Apparatus and method for feeding bar stock

Abstract

An apparatus for feeding bar material (B) to one or more user machines arranged downstream, the apparatus comprising a support surface (11) and a bar material feed area (12) arranged near one bar material supply end (13) of the support surface (11), the support surface (11) comprising a unit (14) for moving the bar material (B) from the bar material feed area (12) and towards the bar material feed area (12) in a movement direction (Z).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for feeding bars having different diameters and lengths to one or more user machines located downstream of the apparatus or at the end of a line for transporting the bars, in particular the apparatus can be used to receive bars of suitable dimensions from a cutting plant, uniformly store the bars, for example according to diameter or other characteristics, and / or selectively make the bars available to one or more user machines located downstream of the apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The term bar generally refers to elongated products such as wire rods, reinforcing bars, round timber, and square timber, having a circular, polygonal or flat cross-sectional shape. It is known to feed the bars into user machines such as bending machines, stirrup making machines, welding machines, cutting plants or counting plants.

[0003] In particular for bending machines, stirrup making machines and welding machines, it is known to pick up the bar stock by an automatic robotic pick-up device or by a roller transport device or the like from a suitable warehouse located close to or remote from the user machine and to feed the bar stock to a feeding station which feeds the user machine as described above.

[0004] The bars fed to the bending and welding machines may already be cut to size, i.e. pre-cut to shorter lengths and stored in a homogenous state until use. Indeed, depending on the end product to be obtained, the bars fed to the user machines may also be of different types, e.g. lengths, diameters, materials, shapes, surface finishes, etc.

[0005] Typically, each type of bar is separated from the others and supplied in homogeneous groups so that a first group can be formed of a first type of bar, a second group can be formed of a second type of bar, and so on.

[0006] In each case, the respective group of bars is more or less picked up by one or more robotic automatic picking devices or is fed by a roller transport device from the corresponding warehouse in which the group of bars is located and transferred to the feeding station of the user machine.

[0007] The disadvantages of robotic automatic pickers are that they cannot move many bars at once, that their design is very complicated, especially the gripping means are expensive, and that the engineering control is demanding. Another disadvantage is the human-machine interaction, which is a very important factor in the case of robotic systems.

[0008] One drawback of roller transports is that they are not versatile enough to accommodate different bar formats, which still require feeding by a bridge crane or automatic pick-up device. The feeding station may have a feeding surface onto which groups of bars are placed. Once a run of a particular range of products is completed, the remaining bars scattered across the feeding surface may be returned, possibly to their original storage.

[0009] Therefore, the procedure for transporting the bars from the warehouse to the feed surface or from the feed surface to the warehouse is very complicated and requires dedicated structures, as well as workers to guide and position the bars each time they are moved from the warehouse to the work surface.

[0010] Moreover, this operation of changing the type of bar stock can be very costly in terms of time and can also cause downtime of user machines located downstream of the feeding equipment considered.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need to provide a device for storing bar stock that overcomes at least one of the shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] In particular, one object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for feeding bar stock which makes it possible to feed the bar stock in an orderly, fast and efficient manner. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully automated apparatus for feeding bar stock which can be managed by a limited number of operators.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bar feeding device capable of feeding the bar to a downstream user machine, thereby enabling operations to change the bar format avoiding machine downtime.

[0014] Another object is to complete a method by which bar stock can be fed to a user machine in an efficient and automated manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] Applicant has conceived, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to obtain these and other objects and advantages. The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe further features of the invention or variants of the main inventive concept.

[0016] In accordance with the above objectives, an apparatus according to the present invention for feeding bar stock to one or more user machines, for example located downstream, comprises a support surface and a bar stock feed area arranged adjacent to one bar stock supply end of the support surface, the support surface including a unit for moving the bar stock in a movement direction from and towards the bar stock feed area.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the equipment includes a transfer device arranged corresponding to a bar feed area and configured to transition from a first position above the support surface for supporting and / or moving the bar in a direction transverse to the movement direction to a second position below the support surface for placing the bar on the support surface corresponding to the bar feed area.

[0018] The device comprises a number of receiving and translating units arranged adjacent to one another in the direction of movement and adapted to receive and make available a bar stock in each case. The transfer unit is configured to transfer the bar from the bar feed area towards the receiving and translating unit or vice versa and from the bar feed area to the bar supply end.

[0019] An embodiment of the invention also relates to a method for feeding bar stock to one or more user machines, providing for moving the bar stock on a support surface by a movement unit in a movement direction away from and towards the bar stock feeding area as described above. According to one aspect of the invention, the method provides for moving a transfer device supporting the bar corresponding to the bar feed area from a first position above the support surface for supporting the bar to a second position below the support surface for placing the bar on the support surface corresponding to the bar feed area.

