US4088034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chain drive for a workpiece transfer mechanism
Assignee: Livernois Research and Development Co
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Filing: 1976-04-02
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Granted: 1978-05-09
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Expires: 1996-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A chain drive for a workpiece transfer mechanism wherein a pair of coaxial rollers mounted on a chain extending around a pair of spaced sprockets engage the slotted legs of a yoke depending from a carriage. The carriage is reciprocated as the rollers travel around the endless path of the chain. At each sprocket guide tracks are provided which are engaged by the rollers on the chain to guide the rollers in an arcuate path around the sprockets.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard J. Wallis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:56
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H19/00; F16H19/02; F16H19/06; B; B21; B21D; B21D43/00; B21D43/02; B21D43/04; B21D43/05; B21D43/055; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18152
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
In a reciprocating drive mechanism of the type comprising an endless chain extending around a pair of sprockets mounted on a support with their axes in spaced parallel relation, a drive member fixed to said chain for movement therewith in an endless path around said sprockets, said drive member extending transversely of the chain on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the sprockets, and a driven member operably connected with said drive member and mounted on said support for reciprocation in response to displacement of said drive member along the path of travel of said chain, the stroke of said driven member being determined by the displacement of said drive member in the direction of a line extending between and perpendicular to the axes of said sprockets, the improvement which comprises, a pair of radially spaced inner and outer guide tracks adjacent each sprocket concentric to the axes of rotation of the sprockets, said guide tracks being spaced radially from the axes of rotation of the sprockets, the radial spacing between said tracks being such that the drive member engages each guide track and has a close fit therebetween as it travels around each of the sprockets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
In a reciprocating drive mechanism of the type comprising an endless chain extending around a pair of sprockets mounted on a support with their axes in spaced parallel relation, a drive member fixed to said chain for movement therewith in an endless path around said sprockets, said drive member extending transversely of the chain on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the sprockets, and a driven member operably connected with said drive member and mounted on said support for reciprocation in response to displacement of said drive member along the path of travel of said chain, the stroke of said driven member being determined by the displacement of said drive member in the direction of a line extending between and perpendicular to the axes of said sprockets, the improvement which comprises, a pair of radially spaced inner and outer guide tracks adjacent each sprocket concentric to the axes of rotation of the sprockets, said guide tracks being spaced radially from the axes of rotation of the sprockets, the radial spacing between said tracks being such that the drive member engages each guide track and has a close fit therebetween as it travels around each of the sprockets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement called for in clam 1 wherein each outer track has an arcuate extent of not more than 180° and is disposed adjacent the arcuate path of travel of the chain around the sprockets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement called for in clam 1 wherein each outer track has an arcuate extent of not more than 180° and is disposed adjacent the arcuate path of travel of the chain around the sprockets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement called for in claim 2 wherein the drive member comprises a roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement called for in claim 9 wherein the inner tracks are mounted on the sprockets and the outer tracks are mounted on the support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The improvement called for in claim 3 wherein the operative connection between the roller and the driven member includes a leg member having an elongated slot therein extending in a direction transversely of the portions of the chain extending between the sprockets, said roller being engaged in said slot and being constrained to move lengthwise of the slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement called for in claim 1 wherein the drive member extends outwardly from opposite sides of the chain, said inner and outer tracks being disposed to be engaged by the portions of the drive member on opposite sides of the chain.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement called for in claim 6 wherein said drive member comprises a pair of coaxial rollers disposed on opposite sides of the chain.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
The improvement called for in claim 6 wherein the drive member comprises a pair of coaxial rollers mounted one on each side of the chain and the operative connection between the driven member and the drive member includes a yoke having a pair of legs straddling the chain, said legs each having an elongated slot therein extending generally transversely of the portions of the chain extending between the sprockets, said rollers being engaged one in each of said slots for movement lengthwise thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The improvement called for in claim 7 wherein the inner tracks are mounted on opposite sides of the sprockets and the outer tracks are mounted on the support, said outer tracks having an arcuate extent of not more than 180° and being disposed adjacent the arcuate path of travel of the chain around the sprockets.
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) | 1981-05-08 | 1981-11-07 | 1982-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-08 | 1985-11-07 | 1986-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-08 | 1989-11-07 | 1990-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |