Abstract: A multiple station transfer machine used in automation equipment wherein multiple work carrying pallets are moved to various stations, located, and clamped for a machining operation. A mechanism for operating a group of clamping members with a common power source but the locating pins and the clamping members are individually actuated by individual internal elastic members acting through high efficiency mechanisms such as levers, pivots and rolling contacts. The invention contemplates a simplified lift and carry type pallet transfer or a vertically moving slide rail system operable by, and in conjunction with, and in proper sequence to, the actuating means for the registry locating and clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A gravity operated conveyor comprises a workpiece supporting trolley having at least two independent unpowered wheels for supporting the trolley on a track. One of the wheels engages the track when the trolley is empty and the other engages the track when the trolley is loaded with a workpiece. Each wheel has a speed retarding mechanism operably connected therewith so that the speed retarding force on the trolley is greater when the trolley is loaded than when the trolley is empty.

Abstract: A multiple station transfer machine using work-carrying pallets which move along transfer rails from station to station and are located, i.e., brought into registry, at each station and clamped in place for a work operation including a mechanism for operating pallet locating means and clamping means which eliminates cams and wedges and utilizes high efficiency levers operating independently of any change in dimension due to wear. A single energy storage means at each station operates both the locator lever and the clamping lever sequentially through an interconnecting mechanism. A common release mechanism underlies the stations and is operable to act against the energy storage means to effect release of the registry means and the clamping means while pallets are moving between stations.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor has a work supporting trolley provided with multiple wheels of different diameters fixed to a shaft that operates a retarder for applying a retarding torque to the wheels proportional to their angular velocity. The conveyor track consists of multiple, laterally spaced, resiliently flexible rails on which selective wheels of the trolley are adapted to roll. The axial spacing of the tracks and wheels simplifies the location of the two centers of gravity of the loaded and unloaded trolley.

Abstract: In automation equipment, a system which utilizes work carrying pallets which provides for the locating and accurate locking of said pallets at a work station together with a lift and carry transfer means for the pallets which is operated in conjunction with the pallet clamping and locking system with a common actuator and a sequential actuation which includes lifting, lowering, locating and clamping.

Abstract: For use in a work processing line for workpieces, a workpiece storage system including a topologically closed loop track means having downwardly sloping surfaces coupled with elevators and lowerators in the loop, and work holding, gravity-operated pallets to run on said tracks having track engaging wheels equipped with retarding means responsive to wheel angular velocity and utilizing wheels of different diameters on the track depending on the loaded or unloaded condition of the pallets to control the speed of the pallets. Auxiliary track means, pallet loaders and unloaders, and switching mechanisms are incorporated in the system with elevators and lowerators to allow the storage system to function between multiple work processing lines, between single and multiple lines or between multiple and single lines to increase the flexibility of a work processing activity and reduce downtime.

Abstract: A structure for the rigidification of multiple station machine tools to increase accuracy of machining operations on workpieces moved intermittently on pallets to registry stations where machine tools move toward and away from the work. The machine tools and registry stations are mounted on a common base well below the axis of the machine tool movement. Means are interposed directly between the registry stations and the tool mounts on an axis in close proximity to the axis of the machine tool movement to rigidify the relationship between the tool mount and the registry stations and thus reduce the interfaces joining the two and the possibility of motion when tool pressure is applied to the work.

Abstract: For use in a work processing line for workpieces, a workpiece storage system including a topologically closed loop track means having downwardly sloping surfaces coupled with elevators and lowerators in the loop, and work holding, gravity-operated pallets to run on said tracks having track engaging wheels equipped with retarding means responsive to wheel angular velocity and utilizing wheels of different diameters on the track depending on the loaded or unloaded condition of the pallets to control the speed of the pallets. Auxiliary track means, pallet loaders and unloaders, and switching mechanisms are incorporated in the system with elevators and lowerators to allow the storage system to function between multiple work processing lines, between single and multiple lines or between multiple and single lines to increase the flexibility of a work processing activity and reduce downtime.

Abstract: A machine tool feed system of the type in which a tool supporting sliding carriage is moved toward and away from a workpiece which includes a mechanism for moving the carriage initially in a smoothly accelerated-decelerated rapid advance stroke toward the work and further moving the carriage in the same direction through a predetermined work stroke in a slower feed motion while the tool operates on the work. The mechanism thereafter retracts the tool carriage away from the work in a smoothly accelerated-decelerated rapid return stroke equal in distance to the feed stroke added to the rapid advance stroke. Mechanisms are provided for a first drive for the rapid advance stroke and a second drive for the work stroke, with interconnection with the tool carriage which unlock a portion of the first drive mechanism while initiating the second drive for the work stroke, and regenerating or relocking the interconnectionn during the composite rapid return stroke.

Abstract: A reversible rotary indexing mechanism capable of generating large indexing angles including those exceeding one revolution. A constant velocity rotary input is connected to a rotary output by an eccentric accelerating-decelerating drive means which, by reason of a shifting mechanism, is selectively disengageable with the output at a maximum velocity, zero acceleration condition, while at the same time a constant velocity drive from the input is connected to the output. Conversely, the constant velocity drive is disconnected at the same time that the accelerating-decelerating drive means is reconnected to accomplish deceleration. An output lock is also provided and actuators including composite cams can be utilized to accomplish the action of the shifting mechanism.In addition, the mechanism can be used with higher harmonic components to increase the design flexibility with greater inherent dwell capabilities and significantly longer constant velocity ranges.

Abstract: An article carrier system in which articles are transferred between pallets and support means particularly useful in transfer systems where work articles are being processed in the way of machining and the like and being carried by conveyors, either on pallets or as a bare part, from station to station. An endless power driven, optionally reversible, conveyor is disposed vertically and has a plurality of pallet conveying buckets and a plurality of article conveying buckets arranged in a regular sequence on the conveyor. Adjacent the conveyor are transfer and support stations for removing and adding articles from and to the conveyor and for removing and adding pallets operating in response to the conveyor movement. The conveying and support members are interdigitally related so there can be a proper pass through for the individual functions.

Abstract: A reciprocating indexing mechanism for linear and rotary outputs which has an output member which inherently reaches a zero velocity at each end of a stroke independent of the input velocity and which utilizes an angular input mechanism, commercially available, which has a rotative movement greater than 180.degree. but less than 360.degree.. The resulting mechanism has versatile kinematic characteristics during the stroke with a smaller acceleration discontinuity at the ends of the stroke than comparable harmonic mechanisms.

Abstract: A work holder pallet or fixture for carrying a workpiece from station to station in a sequential machining line in combination with a workpiece clamp loosely carried by the pallet in a manner to permit loading and unloading of the pressure and the application of pressure to a workpiece to hold it against the pallet with a force developed by the clamp without any distortion reaction forces on the pallet.

Abstract: A mechanism to generate a polygonal path such as a square with much greater accuracy than is presently possible. This is accomplished with the use of only circular gears or their equivalent, that is to say, without expensive specially machined parts. The mechanism includes first, second and third rotating members on spaced axes with connecting means between said members and a support frame and an eccentric member mounted on the third rotating member on a fourth axis displaced from the axis of the third rotating member.

Abstract: A multiple station transfer machine in which workpieces are located and supported in pallets and transferred sequentially through said machine and precisely located in each station along the transfer line, a three point locating system in which each pallet is located in one direction at spaced pressure points by a force applied in the direction of and midway between said points. The force application is applied by complemental wedge surfaces which can shift the pallet to cause it to meet the spaced pressure points, after which the pallet is clamped. A sequential actuator first locates and then clamps the pallet into a registry position. Slide rails for lineal transfer of the pallets are arranged to shift vertically relative to other supports for the pallets at each station, so the rails may be shifted to a non-interferring position prior to a clamping sequence so variations in slide rail dimensions due to wear and other influences will not affect the vertical registry of the clamped pallets.

Abstract: A mechanism for generating a square output motion utilizing a continuous constant speed rotary input. A reaction member such as an internal or external ring gear concentric to a first axis is provided together with first and second rotating members, the second being mounted for rotation on the first rotating member on an axis spaced from the first axis. An output member is mounted on the second rotating member and a means is provided for connecting for rotation the second rotating member and the reaction member. Input rotation of the second rotating member causes the output member to follow a square path.

Abstract: A coupling between adjacent ends of transfer bar sections which includes a screw having threads of opposite hand at opposite ends thereof engaged with threaded counterbores in the ends of the two transfer bar sections. A spacer ground precisely to a desired length is clamped between the ends of the bar sections when the screw is tightened. The spacer and screw have radially aligned holes therein to accommodate a tool for tightening the screw. The holes are dimensioned relative to the tool so that the screw can be tightened a final increment without rotating the spacer.

Abstract: A safety overload clutch wherein the driving and driven members are retained in driving relation by a primary roller on one of the members urged radially into a groove on the other member by an elastic flexure ring loaded by one or more secondary rollers on the one member positioned substantially diametrically opposite the primary roller. When the load on the driven member exceeds a predetermined value, the primary roller rolls out of its groove causing additional deflection of the flexure ring.