Including Turret-type Conveyer Patents (Class 29/792)
  • Patent number: 5301402
    Abstract: A machine for automatically joining front and back parts of buttons employs a turntable with nests that are rotated through a series of stations at which the parts are placed in the nests in a desired orientation, joined, and checked for defects. Orientation of the parts is achieved by video imaging of a first part as it is randomly placed in a nest, and computer-controlled placement of the second part based on the ascertained position of the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Waterbury Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Noel, Mark H. Hamilton, Timothy P. White
  • 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: 5241739
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically attaching a substantially U-shaped support stand to a fusee includes an annular indexable turntable provided with holders for receiving support stands at one workstation, and fusees in assembled relationship with the support stands at another workstation. The support stands are deformed from substantially straight shapes to substantially U-shapes as they are loaded into the holders on the turntable. The free ends of the support stand are subsequently inwardly curled prior to assembly with the fusees. The fusees are fed from a supply hopper, cleaned, and successively inserted into a holder on the turntable in assembled relationship with successively presented support stands. Subsequently, the turntable is indexed to additional workstations where predetermined lengths of polyfilament tape are successively applied to end portions of the fusees, and subsequently wrapped about the fusees and associated end portions of the support stand to securely join one to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Standard Fusee Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Waidner, John J. Brady
  • Patent number: 5240746
    Abstract: Related operations are performed on workpieces, e.g., coating and curing circuit boards, of different types in random order in assembly line fashion on a rotary table of an apparatus under programmed control. The table is rotated stepwise to move successive sections thereof from a load-unload station at which the respective workpieces are loaded and unloaded in random order, to a sensing station at which the type and orientation of the workpiece is sensed, next to an initial work station at which initial work, e.g., coating, is performed on the workpiece in dependence upon its type and orientation previously sensed at the sensing station, then to a subsequent work station at which related subsequent work is performed on the workpiece, e.g., curing of the coating, and in turn back to the load-unload station to complete a cycle. The workpiece is either changed in orientation on the table section for a repeat cycle to perform further work thereon or is replaced by another workpiece in random order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Mary O'Connell Litteral
  • Patent number: 5205392
    Abstract: A device for machining workpieces which includes a series of stationary machining stations (2, 42, 65, 81) arranged around a circle and a row of workpiece holders (3, 38, 64, 82) which are clamped temporarily in the machining stations (2, 42, 65, 81) and periodically interchanged. To ensure quasi-continuous operation with stationary machine stations (2, 42, 65, 81), an interchanger (5, 19, 44, 60, 87) rotates concentrically about the circle (41) of the machining stations (2, 42, 65, 81), grips the holders (3, 38, 64, 82) in succession and forms a transfer or interchange path (6, 45, 62, 90) for the holders (3, 38, 64, 82) to be interchanged between one machining station (2, 42, 65, 81) and the next. The interchange path contains a number of workpiece holders (27) which differs from the number of machining stations (2, 42, 65, 81) in the region bridged by the interchange path (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rissen GmbH
    Inventor: Sigurd von Seld
  • Patent number: 5191694
    Abstract: A cassette assembly line including, a tape reel leadering and placement station having a table rotatable between reel supply, leader supply/clip/cutting and tape reel placement substations. The reel supply substation places unleadered tape reels in equally spaced relation on the rotary table. The table rotates to present unleadered tape reels to the leader supply/clip/cutting substation. A first reel is fed a leader supply, which leader is secured by a leader clip. The rotary table is then rotated so that the leader supply extends across a second and third tape reel, and leader clips secure the leader supply to the second and third tape reels. The leader is then cut between the second and third tape reels to form an exact length leader for the first and second tape reels. The leadered pair is then transferred to a cassette shell by the reel placement substation. In effect, the cut end still attached to the leader supply becomes the leader for the next pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Shape Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Ruggiero, Thomas R. Plourde, Joseph Kaczynski, Jr.
  • 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: 5150624
    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: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventors: James S. Kaczmarek, James M. Steimel
  • Patent number: 5143271
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assembling the parts intervening on a face-plate corresponding to an espagnolette or bolt lock for a swinging and tilting leaf. As a matter of fact, this face-plate receives, on its rear face intended for applying against the front edge of said leaf, at least one casing capable of accomodating a control mechanism for locking organs such as operating rods or the like and, on its front face oriented towards the sash-frame, at least one safety shoulder with a view to impeding the leaf from moving upwards when it is in tilting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Ferco International Usine de Ferrures de Batiment
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Kautt
  • Patent number: 5136778
    Abstract: A rotary table assembly apparatus for stuffing a snailed endless ribbon into a ribbon cartridge comprises a rotary table, a mounting plate affixed to the table for mounting and positioning a bottom housing of a ribbon cartridge, a loop tray affixed to the front portion of the mounting plate for holding a snailed loop while it is being stuffed into the ribbon cartridge, adjustable slide panels mounted on the loop tray to create narrow slits with a pin to hold the ribbon upright as it passes through the slits into the ribbon cartridge and to prevent more than one layer of ribbon from passing from the loop tray into the cartridge, and a cover for keeping the ribbon from jumping out of the loop tray as the ribbon is being fed into the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Pelikan, Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Bell, Franklin K. Smith, Patrick D. Carter
  • 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: 5105518
    Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for removing and installing a reciprocating sickle knife from or on a sickle knife holder. The sickle knife comprises a plurality of sickle knife sections attached to a knife back bar with spaced, repeating pattern or recurrent fasteners. The sickle knife is protected from damage by a plurality of sickle guards attached to the sickle knife holder. The assembly comprises first and second rotatable sprockets secured to a support member. The sprockets are interconnected by an endless chain which has drive lugs that will drivably engage recurrent fasteners on the sickle knife. In the preferred embodiment, two adjacent sickle guards are removed allowing the assembly to be installed on the sickle knife holder such that the chain is positioned adjacent the recurrent fasteners. A power source such as a hand crank, then drives or rotates the sprockets to drive the chain so that the recurrent fasteners are engaged with the drive lugs sequentially, displacing the sickle bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventor: Lyle D. Bengtson
  • Patent number: 5104033
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling workpieces in which an assembling work is performed includes a workpiece setting jig, a setting station including a workpiece setting apparatus for setting a first workpiece on the workpiece setting jig, an assembling station including an assembling unit for assembling a second workpiece with the first workpiece on the workpiece setting jig, a welding station including a welding unit for welding the first and the second workpieces together, a discharging station including a discharging unit for taking the welded workpieces out of the workpiece setting jig, a charging station provided in a position which faces the setting station as seen in the direction of sending and withdrawing the workpiece setting jig. The charging station, the assembling station, the welding station and the discharging station being arranged in a circular form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruo Tanaka, Yousuke Narita, Hiroshi Itoh, Shigeru Suzuki, Hidenori Horie, Akira Konno
  • Patent number: 5075961
    Abstract: The tool gripping and releasing devices carried by the indexing turret head of a radial component insertion machine are air operated and sealed connections are selectively established between stationary and rotating air transfer rings. Supplied pressurized air leaves the stationary air transfer plate via blind bores and then forces its way through small apertures in gaskets which close these blind bores. The gasket material is deformed into sealing engagement with the rotating air transfer ring establishing a connection with the air inlet thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Dynapert Inc.
    Inventor: Vance F. St. Hilaire
  • 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: 4979282
    Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus which allows the application of a round gasket or liner inside closures. The apparatus consists of a plastic material batching carousel carrying, on a horizontal plate a plurality of shuttles or molds peripherically distributed and whose top surface is provided with a recess or hollow. On the carousel are elements which take and leave batches of plastic material supplied by an extruder inside the recesses. A first star wheel at the bottom of the carousel is provided to transfer the shuttles having the batches therein towards a forming carousel where the batches of plastic material are pressed to form round gaskets. A second star is provided to transfer the shuttles with the molded gaskets toward a further carousel where gaskets are inserted into cups or closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Tredegar Molder Products Company
    Inventors: Rodiero Alieri, Paul L. Thomason
  • Patent number: 4918809
    Abstract: A nail making machine having a capstan for delivering wire to feed rolls which intermittently advance an end portion of the wire to a first workstation where a pointed nail blank is formed and severed from the wire. An indexing wheel conveys successively formed nail blanks to a diametrically opposed second workstation where each blank is headed. Finished nails are delivered by the indexing wheel to a track in collated side-by-side relation to each other where a cleaning operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Wilhelm A. Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 4913707
    Abstract: To assemble nuclear fuel bundle spacers comprised of a multiplicity of rod-positioning ferrules, automated apparatus is provided comprising an indexing table mounting a plurality of identical, angularly spaced ferrule fixtures which are successively positioned at a first station for receipt of a pair of properly oriented ferrules. The table is indexed to present the ferrule pairs in turn to a second station where a spring is loaded in pre-assembly relation thereto. At the next table index position, a third station manipulates the successive fixture-mounted ferrule pairs to interlock the spring with each ferrule pair as a subasssembly which is then indexed in turn to a fourth station for assembly into a spacer fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pat F. Moreno, Robert H. Lewis, Robert G. MacIvergan, Harold B. King, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4873760
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting and demounting a lid of a vessel on and from a body thereof. The lid and the body are fastened to each other by a plurality of stud bolt and nut assemblies. A turntable is supported on a sling to be fixed to the lid, for turning movement in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis passing through a center of the lid. A plurality of operating units are supported by the turntable and are arranged in circumferentially spaced relation on a circle having a diameter equal to that of a pitch circle of the stud bolts. Each of the operating units includes a device for transporting the nuts to and from the stud bolts, and a device for attaching and detaching the stud bolts to and from an end flange of the body of the vessel. A positioning arrangement is provided for moving the turntable in the horizontal plane relatively to the sling so as to bring the operating units into vertical alignment with the stud bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Watanabe, Akira Tanaka, Takayuki Matsumoto, Yutaka Ohmura, Hisao Kojima
  • Patent number: 4863092
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically brazing the opposed ends of a capillary tube respectively to connecting parts of a bulb and a diaphragm unit and a method of making the apparatus are provided, the apparatus comprising a rotatable table and a plurality of work stations disposed in spaced apart relation about the table and each having an operating device, the table having a plurality of fixtures each being adapted to hold an assembly of the bulb and diaphragm unit in a fixed relation relative to each other with the capillary tube assembled to the connecting parts thereof, the table being adapted to index through the work stations so that the devices at the work stations can each perform its specific operation on the respective assembly disposed at that particular station during a predetermined dwell time in the movement of the table, the device of one of the stations comprising a movable arm for applying a flux to the assembly, the device of another of the stations comprising a movable arm for preheating each ass
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Ledu Q. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 4829662
    Abstract: A button press has an indexable turntable on which are mounted a plurality of alternating lower forming die assemblies and crimping die assemblies. The lower die assemblies are positioned beneath an upper die assembly as the turntable is indexed. The upper die assembly is reciprocated towards and away from the lower die assemblies to first form a cover sheet and display sheet about a metal button front and then to join that subassembly to a metal back having a pin. The indexing of the turntable and the vertical reciprocation of the upper die assembly are provided by a single electric motor. The motor drives a sprocket which is mounted on a shaft leading to a right angle drive mechanism which converts the continuous rotation of the shaft into incremental rotary motion of the turntable. A vertical linkage extends from a face of the spracket to one end of a walking beam whose other end is connected to a ramrod that mounts the upper die assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Braunberger
  • Patent number: 4783905
    Abstract: Method and an apparatus for binding coils, for example, of sheet steel, which enable the whole process, from the formation of the coils to the completion of the ready-to-be-shipped bound coils, to be automated. Provision is made so that the strips, produced in a slitting line for example, in each case are coiled in coaxially aligned groups and, while their free severed ends in each case are held down they, are collected. Each collected group of coils, while retaining the coaixal alignment and the holding down of the severed ends, are moved into a transfer position, from which the coils, while the respective severed end continues to be held down, are isolated cyclically and transferred into an operating cycle passing through a first and a second binding position as well as a removal position, one or several additional groups of coils being collected while the coils are being worked off cyclically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Metallverarbeitung Breyell-Dinslaken GmbH
    Inventor: Friederich Hasenkamp
  • Patent number: 4741081
    Abstract: A T-fitting is formed from two precut lengths of tubing of the same, relatively small, inner and outer diameter. One length of tubing is formed with a reduced diameter neck section at one end whose outer diameter is approximately equal to its normal undeformed inner diameter. The second length of tubing is placed in a clamp which is advanced to successive work stations where a sidewall is punched and then drilled through to form a radial hole in one side of a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the tubing. At a subsequent work station, the neck section of the first length of tubing is driven into a force fit into the drilled hole in second length of tubing. The assembled tubing is then removed from the clamp, brazed into a permanent T-tube assembly. The portion of the neck section which projects into the passage of the second length of tubing is then trimmed off by a drilling or reaming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Tube Fab of Afton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Redman
  • 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: 4683651
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly line has a main line comprising an automated assembly line portion disposed in an upstream portion thereof, a manual assembly line portion disposed in a downstream portion thereof and an automated work line portion disposed in the terminal portion thereof. The automated assembly line portion is formed of train type conveyors which can feed a vehicle body or a work selectively in continuous feed fashion or indexing feed fashion. The manual assembly line portion is formed of trolley type or power-and-free type conveyors which feed the vehicle body continuously. The automated work line portion is formed of train type conveyors which feed the vehicle body in indexing feed fashion. In the automated assembly line portion are included the assembly steps which have already been automated and those which are scheduled to be automated but are to be manually performed for the time being.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshinobu Taketani, Ken Kuramori, Sunji Sakamoto, Hiroshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 4669387
    Abstract: The invention is designed to automatically lay or maintain railroad tracks. The machine is positioned on prior laid rails, with fixing elements, such as track bolts, clips, spring washers and nuts in order to lock the rails to plates already integral with supporting ties. Guides direct each type of the elements along at least one specific routing path that commences at a charging area, passes across a vibrator designed to place the elements in predetermined positions, and terminates at a rotary table designed to accept each type of the elements. Assembly stations expel pre-assembled sets of the elements toward magazines which are able to house, in alignment, a plurality of the pre-assembled sets. The positioning machine is a railroad car which is movable on rails carrying a plurality of the magazines. The pre-assembled sets are sent to laying equipment designed to fix them to the plates. The laying equipment is connected to supports that cause the equipment to inch even when the car is constantly moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignees: C.L.F. Cooperative Lavori Ferroviari Soc. Coop. A.R.L., Starfer Studio Attrezzature Rinnovamento Ferroviario S.R.L.
    Inventors: Erio Casarini, Uber Montermini
  • Patent number: 4668019
    Abstract: Brush filling apparatus comprising(a) longitudinally axially spaced rotary heads,(b) first structure to releasably couple three longitudinally extending brush cores to two of the heads, with the cores spaced about the axis,(c) second structure to rotate at least one of the heads about the axis, to rotate the cores between three index positions,(d) third structure to drill bristle receiving holes in a core at one of the positions,(e) fourth structure to fill bristles into the holes at a second of the positions, and(f) fifth structure to trim the filled bristles at a third of the positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: L.A. Brush Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Boland, George R. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 4655676
    Abstract: A robot installation for performing a plurality of assembling or machining operations at a work or assembly station comprises a robot with a rotatable tool support, e.g. a ring or disc, carrying a number of tools. The turning and positioning of the tool support are controlled by control equipment of the robot. The tools are adjustably positioned on the tool support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: ASEA Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Bjorn Jannborg, Mats Lundstrom
  • 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: 4620359
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing rigid computer memory disc substrates is disclosed wherein the apparatus comprises a circular base plate, the base plate being mounted horizontally for rotation about a vertical axis; a plurality of spindles rotatably mounted on motors mounted on the base plate, the spindles extending radially outwardly from the base plate, in equally spaced relationship therearound, the outwardly extending end of each spindle including a fastening means for mounting a rigid disc to be processed thereon; a plurality of work stations spaced around the circular base plate for performing work operations on the discs; and a motor for rotating the base plate so as to convey each of the discs consecutively to each of the work stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Charlton Associates
    Inventors: Richard J. Charlton, Leland R. Krueger, Richard M. Noling, Jimmy G. Saunders, Richard J. Elliott
  • Patent number: 4614030
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically processing the wire ends of cores includes a forming die for bending the axially projecting wire ends back to project parallel to one another generally away from the core. Cores are received in a receiving station aligned with the forming die and orientated so that the wire ends are spaced as far as possible from the die. When the wire ends are sensed to be in the correct orientation, an actuator is operated to push the core through the forming die. The core with its wire ends bent back is then preferably stepped through a series of processing stations to trim and tin the wire ends and then ejected from the machine. A series of cores can be stepped continuously one after the other through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Varian Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Lint, Bryan P. Kent
  • Patent number: 4602428
    Abstract: A device wherein pharmaceutical capsules, each consisting of a separable bottom for receiving the said pharmaceutical product and a separable top for closing the said bottom, are fed in bulk into an input feedbox and sent, through a number of withdrawal and positioning ducts, to a rotary conveying device having two parts, one over the other, the first having a number of upper recesses for the tops and the second having a number of lower recesses for the respective bottoms, the rotary conveying device cooperating with a suction opening device designed to hold the tops inside the upper recesses and to suck the bottoms into the lower recesses, so as to separate the latter from the respective tops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: MG 2 S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ernesto Gamberini
  • Patent number: 4602417
    Abstract: An integrated and automated multistation machine is provided for placement and attachment of electrically conductive interconnectors onto solar cells and the like. The machine comprises a rotatable turntable for supporting a plurality of solar cells in respective association with a corresponding plurality of operating stations and then for indexing the solar cells to the next operating stations in sequence. More particularly, the machine includes a cell loading station for transfer of a solar cell from a loading magazine and for precision placement onto one of a plurality of cell-supporting fixtures carried by the turntable. The turntable indexes the solar cells one at a time on the fixtures from the cell loading station first to a flux station whereat a liquid flux material is applied to predetermined points on the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Hans G. Mesch, Albert F. Wollner, Charles E. Gibson, Kenneth Lui
  • 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: 4557040
    Abstract: An apparatus for accurately aligning an information-containing-disc stylus and assembling the stylus to a stylus holder. The apparatus transfers the stylus from a magazine holding a plurality of such styli into a rotary collet which is then rotated by an operator until a laser beam of light is reflected off a known surface of the stylus and impinges on a fixed target. The apparatus then causes the point of the stylus to pierce the stylus holder to a specific depth whereby the stylus is held firmly by the stylus holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: David W. Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 4524596
    Abstract: A torsion spring having a coiled portion and straight ends is formed on a spindle by a winding machine with the coiled portion being wound around the spindle. A transfer device for transferring the torsion spring to a spring feeding position in which the torsion spring is fed to a spring inserting device receives the torsion spring directly from the spindle and transfers it to the spring feeding position keeping the torsion spring in a predetermined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzo Tsunekawa, Takashi Tomizawa
  • Patent number: 4480382
    Abstract: A feed means for feeding elongate articles of the type described in succession and in a predetermined orientation to a receiving station, the feed means including an inclined track comprising a pair of parallel shoulders affording a slot therebetween so that, in use, a head of an article of the type described can be supported on the shoulders with its shank depending downwardly through the slot and, at the lower end of the slot, there being a rotatable feed member having a helical groove of such configuration as to permit a lowermost article in the track to enter the groove and be transported transversely away from the track between the feed member and the lower end of the track, wherein a drive means is provided to rotate the feed member unidirectionally at a speed of at least 300 r.p.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Needle Industries Limited
    Inventors: Leonard Haigh, Robert H. Morrison
  • Patent number: 4449289
    Abstract: Automatic system and method for compressing coil turns and insulators in stator core slots. Stator cores initially provided with end cuffed slot liners and a set of loosely inserted windings are loaded by the system operator sequentially into holding stations in a circular indexing, rotatable worktable. Each holding station comprises a cuff support assembly that serves simultaneously to precisely position and irremovably hold the stator cores as the worktable indexes the cores through a plurality of work stations. Automatic apparatus is provided at the work stations to initially press the turns into the slots, insert phase insulators, insert slot separator wedge insulators and further compress both the coil turns and insulators in the slots. A plurality of phase insulator work stations are gang operated to maintain high speed production rates despite relatively slow reloading of phase insulators into the insertion arbor of each work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alan L. Kindig
  • Patent number: 4449294
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for joining two metal members together with a lancing and staking operation that comprises the lancing and forming of a part of one of the members through an unblanked part of the other of the members and thereafter the staking of the formed part of the one member to an adjacent surface of the other member to secure the members together in abutting relation, the apparatus having a punch and a reciprocating head that cooperate together to form the lancing and staking operation on the members and having an indexible carrier for indexing the members to the head for the lancing and staking operation thereon and then away from the head after the lancing and staking operation, the carrier supporting and carrying the punch therewith. A method of making such apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: James C. Gunter
  • Patent number: 4441955
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous application of base cups to rounded bottom bottles including continuous feed of bottle and base cups and continuous removal of completed bottles. Further, a novel system is shown for applying glue or adhesive to the bottoms of the bottles for application of the base cup thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company (Indiana)
    Inventors: Bryan D. Richardson, Shelton E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4386462
    Abstract: An apparatus for an assembly line for assembling articles comprising a moving table, an operating unit disposed near the table having a member movable in two directions, at least one Bowden cable having a wire therein, one end of the wire being connected to the member, and a pulling mechanism to which the other end of the wire is connected. The return of the wire can be accomplished by a return spring on the member or by a second cable wire pulled by the pulling mechanism. Multiple units can be powered and controlled around the same table by one pulling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: Nakanishi Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriaki Nakanishi, Tadayoshi Nishizono, Masaaki Nakanishi, Toshiaki Nakanishi, Yoshio Kawahara
  • 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: 4337572
    Abstract: Process and device for manufacturing cam shaft characterized in that axial grooves are cut on a cam shaft, while projections with a profile matching said axial grooves and slightly larger than said axial grooves are provided on the fitting surface of pieces to be assembled to said cam shaft, whereby said projections of said pieces are fitted into said grooves of said cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Takahashi, Chiaki Tsumuki, Hitoshi Nakamura, Juro Ozaki
  • 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: 4299026
    Abstract: A method of assembling a motor starting relay whereby a series of open-ended cases are advanced in sequence to an assembly station, a pair of contacts which are assembled by providing two lines of terminals and two lines of springs and having each head spring and head terminal become an integral unit, are placed into the case and after a resistor wafer is placed between the parallel placed contacts, lids are placed on each housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Pietro De Filippis, Amedeo Salvatore, Luigi Trama, Giuseppe Notaro
  • 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