Abstract: A conveyor ratcheting apparatus for advancing a conveyor in one direction in discrete steps. A ratchet arm is pivotally supported on a frame. A ratchet actuator drives the arm reciprocally between first and second positions. A ratchet wheel is rotatably supported on the frame. Circumferentially spaced teeth are formed around an outer rim of the ratchet wheel. The ratchet arm sequentially engages each of the teeth and causes the ratchet wheel to rotate in one direction each time the ratchet arm engages one of the teeth and moves toward the second position from the first position. The ratchet arm disengages whenever the ratchet arm moves from the second position back toward the first position. A detent engagement member is supported on the frame and is moveable into engagement with one of four stop detents in the ratchet wheel when the first ratchet arm is in the second position.

Abstract: An indexing drive has an actuator which reciprocates a ratchet arm along an arcuate path to cause an indexed rotation of rollers during one direction of movement of the ratchet arm which bear on a follower to produce an associated indexed rotation of the follower which may be communicated with a drive mechanism of apparatus to provide an indexed movement of the apparatus. Desirably, when the follower is not being rotated by the rollers, it is restrained from rotation in either direction to prevent movement of the drive mechanism to which it is connected and hence, to prevent movement of the apparatus associated with the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A clamp having a pneumatic cylinder with an actuating rod connected to one end of a drive arm which has its other end attached to a crankshaft which in turn has crankpins eccentrically mounted thereon to drive inner and outer clamp arms between retracted and advanced positions corresponding to open and closed positions of the clamp. The length of the drive arm, the extent to which the crankpins are offset from the crankshaft, the specific portion of a quadrant through which the crankpins are rotated, and the distance between the application of the force to the clamp arms and the axes about which the clamp arms pivot all provide a significant mechanical advantage and an extremely large clamping force from relatively low pressure compressed air supplied to the pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A mechanical press has a ram carried by a frame and movable to advanced and retracted positions by a ball screw assembly driven by a reversible motor to actuate a cam and follower assembly connected to the ram by a linkage system. The linkage system has a pair of pivot links pivotally connected at one end to a fixed pivot shaft connected to the press frame and connected at their opposite end to a follower nut for movement thereby as the follower nut travels along the length of the driven screw. A pair of roller followers are also driven by the follower nut to move between first and second positions within cam tracks formed in a pair of first lever arms operably connected to the ram. In use, when the motor drives the screw in one direction the first lever arms are rotated in one direction to move the ram to its advanced position wherein the ram urges a die or tool into engagement with a workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a panel to a predetermined cross dimension by flangers which form flanges on the opposite side edges of the panel. The flangers are movable toward and away from advanced positions in which to form the flanges. The advanced positions can be adjusted depending on the cross dimension desired. The flangers can be retracted to permit loading and unloading of panels. Forming units are also provided to form tabs on an end of the panel.

Abstract: Clamping mechanism for clamping a plate to a base comprises an arm having a clamp head on one end and a sleeve slidably receiving the arm. The sleeve is mounted for rotation on an axis perpendicular to the arm. A drive is provided to rotate the sleeve from a first position to a second position in which the arm is disposed with its head in position to clamp the plate to the base and to slide the arm through the sleeve when the sleeve is in the second position to draw the head tightly against the plate and clamp it to the base.

Abstract: A press with both prehemming and final hemming tools or steels each driven by the same prime mover. Each steel is mounted on a separate carrier driven through separate toggle joints to advance and retract the steels for prehemming and final hemming of an upturned flange along an edge of a steel panel. To facilitate synchronizing the operation of at least two presses, the prime mover may be a screw and servo motor drive assembly.