US3029957A - Handling device for presses - Google Patents

Description

8 Sheets-Sheet l H. S. FREEMAN ET AL HANDLING DEVICE FOR PRESSES l@lllll|llll April 17, 1962 Filed Jan.

April 17, 1962 H. s FREEMAN ET AL HANDLING DEVICE FOR PRESSES 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 10, 1958 April 1962 H s. FREEMAN ETAL 3,029,957

HANDLING DEVICE FOR PRESSES 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 10, 195B H. m M uUL" T n L 5 L a? W w a 5 l4 5 "M-" X H a 7, W

. w m P W m? Mm r fly 4 y x H 1 1 m 5 4 4 April 1962 H. s. FREEMAN ET AL 3,029,957

HANDLING DEVICE FOR PRESSES Filed Jan. 10, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 17, 19 H. s. FREEMAN ETAL HANDLING DEVICE FOR PRESSES 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 10, 1958 Harry 6% AzzrrXZer'r TCII April 1962 H. s. FREEMAN ETAL 3,029,957

HANDLING DEVICE FOR PRESSES Filed Jan. 10, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 April 17, 1962 H. s. FREEMAN ET AL 3,029,957

HANDLING DEVICE FOR PRESSES Filed Jan. 10, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 7! d \WNTORG.

471 6 reemaz I f/arry K217717971 E-J-E- 3,029,957 HANDLING DEVICE FUR PRESSES Harvey S. Freeman, 29553 Lochmoor, Farmington, Mich, and Harry G. Kunkler, Warren, Mich; said Kuukler assignor to said Freeman Filed Jan. 10, 1958, Ser- No. 708,133 16 Claims. (Cl. 214-11) This invention relates to handling devices for presses or similar machines, and more particularly to arrangements for loading blanks into a press, extracting the formed blanks, and shuttling workpieces between a series of presses.

The increasing use of automatic and other high production equipment in various manufacturing processes has made it necessary to seek ways of decreasing the handlint time in press operations, especially in cases where workpieces are formed progressively by a series of presses, or where pressed or stamped parts are intended for use in an assembly which includes other high production parts. It has been found that the major limitations on press production have been imposed by the time taken to load blanks into a press, extract them from the press, and transfer workpieces between presses which are in series. Although loading, extracting and shuttling devices for press workpieces have been used in the past, such devices have had various drawbacks in terms of their lack of versatility, cumbersome and expensive nature, and inability to maintain high speed and accuracy under adverse operating conditions.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of previously known press handling devices, and to provide a press handling unit which will greatly increase the speed with which blanks may be loaded, extracted, and shuttled between presses under a variety of operating conditions.

It is another object to provide an improved press handling device of this nature which is extremely versatile and may be used alternatively as a press loader, an extractor, or a transfer device without the necessity of modifying the constrction of the basic operating unit, and with a minimum number of changes in the support ing structure for the basic unit.

It is a further object to provide an improved press handling unit of the above character which is inexpensive to fabricate and which will maintain a high degree of accuracy even after long periods of use.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an overall side elevational view of the primary unit of the invention, shown without supporting structure or workpiece-engaging accessories in the position in which it is held when used as a loader or shuttle;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the left-hand portion of the primary unit shown in FIGURE 1, illustrating the idler sprocket and its adjacent guide;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the right-hand portion of the primary unit of FIGURE 1, showing the driven sprocket and the power transmitting elements, together with the link and carriage;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the primary unit, parts being broken away, showing the carriage rollers and supporting tracks;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3 and showing the manner in which the offset link is connected to the chain and carriage;

7 FIGURE 6 is a rear elevational view of the primary States Patent 0 3,029,957" Patented Apr. 17, 1962 unit, parts being broken away, and showing the manner in which the sprocket adjusting bolts are supported.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the primary unit with the motor assembly removed, showing the slidable supports for the adjustable sprocket subassembly and the supporting structure for the end guides;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 2 and showing the construction of the intermediate chain guides;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view showing the primary unit mounted in the base frame for use as a shuttle or transfer device;

FIGURE 10 is a front elevational view, parts being broken away, of the assembly shown in FIGURE 9 and illustrating the position of the forward supporting beam;

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view of the primary unit and loading frame assembled on the base frame for use as a press loader, together with a work gripping attachment mounted on the carriage;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing the work gripping device;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the carriage and the attached work gripper, together with one of the bed plates for supporting the blank;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the assembly shown in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 15 is a side elevational view, parts being broken away, showing the primary unit mounted for use as an extractor;

FIGURE 16 is a front elevational view of the extractor assembly shown in FIGURE 15, taken in the direction of the arrow 16 of FIGURE 15 and showing the inverted U-shape of the supporting frames;

FIGURE 17 is a view similar to FIGURE 16 showing a modified form of supporting frame for the extractor which is C-shaped;

FIGURE 18 is a side elevational view of a further modification of the extractor supporting means for mounting on the column of a press; and

FIGURE 19 is a front elevational view, partsbeing broken away, of a modified form of primary unit similar in principle to the first embodiment but incorporating two chains and two links for use with heavier or larger workpieces.

In general terms, the invention comprises an integrally constructed basic or primary unit which is capable of assembly as a complete package with any of various supporting units for use alternatively as a loader for feeding successive blanks into a press, an extractor which may pull formed blanks from between the dies, or a shuttle for transferring workpieces, for example between presses which are in series. The primary unit comprises a frame having an electric motor mounted on one side thereof and a carriage supported for reciprocating movement on the other side. A pair of sprockets are supported on spaced parallel axes within the frame, and an endless chain is mounted on these sprockets, one of which is driven by the motor. A link connects one point on the chain with the carriage, the link being offset from the plane of the chain so that continuous movement of the chain in one direction will cause reciprocating movement of the carriage on its tracks.

Novel means are provided for connecting the link to the chain in such a way as to minimize unbalanced loads due to the offset position of the link which might cause wear in the bearing connections and subsequent inaccuracy in the positions of the carriage. In order to insure properlocation of the carriage and its attached workpiece-engaging means at the ends of the stroke, as Well as to prevent undue stress on the chain, novel guide means are provided which are effective as the carriage is decelerated to absorb the inertia loading and accurately position the parts. The guidemeans is soconstructedas to maintain this accuracy even when the distance between the sprockets is adjusted to'compensate for lack of chain tautness. A novel intermediate guide construction is also provided for minimizing the forces imposed by the link on the chain during movement of the carriage in either direction, and to prevent undue chain sag.

When the primary unit is to be used as a loader or shuttle, it-is mounted on a supporting base frame with the carriage on top, so that a pushing orgripping device .secured to the carriage may engage the blank. When used as a loader, a loading framemay be mounted on the base frame adjacent the primary unit to facilitate handlingof blanks taken from a stock pile to be fed into the press. When used as a shuttle, the loading frame .may be removed and the carriage provided with dogs or similar workpiece-engaging devices. In order to use the primary unit as an extractor, it is inverted so that the car- .riage is at the bottom, and an extractor gripping device .secured to the carriage. The primary unit when used as appropriately placed on the primary unit frame in order vto haltthe carriage .at one or more locations in order to carry out the functions of the assembly, and other elecrtrical or fluid controls may be utilized for operating the workpiece-gripping accessories.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the primary unit is shown best in FIGURES 1-8 and is generally indicated by the reference numeral 21. This unit comprises an elongated frame generally indicated at 22 which is of box-like construction, with a pair of longitudinalbeams 23 and24, shown on the underside of the frame in FIGURES 1-8, and a secondpair of longitudinal beams 25' and 26 on the upper side of the frame in ,these figures. A pair of vertical members 27 and 28 extend between these two pairs of longitudinal members, member 27 connecting adjacent ends of members 23 and 25 whilemember 28 connects adjacent ends of members 24 and 26. Another pair of vertical members 29 and 31 extend upwardly from the other ends of members 23 and 24 respectively and are secured to the undersides of members 25 and 26. Intermediate vertical members 32 may also beprovided between the upper and lower longitudinal members for stiffening purposes. Members 25 and 26 extend past vertical members 29 and 31 for some distance, as seen in FIGURES l and 3, with inclined members 33 and 34 extending between the ends of memadditional longitudinal member 37 extends between cross members 35 and 36 at the upper side of the frame, member 37 being closer to member 25 than to member 26. Member 37 is used to support parts of the primary unit as will be described below. .All the frame members may be of box girder or other appropriate construction and may be secured together by welding or similar fastening means.

Secured to one side of frame 22 is an electric motor 38 which drives a gear reducer 39 through a clutch and brake assembly 41 and a flexible coupling 42. The motor, gear reducer and clutch and brake assembly are securedto a mounting plate 43 which in turn is attached to frame 22 by means of a bracket 44 connected to lower cross member 36 and a beam 45 extending between intermediate portions of frame members 23 and 24. It will be noted that the motor and its associated parts are located entirely on one side of frame 22 so as not to occupy space within the confines of the frame, and that the common axis of the motor, clutch and brake assembly and gear reducer is aligned with the longitudinal extent of th frame.

The output gear or sprocket 46 of speed reducer 39 drives a chain 47 which engages a sprocket 48 on a shaft 49 mounted within frame 22. More specifically, shaft 49 is supported by a pair of bearings 51 and 52 which are mounted adjacent one end of the frame. Bearings 5.1 and 52 are secured in spaced relation to a plate 53 which overlaps andis attached to a plate 54, the latter plate being secured to frame members 25 and 37 as seen in FIGURE4. Sprocket 48 is secured to shaft 49 between bearings 51 and 52, apertures 55 and 56 being provided in plates 53 and 54 respectively for clearance purposes. A sprocket 57 is secured to shaft 49 which extends inwardly from hearing 52, this sprocket being in a plane substantially midway between the two sides of the frame.

An idler sprocket 58 is mounted at the other end of frame 22, this sprocket being of the same diameter as driven sprocket 57 and in a common plane therewith. Sprocket 58 is secured to a shaft 59 which is supported by a pair of bearings 61 and 62. These bearings are secured to a plate 63 which is slidably mounted on a bed plate 64 by means of a plurality of slots 65 in plate 63 and set screws 66 extending through slots 65 and threaded in bed plate 64, as shown in FIGURE 7. The latter plate is secured to beams 25 and 37, similarly to plate 54. An endless link chain 67 is mounted on sprockets 57 and 58, the chain being substantially tautly mounted on these sprockets which are of such diameter that the straight runs of the chain are adjacent the upper and lower portions of frame 22.

Chain 67 isadapted to reciprocate a carriage generally indicated at 68 by means of a link 69 which connects the chain and carriage. Link 69 is offset from the plane of chain 67 and is connected thereto by means of a pair of connecting plates 71 and 72 of triangular shape which are secured to two adjacent pins 73 on the chain, the plates being engageable with the outsides of the chain links as shown in FIGURE 5. Plates 71 and 72 carry a pair of bushings 74 and 75 respectively, and a pin 76 extends through these bushings and is rotatable therein. Pin 76 extends outwardly from plate 72, and an enlarged portion 77 of link 69 is fixed to pin 76. The end of pin 76 adjacent link end 77 is provided with a head 73, and a nut 79 is threaded on the other end of the shaft to hold the parts in position. Thrust washers 80 are also provided between plates 71 and 72 and their adjacent elements. It should be noted that due to the fact that the bearing supports for pin 76 are relatively close to and on both sides of the centerline of chain 67, the unbalanced loads imposed on bushings 74 and 75 by the offset nature of link 69 will be kept to a minimum, with relatively little wear and subsequent looseness in the bearings.

Link 69 extends between frame members 26 and 37, the outer end 81 of the link being bent laterally and carrying an apertured extension 82 in the same plane as chain 67. A pin 83 extends through a bushing 84 in extension 82 and serves to secure carriage 68 to the outer end of link 69, the location of the bushing in the same plane as chain 67 serving to prevent twisting forces from being applied to the chain. Carriage 68 comprises a platform 85 which carries a pair of spaced lugs 86 on one side thereof as seen in FIGURE 4, link extension 82 being disposed between lugs 86 which have apertures for the reception of pin 83. Carriage 68 is supported for reciprocating movement by a pair of tracks or rails 87 and 88 which are carried by brackets generally indicated at 89 and secured to frame 22 at spaced locations therealong. More specifically, brackets 89 are secured along the outer edges of frame 22 on the side thereof opposite that which carries motor 38, the brackets each comprising a plate 91 secured to the frame by means of a pad 92, and an upstanding plate 93, with a gusset plate 94 reinforcing these plates. Rail supports 95 are secured to the inwardly facing surfaces of bracket plates 93, and carry rails 87 and 88 which are of rectangular cross section. The corners of carriage platform 85 carry four pairs of rollers 96 and 97 by means of brackets 98, these rollers engaging opposite sides of rails 87 and 88. To prevent substantial lateral movement of the carriage, additional rollers 99 are carried by each of brackets 98, these rollers engaging the inwardly facing surfaces of rails 87 and 88. It should be noted that the position of carriage platform 85 is such that it is completely exposed, and is adapted to removably support different types of workpiece-engaging accessories as will be later described. In addition, platform 85 may have secured thereto a switch actuating arm 101 capable of operating a limit or safety switch such as that indicated at 102 in FIGURE 4 which may be secured to an appropriate bracket 89, in order that the drive may be halted or otherwise controlled at specific carriage locations.

Means are provided in primary unit 21 for maintaining the accuracy of the limiting positions of carriage 68 and for preventing excessive forces on chain 67 when the link connection is either in its straight or curved portions of travel. It will be evident from an examination of the figures that while carriage 63 is in intermediate portions of its travel in either direction, a lateral force will be exerted on chain 67 in the plane thereof which might tend to greatly increase the tensile stresses in the chain and thus cause rapid loosening or wear. With the chain moving clockwise as shown in FIGURES l-3, these forces would be toward the inside of the chain. At the ends of the carriage stroke, the link and chain have to decelerate and counteract the inertia of the carriage and its connected parts which would tend to cause overtravel, with a subsequent loss of accuracy in the limiting positions of the carriage and an increase in the tensile force on the chain.

In accordance with the present invention, a pair of inner guides 103 and 104 and a pair of outer guides 105 and 106 are provided along the straight runs of chain 67 between sprockets 57 and 58. These guides are carried by a plurality of spaced brackets 107 which are secured by plates 108 to pads 109, seen in FIGURE 8, the pads in turn being secured between frame members 25 and 37. Gusset plates 111 may be provided between brackets 107 and plates 108 for reinforcing purposes. Guides 103 and 104 are of rectangular cross section and are carried by supports 112 which extend inwardly from bracket 107. The outwardly facing surfaces of guides 103 and 104- are engageable with the rollers of chain 67 to prevent substantial inward movement of the chain, thus resisting the forces exerted on link 69 by the carriage and its connected parts. Guides 105 and 106 are of angular cross section, with one leg of each guide being secured to an outer portion of bracket 107 and the other leg extending over chain 67. A plurality of rollers 113 are secured at spaced locations along chain 67 by means of short arms 114 which extend outwardly from the chain, as seen in FIGURE 8. These rollers are adpated to engage the inwardly facing surfaces of guides 105 and 106 so that substantial outward movement or sag of chain 67 will be prevented. A roller 115 is provided on pin 76 between connecting plates 71 and 72, as seen in FIGURE 5, this roller being engageable with outside guides 105 and 106. The outermost portion of roller 115 is a slightly greater distance from chain 67 than the outermost portions of rollers 113, in order that roller 115 may cooperate with the end guides as described below.

End guides are provided which partially surround sprockets 57 and 58 in order to maintain accurate positioning of carriage 68 at the ends of its stroke. The guide adjacent sprocket 57 is indicated at 116, as seen in FIG- URES 3 and 7, and is secured to a plate 117 which in turn is attached to the outer edge of an extension 118 of plate 53, reinforcing webs 119 and 121 extending between these two plates. Guide 116 is in the plane of chain 67 and has an arcuate face 122 concentric with sprocket 57, so that roller 115 may engage the guide when carriage 68 reaches its limiting position. Plate 117 may be provided with an arcuate edge 123 of slightly larger diameter than edge 122 of guide 116 for clearance purposes.

A second end guide 124 is provided adjacent idler spocket 58, as seen in FIGURES 2 and 7. A supporting plate 125 is provided to which guide 124 is secured, plate 125 being attached to one edge of an extension 126 of plate 6.3, with reinforcing webs 127 and 128 extending between plates 63 and 125. Roller 115 will be engageable with end guides 116 and 124 at the ends of the carriage stroke, the forces exerted on link 69 by the decelerating carriage thus being transmitted to frame 22 without imparting excessive stresses to the chain or causing variations in the end positions of the carriage.

Means are provided for adjusting sprocket 58 in a direetion toward or away from sprocket 57 in order to maintain proper tautness in chain 67. This means comprises a pair of adjusting bolts 129 and 131 which are secured at one end to a plate 132 extending between frame memers 27 and 28, as seen in FIGURES 2, 6 and 7. The adjusting bolts are secured to plate 132 by nuts 133 and to reinforcing web 127 by nuts 134 and collars 135. By proper adjustment of bolts 129 and 131, it will be seen that the sub-assembly which includes sprocket 58 and end guide 124 may. be adjusted toward and away from sprocket 57. It should be observed that since sprocket 58, guide 124 and their supporting members form a unitary sub-assembly slidably supported by clamping screws 66 and slots 65, the relative distance between the sprocket axis and the arcuate guide will not vary, thus maintaining the accuracy of movement of link 69 due to the engagement of roller with the end guide.

In order to enable primary unit 21 to be supported in the various positions required for operation as a loader, shuttle device or extractor, a pair of pads 136 are provided at the junctures of frame members 25 and 26 with upper frame member 35. These pads project outwardly from the frame as seen best in FIGURES 2 and 7, and may be reinforced by gusset plates 137. A second pair of pads 138 are secured to frame members 25 and 26 facing the triangular spaces formed by diagonal braces 32 and 33, as seen in FIGURE 3. Pads 138 extend laterally from the framemembers to which they are attached and are reinforced by gusset plates 139. It will be understood that these or similar pads could be placed at other locations on frame 22 in accordance with the principles of the invention in order to provide appropriate supporting locations for the primary unit for the purposes described below.

FIGURES 9 and 10 illustrate the use of primary unit 21 as a transfer or shuttle device which may be disposed, for example, between two presses intended to operate in succession on workpieces. The primary unit is supported by a wheeled base frame generally indicated at 141, which comprises a pair of longitudinal frame members 142 and transverse frame members 143 supported by casters 144. A pair of posts 145 extend upwardly from the corners at one end of frame 141 and are provided with pads 146 at their upper ends. A second pair of posts 147 extend upwardly from the other end of frame 141, these posts being somewhat higher than posts 145 and supporting a cross bar 148 having pads 149 on intermediate portions thereof. A pair of rails 150 extend longitudinally between posts 145 and 147 and are spaced above frame members 142. The length of base frame 141 is such that the main portion of primary unit 21 may be accommodated therein between posts 145 and 147, as seen in FIGURE 9. The width of frame 141 is preferably substantially wider than that of primary unit 21 in order that the base frame may be used to support transfer rails as described below.

Secured to carriage 68 of primary unit 21 is a shuttle dog supporting plate 151 which carries a pair of pivoted dogs 152 at the forward end thereof and a second pair of dogs 153 at the rearward end of the plate. Each of spaces? dogs 152 and 153 is pivotally supported by a pin 154 carried by a pair of side rails 155 secured to plate 151, and each dog is movable between a workpiece/engaging position, as shown in FIGURE 9, and a lower or retracted position. A weight 156 is secured t one end of each dog to urge it to its workpiece-engaging position, in which position it is held by a stop 157 secured to plate 151. While in this position, rightward movement of carriage 68, as seen in FIGURE 9, will cause the upper ends of dogs 152 and 153 to engage a workpiece such as that shown in dot-dash lines at 158 in FIG- URE 10.

In order to slidably support workpieces 158, a pair of supporting rails 159 extend alongside dogs 152 and 153, these rails being of tubular shape in the illustrated embodiment. Rails 159 are carried above base frame 161 by means of posts 161, the lower ends of which are secured by slotted connections 162 to frame rails 15%). Rails 159 may thus be adjusted to the proper height at which workpieces 158 should be carried in order to be properly engaged by dogs 152 and 153.

In order to assemble primary unit 21 to base frame 141, a supporting beam 163 is provided, this beam having a pair of pads 164 at its outer ends engageable with pads 146 of the base frame. In order to assemble the primary unit to the base frame, pads 136 of the primary unit are brought to rest on pads 149 of base frame 141, and beam 163 is inserted in the triangular space formed by frame members 32 and 33 of the primary unit. Beam 163 is provided with a pair of upwardly facing pads 165 which are engageable with pads 138 of the primary unit, so that in its final position both ends of the primary unit will be supported by base frame 141, as seen in FIG- URES 9 and 10. It should be observed that electric motor 38 and its connected parts may depend below the level of frame members 142 and 143, casters 144 being of suficient height for this purpose. It should also be noted that since the inclined end of primary unit 21 may project some distance beyond base frame 141 at one end thereof, the shuttle may be located in close conjunction with another workpiece handling device such as a belt conveyor.

In operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URES 9 and 10, primary unit 21 together with base frame 141 will be positioned in a desired location so that rails 159 may receive successive workpieces 158 coming from the left-hand side of the assembly, as shown in FIGURE 9. Properly selected limit or safety switches may be provided in order that electric motor 38 and clutch and brake unit 41 may be actuated in any shuttle cycle desired. Assuming that the parts are initially in the position shown in FIGURE 9, actuation of the drive will cause sprocket 57 to be driven clockwise, as seen in FIGURE 9, driving chain 67. Link 69 will be drawn to the left together with carriage 68 and pawls 152 and 153. Assuming that a workpiece 158 is resting on rails 159 to the left of pawls 153, the latter will be cammed downwardly as they pass under the workpiece and will be lifted by weights 156 as the left-hand edge of the workpiece is passed. Continued movement of chain 67 will cause the connected end of link 69 to travel around idler sprocket 58, thus causing the pawls to halt their rearward movement and begin forward movement. Pawls 153 will push workpiece 158 to the right; so that upon the next leftward movement of carriage 68, pawls 152 may pick up the workpiece and carry it further to the right, pawls 153 meanwhile picking up a second workpiece which has arrived on rails 159. For this purpose, the distance between dogs 152 and 153 should be so chosen with respect to thelength of travel of carriage 68 and the length of workpiece 158 as to insure proper engagement of the workpieces by both sets of dogs. It should be observed that additional pairs of dogs could be mounted on intermediate portions of plate 151 or bars 155, dependingupon the requirements ofthegparticular job setup.

During leftward movement of carriage 68, a tension force will exist in link 69, and this force will be taken up by engagement of chain 67 with guide 183. Rightward movement of carriage 68 will impose a compressive force on link 69 which will be transmitted through chain 67 to guide 104. Due to the fixed nature of the connection between link 69 and pin 76, and the location of bearings 74 and 75 aspreviously described, unbalanced loads on the bearings due to the offset nature of link 69 will be held to a minimum. Engagement of roller 15 with guides 116-and 124 will Prevent excessive forces from being imposed on chain 67 as carriage 68 is decelerated at each end of its stroke, and will insure accurate positioning of the carriage and pawls. Rollers 113 carried by chain 67 will engage guides and 106 to prevent undue lateral movement of the chain on its upper and lower runs. Should it be desired to adjust the distance between the two sprocket axes in order to main tain proper chain tautness, this may be done by means of adjusting bolts 129 and 131 after loosening bolts 66. The idler sprocket sub-assembly which includes slidable plate 63 and end guide 124 will move as a unit, thus maintaining the proper relationship between end guide 124 and sprocket 53.

FIGURES 11-14 illustrate an alternative arrangement in which primary unit 21 is used as a loader for feeding blanks into a press. The arrangement includes base frame 141 and primary unit 21 which is supported by the base frame in the same manner as described with respect to the shuttle arrangement of FIGURES 9 and 10, beam 163 being disposed at the forward end of the primary unit. A loading frame generally indicated at 166 surmounts base frame 141, the loading frame being provided in order to permit blanks to be fed by an operator from a stockpile onto the loader. Frame 166 comprises a pair of forward posts 167 having pads 168 at their lower ends engageable with pads 169 which are provided on beam 163 at the outer ends thereof, as seen in FIGURE 14. The loading frame also has a pair of rear posts 171 provided with pads 172 adapted to rest on pads 143 of base frame 141. A pair of laterally spaced blank-supporting plates 173 are carried by the forward portion of loading frame 166, these platforms extending outwardly from posts 167 as seen in FIGURE 14 and being supported by diagonal braces 174. More specifically, a pair of outrigger beams 175 are carried by the outer ends of bracing members 174 and are connected to a forward cross member 176 as seen in FIGURE 13. Side walls 177 are provided along the outer edges of plates 173, t ese walls being flared outwardly at their rearward ends as indicated at 178 to facilitate passage of and to guide the blank. An inclined ramp 179 may also be provided, this ramp being supported rearwardly of plates 173 by means of posts 181'at the forward end of the ramp and posts 171 at the rearward end. Posts 181 may be sup ported at their lower ends by a pair of longitudinal frame members 182 which form part of the loading frame and extend between posts 167 and 171.

In order to properly grip and push blanks which drop onto spaced plates 173 from ramp 179, the arrangement illustrated in FIGURES 11-14 utilizes a gripping pusher generally indicated at 183 which is mounted on platform 85 of carriage 68, it being understood that other conventional types of pushing devices could be used. The gripping pusher is best seen in FIGURES ll, 12 and I3. and includes a cross bar 184 which is removably secured to platform 35 and extends laterally from the sides thereof. The outer ends of cross bar 184 carry two pairs of spaced angle-shaped clips 185, and a fixed jaw 186 is secured between each of said pairs of clips and extends forwardly, as seen in FIGURE 12. The outer ends of these jaws carry anvils 187 and, immediately behind these anvils, pairs of upstanding stops 138 against which a workpiece indicated in dot-dash lines at 189 .will abut when the gripping pusher is moved forwardly. More specifically, anvil 187 is provided with an inclined surface 191 which will enable it to slide under the edge of workpiece 189 which will then engage stops 188.

Pivoted on pins 192 carried by the two pairs of clips 185 are two movable jaws 193, the forward ends of these jaws carrying gripping buttons 194 adapted to engage the upper serrated surfaces 195 of anvils 187 and capable of being retracted upwardly therefrom when arms 193 are pivoted counterclockwise as seen in FIG- URE 12. The rear ends of jaws 193 are slotted, as indicated at 196, and a pair of bell cranks 197 carry pins 198 disposed within these slots in order to actuate jaws 193 between their retracted and gripping positions.

Bell cranks 197 are mounted on pivots 199 which are carried by the ends of rearwardly extending arms 201 formed on crossbar 184. The lower ends of bell cranks 15 7 are connected by pins 292 to the piston rod-s 2413 of a pair of double-acting cylinders 204 which are rockably supported below the outer ends of crossbar 184 by trunnions 205. When piston rods 203 are extended, bell cranks 197 will be in their full line position as shown in FIGURE 12, thus causing gripping buttons 1% to be in their gripping position. counterclockwise rotation of hell cranks 197 by retraction of piston rods 203 will move the bell cranks to their dotdash line position, rocking jaws 193 counterclockwise to their retracted position.

In operation of the arrangement shown in FIGURES 1l14, the assembly will be provided with appropriate limit and safety switches together with controls for op erating cylinders 2114 For example, it may be desired that with the parts initially in the position shown in FIG- URE 11, the jaws of gripping pusher 183 be opened and the pusher retracted to the left in response to raising of the press ram which has formed the previous blank, and after a new blank has been loaded onto ramp 179 and slid down into proper position on plates 173. As gripping pusher 1&2 moves to the left, jaws 193 will slide under the new blank which is held against rearward movement by posts 181. When gripping pusher 182 has been retracted to the left of posts 181, the blank will drop into flush relation on plates 173 in front of the pusher jaws which will begin to advance after the connection between link 69 and chain 67 passes around idler sprocket d. The rearward edge of the blank will slide upwardly on the inclined portion of anvil 137 and engage stops 188, further rightward movement of the gripping pusher moving the blank along with it. At this portion of the cycle, the right-hand ends of cylinders 2134 may be pressurized under the control of an appropriate limit switch to extend piston rods 203, thus rocking jaws 193 clockwise to grip the blank. When the gripping pusher reaches the forward end of its stroke, it may be stopped by another limit switch, the blank being halted in a precise position due to the fact that it is still gripped by pusher 182 which, in turn, is located accurately by engagement of roller 115 with end guide 116 as previously described. To release the blank, jaws 193 will be retracted by a control which pressurizes the left-hand ends of cylinders 2134. It should be observed that the features of the invention which insure accurate movement and prevent undue stresses on chain 67 or its connection with carriage 69 will function in the same manner as described with respect to the arrangement of FIG- URES 9 and 10.

FIGURES and 16 show primary unit 21 adapted for use as an extractor in order to remove formed blanks from between the dies of a press, one side of which is indicated schematically by the dot-dash line 206 in FIG- URE 15. Extraction of the workpiece is accomplished by an extractor jaw assembly generally indicated at 2137 of conventional construction carried by primary unit 21. Jaw assembly 2117 may be precisely adjusted to grip one edge of the workpiece while it rests in the press and to pull the workpiece out so that it may be dropped, for

example, onto a belt conveyor 2118 supported above the floor by uprights 209 on one side of the press.

In order to utilize primary unit 21 as an extractor, it is inverted from the position in which it is used as a loader or shuttle, so that carriage 63 is on the underside of the unit. Extractor jaw assembly 207 is mounted on carriage 63 and is so adjusted that when the carriage is in its left-hand position, as shown in FIGURE 15, jaws 211 of the extractor will be properly positioned with respect to the formed blank within the press. It should be observed in this respect that the inclined na-. ture of the end of the primary unit frame adjacent press side 206 will enable the primary unit to be brought relatively close to the press without interfering with the press parts, thus permitting the extractor jaws to properly grip the blank.

The supporting means for primary unit 21 shown in FIGURES 15 and 16 comprise two supporting frames generally indicated at 212 and 213 of inverted U-shape, these supporting frames being fabricated in any appropriate manner. The central leg 214 of frame 212 is engageable with pads 138 on primary unit 21, being fastened thereto by bolts 215. Central leg 216 of frame 213 is similarly fastened to pads 136 of the primary unit. The

vertical legs of frame 212 are somewhat longer than those of frame 213, the frames being provided with feet 217 for engagement with the floor on opposite sides of conveyor 2198. Primary unit 21 will thus be held in a horizontal position so that retractor jaw assembly 2117 may be reciprocated from a ready position adjacent the press to an extract position above conveyor 208.

In operation of the embodiment shown in FIGURES l5 and 16, the assembly comprising primary unit 21, extractor jaw assembly 267, and supporting frames 212 and 213 will be provided with appropriate limit switches and other control elements for carrying out the extractor cycle. This may include control means for stopping carriage 68 at the left-hand end of its stroke as seen in FIG- URE 15. As the press ram begins to rise, a first limit switch operated by the ram will actuate extractor jaws 211 to grip the workpiece. Additional switch means operated by the ram as it continues its upward movement will cause motor 38 to drive chain 67 clockwise in FIGURE 15, causing link6 to draw carriage 68 to the right toward its extract position. At the same time, additional control means operated by the upwardly moving ram may operate a load-er to feed another blank into position between the dies. As carriage 68 approaches its extract position, jaws 211 will be opened by means of appropriate controls to release the workpiece onto conveyor 268, the carriage and its attached gripping device then returning to their ready position. If desired, additional safety switch means may be provided to insure opening of jaws 211 upon return of the carriage to its ready position.

FIGURE 17 shows a modified form of supporting means for primary unit 21 when used as an extractor, this arrangement being especially suitable for use as a portable assembly which may be conveniently moved into position above a conveyor. Two supporting frames generally indicated at 218 and 219 respectively are provided in this embodiment, these frames each being of C-shaped configuration and having casters 221 so that they may be rolled along the floor. The upper leg 222 of frame 218 is secured to pads 138 of primary unit 21 by bolts 223, whereas upper leg 224 of frame 219 is secured to pads 136 by fasteners 225. Appropriate reinforcing members 226 may be provided at the corners of frames 218 and 219 additional reinforcing means (not shown) between the frames, if desired. It will be noted that with this arrangement, the assembly comprising primary unit 21 and frames 218 and 219 may be rolled as a unit along the factory floor and into position adjacent a conveyor 227, the lower legs of the frame extending beneath the conveyor between its supports 228.

