Device for moving objects

• US 4,601,386 A
• Filed: 11/15/1983
• Issued: 07/22/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flamino Antonello
• Original Assignee: Flamino Antonello
• Inventors: Antonello, Flamino
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/551,855
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 414/32, 414/37, 414/94, 414/123, 414/129, 414/266, 414/267, 414/233, 414/236, 414/237, 414/331, 414/787, 414/905, 360/92, 198/576, 198/580, 198/859, 74/436
• US Class Current: 198/576
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/127 the circuit being confined in a vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 414/118 having geneva drive for apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19879 Geneva

Abstract

An apparatus for moving a plurality of objects or containers for selecting, positioning, or retrieving one of the objects or containers organizes the objects or containers into two similar and parallel packets or stacks. The selection of an individual object is carried out by displacing each of the packets through a distance corresponding to the distance between adjacently stacked objects, and transferring the most upwardly or downwardly extreme object or container from one packet or stack to the other. The hoisting and lowering of the packets of objects is actuated by means of a plurality of screws engaging the edges of the objects, the displacement of an object or container from one packet or stack to the other is actuated by means of one of a pair of carriages moving transversely to the screws. The sequence of motion of the screws and carriages is controlled by two maltese cross-type gears.

Claims

1. In a transfer mechanism including a first carriage, for moving material or objects engageable with said carriage, the combination comprising:

a drive gear;

transfer means for moving said material or objects with respect to said carriage;

a first maltese gear connected to said carriage and driven by said drive gear so as to move said carriage; and

a second maltese gear connected to said transfer means and driven by said drive gear so as to move said material or objects with respect to said carriage;

wherein said first and second maltese gears are alternatively driven by said drive gear, and

wherein the circumference of each of said maltese gears comprises a pair of diametrically opposed gear tooth segments, a pair of diametrically opposed concave segments, and a somewhat radially inwardly depending opening disposed between each adjacent gear tooth and concave segment.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said first maltese gear is coaxial with but rotatably journalled with respect to said second maltese gear.

3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said first and second maltese gears are parallel.

4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism comprises a second carriage parallel to but spaced from said first carriage, said second carriage being operatively connected to and driven by said transfer means so as to move synchronously with, but opposite to, movement of said first carriage.

5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said carriage reciprocates in a linear path, and wherein said transfer means moves said material or object relative to said carriage at the ends of said linear path.

6. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said drive gear comprises the prime mover for the whole of said transfer mechanism.

7. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said openings are curved somewhat parallel to said concave segment.

8. In a transfer mechanism including a first carriage, for moving material or objects engageable with said carriage, the combination comprising:

a drive gear;

transfer means for moving said material or objects with respect to said carriage;

a first maltese gear connected to said carriage and driven by said drive gear so as to move said carriage; and

a second maltese gear connected to said transfer means and driven by said drive gear so as to move said material or objects with respect to said carriage;

wherein said first and second maltese gears are alternatively driven by said drive gear, and

wherein said mechanism comprises a pair of crescent gears coaxial with and affixed to said drive gear, one each operatively engaging one of said first and second maltese gears, the circumference of said crescent gears comprising a gear tooth segment, a pair of cutaway segments disposed on each side of said gear tooth segment, and a circularly arcuate segment between said cutaway segments opposite said gear tooth segment, said arcuate segment subtending about half of said circumference.

9. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said drive gear is sandwiched between the engaged crescent and maltese gears.

10. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said crescent gears are disposed 180 degrees relative to one another.

11. The invention according to claim 8, wherein the circumference of each of said maltese gears comprises a pair of diametrically opposed gear tooth segments, a pair of diametrically opposed concave segments, and a somewhat radially inwardly depending opening disposed between each adjacent gear tooth and concave segment, and wherein the radius of curvature of said concave segments of said maltese gears is equal to the radius of curvature of the arcuate segment of said crescent gears.

12. The invention according to claim 11, wherein said driving gear bears a pair of pins, one each adjacent each of said cutaway segments on one of said crescent gears, said pins engageable with said openings on said second maltese gear.

13. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said first maltese gear is coaxial with but rotatably journalled with respect to said second maltese gear.

14. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said first and second maltese gears are parallel.

15. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said mechanism comprises a second carriage parallel to but spaced from said first carriage, said second carriage being operatively connected to and driven by said transfer means so as to move synchronously with, but opposite to, movement of said first carriage.

16. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said carriage reciprocates in a linear path, and wherein said transfer means moves said material or object relative to said carriage at the ends of said linear path.

17. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said drive gear comprises the prime mover for the whole of said transfer mechanism.

18. In a transfer mechanism including a first carriage, for moving material or objects engageable with said carriage, the combination comprising:

a drive gear;

transfer means for moving said material or objects with respect to said carriage;

a first maltese gear connected to said carriage and driven by said drive gear so as to move said carriage; and

a second maltese gear connected to said transfer means and driven by said drive gear so as to move said material or objects with respect to said carriage;

wherein said first and second maltese gears are alternatively driven by said drive gear;

wherein said transfer means comprises a transfer gear affixed to said second maltese gear, and at least one screw driven by said transfer gear, said screw being engageable with said material or objects; and

wherein;

said transfer gear, said first maltese gear, and said second maltese gear are coaxial with one another;

said transfer gear is affixed to said second maltese gear; and

said first maltese gear is rotatably journalled with respect to said transfer and said second maltese gears.

19. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said screw possesses segments of threading having at least two different pitches.

20. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said screw is disposed perpendicular to said carriage.

21. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said at least one screw is disposed perpendicular to the plane of said transfer gear.

22. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said carriage comprises a slot, and said first maltese gear comprises a dog affixed thereto which is slidably disposed in said slot, so as to reciprocally move said carriage upon rotation of said first maltese gear.

23. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said transfer means additionally comprises at least one projection on said material or object engageable with the threading on said screw.

24. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said transfer means comprises at least one pair of screws, one each on opposing sides of said transfer gear, and wherein said material or objects bear opposing projections, one each engageable with one of said screws.

25. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said first and second maltese gears are parallel.

26. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said mechanism comprises a second carriage parallel to but spaced from said first carriage, said second carriage being operatively connected to and driven by said transfer means so as to move synchronously with, but opposite to, movement of said first carriage.

27. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said carriage reciprocates in a linear path, and wherein said transfer means moves said material or object relative to said carriage at the ends of said linear path.

28. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said drive gear comprises the prime mover for the whole of said transfer mechanism.

29. The invention according to claim 18, wherein the circumference of each of said maltese gears comprises a pair of diametrically opposed gear tooth segments, a pair of diametrically opposed concave segments, and a somewhat radially inwardly depending opening disposed between each adjacent gear tooth and concave segment.

30. The invention according to claim 29, wherein said openings are curved somewhat parallel to said concave segment.

31. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said mechanism comprises a pair of crescent gears coaxial with and affixed to said drive gear, one each operatively engaging one of said first and second maltese gears, the circumference of said crescent gears comprising a gear tooth segment, a pair of cutaway segments disposed on each side of said gear tooth segment, and a circularly arcuate segment between said cutaway segments opposite said gear tooth segment, said arcuate segment subtending about half of said circumference.