Patent US3875982A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3875982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fastener feeding apparatus drive control means
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-20
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1993-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A drive control means by which headed parts such as screws or other fasteners contained in any order in a bulk supply means such as a hopper are supplied continuously in a required alignment to a distributor, and supplied individually from the distributor to a power operated fastening tool. The drive control means has sensing elements which detect when the fastening tool requires a fastener to be supplied thereto, and actuates the distributor to supply a fastener accordingly, and which detect the state of supply of fasteners to the distributor, and actuate a means to supply fasteners from the bulk supply means only when necessary, whereby a constant reserve is maintained in readiness for immediate supply to the distributor and to the fastening tool. The entire drive control means is operated from a single source of pneumatic power, and may be used directly in association with feeding apparatus for fasteners of different sizes.
Inventors
- 👤 Koichi Mizu
- 👤 Koichi Kitani
- 👤 Yubi Mori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:19
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G43/00; B65G43/08; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/02; B25B23/04; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1478; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53687
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
In a fastener feed apparatus including a hopper section for bulk storage of fasteners, a transfer means operatively positioned for transferring fasteners from said hopper section, a transfer chute leading from said hopper section and to which fasteners are transferred by said transfer means, a distribution means connected to said transfer chute for individual distribution of fasteners, and a fastening device coupled to said distribution means and to which fasteners are supplied one at a time by said distribution means, the improvements which comprise: a drive control means comprised of a first pneumatic control circuit operatively coupled for drive control of said transfer means and including at least one delay valve and fluidic element, first sensor means operatively positioned for detecting the state of supply of fasteners on said transfer chute and emitting different control signals in response to detection of different supply states, and a second pneumatic control circuit operatively associated with said fastening device and said distributing means for activating said distribution means to supply fasteners to said fastening device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a fastener feed apparatus including a hopper section for bulk storage of fasteners, a transfer means operatively positioned for transferring fasteners from said hopper section, a transfer chute leading from said hopper section and to which fasteners are transferred by said transfer means, a distribution means connected to said transfer chute for individual distribution of fasteners, and a fastening device coupled to said distribution means and to which fasteners are supplied one at a time by said distribution means, the improvements which comprise: a drive control means comprised of a first pneumatic control circuit operatively coupled for drive control of said transfer means and including at least one delay valve and fluidic element, first sensor means operatively positioned for detecting the state of supply of fasteners on said transfer chute and emitting different control signals in response to detection of different supply states, and a second pneumatic control circuit operatively associated with said fastening device and said distributing means for activating said distribution means to supply fasteners to said fastening device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
A fastener feed apparatus drive control means as recited in claim 1, wherein said first control circuit includes a second sensor means comprised of a first signal emitter and a second signal emitter, a monostable fluidic element, a bistable fluidic element, and a delay valve, said first signal emitter coupled to and supplying input to said monostable element, said second signal emitter coupled to and supplying input to said monostable element and to said delay valve, said monostable element and said delay valve coupled to and supplying inputs to said bistable element, and said bistable element supplying output to actuate said transfer means in accordance with inputs received thereby.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A fastener feed apparatus drive control means as recited in claim 1, wherein said second control circuit includes a signal source coupled to and operable by said fastening device, a monostable fluidic element coupled to and receiving input signals from said signal source, a bistable fluidic element coupled to and receiving input from said monostable element and supplying output to actuate said distribution means, and a timer operatively coupled for controlling the duration of output by said bistable element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A fastener feed apparatus drive control means as recited in claim 1, wherein said first sensor means comprises a third signal emitter and a fourth signal emitter provided at different locations on one side of said transfer chute and each comprising an air jet means, and a blower means provided on another side of said transfer chute and comprising a first nozzle and a second nozzle, said nozzles respectively directing air jets to interrupt air jets generated by said signal emitter air jet means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a fastener feed apparatus comprising a hopper section for bulk storage of fasteners, a transfer means operatively positioned for transferring fasteners from said hopper section, a transfer chute leading from said hopper section and to which fasteners are transferred by said transfer means, a distribution means for individual distribution of fasteners connected to said transfer chute, and a fastening device to which fasteners are supplied one at a time by said distribution means, the improvements which comprise a drive control means comprised of a signal emission means provided on and actuated upon actuation of said fastening device, a first pneumatic control circuit for actuation of said transfer means, and a second pneumatic control circuit for actuation of said distribution means, both said first and second control circuits operatively coupled for receiving control inputs from said signal emission means, and including adjustable valves controlling the duration of functioning times thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a fastener feed apparatus comprising a hopper section for bulk storage of fasteners, a transfer means operatively positioned for transferring fasteners from said hopper section, a transfer chute leading from said hopper section and to which fasteners are transferred by said transfer means, a distribution means for individual distribution of fasteners connected to said transfer chute, and a fastening device to which fasteners are supplied one at a time by said distribution means, the improvements which comprise a drive control means comprised of a signal emission means provided on and actuated upon actuation of said fastening device, a first pneumatic control circuit for actuation of said transfer means, and a second pneumatic control circuit for actuation of said distribution means, both said first and second control circuits operatively coupled for receiving control inputs from said signal emission means, and including adjustable valves controlling the duration of functioning times thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a parts supply apparatus comprising a bulk reserve means, a distributor for distribution of parts to a required location, a guide means connecting said bulk reserve means and said distributor, and a transfer means operatively positioned for transfer of parts from said bulk reserve means to said guide means, the improvements which comprise a fluidic drive control means including a first sensor means adjacent to said guide means for detecting the state of supply of parts on said guide means and emitting different signals in response to different said supply states, a first control circuit operatively coupled and including a delay valve and fluidic elements receiving input signals from said first sensor means and actuating said transfer means in accordance with said input signals, a second sensor means operatively positioned for detecting the state of supply of parts at said position, and emitting different signals in response to different said supply states, and a second control circuit coupled to said second sensor means and which includes a timer and fluidic elements receiving input signals from said second sensor means and actuating said distributor to supply parts to said required location in accordance with said input signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a parts supply apparatus comprising a bulk reserve means, a distributor for distribution of parts to a required location, a guide means connecting said bulk reserve means and said distributor, and a transfer means operatively positioned for transfer of parts from said bulk reserve means to said guide means, the improvements which comprise a fluidic drive control means including a first sensor means adjacent to said guide means for detecting the state of supply of parts on said guide means and emitting different signals in response to different said supply states, a first control circuit operatively coupled and including a delay valve and fluidic elements receiving input signals from said first sensor means and actuating said transfer means in accordance with said input signals, a second sensor means operatively positioned for detecting the state of supply of parts at said position, and emitting different signals in response to different said supply states, and a second control circuit coupled to said second sensor means and which includes a timer and fluidic elements receiving input signals from said second sensor means and actuating said distributor to supply parts to said required location in accordance with said input signals.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |