Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
In a safety machanism for a machine of the type which comprises: a working mechanism to be operated intermittently by an electric drive motor running continuously in one direction to perform a predetermined cycle of operations; manual switch means to connect said drive motor to an electrical source; a mechanical clutch mechanism adapted to be engaged for transmitting motive power from said drive motor while running in said one direction to the working mechanism to initiate a cycle of said operations; said clutch mechanism including clutch release means actuated when the clutch is engaged and as a result of further rotation in said one direction to automatically disengage the clutch mechanism at the completion of a single cycle of said operations; said clutch mechanism including manual tripping means effective at any time to cause said clutch mechanism to become engaged, whether or not said drive motor is energized, and to remain engaged until said release means is actuated by said further rotation; the tripping of said clutch mechanism when said drive motor is deenergized creating a safety hazard when the motor is subsequently energized; the improvement comprising; automatic switching means connected between said manual switch means and said drive motor to; initially energize the motor for operation in the reverse direction to return the clutch mechanism to a condition normally existing prior to actuation of said release means; subsequently energize the motor for operation in said one direction to actuate said release means, and; continue energization of the motor for continuous operation in said one direction until deenergized by said manual switch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
In a safety machanism for a machine of the type which comprises: a working mechanism to be operated intermittently by an electric drive motor running continuously in one direction to perform a predetermined cycle of operations; manual switch means to connect said drive motor to an electrical source; a mechanical clutch mechanism adapted to be engaged for transmitting motive power from said drive motor while running in said one direction to the working mechanism to initiate a cycle of said operations; said clutch mechanism including clutch release means actuated when the clutch is engaged and as a result of further rotation in said one direction to automatically disengage the clutch mechanism at the completion of a single cycle of said operations; said clutch mechanism including manual tripping means effective at any time to cause said clutch mechanism to become engaged, whether or not said drive motor is energized, and to remain engaged until said release means is actuated by said further rotation; the tripping of said clutch mechanism when said drive motor is deenergized creating a safety hazard when the motor is subsequently energized; the improvement comprising; automatic switching means connected between said manual switch means and said drive motor to; initially energize the motor for operation in the reverse direction to return the clutch mechanism to a condition normally existing prior to actuation of said release means; subsequently energize the motor for operation in said one direction to actuate said release means, and; continue energization of the motor for continuous operation in said one direction until deenergized by said manual switch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure of claim 1 in which said machine is a package tying machine and said working mechanism is a tying mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 1, and said automatic electric control means comprising a relay means electrically coupled between the switch means and the motor field winding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 2, and wherein said automatic electric control means comprising a relay means electrically coupled between the switch means and the motor field winding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure of claim 3, and said relay means additionally comprising a time delay relay electrically coupled between the switch means and the motor field winding, and a reversing relay electrically coupled with a pair of reversing terminals on the motor and being electrically connected with a pair of contacts of said time delay relay.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 5, and a second time delay relay electrically coupled with said motor field winding and electrically connected with terminals of said reversing relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The structure of claim 1, and said automatic electric control means for said drive motor comprising a first relay coupled between the switch means and a pair of motor field winding terminals, a reversing relay electrically coupled to reversing terminals of the motor and to the first-named relay, and a time delay relay electrically coupled to said field winding terminals of the motor and to terminals of said reversing and first-named relays.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure of claim 7, and each of said relays having a pair of moving contacts and cooperating pairs of stationary contacts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 8, and one pair of stationary contacts of said first-named and time delay relays being electrically coupled to said motor field terminals, and the moving contacts of the reversing relay being electrically coupled to said motor reversing terminals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure of claim 9, and the moving contacts of the first-named relay being electrically coupled to the switch means and one pair of stationary contacts of the first-named relay being electrically connected to terminals of the time delay relay.