US3776074A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transfer apparatus for an automated tool carriage
Assignee: Gerber Technology LLC
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Filing: 1972-08-02
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A transfer table is provided for transferring an automatically controlled cutting tool carriage and the cutting tool from one cutting table to another so that the same tool can be utilized on a plurality of cutting tables. The transfer table engages a cutting table so that the tool carriage can be driven or rolled off of one cutting table onto the transfer table and transported to another cutting table on which the cutting tool is to be operated. The transfer table is provided with a latch mechanism for securing the tool carriage on the transfer table during the transferring operation and may also include a mechanical catch which assists in holding mechanical and electrical limit stops on the cutting tables inoperative whenever the tool carriage is driven on or off of the transfer table. A lock mechanism may be used to hold the cutting and transfer tables together when the tool carriage is not latched in the travelling position. For cutting systems in which the tool carriage and cutting tool are operated from a central computer by means of overhead cabling, a cable support boom may be connected to the transfer table to carry a segment of the cabling during the transfer operation.
Inventors
- 👤 D Pearl
- 👤 L Wolfson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:12
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26F; B26F1/00; B26F1/38; B26F1/3806; B26F1/3813; B26F1/382; A; A41; A41H; A41H43/00; A41H43/02; A41H43/0285; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/162; Y10T83/166; Y10T83/169; Y10T83/687; Y10T83/869; Y10T83/8748; Y10T83/95; Y10T83/97
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A transfer table for moving a tool carriage between a plurality of work tables having ways on which the tool carriage moves along the respective work tables while performing a work operation comprising: a support frame; a set of supporting ways mounted to the support frame and corresponding respectively with the ways of the work table; a set of rotatable wheels supporting the frame and the ways mounted on the frame for rolling movement toward a position in which the corresponding ways of the transfer table and the work table are spaced from one another and substantially aligned; and means connected to the support frame for moving the ways on the frame from said position into engagement with the ways of the work table without further rolling movement of the support frame on the set of wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A transfer table for moving a tool carriage between a plurality of work tables having ways on which the tool carriage moves along the respective work tables while performing a work operation comprising: a support frame; a set of supporting ways mounted to the support frame and corresponding respectively with the ways of the work table; a set of rotatable wheels supporting the frame and the ways mounted on the frame for rolling movement toward a position in which the corresponding ways of the transfer table and the work table are spaced from one another and substantially aligned; and means connected to the support frame for moving the ways on the frame from said position into engagement with the ways of the work table without further rolling movement of the support frame on the set of wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A transfer table as defined in claim 1 wherein the means comprises jack means connected to the support frame for tilting the frame and shifting the ways of the frame toward engagement with the ways of the work table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A transfer table as defined in claim 1 wherein the means comprises shifting means for shifting the frame and the ways on the frame relative to the set of wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
A transfer table for carrying a tool carriage from a work table having ways on which the carriage moves in a work operation comprising: a structural frame; a set of ways corresponding with the ways of the work table mounted in spaced relationship on the structural frame and extending to the periphery of the frame for registration in a continuous manner with the ways of the work table; a set of support wheels connected with the frame for moving the frame; and jacking means connected to the support frame for tilting the ways between a loading position and a traveling position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
A transfer table for carrying a tool carriage from a work table having ways on which the carriage moves in a work operation comprising: a structural frame; a set of ways corresponding with the ways of the work table mounted in spaced relationship on the structural frame and extending to the periphery of the frame for registration in a continuous manner with the ways of the work table; a set of support wheels connected with the frame for moving the frame; and jacking means connected to the support frame for tilting the ways between a loading position and a traveling position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A transfer table as defined in claim 4 for carrying a motor-driven tool carriage further including an overhead cable support boom connected with the structural frame for tilting movement with the ways between the loading and traveling positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A transfer table as defined in claim 4 wherein the set of ways are fixedly mounted to the support frame; and the jack means is interposed between the wheels and the support frame at one side of the table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A transfer table as defined in claim 6 wherein: the frame has a generally rectangular base; the set of support wheels includes at least four wheels respectively supporting the four corners of the rectangular base; and the jack means is interposed between the base and two of the four support wheels at contiguous corners of the rectangular base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A transfer table as defined in claim 7 wherein the set of ways mounted on the frame comprises two parallel ways extending in generally perpendicular relationship to the side of the rectangular base supported by said two of the four support wheels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A transfer table for carrying a tool carriage as defined in claim 4 further including a mechanical latch mounted on the support frame and engageable with the tool carriage to lock the carriage in a fixed position on the support frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A transfer table as defined in claim 9 wherein the mechanical latch has a cam actuating surface engaged by the carriage adjacent the fixed position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
86 words
In an automated tool system having a work table and a tool and tool carriage automatically controlled to cause the tool and tool carriage to travel over parallel ways on the work table in a work operation, a transfer table comprising: a mobile chassis; a structural frame mounted to the mobile chassis and variably positionable relative to the chassis; and a set of parallel ways connected with the structural frame in a spaced relationship corresponding with the spacing of the parallel ways on the work table.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
In an automated tool system having a work table and a tool and tool carriage automatically controlled to cause the tool and tool carriage to travel over parallel ways on the work table in a work operation, a transfer table comprising: a mobile chassis; a structural frame mounted to the mobile chassis and variably positionable relative to the chassis; and a set of parallel ways connected with the structural frame in a spaced relationship corresponding with the spacing of the parallel ways on the work table.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The transfer table in the automated tool system as defined in claim 11 wherein the structural frame variably positionable on the chassis is shiftably mounted on the chassis for shifting movement in a direction parallel to the set of ways connected with the frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
218 words
The combination comprising: a tool; a work table having a work surface for supporting a material in a position to be worked upon by the tool; a tool carriage interposed between the tool and the work table and supporting the tool for movement relative to the work surface of the work table; control means connected with the tool and the carriage for controlling the operation and movement of the tool and carriage relative to the work surface; a limit stop mounted to the work table and movable between a first position at which the stop prevents further movement of the carriage and tool in one direction relative to the table and a second position at which the stop permits further movement of the carriage and the tool in the one direction; actuating means connected to the limit stop for moving the limit stop between the first and second positions; a transfer table having a frame and carriage supports for the tool carriage and engageable in a loading position with the work table whereby the carriage and the tool may be loaded onto the carriage supports from the work table; and means mounted to the transfer table for engaging the actuating means in the loading position of the transfer table and holding the limit stop in the second position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
218 words
The combination comprising: a tool; a work table having a work surface for supporting a material in a position to be worked upon by the tool; a tool carriage interposed between the tool and the work table and supporting the tool for movement relative to the work surface of the work table; control means connected with the tool and the carriage for controlling the operation and movement of the tool and carriage relative to the work surface; a limit stop mounted to the work table and movable between a first position at which the stop prevents further movement of the carriage and tool in one direction relative to the table and a second position at which the stop permits further movement of the carriage and the tool in the one direction; actuating means connected to the limit stop for moving the limit stop between the first and second positions; a transfer table having a frame and carriage supports for the tool carriage and engageable in a loading position with the work table whereby the carriage and the tool may be loaded onto the carriage supports from the work table; and means mounted to the transfer table for engaging the actuating means in the loading position of the transfer table and holding the limit stop in the second position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination defined in claim 13 wherein the control means includes electrical control means; the limit stop in an electrical limit stop comprising a tripping cam and an electrical limit switch electrically connected to the electrical control means and cooperable with the tripping cam at the first position of the electrical limit stop to disconnect the electrical control means and stop carriage movement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
The combination as defined in claim 14 wherein a mechanical limit stop is also mounted to the work table and movable between a first position in which the mechanical limit stop engages the carriage to stop further movement in one direction and a second position permitting further movement in the one direction; and the actuating means is also connected to the mechanical limit stop for moving the mechanical limit stop between the first and second positions together with the movement of the electrical limit stop between the first and second positions respectively.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination as defined in claim 13 wherein the actuating means comprises a manually operable actuating linkage connected to the limit stop.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination defined in claim 13 wherein the limit stop is a mechanical limit stop.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
186 words
A combination comprising: a work tool; a work table for supporting material to be worked upon by the tool; electrically driven carriage means interposed between the tool and the work table and supporting the tool for movement over the work table; electrical control means connecting with the carriage means for controlling the driving movement of the carriage means over the work table; electrical limiting means connected to the electrical control means and cooperating with the carriage means for interrupting the driving movement of the carriage means over the work table at a travel limit on the work table; actuating means connected to the electrical limiting means for selectively rendering the electrical limiting means ineffective; a transfer table having a frame and carriage supports and having a transfer position adjacent the work table at which the carriage means and tool may be transferred onto the carriage supports of the transfer table from the work table; and means mounted to the transfer table for engaging the actuating means at the transfer position adjacent the work table and causing the actuating means to hold the electrical limiting means inoperative.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
186 words
A combination comprising: a work tool; a work table for supporting material to be worked upon by the tool; electrically driven carriage means interposed between the tool and the work table and supporting the tool for movement over the work table; electrical control means connecting with the carriage means for controlling the driving movement of the carriage means over the work table; electrical limiting means connected to the electrical control means and cooperating with the carriage means for interrupting the driving movement of the carriage means over the work table at a travel limit on the work table; actuating means connected to the electrical limiting means for selectively rendering the electrical limiting means ineffective; a transfer table having a frame and carriage supports and having a transfer position adjacent the work table at which the carriage means and tool may be transferred onto the carriage supports of the transfer table from the work table; and means mounted to the transfer table for engaging the actuating means at the transfer position adjacent the work table and causing the actuating means to hold the electrical limiting means inoperative.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
64 words
A combination as defined in claim 18 further including mechanical limit stOp means mounted to the work table and cooperating with the carriage means to physically limit the movement of the carriage means over the table; and wherein the actuating means is also connected to the mechanical limit stop means for rendering the limit stop means inoperative whenever the electrical limiting means is inoperative.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
172 words
The combination in an automated cutting system comprising: a plurality of cutting tables located in spaced relationship, each cutting table defining a work surface for supporting material to be cut; a cutter; a carriage supporting the cutter and having controlled drive means engagable with each of the cutting tables for moving the carriage and the cutter on the tables; a control computer providing command signals defining patterns to be cut in the material supported by the cutting tables; cabling interconnecting the control computer and the carriage for transmitting the command signals from the computer to the carriage; suspension means connected with the cabling for supporting the cabling between the control computer and the carriage as the carriage moves on the cutting tables; mobile transfer means for supporting and moving the carriage and the cutter between the spaced cutting tables; and a cable support connected to and movable with the mobile transfer means whereby the cutter, the carriage and at least a portion of the cabling can be transferred together between cutting tables.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
172 words
The combination in an automated cutting system comprising: a plurality of cutting tables located in spaced relationship, each cutting table defining a work surface for supporting material to be cut; a cutter; a carriage supporting the cutter and having controlled drive means engagable with each of the cutting tables for moving the carriage and the cutter on the tables; a control computer providing command signals defining patterns to be cut in the material supported by the cutting tables; cabling interconnecting the control computer and the carriage for transmitting the command signals from the computer to the carriage; suspension means connected with the cabling for supporting the cabling between the control computer and the carriage as the carriage moves on the cutting tables; mobile transfer means for supporting and moving the carriage and the cutter between the spaced cutting tables; and a cable support connected to and movable with the mobile transfer means whereby the cutter, the carriage and at least a portion of the cabling can be transferred together between cutting tables.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination defined in claim 20 wherein the mobile transfer means comprises a table mounted on wheels; and the cable support includes a boom supported above the table.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
88 words
The combination defined in claim 20 wherein the suspension means includes a first set of overhead tracks extending over the work surfaces of the cutting tables, a second set of overhead tracks located generally between the control computer and the tracks of the first set; and carriers suspending the cabling in festoons from the sets of tracks; and wherein the cable support includes a boom means engagable with the overhead tracks of the first set to receive and transfer cabling supported by the carriers above the cutting tables.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
82 words
The combination of claim 22 wherein: the movable transfer means comprises a transfer table tiltable at each of the cutting tables between a loading position in contact with the cutting table and a traveling position disengaged from the cutting table; and the boom means is connected to the transfer table to tilt with the transfer table into engagement with the overhead track extending above the cutting table at the loading position of the transfer table to receive the carriers in the track.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination defined in claim 20 wherein the mobile transfer means includes a movable table on wheels; and a fixed rail on which at least two of the table wheels ride, the rail extending adjacent the plurality of cutting tables.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination defined in claim 24 wherein jacking means are connected to the table for tilting the table about the rail on which two of the wheels ride.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a tool system, the combination comprising a tool carriage; a tool mounted on the carriage; a work table having a work surface and carriage guide ways mating with the tool carriage and on which the tool carriage is guided relative to the work surface in a work operation; a transfer table movable into and out of a transfer position adjacent the work table for carrying the tool and tool carriage and also having carriage guide ways mating with the tool carriage and mounted to register in continuous and aligned relationship with the guide ways of the work table with the transfer table in the transfer position; locking means having locked and unlocked conditions and connected to the two tables for locking the transfer table in the transfer position to the work table; and lock actuating means operated by the positioning of the tool carriage on the transfer table for actuating the locking means between the locked and unlocked conditions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a tool system, the combination comprising a tool carriage; a tool mounted on the carriage; a work table having a work surface and carriage guide ways mating with the tool carriage and on which the tool carriage is guided relative to the work surface in a work operation; a transfer table movable into and out of a transfer position adjacent the work table for carrying the tool and tool carriage and also having carriage guide ways mating with the tool carriage and mounted to register in continuous and aligned relationship with the guide ways of the work table with the transfer table in the transfer position; locking means having locked and unlocked conditions and connected to the two tables for locking the transfer table in the transfer position to the work table; and lock actuating means operated by the positioning of the tool carriage on the transfer table for actuating the locking means between the locked and unlocked conditions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a tool system, The combination of claim 26 wherein the tool carriage fits entirely on the guide ways of the transfer table in a loaded position; and the lock actuating means includes a carriage member which at the loaded position of the carriage holds the locking means in the unlocked condition.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
In a tool system, the combination of claim 27 wherein the lock actuating means includes a displaceable cam mounted adjacent one of the guide ways on the transfer table; and the carriage member is a carriage wheel which travels along the one of the guide ways and displaces the cam at the loaded position of the carriage.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a tool system, the combination of claim 26 wherein the transfer table includes a chassis having wheels for travelling in a first direction and a frame shiftable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction relative to the chassis toward and away from the work table, the guide ways being mounted on the transfer table parallel to the second direction; and the locking means comprises an apertured lock plate on the work table and a shaft mounted to the shiftable frame and extending in the second direction into the apertured lock plate at the transfer position of the transfer table, the shaft being rotatable within the lock plate between a locked and unlocked position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1686742A
Cited
US3626796A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |