US3884336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety mechanism for presses, machines and fixtures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-01-23
•
Granted: 1975-05-20
•
Expires: 1994-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A safety mechanism including a hand restraint safety mechanism for use by an operator of a machine such as a press, special machine or fixture wherein (absent the present invention) the operator''s hands are exposed to the hazard of being caught in the work area of the machine by moving machine elements when the machine is stroked. The hand restraints for the operator''s hands are operatively coupled via cables with a fluidic power cylinder mounted in fixed dimensional relation to the machine with which the safety mechanism is used. This restraint cylinder is operative between restraining and released positions to control the length of each cable extended from a housing on which the cylinder is mounted. When the cables are maximally extended, the operator can reach into the machine to load or unload a workpiece. When the cables are minimally extended, the operator''s hands are positively removed from the work area of the machine. A safety block mounted on the machine is operatively coupled with a second power cylinder for movement into and out of the work area of the machine. When the safety block is displaced into the machine work area, it mechanically prevents the machine elements from closing should the machine be accidentally stroked. A pneumatic control circuit is operatively coupled with the machine and includes multiple failsafe valves arranged to sense the operating positions of the cylinders and the machine for controlling the operation of the cylinders in a desired fashion. A cycle start signal to the machine is provided only when both the hand restraints and the safety block are retracted from the work area, and the safety block can be retracted only after the hand restraints have been retracted. The operator''s hands are thereby maintained safe in a restrained position until the safety block is again extended into the work area after the machine has been stroked. After movement of all elements on the machine has terminated, the hand restraints are released to permit the operator manual access to the machine work area.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Williamson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16P; F16P3/00; F16P3/18; F16P3/22; F16P3/02; F16P3/04; F16P3/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2193; Y10T74/2194; Y10T74/2196
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
Safety mechanism for use by an operator of a machine having at least one machine elment which moves during each machine operating cycle: said safety mechanism including hand restraint apparatus comprising hand restraint means for the hands of the operator and hand restraint moving means operatively coupled with said hand restraint means for controlling the movement of said hand restraint means between a released position which permits at least one of the operator''s hands to be disposed in the path of travel of said at least one machine element and a restraining position which prevents both of the operator''s hands from being disposed in the path of travel of said at least one machine element; a mechanical safety interlock means controllably operable to a safety position wherein the same is disposed in the path of travel of said at least one machine element for bodily stopping travel thereof and to a retracted position wherein said mechanical safety interlock means clears the path of travel of said at least one machine element; a mechanical safety interlock moving means for moving said mechanical safety interlock means between said two operative positions thereof; and control means for interlocking said hand restraint moving means, said mechanical safety interlock moving means and the machine such that a machine operating cycle can begin only when both said hand restraint means is in its restraining position and said mechanical safety interlock means is in its retracted position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
Safety mechanism for use by an operator of a machine having at least one machine elment which moves during each machine operating cycle: said safety mechanism including hand restraint apparatus comprising hand restraint means for the hands of the operator and hand restraint moving means operatively coupled with said hand restraint means for controlling the movement of said hand restraint means between a released position which permits at least one of the operator''s hands to be disposed in the path of travel of said at least one machine element and a restraining position which prevents both of the operator''s hands from being disposed in the path of travel of said at least one machine element; a mechanical safety interlock means controllably operable to a safety position wherein the same is disposed in the path of travel of said at least one machine element for bodily stopping travel thereof and to a retracted position wherein said mechanical safety interlock means clears the path of travel of said at least one machine element; a mechanical safety interlock moving means for moving said mechanical safety interlock means between said two operative positions thereof; and control means for interlocking said hand restraint moving means, said mechanical safety interlock moving means and the machine such that a machine operating cycle can begin only when both said hand restraint means is in its restraining position and said mechanical safety interlock means is in its retracted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The safety mechanism of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises means for causing said mechanical safety interlock means to remain in its safety position so long as said hand restraint means is in its released position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The safety mechanism of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises means for causing said mechanical safety interlock means to remain in its safety position so long as said hand restraint means is in other than its restraining position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The safety mechanism of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises means for preventing said mechanical