US3604242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transfer and ejection mechanism for forging machine
Assignee: National Machinery Co
•
Filing: 1968-12-18
•
Granted: 1971-09-14
•
Expires: 1988-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A transfer and ejection mechanism for a forging machine is disclosed. The transfer operates through a closed path including a first portion of arcuate movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the die face, a second portion of transfer movement in a substantially straight line to a position adjacent to a subsequent die, and a third portion of arcuate movement inwardly toward the die face and substantially perpendicular thereto. The in and out movement eliminates the need for a precise adjustment of the knockout and rearward positioning of subsequent dies with respect to the preceding dies. The final movement back to the initial position is along a curved path wherein the transfer fingers are raised clear of the tool and return movement is commenced before the tool withdraws from the die. This substantially reduces the dwell required at the delivery position. The ejection mechanism causes rapid ejection to a blank-gripping position, slower ejection during gripping, and subsequent fast ejection to complete the blank ejection. This is particularly important when transferring blanks with short shanks since it provides sufficient time to grip a blank without increasing ejection time.
Inventors
- 👤 Gene E Allebach
- 👤 Richard Edmondson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:35
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21J; B21J13/00; B21J13/08; B21J13/14; B21K; B21K1/00; B21K1/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A forging machine or the like comprising a frame, a die breast having a lateral die face, a die in said die breast, a tool reciprocable in said frame toward and away from said die, gripper means supported on said Frame adapted to grip articles at a gripping position and to transfer such articles to a delivery position adjacent said die, and power means operable to move said gripper means along a predetermined closed path, said closed path including a first portion of movement along a curved path about an axis substantially parallel to said die face at least the first part of which is substantially perpendicular to said die face from said gripping position, a subsequent second portion of lateral movement substantially perpendicular to said first portion of movement along a substantially straight path to a position substantially adjacent to said delivery position, a subsequent third portion of movement along an arcuate path substantially parallel to and in the opposite direction to said first portion at least the last part of which is substantially perpendicular to said die face to said delivery position, and a fourth portion of movement along a path back to said gripping position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A forging machine or the like comprising a frame, a die breast having a lateral die face, a die in said die breast, a tool reciprocable in said frame toward and away from said die, gripper means supported on said Frame adapted to grip articles at a gripping position and to transfer such articles to a delivery position adjacent said die, and power means operable to move said gripper means along a predetermined closed path, said closed path including a first portion of movement along a curved path about an axis substantially parallel to said die face at least the first part of which is substantially perpendicular to said die face from said gripping position, a subsequent second portion of lateral movement substantially perpendicular to said first portion of movement along a substantially straight path to a position substantially adjacent to said delivery position, a subsequent third portion of movement along an arcuate path substantially parallel to and in the opposite direction to said first portion at least the last part of which is substantially perpendicular to said die face to said delivery position, and a fourth portion of movement along a path back to said gripping position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said path of said fourth portion of movement is contained in a plane substantially parallel to a plane containing said path of said second portion of movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said path of said fourth portion of movement is curved.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gripper means includes a pair of elongated gripper fingers adapted to grip a blank therebetween adjacent to one end of said fingers, and said path of said fourth portion of movement initially including lengthwise movement of said fingers in one direction and terminating in movement including lengthwise movement of said fingers in the opposite direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
175 words
A forging machine comprising a frame, a die on said frame having a die face, a cooperating tool movable toward and away from said die, a pair of fingers on said frame operable to close for gripping a blank and operable to open to release a blank, first power means operable to move said fingers between a gripping position in which a blank is gripped and a delivery position in which a blank is positioned adjacent to said die, said tool operating to move a blank from said fingers into said die, said first power means operating to initiate return movement of said fingers from said delivery position toward said gripping position along a curved plane of movement while said tool continues to project through said curved plane, said fingers being opened and moved laterally clear of said tool along an arcuate path about an axis spaced back from the plane of said die face, and said axis being substantially parallel to said plane of said die face during said initiation of said return movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
175 words
A forging machine comprising a frame, a die on said frame having a die face, a cooperating tool movable toward and away from said die, a pair of fingers on said frame operable to close for gripping a blank and operable to open to release a blank, first power means operable to move said fingers between a gripping position in which a blank is gripped and a delivery position in which a blank is positioned adjacent to said die, said tool operating to move a blank from said fingers into said die, said first power means operating to initiate return movement of said fingers from said delivery position toward said gripping position along a curved plane of movement while said tool continues to project through said curved plane, said fingers being opened and moved laterally clear of said tool along an arcuate path about an axis spaced back from the plane of said die face, and said axis being substantially parallel to said plane of said die face during said initiation of said return movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein second power means are provided to move said fingers laterally clear of said tool during said initiation of said return movement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein third power means are provided to open and close said fingers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein fourth power means are operable to move said fingers away from the plane of the face of said die and substantially perpendicular thereto when said fingers commence to move from said gripping position to said delivery position, said fourth power means also operating to move said fingers substantially perpendicular to said plane of said die back towards said die as said fingers approach said delivery position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said power means are all driven in timed relation and said second, third, and fourth power means are all driven by a single camshaft. shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
A forging machine or the like comprising a frame, a die on said frame having a die face, a tool reciprocable toward and away from said die, a first housing pivotally supported said frame for oscillating rotation about a first axis substantially parallel to said die face, a second housing pivotally supported on said first hOusing for oscillating rotation about a second axis spaced from and substantially parallel to said first axis, a transfer bar reciprocably mounted on said second housing, gripper means mounted on said transfer bar operable to grip a blank at a gripping position and to transfer such blank to a delivery position adjacent to said die, and power means operable to oscillate said housings about said first and second axes and reciprocate said bar to move said grippers between said gripping and delivery positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
138 words
A forging machine or the like comprising a frame, a die on said frame having a die face, a tool reciprocable toward and away from said die, a first housing pivotally supported said frame for oscillating rotation about a first axis substantially parallel to said die face, a second housing pivotally supported on said first hOusing for oscillating rotation about a second axis spaced from and substantially parallel to said first axis, a transfer bar reciprocably mounted on said second housing, gripper means mounted on said transfer bar operable to grip a blank at a gripping position and to transfer such blank to a delivery position adjacent to said die, and power means operable to oscillate said housings about said first and second axes and reciprocate said bar to move said grippers between said gripping and delivery positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said gripper means includes a pair of fingers operable to close to grip a blank and operable to open to release a blank, and said power means is connected to open and close said fingers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein said power means includes a camshaft journaled on said frame, and a separate cam driven linkage is operable to provide said oscillating rotation of said housings about said axes and operate said fingers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first housing is rotatable about said first axis to a service position in which the fingers are accessible for service and adjustment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 13 wherein resilient means are supported on said frame, said resilient means being operable to urge said first housing toward a first position, and the associated cam driven linkage operating to oscillate said first housing against the action of said resilient means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 14 wherein said resilient means is pivoted on said frame for pivotal movement about said first axis, and releasable locking means normally maintain said resilient means in an operative position, release of said locking means permitting movement of said first housing to said service position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first axis spaced back from and substantially parallel to said die face and said second axis located substantially in the plane of said die face.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
93 words
A forging machine comprising a frame, a die on said frame, a cooperating tool on said frame reciprocable toward and away from said die, an ejector mechanism operable to eject the blanks from said die, and a transfer operable to grip and transfer blanks ejected from said die, said ejector mechanism operating to eject blanks at a first rate to a gripping position and to thereafter continue ejection at a second rate slower than said first rate, said transfer operating to grip a blank while it is being ejected at said second rate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
93 words
A forging machine comprising a frame, a die on said frame, a cooperating tool on said frame reciprocable toward and away from said die, an ejector mechanism operable to eject the blanks from said die, and a transfer operable to grip and transfer blanks ejected from said die, said ejector mechanism operating to eject blanks at a first rate to a gripping position and to thereafter continue ejection at a second rate slower than said first rate, said transfer operating to grip a blank while it is being ejected at said second rate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 17 wherein said ejector includes a cam drive proportioned to produced said first and second rates of ejection.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 17 wherein said ejector mechanism is operable after a blank is gripped by said transfer to eject such blank at a third rate which is faster than said second rate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
132 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 17 wherein said transfer includes a pair of fingers on said frame operable to close for gripping a blank and operable to open to release a blank, first power means operable to move said fingers between a gripping position in which a blank is gripped and a delivery position in which a blank is positioned adjacent to said die, said tool operating to move a blank from said fingers into said die, said first power means operating to initiate return movement of said fingers from said delivery position toward said gripping position along a plane of movement while said tool continues to project through said plane, said fingers being opened and moved laterally clear of said tool during said initiation of said return movement.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
138 words
A forging machine comprising a frame, a die on said frame having a face contained in a plane, a cooperating tool reciprocable in said frame toward and away from said plane, a first transfer frame pivoted on said frame for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to Said plane on the side thereof opposite said tool, a transfer bar supported by said first transfer frame for reciprocating movement in a direction substantially parallel to said plane, first power means operable to cause oscillating rotation of said first transfer frame about said axis and second power means operable to produce said reciprocating movement of said transfer bar, and a pair of gripper fingers mounted on said transfer bar operable to grip a blank in a first position and to transfer such blank to a position adjacent to said die.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
138 words
A forging machine comprising a frame, a die on said frame having a face contained in a plane, a cooperating tool reciprocable in said frame toward and away from said plane, a first transfer frame pivoted on said frame for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to Said plane on the side thereof opposite said tool, a transfer bar supported by said first transfer frame for reciprocating movement in a direction substantially parallel to said plane, first power means operable to cause oscillating rotation of said first transfer frame about said axis and second power means operable to produce said reciprocating movement of said transfer bar, and a pair of gripper fingers mounted on said transfer bar operable to grip a blank in a first position and to transfer such blank to a position adjacent to said die.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
180 words
A forging machine comprising a frame, a die breast in said frame for supporting a plurality of dies at laterally spaced die stations each having a die face located substantially in a lateral plane, and a transfer assembly operable to progressively transfer workpieces laterally between said die stations, said transfer assembly including a power driven camshaft mounted on said frame for rotation about a first axis extending laterally with respect to said frame and substantially parallel to said plane, a first transfer housing, pivot means supporting said first transfer housing for oscillating rotation about a second axis substantially parallel to said first axis, a transfer slide mounted on said first transfer housing for lateral oscillating movement, a work gripper mounted on said transfer slide operable to grip a workpiece adjacent to one die station and carry it to a position adjacent to another die station, and a cam on said shaft operable to oscillate said first transfer housing and cause movement of said grippers toward and away from said die breast in timed relationship to the operation of said machine.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
180 words
A forging machine comprising a frame, a die breast in said frame for supporting a plurality of dies at laterally spaced die stations each having a die face located substantially in a lateral plane, and a transfer assembly operable to progressively transfer workpieces laterally between said die stations, said transfer assembly including a power driven camshaft mounted on said frame for rotation about a first axis extending laterally with respect to said frame and substantially parallel to said plane, a first transfer housing, pivot means supporting said first transfer housing for oscillating rotation about a second axis substantially parallel to said first axis, a transfer slide mounted on said first transfer housing for lateral oscillating movement, a work gripper mounted on said transfer slide operable to grip a workpiece adjacent to one die station and carry it to a position adjacent to another die station, and a cam on said shaft operable to oscillate said first transfer housing and cause movement of said grippers toward and away from said die breast in timed relationship to the operation of said machine.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 22 wherein said transfer assembly includes a second transfer housing pivotally mounted on said machine for rotation about a third axis substantially parallel to said first and second axes, said pivot means being carried by said second transfer housing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 23 wherein said second and third axes are on opposite sides of said first axis.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
59 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 24 wherein said second transfer housing is pivotable about said third axis from an operative position to a service position, movement of said second transfer housing to said service position moving said first transfer housing and said slide clear of said die breast and also providing improved access to said camshaft.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
62 words
A forging machine as set forth in claim 22 wherein said gripper includes a pair of gripper fingers movable toward and away from each other to grip and release workpieces, and power means including a second cam on said camshaft are provided to operate and control the closing and opening of said fingers in timed relationship to the operation of said machine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |