Material feeding apparatus with gripping member linkage and method of operation

1. An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

the first gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece;

a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism; and

a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator;

wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction;

wherein the first release actuator is reversible; and

wherein the reversible first release actuator comprises a rotary actuator and a driving member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the direction of movement of the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism is generally perpendicular to the first direction of workpiece feeding.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is arranged generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism and is further arranged generally perpendicular to the first direction of workpiece feeding.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the driving member is a link.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the driving member is an eccentric.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first release actuator and the programmable controller are configured to produce a gripping force onto the workpiece.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first release actuator and the programmable controller are configured to determine a distance between the first and second gripping members of the first gripper mechanism such that a gap is provided between the workpiece and second gripping member that is optimal for a workpiece thickness.

8. An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

the first gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece;

a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism; and

a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator;

wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction;

wherein the first release actuator is reversible; and

wherein the reversible first release actuator comprises a linear actuator.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the direction of movement of the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism is generally perpendicular to the first direction of workpiece feeding.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is arranged generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism and is further arranged generally perpendicular to the first direction of workpiece feeding.

11. An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

the first gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece;

a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism; and

a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator;

wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction;

wherein the first release actuator is reversible; and

wherein the reversible first release actuator comprises a rotary motor, a threaded rod, and an internally threaded member.

12. An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

the first gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece;

a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism; and

a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator;

wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction;

wherein the first release actuator is reversible; and

wherein the first programmable controller is configured to move the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link prior to the movement of the first gripper mechanism in the first direction of workpiece feeding such that the distance between the first and second gripping members of the first gripper mechanism is decreased for gripping the workpiece.

13. An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

the first gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece;

a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism; and

a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator;

wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction;

wherein the first release actuator is reversible; and

wherein the first programmable controller is configured to move the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link during movement of the first gripper mechanism in the first direction of workpiece feeding such that the distance between the first and second gripping members of the first gripper mechanism remains constant.

14. An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

the first gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece;

a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism; and

a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator;

wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction;

wherein the first release actuator is reversible; and

wherein the first programmable controller is configured to move the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link at the end of movement of the first gripper mechanism in the first direction of workpiece feeding such that the distance between the first and second gripping members of the first gripper mechanism is increased for releasing of the workpiece.

15. An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

the first gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece;

a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism; and

a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator;

wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction;

wherein the first release actuator is reversible; and

wherein the first programmable controller is configured to move the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link during the movement of the first gripper mechanism in the second direction opposite to the first direction of workpiece feeding such that the distance between the first and second gripping members of the first gripper mechanism remains constant.

16. An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

the first gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece;

a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction;

a second linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

the second gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece; and

a second release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the second gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the second gripper mechanism; and

a second release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the second release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the second gripper mechanism; and

wherein the second pivot axis of the second release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the direction of movement of the second gripping member of the second gripper mechanism relative to the first gripping member of the second gripper mechanism is generally perpendicular to the first direction of workpiece feeding.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the second pivot axis of the second release connecting link is arranged generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the second gripping member of the second gripper mechanism relative to the first gripping member of the second gripper mechanism and is further arranged generally perpendicular to the first direction of workpiece feeding.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first and second release actuators are reversible.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator and a second programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the second release actuator.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a programmable controller for controlling actuation of the first and second release actuators.

22. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising;

a first gripper mechanism drive actuator which is angularly adjustable, reversible and rotary; and,

a fixed length driving member connected to the first gripper mechanism drive actuator for rotation therewith; and,

a first gripper mechanism drive connecting link with a first end pivotally connected to a first end of the fixed length driving member and with a second end pivotally connected to the first gripper mechanism for moving the first gripper mechanism in the first direction of workpiece feeding, and in the second direction opposite to the first direction; and,

a second gripper mechanism drive connecting link with a first end pivotally connected to a second end of the fixed length driving member and with a second end pivotally connected to the second gripper mechanism for moving the second gripper mechanism in the first direction of workpiece feeding, and in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator and a second programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the second release actuator and a third programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first gripper mechanism drive actuator.

24. An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

the first gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece;

a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism;

wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction;

a first gripper mechanism drive actuator which is angularly adjustable, reversible and rotary; and

a fixed length driving member connected to the first gripper mechanism drive actuator for rotation therewith; and,

a first gripper mechanism drive connecting link with a first end pivotally connected to a first end of the fixed length driving member and with a second end pivotally connected to the first gripper mechanism for moving the first gripper mechanism in the first direction of workpiece feeding, and in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator and a second programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first gripper mechanism drive actuator.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a programmable controller for controlling actuation of the first release actuator and first gripper mechanism drive actuator.

27. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a programmable controller for controlling actuation of the first and second release actuators and first gripper mechanism drive actuator.