Description of device for aligning stacked sheets of paper for repetitive cuttin

Thiel, A. M.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

REPLY TO 
ATTN OF: e p  
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE AD 
WASHINGTON. D C. 20546 
TO 2 c & Technical Information Division 
iss Winnie W o  Morgan 
FRON: GP/Qffice of Assistant General 
Counsel for Patent Matters 
SUBJECT: Announcement of NASA-Owned 
U,S, Patents in STAR 
In accordance with the procedures contained in the Code GP 
to Code US1 memorandum on this subject, dated June 8, 1970, 
the attached NASA-owned U , S ,  patent is being forwarded for 
abstracting and announcement in NASA STAR, 
The following information is provided: 
U.S, Patent No, 
Corporate Source 
Supplementary 
Corporate Source 
NASA Patent Case No.: 7 8  
Enclosure: 
r4 
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(CATEGORY) 
NASA-WQ 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710013322 2020-03-17T02:51:32+00:00Z
A. M. THIEL 
ALIGNING AND POSITIONING DEVICE 
Fi l ed  Dec. 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 
A. M. THlEL 
ALIGNING AND POSITIONING DEVICE 
Filed Dec. 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 
/pkonse M TA/e /  
INVENTOR. - 
ate 
3,367,224 
~ ~ ~ N ~ N ~  AND ~ ~ § ~ T ~ ~ N ~ N ~  
Thieii, Pasadena, Tex., assignor to the 
es of America as represented by the Ad- 
ministrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
A ~ m ~ n i s ~ a t i o ~  
Stacks of paper sheets may be held for repetitive cuts 
at an acute angle to the cutting blade of a paper cutting 
machine by a jig having guide arms positioned along 
adjacent edges of the paper stack, said guide arms being 
angularly adjustable with respect to a reference frame 
member. 
The invention described herein may be manufactured 
and used by or for the Government of the United States 
of America for governmental purposes without the pay- 
ment of any royalties thereon or therefor. 
The present invention relates to cutting machinery and 
more particularly to a device for aligning and positioning 
material which is to be cut at an angle to the reference 
plate of the machine. 
In order to facilitate the cutting of a plurality of sheets, 
such as paper or other material, it is a common expedient 
to stack the sheets, one on top of the other, until either 
the desired number or the cutting capability of the ma- 
chine is reached. It is necessary, in so doing, to both align 
the sheets with respect to each other so as to achieve a 
neat and even cut and to position the aligned stack in 
appropriate relationship to the cutting knife prior to 
operation thereof. Heretofore these two steps have most 
often been accomplished by the operator manually align- 
ing the sheets and positioning the stack under the knife. 
This is not only time consuming and dangerous to  the 
operator's hands but is frequently ineffective in achieving 
aligned and accurate cuts. Moreover in cutting operations 
requiring the even alignment and cutting of a plurality 
of stacks, it is found that due to the difficulty of visually 
positioning subsequent stacks at exactly the same cutting 
angle as prior ones, the care and preparation for prior 
cuts is often nullified if an even cut is not achieved. 
In addition to various hand methods for aligning and 
positioning the material to be cut, numerous guide tools 
disclosed in the prior art have been used. In general these 
guides are incapable of both aligning and positioning the 
sheets, particularly sheets having corner angles other than 
90". Also, even though aligned cuts may be made to an 
individual stack of sheets with these tools, it is found 
that due to their construction the cutting angle often 
slips when a series of stacks are cut, thus resulting in 
evenly cut but unalignable stacks. 
Both the problems resulting from hand alignment and 
positioning methods and those associated with prior art 
devices are obviated by the invention disclosed herein. 
Briefly, the device comprises a cutting guide for use in 
aligning stacked sheets and for positioning the sheets be- 
neath the cutter blade at consistently identical angles, 
regardless of the number of stacks to be cut. It is so con- 
structed as to permit aligning and positioning without 
visual examination of the sheets, thus requiring negligible 
loading and unloading time by comparison to prior art 
hand methods. Movement of the operator's hands in the 
area of the cutter is unnecessary thereby avoiding pos- 
sible injury. Also, despite its capability to act as guide 
and aligner for a wide range of angular cuts, the instant 
device is simple and economical to construct. 