safety interlock means from operating from its safety position to its retracted position unless said hand restraint means is in its retraining position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The safety mechanism of claim 1 wherein said control meaNs comprises means responsive to the conclusion of each machine operating cycle for causing said mechanical safety interlock means to operate from its retracted position to its safety position and means for causing said hand restraint means to operate from its restraining position to its released position only after said mechanical safety interlock means is in its safety position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The safety mechanism of claim 5 wherein said control means comprises means for preventing said mechanical safety interlock means from operating from its safety position to its retracted position unless said hand restraint means is in its restraining position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The safety mechanism of claim 1 wherein said control means includes actuator means actuable by the machine operator for initiating an operating cycle of the safety mechanism and the machine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
The safety mechanism of claim 7 wherein said control means includes means responsive to actuation of said actuator means for executing an operating cycle of the safety mechanism and the machine wherein: said hand restraint means operates from its released position to its restraining position whereby the operator''s hands are removed from the path of travel of said at least one machine element; then, said mechanical safety interlock means operates from its safety position to its retracted position; then, the machine executes its operating cycle; then, said mechanical safety interlock means operates from its retracted position to its safely position; and then, said hand restraint means operates from its restraining position to its released position whereby the operator can once again have manual access to the machine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The safety mechanism of claim 8 wherein said control means includes failsafe sensing circuit means for sensing when said hand restraint means is in its restraining position, said failsafe sensing circuit means comprising means forming a fluid circuit path through which a fluidic signal may be conducted to indicate that said hand restraint means is in its restraining position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The safety mechanism of claim 8 wherein said control means includes failsafe sensing circuit means for sensing when said hand restraint means is in its released position, said failsafe sensing circuit means comprising means forming a fluid circuit path through which a fluidic signal may be conducted to indicate that said hand restraint means is in its released position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The safety mechanism of claim 8 wherein said control means includes failsafe sensing circuit means for sensing when said mechanical safety interlock means is in its safety position, said failsafe sensing circuit means comprising means forming a fluid circuit path through which a fluidic signal may be conducted to indicate that said mechanical safety interlock means is in its safety position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The safety mechanism of claim 8 wherein said control means includes failsafe sensing circuit means for sensing when said mechanical safety interlock means is in its retracted position, said failsafe sensing circuit means comprising means forming a fluid circuit path through which a fluidic signal may be conducted to indicate that said mechanical safety interlock means is in its retracted position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The safety mechanism of claim 8 wherein said control means further comprises non-repeat circuit means responsive to actuation of said actuator means for preventing a subsequent operating cycle of the safety mechanism and the machine unless said actuator means is released after actuation thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
123 words
The safety mechanism of claim 13 wherein said non-repeat circuit means comprises: selectively operable means selectively operable to a first state wherein an operative connection exists between said actuator means and said hand restraint moving means through which operation of said hand restraint moving means can be initiated by actuation of said actuator means and to a second state wherein said operative connection is broken; means for causing said selectively operable means to switCh from its first state to its second state after operation of said hand restraint moving means has been initiated in response to actuation of said actuator means; and means for causing said selectively operable means to return to its first state in response to release of said actuator means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The safety mechanism of claim 14 wherein said control means comprises means for causing said selectively operable means to switch from its first state to its second state only after said hand restraint means begins to travel from its released position to its restraining position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The safety mechanism of claim 15 wherein said control means comprises means for permitting said selectively operable means to switch from its second state back to its first state only after the conclusion of an operating cycle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The safety mechanism of claim 1 wherein said mechanical safety interlock moving means comprises a power cylinder having an extendable and retractable rod.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The safety mechanism of claim 17 wherein said mechanical safety interlock means comprises a metal block affixed to the rod of said power cylinder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The safety mechanism of claim 1 wherein said control means includes failsafe sensing circuit means operatively associated with said mechanical safety interlock means for sensing when said mechanical safety interlock means is at one of its two operative positions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The safety mechanism of claim 19 wherein said failsafe sensing circuit means comprises a pair of sensing elements connected in series circuit and forming a fluid path through which a fluidic signal may be conducted when said mechanical safety interlock means is in said one operative position thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
128 words
The safety mechanism of claim 20 wherein one of said sensing elements comprises a failsafe valve means, said failsafe valve means comprising closure means movable with said mechanical safety interlock means, a valve body disposed in the path of travel of said closure means, a pair of bores in said body open toward said closure means, said closure means and said valve body being arranged and constructed such that when said mechanical safety interlock means is in said one position, said closure means abuts said valve body to complete a fluid path between said two bores, said two bores being operatively coupled in fluid circuit with said control means to conduct a fluid signal indicative of the mechanical safety interlock means being at said one operative position thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The safety mechanism of claim 21 wherein the other sensing element comprises a normally closed three-way valve connected in series with said failsafe valve means, said three-way valve opening when said mechanical safety interlock means is at said one operative position thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The safety mechanism of claim 22 wherein said two valves are arranged such that said closure means completes the fluid path between said two bores of said failsafe valve means before said three-way valve opens.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The safety mechanism of claim 20 wherein said failsafe sensing circuit means is arranged to sense the safety position of said mechanical safety interlock means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
59 words
The safety mechanism of claim 24 wherein said control means includes means operatively coupling said failsafe sensing circuit means with said hand restraint moving means such that when said failsafe sensing circuit means completes said fluid path, a signal is transmitted therethrough to cause said hand restraint moving means to operate from its restraining position to its released position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The safety mechanism of claim 20 wherein said failsafe sensing circuit means is arranged to sense the retracted position of said mechanical safety interlock means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
49 words
The safety mechanism of claim 26 wherein said control means includes means operatively coupling said failsafe sensing circuit means with the machine such that when said failsafe sensing circuit means completes said fluid path, a cycle start signal is supplied to the machine for initiating the opeRating cycle thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
265 words
A hand restraint safety apparatus for use by an operator of a machine having at least one machine element which moves during each machine operating cycle, said apparatus comprising: hand restraint means for the hands of the operator and hand restraint moving means operatively coupled with said hand restraint means for controlling the movement of said hand restraint means between a released position which permits at least one of the operator''s hands to be disposed in the path of travel of said at least one machine element and a restraining position which prevents both of the operator''s hands from being disposed in the path of travel of said at least one machine element; control circuit means operatively coupling said hand restraint moving means and the machine; said control circuit means comprising an actuator means selectively operative to actuated and released positions; said control circuit means further comprising coupling circuit means operatively coupling said actuator means with said hand restraint moving means and the machine such that upon operation of said actuator means to the actuated position, said hand restraint moving means and the machine execute an operating cycle wherein said hand restraint means is first operated to the restraining position by said hand restraint moving means, the machine is then cycled and said hand restraint means is then operated to the released position by said hand restraint moving means; said coupling circuit means including non-repeat circuit means responsive to the operation of said actuator means to the actuated position for preventing a subsequent operating cycle unless said actuator means is returned to the released position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
265 words
A hand restraint safety apparatus for use by an operator of a machine having at least one machine element which moves during each machine operating cycle, said apparatus comprising: hand restraint means for the hands of the operator and hand restraint moving means operatively coupled with said hand restraint means for controlling the movement of said hand restraint means between a released position which permits at least one of the operator''s hands to be disposed in the path of travel of said at least one machine element and a restraining position which prevents both of the operator''s hands from being disposed in the path of travel of said at least one machine element; control circuit means operatively coupling said hand restraint moving means and the machine; said control circuit means comprising an actuator means selectively operative to actuated and released positions; said control circuit means further comprising coupling circuit means operatively coupling said actuator means with said hand restraint moving means and the machine such that upon operation of said actuator means to the actuated position, said hand restraint moving means and the machine execute an operating cycle wherein said hand restraint means is first operated to the restraining position by said hand restraint moving means, the machine is then cycled and said hand restraint means is then operated to the released position by said hand restraint moving means; said coupling circuit means including non-repeat circuit means responsive to the operation of said actuator means to the actuated position for preventing a subsequent operating cycle unless said actuator means is returned to the released position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
86 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 28 wherein said coupling circuit means includes means for operatively disconnecting said hand restraint moving means from said actuator means after said hand restraint moving means has been actuated in response to an initial actuation of said actuator means and means responsive to return of said actuator means to the released position to again operatively couple said actuator means to said hand restraint moving means so that a subsequent cycle may be commenced by again actuating said actuator means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 29 wherein said coupling circuit means further includes means for preventing said hand restraint moving means from being operatively recoupled to said actuator means unless said hand restraint means is in the released position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
116 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 28 wherein said non-repeat circuit means comprises switchable means switchable between first and second conditions, said switchable means when in said first condition operatively coupling said actuator means with said hand restraint moving means such that said hand restraint moving means is responsive to actuation of said actuation means and said switchable means when in said second condition operatively disconnects said hand restraint moving from said actuator means such that said hand restraint moving means is non-responsive to actuation of said actuator means, said switchable means being switched from its first condition to its second condition after said actuator means has initiated operation of said hand restraint moving means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 31 wherein said switchable means can be switched from its second condition back to its first condition only with said actuator means in the released position.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
79 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 28 wherein said coupling circuit means includes: means forming a fluidic circuit path through which a fluidic signal is transmitted to said hand restraint moving means to initiate operation thereof when said actuator means is actuated; means for closing path after a fluidic signal has been transmitted therethrough to initiate an operating cycle; and means for again opening said path only after said actuator means has Been returned to its released position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
51 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 33 wherein said coupling circuit means includes valve means responsive to the operation of said hand restraint moving means such that said fluid circuit path after once being closed can again open only when said hand restraint moving means is in the released position.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 34 wherein said coupling circuit means includes a failsafe valve means for opening and closing said fluid path.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
128 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 28 wherein said non-repeat circuit means comprises a fluid actuated device operable to first and second positions, means operatively coupling said actuator means with said device such that the latter operates to the first position thereof in response to operation of said actuator means from its released position to its actuated position, a fluid circuit comprising a valve means responsive to the operation of said fluid actuated device to its first position for supplying a fluid signal to said hand restraint moving means to initiate an operating cycle, and means responsive to the initiation of such a cycle for operating said fluid actuated device to its second position whereby the fluid signal to said hand restraint moving means is then terminated.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 36 wherein said valve means includes a failsafe valve means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
106 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 37 wherein said valve means includes an additional valve means connected in series circuit with said failsafe valve means, said additional valve means being arranged to provide an open path therethrough prior to the beginning of an operating cycle so that the fluid signal can be transmitted through said fluid circuit to said hand restraint moving means to initiate a cycle, said additional valve means being arranged to close in response to operation of said hand restraint moving means, said additional valve means being opened again only in response to return of said actuator means to the released position.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
48 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 38 wherein said fluid circuit includes a still further valve means connected in series with said additional valve means and said failsafe valve means, said still further valve means being open only when said hand restraint means is in released position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
184 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 28 wherein said coupling circuit means includes: means forming a fluidic circuit path through which a fluidic signal can be transmitted to said hand restraint moving means to initiate operation thereof when said actuator means is actuated, said fluidic circuit path including a first valve means and a second valve means; a fluid actuated device operatively coupled with said actuator means and said first and second valve means for operating said first and second valve means such that prior to the beginning of an operating cycle, said first valve means is closed and said second valve means is open, said first valve means is opened by said device in response to operation of said actuator means from the released position to the actuated position whereby a fluidic signal can be transmitted through said fluid circuit path to said hand restraint moving means to initiate operation thereof, and said second valve means is closed by said device after an operating cycle has been initiated and remains closed so long as said actuator means remains in the actuated position.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
53 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 40 wherein said fluid actuated device is operatively coupled with said actuator means and said second valve means such that said second valve means can be opened by said device at the end of an operating cycle by operating said actuator means to the released position.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
106 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 40 wherein said coupling circuit means includes means forming a second fluidic circuit path through which a fluidic signal can be Transmitted to said second valve means to operate the same to the open position thereof, said second fluidic circuit path including a third valve means therein for opening and closing said second fluidic circuit path, said third valve means being positioned to be actuated by said device such that when said actuator means operates to the released position said device operates to open said third valve means thereby supplying the fluidic signal for opening said second valve means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 42 wherein said third valve means includes a failsafe valve means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 40 wherein said first valve means includes a failsafe valve means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
117 words
The hanad restraint safety apparatus of claim 40 wherein said fluid actuated device comprises a fluid cylinder having movable means thereon movable to a first position to actuate said first valve means and to a second position to actuate said second valve means, said fluid cylinder being operatively coupled with said actuator means and said first and second valve means such that when said actuator means operates from the released position to the actuated position said fluid cylinder operates to the first position thereby actuating said first valve means and when said actuator means operates from the actuated position to the released position, said fluid cylinder operates to its second position thereby actuating said second valve means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
51 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 45 wherein said fluid cylinder, said actuator means, and said first valve means are also arranged such that said first valve means can be operated from its closed position to its open position only when said hand restraint means is in the released position.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
51 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 45 wherein said fluid cylinder, said actuator means, and said second valve means are also arranged such that said second valve means can be operated from its closed position to its open position only when said hand restraint means is in the released position.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
64 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 45 wherein said fluid cylinder is operative to a third position wherein neither said first valve means nor second valve means is actuated, said fluid cylinder being operated to the third position after said hand restraint moving means has begun to operate in response to receipt of the fluidic signal through said first and second valve means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
32 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 48 wherein said fluid cylinder can operate from the third position to the second position only when said actuator means is in the released position.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 49 wherein said fluid cylinder can operate from the third position to the second position only when said hand restraint means is also in its released position.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
56 words
The hand restraint safety apparatus of claim 48 wherein said fluid cylinder comprises biasing means for biasing said movable means of said cylinder in said third position, said movable means being movable from the third position to the first position in one direction and from the third position to the second position in the other direction.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
156 words
A hand restraining safety apparatus for use by an operator of a machine having operating mechanism including at least one machine element movable between a retracted position and an operative position, said apparatus comprising hand restraining means for a hand of the machine operator positionable in a first position in which the operator''s hand may be positioned contiguous to said machine element and a safety position in which the operator''s hand is restrained at a spaced position from the one machine element, and operating means for moving said hand restraining means from its first position to its safety position when said machine element is in its retracted position, and safety means positionable in the path of travel of a portion of said machine operating mechanism for bodily preventing the one machine element from moving from its retracted position to its operative position so long as said hand restraining means is in other than its safety position.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
156 words
A hand restraining safety apparatus for use by an operator of a machine having operating mechanism including at least one machine element movable between a retracted position and an operative position, said apparatus comprising hand restraining means for a hand of the machine operator positionable in a first position in which the operator''s hand may be positioned contiguous to said machine element and a safety position in which the operator''s hand is restrained at a spaced position from the one machine element, and operating means for moving said hand restraining means from its first position to its safety position when said machine element is in its retracted position, and safety means positionable in the path of travel of a portion of said machine operating mechanism for bodily preventing the one machine element from moving from its retracted position to its operative position so long as said hand restraining means is in other than its safety position.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
24 words
A hand restraining safety apparatus of claim 52 wherein said safety means is positionable in the path of travel of said one machine element.
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) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |