US3704405A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Positioning device
Assignee: Eagle Picher Industries Inc
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Filing: 1971-01-15
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Granted: 1972-11-28
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Expires: 1991-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling a drive mechanism to selectively move a work member from an existing position to a desired position. The system includes a probe-like sensing member adapted to engage and be moved by the work member. The sensing member is operably connected to a signalling mechanism adapted to produce an output signal related to the position of the work member. A position selecting assembly including at least one selector unit adapted to be selectively pre-set corresponding to a desired position and to produce an output signal related thereto. A position indicating assembly is operably connected to the signalling mechanism and the position selecting assembly being adapted to receive the respective output signals therefrom and produce a different signal related to the variation between the existing position to the desired position of the work member. A signal analyzing assembly is operably connected to the position indicating assembly for analyzing the output signal thereof and for producing an output signal to activate the drive mechanism in response thereto to move the work member from the existing position to the desired position.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl D Miller Jr
- 👤 Ronald J Kindy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:36
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/19; G05B19/33; G05B19/35; G05B19/351; G05B19/353; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/37; G05B2219/37462; G05B2219/43; G05B2219/43194; G05B2219/50; G05B2219/50289
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A system for use with a drive mechanism to position one or more work members comprising, probe means for operable engagement with a work member for monitoring its position, selector means for selecting a desired position for said work member, said selector means including a plurality of selectively adjustable selector units each being adapted to produce a range of output signals related to a range of desired positions for said work member, signal means operably connected to said probe means being adapted to produce an output signal related to the position of said work member, position sensing means operably connected to said selector means and said signal means for receiving the output signals of said signal means and said selector unit for producing an output signal related to the relative position of said work member with respect to the desired position thereof, selectively actuatable command means operably connected to said selector means for selectively connecting selective ones of said selector units to said position indicating means, and signal analyzing means for receiving and analyzing the output signal of said position sensing means to actuate said work mechanism and move said work member to the preselected position as established by the selective one of said selector units connected to said position sensing means by said command means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
216 words
A system for use with a drive mechanism to position one or more work members comprising, probe means for operable engagement with a work member for monitoring its position, selector means for selecting a desired position for said work member, said selector means including a plurality of selectively adjustable selector units each being adapted to produce a range of output signals related to a range of desired positions for said work member, signal means operably connected to said probe means being adapted to produce an output signal related to the position of said work member, position sensing means operably connected to said selector means and said signal means for receiving the output signals of said signal means and said selector unit for producing an output signal related to the relative position of said work member with respect to the desired position thereof, selectively actuatable command means operably connected to said selector means for selectively connecting selective ones of said selector units to said position indicating means, and signal analyzing means for receiving and analyzing the output signal of said position sensing means to actuate said work mechanism and move said work member to the preselected position as established by the selective one of said selector units connected to said position sensing means by said command means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said probe means includes a housing, a carriage means mounted for reciprocating movement within said housing, and an elongated probe element attached at one end to said carriage means and having its opposite end extending outwardly from said housing for operable engagement with said work member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said carriage means includes a carriage member mounted for movement back and forth within said housing, and said probe element comprises a drive shaft coupled to said carriage for imparting reciprocating movement thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said carriage means includes a carriage member mounted for movement back and forth within said housing, and said probe element comprises a shaft member connected at one end to said carriage being adapted to impart movement thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said signal means includes potentiometer means adapted to produce a variable voltage signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said carriage means includes resilient means coacting between said housing and said carriage member to urge said carriage member toward one side of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said selector units comprise potentiometer assemblies connected in electrically parallel relationship each being adapted to produce a variable voltage signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said position sensing means comprises a comparison circuit means, said selector means includes adjustable resistance means adapted to produce a variable voltage output signal, and said position sensing means is operably connected to said signal means being adapted to compare the output signal of said selector means with the output signal of said signal means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said signal analyzing means includes polarity responsive means adapted to actuate said drive mechanism and move said work member in one or the opposite direction in response to a positive or negative signal, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, including SPEED control means for controlling the rate of movement of one or more work members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said probe means including a plurality of spaced, probe members operably associated with at least one work member, one of said probe members being adapted to control movement of said work member at the terminus of travel of said work member in one direction, and another of said probe members being adapted to control the movement of said work member adjacent the terminus of travel of said work member in another direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said probe means includes a plurality of probe members each being adapted for operable engagement with at least one work member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, including a support member, said probe means carried by said support member, said probe means including an elongated probe member mounted for movement relative to said support member, and said signal means includes a potentiometer carried by said probe member and operably connected to said support member to produce an output signal varying in relation to the position of said probe member with respect to said support member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said command means comprises a plurality of switching assemblies each operably connected to a respective one of said selector units for selectively connecting each one of said selector units to said position sensing means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
148 words
A device for indicating the position of a work member comprising a support member, probe means carried by said support member being adapted to sense the position of said work member, signal means operably associated with said probe means for producing an output signal varying in relation to the position of said work member, said probe means including a probe member adapted at one end for operable engagement with said work member and at its other end for coacting engagement with said signal means to produce said output signal, said support member comprises a housing, said probe means includes a reciprocating member mounted for movement back and forth within said housing, and said signal means includes a potentiometer carried by said reciprocating member and operably connected to said housing to produce a variable voltage output signal varying in relation to the position of said carriage within said housing.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
148 words
A device for indicating the position of a work member comprising a support member, probe means carried by said support member being adapted to sense the position of said work member, signal means operably associated with said probe means for producing an output signal varying in relation to the position of said work member, said probe means including a probe member adapted at one end for operable engagement with said work member and at its other end for coacting engagement with said signal means to produce said output signal, said support member comprises a housing, said probe means includes a reciprocating member mounted for movement back and forth within said housing, and said signal means includes a potentiometer carried by said reciprocating member and operably connected to said housing to produce a variable voltage output signal varying in relation to the position of said carriage within said housing.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for indicating the position of a work member comprising, a support member, probe means carried by said support member being adapted to sense the position of said work member, signal means operably associated with said probe means for producing an output signal varying in relation to the position of said work member, said probe means including a probe member adapted at one end for operable engagement with said work member and at its other end for coacting engagement with said signal means to produce an output signal, said probe means including a movable member operably connected to said probe member for movement relative to said support member, and said signal means including a potentiometer supported by said support member and operably connected to said movable member to produce a variable voltage output signal varying in relation to the position of said movable member relative to said support member.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for indicating the position of a work member comprising, a support member, probe means carried by said support member being adapted to sense the position of said work member, signal means operably associated with said probe means for producing an output signal varying in relation to the position of said work member, said probe means including a probe member adapted at one end for operable engagement with said work member and at its other end for coacting engagement with said signal means to produce an output signal, said probe means including a movable member operably connected to said probe member for movement relative to said support member, and said signal means including a potentiometer supported by said support member and operably connected to said movable member to produce a variable voltage output signal varying in relation to the position of said movable member relative to said support member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device in accordance with claim 16, including a coupling means mounted on said movable member being operably connected between said movable member and said potentiometer for actuating said potentiometer to produce a variable voltage output.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein said support member comprises a housing, said probe means including a carriage mounted for movement back and forth in said housing, and said probe means including an elongated probe member attached at one end to said carriage and at its opposite end projectinG outwardly from said housing for operable engagement with said work member being adapted to impart movement to said carriage upon movement of said work member for varying the output signal of said signal means in relation to the position of said carriage within said housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein said probe means includes a carriage mounted for movement with respect to said support member, and said probe member comprising a shaft coupled to said carriage for imparting movement thereto.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein said signal means comprising a rotatable potentiometer adapted to produce a variable voltage output signal varying in relation to the position of said work member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |