US4398629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plate latch and guide system
Assignee: Kaiser Steel Delaware Inc
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Filing: 1982-09-09
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Granted: 1983-08-16
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Expires: 2002-09-09
Abstract
Abstract Latch and guide system for gripping steel plate and the like while it is edge-formed. A pulley system is driven to apply tension to cables which actuate gripping clamps. The clamps travel within channel guides along the length of the system and restrain the plate from lateral movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin C. Williamson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:32
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D43/00; B21D43/02; B21D43/04; B21D43/12; B65; B65H; B65H5/00; B65H5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
359 words
Apparatus for clamping and guiding a section of metal plate to restain lateral movement thereof as it travels longitudinally through a machine wherein said plate is subjected to mechanical work and to forces inducing lateral movement of the plate comprising, conveyor means for longitudinally moving the plates, first clamp means adapted to engage the trailing edge of said plate while moving on said conveyor means, second clamp means adapted to engage the leading edge of said plate while moving on said conveyor means, guide means for positioning said first and second clamps and extending along the length of said apparatus wherein said lateral forces are effective, first cable means to which said first clamp means are attached, second cable means to which second clamp means are attached, a first pulley system for actuating said first cable means whereby said first clamp means and said first cable means travel forward to engage the trailing edge of said plate travelling toward said machine on said conveyor means to thereby place said first cable means under tension and create a locking force sufficient to lock said first clamp means on said plate, a second pulley system for actuating said second cable means whereby said second clamp means travels forward after engagement with the leading edge of said plate travelling toward said machine on said conveyor means to thereby place said second cable means under tension and create a locking force sufficient to lock said second clamp means on said plate and enable said first and second cable means and clamp means to travel with said plate through said machine, said first pulley system and said second pulley system being located adjacent to the longitudinal centerline of said metal plate and in a plane parallel to and spaced from the path of travel of said metal plate to enable said first and second clamp means to engage said edges of said plate at points spaced from the longitudinal edges thereof to thereby leave said longitudinal edges unobstructed for the application of mechanical work thereto, and means for disengaging said clamp means from said plate edges after said plate has passed through said machine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
359 words
Apparatus for clamping and guiding a section of metal plate to restain lateral movement thereof as it travels longitudinally through a machine wherein said plate is subjected to mechanical work and to forces inducing lateral movement of the plate comprising, conveyor means for longitudinally moving the plates, first clamp means adapted to engage the trailing edge of said plate while moving on said conveyor means, second clamp means adapted to engage the leading edge of said plate while moving on said conveyor means, guide means for positioning said first and second clamps and extending along the length of said apparatus wherein said lateral forces are effective, first cable means to which said first clamp means are attached, second cable means to which second clamp means are attached, a first pulley system for actuating said first cable means whereby said first clamp means and said first cable means travel forward to engage the trailing edge of said plate travelling toward said machine on said conveyor means to thereby place said first cable means under tension and create a locking force sufficient to lock said first clamp means on said plate, a second pulley system for actuating said second cable means whereby said second clamp means travels forward after engagement with the leading edge of said plate travelling toward said machine on said conveyor means to thereby place said second cable means under tension and create a locking force sufficient to lock said second clamp means on said plate and enable said first and second cable means and clamp means to travel with said plate through said machine, said first pulley system and said second pulley system being located adjacent to the longitudinal centerline of said metal plate and in a plane parallel to and spaced from the path of travel of said metal plate to enable said first and second clamp means to engage said edges of said plate at points spaced from the longitudinal edges thereof to thereby leave said longitudinal edges unobstructed for the application of mechanical work thereto, and means for disengaging said clamp means from said plate edges after said plate has passed through said machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises a recessed channel beam having a pair of vertically disposed side walls adapted to serve as side guides for said first and second clamp means and to restrain lateral movement thereof as each of said clamp means travels along the length of said machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein means are provided to reverse the direction of movement of said first and second cable means after said first and second clamp means have been disengaged from said plate edges to thereby return said clamp means to their original positions to receive a new plate to be subjected to work.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises a channel beam having a pair of recessed areas having vertically disposed side walls, one of said recessed areas being adapted to serve as side guide means for said first clamp means and the other of said recessed areas being adapted to serve as side guide means for said second clamp means, whereby both of said side guide means restrains lateral movement of both of said clamp means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein means are provided to permit continued forward movement of said first and second cable means after disengagement from said plate edges to thereby return said clamp means to their original positions to receive a new plate to be subjected to work.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first and second clamp means each comprise a pair of clamps affixed to each of said first and second cooperating cable means at equidistant points on each of said cable means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said clamp means is pivoted at a base affixed to one of said cable means and is maintained in operative position by a pair of separate spring means, one end of said spring means being attached to an end wall of said clamp means and the other end of said spring means being attached at the other end wall of said clamp means, and each of the other ends of said spring means being attached to opposite ends of said base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said clamp means comprise an element having at one of its ends an opening in one end wall thereof and whereby it may receive a plate in gripping engagement therewith, and the opposite end of said clamp means being pivotally attached to cable means for actuating said clamp means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
347 words
Apparatus for clamping and guiding a section of metal plate to restrain lateral movement thereof as it travels longitudinally through a machine wherein said plate is subjected to mechanical work and to forces inducing lateral movement of the plate comprising, conveyor means for longitudinally moving the plates, first clamp means comprising a pair of clamps adapted to engage the trailing edge of said plate while moving on said conveyor means, second clamp means comprising a pair of clamps adapted to engage the leading edge of said plate while moving on said conveyor means, guide means for positioning said first and second clamps and extending along the length of said apparatus wherein said lateral forces are effective, first cable means to which said first clamp means are attached, second cable means to which second clamp means are attached, said first and second clamp means each being affixed to each of said first and second cooperating cable means at equidistant points on each of said cable means, a first pulley system for actuating said first cable means whereby said first clamp means and said first cable means travel forward to engage the trailing edge of said plate travelling toward said machine on said conveyor means to thereby place said first cable means under tension and create a locking force sufficient to lock said first clamp means on said plate, a second pulley system for actuating said second cable means whereby said second clamp means travels forward after engagement with the leading edge of said plate travelling toward said machine on said conveyor means to thereby place said second cable means under tension and create a locking force sufficient to lock said second clamp means on said plate and enable said first and second cable means and clamp means to travel with said plate through said machine, and means to permit continued forward movement of said first and second cable means for disengagement from said plate edges to thereby return said first and second clamp means to their original positions to receive a new plate to be subjected to work.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
347 words
Apparatus for clamping and guiding a section of metal plate to restrain lateral movement thereof as it travels longitudinally through a machine wherein said plate is subjected to mechanical work and to forces inducing lateral movement of the plate comprising, conveyor means for longitudinally moving the plates, first clamp means comprising a pair of clamps adapted to engage the trailing edge of said plate while moving on said conveyor means, second clamp means comprising a pair of clamps adapted to engage the leading edge of said plate while moving on said conveyor means, guide means for positioning said first and second clamps and extending along the length of said apparatus wherein said lateral forces are effective, first cable means to which said first clamp means are attached, second cable means to which second clamp means are attached, said first and second clamp means each being affixed to each of said first and second cooperating cable means at equidistant points on each of said cable means, a first pulley system for actuating said first cable means whereby said first clamp means and said first cable means travel forward to engage the trailing edge of said plate travelling toward said machine on said conveyor means to thereby place said first cable means under tension and create a locking force sufficient to lock said first clamp means on said plate, a second pulley system for actuating said second cable means whereby said second clamp means travels forward after engagement with the leading edge of said plate travelling toward said machine on said conveyor means to thereby place said second cable means under tension and create a locking force sufficient to lock said second clamp means on said plate and enable said first and second cable means and clamp means to travel with said plate through said machine, and means to permit continued forward movement of said first and second cable means for disengagement from said plate edges to thereby return said first and second clamp means to their original positions to receive a new plate to be subjected to work.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said guide means comprises a recessed channel beam having a pair of vertically disposed side walls adapted to serve as side guides for said first and second clamp means and to restrain lateral movement thereof as each of said clamp means travels along the length of said machine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said clamp means is pivoted at a base affixed to one of said cable means and is maintained in operative position by a pair of separate spring means, one end of said spring means being attached to an end wall of said clamp means and the other end of said spring means being attached at the other end wall of said clamp means, and each of the other ends of said spring means being attached to opposite ends of said base.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3108682A
Cited
US4015702A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-15 | 1987-02-14 | 1987-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-15 | 1991-02-14 | 1991-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-15 | 1995-02-14 | 1995-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |