US3633442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reversible indexing mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-02
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-03-02
Abstract
Abstract Rotary index table is provided with uniformly arcuately separated sequence of dependent drive pins located on theoretical circle radiused from center of table. Table is rotated stepwise by timed intermittent advance of successive pins by electric motor driving the present alternating drive and lock mechanism. Succession of (nonconsecutive) pins alternately have (for example) No. 1 pin advanced an arcuate segment (thereby turning table by this amount), then No. 3 pin held during dwell period, then No. 2 pin advanced a like segment, then No. 4 pin held, etc. Pin-engaging mechanism underlying table top comprises (a) constantly rotating motor-driven arm radiused from outside circle of pins with its distal end inscribing an arc thereacross, the arm pivotally, distally carrying an open top, open-ended channel wherein (each successive) No. 1 pin is received, moves reciprocably lengthwise to the channel due to the movement of the laterally embracing channel walls, and then emerges from the same end of the channel, during the course of a fractional rotation of the drive arm. During remainder of arm''s continuous rotation, linkage connected to rotary arm and comprising (b) bellcrank, fulcrumed at point outside of circle of drive pins, terminally carries arcuate open top channel in which it receives No. 3 pin in the channel; by rocking or reciprocable movement of the arcuate channel, it locks the pin and table against movement during dwell period. Upon release of No. 3 pin from mouth of arcuate, bellcrank channel, the rotating drive arm immediately picks up (next) No. 2 pin in its pivoted straight channel, in repetitive sequence. Direction of table movement is reversible by reversing the motor. Additionally, by means of another bellcrankactivated lifting arm and cam drive from the same drive shaft which carries the radial arm, a central toolplate or platform may be raised and lowered synchronously with each arcuate advance of the table, the timing of which is adjustable simply by rotating the cam.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifford L Stoen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:12
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q16/00; B23Q16/02; B23Q16/04; B23Q16/06; B23Q16/065; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/14; Y10T74/1418; Y10T74/1424; Y10T74/1453; Y10T74/1482; Y10T74/1494
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
Intermittent drive and lock mechanism for stepwise rotation of a rotary table and the like, comprising in combination: a series of contact elements arcuately spaced apart equidistant along a theoretical circle of a support structure such as a rotary table; two radial arms each pivoted off center to said circle upon a member which is stationary relative to said support structure, each of which radial arms distally carries a guide element adapted for movingly engaging a different one of said contact elements in alternate sequence, the first of which radial arms functions as a primary drive element for said mechanism including driving the second radial arm, and is continuously rotatable so as to rotate said support structure a step at a time by propulsion effected only during intermittent engagement between its guide element and successive contact elements, which engagement occurs during arcuate travel of the distal end of the first arm between ends of a segment of the theoretical circle of contact elements which ends are thus transected by its distal guide element; and linkage means connecting the two radial arms and adapted during the remainder of travel of said first radial arm to effect oscillating movement of the second radial arm, during which travel the guide element of the second radial arm is in moving engagement with another of said circle of contact elements, thereby to lockingly restrain said last contact element and the support structure during such moving engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
Intermittent drive and lock mechanism for stepwise rotation of a rotary table and the like, comprising in combination: a series of contact elements arcuately spaced apart equidistant along a theoretical circle of a support structure such as a rotary table; two radial arms each pivoted off center to said circle upon a member which is stationary relative to said support structure, each of which radial arms distally carries a guide element adapted for movingly engaging a different one of said contact elements in alternate sequence, the first of which radial arms functions as a primary drive element for said mechanism including driving the second radial arm, and is continuously rotatable so as to rotate said support structure a step at a time by propulsion effected only during intermittent engagement between its guide element and successive contact elements, which engagement occurs during arcuate travel of the distal end of the first arm between ends of a segment of the theoretical circle of contact elements which ends are thus transected by its distal guide element; and linkage means connecting the two radial arms and adapted during the remainder of travel of said first radial arm to effect oscillating movement of the second radial arm, during which travel the guide element of the second radial arm is in moving engagement with another of said circle of contact elements, thereby to lockingly restrain said last contact element and the support structure during such moving engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The mechanism of the preceding claim 1 wherein at least said first radial arm is pivoted outside the circle of contact elements so as to enable its guide element to follow an oppositely bowed arc which transects both ends of a segment of said circle of contact elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The mechanism of the preceding claim 2 wherein the guide element of said first radial arm consists of a straight channel pivotally carried by said first radial arm, and the guide element of the second radial arm consists of an arcuate channel fixedly carried by said second radial arm, each of said channels being adapted to receive successive ones of said contact elements movable therealong.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mechanism of the preceding claim 1 which additionally includes vertically reciprocable means jointly operable with said primary drive element in correlation with the stepwise rotation of said support structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
149 words
For operative combination with a rotary table having a generally annular series of uniformly separated contact elements adapted to move the table in an annular path by propulsion of successive contact elements: an intermittent table driving and locking mechanism including continuously rotatable drive means, pivotally carrying adjacent its periphery, a longitudinal guide element disposed for propulsive engagement with successive contact elements during a segmental portion only of each revolution of the drive means, and acting by reciprocable lengthwise movement of the contact element therealong during said segmental movement of the drive means, whereby the rotary table is advanced a step; and linkage and leverage means coupled to said drive means and responsive upon further rotation of said drive means following said segmental movement, to restrain said rotary table by effecting oscillating contact generally transverse to said annular series of contact elements, with a subsequent contact element of said series.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
149 words
For operative combination with a rotary table having a generally annular series of uniformly separated contact elements adapted to move the table in an annular path by propulsion of successive contact elements: an intermittent table driving and locking mechanism including continuously rotatable drive means, pivotally carrying adjacent its periphery, a longitudinal guide element disposed for propulsive engagement with successive contact elements during a segmental portion only of each revolution of the drive means, and acting by reciprocable lengthwise movement of the contact element therealong during said segmental movement of the drive means, whereby the rotary table is advanced a step; and linkage and leverage means coupled to said drive means and responsive upon further rotation of said drive means following said segmental movement, to restrain said rotary table by effecting oscillating contact generally transverse to said annular series of contact elements, with a subsequent contact element of said series.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The mechanism of the preceding claim 5 wherein said linkage and leverage means comprise a bellcrank, one end of which is disposable in table-restraining contact with successive contact elements, and an intermediate link pivotally connecting the other end of the bellcrank with said drive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mechanism of the preceding claim 5 in combination with a rotary table having a generally annular series of dependent, freely rotatable contact elements which are successively engageable by said mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism of the preceding claim 5 wherein said linkage and leverage means includes a generally arcuate guideway disposed at the contact end of said bellcrank for oscillating contact with successive ones of said contact elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mechanism of the preceding claim 5 in combination with a rotary table having a central platform and means for vertically reciprocating same synchronously with stepwise movement of the table effected by said continuously rotatable drive means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mechanism of the preceding claim 3 wherein said circle of contact elements is formed by freely rotatable drive pins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mechanism of the preceding claim 4 which includes means for selectively varying the sequence of vertically reciprocable movement, in correlation with stepwise rotation of said support structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mechanism of the preceding claim 4 which includes bellcrank means having one arm coupled to said vertically reciprocable means, and throw rod means coupled to another arm of said bellcrank means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
153 words
A mechanism for stepwise movement of a support surface and the like, which surface is characterized by a progression of contact elements spaced apart at intervals corresponding to pauses along a line of travel of the support surface, said mechanism comprising in combination: an oscillating arm with one end pivotally mounted on a fixed support and its other end disposed intermittently to swingingly contact and move arcuately along a thus-engaged contact element, thereby to restrain forward movement of said surface during a dwell period; a continuously rotatable drive arm having its distal end disposed during a portion of its rotation to operatively pushingly engage a successive contact element to move said surface along the line of travel following a dwell period; and linkage means connecting both said arms and adapted to synchronize their alternate engagement of successive contact elements respectively durinG dwell and travel periods concerned with continuous rotation of said drive arm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
153 words
A mechanism for stepwise movement of a support surface and the like, which surface is characterized by a progression of contact elements spaced apart at intervals corresponding to pauses along a line of travel of the support surface, said mechanism comprising in combination: an oscillating arm with one end pivotally mounted on a fixed support and its other end disposed intermittently to swingingly contact and move arcuately along a thus-engaged contact element, thereby to restrain forward movement of said surface during a dwell period; a continuously rotatable drive arm having its distal end disposed during a portion of its rotation to operatively pushingly engage a successive contact element to move said surface along the line of travel following a dwell period; and linkage means connecting both said arms and adapted to synchronize their alternate engagement of successive contact elements respectively durinG dwell and travel periods concerned with continuous rotation of said drive arm.
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) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |