Gauge stop system for moving work through punch press

Claim 2

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; feeler means including a gauge arm pivoted on said chassis, trailing from its pivotal axis and shaped and positioned to cam over a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge arm having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after the gauge arm has dropped on passing over a gauge stop; switch means responsive to movement of the feeler means controlled by a gauge stop predetermined distance before dropping of the gauge arm for causing the pump and control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to dropping of the gauge arm after passing a gauge stop for causing the Pump-and-control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor, at least when the gauge arm has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suitable for holding the carriage with its gauge arm in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means.

Claim 3

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; feeler and gauge means including a gauge member movable generally vertically on said chassis, positioned to be lowered after it has passed a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge member having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after such lowering of the gauge member; switch means responsive to movement of the feeler means controlled by a gauge stop, a predetermined distance before dropping gauge member has passed that stop, for causing the pump-and-control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to passing of the gauge stop for causing the pump-and-control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor at least when the gauge member has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suitable for holding the carriage with its gauge member in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means.

Claim 4

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; feeler and gauge means including a gauge member movable generally vertically on said chassis, positioned to be lowered after it has passed a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge member having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after such lowering of the gauge member; switch means responsive to movement of the feeler means controlled by a gauge stop, a predetermined distance before dropping gauge member has passed that stop, for causing the pump-and-control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to passing of the gauge stop for causing the pump-and-control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor at least when the gauge member has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suitable for holding the carriage with its gauge member in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means.

Claim 5

A drive-and-control system according to claim 2 including switch means responsive to movement of the gauge member into gauge relation with the gauge block for initiating a signal indicating readiness for the punch press to operate.

Claim 6

A drive-and-control system according to claim 2 in which a first switch is activated by the gauge member which is in lowered position, said switch being in circuitry which then tends to establish reverse-slow drive; and an additional switch for preventing this circuitry from thus functioning until after the gauge member has, upon approaching the gauge position, been raised to deactivate the first switch, the circuitry functioning thereafter when the gauge member lowers.

Claim 7

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; feeler and gauge means including a gauge member movable generally vertically on said chassis, positioned to be lowered after it has passed a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge member having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after such lowering of the gauge member; switch means responsive to movement of the feeler means controlled by a gauge stop, a predetermined distance before dropping gauge memBer has passed that stop, for causing the pump-and-control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to passing of the gauge stop for causing the pump-and-control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor, at least when the gauge member has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suitable for holding the carriage with its gauge member in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means; said gauge stop and gauge member being sturdy for reliably halting reverse-slow movement, and having large gauge contact faces with only nonwiping contact between them to remain accurate through years of service.

Claim 8

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; feeler and gauge means including a gauge member movable generally vertically on said chassis, positioned to be lowered after it has passed a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge member having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after such lowering of the gauge member; switch means responsive to movement of the feeler means controlled by a gauge stop, a predetermined distance before dropping gauge memBer has passed that stop, for causing the pump-and-control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to passing of the gauge stop for causing the pump-and-control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor, at least when the gauge member has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suitable for holding the carriage with its gauge member in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means; said gauge stop and gauge member being sturdy for reliably halting reverse-slow movement, and having large gauge contact faces with only nonwiping contact between them to remain accurate through years of service.

Claim 9

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; feeler means including a gauge arm pivoted on said chassis, trailing from its pivotal axis and shaped and positioned to cam over a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge arm having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after the gauge arm has dropped on passing over a gauge stop; switch means responsive to movement of the feeler means controlled by a gauge stop a predetermined distance before dropping of the gauge arm for causing the pump-and-control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to dropping of the gauge arm after passing a gauge stop for causing the pump-and-control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor, at least when the gauge arm has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suitable for holding the carriage with its gauge arm in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; said gauge stop and gauge member being sturdy for reliably halting reverse-slow movement, and having large gauge contact faces with only nonwiping contact between them to remain accurate through years of service.

Claim 10

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; feeler means including a gauge arm pivoted on said chassis, trailing from its pivotal axis and shaped and positioned to cam over a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge arm having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after the gauge arm has dropped on passing over a gauge stop; switch means responsive to movement of the feeler means controlled by a gauge stop a predetermined distance before dropping of the gauge arm for causing the pump-and-control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to dropping of the gauge arm after passing a gauge stop for causing the pump-and-control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor, at least when the gauge arm has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suitable for holding the carriage with its gauge arm in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; said gauge stop and gauge member being sturdy for reliably halting reverse-slow movement, and having large gauge contact faces with only nonwiping contact between them to remain accurate through years of service.

