US2483811A - Work postioner - Google Patents

Description

E. v. CULLEN WORK POSITIONER Oct. 4, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed Sept. 10, 1945 Oct. 4, 19 49. E. v. CULLEN WORK POSITIQNER Filed Sept. 10, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 71 Illlllfllllllllllf/f! Patented Oct. 4, 1949 WORK'POSITIONER Edward'.V: -'Cu1len,vChicago, Ill.,: a ssignoritorThe 1 Gullen-vFriestedt-Gompany, chicagoglllli, atcore 1'2 poration of -lll-inois Applicatioh'se'ptember 10, 1945;Serial'N0'."615j238 1 Claim.- 11

The present vinvention relates generally to work 'positioners'ib" More "pa-rticularly sthel invention relates torthatitype of work positioner which is specially designed ior= adapted t'o support andhold metallic: structural; piece's or other work in different angular positions connection withi welding thereof and as its principal components comprises (-1') an 1 elongated base structure (2) a rigid elongatedrboomitype .frainerwhich overlies the base structnraehas oneiend thereofa'pivotallyr 10 connected to one end of the base structure --so thatit is permittedzto swi'ngi upwards andzdownwards about-a horizontal:axis,riand embodiesrat its. distal end a work supportingrandi retaining. table togetherwith': a mount' for: supporting-the 1 table'so thatit is capable of being rotated about 1 its. center and also; tilted back and forth between a. position wherein it-i'overlies the-distal endroff: the-frame andvan' inverted: position wherein it underlies the distal end 'of .=the:--'fra-me; -(3) an upstanding *mast -w-hich is rigidly connected tot the aforementioned'one endofthe base. struc=- ture and ,is positioned adjacent :the'v-proximal end of the frame;and -(4)-a link which is posi-" tioned wholly-- onthe upper side i of the 2 frame; extends betweerrthe central portion of t theframe and the upperiend oi -thea-mast,--and-serves.toretain the frame-in thevariousspositions into-- which it is swung. i

The primary object! of the invention is to -pro- I vide'a workpositioner of this type which is an improvement upon-,l-anchhasl certain advantages over, previously-designed work:positioners= ineluding that-which isdisclosed in, andforms the subject matter of, UnitedaStates Letters Patent No. 21396161, granted to meon March -5, 1946, andi's characterizedby the: fact that the link is-of 'co'mposite character and consists of a pair oftlink membersone of which has One-fits ends pivotally connected to 'the upperend. of the mast and the othertof which has-one of-- its. ends. pivotally connected. tothe centrahpor tion of the-boom type frame and its-distal end adjustably connected tothe distal-1 end -of--the.-

one link member in orderthat therlink as a-whole: 4 5.

may be varied. or. adjusted as toiength. By -em, ploying acomposite linkofV- thischaracter. an-

gular adjustment; of the. table" carrying. frame 1 may be efiected -withifacilityand the -w0rkfpo- 2:; a a work positioner of th'eatype and iicharacter under considerationi inrwhichione iof the: link members of -the composite 'l-inlmbetweerirthe up-i per end ofrthe -mast and-thea central-iportion-i of the: frame is tubular and is in ttelescopicallyrcon nected relation lWith the distahend of the other link member: W

Aufurther object of: the-invention is to: provide a works positionerzof x-thealast imQIitiODBd charac i ter in a which 1 thesadjustable connection between the distal" ends. of-"the-"link: members oonsists of a pin. which: extends through; andris fremovably mounted in, a pair of opposed:registerihg aper turesin the distal' 'e'nd of the tubularllink memher and adapted: tosfitun: an-y -one: hole or a longitudinal -series of holesm the distal' end of the'other-link member v "A still-further object -ofhe invention isto provide -a work .positionerrwhichmceupies: but a comparatively smalh -amount or spa'ce, is -both rugged and durable; eifectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose and be caus'e of the specific manner which the boom type frame is tw justa'blysupp'drted is capable of hahdlinig large sizedaswe'l-l as small work piecessi "Other objects-of the invention and the various advantages and chara'cteristi'cs or the presen-t' work' -p'ositioner--wi11 be apparent "from a consideration-of the-following dtailed descri'pl tioni 1 The invention-consists in""tne 'severai*n we1- features which-are hereinafter set 'forth and are more particularly defihedby'the claimat theconclusion--hereof;-

In the drawings whichficcoinpanyand rorm a" part" of this: specification l. or -disclosure tiniiin" which like-numerals of reference denotecor're' spending partsthrou'ghoiit theseveral'views Figure 1' is Jaside elevation ,"of' a Work "posi tioner embodyingtl'ieii'rventionj, '5'

Figure 2 isaplaiiviewof"the'worli positioner; parts being broken away; and." "then parts being shown in sectionfor illustrativ urpo'ses'; :and i Figure 3 is an. enlarged ver car? transverse section takenion. theiine 3f-3 oh-Figure and illustrating, in. detail thei cros's sectional design and construction-ofithelinkinmbers oithe composite link-which extends between the upper'end sitioner asa "whole is compact by reason sotof the mast and thevcentra'lportion,of the'Jooom.

the. fact that 'thejlink. ofiers substantially no obstruction, especially 'when i'tis inlits shortened I condition holding the irame'l infany one r of its variousup positions Another object urine: ihvention fis tofpr0vide..-55'

' type frame. and. serves to hoidsthetfrarne in the raised or lowered, tilted angularly to a limited extent, and rotated about its center. The base 6 is in the form of a fabricated structural steel unit and is adapted to rest upon, and

be bolted to, the fioor of the room or other en-' closure in which the positioner is used. It is rectangular, as shown in Figure 2, and comprises a pair of parallel laterally spaced channel beams ll. The ends of the beams H are cross connected by way of a pair of metallic plates l2 and the ends of these plates rest upon, and are riveted or welded. to, the top flanges of the beams. The base 6 .is provided at one end thereof with a vertically extending mast l3. This mast consists of a pair of parallel laterally spaced channel beams l4 and projects upwards from the central portion of one of the plates l2. The lower end of the mast is welded or otherwise rigidly secured'to the subjacent plate l2 in order that the mast is in fixed or rigidrelation with the base 6. The central portions and lower ends of the channel beams 14 are cross connected by way of plates l5 and these are welded to the fianges of said beams I4.

Theboom type frame 1 overlies the base 6 and embodies a pair of parallel laterally spaced complemental arms 16 and ll of channel beam design or construction. It is elongated, as shown in Figure 2, and in addition to the arms l6 and I! it embodies a top plate I8 and a bottom plate I9. The top plate extends across the upper central portion of the two frame arms and is welded at its ends to the central portions of the upper flanges of the arms. The bottom plate l9 underlies the top plate and extends across the lower central portions of the arms l6 and H. The ends of the bottom plate lap and are welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the central portions of the bottom flanges of the two frame arms. The ends of the arms 16 and I1 that are at one end of the elongated frame 1 are arranged in straddled relation with the mast is and are pivoted by way of pairs of brackets 28 and pivot pins 2| so that the frame is permitted to swing upwards and downwards about a horizontal axis or hinge line. The brackets 20 are fixedly secured to the plate I2 that underlies and supports the mast l3 and embody upstanding lugs 22. The pivot pins 2| are carried or supported by these lugs and extend through holes inthe adjacent ends of the frame arms l6 and I1. By reason of the construction and arrangement of the pivotal connections which are formed by the lug equipped brackets 2|] and the, pivot pins, the frame 1 is permitted to swing downwards into a position wherein it is in substantially parallel relation with the base 6. The two frame arms are preferably tapered from the central portions thereof to their ends (see Figure 1).

The link 8 is positioned wholly on the upper side of the boom type frame I and serves as a medium or instrumentality for supporting the frame in the various positions into which it is swung or angularly adjusted. It is composite in character and comprises a pair of longitudinally aligned link members 24 and 25. The link 4 member 24 is in the form of a rigid bar and has one end thereof disposed between the upper ends of the channel beams l4 constituting the vertically-extending mast l3, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Such end of the link member 24 is pivotally connected by way of a horizontally extending pin 26 in order that the link member 24 is free to swing vertically. The central portion of the pin 26 extends through a hole 21 in the adjacent end of the link member 24 and the ends of the pin extend through aligned holes 28 in the upper ends of the channel beams l4 and have cotter pins 29 for holding the pin against axial displacement. The distal end of the link member 24 is provided with a longitudinal series of equidistantly spaced holes 30. As shown in the drawings the holes 38 are horizontally disposed and extend from the pin receiving hole 21 -to the extreme outer or distal end of the link member 24. The other link member, i. e., the link member 25, of the composite link 8 is tubular in'design, as shown in Figure 3. 'One end of the link member 25 is solid, extends between a pair of laterally spaced upstanding lugs 3| on the central portion of the top plate l8 of the frame 1 and is pivotally connected to such lugs by way of a horizontal pin 32. The latter extend through aligned holes in the lugs and the adjacent end of the link member 25 and serves to permit such link member to swing in a vertical plane with respect to the frame I. The other or distal end of the link member 25 is arranged telescopically with respect to the distal end of the link member 24. As shown in Figure 3 the interior of the tubular link member 25 is substantially the same in cross sectional shape as the link member 24. A horizontal pin 33 extends through the distal end of the tubular link member 25 and has its ends mounted in apertures 34 in the side walls of said tubular link member so that it is capable of being shifted longitudinally out of its normal position. This pin 33 is adapted, as shown in Figure 1, to extend through any one of the holes 30 in the distal end of the link member 24 and when in place serves so to connect the two link members that the link 8 supports the frame. The apertures 34 are preferably elongated lengthwise of the tubular link member 25 in order that the pin 33 may be readily piloted into the hole 30 that is opposite to, or aligned with, the apertures 34. It is contemplated that an overhead crane or hoist will be employed to raise or lower the frame I in connection with angular adjustment .of the latter. When, for example, it is desired to swing the frame upwards the operating part of the crane or hoist is applied to the distal end of the frame. Thereafter the pin 33 is slid axially out of engagement with the link member 25 in order to free the two link members for relative sliding movement. Upon removal of the pin the crane or hoist is operated so as to swing upwards the frame I. When the frame is adjusted to the proper or desired angular position the crane or hoist is stopped. Thereafter the pin 33 is inserted through the elongated apertures 34 and the adjacent hole 30. After the pin is in place the crane or hoist is disconnected from the distal end of the frame. Upon disconnection of the crane or hoist from the frame the frame is exemplify. a simple adjustable .connection between the distal ends of the link member's whereby-the operative length-ofmthe link as a..who1e may be varied Byreason-ofthe factathat the two link members aretelescopicallyconnected together they remain-at all times in longitudinal alignment-and do not swing-,downwardsone relatively to the other when'the-pin 33' is removed in connection with a frame adjusting operation. Because the link 8'is in the form of two-telescopically connected linkmembers it offers sub-. stantially-no obstruct-ion; especially; whenit isin its shortened condition while holding: the frame in itsuppermost'p'osition. 'By having the composite linkdisposed wholly onzthe upper side of the frame' the :space betweenthe frame and the base is unobstructed and hence the entire space may-be utilized tot'accommodate-fa" work piece when .the work supporting and" retaining table it is in its hereinafter described invertedposition in connection with welding "ofthe 'bottom portion of the work piece. f w r l The bracket 9 is-in the form-of a one-piece casting and, as 'hereinafter'described more in detail, constitutes a mount whereby the work sup-' porting table i is supported so that it is rotatable about'its center and also tiltable into' different angular positions. -It i's'disposed between the outer or distal ends of the arms l6 andll of the frame land issupported by way of a pair of coaxial horizontally extending trunions 35 and 36 so thatit, together with the table, is capable of being tilte'd bodily' into different angular positions. The trunnion 35 -is fixed to,= andprojects inwardly from, a socket 31 at the distal end or outerextremity of the frame arm [6 and has a longitudinal bore 38*therein. The-inner end of the trunnion 35' fits-within a bearing type socket 39 in thebracket-S; The other trunnion, i. e., the trunnion 36,-is fixed'w-ithin, andprojects inwardly from-a socket 46in the distal end of the arm H of the frame 1 and is solid, as shown in Figure 2. The inner end of the trunnion 36 fits within a bearing type socket 4| in the bracket 9. The two trunnions, as heretofore indicated, permit the bracket 9 together with the table, to be swung about a horizontal axis.

The table It is adapted to carry or support the work and has a plurality of holes therein (not shown) whereby the work may be removably secured to it by way of bolts or other attaching devices. It is preferably flat and has a stub shaft 42 fixed to the central portion of its under face. This stub shaft fits within a bearing 43 on the central portion of the bracket 9 and together with the bearing forms a pivotal connection whereby the work supporting and retaining table I0 is permitted to rotate about its center.

In addition to the various parts heretofore described the positioner comprises power mechanism 44 for tilting the bracket 9 and the table It) relatively to the frame I and also power mechanism 45 for rotating the table [0 about its center.

The mechanism 44 comprises an electric motor 46 and speed reducing gearing 41. The motor is mounted on the central portion of the arm I6 of the frame I and is located on the outside of the arm. The speed reducing gearing 41 of the power mechanism 44 comprises a worm 48, a worm gear 49, a pinion 50, a gear 5|, a pinion 52 and a gear segment 53. The worm 48, the worm gear 49, the pinion 50 and the gear 5| are disposed within a housing 54 which is fixed to the frame arm IS. The worm 48 is fixed to the armature shaft of the electric motor 46 and meshes with the-worm gear 49; l heilattenismounted on a shaft 55'whichextends horizontallyand is-mounted in suitable bearingsin :theahousing 54. -The pinion 50 .15 fixed to the r shaft 55 and meshes ment 53 is-bolted to the bracket-9. -W-henthemotor 46 is driven in one direction it-operates through the mediumof the gearing 41- to swing thebracketS- and table-in one direction. Whenthe.motor is reverselydriven it operates through the medium of the gearing 4=1to swing the bracket and table in" the opposite direction. The teeth of the gear segment 53 extend throughout an arc of approximately-. The-segment is so positioned with respect to-the bracket 9'=--thatthe. table iscapable of being tilted from a position wherein it oyerli-es and extends in substantially parallel relation with the distal end of theframe I to an inverted position wherein it underlies the. distalend 10f the frame.' Sui-table limitswitcheslnot shown) are employed to stop the, electric motor 46automatically-when either end, of the gearsegment 53 ion 52.

The power mechanism 45 for rotating the work supporting and retaining table about its center comprises an electric motor-5'! and speed reducing gearing 58.- The motor 51 is located outwards of the outer end of the trunnion 35. and is connected to such end ofthe trunnion by way of. a housing 59. The gearing 58'of the power mechanism 45 comprises a pinion 60, a gear 6|, a worm-62, a worm gear 63, va pinion 64 and a ring'gear 65.' The pinion 60 is mounted in the housing 59 and isv fixed to one end of the armature shaft of the electric motor 51. The gear 6| meshes with, and is driven by, the pinion 60 and is mounted on one end of a horizontally extending shaft 66. Such shaft, as shown in Figure 2, extends through and is journaled in the bore 38 in the trunnion 35. The worm 62 is located between the inner ends of the trunnions 35 and 36 and is fixed to the inner end of the shaft 66. It is disposed in a recess or chamber in the bracket 9 and meshes with the worm gear 63. The latter is connected to one end of a shaft 61 which is journaled in a bearing forming part of the bracket 9. The pinion 64 is fixed to the other end of the shaft 6'! and meshes with the ring gear 65. Such gear surrounds the stub shaft 42 and is fixed to the bottom face of the table Ill. When current is supplied to the electric motor 51 of the power mechanism 45 the motor operates through the medium of the speed reducing gearing 58 to rotate the work supporting table In about its center.

When the positioner is to be used the frame 1 is swung downwards into its lowermost position in order to bring the work supporting and retaining table in close proximity to the subjacent end of the base 6. Thereafter the work to be welded is placed on the table by way of an overhead crane or hoist. As soon as the work is properly positioned with respect to the table it is bolted to the latter. Thereafter the frame 1 is swung upwards, as hereinbefore described, in order to position the table at the proper elevation for welding. When the table is supported at the desired elevation it may .be tilted as desired by operation or actuation of the power mechanism approaches the pin- 44. It also'may be rotated bodily about its center by actuation of the power mechanism 45.

The aforementioned positioner is both rugged and durable and effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose. It is characterized by the fact that the frame permits the table to be raised and lowered throughout an extremely great range of movement. By reason of the fact that the supporting structure includes the pivoted elongated frame 1 the work to be welded encounters no obstructions when the table is in an inverted position regardless of the elevation of the table. Because the space under the boom type frame 1 is unobstructed the frame may be lowered into a substantially horizontal position when it is desired to use the table for welding small sized work pieces. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings the upper end of the mast I3 is substantially coplanar with the table I when the table is horizontally positioned and is lowered to its fullest extent. Because of this the elongated mast does not interfere with the welding of large sized pieces on the table. Because of the design, arrangement and construction of the composite link 8 adjustment of the table carrying frame 1 may be effected with facility and the work positioner as a whole is compact and offers substantially no obstruction to the work piece or the user of the positioner.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a work positioner comprising a rigid elongated boom type frame having one end thereof pivotally mounted so as to permit it to swing upwards and downwards about a substantiallyhorizontal axis, and embodying at its distal end a work supporting and retaining table together with a mount for supporting the table so that it is capable of being rotated about its center and also tilted back and forth between a position wherein it overlies the distal end of the frame and an inverted position wherein it underlies said distal end of the frame, the combination of a rigid upstanding mast positioned adjacent the proximal end of the frame, and means for retaining the frame in the various positions into which it is swung disposed wholly on the upper side of the frame and comprising a bar type link member having one end thereof pivotally connected to the upper end of the frame and embodying in its other end a longitudinal series of spaced apart transverse holes, a tubular link member having one end thereof pivotally connected to the central portion of the frame and its other end telescopically connected to said other end of the bar type link member and provided with a pair of opposed longitudinally extending elongated apertures, and a pin extending across and removably mounted in said apertures and adapted to fit within any one of the holes of said series.

EDWARD V. CULLEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,481,049 Cason Jan. 15, 1924 1,808,497 Dina June 2, 1931 2,198,793 Schroeder Apr. 30, 1940 2,396,161 Cullen Mar. 5-, 1946

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