US2812870A - Work handling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

-m MW' Nov. 12, 1957 w. L. CORTEGGIANO ETAL 2,312,870

WORK HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. '15, 1951 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 TNESSES: |NVENTOR$ wllliom L. Corteggmno and Paul F. Good. I

Nov. 12, 1957 w. CORTEGGIANO :r'AL ,870

WORK HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2.

WITNESSES; INVENTORS %7 4 William L.Corteggiono ATTORNEY WI; ZE'ssESE Nov- 12, 1957 'w. L. CORTEGGIANO ETAL 2,8 70

WORK HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1951 4 sheets sheet 5 ATTORNEY Nov. 12, 1957 w. L. CORTEGGIANO EIAL 2,812,870

WORK HANDLING APPARATUS Fil ed Nov, 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 94 Insulation WITNESSES t William L.Cor tggiono 5%77/wl5 and Paul F. Good.

' ATT 0 RNEY United States Patent Dfilice 2,812,870 Patented Nov. 12, 1957 WORK HANDLING APPARATUS William Lucian Corteggiano and Paul F. Good, Baltit: more, Md., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Application November 15, 1951, Serial No. 256,572

14 Claims. (Cl. 214-340) Our invention relates to workpiece-handling apparatus and, more particularly to a multiple-position type of apparatus for use in handling workpieces which are to be treated by some operation such as an induction heating and quenching operation for a purpose in the nature of hardening the workpieces.

It is an object of our invention to provide a simple apparatus comprising a multiple-position work-handling apparatus, which is adapted to handle workpieces in a continuous process as the workpieces are being heat treated.

It-is another object of our invention to provide a multiple-position work-handling apparatus which is adapted to readily handle workpieces of a plurality of different sizes.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a work-handling apparatus which is adapted to be readily determinable for operation in a predetermined plurality of positions, any one position of said apparatus being operable for as many workpieces as desired. It is a different object of our invention to provide a work-handling apparatus which is operable in any one of a plurality of positions, and Which is readily modified subsequent to operation in any one of said positions to another operating position.

It is a still different object of our invention to provide a work-handling apparatus which is adapted for operation in any one of a predetermined number of positions, and which includes an integrated plurality of workpiece heattreating and quench-treating units.

It is still another object of our invention to provide a composite work-handling apparatus having a plurality of work-handling positions, each of those positions including a work-treating unit.

It is a still further object of our invention to provide an integrated workpiece-handling apparatus which includes a plurality of workpiece-handling positions, said unit being movable relative to a support base such that a separate workpiece feeder apparatus can be supported by said base in fixed position, and the multiple-position workpiece-handling apparatus moved relative thereto to provide a selective plurality of workpiece-handling positions.

It is yet another object of our invention to provide a precision-built tool in the form of workpiece-handling apparatus, said tool being operable to firmly grip, guide, and rotate individual workpieces in a desired plane of operation as the workpieces are handled in mass production quantities.

In accordance with our invention, a multiple-position workpiece-handling apparatus in the form of a movable turret structure is provided, said turret structure being supported by a support cradle such that the entire turret structure is movable relative to said cradle. The support cradle and a separate workpiece feeder apparatus are mounted on a common support base such that workpieces can be supplied by said feeder apparatus to the input end of said turret structure. The workpieces then pass through the turret structure where they are individually treated by an integral heat-treating and quenching unit, and subsequently pass out of the turret structure to a suitably provided receiving unit. Theturret structure includes at its input end a workpiece guide tube and at its output end a second workpiece guide tube. The turret structure can include any reasonable desired number of workpiece positions, the structure illustrated and described herein, however, being -a one-to-four position turret structure for purposes ofillustration only. The turret structure and support cradle are in the form of a precision-built work-handling apparatus and include workpiece support rollers which grip, guide, and rotate the individual workpieces as they pass through the turret structure in any desiredplane of operation, the illustrated apparatus herein is shown and described to be in a horizontal plane. The workpieceswhich are handled can have any range of diameters which it is desired to treat. However, in the actual use of-the apparatus described herein and inaccordance with our invention, we have successfully treated workpieces having diameters ranging from a minimum of% inch to a maximum of 2 inches.

The turret-structure per se includes a'pair of opposite end members, each of which is machined to provide the proper number of workpiece positions as desired. A plurality of tie rod members is provided between these end members to firmly and rigidly support the latter in position relative to each other. 'Between adjacent pairs of saidtie rods, there are supported an induction heating coil and an adjacent quench unit such that each of the-latter units has an axis which lies along the workpiece treatment path for each of the selectable positions provided by the turret structure. Suitable support rollers are provided as an integral component of the turret structure for-each ofthe workpiece treating positions. These rollers are power driven to effect the desired workpiece rotation as the workpieces pass through the turret structure.

The novel features that we consider characteristic of our invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure-1 is a front elevation view showing the overall work-handling apparatus in accordance with our invention, and the cooling and quench water supply plus the power supply for the heating coil, as well as the provided arrangement for feeding workpieces into and out of the multiple-position work-handling'apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section along line II-II of Fig. 3-of the turret structure per se in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 3 is an end View showing a cross section of the turret structure shown in Fig. 2 along the lines IIII II of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the drive gear arrangement for rotating the workpiece support rollers;

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view with parts broken away of our apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the induction heating member, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the quenching member.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a support base member 10 on which there is mounted a support cradle 12, said support cradle movably supporting a turret structure including a pair of end members 14 and 16. A plurality of tie rods 18 are connected between the end members 14 and 16 such that the latter members are firmly fastened together in rigid position relative to each other.

A first locking member and a second locking member 22 are provided to firmly hold the respective end members 14 and 16 in positive position in the support lcradle 12 relative to, the support base 10. The. locking members20 and'22 are held together and fastened to the support base 10 by means of a manually adjustable screw arrangement 24. Between the end members 14 and 16, there is provided a plurality of support shafts 26, which .shafts support a plurality of workpiece support rollers 28. ,With the apparatusas shown in Fig. 1, workpieces are fed to the left end of the turret structure and through end member 14 by means of a workpiece feed apparatus 30, said apparatus being in accordance with the disclosure of P. F; Good in his application Serial No. 215,467, filed March 14, 1951. The individual workpieces 31 pass from the workpiece feed apparatus to an input guide tube member 32 which is supported by two of the tie rod members 18 that are on opposite sides adjacent the workpiece path through the turret structure and including the input guide tube member 32. From the input guide tube member 32, the workpiece 31 pass throgh a provided workpiece passage opening in end member 14, and are subsequently supported by the in-feed rotational support-rollers 28 which are shown nearest the end member 14 of the turret structure. From the in-feed support rollers, the individual workpieces pass to a heating member 34, such as an induction heating coil, and then if desired to a quenching member 36. It is to be understood that the quench member 36 could be dispensed with and that any suitable work processing apparatus be substituted for either or both of members 34 and, 36. After passing through the quenching member 36, the workpieces 31 are supported by the out-feed support rollers 28, which are shown positioned nearest to the end member 16 of the turret structure. From the out-feed support rollers 28, the individual workpieces 31 pass through a provided workpiece passage opening in the endmember 16, and to an output guide tube member 38.

The support base 10 includes an upright structure 40 which, in turn, supports a high-frequency power supply transformer 42, that is connected through a suitable lead connection structure 44 to the heating unit 34. Cooling water for the connection structure 44 is supplied through conductors 46 and 48. A lift arrangement 50, including a manually operable handle, is provided to physically lift the power supply transformer 42 and connection 44 from electrical connection with the heating unit 34 when it is desired that the turret structure, in-

to the support base 10 to provide a new workpiece treating position. A suitable quench medium supply is provided, including conductor tube 52 connected to quench member 36. A Zero speed switch member 54 is provided to determine when the movement of the workpieces is terminated. The member 54 is effective to disconnect the heating member 34 for its supply of electrical power when such movement ends for any reason.

e A gripping or idler roller member 56 is provided for each of the in-feed and out-feed support roller groups, said gripping roller 56 being held by a support arm 58, which is pivotally fastened to an idler roll'er support shaft 60. The latter fastening is spring loaded such that the idler roller 56 exerts a pressure or force against the individual workpieces 31 to hold the latter against the support rollers 28 as the workpieces 31 move along the provided workpiece-treating path, including guide tube members 32 and 38;

' A drive pulley 62 is provided for rotating the support rollers 28, said drive pulley being connected to a drive shaft 64. At the end of the drive shaft 64 opposite the drive pulley 62, there is provided a'gear mechanism 66 including a driving gear on the end of the drive shaft 64 and a driven gear on each of the support roller shafts 26 such that the support rollers 28 are thereby eluding end members 14 and 16, should be moved relative rotated to efiectivelyrotate the workpieces 31 as the latter move along the workpiece-treating path between the guide tubes 32 and 38.

In Fig. 2, there is shown a vertical section of the turret structure per se of Fig. 1. Between the end members 14 and 16, there is provided a plurality of tie rods 18. Each of these tie rods passes through both of the end members 14 and 16 and extends outwardly from these end members a suitable distance for the support and connection of the guide tubes (not shown) in their respective positions on these :tie rods. The support rollers 28 are supported by the support roller shafts 26. The lowermost support rollers 28 and support roller shaft 26, as shown in Fig. 2,"are illustrated in section.

Drive pulley 62'is connected vto one end of drive shaft 64, and the opposite end of drive shaft 64 is connected to a driving gear 68. Suitable bearing support means 70 is provided for both Eends ofthe drive shaft 64. A driven gear 72 is shown meshed with driver gear 68, the former being connected .toone end of support shaft.26. The driver pulley 62 is thereby effective to rotate the support shaft 26, through the gear members 68 and 72. Suitable support bearing means 74 are provided for each of the support shafts 26. Idler roller support shaft 60 is shown connected between the end member 14 and the end member 16. From support shaft 60 there is connected the idler roller support arms 58 which, in turn, support idler rollers 56. The right-hand uppermost idler roller 56 as drawn in Fig. 2 is shown in section, illustrating how it is connected to the idler roller support arm 58 and includes a bearing member 76 and threaded connector member 78.

An induction coil clamping member 80 and quench unit clamping member 82 are shown in position relative to the work path provided by the illustrated uppermost support rollers 28 and idler rollers 56. One of these coil and quench unit clamping members 80 and 82 are connected to each tie rod 18 on opposite sides of the work path.

The lowermost idler support shaft 60 is shown in section, illustrating the connection of the support arms 58 to the support shaft 60. Each of the support arms 58 is spring loaded by means of the respective spring members 84.

In Fig. 3, there is shown an end view of the turret section taken along the line IlL-III of Fig. 2. End member 16 is shown in the view, which is taken in a direction looking toward end member 16 from the inside of the turret structure. Tie rods 18 are shown, with coil clamping means 82 shown thereon. Workpieee support rollers 28 are shown in their positions relative to the workpiece passage opening 86. Each of the openings 86 are shaped to have an axis. The latter workpiece passage openings 86 comprise workpiece openings which have been cut or machined into end member 16 to allow the passage of workpieces 31 through that end member.- An upper and'a lower idler roller 56 are illustrated, as supported by their respective support arms 58 and support shafts 60.

The right and left-hand workpiece paths are not illustrated asfinally adapted for operation, and, therefore, no idler rollers are illustrated for these positions. The turret structure illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 is designed and intended for two-position operation. In other words two workpiece treating paths are provided, each being adapted for the treatment of a different sized workpiece. However, it is to be understood that the apparatus of Figs. 2 and 3 is readily adaptable as any one of a oneto-four position apparatus merely by the addition of the necessary apparatus components. For example, were the work-handling apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3 to be adapted for single-position operation, one set of the idler rollers 56 and their support arm 58 would not be necessary and, therefore, could be removed. On the otherv hand, were thisapparatus to be. adapted for threein Fig. 5.

. position operation, an additional set of idler rollers and support arms could be' readily added to'the structure to provide a' third workpiece treating path through, for

example, one of the right'or left-hand workpiece openings as shown in the end member '16; In'this respect when the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1 is adapted for single position operation, additionalidler rollers, heating and quenching members, andguide tubes are needed for anyother positions.

*In Fig. 3 the support shaft-26-for each of the support rollers 28 is shown;-= Drive shaft 64 is shown in its centerinost positionrelative-to the turret structure of our" work-handling apparatus, and an end "section view o f theidler roller support" shaft 60" tor -each of lustrated idler rollers '56 is shown. In Fig: 4 is shown a partial or-fragmentary section view of the gearrne'chanism 66 shown inFigs. l and 2. Drive shaft 64 is shown keyedto dr iver*gear -68. Driven gears 72, one on 'each of the respective support shafts 26 are shown; "A partialyiew' of the workpiece passage openings 86 is shown, the illustrated arrangement being that of the-two-position turret structure of Fig. 3. Note that theupper and lower openings are effectively pear shaped, whereas the right and left side openings as viewed are circular. The preferred shape of the openings is' the pear shape of the upper and lowermost openings The'modification of the apparatus as illustrated in Figsf3 and 4 which would be necessary, were the apparatus --tobe-=changed to a four-position apparatus, would preferably require the change in the shape of the right and left-'side openings to thepear shape of the upper and lowermost openings.