Claim 11

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; feeler and gauge means including a gauge member movable generally vertically on said chassis, positioned to be lowered when it has passed a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge member having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after such lowering of the gauge member; switch means responsive to movement of the feeler means controlled by a gauge stop a predetermined distance before dropping of the gauge member has passed that stop for causing the pump and control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to passing of the gauge arm beyond a gauge stop for causing the pump-and-control means to reverSe the drive to reverse slow speed; switch means responsive to movement of the gauge member into gauge relation with the gauge stop for initiating a signal indicating readiness for the punch press to operate, and for effectuating a reduced pressure relief condition affecting the supply of pressure fluid to the motor for holding the carriage with its gauge member in gauge relation to the gauge stop with reduced force as compared to the force available for driving the carriage; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means.

Claim 12

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; feeler and gauge means including a gauge member movable generally vertically on said chassis, positioned to be lowered when it has passed a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge member having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after such lowering of the gauge member; switch means responsive to movement of the feeler means controlled by a gauge stop a predetermined distance before dropping of the gauge member has passed that stop for causing the pump and control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to passing of the gauge arm beyond a gauge stop for causing the pump-and-control means to reverSe the drive to reverse slow speed; switch means responsive to movement of the gauge member into gauge relation with the gauge stop for initiating a signal indicating readiness for the punch press to operate, and for effectuating a reduced pressure relief condition affecting the supply of pressure fluid to the motor for holding the carriage with its gauge member in gauge relation to the gauge stop with reduced force as compared to the force available for driving the carriage; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means.

Claim 13

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; detector and gauge means including a gauge member movable generally vertically on said chassis and cammed upwardly by a gauge stop, for causing the pump-and-control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to the dropping of the gauge member for causing the pump-and-control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor, at least when the gauge member has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suitable for holding the carriage with its gauge member in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means.

Claim 14

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, pump means and control means for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; detector and gauge means including a gauge member movable generally vertically on said chassis and cammed upwardly by a gauge stop, for causing the pump-and-control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to the dropping of the gauge member for causing the pump-and-control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor, at least when the gauge member has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suitable for holding the carriage with its gauge member in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means.

Claim 15

A drive-and-control system according to claim 8 in which the switch means includes a contact which must be closed to effectuate reverse-slow drive and which is opened and closed by rise and fall of the gauge member, and holding switch means which must also be closed to effectuate reverse-slow drive and which is closed in response to the rise of the gauge member after it opens its said contact; and means for terminating the hold condition thereof to start a new cycle.

Claim 16

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, a variable-displacement pump and electrohydraulic servo means controlling the pump with controlled speed of change for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; detector and gauge means including a gauge member movable generally vertically on said chassis, positioned to be lowered after it has passed a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge member having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after such lowering of the gauge member; switch means responsive to movement of the detector means controlled by a gauge stop, a predetermined distance before the gage member has passed a gauge stop, for causing the control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to passing of the gauge stop for causing the control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor, at least when the gauge member has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suItable for holding the carriage with its gauge member in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means.

Claim 17

A drive-and-control system for a tow carriage used for moving structural pieces through a punch press and stopping the pieces at predetermined points determined by gauge bars, said carriage including a wheeled chassis for running on track and means at one end for securing a workpiece to the chassis, and including a rotary drive member for propelling the carriage; a hydraulic motor for driving the drive member, a variable-displacement pump and electrohydraulic servo means controlling the pump with controlled speed of change for driving the hydraulic motor forwardly at fast and slow speeds and rearwardly at fast and slow speeds; detector and gauge means including a gauge member movable generally vertically on said chassis, positioned to be lowered after it has passed a gauge stop upon forward movement of the carriage, the gauge member having a gauge face adapted to come against the gauge stop upon reverse movement of the chassis after such lowering of the gauge member; switch means responsive to movement of the detector means controlled by a gauge stop, a predetermined distance before the gage member has passed a gauge stop, for causing the control means to reduce the forward speed from fast to slow, and responsive to passing of the gauge stop for causing the control means to reverse the drive to reverse slow speed; means for causing the supply of pressure fluid to the motor, at least when the gauge member has engaged in gauge relation to the gauge stop, to be subject to relief at a predetermined moderate pressure suItable for holding the carriage with its gauge member in gauge relation to the gauge stop for operation of the punch press; and means for responding to punch press operation to initiate a new cycle with forward fast drive by said pump-and-control means.

Claim 18

A drive-and-control system according to claim 10 in which the control means includes means for readily adjusting its speed of change.