EP0141677A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for machine safety
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-11-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-11-07
Abstract
Abstract The present invention discloses both a safety sensing system and a method of providing safety protection for presses, or like industrial machines having a reciprocally movable operating head, ram, tool or beam. The basis of the system is the provision of a first beam (or a plurality of first beams) each of which is placed across and in front of the intended direction of travel of the pressing tool or blade (21). A second beam is arranged in the intended direction of travel and is broken by the tool or blade (21) when the latter has reached a predetermined minimum height above a workpiece (24). A control system is provided which, during the operating stroke of the blade (21) retracts same if any one or more of the first beam(s) are broken but the second beam is not broken. However, once the second beam ist broken the stroke of the blade (21) is completed even if the second beam(s) is or are broken, for example by folding of a pressed workpiece (24). An electronic control system including a central processor unit (31) to implement the above described method and system is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Nevio Filcich
- 👤 Robert Alexander Thomas Owen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16P; F16P3/00; F16P3/12; F16P3/14; F16P3/144; B; B21; B21D; B21D55/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of providing safety protection for machines having a pressing tool (21) reciprocally movable along a path towards and away from a workpiece (24), said method comprising the steps of locating one or more first beams (12-14, 15-16) of electromagnetic radiation adjacent to said path and across the access to said path, locating a second beam (11-13) of electromagnetic radiation in said path a predetermined distance from said workpiece (24), interrupting the movement of said tool (21) towards said workpiece (24) if the first beam, or one of said first beams, is interrupted prior to the interruption of any other beam, but permitting the completion of the movement of said tool (21) towards said workpiece (24) only if said second beam is interrupted prior to the interruption of any other beam.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of providing safety protection for machines having a pressing tool (21) reciprocally movable along a path towards and away from a workpiece (24), said method comprising the steps of locating one or more first beams (12-14, 15-16) of electromagnetic radiation adjacent to said path and across the access to said path, locating a second beam (11-13) of electromagnetic radiation in said path a predetermined distance from said workpiece (24), interrupting the movement of said tool (21) towards said workpiece (24) if the first beam, or one of said first beams, is interrupted prior to the interruption of any other beam, but permitting the completion of the movement of said tool (21) towards said workpiece (24) only if said second beam is interrupted prior to the interruption of any other beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of locating a plurality of said second beams (12-14, 15-16) each parallel to, and spaced apart from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said predetermined distance between said workpiece (24) and said second beam (11-13) is substantially equal to the largest gap between said tool (21) and said workpiece (24) into which the fingers of an operator cannot be inserted.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
46 words
The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein during said completion of the movement of said tool said workpiece (24) is bent and a portion of the bent workpiece interrupts the first beam, or one or more of, said first beams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
208 words
A safety sensing system for use with a machine having a pressing tool (21) reciprocally movable along a path towards and away from a workpiece (24), said system comprising one or more first electromagentic radiation transmitting means (12, 15) and a first electromagnetic radiation receiving means (14, 16) corresponding to each of said first transmitting means located to produce one or more first beams of electromagnetic radiation extending from said first transmitting means (12, 15) to said first receiving means (14, 16) adjacent to said path and across the access to said path; a second electromagnetic radiation transmitting means (11) and a second electromagentic receiving means (13) located to produce a second beam of electromagnetic radiation lying in said path a predetermined distance from said workpiece (24), and a control circuit connected between said machine (19) and said first and second means wherein said control circuit interrupts the movement of said tool (21) towards said workpiece (24) if said first beam, or if at least one of said first beams, is interrupted prior to the interruption of any other beam, but permits the completion of the movement of said tool towards said workpiece only if said second beam is interrupted prior to the interruption of any other beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
208 words
A safety sensing system for use with a machine having a pressing tool (21) reciprocally movable along a path towards and away from a workpiece (24), said system comprising one or more first electromagentic radiation transmitting means (12, 15) and a first electromagnetic radiation receiving means (14, 16) corresponding to each of said first transmitting means located to produce one or more first beams of electromagnetic radiation extending from said first transmitting means (12, 15) to said first receiving means (14, 16) adjacent to said path and across the access to said path; a second electromagnetic radiation transmitting means (11) and a second electromagentic receiving means (13) located to produce a second beam of electromagnetic radiation lying in said path a predetermined distance from said workpiece (24), and a control circuit connected between said machine (19) and said first and second means wherein said control circuit interrupts the movement of said tool (21) towards said workpiece (24) if said first beam, or if at least one of said first beams, is interrupted prior to the interruption of any other beam, but permits the completion of the movement of said tool towards said workpiece only if said second beam is interrupted prior to the interruption of any other beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said predetermined distance between said workpiece and said second beam is substantially equal to the largest gap between said tool and said workpiece into which the fingers of an operator cannot be inserted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein said first beam is, or said first beams are, located in a position through which a portion of said workpiece passes as said workpiece is bent during said completion of the movement of said tool.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
54 words
The system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein said control circuit comprises an inter-connected central processor unit (31), a memory store (36, 37), and a decoder (35, 39); and means (40, 41) to pass signals to, and receive signals from, the operating circuits, known per se, of said machine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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