Automatic pipe-loading device
First Claim
1. An automatic load device for loading pipe onto a machine having a fixed pipe receiving location, said device comprising:
- a magazine containing a plurality of pipes disposed in said magazine for gravity feed discharge through at least a first discharge opening of a discharge end of said magazine;
a pipe transfer member mounted for movement through a path of travel between a plurality of positions including at least a first pipe load position and a pipe unload position;
said pipe transfer member having a surface opposing said discharge end throughout movement of said pipe transfer member through said path of travel, said surface including a pipe receiving pocket sized and positioned to receive a pipe discharged through said first discharge opening when said pipe transfer member is in said first pipe load position and a remainder of said surface disposed to block discharge of a pipe from said first discharge opening when said pipe transfer member is in a position other than said first pipe load position;
said pipe transfer member including a pipe grip for grasping a pipe received within said pipe receiving pocket and releasing said grasped pipe into said receiving location of said machine when said pipe transfer member is in said pipe unload position; and
said magazine includes a plurality of pipe discharge openings and said plurality of positions of said pipe transfer member includes a plurality of pipe load positions with respective ones of said plurality of pipe load positions associated with individual ones of said plurality of pipe discharge openings for a pipe to be discharged from any selected one of said discharge openings into said pipe receiving pocket when said pipe transfer member is in a pipe load position associated with said selected one.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic pipe loading device includes a magazine containing a plurality of pipes which are gravity fed through a discharge opening at a discharge end of the magazine. A pipe transfer member is mounted beneath the magazine and rotates between load and unload positions. In a load position, the pipe transfer mechanism presents a pocket in alignment with a discharge opening of the magazine. In all other positions, the pipe transfer mechanism presents a blocking surface preventing pipes from being discharged from the magazine. The pipe transfer member includes a pipe grip for grasping a pipe received within the receiving pocket and releasing the grasped pipe at a desired location.
70 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An automatic load device for loading pipe onto a machine having a fixed pipe receiving location, said device comprising:
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a magazine containing a plurality of pipes disposed in said magazine for gravity feed discharge through at least a first discharge opening of a discharge end of said magazine; a pipe transfer member mounted for movement through a path of travel between a plurality of positions including at least a first pipe load position and a pipe unload position; said pipe transfer member having a surface opposing said discharge end throughout movement of said pipe transfer member through said path of travel, said surface including a pipe receiving pocket sized and positioned to receive a pipe discharged through said first discharge opening when said pipe transfer member is in said first pipe load position and a remainder of said surface disposed to block discharge of a pipe from said first discharge opening when said pipe transfer member is in a position other than said first pipe load position; said pipe transfer member including a pipe grip for grasping a pipe received within said pipe receiving pocket and releasing said grasped pipe into said receiving location of said machine when said pipe transfer member is in said pipe unload position; and said magazine includes a plurality of pipe discharge openings and said plurality of positions of said pipe transfer member includes a plurality of pipe load positions with respective ones of said plurality of pipe load positions associated with individual ones of said plurality of pipe discharge openings for a pipe to be discharged from any selected one of said discharge openings into said pipe receiving pocket when said pipe transfer member is in a pipe load position associated with said selected one. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An automatic load device for loading pipe onto a machine having a fixed pipe receiving location, said device comprising:
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a magazine containing a plurality of pipes disposed in said magazine for gravity feed discharge through at least a first discharge opening of a discharge end of said magazine; a pipe transfer member mounted for movement through a path of travel between a plurality of positions including at least a first pipe load position and a pipe unload position; said pipe transfer member having a surface opposing said discharge end throughout movement of said pipe transfer member through said path of travel, said surface including a pipe receiving pocket sized and positioned to receive a pipe discharged through said first discharge opening when said pipe transfer member is in said first pipe load position and a remainder of said surface disposed to block discharge of a pipe from said first discharge opening when said pipe transfer member is in a position other than said first pipe load position; said pipe transfer member including a pipe grip for grasping a pipe received within said pipe receiving pocket and releasing said grasped pipe into said receiving location of said machine when said pipe transfer member is in said pipe unload position; said pipe grip includes a grip extender for positioning said grip in a retracted position away from said surface on a side thereof opposite said magazine when said pipe transfer member is in a pipe load position and extending said grip to an extended position toward said fixed pipe receiving location when said pipe transfer member is in said pipe unload position; said pipe grip includes gripping members movable between a grip position and a release position, in said grip position said gripping members are urged toward one another to securely grasp a pipe therebetween, in said release position said gripping members are spaced apart a distance sufficient to pass a pipe therebetween; biasing means for biasing said gripping members to said grip position; and cam means for urging said gripping members against a bias of said biasing means to said release position as said grip is moved to said retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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Specification