US3743093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sorting machines
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-20
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1992-01-20
Abstract
Abstract Small parts such as rivets or studs are tested for compliance with dimensional tolerance allowances by being moved through the throat of a caliper device, the throat being defined, at one side, by a fixed surface and at the other side by a moveable surface associated with a switch contact. If a switch is operated a sorting device or gate is positioned to separate the noncomplying part from the main stream of acceptable parts.
Inventors
- 👤 A Klancnik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:08
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/08; B07C5/083; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/91; Y10S209/911; Y10S209/92; Y10S209/929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A machine for separating rivets, screws and similar parts which may be characterized by a shank and a head, separation being in terms of acceptable and unacceptable shank and head dimensions, and including: a guideway along which the parts are to be fed one by one and there tested for compliance with acceptability, means for supplying parts to be fed to the guideway, collecting bins at the end of the guideway respectively assigned to the collection of acceptable and unacceptable parts, a gate at the end of the guideway under control of an electromagnet and normally occupying a stationary position in the unenergized state of the electromagnet, to deflect parts into one of the bins, said gate, in response to the field generated by the electromagnet in its energized state, being moved to a second position, where it deflects parts into the other bin, a reciprocal feeder having a forward motion for moving a part along the guideway to the gate and having a return motion incidental to feeding the next part for compliance testing, individual caliper devices in the guideway for measuring a diameter and a length of a part moved along the guideway, an electrically responsive switch associated with each caliper device and each such switch being operated when the caliper device measures unacceptability, and each switch being in series with an electromagnet to energize the electromagnet when the switch is operated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
A machine for separating rivets, screws and similar parts which may be characterized by a shank and a head, separation being in terms of acceptable and unacceptable shank and head dimensions, and including: a guideway along which the parts are to be fed one by one and there tested for compliance with acceptability, means for supplying parts to be fed to the guideway, collecting bins at the end of the guideway respectively assigned to the collection of acceptable and unacceptable parts, a gate at the end of the guideway under control of an electromagnet and normally occupying a stationary position in the unenergized state of the electromagnet, to deflect parts into one of the bins, said gate, in response to the field generated by the electromagnet in its energized state, being moved to a second position, where it deflects parts into the other bin, a reciprocal feeder having a forward motion for moving a part along the guideway to the gate and having a return motion incidental to feeding the next part for compliance testing, individual caliper devices in the guideway for measuring a diameter and a length of a part moved along the guideway, an electrically responsive switch associated with each caliper device and each such switch being operated when the caliper device measures unacceptability, and each switch being in series with an electromagnet to energize the electromagnet when the switch is operated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A machine according to claim 1 including a holding circuit for the electromagnet, each switch when operated also being effective to engage the holding circuit, and means operated by the feeder on its return motion to disengage the holding circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A machine according to claim 1 provided with a console presenting set-up toggle switches each in series with one of the associated switches and each in series with an indicator lamp, whereby the operator upon closing a toggle switch may test each caliper device for accuracy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A machine according to claim 2 provided with a console presenting set-up toggle switches each in series with one of the associated switches and each in series with an indicator lamp, whereby the operator upon closing a toggle switch may test each caliper device for accuracy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein each caliper device includes a flexibly mounted lever presenting a caliper surface disposed in the path of the part moving through the guideway, means to set the lever to a clearance position so that a part of acceptable dimension just clears said caliper surface, and the lever having an opposing surface constantly engaged by the operating contact of the associated switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A machine according to claim 5 wherein the associated switch is carried by an adjustable support, the lever also being carried by an adjustable support, first micrometer means for adjusting the switch support in opposite directions, and second micrometer means to move the lever support in opposite directions, accordingly to vary the set position of the caliper lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
190 words
A machine for separating rivets, screws and similar parts which may be characterized by a shank and a head, separation being in terms of acceptable and unacceptable shank and head dimensions, and including: a guideway along which the parts are to be fed one by one and there tested for compliance with acceptability, means for supplying parts to be fed to the guideway, collecting bins at the end of the guideway respectively assigned to the collection of acceptable and unacceptable parts, a movable gate at the end of the guideway having two positions respectively to deflect parts into one of the bins or the other, a reciprocal feeder having a forward motion for moving a part along the guideway to the gate and having a return motion incidental to feeding the next part for compliance testing, individual caliper devices in the guideway for meaSuring a diameter and a length of a part moved along the guideway, an electrically responsive switch associated with each caliper device and each such switch being operated when the caliper device measures unacceptability, and electrically responsive means for moving the gate when a switch is operated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
190 words
A machine for separating rivets, screws and similar parts which may be characterized by a shank and a head, separation being in terms of acceptable and unacceptable shank and head dimensions, and including: a guideway along which the parts are to be fed one by one and there tested for compliance with acceptability, means for supplying parts to be fed to the guideway, collecting bins at the end of the guideway respectively assigned to the collection of acceptable and unacceptable parts, a movable gate at the end of the guideway having two positions respectively to deflect parts into one of the bins or the other, a reciprocal feeder having a forward motion for moving a part along the guideway to the gate and having a return motion incidental to feeding the next part for compliance testing, individual caliper devices in the guideway for meaSuring a diameter and a length of a part moved along the guideway, an electrically responsive switch associated with each caliper device and each such switch being operated when the caliper device measures unacceptability, and electrically responsive means for moving the gate when a switch is operated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A machine according to claim 7 provided with a console presenting set-up toggle switches each in series with one of the associated switches and each in series with an indicator lamp, whereby the operator upon closing a toggle switch may test each caliper device for accuracy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
A machine according to claim 7 wherein each caliper device includes a flexibly mounted lever presenting a caliper surface disposed in the path of the part moving through the guideway, means to set the lever to a clearance position so that a part of acceptable dimension just clears said caliper surface, and the lever having an opposing surface constantly engaged by the operating contact of the associated switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A machine according to claim 9 wherein the associated switch is carried by an adjustable support, the lever also being carried by an adjustable support, first micrometer means for adjusting the switch support in opposite directions, and second micrometer means to move the lever support in opposite directions, accordingly to vary the set position of the caliper lever.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |