Index table control

Claim 2

In a rotary indexing table assembly: a stationary base, a work supporting table rotatably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index orientations with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement comprising: indexing means and control means operable in combination to selectively actuate said locking means at a selected one of said plurality of index orientations in response to the speed at which said table is moved at said locations; said indexing means being operable to produce an index signal when said table is in any one of said index orientations, the duration of said index signal being related to the speed of said table; said control means being operable to actuate said locking means in response to an index signal of a predetermined minimum duration; said table being movable past said index orientations at a first speed to cause an index signal to be produced having a duration less than said predetermined minimum duration; and said table being movable near said index orientations at a second speed less than said first speed to produce an index signal having a duration at least as great as said predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 3

In a rotary indexing table assembly: a stationary base, a work supporting table rotatably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index orientations with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement comprising: indexing means for producing an index signal when said table is in any one of said index orientations, the duration of said index signal being related to the speed of said table; control means for actuating said locking means in response to an index signal of a predetermined minimum duration; said table being movable past said index orientations at a first speed to cause an index signal to be produced having a duration less than said predetermined minimum duration; and said table being movable near said index orientations at a second speed less than said first speed to produce an index signal having a duration at least as great as said predetermined minimum duration; said indexing means including: a plurality of cam surfaces spaced about the circumference of said table, an index indicator mounted on said base and having an actuator positioned in the path of said cam surfaces, and said indicator being effective to produce said index signal when said index indicator actuator is in alignment with any one of said cam surfaces.

Claim 4

In a rotary indexing table assembly: a stationary base, a work supporting table rotatably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index orientations with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement comprising: indexing means for producing an index signal when said table is in any one of said index orientations, the duration of said index signal being related to the speed of said table; control means for actuating said locking means in response to an index signal of a predetermined minimum duration; said table being movable past said index orientations at a first speed to cause an index signal to be produced having a duration less than said predetermined minimum duration; and said table being movable near said index orientations at a second speed less than said first speed to produce an index signal having a duration at least as great as said predetermined minimum duration; said indexing means including: a plurality of cam surfaces spaced about the circumference of said table, an index indicator mounted on said base and having an actuator positioned in the path of said cam surfaces, and said indicator being effective to produce said index signal when said index indicator actuator is in alignment with any one of said cam surfaces.

Claim 5

means for producing said first and second signals.

Claim 6

means for producing said first and second signals.

Claim 7

means for producing said first and second signals.

Claim 8

means for producing said first and second signals.

Claim 9

means for producing said first and second signals; said signal producing means are electrical means and including: a. a control switch having a lock condition and a release condition, b. first circuit means for generating said first signal when said control switch is in said release condition, c. second circuit means for conditioning said electrical means, when said control switch is in said lock condition, to generate said second signal in response to a delay signal; said control means further comprising means for producing said delay signal in response to an index signal of said predetermined minimum duration; said control means including motive means effective to actuate said index pin in response to a third signal; said electrical means including third circuit means for generating said third signal in response to said index signal when said control switch is in said lock condition; said delay signal generating means including said index pin motive means, and said index pin motive means being effective to extend said index pin in response to a third signal of a predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 10

means for producing said first and second signals; said signal producing means are electrical means and including: a. a control switch having a lock condition and a release condition, b. first circuit means for generating said first signal when said control switch is in said release condition, c. second circuit means for conditioning said electrical means, when said control switch is in said lock condition, to generate said second signal in response to a delay signal; said control means further comprising means for producing said delay signal in response to an index signal of said predetermined minimum duration; said control means including motive means effective to actuate said index pin in response to a third signal; said electrical means including third circuit means for generating said third signal in response to said index signal when said control switch is in said lock condition; said delay signal generating means including said index pin motive means, and said index pin motive means being effective to extend said index pin in response to a third signal of a predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 11

means for producing said first and second signals.

Claim 12

means for producing said first and second signals.

Claim 13

means for producing said delay signal in response to an index signal of said predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 14

means for producing said delay signal in response to an index signal of said predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 15

means for producing said first and second signals, including pneumatic delay means for measuring the duration of said index signal and timing the production of said second signal.

Claim 16

means for producing said first and second signals, including pneumatic delay means for measuring the duration of said index signal and timing the production of said second signal.

Claim 17

means for producing said first and second signals.

Claim 18

means for producing said first and second signals.

Claim 19

means for producing said first and second signals, including fluid controlled delay means for measuring the duration of said index signal and timing the production of said second signal.

Claim 20

means for producing said first and second signals, including fluid controlled delay means for measuring the duration of said index signal and timing the production of said second signal.

Claim 21

An improvement according to claim 2 further comprising: an index pin moveably mounted on said base; said table having a plurality of notches spaced about the circumference thereof; said notches being positioned such that one of said notches is adjacent said pin when any one of said cams is in alignment with said index actuator; and said pin being operable to extend into said one of said notches when actuated.

Claim 22

An improvement according to claim 3 wherein: said control means includes

Claim 23

An improvement according to claim 4 wherein: said signal producing means are electrical means and include: a. a control switch having a lock condition and a release condition, b. first circuit means for generating said first signal when said control switch is in said release condition, c. second circuit means for conDitioning said electrical means, when said control switch is in said lock condition, to generate said second signal in response to a delay signal; and said control means further comprises means for producing said delay signal in response to an index signal of said predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 24

An improvement according to claim 5 wherein: said control means includes motive means effective to actuate said index pin in response to a third signal; and said electrical means includes third circuit means for generating said third signal in response to said index signal from said index indicator when said control switch is in said lock condition.

Claim 25

An improvement according to claim 6 wherein: said delay signal generating means includes said index pin motive means, said index pin motive means being effective to extend said index pin in response to said third signal of a predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 26

An improvement according to claim 7 wherein: said delay signal producing means includes an index pin limit switch for generating said delay signal when said pin is extended.

Claim 27

An improvement according to claim 6 wherein: said indicator includes a limit switch for generating said index signal, said index signal being an electrical index signal.

Claim 28

An improvement according to claim 5 wherein: said control switch is a manually actuatable switch.

Claim 29

An improvement according to claim 1 further comprising: an index pin moveably mounted on said base; said table having a plurality of notches spaced about the circumference thereof; and said pin being operable to extend into said one of said notches when actuated.

Claim 30

An improvement according to claim 11 wherein: said control means includes

Claim 31

An improvement according to claim 12 wherein: said signal producing means are electrical means and include: a. a control switch having a lock condition and a release condition, b. first circuit means for generating said first signal when said control switch is in said release condition, c. second circuit means for conditioning said electrical means, when said control switch is in said lock condition, to generate said second signal in response to a delay signal; and said control means further comprises means for producing said delay signal in response to an index signal of said predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 32

An improvement according to claim 13 wherein: said control means includes motive means effective to actuate said index pin in response to a third signal; and said electrical means includes third circuit means for generating said third signal in response to said index signal when said control switch is in said lock condition.

Claim 33

In a rotary indexing table assembly: a stationary base, a work supporting table rotatably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index orientations with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement comprising: indexing means for producing an index signal when said table is in any one of said index orientations, the duration of said index signal being related to the speed of said table; control means for actuating said locking means in response to an index signal of a predetermined minimum duration; said table being movable past said index orientations at a first speed to cause an index signal to be produced having a duration less than said predetermined minimum duration; and said table being movable near said index orientations at a second speed less than said first speed to produce an index signal having a duration at least as great as said predeterMined minimum duration; an index pin movably mounted on said base; said table having a plurality of notches spaced about the circumference thereof; and said pin being operable to extend into said one of said notches when actuated; said control means including:

Claim 34

In a rotary indexing table assembly: a stationary base, a work supporting table rotatably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index orientations with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement comprising: indexing means for producing an index signal when said table is in any one of said index orientations, the duration of said index signal being related to the speed of said table; control means for actuating said locking means in response to an index signal of a predetermined minimum duration; said table being movable past said index orientations at a first speed to cause an index signal to be produced having a duration less than said predetermined minimum duration; and said table being movable near said index orientations at a second speed less than said first speed to produce an index signal having a duration at least as great as said predeterMined minimum duration; an index pin movably mounted on said base; said table having a plurality of notches spaced about the circumference thereof; and said pin being operable to extend into said one of said notches when actuated; said control means including:

Claim 35

An improvement according to claim 15 wherein: said delay signal producing means includes an index pin limit switch for generating said delay signal when said pin is extended.

Claim 36

An improvement according to claim 13 wherein: said control switch is a manually actuatable switch.

Claim 37

An improvement according to claim 1 wherein: said control means includes

Claim 38

An improvement according to claim 18 wherein: said signal producing means are electrical means and include: a. a control switch having a lock condition and a release condition, b. first circuit means for generating said first signal when said control switch is in said release condition, c. second circuit means for conditioning said electrical means, when said control switch is in said lock condition, to generate said second signal in response to a delay signal; and said control means further comprises means for producing said delay signal in response to an index signal of said predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 39

An improvement according to claim 1 wherein: said control means includes

Claim 40

In a rotary indexing table assembly: a stationary base, a work supporting table rotatably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index orientations with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement wherein said locking means includes a selectively operable clamp for clamping said table to said base, when said clamp is actuated to lock said table to said base, comprising: indexing means for producing an index signal when said table is in any one of said index orientations, the duration of said index signal being related to the speed of said table; control means for actuating said locking means in response to an index signal of a predetermined minimum duration; said table being movable past said index orientations at a first speed to cause an index signal to be produced having a duration less than said predetermined minimum duration; and said table being movable near said index orientations at a second speed less than said first speed to produce an index signal having a duration at least as great as said predetermined minimum duration; said control means being effective to actuate said clamp in response to said index signal of predetermined minimum duration; and said control means including

Claim 41

In a rotary indexing table assembly: a stationary base, a work supporting table rotatably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index orientations with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement wherein said locking means includes a selectively operable clamp for clamping said table to said base, when said clamp is actuated to lock said table to said base, comprising: indexing means for producing an index signal when said table is in any one of said index orientations, the duration of said index signal being related to the speed of said table; control means for actuating said locking means in response to an index signal of a predetermined minimum duration; said table being movable past said index orientations at a first speed to cause an index signal to be produced having a duration less than said predetermined minimum duration; and said table being movable near said index orientations at a second speed less than said first speed to produce an index signal having a duration at least as great as said predetermined minimum duration; said control means being effective to actuate said clamp in response to said index signal of predetermined minimum duration; and said control means including

Claim 42

An improvement according to claim 1, in a rotary index table wherein said locking means includes selectively operable bearing means for reducing the friction between said table and said base when said bearing means are actuated to release said table from said base, wherein: said control means is effective to de-actuate said bearing means in response to said index signal of predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 43

In a rotary indexing table assembly; a stationary base, a work supporting table rotatably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index orientations with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement wherein said locking means includes selectively operable bearing means for reducing the friction between said table and said base when said bearing means are actuated to release said table from said base and a selectively operable clamp for clamping said table to said base when said clamp is actuated to lock said table to said base, comprising: indexing means for producing an index signal when said table is in any one of said index orientations, the duration of said index signal being related to the speed of said table; control means for actuating said locking means in response to an index signal of a predetermined minimum duration; said table being movable past said index orientations at a first speed to cause an index signal to be produced having a duration less than said predetermined minimum duration; and said table moving movable near said index orientations at a second speed less than said first speed to produce an index signal having a duration at least as great as said predetermined minimum duration; said control means being effective to de-actuate said bearing means in response to said index signal of predetermined minimum duration; and said control means being effective to actuate said clamp in response to said index signal of predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 44

In a rotary indexing table assembly; a stationary base, a work supporting table rotatably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index orientations with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement wherein said locking means includes selectively operable bearing means for reducing the friction between said table and said base when said bearing means are actuated to release said table from said base and a selectively operable clamp for clamping said table to said base when said clamp is actuated to lock said table to said base, comprising: indexing means for producing an index signal when said table is in any one of said index orientations, the duration of said index signal being related to the speed of said table; control means for actuating said locking means in response to an index signal of a predetermined minimum duration; said table being movable past said index orientations at a first speed to cause an index signal to be produced having a duration less than said predetermined minimum duration; and said table moving movable near said index orientations at a second speed less than said first speed to produce an index signal having a duration at least as great as said predetermined minimum duration; said control means being effective to de-actuate said bearing means in response to said index signal of predetermined minimum duration; and said control means being effective to actuate said clamp in response to said index signal of predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 45

An improvement according to claim 23 wherein: said control means includes

Claim 46

An improvement according to claim 22, in a rotary index table assembly wherein said bearing means is an air lift for lifting said table from said base, wherein: said control means includes

Claim 47

An improvement according to claim 25 wherein: said delay means includes a flow control valve.

Claim 48

An improvement according to claim 25 further comprising: an index pin movably mounted on said base; said table having a plurality of notches spaced about the circumference thereof; said notches being positioned such that one of said notches is adjacent said pin when said table is in alignment with said index orientations; said pin being operable to extend into said one of said notches when actuated; and a pneumatic pin drive motor operative to drive said index pin toward an extended position in response to a third signal.

Claim 49

An improvement according to claim 27 wherein: said delay means comprises: a. means for producing a delay signal in response to the extended position of said index pin: b. a flow control valve connected pneumatically in series with said pin drive motor for controlling the rate of extension of said pin.

Claim 50

An improvement according to claim 28 wherein: said signal producing means are electrical means and include: a. a control switch having a lock condition and a release condition, b. first circuit means for generating said first signal when said control switch is in said release condition, c. second circuit means for conditioning said electrical means, when said control switch is in said lock condition, to generate said second signal in response to said delay signal; and d. third circuit means for generating said third signal in response to said index signal from said indexing means when said control switch is in said lock condition.

Claim 51

An improvement according to claim 29 wherein: said delay signal producing means includes an index pin limit switch for generating said delay signal when said pin is extended. 31. An improvement according to claim 1 wherein said minimum duration is in the order of 1 second.

Claim 52

An improvement according to claim 1 wherein the control means further comprises means for varying said predetermined minimum duration for setting it at some optimum value.

Claim 53

In an indexing table assembly: a stationary base, a work supporting table movably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index positions with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement comprising: indexing means for producing an index signal when said table is in any one of the said index positions, the duration of said signal being related to the speed at which said table is being moved when at any one of said positions; control means for actuating said locking means to lock said table in response to an index signal when said signal is of at least a predetermined minimum duration; and said control means being inoperable to actuate said locking means to allow continued movement of said table when said signal is of less than said predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 54

In an indexing table assembly: a stationary base, a work supporting table movably mounted upon said base and movable to a plurality of index positions with respect to said base, selectively operable locking means for immobilizing said table on said base when said locking means is actuated, and the improvement comprising: indexing means for producing an index signal when said table is in any one of the said index positions, the duration of said signal being related to the speed at which said table is being moved when at any one of said positions; control means for actuating said locking means to lock said table in response to an index signal when said signal is of at least a predetermined minimum duration; and said control means being inoperable to actuate said locking means to allow continued movement of said table when said signal is of less than said predetermined minimum duration.

Claim 57

A method according to claim 34 wherein said table is rotatably mounted on said base, and wherein said moving step comprises: rotating said table on said base from said initial position to said desired index position.

Claim 60

A method according to claim 36 further comprising the steps of: monitoring said index signal and the approximate relative position of said table relative to said base; and controlling said moving step in accordance with in-formation derived from said monitoring step.

Claim 61

A method according to claim 37 wherein said table is rotatably mounted on said base, and wherein said moving step comprises: rotating said table on said base from said initial position to said desired index position.

Claim 62

A method according to claim 36 wherein said duration is in the order of one second.

Claim 63

A method according to claim 34 wherein said duration is in the order of one second.