US3706404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stretch fabric watchband
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-24
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1990-09-24
Abstract
Abstract The method and apparatus for efficiently cutting accurately sized panels in an unlimited combination of sizes and shapes from larger sheets. The sheets are automatically counted and stacked on a gauge table, the stack is clamped by jaws which establish a reference line relative to a cutting station, and the stack is advanced along the table for accurately dimensioned rip cuts. One or more of these cut stacks are then moved on a rip run-out unit to a cut-off infeed and gauge table where they are automatically aligned, clamped to establish a second reference line, and accurately advanced to a cut-off station where cross-cut sawing produces finished panels. The stacks are moved and gauged by either digital or analog hydraulic servo motors which accurately position the reference lines relative to the saw stations by controlled deceleration of the load to stop the stacks. At each saw station hold-downs prevent sheet displacement as the saw traverses. Each saw automatically senses cutting load and returns to its initial position immediately upon finishing a cut. Linear saw speed is controlled as a function of saw load. Means are provided to automatically remove trim and scrap.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald W Gluckin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:30
CPC Classifications
A; A44; A44C; A44C5/00; A44C5/0053; A44C5/0069; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/34; Y10T24/3401; Y10T24/3403; Y10T24/3405; Y10T24/3407; Y10T24/47; Y10T24/4782
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A gauge unit for gauging one or more sheets of material in a stack along a gauge axis for cutting the stack into sections transversely of said axis at a cutting station, the resulting sections having accurately dimensioned and squared dimensions, including the combination of: a gauge table for supporting the stack; gauge clamping means for clamping the stack to prevent relative displacement of the sheets and establish a reference line fixed relative to the stack; means for raising and lowering the clamping means into and out of the plane of the gauge table so that the stack may be moved over the full length of the table; and, means to transverse the clamped stack and clamping means along the gauge table to accurately index the stack and reference line relative to the cutting station for said transverse cuts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A gauge unit for gauging one or more sheets of material in a stack along a gauge axis for cutting the stack into sections transversely of said axis at a cutting station, the resulting sections having accurately dimensioned and squared dimensions, including the combination of: a gauge table for supporting the stack; gauge clamping means for clamping the stack to prevent relative displacement of the sheets and establish a reference line fixed relative to the stack; means for raising and lowering the clamping means into and out of the plane of the gauge table so that the stack may be moved over the full length of the table; and, means to transverse the clamped stack and clamping means along the gauge table to accurately index the stack and reference line relative to the cutting station for said transverse cuts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the traversing means includes a gauge carriage mounted for traversing movement along said axis with said clamping means mounted for movement with the carriage, and further including power means to traverse the carriage to and from the cutting station with said reference line of the stack being moved sequentially to predetermined locations relative to the cutting station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the power means comprises servo motor means operating responsive to control signals to move the carriage a distance which is a function of the signals; and, control means to direct a predetermined number of signals to the motor means according to the desired location for accurately stopping the stack relative to the cutting station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the power means comprises servo motor means operating responsive to control signals to move the carriage gradually to a stop; and, control means to direct signals to the motor means in an amount so that the driving energy of the motor means decreases at a level which is a predetermined amount greater than the kinetic energy of the load, including the stack, clamp means, and carriage, during a freely sliding stop thereof to eliminate overshoot of the stack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the clamping means includes: a plurality of clamps laterally spaced across the gauge axis, each clamp including first jaw means adapted to grip one side of the stack and second jaw means movable with respect to the first jaw means into clamping relationship with the opposite side of the stack; and, means supporting the clamps for said traversing movement to a saw station while clamping the stack, and from the saw station for return to an initial position prior to clamping a subsequent stack.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the clamping means further includes: actuating means to retract the first and second jaw means below the gauge table while they traverse from the saw station so that the stack can be pushed on the gauge table to clear the forward edge of the jaw means, and to extend one of the jaw means to vertically clear the stack in the clamp initial position prior to clamping; and, means to move the clamps forward so that the forward edges of the jaw means overlap the stack rearward edge a predetermined amount with said one jaw means raised; said first actuating means further operating to retract said one jaw means for clamping the stack and establishing said reference line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the traversing means includes support means movable to selected positions along the gauge axis, and mounting means to resiliently mount the clamp means for floating vertical support with respect to the support means, and for longitudinal movement along the axis with the support means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein the mounting means includes means slidably mounting the clamping means for vertical movement with respect to the support means, and means to resiliently bias the clamping means upwardly with respect to the support means to carry a portion of the weight of the clamping means with the remaining weight being carried by the stack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the support means comprises movable carriage means, and the clamping means comprises first jaw means having a rear extension mounted for vertical sliding movement with respect to the carriage means, second jaw means having a rear extension mounted for vertical sliding movement with respect to the first jaw means extension, actuator means for moving the second jaw means between extended and retracted positions with respect to the first jaw means, and said resilient means is connected between the carriage means and second jaw means extension.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein the actuator means comprises a pair of double-acting actuators connected end-to-end, and control means to actuate one of said actuators for moving the first jaw means to an intermediate position, to move the first jaw means forward in its intermediate position to nudge adjacent stack sections for alignment, to actuate the second actuator for moving the first jaw means to its extended position, to move the jaw means forward to overlap the sections, and to operate at least one actuator to retract the first jaw means for clamping.
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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) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |