Patent US3668772A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3668772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated system including indexing mechanism
Assignee: IMP Manufacturing and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1969-12-22
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1989-12-22
Abstract
Abstract An indexing system including an indexing table and a press unit is disclosed in which a device is provided to prevent substantial forces from being applied to the table support bearings. In a first embodiment, a coupling arm is connected to a press tool support unit which floats radially relative to the indexing table and is positioned to provide contact between the indexing table and the floating press. The indexing table is provided with a bearing surface normal to the direction of the force applied by the press at a location adjacent to the point where the press contacts the work piece secured to the table. The coupling arm bears against the table bearing surface so that the force applied to the outer edge of the indexing table by the press is returned directly to the tool support to minimize the force applied to the table support bearing. In a second embodiment, a pair of jaws are provided on the press tool support unit which are closed behind a mating surface on the work piece to transmit the reaction force directly between the work piece and the press unit and to prevent any of the reaction force from being applied to the table structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank J Fink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:46
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q39/00; B23Q39/04; B23Q39/042; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5124; Y10T29/5127; Y10T29/513; Y10T29/5196; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/30868; Y10T409/308792
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
An indexing table comprising a frame, a table journaled on spaced bearings in said frame for step-by-step rotation about an axis, a plurality of work holders mounted on said table around said axis, a plurality of work piece processing devices mounted on said frame at work stations, said step-by-step rotation of said table progressively positioning a work piece at said work stations for progressive working of such work piece, at least one of said processing devices at one of said work stations causing a working force in a predetermined direction to be applied to the work holder at one work station, said one procEssing device being mounted on said frame for limited movement along a path in said predetermined direction, said one processing device being provided with a first bearing surface extending substantially perpendicular to said one direction, and a second bearing surface carried by said table associated with each work holder positioned so that a second bearing surface engages said first bearing surface when its associated tool holder is at said one work station, the interengagement between said first and second bearing surfaces supporting a substantial portion of the reaction force resulting from said working force and thereby preventing a substantial portion of said reaction force from being transmitted to said spaced bearings, said interengagement between said first and second bearing surfaces determining the position of said processing device along said path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
An indexing table comprising a frame, a table journaled on spaced bearings in said frame for step-by-step rotation about an axis, a plurality of work holders mounted on said table around said axis, a plurality of work piece processing devices mounted on said frame at work stations, said step-by-step rotation of said table progressively positioning a work piece at said work stations for progressive working of such work piece, at least one of said processing devices at one of said work stations causing a working force in a predetermined direction to be applied to the work holder at one work station, said one procEssing device being mounted on said frame for limited movement along a path in said predetermined direction, said one processing device being provided with a first bearing surface extending substantially perpendicular to said one direction, and a second bearing surface carried by said table associated with each work holder positioned so that a second bearing surface engages said first bearing surface when its associated tool holder is at said one work station, the interengagement between said first and second bearing surfaces supporting a substantial portion of the reaction force resulting from said working force and thereby preventing a substantial portion of said reaction force from being transmitted to said spaced bearings, said interengagement between said first and second bearing surfaces determining the position of said processing device along said path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An indexing table as set forth in claim 1 wherein said predetermined direction of said force is substantially radial with respect to the axis of rotation of said table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An indexing table as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second bearing surfaces are provided by a cylindrical surface coaxial with said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An indexing table as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first bearing surface is provided by a roller carried by said one processing device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An indexing table as set forth in claim 4 wherein said tool holders are mounted on one surface of said table, said second bearing surfaces project from the opposite surface of said table and said roller is mounted on an arm projecting along said opposite side of said table.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An indexing table as set forth in claim 5 wherein resilient means are provided to maintain engagement between said roller and said cylindrical surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
240 words
An indexing system comprising a frame, a table assembly including a table journaled on bearings in said frame for step-by-step rotation around an axis, a plurality of work piece processing devices mounted on said frame at work stations around said axis, said table assembly including a plurality of work piece supports adapted to support a work piece, said step-by-step rotation of said table assembly progressively positioning a work piece at said work station for progressive working of said work piece by said work piece processing devices, at least one of said processing devices at one of said work stations being operable to cause a working force to be applied in a predetermined direction to a work piece at said one station, said one processing device including force transmitting means providing a first surface engagable with a mating surface carried by said table assembly, said work piece supports and said one processing device being mounted so that one of them is movable along a path relative to said table and bearings in the direction of said working force with engagement between said first surface and said mating surface determining the position of said one of them along said path, said force transmitting means operating to transmit a substantial part of the reaction force of said working force from said mating surface to said one processing device and preventing a substantial part of said reaction force from being transmitted to said bearings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
240 words
An indexing system comprising a frame, a table assembly including a table journaled on bearings in said frame for step-by-step rotation around an axis, a plurality of work piece processing devices mounted on said frame at work stations around said axis, said table assembly including a plurality of work piece supports adapted to support a work piece, said step-by-step rotation of said table assembly progressively positioning a work piece at said work station for progressive working of said work piece by said work piece processing devices, at least one of said processing devices at one of said work stations being operable to cause a working force to be applied in a predetermined direction to a work piece at said one station, said one processing device including force transmitting means providing a first surface engagable with a mating surface carried by said table assembly, said work piece supports and said one processing device being mounted so that one of them is movable along a path relative to said table and bearings in the direction of said working force with engagement between said first surface and said mating surface determining the position of said one of them along said path, said force transmitting means operating to transmit a substantial part of the reaction force of said working force from said mating surface to said one processing device and preventing a substantial part of said reaction force from being transmitted to said bearings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said mating surface is carried by said table assembly and moved into position for engagement by said one surface as a result of said step-by-step rotation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said one surface and said mating surface extend transversely with respect to said predetermined direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
An indexing table as set forth in claim 9 wherein said one processing device includes a tool engagable with a work piece at said one work station, said tool and said force transmitting means being mounted on said frame for limited movement in a direction opposite said one direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said one processing device is movable relative to sAid frame in said direction opposite said predetermined direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said predetermined direction of said force is substantially radial with respect to the axis of rotation of said table.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said mating surface is carried by said one work holder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said mating surface is provided by said work piece at said one work station.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first surfaces are provided by a pair of jaws carried by said one processing device and movable toward each other into an operative position in which they engage said mating surface on said work piece.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said one processing device includes a slide mounted on said frame for limited movement in said predetermined direction, said jaws are mounted on said slide, and said tool is movable relative to said slide, and power means are connected to produce relative movement between said slide and said tool.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said power means includes a toggle linkage connected between said tool and said slide, and an actuator for moving said toggle linkage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said jaws are moved to said operative position in response to relative movement between said tool and said slide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
An indexing system as set forth in claim 18 wherein similar first surfaces are positioned symmetrically with respect to said tool for engagement with symmetrically located mating surfaces so that the entire reaction force is transmitted directly between said work piece and said processing device.
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) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |