US3990692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article positioning apparatus
Assignee: RCA Licensing Corp
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Filing: 1975-09-30
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Granted: 1976-11-09
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Expires: 1995-09-30
Abstract
Abstract Three locator assemblies and an article support are attached to a C-shaped frame. Each locator assembly comprises at least two pivoted and one fixed finger-shaped locators for engaging locating surfaces on the article to be positioned, e.g., a funnel portion of a television picture tube. Different size articles can be positioned, with the fixed locators engaing locating surfaces on the largest article and corresponding sets of pivoted locators engaging locating surfaces on smaller size articles. Insertion of the largest article causes all pivoted locators to pivot from an engaging position to a non-interfering standby position. Insertion of the next largest article causes some pivoted locators to pivot while the others engage the locating surfaces. Insertion of the smallest article causes no pivoting of the locators. The article support positions the different size inserted articles such that each locating surface is substantially opposite a corresponding locator.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip Wolever Wolverton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:08
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S269/00; Y10S269/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for positioning articles of at least two different sizes, each size article having at least three locating points defining a reference plane, said apparatus comprising: a. a frame having an opening therein; b. means for supporting said articles to be positioned such that the reference plane of each size article is maintained at a predetermined position with respect to said frame; and c. at least three locator assemblies mounted on said frame around the periphery of the opening therein in predetermined spaced relation to each other, each locator assembly comprising at least two locators, at least one of which is moveable, independent of the other locator in said locator assembly, to a non-interfering standby position, the moveable locator of each locator assembly lying in the same plane and adapted to engage the locating points on the smallest size article to be positioned, and another locator lying in a plane different from that of said moveable locators and adapted to engage the locating points of a larger size article to be positioned.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for positioning articles of at least two different sizes, each size article having at least three locating points defining a reference plane, said apparatus comprising: a. a frame having an opening therein; b. means for supporting said articles to be positioned such that the reference plane of each size article is maintained at a predetermined position with respect to said frame; and c. at least three locator assemblies mounted on said frame around the periphery of the opening therein in predetermined spaced relation to each other, each locator assembly comprising at least two locators, at least one of which is moveable, independent of the other locator in said locator assembly, to a non-interfering standby position, the moveable locator of each locator assembly lying in the same plane and adapted to engage the locating points on the smallest size article to be positioned, and another locator lying in a plane different from that of said moveable locators and adapted to engage the locating points of a larger size article to be positioned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said moveable locator comprises a finger-like structure having a longitudinal axis and a pivot axis which is orthogonal to and offset from said longitudinal axis such that application of an engaging force along said longitudinal axis causes said finger-like structure to rotate about said pivot axis in a first direction until a rotation stop is engaged and application of a displacing force imparted by positioning a larger size article causes said finger-like structure to rotate about said pivot axis in a direction opposite said first direction, and means for maintaining said finger-like structure in engaging relationship with said stop absent application of said displacing force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 comprising engaging means fixed to said frame for exerting a force on the article to be positioned in order to maintain the reference surfaces of said article in contact with the corresponding locators.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means for maintaining said finger-like structure in engaging relationship with said stop comprises a counter balance structure which, under the influence of gravity, rests against said stop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said engaging means comprises at least one pneumatic cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein each locator assembly comprises four finger-like locators.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein each locator assembly comprises at least one fixed finger-like locator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein each locator assembly comprises four moveable finger-like locators.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
456 words
An apparatus for positioning four different size funnel portions of television picture tubes, each size funnel portion having locating surfaces defining a reference plane, said apparatus comprising; a. a C-shaped frame; b. support means fixed to said frame for supporting said different size funnel portions such that the reference plane and locating surfaces of each size funnel portion is maintained at a predetermined position with respect to said frame; c. three locator assemblies mounted on said c chaped frame around the periphery of the opening therein in predetermined spaced relation to each other; d. a first set of three pivoted locators for engaging the three locating surfaces of the smallest size funnel to be positioned, said first set including one pivoted locator mounted in each of the three locator assemblies such that positioning a larger size funnel portion on said apparatus causes each of the pivoted locators in the first set to pivot from an engaging position to a non-interfering standby position and removing said funnel portion permits the pivoted locators to return to said engaging position; e. a second set of three pivoted locators for engaging the three locating surfaces of the next larger size funnel to be positioned, said second set including one pivoted locator mounted in each of the three locator assemblies such that positioning a larger size funnel on said apparatus causes each of the pivoted locators in the second set to pivot from an engaging position to a non-interfering standby position and removing said funnel portion permits the pivoted locators to return to said engaging position; f. a first set of locators for engaging the three locating surfaces of the third largest size funnel to be positioned, said first set including one fixed locator mounted in a first locator assembly, one fixed locator mounted in a second locator assembly and one pivoted locator mounted in a third locator assembly, the fixed locators being mounted such that they do not interfere with the positioning of the largest size funnel portion and the pivoted locator being mounted such that positioning the largest size funnel portion causes the pivoted locator to pivot from an engaging position to a non-interfering standby position and removing said funnel portion permits the pivoted locator to return to said engaging position; g. a second set of locators for engaging the three locating surfaces of the largest size funnel portion to be positioned, said second set including one fixed locator mounted in each of the three locator assemblies; and h. engaging means comprising a first pneumatic cylinder mounted on said frame substantially opposite the opening from the first and second locator assemblies, and a second pneumatic cylinder mounted on said frame substantially opposite the opening from said third locator assembly.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
456 words
An apparatus for positioning four different size funnel portions of television picture tubes, each size funnel portion having locating surfaces defining a reference plane, said apparatus comprising; a. a C-shaped frame; b. support means fixed to said frame for supporting said different size funnel portions such that the reference plane and locating surfaces of each size funnel portion is maintained at a predetermined position with respect to said frame; c. three locator assemblies mounted on said c chaped frame around the periphery of the opening therein in predetermined spaced relation to each other; d. a first set of three pivoted locators for engaging the three locating surfaces of the smallest size funnel to be positioned, said first set including one pivoted locator mounted in each of the three locator assemblies such that positioning a larger size funnel portion on said apparatus causes each of the pivoted locators in the first set to pivot from an engaging position to a non-interfering standby position and removing said funnel portion permits the pivoted locators to return to said engaging position; e. a second set of three pivoted locators for engaging the three locating surfaces of the next larger size funnel to be positioned, said second set including one pivoted locator mounted in each of the three locator assemblies such that positioning a larger size funnel on said apparatus causes each of the pivoted locators in the second set to pivot from an engaging position to a non-interfering standby position and removing said funnel portion permits the pivoted locators to return to said engaging position; f. a first set of locators for engaging the three locating surfaces of the third largest size funnel to be positioned, said first set including one fixed locator mounted in a first locator assembly, one fixed locator mounted in a second locator assembly and one pivoted locator mounted in a third locator assembly, the fixed locators being mounted such that they do not interfere with the positioning of the largest size funnel portion and the pivoted locator being mounted such that positioning the largest size funnel portion causes the pivoted locator to pivot from an engaging position to a non-interfering standby position and removing said funnel portion permits the pivoted locator to return to said engaging position; g. a second set of locators for engaging the three locating surfaces of the largest size funnel portion to be positioned, said second set including one fixed locator mounted in each of the three locator assemblies; and h. engaging means comprising a first pneumatic cylinder mounted on said frame substantially opposite the opening from the first and second locator assemblies, and a second pneumatic cylinder mounted on said frame substantially opposite the opening from said third locator assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein all locators are pivoted.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-09 | 1980-05-10 | 1980-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-09 | 1984-05-10 | 1984-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-09 | 1988-05-10 | 1988-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |