US3745856A - Carousel indexing system for solid waste compactor - Google Patents

Abstract

An indexing mechanism particularly adapted to drive a turntable in a solid waste compactor system includes a central rotating hub mounting the turntable and carrying a series of drive pins. A drive plate is pivotally mounted adjacent the hub and includes a drive pawl for rotating the hub. The system may be adjusted to assume a selected number of indexing positions in each 360* rotation to accommodate turntables having different numbers of refuse receptical positions.

Description

United States Patent 1 Aaron et al. v

[ July 17, 1973 CAROUSEL lNDEXlNG SYSTEM FOR SOLID WASTE COMPACTOR Inventors: Maurice E. Aaron, Bound Brook,

N.J.; Leonard Armstrong, Staten Island, NY.

Resources Control Corporation, Middlesex, NJ.

Filed: Feb. 29, 1972 Appl. No.: 230,296

Assignee:

US. Cl 74/819, 74/128, 74/822 Int. Cl B23b 29/32 Field of Search 74/822, 823, 827,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/ 1946 Heckethorn 74/822 X 2,924,|53 2/l960 Ehlingcr 74/822 X Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Assistant ExaminerF. D. Shoemaker Att0rney ,M0rton Amster, Daniel S. Ebenstein. et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An indexing mechanism particularly adapted to drive a turntable in a solid waste compactor system includes a central rotating hub mounting the turntable and carrying a series of drive pins. A drive plate is pivotally mounted adjacent the hub and includes a drive pawl for rotating the hub. The system may be adjusted to assume a selected number of indexing positions in each 360 rotation to accommodate turntables having different numbers of refuse receptical positions.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SHEET 1 0F 3 PATENIED JUL 1 7191s SHEET 3 [1F 3 k g a This invention relates generally to solid waste disposal and more specifically to an improved carousel system for automatically handling compacted waste in a solid waste compactor system.

Solid waste disposal in urban areas presents a number of serious problems which have received a great deal of attention in recent years. It is generally agreed that one of the most efficient and ecologically desirably ways of disposing of solid waste material is to compact it at its source into high density bales and to cart it to remote areas for incineration, use as land fill or other disposal. Many compactor devices have been developed in recent years to implement this concept. While there are some devices which are designed for use in individual homes or apartments, the trend has generally been to provide a single compaction device to serve many family units. Usually the compactor is located in the basement of a high-rise apartment building or other multiple dwelling at the foot of a refuse chute which might previously have been used to feed an incinerator.

The use of high volume compactors such as would be required in a building housing in excess of 20 to 25 apartments creates substantial materials handling problems. Although there tend to be peak periods of refuse disposal, the compaction system must remain available to receive and handle whatever refuse is generated on a 24 hour a day basis. Since it is not practical nor economically feasible to maintain personnel in constant attendance at the compactor, such equipment must be designed to function automatically and safely with minimal supervision. In addition, the device must be designed so as to permit easy carting and removal of the compacted waste and to insure the safety of unskilled operating personnel.

Prior art systems for handling compacted refuse have left a great deal to be desired. The most advanced of these systems generally includes a plurality of waste receptacles and apparatus for delivering individual receptacles to the compactor in timed sequence. However, the timing and control systems used in these devices permit a variety of malfunctions which interrupt the compactor operation and result in waste spillage and sometimes personal injury. Some of the more typical malfunctions with prior art systems include: several bales of compacted material being ejected into a single container; bales being ejected when there is no receptacle in position at the ejection port of the compactor; equipment cycling to indicate a full condition when, in fact, empty receptacles remain available; and injury to attending personnel working with the equipment. Further, prior systems are generally adapted for a specific volume installation and substantial redesign and reconstruction of the'system is required to change over between smaller and higher capacity operations. Prior systems are not adapted to permit easy removal and carting of the compacted refuse.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a more efficient and dependable system for collecting compacted refuse in a solid waste compactor which overcomes the foregoing difficulties.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an automated feed system for a refuse compactor in which the receptable capacity of the system may be varied without substantial modification to the equipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control system for a refuse compactorcarousel which insures that only one bale of refuse is ejected into a single receptacle and that an empty receptacle is securely positioned beneath the compactor ejection port before a bale is ejected.

In accomplishing these and other objectives in accordance with the present invention, a refuse compactor is provided with a refuse carousel system including a circular turntable supported for rotational motion adjacent the compactor carrying a plurality of upstanding refuse containers positioned about the turntable periphery. The turntable is provided with an hydraulic indexing mechanism including a central hub which supports the turntable and a pivotable drive plate. The central hub carries a selected number of drive series corresponding to the desired number of indexing positions in each 360 rotation of the hub and the drive plate carries a drive pawl for engaging the drive pins and rotating the hub. The drive plate includes switching means for adjusting the length of the drive plate power stroke in accordance with the desired number of indexing positions in each 360 rotation.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated by reference to the following detailed disclosure of a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a solid waste compactor and a compactor carousel system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view partially broken away of the turntable showing the turntable drive mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred turntable indexing mechanism at rest in the filling position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the turntable indexing mechansim in its retracted position, ready to rotate the turntable; and

FIG. 6 is a diagramatic view of the electrical and hydraulic control circuit for the carousel.

Referring to the appended drawings, FIG. I generally shows a solid waste compactor 10 including a chute section 10a adapted to receive solid refuse from a conventional refuse shaft in an apartment building or other similar environment. Compactor 10 includes a principal compacting section 10b wherein a horizontally reciprocating ram (not shown) compacts refuse from chute 10a into a compaction chamber located in the lower part of compactor ejection section 100. Ejection section also includes a vertical acting ejection ram (not shows) which operates in response to control signals from a control circuit to eject a bale of compacted refuse through a sliding door located at the lower face of ejection section 10c when the compacted bale has reached a desireddensity. Compactor I0 is provided with a receptacle indexing carousel 12 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention including a circular turntable 14 mounted for rotational indexing motion. Turntable 14 includes a plurality of refuse receptacle stations located at regular intervals around the periphery of the turntable in alignment with the ejection port at the base of compactor ejection section c (shown in broken line in FIG. 2). It is to be understood that the present invention contemplates the provision of any selected number of receptacle stations on table 14, with the diameter of table 14 being selected in order to accommodate the desired number of receptables. It is also understood that if the diameter of plate 14 is increased, the plate center may have to be moved further from the compactor to permit alignment of the compactor ejection port with the refuse receptacles. For this reason, the turntable 14 preferably stands independent of the compactor on a rotation and drive mechanism to be described hereinafter.

In the preferred embodiment, each receptacle station comprises a pair of upstanding posts 18 supporting a ring 16. A refuse bag of plastic or other similar material is draped over rings 16 with the open edge of the bag pulled downwardly over posts 18 and the bag bottom elevated between posts 18. The receptacle in this empty condition is indexed under ejection section 10c. When a refuse bale is ejected into the bag, it makes contact with the bag bottom stretched across ring 16, drawing the bag downwardly through ring 16 between posts 18 into contact with turntable 14. As the bag is drawn downwardly, the remainder of the bag is carried over ring 16 until the full bag reaches its'rest position as in bags a in FIG. 1. The turntable is then indexed to its next position in a manner to be described hereinafter.

It will be appreciated that bags 20a-20f have been filled and that bags 20g-20h are empty.

During indexing, the turning motion of the turntable applies a centrifical force to the bag and refuse slug, tending to drive the bag and refuse slug outwardly. For this reason, posts 18 are located on ring 16 radially outwardly with respect to the center of turntable 14 from the central diameter of ring 16 so that as the slug and bag is urged outwardly by centrifical force, it engages posts 18 and is prevented from falling off the turntable. However, posts 18 are positioned far enough apart so that when it is desired to remove the refuse bag, the bag top may be closed with a drawstring or wire closure and the bag may be manually pulled off the turntable between posts 18. The bags are thus retained in proper position during filling and rotation and yet may be easily removed from the turntable without substantial lifting.

The presently preferred support and rotating system for turntable 14 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 and in the broken away portion of FIG. 2.

Turntable 14 is supported in its central portion by a rotating hub 22 which is pivotably mounted about a central support pin 26 which stands on a support frame center plate 28. Hub 22 is bolted to turntable 14 by a series of securing bolts 24. The support frame (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) also includes four arms 30 which extend radially outwardly from center plate 28 to a circular guide track 32 which includes an upstanding outer flange 32a. As seen in FIG. 3, turntable 14 includes a circular depending flange 14a adjacent its outer edge to partially enclose the turning mechanism and prevent litter and stray refuse from entering the turning mechamsm.

Track 32 includes a plurality of rollers 34 mounted at selected positions about the track on roller support arms 36 which maintain rollers 34 in position to engage the outer periphery of turntable l4. Rollers 34 support turntable 14 adjacent its outer edge to support the substantial weight of the compacted refuse in receptacles 20. These rollers are particularly important when the first several receptacles are filled at which time the weight distribution on the turntable is substantially out of balance.

Even with rollers 34, the turntable 14 may tend to sag at the heavier weighted side, leaving the turntable standing at a slight angle (at least during certain portions of the turntable filling cycle). At these times, since one side of the turntable is carrying substantially more weight than the other, there is a tendency of the turntable to rotate slightly, particularly during portions of the indexing cycle when the indexing system does not firmly secure the table in place. To prevent inadvertent rotation during these times, a frictional plate 38 is mounted at at least one position on frame 32. This plate is mounted on shaft 38a which is slidably supported in support 40 and is urged by spring 42 into frictional engagement with the underside of plate 14, thereby preventing the plate from inadvertently rotating during unsecured intervals.

The system for indexing plate 14 is best seen in the two extreme positions of its operative cycle in FIGS. 4 and 5. It will be appreciated that the pivotal mounting of hub 22 on pin 26 and the engagement of roller 34 with table 14 leave the table free to rotate. The frictional contact between plate 36 and table 14 is easily overcome by the indexing drive mechanism.

Briefly, at rest (FIG. 4) hub 22 is rigidly held by drive pawl 54 against stop pawl 80, maintaining the turntable stable. The turntable is rotated by action of drive pawl 54 on drive pins on hub 22.

More specifically, table 14 and hub 22 are adapted to be power driven in a counter-clockwise direction. The drive mechanism includes a drive plate 50 which is pivotally mounted about the lower portion of hub 22 with a Bakalite washer 52 positioned beneath the actuating plate. The plate is thus free to rotate about a center line through the center of pin 26 independently of hub 22. It is to be understood that bottom plate 28 rests on the floor or other mounting surface and is not free to rotate. Drive plate 50 includes a drive pawl 54 which is loaded by action of spring 56 on pins 58 (on the drive plate) and 60 (on the pawl). Pawl 54 is thus urged in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 62.

At the start of the indexing cycle, drive plate 50 is pivoted from its forward position shown in FIG. 4 (machine at rest) to its withdrawn position shown in FIG. 5 (ready to index the turntable) by a cylinder 64. Cylinder 64 is pivoted at its tail end by bolt 66 on cylinder support plate 68 rigidly secured to track 32. The piston rod of cylinder 64 is pivotally mounted to plate 50 by pin 70.

As shown in FIG. 4, with cylinder 64 in its extended position, turntable I4 is rigidly locked by the action of pall 54 against pin 44a and the action of stop-pall against the next successive pin 44b in a counterclockwise direction. It will be apparent that as cylinder 64 withdraws piston rod 64a, plate 50 rotates about center pin 26 in a clockwise direction. Pawl 54 is thus drawn backwardly away from pin 44a until it engages the next successive pin in a clockwise direction 440. As plate 50 withdraws, the upstanding pawl-activating plate 74 on plate 50 is drawn away from stoppawl 80. Stop-pawl 80 is constantly urged radially outwardly by action of spring 76 on fixed pin 78 on bottom plate 28 and on pin 72 on the pawl itself. As soon as the stop-pawl is released, it snaps back to its open position as shown in FIG. 5.

To advance the turntable, pressure is applied in cylinder 64 and the piston rod is driven outwardly, pivoting plate 50 in a counterclockwise direction with the action of pawl 54 against pin 44c rotating hub 22 one position counterclockwise. As the hub approaches its new stop position, plate 74 engages stop-pawl 80 and drives stoppawl 80 against pin 44a. Desirably, the length of the active stroke of piston rod 64a and the position of pawls 54 and 80 are adjusted so that in its stop position shown in FIG. 4, the hub is under tension from cylinder 64 against stop 80 insuring a rigid secure position.

It will be appreciated that the present arrangement permits easy adjustment of the number of waste receptacles on the turntable and accordingly the size of the turntable. By removing the turntable and its associated hub and replacing it with a larger turntable having more receptacle stations and a hub bearing a correspondingly increased number of pins 44 and by making minor corresponding adjustments in the control system to be described hereinafter, the number of receptacles on the turntable can be easily adjusted to accomodate more or fewer bags for higher or lower volume operation. Applicant has found it desirable to make this system available in 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 or 14 receptacle sizes. The preferred embodiment shown is equipped to operate with 8 receptacles.

The control and operating circuit for applicant's turntable system will be appreciated by reference to FIG. 6 wherein the system is shown at rest in condition to receive a bale of compacted refuse taken in conjunction with FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. In FIG. 6, the compactor is shown only diagrammatically. It will be appreciated that the compactor system includes a pump P which provides hydraulic pressure to operate both the compaction and ejection rams in compactor l0 and (through lines 86) the indexing mechanism for carousel 12.

Pressure is applied to turntable drive cylinder 64 through lines 86 and reversing valve 84. Reversing valve 84 is shown in the machine rest position with no current applied through solenoid SV. In this position pressure is applied through the rear side of cylinder 64 and piston rod 64a is fully extended as shown in FIG. 4, maintaining hub 22 in rigid position by action of pawl 54 against pin 44a and stop pawl 80 against pin 44b. Relay contacts R3a are closed at machine rest position as is switch SW2. Contacts Rlb are open.

Pump P operates both the compactor hydraclics and cylinder 64. The pump is powered and running whenever the cornpactor is running through circuits not shown. At rest the contacts Rlc in the pump circuit are open so that the pump is not powered through the carousel control circuit. Some residual pressure may remain in cylinder 64 to keep the piston rod extended and the turntable rigid at all times. In addition, the critical time during which the turntable must be locked is when the compactor is ejecting-during this time the pump is running through the compactor circuits.

As will be seen in FIG. 1, switch SW4 is mounted on a bracket 92 adjacent the carousel. SW4 is activated by a laterally extending probe 94 which is positioned with respect to the carousel (and particularly with respect to the refuse bags such that with an empty bag in position probe 94 may touch the bag, but SW4 remains open so long as the bag is empty. When a refuse bale is ejected into the waiting bag, the bale within the bag actuates probe 94 closing switch SW4. It is also to be understood that, if the operator has failed to empty a bag on the turntable and the turntable is rotated, the full bag will make contact with probe 94 as it reaches the loading position beneath the output port of compactor 10. This full bag will activate switch SW4 and the compactor will cycle again just as if the bale had just been ejected. In this way, the compactor insures that when an operator fails to empty one or more of the bags on the turntable, the compactor will not eject a second slug into the full bag but will index to the next empty bag. As will be seen hereinafter, under these circumstances, the control circuit (which counts the number of bags filled and disables the compactor and signals the operator when all the bags are filled) will count the unemptied bag as a full bag on the turntable thereby properly indicating when all bags are filled.

The activation of switch SW4 applied current across relay coil R2 closing relay contacts R2a. The closing of contacts R20 applies a current through the activating coil of latching relay R1 and through the stepper coil SR of a stepper relay.

Current through coil RI closes relay contacts Rla, Rlb and R10. These contacts remain closed until a current is applied to the releasing coil RilR of latching relay R1 at which time the contacts Rla-Rlc are opened. The closing of relay contacts Rlb applies a current through relay contacts R3a (which are closed at machine rest position) and SW2 (which is closed at machine rest position) and through solenoid valve SV. Current in solenoid valve SV reverses the application of fluid pressure to cylinder 64 and the piston rod 640 is drawn into the cylinder, drawing plate in a clockwise direction in FIGS. 4 and 5.

At the same time, the closing of contacts Rllc applies current through contacts R3b which are also closed at the machine rest position to apply power to pump P which provides fluid pressure through valve M to withdraw the piston rod.

Simultaneously, current in coil R1 closes relay contacts Rla which commences operation of a timing circuit. The timing circuit is adapted to disable the carousel if a complete indexing cycle is not completed within some desired period of time. It has been found that 2 minutes is an appropriate time under normal circumstances. Specifically, current through relay Rl closes relay contacts Rla which applies a current through heating coil DS2a. Heating coil D8211 begins to heat bimetallic strip DS2 which is normally closed as shown in FIG. 6. B82 in its normally closed position permits a flow of current through contacts D81 and coil R3 maintaining relay contacts REM and R3b in their normally closed position. If the machine cycle is not completed and contacts Rla not opened within the 2 minute heating time, then the bi-metallic member in switch DS2 opens, terminating current to relay R3 which immediately opens contact R3b, terminating electric power to pump P and removes power from solenoid valve SV (if it was under power at this time) thereby withdrawing piston rod 64a. This timing circuit thus disables the equipment if a piece of stray refuse or other debris prevents the turntable from indexing fully to its next index position within the predetermined time.

In addition to applying current to coil R1, the closing of contacts R20 applies a current to stepping relay coil SR which advances the counting relay from its first position indicated as Start Count" in the drawing to the next count contact. It will be understood that the start count contact circuit includes a neon bulb designated First Bag which is illuminated when the counting relay is on the start count contact indicating that the first refuse bag is being filled. It will be understood that each time a full bag is sensed beneath the compactor output port and R2a is closed, a current is applied in coil SR and the stepping relay is advanced another step beyond the start count position. When all receptacles on the turntable have been filled and the stepping relay reaches its Stop Count position, current is applied through the stop count position to heating coil DSla which heats bi-metallic strip D8! which, after a selected period of time, opens contacts of DSl and illuminates the neon Last Bag light indicating that all receptacles have been filled and that the tumable requires clearing. It is to be understood that opening of contacts DSl may activate any other desired alarm condition such as a remote flashing light, a remote alarm, or other signalling means.

Once the operator has manually cleared the tumtable, he depresses the reset switch RS which applied a current through the reset coil SRR of the stepping relay, thereby returning the stepping arm to its start count position. It will be understood that the stepping relay is desirably adapted to count as many positions as may be required for the largest turntable which may be used with the system. The position of the start count contact is selected so that the number of contacts between the start count contact and the stop count contact corresponds in a one-to-one relationship with the number of refuse receptacles on the turntable and the number of pins 44 on hub 22. If a larger turntable with additional receptacles replaces the present turntable, the start count position will be moved down accordingly.

As indicated previously, the closing of relay contact Rlb has started to draw the piston rod 640 in, moving plate 50 in a clockwise direction. As plate 50 rotates, the stop pawl 80 is released from pin 44b and the power pawl 54 releases pin 44a and is drawn back to pin 44c. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, switch SW2 is mounted on one of the base radial arms 30 and is positioned so that the switch member protrudes over drive plate 50. Drive plate 50 includes an upstanding pin 98 which is positioned to trip switch SW2 as drive plate 50 withdraws to its desired extreme withdrawn position. It is to be understood that pin 98 must be positioned in accordance with the number of drive pins 44 on the hub and hence the desired length of the angular stroke of drive plate 50. Desirably, plate 50 is provided with a number of pin receiving openings 100, each corresponding to a potential hub configuration. When an eight position tumtable and eight position hub are used, the pin is placed in the appropriate opening as shown to engage switch SW2 at the desired rearward end of the power stroke.

As will be seen in FIG. 6, contact between pin 98 and switch SW2 opens switch SW2 which removes power from solenoid valve SV and reverses cylinder 64 moving drive plate 50 in a counterclockwise direction and rotating the turntable. As the drive plate 50 approaches the end of its forward powered cycle, a second upstanding pin 102 on the drive plate engages switch SW1 and closes the switch. The closing of switch SW1 applies a current through opening coil RlR of the latching relay and opens contacts Rla, Rlb and R10. The opening of contacts Rla removes current fonn heating member DS2a and thereby terminates the timing circuit described above. The circuit is thus returned to its machine rest position except that the stepping relay has been advanced one more count.

It will be appreciated that the turntable may be activated manually by closing rotator switch RT which applies a current through the counting coil SR of the stepper relay and through relay coil R1 thereby manually initiating a complete indexing cycle of the turntable.

The hydraulic power system including pump P includes a flow control mechanism 88 and an overload mechanism 90 (both of conventional types) in the rear pressure path to cylinder 64. The flow control 88 establishes the rate of advance of piston rod 640.

The overload control 90 establishes a maximum pressure in the rear side of cylinder 64 so that if an operator inadvertently positions himself in the path of the turntable while it is indexing, the turntable will exert only a limited pressure against his body avoiding injury. In addition, overload control 90 is adapted to signal for service in the unlikely event that a jam in the indexing system permits an excessive build-up of pressure in the rear hydraulic line to cylinder 64. The overload element is interconnected with overload switch SW5 which closes when an overload condition is sensed. As with the closing of contact Rla, the closing of switch SW5 applies a current to heating element DS2a which commences heating of bi-metallic member DS2. If the overload condition does not correct itself and switch SW5 does not open within the 2 minute time delay of bi-metallic strip DS2, then DS2 opens and current is removed from coil R3, and contacts R3a and R3b open stopping the indexing cycle. At the same time, the overload light is illuminated and other appropriate alarm mechanisms may be activated.

The operation of resistor 104 is conventional and requires no lengthy comment. Basically it is adapted to permit a flow of illuminating current to the last bag neon bulb.

The advantages of applicant's control circuit will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. The incorporation of a counting circuit in the control in conjunction with the physical sensing of a full bag under the compact rejection port by probe 9 4, permits the carousel and control system to be easily adapted to accommodate any desired number of bags merely by adjusting the number of counts in the stepper relay between the start count position and the stop count position. At the same time, it permits the system to count and take into consideration a bag which the operator has inadvertently forgotten to empty. In addition, the turntable system is rendered more flexible because any turntable position can be the start position of the systemthe turntable need not be recycled to a particular start receptacle in order to commence operation. At the same time, safe operation of the system is insured by the timing of each indexing cycle and the disabling of the equipment if the indexing cycle is not completed within a selected time.

As a final safety feature, a prove switch SW3 is positioned on plate 28 so as to make contact with pins 44 as the turntable reaches the end of an indexing cycle. Switch SW3 is in the basic compactor circuit and disables the compactor bale ejection cycle when open. It will be appreciated that switch SW3 is open throughout the indexing cycle and is not closed until the turntable reaches the end of an indexing cycle. .Desirably, the position of switch SW3 on plate 28 may be adjusted by set screws 106 to permit proper positioning of switch SW3 in accordance with the number of receptacles and hence number of drive pins 44 in the particularturntable system.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are merely an example of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A turntable indexing system adaptable to assume a selected number of indexing positions in each 360 rotation comprising a turntable supported for rotational motion about a central axis, a support hub removably secured on a common center with said turntable for rigid rotation therewith, said support hub including a selected number of drive pins positioned equi-distantly about said hub, said pins corresponding with the desired number of indexing positions of said turntable in each 360 rotation, a drive plate mounted for oscillation about said hub, power means for oscillating said driveplate between a retracted position and a forward indexed position, a driving pawl on said drive plate adapted to engage one of said drive pins when said drive plate is in its retracted position and to rotate said hub during the forward power stroke of said drive plate, and switching means controlling said power means for deterrninging the length of the stroke of said drive plate.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including a stop pawl positioned in opposition to said driving pawl, said stop pawl being driven into engagement with one of said pins at the end of the power stroke of said drive plate for providing a stop for said turntable.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said stop pawl includes a spring biasing it radially outwardly and wherein said drive plate includes means adapted to engage said stop pawl at the end of said power stroke to drive said stop pawl into engagement with one of said drive pins.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said switching means includes a switch controlling said power means mounted adjacent said drive plate and control means on said drive plate for actuating said switch, the position of said control means being adjustablev to regulate the length of the stroke of said power plate.

Claims (4)

1. A turntable indexing system adaptable to assume a selected number of indexing positions in each 360* rotation comprising a turntable supported for rotational motion about a central axis, a support hub removably secured on a common center with said turntable for rigid rotation therewith, said support hub including a selected number of drive pins positioned equidistantly about said hub, said pins corresponding with the desired number of indexing positions of said turntable in each 360* rotation, a drive plate mounted for oscillation about said hub, power means for oscillating said drive plate between a retracted position and a forward indexed position, a driving pawl on said drive plate adapted to engage one of said drive pins when said drive plate is in its retracted position and to rotate said hub during the forward power stroke of said drive plate, and switching means controlling said power means for determinging the length of the stroke of said drive plate.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including a stop pawl positioned in opposition to said driving pawl, said stop pawl being driven into engagement with one of said pins at the end of the power stroke of said drive plate for providing a stop for said turntable.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said stop pawl includes a spring biasing it radially outwardly and wherein said drive plate includes means adapted to engage said stop pawl at the end of said power stroke to drive said stop pawl into engagement with one of said drive pins.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said switching means includes a switch controlling said power means mounted adjacent said drive plate and control means on said drive plate for actuating said switch, the position of said control means being adjustable to regulate the length of the stroke of said power Plate.

Images