Joints and connections – Thread adaptor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-10
2001-08-14
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Thread adaptor
C403S381000, C403S320000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273635
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to assembly machines and more specifically to a mounting fixture for an assembly machine including a mounting cube defining a plurality of keyways, at least one key and a threaded fastener.
Automated assembly machines may be categorized according to the fundamental physical layout of the machine that is, whether it is rotary or linear. In a typical linear machine, a recirculating belt or chain carries a plurality of product fixtures sequentially and linearly along a plurality of adjacent, stationary work stations. In a rotary machine, the product fixtures are disposed upon a circular, typically horizontal, plate which rotates about a center, vertical axis and presents the fixtures to a plurality of stationary work stations. Numerous considerations such as the number of work stations, the number of product fixtures, the ratio between these two numbers, work station cycle times and other factors influence the decision to select one or the other of these types of machines to fabricate a given product.
Linear or straight line machines are illustrated in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,039,597 and 4,404,505. A rotary assembly machine is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,792.
While these machines provide exceptional control of the manufacturing process by virtue of their repeatability and operating tolerances, one difficulty shared by such machines, which is an outgrowth of their basic construction, is their dedication to a given manufacturing process. That is, a particular number of product fixtures and work stations necessary to produce a given product are relatively permanently arranged in such machines and are typically only broken down for repair or rebuilding. Clearly, during the period of repair or rebuilding of just a portion of such machine, the entire machine is unavailable for production. Furthermore, because of the unitary, dedicated construction of such machines, the ability to relatively quickly add or remove a certain process or tool fixture to add or delete a certain process step, is generally unavailable.
Hence, it has been found desirable in this general class of machines to have the flexibility of addition and deletion. Specifically, it has been found desirable to provide fixtures for such modules which facilitate not only rapid and accurate mounting of components and assemblies to the assembly machines but also rapid and simplified substitution or replacement of fixtures. The present invention is directed to providing such flexibility in linear assembly machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A mounting fixture for a reconfigurable assembly machine having a plurality of modules with slots formed in their upper surfaces includes a hollow brick or cube having a plurality of intersecting keyways on the faces or surfaces of the cube. One of the keyways receives a first, locating key which is also received in the throat of the slots formed in the upper surface of the assembly machine module. The locating key includes a through opening which receives a threaded fastener having a head held captive in the T-slot. The key accurately positions the cube relative to the slot on the assembly machine module and the threaded fastener secures the cube thereto. The parallelism and perpendicularity of the various faces of the cube are highly accurate. Various assembly and testing components of the assembly machine are attached to the various remaining perpendicular and parallel (vertical and horizontal) faces or surfaces of the cube.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mounting fixture in the shape of a cube for a reconfigurable assembly machine.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mounting fixture for an assembly machine module defining perpendicular and parallel surfaces which accurately orthogonally and securely support diverse assembly and testing devices on an assembly machine module.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a mounting fixture in the shape of a cube for a reconfigurable assembly machine having a plurality of keyways which receive complementarily configured locating keys.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a mounting fixture in the shape of a cube having an integrally formed key projecting therefrom.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a mounting fixture in the shape of a cube for a reconfigurable assembly machine having a locating key which is received within complementarily configured channels in the fixture and the module.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a mounting fixture in the shape of a cube for a reconfigurable assembly machine having a threaded fastener extending through a locating key.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiment and appended drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same element, component or feature.
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Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Browne Lynne H.
Swanson Systems Inc.
Walsh John B.
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