- 
5 
10 
Other advantages and features of the invention, both 
as to its construction and mode of operation, will be 
readily appreciated as the same become better understood 
by reference to the following detailed description when 
considered in connection with the accompanying draw- 
ings in which like reference numerals designate like parts 
throughout the figures, and wherein: 
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention as viewed 
from the top thereof showing the pivotal motion of the 
cutter; 
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 along the 
plane 2 - 2  thereof; 
FIG. 3 is a modification of FIG. 1 wherein one of the 
guide arms is pivotable; and 
FIG. 4 shows the pivotable guide arm of FIG. 2 re- 
moved from the assembly. 
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown the 
preferred form of the invention which comprises an elon- 
gated backstop member 3 to which is affixed, as by weld- 
20 ing, the circular base §. The base and backstop member 
may be made of aluminum, steel, or other material char- 
acterized by its rigidity and durability under repeated 
use. The rear wall 7 of the backstop should be machined 
in appropriately flat form so as to fit evenly against the 
25 mating backstop 4 of the cutting machine or press. Ex- 
tending through the center of circular base 5 is a hole 9 
adapted to receive the axle 118 of the pivotal guide. The 
pivotal guide includes upper and lower plate portions 15, 
17 respectively which are adapted to lie upon each the 
30 upper and lower surface of circular base 5. Both the upper 
and lower plate portions contain an aligned circular hole 
19 which is coaxially disposed with respect to base hole 
9. The aforementioned axle PI is inserted into the aligned 
holes 19, 9 and extends approximately to the surface of 
35 the upper and lower plate portions, thereby providing a 
pivotal axis for the guide with respect to backstop mem- 
ber 3. 
Extending outwardly in perpendicular relation to each 
other from upper and lower plate portions 15, 17 are a 
*O pair of guide arms 21, 23 which have smooth interior 
surfaces for aligning the sheets. The arms may be formed 
as an integral piece or as removable extensions affixed to 
the upper and lower plate portions with screws 24, for 
example. The latter may be desirable should replacement 
45 become necessary as a result of damage during use. The 
height a of these arms will be governed by the thickness 
and number of the sheets to be cut and by the stroke of 
the cutter. Their interior length b may be as long as 
necessary to easily align the sheets being cut. It was 
50 found for example that arms approximately six inches 
long and two inches high were satisfactory for aligning 
and cutting 8%" by 10%'' paper sheets. 
There is provided in the upper plate portion 15 a 
locking means between the pivotal guide arms 21, 23 
55 and base 5 so as to eliminate the necessity for holding 
them in position when an angular cut is made. This lock- 
ing means consists of a pair of circular set-pin holes 25, 
27 about %" in diameter at the approximate positions 
noted in FIG. 1. Cooperating locking holes 3 
(the latter not shown) and 37, 39, 41 (the latter not 
shown) extend into the base 5 and should be of substan- 
tially the same diameter as set pin holes 25, 27. A locking 
member comprising an expanded knurled head portion 
65 45 and male pin 47 of appropriate diameter is inserted 
into one of the set pin holes when aligned with one of the 
aforementioned locking holes. It is apparent that the par- 
ticular set pin hole and cooperating lock hole used will 
depend on the angle at which the guide device is to be 
70 used and that therefore the specific number, relationship, 
and/or location of the various holes may be altered in 
accordance with the desired cutting angles. 
15 
3,367,224 
Although angular cuts are made most generally on means and pivoting arrangements, embodying the prin- 
sheets having 90" corners, it is someiimes necessary to ciples herein are possible. It will therefore be appreciated 
align and cut sheets not having this perpendicular edge. that each other forms of construction are contemplated to 
Since an individual guide device for each angle would lie within the scope of the appended claims. 
be both expensive and cumbersome to use, a modified 5 Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 
guide, incorporating all the advantages of the guide dis- aild desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
closed above and yet capable of aligning sheets having 1. A guide device for positioning stacks of sheet mate- 
any corner angle is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This device rial to be cut with respect to a cutting blade comprising: 
is identical in most respects to that of FIG. 1 except that a base member having a first side adapted to rest against 
one arm is movable with respect to the other. It comprises a reference surface; 
a base guide arm 21 and pivotable guide arm 23. The said base member having salient means projecting from 
base guide arm is constructed identically to the device a side thereof opposite from said first side; 
of FIG. 1, in that it has upper and lower plate portions said salient means having a journal means extending 
45, 17 respectively. An aligned circular hole 49 extends therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the plane 
through each the upper and lower plate portions and is 15 of said sheet material; 
adapted to receive an axis pin 11 in the manner previously a plurality of aperture means in said salient portion 
described. A circular recess portion $3, 65 is provided disposed about the axis of said journal means at a 
in both the upper and lower plate portions internally of predetermined radial distance therefrom each of 
the base guide arm, see FIG. 4. A seating section 67 said plurality of aperture means being arcuately sepa- 
having circular bore 69 therethrough is formed interme- 20 rated from adjacent aperture means by a uniquely 
diate the circular recesses. The pivotal guide arm 23 selected arcuate angle; 
embodies circular mating portions 73, 75 separated by the plate means overlying said salient means and pivotally 
cutout area 79 which is adapted to receive the seating secured thereto to said journal means; 
section 67 of the base guide arm. Likewise recesses 63, at least one aperture means in said plate means at said 
65 receive mating portions 73, 79 of the pivot arm. 25 predetermined radial distance from said journal axis; 
Although numerous locking arrangements may be pro- pin means for removable insertion into said plate and 
vided for this arm, there is shown for exemplary purposes salient aperture means whereby said plate and salient 
an aligned bore in both the circular mating portions 73, means are relatively secured in a selective angular 
75. The bore in lower portion 75 is threaded to receive relationship; and 
locking lug 83. The locking lug similarly has a threaded 30 a pair of guide arm means secured to said plate means, 
end 85 which is inserted through bores 69 and 77 and each arm of said pair being angularly disposed with 
clamps the mating portions 73, 75 against seat 67 when respect to the other for receiving and aligning adja- 
rotated. In this manner the arms may easily and quickly cent edges of stacked sheet material. 
be adjusted and clamped at any one of an infinite number 2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein a first 
of angles, thus greatly enhancing the versatility of the 35 one of said pair of guide arm means is rigidly secured to 
device. In addition the angle of cut may be varied by 
mere adjustment of the aligned locking holes 31, 33, 37, a second one of said pair of guide arm means being 
and 39 with either of the pin holes 2529.  journally secured to said plate means about an axis 
In operation, the cutting guide of the invention is pre- positioned radially beyond the periphery of said 
set at the desired angular cut. It is then loaded with the 40 salient means. 
material 91 (FIG. 1)  to be cut and slid by means of the 3. Apparatus as described by claim 2 wherein said sec- 
movable backstop 4 to the appropriate distance from the ond guide arm means js selectively rigidly secured to 
cutting knife. After the cut is made, it is necessary only said plate means by axial clamp means, said clamp means 
to reload and cut again, there being no necessity to re- extending co-axidly with said axis positioned radially 
examine the cutting angle of the arms. If the material 45 beyond said salient means periphery. 
being cut has no 90" corners, the arms may be set to 
receive the appropriate corner angle in accordance with eferences Cited 
the device described in FIGS. 3 and 4. Repeated cuts may 
then be accomplished by merely reloading the guide after 
every cut. 
While the invention is shown in one general form and 
a single modification thereof in the drawings and speci- 
fication, it is not desired to limit said invention to the 
specific forms shown, particularly since other locking 
said plate means; 
UNITED STATES PATENTS 
50 421,546 2/1890 Brown -__________ 269-319 X 
976,296 11/1910 Robbins _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  143-86 
1,302,211 411917 Pflange _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  8 3 4 6 7  
1,410,519 3/1922 Stengel _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  269-319 
JAMES M. MEISTER, Primary Examiner. 


Aligning and positioning device Patent

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