US3889342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for assembling piston ring end guides
Assignee: Sealed Power Technologies LP
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Filing: 1973-09-12
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-09-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for assembling with split expansion rings, end guides which carry integral self retaining frictional elements engageable with the ring at opposite sides of the ring gap. In sequence, an end guide unit is fed into position across the ring gap and is then pushed into position within the ring across the gap, the frictional retaining elements being forced into position between the spaced wall flange segments defining the channel within the ring in which the end guide is received.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack E Mulligan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:59
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B27/00; B25B27/02; B25B27/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53039; Y10T29/53061; Y10T29/53478
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for assembling end guides with split piston rings of channel shape, comprising: means for mounting a split piston ring in position to receive an end guide in assembly therewith and including means for properly locating the gap between ends of the ring at the ring gap; means for positioning an end guide adjacent to the ring across the gap and aligned with the ring channel; and inserting means for thrusting the end guide laterally into the ring channel across the gap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for assembling end guides with split piston rings of channel shape, comprising: means for mounting a split piston ring in position to receive an end guide in assembly therewith and including means for properly locating the gap between ends of the ring at the ring gap; means for positioning an end guide adjacent to the ring across the gap and aligned with the ring channel; and inserting means for thrusting the end guide laterally into the ring channel across the gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting the ring comprises a mandrel and said gap aligning means comprises a key carried by the mandrel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including means cooperative with said inserting means for assuring alignment of the ends of the ring with one another and alignment of the end portions of the ring with said insertion means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said insertion means comprises a plunger having stepped thrusting shoulders for successively driving retaining elements of the end guide into engagement with the respective opposite end portions of the ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said stepped shoulders comprise a first shoulder for driving a terminal head element into press fit within the ring channel up one side of the gap and a second shoulder for driving a latch retaining element of the end guide into press fit engagement with the opposite end portion of the ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said feeding means include a feed surface, and a feed plunger for driving the end guide from a supply into position with respect to the ring which will receive the end guide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, including a magazine for receiving a ladder of seriate end guides, and said feeding means comprising a feed surface on which the end guides of the ladder are successively received, and a plunger for stripping the end guides successively from the ladder and thrusting them along said feed surface into position for assembly with the ring by said inserting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for cyclically coordinating operation of said feeding means and said inserting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said feeding means includes a feeding plunger and a driving motor, said inserting means comprises an inserting plunger and a drive motor, and means for cyclically operating said motors comprising a manually operable device for initiating the cycle and means for maintaining the cycle of operation to completion including sequential operation of said feeding means and said inserting means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for assembling elongated end guides with piston rings, comprising: a feed surface; a magazine for supplying end guides seriatim to said feed surface; means for supporting a channeled piston ring with its channel aligned with said surface to receive an end guide; and a plunger for driving the end guide which is an engagement with said surface into position for insertion into the channel of the ring.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for assembling elongated end guides with piston rings, comprising: a feed surface; a magazine for supplying end guides seriatim to said feed surface; means for supporting a channeled piston ring with its channel aligned with said surface to receive an end guide; and a plunger for driving the end guide which is an engagement with said surface into position for insertion into the channel of the ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said means for supporting a ring comprises a stepped mandrel supporting the ring with its outer perimeter aligned with said surface, and means for holding the ring in position relative to said surface to receive the end guide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein saId means for holding the ring include a shoulder between said mandrel and said surface and a biasing element having components of biasing thrust toward said mandrel and toward said shoulder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring finger functioning also to press the end guide into the channel of the ring as delivered by said plunger.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said magazine has spaced guide tracks for receiving side bars of a supply ladder of the end guides, wherein the end guides are attached at opposite ends to the bars in seriate relation, said plunger being operative to strip the end guides successively from the ladder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said means for inserting the end guides into the ring channel includes a plunger, respective motors for driving said plungers, and means for coordinating operation of said motors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, said means for coordinating operation of said motors including a circuit having respective limit switches activated by means connected with said plungers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3681837A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |