US 5,711,192 AGranted

Indexer with improved clutch

OwnerMichael Vasilantoneinventor

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Abstract

An improved indexing device for generating a smooth and controlled rotary motion where double rotary cranks having slide members coupled to corresponding slide guides arranged in orientation parallel to the plane of rotation of the rotary cranks are provided. Each slide guide is attached to a trolley movable in a direction transverse to the axis of the slide guides. A linear gear rack is mounted on each trolley in parallel to its sliding motion and are opposingly configured across a rotary gear member. The gear member drives a positive locking clutch which is entirely self contained within the indexer assembly itself and requires no operator or external control. The clutch function is accomplished automatically when appropriate during the indexer cycle. During stationary periods, the output of the indexer is locked preventing movement of the indexer and providing unique stability to the device. The positive locking features of the clutch also provide for different indexer station numbers through a set of matched clutch disks and rotary crank arms. The rotary motion generated is especially smooth in that a first acceleration period of significance is effected at the beginning of the indexed rotary motion to reach a constant driving speed, and a second deceleration period of significance is effected at the end of such indexed rotary motion to come to a halt from the driving speed, producing a unique soft start and stop characteristic to provide smooth rotary motion.

Claims5

Dependent claims

An indexing device for generating smooth, controlled rotary motion comprising:

a motor having a rotational output;
a first cam channel disk coupled to said motor output and rotatably driven thereby in a first plane of rotary motion;
first means for inducing linear motion of a first linear gear rack responsive to rotation of said first channel disk in said first plane, wherein said motion of said first linear gear rack is smooth and includes distinctive periods of acceleration, generally constant driving speed, and deceleration;
a second channel disk coupled to said rotational output and rotatably driven thereby in a second plane of rotary motion offset from said first plane of rotary motion;
second means for inducing linear motion of a second linear gear rack responsive to rotation of a second crank in said second plane, wherein said motion of said second linear gear rack is smooth and includes distinctive periods of acceleration, generally constant driving speed, and deceleration;
a rotary gear member in cooperative engagement with both of said first linear gear rack and said second linear rack such that it is rotatively driven by linear motion of said first and second linear gear racks with one of said first or second linear gear racks disposed on one side of said rotary gear member, and the other of said first or second linear gear racks disposed on the opposite side of said rotary gear member;
clutch means coupled to said rotary gear member for transmitting an output of an indexer to an output sleeve, wherein said output sleeve is coupled to said rotary gear member for transmitting the output of said indexer to a work piece;
and
rotating motion of said output sleeve also manifests said distinctive periods of acceleration, generally constant driving speed, and deceleration.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.