Abstract: A system for transferring workpieces generally vertically from a station at one height in a workpiece support or transfer device to a station at another height in another transfer device or support. The workpiece is moved vertically by an elevator which travels along a path through the stations from a point below the lower station to a point above the upper station. To smoothly and rapidly move the workpiece the elevator is accelerated and decelerated and dwells at least when picking up and depositing a workpiece. To avoid collisions, interference and the necessity of precisely synchronizing movement of the transfer and elevator, when in its fully raised and lowered positions, the elevator is clear of and does not interfere with the transfer and supports and any workpieces in the stations.

Abstract: A differential rotary-to-rotary cam system to achieve long dwell periods with continuous rotary input including a rotary prime mover of several different types and a differential cam assembly which can be interposed between a particular power input and a power output to produce a repetitive differential motion wherein a long dwell is obtained at the rotary output. This is particularly enhanced when the differential is driven by a basic power system which in itself can produce a dwell in its output motion.

Abstract: Mechanisms which can produce, with a constant speed rotary input member, a reciprocating motion capable of producing very long dwells at each end of the stroke of the reciprocating motion, unequally long dwells at opposite ends of a stroke, and/or momentary stops intermediate the ends of the stroke. The mechanism can generate a dwell at each end of the stroke and an additional dwell at a predetermined point along the stroke in one direction of travel and another additional dwell at another predetermined point along the reverse direction of travel. The mechanism is further capable of creating high degrees of kinematic versatility between the ends of the stroke of the reciprocating mechanism.

Abstract: An intermittent reversible indexing system having a rotary input and a rotary output with variable kinematic characteristics including an epicycloidal drive with dwell characteristics. A planetary carrier carrying a single planetary gear is driven about a first axis with the planetary gear in mesh with a stationary reaction gear concentric about said first axis. A drive member in the form of a shaft eccentric to the axis of the planetary engages and slides in a slot of an output member, thereby driving an output member about a second axis displaced from said first axis. The reaction gear is mounted for oscillation and a mechanism for oscillating the reaction gear is driven by an input power means which also drives the planetary carrier. A crank and lever mechanism or a simple cam mechanism can be used to oscillate the reaction gear in response to the input power means.

Abstract: A system for transferring workpieces generally vertically from a station at one height in a workpiece support or transfer device to a station at another height in another transfer device or support. The workpiece is moved vertically by an elevator which travels along a path through the stations from a point below the lower station to a point above the upper station. To smoothly and rapidly move the workpiece the elevator is accelerated and decelerated and dwells at least when picking up and depositing a workpiece. To avoid collisions, interference and the necessity of precisely synchronizing movement of the transfer and elevator, when in its fully raised and lowered positions, the elevator is clear of and does not interfere with the transfer and supports and any workpieces in the stations.

Abstract: A shiftable transmission drive with assured input-output relationship includes a drive motor-transmission mechanism wherein a drive motor drives an output shaft at different rates through a shiftable transmission, and wherein the output shaft is always connected with the drive motor through the shiftable transmission. The output shaft is thus always under control and its position precisely known. The shift position of the gears is known. Shifting is directed at predetermined positions by a microprocessor when the transmission is stopped or at low speeds of rotation. The drive is a direct drive or alternatively a gear ratioed drive.

Abstract: A power drive and lift-and-carry mechanism in which a rotary input drives a mechanical system to produce a relatively long dwell stage and, in combination with a crank drive mechanism, produces a transfer motion with a substantially straight lift and lower motion coupled with a horizontal component in a smooth transfer motion for work parts.

Abstract: A gravity powered part transfer system in which parts are suspended on a rotating member from a declining track or rail. The rotating member is associated with a viscous fluid in a manner which permits the active fluid to be altered in thickness in response to increase or decrease of weight. The greater the weight, the less the thickness of the fluid acting on the rotating member and the greater the retardation torque.

Abstract: A mechanical press has an elevated welding station and a workpiece conveyor extending through the press at a level spaced below the welding station. A lift mechanism below the conveyor is designed to elevate the platen with a straight line vertical motion in two successive steps to first engage a workpiece on the conveyor and then elevate the workpiece to the welding station. Thereafter the lift mechanism lowers the platen with a straight line vertical motion in two successive steps to first deposit the welded workpiece on the conveyor and then recede to its starting position. The drive for the lift mechanism gradually accelerates the platen at the beginning of each step and gradually decelerates it to a near zero velocity at the end of each step.

Abstract: A multiple station transfer machine in which workpieces are progressively transferred from work station to work station with workpieces individually clamped at each station by a movable clamp. A unified mechanism for clamping the workpieces at individual stations has a common rotary actuator which can function simultaneously at each work station. The clamping member is arranged to adapt to various clamping positions independently of the stroke of the actuator. A two-stage cam operates on each clamping member driven by a preloaded spring in response to motion of the common rotary movable actuator.

Abstract: A mechanism and control for mechanically moving a rotary metal removing tool such as a milling cutter or grinder in a path determined by a regular or irregular contour of a work part. The control is such that the tool may move at a constant feed rate or at a variable rate, for example, more slowly, in areas where a heavier cut is necessary. A contour cam controls the tool position and a second cam controls the feed rate in either a constant or variable velocity as determined by the workpiece.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage system for generating a straight line and useful as a guidance mechanism utilizing links which do not cross-over in the motion generated. A rigid bellcrank member has a centerpivot connection to a first suspension link, a second pivot connection to a substantially linear guide mechanism, and a third pivot connection to an output point, the dimensions of said link, the distance between said center pivot connection and said guide mechanism, and between said center pivot and said output point are generally equal. The guide mechanism can be a linear slide or a straight line linkage.

Abstract: A conveying and storage system for wheeled pallets has tracks each formed by a pair of generally parallel rails. The pallet has grooved wheels at one side for riding on the upper edge of one rail and a roller on the other side for riding on the upper edge of the other rail. At the intersection of the tracks, the two wheel engaging rails are interconnected by a frog on which the peripheries of the grooved wheels roll. Where a wheel engaging rail crosses a roller engaging rail, the roller engaging rail is interrupted and elevated pads are provided that are coplanar with the upper edges of the rails. The pads are arranged to support the rollers as they negotiate the gap in the roller engaging rail.

Abstract: A multiple station transfer machine in which workpieces are progressively transferred from station to station requires that the workpieces be individually clamped at each station by a movable clamp. The present device includes a unified mechanism at each station for clamping the workpieces at individual stations by a common linearly movable actuator which can function simultaneously at each station. The clamping mechanism is arranged to adapt to various clamping positions at individual stations independently of the stroke of the common actuator. This is accomplished by a roller mounted, two-stage cam operating on a clamping member and driven by a preloaded spring in response to the linearly movable actuator. The unified mechanisms can be placed in various positions of orientation while being actuated by the same linear actuator.

Abstract: A rotary retardation device utilizing viscous fluid responsive to angular velocity in which the viscous fluid is retained in a cavity, one wall of which is a flexible deformable member, the fluid being sealed in the cavity, and a relatively movable rotary member bearing on the flexible member in a moving path to respond in rotation to the action of the viscous fluid in the cavity.

Abstract: A mechanical transfer system for lifting and transferring parts to load and unload fixtures and pallets in a path which includes vertical and horizontal motions with a rotary input and which includes a cam modifier for the output motion to obtain a modified arcuate motion curve which will have substantially straight sections at the start and finish. This enables a straight lift or lower action for parts that need to be lowered into or lifted out of pallets or fixtures which have receiving receptacles for the parts.

Abstract: A mechanical transfer system for lifting and transferring work parts to load and unload fixtures and pallets in a path which includes vertical and horizontal motions. Mechanical hands are provided to grasp the parts and deposit them at a new location. A lifting beam carrying these hands is moved horizontally and also shifted by mechanically driven arms to provide a straight lift or lower action for the work parts at the beginning and end of the transfer path. A mechanism associated with the mechanically driven arms is actuated in response to the movement of the arms to change the orientation of the mechanical hands and the supported work part during the transfer motion so that a work part can be lifted in one orientation and deposited in another orientation.

Abstract: A motion generating system in which multiple movements are to be generated with multiple interrelated elements or multiple movement paths generated by a given input. There is a primary input which drives an acceleration-deceleration device from one stopped dwell position to another stopped dwell position. Associated with the drive device is a primary output member with multiple output means mechanically associated therewith and shift means in the mechanism driven by the input member to selectively connect and disconnect one or more of each multiple output means relative to the primary output means. The connection and disconnection is designed always to occur during a dwell position of the primary output means.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for reciprocating and multiple step index devices which includes a modified higher harmonic addition which can achieve a significantly longer substantially vertical path at the beginning and end of the overall longitudinal path which assists in unloading and loading workpieces from and into various fixtures.

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.