Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
320 words
A slitting machine for a corrugated pipe with the machine and pipe having the same axis comprising a frame, transporting means including at least two endless transporters, spaced mounting means carried by the frame and mounting each transporter uniformly spaced angularly with respect to each other and with reference to the axis, each transporter having an inner span with at least a major portion of the length thereof parallel to each other and the axis and straight, the straight span of each transporter being spaced from the axis a distance to engage the periphery of the pipe to support the same, each transporter having projecting means directly inwardly towards the axis for the inner span and spaced apart so as to enter an inwardly directed corrugation of the pipe, transporter operating means operatively connected with the transporters to drive the same in the same direction and at the same speed, slitting means positioned between each pair of transporters and directed radially inwardly with respect to the axis including slide means carried by the frame uniformly positioned angularly with respect to each other, a saw carrier mounted on each slide means for radial movement toward and away from the machine axis and having an inner edge and an outer edge, a plurality of circular saws forming a set mounted in alignment on each carrier at the inner edge thereof and spaced apart to cut into a separate corrugation of the pipe, saw motor means for each set of saws carried on its saw carrier and connected with its saws to rotate the same, carrier operating means connected with each of the carriers to move the same radially inwardly towards the axis to sawing position and outwardly to retracted position with respect to the axis, transporter control means connected with the transporter operating means to operate the same, and slitting control means connected with the carrier operating means to operate the same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
320 words
A slitting machine for a corrugated pipe with the machine and pipe having the same axis comprising a frame, transporting means including at least two endless transporters, spaced mounting means carried by the frame and mounting each transporter uniformly spaced angularly with respect to each other and with reference to the axis, each transporter having an inner span with at least a major portion of the length thereof parallel to each other and the axis and straight, the straight span of each transporter being spaced from the axis a distance to engage the periphery of the pipe to support the same, each transporter having projecting means directly inwardly towards the axis for the inner span and spaced apart so as to enter an inwardly directed corrugation of the pipe, transporter operating means operatively connected with the transporters to drive the same in the same direction and at the same speed, slitting means positioned between each pair of transporters and directed radially inwardly with respect to the axis including slide means carried by the frame uniformly positioned angularly with respect to each other, a saw carrier mounted on each slide means for radial movement toward and away from the machine axis and having an inner edge and an outer edge, a plurality of circular saws forming a set mounted in alignment on each carrier at the inner edge thereof and spaced apart to cut into a separate corrugation of the pipe, saw motor means for each set of saws carried on its saw carrier and connected with its saws to rotate the same, carrier operating means connected with each of the carriers to move the same radially inwardly towards the axis to sawing position and outwardly to retracted position with respect to the axis, transporter control means connected with the transporter operating means to operate the same, and slitting control means connected with the carrier operating means to operate the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A slitting machine as in claim 1 in which the transporter operating means includes a one revolution clutch, the transporter control means being connected with its clutch to engage the same, and the carrier operating means includes a one revolution clutch, and the slitting control means being connected with its clutch to engage the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A slitting machine as in claim 1 in which the carrier operating means includes cam means for each carrier and engaging the same to move the carrier in one direction and spring means operatively connected with each carrier to move the same in the opposite direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A slitting machine as in claim 3 in which the cam means is located at the outer edge of each carrier and engaging the same to propel the carrier and its saws inwardly towards the axis, and the spring means being connected with its carrier to propel the same outwardly to retracted position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A slitting machine as in claim 3 in which the carrier operating means includes a one revolution clutch, the carrier control means being connected with its clutch to engage the same, the transporting operating means includes a one revolution clutch, and the transporter control means being connected with its clutch to engage the same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A slitting machine as in claim 1 in which the saw carrier includes a platform, a saw plate, means adjustably securing the saw plate to the platform, the saws being carried on the saw plate, and means adjustably mounting each transporter on the frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A slitting machine as in claim 1 including back-up means for each transporter engaging the inner span thereof to retain the same in a straight line between its mounting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A slitting machine as in claim 7 in which each back-up means includes track means to guide the inner span of the transporter thereon and prevent sag and lateral displacement thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A slitting machine as in claim 8 in which the track means includes a pair of spaced rails, and a plurality of collars carried at spaced intervals on the transporter engaging between the rails.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A slitting machine as in claim 9 in which each projecting means carried by each transporter carries the collar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A slitting machine as in claim 6 in which the frame has a central hole, the adjustable mounting means for each transporter including slot means in the frame extending radially from the hole, and means securing each transporter mounting means in adjusted position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
A slitting machine as in claim 11 in which the mounting means for each transporter includes a pair of spaced brackets each having a mounting wheel to receive the transporter, a back-up means secured to the pair of brackets having a dimension to be received in the slot means, and the back-up means engaging the inner span of the transporter to support the same.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
A slitting machine as in claim 7 in which the carrier operating means includes cam means for each carrier and engaging the same to move the carrier in one direction, and spring means operatively connected with each carrier to move the same in the opposite direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A slitting machine as in claim 2 including means interconnecting the transporter control means and the slitting control means to operate each clutch only after completion of the operation of the other operating means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A slitting machine as in claim 3 including a back-up means for each transporter engaging the inner span thereof to retain the same in a straight line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
102 words
A slitting machine as in claim 1 in which the transporter operating means includes a one revolution transporter clutch, and the transporter control means includes a solenoid operatively connected with the transporter clutch to engage the same, an initiating switch, a switch for each carrier operated by the latter to open position by the initial radial movement inwardly of the carrier and closed upon its return to retracted position, and the initiating switch and the carrier switches being connected in series and controlling the energizing of the solenoid to prevent operation of the transporter clutch until all carriers are in retracted position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
A slitting machine as in claim 16 including a transporter relay in series with the initiating switch and carrier switches, the relay having normally open contacts, a solenoid circuit including the transporter solenoid and the contacts which are closed upon energization of the relay, and the solenoid circuit shunting the carrier switches and the relay.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
A slitting machine as in claim 17 including a relay holding circuit shunting the initiating switch and having normally open contacts which are closed by energization of the transporter relay, and a normally closed switch in the holding circuit which is opened by the transporter operating means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
A slitting machine as in claim 2 including a carrier solenoid connected with the carrier clutch to engage the same, and a normally open carrier initiating switch connected in series with the carrier solenoid and closed by the transporter operating means at the end of the operation of the transporters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
A slitting machine as in claim 19 including a carrier relay shunting the carrier solenoid and having normally open contacts which are closed on energization of the relay, a holding circuit shunting the carrier initiating switch including the relay contacts and a normally closed switch connected in series and connected with the carrier operating means to be opened thereby and deenergize the carrier solenoid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
63 words
A slitting machine as in claim 16 in which the carrier operating means includes a one revolution carrier clutch, a carrier solenoid connected with the carrier clutch to engage the same, a normally open carrier initiating switch connected in series with the carrier solenoid and connected with the transporter operating means to be closed at the end of the operation of the transporters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
118 words
A slitting machine as in claim 18 in which the carrier operating means includes a one revolution carrier clutch, a carrier solenoid connected with the carrier clutch to engage the same, a normally open carrier initiating switch connected in series with the carrier solenoid and connected with the transporter operating means to be closed at the end of the operation of the transporters, a carrier relay shunting the carrier solenoid and having normally open contacts which are closed on energization of the carrier relay, a holding circuit shunting the carrier initiating switch including in series the relay contacts and a normally closed switch connected with the carrier operating means to be opened thereby and deenergize the carrier solenoid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
A slitting machine as in claim 22 in which the transporter relay includes a second set of normally open contacts in the transporter holding circuit, and a third set of normally closed contacts in the carrier holding circuit, the carrier relay having a second set of normally closed contacts in series with the transporter solenoid, and a third set of normally closed contacts in series with the initiating switch for the transporter control circuit.