US3646883A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Punch press with swing-out control panel
Assignee: ROCKFORD IRON WORKS Inc
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Filing: 1970-10-19
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1990-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A control panel is hinged to swing like a door outwardly from the front of the frame away from the ram in order for the setup man or maintenance man to have clear access to all the press, ram, screw, and bed area for repairing or setting up the press, this control panel, for safety reasons, having a main disconnect switch incorporated therein with electric wires running inside the panel and thence through the frame at the hinged end of the panel to a main control box, the entire wired track being fully insulated. This main disconnect switch is opened automatically under spring pressure when the control panel is swung away from the frame when the control panel is swung back and locked in its normal position. In that way all electrical connections and all air connections are disconnected automatically when the panel is swung outwardly, completely eliminating any possible mechanical or electrical mishap befalling the setup man or operator, as the machine is completely immobilized under these conditions. The control panel carries die lights on the inner side thereof for good illumination of the entire bed area to facilitate repairing and setup jobs, the panel serving as a reflector for these lights. A hinged cover plate on the front of the panel facilitates all of the assembling and wiring operations at the outset, besides affording easy access to everything carried in the panel whenever that may become necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Mike A Provi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:56
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B15/00; B30B15/28; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/081; Y10T83/099
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
In a power-operated machine of the character described, comprising a frame, a source of electric current supply, an electric drive motor, a clutch that is electrically controlled for transmitting drive from the motor to a part on the machine to be driven, a control panel mounted on the frame carrying control buttons operable manually to operate switches on the panel connected in circuit with current source and said drive motor and clutch, said panel being hinged to be swingable relative to said frame except when secured detachably by manually operable fastening means in a fixed operative position relative to said frame, and a disconnect switch connected in circuit with said other switches and operable automatically from a closed position to an open position when the control panel is swung from its fixed operative position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a power-operated machine of the character described, comprising a frame, a source of electric current supply, an electric drive motor, a clutch that is electrically controlled for transmitting drive from the motor to a part on the machine to be driven, a control panel mounted on the frame carrying control buttons operable manually to operate switches on the panel connected in circuit with current source and said drive motor and clutch, said panel being hinged to be swingable relative to said frame except when secured detachably by manually operable fastening means in a fixed operative position relative to said frame, and a disconnect switch connected in circuit with said other switches and operable automatically from a closed position to an open position when the control panel is swung from its fixed operative position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control panel when swung from its fixed operative position serves as a light reflector, the machine including lighting means on the inner side of the panel controlled by manually operable switch means independently of the other switches on the control panel and the disconnect switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 including a brake and an electrical solenoid operable air valve connected with air operable means for operating said clutch and brake, said means being controlled by one of the switches operated by the manually operable buttons on the control panel, whereby the brake is set upon disconnection of the disconnect switch when the control panel is swung away from its operative position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hinged control panel includes a hinged front cover plate adapted to be swung outwardly relative to said panel to afford access to the switches and wiring carried on said panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said disconnect switch is carried on said control panel and has a spring-pressed button adapted normally to move outwardly relative to said switch to open position when said panel is swung outwardly relative to said frame, and a projection on said frame registering with and depressing said button to closed position in the fixed operative position of said panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein there is a control box on said frame containing a main power switch and other electrical controls and said control panel has an elongated flexible electrical conduit extending therefrom containing wires extending from the switches on said panel, said conduit extending through the hinge mounting of said panel to said control box for connection of the wires with said main power switch and other controls in concealed insulated relationship to paid panel and frame throughout its length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control panel is of elongated form and extends substantially horizontally across the front of the machine frame and is hinged at one end on a substantially vertical axis and has the fastening means at its other end for securing the same in fixed operative position with the disconnect switch in closed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control panel is of elongated form and extends substantially horizontally across the front of the machine frame and is hinged at one end on a substantially vertical axis and has the fastening means at its other end for securing the same in fixed operative position with the disconnect switch in closed position, the disconnect switch including a spring-pressed button exposed on the rear of said panel intermediate its ends moving rearwardly to open position when the panel is swung forwardly away from the frame, said switch being closed automatically by depression of said button when said panel is returned to its normal fixed position relative to said frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control panel is of elongated form and extends substantially horizontally across the front of the machine frame and is hinged at one end on a substantially vertical axis and has the fastening means at its other end for securing the same in fixed operative position with the disconnect switch in closed position, the disconnect switch including a spring-pressed button exposed on the rear of said panel intermediate its ends moving rearwardly to open position when the panel is swung forwardly away from the frame, said switch being closed automatically by depression of said button when said panel is returned to its normal fixed position relative to said frame, a substantially horizontal projection on said frame registering with and depressing said button in the normal fixed position of said control panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
159 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control panel is of elongated form and extends substantially horizontally across the front of the machine frame and is hinged at one end on a substantially vertical axis and has the fastening means at its other end for securing the same in fixed operative position with the disconnect switch in closed position, the disconnect switch including a spring-pressed button exposed on the rear of said panel intermediate its ends moving rearwardly to open position when the panel is swung forwardly away from the frame, said switch being closed automatically by depression of said button when said panel is returned to its normal fixed position relative to said frame, said panel serving as a light reflector when swung forwardly away from said frame, the machine including electric light means on the back of said panel, and switch means controlling said light means independently of the disconnect switch and other switches.
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) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |