Apparatus for imparting a simultaneous rotational movement to an object moving along a rectilinear trajectory

Abstract

An apparatus for imparting a simultaneous rotational movement to an object moving along a rectilinear trajectory a slide block can be moved to and fro along a substantially cylindrical rod that has at least one flattened surface that is engaged by a guide wheel journalled in the slide surface block. The flattened surface extends partially rectilinearly and partially spirally along the cylindrical rod.

We claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for guiding an object for rotational and rectilinear movement, comprising: (a) an elongated slide block having an elongated cylindrical opening extending through said slide block;   (b) a rigid guide rod extending through said cylindrical opening, having at least one flattened surface extending along the surface of a first section of said guide rod parallel to the longitudinal axis of said guide rod and at an angle to said longitudinal axis along a second section of said guide rod;   (c) bearing means to support said slide block for rectilinear movement along said guide rod and for rotational movement about said guide rod; and   (d) means on said slide block for supporting at least one guide wheel for rolling contact with said flattened surface on said guide rod, whereby rectilinear movement of said slide block along said guide rod will cause said slide block to move in a rectilinear path along said first section of said guide rod and in a rotational and rectilinear path along said second section of said guide rod.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide rod has two symmetrically disposed flattened surfaces and said slide block has means for supporting two guide wheels for rolling contact with said flattened surfaces. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said two flattened surfaces are disposed diametrically opposite to each other. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide wheel axis lies in a plane which intersects the longitudinal axis of said guide rod at a right angle. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide wheel axis lies in a plane which intersects the longitudinal axis of said guide rod at an acute angle. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means on said slide block for supporting said guide wheel comprises an opening transverse of said elongated cylindrical opening and said guide wheel is supported within said transverse opening. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said slide block has means for supporting a mandril for removing the craw of slaughtered poultry. .Iadd. 
     
     
       8.  An elongated slide block for use in an apparatus for guiding an object for rotational and rectilinear movement, wherein a rigid guide rod may extend through said slide block and has at least one flattened surface extending along the surface of a first section of said guide rod parallel to the longitudinal axis of said guide rod and at an angle to the longitudinal axis along a second section of said guide rod, wherein said elongated slide block comprises: an elongated cylindrical opening extending through said elongated slide block;   at least one guide wheel supported on said slide block for rolling contact with said flattened surface on said guide rod, said wheel supported on said slide block so as to rotate about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to an axis through said elongated cylindrical opening;   means for rotational engagement with a drive mechanism, said rotational engagement means supported by said slide block so that said slide block can travel in a rectilinear path along said first section of said guide rod and along said second section of said guide rod said rotational engagement means rotates said slide block with respect to said drive mechanism; and   means for supporting a mandrill for removing the craw of slaughtered poultry. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. Apparatus for guiding an object for rotational and rectilinear movement, comprising:   (a) an elongated slide block having an elongated cylindrical opening extending through said slide block;   (b) a rigid guide rod extending through said cylindrical opening, said guide rod defining a first section having at least one flattened surface extending along the surface thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis of said guide rod, and a spiralling surface along a second section of said guide rod;   (c) bearing means to support said slide block for rectilinear movement along said guide rod and for rotational movement about said guide rod; and   (d) means on said slide block for supporting at least one guide wheel for rolling contact with said flattened surface and said spiralling surface on said guide rod, whereby rectilinear movement of said slide block along said guide rod will cause said slide block to move in a rectilinear path along said first section of said guide rod and in a rotational and rectilinear path along said second section of said guide rod. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said guide rod has two symmetrically disposed flattened surfaces and two symmetrically disposed spiralling surfaces and said slide block has means for supporting two guide wheels for rolling contact with said flattened and spiralling surfaces. .Iadd.11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said two flattened surfaces and said two spiralling surfaces are disposed diametrically opposite to each other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said guide wheel axis lies in a plane which intersects the longitudinal axis of said guide rod at a right angle.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.13.  Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said guide wheel axis lies in a plane which intersects the longitudinal axis of said guide rod at an acute angle. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said means on said slide block for supporting said guide wheel comprises an opening transverse of said elongated cylindrical opening and said guide wheel is supported within said transverse opening. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said slide block has means for supporting a mandrill for removing the craw of slaughtered poultry. .Iaddend.