US2488609A - Article holding and ejecting fixture - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 22, 1949 s, v, sMlTH v 2,488,609

ARTICLE HOLDING AND 'JECTING FIXTURE Filed Aug. 2o, 1948 5 sheets-sheet 1 v er l I ,wrom/fr Nov. 22, 1949 s. v. SMITH ARTICLE HOLDING AND EJECTING FIX'I-URE 5 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 20, 1948 /N VEN raf? M .S'M/ Th' A 7' TORNEV yNov'. 22, 1949 s, v, SMITH 2,488,609

ARTICLE HOLDING AND EJECTING FIXTURE Filed Aug. a9, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l l a v f IIIIIII/Lf/l'e l' Inl'u Nov. 22, 1949 s. v. SMITH ARTICLEi HOLDING AND EJECTING FIXTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 20, 1948 l/ IIA n mm N/ a fM f Ws HN /M S.

f ARTICLE HOLDING AND EJECTING FIXTURE /QSJW v 2]/ 22,0

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46 2/l 09 ya K4 27 /4 A Tram/Ey Patented Nov. 22, 1949 2,488,609 ARTICLE HOLDING AND EJECTING FIXTURE Scott V. Smith, Danville, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments. to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 2o, 194s, serial No. 45,387

This invention relates to an article holding and ejecting fixture and more particularly to a fixture usedin connection with a turret type electrical testing machine for holding the article in engagement with electrical contact members during the electrical testing of the article and for ejecting the article upon completion of the electrcal testing thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide an effective iixture for holding and ejecting articles.

In one embodiment of the invention, the iixture as used with a rotary turret type machine for electrically testing articles, forms aholder for receiving the article and guiding it for movement in one direction and the fixture has a springpressed plunger for ejecting the article-from the holder, thev plunger being movable by the article into a stressed or operative position and held there by a pivoted latch engaging thel article and operable to release the article andcause its election. Electrical contact springs mounted on the fixture and actuated by the reciprocation'of the ejection plunger are moved toward each other into engagement with terminals on the article when the article is moved into the holder, and the contact springs are spread apart by the plunger when the article is ejected from the holder.V Other objects and advantages will be apparent by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof in which Fig. l is a plan view of a machine for electrically testing articles and employing the lholding and ejecting xtures forming the subject matter of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a Vertical longitudinal sectional View through the machine taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are views in perspective of the end construction of articles to be tested in this machine;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the loading portion of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and showing a movablev cam and the solenoid for actuating it; l

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a portion of the machine and the xture taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 5 and showing an article on the loading table in position to Abe moved into the xture; f Y

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7. showing the article 9 Claims. (Cl. 209-81) 2 Y moved into an initial or inoperative position in said fixture and into engagement with the ejection plunger of the xture; 1

Fig. 9 is a. fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5 showing the pusher mechanism and an article moved by the pusher into its operative position in engagement with Y electrical contact springs on the xture;

y Fig, 10 is a fragmentary plan sectional view of the drive for the pusher mechanism taken on the line |0-I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. l1 is a detailed vertical longitudinal sectional view through the vertically adjustable portion of the fixture showing the arrangement of the t-wo sets of contact springs and ejector members therein and an article in operative position relative to the'lower set of contacts and ejector;

Fig. 12 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the xture taken on'the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11; Y Figs. 13 and 14 are plan sectional views through the xture taken on the lines |3-l 3 and |4`|4, respectively, showing' a different type of article in operative position in each figure; and

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detailed view, partly in section, of one type of ejecting plunger.

The holding and ejecting xture, constituting the present invention, is shown in connection with a machine for electrically testing condensersor networks, which machine is disclosed and claimed in my co-pending applications, Serial Nos. 45,386, 45,385, filed August 20, 1948. This machine'is designed to test various electrical characteristics of networks or condensers which are enclosed in rectangular metal containers or cans 25 (Figs. 3 and 4), each of which is closed at its open end by a wall or closureV 26 of insulating material apertured to accommodate the terminals 2l and, in some cases, the studs 28 extending therethrough. The metal containers 25 are of a predetermined uniform length and width and their thickness varies according to the number of condensers and/or networks contained therein. The number of terminals varies, ranging from 2 to 4, and the arrangement thereof likewise varies, depending upon the numb-er of condensers or net.. works in the container. For purposes of convenience of description, the condenser and network unit and container therefor will hereinafter be referred to as an article 29.

Generally, the apparatus comprises a continually rotating turret or table 35 (Figs. 1 and 2) having a plurality of article holders 36 for receiving the articles 29 and carrying them through a predetermined circular path of less than one com.-

in response to the energization of the solenoids 56 associated therewith. Thus, the cams 52, which extend radially outwardly from the cam surface |25, act, when in operative position, to actuate the cam follower H6 and move the latch 50 to its open position to permit the ejection of the article from the holder 38. When the solenoid 56 is energized, it retracts the cam 52 to its inoperative position to render it ineffective to actuate the latches 50 as explained hereinbefore.

The pusher mechanism 48 (Figs. l, 5, 9 and 10) for pushing the articles radially inwardly into their operative position in engagement with the contact members 46 and against the yielding pressure of the ejector 39 comprises a plurality of spaced pusher elements or rollers |29 rotatably mounted on a disc |30 fixed to the upper end of a shaft |3|, which is rotatably journalled in a bearing member |32. The bearing |32 is formed in a mounting plate |33, which is mounted for sliding movement on a supporting plate |34 secured to a pair of spaced supporting brackets |35 extending from and fastened to the stationary support |2|. The plate |33 is guided for limited radial movement by a pair of shouldered studs |31 positioned in radially extending guide slots |38 in the supporting plate |34. A sprocket |42, pinned to the shaft |3|, is connected by a sprocket chain |43 to a sprocket |44, which, in turn, is keyed to a shaft `|45 rotatably mounted in a bearing |46 formed on the supporting plate |34. A disc |41, keyed to the upper end of the shaft |45, has a plurality of equally spaced radially disposed slots |48, which are engageable by drive pins |49 extending downwardly in spaced relation to each other from the underneath surface of the annular plate of the rotary table 35. Thus, the pins |49, moving with the rotatable table 35, engage in the slots |48 of the disc |41 and impart rotation thereto which, in turn, through the chain drive, imparts rotation to the disc |30 and pusher rollers |29. 'I'he pusher elements or rollers |29, being spaced equiangularly about and equidistant from the axis of the rota tion of the disc |30, engage successive Varticles and move them radially inwardly on the rotatable table from their outer or inoperative position to their inner or operative position against the yielding pressure of the ejecting members 39 yto effect the engagement of the terminals 21 with the electrical contact members 46.

The fixtures 4| (Figs. 5, '1, 8, 9 and 11 to 15), in which the contact members 46 and the ejector members 39 are mounted, comprise elongated tapering units nested together in annular form and secured to an annular disc or supporting plate |60 by screws |6| (Fig. 5) fltting in aligned Vertical grooves in the diverging side walls of the adjacent fixture units. Each fixture 4| is associated and radially aligned with an article holder 36 and contains two sets of contact members 46 and ejector members 39 arranged at two levels, one set in superposed relation to the other. One set of contacts 46 and ejector 39, as, for example, the upper one, is adapted'to accommodate articles having studs 28, as disclosed in Fig. 3, and the otherV or lower set of contacts and ejector is adapted to be used for testing articles having end constructions as disclosed in Fig. 4.

The supporting plate |60 and the fixtures 4| are vertically adjustable to align horizontally the upper or lower sets of contacts and ejectors with the holders 38 and alsoto adjust the position of theV contacts and theejectors of each set ver-` tically relative to the holders when used in testing articles of different thicknesses. A plurality ofrods |63, fixed at one end to the plate |60, extend downwardly through apertures inthe web or disc portion 12 of the turret 35 and are secured at their lower ends to an annular plate |64, the plate |64 resting on an anti-friction thrust bearing |66 slidably mounted for vertical movement on the sleeve 14 and supported by a plurality of thrust pins |61. The pins|61 extend upwardly from an internally threaded nut |68 mounted in threaded engagement with an externally threaded sleeve |10, which, Yin turn, is mounted for rotation on the stationary shaft 15 and is actuated through a worm drive under control of an operating handle |15. Thus, by turning the handle |15, the fixtures 44 may be adjusted vertically to align either set of contacts 46 and ejectors 41 horizontally relative to the articles 29 in the holders.

Each xture 4| comprises a housing formed in' three sections secured in superposed rel-ation by screws |83 and having upper intermediate and lower horizontal wall portions |84|85 and |86, respectively, and side walls |88-|88. In each of. the upper and lower compartments formed by the housing is positioned one set of contacts and ejector members. Guideways or slots |90 are formed 'in theside walls |88 for supporting the ejector members 39 for horizontal reciprocable movement and recesses V| 9| are provided inthe fixture for receiving a plurality of blocks of insulation |93 to form a wall for supporting the contact springs 46. The ejecting plungers 39 are U-shaped and, as previously described, are normally urged radially outwardly by compression springs 40 interposed between the plunger` 39 and the wall |93 and movement outwardly of the ejector is limited by pins |96 engageable with the ends of slots |91|91 formed in the side walls |88 of the xture. The parallel spaced leg portions |99 of the U-shapedejector plunger 39 are provided at their outer ends with seats 200 adapted to be engaged by portions ofthe article 29.

In the lower set of ejectors (Fig. 4), the seats 200 are formed on the outer ends of the leg portions |99 and have angularly disposed guide surfaces 20| extending outwardly therefrom and are adapted to be engaged by the end portion of the article which is positioned laterally on the seats by the inclined portions 20|. In the upper set of ejectors 39 (Figs. 13 and l5), the seats 200, formed by the notches in the leg portions' |99, are spaced from the ends of the plunger and are adapted toreceive the studs 28 projecting from the article 29 of the type of construction shown in Fig. 3. The outer ends of the leg portions |99 are provided with inwardly 'directed inclined surfaces 202, which aid in guiding the studs 28 of the article into position on the seats 200.

To insure a positive contact between each of the studs 28 of the articleand the plunger 39, in order to electrically ground each stud to the machine, one of the seats of the plungeris provided with a mechanism to compensate for a slight difference in length between the studs 28 of the article. The'shoulder 203, forming one of the seats, is positioned a greater distance from the end of the ejector plunger 39 than the other seat anda movable abutment member, in the form of a ball 204, is mounted in a bore 205 in the leg |99 of the plunger and normally projects beyond the shoulder 203. The abutment member 204, which is retained in the bore 205 by the convergingside jwalls at thev end of thebore, is

urged outwardly by spring "30.5, which is :beldcempsessed by a :ring r2-0l :retained in :the here 2.6.5 by therein 196,- -rvhensnartilehaving Studs 2.3 .O f slightly diiferent `lengths yis moved into .engagement with .the ,Seats of the plunger 39, one stud g8 will .abut-theregular Seat 289 and the Lother :stud 2.8., ,whether theshort .0r long eee of the ytwo, Y.Will .be engaged lby the `Seli-adjusting abutment member 10.4 associated with V the other seat.

. yThecam yor contact spreader member 4,1 is fastened to the intermediate portion `of l,the J- shaped ejector :39. by ,a screw 269, the end of which projects :beyond the ejector, and servesas a guide pin -for the .compression spring 40. The contact -mernbers..fi5, our Iin number for each set, are ,in the form of 4elongated `flat spring members disposed .on opposite sides vof the plunger '39 and have :inwardly .directed end portions 210 .engageable with the terminals 2l of the article 29. Rigidly .supported at .one lend in the block |93, the .contact members liS-areiiexed for movement toward each .other transversely to fthe direction of movement of lthe .ejector member 132 and the article r29. Intermediate their ends, .the contact members '46 are provided with inclined voiset or cam portions `2Il-engageable with the inclined portions of the cam members Vlll, and vwhich portions 2H vcooperate with the `cam il to move the contacts 48 in a substantially vertical direction Yaway-from each other to `a spread or open position, -in -response to the horizontal movement of the ejector outwardly to its normal extended position.

1n response -to the inward movement of the ejector 39, the cam member lll' will disengage itself `fromthe contacts -ll and permit the contacts to move toward each other to a closed position in engagement with the terminals 27 on the article. Thus, when an article `29 positioned in 'the holder '36 o n the turret-35 is moved horizontally from an inoperative position to an perative position Yby Vthe pusher mechanism 48, it moves the ejector plunger 39 radially inwardly from its normal extended position to its operative position and Acauses the contact springs l5 to move towards each other into `engagement with the terminals 2l", which are subsequently sequentially electrically Yconnected. through Athe contactsto the ,various testing circuits, The inward movement of the ejector 39 also further compresses the .compression spring ,40 vso that, upon `dis.engagement pf ,the latchi from the article VV251, the ejector 39 `is moved outwardly with a sudden er ,Snap action toeiect the article from the holder 3e and the turret 35 Aand simultaneously therewithrmove lthe contact springs 4S to their Yopen position.

correspondingly positioned spring ycontacts in each pair of superposed sets of contacts 16 are electrically connected together by a conductor v214 and by conductors'2 l5 they are connected to brushes 216 mounted in a cylindrical shoulder holder-2H which, in turn, is secured lto the rotary sleeve `'Hl for rotation therewith. The brushes 246 are adapted to engage sequentially a plurality of stationary commutatorsegments 2|9 suitably supported and connected by conductors 223 to-various-testing circuits (not shown) for applying various electrical Atests to the-articles.

As they are carried-along by the turret 35, the articles 29 pass through a plurality of testing stations and are connected successively and for predetermined periods of time to the various testing apparatus andare subjected `to the various electrical tests to determine whether the values 4of certain electrical characteristics of the article fall within or outside of an acceptable range. In each test station, at a point where the article nears the end Aof its movement therein, there is located one of the cams 52 and a solenoid 56, which is electrically connected into the testing circuit associated with the station. 15jthe value of the .electrical characteristic of the article being tested falls within the set minimum-maximum range of the test circuit applying the test, the solenoid 56 is energized to withdraw the cam 52 and render it inoperative and lthe latch 5B holding the article in its opera.- tive position in the holder is not actuated at this point to release the article. If the value of the characteristic of the article being tested falls below the minimum or above the maximum range of the setting of the testing apparatus testing the article, kthe solenoid 56 remains deenergized and the cam 452 remains in its normal operative position and engages the cam follower H6 to actuate the latch 5) and disengage it from the article, `thus releasing the article and causing its ejection from the holder 36. Tubular chutes 54, rranged to receive the articles ejected at the various test stations, guide the articles 25 into suitable receptacles or bins (not shown). The rejected or imperfect articles are thus sorted into groups according to their defects and the good or acceptable articles are carried by the turret 35 to the unloadingr station to, where, as previously mentioned, the stationary cam 52 actuates the latches to release the articles 29, which are thereby ejected onto the rotating turn table 6G.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled -in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and iall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A fixture for holding articles during the electrical testing thereof comprising a supporting means, a holder on said supporting means for supporting an article to be tested and for guiding said article for reciprocable movement, an ejector slidably mounted on said supporting means for movement in a direction parallel to the reciprocable movement of said article, contact members mounted on said supporting means on opposite sides of said ejector and stressed. for movement to a closed position and engageable in said closed position with terminals on said article, cam elements on said ejector cngageaole with said contact members, spring means for stressing said ejector in one direction to eject an article from said holder and to cause the camming of said contact members to open position, said ejector being movable in the opposite direction bythe movement of said article to a predetermined operative position to eiect a movement of the contact members to a closed position in .engagement with the terminals n said article, a latch member for holding said article in operative position, and means for releasing said latch from said article to cause the ejection ci said article from said holder.

2. A fixture for holding articles e 'n electrical testing thereof comprising .-1 '5t means, a holder on said supporting means supporting an article to be tested and for guiding said article .for reciprocable,movementlan ejector lill slidably incuntedl on said supporting means for movement in a direction parallel to the reciprocable movement of said article, contact members mounted on said supporting means on opposite sides of said ejector and stressed for movement to a closed position and engageable in said closed position with terminals onsaid article, cooperating cam elements on said ejector and 4said contact members, spring means for stressing said ejector in one direction to eject an articlefrom said holder and to cause the camming of said contact members to open position,V said ejector being movable in the opposite direction'jbyVv the movement of said article to a predetermined operative position to effect a movement of the contact members to a closed position in yengagement with the terminals on said-article, a pivoted latch member engageable with the endl of said article for holding said article in its operativel position, cam follower means operable to actuate saidl latch member, a cam for actuating said cam' follower means, and means for effecting relative movement between said supporting means and said cam.

3. A fixture for holding articles during the electrical testing thereof comprising afpair Vof supporting members, a holder on one of said supporting members for supporting articles of different heights to be tested and for guiding said articles for reciprocable movement, Contact members mounted on ,the` other vof said supporting members biased VVfor movement to a closedposition and engageable in said closed position with terminals on said articles, an ejector plunger slidably mounted on the other of said supporting members for movement in a direction parallel to the reciprocable movement of said articles, cooperating cam elements on said ejector and said contact members, spring means for stressing said ejector in one direction to eject an article from said holder and to cause the camming of said contact members to open position, said ejector being movable in the opposite direction by the movement of said article to a predetermined operative position to effect a movement of the contact members to a closed position in engagement with the terminals on said article, means for raising and lowering the position of one of said supporting members relative to the other to align the contact members with respect to the terminals on the articles to be tested, a latch member for holding said article in its operative position, and means for releasing said latch from said article to cause the ejection of said article from said holder.

4. A xture for holding an article having terminals and attaching studs extending from one end thereof comprising a supporting means, a holder on said supporting means for supporting an article to be tested and for guiding said article for reciprocable movement, a metal plunger mounted on said supporting means for reciprocable movement and having a pair of seats engageable with the studs of articles to be tested to establish an electrical ground connection therewith, one of said seats including a movable abutment member yieldably mounted on said plunger for limitedmovement relative thereto in the direction of movement of said article, said plunger being movable in one direction in response to a predetermined movement in said direction of said article, resilient means for moving said plunger in the opposite direction to eject said article from said supporting means, contact members carried by said supporting means and 410 Y stressed for movement from lan open to a closed position and'engageablein said closed position with terminals-on said article, cooperating cam elements on said plunger and contact members for moving said contact members to open position in response to movement of said plunger in vsaid opposite direction to eject said article, 1a latch member for holding said article in its operative position,'and means for releasing said latch from said article to cause the ejectionof said article from said holder. v I Y 5. A 'xture for holding articles during the electrical testing thereof comprising a supporting means,'a holder'on said supporting means for supporting an-l article to be tested andfor guiding said article for' reciprocable movement, a lU-shaped plunger-mounted for reciprocable movement-in said supporting means and having outwardly directed spaced end portions engageable with the article to be tested and on opposite sides of said terminals thereof, said plunger being movable Vin one direction in response'toa predetermined movement in said one direction of rsaid article, contact springs mounted in said supporting means on opposite sides ofthe lll-shaped plunger'and between the spaced end portions thereof, said contact springs being biased to'move towards Veach other to a closed position'A Yand being Aengageable in said closed position with the terminals on said article, cooperating cam elements on said plunger and said spring-contacts operable to'moveA said contacts away from eachv other to an open position in response to movement of said plunger, a spring for moving said plunger in the opposite direction to eject an article from the holder and to effect the movement of said contact spring to an open position, a movable member engageable with the end of said article to hold said article against ejection, and an actuator operable to disengage said movable member from said article and cause its ejection from said holder.

6. A iixture for holding articles during the electrical testing thereof comprising a supporting means, a holder on said supporting means for supporting an article to be tested and for guiding said article for reciprocable movement, contact members mounted on said supporting means and stressed for movement to a closed position and engageable in said closed position with terminals on said article, a plunger mounted on said supporting means in the path of movement of said article and movable in one direction by a predetermined movement of said article to effect the movement of said contact members to closed position in engagement with the terminals on said article, spring means for moving said plunger in the opposite direction to move said contacts to open position and to eject said article, a latch for holding the article against movement in said opposite direction, and a member for tripping said latch to release said article and cause its ejection.

7. A fixture for holding articles during the electrical testing thereof comprising supporting means, contact members carried by said supporting means and stressed for movement from an open toa closed position and engageable in said closed position with terminals on said article, a plunger mounted on said supporting means for reciprocatory movement and engageable with said article and movable thereby in one direction, resilient means for moving said plunger in the opposite direction, cam means on said plunger engageable with said contact members for moving eidc'nteetmembers @been rnsitien in response te @lavement in.- seid. meeste direetien essere Planeet guide means 011.1 eeidsuppertine-m for. supporting and guiding:saidarticlefrmov meet tward and away freetsad eentaet mene.- bl'rs, whereby said article niay be moved on said snide means to an operative. position to said plinger and eect the engagement of; the contact member with the terminals on said( article, leth means for heldne Seid, article inoperative position, and means for disengagingsaid, late l;A @leerte from Seid article. tener-.mit theplurieerfto eieet Seid eltiele freni. Seid ssnvertine .means-.

it e xture ferheldinsertieles.duringtne elec.- ltipel. testing thereof@ @maris/ine.- Supporting Ineens, e helder en Seid-.euepor-tine. means. tor. beleive. en. eltele. beine; tested. andv fengradins Seid article fer reeipreeeble.. meremermeentaet members meunted 0.1.1 Seidsusmrting meansfor Bisi/ement. transversely tothe; reeimteeeble mere meet ef; Sad elitieleeesi eneesealelegwith temi: riale ensei@ article en eieetoreslidehlv:mounted Seid. Supporting: meansA fer: nettement.. in. a direetie Parallel tethereeipteeable movement efsad; article! resilient for Maisel-said ei'eeter 11.1.0ne dleetieneeieetfan article. from Seid'. helder` Cem elernerltsl` said; elector; for. meting, Seid .Contact memeere;| transvereely tft-the @lavement ef. Seid eieeterrteen Openpesitio, A`in response t0 ihefmevementef :Said eieeter. insaid one direction; said ej ectoig4 being;4 movableV in;V an opposite direction by the moyennant of said article. to: a predetermined; Operative: position means for' moving said contact members to a closed position in engagement with the terminails,` onsaid article in response to the movement in said opposite; direction of said ejector. a pivoted latch meniberl engageable with the end of said article for holding said article in itsl operative position, cam follower means operable to actuate said latch member, a cam for actuating said cam follower meansand means for eiectng relative movementV between said supporting meansv and said; cam.

9'. A xture forholding` articles during the electrical. testing thereof comprising spring pressed. contacts for engaging terminals on an article, a. plunger for. moving saidv contacts to inoperativeV positiom resilient' means for actuating saidi plungeig; a locking device associated with said. xture for holding; an articlef inV the fixture; againstY the; action of thef plunger, a tripping: mechanism for' tripping said locking device, inecluding cam means, and means for disabling said". cam means..

SCOTT V. SMITH..

REFERENCES CITED The followingrreferences are of record inv the: lle of this patent:

UNITED v STATES. PATENTS Number Name Date:

1,955,794 Du Mont et al.v Apr. 24', 1934 2,456,548 Weiner Dec. 14E,r 1948i

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