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US 5,157,999 AGranted
Conveyor for workstations
OwnerJohn Borzyminventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for moving workstations to perform work on a workpiece, includes moving workstations through a first path generally parallel to the workpiece and performing work on the workpiece. The workstation then returns along a second return path spaced further from the workpiece than the first path. The spacing between the plurality of workstations may be controlled such that sequential workstations work on the workpiece at predetermined intervals. Several embodiments of conveyors meeting the above-described broad features may be used.
Claims32
A method of conveying workstations through a work area comprising the steps of:
- (1) providing a first motor for moving a first workstation, and moving the first workstation along a first path which is generally parallel to a workpiece received in a work area, performing work by the workstation on the workpiece while in the work area;
- (2) moving the workstation away from the workpiece to a second path;
- (3) moving the workstation along the second path in a direction generally opposed to the first path;
- (4) moving the workstation towards the workpiece back to the first path;
- (5) providing a second motor for moving a subsequent workstation and moving the subsequent workstation through the method of steps (1)-(4);
- and
- (6) controlling the first and second motors to control the distance between the first and subsequent workstations to control the time interval between the workstations performing work on the workpiece as recited in step (1).
4 more elements
A conveyor for moving tools comprising:
- a central spindle having at least one workstation rotably mounted thereon;
- a motor for rotating said workstation about said spindle;
- biasing means for biasing said workstation to an extended position relative to said spindle;
- a work guide track mounted along a work area to maintain said workstation in a desired orientation relative to a workpiece while moving through said work area;
- and
- said guide track maintaining said workstation in said desired orientation against the force of said biasing means while said workstation is driven through said work area.
3 more elements
The conveyor as recited in claim 19, wherein feedback members give an indication to a controller for said motor of the actual position of said workstation.
A method of conveying tools comprising the steps of:
- (1) moving a workstation along a first path which is generally parallel to a path of a workpiece;
- (2) moving the workstation from the first path to a position further removed from the workpiece;
- (3) moving the workstation to a second path which extends parallel and in an opposed direction to the first path;
- (4) moving the workstation from the second path towards the workpiece;
- (5) moving the workstation back on to the first path to complete a cycle;
- and
- (6) selectively moving the workstation from the second path onto a repair path to remove the workstation from the conveyor.
4 more elements
A method of conveying workstations comprising:
- (1) moving a plurality of workstations along a track having a central guide notch, the workstations moving through a first path generally parallel to a work area, along a curved section generally perpendicular to the first path to a second path, along the second path generally parallel and in an opposed direction to the first path to a second curved section where they are turned back to the first path;
- and
- (2) supplying power to each of the workstations through power lines which are rotatably received on a central post, the movement of the individual workstations being controlled such that the distance between the workstations are varied to achieve desired spacing between the workstations passing through the work area.
A method of moving workstations comprising the steps of:
- (1) defining a workstation main track having a first portion extending generally parallel to a moving workpiece, a second portion extending generally parallel to the first portion and in an opposed direction, and two connecting portions connecting the first and second portions at their ends;
- (2) further defining a repair area associated with said second portion and including a repair track having an exit and entrance ramp associated with the main track, such that workstations can be removed from the main path through the exit ramp and onto the repair area and subsequently returned back to the second portion through the entrance ramp;
- (3) moving workstations along the first portion, through a connecting portion to the second portion and back to the first portion through the other connecting portion;
- and
- (4) selectively removing workstations to the repair area from the second portion.
2 more elements
A method of conveying workstations comprising the steps of:
- (1) moving a plurality of workstations along a track, the workstations moving sequentially through a first path generally parallel to a work area, and then being returned along a second path spaced further from a workpiece than the first path, the workstations moving in a direction generally parallel to the first path and in an opposed direction along the second path, the workstations then being returned to the first path;
- and
- (2) moving the workstations parallel to a continuously moving workpiece while moving along the first path, the workpiece continuously moving and the workstation performing work on the continuously moving workpiece while moving along the first path, the workstation including a clamp with clamp members received on one side of a plane defined through a central axis of the continuously moving workpiece, and portions of the clamp breaking said plane as the workstation moves to the first path from the second path, the clamp then being actuated to pivot and clamp the workpiece, the workstation performing work on the workpiece and the clamp pivoting to release the workpiece, the clamp then being returned back through the plane to its original position on one side of the plane, and the conveyor being moved to the second path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.