Patents by Inventor Alfred F. Welch

Alfred F. Welch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4501380
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic feed system for storing and delivering headed fasteners, such as bolts or headed rivets to a fastening machine. The feed system is configured to release fasteners one at a time in a shank-first orientation and includes a cylindrical feed column that is attached to a gate unit. A cylindrical magazine that holds a supply of fasteners and permits rapid reloading mounts atop the feed column. The outer surface of the feed column and magazine include aligned, downwardly extending helical channels to hold the fasteners in a single-file row that advances downwardly under the force of gravity each time the gate unit is activated to eject a single fastener. Fasteners dispensed by the gate unit travel downwardly into a pneumatic supply line and are directed to the fastening machine that utilizes the feed system. A release mechanism located at the lower end of the magazine is used to retain the fasteners in the helical channel of the magazine when the magazine is separated from the feed column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Alfred F. Welch