US3696756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Car retaining cushioned latch mechanism
Assignee: Teledyne Mid America Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-01
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A cushioned latch mechanism for use with a workpiece transfer system of the type wherein a workpiece is carried along a track from one work station to another, while seated on an independently movable vehicle or carrier. The mechanism includes vehicle movement slowing and stopping means which cushions the stop of the vehicle at a work station or other predetermined position, and a latch which blocks rebound movement of the vehicle from the stop point and thereafter holds it in predetermined position. The stopping means and the latch are both mounted on a common movable member which is movable between (a) a vehicle engaging position where the stopping means and latch stop and lock the vehicle at the predetermined position, and (b) a retracted position where the stopping means and latch are moved out of the vehicle''s path to permit same to proceed past the predetermined position.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifford L Elmore
- 👤 Richard C Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:16
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q16/00; B23Q16/02; B23Q16/04; B23Q7/00; B23Q7/14; B23Q7/1426; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5196; Y10T29/5197
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A cushioned latch mechanism for use with a workpiece transfer system of the type wherein an independently movable workpiece carrying vehicle moves from one work station to another over a predetermined path, said mechanism comprising, a movable member mounted adjacent said path, said member movable between an extended attitude and a retracted attitude with respect to a vehicle adjacent to it on said path, resilient slowing and stopping means mounted to and moving with said movable member between said attitudes, said slowing and stopping means when in said extended attitude engaging a vehicle moving along said path and slowing forward motion thereof as the vehicle approaches a predetermined position, said resilient slowing and stopping means arresting forward motion of said vehicle at the predetermined position, and a latch also mounted to and moving with said movable member between said attitudes, said latch when in said extended attitude engaging said vehicle in latching relation to block rebound movement thereof from the predetermined position, said latch and said stopping means cooperating to lock said vehicle in the predetermined position, said movable member when moved from said extended attitude to said retracted attitude disengaging said both said slowing and stopping means and said latch from a vehicle and permitting a vehicle to proceed therepast.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A cushioned latch mechanism for use with a workpiece transfer system of the type wherein an independently movable workpiece carrying vehicle moves from one work station to another over a predetermined path, said mechanism comprising, a movable member mounted adjacent said path, said member movable between an extended attitude and a retracted attitude with respect to a vehicle adjacent to it on said path, resilient slowing and stopping means mounted to and moving with said movable member between said attitudes, said slowing and stopping means when in said extended attitude engaging a vehicle moving along said path and slowing forward motion thereof as the vehicle approaches a predetermined position, said resilient slowing and stopping means arresting forward motion of said vehicle at the predetermined position, and a latch also mounted to and moving with said movable member between said attitudes, said latch when in said extended attitude engaging said vehicle in latching relation to block rebound movement thereof from the predetermined position, said latch and said stopping means cooperating to lock said vehicle in the predetermined position, said movable member when moved from said extended attitude to said retracted attitude disengaging said both said slowing and stopping means and said latch from a vehicle and permitting a vehicle to proceed therepast.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch is moved by said movable member to push said vehicle out of station when said movable member is moved from said extended attitude to said retracted attitude.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 1 including a controller responsive to the approach of said vehicle toward said cushioned latch mechanism, said controller actuating said member to move from the retracted attitude where said vehicle is permitted to proceed beyond the predetermined position, into the engaging attitude where said stopping means and latch are positioned to stop and lock said vehicle at the predetermined position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
128 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 3, wherein said latch includes a latch arm pivoted to said member, said arm adApted to restrain said vehicle from rebounding when said vehicle is in the predetermined position and when said member is in the engaging attitude, bias means urging said latch arm into latching attitude relative to said vehicle, and a cam surface on said latch arm by which a latch block fixed to said vehicle cams and pivots said latch arm relative to said member, said latch block being restrained by said latch arm after said vehicle is slowed to a stop by said stopping means by biasing said latch arm into gripping relation with said latch block, thereby locking said vehicle at the predetermined position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 3, wherein said stopping means comprises a dashpot including a cylinder from which a piston pin extends, said pin being located so as to engage a vehicle when said member is in the engaging attitude, a restricted orifice through which fluid escapes when said pin is pushed into said cylinder, and valves means for applying and releasing pressure fluid to said piston pin, and actuating means for operating said valve means, according to the position of a vehicle, to apply pressure before the vehicle is at station and to release pressure when the vehicle is in the station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cushioned latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein said valve means both applies pressure to, and the releases pressure from, said piston pin through said restricted orifice.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 6, wherein said stopping means and latch are mounted on one arm of a bell crank, said latch block being restrained between said latch arm and said stopping means so as to lock said vehicle at the predetermined position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 3, wherein a reversible prime mover is connected to said member, said prime mover being actuable in response to said controller to move said member relative to the predetermined path alternatively between the engaging and retracted attitudes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 8, wherein said controller includes a timer interconnected with said prime mover, said timer actuating said prime mover to move said member into the retracted attitude after said member has been in the engaging attitude for a predetermined length of time corresponding to the duration of the vehicle stop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 8, wherein said prime mover moves said member into the engaging attitude when the approach of said vehicle is sensed by a sensor, and moves said member into the retracted attitude as determined by a time cycle set on a timer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 8, wherein said controller includes a carrier approach sensor interconnected with said prime mover, said sensor responsive to the approach of a vehicle along said path to energize said prime mover to move said member into the engaging attitude.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 11, wherein said prime mover includes a pressure operated piston for moving said member alternately between the engaging and the retracted attitudes, and wherein said mechanism also includes a valve responsive to said controller to apply pressure to said piston to move said member to the engaging attitude when said sensor is actuated by the approach of said vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
A cushioned latch mechanism as set forth in claim 11, wherein said controller further includes a second sensor, said second sensor being responsive to the presence or absence of a workpiece on said vehicle, said carrier approach sensor and said second sensor being interconnected with said prime mover to move said member to said engaging attitude when said second sensor senses a workpiece on said vehicle and said carrier approach sensor senses a vehicle at a certain point on said path, and to avoid operation of said prime mover if no workpiece is on said vehicle so as to allow said vehicle to proceed past the predeTermined position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |