Patent US3559794A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3559794A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for handling elongated workpieces through a process area
Assignee: TAYLOR WILSON Manufacturing CO
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Filing: 1968-04-23
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Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1988-04-23
Abstract
Abstract An automatic processing line having a conveyor system continuously feeding workpieces to chain sinkers which lower the workpiece into a process area at a slope and raise the workpiece from the process area at a slope and a screw apparatus which removes the workpiece from the chain sinker in the process area and conveys it to a continuous dragout conveyor for removal.
Inventors
- 👤 William M Mcconnell
- 👤 William H Bradley
- 👤 Howard E Chappell
- 👤 George P Whitfield
- 👤 Raymond L Carey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:51
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C2/00; C23C2/34; C23C2/36; C23C2/38; C23C2/385; B; B65; B65G; B65G49/00; B65G49/02; B65G49/04; B65G49/0409; B65G49/0413; B65G49/0418
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
In a processing line for continuously processing elongated workpieces by the lateral movement from a conveying means at a preparation station to a process area for the workpieces and subsequently to conveying means for delivery to a finishing station, the improvement comprising: A. Transfer means at the preparation station for accepting and inclining workpieces; and B. Sinker means adjacent to the transfer means and extending substantially vertically into the process area and having an operable transport means to continuously receive inclined workpieces from the transfer means, and convey the workpieces downwardly into the process area and upwardly for removal from the process area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a processing line for continuously processing elongated workpieces by the lateral movement from a conveying means at a preparation station to a process area for the workpieces and subsequently to conveying means for delivery to a finishing station, the improvement comprising: A. Transfer means at the preparation station for accepting and inclining workpieces; and B. Sinker means adjacent to the transfer means and extending substantially vertically into the process area and having an operable transport means to continuously receive inclined workpieces from the transfer means, and convey the workpieces downwardly into the process area and upwardly for removal from the process area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
141 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sinker means comprises at least two spaced, parallel, and aligned chain assemblies operated in synchronization by a drive means such that when a lower end of the inclined workpiece is received by a dog of one chain assembly, an upper end of the inclined workpiece is simultaneously received by a dog of another chain assembly; the synchronized chain assemblies operating such that the chain transporting the upper end of the workpiece is traveling faster than the chain transporting the lower end so that the workpiece is still inclined when it enters the process area, the inclination being reduced to zero at a lowermost point of travel and the workpiece being resloped during ascent, the workpiece being held in place by traveling compartments formed by a chain, adjacent dogs, and a fixed outer confinement strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a processing line for continuously processing elongated workpieces by the lateral movement from a conveying means at a preparation station to a process area for the workpieces and subsequently to a dragout means for delivery to a finishing station, the improvement comprising: A. Transfer means at the preparation station for accepting and inclining workpieces; B. Sinker means adjacent to the transfer means and extending substantially vertically into the process area and having an operable transport means to continuously receive inclined workpieces from the transfer means, and convey the workpieces downwardly into the process area and upwardly for removal from the process area; and C. Removal means positioned adjacent to the lower end of the sinker means and having a first conveying section extending within the process area to receive a processed workpiece from the transport means and at least a second conveying section extending from the process area to a dragout means for subsequent delivery to a finishing station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a processing line for continuously processing elongated workpieces by the lateral movement from a conveying means at a preparation station to a process area for the workpieces and subsequently to a dragout means for delivery to a finishing station, the improvement comprising: A. Transfer means at the preparation station for accepting and inclining workpieces; B. Sinker means adjacent to the transfer means and extending substantially vertically into the process area and having an operable transport means to continuously receive inclined workpieces from the transfer means, and convey the workpieces downwardly into the process area and upwardly for removal from the process area; and C. Removal means positioned adjacent to the lower end of the sinker means and having a first conveying section extending within the process area to receive a processed workpiece from the transport means and at least a second conveying section extending from the process area to a dragout means for subsequent delivery to a finishing station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sinker means comprises at least two spaced, parallel, and aligned chain assemblies operated in synchronization by a drive means such that when a lower end of the inclined workpiece is received by a dog of one cHain assembly, an upper end of the inclined workpiece is simultaneously received by a dog of another chain assembly; the synchronized chain assemblies operating such that the chain transporting the upper end of the workpiece is traveling faster than the chain transporting the lower end so that the workpiece is still inclined when it enters the process area, the inclination being reduced to zero at a lowermost point of travel and the workpiece being resloped during ascent, the workpiece being held in place by traveling compartments formed by a chain, adjacent dogs, and a fixed outer confinement strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the removal means comprises a least two spaced and aligned, synchronized screw roll assemblies positioned to receive simultaneously an inclined workpiece, each screw roll assembly including at least a first screw roll and a second offset screw roll wherein the first screw roll has at least a first and second flight having a portion of the flights immediately adjacent the sinker means for removing the workpiece from the sinker means and the second screw roll has at least a single flight for receiving workpieces from at least one flight of the first screw roll.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the removal means comprises at least two parallel cradle assemblies each assembly having two parallel reciprocating cradle arms with cradles extending therefrom, said assemblies operated in synchronization such that corresponding cradles of the parallel assemblies receive the workpiece between its ends simultaneously from the sinker means and deliver the workpiece to the dragout means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus in a continuous process line for receiving inclined elongated workpieces and conveying them downwardly into and upwardly from a process area, comprising at least two spaced, parallel and aligned chain assemblies, each chain assembly having sprocket means located at opposite ends of the assembly, a continuous chain extending about the sprocket means, a plurality of spaced separating dogs extending from the continuous chain, and a fixed outer confinement strip suitably mounted from a point of entry of the workpiece and extending to a point of exit of the workpiece; the chain assemblies operated in synchronization by a drive means attached to the sprocket means, whereby the inclined workpiece is received simultaneously by dogs of the chain assemblies; the synchronization being such that a chain transporting an upper end of the workpiece travels faster than a chain transporting a lower end so that the workpiece is still inclined when it enters the process area, the inclination being reduced to zero at a lowermost point of travel and the workpiece being resloped during ascent, the pipe being held in place by traveling compartments formed by the chain, adjacent dogs, and the fixed outer confinement strip.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus in a continuous process line for receiving inclined elongated workpieces and conveying them downwardly into and upwardly from a process area, comprising at least two spaced, parallel and aligned chain assemblies, each chain assembly having sprocket means located at opposite ends of the assembly, a continuous chain extending about the sprocket means, a plurality of spaced separating dogs extending from the continuous chain, and a fixed outer confinement strip suitably mounted from a point of entry of the workpiece and extending to a point of exit of the workpiece; the chain assemblies operated in synchronization by a drive means attached to the sprocket means, whereby the inclined workpiece is received simultaneously by dogs of the chain assemblies; the synchronization being such that a chain transporting an upper end of the workpiece travels faster than a chain transporting a lower end so that the workpiece is still inclined when it enters the process area, the inclination being reduced to zero at a lowermost point of travel and the workpiece being resloped during ascent, the pipe being held in place by traveling compartments formed by the chain, adjacent dogs, and the fixed outer confinement strip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a continuous process line an apparatus for removing elongated workpieces from a sinker means in a process area and for conveying the workpieces to a dragout means, the apparatus comprising a cradle assembly having at least two parallel cradle arms with cradles extending therefrom extending substantially vertical from above the process area into the process area and immediately adjacent the sinker means, the cradle arms being affixed by suitable means to a drive means which imparts a substantially vertical reciprocating motion to the cradles so that as one cradle is being lowered, another cradle is being raised, the cradles positioned so that at a lowest point of travel of a cradle, the workpiece is deflected off the sinker means onto the cradle, the cradle then delivering the workpiece to the dragout means while simultaneously another cradle is being lowered in position to receive a next workpiece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a continuous process line an apparatus for removing elongated workpieces from a sinker means in a process area and for conveying the workpieces to a dragout means, the apparatus comprising a cradle assembly having at least two parallel cradle arms with cradles extending therefrom extending substantially vertical from above the process area into the process area and immediately adjacent the sinker means, the cradle arms being affixed by suitable means to a drive means which imparts a substantially vertical reciprocating motion to the cradles so that as one cradle is being lowered, another cradle is being raised, the cradles positioned so that at a lowest point of travel of a cradle, the workpiece is deflected off the sinker means onto the cradle, the cradle then delivering the workpiece to the dragout means while simultaneously another cradle is being lowered in position to receive a next workpiece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the apparatus comprises at least two parallel cradle assemblies having corresponding cradle arms and cradles operated in synchronization whereby the corresponding cradles of the parallel assemblies simulTaneously receive the workpiece between its ends and deliver the workpiece to the dragout means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus for removing elongated workpieces from sinker means in a process area and for conveying the workpieces to a dragout means, comprising at least two spaced, parallel and aligned screw roll assemblies adjacent a lower end of at least two sinker means; each screw roll assembly including at least a first screw roll and a second offset screw roll wherein the first screw roll has at least one of a straight, conical and curved root and at least a first and second flight having a portion of the flights immediately adjacent the sinker means for removing the workpiece from the sinker means and which will upon receiving the workpiece on the first flight, convey it vertically and laterally to the dragout means and which will upon receiving the workpiece on the second flight convey it to the second screw roll having at least one of a straight, conical and curved root and at least one flight for receiving the workpiece and for also conveying it vertically and laterally to the dragout means; the screw roll assemblies being synchronized to receive simultaneously the workpiece between its ends.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus for removing elongated workpieces from sinker means in a process area and for conveying the workpieces to a dragout means, comprising at least two spaced, parallel and aligned screw roll assemblies adjacent a lower end of at least two sinker means; each screw roll assembly including at least a first screw roll and a second offset screw roll wherein the first screw roll has at least one of a straight, conical and curved root and at least a first and second flight having a portion of the flights immediately adjacent the sinker means for removing the workpiece from the sinker means and which will upon receiving the workpiece on the first flight, convey it vertically and laterally to the dragout means and which will upon receiving the workpiece on the second flight convey it to the second screw roll having at least one of a straight, conical and curved root and at least one flight for receiving the workpiece and for also conveying it vertically and laterally to the dragout means; the screw roll assemblies being synchronized to receive simultaneously the workpiece between its ends.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein apparatus comprises one screw roll assembly whereby the workpiece is received between its ends.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein any pitch along a flight of each screw roll in a given screw roll assembly differs from a respective pitch along a flight of a corresponding screw roll in another screw roll assembly whereby the difference in pitch causes one end of the workpiece to ascend faster than the other end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each screw roll assembly is comprised of a single screw roll having one of a straight, curved and conical root and at least one flight for conveying workpieces both vertically and laterally to a dragout station.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a processing line for treating elongated round workpieces having at least a pair of screw roll assemblies, each assembly having two screw rolls angularly offset from each other, a guide comprising in combination therewith an elongated member having a substantially V-shaped portion throughout its length which is positioned adjacent the angular offset of the screw rolls, said member having sides which form the V-shaped portion, said sides having a curvature to accommodate the round workpieces and forming a pair of guide paths, each guide path formed between a side of the member and a screw roll of each screw roll assembly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a processing line for treating elongated round workpieces having at least a pair of screw roll assemblies, each assembly having two screw rolls angularly offset from each other, a guide comprising in combination therewith an elongated member having a substantially V-shaped portion throughout its length which is positioned adjacent the angular offset of the screw rolls, said member having sides which form the V-shaped portion, said sides having a curvature to accommodate the round workpieces and forming a pair of guide paths, each guide path formed between a side of the member and a screw roll of each screw roll assembly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
The guide apparatus of claim 14 wherein the guide is a series of parallel and substantially vertical, V-shaped plates affixed in spaced-apart relationship to support members of the processing line, said guides having the V-shaped sides adjacent the angular offset of the screw rolls, said guides forming a pair of guide paths between the screw rolls of each pair of screw roll assemblies and the guide sides.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The guide apparatus of claim 15 wherein the guide plates are adjustable by adjusting means to form varying size guide paths for varying size workpieces.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus in a continuous processing line for receiving workpieces and conveying them downwardly into and upwardly from a process area, comprising at least two spaced, parallel, aligned chain assemblies, each chain assembly comprised of an upper sprocket above the process area and two lower sprockets within the process area wherein the three sprockets form the points of a triangle, a continuous chain extending about the sprockets, a plurality of spaced separating dogs extending from the continuous chain and a fixed outer confinement strip extending from a point of entry of the workpieces to a point of exit, whereby the chain, adjacent dogs and confinement strip form traveling compartments for the workpieces, said traveling compartments slanting upward for ease in receiving workpieces on the receiving side of the chain assembly.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus in a continuous processing line for receiving workpieces and conveying them downwardly into and upwardly from a process area, comprising at least two spaced, parallel, aligned chain assemblies, each chain assembly comprised of an upper sprocket above the process area and two lower sprockets within the process area wherein the three sprockets form the points of a triangle, a continuous chain extending about the sprockets, a plurality of spaced separating dogs extending from the continuous chain and a fixed outer confinement strip extending from a point of entry of the workpieces to a point of exit, whereby the chain, adjacent dogs and confinement strip form traveling compartments for the workpieces, said traveling compartments slanting upward for ease in receiving workpieces on the receiving side of the chain assembly.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the sprocKets of each assembly form the points of a right triangle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the chains of the chain assemblies travel at different speeds in synchronization to alter the inclination of the workpiece during movement into and out of the process area.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
113 words
A continuous method of consecutively handling a plurality of elongated workpieces into, through and out of a process area wherein the first workpiece in the process area is the first workpiece out of the process area and successive workpieces can be handled in the same manner and simultaneously with preceding workpieces comprising: A. Receiving at a position adjacent the process area a first workpiece inclined from the horizontal; B. Lowering the inclined workpiece into the process area while simultaneously reducing the inclination; C. Leveling the workpiece to a horizontal position at a lowermost point of travel in the process area; and D. Removing the workpiece from the process area while simultaneously reinclining it.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
113 words
A continuous method of consecutively handling a plurality of elongated workpieces into, through and out of a process area wherein the first workpiece in the process area is the first workpiece out of the process area and successive workpieces can be handled in the same manner and simultaneously with preceding workpieces comprising: A. Receiving at a position adjacent the process area a first workpiece inclined from the horizontal; B. Lowering the inclined workpiece into the process area while simultaneously reducing the inclination; C. Leveling the workpiece to a horizontal position at a lowermost point of travel in the process area; and D. Removing the workpiece from the process area while simultaneously reinclining it.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the workpieces with respect to each other are handled through the process area in parallel and longitudinal relationship thusly eliminating substantially all endwise movement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |