GRAVITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY

• US 3,651,290 A
• Filed: 06/01/1970
• Issued: 03/21/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Larry E. Durbin, Robert Thomas
• Original Assignee: Larry E. Durbin, Robert Thomas
• Inventors: Thomas, Robert, Durbin, Larry E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truhe, J. V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Montanye, George A.
• Application Number:
  US05/042,242
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.46,61.48,61.52,61.45,61.51 219/60.1 340/282
• US Class Current: 200/61.45R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/027 the inertia mass activating the switch mechanically, e.g. through a lever

Abstract

A gravity actuated control apparatus useful in controlling the operation of pipe welding equipment or other equipment used on pipes, beams, or other members, which control apparatus is actuated by gravity to generate triggering or control operations at preselected points along the periphery of the pipe or other member. The assembly uses switches, or other suitable control mechanisms, which are selectively engageable in accordance with the angular position of the control apparatus with respect to the member, to initiate and terminate operations of the equipment and to properly position such equipment with respect to the member.

Claims

1. A gravity actuated control apparatus for disposition on a tubular member or the like for controlling the operation of welding equipment and the like mounted with the apparatus for movement relative to a tubular member, comprising:

a. a carriage;

b. said carriage having means therewith for substantially arcuate movement of said carriage relative to a tubular member;

c. a control unit mounted on said carriage for sensing preselected peripheral positions of said carriage with respect to a tubular member upon which said carriage is mounted, said control unit comprising;

1. a support;

2. an actuating assembly rotatably mounted on said support for at least partial rotational movements relative to said support;

3. a weight portion eccentrically disposed with said actuating assembly to cause said actuating assembly to remain in substantially the same position during relative rotational movement of said support due to the force of gravity acting on said weight portion;

4. at least three switches mounted at circumferentially spaced locations on said support;

5. at least three actuating members, each actuating member for contacting a different one of said switches, said actuating members mounted at predetermined positions with said actuating assembly; and

6. means for mounting said switches and actuating members for causing each of said actuating members to engage a different one of said switches during movement of said support means relative to said actuating assembly.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said means for mounting comprises:

a ball bearing assembly mounted with respect to said support and said actuating assembly for permitting rotational movement therebetween.

3. a weight portion eccentrically disposed with said actuating assembly to cause said actuating assembly to remain in substantially the same position during relative rotational movement of said support due to the force of gravity acting on said weight portion;

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein:

a. each of said switches is mounted a preselected different distance extending towards said actuating assembly from said support; and

b. each of said actuating members is a preselected different length to engage an individual one of said switches.

5. at least three actuating members, each actuating member for contacting a different one of said switches, said actuating members mounted at predetermined positions with said actuating assembly;

and

6. The structure set forth in claim 5, including:

a. drive means on said carriage for imparting the peripheral movement of said carriage thereto; and

b. means connecting said drive means to said circuit means through said control unit so that the operation of said drive means is initiated and terminated by said control unit at predetermined positions.

7. The structure set forth in claim 6, including:

a. a welding torch mounted on said carriage for movement therewith; and

b. welding control means connecting said welding torch to said circuit means through said control unit for initiating and terminating the operation of the welding torch at predetermined positions.

8. A gravity actuated control unit for triggering operations of welding equipment and the like at preselected positions of the equipment during movement of the equipment along a predetermined path, comprising:

a. a support;

b. an actuating assembly rotatably mounted on said support for at least partial rotational movements relative to said support;

c. a weight portion eccentrically disposed with said actuating assembly to cause said actuating assembly to remain in substantially the same position during relative rotational movement of said support due to the force of gravity acting on said weight portion;

d. at least three switches mounted at circumferentially spaced locations on said support;

e. at least three actuating members, with each actuating member for contacting a different one of said switches, said actuating members being mounted at predetermined positions with said actuating assembly; and

f. means for mounting said switches and actuating members for causing each of said actuating members to engage a different one of said switches during movement of said support relative to said actuating assembly.

9. The structure of claim 8, wherein:

a. said weight portion comprises a weight integral with said actuating assembly; and

b. said actuating assembly has an aperture formed therein opposite said weight to increase the eccentricity of said weight portion with respect to said actuating assembly.

10. The structure of claim 8, wherein said weight portion includes therewith:

an additional weight mounted with said weight portion on said actuating assembly.

11. The structure of claim 8, including an electrical control circuit and wherein said switches comprise:

switches connected in said electrical control circuit and which control the operation thereof.

12. The structure of claim 8, wherein:

a. each of said switches is mounted a preselected different distance extending towards said actuating assembly from said support; and

b. each of said actuating members is of a preselected different length to engage only an individual one of said switches.