Tool mount for automated manufacturing lines

Details Tool mount for automated manufacturing lines Tool mount for automated manufacturing lines

1999-11-12

2001-02-06

Crane, Daniel C. (Department: 3725)

Metal deforming

By plural tool-couples

With means to feed work between plural tool stations

C072S405010, C403S381000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06182491

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to automated assembly and manufacturing, and more particularly to tool mounts for holding tools on various moving components, such as transfer press rails, which are part of the manufacturing line.
A common part of an assembly line is a transfer press. The transfer press is used for moving parts in and out of dies. The transfer press includes a rail that is movable in several directions. One or more tools are mounted to the transfer press rail by way of a tool mount and are used to handle the parts being manufactured or assembled. These tools may include suction cups, fingers, shovels, grippers, or the like, for selectively engaging the part that is being manufactured or assembled.
The arrangement or configuration of the tools is usually specifically tailored for the part being manufactured. If a different part is to be manufactured along the same transfer press assembly line, the tools are typically replaced with a set of differently configured tools. The removal and replacement of the old set of tools is facilitated by the tool mount attached to the transfer press rail. The tool mount typically receives a boom to which the various tools are mounted. By removing the boom from the tool mount, all of the tools associated with that mount can be quickly and easily removed. A new boom, having a new arrangement of possibly different tools, can then be inserted into the tool mount and secured therein for use with the different part being manufactured.
In the past, there have been several problems with prior art tool mounts. One of these problems has had to do with the tightness with which the tool mount secures the boom and tools to the transfer press rail. If the tools and boom are not secured tightly to the tool mount, the tools can end up with a certain degree of free play or wiggle room with respect to the tool mount. This can cause problems with the precise alignment of the tools and the part being manufactured, and is desirably avoided.
A second problem with the prior art tool mounts is the ease with which the tools and boom can be removed from the transfer press rail. In most manufacturing environments, it is desirable to change the tooling on the transfer press assembly line as easily as possible. In the past, the tool assembly has always been removed from the transfer press rail by moving the tool assembly out of the forward end of the tool mount. This can be a difficult task because the person changing the tool assembly is usually positioned behind the transfer press rail. The person therefore has to push the tool assembly away from himself or herself to remove it from the tool mount, and then must lift and pull it toward himself or herself in order to remove it from the transfer press. Also, there can be insufficient space between the die and tool assembly to push the tool assembly out far enough to disengage it from the tool mount, making it impossible to remove the tool until the die has been removed. In addition, the height of the transfer press rail can often be as high as five feet or more at the time the tool assembly is to be changed. Such heights can make it especially difficult for shorter people to push the tool assembly out of the receiver and then pull the assembly forward to remove it from the transfer press rail. The need for an improved tool mount which has both an improved tightness and ease of assembly and disassembly can therefore be seen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A transfer press tool mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a bayonet that has an opening for selectively receiving a boom. The boom is adapted to support one or more tools that are used to manipulate items being pressed by the transfer press. The tool mounting system further includes a receiver that has a front end and a back end. The receiver defines a channel for selectively receiving the bayonet. The channel has a width that decreases from either the back end to the forward end or from the forward end to the back end of the channel. The receiver is mounted to a transfer press rail, and the tool mounting system further includes a lock attached to either the bayonet or the receiver. The lock is movable between a locking and an unlocking position. In the locking position, the bayonet cannot be removed from the receiver, while in the unlocking position, the bayonet can be removed from the receiver.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a tool mount comprises a bayonet having a front end in which an opening is defined for selectively receiving a boom. The boom is adapted to support one or more tools that are used to manipulate items being pressed by the transfer press. The boom supports the tools in front of the bayonet. A receiver is provided that has a forward end and a back end. The receiver defines a channel for selectively receiving the bayonet. The receiver includes at least one wall which prevents the bayonet from being inserted into the forward end of the channel such that the front of the bayonet must be inserted into the back end of the channel in order to secure the bayonet to the receiver. The bayonet is thereby moved toward the back end of the receiver when the bayonet is to be removed from the receiver. The tool mount further includes a lock attached to either the bayonet or the receiver. The lock is movable between an unlocking position and a locking position. In the locking position, the bayonet cannot be removed from the receiver. In the unlocking position, the bayonet can be removed from the receiver.
According to another embodiment in the present invention, a transfer press tool mount is provided having a bayonet that includes an opening for selectively receiving a boom. A receiver is included that has at least two spaced sidewalls and a bottom plate. The spaced sidewalls and the bottom plate define, in combination, a channel for selectively receiving the bayonet. A lock is attached to the receiver and selectively prevents the bayonet from being removed from the receiver. The lock includes a latch attached to a shaft such that the latch selectively extends into the channel from the bottom plate when the shaft is rotated.
In various other embodiments, the tool mount may include one or more air passageways in the receiver and the bayonet which are in communication when the bayonet is inserted into the channel of the receiver. An electrical connector may also be mounted on the receiver and bayonet such that they are electrically coupled together when the bayonet is inserted into the channel of the receiver. In still other embodiments, the two sidewalls may extend upwardly from the bottom plate at an angle toward each other to thereby form a dovetail type of shape.
The tool mount of the present invention improves the ease of mounting and dismounting tool assemblies from the rail of a transfer press. The tapering width of the channel in the receiver provides for a generally tighter fit between the bayonet and receiver than prior art tool mounts. The channel of the receiver is also designed such that the bayonet must be inserted from the rear end of the receiver. Removal of the bayonet and attached tool assembly therefore can be accomplished by simply pulling the bayonet and tool assembly toward the user in one single motion. These and other benefits, results, and objects of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art, in light of the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


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patent: 5406

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