Patent US3837465A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3837465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Assembly and transfer apparatus
Assignee: Siemens Industry Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-30
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1993-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for laterally receiving elongated elements at an upper first location, for assembling the elements thus received, and for transferring the assembled elements downwardly to a lower second location. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced opposed guide surfaces defining an assembly and transfer zone which extends downwardly from the upper to the lower of the aforesaid locations. Carrier members protrude into and are movable along the length of the zone. Elongated elements are fed laterally, and preferably although not necessarily singly, into the zone through an inlet at the upper location. The elements are initially retained adjacent to the inlet and against the carrier members and are thus assembled at the upper end of the zone. The carrier members are moved downwardly along the length of the zone, initially for the purpose of accommodating the entry of elements into the zone during the assembly thereof, and thereafter to carry the assembled elements to the lower second location. The invention further includes apparatus for receiving the assembled elements at the second location, for carrying the same laterally to a third location where the elements are strapped into a dense bundle, and then to a fourth location where the bundle is delivered to other handling apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 K Klusmier
- 👤 W Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B27/00; B65B27/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for laterally receiving elongated elements at an upper first location, for assembling the elements thus received, and for transferring the assembled elements to a lower second location, said apparatus comprising: spaced opposed guide surfaces defining an assembly and transfer zone which extends downardly from the first location to the second location; inlet means communicating with said zone at the first location, said inlet means being operative to control the lateral feeding of elongated elements into said zone; carrier means extending laterally across said zone, said carrier means cooperating with said guide surfaces to confine and assemble the elements being laterally fed into said zone through said inlet means; and operating means for moving said carrier means along said zone from an upper position adjacent to the first location to a lower position at the second location, whereby elongated elements fed laterally through said inlet means into said zone will be assembled at the first location and thereafter transferred downwardly to the second location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for laterally receiving elongated elements at an upper first location, for assembling the elements thus received, and for transferring the assembled elements to a lower second location, said apparatus comprising: spaced opposed guide surfaces defining an assembly and transfer zone which extends downardly from the first location to the second location; inlet means communicating with said zone at the first location, said inlet means being operative to control the lateral feeding of elongated elements into said zone; carrier means extending laterally across said zone, said carrier means cooperating with said guide surfaces to confine and assemble the elements being laterally fed into said zone through said inlet means; and operating means for moving said carrier means along said zone from an upper position adjacent to the first location to a lower position at the second location, whereby elongated elements fed laterally through said inlet means into said zone will be assembled at the first location and thereafter transferred downwardly to the second location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by means for adjusting said inlet means in order to maintain the elements passing laterally therethrough in parallel alignment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said inlet means is comprised of a downwardly sloping ramp terminating at its lower end in a fixed shoulder which defines one side of an opening, the oppostie side of siad opening being defined by another shoulder on at least one member mounted for pivotal movement relative to said fixed shoulder, the said means for adjusting said inlet means being operative to adjust the spacing between said shoulders by pivotally manipulating said member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating means includes a collapsible arm which is positioned outside of said zone and which is operative to move said carrier means into and out of said zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by said guide surfaces extending arcuately about a common axis which is parallel to and spaced laterally from said inlet means, the innermost guide surface having a slot therein to accommodate movement of said carrier means along said zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said operating means is comprised of a drive shaft journalled for rotation about said axis, intermediate means connecting sais drive shaft to said carrier means, and means for rotating said drive shaft in opposite directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said intermediate means is comprised of a first arm means connected at one end to said drive shaft for rotation therewith, said first arm means extending radially from said drive shaft and being pivotally connected at its opposite end to an arcuate link, said carrier means being mounted on and protruding laterally from the outer edge of said arcuate link, and a collapsible second arm means rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and extending radially therefrom, said second arm means being pivotally connected to said arcuate link.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said collapsible second arm means is comprised of a first link rotatably mounted on said drive shaft, a second link pivotally connected to said arcuate link, said first and second links being pivotally joined at a toggle joint, and means for collapsing said second arm means to withdraw said carrier means from said zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for collapsing said second arm means comprises means for rotating said first link relative to said drive shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for rotating said drive shaft in opposite directions is comprised of an arm extending radially from and fixed relative to said drive shaft, and a pivotally mounted piston-cylinder unit having a piston rod operatively connected to said arm, whereby extension and retraction of said piston rod will impart rotation in opposite directions to said drive shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first and second arm means are of approximately equal length, and wherein the radial distance between said axis and the outside edge of said arcuate link is greater than the radial distance between said axis and the innermost guide surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further characterized by transfer means beneath the lower second location for receiving the assembled elongated elements from said zone when said carrier means is retracted from said zone, said transfer means being movable to a third location at which further operations are performed on the assembled elements, and closure means movable from an inoperative position outside of said zone to an operative position extending across said zone at said second location, said closure means being movable between said operative and inoperative positions in response to movement of said transfer means into and out of its element receiving position beneath the lower second locaton.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said closure means is comprised of a plurality of spring-actuated pins.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said member is further provided with a forward edge which extends upwardly from said other shoulder and which is inclined oppositely to said ramp to cooperate therewith in defining a U-shaped notch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein a plurality of said members are provided, each being separately adjustable to abut against wedge-shaped surfaces on a common adjustable stop member.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
212 words
An apparatus for laterally receiving elongated elements at an upper location, for assembling the element thus received, and for transferring the assembled elements to a lower location, said apparatus comprising: opposed inner and outer arcuate guide surfaces spaced to define an arcuate zone therebetween which extends downwardly from the upper location to the lower location, said guide surfaces being disposed radially in relation to a common axis, said inner guide surface having a slot extending along substantially the entire length thereof; inlet means communicating with said zone at said upper location; means for adjusting said inlet means to feed elongated elements laterally and singly into said zone; carrier means protruding through said slot into said zone, said carrier means cooperating with said guide surfaces to confine and assemble elements being fed laterally into said zone through said inlet means; operating means for moving said carrier means along said zone from an upper position adjacent to said inlet means and a lower position at the lower location, whereby elongated elements fed laterally through said inlet means into said zone will be assembled between said guide surfaces on said carrier means and thereafter transferred donwwardly to the lower location; and means associated with said operating means for retracting said carrier means from said zone.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
212 words
An apparatus for laterally receiving elongated elements at an upper location, for assembling the element thus received, and for transferring the assembled elements to a lower location, said apparatus comprising: opposed inner and outer arcuate guide surfaces spaced to define an arcuate zone therebetween which extends downwardly from the upper location to the lower location, said guide surfaces being disposed radially in relation to a common axis, said inner guide surface having a slot extending along substantially the entire length thereof; inlet means communicating with said zone at said upper location; means for adjusting said inlet means to feed elongated elements laterally and singly into said zone; carrier means protruding through said slot into said zone, said carrier means cooperating with said guide surfaces to confine and assemble elements being fed laterally into said zone through said inlet means; operating means for moving said carrier means along said zone from an upper position adjacent to said inlet means and a lower position at the lower location, whereby elongated elements fed laterally through said inlet means into said zone will be assembled between said guide surfaces on said carrier means and thereafter transferred donwwardly to the lower location; and means associated with said operating means for retracting said carrier means from said zone.
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) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |