US3601134A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic and manual plating machine
Assignee: CLINTON SUPPLY Co
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Filing: 1968-04-29
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1988-04-29
Abstract
Abstract An electroplating machine adapted to move parts to be plated through one or more timed process steps sequentially or intermittently with either manual or automatic control as desired. In one embodiment, means are provided to sequentially engage, lift, convey, lower and release one or more baskets of parts to be plated through a series of metal preparation and electroplating baths. A longitudinally reciprocable carriage characterized by having a remotely controlled hoist, a cradle operated by the hoist to engage and disengage the parts baskets, which have means adapted to be engaged by the carriage and also alignment means for placing the baskets into their proper position in each treating tank. A control panel is also provided whereby the electroplater controls the machine through a series of manually operated switches or as desired can place the machine on fully automatic and closely timed operation. Included in the electrical control system are means to actuate the various timed movements of the hoist through a punched tape for completely controlled programmed and automatic operation so that each motion or cycle or combination is precisely repeated to insure uniform operation and results. Means are provided to sense the presence of a basket in a treating tank so that the hoist cannot place one basket on the top of another, to provide automatic shut-off or safety features in the system and to prevent undue wear of parts.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Benjamin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:52
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G49/00; B65G49/02; B65G49/04; B65G49/0409; B65G49/0436; B65G49/044; B65G49/045; B65G49/0454; B65G49/0459
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
A material handling system adapted to sequentially convey a container holding said material along a series of process stations comprising: a. track means extending along and above said stations; b. a trolley frame adapted to roll along said track means, in spaced relationship with said stations; c. a first motor means to move said trolley frame in forward and reverse directions along said track means; d. a carriage slidably supported on a substantially vertical axis within said trolley frame and over said stations; E. a second motor means to reciprocate said carriage within said trolley frame; F. means on said carriage to engage and disengage said container through vertical and horizontal movements of said carriage; g. means to control said first and second motor means whereby said carriage and engaging means are movable in sequence to engage said container and convey same successively to said stations whereby said material is treated to the process of each station; h. said container comprising a cylindrical housing having a perforated wall and oppositely facing axle means at each end; i. said stations comprising a series of open-topped process tanks containing liquid treating agents and adapted to receive said container therein; j. a hanger member for said container having a pair of bearing collars engaging said axle means and a transverse yoke member across each end; k. said yoke members having journaled ends supporting fixed stub shafts extending substantially parallel to and spaced from the periphery of said housing; and l. said process tanks having means to receive said stub shafts and thereby suspend said cylindrical housing by said hanger member in said tanks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
A material handling system adapted to sequentially convey a container holding said material along a series of process stations comprising: a. track means extending along and above said stations; b. a trolley frame adapted to roll along said track means, in spaced relationship with said stations; c. a first motor means to move said trolley frame in forward and reverse directions along said track means; d. a carriage slidably supported on a substantially vertical axis within said trolley frame and over said stations; E. a second motor means to reciprocate said carriage within said trolley frame; F. means on said carriage to engage and disengage said container through vertical and horizontal movements of said carriage; g. means to control said first and second motor means whereby said carriage and engaging means are movable in sequence to engage said container and convey same successively to said stations whereby said material is treated to the process of each station; h. said container comprising a cylindrical housing having a perforated wall and oppositely facing axle means at each end; i. said stations comprising a series of open-topped process tanks containing liquid treating agents and adapted to receive said container therein; j. a hanger member for said container having a pair of bearing collars engaging said axle means and a transverse yoke member across each end; k. said yoke members having journaled ends supporting fixed stub shafts extending substantially parallel to and spaced from the periphery of said housing; and l. said process tanks having means to receive said stub shafts and thereby suspend said cylindrical housing by said hanger member in said tanks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
110 words
A material handling system in accordance with claim 1 in which: a. said track means comprises a pair of elongated substantially parallel track members supported over and spaced above said stations; b. said stations comprise a series of open-topped process tanks adapted to receive said container; c. said trolley frame includes an upright guide member aligned along the vertical axis of said carriage; and d. roller means between said upright guide member and said carriage whereby said container is movable into and out of said process tanks by said second motor means and is movable in elevated position from one process tank to the other by said first motor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
A material handling device in accordance with Claim 1 in which: a. said first and second motor means comprise air driven motors; b. a source of compressed air connected through conduits to said air driven motors; c. valve means in said conduits to control the forward and reverse motions of said first motor; d. valve means in said conduit to control the reciprocation motions of said second motor; e. said control means including a control circuit for said valve means; f. brush channel contactors in said circuit in operable relationship with a rotating relationship with a rotating constant speed drum; and g. a punched tape carried by said rotating drum in operable relationship with said contactors whereby the sequential movements of said carriage and engaging means are accomplished.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
A matErial handling system in accordance with claim 3 including: a. a forward and reverse limit switch to control the flow of compressed air to said first motor means, and carried by said trolley frame; b. an actuating arm on said forward and reverse limit switch; c. a target member along said track means positioned above each of said tanks and having camming surfaces in the path of said actuating arm; d. said camming surface on said target member being shaped to engage and move said arm to actuate said limit switch in both directions of travel and having a cam length along the path of travel proportioned to the stopping distance of said air motor from each direction whereby said trolley frame is stopped at the same position relative to each process tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A material handling system in accordance with claim 3 including: a. means to control said valve means controlling the reciprocation of said second motor whereby the downward movement of said second motor is slowed during the placement of said cylindrical housings in said tanks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A material handling system in accordance with claim 1 in which: a. said first motor means comprises an air motor connected to a chain lift attached to said carriage; b. said carriage comprises a horizontal support beam affixed at substantially its midpoint to said chain lift; c. cross members on the ends of said support beam; d. vertically spaced roller guides on the ends of said cross members engaging said trolley frame; and e. a downward depending catch member with a lateral offset on said cross member, said offset being adapted to engage said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A material handling system in accordance with claim 6, in which: a. said container comprises a housing rotatably mounted in a hanger member; b. said hanger member has a pair of upstanding offset hook members; c. said cross member has a pair of downwardly depending catch members movable to a position immediately below said offset hook members in engaging same whereby said container is suspended for movement by said motor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A material handling system in accordance with claim 7 in which: a. said hook members and catch members have opposed flat engaging surfaces to prevent pendulation of said container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
A material handling system in accordance with claim 6: a. said trolley frame has a pair of upright guide members at each end adjacent said hanger member, said guide members being spaced and outwardly tapered at the bottom from each other in the path of said hanger member to align said fixed stub shafts on said means to receive same upon said tanks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
153 words
A material handling system in accordance with claim 1 including: a. a movable conveyor means adjacent the last treating tank at a receiving station and adapted to remove said container at the completion of a treating cycle; b. a pair of microswitches on said trolley frame, one being normally open and controlling the downward cycle of said second motor means, the other being normally closed and bypassing said first proximity switch; c. a target member on the last of the series of treating tanks in operable relationship with said one microswitch in the downward cycle of said second motor means over said receiving station; d. a second target member on said conveyor means in operable relationship with said second microswitch whereby the downward movement of said carriage by said second motor means over said conveyor is dependent upon the presence of said conveyor means and said second target member at said receiving station.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |