Spring transfer apparatus

Claim 2

In a method of transferring resilient coil springs, each having a knot on their top and bottom convolutions, from a coiler where the coils are produced to an assembling unit where the coils are joined to form an interior spring structure, the steps which include receiving the coil springs one at a time as they are produced by the coiler and positioning a pre-determined number of the coil springs in spaced relation in a first longitudinally aligned row, simultaneously pushing all the coils of said row onto turntables respectively, elevating and rotating the coils of said row by elevating and rotating each turntable, whereby the coils of said row are now at a higher elevation with the coils having been turned for the desired knot orientation, and finally pushing the coils of said row from off the elevated turntables and onto the respective top and bottom dies of the assembling unit which dies are open at the time for receiving the top and bottom convolutions thereof.

Claim 3

In a method of transferring resilient coil springs as defined by claim 1, wherein the step of positioning a pre-determined number of coil springs in spaced relation in a first longitudinal row takes place in succession for the second and all subsequent rows, and wherein the step of rotating the coils by rotating each turntable takes place selectively with some turntables and their coils rotating clockwise and the others rotating counter-clockwise.

Claim 4

In a method of transferring resilient coil springs as defined by claim 1, wherein the step of pushing the coils of said row from off the turntables and onto the dies of the assembling unit includes the steps of positively gripping each coil as the same is pushed off the turntable and maintaining the grip on each coil until the coil is located on the said dies, and finally the step of releasing the grip thus leaving the coil located on the dies in the desired position.

Claim 5

In a method of transferring resilient coil springs as defined by claim 1, wherein the stEp of positioning a pre-determined number of coil springs in spaced relation in a first longitudinal row includes the step of moving the coils along a horizontal longitudinally extending table by means of intermittently moving belts, the top run of which pass over and are supported by the said longitudinal table, and the steps of stopping movement of the coils seriatim in desired spaced relation while the belts continue to move, and in holding each coil in its respective stopped position until the entire row is pushed off the belts and onto the turntables.

Claim 6

In a method of transferring resilient coil springs as defined by claim 4, wherein the step of moving the coils along said horizontal longitudinally extending table by means of the continously moving belts and the step of holding each coil in its respective stopped position are materially assisted by subjecting the coils to magnetic attraction effected by magnets comprising part of the longitudinally extending table.

Claim 7

In a method of transferring resilient coil springs, each having a knot on their top and bottom convolutions, from a supply of said coils to an assembling unit where the coil springs are joined to form an interior spring structure, said assembling unit including top and bottom forward dies and top and bottom rear dies, the steps which include receiving the coil springs one at a time and positioning a pre-determined number of the coils in spaced relation in a first longitudinally aligned row and with their axes disposed vertically, simultaneously pushing all the coils of said row onto turntables, respectively, elevating and rotating the coils of said row by elevating and rotating each turntable, whereby the coils of said row are now at a higher elevation with the coils having been turned selectively for the desired knot orientation, repeating the above operations for the second and each subsequent row as required for the particular spring structure, pushing the coils of said first row from off the elevated turntables and onto the respective top and bottom forward dies of the assembling unit which dies are open at the time for receiving the top and bottom convolutions thereof, and thereafter pushing the coils of the second and subsequent rows in succession from off the turntables and onto the respective top and bottom rear dies of the assembling unit which are open at the time for receiving the top and bottom convolutions thereof.

Claim 8

In a method of transferring resilient coil springs, each having a knot on their top and bottom convolutions, from a supply of said coils to an assembling unit where the coil springs are joined to form an interior spring structure, said assembling unit including top and bottom forward dies and top and bottom rear dies, the steps which include receiving the coil springs one at a time and positioning a pre-determined number of the coils in spaced relation in a first longitudinally aligned row and with their axes disposed vertically, simultaneously pushing all the coils of said row onto turntables, respectively, elevating and rotating the coils of said row by elevating and rotating each turntable, whereby the coils of said row are now at a higher elevation with the coils having been turned selectively for the desired knot orientation, repeating the above operations for the second and each subsequent row as required for the particular spring structure, pushing the coils of said first row from off the elevated turntables and onto the respective top and bottom forward dies of the assembling unit which dies are open at the time for receiving the top and bottom convolutions thereof, and thereafter pushing the coils of the second and subsequent rows in succession from off the turntables and onto the respective top and bottom rear dies of the assembling unit which are open at the time for receiving the top and bottom convolutions thereof.

Claim 9

In a method of transferring resilient coil springs as defined in claim 6, wherein the step of rotating the coils by rotating each turntable takes place as the coils are being elevated, and wherein the rotation is selective with some turntables and their coils rotating clockwise and the others rotating counterclockwise.

Claim 10

In a method of transferring resilient coil springs as defined by claim 6, wherein the step of positioning a pre-determined number of coil springs in spaced relation in said first and subsequent longitudinal rows includes the step of moving the coils along a horizontal longitudinally extending table by means of moving belts having their top runs passing over and being supported by the longitudinal table, and also the steps of stopping the movement of the coils seriatim in desired spaced relation while the belts continue to move, and in holding each coil in its respective stopped position until the entire row is pushed off the belts and onto the turntables.

Claim 11

In a method of transferring resilient coil springs as defined by claim 6, wherein the step of pushing the coils of each said row from off the turntables and onto the dies of the assembling unit includes the step of positively gripping each coil as the same is pushed off the turntable and maintaining the grip on each coil until the coil is located on the said dies, and finally the step of releasing the grip thus leaving the coil located on the dies in the desired position.

Claim 12

In apparatus for handling and transferring conventional knotted coil springs, the combination with a supply of the Coil springs, of endless belt structure located relatively near the supply and including a transfer drum at the supply end and a second drum at the opposite end of the structure, endless belts passing around the said drums and providing longitudinally extending top and bottom runs therebetween, a longitudinal table also extending between the drums and having the top run of the endless belts passing over and being supported by the table, said transfer drum having a plurality of flat surfaces which directly support the belts as they pass around the transfer drum, magnetic means in operative associated relation with each flat surface of the transfer drum, and means for rotating the transfer drum during operation of the apparatus to cause movement of the endless belts, whereby a coil spring from the supply upon being presented to a certain flat surface will adhere thereto with a portion of the endless belts being interposed between the flat surface and the bottom convolution of the coil spring.

Claim 13

In apparatus for handling and transferring conventional knotted coil springs, the combination with a supply of the Coil springs, of endless belt structure located relatively near the supply and including a transfer drum at the supply end and a second drum at the opposite end of the structure, endless belts passing around the said drums and providing longitudinally extending top and bottom runs therebetween, a longitudinal table also extending between the drums and having the top run of the endless belts passing over and being supported by the table, said transfer drum having a plurality of flat surfaces which directly support the belts as they pass around the transfer drum, magnetic means in operative associated relation with each flat surface of the transfer drum, and means for rotating the transfer drum during operation of the apparatus to cause movement of the endless belts, whereby a coil spring from the supply upon being presented to a certain flat surface will adhere thereto with a portion of the endless belts being interposed between the flat surface and the bottom convolution of the coil spring.

Claim 14

In apparatus for handling and transferring conventional knotted coil springs as defined by claim 10, additionally including magnetic members extending longitudinally and forming a top surface for the table and which thus have the top run of the belts passing over and being supported thereby.

Claim 15

In apparatus for handling and transferring conventional knotted coil springs as defined by claim 11, wherein the top surface of the table includes a pair of said longitudinal magnetic members in spaced relation, and additionally includes a metal center plate located between the magnetic members to complete the top surface, and wherein a pair of endless belts are employed with each belt having its top run passing over and being supported by a magnetic member, whereby a coil spring in magnetically adhered relation with a certain flat surface may be moved bodily from an axial horizontal position to an axial vertical position by rotation of the transfer drum, and whereby a plurality of vertically positioned coil springs may be moved by the moving belts along the table to form a longitudinally aligned row with the coils being magnetically attracted and held on the belts by the magnetic members.

Claim 16

In apparatus for handling and transferring conventional coil springs as defined by claim 11, wherein the magnetic means in associated relation with each flat surface of the transfer drum and the longitudinal magnetic members which form the top surface of the table both comprise magnets of the permanent type.

Claim 17

In apparatus for transferring coil springs from a coiler to an assembling unit, in combination, endless belt structure for receiving the coil springs from the coiler and for moving and positioning the coils in a longitudinal row, said endless belt structure including a longitudinally extending table providing a flat top surface, a rotatable transfer drum at the coiler end of the table, a second drum rotably mounted at the opposite end of the table, a pair of endless belts passing around the drums at respective ends and having their top runs passing over and being supported by the table, said belts being transversely spaced and a center plate forming part of the top surface of the table having location between the belts, a plurality of positioning pins disposed in spaced relation along the length of the table, means supporting the positioning pins for vertical movement including solenoids respectively, said pins normally having an inoperative position below the center plate and an operative position projecting above the plate upon energization of their particular solenoid, means intermittently rotating the transfer drum during operation of the apparatus to cause intermittent movement of the endless belts, and electrical means for energizing the solenoids one at a time and in succession in a direction reverse to the movement of the belts, whereby said pins upon being rendered operative are located in the path of a coil spring to stop movement of the same and hold the coil in position while the belts continue to move.

Claim 18

In apparatus for transferring coil springs from a coiler to an assembling unit, in combination, endless belt structure for receiving the coil springs from the coiler and for moving and positioning the coils in a longitudinal row, said endless belt structure including a longitudinally extending table providing a flat top surface, a rotatable transfer drum at the coiler end of the table, a second drum rotably mounted at the opposite end of the table, a pair of endless belts passing around the drums at respective ends and having their top runs passing over and being supported by the table, said belts being transversely spaced and a center plate forming part of the top surface of the table having location between the belts, a plurality of positioning pins disposed in spaced relation along the length of the table, means supporting the positioning pins for vertical movement including solenoids respectively, said pins normally having an inoperative position below the center plate and an operative position projecting above the plate upon energization of their particular solenoid, means intermittently rotating the transfer drum during operation of the apparatus to cause intermittent movement of the endless belts, and electrical means for energizing the solenoids one at a time and in succession in a direction reverse to the movement of the belts, whereby said pins upon being rendered operative are located in the path of a coil spring to stop movement of the same and hold the coil in position while the belts continue to move.

Claim 19

In apparatus for transferring coil springs from a coiler to an assembling unit as defined by claim 14, additionally including a pair of longitudinal magnetic members of the permanent magnetic type supported by the table on respective sides of the center plate and forming with said plate the top surface of the table, wherein the top run of each belt passes over and is supported by a magnetic member, wherein each solenoid supports a pair of transversely spaced positioning pins and which are vertically movable from an inoperative position below the center plate to an operative position projecting above the plate upon energization of their particular solenoid, and additionally including a pair of fixed positioning pins provided by the table in a stationary position projecting above the center plate, said fixed pair of positioning pins being located in longitudinal alignment with the solenoid actuated pins and at the operative end of the longitudinal table relatively adjacent the second rotatably mounted drum.

Claim 20

In apparatus for transferring knotted coil springs from a supply of said coils to an assembling unit where the coils are joined to form an inner spring structure, in combination, endless belt structure including a longitudinal table having a flat top surface, a rotating transfer drum at the supply end of the table, a pair of endless belts adapted to have movement and which pass around the transfer drum at one end and have their top runs passing over and being supported by the top surface of the table, whereby coil springs delivered one at a time to the transfer drum are transfered thereby to the belts and which effect movement of the coils in succession along the top surface of the table, a plurality of positioning pins provided by the table in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, a plurality of solenoids for supporting the pins respectively for vertical movement from a normal inoperative position below the said top surface to an operative position above the top surface upon energization of their particular solenoid, said pins upon being rendered operative projecting above the belts and into the path of a coil spring being moved by the belts, whereby to stop movement of the coil and produce a longitudinal row in stopped position on the belts while the belts continue to move, a plurality of turntables each being supported for vertical movement and for rotation in a predetermined direction, each turntable being located in associated relation with the endless belts and in aligned relation with one of said solenoids, reciprocable pusher arms equal in number to the number of turntables, each pusher arm having an aligned relation with a positioned coil spring and with its respective turntable, and means for actuating the pusher arms in an operative direction to simultaneously push the entire row of positioned coil springs off the belts and onto the turntables respectively.

Claim 21

In apparatus for transferring knotted coil springs from a supply of said coils to an assembling unit where the coils are joined to form an inner spring structure, in combination, endless belt structure including a longitudinal table having a flat top surface, a rotating transfer drum at the supply end of the table, a pair of endless belts adapted to have movement and which pass around the transfer drum at one end and have their top runs passing over and being supported by the top surface of the table, whereby coil springs delivered one at a time to the transfer drum are transfered thereby to the belts and which effect movement of the coils in succession along the top surface of the table, a plurality of positioning pins provided by the table in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, a plurality of solenoids for supporting the pins respectively for vertical movement from a normal inoperative position below the said top surface to an operative position above the top surface upon energization of their particular solenoid, said pins upon being rendered operative projecting above the belts and into the path of a coil spring being moved by the belts, whereby to stop movement of the coil and produce a longitudinal row in stopped position on the belts while the belts continue to move, a plurality of turntables each being supported for vertical movement and for rotation in a predetermined direction, each turntable being located in associated relation with the endless belts and in aligned relation with one of said solenoids, reciprocable pusher arms equal in number to the number of turntables, each pusher arm having an aligned relation with a positioned coil spring and with its respective turntable, and means for actuating the pusher arms in an operative direction to simultaneously push the entire row of positioned coil springs off the belts and onto the turntables respectively.

Claim 22

In apparatus for transferring knotted coil springs as defined by claim 16, additionally including a pair of spaced permanent magnetic members forming the top surface of the table and having a metal center plate located therebetween, wherein the top run of an endless belt passes over and is supported by a magnetic member, wherein a pair of transversely spaced positioning pins are supported and actuated by each solenoid, and additionally including a pair of fixed positioning pins provided by the table in a stationary position projecting above the center plate, said fixed pair of positioning pins being located in longitudinal alignment with the solenoid actuated positioning pins and at the other end of the table from the transfer drum.

Claim 23

In apparatus for transferring knotted coil springs from a supply of said coils to an assembling unit where the coils are assembled to form an inner spring structure, in combination with, endless belt structure including endless belts and which are adapted to have movement for receiving the coils from the said supply and for moving the coils along the endless belt structure in a longitudinal row, a plurality of solenoid actuated positioning pins in associated relation with the endless belt structure for stopping movement of the coil springs in succession and for holding each coil in stopped position on the belts while the belts continue to move, a plurality of vertically movable turntables in associated relation with the solenoid actuated positioning pins respectively, lower pusher arms having reciprocating movement for simultaneously pushing all the coils in stopped position from off the belts and onto the turntables, gear means having operative connection with each turntable for selectively rotating the same in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction, whereby the coil springs supported by the turntables can be rotated individually for achieving a desired knot orientation, and upper pusher arms also having reciprocating movement for pushing the coil springs from off the turntables and onto dies respectively, said dies forming part of the assembling unit and which are open at the time for receiving the top and bottom convolutions of their particular coil spring.

Claim 24

In apparatus for transferring knotted coil springs from a supply of said coils to an assembling unit where the coils are assembled to form an inner spring structure, in combination with, endless belt structure including endless belts and which are adapted to have movement for receiving the coils from the said supply and for moving the coils along the endless belt structure in a longitudinal row, a plurality of solenoid actuated positioning pins in associated relation with the endless belt structure for stopping movement of the coil springs in succession and for holding each coil in stopped position on the belts while the belts continue to move, a plurality of vertically movable turntables in associated relation with the solenoid actuated positioning pins respectively, lower pusher arms having reciprocating movement for simultaneously pushing all the coils in stopped position from off the belts and onto the turntables, gear means having operative connection with each turntable for selectively rotating the same in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction, whereby the coil springs supported by the turntables can be rotated individually for achieving a desired knot orientation, and upper pusher arms also having reciprocating movement for pushing the coil springs from off the turntables and onto dies respectively, said dies forming part of the assembling unit and which are open at the time for receiving the top and bottom convolutions of their particular coil spring.

Claim 25

In apparatus for transferring knotted coil springs as defined by claim 18, additionally including a pair of magnetic members of the permanent magnetic type forming part of said endless belt structure and wherein a pair of endless belts are employed with each belt having its top run passing over and being supported by a magnetic member, wherein the solenoid actuated positioning pins comprise a plurality of pairs of pins with each pair being supported and actuated by a solenoid, and additionally including power means for reciprocating the lower pusher arms, independent power means for moving all the turntables and their gear means vertically as a unit, whereby the turntables and their associated gear means may be bodily elevated as a unit above the endless belt structure and whereby the turntables may be rotated during the elevating operation, and other independent power means for reciprocating the upper pusher arms.

Claim 26

In apparatus for transferring knotted coil springs as defined by claim 19, wherein the turntables are each provided with magnetic members of the permanent magnetic type whereby to assist in holding the coil springs on the turntables as the same are being elevated and rotated.

Claim 27

In apparatus for transferring knotted coil springs as defined by claim 18, additionally including a pair of opposed coil gripping fingers pivotally carried by each upper pusher arm at the forward end of the same, resilient means in association with each pair of fingers for resiliently maintaining the same in a closed coil gripping position, reciprocable cam means also carried by each pusher arm for opening the gripping fingers against the tension of said resilient means when reciprocated in a forward direction, power means for reciprocating the upper pusher arms, and other independent power means carried by the upper pusher arm structure and movable therewith for simultaneously actuating all the cam means to cause forward and rearward reciprocating movement thereof.