Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
278 words
An apparatus for angularly positioning a rotary member, comprising: first drive means connectible to rotate said rotary member in a work operation; power transmission means operable to connect said first drive means with said rotary member for rotating said rotary member in a work operation; second drive means connectible to rotate said rotary member in an angular positioning movement; coupling means actuatable to connect said second drive means to said rotary member for rotating said rotary member while said first drive means is disconnected from said rotary member, said coupling means including a pair of complementary clutch members adapted to be engageable at any position and normally biased to a disengaged position relative to each other; first detector means for detecting a predetermined angular reference position of one of said clutch members which is positioned to the side of said second drive means and generating a first signal upon detection; a controller responsive to the first signal of said first detector means for controlling the movement of said second drive means so as to stop said one clutch member at said predetermined angular reference position; second detector means for detecting a predetermined angular reference position of said rotary member, said second detector means being operated by the rotary movement of said rotary member when said rotary member approches to said predetermined angular reference position thereof and generating a second signal upon detection; and means responsive to the second signal of said second detector means for stopping said rotary member at said predetermined angular reference position thereof; said controller sequentially rendering said coupling means engaged after effecting stoppage of said rotary member at said predetermined angular reference position thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
278 words
An apparatus for angularly positioning a rotary member, comprising: first drive means connectible to rotate said rotary member in a work operation; power transmission means operable to connect said first drive means with said rotary member for rotating said rotary member in a work operation; second drive means connectible to rotate said rotary member in an angular positioning movement; coupling means actuatable to connect said second drive means to said rotary member for rotating said rotary member while said first drive means is disconnected from said rotary member, said coupling means including a pair of complementary clutch members adapted to be engageable at any position and normally biased to a disengaged position relative to each other; first detector means for detecting a predetermined angular reference position of one of said clutch members which is positioned to the side of said second drive means and generating a first signal upon detection; a controller responsive to the first signal of said first detector means for controlling the movement of said second drive means so as to stop said one clutch member at said predetermined angular reference position; second detector means for detecting a predetermined angular reference position of said rotary member, said second detector means being operated by the rotary movement of said rotary member when said rotary member approches to said predetermined angular reference position thereof and generating a second signal upon detection; and means responsive to the second signal of said second detector means for stopping said rotary member at said predetermined angular reference position thereof; said controller sequentially rendering said coupling means engaged after effecting stoppage of said rotary member at said predetermined angular reference position thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for angularly positioning a rotary member as recited in claim 1 wherein said power transmission means includes shaft means and wherein said means for stopping said rotary member at said predetermined angular reference position thereof comprises a member fixedly secured to said shaft means, said member having a notch formed therein, cylinder means having a piston rod, said cylinder means being adapted to be actuated in response to the second signal of said second detector means, and an engaging member mounted to the leading end of said piston rod whereby upon actuation of said cylinder means said engaging member is brought into engagement with said notch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus for angularly positioning a rotary member as recited in claim 1 further comprising third detector means connected with said second drive means for detecting the movement of said second drive means and providing signals denoting increments of that movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus for angularly positioning a rotary member as recited in claim 3 wherein said third detector means is connected to said controller and is adapted to be reset to the starting position when said first detector means detects the predetermined angular reference position of said one clutch member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus for angularly positioning a rotary member as recited in claim 1 further comprising gear backlash eliminating means disposed between said second drive means and said coupling means and wherein said coupling means is provided in a pair.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for angularly positioning a rotary member as recited in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 further comprising means for feeding data into said controller so that said controller is responsive to the data to regulate the operation of said second drive means for rotating said rotary member from said predetermined angular reference position to another selected angular position as designated by said date.