Patent US723560A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3704775A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3704775A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Workpiece transfer mechanism
Assignee: Nidec Minster Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-14
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Granted: 1972-12-05
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Expires: 1990-09-14
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a workpiece feeding device for advancing workpieces step by step from an incoming station into a plurality of work stations and then to an outgoing station. The device has frame members reciprocable in the direction of movement of the workpieces and movably carried by the frame members are workpiece engaging elements arranged in opposed relation and movable toward each other to engage workpieces and away from each other to release workpieces. The feeding device is particularly adapted for use with a mechanical press and is arranged to be driven by the press crankshaft so as to operate in timed relation to the movement of the press slide.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank C Eickenhorst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:16
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D43/00; B21D43/02; B21D43/04; B21D43/05; B21D43/055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
In a transfer mechanism for moving workpieces step by step from an incoming station into a plurality of work stations in sequence and then to an outgoing station, said stations being spaced uniformly along a path; said mechanism comprising a main frame defining the said path, a frame member on each side of said path, guide means including two pairs of parallel guideways carried by the main frame guiding said frame members for reciprocation parallel to said path, said guideways having a pair of shafts provided with angularly adjustment means to place such shafts in torsion to eliminate lost motion in said shafts, first means connected to said frame members for reciprocation thereof in unison between first and second end positions spaced substantially the same distance as adjacent stations, workpiece engaging elements carried by said frame members to reciprocate therewith and movable thereon laterally of said path, the said elements on said frame members being distributed therealong in opposed relation at the same spacing as said stations, second means for moving said elements in unison on said frame members laterally toward and away from said path alternately to grip workpieces in said station and to release workpieces to said stations, and third means operatively interconnecting said first and second means for operation thereof in timed relation to advance workpieces step by step from said incoming station to said work stations in sequence and finally to said outgoing station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
In a transfer mechanism for moving workpieces step by step from an incoming station into a plurality of work stations in sequence and then to an outgoing station, said stations being spaced uniformly along a path; said mechanism comprising a main frame defining the said path, a frame member on each side of said path, guide means including two pairs of parallel guideways carried by the main frame guiding said frame members for reciprocation parallel to said path, said guideways having a pair of shafts provided with angularly adjustment means to place such shafts in torsion to eliminate lost motion in said shafts, first means connected to said frame members for reciprocation thereof in unison between first and second end positions spaced substantially the same distance as adjacent stations, workpiece engaging elements carried by said frame members to reciprocate therewith and movable thereon laterally of said path, the said elements on said frame members being distributed therealong in opposed relation at the same spacing as said stations, second means for moving said elements in unison on said frame members laterally toward and away from said path alternately to grip workpieces in said station and to release workpieces to said stations, and third means operatively interconnecting said first and second means for operation thereof in timed relation to advance workpieces step by step from said incoming station to said work stations in sequence and finally to said outgoing station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 1, in which said guide means comprises two pairs of shaft means carried by said main frame parallel to said path on each side thereof and slidably supporting said frame members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 1, in which said guide means for each frame member comprises a pair of parallel shafts supported in said main frame in vertically upper and lower spaced relation, each frame member comprising a hollow box-like structure having bearing means therein slidably engaging the respective shafts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 3, in which the upper one of the shafts for each frame member is connected to said second drive to be actuated thereby, a plurality of levers in longitudinally spaced relation in each frame member and rotatable thereon, said levers being nonrotatively connected to the respective upper shaft, a carrier member parallel to said path on each side thereof and having the adjacent said workpiece engaging elements connected thereto, said main frame including means for guiding said carrier members thereon for movement laterally of saiD path and parallel to said path, and links connecting the said levers of each frame with the adjacent said carrier member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 4, in which said means for guiding said carrier members comprises upwardly facing surfaces on said main frame on each side of said path on which said carrier members slidably rest and clamp elements movably connected to said main frame and overlying said carrier elements, said links of each said frame member being pivotal on the respective said levers about a common axis parallel to said path whereby releasing of said clamp elements will permit said carrier members and the said elements carried thereby to be pivoted upwardly and outwardly away from said path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 5, in which said main frame includes a support block supporting each end of the upper one of the shafts for each frame member, means guiding each block for movement about the axis of the adjacent lower one of said shafts away from said path and downwardly, and releasable means detachably retaining each block on said main frame within the position wherein the respective upper shaft is in operative position, said clamp elements and releasable means being releasable for bodily pivoting of each said frame member and the respective carrier members and the work engaging elements thereon about the axis of the respective lower shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 6, in which said first means is detachable from said frame members and said second means is detachable from said upper shafts for completely freeing said frame members for pivoting movement about the respective lower shafts to expose the region along said path adjacent to said stations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 4, in which said second drive includes oscillatory output shaft means and drive arms thereon, other arms connected to the said upper shafts, and links interconnecting each drive arm with a respective said other arm and adjustable in length to permit precise adjustment of the limits of lateral movement of said carrier members and the said workpiece engaging elements carried thereby.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 4, in which at least said upper shafts are splined and said bearings are in the form of circulating ball nuts with infinite pitch, one of said nuts being disposed near each end of the respective frame member and being rotatable in the frame member and supporting a respective one of the said levers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 9, in which each frame member includes at least one further ball nut rotatable therein and nonrotatively engaging the respective said upper shaft and supporting a further one of said levers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 3, wherein bearings are provided for at least the upper one of each pair of shafts in the form of ball nuts near the ends of the respective frame members forming a torsion coupling with the respective shaft, and means for adjusting said nuts circumferentially to place the respective shaft in torsion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A transfer mechanism according to claim 11, which includes ball joints on at least one end of said links connecting the links with said carrier members.
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) | 1975-12-05 | 1976-06-05 | 1976-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-05 | 1980-06-05 | 1980-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-05 | 1984-06-05 | 1984-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |