US2262599A - Measuring device - Google Patents

Description

NW 11, mm.

N. H. BOLZ 2,262,599

MEASURING DEVICE Filed Jan. 10, 1959 INVENTOR. NORMAN BOLZ ATTORN are atented Nov. 11, 1941 MEASURING DEVICE Norman H. Bolz, Euclid, Ohio, assignor to Paterson-Leitch Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 10, 1939, Serial No. 250,206

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to a device for predeterminately measuring lengths to be operated upon or, alternately out off from stock pieces of light material or heavy, cumbersome matement plate without leaving his customary position at the cut-ofi machine. There is also provided an intermittent signalling means such as an electric light or bell which indicates the unit rials such as metal beams, bars, shapes and distances travelled by the carriage, so that the sheets, and similar types of stock material of nonoperator's close attention to the readings upon metallic composition such as various kinds of the measuring tape is not required, when the carlumber and the like. Heretofore, in the operation riage is moving at full speed over a substantial of cut-oif machines, such as power shears, saws, distance. abrasive cut-oil wheels, rotary cutters, etc., op- The invention has been and will be described erating upon heavy stock materials of the type with respect to a cut-off machine but it is obvious already indicated, it has been the practice to that it is applicable to a wide variety of machines run the length of stock through the machine and or tools and it will be understood that a cut-off out onto a supporting table until its end abuts machine has been used merely as an example. against a length gauge in the form of a block or It is also to be understood that the invention is plate member previously located the desired disnot to be restricted to a cut-off machine. tance from the cutting point of the machine and To the accomplishment of the foregoing and fastened in place by the operator. When a large related ends, said invention, then, consists of the number of different lengths of such stock are to means hereinafter fully described and particularbe out, such lengths varying from only a few feet ly pointed out in the claims. to possibly over 100 feet, a substantial portion of The annexed drawing and the following dethe operators time and labor has been occupied scription set forth in detail certain mechanism with the locating and fastening of the length embodying the invention, such disclosed means abutment plate or feed gauge. And very often constituting, however, but one of various methe use of such a feed gauge has been dispensed chanical forms in which the principle of the with by the operator, due to the inconvenience invention may be used. and time consumed in its manipulation, the op- In said annexed drawingerator relying merely upon a chalk, pencil or Fig. 1 is a general elevational view of a stock scribed mark measured oil upon the length of cut-oif machine and supporting table with the stock to determine the cut-off point. As a result, device embodying my invention assembled therethe human element entered into the cut-oil operwith; Fig. 2 is an enlarged, detail side elevational ation in the alignment of the cut-oil mark with view of the abutment plate carriage; Fig. 3 is an the cutting point of the machine, with a correend elevational view of the same, taken upon a sponding factor of error lessening the uniformity plane normal to that of Fig. 2 and substantially and accuracy of the work. along line 3-3 as indicated in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is Accordingly, the general object and nature of an elevational view of the carriage taken upon the present invention is to minimize the above the side opposite to that of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a enumerated difficulties and to provide means for detail view of the measuring tape supporting rollrapidly and accurately locating a cut-off length er at the end removed from the cut-off machine; abutment member at any desired point and over Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of the carriage drive a wide range of lengths, such device being conmotor circuit; and Figure 7 is a detail view of trolled and operated by the operator of the cutpart of the measuring tape. of! machine without requiring him to leave his Referring more particularlyto the drawing and customary position at the latter. Briefly outespecially Fig. 1 thereof, the numeral i indicates lined, the device embodying the principle of my generally any tool or a cut-off machine such as invention comprises an electric power driven cara power shear adapted to operate upon a piece riage or vehicle having an abutment plate adapted of stock material 2 such as a steel beam or bar. to project over the stock supporting table, and The stock material 2 extends out through the attached to an endless measuring tape passing cut-off machine I onto the top of the supporting around an indicating point located on the cut-oil table 3, which customarily has a series of spaced machine. An electric control switch for actuating rollers 4 to facilitate the movement of the heavy the drive motor of such vehicle or carriage is also stock thereover. A trackway 5 is positioned above located at the cut-off machine, and enables the the stock supporting table 3. In the illustrative operator to easily control the movements or preembodiment, the trackway 5 consists essentially location of the carriage and its attached abutof an I-beam supported at one end at the cut-oil machine and at the other end by the vertical upright 6 extending upwardly from the end of the supporting table 3.

A pgwer driven carriage or vehicle, indicated generally at 1, carries an abutment plate 2| which projects downwardly above the top of the supporting table 3 and against which the end of the length of stock material 2 is adapted to abut. An endless measuring tape 9 is connected to the carriage 1 and passes around a supporting roller I!) mounted on the front of the cut-off machine I. A fixed pointer I I mounted adjacent the roller l indicates the readings upon the tape 9 and correspondingly, the distance of the carriage 1 and its abutment plate 2| from the cut-off point of the machine and operates as the means for allowing the operator to control the movement of the carriage 1 over the trackway 5. An electric signal I3, such as an electric light or bell is also mounted on the cut-off machine and is so electrically connected as to be intermittently actuated by the movement of the carriage 1 during its travel.

Now directing attention to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the carriage 1 comprises a framework having the bottom plate l5 and the two end uprights l6 and I1 which join the bottom plate l5 to the upper slide plate H3. The slide plate I8 is carried in a groove or slideway formed by the spacer bars I9 and the overlying bars 20, both secured to the under side of the bottom flange of the trackway 5. An abutment plate 2| projects downwardly from one end of the carriage 1, being secured to the upright l6 and is adapted to contact with and abut the end of the length of stock material 2. An electric motor 22 is mounted upon the base plate l5 of the carriage 1, and is connected through the chain 23 and sprocket 24 to the drive shaft 25 of the reduction gear unit 26. The driven shaft 21 of the reduction gear unit 26 carries a pinion 28 which meshes with the gear rack 29. The gear rack 29 in turn is supported by means of the angle bars 39 located at spaced intervals along the trackway 5 and attached at their l1pper ends to the top flange of the trackway 5.

A series of bus bars 3|, 32 and 33 are also carried upon the intermediate portion of the angle bars by means of insulating mountings 34, 35 and 36 respectively. Trolley rollers 31, 38 and 39 are mounted upon the upright pole or rod 40 which is carried at its-lower end upon the base plate I5 of the carriage 1. The trolley rollers 31, 38 and 39 of course are connected by electrical wires or conduits to the electric drive motor 22.

An electric motor brake 4|, actuated by the solenoid 42 is also mounted on the outer end of the shaft of the motor 22.

An upright 43, mounted upon the base plate l5 of the carriage 1 is attached at its upper end to the endless measuring tape 9. Another upright 44, similarly mounted, carries at its upper end the contact shoe 45 which is yieldably mounted by means of the bar 46 telescoping in the interior of the upright, and the compression spring 41. As will best be seen from Fig. 3, the contact shoe 45 is adapted to bridge the contact points 48 and 49 mounted upon an insulating block 59 secured to the upper flange of the trackway 5. Electric wires, such as indicated at 5|, connect the contact points 48 and 49 in series to a source of electric power and to the signal l3. These contact points 48 and 49 are preferably located at unit distances 1 foot apart. Thus, as the carriage 1 travels along the trackway 5, the bridging of the contacts 48 and 49 by the contact shoe 45 will intermittently cause the electric signal |3 to be actuated, so that the operator, merely by counting the number of signal impulses, can determine the number of feet which the carriage has travelled.

Referring to Fig. 5, the endless measuring tape 9 passes around a pulley on the right hand or outer end of the trackway 5. The pulley 55 in turn is carried by the two bars 56 and 51 which are spring mounted in the casings 58 and 59 respectively and against the action of the compression springs 68 and 6|. In this manner, a uniform tension upon the measuring tape 9 is assured.

The electric circuit of the control switch 2 and drive motor 22 is illustrated in the wiring diagram of Fig. 6, where the electrical power passes through the control switch l2 to the bus bars or trolley lines 3|, 32 and 33, thence to the motor 22. The solenoid 42 is connected in series with the motor 22, so that it operates to release the brake 4| when current is supplied to the motor 22, and conversely to apply the brake 4| when the current is shut off.

