US3878355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for assembling pivot joints
Assignee: Dana Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-20
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for assembling pivot joints at high rates of production with precisely controlled internal end motion dimensions notwithstanding variations in the dimensions of the components. The apparatus is characterized by a gauging means which automatically determines variations in dimensions of the components with such dimensional information being fed to a welding apparatus adapted to effect closure of the pivot joints at proportional burn-down rates which constantly effect such controlled internal end motion.
Inventors
- 👤 John R Andrew
- 👤 Victor R Mceowen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:17
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K11/00; B23K11/002; B23K11/004; B23K11/24; B23K11/25; B23K11/252; B23K11/253; B23K11/26; B23K11/30; B23K11/3009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for assembling pivot joints of the type that include first and second housing portions joined to one another at junction forming edges, spaced inner housing surfaces and internal elements including a pivotal head between said surfaces, said pivot joints being characterized by a predetermined dimensional tolerance between said internal elements of the joints, said apparatus comprising, frame means including a lower frame portion for supporting one of said housing portions with said internal elements stacked therein; an upper frame portion; height differential sensing means on said upper frame portion for determining the height differential between the junction forming edge of said one housing portion and the top of said stacked internal elements; welding means including confronting electrodes for supporting said housing portions in engagement at an unfused junction, and for applying electrical energy to effect burn-down of said junction forming edges to a fused junction located at a burn-down dimension from said location of said unfused junction; and control means for varying the output of electrical energy from said welding means and resulting burn-down dimension responsive to variations in the height differential dimension detected by said height differential sensing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for assembling pivot joints of the type that include first and second housing portions joined to one another at junction forming edges, spaced inner housing surfaces and internal elements including a pivotal head between said surfaces, said pivot joints being characterized by a predetermined dimensional tolerance between said internal elements of the joints, said apparatus comprising, frame means including a lower frame portion for supporting one of said housing portions with said internal elements stacked therein; an upper frame portion; height differential sensing means on said upper frame portion for determining the height differential between the junction forming edge of said one housing portion and the top of said stacked internal elements; welding means including confronting electrodes for supporting said housing portions in engagement at an unfused junction, and for applying electrical energy to effect burn-down of said junction forming edges to a fused junction located at a burn-down dimension from said location of said unfused junction; and control means for varying the output of electrical energy from said welding means and resulting burn-down dimension responsive to variations in the height differential dimension detected by said height differential sensing means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus for assembling pivot joints of the type that include first and second housing portions joined to one another at junction forming edges, spaced inner housing surfaces and internal elements including a pivotal head between said surfaces, said pivot joints being characterized by a predetermined dimensional tolerance between said internal elements of the joints, said apparatus comprising, frame means including a lower frame portion for supporting one of said housing portions with said internal elements stacked therein; an upper frame portion; height differential sensing means on said upper frame portion for determining the height differential between the junction forming edge of said one housing portion and the top of said stacked internal elements, said sensing means including a first vertically movable sensing element for engaging said junction forming edge of said one housing portion and a second vertically movable sensing element for engaging the top of said stacked internal elements; welding means including confronting electrodes for supporting said housing portions in engagement at an unfused junction, and for applying electrical energy to effect burn-down of said junction forming edges to a fused junction located at a burn-down dimension from said location of said unfused junction; and control means for varying the output of electrical energy from said welding means and resulting burn-down dimension responsive to variations in the height differential dimension detected by said sensing elements.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus for assembling pivot joints of the type that include first and second housing portions joined to one another at junction forming edges, spaced inner housing surfaces and internal elements including a pivotal head between said surfaces, said pivot joints being characterized by a predetermined dimensional tolerance between said internal elements of the joints, said apparatus comprising, frame means including a lower frame portion for supporting one of said housing portions with said internal elements stacked therein; an upper frame portion; height differential sensing means on said upper frame portion for determining the height differential between the junction forming edge of said one housing portion and the top of said stacked internal elements, said sensing means including a first vertically movable sensing element for engaging said junction forming edge of said one housing portion and a second vertically movable sensing element for engaging the top of said stacked internal elements; welding means including confronting electrodes for supporting said housing portions in engagement at an unfused junction, and for applying electrical energy to effect burn-down of said junction forming edges to a fused junction located at a burn-down dimension from said location of said unfused junction; and control means for varying the output of electrical energy from said welding means and resulting burn-down dimension responsive to variations in the height differential dimension detected by said sensing elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said first sensing element comprises a tubular member, and said second sensing element comprises a rod shaped member slideably disposed in a bore in said tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3 that includes a detector pin movably mounted on one of said members and in engagement with a detector shoulder on the other of said members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said control means comprises an electrically actuAted control head for varying the output to said welding means, and mechanical-electric transducer means operated by said vertically movable sensing elements and in circuit with said electrically actuated control head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 that includes operating means for raising and lowering said sensing means relative to said lower frame portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said first sensing element comprises a tubular member, and said second sensing element comprises a rod shaped member slideably disposed in a bore in said tubular member; and operating means for raising and lowering said sensing elements relative to said lower frame portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 that includes a detector pin movably mounted on one of said sensing elements and in engagement with a detector shoulder on the other of said sensing elements; and wherein said control means comprises an electrically actuated control head for varying the output to said welding means, and mechanical-electric transducer means operated by said detector pin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said control means comprises an electrically actuated control head for varying the output to said welding means; and range control means for varying the response of said electrically actuated control head to the height differential detected by said sensing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
163 words
A machine for the continuous production of pivot joints of the type that include a lower housing portion, a closure portion, and internal components, said pivot joints being characterized by a predetermined dimensional tolerance between said internal components of the joints, said machine comprising in combination, a variable welding energy controller; an electric welding machine including an upper electrode and a lower movable base mounting a plurality of indexable lower electrodes for the sequential positioning of said pivot joints in a gauging station and a welding station; gauging means at said gauging station for determining the height differential between (1) said lower housing portion and (2) said internal components and closure portion; and utilizing an electronic circuit operative between said gauging means and said variable welding energy controller for delivering predetermined amounts of energy to said welding station to burn down the junction between said portions and thereby establish within said pivot joints said predetermined clearance between said internal components of said joints.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
163 words
A machine for the continuous production of pivot joints of the type that include a lower housing portion, a closure portion, and internal components, said pivot joints being characterized by a predetermined dimensional tolerance between said internal components of the joints, said machine comprising in combination, a variable welding energy controller; an electric welding machine including an upper electrode and a lower movable base mounting a plurality of indexable lower electrodes for the sequential positioning of said pivot joints in a gauging station and a welding station; gauging means at said gauging station for determining the height differential between (1) said lower housing portion and (2) said internal components and closure portion; and utilizing an electronic circuit operative between said gauging means and said variable welding energy controller for delivering predetermined amounts of energy to said welding station to burn down the junction between said portions and thereby establish within said pivot joints said predetermined clearance between said internal components of said joints.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The machine according to claim 10 wherein said electronic circuit includes a memory component for storing the signal determined at the gauging means and for subsequently energizing said variable welding energy controller to cause said controller to deliver the appropriate amount of welding energy at the welding station as dictated by said signal when each pivot joint is delivered thereto.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |