US3798736A

US3798736A - Rubber stamp assembler

Info

Publication number: US3798736A
Application number: US00193136A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Gibbons; H Morton; J Busheee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-10-27
Filing date: 1971-10-27
Publication date: 1974-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-26

Abstract

An automatic assembly machine is disclosed including carrier means for individually receiving first portions of objects to be assembled by the machine and moving those first portions through a number of stations, including a first station at which a first portion is secured to the carrier, a second station at which a first portion is drilled to provide a mounting hole, a third station at which a second portion of the object is fitted into the hole drilled in a first portion, a fourth station at which the assembled object is removed from the carrier, the carrier means including a plurality of work sites, one corresponding to each of the stations and adapted for positioning a first portion, and drive means for moving the carrier means to sequentially submit each of the work sites to each of the stations.

Description

[ Mar. 26, 1974 United States Patent [191 Gibbons et al.

[ RUBBER STAMP ASSEMBLER Primary Examiner Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or FirmCharles Hieken, Esq.; Jerry [73] Assignee: Edward J. Gibbons, Brighton, Mass.

22 Filed: Oct.27,1971

211 Appl.No.: 193,136

those first portions through a number of stations, in-

cluding a first station at which a first portion is sep cured to the carrier, a second station at which a first 29/208 F R 208 C portion is drilled to provide a mounting hole, a third 29/208 b 26 station at which a second portion of the ob ect is fitted into the hole drilled in a first portion, a fourth station at which the assembled object is removed from the carrier, the carrier means including a plurality of work sites, one corresponding to each of the stations and [52] US. [51] Int Cl [58] Field of Search.....

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS and drive means for moving the carrier means to sequentially submit each of the work sites to each of the stations.

3,088,198 Svenson..........,...... 29/208F ada t d for positioning a first portion 3,609,848 Giuffredi 29/208 F 23 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PAT ENTEU was 1974 3798.736

sum 1 BF 5 PATENTEDHARZS m4 3798736 saw 2 or 5 SECOND PATENTED HAR26 I974 SHEEI 3 BF 5 STATION THREE FIG. 5.

PATENTED MAR 2 6 I974 SHEET '4 [IF 5 4 74 THIRD STAT/0N mm 0 0m F5 v 6 I FIRST STAT/0N PATENTEDHARZB m4 3798.736

SHEET 5 OF 5 filll ll 'lllllllld434 F/G. ll.

C THIRD STATION FOURTH STAT! O N SECOND STATION 344 DRILL 52 RUBBER STAMP ASSEMBLER FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to automatic assembling machines and more particularly to such machines for assembling a handle and base to form a rubber stamp body.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Presently, rubber stamp bodies are generally assembled by hand. The base is made by cutting blocks of the desired length from stock and sizing and finishing the block to form the base. Similarly, the handle is cut to length from stock, shaped and finished to form the finished handle. A hole is drilled in the base to receive the stem extending from the handle, the stem of the handle is sized to be received in the hole in the base. The handle stem is then manually fitted into the hole in the base to complete the assembly.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a machine for automatically assembling a handle with a base to form a rubber stamp body.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a machine which reserves to an operator a limited amount of control and intervention in the assembly operation.

This invention features an automatic assembly machine including carrier means for individually receiving first portions of objects to be assembled by the machine and moving those first portions through a number of stations. There are four stations, a first station in which a first portion is secured to the carrier, a second station at which a first portion is drilled to provide a mounting hole, a third station at which a second portion of the object is fitted into the hole and a fourth station at which the assembled object is removed from the carrier. The carrier means includes a plurality of work sites, one corresponding to each of the stations and adapted for positioning a first portion. Drive means move the carrier means to sequentially submit each of the work sites to each of the stations.

DISCLOSURE OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Other objects, features and advantages will occur from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded axonometric view of a typical rubber stamp.

FIG. 2 is an axonometric diagrammatic view of an assembly machine according to this invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of a part of the machine of FIG. 1 showing one work site.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the top plate removed to show the jaw drive mechanisms.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the machine of FIG. 1 showing in more detail the third station at which the handle is fitted into the base to form the rubber stamp body.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, detailed view of the entrance end of the escapement mechanism used to position the handle at the third station.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the escapement mechanism of FIG. 6 showing the back side of that escapement mechanism not visible in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a view of the escapement mechanism of FIG. 6 showing the exit end of that escapement mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the escapement mechanism of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the rotary table of the machine of FIG. 1

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the rotary table of FIG. 1 showing the step drive mechanism; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic of the pneumatic-electrical control system of the machine of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One of the objects that can be assembled using the machine of this invention is a rubber stamp body 10, FIG. 1, including a rubber stamp handle 12 and rubber stamp base 14. Handle 12 includes a knob 16, neck 18, and stem 20. Base 14 is a rectangular block which has to have a hole 22 drilled in it to receive stem 20. Generally, all of handle 12 except stem 20 and all of base 14 except

ends

24 and 26 are provided in finished form for final assembly. Final assembly, therefore, is achieved by fitting stem 20 into hole 22 and staining the

ends

24, 26 to the proper color to match the rest of base 14 and handle 12.

Final assembly of objects such as rubber stamp body 10 may be accomplished according to this invention by an automatic assembly machine which includes a carrier having a plurality of work sites thereon which are sequentially submitted to a number of different stations as the carrier moves. Each work site includes two pairs of jaws for holding the base 14 in position. As a work site arrives at the first station, its jaws are open to receive a base 14 placed in position either by an automatic feeding mechanism or a human operator. As a work site leaves that first station, its jaws close on the base 14 so that upon reaching the second station that base is securely held by the jaws. At the second station a drill descends to drill hole 22 in base 14. After the drilling is completed, the drill retracts and the carrier moves again, submitting the base 14 to the third station where a handle 12 is positioned with stem 20 over the hole 22. A plunger then presses on the knob 16 of the handle 12 and forces stem 20 into hole 22. As the work site with the now assembled rubber stamp body 10 leaves the third station, the jaws of that work site begin to open. By the time that work site reaches the fourth station, the jaws are totally opened and an extractor removes the assembled rubber stamp body from that work site and deposits it with some means for removing the assembled rubber stamp body 10 from the machine.

In one embodiment, a rubber stamp body assembly machine 30, FIG. 2, includes a carrier such as a rotary table 32 which includes a circular disc 34 mounted for rotation on frame 36 and supporting thereon a plurality of

work sites

38, 40, 42, and 44. In machine 30 first station 46 is designed to be manned by a human operator. Second station 48 includes a drill press 50 including an electric motor 52 for driving chuck 54 which holds drill 56 and a pneumatic drive 58 for extending and retracting chuck 54 and drill 56. Drill press 50 is fastened to support member 60 mounted on frame 36.

Vacuum nozzle 62 connected to a vacuum pump 64 by hole 66 has a small hole 68 on its top side and an enlarged hole, not visible, on its bottom side for permitting drill 56 to pass through it to reach the base 14 at the work site beneath. As drill 56 moves into the base 14 the wood chips created are vacuumed up through the enlarged hole on the bottom side of nozzle 62 and drawn off through hose 66. Ring 72 fastened to drill 56 prevents wood chips from moving up drill 56. Nozzle 62 may be mounted to support member 60 or to frame 36. Third station 74 includes a pneumatic press tool 76, escapement mechanism 78 and feeder mechanism 80 mounted on support member 82 fastened to frame 36. Boom 83 mounted on support member 82 supports conduit 85 which provides pneumatic pressure through rotary manifold 87 such as a Humphrey RM12 manifold which in turn provides that air pressure to

work sites

38, 40, 42, and 44, via

conduits

89, 91, 93, and 95, respectively. Fourth station 90 includes an extractor mechanism 92 mounted on support member 94 fastened to frame 36. Extractor mechanism 92 includes a pneumatic cylinder 96 including a piston rod 98 having a fork 100 fastened to its outer end. Chute 102 fastened to frame 36 by bracket 104 may also be provided at fourth station 90. When a work site with an assembled rubber stamp body arrives at the fourth station 90,

pneumatic cylinder 96 is actuated to retract piston rod 98 causing fork 100 to engage handle 12 just beneath the knob 16 and lift it from between the open jaws with a slight upward motion and deposit it in chute 102. Piston rod 98 is then again extended. As shown in FIG. 2, the jaws of the work sites at the first and fourth stations are open while the jaws of the work sites at the second and third stations are closed. In FIG. 2 the rubber stamp body 10 is shown in phantom at each of the work sites in the condition that it exists as it leaves the station at which that work site is presently situated, FIG. 2. Thus, at work site 38, at first station 46, base 14 is shown alone and undrilled. At work site 40, at second station 48, base 14 is shown having been provided with hole 22. At work site 42, at third station 74, base 14 is shown with handle 12 fitted to it. And at work site 44, at fourth station 90 the completed rubber stamp body 10 is shown.

Each work site as typified by work site 38, FIG. 3, in-

cludes two pairs ofjaws 110, 112, and 114, 116, slidably mounted on top plate 118.

Jaws

114 and 116 move in a radial direction towards and away from one another along

slots

120 and 122 in top plate 118.

Jaws

110 and 112 move toward and away from each other along

slots

124 and 126 in top plate 118, in a direction transverse to the direction of motion of

jaws

114 and 116. Guide member 128 is fastened to top plate 118 by means of screw 130 which engages slot 132. Guide member 128 may be moved to adjust the maximum 7 open position ofjaws 114 and 116. Guide member 128 may be moved forward towards

jaws

114 and 116 after loosening screw 130 and then repositioned so that it blocks the motion of jaw 114 away from jaw 116 to some desired extent. Arresting the motion of jaw 114 also arrests the motion of jaw 116 because the two jaws are interconnected as is shown more clearly with reference to FIG. 4. Screw 130 is tightened to hold guide member 128 in a desired position. Such a restriction on the maximum open position of

jaws

114 and 116 is desireable when the base 14 of the rubber stamp body 10 is so narrow that it is difficult for it to stand alone. In

that

case jaws

114 and 116 are permitted to open to a separation only slightly larger than that narrow dimension of base 14 so that they serve to support base 14 prior to the point where they actually contact and clamp base 14 into position. Jaws and 112 may include absorbent pads such as high density felt

pads

134, 136 for gripping the

ends

24, 26, FIG. 1, of base 14 of a rubber stamp body 10.

Pads

134 and 136 may be soaked in a wood stain to suitably color ends 24 and 26 while base 14 is being held by the jaws. Top plate 118 includes two

holes

138 and 140, FIG. 3, to provide access to

bolts

142 and 144, FIG. 4, which mount bottom plate 146 to circular disc 34, FIG. 2. Top plate 118, FIG. 3, is fastened to bottom plate 146, FIG. 4, by three

screws

148, 150, and 152, which threadably engage in

posts

154, 156, and 158, respectively, mounted on bottom plate 146.

Bottom plate 146 supports drive mechanism 160 for driving

jaws

110 and 112 and drive mechanism 162 for driving

jaws

114 and 116. Drive mechanism 162 includes a channel 164 in which are slidably mounted

racks

166 and 168 which engage with pinion 170 mounted on pin 172. Actuation of pneumatic cylinder 174 causes piston 176 to move outwardly towards pinion 170. Piston rod 176 interconnected with rack 166 causes rack 166 to move in the same direction, driving pinion 170 in the clockwise direction, thereby moving rack 168 towards pneumatic cylinder 174.

Jaws

114 and 116 are interconnected with

racks

166 and 168 by means of

bolts

178 and 180, FIG. 3, which pass through

jaws

114 and 116 and through slots and 122 into threaded

holes

182, 184, FIG. 4, provided in

racks

166 and 168. Drive mechanism 160 includes channel 188 in which are slidably

disposed racks

190 and 192 which are interconnected by a pinion, not visible, similar to pinion 170. Actuation of pneumatic cylinder 194 retracts piston 196 which is interconnected with rack 190 through a slot, not visible, in the side of channel 188. Thus, as rack 190 moves to the right in FIG. 4, rack 192 driven through the pinion, moves to the left.

Jaws

110 and 112 are connected to

racks

190 and 192, respectively, by means of

screws

198, 200, FIG. 3, which pass through

jaws

110, 112, through

slot

124, 126 and into threaded

holes

202, 204, FIG. 4, in

racks

190, 192, respectively. Pin 172, FIG. 3, extends upward through hole 206, FIG. 3, to aid in the alignment of top plate 118.

Also mounted on bottom plate 146 of each work site is a switch 208 which controls drive

mechanisms

160 and 162 and thus the opening and closing of

jaws

110, 112, and 114, 116, respectively. Also included in each work site mounted on bottom plate 146 is a cam surface 210 which operates to synchronize operation of the apparatus at second, third and

fourth stations

48, 74, and 90, with the motion of the table. The operation of switch 208 and cam 210 is discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 10 and 12, infra. Each

work site

38, 40, 42, and 44 is a separate unit which may be entirely removed from rotary table 32 by inserting a screwdriver through holes 138 and in top plate 118, FIG. 3, to reach

bolts

142 and 144, FIG. 4, on bottom plate 146, which bolts mount the work site to circular disc 34. Top plate 118, FIG. 3, may be removed for access to drive mechanisms and 162 by the removal of

screws

148, 150, 152 which fastens the top plate down, and screws 178, 180, 198, and 200 which

secure jaws

114 and 116, 110 and 112, respectively.

Third station 74, FIG. 5, is supplied with handles 12 by a vibratory feeder such as a Hopper Feeder No. 24, manufactured by Hopper Feeders, Taunton, Ma., by a shute 212 connected to escapement mechanism 78. In FIG. 5, a small portion at the upper left of front wall 214 of escapement mechanism 78 is broken away to better show the operation of feed mechanism 80. Feed mechanism 80 includes an ingress member 216 and an egress member 218.

Members

216 and 218 include

pneumatic cylinders

220 and 222 which operate to extend and retract

piston pins

224 and 226, respectively. As handles 12 move down chute 212, the lead handle 12 encounters extended piston pin 226. Piston pin 224 is in the retracted position and is not now effective. Shortly before the operation of press tool 76 which includes a pneumatic cylinder 228 and plunger 230 piston pin 224 is extended and piston pin 226 is retracted. This lead isolates leads handle 12' from the rest of the handles 12 in chute 212. A burst of fluid, typically air, now provided through nozzle 232 pushes lead handle 12 to the far end of escapement mechanism 78 in position beneath plunger 230. Extension of plunger 230 now forces the handle into the base 14.

Escapement mechanism 78, FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9, includes a base 250 supporting

walls

214 and 252 which form channel 254 therebetween. Channel 254 extends from the entrance end 256 to an enlarged release chamber 258, FIG. 9, at the exit end 260 of escapement mechanism 78. Upper portion 262, FIG. 6, of channel 254 is larger than lower portion 264 so that knob 16 of handle 12 rides on

shoulders

266 and 268. Enlarged release chamber 258 is a hole which passes directly through escapement mechanism 78 from the top right through the bottom 2S0; enlarged release chamber 258 is large enough to permit the entire handle 12 including knob 16 as well as neck 18, to pass through. Handle 12 is supported in enlarged release chamber 258 by means of two releasably engagable blocks 270 and 272 which have beveled

tips

274, 276, FIG. 9, for engaging the under side of knob 16 of handle 12. Support block 270 is supported in passage 278, FIG. 7, in wall 252 of escapement mechanism 78 and is urged inwardly by means of spring 280 fastened to support block 270 by screw 282 and to side wall 252 by screw 284. Support block 272 similarly passes through a passage in wall 214 and is urged inwardly into release chamber 258 by means of spring 286 mounted against lip 288, FIGS. 8 and 9, of bracket 290 fastened to wall 214. Tab 292, pivotable on screw 294, may be swung out across channel 254 as shown in phantom in FIG. 9, to block the flow of handles into escapement mechanism 78 during repair or shutdown of the machine.

As table 32 rotates, FIG. 10, switch 208 on each of

work sites

38, 40, 42, and, 44 encounter actuating ring 300 which extends approximately three-quarters ofthe way around table 32 from its beginning 302 at first station 46 presently occupied by work site 38, to its end 304 at third station 74, currently occupied by work site 42. Thus, as table 32 rotates in a clockwise direction, the switch 208 of the particular one of the work sites which is presently at first station 46 encounters actuating ring 300 which trips the switch 208 causing the

jaws

114, 116, and 110, 112 to close on the base 14. The jaws then stay closed as long as their switch 208 remains actuated by the ring 300. Thus, the jaws remain closed through second station 48 and third station 74 and begin to release as the switch 208 leaves the end 302 of actuating ring 300 just prior to entering fourth station 90.

Counter 306 may be positioned proximate table 32 so that its sensing arm 308 is tripped by a switch 208 each time a work site-passes counter 306. In this manner the number of rubber stamps assembled by the machine may be counted. Although counter 306 is positioned between the second and third stations, it may be situated anywhere about the table 32, or it may be placed between the fourth and first stations to count the assembled handles actuallyproduced by the mark.

Switch 310 is actuated by each cam 210 on each of the four work sites during the latter portion of each quarter step made by the table. It is the operation of switch 310 that actuates the various mechanisms at second station 48, third station 74 and fourth station as will be seen more clearly from the discussion of FIG. 12.

Rotary table 32, including

worksites

38, 40, 42, and 44 mounted on circular disc 34 is moved in discrete steps by an electric or a pneumatic stepping motor 312, FIG. 11, mounted to the under side of frame 36 and interconnected with circular disc 34 by shaft 314. Pneumatic stepping motor 312 may be one such as an Allen- Air Dial Feed Table, Model No. 1 1E, manufactured by Allen-Air Corporation, Mineola, N.Y.

Operation of machine 30 may be better understood with reference to the combined pneumatic-electrical control circuit shown in FIG. 12. At second station 48 the control components include drill press actuator'58 which may be a Mead 1A drill press feed with a normally closed valve attached, a valve 314 such as a Mead No. M four-way double piloted valve, a valve 316, such as a Humphrey No. 3P/34AS'snap-action valve, a reservoir 318 such as a Bimba No. D-lSOO-l reservoir, and a flow control valve 320 such as a Fabco No. FC-32 flow control valve. Third station 74 includes pneumatic tool press 76 such as a Mead No. DM-S double acting cylinder with interpilots at both ends, two

valves

322, 324, such as a Mead No. M four-way double piloted valve, a flow control valve 326 such as a Mead, manufactured by Mead Corporation, Chicago, Ill., and two

pneumatic cylinders

216 and 218 such as Clippard Model No. Type H9U manufactured by Clippard Instrument Laboratory, lnc., Cincinatti, Ohio. Fourth station 90 includes pneumatic cylinder 96 such as a Mead No. M8-10 double acting cylinder'with interpilots at both ends, and a valve 328 such as a Mead No. M four-way double piloted valve.

The main air pressure input I to the system is introduced at various points in FIG. 12 designated by the capital letter I. v

The control system associated with switch 310, FIG. 10, includes a valve 332, FIG. '12, such as a Humphrey No. A-3-1 l-2l normally open air piloted valve, reservoir 334 such as a Bimva No. D-1500-l reservoir, and a flow control valve 336 such as a Mead No. DT-l flow control valve.

Pneumatic'cylinders

174 and 194 associated with

drive mechanisms

162 and 160, FIG. 4, are actuated by switch 208 in conjunction with a valve 336, FIG. 12, such as a Humphrey No. 4P/34A single pilot four-way valve.

Pneumatic cylinders

154 and 194 may be Chicago D-9-ll/ 2 or Chicago D-9-3, manufactured by Chicago Air Cylinder, Chicago, Ill..

The main machine controls include an on-ofi switch 340 such as a Humphrey No. 172/ES electric jumbo mushroom head switch connected in series with a safety switch 342 interconnected with the air pressure system at the second, third, and

fourth stations

48, 74, and 90, respectively, and may be a switch such as a Mead No. MPE-BA air-to-electric switch. A foot switch 344 to be actuated by a human operator each time table 32 is to be stepped controls the air flow to stepping motor 312. When switch 340 is closed, drill motor 52 is connected across supply lines 346, 348. Foot switch 344 can be actuated by the machine operator only if safety switch 342 is closed. In the starting position drill 56 and'plunger 230 are retracted and piston rod 98 is extended. Drill press actuator 58, pneumatic cylinder 228 and pneumatic cylinder 96 include actuating valves that are connected in series by lines H, J and K, such that line K is properly pressurized to close switch 342 only if drill press actuator 58 and pneumatic cylinder 228 are retracted and pneumatic cylinder 96 is extended. The series connection of lines H, J and K begins with input I at drill press actuator 58, flows through the valve in actuator 58, out through line H, into the valve in pneumatic cylinder 228 and out of that valve into line J, through line J into the valve in pneumatic cylinder 96, and out of that valve on line K which directly connects the switch 342. In this starting condition pneumatic cylinder 222 is in the extended position and pneumatic cylinder 220 in the retracted position. The operator may now actuate foot switch 344 to provide input air pressure in pipe A to stepping motor 312 to index rotary table 32. As rotary table 32 starts to rotate, valve 208 is actuated by the beginning 302 of ring 300 pressurizing line M via line L which is connected to the input I through manifold 87. The pressure on line M switches valve 336 which then directs input pressure on line L, received from manifold 87, to

pneumatic cylinders

174 and 194 to cause them to operate and

close jaws

110, 112, and 114, 116. The jaws will not open until valve 208 clears the end 304, FIG. 10, of actuator ring 300. As rotary table 32 completes its index, valve 310 is actuated, pressurizing line B and through valve 332 line C, also. The pressure in line C causes

valve

314, 332, 324, and 328 to shift, directing the input pressure I to drill press actuator 58 to extend drill 56, to pneumatic cylinder 220, and pneumatic cylinder 222 to extend and retract

pins

224 and 226, respectively, to pneumatic cylinder 228' to extend press tool 230, and to pneumatic cylinder 96 to retract fork 100. Simultaneously with the pressurizing of line B, line N is pressurized through valve 336. The pressure buildup in line N is delayed in reaching valve 332 by reservoir 334 but after that delay it causes valve 332 to exhaust line

C. Pneumatic cylinders

228 and 96 actuate one of their interpilots when their extension stroke is completed. Those interpilots pressurize lines F and G with the input air pressure I causing

valves

322, 324, and 328 to shift. The shifting of these valves returns piston rod 98 to its extended starting position, and press tool 230 and drill 56 to their retracted starting position. In addition, piston pin 226 is returned to its extended starting position and piston pin 224 is returned to its retracted starting position. Drill press actuator 58, meanwhile, is under control of valves 316 and 320. In the present condition, the input air pressure I is directed on line D to drill press, actuator 58 and also to flow control valve 320. The air pressure through flow control valve 320 is delayed in reaching valve 316 by reservoir 318. After this delay, valve 316 is open, causing valve 314 to shift back to the starting position whereby drill press actuator 58 retracts the drill. When drill 56 and press tool 230 are once again retracted and piston rod 98 is extended, the series connection is once again made through lines H, J, and K and safety switch 342 is closed, enabling the operator to index rotary table 32 by actuating foot switch 344 and starting the next cycle of operation.

Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims:

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic assembly machine comprising:

carrier means for individually receiving first portions of objects to be assembled by the machine and moving those first portions through a number of stations, I

a first station at which a said first portion is secured to said-carrier means,

a second station at which a said first portion is provided with a mounting hole,

a third station at which a second portion of the object is fitted in said hole,

a fourthstation at which the assembled objects are removed from said carrier, said carrier means including a'plurality of work sites, one corresponding to each of said stations and adapted for positioning a said first portion, and

drive means for moving said carrier means to sequentially submit each of said work sites to each of said stations,

and wherein said carrier means includes a rotary table,

each said work site includes clamping means for securing a said first portion,

and said clamping means comprises a first pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other and a second similar pair of jaws whose path of motion is transverse to that of said first pair.

2. The machine of claim 1 in which said clamping means includes a jaw drive means for each pair of jaws including a rack carrying each jaw and interconnected by a'pinion gear, and a drive motor for moving one of said racks directly and the other rack through said pinion. V

3. The machine of claim 2 in which said machine further includes means for opening the jaws of each work site before it arrives at said fourth station, and for closing the jawsof each work site before it arrives at said second station.

4. An automatic assembly machine comprising:

carrier means for individually receiving first portions of objects to be assembled by the machine and moving those first portions through a number of stations,

a first station at which a said first to said carrier'means, w a second station at which a said first portion is provided with a mounting hole,

a third station at which a second portion of the object isfitted in said hole,

a fourth station at which the assembled objects are removed from said carrier, I

said carrier means including a plurality of work sites,

one corresponding to each of said stations and adapted for positioning a said first portion, and

portion is secured drive means for moving said carrier means to sequentially submit each of said work sites to each of said stations,

and wherein said drive means includes a stepping motor for moving said carrier one step at a time to advance each said work site to the next one of said stations in sequence.

5. The machine of claim 1 in which said second station includes a drill press, and means for lowering the drill and for raising the drill.

6. The machine of claim 5 in which said second station further includes vacuuming means proximate the position occupied by said work sites for removing scraps created by the drilling.

7. An automatic assembly machine comprising:

a first station at which a said first portion is secured to said carrier means,

a third station at which a second portion of the object is fitted in said hole,

a fourth station at which the assembled objects are removed from said carrier, said carrier means including a plurality of work sites, one corresponding to each of said stations and adapted for positioning a said first portion, and

drive means for moving'said carrier means to sequentially submit each of said work sites to each of said stations,

and wherein said fourth station comprises extractor means including an extractor tool, and extractor drive means for extending and retracting said extractor tool.

8. An automatic assembly machine comprising:

a first station at which a said first portion is secured to said carrier means,

a third station at which a second portion of the object is fitted in said hole,

and wherein said third station comprises a press tool, and tool drive means for raising and lowering said press tool.

9. The machine of claim 8 in which said third station further comprises an escapement mechanism for feeding and positioning said second portion to be fitted into said hole in said first portion.

10. The machine of claim 9 in which said third station further comprises feeder means for isolating the lead one of a plurality of said first portions being supplied to said escapement mechanism, and moving it into said escapement mechanism.

11. The machine of claim 10 in which said feeder means comprises an ingress device and an egress device for isolating a said first portion, and a nozzle for directing a burst of fluid at said isolated said first portion to move it into said escapement mechanism.

12. The machine of claim 9 in which said escapement mechanism comprises a channel having internal shoulders for supporting said first portion as it slides along said channel, an enclosed release chamber at one end of said channel for receiving a said first portion, and support means in said enlarged release chamber for releasably supporting said first portion for permitting said press tool to fit said first portion into the hole in said second portion.

13. The machine of claim 8 wherein the object to be assembled is a rubber stamp body comprising a base and a handle with an end stem for fitting into a hole in the base,

said stem-ended handle being said second portion,

each said work site including clamping means for securing said base,

said fourth station comprising extractor means including an extractor tool and extractor drive means for extending and retracting said extractor tool in a path intersecting the locus of movement of said handle in said fourth station.

14. An automatic assembly machine in accordance with claim 2 wherein the drive racks of the jaw pairs are powered in common for simultaneous movement of the two pairs of jaws,

a common pinion gear interconnects the racks of both pairs of jaws, and further comprising adjustable limit means for stopping motion of one of said racks.

15. An automatic assembly machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said jaw pairs are simultaneously movable between adjustable outer limit positions and inner positions clamping said first portion.

16. An automatic assembly machine in accordance with claim 15 wherein each said jaw is interconnected to a rack,

and further comprising,

a common pinion engaging all said racks.

17. An automatic assembly machine in accordance with claim 16 and further comprising plural motor means for driving one rack interconnected with one jaw of each of said pair of jaws, and means for simultaneously powering said plural motor means to operate in selected directions.

18. An automatic assembly machine in accordance with claim 1'7 and further comprising,

control means responsive to location of said carrier means to selectively enable said means for powering and determine the direction of operation of said motor means.

19. Work carrier apparatus for transporting a rubber stamp body workpiece among plural work stations in assembly machinery and comprising,

means defining first and second transversely arranged pairs of opposed jaws, and

means for simultaneously driving both jaws of each pair apart to outer positions and towards each and means for setting a stop to limit outer positions of jaw spread.

22. Work carrier apparatus in accordance with claim 19 and further comprising,

means to drive said carrier means among said plural work stat-ions,

said carrier drive means and jaw drive means having interconnected power controls.

23. Apparatus in accordance with claim 22 and fur- 12 ther comprising,

means defining a first station for rubber stamp body insertion into said carrier means,

means defining a second station for drilling a hole in said rubber stamp body and comprising a drill press operating at a fixed location,

means defining a third station for insertion and seating of a stem handle into the hole and comprising,

a press operating at a fixed location,

means defining a fourth station for removal of said rubber stamp body from said carrier means and comprising an extractor tool operating at a fixed location,

said carrier drive means shifting the jaw pairs to align the fixed center of the clamped body with said fixed location of each station as the carrier means move thereto.

Claims

1. An automatic assembly machine comprising: carrier means for individually receiving first portions of objects to be assembled by the machine and moving those first portions through a number of stations, a first station at which a said first portion is secured to said carrier means, a second station at which a said first portion is provided with a mounting hole, a third station at which a second portion of the object is fitted in said hole, a fourth station at which the assembled objects are removed from said carrier, said carrier means including a plurality of work sites, one corresponding to each of said stations and adapted for positioning a said first portion, and drive means for moving said carrier means to sequentially submit each of said work sites to each of said stations, and wherein said carrier means includes a rotary table, each said work site includes clamping means for securing a said first portion, and said clamping means comprises a first pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other and a second similar pair of jaws whose path of motion is transverse to that of said first pair.

2. The machine of claim 1 in which said clamping means includes a jaw drive means for each pair of jaws including a rack carrying each jaw and interconnected by a pinion gear, and a drive motor for moving one of said racks directly and the other rack through said pinion.

3. The machine of claim 2 in which said machine further includes means for opening the jaws of each work site before it arrives at said fourth station, and for closing the jaws of each work site before it arrives at said second station.

4. An automatic assembly machine comprising: carrier means for individually receiving first portions of objects to be assembled by the machine and moving those first portions through a number of stations, a first station at which a said fiRst portion is secured to said carrier means, a second station at which a said first portion is provided with a mounting hole, a third station at which a second portion of the object is fitted in said hole, a fourth station at which the assembled objects are removed from said carrier, said carrier means including a plurality of work sites, one corresponding to each of said stations and adapted for positioning a said first portion, and drive means for moving said carrier means to sequentially submit each of said work sites to each of said stations, and wherein said drive means includes a stepping motor for moving said carrier one step at a time to advance each said work site to the next one of said stations in sequence.

7. An automatic assembly machine comprising: carrier means for individually receiving first portions of objects to be assembled by the machine and moving those first portions through a number of stations, a first station at which a said first portion is secured to said carrier means, a second station at which a said first portion is provided with a mounting hole, a third station at which a second portion of the object is fitted in said hole, a fourth station at which the assembled objects are removed from said carrier, said carrier means including a plurality of work sites, one corresponding to each of said stations and adapted for positioning a said first portion, and drive means for moving said carrier means to sequentially submit each of said work sites to each of said stations, and wherein said fourth station comprises extractor means including an extractor tool, and extractor drive means for extending and retracting said extractor tool.

8. An automatic assembly machine comprising: carrier means for individually receiving first portions of objects to be assembled by the machine and moving those first portions through a number of stations, a first station at which a said first portion is secured to said carrier means, a second station at which a said first portion is provided with a mounting hole, a third station at which a second portion of the object is fitted in said hole, a fourth station at which the assembled objects are removed from said carrier, said carrier means including a plurality of work sites, one corresponding to each of said stations and adapted for positioning a said first portion, and drive means for moving said carrier means to sequentially submit each of said work sites to each of said stations, and wherein said third station comprises a press tool, and tool drive means for raising and lowering said press tool.

13. The machine of claim 8 wherein the object to be assembled is a rubber stamp body comprising a base and a handle with an end stem for fitting into a hole in the base, said stem-ended handle being said second portion, each said work site including clamping means for securing said base, said fourth station comprising extractor means including an extractor tool and extractor drive means for extending and retracting said extractor tool in a path intersecting the locus of movement of said handle in said fourth station.

14. An automatic assembly machine in accordance with claim 2 wherein the drive racks of the jaw pairs are powered in common for simultaneous movement of the two pairs of jaws, a common pinion gear interconnects the racks of both pairs of jaws, and further comprising adjustable limit means for stopping motion of one of said racks.

16. An automatic assembly machine in accordance with claim 15 wherein each said jaw is interconnected to a rack, and further comprising, a common pinion engaging all said racks.

18. An automatic assembly machine in accordance with claim 17 and further comprising, control means responsive to location of said carrier means to selectively enable said means for powering and determine the direction of operation of said motor means.

19. Work carrier apparatus for transporting a rubber stamp body workpiece among plural work stations in assembly machinery and comprising, means defining first and second transversely arranged pairs of opposed jaws, and means for simultaneously driving both jaws of each pair apart to outer positions and towards each other to inner positions clamping the workpiece.

20. Work carrier apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein both said pairs of jaws are simultaneously driven.

21. Work carrier apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein four racks are interconnected to each of the four jaws, and further comprising, a common pinion gear engaging all four of said racks, and means for setting a stop to limit outer positions of jaw spread.

22. Work carrier apparatus in accordance with claim 19 and further comprising, means to drive said carrier means among said plural work stations, said carrier drive means and jaw drive means having interconnected power controls.

23. Apparatus in accordance with claim 22 and further comprising, means defining a first station for rubber stamp body insertion into said carrier means, means defining a second station for drilling a hole in said rubber stamp body and comprising a drill press operating at a fixed location, means defining a third station for insertion and seating of a stem handle into the hole and comprising, a press operating at a fixed location, means defining a fourth station for removal of said rubber stamp body from said carrier means and comprising an extractor tool operating at a fixed location, said carrier drive means shifting the jaw pairs to align the fixed center of the clamped body with said fixed location of each station as the carrier means move thereto.