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(11) | EP 0 027 434 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
Apparatus for stamping graphic symbols on objects Apparat zum Einprägen zeichnerischer Symbole auf Gegenstände Appareil à estamper des symboles graphiques sur des objets |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
[0002] As is known, for certain mass produced objects (such as keys, spare parts for motor cars, etcetera) corresponding combinations of graphic symbols (such as figures, special abbreviations, letters, etcetera) are cold stamped in order to establish a biunivocal correspondence (transferred on to punched cards or in special tabulations) between the object and the relevant combination. This makes it possible to trace with ease a given object and to either locate it in the stores or to make an identical one.
[0003] In the apparatus known to date for the above mentioned function, it is envisaged that there be a number of stamping discs, side by side, coaxial and of identical diameter, each disc having circumferentially, in relief, a plurality of the aforementioned graphic symbols, usually equidistant.
[0004] According to a first form of embodiment, see i.e. DE-A-26 28900, in order to set up in each disc, the graphic symbol in the stamping plane provision is made for a mechanical device that acts in an independent fashion with respect to a stabilizing device through which all the discs are maintained in a stabilized position during the stamping action. The action of the said stabilizing device is subjected, in the practical construction of the apparatus, to a movement of the discs from a position in which they are connected to the said mechanical device to one of stamping in which the discs act on the objects to be stamped.
[0005] An apparatus such as the one summarily described above is structurally complex and does not permit a quick change in the combination of graphic symbols of each disc because of the necessary movement of the discs between the said two positions.
[0006] In a second form of embodiment, the aforementioned discs constitute the wheels of a (for example decimal) numbering device, wherein for the figure in respect of tens, the wheel defining units has to undergo multiples of ten turns, for the figure in respect of hundreds, the wheel defining tens has to undergo multiples of ten turns, and so on and so forth for the figure in respect of thousands and tens of thousands, etcetera.
[0007] The said latter mentioned form of embodiment is acceptable only when the combination of graphic symbols to be stamped is always the same, and is not suitable to be utilized when frequent variations of the said combination are required (unless very low productivity can be tolerated, that is to say, limited stamping operations are performed in the unit of time).
[0008] The object of the invention is to make available an apparatus for stamping graphic symbols in an operationally fast manner, studied in particular for inclusion in an automatic cycle for the production of given objects, particularly keys, under the control of a programme control unit, and in which the stamping discs on which the graphic symbols are circumferentially in relief can be operated independently one of the other and synchronously through the medium of electromechanical devices, the actuation of which is dependent on an electronic programme control unit.
[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a compact apparatus such as to ensure the pro- . grammed combination of symbols being respected for the graphic symbols present in the stamping plane, that they are side by side, and that their orientation in a predetermined direction be maintained at the time of the stamping operation, without any movement of the stamping discs with respect to the structure of the apparatus.
[0010] The aforementioned objects are attained by the apparatus object of the present invention comprising at least one stamping disc provided circumferentially with lands on which there are, in relief, graphic symbols, the said disc being mounted on a first shaft supported by the casing of the apparatus and mechanical devices for carrying the said disc rotatably and locking devices provided to stabilize the disc in a plurality of configurations so that one land protrudes from a window in the casing, wherein the said mechanical means comprise a second shaft powered by electrical devices in order to position a programmed graphic symbol in a stamping plane, to which second shaft a gear wheel is keyed meshing with an idle gear wheel, this, in turn, meshing with a toothing provided circumferentially on the said stamping disc, each land being defined by the absence of at least one space in the said toothing, to which corresponds, in the toothing of the idle wheel, the absence of a corresponding tooth. The said electrical means may comprise means for reading a set of holes-no holes combinations provided in a drum keyed to the said second shaft, each of the said combinations defining a corresponding graphic symbol that corresponds to the graphic symbol provided on the land positioned in the stamping plane; and an electrical programming and control unit connected to the said reading means, provided to programme one or the other of the said graphic symbols and to actuate electrical means for powering the said shaft when a lack of harmony exists between the graphic symbol "read" by the said reading means and the graphic symbol programmed with the said unit.
[0011] In order to emphasize the characteristics, a description is given hereinafter of the best form of embodiment for the apparatus object of the present invention, and to understand this adequately reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a lateral view of the apparatus according to the invention, wherein certain parts are removed and others have been shown in broken lines;
- Figure 2 is a view of the section A-A in Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a constructional detail in respect of the mechanism of the stamping discs;
-- Figure 4 is the constructional detail B in Figure 2;
- Figure 5 is a possible block diagram for the electrical means connected to the said apparatus.
[0012] With reference to the above mentioned figures, at (1) there is a shaft, carried by the casing (2) of the apparatus in question, on which are mounted idly six stamping discs (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) that are identical one with the other and protrude partially from a window (9) made in the bottom of the casing.
[0013] Provision is made for each of the aforementioned stamping discs to have means for carrying them in rotation, powering them and locking them, and a programme control unit (40) is also provided. Thus, in the text that follows, reference will be made prevalently just to one stamping disc - disc (7), for example. The said disc (7) has peripherally a toothing (10), the spaces (10a) and the teeth (10b), made in accordance with the known art. The said toothing is "devoid", for example, of ten spaces (10a) that define a similar number of lands (11) distributed in a regular fashion over the said toothing.
[0014] Each of the said lands has, in relief, on its external surface, a corresponding graphic symbol, for example an arabic numeral. It thus ensues that with the said ten lands it it possible to have available the ten arabic numerals, from nought to nine.
[0015] The said disc (7) has, on one side, an enlargement (7a) delimitated circumferentially by a surface (7b) of circular extension in which there are ten recesses, or housings, (12), the extension of which is curvilinear, each of which is symmetrical with respect to a radial plane.
[0016] Each of the said housings (12) is shaped in such a way as to have snap-in inserted there the extremity (13a) of an arm, or lever, (13) pivoted at (14) to the casing (2) and subjected, furthermore, at one of its intermediate points, to the action of a flexible tongue (15). The enlargement to which prior reference has been made, positions a corresponding land (11) with respect to a stamping plane (S); more precisely, the surface of the land (11) that bears in relief the relevant arabic numeral, is positioned in a stamping plane (S).
[0017] The toothing (10) of the disc (7) meshes with the toothing (16) of an idle wheel (17) (obviously devoid of teeth (16a) at a point corresponding to where there is an absence of the spaces (10a)) that is carried in rotation by a gear wheel (18) keyed to a shaft (19). A unitary velocity ratio exists between the gear wheel (18) and the disc (7).
[0018] Drilled axially in one extremity (19a) of the shaft (19) there is a dead hole (20) in which is freely inserted the extremity (21 a) of the shaft (21) of an electric motor (22) of a known type (for example, a d.c. motor, a stepping motor, etcetera). The inter-connection of the shafts (19) and (21) is achieved through known means shown globally at (23).
[0019] The aforementioned extremity (19a) is externally of truncated cone shape so that it can accept, coupled thereto, a complementary hole, in the form of a frustrum of a cone, provided axially in a wheel (24). The said coupling is rendered perfect by a locking bush (25) that screw meshes with the said extremity (19a) (that is also threaded). Circumferentially, the wheel (24) has a star shaped toothing (26) that defines ten equidistant housings (27) (the number of the said housings being identical to that of the housings (12) provided in the corresponding stamping disc (7)).
[0020] In one or the other of the said housings (27) is inserted a roller (28) rotatably supported at the extremity (29a) of an arm (29) (see Fig. 4). The other extremity (29b) of the said arm is pivotally connected at (30) to ihe casing (2). The insertion of the roller (28) in one of the said housings (27) is done "snap-in" fashion under the elastic extremity (31 a) to the casing (2) and presses with its other extremity against the arm (29).
[0021] The snap-in insertion of the roller (28) in a housing (27) is synchronous with the snap-in insertion into a housing (12) of the extremity (13a) of the arm (13). The aforementioned synchronous insertions cooperate in positioning the corresponding land (11) in the stamping plane (S).
[0022] To the extremity (21 b) of the shaft (21) is keyed, using fixing means (32) of a known type, a drum (33) also known as an "encoder".
[0023] The extremity (33a) of the said drum is open in such a way as to allow its circular wall (33b) to pass in a slit (34). The wall (33b) has in it, along directions parallel to the axis of the said drum, at least ten (non-illustrated) combinations of hole-no holes, each of which defines, in binary logic, a corresponding arabic numeral provided in one land of the stamping disc (7).
[0024] Placed in the window (34), in an opposite position, there are means (35) (of a known type) for emitting electromagnetic radiation, and means (36) (of a known type) for receiving the above mentioned radiation, the latter being set up to "read" the aforementioned combinations of holes-no holes.
[0025] The electrical signal (or first electrical signal) V, present in the output of the receiving means (36) is sent to a comparator (37) in which (in a first version of the programme control unit (40)) the said signal is compared with the electrical signal (or second electrical signal) V2 forthcoming from a pushbutton panel (38) (of a known type) provided to manually programme the figure to be positioned in the stamping plane. The signal (or third electrical signal) V3 present in the output of the comparator (38) is sent to a block (39) which, compatibly with the "sign" of the signal V3 (that can be deduced in accordance with known systems from the binary logic of the said signal), renders power means (43) able to emit an output signal (or fourth electrical signal) V4 of the digital type, the value of which is such as to cause the motor (22) to rotate in the direction F, and in the opposite direction F2. The rotation of the motor ceases (V4=0) once the binary combination read by the receiving means (36) coincides with the binary combination set with the pushbutton panel (38). All this is equivalent to positioning in the stamping plane (S) the arabic numeral programmed with the pushbutton panel (38).
[0026] In a second version of the programme control unit (40), the first electrical signal V, is compared (in binary logic) with a signal (or fifth electrical signal) Vµ present in the output of a block (41) constituted (for example) by shift registers of a known type actuated by means of a tape reader (42) (of a known type) utilized for the automatic insertion of data.
[0027] As is known, the de-energizing of the motor (22) is not followed (because of the inertia of the rotating masses) by the immediate halting of the shaft (21), which could prevent the land (11) from being positioned optimally in the stamping plane (S). Such a thing is prevented because of the synchronous snap-in insertion of the roller (28) in a corresponding housing (27) and of the extremity (13a) of the arm (13) in a corresponding housing (12) since the inertia of the rotating masses of the motor (22) is not sufficient (with the motor obviously deenergized) to overcome the elastic reaction of the strip (31) and of the tongue (15).
[0028] To recapitulate what has been stated above, the stamping plane (S) has in it the land (11) that bears in relief the arabic numeral programmed either by means of the pushbutton panel (38) or through the tape reader (42). This is certainly achieved when the receiving means (36) "read" on the "encoder" (33) the binary combination that coincides with the binary combination programmed as above, which corresponds to an univocal positioning of the disc (7) and involves, for the latter, the presence in the stamping plane (S) of the land that bears the programmed arabic numeral.
[0029] The obtainment of the said positioning is assisted, as already pointed out, by the synchronous snap-in Insertion of the wheel (28) in a housing (27) and of the extremity (13a) in a housing (12).
[0030] What has been described for the disc (7) takes place likewise but independently (not necessarily at different times) also for the remaining discs (3), (4), (5), (6) and (8), and thus six lands, side by side in the direction parallel to the axis of the shaft (1), are present in the stamping plane (S).
[0031] Not only do the extremities (13a) have the task of stabilizing the lands in the stamping plane but they carry out the important function of also maintaining the said positioning at the time the stamping operation is being performed which, as is known, is realized through the movement of the said apparatus (this movement being achieved by a press to which the said apparatus is fixed) towards the surface of a given object destined to have the combination stamped on it.
[0032] The above described apparatus satisfies in full the objects outlined in the premise hereto. It is, in fact, possible to automatically set the number to be stamped and, furthermore, principally because of the presence of the locking arm (13), the lands present in the stamping plane are perfectly side-by-side and stable in the said position, and thus the impression transferred to a corresponding surface, as a consequence of the stamping operation, will be clear and will be made up of figures that are not staggered one with respect to the other.
[0033] Another advantage the apparatus in question has to offer is in consequence of the utilization of stamping discs that are constituted by an ordinary gear wheel in which the lands (that bear, in relief, the figures to be stamped) are defined by the absence of the appropriate number of spaces in the toothing of the said gear wheel.
1. Apparatus for stamping graphic symbols on objects, comprising at least one stamping
disc (7) provided circumferentially with lands (11) on which there are, in relief,
graphic symbols, the said disc being mounted on a first shaft (1) supported by the
casing (2) of the apparatus, and mechanical devices for carrying the said disc (7)
rotatably and locking devices provided to stabilize the disc (7) in a plurality of
configurations so that one land (11) protrudes from a window (9) in the casing (2),
wherein the said mechanical means comprise a second shaft (19) powered by electrical
devices (40) in order to position a programmed graphic symbol in a stamping plane
(S), to which second shaft (19) a gear wheel (18) is keyed meshing with an idle gear
wheel (17), this, in turn, meshing with a toothing (10) provided circumferentially
on the said stamping disc (7), each land (11) being defined by the absence of at least
one space (10a) in the said toothing, to which corresponds, in the toothing (16) of
the idle wheel (17), the absence of a corresponding tooth ( 16a).
2. Apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the said locking means comprise: at
least one lever (13) that rotates with respect to an axis parallel to the axis of
the stamping disc (7), one extremity (13a) of which is snap-in inserted, under the
action of elastic means that exert an effect on the said lever ( 13), in one of a
plurality of housings (12) provided, in radial directions, in one side of the said
disc (7); and an arm (29) that rotates with respect to an axis parallel to the said
second shaft (19), provided with a roller (28) that is snap-in inserted, under the
action of elastic means (31), and exerts an effect on the said arm (29), in one of
plurality of housings (27) provided circumferentially in a wheel (24) keyed to the
said shaft (19); the housings (12) and (27) provided in the said disc (7) and in the
said wheel (24) being positioned, one with respect to the other, in such a way as
to achieve a synchronism in the snap-in insertions, the purpose of these being to
position a corresponding land in the stamping plane (S).
3. Apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the said electrical means comprise:
means (36) for reading a set of holes-no holes combinations provided in a drum (33)
keyed to the said second shaft (19), each of the said combinations defining a corresponding
graphic symbol that corresponds to the graphic symbol provided on the land (11) positioned
in the stamping plane (S); and an electrical programming and control unit (40) connected
to the said reading means (36), provided to programme one or the other of the said
graphic symbols and to actuate electrical means (22) for powering the said shaft (19)
when a lack of harmony exists between the graphic symbol "read" by the said reading
means and the graphic symbol programmed with the said unit (40).
1. Appareil à estamper des symboles graphiques sur des objets, comportant au moins
un disque d'estampage (7) pourvu sur son pourtour de petites embases (11) sur lesquelles
se trouvent, en relief, des symboles graphiques, ce disque étant monté sur un premier
arbre (1) supporté par le bâti (2) de l'appareil, et des dispositifs mécaniques desinés
à entraîner en rotation ledit disque (7) et des dispositifs de serrage prévus pout
stabiliser le disque (7) dans une pluralité de configurations de manière qu'une petite
embase (11) sort de la fenêtre (9) dans le bâti (2), caractérisé en ce que lesdits
moyens mécaniques comportent un deuxième arbre (19) motorisé par des dispositifs électriques
(40) dans le but de mettre en place un symbole graphique programmé dans un plan d'estampage
(S), sur ce deuxième arbre (19) étant emboîtée une roue dentée (18) engrenant avec
une roue dentée à rotation libre (17), celle-ci engrenant alternativement avec une
denture (10) prévue sur le pourtour dudit disque d'estampage (7), chaque petite embase
(11) étant définie par l'absence d'au moins un creux (1 Oa) dans ladite denture, à
laquelle correspond, dans la denture (16) de la roue (17) à rotation libre, l'absence
d'une correspondante (16a).
2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de serrage
comportent: au moins un levier (13) qui tourne par rapport à un axe parallèle à l'axe
dudit disque d'estampage (7), dont l'une des extrémités (13a) s'introduit par pression,
sous l'action de moyens élastiques qui exercent un effet sur ledit levier (13), dans
l'un d'une pluralité de logements (12) prévus, selon des directions radiales, sur
une surface dudit disque (7); et un bras (29) qui tourne par rapport à un axe parallèle
audit deuxième arbre (19), pourvu d'un galet (28) qui s'introduit par pression, sous
l'action de moyens élastiques (31) qui exercent un effet sur ledit bras (29), dans
l'un d'une pluralité de logements (27) obtenus sur le pourtour d'une roue dentée (24)
emboîtée sur ledit arbre (19); les logements (12) et (27) prévus sur ledit disque
(7) et sur ladite roue (24) étant disposés, l'un par rapport à l'autre, de manière
qu'ils atteignent le synchronisme dès introductions par pression, celles-ci ayant
pour but la mise en place d'une petite embase correspondante dans le plan d'estampage
(S).
3. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens électriques
comportent: des moyens (36) à lire une série de combinaisons de trous-non trous prévues
dans un tambour (33) emboîté sur ledit deuxième arbre (19), chacune de ces combinaisons
définissant un symbole graphique correspondant qui correspond au symbole graphique
prévu sur la petite embase (11) mise en place dans le plan d'estampage (S); et une
unité de contrôle et programmation électrique (40) reliée auxdits mouens de lecture
(36), destinée à programmer l'un ou l'autre desdits symboles graphiques et à activer
des moyens électriques (22) destinés à motoriser ledit arbre (19) quand il y a un
manque d'harmonie entre le symbole graphique "lu" par lesdits moyens de lecture et
le symbole graphique programmé par ladite unité (40).
1. Apparat zum Einprägen zeichnerischer Symbole auf Gegenstände, enthaltend wenigstens
eine Prägeplatte (7), die an ihrem umlaufenden Rand Ansätze (11) aufweist, an denen
sich im Reliev die zeichnerischen Symbole befinden, wobei die genannte Platte auf
einer ersten Welle (1) montiert ist, die von dem Gehäuse (2) des Apparates getragen
wird, sowie mechanische Vorrichtungen, um die genannte Platte (7) in Umdrehung zu
versetzen, und Sperrvorrichtungen, die vorgesehen sind, um die Platte (7) in einer
Vielzahl von Darstellungen festzuhalten, so dass ein Ansatz (11) aus dem Fenster (9)
des Gehäuses (2) herausragt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannten mechanischen
Vorrichtungen eine zweite, durch elektrische Vorrichtungen (40) angetriebene Welle
(19) enthalten zu dem Zweck, ein programmiertes zeichnerisches Symbol auf einer Prägefläche
(S) zu positionieren, wobei auf diese zweite Welle (19) ein Zahnrad (18) aufgezogen
ist, das in ein träges Zahnrad (17) greift, welches wiederum wechselweise in die Verzahnung
(10) greift, die sich rundum auf der genannten Prägeplatte (7) befindet, wobei jeder
Vorsprung (11) durch das Fehlen von wenigstens einer Lücke (10a) in der genannten
Verzahnung beschrieben wird, welcher in der Verzahnung (16) des trägen Zahnrades (17)
das Fehlen eines entsprechenden Zahnes (16a) entspricht.
2. Apparat nach Patentanspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannten Sperrvorrichtungen
wie folgt enthalten: Wenigstens einen Hebel (13), der sich im Verhältnis zu der Achse
der Prägeplatte (7) nach einer parallelen Achse dreht und dessen eines Ende (13a)
durch elastische Mittel, welche auf den genannten Hebel (13) selbst einwirken, in
eine Vielzahl von Sitzen (12) einrastet, die radial angeordnet auf der einen Seite
der genannten Platte (7) vorgesehen sind; einen rotierenden Arm (29), der sich parallel
im Verhältnis zu der Achse der genannten zweiten Welle (19) dreht und mit einer kleinen
Rolle (28) versehen ist, die durch elastische Mittel (31), welche auf den genannten
Arm (29) einwirken, in einen aus der Vielzahl der Sitze (27) einrastet, die umlaufend
In ein Rad (24) eingearbeitet sind, das auf die genannte Welle (19) aufgezogen ist,
wobei die Sitze (12) und (27), die an der genannten Platte (7) und an dem genannten
Rad (24) vorgesehen sind, sich in einer solchen Position zueinander befinden, dass
sie eine Synchronisierung beim Einrasten erreichen, was den Zweck hat, einen entsprechende
Ansatz auf der Prägefläche (S) zu positionieren.
3. Apparat nach Patentanspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannten elektrischen
Mittel wie folgt erhalten: Mittel (36) zum Abtasten einer Reihe von Kombinationen
von Löchern und geschlossenen Flächen, die auf einer Trommel (33), die auf die genannte
zweite Welle (19) aufgezogen ist, vorgesehen sind, wobei jede der genannten Kombinationen
ein zeichnerisches Symbol beschreibt, welches dem zeichnerischen Symbol entspricht,
das sich auf dem auf der Prägefläche (S) positionierten Ansatz (11) befindet; eine
elektrische Kontroll-und Programmiereinheit (40), die mit den genannten Abtastmitteln
(36) verbunden und dazu vorgesehen ist, das eine oder andere der zeichnerischen Symbole
zu programmieren und die elektrischen Mittel (22) zu aktivieren, um die genannte Welle
(19) anzutreiben, wenn ein Fehlen der Übereinstimmung zwischen dem von den genannten
Abtastmitteln "gelesenen" Symbol und dem von der genannten Einheit (40) programmierten
Symbol besteht.