US2641941A

US2641941A - Actuating mechanism for impact machines

Info

Publication number: US2641941A
Application number: US33360A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edgar C Lundeberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-06-16
Filing date: 1948-06-16
Publication date: 1953-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 1970-06-16

Description

June 16, 1953 E. c. LUNDEBERG 2,641,941

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR IMPACT MACHINES Filed June 16. 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l E? fizz-82420?" gas a Lande5eqy Patented June 16, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR IMPACT MACHINES 8 Claims.

1 The invention relates to an actuating mechanism for a machine forstriking sharp sudden blows against a piece. of work. The mechanism includes a movable plunger adapted for carrying a suitable tool adapted to act upon the work. This tool may be a riveting or upsetting tool, or a tool for marking part numbers and the like, or

' any other tool which can do its work with a sharp blow.

- One of the objects of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the class described having means for adjusting the force of the blows struck by the tool. More specific objects of the invention are toprovide simple and conveniently operable means for attaining the desired adjustment.

Other objects of the invention are to provide improved means for moving the tool carrying plunger to quickly separate the tool from the work after a blow has been struck, and to provide improved means for then withdrawing the tool carrying plunger and positioning it for the next following operation.

Still other objects of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and from the following specification and claims.

In the drawings I have shown in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction shown, and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a machine having an actuating mechanism embodying the invention, this view being taken along the line l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line '2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1. r

, Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 4- l of Fig. l.-

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the machine-o a reduced scale.

Referring to the drawing, H] is a main frame which is provided with an anvil 12. The anvil is adapted, as for instance by the provision of a T-slot M therein, for the holding of a fixture such as it suitable for holding a work piece such as W to be acted upon. The work piece when engaged with the fixture is at or adjacent an impact position. A vertical plunger [3 is provided above the anvil I2, this plunger being movable toward and away from the anvil and the said impact position. The plunger I8 is adapted at its lower end for forcing a tool such as against a work piece on the fixture and adjacent the impact position. The tool 20 may be carried directly by the plunger I8 and it is formed or constructed for suitably acting upon the work piece.

It will be understood that the term vertical, as applied to the plunger [8 and as applied to various other parts, is herein used only in a relative sense and for purposes of simplicity of description. The said term is not to be interpreted as used in a restrictive sense, and the several parts may be positioned otherwise than vertically so long as the described relationship between them is maintained.

Preferably the plunger I8 is partly within a suitable housing 22 carried by or formed as a part of the frame It. As shown the housing 22 is structurally separate from the frame In, the frame l0 having a vertical dovetail opening which receives and fits a portion of the housing as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The housing 22 is preferably vertically adjustable with respect to the frame Ill and as shown the housing carries a bracket 24 at the rear having a vertical aperture therein. A stud 26 projects upward from the frame It through the said aperture in the bracket 24.

Nuts

28, 28 on the stud 26 engage the bracket 24 and it will be seen that by adjusting the said

nuts

28, 28 the housing can be vertically adjusted with respect to the frame. Preferably, one or more set

screws

30, 30 are provided for locking the housing in its vertically adjusted position.

A second vertical plunger 32 is provided which is above the plunger 18 and is in alignment therewith. This plunger is also vertically movable toward and away from the anvil l2 or the impact position. The lower part of the plunger 32 is er 32 is connected with the said piston 36. By

means of pipes 38 and air may be admitted to the cylinder 33 above the piston 36 to move the piston and the plunger downwardly and air may be admitted below the piston to move the piston and the plunger 32 upwardly. The

pipes

38 and 40 are connected with a suitable valve mechanism not shown, this valve mechanism serving to connect either the pipe 38 or the pipe 44 with a source of air under pressure. The valve mechanism may be operated manually or by means of a suitable electromagnetic operating mechanism.

A releasable latch 42 is provided for holding the first plunger 48 in its uppermost position as shown in Fig. 1. The details of this latch may be varied but preferably and as shown the latch is located within the housing 22 and is in the form of a substantially vertical bar. The bar or latch 42 is pivoted near its upper end to the top wall of the housing 22 for movement about a fixed axis. As shown, the upper end of the latch 42 projects into an opening in the top wall of the housing and is held by a horizontal pivot pin 44. The latch 42 is provided near its lower end with a transversely movable tooth 45 which is positioned and shaped to engage with a lug 48 secured to a collar 50 connected with the upper part of the plunger l8. Whenthe tooth 46 is engaged with the lug 48 the plunger is held in its uppermost position as shown in Fig. 2. A spring 52 engages the latch and also engages the side wall of the housing 22 and serves to bias the latch into its engaging position as shown.

A heavy spring is connected with and interposed between the two plungers l and 32 which spring is compressed upon movement of the second plunger toward the anvil or impact position while the first plunger is held by the latch 42. Preferably the said heavy spring is a coil compression spring 54 which engages at its lower end with the said collar 56 on the plunger I8 and whichv engages at its upper end with a collar 55 at the lower end of the plunger 32. The spring 54 is compressed upon movement of the plunger 32 while the plunger I8 is held by the latch 42.

An element 58 is provided which is engageable by a flange '50 on the collar 55, and which is moved transversely when so engaged. The said element 58 is so positioned that it is engaged by the flange 50 only after the plunger 32 has moved to a substantial extent so as to compress the heavy spring 54. When the said element 58 is engaged as described it serves to move the latch 42 transversely so as to disengage the tooth 48 thereof from the lug 48 on the plunger IS, the said plunger being thus released so that the spring 54 can drive it toward the anvil or impact position independently of the second plunger 32. When the plunger [8 is driven downwardly as described the tool is forced against a work piece W held by the fixture l6.

When the tool 20 is directly carried by the plunger IE it strikes a hard blow against the work piece.

Preferably and in accordance with one phase of the present invention, the latch moving element 58 is longitudinally or vertically adjustable so as to be engaged by the flange 60 after movements of the plunger 32 to varying extents. When the latch 42 is a substantially vertical bar as shown, the element 58 is vertically adjustable along the bar. When the element 58 is in a relatively elevated position it moves the latch 42 to release the plunger [8 after only a small downward movement of the plunger 32 and after the spring 54 has been compressed to only a relatively small extent. With the spring 54 only slightly compressed it exerts a relatively small force on the plunger I8 and the plunger is moved to cause the tool 2!! thereon to strike only a light blow against the work piece. As the element 53 is adjusted in the downward direction the plunger 32 moves to successively greater extents and the spring 54 is compressed to successively greater extents before the said element 58 acts to move the latch and release the plunger l8. Thus the force exerted upon the plunger l8 by the spring 54 is successively increased asthe element 58 is adjusted downward and the tool 20 strikes increasingly sharper blows upon the Work piece. By adjusting the element 58 downwardly or upwardly the force of the blows struck by the tool 20 can be varied to any de-- sired extent within a predetermined range.

A suitable manually operable mechanism is preferably provided for effecting the described vertical adjustment of the element 58. As shown, the element 58 is apertured to receive the latch and is guided for movement therealong. The said element is pivotally connected at '5! with the lower end portion of a substantially vertical rod 62 which is closely adjacent the latch 42. The upper end portion of the rod =62 is threaded and projects through an opening in the top wall of the housing 22. A coil spring 53 surrounds the rod 52, this spring abutting at its lower end against the element 53 and abutting at its upper end against the top wall of the housing, the spring thus serving to bias the element 58 for downward movement. A knurled nut 64 has threaded engagement with the upper end portion of the rod 62, the said nut resting upon the top wall of the housing 22. The opening in the top wall of the housing 22 is larger than the rod 62, thus permitting the rod to rock slightly as its lower end is moved by the element 58.

It will be seen that the nut 64 is conveniently positioned at the front of the machine and that the operator, by turning the nut, can raise or lower the latch moving element 58. When the nut 54 is turned in one direction the element 58 is moved upward in opposition to the spring 63. When the nut 64 is turned in the opposite direction the element 58 is moved downward by the spring '53. As shown, the rod 52 is flattened at one side as indicated at 65 and this flattened portion carries vertically spaced numerals which serve to indicate the extent of adjustment of the element 58.

Preferably a relatively light spring is provided which is connected with the plunger IB and which is tensioned upon the independent downward movement of the said plunger by the heavy spring 54. The relatively light spring serves, immediately after movement of the plunger to the maximum extent toward the impact position, to move the plunger I8 away from the said impact position. When the tool 20 is carried directly by the plunger It, the said light spring serves to move the tool out of engagement with the work piece. The said light spring may be variously formed and connected, but preferably and as shown a coil spring 63 is provided which is within a central aperture in the plunger It. The spring '88 surrounds a vertical rod 75 which is vertically movable with respect to the plunger [8 and which extends upward through the coil spring 54, being rigidly connected at its upper end with the plunger 32 or with the collar 56 thereon. The rod in has a head at its lower end and the spring 68 abuts at its lower end against the said head on the rod 75 and abuts at its upper end against a shoulder. formed withspring 54.

in the plunger It. It will be seen that, by reason of the described connection, the said spring 68 serves to bias. the plunger l8 for upward movement relatively to the plunger 3'2.

It will be seen that the rod 10 serves, ordinarily in conjunction with a spring such 'as '68,

movement being cushioned by the spring '68 and being continued until the plunger I8 is again engaged and held by the latch 42. Thus the parts arerestored to their initial positions and are ready for a subsequent cycle of operations.

In operation, after a work piece such as W has been put in place on the fixture IS, the air valve is manipulated to admit air to the top of the cylinder 34, thus forcing the piston 36 and the plunger 32 downward and compressing the When the flange 60 engages the element 5!! the latch 42 is, disengaged from the plunger l8 which is then driven downwardly by the'spring so as to cause the tool to strike a sharp blow against the work piece. The spring 68 immediately withdraws the plunger l8 and the tool 29 from the work piece and the valve mechanism is reversed to admit air to the bottom of the cylinder 34, thus raising the plunger 32.. As the plunger 32 moves upwardly it serves, by means ,of the rod E0 and the spring 68, to elevate the v plunger l8 to its initial position where it is again engaged by the latch 42. W can be removed and a new one put in place,

after which the beforedescribed. cycle of operations is repeated. The force of the blow exerted by the tool 20 can be adjusted by means of the nut 64 as already described.

What I claim is:

1. In an actuating mechanism for an impact machine, the combination of a frame, a plunger movable longitudinally relatively to said frame toward an impact position, a latch, means for mounting the latch on said frame, said mountin means being constructed to permit transverse movement of the latch but to prevent longitudinal movement thereof, means biasing said latch for engagement with the plunger to hold it in a position remote from the said impact position, a second plunger in alignment with the first plunger and movable lon itudinally relatively to the frame, means connected with the second plunger for moving it toward the said impact position, a heavy spring connected with and interposed between the two plungerswhich spring is tensioned upon movement of the second plunger .toward the said impact position while the first in adjusted position, being engaged and displaced upon movement of the said plunger toward the impact position, said element being connected to said latch in any position thereof to utilize the displacement of the said element for moving the latch transversely so as to release the first plunger and thus permit the heavy spring to drive the first plunger toward the said impact position independently of the second plunger, and means Then the work piece 6 for longitudinally adjusting the latch moving element to change the position .at which the said elementis engaged by the second plunger and to thus change the amount of spring tension prior to the release of the first plunger with a resultant change in the amount of force exerted by the spring to move the said first plunger toward the said impact position.

2. In an actuating mechanism for an impact machine, the combination of a housing, a plunger partly within the housing and projecting therefrom downwardly toward an impact position, the said plunger being vertically movable downwardly relatively to the housing and toward the said impact position, a latch located within the housing, means within the housing for mounting the latchthereon, the said mounting means being constructed to permit transverse movement of the latch but to prevent longitudinal movement thereof, means biasing said latch for engagement with the plunger to hold it in its uppermost position, a second plunger partly within the housing in alignment with the first plunger and vertically movable relatively to the housing, means connected with the second plunger for moving it downwardly, a heavy spring connected with and interposed between the two plungers which spring is tensioned upon downward movement of the second plunger while the first plunger is held by the latch, a latch moving element within the housing mounted for longitudinal adjustment along the path of movement of said second plunger and, in adjusted position, being engaged and displaced upon downward movement of the said plunger, said element being connected to said latch in any position thereof to utilize the displacement of the said element for moving thev latch transversely so as to release the first plunger and thus to permit the heavy spring to drive the first plunger downwardly toward the said impact position independently of the second plunger, and manually operable means accessible at the exterior of the housing and connected with the latch moving element for vertically adjusting the said element with respect to the latch so as to change the position at which the element is engaged by the second plunger and to thus change the amount of spring compression prior to the release of the first plunger with a resultant change in the amount of force acting to move the said first plunger and a, tool carried thereby downwardly toward the said impact position.

3, In an actuating mechanism for an impact machine, the combination of a frame, a plunger movablevertically downwardly relatively to said frame toward an impact position, a substantially vertical latch having a tooth near its lower end, means for connecting the latch with the frame for movement about a fixed horizontal axis near the upper end of the latch, means for biasing the latch for movement about the said axis to transversely move the said tooth into engage ment with the plunger to hold 'it in its uppermost position, a second plunger above the first plunger and vertically movable relatively to the frame, means connected with the second plunger for moving it downwardly, a heavy spring connected with and interposed between the two plungers which spring is tensioned upon down" ward movement of the second plunger while the first plunger is held by the latch, a latch moving element mounted for vertical adjustment along in adjusted position, being engaged and dis- 16.

placed upon downward movement of the said plunger, said element being connected to said latch in any position thereof to utilize the displacement of the said element for pivotally mov ing the latch in opposition to its bias so as to release the first plunger and to thus permit the heavy spring to drive the first plunger downwardly independently of the second plunger, and means for vertically adjusting the said latch moving element with respect to the latch to change the position at which the said element is engaged by the second plunger and to thus change the amount of spring tension prior to the release of the first plunger with a resultant change in the amount of force exerted by the spring to move the said first plunger downwardly toward the said impact position.

4. In an actuating mechanism for an impact machine, the combination of a frame, a plunger movable vertically downwardly relatively to said frame toward an impact position, a substantially vertical latch having a tooth near its lower end, means for connecting the latch with the frame for movement about a fixed horizontal axis near the upper end of the latch, means for biasing the latch for movement about e said axis to transversely move the said tooth into engagement with the plunger, a second plunger above the first plunger and vertically movable relatively to the frame, means connected with the second plunger for moving it downwardly, a heavy compression spring connected with and interposed between the two plungers which, spring is compressed upon downward movement of the second plunger while the first plunger is held by the latch, a substantially vertical rod adjacent the latch and mounted for vertical adjustment relatively thereto, a latch moving element carried by the rod and vertically adjustable therewith along the path of movement of the second plunger and, in adjusted position, being engaged and displaced upon downward movement of the said plunger, said element being connected to said latch in any position thereof to utilize the displacement of the said element for pivotally moving the latch in opposition to its bias so as to release the first plunger and to thus permit the heavy spring to drive the first plunger downwardly independently of the second plunger, and means for vertically adjusting the said rod and the said latch moving element to change the position at which the said element is engaged by the second plunger and to thus change the amount of spring compression prior to the release of the first plunger with a resultant change in the amount of force exerted by the spring to move the said first plunger downwardly toward the said impact position. 7

5. in an actuating mechanism for an impact machine, the combination of a frame, a plunger movable vertically downwardly relatively to said frame toward an impact position, a substantially vertical latch having a tooth near its lower end, means for connecting the latch with the frame for movement about a fixed horizontal axis near the upper end of the latch, means for biasing the latch for movement about the said axis to transversely move the said tooth into engagement with the plunger to hold it in its uppermost position, a second. plunger above the first plunger and vertically movable relatively to the frame, means connected with the second plunger for moving it downwardly, a heavy compression spring connected with and interposed between the two plungers which spring is compressed upon downward movement of the. second plunger while the first plunger is held by the latch, a substantially vertical rod adjacent the latch, the said rod being vertically-movable and being threaded at its upper end, a spring for biasing the rod downwardly, a nut engaging the threaded portion of the rod and serving upon rotation to cause the rod to move downwardly or upwardly, the said rod being moved downwardly by the spring and being moved upwardly by the nut, and a latch movingelement carried by the said rod near the lower end thereof and vertically movable therewith along the path of movement of the second plunger and, in adjusted position, being engaged and displaced upon downward movement of the said plunger, said element being connected to said latch in any position thereof to utilize the displacement of the said element for .pivotally moving the latch in opposition to its bias so as to release the first plunger and to thus permit the heavy spring to drive the first plunger downwardly independently of the second plunger, the vertical movement of the said element by means of the rod serving to change the position at which the element is engaged by the second plunger and to thus change the amount of compression of the heavy spring prior to the release of the first plunger with a resultant change in the amount of force exerted by the spring to move the said first plunger downwardly toward the said impact position.

6. In an. actuating mechanism for an impact machine, the combination of a frame, a plunger longitudinally movable relatively to said frame toward an impact position, a latch, means for mounting the latch on said frame, said mounting means being constructed to permit transverse movement of the latch but to prevent longitudinal movement thereof, means biasing said latch for engagement with the plunger to hold it in a position remote from the said impact position, a second plunger in alignment with the first plunger and longitudinally movable relatively to the frame, means connected with the second plunger for moving it toward the impact position, a heavy spring connected with and interposed between the two plungers which spring is tensioned upon movement of the second plunger toward the impact position while the said first plunger is held by the latch, a latch moving element positioned in the path of movement of the second plunger and being engaged and displaced upon movement of the said plunger toward the impact position, the said element being connected to the latch to utilize the displacement of the said element for IIlOVlIlg the latch to release the first plunger and to thus permit the heavy spring .to drive the said first plunger toward the said impact position independently of the second plunger, a light spring connected with the first plunger for moving it away from the said impact position independently of the second plunger, and means for tensioning the last said spring upon independent movement of the first plunger by the said heavy spring, the said light spring upon movement of the first plunger to the maximum extent toward the said impact position serving to immediately thereafter move the said plunger in the direction away from the said position.

'7. In an actuating mechanism for an impact machine, the combination of a frame, a plunger longitudinally movable relatively to the frame toward and away from an impact position, a latch, means for mounting the latch on said frame, said mounting means being constructed to permit transverse movement of thelatch but to prevent longitudinal movement thereof, means biasing said latch for engagement with the plunger to hold it in a position remote from the impact position, a second plunger in alignment with the first plunger and longitudinally movable relatively to the frame, means connected with the second plunger for moving it successively toward and away from the impact position, a heavy spring connected with and interposed between the two plungers which spring is tensioned upon movement of the second plunger toward the impact position while the said first plunger is held by the latch, a latch moving element positioned in the path of movement of the second plunger and being engaged and displaced upon movement of the said plunger toward the impact position, the said element being connected to the latch to utilize the displacement of the said element for moving the latch to release the first plunger and to thus permit the heavy spring to drive the first plunger toward the impact position independently of the second plunger, and a lost motion connection between the first plunger and thesecond plunger which connection includes a light spring biasing the first plunger toward the second plunger, the

light spring of the said connection being tensioned upon independent movement of the first plunger by the heavy spring and the said connection upon subsequent movement of the second plunger in the direction away from the impact position serving to move the first plunger away from the impact position to a position at which it is reengaged by the latch. I

I 8. In an actuating mechanism for an impact machine, the combination of a frame, a plunger longitudinally movable relatively. to the frame toward and away from an impact position and adapted to force a tool against a work piece adjacent the said impact position, a, latch, means for mounting the latch on said frame, said mounting means being constructed to permit transverse movement of the latch but to prevent longitudinal movement thereof, means biasing said latch for engagement with the plunger to hold it in a position remote from the impact position, a second plunger in alignment with the first plunger and longitudinally movable relatively to the frame, means connected with the second plunger for moving it successively toward and away from the impact position, a heavy compression coil spring connected with and interposed between the two plungers which spring is compressed upon movement of the second plunger toward the impact position while the said first plunger is held by the latch, a latch moving element positioned in the path of movement of the second plunger and being engaged and displaced upon movement of the said plunger toward the impact position, the said element being connected to the latch to utilize the displacement of the said element for moving the latch to release the first plunger and. to thus permit the heavy spring to drive the first plunger toward the impact position independently of the second plunger, a rod connected with the first plunger and extending through the said coil spring and into an aperture in the second plunger, and a light coil spring surrounding the rod and engaging the first plunger to bias it toward the second plunger, the said light spring being compressed upon independent movement of the first plunger by the heavy spring and the said light spring upon References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,319,796 Cooper May 25, 1943 Kovach Sept. 16, 1947