[0020] The moving unit moves the bar material placed on the support surface by the transport device from the bar material feed area towards the storage unit and the translation unit or vice versa, and further from the bar material feed area to the bar material supply end, the storage and translation units being arranged adjacent to one another in the direction of movement and configured to store and make available the bar material in each case.

[0021] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bar feeding device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the storage and translation unit of the device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the storage and translation unit of the device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a side view of a transfer device for the instrument of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of a transfer device for the instrument of FIG. 1; [Figure 6] 2A-2C are side views showing possible operating sequences of the device functions of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2A-2C are side views showing possible operating sequences of the device functions of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2A-2C are side views showing possible operating sequences of the device functions of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 2 is a side view showing another possible operating sequence of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a side view showing another possible operating sequence of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 11] 2 is a side view showing another possible operating sequence of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a side view showing another possible operating sequence of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is a side view showing another possible operating sequence of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 14] 2 is a side view showing another possible operating sequence of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 15] 2 is a side view showing another possible operating sequence of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a possible embodiment of a containment and translation unit of the device described herein. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a possible embodiment of a containment and translation unit of the device described herein. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a possible embodiment of a containment and translation unit of the device described herein. [Figure 19] 19A-19C are side views showing possible operating sequences of the functioning of the device of FIG. 1 with the storage and translation unit of FIGS. 16-18. [Figure 20] 19A-19C are side views showing possible operating sequences of the functioning of the device of FIG. 1 with the storage and translation unit of FIGS. 16-18. [Figure 21]19A-19C are side views showing possible operating sequences of the functioning of the device of FIG. 1 with the storage and translation unit of FIGS. 16-18. [Figure 22] 19A-19C are side views showing possible operating sequences of the functioning of the device of FIG. 1 with the storage and translation unit of FIGS. 16-18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] For ease of understanding, wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used to identify identical common elements in the figures. It will be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be conveniently incorporated in other embodiments without further description.

[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of illustration of the invention, and is not to be understood as limiting the invention. For example, features shown or described, while being part of one embodiment, can be incorporated on or in conjunction with other embodiments to yield further embodiments. It is understood that the invention includes all such modifications and variations.

[0025] Before describing these embodiments, it should also be made clear that the present description is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components as described in the following description with the accompanying drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or carried out in various other ways. It should also be made clear that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding a bar B, generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The bars B are mainly elongated, may be several meters long and have different diameters. They are not bundled and can be fed to the device 10 in loose form, i.e. separate and separated. In particular, the bars B fed to the device 10 can come from a cutting plant 100 located upstream of the device 10 (FIG. 1) which is provided for measuring the longer bars B according to the feeding requirements of one or more user machines 200 located downstream of the device 10.

[0027] According to some embodiments, an apparatus 10 for feeding a bar B, for example to one or more user machines arranged downstream, comprises a support surface 11 and a bar feed area 12 arranged near one bar supply end 13 of the support surface 11, the support surface 11 comprising a unit 14 for moving the bar B from and towards the bar feed area 12 in a movement direction Z.

[0028] According to one aspect of the present invention, the equipment 10 includes a transport device 18 arranged corresponding to the bar feed area 12 and configured to move from at least a first position above the support surface 11 for supporting and / or moving the bar B in a direction transverse to the movement direction Z to at least a second position below the support surface 11 for placing the bar B on the support surface 11 corresponding to the bar feed area 12.

[0029] The apparatus 10 comprises a number of receiving and translating units 15 arranged adjacent to one another in the direction of movement Z and configured to receive and make available a bar B in each case.

[0030] The moving unit 14 is configured to move the bar B from the bar feed area 12 towards the receiving and translating unit 15 or vice versa and further from the bar feed area 12 to the bar supply end 13 .

[0031] According to a possible embodiment, the transfer device 18 can receive a number of bars B, for example from a cutting plant 100 arranged upstream. In particular, the transfer device 18 can support the bars B during their cutting operation and subsequently transfer or, as the case may be, simply place the dimensioned bars B on the support surface 11 of the apparatus 10.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the support surface 11 may be arranged horizontally to prevent the bar B from moving in an undesirable way due to gravity. The support surface 11 includes two side edges between a bar feed end 13 and another opposite longitudinal end.

[0033] The bar feed end 13 and the further longitudinal end have a length substantially equal to or greater than the length of the bar B to be processed. In fact, the bar B rests on the support surface 11 substantially parallel to the longitudinal development of the bar feed end 13 and the further longitudinal end, according to the embodiment described below.

[0034] In particular, the bar B is placed on the support surface 11 corresponding to the bar feed area 12 and is discharged from the support surface 11 corresponding to the bar discharge area 13 . The bars B placed on the support surface 11 are distributed evenly on the support surface 11 by the moving unit 14 while avoiding overlapping and entanglement, and are arranged evenly in a dedicated collection area according to at least one of their characteristics.

[0035] According to some embodiments, each storage and translation unit 15 includes at least two storage elements 16 aligned at a distance in a longitudinal direction L transverse to the movement direction Z, the at least two storage elements 16 being coordinated with one another and selectively movable to transition from at least a storage position in which the storage elements 16 are positioned below the support surface 11 and suitable for supporting a respective group of bar materials B to at least a release position in which the storage elements 16 are positioned above the support surface 11 for releasing the bar materials B onto the support surface 11.

[0036] Each storage and translation unit 15 also includes at least two moving devices 17 positioned corresponding to the storage elements 16 and aligned in the longitudinal direction L, the at least two moving devices 17 coordinating with each other such that the moving devices 17 are parallel to the support surface 11 and move from at least a lowered state allowing the movement of the bar B to at least an elevated state in which the moving devices 17 rise to allow access to the respective storage elements 16.

[0037] According to some embodiments shown in Figures 2-3 and 6-15, the moving device 17 is a separate autonomous component with respect to each storage element 16, and the moving device 17 is movable independently from each storage element 16 to independently transition from a lowered state to an elevated state and from a storage position to a release position, possibly through each intermediate state and position.

[0038] According to some embodiments shown in Fig. 1, each moving device 17 is arranged in an offset configuration with respect to the respective receiving element 16. In particular, each moving device 17 is offset in the longitudinal direction L with respect to the respective receiving element 16 so as to prevent possible mutual interference during their mutually independent movements.

[0039] According to some embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 3, each accommodation and translation unit 15 comprises a first transmission shaft 20 and a second transmission shaft 21 parallel to the longitudinal direction L, to which the movement device 17 and the accommodation element 16 are associated.

[0040] Each accommodation and translation unit 15 shares with its neighboring one a first transmission shaft 20 on one side and a second transmission shaft 21 on the other side. As can be seen in the example of Figures 3-4, for ease of explanation, hereinafter, for each accommodation and translation unit 15, reference is made to a first transmission shaft 20 and a second transmission shaft 21, but the second transmission shaft 21 shared with an adjacent accommodation and translation unit 15 is the first transmission shaft 20 of the adjacent accommodation and translation unit 15.

[0041] According to some embodiments shown in Figures 2-3, each moving device 17 has a first end pivoted to a first transmission shaft 20, about which the moving device 17 is adapted to rotate to move from a lowered state to an elevated state or vice versa.

[0042] Each moving device 17 has a second end opposite the first end that is arranged corresponding to the second transmission shaft 21, and the second end can be selectively raised by the respective second transmission shaft 21 to allow access to the storage element 16.

[0043] Each storage element 16 has a pivot portion 34 rotatably attached to the second transmission shaft 21, with respect to which each storage element 16 can rotate to move from a storage position to a discharge position and vice versa.

[0044] Each receiving element 16 is configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the respective moving device 17 . According to some embodiments shown in Figures 2-3, 9-10 and 12-14, each moving device 17 can be rotated and raised relative to the support surface 11 by an angle of rotation between about 1° and about 90°, which is sufficient to enable rotation of the storage element 16 in each case to enable a bar B to be loaded or unloaded onto the support surface 11 or to enable a bar B to be loaded or unloaded from the support surface 11 into the storage element 16 without mutual interference.

[0045] According to some embodiments shown in Figures 2-3, associated with each accommodating and translating unit 15 are at least one respective first actuating unit 29 configured for actuating the moving device 17 in order to move the bar B on the support surface 11, at least one respective second actuating unit 30 provided for enabling the moving device 17 to be moved from a lowered state to a raised state or vice versa, and at least one respective third actuating unit 31 provided for enabling the storing element 16 to be moved from a storing position to a releasing position or vice versa.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the first actuation unit 29, the second actuation unit 30, and the third actuation unit 31 may each be selectively activated / deactivated in a separate manner distinct from the others.

[0047] According to a possible embodiment, each receiving and translating unit 15 can include a respective synchronization device associated with the first actuating unit 29 and the second actuating unit 30 to ensure, respectively, a uniform translational movement of the bar B in the movement direction Z and an angularly uniform simultaneous raising / lowering of the movement device 17.

[0048] According to a possible embodiment, each receiving and translating unit 15 can include a further synchronising device associated with a third actuation unit 31 for moving the receiving elements 16 simultaneously.

[0049] According to possible solutions of the invention, the actuation units 29, 30, 31 may comprise at least one of the following: a jack, a linear actuator, a sliding guide, a chain mechanism, a rack or a worm screw mechanism, or the like.

[0050] According to some embodiments, the first actuation unit 29 comprises a drive device 27 and a transmission device 28, for example of a chain type. The transmission device 28 is configured to transmit the motion generated by the drive device 27 to the first transmission shaft 20 for coordinated and simultaneous actuation of the movement devices 17 .

[0051] The transmission device 28 is associated on one side to the first transmission shaft 20 and on the other side to an auxiliary shaft 23 parallel to the first transmission shaft 20 and is connected to the movement device 17 of the same accommodation and translation unit 15.

[0052] According to some embodiments, the second actuation unit 30 comprises a linear actuator having an operating end associated with the auxiliary shaft 23 for raising / lowering the movement device 17 .

[0053] According to some embodiments, the third actuation unit 31 comprises a chain mechanism 24 connected at a first end to the second transmission shaft 21 and at a second end opposite the first end to a motor shaft 45 rotated by at least one motor 46. The motor shaft 45 is parallel to the second transmission shaft 21 and can advantageously be arranged below the second transmission shaft 21.

[0054] According to a possible embodiment, each mobile device 17 can be moved individually and autonomously with respect to the other mobile devices 17. For this purpose, a respective first actuation unit 29 and a respective second actuation unit 30 can be associated to each mobile device 17 of the same accommodation and translation unit 15.

[0055] According to a possible embodiment, each storage element 16 can be moved individually and autonomously relative to the other storage elements 16. For this purpose, a respective third actuation unit 31 can be associated to each storage element 16 of the same storage and translation unit 15.

[0056] Advantageously, the separate and separate movement of each movement device 17 and each storage element 16 allows the equipment 10 to be very versatile and efficient. For example, if a bar B of very short length needs to be stored and picked up, it is possible to drive only the movement device 17 corresponding to the bar B to be picked up / stored. In particular, the equipment 10 can be equipped with a detection device configured to detect the presence of one of the bars B in contact with the movement device 17.

[0057] According to some embodiments shown in Figures 16 to 22, each moving device 17 together with the respective storage element 16 constitutes a single moving body 47, which is movable to enable a first part of the single moving body corresponding to the moving device 17 to move from a lowered state to an elevated state, possibly through possible intermediate states, and a second part of the single moving body corresponding to the storage element 16 to move from a storage position to a release position, possibly through possible intermediate positions.

[0058] Although the mobile body 47 is, as explained above, physically a single component, in the following reference will be made to a first part as described above corresponding to the mobile device 17 and a second part as described above corresponding to the storage element 16, the first and second parts continuing to be separate and distinct at the functional level, i.e. performing different functions.

[0059] In particular, in the raised state, the first part corresponding to the moving device 17 is inclined upwards relative to the support surface 11 by a rotation angle varying between approximately 30° and approximately 50°, thus allowing access to the respective storage element 16 which is still in the storage position (Figure 19).

[0060] According to some embodiments, when the storage elements 16 are in the release position, each moving device 17 is inclined relative to the support surface 11 by a rotation angle of approximately 180° and, when it reaches a position substantially inverted relative to the lowered state, cooperates with the moving device 17 of the adjacent storage and translation unit 15 to enable the bar B to move over the support surface 11 (Figures 18 and 21).

[0061] For this purpose, the movers 47 of adjacent receiving and translating units 15 need to be offset in the longitudinal direction L relative to one another. According to some embodiments, similar to the examples described in Figures 2 to 15, each accommodating and translating unit 15 includes a first transmission shaft 20 and a second transmission shaft 21, both of which are parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0062] In particular, each moving body 47 has an intermediate pivot portion 48 between a first portion corresponding to the moving device 17 and a second portion corresponding to the receiving element 16, and the moving body 47 is rotatably associated with the respective first transmission shaft 20 with respect to the intermediate pivot portion 48.

[0063] According to some embodiments, each storage element 16 may include a support 50 attached to the frame of the equipment 10, the support 50 being suitable for at least partially supporting the storage element 16 when the storage element 16 is in the storage position as described above, in order to prevent excessive torque being generated in the intermediate pivot portion 48 due to an excessive weight of the bar material B on the storage element 16.

[0064] According to some embodiments, the movers 47 of the same containing and translating unit 15 move in a coordinated manner with respect to one another, for example by means of mechanical or electronic synchronization devices. According to some embodiments, at least one respective first actuation unit 29 configured to actuate the moving device 17 to move the bar B on the support surface 11 and an actuation assembly 49 independent of the actuation unit 29 and provided for rotationally moving the moving body 47 are associated with each accommodation and translation unit 15.

[0065] According to some embodiments, the actuation assembly 49 comprises, for example, a chain mechanism connected about a first end to the first transmission shaft 20 and about a second end opposite the first end to a motor shaft by at least one motor 46. It will be apparent that this is just one possible embodiment of the actuation assembly 49, which may include, for example, a hydraulic lifting device, a worm screw or other suitable movement device.

[0066] According to some embodiments illustrated in Figures 2-3 and 16-18, each moving device 17 includes a transmission member 25 selectively movable in a closed loop about a return member 26. The transmission members 25 define return segments between return members 26, at least one of which lies on the support surface 11 and is arranged in the direction of movement Z.

[0067] In particular, the return segments contained between the return members 26 may have at least one bearing surface facing outwards and resting on the bearing surface 11 . Each return segment of the transmission member 25 is arranged in contact with a portion of the bar B, thereby causing a distribution and movement of the bar B on at least a portion of the support surface 11 .

[0068] According to some embodiments shown in FIG. 1, between two adjacent movement devices 17 of the same receiving and translating unit 15, a space is formed in which the bar B is not supported. According to another possible embodiment, such spaces may all have the same size.

[0069] According to other possible embodiments, such spaces can have different sizes. According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the transmission member 25 may be selected from the group comprising at least one of the following: a chain, a belt or a cable.

[0070] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 2-3 and 16-18, the transmission member 25 comprises, for example, a roller-type chain. Due to the irregularity of the support surface defined by the links constituting the chain, the selection of the roller chain makes it possible to generate vibrations in the bar B which induce an even distribution of the bar B on the support surface 11, i.e. on a part of the support surface 11.

[0071] The return member 26 may include at least one of a wheel, a pulley, or a toothed crown suitable for wrapping the transmission member 25 around the return member 26 . According to a possible solution, the return member 26 comprises a toothed crown in which the links of the roller chain mesh (FIG. 3). In this embodiment, it is ensured that no mutual sliding occurs between the return member 26 and the transmission member 25.

[0072] According to a possible embodiment, the receiving and translating unit 15 is suitable for receiving different types of bars B, for example of different sizes, different lengths, different types of material, respectively.

[0073] For example, according to some embodiments shown in Figures 2-3 and 16-18, each storage element 16 has a concave shape with an upwardly open concave surface to receive the bar B in cooperation with the other storage elements 16.

[0074] Each receiving element 16 may be provided with a housing seat 32 suitable for supporting a portion of the bar B, which is open upwards during use. In particular, each housing seat 32 partially supports the bar B such that the bar B is supported discontinuously, but substantially along its entire length.

[0075] According to some embodiments illustrated in Figures 2-3, each housing seat 32 is substantially U-shaped. According to some embodiments shown in Figures 16 to 18, each housing seat 32 is substantially L-shaped with a slightly curved upward terminal end so as to accommodate the bar B even in a partially rotated state.

[0076] The storage elements 16 of the same storage and translation unit 15 are positioned at the same height so that each housing seat 32 defines a discontinuous housing surface P supporting the stored bar B (Figures 1 to 3 and 16 to 18).

[0077] 2-3 and 16-18 in particular, when the storage element 16 of the same storage and translation unit 15 is in the storage position as described above, the housing seat 32 is below the support surface 11 and the housing plane P is substantially parallel to the support surface 11. When the storage element 16 of the same storage and translation unit 15 is in the discharge position as described above, the housing seat 32 is above the support surface 11 and the housing plane P is substantially inclined relative to the support surface 11 in order to allow the bar to be loaded onto and unloaded from the support surface 11.

[0078] According to some embodiments, the transfer device 18 comprises a support structure 19 on which the bar B is placed and at least one lifting unit 36 ​​associated with the support structure 19 so that the support structure 19 can be moved from a first position to a second position and vice versa.

[0079] According to some embodiments shown in FIG. 4, at least one lifting unit 36 ​​is equipped with a pantograph mechanism enabling it to be transitioned from a first position to a second position or vice versa as described above, the rotational movement defining a partial translation of the support structure 19 in the movement direction Z.

[0080] In this way, the bars B are placed on the support structure 19 and can then be moved by the moving unit 14 towards the receiving and translating unit 15 or towards the bar feed end 13. For example, when a large number of bars B are placed on the support surface 11, it is advantageous to lower the bars B in the direction of the receiving and translating unit 15 in order to prevent the bars B from falling off the support surface 11 corresponding to the bar feed end 13.

[0081] According to some embodiments, the movement unit 14 comprises an auxiliary movement device 38 arranged corresponding to the bar feed area 12 between the bar feed end 13 and the movement device 17 of the first receiving and translating unit 15. In particular, the auxiliary movement device 38 is configured to move the bar B from the bar feed area 12 towards the receiving and translating unit 15 or vice versa and further from the bar feed area 12 towards the bar feed end 13.

[0082] Advantageously, the auxiliary moving device 38 can have an extension in the moving direction Z that is suitable for enabling the loading and unloading of the bar B accommodated in the nearest storage unit 15 and for enabling the unloading of the bar B into the storage unit 15.

[0083] According to a possible solution, the auxiliary movement device 38 can have the same shape and the same features as the movement device 17 described above. According to some embodiments shown in FIG. 5, the at least one lifting unit 36 ​​comprises a vertical translation mechanism configured to move the support structure 19 in a vertical direction incident on and perpendicular to the support plane 11 between the above-mentioned first and second positions or vice versa.

[0084] According to possible solutions, the translation mechanism can be selected from the group including: a jack, a linear actuator, a sliding guide, a chain mechanism, a rack or worm screw mechanism, etc. According to some embodiments, the support structure 19 is defined by support elements 37 aligned in succession in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction Z and at a position offset with respect to the moving unit 14 (FIG. 1). In this way, there is no interaction with the transport device 18 between the moving unit 14 and the support surface 11 in the transition from the first position to the second position.

[0085] According to a possible embodiment, each of the support elements 37 is associated with a respective lifting unit 36, the lifting units 36 being synchronized with one another to enable simultaneous transition of the support elements 37 of the support structure 19 from the first position to the second position or vice versa.

[0086] According to a possible solution not shown, the support structure 19 can include or be defined by transport rollers configured to support the bar B and move it laterally as described above.

[0087] The embodiments described herein also relate to a method of feeding a bar B to one or more user machines, providing for moving the bar B on a support surface in a movement direction Z from and towards a bar feed area by a movement unit 14.

[0088] According to one aspect of the present invention, the method provides for moving a transfer device 18 supporting a bar B corresponding to a bar feed area from a first position above the support surface 11 for supporting the bar B to a second position below the support surface corresponding to the bar feed area 12 for placing the bar B on the support surface.

[0089] The moving unit 14 moves the bar B placed on the support surface 11 by the transport device 18 from the bar feed area 12 towards the storage and translation unit, or vice versa, and further from the bar feed area 12 to the bar supply end 13, the storage and translation units being arranged adjacent to one another in the movement direction Z and configured to store and make available the bar B in each case.

[0090] With reference to Figures 6 to 11, possible operating sequences of the functions of the apparatus 10 of Figure 1 are shown, in which the moving device 17 and the respective receiving elements 16 are distinct and separated from each other.

[0091] When a length of bar B needs to be supplied to one or more user machines and / or when a particular length of bar B needs to be stored, such bar B is moved transversely to the movement direction Z by the transport device 18 in the first part as described above, so that at the end of the movement the bar B is substantially parallel to the bar supply end 13 and aligned in the movement direction Z with the storage and translation unit 15 (Figure 1).

[0092] Subsequently, the transfer device 18 is moved from the first position to the second position by at least one lifting unit 36, and the bar B supported by the transfer device 18 is transferred by interference onto the support surface 11, in particular onto the auxiliary transfer device 38 (Figure 2).

[0093] The bar B that has just been unloaded onto the support surface 11 can, in the first case, be transferred directly to a user machine 200 located downstream for subsequent operations (Figures 6 to 8), or, in the second case, the bar B can be stored in one or more storage and translation units (Figures 9 to 11).

[0094] In the first case, the bars B are moved by the auxiliary movement device 38 towards the bar feed end 13, dropped and / or picked up from there and placed on the feed surface of the user machine 200 (FIG. 7). If possible, the bars B can be counted automatically when a precise number of bars B needs to be fed, corresponding to the bar feed end 13.

[0095] In the second case, the bars B are moved in the movement direction Z towards the other longitudinal end, first by the auxiliary movement device 38 and then by the movement device 17 arranged upstream of the receiving and translating unit 15 used for storage. The movement device 17 is in the raised state (figure 9). The movement device 17 arranged in the lowered position distributes the bars B evenly on the support surface 11 and moves them in the movement direction Z until they fall into the receiving element 16 (figure 10). At the same time, the transport device 18 returns to the first position in order to move and support another group of bars B, which may have other characteristics.

[0096] Once the movement of the bar B has been completed, it is placed in the storage element 16, in particular in the housing seat 32 of the storage element 16, while waiting to be moved for use at a later stage. Once such movement is completed, the movement device 17 of the storage and translation unit 15 used for storing the bar B is moved from the raised state (Figure 10) to the lowered state (Figure 11).

[0097] 12 to 15, another possible operating sequence of the functions of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is shown, in which the moving device 17 and the respective receiving element 16 are distinct and separated from each other.

[0098] When a user machine 200 arranged downstream of the equipment 10 requires the supply of a certain number of bars B arranged on a particular storage and translation unit 15, the corresponding movement device 17 is moved from the lowered state to the raised state (FIG. 12), thereby allowing access to each storage element 16 and the transfer device 18 is arranged in the second position as described above. The storage element 16 is moved to the discharge state as described above in order to allow the bars B accommodated therein to be unloaded onto the support surface 11, in particular onto the upstream planar part of the storage and translation unit 15. At the same time, the movement device 17 of the storage and translation unit 15 upstream of the storage and translation unit 15 used for picking up, or possibly the auxiliary movement device 38, is driven to move the bars B towards the bar feed end 13, from which they are dropped and / or picked up so as to be arranged on the feed surface of the user machine 200 (FIG. 13).

[0099] When the loading and unloading of the bars B onto the support surface 11 is completed, the storage elements 16 are moved from the release state to the storage state, and each of the moving devices 17 is moved from the raised state to the lowered state (FIGS. 14 and 15).

[0100] 19 to 22, possible operating procedures of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 are shown, in which the moving device 17 and the respective receiving elements 16 define respective moving bodies 47 as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18.

[0101] With particular reference to Figures 19-20, a possible operating sequence for storing a certain number of bars B in the receiving and translating unit 15 is shown. The bar B moved by the transport device 18 and thereby arranged on the support surface 11 in the aforementioned manner is moved towards the storage and translation unit 15 by the movement device 17 of the storage and translation unit 15 which is upstream of the storage and translation unit 15 for storage. In particular, a first part corresponding to the movement device 17 of the storage and translation unit 15 used for storage is inclined upwards with respect to the support surface 11 by a rotation angle of about 45° allowing access to the respective storage element 16. The respective storage element 16 is rotated but still in the storage position for receiving the bar B (Figure 19).

[0102] Once the movement of the bar B has been completed, it is placed in the housing seat 32 of the storage element 16 while waiting to be moved for use at a later stage. Once the step of storing the bar B is completed, the movement device 17 of the storage and translation unit 15 used for storing the bar B is moved from the raised state to the lowered state (Figure 20).

[0103] 21-22, a possible operating sequence is shown for feeding a certain number of bars B, contained in the storage and translation unit 15, to the support surface 11 and subsequently towards a user machine 200 located downstream.

[0104] The moving body 47 of the receiving and translating unit 15 receiving the bar B to be processed is rotated so that the receiving element 16 is in the discharge position as described above and the respective moving device 17 is rotated 180° relative to the parallel and coplanar support surface 11.

[0105] Once the loading and unloading of the bar B onto the support surface 11 is completed, the moving body 47 rotates in the opposite direction and each moving device 17 is moved to a lowered state until each storage element 16 is returned to its storage position as described above.

[0106] The moving device 17 then cooperates with the moving device 17 of the receiving and translating unit 15 arranged upstream so that the bar B can be moved on the support surface 11 towards the bar feed end 13 (Figure 22).

[0107] It will be apparent that modifications and / or additions of components or steps may be made to the apparatus and method for feeding bar stock as hereinbefore described without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0108] Although the invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, it is also clear that a person skilled in the art can certainly realise many other equivalent forms of devices and methods for feeding bar stock having the characteristics as set out in the claims, all therefore falling within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0109] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the reference signs placed in parentheses is to facilitate interpretation; they should not be considered as a limiting factor with regard to the field of protection claimed in a particular claim.

Claims

1. A device for feeding a bar stock (B) to one or more user machines arranged downstream, the device comprising a support surface (11) and a bar stock feed area (12) arranged adjacent to one bar stock supply end (13) of the support surface (11), the support surface (11) comprising a unit (14) for moving the bar stock (B) in a movement direction (Z) from and towards the bar stock feed area (12), the device further comprising: a transfer device (18) arranged corresponding to the bar feed area (12), the transfer device (18) being configured to move from a first position above the support surface (11) for supporting and / or moving the bar (B) in a direction transverse to the movement direction (Z) to a second position below the support surface (11) for placing the bar (B) on the support surface (11) corresponding to the bar feed area (12); a plurality of receiving and translating units (15) arranged adjacent to one another in the direction of movement (Z), each configured to receive and make available a bar (B), the moving unit (14) is configured to move the bar (B) from the bar feed area (12) towards the receiving and translating unit (15) or vice versa and further from the bar feed area (12) to the bar supply end (13), Each storage and translation unit (15) comprises: at least two receiving elements (16) aligned at a distance in a longitudinal direction (L) transverse to the direction of movement (Z), said receiving elements (16) being coordinated with one another and selectively movable so as to move from at least a receiving position, positioned below the support surface (11) and suitable for supporting a bundle of rods (B), to at least a discharge position, positioned above the support surface (11), for discharging the rods (B) onto the support surface (11); and at least two movement devices (17) associated with said storage elements (16) and aligned in the longitudinal direction (L), said movement devices (17) being substantially parallel to the support surface (11) and cooperating with one another such that said movement devices (17) move from at least a lowered state allowing the movement of the bar (B) to at least an elevated state in which said movement devices (17) rise to allow access to each of said storage elements (16).

2. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer device (18) comprises a support structure (19) on which the bar (B) is placed and at least one lifting unit (36) associated with the support structure (19) to enable the transition of the support structure (19) from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

3. 3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one lifting unit (36) comprises a pantograph mechanism enabling the transition from the first position to the second position and vice versa, a rotational movement defining a partial translation of the support structure (19) in the direction of movement (Z).

4. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one lifting unit (36) comprises a vertical translation mechanism configured to move the support structure (19) in a vertical direction incident on and perpendicular to the support surface (11) between the first position and the second position or vice versa.

5. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the support structure (19) is defined by support elements (37) arranged in succession in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement (Z) and offset relative to the movement unit (14).

6. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that a respective lifting unit (36) is associated with each of the support elements (37), said lifting units (36) being synchronized with one another to allow simultaneous transition of the support elements (37) of the support structure (19) from the first position to the second position or vice versa.

7. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the moving device (17) is separate from the respective storage element (16) and that the moving device (17) is movable independently from the respective storage element (16) for independently transitioning from the lowered state to the raised state and from the storage position to the discharge position, possibly through respective intermediate states and positions.

8. 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that each accommodation and translation unit (15) comprises a first transmission shaft (20) and a second transmission shaft (21) parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) and facing each other, and the movement device (17) and the accommodation element (16) are associated with the first transmission shaft (20) and with the second transmission shaft (21), respectively.

9. each moving device (17) having a first end (18) pivotally mounted on said first transmission shaft (20), said moving device (17) being adapted to rotate relative to said first end (18) so as to transition from said lowered state to said raised state and vice versa; 9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that each storage element (16) has a rotating part (34) rotatably attached to the second transmission shaft (21), with respect to which each storage element (16) is configured to rotate in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the moving device (17) from the storage position to the release position or vice versa.

10. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, associated with each storage and translation unit (15) are at least one respective first actuation unit (29) configured to actuate the movement device (17) in order to move the bar (B) on the support surface (11), at least one respective second actuation unit (30) provided for enabling the transition of the movement device (17) from the lowered state to the raised state or vice versa, and at least one respective third actuation unit (31) provided for enabling the transition of the storage element (16) from the storage position to the release position or vice versa.

11. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one first actuation unit (29), second actuation unit (30) and third actuation unit (31), respectively, can be selectively activated / deactivated independently of one another.

12. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that each moving device (17) together with the respective storage element (16) constitutes a single moving body (47) which is movable to enable a first part of the single moving body (47) corresponding to the moving device (17) to move from the lowered state to the raised state through possibly possible intermediate states, and a second part of the single moving body (47) corresponding to the storage element (16) to move from the storage position to the release position through possibly possible intermediate positions.

13. Each receiving and translating unit (15) includes at least one first transmission shaft (20) parallel to the longitudinal direction (L); 13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the moving body (47) has an intermediate pivot part (48) between the first part corresponding to the moving device (17) and the second part corresponding to the storage element (16), with which the moving body (47) is rotatably associated.

14. 14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, associated with each accommodation and translation unit (15) is at least one respective first actuation unit (29) configured to actuate the movement device (17) for moving the bar (B) on the support surface (11) and an actuation assembly (49) independent of the first actuation unit (29) and provided for rotationally moving the moving body (47).

15. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the lowered state, at least the movement devices (17) of all the receiving and translating units (15) define the movement unit (14).

16. 1. A method for feeding a bar (B) to one or more user machines, the method providing for the movement of the bar (B) on a support surface (11) in a movement direction (Z) from and towards a bar feed area (12) by a movement unit (14), Method, characterized in that it uses a device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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