Abstract: A fluid pressure operated motor having a piston rod located in parallel offset relationship to the axis of the cylinder is provided with a fixed guide rod extending through the cylinder between the end caps in parallel offset relationship to the cylinder axis. The guide rod passes in sliding sealed relationship though a bore in the piston formed within like outwardly flared frusto-conical counterbores at each end. Complementary opposed frusto-conical locator members coaxially mounted at spaced fixed locations on the guide rod are seated respectively in the counterbores in the piston at opposite ends of the piston stroke to accurately locate the piston axially, radially and rotatively relative to the cylinder at each end of its stroke.

Abstract: A power operated clamp includes a cylinder having a reciprocal piston rod. A hollow clamp body having side plates is aligned with and connected to the cylinder. A clamp arm is pivotally mounted upon the body and in one position is adapted to retainingly engage a workpiece relative to a workpiece support. A linkage is pivotally connected to the clamp arm; the improvement which comprises a series of vertically spaced pairs of longitudinally spaced transverse mount holes extending through the side plates. The mounting of the body includes an upright riser extending between the side plates and has a series of longitudinal similarly spaced apertures corresponding to some of the side plate apertures. Pivot bolts extend through some of the mount holes and riser, whereby the body may be mounted selectively in one of a plurality of longitudinal locations above or below the riser. A rod end is guidably mounted within the body and axially connected to the piston rod.

Abstract: In combination with an actuating unit including a cylinder, a head and a reciprocal piston rod and a gripper head having a body terminating in a mount flange, a pivotal gripper assembly and a reciprocal rod end in the body connected to the gripper assembly. A quick disconnect device comprises an apertured protrusion block mounted upon the cylinder head including a pair of opposed undercut assembly slots. An apertured quick disconnect body of U-shape is secured upon the mount flange and upon its interior has a pair of opposed stop ledges. The disconnect body is projected into the assembly slots with the protrusion block nested upon the stop ledges. The actuating unit and gripper head are aligned with the piston rod axially connected to the rod end. A detent pin is removably projected through corresponding aligned transverse bores in the disconnect body and protrusion block.

Abstract: A power operated clamp includes a cylinder having a reciprocal piston rod. A hollow body is aligned with and connected to the cylinder and mounted upon a support. The body includes a pair of spaced side plates at their one ends secured to the cylinder. The piston rod extends into the body. A clamp arm is pivotally mounted upon the body and in one position is adapted to retainingly engage a workpiece relative to a workpiece support. A linkage is pivotally connected to the clamp arm; the improvement which comprises a series of vertically spaced pairs of longitudinally spaced transverse mount holes extending through the side plates. The mounting of the body includes an upright riser extending between the side plates and has a series of longitudinal similarly spaced apertures corresponding to some of the side plate apertures. Pivot bolts extend through some of the side plate apertures and riser, whereby the body may be mounted in one of a plurality of longitudinal locations relative to the riser.

Abstract: In a multiple stroke retractor mechanism for an article transfer apparatus having an elongated body and a pair of tracks mounting a reciprocal carriage, with opposed rack gears upon the body and carriage, a power reciprocated pinion carrier and longitudinally spaced opposed pairs of pinions journaled upon the carrier in mesh with the rack gears, the improvement comprising improved pinion carrier of channel from having side plates, longitudinally spaced laterally opposed pairs of first and second cam followers journaled upon the side plates upon horizontal and vertical axes supportably mounted upon and bearing against the sides of the tracks for constraining reciprocal movements of the carrier to unit horizontal and vertical planes. A modified carrier similarly mounted upon the tracks includes longitudinally spaced pairs of pulleys and timing belts supported upon the carrier and connected with the carriage, replacing the rack gears and pinions.

Abstract: A linear transfer stroking boom has a housing suspended from a support which may be the travel carriage of an overlying longitudinally reciprocal shuttle. A cylinder assembly is mounted within the housing and includes a reciprocal piston rod on a longitudinal axis. A plurality of parallel spaced guide rods are slidably mounted upon and extend through the ends of the housing and outwardly thereof. Boom mount plates span the ends of the guide rods with the piston rod secured to one boom mount plate. A pair of parallel spaced boom extension arms are removably mounted upon the boom mount plates and extend forwardly of the housing. A workpiece gripping assembly spans and depends from the free ends of the boom arms. Reciprocal movement of the piston rod effects corresponding longitudinal movements of the boom arms in the same direction as and simultaneous with feed corresponding movements of the travel carriage.

Abstract: A workpiece gripper head comprises a body including side plates interiorly slotted on a longitudinal axis adapted to slidably support a selectively reciprocal rod end. A pair of opposed jaw assemblies are guidably mounted within the body and connected thereto for alternate inward and outward movements in a path at right angles to the axis. Each jaw assembly includes a pair of jaw plates having an angular cam slot and a pair of aligned guide slots at right angles to the longitudinal axis. A series of cam rollers upon the rod end are nested within the cam slots and additional rollers are mounted upon the side walls and nested within the guide slots whereby movement in the rod end in one direction moves the jaws towards each other and movement in the opposite direction moves the jaws away from each other.

Abstract: A power operated clamp includes a cylinder having a reciprocal piston rod. A hollow body is aligned with and connected to the cylinder and mounted upon a support. The body includes a pair of spaced side plates at their one ends secured to the cylinder. The piston rod extends into the body. A clamp arm is pivotally mounted upon the body and in one position is adapted to retainingly engage a workpiece relative to a workpiece support. A linkage is pivotally connected to the clamp arm; the improvement which comprises a series of vertically spaced pairs of longitudinally spaced transverse mount holes extending through the side plates. The mounting of the body includes an upright riser extending between the side plates and has a series of longitudinal similarly spaced apertures corresponding to some of the side plate apertures. Pivot bolts extend through some of the side plate apertures and riser, whereby the body may be mounted in one of a plurality of longitudinal locations relative to the riser.

Abstract: A lift unit for a punch press comprising of a housing having a back plate mountable upon the press. A pair of upright tracks are mounted upon the back plate and spaced from a feed screw journaled upon the back plate. Spaced bearing blocks are secured upon outer edges of the carriage plate, each bearing block supporting a plurality of right angularly related cam followers operatively engaging opposite sides of the tracks and adjacent outer edges thereof for guidably mounting the carriage plate upon the tracks for reciprocal movements. A nut is secured to the carriage plate and threaded onto the feed screw. An encoder is connected to the feed screw. A programmable control or computer numerical control is connected to the motor and an electronic encoder feedback circuit interconnects the encoder with the programmable control or the computer numerical control.

Abstract: A fail safe brake for a power operated drive shaft comprises a cylinder mounting spaced bearings. A flywheel sleeve is journaled through the bearings and is keyed to the drive shaft and includes a radial flywheel. A brake pad mount is axially supported within the cylinder and mounts a brake pad normally spaced from the flywheel and adapted for movement into operative frictional engagement with the flywheel under the action of a plurality of compressed springs. A brake pad actuator responsive to pressure fluid is mounted within the cylinder and engages the brake pad mount. Pressure fluid when applied to the cylinder acts on the brake pad actuator to retract the brake pad mount against the springs. The brake pad is adapted to operatively move against the flywheel on interruption of the pressure fluid.

Abstract: In a vacuum cup assembly including a body having a vacuum chamber and a vacuum cup communicating with the vacuum chamber for supporting a workpiece, a venturi jet connected to a source of pressurized air and the vacuum chamber and an air outlet, there is provided an air blow-off silencer having an inlet mounted upon the air outlet, an intermediate apertured web and a silencer chamber containing an air silencer assembly. A poppet valve is guidably positioned within the web having an advanced rest position and retractable relative to a pressure chamber in the web to an air blocking position. Application of pressurized air to the pressure chamber moves the poppet valve to close the air outlet of the vacuum cup assembly, the pressurized air to the venturi assembly by-passing to the vacuum chamber to blow off the workpiece.

Abstract: A toggle action jaw-type gripper guidably mounts between the side walls of its body a power reciprocated clevis. A pair of opposed L-shaped jaw spacers at their one ends are pivotally connected together and upon the jaw body. A pair of links at their one ends are pivoted to the clevis and at their other ends are pivotally connected respectively to the other ends of the jaw spacers. Each of the jaw spacers has a central jaw link projecting therefrom. A pair of jaw arms at their inner ends are nested within the jaw links respectively and selectively welded thereto at a predetermined included angle for a particular clamping function.

Abstract: A lift unit is mountable upon a press or machine tool and comprises a housing having a back plate mounting a pair of upright guide rods and journal an upright feed screw. A carriage has a carriage plate guidably mounted upon the rods and threadably engaging the feed screw. A programmable DC motor upon the housing has a drive shaft coupled to the feed screw. An angularly adjustable support cradle depends from the carriage below the housing and is adapted to mount a workpiece gripper tool adapted for programmed transverse controlled reciprocal movements relative to the press. An electronic encoder upon the motor controls the direction and number of rotations of its drive shaft for effecting a programmed repetitive cycle of predetermined feed movements of the carriage.

Abstract: An electric servo drive air cylinder includes ported end caps for alternately receiving air from a pressurized source, and a tubular piston rod mounting a piston for intermittent longitudinal reciprocal movements and a projecting rod end for connection to a load. A power rotated reversible ball screw extends through the piston rod and is journaled thereon and upon one end cap and projects therefrom. An axial ball nut is secured to the piston rod and threadedly receives the ball screw. A programmable D.C. motor is mounted upon an end cap and has a drive shaft coupled with the ball screw. An electronic encoder is connected to the ball screw and motor to control direction and number of rotations of the ball screw for effecting a programmed repetitive cycle of predetermined feed movements of the piston rod. A pre-set programmable control is connected to the motor and an electronic encoder feed back circuit which interconnects the encoder and the programmable control.

Abstract: A valve assembly has an elongated body with an axial bore which is honed to a fine finish, axially apertured end caps sealed over opposite ends of the body, a pressure port, cylinder ports and exhaust ports with associated passages communicating with the bore. A valve spool assembly is reciprocally nested and sealed within the bore for controlling flow of pressure fluid through the respective ports and passages. The spool assembly is honed to a fine finish to match the bore with a minimal clearance whereby the spool sealingly engages said bore. The spool assembly includes a pair of symmetrical axially aligned spools which are interconnected to provide flexibility of the spool parts.

Abstract: A valve assembly has an elongated body with an axial bore defining a valve seat, with axially apertured end caps sealed over opposite ends thereof and with the body having therein a series of pressure, cylinder and exhaust ports. A valve spool is reciprocally nested within said bore and at its ends is sealed and movably supported therein for controlling flow of pressure fluids through the respective ports. A coil spring is seated within one end cap and is biased against one end of the spool urging the spool to one control position. The other end cap is adapted for connection to a source of pressurized pilot air for moving the spool when energized to a second control position. The spool has an axial portion and a plurality of spaced, radially projecting valve seal supporting portions with a plurality of pairs of annular grooves formed in said supporting portion to define axial seal supports of predetermined length.

Abstract: A shock absorber has a body with a bore and a secondary chamber housing a preloaded floating piston. An apertured piston and rod assembly with a float valve is retracted in the bore when the piston rod extending from the body is engaged by a moving body to be decelerated and smoothly stopped. A variable orifice head in the bore bleeds liquid through a series of passages to a return chamber which communicates with a hollow metering pin. This pin directs liquid through the piston and through outlets into a secondary chamber whose floating piston retracts against a spring as the chamber fills with liquid. This maintains a preload pressure upon the liquid in the bore and pressure chamber. The metering pin is tapered and is loosely received by the piston. When a load is axially applied to the piston rod retracting the pressure piston into the preloaded liquid within the body the liquid initially flows between the piston and metering pin.

Abstract: A flow control valve comprises a body having a longitudinal bore therethrough at one end terminating in a first port and intermediate its ends a second port which communicates with said bore and is adapted for a connection to a cylinder port. The body has an apertured valve seat intermediate said ports and communicating with said first port. A valve element is adapted for registry with and for adjustment away from said seat. An apertured cap is threaded into the other end of the body and receives a manually adjustable valve control pin threaded thereinto and nested and sealed within said cap for relative longitudinal movements therein. A valve pin retainingly engages the valve element and at one end is secured to the valve control pin. A spring is interposed in compression between said valve element and valve control pin normally biasing said valve element towards said seat.

Abstract: In a fluid power operated clamp which includes a cylinder, piston and piston rod and connected thereto a bifurcated housing mountable upon a support. The housing includes a pair of spaced body plates with their outturned ends secured to said cylinder. A pivot bolt extends between forward portions of said body plates, and pivotally mounted thereon is a clamp arm, in one position of adjustment adapted to retainingly engage a workpiece relative to said support. A pair of links at their one ends bear against opposite sides of the clamp arm and are pivotally connected thereto. The improvement for the foregoing clamp which comprises a rod end coaxial of the piston rod interposed between and guidably bearing against the body plates and axially connected to the piston rod. Forward portions of the rod end are machined to provide an extension of reduced width. The other ends of the links bear against opposite sides of the extension. A pressure pivot pin extends through said links and rod end extension.

Abstract: An equal area displacement hydraulic cylinder includes a hollow reciprocal piston rod and piston, and between said cylinder and rod, a first chamber communicating with a first port for retracting the piston rod. A rod end closes said piston rod and includes an attachment device. A hollow tube extends within the piston rod and is anchored at one end to the cylinder and terminates in a second port. A stationary piston is mounted on the other end of said tube. Said tube defines a second chamber communicating with the rod end and second piston for advancing the piston rod when said second port is pressurized. The working area of the reciprocal piston is the same as the working area of the rod end, whereby equal rod force is applied to the reciprocal piston rod in either direction.