Patent US3896940A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3896940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Part presenter
Assignee: Roberts Sinto Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-30
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Granted: 1975-07-29
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Expires: 1994-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A part presenter including a plurality of part storage bins arranged in tiers adjacent a slide chute and individual transfer devices mounted over the bins and including pickups which can be projected into the bins to pick up a part and transfer it to the slide chute. Parts fall from the chute into a pusher device which moves the part to a staging location, opens and returns for the next part. Transfer devices drop parts on receipt of external signal, then go back to the bin for another part. The bins are shifted relative to the transfer device and chute support frame to ensure depletion of parts. Control circuitry is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kirk E Birrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G59/00; B65G59/02; B65G59/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
Appparatus for presenting selected parts from a plurality of storage locations to a terminal location comprising: part conveyance means directing parts received to said terminal location; support means; a plurality of storage bins removably disposed on the support means at spaced points adjacent said part conveyance means; a plurality of part transfer devices disposed on said support means over said bins and separately actuable for transferring parts from said bins to said conveyance means, each of said transfer devices including part pickup means and an actuator means for selectively displacing the pickup between a first position within a storage bin for part pickup and a second position over said part conveyance means for part release thereinto and control means for causing the pickup means to automatically cycle from the second position to the first position and back immediately after releasing a part onto said part conveyance means; said apparatus further including means maintaining each of said pickup means in said second position until a release signal is received from said control means to release a selected part onto said part conveyance means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
Appparatus for presenting selected parts from a plurality of storage locations to a terminal location comprising: part conveyance means directing parts received to said terminal location; support means; a plurality of storage bins removably disposed on the support means at spaced points adjacent said part conveyance means; a plurality of part transfer devices disposed on said support means over said bins and separately actuable for transferring parts from said bins to said conveyance means, each of said transfer devices including part pickup means and an actuator means for selectively displacing the pickup between a first position within a storage bin for part pickup and a second position over said part conveyance means for part release thereinto and control means for causing the pickup means to automatically cycle from the second position to the first position and back immediately after releasing a part onto said part conveyance means; said apparatus further including means maintaining each of said pickup means in said second position until a release signal is received from said control means to release a selected part onto said part conveyance means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including signal generating means for applying a signal to the control means whenever the pickup means encounters a part in a bin, said control means being responsive to said signal to reverse the travel of the pickup and return to the second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said signal generating means includes a limit switch operatively connected to the pickup means for sensing physical engagement of the pickup means with a part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including switch means for generating a signal when the pickup means reaches the second position, and means for preventing the release of a part onto the conveyance until said signal is produced.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including load-sensitive means operatively connected to the pickup means for indicating the loaded and unloaded states of the pickup means during movement from the first to the second positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the pickup means includes an electromagnet for picking up ferromagnetic parts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the pickup means includes a vacuum gripper, a vacuum source, and a fluid conduit connecting the source and gripper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the load sensitive means includes a pressure sensor operatively connected to said conduit for detecting a pressure rise as a result of contact between the gripper and a part.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said transfer devices includes a pair of parallel cam plateS mounted on the support means, a cam slot formed in each of the plates and extending from a first end position over the associated bin to a second end position over the conveyance, an actuator cylinder having an extensible output member mounted between the plates, part pickup means mounted on the output member and having cam follower means extending into the plate slots to guide the pickup between the first and second end positions when the cylinder is energized, the length of the output member being such as to locate the pickup in the bin when the cam follower means is in the first end position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 including a bin support member separate from and mounted on said support means, and means for shifting the bin support member relative to the support means between part transfer operations to cause the pickup to be projected to different parts of the bin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 including control means for preventing a bin shift until the pickup means cam follower is in the second end position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 including bearing means mounted on said support means, a shaft mounted on said bin support member and operatively connected with said bearing means for relative displacement thereto, said means for shifting comprising a fluid cylinder operatively connected between said bin support member and said support means and intermittently actuable for shifting said bin support member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said part conveyance is an inclined slide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said storage bins are disposed in tiers along said inclined slide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |