GB1424814A - Machines for assembling elements - Google Patents

Abstract

1424814 Making chains; assembling force fits FMC CORP 9 March 1973 [20 March 1972] 11556/73 Headings B3A and B3U A chain is assembled on apparatus comprising a carrier having pockets to receive chain elements and means to assemble the elements in the pockets. The apparatus of Fig. 1 comprises a cylindrical assembly rotated in bearings 48, 50 by motor 24, and made up of a central element receiving section 34, a drum 36 of aligning elements, and a drum 38 of ram elements. The central section 34 consists of (a) a toothed wheel 74, Figs. 5 and 8, on to alternate teeth of which chain elements 60 are fed from shoot 122, (b) rings 77 and 78 defining pockets 84, 90 into which side bar links 62 are fed also from shoot 122, and pockets 86 into which rivet pins 64 are fed from shoot 120, (c) on to plates 100, 115 in which alignment, ram, and back-up elements slide, and (d) hub portions 34a, 34b. Downstream of the infeed zone of Fig. 5, the pockets are covered by hoods 118, 119 (Fig. 8). The left hand drum 36 comprises a ring of blocks 160 (some shown in Fig. 12) each reciprocable by fixed cams 138a, 140a, and each supporting four alignment rods 162 by bores 166 containing springs 162. Each rod 162 passes through a back-up member 98 (see Fig. 8) movable axially by fixed cam rings 112. The right hand drum 38 comprises a ring of blocks 170 (Fig. 12) reciprocable by fixed cams 138, 140, and each connected to four rams 116 having reduced ends 116a, Fig. 8. As the assembly rotates, the elements 60, 62, 64 are fed into their respective pockets in approximately correct relative positions, Fig. 5. Back-up elements 98 are positioned by cams 112, Fig. 8, to define side walls to confine side links 62 on the left. Downstream of the shoots, the rods 162 are moved to the right, Fig. 8, to align apertures in elements 60, 62, then the rams 116 are advanced to insert the rivet pins 64. The back up elements become unrestrained by cams 112 and are contacted by blocks 160 and moved to the right to force the left side bar links 62 on to the rivet pins. The assembled chain is stripped from wheel 74 and led to another machine where the rivet ends are peened.