In'Fig. 5 there is-shownan end elevational view, with par t ofit broken away, ofthe apparatus illustrated in 1. The upperrnost part of the turret structure, as viewed inwa direction from -the="interior of the turret structure looking toward end member '14, "is shown in section and the lowermost part of the turret structure ist-shown lookingin ai direction:.from the'ou'tside of the turret istructureetoward end' member 16.. Two of the support" rollersf 28. are'shown supporting a workpiece 31 in atreat'ment' position along .the workpiece treating path. z'Idlr roller "56 is shown in position above'the' workpiece 31'-.to:.exer.txia. forcewagainstithe workpiece and: pressdtaintozpositionontothe support rollers 28. Fhe lturretfstr ucture support cradle/12 is shown in its position relative to the support base 10.; The manually operable lift "arrangement 50 :is connected' to'the power supply-transformer 42,- suchnthatxthe =lift arrangement 50 can physically lift'the power 'supplyrtransformer 42 andtrthe' leadraconnections'M, tovele'ctrically disconnect lea'dtconnections44 from the induction heating coil 3'4z This is accomplished by pivotingrthetsupport structure 51 of the transformer 427313011111 :pivotmember" 53. The supportistructure 51.'f01" the, transformera42 includes ashieldfimember 55,.iwhichshields the turret apparatus from the ele'ctricalfield setup by and due to the operation of the-transformer 42. Thendrive pulley 62 is rotated by means-ofv a? connecting belt member 57 and a driving means 59, which :may bein the form of a motor, or similar apparatus. 'In Fig. *5, the quench member-36 is-shown in position relative to the support rollers 28- and the workpiece treatment path. This quench member36 is supported bytwo of the tie rods 18 which are illustrated in uppermost position adjacent the workpiece treatrnent path. The heatingv coil 34 is not shown in Fig. 5,-other-than the connecting leads frornithe coil which electrically connect to the lead connection structure 44. However, the induction heating coil-3lis supported by-the same two. tier'ods 18 which support-the quench member 36, said tie rods being parallel to the workpiece. treating path and lying in a plane perpendicular to the-plane .of thendrawing, as illustrated Theheating membershown in Fig. 6 includes a pair of electrical. connection rnemherso90v and. 92. which are separated by an insulation member 94. Cooling medium conductors 96 and 98 are provided for the cooling fluid, such as water which is passedthrough the "heating member 34 to cool it during its actual operation. A cross support member 100 is shaped for connection between'the tie rod members 18, such that the heating coil which is covered by an insulating casing 102 is in proper position relative to the work treating path so the workpieces pass through the opening 104, saidopening having an axis along which the workpieces pass in a treatment path.

Respecting the quenching member 36 shown in Fig. 7, a quenching medium conductor 106 allows the entry of quenchingmedium into the quenching member so the quenching medium can be projected against the heated workpieces, as those workpieces pass through the opening "108 in the quenchinng member 36, said opening having an axiscorresponding to-the Work treatment path. The outer casing of the quenching member 36 is shaped such that it can be supported by two of the tie rods 18 that are adjacent the workpiece treating path, as shown in Fig. 5.

- Inthe operation of the apparatus in accordance with our invention, workpieces 31 are received from a hopper (not shown in Fig. 1) and fed by the workpiece feed apparatus 3%), which is partially shown in Fig. 1 in accordance with the above-referred-to application of P. F. Good. It is to be understood, however, that any suitable workpiece feed apparatus could be employed, and the apparatus shown and described is not necessarily the only such apparatus which,is satisfactory for this purpose. The latter work feed apparatus 33 is .a positive feed type of apparatus, and is of the type which feeds workpieces 31 in end-to-end relation, with the work pieces 31 which enter the in-feed guide tube 32 being' positively pushed by those workpieces which are still carried by the work feed apparatus 30. The'workpieces are fed in a continuous line from the work feed ap paratus' 30 through the in-feed guide tube. 32, through the workpiece passageopening in the end member 14, and to the infeed support rollers 28. The in-feed support rollers 28 impart a rotation to the individual workpieces 31, and the'in-feed idler roller 56-exerts a pressure against the workpieces to assist the operation of the in-feed supportrollers' 28 in this respect; The workpieces 31 then pass from the 'in-feed support rollers 28 intothe induction heatingcoil 34 where they are inducti-vely heat treated as desired; From the induction heating coil 34, the-workpieces pass into the quench member 36 where they are quenched as desired; From the quench member 36, they pass to the out-feed support rollers 28, then through the workpiece passage opening in the end member 16, and into the out-feed guide tube 38. From the out-feed guide "tube 38, the'workpieces 31 pass to a suitable receiving member (not shown in Fig. 1

The zero speed switch member 54 is effective to electrically. disconnect the heating member 39 if the passage of the individual-workpieces 31' through the guide tube 38 is terminated for any reason. The induction heating current is received from apower supply including transformer 42 and connection members 44. The quenching fluid is received through conductor 52, while a cooling fluid, such as water, issu'ppliedtothe heating coil through conductor 47. I

If a workpiece, or group ofworkpieces,'of a different size isto be handled, a second position'ofthe workpiece-handling apparatus-in accordance with our invention is necessary, dependent of course upon the size of the workpiece since it is well known that the clearance between the heating coil and workpiece in this respect is determining; To move the apparatus to a different position,'the lockingirnembers 20 and 22 are loosened by means of manually adjustablewand threaded memberq24, such that the turret structure; including end members 14. and 16,:can be moved relative to the support base 10 about an axis through the center of the turret structure, including the center line of drive shaft 64. However, before the turret structure can be so moved, the manually operable lift member 50 is employed to effectively lift the connection members 44 of the power supply transformer 42 away from the heating coil 34.

At the new position of the turret structure, the looking members 20 and 22 are again tightened against the provided flanges on the respective end members 14 and 16 such that the turrett structure is held against movement relative to support base 10. In this new position of the turret structure, a difr'rent work path is provided another pair of iii-feed and out-feed support rollers 28. Referring to Fig. 3, it is readily evident how the end member 14 can be moved relative to an axis including thte drive shaft 64 such that the respective workpiece passage openings 86 are successively in the uppermost or operative position. In is this uppermost position which is aligned with the workpieces as they are fed from the workpiece feed apparatus 30. Accordingly, it will be seen how a different pair of support rollers 28 and a different workpiece passage opening 86 is provided for each of the operative positions of Fig. 3.

I In .this respect it is to be noted that the illustration of Fig. 3 is intended for a two-position operation, namely, when the uppermost workpiece passage opening 86 is in its illustrated position or when the lowermost workpiece passage opening, as illustrated, is in the uppermost position. However, it is to be further understood that the illustrated left and right side work passage openings could be readily modified such that either or workpiece treating passage.

For each of the workpiece treating passages, there are provided separate guide tubes 32 and 38, a separate induction heating coil 34, and a separate quench member 36. These components are closely machined for use with the particular sized workpieces which are to be treated, and they are rigidly constructed to close tolerances such that, when they are properly mounted on the locating tie rods 18 of the turret structure, the guide tubes, inductor coil, and quench unit for each position are properly aligned to provide a workpiece treating path through the turret structure. In this respect each of the guide tubes, the workpiece passage openings of each end member, the heating coil member and the quench unit has an axis, which by definition is, intended to correspond to and lie along the respective workpiece treatment paths.

Changing the apparatus from the treatment of a workpiece of one diameter to the treatment of a workpiece of another diameter is readily accomplished by disconnecting the power supply transformer 42 from the heating coil 34, disconnecting the quench water supply conductor 52 from the quench unit 36 and the cooling water supply 47 from the heating coil 34, loosening the locking members 20 and 22, and moving the entire turret structure to the alternate position where the desired size heating coil, quench unit, and in-feed and out-feed guide tubes are already mounted. When it is in the latter position, the turret structure is firmly locked into position by means of the locking members 20 and 22.

p The idler rollers 56 are spring loaded to hold down the workpieces against the particular pair of support rollers 28 in the workpiece treating path. This arrangement assures rotation of the workpieces and provides adequate gripping pressure to insure positive longitudinal guiding of the workpieces as the workpieces span the distance between the in-feed support rollers 28 and the out-feed support rollers 28 through the inductor coil 34 and the quench applicator 36. V

1 Mechanical alignment of the in-feed and out-feed supboth of the latter openings 86 could be employed as a port rollers 28 is insured by mounting the respectivethrough a different set of guide tubes 32 and 38, a different sized heating coil 34 and quench unit 36, and

support rollers which are on each side of the workpiece treatment path on common shafts 26, said shafts extend- .ing from one end member 14 to the other end member 16. Since the idler roller is supported by support arm 58 and spring loaded through a connection to support shaft 60, a common shaft for the individual idler rollers 56 is not used, but rather the support arms 58 are pivoted from a common support shaft 60 to assure axial alignment with the workpieces and with the support rollers 28. The span distance or gap between the in-feed support rollers 28 and the out-feed support rollers 28 can be readily changed or adjusted by adding or removing support roller sections. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, there are two support roller sections comprising the in-feed support rollers and two support roller sections comprising the out-feed support rollers.

Depending upon the length of the workpieces, the guide tubes 32 and 38 can be replaced with a set of guide rollers, which may be similar to the support rollers 28 illustrated in the drawings.

A modification of our invention may be to adapt the apparatus such that the workpieces were not rotated as they passed along the work treatment path. A still further modification would be to design the apparatus such that only a single end member were used, and the support rollers and idler rollers would be supported by that single end member, or the support and idler rollers may not be included, but merely a heating unit and quench member provided for each treatment position.

The single end member would be similar to those herein disclosed, however a modified support and locking arrangement may be necessary. However, in this respect, it is considered to be obvious to one skilled in the art to make such a modified support and locking arrangement for a single end member adapted for multiple-position work treatment in accordance with our invention.

In the actual operation of the work-handling apparatus in accordance with our invention, we have successfully heat treated workpieces whose lengthsvaried from 2% inches to 20 inches and whose diameters varied from inch to 2 inches. It should be readily evident to a person skilled in this art, that workpieces of greater or smaller lengths or greater or smaller diameters could readily be heat treated by obvious modifications of our work-handling apparatus.

Although we have shown and described certain specific embodiments of our invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in' the art that our invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

We claim as our invention:

1. In work-handling apparatus, the combination of a first end member having a plurality of workpiece passage openings, a second end member having a similar plurality of workpiece passage openings, a support shaft connected between said first and second end members such that a work path is provided between one passage opening in each of said end members, with said support shaft being positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to said work path, and a rotatable support member carried by said shaft for rotatably supporting a workpiece moving along said work path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized by a drive shaft being supported by one of said end members and gearing means connecting said drive shaft with said support shaft.

3. In workpiece-handling apparatus, the combination of a turret structure including a first end member, a second end member, and a plurality of tie rods connected between said end members to hold the latter end mem-, bers in rigid position relative to each other, a support base for said turret structure, each of the end members having a similar plurality of workpiece passage openings,

9 .a plurality of support rollers, and a support shaft for each of said support rollers, said shaft: being connected between said end members parallel to said tie rods.

4. In workpiece-handling apparatus, the combination .of a first 'andsecond end member, a plurality of tie rods connected between the'end membersto hold the end members in rigid position relative to each other, each of the end members having a similar plurality of workpiece passage openings such that a workpiece passage is provided between one opening in the first end member and an opening of the second end member corresponding in position to said one opening, a first workpiece support roller mounted adjacent said first end member and a second workpiece support roller mounted adjacent to said second end member, a common shaft carrying said support rollers, said shaft being connected between the first and second end members, an idler roller, and a support arm pivotally connected to one of said tie rods for moving said idler roller to and from a position where it engages a workpiece carried by said support rollers.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, in which there is provided a support base commonly supporting each of said end members, with an input guide tube supported by one of said tie rods and positioned relative to one of the openings in the first end member such that a work path is provided along the input guide tube and through one opening in each of the first and second end members.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, in which there is provided an output guide tube supported by said tie rod and positioned relative to one of the workpiece passage openings of the second end member such that the work path is along the output guide tube.

