Apparatus for shaking stacks of sheet material

Abstract

An apparatus for shaking stacks of sheet material includes a base frame with a table movably mounted thereon for vibratory motion. A rear stop is positioned along a rear portion of the table. First and second lateral stops are positioned along a side portion of the table. The first lateral stop is disposed adjacent the rear stop to contact the adjacent edges of the sheet material stack when the table is vibrated and is inclined toward the rear and first stops. The second stop is movable between a stop position and a non-stop position. The table includes a main table portion and a movable table portion disposed along a forward portion of the table that shifts between a support position and a non-support position for the sheet material stack.

1 . An apparatus for shaking sheets of material arranged in a stack, comprising:
 a base frame;   a table movably mounted on said base frame for vibration relative to the same, and shaped to receive and support a sheet material stack thereon;   a rear stop positioned along a rear portion of said table;   first and second lateral stops positioned along a side portion of said table; said first lateral stop being disposed adjacent to said rear stop to contact adjacent edges of the sheet material stack on said table when said table is set in vibrating movement and is inclined in the direction of said rear stop and said first stop; said second lateral stop being movable relative to said table between a stop position for contacting the sheet material stack on said table, and a non-stop position for not contacting the sheet material stack on said table; and wherein   said table includes a main table portion, and a movable table portion disposed along a forward portion of said table oriented opposite said rear stop; said movable table portion being movable relative to said main table portion between a supporting position for supporting the sheet material stack on said table, and a non-supporting position for not supporting the sheet material stack on said table.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first lateral stop is movable relative to said table between a stop position for contacting the sheet material stack on said table and a non-stop position for not contacting the sheet material stack on said table.   
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first lateral stop is stationary.   
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said second lateral stop is movably mounted relative to said table such that said first stop can be folded away from said table.   
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein:
 said second lateral stop can be folded about an axis disposed adjacent to said table;   said second lateral stop is disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship with said table in said stop position; and   said second lateral stop is disposed in a generally coplanar condition with said table in said non-stop position.   
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 5 , including:
 an actuator moving said second lateral stop between said stop position and said non-stop position.   
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said rear stop, said first lateral stop and said second lateral stop each have a plate-shaped configuration.   
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said second lateral stop faces away from said rear stop and is disposed adjacent to said movable table portion in said stop position.   
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first lateral stop has a length greater than the length of said second lateral stop.   
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said table includes a cutout, disposed adjacent to said forward portion of said table, and shaped to receive therein said movable table portion when said movable table portion is in said supporting position.   
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said movable table portion is movably mounted to be folded about an axis which is disposed along said main table portion and is generally parallel to said rear stop.   
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein:
 said movable table portion is folded downwardly in said non-supporting position.   
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , including:
 a lock for selectively locking said movable table portion is said supporting position.   
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein:
 said table has a generally rectangular receiving plane to support the sheet material stack thereon;   said main table portion has a generally rectangular shape; and   said movable table portion has a generally rectangular shape configured to be received in said cutout portion of said main table portion.   
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , including:
 second and third lateral stops positioned along a side portion of said table opposite said first and second lateral stops;   said third lateral stop is disposed adjacent to said rear stop; and   said second lateral stop is disposed remote from said rear stop and is foldable with respect to said table between a stop position for contacting the sheet material stack on said table, and a non-stop position for not contacting the sheet material stack on said table.