Patent US3698616A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3698616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gaging mechanism for fastener attaching machine
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-23
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1991-06-23
Abstract
Abstract In combination with a snap fastener attaching machine, there is an improved gaging mechanism for holding the work and transporting the work to selected positions relative to the fastener setting tools for the attachment of a plurality of fastener components in a spaced, predetermined pattern. The work transporting portion of the gage carries a key movable therewith through a keyway on a fixed section of the gage and the keyway defines a network through which the key travels to establish the spacing and pattern of the fastener components. A plurality of spaced switches which control the operation of the fastener setting tools are mounted on the gage proximate the keyway and the said switches are adapted to be sequentially, momentarily closed by the key and a switch actuator on the work moving portion on the gage as the key travels through the keyway network, whereby the fastener setting tools are automatically fired at intervals determined by the speed at which the work is moved and when the selected areas of the work to which fasteners are to be attached in the desired pattern are successively positioned at the interface of the setting tools.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Erhardt Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:21
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41H; A41H37/00; A41H37/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
In combination with a fastener attaching machine having reciprocating fastener setting tools which come together at an attaching station to apply the components of a fastener part to a workpiece positioned at the setting station, an improved gaging mechanism for setting fasteners on the work in spaced relation and a predetermined pattern, said gaging mechanism comprising means for grasping and holding the work and moving the work relative to the setting station, means for guiding said work holding and moving means during movement thereof whereby the work is moved to a firsT selected and subsequently selected positions relative to the setting station for applying fasteners thereto in the predetermined pattern with the work being momentarily brought to rest at each of said selected relative positions for the attachment of a fastener thereto, said guide means including a key connected to said work holding and moving means and being movable therewith and a keyway mounted on said gaging mechanism and defining a network through which said key travels responsive to actuating of said work holding and moving means, means for controlling the operation of the fastener setting tools fixedly mounted on said gaging mechanism, means for actuating said control means, said actuating means being connected to said work holding and moving means and being adapted to automatically energize the said control means responsive to movement of said key through the network defined by said keyway at intervals determined by the speed at which said key is moved, and means protecting said control means from being accidentally damaged by said actuating means during normal operation of said gaging mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
In combination with a fastener attaching machine having reciprocating fastener setting tools which come together at an attaching station to apply the components of a fastener part to a workpiece positioned at the setting station, an improved gaging mechanism for setting fasteners on the work in spaced relation and a predetermined pattern, said gaging mechanism comprising means for grasping and holding the work and moving the work relative to the setting station, means for guiding said work holding and moving means during movement thereof whereby the work is moved to a firsT selected and subsequently selected positions relative to the setting station for applying fasteners thereto in the predetermined pattern with the work being momentarily brought to rest at each of said selected relative positions for the attachment of a fastener thereto, said guide means including a key connected to said work holding and moving means and being movable therewith and a keyway mounted on said gaging mechanism and defining a network through which said key travels responsive to actuating of said work holding and moving means, means for controlling the operation of the fastener setting tools fixedly mounted on said gaging mechanism, means for actuating said control means, said actuating means being connected to said work holding and moving means and being adapted to automatically energize the said control means responsive to movement of said key through the network defined by said keyway at intervals determined by the speed at which said key is moved, and means protecting said control means from being accidentally damaged by said actuating means during normal operation of said gaging mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a combination according to claim 1, a gaging mechanism including manually actuated means for opening and closing said means for grasping and holding the work.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a combination according to claim 2, a gaging mechanism including means which maintain said work holding means in the closed condition and inhibit accidental opening thereof during movement of the work relative to the setting station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a combination according to claim 1, a gaging mechanism including directing means which dictate that said key move in a predetermined path through the network defined by the keyway from the time the key enters the keyway and permits removal of the key from the keyway only through traverse of the said predetermined path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a combination according to claim 4, a gaging mechanism including alternatively installable structural components for said keyway which facilitate rearrangement of the network defined by the keyway to increase or decrease the length of the predetermined path the key must traverse whereby the desired spacing between fastener settings on the work may be accordingly selectively increased or decreased.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a combination according to claim 1, a gaging mechanism wherein said means protecting said control means includes contactor means adapted to be impacted by said actuating means to energize said control means during movement of the work holding means, as directed by the guide means, to those relative positions whereby the work is moved to a selected position relative to the setting station, said contactor means being housed in rigid mountings on said gaging mechanism but being transversely movable relative to said mountings, the extent of permissible relative movement of said contactor means being sufficient for energization of said control means but being precisely limited to prevent damage to said control means from the impact of said actuator means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a combination according to claim 1, a gaging mechanism wherein said work holding and moving means is mounted for planar movement toward, away from and transversely both left and right relative to the setting station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |