Track feed arrangement for an automatic screw feeding machine
OwnerMichael Heck, Nathan Singerinventors
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Abstract
A gravity fed, track arrangement for assemblying orienting, and aligning a plurality of fasteners for use with an automatic screw feeding machine is disclosed. Inclined tracks having a space therebetween are provided with a pivotable stabilizing bar which bears upon the heads of the fasteners within the tracks. Vibrations are induced into the stabilizing bar and the tracks so as to assist gravity in urging the fasteners down the tracks and so as to continually act to maintain the alignment position of the fasteners within the tracks. Track purging apparatus is provided whereby any misaligned fastener is purged from the tracks.
Claims8
A gravity assisted track arrangement for an automatic screw feeding machine adapted for use with a plurality of fasteners, comprising a pair of spaced tracks, the shanks of said fasteners being positioned within the space between said tracks with the bottom of the heads of said fasteners fitting against said tracks, said tracks being inclined at an angle to the horizontal, means attached to said tracks for stabilizing the alignment of said fasteners within and on said tracks, comprising an elongated bar member mounted for pivotal rotation relative to said tracks, said bar member being aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tracks and spaced above said tracks whereby the lower surface of said elongated bar rests upon the upper surface of at least one or more of the lead fasteners within said tracks and the underside surfaces of said fasteners rest substantially flat against the upper surfaces of said tracks and means for causing alternating, periodic bearing and lift off of said stabilizing means on said fasteners within said track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.