With Discharge Mechanism Patents (Class 211/15)
  • Patent number: 10857447
    Abstract: A holder that supports four cue sticks and a pool ball, preferably a cue ball. Holder contains four holes for insert of the tips of each cue stick and supports ball on top of holder. Shooting end of each cue stick is mounted in each corner pocket of pool table giving a teepee effect. A hook located inside center of holder is included to display placards or novelty items to add to the enhanced appearance of the pool table when not in use and for display. A small LED light is optional and located inside center of holder to accent displays from hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Mary Louise Rainwater
  • Patent number: 10542738
    Abstract: A fishing rod docking system including an elongated carrier member having a front end and a rear end, a rear rod holding member configured to be coupled to, and extend away from, a top surface of the carrier member proximate the rear end, and a front rod holding member configured to be coupled to, and extend away from, the top surface of the carrier member proximate the front end, wherein the rear and front rod holding members are each configured with a plurality of receiving slots such that each receiving slot provided on the rear rod holding member has a corresponding receiving slot provided on the front rod holding member, each pair of corresponding receiving slots configured to receive and hold a fishing rod extending therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Moses Outdoor Concepts, LLC.
    Inventors: Dan Wayne Moses, Neal Brian Moses
  • Patent number: 10058750
    Abstract: A golf club carrier having two main bodies joined by one or more telescoping connector members whereby the carrier may be longitudinally extended for transporting golf clubs or collapsed for storage, each of the main bodies having retainer members aligned in paired sets, each paired set adapted to receive and retain the shaft of a golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Austin Weiss
  • Publication number: 20140332484
    Abstract: A wall-mounted invention used for the display, storage and retrieval of table tennis paddles and balls. Using mounted tension clips for storing paddles across a faceplate attached at each end to cylindrical ball-dispensers. This is the first invention to allow for preferred paddle selection. The ability to pick your preferred paddle without having to sift through other paddles stored immediately in front of or in the same storage slot/insert. While some prior art have balls resting in individual circular impressions/dimples that are susceptible to dust, undesired ball-spills, and requiring individual placement and retrieval; while others contain balls within an elaborate box or mounted in a device attached directly on/to the table itself. This invention combines the benefits of prior art to store balls in proper holding position, eliminates ball jams, prevents collection of dust from vertical fall and deters balls from undesired ball-spills; and does not interfere with game play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Russell Durant
  • Publication number: 20100018936
    Abstract: A ball dispenser having a plurality of connecting members and a plurality of basic sections, each connecting member dimensioned for a particular ball size, and each basic section having a triangular portion, vertical portion, and rectangular portion. When two or more basic sections are integrally connected together by means of varying sized connecting members, a funnel section, column section, and bin section are formed. This allows a number of balls to be placed into the funnel section at the top of the ball dispenser, and to fall one at a time through the column section, and into the bin section. Ball dispenser is designed to be affixed to a wall and to rest on a floor so that the wall and floor provide the back and bottom of the ball dispenser. Additional equipment storage may be affixed to the ball dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Jo Ellen Di Donato
  • Patent number: 7229085
    Abstract: A moveable ball cart having a lower receptacle and an upper receptacle vertically stacked and spaced, with the top of each being open. Each of the receptacles is accessible through its top and through a vertically hinged door in a sidewall that pivots horizontally. The receptacles also have a floor sloped toward the door, to facilitate removal of balls from the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: The Prophet Corp.
    Inventors: Scott Lane Pederson, Michael John Wagner
  • Patent number: 6742662
    Abstract: A rack for storing billiard balls including a base having a first engagement surface. The rack also includes an elongated billiard ball holder defining an elongated central space configured to support a plurality of billiard balls in contact with one another in a row. The billiard ball holder includes an opening to the elongated central space such that billiard balls can be inserted into the central space through the opening. The billiard ball can be tilted to roll the stored billiard balls through the opening. The billiard ball holder has a second engagement surface configured to removably engage the first engagement surface of the base and retain the billiard ball holder in a generally upright position wherein the elongated central space extends generally vertically. The billiard ball holder is removable from the base to facilitate transport of the billiard ball holder and stored balls to an associated billiards table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corporation
    Inventors: William R. McCormick, Kelly M. Wolcott, Theodore J. Caron
  • Patent number: 6719306
    Abstract: A sports equipment cart includes a first ball dispensing tube having upper and lower ends and defining a bore extending therebetween. The first ball dispensing tube defines an upper ball receiving aperture and a lower ball dispensing aperture. A pair of wheels are rotatably mounted to the first ball dispensing tube adjacent the lower end thereof. The first ball dispensing tube includes a handle for manually pulling the tube between desired locations. A second ball dispensing tube of substantially similar dimensions may be connected to the first ball dispensing tube in side-by-side relationship. A third ball dispensing tube of smaller dimension may also be connected to the first dispensing tube for holding smaller sized balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Larry J. White
  • Patent number: 6440007
    Abstract: A game apparatus has a mechanism allowing to drop spherical objects one by one on the desired positions on the ground. The spherical object drop mechanism includes a housing for storing a plurality of spherical objects to allow vertical movements of the spherical objects therein by their own weight, a first stopper provided in the housing for stopping the vertical movement of the spherical objects, a second stopper provided in the housing located at a location lower than the first stopper by the distance corresponding to the diameter of the spherical object for stopping the vertical movement or releasing the stop operation of the spherical objects, a stopper drive mechanism to operate the first stopper and the second stopper opposite to each other, and a knob to operate the stopper drive mechanism from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Takeo Imahata
  • Patent number: 5667082
    Abstract: A ball caddy includes a housing with dividers forming compartments within the housing. The compartments retain various size sports balls in a vertical arrangement The dividers have two hinged segments which are independently adjustably mounted within the housing to vary the size of each of the compartments. Each compartment also has an orifice formed at a lower portion thereof and a ball release device which has a retainer normally preventing dispensing of the balls. The handle attached to the ball release allows pivoting of the ball release to provide for dispensing of the balls through the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Core Group Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Hamilton, Eric J. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 5573122
    Abstract: A rigid golf club organizer assembly adapted for being carried individually or in pairs on the rear deck of a golf cart for carrying irons and wedges in a logical sequence and for carrying woods separate and apart from the irons and wedges is disclosed. In the illustrated example, the assembly includes five hollow tubes disposed next to one another in a first row and five additional hollow tubes disposed next to one another in a second row. The first and second rows of tubes are disposed at a right angle to one another and meet at an apex. Each of the tubes in both contain a notched upper end for holding the head of an iron or wedge therein and each tube is of a different height than all of the other tubes in the two rows and is adapted to loosely confine the shaft of a different iron or wedge of a golf club set therein. The two rows of tubes are reinforced by a pair of rectangularly shaped reinforcing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Ron Williams
  • Patent number: 5494202
    Abstract: A golf accessory holder for holding one or more golf balls, golf tees and other golf accessories. The golf accessory holder includes a housing (12) having an inner chamber (21) in which golf balls are received. A pusher plate (36) mounted to a compression spring (32) engages and urges the golf balls into tight frictional engagement with a first end (13) of the housing (12) to secure the golf balls within the golf accessory holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Sammy Wyatt
  • Patent number: 5368172
