US3589709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control apparatus for the measurement and folding of flat workpieces
Assignee: Thomas Broadbent and Sons Ltd
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Filing: 1968-06-05
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1988-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A control apparatus for use with a machine for folding a flat workpiece comprising a first detector and transmitter unit arranged to detect and measure a dimension of a travelling workpiece and transmit a signal whose value is representative of said dimension to a first memory store arranged to accept said signal, means for transferring at least part of said signal in the first memory store from said first store to a second memory store, and a second transmitter arranged to transmit to said second memory store a further and cumulative signal representative of the passage of said workpiece relative to a folding station, said second memory store being arranged to initiate a folding operation when the required length of workpiece has passed said folding station.
Inventors
- 👤 David Hey
- 👤 Goeffrey Luther Grimwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/02; G01B11/04; G01B11/043; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S493/00; Y10S493/937
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
A control apparatus for use with a machine for folding a flat workpiece at a folding station, the control apparatus comprising in combination, a first memory store, a first detector and transmitter unit arranged to detect and measure a dimension of a travelling workpiece and transmit a signal whose value is representative of said dimension to said first memory store, said first detector and transmitter unit comprising a photoelectric cell, a light source directing a light beam on said photoelectric cell, a toothed wheel, the teeth of which are arranged to alternately interrupt and restore impingement of said light beam on said photoelectric cell to create said signal at said photocell, means mounting said toothed wheel in cooperating relationship with a workpiece the dimension of which is to be measured and which is travelling along a conveyor in said folding apparatus, means connecting said photoelectric cell and said first memory store to transmit said signal to said first memory store, a second memory store, means for transferring at least part of the signal stored in said first memory store to said second memory store and for subsequently releasing said first memory store to receive subsequent signal from said first detector and transmitter unit in response to measurement of a subsequent travelling workpiece, and a second transmitter arranged to transmit to said second memory store a further and cumulative signal representative of the passage of said first travelling workpiece relative to a folding station, said second memory store having means for initiating a folding operation of said folding apparatus when the required length of workpiece has passed the folding station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
269 words
A control apparatus for use with a machine for folding a flat workpiece at a folding station, the control apparatus comprising in combination, a first memory store, a first detector and transmitter unit arranged to detect and measure a dimension of a travelling workpiece and transmit a signal whose value is representative of said dimension to said first memory store, said first detector and transmitter unit comprising a photoelectric cell, a light source directing a light beam on said photoelectric cell, a toothed wheel, the teeth of which are arranged to alternately interrupt and restore impingement of said light beam on said photoelectric cell to create said signal at said photocell, means mounting said toothed wheel in cooperating relationship with a workpiece the dimension of which is to be measured and which is travelling along a conveyor in said folding apparatus, means connecting said photoelectric cell and said first memory store to transmit said signal to said first memory store, a second memory store, means for transferring at least part of the signal stored in said first memory store to said second memory store and for subsequently releasing said first memory store to receive subsequent signal from said first detector and transmitter unit in response to measurement of a subsequent travelling workpiece, and a second transmitter arranged to transmit to said second memory store a further and cumulative signal representative of the passage of said first travelling workpiece relative to a folding station, said second memory store having means for initiating a folding operation of said folding apparatus when the required length of workpiece has passed the folding station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A control apparatus according to claim 1 further including tow pulse-shaping circuits each comprising a Schmitt trigger stage followed by a monostable multivibrator for producing a train of constant width, constant height pulses at a rate proportional to the velocity of the flat workpiece, the output of said transmitter units being fed to said pulse-shaping circuits respectively, and means respectively connecting said pulse-shaping circuits with said first and second memory store.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second memory stores is an electronic circuit and comprises at least one storage capacitor, each storage capacitor being connected to its associated transmitter through a resistance, the arrangement thus forming a resistance-capacitor circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for transferring at least part of the signal originally stored in the first memory store to the second memory store comprises a switch, arranged when in its closed position to connect the tow stores in parallel, with or without the association of other circuit elements to govern the ratio of said storing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a third memory store is provided together with means for dividing or transferring any remaining signal stored in said first memory store after the original information has been transferred to the second memory store, whereby a can folding initiated be by said third store for further folding of the workpiece. transmitting
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a third memory store is provided together with means for dividing the original information transferred from the first memory store between the second and third memory stores whereby further folding operations can be initiated by said third memory store.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
193 words
A control apparatus for use with a machine for folding a flat workpiece which includes conveyor means for carrying a flat workpiece between a sensing station and a folding station, the control apparatus comprising, a detector and transmitter means including a feeler switch, a toothed wheel and a photocell for detectiNg and transmitting the length of a workpiece as it travels on the conveyor means and for transmitting a signal corresponding to the length of the workpiece, a pulse-shaping circuit means for receiving a signal from said detector and transmitter means, and R-C memory storage means for receiving a signal from said pulse-shaping circuit means, a second capacitor, a switch means for transferring at least part of said signal from capacitor, first capacitor to said second capacitor, a second transmitter means including rotatable shaft operatively connected to said conveyor means to transmit to said second capacitor a further and cumulative signal corresponding to part of the length of said workpiece after the workpiece has left said sensing station, and means including said second capacitor for initiating a folding operation on the workpiece when the workpiece is in proper position at the folding station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
193 words
A control apparatus for use with a machine for folding a flat workpiece which includes conveyor means for carrying a flat workpiece between a sensing station and a folding station, the control apparatus comprising, a detector and transmitter means including a feeler switch, a toothed wheel and a photocell for detectiNg and transmitting the length of a workpiece as it travels on the conveyor means and for transmitting a signal corresponding to the length of the workpiece, a pulse-shaping circuit means for receiving a signal from said detector and transmitter means, and R-C memory storage means for receiving a signal from said pulse-shaping circuit means, a second capacitor, a switch means for transferring at least part of said signal from capacitor, first capacitor to said second capacitor, a second transmitter means including rotatable shaft operatively connected to said conveyor means to transmit to said second capacitor a further and cumulative signal corresponding to part of the length of said workpiece after the workpiece has left said sensing station, and means including said second capacitor for initiating a folding operation on the workpiece when the workpiece is in proper position at the folding station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A control apparatus as defined in claim 7 further including means for discharging said first capacitor after said part of said signal is transferred from said first capacitor to said second capacitor for permitting said first capacitor to receive subsequent signals from said pulse-shaping circuit in response to the passage of a subsequent workpiece by said sensing station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2374779A
Cited
US3363897A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |