# US 5,342,161 A · Holder changer

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- Number: US 5,342,161 A
- Document ID: US5342161A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/969,457
- Filed: 1992-10-30
- Granted: 1994-08-30
- Earliest claimed: 1992-04-14
- Assignees: Hirotec Corporation
- Inventors: Kouji Shimoichi; Hideyuki Furumoto
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5342161A

## CPC

- B23Q 7/04: by means of grippers {(B23Q7/1494 takes precedence)}
- B21D 43/05: specially adapted for multi-stage presses {(B21D43/145 takes precedence)}
- B21J 13/08: Accessories for handling work or tools
- B30B 15/30: Feeding material to presses
- Y10T 483/1793: Spindle comprises tool changer
- Y10T 483/1818: Matrix including means to project tool for transfer
- B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
- B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F)
- B21J: FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES (rolling of metal B21B; making particular products by forging or pressing B21K; cladding or plating B23K; finishing surfaces by hammering B23P9/04; compacting surfaces by blasting with particulate material B24C1/10; general features of presses, presses for consolidating scrap B30B; furnaces in general F27)
- B30B: PRESSES IN GENERAL (producing ultra-high pressure or ultra-high pressure and high temperature to effect modifications of a substance, e.g. for making artificial diamonds B01J3/00 ){(compressing means for refuse receptacles B65F1/1405)}
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A holder changer includes a robot fixed to front or rear faces of a press, and an oblique elevator which obliquely moves a plurality of holders to a work moving level from a lower level in a direction crossing a work moving direction. A fixing portion at an end of the robot is adapted to removably hold and transport the holders for changing the holders.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A holder changer apparatus for changing a holder means for transporting raw works to a press and for removing machined works from said press, said apparatus comprising:
an elevator means adjacent to said press for delivering a plurality of said holder means from a standby position remote from said press to an extended and elevated position proximate said press;
robot means mounted on said press for selectively receiving at least one of said plurality of said holder means from said elevator means;
a fixing portion provided on said robot means, for removably carrying said holder means.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The holder changer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conveyor means for conveying said raw works and said machined works in a work moving direction, wherein said elevator means obliquely moves with respect to said work moving direction from said standby position at a lower level to said extended position at a work moving level.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The holder changer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said elevator means comprises first and second movable bases and a box means for containing said holder means, said first and second movable bases adapted to move in a telescoping manner from said standby position to said extended position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The holder changer apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first movable base comprises first and second pinions, said first pinion engaging a first rack provided on a fixed inclined surface, and said second pinion engages a second rack provided on said second movable bases.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The holder changer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support means for providing additional support to said elevator means at said extended position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The holder changer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said press passes through a press work area during a pressing operation, and said elevator means extends within said press work area at said extended position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The holder changer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for simultaneously controlling said robot means and said elevator means.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The holder changer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interlock means provided between said robot means and said elevator means for preventing mutual interference thereof.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The holder changer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said holder means comprise suction cups for gripping said raw works and said machined works.