Including Turret-type Conveyer Patents (Class 29/785)
  • Patent number: 5432995
    Abstract: There is provided a terminal crimping apparatus for moving a plurality of crimp terminals respectively contained in a plurality of connector housings to a crimping position in a desired order to caulk the crimp terminal on an end of an electric wire. The terminal crimping apparatus includes one turntable for holding a plurality of types of pressure receiving members for receiving the crimp terminals and another turntable for holding a plurality of types of caulking members for caulking the crimp terminals between the turntable and the various types of pressure receiving members. A desired pressure receiving member alternatively selected by the rotation of one turntable is moved to a pressure receiving position. A desired caulking member alternatively selected by the rotation of the other turntable is moved to a caulking waiting position opposed to the crimp terminal in the crimping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Takenami, Eiji Fudoo, Masayuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5400500
    Abstract: A method of making an injection and sampling site adapted to receive a blunt cannula. The method comprises providing an elastomeric septum, and a housing adapted to receive that septum; making a slit in the elastomeric septum; inserting the elastomeric septum into the passageway of the housing; and swaging an outer annular ledge on the housing inwardly over the septum until a septum-engaging portion of the swaging tool applies a predetermined amount of force to the septum. Before the swaging step, a pin is inserted into the passageway of the housing against the inside end of the septum to inhibit deformation of the septum during swaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brett A. Behnke, Gary A. Thill
  • Patent number: 5337938
    Abstract: A workpiece handling system especially for carrying out computer-controlled welding operations has a workpiece table which is rotatable between indexed stations in one direction and a coaxially-mounted support for work-performing apparatus which is rotatable in both directions, either with or contra to the workpiece table. While workpieces are being loaded and unloaded at one station, work can be performed at or during indexed movement between other stations, the work-performing apparatus then rotating contra to the workpiece table to find the next workpiece to be worked on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Autotech Robotics Limited
    Inventor: Graham P. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 5335412
    Abstract: A working device for forcing an armature shaft is disclosed. The working device comprises a sub-index and a main index. The sub-index has a first stopping position adjacent to a shaft storage means for storing armature shafts, and a second stopping position adjacent to a knurl-working means for carrying out a knurl-working to the armature shaft. The main index has a core-feed stopping position at which an armature core is fed by an armature core feed means, a shaft-forcing stopping position at which the armature shaft supplied from the sub-index side is forced into the through-hole of the armature core by a shaft-forcing means, and a discharge stopping position from which the armature core with the forced armature shaft is discharged outside of the main index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsuba Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 5327623
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially automatically joining front and back parts of buttons employs a turntable with retaining means that are rotated through a series of stations at which the parts are placed in the retaining means in a desired orientation, joined, and checked for defects. A human operator places button front parts at a first station, and the remaining stations carry out the assembly and quality control steps automatically. Placement at the first station determines the alignment and orientation of the two buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Charles E. Noel
  • Patent number: 5272800
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and attaching a preform to a metallic workpiece, particularly an epoxy preform for use in electronic packages. The epoxy preform is stamped from a strip and maintained in an upper die assembly. The metallic workpiece is indexed underneath the upper die assembly whereupon the epoxy preform is deposited onto the metallic workpiece and the metallic workpiece removed from underneath the upper die assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Rooney, Won G. Park
  • Patent number: 5247733
    Abstract: A component assembling apparatus includes an intermittently rotatable index table for holding a plurality of positioning tools for use in positioning components to be assembled, and an index table driving mechanism for intermittently rotating the index table. The apparatus also includes a component feeding device for feeding one of the components and holding the component at a removal position of the device, a tool container for storing the plurality of assembling tools for assembling the components, and an arm robot for removably securing one of the assembling tools at its end. The arm robot is operable to move the component from the removal position of the component feeding device to a predetermined position of the positioning tool on the table, and to assemble the component on the positioning tool. An arm robot driving mechanism is provided for actuating the arm robot and the assembling tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kubota, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Toshitsugu Inoue, Akiyoshi Nakada, Manabu Yamane, Hideki Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 5186304
    Abstract: A production line manufacturing system and method for building automotive vehicle bodies wherein a succession of workpieces is moved past stationary work stations includes programmable multi-position rotate unit that can be used in each of the work stations to accommodate both changes in workpieces to be processed and tools. The rotate unit comprises a four-position horizontally arranged fixture rotate table including four vertically arranged fixtures removably mounted thereon. A precision locator key on each of the fixtures positions each individual fixture on the rotate table and also serves as a positive fixture stop in the work position. A control for detecting the presence of a vehicle frame to be worked on controls the operation of the carrier and motor drive and cooperates to accurately position a desired fixture adjacent to the work position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventors: James S. Kaczmarek, James M. Steimel
  • Patent number: 5161302
    Abstract: An apparatus simultaneously forms a plurality of sleeve and plunger assemblies and creates dispensers of the pushup type. A platen inserts a plurality of plungers into a corresponding plurality of cardboard sleeves. The apparatus provides a plurality of sleeves at a particular location, aligns a corresponding plurality of plungers with an open end of each sleeve and sealingly engages each plunger in a displacable manner within the corresponding sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventor: Martin Mueller
  • Patent number: 5146666
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting a disk of material from a continuously advancing strip of material, forming the disk into a cup, and inserting the cup into the end of a tube. The apparatus comprises a first rotating member having a plurality of workstations positioned around its periphery, a second rotating member into which tubes without cups are loaded and from which tubes containing cups are unloaded, and a set of stationary cams which control the operation of the workstations. The strip of material passes around a section of the periphery of the first member, advances at the same rate as the circumferential velocity of the first member, and comes into relative stationary contact with a number of the workstations. The rotation of the first member relative to the stationary cams provides motion to a cutting mandrel, a forming mandrel, a cutting and forming die, and an insertion mandrel associated with each workstation to perform the tasks of cutting, forming, and inserting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry Babbitt, Michael S. Braunshteyn, Andrew J. Gillespie, Donald H. Jones, Billy J. Keen, Jr., Robert H. Raynor, Renzer R. Ritt, Robert E. Talley
  • Patent number: 5115560
    Abstract: A machine for inserting terminals (12) into housings (10) on an electrical device (4) comprises an inserting apparatus (34) in combination with a turntable assembly (32). The turntable assembly comprises a main turntable (38) and a plurality of secondary turntables (40) on the main turntable. The secondary turntables (40) are individually rotatable with respect to the main turntable (38) so that an electrical device (4) mounted on a secondary turntable (40) can be reoriented thereby to permit a wide variety of insertion operations to be performed on the device, for example, where the terminals (12) must be inserted into housings (10) arranged in two or more rows. The secondary turntables can be rotated to position each row in alignment with the fixed insertion machine (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: David J. Erb, Keith L. Nicholas, Howard C. Phillips, John M. Wasilko
  • Patent number: 5105534
    Abstract: An installation for the continuous assembly of complementary component parts of a structural assembly constituting a door or window espagnolette bolt operating mechanism includes a main assembly circuit comprising at least one conveyor adapted to be advanced in steps and components part support plates fixed to this conveyor. Feed lines convey the component parts from storage units to the assembly circuit. Take-up devices transfer component parts from the feed lines to the conveyor. Component part assembly devices are located downstream of these take-up devices in the direction of movement of the conveyor. The installation further comprises devices for controlling the positioning and assembly of the component parts on the respective support plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Ferco International Usine de Ferrures de Batiment
    Inventor: M. Jean-Jacques Kautt
  • Patent number: 5031295
    Abstract: A self contained exchangeable turret assembly includes a turret module having a first turret wheel with a plurality of openings disposed around an outlet circumferential surface thereof for positioning a first work piece and a second turret wheel having a plurality of openings disposed around an outer circumferential surface thereof for positioning a second work piece in a predetermined position relative to a first work piece. A turret drive shaft and a plurality of tool stations are operatively mounted on said turret module. The first and second turret wheels are concentrically position on the turret drive shaft in a predetermined relationship to permit selective alignment of the plurality of openings disposed around the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second turret wheels. A support structure includes a drive member operatively mounted relative to the support housing for imparting rotation to the turret drive shaft and the first and second turret wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Hoppmann Corporation
    Inventor: Werner H. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 5031306
    Abstract: An assembly turret with universal nests comprises a first turret wheel having a central axis and an outer peripheral surface. A first set of a plurality of pockets is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the first turret wheel. The first set of a plurality of pockets each includes an opening of a first article locating portion for permitting an article to be radially received therein from the outer peripheral surface through the opening and into the first article locating portion. A second turret wheel is provided with a central axis and an outer peripheral surface. A second set of a plurality of pockets is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the second turret wheel. The second set of a plurality of pockets each includes an opening and a second article locating portion for permitting an article to be radially received therein from the outer peripheral surface through the opening and into the second article locating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Hoppmann Corporation
    Inventor: Werner H. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 4954305
    Abstract: Bristle articles can be manufactured in that the bristle carrier and optionally the ends of the bristles are melted and brought together under pressure, or the bristles are introduced into an injection or foaming mould for the bristle carrier and are embedded in the bristle carrier material by injection moulding or foaming. The cycle time of these processes is extremely long as a result of the thermal processes (heating, melting, injection moulding, cooling). It is possible to significantly reduce the same in that the tools for holding or producing the bristle carrier on the one hand and the clamping devices for the bristles on the other are moved on closed paths and the clamping devices at at least one common station are transferred to the path of the tools and at least during the thermal processes are jointly moved with the tools and are subsequently returned to their movement path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Coronet-Werke Heinrich Schlerf GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Weihrauch
  • Patent number: 4858308
    Abstract: A parts mounting apparatus includes a rotary-index table having vacuum suction devices on a periphery thereof. A removable suction piece is attached to each of the vacuum suction devices so as to perform picking and placing operations of parts. A suction piece stocker is disposed across a detaching station and an attaching station. A detaching device is arranged at the detaching station, wherein the suction piece is come to be detached from the vacuum suction device and held by a stocker when the vacuum suction device is lowered and then raised. When the vacuum suction device which has lost the suction piece is lowered at the attaching station, a suction piece is attached to the vacuum suction device. When the vacuum suction device is raised in that state, the suction piece is pulled out from the stocker. Thus, exchanging of suction piece can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ken-ichi Komori
  • Patent number: 4852327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine comprising an apparatus for assembling a container for an optically readable disc-shaped information carrier. The container comprises a bottom section, a cover section, a bottom insertion-card, a cover leaflet, and a tray. The disc-shaped information carrier is detachably retained in the tray. During assembly the bottom section serves as an assembly base. In order to load the disc-shaped information carrier into a tray without the remainder of the container, the machine is provided with an auxiliary bottom section which is secured to the apparatus and in principle has the same dimensions as a container bottom section, so that a tray can be placed in the auxiliary bottom section and after it has been loaded with a disc-shaped information tray, can be removed as a unit from the auxiliary bottom section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Philips and DuPont Optical Company
    Inventors: Frank Kurkowski, Manfred Lucht
  • Patent number: 4841831
    Abstract: A reloader for reloading cartridges. A reciprocating plunger carries a turret that rotates around the axis of the plunger. The turret carries a plurality of cartridges for reloading, the cartridges being symmetrically spaced around the turret axis and adapted to be indexed around the axis in a step-by-step sequence. An overhead die holder contains a plurality of dies spaced in a symmetrical pattern similar to that of the cartridges but in fixed positions. A center opening in the die holder houses a rotatable bushing. The rotation of the bushing is controlled in part by a one-way clutch. An indexing shaft affixed to the turret extends from the turret axis through the bushing. The shaft has a multi-sided cross section and is slidably fitted to the bushing in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The configured cross section has an axial twist and when forced through the bushing by the reciprocating plunger, causes turning of one or the other of the shaft and turret or the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventors: Walter W. Bender, Charles A. Gaustad
  • Patent number: 4742614
    Abstract: Apparatus for incrementally altering the position of an object. The apparatus incrementally rotatably advances a turret by sequentially displacing a plurality of plungers. Each plunger when displaced moves along a linear axis to slidably contact and move along a sloped surface on the turret to generate a lateral force which incrementally rotates the turret a desired distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventors: James F. Mack, Ernesto Velarde
  • Patent number: 4736515
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant for the automated mounting of a door or similar closure component within the relative opening formed in a body, particularly an automotive vehicle body, comprising in combination: a device (10) for stably supporting a body (11), a conveyor device (33) adapted to convey a door (14) to an approach position to the relative door opening (15) in the body (11), provision being made between the said device (10, 33) for a first movable apparatus (12) for reading the measurements of the opening (15) and a second movable apparatus (13) for removing the door (14) from the conveyor (33) and positioning it within the door opening (15). The apparatus (12, 13) are also operatively interconnected through the intermediary of a computer (31) adapted to accept signals from the apparatus (12), to process them and send them to the apparatus (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Fata European Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Nicola Catena
  • Patent number: 4715113
    Abstract: A machine component installer for installing bearings, pins, bushings, and the like into a machine casting or similar component includes a reloadable carousel for accepting plural component stacks, a pivotally mounted claw-arm for grasping a bearing presented by the carousel and for swinging the grasped bearing into a pre-installation position, and a press for determining that all components are properly positioned and for pressing the bearing into a bore. The carousel includes a rotatably mounted turntable with guides for accepting plural stacks of bearings. The bearings drop, on a one-by-one basis, through an opening in the turntable plate to a presentation position. The claw-arm includes opposed spring biased fingers for grasping each bearing presented by the carousel and for swinging the bearing into position above a ram. The claw-arm is designed to self-tighten about the grasped bearing as the arm is rotated to present the bearing to the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: The J. L. Wickham Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Wickham
  • Patent number: 4680841
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for fabricating cable harness assemblies of the type wherein a plurality of mating pairs of electrical connector parts are terminated to a continous flat cable segment. Termination includes compressing a predetermined cable portion between a pair of connector parts, one of which has a plurality of insulation displacing terminals positioned therein. The connector parts are transported between loading stations and a termination station, by connector holders mounted on a pair of opposed rotatable indexing turrets. At least one of the connector holders is advanced inwardly toward the termination station, so as to bring the two connector parts together in compression, after a cable segment is located therebetween.Thereafter, the cable is advanced to bring another predetermined portion to the termination station, while the turrets are indexed to present a second pair of opposed mating parts to the termination station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas E. Schneider, Clarence Kolanowski, Richard L. Patterson
  • Patent number: 4653182
    Abstract: A method of fitting a rubber stopper for a water-proof connector terminal onto an end portion of an electric wire includes the steps of: successively feeding a group of rubber stoppers aligned in a row in a state wherein each of the rubber stoppers has its longitudinal axis extending vertically; transferring each of the rubber stoppers into a stopper housing portion; retaining the electric wire disposed on an imaginary line passing through the center of the stopper housing portion; and press-fitting the wire into the rubber stopper, whereby the rubber stoppers are successively and continuously fitted on the respective wires. Also disclosed is an apparatus which may be suitably employed to carry out the above-described method. The apparatus includes an aligned stopper successively feeding section, a stopper transfer section, a rotary conveyor section, and a wire press-fitting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Fukuda, Eiji Fudo, Koichi Tani, Haruhito Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4630358
    Abstract: A moving coil capsule for a telephone handset is designed for high speed mass production. It consists of a carrier ring (1) and diaphragm (2) formed as an interim sub-assembly in a first buffer store. A coil (6) preparation and finishing stage applies the coil (6) on a former in the form of an aluminium dome (5) and inserts the dome (5) into a nest (7) in the diaphragm to form a first sub-assembly in a second buffer store. A magnet assembly (10, 11 and 12) is manufactured using quick curing glue with the outer pole piece (12) formed by an accurate stamping whose outer rim fits precisely in a reference datum (1a) in the carrier ring.The interim sub-assemblies and magnet assemblies are made one at a time, and the first sub-assemblies are formed two at a time from the interim sub-assemblies, but at half the speed.Final assembly of the magnet assembly and first sub-assembly together with a rear cover (14) is carried out and a throughput at a rate of one capsule in less than four seconds can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Standard Telephones and Cables Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Frank Taylor, Trevor Burton
  • Patent number: 4587703
    Abstract: The robotic assembly of a keyboard using a multiplicity of keys of a plurality of distinct types, such As key caps on a sculptured keyboard, can be substantially increased in speed by the use of a multifacted rotatable turret for picking up and installing the key caps onto the keyboard. A programmable robot, having a robotic arm is provided with a rotatable multifaceted turret. Each facet of the turret includes a key handling member which is molded to accept a distinct type of sculptured key. The types of sculptured keys are segregated in a pick-up position. The turret is manipulated by the robotic arm in the pick-up position to pick up a multiplicity of keys of one given type on each of the facets of the turret. Thus, each turret picks up one type of keys. The turret is then translated by the robotic arm to an assembly position. The turret is once again rotated and advanced to assemble the key caps on to key stem projected from the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Sohiel Azizi, William Swan
  • Patent number: 4567648
    Abstract: A rotary assembly apparatus includes a base having a pair of parallel vertically oriented axes. A pair of circular platelike members of differing diameters are mounted for rotation, one on each axis such that the peripheries of the circular platelike members encompass both axes and are in juxtaposition at one point. Each of the platelike members includes on its periphery a plurality of receivers for receiving elements of a mechanical assembly from feeders positioned adjacent the periphery of the platelike members. The rotation of the platelike members brings a set of the elements into juxtaposition and one of the receivers moves vertically with respect to the other to complete the assembly of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Moorfeed Corporation
    Inventor: Myron L. Doty
  • Patent number: 4498234
    Abstract: An apparatus for fitting receptacles at a predetermined spacing with respective substantially identical objects each having a bottom face has a plate generally centered on an upright plate axis and having a substantially planar, smooth, and horizontal upper face with a generally circular outer edge. A feeder deposits the objects on the upper face of the plate radially inward of the edge thereof such that these objects sit on this upper plate face by their bottom faces. A plurality of individual seats distributed at the spacing of the receptacles along the outer edge of the upper face of the plate each have a floor coplanar with the upper plate face and a shape complementary with that of one of the objects. A guide member has an inner edge above the upper face of the plate immediately adjacent same, and a plurality of respective passages which each open at one end at this inner edge and at the other end at the respective seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin
    Inventors: Bernard P. Greslin, Daniel J. Rohmer
  • Patent number: 4470194
    Abstract: A device for slipping washers and like objects onto the shanks or stalks of screws and like articles comprises a couple of discs which are rotated integrally together. The top disc has peripheral hollow spaces to which the screws are fed to be conveyed at a certain angle hung by their heads. The bottom disc has vertical dowels arranged on a circumference having a radius equal to that of the circumference containing the axes of the hung screws. To a point of the periphery of the bottom disc washers are fed to enter an upward sloping circular channel. The dowels are passed through a central longitudinal slit of said circular channel in such a way that each screw may push a washer to ascend such channel in order that the washer may be slipped onto the stalk of the respective screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Omega Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Danilo Cambiaghi, Willy Wegner
  • Patent number: 4453308
    Abstract: Washers are cascaded downwardly from a vibratory feeder into a reservoir which overlies a rotatable disc having a series of angularly spaced pockets. As the disc rotates, each pocket picks up a washer and carries the washer to an assembly station where a screw blank is telescoped into the washer, the screw blanks being delivered to and being carried by heads spaced angularly around a rotatable turret. A feeler senses the approximate quantity of washers in the reservoir and causes the vibratory feeder to be activated automatically when the supply of washers is low and to be de-activated when the supply is large. An arcuate shoe, an agitator, and a sensor also are provided for camming the washers into position to be received by the pockets, for agitating the washers in the supply, for ejecting excess washers from the pockets, for detecting the absence of washers in the pockets and for ejecting any washers which might not receive screw blanks, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Warren M. Jackson, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren M. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4384916
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling hollow balls from molded hemispheres which are fed to the apparatus. The hemispheres fed to the apparatus are received in a plurality of slots located about the circumference of a wheel. While the hemispheres are in the slots, an applicator disc applies a solvent to the hemispheres and pressure cams force the hemispheres together, thereby forming complete balls. The balls are then discharged from the apparatus.The same apparatus may be used to assemble hollow balls from hemispheres which are adapted to be snapped together. In that case, no solvent is applied by the applicator disc and the pressure applied by the pressure cams is used to snap the hemispheres together into hollow balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Company
    Inventor: Walter G. Berghahn
  • Patent number: 4373129
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling the component parts of a cover for an electrochemical cell into a cover assembly and for welding the assembly, the apparatus including a carousel having a plurality of equally spaced receptacles, an equal number of equally spaced stations around the carousel, a drive for intermittently turning the carousel to advance the receptacles to each of the stations and holding the receptacle in the station, a feeder at selected stations for feeding a part of the component parts to the carousel, inspection apparatus at stations intermediate the selected stations for inspecting the part assembly in the receptacle, a welder at a station following the selected and inspection stations for welding the assembled cover in the receptacle and an extractor at a station following the welding station for removing the assembled and welded cover from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond K. Sugalski, Kenneth C. Leduc, Jesse L. Morris
  • Patent number: 4367575
    Abstract: A wire holding head (13) reciprocable between a wire supply and a wire terminating station (11) includes a wire guide (62) pivoted on the front of a wire clamp (61) and an abutment (20) carried by a wire insertion ram (14) which moves the guide towards a connector support (15) to align leading ends of wires with contacts in a connector (17). The connector supports (15) are mounted on indexed turrets (19) and wire locating combs (51) are engageable with the wires between a severing and stripping station (12) and the terminating station (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Forster, Werner Heidotting, Wilhelm Janosi, Georg Kampfmann
  • Patent number: 4313260
    Abstract: An assembly machine which has a plurality of work stations for performing operations on articles is disclosed. The machines includes means for conveying articles between work stations, a tool plate adapted to support tooling to perform operations at a plurality of work stations, and means for reciprocating the tool plate in synchronism with the movement of the conveying means wherein the reciprocating means are mechanically independent from the conveying means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Swanson-Erie Corporation
    Inventors: Norman H. Yeo, Douglas Swanson
  • Patent number: 4309820
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a closure with a feedpipe into a container comprises a drum arranged for rotation and having a circumferential wall defining outwardly open recesses for holding the closures with feedpipes, and a guide sheet fixedly mounted adjacent the circumferential wall and covering a portion thereof. The guide sheet has two end edges extending in the planes of the end faces of the drum and two oblique side edges downwardly inclined in the direction of rotation of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: Rationator-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Hugo Schindel
  • Patent number: 4271587
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously inverting the orientation of sheaths comprises a rotationally indexing wheel having a concavity at a side surface thereof and a plurality of holes provided around the wheel spaced from each other, the holes extending from the outer periphery of the wheel to the concavity thereof for receiving the sheaths at a first station and transmitting the same to a second station at which the orientation of the sheaths is different from the orientation of the sheaths at the first station. The apparatus further comprises means for consecutively feeding the sheaths to the holes at the first station including means for continuously supplying the sheaths in an upright position in alignment with the hole to which the sheath is fed and means for transporting the sheaths supported by the supply means to the holes of the wheel, and means for releasing the sheaths from the holes at the second station to thereby place the sheaths onto the articles consecutively indexed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventor: Walter Shields
  • Patent number: 4262408
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling a hose unit consisting of a given length of hose having end couplings inserted respectively in each of its ends. The given length is measured and cut off, being inserted freely, longitudinally in a rigid tube without endwise restraint. The couplings are inserted simultaneously, the thrust applied being balanced as well as sufficient to compress the hose longitudinally, while the dimensions of the tube relative to the hose are such as to prevent buckling. The rigid tube moves perpendicularly of the length of hose, preferably about a common axis, stepwise to a series of stations. In one station the inserted couplings are secured to the respective ends by a commercial crimper-expander. The hose unit is then dropped or ejected to a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Ernest D. Johnson, David L. Braun
  • Patent number: 4259780
    Abstract: This invention relates to a machine which receives ballpoint pen barrel assemblies in bulk form, feeds these barrel assemblies in single-file order and orients them over a preassembled refill, spring and cap assembly which is carried along a predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignees: Genevieve I. Hanscom, Genevieve I. Hanscom, Lois J. Thomson
    Inventor: Lynn D. Crawford
  • Patent number: 4238875
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for performing work functions on articles from opposite ends of the articles with the aid of twin turrets which present top and bottom datum surfaces. Articles to be work processed are fed to a fixed surface beneath the bottom datum surface of a first turret then lifted and held for rotation therewith. Each turret is indexed sequentially and stationary work holder platforms permit the completion of work functions on a repetitive basis from opposite ends of the articles first from the bottom of the article on the first turret and then from the top of the article after transfer is made to the second turret. The invention is specifically illustrated with respect to the assembly, sealing and lubrication of tapered roller bearings as used in railroad rolling stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Rail Bearing Service
    Inventor: Robert J. Van Sickle
  • Patent number: 4237605
    Abstract: A machine for assembling washers on headed screw blanks, comprises a turntable having peripheral recesses into which the washers are inserted. Elevators in the form of vertically swinging arms are mounted on the turntable about the periphery thereof, extending generally radially of the turntable, and are cam controlled to swing vertically relative to the turntable. In their upwardly swung position, recesses in the outer ends of the arms receive screw blanks beneath the heads thereof, the arms then swinging downwardly to insert the screw blanks in the washers that are in alignment below the screw blanks on the turntable. At the discharge side of the turntable, a slideway is provided for complete assemblies; but incomplete assemblies are detected and are disassembled with the parts returned to storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: E. W. Menn KG Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Clemens Jung, Ernst Wiesel
  • Patent number: 4201505
    Abstract: A core-spacer-core mandrel loader in which pairs of cores and spacers are automatically loaded upon a mandrel. A transition nose cone is attached to the mandrel to facilitate proper placement of the cores and spacers upon the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Inventors: James P. Gerhart, deceased, Merle A. Gerhart, executrix
  • Patent number: 4197637
    Abstract: An automated assembly apparatus for inserting electrical parts into a printed circuit board includes parts supply means for supplying parts to parts conveyance means according to a predetermined sequence. The parts conveyance means is equipped with parts conveyance jigs and an identification code the detection of which determines the parts which are delivered to each jig for eventual conveyance to parts insertion means equipped with a plurality of chucks adapted to successively transfer the delivered parts, regardless of their size and shape, to an awaiting circuit board, and to insert the parts into the circuit board at prescribed positions according to a predetermined sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Honda
  • Patent number: 4178672
    Abstract: An automatic machine for assembling and banding together the components making up an expansion shell so that the assembly can be conveniently packaged and shipped. In one embodiment, the machine contains a series of work stations arranged to assemble the bolt components within a die. The expansion shell halves are staked to a common strap and the components then passed through a combination forming gage and banding mechanism which aligns the parts in assembly and bands them together using a plastic sleeve. In a second embodiment of the invention, the expansion shells are staked to the strap prior to being loaded into the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Inventors: Raymond F. Amico, Peter J. Amico
  • Patent number: 4173824
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling articles such as clips, comprising first and second components formed from metallic sheet stock, said apparatus including an outer annular member and second and third dial members mounted within the annular member, the annular and dial members being rotatably mounted in a synchronized manner associated with the cycling of a die press. Pairs of article components are continuously punched with each press cycle and pushed through an opening in a die block to be received and held at rotatably indexing receiving stations in a horizontal orientation in respective ones of a plurality of clamping assemblies formed in each of the outer annular member and second inner dial member, respectively.As the annular and second dial member rotatably index, the respective clamping assemblies pivot unit the first and second article components are held in a vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Assignee: Stewart Stamping Corporation
    Inventor: Maurice Wolfthal
  • Patent number: 4170289
    Abstract: A paint roller cage assembly apparatus in which a group of four cage wires are held and affirmatively positioned generally as if at the corners of a square; a cage wire cap with sockets for the cage wires is then applied to one end of the cage wires, and a similar cage wire cap is next applied to the other end of the cage wires, thereby automatically assembling a paint roller cage; the apparatus includes cage wire feeders, and a plurality of cage wire holders in the form of pivotably associated links which may be pivoted to position the wires for the application of the caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Assignee: Charles E. Green & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter McDonald, Norbert J. Seitel
  • Patent number: 4144637
    Abstract: A device for making sets of nonmagnetic current-conducting components on a base component in arrangements constituting identification patterns of the set being made. The device comprises a source of an alternating magnetic field, feeding the components arranged into a set as well as the base components into the working area of the magnetic field, and extractor means for removing the complete sets of components from the working area of the magnetic field. Each base component is a substrate comprising essentially a dielectric plate, fitted with inserts made from a current-conducting material and having cross section configurations similar to the cross-sectional shapes of the components being arranged into a set. The inserts arranged to determine the identification patterns of the set being made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Institut Fiziki Akademii Nauk Latviiskoi SSR
    Inventors: Benyamin A. Ioffe, Jury A. Zommer, Robert K. Kalnin, Alexandr S. Kanaev
  • Patent number: 4099324
    Abstract: A mechanism for sequentially feeding pins includes a collet having a longitudinal bore for feeding pins from one end to a second end, the second end holding the pins in position. The second end of the collet has at least one longitudinal slot contained therein, providing variations in the cross sectional area of the bore when the holding end of the collet is tightened around a pin. Pins are pushed through the center bore of the collet from a bottom feed point. Pins are positioned in an indexable disc having cutouts for containing the pins and delivering the pins one-by-one to the feed end of the collet bore. The disc cutouts are sequentially indexed by a ratchet and pawl mechanism. The collet can also be used to hold a pin for insertion into a hole in a printed circuit board and fastening of the pin to the printed circuit board by rolling over a portion of the pin with a punch, the punch being positioned coaxially with the collet bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: David Leroy Johnson, Chester Joseph Matusek
  • Patent number: 4089091
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preparing framed diapositive assemblies by automatically coupling together a diapositive, an integrally formed frame and a transparent plate. The apparatus comprises three partially overlapping horizontal discs, each formed with the same number of openings, symmetrically positioned around a central vertical pivot. The discs are mounted on their pivots at a short mutual distance and the pivots, one of which is driven to rotate, are synchronized in motion. A magazine is positioned over and in correspondence with the upper disc and another magazine over and in correspondence with the lower disc, respectively for feeding into the openings the transparent plates and the frames. The opening on the intermediate disc for the diapositive, is formed at the periphery of the disc itself and comprises an elastic support means, such as two side brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Inventor: Pietro Alberto
  • Patent number: 4077106
    Abstract: A base-supported rotatable frame assembly that defines four upwardly and inwardly extending side frames. A pressurized fluid-actuated mechanism intermittently rotates the frame assembly through first, second, third and fourth stations. Stringers are removably placed in fixed positions on a side frame when it is at the first station, and deck boards are placed in abutting contact with the stringers when the stringer-supporting side frame is at the second station. The deck boards and stringers are nailed together at the third station to provide a single face pallet, which pallet is removed when the supporting side frame moves to the fourth station. A second of the inventions may be used to transform the single face pallet to a double face pallet if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1978
    Assignee: Betty A. Lichenstein
    Inventors: Arthur L. Lichtenstein, Vincent Petruzzi, William M. Anderson, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE34612
    Abstract: A reloader for reloading cartridges. A reciprocating plunger carries a turret that rotates around the axis of the plunger. The turret carries a plurality of cartridges for reloading, the cartridges being symmetrically spaced around the turret axis and adapted to be indexed around the axis in a step-by-step sequence. An overhead die holder contains a plurality of dies spaced in a symmetrical pattern similar to that of the cartridges but in fixed positions. A center opening the die holder houses a rotatable bushing. The rotation of the bushing is controlled in part by a one-way clutch. An indexing shaft affixed to the turret extends from the turret axis through the bushing. The shaft has a multi-sided cross section and is slidably fitted to the bushing in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The configured cross section has an axial twist and when forced through the bushing by the reciprocating plunger, causes turning of one or the other of the shaft and turret or the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter W. Bender, Charles A. Gaustad