US3195832A

US3195832A - Apparatus for removing strands from articles

Info

Publication number: US3195832A
Application number: US246400A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard C Kirchmeyer; Warren E Petersen
Original assignee: Western Electric Co Inc
Current assignee: AT&T Corp
Priority date: 1962-12-21
Filing date: 1962-12-21
Publication date: 1965-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 1982-07-20

Description

R. c. KIRCHMEYER ETAL 3,195,832

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STRANDS FROM ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 J July 20, 1965 Filed Dec. 21, 1962 July 20, 1965 R. c. KIRCHMEYER ETAL 3,195,832

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STRANDS FROM ARTICLES Filed Dec. 2l, 1962 ATTORNEY July 20, 1965 R. c. KIRCHMEYER ETAL 3,195,832

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STRNDS FROM ARTICLES Filed Dec. 2l, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 W. E PETEPSEN BY Mal? M ATTORNEY I mvENT s Lili E.C.I lECHME-YEE July 20, 1965 R. c. KIRCHMEYER ETAL 3,195,832

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STRANDS FROM ARTICLES ...ml 'n ITI mvENToEs RKI. K CHMEYEE W.E.PETEESEN By Q3/ @waa-J ATTORNEY July 20 1965 R. c. KIRCHMEYER ETAL. 3,195,332

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STRANDS FROM ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 21, 1962 i l rl e l INVENTOQS IQCKHQCHMEYEE W.E.PETESEN Mld @M AT TOENY United States Patent 3,195,832 APPARATUS FOR REMVING STRANDS FROM ARTECLES Richard C. Kirchmeyer and Warren E. Petersen, maha,

N ehr., assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 246,400 1l) Claims. (Cl. 242-4295) This invention relates to apparatus for removing strands from articles, and more particularly to apparatus for removing strands from a plurality .of cylindrical reels in unison. It is an object of this invention to provide new and improved apparatus of this character.

In the manufacture of insulated wire and cable, insulated wire is wound on cylindrical reels, land subsequently is unwound from the reels, in various stages of the manufacturing process. In many instances after an unwinding operation, some of the reels involved have unused wire remnants thereon which must be removed from the reels before the reels can be reused. In the past, these scrap wire remnants have been removed from the reels by unloading the reels by hand from vertically nested pallets upon which they normally are stored, removing the wire remnants from the reels, and then loading the reels by hand back on the pallets. This procedure is undesirable since it is relatively inefficient, uneconomical and time consuming.

Accordingly, another object of this invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for removing wire remnants from a plurality of reels supported on vertically nested pallets, without removing the reels from the pallets.

A further object of this invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for removing wire remnants from a plurality of reels in unison, where the reels are supported on vertically nested pallets which are movable laterally relative to one another.

A still further object of this invention s to provide new and improved apparatus for removing strands from a plurality of reels in unison, where the reels have bores extending therethrough and are supported on a pallet in a row with the bores substantially in axial align-ment.

kIn accordance with the invention, a mechanism moves a set of pallets having reels supported thereon against a stop mechanism to position the pallets such that bores in the reels are aligned axially with horizontal, parallel arbors. The arbors then are moved into the bores in the reels and lifted vertically to lift the reels oif the pallets so that the reels can rotate on the yarbors and so that strands on the reels, :such as scrap wire remnants, can be pulled from the reels.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a conveyor arrangement is provided for moving a set of vertically nested pallets with rows of reels thereon into and out of position adjacent an arbor Iassembly which includes vertically spaced, parallel arbors connected together for movement as a unit. T-he pallets are engage-d and moved into position adjacent the arbors by a vertically arranged frame assembly against a vertically arranged stop mechanism to orient the pallets such that bores in the reels are aligned axially with the arbors, whereby the arbors can be moved longitudinally through the bores.

Vertically spaced, horizontal support members are provided for supporting the arbors between their ends when the arbors have been moved through the bores in the reels. The support members are connected together for vertical movement at adjacent ones of their ends while other ends thereof, which extend adjacent the frame assembly, normally are unconnected so as not to ice interfere with movement of the pallets by the frame assembly into position ladjacent the arbore. As the frame assembly moves the pallets adjacent the arbors a vertically movable mechanism on the frame assembly engages and interconnects the unconnected ends of the support members, and also engages and connects itself to a lifting apparatus so that it can be lifted thereby.

The lifting apparatus also is connected to lift the support members at their connected ends and to lift vertically movable guide and support assemblies for the arbors. Thus, after the arbors have been moved through the bores in the reels, operation of the lifting apparatus lifts the larbors and thereby lifts the reels off the pallets so that the reels can rotate on the arbors, after which strands on the reels, such as scrap wire remnants, are pulled therefrom by rotatable Winding apparatus connectable to the strands.

This invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of the strand removing apparatus in a first operating position, certain parts having been omitted;

FIG. 2 is an elevational View taken substantially along the lin-e 2 2 of FIG. l, but showing the strand removing apparatus in a second operating position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial elevational View taken substantially along the line 5 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the strand removing apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional View showing a detail of the apparatus; and

FiG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a detail of the apparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it is seen that the illustrated embodiment of the invention is designed to remove scr-ap wire remnants 10 (shown only in FIG. 2) from a plurality of cylindrical reels 11 in unison. The reels 11 are supported on sets (only one shown) of vertically nested box-like pallets 12 in elongated substantially V-shaped troughs 13 (FIG. fl) of the pallets, and the troughs of each pallet extend substantially parallel to one another. Each of the reels 11 includes `an axial cylindrical bore 14 (FIG. l) which receives an arbor to support the reel for rotation during a scrap wire removing operation, and which in actual use receives an arbor for supporting the reel for rotation during wire and cable manufacturing operations.

Each of the pallets 12 includes vertical corner members 16 land a plurality of other frame members suitably secured to one another to form a substantially opensided rectangular container. The sides and ends of each pallet 12 at its top include outwardly and upwardly projecting L-shaped flanges 17 which form a nest for receiving the bottom of another pallet so that the pallets can be vertically nested as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. To facilitate the positioning of the pallets 12 in nested relationship, the inner dimensions of the 4nests of the pallets are larger than the outer dimensions of the bottoms of the pallets, and thus the nested pallets are movable horizontally relative to one another. Accordingly, the axes of the cylindrical bores 14 in the reels 11 in any one pallet 12 normally are not in vertical alignment with the axes of the bores in the reels in the other pallets.

Each set of vertically nested pallets 12 is movable to and away from the apparatus on a main horizontal roller conveyor 18,4 which canlbe seen extending along'. the

allets 12 thereon. The conveyor section 19 is movv I of P Y the platform 31 adjacent oppositesides of the cross conable from the position shown inFIG. l to the left along a crossV conveyor 21, for moving the lpallets 12,between Y Y rst land second arbor assemblies 22 Land 23 for a scrap wire removing operation, the arbor assemblies being located on opposite sidesv ofthe apparatus,r as is` best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Y i The movable conveyor section .19 includes. a pair vof parallel rows of rollers 24 (FIGS. l and 2) extending along opposite sides of a rectangular `horizontal base-plate 25 (FIG. 2). Each rowlof rollers 24 isY mounted on the base plate 25 between inner and outer upstanding parallel flanges 26 and ends. Y Y l f As is best shown in FIG..2, the base plate V25 of the wconveyor section 19 is supported for movement on they v 4 are connected to horizontally reciprocating piston rods of ra pair of upper fluid operating cylinders 47 rigidly mounted on the underside of an elevated frame 48. Similarly, the lower ends of the Vside members 33 are connected to horizontally'reciprocating piston rods of a pair of lower fluid operating cylinders 49 rigidly mounted on veyor 21.'V The

operating cylinders

47 and 49 are connected 'to a common supply line and are operative to move the vertical frame 32 to the right into the position shown in FIG. 1inrwhich it is spaced from the conveyor section 19 as above described, and are operative to move 27 secured to the rbase plate at 'their lower l cross conveyor 21 on a .pair of horizontally spaced Vparal-V lel-rows of rollers 28. Each row of rollers 28'is mounted on an upstanding leg of an angle bar 29having its other leg secured Vto and along oneside of a horizontal rec- 32 includes a pair of spaced vertical side members 33v (FIGS. Y1 and 4) and upper and lower horizontal cross membersn 34 Vsuitably connected together in a substantially rectangular shape.` The lower end of each of the vertical side members 33 carries a support wheel 36.V The support ,wheels 36 are movable along the platform'Sl on opposite sides of the cross conveyor, 21 (FIG. 4) and the lower Icross member 34 is spaced above the platform to permit travel of the frame above the cross conveyor.

Referring tothe bottom of FIG. Y2 and' tofFIG. 7, it `is seen that the lower cross member 34 of the vertical frame 32 is connected to the conveyor section 19 by a suitable lost motion mechanism, such as a vpair of horizontally spaced Vbolt and nut assemblies 37. Thus, asrshown'in FIGS. 1 and 7, the vertical frame 32 isj movable to theV right relative to` the conveyor section 19 intoY spaced relationship therewith, in which position it will notV inter- A l fere with movement of rthe pallets 12 along theV main conveyor 18 onto the conveyor section.

the framerare bolted or otherwise suitably secured toV the upper ends of vertical I-beam posts S1. The lower ends of the vertical posts 51 are anchored to the floor infany suitablemanner. Y I

As is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the pair of vertical corner posts 51 at each side of the apparatus have a hori- `zontal channel-shapedY guide member 52 secured thereto adjacent their-lower ends by suitableY brackets. Each guide member 52 extends adjacent one side of the cross conveyor 21 obliquely inwardftoward the center of the apparatus and isgengageable .by the lower pallet 12 as the set of'palletsis beingmoved between the

arbors

44 and 46, for guiding thelpallets toward the center of the apparatus and insuring their movement into engagement with'a pair of vertically arrangedY stop assemblies 53 at the left-hand end (FIG. 1) of the cross conveyor.

' As is b'estshown in FIG. 4, the Vstop assemblies 53 are locatedA at'opposite sides of the apparatus. Each ofthe stop Vassemblies 53` includes a vertical post 54, las for example an angle bar, secured at its' lower end to the platform 31 (FIG. 1) and secured at its upper end to Y the elevatedframe 48.` Vertically spaced'horizontal stop VAs shown in FIG. 7, eachboltandy nut assembly 37v includes an elongated bolt 38 yextending through aligned apertures in depending lugs 39 and 41'on the base plate 25 of the conveyor section 19 andthe lower cross member 34 of the .vertical frame 32,. respectively, the bolt being provided v'with a head on one end and a threaded nut on its otherend whichrcooperate to limity the move- .ment of the vertical frame relative to the conveyor secmembersSS are xedly mounted on each ofthe vertical posts 54 and each of the stop members includes avertilcalV stop surface 56. As inthe case of the pallet engaging surfaces 43Y of the vertical frame 32, the stop surfaces 56 all lie in acommon vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axes of the arbors 44 and 46.*r Further, the stop ,surfaces 56 are located so that when they are engaged n by associated .ones of the vertical'v corner members 16 vtion and which are spacedfapart so as to permit'v such limited movement. Movement of lthe conveyor section 19 with the vertical frame 32to the rightrbeyond the posi- .tion ofthe conveyor section shown in FIG. 1. islimited in any suitable manner, asfforexample by stop members (not shown) on the main conveyorr 18. v

` The'vertical frame 32 further includes vertically spacedV channel-shaped members 42 secured to the vertical side members 33 andextending horizontally across the width of the frame between the side members. 42 include pallet engaging surfaces 43 whichr all lie in a vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axes of vertically spaced, parallel arbors 44 and l46 of the

arbor assemblies

22 and 23, respectively. y fV l f As is best shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, they upper ends of the vertical side members 33 .of the vertical Vframe 32 of the pallets 12 on the conveyor section19, as shown Vin FIG. 4, and inV a manner next to bedescribed, the pallets will be verticallyrraligned in planes parallell tothe stop surfaces'and theraxes Voflthe bores 14 in the rreels 11 will be in axial alignment with associated ones of the arbors 44- and 46.

. Asthe-.palletengaging surfaces 43 of theV vertical frame ?,Zengage the pallets 12 to move them between the arbors .44 and 46, the surfaces tend to rotate the pallets horizontally about their vertical axes so that the Vaxes of the n bores 14 in the reels 11 extend parallel tothe longitudinal The members axes of the arbors, and alsotend to align the pallets verticallyin vertical planes parallel to thesurfaces. Subsequently, as the pallets engage the stopfsurfaces 56 the pallet engaging `surfaces 43 positively rotate the pallets abouttheir vertical axesso that the bores 14 in the reels Y11 extend lparallel to the

arbors

44 and 46, ifthev pallets are not so oriented, and the stop surfaces and the pallet engaging surfaces cooperate to align the pallets vertically to locatev the bores in vthe reels in alignmentwitlrthe arbors. The arbors 44anfd 46 then can be moved from the retracted `positions shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 through the boresV 14 into their positions shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, either manually, or by a suitable mechanism (not shown).

The arbors 44 of the arbor assembly 22 are connected together for movement as a unit at their right-hand ends, as viewed in FIG. 2, by bolts which extend through apertures in a vertical connecting member 57 and which are threaded into the ends of the arbors. The arbors 46 of the arbor assembly 23 are similarly connected together at their left-hand ends (FIG. 2) by bolts and a vertical connecting member 53. Each of the

arbor connecting members

57 and 58 carries a wheel S9 on its lower end which is supported on and movable along a track in the form of an elongated at plate 61 integral with the platform 31 and resting on the oor.

As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the

arbors

44 and 46 can be provided along its length with encircling rollers 62 which are mounted thereon adjacent one another for independent rotation, to facilitate rotation of the reels 11 on the arbors, and which are retained thereon by a nut member threaded on a threaded portion of the arbor at its free end.

Referring to FIG. 2, it is seen that the right-hand arbors 44 are supported for longitudinal movement in vertically movable guide assemblies 63, and the left-hand arbors 46 are supported in the same manner in vertically movable guide assemblies 64. As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the

guide assemblies

63 and 64 includes a seven-sided tubular member 66 having longitudinally spaced sets of rollers 67 and shafts 68 mounted in opposite sides thereof to form supports for the arbor associated therewith. Each of the

guide assemblies

63 and 64 also includes a vertical sleeve member 69 fixedly mounted on a bracket 71 secured to the tubular member 66 thereof. The sleeve member 69 is mounted for vertical sliding movement on a vertical cylindrical post 72 secured at its lower end to the platform 31 and secured at its upper end to a bracket fixedly mounted on one of the members of the elevated frame 4S. Rotation of each of the

guide assemblies

63 and 64 on its associated post 72 is prevented by a projecting lug 73 on the sleeve member 69 of the guide assembly being received between laterally spaced vertical guide flanges 74 (FIG. 4) on a collar member 76 adjustably mounted on the post beneath the sleeve member by suitable set screws.

As is best shown in FIGS. l and 2, a plurality of vertically spaced channel-shaped members 7'7 extend horizontally above the cross conveyor 21 centrally thereof and are designed to extend between adjacent ones of the reels 11 on the pallets 12, for supporting the

arbors

44 and 46 between their ends when the arbors are lifted vertically by a lifting mechanism 78 supported on the top of the elevated frame 48 and subsequently to be described. For this purpose, the support members '77 are provided with apertures 79 (FIG. 1) for receiving the

arbors

44 and 46 as the arbors are moved through the bores 14 in the reels 11.

The arbor support members 77 are rigidly connected together adjacent their ends farthest removed from the vertical frame 32 by vertical members S1, while the other ends of the support members adjacent the vertical frame are free and not connected to one another, so as not to obstruct movement of the pallets 12 between the

arbors

44 and 46. Each of the support members 77 has a sleeve member 82 (FIGS. 2 and 4) secured thereto adjacent its connected end and supported for vertical movement on a vertical cylindrical post 83 secured at its lower end to the platform 31 and secured at its upper end to the elevated frame 48. As in the case of the sleeve members 69 of the

arbor guide assemblies

63 and 64, each of the sleeve members 82 includes a laterally projecting lug 84 (FIG. 4) which extends between a pair of spaced vertical guide anges 86 on a collar member S7 (FIG. 2) adjustably mounted on the post S3 beneath the sleeve member by suitable set screws, for preventing rotation of the sleeve member and its associated support member 77 on the post.

The vertical frame 32 carries a vertically movable mechanism S8 designed to interconnect the free unconnected ends of the arbor support members 77. In this regard, as is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the interconnecting mechanism 88 includes vertically spaced, horizontally extending, channel-shaped members S9 designed to receive associated ones of the unconnected ends of the support members 77 in telescoping relationship therein as the vertical frame moves the pallets 12 between the

arbors

44 and 46. The channel-shaped members 39 are xedly secured to one another by connecting members 91 extending vertically therebetween.

Each of the interconnecting members 89 has a laterally projecting sleeve member 92 (FIG. 5) secured thereto and slidably mounted on a vertical cylindrical post 93 secured at its upper end to one of the upper cross members 34 of the vertical frame 32 and at its lower end to the lower cross member 34 of the vertical frame. As in the case of the

sleeve members

69 and 82, each of the sleeve members 92 includes a laterally projecting lug 94 engageable between laterally spaced guide anges 96 on a collar member 97 adjustably mounted on the vertical post 93 by suitable set screws, to prevent rotation of the sleeve member and its associated interconnecting member 89 on the post.

As is best shown in FIGS. l, 3 and 5, a pair of upstanding latch members 98 are xedly mounted on the uppermost interconnecting member 89. The upper ends of the latch members 98 are provided with horizontally extending slots 99 (FIGS. 1 and 3) designed to receive opposite ends of a horizontal lifting bar 101 of the lifting mechanism 78 when the vertical frame 32 moves the pallets 12 into position between the

arbors

44 and 46. The lifting bar 1111 is apertured to receive the lower end of a vertically movable pin 102 and is adjustably mounted on the lower end of the pin by means of threaded upper and lower nut members. The pin 102 extends upward through a sleeve 103 (FIG. 3) fixedly mounted on a bracket secured to one of the members of the elevated frame 48, and is biased downward by a spring 104 in the sleeve engaged at one end with a stop member 166 secured to the upper end of the sleeve and engaged at its lower end with a bushing 107 slidable in the sleeve and secured to the pin.

A lifting cable 168 has one end thereof connected to the upper end of the vertically movable pin 102, and another lifting cable 109 has one end thereof connected to an upstanding lug 111 (left-hand side of FIG. 3) on the uppermost central arbor support member 7'7. Third and

fourth lifting cables

112 and 113 have ends thereof connected to the brackets 71 of the uppermost

arbor guide assemblies

63 and 64. As is best shown in FIG. 6, the

cables

188, 109, 112 and 113 run over sheaves 114 rotatably mounted in suitable brackets on the elevated frame 4S, and have their other ends connected to a traveling block 116 lixedly mounted on the outer end of a reciprocating piston rod 117 of a fluid operating cylinder 11S fxedly mounted on a suitable support on the elevated frame.

After the

arbors

44 and 46 have been moved through the bores 14 in the reels 11, the operator actuates a control circuit for the lift cylinder 118, and the lift cylinder, through the

cables

108, 109, 112 and 113, lifts the interconnecting mechanism 83, the central arbor support members 77 and the arbor guide and

support assemblies

63 and 64 to lift the

arbors

44 and 46 vertically, and thereby to lift the reels 11 ot the pallets so that the reels can rotate on the arbors. The wire remnants 10 on the reels then are gathered by the operator and connected to associated winding mechanisms 119 of any suitable type at the left and right hand sides of the apparatus, as viewed in FIG. l, and the winding mechanisms are operated to Wind the remnants thereonv and thus pull the remnants from the reels. v i i When the

arbor assemblies

22 and 23 are in their positions shownin solid lines in FIG. 2, in which the arbors' 44 and 46 extend through'the bores 1li-*in the'reels 11, each of the vertical connecting members 57 and 5deuan operator insuresthat the reels adjacent the centers of the pallets are spaced apart'for receiving the support v members 77 therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

gages and operates a microswitch 121 on the adjacent" one of the arbor guide assemblies 63 and'64 to condition an operating circuit for thelift cylinder 11S.V Thusthe` lift cylinder 118 cannot be operated to lift the reels 11 until the

arbors

44 and 46 have been moved into position through the reels. Similarly, when each of the arbor asse1nblies'22 and 23 ispin its retracted position shown iny dashed lines in FIG. 2, each of the vertical connecting

members

57 and 53 engages and operates-a microswitch 122 to condition an operating circuit for the horizontally reciprocating operating

cylinders

47 and 49, so'that the to permit such movement..

Adjacent each side of the vertical frame YlaZat its top, a hook-shaped retarding bar 123 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 8) has oneend xedly mounted on thetopmost one of the upper cross members 34, and has a hookvelement 124 at its' other end which projects downward below the level 'ofV the upper surfaces of the end and side flanges 17 of the topmost pallet 12. ln order that the hook elements 124 will not interfere ,with movement of the set ofpallets 12 along the main conveyor 18 onto and oil ofthe conveyor section 19, regardless of which pallet is the topmost pallet and which sider of the topmost pallet is ad- Vjacent theA vertical frame 32, the end anges 17 of each pallet are provided with cutout portions 17a adjacent the side flanges17 of the pallet'.

As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and the conveyor section 19, the leading end of the` topmost pallet engages a plate126'pivotally mounted on the topmost one of the upper cross members 34, and pivots the plateupward from afdepending vertical position (not shown) to a horizontal position in Which it engages and operates a microswitch 127 inthe operatingicircuit for the operating

cylinders

47 and 49. 'The microswitch 127 is mounted on'one-of the retarding bars 123 which is adjacent the plate V126, as for example, as shown` in FIG. 8, the retarding bar 123 at the right-hand side ofthe apparatus. This-operation of the microswitch 127 conditions the operating circuit, for the operating cylinders e7 and 49, and thus the operating cylinders 47 andy 49 cannot operate to move the conveyor section 19 and the pallets 12 between the arbors 44 and 'until the pallets are in proper position on the conveyor section. v Y As the conveyor section 19 and the pallets 12 are moved between the

arbors

44 and 46 by the vertical frame 32 and the operating cylinders 47'and 49, the retarding bars 123'merely move to the left (FlG. 3) above the topmost pallet 12 relative thereto. However, as the operating cylinders 47 and 49-move the pallets112 and theV conveyor section 19y from between the arbors 44 and46 after a strand removing operation, since the pulling forceiis being applied to the conveyor section by thevertic'alV frameV 8, as therpallets 12 Yapproach the end of their movement* into position-on Then, assuming that the arbor assemblies 22 yand 23 are in their fullyy retracted positions shown in dashed lines in'FlG. 2, 'the control circuit forthe operating cylinders 47 and. 49 is actuated tornove the vertical frame'32 to the left as viewed `in FlG. l, and the framel moves the con- 'veyor section andthe pallets lalong the cross conveyor 21 between the arbor` assemblies. As the conveyor section 19 and the pallets move between the arbor assemblies, the

, guide members 52 insure that` the pallets come into engagement with the, stop surfaces 5670i the stop assemblies 53.

v When the palletsengage the stop surfaces 56, the'stop sur- Y. along themain conveyor 18 tothe right olf the conveyorV Ysection 19, whereupon another set of pallets can be moved 32 adjacent its bottom through the boltsV 33, the upper operating cylinders 47 tend to move the'top of the frame faster than the lower operating cylinders move its bottom, 65

resulting in possible damageof thev rameand/or the operating cylinders. To prevent this,l the-hook elements 124 engage the. inner side of the adjacent side flange 17 of the topmost pallet 12 to distribute the pulling force` and to retard the movement of the upper end of the Vertical frame 32, to maintain it even with the lower end of the frame. Y Y' In operation, a set of vertically nested pallets 12.withV reels 11 thereon is moved onto the conveyor section 19, as for example from the left as viewed in FIG. 2, and

faces and the pallet engaging surfaces 43cm the vertical' frame cooperate to align the pallets vertically such that the axes of the bores V14 in the reels 11 are parallel to the longitudinal axes of the arbors 44 and 46', and toy locate the pallets so that the axes of thel bores are'aligned with their associated arbors. At thistime, the interconnecting memy bers 39 ofthe interconnecting mechanism 8S have received the unconnected ends of the 'arbor/support members 77 to connect the ends 'torone another, and the horizontal slots 99 in the upstanding latch (membersv 98 on the interconnecting mechanism have received the lifting bar 101 therein, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. l

Thearborsr44 and `4 6 then are `moved through the bores`14 in the reels 11 to the solid linepositions shown in VFlG. 2. YThe lift cylinder `118 then is actuated and through the

cables

108, 109, 112 and y113 lifts the interconnecting mechanism 88, the arbor support members `77 and thefarbor guide and support-assemblies 63 -and 64, to liiit the"

arbors

44 and 46 and thereby'to lift the reels 11 above the V-shaped troughs y13 of the pallets 12. Next, the ends of t-he wire remnants ltlpon t-he reels 11 are gathered by the operator and connected to the Winding mechanisms 119, which Vare actuated-to pulll the wire remnants from the wheels.

After the wireremnants 10 have been removed from the reels 11, the lift cylinder 118 is deactuated -to position the reels back on thepallets 12 in the troughs 13, and the :

arbors

44 and 46 are moved back Vto their retracted positions shown in dashed lines in FG.V 2. The-operating

cylinders

47 and 49 then are actuated toy move the verticalv frame 32', the conveyor section 19, .and the pallets 12 on the' conveyorsection back'to the'position shown in FIG. l, with the retarding ybarsYV 1213. acting lto prevent the upperA end 'of the vertical frame V32 from moving faster than the lower end of the frame. I

As viewed in FIG. 2, the pallets 12 then can be moved onto the conveyor section from the left,A and the Vabove steps can be repeated.

rWhile one embodiment of the inventionv has been dis- Vclosedv many modications willy be apparent and it is intended'that the invention be interpreted as including all modifications which fall within thetrue spirit and scope What is claimed is: i 1. Apparatus for removing strands from a plurality of reels supported-on pallets, which comprises:

horizont-al, parallel arbors; 4

means for supporting said arbors;l

Ymeans for moving the pallets and the reels thereon adja- H cent said arbors;

stop means for limitingrthe movement of the pallets and ycooperable withsaid :moving means to position the pallets such that the `axes' lofrbores inthe reels are aligned with the longitudinal axes lofv said arbors,

:whereby said arbors kcan be received through the bores; and Y v lmeans for lifting said arbors vertically to lift the reels `olf the pallets so that ythe reels can rotate on said arbors and the strands can be pulled from the reels in uni-son. i 2. Apparatus for removing strands Vfrom a plurality of reels, wherein the reels are supported on vertically nested pallets which are movable laterally relative to one another, which comprises:

vertically spaced, horizontal, parallel arbors; means for supporting said arbors; vertically arranged frame means engageable with the vertically nested pallets for moving the pallets and the reels thereon adjacent said arbors; vertically arranged stop means engageable by the pallets and cooperable with said frame mean-s to rotate the pallets about their vertical axes such that the axes of bores in the reels are aligned with the longitudinal axes of said anbors, whereby said arbors can be received through the bores; and means for lifting said arbors vertically to lift the reels off the pallet-s so that the reels' can rotate on said arbors and the strands can be pulled from the reelS in unison. 3. Apparatus for removing strands from a plurality of reels supportedon pallets, which comprises: horizontal, parallel arbors connected together at adjacent ones of their ends for movement in unison; guide means mounted for vertical movement and -supporting said arbors -for vertical movement therewith and horizontal longitudinal movement relative j thereto;

means for moving the pallets and the reels thereon adjacent said arbors; stop means cooperable with said moving means to position the pallets such that the axes of bores in the reels are aligned with the longitudinal axes of said arbors, whereby said arbors can be moved in said guide means through the bores; and a mechanism connected to said guide means for lifting .said guide means and said arbors to lift the reels orf the pallets so that the reels can rotate on said arbors yand the Istrands can be pulled from the reels in unison. 4. Apparatus for removing stra-nds from a plurality of reels, wherein the reels are supported on vertically nested pallets, which comprises:

vertically spaced, horizontal, parallel arbors; means supporting said arbors for longitudinal movement; a movable support for the vertically nested pallet-s; `a vertical frame; means connecting said support to said vertical frame adjacent the lower end of said frame; iluid operating means connected to said vertical frame adjacent its upper and lower ends, for moving said vertical frame into engagement with said support and the pallets to move said support and the pallets adjacent ysaid arbors, and for moving said vertical frame, said support and the pallets away from said arbors after the strands have been removed from the reels; 'stop means cooperable with said vertical frame to position the pallets such that the axes of bores in the reels thereon are aligned with the longitudinal axes of lsaid arbors, whereby said arbors can be moved through the bores; means for lifting said arbors vertically to lift the reels off the pallets so `that the reels can rotate on said -arbors and the strands can be pulled from the reelS in unison; and means cooperable with the pallets for retarding the movement of the upper end of said vertical frame away from said arbors by said iluid operating means, so that the upper end of said frame does not move faster tha-n its lower end. 5. Apparatus for removing strands from a plurality of reels supported on pallets, which comprises:

horizontal, parallel arbors;

means supporting said arbors for longitudinal movement;

means for moving the pallets and the reels thereon adjacent said arbors; stop means cooperable with said moving means to position the pallets such that the axes of bores in the reels are aligned with the longitudinal axes of said arbors, whereby said arbors can be moved through the bores;

support means located so as to extend between laterally adjacent ones ol the reels as said moving means moves the pal-lets adjacent said arbors, and being engageable by said arbors when said arbors move through Ithe bores in the reels, for supporting the arbors between their ends; and

a lifting mechanism for lifting said support means and said arbors, to lift the reels olf the pallets so that the reels can rotate on said arbors and the strands can be pulled from the reels in unison.

6. Apparatus for removing strands from a plurality of reels, wherein the reels are supported on vertically nested pallets, which comprises:

vertically spaced, horizontal, parallel arbors;

means supporting said arbors for longitudinal movement;

vertically arranged frame means for moving the vertically nested pallets and the reels thereon adjacent said arbors; stop means cooperable with said frame means to position the pallets such that the axes of bores in the reels are aligned with the longitudinal axes of said arbors, whereby said arbors can be moved through the bores;

vertically spaced, horizontal support members connected together at adjacent ones of their ends for vertical movement and having free ends extending toward said frame means, said members being located so as to extend between laterally adjacent ones of the reels as said frame means moves the pallets adjacent said arbors, and being engageable by said arbors when said arbors move through the bores in the reels, for supporting the arbors between their ends; and

a lifting mechanism for lifting said support members and said arbors, to lift the reels off the pallets so that the reels can rotate on said arbors and the strands can be pulled from the reels in unison.

7. Apparatus for removing strands from a plurality of reels, wherein the reels are supported on vertically nested pallets, which comprises:

vertically spaced, horizontal, parallel arbors;

means supporting said arbors for longitudinal movement;

vertically arranged frame means for moving the vertically nested pallets and the reels thereon adjacent said arbors;

stop means cooperable with said frame means to position the pallets such that the axes of bores in the reels are aligned with the longitudinal axes of said arbors, whereby said arbors can be moved through the bores;

vertically spaced, horizontal support members connected together at adjacent ones of their ends for vertical movement and having free ends extending toward said frame means, said members being located so as to extend between laterally adjacent ones of the reels as said frame means moves the pallets adjacent said arbors, and being engageable by said arbors when said arbors move through the bores in the reels, for supporting the arbors between their ends;

interconnecting means mounted on said frame means for vertical movement and engageable with the free ends of said support members when said frame means moves the pallets adjacent said arbors, to interconnect the free ends of said support members; and a lifting mechanism for lifting said interconnecting i i means, said support members and said arbors, to lift the reels oit the pallets so that the reels can rotate i2 the'pallets along said conveyor, and being engageable by said arbors when said arbors move through ythe bores in the reels, vfor supporting the arbors bereels wherein the reels are supported on vertically nested on said arbors and the strands can be pulled from the reels in unison. i

Apparatus for removing strands from S. a plurality of pallets, which comprises: f

verticallyv spaced,ihorizontal,1parallel arbors; means supportingsaid arbors for longitudinal moveV ment; Y f t Y Y verticallyrarranged frame means for moving the'ver'tically nested pallets and the reels thereon adjacent said arbors;

Vstop means cooperable with said frame means to posi-V tion the palletssuch that the axes of bores in the reels are aligned Withthe longitudinal axes'of said arborsfwhereby saidarbors can be moved through the bores;

' vertically spaced, horizontal support members connectedV together atA adjacent ones of their ends forV vertical movement and having free Vends extending v towardy `said frame means, said members Ybeing located so as to extend between laterally adjacent t reels on said pallets as said frame means moves the above said conveyor so as to extend between adjacent Y' r f Y l Y v t -65 Mam/1N, STEIN, Primary Examiner.

ones of the reels when said vertical framemoves aymain conveyor `for transporting the pallets andthe reels; v

verticallyr spaced, horizontal, t parallel 'arbors connected together at adjacent ones of their ends for movement in unisong' I guide means mounted for vertical movement and supporting said arbors for vertical movement therewith and horizontal' Ylongitudinal movement relative thereto; t s

"a cross conveyor extending adjacent said main conveyor palletsjadjacent said arbors, and being engageable v andk Said alrbOrSrl Said main COHVYOI having 1 Section by said arbors` when said arbors move through the thereof supported for movement 011 Said Cross C011- bores in the reels, for supporting the arbors between VeYOl'; 3 Y their ends; L a vertical frame Vinountedrfor horizontal movement interconnecting means mounted for vertical movement abOVe Sad'CTOSS Conveyor; Y f

on Said frame means and engageable vwith the free lost'fmotion means Vconnecting said vertical fra-me and ends of said support members Whensaid frame means the CQUYCYOI' Section5 Y y f moves the pallets adjacent said arbors, to interconnect me'flns fQT'mPVng Said Vertical frame intqspaced rela' the treo ends ofrsaid support members; and tionshipwithrespect to the conveyor section so that a lifting mechanism, including meansefor engaging and f the Veffwally'tllesed Pallets Caltbe mPVed OntOfh@ connecting said interconnecting means to said lifting a 90m/@yor Sectfm and for ,moving .Sald frame mt@ mechanism as said framev means moves the pallets A engagement Wlthvhe conveyor s ectlon and the Pal' adjacent said arbors, 'said lifting mechanism being lets im {noye me conveyor Section and the Pallets operative to lift said interconnecting means, said sups ,alf-mg Sad CIOSS COHVeYQr f l Port members and said arbors to lift the reels'oft the vemcauy arranged Stop means engagable by the pal' pallets so that the tools can rotate 'on Saidv arbor'S 40 'lets'and cooperable with said vertical frame` to rotate and the Strands can be pulledv from. the reels in the vpallets 'about their vertical axes and to alignA the unison.V o t t Y Y Y pallets vertically such that .the axes of bores in the .9 Apparatus for removing Strands Yfromaplurality reels thereon are aligned with the longitudinal axesv of reels, wherein'the'ree'ls are supported on vertically of said arborsrwhereby sald arbprs'canbe moved nested pallets, which comprises: 1 45 through the bores; f Y

vertically spaced, horizontal, parallel arbors connected f ,Veiucauy' spac'dihonzontal support members extend' together atvadjant ones' Voftheir ends for movement ingabove said cross conveyor so asto extend between in unison; adjacent ones of the reels when said'vertical frame guide means'inounted for vertical movement and-supmgves: the Pallets along Said' Cross conveyor and porting said arbors for vertical movement therewith bemg 'engageable by Sani arbors .when Sald arbrs and horizontal longitudinal movement'relative'there- Y move through the bores 1n the reels for Supporting to; v the arbors'between theirends; a oonvoyor extending adJ-an't said arbors; 4means for lifting said support members adjacent their a vertical frameY engageable with the verticallynested Opposlte ings an@ for hftmg Safd 'gulde means and Pallets for 'moving the pallets and they reels thereon 55 thereby hftmg Said arbors'to hft 'thefeels Off the along Said conveyor; Y Y l Y pallets so that the reels can rotate on said arbors; and vertically arranged Stop means ongagtmbte by the` pa1 rotatable means connectable to the strands for pulling lets and cooperable'twithsaid vertical frame to posi- Y the Strands from the reels m unison" f Y tion the pallets such that the axes of bores inthe Y Y Y i l reels are aligned with the 'longitudinal axesV of said 60.5 Refrcns Cited by the Examiner arbors, whereby said arbors can be moved through t UNITED STATES PATENTS the bores 1n the reel's; f t 2,5G9,s28 5/50 Larmuih gt 24a-129.6 vertically spaced, horizontal support members located

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOIR REMOVING STRANDS FROM A PLURALITY OF REELS SUPPORTED ON PALLETS, WHICH COMPRISES: HORIZONTAL, PARALLEL ARBORS; MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID ARBORS; MEANS FOR MOVING THE PALLETS AND THE REELS THEREON ADJACENT SAID ARBORS; STOP MEANS FOR LIMITING THE MOVEMENT OF THE PALLETS AND COOPERABLE WITH SAID MOVING MEANS TO POSITION THE PALLETS SUCH THAT THE AXES OF BORES IN THE REELS ARE ALIGNED WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXES OF SAID ARBORS, WHEREBY SAID ARBORS CAN BE RECEIVED THROUGH THE BORES; AND MEANS FOR LIFTING SAID ARBORS VERTICALLY TO LIFT THE REELS OF THE PALLETS SO THAT THE REELS CAN ROTATE ON SAID ARBORS AND THE STRANDS CAN BE PULLSED FROM THE REELS IN UNISON.