Machine control device

A machine control device for controlling the movement of a machine tool along a path comprising:

• a movable support rod;
• a sensor coupled to said movable support rod, said sensor and rod being movable by the force of gravity;
• a base plate having means coupled thereto for slidably retaining said support rod for movement along an axis;
• a limit switch coupled to said base plate for controlling machine tool movement when closed;
• means coupled to said support rod for closing said limit switch during movement of the rod along said axis, said closing means closing said limit switch during said movement if no obstructions are encountered by the sensor during its movement when positioned to move along the path of a machine tool;
• means extending from said support rod;
• a movable arm having one end positioned in contact with and beneath said extending means so that said extending means rests thereon only by the force of gravity;
• means coupled to said base plate and said arm for biasing said arm against the force of gravity;
• rotary solenoid means coupled to said base plate and said arm for rotating said arm downward beneath the extending means and against the bias of said means for biasing so that said rod and sensor move along said axis by the force of gravity as said extending means moves downward with said arm;
• an enclosure;
• and
• means removably coupling said base plate within said enclosure, said support rod extending through said enclosure to position said sensor outside the enclosure.

A machine control device for controlling the movement of a machine tool along a path comprising:

• a movable support rod;
• a sensor coupled to said movable support rod, said sensor and rod being movable by the force of gravity;
• a guide plate slidably retaining said support rod for movement along an axis;
• a limit switch coupled to said guide plate for controlling machine tool movement when closed;
• means extending from said rod for closing said limit switch during movement of the rod along said axis, said extending means closing said limit switch during said rod movement if no obstructions are encountered by said sensor during its movement when positioned to move along the path of a machine tool;
• a movable arm having one end positioned beneath said extending means so that said extending means rests thereon only by the force of gravity;
• means biasing said arm against the force of gravity;
• and
• rotary solenoid means coupled to said guide plate and said arm for rotating said arm downward beneath the extending means and against the bias of said means for biasing so that said rod and sensor move along said axis by the force of gravity as said extending means moves downward with said arm.