Abstract: A steel blank can be removed from the space between a lower stationary die and an upper movable die by employing a belt conveyor in a cavity in the upper die. The frame for the conveyor belt mounts an array of permanent magnets that exert a magnetic pick-up force through the lower run of the belt into the steel blank. The conveyor frame is floatably suspended to follow the upper die, while being downwardly deflected by the action of a stripper pad carried by the upper die, such that the blank is dislodged from the upper die and then transported out of the space between the two dies.

Abstract: Apparatus for destacking individual sheets from a stack of non-magnetic mutually clinging metal sheets includes a structure adjacent the side edge of the sheets having a series of vertically spaced horizontal ridges. A series of vacuum cups raise the edge of the top sheet such that the sheet bends in a curve. The second sheet clings by an adhesive film to the top sheet. Both sheets engage the ridged structure, but the top sheet continues to be raised while the second sheet is caught by the ridges until the adhesive film between the sheets releases the top sheet.

Abstract: A pallet having several vertical posts for maintaining a plurality of sheet metal parts in a stacked position. Each post is horizontally mounted on the pallet base and locked in position by a jack screw arrangement.

Abstract: A parts stacking pallet is formed by a horizontal base that is constructed to define a number of channel-shaped tracks. Each track adjustably supports an upstanding post, such that the posts can be moved along the tracks adjacent an area defined by a plan configuration of the parts to be stored on the pallet. The posts prevent the stacked parts from being laterally dislocated off the stack. Each post is adjustably clamped to the associated track by a clamping mechanism that includes a shoe located within the track and a manually-operated toggle device that is effective to raise the shoe into pressure engagement with an upper wall of the track. The toggle device includes a swingable handle and a link element that swings through an arc to an overcenter position in which the shoe is firmly clamped to the track. The clamp mechanism is readily operated to the locked or unlocked position. Adjustments are incorporated into the link elements for varying the clamping force.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer (conveyor) mechanism wherein two powered foldable arm structures are supported on a transfer carriage to extend the reach of the transfer mechanism. Each arm structure comprises two pivotably connected arms, each of which is powered to move at a different angular rate. The arm structures are operable to shift the workpiece along the carriage while the carriage is moving between the loading point and the unloading point.

Abstract: A pallet for supporting a plurality of similarly shaped parts piled one above another in a stacked relationship. Locator pins on a base portion of the pallet keep the parts in the desired stacked condition. The pallet base includes two parallel horizontal tubes that are adapted to receive the prongs of a fork lift truck for transporting the pallet. Structural beam elements are welded to the prong-receiving tubes to provide a high-strength base structure. The locator pins are detachably connected with anchoring blocks that can be slidably adjusted in (along) hollow tracks affixed to the base area of the pallet. Each anchoring block has threaded engagement with a socket member, such that when a locator pin is inserted into a socket member and turned around the pin axis, the anchoring block is automatically clamped against interior surfaces of the associated track.

Abstract: A pallet having a plurality of upright locating pins for guiding a stack of sheet metal stampings being individually lowered on the pallet. The lower ends of the pins are received in slots in the base in such a manner that they can be precisely located according to the sides of the stack. The pins can be located to accommodate either a small, a large or several stacks of stampings being mounted on a single pallet.

Abstract: A conveyor belt apparatus is mounted between the upper and lower die shoes of a press for removing a metal blank from the press. The conveyor has magnetic means for magnetically attracting the workpiece to the underside of the belt as it is being moved from the press at right angles from the direction the sheet metal is fed into the press.

Abstract: A quick disconnect for suspending a generally horizontal boom from a support. A pair of spaced blocks are clamped on the boom. One block has a slot and the other block has a hanger pin. An elongated body is attached to the support. A head at one end of the body has a slot for receiving the hanger pin on the block. A second head, at the other end of the body, has a threaded hanger pin for receiving the slot on the other block so that the boom is supported parallel to the body. The two heads have a pair of detent pins receivable in openings in the two blocks to prevent the boom from pivoting about the hanger pins. The threaded hanger pin has a handle which the user can manipulate to easily connect one of the blocks to the body.

Abstract: A press apparatus mechanical dwell linkage comprises a pair of cam plates, one of which is fixed and the other pivotable, positioned in side-by-side parallel relationship. An operating arm is connected to the moving die in a press apparatus and simultaneously engages cam slots in each cam plate to transmit cam slot curvature and direction in the fixed cam to pivoting motion of the pivotable cam. A workpiece manipulating link oscillates with said pivotable cam to transversely change the position of a workpiece between the dies. The cam slots cooperate to introduce a dwell period in the work manipulating link at the start of, and end of, its workpiece-changing motion.

Abstract: A tooling support apparatus in which a linear tooling boom has one end adapted to support a tooling member and its opposite end connected to a scissors-lift apparatus for adjusting the height and horizontal position of the tooling boom.

Abstract: Apparatus for turning over a workpiece, such as a metal stamping, including a turnover shaft. A pneumatic piston and cylinder rotates the turnover shaft in a cammed rate of motion from an initial position to a final position. A vacuum-operated workpiece support is rotated with the turnover shaft and is adapted to engage a metal stamping to swing it with the turnover shaft. The workpiece support is connected by a gear box to the turnover shaft in such a manner that as the workpiece is swung to an upside down position, it is also rotated about a second axis with respect to the turnover shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for turning over a workpiece, such as a large metal stamping, in a motion in which it is swung about the axis of a turn-over shaft while being rotated about a second axis. The workpiece is mounted on a support connected to the output member of a right angle gear box. Both the support and the gear box are carried on the turn-over shaft. The input end of the gear box carries a sheave connected by a belt to a second sheave mounted on the base supporting the turn-over shaft. As the workpiece and the gear box are swung about the turn-over shaft towrad an upside down position, the workpiece is turned in a secondary motion depending upon the ratio of the diameters of the two sheaves.

Abstract: A motion transmitting apparatus converts the uniform rate of motion of a piston and cylinder actuator to a programmed motion having a controlled acceleration, a dwell and a controlled deceleration.

Abstract: A linkage for controlling the removal of a workpiece from a press by controlling the timing between the workpiece support apparatus and the ram as it is raised and lowered. The linkage is connected to the ram in such a manner that the supporting apparatus has an adjustable dwell which can be adjusted by adjusting the length of both the linkage as well as a rod connected between the ram and the linkage.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder actuator is connected to a cam for converting the uniform linear motion of a piston rod with respect to a power cylinder to rotate a shaft in a controlled acceleration and then deceleration for turning a driven member such as a workpiece over.

Abstract: A straight line link mechanism in which a series of pivotally connected links are connected between a support and a control member such as one of the links is reciprocated in a pivotal motion by a piston and cylinder actuator, the controlled member moves along a linear path of motion.

Abstract: A linear motion mechanism in which a series of pivotally connected links are connected between a support and a controlled member such that as one of the links is swung in a 360.degree. arc, the controlled member alternately moves in a first direction along a linear path of motion and then in the opposite direction along a curved path of motion.In another embodiment of the invention, the weight of the controlled member is balanced by a counter weight connected to the linkage to provide a lifting mechanism.Another embodiment employs a cam to produce a motion in which the controlled member moves in a horizontal path with a short vertical motion at each end of the horizontal motion.