US3825245A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Workpiece changer mechanism for a machine tool
Assignee: Kearney and Trecker Corp
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Filing: 1972-04-24
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Granted: 1974-07-23
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Expires: 1992-04-24
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a work changing mechanism comprising a plurality of separate work receiving pellets, a working station for receiving one pallet for performing a working operation, and a plurality of storage stations including one empty storage station. A plurality of separate pallet securing means are associated with the storage stations, and are separately extensible relative to the working station. One of the securing means is operable to releasably retain a pallet in a storage station for selective interchange with a pallet supporting a workpiece for the performance of an operation in the working station. Another of the securing means in a storage station is empty and is selectively operative to bodily retract the pallet then in the operating station at the completion of the operation performed on the workpiece carried by that pallet. Retraction of the pallet from the operating station to the storage station by the empty securing means, is accomplished by the other securing means bodily interchanging the stored pallet in position in the now empty operating station.
Inventors
- 👤 J Osburn
- 👤 J Schachte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:21
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q7/00; B23Q7/14; B23Q7/1426; B23Q7/1431; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5124; Y10T29/5196; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a workpiece changer for a machine tool having a worktable for receiving the workpieces to be operated upon; a workpiece storage support rotatably mounted in a frame for storing workpieces; means for transferring workpieces between said worktable and said workpiece support; a piston and cylinder mechanism having one end pivotally connected to said frame and the opposite end connected to said workpiece storage support at a point displaced from the axis of said support; a source of hydraulic pressure; and a control for regulating the flow of hydraulic pressure to said piston and cylinder mechanism to actuate said piston and cylinder mechanism in either direction to produce a partial revolution of said support for locating a new workpiece in position relative to said worktable so that said transfer means can transfer the new workpiece onto said worktable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a workpiece changer for a machine tool having a worktable for receiving the workpieces to be operated upon; a workpiece storage support rotatably mounted in a frame for storing workpieces; means for transferring workpieces between said worktable and said workpiece support; a piston and cylinder mechanism having one end pivotally connected to said frame and the opposite end connected to said workpiece storage support at a point displaced from the axis of said support; a source of hydraulic pressure; and a control for regulating the flow of hydraulic pressure to said piston and cylinder mechanism to actuate said piston and cylinder mechanism in either direction to produce a partial revolution of said support for locating a new workpiece in position relative to said worktable so that said transfer means can transfer the new workpiece onto said worktable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A workpiece changer according to claim 1 wherein said control reverses the operation of said piston and cylinder mechanism during the partial revolution of said support to complete the partial revolution of said support in a single direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A workpiece changer according to claim 1 including, an elevating mechanism for elevating the workpiece on said worktable; and coupling means that couple the workpiece to said transfer means when the workpiece is elevated by said elevating mechanism so that the workpiece can be moved by said transfer means, said transfer means being released from the workpiece when the latter is lowered by said elevating mechanism onto the worktable for the performance of a work operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A workpiece changer according to claim 1 including, a second piston and cylinder mechanism having one end pivotally connected to said frame and the opposite end connected to said support at a point displaced from the axis of said support; and said control regulates the operation of said second piston and cylinder mechanism for cooperation with said first piston and cylinder mechanism to complete a single partial revolution of said support in either direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A workpiece changer according to claim 4 wherein said control reverses the operation of said first piston and cylinder mechanism when said support has completed substantially one-half of its partial revolution; and said control maintains said second piston and cylinder mechanism operating in a single direction during the complete partial revolution of said support so that the entire partial revolution of said support is completed in a smooth uninterrupted movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A workpiece changer according to claim 4, including, a first stop position to be engaged by said workpiece storage support; and a second stop positioned to be engaged by said support when the latter is rotated in the opposite direction; and said piston and cylinder mechanism rotates said support against said stops individually depending upon the direction of rotation so that said stops define the extent and location of the partial revolution of said support by said piston and cylinder mechanisms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a machine tool having a work receiving operating station including releasable clamp means; an indexable work storage support having a first work storage and a second work storage; first securing means associated with said first work storage movable outwardly therefrom into secured engagement with work in said operating station; reverse means operative to return said first securing means together with said now secured work to stored position on said first wOrk storage; a bidirectional power actuator including reverse means operative to connect a forward and reverse power stroke therefrom into one unidirectional power stroke connectable to indexably position said storage support relative to said operating station; and, second securing means associated with said second work storage operative to extensibly advance work from stored position into releasable clamped engagement with said clamp means in said work receiving station including means for returning said second securing means into empty stored position on said second work storage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a machine tool having a work receiving operating station including releasable clamp means; an indexable work storage support having a first work storage and a second work storage; first securing means associated with said first work storage movable outwardly therefrom into secured engagement with work in said operating station; reverse means operative to return said first securing means together with said now secured work to stored position on said first wOrk storage; a bidirectional power actuator including reverse means operative to connect a forward and reverse power stroke therefrom into one unidirectional power stroke connectable to indexably position said storage support relative to said operating station; and, second securing means associated with said second work storage operative to extensibly advance work from stored position into releasable clamped engagement with said clamp means in said work receiving station including means for returning said second securing means into empty stored position on said second work storage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a machine tool according to claim 7 including a rate control operatively connected to gradually increase the output velocity during the first half of the unidirectional power stroke; and, means to reverse said rate control operatively connected to gradually reduce the output velocity during the second half of the unidirectional power stroke.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a machine tool having a work station; a first pallet releasably clamped in said work station; an indexable pallet support spaced in proximity to said work station; a pair of separate individually movable pallet engaging latches carried by said support for selective indexable movement therewith and for individual bodily movement relative to said work station; a second pallet releasably clamped to one of said pair of latches carried by said pallet support in such manner that said other latch carried thereby is empty; first power means connected to extend said empty latch from said support into clamped engagement with said first pallet carried by said work station, said first power means being reversible to return said latch and said first pallet clamped thereto to storage position on said pallet support; and, means to indexably reposition said pallet support relative to said work station including second power means operative to extend said other latch means with said second pallet into operating engagement with said empty work station and said second power means being reversible to return said other now empty latch into an empty storage position on said pallet support.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a machine tool having a work station; a first pallet releasably clamped in said work station; an indexable pallet support spaced in proximity to said work station; a pair of separate individually movable pallet engaging latches carried by said support for selective indexable movement therewith and for individual bodily movement relative to said work station; a second pallet releasably clamped to one of said pair of latches carried by said pallet support in such manner that said other latch carried thereby is empty; first power means connected to extend said empty latch from said support into clamped engagement with said first pallet carried by said work station, said first power means being reversible to return said latch and said first pallet clamped thereto to storage position on said pallet support; and, means to indexably reposition said pallet support relative to said work station including second power means operative to extend said other latch means with said second pallet into operating engagement with said empty work station and said second power means being reversible to return said other now empty latch into an empty storage position on said pallet support.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |