Patent GB-566284-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to gauging and testing machines
IPC: B07C5/06
Filed: 1942-08-15
Abstract: 566,284. Gauging-apparatus. DEARSLEY, G., and MOLINS MACHINE CO., Ltd. Aug. 15, 1942, No. 11453. [Class 106 (ii)] A device for checking characteristics of a workpiece, comprises a member movable relatively to the workpiece and adapted frictionally to engage the same, and a device adapted thereafter to cause relative movement between a workpiece and the member, said device comprising a yieldable coupling adapted to oppose the force applied to cause said relative movement and to yield when the force required therefor is abnormal. The invention is applied to a number of devices included in an automatic gauging machine for testing the links of a machine-gun belt, such as described in Specification 541,954, [Group XXX]. The links L are fed manually to straddle a horizontal bar 11, Figs. 5, 8, which co-operates first with a bar on the right and then also with a bar on the left to test the dimensions 4, 2, 1, Fig. 2, defective links being manually removed. To pass these tests, the link must be inserted the right way round. Aperture 15, Fig. 8, in a plate 16 covering the entrance to a shoot 18, then tests the general projected shape. From the shoot, the links fall in turn into successive pockets 8 of a conveyer 7, under the control of finger 22, Fig. 3, which is operated as each pocket comes into position to press the link against the surface 20 of the shoot and so into the pocket while holding up the next link. Checking grip of loop 1. Bar 33, carrying plug gauges 30, 31, is reciprocated laterally of the movement of the links. Plug 30 enters the loop and is gripped by it so that when the plug returns, it pulls the link against the resistance of a stripper 43, Fig. 11. If the grip is correct, the link is stripped from the gauge, but if too tight, it leaves the pocket and pulls the stripper laterally, until the stripper strikes a fixed abutment 45, when the link is deposited in a shoot 43. The stripper 43 is on a rod 44 carrying the armature 46 of a permanent or electromagnet 47, and the air gap between the armature and the magnet can be adjusted so that the armature is pulled away only when the grip of the link on the plug exceeds a certain amount. Alternatively, in the case of an electromagnet, the power can be varied by varying the current. Or again, the magnet may be adjusted laterally with respect to the armature to vary the flux. Plug gauge 31, Fig. 12, then enters the loop, the link being rejected unless it grips with a certain minimum force. Rod 57 moves to the left under cam control, taking along magnet 71 which attracts its keeper 70 with a force previously determined. If the grip is insufficient, the link is stripped by stripper 68 and falls into shoot 74. If the grip is adequate, the stripper remains stationary and magnet 71 leaves its keeper 70 behind, and when plug 31 is withdrawn, the link advances. Testing extensibility. Plug gauge 177, Fig. 4, passes through loops 1, 2 to hold the link rigidly against lateral movement, while plug gauge 77 mounted on a flexible rod passes through loop 3 and through holes in plates 83 periodically spring-urged by two-armed lever 84, 86, Fig. 13, under cam control, so that if the link is not sufficiently rigid, lever 86 closes an electric switch 94 to energize solenoid 98, Fig. 14, which depresses its plunger 106 to rock hook-shaped member 110 into the path of the end 119 of lever 118, the pivot of which is periodically reciprocated under cam control. When the end 119 is detained, the stroke of rod 114 is doubled to eject the link from the pocket, when the conveyer, is next stationary. Hook 110 is restored by the engagement of screw 133 with abutment 132 at the next movement of lever 118, and abutment 134 on bracket 99 restores lever 118 to its original frictionally-held position on lever 122. Gauging overall height of link. The link next passes under gauge member 135 carried by a bell-crank lever so that an abnormally high link rocks the lever to close a switch 145 controlling an ejector of the type just described. Checking pitch of link. A pair of rods, the correct distance apart are inserted into loop 3 and loops 1, 2, respectively, and if the pitch is correct, the link is stripped, but if the pitch is abnormal, the link engages the rods so firmly as to pull an armature from a magnet in the manner described above in connection with plug gauge 30. The links are removed from the pockets after testing by stripper plates 162 and pass into a trough 166 from which they can be manually removed for packing. Specification 566,320 also is referred to.