7. In workpiece-handling apparatus, the combination of a first and second end member and a plurality of tie rods connected between said end members to hold the end members in rigid position relative to each other, a support base common to each of said end members, with each of said end members having a similar plurality of workpiece passage openings, each opening of the first end member corresponding in position to an opening of the second end member such that a common workpiece passage is provided therethrough, an input guide tube supported by one of said tie rods and positioned relative to said first end member such that a workpiece in said workpiece passage can pass from the input guide tube through one of the openings of the first end member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, in which there is provided an output guide tube supported by one of the tie rods and positioned relative to the second end member such that a workpiece in said workpiece passage can pass from one of the openings in said second end member and along said output guide tube. V

9. The apparatus of claim 8, in which both the input and output guide tube are supported by the same tie rod.

10. In workpiece-handling apparatus, the combination of a turrent structure including a first and a second end member and a plurality of tie rods connected between said end members to hold the latter end members in rigid position relative to each other, each of said end members having a similar plurality of workpiece passage openings with each of the openings of the first end member corresponding to one of the openings of the second end member such that a workpiece passage is provided therethrough, and a plurality of input guide tubes, each of the input guide tubes being supported by one of the said tie rods.

11. In a workpiece-handling apparatus, the combination of a turret structure including a first and a second end member and a plurality of tie rods connected between said end members to hold the end members in rigid position relative to each other, a support base for said turret structure, each of said end members having a similar plurality of workpiece passage openings, with the first and second end members having a common axis, a drive shaft member located on said axis, a first gear means connected 10 to said drivev shaft member, a plurality of rotational sup port rollers, a support shaft for each of said rollers, said shaft being connectedbetweensaid-first and second end members, and a second gear means connected to said support shaft and operative with the first gear means connected to said drive shaft member.

I 12. In work-handling apparatus including a work path, the combination of a pair of end members, each of the end members having a similar plurality of workpiece passage openings, a pair of workpiece support members rotatably supported by said end members for rotation about an axis parallel to said work path and positioned between said end members relative to one workpiece passage opening in each of the end members, such that a workpiece can pass between each of the latter said openings and be rotatably supported by said support members as it passes therebetween, said pair of end members being adapted to position therebetween said Work path such that a workpiece passes through said work path as it passes between the said openings in the first and second end members, means for rotating said workpiece support members, and an idler roller carried between said end members for holding a workpiece in frictional engagement with said support members.

13. In workpiece handling apparatus, a rotatable shaft, a pair of spaced support members, anti-friction members mounting said support members on said shaft whereby the shaft and support members may rotate independently about a common axis, a plurality of shafts rotatably carried by and between said support members at points radially offset from said axis, said plurality of shafts being parallel to said axis, means operatively connecting said first-mentioned shaft to said plurality of shafts whereby torque applied to the said first-mentioned shaft will be transmitted to said plurality of shafts, and workpiece supporting rollers fixed to said plurality of shafts to rotate workpieces as they travel along a path located between successive ones of said shafts and parallel thereto.

14. In workpiece handling apparatus, a rotatable shaft, a pair of spaced support members, anti-friction members mounting said support members on said shaft whereby the shaft and support members may rotate independently about a common axis, a plurality of shafts rotatably carried by and between said support members at points readily offset from said axis, said plurality of shafts being parallel to said axis, means operatively connecting said first-mentioned shaft to said plurality of shafts whereby torque applied to the said first-mentioned shaft will be transmitted to said plurality of shafts, workpiece supporting rollers fixed to said plurality of shafts to rotate workpieces as they travel along a path located between successive ones of saidshafts and parallel thereto, and an idler roller carried between said support members and movable to and from a position where it engages said workpieces as they travel along said path to hold the wclalrkpieces in frictional engagement with said supporting ro ers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 876,814 Lester Jan. 14, 1908 1,355,521 Alexander et al Oct. 12, 1920 1,382,148 Walker June 21, 1921 1,431,930 Campbell Oct. 17, 1922 1,652,419 Shields Dec. 13, 1927 1,713,678 Seibert May 21, 1929 1,871,430 Snow Aug. 9, 1932 1,915,672 Ives June 27, 1933 1,922,888 Engelbertz Aug. 15, 1933 1,983,551 Lindberg Dec. 11, 1934 2,215,735 Jones Sept. 24, 1940 2,297,199 Buddecke Sept. 29, 1942 (Other references on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Somes Mar. 12, 1946 Hurley Sept. 24, 1946 Cox Mar. 18, 1947 Connor et a1. Oct. 21, 1947 5 King July 26, 1949

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