    Abstract: A wall-mounted table tennis paddle and ball holder made of a durable plastic or other suitable material, compact in size having a rectangular box shape with approximate outer dimensions of 23/4' in depth, 93/4" in height and 16" in length.It consists of: A paddle-shape (less handle) paddle housing wall, which houses up to 3 conventional size paddles at either end; A "ball in".apprxeq.11/2" dia. opening above paddle housing area, at either end of upper part of front panel, for returning of balls to holder; A retractable ball housing/dispenser. Said housing/dispenser, which will house up to 6 conventional size balls, is located vertically in the center of holder between the two paddle housing areas and between back wall and front panel. Said housing/dispenser having an upper and lower "stop" flange to prevent it from extending more than 21/2" below bottom wall of holder when set up for use. The said housing/dispenser being flush with the outer bottom wall of holder during shipping and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: Ben G. Barringer
  • Patent number: 5107581
    Abstract: A magazine is described which requires only a small surface area for its accommodation and which nevertheless holds a large number of tools. The magazine includes carrier units which are arranged in tower-like manner above one another and which are provided with a central cut-out and inwardly disposed tool mounts. This tower-like magazine is transportable and associated with a spatially fixed transport means which can be introduced into the central cut-out and which can transport the respective tools to a tool transfer position by short stroke and pivotal movements. Other magazine constructions are also described in the form of racks and towers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Wanderer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reuter, Kurt Kessler
  • Patent number: 5105759
    Abstract: A plurality of injector elements are mounted on a frame and within a nozzle above a subjacent support for depositing a layer of pulverulent product on the support. In order to change the predetermined spacing of the injectors, they are selectively connected to a shuttle which is moved by a digitally controlled stepping motor to a predetermined position, after which they are separated from the shuttle. A solenoid mounted on each of the injectors can be activated to frictionally hold the injector at its predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Vincent Sauvinet, Michel Pichon, Pascal Gerardin
  • Patent number: 5101548
    Abstract: A device for changing styli or probes in a coordinate measuring machine has a magazine (330) with several stations each holding a stylus or probe (320). A holder (310) on the quill of the coordinate measuring machine has an opening (313A), so that kinematic support elements (325) in the holder (310) can be moved underneath cooperating kinematic support elements (324) on the stylus (320). When the holder (310) is engaged in the magazine (330), an extension plate (334) causes the arm (314) to swing out of the way. This arrangement enables the holder (310) to pick up the stylus (320) purely by translational movements of the holder (310), without the need for any separate motor or electromagnet to couple the stylus to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Renishaw plc
    Inventors: David R. McMurtry, Peter J. Wells, Richard H. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5088604
    Abstract: In order to improve a revolving storage facility for tape cassettes comprising a base and a rotary frame rotatable thereon about an axis of rotation and carrying shelf units with cassette compartments for tape cassettes such that the number of cassette compartments is increased while the space requirements is kept as small as possible, it is proposed that the rotary frame comprises a supporting frame which is rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the base and on which subframes carrying the shelf units are mounted for rotation about subframe axes of rotation arranged sidewardly of the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Grau Gmbh & Co.
    Inventors: Rolf Baur, deceased, Joerg Linser, Herbert Grau, Manfred Bareis, Wolfgang Bastek
  • Patent number: 5088608
    Abstract: A locking and holding device holding and handling pattern plates, core masks and similar at molding machines in foundries. The device comprises a base plate (5) with a number of open grooves (6), which have parallel symmetry axes and are adapted to receive complementarily shaped locking studs (13), for example on a pattern plate (9). The base plate (5) is adapted to turn around a central, stationary bushing (8) projecting from the base plate, in which an upwards open recess has been made. The vertical symmetry axis of the recess is parallel to the vertical symmetry axes of the grooves in one turning position of the base plate (5). When the base plate (5) is turned away from this position, the pattern plate (9) cannot be removed from the base plate, because the wall of the recess secures the central stud (14) from the pattern plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Dansk Industri Syndikat A/S
    Inventor: Jens C. Grum-Schwensen
  • Patent number: 5040675
    Abstract: A golf accessory for dispensing golf balls and tees is constructed of a hollow preferably transparent tube of about 44" in length. Golf balls are maintained in the tube and are biased by a spring which extends from the top to the bottom of the hollow space within the tube when the tube is empty. Ingress and egress of golf balls occur towards the top of the tube on the sides where there is provided an expandable opening with an opposed opening, which may also be expandable, to urge golf balls into and out of the hollow of the tube. The hollow tube may hold up to a dozen golf balls. The top of the tube provides a container for tees, being outfitted with a removable plastic cap. The golfing accessory is to be used with and inserted into a typical golf bag much in the same fashion that a golf club is inserted and removed from the golf bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventors: Randy E. Cleveland, Barton L. Owen
  • Patent number: 5027958
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically operated single cord clothesline comprising near and distant reel assemblies both attachable to a clothesline supporting structure. The cord encloses individually insulated electric wires, and the near reel assembly includes a reel on which the near end of the cord is wound and a reversible electric motor for driving the latter reel. The distant reel assembly comprises a second reel on which the distant end of the cord is wound and a second reversible electric motor for driving this second reel. A foot control supplies the two reversible motors with electric current to move the cord longitudinally in either direction. The distant motor is obviously supplied through the wires of the cord. The clothesline also incorporates a system for controlling the tension in the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: Paul Agardi
  • Patent number: 5022533
    Abstract: A moving display rack includes a plurality of generally bow shaped link rods used to secure a plurality of bearing boards, which are disposed at different level positions, to a base by means of fastening plates and bushings. During display, the motor which is set in the base drives the link rods to carry the bearing boards to rotate horizontally, so as to attract visitors' attention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Yung-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 5016762
    Abstract: A multiple-feed clothesline drying apparatus constructed as a plurality of clotheslines arranged for coordinated movement within the drying space enclosed by a frame, so as to simultaneously make additional drying space available. The apparatus is constructed as a stationary frame provided as a rectangular shape having a shaft mounted at one end. One end of each of a plurality of clotheslines is wound about the shaft on portions of its length, and are thereby retained in a storage position. The other end of each of the plurality of clotheslines terminates on a movable bar which is disposed within the frame area. At either end of the movable bar, a pair of cords are connected, each looped around a pulley supported at the other end of the frame and wound about the shaft in a direction opposite that of the clotheslines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Rafi Tsabar
  • Patent number: 5013983
    Abstract: A self-leveling dispenser provides a rack supporting a stack of trays within a frame. A reversible motor drivably connected to spiral shafts mounted at the corners of the frame rotates the shafts to provide upward or downward movement of the rack, which is supported on the spiral shafts by threaded sleeves. An upper sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to move the rack downward upon detecting a tray at an upper horizontal level above a desired height. A lower sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to raise the rack upon sensing the absence of a tray at a lower horizontal level below the desired height. The sensors cooperate to automatically and continuously reposition an uppermost portion of a top tray in the stack at the desired height with respect to the frame, thereby to facilitate dispensing of dishes or food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Max G. Futch
    Inventors: Max G. Futch, Ronald H. Drushel
  • Patent number: 5007351
    Abstract: A mobile storage system includes mobile carriages that roll on rails embedded in a building floor. The carriages are driven along the rails by at least two flanged wheels that engage a grooved rail. The flanged wheels are preferably mounted in parallel channels located at the center of the carriages. The flanged wheels are driven in synchronization by a sprocket and chain drive. Either electric or manual power may be provided. In both cases, the sproket and chain drive is adjustable to provide proper chain tension to the wheels to improve tracking. Chain adjustment may be accomplished by an idler sprocket movably mounted to a carriage channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Spacesaver Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Muth
  • Patent number: 4998857
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a storage structure for yarn bobbins and it comprises a plurality of storage units having support devices of the bobbin. Such storage units are distributed in a plurality of stationary deposit equipments. The storage units contained within each stationary deposit equipment are movable along an annular path. The stationary deposit equipments are vertically superimposed in groups. The groups of deposits are arranged in lateral, side-by-side relationship, thus defining a vertical surface of loading and a vertical surface of unloading, which are accessible from devices of loading and unloading, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Snia Fibre SpA
    Inventors: Luciano Paravella, Luigi Figini
  • Patent number: 4983091
    Abstract: A storage facility is provided for integration with a material distribution facility that includes as storage carousel for receiving and storing containers adapted to carry material goods. The carousel includes a multiplicity of connecting rack arrays arranged in side-by-side fashion. Each of the rack arrays includes a plurality of vertically spaced container racks for supporting selected containers, with the container racks from various rack arrays being arranged in a plurality of tiers. The carousel is adapted to rotate about a continuous track. Insertion and extraction assemblies are provided for each carousel tier that are adapted to load and unload containers from the various racks while the carousel remains in continuous motion. A novel lift arrangement is provided for carrying containers between a conveyor network and the various inserter and extractor assemblies. In an alternative aspects of the invention, a novel control system for a storage facility is described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Computer Aided Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lichti, Sr., Clay Bernard, II, Daniel C. Perry, Stanley H. Lukken
  • Patent number: 4968207
    Abstract: A continuously operating unloading and loading system giving access to an automated multi-level storage conveyor makes use of individual containers adapted to be releasably hooked at established stations of an endlessly traveling rack which may be built in multiple levels. Selected containers are arranged to be called to a selected station, preferably at one end of the rack where, during continuous travel of the rack, an unloading mechanism unhooks the container and moves it to a location clear of the conveyor for disposition of the contents. A reloading mechanism accepts other containers, moves them to a position for replacement on the rack at one of the stations, in which position the container is pushed into hooked engagement with the rack while travel of the rack continues without interruption. Different expedients may be resorted to within the concept of the invention for releasably hooking the containers on the traveling rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Computer Aided Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Lichti
  • Patent number: 4954760
    Abstract: A self-leveling dispenser provides a rack supporting a stack of trays within a frame. A reversible motor drivably connected to spiral shafts mounted at the corners of the frame rotates the shafts to provide upward or downward movement of the rack, which is supported on the spiral shafts by threaded sleeves. An upper sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to move the rack downward upon detecting a tray at an upper horizontal level above a desired height. A lower sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to raise the rack upon sensing the absence of a tray at a lower horizontal level below the desired height. The sensors cooperate to automatically and continuously reposition an uppermost portion of a top tray in the stack at the desired height with respect to the frame, thereby to facilitate dispensing of dishes or food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Max G. Futch
    Inventors: Max G. Futch, Ronald H. Drushel
  • Patent number: 4945628
    Abstract: A tool store device comprises a stnad having a base and a support frame on which is supported a tool carrier. The tool carrier is constructed as a semi-spherical shell which is rotatable about a horizontal axis and carries tools which are densely arranged thereon with their longitudinal axes extending at right angles to the store surface. On the inside of the tool carrier there is positioned an advance unit having a displacement unit and a gripper which are rotatably mounted in the support frame about a vertical axis passing through the center (M) of the imaginary ball of which the semi-spherical shell of the tool carrier is the part. The advance unit cooperates with a tool changer, which has a swivel arm swivellable about the horizontal axis. A tool double gripper is fixed to the arm. The advance unit can advance a tool at a random point of the tool carrier to a transfer station, where it can be taken over by the double tool gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Starrfraschmachinen, AG
    Inventor: Peter Novak
  • Patent number: 4945629
    Abstract: A vertical carrousel, which serves in particular to store upper and lower tools for a bending machine, and has a loading and unloading opening in the front wall of its housing, is provided with an additional loading and unloading opening in the region of a side wall of the housing. The additional opening enables tools to be transferred between the vertical carrousel and the bending machine through the shortest distance through transfer bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Bellheimer Metallwerk GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst Schafft
  • Patent number: 4936735
    Abstract: A mail delivery system including, a plurality of portable trays each tray having a bottom, an open top, at least two rigid oppositely disposed sides affixed to the bottom, at least one open side, a gate member to open and close the open side. Separators removably attached to at least the bottom. Regularly spaced slots within the bottom to receive the separators. At least one set of handle members to assist in the transportation of the portable tray and to assist in the withdrawal or insertion of the portable tray from holder members arranged to receive the tray. A tray case containing a plurality of holder members to removably receive a plurality of the portable trays, members for raising and lowering the case and the trays from a loading position to a sorting position. A transport member containing a plurality of holder members to receive the portable trays and transport the portable trays from the tray cases to a tray rack in a delivery vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Alpha Mail System
    Inventor: Patrick J. Ryan
  • Patent number: 4934767
    Abstract: Plastic cassettes carrying semiconductor wafers are loaded into and/or unloaded from an extended open drawer. The drawer is retractable to a closed position in a frame where the cassettes may be removed from or returned to the drawer by a programmable elevator. The frame may have several drawers and cassettes may be safely loaded into or unloaded from the open drawer while cassettes are being removed from or returned to a closed drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Thermco Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hazen L. Hoyt, III, Jon C. Goldman, William R. Mello
  • Patent number: 4932536
    Abstract: A magazine for temporary storage of elastic supercalender rolls has a frame for a rotor which can be driven to rotate about a horizontal axis and has two axially spaced-apart sections each carrying a set of equidistant cradles for the end portions of rolls. Each cradle has a socket for the end portion of a roll, and the cradles are maintained in such orientation that the open sides of their sockets face upwardly while the rotor turns about the horizontal axis and the cradles orbit about such axis. A stationary inflatable tire is mounted in the frame to rotate the rolls about their respective axes while the rotor is caused to rotate about the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Kleinewefers GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Schlunke, Dieter Junk
  • Patent number: 4920631
    Abstract: A tool rack includes a rotor mounted in a rotary manner on a column and carrying on its circumference tool magazines in a tight, uninterrupted arrangement over the entire circumference thereof, so that there is no possibility of access for a tool interchanger to the individual tools. A displacement unit with displacement arms positioned above and below the rotor is used for the access to a tool. The displacement arms have magazine grippers which grip a desired, displayed magazine, and advance it over the length of the tools of the adjacent tool holders. By means of the tool interchanger it is now possible to grip the desired tool and bring it to a use point. The rotor thus can be provided with a maximum number of tools, but still permits a very rapid tool exchange, which is particularly advantageous in the case of single-spindle working machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Starrfraschmachinen, AG.
    Inventor: Peter Novak
  • Patent number: 4920632
    Abstract: An auxiliary magazine for electronically-driven machine tools which greatly increases the efficiency and tool magazine capacity of the machine tool. A separate unit has revolving chain tool storage units adapted to integrate, through a guide shoe, with the machine-native magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: MAHO Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Babel
  • Patent number: 4919275
    Abstract: A self-leveling dispenser provides a rack supporting a stack of trays within a frame. A reversible motor drivably connected to spiral shafts mounted at the corners of the frame rotates the shafts to provide upward or downward movement of the rack, which is supported on the spiral shafts by threaded sleeves. An upper sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to move the rack downward upon detecting a tray at an upper horizontal level above a desired height. A lower sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to raise the rack upon sensing the absence of a tray at a lower horizontal level below the desired height. The sensors cooperate to automatically and continuously reposition an uppermost portion of a top tray in the stack at the desired height with respect to the frame, thereby to facilitate dispensing of dishes or food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Max G. Futch
    Inventors: Max G. Futch, Ronald H. Drushel
  • Patent number: 4866835
    Abstract: A mobile storage and transportation unit for machine tools employing a frame rack having at least one frame, the frame being provided with at least one chassis engaging device. The unit also employs a plurality of elongated tool storage magazines, each magazine having an elongated front face and an opposite elongated rear face and having opposite ends. The front face of each magazine is adapted to removably receive and store a plurality of tools in adjacent side by side positions, the tools being disposed along a common row. The unit also employs a like plurality of chassis, each chassis being secured to the rear face of a corresponding one of the magazines adjacent a corresponding one of the two opposite ends thereof. All of the chassis engage the chassis engaging device to suspend the magazines in parallel abutting position on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Starrfraschmachinen AG
    Inventor: Peter Novak
  • Patent number: 4821887
    Abstract: A rotatable stock closet for the storage of articles such as electronic parts, and the like, including a plurality of container conveying units arranged vertically one above another on a frame. Each unit includes outer and inner rails with guide channels arranged in parallel therebetween. Each unit also includes an endless traction chain and a motor driving the chain. A series of stock containers, releasably connected to the traction chain of each unit, move on and along the rails, so that any container may be quickly and easily reached by an operator by selectively operating the motor of the appropriate container conveying unit. With the traction chains and containers removed, the frame and the container conveying units can be disassembled horizontally into a drive end unit, a series of intermediate units and an idler end unit. When the traction chains are mounted, the tension of each traction chain is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Okamura Corporation
    Inventors: Takusuke Iemura, Takeshi Gotoh, Hiroshi Komaki
  • Patent number: 4821888
    Abstract: The material handling apparatus is disclosed comprising a plurality of storage bins and a continuous pathway. The pathway includes spaced apart linear pathway segments joined by arcuate end segments. The bins are supported on the pathway to move about the pathway in a predetermined desired direction. Each of the bins is hingedly connected to one another to define a continuous chain of hingedly connected bins. A drive mechanism is provided to independently drive each of the bins with the drive means operable only when the hinge connector members of the bins are disposed in a linear pathway segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: William P. Hankes
  • Patent number: 4805781
    Abstract: Stand for displaying spectacles or spectacle frames. The stand comprises a movable part (2) comprising outwards protruding elements, extending in general perpendicular to the direction of movement and running through slots in the fixed frame part (1) of the stand. These protruding elements can cooperate with protruding elements of the frame part such that they determine a number of eye configurations each encompassing the bridge section of one of the displayed spectacles. The stand comprises furthermore an electrically driven moving mechanism for moving the movable part, either to a first extreme position or to a second extreme position, said moving mechanism being controllable by authorized persons using a remote control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Christiaan J. Tegel
  • Patent number: 4783902
    Abstract: A rotor having an upper and a lower track is rotatably mounted on a column. Tool magazines equipped with running devices are mounted on the tracks. On a store frame is fixed a first gripper mechanism having second lifting units enabling a selected tool magazine to be blocked on the rotor and brought into the loading and unloading position. A second gripper mechanism is mounted on the rotor and is used for seeking a selected tool magazine, for securing it to the rotor and bringing to the first gripper mechanism. By forming a magazine free section on the rotor, a display arm and a loading and unloading station can be used to remove tools from the store and return them again. By using a further display arm, tools can be changed manually or by means of a portal loader during the machining time. As only one magazine-free section is required for loading and unloading, the store can have a much a higher store capacity than known stores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Starrfrasmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Peter Novak
  • Patent number: 4780952
    Abstract: A tool carriage for automatically loading tools into and unloading tools from tool magazines of numerically controlled tools. A tool changing assembly is mounted for two-dimensional movement with respect to a slide member which is movable in two dimensions with respect to the supporting structure of the carriage. The tool changing assembly has gripping arms on a carrier rotatably mounted to a saddle, the arms being adapted to move tools between a tool supply magazine on the carriage and the machine tool magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: MAHO Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Babel, Walter Schwarz
  • Patent number: 4772176
    Abstract: A warehouse contains a fixed number of pallet-carrying primary modules (7) arranged in a rectangular block (8) and further arranged in side-by-side parallel longitudinal rows. A working row (A) provides an exposed front side (9) adjacent a worker's station (12, 13) with at least one storage row (B) disposed behind the working row and forming a single working aisle (18) if desired. A secondary module (S) is disposed externally of the block. The secondary module (S) is positioned at the upstream end of the working row and pushes the entire row downstream, causing the secondary module to join the block and the downstream primary module (45) to exit the block. The newly exited module is then moved transversely to the downstream end of a storage row, and the entire row pushed upstream, causing the exited module (45) to again join the block and the upstream primary module (46) in that row to exit the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventor: Harold S. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 4759114
    Abstract: A tool magazine, especially for milling and drilling machines, comprising a linear tool support having at least one row of tool holders, the tool support being mounted on the free ends of two swivel arms. Each swivel arm is disposed laterally of the work table and is mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith, the shaft being located in the work table. For protecting the tools inserted in the various tool holders and the tool tapers thereof, a cover is provided which contains a row of protective caps adapted to the shape of the tool tapers. The cover with the protective caps can be moved by means of a pivot lever mechanism from a position closely encompassing the tool tapers to a position permitting free access to the tool tapers. Any deposits of flushing liquid, dust particles and cuttings on the taper surfaces are effectively prevented when covered by the protective caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: MAHO Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Babel
  • Patent number: 4722577
    Abstract: There is provided an improved cabinet for housing a plurality of dispensing machines which are situated in rows and columns within the cabinet. The bottom row of dispensing machines are received on a slidable support mechanism so that the bottom row may be moved from underneath the top row thus exposing the lids of the machines on the bottom row enabling convenient access for servicing. Vertical supports are provided to stabilize the cabinet while the bottom row of machines are being serviced. The cabinet includes an openable top so that the top row of machines also may be readily serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: D. William Mewborne, T.T.E.E.
    Inventor: D. William Mewborne
  • Patent number: 4722657
    Abstract: In apparatus for transporting and storing bobbins, especially for removing them from automatic spinning machines, the bobbins are received and collected in an inclined collecting chute from a conveyor belt, are then brought into a horizontal arrangement as a result of the pivoting of the collecting chute, and are pushed in groups from the collecting chute into a transfer chute. A conveyor carrier belonging to a suspension conveyor and provided with at least one chute portion for receiving a group of bobbins is brought into a position adjacent to the transfer chute. The transfer chute is moved into a position located next to the chute portion of the conveyor carrier, and the bobbins are transferred into the chute portion of the conveyor carrier. The bobbins are subsequently moved into a desired target position by means of the conveyor carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Durkoppwerke GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Grube
  • Patent number: 4706372
    Abstract: The device comprises a series of tool carriers each of which is provided with a tool, a connector tang and aseries of three abutments disposed substantially around the axis of the tool and in a plane orthogonal to the axis itself, a rack provided with a plurality of seats each of which is able to support a tool carrier, a support unit fixed to the head of the machine is provided with a series of frontal surfaces operable to constitute bearings for the said abutments; this unit is provided with connector means operable to grip the connector tang of one of the tools, and displacement means operable to support the connector means and to displace it with respect to the support unit in the direction of the axis of the tool from a first position in which the abutments of the said series of abutments are at a predetermined distance from the frontal surface of the first defined series, to a second position in which the abutments themselves are in contact with the frontal surfaces, the displacement from the first to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: D.E.A. Digital Electronic Automation S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Ferrero, Enrico Garau
  • Patent number: 4699276
    Abstract: A magazine (10) for a machine tool (not shown) comprises a number of links (12) joined together by pins (14) to form a closed chain (16). A socket (32) is formed in each link for receiving a tool (34) to position the tool center line (36) midway between and in parallel relation with, the axes (40) of the two pins (14) which join the link to adjacent links in the chain (16). A frame (18) supports the chain (16) and received tools (34) for movement along a path of travel to selectively position the tools, the path including sections (26) of little or no curvature, and sections (28, 30) of substantial curvature. To maintain tool movement precisely along the path of travel, and thus prevent contact between tools in adjacent links (12) when the adjacent links travel around a section (28, 30) of substantial curvature, guide bearings (54) are joined to the links and constrained to move along a channel (56) which is in parallel relation with the desired chain path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventor: Charles J. Kis
  • Patent number: 4688680
    Abstract: There is provided a tool-magazine indexing device for rapidly indexing tools by the utilization of pressure oil, which comprises a tool-magazine housing a number of tools, a cylindrical feed-back shaft making one rotation in synchronization with one circumferential movement of the tool-magazine and a command input shaft inserted in the cylindrical feed-back shaft so as to rotate for indexing purposes corresponding to the number of the tools in the tool-magazine so that an indexing operation by the tool-magazine indexing device can be faciliated using a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor for driving the rotary driving shaft of the tool-magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4683638
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a spindle stock (11) and a tool magazine (29) in which a plurality of tool-carrying toolholders (17) can be displaced along an endless path in a plane perpendicular to the axis (19) of the spindle stock (11). Two gripper arms (20, 20a) serve for transferring the toolholders (17) between withdrawal and/or loading positions (74) in the tool magazine (29), which are located on either side of the spindle stock (16), and a spindle position in a spindle nose (15) of the spindle stock (16). The endless path extends along a U shape, and a withdrawal or mounting position (74) is provided on each end (30', 30a') of the legs (30a) of the U. The spindle nose (15) is arranged in front of and below the ends (30', 30a') and rigidly connected with the tool magazine (29) in the direction of the axis (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Henning Winkler, Eugen Rutschle