US2552833A - Increment mechanism - Google Patents

Description

May 15, 1951 R. F. HINSCHLAGER INCREMENT MECHANISM Filed April 17, 1946 INVENTOR RUDOLPH F. HlNSCHLAGER ATTORNEY Patented May 15, 1951 INCREMENT MECHANISM Rudolph F. Hinschlager, West Orange, N. J assignor, by mesne assignments, to Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation, a corporation of New York Application April 17, 1946, Serial No. 662,889

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for accomplishing a step by step removal of objects from a refrigerator. An object is to provide a simple and effective mechanism for elfecting such desired step by step movement. A further object is to remove a plurality of chilled objects from a refrigerator in a manner to minimize the formation of frost on the objects being removed.

In chilling a number of objects simultaneously as is done in obtaining a shrink fit, it is desirable to utilize one object at a time. If more objects than are needed are extracted from the refrigerator their very low temperature causes moisture in the air to be deposited on them unless precautions are taken.

According to this invention mechanism is provided for accomplishing such result by ejecting only one object at a time from a refrigerator. While such object is being put in position, other cold objects are retracted into the coldest part of the refrigerator. At the next requirement for an object, a plurality of the spaced objects are simultaneously extracted enough to expose only one more object. Each succeeding upward movement of the objects is of the same extent as the preceding plus a fixed increment of travel equal to the spacing of the objects.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 3;

A refrigerator ID of the type described and claimed in the co-pending application of Ahlstrand and Patch, Serial No. 662,700 filed April 17, 1946, for Cold Treating Method and Machine has a top H to its outer casing, such top being provided with wells or recesses, not shown, extending through the top into the refrigerator. In each such well or recess a cartridge l2 may be inserted, such cartridge comprise ing a plurality of superposed object receiving platforms or supports l3. Any one of a plurality of such cartridges is adapted to be withdrawn from the refrigerator by raising the cartridge when attached to a transversely extending beam or boom I4 elevated by the piston rod [5. The boom I4 is secured to a vertical extending slide l6 movable in guideways l8 by rollers I! located in its upper part. The guideway I8 comprises channels illustrated in Fig. 2 to which a stationary connection 20 is secured by bolts IS. A lower 1 end of the vertical slide [6. The cylinder 24 for compressed air contains a piston not shown but connected to a piston rod [5. The piston rod I5 is connected at its upper end with the boom M by a tapered and removable connection so arranged that upward movement of the piston rod' l5 elevates the boom while downward movement of the piston rod is actuated by either fluid pressure or gravity.

A control handle 25 for raising and lowering the piston in cylinder 24 is connected to a valve within the casing 26. The pipes 21 and 28 are connected to the plant source of compressed air and to the atmosphere respectively. Pipes 29 and 30 lead to the upper and lower ends respectively of the cylinder 24. When the control lever 25 is in horizontal position compressed air isshut off from each end of the cylinder. Upon raising the lever 25 to the position illustrated air is emitted from the pipe 21 through pipe 30 to the lower end of the cylinder raising the piston rod l5.

In order that only one object at a time may be exposed to the atmosphere for removal from the cartridge l2 an increment mechanism is provided for stopping the cartridge at successive platforms. This mechanism includes a housing 3| slidable on the friction bar 22. A rack bar 32 extends substantially the full length of travel of the cartridge I2 by piston rod IS. The upper end 33 of this rack .bar is reduced as illustrated for sliding within an upper bearing while thelower end 34 of the rack bar is similarly reduced for sliding in a lower bearing 36. The stop block 31 is adjustably fixed to whatever position is desired as shown in Fig. 4. This block includes bearing 35 and is adjustably clamped along'the elongated slot illustrated on one side and on the other side is provided with teeth engaging a short rack bar illustrated at the upper left of Fig. 4. The distance designated A in Fig. 4 between the bottom of the stop block and the top of the rack bar 32 is the increment distance through which the cartridge I2 is additionally raised on each upward stroke as will be described. This distance A is preferably adjusted to equal the separation of the superposed platforms or supports l3.

The lower end of the slide 16 carries a bumper projection 38 secured by bolts 39. Within the. projection 38 is carried a bumper detent 40 yieldably mounted in position by spring 4| so that on impact the spring 4| may be compressed to the extent indicated by the distance between. the collar of the bumper detent and thetop of its bearing.

Carried by the increment mechanism 3| is a pivotal trigger 42 mounted on shaft 43 about which the trigger is adapted to oscillate. A spring 44 normally biases the trigger 42 to a position in which its teeth illustrated are disengaged from' travels in the channels 18 for guiding the lower 30 the teeth of the rack bar 32. A bolt 45 adjusts the stress obtainable from the spring 44. On raising the boom l4 and slide l6, the bumper detent.

the air pressure in the cylinder 24 holds the boom and cartridge in its adjusted position of elevation. When the control lever 25 is moved to the down position introducing air to the top of the piston and upper end of the cylinder then the increment mechanism stays in its former elevated position clamped on the friction bar "22 while the rack bar drops until it is stopped by the top of its lower bearing 36 after the trigger '42 has been disengaged from the rack bar. The spring 44 is efiective to disengage the trigger from the rack bar after the bumper detent 49 has moved downward away from the trigger. In addition to the spring 44 positive means are provided for disengaging the trigger from the rack bar, such means including a cam finger 46 shown in Figs. 3 and 5 as being mounted on the shaft 43. As the vertical slide l6 moves downward a pin t8 secured thereto also moves downward cooperating with the cam surface 41 and the finger 46 and moving the finger in a counterclockwise direction as shown in 'Fig. 5 to cause disengagement of the trigger teeth from the rack bar in event the spring 44 may not function.

' brake pad 49' is located between the friction bar 22 and a clamping plate 5| held against the brake pad by the four clamping springs '5!) shown in 'Figs. 1 and 3 surrounding adjustable bolts passing into the increment mechanism housing 3"l.' A'spring releasing shaft 53 actuated by the handle 54 is adapted to relieve pressure of, the springs '50 from the brake pad 49. For this purpose plate 51 is provided with a pair of cam engaging members 52' bolted to the plate 51 as shown in 1. The shaft 53 journalled in the housing 3! has within each member 52 cam portions 55 sojshaped that by turning the handle 54 in either direction the plate 5| may be moved away from the friction "bar 22 compressing the springs 59- an amount suflicient to release the pad 49, the bar 22, from such spring pressure thus allowing the increment mechanism 3! to be moved freely up 'or down the friction bar '22 as desired.

In operation after the distance A has been adjusted to the spacing of the platforms or supports l3 and when the increment mechanism is its lowermost position, control handle 25v is raised admitting pressure of air to the lower portion of the cylinder, raising the piston rod I5 and the boom I4 with the vertical slide 16- mov-. ing in the guide channels I8. The cartridge 12 is moved outward from the refrigerator a distance before the firstplatform or support 13 is encountered. Before the upper platform l-Si-s exposed bumper detent 40- engages the trigger 42 moving it into engagement With the rack bar teeth -so that both the rack bar 32 and the increment mechanism 3| move upwardly, the increment mechanism sliding against a friction clamping action of the brake pad "49 on the'bar "212 The upward movement of the cartridge I2, rack-bar 32' and increment mechanism BI is" stopped when the top of the rack bar 32 engages the bottom of the friction block 31, at which time the uppermost platform l3 should be exposed for unloading the object carried thereby. In this position'no other object in the cartridge is exposed. The control lever remains in the position illustrated during the unloading operation. As soon as the uppermost object has been removed and while such object is being utilized, as for example when the object is a valve seat and the same is being inserted into position in an engine block, the cartridge should be lowered or retracted into the refrigerator for continued cooling of the objects held thereby. For this purpose the control lever is lowered to the down position admitting compressed air to the top end of the cylinderand moving the piston downwardly under air pressure. Pressure is desirable for moving the piston downward when the friction of the piston and packing may be stronger than gravity as is often the case with new and unworn parts. When the slide [6 moves downward :bumper detent 40 moves away from the trigger 42- and the pin 43 with cam V 41 disengage the trigger from the rack bar teeth in event the springs 44 may not have been strong enough for this purpose. The rack bar 32 moves down no further than an amount for it to engage the 'top'of its lower bearing 36. The increment mechanism 3| however remains in clamped position friction held to the bar 22 while the slide 16 and bumper projection 38 are moved downward far enough for the cartridge 12 to be fully enclosed by the recess or well into which it extends. After the top object has been inserted '1 in position and the operator is ready to withdraw another one from the cartridge the same cartridge is again raised the same amount as it was raised on the preceding upward movement plus an amount of travel equal to the increment A. As the previously unloaded platform I3 is exposed, bumper detent '40 engages trigger 42' causing the increment mechanism and rack bar to be moved up together another increment distance A after which the same cycle of operation is performed, each succeeding. outward movement of the cartridge being the same as the preceding outward movement plus an amount equal to the increment distance A.

After one cartridge 12 has been unloaded it may be reloaded after a loaded spare cartridge has been pushed into the refrigerator for chilling. A thumb nut carried by the outer end of the boom I4 is then releasedfor-engaging another one of several cartridges [2 as described in said prior application of Ahlstrand and Patch Serial No. 662;100, 'filed April 1-7, 1946, for Cold Treatillg Method and Machine. In this way the same boom and increment mechanism are effective to raise any one ofseveral cartridges in a step by step movement. 7

Among the advantages of this invention may be mentioned the exposure or withdrawal of only one chilled object at a time so that the remaining lower objects in a cartridge are shielded or protected from direct contact with the atmosphere to prevent the unnecessary deposit of moisture on the objects .as would follow were such objects to be exposed to the atmosphere longer than necessary. The increment mechanism isresponsive to movement of the cartridge in only one direction, namely, outwardly from V the refrigerator. When objects of greater thickfor the objects to be chilled. When the platform spacing is changed the setting of the stop block 31 should also be changed in order that the increment distance A may correspond with the longitudinal spacing of the platforms in the cartridge. The increment mechanism and refrigerator are preferably secured together and mounted on wheels to constitute a portable refrigerator or shrink fit apparatus. The fluid pressure supply pipe 21 is connected with the factory compressed air system and no separate source of air pressure being necessary, although of course where no such factory fluid pressure system exists a separate pump or other source of fluid pressure may be embodied in the portable unit. Detent 40 is cushioned to permit the teeth of the trigger 42 to hunt engagement with the teeth of rack bar 32 thus safeguarding the engagement of these teeth against possible fracture due to misalignment or other causes. After the piston and its packing have become worn fluid pressure may not be needed to lower the cartridge as the weight of the cartridge [2, boom l4 and slide [6 may be sufficient to move downwardly under the infiuence of gravity when pressure on the underside of the piston is relieved by being exhausted to the atmosphere.

I claim:

1. The combination with a piston rod and cylinder, of a housing alongside of which said cylinder is located, said housing being provided therein with a recess, a cartridge movable in and out of said recess, a beam extending transversely of said housing and connecting said cartridge with one of said piston rod and cylinder, a stational guide rod parallel to the cylinder and recess axes, an increment mechanism movable along said guide rod, a stop for limiting each outward movement of said mechanism to a predetermined amount, a brake for holding said mechanism to said guide bar, a valve for admitting fluid under pressure to one end of said cylinder for moving said beam and cartridge out of the housing and recess until said stop is reached, said valve being movable to another position to release pressure from said cylinder to allow movement of the beam and cartridge toward said housing and recess, a successive movement of the beam away from the housing and recess being of the magnitude of such preceding movement away from the housing and recess plus said predeter mined amount and said movement of predetermined amount effecting a movement of said increment mechanism and a slipping of said brake.

2. The combination with a piston rod and cylinder, of a housing alongside of which said cylinder is located, said housing being provided therein with a recess, a cartridge movable in and out of said recess, a beam extending transversely of said housing and connecting said cartridge with one of said piston rod and cylinder, a stationary guide rod parallel to the cylinder and recess axes, an increment mechanism movable along said guide rod, a stop for limiting each cu ward movement of said mechanism to a predetermined amount, a brake for holding said mechanism to said guide bar, a valve for admitting i'luid under pressure to one end of said cylinder for moving said beam and cartridge out of the housing and recess until said stop is reached, said valve being movable to another position to release pressure from said cylinder and allow movement of the beam and cartridge toward said housing and recess, a movement of the beam away from the housing and recess being of the magnitude of such preceding movement away from the housing and recess plus said predetermined amount and said movement of predetermined amount effecting a movement of said increment mechanism and a slipping of said brake, said increment mechanism including a rack bar paralleling the guide rod, a pivotal trigger engaging said rack bar in response to movement of said beam approaching said trigger, said rack bar engaging said stop to limit said outward movement, and a cam for disengaging said trigger and. rack bar on completion of said predetermined movement of the increment mechanism.

3. The combination according to claim 2 comprising a brake release for manually disconnecting said increment mechanism from said guide bar for freely sliding said mechanism along the guide bar upon completion of outward movements of said beam.

4. The combination with machine having a housing provided with a well extending below the top of the housing, a multi-platform cartridge movable into the well, a cover secured to said cartridge for closing the top of said well when the cartridge is in place within the well and mechanism for lifting said cartridge from the well, returning it into the well, and again lifting it from the well in successive movements each lifting movement being of a rigid slide, the movement of which is longer than the preceding lifting movement by an increment equal to the spacing of the platforms in the cartridge, said increase in the lifting movement being automatic in response to actuation of said mechanism.

5. The combination with temperature chang ing apparatus having a housing provided with a recess, of a plurality of spaced work supports movable in and out of said housing and recess, means for selectively ejecting said plurality of work supports one at a time from said housing and recess, said last mentioned means including a slidable elongated member carrying said work supports and cooperating, with a stop, guide means for said elongated member, an increment mechanism movable along said elongated member in successive steps, said mechanism includ-v ing a brake for holding said increment mechanism and elongated member in successive adjusted positions, each movement of the elongated member being substantially equal to the spacing of said work supports, whereby outward movement of said elongated member in steps moves said work supports as a unit but is adapted to expose only one of them at a time more than was exposed before.

6. The combination with temperature changing apparatus, of a plurality of spaced work supports, means for selectively ejecting said plurality of work supports, said last mentioned means including a slidable elongated member cooperating with a stop, an increment mechanism movable along said elongated member in successive steps, said mechanism including a brake for holding said increment mechanism and elongated member in successive adjusted positions, each movement of the elongated member being substantially equal to the spacing of said work supports, said increment mechanism also including a pivotal trigger movable to engage and move with said elongated member in response to movement of said ejecting means.

7. The combination with temperature changing apparatus, of, a plurality of spaced work supports, means for selectively ejecting said p111:

aseaeae 7 rality of Work supports, said last mentioned means including a "slidable elongated member cooperating with a stop, an increment mechan'ism movable along said elongated member in successive steps, said mechanism including a brake for holding said increment mechanism and elongated member in successive adjusted positionsg'each movement :of the elongated memher being substantially equal to the spacing of said work supports, said increment mechanism also including a pivotal trigger movable to engage and move with said elongated member in response to movement of said ejecting means, and means to. disengage said trigger and elongated member after said member engages said. stop.

8. The combination with temperature changing apparatus, of a pluralityof spaced work supports, means for selectively ejecting said plurality of Work supports, said last'mentioned means including a sl'idable elongated member cooperating with a stop,. an increment mechanism movable along said elongated member in successive stbpasaid mechanism including a brake for holding said increment mechanism and elongated member in successive adjusted positions, each movement of the elongated member being substantially equal to the spacing of said work supports, said increment mechanism also including a pivotal trigger movable to engage and move with saidelongated member in response to movement of said ejecting means, and means to disengagesaid trigger and elongated member after said member engages said stop, a fixed member along. which said brake moves while the trigger is connected to and moves with said elongated member said brake holding the increment mechanism in adjusted position on the fixed member while the trigger is disengaged from the elongatedJmember.

9. The combination with a refrigerator having awell extending into the same through the top thereof, a work holding cartridge having spaced platforms for supporting workpieces, elevating means for said cartridge, means for stopping said elevating means to expose successive platforms, and means for retracting said elevating means and cartridge between successive outward movements, thereof, said means for stopping the elevating means to'- expose successive platforms including a stationary guide, a stop, an elongated shiftable member parallel to said guide,

a brake-member slidable along said guide, and

an increment mechanismbetween said guide and elongated member and including a pivotal member adapted to engage said elongated member and be moved therewith in response to upward movement by said elevating means, said increment mechanism and brake being slidable along said guide during movement-of said elongated member, said pivotal member being disengaged from said elongated member after engagement with said stop, the mechanism being held to said guide during retracting of the elongated member and elevating means.

10. A refrigerator comprising a plurality of wells extending into the refrigeratorfrom its top,.a boom extending over said top, a head over said Wells, a cartridge for each Well having a pluralityof superposed object receiving platforms, meansfor selectively connecting said head with the -cartridge for lifting one of them at a time fromits well, and means for elevating'said boom successive amounts to successively expose said platforms one at a time;

11. A- refrigerator having a casing provided with a recess, a plurality of spaced wo'rk supports connected together for simultaneous movement in and outof the casing recess, means for so moving said supports in and out of the casing, and increment mechanism responsive to outward movement of said supports and means responsive to -a previous outward movement of said sup-- ports whereby successive outward movements of said supports from within said casing are each larger than the preceding such outward movement by an amount equal to the spacing of said work supports;

12. A refrigerator having a recess in the top thereof for receiving a plurality of superposed objects, vertically spaced work supports for said objects, means for moving said objects as a unit in and out of the recess and including a valve on the outside of said refrigerator, a fluid mot-or controlled by said value and an increment mechani'sm responsive to-a former movement of saidobject moving means by means of which successive spaced objects are exposed one at'a time, said valve being movable to retract the unexposed objects between each outward movement of said mechanism.

13. Apparatus for treating a plurality of spaced objects which comprises means whereby objects may be inserted into the apparatus to effect a temperature change in them, means for Withdrawing said objects from the apparatus to minimize the loss in temperature difference in them which includes means for outwardly moving said plurality of objects to expose at least one but not all of said objects whereby only'an exposed one of them may be removed without removing any more, means for withdrawing the remaining objects within the apparatus, and means responsive to a former'movement whereby said objects may be moved again outwardly an amount equal to the former outward movement plus a fixed increment of outward travel in addition.

14. Apparatus for treating a plurality of spaced objects which comprises means whereby objects may be inserted into the apparatus to effect a temperature change in them, means for withdrawing said objects from the apparatus to minimize the' loss in temperature difference in themwhich includes means for outwardly moving said plurality of objectsto expose at least one but not all of said objects whereby only an exposed one of them may be removed without removing any more, means for withdrawing the remaining objects within'the apparatus, and means responsive to a former movement whereby said o'bjectsmay be moved'agairi outwardly an amount equal to the former'outward movement plus a fixed increment of outward travel in addition, said increm'entbeing equal in amount to the spacing of'sa'id objects.

RUDOLPH F. HINSCHLAGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Paulson Nov. 27, 1945

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