Cutting – Tool engages work during dwell of intermittent workfeed – Work-feed element contacts and moves with work
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-03
2001-03-06
Rachuba, M. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
Tool engages work during dwell of intermittent workfeed
Work-feed element contacts and moves with work
C083S412000, C198S345300, C198S867140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196101
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed toward an improved method for moving workpieces and an apparatus for carrying out the method.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under CFR §§1.97-1.99
Machines are known for moving workpieces past one or more work stations so that one or more operations can be performed on the workpieces at the work stations. A typical example is a machine for feeding a profile (an extruded bar) past a work station where a cutting operation cuts profile pieces off the profile with the ends of the pieces cut at an angle. Some machines are also equipped with a second work station for performing a second operation on the profile pieces or with means for performing a second operation on the profile pieces at the first work station. The second operation could comprise a drilling operation for drilling holes in the profile pieces. The known machines however are relatively slow in operation. Most employ screw threads to move the workpieces. Further, the known machines handle workpieces in a manner which can damage their finish. Often the workpieces are dragged to position them, scrapping the finish in the process. The workpieces are also often clamped and unclamped repeatedly increasing the risk of nicks and dents. The known machines are also incapable of moving adjacent workpieces in opposite directions simultaneously without unclamping, repositioning and reclamping the workpieces which slows production.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the purpose of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for moving workpieces, such as profiles, which is quicker than known machines. It is another purpose of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for moving workpieces in a manner that maintains their finish. It is a further purpose of the present invention to provide a method and machine for quickly moving workpieces in either direction and more particularly for moving adjacent workpieces in opposite directions if required.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a workpiece moving machine which has an elongated frame with a plurality of trolleys slidably mounted on the frame for movement along the frame. Each trolley has holding means for holding a workpiece. Usually a workpiece will be held by a number of the trolleys at spaced-apart locations along its length. An endless drive belt extends between the ends of the frame and clutch means on each trolley selectively connects the trolley to the belt to move the trolley along the frame. Each trolley has brake means for holding the trolley stationary when not connected to the belt. Each trolley can be selectively connected to either run of the belt which allows each trolley to be moved in either direction.
The machine, using the belt, allows rapid positioning of the workpiece in either direction and also allows two adjacent workpieces to move in opposite directions if desired. The trolleys grip the workpiece until all operations to be performed on the workpiece are finished thus ensuring that the workpieces are not damaged by excessive handling.
By way of example, the machine of the present invention can be used to move an extrusion bar or profile by first holding or gripping the profile at spaced-apart longitudinal locations with a number of trolleys. The gripped profile is then moved by clutching the first or lead trolley to one run of the moving belt. The other trolleys gripping the profile could be clutched to the belt at the same time, or they could be left unclutched and unbraked moving through movement of the profile by the first or lead trolley. The profile can be moved to a work station where it is stopped and a profile piece is cut off the profile. The profile is positioned at the work station so that the profile piece cut off is still gripped by at least one trolley. The cut-off profile piece, without being released from the trolley, can be moved, using the belt, to another work station along the machine for further operations or to a location where it can be unloaded. Alternatively, the profile piece and the profile can be moved in opposite directions at a work station to have simultaneous operations performed on their adjacent ends. This is easily accomplished by having the trolleys gripping the profile piece clutch one run of the belt and the trolleys gripping the profile clutch the other run of the belt so the profile and profile piece are moved apart the required distance. At the required distance, the trolleys are braked and an operation is performed simultaneously on the adjacent ends of the profile and profile piece. The profile pieces are each gripped by at least one trolley at all times. Thus all the workpieces are always gripped by trolleys until the workpieces are to be unloaded. Since the workpieces do not undergo handling after loading the workpieces on the trolleys, they are not damaged.
The invention is particularly directed toward a workpiece moving machine comprising an elongate frame and a plurality of trolleys slidably mounted on the frame for movement along the frame. Holding means on each trolley hold a workpiece to the trolley. Moving means are mounted on the frame and extend between the ends of the frame. Clutch means on each trolley selectively connect the trolley to the moving means to move the trolley along the frame. Brake means on each trolley selectively brake the trolley to the frame to prevent its movement along the frame.
The invention is also directed toward a method of moving a workpiece comprising: providing a plurality of trolleys slidable along an elongate frame and providing moving means in the form of an endless belt along the frame with first and second belt runs movable in opposite directions. The workpiece is held by a number of the trolleys at selected spaced-apart locations on its length to provide a work unit. At least one of the trolleys in the work unit is selectively connected to the first or second belt run to move the work unit, including the held workpiece, in one direction or the other.
REFERENCES:
patent: 836424 (1906-11-01), Wilzin
patent: 2929484 (1960-03-01), Longdon
patent: 3161145 (1964-12-01), Cargill et al.
patent: 3646656 (1972-03-01), Zilahy et al.
patent: 3708051 (1973-01-01), Dato et al.
patent: 4523749 (1985-06-01), Lindgren
patent: 4790427 (1988-12-01), Dixon
patent: 5878641 (1999-03-01), Tsune
patent: 0 663 262 A2 (1995-01-01), None
patent: WO 92/12816 (1992-06-01), None
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