratchets. Now, as in the first described realization, this locking is then effectuated by a positive action of the operator, who may act his key with a force too strong or too light, and of irregular .... , . .. .. . . . .,, ... . ... , . ,, _ . . , .~

increase. Consequently, it results so in, according the cases, an inadequate locking and/or a local ~iu~l,,,aliul~ on the base board.
The aim of the present invention is a chase c~""J,i~ g a device of quick locking and centering for a cutting tool in the shape of a base board made of wood, provided with diecutting rules, the device of this chase is of simple conce,uli~l~, is easy to i",pl~,ller,l, and applies a force of optimized constant pressure. This device has to be able, besides, to acco"l,lloc;~'~, the Illo ii~i.;dliolls of ii,llen~iuns of this board in time while keeping the precision of positioning and the force of holding in its chase.
These aims are realized owing to a chase consisting of an upstream crossbar, of two sidewise bars and of a rd~ ai"
crossbar-buffer, and curllpl i~i"g a quick lock device of the tool including a small support bar close to one of the bars, or crossbars, parallel to that one and movable in perj,el~ ,ular ~Idllslaliùl~ in order to push the tool against the opposite bar, or crossbar, by the fact that said locking device comprises elastic means acting between the internal sunface of the bar, or crossbar, and the external surface of the small bar in order to push it, and a recess mechanism enabling to lead.the small bar back to the bar, or crossbar, in opposition to the elastic means.
Owing to this arrangement, the locking force of the tool against the frame depends essentially on the pre-established forces of a plurality of elastic means, such as springs, which can develop in COIIIIJI~ S;UI1 or expansion so as to follow the ~ii,l,en~iu,ldl evoiution of this tool according to the variations of temperature or of hydrometry.
Preferably, the elastic means are arranged s;.ll",~ . lly of each side of the recess mechanism located in the middle of the small bar in such a way as to equilibrate the support forces along the small bar and to avoid like this all failing.
Preferably, each elastic means is a spring placed in a recessed boring of the bar or crossbar and exerting its thrust at the bottom of a facing treated in the back surface of the small bar. The springs are so correctly led in their evolution. Moreover, this a"dl Ig~n~ ,l is reliable because it is simple to realize and strong.
According to a preferred realization mode, the recess mechanism comprises a flap fixedly attached to the external surface of the small bar, movable in sliding motion in a housing treated in correspondence in the bar, or crossbar, the said flap having a perceptibly rectangular light orientated in the direction of tlle small bar, this ",e-;l,allis", comprises in addition a control cam having an upper head placed in a boring of the bar, or crossbar, and movable in rotation according to an axis which is perpendicular to the flap, as well as a lower cylindrical tenon set over with regard to the head and involved in the light of the flap, With other words, this recess l~e~illdl~i~lll, based on the rotation of a cam dimensioned in an adequate manner, enables to counter easily the very strong spring forces necessary for a good locking. The force of action being reasonable, only one conventional six-squared tool can be used.
Useful, the cylindrical tenon acts in the light through a punch free in translation, and realized from a material of low friction factor, which optimizeaccordingly the torque to be.applied with the key.
According to a favourable realization mode, the quick lock device is arranged uniquely in the upstream crossbar in order to push the tool against the downstream crossbar-buffer, this one comprising a sidewise centering block p~llL~ldlillg into a centering slot in correspondence with the tool. The locking in the direction of r~ la~e",er,l of the sheets being powerful, so just a simple sidewise wedging by means of a block pen~l,dli"g into a slot is required, which facilitate and accelerate grandly the placing in position of the tool in its chase.
Advantageously, the chase comprises a crossbar-buffer made all in one block, and llaving on the length of the internal surface one or several grooves destined ~o receive the plate. The said monobloc crossbar-buffer machined in a precise manner constitutes, in this chase, a positioning reference particularly reliable.

~ 2 1 85642 The quick lock chase according to the invention would be better grasped through the study of a realization mode no limitative and illustrated inthe following figures:
- figure 1 is a view from the top of the chase according to the invention, - figures 2a, 2b, 2c are section views in the plane of the chase of the locking device, respectively in the retired position, in the i,,Lc:~,,edidt~position, and in the locking position, - figure 3 is a view of a detail of the l~ll~lll..;~ crossbar-buffer from the chase of figure 1, - tigure 4 is a section view according the plan IV-IV of figures 2 to 3, - figure 5 is a section view according the plan V-V of figures 2 to 3 - figure 6 is a perspective view of a cam belonging to the means of locking control.
As illustrated in figure 1, the quick lock chase according the invention comprises an upstream crossbar 10, two sidewise bars: one on the right 20 and one on the left 21, and a .I~ ar" crossbar-buffer 12, arranged in a manner as to form a rectangle. The said chase has on the whole length of each of the lower edge of the external surtaces of the upstream and du...~ dlll crossbars a machining forming a gib, respectively 15 and 16, visible as well on the figures 4 and 5. These gibs with constant section are de~ dl~ :d to inYolve in a sliding rail in c~ JUI ,.lellce with the upper platen of the press. The left sidewise bar 21 has on its external surface two handles 25 enabling to enter and to take out easily this chase in its sliding rails. The right sidewise bar 20 has on its external surface a centering tongue 18, destinated to cooperate with a machining in cu,,c:spu,,dellce realized in the right side of the platen.
A plate 1 is installed at the middle height in the chase. More precisely, the said plate is screwed in the lûwer surface of the right sidewise bar, is caught between a lower part 14 and an upper part 10 of the upstream crossbar, such as illustrated in the figures 4 and 5, and is caught as well between a lower and upper part of the left sidewise bar, where it is held by the skew of pins and fixing means. The do..,~ d") crossbar-bufler 12, as for it, is made al~ in one block, and has on its whole length a series of grooves 49 with rounded ends destinated to receive the corrugated downstream edge of the plate l, as well visible in the figures 3, 4 and 5. Each groove 49 is separated by a ~ ur~ l nick. Within this downstream crossbar-buffer 12, the plate 1 is positioned by means of pins 46 and fastened by screws 42 and distance pieces 44 illustrated in the figures 4 and 5.
The lower side of the wooden board 3, forming the base of a cutting tool, rest on the said plate 1, whose surface is hardening treated in order to constitute an effective support base for diecutting rules installed in the thickness of this board 3.
The vertical holding of this board is realized by means of do..,~ a", guides 32 and movable upstream tenons 38 hooking the upper surface of the tool, and distributed respectively on the length of the do...~ a", crossbar 12 and the upstream crossbar 10, Each guide 32 is positioned at the level of a nick. Each tenon 38 is removable, i.e. may be pivoted of about 90 degrees according to its fixing axis. For this purpose, a machining 40 is realized on the upper surface of the upstream crossbar l O so as to treat a spacing necessary for the housing of the tenon 38. These tenons are orientated in the lengthwise axis of the upstream crossbar 10 at the placing in position of the tool, and perpendicularly to this one when the tool is installed in its chase.
Moreover, the downstream crossbar-buffer 12 has perceptibly in its middle and on its internal side a centering block 34 destined to interact with a slot in correspondence with the board 3. This block 34 ensures the sidewise positioning of the tool in its chase. Additionally, each of the two sidewise bars 20, 21 has in its internal edge a setting wheel 30 arranged opposite the other, and destined to confirm the holding in sidewise position of the tool.

Two quick lock devices 90 of the tool in the running direction of the sheets are included in the upstream crossbar as well visible in the figures 1 , 2, 4 and 5.
As beKer visible in the figures 2 and 4, each locking device comprises a small support bar 50 attached to a back flap 55. This flap 55 slides within the housing treated for this purpose in the lower surface of the upper upstream crossbar 10, and closed by the lower upstream crossbar 14.
A shallow cylindrical reaming 56 is realized in the upper surface of this flap 55. In the thickness of this flap a rectangular light 60 with rounded angles is in addition realized and is orientated parallely to the small support bar, the saidlight emerges in the reaming.
A punch 58, free in Ildnsldli.~i1, in the octagonal form made of a metal having a low friction factor, brass for example, is installed within this light. The said punch has in its center a circular emerging opening 59. A
control cam 65, illustrated in per~,e~.ti~c in the figure 6, comprises a lower cylindrical tenon 69 and an upper cylindrical head 67 attached by a median flange 72, the axis of the tenon being p~l~sr ' '~ unwedged with regard to the one of the head. The cylindrical tenon 69 comes to take place in the circular opening 59 of the punch, the diameter of this tenon being perceptibly equal to the one of this opening. The flange 72 develops in the cylindrical reaming 56 whose diameter is greater than the one of this flange. The head 67 takes place in a vertical boring realized in the upper upstream crossbar 10. This cylindrical head 67 has a hexagonal opening in order to receive a common six-square tool 70.
Moreover, three recessed borings 77 are reaiized on both sides of the flap 55, perpendicularly in the upper upstream crossbar 10. Facings 74 are treated in the back surface of the small support bar 50, opposite these borings 77. A spring 80 is installed in each of the borings and rests in the ~o~ o~1di~ ~g facing.

2185~42 g JBF1 96 In the locking position, the small bar 50 exceeds from the lower surface of the upstream crossbar 10 in order to rest against the edge of the wooden board 3 to be locked. In order to adapt to di",en~ s of tools eventually lower, a shim 52 may be joined against the external surface of the small support bar 50, and held to that one by the skew of teats taking place in vertical openings 51 of the small support bar and in openings in correspondence with the shim.
The positioning and the locking of the tool in the quick lock chase according to the invention effects in the following manner.
At once, there is to ensure that the removable tenons 38 are located in the extension of the lel1yl1 ,~;;,e bar 10. The tool is then ied to the interior of the chase against the downstream crossbar-buffer 12, between the guides 32 and the plate 1. The diecutting rules arranged on the tool are then guided to the operator. The slot realized on the downstream edge of the base board 3 of the tool comes to engage in the centering block 34 so as to ensure the sidewise posiLiol1i"g of this tool. The setting wheels 30 are then driven so as to get in touch with the sidewise edges of this board 3 and to confirm like thisthe holding in sidewise position. The removable tenons 38 are then orientated perpendicularly to the lengthwise bar 10, so as to be located just above the upper surface of the tool.
The initial position of the locking devices is illustrated in figure 2a.
In this position, the effect of the springs 80 on the small bar 50 transmitting in the flap 55 is ~,u,,,pensdl~d by the counter-reaction of the crossbar 10 on the cam ~5 in that said crossbar is aligned with the direction of displacement of the sheets.
After this placing in position of the tool, the locking of this one effects by turning the control cam 65 of each locking device 90 in the counterclockwise direction by means of a key 70. By this action, the cylindrical tenon 69 leads the punch 58 which starts to describe an involute arc. The springs 80, compressed just now, expand and come to exert a pressure force at the bottom of the facings 74, which result to lead the small .~ 2 1 85642 support bar 50, as described in figure 2b. The cylindrical tenon 69 and the punch 58 being no more in the alignment of the upper head 67, the back flap 55 of the small bar is free to slide ahead under the effect of the springs. The punch 58 describes then a lldl l~ iùll motion in the light 60, joint with a crosswise di~uldcei"~"~.
In the final position, i.e. the locking position illustrated in figure 2c, the small support bar is pressed directly against the edge in co,,~:~uollde, ,~,e with the tool by tl1e forces of each of the springs distributed at intervals perceptibly regular.
Therefore this tool has been placed in position suitably and i"""~ firmly by the conjugate action on the one hand of the centering block 34 and the wheels 30, and on the other hand by the locking between the two small support bars 50 and the duu.,al,~ar" crossbar-buffer 12. This locking achieved by this device depends no more on the torque printed by the operator, but uniquely on the ul~d~ rlllined cu""u,~ssioll force of the springs. The support of the small bar 50 against the tool is therefore constant whoever the operator may be, and adapts to the variations of dimension of the tool in touch, but for all that the locking force is not changed. Additionally, this locking mode is simple and quick.
Numerous improvements can be applied to this quick lock chase within the frame of the claims.

Claims (7)

1. Quick lock chase for a cutting tool consisting of an upstream crossbar (10), of two sidewise bars (20, 21) and of a downstream crossbar-buffer (12), and comprising a device of quick locking (90) of the tool (3) including a small support bar (50) close to one of the bars, or crossbars, parallel to this one and movable in perpendicular translation in order to push the tool (3) against the opposite bar, or crossbar, characterized by the fact that this device comprises elastic means (80) acting between the internal surface of the bar, or crossbar, and the external surface of the small bar in order to push it, and a recess mechanism enabling to lead the small bar (50) to the bar, or crossbar, in opposition to the elastic means (80).

2. Quick lock chase according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the elastic means (80) are arranged symmetrically of each side of the recess mechanism located in the middle of the small bar.

3. Quick lock chase according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each elastic means (80) is a spring placed in a recessed boring (77) of the bar or crossbar and exerting its thrust at the bottom of a facing treatedin the back surface of the small bar (50).

4. Quick lock chase according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the recess mechanism comprises a flap (55) fixedly attached to the external surface of the small bar (50), movable in sliding motion in a housing treated in correspondence in the bar, or crossbar, the said flap presenting a perceptibly rectangular light (60) orientated in the direction of the small bar (50), this mechanism comprising in addition a control cam (65) presenting an upper head placed in a boring of the bar, or crossbar, and movable in rotation according to an axis perpendicular to the flap, as well as a lower cylindrical tenon (69) set over with regard to the head and involved in the light (60) of the flap.

5. Quick lock chase according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the cylindrical tenon (69) acts in the light (60) through a punch (58)free in translation, and made of a material with low friction factor.

6. Quick lock chase according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the device of quick locking (90) is arranged in the upstream crossbar (10) and push the tool (3) against the downstream crossbar-buffer (12), this one comprising a sidewise centering block (34) penetrating in a centering slot in correspondence with the tool (3).

7. Quick lock chase according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the crossbar-buffer (12) is made all in one block, and presents on thelength of the internal surface one or several grooves (49) destined to receive a plate (1).