11 FIGURE 18 shows still another arrangement for supporting primary unit 21 for use as an extractor, this arrangement being specially adapted for mountingon the column 229 of a press 231 which is partially shown in FIGURE 18. The supporting means comprises two pairs of links 232 and 233, links 232 being pivotally connected at 234 to column 229 of the press, and pivotally connected at their other ends 235 to an intermediate portion of primary unit 21. More specifically, brackets 236 may be secured to frame members 23 and 24 for connection with links 232. Links 233 are pivotally connected at 237 to column 229 some distance below pivotal connections 234, and are pivotally connected at their other ends to primary unit 21 by pivot connections 238. The latter connections may be supported by brackets 239 secured to frame members 23 and 24 of the primary unit. A pair of pistons and cylinder 241 may be pivotally connected at 242 to column 229 and connected at their other ends to intermediate portions of links 232, as indicated by the pivotal connection 243. Appropriate control means may be provided for extending or retracting pistons and cylinders 241 in order to properly select the height at which primary unit 21 is supported, and to retract the assembly to the position shown in dot-dash lines when it is not in use. It will be observed that with the arrangement shown in FIGURE 18, the space below primary unit 21 is entirely unobstructed, thus enabling this space to be used for other purposes.

FlGURE 19 shows another embodiment of the invention which is similar in principle to that previously described but which is specially adapted for use with heavier or larger workpieces. The primary unit, which is shown in the position which it will assume when used as a loader or shuttle, is generally indicated at 244 and comprises a frame generally indicated at 245 which is constructed in a manner similar to the frame of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1-8. The electric motor and its conected driving eiements are partially indicated at 246, and are suspended below lower portion 247 of frame 245 in FIGURE 19. Motor assembly 246 drives a chain 248 which is connected to a sprocket 249 on a shaft 251 rotatably supported by bearings 252 and 253. These bearings are secured, through means described below, to longitudinal beams 254 and 255 respectively which extend along the upper side of frame 245. Sprocket 229 is secured to shaft 251 between bearings 252 and 253, and sprockets 256 and 257 are secured to the outer ends of shaft 251. Chains 258 and 259 respectively are mounted on sprockets 256 and 257, and are supported by idler sprockets (not visible in FIGURE 19) at the other end of frame 245, in a manner similar to chain 67 of the previous embodiment. Connected to chains 258 and 259 are links 261 and 262 respectively, these links being offset from the planes of the chains to which they are connected toward the outside of the frame. The upper ends 263 and 264 respectively of links 261 and 262 are offset from the main portions of the links so as to be in the planes of their respective chain and are pivotally connected to a carriage 265. These connections are by means of downwardly extending brackets 266 secured to the underside of platform 267 on carriage 265. The carriage is mounted for reciprocation on a pair of tracks 263 mounted on brackets 269 which are secured to the upper side of frame 245.

Primary unit 244 is also provided with arcuate end guides adjacent the sprockets, one such guide 27 L being visible in FIGURE 19. Each end guide is supported by a plate such as that indicated at 272, the plates at each end of the unit being connected by a vertical web 273 and a horizontal cross plate 274, bearings 252 and 253 also being secured to the latter plate. Plate 274- may be secured to members 254 and 255 of frame 245 by a bed plate 275. At the idler sprocket end of the unit (not visible in FIGURE 19), the subassembly including plates 273 and 274, the idler sprockets and their end guides may be slida'oly mounted for adjusting purposes, as in the previous embodiment. Inner and outer intermediate guides 276 and 277 respectively are also provided, these guides being supported by a plurality of brackets 278 which are secured to frame members 254 and 255 by means (not shown) similar to that previously described. Appropriate pads such as those indicated at 279 are secured to frame 245 in a manner similar to those of the previous embodiment, so that primary unit 244 may be properly supported by frames of the type described above for use as a loader, shuttle or extractor.

it should be noted, with respect to the embodiment of FIGURE 19, that the dual drive for carriage 265 will permit a much Wider carriage to be used, the workpieceengaging accessories secured to the carriage being of correspondingly larger dimensions. Despite the provision of two links and chains for driving the carriage, the driving train for these chains and links is exceptionally simple, without the necessity of complicated bevel gearing or other intermedaite driving elements. Because of the generally symmetrical arrangement of the parts, unbalanced loads on the various bearings and other elements will be minimized.

It will thus be seen, from the various forms of the invention described above, that a unique and highly useful package unit has been provided which, when combined with workpiece-engaging accessories and relatively simple supporting means, may be used under a variety of conditions as a loader for feeding blanks into a press, an extractor for removing the formed blanks, or as a shuttle or transfer device. The novel offset-link and single chain arrangement permits extreme compactness of the unit, the guide means insuring accuracy of movement and minimizing chain loads.

While it will ,be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change withoutdeparting from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. in a handling device for presses, a base frame of rectangular shape, upright supports at opposite ends of said frame, a primary unit having an elongated fram of open box-like construction, one end of said primary unit frame being square, the other end of said primary unit frame being inclined whereby one side of said primary unit frame is longer than the other side, said primary unit frame being disposed above said base frame with said longer sid uppermost, the width of said primary unit frame being substantially less than the width of said base frame, pads at the square end of said primary unit frame and engageable with the adjacent supports at one end of said base frame, a beam passing through the inclined end of said primary unit, the outer ends of said beam being engageable with the adjacent supports on the other end of said base frame, intermediate portions of said beam being engageable with said primary unit frame, rotary driving means carried by said primary unit frame, a carriage mounted for reciprocation on the upper side of said primary unit frame, a pair of sprockets rotatably mounted in said primary unit frame on spaced parallel axes, an endless chain mounted on said sprockets, a connection between said rotary driving means and one of said sprockets, a link offset from the plane of said chain and pivotally connected at its opposite ends to said chain and said carriage, spaced work-supporting means extending along said base frame and spaced thereabove, and workpiece-engaging means secured to said carriage and adapted to engage a workpiece supported by said workpiece-supportlng means.

2. The combination according to claim 1, said workpiece-engaging means comprising a lower jaw fixed to said carriage and extending forwardly therefrom, a movable upper jaw pivoted to said lower jaw and movable between a lower gripping position and an upper retracted position, means on said carriage for moving said upper jaw between said positions, and a stop secured to said fixed jaw behind the forward end thereof and adapted to engage the rear edge of a workpiece supported by said workpiece-supporting means.

3. In a workpiece handling device, a primary unit having an elongated frame of open box-like construction,

first supporting means carried by said frame andengageable with a stationary support when said frame is in a first horizontal position, second supporting means carried by said frame and engageable with a stationary support when said frame is in a second horizontal position inverted from said first position, a track on the side of said frame uppermost when the frame is in said first position, a carriage mounted on said track, means for preventing separation of the carriage and track when the frame is in its second position, rotary driving means on the side of said frame uppermost when the frame is in its second position, and reciprocating actuating means mounted within the confines of said frame and actuated by said rotary driving means to reciprocate said carriage.

4. The combination according to claim 3, said reciproa eating actuating means comprising a pair of sprockets mounted within said frame, an endless chain mounted on said sprockets, and a link having one end pivotally connected to said chain and the other end connected to said carriage.

S. The combination according to claim 4, further provided with an arcuate end guide secured to said frame and partially surrounding one of said sprockets, and means on said chain engageable with said end guide when the connection between said link and chain passes around said one sprocket.

6. The combination according to claim 5, said one sprocket and associated end guide forming part of a sub-assembly slidably mounted on said frame, and adjusting means for moving said sub-assembly toward or away from said other sprocket.

7. The combination according to claim 4, further provided with a pair of mounting plates secured to said chain on opposite sides of the chain centerline and extending outwardly therefrom in substantially parallel relation, and bushings carried by said mounting plates and rotatably supporting the pivotal connection to said link.

8. The combination according to claim 4, further provided with a first intermediate guide adjacent one side of said chain between said sprockets and engageable by said chain to transmit forces imposed on said link by said carriage when traveling in one direction, and a second intermediate guide adjacent the other side of said chain between said sprockets and engageable by said chain to transmit forces imposed on said link by said care riage when traveling in the other direction.

9. The combination according to claim 8, further provided with an additional pair of intermediate guides alongside said chain between said sprockets and facing said first intermediate guides, and means carried by said chain at spaced points therealong for engaging said additional intermediate guides to prevent excessive lateral movement of said chain.

10. The combination according to claim 3, further provided with a base frame of rectangular construction, posts on said base frame, a pair of workpiece-supporting rails in spaced parallel relation above said base frame, and means mounted on said base frame and supporting said rails, said first primary unit supporting means comprising membcrs adjacent opposite ends of said primary said workpiece-supporting rails.

12. The combination according to claim 11, said workpiece-engaging means comprising a lower jaw fined to said carriage and extending forwardly therefrom, a movable upper jaw pivoted to said lower jaw and movable between a lower gripping position and an upper retracted position, means on said carriage for moving said upper jaw between said positions, and a stop secured to said fixed jaw behind the forward end thereof and adapted to engage the rear edge of a workpiece supported by said workpiecesupporting rails.

13. The combination according to claim 3, further provided with supporting means securable to said primary unit frame for supporting the primary unit a substantial distance off the ground when in its second position, and

extractor jaws securable to the underside of said carriage when said primary unit is in its said second position.

14. The combination according to claim 13, said sup porting means comprising a pair of supporting frames of inverted U-shape, the central legs of said frames being secured to said primary unit frame adjacent the opposite ends thereof, the downwardly extending legs thereof being spaced outwardly from said primary unit, whereby the primary unit may be disposed above a conveyor.

15. The combination according to claim 13, said supporting means comprising a pair of C-shaped supporting frames, the upper legs of said frames being secured to said primary unit frame adjacent the opposite ends thereof, the downwardly extending legs of said frames being spaced laterally from said primary unit, whereby the primary unit may be disposed above a conveyor.

16. The combination according to claim 13, said supporting means comprising a pair of links, said links being pivoted at one end to said primary unit frame at spaced points therealong, and means for pivotally securing the other ends of said links to a press column.

References fited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 740,533 Cleathero Oct. 6, 1903 743,611 Acklin Nov. 10, 1903 849,185 Baldwin Apr. 2, 1907 870,005 Wirtz et a1 i Nov. 5, 1907 1,000,742 McKay Aug. 15, 1911 1,466,177 Lacke Aug. 28, 1923 1,541,597 Smith June 9, 1925 2,319,025 Wehringer May 11, 1943 2,329,729 Saucke Sept. 21, 1943 2,544,485 Blackburn Mar. 6, 1951 2,593,470 Matthews Apr. 22, 1952 2,613,823 Johns Oct. 14, 1952 2,677,342 Miller May 4, 1954 2,677,471 Skinner May 4, 1954 2,728,238 Paasche Dec. 27, 1955 2,763,229 Sahlin Sept. 18, 1956 2,772,004 Noble Nov. 27, 1956 2,851,068 Goodlet Sept. 9, 1958 2,894,616 Young July '14, 1959

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