US1045943A - Machine for handling incandescent-lamp bulbs. - Google Patents

Description

- W.R.BURROWS MACHINE FOR HANDLING INGAHDESGENTLAMP BULBS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1908.

1,045,943, v Patented'Dec.3,1912.

Fi I. I; slums-sum 1 ODGG 000 inwQnKor WIKRGSSQS Wil ham Burrows,

- WW Amy.

. W. R. MACHINE FOR HANDLING INCANDESCENT LAMP BULBS.

APPLICATION FILED 'SEPT. 10, 1908.

' Patented Dec. 3, 1912.

#mmmmmmmm 78 Ill 7 F1 J2 a 79 g 84 \ViHiam R.Burr s. y W my .W. R.-BURROW S. I j MACHINE FOB HANDLING INCANDESGENT LAMP BULBS.)

- APPLICLATION'PILED SEPT. 10, 190B. r 51,045,943, I Patented Dec. 3, 1912.

I Ijiam 'R Burfows,

. W.-R. BURROWS. Y MACHINE FOR HANDLING INGAND ESGENT LAMP BULBS.

I I Armwu'um FILED SEPT.10, 190s. 1,045,943, Patented Dec. 3, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Fig. i6,

v f "2i 2 w. R. BURROWS. MACHINE FOR HANDLING INGAb TDESGENT LAMP BULBS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTJO, 1Q08.

Patented Dec.3,1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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L, i A I I WFGnesses: myerwor WiHiam RBurrovvs i i w UNITED STATES PATENT orricn.

WILLIAM R.' BUBBOWS, F NEWARK, nnwannsn'z, assrenon TO. ennntsan ELECTRIU CO PANY, A conronarron or new YonK.

mncnrim-ron HANDLING INCANDESCENT-LAMP sums.

1,045,943, Specification of Application filed. September 10, 1908. Serial No. 452,453.

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, \VILLIAM R. Bunnows, a citizen of the United States, residing at "Newark, county of Essex, State of. New

J ersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Handling- Incande scent-L'amp Bulbs, of which the following is a specification. Y

My, invention relates to machinery for handling glass articles, such as the bulbs of incandescentlamps, and more particularly to machinery whichwill automatically take the bulbs from a tray or holder in a predetermined order, subject them to any desired treatment, such as washing, and replace the treated bulbs in the tray or holder.

The customary device for. handling incandescent lamp bulbs during manufacture of the lamps and for storing the completed lamps is a rectangular tray or holder arranged to. hold the bulbs in six parallel rows extending longitudinally of the tray, there being at each end of the tray a row of seven bulbs, andbetween the side rows four rows .each containing nine bulbs. 'At various stages ofthe manufacture of the lamp the bulbs are subjected to treatment, such as the washing of the completed lamp, which requires the operator to take the bulbs from the tray and then replace them in the tray, an operation which requires considerable time and subjects the bulbs to the risk of breakage.

One object of my invention is to provide an automatic bulb-handling machine which will take the bulbs from the tray one after another in any desired order and place them where required, and which will, if desired, again pick up the bulbs and replace them in the tray; 21 further object being to provide a lamp-washing machine in which the soiled lamps are automatically taken from the tray in any desired order, placed in the washing machine and washed, and the clean lamps replaced in the tray without any attention on the part of the operator, who merely places the trays of soiled lamps in the machine and'ren'ioves the trays of clean lamps after the machine has washed them and replaced them in the tray.

In carrying out my invention a movable -bulb 0r tray holder holds the bulbs in defi-' nite relation to each v other, preferably by holding the tray on which the lamps are dis-5 posed inparallel rows in sucha that,

Letters P Patented Bee. 3, 1912.

the tray moves with the tray holder. Some suitable form of transfer or gripping mechamsm 1S mounted atjacent the movable holder and is arranged to pick up the'bulbs from the holder and to place them where desired. in order to enable the transfer mechanlsmf to pick up the bulbs in any desired order, the tray holder and the transfer or gripping mechanism is mounted adjacent the movable holder and is arranged to pick up the bulbs from the holder-and to place'them where desired. In order to enable the transfer mechanism to pick up the bulbs in any desired order, the tray holder and the trans fer mechanism are movable relatively to each other and are interconnected. in sin manner that after the transfer mechani,

in has been operated to pickup one bulb and to place it where desired. the relative movement of the holder and of the transfer mechanism brings another bulb within range of the transfer mechanism, whichpicks it up when the mechanism is again actuated. In the preferred construction. the tray holder is movably mounted and an actuatingmechanism driven in definite relation to the trans-' fer mechanism is arranged to shift the holder backand forth withrelation to the transfer mechanism so as; to bring the bulbs into operative relation to the transfer mechanism in any desired order. Since the trays are rectangular and have the bulbs arranged on them in parallel rows, the tray holder is preferably moved longitudinally of one row step by step to enable the transfer mechanism to pick up the bulbs 'in that row one after another, after which the holder is moved at right angles to the-rows to bring the transfer mechanism into operative relation to the second row of bulbs, whereupon the holder is moved back along'the second in succession. It is desirable but not necessary that the transfer mechanism'begm at the actuating mechanism is arranged to automaticallymove the tray-holder back to a definite starting position after all the bulbs in the tray have been picked up by the transfer mechanism,.Whereby'the bulbs in each tray placed in the machine will be picked up in the same order as those in the last ,t y-

Q Myflinyention may be embodied in a marow of bulbs to enable the transfer mechanism to pick up the bulbs in the second row the same o'int on eich tray and. therefore chine for washing the bulbs of the finished lamps'by mounting any suitable form of? washing device adjacent the handling mechanism above described in such a position that the transfer mechanism takes a bulb fromthe tray and places it in the washing device. Thepreferre'd form of washing ma- 3 chine comprises a movable holder driven in definite relation to the transfer mechanlsm soiled'bulb is automatically placed in the .movable. holder-by the transfer mechanism.

which is arranged to interchange bulbs between the tray and the washing device, the soiled bulb from the tray being replaced by a clean bulb taken from the washing device by the transfer mechanism and placed on. the tray. The movable holder of the washing, device comprises some suitable clamp or gripping device which is automatically operated to receive .the soiled bulb from the transfer mechanism, to hold the bulb firmly during the various operations to which the bulb is subjected, and finally to release the clean bulb as it is picked up by the transfer mechanism to be replaced in the tray.

My invention will be best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one of the various forms in which it may be embodied and in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a"washing machine for lamp bulbs embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a side view in elevation of the transfer mechanism and the movable holder for carrying the tray of lamps; Fig. 3 a

ating valve which controls the bulb gripping device on the transfer mechanism; Figs. 8 and 9 plan views of the face cams which operate the transfer mechanism; Fig. 10 a view partly in section of a control valve forming av part of the actuating mechanism for the tray holder; Fig. 11 a plan view. with the cylinder in section, of a fluid pres sure actuating device for moving the tray holder; Fig. 12 a side view in elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 an enlarged side view of the rate" forming part of the devi e shown in Fig. 11:

mechanism which forms part ofthe mechanism shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 1.? a view in elevation showing the intermittent gearing for rotating the movable member of the washing device; Fig. 10 a top plan view of the washing device: Fig. 17 a sideview of the washing device with the tank shown in section; Fig. 18 a plan view of a portion of the spider of the washing device, showing the bulb holder with a bulb in position; Fig. 19 a view at right angles to Fig. 18; Fig. 20 a sectional view of the clamping means for holdingvthe bulb in the washing device; and Fig. 21a plan view of. the clamping device shown in Fig. 20.

In this specificaticn reference numerals 1 to 50, inclusive. are used in pointing out the order in which the lamps are taken from the tray. hence the numerals referring to the structure of the machine begin with 51.

In the specific form of machine shown in the drawings the'bulbs are automatically picked up from the tray, and after being washed are replaced in the tray by a bulb handling device comprising -a rectangular frame 51 having the upper surface provided with parallel guides or rails on which a tray-shifting mechanism of any suitable kind travels. The form of mechanism shown in the drawings comprises a frame work 53. which travels back and forth on the rails on rollers or other suitable antifricticn devices. The framework 53 is rovided with guides or rails 5% set atright angles to the guides on the frame 51. and a tray holder or frame constructed to firmly hold a tray of lamp bulbs is mounted to travel back and forth on the guides it at right angles to the movement of the framework Thetray of lamps is set in e tray holder with the rows of lamps parallel to the guides 52 and is moved both longitudinally and transversely of those roivs by any suitable actuating mechanism driven from a driving shaft 56 journaled in the frame 51. v

' The lamps are automatically lifted from the tray in the tray holder and placed wherever required by any suitable form of transfer mechanism controlled by the driv- 3 hurls-:oulal portion 58. The gripping device Fig. 14; view partly in seciioifshowing the is actuated in any suitable way to grip and movable member and spring-pressed pawl i to release a bulb at certain times during the u'io'vement ofthe transfer mechanism. Where the vacuum cup 59 is used as a grip ping device it isconnectedthrough the transfer member to a vacuum pump and the'connections are automatically controlled, so that when the cup is broughtinto engagemeat with the bulb the interior of the cup is connected to the vacuum pump and the suction is suliicientlv great to enable the cup to lift the bulb out of the rack and to hold it as long as the vacuum is maintained. As best shown in L, the vertical portion 57 of. the transfer member is mounted on the frame 51 in guides (30. which permit the transfer mei'nber to rotate about the axes of groove in face cam tEt3.'also mounted onthe.

driving shaft so. T he gripping of the bulbs by the vacuum cup when the cup has been lowered into engagement with the bulbs and the release of the bulbs after they have been moved to the de ired point by the transfer mechanism is controlled from the driving shaft 5t3'bvanv suit-able connections. preferably a flexible tube 67 .connected to the transfer member and put in communication with a vacuum pumpfb a valve actuated by the driving; shaft 56. The preferred form of control valve, as shown in the drawings, comprises a valve seat 68, shown in 6, which has'two adjacent ports, one connected to the flexible tube 67 and the other to a vacuum pump, and a flat cooperating rotary valve (39, shown in Fig. 7, mounted on the driving shaft 56 and having bridging portscut in it tocouuect the two ports in the stationary valve seat in certain positions of the valve. The cams 63 and 66 are so timed .with relation'to each otherand to the valve 69 that when the transfer member is moved longitudinally of its axis of rotation to bring the vacuum cup into engagement with a bulb in the tray on thetravfiholder the .valve 9 connects the cup to thevacuum her about its axis, thereby swinging the 'pui-np' arid maintains this connection while the cam-63 raises the transfer member, thereby lifting the bulb out ot the tray and also while the cam 66 rotates the transfer memvacuum cup of the transfer mechanism may pick the bulbs from the tray in a definite and predetermined order, there must be proand the tray holder is moved by an actuating mechanism which moves the framework :33. and. therefore. the tray holder longitudinallv of each row of bulbs in steps corresponding in length to the distance between adjacent bulbs. thereby bringing the bulbs in'auv one row within range of the transfer mechanism and in alinement with the vac uum cup 59' one after another. while after the bulbs inone row havebeen pickednptlte tra v holder 55 is shifted transversely ofthe rows of bulbs a distance equal to the "dis'- tance between adjacent rows, thereby bring ing the end bulb of the adjacent ro'w'wi'thin range of the vacuum cup. Since the bulb tray is rectangular and the bulbs are arranged on it in parallel rows. all the bulbs can be brought within range of the vacuum cup by the movement of the trav in two (lirections at right angles to each other. An? suitable form of actuating mechanism for the tray holder 11121) b used as long as it moves the tra v in the propermanner and in the. correct time relation to the transfer mechanism. The specific form of actuating mechanism shown in the drawing comprises shift-inc; mechanism for moving the frame-' work 513 longitudinally of the rows of lamps and traversing mechanism for moving the tray holder trausverselvof said. rows. The shifting and traversing mechanisms are timed bv a control shaft 70. which determines the ditlerent movements of the tra v holdrr. and is'in turn actuated in definite relation to the transfer mechanism and to. the driving shaft Stt by means of an inter-.

nittent gearing which imparts 'to the control sh ft a step-bv-step movement. the number of'stcps in the arrangement shown in the drawinp correspondiua to the number of bulbsin the tray. The preferred form of. intermittent gearing for imparting thestep by-step movement to the control shaft. as shown in l iuz ratchet wheel Tl turned one tooth at a time at each revolution of the driving shaft 5 bv means of a spring-press-ctl pawl T'i mounted on a swinging arm II which in turn is actuated bv a cam Tl on the driviufz shaft ill.

The shifting mechanism for moving the framework 5 along the frame 51 and therel shifting the tray lonqitudinallv of the rtiws of lamps is controlled by shifting cams A and B mounted on the control; shaft 70, while the traversing mechanism for moving the tray holder 55 and the tray transversely of the rows of lamps is controlled by traversingcains C and D. 'As best shown in F 1g. 3, each'of the shifting cams A and B has threegroups of projections on its periphery, and the mechanism is so arranged that. each projection on either of the shifting cams will cause the shifting mechanism to move the framework-53 one step longitudinally of 'the rows of lamps. The traverscam D has a single projection which causes mechanism.

the traversing mechanism to move the tray holder in the other direction by one step equal to the distance between the two outer rows, thereby bringing the tray. holder back to its initial position. In Fi 3 all the projections on the shifting and the traversing cams are numbered from one to fifty, inclusire, and the lamps on the trare correspondingly numbered to indicate that each projection causes the actuating mecl anism .to bring into alinement with the transfer inechanism the lamp which has the same number as the projection. In Fig. 3, the tray is shown in the starting position, and after lamp X0. 1 is removed by the transfer mechanism, the projection 2 on the shifting cam A causes the shifting mechanism to move the framework one step to the left thereby bringing lamp X0. 2 within range of the transfer mechanism. This action is repeated as the control shaft rotates thereby bringing the lamps Nos. 1 to 7 within range of the transfer mechanism in succession until the end of the first row is reached, at which time the projection 8 on shifting cam A. causes a longitudinal movement of the framework 53 while at the same time projection 8 on traversing cam G causes the tray holder 53 to move one step transversely of the row of lamps, the net result of the two movements being to'bring lamp No. 8 within range of the transfer mechanism. After the transfer mechanism has picked up lamp X0. 8 the control shat 70 causes the projection 9 on shifting cam I to actuate the shifting mechanism and thereby move the framework one step to the right to bring lamp X0. 9 within range of the transfer When the end of the second ow is reached and after lamp No. 16 has l.-een picked up, the projection 17 on the traversing cam C causes the tray holder to be moved 1 thereby bri (vi [5 lamp .Yo. 1T .vithn re e of the tn mechanism.

mechanism to pick up the lamps in the order in which they are numbered, the framework 53 being moved step by step backward and forward along the guides 52, and the .tlLV

-holder being moved step by step in one di' actuated by one of its projections on either the shifting or the control cams. In the mechanism shown in the drawings for giving a step by step movement the framework 53 and the tray holder are provided with a row of logs or bars and 76, the lugs 75 von the framework 53 being equal to the maximum number of lamps in a row on the tray. and the distance between lugs being equalto the distancel'ietwecn the lamps in a row, while the number of lugs 76 on the tray holder is equal to the number of rows of lamps on the tray. and the distance betweenthe lugs is equal. to the distance between adjacent rows or lamps. The lugs on the framework and on the tray holder are engaged one after another by any suitable mechanism which will move both the framework and the tray holder by steps equal to the distance betweenlugs. The mechanism shown in the drawings for cooperating with the lugs to produce a step by step movement comprises spring-pressed pawls 77 mounted on sliding members 78 which slide in guides in such a relation to the two series of lugs 75 and 76 that each spring-pressed pawl is normally in a position to catch behind a lug and thereby move either the framework or the tray holder. Each spring pressed pawl 77 is so shaped that it slides over the lugs without effect when moved in one direction and engages the lug when moved in the other direction. In order to prevent movement of the framework or the tray holder in the wrong direction, locking pawls 79 are pivotally mounted on standards adjacent each sliding member 7 8 and are arranged to engage with the lugs and thereby prevent movement of the framework or tray holder in the wrong direction. The locking pawl 79 normally tends to drop into inoperative position and is lifted into engagement with the lugs with which it cooperates by a pin 81 mounted on the sliding member 78 in a position to engage and 11ft the locking pawl 79 so that during the movement of the slid- E8918 o ierations are repeated locking pawl in the propel." sequence to enable the transfer l of the lugs.

? ing member 78 in the wrong direction the is in engagement with one Since both the framework 03 andthe tray holder 55 are required to move backward and forward in opposite direc-' tions, two sliding members 78 with oppositelyidisposed spring-pressed pawls 7 T are required for the framework and also for the tray holder,'and in. order to prevent one of the spring-pressed, pawls from interfering 82 extendingthrough the sliding member 78 ft o' a point where the end of the locking pin isengaged byea. retaining recess 83 cut in the-side of the standard 80. The parts are so proportioned that as long as the sliding member 78 is drawn back to its extreme position as shown in Fig. 11, the locking pawl 79 is inoperative and the locking pin 82 is in the retaining recess 83, thereby holdingthe springpressed pawl 77 out of engagement with the lugs, although a slight movement of the sliding member away from its ex- .treme position will carry the locking pin out of. the retaining recess and permit the spring pressed pawl 77 to spring into engagement with one of the lugs. v

Any'suitable mechanism may be used to reciprocate the sliding members 7 8 at the proper time and in proper relation to each other, but in the preferred form of mechanism each sliding member .is connected to the piston rod of, a fluid pressure actuating 1 device comprisinga piston working in douhie-acting cylinders 84, 84", 84 and 84 with feedpipes 85 connected to each end of each cylinder-to admit and exhaust fluid under pressure and thereby move the piston and sliding member-'78 backward and for ward. The feed pipes 85 of each cylinder are controlled by a suitable regulating device, such as the piston valve 86, which, as shown in Fig. 10' is mounted in a casing 87 provided with an inlet port 88 shown in dotted lines and with two outlet ports 89 between which are two ports for the feed pipes 85. The valve 86 is actuated from the cams on the control shaft 70 by means of a pivoted spring-pressed follower 90 having aroller on one end which is held against the cam by a spring. As is evident from Fig. 10, the grooves in the piston valve are so cut that when'th'e valve is in the normal position, as shown in that figure, the upper feed pipe 85 is receiving from the inlet port 88 fluid 1111-- der pressure which holds the sliding member in extreme position, while the lower feed pipe'is connected to the loweroutlet or exhaust port 89. Theseconnections are re versed by-a downward movement of the piston l valve, which connects the lower feed pipe 85 to the inlet port 88 and permits the upper-feed pipe 85 to discharge through the causes a downward and upward movement of the piston valve 86 controlled by thejcam, which results in a forward and backward movement of the piston in the cylinder corresponding to'that valve and thereby causmg one complete reciprocation of the sliding member 78 connected to that piston. As best shown in Fig. 3 the shifting mechanism for'moving the framework 53 comprises two oppositely disposed cylinders 8 and 84 controlled respectively by the shifting cams A and B and operated alternately to move the framework 53step by step, the-cylinder 8& moving the frame work to the left, and

the cylinder 84 moving the framework to the right. The traversing mechanism for moving the tray holder-comprises a cylinder 8?, which cotiperates with the lugs 76 on the tray holderto move the tray holder step by step along the guides 54, each projection on the cam C causing the tray holder to move one step, and also a long cylinder 84 which has a stroke suflicient to move the tray holder. from one outside row of lamps to the other and is controlled by the projection 1 of the traversing cam D to return the tray holder to. its initial position by a single movement;

The various parts of anism above described are so proportioned that when a tray of lamps is placed in the tray holder in the position shown in Fig. 3, the transfer mechanism is operated during one revolution ofthe driving shaft 56 to pick up lamp N0. 1, move it to the desired position and there leave it, the control shaft 70 the handling mechthe ratchet wheel 71 and the pawl '72.

. After lamp No. 1 has been picked up and before the transfer mechanism returns to its initial 'positiorn'the projection 2 on shifting cam A actuates the valve 86 governing cylinder 84?, thereby moving the sliding member 78 corresponding to that cylinder, and cansing the spring-pressed pawl 77 to engage one of the lugs 7 5 on the framework 53 and thereby move the framework to the left a sufficient distance to bring lamp No. 2 within range of the transfer mechanism. TheneXt revolution of the driving shaft 56 causes the transfer mechanism to pick up lamp No. 2 and the control shaft '70 to rotate one step, thereby bringing the projection 3 into position to operate thevalve 86 and move the framework 53 another step. \Vhen the end of the first row is reached, projection 8 on shiftingcam A again causes cylinder 84* to move the framework while at the same time projection 8 of the traversing cam C causes cylinder 84 to move the tray holder one step transversely of the rows of lamps, thereby bringing lamp No. 8 within range of the transfer mechanism. After lamp No. 8 is picked up, projection 9 on the shifting cam B causes the cylinder 84 to move the framework one step to the l mentabout its axis while the rotatable shaftsljlgllt to bring lamp No. 9 within range of the transfer .iucchanism. This n' oveinent continues and causes the lamps to be picked up in the sequence in which they are num bered in Fig. until finally lamp No. is

reached, whereupon projection 1 on the traversing cam D causes the long stroke cylinder 8 1 to move the tray holder back to its initial position in one movement, thereby againbringing the tray back to its initial position where lamp No. 1 is wit-bin range ofthe transfer mechanism,

The handling mechanism above described may be used to pick up lamps from a tray and to deliver them wherever desired since the mov 'ement of the transfermechanism and the time of release of the lamp by the vacuum cup 59 may be controlled by arying the shape of the groove in the face cams 03 and 66, and the arrangement of the portsin the valve 69. The order in which the lamps are picked up from the tray may also be changed by varying the relative positions of the projections of the cams carried by the control shaft 70. It is also desirable that the machine may be set to begin work on any desired lamp or the tray may be shifted quickly tosave. time when the tray does not contain as'many as fifty lamps. This result is easily accomplished by providing the control shaft with anadjusting handle 91, as shown in Fig. 1, by means of which the control shaft may be turned by hand to any desired position independently of the'driving shaft, on account of the pawl 72 and ratchet 71, and thereby the machine is caused to pick up any lamp desired.

hile the handling mechanism may be used for various purposes it is shown inthe drawings as a part ofa washing machine for automatically washing thecompleted in candescent lamps in which the handling 'device automatically delivers the lamps to any suitable form of washing device. One formof washing devicewvhich is suitable for this purpose is shown in the drawings and comprises a frame 92 in which a spider 93 hav-.

ing a plurality of arms is rotatably mounted on a hollow shaft 94-as shown in Fig. 1%). In the specific form of machine shown in the drawings, the spider is v provided with twelve arms 95 radially disposed about a hub, and each carries, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, a rotatable shaft 06, 011 the lower end of which is a beveled gear 97 in mesh with a beveledgear 98 mounted on the shaft 99 which extends through the hollow shaft 94 and is continually rotated at any desired speed by means of apulley .belted to the driving shaft 56. The-spider 93 is intermittently rotated from the driving slia-ftbtl through an intermittent gear 100 connected to the hollow shaft 91 through spur gears: 101. The spider "has a step bystep move- 90 are continually rotating regardless of the position or movement of the spider.

lliespider 93 carries the lamps through the various steps of the washing process by means of any suitable form of bulb holder mounted on the end of each arm of the spider in a position to-receive av bulb which has been taken from the tray by the tran fer mechanism. One desirable form of bulb holder or clamp comprises a clamping men:

ber 102 mounted on thoend of the rotatable shaft 90 and provided with a plurality of clamping jaws 1.)?) which are pivoted on the clamping member as shown in l-ig. Q0 and are moved into andout. of clamping position by means of a control ring 101 which cooperates with inclined surfaces on the clamping jaws and is moved limgitinlinally of the rotatable shaft 00 by any suitable clamp controlling mechanism.

The bulb holder or clamp is automatically opened to receive a bulb, then gri the bulb, and after carrying the bulb through the war-ghing process is aut anatically opened by any suitable automatic controlling mechanism to release the clean bulb. A simple and reliable iilcvicefor cmtrolling the clamp comprises rods 105 comiected at. one end to the controlling ring 101 and at the other end to a pivoted clamp actuator 106 mounted on each arm 95) of the spider and normally held by aspring 107 in a position to close the clamp so that the bulb yieldingly held between the clamping jaws. The clamp actuator provided with a roller on the end and is moved at the. proper time by a stationary cam 108 which is placed, as shown inFig. 17, in such a position that the holder which within range of the transfer mechanism is into operative relation to a burnishing wheel 109 which burnishes the base .of the bulb. Any suitable fluid is delivered on the base of the bulb by a supply pipe 110. and the burnishing wheel is drivenfrom the pulley 111 which in turn is continuou ly driven-by suitable gearing from the driving shaft 56. The bulbisthen carried into the next position'where steam or hot water is thrown over the bulb from the steam pipe 112. The bulb isthen carried. into a tank 113 in'which the water maintained at the proper temperature by means of a steam pine 111. After loo passing through the tank, the bulb is rinsed by water delivered from a rinsing pipe 115 and is then carried to the'drving rollers 116 which dry thesides of the bulb and also to a diving roller llTavbich dries the tip of the bulb. As. the thoroughtv cleaned bulb returns to its initial position the clamp actuator engages the stationary cam. the clamp is released and the transfer mechanism removes the bulb from the bulb holder.

.Since in washinglamps it is desirable to replace the clean lamps in the tray so the v bulb in the holder. T lie spider is then rotated cne step to bring a. clean bulb on the next holder within range of the transfer mechanism. which thereupon picksup the clean bnlb swings. back and places it in the tray in the placeof the soiled bulb while the spider remains stationary. The tray is then movedone step, the transfer mechanism picks up the next soiled bulb. swings back and places the soiled bulb in the holder tormerlv occupied by the clean bulb. As a result of these operations the lamps are interchanged between the tray and the washing device, and after beiugwashed are replaced.

in the tray, The operator need onl; place a tra} of soiled. lamps in the trav holder and removethe tray when it' has been filled with clean'lamps. If the operator neglects to remove the tray. the lamps are washed over and over again until the tray is either restored or the machine is stopped.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent of the United-States. is.

1. In a machine "for treating lamp bulbs.-

the combination with two carriers for bulbs. of a transfer member provided with gripping means. said member and said carriers being relatively movable to render said grip ping means operative to pick up a bulb from either of said carriers and to deliver it to the other carrier. and common driving means for moving said carriers and said member relatively to one another and actuating said gripping means to cause said gripping means to pick up the bulbs'first from one carrier and then from the other carrier.

2. In a machine for treating lamp bulbs. the combination with two movable holders for the bulbs. and driving means arranged to intermittently move said holders and to maintain them stationary in definite rela- -tion to each other. of a transfer mechanism for alternately pickii'i'g up a bulb from'one" holder and placing it in the other when actuated, and means controlled by said 'Cll'lVlllg bulbs. of a transfer i'nechanism comnrisin a bulb from either of said carriers and to deliver said bulb to the other carrier. driving means for moving said-carriers andsaid transfer mechanism relatively to one another to cause said gripping device to automatically pick up from-the first carrier and deliver to the second carrier a predetermined number of bulbs and then to automatically bring said gripping device into gripping relation to the bulbs in said second carrier to cause said mechanism to pick up from said SQCOUd carrier and deliver to said iirstcarrier a predeteri'nined number of'bulbs.

4:. In a machine for treating lamp bulbs, the combination withtu'o movable carriers for the bulbs and common driving means for moving said carriers in definite relation to each other. of a transfer arm mounted between said carriers to rotate and to slide along its axis of rotation. a bulb gripping device mounted on said arm to engage the bulbs in either of said carriers. means controlled by said driving means for rotating and sliding said arm to bring said gripping device first into gripping relation to the bulbs in one carrier and then into gripping relation to the bulbs in the other carrier. and means actuated by said driving means for causing said gripping device to first pick up the bulb from one carrieand deliver it to the other. and then pick up the bulb from said second carricr and deliver it to the firstcarrier.

3. In a machine Forhain'llinglamp bulbs, the combination with two movable carriers for the bulbs. of a transfermechanism comprising a gripping device mounted to move into gripping relation to the bulbs in .eithcr carrier and means for moving said gripping device into gripping relation first to .one carrier and then to the other to alternately transfer bulbs from the first carrier to the second and from the second carrier to the first. and a common. driving means connectcd to said carriers and to said mecha-.

iiism to maintain said carriers in definite relation to each other during movement of 'said mechanism and to shift. said carriers alternately after eachmovement or" said mechanism.

' 6. Ina machine' for handling'lamp bulhs.

the combination with two movable carriers carriers and said mechanism connected to" Q hold the bulbsin parallelrows-in pred'eter- 1 mined order, of'a transfer mechanism for actuate said mechanism to transfer a bulb from the first carrier to the second, then hold .said mechanism inoperative;and move said carriers relatively to each other, and then again actuate said mechanis'n'l to transfer a bulb from the second carrier to-the first. Tl-In a machine for washing lamp bulbs, the combination with two relatively movable holders for the bulbs, and driving means for moving said hrldersstep by step in definite relaiion to each otheigof a transfer mechanism constructed to pick up a bulb from the first holder and deliver it to the second and to pickup a bulb from the second holder .and deliver it to the first, and connections between said -transfer mechanism and said driving means for causing said mechanism to-piek up a bulb from the first holder and transfer it to the second holder and then pick up abulb from. the second holder and transfer it to the first holder.

v 8,]111 a device for handling lamp bulbs, the combination with two 'inovable bulb carriers. and driving means for alternately moving said carriers, of a transfer mechanism having a gripping device mounted to pick up a bulb from either of said carriers and deliver it to the other, and connections between said driving means and said mechanism for actuating said mechanism in re-' move said holder and said transfer mechanism relatively to each otherto bring the 'hulbswithln range of said mechanism in a predetermined order.

10. Ina machine for handling lamp bulbs,

the c mibination with a holder arranged to hold the bulbs in parallel rows 1n predetervmined order, of a transfer mechanism for handling bulbs brought within ran e of said 0 u 1 h a mechanism. driving means for actuating.

said transfer mechanism, actuating means 'controlled by said driving means to move said holder and said transfer mechanism relatively to each other to bring the bulbs,

within range of said mechanism-in a predetermined order, and a manually-controlled device for controlling said actuating means -i.mlepemlentl v of said driving means.

11. 'In'a machine for handlingda'mnbulbs, the combination with a holder arranged to :means for said holder controlled by suit driving means to move said holder in two directions at rightanglcs to each other to bring the bulbs within range of said trans- .fer mechanism in predetermined succession.

12. In a machine for handling lamp bulbs,

the combination with a holder arranged to hold the bulbs in rows, of a transfer mechanism arranged to handle the bulbs brought within range of said mechanism, (ll'l\'l3 mcans'for actuating said transfer mccln; nism. and actuating means controlled by said driving means to move said holder and said transfer mechanism relatively to each other to hringthe ulbs in each row within range of said transfer mechanism in s:u:ccssion.

13. In a machinefor treating lamp bulbs. the combination with a movable holder arranged to hold the bulbs in parallel rows, of atransfer mechanism arranged to remove a bulb from the holder when actuated, shifting means for moving said holder to bring said transfer mechanism into operative relation with oulbs in each row in succession. a'ml'traversing means for shift-.

ing'said holder-to bringsaid transfer mechanism into operative relation to the adjacent row of bulbs.

14. In a .i-hachine for handling lamp bulbs, the combination with a movable holder for holding the bulbs in parallel rows. of a transfer mechanism a ranged to handle each bulb within the range ofsaid mechanism, driving means for actuating said transfer mccl'lanism, and actuating means for said holder connirising traversing means for nmving f-zaid holder iransvcrselv to bring in succession rows of bulbs into alinement with d transfer mechanism. and shifting means arranged to intermittcntlv move said holder longitudinall of each row in steps correspending in number to the bulbs in said row to bring the bulbs within range of said transfer mechanism ,in succession.

15. In a machine for handling lamp bulbs, thecombination with a movable holder arranged to hold the bulbs inparallel rows, of a transfer mechanism arranged to handle each bulb brought within range' ofsaid mechanism, driving means for actuating said transfer mechanisnnfand actuating means controlled by said driving'means to shift said holder longitudinally of said rows in steps of requisite length and number to bring the bulbs within range of said transfer mechanism in succession and. transversely of said rows' equal to thedistanee' between the rows whereby the bulbs --i nadjacent rowsa-rehandledin succession 16. In 'a machine for handling lamp bulbs,

the combinationwith a holder arrangedto hold the. bulbs in rowsa ndm'ounted to move both transversely and longitudinally of said rows, of traversing means for moving. said holder transversely of said rows, shiftmg means for moving said holder longitudi .n'allyof said rows, and a controller arranged -to operate said traversing means and said shifting means in definite .relation toeach other.

' 17-. In a machine for handling lamp bulbs, the combination with a holder arranged to hold the bulbsuin rows and mounted to move .botl1"tnansversely and longitudinally of said rows, of traversing means arranged to'move .saidholder transversely of saidrows in steps equal to thedistance between said rows.

shifting means arranged to move said holder longitudinally of said rows in steps corresponding with the distance between the bulbs in said rows, .and' a controller arranged to operate said traversing means to shift said holder one step and subsequently operate said'shifting means to move said holder by steps corresponding-in number to thenumber of articles in one of said rows. 18. In a machine for handling lamp bulbs, the combination with a holder arranged to hold the bulbs in rows and mounted to move both transversely and longitudinally of said rows, of traversing means for moving sai holder transversely of said -rows. shifting means for moving said holder longitudir nally of said rows, and a controller arranged .to operate said traversing means and shift mg; means to alternately move said. holder the distance between. rows. and the. length of vonerow. r

1 9. In a machine for handling lamp'bulbs,

thecombination with ajholder arranged to r I v. hold the bulbs in rows and mounted to move: both transversely and longitudinally of said "5 rows, of two shifting devices arranged to shifting cams," and means for intermittentlyi move said holder step by step in opposite directions longitudinally of said rows, a traversing device for moving said-holder transversely of said rows a camshaf tjprovided with two shifting cams, each having groups of projections to control said shifting devices alternately, a traversing cam having a plurality of projections. for controlling" said traversing device, saidcams being set to render each projection on said traversing cam operative in sequence to the alternate groups of projections on said-two driving-said camshaft by steps equal to the distance between the projections on' said shifting cams; 5

20. In a machine. fjorjhandling lamp.bulbs,

the combination With-a holder mounted'to vtance from one lug to the next.

move in two-directionsat'right angles'to each -other, of traversing means actuated by fluid number of bulbs in arow, and shifting.

means actuated by each projection to move said holderlongitudinally of the row of bulbs a distance equal to the'distance between adjacent bulbs.

22. In a machine for treating lamp bulbs, the combination with aholderarranged to hold a number of bulbs in a row, of mecha nism actuated by fluid pressure to move said holder longitudinally of the row of bulbs,

a valve arranged to'cause said mechanism to move said holder one step when said valve is actuated, and a camhaving a pluralityof.

projections each arranged to actuate said valve, said projections being equal in num ber tothe number of bulbs in the row.

23. In a machine for treating lamp bulbs, the combination with a movable holder ar-, ranged to hold number of bulbs in a row and having a row of lugs corresponding in number with the bulbs in a row, of actuating mechanism for imparting a step by step movement to said holder comprising a member sli'dably mounted to rec1procate. relatively tosaid holder, aspiring-pressed pawl mounted in said member to engage said lugs, and means for intermittently rec1procat1ng said member, whereby said-holder 1S moved longitudinally of the row of bulbs. V 24. In'a machine for treating lamp bulbs,

the combination with a movable holder hav- -1ng a ser es of lugs thereon, of a reciprocat- 1 ng member mounted ad acent Sil-ld'llOldQl,

a spring-pressed pawl on said member to engagesald lugs, a fluid pressure device for reciprocating said member, a valve for said "dev1ce,an'd' a control cam for said valve havingv a pluralityof project-ions each arranged reciprocate and move said holder the dis -Ill-"witness whereof, I have hereunto set] my hand thiSjei-"ghth (8th) 'dayof Septem- LIA R, URROW -A "Witnesses: I v

=5 CLARENCE 'VM D EfiQ.

'Gli iinns Coon.

to actuate said-valve to cause said member to i

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