Pallet locating and clamping apparatus for work transfer machinery

• US 3,888,341 A
• Filed: 03/26/1973
• Issued: 06/10/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cross Company Company Limited
• Original Assignee: James Egbert, John Konkal
• Inventors: Konkal, John, Egbert, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Schacher, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nase, Jeffrey V.
• Application Number:
  US05/344,757
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 198/19 294/116
• US Class Current: 198/345.3
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/28 Means for securing sliding members in any desired position
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 7/1426 with work holders not rigidly fixed to the transport devices B23Q7/005, B23Q7/035 take precedence

Abstract

In work transfer machinery, particularly for machine tool application, which includes a work station and a pallet movable into and out of the station, apparatus for automatically locating the pallet in a predetermined position, and thereafter releasably clamping the pallet in this position. An actuator shaft operates to first move the pallet locators into the pallet and to subsequently provide for spring pressure activated movement of clamping arms into clamping engagement with the pallet.

Claims

1. In work transfer apparatus which includes a work station and a pallet movable into said station, a main frame at said station, at least one movable locator engageable with said pallet in said station to accurately position the pallet, a plurality of spaced apart clamp arms pivotally mounted on said main frame for engagement with said pallet to clamp the same securely in said station, each of said clamp arms being pivotally mounted at one end thereof on said frame and engageable at the other end thereof with said pallet, a spring member extending between said main frame and each of said clamp arms and positioned in direct engagement with said clamp arm intermediate the ends thereof so as to urge said clamp arm toward an engaged position with said pallet, a plurality of support plates corresponding to said clamp arms, each of said support plates being mounted on and spaced from one side of said main frame, pivot means extending between each of said plates and said frame and pivotally supporting one of said arms at a position therebetween, abutment means extending between each of said plates and said frame at a position intermediate the ends of said one clamp arm, one of said spring members extending between said abutment means and one side of said clamp arm so as to urge said clamp arm in one direction, a rotatable actuator shaft, means responsive to rotation of said shaft in one direction for retracting said locator from said pallet and moving said clamp arms against the pressure of said springs to a position disengaged from said pallet, and means responsive to rotation of said shaft in an opposite direction for advancing said locator into engagement with said pallet and releasing said clamp arms for urging by said springs into engagement with said pallet.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving said clamp arms comprises cam follower means mounted on said shaft and cam means on said clamp arms located so that in response to rotation of said shaft in said one direction said cam follower means is moved into engagement with said cam means and coacts therewith to provide for movement of said clamp arms against the pressure of said springs to a position disengaged from said pallet.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said cam follower means comprises pin members mounted in an eccentric position on said shaft.