Top stack feeder

In a workpiece feeding apparatus for feeding workpieces from the top of a stack of workpieces, the combination comprising:

• a. a support frame;
• b. means operatively mounted on said support frame for operatively supporting a stack of horizontally disposed workpieces;
• c. lifting means movably mounted on said support frame for moving said stack of workpieces upwardly in a step-by-step manner;
• d. clutch means operatively engaged with said lifting means for operating said lifting means upwardly in said step-by-step manner;
• e. power means operatively connected to said clutch means for operating the clutch means to move said lifting means upwardly in said step-by-step manner;
• f. said lifting means including,
• 1. a vertically disposed gear rack having a lifting plate mounted on the upper end thereof for engagement with the lower end of said stack of workpieces,
• 2. means for movably mounting said gear rack on said support frame,
• 3. a horizontally disposed shaft rotatably mounted on said support frame,
• 4. a gear rotatably mounted on said shaft and engaged with said gear rack, and,
• 5. means for detachably connecting said gear to said shaft;
• g. said clutch means including:
• 1. a first clutch member operatively mounted on said horizontally disposed shaft and being operated by said power means and in driving engagement with said shaft for driving said shaft in one direction to turn said gear and move said gear rack upwardly through a predetermined upward feeding movement, and being overriding relative to said shaft during a gravity operated succeeding gear rack retracting movement;
• and,
• 2. a second clutch member operatively mounted on said horizontally disposed shaft and being overriding relative to said shaft during said upward feeding movement, and being in braking engagement with said shaft during said retracting movement.

In a workpiece feeding apparatus for feeding workpieces from the top of a stack of workpieces, the combination comprising:

• a. a support frame;
• b. means operatively mounted on said support frame for operatively supporting a stack of horizontally disposed workpieces;
• c. lifting means movably mounted on said support frame for moving said stack of workpieces upwardly in a step-by-step manner;
• d. clutch means operatively engaged with said lifting means for operating said lifting means upwardly in said step-by-step manner;
• e. power means operatively connected to said clutch means for operating the clutch means to move said lifting means upwardly in said step-by-step manner;
• f. said lifting means including,
• 1. a vertically disposed gear rack having a lifting plate mounted on the upper end thereof for engagement with the lower end of said stack of workpieces,
• 2. means for movably mounting said gear rack on said support frame,
• 3. a horizontally disposed shaft rotatably mounted on said support frame,
• 4. a gear rotatably mounted on said shaft and engaged with said gear rack, and,
• 5. means for detachably connecting said gear to said shaft;
• g. said clutch means including,
• 1. a first clutch member operatively mounted on said horizontally disposed shaft and being operated by said power means and in driving engagement with said shaft for driving said shaft in one direction to turn said gear and to move said gear rack upwardly through a predetermined upward feeding movement, and being overriding relative to said shaft during a gravity operated succeeding gear rack retracting movement, and,
• 2. a second clutch member operatively mounted on said horizontally disposed shaft and being overriding relative to said shaft during said upward feeding movement, and being in braking engagement with said shaft during said retracting movement;
• h. gage means for regulating the travel distance of said retracting movement;
• and,
• i. said gage means including,
• 1. a gage mounting member mounted on said support frame,
• 2. a gage member adapted to be disposed on said gage mounting member, and,
• 3. an anvil operatively attached to said second clutch member and being operative to contact said gage member to limit the length of said retracting movement.