Method of and machine for manufacturing support grids for storage battery electrode plates
AssigneeBaroclem S. A.
InventorJean-Pierre Moreau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and machine for manufacturing grids from lead-based metal for use in storage batteries of the type wherein a casting is first performed of grid blanks the periphery of which is irregular and the size greater than that of the grid to be obtained, these blanks being thereafter cut out in an automatic press. In view to increase the rate of output of the press and to improve the quality of the grids, the press is supplied sequentially from a continuous grid-blank feeding conveyor and at least one final lateral centering of the grid blank is performed in the press by the combined action of two pusher members tapping on each side of the grid blank in a transverse direction passing substantially from the center of mass of the grid blank.
Claims14
In the method for manufacturing grids or plate supports cast from lead based metals for use in storage batteries wherein the cast is formed as a blank having an irregular periphery and a size greater than that of the grid to be obtained and wherein the casts are sequentially supplied to an automatic press for trimming of the excess, the improvement comprising the steps of positioning said blanks prior to entry into said press by stopping them for a predetermined period of time in abutment against a rectractable crossmember perpendicular to the direction of feeding, thereafter releasing said grid blanks thus positioned and feeding them into said press, longitudinally positioning the grid blanks so fed to said press by stopping them for a second time in abuttment against a retractable transverse bar and laterally centering said grid blanks in the press by intermittantly tapping on the opposite edges of said blank in a transverse direction passing substantially along the center of mass of said blank, and subsequently trimming the peripheral portion of the blank in said press.
Apparatus for trimming cast grid blanks or plates of lead-based metal for use in storage batteries comprising a continuous conveyor for sequentially feeding said blanks in a longitudinal direction of travel to a trimming press comprising a stationary lower press plate and an upper press plate moveable with respect thereto to open and close said press, said lower press plate being inclined downwardly in direction of travel relative to said conveyor for receipt of a blank on opening of said press, a retractable cross member arranged perpendicular to the direction of travel between said conveyor and said lower press plate adapted to arrest the forward movement of the leading blank on said conveyor so as to longitudinally align said blank prior to entry onto said lower press plate, a transverse bar located at the outlet end of said lower press plate perpendicular to the direction of travel to arrest the movement of the blank received on said lower press plate prior to trimming, and fluid actuated means located on each of the longitudinal sides of said press to exert an intermittant tapping force on the blank located on said lower press plate so as to transversely center the blank prior to trimming.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.