In order to obtain a suflicient flexibility of speed operation of the electric drive motor 22, I have provided an especially constructed electric motor which is capable of inch operation as well as relatively high speed operation. By the term inching I mean the ability of the operator to momentarily throw the control switch one way or the other and thereby obtain a very slight movement of the carriage 1, such as a fraction of an inch. The high speed operation of the electric motor is desired in order to secure a rapid travel of the carriage 1 when it was moved relatively large distances, such as several feet. Accordingly, an electric motor of the low temperature operating, large current capacity type is particularly suitable to obtain such flexibility of operating ranges. A three-phase reversing induction motor, with a 440 volt field capacity and operated on a 220 volt line is cited as a specific example of an electric motor meeting these requirements.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a measuring device for a machine operating on material, including cutting off, means for supporting the length of stock to be cut off, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a power actuated vehicle traversible on said railway, and an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and being suspended above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, means on said vehicle to stop the same precisely, and a switch on said machine to control such means; the power actuating means for the vehicle being mounted on the vehicle.

2. In a measuring device for a tool, means for supporting the length of stock to be operated upon by said tool, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock,

power means carried by said vehicle for driving the latter along said railway and a switch electrically connected to said power means, said switch being lgcated at the operator's station at said tool?- 3. In a measuring device for a tool, means for supporting the length of stock to be operated upon by said tool, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, an electric motor mounted on said vehicle, drive transmitting means connecting said motor to said railway, electric power transmitting means associated with said railway and connected to said motor, and control means for delivering electric power to said transmission means, said control means being located at the operator's station at said tool.

4. In a measuring device for a cut-off machine, means for supporting the length of stock to be cut off, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway and supported entirely thereby, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, and an endless measuring tape supported at one end at said cut-off machine and at the other end at the end of said railway, said vehicle being so connected to said tape and the markings of the latter being so arranged as to indicate at its end supported at said cut-off machine the amount of said lengths of stock.

5. In a measuring device for a cut-off machine, means for supporting the length of stock to be cut off, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, power means carried by said vehicle for driving the latter along said railway, and an endless measuring tape supported at one end at said cut-off machine and at the other end at the end of said railway, said vehicle being so connected to said tape and the markings of the latter being so arranged as to indicate at its end supported at said cut-off machine the amount of said lengths of stock and means to stop said vehicle an unlimited number of times and in an unlimited number of positions.

6. In a measuring device for a cut-off machine, means for supporting the length of stock to be cut ofi, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, an electric motor mounted on said vehicle, drive transmitting means connecting said motor to said railway, electric power transmitting means associated with said railway and connected to said motor, control means for delivering electric power to said transmission means, said control means being located at the operator's position of said cut-off machine, and an endless measuring tape supported at one end at said cut-off machine and at the other end at the end of said railway, said vehicle being so @QQYCH fiOOm connected to said tape and the markings of the latter being so arranged as to indicate at its end supported at said cut-off machine the amount of said lengths of stock.

7. In a measuring device for a cut-off machine, means for supporting the length of stock to be cut on, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway. an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, power means carried by said vehicle for driving the latter along said railway, an endless measuring tape supported at one end at said cut-off machine and at the other end at the end of said railway, said vehicle being so connected to said tape and the markings of the latter being so arranged as to indicate at its end supported at said cut-off machine the amount of said lengths of stock, and intermittent signal means actuated by movement of said vehicle so constructed as to visibly or audibly signal unit distances of travel of said vehicle.

8. In a measuring device for a. cut-off machine, means for supporting the length of stock to be cut oif, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, an electric motor mounted on said vehicle, drive transmitting means connecting said motor to said railway, electric power transmitting means associated with said railway and connected to said motor, control means for delivering electric power to said transmission means, said control means being located at the operator's position of said cut-oft machine, an endless measuring tape supported at one end at said cut-off machine and at the other end at the end of said railway, said vehicle being so connected to said tape and the markings of the latter being so arranged as to indicate at its end supported at said cut-01f machine the amount of said lengths of stock, and intermittent signal means actuated by movement of said vehicle so constructed, as to visibly or audibly signal unit distances of travel of said vehicle.

9. In a measuring device for a cut-off machine, means for supporting the length of stock to be cut off, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, power means carried by said vehicle for driving the latter along said railway, an endless measuring tape supported at one end at said cut-off machine and at the other end at the end of said railway, said vehicle being so connected to said tape and the markings of the latter being so arranged as to indicate at its end supported at said cut-off machine the amount of said lengths of stock, an electric signal located at said cutoff machine, a, series of electric switches mounted at unit distances along said railway, an electric circuit connecting said switches to said signal, and contact means carried by said vehicle for actuating said switches.

10. In a measuring device for a cut-off machine, means for supporting the length of stock to be cut oil, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate beingadapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, a low temperature operating, relatively large current capacity electric motor mounted on said vehicle, drive transmitting means connecting said motor to said railway, electric power transmitting means associated with said railway and connected to said motor, and control means for delivering electric power to said transmission means, said control means being located at the operators station at said cut-off machine.

11. In a measuring device for a cut-off machine, means for supporting the length of stock to be cut ofi, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, a low temperature operating, relatively large current capacity electric motor mounted on said vehicle, drive transmitting means connecting said motor to said railway, electric power transmitting means associated with said railway and connected to said motor, control means for delivering electric power to said transmission means, said control means being located at the operators position of said cut-off machine, and an endless measuring tape supported at one end at said cut-off machine and at the other end at the end of said railway, said vehicle being so connected to said tape and the markings of the latter being so arranged as to indicate at its end supported at said cut-ofi machine the amount of said lengths of stock.

12. In a measuring device for a cut-off machine, means for supporting the length of stock to be out 01f, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, an electric motor mounted on said vehicle, drive transmitting means connecting said motor to said railway, electric power transmitting means associated with said railway and connected to said motor, control means for delivering electric power to said transmission means, said control means being located at the operators position of said cut-off machine, an endless measuring tape supported at one end at said cut-ofl machine and at the other end at the end of said railway, said vehicle being so connected to said tape and the markings of the latter being so arranged as to indicate at its end supported at said cut-off machine the amount of said lengths of stock, an electric signal located at said cut-oil machine, a series of electric switches mounted at unit distances along said railway, an electric circuit connecting said switches to said signal, and contact means carried by said vehicle for actuating said switches.

13. In a measuring device for a cut-off machine, means for supporting the length of stock to be cut oil, a railway mounted in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting means, a vehicle traversible on said railway, an abutment plate carried by said vehicle and projecting above said supporting means, said abutment plate being adapted to abut the end of such lengths of stock, an electric motor mounted on said vehicle, a gear rack carried by said railway, a gear driven by said motor and engaging with said rack, an electric trolley line also carried by said railway and connected to said motor, a control switch for said trolley line located at the operators position of said cut-off machine, an endless measuring tape supported at one end at said cut-off ma chine and at the other end at the end of said railway, said vehicle being so connected to said tape and the markings of the latter being so arranged as to indicate at its end supported at said cut-ofi machine the amount of said lengths of stock, an electric signal located at said cut-off machine, a series of electric switches mounted at unit distances along said railway, an electric circuit connecting said switches to said signal, and contact means carried by said vehicle for actuating said switches.

14. A measuring device for a cut-off machine comprising an abutment plate, a vehicle, a motor and a brake, said plate, brake and motor being carried by said vehicle, there being means present, at the operators position of said cut-oil machine, to energize said motor and to apply said brake, respectively.

15. A measuring device for a cut-ofi machine comprising an abutment plate, a vehicle, a motor and a brake, said plate, brake and motor being carried by said vehicle, there being means present, at the operators position of said cut-oiI machine, to energize said motor and to apply said brake, respectively, and means on said vehicle whereby said brake is applied when said motor is de-energized.

16. In a measuring device for a cut-off machine, a movable abutment plate, means to move said plate at high speeds, means to move said plate at low speeds, and means to stop said plate positively and accurately where desired, said last named means being totally mechanical in operation and all of said means moving with said abutment plate.

NORMAN H. BOLZ.

Images