| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for automatically installing in tandem pairs of protective covers to adjacent corners of a rectangular picture frame, to protect the corner during shipment, includes a pair, e.g., right and left of substantially identical corner protector installation mechanisms oriented at ninety degrees with respect to one another and mounted on a supporting frame laterally spaced apart at a distance adjustable to accommodate frames of various widths. Each mechanism has a work table which supports a pair of mutually perpendicular, non-intersecting, vertically disposed, longitudinally elongated guide plates which support on the upper surfaces thereof, near inner diagonally cut transverse vertical end walls of the plates, a clamp support beam member, a lower surface of which define with inner sides of the guide plates and the work table surface a diagonally disposed frame corner entrance opening. Sensors within each of the guide plates, near the inner ends thereof, provide a logic signal which indicates when both adjacent corners of a frame inserted horizontally into the apparatus have been fully inserted into and correctly oriented with respect to the guide plates, output signals from the sensors being logically ANDED to produce a command signal initiating simultaneous automatic operation of both mechanisms. Each mechanism includes a feeder mechanism which loads an individual, pre-cut cardboard preform into position on the work table inwardly of the opening through the guide plates. Also each mechanism includes folder mechanisms including flap folder arms which fit into workable recesses, and which bend a side cover flap and securement flap of a preform into a vertical position adjacent a first side of the frame corner and perpendicularly inwardly to overlie the first frame member, bend a spine flap and right-hand triangular cover flap of the preform into a vertical position adjacent the second frame member, and the right-hand triangular flap perpendicularly inwards from the spine flap to overlie the second and first frame members. An automatic staple gun then inserts a staple downwardly through the right-triangular cover flap into the securement flap and left-hand frame member, securing the corner protector in a folded disposition over the frame corner.
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