US3782162A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manipulator
Assignee: United States Steel Corp
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Filing: 1972-03-09
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-03-09
Abstract
Abstract Manipulator apparatus for rotating an elongated article such as a rail about its longitudinal axis and propelling such rail longitudinally. The apparatus includes a carriage, a drive mechanism for the carriage, a rail gripping mechanism, and a rail rotating mechanism. The apparatus is characterized by instant response to fingertip control. Retractable rollers are disclosed for supporting the body of the article.
Inventors
- 👤 H Bullard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:33
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D3/00; B21D3/10; B21D43/00; B21D43/02; B21D43/04; B21D43/10; B21D43/105; B25; B25J; B25J11/00; B25J5/00; B25J5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for rotating an elongated article about its longitudinal axis and propelling said article longitudinally, said apparatus comprising; a base; a pair of parallel rails attached to said base; a carriage movably supported by said rails; means connected to said carriage for driving said carriage along said rails; means connected to said carriage for rotating said article about said longitudinal axis, a boom mount; a boom carriage horizontally slidable on said mount normal to the direction of movement of said first named carriage; a boom pivotally attached to said boom carriage and extending transverse to the movement of said first named carriage, one end of which boom carries a manipulator head, the other end of which carries a counterweight; and means connected to said boom for gripping one end of said article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for rotating an elongated article about its longitudinal axis and propelling said article longitudinally, said apparatus comprising; a base; a pair of parallel rails attached to said base; a carriage movably supported by said rails; means connected to said carriage for driving said carriage along said rails; means connected to said carriage for rotating said article about said longitudinal axis, a boom mount; a boom carriage horizontally slidable on said mount normal to the direction of movement of said first named carriage; a boom pivotally attached to said boom carriage and extending transverse to the movement of said first named carriage, one end of which boom carries a manipulator head, the other end of which carries a counterweight; and means connected to said boom for gripping one end of said article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first named means comprises; a drive motor fixed to said first named carriage, a pinion rotatable by said motor, and a rack fixed to said base for engagement by said pinion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising means for controlling the speed and direction of movement of said first named carriage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first named carriage includes hold-down devices comprising wheels depending from said first named carriage and adapted to engage the underside of said base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which a reversible drive motor is mounted on said boom, and a clamp is fixed to the drive shaft of said motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said last named means comprises: a clamp mounted on said boom, said clamp including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw; a piston housed in the body of said clamp said movable jaw being connected to said piston and the body of said clamp; and means for actuating said piston in each direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said fixed jaw has a replaceable wear plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first named carriage has wheels which are mounted on said rails and at least one of said rails and said wheel mounted thereon have matching male and female surfaces.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
185 words
An apparatus for rotating an elongated article about its longitudinal axis and propelling said article longitudinally, said apparatus comprising; a base, a pair of parallel rails attached to said base, a carriage movably supported by said rails, means connected to said carriage for driving said carriage along said rails, means connected to said carriage for rotating said article about said longitudinal axis, a boom mounted on said carriage; a clamp mounted on said boom, said clamp including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw; a piston housed in the body of said clamp said movable jaw being connected to said piston and the body of said clamp; an annular fluid dispensing member connected to said boom; a rotatable clamp journaled in said annular fluid dispensing member, said clamp having a hydraulically actuatable movable jaw therewith, and a fluid orifice communicating with said movable jaw and said fluid dispensing member, whereby introducing hydraulic fluid under pressure to said fluid dispensing member will cause actuation of said hydraulically actuatable jaw regardless of its relative axial position; and biasing means for returning said jaw to its unactuated position.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
185 words
An apparatus for rotating an elongated article about its longitudinal axis and propelling said article longitudinally, said apparatus comprising; a base, a pair of parallel rails attached to said base, a carriage movably supported by said rails, means connected to said carriage for driving said carriage along said rails, means connected to said carriage for rotating said article about said longitudinal axis, a boom mounted on said carriage; a clamp mounted on said boom, said clamp including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw; a piston housed in the body of said clamp said movable jaw being connected to said piston and the body of said clamp; an annular fluid dispensing member connected to said boom; a rotatable clamp journaled in said annular fluid dispensing member, said clamp having a hydraulically actuatable movable jaw therewith, and a fluid orifice communicating with said movable jaw and said fluid dispensing member, whereby introducing hydraulic fluid under pressure to said fluid dispensing member will cause actuation of said hydraulically actuatable jaw regardless of its relative axial position; and biasing means for returning said jaw to its unactuated position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
231 words
In combination, apparatus for guiding, rotating, supporting and propelling a rail through a straightening machine comprising: apparatus for rotating said rail about its longitudinal axis and propelling said rail longitudinally comprising: a base, a pair of parallel rails attached to said base, a carriage movably supported by said rails, means connected to said carriage for driving said carriage along said rails, means connected to said carriage for rotating said article about said longitudinal axis, and means connected to said carriage for gripping one end of said article, at least one retractable deflectable support roller apparatus in the path of travel of said rail, comprising: a base; a column pivotal on said base; a roller having an axle on which it is journaled, one end of said axle being pivotally attached to the top of said column; a hydraulic cylinder connected to the other end of said axle and to the bottom of said column for deflecting one end of said roller; and a hydraulic cylinder connected to said base and to the bottom of said column for pivoting said column about its vertical axis; and a limit switch on each side of said column in the path of said carriage, actuated by said carriage to extend said roller when said carriage is moving away from said straightening machine, and to retract said roller when said carriage is moving toward said machine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
231 words
In combination, apparatus for guiding, rotating, supporting and propelling a rail through a straightening machine comprising: apparatus for rotating said rail about its longitudinal axis and propelling said rail longitudinally comprising: a base, a pair of parallel rails attached to said base, a carriage movably supported by said rails, means connected to said carriage for driving said carriage along said rails, means connected to said carriage for rotating said article about said longitudinal axis, and means connected to said carriage for gripping one end of said article, at least one retractable deflectable support roller apparatus in the path of travel of said rail, comprising: a base; a column pivotal on said base; a roller having an axle on which it is journaled, one end of said axle being pivotally attached to the top of said column; a hydraulic cylinder connected to the other end of said axle and to the bottom of said column for deflecting one end of said roller; and a hydraulic cylinder connected to said base and to the bottom of said column for pivoting said column about its vertical axis; and a limit switch on each side of said column in the path of said carriage, actuated by said carriage to extend said roller when said carriage is moving away from said straightening machine, and to retract said roller when said carriage is moving toward said machine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination as defined in claim 10 further comprising a retractable support roll apparatus at the exit end of said straightening machine.
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) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |