US3861520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transfer apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-25
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1993-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A transfer apparatus for stepwise transferring an object such as a panel an incremental distance along a processing line includes a pair of spaced transfer rails each including a plurality of gripping members spaced at incremental distances along the length of the rails and yoke drive means for reciprocating the transfer rails through an incremental distance. Additional drive means are provided for simultaneously actuating the gripping members in synchronism with the movement of the transfer rails such that objects such as panels positioned between the transfer rails are alternately gripped, moved forwardly by virtue of the rail movement and released whereupon the transfer rails return to a rearward position in preparation for additional transfer cycles.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L Ballard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:21
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D43/00; B21D43/02; B21D43/04; B21D43/05; B21D43/055; B65; B65G; B65G25/00; B65G25/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
Apparatus for sequentially transporting a series of spaced workpieces along a path in a stepwise incremental fashion comprising: a pair of spaced transfer rails, extending the length of the desired path of movement of a workpiece; means including a support frame for slidably supporting said transfer rails; carriage means coupling said transfer rails for simultaneous motion; carriage support means for supporting said carriage means to permit reciprocation thereof in a path parallel to said transfer rails; stabilizing means coupled between said frame and said carriage means to prevent any significant skewing of said carriage means as it reciprocates; first drive means coupled to said carriage means and including a yoke for reciprocating said rails between forward and rearward positions in a substantially sinusoidal manner and through a distance selected for the desired incremental motion of the workpiece; a plurality of gripping members coupled to and spaced along said transfer rails and movable between article gripping and article releasing positions; second drive means for simultaneously actuating said gripping members to grip or release a workpiece; means for sequentially actuating said first and second drive means to sequentially grip a workpiece, advance the workpiece, release the workpiece and return said rail to a rearward position before a successive workpiece is gripped; and workpiece support means positioned between said transfer rails for supporting a workpiece when released by said gripping members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
Apparatus for sequentially transporting a series of spaced workpieces along a path in a stepwise incremental fashion comprising: a pair of spaced transfer rails, extending the length of the desired path of movement of a workpiece; means including a support frame for slidably supporting said transfer rails; carriage means coupling said transfer rails for simultaneous motion; carriage support means for supporting said carriage means to permit reciprocation thereof in a path parallel to said transfer rails; stabilizing means coupled between said frame and said carriage means to prevent any significant skewing of said carriage means as it reciprocates; first drive means coupled to said carriage means and including a yoke for reciprocating said rails between forward and rearward positions in a substantially sinusoidal manner and through a distance selected for the desired incremental motion of the workpiece; a plurality of gripping members coupled to and spaced along said transfer rails and movable between article gripping and article releasing positions; second drive means for simultaneously actuating said gripping members to grip or release a workpiece; means for sequentially actuating said first and second drive means to sequentially grip a workpiece, advance the workpiece, release the workpiece and return said rail to a rearward position before a successive workpiece is gripped; and workpiece support means positioned between said transfer rails for supporting a workpiece when released by said gripping members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said stabilizing means includes a shaft rotatably coupled to said carriage means and including a pair of spaced gears mounted thereto, and a pair of spaced gear racks positioned on said frame to engage said spaced gears to control the direction of longitudinal motion of said carriage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transfer rail is coupled to said carriage means and wherein said first drive means includes: a drive motor having an output shaft; a clutch coupled to said output shaft; and a cam drive unit coupled to said clutch and to said yoke, said yoke being further coupled to said carriage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein saiD cam drive unit has a drive shaft extending therefrom and wherein said yoke comprises: a drive arm having one end coupled to said drive shaft and including a roller at a remote end; and a pair of substantially parallel spaced follower bars coupled to said carriage means and spanning said roller such that as said drive arm rotates, said yoke reciprocates said carriage means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said cam drive unit produces an output motion to said drive shaft comprising a generally sinusoidal motion having substantially flattened peak portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second drive means comprises: a torque shaft extending in coupling engagement with said spaced gripping members; a longitudinally stationary drive shaft; primary drive means for rotating said longitudinally stationary drive shaft reciprocally through an arc; and secondary drive means slidably engaging said longitudinally stationary drive shaft and coupled to said torque shaft to transmit rotary motion of said longitudinally stationary drive shaft to said torque shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said apparatus includes a torque shaft associated with each transfer rail and coupled to associated gripping members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
196 words
A machine for stepwise transferring panels along a path comprising: a pair of spaced substantially parallel transfer rails extending along at least a portion of the path; support means for slidably supporting said rails; first drive means comprising a carriage coupled to said rails, a drive motor, and a yoke coupling said carriage and said drive motor to simultaneously reciprocate said rails with a substantially sinusoidal velocity; stabilizing means coupled between said support means and said carriage to prevent any significant skewing of said carriage as it is reciprocated; a pair of spaced rotatable torque shafts each coupled to one of said transfer rails for motion therewith; a plurality of gripping members coupled to and spaced along each of said transfer rails and further coupled to said torque shafts to be actuated by the rotation of said torque shaft to grip or release a workpiece positioned between said torque shafts; second drive means for selectively rotating said torque shafts; control means for sequentially actuating said first and second drive means to incrementally advance panels along the path; and workpiece support means positioned between said transfer rails for supporting a workpiece when released by said gripping members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
196 words
A machine for stepwise transferring panels along a path comprising: a pair of spaced substantially parallel transfer rails extending along at least a portion of the path; support means for slidably supporting said rails; first drive means comprising a carriage coupled to said rails, a drive motor, and a yoke coupling said carriage and said drive motor to simultaneously reciprocate said rails with a substantially sinusoidal velocity; stabilizing means coupled between said support means and said carriage to prevent any significant skewing of said carriage as it is reciprocated; a pair of spaced rotatable torque shafts each coupled to one of said transfer rails for motion therewith; a plurality of gripping members coupled to and spaced along each of said transfer rails and further coupled to said torque shafts to be actuated by the rotation of said torque shaft to grip or release a workpiece positioned between said torque shafts; second drive means for selectively rotating said torque shafts; control means for sequentially actuating said first and second drive means to incrementally advance panels along the path; and workpiece support means positioned between said transfer rails for supporting a workpiece when released by said gripping members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said first drive means further includes: a clutch unit coupled to said drive motor; and a cam drive unit coupled to said clutch and further coupled to said yoke to provide a drive motion to said yoke which responds thereto to provide the sinusoidal motion of said transfer rails.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said cam drive unit includes a drive shaft extending therefrom and said yoke comprises: a drive arm having one end coupled to said drive shaft and including a roller at a remote end; and a pair of substantially parallel spaced follower bars coupled to said carriage and spanning said roller such that as said drive arm rotates, said yoke reciprocates said carriage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said stabilizing means includes a shaft rotatably coupled to said carriage and including a pair of spaced gears mounted thereto, and a pair of spaced gear racks positioned on said support means to engage said spaced gears to control the direction of longitudinal motion of said carriage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said second drive means comprises: a torque shaft extending in coupling engagement with said spaced gripping members; a longitudinally stationary drive shaft; primary drive means for rotating said longitudinally stationary drive shaft reciprocally Through an arc; and secondary drive means slidably engaging said longitudinally stationary drive shaft and coupled to said torque shaft to transmit rotary motion of said longitudinally stationary drive shaft to said torque shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said longitudinally stationary drive shaft has a square cross section and wherein said secondary drive means includes a drive gear slidably mounted to said longitudinally stationary drive shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said control means includes time delay means for stopping said transfer rails at the ends of travel for a predetermined selectable period of time.
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) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |