CLIAMS:We claim:
1) An automatic feeder mechanism (200) for the movement of material to a predefined point, said feeder mechanism comprising:
a) a plurality of extruded channels (210) attached to each other by means of a plurality of L clamps (250) and a plurality of allen screws (234), said L clamps (250) attached to the extruded channel (210) on either side at front end and back end of the feeder mechanism(200) by means of said allen screws (234);
b) a front support (220) and a back support (222), said front support (220) mounted on the extruded channel (210) and the L clamps (250) at front end of the feeder mechanism(200) and locked to the L clamps (250) by means of said allen screws (234), said back support (222) mounted on the extruded channel (210) and the L clamps (250) at back end of the feeder mechanism (200);
c) two push tube support blocks (224), one of said push tube support blocks (224) mounted on said front support (220) and other of said push tube support blocks (224) mounted on said back support (222), said push tube support block (224) mounted on said front support (220), locked to said front support (220) by means of said allen screws (234), said push tube support block (224) mounted on said back support (222), locked to said L clamps (250) by means of said allen screws (234) passing through said push tube support block (224), said back support (222) and said L clamps (250);
d) a push tube (214) having a flute shape inserted in to holes provided in a lever (232), adapted to pass through holes of said push tube support blocks (224) and rests on said push tube support blocks (224), said push tube (214) provided with said plurality of allen screws (234) inserted in to plurality of holes of said push tube (214) and held in position by means of tightening a plurality of hexagonal nuts (236), said lever (232) provided with a connecting fork (230) hanging over the lever (232);
e) a left guide plate (212a) and a right guide plate (212b) symmetrical to each other, said guide plates (212a and 212b) provided with step like provisions (P1 and P2) at one edge, through slots(S1, S2, S3 and S4) from top face to bottom face, through holes (H6 and H8) from top face to bottom face and holes (H7 and H9) on side faces, said guide plates (212a and 212b) mounted on said front support (220) and back support (222) and locked to the front support (220) and the back support (222) by means of allen screws (234) passing through the slots (S1, S2, S3 and S4 ) of said guide plates (212a and 212b), holes (H2) provided on the front support (220) and holes (H4) provided on the back support (222);
f) two hexagonal bolts support blocks (246) placed below said guide plates (212a and 212b) and locked to the guide plates (212a and 212b) by means of allen screws (234) passing through the through holes (H6 and H8) of the guide plates (212a and 212b) and holes (H22) provided on top face of hexagonal bolts support blocks (246), said hexagonal bolts support blocks (246) provided with a through hole (H21) from one side face to other side face;
g) a left tilting plate (238a) and a right tilting plate (238b) symmetrical to each other, said titling plates (238a and 238b) provided with step like provisions (P4 and P5) at one edge, through hole (H15 and H17) from top face to bottom face and through holes (H16 and H18) from top face to bottom face;
h) two tilting plate support blocks (240) placed below said tilting plates (238a and 238b) and locked by means of allen screws (234) passing through the through holes (H16 and H18) of said tilting plates (238a and 238b) and holes (H20) provided on top face of said tilting plate support blocks (240), said tilting plate support blocks (240) provided with a through hole (H19) from one side face to other side face, said tilting plate support blocks (240) along with said tilting plates (238a and 238b) placed in such a way that said guide plates (212a and 212b) and said tilting plates (238a and 238b) are parallel to each other and held in position by means of
two hexagonal bolts (244) passing through the through hole (H19) of said tilting plate support blocks (240) and the through hole (H21) of said hexagonal bolts support blocks (246) thereby providing a pivot joint;
i) a push plate (226) provided with an arch shaped provision (P3) at top end and a through hole (H14) at bottom end, said push plate (226) attached to said push tube (214) at the arch shaped provision (P3) by means of a allen screw (234) and a hexagonal nut (236);
j) a push tube pulling pneumatic actuator (216) attached to said extruded channel (210) by means of two right angled clamps (252) and allen screws (234), the open end of piston of said push tube pulling pneumatic actuator (216) inserted in to the through hole (H14) of said push plate (226);
k) a push tube rotating pneumatic actuator (218) attached to said extruded channel (210) by means of a swivel clamp (254), the open end of piston of said push tube rotating pneumatic actuator (218) inserted in to said connecting fork (230);
l) two jacking bolts (242) inserted in to through hole (H15 and H17) of said tilting plates (238a and 238b) and rests on said push tube support block (224);
m) two metal strips (248) placed on side faces of said guide plates (212a and 212b) such that the holes (H7 and H9) of said guide plates (212a and 212b) and through holes (H23) of said metal strips (248) are in line to each other and locked by means of the allen screws (234); and
n) a plurality of sensors (228) mounted at extreme ends of said push tube pulling pneumatic actuator (216) and said push tube rotating pneumatic actuator (218) and connected to a programmable logical controller (256).

2) An automatic feeder mechanism (200) for the movement of material to a predefined point as claimed in claim 1, wherein said through slots (S1, S2, S3 and S4) of said guide plates (212a and 212b) facilitates in locking said guide plates (212a and 212b) at different positions thereby accommodating the material of different sizes in between said guide plates (212a and 212b).

3) An automatic feeder mechanism (200) for the movement of material to a predefined point as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tilting plates (238a and 238b) produces flapping movement at the time of pickup of the material by a gripper system.

4) An automatic feeder mechanism (200) for the movement of material to a predefined point as claimed in claim 1, wherein said jacking bolts (242) and said metal strips (248) facilitate in bringing back the tilting plates (238a and 238b) to original position aligning with said guide plates (212a and 212b).

5) An automatic feeder mechanism (200) for the movement of material to a predefined point as claimed in claim 1, wherein hole (H13) provided on top face of said push tube support blocks (224) facilitate in maintaining linearity of said guide plates (212a and 212b) by means of inserting aligning bolts in to said hole (H13) of said push tube support blocks (224) and adaptable to sit over the step like provisions (P1 and P2) of said guide plates (212a and 212b).

6) A method for movement of material to a predefined point using an automatic feeder mechanism (200), said method comprising the steps of:
a) rotating a push tube (214) by an angle of 45 degrees in clockwise direction through a lever (232) by opening piston of a push tube rotating pneumatic actuator (218);
b) positioning the material in between guide plates (212a and 212b) such that the material mounts on step like provisions (P1 and P2) of said guide plates (212a and 212b) and slide over the step like provisions (P1 and P2) to predetermined locations;
c) closing piston of said push tube rotating pneumatic actuator (218) thereby rotating said push tube (214) by an angle of 45 degrees in anti clockwise direction through said lever (232) resulting in bringing of allen screws (234) to vertically upright position before said material;
d) opening piston of said push tube pulling pneumatic actuator (216) resulting in pushing of the material first in line to said predefined point;
e) picking up of the material by a gripper system, facilitated by flapping movement of tilting plates (238a and 238b);
f) opening piston of said push tube rotating pneumatic actuator (218) resulting in rotation of said push tube (214) by an angle of 45 degrees in clockwise direction through said lever (232);
g) closing piston of said push tube pulling pneumatic actuator (216) resulting in pulling back of said push tube (214); and
h) repeating said steps c to g in sequence until all the material loaded on the automatic feeder mechanism (200) is picked up by said gripper system.

7) A method for movement of material to a predefined point using an automatic feeder mechanism (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stroke length of said push tube pulling pneumatic actuator (216) is 80mm.

8) A method for movement of material to a predefined point using an automatic feeder mechanism (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the distance between first allen screw (234) and second allen screw(234) at operative front end of said push tube (214) is 75mm.

9) A method for movement of material to a predefined point using an automatic feeder mechanism (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the distance between the allen screws (234) of said push tube is 60mm.

10) A method for movement of material to a predefined point using an automatic feeder mechanism (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first allen screw (234) is 5mm behind the material.

11) A method for movement of material to a predefined point using an automatic feeder mechanism (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the allen screws(234) are 20mm behind the material.

12) A method for movement of material to a predefined point using an automatic feeder mechanism (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the effective distance of movement of the material first in line is 75mm.

13) A method for movement of material to a predefined point using an automatic feeder mechanism (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the effective distance of movement of the material trailing in the line is 60mm.

,TagSPECI: FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)

AN AUTOMATIC FEEDER MECHANISM FOR THE MOVEMENT OF
MATERIAL TO A PREDEFINED POINT

TRIVENI TURBINE LTD
an indian company,
of 12A, Peenya Industrial Area,
Banglore-560058.

The following specification particularly describes the present invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a feeder mechanism. Particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanism for the movement of material to a predefined point without any human intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Traditionally, the movement of material in industries is done through conveyor systems or feeder systems. An automatic machine for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine(The invention is a subject matter of patent application 54/CHE/2014) is developed by Triveni Turbine Limited for loading blanks of blades to CNC machine and unloading finished profiled blades from CNC machine without any involvement of the operator. The movement of raw material (blank of blades) to the point of pick up located under a gripper system is done through a conveyor system.

Figure 1(a) illustrates an isometric view of conventional conveyor system for the movement of raw material to the point of pick up.

Figure 1(b) illustrates an enlarged view of portion C of figure 1(a) from one view angle.

Figure 1(c) illustrates an outer guides of first type, an outer guides of second type, an inner guides of first type and an inner guides of second type of the conveyor system of figure 1(a).

Figure 1(d) illustrates a motor of the conveyor system of figure 1(a) driving the roller chain.

Figure 1(e) illustrates an enlarged view of portion C of figure 1(a) from other view angle.

Figure 1(f) illustrates a plurality of raw material holders of the conveyor system of figure 1(a) inserted in to the roller chain.

Figure 1(g) illustrates an enlarged view of portion D of figure 1(a).

The conveyor system 100 comprises a roller chain 110, a sprocket with key way 111, three sprockets 112, two outer guides of first type 113, two outer guides of second type 114, two inner guides of first type 115, two inner guides of second type 116, an AC motor 117, four roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of first type 118, four roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of second type 119, a plurality of raw material holders 120, a proximity sensor 121(not shown in the figure), a sensor holding stand 122(not shown in the figure), a plurality of guides supports 123, a plurality of roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods supports of first type 124, a raw material front support 125, a raw material back support 126, a coupling 127, a pinion 128, a gear 129, a gear shaft 130, a plurality of roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods supports of second type 131, three bearing support plates 132, three bearing shafts 133, a bearing housing 134, a raw material front support positioning stand 135, a stand holding base 136, a plurality of L clamps 137, a plurality of hexagonal bolts 138, a plurality of hexagonal nuts 139, a plurality of allen screws 140 (not shown in the figure) and a plurality of dowel screws 141.

The conveyor system 100 is assembled at mid section M of the aluminum frame 12. A plurality of extruded channels 12a are attached at mid section M, at front end of the aluminum frame 12 by means of locking a plurality of L clamps 137 to the aluminum frame 12 through allen screws 140 to facilitate in mounting of various components of the conveyor system 100. A plurality of extruded channels 12a are attached to bottom section B of the aluminum frame 12 to facilitate in locking of the AC motor 117 to the aluminum frame 12. Three bearing support plates 132 are positioned at three corners, at mid section M of the aluminum frame 12 and locked to the aluminum frame 12 by means of allen screws 140. Three sprockets 112 are placed over the respective three bearing support plates 132 and three bearing shafts 133 are inserted in to respective sprockets 112 and bearing support plates 132. The three sprockets 112 are locked in position by means of hexagonal nuts 139 passing through the bearing shafts 133. The bearing housing 134 is mounted at one corner of mid section of aluminum frame 12 and locked by means of allen screws 140. The gear shaft 130 is adapted to pass through the bearing housing 134. The sprocket with key way 111 is inserted at top end of the gear shaft 130 and locked by means of a key. The gear 129 is inserted at bottom end of the gear shaft 130 and locked by means of a key. The AC motor 117 is a 230V single phase motor provided with gear box and brakes. The coupling 127 is inserted over the shaft of the AC motor 117. The pinion 128 is inserted over the coupling 127 and teeth of the pinion 128 are adapted to mate with the teeth of the gear 129. The roller chain 110 is adapted to encompass the four sprockets 111 and 112. A raw material movement track is formed around the roller chain 110 with the help of two outer guides of first type 113, two outer guides of second type 114, two inner guides of first type 115 and two inner guides of second type 116 except at front end of the roller chain 110. The raw material movement track is discontinuous and assembled in sections such that width and height adjustment of the track can be done depending on the size of the raw material. The raw material movement track facilitates in arresting the raw material being fall down from the roller chain 110. The plurality of guide supports 123 attached to the aluminum frame 12 by means of plurality of L clamps 137 and plurality of allen screws 140 facilitates in holding two outer guides of first type 113, two outer guides of second type 114, two inner guides of first type 115 and two inner guides of second type 116 in position with help of plurality of hexagonal bolts 138, and plurality of hexagonal nuts 141. Four roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of first type 118 and Four roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of second type 119 helps in maintaining the linearity of the roller chain 110 and prevents the sag of the roller chain 110. The back side of the roller chain 110 is placed between two roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of first type 118 and the two roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of first type 118 are held in position by means of plurality of roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods supports of first type 124, plurality of dowel screws 141 and plurality of hexagonal nuts 139. The right side and left side of the roller chain 110 is placed between two roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of second type 119 and the four roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of second type 119 are held in position by means of plurality of roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods supports of first type 124, plurality of dowel screws 141 and plurality of hexagonal nuts 139. The front side of the roller chain 110 is placed between two roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of first type 118 and the two roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of first type 118 are held in position by means of plurality of roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods supports of second type 131, plurality of dowel screws 141 and plurality of hexagonal nuts 139. The plurality of roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods supports of first type 114 are attached to plurality of L clamps 137 mounted on the aluminum frame 12 through allen screws 140. The plurality of roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods supports of second type 131 are attached to the extruded channels 12a of the aluminum frame 12 by means of allen screws 140. The plurality of dowel screws 141 are attached to four roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of first type 118 and four roller chain linearity maintaining guide rods of second type 119 by means of brazing. The raw material back support 126 is held in position above the roller chain 110 by means of plurality of hexagonal bolts 138 passing through the raw material back support 126 and plurality of L clamps 137 attached to the aluminum frame 12 and locked by means of plurality of hexagonal nuts 139. The raw material front support 125 is held in tapered position complementary to shape of the raw material by means of the raw material front support positioning stand 135 mounted on the stand holding base 136 attached to the extruded channels 12a of the aluminum frame 12. The distance between raw material front support 125 and raw material back support 126 and angle of taper of raw material front support 125 can be adjusted with the help of raw material front support positioning stand 135.

The plurality of raw material holders 120 comprises a platform portion P, two cylindrical pins C1 and a U shaped element U. The two cylindrical pins C1 are attached at bottom of platform portion P by means of brazing. The U shaped element U is attached to top of platform portion P by means of brazing. The two cylindrical pins C1 are inserted in to the holes of the roller chain 110 and the U shaped element U carries the raw material along the movement of the roller chain 110.

The sensor holding stand 122 is attached to the extruded channels 12a of the aluminum frame 12 by means of allen screws 140. The proximity sensor 121 is inserted in to the sensor holding stand 122 and connected to the relay system.

The method of working of the conventional conveyor system 100 is as follows:
The roller chain 110 having raw material held in plurality of raw material holders 120 rotates by means of the AC motor 117 and brings the raw material to the position of pick up located under a gripper system. When the raw material reaches the position of pick up, immediately the proximity sensor 121 communicates to the relay system which in turn communicates to the AC motor 117 thereby resulting in the application of brakes of the AC motor 117 and ultimately stopping the rotation of the roller chain 110. After the raw material is picked up by the gripper system, immediately the proximity sensor 121 communicates to the relay system which in turn communicates to the AC motor 117 thereby resulting in the release of brakes of the AC motor 117 and ultimately resulting in the rotation of the roller chain 110 to bring the next raw material to the position of pick up located under a gripper system. This cycle repeats until all the batch of raw material is picked up by the gripper system.

The conventional conveyor system 100 described herein above is very complex, has lot of components and is not fool proof.

Moreover, the conveyor systems and feeder systems available in the prior art are industry specific and employed to perform a particular job.

Therefore, there is felt a need for development of a simple automatic feeder mechanism to overcome the drawbacks of prior art and thereby provide a robust and fool proof mechanism for the movement of material.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the present invention is to provide a simple feeder mechanism for the movement of material to a predefined point without any human intervention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a robust and fool proof feeder mechanism.

One more object of the present invention is to provide a feeder mechanism with less number of components.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a feeder mechanism which can push the material to a predefined point in minimum cycle time.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a feeder mechanism which can be loaded with batch of material easily and in less time.

Still one more object of the present invention is to provide a feeder mechanism which can be manufactured at less cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1(a) illustrates an isometric view of conventional conveyor system for the movement of raw material to the point of pick up;

Figure 1(b) illustrates an enlarged view of portion C of figure 1(a) from one view angle;

Figure 1(c) illustrates an outer guides of first type, an outer guides of second type, an inner guides of first type and an inner guides of second type of the conveyor system of figure 1(a);

Figure 1(d) illustrates a motor of the conveyor system of figure 1(a) driving the roller chain;

Figure 1(e) illustrates an enlarged view of portion C of figure 1(a) from other view angle;

Figure 1(f) illustrates a plurality of raw material holders of the conveyor system of figure 1(a) inserted in to the roller chain;

Figure 1(g) illustrates an enlarged view of portion D of figure 1(a);

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of automatic feeder mechanism before loading of material in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3(a), 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of front support of figure 2;

Figure 4(a), 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of back support of figure 2;

Figure 5(a) and 5(b) illustrates an isometric view of left guide plate and right guide plate of figure 2;

Figure 5(a1) illustrates an enlarged view of portion E of figure 5(a);

Figure 5(b1) illustrates an enlarged view of portion F of figure 5(b);

Figure 5(c), 5(d) and 5(e) illustrates a front view, top view and left side view of left guide plate of figure 5(a);

Figure 6(a), 6(b), 6(c) and 6(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of push tube of figure 2;

Figure 7(a), 7(b), 7(c) and 7(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of push tube support blocks of figure 2;

Figure 8(a), 8(b), 8(c) and 8(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of push plate of figure 2;

Figure 9(a) and 9(b) illustrates an isometric view of left tilting plate and right tilting plate of figure 2;

Figure 9(c), 9(d) and 9(e) illustrates a front view, top view and left side view of left tilting plate of figure 9(a);

Figure 10(a), 10(b), 10(c) and 10(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of tilting plate support blocks of figure 2;

Figure 11(a), 11(b), 11(c) and 11(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of hexagonal bolts support blocks of figure 2;

Figure 12(a), 12(b), 12(c) and 12(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of metal strips of figure 2;

Figure 13 illustrates an isometric view and top view of lever of figure 2;

Figure 14 illustrates an isometric view and front view of connecting fork of figure 2;

Figure 15(a), 15(b) and 15(c) illustrates the sequence of steps followed in loading of material on to an automatic feeder mechanism in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 16(a), 16(b), 16(c), 16(d), 16(e), 16(f) and 16(g) illustrates the sequence of steps involved in the movement of material to the point of pick up in an automatic feeder mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
A preferred embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the invention. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of automatic feeder mechanism before loading of material.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic feeder mechanism 200 comprising a plurality of extruded channels 210, a left guide plate 212a, a right guide plate 212b, a push tube 214, a push tube pulling pneumatic actuator 216, a push tube rotating pneumatic actuator 218, a front support 220, a back support 222, two push tube support blocks 224, a push plate 226, a plurality of sensors 228 (not shown in the figure), a connecting fork 230, a lever 232, a plurality of allen screws 234, a plurality of hexagonal nuts 236, a left tilting plate 238a, a right tilting plate 238b, two tilting plate support blocks 240, two jacking bolts 242, two hexagonal bolts 244, two hexagonal bolts support blocks 246, two metal strips 248, a plurality of L clamps 250, two right angled clamps 252, a swivel clamp 254 and a programmable logical controller 256 (not shown in the figure).

Figure 3(a), 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of front support.

The front support 220 includes a base plate B1 with two integrally inverted L shaped beams B2 formed on either side at one end of the base plate B1 as shown in figure 3(a). The length, breadth and height of the front support 220 is 150mm, 104mm and 55mm respectively and is generally indicated by reference numerals X1, Y1 and Z1 respectively. The beams B2 has length of 50mm and is generally indicated by a reference numeral X2. Two holes H1 are provided on either side of the base plate B1 of the front support 220 at a distance of 35mm from the edge of the base plate B1 and is generally indicated by a reference numeral X3. Two holes H2 are provided on the beams B2 of the front support 220 at a distance of 17.5mm from the edge of the beams B2 and is generally indicated by a reference numeral X4. Two holes H3 are provided on the base plate B1 of the front support 220 below the beam B2.

Figure 4(a), 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of back support.

The back support 222 includes a base plate B3 with two integrally inverted L shaped beams B4 formed on either side of the base plate B3 as shown in figure 4(a). The length, breadth and height of the back support 222 is 155mm, 45mm and 55mm respectively and is generally indicated by reference numerals X5, Y2 and Z2 respectively. The beams B4 has length of 50mm and is generally indicated by a reference numeral X6. Two holes H4 are provided on the beams B4 of the back support 222 at a distance of 17.5mm from the edge of the beams B4 and is generally indicated by a reference numeral X7. Two holes H5 are provided on the base plate B3 of the back support 222 below the beams B4 at a distance of 35mm from the edge of the base plate B3 and is generally indicated by a reference numeral X8.

Figure 5(a) and 5(b) illustrates an isometric view of left guide plate and right guide plate of figure 2.

Figure 5(a1) illustrates an enlarged view of portion E of figure 5(a).

Figure 5(b1) illustrates an enlarged view of portion F of figure 5(b).

The left guide plate 212a and the right guide plate 212b are typically plates of rectangular cross section. A step like provision P1 is provided at one edge of the left guide plate 212a
as shown in figure 5(a1). A through hole H6 is provided at one corner from top face to bottom face of the left guide plate 212a as shown in figure 5(a1). Two holes H7 (not shown in the figure) are provided on side face of the left guide plate 212a. Two through slots (S1 and S2) are provided from top face to bottom face at either ends of the left guide plate 212a. A step like provision P2, a through hole H8, two holes H9 and two through slots (S3 and S4) symmetrical to the step like provision P1, the through hole H6, two holes H7 and two through slots (S1 and S2) of left guide plate 212a are provided on the right guide plate 212b.

Figure 5(c), 5(d) and 5(e) illustrates a front view, top view and left side view of left guide plate of figure 5(a).

The left guide plate 212a is of 1212mm length, 58mm breadth and 10mm thickness and is generally indicated by reference numerals X9, Y3 and Z3 respectively. The step like provision P1 is of 4mm depth provided along the left guide plate 212a and is generally indicated by a reference numeral Z4. The through slots (S1 and S2) are provided at a distance of 35.5mm from one edge of the left guide plate 212a and at a distance of 22.5mm from other edge of the left guide plate 212a and is generally indicated by reference numerals Y4 and Y5 respectively. Two holes H7 are provided at a distance of 53mm and 68mm from the edge of the left guide plate 212a and is generally indicated by reference numerals Y6 and Y7 respectively. The through hole H6 is of 5mm diameter provided at a horizontal distance of 7.5mm and vertical distance of 8mm from the edge of
the left guide plate 212a and is generally indicated by reference numerals D1, X10 and Y8 respectively.

Figure 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) illustrates an isometric view, front view and top view of push tube.

The push tube 214 resembles a musical instrument flute shape. The length of the push tube 214 is 1356mm and is generally indicated by a reference numeral X11. The outer diameter and inner diameter of the push tube 214 is 14mm and 10mm respectively and is generally indicated by reference numerals D2 and D3 respectively. A plurality of equidistant threaded holes H10 having a diameter of 6mm and pitch of 60mm are provided on top face of the push tube 214 starting from second hole at operative front side and is generally indicated by reference numerals D4 and Y9 respectively. A distance of 75mm is provided between first hole and second hole at operative front side of the push tube 214 and is generally indicated by a reference numeral Y10. A gap of 122mm without any holes is provided at operative front side and back side of the push tube 214 and is generally indicated by a reference numeral Y11.

Figure 7(a), 7(b), 7(c) and 7(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of push tube support blocks.

The push tube support block 224 are rectangular blocks of 100mm length, 16mm breadth and 25mm height and is generally indicated by reference numerals X12, Y12 and Z5 respectively. A through hole H11 of 14mm diameter is provided from one side face to other side face of the push tube support block 224 at a horizontal distance of 50mm and vertical distance of 12.5mm from the edges of the push tube support block 224 and is generally indicated by reference numerals D5, X13 and Y13 respectively. The push tube support blocks 224 are chamfered on either side at top face as shown in figure 7(a). Two spot face holes H12 having an outer diameter of 13mm and inner diameter of 8mm are provided at chamfered portions of the push tube support blocks 224 and is generally indicated by reference numerals D6 and D7 respectively. A hole H13 of 10mm diameter is drilled at a horizontal distance of 50mm and vertical distance of 8mm from the edges of push tube support block 224 on its top face up to the through hole H11 and is generally indicated by reference numerals D8, X14 and Y14 respectively.

Figure 8(a), 8(b), 8(c) and 8(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of push plate.

The push plate 226 has length of 122mm, breadth of 20mm and thickness 10mm and is generally indicated by reference numerals X15, Y15 and Z6 respectively. An arch shaped provision P3 having length of 45mm and breadth of 10mm is provided at top end of the push plate 226 and is generally indicated by reference numerals X16 and Y16 respectively. A through hole H14 of 12.5mm diameter is provided at a distance of 10mm from bottom end of the push plate 226 and is generally indicated by reference numerals D9 and X17 respectively.

Figure 9(a) and 9(b) illustrates an isometric view of left tilting plate and right tilting plate.

Figure 9(c), 9(d) and 9(e) illustrates a front view, top view and left side view of left tilting plate.

The left tilting plate 238a and the right tilting plate 238b are typically plates of rectangular cross section. The left tilting plate 238a has length of 58mm, breadth of 46mm and thickness of 10mm and is generally indicated by reference numerals X18, Y17 and Z7 respectively. A step like provision P4 of 4mm depth and 4mm width which will align with the step like provision P1 of the left guide plate 212a is provided at one edge of the left tilting plate 238a and is generally indicated by reference numerals Z8 and Y18 respectively. A through hole H15 of 6mm diameter is provided at a horizontal distance of 18mm and a vertical distance of 12mm from the edges of the left tilting plate 238a as shown in figure 9(d) and is generally indicated by reference numerals D10, X19 and Y19 respectively. Two through holes H16 of 5mm diameter separated by a distance of 25mm are provided on the left tilting plate 238a wherein one hole of the two holes H16 is provided at a horizontal distance of 7.5mm and a vertical distance of 9mm from the edges of the left tilting plate 238a as shown in figure 9(d) and is generally indicated by reference numerals D11, Y20, X20 and Y21 respectively. A step like provision P5, a through hole H17 and two through holes H18 symmetrical to the step like provision P4, the through hole H15 and two through holes H16 of the left tilting plate 238a are provided on the right tilting plate 238b.

Figure 10(a), 10(b), 10(c) and 10(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of tilting plate support blocks.

The tilting plate support blocks 240 are rectangular blocks having length of 40mm, breadth of 15mm and height of 24.5mm and is generally indicated by reference numerals X21, Y22 and Z9 respectively. A through hole H19 of 10mm diameter is provided from one side face to other side face at a distance of 10mm from bottom end of the tilting plate support block 240 and is generally indicated by reference numerals D12 and Z10 respectively. Two holes H20 of 5mm diameter separated by a distance of 25mm are provided on top face of the tilting plate support block 240 up to the through hole H19 at a horizontal distance of 8mm and a vertical distance of 7.5mm from the edges of the tilting plate support block 240 and is generally indicated by reference numerals D13, X22, X23 and Y23 respectively.

Figure 11(a), 11(b), 11(c) and 11(d) illustrates an isometric view, front view, top view and left side view of hexagonal bolts support blocks.

The hexagonal bolts support blocks 246 are rectangular blocks having length of 15mm, breadth of 12mm and height of 25mm and is generally indicated by reference numerals X24, Y24 and Z11 respectively. A through hole H21 of 10mm diameter is provided from one side face to other side face at a distance of 10mm from bottom end of the hexagonal bolts support block 246 and is generally indicated by reference numerals D14 and Z12 respectively. A hole H22 of 5mm diameter is provided on top face of the hexagonal support block 246 up to the through hole H21 at a horizontal distance of 7.5mm and a vertical distance of 5mm from the edges of the hexagonal bolt support block 246 and is generally indicated by reference numerals D15, X25 and Y25 respectively.

Figure 12(a), 12(b) and 12(c) illustrates an isometric view, front view and left side view of metal strips.

The metal strips 248 have length of 110mm, breadth of 10mm and thickness of 1mm and is generally indicated by reference numerals X26, Y26 and Z13. Two through holes H23 complementary to the holes (H7 and H9) of the guide plates (212a and 212b) are provided on the metal strips 248 near to their bottom end.

Figure 13 illustrates an isometric view of lever.

The lever 232 resembles a handle shape comprising a holding portion HP and two arms A1. The two arms A1 are provided with holes H24 inline to each other.

Figure 14 illustrates an isometric view and front view of connecting fork.

The connecting fork 230 includes holes H25 drilled in line to each other.

The configuration of the automatic feeder mechanism 200 is as follows:
The plurality of extruded channels 210 are attached to each other by means of plurality of L clamps 250 and plurality of allen screws 234 as shown in the figure 2. A pair of L clamps 250 are attached on either side of the extruded channel 210 at front end and back end. The front support 220 is placed over the extruded channel 210 and two L clamps 250 at front end of the feeder mechanism 200 and locked to the two L clamps 250 by means of allen screws 234 passing through the holes H3 of the front support 220. The back support 222 is placed over the extruded channel 210 and two L clamps 250 at back end of the feeder mechanism 200. The holding portion HP of the lever 232 is passed through the holes H25 of the connecting fork 230 such that the connecting fork 230 hangs over the holding portion HP of the lever 232. The holding portion HP of the lever 232 with connecting fork 230 hanging over it is attached to the two arms A1 at either ends. The push tube support blocks 224 are mounted on the front support 220 and the back support 222 and locked to the front support 220 and the back support 222 by means of allen screws 234 passing through the spot face holes H12 of the push tube support blocks 224, the holes H1 of the front support 220 and the holes H5 of the back support 222. The mechanism of locking the push tube support block 224 to the back support 222 facilitates in locking the back support 222 to the two L clamps 250. The push tube 214 is adapted to pass through the holes H24 of the lever 232 and through holes H11 of the push tube support blocks 224 and mounted on the push tube support blocks 224. A plurality of allen screws 234 adapted to pass through plurality of hexagonal nuts 236 and plurality of threaded holes H10 of the push tube 214 and locked firmly in position by tightening the hexagonal nuts 236. The push tube pulling pneumatic actuator 216 is attached to the extruded channel 210 by means of two right angled clamps 252 and allen screws 234. The piston of the push tube pulling pneumatic actuator 216 is inserted in to the through hole H14 of the push plate 226. The push plate 226 is attached to the push tube 214 at arch shaped provision P3 of the push plate 226 by means of allen screw 234 and hexagonal nut 236 as shown in the figure 2. The push tube rotating pneumatic actuator 218 is mounted to the extruded channel 210 by means of the swivel clamp 254. The piston of the push tube rotating pneumatic actuator 218 is connected to the connecting fork 230 as shown in the figure 2. The left guide plate 212a and the right guide plate 212b are mounted on the beams B2 of the front support 220 at front end and the beams B4 of the back support 222 at back end. The left guide plate 212a and the right guide plate 212b are locked to the front support 220 and the back support 222 by means of allen screws 234 passing through the slots (S1 and S2) of the left guide plate 212a, the slots (S3 and S4) of the right guide plate 212b, the holes H2 of the front support 220 and the holes H4 of the back support 222. The hexagonal bolts support blocks 246 are placed below the left guide plate 212a and the right guide plate 212b at front end such that the hole H22 of the hexagonal bolts support blocks 246 is in line with the through hole H6 of the left guide plate 212a and the through hole H8 of the right guide plate 212b and locked by means of allen screws 234. The left tilting plate 238a and the right tilting plate 238b are locked to the tilting plate support blocks 240 by means of allen screws 234 passing through the two through holes H16 of the left tilting plate 238a, the two through holes H18 of the right tilting plate 238b and the two holes H20 of the tilting plate support blocks 240. The left tilting plate 238a and the right tilting plate 238b along with the tilting plate support blocks 240 are aligned to the left guide plate 212a and the right guide plate 212b respectively and held in position by means of two hexagonal bolts 244 passing through the through hole H19 of the tilting plate support blocks 240 and the through hole H21 of the hexagonal bolts support blocks 246. Two metal strips 248 are locked to the guide plates (212a and 212b) by means of allen screws 234 passing through the two through holes H23 of metal strips and the holes (H7 and H9) of the guide plates (212a and 212b) such that the metal strips 248 are held beside the tilting plates (238a and 238b). Two jacking bolts 242 are inserted in to the holes (H15 and H17) of the tilting plates (238a and 238b) and rest on the push tube support block 224 at front end. A pair of sensors 228 are mounted on extreme ends of the push tube pulling pneumatic actuator 216 and the push tube rotating pneumatic actuator 218 and connected to the programmable logical controller 256.

Typically, the feeder mechanism 200 can be used as a standalone mechanism for the movement of material or can be used as a part of the automatic machine disclosed in the patent application 54/CHE/2014 for the movement of material.

Typically, the material is blanks of blades.

Typically, the stroke length of the push tube pulling pneumatic actuator 216 is 80mm.

The slots (S1 and S2) of the left guide plate 212b and the slots (S3 and S4) of the right guide plate 212b facilitates in locking the guide plates (212a and 212b) at different positions and thereby helps in accommodating the material of different sizes in between the guide plates (212a and 212b).

The hole H13 of the push tube support blocks 224 facilitates in maintaining the linearity of the guide plates (212a and 212b) by means of inserting aligning bolts in to the holes H13 the push tube support blocks 224 and adaptable to rest over the step like provisions (P1 and P2) of the guide plates (212a and 212b).

Figure 15(a), 15(b) and 15(c) illustrates the sequence of steps followed in loading of material on to an automatic feeder mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

It is not possible for radial loading of material in between the guide plates (212a and 212b) as the guide plates (212a and 212b) block the entry of material. When the material is not loaded to the automatic feeder mechanism 200, the plurality of allen screws of the push tube 214 are in vertically upright position as shown in figure 2. So, the allen screws 234 of the push tube 214 will block the axial loading of material in between the guide plates (212a and 212b). To facilitate in axial loading of material on to the automatic feeder mechanism 200, the piston of the push tube rotating pneumatic actuator 216 is opened thereby resulting in the rotating of the push tube 214 by an angle of 45 degrees as shown in the figure 15(a). Now, the material is mounted on the step like provisions (P1 and P2) of the guide plates (212a and 212b) and slide over them as shown in the figures 15(b) and 15(c). To facilitate the operator in loading of the material, the points of positioning of the material are precisely marked on the step like provisions (P1 and P2) of the guide plates (212a and 212b).

Figure 16(a), 16(b), 16(c), 16(d), 16(e), 16(f) and 16(g) illustrates the sequence of steps involved in the movement of material to the point of pick up in an automatic feeder mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

After loading the material on to the automatic feeder mechanism 200, firstly, the piston of the push tube rotating pneumatic actuator 218 is closed bringing the plurality of allen screws 234 in vertically upright position before the material as shown in figure 16(a). Secondly, the piston of the push tube pulling pneumatic actuator 216 is opened thereby pushing the material to the point of pick up as shown in figure 16(b). Thirdly, the flapping movement of the tilting plates (238a and 238b) facilitates in lifting of the material by a gripper system as shown in figure 16(c). The jacking bolts 242 and metal strips 248 helps in bringing back the tilting plates (238a and 238b) to normal position aligning with the guide plates (212a and 212b). Fourthly, the piston of the push tube rotating pneumatic actuator 218 is opened thereby resulting in the rotation of the push tube 214 by an angle of 45 degrees as shown in figure 16(d). Fifthly, the piston of the push tube pulling pneumatic actuator 216 is closed such that the first allen screw 234 is at a distance of 5mm behind the material and the rest of the allen screws 234 are at a distance of 20mm behind the material as shown in figure 16(e). Sixthly, the piston of the push tube rotating pneumatic actuator 218 is closed thereby bringing the allen screws 234 in vertically upright position as shown in figure 16(f). Lastly, the piston of the push tube pulling pneumatic actuator 216 is opened thereby pushing the material next in line to the point of pickup as shown in figure 16(g). The effective distance of movement of the material in front of the first allen screw 234 is 75mm and the effective distance of movement of material in front of the rest of the allen screws 234 is 60mm. This cycle repeats until all the batch of material is picked up by the gripper system.

The sensors 228 communicates the point of time when the piston of the push tube pulling pneumatic actuator 216 or the piston of the push tube rotating pneumatic actuator 218 reaches their extreme ends to the programmable logical controller 256 and thereby programmable logical controller 256 sends instructions for opening or closing of piston of the push tube pulling pneumatic actuator 216 or the piston of the push tube rotating pneumatic actuator 218 accordingly.

A 15mm more distance is provided between first allen screw and second allen screw of the push tube 214 at operative front end when compared to the rest of the allen screws 234 of the push tube 214 to facilitate in hassle free entry of the gripper system at the point of pick up and thus, providing a fool proof automatic feeder mechanism 200.

Although the invention has been described herein above with reference to the embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein above. It is to be understood that modifications and variations of the embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.