Safety guard for power presses

Claim 1

In a power press having a ram movable between first and second positions, power means for moving the ram, clutch means for transmitting power from the power means to the ram, and a foot pedal for operating the ram, a safety guard and control assembly comprising: a) a safety guard frame mounted on the power press, b) a safety guard reciprocably mounted on the frame for generally vertical movement between an unactuated position and an actuated position, c) a sensory member movably mounted on the safety guard and having an edge portion extending below the safety guard, the sensory member being movable upwardly relative to the safety guard between a rest position and a second position when the edge portion of the sensory member engages an object as the safety guard moves from its unactuated position toward its actuated position, d) means for reciprocating the safety guard, e) first switch means on the safety guard movable between a first position and a second position, f) first switch-activating means between the sensory member and the first switch means for moving the first switch means to its second position when the sensory member moves to its second position, g) control means for operating the power means for moving the ram and the means for reciprocating the safety guard, the control means including: i) a first slide member movably mounted on the power press and slidable between first, second, and third positions, the first slide member being connected to the foot pedal for movement therewith, ii) second switch means movable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of the slide member from its first position to its second position for energizing the means for reciprocating the safety guard, iii) stop means for preventing movement of the first slide member from its second position to its third position, the stop means being movable in response to a signal caused by the safety guard reaching its actuated position to permit movement of the first slide member from its second position to its third poistion, iv) a second slide member slidably mounted on the power press and connected to the clutch means, the second slide member being movable between a first position in which the clutch means does not transmit power to the ram and a second position in which the clutch means transmits power to the ram, v) means for coupling the first and second slide members for simultaneous sliding movement in response to a signal caused by the safety guard reaching its actuated position, the second slide member being movable to its second position by the first slide member as the first slide member moves to its third position when the first and second slide members are coupled, h) third switch means on the frame movable between a first position and a second position for signalling the stop means to move to permit movement of the first slide member from its second to its third position and for signalling the coupling means to couple the first and second slide member for simultaneous sliding movement, and i) switch-activating means on the safety guard for moving the third switch means to its second position when the safety guard reaches its actuated position.